Company Registration Number 02612362 Registered Charity Number 1016172 NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ending 31 March 2025
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees, who are also Directors for the purposes of company law. present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered charity name November Club Charity registration number 1016172 Company registration number 02612362 Registered office 32 Bondgate Without. Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1 PN Trustees For the purposes of the Companies Act 2(X)6. the Board of Trustees is the Board of Directors of the charitable company and is referred to as the Truslees throughout this report. The Trustees of November Club during the pericKI and to the date of signing this report are as follows.. Mr J Beatlie Ms J Darby Mr C Foxon Ms H Fussell Ms C Hindle Mr M Quigley Ms J Read Chairl Ms L Regan Ms F Whitehurst Resigned 20 August 2024 Company Secretary Ms A Peett Bankers Co-operative Bank, Balloon Street, Manchester M60 4EP Independent Examiner Pete O'Hara FCA. Chartered Accountant, 26 La Sagesse, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AF STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Documents November Club is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 20 May 1991, as European Players Theatre Company. and registered as a charity on 12 January 1993. It was formed under the Memorandum of Association that established Its objects and powers. It is governed under its Articles of Association, as amended by special resolutions dated 29 November 1992, 29 November 1995 and 6 November 2014.
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (Continued) Governing Documents (ConL) On 2 October 2010, the company changed its name to November Club. The Directors of the company are also Trustees of the charty. Eligibility for membership of the charity. and membership of the Board of Trustees, is governed by the Articles of Association. There are no restrictions in the goveming document on the operation of the charity other than those imposed by general charity law. Charitable Purpose November Club's charitable objects are to advance education for the public benefit through the promotion of the arts with particular but not exclusive referen to the dramatic arts. Structure and Governance The charty currently has a board of eight non*xecutive Trustees. The Board meets a minimum of four times per year and has taken advantage of the provisions of the Companies Act enabling the waiver of the need to conduct an Annual General Meeting. Detailed written Board reports and an agenda are prepared by the Business & Operations Director and circulated in advance of meetings. Recruitrnent and Appointment of Board of Trustees Potential TrUStS are identffied through discussions and recommendations offered by existing Trustees and outside advisors to the organisation, as well as through the formal advertisement of vacancies through arts and charitable networks. Trustee applicants complete an application prOs$ and undergo an interview wrth a trustee recruitment panel. including the Chair and the Artistic DirectorlCEO, before being recommended to the fvll Board. Trustees are appointed once the Board has authorised the selection, and on completion of the necessary registration paperwork. From time to time, the Trustees elect a Chair and determine for what period the Chair is to hold office. Trustee Induction and Training New Trustees are inducted by the Chair of the Board. other Twstees and the staff team. They are provided with a range of resources to support their understanding of Novernber Club activities, including a Trustee Handl)ook. Grant-making Policies The charity does not currenlly engage in grant-making activty.
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (Continued) Contribution of Volunteers The charty makes use of volunteers within its productions and to support its activities. Reserves Policy The Trustees have reviewed the charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. The Trustees aim to firstly hold a level of unrestricted Reserves which enables the charity to have sufficient financial resour$ to meet various liabilities which would crystallise if November Club's funding were to be withdrawn andlor it were unable to continue operating. At present, the Trustees estimate that the Unrestricted Reserves required for such purposes amount to approximately £35,800. If possible, the Trustees then aspire to retain an additional allowance of £10,000 to £20,000 to enable the charity to respond flexibly to issues or appropriate initiatives which might be identified outside of its annual budgeting process. The required level of Resep4es is therefore in the range of £45,800 to £55,800. November Club currently holds total Unrestricted Reserves at 31 March 2025 of £38,751 (2024.. £67,209). The Trustees have previously agreed to designate formally £8,000 towards the redevelopment of the website and to manage an office move. £4,800 of this fund was spent in 2022123, leaving a balance of £3,200, which was fully spent in 2024125. Free Reserves, defined as non-designated Unrestricted Reserves minus the value of unrestricted Tangible Fixed Assets are therefore £36,919 at 31 March 2025, which is below the aspirational level. The charity intends through its financial management and budgeting processes over the next two to three years to restore its Reserves to within the target range to cover its liabilities and to enable it to continue to respond flexibly. The Trustees regularly review specific liabilities at each Board meeting. The Reserves Policy is re- visited by the Board annually in the light of progress against budget and is updated at the time of drafting the annual accounts. Fundraising November Club is not signed up to the Code of Fundraising Practice and is not registered with the Fundraising Regulator, though it is open to reviewing this when it has the resources to do so. It does not use third-party organisations to seek donations from the general public or from businesses. If individuals wish to complain about its fundraising activities, the process to do so is contained in the Complaints Policy which is accessible from www.novemberclub.org.uk. To date November Club has not received any complaints about rts fundraising.
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Aims & Objectives November Club has three strategic objectives, to.. 1. Create outstanding original work in non-traditional spaces, collaborating with a diverse range of creative voices and technical talent. 2. Engage meaningfully with our communities through our work to improve our work, our region and to grow talent. 3. Govern and manage the organisation and its reSoUrS efficientty and ethically (in line with Charity Commission regulations and guidance). Its artistic programme is underpinned by the following goals, to: 1. Develop a structural approach to talent development and the careers and opportunities of professionals that work with it. This requires November Club to continue to work with new freelancers and take creative risks. 2. Work with new and established partners and communities across the county, improving its region and contributing to a flourishing and creative region. 3. Develop November Club's creative assets including its ongoing digital programme. 4. Embrace its civic role in Northumberland, and its leadership and support role in its sector. It does this through creating exceptional work and raising the profile of the company. 5. Respond to requests for commissions and consultancy where capacity allows. Public Benefit The Trustees understand and have discussed the implications of the provisions of the Charities Act 2006, which state that all charities must meet two key principles and i) demonstrate that they are established for public benefrt, and it) have had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission. November Club's beneficiaries are appropriate to its aims, and the public benefits from its work. Benefits are evidenced and relate directly to its aims. The Trustees do not consider that any detriment or harm flows from its work. Therefore, the Trustees believe that the charity meets both key principles.
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Summary of the main achievements of the charity durlng the year Cambois Createslcambois Hidden Depths Funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund enabled us to deliver this project in partnership with The Tute in Cambois and producer, Sarah Hudson. The project consisted of a series of community events that created material for a Festival of Heritage. The community events included: An introductory talk by local archaeologist and communty champion. Barry Mead, to inspire local people to participate in the project. A session open to adults and children to prepare ground for a public archaeological dig. Two days of archaeological digs and an analysis of the findings with the pupils from Cambois Primary School. Workshops in creativ&writing, visual-arts and story-telling at Cambois Primary School based on building creative assets InflUend by materials found in the archaeological dig. These assets were then photographed by a professional photographer. Ten creative-writing sessions with local professional playwright, Alex Oates, with members of the local community to create scripts for a professional actor and a poem. Ten dancelmovement sessions with local professional dance artist, Esther Huss. and members of the local community to develop a dance perfomiance piece. A medieval tile making workshop at Cambois Fair. A call out for community members to submit historical photographs of Cambois for a digital exhibition.A commission for Cambois Camera Club to produce photographs for a new exhibition. Residents of Unity Terrace, the focal point of the Festival of Heritage, making paper miners lamps and displaying them in their windows. Ryan Longstaff, Deputy Headteacher at Cambois Primary School, told us: "It has been fantastic to welcome Bany into the school and encourage the children to get involved in the excav8tion. Cambois has such 8 rich unexplored history, and to be able to leam about ourpast has been phenomenal.. Lauren Matthews, a writing group participant, suggested that 'Getting my woh( shown at an event like this is a really great privilege.. Lynn Henderson, a dance group participant, summed up her involvement by saying "It's been a joyous experience as far as I'm concerned and I'm pmud to have don8 something about the area that's really special..
