2025-03-31-accounts

IDENTITY YOUTH THEATRE ANNUAL TRUSTEES REPORT AND RETURNS

Introduction

Charity Name: Identity Youth Theatre Charity Registration Number: 1207867

Identity Youth Theatre charitable purpose:

To advance education for young people aged between 16 and 24 years in the arts, particularly theatre arts, by the provision of:

• workshops in theatre techniques including acting, singing and dancing;

• opportunities to participate in other areas of theatre including backstage work, lighting, sound and production design; and

• opportunities to participate in performances;

As a means of advancing young people in life and helping them develop the skills, capacities and capabilities needed to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals.

Identity Youth Theatre originates from the roots of Identity School of Acting, with a focus and “mission that empowers young people by immersing them in the enriching world of the performing arts, particularly acting. Our programmes offer opportunities for young people to cultivate skills leading to impactful and authentic performances. By engaging in these activities, young people discover and nurture their talents, explore their identity, and express themselves to reach their fullest potential.

IYT is dedicated to empowering young actors by equipping them with vital skills and valuable industry knowledge. Whether your passion lies on stage or screen, join us to unlock your full potential and embark on an exciting journey in the acting industry!”

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Haringey Youth Service is dedicated to the “ young people in Haringey who are aged between 11 and 19 (up to 25 years old where there is a specific additional need or disability or SEND).

We make use of a wide range of informal learning opportunities to enable young people to: feel safe, develop as individuals and participate, and contribute, as valued members of our community

As well as delivering key programmes and activities, we support external and partnership projects to promote the same values and skills for young people.”

Aims and Objectives

Haringey’s Youth Service (hereafter HYS) and the Identity Youth Theatre (hereafter IYT) formed this creative partnership to facilitate and support young people’s participation, development and transformation of young people across the borough of Haringey.

The Take One Project, was developed to offer an accessible acting training and skills programme, designed to increase confidence, self-expression and self-determination in young people. This project’s aim was also to serve as pathway to the acting industry and creative world.

Initially designed as a summer programme consisting of:

• 6 week programme of 12 sessions including performance

• 2 weekly sessions of 90 minutes, delivered each Wednesday and Friday 6:00 – 7:30pm

• Sessions to be delivered at Rising Green Youth Centre in Wood Green

• Session capacity of 20 children and young people (CYPs)per project

• Final performance to be showcased at Identity School of Acting – Wood Green studios.

Under HYS's leadership, Rising Green Youth Centre was suggested as the central location for the Take One pilot because it is ideally situated near the borough’s main shopping high street and is easily accessible via public transport from Haringey schools to this multipurpose centre, a minimum of 6 Haringey Senior Schools are within a 20 minute bus journey to the centre.

Rising Green hosts over 50 children and young people at its centre during three weekly sessions—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—supported by Youth Workers and a Youth Link worker who facilitate various activities.

HYS was responsible for leading the outreach, recruitment, and registration of participants for the Take One Programme, building on strong relationships between Youth Workers and local young people, especially centre attendees.

IYT oversaw the design and facilitation of the programme sessions, which were conducted by an actor and theatre coach. The primary objective of these sessions was to engage young participants over a six-week period, encouraging them to team build, enjoy and develop a range of skills including acting, directing, stage placement, and create and present their own narratives to an audience, with support from their theatre coach. Restricted photo removed

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Highlights and outcomes

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• Across the full programme, 70% unique children and young people engaged with the programme, with a high of 50% in attendance at the same time.

• Strong initial engagement from Haringey Youth Link Worker significantly supporting the young people in the room, some with specific vulnerabilities.

Recorded feedback from participants has been positive with:

• 100% sharing the programme has made them more interested in engaging in community programmes and specifically drama projects.

• 83% sharing the programme has had a positive effect on future career plans

• 100% sharing they were able to increase friendship and positive social interactions

• 100% sharing their confidence had increased through the activities and engagement with the programme

• “ Taking part in more theatre related shows”

• “I am comfortable with the space around me”

“I am more confident with my friends”

I’d like to”know if there are anymore activities like this“

“Made me more confident and good about acting”

“This experience was absolutely amazing, please do more “

“I got to know new faces and have fun”

“I feel like I’ve gotten better at communication skills”

“I thought it was really good, and my mum was really proud of me going”

Challenges

The programme's start was postponed from 2024 to summer 2025 due to recruitment challenges. Before the first session, IYT met with Rising Green youth workers to understand the centre’s dynamics and plan activities to engage participants effectively.

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10 young people participated in the inaugural sessions, with up to 6 attending at once. Although attendance was 50% of the target, participants expressed enjoyment and interest in attending future sessions. A key positive for the session was the inclusion of the Youth Link worker whose support was important as an adult in the room that participants were familiar and felt safe with.

Difficulties emerged early in the programme with unexpected closure of the centre, with non communication to IYT of the closure. Important feedback regarding session time was suggested by Rising Green, and adjusted by IYT – for session to begin earlier as the youth members generally attend the centre straight from school at 4pm, often leaving by 6-6:30pm.

A significant challenge that was observed during a mid-programme review, is that a communication issue existed between HYS senior staff and Rising Green Youth Centre staff regarding recruitment and registration responsibilities and expectations of young people for the programme, as outlined in the partnership agreement with IYT, and this was evidenced in the rapid decline in participants attending sessions.

IYT observed minimal promotion of the programme on either Rising Green or HYS platforms, although Rising Green does publicise activities through its dedicated web page on the official Haringey Council website.

It was agreed with IYT and HYS that the programme would be paused for approximately 8 weeks so HYS could reconsider how best to recruit young people. Additionally, HYS senior management decided to move the programme from Rising Green Youth Centre to Bruce

Grove Centre, citing stronger staff engagement and more consistent attendance by children and young people.

The programme restarted in October with an earlier start time, a new location, and revised delivery to accommodate the shortened schedule. However, challenges from July persisted: recruitment during the 8-week break was minimal, and most attendees joined through IYT’s direct outreach to a Haringey school, as recommended to HYS.

There were also challenges with the agreed space and time for the young people to deliver their showcase, which created an unnecessary anxiety with completing this programme with success.

The IYT team for this project have been able to reflect on the programme as a whole, and recommendations for future programme delivery.

Review and Next steps

The Take One Programme is an important initial achievement for IYT as a new charity. Securing substantial funding for a short programme that provides free engagement and skills to local youth in a community where arts and culture matter sets a foundational step towards establishing enduring partnerships.

The programme achieved its main objectives for young people who participated, as shown by their feedback and results.

The challenges identified clearly indicate areas for improvement. Enhancing working partnerships will require timely, transparent, and comprehensive communication, particularly given that many young people interested in the programme are often marginalised and do not receive the same level of governance as others.

An inclusive and success-driven mindset should be established from the start, with close collaboration during planning and a budget focused on youth engagement, especially in recruitment.

A reviewing timetable, including meetings with key staff from Haringey Youth Service and Identity Youth Theatre (linked to Identity School of Acting), should be set early and reflect each partner’s overall context. This enables partners to coordinate and promote projects that drive engagement and growth.

Although some challenges have arisen, it's reassuring to hear that the young participants describe their experiences as joyful, noting that they have developed new skills or enhanced existing ones, and expressing interest in joining future projects through the Take One Project.

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Safeguarding

Identity Youth Theatre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The trustees recognise their responsibility to ensure that all participants are protected from harm and that a safe, inclusive and supportive environment is maintained at all times.

During the reporting period, safeguarding arrangements were embedded within programme delivery through:

• appropriate supervision of participants during all sessions;

• the provision of a safe creative space where young people could express themselves freely and respectfully;

• clear codes of conduct for staff, mentors and participants; and

• close partnership working with Haringey Council’s Youth Service, ensuring alignment with local safeguarding expectations and procedures.

Mentors from the Identity School of Acting acted as positive role models and provided additional pastoral support to participants. Any safeguarding concerns would have been escalated in accordance with agreed procedures. No safeguarding incidents were reported during the period.

Safeguarding Policy Declaration

The IYT has an up-to-date Safeguarding Policy in place, which is reviewed regularly by the trustees and made available to all staff, volunteers and partners. The trustees confirm that safeguarding is a standing consideration in the planning and delivery of all activities.

Risk Management

The trustees have identified and reviewed the principal risks faced by the charity and have taken steps to mitigate these risks.

