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2025-03-31-accounts

COMMUNITY TRANSFORM CIO, No: 1186368 Trustees’ Annual Report

Reporting on the period April 2024 to March 2025

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity Community Transform, charity number 1186368, for the year ended 31st March 2025.

COMMUNITY TRANSFORM

(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE ORGANISATION, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st March 2025

The name of the charity is Community Transform. The CIO has established schemes known as Community Grow and Play Street Bucks.

Trustees

Dr David Charles Furze (Chair) Nicolas Richard Singeisen Dr John Moorcroft Walton John Garnier Richards

Charity registered number

1186368

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

Signature

Name: Dr Dave Furze – Chair of Trustees

Signature: Date: 31[st] March 2026

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] March 2025

Contents

This report has the following sections:

1. Charity Objectives, Legal Structure and Ethos

2. Charity Activities

a. Public Benefit

3. Charity Achievements and Performance

Community Food Growing Network

c. Update on other projects

d. In County-wide and National Networks

(1) Play Streets Bucks Steering Group

(2) Other Local Networks and Groups

COMMUNITY TRANSFORM (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] March 2025

1. Charity Objectives, Legal Structure and Ethos

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, help meet their needs, and participate more fully in society.

b. Our Mission: What we aim to do:

Community Transform has the strapline “Transforming lives, Transforming communities”. As a social purpose organisation, we base our work on the principles of community development (ref 1) and social transformation. At the heart of what do is to take a relational, bottom-up approach with both individuals and communities. Focusing on creating positive social change and improving the wellbeing of the communities.

c. Changes to the legal structure of Community Transform – a transition of responsibility

Our charity status was confirmed by the Charity Commission on 15th November 2019, with charity number 1186368. The responsibility for all project activity, contracts, assets, and strategy, which previously had been delivered by the social enterprise Community Transform (2017) Ltd, company number 7712998, was transferred to the charity, officially taking 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 other projects during the last 3 years. Over this time, we have also extended our involvement in county-wide networks and initiatives.

d. Community Transform Ethos:

Community Development, The work of Community Transform is based on the community development principles set out by the International Association of Community Development, IACD. Community development is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline concerned with the organisation, education and empowerment of people within their communities, and the IACD is the global multi-disciplinary network for those who work in this field. The IACD is accredited by the U.N. and has members across the world.

5 Ways to Wellbeing, Community Transform recognises the 5 ways to wellbeing principles – connect, give, take notice, keep learning and be active, in the way it works. (ref 2)

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.

Positve Social Change, PSC , is found to be most effective when the three mechanisms of change are present; these are a) motivation, b) capacity, and c) opportunity. The road to empowerment touches all three of these drivers. Taking a person-centred approach means listening to local people’s views and opinions, giving them decision-making power on things that affect them, and developing relationships and trust are all vital elements.

2. Charity Activities (For a full history of Community Transform, see the Charity Report ye April 2021 & ye 2022)

a. Public Benefit

The Trustees seek to ensure that the activities of the CIO meet ‘Public Benefit’ tests in accordance with the Charity Commission guidance. In particular, the Trustees have regard to the Objectives of the CIO, as set out in the Constitution, and how proposed activities will further these. Trustees also judge proposed activities in line with the requirement that they should be beneficial to the public, or a sufficient section of the public.

The Trustees, having reviewed the objectives and activities of the Trust and, having given due consideration to Charity Commission Guidance on public benefit, are satisfied that the Trust’s business is properly conducted for the public benefit.

The work of the charity has always had two interlocking aspects – local projects in certain areas, particularly areas of deprivation. These local projects are sometimes part of County-wide initiatives. We aim to maintain contact and collaborate with local, county, and national networks and strategic groups. Our local project work over the last 5 years has been focused in both High Wycombe and in Aylesbury. The Aylesbury Garden Town, AGT (Buckinghamshire Council) contract, which started in 2019 to work with. The AGT-funded contract finished at the end of May 2022. However, the projects continued to be supported by us, where this was possible. Also note that other local work in High Wycombe has continued.

The county-wide initiatives/networks have involved the Public Health Physical Activity Strategy Group, Community Boards, Play Street Steering Group, BOB Health Alliance and the councils' flagship ‘Opportunity Bucks’ programme, their local approach to ‘Levelling Up’. An initiative focusing on 10 wards in Buckinghamshire, across 3 areas where people are experiencing the most hardship (see www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/opportunity-bucks/)

b. There are three distinct project areas that the charity focuses on:

In the Achievements and Performance section below, the Trustees set out how we have moved forward in these areas of activity during the review period to the end of March 2024.

3. Charity Achievements and Performance

a) Chair's personal reflection :

As a result of personal circumstances, I have had to with draw for work ov over the last three months of this year to end of March 2025. Throughout 2024 from April 2024 to December, the work

concentrated on three key projects and stayed in contact with the other projects previously mentioned in last year's report.

b) Community Grow Network:

The Community Grow is the collection of growing spaces we have been involved in establishing over the last 10 years in Buckinghamshire. It gives a sense of cohesion and lessons learnt at one can be very helpful in another. Sharing of equipment and tools, seeds and knowledge. There is facebook page as well that was set up during the COVID days to keep everyone connected. At the heart of the green spaces we have established, we have a communal area. This is because one of the key reasons for putting the hard graft into it is the community/social aspects that have such a benefit for all involved. Obviously, there are physical benefits as well as the menal heath benfits. But physical health is not only related to exercise. Being outdoors in nature has les well know benefits. Search online for thebenefits of nature by Dr William Bird and Intelligent Health. www.intelligenthealth.co.uk. Just a short walk in naural environmt releases chemicals that are known to make you feel healthy and happy. At the same time surpressing unhealthy enzymes that make us feel sad or stressed.

c) In Aylesbury – The Legacy of the Community Grow network in Aylesbury is based the work we did under contracts with Aylesbury Garden Town (AGT), for three years in the Community Stakeholder Partnership Programme team.

In the last year, we have continued to focus on 3 key projects:

We have become more involved with area-based work assisting and advising churches through the Oxford Diocese to help set up green spaces and other ecological and Net Zero matters. As a result of networking the project at St. Peter's Church in Quarrendon, North Aylesbury has become more widely known. The project was shortlisted (1 of 3) for the National Awards organised by The Church Times in the category “Green Health”. The ceremony was attended by three from the core team in the London ceremony. We were highly commended in joint second place.

2) The Friends of Aylesbury Railway Station (FARS) – The group has continued to grow. The team is a dedicated group who come every week if the weather is fine. As an official Chiltern Rail Station adoption group, we get an invite to the annual conference. This year, at the conference, I was presented with an award in recognition of the work we do. This is a reflection on the dedicated work all the volunteers have done over the three years of the FARS Group at the Station.

Well done and thank you for all you do!

(3) Sierra Road Community Allotment in High Wycombe, an agreement has been reached with the developer to finish off the work so the plot can be used productively again as a community allotment. But the final stage will not be completed until mid 2025.

(4) Play Street events – the potential for promoting play Streets projects in Bucks increased as the Public Health team has a new strategic focus on child activity and tackling obesity. We are inveersigation option, and the Playing Out Uk Organised have given the charity £1,000 grant towards the costs.

See our Play Streets Bucks Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2047104868939449/

Find out more & how to organise a Play Streets session and apply for permission from Buckinghamshire Council here:

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/.../organise-a-play.../

and see a short video here:

https://shorturl.at/hVMPB

We have some money to do this piece of work, but we need more. This project will be put on hold for a while until we can find additional funding.

In County-wide and National Networks

We continue to support these networks and build knowledge and connections as they support our strategic aims.

(1) Play Streets beacon project

We continue to look for funding and opportunities to play this role

(2) Other Local Networks and Groups

4. In conclusion , this year has seen some reduction in our project and achievements, but we are confident that when funding becomes available, we can do more. The projects we are concentrating on are doing well and bringing good results. The methods and strategies are sound.

We have struggled as an organisation due to the long-standing Trustee's absence and illness, who has been our administrator/treasurer since the start of Community Transform in 2010. In December 2024 Nick Singiesen passed away. These are big boots to fill, and although we're looking for a replacement and a few additional trustees, we're sure it is only for a while until we can return to effective working.

