2024-03-31-accounts

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

Annual report and Accounts 31[st] March 2024

Charity’s principal address: c/o Binscombe Medical Centre 106 Binscombe Lane Godalming GU7 3PR Trustees: Helen Farmer (Chair) Dr Martin Brunet Deepa Craig Dr Karen Jones

Aims and Objectives

Farncombe Community Garden is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The charitable objectives are stated in its constitution: -

To provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation by providing an area for use as a community garden for individuals in Farncombe and the surrounding area who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.

Farncombe Community Garden is an ambitious project which aims to bring the local community together in the creation of a vibrant, beautiful, productive, and wildlife-friendly garden. It will be inclusive to all, seeking to share the health and well-being benefits of the outdoors, connecting people more closely to the natural world on our doorstep and encouraging community cohesion as individuals of all ages and backgrounds work together towards a common goal.

Vision and Mission

The project vision is to establish a working community garden within Farncombe for all the local residents to benefit from, whether it is through taking up gardening for the first time to aid recovery from a physical or mental health problem, finding purpose by volunteering in support of the project, enjoying passing on a passion for gardening to others, or in education as people of all

1

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2024

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

ages are encouraged to learn about horticulture and the importance of encouraging and supporting wildlife in an urban environment.

In planning the charity’s activities the trustees have regarded the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Organisational Structure

As well as the four trustees to oversee and give strategic direction to the project, there is a management team who meet regularly consisting of 10 volunteers with different areas of expertise.

The garden is run entirely by volunteers, who donate their time, skills and expertise to make the garden a welcoming, beautiful space for everyone to enjoy. We are very grateful for their support and commitment without which the garden would not exist.

Achievements and performance

The second year of the charity has been productive and transformative, both in terms of the site and also in promoting the garden to a wider audience. Over 100 different people have visited the garden over the past year, with the overall number of visits around 556, not including the open day which attracted 269 visitors.

During the second year of the charity the key achievements were as follows: -

• Obtaining planning permission allowing us to make the site safe and accessible for people by installing fencing, accessible pathways and a compost toilet;

• Developing growing areas by adding to the orchard, creating more beds for flowers and vegetables, installing a polytunnel and connecting to mains water;

• Creating storage and shelter by installing a container;

• Promoting the garden through local shows, radio, articles, talks and events so that numbers of visitors and regular volunteers continues to increase (over 100 different people have engaged with the garden; with 556 visits (excluding the open day));

• Increasing our regular gardening sessions to 2 per week year-round, with 3 sessions during the summer.

• Holding our first open day which attracted 269 people including families and the local Mayors;

• Strengthening links with local organisations including the Halow Project, Freemantles School, and hosting a number of Duke of Edinburgh volunteers.

We also strengthened our governance and management with key volunteers undergoing safeguarding training, and ensuring DBS checks.

We conducted our first survey of garden attendees in winter 2023. Respondents ranged in age group, gender and employment status.

People responded that they enjoyed being involved with the garden, with the most popular reasons being the time spent outdoors in nature, and to feel more connected to their community. Through

2 FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2024

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

being involved with the garden, there was a significant number of people who felt that their wellbeing had improved, and they felt more positive about the local area.

The survey highlighted that people want to learn more and share more about gardening practices, and this is an area we hope to develop now that we have the infrastructure in place to support a variety of gardening activities.

As part of making our grant application to Your Fund Surrey for a building on the site, we needed public support. We received over 200 positive comments from people, many highlighting the need for our project and endorsing the inclusive, open nature of it:

“Since suffering a serious leg break a year ago, I have become very aware of the lack of accessible spaces outdoors for disabled people and for those undergoing rehabilitation. Although we live in a beautiful part of the country, most of it is not particularly accessible.”

“I have a family member, who due to ongoing mental health problems suffers from severe isolation. This project could offer him a lifeline, and obviously being able to provide an indoor space, will make the whole project much more welcoming and sociable. This project has a broad appeal, not targeted at a specific group in the community. This inclusiveness is crucial for my family member as the stigma which he feels has been a prohibiting factor for him in addressing his isolation.”

Future Plans

Over the next year our aims are to achieve the following:

• Install a wildlife pond with a dipping platform;

• Install a temporary building on the site to allow all-weather activities for up to 30 people. Many of the survey respondents, when asked about improving their experience of the garden, raised the desire for a warm space. This was echoed in the wonderful support we received for our grant application to Your Fund Surrey for a building.

