2025-03-31-accounts

Word Up North Limited Charity number 501801 A company limited by guarantee number 01061343 Annual Report and Flnanclal Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

Word Up North Limited Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2025 Contents Page Trustees, report 3-16 Examiner's report 17 Statement of financial activities 18 Balance sheet 19 Notes to the accounts 20-25

Word Up North Limited Trustees, report for the year ended 31 March 2025 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Catherine Baxandall John Dignum Professor Fra nk Finlay Georgina Frieder Anita Ganeri Professor Gregory Radick Tahira Sardar Ellen Thorpe Vice Chair Mary Margaret Katherine Wright {Kitty Wright) Position Dates Special Responsibility for Finance Chair Resigned 9 Nov 2025 Resigned 15 Apr 2024 Appointed 24 Sep 2025 Appointed 18 Jun 2025 Company secretary Catherine Baxandall Charity number 501801 Registered in England and Wales Company number 01061343 Registered in England and Wales Reglstered and princlpal address Bankers HSBC I Well Croft Shipley BD18 3QH nd 2 Floor Offices, Fairfax House, 38, The Grove, Ilkley Yorkshire L529 9EE Independent examlner Alan Dodd FCCA West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LSIO 2QW Structure, governance and management The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 12 July 1972. The Charitable Company was known as I Ikley Literature Festival Lim ited until 11 April 2023. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of th Association as amended on 11 April 2023. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound UP Is limited to a sum not exceeding £1. The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law.

Word Up North Limited Trustees, report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the charitvs financial statements for year ending 31st March 2025; these are also prepared to meet the Companies Act requirements for a directors, report and accounts. 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 IFRS 1021 (effective l January 2019). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Purpose and Alms Our charitable purposes as set out in the objects contained in the Memorandum and Articles of Association are: To foster and promote the maintenance, improvement and development of artistic taste and knowledge and the understanding and appreciation of literature and the other arts amongst the general public. The strategic aims of our charity are to provide access to cultural experiences and creative activities that open minds, inspire curiosity, increase empathy and improve communication. We do this by: Encouraging and inspiring enthusiasm for books, words, reading and writing by providing opportunities for all readers- avid and reluctant- to meet, hear, and learn from the finest contemporary writers, poets and performers. Actively supporting professional and emerging writers, providing platforms on which to present their work, advance their professional development and reach new audiences. Delivering accessible, inspiring and relevant artistic, cultural and educational experiences to our local communities. Stimulating children and young people's creativity by encouraging a love of words and stories, and providing opportunities for them to discover, learn, create and share diverse experiences through writing and reading, Taking advantage of our geographic location to act as a cultural bridge between artists and audiences living in Yorkshire's urban cities and those living in it5 rural towns and villages.

MAIN ACTIVITIES We deliver our purpose through four main areas of activities: New Writing and Talent Development; Live Literature Events; Creative Communities; and Children and Young People. Activities delivered during 2024/25 included: New Writing and Talent Development New Northern Poets talent development programme in partnership with University of Leeds. Nature Writer in Residence project in partnership with the National Trust Brimham Rocks. Dedicated Poetry Day at Ilkley Literature Festival 2024, including workshops, showcases and networking sessions. Key partner of the 2024 Sl Leeds Literary Prize for unpublished novels by Black and Asian women. Creative writing and professional development workshops for writers. Bursary Places offered to applicants who would otherwise not participate due to financial limitations. Children & Young People Keighley Young Wrlters weekly creative writing sessions for young people aged 12-18 led by professional writer Shabnam Ahsan. Weekly Story Explorer creative reading and writing sessions at Keighley Library for children aged 7-12, 'Brid8e' poetry and visual art project with young people in Lawkholme and Showfield areas of Keighley, in partnership with Keighley Youth Service. Creatlve Communities Continuing development of Word on the Street, a community engagement programme utilising a hyperlocal Asset Based Community Development approach in six areas of Keighley. Word Out- a series of workshops developing creative expression with adults with learning disabilities and autism, delivered in partnership with Outside the Box, Ilklev. Llve Llterature Events Proqramme The October festival involved 117 writers taking part in 99 in-person events, 13 live-streamed events, 9 workshops and 7 children's events. Over 13,800 tickets were sold. This year's Settee Seminars series was a three-part Spin-off, 'Translators on Translation,, presented in partnership with the John Dryden Translation Competition and the Centre for World Literatures at the University of Leeds. Public benefit In shaping our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Comm ission's guidance on public benefit in managing the activities of the charity, including the guidance on public benefit and fee charging. In setting the level of fees, charges and concessions, the Trustees consider the accessibility of events and participatory activities for those on low incomes, offering concessions for children and young people under 25, students, and people in receipt of disability and unemployment benefits or support. Established community groups and schools are eligible for group concessions with free places for group leaders. In 2024/25, fully funded places were made available for free across a range of writing development initiatives to emerging northern writers from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the cultural sector.

