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2022-03-31-accounts

Children’s Discovery Centre East London Trading as Discover

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statement For the Year ended 31 March 2022

"i just wanted to say that i went here as a kid a few times and its guenuinly one of my fondest memories, when i was a little younger then now i almost thought it was a dream i must of had as a kid and something as beautiful as the days i got to play there couldn't possibly be real. Its one of the reasons i think i became so passionate about story telling and having a vivid imagination and going into the film industry, so thank you for all the great work you guys do :)" - Cinematographer and Photographer

Charity Registration No 1070468 Company Registration No 03479284 (England & Wales)

CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON

CONTENTS PAGE

Legal and Administrative Information … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
2
Chair’s Report … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
3
The Trustees’ Report … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
4 - 15
The Auditor’s Report … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
16 - 18
Statement of Financial Activities … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
19
Balance Sheet … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
20
Statement of Cash Flows … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 21
Notes forming part of the financial statements … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 22 – 33

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees Alexandra Marks CBE – Chair (Appointed 1 December 2021) Stephen Crampton-Hayward – Chair (Resigned 1 December 2021) Amit Rama – Treasurer (Appointed 3 March 2022) Martin Clarke – Treasurer (Resigned 26 January 2022) Andrew Murray Giorgia Stewart (Appointed on 29 September 2021) Jasmin Wun (Resigned 1 December 2021) Joe Robinson Michelle Wright (Resigned 30 March 2022) Oghenevese Aghoghovbia (Appointed on 29 September 2021) Vaseem Khan (Re-appointed on 26 January 2022) Victoria Dance (Appointed on 29 September 2021)

Company Secretary Karla Barnacle-Best (Appointed 1 December 2021) Stephen Crampton-Hayward (Resigned 1 December2021)

Chief Executive Karla Barnacle-Best Charity Number 1070468 Company Number 03479284 Registered Name Children’s Discovery Centre, East London Registered Office 383 - 387 High Street Stratford, London E15 4QZ Telephone 020 8536 5555 Fax 020 8522 1003 Email team@discover.org.uk Website www.discover.org.uk Auditor Haysmacintyre LLP 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG Bankers National Westminster Plc Beverley Building Society Cambridge and Counties Bank 1– 11 Broadway 57 Market Place Charnwood Court Stratford Beverley 5B New Walk London E15 4DX East Yorkshire HU17 8AA Leicester LE1 6TE Nationwide Building Society Charity Bank Redwood Bank limited Nationwide House Fosse House The Nexus Building Pipers Way 182 High Street Broadway, Swindon Tonbridge Letchworth Garden City Wiltshire SN38 1NW Kent TN9 1BE Herts SG6 3TA Hampshire Trust Bank PO Box 74003 London EC2P 2QR

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Chair’s Report

“..due to our last minute booking and it being half term all the special exhibitions were fully booked (I really wanted to do the fairytale one!) but we still managed to fill our 2hr booking with lots of imaginative play. F loved the outdoor story garden where she made music, climbed and slid down the slides and E found a little house she liked to climb into and sit on a bed and wave at me. We got to listen to a free storytelling session, the girls listened intently at the lady orally telling the story of 'Where the Wild Things Live' by Maurice Sendak and joined in with the interactive parts. Upstairs they enjoyed the sensory snow room, the rockets and drawing and making plans on the lightboxes…Such a fun day out and I had 2 very happy little people which makes it all worthwhile.” Visitor feedback

Despite Covid-19 still intruding on the year, 2021/22 was the beginning of the joy of really reconnecting in person with families, schools, authors, illustrators, partners, and supporters. Due to Covid-19 restrictions Discover remained closed for 1.5 months of the year but since 20[th] May we have been delighted to open our doors to the public. It has been fabulous for staff, board, freelancers, and visitors alike to gather and celebrate sharing the very best story telling and interactive play experiences.

Over the 10.5 months that we were open last year we welcomed 80,933 visitors to the centre. This included 78,219 families visits of which 6,775 were free, and 2,714 schoolchildren and teacher visits. Due primarily to restricted capacity, this is understandably significantly lower than the attendance figures that we were achieving pre-pandemic. However, we are pleased to report that we continue to see a huge appetite for children and adults to come to Discover and we are confident that we can gradually rebuild our customer base. Most pleasingly we have had overwhelmingly positive feedback from those people who have returned to the centre and to our external events.

Whilst we did have to increase session and exhibition prices by 50p to ensure financial viability, we remained mindful of the need to support access to the centre for those who might be most in need. To facilitate this we followed several strategies including subsidising general ticket entry at £7.50 per person, £6.50 for Newham residents/concessions, with a reduced rate for groups of four, 1-2’s at £2 and carers and 0-1’s free. Through project funding we were able to maintain free visits for our Mighty Mega club for disabled children and families and for Story Sandwich for homeless mothers and children, both for dedicated sessions and general access throughout the year.

We invested core resources to create a free offer to reach targeted groups working with a range of partners including Alternatives Trust, Docklands Settlement, Magpie, Newham Family Nurse Partnership, Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre, and Salvation Army Foodbank. The scheme was promoted at peak times such as summer holidays and Christmas, as well as being available throughout the year.

I would like to thank all the trusts, foundations and businesses that provided support during 2021/22; Arts Council England and Newham Council for their continued commitment as well as BBC Children in Need, Garfield Weston Foundation, Henry Smith Charity, Leathersellers Company, Kusuma Trust, London Marathon Trust, Man Charitable Trust, National Lottery Community Fund, Redbridge Arts Grants, Rix Thompson Rothenberg Foundation, Royal Docks, Span Trust, Telford Homes, and Veolia Environmental Trust. I would also like to thank Winkworth Sherwood for their invaluable pro bono legal advice. Finally, I should like to thank the many public and private agencies that work in partnership with us.

I am grateful to everyone who has supported us this year including partners, teachers’ forum, children’s forum and of course our visitors. I would like to take the opportunity to thank my colleagues on the Board, as well as all our staff for their hard work, commitment, and skill. We aim to build on the lessons learnt over the last twelve months, on our successes as well as challenges, and look forward to continuing to enable the broadest possible range of children and adults to engage with, create and enjoy inspiring stories through imaginative play.

Alexandra Marks CBE Chair

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Objectives and activities

Summary of Objects as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association:

to promote, maintain, improve, and advance public education in the arts, sciences, humanities, and technology, in particular by the provision, promotion, and maintenance of facilities and amenities for the education of children, young persons, and their families, and to relieve poverty, in particular by providing or assisting in providing recreational or other leisure-time facilities and amenities for children and young persons and their families.

Vision, aims and services

Our vision:

A world where confident, thoughtful, articulate children grow up to shape a better future for all.

Our Mission:

We are an inspirational cultural resource, rooted in Newham, one of the most diverse boroughs in the country. The richness of experiences and ideas that this brings is something that we want to embed and share through excellent artistic, creative, play and learning experiences with and for all children to support their imagination, curiosity, and expression. We are committed to celebrating the artist in every child and promoting access to the arts for all children regardless of ability or socioeconomic status. We believe stories are critical to child development; they can transform lives and shape strong and vibrant communities.

