Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From Period start date : 01/10/24 To Period end date: 30/09/25
Charity name: THE SHED Charity registration number: 1174817
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To provide and maintain The Shed project for the use and the benefit of those in physical, mental or social need, with the objective to improve conditions of life for the said beneficiaries and to promote development and support, We encourage a range of volunteers to make use of our facilities, from the local USAF base personnel, the local supermarkets and local childrens’ groups, ie Brownies/Guides and Scouts. We also allow the Community Payback team to bring their people to account for their hours and in turn help us with the more physical jobs. Trustees are made aware of the governing documentation and encouraged to review the objectives of The Shed twice yearly. They are also advised to read “The Essential Trustee Guide” issued by the Charities Commission as a good source of their responsibilities. |
| 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. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Business Plan is reviewed annually with the consent of the Trustees. The Shed has made strong efforts to include all groups to use our facilities which is done through regular blogs on Facebook, attending local community events to promote The Shed, by liaising with local supermarkets, and participating in local activities such as village annual celebrations, both Parish and St. Mary’s, Mildenhall Tree Lighting,, village fetes and fully supporting the Warm Rooms project. During this reporting period we supported both financially and physically the VJ Weekend Commemorations/Celebrations We keep our presence in the community |
| known through the local magazine which goes to every household in the Parish and enables those not on social media to be aware of local events and news. We regularly post photos of The Shed contents, flora and fauna and social events to highlight out activities |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees uphold the guidance issued by the Charities Commission when planning our activities to ensure they are accessible to all and the visitors are welcomed into a safe and secure environment |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | All policies have been reviewed on an annual basis We continue to monitor our grant applications and each application is specific to a large project |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | We continually improve our facilities to accommodate , as far as possible, disabled access. We have a disabled toilet containing baby changing facilities and toddler toilet adaptations. These all enable us now to reach out to all abilities and ages and they are made most welcome knowing our facilities are more than adequate for their needs |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Our entire existence is reliant on our valued volunteers without which we could not maintain our gardens, both recreational, vegetables and fruit and flowers. With out the volunteers we could not continue our Care Package programme to families in food poverty, nor could we supply excess fresh fruit and veg. to those in most need. Our volunteers maintain our facilities for public use, free of charge. We have a very large grass area for recreational purposes. A Tea Room which is adaptable to craft sessions, plus of course tea and cake. We have a store room for our Care Box supplies, as well as numerous renovated outbuildings to house our tools and equipment. We have also purchased a secure container to house our more valuable items and tools. All require annual maintenance |
