ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Company limited by guarantee

Company Registration Number:
07986334 (England and Wales)

Unaudited statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Period of accounts

Start date: 1 April 2024

End date: 31 March 2025

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Contents of the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

Directors report
Profit and loss
Balance sheet
Additional notes
Balance sheet notes
Community Interest Report

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Directors' report period ended 31 March 2025

The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the period ended 31 March 2025

Principal activities of the company

The principal activity of the company in the year under review was that of: ArtfulScribe is a not-for-profit literature development agency based in Southampton. We support emerging and continuing writers in Hampshire, Dorset, and the Solent region to create new work and develop skills through writing workshops, live events and career-development opportunities. We work with all ages and levels of ability, from primary years through to life's later stages. Our work includes collaboration with schools, businesses and organisations, embedding writing into everyday activities through residencies, creative programmes and individual events that celebrate both spoken and written word. Statement of Directors Responsibilities The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit and loss for the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - 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 company will continue in business. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and 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. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Small companies regime The report of the directors has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies exemptions of Section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.



Directors

The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from
1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

M West
S Sharp
S Sharp


The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in part 15 of the Companies Act 2006

This report was approved by the board of directors on
5 November 2025

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: M West
Status: Director

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Profit And Loss Account

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

2025 2024


£

£
Turnover: 42,704 5,042
Cost of sales: ( 76,949 ) ( 148,119 )
Gross profit(or loss): (34,245) (143,077)
Distribution costs: ( 455 )
Administrative expenses: ( 90,354 ) ( 8,890 )
Other operating income: 127,771 154,187
Operating profit(or loss): 3,172 1,765
Interest receivable and similar income: 22
Interest payable and similar charges: ( 320 ) ( 479 )
Profit(or loss) before tax: 2,874 1,286
Tax: ( 1,019 )
Profit(or loss) for the financial year: 1,855 1,286

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2025

Notes 2025 2024


£

£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets: 3 2,580 1,946
Total fixed assets: 2,580 1,946
Current assets
Debtors: 4 10,297 9,294
Cash at bank and in hand: 90,018 98,525
Total current assets: 100,315 107,819
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year: 5 ( 94,779 ) ( 103,978 )
Net current assets (liabilities): 5,536 3,841
Total assets less current liabilities: 8,116 5,787
Provision for liabilities: ( 645 ) ( 170 )
Total net assets (liabilities): 7,471 5,617
Members' funds
Profit and loss account: 7,471 5,617
Total members' funds: 7,471 5,617

The notes form part of these financial statements

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Balance sheet statements

For the year ending 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors 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 and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 4 December 2025
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: M West
Status: Director

The notes form part of these financial statements

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

  • 1. Accounting policies

    Basis of measurement and preparation

    These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A (Small Entities) of Financial Reporting Standard 102

    Turnover policy

    Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of discounts and value added taxes. Turnover includes revenue earned from the sale of goods and from the rendering of services. In accordance with UK GAAP, grants totalling £127,741 (2023/24: £153,844) are reported under 'Other Operating Income'. Turnover for the period is £42,726 (2023/24: £5,076). For management and funder reporting purposes, grants are treated as part of turnover. Therefore, if turnover and other operating income are combined to reflect this approach, the equivalent turnover figure for the period would be £170,475 (2023/24: £159,225).

    Tangible fixed assets depreciation policy

    All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment is used in the company's principal activity for the production and supply of goods or for administrative purposes and is stated in the balance sheet under the historic cost model. This model requires the assets to be stated at cost less amounts in respect of depreciation and less any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value (which is the expected amount that would currently be obtained from disposal of an asset, after deducting the estimated costs of disposal, if the asset were already of the age and in the condition expected at the end of its useful life), over the useful economic life of the respective asset as follows: 25% Reducing balance

    Other accounting policies

    Deferred tax Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences between the recognition of income and expenses in the financial statements and their inclusion in tax assessments. Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Deferred tax is measured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference, except for revalued land and investment property where the tax rate that applies to the sale of the asset is used. Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted. Revenue from sale of goods Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the company has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods, usually when goods are delivered and legal title has passed. Providing the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the company and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transition can be measured reliably. Trade and other debtors Short term debtors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price), less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts. Loans and other financial assets are initially recognised at transaction price including any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts. Government grants or assistance Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received. A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

  • 2. Employees

    2025 2024
    Average number of employees during the period 0 0

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

3. Tangible assets

Land & buildings Plant & machinery Fixtures & fittings Office equipment Motor vehicles Total
Cost £ £ £ £ £ £
At 1 April 2024 5,094 5,094
Additions 1,453 1,453
Disposals
Revaluations
Transfers
At 31 March 2025 6,547 6,547
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 3,148 3,148
Charge for year 819 819
On disposals
Other adjustments
At 31 March 2025 3,967 3,967
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 2,580 2,580
At 31 March 2024 1,946 1,946

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

4. Debtors

2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 3,670
Prepayments and accrued income 32
Other debtors 6,595 9,294
Total 10,297 9,294

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

5. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year note

2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 93
Taxation and social security 544
Accruals and deferred income 94,142 103,978
Total 94,779 103,978

COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNUAL REPORT

ARTFULSCRIBE C.I.C.

