Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 6 April 2025 Period start date to 5 April 2026 Period end date Charity name: Earth Balance Shed Charity registration number: 1213089
Objectives and Activities
| Objectives and Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference |
||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 |
For the public benefit, the preservation and protection of good health among people in Northumberland and the surrounding area, including those who are retired, unemployed or have health problems, through the provision of facilities for hobbies, recreation or other leisure time occupation including practical interests, skills sharing, the learning of new skills, and helping with community based projects |
| 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 |
The provision of the community workshop in which members can meet and jointly or individually undertake and share creative, physical, social and recreational activities of their choice. This can include the provision of facilities for hobbies, recreation or other leisure time occupations including practical interests, skills sharing, the learning of new skills and helping the local community with specific projects |
Statement confirming whether the Para The Trustees have considered and had regard to Charity 1.18 trustees have had regard to the Commission Guidance particularly on public benefit. guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 |
|
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 |
|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 |
The charity is entirely volunteer run. The contribution made by all members who actively volunteer is vital and without which the charity could not provide activities. |
| Other |
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 | The membership has continued to grow indicating that the benefits of the Shed in terms of promoting wellness, mental health and combating loneliness are reaching the community. We have had regular meetings two days every week, the number of members has increased over the year to 36, with up to 20 men and women on each day choosing and enjoying social contact. We have continued to open the shed regularly on two further days each week mainly for work with the local Veterans group. The range of projects has further developed following the interests of members in wood turning, laser cutting and refurbishing of furniture and very old machinery. Throughout the year our Shed has been active in supporting the local community with projects at a nearby church such as a memorial display in November and the supply of raised beds in the church grounds to provide a gardening facility for local school children. Also, we have been involved in repairing tables, chairs, decking and bird tables for the general public and also maintenance work for some of the other units on the Earth Balance site. Whilst benefits to health cannot easily be seen we think attendance indicates some measure of our success. The practical projects give an easy reason for people to talk to each other as UKMSA say ‘shoulder to shoulder’. |
The practical work encourages shoulder to shoulder chat. Always time for a sit down.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
As a small charity, annual performance objectives have not been set; other than our ongoing core objectives which are reported above. |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
||
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 |
||
| Other | |||
| Financial Review | |||
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | We have a new landlord since 4thDecember 2024 and uncertainty about our tenancy continues. We have built up healthy reserves in anticipation of this change. Income Donations £10,532, Sales £1,926 Refreshments £270 Expenditure £1818 |
|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Earth Balance 2000 our landlord until Dec 2024, supported us with a peppercorn rent and no cost services. We are therefore able to offer membership without any fees. Northumberland County Council, our new landlord has not yet been able to offer us a tenancy or terms for services and so we have aimed to put aside moneys as a buffer for future costs and any possible backdated costs. |
|
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £27,810 | |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a | |
| 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 | Our new landlord seems to be maintaining the site so we have reason to hope we will continue with our building (a previous development plan had included demolishing our building) We hope that we can meet future rent and energy costs without too many costs falling to our members. |
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 | When our previous landlord Earth Balance 2000 was wound up we received a significant donation from them of £10,310 in recognition of the impact we are making locally. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Foundation model constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trustees appoint new members of the trustees. |
| 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 | Earth Balance Shed |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1213089 |
| Charity’s principal address | Earth Balance Shed (Next to Blue Tower) Earth Balance Site Bedlington NE22 7AD |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Pill | Chair | |||
| Rob Ferguson | Treasurer | |||
| Dennis Matthewson | ||||
| Adrian Hall | ||||
| Keith Brotherton | ||||
– 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 |
none |
|---|---|
| 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 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(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Brian Pill | Rob Ferguson | |
Chair |
Treasurer | |
| 28thAugust 2026 | ||
| 28thAugust 2026 |
Earth Balance Shed
1213089
Recei
ts and
ments accounts
CC16a
For thè period
from
To
0610412025
5th April 2026
Section A Receipts and payments
Unr•striei•d
funds
R•strirfed
fund5
Total funds
Last y•ar
tothe eareSt£
tothe neaiest£
tothe eateSt£
tothe neare5t£'.
.'R•c•ipts
.'Metnbershi
'.Don3tions
fee5
10,532.63
10.532.63
'.Granls
..Sales l Èvent intome
1,926.45
318.33
270 00
13,047.41
1.926.45
318.33
270.00
13.047.41
Coffee + Tea Donations
.'Sub total (Gffoss income forARJ
9.197
..Assèt and invèstment salts
'.S31è of assets
.'Sale of ItDRStment5
'.Sub total
120.00
Total rÈeelpts
13,047A1
13.047.41
9.316.78:.
.'Payments
..Shèd prèmises costs
'.Insurance
..Materi31s & consumatAes
'.Sm311 tools l
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period '.Categories Unr•strict•d funds R•strict•d funds Total eurrènt Last year Cash fvnds '.Current account '.In*anl access '.35 Day Notice '. Total cash funds to neare5t£ to Treaie$t£ to the Treaiest£ to Ihe neare%1 £.. 1,711.34 10.057.89 17,752.81 29,522.04 1.711.34 10,057.89 17,752.81 29.522. 178.95.. 18.314.61:. 18.493.56:. ..iÉgree DJ&trtces recetys and payments .'aecoDnlls)I VN VN Other monetsry assets Stockslgoods for sale .'Debtors '. Investment assets '.Assets retained for th• '. Shed's omm use '.Buildings '.Large rtems of machinery ..Power tools ..Hand tools ,.Other assets '. Liabilities '.Trade credrtors Accrued ex .' Signed by one or iwo ttustee5 0 .'b8half of all the truètees Date of roval Signature Print Name Rob Fer uson 28108120, Brian Pill 28108r2026: