**The Association for Science and Discovery Centres**
Report and Unaudited Financial Statements
Year end: **31[st] March 2025**
## **THE ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE AND DISCOVERY CENTRES**
## **Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025**
## **Contents**
|Trustees’ Annual report
Independent Examiners’ report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to the Financial Statements|Page
2 - 8
9
10
11
12
13 - 19|
|---|---|
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## **The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. These have been subject to independent examination.**
**Charity name:** The Association for Science and Discovery Centres **Charity registration number:** 1129312 **Company registration number:** 6798106 (England and Wales) **ASDC Website:** www.sciencecentres.org.uk
**Registered Office and operational address:** Suite 101, QC30, 30 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol BS1 4HJ
**Bankers:**
Co-operative Bank PO Box 250, Skelmersdale Lancashire WN8 6WT
Barclays Bank Bristol Queens Square RMS 2 Leicester LE87 2BB
**Accountants:**
Evans Entwistle
Elm House, 10 Fountain Court New Leaze, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 4LA
Linden Accountants (appointed September 2024) Scrapstore House, 21 Sevier Street, St Werburgh’s, Bristol BS2 9LB
## **Trustees and Directors:**
Bipon Bhakri Dr Stephen Breslin (Chair) Charles Bishop John Bull Laurence Butler (Hon Secretary) Dr Jennifer Chambers Dr Hermione Cockburn (Hon Secretary) Victoria Denoon Abi Fafolu Tudor Gwynn (Treasurer) Bridget Holligan Hassan Joudi Sheila Kanani Gareth McTiffin Joanne Quinton-Tulloch Steve Scott Bryan Snelling Donna Speed-Grenfell (Deputy Chair) Savita Willmott
National Space Centre (appointed 18 Sep 2024) Glasgow Science Centre National Space Centre (retired 18 Sep 2024) Independent (prev. Cambridge Science Centre) Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum STFC, UKRI (retired 18 Sep 2024) Dynamic Earth (retired 18 Sep 2024) W5 Lit Laboratory (appointed 18 Sep 2024) Eureka! The National Children’s Museum Independent (prev Science Oxford) Innova Independent (prev Royal Astronomical Society) Techniquest National Science & Media Museum UKRI (appointed 18 Sep 2024) Aberdeen Science Centre We The Curious Natural History Consortium
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**Secretary** Laurence Butler
## **Executive Team**
Shaaron Leverment, Chief Executive
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## _Governing document_
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated and registered as a charity on 21 January 2009. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
## _Appointment of Trustees_
Under the requirements of ASDC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association there shall be no fewer than eight and not more than sixteen Trustees in office.
One third of the Trustees retire from office each year, being those who have been longest in office since their appointment. A retiring Trustee is eligible for re-election for a three-year period, unless they have served as a Trustee for a nine-year period, in which case they must retire from the Board of Trustees.
## _Induction of Trustees_
Trustees are invited to meet the executive team and familiarise themselves with the aims of the organisation. They are given an induction pack and meeting which includes the Memorandum and Articles of Association (which includes the objects of the Charity), Charities Commission guidelines on becoming a Trustee, Conflict of interest and forms for signature.
## _Management_
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) delegate day-to-day decisions to the senior management team who report back to the Board when the Board meets. This occurs on a quarterly basis, with 3 dedicated Board meetings every year, alongside the pre-AGM Board meeting. The Board of Trustees are responsible for setting the pay for the Chief Executive taking into account the responsibilities of the role.
## **Objectives and Activities**
## _Objectives of the organisation_
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) exists to serve and support the ASDC membership by fostering learning, innovation and shared practice within the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and engagement for the public benefit.
The trustees have had regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and report on these activities below.
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- ASDC Vision - A society where science is accessible, inclusive and valued by all as a fundamental part of everyday life.
- ASDC Mission - To champion our members, bringing them together to achieve collective impact and reach through connection, advocacy and insight.