Key risks identified include:

• Participant recruitment and engagement: mitigated through partnership working with local authorities and youth services, and by reviewing recruitment timelines and outreach methods.

• Financial risk: mitigated by maintaining unrestricted reserves and ensuring expenditure is carefully monitored against income.

• Safeguarding risk: mitigated through clear policies, supervision, and a culture of openness and trust.

• Operational risk: mitigated through regular trustee oversight of programme delivery and adherence to agreed project plans.

The trustees will continue to review risks on an ongoing basis and adapt controls as the charity grows.

Financial Review

The Take 1 programme was funded by Haringey Council, which provided total income of £9,500.

• Total expenditure: £5,755

• Net surplus for the year: £3,745

The surplus has been retained as unrestricted reserves to support the sustainability of future charitable activities.

Reserves Policy

The trustees consider it prudent to maintain a modest level of reserves to ensure financial stability and the ability to respond to unforeseen costs or opportunities. At the year end, reserves stood at £3,745, which the trustees deem appropriate for the charity’s current scale of operations.

Plans for Future Periods

In the coming year, the trustees intend to:

• build on the success of the Take 1 programme;

• strengthen partnerships with local authorities, schools and youth services;

• increase participant numbers while maintaining quality and safeguarding standards; and

• explore additional funding opportunities to expand programme reach.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. They confirm that the report gives a fair and balanced account of the charity’s activities, performance and financial position

Activities & Impact Summary

During the reporting period, IYT delivered its first community arts pilot project, Take 1 , advancing education for young people aged 16–24 through theatre arts. The project consisted of 12 structured sessions, (with an additional session making 13 sessions in total) providing acting training, exposure to movement, opportunities to explore and participation in a live showcase performance. The programme ran from early July 2025, with a short pause to support participant recruitment in partnership with Haringey Council’s Youth Service, resuming in early October 2025 and culminating in a public performance on 6 November 2025.

Despite lower-than-anticipated participant numbers, the programme achieved significant impact. Six young people completed the programme, supported by three student mentors from the Identity School of Acting. Participants demonstrated increased confidence, resilience and aspiration, with many expressing a strong desire to continue their engagement with theatre and the creative industries. For young people who had previously viewed performance opportunities as inaccessible, the experience was transformative, reinforcing IYT’s belief that a single creative intervention can have a lasting positive effect on a young person’s life.

Making a difference

Identity Youth Theatre advanced education for young people aged 16–24 by delivering its first community arts programme, Take 1 . Through 13 structured theatre sessions, participants developed acting skills, confidence, teamwork and insight into both performance and backstage roles, culminating in a public showcase. Six young people completed the programme, supported by trained mentors. For participants with limited prior access to the arts, the experience was transformative, increasing self-belief, resilience and aspiration. Many expressed a desire to continue in theatre or creative pathways, demonstrating a clear positive impact on their personal development and future opportunities.

Independent Financial Summary:

• Total income: £9,500

• Total expenditure: £5,755

• Net income: £3,745

• Funds at year end: £3,745 (unrestricted)

Approved by the Trustees

Date: 30 January 2026

Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees:

Charity Commission Annual Return

IDENTITY YOUTH THEATRE

Charity activities and public benefit

The charity delivered a 12-week youth theatre project aligned with the Haringey Youth Strategy, engaging young people through creative arts to support confidence, skills development, and social inclusion. Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.

Income

The charity received total income of £9,500 during the year, all of which was restricted grant funding from a local authority for a specific community youth theatre project.

Expenditure

Total expenditure during the year was £5,755, incurred wholly in delivering the restricted community project.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds of £3,745 remain at the year end, representing unspent grant income held in accordance with the grant agreement.

Trustee payments

No trustee received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the financial year.

Trustee expenses

No trustee expenses were paid during the financial year.

Employees

The charity had no employees during the financial year.

Assets and liabilities

At the year end, the charity held £3,745 in cash at bank and in hand and had no liabilities.

Independent examination or audit

The charity’s income was below the statutory threshold and an independent examination was not required.

Receipts & Payments Accounts	Receipts & Payments Accounts	(Ready-to-Upload)
Description	Unrestricted £	Restricted £	Total £
Local authority grant	-	9,500	9,500
income
Project expenditure	-	5,755	5,755
Net surplus	-	3,745	3,745

Dated : 29 January 2026