The Circus Project
Trustees' Report and Annual Accounts for the Year Ended 31st December 2025.
Registered Charity Number: 1190577
Charity Information
The Circus Project For the year ended 31 December 2025
Trustees
Lucy Kenward - Chair
Peter Hedgethorne - Treasurer
Philippa Vafadari - Secretary
Selene Rull-Usano
David Ward
Ben Thuraiaux-Alemán
Registered Number
1190577
Registered Office
Hangleton Community Centre Harmsworth Crescent Hove Sussex BN3 8BW
THE CIRCUS PROJECT
The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2025.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
The Circus project has been active since 1999, gaining Charity status in 2004. A copy of this constitution is published on the charity website and is also available on request.
The Circus Project's governing constitution specifies that the charity's board of trustees shall consist of not less than four (4) members, nor more than nine (9) members. Trustees are appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as appointed charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
On the 31[st ] December 2025 there were 6 elected members on the board of trustees.
-
Lucy Kenward – Chair
-
Peter Hedgethorne – Treasurer
-
Philippa Vafadari - Secretary
-
David Ward – Trustee
-
Selene Rull-Usano - Trustee
-
Ben Thuriaux-Alemán - Trustee
DECISION MAKING
The charity trustees are responsible for decision making relating to the governance structure, strategy, risk and finances, and any issues of significant impact are voted upon as a trustee board. The management team below are delegated the day to day running of the charity during 2025.
CHARITY MANAGEMENT TEAM
- VICTORIA MCMANUS - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/ADMINISTRATOR/SENIOR INSTRUCTOR
Self-employed position held 1st January 2025 - 31st December 2025
-
EMMA MORGAN - INSTRUCTOR Self-employed position held 1st October 2025 - 31st December 2025
-
ALEXANDER POULTER - RIGGER
Self-employed position held 1st January 2025 - 31st December 2025
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE IN 2025
- Trustee recruitment
We successfully recruited new board members, Ben Thuriaux-Alemán and Philippa Vafadari in 2025.
● Youth and adult Classes
During the 2025 The Circus Project delivered
-
➢ 312 term time youth classes 7-21yrs old over the year
-
➢ 117 adult recreational classes over the year
-
➢ Taught up to 80 youth students per week, 3120 per year
-
➢ Taught up to 20 adult student per week, 780 per year
-
➢ Facilitated 8 workshops with specialised teachers from Brighton and across the country
-
➢ Subsidised classes for 13 youth students per week
● Youth trips
In March 2025 our Artistic Director organised and supervised a youth training trip to Berlin, funded with restricted funds. Three youth students who are on the CAT Scheme spent two days training with Trapeze artist, Maria Fournier and Rope artist, Emma Laule to develop their technique in doubles work and dynamics. Whilst in Berlin the students visited other circus training spaces and watched the show ‘Wolf’ by Circa at Chamaleon theatre.
● Workshops and Festival
We hosted youth workshops over the year:
-
➢ Poi passion workshop with our senior youth students.
-
➢ Upswing aerial theatre delivered free aerial and acro workshop to our youth students.
-
➢ Gandini Juggling delivered a free workshop to our students at The Brighton Dome theatre.
-
➢ The Circus Project hosted the CAT Scheme and London Youth Circus Summer Intensive workshop. Delivering workshops in contortion and mixed aerial disciplines. Giving the students an opportunity to try out unusual aerial equipment eg; spiral, triangle trapeze and chains. Five of the spaces on the workshop were offered to our youth students who are interested in joining the CAT Scheme.
-
➢ Worthing theatres invited The Circus Project to deliver aerial workshops at Worthing Pavilion in April and October.
-
➢ We attended Glastonbury Festival and Love Supreme delivering Youth workshops/performances and promoting aerial circus.
● Youth Performance
Our youth circus students performed at Glastonbury Festival in the Kidsfield.
In September 2025 two of our youth students went on to study circus at Circomedia, Bristol.
● Professional Development
Our Artistic Director took part in the European Aerial Dance Festival in Worthing. A week of training in aerial and dance disciplines. In April, Vicki also attended the aerial symposium at the Attenborough centre for the creative arts in Falmer, organised by Gravity and Levity.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
How the charity delivers public benefit
Throughout 2025 the core activities and objectives of the Circus Project have been built around its charitable purpose and objects with due regard to public benefit in line with the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit, including the guidance on public benefit and fee charging. The Circus Project relies on grants and the income from fees and charges to cover its operating costs. In setting the level of fees, charges and concessions, the trustees give careful consideration to the accessibility of the Circus Projects activities and courses for those on low income.
In 2025 The Circus Project has worked to achieve these objects using a number of focused objectives. Each of the eight objectives below have been written within an understanding of the charitable purpose of the Circus Project and their public benefit in line with Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.
In 2025 The Circus Project has worked to achieve these objects using a number of focused objectives:
-
TEACH PEOPLE: Provide high quality circus arts classes and workshops suitable for all ages and all abilities
-
FOSTER YOUNG TALENT: Nurture young talent and help young people who wish to pursue a career in the circus world
-
JOIN FORCES: Encourage collaborations and cross-art partnerships
-
CHANGE LIVES: Utilise the use of circus as a tool for helping people who are having a difficult time in their lives
-
DEVELOP CIRCUS: Be instrumental and truly active in developing contemporary circus regionally and nationally
-
CREATE WORK: Create work that inspires, delights the heart, and challenges the idea of what circus can be
-
HELP ARTISTS: Provide resources, advice, and practical support, showcasing opportunities and networking opportunities for professional and semi-professional artists
-
BE EXCELLENT: Be a model of good practice and artistic excellence within the sector nationally
FINANCIAL REVIEW
As of 1st January 2025, the reserves amounted to £26,409 represented by £24,409 of unrestricted funds and £2,000 of restricted funds. The 12 month period ended 31st December 2025 recorded net receipts over payments of £778 represented by £1,863 of unrestricted receipts over payments less £1,085 of restricted payments over receipts. Total monetary assets as 31st December 2025 stood at £27,187 of which £26,272 was unrestricted funds and £915 was restricted funds.
Total expenditure for 12 month period ended 31st December 2025 amounted to £42,342 .
RESERVES POLICY
The Circus Project is committed to using its resources in pursuit of its charitable objectives. It is also committed however to maintaining a level of reserves that is prudent to meeting ongoing liabilities, sufficient to ensure that all delivery commitments can be met and to protect the longterm future of The Circus Project’s operations.
The Circus Project seeks to balance these priorities by holding a level of unrestricted reserves which equates to about three months of running costs. As at 31st December 2025, unrestricted reserves stood at £26,272 which represents approximately 7 months of total costs.
The Trustees acknowledge this is above the level set by current reserves policy and is therefore considered sufficient to cover current commitments for the following financial year. The Board of Trustees is monitoring the level of reserves quarterly and will take appropriate action if reserves fall outside the desired range.
Statement of Trustees Responsibilities
The Circus Project For the year ended 31 December 2025
The trustee is responsible for preparing the trustee's report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the trustee to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the member is 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 accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The member is responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply
with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the constitution. The member is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Lucy Kenwood Chair
05/09/26 Approved by the member of the charity on ............................ and signed on its behalf by:
Lucy Kenward (Sep 5, 2026 14:04:13 GMT+1)
THE CIRCUS PROJECT
Registered Charity Number 1190577
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out in this document.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act;
-
and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
THE CIRCUS PROJECT
Registered Charity Number 1190577
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 - CONTINUED
Stuartt Seaton, FMAAT
Seatown Accountancy Services Ltd Endless Tales 4 Samphire Drive Worthing West Sussex BN13 3RW Signature……………………………………………
4th July 2026 Date……………………
Receipts and Payments Account
The Circus Project
For the year ended 31 December 2025
| The Circus Project For the year ended 31 December 2025 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Income | ||
| Funding - NON-RESTRICTED | 18.26 | 782.41 |
| Private Hire Costs | 117.90 | - |
| Workshop Income | 1,468.50 | 868.70 |
| Youth Class Income | 30,880.16 | 29,274.00 |
| Other Revenue | 26.00 | 391.60 |
| Funding - RESTRICTED | (1,024.89) | 675.00 |
| Sales | - | 360.80 |
| Merchandise | 240.16 | 507.00 |
| Adult Class Income | 8,825.24 | 14,027.95 |
| Fundraiser Income - Raffle | - | 70.00 |
| Fundraiser Income - Tickets | - | 1,331.00 |
| Fundraiser Income - Food & Drink Sales | 340.00 | 130.00 |
| Total Income | 40,891.33 | 48,418.46 |
| Payments | ||
| Instructor Fees - Adult Instruction | 615.75 | 2,284.95 |
| Instructor Fees - Youth Instruction | 2,201.13 | 901.03 |
| Direct Expenses | 485.33 | 288.73 |
| Rent - Youth Classes | 6,452.00 | 4,929.00 |
| IT Software and Consumables | 626.13 | 189.60 |
| Artistic Director Fees – Workshop | 939.50 | 140.00 |
| Staff Training | 100.00 | 270.71 |
| Artistic Director Fees - Adult Instruction | 4,986.53 | 4,873.75 |
| Entertainment-100% business | 20.00 | - |
| Postage, Freight & Courier | 9.29 | 16.45 |
| Administrator Fees | 5,555.10 | 4,900.00 |
| Travel - National | 87.40 | 205.65 |
| Bank Fees | 22.66 | - |
| Storage Rent | 143.00 | 154.00 |
| Insurance | 632.02 | 547.68 |
| Instructor Fees - Workshop Instruction | 403.50 | 852.00 |
| Subscriptions | 108.00 | 360.60 |
