2023-04-10-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period From 11 th April 2022 To 10 th April 2023 Charity registration number: 1157724

Objectives and Activities

The objects of MPYT are:

to act as a resource for young people of all abilities by providing professionally led activities,

programmes, advice and assistance in all aspects of theatre arts and related disciplines as a means of:

• 1.advancing in life and helping develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate more fully both in the immediate community and in wider society as independent, mature, confident and responsible individuals.

• 2.advancing education

• 3.improving vocational opportunity

• 4.providing artistic, recreational and leisure time activity in the interests of social welfare for people

who have need by reason of their youth, infirmity or disability, poverty or social or economic circumstance with a view to improving the conditions of life of such persons.

Summary of the main activities

Principle activity is high-quality theatre workshops; master-classes; vocational opportunities and live productions for young people age between 9 and 24. This includes our primary Youth Theatre group (MPYT): professionally-led and seeking to foster confidence, social skills, high artistic ambition in a collaborative working group.

This year we have initiated a pilot group for children aged 9 to 13 (Ten Bob Drama) which is open and inclusive but primarily designed for those children who are struggling to assimilate; to fully realise themselves, or to have their voice heard in mainstream schooling. We also run a vocational strand: GetOfftheStage! which takes theatre engagement to a vocational level for young adults interested in pursuing a career in production arts. For this strand, each production/event expects that those professionals engaged to work for us will mentor these young adults closely in practical and applied production arts such as design; stage management; lighting; sound; costume etc. This is an extremely productive strand of high impact activity and has established a steady stream of young adults on pathways into careers for this boom industry from our part of the world which is itself effectively a theatre desert.

The trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Volunteers

Volunteers play a significant role in the vitality and effective running of the Charity through: a) Community fundraising; b) working Front-of-House on live events; c) providing transport, labour and logistical support for major events; d) occasional guest workshops; in addition to other ad hoc support as the opportunity arises

Summary of main achievements

This accounting period marks, significantly, the first full year of activity when we can say (with hindsight) that we were clear of the COVID pandemic: or at least of lockdowns. We were pleased then that membership seemed to regain strength. And that for much of this 22-23 the MPYT company numbered between 14 - 18 young people. On or off- stage.

In May 2022 we travelled - in mini bus and Transit van to Aberystwyth Arts Centre to take part in the National Theatre's ‘Connections’ programme partner festival. In addition to performing our play ‘Variations’ and enjoying those of other youth theatres, our young people took part in workshops and a tour of the arts centre. There was some social time at the end of the evening mixing and dancing and with the other young people. It was a terrific success. Something we would like to do a lot more of in future. Our young people simply do not get enough opportunity to take part in exchanges.

We then began to do some devising work in preparation for a newly written play for Autumn ‘22. This took up much of the summer term following ‘Variations’ allowing the principal play script to be written during the summer holidays in time for rehearsals to begin in September.

We were pleased that for this project, we were finally able to engage a local artist named Rob Hill. Rob is a designer and production manager who works all over Europe, principally on live outdoor events in disciplines such as pyrotechnics; fire sculpture and design; specialist electrical / lighting systems; scrap metal sculpture and more. Rob is rarely available to work in his hometown of Llandrindod Wells, as he is so much in demand elsewhere. But this year we took advantage of the COVID slow-down and booked him early. So he came to work for us on this project, which became known as: “Little Timmy Fell Down a Big Hole”.

The play was inspired by some of the ‘paranoia thrillers’ of 1950s America and was rooted in a dystopian society set amongst the world of big energy. Rob and the young people set to work building strange mechanical contraptions - factory type machines – inspired by the oddness of MC Escher and the oddball imagination of Heath Robinson. In the final show these machines were a huge hit with the audience (particularly with younger members) in a series of carefully choreographed scenes of factory life: taking inspiration from Fritz Lang's ‘Metropolis’ and HG Wells among others.

Also in this project, our young people worked with Jim Elliott, a regular associate artist and collaborator. Jim is particularly skilled in music and sound among other things. They slowly created a dark, dystopian soundscape to accompany and fit the moods of the play.

We brought in Don Adamson – experienced lighting designer – who gave the whole company a basic course in stage lighting before providing bespoke mentoring over several weeks to one young off-stage member who is keen to pursue Production Arts as a vocation. We appointed this member as Stage Manager and he was then mentored by Don to design the lighting plot for the whole play – including the great ‘reveal’ at the end of the play (see below).

Lastly, we worked with local visual artist Geraint Edwards for the first time. With Geraint, our Young Techs came up with the idea of creating a ‘reveal’ for the final section of the play. Here, the stage backdrop - dark throughout the play - is suddenly revealed by clever back-lighting and the audience see, for the first time, all sorts of (illuminated) script and graffiti, representing cave-art of people kept against their will in the subterranean world of the play.

On the first night of the play, we tried a new promotional idea called ‘Freak Show’. As the annual Autumn show normally opens around Hallowe’en or the Day or the Dead, audience members were invited to book tickets for the opening night (‘Freakshow’). Although the tickets would cost nothing for that performance, but anyone who attends must be costumed. Whether it's Halloween; cosplay; Day of the Dead, Fancy dress or anything at all. It was a way to create some publicity; offer free tickets to those who may not otherwise have come; and to have a little bit of fun and celebrate difference in our community. It was a packed house and very enjoyable evening, to be repeated for sure.

One audience member in their feedback, described Little Timmy as ‘the perfect play for our times’.

A couple of weeks after that production we were proud to host a one-off production by Ryan Lane, who had in the summer performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in a smash hit one-man show. Ryan was a member of the company (in the 1990s) and has friends and family in the area. The lighting, sound, front-of-house and audience setup was all prepared by our youth members. The following week, Ryan ran a guest workshop as a thank you for hosting his show.

By the end of the accounting year, in March 2023, we were making plans to launch ‘Ten Bob Drama Club’ a new (previously-piloted) strand of activity open to all (ages 9-13) but specifically geared towards children struggling to fully assimilate in mainstream school.

I mpact

The impact we have had on our members has been phenomenal. Many of the young people who take part in our activities live in extremely remote locations in the most sparsely populated county in Wales. They see MPYT as a safe creative outlet, accepting and nurturing of difference. A high proportion of participants identify as trans/non-binary, living with poor mental health, neurodivergent and/or disabled and struggle to assimilate to mainstream schooling. We offer them somewhere to ‘belong’ where they can develop their confidence and self-esteem alongside gaining valuable technical and performance skills. Many of our former alumni have gone on to have highly successful careers in the arts. They have provided extremely moving accounts of the way in which MPYT has helped them to find and sustain a worthwhile and rewarding path in life.

“MPYT gave us a place to explore the world of theatre and music with like-minded young people, in a way that was empowering and confidence boosting. It wasn’t just about performance and expression, although the release and benefit of that was massive. It was a safe space that encouraged us to think, explore, voice and debate ideas and opinions in a safe way with people who celebrated our differences. It gave us an opportunity to challenge each other - and adults - in respectful ways that built interpersonal skills, strength and resilience.”

The impact we have on our audiences has been similarly powerful. They note their appreciation of what we offer in terms of cutting-edge theatre in an area that has very few opportunities to view live performances.

Parents of members have been extremely positive about the sometimes life-changing effect we have on their young people.

Achievements against objectives set

MPYT is currently in the early stages of a major 3-year (+) strategic redevelopment, which seeks to embed 5 principal strands of activity across a demographic spectrum of the local communities. In addition we seek to overhaul our business management capacity through major fundraising; trustee recruitment; harnessing of Alumni body potential and formulation of a tangible succession plan. This reporting year, still heavily impacted by the Covid pandemic, is representative of the very early stages of this redevelopment.

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period

MPYT has £22463 at bank: of which £8426 is restricted funds;

Income for the accounting year is historically very low; though not quite as low as the pandemic period; for this reason also, reserves have been depleted. It is likely that cash at bank will fall further still in the coming year, before we begin to see a gradual redress and - with measures in place to address income shortfalls in the medium and long term – a slow but steady Improvement of the long term position back towards those levels we enjoyed pre-covid.

Reserves Policy

MPYT is a project funded company but we are looking to move to a more stable financial position. The development of unrestricted income streams will enable us to start to build reserves at 10% of annual income to ensure at least three months of funds are available to successfully and ethically wind down the company in case of need. The plan to build reserves will be through unrestricted income generation activity such as fundraising activities, individual giving and donation schemes.

Amount of reserves held

£9600

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)

By volume, the Charity’s principal source of funds in any given year are:

a) Grants

b) Community Fundraising

• c) Members subscriptions

d) Box Office receipts

A description of the principal risks facing the charity

Along with many other arts activities MPYT is finding funding the company increasingly difficult in a time of rapidly increasing costs. We realise that we need an injection of new trustees and members to ensure the long-term future of the company. We are looking into succession planning for our artistic director, utilising the skills of alumni and broadening our reach.

Trustee selection methods

By advertisement and selection: initially advertisement by email and social media posting to local communities and among friends and supporters.

Latterly we have begun to discuss and favour a ‘head-hunting’ approach intend to identify and approach specific individuals – often within the wider body of friends, supporters and extensive alumni – or from the professional arts sector - to meet the demands of a specific skill/skillset.

We are also now proactive in seeking/appointing younger trustees from among the local community – and some from further afield who retain ties to the community and are available to conduct business remotely or as and when they are spending time locally.

At each AGM, the two longest-standing trustees must stand down. They may, if they so wish, then apply for re-election.

The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works

Our Board is currently 5 trustees.

One of whom is Chair.

Other trustees and/or sub-committees currently have responsibility for a) Fundraising b) Comms and Marketing

Our chair leads on Impact and Evaluation and Policy and Procedure, in close liaison with the Artistic Director.

Our accounts are prepared by a non-member book-keeping accountant (and former Board member)

We work closely with local arts and community partners: Celf o Gwmpas; Shakespeare Link; CARAD; Wyeside Arts among others and consult frequently with Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations.

Charity’s principal address:

Centre Celf,

Tremont Road

Llandrindod Wells

Powys

LD1 5EB

MID POWYS YOUTH THEATRE Registered Charity no. 1157724 Receipts and Payments Accounts for the Year Ended 10th April 2023 Total Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Note Receipts Subscriptions Donations Fundraising Grants Fees Ticket Sales Programme sales Other sales Refunds 2,015 721 2,015 721 750 20 12 14, 189 1,500 3) 4) 2,000 2,000 1,417 1,417 156 156 Total Receipts 4,309 2,000 6,309 16,471 Payments Workshop Leaders & Assistants Staff costs Rent & Venue hire Training Travel Admin & Office Costs Marketing Insurance Laptop computer Bank charges Projects & Productions Production team Workshop leaders/facilitators Mentoring Project management Set & wardrobe materials Marketing, printing & translation Venue hire Travel & accommodation Writers fee/Copyright Filming Participation fee 1,700 1,000 3,501 1 ,700 2,000 3,501 875 1,000 1,610 32 430 666 1,200 327 569 69 430 666 1 ,200 327 569 69 408 324 15 6,250 120 1,577 2,500 750 7,827 2,620 750 100 901 447 1,290 433 1,500 100 4,120 2,450 100 395 447 1,290 198 1,500 100 506 822 450 130 307 235 500 Total Payments 19,862 6,568 26,430 12,043 Net movement in funds -15,553 -4,568 -20,121 4,428 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried foNard 29,590 12,994 42,584 49,781

MID POWYS YOUTH THEATRE Registered Charity no. 1157724 Notes to the Accounts Year Ended 10th April 2023 1) These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission. There has been no change in basis since last year. 2) There are no employees. 3) Donations Amazon (Smile a/c) Blakes 715 Total donations 720 4) Grants received Unrestricted Funds Restricted Total Funds Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 PCC (Winter of Wellbeing) CFIW Ashley Foundation CFIW Fund for Wales (BIG) 1120 10000 2000 2000 Total Grants 2000 2000 11120 5) Analysis of Funds At 11th April 2022 Incoming resources Resources expended At 1 oth April 2023 Unrestricted Funds General fund pcc Designated funds: MPYT Development fund (formerly MPYT 150) Minibus training fund Rent reserve fund Performance reserve fund Workshop reserve fund 2881 623 4309 3152 310 4038 313 19 19 67 1000 20000 5000 29590 67 1000 10400 5000 19862 9600 4309 14037 Restricted Funds Davies Trust Foyle Foundation CFIW Ashley Foundation CFIW Fund for Wales (BIG) 1994 1000 10000 1994 1000 5568 4432 2000 8426 2000 2000 12994 6568 Total Funds 42584 6309 26430 22463

MID POWYS YOUTH THEATRE Registered Charity no. 1157724 Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 10th April 2023 Total Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Note Cash funds Cash at Bank Cash in hand 13,987 50 8,426 22,413 50 42, 534 50 Total cash funds 14,037 8,426 22,463 42,584 Current Value April value 2022 Assets retained for Mpyfs own use Fund Cost Laptop computer (purchased 2016117) Laptop computer (purchased July 2022) Unrestricted Unrestricted 350 569 250 n/a Liabilities None Approved by the Board and signed on it's behalf by: dI￿￿L Lo4?Es l(L &, Lots, tsJiEL4ts RV, Q-L4)plod L QcLfjY4cK(JL-knLkn . iLkn

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Ikn+( On accounts for the year ended L 2013 Charity no (if any) lo 115772¥ Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the ACV,). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: JI3Af IER October 2018