Our Values:

Charity category

Charity Act 2011 classifications

Services

To achieve our objectives, our services include:

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

History

Background

Discover was established by a group of east London community leaders, educationalists, and local parents in 1997 to develop a hands-on learning resource for children and families. Discover was registered as a charity and limited company in 1998. Supported by Arts Council England and the London Borough of Newham, the Story Centre opened in 2003 and was the first children’s museum in the UK to focus exclusively on stories and children’s literature. 1,486 square metres of the building is leased to a nursery and two training organisations.

We completed a £1 million capital project in 2016 delivering wonderful new Story Worlds on two floors, a dedicated story telling space for 0-3’s, refurbished events and party rooms, spacious new café, and improved reception area and shop. This was followed by a second phase capital project in 2019 which included deepening engagement by installing additional equipment to enhance the learning and creative play elements on the Story Worlds and improving learning facilities for disabled and SEN children. In summer 2021 we completed an exciting and enchanting re-development of our Story Garden.

Case for need

It is important to celebrate the incredible vibrancy and creative assets of the young, culturally diverse, transient Newham community that we serve, as well as to acknowledge the complex, often socio-economic, challenges. East London has seen the highest increase (16%) in London’s population over the past 10 years. The two highest rates of children living in poverty are in our home borough of Newham (50%) and our neighbouring borough of Tower Hamlets (57%), according to the London Poverty Profile 2020. Newham has the second lowest cultural engagement in London (Active Lives Survey published 2018) with disadvantaged children affected most by the reduction in the number of enrichment opportunities offered through schools. Communities in east London have been significantly affected by high numbers of cases of Covid-19 and no doubt the effects of this will be felt in ways that are not yet reflected in the above data.

Surveys have found a strong link between poverty and lack of participation in the arts. As family and public resources become tighter, this will mean that children growing up in low-income households will have even less opportunity to engage with arts and culture. Barriers are practical including cost of travel, tickets, time, and a lack of information. Equally powerful are attitudinal barriers, including people thinking that the arts and culture aren’t for them or a fear of the unknown.

Despite facing these multiple disadvantages, children are achieving above the national average in their end of Primary School SATS tests. However, recovering from the pressures and demands of supporting children and staff through two years of Covid-19 may still be a focus. We will respond to schools’ needs and pursue co-creation opportunities, building in flexibility as usual to enable schools to take up any offers.

Newham is a borough that has been through an extraordinary amount of change over the last few years, much of which is ongoing. One of the significant factors is the vast number of new homes that are being built in the area, particularly within Stratford and around the site of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP). This not only brings a greater density of residents but will also ultimately result in a changing demographic. Alongside affluent communities with greater disposable income, there remain longer established communities, as well as transient communities, who are alienated from much of the prosperity and opportunities of their new neighbours. Responding to the needs of all sectors will be important in the forthcoming years.

Review of activities for period ending March 2022

Covid-19 Update

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Discover remained closed for 1.5 months in the early part of 2021/22. There was continued financial support of staff through topping up pay to 100% for furloughed staff during April and the beginning of May. A core team continued working, reviewing lessons learnt from the previous year and preparing once again for re-opening. With robust systems in place and a well-trained staff, we were able to re-open as soon as restrictions were lifted towards the end of May. Families were very excited to return to Discover and delighted we managed to survive; the positivity shown towards the organisation was fantastic.

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

There continued to be significant challenges adapting to changes in guidance, and safety of staff and visitors remained paramount. We had limited numbers of Covid-19 cases amongst our staff, but as cases within the UK rose there were, not surprisingly, occasions when staff were required to self-isolate. This left the team depleted at times and we were grateful for the hard-work, resilience and spirit that enabled us to remained open. Importantly, visitors and staff continue to comment about how safe Discover felt.

To rebuild audiences and core activities we maintained a Covid secure way of delivering reduced capacity sessions of 100 people for three sessions per day. Extensive cleaning, laundry, and sanitising rotas were instituted. Whilst this created a significant workload it maintained visitor confidence and ensured that we presented Discover in the best possible way. We continued to offer as much of a fun, interactive experience as possible despite the restrictions imposed by Covid. A key element was increasing the frequency of free stories delivered by our Story Builders on the Story Worlds as these could be done at a safe distance in well ventilated areas. We retained our costumes, puppets, books, paper, pencils, and crayons keeping visitors safe through a rigorous process of laundry and quarantining.

We embraced a hybrid model of working where required; Newham Word Festival was a celebratory feast of online and inperson events for two weeks in June/July 2021. It was a fantastic opportunity to further test and explore the pros and cons of different styles of delivery. Mighty Mega remained online as a pre-cautionary measure until September, and we continued to create recorded sessions for those members who could not return in person.

In line with our approach of methodically testing and reviewing ways of working, including gathering data and listening to visitor needs through our post-visit surveys, we gradually and incrementally increased visitor capacity into the centre reaching 175 people per session by October. The last few months of 2021 saw the rise of the Omicron variant which presented its own set of challenges. The hoped-for increase of capacity for Christmas from 175 to 200 was postponed but was implemented in time for February half term giving us a maximum daily capacity of 600. Staffing levels were significantly affected by Omicron, but the team pulled together, and we managed to stay open throughout. Schools’ bookings, which had been steadily increasing during the year, were affected by Covid based cancellations in January 2022.

At the core of our response to the pandemic was, and continues to be, a commitment to our local community who include many of the people most affected by Covid-19; Newham had the highest number of furloughed jobs in London (Newham Recorder, February 2021), and the Newham Universal Credit Claimant rate has risen by 231% compared to a London average of 167% (ONS February 2021). Discover responded by making free tickets available through organisations working with Newham residents including Alternatives Trust, Docklands Settlement, Magpie, Newham Family Nurse Partnership, Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre, and Salvation Army Foodbank.

“We really appreciate this and I know that our families have really had an amazing time visiting Discover and made some incredible memories. One mum told us that it was like being able to go away on holiday.” Stratford Salvation Army

Overview

2021/22 was the fourth year of our business plan 2018-2022.

The three core themes driving the plan were:

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

1) Excellence and Engagement

Artistic Activity

Exhibitions

We re-opened Fairy Tales , designed by the Exhibitions team with author David Litchfield and illustrator Ross Montgomery. This exhibition had started in February 2020 but, due to successive lockdowns, had only been open for 4 months in total and visitors were delighted to re-visit the enchanting locations. At the end of February half-term 2022 Fairy Tales successfully transferred to Z Arts in Manchester where it will run for nine months.

Over the last 12 months we developed The 100 Story Hotel with Rob Biddulph, which is our latest exhibition for our 0-8 year old visitors. The concept is based on a fantastical hotel run and visited by monsters, aliens, animals, and a whole host of other creatures, with a Whodunit it style experience to add a back story to attract older children. Rob has amazing character design and created a draw-along video on YouTube for children twice a week during lockdown which proved very popular. Publishers HarperCollins and Macmillan both contributed to the production of a Draw with Rob activity in the welcome area which is now a fantastic additional activity for all visitors.

An art trail based on the illustrations by Fiona Lumbers within the beautiful picture book Luna Loves Art - written by Joe Coelho - was installed around Discover from May to September. Fiona was in the centre on the opening day to do a live painting, creating a mural in the café based on an image from the book.

The need to maintain social distancing throughout the building during most of 2021/22 meant that the first floor Storytelling Room was still not a space that we felt we could use for closed events. Therefore, we took the opportunity to re-open this room with an installation called Untold Stories . This was a collaboration between Creative Events and Exhibitions departments. Scripted by Kaveh Rahnama, sound designed by Steven Dove, performed by Story Builders Valentine Hanson and Minnie Wilkinson, the installation tells audio stories that remain unfinished. The audio ran on a 15-minute loop and families were invited to drop in and stay for as long as they wished. As well as being a thought-provoking story experience, the sensory elements within the room created a space that was both stimulating and soothing for babies and children with SEND.

Snow , a beautiful audio, and visual event made through collaboration between Creative Events, Exhibitions and Story Builders Niall Moorjani and Vickie Holden-Swinton was installed in the first floor Storytelling Space from December to February. Again, this sensory space proved very popular with visitors who enjoyed the snow themed stories, the captivating wintery landscape, and tactile animals and props.

This was followed by All Aboard , an installation based around our schools’-based EU funded project, which provided a setting for children to create their own comic story and play sailor games “on deck.”

0-5’s Storytelling Events Programme

We were able to revive BLink Blonk for the first three weeks of re-opening in May 2021. This was commissioned from Slot Machine, in collaboration with Story Builders Minnie Wilkinson and Vickie Holden-Swinton and delivered originally in October 2020.

We were then delighted to work once again with Malika Booker who, along with Story Builders Valentine Hanson and Marian Hoddy developed a new 0-5s event, The Adventures of Mangolina . This lively show which brought a host of Carnival characters into Discover ran from end June until September 2021.

Granny Moose – A Winter’s Tale , written and directed by Story Builder Paula David was a funny and charming storytelling event for 0-3’s about a moose in search of snow which ran from end November to early January.

The final story event of the year was Grow , written and directed by storybuilder Niall Moorjani. It was a delightful piece that followed the journey of an allotment gardener trying to find all the things they need to make their flower grow.

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Two new events were created by Story Builders and delivered during 2021/22. Space Adventures, developed by Minnie Wilkinson is a family story build session for ages 3 – 7 and Baby Storytelling developed by Diana Redgrave is an intimate, interactive story session for under 2s. These are both versatile events that are a fantastic addition to enrich the visitor offer and can be brought back in between 0-3’s Storytelling events and exhibitions. After a successful pilot run during the Autumn term, Space Adventures and Baby Storytelling and sessions returned from February to April and continue to feature in the programme.

Learning

Schools Programme

Schools’ visits started again in June and gradually built momentum as the year progressed. By December we were fully booked for exhibition school visits to Discover until February half term when Fairy Tales closed. We also took some bookings for Story World visits in the Autumn and early Spring term, but these were limited as it required a closure of the building to the public while schools visited. We prioritised double school bookings in this instance, to maximise income.

Our school’s newsletter was sent out twice per term and we know through monitoring opening rates that around 500 people are consistently reading our content each time.

Mighty Mega

Mighty Mega Club is one of our core projects; a weekly Saturday arts club for children with disabilities and their siblings providing access to artist-led activities all year round. When closed, we were determined to maintain regular contact with our members and created a regular online session. Our digital membership continued to steadily grow with more families hearing word-of-mouth about our offer. Throughout the summer, as a precautionary measure, we continued to work with Mighty Mega members remotely. We also partnered with national creative writing charity, Arvon, to programme a summer online author event with Tom McLaughlin for Mighty Mega members to tune into. We were delighted to welcome Mighty Mega members back in person mid-September with the first term being led by Embracing Arts. The spring term was led by Andre Pink, a clowning and theatre artist. A former Mighty Mega member attended sessions as a volunteer, supporting families and Story Builders. Digital sessions continued to run alongside in person activities, to ensure we were as inclusive as possible to families who were not be able to come to Discover.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all the wonderful videos, sharing craft and fun […] We have been to Discover many times and your online platform is the next best thing […] We love how you are diverse and inclusive. It’s evident that so much work and thought has gone into everything and we really appreciate it”. Parent feedback

Teachers’ Forum

We hosted very constructive Teachers’ Forum sessions four times in 2021/22 with all four member schools attending. The forum was a fantastic opportunity to test ideas out with teachers and to get invaluable advice and support on projects, process, and practice.

Children’s Forum

Children’s forum members were invited to the first in-person session in more than a year, as a part of our soft-launch on 20th May 2021. They then met monthly, with 6-10 members per session. During the year they provided comments and ideas on the Capital Garden project, 0-5s installation, the development of the Creative Wellbeing project, curated a digital aquarium which will feature as part of The 100 Story Hotel exhibition and wrote reviews for our book of the month.

Story Sandwich

Activities for Story Sandwich members, delivered in partnership with the Magpie project which provides support for mothers and children under five in temporary or insecure accommodation in Newham met back in person at Discover when we reopened. There has been regular attendance throughout the year, with some participants also using their free annual pass to visit together outside of the programme.

All Aboard! (EU Project – Educating Children on Gender Equality)

This was the third year of this project co-developing and implementing an educational methodology based on creative art/cultural practices to enhance education on gender equality. Theatre maker Lizzie Corscaden worked with Story Builders Laura Sampson and Arkem Walton on the development of the storytelling performance which was a rollicking, high-seas

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

adventure exploring and challenging rigid gender stereotypes placed on children and young people. Comic artist RAMZEE visually adapted the original story into a 10-page comic book, which was printed and shared with children participating in the project. We delivered All Aboard events for pupils in five schools and for families within Discover. Feedback from children, teachers and parents was very positive and highlighted the importance of addressing gender equality and featuring nonbinary characters in stories.

The Map of Me (Creative Wellbeing Project)

Merlin Evans (medical illustrator and artist) worked with Story Builders Marian Hoddy and Niall Moorjani on the development of the storytelling performance for The Map of Me, a project focusing on wellbeing in response to teacher concerns about the effects of the pandemic on their pupils. The original story was recorded and shared digitally with three participating schools in Newham, Hackney, and Tower Hamlets ahead of a series of in-school workshops led by the artist and Story Builders in autumn 2021. The project culminated in an eye-catching installation in the storytelling space at Discover in late November to showcase pupil artwork and the project achievements. Participating children were gifted free passes to Discover to enable them and their families to visit Discover and see their artwork on display. Feedback has been extremely positive from children, teachers, and artist/Story Builders involved in the project. We are looking to deliver the project again in the next academic year.

Events

We were delighted to programme live author events within the centre once more. We started with a residency of comic book workshops by Emily Fellah and author events, Aziza's Fairy Door written by Tọlá Okogwu and Jasmine Richards under the pen-name Lola Morayo. In addition there were single sessions delivered by: Sav Akyuz; Jen Bell & Alice Lickens; Joe Coelho & Fiona Lumbars; Ian Eagleton; Catherine Emmett; Sophy Henn; Hannah Lee; Steven Lenton; Simon Mole; Laura Mucha; Hannah Peck; Jane Riordan celebrating the 95th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh; Chitra Soundar, and Alex Willmore.

There were several lively performative storytelling events including: Paula David with Adventures of Amari Through Black History; a show by Pakiki Theatre called Knowing Newham Hero Hunt , all about local heroes, present and past, and Drag Pirates by Arkem Walton.

To reach those families who may not be able to attend the centre, we continued to programme digital events including a storybuilder reading of The Best Place in the World by Petr Horácek, and Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey leading an event based on their book Bad Panda . Swapna currently lives in New Zealand; a more welcome outcome of the pandemic is that the new online work means we can engage our local community with inspirational artists from across the world.

Newham Word Festival

Newham Word Festival ran from 21[st] June to 4[th] July 2021. It featured a fantastic range of in-person and online events by emerging and established, local and non-local authors, illustrators, artists, and organisations. There were 20 in person workshops and events in libraries, at Stratford Youth Zone, Stratford Picturehouse, outdoor locations and in Discover, which attracted 423 people. Numbers were restricted due to social distancing requirements but those who attended were thrilled to be there. We also ran 28 online events – a mixture of pre-recorded videos and live Zoom workshops and our first ever livestream for the festival’s headline event – which achieved 1,751 views across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The festival was a great success, online and in person, and we learned a great deal from the process, which we can apply to future digital work.

“The workshop was very accessible and clear instructions with examples, also laid back. Unusual choice for a word festival and made me think about language differently! It's great to include a wider variety of mediums in a festival like this” participant on coding workshop with Yoke Collective (Zoom)

We curated the children’s programme for Fabula Festival for Redbridge Vision in October and programmed a range of family and schools’ workshops and events, including a larger scale, live streamed event, Unleash your Creative Monster with Olaf Falafal and Andy Jones. This was shown to 250 children in person in the Kenneth More Theatre in Redbridge and to at least 250 children through live stream in schools. The family programme was delivered in Central Library in Redbridge and included shows and a workshop by Bazazi Circus, Emily Fellah, Sophy Henn, Hannah Lee and The Adventures of Mangolina and Drop in Stories which were both delivered by Story Builders.

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

During the summer holidays we delivered story-building workshops to children in Newham Libraries under Newham's Holiday Activity and Food Fund, a scheme which aims to keep vulnerable children looked after with activities and food during school holidays.

We also delivered an event in Leytonstone as part of a family day, where two Discover Story Builders created new pirate stories with the families who attended. An event for World Book Day, with Rikin Parekh and Joanna Nadin, took place in March 2022 for six local schools classes Newham Schools in Stratford Library.

2) Reach

During 2021/22 we welcomed 80,933 visitors to the centre including 78,219 families visits of which 6,775 were free, and 2,714 schoolchildren and teachers visits. Whilst lower than pre-pandemic visitor figures, we are pleased to report that we continue to see great demand from families and schools to visit us and we are confident that we can gradually rebuild our customer base.

Supporting families

During 2021/22, alongside our general family sessions, there were free weekly sessions with Story Sandwich, and with Mighty Mega members. Additionally, participants of both programmes were given free annual passes to enable them to visit the centre outside of those sessions.

We subsidised general ticket entry at £7.50 per person, £6.50 for Newham residents/concessions, with a reduced rate for a group of four, 1-2’s at £2 and carers and 0-1’s free.

During 2021/22 we used core resources to create an offer to reach targeted groups. We developed a simple system of allocating voucher codes that collaborating partners could give out to families to enable free entry. We worked with a range of partners including Alternatives Trust, Docklands Settlement, Magpie, Newham Family Nurse Partnership, Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre, and Salvation Army Foodbank. The scheme was promoted at peak times such as summer holidays and Christmas, as well as being available throughout the year. We are pleased to report we received a Newham Business Grant in the latter part of 2021/22 that will fund many more free tickets for Newham residents in 2022/23.

In terms of reach there were benefits to retaining an element of online working. Our membership of Mighty Mega included people who had not previously been able to attend in-person sessions for geographical, timetabling, or other reasons. Whilst it is important to acknowledge in-person sessions allow a depth of engagement, inter-activity and social inter-action that is special, the on-line offer is a clearly a highly valuable element of our work.

Partnering with Sign for All Community, we programmed four BSL interpreted performances over the year, one of which was free for participants. Going forward, we are committed to increasing the number of signed performances we programme at Discover to an average of one per month. Supporting our commitment to increasing access, we also had a team from BBC See Hear (the BBC programme for deaf and hard of hearing people) at Discover filming a piece about International Children’s Book Day.

Partners

Z Arts were pleased to receive Fairy Tales when it ended its run at Discover. This is a well-established partnership that supports efficient use of resources, increased public benefit, and extends Discover’s profile and reach.

A strong relationship was maintained with Newham Council, primarily through the delivery of the third Newham Word Festival. We also inputted into the Newham Cultural Strategy and worked in partnership with the library service and Creative Newham Alliance.

We continued to be active in local forums including representation on the board of Stratford B.I.D. (Business Improvement District). We contributed to strategic conversations as part of a leadership group with the Story Museum and Seven Stories story organisations leadership group. We inputted into sector development through representation on the Family Arts Campaign Project Board and membership of Hands On! – International Association of Children in Museums.

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CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Marketing

In the early part of 2021/22 Discover reduced digital content creation, to focus on marketing Discover as a physical space although we continued to create stories, activities, and book recommendations online along with supporting online content for Community and Education projects.

Over the year we saw significant growth in the number of visits to our website with monthly average visits of 31,807 (218% increase). Our Facebook followers slightly increased by 2% to 15,168, and Twitter stayed consistent at 7,142. Instagram followers jumped by 58% to 14,700 allowing us access to new features such a swipe-up links which are directly generating website visits and conversations.

Whilst YouTube views not surprisingly dropped as people ceased to be constrained by lockdown, we still registered 15,209 views including 3,891 views for new content uploaded during the year.

Our targeted approach to inviting influencers worked well. We focused on several events and occasions such as the opening of the new garden and the run up to Christmas to encourage visits, as well as maintaining interest across the year. Instagram is now the biggest social referrer to our website and generates the largest number of conversions (website visits that directly result in sales). Influencers are a key part of this success.

Toward the end of the year we created a TikTok account, as research has shown a growing parent-audience on this channel. We will be running the platform for a trial period initially, with a review to assess if the platform is worth committing to. Because Instagram has become more video-focussed recently, with its Reels feature, we aim to share a lot of the same content onto TikTok to maximise use of resources.

Our regular email newsletter is sent out 1-2 times per month to 18,000+ subscribers with an excellent 34% open rate. Our newsletter helps create an active audience for our digital storytelling offer, as well as being an excellent and cost-effective generator of sales for in-person events.

The Gift voucher page on our website has been updated to be more attractive and user-friendly, and we have seen a 150% increase in vouchers sales over the year. We actively promoted Gift Vouchers and Gift Annual Passes in the run up to Christmas to good effect.

We created an online process for purchasing books which can then be collected from Discover. Books are recommended based on which events visitors have in their baskets.

We have continued to work with other organisations in our sector such as The Unicorn, Arts Depot, Little Angel, and Theatre Royal Stratford East, to help share and cross-promote events through social media, newsletters and printed materials.

Volunteers

We worked with volunteers towards the end of the year and they played an important role supporting Discover’s exhibition development, and events.

3) Resilience and Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability

Discover recognises its responsibility to protect the environment and we are continually working to reduce the environmental impact of our work as a venue, in the office, as a landlord and through our external programmes. Our policy aims to maintain an economic working environment that strives to promote energy efficiency, recycling of waste materials and the use of recycled products in the pursuit of creating an economic and environmentally friendly workplace. We also comply with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations, and requirements.

We continue to implement our Environmental Action Plan including changing to a renewable energy supplier, installing more low energy light bulbs, operating light sensors where possible in the building, using recycled materials and recycling elements within capital and exhibition designs, and offering tap water and bottle refills to customers.

11

CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Investing in our Building and Resources

We maintained a safe environment through the ongoing use of equipment such as a fogging machine to disinfect hard to wipe areas, mobile sinks, and sanitiser & wipe dispensers.

The garden project, designed by Made from Scratch to offer better access and improved opportunities for outdoor hands-on experiences and learning through play, was successfully completed. There was a delay of 2 weeks which did not have a major impact, and the garden opened at the beginning of August 2021 to the delight of visitors and staff. The completed work was very carefully crafted and has lots of challenging play opportunities for a wide range of children.

A flood in the basement in August 2021, caused by a drain overflow during incredibly heavy rain, forced us to temporarily close the Fairy Tales exhibition. A second flood in January, caused by a mains water pipe on the High St bursting, also forced a temporary closure of the Fairy Tales exhibition. There was damage to the set and flooring, but remedial works overnight enabled us to reopen for the rest of the run.

Chiswick College moved in as a tenant for the third floor of Discover House (379-381 High Street). Terms have been agreed with the ground floor tenant to move into the first floor at the beginning of April 2022, at which point the building will be fully occupied.

Development

We ran a series of Forward Planning sessions, led by Mel Larsen and Associates, that were open to all Board and staff members to develop our 2023-26 Business Plan.

We began a process with the community specialist consultants Renaisi to develop a Theory of Change and Evaluation Framework for Discover’s ongoing work. This has been funded by the Kusuma Trust.

We looked to build on our growing online individual donations by creating a strong visual narrative about our charitable purpose within the reception area. This included commissioning Aleksei Bitskoff to create a new illustration for the backing of a new donation box which also enables contactless donations.

Priorities 2022/23

12

CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Structure, Governance and Management

Discover is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. The Board of Trustees, which is responsible for the direction and management of Discover, is elected by members. Membership of the charity is open to any individual who supports the aims and policies of the company and is approved by the Trustees.

The Board has overall responsibility for the strategic control and direction of Discover with day-to-day management delegated to the Chief Executive. Discover’s Board is elected by members at its AGM. The Board currently meets bi-monthly.

Discover’s Articles of Association state that the Board must consist of between 3-20 Trustees. Current Board membership includes Trustees with skills and experience in business, education including SENCo, finance, fundraising, human resources, law (including property), PR and communications, regeneration, stakeholder engagement, and writing.

New Trustees receive the most recent Annual Report and Audited Accounts, the latest set of Board papers, and the current Business Plan. During the year the charity provided indemnity insurance for its Trustees.

Discover Management Team

Chief Executive (0.8) Karla Barnacle-Best
Deputy Chief Executive (1.0) Paul Callaghan
Finance Director (0.6) Mary King
Head of Development (0.8) Kathy Everett
Head of Learning (0.8) Stephanie Bennett/CharlotteMétairie(from January 2022)
Head of Operations (1.0) Richard Smith-Gore
Head of Marketing (0.7) Jessica Ziebland
Head of Creative Events (0.6) Natalie Chivers

Discover’s remuneration policy states that key management salaries are determined through consideration of our financial position and constraints as well as testing against the wider market. Salary levels are initially agreed by the Finance Committee, which then makes a recommendation for approval by the Board.

The Board has established a Finance and Personnel Sub-Committee but during 2021/22, because of Covid-19 and the temporary closure of Discover’s building, the full Board met to scrutinise and oversee the detailed financing of the charity including management account forecasts, cashflow and reserves position. When necessary, the Board also establishes working groups or offers additional support on specific areas, e.g. capital projects, governance, fundraising and website development.

Public Benefit

We have referred to the advice in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to

13

CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

the aims and objectives they have set. This includes a review of the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and fee charging. Discover relies upon grant income and fees from admissions to cover its operating costs. In setting the level of admission prices, the Trustees consider the accessibility of the Centre to those on low incomes. Admission is heavily subsidised for both schools and family visitors. We seek to provide several free days for local families each year as well as free entry to targeted groups via specific projects and offers.

The Story Centre is used by families and community groups during weekends, school holidays and after school. During termtime, school groups from Foundation, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 visit Discover and have structured sessions led by Story Builders, which are designed to support key skills such as language, literacy, creative, social, and personal development. Many of our beneficiaries come from the six east London boroughs which represent some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK.

Financial Review

In 2021-22 Discover’s total income was £1,634,322 (2020-21: £1,589,478) this represents a 3% increase from the previous year. The revenue comes from a variety of sources including earned income from admission fees and rental income from sub-letting space. Income also comes from grants, from trusts and foundations and commissions from a variety of sources to deliver specific services. The total expenditure in the year was £2,071,948 (2020-21: £1,548,175). The overall general fund position has increased by £21,315 with the fund balance at year-end of £482,957 (2020-21: £461,642).

Fundraising

Financial Sustainability

Discover was closed for nearly 2 months of the financial year due to COVID-19 (2020-21: 10 months). This had an impact on our operations income. Total visitor income was £669,047 (2020-21: £106,230). Our earned income for the year was £1022,048 (2020-21: £323,307). Grant income was £532,555 (2020-21: £1,233,160). We re-opened on a reduced capacity for family visitors, which we were able to increase during the year. However, we are not yet back to the pre-covid-19 capacity or visitor numbers.

