2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

Period start date: From 01 April 2024 to Period end date: 31 March 2025 Charity name: Blossom – Health Through Activity

Charity registration number: 1196575

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	S	To advance education in the Manchester area mainly but not exclusively by providing year-round education, workshops, learning and provide a drop in to teach the public how to grow their own food, care for plants, garden maintenance, enjoyment of nature and being outside and have a positive impact on health and our carbon footprint by valuing local seasonal produce to connect people with food in the ground and demonstrate how to produce cheap nutritious meals to alleviate food and fuel poverty.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	 A grant from the Post Code Lottery for core funding has enabled the charity to continue to offer well- being, growing and cooking activities in the Horticultural Centre year-round.  3 x Green Doctor sessions offered weekly.  Various activities delivered to children during school holidays on behalf of MCC (Manchester City Council) in the park.  Growing workshops delivered on behalf of We Love Manchester in the Horticultural Centre.  Wythenshawe Games – Blossom stand delivered growing activities.  Weekly Walking Group supported. Cooking  Fuel Reducing cooking workshops were delivered in the community and in the Horticultural Centre. Food growing opportunities, including opportunities to grow the food used

	in the cooking sessions were offered
	in the Horticultural Centre. The
	cooking and growing activities were
	delivered on behalf of MCC to
	support residents experiencing
	difficulties due to the cost-of-living
	crisis. Fuel reducing appliances
	were used during the cooking
	sessions.
	Additional cooking and growing
	sessions were delivered in the park
	and the community on behalf of
	MCC to support their food insecurity
	initiatives/targets.
	Cooking workshops and food
	growing workshops were delivered
	to tenants of WCHG (Wythenshawe
	Community Housing Group) and
	residents of the wider community on
	behalf of WCHG in the park and in
	community venues.
	How to cook courses were delivered
	in the community on behalf of MAES
	(Manchester Adult Education
	Services).
	Cooking workshop delivered at
	Wythenshawe Forum on behalf of
	Age Concern. The session covered
	fuel reducing appliances and the
	benefits of batch cooking.
	Eat Well Move More sessions were
	delivered weekly to parents of
	children attending Pioneer House
	SEND school in collaboration with
	the NHS.
	Healthy cooking sessions were
	delivered to children aged 8 and
	above on behalf of Crossacres
	Family Hub at their venue in the
	community.
	Healthy eating cooking sessions
	were delivered for parents on behalf
	of Woodhouse Park Family Centre
	at their venue in the community.
Individual Workshops
Growing workshops: -
	Tomato care
	Chilli Growing
	Orchid care
	Cactus & succulent plant care
	Plant Hospital
	Wreath Making
	Growing in small spaces
	Introduction to Food Growing

• Wellbeing workshops:

		 Forest Bathing  Natures Medicine Chest  Meditation and Herbal Tea  Foraging  In the Night Garden Cooking workshops: -  Age Friendly Network  Fuel reducing  Cost of Living  Food insecurity  Healthy Eating
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have quarterly meetings to make sure they are up to date with all activities and to ensure they are being carried out for the benefit of the public.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Blossom has a huge contribution from its regular volunteers and corporate volunteers; we wouldn’t be able to deliver all we offer without their support.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	4,528 volunteer hours completed 1854 corporate volunteer hours completed 13,264 visitors to the Horticultural Centre 509 walkers supported RHS Northwest in Bloom- Achieved Level 5 Outstanding. Blossom asks for feedback from its volunteers and participants who attend cooking and growing workshops to ensure we are meeting their expectations and providing activities that can help to improve their financial circumstances, their mental health and diet. Feedback has shown that the charity’s work has had a positive impact on the circumstances of many of its beneficiaries. The Wider Benefits of Getting Involved with Blossom:- For individuals who join us as a volunteer or take part in our activities, the impact can be life changing. Volunteering helps with: Pathways to Employment  Build transferable skills in food growing, cooking, and horticulture  Gain hands-on experience for CVs and job interviews  Meet new people and access local opportunities Grow in Confidence  Learn new things in a supportive, inclusive environment  Achieve small wins that boost self- esteem  Take pride in helping your community thrive Save Money, Improve Health  Learn how to grow your own food and cook affordable, healthy meals  Discover ways to stretch your family budget  Reduce reliance on processed or

expensive supermarket food Feel Better, Sleep Better  Spend time outdoors and connect with nature  Reduce stress and anxiety  Improve mood and sleep through physical activity and purposeful work Evaluation has shown several volunteers have gained valuable skills, improved their self-confidence and have moved on to paid employment. Feedback from participants at cooking sessions has been very positive; those attending cooking courses of 6 weeks or more have shared photos of newfound confidence in cooking sharing photos of their home cooked meals on social media and with other participants on the course. They have reported cooking with their children at home, enjoying mealtimes and saving money by cooking from scratch. Cactus Society 3 members of the Cactus Society volunteer in the Horticultural Centre each week; they have willingly shared their expert knowledge with volunteers and the public. Weekly Green Doctor sessions Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 1 to 4pm. These sessions give volunteers a place to come and relax with some gardening and food growing but also to talk about their lives and any problems / anxieties they may have. We have 58 different regular volunteers coming to the centre across the 3 sessions. Holiday Activity On behalf of MCC, Blossom delivered drop in workshops with activities for children in the Horticultural Centre. Big Spring Clean-up Blossom hosted MCC staff volunteers who donated 20 hours of their time to clean up

