Charity Registration No. 1187052
SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
CONTENTS
| Charity Information | 3 |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ report | 4 - 7 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 8 |
| Income and Expenditure Report | 9 |
| Statement of financial position | 10 |
| Notes to the accounts | 11 - 13 |
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Trustees Alexander Cooke Antonia Slater Eleanor Moulton Resigned, 11/01/2024 Helen Meade CEO Kate McCoy Charity Number 1187052 (England and Wales) Registered Office Community Base 113 Queens Road Brighton BN1 3XG Accountants Beancounters of Lewes Ltd 1 St Nicholas Mews St Nicholas Lane Lewes BN7 2JZ
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES TRUSTEES' REPORT
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
Trustees
The following Trustees held office during the whole of the period:
Alexander Cooke Antonia Slater Eleanor Moulton Resigned, 11/01/2024 Helen Meade
Principal activity
The principal activity of the Charity is the provision of Community based Theatre Production & Performances.
Charitable Objectives
To Promote Social Inclusion For The Public Benefit By Preventing People From Becoming Socially Excluded, Relieving The Needs of Those People Who Are Socially Excluded And Assisting Them To Integrate Into Society.
Finances & Reserves
The charity was once again unsuccessful in several funding bids in what is an ever increasingly competitive environment.
small performance adventures looked at various other revenue streams and has been successful in engaging in activity as a commissioned entity working within the public and third sector.
As such, the trustees took the decision to spend a portion of our reserves to fund small performance adventures important new work in response to three separate negative funding decisions from Arts Council England.
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES TRUSTEES' REPORT
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
In 2024, small performance adventures significantly raised our profile and are very proud to have been featured in a range of publications. Although it was a challenging year in terms of attracting funding, we have taken on a new exciting prison project working in partnership with TIPP, NHS and prison recovery services which will run for the next two years. We have continued to develop our partnership work with Age UK and older people in recovery and our training and teaching work has seen us in a range of settings sharing our expertise.
“Working with small performance adventures brings a dynamic and deeply complementary energy to TiPP’s work. Kate’s playful, person-centred approach to storytelling and performance aligns powerfully with our ethos, creating small performance adventures —particularly in justice settings—for participants to explore creativity, humour, and emotional honesty. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of applied theatre while staying grounded in shared values of social justice, accessibility, and authentic human connection.”
- Simon Ruding, Director of TiPP
2024 at a Glance
79 creative sessions delivered Over 300 participants engaged.
Core Strands of Work
Creative programmes with older people in recovery (in partnership with Age UK)
Changing Stories: prison-based residencies in collaboration with TiPP
Training, teaching and workshop delivery.
Older People in Recovery
Building on our 2023 partnership with Age UK, we ran a ten-week programme for older people in recovery, exploring ageing and community through theatre. Sessions focused on creativity, connection, and confidence, and included two cultural outings to Brighton Dome and Phoenix Gallery.
This strand will continue to grow in 2025, supported by funding from The National Lottery.
“Exploring ageing is challenging—especially with my mum recently moving into a care home. But something that seemed like nothing became a real idea. Our characters grew, developed depth, and through them, we learned more about ageing and ourselves.”
- Lesley, workshop participant
Changing Stories (with TiPP)
Funded by NHS England, Changing Stories is a two-year project delivering four-day creative residencies in 15 North West prisons, in partnership with in-prison drug recovery services.
Kate has led four residencies so far and will continue in 2025, while also training new artists to work in justice and recovery settings.
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES TRUSTEES' REPORT
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
"You brought joy to a dark place.”
- Participant, HMP Buckley Hall
Training, Teaching and Workshops:
Portraits of Recovery – Chaordic
Kate delivered training sessions on “How to Be a Recoverist” for staff from Manchester Art Gallery, The Whitworth, and Castlefield Gallery, building connections between major cultural institutions and the recovery community.
University of Manchester
Delivered the Prison Theatre course, preparing 20 students for three-day creative residencies in prisons.
Kingston University
Co-led a workshop with Ronan Bodley (artist in recovery and long-time small performance adventures collaborator), introducing social pedagogy students to ritual-based practice.
Brighton Dome
small performance adventures delivered two workshops: Rituals for Creative Ageing (Ageing Well Festival)
Performance Skills for Artists (Disabled and Disobedient Festival)
Performing Medicine
Continued training medical students in how to handle conflict and aggression, and began codeveloping a new 2025 programme for artists in Greenwich working in health settings.
Other Workshops
small performance adventures led a networking session for 20 participants as part of UNLtd’s Connect & Share event in Brighton and Hove.
small performance adventures also delivered a devised theatre project at HMP Brixton for Synergy, working with participants from the London Partnership Unit.
“A safe small performance adventures to open up - I’ve seen new parts of myself and enjoyed every single minute”
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Participant, HMP Brixton
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“This was the best icebreaker I’ve ever done.”
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Participant, Connect & Share
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES TRUSTEES' REPORT
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
Raising Our Profile
This year, small performance adventures was featured in:
Support Local – a Sussex-based charity publication
Creatively Minded and in Recovery – a Baring Foundation report on participatory arts and recovery
A full chapter in Dr Cathy Sloan’s book Messy Connections: Creating Atmospheres of Addiction Recovery Through Performance Practice is dedicated to our work, particularly Terminal Uniqueness and Overdose Awareness Day. Kate was invited to speak at the Westminster University book launch, attended by several small performance adventures’ participants.
“Small Performance Adventures’ iterative Overdose Awareness Day project has sparked creative collaborations with recovery arts organisations across the UK. It stands as a model of connection—not only among individuals in recovery, but also between organisations sharing a recovery-based ethos.”
- Dr Cathy Sloan
“2024 has been a remarkable year for small performance adventures—transformative, courageous, and rooted in empathy and authenticity. From prisons to galleries, Kate and her team has created vital small performance adventures for connection, creativity, and change.”
- Alex Cooke, Trustee
small performance adventures continues to engage in a diverse range of participants creatively, directly challenging social isolation and feelings of alienation. Kate and team offer that nonjudgemental and fun space we all need to connect and provide expression, important and joyful stuff.
- Toni Slater, Trustee
Signed
Helen Meade, Chair
10 September 2025
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
Independent Examiners Report to the board of Trustees of Small Performance Adventures on the preparation of the unaudited statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of small performance adventures (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
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 that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Beancounters of Lewes Ltd 1 St Nicholas Mews St Nicholas Lane Lewes BN7 2JZ
10 September 2025
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Turnover Grants Income - In Kind Support Other Income Cost of Sales Project Costs Expenses - In Kind Support Sub-contractors Gross Surplus Administrative Expenses Wages & Salaries Pension Contribution National Insurance Staff Training and welfare Travel & Accommodation Room Hires Telephone & Internet Printing & Stationery Research & Development Subscriptions Insurance IT, Software and Consumables Depreciation Accountancy fees Advertising, PR & Website Expenditure in deficit of Income Reconciliation of Funds Fund Balance at 01 January 2024 Fund Balance at 31 December 2024 |
Unrestricted £ 4,000 - 15,647 |
Restricted £ - - |
2024 £ 4,000 - 15,647 |
2023 £ 21,500 4,850 19,197 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19,647 | - | 19,647 | 45,547 | |
| 99 1,375 |
484 100 |
583 - 1,475 |
1,156 4,850 8,104 |
|
| 1,474 | 584 | 2,058 | 14,110 | |
| 18,173 | (584) | 17,589 | 31,437 | |
| 12,994 280 1,053 893 2,728 312 258 126 1,034 15 88 452 67 324 270 |
9,056 195 734 - 1,045 450 180 - 148 - - - - 226 - |
22,050 474 1,788 893 3,772 762 438 126 1,182 15 88 452 67 550 270 |
23,888 529 2,041 1,998 2,547 1,193 621 120 669 23 77 749 90 750 268 |
|
| 20,893 | 12,034 | 32,926 | 35,562 | |
| (2,720) | (12,618) | (15,337) | (4,125) | |
| 9,694 | 12,619 | 22,311 | 26,438 | |
| 6,974 | (0) | 6,974 | 22,313 |
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 4 Current Assets Debtors 5 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 6 Net assets/(liabilities) Capital and Reserves Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds |
2024 £ 201 - 9,731 9,731 2,958 6,974 6,974 - 6,974 |
2023 £ 269 - 24,364 |
|---|---|---|
| 24,364 2,320 |
||
| 22,313 | ||
| 9,694 12,619 |
||
| 22,313 |
For the year ending 31st December 2024, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 10 September 2025
.........................................
Trustee Helen Meade Charity Registration No. 1187052
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Statutory information
small performance adventures is charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered in England and Wales, charity registration number 1187052. The registered office is Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG
2 Accounting conventions
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005)', issued in March 2005, applicable accounting standards and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
Going Concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
Fund accounting policy
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustee's discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Incoming resources
Donations are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Income from charitable activities includes income recognised as earned (as the related goods or services are provided) under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions. Grant income included in this category provides funding to support programme activities and is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Fund accounting
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund. Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible assets are included at cost less depreciation and impairment. Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives
3 Turnover
| Grant Income | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| Chalk Cliff Trust | 4,000 | - | 4,000 |
Turnover consists of income from activity including events with partners in the form of workshops and educational training, and donations totalling £15,647 (2023, £14,346), and support in kind of £ nil (2023, 4,850)
4 Tangible fixed assets
| Tangible fixed assets | |
|---|---|
| Cost At 01 January 2024 Additions Depreciation As at 01 January 2024 Charge for year As at 31 December 2024 Net Book Value As at 01 January 2024 As at 31 December 2024 |
£ Computer equipment 850 - |
| 850 | |
| 581 67 |
|
| 648 | |
| 269 | |
| 202 |
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SMALL PERFORMANCE ADVENTURES NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
5 Debtors
| 5 Debtors Trade Debtors 6 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Taxes and social security Other creditors Accruals |
2024 £ - 2024 £ 717 1651 590 2,958 |
2023 £ - |
| 2023 £ 860 870 590 |
||
| 2,320 |
7 Trustees' remuneration and expenses
No trustees received any remuneration or expenses during the year (2023, nil).
8 Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023, nil)
9 Average number of employees
During the year the average number of employees was 1 (2022: 1).
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