Camden Spark Registered Charity Number: 1172145 CAMDEN SPARK RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT ACCOUNT AND STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 31 MARCH 2025 Camden Spark Trustee Annual Report 31$t March 2025 INDEX Page Legal and Administrative Information Report of the Board of Truslees Independent Examlner's Report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of Assets and Llabilitles 10 Note8 to the knounts 11 Accounting Policies 12 Camden Spark Page 1 Legal and Administrative Information Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlon No.. 1172145 Address.. Fitzjohn's Primary School 86A Fitzjohn's Avenue London NW3 6NP Trustses: Ria Bartlett Zerritha Brown (resigned 31.03,25 Rob EarTey- Chair Gareth Keith Gay (appointed 08.07.24) Richard Harrison (deceased) Amy McGann Tina Ramdeen Deborah Rees (resigned 18.03.24) Independent Examiners: Brenda Peers-Ross 29 Drift Road Selsey Chichester West Sussex P020 OPW Camden Spark (Reglstered CIO No: 11721451 Page 2 Trustee Annual Report 319t March 2025 The members of the Board of Trustees of Camden Sparks present their repart together with Receipts and Payments Accounts and Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the year ended 31$1 March 2025. Camden Spark is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) who's only voting members are its charity trustees. Struclure, Govarnance Trustees are appointed as individuals, but where feasible, with representation from: a Camden primary school, a Camden secondary school,. a higher education provider in Camden,. Camden Learning; Camden Council's Culture servi￿., Camden Music Service., small and large Cafflden- based cultural organisations, a freelance cultural education praditioner, and other contributors to the cultural education ecosystem in the borough. This is to ensure that the board represents the vlewpoints of the stakeholders it strives to represent and engage. Camden Spark has a Truslee Induction Pack to support the induction and training of trustees. Induction and training are led by the Chair of the Board of Trustees with the support of the other trustees. The charity is led by Ihe Board of Trustees. The charity's work in this perlod was managed by a 0,5 FTE Arts Development OffI￿r (on secondment frorn Camden Council. wilh support from a freelance Programme Manager to deliver our STEAM Work Experience programme). This support ended during the reporting period and to cover this, a freelan￿ Programme Manager was recruited. Camden Spark has also engaged a fieelance Development Consultant to support It in exploring funding opportunities and undertaking refreshed business planning. The charity works closely to alwn aims with various Camden Council departments, Including Culture, Inclusive Economy and Youth Service as well as Camden Learning and STEAM. The charity is a member of Knowledge Quarter London Ltd and A New Direction's LoGal Partnerships Forum, as well as being represented on the Camden STEAM Board. charity works closely to align aims with various Camden Council departments, induding Culture, Inclusive Economy and Youth Service as well as Camden Learning and STEAM. The charity is a member of Knowledge Quarter London Ltd and A New Direction's Local Partnership Forum, as well as being represented on the Carnden STEAM Board. Camden Spark (Registered CIO No: 1172145) Page 3 Trustee Annual Report 31•t March 2025 Objectives & Activities and Publlc Benefit The advancement of education in the arts and culture for children and young people in Carnden and surrounding areas. Camden Spark undertakes the following activities for public benefit: provision of a brokerage service between schools, colleges, and cultural organisations to provide cultural education opportunities for children and young people in Camden. provision of CPD and networking opportunltles for teachers of cultural education subjects and cultural education practitioners in cultural organisations. project management of cultural éducation opportunities for schools wrth cultural and buslness partners. support to, and enGouragernent of, Camden schools considering embarking on an Artsmark application. research surrounding ways of engaging young people and organisations in offering Arts Award. support lo London Borough of Camden in the delivery of rfs cultural programming. advocacy within Camden's schools, local authority, and cullural organisations for the benefits of rich and broad cultural education provision for all the borough's chlldren and young people. The trustees of Camden Spark confirm that they hwie had regard to the guidan￿ issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Achlevements and Perfonnanco The past year has presented bolh opportunities and challenges for Camden Spark. Despile a difficult funding environment, the charity has continued to deliver meaningful impact, demonstrating resilien￿ and efficient use of reSoUr￿s. A key focus has been strengthening governance and operational capacity. Trustees formalised govemance processes to provide a foundation for long-term stability, while recruitment practices were reviewed and updated to attract a broader pool of candidates. A freelance Programme Manager was appointed to support delivery, although the contract ended earlier than planned Camden Spark (Registered CIO No: 1172146) Page 4 Trustee Annual Report 31st March 2025 due to unfoieseen circumstances. The Board has reflected on the learning froTn this and reallocated Ihe unspent budget towards programme and communications work. Camden Spark also successfully delivered its work experience programme, providing valuable opportunities for young people and furthering its mission to widen access lo the cultural and creative industries. In April 2025. Trustees re￿iVed the devastating news that Camden Spark's Chair, Richard Harrison, passed away unexpectedly. Richard was instrumental in the founding of Camden Spark and had played an active role since its inception. Thanks largely to his leadership, Camden Spark has a robust govemance system in pla￿, giving Trustees the tools needed to guide the charity forward. Although his passing occurred in the financial year following the period covered by this report, it has had a significant impact on the charity's trajectory. The risk register has been updated in consideration of this development, and Trustees are working diligently to ensura Camden Spark remains a going concern while honoring Richard's vlslon and comrnitment. Actlvlty Over tho Year Camden Spark's 2023 - 2028 Business Plan sets out four prforlties: Amplifying Ihe voices of young people Creating a talent pipeline into the creative and cultural industries Advocating for cultural educatton as a right Building organisational resilience Planned activity to deliver these priorities includes.. Camden Cultural Charter- Developed through consultation wilh young people, schools and cultural organisations. The Charter will inform future commitment5 to cultural education across the borough, alongside the developmenl of a 'Spark Mark, for cultural education quality. Cultural Educatlon Conferences Biennial events informed by the Charter, with increasing levels of youth leadership (50°h target for the first, 750A for the second). • Work Experlence Programme - Delivered in partnership with Camden STEAM, offering around 30 young people annually a broad introduction to careers in Ihe creative and cultural industries. The programrne engages a range of cultural partnets and prO￿deS a Teplicable mthael of delwery. Camden Spark (Registered CIO No: 1172145) Page S Trustee Annual Report 318t March 2025 Trust60 Development- Ongoing recruitment and annual appraisals lo ensure a broad mix of skills and expertise across the Board. In support of this, in July 2024, Camden Spark delivered the second iteration of its Arts and Culture work experience week for Camden STEAM. Twenty-three young people participated, engaging with a wide range of organisations, including Ambassador Theatre Group, Roundhouse, Universal MusiG, October Gallery, London Film School and Celebro Media. Feedback from participants highlighted the value of exposure to diverse career paths within the sector and included: .1 w8nt8d to be a musici8n but Camden Spark has opened more opportuniti8s for me whlch I would also want to wort in.. .1 r8811y love tha creatlve sector in g8ner81 and I'd love to get into more of Iha creatlV8 places.. Fundraising and Income Generatlon Over the past year, Carnden Spark's fundraising focused on Trusts and Foundations and Corporate Sponsorship. Despite submitting 8trong applications, no new Trust or Foundation grants were secured, reflecting the highly competitive funding climate. For example, the John Ellerman Foundation awardad fewer than 50 of over 400 arts applications lasl year. Between 2018 and 2022, Camden Council supported Camden Spark through a part-time secondment and an annual financial contribution. In 2023-24, this was repla￿d wilh in-kind support for Ihe work experience programme with Camden STEAM. During this year, the Council confirmed that no further support will be available. In response, the charity has increased its focus on developing corporate partnerships and is in discussions with several local organisations. Individual Ghfing has also been strengthened, Mfjth improvements to the online donation procEss alieady generating income. Carnden Spark remains well established in the borough, with a recognised track record and an eXperien￿d Board. With clear business and activity plans in place. the charity is working towards stabilising income and diversifying funding streams in the year ahead. Camden Spark (Reglstered CIO No: 1172145) Page 6 Trustee Annual Report 318t March 2025 Financial Revlew The charity carried forward £28.225 into this reporting period. Reserves are not held. Unspent income is carried forward into the next reporting period. Camden Spark currently relies entirely on grant income and donations. Sufficient funding has been raised to Continue Ihe charity's activrties, but should grant income or donations not be available, the Gharity would cease to be a going ¢oncem. This is, however, not a current consideration. Reserve Policy Reserves are nol held. Unspent income is carried forward into the next reporting period. The charity has not been in a financially secure enough position lo hold reseNes. Risk PoliGy The charity has publlc, employer and professional indemnty insurance to protect it in case of a claim and a pollcy on Safeguarding Vulnerable beneficiaries. which are reviewed annually along wlth various other policies. The principal risk facing the charity is our current lack of sustained funding. The chartty continues to engage readily in stralegic conversations and drawing on support from a freelance fundraising professional to minimise this risk. Our key next steps during the remainder of 2025 include: continuing to deliver against our strategic objectives and business plan; • moving to a mixed-ecology model of fundraising in place of a single large grant and adjusting our operating model in response to this., sustaining relationships with all stakeholders, including strategic and delivery, to ensure we remain able to support all those contributors to Camden's cullural arKI creative education sector; utilising the outcomes of our youth voice engagement work to form the basis of our youlh engagemeni aclivities and future youth-led programmes Camden Spark (Registered CIO No: 1172145) Page 7 Trustee Annual Report 311t March 2025 Financial Review The charity carried fonNard £37,597 into this reporting period. Reserrfes are not held. Unspent income is carried forward into Ihe next reporting period. Camden Spark currently relies entirely on grant income and donations. Suffi'cient funding has been raised to continue the charity's activities. but should grant income or donations not be available, the charity woukj cease to be going concern. This is, however, not a current consideration. Reserve Pollcy Reserves are not held. Unspent Income Is carried forward into the next reporting period. The charity has not been In a financially secure enough position to hold reserves. Rlsk Pollcy The charity has publiG, employer, and professional indemnity insurance to proted rt in case of a claim and a policy on Safeguarding Vulnerable beneficiaries, which are reviewed annually along with various other policies. The principal risk facing the charlty Is our current lack of sustalned funding beyond March 2024. The charity continues to engage readily in strategic conversations and drawing on support from a freelance fundraising professional to minimise this risk. Our key next steps during the remainder of 2024 include: continuing to deliver against our strategic objectives and business plan. moving to a mixed-ecology model of fundraising in place of a single large grant, and adjusting our operating model in response to this. sustaining relationships wilh all stakeholders, including strategic and delivery, to ensu we remain able to support all those contributors to Camden's cultural and creative education sector. utilising the outcomes of our youth voice engagement work to fomi the basis of our youth engagement ath'vities and future youth-led programmes. This report was approved virtually by Trustees on 13 Oclober 2025 and signed on their behalf. Rob Earrey ChairlTru tee Brenda Peers-Ross 29 Drift Road Salsey Chlchester West Sussex P020 OPW Ind•pandent Examlnor'8 Report to the Tru81oe8 Of: CAMDEN SPARK Registsrad Charity Incorporatsd Organ18atlon ICIO) Number: 1172145 Page 8 I report on the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 316t March 2025, which are set out on the attached Receipts & Payments Account and the Statement of Assets & Liabilities on pages 9 to 12. Respective re8ponsibllitl08 of trust008 and axamlner The trust8es are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year und8r saction 144 of thè Ch8ritw6 Acl 2011 (the Act) and that an Independent examination is needed. Having satisfEd myself that the charity is not subject to an audit under chafity law arKI is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibilty to.. examine the accounts under section 145(1) of the Act.. follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by Ihe Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. as amended: and stste whether particular rnatter8 have come to my attention. Basis of independent exarniner'$ Ststsmont My exgmination was carried out in accordance with general Dir8Ctions giv8n by the Charity Commission. 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 considèration of any unusual items or disclosures of the accounts and seeking explanations from you as tru8te6s concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provKle all the eviden￿ 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 5imited to those mattets Set out in the statement below. Independent Examlner's ststement n connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. which givés me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting reco￿$ in accordance with the Charities Act 2011,. and to prepare accounts whlch accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Acl 2011 and wtth the methods and principEes of the Statement of Recomrnended Practi￿. Accounting and Reporting by Charities. have not been met., or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a Proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Brenda Peers-Ross FMMT, ACIE 1Ph January 2026 CAMDEN SPARK (Charity Incorporatlon Organlsatlon (CIO) No.. 1172146) Pagé 9 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT For the Period 31st MarGh 2025 Note Unrestrlcted Re51riGtsd 2025 2024 Totsl Income from: Donations and Le9acies Chariiable Ath'vitles Other Totsl In¢om• 208.48 208.48 20,000.LKJ 7,500.00 208A8 208.48 27,500.00 Expenditure on: Raising Funds Charitablè Activities other Total Expondltur• 3,ODO.00 6.740.63 3,000.00 6,740.83 1,950.00 34,921.82 9 740.63 9 740.63 38,871.82 Not Incom•l(Exp•ndltur•) 9,532.15 9,632.16 9,371.82 Tran8fer between funds 39.27 39,27 Net movement In fund$ (9.492.88) 139,27) (9,532.15> (9,371,821 Total funds brought forward 28,185.86 39,27 28.225.13 37,596.95 Total tund8 carried forward 18,692.98 18,692.98 28,225.13 CAMDEN SPARK {Charity Incorporatlon Oryanisation (CIO) No: 1172145) Page 10 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES At 31st March 2025 Unr88tricted Restrlcted 2025 2024 Bank cU￿t Account Debtors.. 18,692.98 318.40 19 011.38 18,692.98 318.40 19,011.38 28,225.13 28,225.13 Llablllt6es IrKlependent Exafflination 400.00 400.00 400.00 400.00 350.00 350,00 Net As88ts 18,611.38 18,611.38 27,875.13 Totsl Unrestricted R•strict•d 31.03.25 Total 31.03.24 Charlty Cash Funds UnroStrict8d Funds Restricted Furtds 18,692.98 18,692.98 28,185.86 39.27 28,225.13 8 692.98 18,692.98 Presented and approved by the Trustees at a committee meeting held on 13th Octoobor 2025 and signed on their behalf. Rob Earrey Cha rifruslee CAMDEN SPARK (Charity Incorporatlon Organisation (CIO) No: 1172145) Page11 For tha Period 31st March 2025 Notes to the A¢¢ounts Unrestrictgd Restrictgd 2020 2024 Note 1 Donations and Logacies Donation 208.48 208.48 20 000.00 20,000.00 Note 2 Charitable AGtivitios Granl.. A New Direction 7,500.00 7,500.00 Other Income: Other 7,500.00 Nota 3 Gharltable Activitie8 Programme managers fees InsurancAg Creative Collaboraiion STEAM work experience Other expendbtura IT , emails, web8it•, broadband Regent High School cttarges Membership, Fub5¢riptions Camden Arts Centre Events including refreshment8 Independent Examinats'on 1,875.00 234.64 2,000.00 331.64 300.00 1.144.36 1,875.00 234.64 2,000.00 331.64 300.00 1,1H.36 8,500.00 234.64 6,350.00 2,250.00 698.73 1,057.08 199.95 563.07 12.000.00 2,684.35 404.00 34,921.82 399.99 399.99 455.00 6,740.63 455.00 6,740.63 Note 4 UnrestriGted and D••ignat•d funds Opening Balance 01.04.24 Transfer Closlng Between Balanc• Funds 31.03.26 Movement Movomont Out Unrestricted General Reserve Designat8d- Cam4Jonian Project {2,514.14) 30,700.00 28,185.86 208.48 (9,740.63) 39.27 (12,007.02> 30,700.00 18,692.98 208.48 39.27 Note 5 Rgstrict•d funds Openlng Balance 01.04.24 Transfer Closing Botwoon Balance Funds 31.03.25 Movement In Movomgnt Out New Directson 39.27 39.27 (39.27 39.27 CAMDEN SPARK {Charity Incorporation Organlsatlon (CIO) No: 1172146) Page 12 For the PerSod 318t Mar¢h 2025 Notes to Ihe Accounts Basls of preparation The financial statements of the CIO, whitth is a public benefft entity under FRS102. have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Rèporting by Charities issued January 2015. applicable UK Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 2011. Ultimate Controlllng Paty Camden Spark is a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and is controlled by the Management Committeetrrustees individually named in th• Annual Report. Income Income is brought into account on when received. Expondlture ExperKliture is brought into account in the year it is spent. Rlsk The trustees do nol believ8 the charity is subject to any 8ubNt8nlial risk beyond the li8bilitie8 di8cIo88d in its Annual ROF)orl ond Accounts, Format The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payment basls.