| Other | We strive to embrace our neighbours so that our activities do not encroach on their privacy |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Para 1.20 | In September 2024 we hosted a community Harvest Festival with was extremely popular, probably because of the provision of a substantial BBQ, and other food items. October through November is a time of completing our harvesting, storage of vegetables, tidying up the various plots and spreading compost so the soil can receive nutrients over winter. It is a time of renovating furniture and storing in the dry. December we support St. Mary’s with their annual Christmas Tree Lighting event. This is also a means of spreading our name throughout the wider community. We also held a Christmas lunch for volunteers. As our numbers had grown, we opted to try a local restaurant. While it was acceptable, the vote was to hold further Christmas lunches at The Shed and because of numbers, to have a buffet rather than all sit down. We also provided many Christmas Care Boxes to our list of families in need. January: Long winter months with frost covering the ground. Not a time for much gardening work, but we still attend on our regular days as there are always maintenance jobs to complete February: Signs of Spring emerging at long last with the ever pleasing sight of daffodils and snowdrops coming into bloom. Our handyman Michael produce two lovely signs for our entrance and also started work on refurbishing our Tool Shed. March: Dave made a super container for our food surplus with glass doors, thereby preventing furry friends from tasting the fruit and veg. The gardens are starting to come alive after the long winter months with buds and rhubarb showing signs of growth. We continue to spread bark on our paths and beds, having received a regular supply from local tree felling companies. We are also blessed to receive pony poo in abundance which enriches our soil for better produce. Our fruit trees are coming into blossom – always a cheerful sight. Jean decorated our Tea Room with Spring adornments and volunteers are busy setting seeds, rotovating, painting furniture ready for the months to come. April: we engaged a tree surgeon to remove a very large but dangerous branch which could have fallen onto the road. Paul cut our Big Circle to reflect a very large cross, in time for our Easter Egg Hunt. This event |
was to support the Parish as we have a secure and contained venue. Games and quizzes were organised, lots of Easter eggs and chocolate, and of course the Easter Bunny visited. A great publicity opportunity. May – June was everyone busy maintaining the gardens. July: We unfortunately had our donation box stolen. They achieved this by literally destroying the brick wall it was mounted on and taking everything with it. Fortunately it had been emptied that very morning so few coins were gained. We held a Medieval Banquet as a thank you to our volunteers who doned period costumes and got into the theme with many rustic games, a banquet feast with of course – Mead. Fruit is now in abundance so volunteers are busy picking at every opportunity August: We were blessed that a local resident was able to replace our donation box with an even more secure one. A local firm donated the steel and all was secured in a very large hole filled with cement. Michael completes the renovation of the Tool Shed and adjoining shed which now contain a window each providing much needed light. We hosted the local Break Out group when 20 members visited, looked around everything and enjoyed tea and cake. Flowers in bloom bring pleasure to the gardens and vegetables are in abundance including our many apple and pear trees, plus fruit bushes and a variety of tasty morsals in the greenhouses. Our compost bins grow as you can never have enough! August: We supported the West Row Historical Society’s VJ Weekend with a Flower Show and numerous other activities. September: was our harvesting month but found time to host The Ladybirds, a group of women of a certain age who enjoy visiting local attractions.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We have more than achieved our objectives this year despite an ever increasing need for more volunteers. We are holding a “Way Forward” meeting to discuss what practices need adjusting and where and how we can attract more volunteers. We will continue our annual regular social events as it is important to maintain our presence in the community. This is and will always be work in progress |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We do not specifically set out to fund- raise as our main objective is to re- distribute excess food surplus, whether it is through our own gardens, or from supplies donated by local shops. We are grateful for any monetary donation received, which is all re- invested back into our facilities plus payment of utilities and insurance. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | We do not make financial investments |
| Other | None |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | We continue to remain in a healthy financial position. Our expenses only relate to large projects we plan ahead, ensuring materials are sourced in a cost-effective way. Volunteers usually provide the labour and some refuse compensation for items purchased. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Trustees agreed during this report that we should maintain our reserve policy, the amount was agreed to be £6,000. This is an increase on previous years due to reduced supplies and support from local supermarkets. We determined that to ensure our overheads are covered for the next 5 years this amount secures those operating costs without the reliance on grant and fund raising. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £6,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | No uncertainties |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: | ||
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | We rely on donations and when a large project is agreed, then grant funding is applied to meet those costs, whether full or in part. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | No investments made Our objectives are to continue to help and support individuals who require it. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Principal risks have been reduced with the security of our extended Lease for another 20 years. Risks are the potential decline of volunteers through age and health issues. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | ||
| Structure, Governance and Management |
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
N/a | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution, Business Plan, Policy and Procedure documentation |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are nominated by existing Trustees and Volunteers Individuals wishing to become a Trustee of The Shed must show a proven willingness to uphold our aims and objectives and to adhere to our policy documentation at all times Nominations are put to the Trustees who then vote |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
Bullying and Harassment Policy Complaints Policy Covid Risk Assessment Data Protection Drugs and Alcohol Policy Equality and Diversity Policy Financial Mngt and Accounting Fund Raising Policy Health and Safety Policy Media and Communications Policy Reserves Policy Safeguarding Policy Whistleblowing Policy |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Our organisational structure if that of common agreement. Regular meetings are held at which any Trustee or Volunteer can make suggestions for work or purchases. The Chair is supported by the Admin Secretary, Treasurer and Trustees. Several volunteers also attend the meetings and are encouraged to make an active contribution towards the business running of The Shed |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | No related parties |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | THE SHED |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1174817 |
| Charity’s principal address | Site Location: Jarman’s Lane, West Row,. IP28 7NU Admin Address 163 Eldo Rd., West Row, IP28 8PY |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROSALIND HAMILL | CHAIR | |||
| SHARON VALE | SECRETARY | |||
| SHARON PHILLIPS | ||||
| ALAN FISHER | ||||
| MARY ROLFE | ||||
| WILLIAM PHILLIPS | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name |
||
|---|---|---|
| N/a | ||
| Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity | ||
