2025-05-31-accounts

ARTS BRIDGE CHARITY

ANNUAL REPORT AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Charity Registration No: 1158002

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY

Charity Reg. No: 1158002

Registered Office: 15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London London N17 6FF

Directors:

The Charit y’s Trustees during the year to 31[st] May 2025 and to date were:

– Yolanda Vazquez Chair (interim) until 4 February 2024 Amelia Henderson

Tarnia Mason – Yuchen Zhang Chair from 5 February 2024

Independent Examiner

Antoinnette Kudjoe-Flood Community Accountants Ltd 111 Harbour Way Folkestone CT20 1NA

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and adheres to a Foundation Model Constitution .

Trustee recruitment is in stages:

• Discussion within board meetings about additional skills needed on the board which would be useful in supporting ABC’s development;

• Compiling a list contacts who possess these skills;

• Inviting contacts to observe a board meeting

• Follow up meeting with the chair to discuss their interest in becoming a trustee.

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

Objectives and Activities

The objects of the CIO are:

1. To advance education for the benefit of the public by using the performing arts to educate pre-schoolers and school pupils in England with the particular focus on those children living in poverty;

2. To advance the education of teachers in the use of the arts as a means of educating by providing continued professional development support to enable them to develop their skills and build their confidence in this area of teaching; and

3. To promote learning for pleasure by people no longer in full time employment in England, with particular focus on those over the age of 65 years, through continued development of their individual capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding of the performing arts.

Summary of Main Activities

Pajoma / Collective (formerly ‘Access All Areas’)

During the accounting period, Arts Bridge Charity marked its 10th anniversary by producing its first professional — stage play a milestone that felt entirely fitting given the radical ambition of the project that made it possible.

With funding from Arts Council England, the Cockayne Foundation, The Woodward Charitable Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, and Leigh Day law firm, ABC created Pajoma / Collective: an innovative new theatre company placing d/Deaf, Disabled, and Neurodivergent (DD&N) emerging creatives at the heart of its storytelling.

‘Pajoma’ is a Swahili word meaning ‘inclusive / collective.’

Pajoma / Collective united DD&N creatives aged 18+ from underrepresented communities to form an inclusive — theatre company specialising in integrated theatre meaning access elements were woven into the creative work from the outset, not added as an afterthought. Five emerging creatives formed a new ensemble through an intensive 16-week programme of workshops, devising, and rehearsal, working alongside directors, choreographers, writers, BSL interpreters, audio describers, and creative captioners to develop a bold, fully integrated theatre performance exploring the theme of inclusion/exclusion.

The project had four phases:

• Phase 1 (April 2024) - Open workshop auditions

• Phase 2 (May – June 2024) - Exploring creative access

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont.)

• Phase 3 (June – August 2024) - Theatre-making and rehearsals

• Phase 4 (August 2024) - Performances and Q&As

The production performed at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (Tottenham), with Almeida Theatre (Islington) playing a vital — supporting role throughout generously contributing costumes, inviting PC participants to attend and engage with events taking place at the Almeida, and promoting the project across their extensive networks. Additional rehearsal space was provided by Graeae Theatre Company and St Luke’s Church, both at no cost.

Rethinking ‘Emerging’

– Originally designed for 18 25 year olds, further consultation with DD&N communities led us to recognise that this — framing reflected an ableist assumption that emerging creatives from marginalised backgrounds would have had the same access to opportunity as their non-disabled peers. In reality, systemic exclusion means many DD&N artists begin their professional journeys far later in life. The age range was changed to 18+, and the language shifted from ‘youth theatre company’ to ‘emerging creatives.’

This turned out to be one of the most significant decisions of the project: one participant in her 50s described Pajoma / Collective as her first real opportunity to pursue a theatre career, having been told decades earlier that her support needs made her a liability.

