2023-03-31-accounts

(A Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status)

Impact Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Registered number: 03500128 (England & Wales) Registered Charity Number: 1072902

Contents

Impact Report for year ending 31[st] March 2023

		Page
1	Introduction	3
2	Achievements and Performance	4
2.1	Celebrating 40 years	4
2.2	Headline Figures for 2021-22	4-5
2.2	Participant and Supporter Feedback	5-8
2.3	Organisational Development	9-10
2.4	Programme Development	11
2.4.1	Hands & Voices	11-12
2.4.3	IMPs Inclusive Music Projects	12-13
2.4.4	iMUSE (Interactive Multisensory Environment)	13-14
2.4.5	Sensory Programme – Movers & Shakers	14-15
3	Future Plans	15

Financial and Legal Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2023

1	Structure, Governance and Management	16
2	Trustees’ Financial Review	17-19
3	Policies and Risk Management	20-22
4	Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities	22
5	Independent Examiner’s Report	23
6	Statement of Financial Activities	24
7	Balance Sheet	25
8	Notes to the Accounts	26-33
9	Legal and Administrative Information	34

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Accessible Arts & Media

Impact Report for the year ended 31 March 2023

1 Introduction

Accessible Arts & Media (AAM) has been running arts and creative media learning projects in and around York since 1982. We believe that everyone can learn, everyone can be creative, and everyone can play a part in their local community, they just need the right support. We help people develop the skills and confidence to connect with their local community and have more of a say in the things that matter to them. And everyone has a lot of fun along the way!

Vision

Our vision is for an inclusive society. We level the playing field so everyone’s given the best chance to shine.

Mission

We run a vibrant range of accessible, inclusive, high-quality, and affordable projects, from singing and signing choirs and sensory movement sessions to accessible music making groups and one-to-one creative and therapeutic sensory sessions. Our user-led projects help people find their voice and develop the confidence to use it. And they support people’s wellbeing by helping them feel happy, valued, and connected.

Camaraderie, collaboration, and community spirit are at the heart of everything we do. We bring our own brand of humour and a lively sense of fun to the serious business of supporting people to achieve their aspirations.

We work with disabled adults and young people, older people living with dementia and memory loss, people with mental ill-health and community groups in York and North Yorkshire. You’ll find us delivering workshops in schools, businesses and community centres and putting smiles on faces by performing in venues from concert halls to our local supermarket. We make sure our work, knowledge and expertise have a wider impact through strong local, regional, and national networks and partnerships and the creation of learning resources.

We’re experts in creating a caring environment where everyone’s supported to take part in the way that suits them best. It’s a space where you can be yourself. By providing tailored opportunities for personal development and learning, our projects push boundaries and challenge stereotypes around what people can achieve.

We’re registered with the Information Commissioners Office and the Fundraising Regulator, reinforcing our commitment to best practice in data management and ethical fundraising. And we’re accredited as a Living Wage Employer because we believe in paying a true living wage.

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2 Achievements and Performance

2022-23 was a year of re-establishing more of our pre-pandemic activities, including getting all of our programmes back to in-person sessions, performing indoors for the first time since November 2019 and getting back out into the community with outreach activities.

2.1 Celebrating 40 years

2022 saw us celebrate 40 years of delivering inclusive arts and media programmes in and around York.

A social media campaign celebrated highlights from the last four decades and our birthday celebrations culminated in a special anniversary gig at York St John University in October.

As well as celebrating 40 years of AAM, the show celebrated 10 years of our IMPs (Inclusive Music Projects) programme, 25 years of our Hands & Voices choir and 30 years of partnership working with York St John University. It was a bumper anniversary bonanza!

Young people from our Senior IMPs group opened the show with some of the new songs they’ve written over the past couple of years. Friends from York St John Contemporary Ensemble and Commnunitas

Hands & Voices performing © Jemma Mickleburgh

Choir (a community choir formed as part of York St John University’s Converge programme) joined us with two beautiful performances. Our Movers & Shakers group performed in public for the first time, giving the audience a taste of what they get up to in their weekly sessions. And Hands & Voices brought the house down with some of the greatest hits from their 25year back catalogue.

The performance came to a suitably celebratory close with everyone on stage for a sing-and-sign-along of ‘We’re AAM, How’z ‘at’, a new song written for the occasion by Hands & Voices. Recalling some of their favourite memories of AAM, it was a fun-filled trip down memory lane and the perfect way to end the show, with the audience joining in with gusto.

Huge thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us in October, shared memories throughout the year and donated in celebration of our big birthday. We’re proud to have brought inclusion to the forefront over

Remembering dressing up for Christmas busking in “We’re AAM, How’z At” © Jemma Mickleburgh

the past four decades, and even more proud of the people who’ve taken part in our projects and what they’ve achieved. Here’s to another 40 years of creating magical moments together!

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2.2 Headline figures for 2022-23

• We supported 187 core participants with regular creative learning and wellbeing activities

• We delivered 412 regular activity sessions

• We delivered 9 outreach, training and practice sharing sessions that engaged a further 160 participants and professionals.

• 604 people accessed our free learning resources via our website.

• On average, our social media posts reached 12,670 accounts and received 503 engagements every month.

• We worked with 58 partners across the education, cultural, voluntary, health, social care and business sectors.

• 48 fabulous people volunteered with us and collectively gave 477 hours of their time

• Volunteers’ contribution was worth £5,202 * calculated using the 2022-23 Real Living Wage of £10.90 per hour

• We received pro bono support from professionals and businesses worth £2,525

• We created 1,082 hours of paid employment opportunities for freelance artists

2.3 Participant and Supporter feedback

We asked our project participants and the people who support them to tell us about the difference AAM and our activities made to them over the past year.

2.3.1 Participants in our group projects:

• 100% said that taking part in our sessions had made them feel happy

• • 97% said taking part has helped them feel more confident

• 97% said they feel they have a say in what happens in sessions

• 92% said taking part helps them feel connected to friends

• 89% said taking part has helped them get better at communicating

When we asked what they enjoyed most about taking part in our sessions, they told us:

“Being as a group with people I know and like”

“Dancing, singing, seeing everyone”

“Everything!”

“I'm always happy at Movers and Shakers because I love the music and company. I'm more vocal when I sing to music and am very excited. I'm a happy soul.”

A Movers & Shakers session

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2.3.2 Supporters:

The people who support our participants gave the following feedback:

• They gave an average score of 4.7 out of 5 when we asked about the impact taking part in our sessions has had on building positive relationships for the person they support (where 1 = no impact and 5 = significant impact)

• They gave an average score of 4.6 out of 5 when we asked about the impact our sessions had on the wellbeing of the person they support

• They gave an average score of 4.1 out of 5 when we asked about the impact taking part in our sessions has had on the confidence of the person they support

• They gave an average score of 4 out of 5 when we asked if the person they support is given the opportunity to contribute their own ideas and have a say in what happens in their project

Their feedback included:

“It is the member's group, their views on how to drive the session forward are fully respected by the leaders. All ideas are welcome. I love to watch the members volunteer to lead the sessions and take responsibility and I've watched them grow in confidence as 'leaders'.”

“It’s great to see the interaction and friendship between participants, the dedication and care given by the staff is superb and a joy to watch them all together”

2.3.3 iMUSE for Wellbeing Participants:

We asked the people who take part in our iMUSE for Wellbeing sessions to tell us about the difference iMUSE has made to them over the past year.

• They scored an average of 4.8 out of 5 when asked about the impact iMUSE has on reducing anxiety and improving mood (where 1 = no impact and 5 = significant impact)

• They scored an average of 4.6 out of 5 on the impact iMUSE has had in helping them communicate

• They scored an average of 4.4 out of 5 when asked about the impact iMUSE has had on their ability to make decisions

• They scored an average of 4.4 out of 5 on the impact iMUSE has had on helping them feel more confident

• They scored an average of 4 out of 5 on whether iMUSE has helped them connect with other people

Their feedback included:

“It really has helped break down the wall that I've had before. I feel more confident talking to people now”

“I feel a lot more relaxed afterwards and able to shut my mind off for longer”

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“It helps to give me the confidence I need to do things. I'm more independent and doing a lot more on my own now.

“I have PTSD and its very important to self soothe and relax and iMUSE really helps this, so I am able to think more clearly. It is the best form of instant relaxation I’ve ever found”

2.3.4 Audience feedback:

We asked members of the audience at our indoor concerts to feedback on the performances.

• They gave an average score of 9.5 out of 10 when asked to rate the quality of the event (with 1 = very poor and 10 = excellent)

• They gave an average score of 10 out of 10 when asked how important they feel projects like IMPs, Hands & Voices and Movers & Shakers are (with 1 = not at all and 10 = very important)

Their feedback on the performances included:

“A-a-mazing as always! An afternoon of utter joy in music - A true celebration.”

“Really wonderful celebration of being together again.”

“Wonderful to see the joy on all the faces of the participants”

When asked to explain why they feel our projects are important, they told us:

“Seeing everyone fully included and enjoying themselves is an absolute joy.”

“I think it's incredibly important to emphasise the inclusiveness and accessibility of all arts. Projects like these help people to remember not to take things too seriously and enjoy yourself!”

“You can tell everyone is absolutely loving it, and it reminds us of the joy music can bring.”

Movers & Shakers participants performing at our Big Birthday Bash © Jemma Mickleburgh

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We asked everyone to tell us the three words they’d use to describe our sessions, and this is what they told us (the larger the word, the more times it was given as a response):

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2.4 Organisational Development

2022-23 was a year of consolidation, as we emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic. We’ve developed the following areas in 2022-23.

Governance:

• Elizabeth Jones stood down as Chair of our Board, after 3 years in the role. We’re very grateful to Elizabeth for her support, expertise and counsel in steering the organisation, particularly through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Tina Wright retired from our Board after 12 years as a Trustee. Tina chaired our HR SubGroup and advised AAM on HR matters, supporting staff appraisals and the development of policies. We’re very grateful to Tina for her guidance, support and expertise over the years, and wish her a very happy retirement.

• Lucy Galliard, a Trustee since 2018, was appointed as Chair in November 2022.

• A successful recruitment campaign saw us recruit four new trustees. Peter Baumann and Michael Cross joined our Board in February, bringing skills in community engagement, digital and project management. A further two new trustees will join our Board in May 2023.

• Our Board reviewed our Complaints, Risk Management and Recruitment Policies.

Staff Development:

• We supplemented our in-house training in safeguarding, accessible communication and impact measurement with external training in safeguarding, sign supported communication, third sector management, First Aid and digital fundraising.

• We hosted three student placements on our learning disability programmes and a Duke of Edinburgh Awards placement for a young volunteer on Hands & Voices.

Human Resources:

• Jodie Jordan joined us in the new role of Project Assistant, supporting two of our learning disability programmes (IMPs and Hands & Voices), after initially undertaking a placement as part of her Music degree.

• Trustees reviewed rates of pay across the organisation (for employees and freelance contractors), in light of the cost-of-living crisis. Our Board approved a 5% cost of living adjustment for staff and appropriate adjustment to freelance rates (to a maximum of 10%) for the 2023-24 financial year.

Fundraising:

• Our community fundraising programme continued to grow, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of income from a range of events and from people fundraising on AAM’s behalf.

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• We were delighted to be selected as one of the two beneficiary charities for York Rotary Club’s Dragon Boat Challenge. This meant that 33% of the funds raised by the 36 teams taking part was shared between Accessible Arts & Media and Antibiotic Research UK. Our intrepid team of rowers, Seas the Day, battled it out on the River Ouse and raised over £1,400 in sponsorship. A further £13,600 was received from York Rotary Club, thanks to the fundraising efforts of all the competing teams. Huge thanks to York Rotary for selecting AAM, to York Rotary President Mary Lumley for joining us in the boat for our first race, to our fantastic team and everyone who supported them, and to all the other teams and their supporters.

Members of Seas the Day being awarded the Tailenders Trophy by York Rotary President Mary Lumley © Lazlo Uzala

• We’re very grateful to Nick Boaz, whose epic Summer of Swimming challenge saw him take part in the Great North Swim, swim the lengths of Ullswater and Windermere and attempt a cross-Channel swim that was sadly cut short due to adverse weather. Nick’s fundraising, inspired by his sister Katie who’s been a member of Hands & Voices for over 20 years, raised over £2,000. Thanks again Nick!

• Long-time supporters and friends of AAM JNJS Classic Soul donated £505, from a fundraising soul night in November. Big thanks!

• Our Hands & Voices and IMPs singing and signing choirs raised £1,400 in donations and sponsorship at two busking performances.

• Long-term Hands & Voices member Claire had a special birthday this year and asked friends and family to donate to AAM, raising over £400. Thanks Claire!

• And we were very excited to see the return of A Night to Remember, after a 2-year break during the pandemic. Local fundraising and music scene legend ‘Big Ian’ Donaghy’s annual event sees some of the city’s best musical talent sell out York Barbican to raise dementia awareness and raise funds for local charities. AAM has been one of the beneficiary charities for several years, and we received a donation of £4,861 from this year’s event, as well as free tickets for our participants. We’re very grateful to Ian and everyone who performed and donated on the night.

Partnerships:

• In October 2022, planning permission was secured for the new Clifton Explore Library Learning Centre. AAM has been confirmed as one of four community partners who’ll be based at the new Hub. Partners were selected based on their ability to add value to the local community and to work to enhance the provision of services locally. Building work is due to start on site in 2023, with completion in summer 2024.

We’re excited about the opportunities relocating to Clifton Explore will offer, including: having a purpose-built sensory room; developing new and re-establishing former partnerships with community groups and organisations in the Clifton area, where we were based from 2009-2018; collaborating with Explore and the other Explore community partners; and expanding the range of activities we offer.

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2.5 Programme Development

The people who take part in our programmes often face difficulty with everyday activities and can end up feeling isolated and cut off. The ongoing development of our projects focuses on supporting their wellbeing by helping them:

• learn new skills they can transfer to other parts of their lives, including education, training and employment;

• explore and connect with the world around them, in a safe, supportive, fun environment;

• learn to work and communicate with other people, making new friends along the way;

• grow the confidence to have more of a say in the things that matter to them;

• contribute to their local community through workshops, exhibitions and performances;

• feel happy, valued and connected.

The above outcomes remained a key focus during the past year, with all project activities designed with them in mind.

2.5.1 Hands & Voices

Hands & Voices performing at our Big Birthday Bash © Jemma Mickleburgh

A fully inclusive singing and signing community choir, set up in 1997 to help adults with communication and learning difficulties take part in performances. The Hands & Voices programme includes regular choir rehearsals, performances and outreach workshops coled by Hands & Voices trainees (members of the choir who are learning how to lead workshops).

“I feel part of a group and it gives me confidence.”

• 44 people took part and we delivered 35 rehearsal sessions

• We re-started in-person sessions in April 2022, with a new hybrid model that sees some people attend in-person (the ‘roomies’) and others join on Zoom (‘the zoomies’). Hands & Voices was the last of our projects to return to face-to-face sessions, due to the size of the choir and the need to maintain a degree of social distancing. Finding the right venue, that would enable us to meet in person with social distancing, was key.

The community hall at Marjorie Waite Court, a sheltered housing with extra care scheme in Clifton, has proven to be the perfect space. It was joyful to see everyone back together again in April and the hybrid model’s been a big success. Participants who struggled with online sessions during the pandemic are back singing with their friends again and membership numbers are back to where they were pre-pandemic. And we’ve made links with some of the older people who live at Marjorie Waite Court, inviting them to a mini performance and tea and cake.

• We held 4 social sessions for members of Hands & Voices over the summer break.

• We welcomed 6 new volunteers , including a young person working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

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• Hands & Voices members took part in three concerts – our Celebrate gig in July 2022 (our first indoor performance since November 2019), our Big Birthday Bash in October and a carol concert at York Castle Museum. They also performed at a choir member’s 40[th] birthday party.

• Hands & Voices members joined members of our Senior IMPs group for two busking performances – one in York City Centre in the run up to Christmas and another at Asda, Monks Cross, in March.

• Three Hands and Voices trainees co-led three singing and signing workshops ; one for students on the University of York’s MA in Community Music, one as part of an inclusive film screening night at New Earswick Folk Hall, and one for first year Music students at York St John University.

We’re very grateful to the following Hands & Voices funders and donors for their support this year: The Pavers Foundation, Rix Thompson Rothenberg Foundation, The Calmcott Trust, York Common Good Trust, The Charles Ruddock Trust, Norman Collinson Charitable Trust, Ron and Beryl Gatenby, York Vikings Rotary, Ways to Wellbeing, Ian Donaghy and City of York Council.

