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COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 05354844 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1110898
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited financial statements 31 March 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial statements
Year ended 31 March 2025
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) | 1 to 14 |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees | 15 |
| Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) | 16 |
| Balance sheet | 17 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 18 to 27 |
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report)
Year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006 and 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 published in October 2019.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name Suffolk Artlink Charity registration number 1110898 Company registration number 05354844 Principal office and registered Unit 14 office Malt Store Annex The Cut, 8 New Cut Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8BY
The trustees
The trustees who served during the year and at the date of approval were as follows:
J Draper (Chair) M Anscombe K Axon M Baker-Woods S Bardwell (Former Chair) J Dyball E Godden C Guy-Pearson D Hebron S Price K Wood A Whitney (Resigned 07/08/2024)
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Senior management A Casey H Field A Winch
Bank CAF Bank Cambridge & Counties Bank Redwood Bank
Independent examiner A Robinson FCA Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EA
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Objectives and activities
The charity's objects are:
(a) to promote, maintain and advance the education of the public in the arts generally and the encouragement of the arts, by utilising all art forms, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, crafts, drama, music, literature, photography landscape art, public art and new media;
(b) to provide or assist in the provision of, in the interests of social welfare, facilities for recreation or other time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the public at large and persons who have a particular need of such facilities by reason of youth, age, physical or mental disability, health or their social and economic circumstances.
About Suffolk Artlink
Suffolk Artlink is a participatory, community arts charity.
Our work supports peoples' health and wellbeing. We work with people of all abilities who might otherwise not have the opportunity to work with professional artists and musicians. Our participants include people with long-term health conditions referred through social prescribing, older people in care, children in hospital, children under 5, family carers, and learning-disabled adults.
We collaborate with partners, artists and communities to provide a wide range of community-based programmes encompassing a rich variety of art forms.
All our work takes place in the community in residential homes, schools, community centres, libraries and museums.
www.suffolkartlink.org.uk Facebook: Suffolk.Artlink Instagram: Suffolk_Artlink www.linkedin.com/company/suffolk-artlink
Public benefit
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit when setting the objectives for the year.
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011.
Chair of Trustees' Review
This has been another successful year for Suffolk Artlink's charitable mission and a challenging, but rewarding year for our financial sustainability. Our commitment and focus on our charitable purpose has not wavered, but we were challenged to secure the future sustainability of the charity following changes to our funding from Suffolk County Council. Although the Council continues to support our work through project funding and contracts, and remains a key partner and stakeholder, the Council's revenue funding ended 31 March 2025.
Suffolk Artlink trustee Simon Price led our fundraising campaign 'Be the Difference'. Trustees, staff, volunteers, participants, friends and family, along with our communities, came together to support Suffolk Artlink, demonstrating the strength and depth of our support in Suffolk. A special thank you to Simon and his team for their hard work in making the film for us.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
In addition, the trustees and staff collaborated to secure £180,000 of new unrestricted grant funding over three years, starting 1 April 2025.
We made savings in our costs and we'll achieve further savings in 2025/2026. I am immensely proud of the way we have responded to challenge and embraced change this year. The directors and senior staff with support from the trustees have led by example and worked ceaselessly to ensure the smooth delivery of our projects whilst maximising opportunities for the stability of the charity.
As a result, the staff, artists and volunteers have developed the quality of our work during 2024/2025 and ensured excellent outcomes for our participants. Their artistic output continues to flourish which is a joy to see. You can read about some of their experiences in this report and an example of social impact value from our social prescribing programme Curious Minds.
My thanks to the funders, trustees, the whole staff team, artists, participants and communities we work in for your continued passion and commitment with Suffolk Artlink.
Yes, we have a lot still to do, but we're excited and ambitious for Suffolk Artlink, the future of our creative programmes, and the difference we can make for people of all abilities in Suffolk.
Jeni Draper, Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance
Our Programme in Brief
| Workshops | 284 |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 3,335 |
| Audience reached in person | 9,046 |
| Audience reached digitally | 107,422 |
Our Participatory Programme in Brief
Brave Art
Brave Art is a creative course for learning disabled and neurodivergent artists. Our programme provides creative spaces for people to focus on their practice, experiment with materials and explore their own interests and ideas with support from professional artists and Suffolk Artlink's dedicated team. Brave Art is offered in Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and Ipswich.
"My work is special and amazing; I like orange and gold and blue. I fill the page with colours and lines." Naomi.
'At home I get stressed out but here I focus - I find making art relaxing. I like seeing everyone each week. I look forward to Wednesdays.' Nicola.
Funders: Stobbs IP Ltd; Leading Lives Community Benefit Fund; Suffolk Community Foundation through Suffolk Giving Fund; Suffolk Community Foundation through the Arts & Culture Fund; Scarfe Charitable Trust; Baily Thomas Charitable Fund; Postcode Places Trust; Arts Council England; Essex Cultural Diversity Project; public donations and fundraising.
Brave Art case study
Erik is a talented artist who is confident in developing his own ideas and themes for his artwork both at home and during our creative sessions.
He is highly organised and enjoys setting up his own 'workspace' with the materials and equipment he needs - he likes owning this space and as a result feels very confident and relaxed. He chooses when he wants to join in with community activities, but he is confident in determining when he prefers to work independently.
His artistic development has been inspiring. He usually works on A4 paper drawing characters from films and books, but incorporating his own unique style, detail and humour.
However, this term he was influenced by the work of another Brave Artist who likes to draw superhero characters in life size using cardboard cut-outs. Erik challenged himself to do the same, stepping outside of his usual comfort zone.
