THE WONKY GARDEN Chanty Iiumber 1204849 Annual Report and Flnanclal Statements for the year ending 31 March 2025 gmcas Greater Merseyslde Communlty Accountancy Servlce
THE WONKY GARDEN Annunl Report nnd Flnnnclrdl Statomonts for tho yoor Ondlng 31 Morch 2025 Lontontj Va0• Trustoo8' r(Iport 2to8 kxumiiioi"s roport Roceipts and payments QLcount btntomont ot nsso18 nnd Iinbilitios NotQ8 to Ilio QG¢QLllIt6 10, 11 Propar•d by Iho Ur•ator Mor••y•ldo Lommunlty Aooountaiioy 8•rvlo•
THE WONKY GARDEN Trustees. report The Trustees during the year were: Nam• Angela Hayler Emity Allen Sarah Parker Posltion Trustee Trustee Trustee Till 2nd April 2025 Method of appolntm•nt Elect1 annually by AGM, or interim appointment by trustees until next AGM. Principal address Ditton Community Centre Dundalk Road WneS WA8 8DF Bankers Lloyds Bank plc 2>24 Albert Square Widnes Cheshire WA8 6JW Governing document Cio Registered 21 st September 2023 Objects of the organisation To advance the education of the public in horticulture and floriculture and in the conservation of the environment. To provide or assit in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life. Ind•pond•nt examinor on behalf of: Gr•at•r M•rs•ysld• Community Accountancy Sorvic• St Marie's Lugsdale Road Widnes WA8 6DB
THE WONKY GARDEN Trustees. report continued The Trustees of The Wonky Garden CIO present thelr annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March The Trustees who have held office slnce the Initial charity registration on 20 September 2023 are: Anoela Hayler- FounderlChairtTrustee Sarah Parker - Trustee; reslgned 2nd April 2025 Millie Allen - Trustee All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no salary from the charity. L•gal StructurolGovernanc• The Wonky Garden is registered at Ditton Community Centre, Dundalk Road, Widnes, WA8 8DF. The first charity th trustees were appointed 20 September on the following tems: Angela Hayler- 4 years Sarah Parker- 3 years; resigned 2nd April 2025 Millie Allen - 3 years Decisions a taken at a meeting or through written communication including suitable electronic means. The charity is govemed by its constitution and is incorporated as a CIO. The charity has appropriate Public, Employer, Trustee and Propety insurance in place to insure its activities, visitors, propety and assets. The Chair manages the overall strategy of the Charity with the support of the two additional Trustees. In addition, the are approximately 30 volunteers who attend the Charity each week who undertake flexible roles to support its aims and objectives. The Trustees discuss day to day and project initiatives with volunteers to seek their input and inclusion. The role of the Trustees is to ensure that: The aims, purpose and vision for The Wonky Garden are clear and agreed in addition to ensuring that the charity is managed with integrity, ethical principles and compliance with any appropriate legal, policy or funding requirements. The Trustees a accountable for finance, fundraising, developing and maintaining relationships within the community network, developing and refining activities against feedback from volunteers and the community. Actions are aligned to the constitution and are compliant with policies, procedures and any legal requirements. All money and resources are responsibly and properly used, reported (including other bodies as required) managed and accounted for. All funding and donations are used to run the project, no individual benefits financially from its work. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place for volunteers. Operation, Objectives and Achiov•monts The chari s ob'ect'ves are: To advance the education of the public in horticulture and floriculture and in the conservation of the environment. To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure tsme occupatson of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life. The Chanty's operatson is undertaken at its registered address, it is a space of approximately 213rds of an acre with a 10-year lease acquired from Halton Borough Council. The land wraps around a vibrant community centre and comprises of herbaceousltherapy garden with greenhouse and potting shed, children's garden, allotmenvcut flower garden and activity yard with greenhouse, workshop, cut flower beds and a 'Friendship Garden,. The chanty transitioned from a constituted voluntary organisation in September 2023 and the focus since then has been on fundraising and completing its infrastructure whist conbnuing to support the community through:
THE WONKY GARDEN Trustees. report continued The charity has now completed its infrastructure and focusses on the following areas: Contsnual development and maintenance of a much-loved community green space for all to enjoy, focussing on enhancing the environment, wildlife and biodNersity using sustainable methods. The gardens are open all year. The provision of nature-based therapy; food education; best practice low carbonlwildlrfe friendly gardening; development of life skills through garden and DIY acts"vities based around horticultu, growing edibles and cut flowers. Providing space and activities for a diverse range of groups within the community network on a one-off or regular basis. Supporting food povety through gifting 800/0 of the produce, cut flowers and plants grown. Leading a community growing network, supporting owith planning and working together to help build skills and confidence and providing a central hub to grow and leam together. These groups take their leamings back to their own green space to grow and enjoy. As part of a local hedgehog rescueltreatment and release group the charity works together with them to educate the local community, encouraging them to create biodiverse and hedgehog fn'endly habitats. The garden is a key lease site given the richness of the location including the adjacent parkland. The charity provides supplementary food during seasonal challenges. Providing open days to the community and beyond through participation in the National Garden Scheme. The objective for these days is to raise funds for the National Garden Scheme Charity (Hospice UK, Parkinson's, Marie Curie, Mcmillan Cancer Support, Carers Trust) to celebrate achievements, invite feedback and ideas to further support the community and develop the space. Additional fvnds raised by the charity on these days is generally allocated to one or more of the groups within their network that need support. Supporting a church group of pensioners that have known each other for most of their lives, aged between late 80s and early 90s with lunches, flowers and plants. Without the charty's support this group would not be able to meet due to transport and frailty challenges. Supporting and including volunteers, focussing on their physical and mental wellbeing in addrtion to provide opportunits'es to learn new skills and involvement in actsvities being provided to other groups and participatson in open days. The charity now has a social team focussing on organising events throughout the year for volunteers to thank them and support those that experience loneliness and isolation. The chanty conbnues to benefit from fvnding and support from a number of different sources in addition to fvndraising to support its ath'vities. How the chari su rts the natural environment: The charity focuses on minimising impacts on the environment, foussing on biodiversity and smart low carbon practsces. For example; increasing stock through growing from seedldivision and propagation methods, rainwater harvests'ng, recycling of garden materials, using perennial plantsng vs annual planting or bedding, no chemicals, peat free composb'ng and creats'ng its own compost. The gardens have areas dedicated to wildlife habitats with hedgehog houses, bird boxes, pond and bug houses. In addrtK)n to composbng garden waste (S cubic metre bins of regular and 3 of leaf mould), the chanty also has a Community Compostsng initiabve, whereby volunteers, Community Centre workers and their families bring kitchen waste and deposit into 3 'hot t)oxes'.
THE WONKY GARDEN Trustees. report continued Examples of groups benefiting from activitses or the provision of producelflowerslplants: L(xal primary schools/SEND students Medaille Hostel for Victims of Modem Slavery Riverside Tech CarpentrylGeneral Construction SEND students Arden Community Garden Riverside Tech Gardening 101 SEND students Growing Health Community Garden Children's Disabled Services Halton & St Helens VCA Ditton Family Hub Bereavement Café St Marks and Holy Family Churches Dementia Cafe Halton Queens Award Girl Guides Halton Community Centres St Marks Church Group Halton Supported Housing Madeline Mckenna Care Home Halton Carers Trewan ca Home Halton Cancer Centre Bold in Bloom Women's Centre How the charity's volunteers have benefitted: Improved physical and mental health. Leaming new skills. Making new friends - both within the group and because of network signposting to other groups and activities. Reduced loneliness and isolation and bereavement support The charity continues to nurture strong relationships with local businesses, for example: ASDA, Tesco, Co-op and Wickes Community Champions Travis Perkins Builders Merchants Notcutts Rivendell Garden Centre (the charity is their community network champion, liaising with other groups to ensure any charitable offerings are distributed across Halton) Cronton Garden Centre Halton Borough Council Health Improvement Team Halton Housing Wellbeing Enterprises UPS Constructson Ltd The charity is also an Affiliate of the Royal Horticultural Society and is identsfied as a 'OutstandinglGarden of Distincb'on,. It is also part of the National Garden Scheme (the charity opens 2-3 tsmes each year to support NGS. In summer 2024, BBC North West interviewed the charity, BBC Gardeners World filmed and The Royal Horticultural Society requested and filmed the garden and volunteers as representing their Friendship theme for the year. The Charity was nominated for The Kings Award for Voluntary Services (outcome will be announced in November 2025).