Contribution made by volunteers 57 volunteers supported the running of our Live Literature events programme in 2024. We were also joined by 20 student volunteers from Ilkley Grammar School, aged 16-18, who assisted at with a range of events, including interviewing authors. In addition, a small group of office-based volunteers supported the year-round administration of our membership schemes and helped to mail out festival brochures. The total contribution of all volunteer hours was 783. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE New Wrltlng and Tolent Development 2024 New Northern Poets NNP A professional skills development programme for six new rising talents from the North of England, particularly those from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the cultural sector. The selected 2024 poets were Melanie Banim, Holly Bars, Mike Farren, lan Harker, Sheena Hussain and Claire Lynn. The programme aims to support new and emerging poetry talent by providing opportunities for poets to improve their practice, receive advice from professionaSs and join a network of poets on similar paths to help grow their confidence and experience. Each New Northern Poet received one-to-one mentoring sessions with a poet from the University of Leeds Poetry Centre. Mentors included Matt Howard, John Whale, Jess Richards & Zaffar Kunial. The mentors helped the poets work on a piece they performed at the NNP Showcase as part of ILF 2024. Participants received a Poetry Delegate Package, profile building opportunities, the opportunity to attend events and workshops for free during the festival and deliver a commission; host a New Northern Poets Podcast, online workshop or a poetry reading group. "It was actuolly quite a surreal experience. I honestlyfelt a little like a poetry celebl It wos incredible. -Holly Bars "It's been fantastic joining myfamily of other new northern poets, it really doe5feel like stepping into a network, we hove oll got to know each other andfind out about each other's projects and look at the worldfrom different perspectives as well. It's been an absolutely enrichino experience. -lan Harker he Showcase at the CF Centre with o packed audience was ¢7 real confidence boosterfor me. It empowered me (7nd renewed my belief that l am (7 poet." -Sheena Hussain National Trust Brimham Rocks Nature Writer in Residence Working in partnership with the National Trust at Brimham Rocks we provided a 6-month nature writing residency. 25 northern writers applied for the role with Leeds-based poet Natalie Anastasia Davies being appointed.

Natalie undertook research to produce a poetry commission inspired by the Brimham Rocks site. A reading of the final piece was filmed on site and a printed version was made available to the public to view/read in the exhibition room at Brimham Rocks. The project gained significant coverage in local, regional and national press outlets. 2024 51 Leeds Litera Prize The Sl Leeds Literary Prize is a biennial event for unpublished fiction by UK-based Black and Asian women. We worked with Prize Director Fiona Goh and fellow key partners, Peepal Tree Press and Sl Leeds, to promote and present the online announcement of the 2024 Prize. The digital event was premiered via YouTube on 13 November and featured readings from all six shortlisted writers. 2024 Prize result5: I" Prize and Reader's Choice award,. Maeve Clarke for Trapped Between Two Worlds 2, Prize: Arathi Menon for Da 3, Prize,. Jac Shreeves-Lee for The House that Jack Built and other stories Poet Da at Ilkle Literature Festival 2024 On Sunday 13 October we delivered a day of poetry events and activities. This included three workshops from Peter Sansom, Amanda Dalton & Jess Richards,. one Poetry Corner Reading Group hosted by New Northern Poets Sheena Hussain & Holly Bar5; four poetry showcases With a total of 24 contributors and a poetry networking session. The Poetry Day was a success in developing engaged audiences for poetry events and creating a poetry community/network at the festival. There was a great atmosphere throughout, with 100 more tickets purchased than the previous year. Creative writin and rofessional develo ment worksho Our Autumn festival included nine workshops covering poetry, fiction writing and professional practice for writers. Workshop leaders included published fiction writers Monique Roffey, Saima Mir and Sarah Brooks, acclaimed poetry tutor Peter San50m and Jess Richards Playwright and essayist Amanda Dalton, award-winning Raymond Antrobus, Editor Consultant and former Senior Commissioning Editor, Zoe Berville also hosted se55ions. We delivered a free-to-attend workshop for unsuccessful applicants to our New Northern Poet programme. This was hosted by poet and author, Rachel Bower focusing on developing and editing work. It was such o warm group, and they all seemed to really volue the opportunity to develop their work, - Rachel Bower One-to-one sessions Poet John Whale- editor of Stand magazine and Director of the University of Leed5 Poetry Centre provided five one- to-one sessions offering professional feedback and editorial advice on participants work. Bursa Places Across the festival, 21 bursary places were given to applicants who would otherwise not have been able to attend due to financial limitations.

Children & Young People Sto lorer Grou Kei hle Libra The group regularly attracts 14 young people aged 7-12 years. The Autumn term focused on a book by a children's author appearing at ILF 2024, Sam Copeland. This linked the children and their families to the festival, creating opportunities for greater engagement and learning. The children and their families145 pax) attended the event and a VIP tea party where they had their book signed by the author, free of charge. We launched a mini project called Doodle Diaries alongside our regular activlty. The project was designed and led by Ellie W., an 18-year-old young person from Keighley. With our support Ellie successfully secured project funding of £1325 from The Leap. Work to create a 'doodle diary, booklet, which will be shared by three Keighley schools and the library, began in January 2025 and will See completion in the next financial year. Youn Writers Grou Kei hle Libra Over the year, we welcomed an average of eight young writers aged 12-16 each week, There was a sharing session held for family and friends at Keighley Creative on 4 December. Additionally, there were three guest writer sessions: Poet and creative practitioner Chris Singleton supported them with a performance poetry workshop prior to the end of term Showcase to help develop their confidence and presentation skills. Bradford-born actres5 and screenwriter Jessica Knappett delivered an inspirational session provid ing insight into the proce55 of screenwriting. Charles Humphreys from The Unit ran a practical workshop on turning prose and fiction writing into screenplays and how to structure and format work for tv and film. Showfield and Lawkholme 'Brid e, Pro ect We worked with Sangat Centre Youth Service in Keighley to raise pride and aspirations in areas of the town in which young people are identified as being at risk of involvement in organised crime. Working with local spoken word artist Wilko Wilkes, 15 young people aged 14-17 explored what their neighbourhood means to them in words. They then worked with community-focused visual artist Emma Denby to translate this work into a mural painted onto a local railway bridge. Children's Da at Ilkle Literature Festival A full day of events for children was planned for Sunday 20th October at Clarke Foley Centre. This included four author talks. Sam Copeland & Sophie Kirtley's took place as planned. Rachel Morrisroe was scheduled to deliver two events but sadly had to cancel due to illness. There were two free to attend drop-in sessions. One run by Maddie Coelho of Story Bees, which focused on autumnal activities and a range of picture books. The other was hosted by Marianne Matusz, a local practitioner who focused on storytelling and mysteries. Both drop-in sessions were incredibly busy, particularly due to the cancellation of Rachel's event. At one point there were 70 people (children & adults) in a session. The day also included a face painter for young children and a dedicated space for BSL one-to- one teaching. We also welcomed children's author Kate Pankhurst at the King's Hall on Sat 19th October.

Creative Communities Word on the Street Following the successful launch of Word on the Street in early 2024, we continued to engage with the same six hyperlocal community groups over the 2024125 year. This allowed us to further deepen our connections with these neighbourhoods and implement learning from the first year of the project. Our Programme Manager for Young People and Communities is embedded within Bradford Metropolitan District Council's Keighley Neighbourhood Team one day a week. Working alongside the Ward Officers, we explored new ways to employ creative activities to support and enhance the Neighbourhood Team's day-to-day community engagement work and share, knowledge, skills and networks. We undertook a range of creative consultations, inputted into local planning committees, and helped secure creative activities that will support Keighley communities in realising their own vision for local celebrations of Bradford UK City of Culture in summer 2025. Outside The Box Outside The Box is a local charity that supports adults with disabilities and special educationa I needs in the Bradford district. Working with them, we delivered five sessions for their members that allowed them to experiment with creative expression via poetry, spoken word, music and visual art. Creative workshop leader and neurodivergent poet Chris Singleton supported them to create their own performance poetry pieces. These were shared before an audience of around 30 friends, family and other supporters during ILF 2024. Llve and Online Literature Events 2024 Ilkle Literature Festival The annual Ilkley Literature Festival took place 4-20 October 2024. The programme comprised of 112 ticketed events, 99 were in-person and 13 were live-streamed. Additionally, there were nine workshops and 8 children's events, including one for primary schools. A total of 13,834 tickets were sold, The average house capacity for in person events was 78Yo, a 7% increase from 2023. 38 in person events sold out {seven more than 20231. The festival programme was as varied and wide ranging as ever. The diverse themes wove across fiction, non-fiction and poetry event5. These included 'Democracies in Dangers? Murder, They Wrote,, 'In Verse,, 'A Matter of Taste,, 'Legacies', 'Explore Moor: Nurturing Nature,, 'Ethics & Technology, and 'Shaking up Shakespeare,. Highlights included interviews, talks and readings from novelists Kate Atkinson, Jodi Picoult, Monique Roffey, Wenyan Lu, Janice Hallett, Andrew Mcmillan, Saima Mir, Eleni Kyriacou, Andrew Michael Hurley, Elizabeth Macneal, Richard Morton Jack and Colin Grant,. poets Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay, Raymond Antrobus, Amanda Dalton, Matt Howard, Sarah Holland-Batt and Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa; politicians and journalists Theresa May, Sir Graham Brady, Caroline Lucas, Gabriel Gatehouse, Aamna Mohdin, Alan Johnson, Polly Toynbee and Paul Caruana Galizia; historians Linda Porter, Sophie Shorland, Stephen Alford and David Kynaston, Director of the Museum of Music History Kate Kennedy and other specialists including architect Laura Jane Clark, former UK diplomat Dr Samir Puri, leading international human rights lawyer and digital rights pioneer Susie Alegre, space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock,

