Finance Score: 5
Governance Score: 6
Support Score: 12
  • Good reserves management: +3
  • Strong growth: +2
  • Good trustee age range: +3
  • Dynamic board: +3
  • Overall weighted support: +12
Overall GiG Score: 23 ?

TRUST LINKS LIMITED

We are a charity aimed at providing support to improve mental health and well being, by promoting, inspiring and cultivating wellness and sustainable living.
Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

  • The charity has received backing from multiple prominent grant makers recently
  • Reserves management has been consistently within official guidelines
  • There has been strong growth in spending over the last 5 years
  • There have been no material income shortfalls in recent years
  • The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age and dynamic in terms of composition

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

  • Over half the Board have joined recently

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?
Sources of Income ?
Y/E Income
£k
Spending
£k
Surplus/
Deficit £k
Fundraising
Cost £k
Total
Funds £k
Unrestricted
Funds £k
Mths
Rsrvs
Staff Volun-
teers
31/03/24£1,877£1,852£25£0£1,102£5563.669167
31/03/23£1,837£1,564£273£9£1,076£517462166
31/03/22£1,600£1,438£163£0£804£5184.358150
31/03/21£1,109£1,044£65£7£641£3564.149105
31/03/20?£881£837£43£0£576£3354.83580
31/03/18£585£578£7£0£528£2755.7150
31/03/17£636£570£66£0£503£2475.2200
31/03/16£416£326£90n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/15£407£366£41n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/14£414£407£7n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/13£316£293£22n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/12£209£187£23n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/11£211£194£16n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/10£295£283£13n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/09£253£210£43n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/08£223£176£47n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/07£187£202£-15n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/06£233£183£50n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/05*£158£106£52n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/04£114£117£-3n/an/an/an/an/an/a

Financial Ratios
Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 0%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 0%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 4%
Highest pay band: £60,000-£70,000
Liabilities/Assets: 29%
Liabilities/Income: 24%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 50%
Reserves/Spending: 3.6 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 3 months
Quick Ratio: 1.6
Asset Split ?
Balance Sheet History
Established: 22 years

www.trustlinks.org

admin-support@trustlinks.org

01702213134

Charity Commission for England and WalesCompanies House
UN SDGs
?
Listed activities
  • Arts/Culture/Heritage/Science
  • Disability
  • Economic/Community Development/Employment
  • Education/Training
  • Environment/Conservation/Heritage
  • General Charitable Purposes
  • The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
GiG Classification
  • Emotional support, counselling or therapy
How it operates
  • Acts as an umbrella or resource body
  • Provides advocacy/advice/information
  • Provides buildings/facilities/open space
  • Provides human resources
  • Provides services
  • Sponsors or undertakes research
Where it operates
  • Essex, Southend-on-sea, Thurrock,
Who it helps
  • Children/Young People
  • Elderly/Old People
  • Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
  • Other Defined Groups
  • People With Disabilities
  • The General Public/Mankind

Who supports them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Major supporters in last 5 years
National Lottery Community Fund£712,529
Essex Community Foundation£161,419
BBC Children in Need£125,635
DCMS£105,306
Wolfson Foundation£60,000
Garfield Weston Foundation£40,000
Department for Work and Pensions£35,047
The Clothworkers Foundation£34,825
Specific Donations
Amount When
Months
To be used for
Wolfson Foundation - Grant to Trust Links
£60,000 06/12/2023
Therapeutic community garden and building for adults with mental health needs and learning disabilities (the Gunny Project)
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Trust Links - Growing Together Basildon
£1,009 21/10/2023
Growing Together Basildon is a new community garden in Vange, providing therapeutic gardening and positive activities to improve health and wellbeing.
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Trust Links
£1,023 21/10/2023
The Growing Together Cressing Temple project provides therapeutic community gardening to improve mental health and wellbeing. We would like to buy seeds, tools and compost so we can help more people.
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Trust Links
£1,502 21/10/2023
We would like art materials, music and sports equipment for courses and workshops run by REACH Recovery College, which aims to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Essex Community Foundation - Trust Links Ltd
£4,000 20/07/2023
to install flushing toilets at the Growing Together Shoeburyness site, increasing accessibility to the communities using it
The Clothworkers Foundation - Grant to Trust Links
£30,000 23/05/2023
0
Installation of toilet facilities for a charity which works with people with mental health issues in Essex
Essex Community Foundation - Trust Links Ltd
£8,000 09/03/2023
to run a peer and mental health support group for women in South East Essex who have experienced domestic abuse
Essex Community Foundation - Trust Links Ltd
£1,000 17/11/2022
to help continue the development of the organisation and build on areas that have been identified whilst participating on the Thrive Programme
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Growing Together Rochford
£3,750 22/10/2022
Growing Together Rochford provides community gardening, training, positive activities and peer support every Friday for adults with mental health problems and learning disabilities.
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Growing Together Shoeburyness
£1,968 22/10/2022
We would like to purchase compost, seeds and tools for our community gardening, training, activities and peer support for people with learning disabilities or poor mental health.
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Growing Together Thundersley
£2,556 22/10/2022
Growing Together Thundersley provides community gardening, training, positive activities and peer support for adults with mental health problems and learning disabilities, and a community shed.
Co-Operative Group - Grant to St Laurence Community Orchard
£2,537 22/10/2022
St Laurence Community Orchard enables local people of all ages to connect with food growing, engage with nature and enjoy this historic orchard together.
Essex Community Foundation - Building Bridges in Southend
£30,000 20/10/2022
to develop a mental health programme by Trustlinks in conjunction with C.A.S.T for BAME and refugees and asylum seekers in Southend
BBC Children in Need - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£500 20/10/2022
0
‘Cost of Living uplift: £500 to help projects meet their rising costs and respond to increased demand 31/10/2022’
National Lottery Community Fund - Growing Together Basildon uplift
£31,731 11/08/2022
This funding will support Trust Links to build their therapeutic community garden project in Vange Basildon replicating their other Growing Together projects across the county. Trust Links plans to establish the Growing Together Basildon project ....more
Department for Work and Pensions - MENTERPRISE - ESX- FSF - 10403925 - JUNE 2022
£5,297 01/04/2022
Flexible Support Fund (FSF) is a locally managed budget to supplement existing services and tailor support to the needs of individuals in the local area. The local budget is the responsibility of the Service Leader. FSF awards are discretionary and ....more
Essex Community Foundation - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£15,000 31/03/2022
towards the operational costs of a charity providing mental health support and befriending across Southend, Castle Point and Rochford
Essex Community Foundation - Natural Jubilee Garden Art
£8,000 23/03/2022
for a series of workshops creating art celebrating the queen’s jubilee which will be exhibited over the Jubilee weekend in Southend
Garfield Weston Foundation - Multi-Year Grant (3 Years) award
£20,000 18/02/2022
36
Growing Together therapeutic gardening project
Essex Community Foundation - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 10/02/2022
to establish and run a level 1 qualification in practical horticulture for adults with mental health problems in the Southend and surrounding area
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 25/01/2022
Southend Heritage Dyeing Project
National Lottery Community Fund - Growing Together Basildon
£180,803 02/12/2021
The funding will develop a new Growing Together Basildon therapeutic community garden project in Vange an area of multiple deprivation in south Essex. The project will improve places and spaces in a deprived area of Basildon. Growing Together ....more
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Trust Links - Growing Together Shoeburyness
£1,924 23/10/2021
We would like to buy tools, seeds and compost for Growing Together, a therapeutic garden for adults with mental health issues, children and young people.
Essex Community Foundation - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£20,000 22/06/2021
