2024-12-31-accounts - Rhubarb Farm

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Registered number: CE026250

RHUBARB FARM TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

51 Field Drive Shirebrook Mansfield Notts NG20 8BT

Trustees’ Report and Unaudited Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 December 2024

Rhubarb Farm

Contents
	Page
Company Information	3
Trustees’ Report	4
Accountant’s Report	10
Statement of Financial Activities	11
Statement of Assets and Liabilities	12
Notes to the Financial Statements	13

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Rhubarb Farm Company Information For The Year Ended 31 December 2024

Trustees	Mr John Beazer
	Mr Gareth Dillon
	Mr Simon Taylor
	Mrs Rebecca Dermody-Simmons
	Ms Megan Blake
Company Number	CE026250
Registered Office	Hardwick Street
	Langwith
	Mansfield
	Notts
	NG20 9DR
Accountants	Ben Elliott Accounting Ltd
	51 Field Drive
	Shirebrook
	Mansfield
	Notts
	NG20 8BT

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Rhubarb Farm Company No. CE026250 Trustees’ Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2024

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective I January 2019).

This report includes the Directors Report as required by company law.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

General Description of the Charity’s Activities

Rhubarb Farm is a dedicated social enterprise located in Langwith, on the border of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. We provide vital support to individuals with diverse needs, including those with learning and developmental disabilities, mental and physical health challenges, people not in employment, education, or training (NEET), individuals recovering from substance use issues, and older adults experiencing isolation.

Harnessing the transformative power of social and therapeutic horticulture, Rhubarb Farm offers life-changing opportunities. Our committed Support Workers lead engaging activities such as horticultural tasks, animal care, food-related work, and site maintenance. These initiatives not only enhance practical skills but also foster mental and physical well-being.

In addition to daily horticultural activities, we organise dynamic workshops, courses, and events aimed at building confidence, developing skills, and promoting a deeper connection with nature. Our mission is to empower individuals to grow personally and professionally, contributing to a brighter and more inclusive future.

The fresh produce grown at Rhubarb Farm is shared through our affordable Food Pantry, addressing food insecurity within the local community. We are deeply committed to sustainability and believe in the potential of every individual to make a positive impact.

To acknowledge their economic and social contributions, all individuals supported by Rhubarb Farm are referred to as “Volunteers.”

In 2024, Rhubarb Farm employed a team of twenty-one staff members, comprising seven fulltime and fourteen part-time employees.

Consultation with Stakeholders

Rhubarb Farm recognises the importance of its stakeholders, including individuals using the site for work placements, training, or volunteering, as well as organisations referring people for support or skill development. Stakeholders also encompass local residents, particularly those in Langwith and surrounding districts such as Bolsover, North-East Derbyshire, Chesterfield, Mansfield, and Bassetlaw. Additionally, stakeholders include organisations that fund Rhubarb Farm through grants, award contracts, or offer practical and in-kind support.

The Rhubarb Farm Board plays a crucial role, meeting every two months to oversee the enterprise’s operations and financial management. Board members actively participate in events and support on-site activities.

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Rhubarb Farm Company No. CE026250 Trustees’ Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

Throughout the financial year from January to December 2024, Rhubarb Farm involved its stakeholders in various meaningful ways:

• Maintained the website (www.rhubarbfarm.co.uk) to provide up-to-date information about the enterprise.

• Managed an active Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RhubarbFarmCIC) to share updates on our programmes, projects, activities, achievements, and future plans.

• Distributed regular leaflets and Facebook posts to keep stakeholders informed about Rhubarb Farm’s work.

• Featured in several segments on Bolsover TV and in local newspapers such as The Mansfield Chad and The Derbyshire Times.

PROJECT WORK

Support Programmes

• Individual Support: Through our various programs, we supported 126 individuals, including 75 new referrals. Weekly attendance ranged from 32 to 45 people, with a total of 12,800 volunteering hours recorded.