- ASDC Values – These 5 core values of the ASDC team provide a values screen that defines the work taking place and our working practices: Inclusion – Connection - Collaboration – Evidence-based - Sustainability
## **Principal risks and uncertainties**
Risks are addressed on a case-by-case basis and any relevant changes to systems or procedures are made to manage those risks. The Charity’s risk register is reviewed at every meeting of the Board. The major risks to which the charity is exposed are:
- The lack of sustainable core funding and reliance on project delivery
- Small team and high workloads increase risk of long working hours, stress and high staff turnover.
- The impact of the current economic climate on membership and ASDC funding sources.
## **Operational Report**
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) is the vibrant, national charity that strategically and practically supports over 60 major science engagement organisations across the UK. The ASDC membership includes independent and non-independent UK science centres, science museums, research centres, environmental science centres (e.g. ecoattractions), outreach organisations, aligned networks, learned societies and research council facilities (e.g. STFC National Labs). This national infrastructure provides spaces where business, industry, research and enterprise converge and coheres with a diverse public. Within this sector resides exceptional inclusive ambition and huge potential for skills, lifelong learning, cultural significance of science, and the ability to bring plural perspectives into the sphere of science. Through the ASDC network we promote belonging, agency and identity with STEM that can empower, inform and inspire the citizens for the future.
Every year ASDC members engage with over 25 million people of all ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities through their science exhibitions and activities via school, public and community engagement programmes. Together, our vision is of a society where science is accessible, inclusive and valued by all as a fundamental part of everyday life.
From 2024-2025, ASDC has worked to the mission of bringing together the membership by creating and running regular knowledge exchange and professional development events, including leading national STEM projects and facilitating ongoing opportunities for collaboration, connection, advocacy and innovation via a number of digital platforms. Since Covid, the majority of events and programming take place online to support wider accessibility of our full network. ASDC also runs targeted in-person events that promote professional development and networking within the membership, alongside opportunities to work with funders, research councils, wider networks and government advocates to
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promote a culture of accessible science for all.
ASDC has an office in central Bristol.
As of 31 March 2025, the roles within the ASDC team are as follows:
- Chief Executive (0.6 FTE)
- Project Manager (1.0 FTE)
- Head of Communications (0.8 FTE)
- Business Manager (0.8 FTE)
- Comms and Office Support (0.4 FTE)
## _Membership 2024-2025_
During the membership year 2024-2025, ASDC increased membership fees at a belowinflation rate of 4% to recognise increasing cost pressures following holding membership fees constant in the previous year. ASDC continues to have three tiers of membership, with the number of core member and national partners growing from the previous year.
1. Core Members: primarily science and discovery centres and museums
2. National partners: national STEM partners who share ASDC values and vision.
3. Associate members: commercial organisations that wish to support ASDC and/or who provide key services to organisations within the sector.
ASDC represents 52 core members and national partners, and 9 associate members. During this financial year, income from subscriptions reached over £60,000 for the first year.
## _Connection and Collaboration across the membership_
ASDC core values commit to promoting connection, collaboration, inclusion, sustainability and evidence-based practice across the sector. ASDC continues to grow opportunities for members to share inspiring practice, ideas and experiences across the national network and wider. Between April 2024 and March 2025, ASDC convened nineteen separate professional development and knowledge exchange events for our membership across the UK. These include:
- Monthly members-only meetings on a variety of topics, focused for professionals working at different levels and in different departments within membership centres.
- Individual CPD events and networking events, such as
- the STFC Masterclass on emerging technologies (AI, Machine Learning and Quantum Computing)
- Space Engagement Professionals Community
- Mini course on social media and digital strategies for the sector
- In-person 1-day or 2-day conferences such as the CEO awayday and the annual, national conference.
ASDC sustains a number of online Communities of Practice to share aims and priorities, areas of challenge and opportunities for collaborative practice towards common goals, for example:
- ASDC Ambassadors Network
- Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion advocates
- Decarbonisation Group
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- Volunteers Network
- Education Network
ASDC continues to provide mechanisms for regular communications with members across a number digital platforms such as the ASDC newsletter and social media channels X and LinkedIn. Websites and shared resource spaces include:
- The ASDC Website: Our main broadcast platform for events, projects, news and shared resources.
- The Inclusion Website: Shared learning on equitable and inclusive practice across strategy and evaluation, staff training, partnership and content.
- The Climate Hub: carbon-cutting measures and engagement resources for climate action for a collective approach.
The ASDC 2024 National Conference was hosted by the Royal Society in central London on 18[th] and 19[th] November 2024, with the theme ‘Shaping the future of science together’. The conference included in-depth workshops, activities, the AGM, a networking dinner and 2 days of inspiring keynotes, discussion tables and lightning talks. In delegate numbers it was the largest conference ASDC has held to date.
- 4 keynote speakers
- 35 sessions
- 2 ASDC awards (Volunteer of the Year and the Youth Voice Award)
- 100 speakers and session leaders
- 11 Exhibitors
- 240 delegates
## _The ASDC Board of Trustees_
Following a review of the skills existing within the current Board and acknowledging the experience and diversity essential for the Board of Trustees as individuals retired, ASDC held an external recruitment for new Trustees. Following the membership vote, ASDC welcomed and onboarded three new trustees at our September 2024 AGM: Bipon Bhakri, Abi Fafolu and Steve Scott.
## _Advocacy for science and discovery centres_
ASDC continues to explore opportunities that may lead to core funding or longer-term financial support for ASDC and our network organisations. This includes the re-ignition of the campaign ‘Science Centres for our Future’ in March 2024.
Online and in-person advocacy from the executive team at ASDC and the ASDC Trustees continues to celebrate the work of the network at high-profile events and with key politicians, such as Chi Onwurah MP who attended and spoke at our national conference. ASDC also worked with the Government Office for Science (GO-Science) to raise the visibility and potential of our network with the Chief Scientific Advisor and GO-Science team.
Advocacy for the sector prioritises the national impact of science and discovery centres and museums to reach diverse audiences, enabling wider participation with STEM. ASDC has a strategic goal to articulate this impact and the great potential of the sector to promote greater diversity in science, innovation and technology. This work developed into an
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evidenced framework to measure more inclusive outcomes under shared language of impact. The first draft of the ASDC ‘Valuing Inclusion’ Theory of Change was shared widely in 2024-2025, and continues to be evidenced as part of a final project working with STFC, part of UKRI.
To support advocacy efforts, benchmarking and ASDC goal setting, ASDC ran the sector survey for a second year, collecting data in January and February 2025 relating to organisational structure, audiences, workforce, finances and ambitions for the year ahead. The resulting Power BI report provided the membership with a unique and valuable tool to use data collected through an interactive dashboard in order to benchmark, explore audience and workforce trends, and understand successful initiatives in areas of shared challenge. The survey has also re-affirmed ASDC mission goals and the value held by members in the ASDC offer.
ASDC continues to foster a closer relationship with the Museums Association as the joint project Mindsets + Missions completed. Our aim is to capitalize on opportunities for collective voice and collective action on cross-cutting themes such as equity, inclusion and sustainability of museums and discovery centres.
## _National STEM Programmes_
During 2024-2025, ASDC ran a number of high-impact national STEM programmes across the sector that aligned with our organisational vision, mission and values. Projects enable ASDC to deliver sector-wide support, share knowledge and bring together communities of practice, while contributing to the sustainability of the charity. A summary of projects delivered in 2024- 2025 follows:
## Explore Your Universe, Valuing Inclusion
- Funded by: STFC
- Timeline: December 2023 – July 2024, extended October 2024 – March 2026
- Summary: The project aims to promote equity and inclusion as the key to unlocking more diverse participation in STFC research, development, industry and innovation for the future. The ASDC Valuing Inclusion Theory of Change was developed through this programme. Projects are currently extending its recognition, use in practice and evidence base for the measurement of meaningful, inclusive participant outcomes. These outcomes are articulated as the mechanisms of change, that nurture STEM capital and STEM identity for young people from diverse regions and backgrounds.
