SET CENTRE
SET develops a broad Arts and Educational programme, SETprojects across SET Centres. SET's programme focuses on experimental, multi-disciplinary projects, which seeks to engage the community local to each SET Centre.
Objects
FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, TO PROMOTE, IMPROVE AND ADVANCE EDUCATION IN, AND APPRECIATION OF, THE ARTS IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE FACILITATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WORKSHOPS AND ARTS PROJECTS.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity recorded a deficit of £201,238 for the year, resulting in negative net assets of £324,292 at the end of 2024. The trustees attribute this primarily to significant upfront investment in new sites opened late in the year, noting that these sites have since begun to recover losses. Despite the negative net assets, the trustees maintain a going concern basis, expecting surplus funds in the following twelve months.
What the accounts disclose
“SET aims to increase the annual surplus by £100,000 per annum to build further reserves.”
“We draw attention to note 21 in the financial statements, which indicates that charity's negative net assets may effect the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees have addressed this issue and of the opinion that charity will have surplus funds in the following tewelve months period. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.”
“Rental payments of £36,000 were received in the year from Rex Refreshments Limited in respect of the year to 31 December 2024. In addition, a further £4,675.34 of rental payments for FY25 were made in advance along with a nil interest loan of £31,824.66 to ease cash flow. At the year end, £4,675.34 was still owing to Rex Refreshments Limited. The amounts advance are unsecured and repayable on demand.”
“During the year, the Charity was in receipt of cash advances and loans from senior management of £47,318.67 to fund day today operations, of which no interest was charged. At the year ended 31 December 2024 the total amounts due to be repaid was £10,059.95 which is repayable on demand and unsecured.” — page 50
“Rental payments of £36,000 were received in the year from Rex Refreshments Limited in respect of the year to 31 December 2024. In addition, a further £4,675.34 of rental payments for FY25 were made in advance along with a nil interest loan of £31,824.66 to ease cash flow. At the year end, £4,675.34 was still owing to Rex Refreshments Limited. The amounts advance are unsecured and repayable on demand.”
“During the year, the Charity was in receipt of cash advances and loans from senior management of £47,318.67 to fund day today operations, of which no interest was charged. At the year ended 31 December 2024 the total amounts due to be repaid was £10,059.95 which is repayable on demand and unsecured.” — page 50
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Engaging external speakers at charity events policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- ALEXANDER JAMES THOMAS
- AMY VANESSA BRENNAN
- Alexandra Marie Bickley Trott
- ROBERT ALBERT JOHN MCLAREN
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £1.6m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.5m | £1.5m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.3m | £1.3m |
| 31/12/2021 | £896k | £1.0m |
| 31/12/2020 | £271k | £270k |
Common questions
Is SET CENTRE financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity recorded a deficit of £201,238 for the year, resulting in negative net assets of £324,292 at the end of 2024. The trustees attribute this primarily to significant upfront investment in new sites opened late in the year, noting that these sites have since begun to recover losses. Despite the negative net assets, the trustees maintain a going concern basis, expecting surplus funds in the following twelve months. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Axis Accountants Ltd.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 20/04/2018 | £10k | SET: Alscot Reading Room |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| STANDARD CHARTERED FOUNDATION | 1 | £20.3m |
| THE ELIZABETH AND PRINCE ZAIGER TRUST | 1 | £52k |
| EAST END COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £17k |
| OVE ARUP PARTNERSHIP CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £13k |
| ROTHERHITHE CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES | 1 | £9k |
| THE PETER KERSHAW TRUST | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- THE OPEN CENTRE
- THE CENTRE FOR SPECIALIST EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
- CENTRE4 LIMITED
- THE DOCKLAND SETTLEMENTS
- BERNIE GRANT CENTRE PARTNERSHIP
- BARTON ACORN YOUTH, COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SET CENTRE | £1.6m | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| THE OPEN CENTRE | £102k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CENTRE FOR SPECIALIST EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE | £159k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| CENTRE4 LIMITED | £3.5m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE DOCKLAND SETTLEMENTS | £1.0m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| BERNIE GRANT CENTRE PARTNERSHIP | £1.1m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |