BORDERS YOUTH THEATRE
TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
REGISTERED SCOTTISH CHARITY NUMBER SC022282
Borders Youth Theatre
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 3-6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10-14 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 15 |
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Borders Youth Theatre
Report of the Trustees
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objective and aims, charitable purpose
The principal purpose of Borders Youth Theatre is:
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a) to advance the informal education of children and young people through the medium of the performing arts;
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b) to organise and provide recreational activities that promote the interests of young people in all aspects of the performing arts with the object of improving their confidence, conditions of life and well-being.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities
The year 2024/25 saw Borders Youth Theatre once again deliver a series of experiences that were of real benefit to all those who engaged in the organisation’s activities.
BYT’s range of live workshops successfully covered a wide range of ages and activities across the winter of 2024/25. These were supported by a core of experienced drama practitioners with additional assistance provided either by volunteers (usually senior members of BYT) or other drama practitioners.
In accordance with our rolling three-year plan, in 2024/25 Borders Youth Theatre delivered both workshops and projects all throughout the large, rural and sparse area of the Scottish Borders. BYT hosts workshops offering many activities and techniques, in many different locations around the area, and online. Activities are attended by young people aged 8-25, many with neurodiversity, disability, and minority genders and sexualities.
BYT consistently receives feedback that shows its activities are of considerable benefit to all those who engage with them, improving and providing skills including but not limited to: self-confidence, literacy, social skills and access, theatrical and film training, writing and radio training, public speaking, leadership, teamwork, cultural access to performance, empathy, imagination, and volunteer and work experience.
Some of these opportunities are paid (with option of bursaries) and some are offered for free to keep the arts accessible and equal for those with differing finances and classes. Activities are facilitated by a core of experienced drama practitioners, with support provided either by volunteers (usually senior members of BYT who’ve grown within the organisation) or other drama practitioners.
Throughout the year Borders Youth Theatre had an exciting lineup of activities and productions. In the February holidays we continued our recent tradition of seniors performing a previous National Theatre Connections script. This year the play of choice was “Variations”, which received amazing feedback from both participants and audiences. One family member was so impressed with our work, that they committed a generously large donation after seeing only that one show. Variations was directed by Oli Bisset and Esmé Babineaux, both professional theatre practitioners and both BYT alumni.
Our Easter junior project was “Fantastic Mr Fox", directed by Karen Anderson and Oli Bisset. Also in Easter, our seniors had a series of skills up workshops led by professionals in their fields. They included Practical Shadow Puppetry from Daniel Livingston, Vocal Training led by Carole Williams, and Stage Makeup from alumni Tammy Wright.
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Borders Youth Theatre
As well as the regular weekly workshops in five different Borders towns, we carried on the work of the Radio Play group, who performed "The Sleepwalkers" written by a senior member of Borders Youth Theatre, at the highly acclaimed Duns Play Fest. Also at the festival, was another participant written play, “The Rise of the Nerds”, and a monologue workshop led by Karen Anderson.
In the summer, our largest project of the year was “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” which was performed as a promenade outside at Bowhill House. The participants enjoyed and benefited greatly from the opportunity to perform Shakespeare and work with more unconventional staging techniques, supported by director (and founder of BYT) John Haswell, an incredible force of talent with decades of experience. Music was provided by a senior member of BYT who took up a paid position.
Also in summer, the juniors worked on their devising skills, creating their own narrative tale put together over three days. This project was led by Lukca Best, another BYT alumni. In October, we worked on adapting the classic, epic poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” which toured around the Borders. The project made use of physical theatre and movement, puppetry, and projection skills. It was assisted by Angus Yellowlees, with musical support from Kat Hamilton-Smith, both alumni.
In December, another devising project was led by Lukca Best and Nikita Doncheva, this time for seniors, which explored the climate crisis and protest theatre throughout history. The year also featured the continuation of the intergenerational initiative, bringing together youth and elderly community members for collaborative storytelling, bonding, and local history archival.
BYT was very lucky to assist in the script development stage of an ongoing major film production that will be filmed in the Borders. Gordon Muir, the scriptwriter has continued his close relationship with BYT throughout the year, and many BYT participants were given the opportunity to work with the director and producer learning film acting skills and were personally invited to audition for the film. This was as a direct result of those professionals attending the Summer and October projects as audience members.
BYT does not employ permanent staff - our team of high-quality drama professionals are self-employed and we are delighted that we have been able to continue to develop our relationship with each of the individuals that has worked with us over the past twelve months. It is our absolute honour and privilege to have so many theatre professionals working with us who are home grown talent, starting in BYT as children who have now returned as adults to give back to the next generation.
Our team of qualified drama leaders continue to work together to great effect, sharing their diverse experience and training to bring new ideas to the programme. BYT is particularly grateful for their efforts in devising and delivering a programme of workshops that allow our young people to continue to build their literacy skills whilst having fun.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
Grants from Charitable Trusts and other funding bodies remain an important source of funding to BYT, enabling the organisation to subsidise a range of its activities, keeping them affordable to all families in the Borders. This year we particularly thank Adolescent and Children’s Trust, Foundation Scotland, Gannochy Trust, Southern Upland Trust, Tweed Forum Limited, Weir Charitable Trust, William Syson Foundation, as well as a number of private donators for their generous support.
