Mainspring Arts CIO
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5th April 2023
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1187951
Frank S Lachman 16b North End Road Golders Green London NW11 7PH
Mainspring Arts CIO
Legal and Administrative Information
5th April 2023
Registered Charity Number 1187951 Registered Office The Hive, Halton Mill Mill Lane Lancaster LA2 6ND Directors and Trustees Andrew Locke Resigned 6th November 2022 Roshani Palamakumbura Resigned 20th April 2023 Karis Okereke Dr Joanne Limburg Acting Chair Stacey Linstead Resigned 25th October 2022 Lisa Gee Appointed 15th February 2023 Eleanor Hughes Appointed 16th January 2024 Examiner Frank S Lachman Chartered Accountant 16B North End Road London NW11 7PH
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Directors' and trustees' report
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of charity for the year ending 31st March 2023.
Directors' responcibilities
Company Law which is also applicable to charitable companies in England and Wales requires the directors, who are also trustees of the company, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the results of the company for that period.
In preparing those financial statements, the directors/trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors/trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
Mainspring Arts is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its Constitution, which was adopted on 13 February 2020
Trustee selection methods
Trustees are selected through a recruitment process involving an open call, followed by shortlisting and interviews by current trustees and senior staff. Trustees may sometimes invite specific people to apply where they are known to be desirable candidates.
In selecting individuals for appointment as trustees, the current trustees consider the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity. Trustees are appointed for a term of two years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
Trustee induction and training
New trustees are invited to attend a trustee meeting and are provided with:
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The charity’s Trustee Welcome Pack
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A copy of the current version of the charity constitution and safeguarding policy
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A copy of the charity’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts
New trustees meet with the charity co-directors who take them through the charity operations, and are invited to take part in an NCVO Charity Trustee Induction training session. In this session they are briefed on their legal obligations under charity law and given an overview of good charity governance. They may also take part in a safeguarding training course.
As the charity works with neurodivergent adults, all trustees undergo a relevant DBS Check.
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Directors' and trustees' report
Review of developments, activities and achievements
2022-23 was something of a hiatus for Mainspring Arts as we took time to think, make plans and lay down the foundations for some exciting new projects and organisational development.
It was also a year of change: after six years in London our base moved to Lancaster, along with our Director Miranda Prag. We also said goodbye to Katya Balen, our Co-Director and Co-Founder, who stepped down from her position after seven years.
Katya saw Mainspring grow from an idea in 2015 to the thriving community it is now, and we’re so glad to have had her experience, knowledge and passion along the way. Katya will be missed, and we wish her so much luck in her onward journey in children’s literature.
Miranda continued as sole Director, with the aim of recruiting a new Co-Director when funding is in place, and continued working closely with our Development Manager Catherine Herbert to ensure we remain sustainable as we grow and develop.
This work paid off in June 2022 when we were awarded funding from the Ragdoll Foundation and the AOK Trust for SpringTide, a residency and development programme for six young female and non-binary artists from Lancashire and Cumbria, and our first project in the North West.
In planning this project we began to form partnerships with organisations and artists in the region, and hope to continue building on this work as we get to know our new home in north Lancashire.
We ended the year by securing an Arts Council England (ACE) grant to fund a range of exciting activity in 2023-24, including a mentoring programme and another round of our online creative courses, Mainspring Virtual Studios, as well as additional capacity for SpringTide.
We also saw change within our Board: Stacey Linstead and Andrew Locke stepped down in October and November 2022 respectively. Both will be missed, and we thank them for their expertise, insight and guidance during their time as Trustees.
In February 2023 we welcomed Lisa Gee to the Board. Lisa’s background in facilitating, lecturing, writing and editing across the arts, education and business sectors will be an invaluable addition to the Board’s varied experience.
We close the year looking forward to working with some exciting new partners, practitioners and participants, and with gratitude to our community, our funders and everyone who’s supported us along the way.
Joanne Limburg Acting chair
Our objectives
Mainspring Arts works across artforms to support neurodivergent artists and celebrate neurodivergent creativity.
We work closely with neurodivergent (ND) creatives, supporting them to develop their artistic practice. We provide platforms for ND creatives to make and share work, and opportunities to meet and collaborate.
Our programmes are designed by and for ND creatives, and all creative decisions are made by ND participants and practitioners.
We aim to increase representation of ND people in the arts, to combat stereotypes surrounding neurodivergence and what ND art can be, and to cultivate an environment in which ND creatives can thrive.
We aim to promote equality and diversity in the arts in England and Wales by creating artistic opportunities for neurodivergent people, and presenting and promoting the artistic work of neurodivergent people to the public.
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Mainspring Arts CIO Directors' and trustees' report
We aim to promote social inclusion for neurodivergent people by:
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Helping neurodivergent people develop their skills and confidence in artistic activities
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Providing artistic opportunities for neurodivergent people, and supporting them to pursue opportunities elsewhere
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Providing networking opportunities for neurodivergent people
Our activities
Our main activities this year were:
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Fundraising activities - developing and implementing a fundraising strategy with the aim of securing our core programme
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● and becoming more financially sustainable.
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SpringTide - initial research and planning.
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Core programme - initial research and planning.
These activities promoted social inclusion for neurodivergent people by laying the foundations for projects that will provide networking opportunities, boost confidence to pursue further opportunities, and enable participants to find community.
Our activities also promoted equality and diversity in the arts: as with all our activity, the projects we planned and sought funding for will remove barriers to participation for neurodivergent people, levelling the playing field and enabling them to take part in activity that would otherwise be difficult to access. The programme will also offer opportunities for neurodivergent artists to present their work publicly, contributing to more diverse representation in the arts.
In planning our activities for the year and making decisions, we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and impact
Fundraising and strategic development
Much of this year was dedicated to fundraising and strategic planning as we took a pause in programme delivery to focus on growing the organisation sustainably.
Our main focuses were developing a programme of local activity in our new home in the North West, and securing sustainable funding for our core programme.
We achieved both goals, with funding secured from the Ragdoll Foundation and AOK Trust for SpringTide, and an Arts Council grant secured to fund our core programme for the following year. This places us in a strong position to build on these foundations and further develop our programme.
In planning these projects we took time to consolidate and scrutinise feedback and evaluation from previous projects in order to learn and adapt our approaches to ensure we’re serving our community as effectively as we can.
SpringTide
SpringTide is a first for Mainspring Arts in several ways: it’s our first project to take place in the North West, our first in-person project since before the pandemic, and our first project aimed specifically at young women and non-binary people.
SpringTide is an opportunity for six female and non-binary ND artists aged 18-25 to come together in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, for a week of workshops, peer support and collaboration with a focus on socially engaged practice, designed and led by Barrow-based ND artist Danielle Chappell Aspinwall. Following the workshop week, Mainspring will support the artists to develop their own socially engaged projects.
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Directors' and trustees' report
We’ve partnered with BarrowFull, the ACE Creative People and Places organisation for Barrow, to deliver the project, and have secured funding from the Ragdoll Foundation, the AOK Trust and ACE.
This project is important for us as it will enable us to develop a model for neuroinclusive professional development for young ND female and non-binary artists, contributing to change in the sector, grow our ND artist community locally, and embed Mainspring in the local arts ecology, leading to mutually beneficial new partnerships and opportunities to develop our work.
At year end, we were part way through the application process, and are looking forward to making connections with our six young artists and seeing how their work develops.
Core programme
One of our main aims for the year was to plan and secure funding for our core programme, a range of activity that we hope will run continuously, forming the bedrock of our artist support offering.
This will include Mainspring Virtual Studios, a series of free online creative courses that we’ve run twice before, and a new mentoring programme, offering mentorships for six artists per year and supporting them to reach the next step in their careers. These projects will be open nationally, enabling us to continue serving the community we’ve built up since 2015 of ND artists across the UK, alongside our new local programme.
In March 2023 we were successful in securing funding for the core programme. This will enable us to support 36 ND artists in 2023-24 - the most we’ve ever supported in a single year - and work with 15 exciting ND practitioners.
Charity’s principal address:
Mainspring Arts The Hive, Halton Mill Mill Lane Lancaster LA2 6ND
Trustees
Trustee name Office (if any) 1 Stacey Linstead Treasurer Resgned 25th October 2022 2 Dr Joanne Limburg Acting Chair 3 Andrew Locke Resigned 6th November 2022 4 Karis Okereke 5 Roshani Palamakumbura Resigned 20th April 2023 6 Lisa Gee Appointed 15th February 2023 7 Eleanor Hughes Appointed 16th January 2024
Related parties
The charity has relationships with other charities on a project-by-project basis.
Going concern
The directors confirm that:
A going concern basis is appropriate for these accounts.
The company has sufficient reserves to continue for at least 12 months after the date of signing these accounts.
Risk management
The company undertakes periodic reviews for different areas of risk including insurance cover,health and safety policies in the workplace and whilst performing, working with young children,financial affairs; personnel practices; ICT technology.
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Directors' and trustees' report
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Section 419(2) of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signature:
Full name:
Position:
Joanne Limburg (Jan 24, 2024 15:32 GMT)
Dr Joanne Limburg Acting Chair
Date: Jan 24, 2024
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Mainspring Arts CIO
ACCOUNTANTS REPORT
Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the period ended 5th April 2023 which are set out on pages 8 to 12 .
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the ‘2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's report
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 company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
(2) the accounts do not accord with those accounting records; or
(3) the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
(4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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.
Frank S Lachman FCA
Member Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Chartered Accountant Independent Examiner
16b North End Road London NW11 7PH Dated: 24/1/2024
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Statement of Financial Activities For the Year to 5th April 2023
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | **Unrestricted ** | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| Year | Year | ||||||
| Notes | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Income from: | |||||||
| Donations and Legacies | 2 | 1,031 | 10,000 | 11,031 | 5,959 | - | 5,959 |
| Total income | 1,031 | 10,000 | 11,031 | 5,959 | - | 5,959 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||||||
| Charitable Activity Costs | 3 | 2,701 | 7,548 | 10,249 | 21,395 | - | 21,395 |
| Total expenditure | 2,701 | 7,548 | 10,249 | 21,395 | - | 21,395 | |
| Net income for year | (1,670) | 2,452 | 782 | (15,436) | - | (15,436) | |
| Funds brought forward | 3,025 | - | 3,025 | 18,461 | - | 18,461 | |
| Transfer between Funds | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Funds carried forward | 6 | 1,355 | 2,452 | 3,807 | 3,025 | - | 3,025 |
The statement of Financial Activities reflects the results of continuing activities for the period. There were no recognised gains or losses other than the net outgoing resources for the period. The net outgoing resources for the year have been calculated on the historical cost basis. The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts.
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Balance Sheet at 5th April 2023
| Notes 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Current assets Debtors - 535 Cash at bank and in hand 4,557 3,240 Total current assets 4,557 3,775 Creditors falling due within one year 4 750 750 Net current assets 3,807 3,025 Net assets 3,807 3,025 The Funds of the Charity Restricted Funds 2,452 - Unrestricted Funds 5 1,355 3,025 Total Charity Funds 3,807 3,025 |
Notes 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Current assets Debtors - 535 Cash at bank and in hand 4,557 3,240 Total current assets 4,557 3,775 Creditors falling due within one year 4 750 750 Net current assets 3,807 3,025 Net assets 3,807 3,025 The Funds of the Charity Restricted Funds 2,452 - Unrestricted Funds 5 1,355 3,025 Total Charity Funds 3,807 3,025 |
Notes 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Current assets Debtors - 535 Cash at bank and in hand 4,557 3,240 Total current assets 4,557 3,775 Creditors falling due within one year 4 750 750 Net current assets 3,807 3,025 Net assets 3,807 3,025 The Funds of the Charity Restricted Funds 2,452 - Unrestricted Funds 5 1,355 3,025 Total Charity Funds 3,807 3,025 |
Notes 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Current assets Debtors - 535 Cash at bank and in hand 4,557 3,240 Total current assets 4,557 3,775 Creditors falling due within one year 4 750 750 Net current assets 3,807 3,025 Net assets 3,807 3,025 The Funds of the Charity Restricted Funds 2,452 - Unrestricted Funds 5 1,355 3,025 Total Charity Funds 3,807 3,025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,775 750 |
|||
| 3,807 | 3,025 | ||
| 2,452 1,355 |
- 3,025 |
||
| 3,807 | 3,025 |
a) For the year ended 5th April 2023 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
(b) No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
(c) The directors acknowledge their responsibility for:
i. ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386; and
ii. preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit and loss for the financial year in accordance with the section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
(d) The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime, and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the . company
Approved by the directors on , and signed on their behalf by Dr Joanne Limburg24/01/2024
The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts.