ultrarunner Allie Bailey and Europe's leading futurist Patrick Dixon. Audience satisfaction levels matched previous years, with 93Yo of survey respondents rating the quality of events as 'very good, or'good, and 90% rating the overall experience as 'very good, or 'good'. 94% of respondents were likely to recommend the festival to family or friends, with 76¥0 'extremely likely,. Sample audience feedback: o oll the team at Ilkley Literature Festival, I wonted to write to thank youfor your support during my booking ond my attendance at the recent Patrick Grant event... From booking my tickets, where extra core was taken so I would be in a seat that cateredfor my long-term anxiety condition, I knew that the festivol team took accessibilityfor mental health issues seriously... I was able to sit ond listen to the event in o space thatfelt comfortable to me and a member of your team assisted me to be able to access the book signing queue with myfriend. I cannot praise your staff highly enough for the compassionate response andfor moking mefeel so looked after., 'Thanksfor accommodating u5 yesterday - really impressed by the event and the lovely stoffl The sCQUt5 certainly enjoyed meeting Gyles too I, West Yorkshire Scouts 'It's a great eventfor the town and team ILF- well donefor running this so well, '1 watched 2 live streaming events. l enjoyed both the live streaming events - thank you, We've been attending since we moved to Ilkley 4 years ago - really enjoyed all the event5 and talks we've been to., 117 professional writers, poets and performers took part in ILF 2024. 26% featured writers with protected characteristics. 17% of writers taking part in ticketed events were Black/Black British, Asian/British Asian, of dual heritage or other ethnic background. 6% of the programme included professional writers identifying as disabled or neurodiverse. Sample author/participant feedback: "Firstly, thonk you both so much for your PGtience, help and support on myfirst sharing of 'Cone, Corn & Gully.. The Show,. This is something I have wanted to do since the book wa5 published and hoving the opportunity to try new things has given me a boost of confidence. Also, please pass on my thonks to the stuff, and the hospitality was some of the best I have experienced. I will remember this for o long time." - Safiya Kinshasa, choreopoet and author of Cane, Corn & Gully "The Ilkley Literature Festival is the first Harold Wilson event I've done in the great man's home county, My wife drove me there on a wet Sunday morning to Speak to a packed-out audience offive hundred in the magnificent King's Hall opposite the station. Ilkley 15 one of the biogest bookfestivals in the country with over 90 event5. It's also one of the best." - Alan Johnson, Former Labour MP and Home Secretary and author of Harold Wilson "Thank you so much to you ond oll your team for inviting me and pulling off such a lovely event. I really enjoyed every bit of it... Please thank everyone else involved. I didn't want to write another book but now I do so that I con come again. Ned Palmer, cheese expert and author of A Cheesemongerfs four de France °Thanks to you & your team at the eventfor oll their hard work which made our job easier. They were a lovely responsive audience which mode it o real pleasure to be in Ilkley again for your wonderful Festival. I really enjoyed the event on Sunday with such a wonderful audience and a very good backstage team." John Sampson, multi-instrumentalist and long-time collaborator with Carol Ann Duffy 10

"Most importantly, thonk you so much for having me again at the Festival, which is always one of myfavourites." Susie Dent, Countdown's lexicographer, etymologist and author. Settee Seminars Podcast Series The latest season of Settee Seminars was a three-part spin-off series. 'Translators on Translation, was presented in partnership with the John Dryden Translation Competition and the Centre for World Literatures at the University of Leeds. For each episode, an academic from the Centre for World Literature at the University of Leeds interviewed one of the competition winners. They discussed their process, choice of text and why their translation was recognized by the competition. The series includes contributors Antonella Lettieri l First Prize) in conversation with Olivia Santovetti (Associate Professor of Italian); Naomi Mottram (Second Prize) in conversation with Sarah Hudspith (Associate Professor of Russian),. David Mccallam (Third Prize} in conversation Richard Hibbitt (Senior Lecturer French & Comparative Literature). Major Projects BBC Contains Stron Lan ua e: Bradford 2025 In May 2024, Word Up North was invited to partner with the BBC and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture to produce the 2025 edition of BBC Contains Strong Language, a festival of contemporary poetry and spoken word commissions, performances and participatory events, Word Up North submitted a Major Projects Grant funding application on behalf of the partnership in September 2024 and were notified the application had been successful in December of the same year. Work began in January 2025 on delivery of the two linked strands of the project: 11 a 4-day poetry and performance festival taking place 18-21 September 2025 with 20 contemporary poets & spoken-word artists commissioned to make new work alongside an estimated 30 hours of live/recorded broadcast on BBC Radio. 21 an extensive engagement programme running January to December 2025 delivered in partnership with a range of community organisations across the Bradford District. Word U North di ital latforms Project management of the design and development of the 'Word Up North, website continued from 2023/24 acros5 2024125 with the new site going live in January 2025 at wordupnorth.org.uk Social media platforms for Word Up North were established during the year, enabling us to communicate more fully the full range of the work we do across the areas of New Writing & Talent Development, Creative Communities, and Children & Young People. li

STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Document The governing document of the charity is the Memorandum and Articles of Association establishing the company as a company limited by guarantee under company legislation. The charity's name was changed from Ilkley Literature Festival Limited by special resolution by unanimous written consent of the trustees on l April 2023. The original Memorandum and Articles were dated 12 July 1972. The charity adopted new Articles of Association on 31 July 2013. The charity is registered in England & Wales with the Charity Commission in England & Wales ICCEWI with charity number 501801. By operation of law als trustees are directors under the Companies Act 2006 and all directors are trustees under Charities legislation and have responsibilities, as such, under both company and charity le8151ation. Our Trustees The Board of Trustees, which must number between 3 and 15 members, administers the charity. The trustees are all individuals and offer their services on a voluntary basis. The Board of Trustees meets at least four times a year with extra meetings held when necessary. The Board elects a Chair, Vice-chair, Trustee with Special Responsibility for Finance and Secretary from among the trustees. The Board of Trustees may constitute committees for specific purposes from time to time, and has constituted a standing Finance Committee, which includes the Chair and Trustee with Special Responsibility for Finance, to deal with detailed financial matters, and a 5tandin8 HR Committee, which includes the Vice-chair and deals with staffing and recruitment policies and procedures. The Finance Committee meets before each board meeting, while the HR Committee meets periodically when required. The present Board of Trustees incorporates a wide and diverse range of experience, expertise and skills nece55ary to effectively lead and manage the charity with trustees having a broad knowledge and skills base including: arts and cultural sector; law; financial strategy and risk management, and teaching and higher education. Our policy is to ensure that the Board of Trustees is representative of the diversity of West Yorkshire and the wider population of the UK and that the composition of the Board appropriately reflects the scope of our operations, and the needs of our communities, audiences and stakeholders. We aim to increase our pool of potential trustees to ensure that we deliver on this commitment and address anv skills and expertise gaps that may emerge because of retirementslresignations from the Board. We openly communicate opportunities for Board involvement and trustee recruitment and have a clear procedure for recruiting and selecting potential new trustees. Trustee Induction and Training Potential trustees are invited to attend a board meeting as an observer prior to being invited to become a trustee. New trustees meet with the Chair of the Board and receive a comprehensive induction pack that includes details of their legal obligations and duties. They are also provided with appropriate induction and training, including briefing sessions by the Senior Management Team. The Board of Trustees holds annual away days to address training needs and the charity's strategic aims. 12

Organisational Structure The Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, management and policy of the charity. The Trustees are supported in their work by the Director, who in turn manages a small staff team of between 4-6 employees. The Director works to agreed levels of delegated authority reporting to the Board of Trustees. The Director and Partnerships & Operations Director form the executive Senior Management Team. We continually monitor the organisation's structure and staffing to ensure that we have the right resources, skills and expertise to deliver our charitable objects. Pay and Remuneratlon of the Charity's Key Management Personnel The pay and remuneration of key management personnel is agreed by the Board of Trustees during the annual budgeting process. Pay is benchmarked against similarjobs in the arts and charitable sectors regionally. Wider networks Word Up North work5 closely with several key strategic partners including: The University of Leeds Cultural Institute, Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Bradford 2025, as well as publisher Peepal Tree Press and Sl Leeds International with whom Word Up North partners on a biennial literary prize for new writing by Black and Asian women. Relatlonships between the charlty and related partles The charity has a close relationship with Arts Council England and is currently part of its National Portfolio of funded organisations. The organisation nominates an observer to the Board of Trustees and provides funding to enable the charity to carry out its charitable objectives. The charity received revenue core funding grants amounting to £139,95312023-24: £139,953) from Arts Council England during the year. Relatlonshlps wlth other groups, charitles and Indlvlduals Valuable partnerships this year included the National Trust, Keighley Creative, Outside The Box, BBC, Bradford 2025, National Poetry Centre, Keighley Youth Service, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, University of Leeds Poetry Centre & Cultural Institute, Bradford Libraries, Bradford Museums and Bradford MDC Keighley Neighbourhood Team. 13

