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2025-03-31-accounts

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

for

UCAN Productions

Company registration number 05537893 Charity number 1201369

UCAN Productions

Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Page
Charity and Company Information 1
Report of the Trustees 2 - 5
Independent Examiners' Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 - 13

UCAN Productions

Charity Information for the year ended 31 March 2025

Directors and Trustees A Rees (Chair wef 1 April 2025)
D Brunt (Chair to 31 March 2025)
J Blackmore
J Sanders
O Williams
M Woodhouse
J Worsey
L Coleman
S McKay appointed 14 January 2025
B Molik appointed 1 April 2025
Charity Number 1201369
Company Number 5537893
Registered Office 65 Severn Grove
Pontcanna
Cardiff
CF11 9EP
Accountants and Independent Arian Accountants Limited
Examiners 19 Sundew Close
Cardiff
CF5 2SE

Page 1

UCAN Productions

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees are pleased to present their annual directors' report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors' report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).

Objectives and activities

Objectives

The promotion of social inclusion particularly, but not exclusively, in Wales among young people with visual impairment and additional needs who are excluded from society, or parts of society, due to their disability.

To provide opportunities to participate in activities, events and experiences which encourage the building of confidence, self-esteem, new friendships and support networks together with the development of new skills which will help to prevent social isolation, preserve and protect good mental health and wellbeing and assist their integration into society.

To advance in life and help young people particularly, but not exclusively, in Wales, through the provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life; and providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.

Activities

The charity is based at Cardiff University’s School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, where regular activities are held. In addition, UCAN Productions provides services to blind and partially sighted children and young people across a variety of other locations in Wales including Torfaen, Carmarthen, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend and Carmarthen, as well as occasionally in England and abroad.

The charity runs a wide variety of creative workshops which are aimed at improving both physical and vocal confidence and the overall wellbeing of its participants. Workshop themes include drama, sound technology and music as well as Maggie’s Club which is for vision impaired children and young people with additional needs. UCAN Productions also delivers Arts Awards and has held the title of Arts Awards Champaign Centre for the past four years. The charity also supports the Vision Impaired Sector by providing theme-based performances for the Welsh Government Eye Care Conference and, on occasion, providing vision awareness training and demonstration lectures for medical and optometry students. UCAN Productions also supports other arts organisations by running regular consultations sessions on the impact of blindness.

The charity relies on grants, earned income and donations to cover its operating costs.

The trustees endeavour to encourage all members of the vision impaired community and support sector to engage in our activities and programmes, therefore improving the lives of those we serve.

Achievements & Highlights

This year has been a remarkable and inspiring period for UCAN Productions, marked by impactful projects, exciting new partnerships, and continued growth in our mission to empower young people with sight loss and additional disabilities through creativity and performance.

Workshops and New Participants

UCAN delivered 196 creative workshops during the year, engaging 88 new participants. These sessions provided safe and inclusive spaces for artistic expression, peer connection, and the development of confidence and performance skills.

Workshops were delivered across South East and West Wales, including in Kidwelly, Pontypool, Barry, Caerphilly, Neath Port Talbot, and Cardiff.

Page 2

UCAN Productions

Report of the Trustees (continued)

In addition to delivering workshops, UCAN staff and members proudly represented the charity at numerous events, including:

National Lottery Project

The three year UCAN Network Project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, concluded on 31st March 2025. This project enabled our members to increase in confidence and develop and improve their selfadvocacy skills. Participants were involved in a range of consultations and reviews within the creative arts and sight loss sectors, helping extend networks and create partnerships with a range of organisations. We are thrilled to hear that our recent application for further Lottery funding for ‘UCAN 2 Network’ has been successful and this project will begin in September 2025.

Arts Award Champion Centre

Continuing our role as an Arts Award Champion Centre, UCAN successfully delivered over 60 Arts Awards this year, celebrating the creativity, determination, and achievements of visually impaired children and young people. These awards recognise personal growth, artistic development, and the commitment our participants bring to every project.

SASI Group Performances

Members of our SASI (Self Advocacy for the Sight Impaired) group proudly performed at the annual Welsh Assembly Eye Care Conference, using their voices and talents to raise awareness, share personal stories, and advocate for the needs of the visually impaired community.

Lord Mayor’s Chosen Charity

We were honoured to serve as the Lord Mayor of Cardiff’s chosen charity until May 2024. This partnership provided UCAN with valuable opportunities to connect with new audiences, raise our profile, and take part in special events.

While the official term has ended, the Arts Award Pilot Project, one of the most successful initiatives from this period, has been extended for a further 12 months with the support of Cardiff City Council. Thanks to this continuation, the UCAN team will work with children at Ty Calon, a special school within Whitchurch High School, Cardiff, ensuring that even more young people with disabilities benefit from this creative programme.

Birmingham University Partnership

UCAN Productions entered into a partnership with the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research at Birmingham University, to create a series of short films made by UCAN members. These films aim to promote the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI), ensuring that the voices of young people are at the heart of educational advocacy.

UCAN Perform Festival

We proudly hosted the UCAN Perform Festival at the Cardiff University School of Optometry, offering a platform for our members to showcase their artistic talents, share their journeys, and celebrate the power of creativity.

Maggie’s Club Christmas Party

As part of our festive celebrations, UCAN organised the Maggie’s Club Christmas Party, a much-loved annual event bringing together participants, their families, and staff for a joyful and inclusive day of music, games, and connection.

Thomas Pocklington Trust Internship

Demonstrating our commitment to employing and supporting people with sight loss, UCAN Productions created its first internship post, part-funded by the Thomas Pocklington Trust through its Get Set internship programme. The role provided structured career development, networking opportunities, and ongoing professional support.

Page 3

UCAN Productions

Report of the Trustees (continued)

Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust UCAN ASSIST

The purpose of this project, which commenced part-way through the year, was to train and upskill blind and vision-impaired individuals aged 25 and above, enabling them to assist in the delivery of future workshops and activities. The project aimed to improve the quality of life of blind and partially sighted young people by giving them the skills and knowledge to support their peers.

UCAN Bach Pilot Project

Launched in December 2024, the UCAN Bach pilot project provides a range of creative activities specifically designed for children aged 3 to 7 years who have sight loss, as well as their families. Taking place in Penarth and Barry, UCAN Bach provides an accessible and nurturing environment for young children to explore performing arts through songs, musical instruments, and drama games. Our vision is to roll-out this project to other areas across Wales, enabling more children to benefit from these early creative experiences.

BBC Children in Need Television Appearance

We were extremely proud of Ethan, one of our young members, who was chosen to appear on the BBC Children in Need Appeals Programme. Performing live on National television, Ethan proved to audiences across the UK that vision impairment is no barrier to talent, determination, and success.

Children’s Laureate of Wales – Alex Wharton

With the support of Literature Wales, the Children’s Laureate of Wales, Alex Wharton, delivered a series of creative poetry workshops for UCAN members. These sessions were hugely popular and well attended, sparking a new collective project: the creation of the first-ever audiobook of poetry by blind and partially sighted children and young people, set to launch in August 2025.

Our achievements would not have been possible without the generous funding and steadfast support provided by our funders. Special thanks go to BBC Children in Need, National Lottery Community Fund, Awards for All - National Lottery Fund, Community Foundation Wales, Arts Council for Wales, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust and Cardiff City Council.

The trustees wish to express their sincere thanks to all volunteers, individuals, organisations, and everyone who has generously contributed their time and resources. We remain grateful to Cardiff University School of Optometry and Vision Sciences for the exceptional support provided to UCAN Productions.

Financial review

Members of the Board meet quarterly to review the financial position of the charity. As a result of this information, they are confident in realistically reviewing and adjusting budgets. During the year funding continued to be received for the charity's main activities as noted above.

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted liquid reserves held by the charity should be at least £80,000. At this level the trustees consider that they would be able to accommodate any fundamental funding changes. At the balance sheet date, the charity's unrestricted general income fund reserves exceeded that amount, at £100,403. As always, future funding of UCAN Productions is an ongoing dialogue with all our funders.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and became a registered charity on 16 December 2022. The directors serve also as the trustees of the charity. Reference and administrative details are shown in the company information page. The directors have the power to appoint additional trustees.

Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The charity trustees (who are also the directors of UCAN Productions for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each 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.

Page 4

UCAN Productions

Report of the Trustees (continued)

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention 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 charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

• there is no relevant information of which the charity's Independent Examiner is unaware; and

• the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Independent Examiner is aware of that information.

Approval by order of the board of trustees

A Rees

Director

Page 5

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of UCAN Productions ("the Company")

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of UCAN Productions for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ("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 charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the 2011 Act"). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

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.

Andrea L Davies FCA Chartered Accountant

Arian Accountants Limited 19 Sundew Close Cardiff CF5 2SE

Date: 6 October 2025

Page 6

UCAN Productions

Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Note
Income
Donations and legacies
3
Income from charitable activities:
UCAN Productions operations
4
Investment income
Total income
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities:
UCAN Productions operations
5
Total expenditure
Net income and net movement in funds for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Transfer between funds
Total funds carried forward		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
128,877
-		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
21,959
7,670
1,791
31,420
18,037
18,037
13,383
147,020
-
160,403		 2025
Total
£
21,959
136,547
1,791
160,297
144,099
144,099
16,198
187,023
-
203,221		 2024
Total
£
14,052
151,548
1,272
128,877 166,872
126,062 137,074
126,062 137,074
2,815
40,003
-		 29,798
157,225
-
42,818 187,023

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these financial statements

Page 7

UCAN Productions

Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Current assets
Debtors
9
Cash at Bank and in hand
Current Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
10
Net current assets
Net assets
The funds of the charity:
Unrestricted income funds:
General income fund
11
Designated funds
12
Restricted income funds
14
Total charity funds		 £
£
2
5,000
205,160
210,160
(6,941)
203,219
203,221
£
£
100,403
60,000
160,403
42,818
203,221
2025		 £
£
2
5,488
186,939
192,427
(5,406)
187,021
187,023
£
£
97,523
49,497
147,020
40,003
187,023
2024		 £
£
2
5,488
186,939
192,427
(5,406)
187,021
187,023
£
£
97,523
49,497
147,020
40,003
187,023
2024
187,023

The directors consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of s.477 of the Companies Act 2006. Members have not required the company, under s.476 of the Companies Act 2006, to obtain an audit for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 &387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the company as at 31 March 2025 and of its surplus or deficit for the year then ended in accordance with the requirements of ss.394 & 395, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act, relating to the financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.

These financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to small companies were approved by the Trustees on 6 October 2025 and signed on its behalf. A Rees

……………………..

A Rees

Director

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these financial statements

Page 8

UCAN Productions

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

UCAN Productions meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Income

(i) donations and similar income

Donations and similar income is recognised when received.

(ii) revenue grants

Revenue grants are generally recognised in the period in which they are received.

(iii) capital grants

Capital grants are recognised as the corresponding expense is incurred.

(iv) other income

All other income is recognised in the period to which it relates.

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:

• Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Tangible fixed assets

Fixed assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost less depreciation.

Depreciation is provided in order to write off the cost of fixed assets over their estimated useful lives in equal annual instalments, as follows :

Computer equipment 25% on cost

Pension costs

The company operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. Contributions payable are recognised in the statement of financial activities when due.

Page 9

UCAN Productions

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies cont'd

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor.

2 Legal status

UCAN Productions is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. It obtained charitable status on 16 December 2022.

3 Donations and legacies

Cash Donations
4
Income from charitable activities
Fees and other income
Commissioned fees & other sundry income
Support from sponsors and local authorities:
Children in Need
Community Foundation Wales
Arts Council for Wales
Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust
Atsain Fund
National Lottery
Cardiff Council
Thomas Pocklington Trust
5
Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
On charitable activities:
Purchases and other direct costs
Employee costs
Premises costs
General office expenses
On governance costs:
Accountancy fees
Other professional costs		 Restricted
£
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
28,988
19,780
8,744
5,450
-
56,571
4,000
5,344
128,877
Restricted
£
22,632
92,041
4,478
2,241
121,392
-
4,670
126,062		 Unrestricted
£
21,959		 2025
£
21,959		 2024
£
14,052
21,959 21,959 14,052
Unrestricted
£
7,670		 2025
£
7,670		 2024
£
7,518
7,670
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 7,670
28,988
19,780
8,744
5,450
-
56,571
4,000
5,344		 7,518
47,556
9,970
-
-
2,100
84,404
-
-
7,670 136,547 151,548
Unrestricted
£
7,950
-
721
4,956		 2025
£
30,582
92,041
5,199
7,197		 2024
£
57,155
54,486
7,440
9,293
13,627
1,600
2,810		 135,019
1,600
7,480		 128,374
1,500
7,200
18,037 144,099 137,074

Page 10

UCAN Productions

Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

6 Net income for the year

The net income for the year is stated after charging:

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets:
owned by the charity
Accountancy fees		 2025
£
-
1,600		 2024
£
-
1,500

7 Staffing and trustee remuneration

Staff costs
Wages and salaries
Social Security costs
Pension costs		 2025
£
87,977
2,434
1,430
91,841		 2024
£
55,526
1,528
2,120
59,174

During the year the average number of employees was 5 (2024: 2). No employee received employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2024: Nil).

No remuneration was paid to any trustee during the year, nor any expenses reimbursed, apart from an amount of £6,400 in respect of administration and project support and £34 in expenses, between Mrs J Worsey (trustee) and the charity (2024: £7,200 and £Nil respectively).

Tangible fixed assets
COST
As at 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
DEPRECIATION
As at 1 April 2024
Charge for period
On Disposals
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Computer
equipment
£
1,286
-
-
1,286
1,284
-
-
1,284
2
2		 Total
£
1,286
-
-
1,286
1,284
-
-
1,284
2
2

8 Tangible fixed assets

Page 11

UCAN Productions

Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

9 Debtors

Grants receivable
Other debtors and prepayments
Creditors: amounts falling due within o
Taxes and social security
Other creditors
Accruals & deferred income
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted income funds
Designated funds
Development Fund
Sir Ian McKellan Fund
Maggie's Club and Special Events Fund
Theatre Performance Fund		 ne year
Balance at
beginning
of year
£
97,523
Balance at
beginning
of year
£
10,150
39,347
-
-
49,497		 Income
£
31,420
New
designations
£
-
-
10,150
39,347
49,497		 Expenses
£
(18,037)
Utilised/
released
£
(10,150)
(39,347)
-
-
-		 2025
£
-
5,000
5,000
2025
£
4,884
-
2,057
6,941
Transfer to/
from other
funds
£
(10,503)
Transfer to/
from other
funds
£
-
-
9,850
653
10,503		 2024
£
2,100
3,388
5,488
2024
£
2,019
-
3,387
5,406
Balance at
end of
year
£
100,403
Balance at
end of
year
£
-
-
20,000
40,000
60,000

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

11 Unrestricted funds

12 Designated funds

13 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted funds
General income fund
Designated Funds
Restricted income funds
Total funds		 Tangible
fixed assets
£
2
-
-
2		 Net current
assets
£
100,401
60,000
42,818
203,219		 Long term
liabilities
£
-
-
-
-		 Total
£
100,403
60,000
42,818
203,221

Page 12

UCAN Productions

Notes to the financial statements (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

14 Restricted income funds

Restricted income funds
Awards for All: National Lottery Fund
Children in Need
Community Foundation Wales
Arts Council for Wales
Lottery Heritage Fund
National Lottery Community Fund
Thomas Pocklington Trust
Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust
Cardiff Council grant
Total funds		 Balance at
beginning
of year
£
22,223
11,401
1,885
-
3,190
1,304
-
-
-
40,003		 Income
in year
£
-
28,988
19,780
8,744
-
56,571
5,344
5,450
4,000
128,877		 Expenditure
in year
£
10,208
36,589
11,422
220
3,190
55,975
5,344
1,125
1,989
126,062		 Transfer to/
from other
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance at
end of
year
£
12,015
3,800
10,243
8,524
-
1,900
-
4,325
2,011
42,818

Name of Fund

Description of Fund

Awards for All: National Lottery Fund

To expand our creative activities and provide more opportunities for Arts Awards.

Children in Need

To provide peer to peer support through the creative arts for children under the age of 18.

Community Foundation Wales

To deliver workshops to blind and partially sighted children under the age of 18 in the Carmarthenshire area.

Arts Council for Wales

To provide support for 3 to 7 year old children.

National Lottery Community Fund

To develop a creative peer network of young people over the age of 18.

National Lottery Heritage Fund

Exploring the history and heritage of blind people in Wales.

Thomas Pocklington Trust

To fund an intern creative workshop leader post.

Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust

To provide creative training to visually impaired young adults.

Cardiff Council (Arts Awards)

To deliver Arts Awards workshops for young people with vision impairment and additional needs.

Page 13