Company registration number: 06173241 Charity registration number: 1122010
HOUSE OF IMAGINATION TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
House of Imagination Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
| Trustees' Report | 2—5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) | 7 |
| Comparative Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10—14 |
House of Imagination Reference and Administrative Details For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
M Bisco - Chair R Menon (resigned 02/12/2025) M Gorley (resigned 11/09/2025) S J Akram-Haythornwaite (resigned 05/02/2025) J Livingstone (appointed 02/12/2025) R D Crowford (appointed 02/12/2025)
Trustees M Bisco - Chair R Menon (resigned 02/12/2025) M Gorley (resigned 11/09/2025) J Livingstone (appointed 02/12/2025) R D Crowford (appointed 02/12/2025) Company Secretary W P Lindsay (appointed 01/12/2024) Director W P Lindsay Charity Number 1122010 Company Number 06173241 Registered Office Studio 202 3 Edgar Buildings George Street Bath BA1 2FJ Independent Examiner T R Case ICAEW Case Accounting Ltd. 20 Goodwood Way Chippenham Wiltshire SN14 0SY
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House of Imagination Company No. 06173241 Trustees' Report For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Objectives and Activities
Aims and Objectives
House of Imagination (formerly 5x5x5=creativity) is an arts research charity that improves children’s life chances by helping them to explore and express their ideas and develop creative skills for life. House of Imagination creates places and spaces to research, share and celebrate the power of imagination in children’s lives. This is achieved through creative partnerships with artists, schools, cultural organisations, higher education institutions and creative industries. House of Imagination is a home for improvisation, creativity and innovation and a place to make those things visible to wider audiences through research, participation and collaboration.
The objects of the Charity are the advancement of education and in particular:
- working in partnership with educators and artists, and with museums, galleries, theatres and other artistic and cultural settings to support children in their exploration, communication and expression of creative ideas; producing and disseminating research and guidance on creative values, relationships, dispositions and environments in order to help develop children as confident, creative thinkers; and
providing integrated training and mentoring for educators, artists and cultural centres.
During the year the charity continued to refine its strategic focus around imagination, creativity, nature connection and interdisciplinary learning, while operating within a challenging financial environment for the wider arts and charity sector.
House of Imagination continued to develop its role as a cultural and educational infrastructure organisation within Bath, Bristol and the South West, while also extending aspects of its work nationally through the Forest of Imagination programme and associated partnerships.
The charity continued to work alongside academics, artists, educators, landscape architects, cultural organisations and local authorities to create collaborative programmes and creative learning environments that support children, families and communities.
A significant strand of work during the year centred on the continued development of Forest of Imagination as both an annual programme and a longer-term research and partnership model exploring imagination, ecology, learning and wellbeing.
During 2024–25 House of Imagination continued work connected to:
-
Forest of Imagination 2025 at Entry Hill, engaging 6,000 visitors (more info to follow);
-
Forest of Imagination Wokingham, commissioned in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council using UK Shared Prosperity Funding;
-
the continued development of the Entry Hill Art & Nature Park vision in Bath, in collaboration with partners including Grant Associates, Bath Spa University and cultural and environmental stakeholders; artist development, participatory learning and interdisciplinary collaboration through projects and partnership activity;
-
ongoing dialogue with universities, councils and cultural partners regarding future place-based creative and ecological programmes.
The charity also continued to support wider cultural and educational networks and partnerships, helping to connect organisations and practitioners working across arts, education, creativity, research and community engagement.
House of Imagination remains committed to ensuring its activities are inclusive and accessible, and continues to explore how imagination and creativity can contribute positively to learning, wellbeing, social connection and environmental awareness.
Significant Activities
Forest of Imagination :
Forest of Imagination remains the charity’s primary long-term research and public engagement programme, exploring the relationship between imagination, creativity, nature connection and learning.
During the year, the charity continued development activity connected to Forest of Imagination Bath and Forest of Imagination Wokingham, alongside longer-term strategic discussions regarding future programme sustainability and expansion.
...CONTINUED
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House of Imagination Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
Significant Activities - continued
The Wokingham Borough Forest of Imagination programme represented an important milestone in demonstrating how the Forest of Imagination model could be adapted and delivered in different geographic contexts through partnership with local authorities, universities and creative organisations.
Activity connected to Forest of Imagination Bath and the Entry Hill site also continued to build momentum through 2025, including partnership development, creative planning, schools engagement and strategic discussions linked to the longerterm Art & Nature Park vision. Forest of Imagination activity continued to attract strong engagement from artists, educators, families and partner organisations, reinforcing the programme’s role within Bath’s wider cultural and environmental ecology.
