ANNUAL REPORT 2022 CHARITY REGISTRATION 1162525 "DreamArts has def/nite/y helped me to express myself.. The skills / learnt to cope will def Initely help me climb out of the tougher times / face again." A, aged 16. www.dreamarts.org.uk ## **CONTENTS** ## Annual Report The Chair’s Message __________________________________________________________________ 2. Friends of DreamArts _________________________________________________________________ 3. Reference & Administration ____________________________________________________________ 4. Structure, Governance & Management __________________________________________________ 5. About DreamArts; Charitable Objects and Programmes ______________________________________ 6. Outcomes and Impacts during 2021-22 __________________________________________________ 7. Express _____________________________________________________________________________ 8. Experiment ________________________________________________________________________ 12. Expand ____________________________________________________________________________ 15. DreamArts Star _____________________________________________________________________ 16. Financial Review ____________________________________________________________________ 17. Looking Forward ____________________________________________________________________ 18. Annual Accounts Report of the Independent Examiner ____________________________________________________ 19. Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 ___________________________ 20. Balance Sheet ______________________________________________________________________ 21. Notes on the Accounts – Accounting Policies, Trustee Remuneration, Movement in Funds ______ 22-26. Notes on the Accounts –Staff Costs, Comparatives, Debtors _________________________________ 21. Notes on the Accounts – Creditors, Movement in Funds, Related Party Disclosure _______________ 22. Notes on the Accounts - Reconciliation of Income and Expenditure ________________________ 23 - 26. _The audience take to the stage at our 2022 Gala for the Performance Company cabaret._ **1 |** P a g e ## **THE CHAIR’S MESSAGE** DreamArts has been busier than ever responding to the needs of young people during the pandemic. Reflecting on last year’s annual report, our cover showed a young person in an online zoom session. We’re therefore heartened to share an image from our exhilarating 2022 Gala which brought together members, their families and our supporters. Lockdowns demonstrated to everyone the value of creativity and its impact on our wellbeing. As young people suffer a growing mental health crisis our charity’s pioneering fusion of arts and therapeutic practice has never been more important. We know those in poverty are 4 times more likely to experience a mental health challenge. That’s why our Express Plus arts therapy programme works in Westminster’s most deprived wards including Church Street which has the highest level of child poverty in London. Building strong relationships is key to the success of DreamArts and is reflected in Express Plus’s 100% retention rate for young people attending more than 3 sessions. They have a safe space to address issues including domestic violence, sexual abuse, anxiety and suicide ideation, supported by our outstanding therapeutic team who volunteer their time and expertise to deliver the only open-access therapy service for young people in Westminster. Using creative approaches helps to break down barriers and reach those from social and ethnic backgrounds mental health services do not traditionally reach, evidenced by the fact that 80% of our participants come from global majority backgrounds. Young people who provide care for a loved one were among the groups hardest hit by lockdowns. We were therefore pleased that Carers Express returned in-person for a major summer collaboration with the Royal Academy where young people created films about their lives, films which ranged from funny to moving and deeply personal. After 5 years advocating for Westminster to invest in supporting young carers DreamArts is being commissioned to host a Young Carers Navigator, a new borough-wide role to map pathways of support, develop partnerships and training among professionals so they can identify and adapt to meet the needs of young carers. For example, for schools, if a pupil is late and they’re a known young carer this can trigger a check-in to see if things are OK at home rather than a detention - a small step that can make a huge difference. In addition, DreamArts projects expanded to new groups experiencing high levels of need. Our creative projects with unaccompanied asylum seekers which launched in 2020 developed into an ongoing group which young people beautifully named ‘Friends From Afar’, giving them a space to become young artists. Our expertise was also commissioned by Westminster City Council to support nearly 500 primary school pupils with their transition to secondary school, a difficult time for many and which was compounded by severe disruption to their education. There have been many challenges. Our team has faced significant pressures. So we have worked hard to foster self-care, reflection and connectivity, including regular Practice Development Sessions for everyone in the ‘DreamArts Family’ to