**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1180955**
## **HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND**
**UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
Mayflower Accountancy & Tax Limited 1 Angel Business Centre, Luton Road, Toddington LU5 6DE
## **HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|2 to 9|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|10|
|Statement of Financial Activities|11|
|Balance Sheet|12|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|13 to 18|
1
**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
Registered CIO number 1180955
Registered office Trestle Arts Base Russet Drive St Albans Hertfordshire AL4 0JQ
Patron
Sarah Beazley (High Sheriff of Hertfordshire 19/20)
Trustees S Ackland (Appointed 21/01/2026) D Brown G Bryans (Chair) B Darmanin D Duncan (Completed terms of office 07/06/2025) R Dickman (Resigned 11/02/2026) J Freeman F Hayes N Haynes M Hughes-Short R Plaxton (Resigned 20/04/2026) K Rogers T K Selhi
Senior Management Caroline England (Chief Executive Officer)
Independent Examiner James Colvin FCMA Mayflower Accountancy & Tax Limited Unit A, Angel Business Centre 1 Luton Road Toddington LU5 6DE
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
The trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), which follows the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective from 1 January 2019.
## **CHARITABLE OBJECTS**
- A) To advance education by the provision of arts activities to the public, in particular but not exclusively to i) children and young people ii) disabled people, in Hertfordshire and neighbouring areas
- B) To relieve those in need by reason of disability and other disadvantage by using the arts and wellbeing therapies as a tool to help those in need and their families in Hertfordshire and neighbouring areas
## **WHAT IS HIT?**
We believe that theatre should be something everyone can take part in and enjoy. We know it is a powerful tool for personal development and social change and makes us happier and more connected human beings.
We make creative, safe spaces that:
- are fully inclusive and welcoming to everyone, tailored to give participants with learning disabilities and other additional needs the specialist support they need
- are joyful and educational, giving participants the chance to develop skills, express themselves creatively, have fun and make friends
The need for HIT stems from the high level of specialist support most of our participants require, which means that mainstream theatre groups are simply not able to cater for them. Without HIT, they would be shut out of the community drama that hundreds of thousands of people across the UK gain so much from. And HIT participants are the very people that need this most: people with learning difficulties face many issues, particularly isolation, low self-confidence and self-esteem, leading to poor mental health.
HIT’s activities encompass weekly term time theatre groups, holiday workshops, theatre productions and various commissioned creative projects. These cater for children, young people and adults across Hertfordshire, most of whom are learning disabled, autistic and/or have various emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Our ultimate impact is that HIT participants and their families have improved lives through the fun, fulfilment, friendships, skills and confidence they gain.
## **OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR**
Highlights Included:
- Taking to the stage at the Watford and West Herts SME Business Awards, where we spoke and performed in front of an audience of over 400 people—championing the power of inclusion and sharing a vision of a society where everyone belongs.
- Providing participants and volunteers with the inspiring opportunity to meet celebrity Jamie Laing during his Comic Relief Ultra Marathon.
- Extending into new communities across East and North Hertfordshire, to support even more disadvantaged individuals and ensure that our impact continues to grow where it is needed most.
_“The staff and volunteers are so supportive, nice and care/understand my needs and learning disabilities in a safe and happy theatre environment.” – J, Participant ACTivate Harrow & Volunteer_
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE**
## **PARTICIPATION**
This year, we delivered 418 hours of activity through our regular out-of-school, daytime and online theatre groups across Hertfordshire and Harrow, plus holiday projects, empowering 177 individual participants.
We focused our efforts where they matter most—reaching communities experiencing deprivation in Borehamwood, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Stevenage, Ware, and Watford. We created opportunities, built connections, and provided vital support, helping individuals to thrive and feel truly included.
_**“Thank you for everything you do for my son – this group is his lifeline.” –** Parent, Ignite Watford_
## _**Spotlight on –**_
- Collaborating with renowned puppeteer Josh Macrow, participants developed new creative skills— including shadow puppetry—culminating in a powerful Lion King–inspired performance.
- Devising six original productions inspired by beloved books and games, including The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, Where the Wild Things Are, Dungeons & Dragons, and The Very Lonely Firefly—bringing imagination to life through performance.
- Eight young adults with learning disabilities in Ware developed, hosted, and performed their own musical theatre cabaret, showcasing original work created through a collaborative devising process.
- Creating the original production City of Music, inspired by the work of artist Jackie Morris. In a special moment of recognition, Jackie responded by sending postcards to the performers and signed books to support fundraising efforts.
- Delivering a sell-out performance in collaboration with Stevenage Museum, where ten children and young people brought to life the local legend of St George—Sir Piers Shonks—captivating audiences with a story rooted in Hertfordshire’s heritage.
- Taking part in the 50[th] anniversary parade for Dacorum Borough Council, where twenty participants, staff, and volunteers proudly showcased vibrant animal puppets created by Colourful Minds participants, inspired by the artwork of Jackie Morris.
- Our Harrow adult group performed movement-based songs from The Greatest Showman at the SME Business Awards, as well as returning for the 12[th] consecutive year at the Harrow Disability Arts Festival.
_**“There is so much exciting energy around, I feel so proud of everyone”** – Ellie Short, HIT Head of Participation and Inclusion_
- Drawing on the historical legend of Hertford’s “Pie Man Highwayman,” Walter Clibbon, the Ware group transformed local folklore into a theatrical production.
- The Activate Harrow group supported participants in building slapstick comedy skills, culminating in their self-devised performance, _The Wedding That Goes Wrong_ .
- The team and participants were interviewed on BBC Three Counties Radio as part of its Children in Need feature, highlighting the impact of inclusive arts participation across the region.
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS PROJECT WORK**
These time-limited bespoke projects, usually commissioned by the organisation wanting our expertise, see us working in schools and with other community groups across the county.
## _**Spotlight on –**_
- We are now in the eighth year of delivering the Colourful Minds project in partnership with Dacorum Borough Council, supporting participants with mental health challenges through creative arts. The project was successfully extended through an Awards for All funding bid, secured in partnership with DBC and the South Hill Centre, enabling continuation over a further two-year period.
- We also entered the second year of delivering Speech Bubbles across primary schools in Hertfordshire. During the academic year (Sept 2024 – July 2025), we delivered the full programme at Brookmans Park Primary School. In addition, a “Bounce Back” programme (Jan–July 2025) was delivered in four schools: Coates Way School (Watford), Beechfield Primary School (Watford), Parkside Community School (Borehamwood), and Galley Hill Primary School (Hemel Hempstead).
- Alongside this, we delivered Speech Bubbles CPD training to five schools, with feedback highlighting its practical impact:
_**“Lots of strategies to support communication that can be used as part of daily routines/activities”** – Teacher, Brookmans Park_
_**“As teachers, a training session that focuses on practical strategies is always one that will be remembered. During the training session, we were given practical ways to engage children with strategies and activities that will help build their communication skills, self-esteem and confidence within the classroom… explored in a fun and light-hearted way.”** – Laura Larner, Galley Hill School_
- We delivered a second year of the Wednesday Night Project, supported by Hertfordshire Sports Partnership and Clarion Futures, engaging 18 young people over 15 weeks in drama, design, and dance. The programme culminated in a devised performance exploring superheroes and villains.
- The group was also filmed as part of the 50[th] Anniversary celebration film for Hertsmere Borough Council, with a professional film crew attending a session in October. The film captures how much participants value the Wednesday Night Project and their involvement with Herts Inclusive Theatre.
- We delivered a year-long programme of six inclusive holiday activities for South Mill Arts Centre in Bishop’s Stortford, offering accessible creative opportunities for families and young people.
- Two drama, movement, and music workshops were delivered at St Elizabeth’s Centre, working across classes with children and young people with complex needs.
- We were commissioned by BEAM Theatre in Hertford to run drop-in arts workshops and a sensory corner alongside theatre tours, supporting families to experience the newly refurbished and fully accessible venue.
- For the second year running, we worked with Springboard to deliver a 16–24 SEND learner programme at North Hertfordshire College. We ran weekly drama, music, and visual arts workshops across the Letchworth and Watford campuses September to November 2024, to promote wellbeing and engagement.
- We ran a drama and theatre skills workshop for the Hitchin Choices SEN Youth Club, providing an accessible opportunity for young people to develop performance skills.
- We ran a two-hour multisensory workshop for adults with complex needs at Watford Mencap, offering an inclusive and engaging creative experience.
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **STAFFING, CONTRACTORS AND VOLUNTEERS**
The day-to-day operation of the organisation is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, Caroline England, supported by the core office team at the time of reporting. This includes the Head of Participation and Inclusion, Ellie Short; Community and Education Manager, Emma Harrington; Fundraising Manager, Tanya Byrne; Participation Coordinator, Amy Pryke; and Operations and Finance Administrator, Oluwatoni Adegboye. Marketing was managed by Amber Mountain.
The delivery of activities is undertaken by trained freelance practitioners specialising in drama, theatre, and inclusion. Each group session is supported by a minimum of four facilitators: a Lead, two Deputies, and a Support Facilitator, with additional support workers deployed according to the specific needs of each group. These teams are further supported by trained volunteers.
The organisation continues to maintain a strong and growing volunteer base within its term-time groups, with volunteers developing their skills and confidence over time. Six volunteers from the previous year returned in the autumn term to support this year. Two new volunteers were also inducted during this period, both of whom are participants in the programme.
The organisation continues to support progression pathways, including a former participant who now volunteers in the office one morning every two weeks and was recognised with a Volunteer Award at the annual Heart of HIT Awards. Volunteer contributions were also celebrated during National Volunteers’ Week, with appreciation shown through cards and gifts as part of ongoing recognition and support.
_**Having volunteered with Herts Inclusive Theatre for over six years, I can honestly say it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in the charity sector. I am treated as a member of the session team and my contributions are genuinely valued by both the staff and the charity as a whole. Volunteering here has allowed me to be part of a lovely community, develop new skills, and see first-hand how inclusive arts can boost confidence and joy for everyone involved. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone considering volunteering** . – Naomi, ACTivate Harrow Volunteer_
We delivered a successful skills sharing day at the Old Town Hall, alongside safeguarding training, deaf awareness training, and specialist input delivered in partnership with the Down’s Syndrome Association.
The core team continued to actively network and stay engaged across culture, health, and wellbeing sectors throughout Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. This included attendance at Watford’s Cultural Forum, Dacorum and Watford Youth Strategy Groups, Hertsmere Wellbeing Board, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce networking events, Watford & West Herts Chamber networking events, Volunteer Managers Forums, Herts Community Leaders Forum, and the W3RT Annual Conference (Watford and Three Rivers Trust).
## **FUNDRAISING ACHIEVEMENTS**
We continued into the second year of two significant multi-year funding agreements: one with The National Lottery Community Fund supporting our children’s and youth programmes through Reaching Communities, and another with BBC Children in Need contributing towards core organisational costs.
Our sincere thanks to the following funders for their generous support during the 2024–25 year:
- All Aboard
- The Archer Trust
- The Baily Thomas Charitable Trust
- BBC Children in Need
- The Big Give – Arts for Impact (match funding)
- Comic Relief
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
- Dacorum Borough Council
- The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
- Essex Community Foundation (Saffron Building Society)
- The Foyle Foundation
- Harrow Council
- Hertfordshire Community Foundation – Workforce Development Grant
- Hertfordshire Community Foundation
- The National Lottery Community Fund
- Tesco Community Fund
- Rix Thompson Rothenberg
- Ware Town Council
- Watford Community Housing
- A variety of Councillors from Hertfordshire County Council
We are also extremely grateful to all the businesses that supported us throughout the year:
- Buildsmith Solutions
- Electro Replacement Ltd
- Inclusivity Films
- KatAlyst Productions
- MPAA UK
- Naomi Haynes Financial Planning
- PARIM
- Robert George Ltd
- Twenty-Two Business Support
- Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden
- Wenta
Our thanks also go to the individuals and organisations who generously raised funds for us:
- The Mayor of Ware, who chose us as Charity of the Year
- All those who made pledges and entered the SME Awards raffle
- CEO Caroline England, who fundraised by taking part in the Hertfordshire Half Marathon and the Lee Valley VeloPark 10-miler
- The Mayor of Watford, who supported us through the annual Christmas card
- Nik Allen and My Local Hero Awards (My News) for including us as a beneficiary
- Flamstead Scarecrow Festival
- Bushey and Oxhey Round Table and their Santa Sleigh collections
- St Albans Jubilation Lodge Masons
- Helping Herts, who selected us as one of their 2025 charities
- Donors of Christmas auction prizes, including Hamilton and Chelsea FC tickets
- Artist Jackie Morris for raffle donations
- Our VIP supporters
- Avril & Lauren Holbrook for a Morrisons Watford fundraising raffle
- Marion Hertz
- Players of the East Herts and Watford Community Lotteries
Thanks also to all the individuals who have generously donated to HIT over the year.
We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator and fully committed to the Code of Fundraising Practice. We ensure donations are used in line with our charitable objects, treat donors fairly, support informed decision-making, and avoid any undue pressure or intrusion.
We are pleased to confirm that there were no complaints regarding our fundraising during this period, and we continue to ensure all Gift Aid and reporting requirements are met in full and on time.
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Structure**
Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales. It is governed by a CIO Foundation Model Constitution, which sets out how the organisation is controlled and operated.
## **Governance and Management**
The governance of the charity is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees, elected in accordance with the CIO Foundation Model Constitution. The charity aims to appoint trustees with a broad range of skills and experience relevant to the effective running of the organisation, including individuals with lived experience of the needs the charity serves. New trustees are elected by majority vote of the trustees and undertake an induction with the CEO.
The full Board of Trustees meets four times per year. In addition, there are subcommittees covering Finance, Risk, and Marketing, which meet regularly to support governance and oversight. One trustee also acts as Safeguarding Lead, working closely with staff to ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are robust, current, and effectively implemented.
Day-to-day management of HIT is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer and staff team. Operational and routine decisions are made by staff without requiring trustee approval. Matters of significant importance or strategic impact are escalated to the full Board at scheduled meetings, or to the Chair of Trustees between meetings where necessary.
## **Risk Management**
The Trustees have a duty to identify, assess, and monitor risks faced by the charity and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to mitigate those risks, providing reasonable assurance against fraud, error, and operational disruption.
A Risk Management schedule is maintained by the Trustees and is reviewed and updated on a regular basis to reflect changes in the organisation and its operating environment.
## **Public Benefit**
The objectives, activities, and performance of the charity, as set out in this report, demonstrate clearly how HIT delivers public benefit. The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011, having due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning and delivering the charity’s activities.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
HIT is not in receipt of any regular long-term funding and is therefore heavily reliant on securing annual grants from a range of funding organisations. At present, HIT’s free reserves are below the target set in the reserves policy set out below, due to successive years of lower-than-anticipated grant income. In response, the Trustees implemented cost-saving measures during the year, including reducing the number of regular term-time groups and ensuring additional activities only proceeded when fully funded. A dedicated fundraiser was also recruited as part of the staff team, replacing freelance support, in order to increase capacity for fundraising.
Although the year ended with an overall surplus, much of the income secured was restricted grant funding received later in the year. This resulted in funds being carried forward as restricted funds and a deficit position on unrestricted funds. The trustees have made building free reserves a priority, through implementing further cost savings and efficiency measures and a new income-generation plan.
Cost-saving plans include: i) shifting to a new, more flexible and cost-efficient project-based delivery model
8
**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
from August 2026; ii) some back-office services being supported by a larger partner charity iii) fully embedding the new accounting software to improve financial tracking and reporting of restricted and unrestricted income and expenditure throughout the year.
Income-wise, the following initiatives are being put in place: i) reducing reliance on trusts and foundations grants, which have become even more competitive, and increasing fundraising activity that generates unrestricted donations; ii) developing alternative income streams through charitable activity, including commissioned projects and inclusion training; iii) ensuring that grant applications for restricted funding include an appropriate contribution towards core costs.
## **Reserves Policy**
The Trustees have established a free reserves target (defined as unrestricted funds less tangible fixed assets) equivalent to three months of budgeted core costs for salaried staff and overheads and to cover redundancy pay-outs. This amounts to £45,000. This is in order to ensure the continuity of the organisation in the event of a period of reduced income and meet contractual liabilities should the organisation fail.
## **Income Sources**
Principal sources of income include:
- Grants
- Participant fees
- Commissioned project fees
- Training
- Donations from individual and business
- Fundraising events and sponsored activities
## **TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP).
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity, and of its surplus or deficit for the reporting period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and 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 assume that the charity will continue in operation
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity. This enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and therefore for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 11/06/2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Naomi Haynes, Trustee
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Herts Inclusive Theatre ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 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**
I am qualified to undertake that examination as a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
**1.** Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
**2.** The accounts do not accord with those records;
**3.** The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
James Colvin FCMA The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Mayflower Accountancy & Tax Limited
Unit A, Angel Business Centre 1 Luton Road Toddington LU5 6DE
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
|Notes
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**FROM**
Charitable Activities
- Grants
- Commissioned project fees
- Participation and ticket fees
Donations
Corporate sponsorship
Fundraising events
**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Charitable activities**
Charitable Activities
- Participation, holiday activities
and performances
- Staffing
- Commissioned projects
Fundraising
Administration Costs
**4**
Other
**Total**
**3**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED**
**FORWARD**|Unrestricted
funds
£
36,352
5,971
18,337
25,767
9,330
8,785
104,542
22,034
62,492
370
105
23,420
-
108,421
(3,879)
15,575
**11,696**|Restricted
funds
£
169,289
44,608
-
-
-
-
213,897
113,419
46,198
12,614
14,319
12,253
-
198,803
15,094
20,359
**35,453**|2025
Total
funds
£
205,641
50,579
18,337
25,767
9,330
8,785
318,439
135,453
108,690
12,984
14,424
35,673
-
307,224
11,215
35,934
**47,149**|2024
Total
funds
£
191,653
36,056
19,161
8,750
350
4,404|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||260,374
121,155
107,925
23,367
18,485
18,550
-|
|||||289,482
(29,108)
65,042|
|||||**35,934**|
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **BALANCE SHEET 31 AUGUST 2025**
|**FIXED ASSETS**
Notes
Tangible assets
7
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
9
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**
10|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
-
10,098
44,107
54,205
7,056
47,149
47,149
**47,149**
11,696
35,453
**47,149**|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
-
9,753
44,690|
|---|---|---|
|||54,443|
|||18,509|
|||35,934|
||||
|||35,934|
|||**35,934**|
|||15,575
20,359|
|||**35,934**|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 11/06/2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
.............................................
Naomi Haynes, Trustee
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011.
Herts Inclusive Theatre meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Office Equipment - 5-year straight line
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
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**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **Going concern**
The trustees closely monitor expenditure and upcoming charity activities, with a view to making cuts when necessary. Income was healthy in the first half of 2025-26, but there is an increasingly challenging grantfunding environment affecting the whole sector. Therefore, major cuts and savings have been made and more are planned at the time of writing, together with a shift to a new delivery model that will be more flexible and easily adjusted to swings in income. These measures, together with the plans in place to drive increased income generation from non-grant sources, mean the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis.
## **2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
## **3. EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN**
|Charitable Activities
-Groups, holiday activities, performances
- Projects
Fundraising|**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**Direct**
**Costs**
**Direct**
**Staff**
**Costs**
**Support**
**Costs**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
135,452
46,192
39,463
221,108
12,984
17,959
12,730
43,672
14,424
16,460
11,556
42,441|
|---|---|
||**162,861**
**80,611**
**63,749**
**307,224**|
In the 2024-2025 financial year, the Charity made the decision to move to a different accounting system to improve its reporting capabilities. As part of this change, the Charity will make the move towards reporting by activity as opposed to spend category, and 2024-2025 will be a transitional year.
The Statement of Financial Activities currently presents expenditure in a view consistent with previous years, however from 2025-2026, the Statement of Financial Activities will be presented by activity, and the below table presents this in an alternative view, which shall also serve as the revised, consistent comparative in the next set of accounts.
|**Charitable activities**
Charitable Activities
- Participation, holiday activities and
performances
- Programme Staffing
- Commissioned projects
Fundraising (including staff)
Administration Costs (including staff)
Other|**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
22,034
113,419
135,453
17,955
46,198
64,153
370
12,614
12,984
16,565
14,319
30,884
51,497
12,253
63,750
-
-
-|
|---|---|
||**108,421**
**198,803**
**307,224**|
14
**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **4. SUPPORT COSTS**
|
Office rent
Website and IT
Other (insurance, safeguarding, training, telephone, etc.)
Marketing
Governance - Independent examiner fees
Staffing (on finance, governance, general management)
|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
8,250
4,548
10,260
11,955
660
28,077|
|---|---|
||**63,749**|
Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure required in order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity. These include administration, finance, IT, payroll, HR, governance and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice. Support costs and governance costs are apportioned based on the percentage of total staff time spent working on the charity's charitable and fundraising activities.
## **5. STAFF COSTS**
|
Wages
Employers National Insurance
Pension Contributions
|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
105,462
1,542
1,684
**108,688**|
|---|---|
The average monthly number of employees during the period was 7. All staff were part time. No employee earned more than £60,000.
## **6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
|Notes
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Charitable Activities
- Grants
- Commissioned project fees
- Participation and ticket fees
Donations
Corporate sponsorship
Fundraising events|Unrestricted
funds
£
56,881
7,793
19,161
8,701
-
4,404
96,940|Restricted
funds
£
134,772
28,263
-
49
350
-
163,434|2024
Total
funds
£
191,653
36,056
19,161
8,750
350
4,404
260,374|2023
Total
funds
£
142,015
6,812
17,390
13,295
-
3,655|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||183,167|
15
## **HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
|**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Charitable activities**
Charitable Activities
- Participation, holiday activities and performances
- Staffing
- Commissioned projects
Fundraising
Administration Costs
Other
**Total**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
**7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSESTS**
**Fixtures and fittings**
**COST**
At 31 August 2024
Additions
Disposals
**At 31 August 2025**
**DEPRECIATION**
At 31 August 2024
Charge for the year
Disposal of depreciation
**At 31 August 2025**
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 August 2024
**At 31 August 2025**|7,336
51,044
135
18,485
18,448
-||113,819
56,881
23,232
-
102
-
194,034
(30,600)
50,959
**20,359**
£
**4,199**
-
-
**4,199**
**4,199**
-
-
**4,199**
**-**
**-**|121,155
107,925
23,367
18,485
18,550
-
289,482
(29,108)
65,042
**35,934**|117,822
90,624
7,035
16,935
21,726|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||95,448
1,492
14,083||||254,142
(70,975)
136,017|
||**15,575**||||**65,042**|
|||||||
## **8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|Trade debtors
Accrued Income
Prepayments|**2025**
**£**
1,440
7,699
958
**10,098**|**2024**
**£**
5,710
-
4,043|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||**9,753**|
16
**HERTS INCLUSIVE THEATRE**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|Trade creditors
Deferred Income
Social security and other taxes
Accrued expenses|**2025**
**£**
1,219
1,861
1.763
2,214
**7,056**|**2024**
**£**
169
8,351
-
9,990|
|---|---|---|
|||**18,509**|
## **10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|Overall funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Restricted funds
**TOAL FUNDS**|At
01/09/2024
£
35,934
35,934
Incoming
resources
£
104,542
213,897
318,439|Net
movement
in funds
£
11,215
11,215
Resources
expended
£
108,421
198,803
307,224|At
31/08/2025
£
47,149|
|---|---|---|---|
||||47,149|
||||Movement
in funds
£
(3,879)
15,094|
||||11,215|
## **11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025
17