Grow for Life Charlty Number: 1173914 Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 January2025
Grow for Llfe Trustees report for the year ended 31 January 2025 Reference and admlnlstratlve detalls of the charity, Its trustees and advlsors The trustees during the financial period and up to and including the date the report was approved were: tce (rfony) Appolntad 24 July 1017 S July 2024 Phllllp Blacker 24 July 2017 Stood down S July 2024 6 July 2022 Dentse Welkert 16 May 2019 Dr Peg Bavln Butler Ted Lltchfleld 7 July 2021 5 July 2024 71uty2021 S July 2024 Trijtram Lewis Chalrpergon 19 Ortober 2022 Justinc Buxton 24 JanuAry 2025 Helen Marton 4 April 2025 Charlty number The charlty was registered with the Charlty Commlssion for England and Wales, number 1173914, on 24 July 2017. Regrfstered and prlnclpal address 548 Wellsway Bath BA2 2UE Names&Address ofBank Lloyds Bank 47 Milsom Street , Bath, BAI IDN
Grow for Life Trustees report for the year ended 31 January 2025 Structurei governance and management The charity is registered as a Charitsble Incorporated Organlsation and is governed by a constitutlon adopted on 24July 2017. Trustees determine the strategy and policy of the charity. When stsff are appointed they report to the board of trustees. Trustees must have an active commltment to the objects of the charity. The board of trustses selects and appoints new trustees who are chosen for their expertlse. Trustses are all required to read the Charlty Commission's guidellnes on the role of charltable trustees and also to familiarise themselves wlth the charity's work on the ground. The trustees have the pleasure of presentlng the accounts for the year ending 31 January 2025 with comparlson for the year ended 31 January 2024. Objectlves and actlvltles Grow for Llfe (GFL) was registered as a Charitable Incorpordted Organisation in July 2017 and the objects were updated in September 2023, approved by all trustees and the Charity Commission. The new objects are to assist in the treatment and care of persons In England and Wales who are experiencing mental or physÈcal ill health or low self-confldence, through the provlslon of therapeutic gardenin& horticulture tralnlng and companionship. These objects are to be pursued in accordance wlth the prlnciples and values of the Chrlstian faith. Summary of the Maln Artmtles Undertaken for the Publlc Beneflt In Relatlon to the Charlty's Oblects GFL'S vislon is a world where people experlencing low confidence, anxlety. depression or Isolation are restored to live life to the full. Our purpose is to nurture people so that they flourish. We do this by welcoming people into the safe space of a garden where we Insplre. bulld skills. create connections and provide a pathway to work We provftde therapeutic hortlculture for Bath & NE Somerset resldents who are strugglin8 wlth mental health Issues. low self-esteem. anxiety. depression or Isolation. Our project particlpants are known as our Gardeners. Each attends a block of therapeutic horticulture with us. Sessions are held in prlvate and public gardens, or at our beautlful Walled Garden and orchard. The hosts of the private gardens where we work need asslstance due to old age or infirmity. Gardeners learn horticultural skills and gain experience of gardening in varfious settings. Recovering from mental health Issues tskes time. Therapeutic hortlculture requires a high ratio of staff to Gardener5 to llsten. talk, encourage and to share hortlcultural and social sldlls. Our ski)led team of staff and volunteers create an environment where Gardeners can overcome isolatlon & increase their confidence and self-esteem. In late 2021 GFL took on a lease from the Duchy of Cornwall on an abandoned walled garden In Newton St Loe. This Walled Garden and its adjolnlng orchard are now the centre of GFL'S operations and wlll be a key resource in enabling GFL to expand its activities and reach more Gardeners and operate sessions year-round.
Grow for Llfe Trustees report forthe year ended 31 January 2025 Statutory Declaratlon The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public beneflt published by the commission in exerclsing their powers or duties. Summary of the Maln Achlevements Our core activlties and outputs centre around weeldy sesslons. delivered by our team of part time staff and dedicated volunteers have enabled 75 people to benefit from our therapeutic horticulture services this year. Our regular sessions include a starter group at the Walled Garden for new referrals, helplng us to restore the beautiful Walled Garden and orchard. We lead a popular 'Herbs and Nature, course, focused on learning about and growlng herbs, and connecting with nature through tree walks In Royal Virtoria Parl Bath. Our perlpatetic group moves from venue to venue - the Walled Garden, our copplce and orchard. Haycombe Cemetery. prlvate gardens of care homes and needy individuals. Thls group is focused upon preparing the Gardeners for employmenL The therapeutic nature of our approach Is a key factor In supporting Gardeners back Into work followlng a tfime of mental ill health. We are delighted to have contlnued our partnershlps with Genesls Trust In Bath and Boys In Mlnd (Bim). Over the last year we've led a course specifically deslgned to support 12 adults supported by the Genesls Trust, to galn new skllls and develop confldence at the Walled Garden as part of their pathway to work. We've welcomed 30 boys from a local school through Bim. These Ilvely sessions engage the boys wlth positive actfivlties. Increase their confidence and calm anxletles through connection with nature. Over the last year the Walled Garden has truly flourished. What was once an abandoned and overgrown green space is almost unrecognRsable. A major mllestone has been the completlon of our pond. Thls was a key feature Identifled by our Gardeners, when we began to co-create the space with them. Water always brings life, and our new pond has brought new wlldllfe In abundance. It's been wonderful to see dragonflles hovering across the watsr, alongslde bees and wasps using it as a watering hole. The pond offers a calmlng atmosphere and sense of tranquillity in the garden. providing a focal point for moments of quiet contemplation. Our'Friends ofthe Walled Garden, group meets fortnightly. Thls group aims to keep those Gardeners who have completed the series of therapeutlc sessions connected wlth the Grow for Life family and allows those Gardeners who feel they want to glve-bacK along with volunteers, an opportunityto supportthe work ofthe Garden, for others. In Maywe held our Open Days atthe Walled Garden. whlch were a eat success. We were fortunate to welcome Charles Dowdln& who kfindly shared a no-dig demonstratlon in the vegetable garden. We shared orchard and garden tours, alongside plenty of tea and cake and a plant sale. Our ever popular Apple Day returned in the autumn. All who attended were able to pick apples. wash. bosh and scrat those apples before having them added to the layered of apple pulp in the press. We are incredibly proud of and grateful to our growing volunteer communlty, who partner with us to deliver our mission. Over the last year GFL volunteers have generously donated time and support in the following ways: 1500 hours of supported therapeutic gardenin& 432
Grow for Llfe Trustees report for the year ended 31 January 2025 hours of volunteers supporting the work in the garden and 179 hours of speclalist admin, mentorlng and training support. This equates to 2100 volunteer hours all addlng capacity and skills to our programme work and strengthening relationships across our local communlties. The trustees would like to thank all our donors who have supported us over the lastyear and made it possible to carry on our work, including The Natlonal Lottery and funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery. Flnanclal revlew Income for the year 2024/25 was £106,401 (£82,302 2023/24] ofwhich £60.350 was restricted (£33,415 prior year). Expendlture for the year was £79,438 (£69.536 2023/24) thls was split between unrestrictsd £27.218 (£42.688 prlor year) and restricted £52,220 expenditure (£26,838 prlor year). GFL'S maln costs were for the part-tlme employment of staff and the development of the walled garden. Pollcy on Reserves At the period en(L It is holdlngjust under £60k in free reserves. The Charity's pollcy on reserves is to generate and maintain a balance whlch is sufficient to preserve the financlal viabillty of the Charity in the event that unforeseen and/or unavoidable clrcumstances precipltate a short-term fall in its Income. At the current tlme the trustees conslder this to be a mlnlmum of slx months expendlture whlch relatln8 to next year's budget Is around £46k so our free reserves meet thls pollcy. Partlculars ofAny Outstandlng Guarantee Glven by Grow for Llfe There are no outstandlng guarnntees given by GFL Partlculars of Any Outstandlng Debt We owed penslon contributions of £108 and Invoices of £260. Signed on behalf of the board of trustees: Slgned: Name... Date: ..
Grow for Llfe Receipt and payment account For the Year to 31 January 2025 Yrt0 January 2024 nd• 661 661 508 508 45,390 60.350 105,740 48.379 33,415 81,794 46.051 60.350 10&401 48.887 33,415 82J02 27.218 52.220 79.438 42,688 26.838 69.526 27.218 52,220 79,438 42.688 26,838 69.526 18,833 8.130 26,963 6,199 6.577 12,776 40.834 6.577 47.411 34.635 34,635 C1 AT OF 59.667 14.707 74.374 40,834 6,577 47,411
Grow for LRfe Statement of assets and liabilities As at 31 January 2025 11 Totsl CASH FUNDS Ca8h at bk arKI in hand 59.667 14,707 74,374 40.834 6,577 47,411 59.667 14.707 74J74 6,577 47AII OThER MONETARY ASSETS tkn on Gift aid 58 1250 1.308 21 1,250 1,271 OTHER MONETARY SSE15 58 1,250 1.308 21 1,250 1,271 LL4BLmES 336 32 368 258 28 286 SI9d on Name Date
Grow for Life Notes to the accounts For the Year ended 31 January 2025 l Accountlng pollcles Basls of accountlng The trustses have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charlties Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a recelpts and payments basis. The comparisons are for the year ended 31 January 2024. lknatlon As a reglstered charity the organlsatlon beneflts from rates relief and Is 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 Grants are recognised on recelpt from the grant maklng body. Fund accountlng Unrestrlcted funds are avallable for use at the discretion of the trustees In furtherance of the generdl objectlves of the charlty. Restrlcted funds are subjected to restrictlons on their expenditure Imposed by the donor or through the tsrms ofan appeal. Further explanatlon of the nature and purpose of each fund is included In the notes to the accounts.
Grow for Life Notes to the accounts For the Year ended 31 January 2025 2 Grdnts and donatlons 2.831 2,831 7,405 7.405 33.385 ).350 93.735 45.548 33.415 78,963 81,794 To 45J90 60JS0 105.740 48J79 33,415 3 Payments - Charltable actfvltles Salaries and consultants 22.251 47.556 69.807 32.591 24,373 56,964 Trainlng 334 380 714 1.104 1,104 Insurance 754 754 469 469 Other operatlonal costs 3.029 324 3,353 2.698 2,698 wled garden non 3,206 4.810 5,826 2.465 8.291 27318 5U20 79838 41688 26,838 69.526
Grow for Life Notes to the accounts For the Year ended 31 January 2025 4 Trustees expenses and ren)uneratlon No trustee received any expenses or remuneratfion during this year or the previous period. S Restrlcted and unrestrlcted reserves Cwry foThvard •8 at 31 JUary 3.0(K) 44.850 37.850 10,000 1,200 3,000 2,506 1.694 2,377 12.500 11.864 3,013 677 60JS0 52220 14,707 46.051 27,218 59,667 47,411 106,401 79.438 74J74
Independent Examln•f• R•portto th• Tnratee• of Grnw For Llf• I rerort lo the (tsity tIU8lee8 on my oxamlnation of the accourts of chwlty for Iho year ended 31 January A6 th• charity'8 ttustees you afo responble for tho PTaparnlon of tho accounts in acdanCe wllh Ihè fequlrements of Ihe Ch8ritk8 Act 2011 ('the Act'>. I report In respect of my examinallon of the charity'5 acrunIS carried out under sectlon 145 of Ihe Acl and In carying out my examlnati¢)n I hav6 followed 811 Ihe appllcable Dlrectlons given by the Charlty Comm1s81on und•r seclion 145(5)(b) of the Act. Ind•p•ndont •xamW• •tat•m•nt I have completed my examlnatlon, I cmi Ihal no malerlal matlerd have (xxno to my •ttentlon in Cn810n whh the Oxamlnation glvlng me cauga to believe Ihat In any m8tarfal r88p*X: a¢countlng rOCOFd6 vmre not kept In re8POCt of the charfty a8 requlred ty •eclkni 130 of Ihè Act., oi thè accounts do not accord wlth Ihose records[,' or the a¢count8 do not comply with the applicable requlrements conMIng the fom and content of accounts set out in Ihe Charllles (Acuunis and Reports) Re9ulatlon8 2008 olher than any requiromenl thal the acryjunts glve 8 'lnJe and fair vw whl¢h 1$ rK)t a matter considered as part of an independent examlnalion. I have no con¢em8 and have com• acr085 no olhor melters In (x)nnedlon wllh Ihe examlnation io whlch att•nllon should bo drawn in thi8 report in order to enabkn a proper under8tanding of Ihe 8ccounts to be reached, m•11h George Small FCA ICAEW Hall Mar8hall Umlled 8 Charfott• Stro81 Bath BA12NE 11 July 2025