Charity Number
SC045378
The Children's Wood
Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 October 2025
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The Children's Wood
Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administration Details | 3 |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 4 - 7 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 8 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 9 |
| Statement of Balances | 10 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 11 - 14 |
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Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
The Children's Wood
Reference and Administration Details
Charity Name
Charity Number Principal Address
Operating Address
Trustees
Independent Examiner
The Children's Wood SC045378
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Chairperson - appointed 9 December 2025 Chairperson - resigned 28 October 2025 Treasurer - appointed 28 October 2025 Treasurer - resigned 28 October 2025 Secretary- appointed 11 March 2025 Safeguarding
Appointed 11 March 2025 Appointed 11 March 2025 Appointed 28 October 2025 Appointed 28 October 2025
Brett Nicholls Associates Herbert House 24 Herbert Street Glasgow G20 6NB
Bankers
TSB Bank Henry Duncan House 120 George Street Edinburgh EH2 4LH
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The Children's Wood
Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Trustees' Annual Report
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 October 2025.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). It was registered in its current legal form on 27[th ] January 2015. It has a two tier structure and as such the charity's structure consists of members and the board of trustees.
The Charity Trustees hold regular meetings, communicate with each other regularly and generally control the activities of the SCIO. The Charity Trustees are referred to collectively as the “Board”. Trustees can be elected at any point throughout the year.
Objectives and Activities
Charitable Purposes
The advancement of education:
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Providing outdoor learning for children, young people and their carers
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Organising public and school events
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Working with schools and other organisations to educate about the benefits of learning and playing outside in nature
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The provision of recreational facility, or the organisation of recreational activities with the object of improving the conditions of life for persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended, by
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Preserving a woodland experience in the city so maintaining and protecting our local environment
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Creating opportunities for children and the community to play outside in nature and meet each other by organising playgroups and events
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Developing space for participants to explore in a safe and secure outdoor environment for the benefit of the community and its cohesion
The advancement of citizenship or community development:
• Training teachers, young people and volunteers
• Working with the local community around North Kelvin Meadow in the nearby wards within City of Glasgow (geographically this covers those living predominantly in the Maryhill/Kelvin, Canal, and Hillhead wards of the city)
• Creating intergenerational opportunities and engaging with harder to reach groups through events and linking up with other groups within the community
The advancement of arts, heritage, culture or science
- Through community projects and events.
Achievements and Performance
Charitable Activities
• The number of beneficiaries is calculated to be well over a thousand per year. Of these are 30 – 40 volunteers who help at events, maintain the land and its perimeter, assist with security and provide a friendly greeting for the many people who simply walk through or take a breather in a busy day.
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The Children's Wood
Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Trustees' Annual Report
Achievements and Performance
Charitable Activities
• We run a year-round programme of seasonal events – for example – Harvest Festival, Spring-time, Summer Fest and Halloween that welcome young and old to share music, storytelling & food. From 300-400 local residents attend these events.
• Our OVO Schools Programme continued to provide children with experiences that enable them to connect, value and understand their environment. They learn the real-life impact of climate change on their own eco systems and community. Schools which took part included St Charles, Dunard, North Kelvinside and Maryhill Primaries. Children enjoyed putting on “safari suits” to visit the Bee Dookit and learn how honey is made. The project concluded with an exhibition of the children’s work at the Children’s Wood. Reporting on the project was so regular and the content so impressive as evidence of children’s learning about the climate crisis, that OVO agreed to fund a third year.
• In June we celebrated 10 years since the charity was registered with OSCR with a treasure hunt, birthday cake, face painting and crafts. The day was a great success attracting families from the local area and beyond.
• Our popular transition days for Nursery to Primary and for Primary to Secondary were in great demand. Our Schools and Community Engagement Coordinator (SCEC) designs and leads a day of team challenges for the Primary 7s which includes preparing and eating “Meadow” soup and the deadly spider web experience. The day includes a chance to chat to secondary students about secondary school life.
• In August, as part of the preparation for return to school, we offered a Silent Disco which provides equipment to enable children and families to dance without disturbing the neighbours.
• Continuing our commitment to developing literacy skills, we have partnered with the Scottish Book Trust to provide a rich and diverse range of arts projects. Children have enjoyed meeting award winning authors, illustrators and story tellers. Many events are held out of doors under a canopy on the land while others take place as outreach visits. Teachers express appreciation for this support in developing literary skills which they are struggling to improve.
• Our twice weekly outdoor carer and toddler groups foster a sense of community connection and reduce social isolation. Pre-fives have the chance to participate in messy outdoor play in our mud kitchen, hammocks, rope swings and tree house.
• Our Community Garden welcomes volunteers three times a week for lessons in horticulture, growing vegetables and fruit. The art of scything has been fostered as this permits the meadow flowers to emerge.
• Our community composting facility was heavily used and appreciated.
• An appreciative member of the Toddler Group community, offered to set up a procedure for supporting new volunteers. People often offer help but are unsure where it is required. It may be possible to offer additional volunteering opportunities.
• A plan for managing and sustaining the land was drawn up which details the jobs over the seasons and states the number of volunteers required for each task.
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Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
The Children's Wood
Trustees' Annual Report
Charitable Activities
• Several groups used the land. Licketyspit ran sessions – picnic and play over the summer months culminating in a final large party when the land resonated to the sound of singing games and the laughter of children many from war-torn countries who are now New Scots.
Research
Find a Solution – University of Glasgow https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/glasgowsocialscienceshub/partners/ After selection from multiple applications, , Masters student in Social Science, was appointed as an intern for 8 weeks funded by the University of Glasgow. He produced a history of our charity and an excellent step by step guide to other communities wishing to develop a piece of derelict land into a community garden. Atreyo successfully nominated the Children’s Wood as “Employer of the Year”.
Collaborative Dissertation – University of Glasgow
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/social-urban-policy/
We were approached by a Masters student, Poorvi Vijay Kulkarni, who wished to write her dissertation on the feasibility of the charity purchasing the land. She drew on examples of successful purchases through the asset transfer legislation in Scotland.
Plans for future periods
• The Local Area Partnership has again provided a grant for the water connection. This with a generous donation from an individual and a grant from Incorporation of Bonnetmakers & Dyers of Glasgow will enable the water to be connected in 2025-2026.
• A rain water collection system at the Beedookit has been funded by the Mushroom Trust. The equipment will be installed in 2025-2026.
• The refurbishment of the old shed remains an ambition including reinstating the windows.
• We continue to seek funding for a compostable toilet for use by staff and volunteers.
• We will share the research undertaken by out two research students over the summer.
• We have a new strategy for the BeeDookit which should ensure the health of the bees and the opportunity for children to have a unique experience safely clad in protective bee suits
• We shall take part in WestFest 2026 demonstrating our part in creating a cohesive community. https://westfest.uk/
Financial Review
The charity generated a net surplus of £33,833 in the year ended 31 October 2025 (2024: deficit of £4,409). At 31 October 2025, total reserves stood at £80,169 (2024: £46,336), with £15,678 of these being unrestricted free reserves (2024: £8,844) and £64,491 being restricted reserves (2024: £37,492).
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Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
The Children's Wood
Trustees' Annual Report
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the charity to maintain reserves at a level sufficient to meet the total estimated obligations required in the event of winding up, plus working capital to cover day to day expenses and potential gaps between funding. This is estimated to be approximately £10,000. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that they will be able to continue the charity’s activities in the time taken to secure new projects.
At 31 October 2025, unrestricted free reserves equalled £15,678. The trustees are therefore satisfied that this policy is broadly being achieved, and are confident that unrestricted net income will be generated such that the target level of reserves will be maintained.
The trustees declare that they have approved the report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees:
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Date: 19/02/2026 38360000-8D4E-666B-1ED9-08DE6D7A8585
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The Children's Wood
Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Independent Examiner's Report
| Report to the trustees of | The Children's Wood |
|---|---|
| Registered charity number | SC045378 |
| Accounts of the charity for the period | 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 |
| Set out on pages | 9 - 14 |
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner:
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's statement:
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner's statement:
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to:
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keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
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prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Date: 20/02/2026 38360000-8D4E-666B-1EF9-08DE6D7A8585
Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Brett Nicholls Associates
Herbert House, 24 Herbert Street, Glasgow, G20 6NB
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The Children's Wood
Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Receipts and Payments Account
| Receipts Notes Grants 3 Donations 4 Charitable Activities 5 Other Income 6 Payments Charitable Activities Costs 7 Net Receipts/-Payments Funds Brought Forward Funds Carried Forward 9 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 1,250 104,634 105,884 4,399 100 4,499 1,289 400 1,689 4,422 - 4,422 11,360 105,134 116,494 4,526 78,135 82,661 6,834 26,999 33,833 8,844 37,492 46,336 £15,678 £64,491 £80,169 |
2024 Total £ 57,455 16,811 2,926 857 78,049 82,458 (4,409) 50,745 £46,336 |
|---|---|---|
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The Children's Wood
Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Statement of Balances
| Opening Cash and Bank Balances Surplus/-Deficit for the year Closing Cash and Bank Balances |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 8,844 37,492 46,336 6,834 26,999 33,833 15,678 64,491 80,169 |
2024 Total £ 50,745 (4,409) 46,336 |
|---|---|---|
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
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Date: 16/02/2026 38360000-8D4E-666B-1EF0-08DE6D7A8585
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The Children's Wood
Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Notes to the Accounts
1. General Information
The Children's Wood ("the charity") is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its constitution. It was registered as a charity in Scotland (registered number SC045378) on 27 January 2015. Its registered address is Po
2. Basis of Preparation
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
| 3. Grants | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 850 Fund | . | 710 | 710 | . |
| Area Partnership | - | 5,726 | 5,726 | 955 |
| Bellahouston Bequest Fund | - | 5,000 | 5,000 | - |
| Commonweal 2023 | - | 2,700 | 2,700 | - |
| Craft Prospect | : | 6,000 | 6,000 | - |
| Glasgow CityCouncil | - | - | - | - |
| GlasgowCommunity Food Network | . | 2,992 | 2,992 | : |
| Glasgow Wellbeing Fund | - | 1,990 | 1,990 | - |
| Greggs Foundation | - | 40,800 | 40,800 | 20,000 |
| Hugh Fraser Foundation | - | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Incorporation ofBonnetmakers& Dyers ofGlasgow | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Incorporation ofGardeners | - | - | 3,000 | |
| JTH Charitable Trust | - | - | 500 | |
| MEB Charitable Trust | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| Other Small Grants | 250 | . | 250 | : |
| Ovo Charitable Foundation | - | 27,500 | 27,500 | 25,000 |
| PF Charitable Trust | - | 2,000 | 2,000 | - |
| The Mushroom Trust | - | 1,200 | 1,200 | - |
| Thistledown Trust | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| University ofGlasgow | . | 2,016 | 2,016 | . |
| 1,250 | 104,634 | 105,884 | 57,455 |
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The Children's Wood
Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Notes to the Accounts
| 4. Donations Individual Donations 5. Charitable Activities Income Delivery of Events 6. Other Income Employment Allowance 7. Charitable Activities Costs Staff Costs Salaries Staff expenses Running Costs Accounting Support Bank Charges Equipment Facilities Hire IT & Software Insurance Materials & events Payroll Fees Postage and stationery Professional Fees Rent/Lease of Buildings Subcontractor Subscriptions Training Transfers to G20 Works Travel & subsistence |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 4,399 100 4,499 Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 1,289 400 1,689 Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 4,422 - 4,422 Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 1,177 59,083 60,260 499 3,560 4,059 1,676 62,643 64,319 1,320 1,066 2,386 5 5 - - 431 21 452 683 683 156 4,842 4,998 779 779 69 69 40 1,050 1,090 - 7,500 7,500 - 50 105 155 - 225 225 4,526 78,135 82,661 |
2024 Total £ 16,811 2024 Total £ 2,926 2024 Total £ 857 2024 Total £ 48,592 1,625 50,217 2,130 - 216 50 554 594 3,643 212 - 3,630 750 9,587 62 1,653 9,160 - 82,458 |
|---|---|---|
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The Children's Wood Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Notes to the Accounts
8. Related Party Transactions
During the year to 31 October 2025, no trustees received any remuneration (2024: nil). Expenses totalling £729 were reimbursed to two trustees in the year (2024: £549).
