2025-03-31-accounts

Mendip Community Garden Foundation (MCFG) Annual Report & Financial Statements - - for the Year Ended 31 Mar 25

Registered Address & Contact Details:

Main Contact: Registered ofice: Mrs. Iwona Kalisz: Chair & Trustee Between 40 - 42 Dunster Avenue Mendip Community Garden Foundation Southend on Sea M: [phone] Essex E: [e-mail] SS0 0HQ

Legal Structure:

Mendip Community Garden Foundation is a (Association) Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO):-

Charity Number: 1207763 Date of Establishment: 08-Apr-24

Governing Document:

Constitution (Association CIO)

Board of Trustees:

1. Iwona Kalisz: Trustee/Chair

2. Robert Ayriss: Trustee/Treasurer

3. Keith Evans: Trustee/Secretary

4. Sirajun-Nessa Motin: Trustee

5. Tricia North: Trustee

6. Craig Matthews: Trustee

7. Damon Starky: Trustee

8. Bear Walsh: Trustee

Governance:

Our Board of Trustees & volunteers comprise 100% local people i.e. they have ‘lived experience’ to best meet local needs; since we registered the formal CIO, we have opened up opportunities to participate in the governance and development of the charity, through:-

• Open recruitment e.g. speaking with beneficiaries,

• Networking i.e. engaging with partners and recruiting people with specific skills,

• Word-of-mouth i.e. the ‘ripple effect’ as current Trustees recommend people who might be able to contribute to the board,

• Other as a user-led charity.

Objects:

The objects of the CIO are:

• (i) To provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation by providing an area for use as a community garden and other activities for individuals in Southend 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.

• (ii) To advance education for the public benefit in particular but not exclusively by providing opportunities for learning about nature, horticulture, the environment, and connections to healthy living and eating, through the community garden.

Activities & Objectives:

Mendip Community Garden Foundation (MCGF) is a new charity registered 0n 08-Apr-24 with a remit to develop an inclusive & accessible growing & community engagement programme, utilising a key community asset i.e. an allotment and garden resource.

Annual Report:

Performance:

MCGF conducted the following activities in the CIO’s first year:-

1. Generic growing activities including planting and propagating produce e.g. potatoes, strawberries, grapes and flowers,

2. Development of nature assets including fish / aqua life ponds, peaceful community gardens space,

3. Setting up specific groups to promote inclusivity for excluded cohorts including women's group, youth activity, older people, ethnically diverse communities and disabled people,

4. Development of a training facility to teach people about horticulture / growing, and personal development skills training.

Achievements:

During Year 1, achievements included: -

1. New partnership with Southend Probation and Harp homeless charity in Southed on Sea.

2. Successful community event in Spring and Autumn.

3. Pond restoration achieved by receiving Tesco funding.

How Public Beneft Was Delivered:

Key benefits included:-

1. Physical activity which brought about improved physical wellbeing,

2. Social engagement which reduced isolation, bringing people together to improve emotional and mental wellbeing.

3. Setting up the charity as a user-led initiative, offering opportunities for local people to volunteer, learn new skills and improve their employability as well as opportunities to participate in the shaping of strategy for the CIO.

4. New partnership with Southend Probation offering Mendip Community Garden Foundation as a community service placement once a week for 7 hours. The Southend Probation Office serves as a critical hub for probation services in Southend and its surrounding areas. It focuses on the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society, ensuring public safety and supporting individuals in making positive changes in their lives. The office provides various services, including offender supervision, community service placements, and rehabilitation programs. It operates with convenient hours and is accessible via public transport, including nearby train stations and bus routes.

5. New partnership with local Southend homeless charity Harp providing safe space for resident living at Harp properties.

HARP's mission is to end homelessness in Southend. Harp provides a range of emergency and longer term supported housing alongside training, support and motivational activities. Through our advocacy and advice, they prevent homelessness for those at risk of becoming and address the root causes for those who are already homeless, thereby helping local people overcome homelessness for good.

Financial Review:

1. Reserves Policy:

Our Reserves Policy aligns with Charity Commission guidance, aiming to cover 3-6months running costs should funding fail, for emergencies, dissolution costs and to invest in / match programme costs.

We have not activated this policy as we exist presently on small donations as we initiate the programme of activities and strategies as planned within our Business Plan.

2. Debts:

The CIO has no debts as we only spend what we raise and manage moneys effectively to ensure transparency and that all moneys are fully accounted for.

3. Income & Expenditure to the Year end 31-Mar-25:

Type	Date	Payee	Category/Account	Amount	Note	Memo	Tags	Number
Income	18/04/2025	NORFOLK & NORWICH UH FT	Grant	1732.22
Income	17/01/2025	VEOLIA	Grant:SustainabilityGran	1000
Income	12/12/2024	AARON SERVICES	Donation	750
Income	25/11/2024	MENDIP COMMUNITY GARDEN	Transfer	500
Income	02/10/2024	MENDIP COMMUNITY GARDEN	Transfer	75
Income	06/09/2024	CASH	Cash Float	200
Income	05/09/2024	MENDIP COMMUNITY GARDEN	Transfer	75
Income	30/07/2024	LOUISE HAMMOND	Donation	100
Income	11/07/2024	CASH	Cash Float	220
Income	25/06/2024	LOUISE HAMMOND	Donation	100
Income	18/06/2024	CASH	Cash Float	120	No receipt issued bymachine
Income	07/06/2024	MENDIP COMMUNITY GARDEN	Transfer	100
Income	13/05/2024	MENDIP COMMUNITY GARDEN	Transfer	490.72
			Total	5462.94
Type	Date	Payee	Category/Account	Amount	Note	Memo	Tags	Number
Expediture	21/08/2025	AMAZON	(split)	58.78
Expediture	11/08/2025	ASDA	Catering	53.1
Expediture	09/08/2025	AQUA LOO	(split)	54
Expediture	31/03/2025	ELLA GREENWOOD	Entertainment:Face Paint	100
Expediture	31/03/2025	ASDA	Gasoline/Fuel	6.79
Expediture	31/03/2025	ASDA	Catering	100.16
Expediture	27/03/2025	AMAZON	(split)	27.5
Expediture	27/03/2025	AMAZON	(split)	46.8
Expediture	27/03/2025	AMAZON	(split)	14.58
Expediture	08/03/2025	AMAZON	(split)	19.59
Expediture	04/03/2025	AMAZON	(split)	439.99
Expediture	04/03/2025	E-TIMBER PRODUCTS	(split)	330
Expediture	17/02/2025	ZURICH INSURANCE	Insurance	185.39
Expediture	01/02/2025	AMAZON	(split)	5.79
Expediture	31/01/2025	BARRINGTONS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION	Tools:Angle Grinder	32		Refund for wrongwrongcard u			sed.
Expediture	14/10/2024	ZURICH INSURANCE	Insurance	273.67		Claim settlement
Expediture	02/10/2024	AQUA LOO	(split)	54
Expediture	09/09/2024	AMAZON	(split)	49.37
Expediture	05/09/2024	BARRINGTONS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION	Equipment	150		Gazebo & BBQ
Expediture	08/06/2024	AQUA LOO	(split)	54
			Total	2055.51
			Balance	3,407.43