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2025-03-31-accounts

Company no. 02114442 Charity no. 297091

St. Werburghs City Farm Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2025

St. Werburghs City Farm

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Company number 02114442
Charity number 297091
Registered office and Watercress Road
operational address St. Werburghs
Bristol
BS2 9YJ
Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during
the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:
Jacqueline Barker Chair
Jonathan Brockwell
Jess Bunyan
Tesni Clare
Tola Fisher resigned 7 October 2024
Clara Greenwood
Keiko Higashi appointed 7 October 2024
Fiona McDonald resigned 17 March 2025, reappointed 26 July
2025
Emma Morton
Lisa Pascoe
Shankari Raj appointed 7 October 2024
Key staff A Bowsher Sites Operational Manager
C Briseid Marketing, Comms and Events Operational
Manager
J Clynewood Director (Job Share, resigned June 2024)
C Datta Child & Youth Manager (Job Share)
L Emerson Child & Youth Manager (Job Share, resigned
February 2025)
S Flint Supported Farming and Green Care Manager
J Howard Coles Director
B Lambert Estates and Livestock Manager
A Lee Propagation Place Manager
D Lindo-Jones Finance Manager (resigned November 2024)
F McDonald Finance Manager (appointed March 2025)
I Patrick Services Operational Manager
M Robbins Fundraising Manager (appointed August 2024)
Bankers HSBC Bank PLC Ecology Building Society
27 Gloucester Road North 7 Belton Road
Filton Silsden, Keighley
Bristol West Yorkshire
BS7 0SQ BD20 0EE

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Investment managers Epworth Investment Management Limited
9 Bonhill Street
London
EC2A 4PE
Insurers Hiscox Insurance
c/o Arthur J Gallagher (UK) Limited
Spectrum Building
7th Floor
55 Blythswood Street
Glasgow
G2 7AT
Independent Godfrey Wilson Limited
examiners Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
5th Floor Mariner House
62 Prince Street
Bristol
BS1 4QD

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Chair’s report for annual report 2024-25

I am immensely proud to share this annual report. St Werburghs City Farm has used its resources throughout the year to provide space and support to the community. Welcoming people facing disadvantage, marginalisation and struggle – together we have created welcoming, healthy and fun spaces for the whole community to enjoy.

In these pages, you will read how our services have gone from strength to strength, and how our participants have made amazing things happen! You will hear about how our volunteers have upgraded Farm infrastructure and how our adult participants have grown produce to share and developed beautiful new wildlife areas. Young people have produced hundreds of meals at our Youth Café, cared for our animals and accessed new parts of the Farm for outdoor play. We have crossed cultural bridges, grown friendships and connections, learned new skills, and gained confidence and optimism about the future.

Many of our spaces have seen a huge amount of renewal and improvement this year, but for some of our key spaces – the time has come for change! With support from Bristol City Council, we started developing our thinking about how our spaces need to change to support our communities in the future, with a community consultation currently underway.

It has remained a challenging financial environment for charities, and the team have worked really hard to balance our books. Costs have risen across all of our activities, and fundraising has remained a challenge. It is with relief and gratitude that we share these accounts which show that we have raised enough income to cover our costs this year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who been part of the Farm this year, and everyone who has made our work possible. Thank you to the Farm staff, volunteers, participants and young people. Thank you to all the community members and all the other people who collaborate with the Farm. Thank you to everyone that has attended an event, tapped to donate, put a few pounds in a collection tin or become a monthly donor: your support makes all this possible.

Jackie Barker, Chair of Trustees

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

St Werburghs City Farm was incorporated as a charity on the 23 March 1987 and amended by special resolution on the 5 October 2013.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

Trustee recruitment process

The Farm periodically promotes vacancies on the Board of Trustees and advertises this on the Farm’s website, through its newsletter and via other local networks. The process for applying is described as follows:

  1. Get in touch to say you’re interested;

  2. If there’s a place, send us a simple application with your contact info, a letter about why you want to join, and a CV;

  3. We’ll review your application and may invite you to observe meetings; and

  4. If it feels right for both of us, you’ll join as a trustee after a quick membership process and background check.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences. If you want to help shape a stronger, supportive community, we’d love to hear from you!

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Finance & decision-making procedure

This policy is available in full on request.

