ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED MARCH 2025
PINEWOOD TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Derek Pye Jo Lorenz David Rawding
Charity number 1179254
Registered address
The Pinewood Activity Centre Hempholme Lane Burshill, Brandesburton Driffield Y025 8QS
PINEWOOD TRUST TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2025
A note from our Board
It gives us great pleasure to reflect on another year at The Pinewood Trust. The past twelve months have brought challenges, but also big achievements. Watching children, young people, and adults discover confidence, curiosity, and joy in the outdoors has been a true highlight.
We have supported a wide variety of groups, from early years taking their first steps into outdoor exploration, to youth groups, schools, community organisations and more. The laughter, curiosity, and sense of accomplishment we witness every day remind us of the difference Pinewood makes. Life here also brings its own little adventures: camping under the stars, spotting a deer wandering through the site, listening to hooting owls, enjoying birdwatching as visitors come to feed each day, and ‘Mr Pheasant’, who waits at the gate each morning and nonchalantly struts in to steal seed from the feeders. Thank you to everyone who has visited this year and made Pinewood their place to be. These are the moments that make Pinewood truly special: the joy of playing out, having fun, and being allowed to just be you.
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers, partners, and supporters. Your energy, dedication, and enthusiasm make Pinewood a welcoming, safe, and inspiring place for all who visit. On behalf of the Trustees, thank you for helping us share these experiences and make a real difference in so many lives.
Objectives and Public Benefit
The Pinewood Trust is an incorporated charitable organisation, established in 2018 as a legacy to the strong and collaborative network of organisations developed across Hull and the East Riding.
The Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The charity’s activities are undertaken to provide accessible outdoor opportunities that support learning, wellbeing, personal development, and inclusion for a wide range of individuals and community groups.
Overview of the Charity
Since its formation, the Trust has continued to strengthen its foundations, ensuring robust governance, effective infrastructure, and clear strategic planning to support the delivery of its charitable aims and objectives.
Review of the Year
This year has been both challenging and inspiring. Rising costs for services and resources have required careful financial planning to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Trust. Throughout this period, our priority has remained clear: to provide accessible, inclusive, and meaningful outdoor opportunities for the wide range of individuals and groups who benefit from Pinewood. Alongside this, we have continued to strengthen existing partnerships and build new connections across the region.
Participation, Engagement and Confidence Outdoors
Over the past year, Pinewood has worked with an increasing number of groups, reflecting both the growing reputation of the site and its inclusive nature. Many returning groups have progressed from occasional visits to embedding outdoor activity as a core part of their programmes, developing confidence, skills, and consistency in outdoor delivery.
We recognise that many organisations feel cautious about delivering outdoor activities due to a perceived lack of qualifications or experience. Pinewood’s safe, enclosed, and supportive environment allows groups to develop practical competence and confidence, enabling staff and volunteers to lead activities independently. This has resulted in organisations upskilling their teams and opening up new avenues for programme delivery beyond Pinewood.
During the year, we also developed additional areas designed specifically for younger and less experienced children, providing supportive spaces where first steps into outdoor exploration can be taken safely. These developments have been particularly beneficial for early years groups and those new to outdoor learning.
Beneficiaries
During the year, Pinewood supported a diverse range of beneficiaries, including:
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Youth groups and Scout groups
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NHS referrals supporting physical and mental well-being
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Voluntary and community sector groups
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Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and those who are neurodivergent
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Adult groups
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Schools
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Duke of Edinburgh Award participants
Site Usage
There has been a significant increase in site usage this year, with over 1,300 individuals accessing Pinewood. This growth reflects the increasing recognition of the benefits of outdoor learning, Forest School approaches, and nature-based wellbeing. Site Improvements and Year-Round Access
Site improvements have enabled Pinewood to remain open throughout the year, providing greater flexibility for visiting groups. The site’s solar panels and battery storage provide power, heating, and water across all seasons. While occasional planned ‘power-down’ days still occur, these are carefully managed through alternative systems to ensure activities can continue with minimal disruption.
These moments bring their own small adventures. Discovering the value of a head torch when heading to the loo during a power outage has become a memorable experience for some visitors, offering a gentle reminder that Pinewood is, first and foremost, a natural environment. These experiences often spark laughter, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of being immersed in nature.
Year-round access has also allowed visitors to experience Pinewood through all seasons, strengthening their connection to the natural environment.
Volunteers
Volunteers remain central to our success. Bringing a wide range of skills, experience, and commitment, they support site maintenance, activity delivery, administration, and engagement. Many volunteers have developed strong relationships with regular groups, sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the outdoors and helping to create a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, the Trust plans to continue to:
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Expand Forest School activities to increase participation and confidence among children and young people
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Develop resource packs to support teachers, group leaders, and facilitators
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Continue widening access to outdoor opportunities, particularly for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups
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Develop mindfulness sessions, retreats, events, and corporate team away days to generate income and subsidise access for charity and non-profit groups
Ongoing Commitment
The Pinewood Trust remains committed to fostering an inclusive, engaging, and educational outdoor environment. The continued growth in site usage and planned developments position the Trust well to extend its impact and ensure that more individuals can benefit from meaningful outdoor experiences.
Risk Management
The Trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to manage these risks.
Objectives and activities
The Pinewood Trust Trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year and ensure that they remain focused on its stated purposes. The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities.
Purposes and aims
The Pinewood Trust is a proactive charity with land (primary activity delivery site) based in Burshill, Brandesburton, near Beverley. We provide a safe environment and activities to encourage young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to get out of the city and enjoy the countryside, a peaceful place where older people can come together for days out; combating isolation and loneliness and a calming, green sanctuary offering respite to those affected with mental illness. We aim to provide everyone with the opportunity to access the outdoors in a way that is right for them.
Financial review
The charity receives income from grants and donations, as well as funds generated through the use of our site and charitable activities. During 2024 - 2025, the income amounted to £21,686.70 – made up of income generated from site usage and charitable activities. Direct charitable expenditure and other indirect expenditure amounted to £20,240.47. We report a net incoming resource of £1446.23 for the year. Our aim is to generate additional income to support the viability and sustainability of our organisation and to further our aims and purpose.
Structure, governance and management
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Derek Pye
Jo Lorenz
Dave Rawding
The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees
Jo Lorenz
Trustee
Dated: 21[st] January 2026
The Pinewood Trust - Balance Sheet as at 31[st] March 2025
| Fixed Assets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tangible Assets | £361,692.00 | |
| Total Fixed Assets | £361,692.00 | |
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash in hand and at Bank | ||
| Bank Account | £3,913.84 | |
| PettyCash | £35.00 | |
| Total Cash in hand and at Bank | £3,948.84 | |
| Other Debtors | £0.00 | |
| Total Current Assets | £365,640.84 | |
| Creditors - amounts falling due within oneyear | ||
| Creditors | 0 | |
| Total Creditors | £0.00 | |
| Net Current Liabilities | £0.00 | |
| Total Assets Less Current Liabilities | £365,640.84 | |
| Capital and Reserves | ||
| Funds | £1,250.00 | |
| Total Capital and Reserves | £1,250.00 |
The Pinewood Trust received a donation of a fixed asset with the value of £361,500 from St. Michael’s Youth Project, Hull. During 2021, St. Michael’s Youth Project was chosen to feature as part of the DIY SOS Big Build with Children in Need. Children in Need have been a funder of St. Michael’s Youth Project since 1993. Working in partnership with St. Michael’s Youth Project and the Pinewood Trust, a purpose-built outdoor learning and activity centre was built on Pinewood’s land by the DIY SOS Children in Need Team, with the fixed and capital assets created being added to St. Michael’s Youth Project’s balance sheet as the ‘funded’ and receiving charity. These assets have been transferred over to The Pinewood Trust in full during the 2024 financial year and can be also seen on St. Michael’s Youth project accounts as an outgoing donation.
The Pinewood Trust - Profit & Loss: Accounting year ended 31[st] March 2025
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debit | Credit | Debit | Credit | ||
| Income | |||||
| Charitable activities and site usage | £21,686.70 | £8,904.00 | |||
| Grants and Donation | £2,500.00 | ||||
| Total Income | £21,686.70 | £11,404.00 | |||
| Staffing Costs | |||||
| Staff – ActivityDelivery | £12,653.50 | £9,950.00 | |||
| Staff Training | £96.00 | ||||
| Total Staffing Costs | £12,653.50 | £10,046.00 | |||
| Activity & Resource Costs | |||||
| ActivityCosts | £387.54 | ||||
| Total Activity & Resource Costs | £387.54 | £0.00 | |||
| Overheads | |||||
| Insurance | £2,407.53 | £6,798.00 | |||
| UtilityCosts | £179.31 | £302.00 | |||
| Gas for Site | £310.71 | £253.00 | |||
| Volunteer Expenses | £350.00 | ||||
| Equipment | £265.45 | £192.00 | |||
| Fuels and Lubricants | £275.33 | £442.00 | |||
| Repairs,Maintenance & Hardware | £1,715.46 | £1,570.00 | |||
| Cleaning | £35.32 | £76.00 | |||
| Volunteer Food & Refreshments | £725.82 | £289.00 | |||
| PPE | £39.96 | £65.00 | |||
| Bird Food | £87.99 | ||||
| Storage | £600.00 | ||||
| Service Contacts - Alarm & CCTV | £149.00 | ||||
| IT Costs | £57.55 | ||||
| Total Overheads Cost | £7,199.43 | £9,987.00 | |||
| Total Costs | £20,240.47 | £20,033.00 | |||
| Total Surplus/Deficit after costs | £1,446.23 | -£8,629.00 |