Outcomes

Pajoma / Collective achieved all of its core aims and was rated ‘Highly Successful’ by 88% of company members and ‘Successful’ by the remaining 12%. Key outcomes included:

274 people attended a live performance in Tottenham; a further 1,854 engaged via digital content

100% of company members described the project as successful or highly successful, reporting significant personal and creative growth.

— Audiences described the embedded accessibility as unlike anything they had experienced before many said they had “never seen accessibility so creatively integrated”

14 freelance practitioners were employed and paid fairly throughout, including artists, choreographers, lighting designers, support workers, and BSL interpreters

The project prompted ABC to permanently revise its approach to inclusive working, influencing future programming and recruitment models

New partnerships were formed with Graeae Theatre Company, St Luke’s Church, and Leigh Day - expanding ABC’s network of mission-aligned collaborators

• One participant, Juley- Ann Smith, captured the project’s impact: “It has been life changing. I’ve felt growth from — experiencing an inclusive and diverse creative community a space where I am not alone, whilst on my own journey as a writer and performer l ater in life.”

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont.)

Pajoma / Collective is no longer a one-off. ABC is now fundraising for a second iteration in 2027 as part of Haringey Borough of Culture 2027, and exploring touring opportunities and a professional training strand on access-first creative practice.

Upcoming projects:

Wellness Warriors 2025

Following the completion of Pajoma / Collective, and after a period of sabbatical for our Artistic Director, ABC — returned to one of its core programme strands with Wellness Warriors 2025 due to take place in June and July 2025 at Jessop Primary School in Lambeth.

Wellness Warriors is ABC's arts-based emotional wellbeing programme for primary school children, delivered in partnership with schools during term time. Using drama, music, movement, and storytelling, the programme supports children to explore and express their emotions, build confidence, and develop a sense of creative agency. — The programme is designed for children who may benefit most from creative intervention including those experiencing anxiety, low confidence, or social isolation.

Wellness Warriors 2025 will be delivered at Jessop Primary School in Lambeth, recruited through ABC's renewed partnership with Brixton Learning Collaborative. The project is funded by Tesco Stronger Starts — another successful — – application to their community fund and will work with 30 pupils across six weeks (6 June 18 July 2025), culminating in a final sharing of the children's creative work across drama, music, and film.

ABC looks forward to reporting on the full outcomes of WW 2025 in the next accounting period.

Achievements and Performance

Pajoma / Collective directly benefited five emerging d/Deaf, Disabled, and Neurodivergent creatives who have historically faced significant barriers to participation in the arts industry. All five reported substantial personal and creative growth; for several, the project represented their first meaningful professional opportunity in theatre. By — — embedding access into the creative process from the outset rather than treating it as an add-on the project also enriched the experience of its wider audience: 274 people attended the live performance and a further 1,854 engaged via digital content, many of whom reported encountering genuinely inclusive theatre for the first time.

Beyond its immediate beneficiaries, the project contributed to a broader shift in how inclusive practice is understood and delivered in the sector. Fourteen freelance practitioners were employed fairly, 100% of whom experienced new ways of working that challenge the industry's prevailing norms around access. ABC itself underwent lasting organisational change as a result, permanently revising its approach to inclusive working across all future programming. New partnerships with Graeae Theatre Company, Leigh Day, and St Luke's Church have strengthened ABC's capacity to deliver mission-aligned work in the future.

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont.)

Structure, Governance and Management

Trustee recruitment is in stages:

• Discussion within board meetings about additional skills needed on the board which would be useful in supporting ABC’s development;

• Compiling a list contacts who possess these skills;

• Inviting contacts to observe a board meeting

• Follow up meeting with the chair to discuss their interest in becoming a trustee.

• The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity commission on public benefit .

Financial Review

In 2024-2025, the charit y’s activities were financed mainly by grants and donations. Income was increased to £26,825 compared to £11,535 in the previous year. Expenditure was significantly higher at £32,051 compared to £15,495 in the previous year resulting in a deficit of £5,226 compared to £3,960 in 2023-2024

Reserves Policy

Arts Bridge Charity’s reserves policy states that reserves of £2500 are required due to the following:

• a) The risk of unforeseen emergency or other unexpected need for funds, e.g. an unexpected large repair bill or -

• finding ‘seed funding’ for an urgent project.