During the year to 31 October 2025, the charity received a grant from Craft Prospect of £6,000 which is a company owned by Stephen Greenland who is a trustee of the charity.
| 9. Funds Analysis Unrestricted General Restricted 850 Fund Area Partnership 24-25 Area Partnership water 2025 Bee Legacy - Kathy Friend Bellahouston Bequest Fund Bushcraft Skills Course Commonweal 2023 Craft Prospect Glasgow Community Food Glasgow Wellbeing Fund Greggs Foundation Hugh Fraser - year 2 (24-25) Incorporation of Bonnetmakers & Dyers of Glasgow JustGiving MEB Charitable Trust Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust Ovo Charitable Foundation PF Charitable Trust The Mushroom Trust Thistledown Trust University of Glasgow Grand Total |
Opening Closing Balance Balance 1 Nov 24 Receipts Payments Transfers 31 Oct 25 £ £ £ £ £ 8,844 11,360 4,526 - 15,678 - 710 710 - - - 408 408 - - - 5,318 - - 5,318 11,723 - 1,226 - 10,497 - 5,000 123 4,877 1,726 - 2,121 395 - 616 3,200 2,877 - 939 - 6,000 - - 6,000 - 2,992 2,992 - - - 1,990 1,990 - 2,000 40,800 21,020 - 21,780 1,477 4,000 5,477 - - 2,921 - - - 2,921 1,492 - 579 (395) 518 - 1,000 1,000 - - 4,000 4,000 - - 10,537 27,500 29,596 - 8,441 1,000 2,000 2,000 - 1,000 - 1,200 - - 1,200 - 1,000 - - 1,000 - 2,016 2,016 - 37,492 105,134 78,135 - 64,491 46,336 116,494 82,661 - 80,169 |
|---|---|
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The Children's Wood Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Notes to the Accounts
10. Purposes of Funds
General Funds - unrestricted free reserves of the charity Area Partnership 24-25 - towards gardening equipment Area Partnership Water 2025 - towards costs of the mains water connection Bee Legacy - Kathy Friend - towards the upkeep of bees, events and general costs Bellahouston Bequest Fund - towards the cost of a beekeeper, bee equipment, maintenance Bushcraft Skills Course - towards core costs Commonweal 23 - towards author events Craft Prospect ltd - towards mains water connection Glasgow Community Food - towards a composting project (including new composting bins) Glasgow Wellbeing Fund - towards delivering volunteer gardening sessions Greggs Foundation - towards core costs Hugh Fraser 2024 - towards core costs Inc of Bonnetmakers & Dyers - towards mains water connection JustGiving - towards core costs MEB Charitable Trust - towards core costs Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust - towards core costs Ovo Charitable Foundation - for OVO Climate sessions PF Charitable Trust - towards core costs The Mushroom Trust - for a water project to catch rainwater Thistledown Trust - towards core costs University of Glasgow - funding towards an 8 week student intern programme
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