Let's Get Growing Ltd. Annual Report and Unaudited F5nancial Statements 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024
Let's Get Growing Ltd. Company Information Directors Mrs Eileen Ewen Mrs Elizabeth Hume Ms Nuala O'Brien Dr. Ruth Briel Secretsry Katrina Padmore Company Number 7287776 Charity Registratlon Number 1172662 Registered Office Steel Farm Cottage Steel Hexham Northumberland NE47 OLG Bankers The Co-operative Bank PO Box 250 Delf House Skelmersdale WN8 6wr
Let's Get Growing Ltd. Contents Page Directors, Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet and Directors. Statements Notes to the Financial Ststements 10 Detailed income and expenditure account
Let's Get Growing Ltd. Directors, Report l December 2023- 30 November 2024 The Directors present their report and the financial statements for 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024 Objectives and activities Purposes The purposes of Let's Gel Growing, as set out in our Articles of Association are.'_ To assist in the treatment and care of persons suffering from physical and mental illness of any description or in need of rehabilitation as a result of such illness, in Hexham and the surrounding areas, by the provision of Iherapeutic gardening and horticulture. To advan the education of the public, in particular, but not exclusively. young people in the subject of horticulture and related practices. We have referred to the guidan contained in the Charity Commission's general guKlance on public benefit when setting our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. Activities In the financial year ending 30 November 2024, Let's Get Growing provided the following services:. Our regular twi weekly gardening therapy sessions at Minsteracres Pea Garden (working with adults aged 20 - 80+ yrs experiencing a range of mental and physical health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, bi-polar disorder, dementia and mild leaming difficulties) remained open throughout the period.and well-b Additional one-off therapeutic garden workshops for a range of groups of all ages, including addicts in recovery. homeless people, carers, refugees and asylum seekers were expanded to include more groups. Achievements and Perforniance Our gardening theRpy sessions thrived. with significant benefits for participants who attended. reflected in feedback from both Ihem and their carerslfamilies. We continued to focus on supporting mental health and well-being, and promoting personal self-esteem and social confidence, wrth new participants joining us very successfully after having been significantly isolated at home through mental ill-health. We also continued to support people with dementia through to the latter stages of their illness, which we feel is a particular strength of the proJect, which successfully provides mental stimulation. physical exercise and fn'endship which might otherwise be absent for these participants. We On again combined a small subsidised veg box scheme, open to those attending gardening sessions, with selling produce to the Angel Inn in Corbridge. desprte a tricky growing year in the Peace Garden as a conquen of the weather condrtions. in particular a very cold late spring. As well as outings to bwheelbirks, we again used funds to put on some special barbeque lunches in the garden, including salads made with garden produce and puddings using our own home-grown fruit.
These were a great SucsS and offered an exlIent way to provide a treat in a familiar environment where we could comfortably meet everyone's support needs. We hosted a very successful summer open day in the garden, which was a great way to show people what we do. Participant-led drama and singing provided entertainment and we all enjoyed tea and cake together. We ran an increased number of additional one-off sessions in the garden for a range of other beneficiary groups of all ages, from children to adults. Fdback from these sessions was very positive and heart1 warming. This work requires imagination, skill and flexibility. as these diverse and sometimes challenging groups often require a high level of support. All of this was made possible by a skilled and commrtted team of staff and volunteers. A solid long- standing volunteer group was boosted by an additional volunteer during the course of the year. As well as formal volunteer meetings to explore safeguarding and the needs of individual participants in depth, there is always an informal Spa before gardening sessions, when volunteers can chat and raise cOnrnS. In addition, the co-ordinators continued to provide one-to-one time for each volunteer to discuss how they are getting along and any further guidan or training needed. We continued to prioritise teaching organic growing skills and planting to create bio4iversity. The whole garden, including the extensive ornamental areas, were lovingly maintained to provide a beautiful, therapeutic spa, not just for those attending gardening therapy sessions, bL5t also for the local community at large. Inspired by the challenging weather through 2024, we began the prOsS of fundraising for a new large polytunnel to provide a year-round growing and work Spa whatever the weather conditions outside. This was kick-started by a sponsored walk with the whole gardening group, which raised a fantsstic £2,000. We also plan to create a new large full-height raised bed to enable those wrth mobilrty issues to enjoy gardening with ease. In addition to our websrte, we maintained an ongoing instagram presence, with participants, volunteers and staff able to share photos of memorable moments in and around the garden, capturing something of the diversity and humour of what happens here. We appreciate the ability this provides to stay connected with all our friends and supporters. Financial review The principal income sources for Let's Get Growing are from participant contributions for regular gardening therapy sessions, produ sales and addrtional one-off therapeutic workshops, as well as from funding from charitable trusts and private donations. The breakdown by percentsge of all our income sources in this accounting pertod is shown bebw. INCOME SOURCE Participant contributions Produce sales Additional one-off workshops Private donations and GiftAid Charitable grants 50 31
We are grateful to Boundary Lane Wind Farm and the National Lottery Community Fund for Charitable funding. We are also very grateful forthe generosity of individual one-off and regular donors. Especial thanks to all these, including two of our volunteerteam who raised £578, plus £136 GiftAid through JustGiving, in doing a sponsored microlight flight. We remain committed to providing free or subsidised pla5 to those who can benefrt from the project. but who are unable to access statutory funding and do not have pnvate means. Mostly this seems to be those with mental health difficulties who are living on benefits and are not eligible for a personal budget. We anticipate that we shall therefore require some charitable funding into the future to accommodate this aim, as well as to support the work of the organisation as a whole. At the end of the reporting period, Let's Get Growing carried forward £36,130 restricted charitable funding allocated to the Minsteracres gardening therapy project, to be spent during the next financial year. Structure, Governance and Management The organisation is a charitable company limrted by guarantee, incorporated on 17 June 2010 and registered as a charity on 20 April 2017. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10. There are currently four directors on the board. The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and, under the company's Articles, are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the reqU1MentS of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, one third of the members of the Management Committee must retire at each Annual General Meeting and may stand for reelection if desired. The Management Committee seeks to ensure that the needs of this group are appropriately reflected through the diversity of the trustee body, which now includes a retired head teacher, retired social worker, retired communi(xtions manager and retired psychiatrist. All members of the Management Committee give their time voluntarily and receive no benefrts from the charity. The directors who served during the year are as stated below.'- Mrs Eileen EvRn Ms Nuala O'Brien Mrs Elizabeth Hume Dr. Ruth Briel This portwaS approved by the Board on .......................... 2025 and signed on its behalf by Elizabeth Hume Eileen Ewen Chair Director
Let's Get Growing Ltd. Statement of Financial Activities From 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 202312024 202212023 INCOME 5,125 73,771 78,896 70,174 Direct expenditure 5,603 478 58,521 15,250 64,124 14,772 60,537 9.637 Administrative Expenses Building Costs 6,693 6,693 6,265 478 8,557 8.079 3,372 Creditors: amounts falllng due within one year Unpaid wages Net income 478 8,557 8,079 3,372 Funds blf as at 1 Dec 2023 1,794 27,572 29,366 25,994 Total funds carrled forward 1,316 36,129 37,445 29,366
Let's Get Growing Ltd. Balance Sheet as at 30 November 2024 202312024 202212023 Current assets Bank Current Account 37,446 25,994 Total current assets 37.446 25,994 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Total net assets 37,446 25,994 Capitsl and reserves 202312024 202212023 Called up share capital Income and expenditure account 37.446 25,994 Total members funds 37,446 25,994 Directors, Statements For the accounting period ended 30 November 2023, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordan with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordan with the micr(>entty provisions and deSivered in accordan with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. Elizabeth Hume Chair Eileen Ewen Director
Let's Get Growing Ltd. Notes to the financial statements For the period 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024 Accounting policies Accounting convention The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost cL)nvention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities 2015. Turnover Tumover represents the total Invol value, excluding value added tax, of sales made during the year and derives from the provision of seniices falling within the company's ordinary activities, wholly undertaken within the UK. Company limited by guarantse The company is limited by guarantee. Every member of the Company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required (not exedIng £10) to the Company's assets if it should be wound up while they are a member, or within one year after aSIng lo be a member, for payment of the Company's debts and liabilities contracted before ceasing to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves. If the Company is wound up or dissolved and after all its debts and liabilities have been satisfied there remains any property it shall nol be paid to, or distributed among the members of the Company, but shall be given or transferred to some other Company or charities having similar objects which prohibrt the distribution of its income and propety, directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus or otheiSe by way of profrt, to members of the Company Controlling interest In the opinion of the directors the company is under no controlling interest.
io Levs Get Growing Ltd. Detailed income and expenditure account for the period 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024 Income 1 Dec 2023 - 30 Nov 2024 Restricted Unrestricted Total Grants: Boundary Lane Wind Farm National Lottery Community Fund Total Grants Donatlons Participant contributlons Produce sales: Veg box scheme Other produce sales Total Produce sales Garden project fees Bulldlng rental Sundry GIftAid TOTAL INCOME 5,000.00 19,550.00 24,550.00 5,687.24 38,933.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 24550.00 5,687.24 38,933.10 1,103.00 1,981.63 3,084.63 0.00 440.00 96.78 979.53 73,771.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,125.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,125.00 1,103.00 1,981.63 3,084.63 5,125.00 440.00 96.78 979.53 78,896.28 Expendlturo Dlrect Expendlture: Project management fees Garden materlals Partlcipant transport Partlclpant outlngslBBQ's Project management fees refund 45,353.59 6,603.35 6,381.00 283.25 0.00 58,521.19 4,180.03 622.59 0.00 0.00 800.00 5.602.62 49,533.62 7,125.94 6,381.00 283.25 800.00 64123.81 Administration Expenses Admlnlaccountlng fees Prlntlng StationerylPostage Companles House Insurancè Webslts Sundry 5,719.40 0.00 142.74 34.00 661.40 135.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.719.40 0.00 142.74 661.40 135.00 0.00 6,692.54 70.816.35 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 65,213.73 5,602.62 Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln one yèar 0.00 0.00 0.00 Retslned surplus from perfod 8,557.55 477.62 8,079.93 Funds bif as at 1 Dec 2023 27,572.11 1,793.67 29,365.78 Total funds carried fofward 36.129.66 1,316.05 37,445.71 V-<J