**SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** ## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** **YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** **Registered Company Number: 07289310 (England & Wales) Registered Charity Number: 1156526** 1 **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** ## **THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **CONTENTS** ||**Page**| |---|---| |Charity Information|**3**| |Report of the Trustees|**4**| |Independent Examiner's Report|**9**| |Statement of Financial Activities|**11**| |Balance Sheet|**12**| |Notes to the Financial Statements|**13-15**| 2 **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** ## **CHARITY INFORMATION** Company Registration Number 07289310 Charity Registration Number 1156526 Management Committee Trustees Nitasha Kapoor Chair Mara Bodis-Wollner Treasurer Ariane Hanman Secretary Chiara Farina Trustee Katherine Mengardon Trustee Registered Office 69 Shakespeare Walk London N16 8TB Accountants Moore Green 22 Friars Street Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2AA Service Address 69 Shakespeare Walk London N16 8TB 3 **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** ## **CHAIR REPORT** "I can't believe this place even exists! I'll definitely be making use of it this summer... it’s a lifeline!" - Parent, young person 10 years old Shakespeare Walk is a beloved 45-year-old Adventure Playground in the heart of Stoke Newington, Hackney and we create the best play spaces for young people, aged 6-16, to develop key life skills, for free. The 2024/25 annual report is a chance to not only look back on the year that we’ve had but celebrate a longer-term snapshot of SWAPA’s recent history. Since becoming Chair of Trustees in 2019, we’ve worked hard to build on SWAPA’s legacy of community development for over 45 years. My background is in Anthropology, and over the last five years I have had to deep dive into everything from health, safety and safeguarding to fundraising, playwork and board governance. In the process I’ve marvelled at the deep roots SWAPA holds as a space for community building and the sheer power of being a consistent and trusted presence in our community, championing play, diversity and being a truly child-led environment. Our aim is to connect the dots between schools, youth clubs, sports groups and mental health services, so they work together instead of separately. We also want local businesses and community leaders to feel like true partners in our work, not just funders, and to celebrate and protect the impact of play, we’re building an “Impact Archive” that records the voices, experiences, and stories of young people today, while also honouring over 45 years of SWAPA’s history. Our bi-annual Summer Open Day in July and Bonfire Party in November remain two of SWAPA’s biggest highlights, and this year we welcomed record numbers of visitors (over 300 on each occasion) – many discovering the playground for the first time. These events give us a chance to throw open our doors, connect with families, and share more about everything SWAPA has to offer. Our weekly home education sessions have grown into a dedicated community of families, and to brighten the colder months we introduced Friday bonfires – creating a welcoming space where families could come together, connect, and spark new friendships. This year we also hosted a record number of private hire birthday parties, a clear sign of the trust our community places in us to provide the best play experiences. We’re deeply grateful for this support, which helps keep the playground thriving. Creative partnerships have flourished, such as an art and dance workshop with Ekleido, and ongoing collaborations with Stoke Newington School and monthly experimental sound explorations with the Free Youth Orchestra. Together, these 4 ## **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** connections strengthen SWAPA’s role as a hub of creativity, community, and collaboration. Behind the scenes, SWAPA runs on strong foundations—good governance, clear planning, and proper safeguarding and safety measures. But what really makes the difference is our belief that with trust and consistency, play can transform lives. We are pleased to continue our work with Tilly Hawthorne as Senior Playworker, and George van de Byl as Office Manager, both having worked at SWAPA for over five years. Justice Pierre-Fearon has been promoted from playworker to Deputy Playworker and Jake Milne continues as Lead Builder and Site Manager. We said farewell to Sarah Wilson who has gone on to help build an Adventure Playground in Sheffield. A huge thank you to their commitment, alongside our Playworkers Joel, Ebony, Tom, Jess, Kirsty, Kayann, Fern, Mark and Sebastian, who continue to be trusted and friendly faces for our young people. Thank you to Stephen White and Simeon Marriott Dixon at Young Hackney for funding and supporting our activities at SWAPA. The reality is that we must fundraise double that amount to meet core costs, most of which go towards staff salaries and overheads. We’re pleased to have increased our private hires and corporate team days, and have launched a £10/month community fundraiser to further meet these needs: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/shakespearewalkadventure We’ve had some wonderfully thoughtful donations from our community this year, a few of which I’d like to highlight… - In 2024, Tomos Parry, head chef at Michelin-starred BRAT, hosted a beautiful cooking lesson and lunch for SWAPA’s young people for a second time, building on their interest in cooking. This led to their parent restaurant group, Super 8, to choose SWAPA as a charity to champion in their £1/receipt initiative, raising £13K in one month towards building an outdoor kitchen on our site, with plans to have their chefs coming by to work with our young people and helping with fundraising. - ARUP design and engineers donated a large snail-shaped playable structure, in partnership with Morag Myerscough and Hooke Park. - East London Waterworks Project is an action-oriented group of volunteers dedicated to creating vibrant public spaces. We are pleased to be working with them to help us design and build our new structures, and rethink how SWAPA can become more sustainable and future focused for generations to come. - A £45K donation from a family with children who used to play at SWAPA… 5 ## **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** “You gave me so many compelling reasons why SWAPA deserves all the support and funding it needs to take it to another level, and your vision and reach in the community is so impressive _�_ .” - Local parent We were successful in our bid to win £40K over two years from Go! London, a Mayor of London initiative to encourage young people to become more physically active. This funding is crucial as it covers our core costs for one day/week, supports training and recruitment of more playworkers in our sessional pool as well as fund specialised workshops that our young people want to develop their skills in further. Based on initial research, we’ve organised kickboxing at the Martial Arts Place, acrobatics with Mimbre, Parkour with a local expert, Mahesh and dance workshops with local dance company Ekleido at the new Sadler’s Wells East. We welcome local parents and community members to join our mailing list (swapa.org.uk), WhatsApp channel (07988 571 232), Instagram (swapa_n16) or Twitter (SwapaAdventure) to keep up with news and volunteer opportunities. If you would like to join as a trustee, please email trustees@swapa.org.uk for more information. Kind regards, Nitasha Kapoor Chair of Trustees Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground ## **Mission statement** We create the best play spaces for young people, aged 6-16, to develop key life skills, for free. We use play to turn community challenges into solutions, fostering resilience, creativity, and wellbeing by providing a safe and collaborative space where young people can experiment, take measured risks, and build essential life skills, to supplement the pressures of structured education and adult-driven agendas. We run our adventure playground for all young people, with a focus on welcoming underserved groups, including girls, neurodiverse children, and those aged 11+. With over 45 years of experience, we champion intergenerational connections, bridging different parts of the community to create a more inclusive and sustainable future. We adhere to the Play Principles and relevant legislation, our Trustees, staff, and stakeholders commit to a shared vision of a child-led approach that supports physical and mental health, nurtures independence, and empowers young people to shape their own growth and development. We assert that play is essential to every child's life, a biological need which is vital for children's development as well as a right enshrined in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 6 **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Recruitment and appointment of trustees is administered by a Trustee Board who meet at least four times a year. Trustees who served during the 24/25 year: Nitasha Kapoor - Chair of Trustees Mara Bodis-Wollner - Treasurer Ariane Hanman - Secretary Katherine Mengardon - Trustee Chiara Farina - Trustee The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) manage the day-to-day operations at SWAPA: Teleasha Hawthorne - Senior Playworker Justice Fearon - Deputy Playworker George van de Byl - Office Manager Jake Milne - Site Manager ## **Statement of Trustees Responsibilities** The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with general applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom General Accepted Accounting Practice). Law applicable to Charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to; - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue its activities. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2015 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safekeeping the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Accountants** The Management Committee will not seek out other options for accountants at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Approved by the trustees on ……………………………………………. 26/11/2025 7 **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** And signed on its behalf by ……………………………………… Nitasha Kapoor Chair ……………………………………….. Mara Bodis-Wollner Treasurer 8 **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** ## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground** I report on the accounts of the company for the Year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 11 to 13. ## Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject the audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: - Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act - To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act - To state whether particular matters have come to my attention ## Basis of independent examiner’s report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not prove all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement. ## Independent examiner’s statement ## In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - (1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: - To keep accounting records in accordance with the section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and - To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 9 ## **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met or - (2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of accounts to be reached. - (3) After further examination, I concluded that the charity made the necessary steps to avoid significant changes in the funds and the services and managed the risk well. The financial statements comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) regulations 2008 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. 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. Vincent Chandler FCA FCCA Moore Green 22 Friars Street Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2AA ……27.11.2025………………………………. 10 SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND shakespea￿ Walk Adventure Playgrnund ￿SOCIat￿n Slatemenl of Financial Activities for theYearendeAI 31 Ma￿h 2025 un￿trICt￿ Restiicted Funds Funds Total 2025 Tolal 2024 Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Charltable actlvltles Grants and awards 7,683 71,447 79,130 88,519 Volun ta Income DonationslFundraising 61,426 33,120 94,546 51,636 Total incoming resou 69,109 104,567 173,676 140,155 RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable act1vic￿$ Fundraising activities Governance costs Other EXp￿se$ - Stsff exkEnses 14,217 117,825 132,042 146,037 2,000 2,000 1,313 Total reSoU￿S expended 147 350 NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES 52,892 (13,258) 3g,634 (7,195) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought foThvanl TTrnsfer between funds TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 23,129 6,539 29,668 36,863 Al activfcies relalE to continuing OFeratK)ns. The notes on page 13 form part of these financial ststements ## **SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND** 12 SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground Notes to the financial statements for the Year end￿ 31 March 2025 l. P&counting policies Basis of accounting The financial State￿ents have been prepared under the historral cost conventK)n and in accordance with Accounting and Repjrting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practre applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan￿ vvith the Financial Rewrting Stsndard appI￿able in the UK and Republic of IreLind (FRS102)(effective l January 2015) {charit￿S ￿Rp (FRS102)) Fina￿la1 Rewrting Standard apF4icable in the UK and Rewblic of Ireknd (FRS102) and to tk Companies kt 2CQ6. Shakes Feare Walk Pdventure Pbyground is an incorpjrated cha rity thmiciled a nd registered England, which constitutes a puk4ic Ixnefit ent￿Y as defined by FRS102. Assets and akilities are initially reassigned at cost or trarsaction value unless othervvise ststed in the relevant acLountiThJ wjliq notes. Reconciliation with Previous Generally ￿cepted Accounting Practice In preparing t￿ accounts, the Trustees have considered whet￿r in aFplying the accounting p)Iries required by FRS102 and the Charities SORP FRS102 the reinststement of comparative items was required. Pt t￿ date of transition t￿ Trustees consider that rK) staterrEnt is requi￿d. Income Al ir￿aming reSoUr￿S are inclLKled in the Ststement of Financial ktNities [￿)FA) when the charity is legally entIt￿d to the inconE and the arrL)unt can Ee quantified with reasonable acLuracy. Income is recogntsed when it is due un&r terms of funding agreements. Expenditure Al exFeTrgiture E accounted for on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. ExpeTrgiture iicludes any VAT that cannot Ix recovered and is rew)rted as part of the ex￿E￿Ilture to whrh it relates. ExFeThditure 6 allocated beNieen' ExF￿ndItUre incurred directly in tIE fulfilment of the tharity's obJ"ectives (charitable eX￿nditure), ExFenditure incurred directly n the effort to raise voluntary contributions (msts of fundraising) Taxatlon The charty is exempt from corpjration tax on its charitable activities. Fund Accountiry UnrestrKted fun& can Ix used in aCcOrda￿e with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds can only used for particular reStr￿ted purp)ses within the obj.ects of the charity. Restrictions arise when s￿CIfIed by the donor or when funds are ral￿d for Fxrtrular restricted purp)ses. Cash-flow Statement The Trustees have taken advantsge of the exemption in FRS 102 from induding a cash flowv staterrent in the financial Stste￿ents on the grounds that the charity is small. 13 SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground Notes to the flnanclal $tatement$ for the Year ended 31 March 2025 2. Leoal &atus The company is 1Th￿ed by mt hayiw a Share cap￿￿1, and is akn a registered char￿y' it is not Ikble to CLW)ratbn tsx. In the event of the char￿Y iElng wound up. the I￿lIlty In respect of arantee is limit￿d to £1 per member of the limit￿ liability conyany. 3. Exp•nditure Charltable activities Fund'lno Gov'nance activities costs Total 2025 Total 2024 Salaries l BJIC Ots Stsfflng Costs Play Athities l MatsrBIs etc t*emlses Costs rational Costs Trustee Exper6es knLrtancy Fees Oth¥ - Strff expenses 100,948 97 11,974 10.860 5,020 100.948 97 11.974 10.860 5,020 91201 2.7 IiP98 I8￿9 5204 2J)(X) 2,000 1313 13 00 134 042 147 350 4. Trustees Trk) Trustee recefved remunerauon In year, dIr￿lJY or Ind*eclJy. from thwfjty. r*) vEre reimbursd to the TruslEe5 durng Ihe ye&. In the prk)r year Other Slaff eXp￿￿@S hdude £g,i(K) pald to Kalherlne men￿(kn C[￿￿ee) project management 5eiYice5 provided ID the (￿ganiSatiOn. 5. Debtors 2025 2024 Trade Dd)tt)rs l¥eparments and aCc￿Ed iicDn 1,45) 67 17 1,142 6. Creditors 2025 2024 uaLs otlw cr￿lit￿S son Ik4)iltie5 2￿[￿) 1£6 2￿) 4J62 1fv813 335 14 SHAKESPEARE WALK ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground Notes to the financial statements for the Year ended 31 March 2025 7. Restricted Funds Balance at l April 2024 Amount received in year Amount expended in year Balance at 31 March 2025 Transfers LB Hackney Play Session Hot Lunches GoLondon Donations Arts Council 64,900 3,530 3,017 33,120 (103,383) (6,649) (88) (7,705) 38,483 3,119 2,929 31,954 6,539 117 825 602 8. Capital Conwnitments The charty had £nil capitsl commiljnents at 31 March 2025 (2024 - £nil). 9. Contingent Liabilities In the opinion of the Trustees there were no contingent liabilities at 31 March 2024 (2023 - £nil). 10. Related Party Transactions Aside from the payments referred to in Note 4, there were no related party transactions during the f ina ncial year. 15