Charlty number: 1194307 BANK OF PREAMS IGH Trustees, Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30 April 2026 What we do is not complicated, what happens is remarkablel
Contents Pago Referenc£ and Administrative Details Trustees, Report 2-21 Independent Examiner's Report 22 Statement of Financial Activities 23 Slatemenl of Financial Position 24 Noles to the Financial Statements 25-34
Reference and Admlnlstratlve Detalls Trust¢es Mr M Smith - Chair Mr C Padwicke-Barratt {appointed 24110120251 Ms J Morency Mr S Deverell Mr J Collins Ms E Sharman (resigned 31112120251 Ms N Mccretton (resign8d 3111212025} Charity Number 1194307 Prlnclpal Address Bridport LSI 51 East Street Bridport Dorset DT6 3JX Independent Exarnlner Mr. M.J. Cridland B.A. IHons} F.C.A. Scott Vevers Ltd Chartered Accountants & Registered Audilors 65 East Streel Bridport Dorset DT6 3LB Bankers Natwesl Westem Avenue Walerside Court Chatham Maritime Chatham ME4 4RT
Trustees, Report for the Year Ended 30 April 2026 The Iruslees present their report and the finan¢i81 slatements for Ihe year ended 30 April 2026. Objectivos and Activities Aims and Oblectlves To advance edCatIOn for the public benefit in writing and reading in all ils foms. 2. To act as a resource for young people up to the age of 18 by providing advice and assistance, organising progrdmmes of education and other activities as a means of: la) advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills. capacities. and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals, (b) advancing educ*tion, {cl Relieving unemployment. and 3. To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from being socially excluded. relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them lo integrate into society- Publlc Beneflt The trustees have complied with the duty in SeclK)n 17151 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit when reviewing the charity's main aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 201110 have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
LE£R FROM THE CHAIR Wol¢om•l This pasi year has been a positsve maelstrom of frenetic positive activity. building on our relationships with schoo]s and engaging 131)O+ children. The chariry has WOTked with 25+ sch]$. delivered IO0+ after school sessions, resulting in 5 pllblished anthologies and a host of inspired {and officially publishedl) authors. All the books are available in bookshops and online via our website. I want to congratulate our staff and volunteers for their fantastic levels of energy and inspiration. as well as to enend a warm welcome to our newest member of staff, Alani Cook as Outreach Cwrdinaror, a new Tole whieh will help us deepen our community engagement 8nd reach the young people who need us most. I am thrilled to say that the fitsi full trial yeaT of our Progres5iQll m(Mlel - designed to broaden and deepen our engagement with schools (involving three very different schools this year) has just been reviewed, with a 5 star rating for the CPD se5sioll and excellent feedback fronL all three schoo]s. The learning from this will now infonn year two. Ano¢heT highlight of the year wa5 Bankfest. See below for moTe iOrMation about this unique rnultifaceted event., as well as The Writers. Account and our other strands of activiry. I would g1$0 like to say a huge thanks to all the organisations and individuals who have supported us this year. The funding landscape is rockier than I have ever known it in 20 years of Charity Chairing and the recognition and support from people and nderS who See the inspirational benefit that The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares provides, is both heartening and more vital than ever. We now have a thTee year Projecr grant from Arts Council England to support a key strand of our work, which is excellent news. However. we are constantly sttiving to develop both new and existing ndIng Telauonships with organisauons and individuals in order to enable us to sustain our work and deliver unique and invaLuable creative outcomes for young people locally. If you, OT sorneone you know, would like to know how to becorne one of these, have a look at the monthly 8iving campaign on our website or just get in touch. Your support will help young people find their creative voice. Chair ofTDJStees- The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares
INTRODUCTION In last year's report we asked.. "If I can do Ihal.. what else can I do?" This year. we have been building the answer., session by sessKJn, school by school, Story by Story. The Bank of Dreams & Nightmares was founded on one simple and radical idea.. that every child has a story worth telling. Not because we want to produce a generation of novelists. but because the act of writing a story that is entirely your own, that could only have come from your imagination, at this exact moment in your life. does something to a person that nothing else quite manages. It plants a question. The wodd our young people are inheriting is changing fasler than our education system can keep pace. In 2025. only around one in four young people aged 8-18 said they enjoyed wrrting in their own time. Around one in five children now has a probable mentsl health disorder. Writing attsinmenl at KS2 remains the lowesl of any core subject. And the rapid rise of Al, capable of producillg fluenl text at the touch of a button 1$ prompting a crisis of confidence about the value of human creative expression, just when that value has never been more essential. Al can mimic the surface features of good writing. What it cannot do is replace the human act of finding your own vol, wrestling with an idea thal matters to you personally, and disrAJvering through the slnjggle of putting words on a page exactly what you think and feel and want to say. The young people who will thrive in an Al- shaped wodd are those who have something genuinely their OM to say, and the confidence to say it. That is precisely what we exist to develop. 202>26 has been 8 year of genuine consolidation and growth. We completed the first full year of the Primary Progression Model with three partner schools. Our secondary programme produced three outstanding published anthologies and secured a three-year Arts Council grant. Our after-school clubs are changing lives in ways we can evidence and in ways we cannot yet measure. We have young people heading to university. winning awards and coming back to volunteer.
OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS 1300+ children and young people engaged 25+ schools worked with across Dorset, Somerset & Devon published anthologies and chapbooks progression model primary schools in year I IO0+ after school club sessions delivered issues of What's Going On ? Newspaper published
WHY WE (STILL) EXIST Our schools work extraordinarily hard. But they operate within a system desiqned al the tum of the twentieth century to produ a literate and numerale industrial workforce. a system that was never built to develop the curious, adaptable, emotionally intelligent human beings our society urgently needs today. The harder schools are pushed lo hil assessment largels, the less room there is for the kind of exploratory. imaginative learning that transfomis a child's relationship wilh Iheir own polential. We are not here lo replace schools. We are here to do what they, through r¢0 fault of their own, cannot always do.. give young people time lo think freely. space to fail safely. permission to imagine wildly, and a genuine belief that their story is worth hearing. We believe six things deeply, and they underpin everything we do. 1. Creatlve wrltlng Is nol a soft option, is one of the most demanding and rewarding cognitive acts a young person can undertake. it 2. Confidence is contagious, when child discovers they can write something worth publishing, it creates a new vision for what they are capable of. 3. Belonglng Is transformatlonal, many of our young people have never experienced a leaming environment where they felt genuinely welcomed and elebrated. 4. Enjoyment Is the polnt, ¢hlldren who enjoy writing are seven times more likely to write above the expected level. 5. Human voice is irreplaceable, In a world where Al can produce grammatically perfect text on demand, the ablllly to write something genuinely* authentically yours has never been more valuable. IA 6. Everyone's slory matters.
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE THE STARTING POINT A CHILD ARIUVES A Child Ivho doesn't think Jvriting is (or people lfike them. Perhaps they're anxious. Perhaps they're disengaged from schooL Perhaps nobody has ever 4sk¢d what they think. OUR APPROACH WE CREATE THE CONDITIONS o Safe Creative space5 0 Skilled mentors o Small group$ o Professional writers o Re41 audiences o High expectations IMMEDIATE OUTCOME THEY FIND THEIR VOICE They feel listened to • They take creative risk5 • They discover slories worth telling • They begin to believe their words matter OUTPUT THEY BECOME AUTHORS Published anthologies, Newspapers, P(MJcasts, Performan¢es Their work exists 111 the world. Not a$ a school exercise. As something real. SHORT TERM OUTCOMES SOMETHING SHIFTS • Confidence grows • Communication improves • Creativity is celebrated • Asplratlons exp*nd Schools and familles see new strellgths • Young people begin to identify Is wrAt¢rs MEDIUM TERM OUTCOMES THEY SHAPE THEIR OWN FUTURE Young people become mentors. Young people become leaders. Young people ¢ngage more po$itively wlth education. Young people discover pathways they never thought were open to them. LONG TERM IMPACT Every ehi]d understands that their story matters. Children #nd young people who once fell overlooked become confident authors, eommunficators and communily leaders, able to shape their futures and contribute to the places they ]ive. "What we do is not complicaled What happens is remarkabl&"
WHAT WE DO STRAND ONE: THE PRIMARY PROGRESSION MODEL This year marked the completion of the first full trial cycle of our Primary Progression Model, the most ambitious step we have taken since the charity was founded. Rather than delivering one-off workshops. we committed to sustained, sequer%ced engagement with three partner schools across an entire academic year.. building creative writing skills progressively and embedding our work into the thythm of school life. The three schools.. Radipole Primary. Mountjoy School and Beaminster St Mary's. wer8 deliberalely chosen for their differences. Together they represent the breadth of communities we serve- a large urban primary in Weymouth, a specialist SEND school, and a rural Church of England primary. What they share is openness, trust and a belief that their children deserve more access to creative expression. What the pilot has shown, above all else, is thal when children work with us over lime, when they Come to trust Ihe process and know that their ideas are safe= something shrfts. They draft. They redraft. They share. They listen to each otherfs work. That is not something that happens in a Sing morning.
Radipole Primary School. Weymouth Radipole Primary was our first sustained venture into Weymouth, a town with two areas in the bottom 30Vo of deprivation nationally. Over the year we delivered the full progression sequence.. character creation, speèch writing, slory making, survival guides, and a Greek Myths Anthology Project. Each session buill on the Lgsl. The year also included a Love Where You Live whole-school poetry anthology, in which every child in the school contributed a poem. We partnered with First Bus, who displayed a selection of children's poems on their buses across Weymouth. The children saw Iheir words out in Ihe world, shared wilh strangers. That matters. In the summer term, Radipole's Comic Club, Iwo classes, Iwo separate strands. gave children the Chan to work in a new form.. visual storytelling. sequential narrative. character through image as well as word. "Thankyou for the session today,. it was amazingl Ed and the team arrived promptly and got straight into it. The whole team were really engaging and kept the children's attention. The amount ofadultsupportme8nt that811 children were able to write 2 poems. A brilliant experience for all children. Mi¢h8lle Mae, Ygar 6 teacher, Radipole Primary From the speech wrrting workshops. Excellent engagement and enthusiasm even from those that wouldn't nomially enjoy writing.. Published outcomes were repeatedly highlighted as what most motivated children to invest in their work. Mountjoy School, Dorchester Mounljoy is a specialisl setting for children wrth comptex needs. and one of the most important partnerships we have. This yeals programme focused as much on confiden, participation and self-belief as on Writing craft itself. Sessions included speech writing for the School Council, character creation, story making, suNival guides, and a Museum Takeover Day. The year concluded wilh a bespoke ¢hapbook. a published book of the students, own stories. For young people al Mountjoy, being published is nol a metaphor. It is concrete, physical proof Ihat their ideas have value. Antonia, the school's lead, wrote after the School Council speech writing session- "Thankyou both ft)rattendingourSchool Counci18ndhelpingthem to produce some fabulous campaign speeches. Itwas a reallyproductive session anditwill be very helpfulforthe Council in theirfuture efforts." Antonla. Mountioy School Staff feedback from the Museum Takeover Day.. 'Real engagement wilh the project, and enthusiasm towards history and written creativity. Overcoming of social anxiety lo communicate with new people in an unfamiliar environment., Working closely with class teachers across multiple feedback sessions, we arrived at something important about impact in a specialist setting.
