Oxford House Annual Review 2015-2016
Our past is our future
Opening of ‘Photography as Installation’
Contents
About us
4
2015 – 16: How we made a difference
6
Introduction 8 Highlights of the year
10
Our year
12
Supporting the work of Oxford House
18
Our heritage
20
Our finances
22
Thanks to
23
Contact us
27
Cover Image: Architect’s plan of the proposed new entrance and roof walk
4
About Us Founded by Keble College, Oxford University in 1884, Oxford House in Bethnal Green is a thriving independent, community and arts centre. Oxford House was established in September 1884 as the first university settlement house. Students and graduates from Keble College, Oxford undertook a period of residential
volunteering to learn first-hand about the realities of urban poverty whilst providing practical support to the local community through a variety of projects including youth clubs, poor man’s lawyer, adult education and labour exchanges. Over 130 years later Oxford House is still at the heart of life and community in Bethnal Green.
‘Oxford House is where East London comes together to work, learn, explore and create. We celebrate arts, community and our heritage’. What we do
How we are managed
We concentrate on three main areas of work to meet our purpose:
Oxford House is governed by a board of trustees. Michael Judge has been Chair of the board since September 2016. Michael joined the board in 2012. John Ryan has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since June 2008 and leads the staff team.
Our past is our future
1. As a community space by managing affordable office and venue/hire space for the local community, charities and social businesses; 2. Offering a volunteering programme that develops employability skills, learning opportunities and builds community; 3. As a place for heritage and the creative arts by running an arts centre and heritage and arts activity programme using our theatre, dance studio and art gallery.
Oxford House believes it is important that our trustees reflect the diversity of the local community and have the skills and expertise to govern the charity. We review our governance regularly and when appropriate recruit new trustees to provide skills and experience to the board. The board holds an annual AwayDay to review and shape the strategic direction of the charity.
1884
1892
Oxford House established
New building opening
5
Family Passport Workshop- Partnership with Ben Uri Gallery 2015
Veronica Lindsay with her certificate for 1st Place in Chelsea Fringe Postcard Competition
6
2015–16: How we made a difference Affordable hire
Corporate volunteering
80+% Community
partners x3
Rate
Gallery
Our past is our future
3 Oh! curated exhibitions 7 other exhibitions
Visitors to OH
ÂŁ10,000 of donated space for young people
71,000 annually 1,400 weekly
activities 1898
WWI
OH acquires the Excelsior Hall & Swimming Baths
OH used as a shelter for German Zeppelin raids
7
Volunteering
3,300 hours
Total income
ÂŁ491,492 inc. 71% unrestricted
Theatre produced
8 OH shows 13 outside shows
30 affordable
offices rented during year
Pocket park open
all year long
1928 The Excelsior Baths reconverted into the Excelsior Cinema. Visit of Queen Mary
8
Introduction 2015 was significant as we embarked on a major new project, ‘From Victorian Gap Year to Community Hub’. With Development funding from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Tower Hamlets Council the project aims to provide much needed investment in the building. It also offers an opportunity to create a new and larger café and a new main entrance via the adjacent Derbyshire Street Pocket Park and Weaver’s Field. We will also delve into our own rich history, revealing stories and archiving the history of Oxford House, then using our research to engage with our diverse community during a two year activity plan that combines volunteering and skills development. The project is a key feature of our new 3 year strategy developed by trustees during the year and builds on our strength as an independent arts and community space. It removes the significant risk from an ageing building and provides an opportunity to expand our services. We will open a new café/bar and reopen our wonderful secret Chapel for community use. These spaces will enable us to provide more volunteering opportunities and a cultural programme based on our heritage. It is part of our vision to create a sustainable organisation with new sources of income, increased visitor numbers and exciting programming. It is a challenge but one we relish and means we will continue to be at the heart of a fantastically diverse and changing neighbourhood.
Our past is our future
We would like to thank staff, trustees, volunteers, funders, partners and the communities of east London that continue to support our work.
Michael Judge John Ryan Chair Chief Executive
1931
1941
Gandhi gives an speach at OH attracting a crowd of 3000 people
OH Girls’ Club founded
9 5
‘London Open House Weekend Tour 2015
Green Candle Senior Dancers 2015
10
Highlights of the year
Our past is our future
We want to ensure that Oxford House meets community needs and generates sufficient income so it continues to be the place where you can celebrate arts, community and our heritage. Two highlights of the year give an insight into how we aim to do this. They show how we link people, place and ideas to create a great place to live and work.
Supporting neighbourhood community
Insiders’ Guide to Bethnal Green
Oxford House identified the need for a forum that could meet regularly and advocate on behalf of local businesses with the local authority and others. The Bethnal Green Business Forum, a network of local traders, was established by Oxford House, local businesses and Tower Hamlets Council. We have guided and supported its growth by providing staff and volunteers and free meeting space during the year.
