OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-08-31-accounts

Report and financial statements For the year ended 31[st] August 2025.

Company number 08283259 Charity number 1151944

Manchester Histories

Reference and administrative information

for the year ended 31[st] August 2025

Registered office and operational address: Room WLG21 Samuel Alexander Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Catherine Fletcher Charlotte Wildman Hannah J Barker (Chair of Trustees) Jahmal Williams-Thomas John M Williams Kirsty Hutchinson Melanie Tebbutt Rob Higginson Key Management Karen Shannon Chief Executive Officer Personnel Staff Team Abigail Hawkins General Manager Abigail Ward Queer Up North Project Manager Paul Greenwood Community Development Officer Sarah Jones Cultural Administrator Yussuf M’Rabty Community Development Producer Bankers Co-operative Bank plc Independent Christy Lau FCCA CTA DChA Examiner Slade & Cooper Limited, Beehive Mill, Jersey St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6JG

1

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31st August 2025. Included within the trustees’ report is the director’s report as required by company law.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

This document provides an overview of Manchester Histories’ performance, achievements, and financial position while reinforcing our commitment to preserving and celebrating Greater Manchester’s rich heritage.

Introduction

Manchester Histories is a dynamic and collaborative organisation working with communities, cultural partners, academics and stakeholders to reveal, celebrate and preserve the rich histories and heritage of Greater Manchester and beyond.

During the year we delivered an ambitious programme of heritage activity, partnerships and public engagement, connecting people with the histories that shape their communities, identities and sense of place. Our work continues to grow in scale, reach and impact, strengthening our position as a trusted and leading organisation within the heritage and cultural sector.

Guided by our core values of compassion, curiosity and justice, we create meaningful opportunities for people to explore the past and actively shape the future through storytelling, research and creative practice. Central to our approach is a commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice. By uncovering and amplifying diverse and often overlooked histories, we challenge inequality, support underrepresented voices and contribute to positive social change.

We believe that history matters. It connects us across generations linking past, present and future and deepens our understanding of our shared human experience. Through our work, we empower individuals and communities to engage with these connections,

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

fostering pride, belonging and informed participation in society.

Our Purpose, Vision, and Values

Purpose

To connect people to explore the past and shape the future through histories and heritage.

Vision

To explore and share Greater Manchester’s past to create a fairer future.

Mission

To work collaboratively to reveal and celebrate the stories of the people and places of Greater Manchester.

Our Values

Our core values shape everything we do:

Key Achievements 2024-2025

During the year, Manchester Histories delivered an extensive programme of heritage initiatives, public events and strategic partnerships, engaging thousands of participants and audiences.

3

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

We have strengthened our role as a leading organisation in histories and heritage, both within Greater Manchester and nationally, through high-quality programming, successful funding bids and impactful partnerships. Our work continues to demonstrate the vital role that histories and heritage play in supporting wellbeing, inclusion, learning and civic pride.

Rocket: All Aboard

Manchester Histories is leading the development of Rocket: All Aboard, a major multi-year programme (2029–2030) marking 200 years since the opening of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway—the world’s first inter-city passenger railway, which transformed travel, trade and everyday life.

Delivered in partnership with cultural, civic, transport and academic organisations across Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, the programme will explore the railway’s far-reaching social, economic and cultural impact through creative activity, heritage engagement and large-scale public events. A key legacy will be the establishment of a new Community Rail Partnership.

This year marked a significant transition into an active development phase, with substantial progress made across planning, partnerships and early public engagement.

Key Achievements:

4

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

The programme now enters a critical development phase, with major funding applications in preparation, including £4.9m to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £1.6m to Arts Council England. These will support the next stage of delivery, with decisions expected from autumn 2026.

Queer Up North

Queer Up North Festival was one of the most pioneering and influential LGBTQ+ arts festivals in the UK and Europe. Established in 1992 by Tanja Farman and Gavin Barlow as part of the Manchester Festival, QUN quickly became a beacon for queer culture, drawing artists and audiences from across the globe. Over its first decade the festival showcased groundbreaking performances and played a pivotal role in shaping Manchester’s identity as an inclusive and vibrant LGBTQ+ city.

In late 2024, the project Queer Up North 1992–2002: Celebrating Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Heritage , presented by Manchester Histories in partnership with Queer Up North, secured £248,500 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support from the Granada Foundation. During 2025, the project progressed into delivery, with activity focused on planning, recruitment and public engagement.