Beaminster St Mary's Church of England Primary School Beaminsler St Mary's is a small rural primary that became one of our most generative partnerships. The school embraced the model with real commitment. and the results have been extraordinary. We began with a whole-school poetry anthology and an autumn chapbook, Undreamed Nightmares celebrated at a launch event that felt electric. As the year progressed we worked through character creation, speech writing, story making and sutvival guides. We also delivered a CPD session for teachers. multiplying our impact long after we have left the room. The spring Intergeneralional Penpals project, in which children exchanged lelters with residents of a local care home before meeting them in person was among the most moving things we have done. Writlng connects us not just to ideas but to people. "The class showed cle8r development since the previous visit- more settled, engaged, and confident, with a strong sense that the group hadgelled. Pupils contributed imaginative ide8s while also building on each other's suggestions. Anothergre8t session. with high levols of engagement, creativity, and relevance to the curriculum.. Teachgr feedback, Boaminster St Mary's The CPD session received a 5-stsr rating from every teacher present.. 'Gave us a whole list of ideas to support, motivate and engage pupils. Lots of useful tips on how lo hook children into new unils. Loved the enlhusiasm of Ed and Nick., This firsl year of the Progression Model has already infomied the second phase. The honesty of all thr8e school partners about what has worked and where the model needs tightening has made us better. We enter year two with stronger sequencing, clearer evaluation tools and a deeper tnjsl with the schools we serve. 10
STRAND TWO: SECONDARY SCHOOLS - THE NEXT CHAPTER TALES. Over ten to eleven weeks. we work with a selected group of young people identified by their schools as those who would benefit most. not always the obvious writers, sometimes the reluctant ones. the overtooked ones, th& ones who have been told that words are not their thing. By the end, they are published authors. Every time. This year, two major anthologies We launched and a trtird was in production. Most significantly, we secured a Ihree-year grant from Arts Council England to continue and deepen this work. Unexpected Tales - Sor John Colfox Academy A ten-week anthology project in Ihe summer term of 2025. The young writers, none of whom would have described themselves as writers when they walked in, produced a remarkable collection of short ficlion. On Polltlcs and Potatoes - Axe Valley Academy Beginning wilh a simple question. hat'S wrong wlh the world, and how would you fix itr" the young writers at Axe Valley produced a manual for political engagement that is also a testament to how seriously young people take the wodd around them when adults take them seriously in retum. The Wrfters. Game - Wadham School New anthology delivery at Wadham began in eady 2026, supported by Arts Council funding. Furtherworkshops are booked with Axe Valley Academy. where the work will also contribute lo a University of Exeler research study. bringing independent academic evaluation of our impact for the first time. 11
STRAND THREE: AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS Our after-school clubs are where the longest relatlOn5hips are formed, where young people retum week after week of their own choosing, and where the cumulative effect of creative engagement is most visible. They are free, inclusive and designed for those who face the grealesl barriers lo participation. Plus we are now receive three years of furKling from the National lottery Reaching Communities fund. The Wrft•Ys' Account A weekly creative writing group for 1 >18 year olds, led by Rebecca de Pelet. This year the group perfomied original work publicly at Goose & Badger on 30 April 2026. One participant was accepted onto the Creative Writing degree at the University of East Anglia,. one of the strongest in the country. We are proud to Sha the str)ry of Zoe, who first came to us through the Resonate project at one of the lowest points of her life; school attendance under 30 %, all confidence in writing gone. After Resonate, she joined The Writers, Account and kepl coming back.. "Today. Ireadmy workoutproudlyateverysession. As a result of the confidenc8 The Bankof Dre8ms andNightm8res putin me. l am nowin college fulltime andhave been outgoing enough to make the most beautiful friendships. I won the Andyjacobs award for mental health and wellbeing. I will never stop writingagain. If I cannot take part in The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares as a youngperson, I will return as a volunteer8ndgive back to the charity that changed me." Zoe 12
The Vault - Newspaper club Our weekly after-school newspaper club forwriters aged 8-14, meeting every Thursday to produce What's Going On? This year we published four issues,. reaching Issue 10, a genuine milestone. The Vault gives young people a real product with a real audience. Their news stories. interviews and opinion pieces go oul into the world. Podcastlng Club Our Monday afternoon club for youn9 people aged 9-14 who are drawn to writing and producing but who may find fomial settings difficult. The small group, high adult-to-child ratio and weekly rhythm have made r( Iransforrnalive for some of our most vulnerable participants. From Siobhan, whose son James- a proudly autislic young person wrth an EHCP- had never teen able to sustain participation in any group activity.. "Podcasting has been the highlight ofjames, week. We have tried numerous 8fter- school activities andjames has never been 8ble to sustain participation in a group 8Ctivity. Most importantly, the wayyou have facilitated his inclusion from the start and harnessed his creativity and expression. Being included, being supported, being valued 8nd beinga part ofa community can have profoundly significant implications. Nevor underestimate the impactyourzany madcap hijinks have on the people who experience theml" Siobhan, parent This is what inclusion looks like in practice.. not a policy or a statement, but a Monday aftemoon where a child belongs. 13
OUR IMPAcf: THE EVIDENCE We believe the Injesl measure of our impact is the young person who comes back. But we also track it, session by session, through our participant datsbase. and what we are finding confirms what we see in every room we work in. From over 400 participant feedback responsos collected this year across our primary and secondary programmes.. What we asked Rated 4 or 515 Rated 515 you enjoy the workshop. 98% 92% 940 Do you fed more eonfident in your writing. 82° Do you enjoy writing7 80% 700/0 Would you like lo do more workshops wth us? 8ased on 2CQ responses from partiopant feeilback forms. May 2025- April 2026. Ratings on 8 1-5 sc819. Total datbb&88 cont8ins 402 fe&dback records. 98% 960 In their own words, children described the workshops as. the best day ever, it was fun, il was ridiculous, it was outrageous, and '1 learned not to be scared of what I write down., One child wrote- '1 want to do the writing all day, not just until lunch!, kli 4dlh 14
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS Bankfe5t Bankfesl remains unique. It is not a literary festival and not a festival for those with th8 cultural confidenc8 or money to allend. 11 has lo¢1, young people al its heart and brings them to listen to, meet and write with professionals who make their living with words. Schools know their pupils best and so they choose who to attend, ensuring that Bankfest can have maximum impact for those young people who experience socio-economic povety, face learning challenges or simply need lo know that being good with words has value. Main stage inlerviews demystify the paths to careers and create opportunities for new thinking about education choices and futures. Workshops provide the chance to try out what advertisers, lyricists or human rights lawyers & others do with their words. meaning that opportunities for connections, even work experience grow. There were two key changes from last year. Firstly, the event moved to Weymouth (to the Pavilion, a CICI and secondly, The Allantic School (from Portlandl was invited to attend. Both developments reflect the aims of The Bank of Dreams & Nightmares, particularly that of providing opportunities to those mosl in need. Bankfesl subsequently becarne part of the lebratiOn of Weymouth & Portland as Towns of Culture and recewed a small grant as a result. WDRD POWER CPD for Teachers Our CPD offer for teachers continued this year, most nolably al Beaminster St Mary's. By training teachers we multiply our reach.. creativity does not have lo stop when our sessions end. "When it comes to sparkingjoyfrom the children reg8rding their writing. sometimes that joycan get a bit lostandforgotten about. Ithinkits been useful forme andthem to be remindedabouthowwritingissupposedto be fun. A childh8S justspent the weekend writing her own story. I don't think that would have happened had it not been for the B8nk of Dreams andNightmares." Cla$$ teacher 15
Internatlonal Confernnc•. Sto&holm In July 2025 we travelled to Slockholm for the Inlemational gathering of children's writing organisalions, one of the highlights of our year. Being part of this woddwide community is a reminder that the work we do here in Dorset belongs to something larger.. a shared belf in the power of young people's voices. 11 I I,_. New Outrnach Coordlnator In March 2026 we welcomed Alani Cook as Outreach Coordinalor, a new role that will deepen our community engagement and ensure we continue to reach the young people who need us most. 16
STRATEGIC REPORT What We Sald We Would Do and What We Dld The table below sets out the key commitments made in our 2024125 rekx)rt and the progress made against them during the year. Area Comm4tment made 2024125 Outcome 2025126 Primary Progresslon Deliver first full trial year of the Progression Model with Radipole. Mounlloy and Beaminsler St Mary's Completed in full. All three schools delivered sequenced programmes. Chapbooks an¢J anthologi&s produced at each school. Year 2 planning underway. Secondary Schools Deliver new secondary anthOgleS and pursue multi-year funding Unexpected Tales ICoWoxl and On Pc4f(ics and Potatoes (Axe Valley) launch. Three-year Arts Council England grant secured. Wadham delivery commenced. All three clubs contlnued. The Vault reached Issue 10. Writers, AccoLtnt performed publicly. Podcasting Club sustsined wth positive outcomes for SEND participants. After School Clubs Sustsin all three clubs,. recruit to fill capaaty Partlclpant Databas• Roll out rlew tracking system across all programme strands System 0ratiOnal,. 402+ feedback records collected In 2025126. Evaluation framework in development th Ullwersity of Exeter. Flnan¢lal Re6lllence Maintain balanced budget- begin div9rsifying income Surplus of £17.349 achleved. Reserves Policy adoptèd. Strategic Financial Roadmap 20229 agreed. Core income gap of £9,538 remains a prionty. Mani Cook appointed as Outreach Coordinator, March 2026. Staffing Assess need for outreach capac4ty Prlorltles for 2026-27 Begin the second year of the Primary Progression Model with all three partner schools, incorporating leaming from year one. Continue secondary delivery at Wadham and Axe Valley Academy, contributing to the University of Exeter research study. Launch the monthly giving campaign to begin closing the core income gap. Recruit at least two new Irustees wrth fundraising and finance expertise. Complete the Theory of Change evalu81ion cycle and port impact data systematically for the first time. 17
Prfnclpal Rlsks The Board regularly reviews risk. The principal risks identrfied are- fvnding instsbility lover-reliance on restricted grant incA)me. core income gap. cash flow sensilivily}, safeguarding Imitigaled through policy, training and DBS checks for all staff and volunteers}, operational capacity Imitigaled through staff planning and volunteer pipeline), and governance Itrustee recruitment actively underway). Our reserves currently stand below the £27,000 target. The Board has agreed a three-year roadmap lo address this. with specific annual milestones. Until the target is reached, the charity's res11ien lo unexpecled income shocks remains limited and the Board monitors this closely. IN CONCLUSION As we complete our fifth year, we are proud of what we have built and clear-eyed about what remains to do. We have the three-year Arts Council commitment for secondary schools. We have the first year of our Progression Model under our belts. We have after-school clubs that are changing lives. We have a surplus. We have a new Outreach Coordinator. Wo have young people heading lo university. winning mental health awards and coming back to volunteer. We also have a financial structure that needs strengthening. Our core costs still exceed our core income, and our reliance on grant funding carries risk. The Strategic Financial Roadmap we have developed sets out a clear path toward greater resilience. But above all, we have this.. children across Dorset who are writing, imagining and sharing their stories beoxuse of what we do. The young person who On thought writing was nol for someone like them is now a pub5ished author. The parent who feared for their child's future watched them walk onlo a stage and perfomi their own words to a room full of strangers. The child who drew a tiny, uncertain self-portrail at the start of the year filled Ihe page with a beaming smile by the end. If I can do this what else can I do? We are profoundly grateful to Arts Council England. St James's Place Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, JJ Sainsbury Foundation, The National lottery Reaching Communities, The Foyle Foundation. The Nornan Family trust. The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust. The Allen Lane Foundation, The D'oyly Carte Charitable Foundation, GF Smith Foundation, Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Foundation. J Van Mars Foundation, The Thistle Trust, The Stanley Grundy Foundation. Hays Travel Foundation, and all OLtr individual supporters. Nick Goldsmllh Founder l Director, The Bank of Darn$ & Nightmares 18
Financial Review Financial Position Total income for the year to 30 April 2026 was £160.883 {2025.' £144,349). Total expenditure was £170,547 (2025- £171,446), resulting in a net deficit for the year of £9.664 {2025= £27,097). Al the year end, total funds slood al £36,15712025- £45,821), comprising unrestncled fLbnds of £25,587 (2025.. £18,458) and restricted funds of £10.57012025: £27,363). The trustees recognise that the charity operated at a deficit during the year. This reflects planned investment in staffing and programme delivery as the organisation continued to develop its long-term programmes and increase its reach across Dorsel. Income increased during the year and unrestricted reserves strengthened, providing a rn0 resilient financial position than in the previous year. The trustees are encouraged by the successful securing of multi-year funding commitments during the year, which provide increased stability and confidence in the charity's ability to continue delivering its charitable objectives. Reserves Policy The charity's reserves policy is to maintain unrestricted reserves equivalent to approximately three months of operating expendrture. The purpose of these reserves is to provide financial stability, manage cash flow fluctuations, respond to unexpected events, and allow Ihe charity to continue supporting children and young people during periods of uncertainty. At 30 April 2026, unrestricted SerVeS stood at £25,587. While this remains below the charity's long-term target, the trustees are pleased to report an increase in unrestricted reserves during the year and remain committed to strengthening the charity's financial resilience over time. The trustees review reserves regularly alongside cash flow forecasts, funding pipelines, and operational requirements. Given the charity's current financi81 position, secured funding commitments. and aclive fundraising programme, the trustees are satisfied that the organisation remains finar*cially sustainable and able to meet its obligations as they fall due. The charity operates robust financial rxjntrols. The majority of grant funding reeEived is restricted to specrfic actlvilies or projects, and expenditure is monitored againsl funding agreements. Trustees rele regular financial reports and review income, expenditure, cash flow, and funding applications throughout the year. As with many charities, the principal financial risk remains the availability of future fvnding. The truslees continue to mitigate this risk through a diversified fundraising strategy. the development of long-temi funding relationships. and careful management of expenditure. Going Concorn The Board of Trustees is satisfied the Charity can continue as a going concem. Risk management and internal control "Risk." as our risk slffttegy says, "is an inevitable part of what we do indeed. taking risks is something we encourage our young participants to do." The principle risks identified are around Safeguarding. FinancEs (inadequate fundraising and in(X)me generation. inadequate reserves. cash flow sensitivities) and Pandemic. The Charity followed its Safeguarding Policy which all new staff, freelance workers and volunteers a given training on. We are about to employ a fundraising manager for one day a week for an initial 8 weeks to draw up and submit applications for funding. The Board has overall responsibility for ensuring that the Charrty has a system of internal control. Such a system of control can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against errors or fraud. The controls include a delegation of the authority of the Board of Trustees through lo the Director lo manage the day-lo-day business. Controls safeguard The Bank of Dreams & Nightmares assets and maintsin the integrity of accounting controls. Investmenl pollcy The Charity's policy is to maintain all its liquid resources in interest bearing, instant access accounts at competitive rates available in the market. 19
Structure, Governance and Management Governlng Do¢ument Board of Trust•es and organisational $lru¢ture The names of trustees who served during the year are set out in this document. The Board is responsible for the oversight of the management of all the affairs of The Bank of Dam$ & Nightmares. They are subjecl to retirement by rotslion and election or re-election in accordance with procedures set out in the Charity's Articles of Association, which is Its governing document. The Board ensures that all activities are wlthin the agreed charitable objectives. The Board's work includes setting the strategic direction, reviewing risk, and agreeing the financial plan. It meels quarlerly, the principal purpose of which is to feview the development of the Charity and ensure il meets ils financial targets. At present the Charity employs two full time staff - Director and Cfeative learning manager and Iwo part-time slaff - Volunteer Manager and Outreach Cordinator and 1 freelance workshop leaders. Governance The governance of the Charity is undertaken by the Board of Trustees al its quaTterty meetings. Al these meetings, the Board of Trustees fulfils its legal, ethical, and fvnclional responsibilities through adequate governance policy development, rnoniloring of charity activities. and the evaluation of the effectiveness of Board performan(E. Volunteers We remain incredibly grateful to our volunteer mentors, whose support conlinues to play a vital role in the charity's work with children and young people. During the year we welcomed 12 new volunteers and conlinued lo strengthen our mentor community- Volunteer recruitment remains an ongoing priority as the tharily grows, wilh a particular focus on Weymouth as we expand our activities in the town. The Board Following the departure of Ellie Shaman and Niki M¢Cretton during the year. the Board currently comprises five trustees. The Injstees would like to thank th Ellie and Niki for their contribution to the development of the charily. The Board is currently undertaking 8 crUItMent campaign to attract additional trustees with a range of skills and experience to support the charity's conlinued growth. stngthening the Board remains a key priority as the organisalh)n develops its programmes and expands its reach across Dorset. 20
Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial ststements in accordance wilh applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepled Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees 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 ihe incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In pparing the financial statements the Iruslees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., obsetve the methods and principles in the Charity SORP- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent., and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charty will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at anytime the financial position of the charity and to enable them lo ensure that the accounts comply wilh the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports} ReguL8lions 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevenlion and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdorn goveming the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legisktion in other jurisdictions. The trustees, report was approved by the tard of trustees and svJned on its behalf by: Mr M Smith Chair of Truslees Date 21
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares {the Charity} for the year ended 30 April 2026. Responslbllltles and Basls of Report As the charity trustees of the Charily you are responsible for Ihe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Acri. I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounling records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of Ihe Act., or 2. the acwunls do nol accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do nol comply with the applicable requirements concerning the forn and contents 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 malter considered as part of an independent exarnination. I have no concems 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 lo be reached. Mr M.J. Cridland B.A. (Honsl F.C.A. Scott Vevers Ltd Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors 65 East Street Bridport Dorset DT6 3LB
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 2026 Total 2025 Total funds Unrestricted Restricted funds funds funds Notès INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 82,581 78,167 160,748 143,550 Charitable activities 135 135 799 Total Income 82,716 78.167 160,883 144,349 EXPENDITURE ON: Cost of raising funds 1,909 2,000 3.909 3,032 Charitable aclivilies 72,962 93,676 166,638 168,414 Total exponditur• 74,871 95,676 170,547 171,446 Net income 7.845 117.509) (9,6641 (27,0971 Gross transfers between funds {716) 716 Net Movement in Funds for the year 7,129 116,793} (9.6641 (27,0971 Total funds: Brought forward 18.458 27,363 45,821 72.918 Carried forward 25,587 10,570 36,157 45,821 All amounts derive from Continuing activities. All gains and losses recognised in the period are included in the statement of financial activities. The notes on pages 25 to 34 form part of these financial statements 23
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 APRIL 2026 2026 2025 Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 3,000 3,500 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 4,203 31,308 35,511 4.334 40,492 44,826 Creditors: Arnounls falling due within one year 13 2,354 2,505 Net currerrt assets 33,157 42,321 Net assets 36.157 45,821 Funds Restricted funds Unreslricted funds Total funds 14 14 10,570 25,587 36,157 27.363 18,458 45.821 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 3> J¢....&.2 Mr. M. Smith - Chair of Trustees The notes on pages 25 to 34 form part of these financial statements 24
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 1 General information The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) that was registered with the Charity Commission on 30th April 2021. Its registered number is 1194307. The principal office place of operation is at Bridport LSI, 51 East Slreet. Bridport, DT6 3JX. Its principal objective is to offer 8 creative wrib'ng centre for children aged between 7 and 18 years old. Working on the principle that creative writing can change lives, and by creating an environment that allows children to explore the possibilities can have transformative resulls. 2 A¢¢ountlng pollcles Statoment of compllance The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Praclice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued In October 2019 (Charity SORP IFRS 102)). the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Acl 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Basts of preparation of the flnancial statements The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised al historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise staled in Ihe relevant accounting policy notes. The char¢ty nStItUteS a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. Accounting Convention The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the CIO'S ability to continue as a 90ing concern. Income and endowments Incoming resources and resources expended on activities in furtherance of the charity's objectives report the income and expenditure relating to the festival that has been organised in the year. Where income is subject to a condrtion, Ihat income will be included when the trustees are satisfied that the condition has been met. other incoming resources. and other resources expended are recognised in the year of account to which they relate or according to the date of the legal or constructive obligation. Expendiluro Expenditure is recognised once ther6 is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer econornic benefit to a third party, il is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amounl of the obligalion can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of direct costs and no costs are shared. All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable V.A.T. Expenditure on charilable aclivilies is expenditure incurred on directly undertaking the operalions of the company together with costs incurred in support of that expenditure. Where appropriate, support costs are apportioned belween charilable expenditure and govemance costs. 25
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 2 A¢counting policios (continued) Support costs Support costs include central fijnctions and have been allocated to activty cost categorSes on a basis consistent wth the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor arèas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage. Goveman¢e Costs These include the costs attfibutable to the charity's compliance with conslilutional and statutory requirements. including audit, strategic management and Iruslees, meetings and reimbursed expenses. Taxatlon The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore il meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Aocordingly. the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories ¢overed 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 lo charitable purposes. Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated as historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributed to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. At each reporting date the charity assesses whether there is any indication of impaiment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined which is the higher of its fair value less costs lo sell and ils value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable arnount. Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the slraight-line method. Equipment Motor vehicles 25Yo per annum 1010 per annum The assets, residual values. useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in the Slalement of Financial Activities. Debtors Short lerm debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impaiment. Loans receivable are measured initially al fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interesl method, less any impairment. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. 26
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 2 Accounting poli¢i¢s {¢ontinued) Cash and cash equivalents Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits wrth financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the dale of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value. Credltors Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation al the Balance sheet date as a sult of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit wll be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimaled reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity antlClP8tes il will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or setvices it must Fund slru¢ture General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for the use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have nol been designed for other purposes. Restricled funds are funds lch are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is sel out in the notes to the financial slalements. Government and local authorlty grants Governmenl grants are recognised based on the accrual model and are measured at the fair value of Ihe asset received or receivable. Grants are classified as relating either to revenue or to assets. Grants relating to revenue are recognised in income over the period in which Ihe related costs are recognised. Grants relating to assets are recognised over the expecled useful life of the asset. Where part of a grant relating to an asset is deferred, it is recognised as deferred income. Investmonl in¢ome Interest income is recognised in Income. using the effective interest method. Pensions The charity operales a defined contribution pension scheme. Conlributions are charged lo the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme. Flnanclal Instruments Glassificalion Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangement entered into. An equity instrumenl is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities. 27
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 2 kcounllng poll¢los (contlnuedl Flnanclal Instruments Recognition and measurement All financial assets and liabilities are inrtially measured at transaction price (including transaction cosls), except for those f1llancial assels classified as al fair value through profit or loss. which are initially measured at fair value Iwhich is normally the Iransaction price excluding transaction costs). unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transactions. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rale of interest for similar debt instruments. Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and Ihe charrty inlends either lo settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liabilily simultaneously. Financial assets are derecognised when and only when al the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled. bl the charity transfers to another party subslanlially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or cl the charity, despite having retained some. bul not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred wntrol of the asset to another paty. Financial liabililies are derecognised only when Ihe obligation spe¢rfied in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires. 3 Donallons and lega¢les Unrestrlctod funds 2026 2025 Rostrlcted funds 2026 2025 Total funds 2026 2025 Donations for school workshops General donations Grants received 16,020 7,850 16,020 7,850 32,747 33,814 82,581 13,241 42,544 63,635 32,747 111,981 160,748 13,241 122,459 143,550 78.167 78,167 79,915 79,915 4 Income from charitable activities Unrostrlcted funds 2026 2025 Restricted funds 2026 2025 Total funds 2026 2025 tivity Sales and newspaper subscriptions 135 799 135 799 135 799 135 799 28
