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← Prodigal Arts

2025-03-31-accounts

Charity no. 1169287

Prodigal Arts Receipts and Payments Accounts 31 March 2025

Prodigal Arts

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 March 2025 Charity number 1169287 Registered office and The Studio operational address Suite 322 179 Whiteladies Road Bristol BS8 2AG Trustees The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows: Andrew Street Chair Nicolas Ruff Treasurer Richard Hiscoke Reverend Neil Thorogood appointed 13 May 2024 Deborah Weymont appointed 17 February 2025 Independent Godfrey Wilson Limited examiners Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

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Prodigal Arts

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the constitution.

Objectives and activities

The objects of the CIO are to:

Prodigal Arts is a charity working with talented artistic offenders with a view to helping their rehabilitation through the arts. The skills of our ‘Creatives on The Out’ (COTO) and ‘Creatives on The In’ (COTI) have been developed through various projects during the financial period.

Message from the Chair of Trustees

It’s been another very positive year for Prodigal Arts. We’ve expanded both our work in local prisons and also our support of people who have been through prison and now back in the community. We see this as a much more effective way of building relationships and maintaining positive support for people in the longer term.

We continue to market artwork proactively, and sales have increased over the year, creating income for our cohort(s) of artists and also some income for the charity. We also continue to contribute to Victim Support. We again held a very successful art exhibition at St George’s in Bristol, and this is now becoming an annual feature of our work, and a very effective platform for raising awareness of the charity and profiling the excellent work of our artists.

We plan further growth for the coming year, both within the prisons local to Bristol and also in the community. We are also increasingly seeking to work with other charities and organisations in partnership – collaboration is very much at the heart of what we do.

My thanks again goes to our amazing staff team and fellow Trustees, but also to all those individuals and organisations that have supported up in any way over the last year. We could not do what we do without you!

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Prodigal Arts

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Prison Work

Over the year we have continued to provide art workshops within prisons. The number of attendees each week has remained consistent. Due to the nature of the prisons, especially HMP Bristol which has a significant proportion of people on remand there is a regular change in the individuals attending.

workshop sessions have been delivered in the last 12 months.

HMP Bristol – The weekly full day art classes continued to be highly popular with regular attendees of 7 to 10 participants. New Artist-in-residence Daniel confidently took over from Elliot in leading this class in May 2024. Art projects have included: marbling, papier mache sculpture, large collaborative collage, landscape painting figurative and abstract, logo graphic design, photocopying collage art, printing techniques including gel block and monoprint, clay sculpture – both basic pottery and character modelling, still life, origami, paper quilling & matchstick sculpture.

HMP Leyhill – continued weekly half day (afternoon) art class with regular attendees of 4-8 participants. Art projects tend to be longer term than HMP Bristol as the population is more stable. Art projects have included: marbling, papier mache sculpture, collage, landscape painting figurative and abstract, printing techniques including gel block, lino & monoprint, clay sculpture – both basic pottery, making a bust and character modelling, still life, mosaic, charcoal drawing, portraiture in various medias, watercolour and acrylic painting techniques, ink experimentation and mark making with found artifacts in nature.

Recovery Festival Tree – ‘Roots, Resilience & Renewal’ As part of HMP Leyhill’s Recovery Festival month, in September 2024 residents collaborated on a wire tree sculpture to celebrate recovery and raise awareness around substance use. The tree symbolises the rooted experiences of individuals in recovery and their continual growth despite challenges. Its branches represent different paths of progress, and its leaves reflect renewal and healing. During the festival, residents were invited to attach leaves with words expressing their hopes for recovery.

Neurodiversity Awareness – ‘100 trillion’ For HMP Leyhill’s Neurodiversity Awareness Week, residents created a very large collaborative abstract painting featuring over 5 artists inspired by Jackson Pollock. The artwork reflected the complexity of the brain and its vast network of neural connections, and the expressive drip technique offered participants a meditative, freeing way to make art. Those involved enjoyed the process and left with fresh perspectives on creativity and expression.

HMP Ashfield and work with vulnerable women and those who have left prison. Work continued through the Creative Director and an experienced female artist to develop a new work at HMP Ashfield (the regions only women’s prison). Alongside this collaborative work has been developed to provide art workshops alongside other charities and organisations working with vulnerable women and those who have left prison or are risk of prison.

COTO (Creatives On The Outside)

One of the strengths of Prodigal Arts work is the aim to continue to support those we have worked with in prison once they leave. We continue to mentor and encourage these artists and sell their work. During 2024-25 we gained some new COTOs from our classes at HMP Leyhill and some COTOs stopped

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Prodigal Arts

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

working with us for various reasons to do with health and pursuing other activities. COTOs were also mentored through their own artistic pursuits following on from prison classes during this period on top of projects with Prodigal Arts. We are now also meeting COTOs in the Bristol area for the first time rather than remote mentoring, which is a new exciting development of our mentoring.

Perspective Drawing - July 2024 The Perspective project introduced participants to essential perspective-drawing techniques, encouraging them to use these methods to observe and depict the world around them. Residents experimented with one–, two– and more complex perspective approaches across a range of media, applying them to still-life arrangements, local landmarks, 3D lettering and optical illusions. While the project provided foundational theory and examples, participants were encouraged to focus on the techniques that resonated with them and develop their own creative direction. With support in gathering materials and refining ideas, the group produced a wide variety of thoughtful works ahead of the September deadline.

‘Reclaiming tomorrow ’ - November 2024 An ’umbrella’ themed exhibition so that our artists have autonomy to explore through their own favourite developed art practices The Reclaiming Tomorrow project invited participants to explore themes of global warming, environmental crisis and the hope for a more sustainable future through a wide range of media including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and digital work. Each artist approached the theme from their own angle, finding personal connections that made the subject meaningful and accessible.

As the project developed, its title was reimagined and broadened to embody a development that resonated more deeply with those inside or with experience of the prison system, encouraging reflection on growth, change and the courage to imagine new possibilities. This expanded theme later became the title for a two-part exhibition later in 2025.

Exhibitions and Displays of Work

As well as showcasing artwork produced by those in prison and COTOs, on our website, we also hold exhibitions and displays of the work throughout the year in and around Bristol. The aim is to celebrate and show to a wider audience the work and encourage sales.

Vibrant Abstracts Exhibition, St Georges, September 2024. This exhibition showcased a dynamic array of striking artworks created by individuals in prison, moving away from figurative representations to explore colour and form. Each piece burst with creativity and imagination, reflecting the artists’ engagement with abstract concepts and emotions. The collection of paintings, collages, sculptures and more, not only highlighted the hidden talents within the prison community but also underscored the transformative power of art as a medium for expression and rehabilitation.

In the last 12 months we have sold over £5,000 of work. The artists receive on average 50% of the sales, we donate 5% to Victim Support and the remainder we use to support our work.

November 2024 – Display at Radical Roasters Coffee Shop

We were invited by a Bristol coffee shop and coffee roastery, to display 9 pieces of artwork including both originals and A3 prints. The art was available to purchase directly at the coffee shop. The display was up until February 2025.

December 2024 – Christmas cards on sale at Bristol Cathedral gift shop. Bristol Cathedral approached us requesting a selection of our Christmas cards to be sold in the Cathedral Gift Shop. We provided them with 75 cards, generating £180 income.

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Prodigal Arts

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

December 2024 – Stall at winter market (Future Leap) We hosted a stall selling cards and prints at a local Christmas market at Future Leap in Bristol. The market was a great opportunity to raise the profile of the charity locally and we generate income.

The Key Café Collaboration In December 2024 Prodigal Arts was approached to help shape the identity of an exciting new café in Bristol - The Key Café, which is on a mission to reduce reoffending by bridging the gap between prison, employment, and rehabilitation through training and holistic support. Prodigal Arts played a vital role by designing the café’s logo through a creative competition held inside HMP Bristol, offering prison-approved prizes to inspire participation.

The winning design now proudly appears on menus, signage, t-shirts, coffee packaging, and merchandise, offering a symbol of hope, second chances, and the power of creativity to unlock potential. The winning designer was awarded in prison with some increased liberties. The Key Cafe is a new cafe on Gloucester Road, next to HMP Bristol that provides paid employment placements for prison residents released on temporary licence (RoTL) or who have recently left prison. The café also sells various PA cards and postcards, as well as a rotating art display of artworks from both HMP Bristol and HMP Leyhill.

Commissions

October 2024 - Probation Service via Kindred: In October we received a commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to support a recruitment campaign to encourage individuals to pursue careers in the Probation Service. The campaign aimed to highlight the critical role probation officers play in supporting ex-offenders, with the goal of inspiring more people to train as probation officers or probation service officers.

As part of this initiative, two of our COTO Artists were commissioned to fulfil the brief. The artwork for each card was inspired by quotes from real probation staff. This partnership resulted in the creation of 1000 impactful cards featuring the artwork were printed and distributed across the UK, further raising awareness and inspiring individuals to consider careers in the Probation Service.

December 2024 – Oxford Centre For Criminology Commission: An Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Oxford commissioned one of our resident artists from Leyhill to create a bespoke A1 artwork. The piece was inspired by Restoring Hope, an original work by former Prodigal artist Steve. The client paid £300 for the commission, which is now displayed alongside the original in the main criminology centre space. Positioned as the first piece visitors encounter upon arrival, the artwork creates a powerful and inspiring visual statement, reflecting themes of restoration and hope.

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Prodigal Arts

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

SixtyOne Christmas Card Commission: In Winter 2024, Artist Andrew created a new commissioned artwork for SixtyOne’s Christmas Gift Project, which provides gift bags and handwritten cards to more than 1,400 serving prisoners across three local prisons. Chosen as the design for that year’s Christmas card, his vibrant, hope-filled piece offered festive encouragement while also introducing prisoners to the support available through Sixty-One’s MentorMe programme upon release. The artwork encapsulates the charity’s core message: that change is possible, a welcome awaits, and a purposeful life can be rebuilt.

Parole board Annual Report July 2024: We were approached to provide artwork to be included in The Parole Board for England and Wales Annual Report & Account 2023/24. Five different artists had work featured in this report. Available to view here.

Planned Development and post balance sheet dated activities

Work in Prisons: Including an extra day in HMP Bristol working with specific groups and new projects. An evening class at HMP Leyhill to allow those engaged in other work during the day to participate. Commence sessions in HMP Eastwood Park.

Exhibitions and Displays: Two exhibitions entitled ‘ Reclaiming Tomorrow’ based on recent work by COTOs. July 2025 – Private View at St George’s Hall, Bristol. November 2025 – Open Public Exhibition at the Island, Bristol This was a 4-day event including a weekend. We will also look for other opportunities and events to display and promote the work.

Developing the team and achieving sustainable growth: We have been cementing the work of our 3 main artists and have engaged freelance roles for some emerging new work and projects. We created a new post of Business Development Manager with the role starting in summer 2025. The aim is to build on recent growth in the charity and to do this in a sustainable way.

Developing new and existing collaborations: We have continued to develop our standing display at The Key Café and our collaboration with them as a local initiative aimed at bridging the gap between prison and the wider community. A rotating art gallery will showcase new work created by artists who positively engage with our in-prison classes as well as those involved in the post-release COTO programme.

We have continued our collaboration with SixtyOne and look to expand our community-based workshops alongside their Hubs for those who have been released from prison.

The Parole Board also asked us to provide artwork for their 2024-25 annual report in July 2025.

Art provision with vulnerable women in the Bristol community: As a new Artist in Residence for Prodigal Arts during 2025, Meg is leading an important new area of our work focused on supporting women through creative, trauma-informed arts provision. Her role is strengthening our ability to engage women across both community and custodial settings, offering creative pathways that build confidence, wellbeing, and connection. Alongside our own work within HMP Eastwood Park we also have plans to carry out work with The Nelson Trust, Changing Tunes and other similar organisations.

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Prodigal Arts

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Quotes

S.M - February 2025

"I've always wanted to try Art but have never had the confidence and don't know what type of art or how to begin. I want to learn a new skill but also after 1 session, I realised that art has the capacity to ground me and offer a mindful way of living in prison. Also wish to let my abilities and see if I have any creativity in me.”

M.C - February 2025

"The prospect of having my art displayed

and sold to a wider audience & also the opportunity to become part of a wider art community really calls out to me. Expanding my horizons & future around art really inspired my creativity."

M.W - March 2025

“I don't have any outlets or support in place. I have bipolar and feel art is a good thing for me. Just never had a chance to do much other than being in prison.”

When asked if there are any specific rehabilitation targets that this project can help with, participants replied:

D.E - November 2024

"Stop feeling sorry for myself, in the situation I am in, being positive in my creativity through art."

N.G - April 2025

Over 100 individuals engaged in regular art - “I would like to stay creative on my release and am always encouraged during this Across all our work 100% of staff respondents observed group that saying drug free would be better clear personal growth in participants (confidence, for my creativity.” resilience, communication, creativity). Participants consistently describe positive emotional benefits, S.M - February 2024 improved mood, and increased self-expression. "I came to prison suffering from stress and depression and would like to see if art can Projects contribute directly to reducing isolation and add to my skillset to help tackle it." building self-esteem in prison and community settings.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Financial Review

We are very grateful for the generosity of the grant-making trusts who have funded our work over the year. Without their support, Prodigal Arts would not be able to support the artists whose lives are impacted, as expressed by many of them in this report.

The charity's principal sources of funds are from grant-making charities, donations from individuals and from its own income generation, through artwork sales. This comprised of grant income and other donations of £67,188 (2024: £73,500) and income generation through artwork sales of £5,222 (2024:

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Prodigal Arts

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

£2,250). These streams of income comprise the following percentages of total receipts in the year of 93% and 7%, respectively.

Prodigal Arts aims to keep approximately three months running costs in reserves. This is also to cover emergency unexpected costs. We have met this target during the year ending 31 March 2025, and continue to do so.

The charity's main expenditure during the financial year related to the employment or engagement of:

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 27 January 2026 and signed on their behalf by

Richard Hiscoke

Richard Hiscoke, Trustee

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Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Prodigal Arts

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Prodigal Arts (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 10 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Godfrey Wilson Limited also provides bookkeeping services to the CIO. I confirm that as a member of the ICAEW I am subject to the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2024, which I have applied with respect to this engagement.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: (1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act;

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.

William Guy Blake

Date: 27 January 2026 William Guy Blake ACA Member of the ICAEW Godfrey Wilson Limited

Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House

62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

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Prodigal Arts

Receipts and payments account

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Note
Receipts
Grants from trusts
Donations and legacies
Sale of artwork
Gift aid
Total receipts
Payments
Payroll expenses: total staff costs
Office and mailbox rent
Fundraising
Art materials and equipment
Other professional services
Travel and accommodation
Exhibition costs
Contractor costs
Office/general administrative expenses
Art printing and framing
IT and other equipment
Commission to PA artists
Insurances
Bank charges
Donation to Victim Support
Website costs
Staff support and development
Advertising
Phone costs
Subtotal
Repayment of trustee loans
Total payments
Net receipts / (payments)
Cash funds at 1 April 2024
Cash funds at 31 March 2025
1		 Restricted
£
3,000
-
-
-
3,000
3,684
-
-
400
-
54
-
236
206
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,580
-
4,580
(1,580)
4,751
3,171		 Unrestricted
£
55,700
3,105
5,222
5,383
69,410
31,112
7,990
3,540
3,062
1,140
1,586
1,689
5,880
2,379
1,174
550
1,160
194
71
36
204
658
123
-
62,548
-
62,548
6,862
39,857
46,719		 2025
Total
£
58,700
3,105
5,222
5,383
72,410
34,796
7,990
3,540
3,462
1,140
1,640
1,689
6,116
2,585
1,174
550
1,160
194
71
36
204
658
123
-
67,128
-
67,128
5,282
44,608
49,890		 2024
Total
£
72,550
975
2,250
-
75,775
31,077
6,135
3,600
2,505
1,225
851
752
583
487
307
280
252
196
75
54
49
-
-
18
48,446
4,000
52,446
23,329
21,279
44,608

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Prodigal Arts

Statement of assets and liabilities

As at 31 March 2025

As at 31 March 2025
Cash funds
Cash at bank and in hand
Total cash funds
Cash funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Total cash funds		 2025
£
49,890
49,890
3,171
46,719
49,890		 2024
£
44,608
44,608
4,751
39,857
44,608

Approved by the trustees on 27 January 2026 and signed on their behalf by

Richard Hiscoke

Richard Hiscoke, Trustee

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Prodigal Arts

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Movements in funds

Movements in funds
Restricted funds
The Hilden Charitable Trust
Lancaster Foundation
Total restricted funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Unrestricted funds		 At 1 April
2024
£
4,751
-
4,751
39,857
39,857
44,608		 Income
£
£
-
(1,580)
3,000
(3,000)
3,000
(4,580)
69,410
(62,548)
69,410
(62,548)
72,410
(67,128)
Expenditure		 £
3,171
-
At 31 March
2025
3,171
46,719
46,719
49,890

Purposes of restricted funds The Hilden Charitable Trust

For work with women who are in prison, those who have been released from prison and vulnerable women who may be at risk of or impacted by prison.

Lancaster Foundation

For work with women who are in prison, those who have been released from prison and vulnerable women who may be at risk of or impacted by prison.

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