We continue to receive generous support from LIVE Borders to whom we extend our thanks and are grateful to a wide range of individuals for their donations to the organisation both in terms of time and money. We are reassured by the network of support in our community that Borders Youth Theatre has built up over its 30 years existence.
Reserves policy
The Trustees' reserve policy is to hold sufficient funds to meet at least one term's budgeted events and all its obligations in the event of dissolution. It is the view of the trustees that BYT had sufficient reserves at the year ended 31 August 2025.
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FUTURE PLANS
Borders Youth Theatre operates with a 3 year plan in place. Each year BYT has projects in the school holidays, which means our average year is projects in February, Easter, Summer, and October, mainly in the form of performance, sometimes with additional skills workshops. We also create work for Duns Play Fest.
2026/27 will follow the same structure, also with the continuation of our full terms of weekly workshops. We hope to continue collaborating with Gordon Muir throughout his filming. BYT will continue to offer a safe, non-judgmental and welcoming place where young people are encouraged to develop valuable life skills, express their emotions and meet up with their friends to take part in a group activity.
BYT continues to plan for and execute live performances as these projects are important for our young people to feel the warmth and support of the community through the applause for a production that showcases their hard work and skills.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and is controlled by the constitution for the SCIO. It was registered in its current legal form on the 22nd August 2016 and all assets, liabilities and activities transferred to the SCIO at that date. Prior to that the organisation was founded in 1989 and then registered with Scottish Charity Registrar as an unincorporated charity from 9th December 1993.The Constitution was reviewed by the trustees and members and a revised version was approved by OSCR in July 2024.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Any individual aged 16 and over who is interested in aiding the youth in the Borders to access live theatrical production is eligible to become a trustee. Trustees are elected at the annual general meeting. The management board are the charity's trustees and they may appoint additional trustees during the year. The committee of trustees meets regularly either in person or using an internet based meeting space.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Number SC022282
Principal address
c/o Arts Development St Mary's Mill Level Crossing Road Selkirk TD7 5EW
Trustees advise any changes please J Anderson (resigned 12th December 2024) E Babineaux M Davis (appointed 4th November 2025) S Henderson R Hunter R James-Beith (appointed 28th April 2025) C Rose (resigned 12th December 2024) N Smith (resigned 10th November 2025) S Stewart K Tweddle
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Independent Examiner Tim Wilcock Chartered Accountant
Adviser
Jason Moyes, Creative Communities at LIVE Borders
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 27 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
.......................................................................... Susan Stewart - Trustee
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Borders Youth Theatre
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Borders Youth Theatre
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10 (1) (a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44 (1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeks explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the financial statements.
Independent Examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44 (1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations and to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
________ T Wilcock Chartered Accountant 30 March 2026
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Borders Youth Theatre
Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Going Concern
The directors have assessed a period of 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements and consider that no material uncertainties exist that cast significant doubt about the ability of the company to continue as a going concern. Therefore, the directors have adopted the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. The only tangible fixed asset in the organisation is a sewing machine with an estimated remaining useful life at 31 August 2025 of one year.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the entity has an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that the entity will be required to transfer economic benefits in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably. Provisions are recognised as a liability in the statement of financial position and the amount of the provision as an expense.
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Provisions are initially measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date and subsequently reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate of the amount that would be required to settle the obligation. Any adjustments to the amounts previously recognised are recognised in profit or loss unless the provision was originally recognised as part of the cost of an asset. When a provision is measured at the present value of the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation, the unwinding of the discount is recognised in finance costs in profit or loss in the period it arises.
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
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3. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION, BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
No Trustee received remuneration, other benefits or expenses for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024 in the conduct of their role as a Trustee.
Payments totalling £509 were made to Jenny Anderson in 2024/25 for their services as a Workshop Leader/Assistant (£1,555 in 2023/24). Payments totalling £2,779 were made to Esmé Babineaux in 2024/25 for their services as a Workshop Leader/Assistant and Project Director (£3,137 in 2023/24). Payments totalling £5,214 were made to Struan Henderson for their services as a Workshop/Project Leader/Assistant in 2023/24 (£760 in 2023/24).
4. INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION
No fees or other remuneration was paid in respect of the independent examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 or for the year ended 31 August 2024.
5. LEGAL FORM OF ENTITY
The charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, incorporated in Scotland. Its registered office is shown in the Report of the Trustees.
6. GOING CONCERN
The Trustees know of no material uncertainties affecting the going concern of the charity.
7. PUBLIC BENEFIT ENTITY
The charity is a public benefit entity.
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8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
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9. CREDITORS : AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
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10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
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MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (continued)
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11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025.
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