Company Number: 07986334 (England and Wales)

Year Ending: 31 March 2025

Company activities and impact

PART 1 - GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY’S ACTIVITIES AND IMPACT In the space provided below, please insert a general account of the company’s activities in the financial year to which the report relates, including a description of how they have benefited the community. During this financial year ArtfulScribe prepared to convert to a Community Interest Company, and officially became one on the 3rd April 2025. This report details the company activities and impact prior to it becoming a CIC. In 2024-25 ArtfulScribe delivered a range of creative writing and literature appreciation activities. Classes and workshops, some open to the general public and others focused on underrepresented target groups, aimed to develop personal writing and literacy skills, enhancing confidence and wellbeing, increasing social capital and enabling people to better make the most of life’s opportunities. These included: - Free weekly creative writing classes for children and young people aged 7-18 at Lighthouse Poole, Forest Arts New Milton, Mayflower Studios Southampton and online. - Two poetry celebrations with workshops and showcases with local schools from Alton as part of the Alton Arts Festival and from Southampton and the surrounding area at Mayflower Studios. - Regular Writing for Wellbeing sessions in the New Forest in partnership with Solent Mind, in Bournemouth in partnership with Vita Nova, and online. - Other writing workshops and programmes including Writing for Spiritual Practice and the Creative Language Cafe for refugees and asylum seekers. -Storytelling sessions in care homes in the New Forest Live events, performances and online broadcasts aimed to educate the public about literature in all its forms and advocate for creative writing as a tool of personal empowerment: - The Play on Words Festival, a community-led literature festival across the New Forest, and LitFest, ArtfulScribe’s literature festival at Mayflower Studios in Southampton, including writing workshops, live literature performances and CPD for writers. - Monthly spoken word and poetry open mics at Mayflower Studios and Forest Arts. - Other live literature events including Writers in Conversation in partnership with the University of Southampton. - continued expansion of our audio archive and development of a literature podcast for broadcast in 2025/26. - Commissioned research into arts and cultural provision for ethnic minorities in the New Forest. Additionally we offered commissions and development opportunities to emerging writers, developing skills, encouraging personal goal setting and supporting career decision making: - Commissioned audio play ‘Before Alice’ by Stacie Bates. - Worked with Southampton-based contemporary opera company, OperaUpClose, commissioning a new prologue by community writers led by poet Antosh Wojcik for their production of Riders to the Sea and micro-commissions for an experimental ‘OperaSlam’ event as part of the R&D for a new production of Schicchi. - Mentoring of underrepresented Solent-based writers and producers.

Consultation with stakeholders

ArtfulScribe C.I.C.’s stakeholders are our funders, partner organisations and schools, writer facilitators and other employed and freelance staff, participants in workshops and other activities, and audiences at our events. Representatives of different types of partner organisations including universities, schools, local arts organisation and local social impact organisations are included in our Advisory Group. They meet quarterly and have the opportunity for oversight of, and to advise on, artistic and project planning, business planning and finances. Our team of freelance writer facilitators meet on a termly basis, to update on artistic and project planning, to network, and to feedback on artistic delivery. Facilitators are regularly invited to feed into planning for the specific groups they run through 1:1 meetings and an annual appraisal. Regular feedback is invited from participants and audiences through informal consultation in workshops and at events, and through online and paper-based surveys. The Play on Words Literature Festival in the New Forest is coordinated by ArtfulScribe and led by a steering group of local writers, residents and cultural organisations. ArtfulScribe’s planning decisions are guided by community input and direct action is often taken, for example programming a new group led by, and based on a need identified by, a writer with lived experience of a particular perspective on craft or social functioning. Programming decisions are also made based on feedback from existing participants, or by running pilot sessions to trial new approaches, ensuring community buy-in wherever possible. New projects are devised with care and consideration, with generous support for research and development, to ensure new communities who might wish to engage with our work are valued and consulted, enabling organic and sustainable growth within our operating sector.

Directors' remuneration

In the year 2024-2025 the directors were Susan Sharp, Stephen Sharp and Matthew West. None of the directors were paid any renumeration for their director’s duties. Matthew West was paid a total of £42,379.00 as a freelance contractor for facilitation and project management, as well as reimbursement of expenses totalling £12,069.38. This was an unusually high figure due to a one-off payment of monthly invoices direct from a personal account when the organisation’s banking systems were down.

Transfer of assets

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration

This report was approved by the board of directors on
1 December 2025

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: M West
Status: Director