2025-03-31-accounts - The Phoenix Garden

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PHOENIX GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2025.

AN OASIS OF CALM IN LONDON’S WEST END. A HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE.

PHOENIX GARDENS ANNUAL REPORT 2025

TRUSTEES.

Sue Vincent Tim Lynn Chair Secretary/Treasurer

Alex Lloyd Francis Go Claude Asgill Trustee Trustee Trustee

Kate Matheson Garrard Knowles Trustee Trustee

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025.

Many of our sessions are free or low-cost and only made possible through generous support from funders, hirers and donors, enabling us to keep activities accessible and engaging for all. Our sincerest thanks go to the London Borough of Camden, Shaftesbury Capital, Wates, Overbury and Bank of East Asia, Quantem, NBCUniversal, BioMarin, Deckers and Adwanted UK. It would just not be possible without you. Thank you.

The Trustees are delighted to celebrate another thriving year for Phoenix Garden (PG). Our Garden is a free, welcoming space open seven days a week, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to connect with nature, each other, and their own creativity. Throughout the year, we’ve continued to grow not only plants, but friendships, wellbeing, and a strong sense of belonging. Our sincere thanks go to the inspirational and dedicated PG team, especially Louise Gates and Niki Barnett-Henry.

Finally, with wider uncertainty and potentially future financial constraints we are aware the Garden has an unwanted development recently approved on our local Cinema site, the Saville Theatre. We continue to oppose this absurd growth skywards and thank you all for your continued support in this regard. At the time of writing, the London Mayor has call in powers that we await the outcome of and aim to give you further news as the year progresses. Meanwhile enjoy the Garden whilst you can.

This year at the AGM Trustees confirmed the amalgamation of the ‘old and new Phoenix Garden CIO’. Financially, this year was one of development both promoting the commercial use of the space and expanding the breadth of community events and activities, working closely with Dragon Hall and CGCC to ensure no-one gets left behind. For further details please see the Garden Report below.

This year, whilst our expenditure exceeded income by c£20,000 we are in a robust position balancing both community and commercial use and will be launching our new Garden Membership drive to increase income for our high operating and maintenance costs. We continue to aim for a 4-6 month operating surplus to comply with our statutory requirements and good governance.

Cllr Sue Vincent

Chair of Trustees

PHOENIX GARDENS ANNUAL REPORT 2025

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PHOENIX GARDENS ANNUAL REPORT 2025
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OUR IMPACT IN NUMBERS. 481 UNIQUE PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED THROUGH REGULAR PROGRAMMES. 100[+] FAMILIES REACHED THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY OUTREACH. 1000[+] VISITORS INTRODUCED TO OUR GARDEN THROUGH EVENTS. 13 COMMUNITY GARDENS CONNECTED THROUGH OUR SHOWCASE EVENT.

WELCOME FROM THE GARDEN TEAM.

This year, our garden blossomed as a centre for learning, creativity, and connection with nature. Through carefully planned events and regular programmes, we brought over 480 unique participants together — children, families, adults, and older community members — proving that green spaces in the city can transform lives.

PHOENIX GARDENS ANNUAL REPORT 2025

REGULAR PROGRAMMES: WHERE GROWTH HAPPENS EVERY WEEK.

Our Back to Nature programme offered older adults (aged 55+) a rich and inclusive calendar of activities combining creativity, nature engagement, wellbeing, and cultural exploration. Across 51 sessions and 167 unique participants, our programme created a host of unique opportunities to connect with others, experience new things, and engage with the natural world in meaningful ways.

SOCIAL CONNECTION AND BELONGING

DISCOVERY AND GROWTH

Hands-on craft, gardening, and cultural visits inspired confidence and curiosity. Many participants took pride in trying new activities, gaining skills, and exploring unfamiliar places.

Participants consistently praised the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, which fostered new friendships and deeper conversations—enriching their weekly routines and reducing isolation.

NATURE AND MINDFULNESS

CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT

The group’s diversity enriched every session, as participants learned from one another and celebrated shared cultural moments, strengthening understanding and community cohesion.

Spending time outdoors enhanced mood and emotional resilience. The sessions encouraged greater awareness of the changing seasons, local wildlife, and plant life, deepening participants’ relationships with the environment.

OUTCOMES AND IMPACT.

IMPROVED WELLBEING AND RESILIENCE.

ATTENDEES REPORTED FEELING CALMER, HAPPIER, AND MORE CONNECTED AFTER SESSIONS.

STRONGER SOCIAL TIES.

FRIENDSHIPS AND TRUST FLOURISHED, MAKING BACK TO NATURE A LIFELINE AGAINST LONELINESS.

MEANINGFUL ROUTINE AND JOY.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES OFFERED SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO, BOOSTING MOOD AND MOTIVATION.

BROAD APPEAL AND PARTICIPATION.

THE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES – FROM PRESSEDFLOWER ART AND MINIATURE GARDENS TO GALLERY TRIPS – ENSURED THAT EVERYONE COULD FIND SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TO ENJOY.

PHOENIX GARDENS ANNUAL REPORT 2025

CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Our garden would not flourish without the dedication, skills, and enthusiasm of our volunteers. Far more than lending a hand with maintenance, they are the heartbeat of our community – shaping programme planning, helping run events, and welcoming visitors to make every garden visit feel special.

“ THE PEOPLE HERE ARE SO FRIENDLY, IT MAKES ME FEEL WELCOME.”

97 VOLUNTEERS 957 HOURS 115 SESSIONS

Volunteering is a chance to get to know other like-minded people. One of the comments we get about what makes our garden special is the friendly interactions visitors have with volunteers and staff. Their commitment not only keeps the space vibrant but also strengthens the bonds within our community.

One standout story reflects the spirit of our volunteering programme. A local resident, new to the area, stumbled upon the Oasis garden and was immediately inspired to get involved. With prior allotment experience, she quickly became a regular presence — often stopping by outside official hours to take on physical tasks, troubleshoot garden issues, and guide newer volunteers. She has become an informal ambassador, reaching out to local businesses for resources, sharing the garden’s story with visitors, and even capturing special moments for her fellow volunteers. Her involvement has been mutually enriching:

PERSONAL BENEFITS

Gardening has become a meaningful weekly routine, improving her mental health, sleep, and plant knowledge. She values the flexibility to “potter,” the camaraderie of other volunteers, and the satisfaction of contributing to something larger than herself.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Her passion and initiative have strengthened the garden’s network, improved its day-to-day operations, and inspired others to participate.

Stories like hers embody the difference individual volunteers make – not only keeping the garden thriving but also fostering connection, wellbeing, and pride in our shared community space.

“ THE ABILITY TO GARDEN IN CENTRAL LONDON IS UNIQUE AND HAS BECOME PART OF MY WEEKLY ROUTINE, WHICH HAS IMPROVED MY MENTAL HEALTH AS IT IS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. I GO HOME KNOWING I’VE DONE A LOT OF GRAFT THAT WILL BENEFIT OTHERS.”

PHOENIX GARDENS ANNUAL REPORT 2025

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY THROUGH EVENTS.

From vibrant celebrations to quiet creative workshops, our 2024/25 calendar reflected the diversity of our neighbourhood:

Summer brought colour and culture. At Fitzrovia Community Centre’s Fête, over 100 families created bugs and beetles from walnut shells while learning about our programmes. In July, the garden transformed into an open-air stage as 20 Colombian musicians performed, linking local audiences to global traditions. June’s Open Gardens Weekend brought over 1000 visitors to the garden and the London Association of Farms & Gardens Showcase connected 13 London community gardens and introduced funders and decision makers to our shared vision.

International Women’s Day Wellness event launched a monthly Health & Wellbeing series, introducing fitness, nutrition, and self-care activities that sparked new social connections. Just weeks later, our Easter Family Day filled the garden with laughter – children met a piglet, lamb, pygmy goat, and ducklings through Ark Animal Encounters, decorated wooden medallions, and completed a treasure-trail quiz to win Easter eggs.

Autumn and winter carried the same warmth. London Open House welcomed visitors to meet our award-winning architect, Gurmeet Sian; Day of the Dead brought older participants and families together with crafts, live music, and Mexican culture; and our Christmas celebration combined wreath-making, festive stalls, and a holiday film to close the year with joy.