• Buddies Progression Project: With continued funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, we expanded our flagship Buddies Project to include a progression element. This enhancement helps attendees transition to new opportunities such as volunteering, training, education, or employment. The latest award enabled us to employ three full-time staff members: a Volunteer Coordinator, a Progression Worker, and a Support Worker. The revamped Buddies Progression Project has positively impacted individuals, empowering them to gain confidence, develop new skills, and achieve personal or professional goals.

• Mental Health Programme: Our successful Mental Health Programme continued, supporting 39 individuals with various symptoms and diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, personality disorder, and eating disorders. Additionally, many individuals presented with developmental or physical diagnoses such as autism, learning disabilities, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, physical disabilities, and sight impairments. Social isolation, social anxiety, abuse, and homelessness were also common among volunteers.

• Recovery Programme: Re-launched in 2024 with funding from Derbyshire County Council, Rhubarb Recovery uses social and therapeutic horticulture, support from staff with lived experience, and peer support to aid individuals in overcoming issues with alcohol or substance use. 25 individuals were regularly supported through this program in 2024.

• Community Payback Orders: We continued to take referrals from the Probation Service for individuals serving Community Payback Orders. Seven individuals completed their unpaid work hours at the Farm in 2024.

• Work Experience Placements: An element of our Progression Programme is providing work experience placements in partnership with local Job Centre Plus branches. Three twelveweek cohorts were supported with 17 individuals completing placements at the Farm. Four

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Rhubarb Farm Company No. CE026250 Trustees’ Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

people reported that their participation in the work experience programme had enabled them to secure full-time employment.

• Training Courses & Workshops: A wide range of training courses, workshops, and educational activities were provided to help our volunteers gain new skills and develop confidence. Topics included animal care, horticulture, independent living skills, healthy eating and cooking, arts and crafts, music making, outdoor skills, personal finance, online safety, drug and alcohol misuse, gambling harm, domestic violence awareness, and many more essential subjects.

• Poultry Project: Established in April 2014, our poultry project with 100 hens continues to provide eggs for sale and offers volunteers the chance to learn about poultry care.

• Pig-Keeping Activity: Since 2018, Rhubarb Farm has kept pigs, and in 2024, we extended this activity to include caring for pregnant sows and raising piglets.

• Shetland Pony & Donkey: Donated in 2022, our Shetland pony and donkey continue to be an important aspect of the Farm experience. Volunteers gain much from caring for or spending time with these animals.

• Staff Training Programme: Our extensive staff training programme included Safeguarding Adults, Safeguarding Children and Young People, Prevent Duty, Health and Safety, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Equality and Diversity, Mental Health Awareness, Self-Harm and Suicide Awareness, Alcohol and Substance Misuse Awareness and Interventions, Counselling Skills, and many other topics to ensure the best support for our volunteers.

Food Work

Community Food Pantry: In March 2024, we launched our Food Pantry in Langwith to address food insecurity and reduce food waste. The Pantry combines fresh produce from our Farm with surplus donations from local supermarkets. Through our “fill your bag for a fiver” scheme, we make this food affordably available to the local community. This initiative has successfully redistributed over 56,000 kg of surplus food that would otherwise have gone to waste. We are grateful to Langwith Parish Council for providing the space for The Pantry rent-free.

• Food Pantry Support: We continued to work in partnership with Bassetlaw Food Insecurity Network (BFIN) and Feeding Britain, providing support when needed to the Food Hubs that have continued operating independently throughout Bassetlaw.

• Food Redistribution: We continued to collect and receive surplus food donations from local supermarkets and food producers. This surplus food, combined with our freshly grown produce and other items, is made affordably available to the local community through our “Fill a Bag for a Fiver” scheme at our Community Food Pantry. Additionally, emergency food packages remained available for those in need.

Community Engagement

• Volunteer Celebration: In July 2024, Rhubarb Farm hosted its annual Volunteer Celebration, presenting certificates of achievement and contribution to attendees. The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield presented the certificates. Approximately 100 people attended, including family, friends, stakeholders, and board members.

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Rhubarb Farm Company No. CE026250 Trustees’ Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

• Community Food Pantry Services: Throughout 2024, we partnered with organizations like Northeast Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau and Age UK to provide value-added services at our Community Food Pantry. These sessions offered local access to vital information and assistance with essential issues.

• National Garden Scheme Open Days: We held three open days in July, August, and September 2024, as part of the National Garden Scheme. Gardening enthusiasts toured the Farm and enjoyed a talk by Jennie Street, our founder and Managing Director. Refreshments were served in our Community Cafe, with around 40 attendees at each event.

• Hopefest Music Festival: In September 2024, we staged Hopefest, an alcohol-free music festival celebrating recovery, hosted at Pleasley Pit Visitor Centre during Recovery Month. The event featured live bands, inspiring speeches, fun activities, and great food. It was a resounding success, and we plan to make Hopefest an annual celebration at different venues around the district.

• Corporate Team Days: We continued to offer Corporate Team Days to local businesses and organizations. Teams combined volunteering at the Farm with team-building activities, and enjoyed lunches made from supermarket surplus and our organically grown vegetables.

STRATEGIC REPORT

Financial review

Financial position

The charity’s only income for the year was one donation from the associated Community interest company – Rhubarb Farm CIC to enable the charity to begin its operations and by a small amount of bank interest achieved from the balance of this donation received.

The only expenses of the charity for this year were bank charges.

Reserves policy

The Charity’s policy is to hold approximately two months of operational expenditure as reserves. The closing funds at the year-end meets the Charity’s reserves policy. The closing balance is significantly higher to enable the charity to start caring for its own expenses.

Going concern

There are no uncertainties about the Charity’s continuing as a going concern.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been formally reviewed, with particular focus on events that would seriously impede the operations of the Charity. Strategic safeguards are in place to reduce, as far as possible, the impact of those risks. The risk register was updated most recently in May 2023.

The principal risks and uncertainties are in the following areas: Health and safety, IT disaster recovery and planning, lack of building fabric maintenance.

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Rhubarb Farm Company No. CE026250 Trustees’ Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

Health and Safety

Caring for large groups of individuals brings with it the risks of accidents either in working facilities or accommodation. This risk is mitigated by a rigorous health and safety routine. Experts in this area give constant advice and direction as to how working and living practices can be made safer. The workers are continuously trained in the procedures they should undertake, and how they should carry out their tasks in the safest manner. Documentation is provided as part of their training.

IT disaster recovery and planning

The systems used to achieve the aims of the Charity are completely reliant on IT services. The potential for such services to be damaged or impeded in some way is a serious risk to the operations of the Charity. This risk is mitigated by extremely detailed IT backup procedures. Offsite backups are carried out regularly, with sensitive data being backed up more frequently. Should a physical server be lost, remote servers kept off-site can take over and ensure the continued running of operations. In the unlikely event that the network goes down, a strong, robust infrastructure allows for operations to continue uninterrupted.

Lack of building fabric maintenance

Regular repair and maintenance programmes are carried out to a high standard. Experts in relevant areas give training and monitor these areas carefully. Ongoing training and documentation is provided based on appropriate standards and followed by those who have the responsibility for caring for the buildings.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity was incorporated on 10th June 2023 and is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Charity.

Organisational structure

The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee.

The Trustees of the Charity who held office during the year and at the date of this report, are set out below. When necessary, the Trustees review potential candidates, on the basis set out in the Articles of Charity. Their abilities and qualifications are evaluated by the Trustees. New

Trustees are given training in both operational and financial matters with the aid of the existing trustees and relevant documentation and guidance provided by the Charity Commission.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the management committee should follow best practice and:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

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Rhubarb Farm Company No. CE026250 Trustees’ Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is not appropriate to assume that the company will continue on that basis.

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

Trustees

The Trustees who held office during the year were as follows:

Mr John Beazer

Mr Gareth Dillon Mr Simon Taylor Mrs Rebecca Dermody-Simmons Ms Megan Blake

Small Company Rules

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies’ regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

On behalf of the trustees

John Beazer

Date

14 May 2025

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Rhubarb Farm CIO Accountant’s Report For The Year Ended 31 December 2024

Report of the Accountant to the Trustees of Rhubarb Farm

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with our terms of engagement and in order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Acts that relate to preparing the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 December 2024.

