CHARITY COMMISSION SOR ENGLAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forth• p•rfod from To Section A Recei ts and ments Unrèstrictèd fund$ ID lh• nwo$t Endowm•nt funds t+th• th&vest£ Re$tdcted fynds Total funds Last year th• noarest£ Ir- * Iho nwest£ A1 Receipts ants 12,4fy) 2.450 955 fj,678 18,07$ 2,4SO 1155 1,483 9.32S 1128 GarrtaNeAthvthes Rein)UT5efflBnts 1526 Sub totsl(Gross income forAR) A2 Asset and Inve5trneN sales. 17.288 5,678 14820 Sub total Total cPts 17 78 A3 Payments ectriaty 2.939 24 1,19e Warer nrCe 378 378 ntemet+ alf0[m5 ntsnance qJipmenl Prin@ * CharitableAthvraes Jndnes Volunteer Èxper$ 206 216 163 745 745 Sub total 170 A4 Assèt and investment purchaseo,1$ge tablel Sub total Net of Trceiptsl{paymentsJ 'AS Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds thls yearend 8,047 326 8J72 6,650 326 8A72 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period UnrestrFcte funds R•strided funds Endowment funds io Treste Categorres Detallg lo nvarest£ nèarest£ B1 Cash funds 1-2024 *2 IA72 CCXX R1 accounts ISS) 16101r2026
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Trustees Annual Report for the period: 06.04.2024 to 05.04.2025
Charity Name: Seaford Environmental Alliance
Charity Number : 1193511
Objectives and Activities :
Seaford Environmental Alliance (SEA) is a CIO whose objects are for the public benefit and in particular, the inhabitants of Seaford in East Sussex and its surrounding areas, namely:
- To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment, in particular but not exclusively by:
a. Promoting good environment practice and awareness of related issues to local residents, businesses and organisations
b. Organising events, workshops, talks and activities on related issues including biodiversity loss, climate change, sustainable living and the environmental emergency
-
To protect and safeguard the environment through:
-
a. The promotion of waste reduction, re-use, reclamation, recycling, use of recycled and biodegradable products, in particular to repair and re-use products as a means of minimising waste and reducing consumption
-
b. Raising awareness and educating the public about all aspects of waste generation, waste management and waste recycling.
The trustees continued to have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
A summary of the main activities provided in 2024-2025:
-
the ongoing community larder
-
educational film showings at the Little Green Cinema
-
no-cost room availability at our premises for use by local organisations
-
a free climate lending library
-
a project to encourage local residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables (Seeds to Supper)
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a free new choir for supporting community engagement and events (Hope and Anger Singers)
-
a Climate Conversations dialogue circle
-
a plastic free periods project
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the setting up of a baby bank where parents and carers can donate and pick up pre-loved baby clothes and equipment
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hosting events throughout the year which promote understanding the challenges of climate change
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participation in other local and national events aimed at drawing attention to the climate emergency
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supporting and promoting an organisation in East Sussex that offers advice on energy
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Educational information and notices are displayed both in the hub and at outside events as a matter of course.
We would again like to note the contribution made by our outstanding volunteers. Everyone involved at SEA is a volunteer and our charitable activities would not have been possible without
them. We are particularly indebted to them for their work and dedication during the major changes to the premises at 3-5 Clinton Place.
We would also like to thank all our generous funders and donors for their financial support and their encouragement.
Note on Premises
In November 2024 the new landlord filed a planning application to convert the existing ground floor premises at 3-5 Clinton Place occupied by the climate hub into three retail units. There followed a period of uncertainty about whether and how the hub would be able to remain there. We looked at other options which might successfully sustain and promote our objectives. After visiting the hub the landlord informally agreed we could use the ground floor and basement while building work was in progress. We were largely able to keep the hub open during this period whilst also preparing for the considerably smaller space of one individual unit.
Achievements and Performance
Regular Activities
Community Larder
The community larder provides food we acquire through supermarket surplus. We operate a takewhat you-need, give-what you-can policy. UK Harvest Ltd, our provider for many years, ceased its outreach this far east at the beginning of 2025. Instead we raised funds to pay FareShare who bring a weekly delivery of supermarket surplus. We also work in partnership with The Havens Food Co-operative and arrange a weekly collection of surplus food, mainly bread, from their centre in Denton. The larder is well used and there is minimal waste.
