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2025-03-31-accounts

Babbling Vagabonds Limited Report and financial statements For year end 31st March 2025

Babbling Vagabonds Company nuTnber." 04116275 Charity nutnber." 1200574

Contents

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||| |---|---| |Contents|2| |Reference & Administrative Details|3| |Trustees annual report|4| |Objectives & Activities|4| |Achievements & Performance|5| |Structure, governance and management|8| |Financial Review|10| |Future Plans|11| |Independent Examiner's Report|1| |Statement of Financial Activities|16| |Balance Sheet|17| |Notes to the financial statements|1| |Detailed Statement of Financial Activities|24|

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Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Reference & Administrative Details

Charity Number: 1200574
Company Number: 04116275
Registered Office: Unit 6, Heritage Business Centre
Derby
Road
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1SW
Trustees: Richard Coggins Chairperson
Tara Hornsey-Saunders Secretary
Liz McGregor
SusanStones
Matt Vale
Independent Examiner: Robert Cooper FCA,
Unit 6, Heritage Business Centre
Derby Road
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1SW
Bankers: Natwest - National Westminster Bank
Alfreton Branch
1 Chesterfield Road
Alfreton
DE55 7ZR
Website: www.babblingvagabonds.co.uk
Social accounts: Facebook - Babbling Vagabonds Storytelling Theatre
Twitter - @BabVagabonds
Instagram - babblingvagabonds

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Trustees annual report

The Trustees (who are also directors of Babbling Vagabonds Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime of the Companies Act 2006.

Objectives & Activities

The objects for which the Company is established are for the public benefit to advance education in the dramatic and visual arts, in particular (but not exclusively), Drama, Mime, Dance and similar Choreographic Arts, Singing and Music by the production, promotion, performance and training.

Babbling Vagabonds is a storytelling theatre company based in Buxton, Derbyshire. We make theatrical experiences and deliver workshops for all the family. Our work is underpinned by the belief that live theatre and high quality participatory events have the

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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power to create memorable, life-changing moments for everyone, regardless of age or experience. Central to our mission as a charity is to ‘reconnect art with its social function and promote art as a tool for changing the world.’

Achievements & Performance

We have been creating high quality family theatre experiences and community celebration events across Derbyshire for 25 years, since we were founded in 2000. Originally constituted as a not-for-profit limited company, we made the transition to full charitable status in 2023.

This report covers the activities of the charity for the period 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025.

Over this financial year we have continued to develop both the artistic vision and company. We continue with our strategic vision and programme of work, with an integrated financial model to support its delivery. As we end this financial period we have started using a new platform (Raiser) to support the fundraising and planning as we move into the new financial year.

Who our work helps and how: We create family-friendly theatre and storytelling experiences, working with artists and communities to share meaningful stories in imaginative ways. We collaborate with performers, artists, musicians, makers, technicians, smarty pants and clever clogs from all walks of life, to create the very best work we can.

Our figures for the past 12 months demonstrate the breadth of impact our work has had:

Our work is underpinned by the belief that live theatre and high quality participatory events have the power to create memorable, life-changing moments for everyone, regardless of age or experience. We make work to celebrate, educate, engage, enthral, excite, inform and help to make sense of ourselves, others, and the world we find ourselves in. Central to our mission as a charity is to ‘reconnect art with its social function and promote art as a tool for changing the world.’

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Our artistic programme: over the past 12 months we have continued to produce interactive family theatre shows. Performance and story are at the very heart of everything we do, mixed in with mischief, fun and wonder. We still love the impact we have on all the family from little children who are experiencing their first live theatre event to grandparents who look on fondly both at their family and the magic of the show unfolding before them.

“From the youngest at 18 months old to the oldest 54 with all possible variations between, our large party was mesmerised by the magical visual feast.”

During the 12 month period, our productions have included:

“That was awesome! I liked the bit where you played the ukelele. It was hilarious.” (Leo aged 11)

“So lovely to be outside, lovely scenery/setting. Really fun and engaging... Hilarious and lots of fun. Thank you.”

(Adult audience member)

In addition to the theatre productions, we have delivered a full programme of workshops and community participation. Making space and time to discover new ways in which we can tell stories that matter. We specialise in creating work with primary aged children and their families. But this is not exclusive. For example, the ‘ Meet and Make ’ programme has been created in response to our community requests in three specific age groups:

(Meet and Make participant)

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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“I've enjoyed everyone being creative in a space together and I think there's a really nice energy with what we've done.”

(Meet and Make participant)

Specific projects have included:

Planning & development: This period has also seen strong development of the activities that we are planning. We continue to develop our Christmas Theatre offer with The Brewhouse Arts Centre in Burton-On-Trent, and have been booked for Christmas 2025 with ‘Captain Sprout and the Christmas Pirates’. We continue to build strong relationships locally with Buxton Civic Association, We Are Buxton, Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust and High Peak Borough Council.

In February we signed up to Raiser , a new enterprise that supports small Charities in their fundraising, marketing and reporting. We expect the platform to help us better manage our fundraising and marketing as we build our capacity.

Staff training: we take very seriously the new demands that the governance of a charity places on us, and over the past 12 months, Trustees and Artistic Directors have undertaken a wide range of training in various areas to support our organisational development:

Strategy and governance

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Evaluation

Marketing

Fundraising

Inclusion

In summary: Our work continues to spark the imagination of families across Derbyshire. After 25 years of creating and sharing stories, we continue to be excited by what our new charitable status makes possible. It gives us the chance to widen who we reach and deepen the impact of our work throughout the county.

Working alongside our brilliant local partners, we’ll carry on co-creating projects that bring people together, strengthen community life, and support learning and wellbeing. Creativity remains our way of helping families and communities stay connected — and we’re looking forward to growing that offer in the years ahead.

Structure, governance and management

Babbling Vagabonds was established as a company limited by guarantee (04116275) in November 2000, and registered as a charity (1200574) in England & Wales on 5th October 2022.

The Company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the Company being wound up directors are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

The directors of the company are also charity Trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Articles are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the members of the

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Management Committee are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting.

All members of the Management Committee give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.

Day-to-day management of Babbling Vagabonds is delegated by the Trustees to a Senior Management Team:

Mark Hornsey

Co-Artistic Director with responsibility for Company Management, Finance and Governance

Tara Hornsey-Saunders Co-Artistic Director with responsibility for Marketing, Community Engagement and Volunteering

Phil Coggins

Co-Artistic Director with responsibility for Artistic Projects, Theatre Production and Training

This team reports to the Board of Trustees at quarterly meetings. At other times during the year, the company employs project based staff, including actors, workshop leaders and associate artists.

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Financial Review

We continue to spend time and resources raising our profile and gathering data on the funding opportunities that are before us. We are committed to keeping our work accessible to all who need it, and have been working creatively to structure the finances of our activities accordingly. Charitable status affords us the opportunity to offer reduced and free activities.

Our funding pipeline has worked well for identifying and drafting applications for grants and funds. While our success rate has been modest, this is in line with national trends in a highly competitive funding landscape.

Our theatre productions, community projects, workshops and consultation work continues to offer additional financial support to the company but to maintain our activity as we hope to we need to be aware of opportunities and continue to be flexible.

We have good financial management in place, and have been moving to a new system of reporting to align our activities with the charities SORP.

Babbling Vagabond's income for the financial year 2024-25 was £92,032. This is lower than the previous year (£115,412).

32% Theatre and production related work

32% income from grant-making bodies

31% from educational and community workshops and commissions 5% from project management and consultation

33% developing, creating and delivering Theatre and Production Activities

22% from educational and community workshops and commissions 33% general costs (inc. company marketing, legal costs, rent, office costs etc) 12% fundraising costs

Reserves policy: Babbling Vagabonds aims to build up reserves to cover at least 3 months’ operating costs in the event of a drop in income. As at 31st March 2025, our unrestricted reserves were £33,970 which represents 2-3 months’ spending against our budget. The

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Trustees consider that we should aim to increase this in the future but are considerate of the challenges in the fund raising sector. This policy is reviewed annually.

Funding sources: Aside from income generated through ticket sales (theatre activities) and direct sales (workshops and commissions), a significant funding source has been by way of grants from trusts and foundations.

We have had some level of support in the past from Arts Council England and other public funders, but as a new charity we have been opened to a whole range of new funding bodies we were previously ineligible for. We are very grateful to those trusts and foundations who have shown faith in our work by supporting us for the first time this year, including Garfield Weston, Satterwaite Bequest, UK Shared Prosperity Fund (High Peak Borough Council), The Bingham Trust and John Thaw Foundation.

We have the unique benefit, as a theatre company, of being able to generate a substantial amount of earned income through ticket sales and workshop bookings. Our aim is that this continues to represent a large portion of our income. Income from grants supplements this, and allows us to continue to expand our community offer on an accessible and affordable basis.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, the Trustees intend to keep steering the Charity in the same steady direction. The Artistic Directors are shaping future plans through our ‘North Star Plan’- a working document that helps us map out what comes next.

The North Star Plan reflects our vision for grassroots cultural activity across Derbyshire. By using theatre and hands-on creative opportunities, we aim to support social connection, lifelong learning and well-being, enriching lives across the county.

Each strand of our work will continue to centre on a shared story. We’ll draw out themes and ideas from this story to shape our annual programme.

Our community and education projects will involve people of all ages and backgrounds, offering participatory arts experiences that spark imagination, tackle isolation, and help neighbours feel more connected.

In September, we took on the stewardship of REC Youth Theatre and Theatre Gym (formerly known as RES). These groups offer a supportive space for people to build confidence and explore creativity together. Young participants will also have the chance to develop their skills further by taking part in future Babbling Vagabonds productions.

A clearer and more coordinated marketing plan will help us strengthen our relationships with audiences, participants and supporters, whilst attracting the funding and partnerships needed to keep our artistic ambitions moving forward.

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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We also aim to secure a dedicated space for community workshops, storytelling sessions and Youth Theatre activities: a welcoming base for creativity in our local area.

The North Star Plan guides us towards a future of artistic exploration, steady growth, and deeper roots within the Derbyshire community. With this roadmap in place, we’re looking forward to the creative journey ahead.

Approved by order of the board, and signed on its behalf by:

Richard Coggins, Chair

Date 05/12/2025

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Babbling Vagabonds Cotnpany nutnber". 04116275 Charity number. 1200574 13

Babbling Vagabonds Limited Report and Financial Statements for Year Ended 31 March 2025

Independent Examiners Report

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Babbling Vagabonds Limited for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for preparing the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charities accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable directions given by the Charities Commission under Sections 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me to believe that in any material respect:

  1. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the 2006 Act, or

  2. the accounts did not accord with those records, or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act, other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’, which is not a matter considered as part of the independent examination, or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods or principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to the charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)).

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.

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Robert Cooper,

Date - 05/12/2025

For and on behalf of Willis Cooper Limited Unit 6, Heritage Business Centre Derby Road Belper Derbyshire DE56 1SW

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Statement of Financial Activities

notes
INCOME
Income and endowments from:
Donations and grants
2, 3
Charitable activities
4
Other
5
Total
EXPENDITURE
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
7
Other
Total
Net income/(expenditure) before
tax for the reporting period
Tax payable
Net income/(expenditure) after
tax for the reporting period
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted

funds
16,190
63,330
12,512
92,032
21,683
73,395
-
95,078
(3,047)
-
(3,047)
-
(3,047)
37,017
33,970		 Restricted
funds

14,284
-
-

14,284




5,000
33,323
-

38,323


(24,039)

-


(24,039)

-

(24,039)




25,039

1,000		 Total
funds
30,474
63,330
12,512
106,316
26,683
106,718
-
133,401
(27,086)
-
(27,086)
-
(27,086)
62,056
34,970		 Prior year
funds
44,051
71,361
-
115,412
10,485
59,669
13,021
83,174
32,238
-
32,238
-
32,238
29,818
62,056

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Balance Sheet
notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
11
Total fixed assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within
one year
13
NET CURRENT ASSETS/
(LIABILITIES)
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Unrestricted

funds
2,038
2,038
15,762
26,852
42,614
10,681
31,933
33,970
33,970
-
33,970
33,970		 Restricted
funds
-

-


-
1,000

1,000



-


1,000


1,000

1,000


1,000
-

1,000		 Total this
year
2,038
2,038
15,762
27,852
43,614
10,681
32,933
34,970
34,970
1,000
33,970
34,970		 Total last
year
2,717
2,717
337
61,700
62,037
2,698
59,339
62,056
62,056
25,039
37,017
62,056

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477(2) of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, and the trustees also confirm that the members have not required the charity to obtain an audit in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act of 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 05/12/2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

Richard Coggins

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Notes to the Financial Statements

1 Accounting Policies

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost of transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared 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) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), and with the Charities Act 2011.

Public Benefit

The charity constitutes a public benefit as defined by FRS102.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are funds which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administrating the funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of restricted funds is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its useful life.

Computer equipment : 25% on reducing balance Plant and machinery : 25% on reducing balance

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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2
Donations and Grants
Donations
Restricted grants
Unrestricted grants		 2025
190
14,284
16,000
30,474		 2024
182
43,869
-
44,051

3 Analysis of Grants

We have been successful in raising funds from the following grant schemes:

Arts Council England
High Peak Borough
Council
Bingham Trust
John Thaw Foundation
National Forest
Satterthwaite Bequest
Garfield Weston
Awards for All
Derbyshire Foundation
Local Giving - Magic Little
Grant		 2025
3,000
7,839
1,445
1,000
1,000
1,000
15,000
-
-
-
2024

27,000

4,194

1,000

-

-

-

-

9,925

1,250

500

43,869
30,284

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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4
Income from Charitable Activities
Performances
Workshops and
Educational Outreach
5
Other income
HMRC Theatre Tax
Credits
6
Raising funds
2025
Direct
costs
Cost of generating
donations and
unrestricted grants
1,958
Restricted grants
-
1,958
7
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
2025
Direct
costs
Performances, workshops
and
education
14,523
Restricted grants
3,000
Unrestricted grants
1,500
19,023		 2025
29,933
33,397
63,330
2025
12,512
12,512
2025
Support
costs
19,725
5,000
24,725
2025
Support
costs
54,123
30,323
3,250
87,696		 2025
Total
21,683
5,000
26,683
2025
Total
68,645
33,323
4,750
106,718		 2024
59,065
12,297
71,361
2024
-
-
2024
10,485
-
10,485
2024
40,839
18,830
-
59,669

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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8
Support Costs
Salaries
Subcontract
Travel
Premises
Insurance
Office costs
Marketing
Accountancy
Bank charges
Depreciation		 2025
95,614
4,500
-
600
649
2,103
6,696
1,579
-
679
112,421		 2024
-
5,000
339
600
710
1,161
250
1,189
-
906
10,154

9 Related party transactions

The Charity Pays £50 each month to Richard Coggins, a Trustee, for storage.

10 Trustees' Remuneration and Benefits

During the year, no trustee received any remuneration in respect of trustee services. In addition, no trustees received any reimbursement of expenses.

11 Tangible Fixed Assets

COST
At 01 Apr 2024
Additions
At 31 Mar 2025
DEPRECIATION
At 01 Apr 2024
Additions
At 31 Mar 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 Mar 2025
At 31 Mar 2024
Babbling Vagabonds
Company number : 04116275
Charity number : 1200574		 Plant and
machinery,
etc.
28,263
28,263
25,546
679
26,226
2,038
2,717
21

21

12 Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade debtors
Other debtors		 2025
3,250
12,512
15,762		 2024
337
337

13 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Other creditors
Accruals		 2025
9,661
1,020
10,681		 2024
1,678
1,020
2,698

14 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds

Current assets and Fixed
assets
Current liabilities		 2025
2025
2025
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
44,652
1,000
45,652
10,681
-
10,681
33,970
1,000
34,970		 2024
Total
funds
64,754
2,698
62,056

15 Movements in Funds

Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 Net
Transfers
At
movement
between
1-Apr-24
funds
funds
37,017
(3,047)
-
25,039
(24,039)
-		 At
31-Mar-25
33,970
1,000

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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62,056 (27,086) - 34,970
16 Movements in Restricted Funds
Arts council England
Awards for all
High Peak Borough
Council
Derbyshire Foundation
Bingham Trust
Local Giving - Magic Little Grants
John Thaw Foundation
National Forest		 At
1-Apr-24
17,950
4,989
-
950
750
400
-
-








Income
3,000
-
7,839
-
1,445
-
1,000
1,000
14,284		 At
Outgoings
31-Mar-25
20,950
-
4,989
-
7,839
-
950
-
2,195
-
400
-
1,000
1,000
-
38,323
1,000
25,039

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and grants
Donations
Grants
Charitable Activities
Performances
Workshops and Educational
Outreach
Other income
HMRC R&D Tax Credits
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Raising funds
Subcontract
Marketing
Charitable activities
Materials
Subcontract
Travel
Premises
Marketing
Support costs
Salaries
Subcontract
Travel
Premises
Insurance
Office costs
Marketing
Accountancy		 2025
190
30,284

2024
182
43,869
30,474
29,933
33,397

44,051
59,065
12,297
63,330
12,512
71,361
-
12,512
106,316
-
115,412
1,760
198
7,100
-
1,958
15,546
895
-
2,582
-




7,100
2,045
47,352
1,975
1,060
468
19,023
95,614
4,500
-
600
649
2,103
6,696
1,579







52,899
-
5,000
339
600
710
1,161
250
1,189

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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Depreciation
Other costs
Loan waiver
Total resources expended
NET
INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)		 679
112,421
-
133,401
(27,086)		 906
10,154
13,021
13,021
83,174
32,238

Babbling Vagabonds Company number : 04116275 Charity number : 1200574

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babbling vagabonds

Family theatre Outdoor adventure theatre Community arts Work in schools