As a result of Erik's work this term he has decided to challenge himself trying new and different techniques and working on a larger scale.
"I like drawing this big - I like the space I have here to do it." Erik
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Clown Round
Clown Doctors visit children in hospitals and hospices and engage them in clowning, storytelling, music, magic, circus skills and improvisation.
A stay in hospital can be daunting for anybody, but for children and young people, it can be particularly hard. As well as coping with feelings of discomfort, a child may be dealing with unfamiliar medical difficulties and the upset of being away from loved ones and the comforts of home.
Clown Round aims to increase the wellbeing of patients and their families by providing distraction and a positive focus, helping to: increase happiness and confidence; decrease anxiety and feelings of isolation as well as building resilience and feelings of self-belief.
Funders: Essex Community Fund; the Hospital Saturday Fund; Dean & Chapter of Norwich Cathedral; public donations and fundraising with special thanks to fundraisers Harriet Bankes Ashton and Julia Read.
Friends Around the Table
Friends Around the Table works with family carers and supports family carers groups across Suffolk to create opportunities for people with caring responsibilities to be creative and connect with others.
In 2024/2025 creative participatory sessions took place as part of existing support groups in community centres, libraries and care homes, as well as stand-alone sessions online and out in the National Landscape.
Our Friends Around the Table sessions allow family carers to explore their own creativity, learn new skills and feel more connected to others: providing time and space for the carers as individuals outside of their caring role.
"It took my mind off my problems, made me feel good and I tried a new skill. It was just such fun!"
"I feel inspired to get back to doing something creative. I felt connected to others in the groups in that we were all venturing outside our normal meeting 'personas'.''
Funders: Suffolk Family Carers (Suffolk County Council Public Health) and Postcode Places Trust. Funding received in prior year from Suffolk Community Foundation through the Suffolk Carers Fund was spent in the financial year giving a 'Creative Boost' to voluntary family carers groups.
Friends Around the Table case study
Dennis, a carers support group member and volunteer.
"Before working with Suffolk Artlink I'd gone through all the options I could find of getting people coming along to the group and I was running out of things to do in the group. So, it was very difficult to grow the membership or even to maintain it. But a core group of people really loved coming. So, I was in a really bad place. I had a dilemma as to how to fulfil the need of these people who were all carers to have a break from caring, and to make it an enjoyable and fulfilling break.
"So, I was getting a bit desperate to be honest. So as far as the group is concerned, it was more than a lifeline.
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Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
"For me personally Suffolk Artlink was a godsend, because not only were you offering sessions to interest, educate and amuse our carers; one of the immediate changes was, because of the quality of the sessions and, the way in which people enjoyed them and looked forward to them, because we had a structured number of sessions always coming up, I could advertise the next and as a result of that, I probably got 4 or 5 new members immediately. Which, for the size of group that I had, meant a difference between survival and not surviving. We can sustain the group long-term and help more people and actually have more fun.
"I loved every session, and I loved the way that everybody else in the group, threw themselves into it. It boosted my wellbeing. And I think it boosted the members' wellbeing. They also had things to take home and say, 'look, I've made this', or 'this is what I've been doing', and that's really important. So, it helped on so many levels.
"Now the group are more vocal, I'm not in the wilderness any more, they've all got views and advice. And so, I'm more supported as a group leader than I was. It's giving them a different view. It's lifted their eyes to a different horizon and certainly, increased our expectations."
Extra Time
Extra Time is a creative intergenerational heritage project. Different generations come together under the banner of Extra Time to explore the rich social and cultural heritage of grassroots football in Suffolk and create startling new artworks and resources to celebrate those discoveries.
Extra Time is a partnership project with Suffolk Archives. It is funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Association for Suffolk Museums and Lowestoft Rising.
As well as delivering a series of creative programmes to schools and residents in nearby care homes and supported housing units in Lowestoft, Halesworth, Kessingland and Leiston, Extra Time provided numerous public workshops, including First Light in 2024 and 2025.
We also produced three distinct Story Boxes, featuring football anecdotes and experiences contributed by the general public.
"It's amazing, overwhelming really. When I recorded my story I had no idea it would turn out like that - such a lot of work has gone into the whole thing - I'm almost lost for words." Martin, Ipswich Sporting Memories group and contributor to the Extra Time Football Stories Box
"Heritage is something that belongs to you. It's passed down by generations and it could be a really precious thing or just an old thing - but it tells you where you came from." School child explaining what heritage means to them.
Funds awarded in prior year from Heritage Lottery Fund, Lowestoft Rising, the Association of Suffolk Museums.
Curious Minds - social prescribing
Curious Minds is a mental health wellbeing project, delivered in partnership with Suffolk Libraries, the Food Museum and the Ipswich and East Suffolk Alliance.
It is an arts and heritage programme designed to support the wellbeing of people living with complex health needs through creative and mindful activities. Curious Minds offers participants the chance to enjoy exploring a variety of art forms whilst developing creative skills and tools to support mental wellbeing.
In 2024/25 we delivered our 12-week courses in Leiston Felixstowe, Saxmundam, Ipswich and Woodbridge.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
"The Curious Minds course has had a positive and profound effect on me. Not only has it opened my eyes to new and exciting avenues of creative expression, but also, has eased some of the social anxiety that I have always struggled with when meeting new people. It has given me the confidence to be a speaker, instead of just a silent, watcher and listener. I have really enjoyed being part of this group. I hope there may be more to come!"
Funding was received in prior year from Suffolk County Council, partnership funding for Arts, Libraries and Museums creative health work. The restricted fund supports our Curious Minds programme which also includes work commissioned by NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB.
Curious Minds: social impact evaluation
Curious Minds is a programme for people living with at least two, serious, long-term health conditions. Participants are referred by social prescribers in Ipswich and East Suffolk. This is a cohort where social prescribing can have a significant impact on people's health outcomes and reduce costs.
"The top 5% of patients account for around 50% of the total health care budget for primary care, secondary care and GP-prescribed drug therapy." Health Foundation working paper, October 2019, Working paper number: 7, "A descriptive analysis of health care use by high-cost, high-need patients in England", Kathryn Dreyer, Will Parry, Wikum Jayatunga, Sarah Deeny.
Suffolk Artlink collected Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales data for 29 people, referred by social prescribers, attending the charity's 12-week Curious Minds courses in Leiston, Felixstowe, Saxmundham, Ipswich, and Woodbridge.
The Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) measures and evidences the change in participants' wellbeing as a result of our work. WEMWBS is benchmarked against other wellbeing measures and data sets and with substantial academic journal review, making it a particularly useful measure for evaluation. Using SWEMWBS as our measure enables us to calculate the social impact value of the service and compare our service with other interventions.
www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/med/research/platform/wemwbs/
To calculate the social impact value, we used the method detailed in the paper, Mental Health and Life Satisfaction: The Relationship between the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and Life Satisfaction, Daniel Fujiwara, Kieran Keohane, Vicky Clayton, Ulrike Hotopp, published by HACT, 15 September 2017. Values were adjusted for inflation using the Bank of England inflation calculator.
The social impact value for the 29 people sampled was £175,107. An average value of £6,038.
Chart: Curious Minds, SWEMWBS data for 29 people comparing exit against entry values for wellbeing and wellbeing in the general population.
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Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Little Beats
Little Beats is a place-based early years music project. Over the past 2 years we have been working in Lowestoft to deliver fun, interactive and responsive music sessions for 0-5 year olds and their families in Lowestoft. In addition, we have built an early years musical workforce and a growing network of musicians, early years providers and local organisations.
We run 4 network meetings per year and run an exciting CPD program which is responsive to the community and practitioners. Our focus over the past year has been on artist development, knowledge sharing, inclusion and diversifying musical opportunities in early years music.
" Amelia had the best time. Love the interaction between performers and children. Never seen her so involved at a baby group. " (attended Roly Poly) "The class is very relaxing and feels like a safe place for mum and baby."
Little Beats is supported by project partners Magic Acorns, Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub, Lowestoft Rising, Suffolk Libraries, Britten Pears, The National Literacy Trust, and Morabe Rural Music.
Funders: Postcode Places Trust. Funding awarded in prior year from Youth Music Catalyser.
Website & Virtual
Online and virtual is increasingly important to making our work more accessible. Virtual sessions providing opportunities to people who are rurally isolated. Our website is a place people can access virtual, find and book live sessions, and access resources.
The small balance remaining in the restricted fund will be used in 2025 / 2026 to enable Immersive Reader for Edge browser on our website www.suffolkartlink.org.uk.
Youth Music Recharge
Youth Music Recharge funding aimed to help people and organisations to recharge from the effects of the pandemic. This funding enabled Suffolk Artlink to rebuild organisational capacity and capabilities, and address staff wellbeing issues.
Funder(s): Youth Music Recharge Fund
Battery of Ideas
Re>Charge Creative Health and Wellbeing Programme is part of Suffolk Artlink's contribution to the Place Partnership 'Battery of Ideas', Lowestoft.
Re>Charge is a creative health and wellbeing programme delivered at the Battery of Ideas Lowestoft, with two strands of delivery: a 12-week social prescribing creative course for adults living with long term complex health needs; and an eight-week artist led community course.
The Battery of Ideas Place Partnership is an eighteen-month project designed to grow public awareness and engagement in the Cultural Quarter development in Lowestoft town centre.
The twelve-week social prescribing programme commenced in February 2025, providing a friendly accessible safe space to explore creativity with professional artists Eleanor Rodwell and Sarah Lewis.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Participants have explored the local Lowestoft Heritage of the Herring Girls through movement, dance, song and visual creativity.
"Taking part in Re>Charge takes you away from everything for a couple of hours."
"Thank you for what you all did for me - it was very simple - but very profound."
Funder: First Light C.I.C Battery of Ideas Place Partnership funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council.
Battery of Ideas, Re>Charge case study
"X" was referred by an NHS Talking Therapies Employment Advisor.
During the initial telephone call made by Suffolk Artlink's Project Development Officer, "X" discussed the impact of their health issues on daily activities. They mentioned the challenges posed by decreased mobility and its effect on their mental health. "X" described the planning required to leave the house, use public transport, and attend the first Re>Charge session, expressing discomfort and anxiety.
In their first week, "X" expressed reluctance to participate in activities, stating it was not something they usually do. Gradually, with gentle encouragement, "X" began engaging in creative tasks and movement.
One week, while discussing traditional songs, it was noted that there had not been a traditional song sung by the Herring Girls. With support and encouragement from dance artist Sarah Lewis, "X" was challenged to write a song.
The following week, "X" returned with printed copies of a song they had written, along with musical chords. They shared that carrying the printouts was a significant physical challenge due to their preference to keep their hands free in case of falling.
"X" frequently compared their current state to their condition before their health incident, highlighting feelings of depression, isolation, and confusion. They mentioned that their relationships with family and friends had been affected, contributing to feelings of isolation and lack of belonging.
"X" said that Re>Charge has provided a safe space where they felt comfortable being vulnerable and sharing openly in ways they could not with their family.
"X" said: "It makes me feel like a part of society, you make me feel I can actually contribute."
Designated Funds
Funds are set aside to continue the development of Suffolk Artlink's audience development and fundraising from individual and business giving, audience development and fundraising as part of our commitment to Arts Council England as part of our Catalyst funding.
Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted funds expenditure includes our support costs as well as our charitable mission focused unrestricted projects and commissions.
Thank you to grant funders Suffolk County Council and Mid Suffolk District Council.
Thank you NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB for commissioning our social prescribing services.
Thank you to all the individuals and businesses who fundraised for us, shared our story and donated £13,950.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Thank you to our business sponsors Clubb Creative and Taylor Wimpey East Anglia. In addition to donating, Clubb Creative featured the work of Brave Artist Steven Frost in their corporate Christmas card, their creative team have lent their skills to our Brave Art programme and have supported our marketing.
Future funding and balance sheet items:
Suffolk Artlink has been awarded three-year funding from The Linbury Trust. The Linbury Trust has awarded £50,000 for the financial year 2025/2026, £50,000 for 2026/2027 and £30,000 for 2027/2028. An additional £20,000 is awarded for development of new income streams in 2025/2026 and 2027/2028. The total award is £150,000.
The Limbourne Trust has awarded £30,000 over three years: £10,000 for the financial year 2025/2026, £10,000 for 2026/2027 and £10,000 for 2027/2028.
Financial review
Suffolk County Council revenue support to arts organisations ended on 31 March 2025. The Council continues to support the work of arts organisations, including Suffolk Artlink, through project funding and contracts.
Suffolk Artlink's strategy has been and will continue to be closely aligned to Suffolk County Council's priorities, and the Council remains one of our most important stakeholders as a funder, customer and partner in working to improve the lives of people in Suffolk.
However, the change in our funding relationship is a challenge. Suffolk County Council revenue funding provided foreseeable future income that provided resilience for a largely project funded organisation. Revenue funding enabled Suffolk Artlink to develop and fundraise for new programmes, provided match funding for national grant funding and enabled the charity to provide continuity of service to our most vulnerable beneficiaries.
A reduction in salary and other costs was made in year 2024/2025 increasing our year end unrestricted reserves to provide greater resilience in 2025/2026 and support further organisational change.
Trustees led an individual and business giving campaign in 2024/2025. Trustee Simon Price worked with the Production bureau (Pb), a leading creative communications agency with strong connections to Suffolk and based in Norfolk, to create a set of films and creative assets featuring creative participants. In total Suffolk Artlink raised £13,950 from individual and business giving. The campaign supported our audience development, particularly increasing our reach and engagement across social media, which will support Suffolk Artlink's ongoing fundraising as well as achieving our charitable mission.
Co-Directors Alexandra Casey and Hayley Field led on developing the charity's income from fees and contracts. This included securing a £40,000 contract from the North East Essex Integrated Care Board and securing £180,000 unrestricted grant funding over three years, starting 1st April 2025.
Suffolk Artlink's savings, fundraising from individuals and business and new unrestricted funding has provided foresight on future income in the medium term. However, we anticipate our trading environment will continue to be challenging for the foreseeable future and we need to continue to grow our donations, reduce costs, increase income for our work from fees and contracts, secure new grant funding for our programmes, and develop new income streams.
Financial sustainability is, of course, not independent of our mission and impact for beneficiaries and our business development must be consistent with our mission and values. Trustees and staff are ambitious for the charity's mission and remain committed to continuing change and modernisation as a means of being a more effective and efficient organisation.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Income from all sources amounted to £254,958 (2024: £331,218) for the year. Expenditure amounted to £339,484 (2024: £368,191) giving rise to a net deficit for the year £84,526 (2024: £36,973). Cash balances increased to £273,874 (2024: £213,622). Total funds carried forward for the year amounted to £295,572 (2024: £380,098).
Reserves policy
The Trustees' policy is to maintain adequate reserves for the following purposes:
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To enable the charity to fulfil statutory and legal obligations
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To provide a contingency fund to meet unforeseen falls in income or increases in expenditure
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To allow for orderly wind up of the charity if required
The charity's current unrestricted reserves policy follows the Charity Commission's guidance, "Charity reserves: building resilience (CC19)".
The reserves policy reflects the charity's income risk profile; fixed salary costs, significant redundancy liability; and the extreme vulnerability of the charity's beneficiaries and the potential impact of a sudden and unplanned withdrawal of services on their health and well-being.
This policy is reviewed annually. In 2024/2025 closure of the charity was considered in detail. Suffolk Artlink's redundancy liability is £66,498. Due to long service nearly all Suffolk Artlink staff have a statutory entitlement to 3 months' notice (following a consultation period). Three months salaries for the first quarter of 2025/2026 are estimated to cost £63,421.
Looking ahead to 2026 the charity has increased uncertainty and risk, compared to previous years, on future grant funding, including exposure on match funding on in progress programmes for vulnerable beneficiaries.
The Board of Trustees aim to maintain sufficient reserves to cover six months' unrestricted expenditure, including closure costs and liabilities. Our calculation for reserves reflects the additional liability arising from the three-month statutory notice requirement.
The reserves policy, as calculated at 31 March 2025, set a reserve target of £148,171 (2024: £113,410).
At 31 March 2025 the charity's current unrestricted general reserves, net of tangible fixed assets, were £138,871 (2024: £110,186).
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Structure, governance and management
Suffolk Artlink is a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated on 7 February 2005 and registered as a charity on 16 August 2005.
The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
The trustees of the company are also directors for the purposes of company law. Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association the trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re- elected at the next Annual General Meeting. The trustees of the charitable company during the year are as described on the reference and administration details page of these financial statements.
Risk management
The trustees monitor the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have established systems and procedures to manage those risks.
The Board of Trustees follows the Charity Commissions guidance 'Charities and risk management (CC26)' in identifying and weighting risks and the trustees maintain an organisational risk assessment. The register is continually updated and reviewed.
Safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults is a priority and our policies, procedures, vetting, training and risk assessment follow from our total commitment to providing safe and high-quality services.
There is increased competition for grant funding and greater uncertainty on future income. This presents a financial problem and a mission challenge due to the high impact on some of our most vulnerable beneficiaries from flexing programme delivery.
The charity has secured new funding for three years starting 1 April 2025, but securing new sources of unrestricted grant funding, developing new charitable trading, and increasing income from individual and business giving remains a strategic priority for the Board of Trustees.
Principal funding sources
The main sources of income for the charity are from grants from national organisations and local authorities. The majority of income is restricted.
The charity's approach to investments is cautious with funds being held across different institutions in order to maximise cover under the Financial Service Compensation Scheme.
The charity does not hold any other investments in this or prior year.
Organisation structure
The Trustee Board comprises of eleven members who meet as a Board quarterly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. Board subcommittees and action groups meet regularly for specific functions as required, for example finance and fundraising.
The Trustees are from a variety of backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity.
The Board is supported by two Co-Directors, who lead and manage the organisation day-to-day. The General Manager reports to the Board regarding the charity's finances and acts as Company Secretary.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
To ensure a vital and engaged Board, trustees' length of service is limited. The intention of the Board is that trustees will serve one term of three years after which a trustee may be re-elected for a second term of three years. By special resolution of the Board, trustees may be re-elected for a third term, for example, where a trustee is providing a particular expertise such as legal, financial or HR.
Trustees are recruited through an open recruitment process and formal interview. The process includes an outline of the Trustees' roles and responsibilities. People for underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Diversity is actively sought as a means of improving governance and the effectiveness of the organisation.
Training and support is provided as required for each individual trustee this may include training for specialist roles such as the Trustee Safeguarding Lead and access support to ensure an inclusive and engaged Board of Trustees.
Pay and remuneration
The pay of the senior staff is reviewed annually by the Trustees and where appropriate increased in accordance with average inflationary increases for similar roles, in the same sector, in the locality.
Independent examiner reappointment
A resolution to appoint A Robinson FCA of Lovewell Blake LLP as independent examiner will be proposed at the next Annual General Meeting.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies' exemption of section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
28/7/2025 The trustees' annual report was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
joer Sow J Draper (Chair) Trustee
- 14 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Suffolk Artlink
Year ended 31 March 2025
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), balance sheet and the related notes.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements 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 company's financial statements 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
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no 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 company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
the financial statements 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 financial statements 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.
A Robinson FCA Independent Examiner
Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EA 29/7/2025
- 15 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)
Year ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | ||||
| funds | funds | Total funds | Total funds | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 5 | 88,763 | 113,283 | 202,046 | 257,935 |
| Charitable activities | 21,011 | 24,429 | 45,440 | 65,506 | |
| Investment income | 6 | 7,472 | – | 7,472 | 7,777 |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||
| Total income | 117,246 | 137,712 | 254,958 | 331,218 | |
| =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | ||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Charitable activities | 7 | 99,319 | 240,165 | 339,484 | 368,191 |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||
| Total expenditure | 99,319 | 240,165 | 339,484 | 368,191 | |
| =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | ||
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||
| Net expenditure and net movement in | |||||
| funds | 17,927 | (102,453) | (84,526) | (36,973) | |
| =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | ||
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 122,028 | 258,070 | 380,098 | 417,071 | |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 139,955 | 155,617 | 295,572 | 380,098 | |
| =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | =============================== |
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 18 to 27 form part of these financial statements.
- 16 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Balance sheet
31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 11 | 509 | 1,019 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 12 | 263,777 | 216,579 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 273,874 | 213,622 | |||
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||||
| 537,651 | 430,201 | ||||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due within | |||||
| one year | 13 | (242,588) | (51,122) | ||
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||||
| Net current assets | 295,063 | 379,079 | |||
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 295,572 | 380,098 | |||
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||||
| Net assets | 295,572 | 380,098 | |||
| =============================== | =============================== | ||||
| Funds of the charity | |||||
| Restricted funds | 155,617 | 258,070 | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 139,955 | 122,028 | |||
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ||||
| Total charity funds | 16 | 295,572 =============================== |
380,098 =============================== |
For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
-
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
-
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 28/7/2025 ........................, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
joer Sow J Draper (Chair) Trustee
Company registration number: 05354844
The notes on pages 18 to 27 form part of these financial statements.
- 17 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements
Year ended 31 March 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office and principal office address is Unit 14, Malt Store Annex, The Cut, 8 New Cut, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8BY.
2. Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis and the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected income and expenditure for the next 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
Income tax
As a registered charity, the activities are exempt from United Kingdom Income and Corporation taxation, provided that the income is applied to charitable purposes.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
- 18 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Income
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
-
income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
-
legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
-
income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
-
income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
-
expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
-
other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
Operating leases
Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
- 19 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Tangible assets (continued)
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Fixtures and fittings - 15% straight line Equipment - 25% straight line
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Defined contribution plans
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
4. Limited by guarantee
The charitable company has no share capital but is limited by guarantee. The members under the memorandum and articles of association each undertake to contribute to the assets of the charitable company, in the event of it being wound up, with each members liability limited to £1.
- 20 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
5. Donations and legacies
Year ended 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Grants | |||||
| Suffolk County Council | 73,240 | – | 73,240 | ||
| First Light CIC (Arts Council England) | – | 36,000 | 36,000 | ||
| Arts Council England | – | 27,000 | 27,000 | ||
| Postcode Places Trust | – | 25,000 | 25,000 | ||
| Other Grants | 13,973 | 4,913 | 18,886 | ||
| Leading Lives (Community Benefit Fund) | – | 5,000 | 5,000 | ||
| Youth Music | – | 4,420 | 4,420 | ||
| Baily Thomas Charitable Fund | – | 3,000 | 3,000 | ||
| Landscapes for All Fund - National Landscapes | – | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||
| Essex Community Fund | – | 1,750 | 1,750 | ||
| The Saturday Hospital Fund | – | 1,750 | 1,750 | ||
| Mid Suffolk District Council | 1,550 | – | 1,550 | ||
| Suffolk Community Foundation (Arts & Culture Fund)) | – | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||
| Essex Cultural Diversity Project | – | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||
| Suffolk Community Foundation (Suffolk Giving) | – | 450 | 450 | ||
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | |||
| 88,763 | 113,283 | 202,046 | |||
| ========================== | =============================== | =============================== | |||
| Year ended 31 March 2024 | |||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds |
|||
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Grants | |||||
| Youth Music | – | 137,210 | 137,210 | ||
| Suffolk County Council | 63,240 | 5,000 | 68,240 | ||
| Other grants and donations | 6,864 | 18,056 | 24,920 | ||
| Suffolk Community Foundation | – | 23,515 | 23,515 | ||
| Mid Suffolk District Council | 2,550 | – | 2,550 | ||
| Babergh District Council | 1,500 | – | 1,500 | ||
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | |||
| 74,154 | 183,781 | 257,935 | |||
| ========================== | =============================== | =============================== | |||
| 6. | Investment income | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Bank interest receivable | 7,472 | 7,472 | 7,777 | 7,777 | |
| ====================== | ====================== | ====================== | ====================== |
- 21 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
7. Expenditure on charitable activities
| Activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| undertaken | Total funds | Total fund | ||
| directly | Support costs | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Staff costs | 174,696 | 47,170 | 221,866 | 233,611 |
| Artist fees and materials | 84,762 | – | 84,762 | 87,804 |
| Transport, catering and venue hire | 7,029 | 375 | 7,404 | 19,981 |
| Marketing and public relations | 1,820 | 396 | 2,216 | 5,947 |
| Other project costs | 5,403 | – | 5,403 | 3,237 |
| Office costs | – | 14,504 | 14,504 | 15,087 |
| Depreciation | – | 510 | 510 | 510 |
| Independent examiner's fees | – | 2,760 | 2,760 | 1,848 |
| Board and meeting expenses | – | 59 | 59 | 166 |
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | |
| 273,710 | 65,774 | 339,484 | 368,191 | |
| =============================== | ========================== | =============================== | =============================== |
8. Net expenditure
Net expenditure is stated after charging/(crediting):
| Net expenditure is stated after charging/(crediting): | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets | 510 ============= |
510 ============= |
9. Staff costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 201,998 | 211,583 |
| Social security costs | 9,768 | 9,406 |
| Other pension costs | 10,100 | 10,579 |
| Other staffing expenses | – | 2,043 |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | |
| 221,866 | 233,611 | |
| =============================== | =============================== |
The average head count of employees during the year was 11 (2024: 12). The full time equivalent, based on full time being 35 hours per week, was 6 people (2024: 6).
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
Key management personnel
Key management personnel include all personnel that have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total compensation, including employers national insurance contributions paid to key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £97,086 (2024: £101,113).
10. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No Trustee received remuneration in the current or prior year, directly or indirectly, from the charity. Trustees received £62 (2024: £166) of expenses during the year.
- 22 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Fixtures and | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fittings | Equipment | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Cost | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 | 1,736 | 15,028 | 16,764 | |
| ====================== | ========================== | ========================== | ||
| Depreciation | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 1,736 | 14,009 | 15,745 | |
| Charge for the year | – | 510 | 510 | |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------- | -------------------------- | ||
| At 31 March 2025 | 1,736 | 14,519 | 16,255 | |
| ====================== | ========================== | ========================== | ||
| Carrying amount | ||||
| At 31 March 2025 | – | 509 | 509 | |
| ====================== | ========================== | ========================== | ||
| At 31 March 2024 | – | 1,019 | 1,019 | |
| ====================== | ========================== | ========================== | ||
| 12. | Debtors | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Trade debtors | 200 | 821 | ||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 263,577 | 215,758 | ||
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | |||
| 263,777 | 216,579 | |||
| =============================== | =============================== | |||
| 13. | Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Trade creditors | 8,848 | 12,905 | ||
| Accruals and deferred income | 229,536 | 33,033 | ||
| Social security and other taxes | 2,461 | 3,212 | ||
| Other creditors | 1,743 | 1,972 | ||
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------- | |||
| 242,588 | 51,122 | |||
| =============================== | ========================== |
14. Deferred income
Deferred income relates to conditional grant income received in the year on behalf of projects being completed in following years and amounts to £215,975 (2024: £31,185) for the year.
- 23 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
15. Defined contribution plans
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £10,100 (2024: £10,579).
16. Analysis of charitable funds
Restricted funds
| Restricted funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April | At 31 March | ||||
| 2024 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Brave Art | 2,342 | 32,845 | (35,187) | – | – |
| Brave Art (ACE) | – | 37,445 | (15,864) | – | 21,581 |
| Clown Round Extension | 5,640 | 5,511 | (3,987) | – | 7,164 |
| Creative Boost (Friends | |||||
| Around the Table) | 18,188 | – | (18,188) | – | – |
| Friends Around the Table | 4,781 | 12,000 | (12,892) | – | 3,889 |
| Extra Time HLF | 82,210 | – | (46,377) | – | 35,833 |
| Curious Minds (Libraries | |||||
| and Museums Wellbeing) | 39,916 | – | (22,806) | – | 17,110 |
| Little Beats | 95,545 | 9,491 | (59,656) | – | 45,380 |
| Website & Virtual | 223 | – | (65) | – | 158 |
| Youth Music Recharge | 9,225 | 4,420 | (13,645) | – | – |
| Battery of Ideas | |||||
| Lowestoft | – | 36,000 | (11,498) | – | 24,502 |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------- | |
| 258,070 | 137,712 | (240,165) | – | 155,617 | |
| =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | ============= | =============================== | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| At 1 April | At 31 March | ||||
| 2024 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General fund | 111,205 | 117,246 | (89,071) | – | 139,380 |
| Designated fund | 10,823 | – | (10,248) | – | 575 |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------- | |
| 122,028 | 117,246 | (99,319) | – | 139,955 | |
| =============================== | =============================== | ========================== | ============= | =============================== |
- 24 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
| Restricted funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April | At 31 March | ||||
| 2023 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Brave Art | 56,308 | 20,711 | (74,677) | – | 2,342 |
| Clown Round Extension | 14,991 | 19,891 | (29,242) | – | 5,640 |
| Creative Boost (Friends | |||||
| Around the Table) | – | 19,985 | (1,797) | – | 18,188 |
| Extra Time HLF | 125,709 | 7,500 | (50,999) | – | 82,210 |
| Libraries & Museums | |||||
| Well-Being Programme | 46,631 | 20,000 | (26,715) | – | 39,916 |
| Little Beats Progression | |||||
| (Youth Music) | 292 | 140,170 | (44,917) | – | 95,545 |
| Lowestoft Folk | 463 | – | (463) | – | – |
| More Friends Around the | |||||
| Table | 21,397 | – | (16,616) | – | 4,781 |
| Website & Virtual | 450 | – | (227) | – | 223 |
| Wild About Kirkley | 383 | – | (383) | – | – |
| YM Revenue Funding | 31,372 | 2,210 | (24,357) | – | 9,225 |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------- | |
| 297,996 | 230,467 | (270,393) | – | 258,070 | |
| =============================== | =============================== | =============================== | ============= | =============================== | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| At 1 April | At 31 March | ||||
| 2023 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General fund | 105,035 | 100,751 | (94,581) | – | 111,205 |
| Designated fund | 14,040 | – | (3,217) | – | 10,823 |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------- | |
| 119,075 =============================== |
100,751 =============================== |
(97,798) ========================== |
– ============= |
122,028 =============================== |
Purpose of restricted funds:
Brave Art : is a creative course with embedded personal and social development for adults with learning disabilities. Courses are offered in Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and Ipswich. National Lottery Community Fund, Funding from Suffolk Community Foundation through the Birketts Fund, Horringer Court Community Church, Thrift Shop.
Battery of Ideas Lowestoft : a creative health and wellbeing programme delivered at the Battery of Ideas Lowestoft, with two strands of delivery: a 12-week social prescribing creative course for adults living with long term complex health needs; and an eight-week artist led community course.
Clown Round Extension : provides children in hospitals and hospices the chance to take part in artistic play helping to relieve their fear and insecurities on the ward. Angel Lodge, EH Smith Charitable Trust, J & D Hambro Charitable Trust. Ridley Godfrey Foundation, Will Charitable Trust, Suffolk Community Foundation through De La Rue Family Fund.
Extra Time HLF : is an intergenerational programme which brings together new intergenerational teams to share their personal experiences of the beautiful game and explore Suffolk's remarkable football heritage. Heritage Lottery Fund, Association of Suffolk Museums, Lowestoft Rising (LCEP).
Friends Around the Table : A successor to our successful programme, Friends Around the Table. This programme explores food, culture and nature in regular workshops, to offer family carers and adults living rurally, relaxed and enjoyable get-togethers, addressing wellbeing, isolation and loneliness. Friends Around the Table is funded by, Suffolk Community Foundation Realising Ambitions.
- 25 -
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Libraries & Museums Wellbeing Programme : Suffolk County Council partnership funding supports Curious Minds, a mental health wellbeing project, delivered in partnership with Suffolk Libraries and the Association for Suffolk Museums. Curious Minds supports the Primary Care Personalised Care Programme and participation is by referral through Ipswich and East Suffolk Primary Care.
Little Beats Progression (Youth Music) : is a partnership project with Suffolk Libraries that improves wellbeing, child development and musical engagement amongst pre-school children. 'Little Beats' brings musicians and early years music educators together with librarians from Great Cornard and Lowestoft libraries. Youth Music, Music for All, Lowestoft Rising (LCEP)
Website and virtual : Supporting Suffolk Artlink's online communication and engagement with our participants through information about our in real life and digital activities and online resources.
The following restricted projects have been completed:
Creative Boost (Friends Around the Table) Friends Around the Table sessions for carers Suffolk Community Foundation through Suffolk Carers Fund.
Lowestoft Folk : was an intergenerational heritage programme between school pupils and older people in care exploring artefacts and stories found in Lowestoft Museum and the Maritime Museum. The programme produced exhibits that continue to be used by the museums and a small sum is held in the fund for repair, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Wild about Kirkley : artists and community participants collaborate to develop, curate and deliver a fortnightly programme, ending May 2023, of creative activity exploring food, art and the environment. Arts Council England and Suffolk County Council.
YM Revenue Funding : funding aims to help people and organisations to recharge from the effects of the pandemic. These funds are to improve Suffolk Artlink's capacity, capability, and wellbeing.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Suffolk Artlink
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
17. Analysis of net assets between funds
31 March 2025
| General | Designated | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | 509 | – | – | 509 |
| Current assets | 138,871 | 575 | 155,617 | 295,063 |
| ------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | |
| Net Assets | 139,380 | 575 | 155,617 | 295,572 |
| =============================== | ============= | =============================== | =============================== | |
| 31 March 2024 | ||||
| General | Designated | Restricted | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | 1,019 | – | – | 1,019 |
| Current assets | 110,186 | 10,823 | 258,070 | 379,079 |
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | |
| Net Assets | 111,205 | 10,823 | 258,070 | 380,098 |
| =============================== | ========================== | =============================== | =============================== |
18. Operating lease commitments
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
2025 2024 £ £ Not later than 1 year 1,810 6,034 ====================== ======================
19. Related parties
There were no related party transactions in this or the prior year.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Lovewell Blake LLP First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP32 7EA
Dear Sirs
Financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
The following representations are made on the basis of enquires with those individuals, including management and staff, with relevant knowledge and experience such as we consider necessary in connection with your independent examination of the charitable company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. These enquiries have included inspection of supporting documentation where appropriate and are sufficient to satisfy ourselves that we can make each of the following representations. All representations are made to the best of our knowledge and belief.
General
We acknowledge that the work performed by you is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and that you do not express an audit opinion.
We confirm that the charitable company qualifies as small in accordance with the conditions set out in chapter 1 of part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
We confirm that the charitable company was entitled to exemption under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011, being that gross income for the year does not exceed £1m or £250,000 if gross assets exceed £3.26m, from the requirement to have its financial statements for the financial year ended 31 March 2025 audited. We also confirm that the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the financial year in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
We confirm we have declared all income, including legacies, of which we are aware at the year end, whether received during the year or following the year end.
We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees, as set out in the terms of our engagement letter dated 28 June 2021 under the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011, for preparing financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and for making accurate representations to you.
All the transactions undertaken by the charitable company have been properly reflected and recorded in the accounting records.
All the accounting records have been made available to you for the purpose of your independent examination. We have provided you with unrestricted access to all appropriate persons within the charitable company, and with all other records and related information requested, including minutes of all management and trustees meetings and correspondence with The Charity Commission.
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
The financial statements are free of material misstatements, including omissions.
Internal control and fraud
We acknowledge our responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control systems to prevent and detect fraud and error, and we believe that we have appropriately fulfilled these responsibilities. We have disclosed to you the results of our risk assessment that the financial statements may be misstated as a result of fraud.
We have disclosed to you all instances of known or suspected fraud affecting the entity involving those individuals, including management and employees, who have a significant role in internal control or others that have a material effect on the financial statements.
We have also disclosed to you all information in relation to allegations of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the entity’s financial statements communicated by current or former employees, analysts, regulators or others.
Assets and liabilities
The charitable company has satisfactory title to all assets and there are no liens or encumbrances on the charitable company’s assets, except for those that are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
All actual liabilities, contingent liabilities and guarantees given to third parties have been recorded or disclosed as appropriate.
We have no plans or intentions that may materially alter the carrying value and, where relevant, the fair value measurements or classification of assets and liabilities reflected in the financial statements.
Accounting estimates
The methods, data and significant assumptions used by us in making accounting estimates, and their related disclosures, are appropriate to achieve recognition, measurement and disclosure that is reasonable in the context of the applicable financial reporting framework.
Bank accounts
We have disclosed to you all bank accounts operated by the charitable company.
Legal claims
We have disclosed to you all claims in connection with litigation that have been, or are expected to be, received and such matters, as appropriate, have been properly accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements.
Laws and regulations
We have disclosed to you all known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements.
Related parties
Related party relationships and transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements. We have disclosed to you all relevant information concerning such relationships and transactions and are not aware of any other matters which require disclosure in order to comply with legislative and accounting standards requirements.
Serious incidents
We confirm that no serious incident reports have been submitted to the Charity Commission, nor any events considered for submission, during the year or in the period to the date of signing of the balance sheet.
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F9C7CE3-A62D-498D-A02A-6D58C985AC70
Subsequent events
All events subsequent to the date of the financial statements which require adjustment or disclosure have been properly accounted for and disclosed.
Going concern
We believe that the charitable company’s financial statements should be prepared on a going concern basis, on the grounds that current and future sources of funding or support will be more than adequate for the charitable company’s needs. We also confirm our plans for future action(s) required to enable the charitable company to continue as a going concern are feasible. We have considered a period of twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. We believe that no further disclosures relating to the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern need to be made in the financial statements.
Grants and donations
All grants, donations and other income, the receipt of which is subject to specific terms or conditions, have been notified to you. There have been no breaches of terms or conditions in the application of such income.
Each trustee has taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that you are aware of that information.
Yours faithfully
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. joer Sow Signed on behalf of the board of trustees of Suffolk Artlink
Date:………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
28/7/2025