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← Arkbound Foundation

2023-10-20-accounts

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TRUSTEE’S REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

21 October 2022 to 20 October 2023

Arkbound Foundation

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 20 October 2023

Charity number 1173072 (England and Wales) SC049523 (Scotland) Address and contact details Arkbound Foundation Arkbound Foundation Future Leap Sustainable Rogart Street Campus Business Hub 4 Rogart Street 1-3 Gloucester Road Glasgow Bristol BS7 8AA G40 2AA 0117 4637197 0141 5724602 info@arkfound.org info@arkfound.org

The trustees who served for the period of this report are as follows:-

Jim Dempsey, chair Waltraud Pospischil Amanda Thomas Beth Cowen Lena Gray Matthew Lepley Claire Harris Dr Rula Abdulrazak Dr Renuka Thakore (joined 24th April 2023) Mike Findlay (stepped down 26th September 2023) Anila Arshad-Mehmood (stepped down 28th March 2023)

Patrons

Anthony Hopkins CBE Jane Hatton Eoin Mclennan-Murray Lucy Watts MBE

Independent Examiner

Ahmed Khan CIMA Capital Office 124 City Rd London EC1V 2NX

Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document: Constitution

How the charity is constituted: CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) - only voting members are charity trustees

Trustee selection method: Appointed through open, full board meeting decisions

Objects and activities

The charitable objects of the CIO are: -

a. TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INCLUSION for the public benefit by working with people across the UK of all age groups who are socially excluded on the grounds of disability, poverty, criminal background, ethnicity, or any other characteristic, and to relieve the needs of these groups to assist them to integrate more effectively into society, particularly by: -

How the charity implemented the objectives and the main activities undertaken for the public benefit over the last year(s):

The charity is grassroots founded, with lived experience core team members, and is equality and diversity led. It works directly with people from a range of disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds, principally those who suffer social exclusion because of poverty, disability, ethnic and any other equality rights protected features, also those with refugee status, a conviction or criminal record, addictions, drug abuse, living in poverty or being long-term unemployed.

Between October 2022-23 we have published 8 authors, with a further two due to be published by year’s end. Example of the titles published in this period include:-

  1. ‘Beggar Bee Nameless’ by Stephen Easterbrook. A debut fiction novel by someone from a disadvantaged background that explores themes around homelessness, poverty, substance misuse and community fragmentation. It was accompanied by a widely attended launch event.

  2. ‘The Shadow of My Ancestral Tree’ by Nasha Solim: An amalgamation of diary entries that the author composed between the ages of twenty-one to twenty-four. It speaks of the experiences that many young women go through. A collection of poetry about life: Generational trauma,

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Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

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Alongside these publications, we have delivered three mentoring programmes:-

1. Bridging Literary Divides (‘BLD’)

BLD focuses on supporting aspiring disadvantaged writers who are based in Scotland. The feedback received from mentees notes they have experienced an overall increase with their skill and confidence in writing to pursue wider publishing opportunities. One of BLD mentees – – Imma J. Lopez recently published ‘Viento de levante’ in the summer edition of Unpsychology Magazine. This autumn, we will host an online creative writing workshop along with peer support sessions for the programme users to share their work, practice and experience with each other as the programme reaches its final quarter. Responding to feedback from mentees surrounding their overall experience and specific ambitions with their work, future planning of the programme will include supplementary industry focused events/workshops/sessions for writing career development. Our future planning for the programme and its funding will also consider small grant support and a pilot fellowship programme to include: mentoring, info sessions, residency, stipend and a publishing opportunity.

“My time in this programme exceeded all my expectations! This is my first time in a programme like this and didn‟t know what to expect, although I had [specific] areas that I knew I needed more help with the support I received through this as I expanded my writing and myself so much more.” – Mentee

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For the year 21s October 2022 - 20 October 2023

Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

2. Writing Within Walls

Following the success of last year’s National Writing Competition, we have organised for the publication of the writing collection, titled ‘Enduring Words’, in December 2023. The book, which features 10 of the winning entrants (out of over 80 submissions received):

„This collection of writings, from incarcerated individuals, offers a glimpse into the transformative power of creative writing in prison. Within these pages, the stories, poems, and reflections transport us to the depths of human experiences, bridging the gap between confinement and freedom. These voices demand to be heard, reminding us of the resilience and potential for growth that reside within each person, regardless of their past.‟ – Sarah Hartley, Competition judge

Alongside this publication and the connections formed as a result of the competition, we have mentored 12 people with direct experience of custody, pairing them with mentors who can develop their writing skills with the aim to enable a means for them to access publishing opportunities.