2.5.2 IMPs (Inclusive Music Projects)

IMPs offers year-round fun, inclusive music activities for disabled and non-disabled children and young people aged 5 – 25. The IMPs programme includes weekly sessions during term time (Senior IMPs for young people aged 11+ and Junior IMPs, delivered in partnership with Westfield Community Primary School), holiday activities in all the school holidays except Christmas, and a training programme where participants learn leadership, planning and communication skills. We also deliver outreach workshops in schools, youth groups and other community settings, co-led by our IMPs trainees.

Senior IMPs members performing at our Big Birthday Bash © Jemma Mickleburgh

“It felt good when I did my solo!”

• 68 children and young people took part in 78 sessions across the three strands of the programme.

• We delivered eleven IMPs Holiday Clubs , fun half-day sessions in the school holidays exploring themes including musical theatre, puppets and percussion, carnival music and dance and a sensory woodland adventure.

• We hosted two student placements for students studying Music at York St John University.

• Two Senior IMPs members co-led four singing and signing workshops , two for members of York Theatre Royal’s Access All Areas inclusive youth theatre programmes and two for young people at Tang Hall SMART, a local music education setting.

• Senior IMPs members took part in three concerts – our Celebrate gig in July 2022 our Big Birthday Bash in October and a carol concert at York Castle Museum.

• Senior IMPs members joined members of Hands & Voices for two busking performances – one in York City Centre in the run up to Christmas and another at Asda, Monks Cross, in March.

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We’re very grateful to the following IMPs funders for their support this year: Youth Music, the Ed De Nunzio Charitable Trust, Children in Need, True Colours Trust, TK Maxx & Homesense Foundation and City of York Council.

2.5.3 IMUSE (Interactive Multi-Sensory Environment)

Participant creating music in iMUSE by moving their arms

iMUSE is a portable interactive multi-sensory environment. It provides a relaxing, therapeutic and creative space where participants can connect with the world around them, make their own choices, reduce anxiety and stress and develop non-verbal ways of communicating. It combines relaxation (using vibro-acoustic technology), music and visuals in one-to-one sessions tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences.

Our iMUSE for Wellbeing programme runs weekly in-person one-to-one sessions, aimed at adults and young people with enduring mental ill-health and/or complex disabilities. Our iMUSE at Home programme uses simplified versions of the iMUSE technology that people can easily use in their own homes. Some participants access sessions that are facilitated remotely by one of our team, others use the At Home kits in self-guided sessions. iMUSE at Home empowers people to take control of their own mental wellbeing, by building self-care into a regular wellbeing routine.

“I am now very much able to talk to people as iMUSE has helped me keep my anxiety under control”

2.5.3.1 iMUSE for Wellbeing:

• We supported 44 people with 210 x 1:1 iMUSE sessions

• We relocated our in-person iMUSE for Wellbeing sessions to New Earswick Folk Hall. As an inclusive, accessible community hub that’s home to a library, café, post office and more, including our Movers & Shakers group, the Folk Hall has enabled iMUSE participants to benefit from accessing other services and making connections in the local community.

• Anna Snow joined the team as a new iMUSE facilitator, trained and mentored by our lead wellbeing facilitator, Tom Andrews, and Creative Director Rose Kent. This will enable us to expand the number of sessions available each week in 2023-24, meaning more people will benefit from iMUSE.

• We’ve continued to develop referral routes and partnerships with health and social care services, to ensure the people who will benefit most from accessing iMUSE are reached, and supported to take part. The relocation to New Earswick Folk Hall has also enabled links with local community partners, such as New Earswick Less Loneliness Initiative.

• A long-term iMUSE participant joined the team as a technical specialist, working with our adaptive technology partner Apollo Creative to create new, wearable vibro-acoustic equipment that is now used regularly in iMUSE sessions.

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• We started working with the University of York Department of Physics, Engineering and Technology’s Audio Lab on the development of the software used in iMUSE.

2.5.3.2 iMUSE at Home:

“Having a regular routine that positively encourages me to ‘just be’ has brought about huge, positive differences to my life.”

• We supported 3 people with 50 remotely-facilitated iMUSE sessions , two of whom have also accessed in-person sessions during the year.

• A further 8 people used our iMUSE at Home kits for 1,248 self-guided iMUSE sessions , averaging 3 sessions per person per week.

We’re very grateful to the following iMUSE funders and donors for their support this year: The Igen Trust, The Purey Cust Trust, The Gay & Peter Hartley’s Hillards Trust, York Rotary and City of York Council

2.5.4 Sensory Programme – Movers & Shakers

Creative and sensory-based activities designed for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Activities are designed to help participants develop communication, motor and learning skills. They include music making, movement/dance, mindfulness activities, storytelling and drama, alongside lots of opportunity for positive social interaction. Movers & Shakers meets weekly during term-time.

Making music at Movers & Shakers

“ H adores her time at Movers & Shakers. While she is at the session she works completely independently from the support worker that accompanies her. H feels that she is a part of the team which runs the sessions and you wonderful people allow this to be. We are hugely appreciative of your care and kindness to her. It makes her very happy and allows her to feel she belongs to something important.”

• We supported 26 adults with PMLD who took part in 35 sessions .

• Participant numbers have steadily grown throughout the year. We now have a waiting list and will seek funding to expand the project to two sessions a week in 2023-24.

• Movers & Shakers participants performed in public for the first time at our Big Birthday Bash in October. They created an improvised soundscape and shared some of the movement activities they enjoy in their weekly sessions. They were a big hit with the audience, with feedback including: “Very moving to see the Movers and Shakers session, everyone came alive with the music and showed the great love and care taken by the support workers too.”

• We hosted a student placement for a student studying Music at York St John University.

• We welcomed two new volunteers to the Movers & Shakers team.

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We’re very grateful to the following Sensory Programme funders for their support this year: Nimbuscare and City of York Council.

3 Future Plans

Priorities for 2023-24 include:

• Holding an Away Day with staff and Trustees in May 2023, focused on creating an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan for AAM.

• Inducting two new Trustees to our Board.

• Securing funding to expand our Movers & Shakers programme to two session a week.

• Working with York Explore and other community partners to firm up plans for the new community hub and secure funding, ahead of relocating in 2024-25.

• Expanding our IMPs Holiday Club provision, delivering sessions in partnership with local disability, educational and youth support organisations to enable more children and young people to benefit.

• Expanding our in-person iMUSE for Wellbeing programme from one to two days a week.

• Exploring the further expansion of iMUSE with our network of referral partners, and securing multi-year funding to support the programme’s development.

• Working with the University of York’s Department of Physics, Engineering and Technology on the creation of student research and development placements focused on developing the software and hardware used in iMUSE.

IMPs members performing at our Big Birthday Bash © Jemma Mickleburgh

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Accessible Arts & Media

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

The Board of Trustees, who are also Directors of the charity for the purpose of the Companies Act 2006, present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st ] March 2023. The financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities, Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2015).

1 Structure, Governance and Management

a) Governing document

Accessible Arts & Media (AAM) is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 27[th] January 1998. In the event of the charity being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 and any assets left over must be given to another similar group.

b) Appointment of trustees

The directors of the company are also trustees of the charity. Under the requirement of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, trustees can be voted onto the board at trustee meetings and members of the organisation can be elected as trustees.

c) Trustee induction and training

New trustees are inducted into the charity, including: their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. During the induction they will have an opportunity to meet key employees and other trustees and to visit project sessions. They are also encouraged to attend appropriate external training events in order to develop their role.

d) Organisation

Trustees meet a minimum of four times a year, with sub-groups for HR & Governance and Finance meeting between full Board meetings. AAM is not a ‘membership’ charity in the legal sense of the word.

A Creative Director is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity. To ensure the effective running of AAM, the Creative Director has delegated authority, within the terms of delegation approved by the trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment and artistic programming.

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2 Trustees’ Financial Review for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

a) Financial Summary

The 2022-23 financial year was one of consolidation as we emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Finance Sub-Group met quarterly to monitor and mitigate any financial risk and adjust budgets and forecasts accordingly.

Like the previous financial year, a core aim in 2022-23 was to return to our pre-Covid budget position. Trustees were pleased to increase turnover by 6% since last year, and a 2% increase on the previous year.

Earned income has continued to increase this year as more projects have returned to in-person activity - up 39% on the previous year. The biggest increase since 2022-23 financial year has been in community fundraising where we were one of the chosen charities for the York Dragon Boat Challenge 2022, resulting in a 131% increase.

Grant funding (from trusts and foundations, Lottery and public funds) continued to be our main source of income. This year showed a small decrease of 7% on the previous year. We’ve continued to see income from individual donations decrease, this year by 9%.

In line with our recognition of income policy, £78,920 of income from donations and grants has been removed from 2022/23 and will be charged back in 2023/24. The reason for this is because donors have specified the grant is either to be spent in a future accounting period or until the pre-conditions of the grant have been met.

b) Raising Funds

AAM’s primary fundraising activity consists of grant applications to private trusts and foundations and Lottery funders, written by our Creative Director, Development Manager and Programme Manager. We’re very grateful to the individuals and organisations who raised funds for AAM this year. And we’re equally indebted to the individuals who make regular and one-off donations to support our work. Our fundraisers are supported by our Marketing & Community Fundraising Coordinator, who also leads on AAM’s own fundraising events and activities.

AAM is registered with the Fundraising Regulator, and we’re committed to the standards set out in the Fundraising Code of Practice, reinforcing our commitment to best practice in fundraising. A link to our complaint's procedure is included in the fundraising section of our website so that members of the public can notify us of any complaints linked to our fundraising. We received no complaints this year and there were no compliance issues in relation to the Fundraising Code of Practice.

This has been another active year for AAM in terms of raising funds. We’re particularly indebted to the following organisations and programmes for supporting our work with grants to the sum of £164,824:

The Calmcott Trust The Charles Ruddock Trust Children in Need City of York Council Cultural Wellbeing York Ed De Nunzio Charitable Trust

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The Feoffees of St Crux Gay & Peter Hartley’s Hillards Trust The Henry Smith Charity Igen Trust National Foundation for Youth Music Nimbuscare Norman Collinson Charitable Trust Pavers Foundation The Purey Cust Trust Rix Thompson Rothenberg Foundation Sylvia & Colin Shepherd Charitable Trust TK Maxx and Homesense Foundation True Colours Trust Ways to Wellbeing/York CVS York Common Good Trust York Rotary York Vikings Rotary

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c) Income and Expenditure Breakdown

Costs of raising funds: Salaries and fees £10,814 Other fundraising costs £2,318

Direct costs:
Salaries and fees	£140,919
Staff training &
recruitment	£2,889
Direct project costs	£21,402
(venue hire, resources, travel
expenses, volunteer expenses,
training)
Premises costs	£9,024
Marketing	£3,417
Project equipment	£5,670
Indirect costs:
Salaries & fees	£20,183
Staff training &
recruitment	£590
Premises costs	£2,591
Office and admin costs £6,759
(printing, postage, stationery,
insurance, travel, hospitality)
Equipment & IT	£1,654
Governance	£563
(trustee expenses, accountancy)
Depreciation	£1,640

Support costs for our charitable activities equate to 15% of total expenditure. Support costs are allocated proportionately to individual programme budgets, according to the amount of central/core resources drawn upon by each programme.

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3 Policies and Risk Management

a) Pay policy

The pay of staff is reviewed annually and normally increased in line with average earnings and benchmarked against comparable pay levels in other similar organisations. As an organisation, we are committed to the Real Living Wage and registered as a Living Wage Employer in 2017.

We rolled out Workplace Pensions for all staff in January 2017. Trustees sought external advice before approving employee and employer contributions. Employees contribute 3% of their salary to which AAM adds a further 5%.

b) Investment Powers and Policy

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charitable Company has the power to make any investments that the Trustees see fit. However, the Charitable Company did not hold any investments during the year ended 31 March 2023, nor does it have any investment plans for the immediate future.

c) Reserves Policy

It is the Trustees’ policy to designate funds to cover planned commitments for future charitable activities and, as far as is possible, for unplanned events. The charity is dependent upon grants, donations, fundraising and earned income to meet expenditure which, as detailed above, is subject to fluctuating economic circumstances. Trustees have therefore noted the importance to AAM of building reserve from unrestricted sources of income. Trustees also recognise that many supporters only wish to make a direct contribution to project activity costs, as opposed to core running costs and the cost of growing our reserve . A core strategic aim is therefore to continue to make fundraising appeals and applications to support core operating costs, as well as a contribution to reserves and the future long-term sustainability of the charity.

Trustees recognise the need for different types of Reserves, as follows:

Restricted funds – to hold in reserve, funding which has been provided by external organisations or individuals for specific purposes.

Designated funds - to hold in reserve, unrestricted income which Trustees have designated for a specific purpose.

Closure Costs:

• The Board has designated £45k to meet contractual liabilities should the organisation have to close. These include redundancy payments, amounts due to creditors, rents payable and other non-cancellable lease and loan commitments. Trustees would also wish to support beneficiaries in transitioning to other services. Trustees believe that this work would be undertaken by AAM staff during their periods of notice, prior to closure.

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Unrestricted Reserves:

• Other Needs (External Factors):

• to meet unexpected costs of a material nature such as legal costs or unexpected and substantial non-capital purchases.

• to allow the charity to change or modify its operation to respond to adverse external factors over which AAM has no control.

• Other Needs (AAM-led):

• to enable the charity to pursue new funding opportunities where some level of up-front investment is required to be able to secure such funding.

• to pilot new projects which have the potential to lead to viability through external funding.

• to make a capital purchase, including software, that will enable AAM to expand an existing or develop a new project or activity.

The Level of Reserves:

• Regarding Closure Costs , Trustees believe it is prudent to hold an unrestricted reserve that would allow the charity to be wound up should the need arise. The level of such reserve will be reviewed annually but is currently set at £45k.

• Regarding Restricted Funds, this reserve will always reflect income which has been received for a specific purpose but not yet spent.

• Regarding Designated Funds, this reserve is generally received as unrestricted funds then designated by the Board for a specific purpose.

• Regarding Other Needs (External and AAM-led), Trustees will aim to build an unrestricted reserve which would be sufficient to address these objectives. The level of this reserve will be reviewed annually in order that the annual budget can make appropriate provision if it needs increasing.

Our Reserves Policy is reviewed annually. The Finance sub-group meet quarterly to consider performance against the reserve policy objective and report back at quarterly Board meetings (finance is a standing agenda item), including:

• an assessment of the amount of unrestricted reserve available;

• making recommendations for further improving the level of reserve that AAM currently holds;

• assessment of any potential shortfall now and in the future; and

• reviewing the planned specific fundraising aimed at building an emergency operating reserve in adverse economic conditions.

d) Risk Management

The Trustees have considered the risks affecting the organisation, particularly those concerning the flow of funds to meet the programmes, the importance of key personnel, the extent to which the annual business and strategic development plans change and the management of new risks as they arise and allowing the level of reserve to fall below what is considered prudent. The Trustees have a risk management strategy that comprises of:

• An annual review of the risks affecting the organisation;

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• The establishment and implementation of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate against those risks identified in the annual review;

• Reserves policy.

4 Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

Company law requires the Directors (Trustees) to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the income and expenditure of the company for the year. In preparing those financial statements, the directors (trustees) are required to:

• Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• Observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP;

• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• State whether applicable 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 company will continue on that basis.

The Directors (Trustees) are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure of information

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

• There is no relevant information of which the Charity's Independent Examiner is unaware;

• The Trustees have taken the necessary steps to be aware of the information which would be relevant for independent examination purposes and have communicated them to the Independent Examiner.

The Trustees have taken advantage of the exemption available to small companies, including the audit exemption (as detailed on the balance sheet).

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Annual Report and Accounts on 28[th] July 2023 and were signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees by:

Signature:

Full Name: Lucy Galliard Position: Chair of Trustees Date: 28[th] July 2023

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• 5 Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Accessible Arts & Media

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Accessible Arts & Media for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself 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 Act’). 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 examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

• accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 386 of the Act; or

• the accounts do not accord with those records; or

• 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

• the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Karen Wood (ACMA)

Outsource independent examination service The Hiscox Building Peaseholme Green York YO1 7P7

Date: 28[th] July 2023

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1. Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2023 Unrestrlcted Restrlcted funds funds Total 2023 Total Z022 Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments 8.2.1 8.2.2 8.2.3 8.2.4 22.552 170.324 600 13.300 22,903 2.910 192.876 13.900 22,903 2.910 201.967 12,815 4.762 70 Total income 48,965 183,624 232,589 219,614 Expendlture on: Raising funds Charitable activities 8.3.1 8.3.2 7.868 5.264 13.132 40,244 177,057 217,301 3.558 207,208 Total expendlture 48,112 182,321 230,433 210,766 Net galnslllosse5) on Investments Net Incomel(expendlture) 853 1,303 2,156 8,848 Gro￿ transfers between funds 1,303 1,303 Net movement In funds 2,156 2,156 8,848 Total funds brought forward 66,905 66,905 58,057 Total funds carrled forward 69,061 69,061 66,905 24

2. Balance Sheet as of 31st March 2022 Note 2023 2022 Flxed Assets Tangible assets &6.1 2,853 2,853 4,493 4.493 Total Axed Assets Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Debtors & Prepayments 128,330 26.406 154,736 129,367 4,896 134,261 Totsl Current A￿ets Current Uabllltles: Amounts fallln8 due wlthln one year Creditors and accruals Net Current Assetslluablllllesl 188,5281 66,208 171,8511 62.412 Total Assets less Current Uabllllles 69.061 66,905 Funds of the Charlty Unrestrirted Fund5 (Generall Unrestricted Funds IDesignatedl Restricted Funds 24,061 45.OQKI 36,905 30.000 Total Fund5 Carrled Forward 8.9 The trustees are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act. The directors Itrusteesl atknowledge their responsibilities for: il ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006,. and ill preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company at the end of each financial year and of its profit and loss for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Art 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part IS of the Cornpanies Act 2006 relating to small companies and with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland Icharities SORP IFRS 10211. The financial statements were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by.. Lucy Galliard, Trustee 25

3. Notes to the Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2021 8.1 Basis of preparation 8.1.1 Basis of accounting The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost Convention and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP IFRS 10211. 8.1.2 Change of basls of aceountln$ All accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) have remained the same except depreciation. The accounting estimate for depreciation is based on straiBht line bas15. 8.1.3 Changè to prevlous a¢¢ounts There have been no changes in the ba515 for accountin8 over the year. Accountlng pollcles 8.2 Income and endowments Retognlilon ol Intoffle Income from donations and grant5 15 reco8nised when the charity is entitled to the funds, the recelpt is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably. Income from donations and 8rants, is included in Incomin8 resources when these are receivable, except as follows- When donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in the future accounting periods. The income is deferred until those periods when donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income,. The income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the pre- conditions for use have been met. Income from charitable activities is recognised over the period to which the income relates. Incoming resources with related expenditure Where incominE resources have related expenditure, the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. Grants and donatlons Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has evidence of entitlement to the resources and receipt is probable. Volunteer help The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees, annual report. 26

8.3 Expenditure and Liabilities Expenditure Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis. Ralslng funds Cost of raising funds comprise those costs associated with attracting voluntary income. Charitable activities Charitable activities expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Llabillty recognition Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. Assets Tanglble flxed assets for use by the charlty All fixed a55et5 except software are depreciated over a 7-year period. Software is depreciated over a 3-year period. Where items that would ordinarily be classed as fixed assets are purchased as part of a grant for a specific project/restricted fund, thev are written off over the period of time covered by the grant. Fund accountlng Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are funds which can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor. 27

8.2 Income and endowments Unrestrfrted Restrfrted T(tsl 2023 Umestrkted Restrlrted Total 2022 8.2.1 Donatlons and legacles Individual donations Corporate donations Grants Glft ald Partlclpants, fees 4.982 250 io,c 5¢)) 159.824 14.982 750 164.824 4.079 8.241 I92￿76 2.204 338 7.174 2.932 5.543 18,191 14.304 16,508 338 176,646 2,932 5,543 201,967 169,472 4.079 8.241 22￿52 170,324 183,776 8.2.2 Charltable actlvltles Commissions 381 4.034 4,415 SLA 13.31J) 13.9(M) 381 12.434 12,815 8.2.3 Other trad1￿ artlvltles Community Fundraising activities Sales & merchandlse 22.878 25 22J03 22,878 25 22￿13 4.753 4,753 4.762 4,762 8.2.4 Investments Bank Interest 2.910 2,910 2.910 2.910 70 70 70 70 Total Income 183,624 232589 196,210 219,614 28

8.3 Expenditure Unrestricted fund5 Restricted Total 2023 Unrestricted furKIs Restrirted Total 2022 8.3.1 Raising fund5 Staff salaries Freelance worker5 Adm inistration fees Other f undraisin8 costs 759 5040 1.714 355 1655 3360 2,414 1,714 604 13,132 1,641 1.777 3,418 1,641 1,917 3,558 249 5,264 140 140 8.3.2 Charltable actlvltles Staff salaries Freelance workers Staff training & recruitment Staff & volunteer expenses Participant support Costs Venue Hire for events Rent & rates Cleaning, repèirs & maintenance Office & administration costs Insurance 23,204 113.648 47.454 3.479 1.964 2.377 113,070 42,331 400 1,803 115,447 42.331 765 2,059 46.414 2,889 1.817 368 12.518 9,024 371 781 590 147 365 256 75 2.591 104 5,622 1,668 1.239 441 478 12.593 11.615 475 6.403 1.668 2,901 5,142 5.416 550 1.587 398 7,177 8,286 1,212 6,541 1,447 682 2,350 10,978 7,177 10,358 1,401 7.761 1,809 1,615 2,408 11,303 500 589 2.072 189 1.220 362 933 58 325 51)) 145 Web de￿8n, marketing & publicity Project resources & consumables Equipment Independent Examiner's fee Membership & subscription Consulta ncy & professional fees Depreciation 1,662 4,701 4.938 550 457 398 1,640 40.244 1.130 1,685 10,487 1,685 207,208 177,057 217,301 196,721 Total expenditure 182 321 230 433 196 861 210 766 29

8.4 Expenses & fees No trustees received a remuneration for servi￿5 rendered during the year. nor were anYtrU￿eeS, oui of pocket expenses reimbursed. 8.4.1 Fees for examlnatlon of the accounts 2023 2022 Independent Examiner's fees for reporting on the accounts 550 500 8.5 stsff costs and emoluments 2023 2022 Gross salaries Employers N3tional Insurance Employer's pension Contributions 109,552 3,252 3,258 116.0 109,054 3,480 2,913 115.447 Aver38e number of employees Ifull time equivalentl 8.6 Flxed assets Workshop Equlpmèni Equlpment Total 8.6.1 Tanllble flxed assets Cost or Valuatlon At 1st April 2022 4.619 5.327 9,946 Additions At 31st March 2023 4,619 5,327 Depreclatlo At 1st AprS12022 2.281 3,172 5,453 Char8e for the year 754 886 1,640 At 31st March 2023 3,035 4.058 7,093 Net Book Value At 315t March 2023 1.5B4 1,269 2,853 At 31st March 2022 2.338 2.155 4.493 8.7 Debtors and prepayments 2023 2022 Dèbtors and prÈpaymÈnts Trade debtors Other Debtors & Prepayments 26.406 4.896 26,406 4,896 30

8.8 Creditors and attruals Analysls of ¢￿dItorS lalllry due wltNn one year Trade creditor5 2023 2022 8.647 411 550 78.920 88.528 6.937 PAYE& NI Accrued expenses Deferred income 5CKI 64,414 71.851 9 Movernent ol fund5 8.9.1 Movemènt of major fund5 2023 8alarfè bllwd lrt¢)ml Balancè ¢lfwd Fund Name resources Transfers Unrestrlcled Funds (Generall General Unrestricted funds Designated fulld5 48,%5 48,112 113,6971 15.C4)0 1,303 24,061 45,OQ) 69,061 66,905 48.965 48,112 Restdtted Funds Adult ILearnin8 Disability> IMPS (York) IMUSE (Youth Learnin8 C4sabilityl IMUSE Imentsl Wellbeing) General running costs 40.020 41.020 48,592 i.¢yJo 12,0121 J4 11,0511 11441 6.5(K) 26.9(A) 59.6CQ 25,849 59.4S6 183.624 182,321 1.303 Totsl Furyls 232.$89 230.433 69.061 31

Transfer between fund5 An extra Els,￿0 has been designated tthvards managed Closu￿ costs. Surplus funds have been transferred from restricted to un￿$triaed funds to cover core running costs with the donorfs permission. 2022 Balarte lrtoml Balance ¢/lwd Fund name wfv resour￿$ Tran5fer5 Unrèstrittèd futhls IGÈnÈrdll General unrestriued funds Designated funds 27.406 30.LDJ 27,406 23.404 13.905 36,905 30,000 23,404 13,905 Rèstricted Ful￿$ Adult (Learning Disatrj'lityl IMPS Iyofkl IMLISE (Youth Learning Disability) IMUSE (Mental Wellbein81 General running costs 38,441 47.296 14,677 36.[ 59,792 1%.210 38,531 47.857 14,677 36.004 59,792 196.861 561 651 Total Funds 28.057 219,614 210,766 32

8.9.2 Oètails ol Funds Held Unrestrlcted Funds (Genernll The General fund is unrestricted and aVaila￿e fc￿ the Beneral wrp)ses of the (harity. Unrestritted Funds (Dèsitnatedl The Designated fund is for closure costs Restricted Funds The re5triLted fund5 are only available for wrp05e5 sppcified for each fund. whith are= Adult (Learn1￿ D15alAlhvl A creative programme for Ic(al adults with learning disabilities including.. Hands & Voices, inclusive singing and signing choir to help adults with communication and leaming difficulties communicate thI￿8h music and performance and Movers & Shakers, a group of learrin8-disalJed adults who like to get tcgether to sin8, play, dance, and have fun. IMP5 Iyorkl A year-round progiamme of fun. Inclusi￿ music artivities for disabled and non-disabled chlldren and young people from York and the surrounding area. IMUSE Iycrtrth LeaMI￿ Dlsabllbtyl IMUSE prowdes a relaxin8 and creative learning Spa￿ where participants can connect with the world around them, make their own Ch￿CeS and develop non-vefbal ways of communicaiing. IMUSE Imental Wellbei￿> IMUSE prowdes a space where ￿¢)ple can relax, forget the outside world and feel their stress and anxiety reduce General runnlng costs Funding that has been secured to CQ+Er our cffganisational runni￿ costs 8 Net assets between luThJs Unrnstslcted Restrfcted Fund5 Total 2023 Balances at 31st March 2023 Flxed assets Current assets Current liat￿lItIeS 2,853 154,736 188,5281 2.853 154,736 188,5281 69.C61 69.061 Unrnstrlcted Restrfcted Funds Total 2022 8•lances •t 31st Mar¢h 2022 Fixed assets Current assets Current liaknlities 4,493 134,263 171,8511 4,493 134,263 171,8511 66.905 66.905 33

9 Legal and Administrative Information

Incorporated: England 27[th] January 1998 Registered Company Number: 03500128 (England and Wales) Registered Charity Number: 1072902

Registered and principal office

Sanderson House Bramham Road York North Yorkshire YO26 5AR

Trustees

L Corker L Galliard E Jones S Middleton CEM Wright (resigned 28[th] February 2023) PMJ Baumann (appointed 28[th] February 2023) ME Cross (appointed 28[th] February 2023) J Anderton (appointed 31[st] May 2023) DC Martin (appointed 31[st] May 2023)

Company Secretary

Ms R Kent

Independent examiner

Outsource The Hiscox Building Peaseholme Green York YO1 7P7

Bankers

Yorkshire Bank Queen Victoria Square Hull HU1 3EB

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