Charity Registration No. 106371 Company RegISon No. N1640683 (Northern Ireland) GROW-NI ANNUAL REpoRr AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
GROW-NI LEGALAND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Charity number 106371 Company number N1640683 Reg15tered office 2nd Floor 537 Antrim Road Belfast Trlortbern Ireland BT15 3BU Independent examfiner SLMD Limited Unli G Forestview Office Purd3 Laoe Belfast BT8 7AR
GROW-NI CONTENTS Page Tnttts' report Independent ¢xaminees rert Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to the accounts 7-13
GROW-NI TRUSTEES, REPORT NcLuDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Board of Grow-NI (Grow} present their report and accoutts for the year ended 31 Marth 2025. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out ID note I to the accounts and comply with the charity's govcrning documenL structure. Governance & Management Grow is registered as a cRwitable company limited by guarantee and is registered with HMRC and is governed by a Board of Trustees. Tbe Board members who served during the yeaT were: Tim Turner Clodagh Miskelly Patricia Wallace Una Duffy Karin Mccully Shannoj) Donnelly Resigned 01 May 2025 Se• (appointed 19 October 2025) Appointed 21 November 2024 We recrnit new Board member5 based on the needs of the Borf en5urin8 a good range of skills, experience and expertise. The work of the Board is supported by the Project Cordinator. Recruitment is by personal recommendations and advertising through our social media channels and NICVA. Candidates first meet th¢ Chair and Project Cfrordinator and attends a number of meetings before being invited to forn]ally join the committee. Election to the officer roles is by a vote of wmmittee members. Grow's Board meets monthly aftd is responsible for good governance. strdtegie direction and overseeing the operations of tbe charity. The Bi)ard are not involved in detailed op¢rdtionai mattets and decisions. Objectives and •¢tlvfiifies Our strategi¢ obje¢tive8 are: To work in partnership with local communities to support Social clw)ge and the development of healthy and inclusive neighbourhoods; focusing orA mental health and wellbeing. To promote and increase aworeness of the benefits of community gardeDing, the value of food security and the importance of sustainable developllLeDt. To develop skn.lls and knoWIge in relation to organic gardening and hcalthy eating within communities. To advise public authoritics alld community and voluntary groups on the development of strategies and plaDS foT creating organic community gardens. To develop a robus( transparent. accountable. well-managed organisation which effective administrative and fmancial system5 and achieves its goals.
GROW-NI TRUSTEES, REPORT (COI¥TINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 A£4RCH 2025 Achiev¢m¢nts and perfonDaDce This year has been both exciting and productivc for Grow, as our work ntInUeS to go from strength to strength despite an illcreaslngly challenging fullding ellvironmenL We have drawn deeply on our collective resourcefulness, creativity, and strong partncrships to navigate sevcral funding setbacks wbile maintaining the quality of our groups. gardens. and cornmunity space5. Our tenaLity has paid off: we aTe delighted to report that we have been awarded funding thTough the Nxtional Lottery Community Fund. This support will enable us to deliver a comprehensive three-year progrdD]me engaging more than 300 individuals facing challenges related to povety. rncntsl heal and immigrdtion stat. As an organisation working at the intersections of social 3nd envirotllental justi¢¢. w¢ are finding our skills and experience increasingly Tclevant and in demand. Communities are coming together to create local solutions to complex challenges, and community gardens prnvide the ideal setting for this collabordtive work. Through our projects, we help to build spaces of cooperation, crealivity. and comiection - sharing knOwIge and fostrring learning. actio and r¢connection with both people and place. The ripple effects of our work conttnu¢ to spread outward from our auchor garden at the Waterworks. through our ollaborations with grdSSroots or8anis8tions including C4mbenveU Cour¢ Manor Stree¢ Wave Traum4 Duneairn Arts Centre (North Belfast), GAP, Anans Glor Da Mon4 Forth$prillg and Newhill (W¢5t Belfastk Larder>East (East Belfast), Brlmk! (City Centre), and Friends of the Field (Soutb Belfast). Across these sites, we are exploring how ¢ornrnunities can become mor¢ resilient through growiD& cooking. foraglngg folk berba115m, ancestrnl sldlls, nature connecdo storyteUin& altrrnatlve energy* rewilding. edu¢atIO m¢nlal healtb, and anti-racism Trvork- and more. Our partner organisatiolls consistently tell us that Grow briDg5 a new and valuable dimension to th¢ir community developrnent. social justice. and human rights work. Many report an increased Confid¢¢ in taking their WO beyond the walls of offices and community centres, and into oUtd(r spaces where healing and ¢onn¢ction take place. The creation of Saf ineluslve outdoor spaces ha5 proven to be a powerful antidole to Isolatio fear, and division. This was especially evident following the ratlst Attacks In Augus( when women and children who were afraid to leave their homes found rege and comfort in our gardens - among fiiend5, in nature, and away from the Qnsion on city streets. Time and again, participants tell us that our spaces are Ivelcoming oas¢s- where tw feel support& and held by community and nature alike. The combined impacts of conflle¢ cllmate ehaDge, Ind biodfverslty l¢)ss are increasingly disTupting supply chains and deepenin8 poverty. For many people already oll the matgins, access to affonlable. healthy food is becoming ever more difficult. Through our continued collaboration with affected communities. Grow is well placed to help develop pla¢¢-based solutlon5 to these urgent challeng. Over the next three years. we will build on existing partnerships with Anaka Women's Collectiv4 GAP, Ind Larder>E&st to address inequalities in access to affordabl< nutritious, and culturally appropriaie We are also exploring creative ways to deepen OUT comiection to the land and its tKJtential to sustain and inspire us. Our partnership with Brink! and Qugrto on the A Growing Story projcct enabled us to test Dew ideas in a CÉty Centre setting- engaging new audiences, experimenting with natural fibre growingy traditional cooking structures such as the fulacht f. atEd facilitating city-wide convcrsations on key social and enviTonmetrtal issucs of our time. Over the past year, we have diversified our fundraising efforts by intmducing a chlrging m(Mlel for knining. workshops, and events - a strategy we plan to build on in the coming year. We also laullcbed an Enthuse campaign, appealing to the wider Grow community for support. The reSpO$C - both in donations and in heartfelt messages - providcd a vital boost to our unrestricted funds and morale during a difficult perio(L Our Christmas fimdraiser alone raised over £3,0(JO, for which w¢ are deeply grateful.
GROW-NI TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED)IINCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENI)ED 31 A£4RCH 2025 As always, we extend our sincere thaDks to our fullderN partners voluDteer4 ¥•d the wider Grow ¢ommunity for theiT continued support and solidarity. Nl neart go cur le chéile- we are stronger together. Trustees, Responsi11111es Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a and fair view of the state of affairs of the ChaTity and of the surplus OT deficit for the year then ended. In prq)aring those financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select witable accounting poli¢i¢s and then apply them wn5iStently" make judgements and estimates that are re&wnable and prud¢nL . prepare the financial statements and the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Cbarity will wntinue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting tecords which disclose with reasonable ¢llcY at any time the fllwicial position of the Charity and to enabl¢ them to ensure that the fanCiaL slalemeDts comply with relevant charity law requirernents. The Trustees are also responsible foT safeguarding the a&sets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Th¢ Trustees, report was approv by the Board of Trustees. T Turner IO'lj-.2f
GROW-NI INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GROW-NI I report on the accounts of the Tnte¢S for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 13. Respective responsibilities of Trnstees and examiner As thc charity's trustees you are Tesponsiblc for thc preparation of the accounts in accordance with thc Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under 5tion 65 of the Charities Act follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the ChaTity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charilies Aci state whether particular matter5 have rome to my attention. Basis of independcnt ciamiDer's report I have examined your charity accounts &8 required under section 65 of ihe ChaTiti&8 Act and my examination was carri¢d out in accordance with th¢ general directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Iteland under section 65(9}(b) of the Charities Act. The examination includ¢d a Teview of the accounting records kept by the charity aTbd a MpariSOn of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanation from you as the charity's concerning any such matters. My role is to stste whether any material matters have come to my allcntiott giving me cause to beIieve: That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of ihe CompaDie5 Act 2006 That the accounts do not accord with those accounting recorlts 3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the metbods and principles of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in aordance with the Financial Rep)rting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of IT¢land That there is further infOrntion Deeded for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Independent ex*miner's statement I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (l ) to (4) listed above and, in conncction with following the directions of the Cbarlty Commission for NortlLern Irelan4 I have found no matters that require drawing to YOUT attctttio Mrs Lisa Mccaffrey For and on bebalf of Brfdge, Chartered Accountants Forestview Office Purdy's Lane Belfast BT8 7AR l.::..l.LOIS
GROW-NI STATEMENT OF FINANCIALACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 21125 Total 2025 Total 2024 runds funds Note5 Eneome and eDdowments from: Donations and legacies Other income 102.706 102,706 11.582 77.543 205 11,582 Total income 11.582 102.706 114288 77,748 enditure on: Chan'lable activities 94.948 95.896 82,113 Net Incomel(expeDdlture) for the yearl Net movement In funds 10.634 7,758 18,392 (4.365) Fund balances at l April 2024 18,838 84.539 103.677 108.042 Fund balances at 31 March 2025 29,472 92,597 122,069 103.677 Th¢ statement of financial activities includes all gains and1055es recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The statement of financial activities also compli&s with the requiremthts for an InMe and expenditLwe account under the Companies Act 2006.
