## Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
**From: 1[st] January 2024 Period start date To: 31[st] December 2024 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 – None ................................................................................................................ 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 and Chester
and Cheshire West Council.
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 continues to be an increasing appetite
for growing good food, eating healthier and living better active
lives, whilst connecting with people, wildlife, green space and the
local community.
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 raised beds to make the garden more accessible
for all.
We have expanded our service offer to include green arts and
crafts which provide more activities for volunteers throughout the
autumn and winter season. Some of the products that we create
are bought by members of the community along with the fresh
food and flowers that we produce.
We are also increasing biodiversity in the garden through the
development of wildlife areas and projects that support a healthy
diverse ecosystem.|
Statement confirming Para 1.18 The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity whether the trustees Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have acted have had regard to the accordingly. guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
## **Additional information (removed optional)**
## **Achievements and Performance**
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.
SORP reference 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 Para participants on a weekly basis. 1.20 Throughout the year:
- 53 new participants registered to do the twelve week ‘Gardening for All’ programme.
- 36, (two thirds) of those who registered went on to complete the 12-week programme.
- • 20 of those who completed the programme in 2024 continued to volunteer and remain active in the garden.
In total, 51 regular/ long term volunteers 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 delivered volunteer social events throughout the year, including a summer BBQ, a Christmas get together and a New Year planning event. The wider community also benefited from visiting the garden, engaging with volunteers, connecting with nature and can 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 more balanced year due
to in part to more volunteer projects and activities being
undertaken in 2024. This was helped by the increase in grant
funding as outlined in the previous year’s report.
Income of £1,919.57 was generated from charitable activities.
£3,375.00 was from company and local community fund
donations. The total income for the period was £5,294.57.
Of this income, £4,917.06 of expenses was spent on charitable
activities and administrative costs along with purchasing supplies
for grant funded projects and garden supplies including
additional materials for craft activities.
Creditors falling due at the end of the reporting period was £0.
Overall, the charity made a profit of £377.51 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 two-years cost plus
activities.
Trustees place a maintain priority on maintaining this 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|£3000|
|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 discussions 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 2024 due to the council
changing the way they lease land and assets. We have now
completed an application process for a community asset transfer
and will continue to pursue this in 2025.|
**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|ConstitutionFoundation 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, United Kingdom.|
**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||
|Andrew Warham||08/02/2024|Trustee Committee|
|Louise McTigue||08/02/2024 – 26/10/2024|Trustee Committee|
Corporate trustees – None Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
**Trustee name**
**Dates acted if not for whole year**
**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 2024
## Whitby Park Garden Profit and Loss Year Ending December 2024
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Income Collected (GBP) January February March April May June July August September October November December
Sales Invoice (Grants) £1,850.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £1,525.00 £3,375.00
Sales Other Income £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £13.75 £15.71 £373.84 £285.78 £426.34 £331.63 £110.59 £48.13 £313.80 £1,919.57
Gross Profit £1,850.00 £0.00 £0.00 £13.75 £15.71 £373.84 £285.78 £426.34 £331.63 £110.59 £48.13 £1,838.80 £5,294.57
Less Expenses January February March April May June July August September October November December
Meals & Entertainment Meals & Entertainment (general) £0.00 £30.53 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £84.16 £114.69
Office Expenses & Postage Hardware £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £50.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £50.00
Office Expenses & Postage Office Supplies £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £501.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £501.00
Other Expenses Business Insurance £16.80 £0.00 £16.80 £16.80 £16.80 £16.80 £16.80 £33.60 £0.00 £16.80 £16.80 £16.80 £184.80
Other Expenses Other Expenses (general) £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £94.49 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £94.49
Other Expenses Repairs & Maintenance £179.99 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £179.99
Supplies Supplies (general) £1,543.44 £98.34 £0.00 £0.00 £86.40 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £65.35 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £1,793.53
Uncategorized Expenses Uncategorized Expenses (general) £0.00 £1,000.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £1,000.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 -£1.44 £1,998.56
Total Expenses £1,740.23 £1,128.87 £16.80 £16.80 £247.69 £1,517.80 £16.80 £33.60 £65.35 £16.80 £16.80 £99.52 £4,917.06
Net Profit (GBP) £109.77 -£1,128.87 -£16.80 -£3.05 -£231.98 -£1,143.96 £268.98 £392.74 £266.28 £93.79 £31.33 £1,739.28 £377.51
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