**Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1[st] Oct 2023 to 30[th] Sept 2024.** Charity name: **Plot 22** Charity registration number: **1165624** ## **1. Objectives and Activities** ## **1.1 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document** 1. To provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation by providing an area for use as a community garden and allotment and other activities for individuals in Brighton & Hove and the surrounding areas, who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants. 2. To advance education for the public benefit in the subjects of horticulture, healthy eating, conservation of natural resources and improvement of wildlife diversity, in particular by providing opportunities for learning in and around the community garden/allotment. 3. To advance health by the promotion of i) physical exercise through gardening ii) therapeutic horticulture iii) healthy eating, for individuals in Brighton, Hove and surrounding areas who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large. ## **1.2 Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.** March saw a programme of Lottery funded ‘Garden Volunteers’ sessions come to an end. Established to meet increased demand for an additional women-only group in the immediate aftermath of Covid, the sessions had gradually and expectedly subsequently diminished in importance. Otherwise, in 2023/24 our funded projects focussed on delivery of four regular key sessions aimed at specific cohorts: - **Thyme & Space** – for women facing mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety and / or recovering from abuse related trauma. - - **Growing Together** - for older people, people living with dementia, and carers - **Family sessions** –providing access for families who don’t have their own outdoor spaces - **Tuesdays** –for a mix of adults who may also be receiving formal support, with a focus on inclusivity and supporting each other (comprising morning and afternoon taster sessions for new participants). We continued to supplement our key sessions with a mixture of volunteer led events including monthly poetry and meditation meets, skills workshops hosted by guest presenters and collaborative ad hoc workshops with partner organisations. ## **1.3 Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit** Plot 22 Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. ## **2. Achievements and Performance** ## **2.1 Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.** In total we delivered 139 key sessions (including 40 Tuesday morning and 28 afternoon taster sessions). Despite the number of key sessions dropping by almost 20% on the previous year (for reasons explained later in this report), total numbers of visits remained broadly consistent: 1045 adult and child spaces were attended in 23/24, compared with 1068 in 22/23. Our key sessions were supplemented by an additional 42 sessions comprising: - The final 12 Garden Volunteers sessions referenced above - 17 volunteer led poetry and meditation sessions - 7 skills workshops, and - 6 sessions delivered in collaboration with partner organisations Across the year, 169 new participants signed up as new Plot 22 members. A significant body of academic research identifies numerous physical and mental wellbeing benefits associated with providing access to allotments. For example, Healthy Ageing is shown to be enhanced through increased sense of purpose, physical health, independence, reduced instances of falls and reductions in cognitive decline / need for dementia care. Benefits for people facing mental health challenges include reduced loneliness, depression, fatigue and stress, and improved happiness, self- esteem, sense of identity, purpose and perceived social support Given the nature of our work, quantifying the precise extent of beneficial participant / societal impact is challenging for a number of reasons (ranging from the varying and complex factors impacting an individual’s wellbeing to an understandable reluctance of many participants to become (or Plot 22 to treat them as) ‘research subjects’. However, of 60 participants who completed a validated evaluation survey in the reporting period, 98% reported increased wellbeing, 48% increased exercise and 75% increased socialising. These quantitative indicators of impact support and supplement the more nuanced qualitative feedback we gather on a regular basis. Examples include: - ‘I am very restricted in regards of my independence and spend most days at home, the plot is perfectly placed for access for me’. - ‘I feel included and welcome, help me stabilize my mental health, feel I belong’ - ‘I couldn't have brought up my son without plot22. It really helped me (over the) last 8 years'. ## **3. Additional information** ## **3.1 Achievements against objectives set** The cost-of-living crisis, ongoing legacy of Covid and increasing competition for decreasing levels of funding made 2023/24 a particularly challenging year for all working within the community and voluntary sector. Against this general context, Plot 22 entered the year facing two additional significant challenges: our founder, Emma Houldsworth, decided to step aside as CEO after 13 years of leading day to day operations, and our primary source of funding, a three-year grant from the Lottery Community Fund, came to an end in March. Successfully navigating these potentially existential challenges formed two of our primary objectives for the year, the third being maintaining provision of our key sessions. Ultimately, Emma’s decision to step down as CEO has provided an opportunity to review and strengthen our organisational structure. Leadership duties are now divided across a management team comprising new CEO, Jim Mayor, Garden Lead Alison Whitehead and Coordinator Dee McDonald – an arrangement that enables Plot 22 to benefit from new insights and resilience, whilst retaining Emma’s significant experience through her transition into an ambassadorial role. In July we were delighted to discover that we had been successful in securing ongoing Lottery funding for a further three years. This new period of Lottery funding, which starts at the beginning of our next financial year, provides the platform that will enable Plot 22 to continue to deliver our established services, whilst investing additional resource into expanding that offer to a wider cross section of the local community in the form of additional sessions for new cohorts, and giving more focussed attention to knowledge exchange and sharing of best practice. And as outlined in the previous section, we continued to provide all of our key sessions, benefitting similar numbers of people despite the total number of sessions delivered dropping by almost 20% year on year. (This drop was mainly due to a one-off grant having enabled an unusually high number of Thyme & Space sessions in ‘22/23 and a decision to pause Tuesday afternoon sessions over winter ‘23/24 due to the impact of weather on take up and so relative value for money). ## **3.2 Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set** Over the course of the year, Plot 22 has worked to three broad financial objectives: 1. To secure sufficient funding to deliver our key sessions (our ongoing / immediate term objective), 2. To ensure Plot 22 has sufficient short-mid-term core funding to provide the platform that enables us to deliver those sessions, and 3. To ensure a robust reserves policy is implemented to help us mitigate any temporary shortfalls funding targets, or, in a worst-case scenario, close down responsibly. Ultimately, we made good progress in each area: - Our core sessions were supported through successful bids to the Enjoolata Foundation and Hubbub (Family Sessions), D’Oyly Carte (Thyme and Space), Awards for All / TSIP (Tuesdays) and the Sussex Community Foundation (Growing Together), - Our successful bid to the Lottery Community Fund secured sufficient funding to meet the majority of our core costs for the next three years, and - Our Designated General reserve was £15.126 against a target of holding a minimum of three months running costs and a maximum of one years running costs (approximately £22,500 - £90,000). ## **4. Financial Review** ## **4.1 Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period** We held cash in the bank at 30[th] September 2024 of £75,000 (2023 £78,000). Our total Income for the year was £83,575 (2023 £98,825). Total costs for the year were £86,575 (2023 £82,728). The main financial risks to the charity are loss of funding and increased costs due to inflation. Although the core grant from the National Lottery has been re-secured, another significant grant from the local authorities is due to finish during 2024-25 and a new award is uncertain due to a restructuring of the awards system driven by local authority cuts. Alternative funding sources are being sought to address this. ## **4.2 Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held** Our Reserves Policy, last updated in July 2022, sets out our rationale for holding a proportion of ‘…unrestricted funds in reserve to enable us to act when: - An unforeseen emergency happens (unexpected bill or to provide seed funding for an urgent project) - Unforeseen day to day (provide temporary staff cover for long term sickness) - Long-term grant not being renewed (giving time to take action) - Planned commitments (match funding requirements) - Fund short term deficits (money needed before future grant received) - To help plan for growth or to grasp opportunities when they arise. - To promote the ethos of permaculture and the PLOT 22 way by publishing and developing products that can provide an income. We have looked at having a minimum of three months running costs and a maximum of one years running costs. This will enable PLOT 22 to apply for funding and if unsuccessful then to responsibly close the project. Using clear, timely, compassionate communications by: - Informing participants about this change and to help them to connect with other local opportunities to engage with outdoor gardening and gathering - opportunities within the Green Alliance projects. - Informing partners and establish a smooth exit for their participants and for the partnership to be ended. - To be able to pay any outstanding debts - To inform and carry out all legal requirements both with the Charity - Commission and tax office. - To pay any outstanding PAYE/NIC and redundancy The maximum amount of a years running costs is to enable time to research, identify funding opportunities, apply and await the decisions of funders as this process can easily take up to a year’. ## **4.3 Amount of reserves held** At the end of the year, our unrestricted reserves were £50,175, including designated closure reserves of £15,000 and designated general reserves of £15,126. ## **4.4 Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern** With the new 3-year period of Lottery funding set to commence in October 2024 (which meets over 80% of core costs) and a healthy reserves balance, the board considers preparing accounts on the going concern basis entirely appropriate. However, our ongoing success will be dependent on maintaining efforts to raise additional funding to meet the costs of our key sessions, and the next three years will require increased efforts in developing additional income streams to ensure we can be as self-sustaining as possible in the mid to long-term. ## **4.5 Related Party Transaction** During the year new CEO, Jim Mayor, was appointed. He is married to trustee and treasurer Vanessa Mayor. Vanessa had no involvement in the appointment. Additional procedures relating to all financial transactions involving both individuals were immediately implemented to ensure full independence and transparency within the organisation. The financial policy document was updated to reflect this. The board are fully satisfied that no conflict of interest exists. During the year Jim was paid a total of £12,213 for his services. ## **5. Structure, Governance and Management** ## **5.1 Type of governing document** Constitution ## **5.2 How is the charity constituted?** CIO // Association ## **5.3 Trustee selection methods** New trustees are appointed on the basis of having the appropriate skills, experience and relationship with the plot to ensure good fit. We are mindful to invite project participants and those from diverse backgrounds. ## **5.4 Trustees** - Bunty Dann (Chair) - Vanessa Mayor (Treasurer) - Charlotte Overton-Hart - Lynne Ridden - Simon Rowledge - Jennie Smith ## **6. Reference and Administrative details** ## **6.1 Charity’s principal address** Welkin, Hill Top Road, West Hoathly, East Grinstead RH19 4QJ ## **6.2 Independent Examiner** Rachel Balchin, Bulldog Accounting - 12 Brogdale Place, Faversham, Kent ME13 0AF ## **7. Declarations** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** |**Signatures**||| |---|---|---| |**Name**|**Bunty Dann**|**Vanessa Mayor **| |**Position**|**Chair**|**Treasurer**| |**Date**|**18.01.25**|**16.01.25**| ||**Plot 22**|**Plot 22**|**Plot 22**|**1165624**|**CC16a**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**For the period**
**from**|Period start date
01.10.23|**To**|Period end date
30.09.24|| ||||||| |**Section A Receipts and payments**|||||| |**A1 Receipts**
Donations
**3,534**
Grants
**-**
Interest Received
**463**
Sale of Goods & services
**1,045**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**5,042**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ -**
**_Total receipts_ 5,042**
**A3 Payments**
DeliveringCharitable Activities
**968**
Adminstration
Employee Costs
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ 968**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ -**
**_Total payments_ 968**
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_ 4,074**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**1,318**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**44,783**
**_Cash funds this year end_ 50,175**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for AR)_
**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**
**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**||**to the nearest £**
**-**
**77,033**
**-**
**1,500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**78,533**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**78,533**
**45,810**
**22,993**
**16,804**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**85,607**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**85,607**
**- 7,074**
**- 1,318**
**33,218**
**24,826**
**Restricted**
**funds**|**to the nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**3,534**
**77,033**
**463**
**2,545**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**83,575**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**83,575**
**46,778**
**22,993**
**16,804**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**86,575**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**86,575**
**- 3,000**
**-**
**78,001**
**75,001**|**Last year**
**to the nearest £**| ||||**-**|**3,534**|**4,492**| ||||**-**|**77,033**|**91,901**| ||||**-**|**463**|**142**| ||||**-**|**2,545**|**2,290**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**83,575**|**98,825**| ||||||| ||||**-**|**-**|| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||||| ||||**-**|**83,575**|**98,825**| ||||||| ||||**-**|**46,778**|**46,228**| ||||**-**|**22,993**|**2,633**| ||||**-**|**16,804**|**33,867**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**86,575**|**82,728**| ||||||| ||||**-**|**-**|| ||||**-**|**-**|| ||||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||||||| ||||**-**|**86,575**|**82,728**| ||||||| |||**- 7,074**|**-**|**- 3,000**|**16,097**| |||**- 1,318**|**-**|**-**|**-**| |||**33,218**|**-**|**78,001**|| |||**24,826**|**-**|**75,001**|**16,097**| ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees|**Details**
Cash in Bank
**Details**
Receivables
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
Signature
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))|**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**50,175**
**24,826**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**50,175**
**24,826**
OK
OK
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**245**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
Vanessa Mayor
Bunty Dann
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**|**to nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**| |---|---|---|---| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**to nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**When due**
**(optional)**| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||Date of
approval| |||Vanessa Mayor|08.01.2025| |||Bunty Dann|**14.1.2025**| CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Indopendent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl mernbers of Plot 22 On accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024 Charity no (if anyl 1165624 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my exsminalion of the accounts of the at charity I'the Tru5t"I for Ihe year ended 30 109 12024. Rosponslbilities and As the charity Ifuslees of the Trust. you are resF)onsible for the preparatson basls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the CharIt￿S Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination ofthe Trust's ￿)untS carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have folb)wed the applicable Dir8ctions given by the Charty Commission under section 14515llb) of the Act. I have ¢ompl6ted my examinat￿n. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attentit)n {olher than that disclosed below") in connection wrth Ihe examination which gives Me cause to believe that in. any matenal respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance w¢lh section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not e￿Ord wrth the accounting records Independent oxamlnof8 slatemant I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to whtch attention should be drawn in ¢yder to enable 8 proper understanding of Ihe accounts to be reached. Ple8s8 d818te the words in the br8¢kels il Ihey do nol apply Date: 1611212024 Slgnad: Name: Rachel Hall FCA Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body (rf any): ICAEW Address: 12 Brogdale Place Faversham ME13 OAF