Reserves policy

Following Covid-19, the Trustees felt the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets (the free reserves) held by the charity, should be six months of expenditure. On 31 March 2022 the free reserves of the charity were £482,957 (2020-21: £461,642). Our budget expenditure for 2022-23 is £1.7 million. The reserves represent approximately 3.3 months of budgeted expenditure. It is recognised it will take some years to build up.

Investment Policy

The Trustees have considered the most appropriate policy for investing funds and in the current economic climate they felt it prudent to spread the cash across savings accounts with different degrees of accessibility to maximise interest.

Risk Management

The Trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

The Trustees view the current risks to be financial, the main risks being:

14

CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

To mitigate the financial risks, the Board of Trustees reviews management account forecasts and income targets at each meeting, and cashflow forecast twice per year. A key priority has been set to build up the level of reserves again over the next five years. To mitigate the personnel risks, the Board of Trustees reviews key staffing issues and succession planning.

Accounting Compliance

The Directors confirm that the accounts comply with current statutory requirements and with the requirements of the charity’s governing document.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also directors of Discover for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ 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 Directors 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 charitable company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:

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 to enable it to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They 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.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

The Directors have prepared this report in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the Board of Directors on 13 July 2022:

Alexandra Marks

Chair

15

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Children’s Discovery Centre East London for the year ended 31 March 2021 31 March 2022 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Chair’s Report and the Trustees’ Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

16

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Report (which incorporates the directors’ report).

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 14, the trustees (who are also the directors 15 of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the environment in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to the regulatory requirements of the Charity Commission, and regulations regarding safeguarding, health and safety, and employment law, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, payroll taxes and sales tax.

We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to the posting of inappropriate journal entries or the manipulation of accounting judgements and estimates. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

17

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Lee Stokes (Senior Statutory Auditor) 10 Queen Street Place
For and on behalf of Haysmacintyre LLP, Statutory Auditor London
EC4R 1AG
Date:
13 July 2022

18

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Notes
INCOME
Income and endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
Grants Receivable
2
Donations and Gifts
3
Charitable Activities
Operation of Centre and Outreach
4
Other Trading Activities
Contract Income
2
Investments
Rents Receivable
Interest Receivable
Other Income
Total Income
EXPENDITURE
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
Fundraising and Marketing
6
Charitable Activities
Development of the Centre
Operation of the Centre and Outreach
Total Expenditure
7
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfer between funds
16
Net movement in funds
Fund Balances brought forward at 1 April 2021
Fund Balances carried forward at 31 March 2022		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
95,597
27,875
669,047
-
311,500
2,122
49,724
1,155,865
162,692
82,166
1,228,870
1,473,728
(317,863)
87,669
(230,194)
3,682,674
3,452,480		 Restricted
Funds
£
436,958
-
-
41,500
-
-
-
478,458
-
-
598,220
598,220
(119,762)
(87,669)
(207,431)
372,592
165,161		 Total
Total
2022
2021
£
£
532,555
1,233,160
27,875
7,442
669,047
106,230
41,500
13,500
311,500
203,577
2,122
4,760
49,724
20,809
1,634,323
1,589,478
162,692
156,695
82,166
82,275
1,827,090
1,309,205
2,071,948
1,548,175
(437,625)
41,303
-
-
(437,625)
41,303
4,055,266
4,013,963
3,617,641
4,055,266

The notes on pages 22 to 33 form part of these financial statements. Details of comparative figures by fund are given on page

All income and expenditure are derived from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006 and includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

19

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2022

Company Registration No 03479284

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets
11
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
CURRENT LIABILITIES
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due
within one year
13
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL NET ASSETS
Unrestricted
Designated - Building & Strategic Fund
17
General Funds
Restricted Funds
16		 £
£
2,969,523
15,843
174,113
658,132
848,088
(199,970)
648,118
3,617,641
2,969,523
482,957
3,452,480
165,161
3,617,641
2022		 £
£
3,126,032
22,949
114,225
875,583
1,012,757
(83,523)
929,234
4,055,266
3,221,032
461,642
3,682,674
372,592
4,055,266
2021		 £
£
3,126,032
22,949
114,225
875,583
1,012,757
(83,523)
929,234
4,055,266
3,221,032
461,642
3,682,674
372,592
4,055,266
2021
4,055,266
3,682,674
372,592
4,055,266

The notes form part of these accounts.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 13 July 2022 and were signed below on its behalf by:

Amit Rama

Amit Rama Treasurer

20

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

2022
£
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
Statement of Financial Activities)
(437,625)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation Charges
275,216
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(2,122)
Decrease in stocks
7,106
Increase in debtors
(59,888)
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors
116,447
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(118,707)
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
2,122
Net cash used in investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
Cash in hand
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents		 2022
£
(100,866)
(116,585)
(217,451)
875,583
658,132
2021
£
658,132
658,132		 2021
£
41,303
259,418
(4,760)
-
(18,218)
(131,465)
(20,062)
4,760		 2021
£
146,278
(15,302)
130,976
744,607
875,583
2021
£
875,583
875,583

21

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2015) (Second Edition, effective 1 January 2019) and the Companies Act 2006.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

1.2 Going Concern

The trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The review of our financial position, reserves levels and future plans gives trustees confidence the charity remains a going concern for the foreseeable future.

1.3 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to income, it is probable that income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

1.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised in the period in which it is incurred and is allocated to the activities to which it relates. Where necessary a best estimate of allocation between activities is adopted.

The cost of raising funds comprises costs associated with generating funds including the cost of staff directly engaged in fundraising.

Charitable expenditure comprises costs directly attributable to running the Centre’s core charitable function as well as the other programmes run.

Governance costs are those associated with the governance of the charity, compliance with statutory obligations and costs related to the strategic management of the Charity.

Support costs are attributed to each activity and are apportioned on the basis of staff time spent.

1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised

379-381 improvements 15 years Long leasehold improvements - specific offices 20% on cost Long leasehold premises 50 years Exhibits 8 years Furniture, Fittings & Equipment 25% on cost

Assets under the course of construction are not depreciated until the work is completed and the asset brought into use.

1.6 Leasing and hire purchase commitments

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

22

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

1.7 Stock

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Stock comprises materials used during workshops and refreshments and souvenirs for resale.

1.8 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

1.9 Cash in bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments.

1.10 Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

1.11 Restricted funds

Restricted funds are funds received subject to specific conditions imposed by the donor.

1.12 Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds are funds which are expendable at the direction of the Trustees.

1.13 Employee benefits

Short term benefits

Short term benefits including holiday pay are recognised as an expense in the period in which the service is received.

Employee termination benefits

Termination benefits are accounted for on an accrual basis and in line with FRS 102.

1.15 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the accounting policies, trustees are required to make judgement, estimates, and assumptions about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affected current and future periods.

Judgements made by the trustees, in the application of these accounting policies that have significant effect on the financial statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are deemed to be in relation to the depreciation rates of tangible fixed assets and are discussed above.

In the view of the trustees, no assumptions concerning the future or estimation uncertainty affecting assets or liabilities at the balance sheet date are likely to result in a material adjustment to their carrying amounts in the next financial year.

