Grow for Life
Charlty Number. 1173914
Trustees, Annual Report
and Financial Statements
for the Year ended
31 January 2024

Grow for Llfe
Trustees reportfor the year ended 31 lanuary 2024
Reference and admlnththp delalls ofthe charlty. Its trustees and advlsors
The trustees durfng the financial period and up to and indudlng the date the report was
appn)ved were:
Offkt(If (*wJ
i: Martln Geake
24Juty 2017
7 July 2021
2: Phllllp Blacker
24Juty 2017
13 October 2023
3: Denlse Welkert
16 May 2019
6 Juty 2022
4: Dr Ala Eldrldge
*)19
March 2023
s: Dr Peg Bavln Butler
7 Jwty 2021
& Ted Lltthfleld
7 luly 2021
7 Triitram Ixwis
19 Octobtr 2022
Charlty number
The charity was reglstered wlth the Charlty Commtsskon for England and Wales, number
1173914. on 24Ju]y 2017.
Reglsternd andprlnclpal addr
548 Wellsway
Bath
BA2 2UE
Names &Addr￿ ofBonk
Lltyls Bank
47 Milsom Street, Bath. BAI IDN

Grow for Llfe
Trustees report for the year ended 31 lanuary 2024
Structure. governance and n￿llagement
The charity Is reglstered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is governed by a
constitution adopted on 24 July 2017.
Trustses determlne the strate&v and p)licy ofthe charity. When staff are appolnted they
report to the boar¥1 oftrustees. Thistees must have an actlve commltment to the objects ofthe
charity. The board of trustees selects and appolnts new trustees who are chosen for the5r
expertise. Trustees are all required to read the Charity Commission's guldellnes on the role of
charftable trustees and also to famlliarlse themselv&8 with the charitys work on the ground.
The trustees have the pleasure of presenting the accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024
with comparison for the year ended 31 January 2023.
OblectI￿ and actlvfides
Grow for Ufe (GFL) vras registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organlsatlon fin Juty 2017 and
the objects were updated in September 2023, approved by a]1 trustees and the Charity
ommfisslon. The new objects are to assist in the treatment and care of persons in Eng]and and
Wales who are experiendng mental or physical ill health or low self-confidence, through the
provision of therapeutlc 8ardenin& horticulture training and companionshlp. These objects
are to be pursued in accordan￿ with the prinaples and values of the Chrlstian faitlL
Summary ofthe Maln Actlvltles Undertaken lor the Publlc Benefit In Relatlon to the
Charltys Oblects
Grow for Life provides therdpeutic gardening for people struggling with life, espedalty those
suffering wfith depression and/or anxiety conditions. Working outdoors fn a ganlen is
enjoyable and produ¢tlve and wes trainees. who we now call Gardeners. a sense of wellbelng
and achfievemenL The char5ty alms to increase the confidence and self-esteem of its Gardeners
equipplng them wlth gardening and sociat skllls. thereby providlng a potendal route into
employment or meanin8ful activity.
We work in teams with Gardeners partiapatlng weekty In a morning or an afternoon sess50n.
We make the sessions InfOrn￿tiVe, fun and safe. GFL works In both private and public gardens,
in particular Bath Botan5cal Garden& The hosts of the prfvate gardens where we work need
asslstance due to old age or Infirnifity.
In late 2021 GFL took on a lease frnm the Duchy of Cornwall on an abandoned walled ￿rden
in Newton St Loe. While stlll a work In progress, It fis being transformed into a productive
vegetable garden and a superb resource for training and therapy. This Walled Garden and fits
adjofinlng orchard are now the centre of GFLS operations and will be a key resource fin
enabling GFL to expand its activities and reach more Gardener& A larEe poiytunnel has been

