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← Open Clasp Theatre Company

2025-03-31-accounts

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

A company limited by guarantee

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Charity number 1108000

Company number 05137687

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees are pleased to present their annual Directors’ report together with financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a Directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

These financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, Open Clasp Theatre Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association; and the document ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)’.

Objectives and Activities

Charitable Purpose

The objects of the company, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, are to promote, maintain, improve and advance education in the arts, particularly by encouraging the arts of drama, dance, singing and music, and to offer arts experiences which assist in developing self and social awareness, self-confidence and empowerment, in particular but not exclusively for women (including young women between 12 and 18 years of age) who live in areas of social and economic deprivation, for the purposes of social inclusion, to break down barriers that deny communities access to, and participation in, the "live arts".

Aims and Intended Impact

Within its charitable objects the Trustees’ aims are to:

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Principal Activities

The company's principal activity to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit during the year was to offer arts experiences which assist in developing self and social awareness, self-confidence, and build power, benefiting in particular but not exclusively women.

Beneficiaries and Public Benefit

In its long-term projects Open Clasp works with women and girls across the North East and the wider North of England. The majority of these women are brought together by existing community organisations alongside which the company works to deliver its projects. These groups may have been meeting for many years or may be set up within the organisations especially for an Open Clasp project. If research has suggested that a particular issue is important to the community organisations to which they tour, Open Clasp may seek out or be invited to a group who represent this issue.

When touring, Open Clasp is booked by existing community organisations and some mainstream venues with a community focus. The host organisation decides whether their performance (and workshop) is for an invited audience, restricted to local residents or open to the public. Open Clasp monitors the bookings to ensure performances and workshops are of an appropriate geographical spread.

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Open Clasp's short-term and one-off projects have a wide range of beneficiaries. Open Clasp is usually booked by an organisation to work with specific groups of people for a particular reason e.g. working with survivors to present their stories at a domestic violence conference to raise awareness, or with women in a community setting to increase self-esteem and confidence.

Open Clasp carry out charitable activities for the benefit of the general public and particularly for the benefit of women and girls. Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity has undertaken.

In 2024 -2025 Open Clasp continued to work collaboratively with women as co-creators to make new work and extend their model of socially engaged theatre-making in innovative and generous ways including through digital methods.

Rupture - Parental Rights in Prison Event

Rupture was commissioned through the Parental Rights in Prison Project (PriP) in partnership with Durham University and NEPACS. Our participatory arts research methods cocreated Rupture with 10 mothers in HMP Low Newton in 2022/23.

On Tuesday 26[th] March 2023, Dr Kate O’Brien and Dr Hannah King hosted the Mothers, Prison and Parental Rights event at Durham University. The event launched the research and accompanying toolkit, and included a script in hand reading of Rupture, by actor Narisha Lawson. The performance was followed by curated discussions through the Role on the Wall exercise, led by Catrina McHugh and the Open Clasp Team. The event ended with a panel including Holly Claydon (NEPACS) Dr Lucy Baldwin (Durham University), Paula Harriet (Prison Reform Trust), Dr Samantha Callan OBE (Lord Farmers aid & Cofounder of Family Hubs OBE for services to Victims of Domestic Abuse), Tim Lloyd (HMPPS, Head of Family Services) and Camilla Baldwin (Not Beyond Redemption.)

Attendees on the day were made up of professionals in the sector and those who have a vested interest in the projects issues to discuss the research and recommendations.

Following on from the event, the Chief Operating Officer of Not Beyond Redemption, Xanthe Martin-Zakheim requested the script of Rupture on behalf of Camilla Baldwin. They feed back that Rupture “was such an impressive play and representation on the issue of maternal imprisonment” and wanted to explore if they would be able to help find funding for the show. This is an incredibly exciting prospect for the future of the project.

Rupture – tour March 2025

Rupture toured the Northeast including returning to HMP Low Newton and a series of community settings in March 2025. The tour was accompanied by post show discussion and workshops and captured on film to be used by the project partners, HMPPS, and the wider sector, as an innovative tool to campaign for systems and programs to better serve mothers, their families, and their communities. It will be used to improve reduction in reoffending and

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

in the rehabilitation of women returning to their communities after a custodial sentence by training staff and informing the design of services.

Rupture was toured live in March 2025 and was performed in;

Live Theatre, Newcastle 5-8thMarch
HMP Askham Grange 10thMarch
HMP Low Newton 11thMarch
Gala Theatre, Durham 12thMarch
ARC, Stockton 13thMarch
HMP Deerbolt 14thMarch
WEWC, Newcastle 15thMarch

We delivered 11 live performances and 6 post-show panels to 822 audience members across prisons, theatres and community centres. The tour with a sold out run at Live Theatre, and venues and audiences across the tour have responded incredibly positively to Rupture, particularly the prisons we visited.

Charlotte Harker, Head of Education Skills & Work at HMP Askham Grange said “ We had a fabulous time and so did the women! The feedback has been fantastic, and the governor was also very complimentary! We really appreciated all your hard work & commitment; it certainly paid off. Thanks so much, again!”

Rupture was filmed by Meerkat Films in Northern Stage on Monday 17[th] and Tuesday 18[th] of March and will be edited and ready for distribution in Autumn 2025.

Audience Feedback:

“I am a social worker and find it incredibly powerful to hear women's experiences of service involvement. This performance was very powerful. The part where the women sing and the vultures begin to leave gave me genuine goosebumps.” Live Theatre

“Thank you so much, it's really good to have our voices heard, the feeling you showed us are real, just because we are prisoners, we are still people. Thank you again.” HMP Askham Grange

“I thought it was a really good representation of how we are in jail.” HMP Low Newton

“Relatable to men and similarities throughout for a minute and forgot where I am and got fully emersed. The production and acting was flawless. I really enjoyed it.” HMP Deerbolt

“This was amazing, I think we should have more because it as so good, I forgot I was in prison for a second until the lights came back in.” HMP Deerbolt

“Brilliant way of getting women's voices together and experiences heard. Lovely to have the panel and hear the women's experiences. Brave women.” West End Women and Girls Centre

“ I love all the imagery and storytelling and how involved you felt in Destiny's life. I found it really powerful, especially as the vultures continued to appear, and the sounds of the women singing.” Live Theatre

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

“As a person in the early stage of adopting, it has reinforced my want to keep as much contact as is healthy for the child with the birth family, to help change the cycle of trauma.” Gala Theatre, Durham

Post Show Panels

We were honoured to have the following esteemed guests and partners join us

Sharon Bailey iCare Project in association with Open Clasp

Sharon Bailey commissioned Artistic Director, Catrina McHugh, to write the script for her newest project ‘I Care.’ Sharon Bailey has a strong history with the company, and I Care is a sequel to Home Alone (Catrina wrote the script Round Rooms for Sharon in 2019). This time the focus was on the paid and unpaid caregiver. As with Home Alone, Sharon Bailey interviewed participants, collecting transcripts, recording voices, and writing a diary as she runs workshops and meets carers.

Sharon’s research captures the voices of hundreds of carers and the ‘live theatre/installation’ was presented in the Grainger Market in June for Carers Week, asking audiences to hear and understand ‘enough is enough’. As part of the project Sharon has spent time with carers and made hundreds of Placards saying, ‘I Care’.

‘this was excellent. It must be filmed in order to - Reflect back to care worker's their value. Useful too for training - A stimulus for debate and action at all levels’

Each performance at Grainger had 40-50 people, Jarrow, 50 in total. Estimated around 600 saw Sharon’s placards. Sharon engaged with over 350 carers in the making of the work.

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

25 Years of Open Clasp

A social media campaign celebrating 25 years of Open Clasp productions has been running on the company accounts since February ’24. Catrina wrote bi-weekly blogs reflecting on the groups worked with, the political climate at the time and the theatre created. Please read them here: https://openclasp.wordpress.com/2024/02/22/rewind-to-after-her-death-1998/

HMP/YOI Deerbolt Workshop- August 2024

On Thursday 15[th] August, we worked with young men in HMP/YOI Deerbolt - Catrina was supported by Christina Dawson and Erin Connor as facilitators (a workshop commissioned by Blue Cabin). Workers from NEPACS also worked alongside the team to deliver a daylong session. The participants were a group of lads, all of whom had experience of the care system. In the morning, we worked with 9 lads who watched and responded to Key Change. In the afternoon the lads worked with a character from Key Change called ‘Sammy’.

The screening of Key Change supported the group to trust Open Clasp. They were able to reflect, think and feel. It was said that for the group, with many having a diagnosis of ADHD, it was testimony to the production that they were engaged throughout. When the show finished, they gave it a round of applause. Key Change was about them.

Through creating a composite character, collectively owned by the group, they were able to discuss and debate in a safe way, talking through the character, but pulling on their own experiences to find the truth. Using a creative response, they identified moments that led to a life affected by the criminal justice system. They worked on their feet looking for solutions to fear, system failure and created an alternative future e.g. a job, house, friends, family and hope. They took risks, negotiated and problemed solved.

The group gathered and shared their thoughts on working with Open Clasp, using Theatre and Drama to discuss, debate and create real life moments, their journeys, fears and hope.

Recorded Comments

I enjoyed how we used creative games to stimulate our imaginations into making 2 mini plays/scenes which in turn showed how anyone can create wonderful pieces of art and drama.

I liked making Sammy realistic and watching the play and understanding the characters and their worries.

I thought the session was fun and took us out of our comfort zone and into a new experience.

It’s been very useful because it’s all true. The parts may be acted but they are from real lives.

It gave me hope that the system can actually be broken but in the end. I also enjoyed being creative and using my head.

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Arts Award- West End Women and Girls Centre

Over the summer, Open Clasp delivered the Bronze Arts Award with the ‘older girls' group’ at West End Women and Girls Centre.

Over 7 sessions, a core group of about 6 explored the company’s work and methodology - created a character called Maya – watched and reviewed Key Change and shared who inspires and why.

Feedback from the group

I loved all the games and tasks we have done x

I loved the sessions as they included everyone, and I loved the new games.

Mycelial International Film Tour with co-creators

Thanks to an Arts Council England Touring Grant, Mycelial digital theatre screenings & curated panel discussions toured internationally in Autumn 2024, reaching audiences through the UK, Ireland, North and South and New Zealand. The tour took place during the #16 Days of global activism to end violence against all women (cisgender, transgender, and those who hold fluid identities that are subject to gender-based violence), girls and the Earth. Our awardwinning distribution model (Digital Culture Awards) ensured ownership of & by our communities & cocreators. Our network of 800+women’s organisations & grassroots activists supported screenings in community/youth settings, arts spaces & prisons.

