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2024-03-31-accounts

Annual Report

Covering the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024

1. Introduction

Wellbeing in the Weald was established to provide inclusive activities and initiatives in our rural community so that people, including those who may be isolated, can make connections and benefit from improved health and wellbeing. We aim to organise new and promote existing wellbeing activities, including community walks, weekly drop ins, volunteering and other social activities that bring people together on a regular basis.

We work with local GPs, social prescribers and schools to ensure that our activities and initiatives are relevant for our community and cooperate with other organisations (such as charities that do not currently have activities in our community) to facilitate local delivery of their activities.

Our registration as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation was completed on 24 June 2020, under Registered Charity Number 1190083, with the following Objects set out in our Constitution dated 10 June 2020:

(1) To preserve and protect the health of people living in Cranbrook and the surrounding areas by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities, support services and practical advice not normally provided by the statutory authorities.

(2) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing or assisting in the prevention of people living in Cranbrook and the surrounding areas from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one or more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender reassignment; poor educational or skill attainment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing; crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating into society).”

2. Trustees

During this reporting period the following people acted as trustees of Wellbeing in the Weald:

Name Date appointed* Date dem
Dineli Charlesworth 05/04/2019 -
Mark Lawrence 05/04/2019 -

Date demitted

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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Deborah Jones 11/06/2019 -
Naomi Rosling 02/07/2019 30/4/2024
Andrew Chandler 06/08/2019 -
Peter Simpson 24/10/2022 -
Laura Wade 24/04/2023 -
Seamus O’Brien 24/04/2023 -

In accordance with our Constitution, there must always be a minimum of three trustees. Trustees are volunteers, who are appointed by the Board of Trustees with regard to their skills, to support the effective administration of the Charity.

3. Activities for the public benefit

The trustees have had due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission.

During 2023-2024, we were delighted to continue so many of our activities as our communities still continue to be affected mentally by the long term effects of the Covid lockdowns adversely affecting the collective wellbeing. We also introduced several new activities to specifically target groups who we had identified as being particularly at risk of isolation or exclusion.

The following table summarises our key activities to provide a public benefit during this reporting period:

Purpose Who is it for What did we achieve
Allotment
and
Allotment
Walks		 To help improve mental
health and wellbeing,
loneliness and isolation;
to encourage friendships
from varied social and
ethnic backgrounds; to
offer gentle activity to
those who need
rehabilitation following
surgery or receiving
treatment. Sharing
knowledge, teaching and
encouraging people to
try new and different
produce by offering fruit,
vegetables and flowers
produced at the
allotment to take home.		 Open to
everyone		 We held 31 regular sessions and 4
alternative (different day) sessions, with
total 374 attendances (344 regular/ 30
alternatives). Tea/ coffee are provided.
Attendance varies between 3 and 17 on
any Sunday morning, most are regular
attendees. The profile is approximately
80% female and 20% male, with the age
profile of more attendees being aged 50+.
However, there are also a growing
number of younger families/ children
involved; ages range from 3 to 92. Some
of the attendees are single, lonely,
isolated and are carers for others.
During the winter period (December –
mid March, varies depending on weather)
we introduced walks on 7 occasions, with
3-5 attendees, a similar profile to
allotment.

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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Purpose Who is it for What did we achieve
Volunteers cleared away the fruit cage
which was damaged beyond repair from
winter winds. We had a very wet winter/
spring, which is a challenging start to the
new season. We enjoyed cake and ice
cream made in part, from our own
produce. Any surplus produce was given
to the Wednesday Drop In. The range of
fruit, flowers and vegetables changes
each year, depending on what volunteers
decide to grow. We are very grateful for
support from Hands of Hope, who kindly
agreed to help with seedling germination
in Spring 2024.
Book Club To improve wellbeing
through online (Zoom)
social interaction.
Benefits are: it boosts
mood, it’s stimulating
and fun, people learn
new things and can make
friends.		 Open to
everybody
from 18 yrs
and older.		 The book group has an average of six
attendees at remote sessions held each
month, so approximately 72 attendances
over 12 sessions.
Attendees are women, of all ages into
their 90's. They agree it provides them
with a social occasion to look forward to
from the comfort of their own homes. It is
a small , respectful group allowing
everyone a chance to talk. The attendees
all agree how much they enjoy the
discussion we have which often expands
to other aspects of our lives. The session
always runs for an hour - allowing time
for some 'free chat' about current films ,
tv programmes or interesting places we
may have visited.
Crafting
Sessions		 To support those who
have been isolating for
months, depressed and
lonely, and who would
possibly benefit from
such an activity to
increase their feelings of
wellbeing.		 Aimed at
single people,
carers, people
who are lonely
or depressed
and people
who are older
and/or are
living alone.		 The craft group runs alongside Drop-in
sessions at the Parish Church, so crafters
could share the catering facilities and any
entertainment provided.
Attendees are all women ranging from
mid 20's to late 70's. On average there
are 7 attendees but on occasion can go up
to 9 people attending. Total attendances
for the year were 315 on 45 occasions.
They come from surrounding villages
including Hawkhurst, Biddenden and
Frittenden showing that we are not just

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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Purpose Who is it for What did we achieve
serving the community of Cranbrook .
Ladies work on their own projects but
often ask the advice of the others in the
group so there is sharing of skills and
plenty of chat! Occasionally they work on
joint projects e.g. crochet baubles for our
Christmas tree.
Dementia
Friends		 To educate people
about dementia and
to give them
confidence in their
interactions with
people who are
experiencing cognitive
impairment due to
dementia. This course
is delivered by a
person trained by the
Alzheimer Society.		 Anyone We facilitated the delivery of two
Dementia Friends courses delivered by
staff of the Care Company.
22 participants attended these and
feedback was positive.
Men’s
Cookery		 To provide
opportunities for
participants to learn
to cook various
healthy meals and for
them to enjoy
cooking.		 Men who are
recently
bereaved,
living alone or
have little or
no cookery
skills.		 There were 17 sessions with 121
attendances overall, plus on average 4
volunteer supporters per session. Profile
was men 65-80 from Cranbrook,
Sissinghurst, Frittenden and Iden Green.
We were delighted to welcome our first
teenager this year, who is really enjoying
the new opportunity. Lesson menus
included vegetable curry, lasagne,
minestrone soup, pasties, fish and fajitas.
Several of the men found the class helpful
for getting out and mixing more.
Pick up
the Pieces		 WITW Jigsaw Library to
provide enjoyable and
rewarding occupation
for people who are
isolated, unwell or
recuperating from
illness.		 Open to
everybody,
with local
delivery or
collection of
jigsaws.		 We hold Approx 130 x 500 piece puzzles,
many of which include 4 separate puzzles.
In addition we hold 30+ Wentworth
wooden puzzles.
The library is continually being added
to/renewed. For example, last week we
received 20 new puzzles to add to the
Library. Any that are surplus/duplicates
are donated to a local charity shop.

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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Purpose Who is it for What did we achieve
We are reducing the 1,000 piece puzzles,
as they are very large and not being
borrowed.
Over the year, there are a small but
steady number of borrowers. The central
location of the library in Cranbrook ,
flexibility of arrangements to visit and
return puzzles; all assist in ensuring
anyone’s needs can be met.
Information about the Jigsaw Library is
posted in various shops and locations
including GP surgeries.
Welcome
Wednesday
Drop-In		 To provide a warm and
welcoming place where
people are known and
accepted and where they
can experience
friendship and occasional
extra activities to
promote wellbeing.		 This is aimed
at single
people,
carers,
recently
widowed,
people with
early stage
dementia
and people
who are
older and/or
are living
alone.		 We had 52 sessions over the year (every
Wednesday of the year). There were
1,234 individual attendances. There are
great conversations and often attendees
enjoy playing games together. Once a
month one of our trustees attends to give
guidance on IT devices. This is very much
valued.
New people have said that they feel
welcome and have made friends. We
have noticed that participants welcome
newcomers, not waiting for leaders to do
so. We feel that this is a sign that the
culture is established.
During the year we had a Summer tea
party attended by 56 people in the
museum garden and we had a Christmas
party with music provided by one of our
regulars.
We also had visits from both the Amelia
Centre in TW and our local Cranbrook
Museum. We had a visit from staff at the
Nationwide Bank who taught us about
staying safe online and making our
finances secure.
Words for
Wellbeing		 To enable people to
explore their experience
using the written word.		 Anyone This slow-open group met monthly from
September 2023. They looked at all kinds
of topics from childhood memories, to
what makes us happy, written about all