The charity also continued to develop the Entry Hill Art & Nature Park vision in Bath as a potential long-term civic and cultural initiative, exploring how arts, ecology, education and wellbeing could be integrated through a permanent publicfacing programme and landscape.
Partnerships and Creative Ecology
House of Imagination continued to work in collaboration with Bath Spa University and a range of educational, cultural and environmental partners. These partnerships remain central to the charity’s model and support research, programme development and public engagement.
The charity continued to contribute to wider creative and cultural networks across the region, supporting interdisciplinary exchange, artist development and collaborative learning.
This included continued collaboration and dialogue connected to programmes and initiatives such as School Without Walls, the Playful Green Planet initiative with RSA partners, and artist development and creative ecology activity linked to the AND programme and associated partnerships, including Institute of Imagination.
Ongoing discussions also explored future partnership opportunities linked to creativity, ecological learning and place-based cultural development.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
The public benefits of the work of House of Imagination include supporting creativity in the classroom, enhancing the learning and social skills of children and making teachers and schools more confident in developing to improve learning outcomes.
Achievements and Performance
Main Achievements
House of Imagination is a research organisation with a focus on children’s and young people’s creative and critical thinking. In practice, House of Imagination uses action research and collaborative creative practice to plan and deliver programmes that enable children, educators and communities to engage with creativity, imagination and learning in new ways.
The charity continues to occupy a distinctive position within the creative learning sector by combining academically informed research with live public programmes, participatory activity and cross-sector collaboration.
During the year, House of Imagination continued to strengthen relationships with key partners including Bath Spa University, Grant Associates, local authority stakeholders and cultural and environmental organisations connected to the future development of Forest of Imagination and Entry Hill. The charity also maintained momentum around the future development of Forest of Imagination and related ecological and place-based initiatives.
Forest of Imagination Wokingham was successfully delivered during the period, helping to strengthen the charity’s national profile and demonstrating the adaptability of the Forest of Imagination model beyond Bath.
The charity also continued to progress partnership conversations and early-stage planning connected to Forest of Imagination Bath and the longer-term Entry Hill Art & Nature Park vision.
Despite ongoing financial pressures and limited operational capacity, the charity continued to deliver programme development, partnership coordination, fundraising activity and strategic planning through a combination of funded work, in-kind support and significant voluntary contribution from collaborators and supporters.
The trustees recognise the importance of strengthening the charity’s long-term operational and financial sustainability while protecting the quality and integrity of its creative and educational work.
...CONTINUED
Page 3
House of Imagination Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
Main Achievements - continued
Financial Review
Financial Position
The environment for fundraising and cultural investment continues to be challenging, with increased pressure across the arts, education and charitable sectors.
During the year, the charity’s income increased due to continued activity associated with Forest of Imagination and related partnership projects. Restricted project funding supported programme delivery activity connected to Forest of Imagination and Wokingham Borough Council.
At the same time, the charity continued to operate with limited unrestricted income and relied heavily on partnership support, project-based funding and significant in-kind contribution.
The trustees remain aware of the need to strengthen unrestricted income, improve organisational resilience and develop a more sustainable operating model for the charity over the longer term.
Like many small charities operating within the cultural sector, House of Imagination continues to balance limited core operational resource against ambitious programme delivery, partnership coordination and long-term strategic development. Trustees recognise both the opportunities and pressures associated with sustaining high-impact public and educational work within an increasingly challenging funding environment.
During the latter part of the year and into 2026, trustees undertook a period of organisational stabilisation and governance strengthening, including improved financial oversight, updated documentation and refreshed governance processes.
The trustees continue to review financial planning, fundraising strategy, partnership structures and operational capacity in order to support the charity’s future sustainability.
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the charity to have three months of operating costs in reserves.
Plans for future periods
House of Imagination continues to explore how its work can evolve sustainably while remaining focused on its core mission around imagination, creativity, learning and ecological connection.
The charity intends to continue developing Forest of Imagination as a long-term interdisciplinary programme and partnership model, including activity connected to Bath, Wokingham and potential future collaborations in other locations.
A major strategic focus is the continued development of the Entry Hill Art & Nature Park vision in Bath, which aims to explore how arts, nature, wellbeing and education can be integrated through a permanent public-facing programme and landscape.