We have prepared these financial statements based on the accounting records, information and explanations provided by you. We do not express any opinion on the financial statements.

On the Statement of Assets and Liabilities you have acknowledged your duties under the prevailing Companies Acts to ensure that the company keeps adequate accounting records and prepares financial statements that give “a true and fair view”.

You have determined that the company is exempt from the statutory requirement for an audit for this accounting year. Therefore, the financial statements are unaudited.

The financial statements are provided exclusively to the director for the limited purpose mentioned above and may not be used or relied upon for any other purpose or by any other person, and we shall not be liable for any other usage or reliance.

Signed

Benjamin Elliott FMAAT 28 April 2025

Ben Elliott Accounting Ltd 51 Field Drive Shirebrook Mansfield Notts NG20 8BT

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Rhubarb Farm Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 December 2024

Notes Incoming resources from generated funds: Voluntary income: Donations and grants 2 From associated Company Investment income Total incoming resources Resources Expended Bank charges To associated Company Cost of food to another charity Software Telephone Accountancy Legal Consultancy Re-wilding project Groundworks & Electrical Waste disposal Equipment Total resources expended Net income for the year. (Net incoming resources before other recognised gains) Other recognised gains Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ Restrict ed Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2023 £ 1,354 - 1,354 18,879 2,280 - 2,280 1,570 1,742 - 1,742 1,038
	5,376 - 5,376 21,487
	4 - 4 2 10 - 10 950 - 950 802 - 802 228 2,340 - 2,340 2,280 - 2,280 800 449 - 449 320 - 320 286 - 286 320 - 7,577 7,577 - 260 - 260 291 - 291 304
	7,992 7,577 15,569 1,674
	(2,616) (7,557) (10,193) 19,813 - - - -
	(2,616) (7,577) (10,193) 19,813 91,781 - 91,781 62,450
	89,165 - 81,588 82,263

The notes on page 13 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

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Rhubarb Farm

Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2024

2024 £ £ 79,307 2,312 81,619 31 81,588 81,588 81,588 81,588	2024 £ £ 79,307 2,312 81,619 31 81,588 81,588 81,588 81,588	2023	2023
		£	£

		92,191
		-
81,619 31		92,191
			9,928
			82,263
	81,588		82,263
	81,588		82,263
	81,588		82,263

For the year ending 31 December 2024, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The trustees have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

On behalf of the Trustees

John Beazer

John Beazer Date 14 May 2025

The notes on page 13 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

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Rhubarb Farm Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. Accounting Policies

1.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 section 1A Small Entities “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and the Companies Act 2006

1.2. Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Unrestricted funds include a revaluation reserve representing the restatement of investment assets at market values.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Management Committee for particular purposes.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

1.3 Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to, and virtually certain to receive, the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.
Clothing and other items donated for resale through the charity’s shop are included as incoming resources within activities for generating funds when they are sold.
Investment income is included when receivable.
Incoming resources from charitable trading activity are accounted for when earned.
Incoming resources from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

1.4 Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes including the charity’s shop.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

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Rhubarb Farm Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 December 2024

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

2. Donations

Donations From Associated Company	Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Total 2023 Total £ 1,354 - 1,354 18,879 2,280 - 2,280 1,570
	3,634 - 3,634 20,449

3. Total Resources Expended

Basis of allocation Support costs allocated to activities Bank Charges Transactions Accounting Software Transactions Accountancy/Independent Exam Transactions Activities Transactions Total resources expended	Governance 2024 Total 2023 Total £ £ £ 4 4 2 802 802 248 2,280 2,280 800 12,483 624 3,086 15,569 1,674

4. Trustee Remuneration & Related Party Transactions

No trustees received any remuneration during the year.

No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.

5. Taxation

As a charity, Rhubarb Farm CIO is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or s256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity.

6. General Information

Rhubarb Farm CIO is a private company, incorporated in England & Wales, registered number CE026250. The registered office is Hardwick Street, Langwith, Mansfield, Notts, NG20 9DR.

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Issuer

Ben Elliott Accounting Ltd

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