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (Continued) Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (ConL) The Festival of Heritage was a spectacular visual event over 27128 September 2024. The programme included the two photographic exhibrtions; a large scale projection of creative assets and photographs produced in the school's work. a dance film, based on the role of women at the now closed Cambois lifeboat station. and featuring the women from the dancelmovement sessions and accompanied by a live professional dancer., a heritage fair including film screenings and historical talks; eight performances of the seven original monologues created in the creative-writing workshops; and the playing of the recording of a poem also created in the creative writing workshops, read by a local lebrrty. The nature of the festival is that the audience wandered between parts of Cambois village to participate in the various events. We do not know the number of people who attended over the trwo days, but we know we had 1 .071 engagements by audience members in all the activrties. Two of the audience members provided this feedback.. "It was excellent. I fett emotional from the moment l an7ved- beginning Mth the sense of pride in the Stewanypart1pantS 8tc. The pn)duction was high qualify and feft like it honoured the arna and its people. I drove back to my IM)me half an hour down the coast wrth a very heightened awareness of my hentage, the stories and history I'm connected to, and feft unexpectedly proud of rt and affectionate of it." .1 really did enjoy the evening. Never thought my first time in Caml)ois would be for an arts festival but I was really impress8d with the ambrtion and the production value. The show piece was definitely "The Heave". The way the building was incoq)orated with the dancer in the central window was very effectivp. All in all, l 11 mernber my cool evening of Cambois Culture for a long time." Home From Home This is a research and developmerrt piece that we commenced in Lowick. wrth the aim of tt developing into our next major production. We held 3 cO<ation meetingslworkshops with children from Lowick and Holy Island CE First School and the Lowick Heritage Group. We worked with writer, Lisette Auton, to develop a script for an immersive project that took the audience into a spaceship that had landed in the school's playground to meet an alien. We produced 8 performances to 76 young children arKI 43 adults. The children provided feedback on what they liked about the show and this centred on playing a game wrth the alien and seeing her collection of everyday items that she considered to be treasures. One of the older children audience members was able to articulate .1 liked that we met someone who likes things that we found nonnal. It was like a cinematic experience.. The adult audience members said 'Delightful to think that all this came from the ideas of the children. and 'Loved how interactive it was particularty wrth the children who absolutel loved it. That was a real pleasure".
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (Continued) Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.) Josey - An Indignant Daughter Katie Dohety completed the first draft content for the full musical and we spent the latter part of the year attempting to secure funding to produce the show. This will continue to be a focus of 202512026. Walk in Your Shoes Walk in Your Shoes 2024 consisted of trwo walks. The first covered the Pilgrims, Way from Beal to Lindisfarne. This was led by professional guide, Mary Gunn. The second consisted of a seven-mile circular walk from Walltown Country Park encompassing Walltown Crags and visiting Green Croft Arts on Hadrian's Wall. Amanda Drago and Kit Harrington from Green Croft Arts set up their barn for us to use as a tea stop, including providing access to a sound machine that Kit had created. We gave walkers the option to download the "Collision and Conflict" soundscape that Green Croft Arts had created, and Amanda joined us on the walk to help locate the sounds during the walk. 21 walkers plus 3 staff memberslvolunteers attended the Pilgrims, Way Walk. 9 walkers plus 4 staff memberslvolunteers attended the Walltown Walk. Two walkers joined us for both walks, meaning that we had 28 unique walkers. The charity used the Impact & Insight toolkit to evaluate the walks. It had 13 adult and 3 child responses, or a return rate of 570/0. 1 OOOk of respondents rated their overall experience of the walks as 'Excellent'. We asked respondents to comment on a series of statements about the work (known as a 'Dimension'). Walkers scored the dimensions as follows.. Dimension being measured Average score epeat Participation.. I would take part In something like this again Inclusion.. It made me feel welcome and included ctivity.. It made me more physically active ental Wellbeing: It had a positive impact on my mental wellbeing onnection: It hel ed me to feel connected to le in the communi 98 93 91 91 81 The charity 1Ved the following narrative feedback from walkers: °Staff w8Tr amazing and attentlV8. Couldn t have asked for a better group to do the walk with for the first time. Will definitely be coming back to more events.. °Loved the soundscapes and the amazing hospitality at Greencroft."
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (Continued) Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.) Otterburn Mill Commission The charty was commissioned by Otterburn Mill, as part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund bid, to develop a srte-specific ple that would showcase the work they are undertaking to refurbish their historical tenter-frames. We undertook six Co-creation meetingslworkshops with 42 people from the local school, residents of Otterbum or ex*mployees of the Mill. From these meetings we developed a script for the piece. 'Northumberland Archives Commission - "The Archives, Job" We are partnering with Northumberland Archives to produce their project "The Archives, Job" working with a group of up to 19 young people from Hexham to build a mobile Escape Room. We have undertaken the creative work to build an idea which has been presented back at a showcase event in Hexham attended by 57 people. Evaluative feedback will be available On we deliver the show. Talent Developmenv the GROW programme There are three strands of GROW: Inspire We want to inspire people to work in theatre, changing perceptions of who can, the roles available, and the value placed on creative careers. We partner with secondary schools, further and higher education institutions to provide careers, presentations, work experience, industry plamentS, and workshops. Alongside the co-creation within our artistic programme, we offer open rehearsals and site visits during productions, highlighting production, technical and backstage arts. Ignite We want to help ignite careers and support individuals to develop skills and build confidence. We create paid assistant or trainee roles within our productions, with development packages including: Extemal mentoring Personal CPD budgets Facilitated introductions to regional contacts. Sustain We want to help individuals to sustain and continue their practi in the North East. Recognising the difficulty of investing in continuing professional development whilst building a freelance career, we offer development packages alongside freelance contracts including: Development bursaries to support CPD, training or creative development of own work. Free hot desk space. Facilitated introductions within a national network of contacts.
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (Continued) Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.> During 202412025 we delivered the following activities within the three strands of GROW. Inspire Delivered four assembliesltalks, one workshop, attended one 'World of Work, day and one careers, fair, engaging with 839 pupils from King Edward Vl High School (KEVI), Morpeth,. Duke's Secondary, Ashington,. and Cramlington Learning Village (CLV). Leanne Johnston, Assistant Headteacher and Careers Lead at The King Edward Vl School, provided the following feedback.. "Support of the November Club allows our students to see the diverse range of opportunities within the creatlV8 sector. Assemblies are eng8ging and the opportunity for students to gain hands on work experience is invaluable." Four pupils from Year 9 and Year 12 in King Edward Vl High School and one pupil from Year 12 in Duke's Academy participated in a week's work experience each. Alex, a pupil from King Edward Vl High School said.. "Being he has increased my confidence that it is possible to create a career for myself within the creative industries. I've leamt the importance in pursuing something that I really love to do, and that it's possible to cr88te a career in th8t, whichever route I take to get there." The Artistic DirectorlCEO has undertaken a part-time Associate Lectureship for Northumbria University's Media Industries unrt, part of its Theatre & Perfomance BA Hons., across two academic years providing over 15 sessions to more than 30 students. Ignlte We recruited two Ignite freelancers in 202412025. Ruth Silver, Assistant Producer, who accessed one of the Ignite packages said.. "I have become much more confident in my abilit18S and in my ConnectionnetwOrt¢ to enable me to produce my own work and pUue otherprojects in the futu. H8ving started in the GROWrole straight after going freelance, it's also nice to be able to look back on how far I've come since then. I've been able to take on various otherprojects as a prDducer since finishing the role and it has definitely given me a leg up to getting these roles.. Sustain We recruited one Sustain freelancer in 202412025 (and worked with a further 20 non-GROW freelancers in 202412025). 10
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (Continued) Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.) Financial Review It cost November Club £249,372 to provide its services this year. Around 350k of expenditure can be allocated to producing Cambois Hidden Depths, Home From Home, Josey, Walk In Your Shoes, GROW and the Otterbum Mill Commission" 390h to staff salaries and the costs associated with employing people.. around 40/0 represents the cost of leasing and running the Offi premises,. just over a further 1 Ok is the cost of its IT provision. including its website; and 140/0 relates to miscellaneous operational costs. Since January 2025 it has become clear that Otterburn Mill are facing financial difficulties and they have failed to pay November Club's original invoice. November Club believes that it will not be able to recover the debt owed and has decided to make a provision for this Bad Debt in the 202412025 accounts. November Club's income was £163,938. The majority of this represents the National Portfolio grant from Arts Council England. November Club was successful in obtaining charitable grants for core work from the Sir James Knott Trust. Other charitable funding came from the High Sherrff of Northumberland to support the children and families of Lowick to attend and develop Home From Home. The organisation is very grateful to charitable trusts and foundations for their continued support. The charity also received an Access to Work grant from the Department of Work and Pensions to support a disabled member of staff to receive administration support and to purchase office equipment. (The equipment purchased will be written down over three years and the value outstanding at the end of the year is shown in Restricted Funds as £1,304). November Club does not expect its income from ticket sales to fomi a significant element of tts funding portfolio because of the nature of the work it delivers. This year thanks to the previous yearfs National Lottery Heritage Funding, 'Cambois Hidden Depths" was offered for free. "Home From Home" was offered for free to local school children and residents based in Lowick and Holy Island and the surrounding villages. Other audience members were charged a small fee. The charty raised £205 through donations. Some people who benefit from its free events provide donations instead, and the charity still receives some donations from its Secret Garden Keyholders scheme. Requests to its mailing list to make donations also has had some success. November Club did not re1ve any in-kind donations this year, although its volunteers contributed £2,763 worth of work based on the living wage rate. This figure will not show in the charity's income. The out-turn for the year is an overall deficit of £(85,153). £(56,695) of this deficit related to Restricted Funds, reducing those ringfenced sums to £1,304 at 31 March 2025. This leaves an unrestricted deficit of £(28,458), reducing Unrestricted Funds at 31 March 2025 to £38,751 . 11
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (Continued) Risk Management As part of its annual business planning process. the Trustees of the charty regulady review the major govemance, operational and finanaal risks the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to mrtigate these risks. November Club has a risk management strategy in pla which comprises.. an annual review of the strategic risks the charity may face via the business plan. the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified, the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise. The Trustees are satisfied that appropriate financial systems and controls and employment policies and practices are in place. The Trustees consider key risks facing the charity at this time to be: The financial risks arising rf the organisation is unable to attract sufficient funding to realise its plans to the scale and quality to which the charity aspires, coupled with overspending Its 202512026 budgeted expenditure. A major event occurs that requires it to cancel all fac&ttrface work. including working from the office. The loss of key funders should the individuals wrth whom it has built relationships leave their current roles. The need to improve its management of data to help it deliver its business objectives. The potential impact on projects if staff absence means that it cannot deliver planned work. The need to ensure its board and staff reflect the broad range of teamed and lived experiences relevant to the communities in which it works. The potential impact on govemance functions rf Trustee tumover increases. 12
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 37 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE {Continued) Risk Management (Cont.) The Trustees are managing the potential impact of these risks by.. Setting prudent budgets for the next financial year. Providing regular management accounts, showing performance against budget, Breaking productions down into separately funded stages that can deliver public benefit in their own right and monitoring these on a regular basis. Ensuring commission payments are scheduled to cover any significant November Club expenses prior to their being made, regardless of the pattern of external funding that the commissioner may receive. Maintaining a low-cosl base. Reviewing its mechanisms for attracting charitable funding from trusts and foundations. Contingency planning for the actions lo take if income appears unlikely lo reach its target, Contingency planning lo cater for disruption through major events. Creating work plans thal specify how work can be re-scheduled or allocated lo freelance staff. Planning the implementation of a Customer Relationship Management syslem, Adopting a Reserves policy which provides an appropriate amount of uncommitted Reserves, at a level Ikiat will always enable the charity to meet all its liabilities, even if income targets are not achioved. Monitoring Trustees, commitment to the organisation and scheduling Trustee recrurtment as appropriate, 13