Tour Schedule:

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----- Start of picture text -----
Foyle Pride Festival, Derry 22 [nd] August 7.30pm
Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds 26 [th] September, 2pm
Gala, Durham 2 [nd] October, 2pm and 8pm
The MAC, Belfast 4 [th] October, 7pm
ARC, Stockton, co-hosted with A Way Out 10 [th] October, 7.30pm
HMP Askham Grange 14 [th] October, 2.30pm
HMP Low Newton 15 [th] October, 2.30pm
HOME, Manchester 18 [th] October, 6.30pm
Irish Film Institute, Dublin 22 [nd] October, 6pm
University College Cork 24 [th] October, Time TBC
Curzon Cinema, Soho, London 29 [th] October, 7pm
Wellington, New Zealand Week of the 8 [th] November
Auckland, New Zealand Week of the 11 [th] November
North East Sex Work Forum, Regional Learning Day, Durham 15 [th] November – Day Event
West End Women and Girls Centre 10 [th] (Human Rights Day) and
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1041936278457?aff=oddtdtcreator 11 [th] December
----- End of picture text -----

Developed with 40 cocreators with lived experience of sex work. Mycelial places their voices in the context of decriminalisation and raises public consciousness around their rights & safety. As a work of ethnographic significance Mycelial, will be used by us and our partners

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

to support workforces across the women’s sector, social services, health, care and criminal justice systems to engage with the issues raised and inform their practice and policies.

Audiences furthest from the arts will be supported to experience Mycelial film in their own community spaces or from the comfort of their own home. Giving them access to high quality theatre which is relatable in their communities. A resource package will support online access.

Audience Feedback on the Film:

Excellent production, how it was filmed and presented. I learned a lot. Came into it a loose / distant ally but now I feel more compelled to be more active. (Belfast)

I loved the variety of voices included in the performance. All the struggles are interlinked and that isn't always made explicit. You hardly ever see things in the public sphere created or cocreated by sex workers. It's important and should be made more accessible! (Leeds)

Cinematic, touching, honest - just brilliant. (Cork)

This has meant a great deal to me, having some lived experience that I struggled to reconcile with, this performance was so empowering. (Durham)

‘The embedded nature of the struggle and how it echoes throughout the topics and themes was really awakening, particularly as it was so well voiced and nuanced, timeless and at the same time very telling of the moment it was set, which was a great ‘stuck’ moment, both society, economy and policy. I hope very much this show helps combat the reversal we are feeling globally.’ (Aotearoa New Zealand)

‘I really enjoyed the film – such an incredible weaving of narratives of sex workers across the ‘continuum’ – this performance did a beautiful job of ‘showing’ (not telling’, allowing the audience to do our own interpretation of the aspects of the stories told. I live in Canada and would love to see this film shared with a North American audience. Bravo’ (Aotearoa New Zealand)

‘I loved the interweaved themes: privilege, capitalism, violence, activism, sisterhood, borders/walls, queer experiences, beautiful poetry’ (Aotearoa New Zealand)

Audience Feedback on the Panels:

It opened my eyes, I didn't realise how blinkered I am to what is really happening. (Manchester)

Great experts with fab questions, informed me of local organisation & ways to be an ally! (Belfast)

Great and very informative speakers, very inspiring. (Durham)

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Really insightful discussion with action points to go away with. (London)

In keeping with our distribution model, Mycelial was online for our digital community, new audiences and sex workers, from the 25[th] November for the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls, but instead of ending on 10[th] December (Human Rights Day), the film was available until the 17[th] December coinciding with International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

Digital Screenings and Discussions - Mycelial Legacy

Us Too: Alisha’s Story Training - Durham County Council (DCC)

Durham County Council secured funding for Open Clasp to deliver our Us Too training to DCC staff in October 2024. The training focused on developing best practice for frontline staff who work with women who have learning disabilities and/or autism who have experienced domestic abuse and want to access support services in Durham.

In the week commencing 7[th] October, we delivered 8 sessions to over approx 200 staff members at the council. Sessions were led by Kathryn Beaumont who led on the training delivery in 2023 when Us Too training was delivered to police in County Durham.

The company felt the training delivery would be enhanced by introducing a facilitator onto the team who has a background in disability rights, and so we invited Bex Bowsher to join the delivery team. Bex is the Regional Manager for Difference Northeast- a disable led charity campaigning for disability justice. This was the company’s first time working with Bex and we felt her expertise was incredibly beneficial to the overall training package.

The training received an overwhelmingly positive response from DCC staff and Lucy Wilkins who led commissioning and overseeing the training.

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The majority of participants found the training useful and relevant to their job roles, with 86% responding with "Strongly Agree" and 11% with "Agree". Participants who find the training engaging was similarly high, with 83% stating "Strongly Agree" and 12% responding with "Agree".

A significant number, 85% , said they would recommend the training to others

For most participants (75%) this was the first time they had taken part in training that incorporated drama/theatre.

Feedback from participants

‘Great training. Such a nice change from death by PowerPoint.’

‘I found today's session really informative and beneficial to my role and raising awareness of issues our service users face. I loved how interactive the training was and how knowledgeable the trainers were.’

‘The video of Alisha's Story was extremely impactful and led to in-depth discussions around barriers and how people with learning disabilities have been treated and how as practitioners can improve their experiences, listen and support them .

‘Absolutely amazing way of learning. Really made me think of future situations. Well done on how it was delivered. I loved it!’

‘I really enjoyed this session. It was eye opening and informative thinking about how we can improve our practice. This training should be delivered to all people involved in or working with people with learning disabilities.’

‘Very engaging session. Really encourages you to stop and think about your own practice.’

Open Clasp – Open Archive, Newcastle University 2024 – 2025

Having gifted our archive to Newcastle University, Open Clasp: Open Archive, led by, Professor Kate Chedgzoy situates the importance and role Open Clasp has played in the context of feminist theatre. Work began in 2019 to catalogue the archive with The Robinson Library. A Northern Bridge collaborative PhD 2023 - 2026 in partnership with Newcastle University began in October 2023 and is being carried out by Lucy Doig to further highlight our distinctive contribution and evaluate our impact on the socially engaged arts.

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and Recognition

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

Purple Ribbon Award - We have won a coveted Purple Ribbon Award medallion in the category of Outstanding Awareness Event or Campaign for our continuing work with Rattle Snake – The international awards (judging body based in US) honor the countless hope givers of the domestic violence movement, including advocates, programs and shelters, survivors and volunteers, Family Justice Centers, and members of the community support system.

Honorary Doctor of Letters by Newcastle University - Our Artistic Director Catrina McHugh MBE received an Honorary Doctor of Letters by Newcastle University said the award honoured the “thousands of women who have placed their trust” in her theatre company over the past 26 years.

Ruth Cranfield Awards will recognised Catrina and the Open Clasp Company with a Certificate of Excellence for our work in HMP Low Newton to create Rupture. Presentations held at the Durham County Cricket Emirates Riverside and Helen Judge, Area Director Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber of Prisons and Probation, presented the awards.

Principal Funding Sources

Open Clasp has a robust funding model with its Arts Council NPO funding making up 45%, 5% coming from Commissions, Trusts and Foundations 37% (as detailed in the accounts) and Earned Income 5% (ticket sales, sales from assets and delivery of training). With the focus on income generation core costs allowing the company to continue to work towards its charitable objectives, as well as pursuing as wide a variety of funders as possible and seeking to encourage gifts and donations.

The decision of Arts Council England to award Open Clasp renewed NPO status from April 2023 to March 2026 provides the company with financial security and opportunities to grow and develop.

Plans for Future Periods

When planning future activities and projects the Trustees take into account the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

Open Clasp starts the 2024-25 financial year in a good position. We are hugely grateful to Arts Council England for our continued investment as a National Portfolio Organisation from 2023 – 2028. We are also grateful to our funders who continue to support us with core funding including Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Barbour Foundation, Sir James Knott Foundation and The Shears Foundation. The trustees have committed funds from company reserves to the production of Mycelial which is the largest production budget in the history of the company, including a digital campaign and film capture to ensure a strong legacy and life for the project.

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Projects for 2025/2026

Transmedia and Digital Strategy – Drama Online AGREEMENT SIGNED

Background: Jan – May 2024 Our Executive Producer brokered a deal with Drama Online to take our collection of filmed plays (assets). Open Clasp met the criteria with 6 or more titles and additional material (filmed interviews, BSL, captions etc.) to support the titles.

This is a cornerstone to our digital strategy in terms of reach within the education sector and to drive referrals for future commissions and programming opportunities.

The Elswick Monologues (2024 – 2028)

Open Clasp are working with members of Westend Women & Girls Centre to co-create work that ensures their voices are heard. Workshops and interviews will conclude in a co-created production through meaningful engagement with members of West End Women and Girls Centre. This project aims to celebrate talent, creativity and story. It will support women to share the injustices faced by them and their community and to ask for what needs to change.

Creative Writing Workshops

Our ambition is to support new writers from the local community, with our Gold Star Members (Associates), staff and volunteers from West End Women & Girls Centre. We are piloting a Creative Writing Programme that takes place once a month in the centres library. We have 12 women attending, and the sessions will run throughout the year.

‘Very different to anything I’ve ever done before’

‘Loved this session, was so chill and put at ease. Felt like I had permission to be creative and permission to just be. Great exercises that allowed my mind to wonder’.

‘At first, I was nervous, speaking and writing again but knew it would be great, igniting my memory back to Open Clasp and the zoom. Really good and excellent being part of group and with talented women’.

‘Learning new skills in writing and how to use different techniques in writing!!! Enjoying....Jaffa cakes please*’

‘Brilliant, really enjoyed meeting Jess. Learning a different way, looking and listening thinking and writing using single words’.

‘Found the creative writing workshop very relaxing, very intrigued to see how the class develops, my understanding of writing’.

‘A lovely session. Giving an outlet to things that haven’t been said in years, or I’ve been silenced over. Music opened up the floodgates, thank you’

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Workforce Development Programme

The second strand of this work aims to strengthen our workforce in terms of facilitation skills using the arts. This programme sees the company delivering training in Open Clasp methodology from April to June 2025. Attending the programme is inclusive of our GSM, centre Staff, local women and one woman we are mentoring as part of her ACE, and associate with Mycelial.

This programme has two phases, with the second taking place in the Autumn and involving how we use the theatre created to train service providers and decision makers e.g. Rattle Snake.