23

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

2
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS RECEIVABLE
Analysis by Funder:
Arts Council England
BBC Children in Need
Drapers Charitable Trust
European Union
Garfield Weston Foundation
Greater London Authority (Royal Docks Team)
The Henry Smith Charity
HMRC
Kusuma Trust
Leathersellers Company Charitable Fund
London Borough of Newham
London Community Response Fund
London Marathon Trust
Macquarie Foundation
Man Group plc Charitable Trust
National Lottery Community Fund
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Redbridge Arts Grants
Rix Thompson Rothenberg Foundation
The Span Trust
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Veolia Trust
Grants
Contracts
Capital
Revenue		 Unrestricted
£
95,597
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
95,597
95,597
-
95,597
-
95,597
95,597		 Restricted
£
75,000
41,943
-
26,705
-
10,500
25,000
58,020
25,380
10,000
88,887
-
27,000
-
25,000
43,023
-
1,500
5,000
2,500
-
13,000
478,458
436,958
41,500
478,458
42,500
435,958
478,458		 2022
Total
£
170,597
41,943
-
26,705
-
10,500
25,000
58,020
25,380
10,000
88,887
-
27,000
-
25,000
43,023
-
1,500
5,000
2,500
-
13,000
574,055
532,555
41,500
574,055
42,500
531,555
574,055		 2021
Total
£
245,597
56,028
10,000
-
174,700
-
75,000
416,225
-
-
13,500
14,800
-
4,603
24,635
119,422
67,650
-
-
-
24,500
-
1,246,660
1,233,160
13,500
1,246,660
-
1,246,660
1,246,660

24

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

2
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS RECEIVABLE
Analysis by Funder:
Arts Council England
BBC Children in Need
Drapers Charitable Trust
Garfield Weston Foundation
The Henry Smith Charity
HMRC
London Borough of Newham
London Community Response Fund
Macquarie Foundation
Man Group plc Charitable Trust
National Lottery Community Fund
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Grants
Contracts
Capital
Revenue		 Unrestricted
£
95,597
-
-
-
-
416,225
-
-
4,603
-
-
-
-
516,425
516,425
-
516,425
-
516,425
516,425		 Restricted
£
150,000
56,028
10,000
174,700
75,000
-
13,500
14,800
-
24,635
119,422
67,650
24,500
730,235
716,735
13,500
730,235
-
730,235
730,235		 2021
Total
£
245,597
56,028
10,000
174,700
75,000
416,225
13,500
14,800
4,603
24,635
119,422
67,650
24,500
1,246,660
1,233,160
13,500
1,246,660
-
1,246,660
1,246,660

3 DONATIONS AND GIFTS

DONATIONS AND GIFTS
Donations
Donations in Kind
Gift Aid		 2022
Total
£
13,782
7,360
6,733
27,875		 2021
Total
£
5,388
-
2,054
7,442

All donations and gifts were unrestricted.

25

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

4 OPERATION OF CENTRE AND OUTREACH

Family admissions
School admissions
Shop and café income
Birthday party lettings
Hire of space
Community income
Education and participation commissions		 Unrestricted
£
528,178
14,151
98,339
(52)
3,673
7,049
17,709
669,047		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2022
2021
Total
Total
£
£
528,178
94,274
14,151
385
98,339
12,289
(52)
(1,375)
3,673
407
7,049
-
17,709
250
669,047
106,230

The expenditure on operation of centre and outreach in 2021 was unrestricted.

5 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

The result for the year is stated after charging:
Auditor's remuneration
- Statutory Audit
- Other audit services
Depreciation
NDRAISING AND MARKETING
Direct Costs
Salaries
Governance Costs
Support Costs
Direct Costs
Salaries
Governance Costs
Support Costs		 Fundraising
£
2,142
32,330
1,520
25,943		 Marketing
£
19,095
44,155
2,074
35,433
100,757
Marketing
£
10,675
53,224
1,786
27,399
93,084		 2022
Total
£
10,400
3,120
275,216
2022
Total
£
21,237
76,485
3,594
61,376
162,692
2021
Total
£
11,094
93,901
3,362
48,338
156,695		 2021
Total
£
9,250
-
259,418
2021
Total
£
11,094
93,901
3,362
48,338
61,935
Fundraising
£
419
40,677
1,576
20,939
63,611		 156,695

Fundraising is mainly from Trusts and Foundations. Discover does not undertake street collections or cold calling.

26

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

7 EXPENDITURE

Direct Costs
Direct Project Costs
Capital Development
Salaries
Support Costs
Governance Costs
Staff costs
Audit
Other Support Costs
Bank Charges
Depreciation
Insurance
Office Costs
Printing & Postage
Professional Fees
Stationery
Telephone
Direct Costs
Direct Project Costs
Salaries
Support Costs
Governance Costs
Staff costs
Audit
Other Support Costs
Bank Charges
Depreciation
Insurance
Office Costs
Printing & Postage
Professional Fees
Stationery
Telephone		 Fundraising
& Marketing
£
21,237
-
76,485
2,282
1,312
119
22,648
1,037
32,965
14
3,870
174
549
162,692
166,458
Fundraising
& Marketing
£
11,094
93,901
2,335
1,027
-
114
25,739
1,083
19,493
111
1,108
79
611
156,695		 Development
of Centre
£
879
6,831
40,257
1,201
691
63
11,921
546
17,351
8
2,037
92
289
82,166
88,659
Development
of Centre
£
111
52,884
1,479
578
-
64
14,496
610
10,978
62
624
45
344
82,275		 Operations
£
269,999
-
717,831
21,417
12,314
1,116
212,556
9,735
309,385
134
36,320
1,632
5,149
1,597,588
1,321,882
Operations
£
51,741
667,026
19,874
7,292
-
811
182,843
7,692
138,470
784
7,874
564
4,338
1,089,309		 Outreach
£
54,045
-
94,870
2,830
1,627
148
28,092
1,287
40,889
18
4,800
216
680
229,502
334,016
Outreach
£
13,453
132,570
4,178
1,449
-
161
36,340
1,529
27,521
156
1,565
112
862
219,896		 Total
2022
£
346,160
6,831
929,443
27,730
15,944
1,446
275,217
12,605
400,590
174
47,027
2,114
6,667
2,071,948
1,911,018
Total
2021
£
76,399
946,381
27,866
10,346
1,150
259,418
10,914
196,462
1,113
11,171
800
6,155
1,548,175		 Total
2021
£
76,399
-
946,381
27,866
10,346
1,150
259,418
10,914
196,462
1,113
11,171
800
6,155
1,548,175

27

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

8 EMPLOYEES

The average number of employees during the year was as follows:

Number of Employees
Direct Charitable Expenditure
Fundraising and Publicity & Marketing
Staff Costs
Wages and Salaries
Social Security Costs
Pension Costs
Senior Management Team salaries totalled
Senior Management Team is composed of the following number of posts:
Chief Executive Officer
Deputy Chief Executive
Finance Director
Head of Development
Head of Learning
Head of Operations
Head of Marketing
Head of Creative Events		 2022
43
4
47
2022
£
870,593
53,371
33,210
957,174
2022
£
324,528
2022
0.8
1.0
0.6
0.8
0.8
1.0
0.7
0.6		 2021
49
5
54
2021
£
884,221
55,313
34,713
974,247
2021
£
301,310
2021
0.8
1.0
0.6
0.8
0.8
1.0
0.7
0.6

There were no employees whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more (2021: nil). There were no settlements or compromise agreements during the year (2021: nil).

9 TRUSTEES

No Trustees received any remuneration from the charity in year 2022. (2021: Vaseem Khan was paid £725 for services for Newham Word Festival).

10 RELATED PARTIES

No Trustees received any remuneration from the charity in year 2022. (2021: Vaseem Khan was paid £725 for services for Newham Word Festival).

28

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

11 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2021
Additions
At 31 March 2022
Depreciation
At 1 April 2021
Charge in Year
At 31 March 2022
Net book value
At 31 March 2022
At 31 March 2021		 Discover
House
£
1,003,704
-
1,003,704
575,795
15,539
591,334
412,370
427,909
Leasehold		 Discover
Story Centre
£
4,426,443
1,988
4,428,431
1,933,031
181,901
2,114,932
2,313,499
2,493,412
Premises		 Exhibition
£
403,632
108,936
512,568
219,640
64,071
283,711
228,857
183,992		 Furniture,
Fittings &
Equipment
£
205,996
7,783
213,779
185,277
13,705
198,982
14,797
20,719		 Total
£
6,039,775
118,707
6,158,482
2,913,743
275,216
3,188,959
2,969,523
3,126,032

Net book value at 31 March 2021 represents fixed assets used for:

Leasehold Premises
Discover Discover Computer
House Story Centre Exhibition Equipment Total
£ £ £ £ £
Direct charitable purposes
Operation of the Centre - 2,313,499 228,857 14,797 2,557,153
Leased Property 412,370 - - - 412,370

The Sub-leased building represents expenditure on 379/381 High Street, Stratford which is a property subleased to Skills for Growth/Landmark on a 10 year lease from Oct 2015. The building improvements specifically for the tenant are being depreciated over the period of the lease.

The Sub-leased building was revalued at 11 October 2006 by Glenny LLP, Chartered Surveyors, on the basis of open market value at £985,000. This resulted in an unrealised impairment loss of £289,135 which was accounted for in the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2006. The Trustees do not believe that there has been a further permanent diminution in value since 11 October 2006.

29

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

12
DEBTORS
Trade debtors
Rent / Service Charges
Prepayments and accrued income
13
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
Taxes and social security costs
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
14
DEFERRED INCOME
Total deferred income at 1 April 2021
Amounts realised in the year
Deferred income in the year
Total Deferred Income at 31 March 2022		 2022
£
29,504
71,875
72,734
174,113
2022
£
41,693
90,135
68,142
199,970
2022
£
-
-
38,880
38,880		 2021
£
32,881
-
81,344
114,225
2021
£
20,575
51,848
11,100
83,523
2021
£
62,449
(62,449)
-
-

15 SHARE CAPITAL

The company is limited by guarantee and does not have any share capital. Each member guarantees up to £5 payable in the event of a winding up under the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

30

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

16 RESTRICTED FUNDS

RESTRICTED FUNDS
Capital Garden Project
Community Projects
Capital Garden Project
Community Projects		 Balance at
1 Apr 2021
£
52,000
320,592
372,592
Balance at
1 Apr 2020
£
52,000
110,811
162,811		 Income
£
42,500
435,958
478,458
Income
£
-
730,235
730,235		 Expenditure
£
(6,831)
(591,389)
(598,220)
Expenditure
£
-
(520,454)
(520,454)		 Transfers
£
(87,669)
-
(87,669)
Transfers
£
-
-
-		 Balance at
31 Mar 2022
£
-
165,161
165,161
Balance at
31 Mar 2021
£
52,000
320,592
372,592

The Capital Garden Project represents improvements to the Story Garden. The transfers are the items in the garden that have been capitalised.

Community Projects represents income and expenditure in relation to promoting the objectives of the charity in the local area.

17 DESIGNATED FUNDS

DESIGNATED FUNDS
Strategic Fund
Building Fund
Strategic Fund
Building Fund		 Balance at
1 Apr 2021
£
95,000
3,126,032
3,221,032
Balance at
31 Mar 2020
£
25,000
3,365,388
3,390,388		 New
Designations
£
-
118,707
118,707
New
Designations
£
95,000
20,062
115,062		 Expenditure
£
(95,000)
(275,216)
(370,216)
Expenditure
£
(32,486)
(259,418)
(291,904)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
Transfers
£
7,486
-
7,486		 Balance at
31 Mar 2022
£
-
2,969,523
2,969,523
Balance at
31 Mar 2021
£
95,000
3,126,032
3,221,032

The Strategic Fund is for essential maintenance and repairs of the building and garden. The Building Fund represents the net book value of the tangible fixed assets held at 31 March 2022.

31

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

18 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Fund balances at 31 March 2022 are represented by:
Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Fund balances at 31 March 2021 are represented by:
Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
682,927
(199,970)
482,957
321,218
Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
545,165
(83,523)
461,642		 Designated
Funds
£
2,969,523
-
-
2,969,523
3,756,734
Designated
Funds
£
3,126,032
95,000
-
3,221,032		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
165,161
-
165,161
117,955
Restricted
Funds
£
-
372,592
-
372,592		 Total
Funds
£
2,969,523
848,088
(199,970)
3,617,642
4,093,313
Total
Funds
£
3,126,032
1,012,757
(83,523)
4,055,266

32

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTRE EAST LONDON STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

INCOME
Income and endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
Grants Receivable
Donations and Gifts
Charitable Activities
Operation of Centre and Outreach
Other Trading Activities
Contract Income
Sponsorship Income
Investments
Rents Receivable
Interest Receivable
Other Income
Total Income
EXPENDITURE
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
Fundraising and Marketing
Charitable Activities
Development of the Centre
Operation of the Centre and Outreach
Total Expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
Fund Balances brought forward at 1 April 2020
Fund Balances carried forward at 31 March 2021		 General
Funds
£
516,425
7,442
106,230
-
-
203,577
4,760
20,809
859,243
156,695
82,275
788,751
1,027,721
(168,478)
-
(168,478)
3,851,152
3,682,674		 Restricted
Total
Funds
2021
£
£
716,735
1,233,160
-
7,442
-
106,230
13,500
13,500
-
-
-
203,577
-
4,760
-
20,809
730,235
1,589,478
-
156,695
-
82,275
520,454
1,309,205
520,454
1,548,175
209,781
41,303
-
-
209,781
41,303
162,811
4,013,963
372,592
4,055,266

33