Solar Bear Limited - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: SC227835 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 033138

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

FOR

SOLAR BEAR LIMITED

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

4

Independent Examiner's Report

5

Statement of Financial Activities

6

Balance Sheet

7

to

8

Notes to the Financial Statements

9

to

14

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2026. 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

Objectives and aims

Solar Bear is a Glasgow based professional arts organisation working throughout Scotland as well as beyond our borders.

The main objective of the charity as set out in its governing document is to advance public education by the encouragement of the performing arts. More specifically the aim of the charity is to develop creative projects where deaf artists, young deaf people and the deaf community can excel and thrive and connect with a diverse audience.

Solar Bear tells untold stories that engage with everyone. We believe theatre should be welcoming to all, and our artistic ambitions are built on ensuring accessible and inclusive routes into the arts. We create opportunities for those who are marginalised or disadvantaged to explore, imagine and grow - because everyone deserves the chance to be heard, seen, understood and to belong.

We work with deaf performers, deaf theatre makers, artists and young deaf people to deliver this programme. Working this way not only changes the stories we tell - it transforms how we tell them - but it also challenges us, our audiences and the wider arts sector. It pushes us to think differently and forging new theatrical languages that are bolder, more expressive, and more startling than convention allows.

Community Engagement is woven into everything we do, shaping and inspiring our professional touring projects, digital work and development and training. We utilise digital technology to help us make a wider impact and reach further afield.

We hold ourselves to a high standard underpinned by rigorous monitoring and evaluation. We welcome a diversity of views and are committed to honest assessment of our work. The same level of rigour and attention is applied to artistic processes and outputs as to financial and trading performance.

This monitoring is led by the Creative Director/CEO and the Executive Producer, with artistic and financial reports presented to the charity's trustees for analysis at quarterly Trustee meetings. We continue to maintain strong, ongoing relationships with our funders including Creative Scotland, who have awarded us funding to 2028.

"This is a landmark year for Solar Bear. For almost 20 years, we've trained, nurtured and championed deaf talent right here in Scotland - and this year, that talent stands on Scotland's main stages, including a major venue during the Edinburgh Fringe, the biggest arts festival in the world. That matters enormously. It says deaf artists don't need to leave Scotland to build a career at the highest level - the talent, the training and the opportunity all exist right here, and we intend to keep building on that. With The Singer, deaf-led creativity isn't on the margins of the programme; it's on the main stage, in the room where the biggest decisions get made. That's what real inclusion looks like and it's a moment I couldn't be prouder of." Jennifer Bates, Creative Director/CEO.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

2025-2026 was a year of bold transformation for Solar Bear. Alongside our established programme, we made our biggest creative leap in recent years, progressing from smaller-scale touring to a major co-production with some of Scotland's leading theatre companies and artists. As a small team, we continue to punch above our weight.

Alongside this, we delivered a range of smaller projects that raised Solar Bear's profile, reached new audiences and created more opportunities for people to engage with our work and join our community.

Deaf Youth Theatre

Our Deaf Youth Theatre (DYT) delivered 35 weekly term-time workshops led by Youth Theatre Co-ordinator and Associate Director Craig McCulloch, alongside deaf co-directors Emery Hunter (April-September) and Benny Zanetti (from September).

Highlights included performing at Wonderfools' Positive Stories Festival at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, where one young person reflected, "I've finally found my place." Summer activities included an intensive creative project, visits to the Edinburgh Fringe and Edinburgh Dungeons, and attending the BSL-interpreted performance of Oran, followed by a creative writing workshop with the playwright.

We continued to grow participation through school workshops, targeted social media and closer engagement with young people and their families. The group also began devising their production using the script Brainstorm, for the National Festival of Youth Theatre in July 2026.

DYT Steering Group

Our steering group for DYT, led by former DYT member Andrew Pettigrew continued to meet through the year feeding directly into quarterly trustee meetings and shaping decisions on everything Solar Bear does from workshop content to recruitment strategy.

Solar Reels: Film School

Solar Reels participants Amy Murray, Joe Dunn and Nicole Kenny completed three short films-The Unspoken Path, Static and The Conversation. Following their premiere at GMAC in November, the films have been submitted to 17 national and international film festivals. The graduates continue to build industry careers through successful bursary applications and crew placements on further productions.