  1. General points

The purpose of this decision making and financial procedure is to ensure:

Memberships & Networks

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Key Partnerships

Pay setting criteria

SWCF aims to aligned payscales with National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC). NJC is based on a 37 hour working week, whereas SWCF works a 35 hour week, so alignment is not exact.

SWCF aims to award annual increments to all staff who have been contracted in their current role for more than 12 months. Annual increments were awarded in April 2024.

SWCF aims to award a percentage pay increase across all scales from December each year, following recommendations from NJC, however this is dependent on fundraising and projected year end. The trustees did not award a pay increase in December 2024.

Objectives & Activities

Who we are

St Werburghs City Farm is an inner-city community hub for land-based opportunities. Situated 1.5 miles from Bristol city-centre, we manage more than 18 acres of green space including a 2-acre small holding, a 1-acre community garden, a 2.5-acre conservation site and 13 acres of community allotments. We understand the importance that green space has for our collective health and wellbeing, which is why all our work is based on strengthening the connections between land, animals and people. We know that enjoyment of green space, access to local food and opportunities in the agricultural sector are not equal, and we are committed to addressing this imbalance in our work. We appreciate that everyone has skills, experience and assets to share, which is why we base our approach on co-design and delivery, with and for our community. We also recognise that inequalities exist in our community and our city, which is why we target our work at those experiencing mental illhealth, disadvantage and/or marginalisation.

We are working to create a future where communities grow, green spaces flourish, and together we thrive.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

How we achieve our aims

Using diverse urban green spaces, we offer community services that aim to:

Strengthen connections between land, animals and people by:

Be a beacon for small-scale urban farming and community food growing by:

Make space to share experience and collaborate by:

Nourish communities by sharing local, seasonal food together by:

Respond to emerging environmental and social needs within our community by:

Our services, which develop depending on the needs of our community, include: supported training placements for adults with learning difficulties, alternative curriculum placements for young people struggling in mainstream education, nature connection sessions for adults experiencing mental-ill health, woodland play for children experiencing anxiety, propagation sessions in our social enterprise, and partnership sessions to increase engagement of communities underrepresented in our services, agriculture and/or outdoor engagement.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Impact and performance

Skills & Wellbeing for Volunteers

The Skills & Wellbeing project provides opportunities for adults to be part of meaningful, important activities that benefit the community. The project is designed for people experiencing mental illhealth, marginalisation or isolation, and offers a range of weekly sessions including cooking, animal care, landscaping & conservation, gardening plus a drop-in session.

News from the year:

Words from a project participant: ‘I felt very depressed and lonely before being referred to The Farm by NHS Talking Therapies. I didn’t want to go out, be with people, or do anything. Since being here, I feel a sense of purpose, and I have grown in confidence. Now I’ve finished my sessions and my mental health is much better, I volunteer at the Farm supporting others. I love helping other people come out of their shell and seeing them benefit like I did. Especially coming from a different country, the Farm is a great place to connect with people and feel part of a joyful community.’

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Supported Farming & Green Care

The Farm’s longest standing project, Supported Farming & Green Care provide day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities who join the team to care for the animals and tend to our vegetable gardens. With up to six participants joining us each day, this project aims to be empowering, confidence-building and fun, focusing on transferable skills to help grow and maintain independence and support each individual towards their personal goals.

News from the year:

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Words from a project participant: ‘Spending time with the animals makes me feel like a part of a family’

Child & Youth

The Child & Youth project provides hands-on, welcoming and unique opportunities for young people to learn, play and grow their wellbeing. The project offers a wide range of long and short term opportunities for young people who are having a difficult time or facing barriers to education or being outdoors, including: Alternative provision for young people struggling at school or with their mental health, 1-1 and small group sessions on the Farm for children with additional needs, forest school and outdoor play camps during school holidays, youth clubs for neurodiverse teenagers, farm visits and forest school for local school groups.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

News from the year:

Words from a project participant: ‘Mondays are always my favourite day because it's a Farm day!’

Propagation Place

Propagation Place is a social enterprise and community project that grows and delivers vegetable seedlings across the UK. The project aims to provides hands-on opportunities for training in food production, whilst also earning sustainable income to support our charitable work. Propagation Place is situated on three plots within the 13 acres of allotments that the Farm manages on behalf of our local council. In a large polytunnel we have raised tens of thousands of seedlings for sale to local residents - and online nationwide.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

News from the year:

Words from a project participant: ‘It’s definitely been good for my mental health. Such a beautiful place to work. Even when it’s miserable and cold it’s still great to be outside. Peace and perspective.’

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Space to Grow

We believe that we can have a greater impact by working with other people that are experts in their field or rooted in their community. This is why we have developed our 'Space to Grow' Partnerships Programme which offers low-cost site hire, collaborative project design and delivery, and 12-24 month residencies at the Farm. As a response to the findings of the 2020 Equity project and 2021 Advocacy project, Space to Grow enables people who need specialist support to benefit from the spaces we offer and to get to know the Farm and our services.

News from the year:

Words from a project participant: 'I have not seen anything like this group in Bristol before and it is very much needed'.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Public benefit statement

We believe that this report overwhelmingly demonstrates the public benefit of St Werburghs City Farm. The charity continues to deliver against its organisational objectives as described earlier in this report.

The Farm understands that the needs of the communities we serve change over time, and therefore we do develop and refine our services in response to what we learn. However, we believe that our current delivery model is the best use of our resources in terms of public benefit at this time.

Achievements and performance summary

Words from a Team Challenge participant: ‘We dug holes. We built fences. We did some plumbing. We even built benches. But more than anything, we took time out of our lives to be in nature, to be with people, to be part of something real.’

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Equity progress

The Farm has continued to track our progress towards our Equity objectives, following the launch of a programme of work in 2020 to improve equity and diversity at the Farm. As well as making progress against existing objectives, we have continued to add new ones based on discussions at meetings and during training sessions.

Key progress this year:

Fundraising performance

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

External challenges

The Farm is vulnerable to a wide range of externally influenced challenges, as are all organisations to a greater or lesser extent. The following challenges are recognised as particularly relevant this year and in the near future:

Key priorities for 2025-26

The Farm’s office, café and community building are in need of retrofit or replacement in order to remain fit for purpose and suitable for our communities long term. The Farm are working with local architects to develop a masterplan for the main Farm site. The masterplan will be informed by all the previous relevant studies, consultations and designs for the site and staff will play a key role in shaping the high-level strategy for the redevelopment of the Farm’s key spaces. The masterplan will then guide a detailed community consultation to refine the priorities and design criteria, due to be carried out in summer 2025.

The Farm has been awarded funding to support the masterplan process and is applying for additional funding to carry out the community consultation and to commission a series of technical surveys of the buildings and grounds. Once complete, these outputs will need to inform a design.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

▪ Celebrating with our communities

The Farm are looking for ways to bring together our communities to eat and celebrate together in more inclusive ways. We have been awarded funding through the Space to Grow project to deliver a series of community feasts aimed at participants who have accessed the Farm via a Space to Grow partnership. This will culminate in a larger autumn feast which will also welcome partner organisations and their participants to share knowledge and opportunities relating to green social prescribing and other related community services.

▪ Refining our organisational systems

There is ongoing work to refine our organisational systems this year with the aim of supporting effective delivery and creating efficiencies to free up staff time. A key for this is around the monitoring of our services and tracking of our impact as an organisation, and 2025-26 will see the implementation of a new system which will bring together all of the data we routinely collect and make reporting a more streamlined process. We are also looking to explore software solutions to support our bookkeeping functions, for instance to save time processing expenses and paying invoices.

▪ Balancing our budgets

With cost rises across the board and many trusts and foundations closing, it is essential that the Farm reviews the sustainability of all of its activities this year and puts in place realistic changes where needed to secure sustainability. This must include a review of pricing for services which are funded per individual, as well as pricing for use of our sites and spaces. If particular activities are becoming difficult to fund, despite previous efforts, then the Farm must consider how it can prioritise delivering its objectives in a sustainable way, and this may need to result in some significant changes in activities. We recognise the national trend towards major donors providing an increasing share of charitable income, at the same time as monthly giving of small donations is decreasing. With this in mind, during this year the Farm will welcome donors to at least one event to thank them in person. We will also be formalising our legacy programme.

Financial review

During the year 2024-25:

Reserves

The Trustees have established a reserves policy to ensure that the Charity can continue to operate effectively and meet its obligations, even in times of financial uncertainty. The policy states that the Charity should aim to hold minimum unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets (the “free reserves”) equivalent to at least three months of core operating costs.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees note that since the last policy was drafted, there has been an increase in the operational running costs of the charity, and that in an ideal scenario the designated fund held would increase. However, in light of ongoing financial uncertainties, the Trustees have opted to maintain the reserves level at £107k, which continues to be held within a designated fund on the Charity’s balance sheet.

The Trustees acknowledge that this leaves approximately £30k of unrestricted funds available at the 2024- 2025 financial year end. However, it is important to note that the farm is currently projecting a deficit for the 2025 - 2026 financial year. Whilst the charity is actively seeking to mitigate this through additional grant receipts and reductions in operational costs, the trustees wish to ensure a level of unrestricted funds are available for use if required.

The reasons for the forecasted deficit are:

Designated Funds are to act as contingency only and is not part of the allocated annual budget.

With this reserves policy in place, the Trustees feel that the current activities of the Charity could continue in the event of a significant drop in funding or if unplanned expenditure had to occur to maintain the health and safety of the Farm and its visitors.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees confirm that to the best of their knowledge there is no information relevant to the audit of which the independent examiners are unaware. The trustees also confirm that they have taken all necessary steps to ensure that they themselves are aware of all relevant examination information and that this information has been communicated to the independent examiners.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charitable company during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 6 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by

JL Barker

Jacqueline Barker Chair

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Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

St. Werburghs City Farm

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of St. Werburghs City Farm (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 22 to 41.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

Godfrey Wilson Limited also provides payroll and consultancy services to the charitable company. I confirm that as a member of the ICAEW I am subject to the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2016, which I have applied with respect to this engagement.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 6 October 2025 Robert Wilson FCA Member of the ICAEW

For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited

Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol, BS1 4QD

21

St. Werburghs City Farm

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Restricted Unrestricted
Note
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
-
60,101
Charitable activities
4
317,924
201,812
Other trading activities
5
-
182,830
Investments
-
2,287
Total income
317,924
447,030
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
50,076
Charitable activities
315,643
401,265
Total expenditure
7
315,643
451,341
Net income / (expenditure)
8
2,281
(4,311)
Transfers between funds
252
(252)
Net movement in funds
2,533
(4,563)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
49,874
424,169
Total funds carried forward
52,407
419,606		 2025
2024
Total
Total
£
£
60,101
49,703
519,736
423,033
182,830
153,499
2,287
2,077
764,954
628,312
50,076
25,239
716,908
646,857
766,984
672,096
(2,030)
(43,784)
-
-
(2,030)
(43,784)
474,043
517,827
472,013
474,043

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 17 to the accounts.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Stock
12
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
14
Net current assets
Net assets
16
Funds
17
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Capital fund
General funds
Total charity funds		 £
8,479
22,805
216,462
247,746
(57,712)		 2025
£
281,979
190,034
472,013
52,407
107,426
281,979
30,201
472,013		 2024
£
306,343
7,372
54,997
176,394
238,763
(71,063)
167,700
474,043
49,874
107,426
306,343
10,400
474,043

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477(2), and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

Approved by the trustees on 6 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by

JL Barker

Jacqueline Barker, Chair of Trustees

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Net movement in funds
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(Increase) / decrease in stock
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Purchase of fixed assets
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities
Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		 2025
£
(2,030)
24,364
(2,287)
(1,107)
32,192
(13,351)
37,781
2,287
-
2,287
40,068
176,394
216,462		 2024
£
(43,784)
24,281
(2,077)
2,062
(32,383)
6,110
(45,791)
2,077
(2,100)
(23)
(45,814)
222,208
176,394

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

St. Werburghs City Farm is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. The registered office address is Watercress Road, St. Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9YJ.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

St. Werburghs City Farm meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executors to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probably when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received in advance of the provision of services is deferred until criteria for income recognition are met.

d) Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

d) Donated services and facilities (continued)

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

e) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

f) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particularly areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

Restricted funds for the purpose of purchasing or constructing fixed assets are transferred to unrestricted funds if the restriction has been discharged by the purchase or construction of the asset.

g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h) Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. These costs have all been allocated to charitable activities.

i) Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Farm buildings 10 years straight line Motor vehicles 4 years straight line Land and buildings 25 years straight line

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.

No depreciation is provided on freehold land.