activities. Positive action, pride in the community! Wednesday Walking Group Wednesday Walking Group – approx. 12 walkers each week. Gentle exercise, enjoying green spaces, social time and new friendships. Always followed by a lovely cup of tea and biscuits from Liz, Blossom’s volunteer coordinator. Eat Well Move More - In partnership with Manchester Local Care Organisation, we delivered 1 x 10-week program working with families from Pioneer House Special Educational Needs School Cooking with the parents and physical activity sessions for the children. Manchester Adult Education Services - MAES Blossom has delivered 2 x 6 weeks ‘How to cook’ courses in the community. 14 Attendees, all of whom were offered the option of a free online Level 2 Food Hygiene course. Cooking Cooking sessions were delivered using fuel reducing appliances and costed recipes to help participants to budget better and demonstrate how how small changes in their diet can improve their health. Workshops – Spaces for 10 participants are offered for all cooking workshops. Spaces for 15 participants are offered for all growing workshops. Spaces for 10 participants are offered for all well-being workshops. Spaces for 25 participants are offered for all children workshops. Blossom staff delivered most workshops in the park, when required specialist practitioners were engaged. The workshops were advertised on social media, on Eventbrite and in the park; the local residents were encouraged to come along and join in. We have had really good feedback regarding all the workshops.

		Blossom regularly attends Community Connector events in the community to forge relationships and promote the work we do here in the park and in the community. Corporate Volunteering Corporate volunteering helps companies to give their employees the opportunity to help out in the community whilst helping their own mental health. They have helped with all aspects of the park and not just the Horticulture Centre. Growing in the Community workshops Workshops have been delivered on behalf of MCC and WCHG in the community to residents free of charge in the spring and summer which were well attended. Cooking in the Community Workshops  Cooking sessions using fuel reducing appliances delivered at community venues across Wythenshawe. 10 attendees per session  50 attendees received free larder bags with basic store cupboard ingredients. The Firs Manchester University Plant Science Department. Blossom continues to collaborate with senior staff from the Firs to work together to improve facilities at both sites. Manchester University are planning on pursuing Botanical Garden Status. Discussions are ongoing. Social media engagement– 770 followers on x (formerly Twitter) 621 followers on Facebook 853 followers on Instagram 55 subscribers on YouTube 557 TikTok We use Eventbrite to facilitate workshops and events. We have made great progress in reaching our audience over social media and have clear plans on how to continue growing our

digital presence.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	Blossom continues to apply for funding monthly. £102,030 was brought in from grants, donations, fundraising and other.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	N/A
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Barclays Bank £1,384 Co-op Bank £62,335 Petty Cash £2
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	We have reserves so we can carry forward our activities in the next financial year.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£63,719
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Grants, Corporate Donations, public donations
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Articles of Association
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustee selection method is by invitation only.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Blossom-Health through Activity
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1196575
Charity’s principal address	The Pavilion, Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe Rd, M23 0AB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Fred Leatherbarrow	Chair
	Sandra McNicholls	Treasurer
	Anna Lorimer	Trustee

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity

Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

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Blossom Health Through Activity 1196575 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a 1-Apr-24 31-Mar-25 For the period from To

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts	to the nearest £ 76,209 23,349 2,458 - - - - - 102,016 - - - 102,016 52,321 5,629 13,760 2,078 - - - l 73,788 Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds to the nearest £	to the nearest £ Endowment funds	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
Grants		- - - - - -	-	76,209	56,314
Donations			-	23,349	17,390
Fundraising+ Other			-	2,458	3,542
			-	-	-
			-	-	-
			-	-	-
			-	-	-
			-	-	-
Sub total(Gross income for AR)			-	102,016	77,246
		- - -
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
			-	-
			-	-	-
Sub total			-	-	-
Total receipts A3 Payments
		-	-	102,016	77,246
Salaries		- - - - - -	-	52,321	45,943
NI & PAYE			-	5,629	3,828
Direct Costs			-	13,760	36,451
Pension contributions			-	2,078	1,454
			-	-	-
			-	-	-
			-	-	-
			-	-	-
			-	-	-
Sub tota			-	73,788	87,676

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)	l -
Computer equipment		- - -	-	-	-
Other Equipment			-	-	1,342
Sub tota			-	-	1,342
Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end
		-	-	73,788	89,018
		- - - -	-	28,228	- 11,772
			-	-	-
			-		-
			-	63,719	35,490

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees	Details Donation Details None Details None Details 2023 Computer Equipment 2023 Other Equipment 2023 Mobile Sink - Correction 2024 Display Panels 2024 Mobile Sink Details None Signature Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	to nearest £ 2 - - 2 Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds to nearest £	to nearest £ Endowment funds
			- - - -	-
				-
				-
				-
				OK
				to nearest £ Endowment funds
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				Current value (optional)
				-
				-
				-
				Current value (optional)
				1,000
				2,500
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				When due (optional)
				Date of approval

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ members of

Charity Name

Blossom – Health Through Activity

On accounts for the year ended

31[tst] March 2025

Charity no (if any)

1196575

Set out on pages

(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2024 .

As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

• accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or

• the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed:

Tyler Lappage

Date:

25/07/2025

Name:

Tyler Lappage

Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):

Fellow of Association of Certified Chartered Accountants

IER

1

October 2018

Address:

Nabarro Poole Ltd.

31 Church Road

Manchester, M22 4NN

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight 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

October 2018

IER