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2024-08-31-accounts

LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year ending 31st August 2024

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 02135342 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 297075

Frank S Lachman 31 Fairview Way Edgware Middlesex HA8 8JE

LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Legal and Administrative Information

31st August 2024

Company Registered Number 02135342
Registered Charity Number 297075
Registered Office 436 Lewisham High Street
London
SE13 6JG
Patrons Phaldut Sharma
Lucian Msamati
Directors and Trustees Genine Whitehorne Chair
Thomas Toomse-Smith Treasurer
Edison Huyn Appointed 25th September 2023
Edward King Resigned 9th July 2024
Freneka Mumford
Ian Paish Appointed 22 January 2024
Jamiel Thomas
Louise Gordon Appointed 11th March 2024
Mairi Hayes
Tyreke Leslie
Company Secretary Victoria Shaskan
Independent Examiner Frank S Lachman
Chartered Accountant
31 Fairview Way
Edgware
Middlesex
HA8 8JE
Bankers Co-Operative Bank
151 Lewisham High Street
Lewisham
London
SE13 6AA
Staff Team Victoria Shaskan CEO
Filiz Ozcan Creative Director
Molly Cox Senior Producer (from May 2024)
Angus Scott-Miller Participation Manager (to Dec 2023)
Jess Drader Participation Manager (from Mar 2024)
Anna Smith Production Manager
Maizy Wright Outreach Producer
Isla McGregor Admin & Finance Coordinator
Molly Cox My London Programme Manager (to Apr 2024)
Monique Uwiragiye Programme Producer
Natalie Parsons Volunteer Coordinator
Subira Damali Progression Coordinator

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

DIRECTORS' AND TRUSTEES' REPORT

The directors/trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st August 2024.

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

Company Law which is also applicable to charitable companies in England and Wales requires the directors, who are also trustees of the company, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the results of the company for that period.

In preparing those financial statements, the directors/trustees are required to:

The directors/trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company 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 company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY AND CHARITABLE OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the charitable company as set out in the governing documents continues to be the promotion, improvement and advancement of education and the encouragement of the appreciation of the arts in all their aspects by the presentation of educational plays and other suitable schemes.

The main activities undertaken in relation to these purposes are the provision of participatory arts projects and performances designed to develop the skills, capacities and capabilities of mainly, but not exclusively, young people up to the age of 24 who live or learn in Lewisham.

The charity’s mission statement, published in the Strategic Plan is:

All young people have a powerful voice and a right to be heard.

Lewisham Youth Theatre (LYT) nurtures and inspires young people’s voices through free participatory theatre activities, helping them to develop enduring and transferable skills that lead to increased life chances and long term well-being.

We bring young people together from across the Lewisham community to create outstanding theatre in an environment of high expectations and collaboration. We work from the core belief that artistic excellence is key to expanding young people’s horizons and creating lasting transformation.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The company was incorporated on 29th May 1987 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. In April 2017, the Council of Management, after seeking approval from the Charity Commission for regulated changes, resolved to approve a new Memorandum and Articles in order to bring the charity’s governing documents in line with current charity law.

The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The guarantees of individual members are limited to £10.

The company is a registered charity, number 297075.

The appointed directors of the company are also the charity’s trustees. The directors form its Council of Management and Governing Body and are empowered to act as necessary in order for the company to fulfil its objectives.

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

The Directors delegate the day-to-day management of the company to the CEO. The directors are responsible for ensuring that Executive staff’s decisions are in accordance with the company's objects and legal framework. Long-term organisational strategy is the joint responsibility of the directors and the CEO. Directors are responsible for ensuring that this strategy is in accordance with the company's objects, and for overseeing the effectiveness of this strategy.

Directors may be appointed by the members of the company or fellow directors at any time. New directors/trustees are provided with an induction pack outlining their roles and responsibilities as both directors of the company and trustees of the charity. They are provided with the company’s governing documents and the current business plan.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Lewisham Youth Theatre has always been an organisation that embraces change as an opportunity to learn about and respond to the needs of our community. While navigating the structural changes of a new premises and new leadership structure, we’ve spent the last year building new programmes to place young people at the centre of our artistic practice.

We’ve continued to support early career artists to develop their own work through the Hatch programme, while providing training and paid work experience for young directors, facilitators, producers and technicians. Over the year, Hatch artists produced a festival of their new work, directed performances of younger groups and supported our events as technicians. See a trailer of their work here: https://youtu.be/HB0XmYQlpxs

We’ve embarked on a 3-year journey to develop 3 new plays, based on the same group of characters at different ages. Young writers aged 10-19 came together over the year to develop themes, characters and one of the new scripts – Forever and Always.

Our Members’ Committee have been busy making a difference locally by consulting on local strategies, helping to design our new Creative Hub, interviewing new staff and hosting social action events, including at London City Hall. See the video they made here: https://youtu.be/bIefd2BlOnE

Members’ have helped to define the pillars of our new strategy, articulating the benefit that a youth-led creative hub brings to participants, creatives and the local community:

Over the year, 850 Lewisham young people have taken part in 452 sessions, with 263 taking part in regular activities. Read below to find out more about what we’ve delivered and how we’ve achieve against these pillars.

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

DELIVERING AGAINST OUR STRATEGIC PILLARS

Pillar 1 – Personal & Creative Growth

“We’re a place where young people can evolve. It’s like a flower blooming in a thunderstorm. It’s all about finding yourself” - Members’ Committee

We delivered:

Seniors 14-21s : 38 aged 14-18 engaged in 41 sessions across 3 session groups. Alongside the Juniors, the Senior ● performance company presented 3 adapted scenes at the Festival of Short Stories in August, supported by 3 more young directors. The Senior Theatre Makers wrote and performed a staged reading of Forever and Always, part of a series of plays following the same characters at different stages of their youth.

They were informed by sessions earlier in the year with a mixed group of 10-19s who developed themes, characters and scenarios.

Participation Indicators:

Participant Self-Assessment Indicators:

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Qualitative Feedback:

“I have more confidence. It has allowed me to become a role model.”

– 8-11s performer

"Because of LYT, I have had the best few months of my life. Last night, I was up until 3am crying because I was scared that I would never get to see you guys again.”

“It’s made me feel more confident in myself and my future work.”

– 8-11s performer – 12-14s performer

“I’ve built a community of friends and been able to creatively express myself.”

“Seeing everything you've said in the past couple of weeks [written down] right in front of us, it made it seem possible to achieve anything else…It has showed me that I'm not as alone as I thought I was at the start of the project. It has also inspired me to continue some of my own writing projects.”