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
| N/a | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/a
held in this capacity
Name and objects of the N/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
N/a
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) N/a
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/a
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) RP Hamill June Goodenough JUNE GOODENOUGH Full name(s) ROSALIND PEARL HAMILL Position (eg CHAIR TREASURER Secretary, Chair, etc) Date 12/10/2025 12/10/2025
| The Shed Accounts | From / To | 30 September 2024 | 01-Oct-25 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WORKING | ||||||
| OPENING | ||||||
| BALANCE | BALANCE | |||||
| Lloyds | £5,220.74 | |||||
| 2024 | INCOME | OUTGOING | PAYABLE TO / FROM | REASON | £5,220.73 | |
| OCT | ||||||
| 03-Oct | £815.00 | Bank | Veg Donation | £6,035.73 | ||
| 07-Oct | £51.65 | Mr & Mrs Bowers | Electricity 3rd Qtr | £5,984.08 | ||
| 24-Oct | £221.80 | £6,205.88 | ||||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £1,036.80 | £51.65 | ||||
| NOV | ||||||
| 11-Nov | £62.91 | R, Hamill | Rat Bait Boxes | £6,142.97 | ||
| 13-Nov | £42.31 | Michael Munns | Tool Shed Paint | £6,100.66 | ||
| 13-Nov | Judes Deposit Paid by Roz | OAP Xmas Lunch | £6,100.66 | |||
| 27-Nov | £205.80 | Policy Bee | Shed Insurances | £5,894.86 | ||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £0.00 | £311.02 | ||||
| 01-Dec | ||||||
| DEC | 03-Dec | £17.73 | Amazon | Ink Cartridges | £5,877.13 | |
| 12-Dec | £460.00 | Lloyds Bank | Veg donation | £6,337.13 | ||
| 16-Dec | £176.89 | Judes/Balance | OAP Xmas Lunch | £6,160.24 | ||
| 16-Dec | £62.51 | Judes Balance | OAP Xmas Lunch | £6,097.73 | ||
| 17-Dec | £43.00 | J. Taylor | Seeds | £6,054.73 | ||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £460.00 | £300.13 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||||
| JANUARY | 03/01/2025 | £363.79 | Veg Donations | £6,418.52 | ||
| 04-Jan | £43.00 | J Taylor | Seeds | £6,375.52 | ||
| 06-Jan | £80.00 | R Hamill | Xmas OAP Lunch | £6,295.52 | ||
| 16-Jan | £35.99 | Dave & Viv Bowers | 4th Qtr Electric 2024 | £6,259.53 | ||
| 16-Jan | £18.99 | Scotsdales | Lights for Tea Room | £6,240.54 | ||
| 17-Jan | £100.00 | Donation Sunday Suppers | Dotty Mistery | £6,340.54 |
| 21-Jan | £20.40 | Low Cost Tyres, Mildenhall | Wheelbarrow Tyre | £6,320.14 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £463.79 | £198.38 | |||||
| FEBRUARY | 13-Feb |
£458.00 | Donations for Veg | £6,778.14 | |||
| 14-Feb | £8.58 | J.Taylor | Gardening supplies | £6,769.56 | |||
| 24-Feb | £31.96 | J.Taylor | Potatoes/Onion sets | £6,737.60 | |||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £458.00 | £40.54 | |||||
| MARCH | |||||||
| 20-Mar | £56.99 | Dave & Viv Bowers | Persplex for Little Shed | £6,680.61 | |||
| 26-Mar | £6.00 | Penny Springham | Seeds | £6,674.61 | |||
| 26-Mar | £24.99 | R.Hamill | Paint for Furniture | £6,649.62 | |||
| 27-Mar | £410.00 | Veg Donations | £7,059.62 | ||||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £410.00 | £87.98 | |||||
| APRIL | |||||||
| 01-Apr | £14.38 | Etsy | Parasols x 2 | £7,045.24 | |||
| 04-Apr | £14.38 | Etsy - 2 more | Parasols x 2 | £7,030.86 | |||
| 04-Apr | £80.00 | Landscaping | Branch removal | £6,950.86 | |||
| 07-Apr | £53.96 | The Range, BSEds | Wood stain, parasols x3 | £6,896.90 | |||
| 08-Apr | £21.97 | Viv & Dave Bowers | Electric 1st Qtr 2025 | £6,874.93 | |||
| 11-Apr | £69.00 | R Hamill | Paind & Wood Stain | £6,805.93 | |||
| 23-Apr | £45.00 | Tomatoe compost x9 | Thurlow & Nunn | £6,760.93 | |||
| 23-Apr | £39.96 | General compost x9 | Thurlow & Nunn | £6,720.97 | |||
| 23-Apr | £7.49 | Hand Okeefe | Thurlow & Nunn | £6,713.48 | |||
| 23-Apr | £7.13 | Kitchen Roll | Thurlow & Nunn | £6,706.35 | |||
| 23-Apr | £19.92 | VAT on above | Thurlow & Nunn | £6,686.43 | |||
| 24-Apr | £119.50 | Thurlow & Nunn | £6,566.93 | ||||
| 28-Apr | £10.19 | R Hamill | Work Gloves | £6,556.74 | |||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £0.00 | £502.88 | |||||
| MAY | |||||||