„For maybe the first time in my life [I‟ve] felt supported to express myself in a way that doesn‟t lead to some cell or drug. I am so appreciative for this chance you have given me and the dream of being able to write a book.‟ – Mentee

„Being a trans person inside is no easy ride, and I have to spend most of the time locked up. There‟s not much to do, so I wrote to get on this programme. Little did I know the difference it would make.‟ – Mentee

One of the project’s principal aims is also to address issues around isolation and poor mental health, which the Prison Reform Trust estimates to affect over 65% of the UK prison population. At the same time, by steering creative energies into writing and beginning a journey of positive personal development with a connection to the outside world, the project has a powerful rehabilitative impact on those who take part. Indeed, we have so far recorded that all prior mentees who have been released from custody have not returned. Two of those who were previously mentees have now become paid mentors themselves, which the charity coordinates as part of this project.

3. General mentoring programme

The general mentoring programme is provided to everyone else not part of BLD or WWW, who identifies as coming from an under-represented, marginalised or disadvantaged background. These are usually people who experience a disability, are neuro-divergent, members of the LGBTQ+ community, long-term carers, on very low incomes, with prior experience of being in custody, refugees and asylum seekers. After an initial assessment, we then match these individuals up to a mentor who has relevant experience – usually a published author, experienced publishing professional, or literary agent. The aim of the programme, like BLD and WWW, is to empower people to have their voices heard through writing; to bolster confidence and self-esteem; to open up publishing opportunities after their writing is developed sufficiently;

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Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

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to improve wider community participation and cohesion as a result of the journey (events from publishing, material that is published, etc). An important part of the process is also to challenge discrimination, negative stereotyping, or general lack of understanding towards those who come from backgrounds where this is likely to occur. The general mentoring programme had no funding from February 2023 onwards, though we have made frequent applications to many funders without success so far. It has a waiting list of 21 fully eligible individuals. Despite the absence of funding, the charity has still been able to deliver limited, unstructured mentoring from the voluntary input of one staff member and one trustee.

With the support of Quartet Community Foundation, and after considering the feedback we received from workshop leaders and participants from the first round of the creative writing

workshops held at the Wild Goose last year, we were excited to launch the revamped second-set of eight sessions which began in September. Unlike the first round, these sessions were more malleable and gave the participants greater autonomy over what each session would entail. With a less rigid, more frequent programme and more opportunities for participants to write and share their thoughts with the group, participants have become more involved and dedicated to the programme, with the majority returning every week. The workshops have proven again how beneficial community activities and projects are to bridging connections from diverse backgrounds and giving everyone an opportunity to connect and create.

“I found the course really helpful in so many ways, from boosting my confidence to trying different areas in writing. I usually write real life but it taught me to try poetry and fiction, etc. I really appreciate everything I was taught and the feedback on what I wrote, too. I look forward to more courses in the future and achieving my dream of writing a book one day. " – Participant

“It‟s been a real honour to be part of the creative writing workshops at The Wild Goose. The drop-in style worked really well, I was able to be adaptable to attendee‟s wants and needs. The group were keen to get writing, so we did various writing exercises, some of them scribbling pages of words! Their enthusiasm and the stories they shared were inspiring. I feel these writing workshops are so important for mental health, wellbeing and to help people who may be isolated. It‟s been a real privilege to be part of.” - Mel Ciavucco, Facilitator

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Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

Governance

Over the last 12 months the charity‟s governance was stable, with meetings held of consistent attendance above quorum. Our general board meetings take place every month. Important decisions are made by majority vote and every trustee can bring up agenda points. All meetings are properly recorded through minutes which get taken during the meetings, then circulated to all trustees a few days later, once they are written out and confirmed to be accurate.

We also advanced through regular trustee training opportunities, and every board member is made aware of the resources and regulations which are available through the CCEW gov.uk pages. Our policies get regularly updated and we have all essential ones in comprehensive forms, like safeguarding, data protection, complaints, conflicts of interests, expenses, volunteering, together with internal contacts, designated persons, as well as outside contacts for emergencies.

There is an all-staff team meeting held bi-weekly, where each member can share details of their activities, together with weekly meetings for specific operational and project areas. Performance is regularly assessed by a general operations staff member, with monthly updates relayed to the board of trustees. Alongside this, the charity operates an informal steering group, comprised of (currently) four volunteers, two trustees, two staff members and a rotating number of beneficiaries. This group helps feed into the charity’s work and direction.

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Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

Achievements and performance

Our Crowdbound initiative saw us successfully raise £28,600, from a total of 616 backers. This enabled the full support of 13 campaigns.

Breakdown of campaigns

The total of 13 successful campaigns from October 2022 is consistent with the aim of at least one campaign per month. From these campaigns, 7 have raised well above the set target.

We also proceeded with our year-long plan to open a venue in Glasgow, called the ArkHub, formerly the Glasgow Zine Library. After a monthlong search, a property was secured in July. Over the following three months, from August to October, the ArkHub team carried out comprehensive renovations, including wall fixes, interior and exterior design planning, painting, and furniture procurement, all with the invaluable assistance of dedicated team members and, at a later stage, volunteers. Beyond the physical transformation, ArkHub also focused on community building by forging partnerships with local charities. We have also recruited a team of volunteers interested in contributing to the day-today management of our community space. The culmination of these efforts were celebrated with the opening of ArkHub on the 26 October, followed by a launch event on the 16 November. Although the space requires further development before it can become as envisioned,

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Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

we are pleased to have finally obtained a customer-facing venue that is capable of serving as a location for events and workshops, together with a way for the charity to make a new revenue stream.

As the UK’s only literature organisation part of the United Nations Environmental Programme, we continue to take our environmental and climate responsibilities very seriously. This is reflected through our ongoing support of works that cover environmental themes – climate change being the prominent subject – through titles including ‘Ellie and Sapiens’ and ‘Value Beyond Money’ (forthcoming).

Likewise, we honored our yearly commitment to be a carbon negative organisation (one that absorbs or offsets more carbon than it produces) through a highly proactive supply chain policy and the supported planting of trees in the now 3-year-old ‘Oakupy’ project. Just like in 2021-2, we were able to replant 1,000 oak saplings purchased from Maelor Forest Nurseries. With the help of volunteers working with Arkbound on this project, we were able to donate the saplings to a variety of organisations such as Pod Micro School, YACWAG (Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group) and Bristol Tree Forum who were able to distribute the donated trees through their annual tree giveaway project.

In addition, the charity funded 11 placements for a 2-week course at Rubha Phoil on the Isle of Skye. This funding, of £5000, allowed participants to experience regenerative permaculture in harmony with nature, allowing their creativity to flow. In the words of the center manager:

“I‟m really grateful to Arkbound for the financial support to be able to run this program for people who need it the most and often can‟t afford it. Literally, bridging literary divides.”

Our part as a member in networks such as Ecolise (pan-European) and Scotland Community Climate Actions Network (national action in Scotland) gives us many opportunities to stay abreast of what other organisations are doing, partake in all possible collaborative opportunities, and be at the forefront of real actions to tackle the climate emergency. The charity was one of the first, both in its sector and as a general NGO, to highlight the importance of climate change even before climate emergency declarations were made, with its efforts in this area acknowledged by awards going back to 2016. The inertia and insufficient effort made by many other organisations,

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Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

even those in receipt of much higher levels of funding and with far greater capacity, continues to be a cause of mounting concern and one that the charity regularly draws attention to through social media, reports on our academic branch, and feedback provided to bodies such as the Environmental Funders Network and directly to funders themselves.

Our titles were represented at the annual Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany by Gazelle Book Services, which were very well received and generated a lot of interest. The book fair is recognised as the largest in the industry across

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the world, and is attended by over 105,000 trade visitors as well as 110,000 general public attendees.

“Gazelle is proud to support the work of Arkbound, whose mission to give a voice to authors from a wide range of backgrounds sets them apart and creates a unique offering within the book industry.” - Billy Howorth, sales and operations manager

Among our book launches, Nasha Solim’s had a high turnout and the book itself achieved national media coverage. Nasha reflected:

“Everyone is very friendly and warm. I believe in the core values of the publisher, which is apparent in the staff. Riyan [the book editor] is a very supportive editor who gave very useful feedback whilst also accepting my views. The book has turned out much better than the original manuscript because of her. Riyan has been incredible throughout this whole process of guiding me, answering my questions, going above and beyond for the book and for me. I am very ambitious and she has been the driving force of everything in helping me achieve my aspirations.”

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For the Social Enterprise 2023 awards, we were nominated for Best Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice, and we were also selected for a case study on Lived Experience Charities Undertaking Social Impact Work by St Anne’s College of Oxford University, which follows in the wake of us being featured in previous academic studies (as referenced on other annual reports).

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Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

Overcoming challenges and obstacles

The ability to access funding this year was hampered by various factors, both within and outside of the charity. Although multiple applications were lodged, it seemed many funders had placed their priorities elsewhere, in the background of a ‘cost of living emergency’ and sentiments that literature related activities lacked as much urgency as other forms of intervention. The amount of time spent writing often very lengthy funding applications, only to invariably result in refusals, has represented a sizable operational drain on the charity. Although some funding has been provided, it does not fully account for the amount of time and effort that has been made in writing applications, since the overwhelming majority of funding received is restricted and can only go towards set projects rather than our general administration and operations. For this reason, an increasing amount of hope and time has been devoted to building areas of income. Unlike funding, the effort expended in these areas almost always results in a positive gain.

Just as a cost of living crisis has shifted the priorities of many funders, it has also posed internal challenges for our team. Not only must we look to offset higher living costs with higher wages – in the background of reduced funding – but we are also finding ourselves part of a competitive employer landscape whereby there is financial temptation for high performing employees to seek out better paying roles. The reduction of workforce caused by Brexit has not aided this situation. Although we do our utmost to provide ample opportunities and bonuses, which many of these higher paying organisations cannot offer, one long-term member of our staff ended up moving to a different organisation during this period. We came to be reliant on relatively young and inexperienced people to fill some of the gaps created by her absence, and several problems arose that negatively affected the charity. However, robust steps were put in place and the team has been reconfigured, with new supervision procedures implemented. Although previously we encouraged a ‘sociocratic’ model based on horizontal and circular management structure, the experience in this period highlighted the need for a more clearly defined managerial tier and mandatory reporting requirements for all staff. This does, however, open up the ongoing challenge of how we can retain reliable, driven and high performing people in the absence of sufficient funding to pay them what many other organisations can offer. We hope to solve this by growing our income areas, together with creative means to keep employees invested in what the charity does.

Our steps to address these challenges include:-

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Arkbound Foundation

Report of the trustees

For the year 21 October 2022 - 20 October 2023

Financial review

The Arkbound Foundation aims to keep at least three months running costs in reserves, so as to cover emergency or unexpected costs. We have managed to continue doing that throughout this period.

During the last financial year, we were successfully able to repay two social investment loans early, which had allowed us to bolster our operations and develop areas of income. Full reports were supplied to the funding bodies and we have been invited to access further funding should we need it in the future, with plans that include a property purchase. The loans had accompanying grant elements, which accounts for the sizable decrease in grant related revenue for this year (£42,000 versus £103,687 for last year). The early settlement of social investment loans caused there to be more expenditure than income this year, by £30,166, but this fell in line with our cash flow and with us still maintaining a healthy £69,583 positive fund balance by year end.

At the same time, our trading revenue has increased significantly – representing £78,830 across the year – which includes book sales revenue, publishing services, workshop fees paid by companies, other item sales (including eBay), and Crowdbound revenue. Income from corporate sponsorship was the highest of any year, at £11,200. We also continued our year-by-year upward trend of donations, which comprised a total of £38,861 with the inclusion of eligible Gift Aid.

The main area of expenses has been staff expenditure (£70,949) followed by project delivery costs (£46,004). By accounting year end we had a total of seven staff, the majority working part time, and we will be looking to reduce this number to five staff in the short term whilst overall increasing total hours for key roles.

The comparative absence of grant funding to sustain delivery of charitable work posed challenges, but our prior investment and focus in building multiple areas of trading revenue has helped us significantly through this period. Moreover, the monthly income generated in these areas shows continuing increase, with scope for further development. Nonetheless, as a charity that endeavors to deliver free and accessible services to people from highly disadvantaged backgrounds, there is still a need to access a level of grant funding, at least for the intermediate future (plans around a property purchase in the future are envisioned to remove almost all pressure to obtain grants). To year end the charity has complied with its minimum reserves policy and the cashflow forecast to six months ahead will maintain it.

Independent examiner

Ahmed Khan was appointed as independent examiner for the charity in this period.

