ANNUAL REPORT
1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024 Charity Name | Unanima Theatre | Charity registration number | 1196242
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AIMS AND MISSION
1
OUR PURPOSES AND ACTIVITIES WHO WE SUPPORT
2
3
OUR FOUR AREAS OF WORK
4
ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE 5 OUR TRUSTEES 6 FINANCES 7
FINANCIAL & INDEPENDENT 8 REVIEW DECLARATION 9
NANIMA U
is an arts organisation that provides a variety of creative, cultural and campaign opportunities for learning disabled and autistic people, and the general public, in and around Mansfield & Ashfield.
Unanima is a National Portfolio Organisation for the Arts Council, and a charity that is run by co-CEOS Tracy Radford and Dr Brad English, and governed by a trustee board.
Unanima’s vision is total equity for learning disabled and autistic people within the arts and society
OUR PURPOSES AND ACTIVITIES
The purposes of the charity as set out in our governing document are:
- The advancement of the art of drama and the performing arts for the public benefit by: (a) providing opportunities for learning disabled and autistic people to participate in the arts
(b) the production and public presentation of dramatic work, presented and performed by learning disabled and autistic people;
- The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit by:
(a) working for the elimination of discrimination in the arts on the grounds of cognitive impairment and neurodiversity (b) educating and raising awareness in equality and diversity, in particular by using participation in the arts to challenge perceptions of disability
(c) cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity in the arts
WHOWE SUPPORT
Mansfield is ranked the 36th most deprived area out of the 32,844 LSOAs in England (Nottinghamshire Insight, Indices of Deprivation 2019), is a government Levelling Up area, and a priority area for Arts Council England.
Unanima aims to level up the opportunities for learning disabled and autistic people to enter, explore and pursue careers within the creative industries, and find innovative ways of ensuring this is achieved.
Learning disabled and autistic people experience unequal educational outcomes which restricts progress towards inclusion and opportunity. This in turn reinforces injustice, and this ultimately encourages discrimination and segregation within society.
Within the arts this ultimately manifests as a lack of representation of learning disabled and autistic people. We imagine a future where Mansfield & Ashfield is a nationally recognised location for diverse arts promotion that is remarkable, engaging, authentic, representative, captivating, inclusive and always has learning disabled and autistic people at the centre. We have put in place systems, processes and procedures to ensure we are a well-run, dynamic, cultural organisation that leads the way in sector and societal change for learning disabled and autistic people, creating a cultural heritage for a future that includes, informs and is led by them.
A future where they feel that society and the arts are something available to them at whatever level they wish to access it.
OUR FOURAREAS OFWORK
CORE ENSEMBLE
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The Core Ensemble Is Company in Residence at The Old Library in Mansfield, and has been creating touring work since 2008. Our core ensemble cast are exclusively learning disabled and autistic, and using a collaborative devising process we create unique, witty, 9M provocative theatre based on their lives, experiences and questions about the world and their existence within it. Through compelling performances that invite audiences to laugh, ponder and wonder we seek to stimulate social change.
We are becoming increasingly intolerant of learning disabled and autistic people remaining segregated, overlooked and infantilised by society and we will continue to produce art that sparks solutions until this has stopped.
ONEFEST
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Is a week-long arts and culture festival held across Mansfield and Ashfield that has the primary aim of smashing the stigma and segregation learning disabled and autistic people face on a societal level. OneFest gives learning disabled and autistic people the 9M chance to be out, loud and proud and the rest of the community surprise themselves by getting alongside them and enjoying it. Across seven days we deliver an exciting line up of entertainment that is rich with high profile professional artists, comedians and creatives. All events are accessible, reasonably priced or free, and provide experiences that will inspire and excite.
HUMAN ARTIST
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Human Artist is a year long, entry level programme in performance making and creativity, delivered at Portland College by Unanima as part of their curriculum offer. Students
undergo the exploration of 9M drama elements that expose each learner to the craft of theatre making, and giving them the opportunity to flex their creative muscles and enjoy all the wellbeing benefits and transferable skills that are gained through this.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK
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The Local Area Network of Creative Provision for Learning Disabled and Autistic People - The Network is an initiative developed by Unanima and 9M Inspire Youth Arts in order to bring all providers of creative provision in Mansfield for learning disabled and autistic (LDA) people together.