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5th April 2023
1 Accounting Polices
(a) The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Mainspring Arts CIO 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).
(b) Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income from grants, whether capital or revenue grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants has been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
(c) Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party. It is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Costs are allocated to a category either because such costs are directly incurred in relation to such category, or because they are support costs in respect of which an apportionment has been made between the categories.
Support costs consist of infrastructure costs for salaries, premises, office administration. Such costs are apportioned on a reasonable and consistent basis to the various categories with a view to determining, as accurately as possible, the total resources expended for each category. The basis of apportionment used is either a function of staff time applied to a given activity, or an estimate of the proportion of costs associated with the same, or a combination of both.
Direct and Support costs are separately shown by natural classification in Note 5 to these accounts for each category of cost.
(d) Taxation
The company as a registered charity ( number 1187951 ) is exempt from taxation on most investment income insofar as it is applied for charitable purposes. The company is also exempt from taxation on capital gains.
(e) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
(f) 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.
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5th April 2023
2 Donations and legacies
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | **Restricted ** | Unrestricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| Grants for General Running Costs | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| AOK | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | |
| Arts Council England | - | - | - | - | 5,347 | 5,347 | |
| Ragdoll Foundation | 10,000 | - | 10,000 | - | - | - | |
| Donations | |||||||
| Sundry donations | - | - | - | - | 350 | 350 | |
| Sundry Income | - | 31 | 31 | - | 262 | 262 | |
| 10,000 | 1,031 | 11,031 | - | 5,959 | 5,959 | ||
| **3 ** | Charitable activity costs |
| Support Costs and Governance Charitable Activity Costs Charitable Activity Costs Unrestricted Restricted Telephone & Internet 194 - Fundraising 1,050 - Insurance 169 - Sundry 109 - Workshop leaders and mentors fees - 5,697 Artists' fees and expenses - 1,150 Production costs - 400 Directors' fees - - DBS checks 14 - Marketing - 301 Stationery and printing - - Membership 55 - Web hosting 360 - Training and recruitment - - Accountancy 750 - Total 2,701 7,548 4 Creditors due within one year Accruals 5 Reconciliation of movement of funds Funds at 5th April 2022 Income Restricted Funds - 10,000 Unrestricted Funds 3,025 1,031 3,025 11,031 |
Support Costs and Governance Charitable Activity Costs Charitable Activity Costs Unrestricted Restricted Telephone & Internet 194 - Fundraising 1,050 - Insurance 169 - Sundry 109 - Workshop leaders and mentors fees - 5,697 Artists' fees and expenses - 1,150 Production costs - 400 Directors' fees - - DBS checks 14 - Marketing - 301 Stationery and printing - - Membership 55 - Web hosting 360 - Training and recruitment - - Accountancy 750 - Total 2,701 7,548 4 Creditors due within one year Accruals 5 Reconciliation of movement of funds Funds at 5th April 2022 Income Restricted Funds - 10,000 Unrestricted Funds 3,025 1,031 3,025 11,031 |
Charitable Activity Costs Total 2023 Support Costs and Governance Charitable Activity Costs Total 2022 Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted - 194 80 - 80 - 1,050 1,650 - 1,650 - 169 170 - 170 - 109 15 - 15 - 5,697 - 5,350 5,350 - 1,150 - 2,650 2,650 - 400 - - - - - - 8,730 8,730 - 14 103 - 103 - 301 - 324 324 - - 454 - 454 - 55 - - - - 360 834 - 834 - - 285 - 285 - 750 750 - 750 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,701 7,548 |
- 10,249 4,341 17,054 21,395 |
|
| 2023 2022 750 750 750 750 Expenses Transfers Funds at 5th April 2023 (7,548) - 2,452 (2,701) - 1,355 (10,249) - 3,807 |
||
| 3,025 11,031 |
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Mainspring Arts CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements For the period ended 5th April 2023
6 Analasys of assets over funds
| Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds: |
Net Current Assets Total 2023 Total 2022 2,452 2,452 - 1,355 1,355 3,025 |
|---|---|
| 3,807 3,807 3,025 |
- 7 Trustees
During the year, none of the trustees received any remuneration from the trust and no expenses were reimbursed to any of them. ( 2022 nil)
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