Upstart projects volce UPSTART PROJECTS ANNUAL REPORT 2021- 2022 Charity Number: 1157864 59 Trinity Street. Shrewsbury SY3 7PQ ## **Contents** About us 2-3 |**Part one: PROJECTS & IMPACT**|| |---|---| |Voice magazine,
training & outreach|5-8| |Youth Voice Training|9| |Commissions & services|10| |Who we work with|11| |Making a difference|12| |**Part two: GOVERNANCE & FINANCE**|| |Trustees & staff|13| |Accounts|14-21| ## **Introduction** Welcome to our annual review of 2021/22, a year in which we were happy to resume our face to face contact with young people and professionals alongside our digital production. It really does make a difference! Highlights from the year include: - ★ Supporting 24 unemployed young people on the government’s Kickstart scheme. The majority joined the Voice team as trainee journalists and media-makers, while four supported our training and participation work. - ★ Enabling 46 young people to become Voice Local Reviewers, equipped to explore and review the arts in their areas. - ★ Publishing Amplify-Voice, a website we created for the English Bridge organisations to celebrate youth voice in arts education. I hope you will enjoy reading about these and other projects. Thank you for your interest and support. **Felicity Woolf, Chair of Trustees, Upstart Projects** 2 ## **About us** ## **Upstart Projects supports young people to explore the arts, find their personal voice and gain the skills and experience to grow as arts and media practitioners.** We want to help create a society which values the creativity and opinions of young people from diverse backgrounds, and encourages them to flourish through arts and culture. We run Voice magazine, training and outreach projects for young people and we support organisations to invite and listen to young people’s voices. ## **Our activities** **Voice Magazine** is an arts and culture magazine providing peer-led news, opinions & opportunities for young people aged 13-30. **Voice Training** supports aspiring journalists and critics from diverse backgrounds to develop their skills and experience. **Voice Outreach** seeks out young people who think the arts are ‘not for me’ and supports them to explore arts and media events in their area. **Youth Voice Training** helps arts professionals to strengthen young people’s influence within their organisations. _**Voice editorial team covering Edinburgh Fringe**_ 3 ## **Our mission** ... **to champion youth voice and leadership** **We believe that young people should have a strong voice about arts and culture. We offer opportunities to explore cultural experiences and share opinions. We aim to create new and diverse pathways into the media sector.** Opportunities for young people to review and report on the arts are currently both scarce and unevenly weighted towards those from more affluent socio-economic backgrounds. We believe this bias acts as a barrier to access and participation in the arts and limits cultural commentary and feedback to the arts sector. ## **Our theory of change** We believe that attending and reviewing the arts builds **confidence** and **cultural capital.** We believe that forming and sharing opinions develops **thinking, critical judgement** and **communication skills.** Through the way we run our projects we aim to **Inspire Inform Experiment Empower** 4 ## **PROJECT 1 ~ VOICE magazine** ## **Voice magazine is our lead project and the symbol for our work** . Voice is an online culture magazine which supports young journalists and arts reviewers and provides a platform for young people aged 13+ to publish reviews and opinions, and showcase their art work. Voice sits at the heart of our work with young people and supports our training and outreach programmes. Our model of progression enables young people to start by reading the magazine or taking part in a local project, then move through training and opportunities to cover national or international events. **voicemag.uk** ## **Voice: facts and figures in 2021/22** This year our trainee journalists have really pushed forward Voice’s coverage, tackling everything from the Welsh and Scottish independence movements, the climate crisis, the latest releases in pop culture, and virtual festivals. We experimented with content delivery, embracing video and podcasts to tell stories in new ways. Voice was press accredited for young journalists to cover Brighton Fringe, Mozilla Festival and COP26 in Edinburgh and in March our female writers led month-long coverage around International Women’s Day. _**Tom Inniss, Voice Editor**_ - ★ **215,548 visits** in year - ★ **170,217 unique visitors** in year - ★ **9,300 + published posts** by young people, including 3,200+ reviews | 2,500+ blogs 1,200+ interviews | 600+ opportunities - ★ **7,035 registered users** who can post and comment - ★ **24 Kickstarters** working on 6-month paid placements ★ **18 Voice Contributors** who we support to develop their skills and publish their work - ★ **Wide-ranging art forms and topics** including 84 features on climate change - 50 _Want My Job?_ interviews about arts careers 21 Instagram live chats with young artists 5 ## Voice Outreach ## **Voice Local Reviewers is our outreach programme with local partners and communities.** We support young people to discover arts and culture in their local area and develop their confidence and skills in forming and expressing their opinions. In 2022 we started working with five partners and groups in Brighton, Burnley, Nottingham, Redditch and Shropshire. **46 young people** are involved, many of them exploring the arts for the first time and posting their reviews on Voice magazine. Being a Local Reviewer enables a young person to explore new arts experiences and to join Voice’s community for future opportunities. **voicemag.uk/local-reviewers** ## _**From Local Reviewer to Young Trainer & Edinburgh Fringe**_ I started my journey with Voice as part of Voice Outreach, reviewing films for my Silver Arts Award. This was through my local theatre, the New Vic, Stoke on Trent. I got the opportunity to see two art forms I had never experienced before: ballet and opera. After reviewing these and writing more pieces, Voice Editor Tom Inniss asked me to become a Voice Contributor and from there, I have gone on to co-facilitate workshops for Voice and review at Edinburgh Fringe. _**Sadhana Narayanan**_ 6 ## Voice Training : Kickstarters & Contributors **We open the doors to careers in the media for young people from diverse backgrounds.** ## **Voice Kickstarters** Through the government’s Kickstart programme we supported **24 unemployed young people** on paid placements to build their skills as journalists, media-makers and project assistants, of whom 70% went straight into employment or further training, including at Sky Sports and The Economist. A further **28 Kickstarters** based with other cultural employers joined our Kickstart Support scheme, gaining employability skills, 1:1 coaching and peer networking. ## **Voice Contributors** Our VC programme offered ongoing work experience and training opportunities to **18 aspiring journalists** . VCs progressed into paid work with Voice or other publications. ## _**From Voice Contributor to Kickstarter**_ In November 2020 I started as a Voice Contributor and by December 2020 I had received my first paid writing brief! I then applied to become a Kickstarter and took on the role of Media Sub-editor. I gained so much hands-on experience in production, editing and writing, and a particular highlight was presenting Voice’s Best Newcomer Award at Brighton Fringe 2022. Being a Kickstarter led me onto other ventures, such as freelance writing and pitching to other magazines, where I secured a salaried contract as a Technology Journalist and Presenter. My experience with Voice, and the portfolio I built up, opened these doors. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## Trinity College London ## **We work with Trinity College London to support their arts qualifications in the UK.** We run a range of projects for Trinity each year, including online resources for young people on Voice. ## **Arts Award Voice** We run Arts Award on Voice, a mini-site offering inspiration and guidance to young people taking part in Arts Award. This year saw: - ★ 46,000 views of Arts Award on Voice - ★ 4,756 registered users, who can post work for assessment for their Arts Award - ★ 980 registered Arts Award alumni who we keep in touch with after they have achieved their award **voicemag.uk/artsaward** ## **Get qualified in the arts** This year we created a new area on Voice to promote arts qualifications and to support students who choose to study with Trinity. **voicemag.uk/get-qualified** ## **TrinityTalent** We featured 57 young artists in our celebration of the talents and commitment of young people who achieve Trinity arts qualifications. Since 2019 TrinityTalent has featured 146 young people in the TrinityTalent gallery on Voice: **voicemag.uk/trinity-talent** 8 ## **PROJECT 2 ~ Youth Voice Training** ## **We run training and services for professionals.** During the year we ran 10 online Youth Voice Training courses supporting 98 organisations to develop their youth voice practice. We have developed our Youth Voice training as follows: - ★ created courses for public and in-house delivery, including live and online versions - ★ trained young facilitators to support more experienced trainers - ★ refined and targeted our course marketing - ★ created follow-up online resources and a consultancy offer **upstartprojects.uk/youth-voice-training** I discovered the number of reasons why youth voice in an organisation is important. Suddenly, youth participation makes more sense! There is no one simple answer to meaningful involvement of young people in decision making. We need to be open and flexible and listen to young people. _**Feedback from training participants**_ 9 ## **PROJECT 3 ~ Commissions & Services** ## **We work on commissions with partners to facilitate and promote young people’s voice.** ## ★ **DEVELOPING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT** **Amplify-voice |** Commissioned by a collective of nine Bridge organisations, we created a digital platform that showcases youth voice in cultural education and offers inspirational case studies and practical tools. We produced nine videos and three audio interviews featuring 18 organisations across England, supported by additional resources curated by Bridges. The site has received over 4,000 page views. _‘Amplify is a rich resource, excellently packaged and easy to navigate’_ RoH Bridge **Amplify-voice.uk** ## ★ **FACILITATING YOUTH PANELS** **Nottingham Youth Cultural Partnership |** Connecting Notts is a youth group representing arts organisations in Nottingham that Upstart facilitates for ChalleNGe, the Nottingham Cultural Education Partnership. In 2021, members organised and hosted several events focused on professional development for young creatives. They are now collaborating with Nottingham Trent University to research how their arts organisations work with children and young people. **Leicester & Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) Careers Hub |** We have recruited 10 young people for the LLEP Youth Advisory Board from schools, colleges and universities. The group has begun meeting at a range of venues across Leicester, met with guests from the council, employers and the LLEP board. 10 ## **WHO WE WORK WITH** ## **Participants in our projects come from all backgrounds and with different interests** . We work hard to attract young people who might not usually engage in the arts and to monitor the impact of our activities. ## **Profile of our staff, volunteers and project participants** Those who we worked with during the year as participants, volunteers, trainees or freelance staff who submitted anonymous EDI information (57 responses) **Age range** 91% under 30 years ## **Voice readers (170,217)** **Age** c.30% are under 18, 50% 18-25 and 20% 25+ **Gender balance** Google Analytics indicate 60% female and 40% male readers **Location** Readers are spread across the UK, with concentrations in many cities but reach to rural areas too **Gender as self-identified** 23% Male | 74% Female | 3% Non binary ## **Sexual Orientation** 24% Bisexual | 5% Gay | 65% Heterosexual | 6% Prefer not to say ## **Ethnic Background** ## **Voice members (7,035)** Readers who create a Voice profile so they can post their own content **Most popular art forms** Combined Arts, Film, Music,Theatre and Visual Arts 69% White British | 9% White Other | 1% White Irish | 3% White and Black | 1% White and Asian | 10% Asian | 7% Black ## **Highest educational attainment before joining us** 15% GCSEs | 17% A-Levels or Level 3 | 3% Foundation Degree | 54% Degree | 5% Masters Degree | 6% Prefer not to say ## **Kickstarters (39 responses from 52 participants)** Voice Kickstarters and young people who joined our Kickstart Support scheme **Age** All under 26 **Gender balance** 71% Female | 25% Male | 4% Non-binary **Ethnicity** 10% Asian | 7% Black | 2% Mixed | 81% White **Disability** 77% Not Disabled | 16% Disabled | 7% Prefer not to say 11 ## **MAKING A DIFFERENCE** Hear from our project participants I applied to be a Voice trainee to make some positive social change whilst gaining practical experience. I developed my skills in facilitation which led to a job as Project Leader with a tech company and gave me a new passion and a new career path! _**Olivia - Kickstarter**_ I joined Voice as a trainee journalist because I had a keen interest in music journalism and the challenges faced by journalists with disabilities, like me. Voice enabled me to build new skills and gave me the confidence to continue my career as a freelancer. _**Faith - Kickstarter**_ Participating in Kickstart has helped me feel more confident. I have been able to develop new skills such as recording video content and interviewing. This has made a huge impact on my professional life as I have been able to find a new job with Sky Sports as a result of my time in this role. _**Ali - Kickstarter**_ I became a Voice Contributor due to my love of storytelling, which I want to take to a more professional level. The training and opportunities are now helping me to pursue a career in publishing. _**Kashmini - VC**_ 12 ## **GOVERNANCE & FINANCE** ## **The board** We are grateful for the expertise and commitment of our board members who bring a wide range of skills and perspectives to the charity, including activism, arts education, environmental awareness, fundraising, HR, journalism, marketing and youth participation. We will be recruiting new trustees to broaden the expertise of the board and are committed to roles for two young trustees (aged 16-25). **Meet our trustees** ## **The staff team** Our team this year has consisted of five core part-time roles plus seven associates running projects and training, supported by 24 paid trainees. **Meet the Upstart team** **Trustees serving throughout 2021/22** Felicity Woolf (Chair) Beth Troakes Holly Howe Maddy Ryle Martin Russell (Deputy Chair) Olivia Porritt Phoebe Hill Tom Edwards ## **Meet the Voice team** ## **What next?** Staff and trustees are working to plan Upstart’s next steps: we want to open up roles for early career professionals, build our local participation work and generate more income through training and services. We’re delighted to be joining the Pilotlight 360 charity development programme in 2022/23 to strengthen our business planning and organisation development. **CIO Governing Document** The CIO Foundation Constitution Trustees are appointed through recruitment and invitation **Reserves policy** To build reserves of 3 months of core running costs (£24,544) At 31 March 2022 our reserves were £10,806 13 _**Diana Walton, Director**_ ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT** For the Year Ended 31 March 2022 I report on the accounts of Upstart Projects for the year ended 31 March 2022 which are set out on pages 15 to 21. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed). It is my responsibility to: - Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the 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 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. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s Statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 considerations 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 provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Signed: Shelley-Marie Rudling FMAAT AATQB For and on behalf of Community360 Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex Date: 04 November 2022 14 ## **Statement of Financial Activities** For the Year Ended 31 March 2022 |Signed:|| |---|---| ||Felicity Woolf (Chair)| |Date:|17 October 2022| 15 Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2022 Upstart projects Note 2022 2021 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 15.569 102,740 118,309 1,431 91,406 92,837 Current Ilabllltles Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 13,750 39,308 Net current assets 104,560 53,529 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year 20,000 Totsl assets less totsl Ilablllties 104,560 Income funds Designated funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 11 10.806 31.874 61,880 8.000 22.330 3,199 104,560 33,529 16 Notes to the financial statement Upstart projects 1. Accountlng poll¢￿9 Basls of accountlng The finanual statements have been prepared in accordan￿ Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement on Recommended Practice applicable to charrb.es preparing their accounts in accordance wth the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). (Charities SORP IFRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Rebulic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2006. The charity meets the definition of a publK benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at histOfiC21 (x)st unless othemse stated in the televant aC(￿nti￿j policy notes. Cash flow The finanaal statements do not include a (ash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash staternenls". Assessment of golng concern Preparation of the accounts is an a going concem basis. The trustees consider that Ihere are no material uncertants'es a￿￿ the Chariws ability to continue as a g(¥ng concem. Incomlng resources Grants receivable are recognised in the accounts then conditions for their receipt are satisfied. Grants wth condits.ons attached lo their use are induded in restricted funds. Donations. legacies and other fomis of v(Aunlary ino)me are recognised as incoming reSoUr￿S when receivable. Tax roclalms on donatlons and glfts Incoming resources from lax reclaims are induded in the SOFA in the same finawal perMJI as the gift to which they relate. Rosourcos èxpondod All expenditure is accounted for on an accnjals basis and is recognised when there is legal or constructive obligation to pay. Expenditure has been dassffied under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be direcdy attn"buted to a particular heading they have been ￿loCated to activities on a tsa￿ consistent with the use of the resources. 17 Notes to the financial statement (cont.) Upstart projects 2. Donatlons & legacles Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 2022 2021 Donations 12,174 12,174 12,174 12,174 3,657 3,657 2021 3,657 3,657 3. Charltable actlvltles Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 2022 2021 Commmissions to run activities Grants 47,584 20,253 67,837 47,584 219,956 267,540 7,116 91,758 98,874 199,703 199,703 2021 55,012 43,862 98,874 4. Investment Income Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 2022 2021 Interest 20 20 20 20 67 67 2021 67 67 18 Notes to the financial statement (cont.) Upstart projects 5. Totsl resources expended Staff costs Other costs 2022 2021 Charitable activities Management team Marketing Delivery of activities Accountancy Trustee expenses Administration 18,306 18,306 13.715 131 66,258 553 205 1,347 82,207 101,564 84,001 750 802 1,486 87,039 185,565 750 802 1,681 207,104 195 120,065 2021 51,653 30,554 82,207 6. Staff costs The average number of employees for 2022 was 9 (2021- 4). 7. Trustees The trustees were reimbursed £45.80 (2021- £0) for travel expenses and £0 (2021- £340) for project work. 8. Related parties There were no related parties during the period. 19 Notes to the financial statement (cont.) Upstart projects 9. Debtors 2022 2021 Trade debtors 15.569 15,569 1,431 1,431 10. Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln one year 2022 2021 Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income 13.330 420 13,750 10.035 29,273 39,308 20 Notes to the financial statement (cont.) Upstart projects 11. Statement of funds Brought Incomlng Resources Transfers Carrled Forward Resources Expended Forward Unrestricted funds 5,241 80.032 12,911 61,880 Restricted funds Arts Council Arts Council - Outreach Social Investment Business Trinity College Awards for All The Mighty Creatives 19.695 19.790 (16,889) (7,866) (22,330) (39,391) (5,410) (103.907) (2.806) 11.924 22.330 45.000 5.410 109.808 5.609 8.440 14.341 Subtotal 30,770 199,703 (195,793) (2,806) 31,874 Deslgnated funds Reserves 8.000 8.000 2.806 2.806 Subtotal 8,000 2,806 10,806 Total 33,529 279,734 208,704 104,560 21