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St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

i) Tangible fixed assets (continued)

For capital items funded by restricted grants, if the restriction was discharged by the purchase or construction of the asset, the funds are transferred to unrestricted funds.

j) Stock

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Donated items of stock are recognised at fair value which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay for the items on the open market.

k) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

l) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

m) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

n) Financial instruments

The trust only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

o) Pension costs

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.

p) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

27

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

p) Accounting estimates and key judgements (continued)

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are described below.

Depreciation

As described in note 1i to the financial statements, depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life.

2. Prior period comparatives

2.
Prior period comparatives
Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net losses on investments
Net expenditure and net movement in funds
3.
Income from donations and legacies
Voluntary donations		 Restricted
£
-
234,368
-
-
234,368
-
239,923
239,923
-
(5,555)		 £
49,703
188,665
153,499
2,077
393,944
25,239
406,934
432,173
-
(38,229)
2025
Total
£
60,101
Unrestricted		 2024
Total
£
49,703
423,033
153,499
2,077
628,312
25,239
646,857
672,096
-
(43,784)
2024
Total
£
49,703

All income from donations and legacies was unrestricted in the current and prior year.

28

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

the year ended 31 March 2025
Income from charitable activities
Grants > £10,000:
The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
BBC Children in Need
Bristol City Council (Community Asset Management)
Garfield Weston
Henry Smith Foundation
The National Lottery Community Fund
Oliver Ford Foundation
Quartet Community Foundation
Sirona Care and Health
Swire Charitable Trust
Grants < £10,000
Total grant income
Supported training placements
Horticultural and farm sales
Workshops
Prior year comparative
Grants > £10,000:
Edward Gostling Foundation
Ernest Cook Trust
Garfield Weston
Henry Smith Charitable trust
Nisbet Trust
Quartet Community Foundation
Spielman Trust
Veolia Environmental Trust
West of England Combined Authority
Grants < £10,000
Total grant income
Supported training placements
Horticultural and farm sales
Workshops
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Integrated Care Board
West of England Combined Authority (Community
Pollinator Fund)		 Restricted
£
10,000
21,000
21,290
25,000
66,650
19,998
31,067
10,000
21,978
12,500
20,000
11,774
46,667
317,924
-
-
-
317,924
Restricted
£
10,000
14,951
25,000
32,050
15,000
12,610
10,000
10,464
17,797
86,496
234,368
-
-
-
234,368		 £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
78,988
66,493
56,331
201,812
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7,312
7,312
75,390
54,608
51,355
188,665
Unrestricted
Unrestricted		 2025
Total
£
10,000
21,000
21,290
25,000
66,650
19,998
31,067
10,000
21,978
12,500
20,000
11,774
46,667
317,924
78,988
66,493
56,331
519,736
2024
Total
£
10,000
14,951
25,000
32,050
15,000
12,610
10,000
10,464
17,797
93,808
241,680
75,390
54,608
51,355
423,033

4. Income from charitable activities

29

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

5. Income from other trading activities

Income from other trading activities
Allotments
Café rent and service charge
Farm fair
Film location hire
Memberships
Shop sales
Site hire		 2025
Total
£
15,180
15,220
36,182
54,975
2,441
3,357
55,475
182,830		 2024
Total
£
13,786
17,220
28,014
44,464
2,425
4,024
43,566
153,499

All income from other trading activities was unrestricted in the current and prior year.

6. Government grants

The charitable company receives government grants, defined as funding from Bristol City Council, BBC Children in Need, National Lottery, NHS and The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to fund charitable activities. In the prior year the charitable company received government grant funding from Bristol City Council, BBC Children in Need and WECA. The total value of such grants in the period ending 31 March 2025 was £105,129 (2024: £33,388). There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants in the current or prior period.

30

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

7. Total expenditure

Total expenditure
Staff costs (note 9)
Recruitment and training
Summer fair
Events and fundraising costs
Advertising
Printing, postage and stationery
Equipment hire
Computer expenses
Telephone
Consultancy, legal and professional
Accountancy fees
Sundry expenses
Rent and rates
Heat and light
Insurance
Site development
Repairs and maintenance
Travel
Health and safety
Bad debts
Volunteer and trustee expenses
Depreciation
Activity and project costs		 Raising funds
£
20,180
-
18,781
8,873
2,242
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
50,076		 Charitable
activities
£
498,925
15,117
-
-
-
14,477
1,258
9,939
5,556
14,480
5,856
6,686
11,659
17,132
10,020
13,694
31,848
130
2,187
66
665
24,364
32,849
716,908		 2025 Total
£
519,105
15,117
18,781
8,873
2,242
14,477
1,258
9,939
5,556
14,480
5,856
6,686
11,659
17,132
10,020
13,694
31,848
130
2,187
66
665
24,364
32,849
766,984

Total governance costs were £2,280 (2024: £2,160).

31

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

For the year ended 31 March 2025
7.
Total expenditure (continued)
Prior year comparative
Staff costs (note 9)
Recruitment and training
Summer fair
Events and fundraising costs
Advertising
Printing, postage and stationery
Equipment hire
Computer expenses
Telephone
Consultancy, legal and professional
Accountancy fees
Sundry expenses
Rent and rates
Heat and light
Insurance
Site development
Repairs and maintenance
Travel
Health and safety
Bad debts
Volunteer and trustee expenses
Depreciation
Activity and project costs		 Raising funds
£
-
-
17,219
7,052
968
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
25,239		 Charitable
activities
£
464,906
3,631
-
-
-
13,766
1,588
6,931
5,735
6,019
5,455
5,424
11,269
19,159
7,757
12,358
23,016
1,316
3,820
171
639
24,281
29,616
646,857		 2024 Total
£
464,906
3,631
17,219
7,052
968
13,766
1,588
6,931
5,735
6,019
5,455
5,424
11,269
19,159
7,757
12,358
23,016
1,316
3,820
171
639
24,281
29,616
672,096

32

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

8. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Net movement in funds
This is stated after charging:
2025 2024
£ £
Depreciation 24,364 24,281
Trustees' remuneration Nil Nil
Trustees' reimbursed expenses 112 13
Independent examiners' remuneration (excluding VAT):
Independent examination 1,900 1,800
Other services 2,980 2,746

Trustee reimbursed expenses relate to travel costs for 1 trustee (2024: governance costs for 1 trustee).

9. Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs
Freelance staff		 2025
2024
£
£
440,695
389,562
19,016
20,588
13,148
11,781
46,246
42,975
519,105
464,906

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the current or prior year.

The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees and the Directors. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £45,710 (2024: £62,568).

Average head count (FTE) 2025
No.
14		 2024
No.
14

10. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

33

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

11. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
12. Stock
Livestock, deadstock and feed
13. Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors		 Vehicles
£
2,100
-
2,100
438
525
963
1,137
1,662		 Farm
buildings
£
112,351
-
112,351
91,512
7,638
99,150
13,201
20,839		 Land and
buildings
£
405,022
-
405,022
121,180
16,201
137,381
267,641
283,842
2025
£
8,479
2025
£
17,003
1,616
3,754
432
22,805		 Total
£
519,473
-
519,473
213,130
24,364
237,494
281,979
306,343
2024
£
7,372
2024
£
29,816
9,541
14,226
1,414
54,997

34

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

14. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year

14. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Accruals
Deferred income (see note 16)
Other taxation and social security
Pension control account
Other creditors
15. Deferred income
At 1 April 2024
Deferred during the year
Released during the year
At 31 March 2025		 2025
£
5,604
15,145
27,459
6,499
-
3,005
57,712
2025
£
32,867
27,459
(32,867)
27,459		 2024
£
18,394
9,513
32,867
5,103
2,410
2,776
71,063
2024
£
28,479
32,867
(28,479)
32,867

Deferred income relates to income taken in advance for allotments, weddings and Propagation Place.

16. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 March 2025
Prior year comparative
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 March 2024		 £
-
52,495
(88)
52,407
£
-
49,962
(88)
49,874
Restricted
funds
Restricted
funds		 £
281,979
195,251
(57,624)
419,606
£
306,343
188,801
(70,975)
424,169
Unrestricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds		 Total
funds
£
281,979
247,746
(57,712)
472,013
Total
funds
£
306,343
238,763
(71,063)
474,043

