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2024-12-31-accounts

and Statement of Financial Activity for the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

Trustees

Chris Addis Alison Boyland Mark Cowling Tony Meakin Joanna Millar

Diane Stanley

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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Contents

Contents Contents
1. Reference and administration details ........................................................... 3
1.1. Charity Name and Registration .......................................................................... 3
1.2. .................................................................................. 3
1.3. Names of the Trustees who manage the Charity .............................................. 3
1.4. Names of advisors and senior volunteers .......................................................... 3
1.5. Bank ................................................................................................................... 3
2. Structure, Governance and Management ..................................................... 4
2.1. Type of Governing Document ............................................................................ 4
2.2. Charitable Objects ............................................................................................. 4
2.3. Trustee selection methods ................................................................................ 4
2.4. Register of Members ......................................................................................... 4
3. Activities ..................................................................................................... 5
3.1. Statutory Declaration ......................................................................................... 5
3.2. Summary of main activities ............................................................................... 5
4. Achievements and Performance .................................................................. 6
4.1. Outputs and Outc
..................................... 6
4.2. How the public have benefited .......................................................................... 6
4.3. Contributing to activities run by other organisations ........................................ 7
4.4. Trustee development ......................................................................................... 7
5. Financial Review .......................................................................................... 8
5.1. Details of any Funds materially in deficit ........................................................... 8
5.2. Policy on Reserves ............................................................................................. 8
5.3. Principal sources of funding and outgoings ....................................................... 8
5.4. Remuneration of Trustees ................................................................................. 8
5.5. Financial Status .................................................................................................. 8
5.6. Statutory Statements on Liabilities .................................................................... 8
6. Statement of Financial Activity .................................................................... 9
6.1. Receipts and Payments accounts for the period ended 31 December 2024 .... 9
6.2. Notes to the Accounts .....................................................................................11
7. Approval of the Board of Trustees .............................................................. 12

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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1. Reference and administration details

1.1. Charity Name and Registration

The name of the Charity is The Living Tree.

The Living Tree is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission on 27 February 2020 with registration no. 1188213.

The Living Tree is registered with HM Revenue & Customs.

1.2.

The Old Vicarage, Higher Street, Bradpole, BRIDPORT, Dorset. DT6 3JA

Email address: mail@thelivingtree.org.uk Website address: https://www.thelivingtree.org.uk

1.3. Names of the Trustees who manage the Charity

Role Appointed Resigned
Chris Addis 11 January 2023
Alison Boyland 26 September 2020
Mark Cowling 21 June 2023
Tony Meakin 2 November 2022
Joanna Millar Chair 21 February 2020
Treasurer 21 February 2020
Diane Stanley 27 January 2021 12 April 2024

1.4. Names of advisors and senior volunteers

Tan Cox, Friday Drop-in Organiser

Ann Jeffrey, Outreach Stall Organiser

Liz Baker, Administrator and Website/Newsletter Editor

Steph Crabb, Trustee Minutes Secretary

Nikki Bareham, Social Media Editor

1.5. Bank

NatWest Bank, 22 East St, Bridport, Dorset. DT6 3LG

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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2. Structure, Governance and Management

2.1. Type of Governing Document

Charitable Incorporated Organisation: Association Model

2.2.

Charitable Objects

For the public benefit, to relieve the needs of, and preserve and protect good health amongst people diagnosed with and recovering from treatment for cancer (including their family, friends and relatives who have been affected by such cancer) in Dorset, East Devon and South Somerset and the surrounding areas by providing services, activities and facilities for such persons, including but not limited to the provision of social, counselling, educational, creative, musical and recreational activities and guidance and information on the setting up and running of cancer support groups.

2.3.

Trustee selection methods

There must be at least three charity trustees. The maximum number of trustees is 12. In accordance with the Constitution, Trustees are appointed or re-appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.

In appointing Trustees, due consideration is given to ensuring that the Trustees have between them the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law.

Any suitable person who enquires about becoming a Living Tree Trustee is provided with a copy of the Charity Commission CC3 document The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do and The Living Tree Constitution . If they still wish to be considered for appointment as a Trustee, they are invited for an informal interview with the Trustees. Prior to any appointment, the potential Trustee is requested to complete a DBS check, a Declaration of Eligibility form and a Register of Conflict of Interests for Trustees Form. Once formally appointed, the new Trustee is provided with copies of all Living Tree adopted Policies.

Trustees are encouraged to participate in development opportunities as and when appropriate.

The Living Tree is a member of the Dorset Community Action Trustees Club and has access to advice from them.

The Trustees are encouraged to develop their own skills and knowledge by being actively involved in not just the day to day running of The Living Tree, but also by taking on additional responsibilities such as coordinating Allotment activities, administering The Living Tree Therapists Partnership and leading the activities at the regular Friday Drop-ins.

2.4.

Register of Members

In order to fulfil Charity Commission requirements, we maintain a Register of Members. New attendees at our Friday Drop-ins are invited to apply to become a Member by completing a simple application form. There is no charge for membership. Non-Members can continue to benefit from services offered by The Living Tree but only Members may vote on any resolutions at General Meetings including approving the appointment of Trustees. The Membership Register is managed by our Administrator.

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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3. Activities

3.1. Statutory Declaration

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity is relevant.

3.2. Summary of main activities

The Living Tree holds a weekly Drop-in Meeting on Friday afternoons in an accessible venue in central Bridport, preceded by twice monthly Yoga, Mindfulness, and Tai Chi sessions. Each Drop-in session starts with a Tripudio Flow lymphatic exercise session.

The Drop-in sessions offer regular speakers, creative activities plus access to our library stocked with relevant cancer related books and leaflets. We also provide help and advice every day of the year through the maintenance of a dedicated mobile phone number and email address via which the public can contact the charity with enquiries. The charity also maintains a website, publishes a monthly newsletter and maintains a Facebook page.

We have continued to develop The Living Tree Therapists Partnership (LTTP) with local complementary therapists whereby approved therapists provide therapies to our members funded by The Living Tree. Members can apply to receive six free sessions with a Partnership therapist of their choice.

The administrator of the LTTP (supported by other Trustees and volunteers) responds to new therapy requests, offers telephone and email support, and manages enquiries and applications from potential new therapists.

Our other regular activities include an Ambling (walking) group, weekly table tennis sessions at both Bridport Leisure Centre and Salway Ash Village Hall, and a weekly Splash Club swimming session at Highlands End pool.

We rent an adjacent pair of Bridport Town Council allotments which are used to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. The allotments contain a greenhouse, shed and fruit cages and have parking nearby.

We usually have an outreach stall at community events during the summer many hosted by Bridport Town Council but also some events such as village fetes around Bridport - including the Bridport Charter Fair, Bridport Food Festival, Bradpole Fete, Loders Fete, Melplash Show. Towards the end of the year we had outreach stalls at the Bridport United Church Christmas Tree Festival, the Bridge House Hotel Christmas Fair and the annual Bridport Town Council Christmas Cheer event.

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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4. Achievements and Performance

4.1.

The Living Tree holds a weekly Drop-in session on Friday afternoons in an accessible venue in central Bridport (the Friends/Quaker Meeting House). The Drop-in sessions offer regular speakers, creative activities plus access to our library stocked with relevant cancer related books and leaflets, as well as the opportunity for refreshments and social interaction with others. Attendees can arrive and leave when most convenient to themselves and can choose to participate or not in the activities through the afternoon. Each Drop-in starts with a short 15 minute Tripudio Flow lymphatic exercise session.

The Friday Drop-in regular creative sessions give attendees an opportunity to participate in singing, art, and literary activities led by locals who specialise in those creative activities.

The charity organises twice monthly Yoga and Mindfulness sessions at the same accessible venue preceding each Drop-in, with a twice monthly Tai Chi session following each Drop-in. The charity added the twice monthly Tai Chi session in September 2024 aligned to the same Fridays as the Mindfulness session because it was clear that the two therapies shared a very similar audience.

The charity also provides a dedicated mobile phone number and email address via which the public can contact the charity with enquiries. The charity also maintains a website, publishes a monthly newsletter and maintains a Facebook page.

The Living Tree Therapists Partnership (LTTP) offers access to local complementary therapists. Approved therapists on the LTTP list provide therapeutic sessions to our members which are funded by The Living Tree. Members can apply to receive six free sessions with a Partnership therapist of their choice. The administrator of the LTTP (supported by other Trustees and volunteers) responds to new therapy requests, offers telephone and email support, and manages enquiries and applications from potential new therapists.

The charity organises and funds weekly table tennis sessions at two local centres, one in Bridport town and one in a village north of the town (Bridport Leisure Centre and Salway Ash Village Hall).

It also organises a session called Splash Club - exclusively for Living Tree swimmers - in a local swimming pool (at Highlands End Holiday Park) on an evening each week. its walking group. Ambles, which happen once or twice a month, are organised and led by the group leader and give participants the opportunity for exercise while gently walking through the AONB landscape around Bridport.

The charity rents two adjacent allotments from Bridport Town Council which are used to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. The allotments contain a greenhouse, shed and fruit cages and have parking nearby. There is a regular gardening session at the allotment on a Wednesday morning at which all Living Tree members are welcome. The allotment is used to promote a healthy fruit and vegetable rich diet and support the principles of self-sufficiency.

4.2. How the public have benefited

community who have been affected by cancer in any way. We aim to achieve this by the provision of cancer related information, and by providing opportunities to take part in various activities which will enhance the quality of their lives.

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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We publish and distribute a monthly newsletter to our mailing list of more than 300 subscribers. This newsletter provides an update to the public including health and voluntary sectors and our own members on recent events and activities plus notice of events and activities happening in the near future. In addition, we share a weekly update via our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Our website continues to be regularly updated and is a useful initial source of information on our services and activities.

We have an outreach stall at many community events during the summer these are often hosted by Bridport Town Council but other examples include village fetes around Bridport. Those at which we regularly support include the Bridport Charter Fair, Bridport Food Festival, Bradpole Fete, and Melplash Show. Towards the end of the year, we usually have outreach stalls at the Bridport United Church Christmas Tree Festival, the Bridge House Hotel Christmas Fair and the annual Bridport Town Council Christmas Cheer event.

Our outreach stalls at local events have raised the profile of The Living Tree and provided information to the local community, access advice in their home county, or know where to access such advice. Our Living Tree publicity resources, such as leaflets, are available in public locations such as GP surgeries, local hospitals. Libraries, and village halls.

The existence of The Living Tree as a local support group has enabled local health services, such as the NHS social prescribing service, the cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists based at Dorset County Hospital, and local GPs, to refer patients, carers, relatives and the bereaved to a local support group, where they know help will be given.

4.3. Contributing to activities run by other organisations

The Stepping Out Cancer Rehabilitation Community Support Group is also based in Bridport and we have continued to support this organisation by sharing information about their Scheme at our weekly Drop-in sessions, on our outreach stall, on our website, and in our newsletter.

We also promote other cancer support groups, particularly local ones with whom we have direct contact, by providing their contact details in our newsletter, on our website, and by making copies of their promotional leaflets available at our weekly Drop-in sessions.

4.4.

Trustee development

Trustees are encouraged to develop their own skills and knowledge by being actively involved in not just the day to day running of The Living Tree, but also by taking on additional responsibilities such as managing the allotment project. All Trustees have been supplied with the Charity - The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do , which, amongst other areas, advises them on how to develop their role bearing in mind their responsibilities.

All of our policies are reviewed annually and are available online to Trustees on our Google Drive. As part of the induction of new Trustees, the charity provides them with access to our current set of policies. We continue to update and add to the set of policies to ensure we follow Charity Commission guidelines.

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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5. Financial Review

5.1. Details of any Funds materially in deficit

The Charity has no funds which are materially in deficit.

5.2.

Policy on Reserves

T of recent average annual payments (c£18,000) in case of unforeseen and/or unavoidable circumstances precipitating a short-term fall in its receipts.

5.3. Principal sources of funding and outgoings

Principal sources of funding:

Donations from local community groups and charities that have closed.

One-off donations from members and supporters.

Sales of books and greetings cards produced by members of the Charity.

Local fund-raising events.

Collection boxes at local pubs, shops, events.

Principal outgoings:

Therapist fees including Mindfulness, Yoga, Tai Chi, Singing, Living Tree Therapists Partnership.

Activity costs including Table Tennis, Swimming, Amblers.

Allotment expenses.

Administration including fees for services provided by third parties (admin support, website maintenance, newsletter production, social media promotion).

5.4.

Remuneration of Trustees

All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to The Living Tree.

Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of The Living Tree are reimbursed at cost.

5.5.