Educational Film showings
The award-winning Little Green Cinema (LGC) has become a key activity of SEA in raising awareness of the climate emergency and related issues, encouraging residents to translate this learning into tangible action. Hosted by a volunteer team, the LGC screened four environmental films during the spring and summer to sell-out audiences of 40-45: Breaking Boundaries, Deep Rising, Six inches of Soil, and Wild Life. These film showings also included selected experts for after film Q&As and discussions. Later in the year local wildlife groups were formally invited to the showing of Patrick and the Whale, a bigger event attended by over 100 people, held at Seaford Community Cinema. Every film screening is preceded by a free plant-based afternoon tea, with cakes baked by local volunteers, encouraging the audience to appreciate plant-based diets and the role our food choices make in our ongoing fight towards a sustainable future.
Room availability
The building work meant our meeting space was limited. We looked towards welcoming back groups once our refurbished space was ready.
Climate Library
Our Climate Library has provided a resource of environmental knowledge, thought and inspiration for our community. Members can borrow from our catalogue and we now have 51 adult members, with 19 child memberships registered in addition. Our collection includes magazines, DVDs and novels as well as an extensive children’s library with environmental reference and story picture books. We have around 400 books covering themes from biodiversity, climate and food security to resource use, waste and sustainable skills; and including the politics, economics and philosophies of our natural world, our environmental crises and solutions for the future.
The Library also provided us with a useful source of material to draw on to support and advertise our events and projects, contributing to our information and displays for, among others, Seeds to Supper, Harfest, Sustainable Christmas and the Little Green Cinema.
Hope and Anger Singers
Hope & Angers Singers is a free-to-attend climate choir which aims to support SEA’s climate action by sharing creative and powerful music. Following taster workshops in March and April 2024, the choir began rehearsing weekly at the climate hub in May 2024. Over the year membership built to
15 regular singers and a growing repertoire of songs. Some songs are in the public domain, some we purchase or make a donation for, and some are originals written by Wendy Pickles who leads the group. Aside from the well documented mental and physical health benefits of singing in a group, choir members feel a sense of agency through coming together to sing for the planet. The choir participated in many events at the hub and further afield, including Plastic Free Seaford evening, Little Green Cinema screening, Women and Climate Change event in Seaford, and the Restore Nature Now march, and March for Clean Water in London.
Climate Cafe
SEA continued to host monthly Climate Café Conversations. A professional facilitator supports a dialogue circle to try to understand and cope with the emotional impacts of the environmental emergency. The Climate Café is free to all – it is a well-attended evening event with free refreshments.
Baby-Go-Round
This became a new initiative when the organisers of an East Sussex baby bank approached us about setting up a similar resource in Seaford. Our storage facilities at the time meant we’d be able to take in donations and invite families to take what they needed, for a small donation if appropriate. There was clearly potential for this project to expand but building work meant we’d need to postpone its development.
Plastic Free Periods Project
This was a joint project with Plastic free Seaford which aimed to make reusable period products accessible to the local community. An OVCA grant and crowdfunding allowed us to purchase a supply of 50 menstrual cups, 100 washable pad kits and 20 pairs of reusable pants. In addition to menstruating women selecting products for themselves, both men and women took products for their relatives. Several packs of pads were taken by women interested in trying them for incontinence. Many people made a donation towards the cost of the products they took. This money went directly back into the project, funding additional orders.
We ran several successful stalls in the community. Our presence at Seaford Medical Practice resulted in nurses taking a box of our products and information to give out to patients. We have a permanent space in the SEA Climate Hub with products available for visitors to view, learn more and take away. We also organised a sew-your-own pads workshop, hosted in a community member's home, using repurposed fabrics.
Hub Events
Waste Week (April)
This was a joint event with Plastic Free Seaford.
As well as displays around the hub there was a presentation on each of our opening days by Environment First about what happens to our waste in Lewes District. Other activities included an interactive game and a creative art and music workshop re-using old materials. The week was followed up by a Break Free From Plastic event in July.
Wonderful World of Wildlife (May)
Various local wildlife groups, including Seaford Action for Nature, Seaford Natural History Society and Seaford Swifts set up information tables around the hub. Activities included snail racing, the launch of a wildflower challenge, creating bird feeders, an interactive ecosystem game, ‘have you seen a hedgehog’ map and seed swap.
It's Time To Break Free From Plastic (July)
We held an evening of conversation about the use and disposal of plastics and encouraged attendees to make pledges to ditch plastic, for example making biscuits rather than buying them.
Seeds to Supper (spring through to autumn)
Bounce Back into the Garden saw visitors taking seeds and seedlings to grow on at home. At Harfest at the end of September there was apple & seed bird feeder making, seaweed fertiliser making and fruit & veg printing. Soup, rolls and pickles from home grown veg and surplus food were provided.
Celebrate the World (November)
We celebrated the coming of winter with sustainable winter festival traditions from across the international cultures of Seaford - henna art, recyclable wrapping techniques, lantern making, food from around the world and warm mulled wine.
Love our Earth (February)
On Valentine's Day we encouraged pledge-making ‘For the Earth’ in exchange for home made vegan gingerbread hearts
Supporting Local and National Events
We supported the Seaford Sustainability Fair (June) with a stall promoting the Plastic Free Periods project offering free products to try, and a teepee reading area with books from our climate library.
A group of hub volunteers travelled to London to join the Restore Nature Now (June) march. In the lead-up we provided materials for people to make colourful collaged fish to take and hold up as our region marched in the ‘Oceans’ section of the parade.
Hub volunteers also joined the March for Clean Water (November) in London.
Our window display encouraged people to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch (January) organised by the RSPB.
We supported and promoted an OVESCO/Energise Eco Home talk (January) for Seaford residents.
Impact
Visitors invariably comment positively on what we do to raise awareness about the growing climate emergency and the importance of reducing waste. It was noticeable that the sale of the building and subsequent building work created concern amongst visitors and passers-by about the future of the hub. When FareShare began their deliveries after Harvest UK Ltd’s withdrawal there was noticeable relief among the visitors.
The films at Little Green Cinema were consistently well attended and generated very positive comments on feedback forms including offers to participate in beach cleans and try out vegan baking.
The Plastic Free Periods project generated much interest and enthusiasm. Many women were at first intrigued and then pleasantly surprised by seeing the products and hearing positive stories from women who use them. Positive impacts of the project included strengthening local partnerships, including between Plastic Free Seaford and Seaford Environmental Alliance themselves, and also initiating other partnership activities such as a collaborative beach clean between SEA, PFS and local reusable hygiene products company Cheeky Wipes.
Visitors to the hub and to outreach stalls have expressed appreciation for the thought-provoking displays and materials, which supported them to better understand different issues around climate change, waste reduction and biodiversity needs.
We welcomed a number of new volunteers to our team, increasing our capacity to run projects and activities.
Financial Review
We are pleased to report that the total income for 2024 to 2025 was £ 22966, an increase of £ 8146 over the previous year. Total expenditure was £ 14594, an increase of £ 5424 over the previous
year. There was therefore a surplus for the year of £ 8372 which together with pre-existing funds brought our balance for the end of year account to £ 20274.
There was an increase in spending on the setting up of charitable activities, possibly reflecting further confidence in our mission, for example purchasing products for the Plastic Free Periods project and hiring films for the Little Green Cinema. We are again disappointed that a large proportion of the expenditure was on utilities (gas, electricity, water) and we continued to pursue ways of reducing costs.
The charity’s principal sources of income were grants and donations from the public. As the charity had grown substantially since its founding in 2022 we decided to draft a Financial Reserves Policy. The potential requirement to move premises confirmed the need for this and we now hold a reserve of £5000.
There are no funds materially in deficit nor are there any current financial uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern. The new owners made known their wish to make substantial changes to the property while also expressing their support for our charity’s aims. They gave us the option of remaining in one part of the building while the other parts were renovated and we took this up.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity holds no trusts.
The governing document is a constitution (https://www.seafuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ Foundation-CIO-Constitution-of-Seaford-Environmental-Alliance-21_1_21.docx.pdf)
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of two years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name: Seaford Environmental Alliance
Other name the charity uses: SEA
Registered charity number: 1193511
Charity’s principal address 2024-2025: 3-5 Clinton Place, Seaford East Sussex BN25 1NL
Names of the Charity’s Trustees 2024-2025
| Trustee name | Offce (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Hind | appointed 11.01.2023 | ||
| Alice McCarthy Sommerville |
appointed 25.07.2022 | ||
| Fay Langston | 30.05.2022 - 15.01.2025 |
| Trustee name | Offce (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Pontin | appointed 07.11.2023 | ||
| Wendy Pickles | appointed 17.01.2025 |
There were no corporate trustees at the date the report was approved
There were no trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity There were no funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Full name: Susan Mary Frances Pontin
Position: Trustee (appointed 07/11/2023) Date: January 31st 2026