## **Annual Report**
## **Covering the period 1 April 2024 to 31 Dec 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).
This Annual Report covers a period of nine months, as we have changed our financial year to align with the calendar year. Future reports will be on a calendar year basis.
## 2. Trustees
During this reporting period the following people acted as trustees of Wellbeing in the Weald:
**Name Date appointed* Date demitted**
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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|Dineli Charlesworth|05/04/2019|-|
|---|---|---|
|Mark Lawrence|05/04/2019|-|
|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|-|
* Where the appointment dates stated above pre-date our registration as a Charity, they are the dates from which trustees started as committee members of Wellbeing in the Weald, when it was an unincorporated association.
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 April 2024 – Dec 2024, we were delighted to continue so many of our activities. In the post Covid period our communities continue to experience long-term mental health impacts from the lockdowns, which adversely affect collective wellbeing. In response, we have introduced several new activities specifically aimed at groups identified as being particularly at risk of isolation or exclusion. Over time a number of these activities have become embedded within the community. We are supported by figures such as the Tunbridge Wells Mayor and the High Sheriff of Kent and were fortunate to be one of only five recipients of the High Sheriff Awards in 2025.
WITW remains responsive to local changes—such as the closure of the local secondary school- and continues to research possible new activities which will broaden our reach and impact.
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|
Open to everyone|We held 32 regular sessions (10-12.30am) and
7 alternative (different days) sessions, with
total 239 attendances (220 regular/ 19
alternatives). Tea/ coffee are provided, and
most volunteers stay all morning.
Attendance numbers vary between 6 and 14
on any Sunday morning, most are regular
attendees. The profile is approximately 59%
female and 41% male (a change from last
year), with the age profile of more attendees
being aged 50+.|
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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||people to try new and
different produce by
offering fruit, vegetables
and flowers produced at
the allotment to take
home.||These figures do not include the watering rota,
this a year we operated a rota for 9 weeks
using 2 volunteers per day for 6 days – some
96 additional volunteer hours. There are a
growing number of younger families/ children
involved; ages range from 3 to 80+. Some of
the attendees are single, lonely, isolated and
are carers for others. We held a celebratory
Harvest lunch at Caroline’s, with everyone
attending contributing food or drink. This was
an innovation, which was greatly appreciated.
We continue to provide cake at break time and
occasionally ice-cream made from our own
raspberries.
Volunteers reduced weed growth and laid
suppressant material for next spring. Surplus
produce went to the Wednesday Drop-In and
local sheltered housing. We had good crops of
courgettes, squash, onions, and beans, though
tomatoes suffered from mildew and parsnips
didn’t germinate. We are grateful for support
from Samphire Trust this year with some new
dahlias and help with moving material from
our compost bins. Thanks also to Chris Levett
(local fruit farmer) for quantities of netting,
large posts for our new fruit cage (to be
installed over the winter period), smaller posts
for future use and a large bin full of compost.
The allotment leadership team of Tony and
Sue now also includes Polly and Mick.|
|---|---|---|---|
|**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.|
Now in its fifth year, the online book group
continues to meet on the second Tuesday of
each month. At its heart is a core group of six
women, aged from their mid-40s to over 90.
The evening online format suits both those
who are retired and those still working. We
take turns choosing the books, and over the
years have explored a wide variety of genres.
Although our core group is small, more than
25 people receive our monthly email updates.|
|**Crafting**
**Sessions**|To support those who have
been isolating for months,|Aimed at single
people, carers,|There were 142 attendances at the Craft
Group which is held alongside the Drop-in. The|
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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||depressed and lonely, and
who would possibly benefit
from such an activity to
increase their feelings of
wellbeing.|people who are
lonely or
depressed and
people who are
older and/or are
living alone.|group has a strong core of five ladies led by
Rita our volunteer leader. Rita has ably and
patiently taught a number of us to crochet.
This has given people a sense of achievement
at a time when they may be struggling with
their mental health or personal challenges. A
couple of our attendees are no longer able to
come to the church due to frailty. I believe the
group, though small provides friendship and
mutual support. Some of the ladies are very
isolated and the craft group serves as their
only social outlet in a week. Our warm
approach means that people feel able to dip in
and out, secure in the knowledge they will be
welcomed when they feel able to attend.
Age range: 40-84. 2 participants are physically
disabled and arrive on mobility scooters.|
|---|---|---|---|
|**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.|The classes are held in Cranbrook school
fortnightly during term time. The school
generously provide the facilities and cleaning
at no charge. The school catering
manager/chef volunteers his time, very often
at the end of a very busy workday. There are
also 3 volunteers who support the sessions,
offering help and guidance when required.
In this period there were 10 sessions and 2
cancelled due to catering staff shortages.
Overall, there were 76 attendees, so an
average of 7.6 per class. During this 9 month
15 men took part in classes, some finishing a
year whilst others were new starters. Dishes
included salmon en croute, enchiladas, penne
Bolognese, Spanish chicken casserole, katsu
vegetable curry and mincemeat and apple filo
parcels.
The profile of the men is 65-80, although there
were a couple younger and one older. They
come from the Cranbrook and surrounding
villages with one travelling from Tunbridge
Wells and another from near Tenterden.
We are extremely grateful to Keith, who
agrees the choice of meal with the men,
orders the ingredients, demonstrates the|
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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||||recipe and adds interest and suggestions to
the activity. Many thanks to Linda Swann who
retired from volunteering at the end of the
summer term, after nearly 3 years support.
Linda Webb has very kindly agreed to continue
with Sue Ireland and a third new volunteer Gill
Baker started in September.|
|---|---|---|---|
|**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.|This was ended in 2024 due to lack of demand.
Surplus jigsaws were given away at Christmas
in the Drop-in and others were passed to local
charity shops. A big thanks to Caroline
Shattock for organising delivery and storing
puzzles for the last 3 years.|
|**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 38 sessions over the above period. We
had 748 individual attendances who enjoyed
conversation and the occasional board game.
The trustee, who gives guidance on IT now
comes if requested. We also have a Social
Navigator who joined us via GP surgeries. She
came for the first time in December. She is
available monthly to help those in need of her
aid and advice.
It is a friendly group, many have become good
friends, but they are always ready to help new
visitors feel welcome. One of our members
provides us with a quiz (not too taxing) on an
irregular basis but it is always well received
and makes a pleasant interlude during the
afternoon.
We had a Christmas Party attended by more
than 50 people with a quiz and music provided
by one of our regulars.|
|**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|Open to
everybody.
There is a range
of physical
fitness/ ability
and motivation to
join the walks.
Multiple groups
to tailor the walks|During this year we provided walking groups in
Cranbrook and Benenden
Cranbrook
•
Number of walks = 39
•
Total number of walkers attendance =
893
Benenden
•
Number of walks = 32|
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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||medical conditions /
injuries.
These sessions are run by
the Tunbridge Wells
Walking for Health Scheme
which is a franchise of The
Ramblers.|to the type of
attendees we
have in each
group.|•
Total number of walkers attendance =
310
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.|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Words for**
**Wellbeing**|To enable people to
explore their experience
using the written word.|Anyone|A regular group of about eight met once a
month in Cranbrook Library to discover how
words can enrich our daily lives. Through
poems, stories and our own writings we
looked at the changing seasons, the
importance of place, the fun of journalling,
and the power of noticing the small things of
life. We explored light, and play. And had lots
of laughter and sharing along the way. One
member found it unlocked a new path
forward.: "I have really enjoyed coming to the
group and it's given me the desire to pursue
writing further. This has been a really positive
experience and has totally changed my life
around. After being through a very difficult
time I now feel so much more positive and
confident in going forward and meeting new
people. It's all thanks to your group
kickstarting it for me.|
|**Yoga**|To support mental health
and emotional resilience
through calming,
restorative practices, it also
offers an inclusive space for
community members to
improve health, reduce
stress, and connect with
others.|
A group of 8
people and Alison
attend every
Saturday 8.30-
9.30am.|Running since the 4thof January 2024, these
sessions offer a supportive space for improving
physical health, reducing stress, and enhancing
overall wellbeing. Participants often express
their appreciation to WITW, noting benefits
such as increased mobility, better sleep, and a
greater sense of calm and connection.|
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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|**Youth Club**|The Youth Club idea
emerged due to High
Weald Academy's closure,
leaving Year 7 students
without a local school and
disconnecting them from
their community.
Funding cuts led to the
closure of KCC’s term-time
youth club, run by Salus, in
February 2024.
Parish Council feedback
showed parents valued the
previous youth club and
highlighted the need for a
new local option.|It welcomes Years
7–9 from
Homewood and
Mascall’s Schools.|
The Youth Club launched on 6th November
2024, meeting Wednesdays from 3–5pm at
Church House. Timed to coincide with school
bus arrivals.
We held 7 sessions before Christmas, starting
with one Year 7 boy and growing to 8 young
people, including 3 GRT boys not currently in
school. The group is mostly boys and is
forming strong connections.
In January 2025, we moved to the
Congregational Church, a more central and
spacious venue where we have been able to
grow the youth club significantly.
Thanks to the significant groundwork carried
out by Sue and Debbie, working with the
YMCA, and their efforts in launching and
continuing to maintain and grow the club.|
|---|---|---|---|
We would again 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:
- St Dunstan’s Church for allowing us to use Church House and the Parish Church for the Drop-in.
- Cranbrook School and their catering staff for allowing us to use their facilities for the Men’s Cookery. Thanks also to the sixth form pupils who have supported the Drop-in.
- The mayor of TW Nancy Warne for choosing us for her charity of the year and attending so many of our events this year.
- High Sheriff of Kent Dr Gill Fargher for attending our 5-year celebratory event.
## 4. Plans for 2025
## 4.1 Ongoing activities
As circumstances and funds permit, we hope to continue to repeat many of the above activities and various other prior WITW activities for the community in general such as:
- Fruit picking (see also Fruit pruning, picking and juice under Fundraising)
- Plant SalesQuiz nights (see also under Fundraising)
- Attendance at Community Events/ Fetes (see also under Fundraising)
Registered Charity Number 1190083
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Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
## 4.2 New activities
For 2025 we have sought to identify who we are not currently reaching, 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?
- Males - teenage/younger men and those aged approximately 40+
- Young parents, including teenagers.
- Those living in our community’s more rural or isolated areas.
- Those in local communities not yet served by our offer e.g. Staplehurst.
- Young people who have been left behind as their peers move on to university/work etc
- Young people who lack community after local secondary school closure
## Planned new activities focussed on our target groups
Several of our recently started activities are focused on 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 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 Samphire Trust, Santander, Cranbrook School, Fierce Content, The Brook Trust Fund for Kent via Kent Community Foundation, Waitrose and private donors 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.
## **Fruit pruning, picking and juice** .
This annual report includes the continuing sales from the September/ October 2023 harvest, as well as the harvest and start of sales activity of pear and two apple orchards in 2024.
The apple orchard we had previously picked in 2022 was removed, so the only apple juice we were able to sell was 40 bottles from Mr and Mrs Tucker’s orchard, which we used at the Christmas Market and sold out at our Nuts in May stall. Fortunately, we were offered access to two apple orchards for the autumn of 2024, and we picked plenty of apples - Worcester's from Goudhurst (144 bottles) and Braeburn from Cranbrook (326 bottles), which we will continue to sell into 2025.
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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We were pleased with the results of our previous autumn/ winter pear tree pruning; there had been a lovely show of blossom but sadly, the best of the pears was picked a week before we planned to pick, by persons unknown. Consequently, we only managed one bin of pears/ 102 bottles, which sold out before Christmas 2023.
We appreciate the support from the pear orchard owner Mr Lenox-Conyngham, as well as Mr and Mrs Walpole and Mr Levett for access to their apple orchards. Mr Levett has kindly offered to continue to help with the maintenance of the pear orchard in 2025.
We could not do this activity without the support of a great team of fruit picking volunteers, together with the sterling work of Tony, who arranges the juicing, bottling and labels every bottle by hand, as well as supplying the local shops. Many thanks to 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 2025 including:
- An evening fundraising event (quiz)
- Raffle’s/tombola's
- Fetes
- Open gardens
- Plant SalesCrafts & dog treats
- Donations received
- Grants received
- Fruit picking parties and Juice Sales
We also plan to raise funds via:
- Online donations via Paypal Donate, Just Giving, TW Lotto, Easy Fundraising, Give as you Live, Neighbourly
- Online donations via the website
- Local supermarket donation / grant schemes
- Craft workshop projects which ask for a suggested donation, or that the crafted item may be donated to WITW to sell to raise funds
- Sale of jams and chutneys made for us by our volunteers using locally grown ingredients.
- Targeting grants for specific projects
- Asking for donations of items such as tools and land for projects.
## 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 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.
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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The Board elected to change the financial year to coincide with the calendar year. As a result, the reporting period this document covers are shortened and only covers nine months. Next year's report will cover the whole of 2025.
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.
Registered Charity Number 1190083 Address: Mill House, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2HX
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Approved by the Board of Trustees on 23/06/2025 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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