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS Artistic Programme. November Club has set the following artistic objectives for 202512026.. Tour the mobile escape room, developed in partnership with Northumbedand Archives, to schools and communities across Northumberland. Review "Home From Home" and establish how the project can be developed into a show that could potentially be toured in schools in Northumberland, or at theatre festivals. Feedback progress to date on the Otterbum Mill project with the children and audience who have participated in the co-creation work of 202412025. Develop a small-scale event to celebrate the anniversary of "Cambois Hidden Depths" with a view to establishing the aspiration for follow up work. Continue to deliver the GROW development programme. This will include delivering four school careers assembliesltalks. two school workshops, three work experience placements for school children, one industry insight activty in partnership with Alnwick Playhouse and fifteen higher education workshops as part of the INSPIRE strand of the programme; and providing one job and bursary as part of the IGNITE and one job and bursary as part of the SUSTAIN strands. Continue to deliver 'Walk in Your Shoes, in trwo locations in rural Northumberland, reaching new audiences, encouraging creative conversations and supporting individuals, health and wellbeing. Deliver talks. listening events and workshops themed around Josephine Butler and sharing some of the music from "Josey An Indignant Daughterf, whilst we seek funding to produce the full show. The chaiity's intention is that this programme demonstrates to Arts Council England how it is embedding the "Let's Create" strategy in its work. Business Management and Administratlon November Club's business management and administration objectives are woven around Arts Council England's Investment Principles. The targets for 202512026 are: Ambition and Quality- Continue to use the Impact and Insight toolkFt to evaluate its work. Build November Club's profile amongst the broader artistic community. Environmental Responsibilty - Identrfy aspects of rts carbon footprint that can be reduced, setting and monitoring targets in its annual Environmental Action Plan. Participate in Arts Council England's Board Environmental Champions Programme. Dynamism - Fully implement and integrate a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Complete a charty rebrand. Become a Discover Creative Careers Industry Ambassador Inclusivity and relevance- Continue to implement open and accessible recruiting of freelance workers. Build stronger relationships with disabled groups, with the particular focus on making our work more attractive to those wrth hearing difficulties or disabilities. 14
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES The Trustees (who are also the Directors of November Club for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charrtable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., obsep4e the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The TrUStS are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Signed by order of the Trustees Andrea Perrett Company Secretary Company Registration Number 02612362 20 May 2025 15
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS OF NOVEMBER CLUB FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 I hereby report to the Trustees of November Club (Charity Registration Number 1016172) on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages 17 to 27. Responsibilities and Basis of Report As the charity's Trust*s (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied myseff that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Acl,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act, or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records: or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordano with the methods or principles of the ststement of RecommerKled Practice for accounting and reporting by charrties (applicable to charrties preparing their accounts in accordance wrth the Financial Reporb'ng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102}). I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Pete O'Hara, FCA, Chartered Accountant Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales 26 La Sagesse. Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AF 20 May 2025 16
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Note Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Income Income from Investments 76 76 65 Income from Donations & Legacies 205 205 502 Income from Charitable Activities 159,035 4,903 163,938 236,800 Total Income 159,316 4,903 164,219 237,367 Expenditure Cost of Raising Funds Expenditure on Charitable Acttvrties 187,774 61,598 249,372 183,521 Totsl Expenditure 187,774 61,598 249,372 183,521 Net Incomel{Expendfture) (28,458) (56,695) (85,153) 53,846 Balance brought forward at 1 April 67.209 57,999 125,208 71,362 Balance carried forward at 31 March 15 £38,751 £1,304 £40,055 £125,208 The notes on pages 19 to 27 fonn part of the financial ststements. All of the activities of the company are dassed as continuing. The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared. 17
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITIONIBALANCE SHEET ASA T31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets 3,136 121 Current Assets Debtors Cash At Bank & In Hand 12 9,237 41,692 50,929 31,661 115,470 147,131 Credltors - Amounts Falling Due Wlthln 1 Year 13 (14,010> (22,044) Net Current Assetsl(Liabilities) 36,919 125,087 Total Net Assets 14 £40 055 £125,208 Represented by: Unrestricted General Funds Unrestricted Designated Funds 15 15 38,751 84,009 3,200 Restricted Funds 15 1,304 57,999 £40 055 £125 208 The notes on pages 19 to 27 form part of the financial statements. The Truslees are satisfied that for the year ended 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption under section 477{2) of the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees also confirm that the Members have not required the charity to obtain an 8udrt in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for.. (i) ensuring that the charity keeps adequate accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act, and (li) preparing financial ststements which gNe a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charity. These financial statements were approved and signed by a Member of the Board of Trustees on 20 May 2025. Jiii ead Chair of the Trustees Company Registration Number 02612362 18
