Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From: 1[st] January 2022 Period start date To: 31[st] December 2022 Period end date
Charity name: Whitby Park Community Garden
Charity registration number: 1186825
Contents
Objectives and Activities ............................................................................................................................. 2 Achievements and Performance ................................................................................................................ 3 Financial Review ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Structure, Governance and Management .................................................................................................. 5 Reference and Administrative details ........................................................................................................ 5 Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others................................................................................ 6 Exemptions from disclosure ....................................................................................................................... 6 Other optional information ........................................................................................................................ 6 Declarations ................................................................................................................................................ 6
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To advance education for the public benefit in the subjects of horticulture, healthy eating, conservation of natural resources and improvement of wildlife diversity, by providing opportunities for learning in and around Whitby Park Community Garden. To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Cheshire West and Chester the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship, or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
We have continued to deliver a 12 week ‘Gardening for All’ programme as part of Cheshire’s Natural Health Service (ChNaHS) in collaboration with The Mersey Forest. The programme aims to promote participants wellbeing and physical activity through social engagement and advancement of people’s education in the subjects of horticulture, healthy eating, conservation of natural resources and improvement of wildlife diversity, by providing opportunities for learning in and around the garden and wider Whitby Park. Since the pandemic, there is an increasing appetite for growing good food, eating healthier, connecting with people, and living a better healthier active life. The ‘Gardening for All’ programme provides a range of seasonal horticultural activities and learning opportunities delivered throughout the year such as: Cultivation of fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs; Composting and creating healthy soil; Preparing the ground for planting; Seed sowing; Transplanting; Propagation; Lifting and dividing; Watering and rainwater harvesting; Indoor and outdoor growing spaces; Pruning; Food harvesting; Seed collection and storage; Plant and tree identification; Introduction to different cultivation methods such as, crop rotations, no dig; permaculture and biodynamics. As well as horticultural activities, we also facilitate woodwork projects, such as making bird boxes and bird feeders. We have also had a team of volunteers working on the design and construction of two new large cold frames. During the autumn and winter seasons we have also started to develop green arts and crafts and so expanding our service offer. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have acted accordingly. |
Additional information (removed optional)
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
||
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 |
Many of the participants who complete the initial twelve-week activity programme continue to return as volunteers. Every year the volunteer base grows in strength and together we have developed the garden into a diverse and vibrant outdoor space. The garden is accessible and open to all and welcomes new participants on a weekly basis. Throughout the year: 38new participants registered to do the twelve week ‘Gardening for All’ programme. 27, (almost three quarters)of those registered went on to complete the 12-week programme. 17of those who completed the programme in 2022 continued to volunteer and remain active in the garden. In total, there were36x regular/ long term volunteers who helped to maintain the garden and work alongside new participants. The sessions (often personal and tailored for each participant): • Provide a range of activities to improve participants’ health and wellbeing, increase social connections and improve the local environment. • Provide a friendly and supportive environment where participants can connect with each other and their community. • Provide a learning environment that helps participants improve their self-esteem and confidence. • Support participants to access longer term volunteering opportunities. • Remove barriers to learning and improve skills that are required to access further employment and training. • Encourage and explore different and unusual varieties of fresh produce through tasting and sharing favourite recipes. The garden is an important part of many peoples’ lives. Some volunteers have been coming to the garden every week for many years. We have delivered volunteer social events throughout the year, including a summer BBQ and a Christmas/New year celebration. The wider community also benefited from visiting the garden, engaging with volunteers, connecting with nature and have the opportunity to try fresh locally grown produce from the garden. |
Additional information (removed optional)
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 |
In these financial results we reflect on very positive year due to in part external community funding coming from a national company and donations taken following the passing of one of our long-term volunteers. Income of £2,083.51 was generated from charitable activities. £2,932.30 was from company community fund donations and £405.00 from community donations following the passing of one of our long-term volunteers. The total income for the period of £5,420.81. Of this income, £2,670.62 was spent on charitable activities and administrative costs along with purchasing supplies for the garden and for our craft activities. Creditors falling due at the end of the reporting period was £0. Overall, the charity made a profit of £2,750.19 for the period. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 |
The financial reserve policy is an estimated one-year cost plus activities. Trustees place a maintain priority on maintaining this in 2023 and will continue to review as the charity progresses. The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. |
| Amount of reserves held |
Para 1.22 |
£1,444.82 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 |
None |
| Details of fund materiallyin deficit |
Para 1.24 |
None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Continued discussion are happening between Cheshire West and Chester Council over the renewal of a lease for the land. We have still been unable to secure this in 2022 due to council staff leaving. We have continued discussions and will continue to move forward in 2023. |
Additional information (removed optional)
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | None | |
| Type of governing document (trust deed,royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Constitution Foundation model constitution for a CIO |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g., unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 |
CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 |
voting members are the charity trustees only |
Additional information (removed optional)
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Whitby Park Community Garden |
| Other name the charityuses | None |
| Registered charitynumber | 1186825 |
| Charity’s principal address | Whitby Hall Lodge, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 6QY England, UnitedKingdom. |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office | Dates acted if not for whole year | Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Boden | 09/12/2019 | ||
| Nina Dales | 09/12/2019 | ||
| George Jones | 09/12/2019 |
Corporate trustees – None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for wholeyear | |
| n/a |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others.
Description of the assets held in None this capacity. Name and objects of the charity on n/a whose behalf the assets are held and how this fall within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe n/a custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (removed optional)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details – None
Other optional information – None
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.
Signature
Full name John Boden
Position – Trustee
Date - 31[st] December 2022
| 01/01/2022 01/02/2022 01/03/2022 01/04/2022 01/05/2022 01/06/2022 01/07/2022 01/08/2022 01/09/2022 01/10/2022 01/11/2022 01/12/2022 Total Whitby Park Garden Profit and Loss Year Ending 2022 |
01/01/2022 01/02/2022 01/03/2022 01/04/2022 01/05/2022 01/06/2022 01/07/2022 01/08/2022 01/09/2022 01/10/2022 01/11/2022 01/12/2022 Total Whitby Park Garden Profit and Loss Year Ending 2022 |
|---|---|
| Income Collected(GBP) | |
| Sales Other Income £0.00 £20.00 £209.82 £95.33 £315.26 £2,638.22 £351.74 £508.61 £781.97 £165.54 £2.94 £216.38 Sales Other Income £30.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £65.00 £20.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 |
£5,305.81 £115.00 |
| Gross Profit £30.00 £20.00 £209.82 £95.33 £315.26 £2,703.22 £371.74 £508.61 £781.97 £165.54 £2.94 £216.38 |
£5,420.81 |
| Less Expenses | |
| Education and Training Education and Training (general) £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £339.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 Other Expenses Business Insurance £15.40 £0.00 £16.80 £16.80 £16.80 £16.80 £33.60 £0.00 £16.80 £16.80 £16.80 £16.80 Other Expenses Repairs & Maintenance £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £51.82 £0.00 Supplies Supplies (general) £0.00 £723.46 £0.00 £0.00 £292.60 £0.00 £260.84 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 Supplies Supplies (general) £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £27.48 £34.49 £0.00 £21.62 £8.96 £26.95 £0.00 £0.00 Uncategorized Expenses Uncategorized Expenses (general) £0.00 £300.00 £0.00 £0.00 £400.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 |
£339.00 £183.40 £51.82 £1,276.90 £119.50 £700.00 |
| Total Expenses £15.40 £1,023.46 £16.80 £355.80 £736.88 £51.29 £294.44 £21.62 £25.76 £43.75 £68.62 £16.80 Net Profit (GBP) £14.60 -£1,003.46 £193.02 -£260.47 -£421.62 £2,651.93 £77.30 £486.99 £756.21 £121.79 -£65.68 £199.58 |
£2,670.62 £2,750.19 |