The Singer

We are co-producing The Singer with Dundee Rep and Aberdeen Performing Arts. Written and directed by Cora Bissett, with story consultation by Jamie Rea, dramaturgy by David Greig, and music and lyrics by Grammy nominated KT Tunstall, the production is based on the short film of the same name.

The project is also creating new opportunities within the sector, with deaf BSL Associate Director Benny Zanetti and deaf wardrobe assistant Sophie Chen joining the creative team. The Singer will preview at Dundee Rep in July 2026 before premiering at the Traverse Theatre in August and touring to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee throughout September.

Solar Hub: Deaf Artists' Network

Solar Hub continued to bring deaf artists together throughout the year with sessions on script writing, funding and a memorable "speed-networking" event with Lumo TV's senior team including Camilla Arnold, CEO, building relationships that continue to open doors.

Community Engagement Projects

Our community-funded projects delivered strong outcomes this year. Glasgow Deaf Photo Walk completed its workshop programme culminating in a light-painting session. Deaf History Scotland brought Deaf heritage to life through a walking tour and creative archive workshops. The resulting artwork from both projects were displayed as part of our end of year celebration.

Solar Bear Connects

We launched Solar Bear Connects, a sector event showcasing our work and how organisations can engage with deaf artists and the deaf community. The event attracted 70 attendees, with a condensed version later presented at the State of the Nation conference.

Deaf Leadership Day

In October we hosted our first Deaf Leadership Day, led by Joel Kelhoffer (Sign WOW), bringing together 14 deaf arts professionals to explore the shortage of deaf leadership in the sector and generate ideas for future action.

Ayr Gaiety Panto

Following our support for Ayr Gaiety's 2024 pantomime Mother Goose, the production won Best Pantomime at the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS), demonstrating the impact of embedding deaf talent throughout the creative process.

Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland

We created a body percussion film with deaf musician Evie Waddell for the Children's Commissioner's online World Children's Day assembly, reaching schools across Scotland.

Team Changes

Alice Muir returned from maternity leave in November. The Film and Screen Lead Officer post was originally funded for one year by Screen Scotland but we have now secured funding for a further two years, to March 2028. We will begin recruiting for Craig McCulloch's post in spring 2026 ahead of his contract concluding in July.

Trustees

Paul Gorman and Louise Beattie resigned from the board this year and we welcomed Will Clark, Tess Hutchison and Elaine Kerridge as new Trustees.

Others

We strengthened our partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland by continuing to guest lecture on the BA Performance course. We also welcomed a Heriot-Watt University placement student and introduced an Employee Assistance Programme to support staff wellbeing.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Solar Bear has reached the end of this financial year with a reserves level which meets our current reserves policy. This balance has been created through careful management of expenditure on projects and productions and a number of successful fundraising bids. All of this has been achieved whilst maintaining adequate resourcing for our artistic plans.

Reserves policy

The trustees have established the level of reserves the charity ought to have. The trustees have adopted a more flexible reserves policy allowing 6-12 months of unrestricted reserves, with a minimum of 6 months being held. The trustees believe this level of reserves is desired as cover to meet any unexpected financial developments.

FUTURE PLANS

Solar Bear will continue creating opportunities for deaf artists to lead the development of new work. Our strategy focuses on organisational, sector and community development, delivering public benefit by promoting best practice across the creative sector while increasing representation, access and visibility for Scotland's Deaf community. Our programme spans theatre, digital and community engagement, with research and development embedded throughout to build skills, strengthen networks, test new ideas and create lasting impact

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The charity has a policy in place whereby the constitution of the board of trustees is reviewed on a regular basis. The trustees undertake an informal skills order with a view to appointing new members. The charity has an objective to have the majority of the board as non-executives. Our current board members are non-executive.

Board of Trustees

Solar Bear has both deaf and hearing board members, who bring a diverse range of skills to Solar Bear.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

SC227835 (Scotland)

Registered Charity number

033138

Registered office

The Boardwalk

105 Brunswick Street

Glasgow

G1 1TF

Trustees

L Beattie (resigned 25.2.26)

P Gorman (resigned 1.7.25)

N Goodwin

T Allan

J Dow

A Pettigrew

E Kerridge (appointed 25.2.26)

W Clark (appointed 17.12.25)

T Hutchinson (appointed 17.12.25)

Independent Examiner

Kathleen Benham

Kathleen Benham CA

Benham Conway & Co

Chartered Accountants

16 Royal Crescent

Glasgow

G3 7SL

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 26 August 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

J Dow - Trustee

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2026 set out on pages six to fourteen.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's 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 accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of the independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as 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 view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention :

(1)	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 accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations

have not been met; or

(2)	to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Kathleen Benham

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

Kathleen Benham CA

Benham Conway & Co

Chartered Accountants

16 Royal Crescent

Glasgow

G3 7SL

26 August 2026

31.3.26

31.3.25

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Charitable activities

330,663

23,608

354,271

271,492

Earned income

9,189

-

9,189

1,883

Investment income

2

3,249

-

3,249

3,314

Total

343,101

23,608

366,709

276,689

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

3,105

-

3,105

1,140

Charitable activities

67,537

74,835

142,372

102,531

Administration

187,919

-

187,919

152,690

Total

258,561

74,835

333,396

256,361

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

84,540

(51,227

)

33,313

20,328

Transfers between funds

11

(47,673

)

47,673

-

Net movement in funds

36,867

(3,554

)

33,313

20,328

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

219,531

60,602

280,133

259,805

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

256,398

57,048

313,446

280,133

31.3.26

31.3.25

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

1,877

3,577

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

11,342

5,049

Cash at bank and in hand

304,607

278,502

315,949

283,551

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(4,380

)

(6,995

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

311,569

276,556

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

313,446

280,133

NET ASSETS

313,446

280,133

FUNDS

11

Unrestricted funds

256,398

219,531

Restricted funds

57,048

60,602

TOTAL FUNDS

313,446

280,133

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2026.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 August 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

J Dow - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, 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 Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

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 at the following annual rates in order to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its estimated useful life.

Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost

Office equipment - 25% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation 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.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

Bank interest

3,249

3,314

3.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

Depreciation - owned assets

1,998

2,306

4.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.

5.	STAFF COSTS

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

Wages and salaries

154,143

125,855

Social security costs

716

3,802

Other pension costs

3,495

2,773

158,354

132,430

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

31.3.26

31.3.25

Staff

7

5

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

fund

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Charitable activities

225,241

46,251

271,492

Earned income

1,883

-

1,883

Investment income

3,314

-

3,314

Total

230,438

46,251

276,689

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

1,140

-

1,140

Charitable activities

73,079

29,452

102,531

Administration

152,690

-

152,690

Total

226,909

29,452

256,361

NET INCOME

3,529

16,799

20,328

Transfers between funds

(7,420

)

7,420

-

Net movement in funds

(3,891

)

24,219

20,328

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

223,422

36,383

259,805

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

219,531

60,602

280,133

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

and

Office

fittings

equipment

Totals

£

COST

At 1 April 2025

1,144

24,865

26,009

Additions

-

298

At 31 March 2026

1,144

25,163

26,307

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2025

893

21,539

22,432

Charge for year

84

1,914

1,998

At 31 March 2026

977

23,453

24,430

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2026

167

1,710

1,877

At 31 March 2025

251

3,326

3,577

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

Other debtors

9,864

4,461

Tax recoverable

1,478

588

11,342

5,049

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

Trade creditors

1,183

2,460

Other creditors

3,197

4,535

4,380

6,995

10.	ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

31.3.26

31.3.25

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

fund

funds

£

Fixed assets

1,877

-

1,877

3,577

Current assets

258,579

57,370

315,949

283,551

Current liabilities

(4,058

)

(322

)

(4,380

)

(6,995

)

256,398

57,048

313,446

280,133

11.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.4.25

in funds

funds

31.3.26

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

219,531

84,540

(47,673

)

256,398

Restricted funds

60,602

(51,227

)

47,673

57,048

TOTAL FUNDS

280,133

33,313

-

313,446

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

343,101

(258,561

)

84,540

Restricted funds

23,608

(74,835

)

(51,227

)

TOTAL FUNDS

366,709

(333,396

)

33,313

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.4.24

in funds

funds

31.3.25

£

Unrestricted funds

223,422

3,529

(7,420

)

219,531

Restricted fund

Restricted funds

36,383

16,799

7,420

60,602

TOTAL FUNDS

259,805

20,328

-

280,133

Comparative net movement in funds included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

230,438

(226,909

)

3,529

Restricted fund

Restricted funds

46,251

(29,452

)

16,799

TOTAL FUNDS

276,689

(256,361

)

20,328

12.	OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

At 31 March 2026 the charity was committed to make total payments under non-cancellable operating leases of £1,830 (2025, £1,785).

13.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2026.