The Fig Tree Project [stonehouse] [An Incorporated Charitable Organisation] Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 Contents Refence & Administrative Details Trustee's Report statement of Financial Activities Page 1
The Fig Tree Project [stonehouse] [An Incorporated Charitable Organisation] Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 Trustees Catherine Thompson Su Chard IFrom 25105120221 Marc Chevalier Rich Hamlin John Thompson Lia Tonkins Irwin Wilson Secretary John Thompson Treasvrei Marc Chevalier Registered Office Hillgrove Verney Road stonehouse GLIO 2QD Charity Registration Number 1183851 Solicitois Leeper Prosser High Streel Slonehouse GLIO Bankers The Co-operofive Bank plc l Balloon Slreel Manchester M60 4EP Page 2
The Fig Tree Project [stonehouse] [An Incorporated Charitable Organisation] Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statement5 for the year ended 31 March 2024. Trustees, Annual Report 2021 - 2023 The Fig Tree Project is a Charitable Incorporated Organisalion run in accordance with our Governing Documenl. Our Governance Structure comprises a board of trustees who are elected by the frustees for a three year term of office, which may be extended by subsequent terms. The board of trustees provide strategic overview of the work of the CIO, establish and maintain policie5 and guide the work and vision of the organisation. The function of risk management lies wth the Irustees and is reviewed on a regular basis. Charitable Objecls and Objectives The Objects of Ihe charity as set out in our governing document are: The advancemenl of the Chrisfion faith in Stonehouse and the Severn Vale west of stroud in such ways as the Iru51ees think fil including through pastoral care and oulreach into the community as a means of carrying ouf the mission and outreach work of the foith. for the benefit of the public. Page 3
The Fig Tree Project [stonehouse] [An Incorporated Charitable Organisation] Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 Achievements during the year 2023 - 24 Since first opening it doors to the public in July 2021 the Fig Tree has been opern every weekday ond Saturday. apart from short breaks at Christmas and Easter. In that time literally hundreds of different people of all ages and backgrounds have found it to be a place of welcome and friendship; a place for support at times of need. In Ihe year covered by this report we have continued to grow in all ways. new faces have joined our leadership and our activities have continued to evolve. The sale of greetings cards is main source of income and o vital part of the way that we meet the community. As well as the direct connections we make with those who come in lo buy a card. so mony more are able to make looking at card5 an easy excuse to cross the threshold without feeling any pressure to join on activity. The Fig Tree model of working would not function without such an active and easy 'front door, for the public. A survey of customers in early 2024 confirmed this sense that our customers are very much o part of the wdei Fig Tree community, and many see their loyalty as customers as their contribution to the success of the project. Our sales revenues continue to grow Steadily and Ihe quality of the cards on sale contributes lo our success. Voluntary donations hove also conlinued to grow from both Ihose who access our groups and others who are committed to the work we do. A 'regular sUPPOrter' scheme was launched in January 2024 offering o range of payment options which has olso helped make us financially stable. The focus of our work is through our activity groups which create a series of small communilies where people come together with a common need or interest. Our 'Memory Cafe, and 'Dads and Children. groups are Ihe only activities of their kind in the area. and all our groups have seen a steady lurnover of members as children grow and families change. We especially pleased lo see new networks and friendships developing and people moving between groups. Our Tuesday morning group which was initiated to support Ukrainians has widened into a general language support group for those for whom English is not a first language. New activities have included our first cookery sessions - four week course led by a professional chef where attendees have learnt new skills. Sessions to help people Page 4
The Fig Tree Project [stonehouse] [An Incorporated Charitable Organisation] Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 plon funerals and for those seeking support after bereavement hove also been popular. None of the above would be possible without our team of volunteers who loyally serve the Stonehouse community through the Fig Tree from week lo week. in the course of Ihe year we have welcomed new faces as olhers have had to move on as their own circumstances have changed. Priorities for 2024 - 2025 As we look ahead we are very conscious of the need to lay the foundations for a susloinable future for the Fig Tree, both in terms of workforce and finance. We have olready started negotiations lo extend our lease on the High Street premises and have no reason fo believe that we wll not be successful in Ihis. More significantly we have begun to put in place plans to employ a part lime co- ordinator which will allow us to develop all of our work further and build on the strengths we have identified. Our 'regulor supporter. scheme is an imporlant aspect of our funding projection and granls from other sources will also be soughl. Public Benefit The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning future activities. Page 5
The Fig Tree Project [stonehouse] [An Incorporated Charitable Organisation] Annual Report ar,d Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 Income." Opening Balance 01104 123.. £ 19.075 Retail Sales Donations 16.221 4.168 other granls TOTAL 5.525 25.914 Expenditure." Renl 10.539 Insuronce/fees Cos1 of Sales 1,376 7.464 605 Consumables Phone/lT 453 Other expenses TOTAL 40 20.477 Net Cash Flow.. + £ 5,436 Closing Balance 05/0412024.. £ 24.511 Page 6
The Fig Tree Project [stonehouse] [An Incorporated Charitable Organisation] Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 The financial statements on page 6 were approved by the Trustees. and authorised for issue 291h November 2024 and signed on their behalf by: Irwin Wilson - Chair of Truslees Page 7