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2025-03-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: ABAEB5CD-2DAD-4E4C-8E9F-E690CF1F83C0

Charity number 1181856

Something To Aim For

Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Breckman & Company Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 49 South Molton Street London W1K 5LH

Docusign Envelope ID: ABAEB5CD-2DAD-4E4C-8E9F-E690CF1F83C0

Something To Aim For

Contents

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 - 8
Independent Examiner's Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) 10 - 13
Balance Sheet 14
Notes to the Financial Statements 15 - 23

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Something To Aim For

Reference and Administrative Details

Constitution

The organisation is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) under the Charities Act, registered charity number 1181856. The organisation's governing document is CIO - Foundation registered 4 February 2019.

Trustees

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees are ongoing and incorporated indirectly into the regular trustees meetings.

The trustees during the year and since the year end, were :

Caroline Head Prof Kirsty Fairclough Matt Burman Prof Gerard Hanlon Edward Francis Berg Prof Brian Lobel Virginia Simpson appointed 12 April 2024 Harpreet Kaur appointed 11 April 2025 Callum Shallcross appointed 11 April 2025

Independent Examiners

Breckman & Company, 49 South Molton Street, London, W1K 5LH.

Bankers

CAF Bank Limited, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Mailing. Kent ME19 4JQ

Registered office and operation address

SPACES, Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN

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Trustees' Report

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 I January 2019).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Something To Aim For (STAF) pursues an inclusive cultural sector where anyone can access opportunities and thrive. We remove barriers by supporting under-represented / emerging artists and small artist-led organisations through mentoring, consultancy, peer networks and fair partnerships, improving living conditions, skills, self-confidence, visibility, retention and progression, and helping shift decision-making power towards systemic change.

Our mission is focused around four pillars of work:

STAF's Charitable Objectives are the advancement of the arts for the public benefit by promoting greater participation by groups who are under-represented in the arts field, particularly by reason of disability, ill health (mental or physical) or social or economic disadvantage.

In 2024/25, STAF continued to deepen the strategic pivot begun in 2023/24 under The Future Starts Now . We spent more time working place-by-place, especially in Manchester, alongside artists, diverse-led companies and local partners, which gave us a clearer view of where the real gaps are: capacity, access, and being heard in local systems. This learning towards the end of the year fed directly into the shaping of our next business plan, Asset Shift (2025–2030), giving us a stronger, evidence-based platform for the period ahead.

Key achievements in 2024/2025 included:

Through supporting diverse artists, facilitating co-creation, and engaging with grassroots communities, we have strengthened our understanding of the shifting gaps, challenges, and opportunities within the cultural sector. The economic pressures, structural inequities, and ongoing challenges faced by under-represented creatives require urgent and deliberate action. Our work in 2024/25 was about beginning to change the framework of understanding assets as a way of building the conditions for a more equitable and resilient cultural ecosystem to aid retention of under-represented creatives in the sector for the future.

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Trustees' Report

Company History

STAF was set up in 2019 through a Culture & Society Discretionary Award from Wellcome Trust, specifically to support the development of an inclusive and accessible arts community. The organisation began as an amalgamation of the work of two organisations: In Company Collective (ICC), and The Sick of the Fringe (TSOTF). ICC provided mentoring and support programmes for emerging and mid-career artists. TSOTF was an international artistic development programme that engaged with artists and audiences with lived experience of chronic ill health, disability, and socio-economic disadvantage, and addressed questions of access across the creative industries. Together, they established STAF's core purpose: to remove barriers so creatives who face barriers can participate in, shape, and lead cultural work.

Changing operating contexts and community needs led STAF to refine this legacy into a clearer role as a creative infrastructure support organisation. We prioritise building cross-sector connections – arts, health, education, technology, and social justice – to strengthen skills, add capacity, and create a more inclusive cultural ecosystem, empowering marginalised voices and driving societal change.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Main Activities

Overview

In 2024/25, STAF continued the strategic pivot begun in 2023/24 under The Future Starts Now , putting more of our time into (1) direct, bespoke support for under-represented creatives and diverse-led organisations, and (2) place-based work in Greater Manchester that surfaces lived-experience insight and routes it back into local systems. Feedback from our Practical Dreaming consultancy noted that meetings felt collaborative and lowhierarchy, and that support was tailored rather than “off-the-shelf”, with favourable responses averaging 86% across quality, relevance and effectiveness. These insights, alongside what we learned from artists, partners and Manchester communities about capacity, access and voice in systems, fed directly into shaping our next business plan Asset Shift (2025–2030).

Our delivery in 2024/25 is underpinned by five strategic aims:

These activities were delivered in line with STAF’s values of inclusivity, generosity and authenticity .

STAF continued to work with a small core team in 2024/25, bringing in freelance/specialist support where projects required particular experience. To strengthen governance and ensure the board reflects the places and communities we are most active in, STAF ran a trustee recruitment exercise during the year. As a result, two Manchester-based trustees joined the board in April 2025, adding local insight, diverse experience and strengthening the link between programme delivery in Greater Manchester and board-level oversight.

Business Plan and Strategic Development

In 2023/24 STAF began delivering The Future Starts Now to pivot our offer, test our consultancy and mentoring with under-represented creatives. Throughout 2024/25 we continued with this direction: working closely with artists, diverse-led companies and place-based partners (especially in Greater Manchester), and getting “under the skin” of what small, under-resourced creatives are struggling with: capacity, access, confidence, and being heard in systems.

This delivery and listening showed us that our core purpose is still right; and many of the barriers are structural. On the strength of that learning, at the beginning of 2025, we adopted Asset Shift (2025–2030) as an extension of The Future Starts Now . It carries forward the same intent but makes it more deliberately asset-based, recognising lived experience, peer networks and local cultural ecosystems as assets to be activated.

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Trustees' Report

Deepening our Work in Greater Manchester

STAF continues to stay true to the roots of its founder, delivering impactful projects that address critical challenges in the anti-poverty and arts and culture spaces in Greater Manchester.

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Trustees' Report

Bespoke Support For Diverse Artists / Artist-led Organisations

STAF has tailored support to over 14 marginalised and under-represented artists and diverse-led art companies with a total of approximately 1,500 support hours. Providing this support remains one of our key activities, reflecting our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the creative sector. Our support covered a broad spectrum of bespoke needs, including organisational diagnosis, development strategies, human resource development, access consultation, executive support, fundraising, finance, and administrative assistance.

We also began our consultancy evaluation, receiving feedback from previous recipients of our support that we are delivering our work in a safe and trusted space, effectively meeting the goals of our clients, paving way for wider structural and systemic change. Through these engagements, STAF continues to provide direct and necessary support to our clients while gaining insight into the challenges in the sector.

Key Consultancy Highlights

Dedicated Longer-term Support For Artists and Artist-led Organisations

Alongside private consultancy clients, STAF continued its dedicated support to artists and artist-led organisations. Artist/Artist-led organisations receiving STAF support in 2024/25 included:

High Rise Entertainment CIC (HRE):

HRE is in their second year as an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). STAF continued to provide executive support during this consolidation period, helping the company strengthen its internal capacity while sustaining an ambitious artistic and touring programme.

This included:

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Trustees' Report

Virginia “Gin” Wilson:

STAF continued to support Gin, as she focused on the organisation she founded, Faggamuffin Bloc Party (FBP). Throughout the year, STAF worked closely with Gin, providing a supportive framework for her to advance her creative and operational goals, such as training for cashflow forecasting, and securing further funding, including the Grand Camp Maisie Fund grant, established in memory of LGBTQI+ Activist, Andrew Lumsden.

