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← The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

2025-03-31-accounts

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Charity number 1110747

A company limited by guarantee number 05496869

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents Page
Trustees' report 2 to 7
Examiner's report 8
Statement of financial activities 9
Balance sheet 10
Notes to the accounts 11 to 15

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

1

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates

Name Position Dates Jan Petrus Maria Costima Chair Janet Mitchell Treasurer / Secretary Samantha McCormick Quentin Krang Treasurer Resigned 20 August 2024 Teresa Widera Charity number 1110747 Registered in England and Wales Company number 05496869 Registered in England and Wales Registered and principal address Bankers 10 Ashville Terrace The Co-operative Bank Farsley PO Box 101 Leeds 1 Balloon St LS28 5AT Manchester, M60 4EP

Independent examiner

Rhys North ACA West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 1 July 2005. It is governed by a memorandum and articles of association amended 6 June 2022 and 17 May 2023. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £1.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law and are appointed at a duly convened meeting of the trustees.

2

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

To advance the education of the public by the promotion of the Arts, in particular but not exclusively the art of dance.

The charity's main activities

Ascendance is a dance and creative health charity working across Leeds, Bradford and Yorkshire. Our current mission is to ensure that older individuals who face barriers to access have the ability and opportunity to express themselves through dance and creativity and improve physical, mental and social health.

Ascendance runs an annual programme of community classes, outreach, digital work and a community performance company as well as a choreographic and teaching training programme for older artists. Our participants are predominantly older people (aged 60+), many of whom have Parkinson's, neurological conditions or who live in Care Homes and Hospices. Many of our participants face financial, geographical and social barriers to access and can struggle to access other activities due to the unique needs of their conditions and lack of knowledge and understanding from other facilitators.

Ascendance supports the recreational and professional pursuit of arts for these groups, believing in culture's transformative power to build connections and improve quality of life.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of the arts, dance and health. Our work specifically addresses health inequalities by providing accessible creative opportunities for older people who face multiple barriers to participation. By focusing on participants aged 60+ with neurological conditions, we directly contribute to improving physical, mental and social wellbeing whilst promoting artistic excellence and community cohesion among underserved populations.

Achievements and performance Overview

In 2024/2025, Ascendance has continued to build on its vital work supporting older people across Leeds, Bradford and Yorkshire, with particular focus on those aged 60+ who face barriers to accessing creative activities. This year has been marked by significant achievements in performance, community engagement, and artistic development, culminating in our most prestigious performance to date at The Place Theatre in London in January 2025. Our work has continued to demonstrate the transformative power of dance and creativity in improving quality of life for participants with Parkinson's, neurological conditions, and those living in Care Homes and Hospices.

Performance and Participation

Performance Excellence

This year marked a significant milestone with our performance of Signature Moves at The Place Theatre, London on 11th January 2025, representing national recognition of our artistic excellence. Other key performances included:

Each performance challenged perceptions about ageing, disability and creative potential while showcasing the artistic capabilities of our community performers.

3

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued

Community Impact and Reach

Ascendance's comprehensive approach to supporting older people with neurological conditions has continued to expand across West Yorkshire, reaching participants through multiple delivery methods and partnership networks.

Programme Statistics

Health and Wellbeing Outcomes

Our programmes consistently demonstrate significant positive impacts on participants' physical and mental health, with outcomes measured through regular surveys and feedback sessions:

Innovation: The HYBRID Model

Our pioneering HYBRID delivery model continues to combine in-person and digital engagement, ensuring no one is left behind due to geographical or health barriers. Key achievements include:

Addressing Barriers and Inclusion

Digital Inclusion Work

Recognising that digital exclusion compounds other barriers faced by older people, we distributed 35 free SIM cards through the national digital inclusion network. This directly addressed fundamental connectivity issues that prevent many participants from accessing online services. We also upskilled care homes and community organisations in digital creative delivery, ensuring staff can support residents in engaging with online activities.

We supported participants to independently access NHS apps and online health services, giving them greater autonomy in managing their healthcare. Additionally, we created lasting digital resources including tutorials for national campaigns. This ensures our expertise benefits the wider community beyond our immediate participants.

Culturally Responsive Programming

We developed targeted provision for underserved communities to ensure cultural relevance and accessibility. Our dedicated taster sessions for South Asian men with Parkinson's at Karmand Community Centre addressed specific cultural barriers. We also provided regular day centre group sessions for South Asian women elders, creating culturally appropriate spaces for creative expression.

For care home residents, we moved beyond traditional one-off visits to establish weekly embedded programmes. These become part of residents' regular routines, ensuring consistency and building meaningful relationships over time.

4

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance continued

Artistic Development and Innovation

Training Programme for Older Artists

Funded by Arts Council England, we are developing a pioneering choreographic and teaching training programme specifically designed for participants aged 60+ with neurological conditions, challenging ageism in the creative industries and recognising older people as artists rather than just participants.

Bradford 2025 Commission Development

Building on our successful track record in screen dance and film, we secured an Artist Commission for Bradford 2025. Our "Unseen" project created a film telling individual stories of people living with neurological disorders, empowering them as creative artists and advocates. The project included a film launch, exhibition and workshops in May 2025.

Partnership Development

Our collaborative approach includes ongoing and new partnerships with:

Future Plans

Strategic Priorities 2025/2026

Building on this year's achievements and learning, we have identified five key priorities that will drive our work forward and deepen our impact in the coming year:

  1. Launching and developing our pioneering training programme for older artists with neurological conditions

  2. Delivering our Bradford 2025 commission showcasing artistic talents and challenging perceptions

  3. Consolidating our HYBRID model and creating resources for other organisations

  4. Expanding our educational partnerships creating sustainable workforce development pathways

  5. Implementing sustainability plans ensuring programmes continue beyond current funding

Long-term Vision

We remain committed to ensuring individuals with neurological conditions have access to quality arts and cultural activities regardless of circumstances, while continuing to challenge ageism and ableism in the creative industries.

Financial review

The net income for the year was £11,110, including net income of £14,465 on unrestricted funds and net expenditure of £3,355 on restricted funds.

5

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reserves policy

The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £35,738.

The reserves policy is to ensure there are sufficient reserves available to finance adequately, for at least three months, the operation of the company in the event of unforeseen circumstances. This reserve may be depleted to satisfy scheduled temporary liquidity deficiencies. Currently three months trading equates to £15,000 and this is updated on a monthly basis and is calculated on a rolling annual timeline.

This is a minimum requirement to mitigate an unexpected financial emergency. The trustees recognise that in times of particular funding uncertainty around our core funder, it is prudent to build reserves above this to enable the company to survive and deliver our mission in the event of loss of a major element of our grant income and it has therefore been a stated aim to rebuild company reserves over the current Arts Council funding period, to bring them to a level which would withstand such longer-term changes to our business model.

The ambition is to sustain reserves that allow the company to function for a six month period and this has been set at £30,000.

6

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees report and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.

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

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Charities SORP (FRS102)), and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the board of trustees on 20/10/2025

Jan Petrus Maria Costima (Trustee)

7

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Ascendance

Repertory Company Limited

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 9 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the charitable 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 charitable 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 ('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

WYCAS conduct the bookkeeping and complete the independent examination for the charity. The following criteria are met:

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:

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.

Rhys North ACA

30/10/2025

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

8

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
Income from:
Grants and donations
(2)
2,789
Fees and sales
14,024
Contract income
8,100
Total income
24,913
Expenditure on:
Salaries
(3)
-
Artistic programme
9,169
Freelance administration staff
-
Other overheads
-
Freelance marketing and fundraising staff
-
Advertising and consultancy
156
Organisational development
-
Personal access
-
Minor equipment
-
Depreciation
457
Insurance
114
Independent examination
120
Accountancy work
432
Evaluation
-
Travel
-
Venue hire
-
Total expenditure
10,448
Net income / (expenditure)
14,465
Fund balances brought forward
21,273
Fund balances carried forward
(4)
35,738		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
111,027
-
-
111,027
38,747
39,149
-
1,238
8,724
3,694
3,465
4,320
541
-
266
780
3,305
-
5,100
5,053
114,382
(3,355)
33,124
29,769		 2025
Total
funds
£
113,816
14,024
8,100
135,940
38,747
48,318
-
1,238
8,724
3,850
3,465
4,320
541
457
380
900
3,737
-
5,100
5,053
124,830
11,110
54,397
65,507		 2024
Total
funds
£
110,523
16,574
-
127,097
27,595
47,702
2,331
888
12,538
1,363
4,086
1,620
402
1,090
356
780
4,958
1,440
3,257
5,515
115,921
11,176
43,221
54,397

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

9

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Balance sheet

as at 31 March 2025
2025
Unrestricted
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
(5)
-
Total fixed assets
-
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
(6)
1,658
Cash at bank and in hand
(7)
45,992
Total current assets
47,650
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
(8)
11,912
Total current liabilities
11,912
Net assets
35,738
Funds
Unrestricted funds
35,738
Restricted funds
-
Total funds
35,738		 2025
Restricted
£
-
-
245
29,524
29,769
-
-
29,769
-
29,769
29,769		 2025
Total
£
-
-
1,903
75,516
77,419
11,912
11,912
65,507
35,738
29,769
65,507		 2024
Total
£
457
457
270
57,460
57,730
3,790
3,790
54,397
21,273
33,124
54,397

For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019).

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 20/10/2025

Jan Petrus Maria Costima (Trustee)

10

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

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 financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by 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) and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £250 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on receipt. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows: IT equipment: over 3 years

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

11

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2025

2 Grants and donations
Arts Council England (ACE)
Leeds City Council (LCC)
Leeds Older People Forum
Parkinson's UK
National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF)
Household Support Fund
Opera North
Sport England
Donations
3 Staff costs and numbers
Gross salaries
Social security costs
Employment allowance
Pensions		 2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,789
2,789		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
32,837
10,000
250
2,550
65,390
-
-
-
111,027		 2025
Total
funds
£
32,837
10,000
250
2,550
65,390
-
-
-
2,789
113,816
2025
£
37,800
3,961
(3,961)
947
38,747		 2024
Total
funds
£
27,750
-
-
3,000
64,102
1,000
500
9,828
4,343
110,523
2024
£
27,000
2,785
(2,785)
595
27,595

The average number of employees during the year was 1, being an average of 1 full time equivalent (2024: 0.8, 0.8 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.

