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2025-09-30-accounts

Charity number: 1200486

Company number: CE030261 (England and Wales)

NATURAL NEIGHBOURS CIO

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1ST OCTOBER 2024 TO 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees

Charity number: 1200486 Company number: CE030261 Registered office: 52 Vineyard Hill Road, London, SW19 7JH Principal office address: 1 Principal Square, London, E9 6AD Independent examiner: Chris Wheatley ACA, 12 Andre Street, London, E8 2AA

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Chair’s Introduction

The fundraising climate in 2024/25 has been difficult and, in this context, we were delighted to be awarded a £20,000 grant from The National Lottery Fund in June 2025. The award of this grant came off the back of a lot of work to firm up our Theory of Change and really solidify the impact we are seeking to have. Supported by a committed and enthusiastic group of volunteers and our Trustee board, our director, Julian Kirby, has continued to move the charity forwards in a positive direction. The development of a new pond at Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground has provided a fantastic new focal point for the many children who use that space and we are very proud of what has been achieved there. Our video, produced in Summer 2025 showcased the pond and how the children are engaging with the nature that now calls the pond home. Thank you to everyone who has given their time to support Natural Neighbours.

Purpose

Public Benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Natural Neighbours exists to promote the conservation of wildlife and the protection and improvement of the natural environment, and to advance public education in these areas. The trustees have considered how the charity’s aims and activities provide benefit to the public and are satisfied that they do so.

During the year, the charity delivered activities that are accessible to the general public, with a particular focus on engaging children, young people, and communities in urban areas who may have limited access to nature. These activities included the creation of wildlife habitats such as ponds and gardens, educational events and workshops, and community engagement initiatives designed to increase awareness of biodiversity and environmental stewardship. The trustees are satisfied that these activities:

The charity does not impose undue restrictions on access to its services and seeks to ensure that its work benefits a broad section of the public, including those in underserved communities.

Objectives and Activities

Using public demonstration events backed up by online media, Natural Neighbours inspires and supports people in urban communities to create and connect essential habitat for wildlife in their private or shared outdoor spaces. We raise awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of supporting and experiencing nature wherever and whoever you are, with a particular focus on the most marginalised communities. During 2024/25 we have developed our Natural Champions programme which seeks to inspire and equip young people with the skills to work to improve biodiversity in their neighbourhoods and encourage others to do the same.

Our Vision

Our vision is of towns and cities reaching their full potential to buzz, bloom and sing with wildlife, benefitting the health and wellbeing of global climate and local communities alike. During the year, we have made substantial strides in aligning our activities with our vision.

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Achievements and Performance

Our priorities for 2024/25 as set out in the 2023/24 Annual Report were:

1. Strategy

During this year we were awarded in kind support from Sovereign Network Group (SNG) in the form of consultancy advice from a firm called Mobilise Public Ltd. This consultancy input was invaluable in helping us to deepen our thinking on the work that we are doing. The result was a much more detailed Theory of Change and a more sophisticated approach to the transformation we are seeking to effect.

We made great progress with delivering a new pond at Robin Hood Gardens and Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground and continue to hold a long list of future project sites as soon as funding allows. These sites include immediately queued Priory Court estate and Homerton Grove Adventure Playground as well as other schools and estates locally. There is a growing body of interest in the work that Natural Neighbours is doing in Hackney, not least from Hackney Mayor, Caroline Woodley. Her visit to Daubney Primary School to see the impact of the work Natural Neighbours has undertaken there was a real highlight for the charity in 2025. “All children should have access to the calming and stimulating wonders of nature in their everyday lives,” said Mayor Woodley during her visit.

The work that Natural Neighbours is doing continues to support Hackney and London’s Nature Recovery Strategy. Our strategic framework includes creating ecological networks of habitat. These comprise ‘habitat hotspots’ in communal spaces like schools and estate gardens with wildlife value equivalent at least to Local SINCs. Connecting between these, we inspire residents to create smaller stepping stone habitats in their domestic and workplace outdoor spaces.

2. Governance and Planning

This year saw improvements in our policy framework and the introduction of a Policy tracker to help keep on top of policy reviews and consider any new policies that may be needed. We were very pleased to welcome Will Kelsey (Conservation and Youth Engagement) and John Salmon (Youth and Community Engagement) to the trustee board. Both have already provided valuable input as we have been working up the Natural Champions programme.

During 2024/25 we have continued to staff our operations on a consultancy contractor basis, with contracts subject to review by the Chair of Trustees. The ambition remains to grow the charity’s income to a point at which we can consider moving to a PAYE hiring model with staff recruited at competitive external interview.

We are grateful to the Reach Volunteering site for the great success they have afforded us in finding and retaining brilliant volunteer support across business systems, governance, content development, fundraising and digital infrastructure.

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3. Marketing and Communications

2024/25 saw the recruitment of three new volunteers to assist with our marketing and communications work. As well as increasing our social media presence, the new team undertook a lot of behind the scenes work to put us in a good position going into the next financial year. This work included:

4. Stakeholder Engagement

We have continued to deepen our partnership with Robin Hood Community Gardens and have set up a successful relationship with Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground where the pond has provided a valuable new space for those children wishing to engage with nature. Our activity as part of the Greening Daubeney Village event was hugely successful with large numbers of children engaging in pond dipping and interacting with nature in the Hop Garden area.

We have continued to develop conversations with a number of other schools, adventure playgrounds and estates in the area and look forward to being able to undertake projects on these pipeline sites as future funding allows.

5. Funding and Finance

We started our financial year exceeding our £2000 target in our ‘Green September’ campaign, some of the funding for which was donated in our October year start. As mentioned above the 2024/25 financial year was a difficult climate for fundraising but in June 2025 we were delighted to be awarded a £20,000 grant from the National Lottery Fund to put our Natural Champions programme into action. This was a very exciting development and work started straight away on delivery with the Greening Daubeney Village event in June 2025. We were also very grateful to receive a donation of £2,350.00 from Bright Carbon via the 1% for the Planet platform. We thank Bright Carbon for choosing to support Natural Neighbours.

We are grateful to SNG for their donation-in-kind of significant support via charity advisors Mobilise. This comprised significant consultant advice, in particular in refining our theory of change, and a oneday workshop and associated correspondence with a fundraising expert. As a result this financial year saw us refocus on our fundraising activities and start to put structures in place for a CRM system to help us manage our funding applications process more efficiently. We are confident that this activity, combined with the work that we have undertaken with the guidance of Mobilise, will reap rewards in the next financial year.

Financial Review

Income during 2024/25 totalled £26,319 and expenditure was £19,032. Expenditure was on completing work at Robin Hood Community Garden, delivery of works at Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground, website improvements, and fundraising. We also invested in the completion of our new website in this financial year which now allows us to capture contact details of anyone wishing to sign up for updates on our activities. Detailed financial statements are included below.

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We are working toward holding 3 months’ reserves. At present, reserves are insufficient for this target. We intend to adopt our drafted Reserves Policy once fundraising allows.

Plans for the Future

Looking ahead, our priorities for 2025–26 include:

Structure, Governance and Management

Natural Neighbours is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a board of trustees who meet regularly to oversee the strategic direction and management of the charity. We are committed to adhering to best practices in governance and ensuring transparency and accountability in all our activities.

Trustees are appointed for 3-year terms, with all voting powers held by the board. The charity is run day-to-day by the Founder/Director, Julian Kirby, contracted on a part-time consultancy basis. Julian has also contributed considerable time and skills to Natural Neighbours in a voluntary capacity and for this we are very grateful.

Risk Management

The trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has appropriate systems of internal control and risk management in place.

The trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have established processes to identify, review, and manage these risks. A risk register is maintained and reviewed periodically, with risks assessed in terms of their likelihood and potential impact. Key areas of risk considered by the trustees include:

To mitigate these risks, the charity:

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The trustees are satisfied that appropriate systems are in place to manage the charity’s exposure to risk, proportionate to its size and complexity.

Trustees (1st Oct 2024 to 30th Sept 2025)

Trustees are recruited via online platforms and personal referrals to fill the needs of the charity - which are defined by a skills and experience needs requirement audit as recommended by Charity Excellence. Each potential Trustee is asked to submit a covering letter and CV and undertake an informal interview with a Trustee. We also acknowledge the support of our advisors and volunteers who have contributed immensely to our progress this year.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Charities SORP 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 year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Madeleine Jarratt, Chair of Trustees Date: 30 July 2026

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NATURAL NEIGHBOURS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025

NOTE
INCOME
Donations
3.1
Gift Aid
3.2
Grant
3.3
Investment Income
EXPENDITURE
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Charitable activities
Raising funds
Others
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS		 YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025 YEAR ENDED
30TH
SEPTEMBER
2024

UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL
£
£
£		 UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
£
5,087
0
5,087
1,231
1,231
20,000
20,000
0
6,319
20,000
26,319		 19,996
1,357
288
21,641
(14,695)
(1,100)
(15,795)
(2,870)
(2,870)
(367)
(367)		 (24,055)
(7,642)
(58)
(17,932)
(1,100)
(19,032)		 (31,755)
(11,613)
18,900
7,286		 (10,115)

All income and expenditure are from continuing activities.

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NATURAL NEIGHBOURS BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025

NOTE
INTANGIBLE ASSET
Website
5
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank
6
CREDITORS DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Accruals
7
NET ASSET
RESERVES
Restricted Reserve
Unrestricted Reserve		 AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER
2025
£
AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER
2024
£
2,177
15,991
11,103
(3,963)
(4,184)
14,205
6,919
18,900
(4,694)
6,919
14,205
6,919

These financial statements were approved by the Board on 30/07/2026 and are signed on its behalf by

Madeleine Jarratt Chair of Trustees Date: 30/07/2026

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NATURAL NEIGHBOURS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025

1.1 BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and the Charities SORP.

Natural Neighbours qualifies as a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

The financial statements are being prepared using the historical cost convention.

The financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. These financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

1.2 GOING CONCERN

The trustees have assessed the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern and have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. As a result, the financial statements were prepared on a going-concern basis.

1.3 CHARITABLE FUNDS

The charity holds both unrestricted and restricted funds. Unrestricted funds are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the charity’s objectives. The charity also holds a restricted fund relating to the Natural Neighbours Hackney project, for which a grant was received on 29 May 2025. This income is restricted to the delivery of specified community-based nature-connectedness activities across the designated Hackney sites, in accordance with the funder’s written conditions.

1.4 WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

Website development costs are capitalised as intangible assets when they meet the recognition criteria in Charities SORP, FRS 102, and Section 18: the asset must be identifiable, controlled by the charity, expected to deliver future economic benefits or service potential, and measured reliably.

Capitalised costs are recorded at full value, with no discounts. After initial recognition, the asset is carried at cost minus amortisation and impairment. The website’s cost is amortised using the straight-line method over three years, with the amortisation charge allocated evenly between charitable activities and fundraising in the Statement of Financial Activities.

1.5 INCOME

Income is recognised when the charity is entitled to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. The charity received a restricted grant for the Natural Neighbours Hackney project on 29 May 2025, and this income is recognised as restricted because it must be applied solely to the delivery of the specified project activities in accordance with the funder’s written conditions.

1.6 EXPENDITURE

Expenditure is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure relating to the Natural Neighbours Hackney restricted fund received on 29 May 2025 is charged to the restricted fund in line with the funder’s conditions, which require that all costs be applied solely to the delivery of the specified project activities.

2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

In applying the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees made judgments, estimates, and assumptions regarding the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and other relevant factors. These estimates and judgments are reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect current conditions and the best available information.

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3. ANALYSIS OF INCOME

3.1 Donation
Fundraising: Golden Giving Limited
Fundraising: CROWDFUNDER
Fundraising: Income from raising fund
Donation: Daubeney School parent
3.2Gift Aid
3.3Grant		 UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL
£
£
£
224
224
2,547
2,547
2,005
2,005
312
312
5,088
5,088
1,231
1,231
20,000
20,000
4. ANALYSIS OF
EXPENDITURE
Amortisation Website
Consultancy fee
Bank Charge
Film production Expenses
Garden expenses
Learning and Development
Regulatory Fee
Insurance		 RESTRICTED
FUNDS		 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
CHARITABLE
ACTIVITIES		 CHARITABLE
ACTIVITIES
RAISING
FUNDS
OTHERS		 TOTAL
£
800
300		 £
£
£
1,470
1,470
8,047
1,400
1,400
2,626
1,152
130
130
300
179		 £
2,939
8,847
58
2,800
2,626
1,152
130
479
1,100 14,695
2,870
367		 19,032

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5. WEBSITE DESIGN
5.1 Capitalised cost
2024: 1st payment
2nd payment
2025: 1st payment
2nd payment
3rd payment
Total cost
5.2 Amortisation
Capitalised cost
3 years
Amortised cost per year
5.3 Website Design Carrying Value
Total Cost
Amortised cost per year
2024 Website cost expensed		 £
£
1,885
1,816
3,701
1,833
2,985
300
5,117
8,818
£
8,818
2,939
8,818
(2,939)
(3,701)
2,177
6. CASH AT BANK £
Opening balance at 1 Oct 2024 11,103
Net movement during the year 4,888
Closing balance 31 Sept 2025 15,991

7. CREDITORS DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR £ Accruals 3,963

8. RESTRICTED FUND

During the year the charity received funding of £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund. This funding is for a project which commenced in June 2025 which will support community-led nature-connectedness activities across three sites in Hackney. The balance on this restricted fund at year end was £18,900.

9. TRUSTEES

The trustees were unpaid, did not claim any expenses, and did not receive any additional benefits from working with the charity during this period.

10. EMPLOYEES

The charity did not have any employees during this period.

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11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

There were no related-party transactions during this period.

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