Trustees’ Annual Report
For the period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025
1. Reference and Administrative Details
Charity name: Green Spaces Community Growing Project Charity number: 110364
Registered address: 44 Moygannon road, Warrenpoint, Co. Down, BT343QJ, N. Ireland Reporting period: 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025
2. Structure, Governance and Management
The organisation became a registered charity in February 2025 and is governed by a committee of trustees who are responsible for the strategic direction, financial oversight and legal compliance of the charity.
The charity operates as a community-based horticulture and environmental
organisation, delivering activities on its garden site and through outreach programmes with partner organisations.
Trustees meet regularly to review progress, oversee finances and approve funding applications and project delivery.
3. Objectives and Activities
The charity’s objectives are to:
Promote environmental awareness and sustainable horticulture
Provide opportunities for learning, wellbeing and community engagement
Improve access to green space and nature
Support community development through gardening, education and volunteering
To further these objectives during the year, the charity delivered:
On-site gardening, environmental and wellbeing activities
Outreach workshops to community groups
Educational programmes for schools and the wider public
Volunteer engagement and skills development
A programme of events, demonstrations and exhibitions
4. Achievements and Performance
This was a highly productive year for the charity. Significant progress was made in both organisational development and physical infrastructure.
Major improvements were made to the garden, including:
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Planting of additional fruit trees
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Creation of new growing beds
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Installation of a pond and sensory area
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Construction of a new polytunnel
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Erection of a new shed
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Development of a covered area for indoor workshops
These improvements greatly increased the charity’s capacity to deliver its objectives and host community and educational activities.
The charity expanded its outreach work, delivering workshops for community groups across Newry and Mourne. This generated unrestricted income, allowed outstanding debts from the previous year to be cleared, and significantly raised the profile of the organisation.
The charity also participated in a wide range of partnerships and public events, including environmental campaigns, community festivals, school engagement and collaborative projects with conservation and regeneration organisations.
A major highlight was the two-day Warrenpoint Horticultural Show, held in Warrenpoint Town Hall. This involved hundreds of local primary school pupils on the first day and hundreds of community members, stakeholders and partner organisations on the second day. The event demonstrated the impact and ambition of the charity and was very well received by all participants.
The charity also received media recognition, including a visit from BBC Radio Ulster’s Gardeners’ Corner, which further raised awareness of its work.
5. Volunteers
Volunteer numbers rose with increased active recruitment during the year. We also organised open volunteering days and employer supported volunteering, this along with the development of new role descriptions and our social media presence served to increase range and scope of our opportunities for engagement. However some existing volunteers reduced their involvement due to health or personal commitments. The charity’s achievements during the year were made possible by the commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of its volunteers and members.
6. Financial Review
The charity began the financial year with a balance of £3,406.20.
The charity secured a strong level of grant funding, including:
Keep NI Beautiful (Live Here Love Here): £2,700
DAERA (two grants – 85% funding): £3,234.23
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (retrospective): £1,650
The charity was able to repay in full:
A £3,000 start-up loan from Mr Chris Gibbons
A £2,000 temporary loan from SAWN used to bridge a DAERA grant
This strengthened the charity’s financial position and removed all outstanding liabilities. Additional income was generated through workshops and donations, totalling £1,340, providing valuable unrestricted funds.
7. Reserves Policy
The trustees aim to maintain a modest level of reserves to allow the charity to manage cash flow, particularly where grant funding requires expenditure in advance of reimbursement.
8. Plans for Future Periods
For the period 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026, the charity plans to:
Deliver a nature-themed arts programme funded by Community Foundation NI (£1,840)
Build an indoor space to increase capacity to deliver onsite workshops
Use a £250 Co-op voucher awarded through The Big Lunch Eden Project competition
Continue volunteer recruitment and engagement
Support volunteers involved in the Tidy Towns / Beautiful Warrenpoint initiative and develop that partnership
Develop a collaborative project with Cooley Connect Well and other cross border and cross community projects
Apply for appropriate funding to improve access and deliver horticultural training
Expand community workshops and educational activity
9. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and charity regulations.
Trustee Declaration
The trustees confirm that the information provided in this return is accurate and reflects the charity’s activities and financial position for the reporting period.
Signed:
Name: Roisin Murray- Gibbons Position: Trustee / Chair Date:
Trustee Declaration
Signed:
Name: Colette Ruddy
Position: Trustee / Chair