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2024-03-31-accounts

Five A Day Market Garden

Annual Report April 2023 – March 2024

Charity Number: 1202446

Trustees Annual Report for the year ended March 2024

Annual Report

The trustees of Five a Day Garden are pleased to submit their annual report on the activities of the Charity, together with the financial statement for the period from 1st April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024.

Chairs comments

It is my privilege to be able to write this first report for Five A Day Garden since we were accredited with our charity status in March 2023. This has been a year in which we feel we have been able to develop further and has been another year of transition, with both our award of charity status, and in our staffing situation.

To be able to fully reopen the garden and invite people, many of whom have experienced severe social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been incredible. We have all been reminded of the importance of green community spaces and how much pleasure a simple act of gardening and seeing things grow can bring. Our volunteers come from all different backgrounds and within our garden they can come together, socialise and share experiences benefiting both physically and emotionally.

Funding has been difficult to secure and partnership working has been important to try and ensure financial stability. We have also appointed two more trustees with appropriate experience to be able to support us and we anticipate that our new board will be able to offer good guidance on future improvement.

In conclusion I would like to thank all our funders and donors for their vital support, as well Englefield Estate for letting us use their land. I would like to thank our volunteers both current and past, for their hard work, and who are the key to the success of Five A Day Garden, along with my fellow trustees and management team, who remain continually supportive and committed as we look forward to another year and a new set of challenges.

Review of the year

Since being awarded charity status in late March 2023, we have continued to provide opportunities for groups to visit the garden for therapeutic, educational and general wellbeing purposes and have provided access to natural, healthy produce grown on site.

The main groups attending the garden are the over 65’s called Thyme Together which meets every Thursday; local reception and year 1 children from urban schools and uniform groups e.g. Guides, Brownies, Rainbows. By maintaining the garden to a high standard, we ensure that these groups have a safe and calm space to enjoy.

Charity Objectives

As stated in our application to the Commission, the Objects of Five A Day Garden are to improve the wellbeing of everyone in the local community by managing the garden to provide horticultural education, therapy and access to health, natural grown produce.

We have maintained these Objects throughout this year and will continue to do so.

Activity during the year

We continued our work with schools and uniform groups and in the year 2023-24, we have welcomed over 1,300 school children and over 250 members of uniform groups to Five a Day.

This continues to be one of our main focus areas.

Our Thyme Together group for the over 65’s has fluctuated in numbers, due to the nature of the people who attend, but we have had great feedback about our service (shown below) and continue to work on expanding this facility in the future.

“I work for the NHS Older adults Community Mental Health Service, The Thyme Together Group is a wonderful opportunity for my clients to interact and socialise in a peaceful location, staff are amazing at what they do, always ongoing activities to achieve, it’s always a joy to visit old clients that I have referred and see the progress they have made. “

“I thoroughly enjoy attending the ‘Thyme Together’ gardening sessions. They are always well– planned with a mixture of social chitchat and active gardening. There is always a variety of tasks needing undertaking and we can always choose something we enjoy“

Throughout the year, we sold our produce very local. Sales of our produce, along with our wreath making workshops using our own willow, amounted to over £7,000. This income allows us to pay our regular expenses and also contribute towards the visiting groups, as well as providing fresh seasonal produce to the local community.

Our annual wreath making events, run prior to Christmas 2023, are very popular and is a major fundraising opportunity for us and is one that we will continue to run and hopefully build upon.

We have done various activities to help try and spread the word about who we are and what we do:

which we are very proud. Participation at this event helps us to maintain our profile within the local community.

During 2023, we were made charity of the year by a local company who ran various events to raise funds for us. These funds allowed us to renovate our pond which is much enjoyed by the visiting schools and uniform groups. We also bought some new gardening equipment and replaced a dilapidated shed.

The trustees confirm that when setting the objectives and planning the activities of Five A Day Garden, they have considered and complied with the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit.

Volunteers

The trustees would like to thank all the volunteers who make Five a Day Garden the fun and yet place of calm that it is. In order to fulfil the above objectives, the Charity benefits from the time donated by unpaid volunteers, including its management team.

We currently have around forty regular unpaid volunteers who maintain all aspects of the garden and help with the visiting groups and fundraising activities as necessary, such as the garden open days. During the last quarter of the reporting year (Jan – Mar 24) the total number of volunteer attendances was 204 with an average time spent by each volunteer being 3 hours. This provided a total of 612 hours of gardening. As well as providing fantastic input into the garden, the volunteers also find that their own wellbeing is enhanced by being part of the Five a Day team.

An example of the feedback that we’ve had is shown below:

“I love being at the Five a Day Garden, it does me a power of good to be there. I love the rich soil and the wonderful vegetables and flowers we grow, and I get a great deal of pleasure from all the gardening jobs. It's satisfying, and food for the soul, a real tonic.”

“I joined Five a Day to help contribute to the local community as I had recently retired. Working outside in such beautiful surroundings is a joy and a privilege and brings great health benefits. Everyone is such great company and very friendly. I am so glad I joined.”

“ My journey with Five a Day began in 2023. Volunteering at the garden is incredibly meaningful to me as it allows me to actively contribute to the wellbeing of our local community. Witnessing the positive impact of our collective efforts is fulfilling and I find joy in socialising with the other volunteers.”

In addition to our regular volunteers, we were very fortunate to have visits from corporate organisations who provide manpower for the heavier tasks in the garden and have all

commented on how much they enjoy their visiting an outside environment, helping others, enhancing their wellbeing and being away from their desks in our very tranquil garden.