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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Purpose Who is it for What did we achieve
kinds of things from colours we love to
how Spring makes us feel, and enjoyed
readings ranging from Wordsworth to
Winnie the Pooh. The group enjoyed
some lovely chats and shared much
pleasure, support and laughter as they
explored the ups and downs of life
together.
Wellbeing
Walks		 To provide access to
regular, low impact
physical activity to all
local residents in a
social and safe
environment. Walks
are accessible to
people with
limited mobility or
pre-existing medical
conditions / injuries.
These sessions are
run by the Tunbridge
Wells Walking For
Health Scheme
which is a
franchise of The
Ramblers.		 Open to
everybody.
There is a
range of
physical
fitness/ ability
and
motivation to
join the walks.
Multiple
groups to
tailor the
walks to the
type of
attendees we
have in each
group.		 During this year we provided three
walking groups in Cranbrook almost every
week and one group in Benenden per
week. An estimated 195 walks with an
average weekly attendance of 31 (total
across all walking groups).
Our demographic is predominantly
female (68F to 15M) between the ages of
50 to 80 (it is estimated that less than 1%
are under 50 years of age). There are a
range of ability levels and due to the fact
we operate multiple groups, we have
been able to offer longer (90 minute)
walks as well as shorter (60 minute) ones.

We would like to thank all of our volunteers, committee members / trustees and our administrators, who have devoted so much of their time and effort to organise, lead and support our activities and to help us in all aspects of operating the Charity.

We would also like to thank:

4. Plans for 2024-2025

4.1 Ongoing activities

As circumstances and funds permit, we hope to continue to repeat many of the above activities

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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and various other prior WITW activities for the community in general such as:

4.2 New activities

For 2024 - 2025 we have sought to identify who we are not currently reaching, in order to specifically target some of our new activities at harder to reach sections of our community. We have identified these target groups by reaching out to a number of people and organisations, such as the community wardens, GP’s and social prescribers, who have all given their feedback on where they believe the most socially excluded people are.

Who are our specific target groups for this year?

We also intend to facilitate support in our community for those who may be suffering from financial hardship.

Planned new activities focussed on our target groups

Several of our recently started activities are focused at these target groups and we plan to continue with these. Further new activities will be considered as appropriate, as circumstances and funds permit. We will wherever possible seek grant funding to at least partially cover the costs of any new activities during 2024-2025. Additional fundraising or grants will be required for these activities to be sustained longer term.

5. Fundraising

5.1 How we have raised funds

We would very much like to thank the Maidstone & the Weald Community Fund, Philip & Connie Phillips Foundation, Samphire Trust, Brissenden Fund and Biddenden Tractorfest for the grants and donations received during this period. We did not run any fundraising appeals or campaigns.

We would also like to thank the members of our community who, and other local organisations that, have made donations to support our work during this period.

Juice sales

This financial year includes the continuing sales from the September/ October 2022 harvest of sweet and dry apple juice, as well as the harvest of pears in 2023. Sales of apple juice finished in June 2023

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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and sadly the orchard was removed, so there was no apple harvest in 2023. We were very appreciative of the opportunity to pick apples in Goudhurst and thank the orchard owner for their support. We were given 48 bottles of apple juice from Mr and Mrs Tucker’s orchard to add to our sales.

The harvest of pears produced 2 bins, which juiced into 600 bottles, these we are continuing to sell. The owner Mr Lenox-Conyngham invited us to prune the pear trees for cropping in autumn 2024. Under the guidance of local fruit farmer Mr Levett, volunteers pruned 360 trees over the winter period. Subsequently, Mr Levett has offered us access to an apple orchard in Cranbrook for the autumn of 2024.

We could not do this activity without the support of a team of volunteers, local orchard owners and farmers. Together with the sterling work of Tony, who arranges the juicing, bottling and labels all the bottles, as well as supplying local shops. Sadly there were no Farmers Markets in 2023. Many thanks to the local retailers including Cranbrook Farm Shop and Nursery, Wilkes Butchers, Benenden Community shop and the Welcome Store in Cranbrook; all who sell our juice.

5.2 How we will continue to raise funds

WITW aims to continue its successful fundraising ventures in 2024/2025 including:

We also plan to raise funds via:

6. Financial Report

The Trustees understand that they are responsible for preparing this Financial Report, for ensuring that it provides a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees have set a reserves policy to cover 2 months of day to day running costs, in addition to committed costs for each year.

The income of Wellbeing in the Weald is not at a level to require independent verification or audit of its financial statements.

