## DECKA CREATIVE YORKSHIRE (DECKACY) Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 ## JANUARY 30, 2026 56, Westbourne Road, Marsh, Huddersfield. HD1 4LE ## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 1 April 2024 - Period start date To 31 March 2025 Period end date** ## **Charity name: DECKA CREATIVE YORKSHIRE** ## **Other Name: DECKACY** ## **Charity registration number: 1153656** **Principal Address: 56 Westbourne Road, Marsh, Huddersfield, HD1 4LE** **Trustees (as of the date of this report):** - **Joanne Fisher (Chair, appointed 01 July 2025)** - **Darren Wint (appointed 03 December 2024)** - **George Mark Matheson (CEO and Trustee)** ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|Promotion, nurture, and support of high
standards among BAME artists and
creative practitioners in all branches of the
creative arts, enabling them to secure
employment across the spectrum of
existing and new, mainstream, and fringe
opportunities, including creative enterprise
training.| |Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|Under our Collaboration Commitment,
DECKACY brought Neurolearn.online Ltd,
Eco fresh laundry Hub CIC, and the
Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir CIC
under its wing. These activities focus on
providing bursaries for NeuroCoach
training, establishing professional
safeguarding standards, and supporting
community cohesion through music and
essential services.| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|The trustees of DECKACY confirm that
they have had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity Commission on
public benefit as part of their governance
and decision-making processes.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Policy on grant making|Para 1.38|DECKACY provides grants specifically for
BAME creative practitioners and
neurodiverse individuals to deliver projects
that reflect our mission of fostering
inclusivity and equal opportunities.| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Para 1.38|We utilise strategic social investments,
including program-related investments, to
advance our mission. This includes
commissioning research and creative
works that deliver both social impact and
potential financial returns to sustain the
charity| |Contribution made by
volunteers|Para 1.38|DECKACY acknowledges the commitment
of our volunteers; however, we recognize
that their contribution alone is limited
without the necessary additional resources
to achieve our broader regional goals| |Other||DECKACY has commissioned the
esteemed author Lane Anthony to produce
research surrounding neurodiversity, which
forms a core part of our current educational
framework.| ## **Achievements and Performance** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|Para 1.20|This year marks a major shift from previous
periods of financial inactivity to active
project delivery:
•
**Bursary Programme:**Successfully
created 20 bursaries to support the
next generation of practitioners.
This includes training for 10 trainee
neurocoaches in London and 10 in
the West Yorkshire area.
•
**Safeguarding Portal:**Developed
and launched a secure
safeguarding portal. This platform
allows neurocoaches to register as
"fit to practice," involving mandatory
DBS checks and qualification
verification to ensure high
professional standards.
•
**Literary Commissioning:**
Commissioned esteemed author
Lane Anthony to produce
groundbreaking neurodiversity| research. His three seminal works— _Autism a Super Power_ , _The Dynamic Development Plan_ , and _Awakening The Workforce,_ now form the core of DECKACY’s educational framework. • **Strategic Growth:** Lane Anthony’s work is set to form the basis of a Doctor by Publication, with the PhD celebration scheduled for January 2026, further establishing DECKACY as a leader in neuroinclusive research. **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Achievements against
objectives set|Para 1.41|The charity successfully met its target of
establishing the "under the wing"
collaboration model, providing regional
training opportunities that were previously
hindered by a lack of funding.| |---|---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|| |Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|The social investment into Lane Anthony's
publications is expected to generate future
income through the sale of his work,
supporting long-term sustainability.| |Other||| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Following a period of zero income, the
charity is transitioning to a more active
financial state through its new partnerships
and commissioned intellectual property| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|DECKACY maintains a reserves policy to
ensure financial stability. Reserves act as a
financial safety net to manage unforeseen
expenses and bridge potential gaps in
income streams.| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|Nil| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|The charity is in a rebuilding phase
following a period where no income was
generated.| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|The trustees believe the new collaborations
and the launch of the neurocoach training
programs provide a sustainable path
forward.| |**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements|where relevant about:| |---|---|---| |The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|Para 1.47|Expected sources include grants,
donations, and earned income from the
sale of commissioned educational materials
and literary works.| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|The principal risk remains external funding
volatility, which we are mitigating through
the diversification of activities and funding
sources.| |Other||| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|Trust Deed.| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|Charitable Incorporated Organisation
(CIO).| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Para 1.25|Trustees are chosen based on their ability
to contribute to strategic goals. We are
currently revising selection methods to
ensure greater inclusivity for neurodiverse
individuals.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees|Para 1.51|New trustees participate in orientation
training sessions led by the Chair, covering
roles, responsibilities, and core operational
documents.| |---|---|---| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|DECKACY operates with a Management
Committee of 8 members who meet
quarterly. We work within a wider network
including Neurolearn.online Ltd and various
community CICs| |Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51|| |Other||| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|DECKA CREATIVE YORKSHIRE| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|DECKACY| |Registered charity number|1153656| |Charity’s principal address|56, Westbourne Road. Marsh.
Huddersfield,
WEST YORKSHIRE
HD1 4LE| ||| ## **Risk Management** The Management Committee has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk register has been established and is updated at least annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which will allow for the diversification of funding and activities, specifically through our new collaboration commitment with Neurolearn.online Ltd, Eco fresh laundry Hub CIC, and the Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir CIC. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and visitors to the charity. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity. ## **Organisational Structure** DECKA Creative Yorkshire (DECKACY) has a Management Committee of 8 members who meet quarterly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Committee has four members from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity, including the specific expertise required to oversee the new neurocoach training initiatives. ## **Responsibilities of the Management Committee** Company law requires the Management Committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Management Committee should follow best practice and: - Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is not appropriate to assume that the company will continue on that basis. The Management Committee is responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. The Management Committee is 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. ## **Members of the Management Committee** Members of the Management Committee, who are trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 3 of the legal and administrative information. Approved by the Management Committee on 19 January 2026 and signed on its behalf Mr George Matheson (Chairman) DECKA CREATIVE YORKSHIRE (DECKACY) Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles Ywr End•d 31 M•rch 2025 Unl•str￿1 Fuftdj I R•6uKi•d T4xal Funds 20251 T471al Fund Z024 (É> I•ICOIAllla AE8OUACf8 Totsl Inc¢ymkng re￿￿¢•$ 14f#OLrtf• EXPf140tD ItCO¥ClilATIOII OF IUMOS ¢HAI*IAAII CMAIAI A¢TINa Jo Fl•h•r DECKA CREATIVE YORKSHIRE (DECKACY) Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 ts) FIXED ASSETS Tan9bl• ass8 Total Flxed As•ets ¢UIIAE•IT AtseTS Totsl Cwrent AS￿1$ Credlt(Ys". amounts fallkng thie wlthkn one year N•t Cwr•nt Ass•ts TOTAL AMITS LIM CU￿NT MET ASSETS FU14Dg OF ￿ CHAIIITY R•sirl¢t•d lur*Js CHAIRIIAN CHAIRI ACTIIIO TREASUIIER Jo F•th•r ## **Financial Summary for DECKA Creative Yorkshire (DECKACY)** Over the past four years, DECKACY has not generated any income from donations, grants, investments, charitable activities, or voluntary contributions. Consequently, there has been no expenditure during this period. This prolonged financial inactivity has historically reflected a significant challenge in advancing the charity’s mission and maintaining operational momentum, particularly in its advocacy for BAME creative practitioners and neurodiverse communities. The 2024/25 period, however, marks a significant strategic pivot for the organisation. Under a new "Collaboration Commitment," DECKACY has brought three innovative entities under its wing to integrate community support with professional development: Neurolearn.online Ltd, Eco fresh laundry Hub CIC, and the Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir CIC. This collaboration has already yielded tangible results that move DECKACY beyond its phase of inactivity. Key achievements include: - **Professional Training and Bursaries:** The creation of twenty bursaries to support the next generation of practitioners, which includes training for ten trainee neurocoaches in London and ten in the West Yorkshire area. - **Infrastructure and Safeguarding:** The successful build of a secure safeguarding portal, which provides a robust framework for neurocoaches to register as being fit to practice, ensuring that professional standards and safety are maintained across the network. - **Community Integration** : The Eco fresh laundry Hub community build initiative, which serves as a model for linking essential community services with social wellbeing and neuro-inclusive support. - **Cultural Empowerment:** The integration of the Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir CIC to foster community cohesion and provide a platform for cultural and creative expression. To ensure long-term sustainability, DECKACY has commissioned the esteemed author Lane Anthony to produce three publications surrounding neurodiversity: _Autism a Super Power_ , _The Dynamic Development Plan_ , and _Awakening The Workforce_ . The charity anticipates benefiting from future income generated by the sale of this work, creating an earned income stream that supports our charitable purpose. By taking these proactive steps, DECKACY has successfully transitioned from a period of inactivity to a phase of strategic growth and collaboration. Strengthening these partnerships and diversifying our income through both grants and intellectual property will be critical in enabling the charity to fulfil its mission of empowering underserved creative communities and advocating for inclusion and diversity across the regions we serve. ## **Declarations** The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on the behalf of the charity’s trustees Signatures (S); George Matheson Full Name (S): George Matheson Position (eg Secretary, : Chairman Chair, ect.) Date: 30/01/2026 DECKA CREATIVE YORKSHIRE (DECKACY) Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles Ywr End•d 31 M•rch 2025 Unl•str￿1 Fuftdj I R•6uKi•d T4xal Funds 20251 T471al Fund Z024 (É> I•ICOIAllla AE8OUACf8 Totsl Inc¢ymkng re￿￿¢•$ 14f#OLrtf• EXPf140tD ItCO¥ClilATIOII OF IUMOS ¢HAI*IAAII CMAIAI A¢TINa Jo Fl•h•r DECKA CREATIVE YORKSHIRE (DECKACY) Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 ts) FIXED ASSETS Tan9bl• ass8 Total Flxed As•ets ¢UIIAE•IT AtseTS Totsl Cwrent AS￿1$ Credlt(Ys". amounts fallkng thie wlthkn one year N•t Cwr•nt Ass•ts TOTAL AMITS LIM CU￿NT MET ASSETS FU14Dg OF ￿ CHAIIITY R•sirl¢t•d lur*Js CHAIRIIAN CHAIRI ACTIIIO TREASUIIER Jo F•th•r