35

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Movements in funds

Restricted funds
Awards for All
B&Q SFGC Ramp
Baily Thomas
Bath Spa Internships
Children in Need
Co-op Local Community Fund
Community Asset Management
D Oyly Carte Company
Ernest Cook Trust
Finnis Scott
Garfield Weston
Green Match Fund
HDH Wills
Henry Smith
ICE
Medlock
Nisbet Trust
Oak Foundation
Oliver Ford Foundation
Portishead Nautical
Quartet - Decking
Quartet - Seasonal Celebrations
Quartet - Stoke Park Friends' Fund
Quartet - New Development
Quartet - Youth & Play Support
Royal Horticultural Society
Swire
Tesco Stronger Starts
Thrive
University of Bristol
University West of England
Veolia - Community Garden
WECA Community Pollinator Fund
Will Charitable Trust
Total restricted funds		 £
-
5,000
-
-
9,000
-
-
-
11,987
-
-
2,472
-
7,205
-
-
12,559
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
(252)
-
903
-
-
49,874
At 1 April
2024		 Income
£
19,998
-
10,000
2,723
21,000
5,000
21,290
6,000
-
1,500
25,000
-
2,000
66,650
43,567
5,000
-
7,953
10,000
2,000
-
4,978
3,000
9,000
5,000
2,000
20,000
1,125
3,350
-
3,016
-
11,774
5,000
317,924		 £
(9,998)
(5,000)
(10,000)
(2,723)
(30,000)
(5,000)
(21,290)
(6,000)
(11,987)
(194)
(25,000)
(2,472)
(2,000)
(73,855)
(23,444)
(5,000)
(12,559)
(7,953)
(10,000)
-
(1,000)
-
(3,000)
-
-
(2,000)
(20,000)
(1,125)
(3,350)
-
(3,016)
(903)
(11,774)
(5,000)
(315,643)
Expenditure		 Transfers
£
£
-
10,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,306
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20,123
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,000
-
-
-
4,978
-
-
-
9,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
252
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
252
52,407
At 31 March
2025

36

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Movements in funds (continued)

Movements in funds (continued)
Total restricted funds
Designated funds:
Three month operational reserve
Total designated funds
Capital fund
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Purposes of restricted funds
Awards for All
Unrestricted funds		 49,874
107,426
107,426
306,343
10,400
424,169
474,043
Contribution		 317,924
-
-
-
447,030
447,030
764,954
towardsstaf		 (315,643)
-
-
(24,364)
(426,977)
(451,341)
(766,984)
fresources		 252
-
-
-
(252)
(252)
-
andoverhead		 52,407
107,426
107,426
281,979
30,201
419,606
472,013
scostsfor

Contribution towards staff, resources, and overheads costs for educational opportunities for children and young people.

B&Q SFGC Ramp

New ramp for access to our cabin, for the benefit of disabled adults accessing our Supported Farming & Green Care service.

Baily Thomas

Project costs for our Supported Farming & Green Care service.

Bath Spa Internships

Funding for intern opportunities at the Farm.

Children in Need

Project costs for our after-school child and youth provision.

Co-op Local Community Fund

Supporting horticultural traineeship programme at Propagation Place.

Community Asset Management

Contribution towards some staff training costs, and commissioning local architects to launch planning phase of a major capital redevelopment.

D Oyly Carte Company

Project costs for our Supported Farming & Green Care service.

Ernest Cook Trust

Outdoor Learning Officer staff costs.

Finnis Scott

Materials costs for horticultural project within our Skills & Wellbeing programme (formerly ‘Volunteering’).

Garfield Weston

Core costs to support the Farm charity and delivery of all our work.

HDH Wills

Contribution to project costs for educational opportunities for children and young people.

37

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Movements in funds (continued) Purposes of restricted funds (continued) Henry Smith Project costs supporting our Skills & Wellbeing programme, and Propagation Place provision. ICE Funding for our Skills & Wellbeing programme. Medlock Contribution to project costs for educational opportunities for children and young people. Nisbet Trust Contribution to project costs for educational opportunities for children and young people. Oliver Ford Foundation Project costs for our Supported Farming & Green Care service. Portishead Nautical Contribution to project costs for learning opportunities and experiences in nature for children and young people. Quartet - Decking Funding to renew decking. Quartet - Seasonal Celebrations Funding to host a series of community feasts for locals and participants. Quartet - Stoke Park Friends' Fund Project costs for our Supported Farming & Green Care service. Quartet - Youth & Play Support Project costs for our Child & Youth provision. Royal Horticultural Society Supporting Propagation Place to attend the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. Swire Project costs for our Skills & Wellbeing and Child & Youth provision. Tesco Stronger Starts Project costs for our Child & Youth provision. Thrive LED lighting and new electric heating system. University of Bristol Funding to provide internship opportunities for students. University West of England Funding to provide internship opportunities for students. Veolia - Community Garden Funding to improve our community garden. WECA Community Funding to create a pollinator trail on site. Will Charitable Trust Project costs for our Supported Farming & Green Care service.