“I was able to express my emotions without having to talk about them… I learned how to respect people's boundaries more” - Creative Wellbeing session participants

“It was a proud moment for me as a parent to see him up there performing. He’s naturally shy and quiet but being part of LYT is helping in his confidence and making friends. It’s a tough time for young people at the moment, with mental health and identity issues and trying to figure out who they are and where they belong in society. I think the topic covered was spot on.”

– Parent, Junior 12-14s performers

“I am so happy he has been able to join LYT and stick with it. LYT provides a breath of fresh air so he can get out of the hotel (temporary accommodation)….I am thrilled with how supportive LYT have been with supporting her on the recent anniversary of dads death and generally just being really fun and present with her, holistically, not just tech/drama.”

“We’ve seen a huge change in ability to communicate clearly with confidence and better able to self-regulate when challenges happen.”

Pillar 2 – Community Change-Makers

“We both give to and receive from our community. We allow young people to have a voice and through this process are lifted up to a higher social level.”

– Members’ Committee

We Delivered:

“It has changed me as a person to lead a big group… It exploded my knowledge and confidence… It changes me massively in terms of confidence, bravery, friendship.”

“I have enjoyed having a format and specific purpose through which to make a change. It has helped me to interact with other young people in a relaxed but purposeful way and to learn about the issues young people face and how to change them.”

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

"We were so pleased to be able to work with LYT's Members' Committee…Their contributions were deep, thoughtful and critical in supporting the project ambitions of creating an equitable and sustainable urban environment. They helped us to think about how engaging young people in meaningful and creative ways has an important role in the shaping of cities at a design and strategic level."

Participation Indicators:

Qualitative Feedback:

I have enjoyed having a format and specific purpose through which to make a change. It has helped me to interact with other young people in a relaxed but purposeful way and to learn about the issues young people face and how to change them.

“It has changed me as a person to lead a big group… It exploded my knowledge and confidence… It changes me massively in terms of confidence, bravery, friendship.”

“It was a pleasure to come across to LYT and meet the young people. I found the welcome warm and the conversation and opinions extremely thought provoking.”

Pillar 3 – Creative Careers

“We’re inspiring young people to acquire skills, to learn about and choose their pathway in life” – Members’ Committee

We Delivered:

Hatch Graduate Creative programmes : We delivered dedicated training, mentoring, paid placements and

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Participation Indicators:

Next Steps: Our direct support to connect participants to next steps and opportunities around London has meant that:

Qualitative Feedback:

“Really happy to see young directors being supported alongside the kids. A really important and practical early career opportunity for them.”

– Partner, Arts Council England

“It was incredible - you could see so clearly how young people had taken up all the roles in creating their own plays from backstage to directors and mentors - they so owned the whole production. Fantastic unique opportunities into theatre for so many young people to feel so valued and heard.”

– Parent, Festival of Short Scenes

“Very brave and honest work…It's important to have fresh new ideas displayed on stage, so everyone can experience at least one story they relate to.”

– Hatch Festival Audience members

“Students were actively engaged…Students were also able to self-reflect throughout the workshop and envision positive changes to their approach in learning. Thanks for your intervention.”

– Teacher, Live It Down Tour

“I enjoyed fully engaging with my inner self and getting out of my comfort zone. Now, I am more able to speak in a public context and I also feel more comfortable around strangers.,, It's let me use my creative ambition in a positive way.”

– Trainee Facilitators

“It has been really fun getting to see people I know grow professionally and seeing them produce great work. We've been able to build a strong group where we’ve supported each other in and out of the project.”

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

‘I really had such an amazing time being involved and have learnt so much about working in and directing youth theatre. The environment you created allowed me to feel so safe in experimenting and trying things outside of my comfort zone. I feel I really developed as a creative and as a professional over the course of the few weeks but it was also a very easeful and playful experience.’

Pillar 4: Creative Ecosystem

“We’re breathing life into local creative ability, giving creatives a place to go, collaborating with our neighbours and reviving creativity in our services.”

– Members’ Committee

Sharing our Creative Hub: Over the year, 656 community members & young people attended 12 performances & events at the Creative Hub. As well as our own performances, we hosted:

Lewisham Safer Communities ‘Are You Hearing Us’ creative event, showcasing creative contributions from Second

Training & Exchanges: We have exchanged with partners to highlight our own work, while supporting a wider adoption of quality youth-led practice. Activity included delivering:

Volunteering: This year, 22 volunteers and placement students gave up their time to support on our projects. In addition, we’d like to give a special thank you to M&G, and the 9 members of their team who came to support us to improve our new building.

REFERRAL PARTNERSHIPS: LYT continues to receive referrals through local partnerships. This year, our partners have included:

Local Primary Schools: Athelney, Holbeach, Holy Cross, John Stainer, Lancelot, New Woodlands, St Mary's CE and St. Saviours R.C, Rushey Green

Local Secondary Schools: Bonus Pastor, Deptford Green, Forest Hill Boys, Hatcham College, Knights Academy, New Woodlands, Prendergast Vale, Sedgehill Academy and Sydenham Girls.

Community Referral Partners: Action for Refugees in Lewisham, Baseline, Bromley Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service, CAMHS, Children in Care, DreamArts, Free to be Kids, Grand Mentors, Lewisham Early Intervention Team, Redthread Youth Ltd., Refugee Council, SLAM, Special Guardianship Support Team, Youth First, Volunteering Matters

MY LONDON PARTNERSHIP: LYT culminated leading this project to seed social action across Lewisham and Greenwich alongside partners Charlton Athletic Community Trust, Metro Charity, Tramshed and Trinity Laban. The Youth Steering Group, made up of participants from 7 partner organisations, held a campaign fair and Q&A at City Hall.

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Partner Feedback:

"I've had the pleasure of witnessing Lewisham Youth Theatre's youth-led practice over the last two years as they've led the My London youth social action partnership in Lewisham and Greenwich. Their focus on centring the experiences of young people is innovative and embedded in their organisation's way of working, and they work creatively to go far beyond simply consulting young people. LYT is committed to creating youth-led environments, building a platform for young voices - particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds - and empowering them to make a positive difference in their communities."

“Thank you so much to LYT for their workshop, they made the activities fun, energetic and enjoyable. The pupils relaxed and participated unreservedly. Thank you for the high-energy activities. We will be sending [more] young people to you”

“It’s wonderful to see that the young people I have referred have joined, made friends and done something creative”.

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

Quality Mark: We are pleased to announce that LYT has been re-accredited with a London Youth Bronze Quality Mark, a quality assurance scheme accredited by City & Guilds.

