# **IDEA SPACE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023-24** IDEA SPACE REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1193873 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE 12 MONTHS FROM 1 APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024 ## **FROM THE CHAIR** Welcome to the latest annual report from Idea Space, a community arts charity which works to make the arts more accessible to those who are underrepresented in the arts/creative sectors. Partnership working sits at the heart of everything we do. This approach has enabled us to extend the reach and impact of our work. We continued to deliver Tea and Toast sessions (adult workshops providing breakfast and optional art workshops), successfully delivered Digital Drawing projects and our popular Art Socials. Our trustees have focused on building a fundraising strategy so we can diversify our income sources and build a solid financial future. A huge thanks to everyone who has supported us this year, including those who donated to our first ever fundraising appeal which raised £250 in December and January! Last but not least, thank you to my fellow trustees, volunteers, funders and individual donors – and everyone in our community who has supported us, enabling us to grow in confidence and have a positive impact on our communities. ## **HEIDI AGBENYO,** ## CHAIR OF TRUSTEES **1** ## **FROM THE DIRECTOR** It has been an incredibly rewarding year for Idea Space. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our dedicated team of volunteers, freelance artists, and trustees for their invaluable contributions to our shared achievements. Your passion and commitment have been instrumental to our success. We are also deeply thankful to everyone who has supported our work. Your time, care, and contributions make a significant difference. At the heart of Idea Space is the belief in the power of creativity to foster strong community bonds, enhance wellbeing, and facilitate personal growth for all participants. We are committed to removing barriers to arts engagement by offering high-quality, free projects, events, workshops, resources, and films that are accessible to everyone. I am particularly proud of our collaborations with Jenny Hammond Primary School on the Creative Club project. This partnership has enabled us to unlock the creative potential of SEN children and families, as well as womenonly groups. Additionally, our Tea & Toast project, part of Waltham Forest Community Living Rooms, has created a vital space for adults to connect, socialize, and develop their artistic abilities. Witnessing the positive impact on participants' lives is truly inspiring. Our digital art workshops have equipped adults with valuable skills that can enhance their future education or employment prospects. These workshops have proven to be highly beneficial. Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our reach to support more elderly residents and young people who often feel marginalized. We also plan to produce more documentary and promotional films that celebrate the inspiring stories of our community. The success of Mario’s Barber’s film, 'Probably Not The Haircut,' has demonstrated the power of film to showcase local businesses, highlight the importance of community, and shine a light on local people. This past year has been marked by successful collaborations and partnerships. We are immensely grateful for the funding we have received from our funders and for the continued support of our community. We look forward to creating an even greater impact in the years to come. ## **VICKY COFFEY** DIRECTOR **2** ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** New trustee are appointed by open recruitment process. This involves advertising the role and selecting candidates based on their qualifications and alignment with Idea Space's objectives. Idea Space’s governing body is a board of Trustees which met three times in 2023/2024. At each meeting, the Director reports to the Trustees on the activities of Idea Space. Individual or small groups of Trustees may also work on specific projects approved by the board; again, these projects are reviewed by the board at their regular meetings. The Trustees review the risks faced by Idea Space; the main risk faced by the CIO is financial. The Trustees control this risk by ensuring that the cost of specific projects will be covered out of specific funding. Where fundraising requests are made for specific projects any grants received are allocated to those projects. Any surplus for the year in Idea Space’s unrestricted funds is carried forward to meet future costs. The trustees aim to build up reserves over the next 12 months to cover the equivalent of three months’ running costs. Idea Space has policies relating to Data Protection, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Safeguarding, all of which are available upon request. **3** **----- Start of picture text -----**
AIMS,
OBJECTIVES
AND VALUES
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The CIO’s objective, as set out in its constitution is: to advance education in the visual arts for the public benefit by delivering community art projects. To achieve that, Idea Space focuses on the following objectives: - We specialise in creating opportunities that make the arts more accessible. - We build skills, grow confidence, and nurture ideas. - We work in partnership with local communities, professional artists, and grassroots organisations. - We are a community arts charity based in Leytonstone, East London, and also work in other parts of the UK. Our values are to: Empower - local communities lead our work. - Participate - we remove barriers to access in arts. - Impact - we make a difference in people's lives. - Partner - we work in partnership with others. - Learn - we offer everyone opportunities in arts and culture. **4** **----- Start of picture text -----**
ACHIEVEMENTS
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## **Grants** We applied for 17 grants and were successful with 11 of the applications, and unsuccessful with 4. That is a success rate of 64.7%, or just under ⅔. We are still awaiting the outcome of 2 grant applications. ## **Community fundraising** We ran our first community fundraising campaign over the festive period. To facilitate this we registered with Wonderful, a zero fee donation platform, at no cost to the charity. Alongside Wonderful, we found it very effective to have an in-person cash & cheque donation option, as many of our donors feel more comfortable using those methods. Thanks to our generous community, we raised over £250. We applied for grants with **11** successful outcomes Success rate of **17 64.7%** **5** **----- Start of picture text -----**
PROJECTS
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**Our projects exist to build skills, grow confidence, and nurture ideas and creative talent. We focus strongly on accessibility and reducing barriers to participation in the arts.** **All our projects are free to take part in. We co-develop projects with communities, from the initial consultation stage to delivery. We focus on long-term impact. Our participants use our projects as a springboard to new pathways into education, work, and self-development** . ## Community film: **Probably Not The Haircut** Charity promotional film: **The Farm Community Kitchen** _Funded by London Borough of Waltham Forest - Leytonstone Community ward funding, and the Regeneration team._ Results: 65 attendees, 2 amazing films and 1 exciting film screening event, 2.4K views on YouTube to date. ## **Project description:** **‘** Probably not the haircut’ is a short film that celebrates Mario’s Barbers, one of Leytonstone’s oldest businesses. It looks at the importance of community and gives you a glimpse inside the shop with Costa and his customers. We also made a short promotional film for The Farm Community Kitchen. It’s a local not-for-profit that provides a meal delivery service and a low-cost café for people who struggle to feed themselves and their families. ## **What we learnt:** It took us a long time to make **Probably Not The Haircut** happen. We really loved making it, and we believe this is a story that deserves to be told. It came about through a conversation about community spaces and the people in communities that make a place special. We focused on telling Costa’s story while he was working, leading to natural conversations with humour and reflection. Costa has a lot of integrity and it was a pleasure to make a film about him and his family story. We screened the film at the barbershop, and an amazing 65 people came to watch it. For The Farm film, we used our creativity to elevate another local cause and promoting other local organisations that don’t have the know-how or marketing to make a film to show the work they do. We love telling stories about our community and can’t wait to make more films. ## **New website and branding** _Funded by Foundation of Future London._ Results: 1 fabulous website and 1 shiny new logo **Project description** : We developed a new website with input from staff, trustees, and PauWeb web design. As part of this Vicky developed a fun, colourful new logo that reflects our work more accurately. We now have the ability to receive online donations, and it’s a great portfolio for potential funders. **What we learnt** : It was great to think about how we promote and write about our charity to build awareness. We really focused on it being used by funders to find out about the work we do and who we are, and we put a lot of thought into our aims and values as a charity. The best part was designing a fun new logo! **6** **----- Start of picture text -----**
PROJECTS
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## **Digital Art workshops** _Funded by London Borough of Waltham Forest - Digital Inclusion Fund 2023 - Let’s Get Digital._ Results: 120 participants, 13 sessions, 92 older adults, 46 unemployed people **Project description:** Workshops aimed at older adults and unemployed people in Cann Hall who are absolute beginners in creating digital art. Participants may lack experience, access to equipment or confidence to learn new digital skills, and feel left behind. We build confidence to use digital devices, as participants learn to make digital art with a tablet. This includes digital graphic design, illustration and animated GIFs, and artificial intelligence. We delivered 5 sessions independently, and 8 in partnership, including an International Women’s Day event. Participants are supported by Digital Champion volunteers. Participants benefit from a sense of personal artistic achievement, and make new connections with people in their community in an inclusive, welcoming environment. **What we learnt** : We really loved delivering this project. It was such an amazing opportunity to be able to connect with people and new partners. Several potential partners approached us to deliver this for their beneficiaries. The grant allowed us to explore partnerships and connect with more vulnerable participants in Leytonstone who would not normally be able to engage with digital arts. Some of the partner groups were quite formal and participants felt relief and surprise that we offered a more relaxing activity. We’re very proud that 91 people participated – over 150% of our target. It was great to see people engaged in achieving the set goals. We’re happy that they found it enjoyable and were overcoming their fears of using digital devices. Artificial intelligence got the participants quite excited, as it aligned with what they’d heard in their daily lives, but were unsure how to use it. ## _**Feedback from participants:**_ **“I have never done digital art before and I never have much confidence using ‘gadgets’. I have really enjoyed learning how to use different textures and tools to draw with.”** **"This is a lot easier than getting paper & paints out, and I don't have to worry about getting it wrong."** **"I came here thinking it would be bloody rubbish, but it was good! I was surprised, it's not like using a laptop, but nice and relaxing."** **"My mum is really enjoying this and she hasn't even got email, it's the first time she's tried anything like this."** **7** **----- Start of picture text -----**
PROJECTS
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## **Your High Street** _Funded by London Borough of Waltham Forest - Regeneration team_ **Results:** 1 fun resource and 2 workshops Project description: We were invited to develop a resource that gets children involved in shaping the future of Leytonstone’s high street through designing public art, shop fronts, a town square, micro gardens, and social spaces. They are asked what they’d like to see more and less of in their high street, and what they’d like to see in the future. We held workshops with the resource in a local school, and in Leytonstone Library. What we learnt: It was a positive experience to work towards a brief set by the Regeneration team. It was interesting to see the differences in who was attending each workshop. We found that working in school attracted children from all social backgrounds, including those who may not be taken to art workshops by parents. Feedback from the Regeneration team: **“It was lovely to work with Idea Space. They were engaging, skilled and very creative on this project which used art for engagement purposes.”** **8** **----- Start of picture text -----**
PROJECTS
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## **Tea and Toast & Afternoon Social** _Funded by London Borough of Waltham Forest - Community Living Rooms._ **Results:** 332 participants and 31 sessions Project description: Tea & Toast is a free morning drop-in for adults in Cann Hall, to eat, chat, and make arts. We provide a free breakfast, a welcoming cuppa or a cold drink, and an optional art activity - all in a warm (or cool) space. The art changes every week, and people get to paint, draw, do printmaking, pottery, creative writing and much more. It’s a lovely opportunity to relax, make art, and socialise. **Afternoon Social** is a get-together to eat cake while watching a classic film. **What we learnt** : This has fast become Idea Space’s project that we are most well-known for. There is a large group of regular participants, friendships have developed, and people are always keen to come back. They say they feel less isolated and enjoy the social side. Many people would not be able to go to a cafe and buy a drink, so instead they enjoy the similar atmosphere at these sessions. We continue to develop this project, and successfully applied for a grant to continue running it in 2024/2025, slightly revamped under the name **Art Social** , to reflect participants’ main reasons for attending. ## **Feedback from participants:** ## **“A coffee break, a chat with people, a warm place to relax for a bit instead of being stressed and cold at home alone. I've enjoyed the art sessions, chats, free hot drinks and toast. Thank you for your patience, energy and creativity.”** ## **“I have learned lots of new things, and I have met a lot of new people. I enjoy the painting and socialising. I have enjoyed the art sessions very much!”** **“I've learnt to draw and paint for the first time with this session. People have been very friendly and great company. I enjoy the breakfast and it's a very pleasant space.”** **“I have thoroughly enjoyed my morning using charcoal. It has been fun! Excellent tuition! Friendly people, great art and brekky.”** **9** **----- Start of picture text -----**
PROJECTS
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## **Creative Club** _Funded by London Borough of Waltham Forest - Health Inequalities_ Results: 18 participants and 1 session **Project description** : Continuing from the previous financial year, as a final activity we delivered a hugely successful women’s walk, exploring drawing and painting from nature on Wanstead Flats, which border Leytonstone. With professional artists as guides, participants used art to explore their creativity, well-being, and sense of safety as women in outdoor spaces. We advertised for participants in partnership with Cann Hall Women’s Foundation, a local support group for vulnerable women, and Kiran Support Services, A charity for South Asian women who have experienced domestic abuse. ## **What we learnt:** We received amazing feedback, and 100% of participants said that: - they enjoyed the walk - it was good for their well-being - it decreased stress, or made them relax - it developed or used their creativity. We used this walk as a pilot session to develop a new project, and successfully applied for a grant to run it in 2024/2025. ## **Feedback from participants:** **“It's very good to share this activity with others. I learnt more because of talking and sharing.”** **“Revisiting art skills I hadn’t explored much since leaving school and looking at the landscape and nature in such detail was exciting.”** **“It was a very calming and mindful experience.”** **“I learnt the fact that anyone can draw.”** **“My family and friends were impressed by my drawings and were also interested and intrigued at attending outdoor art workshops in future.”** **“I would love to go on another drawing walk. It was managed very clearly, informatively and supportively. Very enjoyable.”** **10** **----- Start of picture text -----**
PROJECTS
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## **Digital Arts course** _Funded by London Borough of Waltham Forest - Adult Learning Service._ **Results:** 25 participants, 6 sessions Project description: We ran six classes in practical skills in digital art, which can be applied to work opportunities, further education and vocational courses. We worked in three venues, with three different groups of participants. The **Junction on Harrow Green** class was open to the public and shared on social media groups; **the Pastures** Centre invited their Monday Social group for older people; and **The Hornbeam** invited their People’s Kitchen attendees. **What we learnt:** Our partners allowed us to deliver this to people not usually able to access these opportunities. The groups were already comfortable with coming along to a welcoming space that they knew, and because of that it was easier to engage with them in that environment.The learners clearly enjoyed the workshops and were fully engaged. They appreciated learning something new with a technology they might not normally use. Most assumed that they weren’t very good at using technology but by the end of the two sessions they were all confident and competent at using it. ## **Feedback from participants:** ## **“I would like to say that it was a joy to see how much B. [who has a disability and cannot raise his head] enjoyed the digital drawing course.