The charity also aims to:
- continue supporting children and young people through creative and participatory learning opportunities; strengthen partnerships across education, culture, environment and community sectors; support artists, educators and creative practitioners through collaborative projects and professional development opportunities;
continue contributing to wider dialogue around creativity, imagination, education and ecological thinking; seek longer-term and more diversified funding to improve organisational resilience and sustainability.
Trustees recognise that future programme ambitions must be balanced carefully against organisational capacity and financial sustainability.
Structure, Governance and Management
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House of Imagination Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
Governing Document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
House of Imagination (formerly 5x5x5=creativity) is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. It was registered in 2007 and is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association. These were modified in October 2010. 5x5x5=creativity was renamed House of Imagination in August 2019.
Trustee Selection Methods
The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees which meets at least four times a year and more often if necessary. There are currently no permanent sub committees of the Board. The Trustees regularly assess the skills and experience needed on the Board and identify potential candidates to meet those needs. New Trustees can be elected at any time of year and if so, can be confirmed in post at the subsequent AGM. The charity has the support and guidance of seven patrons with a wealth of experience as education or arts professionals.
During the period, the charity undertook a process of governance strengthening following a period of organisational transition. New trustees were appointed during 2025–26 to support refreshed governance, strategic oversight and future sustainability planning.
The trustees continue to review governance structures, operational processes and financial oversight as part of ongoing organisational development.
House of Imagination is no longer resident at The Studio, Palace Yard Mews in Bath, however the charity continues to work closely with Bath Spa University and remains connected to the wider Research Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries.
The trustees' report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:
M Bisco Trustee 26 May 2026
Page 5
House of Imagination Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of House of Imagination For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2025.
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 accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
T R Case ICAEW 26 May 2026 20 Goodwood Way Chippenham Wiltshire SN14 0SY
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House of Imagination Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities: Art projects & creative development EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities: 4 Art projects & creative development NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 12 |
Unrestricted funds £ - - |
Restricted funds £ 116,139 - |
2025 Total funds £ 116,139 - |
2024 Total funds £ 92,246 13,367 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 116,139 | 116,139 | 105,613 | |
| (11,740) | (116,139) | (127,879) | (95,912) | |
| (11,740) | - | (11,740) | 9,701 | |
| (11,740) 22,294 |
- - |
(11,740) 22,294 |
9,701 12,593 |
|
| 10,554 | - | 10,554 | 22,294 |
The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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House of Imagination Comparative Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities: Art projects & creative development EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities: 4 Art projects & creative development NET INCOME NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 12 |
Unrestricted funds £ 19,326 13,367 |
Restricted funds £ 72,920 - |
2024 Total funds £ 92,246 13,367 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32,693 | 72,920 | 105,613 | |
| (22,992) | (72,920) | (95,912) | |
| 9,701 | - | 9,701 | |
| 9,701 12,593 |
- - |
9,701 12,593 |
|
| 22,294 | - | 22,294 |
The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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House of Imagination Balance Sheet As At 31 August 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 11 NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted Funds TOTAL FUNDS 12 |
Unrestricted funds £ |
Restricted funds £ |
2025 Total funds £ |
2024 Total funds £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,045 12,192 |
- - |
1,045 12,192 |
200 23,815 |
|
| 13,237 (2,683) |
- - |
13,237 (2,683) |
24,015 (1,721) |
|
| 10,554 | - | 10,554 | 22,294 | |
| 10,554 | - | 10,554 | 22,294 | |
| 10,554 | - | 10,554 | 22,294 | |
| 10,554 | 22,294 | |||
| 10,554 | 22,294 |
For the year ending 31 August 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 company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees 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 and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
On behalf of the board
M Bisco Trustee 26 May 2026
The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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House of Imagination Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
1. General Information
House of Imagination is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England & Wales, registered number 06173241 and registered charity number 1122010. The registered office is Studio 202 3 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2FJ.
2. Accounting Policies
2.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)", Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Companies Act 2006.
The charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
2.2. Incoming Resources
-
Recognition of income - Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity becomes entitled to, and virtually certain to receive, the income and the amount of the income can be measured with sufficient reliability.
-
Income with related expenditure - Where income has related expenditure the income and related expenditure is reported gross in the SoFA.
-
Donations and legacies - Voluntary income received by way of grants, donations and gifts is included in the the SoFA when receivable and only when the Charity has unconditional entitlement to the income. Tax reclaims on donations and gifts Donated services and facilities - Income from tax reclaims is included in the SoFA at the same time as the gift/donation to which it relates. These are only included in income (with an equivalent amount in expenditure) where the benefit to the Charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material.