Staff Training: During the year, staff undertook training in Trans Awareness; Introduction to the Manosphere & Rise of online misogyny; Management training; Tackling Unconscious Bias, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion; First Aid for Youth Mental Health; Mental Health Champion; Fire Marshall; How to create space for LGBTQIA+ youth of the global majority; London Youth Bronze Quality Mark; Social Media; Creative Writing; Bid Writing; Safer Recruitment and Suicide Awareness.

Staffing Changes: In the last year, we welcomed staff member Filiz Ozcan as Creative Director, a new role working with Victoria Shaskan in the role of CEO, to drive forward the vision for a Creative Hub, centring youth voices at all levels. We also welcomed Molly Cox as Senior Producer, following her success as My London Manager; Jess Drader as Participation Manager; Dean Coffey as Participation Assistant and Raphael Ameyinoge as Hatch Assistant Producer. We’d like to thank Pauline Nakirya Papayova who served as Interim Participation Manager, whilst we recruited permanently for this post.

This year, we said goodbye to long-time Artistic Director Helen Stanley, Monique Uwiragiye and Subira Damali as they pursue a freelancer career. We also said goodbye to Angus Scott-Miller, who has moved on to Catch 22 as the Young Men’s Project Coordinator.

Board Changes: Our Council of Management (Board of Trustees) welcomed new members Louise Gordon, Creative Consultant at NSPCC and Ian Paish, Head Teacher at Deptford Green.

We thank Edison Huyhn, Ed King and Tom Toomse-Smith who are stepping down from the Board due to external commitments.

Premises Changes: In December 2023, we moved into a new building at 436 Lewisham High Street. Drawing our experience in the previous unit, we worked with our Members’ Committee to design the new space. In 2024, we worked with local partners including Youth Build and Public Works architects to return this disused space to vibrant community use.

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

New Leadership Structure: In September 2024, Filiz Ozcan will leave LYT to continue her work at her own theatre company Komala Collective. We will welcome a new Creative Director, Sara Myers. Sara has a long background in Social Care, where she managed youth, domestic violence and drug/alcohol programmes. More recently, she has worked as a freelance writer, dramaturg, director, applied theatre practitioners, and is a mentored writer with Paines Plough.

Sara will help us to solidify our learning from the last several years, bringing our creative career development programmes under the banner of H.A.T.C.H. - Home of Artistic Talent and Creative Horizons.

In her new role as Senior Producer, Molly Cox will particularly grow our impact in the local community through our Creative Ecosystem strategic pillar.

Together with CEO Victoria Shaskan, they will lead our team to ensure our organisational values of collaboration and care are embedded at every level of the organisation.

New Strategic Plan: We will continue to work with our participants, team and Board to develop our understanding of our new strategic pillars. Led by our participants, we will articulate our plans for developing this work in an innovative and creative format.

New Scripts-In-Development: We will continue the development of the Forever & Always triptych – 3 plays written by participants about the same group of friends at ages 11, 14 and 18.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

LYT has had another positive year, managing to end the year with a surplus of £27,546. We have continued to enjoy support from a wide range of public and private sponsors. This year we raised £441,132 through grants, donations and charitable activities. This fundraising success allowed us to spend £412,912 (cash expenditure) on our own charitable activities and distribute £12,713 of partnership funding from the Mayor of London to our four My London partners.

On top of the cash income and expenditure, we have secured in-kind support towards our premises and legal costs estimated at £17,032 bringing our total income to £458,164.

The charity remains in a good financial position, with £204,307 of funds carried forward to the next financial year.

RESERVES POLICY

Unrestricted Designated funds carried forward (shown in notes 9 and 10) are monies allocated to projects going forward. The Trustees deem these fund are available for use in the following year’s operational budget as a contingency towards the project and running costs of the next year. This policy allows the charity to plan and deliver a cohesive annual programme to meet the needs of our service users should fundraising not meet expected targets.

As of 31 August 2024, the Trustees designate £74,307 of carried forward funds to projects in the 2024/25 financial year.

The charity endeavours to maintain a level of non-operational reserves that will enable it, if the situation arises that funding is curtailed, to carry on its activities whilst alternative sources of funding are obtained. Total carried forward funds current total 6 months running costs, with non-operational Reserves (defined as carried forward funds not designated) at the level of £130,000 currently totalling approximately 4 months of the overall 2023/24 cash expenditure. The directors consider this to be an appropriate level of reserves as at 31 August 2024 as a contingency against statutory obligations.

The movement in reserves is shown in note 8 to the accounts.

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES

The directors/trustees set out below have held office during the whole year of this report unless otherwise stated.

Genine Whitehorne Chair Thomas Toomse-Smith Treasurer Edison Huyn Appointed 25th September 2023 Edward King Resigned 9th July 2024 Freneka Mumford Ian Paish Appointed 22 January 2024 Jamiel Thomas Louise Gordon Appointed 11th March 2024 Mairi Hayes Tyreke Leslie

This report was approved by the board on 02 December 2024, and signed on its behalf by

Treasurer and Trustee Thomas Toomse-Smith Lewisham Youth Theatre Ltd

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st August 2024 which are set out on pages 13 to 21 .

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 report

Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

(2) the accounts do not accord with those accounting 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 an independent examination; or

(4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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.

Frank S Lachman Chartered Accountant Independent Examiner

31 Fairview Way Edgware Middlesex HA8 8JA

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31st August 2024

Restricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
Notes Revenue Designated Reserves 2024 **Revenue ** **Designated ** Reserves 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Income
Donations and legacies 2 379,070 63,857 - 442,927 338,012 229,823 - 567,835
Bank interest - 3,615 - 3,615 - 1,118 - 1,118
Charitable activities 4 - 11,622 - 11,622 - 21,158 - 21,158
Total income 379,070 79,094 - 458,164 338,012 252,099 - 590,111
Expenditure
Charitable Activity Costs 3 382,840 47,778 - 430,618 338,388 238,375 - 576,763
Total expenditure 382,840 47,778 - 430,618 338,388 238,375 - 576,763
Net income/expenditure (3,770) 31,316 - 27,546 (376) 13,724 - 13,348
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward - 56,761 120,000 176,761 - 63,413 100,000 163,413
Transfers between funds 3,770 (13,770) 10,000 - 376 (20,376) 20,000 -
Total funds carried forward 9 - 74,307 130,000 204,307 - 56,761 120,000 176,761

The statement of Financial Activities reflects the results of continuing activities for the year.

There were no recognised gains or losses other than the net outgoing resources for the year.

The net outgoing resources for the year have been calculated on the historical cost basis.

The notes on pages 15 to 21 form part of these accounts.