Financial Status

t resources from all sources are more than sufficient to meet its outgoings for at least the next year.

All the indications are that this will remain the case for the foreseeable future.

5.6. Statutory Statements on Liabilities

The Trustees declare that:

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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6. Statement of Financial Activity

6.1. Receipts and Payments accounts for the period ended 31 December 2024

Receipts and payments accounts payments accounts
Period start
To		 Period end date
date
1/1/2024 31/12/2024
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the to the to the nearest to the to the nearest
nearest £ nearest £ £ nearest £ £
A1 Receipts
Allotment 60 - - 60 -
Card/book sales 553 - - 553 365
Other sales 170 - 170 7,517
Collection boxes 941 - - 941 775
Grants & Fundraising - 9,800 - 9,800 -
Donations towards 120 - - 120 77
Amblers refreshments
Other donations 13,817 - - 13,817 9,36
Sub total(Gross 15,661 9,800 - 25,461 18,103
income for AR)
A2 Asset and
investment sales,
(see table).
None
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts - 25,461 18,103
A3 Payments
Administration 3,453 - - 3,453 1,686
Allotment 240 856 - 1,096 586
Amblers refreshments 155 - - 155 272
Bridport Community 518 518
Hospital Exhibition
Donations passed on 640 - - 640 -
to others
Friends Meeting House 2,330 - - 2,330 1,530
rent
Friday Drop-in 357 - - 357 339
expenses
Fundraising expenses - 900 900 3,230
Glitter Ball
50% net
funds raised to - - 2,143
Stepping Out
Insurance 307 - - 307 297
Library books - - - - 49
Living Tree Therapists 720 - - 720 843
Partnership
Mindfulness sessions 720 - - 720 1,070

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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----- Start of picture text -----
Printing 847 - - 847 530
Singing sessions 225 - - 225 315
Social media 1,150 - - 1,150 865
promotion
Table Tennis sessions - 1,377 2,207
Tai Chi sessions - 120
Training 375 - - 375 500
Website/newsletters 1,800 - - 1,800 1,872
Workshops 352 - - 352 830
Yoga 1,300 - - 1,300 1,435
Sub total 16,38 2,3 - 18,74 20,599
A4 Asset and
investment
purchases, (see
table)
None
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments 16,38 2,3 - 18,74 20,599
Net of -
(7 ) 7,4 6,7 (2,496)
receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between
funds
None
A6 Cash funds last
34,258 34,258 3 ,
year end
Cash funds this year , - 40,977 34,258
end
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Categories Details
funds funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest to nearest £
£
B1 Cash funds NatWest
current 3 , -
account
Petty cash 11 - -
Total 3 , -
B2 Other monetary
assets
None
Fund to Cost Current
Details which asset (optional) value
belongs (optional)
B3 Investment assets
None
Fund to Cost Current
Details which asset (optional) value
belongs (optional)
B4 Assets retained
use
----- End of picture text -----

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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Table Tennis tables 2 tables at Fixed assets Fixed assets -
Bridport
Leisure
Centre
Table Tennis tables 3 tables at Fixed assets -
Salwayash
Village
Hall
At Fixed assets -
Highlands
End
Allotment equipment Shed, Fixed assets -
greenhouse
, planters,
gardening
tools
Fund to Amount When due
which due (optional)
B5 Liabilities Details liability (optional)
relates
Therapists Invoices 300
for
December
Other suppliers Invoices 1,131
for
December

6.2. Notes to the Accounts

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 Section 133, using the Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities and the

The Charity has acquired but not disposed of any fixed assets in the current financial year.

All amounts are recorded to the penny, but in these accounts are shown as digitally rounded to the nearest pound. This can occasionally result in a total apparently not being the sum of its constituent amounts. All individual amounts, and their totals, are nevertheless correct.

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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7. Approval of the Board of Trustees

The Trustees declare that they have approved the above Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Date

Joanna Millar (President)

arrell (Chair)

The Living Tree Trustees Annual Report FYE 31 December 2024

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Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees Charity Name The Living Tree On accounts for the year Charity no ended 31 December 2024 (if any) 1188213 Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2024 .

Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Date: Name: Simon Hartley Relevant professional ACCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: The Grove, Rax Lane Bridport DT6 3JL

1

Oct 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

2

Oct 2018

IER