- Key deliverables:
- Recruitment of projects that provide evidence that supports or challenges the assumptions of the Theory of Change.
- Delivery of an ‘evaluation 101’ training academy for science centres and their community partners to align measures of inclusive practice.
- Delivery of a Theory of Change model/framework (see above) with a strong, research-informed approach that engages with wider networks, funders and pulls evidence from practitioners.
- Opportunity for new or refreshed STFC engagement equipment for
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participating centres
- Staff swap scheme
- Qualitative and quantitative external evaluation
- Final project reporting and dissemination of assets (evaluation report, assets, visual report) due 31 March 2026
## Mindsets + Missions
- Funded by: UKRI
- Partners: The Museums Association, The Liminal Space
- Timeline: 01 September 2022 – 30 September 2024
- Summary: A key part of UKRI’s mission to break down the barriers between research, innovation and society. UKRI provided grants to support twelve museums and science centres for this work.
- Key Deliverables (ASDC role):
- Learning Programme insights report delivered by the Liminal Space
- Ongoing evaluation consultation with Cornish & Grey
- Panel selection committee, dissemination and participation on the steering group
- Scoping document outlining the approach of Mindsets + Mission #2
- Final sector-facing report collating assets and resources for wider practitioner learning.
## GO Science Posters
- Funded by: Government Office for Science
- Timeline: 01 December 2024 – 31 March 2025
- Summary: To understand the impact of a national roll out of a series of posters to share science insights from the Government Office for Science for schools. These posters focus on emerging technologies designed to spark conversations about the opportunities that technology will bring to the lives of young people and an approach through the science and discovery centres was piloted with National Space Centre and Science Oxford.
- Key Deliverables:
- Co-design of posters with Science and Discovery Centre input
- Pilot across 30 schools in Oxfordshire and Leicestershire
- Creation of simple landing page with further information for teachers
- Mini evaluation report with metrics / feedback followed by exit meeting
- Celebration visit to Science Oxford by Chief Science Advisor Dame Angela McLean
## Our World From Space
- Funded by: NERC and UK Space Agency
- Timeline: 01 December 2022 – 31 March 2025
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- Summary: A programme working across 25 centres and museums promoting the value of space for the sustainability of planet earth and the relevance of space science for everyday life.
- Key Deliverables:
- Research and Development period (December 2022 – March 2023) funded by NERC informed a two year project (delivery flexible, playing to strengths of individual partners)
- Content areas include Climate, Biodiversity, Clean Air and Oceans with a ‘From global to Local’ narrative
- Content charrette during research and development
- A new suite of equipment and training resources
- A 2-day national training academy (3[rd] & 4[th] July, National Space Centre)
- Delivery period Summer 2023 – Winter 2024
- Large scale evaluation programme
## _Future Plans_
ASDC will continue to seek opportunities to run national programmes of work that align with its vision, mission and values. These programmes deliver sector-wide inspiration, encourage shared practice, demonstrate collective impact and support professional development, while keeping ASDC sustainable. For example, the ‘Valuing Inclusion’ Theory of Change can articulate inclusive impact and support practitioners to present a compelling case to STEM funders that an equitable and inclusive approach to science engagements results in greater diversity of participation in STEM.
Reserves have been built during this financial year. Therefore, ASDC is able to invest in its membership offer. For example, ASDC supported an event in April 2025 ‘Accessibility Unlocked’ focusing on how the network can improve the accessibility of science for people with different needs and disabilities. ASDC aims to place equity, accessibility and inclusion as a business essential for the future, alongside support on measurable indicators of impact.
ASDC has also been able to ignite a campaign that focuses on the advocacy for the 28 Science and Discovery Centres who are largely excluded from infrastructure and capital funding pots available from ACE, NLHF and DCMS. The urgent need for the campaign ‘Science Centres for our Future’ was gathered from insight data from the two-years of sector survey data and CEO discussions. With financial backing from the network, ASDC is convening collective action to acquire a capital fund for science and discovery centres to support aging building and estates, renewing exhibitions and aligning with membership targets towards net zero.
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ASDC will deliver a National Conference for members and the wider sector. The 2025 ASDC conference will be held at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, the UK City of Culture, and plans are in place to host the 2026 conference in Cardiff, taking our national event to Wales one month ahead of Techniquest’s 40[th] year celebrations.
## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities**
The Board of Trustees (who are also the Directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP FRS102 (effective 1 January 2019);
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Small Company Exemptions**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Trustee and Chairperson – Dr Stephen Breslin
Date:
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## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Association for Science and Discovery Centres**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 10 to 18.
## _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 company’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_
Since the company’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 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:
1. 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
3. 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
4. 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.
Signed:
David Wright BSc FCA
Corrigan Accountants Limited
First Floor, 25 King Street
Bristol
BS1 4PB
Date:
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The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
Charity number: 1129312
## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Including Income and Expenditure Account)
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
(Restated)
Note £ £ £ £
INCOME
Charitable activities 2 - 521,610 521,610 543,121
Other trading activities 3 136,054 - 700 135,354 119,959
TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 136,054 520,910 656,964 663,080
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities 4 85,945 520,282 606,228 645,541
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 85,945 520,282 606,228 645,541
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 50,109 627 50,736 17,539
Balances brought forward 184,896 4,742 189,638 172,099
Gross transfers between funds 15 (1,578) 1,578 - -
Balances carried forward 235,005 5,369 240,374 189,638
**----- End of picture text -----**
The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above.
All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.
The notes on pages 13 to 19 form part of these financial statements
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The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
Company number: 06798106
## BALANCE SHEET
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
(Restated)
Note £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS:
Tangible assets 535 -
CURRENT ASSETS:
Debtors 106,391 117,653
Cash at bank and in hand 204,718 161,942
311,108 279,595
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Creditors: falling due within one year (71,269) (89,957)
Net current assets 239,839 189,638
NET ASSETS: 240,374 189,638
FUNDS
General funds 233,430 184,896
Restricted funds 6,945 4,742
240,374 189,638
**----- End of picture text -----**
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2025 .
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:
(a) Ensuring that the company keeps accounting records with comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006; and
(b) Preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its profit or loss for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on .............................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................... ............................................... Trustee - Stephen Breslin Trustee - Tudor Gywnn
The notes on pages 13 to 19 form part of these financial statements
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The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
## CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
## RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|Statement of Financial Activities: Net movement in funds
Depreciation
Increase / (decrease) in operational creditors: current liabilities
Decrease / (increase) in operational debtors
Net cash (outflow) / inflow from operating activities
Statement of Financial Activities: Non-operational movements in funds
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Non-operational cash flows:
Investing activities
Payments for tangible fixed assets
Net cash (outflow)/inflow for the year|2025
£
50,736
134
(18,688)
11,262
43,444
2025
£
43,444
(669)
42,775|2024
£
17,539
-
25,661
(53,704)
(10,504)
2024
£
(10,504)
-
(10,504)|
|---|---|---|
ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN CASH DURING THE YEAR
|ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN CASH DURING THE YEAR||||
|---|---|---|---|
||2025|2024|Change|
||£|£|£|
|Cash at bank and in hand|204,718|161,943|42,775|
||2024|2023|Change|
||£|£|£|
|Cash at bank and in hand|161,942|172,446|(10,504)|
## Cashflow restrictions
Charity law prohibits the use of net cash inflows on any endowed or other restricted fund to offset net cash outflows on any fund outside its own objects, except on special authority. In practice, this restriction has not had any effect on cash flows for the year.
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The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
## 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
## Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102 SORP) effective from 1st January 2019, and applicable UK Accounting Standards, the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006.
## Funds structure
Unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the trustees, at their discretion, have set aside resources for a specific purpose.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or the terms of a specific appeal.
## Income
Income comprises:
(a) Revenue grants in respect of the science and discovery centre projects;
(b) Membership and conference delegate fees.
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy when any performance criteria or conditions attached to the income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, and when receipt of the income is considered to be probable. Income received in advance for contracts and where criteria or conditions are attached to the income is deferred until the conditions or criteria for recognition are met.
## Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that agree all costs related to the category. Support costs have been allocated 100% towards raising funds for and the charitable activities of the charity.
## Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both the direct pay and non-pay costs and support costs relating to those activities.
## Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue its operations for the foreseeable future and therefore they have continued to adopt the going concern basis when preparing the financial statements.
## Governance costs
Governance cost include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity, and include its independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity including trustee expenses.
## Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Depreciation has been provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value of each asset, over its expected useful life. The rates used are: 20% straight line for IT and office equipment.
## Allocation of support and governance costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangement of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity's activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on the following basis:
||2025||2024||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Raising funds||30%||30%|
|Charitable activities||70%||70%|
## Legal status of the charity
The charity is a private company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. Details of the charity's registered office and registered number are given in the Report of the Trustees. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability on respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member.
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The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
## 2 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
|Grant Income
Destination Space (Phase 4)
EYU Legacy
EYU Valuing Inclusion
EYU Valuing Inclusion (2024-2026)
Go Science
Josh Award
Mindsets and Missions
Our World from Space
Our World from Space (NERC)
STFC Masterclass
Other grants|Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
34,980
180,676
8,811
2,500
14,360
243,297
30,000
6,986
-
521,610|Total Funds
2025
£
-
-
34,980
180,676
8,811
2,500
14,360
243,297
30,000
6,986
-
521,610|Total Funds
2024
£
3,000
10,160
244,020
-
-
-
11,360
267,331
-
-
7,250
543,121|
|---|---|---|---|---|
- 3 INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
|Subscription income
Other income
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
Direct project costs
External contractors
Project catering
Project room hire
Science Centres grant-making
Accountancy fees
Bank charges
Computer costs
Consultancy fees
Entertaining
Governance costs
Insurance
Irrecoverable VAT
Legal and professional fees
Office consumables
Office equipment depreciation charge
Other marketing costs
Postage and stationery
Premises costs
Salaries (incl. Employers' NI and Pension)
Staff training and welfare
Subscriptions
Telephone and fax
Travel and subsistence|Unrestricted
Funds
£
66,527
69,527
136,054
Raising
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Restricted
Funds
£
-
(700)
(700)
Charitable
activities
£
5,576
55,368
1,124
28,326
233,782
7,334
-
2,957
640
-
-
4,929
-
5
-
11,138
137
17,878
177,492
75
70
-
8,744
555,575|Total Funds
2025
£
66,527
68,827
135,354
Support and
governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
-
3,938
2,952
3,661
936
912
34
4,374
12,160
1,905
743
134
35
528
1,563
6,071
930
942
3,131
5,705
50,653|Total Funds
2024
£
54,545
65,414
119,959
Total Funds
2025
£
5,576
55,368
1,124
28,326
233,782
11,271
2,952
6,618
936
1,552
34
4,374
17,089
1,905
749
134
11,173
665
19,441
183,562
1,005
1,012
3,131
14,449
606,228|
|---|---|---|---|---|
- 4 TOTAL EXPENDITURE
- 14 -
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
-
Allocation of support & governance costs 15,196 35,457 (50,653)
-
15,196 591,032 606,228
Prior period comparison Support and
Raising Charitable governance Total Funds
funds activities costs 2024
£ £ £ £
Purchases - 337,393 32,410 369,803
-
Salaries (incl. Employers' NI) 161,094 161,094
Pension contribution - - 7,571 7,571
- - - -
Recruitment and temporary staff
Staff training and welfare - 545 1,034 1,579
Travel and subsistence - 18,657 6,154 24,811
Entertaining - 108 222 330
Premises costs - - 19,980 19,980
- -
Telephone and fax 3,117 3,117
Postage and stationery - 38 67 105
Subscriptions - 586 495 1,081
Bank charges - - 585 585
Irrecoverable VAT - 11,611 6,864 18,475
Insurance - - 3,639 3,639
Computer costs - 844 4,673 5,517
Office consumables - 486 827 1,313
-
Accountancy fees 4,278 8,053 12,331
-
Other marketing costs 8,282 1,803 10,085
Governance costs - - 244 244
- -
Legal and professional fees 3,881 3,881
-
382,828 262,713 645,541
-
Allocation of support & governance costs 78,814 183,899 (262,713)
-
78,814 566,727 645,541
5 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
This is stated following these charges:
2025 2024
£ £
Depreciation 134 -
Trustees' remuneration - -
- -
Trustees' expense reimbursement
Fee for independent examination 1,575 1,575
**----- End of picture text -----**
In the current year, no expenses were reimbursed to the trustees (2024: £Nil).
## 6 CORPORATION TAX
- The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.
- 15 -
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
- 7 STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS Staff costs were as follows:
|Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension contributions
Management
Administration
Full time equivalent
Number of employees with emoluments (excluding Employers' pension)
Between £30,000 and £40,000
Between £40,000 and £50,000|2025
£
164,649
10,749
8,165
183,562
2025
1
4
5
2025
3.6
2025
2
1|2024
£
151,418
9,676
7,571
168,665
2024
1
3
4
2024
3.6
2024
-
1|
|---|---|---|
The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer. The total employment benefits of the key management personnel were £47,323 (2024: £46,419).
- 8 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
|COST:
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
DEPRECIATION:
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE:
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
9
DEBTORS
Trade debtors
Other debtors and prepayments|Office
Equipment
£
-
669
669
-
134
134
535
-
2025
£
103,290
3,100
106,391|Totals
£
-
669
669
-
134
134
535
-
2024
£
110,217
7,436
117,653|
|---|---|---|
- 16 -
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
10 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year
|Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Tax and social security
Pensions payable
Other creditors
11
COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES
At 31 March 2025, the charity had total commitments under operating leases as set out below:
Rent of registered office
12
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Restricted
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
Fixed Assets
-
-
Current Assets
6,945
-
Current Liabilities
-
-
6,945
-
Prior period comparison (Restated)
Restricted
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
Fixed Assets
-
-
Current Assets
4,742
-
Current Liabilities
-
-
4,742
-
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Analysis of
Balance
Income
Expenditure
Fund movements
b/fwd
£
£
£
Restricted funds
EYU Valuing Inclusion
9,345
34,980
(46,223)
EYU Valuing Inclusion (2024-2026)
-
180,676
(178,382)
Go Science
-
8,811
(6,325)
Josh Award
-
2,500
(707)
Mindsets and Missions
(5,450)
14,360
(8,538)
Our World from Space
847
242,597
(243,119)
Our World from Space (NERC)
-
30,000
(30,002)
STFC Masterclass
-
6,986
(6,986)
Total restricted funds
4,742
520,910
(520,282)
Unrestricted funds
General funds
184,896
136,054
(85,945)
Total unrestricted funds
184,896
136,054
(85,945)
Total funds
189,638
656,964
(606,228)|2025
£
42,636
22,375
5,836
-
422
71,269
2025
£
11,000
General
Funds
£
535
304,163
(71,269)
233,429
General
Funds
£
-
274,853
(89,957)
184,896
Transfers
£
1,898
-
-
-
-
(325)
2
-
1,575
(1,575)
(1,575)
-|2024
£
82,491
1,500
2,253
1,116
2,597
89,957
2024
£
11,000
Total Funds
2025
£
535
311,108
(71,269)
240,374
Total Funds
2024
(Restated)
£
-
279,595
(89,957)
189,638
Fund
c/fwd
£
-
2,294
2,486
1,793
372
-
-
-
6,945
233,430
233,430
240,374|
|---|---|---|
- 17 -
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
Description of Restricted Funds - EYU Valuing Inclusion / EYU Valuing Inclusion (2024 2026)
This programme is a continuation of the work of Explore Your Universe: Valuing Inclusion (2024) with the objective to further refine and define the meaningful inclusive outcomes and their role as mechanisms of change, that nurture STFC STEM capital and STEM identity. There are 12 delivery partners collaborating with their chosen community partner to test out the Theory of Change whilst engaging their audiences with STFC science. The programme is funded from October 2024 until March 2026.
## Go Science
The Government Office for Science (GO Science) worked with ASDC to roll out a series of posters designed to engage and inspire pupils to explore science and technology. The posters were displayed in schools as part of British Science Week in March 2025. The project was run as a trial, working with two science centres to deliver posters to a small number of primary schools: Science Oxford and schools in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and the National Space Centre and schools in Leicestershire and Nottingham. Work started in October 2024, running through to the evaluation and next steps meeting in April 2025.
## Josh Award
ASDC is a partner with BIG and the British Science Association (BSA) to promote the Josh Award across the STEM engagement network. ASDC secured funds for the JOSH award winner from the Ogden Trust for the 2024-2026 award. These funds are utilised to directly support the winners’ expenses to develop, deliver and evaluate their activities. ASDC, BIG and the BSA provide in-kind support in the promotion of the JOSH Award across the science engagement community and subsequently supports providing opportunities for year-long delivery within the ASDC network.
## Mindsets and Missions
Mindsets + Missions (M+M) was a pilot learning and grants programme funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to support museums and science centres to engage underrepresented groups with knowledge, research and innovation. Running through 2023 and 2024, M+M took a cohort of museums, science centres, community groups and researchers through a learning programme (phase one) and the opportunity to access project grants (phase two). The programme was delivered by a partnership of ASDC, the Museums Association (MA), and The Liminal Space.
## Our World from Space
ASDC developed and ran Our World From Space, a strategic two-year, national STEM programme funded by the UK Space Agency in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK research and Innovation. The programme has had a significant national reach, engaging with 263,847 individual participants across the UK. From schools in the Outer Hebrides to community groups in coastal towns of Devon, Our World From Space fostered a new understanding of space science’s role in our everyday lives and for the future health and sustainability of our planet. 25 science centres and museums received grants as part of this programme. The project was funded from May 2023 to March 2025.
## Our World from Space (NERC)
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK research and Innovation funded the development phase of Our World From Space from December 2022 to March 2023. This funded supported ASDC to develop content, resources, branding and the evaluation framework for the Our World From Space programme. Additional funding of £30,000 in December 2024 to support additional delivery grants and equipment grants for delivery partners alongside the UKSA funding.
## STFC Masterclass
On 12th February 2025 the ASDC team and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) public engagement team delivered a masterclass at the National Quantum Computing Centre in Didcot, for 28 science engagement professionals from science and discovery centres around the UK. The event included keynote speakers, workshops and tours of the facilities. The funding supported delegates to attend, covering their travel and accommodation expenses.
- 18 -
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
## YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Prior period - For the year ended 31 March 2024 (Restated)
Analysis of Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Fund
Fund movements b/fwd c/fwd
(Restated)
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds
Destination Earth 15,026 - (15,026) - -
- -
EYU Legacy 2,110 10,160 (12,270)
- -
EYU Valuing Inclusion 244,020 (234,675) 9,345
Bold Futures 9,170 - (9,170) - -
Mindsets and Missions (2,711) 11,360 (14,099) - (5,450)
Our World from Space - 267,626 (266,779) - 847
Sector CPD - - (3,429) 3,429 -
-
Destination Space (Phase 4) 9,696 3,000 (7,696) (5,000)
- - -
STFC Impact 17,484 (17,484)
Total restricted funds 50,775 536,166 (580,628) (1,571) 4,742
Unrestricted funds
General funds 121,324 126,914 (64,913) 1,571 184,896
Total unrestricted funds 121,324 126,914 (64,913) 1,571 184,896
Total funds 172,099 663,080 (645,541) - 189,638
**----- End of picture text -----**
## 13 TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There was no trustees' remuneration, benefits or expenses for the year ended 31st March 2025, nor the year ended 31st March 2024.
## 14 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions during the year ended 31st March 2025, nor for the year ended 31st March 2024.
- 19 -