• Continue to work towards making the site accessible for all – install more raised beds, sheltered areas, seating around the site, supply outdoor wheelchairs, provide clear signage;

• Start developing an annual plan of activities for the garden;

• Continue to develop links with other local charities, schools and services, and involve the wider community through workshops and events;

• Hold at least 4 regular sessions per week, with the aim to engage at least 150 people.

We are coming to the end of our initial 3 year business plan, and we will be working on the plan for the next 3 years this year. Areas to consider will include:

• how to increase our opening times. One of the comments we have received from people is that they wish we were open more. Our opening times are dependent on volunteers, and so achieving this relies on...

• ...the successful recruitment and retention of Lead Volunteers;

3

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2024

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

• increasing our programme of activities to increase community engagement and sharing of gardening skills and opportunities for connecting with nature;

• evidencing the impact of what we do, evaluating and continually improving.

Financial Review

The charity received grants from the Royal Horticultural Society, Your Fund Surrey Small grants programme which was supported by Cllr Penny Rivers, Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy grant programme, Godalming Town Council and Assura via Surrey Community Action. We also received grants in the form of credit from Squires Garden Centre Milford, and Keber Garden Materials. Surrey County Council tree donation grant provided 500 whips to create a native hedge.

We have been fortunate to receive wonderful support from local organisations, including Gorringes who sponsored our sign which was crafted by people from the local Men’s in Sheds; Lucas Groundworks who helped us with installing the compost toilets, developing the sensory garden, digging out the pond and creating the mound; Rupipe who donated plumbing supplies so that we could connect to water; Honey Brothers who donated tools; and woodland plants from Hampton Court Flower Show donated by Inspired Earth Design.

Donations were also received from individuals through various initiatives, including a sponsored walk undertaken by a volunteer, a quiz night, plant sales and a wreath-making workshop.

Expenditure of restricted funds was possible once the planning permission was obtained to develop the site. Most projects had been completed by the year end. £30k restricted funding has been retained for a building.

The aim continues to be to build up sustainable income sources and reserves to cover running costs now that the garden is operational.

This report was approved by the trustees on XXXX and signed on their behalf by:

Helen Farmer (Chair of Trustees)

4 FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2024

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Farncombe Community garden (the charity) for the period to 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 as set out on pages 6 to 7.

Responsibilities and basis of report

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The Charity’s trustees consider an audit is not required for this financial period under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

• Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

• To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

• To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’ report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

• (1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or

• (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

P I Vickerman FCA Practising Accountant 31a Nightingale Road Godalming

5

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2024

Farncombe Community Garden Charity number 1198491 Surrey GU7 2HP FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2024

Farncombe Community Garden Charity number 1198491 Receipts and payments accounts Vearlo 31st Marth ￿14 Unrestrfrted funds Restrfrted funds TOTALFUNDS Z013 RECEIPTS Income from ¢)peraii¢ms. We•kshops Grants Donations Fundraising e¥ents Bank interest Totsl recelpts 886 47,931 47.931 3.131 2.342 167 89,700 15.150 3.131 1.480 167 862 5.665 48.793 104.850 PAYMENTS Buildingsl strurtures Groundworks Landscaplng Plannin8 and Other legal Garden equlpmeni aThJ running costs Fundraising Costs Administration. marketing and insurance Total payments 20,036 58,692 5,928 20.036 64,789 9,146 1.094 1,479 8.266 6.097 3.218 1,094 823 284 225 656 284 1,705 225 Net of recelptsllpayments) 6.076 36.5ZO 42.596 94.595 Cash funds Iw￿htfrrfWard 10,007 75,421 85.428 Cash fvnds ￿rrIed ftywa 3.931 38.901 42.832 85.428 ststement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st March 2024 U￿eStrICted funds Restrlcted funds TOTAL FUNDS A55ets Cash at bank 3.931 38,901 42.832 Totsl 3.931 38.901 42.832 Llabllltles Amounts due In respect ol rent io Surrey County Councll 177 177 Total 177 177 Th& notes on page 7 form part oflhese financial statements. Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalfby.. N3me'. FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2024

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

Notes to the Financial Statements 31[st] March 2024

1. Fixed assets

Assets are only capitalised when future income or cost reduction from their acquisiation can be identified. Sundry equipment is written off in the year of acquisition.

3. Related Party Transactions

In the year, Trustees made donations of £100 (2023: £3,373).

4. Gifts in Kind

In the year, goods received or services provided to the garden with a value of £2,720 were provided to the garden free of charge.

8

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2024