| 30-Apr | £2,959.16 | Shredder | Thurlow & Nunn | £3,597.58 | |||
| 03-May | £220.50 | Battery | Thurlow & Nunn | £3,377.08 | |||
| 03-May | £57.75 | Battery Charger | Thurlow & Nunn | £3,319.33 | |||
| 03-May | £359.25 | Brushcutter (Strimer) | Thurlow & Nunn | £2,960.08 | |||
| 03-May | VAT for Above | £493.19 | VAT | Thurlow & Nunn | £2,466.89 |
| 03-May | £4.05 | Dishcloths | Thurlow & Nunn | £2,462.84 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03-May | £20.00 | Motor Oil | Thurlow & Nunn | £2,442.84 | ||
| 03-May | £13.50 | Filling Sys | Thurlow & Nunn | £2,429.34 | ||
| 03-May | Bank statement shows | £700.00 | Chain Saw | Thurlow & Nunn | £1,729.34 | |
| 06-May | total £2959.16 | £397.50 | Blower | Thurlow & Nunn | £1,331.84 | |
| 06-May | Amazon total on bank | £27.00 | Sprinkler | Thurlow & Nunn | £1,304.84 | |
| 06-May | statement = £47.79 | £37.99 | Dandelion Picker | Amazon | £1,266.85 | |
| 06-May | For the security camera | £9.80 | Recharchable Batteries x 8 | Amazon | £1,257.05 | |
| 07-May | £101.40 | Thurlow & Nunn | £1,155.65 | |||
| 12-May | £20.84 | Watering Cans x 2 | Thurlow & Nunn | £1,134.81 | ||
| 12-May | £19.36 | Watering Cans x 2 plus seed | Scotsdales Fordham | £1,115.45 | ||
| 13-May | £23.45 | Donation | Easy Fundraising | £1,138.90 | ||
| 09-May | £220.00 | Bingo Buddies Doation | Teresa Amoss | £1,115.45 | ||
| 09-May | £580.00 | Veg Donations | £1,695.45 | |||
| 13-May | £23.45 | Donation | Easy Fundraising | £1,718.90 | ||
| 16-May | £26.99 | Sprinkler | Thurlow & Nunn | £1,691.91 | ||
| £27.90 | Strimmer Guard | Thurlow & Nunn | £1,664.01 | |||
| 26-May | £8.56 | Dymo LetraTag tape | Amazon | £1,655.45 | ||
| 30-May | £513.00 | Veg Donations | Volunteers | £2,168.45 | ||
| 29-May | £41.55 | Food for Medieval Social | R Hamill | £2,126.90 | ||
| 30-May | £54.89 | Medival Misc. | R Hamill | £2,072.01 | ||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £1,336.45 | £5,624.63 | ||||
| JUNE | 11-Jun | £15.00 | Magnet | Amazon | £2,111.90 | |
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £0.00 | £15.00 | ||||
| JULY | 03-Jul | £150.00 | Donation to WRHS - VJ Flowers | Mildehall Flower Club | £1,961.90 | |
| 04-Jul | £5.00 | Donation | Kim Misch | £1,966.90 | ||
| 07-Jul | £620.00 | Veg Donations for June | Donations | £2,586.90 | ||
| 04-Jul | £89.65 | Scissors x 4 pks, Step Ladder | Amazon | £2,497.25 | ||
| 08-Jul | £95.00 | Metal Flashing | AFD Ltd | £2,402.25 | ||
| 01-Jul | Note:Total paid includes | £35.97 | IBC taps x 3 | Amazon | £2,366.28 | |
| 02-Jul | credit deducted | £65.89 | 2nd Qtr Electricity (Apr-Jun) | Dave & Viv Bowers | £2,300.39 | |
| 02-Jul | £21.98 | Amazon | Amazon | £2,300.39 | ||
| 08-Jul | £29.02 | Wood for Tool Shed | Travis Perkins | £2,271.37 | ||
| 08-Jul | £95.00 | Flashing for Tool Shed | AFD Ltd | £2,176.37 |
| 08-Jul | £169.12 | Drink for Volunteer Thank you | Amazon | £2,007.25 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Jul | £136.52 | Items for Volunteer Thank you | Tesco (Roz) | £1,870.73 | ||
| 16-Jul | £48.86 | Volunteer Thank you Event | Sainsburys (Roz) | £1,821.87 | ||
| 24-Jul | £14.76 | Storage Boxes for Pastries x 4 | Home Bargains | £1,807.11 | ||
| 30-Jul | £420.00 | Veg Donations for July | £2,227.11 | |||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £1,045.00 | £951.77 | ||||
| AUGUST | ||||||
| 14-Aug | £84.00 | DBS Check recertification | Nocheck | £2,143.11 | ||
| 01-Aug | £2.00 | £2,145.11 | ||||
| 08-Aug | £2.00 | £2,147.11 | ||||
| 15-Aug | £4.00 | £2,151.11 | ||||
| 22-Aug | £4.00 | Donation Sanderson | £2,155.11 | |||
| 22-Aug | £20.97 | Bags for Lidl Surplus | Amazon | £2,134.14 | ||
| 26-Aug | £58.44 | Paper Towel Dispenser | Thurlow Nunn | £2,075.70 | ||
| 29-Aug | £646.00 | Veg donations for August | £2,721.70 | |||
| 11-Aug | £17.58 | Storage Boxes | B&M Thetford | £2,704.12 | ||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £658.00 | £180.99 | ||||
| SEPTEMBER | ||||||
| 30-Sep | £8.00 | Donations | Sanderson | £2,712.12 | ||
| MONTHLY TOTAL | £8.00 | 0 | ||||
| ANNUAL TOTALS | £5,876.04 | £8,264.97 |