Rupture 2025

We are planning a programme of activity surrounding Rupture for Autumn 2025, where our aim is to have the film showcased at conferences, events, training and festivals, with the ambition of a key showcase at the UK Home Office in London. Venues include prisons and community centres

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and Administrative Details

Company registration number 05137687

Registered office

The Stephenson Building, 173 Elswick Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6SQ

Trustees

For the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, the Board of Trustees is the Board of Directors of the charitable company and is referred to as the Trustees throughout this report.

The Trustees of Open Clasp during the period and to the date of signing this report are as follows:

Helen Ferguson Resigned 13 June 2024 Fiona O’Connor Resigned 31 January 2025 Lara Jonah Francesca Cross Jacqueline Kell Chair Hayley Calvert Leanne Sutherland Charlotte Bennett

Kate Sweeny Appointed 9 December 2024

Independent Examiner Michelle Wright, MW Accounting Services, Woodgate House, 5c Wood Street, Gateshead, NE11 9NP

Bankers

Unity Trust Bank, Nine Brindleyplace, 4 Oozells Square, Birmingham B1 2HB Charity Bank, Fosse House, 182 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BE

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Documents

Open Clasp Theatre Company is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 25 May 2004.

It was registered as a charity on 8 February 2005. It was established under the Memorandum of Association that established its objects and powers and is governed under its Articles of Association, as amended by a special resolution dated 31 January 2005 and 15 October 2020.

Eligibility for membership of the charity and membership of the Board of Trustees is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association. There are no restrictions in the governing document on the operation of the charity other than those imposed by general charity law.

Structure and Governance

The Board of Trustees of Open Clasp Theatre Company are the charity Trustees and company Directors.

The charity currently has a Board of 8 non-executive Trustees who bring significant skills to the support of Open Clasp’s activities. The Board meets a minimum of four times per year and conducts an Annual General Meeting annually.

The Trustees are elected from the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Trustees can co-opt additional Trustees between AGMs as required, but co-opted Trustees must stand for election at the next AGM.

Officers are elected by the Trustees at the first meeting following the AGM. The company appoints a Chair and a Vice Chair.

The Trustees meet quarterly, plus additional review and strategy meetings at least once a year and more often if deemed necessary.

Detailed written Board reports and an agenda are prepared and circulated in advance of meetings.

Two Board sub-groups meet as and when needed, covering financial, staffing and artistic matters. Other working groups are set up to support specific work as required.

Day to day management of the company is delegated to the following staff team:

Artistic Director Catrina McHugh
Executive Director Ellie Turner(outgoing)
Executive Director Hannah Matterson(June 2025)
Executive Producer Carly McConnell
Finance and Office Manager Rachel Errington(Maternity leave April 25)

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Finance Maternity Leave cover MW Accounting Services Producer Erin Connor Marketing Assistant Bethany McMenimen

Recruitment and Appointment of Board of Trustees

The Company's Trustees are either appointed by election at the AGM or co-opted to the Board between AGMs on the basis of nominations received from the membership or on recommendation from a member based on specialist skills, availability and commitment to the aims and objectives of the company.

Trustee Induction and Training

Trustees are inducted into the workings of the Company at a special meeting, held with individual appointees when they agree to be co-opted or are successfully elected. Trustees receive information on their legal roles and responsibilities and the Company's policies and procedures. Where the Board of Trustees feel specific training is needed, (for example, in safeguarding), it nominates specific Trustees to attend. Annually (usually in September) the Trustees’ meeting includes a session where Trustees are reminded of their duties and obligations and are updated with any relevant changes in legislation or guidance relating to their role.

Company Limited by Guarantee

The charity is incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 and is limited by guarantee, each member having undertaken to contribute such amounts not exceeding £1 as may be required in the event of the company being wound up whilst he or she is still a member or within one year thereafter.

There are currently 163 members of the company (2023 – 159)

Pay policy for senior staff

The Board reviews the Artistic Director’s, Executive Director and Executive Producer’s salary annually and is responsible for making any decisions about remuneration. Remuneration is benchmarked against similar roles within voluntary and community sector organisations of similar size in the North East.

Open Clasp Theatre Company has a Remuneration Policy which covers all staff. Senior staff are not treated differently to other staff and all benefits (including pension contributions) are applied equally across all staff groups.

Risk management

The Trustees have conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks including the implementation of

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OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects and for ensuring the consistent quality of the delivery of all operational aspects of the charitable company. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity.

- Related parties and co operation with other organisations

None of the trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any connection between trustees or senior managers of the charity with suppliers must be disclosed to the full Board of trustees. In the current year no such related party transactions were reported. Trustees are asked to declare their interests before each board meeting and there is a Register of Interests.

Financial Review

The total income for the period was £396,357 (2024: £396,802). This income is allocated across respective funds on the Statement of Financial Activities in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice.

The Statement of Financial Activities for the period shows a net income across all funds of £30,057 (2024: net expenditure £76,229).

The balance sheet indicates that at 31 March 2025 the total funds of the charity are £172,565 (2024: £142,508). Unrestricted funds of £90,014 (2024: £77,308) represent the reserves available to the organisation to fulfil its many existing commitments over the long term.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees aim to firstly hold a level of any unrestricted reserves which enables the charity to have sufficient financial resources to meet liabilities if Open Clasp’s funding were to be withdrawn and/or it were unable to continue operating.

The charity’s unrestricted Reserves on the 31 March 2025 are £139,014, including deferred 25[th] anniversary budget to 24/25 (Total: £2,000).

At present, the Trustees estimate that the Unrestricted Reserves required for such purposes amount to £82,313. The Trustees then aspire to retain an additional allowance of £47,000 to enable the charity to respond flexibly to issues or appropriate initiatives which might be indemnified outside of its annual budgeting process (Future Projects Fund).

The optimum level of unrestricted Reserves held is £129,313.

The charity’s unrestricted Reserves on 31 March 2025 are £90,014. We have budgeted to return to pre-pandemic optimum reserves by March 2027.

Unrestricted Reserves £90,014 Future Projects Fund £47,000 Deferred 25[th] Anniversary budget: £2,000.

This policy will be reviewed by the Trustees on an annual basis as part of the charity’s budgeting processes.

17

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Principal funding sources

Arts Council England, Arts Council England Project Fund, Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund, The Shears Foundation, The Barbour Foundation, The Clothworkers Foundation, Community Foundation – Roland Cookson Community Fund, Community Foundation – Margaret and Dorothy Gordon Memorial Fund, The Hadrian Trust.

Comic Relief 2025

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees have reviewed and considered relevant information, including the annual budget and future cash flows in making their assessment. In particular, in response to the cost-of-living crisis and the high competition for funding, the Trustees have revised their forecasts to take into account the impact on the business of possible scenarios brought on by the impact of global financial crisis, alongside the measures that they can take to mitigate the impact. Based on these assessments, given the measures that could be undertaken to mitigate the current adverse conditions, and the current resources available, the Trustees have concluded that they can continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

Trustees responsibilities in relation to the financial statement

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees 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 charity 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 charity and the group and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

18

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

By order of the board of trustees

Jacqui Kell, Chair of the Board of Trustees. ……………………………………………. Jacqueline Kell (Nov 17, 2025 11:58:32 GMT)

17/11/2025 Date: ................... ..........................

19

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

For the year ended 31 March 2025

I report on the financial statements of Open Clasp Theatre Company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 21 to 33.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I 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.

Michelle Wright Woodgate House 5c Wood Street Gateshead Tyne and Wear NE11 9NP Date:

20/11/2025

20

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(INCLUDING SUMMARY INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

For the year ended 31 March 2025

==> picture [523 x 384] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 6 443 - 443 4,118
Charitable activities
Grants and contracts 7 200,670 126,024 326,693 269,577
Other trading activities 8 37,252 - 37,252 74,134
Investments 9 1,730 - 1,730 2,771
Other income 10 30,239 - 30,239 46,202
Total income 270,333 126,024 396,357 396,802
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 11 502 - 502 312
Charitable activities -
Operation of the charity 12 255,125 110,673 365,798 472,719
Total expenditure 255,627 110,673 366,300 473,031
Net income/(expenditure) and net
14,706 15,351 30,057 ( 76,229 )
movement of funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 124,308 18,200 142,508 218,737
Total funds carried forward 139,014 33,551 172,565 142,508
Notes
----- End of picture text -----

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities

The notes on pages 23 to 33 form an integral part of these accounts.

21

Charity Number 1108000 Company Number 05137687

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

BALANCE SHEET

As at 31 March 2025

Fixed assets
Tangible assets
19
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
20
Cash at bank and in hand
21
Total current assets
Creditors:amounts falling due within
one year
22
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets or liabilities
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted income funds
Designated funds
Restricted income funds
Total funds
Notes		 £
80,980
100,349
181,328
( 8,939 )		 Total
2025
£
176
176
172,389
172,565
172,565
90,014
49,000
33,551
172,565		 £
81,814
82,549
164,363
( 22,363 )		 Total
2024
£
508
508
142,001
142,508
142,508
77,308
47,000
18,200
142,508

The company was entitled to an exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with the respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.

The notes on pages 23 to 33 form an integral part of these accounts.

17/11/2025 These financial statements were approved by the Board on:

and are signed on its behalf by: Jacqui Kell Jacqueline Kell (Nov 17, 2025 11:58:32 GMT) Chair of Board of Trustees

22

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

2 Basis of accounting

2.1 Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) – Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Open Clasp Theatre Company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

2.2 Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In making their assessment the trustees have reviewed and considered relevant information, including their annual budget and future cash flows. The trustees are of the view that the immediate future of the charity for the next 12 months is secure and that on this basis the charity is a going concern.

3 Income

3.1 Recognition of income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the resources, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is more likely than not that the resources will be received and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability

3.2 Offsetting

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by FRS102 SORP or FRS102.

3.3 Grants and donations

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria of income recognition are met.

23

(A company limited by guarantee)

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

3.4 Donated goods and services

Donated goods are measured at fair value (the amount for which the asset could be exchanged) unless impractical to do so.

Donated services and facilities are included in the SoFA when received at the value of the gift to the charity provided that the value of the gift can be measured reliably. Donated services and facilities that are consumed immediately are recognised as income with the equivalent amount recognised as an expense under the appropriate heading in the SoFA.

3.5 Volunteer help

The value of volunteer help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees' annual report.

3.6 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

3.7 Income from membership subscriptions

Membership subscriptions received in the nature of a gift are recognised in donations and legacies.