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 5 Cosl of raising funds Unroslrictod funds 2026 2025 Restricted funds 2026 2025 Totsl funds 2026 2025 Web hosting promolion Fundraising ¢onsultant 1.108 801 821 395 1,108 801 2,000 3,909 821 2,211 1,816 2,000 2,000 1.909 1,216 1,816 3,032 6 Charltable aclSvltles expendlture Unr¢strl¢ted funds 2026 2025 Restricted funds 2026 2025 Total funds 2026 2025 staff costs (note 91 Direcl costs Support costs Govemance costs 53,234 15,046 3,062 1,620 72,962 69.936 15,229 1,601 1,554 88,320 39,218 54.349 109 21,251 56.010 2.833 92,452 69,395 3,171 1,620 166,638 91,187 71,239 4,434 1,554 168,414 80,094 Dlrect costs Illustrators, designers and subcontractors Workshop leaders Accommodation, meals and entertaining Rent Materials Printing Stationery Postage Computer and software Motor expenses Travel Consultancy 17,806 19,334 17,806 19.334 13,755 18.543 13,755 18,543 1,718 1.771 2,910 4,417 4.628 6,188 2,727 4.025 234 920 26 94 3.992 206 3,961 7,186 978 5,321 4,945 2,974 2.025 1,596 241 69 344 1.022 500 56.010 9,913 978 7,884 974 322 3,917 79 8,176 963 69,395 8,970 3,208 2,945 1.622 335 4,061 550 4,983 500 71,239 2,563 974 62 2,667 260 1,250 79 4,804 3,372 963 15.046 15,229 54,349 29
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 6 Charitable activities expenditure {continuedl Unrestrlcted funds 2026 2025 Restrlclèd funds 2026 2025 Totsl funds 2026 2025 Support costs Office supplies Subscriptions Staff and volunteer training Insurance Sundries Depreciation Bank charges Legal and professional fees 1,253 1,917 1,253 1,917 274 274 288 187 60 288 247 304 349 500 208 640 304 458 500 208 640 597 500 109 597 500 160 259 160 259 3.062 1,601 109 2,833 3,171 4,434 Governance costs Independent examination 1.620 1,554 1,620 1,554 1.620 1,554 1.620 1,554 7 Net Income l (Expendlture) The net expendiiure is staled after chargingl{creditingl: 2026 2025 Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Independent examination of the financial statements 500 1,620 500 1,554 8 Trustees remuneratlon and expenses No trustee, nor any persons Connected with Ihem, have received any remuneration from the charity during the period. No trustee has ceiVed any reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year. 9 Staff costs The slaff costs were.. 2026 2025 Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs 89,g45 552 1,955 92,452 86,305 3,078 1,804 91,187 No employee earned more than £60.000 during the year. Average number of employees during the year was.. 4 {2025.' 3) 30
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 10 Pension comrnitments The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. During the year the charge to Ihe stalement of financial activities in respect of defined contributions schemes was £1.955 {2025: £1,804). At the statement of financial position date contributions of £nil were due to the fund and are includ8d in creditors. 11 Tanglble flxed assets Motor vohi¢1os Totsl Cost At 1 May 2025 At 30 April 2026 5,000 5.000 5,000 5,000 Depreclatlon: At 1 May 2025 Charge for the y6ar At 30 April 2026 1,500 500 2,000 1.500 500 2.000 Nel amount: At 30 April 2026 At 30 April 2025 3,000 3.500 3.000 3.500 12 Debtors 2026 2025 Debtors Other debtors Prepayments 999 1,280 1,924 4.203 1,999 411 1.924 4,334 13 Credltor$: amounts falling due within one year 2026 2025 Other creditors and a¢cruals 2,354 2,354 2,505 2,505 31
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 14 Funds Balance al 30 Aprll 2026 Balance at 1 May 2025 Incoming Resources resourcgs gxpondod Transfers Restrlcted ndS Creative writing workshop to create a newspaper Newspaper Issue 008 Songbank Bankfest Progressions The Writers, Account Resonate Story making delivery Photography Secondary school work After school clubs 1,031 (1,0311 96 4.000 3,412 10.514 6,354 (961 {4,0001 (20.2641 (30,0281 {6,3541 19631 16.500 23.872 352 4.358 7.000 6.037 {364} 2,320 364 (2.3201 (2,0001 128,6201 95.676 2,000 28,795 78,167 175 10.570 27,363 716 Unr•slri¢tod funds: General fund 18,458 18,458 82,716 82,716 174.8711 174,8711 17161 716 25,587 25,587 Total funds 45.821 160.883 1170.547) 36.157 32
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 14 Funds (continued) Balan¢e at 30 Aprli 2025 Balance at l May 2024 Incoming Resources rn$ouOs expended 2025 Restricted funds Creative writing workshop to create a newspaper Newspaper Issue 008 CORE delivery Songbank Bankfest 2024 Bankfest 2025 Progressions The Writers, Account Resonate Story making delivery Sketch comedy workshop Photography CDROB Transfers 3,883 (2,852) 1,031 3,000 (2,904) 96 5,000 183 (5,OOOJ 218.00 4,000 12,350 6,500 25.200 10.000 3,000 8.265 (401) (t2.059) (3,088) (14.686) (3,646) (4,958) (t5,410) (250J (6. 780) (14,876) (8t,910) 4,000 (291) 3,412 10,514 6,354 1,958 6,781 4.010 6, 500 10,050 36,407 (364) (3, 760) 2,600 5.000 79,915 2,320 (174) (7,049) 27,363 Unrestricted funds.. General fund 36,511 36,511 64,434 64,434 (89,536) (89,536) 7,049 7,049 18,458 18,458 Total funds 72,918 144,349 (171,446) 45,821 33
THE BANK OF DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026 15 Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestrlcted Restricted funds funds Total funds Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities 3,000 24,941 12,3541 25.587 3.000 35,511 12.3541 36,157 10.570 10,570 Unrestrlcted Restrlcted funds funds 2025 Total funds Fixed assets Gurrent assets Current liabiliti8s 3,500 17,463 2,505 18.458 3,500 44,826 2.505 45,821 2T,363 27.363 16 Financial in$trumonts 2026 2025 Categorisation of financial instruments.. Financial assets that are debt instrument measured at amortised cost 33,587 42,902 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cosl 2,354 2,505 17 Rolaled party tran$a¢tlons There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure.