Finance Score: -5

Governance Score: 0

Support Score: 3

Volatile income & significant deficit in latest year: -5
No PartB

(no info on trustees)

Grant maker support: +3

Overall GiG Score: -2

NATURAL CONNECTIONS

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

There have been no material income shortfalls in recent years
A significant proportion of recent income was derived from major grant makers

Financial issues to consider:

Income has been volatile recently and was significantly lower than spending in the latest year

Established: 8 years

www.naturalconnections.org.uk

Financial Data

Income & Spending ?

Period ending	31/03/18	31/03/19	31/03/20	31/03/21	31/03/22	31/03/23
Total income	£12,123	£16,098	£20,109	£25,805	£29,861	£242
Total spending	£31,192	£16,726	£15,786	£22,530	£15,096	£21,868
Surplus/deficit	-£19,069	-£628	£4,323	£3,275	£14,765	-£21,626

Listed activities

It carries out activities or services itself

Purposes

The advancement of education
The advancement of environmental protection or improvement

Where it operates

More than one local authority area in Scotland, main operating location: East Lothian

Who it helps

No specific group, or for the benefit of the community

Who's supporting them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

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

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
National Lottery Community Fund - Heugh Community Garden
£9,896	10/11/2021	This group will use the funding to run an outreach project to help people for the local area develop their gardens to grow food.
Scottish Government - Natural Connections
£5,000	15/03/2021	Detailed description not provided.
National Lottery Community Fund - Heugh Community Garden
£9,895	30/01/2018 12	This group based in Tranent, East Lothian, are developing a brown field site into a community growing space. They will use the funding to develop an outdoor kitchen where people will be able to learn ....more This group based in Tranent, East Lothian, are developing a brown field site into a community growing space. They will use the funding to develop an outdoor kitchen where people will be able to learn about one pot cooking after having taken part in growing the ingredients.
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations - SHEDS (Society Helping to Engage, Develop and Succeed)
£4,623	02/12/2016	SHEDS is aimed at older people within communities who are retired, socially isolated and looking for something purposeful to do or even to make new friends. We have had various conversations with the ....more SHEDS is aimed at older people within communities who are retired, socially isolated and looking for something purposeful to do or even to make new friends. We have had various conversations with the Tranent community, (by working in partnership with STRiVE Wellbeing) in East Lothian and people that reside here have reported that they would like to have a Shed that centred on different target audiences. For example, a Community Shed which would encompass a traditional Men’s Shed, but also have capacity for intergenerational activities with younger men and youths too. This is a very different angle and approach to the traditional Men's Shed model that originated in Australia. Furthermore, the Shed would also be open to women in Tranent. This would be only the second Shed in Scotland to open it's doors to women. We believe that this will bring a dynamic where women can learn woodworking skills, be able to carry out different projects and increase their knowledge of different crafts. In turn, the men attending the shed will be able to pass on their knowledge but also learn a variety of different skills from the ladies in attendance. What we want to do: There are three areas that will be developed, and will be user led: 1. A Shed in Tranent will be set up and be based at The Heugh and will focus more on the health and wellbeing of the members; focusing on self-management and reducing social isolation. 2. Purchase a Shed for the members to build (which will give them their first project and allow them to customise it for their future use and projects.) 3. Younger people being involved in the Shed, to promote and build peer education and intergenerational activity.
Robertson Trust - Coordinator (Heugh Community Garden)
£15,000	31/08/2016	Coordinator (Heugh Community Garden)

Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees

Sorry we have no information about the Trustees.

Legal constitution

Charity registered in Scotland on 18/11/2015, number: SC046141

Filing Record

5 returns made; all on time

Main office

136/13 Albert Street, Edinburgh, EH7 5LT

Objectives

The organisation's purposes are: Provide a range of opportunities for experiential learning in a fun, creative and safe environment that supports people to reach their full potential and contribute to the local community. Encourage individuals and communities to engage with nature, and deliver volunteer-led solutions to help improve the environment. Work in partnership with other agencies and organisations to identify opportunities to use and/or reuse natural materials and provide training, support, practical education and awareness sessions.

Data Sources