38

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Movements in funds (continued)

Purposes of restricted funds (continued) Purposes of designated funds

Three month operational reserve

Designated funds comprises of ring-fenced operational reserves equivalent to at least three months 'running costs’. In the event of the Farm needing to close, these funds could cover operational costs incurred while winding up the charity, including redundancy payments, relocation of the animals and professional fees. The calculation of running costs is based on core services within the Organisational Budget, not including time-specific projects, capital investment or depreciation.

Purposes of unrestricted funds

Capital fund

The capital fund represents the net book value of assets held. The majority of assets are funded from restricted grants which are transferred to unrestricted once the restriction has been discharged. This fund includes the Boiling Wells kitchen and the Connection Centre discharged from restricted funds on construction.

39

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Movements in funds (continued)

Prior year comparative
Restricted funds
AWT Healthier with Nature
BCC - Community
BCC - HAF
Bristol Community
Health Trust
BYCA Holiday Activity
Charbritton Trust
CLA Charitable Trust
David Solomon's Charitable Trust
Edward Gostling Foundation
Enterprise Development Programme
Ernest Cook Trust
Garfield Weston
Green Match Fund
Henry Smith
Lord Barnby
Medlock
National Lottery Community Fund
Nineveh
Nisbet Trust
Quartet - Decking
Quartet - Rewild Child
Quartet Resilience
Royal Horticultural Society
Souter Charitable Trust
Spielman Trust
The Big Give
B&Q SFGC Ramp
Children in Need
University of Bristol
Veolia - Community Garden
Warburtons Community Grant
WECA Community Pollinator Fund
Will Charitable Trust
Woodroffe Benton
Total restricted funds
National Grid - Woodland Access for
All		 At 1 April
2023
£
-
2,500
2,105
11,500
-
-
-
-
-
(755)
14,951
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,000
-
11,000
-
3,000
-
292
-
-
-
-
-
836
-
-
-
-
55,429		 Income
£
4,224
-
6,592
-
2,610
5,000
3,000
1,000
10,000
8,180
14,951
25,000
2,472
32,050
5,000
5,000
9,709
-
4,000
15,000
1,000
-
9,000
-
5,000
10,000
2,420
5,000
9,000
-
10,464
400
17,796
8,000
2,500
234,368		 £
(4,224)
(2,500)
(8,697)
(11,500)
(2,610)
(5,000)
(3,000)
(1,000)
(10,000)
(7,425)
(17,915)
(25,000)
-
(24,845)
(5,000)
(5,000)
(9,709)
(10,000)
(4,000)
(13,441)
-
(3,000)
(9,000)
(292)
(5,000)
(10,000)
(2,420)
-
-
(1,088)
(9,561)
(400)
(17,796)
(8,000)
(2,500)
(239,923)
Expenditure		 £
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,987
-
-
-
2,472
-
7,205
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,559
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000
-
9,000
-
(252)
-
903
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
49,874
At 31 March
2024
Transfers
between
funds &
gains /		 £
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,987
-
-
-
2,472
-
7,205
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,559
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000
-
9,000
-
(252)
-
903
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
49,874
At 31 March
2024
Transfers
between
funds &
gains /
49,874

40

St. Werburghs City Farm

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

17. Movements in funds (continued)

Movements in funds (continued)
Total restricted funds
Designated funds:
Total designated funds
Capital fund
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Three month operational reserve
Unrestricted funds		 55,429
107,426
107,426
328,524
26,448
462,398
517,827		 234,368
-
-
-
393,944
393,944
628,312		 (239,923)
-
-
(24,281)
(407,892)
(432,173)
(672,096)		 -
-
-
2,100
(2,100)
-
-		 49,874
107,426
107,426
306,343
10,400
424,169
474,043

18. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the current or prior period.

41