• b) Covering unforeseen day-to-day operational costs, e.g. employing temporary staff to cover absence.

• c) A source of income, e.g. a grant, not being renewed. Funds might be needed to give the trustees time to take action if income falls below expectations.

• d) Planned commitments, or designations, that cannot be met by future income alone, e.g. plans for a major -

• asset purchase or to a significant project that requires the charity to provide ‘matched funding’.

• e) The need to fund short-term deficits in a cash budget, e.g. money may need to be spent before a funding grant is received.

For the 2024-2025 financial year, the charity didn’t meet i ts reserves target as a result of not being able to access enough funding and donations and a substantial increase in the delivery of charitable activities.

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.

Notwithstanding the explicit requirement in the extant statutory regulations, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the SORP 2005, in view of the fact that the SORP 2005 has been withdrawn, the Trustees determined to interpret this responsibility as requiring them to follow current best practice and prepare the accounts according to the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2017), (The SORP).

In particular, charity law requires the Trustees, if they prepare accounts on an accruals basis, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to:

• prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business;

• state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

The law requires that the trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for the year.

The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are also responsible for the contents of the Trustees' report, and the statutory responsibility of the Independent Examiner in relation to the Trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that, on the face of the report, there are no material inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements. Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Full Names Amanda Bright Position CEO Date 26 February 2026

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

IND EPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

I report on the financial statements of Arts Bridge Charity for the year ended 31 May 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and the related notes. These financial statements have been prepared under the historical convention and the accounting policies set out therein.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act

• follow the procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and

• 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 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 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 provide 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 statement below.

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 S 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of S396 of the Companies Act 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 the accounts to be reached.

Date : 1[st] March 2026

Antoinnette Kudjoe-Flood BA MAAT 111 Harbour Way Folkestone CT20 1NA

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (SOFA) INCLUDING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

	Notes	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Prior year
		funds	income funds	funds	funds
		£	£	£	£
Incoming resources		2025	2025	2025	2024
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies		250	-	250	820
Charitable activities		-	26,575	26,575	10,716
Total	3	250	26,575	26,825	11,535
Resources expended
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities		3,469	28,582	32,051	15,495
Total	4	3,469	28,582	32,051	(3,960)
Net income/(expenditure) before investment gains/(losses)		(3,219)	(2,007)	(5,226)	(3,960)
Net gains/(losses) on investments		-	-		-
				-	-
Net income/(expenditure)		(3,219)	(2,007)	(5,226)	(3,960)
Other gains/(losses)		-	-		-
				-	-
Net movement in funds		(3,219)	(2,007)	(5,226)	(3,960)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward		2,151	-	2,151	6,111
Total funds carried forward		(1,068)	(2,007)	(3,075)	2,151

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MAY 2025
	Notes	2025	2024
		£	£
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand	6	125	18,426
Total current assets		125	18,426
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	7	(3,200)	(16,275)
Net current assets		(3,075)	2,151
The total net assets of the charity		(3,075)	2,151
Funds
Restricted Funds		-	-
Unrestricted Funds		(3,075)	2,151
Total charity funds		(3,075)	2,151

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with 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 2015) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)

• (b) Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:

• The charity has entitlement to the funds;

• Any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;

• There is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and

• The amount can be measured reliably.

Income received in advance is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

The charity received grants in respect of its activities. Income from grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met, then these amounts are deferred.

Other income includes income earned from events and activities to raise funds for the charity. Income is received in exchange for supplying goods and services in order to raise funds and is recognised when entitlement has occurred.

Investment income is included when receivable.

(c) All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:

(d) The Charity has not prepared a Cash Flow Statement for the year as required by FRS 1 because the Charity has relied on the exemption available for small undertakings.

(e) Fund Accounting Unrestricted funds are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects of charity at the discretion of the Trustees.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the Trust’s work or for specific artistic projects being undertaken by the Trust.

(f) Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and Creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

2. GOING CONCERN

In common with a number of charities of similar size, ABC ’ s ability to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future, depends on its ability to secure grants and contracts from various agencies, as well as legacy and other income.

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

A number of bids are being pursued and, the trustees are confident that the actions currently in progress, future bids, and legacy income due will allow the charity to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. Significant cost reductions, have been implemented and managers are alert to all possibilities of making further cost savings. Relations with existing funding bodies are cordial and ABC anticipates that additional income streams from these funding bodies will materialise. The trustees have therefore concluded that it remains appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis and in forming this judgement they have taken note of cash flow and profit forecasts for the period 31[st] May 2025

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

ACCOUNTING NOTES

3 INCOMING RESOURCES

3 INCOMING RESOURCES
	Unrestricted		Restricted		Total		Total
	Funds		Funds		Funds		Funds
	2025		2025		2025		2024
	£		£		£		£
Donations	250		-	250	250	-	-
Charitable Activities	-		-		-	-	-
Total	250		-	250	250	-	-
Charitable income from
funders
	Unrestricted		Restricted		Total		Total
	Funds		Funds		Funds		Funds
	2025		2025		2025		2024
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Grants
National Lottery	-		9,000	9,000	9,000	-	-
Bernie Grants Arts Centre	-		-		-	2,000	2,000
Garfield Weston	-		5000	5,000	5,000	-	-
Leigh Day	-		5000	5,000	5,000	-	-
ACE Lottery	-		1000	1,000	1,000	-	-
GCLO	-		-		-	820	820
Greater London Authority	-		-		-	6,790	6,790
London Community Foundation	-		6,575	6,575	6,575	1,425	1,425
Tesco	-		-		-	500	500
Total Grants	-		26,575	26,575 11,535	26,575 11,535	26,575 11,535	26,575 11,535
Total Incoming Resources	250		26,575	26,825	26,825	11,535	11,535

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1158002

ACCOUNTING NOTES (cont.)

EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES- DIRECT 4 SPENDING

4 SPENDING
	Unrestricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds	Total Funds
	2025		2025	2025	2024
	£		£	£	£
Project Delivery Consultants	-	-	23,584	23,584	12,623
Venue and Marketing	1,202	1,202	1,637	2,839	722
Total direct spending	1,202	1,202	25,221	26,423	13,346
Support costs for charitable
activities
	Unrestricted		Restricted	Total	Total
	Funds	Funds	Funds	Funds	Funds
	2025		2025	2025	2024
	£		£	£	£
Administrative overheads
Software	773	773	-	**773 **	748
Insurance	179	179	-	**179 **	186
Sundry	615	615	3,362	**3,976 **	516
Total support costs	1,567	1,567	3,362	4,929	1,450

15 Lauriston Apartments Ambleside Close London N17 6FF E: [e-mail] T: (0) 78900 13830 www.arts-bridge.co.uk Charity RegistraMon Number: 1158002

ACCOUNTING NOTES (cont.)

Other Expenditure - Governance
costs	Unrestricted	Restricted	Tot	Tot
	Funds	Funds	al	al
			Fun	Fun
			ds	ds
	2025	2025	2025	2024
	£	£	£	£
Independent Examiner's fees	350	-	350	350
ReporMng Accountant fees	350	-	350	350
Total Governance costs	700	-	700	700
Total Resources Expended	3,469	28,582	32,052	15,495

5. DIRECTORS' EMOLUMENTS AND EXPENSES

A total of £Nil (2024: Nil) was paid to the Director Amanda Bright during the year.

6. BANK

		2025	2024
		£	£
	Cash at Bank	125	18,4
			26
7 CREDITORS	7 CREDITORS
		2025	2024
		£	£
	Other Creditors	1,000	0
	Accruals and Deferred Income	2,200	16,275
	Total Creditors	3,200	16,275