In order for LDA people across the region to have an equity of opportunity there needs to be established programmes, pathways, and then routes that enable progression and development. The network has come together to map, plan and radically change the arts offer for LDA people in Mansfield predominantly, but looking forward, see this as the beginnings of an offer that will be of interest to LDA people from outside of the area.
ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE •+
CORE ENSEMBLE 17M
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Our touring company, whose cast is exclusively learning disabled and autistic, were commissioned to perform their current show ‘State of Independence’ at two conferences; a Nottinghamshire social care event and a Nottinghamshire Celebration 9M event.
This raised the profile of Unanima’s work and mission, and we received great reviews;
‘Never seen anything like it, this needs to tour round the Country’ ‘Absolutely phenomenal, the messages blew me away and is exactly what this conference needed’
‘This is what theatre should do’
We received a commission from Mansfield District Council’s Cultural Services to create an installation piece for their exhibition covering the History of Learning Disability, and worked with Professor Lucy Delap from the University of Cambridge during our R&D process.
To support the creation of a new show, we were supported to undertake a residential at Level Centre, in Matlock, Derbyshire. For many of the cast this was the first time away from parents / carers.
ONEFEST
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2023 saw a more exciting line up of artists and bolder programming, which brought new, larger and more diverse audiences than previous years.
We delivered extraordinary and expansive cultural experiences that tingled the taste buds and set 9M OneFest on track for being the destination festival to see diverse art. Our continued consultation with community members enabled us to provide targeted access measures that ensured all audiences felt seen, heard, invited and empower to attend.
OneFest 2023 delivered 14 shows and 7 outreach events across 7 days, and through 5 Mansfield venues. Many events were free, and no ticket price was over £5.
We engaged 56 professional artists, 60% of whom were disabled and / or neurodivergent.
High profile comedian, actor and author, Francesca Martinez
mentored and coached our 5 stand up learning disabled and autistic trainee stand up comedians through to performance at the sell out Comedy Showcase event.
Francesca has since become an Ambassador for Unanima.
7 DAYS
ONEFEST
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14 EVENTS 7 OUTREACH EVENTS 56 ARTISTS 9M 2000+ PARTICIPANTS
LEARNING VIDEO GAMIMG TOURNAMENT THE OLDU8RAR PRIDE 12:00pM-3:1)Op U ¢•r•r5 /swpp•TIw•Tk•ri B•lY•• 141ARXEfpLA IO3O&m- 5:OOp FAEE SUNDAYROAST AND ROAST qcr•tV•Th¥• AFTER PAR IME SWAII 3..OOprn COMEDY MIXED BILI COMEDY SIIOW AMDWNYIIOT. L••th•Sti••t 70pm- gjopm £91•7$/1p1•Vk1yIl•1T TENFIFTY NIGHTCLUB UB QIIIZ CAPO LQiI#GI 7EOOy- lo £5 ur•Ti/wpp•rtW•Tk•tso•fr•• I0P- 2JOp OMEDY HOWCASE TENFIFTY ' GOIS LD) AIIDWHYIIOT 7:OQpm-lO•I W•Tkmi•fr RECORD AN ZBIZA BANGER UVE PROTEST MANsnELD MAIIKETPUICE 10:JO• FIEI TNEOLD LIBAAIIY IOOOam- 12JOprn FREE. b••klpq T•4th1 JASON AND HIS ARG¢IIIAUTS X BREAThe SKSHLOMO 11,.30pm.FREE NOT F""KIN' SORRY TNI PAiACIIMIATII£ by M•iY•thr¢lYe Dogs 7q5pm- 9:OOp 7QDp- •ffjOp £5¥•¥$/pPon•VkM1•frtO wT THE GIG AITS COW4 eMGLA Tigercub THePETEBOX Beat Expyess l•avMlng dlsabl•d 911•$14Ytists F,.FS.T THE OLO LIBAARY Lttmkn9SiY••t Y.- 930p ¢4T•Ts/wpp•rt s1@INII.c
FUIptsrfA FIYII ' Iv BRISS ¢°NQT SATif Firn ' "The whole experience was absolutety amazing and exceeded my expertations In every way possible. I'm the manager of a small home for adults with leaming dlsabilities. mental health & autism. l thought I was really good at my job but thls has made me a better manager and a better person. TenFifty was the absolute hlghlight for our guys. l expected to walk In and find the usual heahh & safety s• up such as Ilghts on. lowered volume for muslc and a 'tame' bar. What l actualty experlenced was Ilke walklng Into a club In Iblzal And I'm not golng to Ile. at flrrt I went Into rlsk-assessment mode and started analyslng all the potentlal for harni. Then I stopped myself and thought how amazing It was that my guys were having the same experiences as I did growing up. Nothing was differenL Th• music was banging. laser Ilghts w•rn fllpplng amund •verywher• and tho bar was fiilty stockedl I watched as my guys look around and saw $0 many Othe Ilk• them. what an amazing feeling that would be. they felt completety empowered and I couldn't have been more OVeheIMed. My guys were dancing• drinking and chatting people upl It was absolutely amazing to be part of that. The bar staff. DJ and bouncer were patient and very undetanding. I had one of the best nights of my life. Seeing these guys get drunk and sweaty in a club has been the highlight of my career. When l asked them to sum up how they feh. all 3 said 'nomial' and that's thanks to you guys. There's nothing you can do to improve that experience... nothing. I cannot thank you all enough for everything and we honestly can't wait to do it all againll Hlghlight was seeing everyone having fun being Included, and no one was judged for having an amazing time." OneFest audience member
HUMAN ARTIST
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We were delighted to be commissioned to deliver Human Artist for a second year by Portland College. This partnership is invaluable if we are to make progress within the arts for the learning disabled and autistic community. 9M A second year also enabled us to interrogate the arts further with participants who returned for a second year, and introduce new participants to an exploration of their creative skills.
We worked with 10 College students and 4 community participants.
As with all of our work, we underpin the sessions with psychological theory to ensure that everyone understands what is being asked of them, and to ensure that the process is authentic. We brought in visiting spoken word artist Sophie Sparham to support participants with their creative writing skills.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK
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Following an inspiring presentation from the Access All Areas team, the Network is committed to developing a Theatre Makers Programme that will be delivered in Mansfield, and benefit learning disabled and autistic people who 9M are interested in exploring a career in the arts, from across the East Midlands.
The Network has expanded its members to include New Perspectives Theatre Company who are keen to be involved in the programme’s inception. The formation of a task group is now set to take this work forwards and will be established in the coming quarter.
OUR TRUSTEES •+
TRUSTEES
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ANDY DAWSON
Chair of Trustees
As former Manager of Inspire Youth Arts, Andy has been a long time supporter of Unanima from its inception, and a constant champion for disabled arts representation. 32M Andy is a skilled project manager, accomplished guitarist and song writer, and brings his vast experience of working as an NPO to the trustee board.
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EMMA HANNON
As a Learning Disability and Epilepsy Nurse, Emma has extensive experience of the community we are trying to reach and intelligence into the barriers they face. This, along with vital professional and community network connections, make Emma a trustee that is well equipped to guide us as we advance with our mission.
SOPHIE HACK
Sophie is the Project and Participation Producer for Dante or Die Theatre. Sophie produces and project manages specific projects and collaborates and engages with diverse community groups, theatres, and councils to encourage participation through performance. Sophie’s knowledge of both the arts and community engagement is essential to the trustee board
TRUSTEES
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SARAH ORTON
Sarah is a qualified social worker, specialising in adult care, with 24 years experience of working in Local Authority 32Mservices.
Sarah joined the team as she is passionate about the rights of learning disabled and / or autistic people to have the right and opportunity to live a fully inclusive life, and 9M feels that she can be most effective in promoting this through her role as a trustee for Unanima.
Sarah brings both specialist knowledge and a zeal for social change.
WILL FARR
Will is an aspiring actor, activist, comedian, and member of the Unanima Core Ensemble. Will says he has finally found a space to truly feel himself around his peers and finds being part of the Unanima cast offers him the platform he's always wanted to advocate for himself and others. Will is autistic and as such brings invaluable expertise by experience to the board of trustees.
Will has a drive to make serious inroads into levelling up and increasing diversity within leadership and society as a whole.
FINANCES •+
DECLARATION
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This report represents a statement form the trustees that this report represents a true and accurate record of the work of the charity, and is informed by guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The charity’s aim of the advancement of the art of drama and the performing arts for the public benefit runs through all strands of Unanima’s work, and is robustly considered when planning forward. 9M
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Unanima Theatre The Old Library Leeming Street Mansfield Notts NG18 1NG
Charity number: 1196242
F
UNANIMA THEATRE Charity number 1196242 Accounts for the period to 31st March 2024
I
| N | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Statement of Financial Activities | |||
| Year | 17 months | |||
| N | to 31.3.24 Unrestricted |
to 31.3.23 Unrestricted |
||
| C | Note | Funds £ |
Funds £ |
|
| I | Incoming Resources Donations and legacies |
292,031 | 152,297 | |
| Charitable activities | 9,455 | 1,200 | ||
| A | 2 | 301,486 | 153,497 | |
| L | Resources Expended Charitable activities |
4 | 212,304 | 79 ,17 3 |
| Net Income | 89,182 | 74,324 | ||
| Transfer from the CIC | 7 | 42,357 | ||
| Transfer from the OneFest account | 8 | 3 ,80 2 | ||
| S | Total Funds brought forward | 116,681 | 0 | |
| T | Total Funds carried forward | 209,665 | 116,681 | |
| A | ||||
| T | Balance Sheet at 31st March 2024 | Year to 31.3.24 |
17 months to 31.3.23 |
|
| E | Current Assets | £ | £ | |
| M | Cash at bank | 209,665 | 11 6, 68 1 | |
| Total Net Assets | 209,665 | 116,681 | ||
| E | ||||
| N | Unrestricted Funds | 209,665 | 116,681 | |
| T | ||||
| S |
Notes to the Accounts
- 1 Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice , Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity.
Income
Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity becomes entitled to the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. There has been no offsetting in assets or liabilities, or income and expenditure. Grants and donations are only included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the general income criteria are met.
Reserves
The Trustees have a policy to hold unrestricted money on reserve which is sufficient to cover any unexpected drop in income. This policy is regularly reviewed. Currently unrestricted reserves are £209,665 which is equal to 99% of annual expenditure and are therefore considered to be sufficient for the ongoing operations of the charity.
| 2 | Analysis of Income | Year | 17 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| to 31.3.24 | to 31.3.23 | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
| Funds | Funds | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Donations and Legacies | |||
| Grants - ACE NPO | 232,000 | 150,297 | |
| Grants - Other | 1 4,5 78 | ||
| Sponsorship and donations | 3 4,7 50 | 2,000 | |
| Local authority income | 10,703 | 0 | |
| 292,031 | 152,297 | ||
| Charitable activities | |||
| Subscriptions | 4, 77 9 | 0 | |
| OneFest Ticket sales | 1,2 26 | 1,2 00 | |
| Access to work | 3,0 36 | 0 | |
| Other income | 414 | 0 | |
| 9, 45 5 | 1 ,20 0 |
3 Grants
Unanima Theatre has been awarded Arts Council England, National Portfolio Organisation status and has been awarded a grant of £696,000 over three years, starting with the year to 31st March 2024. Arts Council England can only guarantee future instalments of the grant as long as sufficient funds from the Government and /or National Lottery are available to it.
| 4 | Analysis of Expenditure | Year | 17 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| to 31.3.24 | to 31.3.23 | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
| Funds | Funds | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Charitable Activities | |||
| Staff Costs | 127,198 | 68,740 | |
| Direct Activity Costs | 61,536 | 6,324 | |
| Overheads | 2 3,5 70 | 4,109 | |
| 212,304 | 79 ,17 3 | ||
| 5 | Fees paid to the Independent Examiner | 240 | 0 |
| 6 | Staff Costs | ||
| Salaries Social Security Costs Pe nsi on s Self employed staff |
127,198 7 0,7 82 12,551 2 5,5 11 18,354 |
68 ,74 0 68,740 |
No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000
Number of employees
3 0
In April 2023 three members of the self employed staff were given permanent employment contracts by the charity. Other staff continue to be paid on a self employed basis.
7 Transfer of funds from CIC
Unanima Theatre was previously a Community Interest Company until 22nd October 2021 when it was closed and the balance of funds of £42,357 was transferred to Unanima Theatre Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
8 Transfer of funds from OneFest
The annual arts festival held in Mansfield "OneFest" has now been brought under the control of Unanima Theatre CIO and the funds of £3,802 have been transferred.
EXAMINERS REPORT
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF UNANIMA THEATRE CIO Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Unanima Theatre CIO
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Unanima Theatre CIO (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or the accounts do not comply with the applicable 3. requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Richard Shaw FCCA
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Beeley Hawley & Co. Ltd Chartered Accountants 42-44 Nottingham Road Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG18 1BL Date: ....12th May 2025….
GET IN TOUCH
@unanimatheatre www.unanima-theatre.co.uk office.unanima@gmail.com