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Accounting Policies Basis of Accounting These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102-'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, ('FRS 102,), and with the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (Charrties SORP FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" and the Charrties Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value. Advantage has been taken of the provisions in the SORP for Charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a statement of cashflows. The financial statements are prepared in sterling. which is the functional currency of the charty. Taxation Ststus November Club is a Charity registered under the 1960 Charities Act and is accorded exemption from liability to taxation on its income under S505 Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Going Concern There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. Income All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, any performance related conditions attached have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, the income is considered probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: Donations and legacy income is reiVed by way of donations. legacies, grants and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Investment income is included when receivable. Income from charitable trading activty is accounted for when earned. Other income is accounted for when receivable. 19
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Accounting Policies (Continued) Operating Leases The charty classifies the lease of certain types of equipment as operating leases as the title to the equipment remains with the lessor. Rental charges are charged against income on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation Depreciation is provided on any fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the assets over their remaining useful lives as follows.. IT & Office Equipment 33% per annum straight line A full year's depreciation charge is applied in the year of acquisition and no charge is made in the year of disposal. Impairment of Fixed Assets A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date. Financial Instruments A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a paty to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs. Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted. Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost where there is a material adjustment. Fund Accounting Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for specific purposes. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor. 20
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Accounting Policies (ContSnued) Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of fLrture events believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There are no significant judgements or estimation uncertainty included within the financial statements. Pensions November Club contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme. For the defined contribution scheme, the amount charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in respect of pension costs is the contributions payable in the year. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in the Balance Sheet. Further details can be found in Note 10. Legal Ststus The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1. The company law members of the charity are the members of its Board of Trustees. Income from Investsnents Unrestrlcted Restricted Funds Funds 2025 2024 Bank Interest Receivable 76 £76 76 £76 65 £65 The 2024 tolal of £65 was wholly attributable to Unrestricted Funds, Income from Donatlons & Legacles Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2025 2024 Donations & Gift Aid 205 £205 205 £205 502 £502 The 2024 total of £502 was wholly attributable to Unrestricted Funds. 21
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Income from Charitsble Activities Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2025 2024 Grant Income Arts Council England - NPO DWP - AcsS To Work Hadrian Trust JoIY Trust High Sheriff s Fund National Lottery Heritage Fund Northumberland County Council Peoples Postcode Lottery Scop Arts Trust Sir James Knott Trust 132,530 132,530 132,530 3,653 3,653 1,000 2.000 1,250 1.250 50,449 6,804 23,675 5,000 5,000 5,000 142,433 226,458 5,000 137,530 Other Income Theatre Tax Relief TickeVResources Sales Commissions & Consultancy Fees Other Income 4,903 8,280 1,562 500 22 21,295 188 21,505 22 21,295 188 21,505 10,342 £159,035 £4,903 £163,938 £236,800 Of the 2024 total of £236,800, £157,676 was attributable to Unrestricted Funds and £79,124 to Restricted Funds. Expenditure on Raising Funds Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2025 2024 Fundraising Consultancy 22
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Expenditure on Charitsble Activities Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2025 2024 ProductionlProject Costs Cambois Creates GROW Talent Development Home From Home, Lowick Josey, The Indignant Daughter Walk In Your Shoes Other Project Costs Salaries & On Costs 49,606 49,606 7,274 11,404 4,376 31,276 227 218 13,592 2,689 98,132 95,849 184,611 139,140 3,053 6,055 7,274 10,154 1,617 227 11,895 98,132 129,299 1,250 2,759 1,697 55,312 Support Costs Premises Costs Freelancelconsultsncy Support Bad Debts Other Marketing & Administration Costs 9,296 12,006 18,134 14,813 54,249 9,296 15,946 18,134 17,159 60,535 6,525 14,891 3,940 2,346 6,286 18,828 40,244 Governance Costs Accountancy & Payroll Fees Independent Examiner's Fees Legal & Professional Trustee Meeting Costs 2,403 1,200 104 519 4,226 2,403 1,200 104 519 4,226 2,633 1,200 83 221 4,137 £187,774 £61,598 £249,372 £183,521 Of the 2024 total of £183,521, £149,142 was attributable to Unrestricted Funds and £34,329 to Restricted Funds. Net Incomel(Expenditure) 2025 2024 Net incomel(expenditure) is stated after chargingl(crediting).' Depreciation Independent Examiner's Fees Operating Leases- Land & Buildings 1,689 1,200 4,108 270 1,200 3,500 23
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Staff Costs & Trustees, Remuneration 2025 2024 Gross Salary Costs Employer's National Insurance Employerfs Pension Contributions 93,221 2,863 2,048 £98,132 91,187 2,672 1,990 £95,849 No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the year {2024 - Nil). The average number of staff employed during the year, calculated as full-time equivalents, was as follows.. 2025 No 2024 No Artistic Production and Support No remuneration has bn paid to any TrusteeslDirectors in the year. No travel and Subsisten expenses (2024.. £43 to 1 Trustee) were reimbursed to Trustees in respect of costs incurred during their work for the charity. Pension Scheme 10. Pension benefits are provided through a Group Personal Pension Scheme, which is a defined contribution scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in a separately administered fund. In the year to 31 March 2025 November Club made an employerfs contribution of 3 % of pensionable pay. provided that the employee makes a minimum contribution of 50/0. These amounts are paid over to the scheme on a monthly basis. Contributions of £407 were outstanding at 31 March 2025 (2024.. £Nil). 24
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 11. Tangible Fixed Assets IT& Office Equipment Total Fixed Assets Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions in year Disposals At 31 March 2025 6,733 4,704 6,733 4,704 11,437 11,437 Accumulated Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for year Disposals At 31 March 2025 6,612 1,689 6,612 1,689 8,301 8,301 Net Book Value At 31 March 2025 £3,136 £3,136 At 1 April 2024 £121 £121 12. Debtors 2026 2024 Trade Debtors Prepayments Accrued Income Other Debtors 7,500 1,737 2,400 28,627 634 £31,661 £9,237 Al sums are due within 1 year. 13. Creditors- Amounts Falling Due Within 1 Year 2025 2024 Trade Creditors Other Taxes & Social Security Costs Deferred Income (Xher Creditors Accruals 3,194 1,762 6,000 407 2,647 £14,010 9,832 1,761 4,981 5,470 £22,044 25
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 14. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Total 2025 Totsl 2024 Fixed Assets Debtors Cash at Bank and In Hand Creditors - Amounts Due Within 1 Year 1,832 9,237 41,692 14,010 £38,751 1.304 3,136 121 9,237 31,661 41,692 115,470 14,010 22,044 £40,055 £125,208 £1,304 15. Analysis of Charitable Funds At 1 April Income in 2024 Year Expended At 31 Mar in Year 2025 Unrestricted Funds Charity General Fund Web IkvelopmentlRelocation Fund 64,009 3,200 67,209 159,316 (184,574) 3,200 {187,774) 38,751 159,316 38,751 Restricted Funds DWP - Access To Work High Sheriff s Fund National Lottery Heritage Fund - Cambois Creates Northumberland CC - Josey Northumberland CC - Blythlcambois Project Total Restricted Funds 3,653 1,250 (2,349) (1,250) (50,449) 1,304 50,449 2,759 4,791 (2,759) (4.791) 57,999 4,903 (61,598) 1,304 Total Funds £125,208 £164,219 £(249,372) £40,055 Name of Designated Fund Description, Nature & Purpose of the Designated Fund Web DeveloprnenURelocation Fund Towards the cost of planned websrte development and one- off relocation costs 26
NOVEMBER CLUB (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 15. Analysis of Charitable Funds (ConL) Name of Restricted Fund Description. Nature & Purpose of the Restricted Fund DlnTr - Access To Work Towards the cost of various access equipment and support High Sheriff s Fund Towards the cost of theatre performances for young people in Northumberland via the Home From Home R&D project in Lowick National Lottery Heritage Fund I Northumberland CC - Cambois Creates Towards the costs of a project in Blythlcambois Northumberland CC - Josey Towards the cost of Josey, The Indignant Daughter 16. Related Party Transactions The charity has a close working relationship wtth Arts Council England which is a registered charity and from 2012113 has provided the majorty of the grant funding which enables the charity to carry out its charitable objectives. In total, grant funding of £132.530 {2024: £132,530) was received from Arts Council England in the year. At 31 March 2025, £Nil was owing to November Club from Arts Council England {31 March 2024: £Nil). 17. Financial Commitments No material financial commrtments have been made in respect of future financial periods. 18. Company Limited by Guarantee The chartty is incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 and is limrted by guarantee, each member having undertaken to contribute such amounts not exceeding £1 as may be required in the event of the company being wound up whilst he or she is still a member or within one year thereafter. There are currently 8 members of the cornpany (2024 - 9 members). 27