Defined contribution pension scheme
Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year
Amount of any contributions outstanding at the year end
4 Restricted funds
Balance b/f
Incoming
£
£
Parkinson's UK Pillars
2,772
2,550
Sport England Pillars
8,315
-
NLCF No One Left Behind
10,622
65,390
ACE Pillars
11,415
6,937
ACE Training Ground
-
25,900
LCC Training Ground
-
10,000
International Day for Older People
-
250
33,124
111,027		 Outgoing
£
2,772
8,315
75,097
17,948
-
10,000
250
114,382		 2025
£
947
184
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2024
£
595
174
Balance c/f
£
2,550
-
915
404
25,900
-
-
29,769

12

Notes to the accounts continued

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

for the year ended 31 March 2025

4 Restricted funds continued

Purpose of restriction

Fund name Parkinson's UK Pillars

To deliver activities to help people with Parkinson’s become and stay physically active in Bradford.

Sport England Pillars

To deliver a dance and yoga-based exercise project for individuals with neuro disabilities such as Parkinson's and MS in a deprived area of Bradford.

NLCF No One Left Behind

To widen the reach of the Ascendance Repertory’s support to people living with long term health conditions in West Yorkshire.

ACE Pillars

ACE Pillars To support participants with Neurodisabilities The project will enable 50 neuro-disabled participants from local communities across Leeds to cocreate, rehearse & perform 6 shows with guidance from 5 freelance artists. ACE Training Ground Towards a Training Ground for Parkinson’s Artists seeks to develop the choreographic, teaching & performing talents of people with Parkinson’s & other Neurological conditions, giving them the tools & confidence to advance as professional artists & advocating for an underrepresented group within the cultural industry. LCC Training Ground Towards salaries. International Day for Older People Toward event costs

Tangible assets
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
Debtors and prepayments
Debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank
Cash in hand		 £
7,871
-
7,871
7,414
457
7,871
-
457
2025
£
471
245
1,187
1,903
2025
£
75,506
10
75,516
IT
equipment		 Total
£
7,871
-
7,871
7,414
457
7,871
-
457
2024
£
-
270
-
270
2024
£
57,450
10
57,460

5 Tangible assets

6 Debtors and prepayments

7 Cash at bank and in hand

13

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2025

8 Creditors and accruals
2025
£
Creditors
3,231
Accruals
1,332
Taxation and social security
1,765
Deferred income (see note below)
5,400
Other creditors
184
11,912
Deferred income
Deferred to
next year
£
Bradford 2025
5,400
5,400
Item name
Reason for deferral
Bradford 2025
The project was still in progress as of year-end.		 2024
£
1,080
780
1,756
-
174
3,790
Released
from last year
£
-
-

9 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.

Remuneration and benefits received by key management personnel

The total employee benefits received by key management personnel were £50,808.

14

The Ascendance Repertory Company Limited

Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

2025
2024
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
Income
Grants and donations
2,789
4,843
Fees and sales
14,024
16,574
Contract income
8,100
-
Total income
24,913
21,417
Expenditure
Salaries
-
6,623
Artistic programme
9,169
525
Freelance administration staff
-
-
Other overheads
-
-
Freelance marketing and fundraising
-
60
Advertising and consultancy
156
144
Organisational development
-
-
Personal access
-
-
Minor equipment
-
-
Depreciation
457
1,090
Insurance
114
128
Independent examination
120
120
Accountancy work
432
-
Evaluation
-
-
Travel
-
-
Venue hire
-
-
Total expenditure
10,448
8,690
Net income / (expenditure)
14,465
12,727
Transfers between funds
-
100
Net movement in funds
14,465
12,827
Fund balances brought forward
21,273
8,446
Fund balances carried forward
35,738
21,273		 2025
Restricted
funds
£
111,027
-
-
111,027
38,747
39,149
-
1,238
8,724
3,694
3,465
4,320
541
-
266
780
3,305
-
5,100
5,053
114,382
(3,355)
-
(3,355)
33,124
29,769		 2024
Restricted
funds
£
105,680
-
-
105,680
20,972
47,177
2,331
888
12,478
1,219
4,086
1,620
402
-
228
660
4,958
1,440
3,257
5,515
107,231
(1,551)
(100)
(1,651)
34,775
33,124		 2025
Total
funds
£
113,816
14,024
8,100
135,940
38,747
48,318
-
1,238
8,724
3,850
3,465
4,320
541
457
380
900
3,737
-
5,100
5,053
124,830
11,110
-
11,110
54,397
65,507		 2024
Total
funds
£
110,523
16,574
-
127,097
27,595
47,702
2,331
888
12,538
1,363
4,086
1,620
402
1,090
356
780
4,958
1,440
3,257
5,515
115,921
11,176
-
11,176
43,221
54,397

15