Key Achievements:

5

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Participant feedback included:

“[shows] The depth of the history of queer activism in Manchester.”

“The openness of the discussion. The Long Table setting is amazing.”

“[desire] To work more closely with Manchester Histories on projects of mutual interest.”

This is Us: Tracing Manchester’s Histories

Previously developed as Histories, Stories, Voices, ‘This is Us’, is a groundbreaking project designed to explore and redefine how Manchester’s histories and identity are represented in public spaces.

This year marked a major milestone for the project, with funding secured to enable delivery to begin. Manchester Histories successfully secured £247,000 from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

The grant will support a two-year programme beginning in July 2025, alongside £100,000 from Manchester City Council to support the project’s development and delivery.

Project Focus:

6

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Key Progress:

The project places a strong emphasis on amplifying underrepresented voices, challenging dominant narratives and creating new ways for people to engage with the city’s histories.

Champs Camp Archive Project

In 2025, the Moss Side Boxing & Athletics Association, Champs Camp Archive Project secured £131,247 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support from the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures at the University of Manchester. The project will begin in September 2025 and will run until early 2027.

Manchester Histories will play a key role in supporting this project. The project will preserve and share the history of Champs Camp, the first successful Black boxing gym in Britain and a significant chapter in UK Black sporting and community history. The programme will create a permanent digital archive and ensure the material is accessible to the community of Moss Side and wider audiences.

7

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Key project activities include:

‘Projects like This Is Us and the Champs Camp Archive are vital to how we tell the story of Manchester and of Britain. They give voice to the people and places that shaped our shared past but have too often been left out of it. By preserving and celebrating these histories, Manchester Histories and Champs Camp are helping to build a truer, more inclusive picture of who we are as a city and as a nation.’

David Olusoga

Historian, Broadcaster and Patron of Manchester Histories.

HiDDEN Network

Manchester Histories continues to support the HiDDEN Network, a collaborative network of smaller museums and heritage organisations across Greater Manchester that hold rare and unique collections.

HiDDEN provides a supportive space where organisations can work together to reveal stories that might otherwise remain unseen. By sharing knowledge, resources and

8

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

expertise, the network helps strengthen the visibility, preservation and interpretation of Greater Manchester’s hidden heritage.

Manchester Histories provides administrative support to the network, helping to coordinate meetings, communications and collaborative activity between member organisations.

During the year, Manchester Histories curated an event at Manchester Central Library as part of National Volunteers Week. The event brought over 50 volunteers together from HiDDEN member organisations to share their experiences and celebrate the contribution volunteers make across the network’s museums and heritage venues, while also helping to promote and recruit new volunteers.

The network’s vision is to champion overlooked histories, collections and voices that enrich the region’s cultural landscape, while supporting member organisations and the wider heritage sector.

HiDDEN is guided by a commitment to collaboration, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable practice. The network also encourages members to explore ways of reducing environmental impact and promote more sustainable approaches to heritage work.

During the year, the Manchester Histories CEO stepped down as Chair of the network as part of a transition in governance. The network is now led by two independent co-chairs, Judith Ozkan and Martin Gaw.

Participant from the Volunteer Day event. Manchester Central Library said:

‘There is a rich resource of places and stories to discover in Manchester & I enjoyed hearing the speakers and the activities available.’

Manchester Histories Hub, Manchester Central Library

The Manchester Histories Hub at Manchester Central Library continues to flourish as a welcoming and inspirational space for community connection and wellbeing through histories and heritage. The hub provides opportunities for people to explore the past, share stories, meet others and take part in creative and learning activities.

9

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Key updates during the year included:

The Crafting Connections: Heritage & Wellbeing Toolkit launched in January 2025, followed by a 10-week public engagement programme delivered at the hub.

New exhibitions were installed, including Jill Woodward (1948–2023): Feminist, Artist, Activist, Nurse, Mother, Grandmother , celebrating the life and work of the Manchesterbased artist and campaigner.

The Time Travellers Tearoom launched in September 2024, providing a welcoming space for people to connect, share memories and explore personal and local histories.

Volunteer recruitment was strengthened, supported by new systems to manage volunteer schedules, participation and engagement.

Manchester Histories also works closely with the Archives+ partnership and the Greater Manchester Archives and Local Studies Partnership, helping to support collaboration between major archival organisations. These include Manchester City Council’s Libraries and Archives, North West Film Archive, the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre, and the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society.

Through this work, Manchester Histories helps champion the importance of making archives more visible and accessible, enabling people to discover and connect with the stories that shape their communities and identities.

Participant – when asked about the most memorable thing she had learned, one participant reflected:

'The importance of creativity to all levels of class and education throughout history — how gifted people were, and the time, care, and skills they used to create beautiful objects in spite of their background or education.'

10

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Manchester Histories Festival 2026

Planning and development for the Manchester Histories Festival 2026 progressed throughout the year, building on the success and impact of the Manchester Histories Festival 2024. The festival was shortlisted for Best Event at the Manchester City Council Culture Awards in November 2025.

The next festival will celebrate community spirit and civic pride, aligning with the reopening of the newly restored Manchester Town Hall. Although the reopening is scheduled for autumn 2027, the festival will play a vital role in building momentum, anticipation, and citywide engagement in the lead-up to this landmark moment.

Student Placements

Manchester Histories provides placement and project opportunities for students from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, offering practical experience that supports their learning and future career development.

In 2025, students from the BA (Hons) History, Politics and Philosophy programme at Manchester Metropolitan University worked with Manchester Histories and university staff to explore the theme of protest and social movements through the creation of digital magazines.

Drawing on archives, online collections, photo libraries and personal histories, students researched and produced original stories exploring both local and global struggles for justice. Some projects focused on Manchester’s own radical traditions, while others explored international movements for change. For example, one group examined the miners’ strikes, drawing on their own family connections to the mining industry.

The project combined academic research with creative digital storytelling and highlighted how protest has shaped communities, identities and social change.

11

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

This collaboration also formed part of the Queer Up North project, giving students the opportunity to work with an external cultural organisation and gain valuable professional experience beyond the classroom.

Contribution of volunteers

Volunteers continue to play a vital role in the organisation’s activities, contributing their time, knowledge and enthusiasm to support events, research and community engagement. The organisation has a core volunteer group of approximately 25 people, with over 40 volunteers taking part in our festival and events throughout the year. Their dedication and enthusiasm have been invaluable in supporting events, engaging with audiences, and helping to bring histories to life.

Partnerships, Beneficiaries and Sector Support

Manchester Histories supports a wide range of organisations and community groups by connecting people, brokering partnerships and providing expertise in histories and heritage. Through this work we support project development, funding applications, exhibitions and public engagement, and are increasingly recognised as a trusted organisation for engaging people with histories and heritage across the region.

We continue to strengthen our partnerships with the University of Manchester, Creative Manchester, and Manchester Metropolitan University, with a particular focus on supporting their public engagement programmes and student development.

This year, we have supported applications for two PhD studentships in Manchester. The Bicentenary Scholarship PhD project examines the Bengal Famine of 1943, an artificially created catastrophe that led to the deaths of over three million people. In parallel, through the North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP), we are supporting research titled Hearing the HiDDEN: Polyphonic Collaborations between small museums.

During the year we strengthened partnerships through programmes such as Rocket: All Aboard, working with organisations including the Science and Industry Museum, National

12

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Museums of Liverpool, local authorities along the route, Marketing Manchester, Network Rail and train operators, alongside community groups across the Liverpool–Manchester corridor. New relationships were also developed with groups such as the Friends of Patricroft Station and Friends of Eccles Station.

Through this work we contribute to the ambitions of Manchester City Council’s cultural strategy, ‘Always, Everywhere: Manchester’s Cultural Ambition 2024–2034’. Our CEO also sits on the advisory group overseeing the strategy’s implementation, ensuring our work remains aligned with the city’s long-term cultural vision.

Our work benefits a wide range of people and organisations, including:

During the year, Manchester Histories worked closely with community organisations, including Crossing Footprints and Many Hands Elders Group to support creative projects and wellbeing.

Alongside this, we continued to strengthen relationships with grassroots groups, including the Afro-Caribbean Coffee Morning group, and the 93 Wellbeing Centre in North Manchester, helping to widen participation and ensure more people can engage with heritage in meaningful ways.

Environmental Sustainability

Manchester Histories continues to work actively to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to Greater Manchester’s ambition to become a zero-carbon city by 2038. We are committed to embedding sustainable practices across our operations, projects and events.

13

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

The organisation maintains an Environmental Policy and Action Plan, which is regularly reviewed to identify opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint and use resources more responsibly. Staff have made both personal and organisational pledges to support these aims, and we continue to explore further ways to reduce our environmental impact.

