## **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
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**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**