The Insiders’ Guide to Bethnal Green was a collaboration between Oxford House and Walk East CIC. The project was designed to bring together volunteers from local community organisations and develop grassroots journalism skills. It was designed to develop the skills needed to create successful newsletters, web content and PR materials.
Our approach has been rooted in the principles of community development and we have worked collaboratively to develop the forum. With funding from the council we created a new town centre website, www.lovebethnalgreen. com that has helped the profile of local traders. The forum is currently exploring the creation of a neighbourhood plan to help local businesses and residents shape the future of their neighbourhood. With our long-term commitment to the neighbourhood and using our resources, leadership and support we aim to make this a reality.
Comprising 8 weekly three-hour sessions, the end result was a fantastic and highly readable 48-page neighbourhood guide. Over 3,000 copies were distributed locally. The project provided training in hard and soft skills and built confidence, local knowledge and invaluable networks. Using community journalism as a shared focus, participants developed renewed engagement and insights into the neighbourhood.
WWII
1947
OH establishes evacuation centres in Wales for East End children
OH is recognised as an official community centre
11 5
A new town centre website, homepage of www.lovebethnalgreen.com
Page detail from Insiders’ Guide
12
Our year Community daily and 51 weeks during xxOpen the year for an amazing range of community uses
the Bethnal Green xxSupported Business Forum and with Tower Hamlets Council Economic Development Team launched the Love Bethnal Green website www. lovebethnalgreen.com
around 71,000 visitors xxWelcomed during the year 80% of room hire was at xxOver for a range of conferences, xxCatered affordable rates for community use events and meetings including: £10,000 worth of donated EDMQ, ThinkForward, Children xxAround free venue hire to support England, Making Music, Operation community groups Street Pocket Park xxDerbyshire Awarded 1st prize in Landscape Institute Awards (Nov 2015)
Our past is our future
xx
Carpentry Club, in collaboration with, Samson & Fox, went from success to success; secured first commission to build bespoke shelving for an OH resident company and held a very popular retro go-kart workshops for young people during summer 2015
in Open House London xxParticipated weekend & welcomed over 100 visitors a fantastic range of xxProvided community activities including Thai Boxing and Bey Moves Fitness 2015 edition of popular xxProduced ‘East2: The Insiders’ Guide to Bethnal Green’
Black Vote, St Joseph’s Hospice new resident xxWelcomed organisations including: East Creative Agency – born from the pioneering culture of East London, this agency brings together clients and artists to deliver bespoke, unique entertainment Children and the Arts – engages with disadvantaged children nationwide who do not have access to high-quality arts activity because of either social or economic barriers The Wakefield and Tetley Trust – provides grants to support charitable and voluntary activity and aims to improve the lives of people and communities experiencing disadvantage Nonclassical – is a contemporary classical record label and club night, bringing new music to new audiences
1953
1967
1st edition of the Pantomine Theatre Festival
Creation of Holland Hall
13 5
Derbyshire Street Pocket Park Awarded 1st prize. Landscape Institute Awards
Go-Kart Making at racing day. Carpentry Club
14
Volunteering Volunteering has been at the heart of Oxford House since our creation in 1884. It remains a vital part of our work and provides opportunities for volunteers to gain work and life skills. The programme was coordinated by Anna Pancikova, who started as a volunteer herself and became one of the staff team in November 2015. Summer 2015 was very busy as we welcomed students from UCL, KCL and Richmond International. The programme offered volunteering roles that included heritage, gallery, events, social media blogging and organising our annual visitor survey. Spring 2016 was equally busy as we expanded the programme and offered internships to students and recent graduates via the Erasmus+
programme welcoming volunteers from San Marino, Slovenia, Italy, Greece and Germany. circa 3,300 hours xxVolunteered (estimated value of £21,450 @ £6.50 per hour)
East London Business xxSupported Alliance (ELBA), Nomura and State Street ‘Beyond Boundary Project’ through volunteering opportunities and as Steering Group member to develop great xxContinued volunteering partnership with Queen Mary University, University College London, King’s College, Richmond University and European Union Erasmus Project free space to young xxProvided people from Somewhereto (an Olympic legacy project)
Arts and heritage
Our past is our future
Our three-fold offer included office space (over half our tenants work in the creative industries), a portfolio of mixed spaces (studio theatre, gallery and dance studio) available for hire and a programme of arts and heritage activities. Emphasis in year on supporting new or emerging artists especially through our Oh! Presents… Programme. The programme supported new or emerging artist by offering rehearsal space, events marketing and box office splits. Following the success of the Knowledge Festival resident Company, Kazzum, created a fabulous festival, Happy Ever After, in the Pocket Park during August 2016. We also collaborated on two heritage projects; Centenary Exhibition with Ben Uri Gallery and ‘12 Years’ Zimbabwe Association 1972
