People Without Labels SCIO Scottish Charity Number: SC047196 ANNUAL REPORT 01/03/2024 - 28/02/25 ## Charity Trustees ## Message from the Chair This has been the hardest year in the history of People Without Labels. What began as a time of steady growth and renewed community focus was abruptly and traumatically transformed by an event no one could have predicted. On 31 December 2023, a small electrical fire occurred in our building at — a space that had been our home for nearly a decade, a place that had hosted thousands of artists, musicians, and community groups, and stood as a beacon for inclusive creativity in Glasgow’s East End. Although the fire was minor and quickly made safe, our landlord immediately and unlawfully evicted us, barricading the building and denying all access. In one devastating blow, we lost our premises, our assets, and our ability to continue normal operations. Over one hundred artists and community members were displaced overnight. Despite our efforts to reason with the landlord and involve the authorities, access was never restored. Our entire team — trustees, staff, and volunteers — worked tirelessly and compassionately to help every individual retrieve what they could, to store vital equipment, and to document everything for the insurance claim. Sadly, despite full cooperation, evidence, and months of correspondence, our insurer and their appointed loss adjusters have still not resolved the claim after almost a year. This prolonged uncertainty has left us without funds, without premises, and without any compensation for the immense loss we have suffered. And yet — People Without Labels is still here. We remain a community. We remain determined. And we remain devoted to the belief that creativity, inclusion, and compassion can rebuild even the most broken spaces. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our volunteers, partners, and every artist who stood by us. Your resilience, loyalty, and love have carried us through the darkest chapter in our history. Though we may currently be without a building, we are not without purpose. The spirit of People Without Labels lives on — and it will rise again. **Chairperson** ## **Background** People Without Labels SCIO has been operating from Glasgow’s East End since 2015. For ten years, our organisation created and managed “The Space” — an inclusive arts and community hub that provided affordable studios, rehearsal rooms, performance venues, and social programmes. Our mission has always been to break down barriers to the arts and ensure access for all, regardless of background, income, or ability. Through initiatives such as The Dream Machine, Arts for All, The Betty Fund, and The Artist Pantry, we have supported hundreds of artists and community members. Our approach combines creativity with care, tackling poverty, social isolation, and poor mental health through participatory arts and volunteering. All of our income has always been reinvested back into charitable work, sustaining our self-funded, circular economy model. Despite the immense challenges of 2024–25, our values and mission remain unchanged: to build community through creativity and to ensure no one is excluded from the transformative power of the arts. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** People Without Labels SCIO is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) registered with OSCR. The charity is governed by its constitutional document and managed by an elected Board of Trustees, each bringing lived experience, community knowledge, and professional expertise. The board operates on principles of inclusion, rotation, and transparency. One third of trustees stand down each year and are eligible for re-election to encourage participation and prevent power consolidation. Trustees are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds, many with disabilities or lived experience of marginalisation. This ensures that decision-making always reflects the needs of the community we serve. Operational activity during this year relied entirely on volunteers following the loss of premises and paid staff. All governance and project delivery were carried out through unpaid community work and board oversight. ## **Objectives and Activities** Throughout the year, PWL continued to pursue its charitable aims despite the increasing financial and infrastructural challenges. Before the fire and eviction, we were actively delivering and developing a range of initiatives: ## ● **Accessibility and Inclusion:** We worked with a new funding manager to secure resources for making our ground floor fully accessible to people with mobility issues. This included plans for widening doors, adapting toilets, and staffing the area five days per week. Unfortunately, funding could not be secured, with costs exceeding £25,000. ## ● **Arts for All Outreach:** Volunteer-led outreach sessions delivered art packs, food parcels, and small gifts to isolated or vulnerable individuals and families across Glasgow. We collaborated with organisations including Thenue Housing, Women’s Aid, SAY Women, The Recovery Consortium, Cancer Research, and Calton Retirement Community. The aim was simple: to gift people a meal, a cuppa, and the means to create. ## ● **Community Food Network:** Continuing our partnership with Glasgow Community Food Network, we supported