THE WONKY GARDEN Trustees. report continued The charity has deliveredlfacilitated the following; Approximately 250 group activities Gifted 80 % of food to Foodbank Church Group lunches Flower vases for various local community group actNities Monthly flower vases and plants to the local Bereavement and Dementia Cafés Weekly Community Centre flowers Remembrance Day Wreath for Halton & St Helens VCA Approximately 1000 bouquets and plants have been gifted to individuals through the charitys local network Gifted wildlife friendly plants and bulbs its community growing network group Co-ordinated distribution of thousands of bulb sets on behalf of Notcutts Garden Centre to the community Delivered educational workshops to the community growing network and visiting groups Provided flowers for local fvnerals Christmas trees decorated with natural products to community centres and a hostel for victims of modem slavery
THE WONKY GARDEN Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 March 2025 Notes 2025 Unrestricted fvnds 2025 Restricted fvnds 2025 Total fvnds 2024 Total funds Receipts Grants and donations Bank Interest received Other Income Total recelpts (2) 6,788 156 27,310 34,098 156 37,641 117 27,310 34,254 37,758 Payments Materials and Capital Assets Acts"vities Office Costs Professional fees Depreciation of charity assets Governance Costs Independent Examination Total payments Net receipts i (payments) Transf•rs b•tw•on funds Cash fund balances brought forward Cash fund balances carried forward 3,473 357 1,645 1,461 5,121 8,330 3,710 13,322 11,803 4,067 14,967 1,461 10,884 9,150 862 11,243 480 5,763 135 12,192 (5,248) 135 43,317 (9,063) 225 21,960 15,798 31,125 (3,815) 20,372 15,124 17,026 13,211 37,398 28,335 21,600 37,398
THE WONKY GARDEN Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025 2025 Unrestricted 2025 Restricted 2025 Total 2024 Total Fix•d Ass•ts Tangible Assets Total fixed assets 10,642 10,642 10,642 10,642 23,373 23,373 Current Assets Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets 15,259 15,259 2,569 2,569 17.828 17,828 14,250 14,250 Current liabS1ities: amounts falling duo within on• year Creditors and accruals Total current liabilities 135 135 135 135 225 225 Net current assets l (liabilities) 15,124 2,569 17,693 14,025 Total assets less current liabilities 15,124 13,211 28,335 37,398 Creditors: amounts falling du• after ono year Net assets 15,124 13,211 28.335 37,398 Funds Restricted Funds Unrestricted funds Total Funds 13,211 13,211 15,124 28,335 17,026 20,372 37,398 15,124 15,124 13,211 The financial statements were approved at a meets'ng of the trustees held on and signed on its behalf by: 3(Jq Izg 0/412S Angela Hayler Trustee Millie Allen Trustee
THE WONKY GARDEN Notes to the accounts for the year endlng 31 March 2025 Accountlng Policles Basis of accountlng The Trustees have taken advantage of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis. Taxation As a registered charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tsx and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it lates. Fund accounting Funds held by the charity are either: Unrestricted general funds These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. Restrictsd funds These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when fvnds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Designated funds These are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts. 10
THE WONKY GARDEN Notes to the accounts contlnued for the year ending 31 March 2025 2 Grants and Donatlons 2025 Unrestricted funds 2025 Restrlcted funds 2025 Total funds 2024 Totsl funds ASDA Bruce Wake Co-op Halton Borough Council Notcutts The Steve Morgan Foundation The National Lottery National Garden Scheme UK SPF Fund Wellbeing Enterprises Masons Donations 3,000 2,500 2,882 4,000 2,067 9,572 12,535 500 5,000 500 5,000 5,548 5,548 17,380 2,730 1,700 17,380 2,730 1,700 300 600 185 37,641 150 1,090 6,788 150 1,090 34,098 27,310 3 Trust•e r•mun•ratlon and exponses Total amount paid No trustees received any expenses during the period. 4 Related party transactions There were no related party transactions to report during the accountsng period. 11