Docusign Envelope ID: 7E2DB7C2-900C-47E6-965B-017E78D27811
Spaceship Earth Trustee Annual Report 2024-2025
Introduction
As the Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to welcome you to our Annual Report for the year 2024-2025. This has been a transformative and inspiring year for our organisation, and I am proud to share our accomplishments, challenges, and future plans with you.
The purpose of this annual report is to provide a comprehensive overview of Spaceship Earth's activities, achievements, and financial performance over the past year. It aims to demonstrate our commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, while highlighting the positive impact our work has had on the lives of the individuals and communities we serve. By sharing our successes, challenges, and plans for the future, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of our mission and to inspire continued support and engagement from our valued partners, donors, and volunteers.
X Helen Lin d say M acKen zie 14/1/2026 Tru stee
Charity Information
Charity name: Spaceship Earth
Registered charity number: 1164631
Principal address: 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document: Constitution
Type of organization: Charitable Incorporated Organization
Trustee selection methods: Appointment by Trustees and CEO
Description of the charity's structure:
Spaceship Earth operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO) under the governance of its constitution. The organization's structure consists of the Board of Trustees, which is responsible for overall strategic direction and oversight, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who leads the management team and oversees the day-to-day operations. The management team is further divided into various departments, such as fundraising, communications, program development, and finance, to ensure the smooth functioning of the charity.
Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG volunteer@spaceshipearth.org.uk www.spaceshipearth.org.uk
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Details of how the charity is managed, including trustee recruitment:
The charity is managed by the Board of Trustees, which meets regularly to review progress, set strategic priorities, and make decisions on key issues. Trustees are appointed through a nomination process, which involves the existing Trustees and the CEO. Candidates are selected based on their skills, experience, and commitment to the charity's mission, and they undergo an induction process to familiarize themselves with their responsibilities and the organization's operations.
List of current trustees and CEO, including brief bios and roles:
Helen Mackenzie (appointed by Matthew Mason on 13/09/2018) - Chair of the Board of Trustees
Helen, born and raised in Zimbabwe, lived through the bush war, an experience that significantly shaped her understanding of the importance of human rights and the need for social justice. This formative period in her life has instilled in her a deep dedication to working in the charity sector, helping people from all walks of life.
With experience in the non-profit sector, Helen has honed her expertise in education and community development. As the Chair of the Board of Trustees, she plays a vital role in leading the board and ensuring effective governance, while providing strategic direction to the organization. Her unique background and unwavering commitment to human rights have made her an invaluable asset to Spaceship Earth and its mission to promote inclusion and dispel misinformation.
Anthony Campbell (appointed on 01/12/2015) - Treasurer
Anthony is a qualified accountant with extensive experience in financial management within the charitable sector. As Treasurer, he oversees the financial operations of Spaceship Earth, ensuring the organization's financial stability and compliance with relevant regulations.
Matthew Mason - CEO
Matthew has been the CEO of Spaceship Earth since its inception. Holding a degree in psychology from the Open University, he possesses a profound understanding of critical thinking skills and the mechanisms through which fascism gains a foothold in society. Matthew's expertise in deciphering how misinformation leads to social tensions between various groups has been instrumental in shaping the organization's vision and strategy.
As a passionate advocate for human rights, Matthew is committed to ensuring that the fight against misinformation goes hand in hand with the promotion of dignity, equality, and justice for all. With a background in social entrepreneurship and substantial experience in raising funds for Polio Eradication through Rotary International, Matthew has demonstrated unwavering dedication to fighting misinformation and protecting human rights.
Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG volunteer@spaceshipearth.org.uk www.spaceshipearth.org.uk
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Activities, Objectives, and Public Benefit
Charity Objectives:
Dispelling misinformation, conspiracy theories, tearing down barriers of inclusion. We operate online educational meetings to allow anyone in the world to participate, teaching people how they can be tricked into believing misinformation around health, finance, science and anti-Semitism. Fighting Holocaust denial through the restoration and colourisation of historical footage.
Reference to the Charity Commission's Public Benefit Guidance:
In accordance with the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance, Spaceship Earth has ensured that its activities and objectives meet the public benefit requirement. This includes satisfying both the 'benefit aspect' and the 'public aspect' of the requirement.
The 'benefit aspect' is met as the charity's purpose of dispelling misinformation, conspiracy theories, and promoting inclusion is clearly beneficial, identifiable, and supported by evidence. The charity's work in restoring and colourising historical footage to combat Holocaust denial further supports the benefit aspect, with any potential harm or detriment being outweighed by the educational and awareness-raising value of the project.
The 'public aspect' is met by providing educational resources and courses that are available to the public in general, or a sufficient section of the public. The charity offers its courses for free to those who cannot afford them, ensuring that access to valuable information is not limited by financial means. Spaceship Earth's projects, including the Holocaust footage restoration, are designed to benefit the public as a whole without resulting in more than incidental personal benefit.
As charity trustees, the board members of Spaceship Earth have had regard for the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance when making decisions about the charity's activities and objectives. This includes understanding how the charity's purpose is beneficial, managing risks of detriment or harm, making decisions about who benefits in ways that are consistent with the purpose, and ensuring that any personal benefits are no more than incidental.
Spaceship Earth will report on public benefit in its trustees' annual report, explaining how the charity has carried out its purpose for the public benefit and confirming that the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance where relevant. This reporting will help the charity stay focused on its objectives and demonstrate the value and impact of its work to its supporters, beneficiaries, grant makers, and funding bodies.
Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG volunteer@spaceshipearth.org.uk www.spaceshipearth.org.uk
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Overview of the charity's activities during the year:
During the 2024–2025 financial year, Spaceship Earth made significant strides in advancing its mission despite ongoing challenges in the funding landscape. The cost-of-living crisis continued to affect the wider charity sector, with many organisations experiencing increased demand alongside reduced financial support. Against this backdrop, we adopted new strategies to raise awareness and secure income.
One of our most effective initiatives this year was the strategic use of LinkedIn to broaden our fundraising network and engage new supporters. This platform became a valuable tool for building connections, sharing the vision of Project Empathy, and opening new avenues for funding and collaboration.
We also joined the Network for Innovative Holocaust Education , a key milestone that has helped raise the profile of our Holocaust footage restoration project within the educational and remembrance sectors. This affiliation has already led to new partnerships and meaningful conversations about ethics, pedagogy, and the preservation of historical truth.
Our most tangible achievement this year was reaching our goal of £20,000 to colourise the first reel of restored Holocaust footage in 4K. While the full amount was pledged during the financial year, some of the donations were received in the early part of the next financial period. Nevertheless, this milestone represents a critical breakthrough for Project Empathy. At the time of writing this report, we have received the completed side-by-side comparison of the original footage and the newly colourised 4K version — a powerful educational tool that brings history to life in a deeply human way.
These accomplishments reflect the resilience and adaptability of Spaceship Earth in a difficult economic climate. By combining persistence in funding applications with innovative outreach and collaborative engagement, the charity has laid a strong foundation for the work to come.
Achievements and Performance:
During the 2024–2025 financial year, Spaceship Earth raised a total of £6,033 in grants and donations. While this was lower than the previous year’s total of £11,924, the income received was vital in continuing the work of the charity and building momentum for Project Empathy and our critical thinking courses. The reduction reflects broader economic pressures on the sector, with funders receiving unprecedented numbers of applications and having fewer resources available.
Despite these challenges, we achieved a major milestone in the colourisation of Holocaust footage. Following the previous year’s success in restoring the first reel to 4K quality, this year we secured pledges reaching our target of £20,000 , enabling us to fully fund the colourisation of that restored reel. While some of these funds were not received until the next financial year, they were all committed within the reporting period, demonstrating the trust and support we’ve gained from funders and donors alike.
Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG volunteer@spaceshipearth.org.uk www.spaceshipearth.org.uk
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As of the time of writing, the side-by-side comparison of the original footage and the colourised 4K version has now been delivered. This powerful visual tool will form the centrepiece of our educational and fundraising activities going forward.
In parallel, we continued to improve our critical thinking education programme . Drawing on participant feedback, we redeveloped our modules to make them easier to complete and more accessible for wider audiences. This year, we recorded 196 new module completions , bringing the total to 261. This marks steady progress passed our target of 100 instances of participation and reflects growing public engagement with our courses on cognitive bias and misinformation awareness.
Our growing presence on LinkedIn has also contributed significantly to these outcomes. Through strategic networking and outreach, we have built valuable new relationships with funders, educators, historians, and supporters. These efforts have not only opened new avenues for financial support but also enhanced the visibility and credibility of both our Holocaust education and critical thinking initiatives.
In addition to our fundraising and educational achievements, our work was also featured in The Jewish Chronicle in January 2025, as part of their coverage marking the anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation. The article highlighted the growing relevance of restored and colourised Holocaust footage in modern remembrance efforts and served as a powerful acknowledgment of Project Empathy's contribution to historical education and preservation. You can read the article here: htps://www.thejc.com/news/features/auschwitz-colour-photos-memorial-anniversary-cc0ukl40
Figure 1A rare visual detail revealed by colourisation — a Black American soldier (top right) among white troops, despite the U.S. military being formally segregated at the time.
Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG volunteer@spaceshipearth.org.uk www.spaceshipearth.org.uk
Docusign EnvelopÈ ID". 7E2DB7C2-900C-47E6-9658-017E78D27811 ORIGINAL RESTOREDAND COLOURISED ORIGINAL RESTOREDAND COLOURISED Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 IEG volunteer www.s aceshi earth.or aceshi earth.or
Docusign Envelope ID: 7E2DB7C2-900C-47E6-965B-017E78D27811
Financial Review:
Spaceship Earth has maintained a reserves policy to ensure that funds are available for essential payments, project delivery, and unforeseen expenses. With the first reel of Holocaust footage now fully restored and colourised, the charity’s focus in the year ahead will be on securing further funding to restore and colourise the remaining five reels. While we continue to seek support to professionally manage our Google Grant account, this has taken a lower priority, as we have seen greater success in reaching new audiences and potential supporters through direct engagement on LinkedIn.
Future Plans and Goals:
As we look ahead to the next year, Spaceship Earth remains committed to pursuing its mission through a set of focused and adaptable goals. These plans reflect both the opportunities and constraints of the current funding landscape, and are designed to maximise our impact while remaining grounded in the realities of our capacity.
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Restoration and Colourisation of Additional Reels : Building on the success of the first restored and colourised reel, our primary goal for the coming year is to raise the necessary funds to restore and colourise at least one more reel of Holocaust footage. This work remains central to Project Empathy and our commitment to preserving and humanising the historical record.
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Outreach to Decision-Makers and Holocaust Institutions : We plan to present the newly completed 4K colourised reel to Members of Parliament and the House of Lords, with the aim of increasing awareness and support for the project. In parallel, we will share the footage with our contacts in Holocaust organisations worldwide, offering it as a free educational resource to strengthen historical understanding and challenge denialism.
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Critical Thinking Course Development : Although we were not able to launch the planned Logical Fallacies course during the past year, valuable feedback from volunteers and
Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG volunteer@spaceshipearth.org.uk www.spaceshipearth.org.uk
Docusign Envelope ID: 7E2DB7C2-900C-47E6-965B-017E78D27811
participants has prompted a broader review of our critical thinking curriculum. Subject to funding availability, we intend to explore a full redesign of our courses to improve accessibility, structure, and educational impact. This may include consolidating existing modules and introducing a more cohesive learning pathway.
By setting these goals, Spaceship Earth continues to demonstrate its commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and long-term strategic thinking. We are determined to build on the foundation established this year and to extend the reach and effectiveness of our work in the months ahead.
