During the financial year, Next Door But One continued to deliver high-quality, accessible theatre, participation programmes and professional development opportunities that created significant social, cultural and economic benefit for communities across our region. Across the year, we delivered 345 events, engaging 7,651 people in person and a further 2,487 people online. Our work reached a diverse range of participants and audiences, with 33% of all events specifically designed for people with protected characteristics, including women and girls, disabled and neurodivergent people, and LGBTQ+ communities. Thirty per cent of events were delivered for school, college and university students, while 11% were open-access activities for the general public. We maintained a strong focus on inclusion and accessibility, ensuring that people who often face barriers to arts engagement could participate meaningfully in cultural activity. Our performances created positive social and cultural impact. Audience feedback showed that 100% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that performances were absorbing and held their attention, while 92% reported that performances were thought-provoking and helped them gain new insight or knowledge. Local access remained important, with 86% of audiences stating that the local location (libraries, community centres etc.) of events influenced their attendance. Half of all audience members were new to the organisation, while returning audiences increased by 29% compared with the previous year, demonstrating growing community engagement and trust. Our participation programmes delivered substantial wellbeing and social benefits. 96% of participants remained engaged through our regular workshops, demonstrating sustained involvement. Participants reported improved social connection, confidence and wellbeing, with 96% feeling more connected to others, 91% experiencing a positive impact on their mental wellbeing, and 80% feeling more confident and more willing to try new things. 80% also reported gaining skills and learning that would benefit them beyond the workshops, while 75% said our activities had increased their access to arts and theatre. Supporting the development of artists and creative professionals remained a significant area of community benefit. We engaged 558 participants through workshops and community activities, representing an increase of 234 people compared with the previous year. Participants reported strong outcomes, with 90% understanding how they would apply their learning to their career development, 68% continuing to collaborate with people they met through our programmes, and 63% successfully applying for jobs, funding opportunities or developing new creative projects. Through our support, local performing arts professionals secured £187,943 in funding and investment for their own work and careers, representing a 103% increase on the previous year. This has contributed to the sustainability and growth of the local creative sector. Feedback from audiences, participants, artists and partners highlighted the importance of our work in creating safe, welcoming spaces, increasing access to culture, supporting wellbeing, strengthening community connections and enabling creative development. Through our performances, workshops, partnerships and professional development activity, Next Door But One has continued to deliver measurable and meaningful benefit to the communities it serves.

Next Door But One places stakeholder consultation at the heart of its work and maintains an ongoing commitment to listening to, learning from and involving the communities it serves. We use a combination of formal and informal consultation methods, including programme design discussions, creative evaluation activities, facilitated conversations, partnership debriefs and regular feedback mechanisms. This enables us to ensure our programmes respond to lived experience and identified community needs rather than assumptions. People with lived experience of the issues addressed through our work are actively involved throughout the organisation, including as facilitators, artists, volunteers and Advisory Board members. Their experience of disability, caring responsibilities, mental ill health, poverty and discrimination informs both strategic decision-making and programme delivery, helping to ensure our work remains relevant, accessible and responsive. We use creative consultation methods, including storytelling, movement, creative writing and participatory arts approaches, to enable people to share their experiences in ways that are accessible, comfortable and empowering. Feedback gathered through these consultation processes has informed the design and delivery of our programmes, shaped co-produced performances, resources, campaigns and training, and influenced how partner organisations engage with their communities. We also act as a bridge between communities and decision-makers, ensuring lived experience informs wider policy and service development. During the year, this included contributing community perspectives to the redevelopment of York's Culture Strategy, engagement with senior leaders at City of York Council, and presenting community-produced resources at planning meetings involving central government stakeholders. Through these ongoing consultation processes, stakeholders have played a significant role in shaping the company's activities, priorities and future development.

The total amount paid or receivable by directors in respect of qualifying services was £52417.2 There were no other transactions or arrangements in connection with the remuneration of directors, or compensation for director’s loss of office, which require to be disclosed.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration