2025-03-31-accounts - Climate Hub

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Charity name: Climate Hub

Charity registration number: 1201216

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in Bath and North East Somerset and its surrounding area by providing education, information, advice and support on climate and ecological issues and sustainable living
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	Our main activities have focused on connecting with people in Bath & NES to support their engagement in positive actions that mitigate against and adapt to the climate and ecological crises. These activities have included raising awareness through information sharing, practical workshops, including learning and creative opportunities, and supporting people to deal with climate distress through climate cafes. Since appointing a freelance worker we have greatly expanded our online / virtual presence sharing focused campaigns, and promoting Climate Hub and partner events through our social media platforms. During the year we also moved into premises, the old ticket office at Bath Bus station, which greatly increased opportunities for engaging with people in person on a range of climate, ecological and sustainability topics and to work collaboratively with partner organisations.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance	Para 1.18	As Trustees we have ongoing regard to guidance issues by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	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	We have a mix of regular volunteers and those able to help on a more ad hoc basis with specific tasks. Since moving into the bus station space in November 2024 volunteers have enabled us to provide regular staffed sessions at the Climate Hub. They also helped us to prepare and move into the space prior to opening. Where we have undertaken events outside of our premises volunteers have assisted in running events and activities. Over the period we have been supported by 30 volunteers with additional ad hoc volunteer assistance. Based on the period since the physical hub space opened volunteers have contributed around 1000 hours in preparing the space, in engaging with visitors to the Hub and holding events.
Other		We have provided training for volunteers including a Climate Fresk session to increase understanding of the causes, connections and consequences of climate change and compassionate communication.

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	We have created a public space that is open 9-6pm every day which offers information and raises awareness through displays on a range of climate and nature focused topics. We also use the space to promote the work of other local environmental groups, signposting people to how to get involved in positive action for climate and nature locally, to reduce their carbon footprint, and support nature and biodiversity. There is good footfall through this space as it leads to a cafe and public toilets for Bath Bus Station. During our staffed sessions at the Hub, currently Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, we have welcomed over 1000 visitors between November 2024 to March 2025. We have also created an online space for information sharing and promotion through our social media platforms. People have benefitted by being able to take away information we or partner organisations have on display at the Hub, including on: transport, increasing energy efficiency of their homes, accessing nature and how to get involved in campaigning. An informal lending library also provides books for people to loan on a wide range of environmental issues for both children and adults. By providing a space staffed by volunteers people are able to have face to face conversations and ask questions about aspects of climate change and environmental concerns. Since moving into the Hub we have held workshop style events including a greener Christmas, plant based diets, and a local and environmental focused International Women’s Day. For example, in the New Year 2025 we showcased the role that plant based food can have in mitigating climate change - we partnered with a local vegan caterer to hold a cookery demonstration and tasting session, shared the work of the Plant based councils movement and developed our own Food display and quiz to engage with visitors to the Hub.

We held regular craftivism evenings and climate cafes, offering 2 different quieter spaces where people could come together to share their feelings around the climate crisis and create items including from natural objects.

One key ongoing campaign which has been shared in the physical hub space and the virtual space is ‘Small Changes, Big Differences’ with monthly themes encouraging everyday climate actions.

As well as arranging our own events we have taken part in events organised by other organisations e.g. Bath College’s Sustainability Fair engaging primarily with young people,a children’s craft stall at the Festival of Nature in Bath city centre, helped welcome new students at Bath Spa university, and represented the Hub at Peasedown St John Green Fair. 1,000 people directly engaged at the Hub (estimated) from opening in November 374 people on our mailing list 30 volunteers providing support 17 engagement events/activities 2 radio interviews (KTCFM, Radio Bath) Social media between August 2024 and the end of March 2025: Instagram: monthly Reach increased from 246 to 1,010 with the highest Reach in November at 1,372. Facebook:monthly Reach increased from 337 to 3,941. Examples of feedback are given below, From visitors to the hub: “Im going to bring my grandchildren in - this will be a great place for them to learn” “I’m sharing Climate hub info with my friends at school- I’ll pop in again soon” “This place is really chilled … It’s brilliant at connecting people with nature” And from partners: “Climate friendly Bradford on Avon is truly grateful for the support, inspiration

and initiative shown by Climate Hub Banes. Together we are stronger” At Share and Repair we are pleased to work closely with the Climate Hub. They are fantastic at signposting people to the support they need and also at providing support to us and other local environmental charities. Thank you to the team !”

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

In addition to engaging with a large number of people through our face to Achievements against Para 1.41 face and virtual engagement activities objectives set we have in this period:

Appointed a freelance coordinator to develop our work including our online presence and volunteering programme
Accessed grant funding of £10,000
Held our first AGM in May 2025
Negotiated a Tenancy at Will for the old ticket office at Bath bus station
Opened the Climate Hub in mid-November

		Our fundraising has performed
		according to plan. We started to
Performance of fundraising		accelerate our fundraising from the
activities against objectives	Para 1.41	middle of the year as we expanded our
set		staffing and that gave us the capacity to
		direct more time to fundraising.

N/A Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Our financial position was sound. We have sufficient funding to keep us operating at the current rate for the whole of the 2025/26 financial year.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	We do not hold specific reserves beyond cash in bank.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Zero
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	We have no purposes for which specific reserves would be required.
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	None at present.

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	Our primary source is grant funding raised from local philanthropic sources as well as national sources such as the National Lottery Community Fund. Our secondary source is donations from supporters.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	N/A
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	As ever, our principal financial risk is a potential drop in grant funding. We have created and filled a part-time dedicated fundraising role. We maintain a monthly cashflow forecast that provides us with a rolling 12-month forward visibility and we can adjust our rate of monthly spending should that become necessary or prudent.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	CIO Association
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Charitable Incorporated Organisation
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	Our constitution sets out rules for Trustees retiring by rotation, the number of terms Trustees are able to serve and the role of Climate Hub members in appointing Trustees, either at the AGM or at other times.

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	Climate Hub (name changed–7/8/25
Other name the charity uses	None
Registered charity number	1201216
Charity’s principal address	24 Brookfield Park Bath BA1 4JF

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year Nam e of pers on (or body ) entitl ed to appo int trust ee (if any)
Natalie Barnett
Melanie Clarke	Chair
Carmen Jones
Amanda Lake
John Leach	Treasurer
Lin Patterson		Upto AGM May2024
Sue Poole	Secretary	From July2024
Grace Wiltshire

– 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 held in this capacity N/A

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address




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
Full Name	Ms Melanie Clarke
Position	Chair
Date	07/01/26

Signature
Full name	Ms Susan Poole
Position	Secretary
Date	07/01/26

Signature
Full name	Dr John Leach
Position	Treasurer
Date	07/01/26

Climate Hub Bath & North East Somerset 1201216 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 4/1/2024 to 3/31/2025

Section A Receipts and payments

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Last year funds funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £

A1 Receipts

Initial loan	-	-	-	-	1,000
Grants	10,000	-	-	10,000	65,700
Donations	707	-	-	707	507
Bank interest	110	-	-	110	37
**Sub total **	10,816	-	-	10,816	67,244
A2 Asset and investment sales
None	-	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*	-	-	-	-	-

**Total receipts **	10,816	-	-	10,816	67,244

A3 Payments

Repayinitial loan	-	-	-	-	1,000
Staff / contractors	12,100			12,100	-
Equipment	2,545	-	-	2,545	362
Consumables	1,794	-	-	1,794	541
Runningcosts	4,312	-	-	4,312	2,949
Transaction fees	26	-	-	26	2
*Sub total*	20,777	-	-	20,777	4,854

A4 Asset purchases

Previousyear's asset purchases					1,362
Two sets of displaystands	267	-	-	267	-
Hot water urn	120	-	-	120	-
Fridge	160	-	-	160	-
IT equipment	327	-	-	327	-
**Sub total **	874	-	-	874	1,362

**Total payments **	21,652	-	-	21,652	6,216

**Net of receipts/(payments) **	- 10,835	-	-	- 10,835	61,028
A5 Transfers between funds	-	-	-	-	-
A6 Cash funds last year end	-	-	-	-	-
**Cash funds this year end **	- 10,835	-	-	- 10,835	61,028

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

Categories Details B1 Cash funds CAFBank current account Details B2 Other monetary assets None Details B3 Investment assets None Details Various assets as per the asset register Details B5 Liabilities None Signature Treasurer Chair *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by the Treasurer and one other trustee on behalf of all trustees	to nearest £ to nearest £ 50,191 - 50,191 - Agreement Error OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - Cost (optional) - General 2,237 - Print Name John Leach Mel Clarke Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Aggregate purchase cost Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional)	to nearest £ Endowment funds
		-
		-
		OK to nearest £ Endowment funds
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		Value at year end
		1,775
		When due (optional)


		Date of approval
Treasurer	John Leach	7-Jan-26
Chair	Mel Clarke	7-Jan-26