2026-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

Period start date: From 01 April 2025 to Period end date: 31 March 2026

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 £20k grant from the National Lottery to be used over a period 24 months (Sept 25 to August 27) to assist with core costs 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.  Food Growing opportunities & Cooking workshops delivered on behalf of Our Manchester in the Horticultural Centre to help participants with the Cost-of-Living Crisis.  Growing & Cooking workshops delivered on behalf of MCC in the Horticultural Centre to support participants with food insecurity in line with MCC food insecurity initiatives/targets.

	Growing & Cooking workshops
	delivered on behalf of Wythenshawe
	Community Housing Group in the
	Horticultural Centre and in
	community venues across South
	Manchester to support residents to
	Live Well.
	Funding provided by the Ageing
	Well network supported Ageing Well
	workshops including, cooking,
	growing and gentle activities
	delivered in the Horticultural Centre
	to reduce social isolation.
	Weekly Walking Group supported.
	Practical work experience offered to
	young people aged 11 to 25 with
	Special Educational Needs. Funding
	provided by CLA Charitable Trust.
	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 to 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
	Growing in small spaces
	Introduction to Food Growing
	Spores Workshops
Wellbeing workshops: -
	Green Man
	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	5036 Volunteer hours 1347 Corporate volunteer hours 14527 Visitors to the Horticultural Centre 661 Walkers supported 62 Blossom Workshops 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 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 Several members of the BCSS now volunteer with Blossom in the Horticultural Centre each week; they have willingly shared their expert knowledge with volunteers and the public. We have around 6 regulars from BCSS 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 74 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 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. Proactive Care in the community - NHS In partnership with the NHS, we delivered cooking sessions to patients with Type 2 Diabetes and provided one to one support with a Nutritionist with regards to their diet. Feedback from participants reported they felt better informed about their condition and how to manage it. They advised they felt at ease in the sessions as they were designed for small groups of people all of whom have a shared goal of improving their health through diet. Gather Eat Move – Age Friendly Network For people aged 50+ who are experiencing social isolation, loneliness, or reduced mobility. The weekly sessions take place in Wythenshawe Park and combine light horticultural activity, shared food, and gentle, socialised movement, with support from a qualified nutritionist. Each session lasts approximately 2.5 hours and will take place on the same weekday to encourage habit-building and routine. Work experience placement sessions for young people with Special Educational Needs Funded by The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) The sessions/ placements have been designed to delivered in a safe space at our base in Wythenshawe Park for small groups of up to 5 students. Several local schools have signed up for the sessions which are due to start this Spring. Cooking Cooking sessions were delivered using fuel reducing appliances and costed recipes to

help participants to budget better and demonstrate 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 are advertised on social media, on Eventbrite and in the park; local residents are 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; we had many participants at all workshops. Academic collaboration Blossom continues to collaborate with senior staff from the Firs, Manchester University Plant Science department, to work together to improve facilities at both sites. Manchester University are planning on pursuing Botanical Garden Status. Discussions are ongoing.

Activities for volunteers have been developed with the Manchester School of Architecture regarding possible improvements to the sustainability of the glasshouses. Further visits by the students of Architecture are planned for the Spring as Blossom are participants on their annual MSA live event. Salford University, ‘Documentary Wildlife students’ have worked with Blossom to develop some new promotional films for the centre, including underwater fish footage. Blossom has been working with Dr Laura Breen, Research Development and Impact Manager (Research Strategy Team) on a Community Connections programme to improve research and collaboration for community groups, charities and academic outreach. Social media engagement – 759 followers on x (formerly Twitter) 771 followers on Facebook 1010 followers on Instagram 55 subscribers on YouTube 602 TikTok 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	We continue to make progress developing the Horticultural Centre; feedback from participants, volunteers, park staff and public visitors is very positive. Blossom ensures we meet any conditions attached to restricted funding.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set.	Para 1.41	Blossom continues to apply for funding monthly. £84,729 received 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 closed 28 November 2025 with a nil balance; the sum of £1,924.18 was transferred to the Co-op Bank account on 04 August 2025. Co-op Bank £54,487 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	£54,489
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	13 Grants received. 20 Corporate Donations received. Public donations received throughout the year at the Horticultural Centre, via cash, cheques, PayPal and Give as You Live
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	Para 1.25	Articles of Association

(trust deed, royal charter)
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(if any)
	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

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Fred Leatherbarrow Full name(s) Sandra McNicholls Position (e.g. Secretary, Treasurer Chair Chair, etc) Date