Grow for Llfe
Trustees report for the year ended 31 January 2024
built on slte together with two Wcs and a tool shed. As a resulL It Is now wsslble to operate
sesslons year-round.
GFL also started an orchard pnmln& harvesting and pressing activity. We have visited special
needs homes and other venues and Involved vulnernble partlcipants th the process ofmaldng
apple lulce. This has proved very popular.
Statutory Declaratlon
The trustees declare that they have complled with their duty to have due regard to the
guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.
surnn￿ry ofthe Main Achlevements
Our core actsvities and outputs centre around weekly session& These are run by our part-time
members of staff assisted by an amazing and ￿wing anny of volunteers who contributed
1839 hours In 2023. Wfithln thts we've recelved HIL fundralslng and strateglc rnanagement
support from volunteers who heard of us through BBC &irdeners World who visited and
filmed at the Walled Garden in April.
Over the year we have developed the walled garden. This has 8iven the charity a superb base
from which to offer a wider, more comprehensive learning exper5ence to our Gardeners. In
future we wlll be able to recelve a wlder range of groups with special needs due to the safe
nature of the garden and its faalities. Together with our access to Bath Parks. we now have
excellentvenues to host a wlde range of clfient
GFL has several weekty sesslons ongoln& One fs a starter group at the Walled Garden for new
refen71s. One Is at St Martins School Odd Down trA partnership with St Philips and St James
Church. One is a peripatetic group that moves from venue to venue- the Walled Garde
Haycombe Cemetery (for Parks). private gardens of (3re homes and needy individuals. The
aim of this group is to get the Gardeners out and about and ready for employment. Another is
a new Herbs and Nature course held at the Parks Nurseries whlch Is to be run three tlmes a
year. The excellent working relationship with Bath Parks Dept continues.
GFL has built new partnerships in 2023 to enable the GFL model to be more wldely used and
to attrdrt an increasfing number of particlpant& In particular. the charity has a partnershfip
wlth Boys fin Mind (Bim) & a local secondary school. with a group of boys. who have issues
with their mental health meeting at the Walled Ganlen weeldy. The sessfions teach the boys
hortficulturdl and social skills. giving them more confidence and less anxiety. We hope to
expand thls tr) other secondary schools In the area as the model appears to have been very
positively received by the school. GFL also ran a horticultuTrl therapy course for Genesls Trust
benefidarles and we plan to run this annual]y. The next sesslons commence In Aprll.
In additfion to the above. we have contlnued to hold orchaNI prunfin& haThestin& presslng and
juicing days which are very popular.
Over the year 74 partiapants benefitsd from the work of GFL Of these 34 were new referrdls
and 16 were frnm the partnerships with Boys in Mind and Genesis. Expandlng our numbers of
Gardeners and our partnershlps is a key objectlve for 2024.

Grow for Llfe
Trustees report for the year ended 31 lanuary 2024
In total over 2023 there have been 1428 hour5 of supported therapeutlc ganlening across the
different groups. We recognise that many of our Gardeners have benefited from more than 12
weeks of sessfions gardening wfith us, and as part of our strategic ambition to increase
numbers reached by our therapeutic sessions we need to encourage our existing Gardeners to
consider thelr longer terni ambfitions and goals. We are starting to network with existing local
gardening ￿0upS to promote the 'next steps. in our Gardeners. Journeys.
All our Gardeners undertake an inltial assessment with our Gardenerfs Support Manager and
a follow up Tlourish revie￿ at the end ofthe block of sessions they attend. From our most
re￿nt cohort of Gardener& 96% experienced improved mental health and self-confidence,
a8alnst our target of 80%.
Most of the Gardeners progress in a remarkably short space of tkne which reflects the high
quality ofsupport and therapy that we are able to provlde.
One of the Gardeners has now transitioned into becoming a core volunteer wlth GFL, taking on
more responsibility for supporting new Gardeners referred to us In subsequent session
blocks. We realty value hfis Input and can see the potentlal for hls growth within our team in
supporting new referrals to Grow for life. Two others have taken on part-tlme roles wlth GFL
Due to the expansion of Grow for L5fe. the trustees deterniined that there was a need to recrult
a part-tlme Director to lead and manage the charity. The post was advertised internally and
externally on the GFL website and followin8 thorough interviews by trustees. DrAlex Eldrfidge
was appointed in Aprll 2023.
We are also joining up with a local charfity. Toodcyde- who prDvide meals to lordl farnilies,
and they are usfng our surplus vegetables to support others in need Vegetables ￿wn at St
Martln's Garden school are shared with the families who use the food pantry there.
Thts year we have started getting feedback from regular volunteers who are key to our
success. Many of them shared the benefits of volunteering with GFL on their own mental
wellbelng. Most of our volunteer hours are made up of individuals supporting one of GFLS
weekly group&
Flnanclal review
Income for the year 2023124 was £82.302 (£58,517 2022123) of which £33.415 was
restrlcted (£16.370 prior year). Expendfiture for the year Wds £69,526 (£71,1412022123) this
was spllt between unrestricted £42.688 (£38.421 prior year) and restrlcted £26.838
expendfiture (£32.720 prior year). GFL'S main costs were for the part-ijme emplosrynent of staff
and the development of the walled garden.
Pollcyon Reserves
At the perlod end. it is holding just under £41k in free reserve& The Charity's policy on
reserves is to generate and malntain a balance which is sufficient to preserrfe the finandal
viabillty of the Charity in the event that unforeseen and/or unavoidable circumstances
precipitate a short-terni fall in its income. At the currenttlme the trustees consider this to be a
mlnlmum ofslx months expenditure which is around £35k so our free reserves meet thls
policy.