Key actions during the year included:

We have also begun tracking staff travel through a travel carbon calculator, helping us better understand and reduce emissions associated with work-related travel.

All staff have undertaken, or will undertake, Carbon Literacy training, ensuring the team has the knowledge and tools to support more sustainable ways of working.

Manchester Histories is a member of the Greater Manchester Arts Sustainability Team (GMAST) network. Through this partnership we work alongside other cultural organisations and Manchester City Council to support the region’s climate goals and share best practice across the cultural sector.

Acknowledgments

The Trustees and Chief Executive extend their sincere thanks to our staff, partners, funders, volunteers and audiences for their continued support.

14

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

We are particularly grateful to Manchester City Council, the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Creative Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for their ongoing investment and partnership.

Together, we continue to ensure that the histories of Greater Manchester are not only preserved but actively shape a more inclusive and equitable future.

Financial review

The charity had a deficit of unrestricted funds for the year of £31,414. At the end of the financial year the total reserves of the charity were £363,289 of this £317,247 were restricted funds, being grant funding for specific projects, and £46,042 were unrestricted funds.

As a mainly project-based organisation, Manchester Histories receives funding from a range of grant funders operating across different financial years, with many funders working to an April–March cycle, while the organisation’s financial year runs from September to August. As a result, the level of restricted and unrestricted funds can fluctuate at different points within the financial year due to the timing of grant payments and project delivery schedules.

Principal funding sources :

Reserves policy

Reserves remain unrestricted (not invested in fixed assets or otherwise designated) and are held to support cash flow requirements and help manage risks associated with delivering programmes, events and funded projects.

15

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

During this financial year, reserve levels have reduced slightly as the organisation has used part of its unrestricted reserves to support short-term cash flow while awaiting the receipt of confirmed funding from a number of different funding streams. This reflects the timing differences often associated with grant-funded activity and project delivery across multiple financial periods, rather than any underlying financial concern.

Manchester Histories continues to manage cash flow carefully and maintains regular oversight of financial risk and forecasting. The organisation continues to secure significant project funding and maintains a strong pipeline of activity and partnerships, supporting its long-term sustainability and development. The Trustees remain committed to rebuilding reserves over time, with the aim of reaching the equivalent of approximately six months’ operational expenditure. This is currently estimated at around £50,000.

Manchester Histories seeks to include full cost recovery within funding applications wherever possible and applies an administration fee of approximately 20% where appropriate. The organisation also generates earned income through consultancy, partnership support and services delivered to other organisations.

Plans for Future Periods

Manchester Histories enters 2025–2026 with major programmes underway and a strengthened core team to support delivery and organisational growth. Over the past year the organisation has expanded its capacity, enabling it to deliver more ambitious projects and support a growing network of partners across the heritage and cultural sectors.

Manchester Histories is increasingly recognised as a key histories and heritage organisation, bringing together communities, academics, cultural organisations and artists to explore and share the diverse histories of Greater Manchester and beyond. The organisation continues to play an important role in connecting partners, developing projects and supporting public engagement with histories and heritage at both regional and national level.

During the coming year Manchester Histories will continue to strengthen its digital capacity. The organisation has begun using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support

16

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

research, project development and organisational efficiency, helping the team manage increasing levels of activity while expanding the reach of its work.

Key priorities include:

Through these programmes Manchester Histories will continue to strengthen its role as a connector, collaborator and catalyst for histories and heritage across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 6 November 2012. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission, having been registered on 8 May 2013.

The only people eligible to be members of the Charity are its directors, and the Directors must be members of the company. Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees on 31st August 2025 was 8. The trustees are members of the charity, but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in QuickBooks. There are no related party transactions that require to be disclosed.

17

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Appointment of Directors and Trustees

The Directors, who are the Trustees, are appointed by the members in general meeting. At each AGM (Annual General Meeting), one third of the Directors retire by rotation, being the longest in office, and are eligible for re-election. Other than a retiring trustee, the only people eligible for election as trustees are those either nominated by the Board or by a member giving not less than 14 and not more than 35 clear days’ notice of the intention to propose a person for appointment or re-appointment.

Trustee recruitment, induction, and training

The Directors, who are the Trustees, are collectively known as the Board. The Directors will identify new Trustees to be recruited as the needs of the organisation grow. The Board will continue to develop robust strategies for their induction, and for ongoing training and development of the entire Board.