Membership subscriptions which gives a member the right to buy services or other benefits are recognised as income earned from the provision of goods and services as income from charitable activities.

3.8 Investment gains and losses

This includes any realised or unrealised gains or losses on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.

3.9 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the

4 Expenditure and liabilities

4.1 Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised when it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

4.2 Charitable activities

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of of creating professional theatre and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

24

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

4.3 Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance cost and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

4.4 Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

4.5 Creditors

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.

4.6 Provisions for liabilities

A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

5 Assets

5.1 Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity

Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis, a full years depreciation charge is applied in the year of acquisition and no charge is made in the year of disposal:

Fixtures & fittings IT and office equipment

Straight line over five years Straight line over three years

25

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Analysis of income

6
7
8
9
10		 Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Community Foundation
Alliance for Hope International
Comic Relief
Badur Foundation
Other trading activities
Income from investments
Other income
Arts Council England - Project Grant
Donations and Gift Aid
Income from grants and contracts
Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund
Hadrian Trust
Earned income - conferences, training
workshops & touring income
Bank interest
Other income
Theatre Tax Relief
Clothworkers Foundation
Barbour Foundation
Catherine Cookson Trust
Arts Council England - NPO
The Shears Foundation
Sir Halley Stewart Trust
Sir James Knott Trust
Community Foundation - Margaret and
Dorothy Gordon Memorial Fund		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
443
443
180,301
-
-
-
10,000
-
800
-
-
-
-
3,819
-
-
5,750
200,670
37,252
37,252
1,730
1,730
5,085
25,155
30,239		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
30,800
25,000
14,000
-
-
-
-
-
7,724
1,000
-
45,000
2,500
-
126,024
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
443
443
180,301
30,800
25,000
14,000
10,000
-
800
-
-
7,724
1,000
3,819
45,000
2,500
5,750
326,693
37,252
37,252
1,730
1,730
5,085
25,155
30,239		 Total
2024
£
4,118
4,118
180,301
30,800
25,000
-
10,000
1,000
700
4,000
10,000
2,276
-
-
-
-
5,500
269,577
74,134
74,134
2,771
2,771
5,100
41,102
46,202

Income was £396,357 (2024: £396,802) of which £270,333 was unrestricted or designated (2024: £333,026) and £126,024 was restricted (2024: £63,776)

26

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

11
12		 Raising funds
Charitable activities
Direct costs
Rupture project costs
Project staff costs
Support costs
Governance costs
Durham PCC Us Too Training
Mycelial (Two Camps) project costs
One off projects including digital development
Staging fundraising events
Lasagna (Pause) Project
Subscriptions & publications
Independent examiner's fees for reporting on
the accounts
Bank charges
Legal and professional fees
Trustees meeting costs
Annual review and AGM costs
Staff support costs
Depreciation
Office administration & running costs
Staff costs
PR & marketing costs		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
502
502
2,986
-
-
33,608
-
695
185,592
1,917
4,003
331
18,374
2,527
1,000
487
1,175
2,228
202
255,125		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
28,171
-
18,336
-
3,385
46,774
-
619
-
13,388
-
-
-
-
-
-
110,673		 Total
2025
£
502
502
2,986
28,171
-
51,944
-
4,080
232,367
1,917
4,622
331
31,762
2,527
1,000
487
1,175
2,228
202
365,798		 Total
2024
£
312
312
147
71,660
3,218
9,737
91,219
3,390
255,913
7,342
3,474
1,261
20,236
2,384
1,000
465
515
542
216
472,719

Expenditure on charitable activities was £366,300 (2024: £473,031) of which £255,627 was unrestricted or designated (2024: £425,712) and £110,673 was restricted (2024: £47,319)

13 Fees for examination of the accounts

Independent examiner's fees for reporting on the accounts 2025
£
1,000
1,000		 2024
£
1,000
1,000

27

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

14 Analysis of staff costs and the cost of key management personnel

Pension costs (defined contribution pension plan)
Salaries and wages
Social security costs		 2025
£
202,949
21,387
8,031
232,367		 2024
£
223,812
23,355
8,746
255,913

No employee received remuneration above £60,000 (2024: nil)

The key management personnel of the charity, comprise the Trustees, Artistic Director and the Executive Director. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £106,459. (2024: £104,881)

15 Staff numbers

The average monthly head count was 6 staff (2024: 6 staff) and the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees during the year were as follows:

The parts of the charity in which the employee's work
Artistic production and support		 2025
Number
6.0
6.0		 2024
Number
6.0
6.0

Sessional staff are hired on a project by project basis and are included within charitable activities as direct project costs as they typically relate to specific production or projects.

16 Transactions with trustees

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or a related entity.

Trustees' expenses

The following detail the expenses incurred by the trustees.

Travel 2025
£
597
597		 2024
£
378
378

Transaction(s) with related parties

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period.