1984
1991
OH closes for 3 months
1st Centenenary of OH
1st edition of the Somali Week
15
Volunteers Meetup
Somali Week. Kayd Somali Arts 2015 ©Kate Stanworth
16
Theatre Oxford House Presents Season… and Flowers at the Moon xxFolk xxHowl (Chelsea Fringe Festival) Tom Adams (Work in progress) Green in Jazz xxWild xxBethnal Laura Mugridge William Symington’s ReBel Yell Jazz Orchestra oets of the City xx PMartin Liam Dunachie Quartet Original Dvořák Aldevis Tibaldi London Jazz Ensemble Frank Griffith Sextet
Other performances bond between us… xxAWoodcraft Folk Last Of Her Days xxThe Oisel Productions xxSagaCity Green Candle Dance Company xxThe Complete Works Animation xxSkidaddle Year 5 children in Emerald and
Our past is our future
Pearl classes at Columbia Primary School oadicea xx BRhimes Lecointe and Migration Film xxLondon Season
xx BOutreakaway Of Hours Theatre Company presents omali Week xx SKayd Somali Arts antar xx CCantar Vocal Ensemble Performance Winter Gala xxGreen Candle Dance Company ight & Metal xx LClod Ensemble ragile Things xx FGodBerry & Co
Brick Lane Dirty Pretty Things
2003 OH launches the art centre with a new theatre, gallery and dance studio
17
Exhibitions hotography: [De]materialised xx PRoehampton University Photography Alumni 2 Years Exhibition xx 1Zimbabwe Association ostcard gardens (Chelsea xx PFringe) Sophie Hill IA xx VOpen Show from Aldgate East xx PInostcards association with Ben Uri Gallery
Victorian Gap Year to xxFrom Community Hub Oxford House Heritage project Calling xxSomaliland Kate Stanworth and control xxFreedom University of East London of the boxer xxHead Taro Qureshi One xxSquare BA (Hons) Press & Editorial Photography, Falmouth University
Tom Adams brought ‘Howl at the Moon’ twice to Oh! Theatre in 2015
18
Supporting the work of Oxford house We continued to strengthen our organisational capacity through various iniatives: our second paid apprentice, Rochelle Cummings and paid Intern, xxEmployed Anna Pancikova xxRefreshed and updated our website and social media our 3rd major visitor survey during July 2015 as part of our xxCompleted heritage project with the support of resident company, New Policy Institute Estates – who continued to mentor and support our Chief xxBroadgate Executive, John Ryan to develop an excellent relationship with Nomura International – xxContinued who designed/printed our annual review, completed a makeover of our staff
Our past is our future
office and donated new plasma screen for the gallery
‘It has been fascinating to get an insight into the difficulties of keeping a charity like Oxford House going and the governance, funding, and management challenges that entails. The team there are really creative and entrepreneurial – they do a fantastic job and I for one have learnt a great deal from seeing how they deal with all the issues involved’. Angus Warren, Head of Corporate Services, Nomura
2009
2014
The Youth Volunteering Programme is relaunched
Constrution of the Derbyshire Street Pocket Park
19
Opening of ‘Postcards from Aldgate East exhibition’
Young & Talented Musical, Christmas 2016. © Jasmin Chung
20
Our heritage ‘From Victorian Gap Year to Community Hub’ Having secured a Round 1 pass and development grant from Heritage Lottery Fund we have been busy developing the project. It includes much–needed capital investment for roof/window repairs and a new café space opening directly onto Derbyshire Street Pocket Park. We will also create a 2 year heritage festival to share the ‘hidden’ stories of our 130 year history. The project team consulted on these proposals in summer 2015 with an exhibition in the Oh Gallery. Feedback was very positive; the café and the reinstated roof walk attracting much attention. We aim to submit a planning application in summer 2016 and have secured planning permission by autumn 2016.
Our past is our future
Our next challenge is to secure funding to match the funds from HLF. It is a very competitive fundraising climate.
Tower Hamlets Council has been very supportive and have committed to support the project. Several individuals, trusts and foundations have also donated much needed funds that enabled us to develop the project. Unfortunately, Oxford House was placed on the Buildings at Risk Register during the year. However, thanks to funding from Historic England and the Pilgrim Trust for this work we will install a temporary roof to protect the building and especially the chapel during summer of 2016. Our aim is to secure funding from HLF by March 2017. Building works will take 12 months and be complete by summer 2018. The new café and roof top walk will open in summer 2018 to be followed by a heritage festival created by volunteers and local partners.
“Oxford House is a historically valuable building. The Chapel is a unique space in London and richly deserves protecting for the future and desperately needs renovation.” 2015 Visitor Survey
2015
2016
OH is included on the Buildings at Risk Register
Round 2 submission for HLF grant
21
Buckets and plastic sheeting protect Grade II Listed Chapel from damage
Current view to City from Roof. The HLF project aims to reinstate Rooftop Walk View
22
Our Finances Oxford House generated income for the year to 31 March 2016 of £491,492 (2015: £391,451).