Risk Management:
Spaceship Earth is committed to identifying and mitigating risks that could impact the achievement of its mission. In line with our dedication to transparency and accountability, we have outlined below the principal risks currently facing the organisation, along with our strategies for managing them:
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Economic Uncertainty : The ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the potential for a broader recession pose significant challenges for fundraising efforts. Reduced disposable income may limit the capacity of individual donors and grant-making bodies to provide support. To mitigate this risk, Spaceship Earth is diversifying its income streams, including the use of professional presentations to raise awareness and secure funding. We are also focused on demonstrating tangible outcomes — such as the successful delivery of the restored and colourised reel of Holocaust footage — to strengthen our case for support.
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Discreditation by Denialist Groups : Our work in restoring and colourising Holocaust footage may attract attention from Neo-Nazis, Holocaust deniers, and antisemitic groups who seek to undermine or discredit our efforts. To manage this risk, we remain committed to transparency and authenticity. All restored footage is shown alongside the original, ensuring the historical accuracy and provenance of the material are clear. We actively monitor public sentiment and are prepared to respond swiftly and factually to any attempts at distortion or misinformation.
Spaceship Earth recognises that risk management is an ongoing process that must be reviewed and adapted in response to evolving circumstances. Our Board of Trustees and management team remain committed to integrating risk awareness into all areas of strategic planning and decision-making.
Reserves Policy:
Our reserves policy is aimed at maintaining a reserve equivalent to 3 months of running costs, including insurance and website operating expenses. Currently, the reserve level held is equal to 3 months of insurance and website running costs, ensuring we can comfortably cover essential operating costs in the event of a financial downturn or unforeseen expenses.
Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG volunteer@spaceshipearth.org.uk www.spaceshipearth.org.uk
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Conclusion:
Despite the challenges faced in the past year, Spaceship Earth has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and has continued to adapt to the changing landscape of the charity sector. The organization expresses its gratitude to all those who have contributed to its success and encourages continued support and engagement in the upcoming year.
| X | X | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helen | Lin dsay M acKen zie | An th on y Campbell | ||||
| Tru stee | 14/1/2026 | Tru stee | 11/1/2026 |
Spaceship Earth, 530 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG30 1EG volunteer@spaceshipearth.org.uk www.spaceshipearth.org.uk
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| Spaceship Earth Charity Name |
Spaceship Earth Charity Name |
Spaceship Earth Charity Name |
1164631 No (if any) |
1164631 No (if any) |
1164631 No (if any) |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
06/04/2024 Period start date |
To | 05/04/2025 Period end date |
||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 5,945 88 - 6,033 - - 6,033 134 241 376 - - - 376 5,658 - 6,350 12,008 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 5,945 - - - - 88 - 6,033 - - - 6,033 - 134 241 - - - - - - 376 - - - 376 5,658 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||
| Donations & Grants | 5,945 | 1,674 | |||||
| Phillips FamilyCharitable Trust | 250 | ||||||
| The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation | 8,000 | ||||||
| The HDH Wills Charitable Trust | 1,000 | ||||||
| David Pearlman Charitable Foundation | 1,000 | ||||||
| Gift Aid Reclaimed | 88 | - | |||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
6,033 | 11,924 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||
| 11,924 | |||||||
| Advertising& Marketing | 580 | ||||||
| Insurance | 134 | 129 | |||||
| IT Software and Consumables | 241 | ||||||
| Postage,Freight & Courier | 1,070 | ||||||
| Travel - National | 25 | ||||||
| Bank Fees | 15 | ||||||
| 4K Restoration of Holocaust Footage | 10,741 | ||||||
| Audit and AccountancyFees | 360 | ||||||
| Office Supplies | 135 | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | 376 | 13,055 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | |||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||
| 13,055 | |||||||
| 5,658 | - | - | 5,658 |
- 1,131 | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 6,350 | - | - | 6,350 | 7,481 | |||
| 12,008 | - | - | 12,008 | 6,350 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
12/01/2026
1
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Total cash at bank and in hand Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 12,008 - - - - - 12,008 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Helen Lindsay MacKenzie Anthony Campbell |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| 14/1/2026 | |||
| 11/1/2026 | |||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
12/01/2026
2