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Balance Sheet at 31st August 2024

Notes
Current assets
Debtors
7
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Creditors due within one year
8
Net current assets
Net assets
The funds of the charity
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
- Designated
- Reserves
Total charity funds
9		 £
£
£
7,601
339
233,602
267,967
241,203
268,306
36,896
91,545
204,307
204,307
-
74,307
130,000
204,307
2024		 £
176,761
2023
241,203
36,896
176,761
-
56,761
120,000
176,761

For the year ended 31 August 2024 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the period in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibility for:

i. ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386; and

ii. preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit and loss for the financial year in accordance with the section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime under Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the directors on 02 December 2024, and signed on their behalf by

Genine Whitehorne - Chair
Thomas Toomse-Smith - Treasurer

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st August 2024

1 Accounting Polices

(a) 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 2022) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

As a small company, Lewisham Youth Theatre has not presented a cashflow in these accounts on the basis of the small company exemption under FRS102, section 7.

Lewisham Youth Theatre 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).

(b) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income from grants, whether capital or revenue grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants has been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

(c) Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party. It is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Costs are allocated to a category either because such costs are directly incurred in relation to such category, or because they are support costs in respect of which an apportionment has been made between the categories.

Support costs consist of infrastructure costs for salaries, premises, office administration. Such costs are apportioned on a reasonable and consistent basis to the various categories with a view to determining, as accurately as possible, the total resources expended for each category. The basis of apportionment used is either a function of staff time applied to a given activity, or an estimate of the proportion of costs associated with the same, or a combination of both.

Direct and Support costs are separately shown by natural classification in Note 5 to these accounts for each category of cost.

(d) Taxation

The company as a registered charity ( number 297075 ) is exempt from taxation on most investment income insofar as it is applied for charitable purposes. The company is also exempt from taxation on capital gains.

(e) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

(f) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

(g) Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets are written down over the useful life on a fixed line basis. Computers are deemed to have a four year life

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LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st August 2024

2
Grants and donations
Support In Kind
As below
Grants for General Running Costs
- LB of Lewisham - Main Grant
Grants and Donations
- Arts Council England
- City Bridge Foundation
- Children In Need
- Garfield Weston
- Greater London Authority
My London
- Haberdashers Benevolent Fund
- Henry Smith Charity
- Hillcote Trust
- Jack Petchey Foundation
- LB of Lewisham
Economy, Jobs & Partnerships
Safer Neighbourhoods
LGBTQ
Essentials Grant
NCIL Borough Wide
NCIL Lewisham Central
Young Mayor's Team
- Lee Charity of William Hattcliffe
- London Youth
- National Lottery Community Fund
- People's Society Trust
- Percy Bilton
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation
- Sir William Boreman Foundation
- Skinners' Charity Foundation
- The Grocers Charity
- The Merchant Tailors Foundation
Donations
- Individual and Corporate Donors
Deferred Grants brought forward
Deferred Grants carried forward
Support in Kind comprises
London Borough of Lewisham
Land Securities
Mishcon de Reya		 Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
17,032
17,032
-
187,000
187,000
-
30,000
30,000
-
30,000
30,000
30,000
-
30,000
29,986
-
29,986
49,063
-
49,063
-
-
-
-
-
-
20,500
-
20,500
15,000
-
15,000
15,000
-
15,000
60,000
-
60,000
70,000
-
70,000
5,000
-
5,000
3,600
-
3,600
29,000
-
29,000
28,500
-
28,500
-
5,000
5,000
-
5,000
5,000
13,860
-
13,860
-
-
-
2,500
-
2,500
-
-
-
4,000
-
4,000
-
-
-
500
-
500
-
-
-
7,000
-
7,000
-
-
-
7,500
-
7,500
15,000
-
15,000
-
-
-
28,000
-
28,000
-
-
-
1,970
-
1,970
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
-
2,000
2,000
-
-
-
81,007
-
81,007
80,820
75
80,895
-
-
-
25,000
-
25,000
3,550
-
3,550
-
-
-
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,500
-
4,500
10,000
-
10,000
-
-
-
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
4,500
-
4,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,825
9,825
2,186
7,748
9,934
58,000
2,917
60,917
70,950
2,917
73,867
(16,410)
(2,917)
(19,327)
(58,000)
(2,917)
(60,917)		 Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
17,032
17,032
-
187,000
187,000
-
30,000
30,000
-
30,000
30,000
30,000
-
30,000
29,986
-
29,986
49,063
-
49,063
-
-
-
-
-
-
20,500
-
20,500
15,000
-
15,000
15,000
-
15,000
60,000
-
60,000
70,000
-
70,000
5,000
-
5,000
3,600
-
3,600
29,000
-
29,000
28,500
-
28,500
-
5,000
5,000
-
5,000
5,000
13,860
-
13,860
-
-
-
2,500
-
2,500
-
-
-
4,000
-
4,000
-
-
-
500
-
500
-
-
-
7,000
-
7,000
-
-
-
7,500
-
7,500
15,000
-
15,000
-
-
-
28,000
-
28,000
-
-
-
1,970
-
1,970
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
-
2,000
2,000
-
-
-
81,007
-
81,007
80,820
75
80,895
-
-
-
25,000
-
25,000
3,550
-
3,550
-
-
-
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,500
-
4,500
10,000
-
10,000
-
-
-
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
4,500
-
4,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,825
9,825
2,186
7,748
9,934
58,000
2,917
60,917
70,950
2,917
73,867
(16,410)
(2,917)
(19,327)
(58,000)
(2,917)
(60,917)
379,070
63,857		 442,927
338,012
229,823
567,835
Rent
Rent
Legal Support		 2024
2023
9,375
-
-
187,000
7,657
-
17,032
187,000

Page 16

LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st August 2024

Deferred Grants brought forward
LB of Lewisham
Main Grant
NCIL Borough Wide
Greater London Authority
Culture At Risk
My London
Arts Council England
BBC Children In Need
People's Society Trust
Lee Charity of William Hattcliffe
Haberdashers Benevolent Fund
National Lottery Community Fund
Deferred Grants carried forward
LB of Lewisham
Main Grant
Local Essentials
Greater London Authority
My London
Jack Petchey
Merchant Taylors Foundation
Arts Council England
BBC Children In Need
People's Society Trust
Hillcote T		 Restricted
Unrestricted
2024
Restricted
Unrestricted
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
2,917
2,917
-
2,917
2,917
-
-
-
7,500
-
7,500
-
-
-
-
2,100
-
-
10,000
-
10,000
36,000
-
36,000
3,000
-
3,000
-
-
20,000
-
20,000
-
-
-
25,000
-
25,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
3,000
-
3,000
-
-
-
17,050
-
17,050
58,000
2,917
60,917
70,650
2,917
73,567
Restricted
Unrestricted
2024
Restricted
Unrestricted
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
2,917
2,917
-
2,917
2,917
2,000
-
2,000
-
-
-
7,600
-
7,600
10,000
-
10,000
2,310
-
2,310
4,500
-
4,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,000
-
3,000
-
-
-
20,000
-
20,000
-
-
-
25,000
-
25,000
16,410
2,917
19,327
58,000
2,917
60,917