As well as the volunteers, we made the decision to engage a Service Development Manager, to help us develop further, who joined us in January 2024. Her main aim is to manage the three key groups currently visiting the garden and to expand these services to new groups as well.

We are also actively encouraging some of our volunteers to join the management team so that we have a diverse range of people to reflect everyone’s voice. This will continue to ensure that all requirements are met.

Risk management

The Management Team has conducted its own review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. We have an extensive list of policies covering all aspects of our activity to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity and comply with external regulations and requirements. Each policy is reviewed annually by the management team and distributed as necessary.

Plans for Future periods

As we look towards 2024 and 2025 we have built a budget which anticipates growth and incorporates ideas for new workshops that we would like to implement and monitor.

Five A Day Garden plans to continue the activities outlined above in the forthcoming years subject to satisfactory funding arrangements.

Our plans for 2024/2025 include:

Financial Review

The Charity has a number of sources of funding.:

The results for the year and the company’s financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements

During the year Five A Day Garden had income of £35,210 (2022: £32,887), of which £4,788 was restricted, and expenditure of £25,478 (2022: £42,902).

There was an operating surplus of £9,732 (2022: operating deficit of £10,015)

Reserves policy

The trustees consider the level of reserves, £24,386 appropriate for the Charity at this time, considering our ongoing financial commitments and the potential liabilities in the event that the charity ceased.

The charity holds no significant assets.

Reference and Administrative Details
CharityNumber 1202446
Registered Office The Street,Englefield,Theale,RG7 5EL
Bankers The Co-Operative Bank
PO Box250,Skelmersdale,WN8 6WT
Independent Examiner Rachel Belshaw (MA ACA CTA)
Hill Top Accounting Ltd, Hill Cottage,
Church Lane, Ufton Nervet, Reading,
RG7 4HQ
Trustees
Duringtheperiod ending31stMarch 2024 the followingwere Trustees for the charity
Name Date of Appointment
Glenys Higgins(Chair & Management Team) 23 March 2023
Sarah Brooke 09 May2023
Lizbeth Cooper 03 May2023
WendyCadman(Management Team) 23 March 2023
Yvonne Redgrave(Management Team) 23 March 2023
Additional Management Team members Position
JennyCarter Finance Officer
Robert Elliott Treasurer
Alison Luke(appointed 01/01/2024) Service Development Manager

Date of Approval: 21[st] September 2024

Signed by Glenys Higgins, Trustee, Chair and Garden Manager:

Five a Day Garden

Five a Day Garden 1202446 Receipts and payments accounts For the period 01 April 2023 31 March 2024 To from

CC16a

Section A Receipts and payments Section A Receipts and payments Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest
£
17,157
5,480
700
7,085
-
-
-
-
30,422
-
-
-
30,422
929
13,596
157
209
145
1,458
691
756
87
338
426
1,039
1,036
306
-
124
95
229		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £
4,788
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,788
-
-
-
4,788
47
2,613
-
147
396
-
484
48
-
122
-
-		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total funds
to the nearest £
21,945
5,480
700
7,085
-
-
-
-
35,210
-
-
-
35,210
976
16,209
157
209
145
1,605
1,087
756
87
338
426
1,039
1,520
354
-
246
95
229
-
25,478
-
-
-
25,478

9,732		 Last year
to the nearest £
Grants 17,157 18,982
Donations 5,480 7,501
Charitable activities 700 259
Sales ofgardenproduce 7,085 6,145
- -
- -
- -
- -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 30,422 32,887
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
-
- -
Sub total - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
32,887
Materials for projects
Sessional tutors
Advertising &Marketing		 929 47 - 976 1,104
13,596 2,613 16,209 20,377
157 157 98
Audit &Accountancyfees 209 - - 209 205
DBS Checks 145 145
Gardensupplies 1,458 147 1,605 970
General Expenses 691 396 1,087 462
Insurance 756 756 737
Motor VehicleExpenses 87 87 -
Refreshments 338 338 248
Rent 426 426 706
Repairs &Maintenance 1,039 - - 1,039 12,290
Consultants 1,036 484 - 1,520 1,262
Telephone & Internet
Training		 306 48 354 638
- - - - 300
Volunteerexpnses 124 122 - 246 22
Washroom Facilities 95 - - 95 3,100
Workshops 229 - - 229 383
- - - - -
**Sub total ** 21,621 3,857 - 25,478 42,902
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
-
-
**Sub total ** - -
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
42,902
8,801
9,732		 - 10,015
- - -
15,585 18,699 -
24,386 28,431 - 10,015

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

26/09/2024

1

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

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets		 Signature
Details
Details
Community Dorect Plus account
Community Dorect Plus account
Petty Cash
Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
17,207
4,045
7,169
-
10
-
24,386
4,045
OK
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Print Name		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

26/09/2024

2

SectionA Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trustees IFive a Day Garden
On accounts for the year
31March 2024		 Charity no 1202446
ended (if any)
Setouton pages
1-2
I reporttothe trustees on my examinationofthe accountsofthe above
charity ("the Trust") for the year ended
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
basisofreport accountsinaccordance with the requirements of the CharitiesAct2011
("the Act").
Signed:/~
1~		 Date:I24/09/24
Name:/Rachel Belshaw
Relevant professionalIICAEW
qualification(s)orbody
(if any):'---------------------- --------'
Address:Hill Top Accounting Ltd, Hill Cottage
Church Lane, Ufton Nervet
Reading, RG7 4HQ