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2018
Works to improve the building start
New cafe opens
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31
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Our past is our future
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Underlying this figure was an unrestricted deficit of £40,235 (2015: surplus of £31,586).
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Overall, the net deficit of income compared to expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2016 amounted to £55,918 (2015: £26,337).
It should also be noted that this deficit was after charging depreciation of £46,778 (2015: £47,275) which is a non-cash item.
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8 ,85
Expenditure increased from £417,788 in 2015 to £547,410 in the year ended 31 March 2016.
l: £491,492 Tota 2,089 Gran
23
Thanks To OH Trustees Michael Judge (Chair), Fergus Early (Vice Chair), Linda Kaur, Josh Spero, Rev. Kevin Scully, Asma Shah, Matthew Railton, Polly Richards and Jamie Andrews. Jonathan Baume and Deborah Crow stood down as trustees during the year.
OH Staff John Ryan, Baz Browne, Anisa Khanom, Enus Ali, Christine Lee, Annie Gao, Evelyn Maison, Agnes Asiedu, Eva Carmona del Rio, Rochelle Cummings and Anna Pancikova.
OH Volunteers Savena Surana, Ketaki Varma, Chloe Rodrigues, Aida Barseghyan, Anna Morales, Shahnaze Faneker, Carolina Castro-Freire, Hayley Downey, Catherine Findlay, Rebecca Sharp, Arpita Ashok, Jack Anderson, Bridget Cox, Keyara Thompson, Lucy Valsamidis, Khaleda Khatun, Safia Siddique, Aaron del Campo, Abdul Huson ,Sarah Lacombe, Mira Kopolovic, Julia Perrineau, Nicole Song, Laura Newby, Joy West, Helen Taupin, Adam Smith, Sarah Baldiserra, Lydia Anderson, Maja Bevk, Evgenia Pangea, Christina Klus, & Leah Abraham. Staff volunteers from Nomura International and Sparks.
Partners Lisa Gilbert Academy of Ballet College, Oxford x x xxKeble Samson & Fox Candle Dance Company x x xxGreen The Carpentry Club East CIC x x xxWalk xxSomewhereto_ & Talented School of Stage and Screen xxYoung Language of Dance xxKazzum xxBasque Society xx
24
Funders Heritage Project included
Other funders included
Lottery Fund xxHeritage Historic England xxThe Pilgrim Trust xxGoldsmith’s’ Company xxMatson Ground Charitable Trust xxEdward Bonham- Carter xxGolden Bottle Trust xxAllchurches Trust xx
Employment Programme: xxCreative Supported employment of
xx
apprentice and intern Big Lottery Fund/Awards for All: ‘East2: The Insiders’ Guide to Bethnal Green 2015’ Community journalism project
Advisers Bankers NatWest Bank Plc, Gredley House, 1/11 Broadway, Stratford, London, E15 4BQ Charity Bank Limited, 194 High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1BE
Auditors haysmacintyre, 26 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4AG
Solicitors Russell-Cooke LLP, 8 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4BX
Our past is our future
Resident Companies Children & the Arts, Nonclassical, Dante or Die, Green Candle Dance Company, Kazzum, Kayd Somali Arts, Mary Rahman PR, The Language of Dance Centre, Pearl Advertising, Silsila Productions, Samson & Fox, What Larks! Productions, Auto Italia South East, London Ethnic Ltd, Phoenix Housing Cooperative, Positive Care Link, Hestia Housing & Support, East
London Asian Family Counselling, British Union of Spiritist Societies, The Rock Church (London Mission), God Worshippers Mission, Zimbabwe Association, Basque Society, Play Association Tower Hamlets, RCG Genesis Chapel, Elaine Harrison, New Policy Institute, Food Cycle, East Creative Agency and Wakefield and Tetley Trust
2019
2034
The Heritage Activity Plan finishes
150th Aniversay
25
Somali Week 2015 ©Kate Stanworth
Chelsea Fringe event Folk & Flowers ©Adrian Cuesta
26
Our past is our future
Kazzum transforms Pocket Park into ‘Happy Ever After Family Festival’ ©Kazzum
Family Fun in ‘Happy Ever After’ Festival’ ©Kazzum
27
Contact us John Ryan Chief Executive Oxford House Derbyshire Street Bethnal Green, London, E2 6NG
Nearest Underground Station: Bethnal Green (Central Line) 020 7739 9001 info@oxfordhouse.org.uk www.oxfordhouse.org.uk oxfordhouseinbethnalgreen oxhse
Charity Number:208582 - Company No: 59858 - VAT Registration No: 752 0306 67