STAF Projects

Performing Leadership Differently, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), School of Business and Management, Impact Fund (PLD) : In July - August 2024, STAF partnered with HighRise Entertainment and Urban MBA to create a paid Theatre and Entrepreneurship Residency, based on the PLD research findings, that supports a new way to engage with the theatre world; its creativity and shortcomings. We created this residency to provide knowledge of the current state of the industry so that the participants can bring new eyes and new ideas to innovate for the future. Participants shared during the evaluation that they had been introduced to new concepts and industry insight that they wouldn’t have had an opportunity to otherwise, including one participant being able to consider how to integrate commercial partnership as part of a forwardthinking collaboration for their future pitches.

Partnership and Industry Support

Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK), “Walking the Talk and Talking the Walk – Approaches in Making Arts More Inclusive” Trainers’ Training Workshop (online, Hong Kong): STAF designed and delivered a four-session online training programme for ADAHK on inclusive and disability-led practice in the arts. To ground the sessions in current UK practice, STAF invited three UK organisations/practitioners: SICK! Festival, Casson & Friends, and Mind the Gap , to share how they build inclusion into programme design, artist development and ongoing collaboration within inclusive arts practice. This created a practical exchange between UK practice and Hong Kong’s disability/inclusive arts sector.

Crip Art Residency (HK): Invited by a group of disabled artists “c.5d8” in Hong Kong, Janet Tam gave a talk on Sharing different models of disability art and practices in July 2024 as part of the group’s residency programme. Janet shared the development of disability arts in Hong Kong and drew on her experiences in both locations (UK and HK) to look at how different models of disability arts are viewed and referred to.

People Make It Work (PMIW) : Janet joined as one of the panel speakers at PMIW’s training sessions in July 2024 focusing on Leadership, sharing STAF and her own experience leadership transformation, challenges and barriers.

Working Towards Cross-Sector Change

British Academy-funded Pandemic preparedness in the live performing arts: Lessons to learn from COVID-19: STAF is proud to be part of the Pandemic Preparedness in the Live Performing Arts: Lessons to Learn from COVID-19 research project, commissioned by the British Academy and conducted by academics from leading institutions across the G7, led from the Universities of Exeter and Bristol. Speaking at the study report launch, Janet Tam shared the dual essence of crisis in Chinese, as both "danger" and "opportunity", saying that "the capability to cultivate a more equitable cultural landscape lies with all of us."

“Connecrting the Dots” - A Gathering of Global Ethnic Majority Leaders : As part of the programme at New Art Exchange, a Nottingham-based NPO, Janet Tam contributed a guest blog and took part in the “Connecting the Dots” gathering, a world-café event bringing Global Ethnic Majority leaders together to reflect on urgent themes including governance, creative climate action, curatorial practice, civic responsibility and legacy. In her piece, Harmony Without Uniformity: Listening for Nuance in Precarious Times Janet shared her hopes for the future of a truly equitable cultural sector, based on her own experiences as a Hong Konger migrating to escape increasing authoritarian rule.

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Trustees' Report

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Position

In 2024/25 STAF continued to operate within the framework of The Future Starts Now , consolidating the pivot begun in the previous year. Despite a competitive funding environment for small arts charities, STAF maintained a balanced operating position by combining core grant income with earned and project income. We continued to diversify income streams, with a higher proportion of income coming from consultancy and project-based work, which reduces reliance on any single funder.

Income generated through Consultancy and Partnership work within this period includes:

Alongside consultancy, STAF continued to deliver place-based and Manchester-facing activity in 2024/25, such as the Anti-Poverty Insight Group and the Greater Manchester Artist Network. These strands are funded separately from core operations and form a growing part of our mixed-income model.

2024/25 was the second year of STAF’s significant Arts Access and Participation Fund grant of £180,000 over 36 months from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation (to 31 March 2026). In line with accruals accounting, the £30,000 received in October 2024 had already been recognised as income in 2023/24 and, on receipt, reduced the prior-year debtor; no additional PHF income was recognised in 2024/25. During the reporting period, STAF submitted a further application to PHF’s Arts Fund for 2026–29 and, at the time of preparing this report, the application was successful, with PHF confirming £230,100 over three years. Together, these grants acknowledge STAF’s growth as an organisation, its wide-ranging impact and PHF’s continued confidence in our work to tackle structural inequality in the cultural sector.

Future Plans

Although STAF has secured a further three years of core support from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation spanning 2026/27 to 2028/29, our financial strategy will continue to evolve towards a diversified income mix to strengthen resilience and sustainability. As part of our financial planning, 31% of our projected unrestricted consultancy income for 2025/26, amounting to £26,599, is already in the pipeline at year end.

Reserves Policy

Total reserves at 31 March 2025 amounted to deficit £70,333 (2024: deficit £52,606), comprising deficit £95,678 unrestricted funds (2024: deficit £144,507) and £25,345 (2024: £91,901) of restricted funds.

As part of the ongoing business planning, we will continue to develop our strategy to reach the organisation’s desired reserve policy (3 months of annual expenditure). As at 31 March 2025, the free reserves of the charity were deficit £95,678 (2024: deficit £144,507). We will continue to keep this policy under review in line with the operational guidelines issued by the Charities Commission.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Something To Aim For (STAF) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its CIO Constitution dated 28 January 2019.

Organisational structure

During 2024/25, the day-to-day running of STAF is undertaken by STAF’s small core team: Executive Director/CEO, Programme Delivery Lead, and General Manager.

STAF’s core team continued to be supported by a network of associates and specialist consultants, who collectively are responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of the business plan.

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Trustees' Report

Governance

Every Trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a quorum meeting of the Trustees.

In selecting individuals for appointment as Trustees, the Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

STAF follows a standard process for recruiting new members. Firstly, an advertisement is placed, based on the current skills needed on the Board, requesting new potential Trustees to apply with a CV, and a covering letter stating why they would like to join the Board of Trustees, the current Board will review the selection and invite them to interview. Interviews are usually held with an appointed member of the Board and then a follow up interview with the CEO and Executive Director of STAF.

Any person retiring as a Trustee is eligible for reappointment, provided that a Trustee who has served for three consecutive terms may not be reappointed for a fourth consecutive term but may be reappointed after an interval of at least one year.

Trustee Induction and Training

All trustees receive a board induction pack. This includes STAF’s Constitution which states details of the responsibilities of the charities Trustees, a copy of the most recent Board Papers and the latest Trustees Annual Report and statement of accounts. The individual is then invited along to the next Board meeting where they are officially inducted onto the Board.

Additional Board information

Board meetings are currently set to 4 meetings every financial year. Agenda points covered in each meeting are:

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 27 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by Matt Burman

Matt Burman Trustee

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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Something To Aim For

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 10 to 23.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity's 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 Trust’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.

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

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 (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

ꞏ the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

ꞏ the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

ꞏ the accounts did 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.

Richard Nelson FCCA Breckman & Company Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants

49 South Molton Street London W1K 5LH

27 January 2026

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Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
2
Charitable activities
Other trading activities - page 11
86,585
48,068
Investments
3
62
-
Total
86,647
48,068
Expenditure on:
Raising funds:
Fundraising
210
-
Charitable activities - page 12
37,608
114,624
Total
37,818
114,624
Net income / (expenditure)
48,829
)
(66,556
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
)
(144,507
91,901
Total funds carried forward
13, 14
)
(95,678
25,345		 2025
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
£
£
£
134,653
109,402
81,023
62
6
-
134,715
109,408
81,023
210
12
-
152,232
77,159
82,221
152,442
77,171
82,221
)
(17,727
32,237
)
(1,198
)
(52,606
176,744
93,099
)
(70,333
)
(144,507
91,901		 2024
Total
£
190,425
6
190,431
12
159,380
159,392
31,039
)
(83,645
)
(52,606

The notes on pages 15 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.

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Something To Aim For

Year ended 31 March 2025

Income from charitable activities
Artistic income
Consultancy fees
Virginia Wilson Project
Other income
Project specific funding
Grants/Donations
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
UKRI Community Research Network / BAAPC
MMF Anti-Poverty Insight Group
Greater Manchester Artist Network
Creativity In Place		 2025
£
26,599
31,378
28,608
86,585
-
3,773
19,695
19,600
5,000
48,068		 2024
£
49,932
36,957
22,513
109,402
60,000
6,023
15,000
-
-
81,023

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Something To Aim For

Year ended 31 March 2025

Expenditure on raising funds
Fundraising and publicity of the charity
Expenditure on charitable activities
Artistic
General costs
Direct costs
Salaries
Social security costs
Staff pension scheme costs
Consultancy
Travel
Marketing/promotions
Rent/rates
Legal/professional
Support costs - page 13
Governance costs - page 13		 2025
£
210
210
7,028
81,564
2,490
1,359
17,676
4,835
75
2,713
20,668
138,408
9,924
3,900
152,232		 2024
£
12
12
72,799
52,744
3,138
3,174
2,810
2,449
-
1,495
9,440
148,049
10,125
1,206
159,380

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Something To Aim For

Year ended 31 March 2025

Support and governance costs
Office overheads
Telephone/fax
Insurance
Amortisation of goodwill
Depreciation of plant/machinery
Depreciation of fixtures/fittings/equipment
Administration costs
Staff welfare & training
Entertaining
Printing/postage/stationery
Subscriptions/licences
Sundries
Charitable donations - other
Professional/financial
Computer costs
Bank charges
Governance costs
Accountancy/consultancy		 2025
£
85
2,154
2,368
)
(1
1
1,246
57
91
2,977
582
189
109
66
3,900		 £
4,607
5,142
175
9,924
3,900
13,824		 2024
£
115
2,115
2,368
922
542
295
20
48
1,693
3
-
1,926
78
1,206		 £
6,062
2,059
2,004
10,125
1,206
11,331

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Something To Aim For

Balance Sheet 31 March 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
9
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilties
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
12
Net current (liabilities)
Excess of current liabilities
over total assets
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
13
- General fund
Restricted funds
14
Total charity funds		 2025
£
6,686
16,457
23,143
)
(93,477		 £
-
1
1
)
(70,334
)
(70,333
)
(95,678
25,345
)
(70,333		 2024
£
33,888
39,686
73,574
)
(128,549		 £
2,368
1
2,369
)
(54,975
)
(52,606
)
(144,507
91,901
)
(52,606

The accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees on 27 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by

Matt Burman Trustee

The notes on pages 15 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies

1.1. Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (issued in October 2019) 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 charity 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).

1.2. Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.

1.3. Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.4. Creditors and provisions

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.

1.5. Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis.

The company is dependent on the continued support of grant aiding bodies. The trustees believe that the company will continue to receive this support and accordingly consider that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1.6. Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when:

- Donations and legacies

Grants/donations are recognised in incoming resources in the year in which they are receivable, except as follows:

-when donors specify that grants/donations given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods

-when donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the preconditions for use are met.

- Charitable activities

Artistic income - is included in incoming resources in the period in which the relevant activity takes place.

Project specific funding - when donors specify that donations and grants are for particular restricted purposes, which do not amount to pre-conditions regarding entitlement, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable.

- Donated services and facilities

Donated services or facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. On receipt, donated services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

- Investment income

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1.7. Expenditure

All expenditure is included on an accruals basis inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered and is recognised when:

- Costs of raising funds

Costs incurred in attracting donations, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

- Charitable activities

Artistic costs - costs incurred in the production of charitable activities in the year.

- Support costs

The administrative and overhead costs associated with running the office from which the company operates as well as governance costs. Support costs are wholly attributable to theatre production costs.

- Governance costs

Costs associated with the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity.

1.8. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Individual fixed assets costing £100 or more are capitalised at cost.

Depreciation is provided at annual rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

1.9. Pensions

The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contributions payable by the company during the year in accordance with SSAP 24.

The regular cost of providing retirement pensions and related benefits is charged to the income and expenditure account over the employees' service lives on the basis of a constant percentage of earnings.

1.10. Fund accounting

Funds held by the charity are either:

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1.11. Financial Instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value, and subsequently measured at their settlement value (with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method).

2. Incoming resources

The total incoming resources for the year have been derived from the principal activity undertaken wholly in the UK.

3.
Interest receivable
Bank interest
4.
Net income/(expenditure) for the year is
stated after charging:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Independent examination
- independent examination		 2025
£
62
2025
£
2,368
3,900		 2024
£
6
2024
£
3,832
1,206

5. Trustees' emoluments and reimbursed expenses

The trustees received no remuneration during the year.

The aggregated amount reimbursed to trustees during the year was £nil (2024 - £nil)

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Something To Aim For

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

6.
Staff costs and numbers
Staff costs
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2025
£
81,564
2,490
1,359
85,413		 2024
£
52,744
3,138
3,174
59,056

No employee earned £60,000 or more during the year (2024 - £nil).

Staff numbers

The average numbers of employees (including casual and part time staff) during the year was made up as follows:


Production
Support		 2025
Number

2
2
4		 2024
Number
4
2
6

7. Pension costs

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme in respect of its employees. The scheme and its assets are held by independent managers. The pension charge represents contributions due from the company and amounted to £1,359 (2024 - £3,174).

8. Corporation taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

9. Fixed assets - intangible assets

Goodwill
£
Cost
1 April 2024 /
31 March 2025
11,843
Provision for
diminution in value
1 April 2024
9,475
Charge for year
2,368
31 March 2025
11,843
Net book values
31 March 2025
-
31 March 2024
2,368
10.
Fixed assets - tangible assets
Plant/
Fixtures/
machinery
fittings/
equipment
£
£
Cost
1 April 2024 /
31 March 2025
2,645
2,727
Depreciation
Charge for year
)
(1
1
1 April 2024 /
31 March 2025
2,645
2,726
Net book values
31 March 2025
-
1
31 March 2024
)
(1
2		 Total
£
11,843
9,475
2,368
11,843
-
2,368
Total
£
5,372
-
5,371
1
1

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

11.
Debtors
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2025
£
2,798
3,888
-
6,686		 2024
£
-
3,888
30,000
33,888

Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF): £30,000 received in October 2024 related to income accrued at 31 March 2024; accordingly, no PHF income is recognised in 2024/25.

12. Creditors: amounts falling due 2025 2024
within one year £ £
Other taxation/social security 89,312 87,295
Other creditors 265 37,354
Accruals 3,900 3,900
93,477 128,549
13. Unrestricted funds Brought Incoming Outgoing Carried
forward resources resources forward
£ £ £ £
General fund )
(144,507		 86,647 )
(37,818		 )
(95,678

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Something To Aim For

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

14. Restricted funds
Brought		 Restricted funds
Brought		 Incoming Outgoing Carried
forward resources resources forward
£ £ £ £
Queen Mary University London 43,160 - )
(43,160		 -
Impact Fund
UKRI
Community
Research		 3,741 - )
(3,741		 -
Network (CRN) / BAAPC
Paul Hamlyn Foundation 30,000 - )
(30,000		 -
UKRI CRN Extension - 3,773 )
(3,773		 -
MMF Anti-Poverty Insight Group 15,000 19,695 )
(15,029		 19,666
Greater Manchester Arts Network (GMAN) - 19,600 )
(18,250		 1,350
Creativity In Place (CIP) - 5,000 )
(671		 4,329
91,901 48,068 )
(114,624		 25,345

Queen Mary University London Impact Fund

In July - August 2024, support from QMUL's School of Business and Management Impact Fund enabled Performing Leadership Differently: a paid Theatre & Entrepreneurship Residency co-designed with HighRise Entertainment and Urban MBA, translating research insights into practical skills and sector engagement for emerging creatives.

UKRI CRN Extension

The Building An Anti-Poverty Community (BAAPC) project is a collaboration between STAF and Manchester Central Foodbank (MCFB), supported by a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Community Research Networks grant. This initiative reflects a shift towards a more community-driven approach to research and innovation, focusing on the effective use of creativity as a tool for community engagement and social change. The project leverages the support of UKRI to integrate the public's role in research, focusing on developing solutions that are practical and resonate with the community's needs. BAAPC operates within Manchester four localised clusters across the city of Manchester, utilising MCFB's Anti-Poverty Community network for a collective and innovative approach to tackling poverty, primarily through workshops and dialogues. Initially running from April to September 2023, the Project was extended and ran until May 2024.

MMF Anti-Poverty Insight Group

STAF continued the two-year commission by the Manchester City Council's Public Health Department to convene and manage an Anti-Poverty Insight Group. This initiative plays a vital role in delivering the council's Making Manchester Fairer: Anti-Poverty Strategy by ensuring that a diverse range of communities are actively involved in consultations and can influence policydecisions that directly impact them.

Greater Manchester Arts Network (GMAN)

STAF was engaged by the Manchester City Council's Culture Department to establish a Greater Manchester Arts Network through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Cultural Grant to ensure creative communities in Greater Manchester are better informed, connected to opportunities and are empowered to deliver impact for their own local members. Further to the Network, STAF is administering a bursary fund to further help individuals in these communities with these aims.

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Something To Aim For

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Creativity In Place (CIP)

STAF was commissioned by Manchester City Council for Creativity In Place, a demographic and capacity building mapping report as part of the research and development for Manchester's Place Partnership, to inform future funding strategies. We collected insights rooted in the voices of those most affected, identifying mismatches between investment strategy and lived experience. Our findings are based on research and ward mapping data, providing context such as population size, median age, ethnicity, and other cultural and educational assets. The report combines lived experience and data to surface overlooked knowledge and support a more connected, responsive cultural sector. From these insights, we offer recommendations to strengthen interconnectedness, improve community awareness, pilot bespoke training, and build long-term sustainability. The report will be published at the beginning of 2026, with communities welcome to submit their projects and suggestions to ensure as full and co-created a picture as possible.

15. Analysis of net assets between funds

General
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2025
are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
1
-
Net current (liabilities)
)
(95,679
25,345
)
(95,678
25,345		 Total
£
1
)
(70,334
)
(70,333

16. Related party transactions

During the year the charity had no related party transactions that require disclosure.

16. Liability of members

If the CIO is wound up, the members of the CIO have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities. At 31 March 2025 there were 7 members.

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SOMETHING TO AIM FOR

13 Brooke Avenue Tameside Manchester M43 6HA

Breckman & Company Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 49 South Molton Street London W1K 5LH

27 January 2026

Dear Sirs

Letter of Representation

The following representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience such as we consider necessary in connection with your independent examination of the charity’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. These enquiries have included inspection of supporting documentation where appropriate and are sufficient to satisfy ourselves that we can make each of the following representations. All representations are made to the best of our knowledge and belief.

General

Assets and liabilities

Docusign Envelope ID: ABAEB5CD-2DAD-4E4C-8E9F-E690CF1F83C0

Accounting estimates

Loans and arrangements

Legal claims

Laws and regulations

Related parties

Subsequent events

Going concern

Grants and donations

Restricted grants and donations are as follows: Restricted grants and donations are as follows:
UKRI CRN Extension £3,773
MMF Anti-Poverty Insight Group £19,695
Greater Manchester Arts Network (GMAN) £19,600
Creativity In Place (CIP) £5,000

Yours faithfully

..............................................................................................................................

MATT BURMAN Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees