**COMMUNITY TRANSFORM CIO, No: 1186368 Trustees’ Annual Report Reporting on the period April 2021 to March 2022**
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity Community Transform, charity number 1186368, for the year ended 31st March 2022.
The financial statements have been prepared following the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and
Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts following the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) published in October 2019.
This report has the following sections:
- 1) Chairman's Statement
- 2) Community Transform Strategy - 2022
- 3) The three distinct project themes of Community Transform CIO
- 4) Community Transform CIO Contracts and Funding for Projects from April 2021 to March 2022
- 5) A review of Community Transform CIO work for our beneficiaries from April 2021 to March 2022 - What Have We Achieved?
Appendix A - The Historical Background to Community Transform Appendix B – Project themes of the Charity Community Transform CIO
References
## **Trustees**
Dr David Charles Furze (Chair) Nicolas Richard Singeisen Dr John Moorcroft Walton John Garnier Richards
## **Signature**
Name:
Signature: Date:
## **Principle Office**
Community Transform CIO Westwood 44 Westwood Green, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 9DE Telephone: 01628-533143 Mobile: 0771-457-7478 Email address: NSingeisen@aol.com
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## **COMMUNITY TRANSFORM CIO, No: 1186368 Trustees’ Annual Report**
**Reporting on the period April 2021 to March 2022**
## **1) Chairman's Statement**
This is the second annual report of the newly formed Charity, Community Transform CIO, (CT), registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The report covers the period from April 2021 to March 2022.
## **a. Charity Objectives** The Charity Commission recognise our charitable objectives as:
_COMMUNITY TRANSFORM IS A COMMUNITY CAPACITY-BUILDING CHARITY BASED ON ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION._
We work with beneficiaries:
_……to develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially and economically disadvantaged communities in Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas, in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society._
## **b. Changes to the legal structure of Community Transform – a transition of responsibility**
Our charity status was confirmed by the Charity Commission in November 2019, with charity number 1186368. The responsibility for all project activity, contracts, assets (but not financial), and strategy, which previously had been delivered by the social enterprise Community Transform (2017) Ltd, company number 7712998, was transferred to the charity. This officially took effect at the beginning of April 2020. This was also the time when the charity began to receive grants and sign contracts to deliver services and projects.
Historically the focus of the organisation's project work was located mainly in the High Wycombe area under Community Transform (2017) Ltd. However, we have always held a longer-term aim to work across other parts of Buckinghamshire. This aim has been realised in part by developing our work in Aylesbury, working in partnership with the Aylesbury Garden Town (AGT) team and others projects during the last 2 years. Over this time we have also extended our involvement in county-wide networks and initiatives.
## **c. Key External and Internal factors that affected the work of the charity from 2021 to 2022. External Factors**
- i. **The Formation of the new unitary Buckinghamshire Council.** The 1st of April 2020 marked the beginning of a new unitary council in Buckinghamshire, where Buckinghamshire County Council and the four district councils, merged to become Buckinghamshire Council (BC). This began an extensive program of review, reorganisation, and redeployment of assets, staff, strategies, and financing. Since the largest contract the charity has is with the Aylesbury Garden Town (AGT) team, which is now a part of Buckinghamshire Council (BC), the changes made internally have a direct impact on our contract and further new continuation contracts with them.
Over the last two years, it has become clearer what the implications of the formation of the new Buckinghamshire unitary council will be for our work and the AGT Team. (see ref 1 – for an internet link to the Aylesbury Garden Town Masterplan). To achieve a unified approach to regeneration and growth strategies across the council area, we assess that there has been a decisive move away from recognising community engagement and demonstration of Garden Town Principles through a separate Community and Stakeholder Partnerships Program, CSPP. This will have an impact on the continuation of our contract with the council.
- ii. **The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic** . In the short term, the council had to focus as a priority on the work for supporting the individuals, the most vulnerable in the community and households across the
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country. But face-to-face community development work with volunteers in groups was restricted to following the physical distancing restrictions.
The positives: There have been new opportunities for us to engage with a different/new sector of people. Particularly, as the trend to ‘grow your own food’ has become more prominent in times of lockdown, as people are confined to home, needing different forms of exercise, and rethinking their priorities in life.
## **Internal Factors** – responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- i. Reassessment of working practices to maintain community development outcomes for our beneficiaries
- ii. Developing new ways of working virtually – Zoom and Teams software
- iii. Providing information and gathering feedback in different ways through - social media, Facebook pages/groups, website, online consultations, etc
- iv. Safety of volunteers when restrictions on face-to-face were relaxed but still working personally distanced - Risk assessments, PPE, signage, safe working procedures.
- v. We have observed the ‘COVID hesitation’ of volunteers following the lifting of the pandemic restrictions. In some areas of work volunteering numbers have recovered very slowly and in others, they have not returned to pre-pandemic numbers. This is more likely in our work because we often have volunteers who are vulnerable and have gotten involved in the first place to socialise or improve their activity levels. These people would be the most likely to have lived isolated lives and lack the confidence to reengage socially.
- vi. The trustees have been affected by ill health as a result virus and this has affected our effectiveness
## **d. Highlights of the year April 2021 to March 2022, Progress and Growth (see section 5 - What have we achieved)**
## **- Community Food Grow Network (Community Grow):**
There is now a network of seven Community Food Growing Projects in Aylesbury, that have been established through AGT: St Peter’s Community Garden (Quarrendon); Healthy Living Centre (Walton Court); Storehouse Foodbank (Aylesbury Vineyard); Bierton Community Allotment; Bear Brook Community Orchard (Prebendal Farm), Hampden Gardens (Southcourt). They have been set up in different ways, with a variety of local partners including Fairhive Homes Ltd (formerly VAHT) and Public Health. Two are now fully self-sustaining (St Peter’s and Bierton). The others will continue to be supported through the charity.
A number of the gardens are in some of the most deprived areas of Aylesbury and have successfully brought local communities together, of all ages. They have engaged members of the BAME community and have also offered support to the elderly, as well as to people with learning difficulties, mental health issues and mobility challenges, to help them connect and engage with others and learn new skills. This has been particularly beneficial following the impact of the Covid pandemic. The gardens also won several awards in the 2021 Aylesbury in Bloom Awards, organised by the Town Council.
## **Play Streets**
The Play Streets scheme, to enable residents to apply to temporarily close their road so children can play safely together on their doorstep and adults can chat and interact, bringing communities together, has now launched on the Buckinghamshire Council website https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/organise-a-playstreets-session/ The initiative has received excellent feedback on social media. It was set up through a partnership between AGT, Public Health, Transport for Bucks and Highways. Going forward, Community Transform (through Dave) is going to undertake the role of Bucks Activator for Play Streets and is in talks with Public Health and LEAP regarding funding for this. A Steering Group, led by Public Health and including other key partners, will help facilitate the roll-out of the scheme and its future promotion.
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**Aylesbury Station Platform Flower Beds Revamp and Friends of Aylesbury Station Group:** Greening/improving the station has been a continuing focus of the AGT Community Programme, to make it a more vibrant and welcoming key arrival point for the town. We have worked closely with Chiltern Railways and other community partners to give the roundabout outside a face-lift, install planters and hanging baskets and also have eyecatching murals reflecting AGT themes. We are now leading a community project to revamp the large flower bed areas on the platforms, which have been neglected and become unsightly. Work experience students from Pebble Brook School and a team from Community Payback are helping to clear the beds and the next phase will be to collaborate with local partners to carry out a re-design that will require minimal maintenance going forward. We have been working with Chiltern Railways and have now set up a ‘Friends of Aylesbury Station’, FARS Grp, to help tend the plants and green spaces going forward
**The COVID-19 Pandemic Coronavirus Restrictions and Lockdown regimes:** COVID restrictions had a dramatic impact on the work of the charity. The Community Grow projects were recognised as part of the COVID response of the council. We were able to use our network of contacts and experience to play a wider role across the county by helping to establish and participate in weekly Emergency Food Groups in Aylesbury and High Wycombe. This has led to CT now being a part of the Buckinghamshire Food Partnership Steering Group.
Our community engagement adapted to change and has continued throughout being redirected to achieve similar aims but in different ways. Some of the projects that were in the development stage continued to be planned using email and virtual meetings. Inevitably some projects were delayed until COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed.
**Summary - A firm foundation:** Going into this 2nd year, we were in a stronger position than at the beginning of the pandemic, since there is a greater need for services that help people to re-engage with society and a greater understanding and desire to grow and to eat healthy food. We are about to add a new contract in Aylesbury with Public Health (Bucks Council) that is broadly based on the community Grow model, including the area that we have been attempting to initiate as part of Community Grow – learning how to cook healthy food and to move to more healthy diets. This was the original motivation for Community Grow back in 2015 when we developed the Community Grow strategy as part of a Public Health Task & Finish Group. The new contract that began in April 2021 was as the “Aylesbury Expert Gardener” for the Grow It, Cook It, Eat It project.
During this second year, of functioning as a charity, we have seen further significant developments and considerable growth in the organisation's reach. The pandemic presented us with considerable challenges that we were able to accommodate and survive. This was largely due to being part of the wider AGT Team, as part of the Bucks Council. The secured contract income has helped us to be more resilient than we would have been if we were dependent on grant income alone. Being a part of the AGT Community Partnerships Program Projects Team put our work in the spotlight of the response to the COVID Pandemic across the county and provided the charity with a greater profile and credibility. This will be a firm foundation going forward in **our mission – Transforming lives, Transforming Communities** .
## **2) Community Transform Strategy - 2022**
## **a. Community Transform Mission: What we aim to do – our Strapline:**
Community Transform has the strapline “Transforming lives, Transforming communities”.
By working relationally (with individuals) and by valuing everyone’s contributions to their community life as assets, we believe they can be empowered to shape and influence their community in the long term. This approach is known as Asset Based Community Development (ABCD). Its definition is:
_….. an approach to sustainable community-driven development. Asset Based Community Development’s premise is that communities can drive the development process themselves by identifying and mobilizing existing, but often unrecognised assets. Thereby responding to challenges and creating local social improvement and economic development._
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The underlying desired outcomes of our work, are to build community capacity by encouraging sustainable positive social change that leads to social, economic, environmental, and spiritual wellbeing and wholeness. As a social purpose organisation, we recognise the terms, building social capital, community capacity building and creating social change. This is a relational, bottom-up approach to working, where individuals and communities are at the heart of their decision-making.
## **Community Transform Ethos:**
Community Transform is a charity - a social purpose organisation, based on the principles of community development and social transformation. It has taken a relational, bottom-up approach to work with individuals and communities at the heart. We focus on creating positive social change and improving the wellbeing of communities.
_Positive Social Change, PSC_ , is found to be most effective when the three mechanisms of change are present; these are motivation, capacity, and opportunity. The road to empowerment touches all three of these drivers. Taking a person-centred approach means listening to local peoples’ views and opinions, giving them decisionmaking power on things that affect them, and developing relationships and trust are all vital elements. This then forms the basic building blocks of what Community Transform sets out to do. As a priority, we have the intention that eventually they lead by taking part in the day-to-day running of projects. Where they don’t have the skills or capacity for this we will temporarily stand in the gap and take on the leadership roles to get things started and established until we can hand them over to local ownership and control. From experience, we know that some degree of long-term oversight or supervision is often necessary to ensure clarity of purpose is maintained in the long term, but this is a very light touch.