HIGHLIGHT EVENING CLASSES LIKE BONSAI, SKETCHING, AND AROMATHERAPY OPENED NEW DOORS FOR AFTER-WORK CREATIVITY AND RELAXATION.

PHOENIX GARDENS ANNUAL REPORT 2025

PARTNERSHIPS & CORPORATE SUPPORT.

Corporate partnerships have been instrumental in transforming our garden this year, providing skilled labour and in-kind donations that elevated the quality and safety of our shared space.

Skilled contributions were equally valuable. Overbury designed and built a new notice board and installed a bespoke hinged glass lid for the cold frame, improving our ability to over winter delicate plants from our garden shop. Meanwhile, scaffolding work at the Flitcroft Street end of the garden prompted a major clear-up, allowing us to repurpose materials and refresh the garden’s most public-facing areas.

The season of improvements began with NBC Universal’s April volunteer day, which launched our garden projects by installing gabion raised beds for a new vegetable patch. In May, Bank of East Asia provided hands-on help to remove old compost from beds and install heat-retaining linings – improving soil quality and preventing compost loss.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes to The Waldorf Hilton Hotel for generously donating a three-course dinner for two as a prize for our older residents’ Christmas party, helping us celebrate and give back to our community in a truly meaningful way.

Essential groundwork continued with Quantum and in June, Wates went further by building four bespoke compost bins – providing materials, labour, a new microwave, high-visibility vests for events, and clearing all waste from the site.

Together, these corporate supporters have strengthened our garden’s infrastructure, ensured its continued growth, and demonstrated the power of community – business collaboration. Their generosity and expertise have made a lasting impact that will be felt well into the future.

Maintenance and upkeep were supported by several other partners: BioMarin dedicated an afternoon of shredding and general maintenance, while Volunteer Centre Camden (Deutsche Bank) sent two teams. In July, Deckers not only provided maintenance support but also donated funds for a projector – enhancing our ability to host community events.

PHOENIX GARDENS ANNUAL REPORT 2025

SPECIAL THANKS.

We are deeply grateful to the individuals and organisations whose creativity and generosity brought unique value to our community this year.

Special thanks go to artist Valentino Vannini, whose willow sculpture and charcoal workshops invited participants to explore the interplay between art and nature’s “lurky” corners, adding depth and imagination to our garden’s cultural life. We also extend our appreciation to Alex Lebram from Nameta Bonsai, whose bonsai expertise enriched our community offer and inspired many to discover the beauty of this living art form.

We’d like to recognise Eirinn Hayhow for her Mindful Magic workshop series, where she guided participants in creating stunning plant- and vegetable-dyed fabrics foraged directly from the garden.

LOOKING AHEAD 2025/26.

In the year ahead, we’ll expand corporate and community partnerships, improve our food-growing areas, and cut back some of the larger trees to bring more light into the garden.

Our much-loved events and wellbeing programmes – including Back to Nature, Food Growing, Health & Wellbeing sessions, and seasonal celebrations – will continue to connect people, nature, and culture. Creative collaborations, new installations, and educational outreach will further enrich our offer.

We’re also launching our Friends of The Phoenix Garden initiative – inviting supporters to help secure the garden’s next 41 years as a sanctuary for wildlife, a place of tranquillity, and a thriving community hub. This new scheme will give members exclusive benefits while ensuring our garden continues to flourish for generations to come.

THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS

We are grateful to the following organisations for funding many of the programmes and events that have been enjoyed by so many throughout the year:

The Phoenix Garden 21 Stacey Street London WC2H 8DG

For hire enquiries please email bookings@thephoenixgarden.org

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Phoenix Garden CIO (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

As the charity trustees of the CIO, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Anthony Epton BA FCA CTA FCIE Goldwins Chartered accountants 75 Maygrove Road West Hampstead London NW6 2EG

28 November 2025

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2024
Total funds
£
-
Donations and legacies 20,334 12,184
-
Other trading activities 69,503 91,452
- 89,837 103,636
Charitable activities - 135,582 119,705
- 135,582 119,705
- -
Exceptional item - building transfer from The Phoenix Garden 350,274
-
(45,745) 334,205
Total funds brought forward 350,274 130,108 146,177
350,274 84,363 480,382
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The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.


ank and in hand amounts falling due within one year assets ed funds: funds	18,173 123,716 141,889 (7,890)	2024 £ 6,652 155,954	2024 £ 326,059
			154323
		162,606 (8,283)

			, 480382
			, 350,274 130,108
			480382

28 November 2025 Approved by the trustees on ……………………………… and signed on their behalf by:

The attached notes form part of the financial statements.

The Phoenix Garden CIO is a Charitable incorporated organisation that has been registered since 17th July 2019. See page 1 for all reference and administrative details of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The Phoenix Garden CIO meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activties on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended the period is show in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued

Gifts in kind donated for distribution are included at valuation and recognised as income when they are distributed to projects. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), volunteer time is not recognised so refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Costs of raising funds comprise of trading costs and the costs incurred by the charity in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of delivering services undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Expenditure is allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, the cost of overall direction and administration of each activity is apportioned on the basis of staff time.

Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Property Straight line basis over term of lease 20 years Pleant and Machinery 33% Straight line basis

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. Cash balances exclude any funds held on behalf of service users.

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.


d donations rden subsidiary transfer of funds ies rs dministration costs marketing s resourses nts	Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds £ £ - 6,266 - 12,050 - 2,018 - - - 20,334 Restricted Unrestricted £ £ - 69,503 - 69,503 Grant funding of activities £ £ 12,630 122,952 12,630 122,952 7,016 112,689 54,053 - 25,421 1,107 1,260 3,672 15,904 1,692 1,802 11,187 1,936 2,818 - 2,000 100 122,952 Support costs Funds Funds		119,705 54,053 - 25,421 1,107 1,260 3,672 15,904 1,692 1,802 11,187 1,936 2,818 - 2,000 100 122,952	2024 Total £ 4,741 3,554 489 3,400
				12,184
				2024 Total £ 91,452
				91,452
				2024 Total £ 119,705
				119,705
				2024 Total 13,780 26,274 25,421 1,550 2,240 2,440 22,568 969 1,716 2,368 6 12,159 31 1,000 167
		122,952		112,689

Page | 12

This is stated after charging / (crediting):	2024
	£
Depreciation	25,421
Independent examiner’s fees	2,240

Staff costs were as follows:

as follows:
es sts bution to defined pension schemes		2024 £ 12,406 1,099 275
		13780

ber of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was	2024 £ 2
	2

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year.

No key management personnel have received remuneration in the year.

The trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the CIO in the year. Neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year. No trustees received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity.

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Freehold Plant and
Property machinery
£ £ £
At the start of the year 500,393 2,776
- -
Additions in year
- -
Disposals in year
At the end of the year 500,393 2,776
At the start of the year 175,139 1,971
Charge for the year 25,020 401
- -
Eliminated on disposal
At the end of the year 200,159 2,372
At the end of the year 300,234 404
At the start of the year 325,254 805
All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.
2024
£
Property transfer from The Phoenix Garden, a connected Charity 350,274
350,274
Due within one year 2024
£
Trade debtors 6,652
6,652
2024
£
Trade creditors 904
Taxation and social security 2,416
Other creditors 4,963
8,283
General fund 130,108 89,837 (135,582)
Property 350,274 -
480,382 89,837 (135,582)
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d assets ts e within one year	300,6 49,6	38 - 36 92,253 - (7,890
	350	74 84363

The charity has not entered into any related party transactions during the year, nor are there any

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Phoenix Garden CIO (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

As the charity trustees of the CIO, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

Anthony Epton BA FCA CTA FCIE Goldwins Chartered accountants 75 Maygrove Road West Hampstead London NW6 2EG

28 November 2025

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.


ank and in hand amounts falling due within one year assets ed funds: funds	18,173 123,716 141,889 (7,890)	2024 £ 6,652 155,954	2024 £ 326,059
			154323
		162,606 (8,283)

			, 480382
			, 350,274 130,108
			480382