The induction training for newly appointed trustees comprises of an initial meeting with the Board of Trustees at which a pack is provided. This includes a copy of the governing document, a copy of the most recent annual report and financial statements, our policies, a copy of the minutes of previous trustee meeting minutes and a copy of the Charity Commissioners guidance ‘The Essential Trustee’.

Organisation

The Board, which must not be less than three members, administers the Charity. We currently have eight board members. The Trustees have delegated the day-to-day authority for operational matters including finance, employment and artistic development, within the overall vision agreed by the Board to the Chief Executive, Karen Shannon. The Board meets on a quarterly basis; the chair and Chief Executive meet monthly.

18

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Related parties and relationships with other

organisations

Manchester Histories places strong emphasis on building positive and collaborative relationships with partner organisations and charities. These partnerships are mutually beneficial: while Manchester Histories receives support to help achieve its charitable aims, the organisation also works with partners to support their strategic objectives and public engagement activities.

Manchester Histories has long-standing partnerships with the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, both of which were involved in establishing the organisation. These institutions continue to provide valuable support through collaboration on research, public engagement and student opportunities linked to histories and heritage.

Manchester Histories also works closely with Manchester City Council through its Cultural Partnership Agreement Grants programme, and with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Culture Fund. These partnerships enable Manchester Histories to contribute to the wider cultural offer across the city region and collaborate with other cultural organisations to share knowledge, develop partnerships and promote activities that benefit the sector and the public.

Remuneration policy for key management personnel

Key management personnel undergo an annual performance review. The CEO is reviewed by the Chair of the Trustees, while the CEO conducts annual reviews for members of the staff team, assessing performance, achievements and development needs. Any changes to remuneration arising from these reviews must be approved by the full Board of Trustees and are only awarded following a successful review and agreement by the trustees.

19

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

Risk management

Manchester Histories regularly reviews the major risks facing the organisation and has policies and procedures in place to manage and mitigate these risks. The Board of Trustees oversees risk management as part of its governance responsibilities. For major projects and funding applications, including those to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, risk registers are prepared to identify potential risks and outline mitigation measures. This helps ensure projects and events can be delivered effectively while minimising potential risks.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Manchester Histories 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 the 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:

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.

20

Manchester Histories

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31st August 2025

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.

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

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by

Hannah Barker

Professor of British History, SALC (School of Arts, Languages and Cultures), University of Manchester.

27/05/2026

21

Independent examiner’s report

to the trustees of

Manchester Histories

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Manchester Histories

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31[st] August 2025 which are set out on pages 23 to 42.

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 Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, 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.

Christy Lau FCCA CTA DChA Slade & Cooper Limited Beehive Mill, Jersey Street Ancoats Manchester M4 6JG

27/05/2026

22

Manchester Histories

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure account) for the year ended 31 August 2025

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
31,244
Charitable activities
4
2,050
5
125
Investments
6
2
Total income
33,421
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
66,605
Total expenditure
66,605
(33,184)
9
(33,184)
Transfer between funds
1,770
Net movement in funds for the year
(31,414)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
77,456
Total funds carried forward
46,042
Other trading activities
Net income/(expenditure) before
net gains/(losses) on investments
Net income/(expenditure) for the
year		 Restricted
funds
£
-
524,059
-
-
524,059
198,524
198,524
325,535
325,535
(1,770)
323,765
(6,518)
317,247		 Total funds
2025
£
31,244
526,109
125
2
557,480
265,129
265,129
292,351
292,351
-
292,351
70,938
363,289		 Total funds
2024
£
22,515
152,177
568
2
175,262
206,412
206,412
(31,150)
(31,150)
-
(31,150)
102,088
70,938

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

A full comparative SOFA is available on the last page of the financial statements.

23

Manchester Histories Company number 08283259

Balance sheet as at 31 August 2025

Note
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
14
732
Total fixed assets
732
Current assets
Debtors
15
9,278
Cash at bank and in hand
16
357,835
Total current assets
367,113
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due in less than one year
17
(4,556)
Net current assets
362,557
Total assets less current liabilities
363,289
Net assets
363,289
The funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
18
317,247
Unrestricted income funds
19
46,042
Total charity funds
363,289
2025		 £
£
3,065
3,065
23,637
48,142
71,779
(3,906)
67,873
70,938
70,938
(6,518)
77,456
70,938
2024		 £
£
3,065
3,065
23,637
48,142
71,779
(3,906)
67,873
70,938
70,938
(6,518)
77,456
70,938
2024
3,065
67,873
70,938
70,938
(6,518)
77,456
70,938

For the year in question, the company was entitled to exemption from an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

These accounts are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and in accordance with FRS102 SORP, and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.

The notes on pages 26 to 42 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the trustees on 27/05/2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Hannah J Barker (Chair)

24

Manchester Histories

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ending 31 August 2025

Note
2025
£
Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
21
309,691
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
2
Cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
2
309,693
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
48,142
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
357,835
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents in the year		 2024
£
(44,912)
2
(2,195)
(47,107)
95,249
48,142

25

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025

1 Accounting policies

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

a Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), second edition - October 2019 (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Manchester Histories meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern.

No key judgments which the trustees have made which have a significant effect on the accounts.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

c Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

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

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

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

26

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

d Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised; refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

e Interest receivable

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

f Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

g Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

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

27

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

h Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 8.

i Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:

Computer Equipment 33% Website 20%

j Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

k Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

l Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

28

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

m Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

n Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution ‘money purchase’ scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 10. There were no outstanding contributions at the year end.

2 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The registered office address is disclosed on page 1.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Manchester Metropolitan University
University of Manchester
Total
Donations
University of Manchester
Total
Previous reporting
period
Current reporting
period		 Unrestricted
£
1,244
10,000
20,000
31,244
Unrestricted
£
2,515
20,000
22,515		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
-		 Total 2025
£
1,244
10,000
20,000
31,244
Total 2024
£
2,515
20,000
22,515

29

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

4 Income from charitable activities

Current reporting period
Champs Camp
University of Manchester
Subtotal for Champs Camp
MH Hub
Subtotal for MH Hub
Queer Up North
National Heritage Lottery Fund
Subtotal for Queer Up North
Rocket All Aboard
Manchester City Council
National Heritage Lottery Fund
National Museums Liverpool
Science Museum Group
Subtotal for Rocket All Aboard
This Is Us
Bullwall
Manchester City Council
National Heritage Lottery Fund
Subtotal for This Is Us
Back On Track
- Cultural Team
Other income
Total
Greater Manchester Combined
Authority
Mersey Travel Community Rail
Partnership
Manchester City Council
Manchester City Council
Northern Rail Community Rail
Partnership
Salford Council Community Rail
Partnership
Warrington Borough Council
Community Rail Partnership		 Unrestricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,000
-
-
50
2,050		 Restricted
£
241
241
3,000
3,000
124,270
124,270
3,000
7,000
8,000
90,211
5,000
4,000
5,000
4,000
126,211
5,000
90,000
122,591
217,591
-
27,500
24,279
967
524,059		 Total 2025
£
241
241
3,000
3,000
124,270
124,270
3,000
7,000
8,000
90,211
5,000
4,000
5,000
4,000
126,211
5,000
90,000
122,591
217,591
2,000
27,500
24,279
1,017
526,109

30

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

4 Income from charitable activities (Cont.)

Previous reporting period
Arts Council
Great Places
Manchester City Council
- Cultural Team
Manchester Metropolitan University
Other income
Total
Greater Manchester Combined
Authority
- Heritage & Wellbeing Project
-Manchester Histories Festival
2024
Cause 4
Granada Foundation
- This is Us
Network Rail
University of Manchester
- Health & Wellbeing Project
- Manchester Histories Festival
2024		 Unrestricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
300
300		 Restricted
£
300
6,903
2,000
27,500
3,750
24,279
5,000
2,000
20,955
15,000
4,975
39,215
-
151,877		 Total 2024
£
300
6,903
2,000
27,500
3,750
24,279
5,000
2,000
20,955
15,000
4,975
39,215
300
152,177

31

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

5 Income from other trading activities

Income from other trading activities
Consultancy
Merchandise income		 2025
£
125
-
125		 2024
£
-
568
568

All income from other trading activities is unrestricted.

6 Investment income

All of the charity's investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts. All investment income is unrestricted.

7 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Depreciation
Event production costs
Marketing & publicity costs
Other professional fees
Other project costs
Professional fees - artists & curators
Staff costs
Travel and Meetings
Governance costs (see note 8)
Support costs (see note 8)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Total 2025
£
2,333
5,488
7,902
9,220
7,585
63,749
141,370
8,645
3,455
15,382
265,129
2025
£
198,524
66,605
265,129		 Total 2024
£
2,332
2,914
13,587
39,076
3,920
35,217
90,109
5,502
2,134
11,621
206,412
2024
£
156,706
49,706
206,412

32

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

8 Analysis of governance and support costs

9

Support
£
Insurance
238
Office costs
15,144
Accountancy services
-
15,382
Support
£
Insurance
243
Office costs
11,378
Accountancy services
-
Other governance costs
-
11,621
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
This is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation
Independent Examiner's remuneration
Accountancy fees
Bookkeeping
Payroll bureau fees
Independent examination
Current reporting
period
Previous reporting
period
Training		 Governance
£
-
-
3,455
3,455
Governance
£
-
-
2,121
13
2,134
2025
£
2,333
1,220
720
300
524
100		 Total 2025
£
238
15,144
3,455
18,837
Total 2024
£
243
11,378
2,121
13
13,755
2024
£
2,332
1,160
-
285
303
-

33

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

10 Staff costs

Staff costs during the year were as follows:

ff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Other personnel costs		 2025
£
132,014
3,332
3,935
2,089
141,370		 2024
£
83,718
2,418
2,512
1,461
90,109

No employees has employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2024: Nil).

The average number of staff employed during the period was 5 (2024: 4).

The key management of the charity is comprised of Trustees, Chief Executive Officer, Project Manager (left Oct 24), Community Development Producer (left April 25), the Cultural Administrator, General Manager (from Jan 25), Community Development Manager (from Feb 25), Queer Up North Project Manager (from Feb 25), and Community Development Producer (from May 25) (2024: Trustees, Chief Executive Officer, Project Manager, Community Development Producer and the Cultural Administrator). The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £139,324 (2024: £90,109).

11 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

Neither the management committee nor any persons connected with them received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses during the year (2024: Nil).

No (2024: nil) member of the trustees received travel and subsistence expenses during the year (2024: £nil).

No aggregate donations from related parties (2024: £ Nil).

There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2024: Nil).

34

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

12 Government grants

The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:

Arts Council
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Manchester City Council
Mersey Travel
Salford Council
Warrington Borough Council		 2025
£
-
27,500
124,279
8,000
4,000
4,000
167,779		 2024
£
300
27,500
31,279
-
-
-
59,079

13 Corporation tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 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.

14 Fixed assets: tangible assets

Cost
Additions
Depreciation
Charge for the year
Net book value
At 31 August 2025
At 1 September 2024
At 31 August 2024
At 1 September 2024
At 31 August 2025
At 31 August 2025		 Computer
Equipment
£
2,197
-
2,197
732
733
1,465
732
1,465		 Website
£
8,000
-
8,000
6,400
1,600
8,000
-
1,600		 Total
£
10,197
-
10,197
7,132
2,333
9,465
732
3,065

35

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

15 Debtors

Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and on hand
17
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors and accruals		 2025
£
340
2,684
6,254
9,278
2025
£
357,835
357,835
2025
£
4,556
4,556		 2024
£
-
4,068
19,569
23,637
2024
£
48,142
48,142
2024
£
3,906
3,906

36

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

18 Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Champs Camp
Heritage Compass
HiDDEN Network
Manchester City Council
- Cultural Team
MH Hub
Queer Up North
Rocket: All Aboard
This is Us
Total
Greater Manchester
Combined Authority
Current reporting
period
Heritage & Wellbeing
Project		 Balance at
1
September
2024
£
-
(13,750)
4,846
3,544
1,440
-
-
2,000
-
(4,598)
(6,518)		 Income
£
241
27,500
-
-
967
24,279
3,000
124,270
126,211
217,591
524,059		 Expenditure
£
(420)
(13,750)
-
(3,544)
(637)
(24,279)
(3,639)
(58,108)
(81,706)
(12,441)
(198,524)		 Transfers
£
-
-
(4,846)
-
(1,770)
-
4,846
-
-
-
(1,770)		 Balance at
31 August
2025
£
(179)
-
-
-
-
-
4,207
68,162
44,505
200,552
317,247

37

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

18 Analysis of movements in restricted funds (Cont.)

Manchester City Council
- Cultural Team
Rocket: All Aboard
Total
Heritage & Wellbeing
Project
HiDDEN Network
Manchester Histories
Festival 2024
Queer Up North
Greater Manchester
Combined Authority
Previous reporting
period
Your Home, Your Voice,
Your Place
- This is Us
Heritage Compass		 Balance at
1
September
2023
£
(4,500)
(2,750)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,678
(5,572)
 Income
£
27,500
3,750
9,975
5,053
1,850
24,279
2,000
60,170
2,000
15,300
151,877		 Expenditure
£
(36,750)
(4,883)
(5,129)
(1,509)
(410)
(24,279)
(6,598)
(60,170)
-
(16,978)
(156,706)		 Transfers
£
-
3,883
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,883		 Balance at
31 August
2024
£
(13,750)
-
4,846
3,544
1,440
-
(4,598)
-
2,000
-
(6,518)

Name of restricted fund

Champs Camp

Description, nature and purposes of the fund

Preserving the legacy and stories of UK’s first black boxing gym based in Moss Side, Manchester.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

GMCA Culture Fund to support core costs and cultural activities across GM.

Heritage & Wellbeing Project

To research and produce a heritage and wellbeing toolkit for older people in partnership with the University of Manchester, Manchester City Council and Archives+.

Heritage Compass

To support the development of a new five-year business plan for Manchester Histories.

38

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

18 Analysis of movements in restricted funds (Cont.)

Name of restricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund

HiDDEN Network To support a new framework and memorandum of understanding for the HiDDEN Network, small to medium-sized heritage organisations based in Greater Manchester. It consists of historic buildings, museums, and libraries with rare collections, displays, exhibitions and events. Manchester City Council Cultural Partnership Agreement. Funds to support core costs for Manchester - Cultural Team Histories. Manchester Histories Contribution to core cost and Manchester Histories Festival 2024. Festival 2024 MH Hub A welcoming space run by Manchester Histories with a focus on heritage & wellbeing activities based at Manchester Central Library. Queer Up North Grant to support the National Heritage Lottery Fund application to deliver a new project celebrating the Queer Up North Festival 1992 - 2002 and LGBTQA+ histories and heritage. Rocket: All Aboard Grant to produce a scoping document to set out a framework of development and delivery for the project going forward. This is Us This public engagement programme supported Manchester Histories to consult with diverse communities from Manchester to explore how people can be better represented in public places. Your Home, Your Voice, This grant supported Manchester Histories to deliver a project with residents Your Place from Crossley, Dew Way, Fitton Hill and Primrose Bank to mark the 10-year anniversary of Great Places Housing Group and Inspiral’s Gateways to Oldham regeneration project.

39

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

19 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

Current reporting
period
General fund
General fund
Designated fund
- Projects
Designated fund
- Projects
Previous reporting
period		 Balance at
1
September
2024
£
35,456
42,000
77,456
Balance at
1
September
2023
£
65,660
42,000
107,660		 Income
£
33,421
-
33,421
Income
£
23,385
-
23,385		 Expenditure
£
(66,605)
-
(66,605)
Expenditure
£
(49,706)
-
(49,706)		 Transfers
£
1,770
-
1,770
Transfers
£
(3,883)
-
(3,883)		 As at 31
August
2025
£
4,042
42,000
46,042
As at 31
August
2024
£
35,456
42,000
77,456

Name of unrestricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund

General fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds Designated fund Allocated to support our ongoing public engagement programmes and Manchester Histories Festival.

40

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

20 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total
Previous reporting
period
Current reporting
period		 General
fund
£
732
3,310
4,042
General
fund
£
3,065
32,391
35,456		 Designated
funds
£
-
42,000
42,000
Designated
funds
£
-
42,000
42,000		 Restricted
funds
£
-
317,247
317,247
Restricted
funds
£
-
(6,518)
(6,518)		 Total
£
732
362,557
363,289
Total
£
3,065
67,873
70,938

21 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating		 2025
£
292,351
2,333
(2)
14,359
650
309,691		 2024
£
(31,150)
2,332
(2)
(18,213)
2,121
(44,912)

41

Manchester Histories

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 (continued)

22 Prior year Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure account

Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Transfer between funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Net movement in funds for the
year
Net income/(expenditure)
before net gains/(losses) on
investments
Net income/(expenditure) for
the year		 Unrestricted
funds
£
22,515
300
568
2
23,385
49,706
49,706
(26,321)
(26,321)
(3,883)
(30,204)
107,660
77,456		 Restricted
funds
£
-
151,877
-
-
151,877
156,706
156,706
(4,829)
(4,829)
3,883
(946)
(5,572)
(6,518)		 Total funds
2024
£
22,515
152,177
568
2
175,262
206,412
206,412
(31,150)
(31,150)
-
(31,150)
102,088
70,938		 Total funds
2023
£
16,647
140,121
568
1
157,337
167,555
167,555
(10,218)
(10,218)
-
(10,218)
112,306
102,088

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

42