This report was approved by the trustees on 8 November 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Chair of trustees

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Independent examiner’s report

To the trustees of the Arkbound Foundation

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Arkbound Foundation ("the charity") for the year ended 20th October 2023, which are set out on pages 13 to 17.

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 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

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:

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.

Date: 8 November 2023

Ahmed Khan CIMA Capital Office 124 City Rd London EC1V 2NX

For the year ended 20 October 2023

Arkbound Foundation

Receipts and payment account (cont.)

Arkbound Foundation

Receipts and payment account

For the year ended 20 October 2023

12 months to 20/10/2023
Total £		 12 months to 20/10/2023
Total £		 Restated
[Period in last accounts]
Total £		 Restated
[Period in last accounts]
Total £
Receipts
Donations and corporate sponsorships 50,061 30,045
Grants(1) 42,000 103,687
Revenue from book sales and publishing 49,697 19,848
Support in kind 2,175 2,388
Other sales (including eBay) 11,757 924
Internship placement support 19,950 0
Crowdbound 28,600 2,457
Workshops 7,000 0
Loans 0 95,000
Receipts 211,240 254,349
Total 211,240 254,349
Payments
Book publication costs (all elements) 30,399 32,986
Advertising and promotion 2,966 4,736
Writing and journalism workshops 4,236 5,349
Staff salaries 70,949 48,254
Training costs 1080 0
Volunteer and trustee expenses 2,009 2,105
Mentoring programme delivery costs 12,372 6,098
Rental and utilities 7,692 5,614
Insurance and legal costs 1,001 257
Admin (incl. Postage, stationery & franking) 3,014 2,056
Website costs 2,625 1,480
Equipment and materials 1,457 1,720
Environmental projects 2,062 6,477
Membership fees 325 270

Arkbound Foundation

Receipts and payment account (cont.)

For the year ended 20 October 2023

Small grants and prizes(2) 6,000 2,500
Fundraising costs 5,188 8,650
Loan repayments 88,038 9,640
Totalpayments 241,413 138,192
Net receipts /(payments)
Cash funds at 21 October 2022 116,157
Cash funds at 20 October 2023 68,145

Arkbound Foundation

Balance sheet

As at 20 October 2023

Current assets
Debtors: amounts falling due within 1
year(3)
Cash at hand and in bank
Creditors: amounts falling due within
1 year(4)
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds(5)
Unrestricted funds(6)
Total funds		 17,839
68,145
85,984
16,401		 2023
£
85,984
69,583
69,583
26,975
42,608
69,583		 11,278
116,157
116,157
21,948		 2022
£
127,435
105,487
105,487
83,958
21,529
105,487

The notes on pages 15 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

Arkbound Foundation

Notes to the financial statements

As at 20 October 2023

(1)
Grants received
Name of source Amount received Funding purpose
(£)
The Endrick Trust 2000 Writing Within Walls project
(restricted)
Quartet Community Foundation 5000 Writing workshops
(restricted)
Amazon Literature Partnerships 5000 Publishing (restricted)
Culture and Business Scotland 10,000 Corporate sponsorship match
funding (restricted)
Full Circle 10,000 Core operations
(unrestricted)
Royal Society of Literature 10,000 Publishing (restricted)
(2)
Grants given
Recipient name Amount given Funding purpose
(£)
Rubha Phoil 5000 Supporting 11 placements at
center on Isle of Skye
Pod Micro School and Yatton and 1000 Tree planting
Congresbury Wildlife Action Group

Arkbound Foundation

Notes to the financial statements

(cont.) As at 20 October 2023

(3)
Debtors
Due within 1 year
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Grants
(4)
Creditors
Due within 1 year
Book royalties
Trade creditors
Loan repayments
(5)
Restricted funds
Current year (as at 20/10/23)
Writing Within Walls
Mentoring
Book publishing
Rental
Workshops
Staff
Placements		 2023
(£)
13,279
4,560
0
17,839
2023
(£)
7,254
9,147
0
16,401		 2023
£
6068
210
5000
11,278

2022
(£)
2100
0
19,848
21,948
Amount
(£)
859
3,074
1,250
7,807
7,000
5,035
1,950
26,975		 21,948

Arkbound Foundation

Notes to the financial statements

(cont.) As at 20 October 2023

(6) Unrestricted funds

Current year (as at 20/10/23)
Source Amount
(£)
Full Circle 6,058
Sponsorships 2,856
Donations 15,755
Trading revenue 23,997
Total 42,608