to help an organisation providing mental health support to people in South Essex develop a COVID safe kitchen facility and deliver a recovery programme for vulnerable young people affected by the COVID19 pandemic
Essex Community Foundation - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£9,950 27/05/2021
to set up a new community shed project in Shoeburyness to alleviate isolation and aid good mental health
National Lottery Community Fund - Growing Together
£499,995 08/04/2021
The funding will be used continue the ‘Growing Together’ programme which is a person-centered grassroots therapeutic community garden project which aims to improve mental health wellbeing and other outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged ....more
Garfield Weston Foundation - Multi-Year Grant (3 Years) award
£20,000 19/02/2021
36
Growing Together therapeutic gardening project
Tudor Trust - Grant to Trust Links
£2,000 14/01/2021
as an additional grant to support staff, volunteer and trustee wellbeing, to assist the organisation deliver its charitable purpose more effectively
Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Trust Links Ltd - 18/12/20
£1,250 13/01/2021
Growing Together Shoeburyness
BBC Children in Need - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£99,735 21/12/2020
This project will deliver support groups, after-school clubs and workshops to children and young people experiencing mental health issues in Southend-on-Sea. The activities will result in improved well-being, confidence and engagement in education.
BBC Children in Need - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£22,400 30/11/2020
This project will deliver activities and workshops surrounding mental health to children and young people affected by various mental health issues. The activities will result in improved mental health awareness, confidence and educational engagement.
DCMS - VSCE CMC Fund
£37,306 08/10/2020
NET, Comic Relief and Children in Need will use this funding to provide: increased support to vulnerable people and hidden groups, thus reducing the burden on public services; reach local grassroots and small organisations who can provide an ....more
Essex Community Foundation - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£40,469 06/10/2020
for the operational costs of an organisation providing mental health support to people in South Essex during COVID19
Lloyds Bank Foundation - Variation grant to Trust Links Limited
£8,456 23/07/2020
Grant to Trust Links Limited meeting the additional costs of adapting services, premises or implementing other safety measures in response to the Covid pandemic.
DCMS - Coronavirus Community Support Fund
£65,000 17/07/2020
"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to operate, thereby reducing the burden on public ....more
BBC Children in Need - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£3,000 17/06/2020
6
COVID19 - This grant will fund online delivery of activities and the delivery of activity packs for children and young people from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds who are isolated at home due to Covid-19; and help improve their ....more
DCMS - VSCE CMC Fund
£3,000 18/05/2020
NET, Comic Relief and Children in Need will use this funding to provide: increased support to vulnerable people and hidden groups, thus reducing the burden on public services; reach local grassroots and small organisations who can provide an ....more
CAF - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£5,000 21/04/2020
3
Grant to Trust Links Ltd to support the organisation through COVID19
The Clothworkers Foundation - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£4,825 20/04/2020
COVID19 : Purchase of IT and security equipment for a charity that supports people sufferin from poor mental health in Essex
Department for Work and Pensions - FSF Partnership TRUST LINKS 50+ OAK CLUB
£29,750 01/04/2020
To move claimants either into work or closer to work.
Tudor Trust - Grant to Trust Links (COVID19 Grant)
£6,000 26/03/2020
12
as a development grant towards the costs of devices to enable staff to provide support to people with mental health problems in South Essex during the Coronavirus lockdown
Essex Community Foundation - Core costs
£15,000 31/01/2020
11
Towards the running costs of an organisation assisting people with mental health problems in the South East Essex
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Trust Links
£2,921 15/11/2019
We want to buy seeds, tools and compost and have supportive staff to keep transforming lives at our Growing Together Shoeburyness project.
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 26/09/2019
An Accessible, Inclusive and Wildlife-Friendly Labyrinth
Essex Community Foundation - Youth Wellbeing Voices
£5,000 06/09/2019
12
Towards the costs of a young peoples mental health and wellbeing campaign group in South Essex
Sport England - Multisport for Wellbeing
£2,832 06/08/2019
11
Funding under Sport England's Small Grants funding programme for a Revenue project titled Multisport for Wellbeing. This project is a Multi Sports project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Tudor Trust - Grant to Trust Links
£90,000 19/07/2019
36
over three years towards core costs at a mental health and wellbeing charity in Southend, Essex
National Lottery Community Fund - Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub
£10,000 06/06/2019
12
The organisation will use the funding to run a mental health and wellbeing hub for adults with mental ill-health in order to provide important support.
Essex Community Foundation - Growing Together Westcliff improvements
£4,000 25/04/2019
9
To make structural improvements to a therapeutic gardening project in Westcliff supporting people with mental health needs
Essex Community Foundation - Mental Health Practitioner at Growing Together
£6,800 28/02/2019
12
To help with the cost of employing a Mental Health Practitioner to support adults with mental health problems at a horticultural project based in Westcliff
Comic Relief - Beyond Grants Pilot
£40,000 10/02/2019
3
Trust Links would like Comic Relief to fund two exciting projects to help build the sustainability ofthe charity. Firstly, a mobile catering van would enable Trust Links to develop a social enterprise, providing work experience, brand awareness, ....more
Garfield Weston Foundation - Main Grants award
£20,000 05/12/2018
Trust Links
Lloyds Bank Foundation - Grant to Trust Links Limited
£75,000 18/10/2018
36
This mental health charity in Southend provides a range of therapeutic and peer activities as part of their recovery focussed support. The REACH Recovery College aims to support recovery from secondary services and promote independent living.
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 16/10/2018
Bird & Bat Life at Growing Together Westcliff
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£9,900 21/08/2018
Rochford Wildlife Workshops
Essex Community Foundation - Growing Together - Training & Employment Support
£10,000 09/08/2018
11
Towards the post of a part-time Support Worker to run the Job Club at therapeutic gardening projects in Westcliff and Shoeburyness assisting adults with mental health problems and mild learning disabilities
National Lottery Community Fund - Building developments - Growing Together
£10,000 27/03/2018
12
The group will hire a team of specialists to put together a plan of works towards demolishing existing buildings, constructing three new structures and landscaping areas of the site. The aim of the project is to improve the site for the community.
Essex Community Foundation - Growing Together Thundersley
£4,500 20/03/2018
0
To support a therapeutic gardening project in Thundersley for adults with mental health issues
National Lottery Community Fund - Growing Together Westcliff & Shoeburyness
£315,000 10/01/2018
36
The project will support the recovery and wellbeing of people who experience mental health problems, including those with mild learning disabilities. They will provide social and therapeutic community gardening activities as well as a range of peer ....more
Essex Community Foundation - Growing Together - supporting adults with mental health problems
£10,000 17/11/2017
11
To help employ a Mental Health Practitioner to support adults with mental health problems at a horticultural project based in Westcliff
BBC Children in Need - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£30,000 13/11/2017
36
Outdoor activities in a community garden for children aged 0-18 who experience poverty and social isolation. Activities like bug hunting, den building and gardening will help increase self-belief, build positive relationships and develop practical ....more
Comic Relief - CrowdMatch
£2,500 27/09/2017
12
Crowdmatch funding to support outdoor therapeutic project costs, including costs of keeping therapeutic pets.
Garfield Weston Foundation - Main Grants award
£10,000 06/07/2017
Trust Links core costs
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 11/04/2017
Heritage Gardens
Comic Relief - Trust Links core strength and capacity building
£40,000 30/11/2016
24
From its three community garden sites in disadvantaged areas of Southend, Trust Links provides therapeutic horticultural activities for people with learning and physical disabilities, mental health problems and dementia, as well as excluded young ....more
Essex Community Foundation - Mental Health Practitioner for Growing Together
£5,000 16/11/2016
11
To help employ a Mental Health Practitioner to support adults with mental health problems at a project based in Westcliff
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 08/09/2016
Shoebury Hub Garden Project
Masonic Trust - Core funding
£5,000 20/07/2016
Therapeutic activities, particularly horticulture, for people with mental health problems.
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 30/06/2016
Gardening for Wildlife Workshops
National Lottery Community Fund - Green House Resource Centre Thundersley
£10,000 17/05/2016
12
This charity will use the funding to refurbish its portakabin so that it can offer a tool shed, common room, toilet facilities, small kitchen for use by gardeners and training and activity space for clients of the garden and other local vulnerable ....more
National Lottery Community Fund - TPP1 - Growing Together Shoeburyness
£25,000 29/03/2016
11
They will receive £25,000 to transform an abandoned one acre site in Shoeburyness into a productive community garden. It provides activities like gardening, building work, landscaping, cooking, crafts and community events. The project will ....more
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 25/06/2015
Growing Together Thundersley - Developing a new community garden
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Trust Links Ltd
£10,000 09/12/2014
St Laurence Orchard
National Lottery Community Fund - Growing Together Shoeburyness: Feature Garden Entrance
£10,000 26/11/2014
12
Not Available
Lloyds Bank Foundation - Grant to Trust Links Limited
£40,000 28/02/2014
The charity supports people with mental health and learning disabilities. Using horticulture and training those supported gain improved health and well being, increased social networks and improved vocational skills.
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Trust Links
£60,000 23/01/2014
36
towards three years' continuation funding for the salary of a Horticultural Support Worker at a social and therapeutic gardening project for adults with mental health problems in Essex
National Lottery Community Fund - Growing Together Shoeburyness
£300,000 12/07/2012
60
The aim of this new project is to improve the health and wellbeing and support the recovery of adults and young people experiencing or at risk of mental health problems in Shoeburyness, Southend. This will be achieved by delivering social and ....more
Show more rows

Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (10)
Current Trustees appointed
Gender Split

Age Range of Trustees: 34-68
  • ALEXANDRA JAE PATERSON Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Client Development Manager
  • JACKIE BLISS (Chair) Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Retired
  • JANET PHILLIPS Appointed: 2016, Occupation: Education Manager
  • JONATHAN HODGE Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Solicitor
  • JULIA GRUDNIEWICZ BOX Appointed: 2024
  • LUCY NORMAN Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Hr Manager
  • MICHAEL WILLIAM ANDERSON Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Chartered Project Manager
  • PAUL MALCOLM BRIDGES Appointed: 2017, Occupation: Equity Manager
  • PAULINE STRATFORD Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Retired
  • SONYA DALLAT Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Communications Manager
Legal constitution
  • Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 31/05/2002, number: 1092324
  • Registered at Companies House on 10/01/2002, number: 04351216
Gift Aid
  • Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid
Policies in force
  • Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
  • Complaints handling
  • Complaints policy and procedures
  • Conflicting interests
  • Financial reserves policy and procedures
  • Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
  • Internal risk management policy and procedures
  • Investing charity funds policy and procedures
  • Paying staff
  • Risk management
  • Safeguarding policy and procedures
  • Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
  • Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
  • Social media policy and procedures
  • Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
  • Trustee expenses policy and procedures
  • Volunteer management
Filing Record
20 returns made; AR05: 31 days late,
Main office

THE GROWING TOGETHER GARDENS
47 FAIRFAX DRIVE
WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA
SS0 9AG

Objectives

(I) THE SUPPORT OF PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY AND THEIR CARERS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, LEARNING DISABILITIES AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, IN ESSEX, PARTICULARLY, BUT NOT BY WAY OF LIMITATION, BY PROVIDING OR ASSISTING IN THE PROVISION OF A THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT, SUPPORT, COUNSELLING, TRAINING, INFORMATION, RESEARCH AND FORUMS THAT BRING TOGETHER SERVICE USERS, CARERS AND WORKERS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT WELLBEING AND PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH;(II) TO PROVIDE AND SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS.

Defined Area of Benefit:

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA AND SURROUNDING AREA

Data Sources

Charity Commission for England and Wales
360 Giving

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