FINANCIAL REVIEW The company showed a net surplus on operations for the year of £100,488, comprising a surplus of £16,176 on unrestricted funds, and a surplus of £84,312 on restricted funds. The significant surplus on restricted funds is due to receipt in of the first instalment of an Arts Council England Major Project Grant for BBC Contains Strong Language poetry and performance festival, delivery of which is scheduled to take place January to December 2025. Princi al Fundin Sources During the year, the company's principal sources of income were grants from Arts Council England and Bradford Metropolitan District Council, sponsorship and subscriptions, and earned income from ticket sales. Grants from public bodies- DCMS/Arts Council England and Bradford Metropolitan District Council totalled £242,65312023/24: £157,913), representing 49% of total income12023124.' 44%). Grants from recurring sources totalled £154,953 (2023/24., £154,953) and non-recurring sources £101,36312023124: £7,960). In the financial year ended 31 March 2025, events income from ticket sales to live literature events and other associated income wa5 £184,82012023/24: £159,434), a significant improvement from the previous year. Reserves Polic The Trustees, policy is that the charity should have sufficient unrestricted reserves to enable it to meet its financial obligations as and when they fall due without prejudicing the ability of the charity to raise funding and commit expenditure to its objectives. The Trustees have carefully considered the financial obligations of the charity and have determined a reseNes policy that is aimed at protecting a minimum reseNe whilst managing funds to ensure that they are appropriately used to support the charity's aims. The policy is reviewed on an annual basis with the most recent review undertaken on 20 March 2024, The lower level of reserves is now set at £48,000, representing approximately three months, worth of contracted costs. The upper level is set at £65,000 representing the projected unrestricted funds that the charity requires, based on review of the budget for the forthcoming year and the risks associated with the delivery of that budget. Unrestricted reserves, excluding fixed assets, at 31 March 2025 were £66,201131 March 2024.. £50,339}. This is slightly above the target range due to improved earned income levels against budget forecast and small reductions in operational costs within the live literature programme. 14

RISK MANAGEMENT The Trustees are responsible for the charity's risk strategy and appetite and employ a formal risk management process. This includes: a n annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces; the establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review,. and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risk5 materialise. In addition, the Finance Sub-committee has been granted devolved responsibility to lead on the development and oversight of risk management strategies and procedures as a standing agenda item at its quarterly meetings. Operational risks are managed by ensurin8 robust policie5 and procedures are in place, and by appropriate training for staff and volunteers working in all relevant areas. Risks and uncertalnties facing the charlty The current period of Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Funding has been extended until March 2028. The level of this funding has remained at a standstill since 2012, whilst operating costs have risen. Added to this, the proposed spending review for DCMS creates further concern for the future. The cost of 8oods and services continue to increase, therefore, so does the demand for higher levels of pay to help meet living costs from staff and freelance contractors. Competition for funding from grant-giving bodies is exceptionally high with demand significantly outstrippin8 the amounts available. PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS We will use the relative security of the remainder of the current Art5 Council NPO funding period to establish our organisation's new brand, and to communicate our ambition and aims through an increasing diverse portfolio of engagement projects with writers, audiences, young people, and communities in the north of England. New funding streams and partnerships wlll be sought to support our development into new areas of activity. Through the delivery of Contains Strong Language, Word Up North will play a role in Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. We will build upon this project partnership with BBC Arts and Bradford 2025 to reach new and wider audiences for our work and increase the visibility and reputation of Word Up North within the cultural ecology of the north of England. 15

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently,. Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; Adhere to agreed procedures for managing conflicts of interest; 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 busines5. 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 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 charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 8overnin8 the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Charities SORP IFRS102}I, and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Flnanclal Statements and Independent Revlew In line with recommended best practice from the Charity Commission, the charitws financial statements for year ending 31 March 2025 have been subject to Independent Review and approved by a fully qualified Independent Examiner. This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 19 November 2025. Professor Frank F nla Chair of the Board, Director and Trustee Word Up North Limited 16

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Word Up North Limited

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 18 to 26.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the charitable 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 charitable 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 ('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

Since the charitable 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 ACCA which is one of the listed bodies.

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

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 records; or

2. 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

3. 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.

Signed:

Name: Alan Dodd FCCA

Relevant professional qualification or body: FCCA Date: 2 December 2025

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House, 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS102QW

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Word Up North Llmlted Statement of Flnanclal Artlvltles {including summary Income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025 Notes 2025 Unrestricted funds 2025 Restricted funds 2025 Total funds 2024 Total funds Income from: Grants and donations Contributed income Events income Young People income New writing and talent development Community Engagement Other income (2) 160,433 27,515 184,820 2,769 11,523 1,150 2,007 390,217 101,363 261,795 27,515 184,820 2,769 11,523 1,150 2,007 491,579 174,643 22,518 159,434 105 2,452 359,153 Total Income 101,363 Expendlture on: Salaries, NIC and pension Freelance staff and other staff costs Event costs Box office costs Young People costs New writing and talent development Community Costs Contributed income costs Marketin8 Costs Premises costs Administrative expenses Other overheads Depreciation Total expendlture {3) 159,819 10,953 ICM),555 11,613 7,658 12,453 9CK) 1,993 32,841 16,554 13,561 4,319 821 374,041 3,608 5,738 163,427 16,691 l(J),555 11,613 13,222 12,4S3 3,041 1,993 32,841 16,554 13,561 4,319 821 391,092 139,316 14,941 114,418 11,272 9,177 15,850 1,378 2,417 12,086 23,330 10,747 9,937 1,382 366,251 5,$64 2,141 17,051 16,176 84,312 ICM),488 {7,098) Net income / (expendlture) Transfers between funds Net movement In funds 16,176 84,312 l(X),488 (7,098) Fund balances brought forward Fund balances carrbed forward 51,295 67,471 6,098 90,410 57,393 157,881 64,492 57,393 (4} All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. 18

Word Up North Limited Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 Notes 2025 Unrestricted 2025 Restricted 2025 Total 2024 Total Fixed assets Tangible assets Total fixed assets {51 1,270 1,270 1,270 1,270 956 956 Current assets Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 16} (71 10,753 67,938 78,691 10,753 168,098 178,851 6,870 71,332 78,202 100,160 100,160 Total current assets Current Ilabllltles: amounts falling due wlthln one year Creditors and accruals Totsl current liabilities (81 12,490 12,490 9,750 22,240 22,240 21,765 21,765 Net current assets / (Ilabllltles) 66,201 90,410 156,611 56,437 Net assets 67,471 90,410 157,881 57,393 Funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds 67,471 67,471 90,410 157,881 51,295 6,098 57,393 90,410 90,410 67,471 For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company lawl acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companie5 subject to the small companies, regime and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019). The financial Statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on: Date: 11 11. 201£ Signed: f signatory: Professor Frank Finlay (Director and Trustee) 19

Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 l. Accounting policies Basis of accounting These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note{sl to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 leffective l January 20191 and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There has been no chan8e to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years. Golng concern The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. Incomlng resources All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities ISOFAI when the charity becomes entitled to the resources; it 15 more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Grants and donations Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance. Donated assets, facilities or services are valued at their estimated vaSue to the charity. This is the price that the charity estimates it would pay in the open market for equivalent items; or services and facilities of equivalent utility to the charity. Expendlture and Ilabllltles Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. Taxatlon As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from corporation tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates. 20

Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 l. Accounting policies (continued) TangSble flxed assets Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisltion. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on receipt. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows: Project and office equipment: over 4 years Computer equipment: over 3 years Penslons The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable. Fund accountlng Unrestricted fund5 are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts. Leases Rents under operating lease5 are charged on a strai8ht line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty. 21

Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2025 2. Grants and Donations 2025 Unrestricted funds 2025 Restricted funds 2025 Total funds 2024 Total funds Arts Council England Arts Council England CSL City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Leeds University- CAKE BMDC- Creative Learning BMDC- Word on the Street BMDC- K Town Sound Machine Bramhall Trust The Leap Sir George Martin Trust Leeds Community FoundationlGive Bradford Walter Swan Trust University of Leeds Ilkley Book Club Small donations Gift Aid 139,953 139,953 85,000 15,000 400 200 600 1,500 5,CK)O 663 3,000 s,000 139,953 85,000 15,000 15,000 1,960 1,000 400 200 6CM) 1,500 5,000 663 3,000 5,000 5,000 1,000 1,500 1,000 7,280 950 174,643 2,969 2,511 160,433 2,969 2,511 261,796 101,363 3. Staff costs and numbers 2025 2024 Gross salaries Social security costs Pensions 150,811 9,107 3,509 163,427 129,300 7,119 2,897 139,316 The average number of employees during the year was 5.7, being an average of 4.6 full time equivalent 12024: 5, 4.3 FTE). Freelance and other staff costs 16,691 14,941 22

Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2025 Defined contribution pension scheme 2025 2024 Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year 3,509 2,897 Balance 4. Restrirted funds b/f Incoming Outgoing Transfers Balance c/f BMDC Restart- Creative Learning BMDC- Creative learning Leeds Community Foundation/Give Bradford Arts Council England - CSL Leed5 Universlty- CAKE BMDC-ASB Prevention Work BMDC- Word on the Street BMDC- K Town Sound Machine Liz and Terry 8ramhall Trust The Leap Sir Geor8e Martin Trust 1,595 1,000 11,595) 18051 195 3,504 5,000 85,000 400 200 600 1,500 5,000 663 3,000 101,363 (3,164) 18,946) (4001 5,340 76,054 200 600 11,500) 5,000 663 2,359 90,411 16411 {17,0511 6,099 Fund name Purpose of restrlrtion BMDC Restart- Creative Learning For development of year-round programme for children and young people BMDC- Creative learning Grant fundin8 to support Creative Learning activities Leeds Community Foundation/Give Bradford Arts Council England - CSL Leeds University- CAKE Manjit Wolstenholme Trust grant funding for Keighley Young Writers Contains Strong Language ICSLI 2025 festival of poetry and performance Participation in Creative and Artistic Knowledge Exchange (CAKE) Grant funding to support youth engagement and anti-50cial behaviour prevention Grant funding to support Creative Learning activities Grant funding to support youth engagement and anti-social behaviour prevention Grant funding to support Creative Learning activities Grant funding held for young person to deliver Doodle Diaries project Grant funding to support Word on the Street (Creative Communities) BMDC- ASB Prevention Work BMDC- Word on the Street BMDC- K Town Sound Machine Liz and Terry Bramhall Trust The Leap Sir George Martin Trust 23

Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2025 5. Tangible assets Furniture and Fixtures Office Equipment Total Cost At l April 2024 Additions At 31 March 2025 25,741 870 26,611 11,694 265 11,959 37,435 1,135 38,570 De reciation At l April 2024 Charge for year At 31 March 2025 24,785 768 24,553 11,694 53 11,747 36,479 821 37,300 Net book value At 31 March 2025 1,057 212 1,270 At 31 March 2024 956 50 956 6. Debtors and prepayments 2025 2024 Debtors Prepayments 500 10,253 10,753 6,870 6,870 7. Cash at bank and In hand 2025 2024 Current account Savings account Cash in hand 165,931 130 2,037 168,098 69,229 128 1,975 71,332 8. Credltors and accruals 2025 2024 Accruals and deferred income PAYE, NI Other creditors 18,863 3,377 18,977 2,788 22,240 21,765 24

Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2025 9. Related Party Transactions Trustee expenses No trustee incurred any expenses in the performance of their duties during this year or the previous year. Trustee remuneration and benefits No trustee received any remuneration in the performance of their duties during this year or the previous year. Key management personnel The key management personnel of the charity comprises the Director and Partnerships & Operations Director. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £80,47212024: £76,508). Ilkley Literature Festival Limited {139437391 is a dormant company with Directors who are also Directors of Word Up North Limited. 10. Independent Examiner 2025 2024 Independent Examinerfs Fee 1,656 1,656 11. Operatln8 leases Expected future minimum lease payments over the remainin8 life of the lease, analysed into the period in which the commitment expires.. 2025 2024 Within one year In the second to fifth years inclusive Over five years from the balance sheet date 6,704 6,500 6,806 13,204 13,204 20,010 25

Word Up North Ltd Statement of financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expendlture account) for the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 Unrestricted funds 2024 Unrestricted funds 2025 Restricted funds 2024 Restricted funds 2025 Total funds 2024 Total funds Income Grants and donations Contributed Income Events income Young People income New writing and talent development Communlty income Other income Total Income 160,433 27.515 184,820 2,769 11.523 1,150 2,007 390,217 163,183 22.518 159,434 105 101,363 11.460 261,796 27,515 184,820 2,769 11,523 1,150 2,007 491,580 174,643 22,518 159.434 105 2,452 347,693 2,452 359,153 101.363 11,460 Expendlture Salaries and Nl 159,819 Freelance staff and other staff costs 10,953 Event CQSt5 I￿,555 Box offlce costs 11,613 Youn8 people costs 7,658 New writlll8 and talent development cc 12,453 Communlty costs 900 Contributed income costs 1,993 Marketin8 Costs 32,841 p￿MISeS costs 16,554 Administratlve expenses 13,561 Other overheads 4,319 Depreciatlon 821 Tot41 expendlture 374 041 Net gain5/11055esl on investments Net Income I lexpendlturel Transfers between funds Net mo¥ement In funds 139,316 13,441 114,418 11,272 6,681 12.890 1,078 2,417 12,086 23.330 10,747 9,937 1.382 358.994 3,608 5,738 163,427 16,691 100,555 11,613 13,222 12,453 3,041 1,993 32,841 16,554 13,561 4,319 821 391092 139,316 14,941 114,418 11,272 9,177 15,850 1,378 2,417 12,086 23,330 10,747 9,937 1,382 366,250 1,500 5,564 2.496 2.960 300 2,141 17,OSI 7,256 16,176 111,3021 84,312 4,204 100,488 17,0981 16,176 111,3021 84,312 4,204 100,488 17,0981 Fund balances breu8ht forward Fund balances Carrled forward 51,295 67,471 62.597 51,295 6,098 90.410 1,895 6,098 57,393 157,881 64,492 S7,393 26