** **After the course he bought a tablet and he now has a new hobby! That is thanks to YOU. Thank you very much!”** ## **Partners** ## **We would like to thank the following funders and partners for their financial and in-kind support** . London Borough of Waltham Forest: - Community Living Rooms - Adult Learning Service - Let’s Get Digital - Health Inequalities team - Regeneration team - Community Ward funding Foundation for the future London Cann Hall & Harrow Green Baptist Church Cann Hall Can Cann Hall Women’s Foundation East Bank Seniors Foundation for Future London Holy Trinity Church Leytonstone’s Food Share Jenny Hammond Primary School Kiran Support Services Leytonstone Arts Trail Leytonstone Loves Local Leyton Orient Trust’s Wellbeing Cafe London Borough of Waltham Forest Save Our Pastures The Farm Community Kitchen The Hornbeam Centre’s People’s Kitchen **11** ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** The CIO received income during the financial period of £29,209 (£43,510 in 22/23) against total expenditure of £38,097 (£44,832 in 22/23). Nearly all costs are allocated to the different grants received and the remaining unallocated unrestricted costs totalled £2,579. Transfers from restricted funds totalled £248 giving rise to a closing balance on unrestricted funds of £868. Restricted funds ended the year with a balance of £965. For details of movements on funds see note 1a in the attached financial statements. The Costa Film project ended the year with a deficit of £470 which was covered by the second half of a grant from Ward Funding early in 2024/25. ## **Reserves** At the balance sheet date the CIO had a total balance at the bank of £1,835. The Director and Trustees continue to make concerted efforts to secure funding for its projects and programmes while also inviting support from individual donors. The current unrestricted balance of £868 is adequate in relation to unrestricted expenditure (in 2023/24) of £2,579. Grants received in 2023/24 have some flexibility towards covering core costs so the aim of a working balance of free reserves of at least £2-3k should be easily achieved in the current financial year. This report was approved by the Trustees on 16 August 2024 and signed on their behalf by: Heidi Agbenyo-Kwao, Chair of Trustees Trustees: Heidi Agbenyo-Kwao, Chair Kate Carvill Joanne Moss Director: Vicky Coffey Address: 15a Davies Lane London E11 3DR Bankers: Barclays Bank plc Idea Space registered Charity Number 1193873 Annual Report for the 12 months from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Independent examiner: Derek Rodwell Impact the Future Bennet Verby 7 St Petersgate Stockport Cheshire SK1 1EB **12** **----- Start of picture text -----**
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
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## **To the trustees of Idea Space** I report on the accounts for the period ended 31st March 2024 that are set out on pages 14 to 17. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Certified Accountants. Having satisfied myself that the charity is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: examine the financial statements 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. This report, including my statement, has been prepared for and only for the charity’s trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters that I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to any other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body for my examination work, for this report or for the statements that I have made. ## **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: - 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, comply with the accounting requirements of Regulation 8 of the Accounts Regulations and the 2011 Act have not been met; or - to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date: 19 August 2024 Derek Rodwell FCCA (Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants) Impact The Future Ltd, c/o Bennett Verby, 7 St Petersgate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1EB **13** ## **IDEA SPACE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024** **14** **----- Start of picture text -----**
IDEA SPACE
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## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024** **15** **----- Start of picture text -----**
IDEA SPACE
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## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024** **16** **----- Start of picture text -----**
IDEA SPACE
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## **Transfers** Where a project has been completed to the satisfaction of the funders and there is a small under or overspend, the balance has been transferred to unrestricted funds as shown above. On Digital Drawing it was agreed that £550 would be used to cover core costs: 50% of that amount (£275) has been taken account of in 22/23 with the balance on completion of the project in 23/24. ## **For details of projects, please refer to the annual report** ## **2. Related parties** There were no payments made to any related parties during 2023-24 ## **3. Assets and liabilities.** Apart from the amounts described in the statement of assets and liabilities, Idea Space had no further material assets at the 31st March 2024 ## **4. Accounting Policies** ## **Basis of Preparation** The financial statements have been prepared as receipts and payments accounts as allowed by s.133 of the 2011 Charities Act for non-company charities with an income under £250,000. Assets and liabilities are recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note. ## **Funds** General funds represent the funds of the trust that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the trust activities. Restricted funds are those donated for specific purposes. **17**