-
Volunteer help - The value of any volunteer help received is not included in the accounts. Investment income - This is included in the accounts when receivable.
-
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets - This includes any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year. Gains/(losses) on investment assets - This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments.
2.3. Resources Expended
-
Recognition of expenditure - Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Expenditure on raising funds - These comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income, fundraising trading costs and investment management costs.
-
Expenditure on charitable activities - These comprise the costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services in the furtherance of its objects, including the making of grants and governance costs. Grants payable - All grant expenditure is accounted for on an actual paid basis plus an accrual for grants that have been approved by the trustees at the end of the year but not yet paid. Governance costs - These include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity, including any audit/independent examination fees, costs linked to the strategic management of the Charity, together with a share of other administration costs. Other expenditure - These are support costs not allocated to a particular activity.
2.4. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Computer Equipment 33% straight line
2.5. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts.
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House of Imagination Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
2.6. Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax as all its income is charitable and applied for charitable purposes.
2.7. Pensions
The charitable company operates a defined pension contribution scheme. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
3. Income from Donations and Legacies
| . Income from Donations and Legacies |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and gifts Gift aid Grants Donations and gifts Gift aid Grants . Analysis of Expenditure Art projects & creative development Art projects & creative development |
Unrestricted funds £ - - - |
Restricted funds £ 10,000 2,182 103,957 |
2025 Total funds £ 10,000 2,182 103,957 |
| - | 116,139 | 116,139 | |
| Unrestricted funds £ 19,326 - - |
Restricted funds £ - - 72,920 |
2024 Total funds £ 19,326 - 72,920 |
|
| 19,326 | 72,920 | 92,246 | |
| Activities undertaken directly £ 124,566 |
Support costs (see note 5) £ 3,313 |
2025 Total £ 127,879 |
|
| Activities undertaken directly £ 86,417 |
Support costs (see note 5) £ 9,495 |
2024 Total £ 95,912 |
4. Analysis of Expenditure
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House of Imagination Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
5. Support Costs
| General administration Interest payable Employee costs General administration Interest payable . Independent Examiner's Remuneration Independent examination of the financial statements . Staff Costs taff costs were as follows: Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs |
2025 £ 972 2025 £ 150 842 - 992 |
2025 Art projects & creative development £ 3,196 117 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,313 | ||
| 2024 Art projects & creative development £ 391 8,842 262 |
||
| 9,495 | ||
| 2024 £ 924 |
||
| 2024 £ 3,488 782 795 |
||
| 5,065 |
6. Independent Examiner's Remuneration
7. Staff Costs
Staff costs were as follows:
No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000.
8. Average Number of Employees
Average number of employees during the year was: NIL (2024: 1)
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House of Imagination Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
9. Tangible Assets
| Cost As at 1 September 2024 As at 31 August 2025 Depreciation As at 1 September 2024 As at 31 August 2025 Net Book Value As at 31 August 2025 As at 1 September 2024 10. Debtors Due within one year Trade debtors Other debtors 11. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year Other creditors Taxation and social security 12. Movement in Funds As at 1 September 2024 Income £ £ Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund 22,294 - Restricted funds |
2025 £ 200 845 1,045 2025 £ 2,683 - 2,683 Expenditure £ (11,740) |
Computer Equipment £ 854 854 854 854 - - 2024 £ - 200 200 2024 £ 924 797 1,721 As at 31 August 2025 £ 10,554 ...CONTINUED |
|---|---|---|
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House of Imagination Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Forest of Imagination Wokingham Forest Total restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds General: General unrestricted fund Restricted funds Forest of Imagination Wokingham Forest Total restricted funds Total funds |
- - |
29,363 86,776 |
(29,363) (86,776) |
- - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 116,139 | (116,139) | - | |
| 22,294 | 116,139 | (127,879) | 10,554 | |
| As at 1 September 2023 £ 12,593 - - |
Income £ 32,693 62,920 10,000 |
Expenditure £ (22,992) (62,920) (10,000) |
As at 31 August 2024 £ 22,294 - - |
|
| - | 72,920 | (72,920) | - | |
| 12,593 | 105,613 | (95,912) | 22,294 |
13. Transactions with Trustees
None of the trustees received any remuneration or any other benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity during the current or previous year.
No trustee expenses have been incurred.
14. Related Party Disclosures
There were no related party transactions during the reporting period.
15. Company limited by guarantee
The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital.
Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company, in the event of a winding up, such an amount as may be required not exceeding £1.
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