Page17

LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st August 2024

3 Charitable Activity Costs

Charitable Activity Costs
Support Costs Charitable Activity Governance Total
Restricted **Unrestricted ** Restricted Unrestricted Costs 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Direct costs
Staff costs - 9,005 273,896 10,056 3,239 296,196
Project Costs
Freelance Fees - - 29,590 - - 29,590
Graduate Creatives Apprenticeships - - 25,326 - - 25,326
Production Costs - - 3,154 - - 3,154
Documentation - - 2,241 - - 2,241
Accreditation costs - - 644 - - 644
My London Partnership * - - 9,644 - - 9,644
Theatre tickets - - 673 - - 673
DBS Checks - - 1,337 39 51 1,427
Workshop Materials and Costs - - 2,309 - - 2,309
Travel and subsistence - - 1,511 - - 1,511
Volunteer Expenses - - 556 32 - 588
Computing Equipment and Software - - 4,303 - - 4,303
Essentials Bursaries - - 4,529 - - 4,529
Equipment and software - - 2,238 - - 2,238
Support in Kind - - - - - -
Support costs - 17,032 - - - 17,032
Accountant's fee - - - - 2,000 2,000
AGM, Council of Management and Annual
report costs - - 909 719 - 1,628
Telephone, internet and postage - - 712 1,030 - 1,742
Organisational Promotion and travel - - 1,623 24 - 1,647
Operational/Service costs - - 7,605 - - 7,605
Insurance 1,967 - - 655 - 2,622
Subscriptions - - 1,577 501 - 2,078
Refreshments - - 110 257 - 367
Printing and Stationery - - 812 1,324 - 2,136
Bank fees - - - - - -
Light, power, heating and cleaning 5,574 - - 1,814 - 7,388
Total 2024 7,541 26,037 375,299 16,451 5,290 430,618

* Funding from the Greater London Authority for the My London programme was dispersed to project delivery partners: Charlton Athletic Community Trust, METRO Charity, Tramshed and Trinity Laban.

Page 18

LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st August 2024

3 Charitable Activity Costs

Charitable Activity Costs
Charitable Activity
Support Costs Costs Governance Total
Restricted **Unrestricted ** Restricted Unrestricted Costs 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Direct costs
Staff costs 3,605 7,410 199,750 37,976 1,926 250,667
Project Costs
Freelance Fees 2,100 - 28,262 - - 30,362
Production Costs - - 4,819 - - 4,819
My London Partnership - - 42,111 - - 42,111
Theatre tickets - - 270 - - 270
DBS Checks - - 508 - - 508
Workshop Materials and Costs - - 411 - - 411
Travel and subsistence - - 1,201 - - 1,201
Theatre and space hire - - - - - -
Volunteer Expenses - - 460 - - 460
Graduate Creatives Apprenticeships - - 17,589 281 - 17,870
Accreditation costs - - 250 - - 250
Equipment and software - - 1,713 358 - 2,071
Support in Kind - 187,000 - - - 187,000
Support costs
Accountant's fee - - - - 1,900 1,900
AGM, Council of Management and An - 26 831 26 - 883
Telephone, internet and postage - - 1,101 580 - 1,681
Documentation - - 1,418 150 - 1,568
Organisational Promotion and travel - - 828 65 - 893
Operational/Service costs - - 1,316 - - 1,316
Insurance - - 958 301 - 1,259
Subscriptions - - 2,243 76 - 2,319
Refreshments - - 61 3 - 64
Printing and Stationery - - 980 245 - 1,225
Bank fees - 52 - - - 52
Light, power, heating and cleaning - - 25,603 - - 25,603
Total 2023 5,705 194,488 332,683 40,061 3,826 576,763
4
Charitable activities
Workshops and commissions		 Restricted
Unrestricted
2024
Restricted
Unrestricted
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
11,622
11,622
-
21,158
21,158
-
11,622
11,622
-
21,158
21,158

Page 19

LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st August 2024

5
Employees
Staff Pension costs
Employers NI
Freelance fees
Wages and Social security
costs		 2024
2023
£
£
271,250
231,387
Administration
6,009
4,831
Tutors
18,937
14,449
29,590
30,362
325,786
281,029		 2024
2023
No.
No.
2
2
9
8
11
10

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year. (2023 none)

6
Tangible Fixed Assets
Cost at 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2024
Depreciation at 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2024
Written down value at 31st August 2023 and 31st August 2024
7
Debtors
Trade debtors
8
Creditors due within one year
Trade creditors
Deferred Grants
Partnership Funding
Accruals		 2024
£
7,601		 Computers
£		 Total
£
1,059 1,059
1,059 1,059
- -
2023
£
339
7,601 339
2024
£
10,507
19,327
-
7,062		 2023
£
13,165
60,917
10,501
6,962
36,896 91,545

9 Reconciliation of Movement in Funds

Balance at
1st
September Balance at 31st
2023 Income Expenditure Transfers August 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted Funds - 379,070 (382,840) 3,770 -
Unrestricted Funds - Designated 56,761 79,094 (47,778) (13,770) 74,307
- Reserves 120,000 - - 10,000 130,000
_ _ _ _ _
176,761
_		 458,164
_		 (430,618)
_		 -
_		 204,307
_

Page 20

LEWISHAM YOUTH THEATRE LTD

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st August 2024

The above funds comprise:

Reserves: these are monies representing approximately 4 months of overall budget costs in the 23-24 year, which can be used by the Trustees at their discretion for any purpose and which have not been designated by them previously.

Designated Fund: are monies the Trustees have allocated to projects moving forward, which will be released for use in the 2024/25 operational budgets

Transfer of any remaining funds between restricted and unrestricted general has been made following successful completion of projects to the satisfaction of funders in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the charity.

10 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds

Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds:
Designated
Reserves		 Net Current
Assets
Fixed Assets
Total 2024
Total 2023
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
74,307
-
74,307
56,761
130,000
-
130,000
120,000
204,307
-
204,307
176,761

11 TRUSTEES

No trustee received remuneration for services provided to, or reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of, the company while a trustee/director during the year.

No trustee resigned in the year and took paid employment with the company

Page 21

ANNUAL REVIEW 2023/24

Empowering Young Voices Since 1987

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

While navigating the structural changes of a new premises and new leadership structure, LYT have spent the last year building new programmes to place young people at the centre of our artistic practice.

We’ve continued to support early career artists to develop their own work through the Hatch programme, while providing training and paid work experience for young directors, facilitators, producers and technicians. Over the year, Hatch artists produced a festival of their new work, directed performances of younger groups and supported our events as technicians. See a trailer of their work here: https://youtu.be/HB0XmYQlpxs

Our Members’ Committee have been busy making a difference locally by consulting on local strategies, helping to design our new Creative Hub, interviewing new staff and hosting social action events, including at London City Hall. See the video they made here : https://youtu.be/bIefd2BlOnE

Members have helped to define the pillars of our new strategy, articulating the benefit that a youth-led creative hub brings to participants, creatives and the local community.

Hatch Festival

Find out more about what we’ve delivered and how we’ve achieve against these pillars.

Victoria Shaskan CEO

----- Start of picture text -----
Youth Summit
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“We’ve seen a huge change in ability to communicate clearly with confidence and better able to self-regulate when challenges happen.” -Referral Partner

“I’ve built a community of friends and been able to creatively express myself.” - 15-18s Performer

"Because of LYT, I have had the best few months of my life. Last night, I was up until 3am crying because I was scared that I would never get to see you guys again.” – 8-11s performer

Live it Down

Cosimo Remix

YEAR IN NUMBERS

Festival of Short Scenes

“It was a proud moment for me as a parent to see him up there performing. He’s naturally shy and quiet but being part of LYT is helping in his confidence and making friends” – Parent, Junior 12-14s performers

Next Steps for:

----- Start of picture text -----
Forever and Always
----- End of picture text -----

Eli won second place at the Roundhouse Poetry Slam 2024.

NEW ARTISTIC JOURNEY

“Seeing everything you've said in the past couple of weeks [written down] right in front of us, it made it seem possible to achieve anything else…It has also inspired me to continue some of my own writing projects.” -15-18s Theatre Maker

We’ve embarked on a 3-year journey to develop 3 new plays, based on the same group of characters at different ages. Young writers aged 10-19 came together over the year to develop themes, characters and one of the new scripts – Forever and Always.

DELIVERING AGAINST OUR STRATEGIC PILLARS

Pillar 1 – Personal & Creative Growth

“We’re a place where young people can evolve. It’s like a flower blooming in a thunderstorm. It’s all about finding yourself”

Juniors 8-12s

88 aged 8-12, 4 peer mentors aged 13-15 and 4 Graduate Creatives aged 18-25 engaged in 62 sessions across 4 session groups. In June, the Junior performance companies devised Cosimo Re-mixed and Secondary Skool z, both exploring themes around transition from primary to secondary school.

Participation Indicators

108 young people performed, worked backstage in productions or delivered their own workshops. 588 audience members attended 8 youth theatre performances.

79% of this years’ participants disclosed significant disadvantage, across a range of needs.

Senior Theatre Makers

Juniors 12-14s

67 aged 12-14, 1 peer mentor aged 16 and 7 Graduate Creatives aged 18-25 engaged in 40 sessions across 4 session groups.

In August, the performance company presented 3 adapted scenes at the Festival of Short Scenes supported by 3 young directors in training. The Junior devising company shared a scratch performance with friends and families, exploring themes around grief & identity.

Seniors 14-21s

38 aged 14-18 engaged in 41 sessions across 3 session groups.

Alongside the Juniors, the Senior performance company presented 3 adapted scenes at the Festival of Short Scenes in August, supported by 3 more young directors.

Wrote and performed a staged reading of Forever and Always , part of a series of plays

following the same characters at different stages of their youth.

“I have more confidence. It has allowed me to become a role model.” – 8-11s performer

“It has showed me that I'm not as alone as I thought I was at the start of the project.” – 14-21 theatre maker

94% of participants in sustained projects have taken part in 3 or more sessions.

83% of participants in sustained projects have completed their project. 49% of ‘workshop’ project participants went on to join a next step performance project within the year.

----- Start of picture text -----
Tech Crew
----- End of picture text -----

Technical Theatre

30 aged 11-17 engaged in 35 sessions across 4 session groups.

12 young people aged 13-17 going on to assist productions as tech crew.

“I am so happy he has been able to join LYT and stick with it. LYT provides a breath of fresh air so he Feeliing creative & Keeeping in touch can get out of the hotel (temporary accommodation)” 5 young people on the CAMHS waiting list aged - Parents, Backstage Theatre

5 young people on the CAMHS waiting list aged 11-15 engaged in 5 sessions. 23 vulnerable participants aged 8-18 engaged in 3 sessions, to support them re-engage at LYT.

----- Start of picture text -----
Cosimo Remix
----- End of picture text -----

They worked to improve their confidence, social and relationship skills linked to improved mental health and wellbeing through fun and engaging drama and creative games.

“I was able to express my emotions without having to talk about them… I learned how to respect people's boundaries more” -Creative Wellbeing session participants

outreach

32 one-off drama & technical theatre sessions in schools & community settings reaching 567 participants aged 7-19.

“Thank you so much to LYT for their workshop, they made the activities fun, energetic and enjoyable. The pupils relaxed and participated unreservedly. Thank you for the high-energy activities. We will be sending [more] young people to you” -Action for Refugees In Lewisham (AFRIL)

Social/Emotional Skills

97% of all evaluation respondents reported a significant increase in at least one social/emotional skill (confidence, teamwork, communication and emotional literacy).

Creative Skills & Resilience

80% reported an increase in their creative skills.

88% indicated an increase in resilience.

Secondary Skoolz

Pillar 2 – Community Change-Makers

“We both give to and receive from our community. We allow young people to have a voice and through this process are lifted up to a higher social level.”

– Members’ Committee

Peer Mentor training: A new project that trains young people aged 12-17 to become peer mentors for LYT’s core performance projects. Training sessions were held during the October half term. 9 Peer Mentors supported younger group on projects from January-August.

“It has changed me as a person to lead a big group… It exploded my knowledge and confidence… It changes me massively in terms of confidence, bravery, friendship.”

- Peer Mentors

Members Committee and My London Youth

Social Action: 40 participants helped to design LYT’s new premises, interviewed freelance & permanent staff, and produced events, including a leaving party for our outgoing Artistic Director, the launch of the new Creative Hub and the My London Super Summit at London City Hall.

