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2024-08-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24

A review of our activities and achievements, and our priorities for the year ahead

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Registered Charity No: 1166358
Registered address: 17 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AB
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The Friends of Ruskin Park (FoRP) has been operating as a community group since 1996. We established a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in 2016.

This annual report relates to the charity’s accounting year from 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024.

Contents

Contents

2023 to 31st August 2024.		 Contents

2023 to 31st August 2024.
Our objectives and aims 3
Review of 2023-24 4
Thank you to our contributors 5
Treasurer’s report 6-7
Achievements and priorities 8-11
Structure, governance and 12
management
Appendix: Financial statements
Appendix: Independent
Examiner’s Report

2

Our objectives and aims

  1. To work collaboratively with Ruskin Park’s managers, Lambeth Council, and other partners to maximise the quality of Ruskin Park, as desired by park users and within available resources.

  2. To engage park users and the wider community in maintaining and improving the park for their own health and wellbeing, for now and in the future, balancing different interests.

  3. To run, sponsor or support where appropriate 1) events and activities for and with park users and 2) physical improvements that would not otherwise happen.

  4. To ensure we have the resources to achieve the above aims – financial, people, communications and governance.

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Review of 2023-24

Kate Malleson and Céline Gilbert lead FoRP as co-chairs.

FoRP’s programme this year was designed to build on progress in 2022-23. It included working with Lambeth to complete the capital programme for the park, culminating in the successful opening of the redeveloped playground. Our gardening activities enjoyed high levels of engagement and we secured grant funding to support this work over the next five years. Keeping the paddling pool open was a significant achievement and we ran a full programme of summer events. See pages 8-11 for greater detail of our achievements this year and future priorities.

Progress would not be possible without the tremendous contributions of volunteers working for Ruskin Park in so many different ways across all of our activities. Each one deserves our grateful thanks.

Although FoRP has a strong volunteer base, we face challenges as long-serving trustees step down. To run our current range of activities and develop new ones, we need to recruit new committee members. We encourage anyone who loves the park to join our committee to help us improve it for current and future generations.

Kate Malleson and Céline Gilbert

Co-Chairs

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Volunteers

Funders, partners and donors

  - Regular and one-off donors

5

Treasurer’s report As demonstrated in our report, FoRP has been active this year with events, projects and fundraising.

events, projects events, projects and fundraising. and fundraising. and fundraising.
2023/24 2022/23
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted funds Total Total
Income 18,360 12,324 30,684 69,359
Expenditure (23,155) (27,730) (50,885) (60,531)
Net movement (4,795) (15,406) (20,201) 8,828
Balance 34,839 15,317 50,156 70,357

We are very grateful for the generous donations we receive from park users and other supporters, as well as to the bodies that have provided us with grants in the past year.

Foundation to support our gardening activities, including improvements and activities in the Willow, Labyrinth and Community gardens. This will allow us to take a longer-term approach to funding activities. Funding from the Aviva Community Fund also supported park gardening.

In addition to planned spending from these restricted funds, we used money raised from the paddling pool appeals for improvements and repairs over the summer, allowing the pool to remain open.

6

Treasurer’s report (cont.)

We continue to retain funds for maintenance/repairs to the pool as needed.

Lambeth Council provided a grant which enabled us to put on the bandstand concerts and provide music at the fete.

The general fund is unrestricted and is used to run events and projects in the park over the year. We funded improvements to the Rose garden and funded new benches at the Denmark Hill and Ferndene Road entrances. We also continue to receive donations for memorial benches and tree sponsorship.

The reserves policy is to hold 6 months of operating costs, as well as the annual costs of providing our regular events and activities for the benefit of new and existing park users. The key spend period is during the months of May to October. This year we have focused on reducing our general fund to the level required under our reserves policy by prioritising and allocating funds to park improvements and this will continue to be a focus in the next financial year.

Sarah Salter Treasurer

7

Achievements and priorities (1)

Volunteering, events and activities

Achievements

Community Our Community garden had and Willow high levels of engagement this year, with many volunteers gardens becoming regular attenders and an increased sense of community.

Three groups use the Willow garden with guidance from a professional gardener, including supporting the groups to work independently. A City Bridge Foundation grant secures the project in the longer term.

Future priorities

We will need to become more self-sufficient in growing our own seeds this year. This is an opportunity to be more strategic about what we grow.

Our gardener will help the existing groups to become more self-guided. We will work to identify other groups that would benefit from access to therapeutic sessions in the garden.

Park The City Bridge Foundation gardening grant secures Saturday gardening in the Labyrinth and litter garden in the longer term. picking Working with Urban Canopy, we started to install metal edging around the beds and added new plants. Volunteers planted new roses and lavender in the rose garden.

Complete edging project in the Labyrinth garden and continue maintenance and planting.

Work with Lambeth to organise volunteering sessions in the Wildlife garden.

Regular litter picking continued throughout the year with a core team of volunteers.

We need to recruit a new lead volunteer for litter picking.

Concerts at the bandstand

We ran a full programme of well Organise a concert programme attended concerts, supported by next year. grant funding from Lambeth, Recruit a new team of including bands who had not volunteers to organise and 8 performed previously. manage the concerts as the existing leads step down.

Achievements and priorities (2)

Volunteering, events and activities

Achievements Future priorities
Summer Fete The Summer Fete was successful Hold the Summer Fete and
and other despite inclement weather. consider holding a Dog Show.
seasonal
events We supported SE5 Forum’s Feel
Good Festival and the Boule d'Or		 Support a small number of other
suitable events.
petanque tournament.
We held gardening workshops at
the Fete and the Feel Good
Festival.
Park FoRP invested in new planting in Improve maps and notice boards
improvements the Labyrinth garden and refecting park developments.
sponsored or
managed by
FoRP		 sponsored 3 benches this year to
supplement bench donations.
Two chess tables are now in		 Continue to fund planting
priorities and supplement
individual bench and tree
place for community use. donations.
Engaging park We held a photography Consider how to help preserve the
users with the competition with the theme heritage bandstand and work
heritage of the
park		 “Lights, Camera, Action”. with Lambeth on plans to
redevelop the Coach House as a
community asset.
Bring the We continued to work with To remain an active voice on the
heritage Lambeth to restore and revitalise Coach House steering committee,
Coach House the historic Coach House, engaging with potential partners
back into use creating a publicly accessible,
sustainably managed asset.		 for the space and funding
opportunities as appropriate.

9

Achievements and priorities (3)

Projects and partnership working with Lambeth

Paddling pool

Opening the disused depot area

Achievements

The paddling pool opened successfully again over the summer, with high levels of volunteer support, despite challenges inherent in maintaining a 1920s era structure.

The depot area has been opened up to allow access.

Future priorities

Agree ways of working with Lambeth more formally to ensure the pool can operate again next year.

Recruit new lead volunteers to replace those stepping down. To continue to work with Lambeth on their plans.

Regular liaison with Lambeth Parks

We worked closely with Lambeth to finalise the completion of the playground redevelopment and have continued to liaise closely on proposals that affect the park, particularly in light of current financial constraints.

The park was again awarded a Green Flag in July 2024 and a Gold at the London in Bloom awards.

Continue to liaise with Lambeth through regular meetings to see projects completed effectively and monitor proposals and initiatives by others that impact the park, including events. There will be a focus on plans to redevelop the sports pitches/ redgra area and depot.

Identify important improvements and work with Lambeth to deliver awaited repairs to pathways and potholes.

Funding and finance

We continued to maintain a healthy financial balance. We obtained a significant grant allowing us to expand our activities, e.g. gardening sessions over a five year period.

operate in accordance with our reserves policy, and bid for specific grant funding where appropriate to do so in light of overall financial position.

10

Achievements and priorities (4)

Charity governance and management

Governance and membership

Achievements

Trustees and non-trustee committee members held regular meetings throughout the year to review activities, priorities and risks.

We implemented an induction pack for new committee members to ensure an appropriate understanding of FoRP’s objectives, policies and controls.

Membership numbers have been maintained, with 378 members at year end.

Future priorities

Our co-chairs remain in place, ensuring stability of leadership. Continue to hold regular committee/trustee meetings and ensure all essential paperwork is compiled and maintained.

To ensure we can run our existing range of activities and develop new ones we need to recruit new committee members.

Recruit trustees to ensure succession planning for key roles as two long-standing trustees step down and hand over responsibilities..

Communications and engagement

We have continued to communicate with the membership and park users through newsletters, social media and notices.

Maintain core communications and continue to try to engage more park users e.g. by more extensive use of social media to promote activities and generate new volunteers and participants for activities such as the community garden.

11

Structure, governance and management

Membership

Membership is open to anyone who is interested in furthering our purposes. The trustees have decided not to charge a membership fee. As of 31st August 2024, FoRP had 378 members.

Governance

We are governed by a constitution adopted in March 2016 and approved by the Charity Commission in April 2016. This can be viewed on our website.

Trustees

We have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 11 trustees. They are appointed at our AGM, with a third standing down or being re-appointed each year. At other times the existing trustees may appoint trustees until the next AGM. The following people were trustees during 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024:

Kate Malleson Co-Chair Céline Gilbert Co-Chair Joanna Broadbent Appointed 16.1.24 Lucy Hadfield Mandy Millward Chris Norris Sarah Salter

Committee

Additional committee members are appointed by the trustees to assist with the management of our activities. This year they included Jemima Ashdown, Diamond Ashiagbor, Kathy Erasmus, Abimbola Oke, Kay O’Neill, Sara Robertson-Jonas, Julie Simpson and Claire Vinycomb.

12

Friends of Ruskin Park Registered Charity number 1166358 ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1st September 2023 to 31st Aueust 2024

Friend$ 01 Rvskln P• Att¢Mntsfor the from l Stptsmbtr 1023 to 31 AuRUSt 2024 Chari Friend5 of Ruskin Park wor￿ Name FORP Chari Num 1166358 istered Office 17 De Crewgny Park London SE5 8AB Appointed 0110612017 1210112021 1310112023 2SI0512022 1210112021 01109n016 16101n024 Resigned Board of Trustees Lucy Hadf*ld Kate Malleson ICo<hairl Sarah Salter (Treasurer) Celine Gilbert Icthoiairl Katherine AJnanda Millward Christt)pher Norrts Joanna Broadbent endent Accouniant Crest A￿OUnting Ltd. 49 Verdayne Avenue. Shirley. Croydon. CRO BTW. Bank Lloyds Bank PLC

Fvlends ol Ruskin Pavk Ststèmemt of FinarKial Acti¥￿¢$ F•rthÈperiod from tst5tthiber20UiO 3151 20241 Restrted TOTAL Fw￿$ FUNDS Pe￿0 Énded Petiod Ended 3tst Awst 1014 3lstAv¢u5t Z014 3151 Awust 2014 TOTAL FUND5 Period Ehded JtstAuÉust 2023 Fuoth Incomin8 Resow%es Imtsto 31 DonaiionslGrants E¥ents Intere5tlothei Gift Total Incomln( resourtt5 9.3￿) 6.683 1.426 861 12.324 21.714 6.683 1,426 60.934 6.870 569 Costs of Piovhlin8 Challlotè41 A¢U¥lties (ostof providingcharitab Aciiyites chaiitats￿ Atliviies Total Resources expended 1.897 21.258 1,897 48.988 2,6ZO 57.911 27.730 Net movem￿tin fund5 Reconc4iation f fv•d5 Toral Funds bTought Total Fund$ (ail￿d fiwward

At 31stW 2024 At 31slust 2023 Flxed Au•ts (Noie 51 tlebto Cash at bank in h¥d Tota ass•ts 5.615 s8.￿7 69,373 Creilws fallin8due within One￿ Pre￿Id Intcr IP&)te 61 114.0661 14.0161 Fwd50fthe Vrwe5tricted F￿d% Re5trKted Fwd5 39.634 1.723 INote 71 15.317 T¢)tal Funds a)air Date:

Fvltnds of Ruskin Park Notes to the Accounts A¢countin Policies The princip31 aCCc￿ni1ng polKies are summarised below. The accouniing policies have been applied consistentty throuBhout ihe period. ofAccoun in The Fin3nrial statements have been p￿pared on the basis of the historic cost convention and in accordance with the Companie5 Act 2(w)6 and the Statement of Recommended Practice- Accountin8 and Reporting by Charities ISORP 20051 issued In March 2￿5. Fund Accountin Unrestricied funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustee5 in furtherance of the 8eneral objectives of the charity. Restricted funds a￿ subjetted to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor. Incomin resources l incorning resources are rec¢¥n15ed once the Charity has entItlerr￿n1 to the resource5. It Is £ertaiTh that the resources will be ￿ceiVed and ihe monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability. Grants and donation5 are included in the SOFA when the tharity has uncon(litional entitlement to the ¥esources. Incoming resour<es from tam reclaims are in(1L￿e￿ althe same time as they are recei￿￿. Investment income is included when receivable. Resources ex ended Expendilure 15 ¥ecognised on an accrual bass as a liability is incuffed. Costs ol gererating funds are thts5e costs incurred in 3ttracting voluntary Income. Charirable expenditure comprises those <osts incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activitie5 and services for Its mernbe￿. It Includes both COMS that can be allocated dirÈ¢tly to such activities and those costs ol an indirect nature to Support them. Governance cost5 include those costs a550ciated with meetinE the coThstitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include independent examination fees and cost5 linked to the strategic management of the charity. All costs a￿ allocated between the expenditurecategories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use OF the resource. Costs felatine to a particular activity arè directfy allocated. Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are staled at cost less deprecialion. Depreciation is prwded at rate5 calculated to wnte off the cost useful life a5 follow5:. Computer equipment- 33.33% straight linè basi5 Fixlures & Fittings- 33.33% strai8ht line basis

Note 2:T No remunerat(on was paid tothe trustee5 iThtht 12 month perxl ernled 31stAugu5t 2024 3..A of Incomln Totsl Fw Volunrory income.. Unrestricted donationsfinco Restrided donation518rants Gift hid 1nvestmentlnco￿.' Bank Interest Other In¢ome Total I6￿73 12.324 360 charitsble ¢t￿ltieS 31stALyus12Q24 AGM Fundraisin8 Adrninllnsurance DatabaSe￿T Support Governance 255 751 463 78 350 Trt4 S Flxed as No assets are owned by the tharity 6=ana A¢cruals Restri Bahnce BIF DonationslGrants 30.723 Expenditu {27,7301 B4lnce CIF

Frlends of Ruskift Park Profit and Los5 for the year to 31st August 2024 Turnover Donations/Grants Events Interestlother Gift Aid TOTAL TURNOVER 21.714 6.683 1.426 861 30.684 Costs General Admin Fundraisin8 IT Costs Charitable Activities Legal & Governance TOTAL COSTS 2SS 751 78 48,988 813 50.885 OPERATING PROFIT -20.201

Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl mèmbers of FRIENDS OF RUSKIN PARK {FORP) 31 AUGUST 2024 On accounts for the year ended Charity no (If any) 1166358 Set out on pages 1to7 Respectlve The tharivs trustees are resFonsibfe for Ihe preparation of the accA)unts. responsibilities of The tharity's trustees CC￿sIder that an audil is not required for this year tru$teos and examinor under seCtiC￿ 144 of the Charthes Act 2011 (the CharFties Ad) and thal an independent examirAtion is needed. is my reswnsibilty to.. examine the accounts urKler section 145 ofthe CtBribes Act, to folkxi the pr(xedures lahl down in the ge￿rdI DirectK)ns given by the Chartty CommiSs￿n (urKler ￿tiOn 145{5){b) of the Charities Act. and to slate wlr part￿lar matters have ￿rne to my attethion. Basis of Independent My 8xaminatk)n ￿ds c2fTwI out in accordance with general Directions gwen examlnerfs statement by the Chanty C(Knmission. An examInat￿n includes a review ofthe acC￿nting reo)rd$ kept by the charity and a comparison of the a¢￿Unts presented with tthe recxirrjs. It also includes considerath?n of any unusual items or disck)yJJres n the ￿0)Unts and seeknng expLqnalions from the trustees 0)n￿Mmig any such matters. The Pro￿uTeS undertaken do not provhk all the ewdence that woukl be required in an audit, and conSeqU￿ty no opIn￿n is given as to whether the aC￿unts present a Irue a￿1 fairf view. and the W is limited to those matter5 t out in the stment below. Independent In connedion with my examinatton, no matter has come to my attention examlnerfs statement which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material reskd, the requirements.. to keep a(LcMJnti)g reLords in aCcOthn￿ with seC￿n 1 ￿ of Ihe Charrlres Act" and to prepare accounts bthi¢h accord with the accounting records and compty with the a(tsunting requiremgnt8 of the Charrties Act have mt been met or 1. to whth, in my Op•i￿n. attentK)n should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signod: Name: Pat￿la Jane Ward Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (rf anyl: FCMA, CGM4, MIP. Address: 49 verda￿ Avenue. Sh1￿y, Croyd(¥), Surrey CRO 8TW IER March 2012