Grow for Llfe
Trustees report for the year ended 31 January 2024
Particulars ofAny Outstandlng Guarantee Glven by Grow for Ufe
There are no outstanding guarantees given by GFL
Partlculars of Any Outstandlng Debt
We owed pension contribution of £286
Signed on behalf of the boanl of trustees: Signed:
Name...
Date: ..
SILAIY 201

Grow for Llfe
Recelpt and payment account
For the Yearto 31 lanuary 2024
34
48.379
33,415
81.794
42,113
16.370
58.483
48.887
33.415
41147
16,370
58J17
42,688
26,838
69.526
38.421
31720
71.141
42.688
26.838
69,526
38.421
32,720
71,141
6.199
6,577
12.776
(16.3￿)
(iU24)
34.635
34,635
16,39)
47JYJ
THE YEAR
40,834
6.577
47,411
34.635
34ffj35

Grow for Life
Statement of a&8ets and liabilities
As at 31 January 2024
Cash al bank
dlnha
40.834
6,577
¥.Ei
47.411
34*35
34W5
40034
577
47811
34035
34ffj35
MONrrARY
ASSKIS
2.1(K)
2.11)0
tkn on Gift aid
21
1.250
1.271
1,165
2,101
MONETARY
ASSLIS
21
1.250
1271
1,165
4201
258
28
Name
&aA
g JULY ZOZ¥

Grojv for Life
Notes to the accounts
For the Year ended 31 January 2024
l Accountlng pollcles
Basts ofaccounthig
The trustees have taken advantage of sectton 133 of the Charltles Act 2011 and have prepared
the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
The comparlsons are for the year ended 31 January 2023.
Taxatlon
As a registered charity the OTrEantsatfion benefits from rates rellef and ts generally exempt from
income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is Included in the cost of
those items to which it relates.
Grants
Grdnts are recognlsed on re￿ipt from the grant maklng body.
Fund accountlng
Unrestrlrted funds are avafilable for use at the dtscretlon of the trustees in furtheran￿ of the
general objectlves of the charity.
Restrlrted funds are subjected to reS￿ctIonS on thetr expendlture Imposed by the donor or
through the tenns of an appeal.
Further explanatlon of the nature and purpose of eath fund Is Included In the notes to the
account&

Grow for Life
Notes to the *c￿ll￿ts
For the Yearended 31 January 2024
2 Grants and donatlons
Total
2,831
1831
5.752
5.752
15.000
I5.1)￿}
45,548
33,415
78.963
36.361
1.370
37.731
Totsl
48J79
33A15
81.794
42J13
16J70
58,483
3 Payments- Cbarltable a¢dvldes
Salaries and
nsultants
32,591
24.373
56.964
34.888
10,641
45,529
Training
1.104
1,104
381
120
501
469
780
780
Marketing
Website
772
7(KJ
1.472
Other costs
1,418
1,418
1,600
8arden non
staffcosts
5.826
1465
8291
21.259
21,259
42.688
69J26
3V21
31720
71,141

Grow for Life
Notes to the aCCOUDts
For the Year ended 31 January 2024
4 Trustees expenses and remunerath>n
No trustee recefved any expenses or remunerntlon during thts year or the prevlous perfiod.
at 31 J•M40ry
10
18.5(X)
15.5(M)
3.0(K)
3.665
1465
1.2CK)
11.250
8.873
2.377
33,415
6,577
34.635
48.887
42.688
40,834
Totsl R•*rn
34h35
82J02
69J26
47AII

24.
RespoTrsltsllllles and bA•ls of lep￿¢
As the chaiitys trustO8s you ar8 responsknkn tr tr* prwrntkni of the ac(rAnts in arAx>rdartt t
requ￿ements ofthe CharitKs Ad 20111tr Arfl
I report in respect of my èxalrthat￿ of th• ctorty$ a¢c*yJrts Ca￿1•d (Njt ur¥Jer s•dknn 145 of the kt and In
carying out my •xarrK*aton I hav• foiftrmed all tho •pplK•bk Dire(*ions by tha Chaiity Con¥)iss#)n under
sell￿n 14515Xb) oftheAct
I haNt corrsjleted ry exarrination. I confirm that M mat￿10] hav¢ come to my attent￿ in conmctlon
accounting records vMe n(* k¥pt in rw¢rt dtt* ¢l*rty as sedion 130 oflheArt or
the accounts do not accord w#h rteords".
the accounts do not coffyty with apWic¥bf• rw4w0l￿￿ts ccrtemiru the frjrm and content of a¢¢ounts
set out in the Chaiiti•s (Aecwrts R•potsl R?gUkn￿S 2¢Y)8 rAhor than any r•quirnm&nt that th
a￿oUnts gr￿ a Irue and is not a ¢￿￿j￿r•I •$ yl Of￿ indtrpendent exarrffiation.
Sh￿1￿ b• drnem in ttw$ roport in orf8rts) a wiper urrflwst8ThIirffj ofth& •oX￿￿ts to b• Teathed.
Matlhtht Gw• Small FG4
8erk* Hall mars￿11 Linknd
8 Charlotte Stre8t
Bath
12NE
5 Juty 2￿4