EMPATHY MUSEUM
Charity registration no: 1172596
Income Detailed
Trustees Report and Unaudited Accounts
31 March 2025
Empathy Museum
Contents of the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 3 |
| Trustees Annual Report | 4-8 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 9 |
| Statement of Financial Activites | 10 |
| Summary of Income and Expenditure | 11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12 |
| Cash Flows | 13 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 14-19 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 20-21 |
Empathy Museum
Charity Information
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Registered Charity Name:
| Trustees: | Lorraine Patricia Gamman | |
|---|---|---|
| Judith Anne Knight | ||
| Helen Neveu Kringlebach | ||
| Morten Lindter Kringlebach | ||
| Roman Alexander Krznaric | ||
| Eric Lonergan | ||
| Olivia Osas Efe Douglass - | Appointed. 25 June 2024 | |
| Office Address: | International House | |
| 6 Canterbury Crescent | ||
| Brixton | ||
| London | ||
| SW9 7QD | ||
| Registered Company number: | 09941846 (England and Wales) | |
| Charity Registered Number: | 1172596 | |
| Accountant: | JT AccountS | |
| 9 Woodgrange Avenue | ||
| Enfield | ||
| EN1 1EW | ||
| Independent examiner: | Jacqueline Tetley | |
| 9 Woodgrange Avenue | ||
| Enfield | ||
| EN1 1EW |
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Empathy Museum Report of the Trustees Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2025
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Empathy Museum
Trustees Annual Report
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
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The Board of Trustees presents its report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 25 and reports on developments since that date and future plans for the charitable company.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 8 January 2016 and registered as a charity on 18 April 2017. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed under its
Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees
The number of Trustees is limited to a minimum of three; there is no maximum. Trustees are elected by members of the charitable company. All Trustees are directors of the charitable company. None of the directors have any beneficial interest in the charitable company. On
Organisational Structure
The Trustees are responsible for all legal decisions and administer all aspects of compliance and governance. An Artistic Director, who is not a company officer, has been appointed and delegated quotidian administrative powers to manage specific projects and propose artistic strategy and
Risk Management
The major risks to which the charitable company is exposed have been identified and reviewed, and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees monitor their creditors each year to ensure that they have sufficient reserves to meet
Post Balance Sheet Events
There were no significant post balance sheet events.
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Empathy Museum Report of the Trustees Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2025
Objects and Activities
The objects of the charitable company are:
For the benefit of the public the promotion of moral or spiritual welfare or improvement of the community and the advancement of the arts by creating artworks that focus on the theme of empathy using a variety of forms including (but not limited to) theatre performance arts and
For the purposes of this clause the term "empathy" means the capacity to understand the feelings Basis and Values
Empathy Museum creates high quality experiential artworks that focus on the theme of empathy. These are free to access, tour nationally and internationally, and are created in collaboration with artists, cultural partners and community participants. The forms of art include theatre,
The Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission’s published guidance in relation to public benefit when setting, reviewing and assessing their aims for the charitable company.
Programme
During 2024 – 2025 Empathy Museum’s work covered the following areas:
We presented our existing piece A Mile in My Shoes in a number of UK and international locations
We began work on Circles , a new collaboration in the healthcare space.
We began researching and developing projects with new partners across new creative forms.
We developed new project partnerships outside the arts sector.
A Mile in My Shoes
Objectives
· To consolidate past successes of this excellent, accessible artwork and reach a wider range of
· To foster empathy by embodying the indigenous American proverb, ‘you cannot understand a
Achievements
· A Mile in My Shoes is a shoe shop where visitors are invited to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes - literally. Often housed in a giant shoebox, and sometime as a pop-up in commercial spaces or within organisations, this exhibit holds a diverse collection of shoes and audio stories that explore our shared humanity. From a Syrian refugee to a sex worker, a war veteran to a neurosurgeon, visitors are invited to walk a mile in the shoes of a stranger whilst listening to their
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Empathy Museum Report of the Trustees Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2025
· We developed and presented a new version of A Mile in My Shoes for the Health Equals programme at the Health Foundation. These were shown at the Labour and Conservative Party
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A Mile in My Shoes and the Talking Table were shown at the Choose Love Christmas shop in
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A Mile in My Shoes was presented internationally, with:
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Centre de Memoires Montrealaises, Montreal, Canada
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Intermuseus in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as part of a schools programme
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Festival Van de Gelikheid, Ghent, Belgium
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American Burns Association
· 52 new stories and shoes were presented:
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21 new stories with Health Equals
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6 new stories from Belgium
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25 new stories with the American Burns Association.
Circles
Objectives
- To develop a therapeutic listening and talking experience that responds to a set of personal
Achievements
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We developed a new set of recorded personal testimonies from nursing staff and ran a series of workshops with Professional Nursing Ambassadors and Senior Leaders as part of the Getting to
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We ran a facilitator training day and developed a new handbook and website for the project.
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We ran a Circle as part of NHS England’s Action Learning set on Creating Safe Spaces with Chief
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We began exploring a version working with Circles in Palliative Care.
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We began to develop a new Circle with Phoenix Futures, working with front line drug and alcohol
Other creative activity
Objectives
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To increase the reach of our work beyond the period during which we have a physical installation
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To increase our international audience
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To utilise mediums like podcasts and talks to reach new and different audiences
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To grow our networks
Achievements
· Fête of Britain : a collaboration with Hard Art, this was a four-day celebration of. Collaboration and imagination in the face of the great challenges of our time, from the climate crisis to the cost of
· We worked with a photographer and audio producer to collect audio stories and photographic portraits at the Big Caribbean Lunch in Brixton’s Windrush Square and became lead partner in a
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Empathy Museum Report of the Trustees Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2025
· We produced a workshop at the National Theatre Studios with theatre director Ian Rickson on the first stage of development of a piece of verbatim theatre based on the recent trial of 6 medics/climate activists who broke the windows of JP Morgan Bank. This process will bring
· We produced a workshop day at the National Theatre Studio to explore the potential of creating a
· Clare continued to be an active core member of the Hard Art collective.
· Clare continued to be a part of a research group at Museum of London to explore ideas for a new centre for compassion as part of the new museum development.
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Clare was interviewed for a profile of Empathy Museum in a new book by Dutch designers
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Clare contributed a piece to New Left Cultures magazine, curated by the Museum of Unrest.
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Merchandise: we printed packs of conversation cards that were part of the Talking Table in Up
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To date, the Empathy Museum podcast has had over 78,000 downloads in the UK and over
Financial Review
Total income for the year was £241,821; of this, £68,250 of restricted funds were carried forward
Total expenditure was £173,648.
The Board of Trustees is satisfied with the cash position at the end of the year. These resources will be used in future to further the aims and objects of the Charity.
Public Benefit
The Trustees are satisfied that A Mile in My Shoes , Circles and other creative activity engaged a diverse range of people with ideas around empathy, in innovative and enjoyable ways. In doing so, the Trustees feel that the objectives of the promotion of moral or spiritual welfare or improvement
Plans for the Future
Key aims for the year ahead include:
. Develop a free public exhibition in Brixton around the lived experiences of the Windrush
. Pursue further opportunities for A Mile in My Shoes to tour internationally, including work
. Develop a new version of A Mile in My Shoes in partnership with Foxglove, showcasing stories
. Continue to work on a new offer designed for the corporate sector around bespoke events
. Continue to identify and give visibility to those voices that are rarely heard within the mainstream, e.g. those of refugees and migrants. Page | 7
Empathy Museum Report of the Trustees Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2025
. Increase our digital offer, allowing a wider audience to access our work.
. Consolidate our UK base and extend our reach beyond London.
. Develop the verbatim theatre piece for public performances with a wraparound programme of
. Develop new participatory public artworks around the theme of empathy.
. Continue to develop work around Circles .
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Company law requires the Trustees (as directors of Empathy Museum) to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the surplus or deficit of the charitable company for that year. In
. Select suitable accounting policies and then 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
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for
On behalf of the Board
…………………………………… Roman Krznaric - Trustee
Date: …………………………
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Empathy Museum Independent Examiners Report For the year ended 31 March 2025
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Empathy Museum Statement of Financial Activites For the year ended 31 March 2025
| INCOMING FUNDS Notes Income from: Donations and grants 2 Charitable activities 3 Other 4 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable activites 5 Governance & admin costs 5 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total Funds Bought Forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR |
Unrestricted funds 2025 Restricted funds 2025 Total funds 2025 £ £ £ 100,000 - 100,000 204,916 - 204,916 34,065 - 34,065 338,981 - 338,981 251,035 - 251,035 25,953 - 25,953 276,988 - 276,988 61,993 - 61,993 14,655 - 14,655 76,648 - 76,648 |
Total funds 2024 £ 74,454 54,713 8,750 137,917 201,731 10,246 211,976 -74,059 88,714 14,655 |
|---|---|---|
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Empathy Museum
Summary Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Income Total income for the year Gross income for the year Total expenditure for the year Net income/(expenditure) for the year |
2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ Unrestricted Restricted Total 338,981 - 338,981 338,981 - 338,981 276,988 - 276,988 61,993 - 61,993 |
2024 £ Total 137,917 137,917 211,976 -74,059 |
|---|---|---|
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Empathy Museum Balance Sheet
For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Tangible Assets Notes Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors 6 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors -Amounts falling due within one year 7 Deferred income Net Current Assets Total assets less current liabilities Total assets excluding pension asset or liability FUNDS Restricted Income Funds 8 Designated Reserves Fund 8 Unrestricted Income Funds 8 |
2025 - 21,551 63,488 85,039 381 8,010 8,391 76,648 76,648 76,648 - 30,000 46,648 76,648 |
2024 - 42,055 18,976 61,031 46,377 - 46,377 14,655 14,655 14,655 - 14,655 - 14,655 |
|---|---|---|
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
For the year ended 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. Approved by the board on 12 December 2025
And signed on its behalf by:
Roman Krznaric - Trustee
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Empathy Museum Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
Change in basis of accounting or to previous accounts
The financial statements have been prepared 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 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and method of accounting) since last year and no changes have been made to accounts for previous years.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds
These are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the charity.
Designated funds
Reserves policy
The charity maintains a designated reserves fund to ensure it can continue its activities in the event of unforeseen financial difficulties and to provide working capital for ongoing commitments.
At 1 February 2024 the designated reserves fund amounted to £14,655. During the year the trustees increased the designated reserve by £15,345, bringing the total to £30,000 at 31 March 2025.
After allowing for this designated reserve, the charity held free reserves of £46,648 at 31 March 2025 (2024: £nil). The trustees consider this an appropriate level of free reserves for the size and nature of the charity’s operations.
Revaluation funds
These are unrestricted funds which include a revaluation reserve representing the restatement of investment assets at their market values.
Restricted funds
These are available for use subject to restrictions imposed by the donor or through terms of an appeal.
Income
Recognition of income
Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to, and virtually certain to receive, the income and the amount of the income can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Income with related expenditure
Is reported gross in the SoFA Page | 13
Empathy Museum Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Donations and | Voluntary income received by way of grants, donations and gifts is |
|---|---|
| grants | included in the the SOFA when receivable and only when the |
| Charity has unconditional entitlement to the income. | |
| Tax reclaims on donations and | Income from tax reclaims is included in the SoFA at the same time |
| gifts | as the gift/donation to which it relates. |
| Donated services | These are only included in income (with an equivalent amount in |
| and facilities | expenditure) where the benefit to the Charity is reasonably |
| quantifiable, measurable and material. | |
| Volunteer help | The value of any volunteer help received is not included jn the |
| accounts. | |
| Investment income | This is included in the accounts when receivable. |
| Gains/(losses) on | This includes any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments |
| revaluation of fixed assets | to market value at the end of the year. |
| Gains/(losses) on investment | This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments. |
| assets | |
| Expenditure | |
| Recognition of expenditure | Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis. Expenditure includes |
| any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of | |
| the expenditure to which it relates. | |
| Expenditure on raising funds | These comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary |
| income, fundraising trading costs and investment management | |
| Expenditure on charitable | These comprise the costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of |
| activities | its activities and services in the furtherance of its objects, including |
| the making of grants and governance costs. | |
| Grants payable | All grant expenditure is accounted for on an actual paid basis plus |
| an accrual for grants that have been approved by the trustees at | |
| Governance costs | These include those costs associated with meeting the |
| constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity, including | |
| any audit/independent examination fees, costs linked to the | |
| Other expenditure | These are support costs not allocated to a particular activity. |
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Empathy Museum Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Intangible fixed assets and amortisation
Intangible fixed assets (including purchased goodwill, patents and trademarks) are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.
Trade and other debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. In the statement of financial position, bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings or current liabilities. In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the company's cash management.
Trade and other creditors
Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Change in reporting period
During the year the charity changed its accounting reference date. As a result, these financial statements cover a 14-month period from 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2025. The comparative figures cover a 12-month period and are therefore not directly comparable.
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Empathy Museum Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
The company is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital.
1. Statement of Financial Activites - prior year
| Income from: Donations and grants Charitable activities Other Total Expenditure on: Charitable activites Other Total Net (expenditure)/income Reconciliation of funds: Total Funds Bought Forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2024 Restricted funds 2024 35,000 39,454 54,713 - 8,750 - 98,463 39,454 103,941 97,790 10,246 - 114,186 97,790 -15,723 -58,336 30,378 58,336 14,655 - |
2024 74,454 54,713 8,750 137,917 201,731 10,246 211,976 -74,059 88,714 14,655 |
|---|---|---|
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Empathy Museum Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Income from donations and grants
| 2 Donations and Grants Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Foyle Foundation Compass Festival Eric Lonergan Heritage Fund |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ 100,000 - 100,000 - - - - - - - - - - - - 100,000 - 100,000 |
Total 2024 £ - 15,000 6,466 35,000 17,988 74,454 |
|---|---|---|
3 Income from charitable activites
| Charitable activities American Burn Association The Health Foundation Factory International 4 Other income Merchandise Gift Aid & Museum Relief Claims |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ 61,148 61,148 63,750 - 63,750 61,275 - 61,275 18,743 - 18,743 204,916 - 204,916 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 254 254 33,811 - 33,811 34,065 - 34,065 |
Total 2024 £ 54,713 - - 54,713 Total 2024 £ - 8,750 8,750 |
|---|---|---|
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Empathy Museum Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2025
5 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Accountancy fees Charitable Activities core costs Projects - Unrestricted Projects - Restricted: NSCCT Foyle Foundation Compass Festival Heritage Fund General administrative core costs Premises costs Other |
Charitable activities & support costs Governance & admin costs Total 2025 2025 2025 - 2,148 2,148 73,133 - 73,133 177,902 - 177,902 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14,940 14,940 - 8,865 8,865 - - - 251,035 25,953 276,988 |
Total 2024 1,950 - 31,289 45,000 15,000 1,820 35,971 67,737 4,261 8,948 211,976 |
|---|---|---|
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Empathy Museum
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2025
| 6 Debtors Trade debtors HMRC Museum Relief Tax Claim Prepayments HMRC 7 Creditors Deferred income - NSCCT Foxglove Deferred Income (prior year) Trade creditors Other taxes and social security Accruals 8 Movement in funds Unrestricted funds: Designated reserves fund General funds |
2025 2024 £ £ - 6,287 20,742 35,768 610 - 199 - 21,551 42,055 2025 2024 £ £ 8,010 - - 35,768 81 8,988 - 1,620 300 - 8,391 46,376 At 1 February 2024 Incoming resources (including other gains/losses) Rescources expended Transfers At 31 March 2025 £ £ £ £ £ 14,655 - - 15,345 30,000 - 338,981 -276,988 -15,345 46,648 14,655 338,981 -276,988 - 76,648 |
|---|---|
There were no restricted funds in the year.
A project grant of £8,010 was received from NSCCT but was unspent at year end because the project will run in 2026; it is therefore included within deferred income (Note 7).
The trustees reviewed the reserves policy during the year and resolved to increase the designated reserves fund from £14,655 to £30,000. As a result, £15,345 was transferred from the general unrestricted fund into the designated reserves fund.
9 Post Balance Sheet Events
Museum & Galleries Exhibitions Tax Relief Claim
Subsequent to the year end, the charity prepared and submitted a Museum & Galleries Exhibitions Tax Relief claim relating to qualifying expenditure incurred during the period ended 31 March 2025.
As the amount was neither agreed nor measurable at the balance sheet date, no debtor has been recognised in these financial statements. The income will be recognised in the period in which it becomes receivable.
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Empathy Museum
Detailed Statement of Financial Activites For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Income from: Donations and Grants Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Foyle Foundation Compass Festival Eric Lonergan Heritage Fund Charitable activities General American Burn Association Factory International The Health Foundation Other Merchandise Gift Aid & Museum Relief Claims Total income |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ 100,000 - 100,000 - - - - - - - - - - - - 100,000 - 100,000 61,148 - 61,148 63,750 - 63,750 18,743 - 18,743 61,275 - 61,275 204,916 - 204,916 254 254 33,811 - 33,811 34,065 - 34,065 338,981 - 338,981 |
Total 2024 £ - 15,000 6,466 35,000 17,988 74,454 54,713 - - - 54,713 - 8,750 8,750 137,917 |
|---|---|---|
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Empathy Museum Detailed Statement of Financial Activites For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Expenditure on: Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2025 2025 2025 Charitable activities projects 177,902 - 177,902 Charitable Activities core costs 73,133 - 73,133 251,035 - 251,035 Core Costs - - - Other - - - - - - Governance costs: Accountancy fees 1,848 - 1,848 Independent Examination 300 - 300 2,148 - 2,148 Total of expenditure on charitable activities 253,183 - 253,183 General administrative costs, including depreciation and amortisation Advertsing and Marketing 5,358 - 5,358 Bank fees 202 - 202 Equipment repairs and maintenance 1,184 - 1,184 Entertainment 161 - 161 Insurance 2,594 - 2,594 IT Software and Consumables 210 - 210 Professional fees 35 - 35 Premises costs 8,865 - 8,865 Printing/Stationary/Telephone 4,047 - 4,047 Subscriptions 1,149 - 1,149 23,805 - 23,805 Total expenditure 276,988 - 276,988 Net (expenditure)/income 61,993 - 61,993 61,993 - 61,993 Net movements in funds 61,993 - 61,993 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds bought forward 14,655 - 14,655 Total funds carried forward 76,648 - 76,648 Net (expenditure)/income before other gains/(losses) |
Total 2024 108,096 - 108,096 82,737 8,948 91,685 1,650 300 1,950 201,731 679 70 90 698 2,616 364 40 4,261 - 1,427 10,246 211,976 -74,059 -74,059 -74,059 88,714 14,655 |
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