17 Defined contribution pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The employer's pension costs represent contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amount to £8,031 (2024: £8,746). There was £273 outstanding as at 31 March 2025 (2024: £6,332)

28

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

18 Corporation Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objectives.

19 Tangible fixed assets
Cost
Balance brought forward
Additions
Disposals
Balance carried forward
Depreciation
Basis
Rate
Balance brought forward
Depreciation charge for year
Disposals
Balance carried forward
Net book value
Brought forward
Carried forward
20 Debtors and prepayments (receivable within 1 year)
21
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand
Prepayments & accrued income
Trade debtors		 Fixtures &
fittings
£
3,947
-
-
3,947
SL
20%
3,947
-
-
3,947
-
-
2025
£
9,816
71,164
80,980
2025
£
57,050
43,298
100,349		 IT & office
equipment
£
10,089
-
-
10,089
SL
33%
9,581
331
-
9,913
508
176
2024
£
15,028
66,785
81,814
2024
£
55,320
27,229
82,549		 Total
£
14,036
-
-
14,036
13,528
331
-
13,860
508
176

29

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

22 Creditors and accruals (payable within 1 year)

Other accruals
Deferred income
Taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Accruals
Independent examination of accounts
Pension		 2025
£
2,513
5,077
273
1,000
76
-
8,939		 2024
£
-
5,587
6,332
1,000
1,720
7,724
22,363

23 Deferred income

Deferred income comprises of advance payments from grants that relate to future periods

Balance carried forward
Amount deferred in year
Amount released to income earned from
charitable activities
Balance brought forward		 2025
£
7,724
( 7,724 )
-
-

24 Events after the end of the reporting period

No events (not requiring adjustment to the accounts) have occurred after the end of the reporting period but before the accounts are authorised which relate to conditions that arose after the end of the reporting period.

30

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

25 Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds

For the year ending 31 March 2025

Fund
balances
brought
forward
Unrestricted funds
£
General unrestricted fund
77,308
Designated funds
Future projects
45,000
Mycelial
-
25th Anniversary budget
2,000
Totals
124,308
Fund
balances
brought
forward
Unrestricted funds
£
General unrestricted fund
82,313
Designated funds
Future projects
45,000
Mycelial
89,681
25th Anniversary budget
-
Totals
216,994
For the year ending 31 March 2024		 Incoming
resources
£
270,333
-
-
-
270,333
Incoming
resources
£
333,026
-
-
-
333,026		 Resources
expended
£
( 255,627 )
-
-
-
( 255,627 )
Resources
expended
£
( 425,712 )
-
-
( 425,712 )		 Transfers
£
( 2,000 )
2,000
-
-
-
Transfers
£
87,681
-
( 89,681 )
2,000
-		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
90,014
47,000
-
2,000
139,014
Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
77,308
45,000
-
2,000
124,308

Purpose of unrestricted funds

General unrestricted fund Designated funds

The 'free reserves' after allowing for designated funds Fund set aside for developing future projects

31

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

25 Analysis of charitable funds continued

Analysis of movement in restricted funds For the year ending 31 March 2025

Restricted funds
Arts Council England Project
Grant
Community Foundation -
Newcastle Cultural Investment
Project Fund
Badur Foundation
Clothworkers Foundation
Community Foundation -
Catherine Cookson Community
Fund
Comic Relief
Totals
Sir Halley Stewart Trust		 Fund
balances
brought
forward
£
-
18,200
-
-
-
-
18,200		 Incoming
resources
£
14,000
30,800
25,000
2,500
7,724
1,000
45,000
126,024		 Resources
expended
£
( 14,000 )
( 40,800 )
( 25,000 )
( 2,500 )
( 7,724 )
( 1,000 )
( 19,650 )
( 110,673 )		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
-
8,200
-
-
-
-
25,350
33,550

Analysis of movement in restricted funds For the year ending 31 March 2024

Restricted funds
Arts Council England Project
Grant
Community Foundation -
Newcastle Cultural Investment
Project Fund
Hadrian Trust
Clothworkers Foundation
Community Foundation - Roland
Cookson Community Fund
Community Foundation -
Margaret and Dorothy Gordon
Memorial Fund
Totals
Northumbria Police and Crime
Commissioner – Operation
Payback Fund		 Fund
balances
balances
brought
forward
£
1,184
-
559
-
-
-
-
1,743		 Incoming
resources
£
-
30,800
25,000
1,000
2,276
4,000
700
63,776		 Resources
expended
£
( 1,184 )
( 12,600 )
( 25,559 )
( 1,000 )
( 2,276 )
( 4,000 )
( 700 )
( 47,319 )		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
-
18,200
-
-
-
-
18,200

32

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2025

25 Analysis of charitable funds continued

Purpose of restricted funds

Restricted funds represent income resources used for a specific purpose within the charity as identified by the donor.

Sir Halley Stewart Trust

To support with the costs of the Rupture production and tour

Arts Council England Project Grant To deliver the Mycelial film and international cinema tour 2024-25

Community Foundation - Newcastle Cultural Investment Project Fund Badur Foundation

Clothworkers Foundation

To support the delivery of a performance showcase of new work, as part of a weeklong programme of creative and cultural events at West End Women and Girls Centre

To contribute towards developing and delivering a programme of creative writing workshops for local women in Newcastle Capital grant to purchase projection equipment to support community touring

Community Foundation - Capital grant to purchase projection equipment to support community Catherine Cookson Community touring Fund Comic Relief To support accessibility to co-creator, debate and advocate: Arts for gender justice

26 Capital commitments

As at 31 March 2025, the charity had no capital commitments (2024 -£nil)

27 Analysis of net assets between funds

Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Cash at bank and in hand
Tangible fixed assets		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
176
66,798
72,040
139,015		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
33,551
-
33,551		 Total
2025
£
176
100,349
72,040
172,565		 Total
2024
£
508
82,549
59,451
142,508

33