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← Signal Film & Media Limited

2024-03-31-accounts

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Signal Starters Workshops, Jul 2023

CONTENTS

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Greengate Juniors Exhibition Workshop, May 2023
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||| |---|---| |Welcome; Objectives, Aims & Approach .......................................|3-4| |Co-Directors Statement ...................................................................|5| |Overview of Our Year’s Achievements ...........................................|6-8| |IMPACT GOAL 1: Confident, Empowered Young People| |Outreach Taster Workshops ............................................................|10| |Strengthening Relationships with Schools & Integrating Youth and| |Adult Programmes ............................................................................|11| |Youth Film Screenings & New Youth Board .....................................|12| |Signal Starters ................................................................................|13| |Cooke’s Crew ...................................................................................|14| |Get Digital .........................................................................................|15| |BFI Film Academy ............................................................................|16| |Halloween Town ................................................................................|17| |IMPACT GOAL 2: Skilled, Fullfilled Creatives| |TIDAL: You and Me Outside & Tales of The Tide ...............................|19| |TIDAL: Troubled Waters ..................................................................|20| |NPO: Relax Into 2050 ..................................................................|21-22| |Emerging Cumbrian Artist Development Lab .................................|23| |Psychogeology ................................................................................|24| |Energy Goast ..................................................................................|24| |IMPACT GOAL 3: A Connected Cultural Community|

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||| |---|---| |Sankey: Lives Through The Lens ...............................................|26-27| |Adult Steering Group & Cinema Club ...............................................|28| |Volunteering ....................................................................................|29| |Employees & Staff Development, Environment & Sustainability ...|29| |Financial Review .......................................................................|30-31| |Notes To The Financial Statements ..........................................|32-39|

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Artist Development Lab Workshop, Jan 2024
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Troubled Waters Exhibition Launch, Jun 2023
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WELCOME TO SIGNAL FILM & MEDIA ...

www.signalflmandmedia.com

We are an award-winning charity providing creative activities in film, arts, heritage and digital media from our base at Cooke’s Studios on Abbey Road in Barrow-in-Furness. Since 2008 we have built a unique resource for thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds to access free facilities, events, professional training and hands-on experience in film, digital arts and creative digital media.

Facilities include training rooms, edit suites, exhibition and screening spaces. Our charity works extensively with Barrow and Cumbria’s most isolated and deprived residents, using the arts as a tool to build confidence, skills and self esteem. Alongside our programme of participation activities we also provide residencies for artists to produce new work and a mentoring scheme which supports the development of emerging local talent with the aim of creating a vibrant film and arts culture in the area.

@signalflmandmedia @signalflmmedia

@signalflmmedia

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Greengate Juniors Exhibition Visit, Jan 2024
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LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees

Ms K J Kolbe

Charity number 1152012 Company number 6606718

Ms L A R Slater (Chair)

Ms K M Bird

Mr C J Barnes

Ms B Burkeman

Ms H Wall

Ms N Wealleans-Turner

Registered office

Cooke’s Studios 102-104 Abbey Road Barrow-in-Furness LA14 5QR

Ms J L Swales

Mr D J Foster

Ms M Davis

Independent examiner

Melville & Co

Unit 17-18

Ms K J Kolbe (Secretary)

Trinity Enterprise Centre Furness Business Park Ironworks Road

Barrow-in-Furness LA14 2PN

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Tales of The Tide Workshop, Jul 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)”.

Objectives and activities

The charity’s objects are for the public benefit to promote the arts and to advance education in the arts in particular but not exclusively by:

a) Providing a centre for the arts and creative industries where local residents, particularly those from disadvantaged groups, can access facilities and activities to develop skills in a diverse range of creative, media and arts disciplines, and:

b) Providing premises, space and activities for local front-line groups in order to support media production and the creative and artistic development of local people.

Activities undertaken for public benefit in relation to these objects

The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are to implement a programme of film, media and digital arts training courses, masterclasses, screenings and workshops for adults and young people and there has been no change in these during the year.

As such the Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s published guidance on the ‘public benefit’ notice.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Aims and Approach

We aim to achieve four overarching outcomes for our community through provision of arts and culture activity:

  1. Connecting residents, old and young, to a wider world and diverse experiences

2. Providing skills training, advice and resources

  1. Providing new cultural experiences and connecting people and communities

4. Supporting and encouraging personal and social development

We achieve these aims by delivering projects under three strands of activity:

Strand 1: Confident, Empowered Young People

Strand 2: A Connected Cultural Community

Strand 3: Skilled, Fulfilled Creatives

“My proudest achievement is actually signing up - I was anxious because I was different from everybody else and I wasn’t really familiar with the place but I already had a passion for filmmaking. I still am scared now sometimes but not like before - I’m more confident in what I’m making and would love to take more opportunities if presented to me.” - BFI Academy Participant

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CO-DIRECTORS STATEMENT

In this jam-packed year we combined delivery of the first year of our Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funded digital arts programme with a big push to bring our long-planned-for capital project to fruition. Having secured funds from Arts Council England to refurbish our premises in 2022, we progressed steadily through 2023, developing an exciting design with a new team from award-winning architects Baumon Lyons. But by late 2023, unprecedented rises in the cost of materials and construction put the project into serious jeopardy - in less than two years the cost of the scheme increased from £490,000 to £1,400,000.

As the government’s Community Ownership Fund (COF) had become available, we worked from October 2023-January 2024 to develop a bid to fill the shortfall, carrying out new community consultation, business planning, financial modelling, RIBA Stage 3 and planning permission. In March 2024 we were offered COF funding of £910,000 and were able to move forward confidently with this exciting £1.4m project that will transform the building and unlock its potential for widening and benefiting community engagement - on track to be completed in March 2025.

KERRY KOLBE & LOREN SLATER

The security provided by the new three-year funding commitment as an Arts Council NPO allowed us to recruit two new members of staff. In June 2023 we were able to offer our long-serving freelancer Phil Northcott a permanent role as a curator and exhibition coordinator and in September 2023 Jennifer McMillian joined us as a Communications & Community Engagement Lead, making great strides improving our social media presence since then as well as initiating a shared marketing meet-up for arts organisations to share intelligence and join up their scheduling.

Other highlights for Signal this year included our short films WISHBONE and MISJUDGED taking home all three prizes at the Keswick International Film Festival Osprey Awards (Judge’s Choice, Audience Choice and Best Student Film), with young filmmakers and our team in attendance to accept the prizes. And in September 2023 we finally launched the wonderful Sankey Photographic Archive website, attracting a whopping 171,000 hits in its first six months - our biggest impact project to date!

The Osprey Short Film Awards, Mar 2024

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OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS

YOUTH:

1,642 PARTICIPANTS —

SOCIAL MEDIA: @ Post comments & replies @ New followers

150 SESSIONS DELIVERED

49 QUALIFICATIONS GAINED —

873 AUDIENCES

3,322 ATTENDANCES

ADULT:

472 PARTICIPANTS

205 SESSIONS DELIVERED

Our Social Media report above shares a snapshot of our total engagement across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X for the financial year. We are particularly proud of our post engagement rate over February and March 2024 which was 487% higher than the industry average!

45 VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED

5,370 IN-PERSON AUDIENCES

47 CREATIVES SUPPORTED

90,870 ONLINE, OUTDOOR & PRINT AUDIENCES

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PROFILE RAISING & MEDIA COVERAGE

The first year of our Arts Council NPO-funded programme and our final TIDAL project were marked by TROUBLED WATERS - a spectacular, ambitious installation by Danish Artist Stine Deja, who transformed our gallery space into a futuristic fever dream inspired by Monet’s ‘Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies’, complete with a waterfall, robot fish and a metal bridge.

Reviewed in Contemporary Arts and Writing Journal for the North Corridor 8: www.corridor8.co.uk

“Amazing, colourful, subversive and engaging.” - Exhibition Visitor

After many months of diligent cataloguing and interpretation by our dedicated volunteers and a complex website build, helmed by our technical manager Jon, the Sankey Photography Archive launched online in September 2023. It gained significant attention across Barrow, Cumbria and worldwide. Articles appeared in The Guardian and The Express, Co-Director Loren talked about the project on BBC News Northwest and stories and images featured across a score of media sites throughout 2023/24. In the first 6 months, the online archive had 171,000 views.

“With a steady and growing audience, Signal Film and Media organisation is a stand-out in the area for impressive exhibitions by national and international artists alike.”

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SCREENINGS & AWARDS

A key value of our organisation is enabling local people to co-produce professional-standard work that garners recognition on a regional, national and international stage. Each year films made in Barrow are accepted into film festivals and showcased to audiences around the world. This year is no exception with shorts screened at 14 different festivals:

MURDER BY CLICHE (2022)

Made by 16-19 yr old BFI participants.

When actress Kezia Du Pont is murdered in the hotel where he works, Ed Smith, security guard and super-fan, vows to find out whodunnit!

OUR PLACE (2022)

Made by 8-11 yr old Signal Starters participants.

Litter-picking animals work with humans to get their forest back to its natural beauty.

Screened at:

WISHBONE (2023)

Made by our team supported by a crew of local filmmaking trainees.

Working class teen Chrissie Fox refuses to relinquish her dream of being a photographer through a 60-year odyssey charting her life in small town Barrow-in-Furness (northern England) from 1960 to the present day.

WATCH IT ON OUR

YOUTUBE CHANNEL :

Award Winning at:

Screened at:

Honourable Mention at:

Award Winning at:

PAPER TOWN (2022)

Made by 8-11 yr old Signal Starters participants.

The colour has gone out of Paper Town. People don’t care for each other anymore, until a stranger casts a spell to bring colour (and the love) back to the town.

Screened at:

Semi-Finalist at:

SHOCK JOCK (2022)

Made by 16-19 yr old Get Digital participants.

A DJ’s need for higher ratings sends his career in a new direction.

Screened at:

MISJUDGED (2023)

Made by 8-11 yr old Signal Starters participants.

When a seagull meets a tentacled sea-witch, they share tales of making quick judgements of others.

Award Winning at:

Semi-Finalist at:

Public screenings of Wishbone were also delivered at local care homes, alongside our Oscar shortlisted past production ‘The German Who Came to Tea’ (2013) for a total of 63 residents. 8 8

WHERE’S LOKI? (2022)

Made by 12-15 yr old Cooke’s Crew participants.

When a cat goes missing, a rift between two sisters starts to heal.

Screened at:

Still from Signal Starters Animation ‘Misjudged’, 2023

IMPACT GOAL 1: CONFIDENT, EMPOWERED YOUNG PEOPLE

In 2023-24 we continued to work fulfil the three Impact Goals identified in our Strategic Plan (2022-30):

And made considerable progress across all three objectives, presented below:

Our Youth Programme is a year-round offer which spans animation sessions for 8-11 yr olds delivered in house, outreach sessions across community events, the accredited British Film Institute’s Film Academy short course for 16-19 year olds and in-depth artist-led participatory commissions where young people create their own exhibitions from scratch.

This year our young people have worked with a huge range of practitioners from the Digital Arts and Film sector who encourage intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and a sense of empowerment through the creation of collaborative digital artworks and short films. Working with relevant artists, photographers and organisations has strengthened our relationships with marginalised groups such as those from LBGTQ+ demographics, by connecting with Dropzone, Queer Cumbria and queer advocate Casey Orr.

Through exploration, experimentation and self reflection, our young people have grown in confidence and have been able to find not only their ‘voice’ but a sense of place here at Signal Film and Media. We have seen many new young participants return to SFM this year, finding it a safe place to be and climbing the ladder of progression, with some moving onto higher education courses in the sector and also returning as mentors in their free time.

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Signal Starters Workshop,Jul 2023
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“He enjoyed his experience and he was proud of the clay monster he made.”

“M came out convinced he was a

sculptor extraordinaire, it really helped his confidence!

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Ormsgill School Fair, Jul 2023
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Gok. Ormsgill School Fair, Jul 2023 ; = i %

OUTREACH TASTER WORKSHOPS

This year we delivered more than twice as many tasters than last year to 330 people at venues across the community. Animation stations were run at three BarrowFull ‘Playcations’ events in the most deprived areas of town (Barrow Park, Vickerstown Park and Ormsgill Community Centre) and at Ormsgill Primary Family Fun Day. Green Screen tasters were held partnering with Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Unity Fest in Barrow Town Centre.

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Roose School ArtFly Workshop, Nov 2023
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“Our children loved using the equipment and backdrops.” - Ormsgill Teacher

“My grandson lacks confidence, has social anxiety and attachment difficulties. He especially enjoyed the feeling of being included and accepted amongst the group.” - Workshop Participant’s Grandparent

These light touch sessions showcase our offer and gives us new platforms to speak to more diverse users, parents and the community. They have encouraged more young people to be further involved in future sessions and have allowed us to develop trusting co-production relationships. We also distributed 75 summer activity packs to local schools and 25 packs to local food banks.

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STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS

We’ve continued to nurture strong, long-term relationships with local primary and secondary schools, focusing on Barrow’s most deprived wards. Workshop for 271 young people ran at Cooke’s Studios and in schools, including: Ormsgill Primary, Askam Primary, Roose Primary, Roose Juniors, Greengate Juniors, Chetwynde High, Walney High, Sandside School; Ulverston Victoria High and Barrow 6th Form.

Teachers highlight the benefits of pupils getting the chance to meet artists and filmmakers and gaining experience using professional equipment not available in school. We’ve also delivered tailored careers talks at Walney High School for Creative Futures Friday.

Greengate School Exhibition Visit, Jan 2024

INTEGRATING YOUTH & ADULT PROGRAMMES

We’ve worked hard to design family-friendly ‘drop ins’ and bespoke youth sessions that link with the themes and content of the wider programme. This creates an entry point for younger people to engage with the broader arts and local heritage scene, to encourage them to bring their friends and family and seed their participation into adulthood.

Taster sessions for our 8-11-year-old Signal Starters participants used a hand-painted backdrop taken from historical images in the Sankey Photographic Archive, with children making plasticine characters inspired by images from the collection. Tying in with the TIDAL theme of our arts programme, children made a ‘film in a week’ that explored the sea creatures in our local area and wove them into a narrative for their short animation. Whenever an exhibition is on we ensure young people see them and their reflections often form part of their Arts Awards qualification.

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Askam School Workshops, Jun 2023

NEW YOUTH BOARD

We’ve been looking at ways to ensure our work is best responding to young people’s needs, and after meeting with other organisations that already had established youth boards, we held our own inaugural Youth Board meeting in December 2023. 11 regular attendees now come together every three months, the week before the ‘official’ board meeting, to debate the agenda and agree recommendations to put forward. Their input now informs decision-making at leadership level. The board had their first ‘away day’ in March 2024, attending Keswick International Film Festival.

YOUTH FILM SCREENINGS

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Youth Board at Keswick Film Festival, Mar 2024
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An important part of every project is bringing participants together at its culmination to celebrate the work they’ve made. This year 156 parents, families and the wider community attended in-person screenings of films made by our BFI, Get Digital, Cooke’s Crew and Signal Starters cohorts. In November 2023 we partnered with Into Film’s Annual Film Festival to provide free film screenings of ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’ and ‘The Croods - A New Age’ at Cooke’s Studios for 71 pupils from Dane Ghyll Primary School.

“It just felt really professional and the way the film was presented in a cinema-like way made the experience even better.” - Get Digital Participant

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Signal Starters Film Screening, Dec 2023
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SIGNAL STARTERS

Funded by Children in Need and now in its 9th successful year, our free, oversubscribed claymation workshops run during each school holiday for children aged 8 to 11 from disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants learn about story creation, character design, model-making, set design and stopmotion animation techniques as they make their own collaborative short film from scratch.

21 Arts Award Explore qualifications were gained this year.

89% of parents/guardians saw significant improvement in confidence in their young person

94% saw significant improvement in communication

52% experienced significant progress in feeling less isolated

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Signal Starters Workshops, Apr 2023
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“Not stopped talking about it...”

“Child P (11) is home educated and initially she found it difficult to talk to people. Over the week she became more confident and was happy to chat with staff and put forward her ideas. She flourished when voicing her character and as the sessions went on, she was socialising with a group and seemed extremely happy.”

“He improved immensely. He is confident to go in, whether he knows other children from his school or not. He talks so much about it at home and tries to recreate his own work based on what he has learned with you. For a boy with little self confidence it has helped him so much.”

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Signal Starters Workshops, May 2023
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COOKE’S CREW

YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXHIBITION - YOU AND ME, OUTSIDE

In April 2023 we staged a multimedia exhibition of work produced by twelve Year 10s from Chetwynde High School in collaboration with Manchester-based artist Jack Brown during a series of outdoor workshops engaging with the coastline and practicing non-traditional artistic skills.

The school put forward pupils who were struggling with confidence with a view to get them out of the classroom to try new ways of working creatively and experiencing ‘failure’ in a non negative way within a supported environment. The experience was hailed as a great success by their Head of Art Charlotte Stafford:

“They have grown in so many ways - you have had a way of connecting with the students that was both inspiring and effective. They felt comfortable and supported, but also challenged to improve and grow. The progress is truly remarkable. You have helped to build their confidence and communication skills and, in a world, where these skills are more important than ever, you have helped our students to develop the tools they need to succeed in life.”

Jack Brown ‘You and Me, Outside’ Exhibition, Apr 2023

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Cooke’s Crew Participants & Jack Brown, Mar 2023

Cooke’s Crew Workshop, Mar 2023

Cooke’s Crew Workshop, Mar 2023

GET DIGITAL

This annual series of workshops building up to a mentored short film/artwork production is aimed at 16-19 year olds who are less academically inclined, particularly focusing on harder to reach and marginalised teens. Typically these young people gain huge benefits in being given a voice and freedom to express themselves creatively, and thrive in a ‘professional’ setting where artists and crew members collaborate together to make work come to life.

Get Digital Film Shoot, Aug 2023 / Re \ “Mt bee f, oy iy fi

This year the focus was on exploring their natural environment, filming at the sand dunes at Roanhead Beach, South Walney Nature Reserve, Ormsgill Slag Banks and Barrow Park. Participants focused on developing skills in collaboration, composition, installation art, research skills, and video editing whilst looking at Barrow’s geology and deep history. Their escapades included exploring underwater filming, using blue screens, making sculptures, hanging artworks down street grids, collecting rock samples on field trips, digging holes on the beach. Three new artworks are set to be exhibited in May 2024.

“I loved being able to work with a group of people who respect each others opinions and aren’t afraid to help each other out.” - Participant

“His confidence has grown in his creative digital abilities and working with a new group of people who he had never met before.”

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Get Digital Film Shoot, Aug 2023
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BRITISH FILM INDUSTRY ACADEMY

We are the only chosen provider of the BFI Film Academy in the Northwest outside of Manchester and Liverpool and this project provides the top tier of our youth ‘ladder of progression.’ Spanning five months, a group of 16-19-year olds train with professional mentors to create their own film whilst completing an NCFE Level 2 Award - Preparing to Work in the Film Industry. The most valued parts of the course are the chances to gain hands-on practical, mentored experience in technical and craft film skills, with unique access to specialist kit and on-set learning local young people couldn’t otherwise access without a two-hour travel time.

This was our 12th year delivering the Academy scheme and films made by our cohorts have screened in 49 festivals worldwide, winning numerous prizes and honourable mentions. Many alumni go on to study film and arts at University and have gained jobs in the creative sector. We’re proud that we now have successful alumni return to us to mentor. This year’s delivery also included a focus on environmental sustainability in the film industry. Our participants shared:

BFI Academy Foley Workshop, Oct 2023

“I got a lot more confident during the shoot which is something I have struggled with for years. Being part of the BFI Academy has also made me feel more strongly about applying for film making at university.”

“I usually prefer to be alone but I know that won’t work in this industry and you need to be able to communicate with everyone in order for things to be done. It pushed me to be out of my comfort zone.”

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Still from BFI Academy f \ lm ‘Seeing Red’, 2024

HALLOWEEN TOWN

CASEY ORR

In October 2023 we hosted a series of portrait sessions in collaboration with photographer Casey Orr for Dropzone’s LQBTQ+ participants, our BFI cohort and for the wider public at Barrow Market.

The sessions provided a platform for conversations about identity and self-expression. Stevie Westgarth from Queer Cumbria provided muchneeded support on the market day, where a whopping 78 portraits were produced - Casey’s largest ever taken in a day!

ay oe MENTS Casey Orr Casey Orr ‘s Portrait from Barroween Event, Oct 2023 SBri e s myx HtA A NINN

Casey Orr ‘Pop Up Studio’ at Barrowween, Oct 2023

ote F i j 5 Casey Orr ‘s Portrait from Barroween Event, Oct 2023 Se,,. Wy

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IMPACT GOAL 2: SKILLED, FULFILLED CREATIVES

We work to ensure people from isolated, disadvantaged areas of Cumbria have equal access to creative careers and are able to contribute and develop their creativity. We aim to give residents resilience and practical skills to enable them to forge sustainable creative careers, alongside providing opportunities to network and connect with other creatives and organisations to explore individual practice and nurture collaborations.

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Artist Development Lab Workshop, Apr 2023
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“I loved every minute of the sessions and the performance. The group was kind, inclusive, accepting and supportive. The tutor was warm, welcoming and a very talented practitioner.” - Workshop Attendee

“The staff make you feel welcome, offering a brew and like you’re part of the art community. The people you meet while volunteering is also excellent, visitors and other volunteers.” - Volunteer

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Tales of the Tide Event, Aug 2023
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This two-year Arts Council-funded project exploring Barrow’s coastal environment and the proximity of town and sea culminated in Spring 2023 with two extremely well received residencies:

YOU AND ME, OUTSIDE

Work created by multimedia artist Jack Brown was exhibited alongside the pieces he co-created with youth participants in April 2023, including a karaoke installation, film and sculptural work. 409 visitors attended the exhibition and attended complimentary workshops and talks.

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Jack Brown ‘You Me, Outside’ Exhibition, Apr 2023
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“A great space and a grounded, relatable exhibition. Contemporary art without the pretension.”

“I work at the school the students who created TIDAL attend. I am proud of them - AMAZING!”

TALES OF THE TIDE

In a partnership project with Furness Multicultural Community Forum, artist Jessica El Mal co-created work with a small group of 6 global majority adult participants, culminating in a fun family cultural day at the local beach. 150 people visited the artworks and watched participants perform poems and songs.

Jack Brown ‘You Me, Outside’ Exhibition, Apr 2023

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TROUBLED WATERS

After exploring the local coastline with local ecologists and volunteers, Danish artist-in-residence Stine Deja conceived her artwork ‘Troubled Waters’, which became our most ambitious installation to date. The exhibition transformed our gallery space into a futuristic fever dream inspired by Monet’s ‘Bridge over the Lily Pond’, complete with a waterfall, robot fish and a metal bridge. It opened at Cooke’s Studios on the 16th June, running for 6 weeks with 780 visitors.

A free wrap-around programme of events further explored the themes of the exhibition and included National Trust-led walking talks on the Barrow coastline and an interactive Family Day with VR and augmented reality workshops from local artists.

Troubled Waters Exhibition, Jun 2023

“Loved this - such a large installation and fantastic response to our climate and technology.”

“Very interesting! Very Different! Eye-opening and eye-watering! Captivated children.”

“Fantastic - thank you so much for inspiring, educating and awesome experience.”

“Amazing, colourful, subversive and engaging.”

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Stine Deja Talk, Jun 2023

ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND NPO PROGRAMME

RELAX INTO 2050: ADVENTURES IN AN OPTIMISTIC FUTURE

Ulverston-based tech-experimenter duo Artfly (Chris and Jennie Dennett) joined us for a residency over the latter half of 2023, collaborating with Roose School children, ecologists and adult participants to design work in response to their theme - imagining a more positive future. The exhibition encouraged visitors to explore a landscape of their own creation, by engaging with a playful installation set in a flourishing future where nature and technology work in harmony.

Visitors entered a ‘dream dome’ where they could sink into comfy cushions, lie back and enjoy mesmerising kaleidoscopic patterns made in collaboration with AI whilst listening to a specially-composed soundscape intended to conjure humanity travelling forward in time, not to a dystopian destination, but to one where it’s actually all OK. The exhibition was accompanied by a programme of activities including a ‘seagrass’ talk by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Artist talks and a family day.

‘ArtFly’ Chris & Jennie, Jun 2023

In November 2023 poet Ann Grant worked alongside a group of aspiring writers to compose poems that responded to the artwork’s themes, which were performed live at a poetry evening in January 2024 with a backdrop of digital imagery created with the artists.

A digital publication of their poems and a full video of the live event can be enjoyed on our website:

“I loved every minute of the sessions and the performance. The group was kind, inclusive, accepting and supportive. Ann was a warm, welcoming and very talented practitioner. I was very sorry for the sessions to end.” - Poetry Workshop Participant

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Relax Into 2050 Exhibition Launch, Dec 2023

“I feel very strongly about these issues and it was refreshing to see them presented in a positive, doable way.”

“What a fantastic exhibition- one of the best I’ve been to in a very long time- so positive and full of hope.”

“A wonderful hour of peace on a busy Saturday morning, everyone should have an Artfly kaleidoscope machine!”

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Relax Into 2050 Exhibition, Dec 2023
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Relax Into 2050 Exhibition, Dec 2023

Relax Into 2050 Exhibition, Dec 2023

EMERGING CUMBRIAN ARTIST DEVELOPMENT LAB

The artist development programme took place over a three-day residential Lab with 16 artist participants taking part, followed by mentoring and technical support towards the production of new work for exhibition. Led by artists and curators to connect, support and develop emerging digital artists from across Barrow and Cumbria, the lab included the opportunity to participate in a funded exhibition. Mentors included Tate Modern Assistant Curator Micheal Raymond and leading digital artists Mishka Henner and Rachel Pimm. Due to the demand to participate (50 applications) we programmed an additional Mini Lab for 14 more artists, with an eco walk, digital workshop by Angela Chan (FACT, Liverpool) and a talk by leading artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast.

MICRO COMMISSIONS FOR EMERGING ARTISTS

Five of our artists were awarded micro commissions to exhibit alongside our main exhibitions. David Haley presented Equinox: A day on an ocean’s edge and Ellie Hoskins installed her work Fly on the Wall with Jack Brown’s ‘You and Me, Outside’.

Artist Development Lab Workshop, Jan 2024 \

Zoe Forster’s, ‘Looking Out, Looking In’ accompanied Stine Deja’s ‘Troubled Waters’. And after a live, recorded performance at FON’s new project space in Barrow Park we exhibited Mel Galley and Núria Rovira’s installation, ‘Sinking in Slow Motion.’

“I got a real sense of community with my fellow artists on the weekend. I also gained more confidence in my practice.” - Development Lab Artist

“I gained confidence to explore new ideas. Advice from established artists. Great to see all the fantastic work being made in the local area.” - Development Lab Artist

“I gained connections, artist community variety and future opportunities.”

Artist Development Lab, Jan 2024

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PSYCHOGEOLOGY

YOUTH PARTICIPATION COMMISSION

A new set of workshops, experiences, visits and experiments were designed to help unlock Barrow’s rich heritage and the creative potential of young adults (16-20yrs) from Barrow. During ten workshops artist Jack Brown worked with 11 teenagers to explore Barrow’s past, present and future through experimental art-making. They explored themes of rocks, the land, geology, climate crisis, local history, global futures, personal journeys, Barrow’s coasts and townscapes by creating rock animations, making hand stamped trinkets using words related to the project, exploring the local quarry using green screen, making films underwater, collecting objects on the slag banks, projecting films onto windows at night and experimenting with sound recordings.

Jack Brown Psychogeology Workshops, Mar 2024

Skills used and developed included collaboration, compositional skills, film shooting, installation art making, 3D scanning, research skills, video editing, audio recording, a wide range of art making skills and interpersonal skills. Jack gave participants opportunities to shape the project, bring in themes that were personal/important to them. Their artworks are set to be displayed in Barrow Market Hall in May 2024.

ENERGY GOAST

DIGITAL COMMISSION

We continued our ongoing collaboration with artists Vaseem Bhatti and Mishka Henner distributing a new chapter of the Energy Goast Project: a nature awareness brand from the heart of the beautiful, volcanic landscape of Cumbria - initiated during West Coast Photo. This new iteration was in the form of a brochure/artwork and website. This was delivered to houses across Barrow reaching around 5000 people. Another iteration of Energy Goast was shown internationally at Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, Oregon this year.

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24 Energy Goast, Spring Campaign, 2024

IMPACT GOAL 3: A CONNECTED CULTURAL COMMUNITY

In Barrow, public access to relevant contemporary art and cultural engagement is strikingly low. Our work continued to open up access to digital arts for all through high-quality public exhibitions, workshops and accessible community outreach. We collaborated with local grassroots organisations as well as world-class artists and partners to increase diverse cultural engagement and promote improved well-being through a programme of creative digital arts participation and accessible, relevant events and entry-points. Activities focused on accessible cultural experiences that improve health and wellbeing, reignite civic pride, challenge stereotypes and secure agency for the underrepresented.

Having secured funds from Arts Council England to refurbish our premises in 2022, we tendered for an architect to work with us in 2023, securing the services of award-winning Leeds-based architects Baumon Lyons. Unprecedented rises in the cost of materials and construction put the project into serious jeopardy soon after as the scope we had committed to became unaffordable.

Greengate School Exhibition Visit, Jan 2024

We worked from October 2023-January 2024 to develop a bid to fill the shortfall by applying to As the government’s Community Ownership Fund. In March 2024 we were offered COF funding of £910,000 and were able to move forward confidently with this exciting £1.4m project, on track to be completed in March 2025.

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Playcations Workshops, Aug 2023
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a. __— af Sankey Archive Opening Night, Sep 2023 ———

Sankey Archive Opening Night, Sep 2023

SANKEY - LIVES THROUGH THE LENS

HERITAGE PROJECT

Our latest project focusing on the Sankey archive in partnership with Cumbria Archives, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, began with the launch of the much-anticipated Sankey Photography Archive online in September 2024:

Billed as ‘A joyful oracle of Barrow’, the new website had 19,588 users and 171,000 views in its first six months - website analytics show engagement from all over the world including Argentina, Sweden, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. Closer to home, the images have been shared on various social media platforms and facebook groups reaching many thousands more and we have enjoyed reading the stories and comments the posts have prompted.

“Mesmerising. Truly unique insight into a lost world.” - Audience member

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© ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT The Sankey Family Photography Collection, courtesy of Cumbria Archives | Special Thanks to the Sankey Family

We’ve reached out in person to different communities in Barrow and further afield to engage new audiences, showing them how to use the site and share this resource, including at The Dock Museum, Art Gene, Grizedale Arts, Roa Island Boat Club, different Rotary organisations and community groups both in Barrow and extending to Carnforth and the West Coast of Cumbria - 450 people in total attending. We’ve held light box exhibitions in Cooke’s Studios and at Barrow Train Station underpass and had pop-up exhibitions in Barrow Town Hall and the Forum. 676 visitors came to our in person exhibitions and an estimated 40,000 people have seen public realm artworks.

“A fantastic exhibition. Beautiful, poignant images and such clarity. A plea to have a longer exhibition to allow further folk to enjoy a joyful oracle of Barrow.” - Audience member

“We really did have quite a few young people express their amazement at the collection, so the Sankey work reaches across the generations and unites all ages in a common understanding of the town’s history and provides a sense of belonging.” - Volunteer Sankey Researcher

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Sankey Display at Barrow Station Underpass, Dec 2023
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ADULT STEERING GROUP

We started an adult steering group in January 2024 to guide our adult programmes and engagement, ensuring the voice of our stakeholders and participants is represented at all levels of decision-making. The group is made up of arts and heritage professionals, local artists and a range of local people with an interest in our core activities and delivery. They’ve already helped us plan for projects in 24/25, reviewed our participant recruitment process and helped us think more deeply about how to create a space and a welcome that is optimally inclusive and friendly. We’ve planned future meetings quarterly and look forward to working with the group to improve the experience of all our participants and audiences.

CINEMA CLUB

This year we held weekly film screenings for our asylum seeker community, with attendance building up to 15-20 adults for each screening. Despite the language barrier we have been able to build good relationships with individuals as well as community partners such as Furness Refugee Support Group and Furness Multicultural Community Forum who are signposting and often attending.

We also held a family screening of ‘Wonka’ to our local refugee and asylum seeker families, as an opportunity for them to make connections, practise their English language skills and socialise in a safe and welcoming environment.

=p yo _ Cinema Club Poster Crop, Nov 2023 - Jan 2024 a . :

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EMPLOYEES & STAFF DEVELOPMENT

We endeavour to complete as much relevant CPD as possible - this year we attended training in:

VOLUNTEERING

A loyal team of volunteers has formed around shared enthusiasm for the Sankey Photography Archive and our digital arts exhibitions. Along with welcoming visitors to exhibitions, delivering talks and helping with workshops, our valued volunteers are advocates for the organisation and we have been looking at ways to reward their contributions, including day trips and a Christmas social. Our volunteers shared:

“I always felt so welcome and valued when I volunteered as a gallery assistant. I felt part of the team and appreciated. There isn’t anything I would change - honestly!!”

All of our staff undertake Safeguarding training for working with children and have Enhanced DBS checks which are renewed every three years.

“I love volunteering at Signal! The gang are always so welcoming and friendly. I’ve learnt so much about art and how you can see things from different perspectives, how art isn’t just ‘one thing’ it’s not black and white.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are committed to playing our part in tackling the climate emergency. ‘Environment and Sustainability’ is a Development Priority in our Arts Council NPO Programme and our Strategic Plan 2022-2030. Raising awareness of environmental issues has been a key curatorial theme across our key projects including Relax into 2050 and TIDAL. We use Julia’s Bicycle Creative Green Tools to measure impact on our environment and carbon footprint, use sustainable materials across all of our projects wherever possible and use local or green businesses, regularly referring to the Carbon Literacy training that our staff undertook and continue to use.

The plans for our capital redevelopment champion a low-energy, environmentally sustainable approach. We commissioned an Environmental Design company to advise on an environmentally responsible scheme and to model this project’s impact on energy use and CO2 emissions - the works significantly improve the Energy Performance Asset Rating of our heritage buildings.

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Sankey Archive Opening Night, Sep 2023
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FINANCIAL REVIEW

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The major risks are currently identified as:

The results for the year are summarised in the Statement of Financial Activities (income and expenditure account, page 16). Incoming resources increased by £256,026 (58%) to £700,771. Income in respect of restricted funds decreased by £52,825 (20%) to £216,001; income in respect of unrestricted income increased by £308,851 (176%) to £484,770.

• Reliance on short term charitable grants income to supplement earned income to meet the cost of the creative programme;

• Changes in the arts funding system; and

• Critical impact of the loss of key senior staff.

To mitigate these risks the charity:

• Ensures that it has a diverse funding profile without an over-reliance on any one source of funding;

Expenditure totalled £585,308, an increase of £63,723 (9%). This led to an increase in the total fund balances of £115,463 in the year. They now total £301,428; of which the General Fund (unrestricted) totals £230,323, including £110,427 designated funds.

• Reviews existing and potential ways of generating earned income and works towards financial sustainability;

The trustees recognise the importance of maintaining a realistic level of reserves in order to ensure that Signal Film and Media continues to be in a position to discharge its obligations to its beneficiaries, partners, creditors and staff. The reserves policy is reviewed annually by trustees to take into account risk and sustainability of the organisation.

• Maintains and enhances relationships with key funders and remains well informed about developments in the arts funding arena;

• Invests time and effort in the exploration of funding opportunities and financial partnerships; and

• Ensures that all staff, including key senior staff, are well supported and that there is a regular appraisal of skills, roles and responsibilities within the senior staff team.

At 31 March 2021 the trustees redefined the reserves target such that unrestricted general funds, excluding designated funds, are required to be at least equal to 3 months’ cover of core costs (being establishment and staff expenditure not directly attributable to project activity) to be held in the form of cash at bank in a specially designated bank deposit account. The trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have implemented review systems to mitigate these risks.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

The charity is a company limited by guarantee, not having share capital, and is governed by Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 10 April 2013, as amended. It’s company registered number is 6606718.

On 14 May 2013 the company became a registered charity with a charity number 1152012.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Ms K J Kolbe Ms L A R Slater - Chair Ms K M Bird Mr C J Barnes Ms B Burkeman Ms H Wall

Ms N Wealleans-Turner Ms J L Swales Mr D J Foster Ms M A M Davis

The Board consists of people with considerable interest and experience in the arts, who are able to draw on their past experiences at a senior level in relevant disciplines.

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Signal Film & Media Limited (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity 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 the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Relax Into 2050 Family Fun Day, Dec 2023 Zz a ao

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the 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:

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iy DS fn JESS ashe FIR Neae Y

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

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

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BALANCE SHEET

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on Dec 20, 2024.

Company Registration No. 06606718

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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Accounting policies

Charity information

Signal Film & Media Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Cooke’s Studios, 104 Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 5QR.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)”. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

1.5 Expenditure

1.3 Charitable funds

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

All expenditure is accounted for when incurred. Charitable expenditure includes the costs of all activities carried out, with the exception of the costs incurred for governance purposes.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Improvements to property not depreciated Plant and equipment 20% straight line Fixtures and fittings 20% straight line Computers 33% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity’s balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(CONTINUED)

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Basic financial liabilities

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

1.11 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about

the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

5. Charitable activities

3. Charitable activities

4. Income from investments

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(CONTINUED)

6. Support costs allocated to activities

10. Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

11. Tangible fixed assets

7. Net movement in funds

8. Trustees

12. Debtors

9. Employees

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

16. Analysis of net assets between funds

13. Creditors

14. Retirement benefit schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

15. Restricted funds

17. Designated funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

18. Related party transactions

Creative Studios Cumbria Limited is a charitable company, under the control of trustees of Signal Film & Media Limited. During the year the paid rent, utilities and building running costs of £43,337 (2023 - £5,656) to Creative Studios Cumbria Limited.

19. Cash generated from operations

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OUR SUCCESS IS POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF OUR FUNDERS. WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE & THANK THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT!

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