GROW-NI BALANCE SHEET ASA T31 MARCH2025 2025 2024 Notes Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand io 879 122.935 287 105.012 123.814 105,299 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year li {1,745) (l.622) Net current assets 122,069 103.677 Income fuods Restrided fimds Unrestricted fund8 12 92.597 29.472 84,839 18,838 122.069 103,677 Th¢ company is entitled to the exetnption from the audit requirement confained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2025. No member of the conu>any has dwsited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts. The TSleeS, responsibiltties for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting rerdS whith comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of tbe state of affairs of the company as at the end of the f1nancial year and of ils incoming resources and application of resources, including ils income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requlrements of StionS 394 and 395 and which othenvise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far &$ applicable to the company. These accounts have been prwed in accordance with the provislons applicable to comEwiies subject to the small ¢ompanies' r¢gitlle. The accounts w approved b 20,1( If T Turner Trustee Company Registrxtfion NIX N1640683
GROW~NI NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR EJVDED 31 A£4RCH 2025 Accountillg policies Charity infomation GROW-NI is a Private company limited by guardntec incorpoTatcd in Northern Ireland. The registered office is 2nd Floor. 537 Antrirn Road. Belfasl BT15 3BU, Northern Ireland. 1.1 Accounting convention The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the chwitys [governing document]. the Companies Act 2(K16 2nd "AcLounting and Reporting by CFwiti¢s: Statement of Recotnmended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the FitL3ncial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102)" (as amended for accounting rtriods commencing frorn l January 2016). The charity is a Public Bcncfit Intity as defined by FRS 102. The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for dwilies applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin I not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The accounts prepared in sterlin& which is the fimctional currew of the charity. Mon¢tory amounts in these financial ststements are rounded to the nearest £. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost Conventio m¢)dified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instnllnents at lair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Going ¢on¢ern At th¢ time of approving the accounts and in light of the on going wst of living crksis. the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the cFkarity has adequate resources to Continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Tntstees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts. IJ Charltable funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trtr¢S ID fiwtb¢raDce of their charitable objeciives unless the funds have been designated for other PUTtx)ses. RestTiCted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as lo how they may be wed. The purpos and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to thc aecounts. Endowment funds are subject to specific Conditio by donors that the capital be maintained by the ehaTity. 1.4 Incomfing resources Income is Tecognised when the charity is legally entiiled to it after any performance conditions have been mel, the amounts can be measured reliably. and it is probable that income will be received. C&5h donatiODS are recogni5ed OD receipt. Other donations are Jecognised once the ¢haTity h&8 been notified of the donation. unless perfornwice conditions require deferral of the arn(mt. Inwme tax recovcrablc in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recogniscd at the time of the donation. Legacies are recognised on receipt or oth¢TWiS¢ if th¢ charity t% been notified of an impending distribution, tbe amount is known. and weipt is expected. If the amount is not kno, the legacy is treatrd as a contingent asset. Turnover is measured at the fair value of th¢ CODsiderdtion received or receivable and represents amounts CeIvable for goods and services provided in the nonnal course of busin. net of dIOnts, VAT and oth¢r sales related taxes.
GROW-NI IYOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 A£4RCH 2025 AceouDting policies (Continued) 1.5 T4ngible red a55ets Tangible fed assets are initially rnea5 at cost and subsequffltty measured at cost OT valuation, net of depreciation and 8ny impairn]CDt Ios5C5. DepTeciation is recognised so as to vnite off the cost or valuation of assets less their Tesidual values over theiT useful livcs on the following basas: Computers Capitsliscd wt 150/0 Straigbt Lille 150/0 Strdight Line The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an is deterniined as th¢ diffeT¢nce between the sale Proceeds and the carrying value of the asse( and AS reCognd io net incom¢l(expenditure) for the year. 1.6 Cash aDd ¢85b equivalents Casb and cash e(wivalents Include c&sh in hand deposits b¢ld at call with banks, other short-tenn liquid investments with original maturities of three months OT 1¢5s. and bank overdrats. Bank overdrafts are thown within borrowings in UTr¢nt liabilities. 1.7 Financial instruwents The charity ha5 electcd to apply the provisions of Section 11 'BJ5i¢ FiDancial Instruments. and Sectton 12 '0ther Financial Instruments Issues. of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised it) the charity's bala¢ sbeet when the elwity becomes party to tbe contractual provisions of the insbvmenÉ. Financial &8sets and liabilities are offseL with the net amounts Present ID the financial statements, when theTe is a legally enforceable right to set off the trcognised amounts and there is an itktention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. Brtsicfvancial &ssets Basic fmancial asse which inelude debtors and and bank balances. are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carTFed amortised cost using the effective interest meth¢)d unles5 the arrangement constittltes a financing transactio where the trdnsaction is measured at the present value of the futUTe receipts. discounied at a market rate of interesL Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are noi aTnortiscd. B4sicfvanci4lliabililies Basic finallcial liabilities. including creditoT3 and bank loans are initially recognis¢d at transaction price unles5 the arrangement constitutes a financing trdnsaction. where the debt instrument is Measur at thc present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year &re not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cos¢ using thc cffcctivc interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for gTr)ds or services that hav¢ been a¢quired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are cla85ified as current liabiIities if pajinent is due within one Y or lcss. If not. Ihcy are presented as noD4Utrent liabilities. Trade creditors are tecogni5ed initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest m¢thod. Derecognition offinancial liabililies Financial liabilities are d¢rO81$ed when the charity's contracttwl obligations ¢xpir¢ or are discharged or eattcelled.
GROW-NI NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTtNUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 TrI4RCH 2025 A¢countivg poli¢ie8 (Continued) 1.8 Employee benefits The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is rccogDised in the pwiod in wbich the employee's services are received. Terniination benefits are recogtiised immthtcly as an cxpcn% when the charity is demonstrably conllnirted to tern)inate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. 1.9 Retirement benefits Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are ¢barged as an expense as they fall due. Criti¢al ac¢Dunting estlm4te5 and Judgements n the application of the charity's accounting policies, the Tnte¢S are required to make judgements, estitnates and assumption5 about the carrying amount of assets and liabiliti¢s that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated a&8umptions are b&sed on histori] experience and other fath)rs that are considered to b¢ relevanL Actual results may diff fr(mi th¢se &stimate8. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. RevisioDS to accounting estimates are iecognised in the pericd in which the eslin]ate is reviwj where the revision affects only that perio or in the period of the revision and fjjture perA(Mts where the revision affects both CUTrent and futute perio(Ls. Dongllon5 Ind leg4¢Ées 2025 2024 Grants received 102,706 77.543 Don*tlons #nd gifts Other Income 2025 2024 Other income 11.582 205
GROW-NI NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR TIIE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Charitable 4ctivitles 2025 2024 Slwe of support costs (see note 6) Share of governance costs (see note 6} 94.312 1.584 80.613 1,500 95,896 82,113 An•lysfis by fund Unrestricted fimds Restricted fimds 948 94,948 80 82.033 95.896 82,113 Support Costs Support costs Governanee Costs 2025 2024 Basls of allocatlon Staff costs Depreciation Travel Premises Equipmeni & Consumables Training & PrograTnm¢ Sundries Tclephone and internet Insur¢¢ Printing, postage and slationery Accountancy 54,776 54,776 51.840 83 84 2285 10,789 12,554 459 767 1,625 221 12,142 21,922 697 2200 12,142 21.922 697 669 1,749 1.749 63 63 1.584 127 I,5( Governance 1.584 94,312 1.584 95,896 82.113 Analysed between Charitable activities 94,312 1.584 95,896 82,113 Trustees None of the Tne¢S (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the ¢lwity dwing the year. io-
GROW-NI NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 h£4RCH 2025 Employee5 Number of employees The avcrage monthly number employees during thc year was: 2025 Number 2024 Number Employees 2025 2024 Employment ¢o$ts W8g¢s and salarie5 Swial security costs Other pension costs 50,059 3.682 1,035 47,785 3,120 935 54,776 51.840 There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60.IJY) or more.
GROW-NI NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATETs (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 hL4RCH 2025 nan¢ial instruments 2025 2024 Carrying amount of financial 8&*ets Ikbt instrurnents measured at amortised cost 879 287 Carrying wmount of financial liabilities Measured at amortised cost 1.745 1.622 io Debtors 2025 2024 Amounts falling due within one year: Other debtors 879 287 li Credltors: Amounts falling due within one yeAr 2025 2024 Accruals and deferred income 1,745 1,622 12 Restricted funds The income fimds of the charity include restricted ffijnds comprising th¢ fi)Ilowing unexpended balances of donations and grants held on Ist for specific purposes: Movement In funds Incoming Resources resources expended Balance at I April 2024 Balance at 31 March 2025 Lottery Funds Newington Housing Association PPR Danske Bank Encrgia Necessity Larder Brinkl Wave Queen's Community Nature Fund BCC 24227 6.8 19,882 7.0(K) 6.436 (26.566) {7,825) (4,881) (2,995) {20.887) (3,075) {5,885) (13,507) (234) (2.IK)O) (2.364) (1,800) (2,930) 17.543 6,083 1,555 2.995 19.034 25.0(M) 4.675 19.901 20.000 3.8(Kl 15.724 234 18,048 41,925 2,590 2217 5.000 1.800 2.930 2.636 Live Here Love Here 84.839 102.707 (94,949) 92,597 12-
GROW-NI NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEiYfs {CONTIF4UED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 NL4RCH 2025 13 Related party transaetions Therc were no disclosable related party tratLsactions during the year. 13-