Rainbow Criteria: in collaboration with METRO Charity, Members’ Committee created the Rainbow Criteria, an accreditation to recognise public spaces that have made a commitment to being a safe environment for LGBTQIA+ young people.

----- Start of picture text -----
Youth Summit
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Youth Summit
----- End of picture text -----

Case for S.P.A.C.E. consultations: Advocated for more youth-led spaces in Lewisham, Members’ Committee ran a campaign for Switching Perceptions and Creating Environments. They fed into consultations on local built environment, Lewisham Library re-development, Lewisham Links green & blue spaces consultation, and youth service review. Alongside the Young Mayor’s Team, they fed their insight into the Lewisham Cultural and Educational Partnership.

"We were so pleased to be able to work with LYT's Members' Committee…Their contributions were deep, thoughtful and critical.They helped us to think about how engaging young people in meaningful and creative ways has an important role in the shaping of cities at a design and strategic level."

- Periscope, Lewisham Town Centre Consultation Partner

Strategy Development: Member’s Committee helped to develop our new strategic plan, including by attending an away-weekend in September to Macaroni Woods in Gloucester.

Leadership

Pillar 3 – Creative Careers

----- Start of picture text -----
Festival of Short Scenes
----- End of picture text -----

“We’re inspiring young people to acquire skills, to learn about and choose their pathway in life” – Members’ Committee

Hatch Graduate Creative programmes

We delivered dedicated training, mentoring, paid placements and commissions for early career artists in youth arts facilitation, theatre directing and theatre making. We delivered:

“Students were actively engaged… Students were also able to selfreflect throughout the workshop and envision positive changes to their approach in learning. Thanks for your intervention.” – Teacher, Live It Down Tour

Qualifications & Accreditations

15 aged 12-14 took part in 9 sessions to work towards a Bronze-level Arts Award Qualification. 11 young people completed the Bronze Arts Award qualification.

We also offered 20 AQA accreditations as part of the Hatch Facilitator and My London programmes.

28 participants aged 16-27 received dedicated training and paid work experience, gaining employability skills.

“Really happy to see young directors being supported alongside the kids. A really important and practical early career opportunity for them.” – Partner, Arts Council England

Masterclasses

135 aged 8-25 engaged in 12 masterclasses

Including a Creative Forum with Dani Mosely and Adjani Salmon - actors and writers of BBC series Dreaming Whilst Black ; a music and dance performance by Patrice Naiambana; and a masterclass with actress and BAFTA award winning Gbemisola Ikumelo.

17 young people received support to access next steps at LYT and beyond.

91% participants indicated an increase in ambition. 53% said they had significantly improved in ‘knowing what I want and working to achieve it’.

See Theatre

136 aged 12-25 attended 14 performances or tours across London’s theatres.

Including a backstage tour of Les Miserables , and a performance of Hamilton .

110 young people engaged in 24 interactions with professional theatre companies. including trips to see theatre, backstage tours, masterclasses and panel discussions with industry professionals.

Pillar 4: Creative Ecosystem

“We’re breathing life into local creative ability, giving creatives a place to go, collaborating with our neighbours and reviving creativity in our services.” – Members’ Committee

Sharing our Creative Hub: Over the year, 656 community members & young people attended 12 performances & events at the Creative Hub. As well as our own performances, we hosted:

Volunteering: This year, 22 volunteers and placement students gave up their time to support on our projects. In addition, we’d like to give a special thank you to M&G, and the 9 members of their team who came to support us to improve our new building.

----- Start of picture text -----
Workshop for
Goldsmith College Arts Management Students
----- End of picture text -----

Training & Exchanges: We have exchanged with partners to highlight our own work, while supporting a wider adoption of quality youth-led practice. Activity included delivering:

- Embedding Youth-Led Social Action Workshops: LYT participants led workshops for the GLA’s Civil Society & Sport: Securing A Fairer Future conference at London City Hall and as part of Lewisham’s SEEN Festival.

- Youth-led practice in Arts Management: Workshop for Goldsmith’s Arts Management students.

- Hatching a Creative Journey: As part of the SEEN Festival , our commissioned artists led a workshop on producing your own creative work.

My London Partnership: LYT culminated leading this project to seed social action across Lewisham and Greenwich alongside partners Charlton Athletic Community Trust, Metro Charity, Tramshed and Trinity Laban. The Youth Steering Group, made up of participants from 7 partner organisations, held a campaign fair and Q&A at City Hall.

“LYT’s focus on centring the experiences of young people is innovative and embedded in their organisation's way of working, and they work creatively to go far beyond simply consulting young people.” - Greater London Authority Officer

Organisational Developments

Staff

In the last year, we welcomed new staff and embraced new changes...

We welcomed staff member Filiz Ozcan as Creative Director, a new role working with Victoria Shaskan in the role of CEO, to drive forward the vision for a Creative Hub, centring youth voices at all levels.

Re-accredited with a London Youth Bronze Quality Mark, a quality assurance scheme accredited by City & Guilds.

We’d like to thank Pauline Nakirya Papayova who served as Interim Participation Manager, whilst we recruited permanently for this post.

We also welcomed Molly Cox as Senior Producer, following her success as My London Manager; Jess Drader as Participation Manager; Dean Coffey as Participation Assistant and Raphael Ameyinoge as Hatch Assistant Producer.

Premises Changes

In December 2023, we moved into a new building at 436 Lewisham High Street.

Drawing on our experience in the previous unit, we worked with our Members’ Committee to design the new space. In 2024, we worked with local partners including Youth Build and Public Works architects to return this disused space to vibrant community use.

This year, we said goodbye to long-time Artistic Director Helen Stanley, Monique Uwiragiye and Subira Damali as they pursue freelance careers. We also said goodbye to Angus Scott-Miller, who has moved on to Catch 22 as the Young Men’s Project Coordinator.

Board Changes: Our Council of Management (Board of Trustees) welcomed new members Louise Gordon, Creative Consultant at NSPCC and Ian Paish, Head Teacher at Deptford Green.

We thank Edison Huyhn, Ed King and Tom Toomse-Smith who are stepping down from the Board due to external commitments.

Our new Creative Hub

Our new Creative Hub

Plans for Future Periods

New Leadership Structure

In September 2024, Filiz Ozcan left LYT to continue her work at her own theatre company Komala Collective.

We welcomed a new Creative Director, Sara Myers. Sara has a long background in Social Care, where she managed youth, domestic violence and drug/alcohol programmes. More recently, she has worked as a freelance writer, dramaturg, director, applied theatre practitioner, and is a mentored writer with Paines Plough.

Sara will help us to solidify our learning from the last several years, bringing our creative career development programmes under the banner of H.A.T.C.H – Home of Artistic Talent and Creative Horizons.

----- Start of picture text -----
Sara Myers
----- End of picture text -----

“I am so excited to spearhead an organisation bursting with youth creativity and voice. I can't wait to get started on this year's groundbreaking creative programme."

- Sara Myers, Creative Director

In her new role as Senior Producer, Molly Cox will particularly grow our impact in the local community through our Creative Ecosystem strategic pillar.

Together with our CEO Victoria Shaskan, they will lead our team to ensure our organisational values of collaboration and care are embedded at every level of the organisation.

New Scripts-In-Development

We will continue the development of the Forever & Always triptych – 3 plays written by participants about the same group of friends at ages 11, 14 and 18.

New Strategic Plan

“Very brave and honest work…It's important to have fresh new ideas displayed on stage, so everyone can experience at least one story they relate to.” – Hatch Festival Audience members

We will continue to work with our participants, team and Board to develop our understanding of our new strategic pillars.

Led by our participants, we will articulate our plans for developing this work in an innovative and creative format.

Our Finances

----- Start of picture text -----
5 7 2 3
4 2.5% 0.8% 7.8% 1.2%
3.7%
1
36%
3
24.4%
Income Expenditure
£458,164 £430,618
2 1
30.3% 91%
1 Trust & Foundation Grants £165,163 1 Direct Charitable Activities £391,750
2 Lottery Funding £139,007 2 Support Costs £33,578
149006149006150163
3 Statutory Grants £111,900 3 Governance £5290
4 In Kind Rent & Legal Costs £17,032 Total £430,618
149006149006150163
5 Partnership & Commissions £11,622
6 Individual & Coorporate Donors £9825 Balance of Funds at 31 Aug 2024
7 Bank Interest £3615 -
Restricted Funds
Total £458,164 Unrestricted Reserves149006149006150163 £130,000
Unrestricted (For Projects) £74,307
Our work this year was made possible by grants Total £204,307
----- End of picture text -----

Our work this year was made possible by grants and donations from: Arts Council England, Audience Club, City Bridge Foundation, Children in Need, Garfield Weston, Greater London Authority, Haberdashers Benevolent Fund, Henry Smith Charity, Hillcote Trust, Jack Petchy Foundation, Lee Charity of William Hatcliffe, London Borough of Lewisham, Lewisham Safer Communities, Lewisham Local, London Youth, National Lottery Community Fund, People’s Society Trust, Percy Bilton Charity, Royal Free London NHS Foundation, Skinners’ Charity Foundation, The Grocers Charity and UKSPF.

We would also like to thank our individual donors for investing in the wellbeing of Lewisham young people: Lucy Faulks, Jonathon Cox, Jamiel Thomas, Tom Toomse-Smith, Ian Jamieson, Dani Moseley, Nick Heard, Jeffrey Stella, Liz Downie, Nitya Bolam and the families and supporters who donated across the year.

If you would like to find out more about how you can help make a difference for Lewisham young people, contact us at

info@lewishamyouththeatre.com

Festival of Short Scenes

Thanks

We’d like to thank all those who have supported on LYT projects during 2023/24

Special thanks to: Mayor Brenda Dacres, Cllrs Edison Huynh and Hau-Yu Tam, James Lee, Sakthi Suriyaprakasam, Nancy Stridgen and Susan Ellis (Lewisham Council), Barnaby Smith (GLA), Phil Brady, Tom Dobson (Public Works), Sita McIntosh (Inclusive Audiences), Mana Gondora (Children in Care Council), Youth Build, Teatro Vivo, The Audience Club, SMASHFest UK, METRO Charity, Charlton Athletic Community Trust, Tramshed, Young Mayor’s Team, Trinity Laban, The Broadway, Langley Search & Interim, Lewisham BRAG, Pilot Theatre and Wimbledon Arts College.

Referral Partners: Action for Refugees in Lewisham, Baseline, Bromley Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service, CAMHS, Children in Care, DreamArts, Free to be Kids, Grand Mentors, Lewisham Early Intervention Team, Redthread Youth Ltd., Refugee Council, SLAM, Special Guardianship Support Team, Youth First, Volunteering Matters.

Local Primary Schools: Athelney, Holbeach, Holy Cross, John Stainer, Lancelot, New Woodlands, St Mary's CE and St. Saviours R.C, Rushey Green.

Local Secondary Schools: Bonus Pastor, Deptford Green, Forest Hill Boys, Hatcham College, Knights Academy, New Woodlands, Prendergast Vale, Sedgehill Academy and Sydenham Girls. Advisory Board: Jane Wilson (Clinical Psychologist).

LYT Core Team: Victoria Shaskan (CEO), Helen Stanley (Former Artistic Director), Filiz Ozcan (Creative Director), Molly Cox (Senior Producer), Angus Scott-Miller (Former Participation Manager), Pauline Nakirya Papayova (Interim Participation Manager), Jess Drader

(Participation Manager), Anna Smith (Production Manager), Maizy Wright (Outreach Producer), Monique Uwiragiye (Programmes Producer), Subira Damali (Progression Coordinator), Natalie Parsons (Volunteer Coordinator), Isla McGregor (Finance & Administration Coordinator) and Dean Coffey (Participation Assistant). Freelancers: Angela Ekaette Michaels, Bushra Baig, Delyth Evans, Emanuel Mendes da Silva, Hazel East, Julia Couto, Kat Gill, Louise Dickinson, Princess Bestman, Raphael Ameyinoge, Roisin Martindale, Sebastian Constantine, Tonderai Munvebvu and Tunde Euba.

Graduate Creatives: Amiga Harewood, Batanga Bokola, Danielle Colleman, Eli Gore, Izzy Ponsford, Jan Vaughan, Justice Ezi, Kayla Brown, Lulu Chaps, Matthew Moore, Nae Chettry, Pierce Duncan, Rowan Fornah, Sasha Bond and Shivonne Dominguez Blascikova. Council of Management: Genine Whitehorne (Chair), Tom Toomse-Smith (Treasurer), Mairi Hayes (Safeguarding Lead), Edison Huyhn, Ed King, Jamiel Thomas, Tyreke Leslie, Freneka Mumford, Louise Gordon and Ian Paish. Patrons: Lucian Msamati and Phaldut Sharma.

LYT Principle Supporters:

www.lewishamyouththeatre.com

Tel: 020 8318 2508 Email: info@lewishamyouththeatre.com Address: 436 Lewisham High St., London, SE13 6LJ Registered Company 2135342 Registered Charity 297075 @lewyoutheatre @lewyoutheatre /LewishamYouthTheatre company/lyt-creative-hub