## **b. Our Theory of Change:**
This recognises the central element of community development that when people are empowered to make the changes that they want to make happen in their own lives and their communities, then positive social change is possible. We consider it as a process, or journey, to transformation – not an event! We describe this as developing different types of ‘spaces’: “physical spaces”, “social spaces”, and “learning spaces”, or a combination of these. Where the learning space is seen as where activities proactively create an intentional learning environment, but these are guided by the participants with assistance from civil society agencies. In these spaces, all involved will develop skills, abilities, and knowledge through the experience of being involved and doing activities together. This may be in the context of informal learning, peer learning, or learning that is more formal.
We see the most effective positive social change is not only working at a _surface-level_ as an event or short series but by continued involvement in taking a person-centred approach. It will then bring _deep-cutting social change_ – creating an impact through changed lives. Co-creating these “spaces” together is a core value and activity of Community Transform. Ultimately, we work to create activities that deliver wellbeing and wholeness for individuals and communities. Sustainable and inclusivity can be achieved when local people play a role in owning the concept and running the projects.
- **c. The Five Way to Wellbeing.** The work of Community Transform supports the 5 ways to wellbeing principles – connect, give, take notice, keep learning and be active, in the way it works.
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## **3) The three distinct project themes of Community Transform CIO (See Appendix B)**
There are three distinct project areas that the organisation has been involved in since 2017 and that the charity has continued to be involved in. These are:
- a) Community Grow Network - using local green spaces as a tool to engage with residents and improve the public realm.
- b) Company CSR Employee Teams – using the resources of the employees of local companies for the benefit of communities and working with VCSE organisations
- c) Play Street Events – short & regular resident-led street closures to facilitate social capacity building where residents in a neighbourhood interact and children play.
Our aims, objectives and activities for each of these are explained in Appendix B
## **4) Community Transform CIO Contracts and Funding for Projects from April 2021 to March 2022**
In October 2019, the company, Community Transform (2017) Ltd, secured a contract to join the AGT Community Partnership Projects Team (CPP Team), to deliver community development and liaison services. These contracts and funding were transitioned in April 2020 to the charity.
At the beginning of April 2020, there were four streams of funding for the charity. The core strand of funding was from the Aylesbury Garden Town (AGT) partnership contract, where we became a part of the AGT team working within the Community and Partnership Program team, working closely with Ceri Perkins as the Program Lead. This was the primary contract to be transferred from CT Ltd to the charity CT CIO.
We also received grant funding to deliver three other projects over this period that ran concurrently with the AGT work. Details of the project work are reviewed in last year's report. When the funding application was made, they were both scheduled to begin in April 2020. But, due to the COVID pandemic, the start dates and duration were negotiated and modified accordingly
We are indebted during 2020 – 2022 to:
- a) London Housing Corporation Community benefit fund: (Locality are the fund managers) to establish a community garden at the Healthy Living Centre (HLC), Walton Court, Aylesbury. This project would be later incorporated into the overall AGT contract.
- b) Rothschild Foundation for and supervision of volunteering sessions and networking, with residents, Social Prescribing Groups, and the Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sectors. for additional time to engage, design, set up and run volunteer sessions in all our projects and to network widely with residents, Social Prescribing Groups, and the Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sectors.
- c) Feedback Global - Seed Fund Grant to work on our long-standing project at the Community Allotment at Sierra Rd, High Wycombe. To deliver practical and informative sessions on ‘growing your own food’ and reducing food waste in the kitchen. These were sessions were delivered at the Sierra Rd Site in High Wycombe. But, due to the COVID pandemic, the start dates and duration for this project were also negotiated and modified accordingly. Four sessions were arranged for August Bank Holiday 2020. A second set of four sessions were arranged in late April 2021. The uptake of these face-to-face sessions was low - we believe because of the pandemic and COVID hesitancy.
The sessions and subject theme of reducing food waste were however promoted widely by, contacting volunteers (85 people) by phone, local publicity, letter posting, social media, and posters on local noticeboards. The literature developed for the volunteer sessions and the session planning has refined our understanding incorporating the subject of reducing food waste and we are indebted to FeedBack Global for this opportunity.
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These projects were complimentary to the core AGT contract work and designed to bring added value to the opportunity that was afforded by having the public profile from being part of the AGT Team. The legacy of these projects continued into this year as the funders allowed flexibility in the end date due to the pandemic.
**During the year 2021-22,** the charity has continued to deliver community development and liaison services as part of the AGT team under a continuing contract with Buckinghamshire Council for 2.5 days full-time equivalent.
In addition, there was a separate contract with Public Health, also Buckinghamshire Council funded, for the Grow It, Cook It, Eat It project as the Aylesbury ‘Expert Gardener’ role, to establish a community garden at Storehouse Vineyard Church, the location of an Aylesbury Foodbank. This project was delivered as a partnership with Public Health, AGT and Community Transform.
## **5) A review of Community Transform CIO work for our beneficiaries from April 2021 to March 2022 - What Have We Achieved?**
**a) Introduction Our Community Development Project Work –** how have our projects progressed over the 2[nd] year of the charity? This section will review the work with the Aylesbury Garden Town team and the Public Health funded Storehouse Community Garden – ‘Grow It Cook It Eat It’ project. will be reviewed as a community food-growing project.
**b) Objectives set by Aylesbury Garden Town** Community and Stakeholder Partnership Programme (CSPP) Following the success of the Community Partnership Programme(CPP) 2019 to 2021, a set of objectives were put in place for 2021/22, to build on the strong foundations that had been established and also to develop further opportunities to deliver on the commitments in the Aylesbury Garden Town Capacity Funding Award from Homes England. There was an emphasis to work more closely with stakeholders and this was reflected in the name of the program. The focus was on placemaking, reinforcing Aylesbury’s status as a sustainable and economically viable town, asserting a stronger sense of identity for existing residents and encouraging them to remain and invest in the Garden Town proposition. Aligned with this, placemaking helps to establish community spirit on the new developments, to attract new economic opportunities and money into the town and is a focus of both Homes England’s and the TCPA’s current agenda for their Garden Community programme.
**The objectives/outcomes for the year** drew on key sections of the Aylesbury Garden Town Masterplan as follows:
## **A Green & Healthy Garden Town (Chapter 6)**
“Support active lifestyles and good physical and mental health by making it easier for all of Aylesbury’s residents of all ages and abilities to access clean air, natural areas and food growing, sports and leisure opportunities, within the town and the wider landscape”
- Objective: Ongoing expansion of the Community Food Growing Programme
- Objective: Re-claiming the streets by encouraging active travel and lifestyles, piloting the Play Streets initiative and developing greening projects
## **Supporting the Highest Quality of Life For All (Chapter 5)**
“The design and development of new communities and infrastructure will maximise opportunities for community cohesion through shared access and use.
To ensure those who want to make Aylesbury Garden Town their home are supported and empowered to do so.”
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- Objective: Working with communities on new AGT sites to develop a strong sense of pride and place. Working with Kingsbrook Parish Council to develop community-based projects
- Objective: Developing greater community stewardship within the town. In all of the CSPP projects, there is an investment of time to work towards local resident involvement and ownership in running the project in the long term. This is particularly case with community food growing and the Railway Station enhancement work by creating the Friends of Aylesbury Railway Station, FARS Grp.
## **Aylesbury Central Area: Putting the Town Centre First (Chapter 4)**
- “Create an attractive arrival experience and first impression of the Town Centre. Build community spirit through welcoming events and activities.”
- Objective: Working with key partners and stakeholders to support enhancements that make the town centre more attractive and vibrant for residents and visitors alike. The revamping of the Railway Station as a key destination point to give a good impression of the town. Also, ongoing encouragement through the Aylesbury Community Board to promote more wildflower verges and public spaces.
## **c) Community Food Growing Network**
The partnership with Aylesbury Garden Town started in March 2019 with grant funding to establish a community food-growing project adjacent to St Peter’s Church in Quarrendon, Aylesbury. The organisation that the charity transitioned from had activities that had previously been focused in the High Wycombe area since 2011. The approach taken in the St Peter’s project used the principles and strategy of the ‘Community Grow’ project that had been successfully developed at the Sierra Road Community Allotment in High Wycombe and was funded by Aylesbury Garden Town, at that time a part of Aylesbury District Council
There is now a network of seven Community Food Growing Projects in Aylesbury, that have been established through our work with AGT: St Peter’s Community Garden (Quarrendon); Healthy Living Centre (Walton Court); Storehouse Foodbank (Aylesbury Vineyard) (Gatehouse); Bierton Community Allotment; Bear Brook Community Orchard (Prebendal Farm), Hampden Gardens (Southcourt) and The Manse Garden (Fairford Leys).
They have been set up in different ways, with a variety of local partners including Fairhive Homes Ltd (formerly VAHT) and Public Health. Two are now fully self-sustaining (St Peter’s and Bierton).
A number of the gardens are in some of the most deprived areas of Aylesbury and have successfully brought local communities together, of all ages. They have engaged members of the BAME community and have also offered support to the elderly, as well as to people with learning difficulties, mental health issues and mobility challenges, to help them connect and engage with others and learn new skills. This has been particularly beneficial following the impact of the Covid pandemic.
Four gardens in the network won awards in the 2021 Aylesbury in Bloom Awards, organised by the Aylesbuty Town Council.
## **St Peters Church Community Garden (Quarendon)**
Three years after its launch, the St Peter’s Community Garden is now in its 4[th] growing season. Quarrendon is an open-access site and there was some concern initially that this may prompt anti-social behaviour, but this has not proved to be the case. The leadership of St Peter’s Church have set up a legacy committee to take it forward, with a focus on local stewardship. They received separate funding and appointed a Garden Facilitator and installed a tool shed and cabin for participants to meet in.
There is a large amount of involvement and participation from within the church and the wider neighbourhood. Re-engagement with local resident volunteers was slow and began again when the regular community café started again on Thursday as the COVID restrictions were relaxed. The continuous harvest is shared amongst the volunteers, as well as with regular supporters of the garden who have been shielding over the last year. Now
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that the beds are established there is also a plan to extend the growing area to facilitate a contribution to the Aylesbury foodbank.
Activity sessions with local organisations are now taking place regularly e.g., PACE, schools, and after-school clubs as well as the potential of social prescribing working with the GP surgery and the primary care network. The project was entered into the Aylesbuty in bloom competition 2021.
There is a potential for a Neighbourhood Hub with involvement from Adult Learning, Aylesbury Youth Action and the Hayden Abbey Nursery if easier access can be established through the shared fence. This would create a new sense of place and is a good example of community stewardship.
## **Healthy Living Center (HLC) Community Garden (Walton Court)**
The Healthy Living Centre (HLC) is a ‘community-led service aiming to build opportunities that support the development of individuals and groups in Bucks’. The HLC Community Food Growing Project, which was embarked upon in January 2020, as a partnership between AGT, LHC Community Benefit Fund and other local organisations, was unfortunately held up by the COVID pandemic after initial work had been carried out to plan and prepare the garden growing beds.
Despite the challenges, there had already been considerable engagement with local people and schools. Pebble Brook Secondary, utilising student support and Ashmead Primary on a competition to design the potager garden. Work began again in the spring, of 2021, unfortunately, the growing bed required a lot of renovation work. In June we started the ‘Growing Healthier Together’ initiative. The Healthy Living Centre had secured a grant from the AGT Community Funding Pot to develop a scheme to allow local families to learn about growing through regular growing sessions in June and later nutrition and cooking, using the produce from the garden in August. The garden volunteers have continued to meet beyond the planned 5 weeks of sessions, and are still meeting regularly as spring 2022 moves into summer nearly a year later. The project was entered into the Aylesbuty in bloom competition 2021.
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Raised Growing Bed June 2021
Growing Healthier Together Sesson
Growing Bed Spring 2021
HLC Community Garden Team
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## **Hampden Gardens (Southcourt)**
We are working in partnership with Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust (VAHT) to support a community-led food growing project, in the centre of four blocks of housing association-owned flats in Southcourt. Located in a large under-used communal area, the project provides an area, not just for growing together, but a place for residents to meet socially, as lockdown regulations are relaxed. An encouraging outcome has been that young residents are using the skills developed during the events we have held to grow on their own balconies and outside their front doors.
A resident survey showed an encouraging response. Comments include _“Lots of daffodils, tulips, spring flowers, shrubs for seasons and raised beds for vegetables etc. and for ‘grow your own’ food”. “We can also grow other new vegetables from different countries and can be self-sufficient, kids can respect food and the hard work involved in growing them.” “My kids love growing food.”_ The garden was launched in the spring of 2021. Other community events have been held during school breaks to raise interest with our partner VAHT.
Further expansion Spring 2022
Havest-time August 2021
Aylesbury in Bloom Judges at Hampden Gardens
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The project was entered into the Aylesbuty in bloom competition in August 2021 and received a Bronze Award.
In the spring of 2022, the garden area was enlarged and we held events to develop great involvement in the project. We are looking for a suitable funding stream for regular weekly sessions now to further develop the interest we have gained.
**Bear Brook Orchard (Prebendal Farm)** – working with Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust (VAHT) A new project at Prebendal Farm, Bear Brook Community Orchard, is being re-established to provide a new community resource after falling into a state of neglect. This is another partnership with VAHT, along with a community food growing project at Hampden Gardens site. this in conjunction also with the local primary school. We are keen to encourage involvement from within the BAME community and particularly young people and Asian women in the Prebendal Farm area through resident engagement.
The plan in May 2022 is to plant a range of fruit trees (x17) and a row of 12 cherry trees on a large grassy area adjacent to the Bear Brook Primary school.
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**Aylesbury Vineyard Storehouse Community Garden – Grow It Cook It Eat It project (Public Health)**
The garden is the first of six ‘Grow It, Cook It, Eat It’ projects to be rolled out across the county by Buckinghamshire Council. The scheme is aimed at supporting people who are struggling to access healthy, nutritional food. As part of the Grow It, Cook It Eat It, project, there are also introductory courses to learn how to cook simple nutritious food linked to the community garden.
Getting the garden established on a piece of rough ground to the side of the foodbank’s offices proved quite a challenge, as it had to be completely cleared and revamped before raised beds and a pathway could be put in.
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The community food growing project is at Aylesbury Vineyard Storehouse one of the town’s main foodbanks. The project is a partnership between Buckinghamshire Council’s Public Health Service, Aylesbury Garden Town, Community Transform and Storehouse. It brings together local volunteers to run the garden and grow fresh produce.
The community garden was officially opened by Councillor Bill Chapple, Vice Chairman of the Aylesbury Garden Town Board and Councillor Anders Christensen, Town Mayor on 27[th] October 2021. It coincided with a Community Family Lunch event at the Vineyard Church, where local people had the chance to see the garden and the impressive range of fruit and vegetables that are already coming through, including tomatoes, peppers, leeks and more.
We hope that many local people will get involved, as community food growing has so many benefits. Not only is it great for keeping active in the fresh air and giving your mental health a boost, but it connects people together, creating closer-knit neighbourhoods in Aylesbury” A leaflet drop in the local houses
We worked with a team from Community Payback to do this, with support from a team of staff volunteers from the new Sainsbury’s Gatehouse store. It’s fantastic to be able to offer our foodbank clients fresh produce that’s grown here on site and they can also get involved with growing and cooking it too and learning new skills.”
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## **Sainsbury’s Management Team Building Day At the Storehouse Community Garden**
A Management Team Building Day on 20th September with the management team (10 people) of the new Sainsbury’s supermarket on the Gatehouse roundabout near-by. This made a big difference to the garden
## **St Mary’s Community Garden**
This project focuses on uplifting a green space on the grounds of St Mary’s Church in the historic conservation area of the town, which is prone to extreme anti-social behaviour issues, through a coordinated community approach. The churchyard is maintained by Buckinghamshire Council. The project has only just got underway and will be delivered, going forward, in partnership with Aylesbury Youth Action, local residents, the Town Centre Street Association, Bucks Mind and St Mary’s Church, under the coordination of Community Transform. Aylesbury Youth Action received a grant from the former County Council youth services team to support this project.
Young volunteers at St Mary’s Community Garden Project
**Developing new communities - Kingsbrook New Community Development:** As part of our commitment to support new community development in AGT, along with encouraging community stewardship, we are working with Kingsbrook Parish Council to establish a community food-growing initiative. The development incorporates a large area allocated for allotment use and a portion of this will be used by the Parish Council for community food growing, working with several partners including the scouts and local church, as well as AGT. We will be sharing insight and experience gained through establishing a network of community food-growing projects across the town. There is potential with support from Community Transform if additional funding can be found.
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## **Nightingale’s Rainbow Community Garden**
The iconic sculpture, commissioned by the Florence Nightingale Hospice on the grounds of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, pays tribute to the resilience of the people of Bucks during the pandemic. AGT provided a grant to create a community garden around the Rainbow. This is located in the heart of the hospital and provides an area of green space and respite for patients and visitors. Members of the community were invited to get involved in planting the garden, on a special community day. Local schoolchildren, residents and representatives of community organisations took part, along with AGT’s Chair, Councillor Gareth Williams.
## **Nightingale’s Rainbow Community Garden Planting with Cllr Gareth Williams**
## **Aylesbury in Bloom Competition 2021**
Four community gardens, St Peters (Quarrendon), Healthy Living Centre (Walton Court), Hampden Gardens (Southcourt) and Storehouse Community garden (Gatehouse) were entered into the competition. All won certificates.
The Healthy Living Centre and St Peters both received a Silver Guilt Award
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## **Play Streets Bucks:**
The Play Streets scheme enables residents to apply to temporarily close their road so children can play safely together on their doorstep and adults can chat and interact, bringing communities together. Community Transform first encountered Play Streets in 2018 and successfully delivered two events in High Wycombe with the community where the Community Grow project had developed.
The principles of Play Streets aligned well with our strategic objectives to improve the wellbeing of our beneficiaries and Garden Town Principles that are central to the strategic themes contained in the AGT Masterplan and Public Health in the country council. Working initially with colleagues in the Public Health and Highways departments of the country council we had a pilot project in Stock Mandeville that was scheduled for 27th March 2020, but this event was postponed due to the risk of COVID-19 infection.
We have continued to work towards establishing the protocols within the new unitary Buckinghamshire Council re-organisation regime. Following two successful pilots in October 2021 working closely with Transport for Bucks, 18 months later, sign-off has been given by the Service Director for Highways and Technical Services, to roll out the scheme in Bucks. Subject to approval from key Cabinet representatives, the application process will be through the BC website. We will also be setting up a steering group of key partners including TfB, Public Health, Community Boards and the voluntary sector to help promote Play Streets as an initiative which has many benefits, including encouraging physical activity, tackling social isolation and creating community cohesion.
Going forward, Community Transform has undertaken the role of Bucks Activator for Play Streets and is in talks with Public Health and LEAP regarding funding for this. A Steering Group, led by Public Health and including other key partners, will help facilitate the roll-out of the scheme and its future promotion. There is a Facebook page “Play Streets Bucks” for Street Organisers which currently has 37 members.
## **The Two Pilot events in October 2021 were very successful:**
## **1. Fairford Leys, Aylesbury**
26 people attended - 14 adults & 12 children. The street already had a neighbourhood Whatsapp in place. There was a mixture of families and some older adults. Children played on bikes, scooters, hopscotch and swing ball, as well as with giant chalks to create designs on the road; adults socialised
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## **2. Harlow/Queen’s Road, High Wycombe**
## 28 people attended – 15 adults & 13 children
Much more diverse community with no previous community group in place. A mixture of families and other neighbours of different ages. Children played on bikes, with footballs, skipped, played in a sandpit and drew pictures with chalk; adults socialised and re-connected
## **Comments made were collected by the survey at both events were:**
Great Fun Sociable Fresh air for kids Happy Community spirit Active Excellent idea
“Being able to do this regularly will help get the kids away from their devices and interact more with each other.” Sarah, organiser and mum
“I’ve lived here for quite some time, but I’ve seen people in the road now, that I’ve never met before.” Rosemarie, steward and grandparent
“The little ones seeing new friends, trying new things and being active is really positive.” Ollie, resident and dad “Being a new neighbour, it means my children get to know others within the area.” Claire, resident and childminder
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## **Work at the station**
The work at the station has focused on making the experience of arriving in Aylesbury by train more vibrant and welcoming for residents and visitors. The town has received considerable criticism in the past, most recently relating to the poor state of the bus station. This demonstrates how important placemaking is, to create a more positive first impression at key entry points. The improvements have included restructuring and replanting the main island beds outside the station to create an impactful display, as well as planters and a series of eyecatching murals, designed by local artists, Dan Wilson and Teakster.
We have worked with major stakeholders to deliver these, including Chiltern Railways, Buckinghamshire Council and the Town Council. The final phase is to revamp the platform beds, which are located on public sector land, through a multi-partnership community project. This has incorporated a work experience programme with students from Pebble Brook School, who have learning difficulties, as well as a team from Community Payback, who have all worked to clear the beds at no cost. AGT and Chiltern Railways are working together to deliver the re-design of the beds and a bid has been put into the Aylesbury Garden Town. Going forward, a community group, Friends of Aylesbury Station, FARS Group has been set up through Community Transform, to oversee the ongoing maintenance of the beds and planters, in line with the Government’s Community Rail Strategy, which encourages the community stewardship of station land and promotion of sustainable travel.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Pebble Brook School
Work Experience
Students
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## **Appendices**
## **Appendix A - The Historical Background to Community Transform**
Our history stretches back to 2004 and the Oasis Project based in the village of Lane End, Buckinghamshire. Over the years there have been many changes of emphasis and projects, but the underlying motivations and ethos are rooted in the same fundamental principles. Community Transform was a faith-inspired venture based on the principles of asset-based community development (ABCD) and building hope to bring about social change and ultimately the transformation of communities from within. We work hard to listen to the people in the communities where we work, involving them in decision-making, and training them to eventually take the projects forward for themselves, so achieving sustainability. Community Transform’s strapline is, ‘Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities.’