Wellbeing in the Weald
Income and Expenditure Account 12 months to 31 March 2024 12 months to 31 March 2023
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
General fundraising, grants and
donations
Donations and Grants(see note 1) 14,410 - 14,410 2,495 - 2,495
Charitable activities(see note 2) 1,213 428 1,641 3,196 6,833 10,029
Other income(see note 3) 5,865 - 5,865 6,861 - 6,861
Total income 21,488 428 21,916 12,552 6,833 19,385
Costs
Charitable costs(see note 4) 2,554 502 3,056 4,037 3,703 7,740
Fundraisingcosts(see note 5) 2,147 - 2,147 2,013 - 2,013
Support Costs(see note 6) 10,133 - 10,133 1,715 10,078 11,793
Total costs 14,834 502 15,336 7,765 13,781 21,546
Net surplus/(deficit) for theperiod 6,654 (74) 6,580 4,787 (6,948) (2,161)
Funds brought forward 18,404 - 18,404 18,253 2,312 20,565
Funds transferred (74) 74 - (4,636) £4,636 £0
Funds carried forward 24,984 - 24,984 18,404 - 18,404
Wellbeing in The Weald
Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2024 As at 31 March 2023
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Current Assets
Cash at Bank 24,856 - 24,856 18,276 - 18,276
PettyCash 128 - 128 128 - 128
24,984 - 24,984 18,404 - 18,404
Represented by:
General Funds 24,984 - 24,984 18,404 - 18,404

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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Notes
1. Donations and Grants £ £ £ £ £ £
Amazon Smile - - - 47 - 47
EasyFundraising 83 - 83 57 - 57
Grants 6,500
-
6,500
-
-
-
General Donations 7,827 - 7,827 2,391 - 2,391
14,410 - 14,410 2,495 - 2,495
2. Charitable activities £ £ £ £ £ £
Allotment 10 - 10 -
100		 100
Boxing - - - -
473		 473
Crafts - - - 281 - 281
Communitykitchen 67 428 495 - 7,550 7,550
Dropin 1,121 - 1,121 1,205 - 1,205
Men’s Cookery 15 - 15 -
135		 135
Men’s Shed - - - 1,710 - 1,710
Mindfulness in Schools (KCC Members
Grant)		 - - - - (1,425) (1,425)
1,213 428 1,641 3,196 6,833 10,029
3. Other income £ £ £ £ £ £
Fetes/Fairs 1,888 - 1,888 1,435 - 1,435
Jam/Chutney 131 - 131 171 - 171
Juice 1,631 - 1,631 1,360 - 1,360
Quiz Night 2,215 - 2,215 2,934 - 2,934
Other income - - - 961 - 961
5,865 - 5,865 6,861 - 6,861
4. Charitable costs £ £ £ £ £ £
Allotment 509 - 509 - 182 182
Boxing - - - - 480 480
Crafts 56 - 56 58 - 58
Communitykitchen - 502 502 - 2,677 2,677
Dropin Costs 1,780 - 1,780 1,496 - 1,496
Men’s Cooking 209 - 209 - 364 364
Men’s Shed - - - 1,913 - 1,913
Mindfulness in Schools(see note 2) - - - 570 - 570
2,554 502 3,056 4,037 3,703 7,740
5. Fundraisingcosts £ £ £ £ £ £
Fetes/Fairs 66 - 66 130 - 130
Jam/Chutney - - - 60 - 60
Juice 1,156 - 1,156 902 - 902
Quiz night 925 - 925 921 - 921
2,147 - 2,147 2,013 - 2,013

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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6. Support costs £ £ £ £ £ £
Administrators 8,345 - 8,345 6,832 1,510 8,342
Adverts 406 - 406 489 - 489
Gmail 130 - 130 119 - 119
Insurance 305 - 305 287 - 287
Phone 69 - 69 74 - 74
Printing 211 - 211 361 - 361
Safeguarding 50 - 50 462 - 462
Sundry 129 - 129 966 - 966
Training/Resources - - - 350 - 350
Venue hire etc(notproject related) 488 - 488 170 - 170
Website Costs - - - 173 - 173
Support costs reallocated - - - (8,568) 8,568 -
10,133 - 10,133 1,715 10,078 11,793
These resources mean that we are satisfied that we will be able to continue our operations for the
foreseeable future.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 14 October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Andrew Chandler - Trustee, Chair

Peter Simpson - Trustee, Treasurer

Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX

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