1. Operations & Activity
During the year the remaining items in the original (2020) establishment plan for the Shed were completed. The Shed is fully functioning and is sufficiently well equipped to enable a wide range of projects to be undertaken. There is a small group of regular attendees who provide a core set of skills and expertise, which is shared with new and less experienced attendees.
During the year Trustees were again concerned with responding to, and countering, objections to the Shed operation. As in previous years, a small number of fervent opponents to the idea of a “Men’s Shed” pursued their ill-considered campaigns through formal Elmbridge Borough Council Planning objections. Finally, on 1 March 2024, with the submission of the ninth Planning Application by Trustees as required by EBC since 2021, the last of these formal objections was rejected and the Shed is now able to operate as originally intended, consistent with the operations of other sheds in the UK. This outcome has boosted the morale and engagement of attendees immeasurably. The Shed has never received any substantiated complaint about its activities, and the Objectors are no longer actively pursuing their grievances.
The Shed continues to operate with just 3, three-hour sessions per week. It undertakes projects for the Community in general, ranging from building and installing planter boxes in public areas to installing the town’s Christmas trees. The Shed also takes on selected commissions and projects for individuals as a means of: (a) providing opportunities for attendees to participate together, and (b) to raise funds for operational expenses. Now that the Shed is well established within the community, there is steady supply of commissions and projects in which attendees can engage.
The Shed has enjoyed the support of local individuals and businesses who have made financial contributions and/or donated tools and materials. Most notably Alsford Timber, whose donations of materials have been much appreciated. The collection of unwanted tools and other items from family estates and other donors has become a routine activity valued by these donors. This in turn has led to the establishment of a strong relationship with WorkAid, a Charity refurbishing and exporting tools to projects and education establishments in developing countries.
The Shed makes a meaningful contribution to waste reduction and the recycling/upcycling of items that would otherwise be destroyed or go to landfill.
The Shed’s newly-formed Beekeeping Section continues to flourish; the presence of three colonies of pollinators has been welcomed onto the site by allotment holders.
Trustees continue to promote the use of the Shed facilities to other community groups and charities, for example, Dreams of Hope, Samaritans, SCC Displaced Men, Surrey Choices, Weybridge Society, Cook 4 Care etc. In this way the community benefit of the Shed extends well beyond its primary purpose. The principal constraint to expanding the range of activities, membership, and hours of operation in the coming year, is the (limited) availability of volunteers available to provide oversight at more shed sessions.
In the coming year, and in addition to the continuation of the now well-established activities to mitigate social isolation and loneliness of older men, though not exclusively men, Trustees hope to:
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(a) expand connections with other charities & community groups
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(b) undertake one non-remunerated major community project
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(c) expand the hours of operation to enable more Shedders to participate
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(d) increase sales revenues towards a reduced reliance on third party funding
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(e) enhance procedures for oversight of maintenance and other physical activities at the Shed.
Trustees and Shedders value the ongoing support and encouragement of the community, Elmbridge Borough, and Surrey County Councils.
2. Finance
the year, with only increased commission sales of £3,693 and a Trustee loan of £2,000 enabling the Shed to end the year with a small £221 bank balance.
Residual funds of £8,076 received from the Your Fund Surrey award had already been earmarked for a Workshop heater, a 3-D router and flooring for the Leisure Shed, whilst another £2,155 was required to complete the delayed rainwater harves]ng project, for which an EBC Grant had been awarded in 2022/23.
Dona]ons totalling £1,023 had been received from 5 sources, and the Elmbridge Lojery had produced £94.
With a healthy project schedule and a further Grant award of £3,750 from Elmbridge Borough Council, the Shed has secured the necessary cashflow for the coming financial year.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND VIALE5 vyBRIDGE AIEN"S STrED Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forth• period from To 01.04.23 31.03.2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrfcted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total fund$ Last year totr r4r•st tr nt£ tokn rmr•&t£ A1 Recoi ts Granls aKrd5 Cbnalior Q>missions & gsles Lthle 8.067 1,023 3,693 2.000 1.07 721 114 1.023 Sub total(Gross income forAR) 14.876 14876 3.913 A2 Asset and Investmont sales, Iso• Sub total 14876 14.176 3.913 sh bulldlws & oth0runstwl costs Wotksh iools & t(xV[[les nlra$inJGlure cos15 for utilities et¢. Proip¢i gxpendilure la & IT expEnSe3 Leg & profèss1c fèès ittilities. r8nf elc. 15.598 249 11B 4.7r3 27B ndry expenses Grsnt ftyaNY 2%1 Sub total 1918 2&700 A4 Asset and Investment purchas$4 Isee table) Sub totsi Totalpayments 15.918 15,918 25.700 Net olre¢eipts4paymentsJ AS Transfets between funds A6 Cash funds last year 8nd Cash funds this year ernl 1.041 1,041 21,786 1.264 1.264 23,050 1,264 222 222 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestrict funds to rTeSt £ Restricted fund$ Endowment fijnds to rar¢51 £ Categotie5 to npaTMt e B1 Cashknnds CCXX Rl a1Unts ISSI Totaleaph fwKIs 222
unstrICted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Details to rw••t£ thrrent val% Det311 s QrrEnt Detalls 11thr & ra&1(e expwyjriup B4 Assets retained for tr* ¢hBrity's own use yesirLied 67,J64 Details liaLMlity rd•ioS IcPJcThS} BS Liabilities Ited SvJned by on8 trustees on bghawof all lh8 trustees nalure Print Nan Date of approval CCXX P2 amnts (SSI 2511012024