The Elim Church in Lane End pioneered the Oasis Project – under the leadership of Pastor John Richards in 2004. The project was a trade skills training project for young people in the Buckinghamshire village who were 18 to 25 years of age and not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Members of the church who were tradespeople (qualified in their trade) were offered a 15-week training course for one evening a week over a cycle of three courses per year. From 2004 until 2013, over 200 young people from the Lane End and Stokenchurch area were beneficiaries of the Oasis Project. The courses were in trades of car mechanics, horticulture, electrical, plumbing, and welding. In parallel to these courses, there was also an option to be tutored in English and maths for those who had not gained these qualifications while at school. Close ties were built with a similar project based in Knowsley, Lancashire, by coincidence, this was also called the Oasis Project.
Over time as the project grew in popularity, it spread to include the High Wycombe area. The Wycombe Partnership Board provided core funding for a part-time project coordinator in 2009. Eventually, in July 2011, the Lane End Oasis Project obtained its charity status, and the project that was based in High Wycombe became a separate social enterprise called Community Transform Ltd. With the introduction of new government provisions and policies for young people who were +18 and NEET, the project no longer had relevance and Community Transform moved on to deliver other projects but with the same fundamental principles of working.
Project themes: Over the past 11 years Community Transform (CT) has been involved in a range of community development and empowerment projects. These included the original Trade Skills Training for NEETs, a community hub based in one of the most deprived areas of High Wycombe (Gayhurst Rd, Micklefield), Play Street events, Corporate Employee Volunteer Team Events and Community Food grow at our community allotment.
Our long-standing project at the Community Allotment at Sierra Rd, High Wycombe, started in January 2017 but was suspended due to the COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown at the end of March 2020. This project has not restarted due to the loss of its volunteers, but the hope is to re-establish the project in January 2023.
## **Appendix B - Project themes of the Charity Community Transform CIO**
There are three distinct project areas that the charity, Community Transform CIO, is involved in.
- a) Community Grow Network - using local green spaces as a tool to engage with residents and improve the public realm.
- b) Company CSR Employee Teams – using the resources of the employees of local companies for the benefit of communities and working with VCSE organisations
- c) Play Street Events – short & regular resident-led street closures to facilitate social capacity building where residents in a neighbourhood interact and children play.
## **a. Community GROW Network** (Community Food Growing)
Growing food (or flowers) in a garden is an activity that has a proven record of improving the wellbeing of participants. But growing together in the community with others has additional benefits
20
- **Vision Statement:**
To establish a network that supports local Community GROW projects across High Wycombe, working primarily in areas of deprivation to….
- promote healthy lifestyles and choices,
- create community cohesion, resilience, and an improved sense of wellbeing
- in the long term to build a better society.
- **Our Strapline for Community Grow Project is: “Growing Community and Growing in the Community”**
- **The Foundations** of Community GROW are:
- A passionate belief that “Growing is good for individual & community wellbeing”
- The Five Ways To Wellbeing are: Connect – with other people, Be active – find an activity you love, Take notice – of the world around you, Keep learning – try something new, and finally Give – a smile, a hug, some time
- At the heart of what we do is: Community engagement and empowerment
- **Theory of Change:** Embedded into the Community GROW project is our theory of change that involved the three types of space (see section above) that can be instrumental in bringing about Positive Social Change (PSC). A physical space - in this case, a green or garden space, a Social Space – building relationships – this is a safe space where trust is developed. And thirdly, a learning space – peer, kinaesthetic, or formal learning. All these spaces create a _sense of place_ for participants, a fertile place where transformation can be nurtured.
## **b. Company Employee Volunteer Teams** – CSR Teambuilding sessions
We broker with local companies for their Employee Volunteers Teams to have a successful and fulfilling team-building day. We create self-contained team-building events where employees feel that they can _‘make a difference’_ by working in one of Community GROW projects, working in a community garden, or where we provide an event for a local VCSE organisation – such as a renovating care home garden. We have also renovated several local school gardens that fall into disuse.
- i. What companies can expect from us:
- A worthwhile project or cause is identified. We will discuss and create an event that meets the requirements of the company. We negotiate with the project/organisation the tasks required and organise the logistical arrangements, materials, and equipment needed. A full risk assessment is developed, and we will liaise with the company's H&S expert. There will be adequate insurance, health, and safety needs and CRB checks.
- We manage the administration and logistics for the activities on the day. We also provide an experienced team on the day to run their event. After the event, we provide a set of photographs of the day.
- ii. What are the outcomes for companies and their employees include:
- A sense of achievement at a personal and team level. Increased team working and betterworking relationships with colleagues. A greater understanding of the local community and increased levels of engagement of the company with their community. This is a good public relations exercise.
- The event contributes to the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, impact and ESG. For a practical project, they can literally see the fruits of their volunteering time; in a newly painted building, a newly landscaped garden, or cleared pathway.
- For everybody involved it is a ‘Win-Win-Win’ situation.
## **Good for employees, good for the community and good for business**
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## iii. What are the outcomes for Community Transform CIO:
- The input of many man-hours into projects can be a great encouragement to volunteers who see their project leap forward – particularly at the start of a local project. In addition, the relationship with the company can develop with donations, sponsorship, and new volunteers for future events.
- The donating of useful skills other than physical work can revolutionize the projects' multimedia, legal or financial management – even new trustees.
- By charging fees it is an income stream.
In total, we have hosted fifteen company teambuilding days that have been organised with 12 companies in 9 locations in Buckinghamshire since January 2017.
## **c. Play Streets Projects**
Playing Out is a parent and resident-led movement giving children the chance to play out in the streets and spaces where they live, boosting their health, happiness, and sense of belonging. Play Streets are short, stewarded road closures (usually 2-3 hours), organised by residents who volunteer as stewards to keep things safe. They typically take place once a month, often at weekends.
i. Benefits Research shows: the events increase activity levels, build intergenerational friendships between neighbours and children, and reduce isolation and loneliness. Also improves community capacity and social cohesion by creating new opportunities for creativity and socialising.
ii. Play Streets are widely acknowledged They are endorsed by Public Health England, Play England, British Cycling, & Kings Fund. In Buckinghamshire; the Public Health Team, Transport for Bucks, LEAP, CCG, and Community Boards.
More than 90 councils now support Play Streets nationally and there is specific guidance from Dept for Transport for local authorities to support the initiative. The website of the national organisation Playing Out UK is www.playingout.net
iii. Origins of Play Streets
Play Streets started in Bristol in 2012 in a street where a single mother wanted to provide what she had experienced as a child playing out freely. The national organisation Playing Out UK is based in Bristol. The organisation's website is www.playingout.net This has a wealth of very useful resources and advice for setting up Play Street events and ongoing support for Street Organisers.
In India and in the Philippians (2014) a similar strategy has been applied to deliver effective healthcare education to street children and families in some of the most destitute and deprived areas globally.
## **References**
1. The Aylesbury Garden Town Masterplan can be found here: www.aylesburygardentown.co.uk/the-masterplan-and-projects/the-masterplan/
2. Garden Town Principles: Garden City Standards for the 21st Century https://tcpa.org.uk/collection/garden-city-standards-21st-century/
Community Transform CIO Westwood 44 Westwood Green, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 9DE Telephone: 01628-533143 Mobile: 0771-457-7478 Email address: NSingeisen@aol.com
22
## **COMMUNITY TRANSFORM CIO**
_Charity Number: 1186368_
## **ACCOUNTS**
Year ended 31 March 2022
The charity was incorporated on 15 November 2019 and its activities started on 21 February 2020
Community Transform cio 44 Westwood Green Cookham Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 9DE
## **COMMUNITY TRANSFORM CIO**
_Charity Number: 1186368_
_The Charity was incorporated on 15 November 2019 and its activties started on 21 February 2020_
## **RECEIPTS and PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
_Year ended 31 March 2022_
|**RECEIPTS**
Contributions received towards communtiy events
Buckinghamshire Council
Global Feedback
Locality
The Rothschild Foundation
Bank Interest
**PAYMENTS**
Bank Charges
Liability Insurance
**SURPLUS OF RECEIPTS**
Apportioned
General Fund
Co-ordinator's Fund
**BALANCE SHEET**
_At 31 March 2022_
Bank Balance
Unrestricted Fund
General Fund
brought forward
for the year/period
Designated - Co-ordinator's Fund
brought forward
for the year/period|36,059.26
-
-
-|Year
2022
£
36,059.26
15.31
36,074.57
2.30
441.42
443.72
**35,630.85**
**67,864.35**
6,850.00
61,014.35
**67,864.35**|20,128.03
2,100.00
5,000.00
5,000.00|Period
2021
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||
32,228.03
7.47|
||||||
|||||32,235.50|
|||||2.00
-|
|||||2.00|
||||||
|||||**32,233.50**
|
||3,625.00
32,005.85||3,225.00
29,008.50||
||35,630.85||32,233.50||
||3,225.00
3,625.00||-
3,225.00||
|||||**32,233.50**|
|||||
3,225.00
29,008.50|
||29,008.50
32,005.85||-
29,008.50||
||||||
|||||**32,233.50**|
## Note
In 2021 Liability insurance was paid by the associate organisation _Community Transform (2017) Limited_ Signed Dr DC Furze - Trustee ........................................................... Nicolas Singeisen - Trustee ….........................................................
Date …............................................................
COMMUNITh TRANSFORM
Re9lSteredChority Number.. 1186368
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Tryst of ConKnunityTr3nsforrn
I report to the trustees on my examinaiion of ihe w)unts of Community Transform (The Trusil for the period ended 31
March 2022.
Rèsptsnsibilitles an41 basis of report
A5 the charity trustees of the Trust. you are re5Wn5ible for the pparatIOn of the acwunt5 in accordance with the
requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Yhe ACYI.
I report in respect of my examination of the Trusvs accounts carried out Urer section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carryin8
out rny examinath)n I have followed all the applicable Direttions 8iven by the Charity Cornmi5sion under section 14515llbl of
theAtt.
Independent examlnerfs statement
I have completed my examination. I confirrn that no material matters have come to my attention in connectioa with the
examinatlon givin8 me cause to believe that in any material pect..
accounting records were not kept in re5pett of theTrust 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 concerThing the fom and content of account5 Set
our in the Charlties IAccounts and Reportsl Regulations 2(18 otherthan any requirement that the accounts give
a'true and fair viev/ which is not a matter considered a5 part of an independent exarninatKIn.
I have no concerns and have corne across no other matEers in connection with the examination to whith attention should be
drawn in thi5 report in order w enable a proper understandingof the accounts to be reached.
Name
R BRIDGEN. FCA
Address..
18 CRENDON STREET. HIGH WYCOMBE. HP13 6LS
Dure..
20 March 2023