| Fundraising Expenses | - | 169.78 |
| Rent - Workshops | 96.00 | 24.00 |
| Cleaning | 211.00 | - |
| General Expenses | 231.60 | 176.34 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | - | 29.00 |
| Travel - International | 434.59 | - |
| Expenses - RESTRICTED | 60.00 | 175.00 |
| Rent - Private Hire | 56.00 | - |
| Rent | - | 69.00 |
Receipts and Payments Account
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Equipment | 950.70 | 1,587.11 |
| Printing & Stationery | 9.59 | - |
| Rent - Fundraising | 96.00 | 150.00 |
| Audit & Accountancy fees | 1,420.80 | 1,382.10 |
| Rent - Adult Classes | 3,144.00 | 2,298.00 |
| Artistic Director Fees - Youth Instruction | 12,245.00 | 13,200.50 |
| Total Payments | 42,342.62 | 40,174.98 |
| Net receipts (payments) for the year | (1,451.29) | 8,243.48 |
| Plus Other Cash Movements | ||
| Fixed Assets | - | (1,499.00) |
| Total Other Cash Movements | - | (1,499.00) |
| Net Cash Movement | (1,451.29) | 6,744.48 |
| Summary | ||
| Opening Balance | 27,138.13 | 20,393.65 |
| Plus Net Cash Movement | (1,451.29) | 6,744.48 |
| Balance of Fund at Year End | 25,686.84 | 27,138.13 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
The Circus Project
As at 31 December 2025
| The Circus Project As at 31 December 2025 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| NOTES | 31 DEC 2025 | 31 DEC 2024 | |
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 1,499 | 1,499 | |
| Total Fixed Assets | 1,499 | 1,499 | |
| Current assets | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 25,687 | 27,138 | |
| Total Current assets | 25,687 | 27,138 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year | |||
| Trade creditors | - | 2,229 | |
| Other creditors | (1) | (1) | |
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | (1) | 2,228 | |
| Net current assets (liabilities) | 25,688 | 24,910 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 27,187 | 26,409 | |
| Net Assets | 27,187 | 26,409 | |
| Capital and reserves | |||
| Profit and loss account | 27,187 | 26,409 | |
| Total Capital and reserves | 27,187 | 26,409 |
Movements in Funds
The Circus Project
For the year ended 31 December 2025
| Movements in Funds The Circus Project For the year ended 31 December 2025 |
Movements in Funds The Circus Project For the year ended 31 December 2025 |
Movements in Funds The Circus Project For the year ended 31 December 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 2024 |
||
| Funds | ||
| Opening Balance 26,409.38 19,176.15 Retained Earnings |
||
| Increases | ||
| Profit for the Period 777.71 7,233.23 |
||
| Total Increases 777.71 7,233.23 |
||
| Total Retained Earnings 777.71 7,233.23 |
||
| Total Funds 27,187.09 26,409.38 |
The Circus Project
Notes to the Financial Statements for the 12 Months Ended 31 December 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity status
The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation as defined by and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
Statement of compliance
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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements are prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Olly's Future 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 notes.
Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement
The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
Going concern
The trustee consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised upon receipt.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised upon payment. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Raising funds
These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
The Circus Project
Notes to the Financial Statements for the 12 Months Ended 31 December 2025
Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by ther usage.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustee’s meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustee's discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Trustee Signature Sheet
The Circus Project For the year ended 31 December 2025
The financial statements included in this report, all of the figures and information were approved by the board of Trustees on 05/09/26 …………………………… and were signed on its behalf by:
~~………………………………~~ Lucy Kenward (Sep 5, 2026 14:04:13 GMT+1) ….
Lucy Kenward
The Circus Project - Annual Report - (01.01.25-31.12.25) (with trustees report) Final Audit Report 2026-09-05
Created: 2026-09-05 By: Stuartt Seaton (stuartt@seatownaccountancy.co.uk) (Provisioned by XeroSign - Xero Limited) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAwSovw4qGfooSy1bIkAuyUC8wBrCzkePq
"The Circus Project - Annual Report - (01.01.25-31.12.25) (with t rustees report)" History
Document created by Stuartt Seaton (stuartt@seatownaccountancy.co.uk) 2026-09-05 - 12:48:53 GMT
Document emailed to Lucy Kenwood (lucyeleanorkenward@googlemail.com) for signature 2026-09-05 - 12:48:58 GMT
Email viewed by Lucy Kenwood (lucyeleanorkenward@googlemail.com) 2026-09-05 - 13:03:33 GMT
Signer Lucy Kenwood (lucyeleanorkenward@googlemail.com) entered name at signing as Lucy Kenward 2026-09-05 - 13:04:11 GMT
Document e-signed by Lucy Kenward (lucyeleanorkenward@googlemail.com)
Signature Date: 2026-09-05 - 13:04:13 GMT - Time Source: server - Signature appearance selected: MOBILE_DRAW
Agreement completed.
2026-09-05 - 13:04:13 GMT