This is the report of the Trustees signed on their behalf by:

Signatures

Dr Dave Furze Chair of Trustees

Dr John Walton Trustee

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 actvtes started on 21 February 2020
RECEIPTS and PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
Year ended 31 March 202
RECEIPTS
Contributons received towards communty events:
Buckinghamshire Council
Global Feedback
Locality
The Rothschild Foundaton
Chiltern Railways
Playing Out Beacond Fund
Project expences fund 2
Other income:
Bank Interest
Total Income
PAYMENTS
Management Expenses
Bank Charges
Liability Insurance - Note 1
Projects Expences
Project Costs
Project expences
Total Outgoings
SURPLUS OF RECEIPTS
Apportoned:
Management Fund (10% of contract funding - Management expenses)
Co-ordinator's Fund
Restricted Funds		 -
-
-
-
250.00
1,000.00
-
429.64
0.7
-
-
-		 Year
ye 2025
£







1250.00

429.64
1679.64
0
0.70
-
-
0.70
1,678.94

 -
-
-
-
250.0
175.0
1.0
496.5
180.0
125.0		 Year
ye 2024
£




0
0
425.00
393.31
818.31
0
9 497.59
0
0 305.00
802.59
15.72
0
0		 10,276.11
-
-
-
250.00
-
1.00
-
-
-		 Year
ye 2023
£






10526.11
122.77
10648.88

1.00

-
1.00
10,647.88



 36,059.2
-
-
-
-
-
2.30
441.42
-
-		 Year
ye2022
£
6





36,059.26
15.31
36,074.57

443.72

-
443.72
35,630.85
0
6

6		 20,128.0
2,100.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
-
-
2.00
-
-
-		 Period
ye 2021
£
3
32228.03
7.47
32,235.50

2.00

-
2.00
32,233.50

8
0
3
2,565.00 1,265.0 946.85
9,329.26
1,195.00		 3,475.6
32,583.6
945.00		 3,214.75
28,068.2
945.0
32,228.0
2,565.00 1,265.0 11,471.11 37,004.2
BALANCE SHEET
At 31 March 2025
Bank Balance
Unrestricted Fund
Management Fund
brought forward
10% of some contract funding
Banking: Interest - charges
Management expenses)
for the year/period
Designated - Co-ordinator's Fund
brought forward
for the year/period
Restricted Funds
1 Project expences fund 1
brought forward
for the year/period
2 Friends of Aylesbury Railway Staton, FARS Grp,
brought forward
- from Chiltern Railways
for the year/period
3 Project expences fund 2
brought forward
for the year/period
4 Play Streets Beacon Fund
brought forward
for the year/period		 7,231.75
-
428.94
-
69,981.2
-
945.00
-
320.00
250.00
-
50.00
-
-
1,000.00
Total		 80,206.89



7,660.69
0
69,981.20

945.00


570.00

50.00

1,000.00
80,206.89		 7,336.0
-
392.3
- 496.5
69,981.2
-
945.0
-
250.0
250.0
- 180.0
175.0
- 125.0
Total		 78,527.95
3

1
9 7,231.75
0
69,981.20
0
945.00
0
0
0 320.00
0
0 50.00
78,527.95		 6,267.41
946.85
121.77
-
60,651.94
9,329.26
945.00
-
-
250.00
Total		 78,512.23



7,336.03

69,981.20

945.00

250.00
78,512.23		 3,220.2
3,475.6
13.01
- 441.42
28,068.2
32,583.6
945.00
-
Total		 67,864.35
2
0

6,267.41
8
6 60,651.94

945.00
67,864.35
-		 -
3,214.75
5.47
-
-
28,068.2
-
945.0
Total		 32,233.50



3,220.22

8 28,068.28

0 945.00
32,233.50

Notes

  1. In July 2020, July 2022 and July 2024 Liability insurance was paid by the associate organisation Community Transform (2017) Limited

Signed Dr DC Furze - Trustee ........................................................... Nicolas Singeisen - Trustee …....….....................................................