education around sustainable eating and food poverty, integrating art and wellbeing into local workshops. ## ● **Training and Development:** Recognising the post-COVID employment crisis for artists, PWL funded a series of **AI training sessions** to equip our community with modern digital skills. Further volunteer training covered fire safety, first aid, food hygiene, and building maintenance. These efforts helped many participants find part-time employment in creative and hospitality sectors. ## ● **Studio and Event Activity:** Up until our forced closure, our studios maintained an **80% occupancy rate** . PWL subsidised energy costs and maintenance to keep rent affordable. Despite the surge in electricity and gas bills — rising to nearly **£2,000 per month** — the charity continued to host breakfast meetups, small events, and open studios, ensuring artists and partner organisations had a welcoming space. ## **The London Road Incident and Aftermath** On **31 December 2023** , a small electrical fire triggered an event that would devastate our organisation. Although the damage was minor and quickly resolved by professionals, the landlord refused to complete repairs and instead **barred access** to the entire building. Within days, our premises were illegally locked and barricaded. This act effectively destroyed the charity’s operations. Over **100 artists and community members** were suddenly displaced, unable to retrieve personal property or artworks. PWL staff and volunteers worked around the clock to coordinate safe removals where possible and to document the situation for legal and insurance purposes. We immediately reported the matter to our insurers (Aviva, via Q Underwriting) under our **Business Interruption and Denial of Access** coverage. Despite submitting all evidence, including lease agreements, photographs, and witness statements, the insurer has **failed to reach a decision after more than sixteen weeks** . A formal complaint has been raised and escalated to the **Financial Ombudsman Service** . The loss has been catastrophic. All of our equipment, furniture, archives, and creative infrastructure have been destroyed or remain inaccessible. The incident has left us without staff, assets, or premises. However, through the collective strength of our trustees and volunteers, PWL survived the initial crisis. The compassion and cooperation shown by our community stand as a testament to the values we have championed for a decade: solidarity, creativity, and care. ## **Achievements and Performance** Even amid crisis, PWL achieved remarkable things during the year: - Maintained 80% studio occupancy before closure, ensuring ongoing creative activity. - Delivered Arts for All outreach to hundreds of residents, focusing on isolation, disability, and recovery. - Continued partnerships with local organisations to host community workshops and safe social spaces. - Provided training that led directly to new employment opportunities for volunteers and artists. - Supported emergency food distribution, community meals, and breakfast meetups entirely through self-funding. - Operated 24-hour volunteer coverage for building maintenance, community calls, and crisis response. These accomplishments were achieved despite zero paid staff and no external funding. Every action was volunteer-led, powered by goodwill and an unbreakable belief in community resilience. ## **Financial Review** For the financial year ending **28 February 2025** , People Without Labels recorded: - **Income:** £64,164 (down from £87,327 in 2024) - **Expenditure:** £81,288 - **Net Loss:** £17,123 - **Net Assets:** –£33,490 These figures reflect the devastating loss of premises and ongoing non-payment of the insurance claim. The sharp fall in income was compounded by rising energy costs and the necessity of subsidising community access throughout the year. Despite this, the charity has honoured all commitments to partners and tenants. All operations were sustained through volunteer labour and goodwill, without incurring debt beyond operating losses. The trustees remain confident that once the insurance claim is resolved, the charity can recover and rebuild. ## **Future Plans and Outlook** Although the charity is currently without premises, People Without Labels is far from finished. We have entered a new phase of reinvention — one that prioritises digital access, community storytelling, and recovery. Our new project, **“Your Story”** , brings together people affected by trauma, poverty, and exclusion to share and publish their lived experiences through creative writing and digital storytelling. This programme combines therapeutic support with practical creative skills, continuing our core mission of empowerment through art. Alongside this, we are developing a **“Scatter Studio”** model — small accessible art spaces within community shopping centres (in areas such as Easterhouse, Castlemilk, and Govan). These hubs will allow artists to work locally, accessibly, and affordably, supported by volunteers and local partners. Our long-term aim is to secure new premises or acquire community spaces that reflect our values of inclusion and accessibility. Whether we remain online, reopen physically, or operate across multiple small hubs, our vision is the same: to make creativity accessible to everyone, everywhere. ## **Acknowledgements** The trustees extend heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, partners, and community members who have kept the heart of PWL alive during this extraordinary year. Your dedication, courage, and solidarity have carried the charity through loss, uncertainty, and injustice. We also wish to acknowledge the 100+ artists, musicians, and community groups displaced by the landlord’s actions — your resilience embodies everything PWL stands for. Finally, to every supporter, donor, and friend of The Space and The Dream Machine: thank you. Your belief in our mission gives us the strength to begin again. ## **Conclusion** This has been a year of loss — but also of light. While we have endured the destruction of our physical home, we have rediscovered the depth of our community spirit. People Without Labels remains committed to creativity, compassion, and inclusion, and to the dream of a world where everyone has a space to belong. Even in the absence of walls, our work continues. And one day soon, the doors of People Without Labels will open once more. APPENDIX 3 OSCR Sco1115h Charty Re&il6lor Inde endent examiner's re ort on the accounts Report to the trusteeslmernbers of People Without Labels SC047196 Registered charity number On the accounts of the charity for the period Peric#J start date Peric#J end date 01 to Set out on pages PPENDIX 2 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's knjstees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance the tern￿ of the Charities and Trustee Investment IScotLand} 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts {Scotlandl Regulations 2006. The charty trustees consider that the audr( requirement of Regulation 10(11 {dl of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 4411} Icl of the Act and to slate whether particular matters have come to my attention. My examination is earried out in aecordanee wtth Regulation 11 of the Chartties Accounts Iseotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the aecounting records kept by the charty and a comparisrj) ofthe aceounts presented with those ree¢xds. It also includes consideratKJn of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audr( and, consequty. I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. In the course of my examinatK¥n. no matter has come to My attention Basis of independent examiner's statement Independent examinevs statement 1. whth gNes me reasonab￿ cause to beI￿ve that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting re￿$ in acc￿￿n￿ wrth se¢tk?n 4411 } lal of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting re￿rdS and ￿mplY wrth Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met. cy to which, in rny opinic￿, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 25111/2025 Name: Relevant professional qualification{sl or body (rf anyl: Members of the Institution of Financial Accountants Registration numbei 258913 Address: Avid Accountants 2 1 Blyth3wood Square GLa3gow G2 4BL People Without Labels SCIO Receipts and pa￿nents accounts SC047196 OSCR FLYtheperfod RegulEtc PA¥(h 2024 2025 Seciion A Statement ol receipis and payments lo1￿ lund A1R nd ￿ld RErts fvLIn14￿ & GTOSS i•COVtsfromothg1 81.321 In￿511718￿¢ A2 Sub lotal A3 P•ywmnty 5,903 61,664 5J.IlJ rts Llmclytott￿* réd 21.559 ?1.559 Ji.u Leg41 ¢o¥ts A3 Sub lOt•l 81 1V4695 In¥esknen¢ Mo¥w￿lS A4 Sub total 10&695 13,391 13,391 AJTransl•rs w I iTromTrT*i05 fLYyear IXN71961 APPENDTA 2 Peo le Without Labels SCIO Section 8 Statement of balances SC047196 Oelai iierkid Bl C•Sh .T4J 4&743 145 113JM} 116,3661 12,1461 J?W6 ,743 To D•L• 1.403 IA•J 1.40J ,4•J Av T41 BJ¢orf*yi¢ Ii•bW 04lp of ov (SCQ471￿1 APtENOIX2 P8opl8 Wlthout Labels SCIO SC047196 Sectlon C Notes to the Accounts C1 Nature and purpo% of funds (may slo]t8d an*yw"s or1￿)d$ wt¥ksWs) Type ol activity or project supported C2 Grants • Tru•tw r•murnrallon C3b Tru•t•• r•mun•rntlon. d•tsl C4A Tr￿t•• •x￿1￿¥ C4b Tr￿•t￿ •xp•nM•. c• Nattn of r•l*lonshi cfj other Infornmtlon (SCLk171%} etthj 28 Fdxw3J25 APPENDVrt2 People Without Labels SCIO SC047196 Additional analysis {11 )alysl$ of r8t•lpt8 and 1 Don•tlons T¢thl curn PEri¢KI PEdod titect Pthhc Supp(xt- BLNntsS 2 Grnnt8 anl ItEslncledl BWCT GF14NT FRChl THE T¢ 3 Gro•• r•¢•lp¢• from othfK ¢h•rtt•bl• •d¥ltl•• Llrtr•*tskt•d TLNII cllrw4 p•d¢)d TO1￿ IMI p•dod ndb Bc¢*ir FOLYJ & Be￿tr Sales SI￿131 Events kncamE 87.327 T¢x Q7.327 4 P•ym•nts r•l•dng dlr•ctfy to charll•bb• •ctlvlU•8 Llwe5tyk*d Trd•l rth od ppdod Vd￿1eer￿ 14903 324 14903 324 C4nrThSS￿ Pad alt Traini Travel and S￿S￿ts[ 1256 6,601 925 &071 925 071 37.tr2 WrfknutL4L ISC0471%1 for 28 Fe￿2025 SC047196 Additional analysis121 5 8r•akdown of unr•strict•d fvnds Gr￿ts Rece GrDSS tr*1 retatAS JidltyJS RentsfnTh & ￿ld. 87,329 R•c•l Sub 17,12• 6.wa 423 SJA2J rektiryj d*ety Grants ano (ty 27.069 37.121 S¥b tst41 11.4 103.$98 Pwchases ofnxed Sub lOt•l 103,UO 13.3>1 16,3 Transf•rs io I funds S￿￿1￿$/(dan￿f¥ fory 13.391 la.￿1 Naur• an ur People Without Labels SCIO SC047196 Additional analysis131 6 8r•akdown ot rnstti¢t•d funts Trtsi r¢styktyd P￿0￿ R*C*IPts G[￿ts Gros5 rete¥As Inve5knEnisith¥bMI ano wii be¥ 5ak•s Sub trt•l TO￿￿ce1Pts Expenses IN I￿*3￿r￿j •Jh11*5 Grnnts and le￿ cosls S¢rtJ PayThMnts r•lai*iu to a5sqiand PLYchases of ixed assets Tr•nsf*rn to I Ifroml fub Surplus l{delldt) foryew Nature and of fwwjs