share practice, and offering reflection spaces so that staff can process their work. In our first-ever staff satisfaction survey we’re proud that 100% of the team said they felt inspired and that their voice and skills matter at DreamArts. These achievements are a credit to our outstanding team of practitioners and volunteers led by our Director Graham Whitlock and Assistant Director Catherine Palmer. In addition to thanking all of them, I would like to express my gratitude to our funders, to our dedicated Trustees including Sharon St Louis and Racha Mohsen Afiouni who have joined the board to strengthen our therapeutic expertise, and to Jodie Dalmeda who steps down as a Trustee for her many contributions. ## **NIGEL JONES, Chair** **2 |** P a g e _Word cloud bringing together key words expressed by clients across Express Plus therapy service._ ## **FRIENDS OF DREAMARTS** The following members of the DreamArts Family kindly donated to the charity during 2021-22; _Chorus of Angels_ Ronald Cummings-John, Annis Suterwalla _Ovation_ Jon Gyngell Harriet Sutton John Hyatt Mark Bunyan Zaffer Raniwala Asif Raniwala Toni Medcalf Nigel Jones _Applause_ Johannah Hogg Ed Lascelles Osahon Orchard Naomi Roper **3 |** P a g e ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION** **Full Name:** DreamArts **Status:** Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO) registration number 1162525 (between 1997 and April 2017 DreamArts operated as a charitable trust, registration number 1070614). |**Trustees**|_Date of_|_Date of_|_Serving in_|_Trustees on date_| |---|---|---|---|---| ||_appointment_|_resignation_|_financial year_|_of Accounts_| ||||_ending 2022_|_approval_| |Ian Dougal (Secretary)|March ‘15||_Yes_|_Yes_| |Jodie Dalmeda|Feb ‘16|Feb ‘22|_Yes_|_No_| |Asif Raniwala (Treasurer)|Feb ‘17||_Yes_|_Yes_| |David Mumeni|March ‘19||_Yes_|_Yes_| |Janine Francois|April ‘21||_Yes_|_Yes_| |Nigel Jones (Chair)|Oct ‘21||_Yes_|_Yes_| |Sharon St Louis|Feb ‘22||_Yes_|_Yes_| |Racha Mohsen Afiouni|March ‘22||_Yes_|_Yes_| **Primary Office:** 34 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH **Principal Officers:** Director – Graham Whitlock Assistant Director – Catherine Palmer **Bankers** The Cooperative Bank **Payroll** Willow Pay Ltd, Kingsway Business Park, Hampton TW12 2HD **Fundraiser** Sue Crow **Independent** Albury Associates The Future Is… Ltd **Examiner** 2[nd] Floor 1 Hobbs House Bessborough Road Harrow HA1 3EX _Carers Express members creating their own films at the Royal Academy_ **4 |** P a g e ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Governing Document** The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Company (CIO - registration number 1162525). ## **Appointment of Trustees** Trustees are nominated by serving members of the Board, and are appointed at Trustees Meetings and retire by rotation or are eligible for re-election. Trustees serve for a 3 year term, after which a Trustee is eligible for reelection for a further 2 terms of 3 years and up to a maximum of 3 terms. **Officers:** The Board nominate and elect the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. **Observers:** Board of Trustee Meetings are attended by the Director and Assistant Director, with other team members regularly invited to share the work they’ve been delivering. ## **Trustees Induction and Training** New Trustees undergo a meeting with the Chair and the Director to brief them on their legal obligations under charity law; the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association; the financial performance of the charity; and aspects of the charity’s work. Where possible a visit to see DreamArts’ work in action is arranged. Trustees are encouraged to attend as many DreamArts projects throughout the year as they can. ## **Organisation** The Board of Trustees can have up to 15 members meeting at least 5 times per year and administer the charity’s strategy, finance, audit and compliance. To facilitate effective operations the Chief Executive has delegated authority for operational matters including finance, employment, policies (including safeguarding), and service delivery. ## **Related Parties** Westminster’s statutory young people’s services and children’s centres and is working alongside charities and voluntary agencies. We have also been designated a core partner of the **Early Help Targeted Service** , Westminster’s statutory service that supports families in need, and as a result we are commissioned to deliver work including supporting primary school pupils with their transition. As an outreach organisation DreamArts has an **extensive referral and partnership network** through which we share and contribute to the work of a large number of voluntary and statutory agencies that provide a range of services to children and young people. ## **Risk Management** The charity has a risk management strategy which comprises; - an annual review of the risks the charity may face; - establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the plan; and - implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should these risks materialise. This work has identified the need to mitigate **financial risk** by the setting of a reserves policy to cover costs in the event of the charity ceasing its activities. **Child protection** issues are central to the charity’s work, with all staff and volunteers undergoing safeguarding training in Child Protection, Boundaries and Disclosure, and those leading direct work with young people checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Staff also receive annual Safeguarding and Welfare training to keep up to date with requirements and best practice, and safeguarding is a standing item at Board of Trustees meetings. DreamArts is a partner within the **Early Help Partnership** . This is a collaboration between **5 |** P a g e ## **ABOUT DREAMARTS** ## **CHARITABLE OBJECTS** Our CIO **Constitution** states our charitable object is; _‘To advance in life and help children and young people in the London Borough of Westminster and other Greater London Boroughs by providing support and creative activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals’._ **Mission:** To transform young lives by fusing arts and therapy. **Objectives:** To support young people to: - Explore who they are - Strenghthen relationships - Develop their emotional wellbeing **Outcomes:** Our Theory of Change provides a framework for the difference we want to have on the lives of participants and helps focus our current work and shape our future direction. The six core outcomes our projects aim to achieve are; - Develop positive relationships with peers and adults - Explore their views, thoughts and feelings - Share ideas and skills with others - Take a creative risk ## **PROGRAMMES** DreamArts achieves its charitable objects by delivering three programmes of work; ## **EXPRESS** Creative and therapeutic arts projects for those facing particular challenges in their lives, delivered in partnership with other charities, social services, with parents and, most importantly, with young people themselves. _**Express Collective**_ enables young people to choose an issue and a creative medium in which to explore solutions. DreamArts delivers a tailor-made project to meet their needs, supporting them to make positive choices. Projects include _Carers Express_ and _Friends From Afar._ _**Family Express**_ enables parents and children to create, share and learn together as equal partners and form stronger relationships. _**Express Plus**_ provides individual, parent-child and family arts therapy for those finding it difficult to manage their feelings and behaviours. It is the only free therapy service of its kind in Westminster and enables clients to explore their challenges and strengths and build a greater sense of self-worth. - Take a lead - Be open to learning new skills _Friends From Afar at the Cartoon Museum_ ## **EXPERIMENT** Weekend Creative Labs enable 7-19 year olds to explore and unleash their talents. Our skilled professionals support participants to create their own work which leads to better self-exploration - from new musicals to radio plays and short films. Experiment reduces social isolation and builds positive relationships with peers and adults. No other equivalent affordable arts programme exists in Westminster, the heart of UK Theatre land. ## **EXPAND** Our leadership schemes expand young people’s professional skills and horizons, supporting them to lead their peers and run their own projects, becoming creative entrepreneurs and a positive force within their community. **6 |** P a g e ## **OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS DURING 2021-22** DreamArts projects worked with a combined total of 808 young participants and 54 parents/carers, our highest ever number (2021= 356). This increase is a result of our pan-Westminster transitions programme. Participants we supported for more than 1 day number 371; considering the disruptions to projects and that remote working was needed at times this is a real achievement and exceeds recent years. Most live in Westminster’s most severely deprived wards, a borough which has the 6[th] highest level of child poverty in the UK. Two-thirds of participants came from global majority backgrounds, the largest groups from Arabic-speaking communities, and the majority of participants were female. ## **Outcomes** With delivery during the year pivoting between remote and in-person Covid-safe conditions we were unable to apply our usual Outcome Star evaluation system which measures our six outcomes. Nevertheless, different projects adopted varied ways of capturing the difference they made, ranging from evaluation discussions to online surveys and in some instances utilising Outcome Stars. Young people consistently told us the value they placed on being able to **express themselves with their peers** at a time when spaces and activities to do so were limited. They were able to **share their thoughts and feelings** including their anxieties and fears as well as **sharing their ideas** which they told us felt especially important given the levels of isolation they had experienced. Opportunities to **learn new skills** continued; for example the Experiment Performance Company created their own original immersive film under social-distancing conditions. Therefore we continued to advance our core goals, creating opportunities for young people to build their strengths, explore their challenges and help achieve their potential. ## **The DreamArts Way** DreamArts has an ethos of ‘yes you can, so let’s do it together’. We invest in our skilled staff who learn to combine arts-based practice with aspects of attachment, systemic and neuroscience theories. This creates rich, secure and understanding relationships that encourage those who have complex needs and emotions to engage and reflect upon themselves. Core to this ‘DreamArts Way’ is PACE (Playful, Accepting, Curious and Empathetic), an attachment based relational model that aims to make participants feel safe and encourages trust. We believe we are the only organisation applying PACE within a youth arts setting. In addition, our core team are Trauma Informed Trained helping us to understand and respond to young people who have experienced trauma in their lives, further enhancing our wellbeing impact. “It’s time to relax and just be yourself.” “I loved learning about how a movie is produced.” “I think this year I’ve matured quite a lot with DreamArts." “It was good to share an emotion and relate to others.” “I’ve gained lots of confidence and maturity and made lots of new friends.” “I feel safe to express my feelings more. Normally I start a project and I stop going but here everyone is warm and patient.” **7 |** P a g e ## **EXPRESS** Express engaged 702 participants (2021=201). ## Express Plus During the pandemic our priority was to adapt delivery in response to the challenges presented by Covid. Sessions returned to Family Hubs whilst retaining the flexibility of remote work if needed e.g. if a young person had to self-isolate. Express Plus attendance rate was 79%. This is extremely positive given we are an out-of-school service and families are often facing considerable challenges in their lives, reflecting the value young people and parents/carers place on the support they receive. A greater investment in management and support continued and we worked closely with our therapeutic team to ensure guidance, regular supervision and safeguarding procedures were in place. We saw a rise in issues around domestic violence and by continuing Express Plus we were able to make safeguarding interventions to protect clients and their families. Over 80% are from global majority backgrounds and some have used sessions to help process their own responses and feelings on issues around cultural identity and racialisation. Thanks to our strong grass-roots networks our 44 referrals came from a range of partners including social workers and Early Help teams (52%), Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (13%), schools (13%), voluntary sector partners (11%) and self-referrals (11%). DreamArts regularly contribute to multiagency reviews to ensure joined-up support and we consistently receive positive feedback from other professionals on the difference Express Plus has made. “ _‘_ DreamArts has definitely helped me to express myself through art without having to worry about judgement. It reignited my passions by bringing me back to **8 |** P a g e ## simpler materials, which reminded me of primary school arts and crafts which helped rebuild my confidence from the foundations. The skills I learnt to cope will definitely help me climb out of the tougher times I face again.” A, aged 16 ## Family Express Family Express gives families the time, space and support to strengthen their relationships. Three projects took place (1 remote, 1 blended and 1 in-person) engaging a total of 69 participants from 33 families living around Church Street, the ward with the highest levels of child poverty in London. A third had experienced domestic violence and a third of parents had mental health issues. Families mapped and celebrated their successes and identified their challenges and how PACE could support them. Families explored understanding through visual arts and used storytelling to help articulate and regulate emotions, supported by video resources. They bonded which reduced isolation, with parents exploring extremely personal themes such as bereavement, domestic violence and ongoing illness. We learned from our online model the value of offering parent-only sessions which gave them the opportunity to openly share their challenges and successes and explore meeting the needs of their children. The groups also celebrated their achievements by going to theatre trips and visiting London Zoo. “ _‘_ Thank you for reigniting my children’s love for each other! Over lockdown they forgot how to be kind to each other.” _Images from Family Express._ Express Collective Carers Express projects initially continued online, with 17 participants generating digital work in a major collaboration with the Royal Academy (RA) and their Artist-Filmmaker Beverley Bennett. This built towards an inperson summer holiday project hosted at the RA where participants creatively explored their interests and identity and shared their thoughts and feelings. The films were screened at Westminster City Council’s Lord Mayors Parlour in November for family, friends and policy makers who shared and celebrated their achievements. The films ranged from addressing climate change to living in peace, challenging how gallery spaces such as the RA can be inclusive, and ‘Intersectional Me’ exploring ‘the different aspects of me.’ “The workshop helped me step back and have a blank piece of paper to think about how I feel.” Wellbeing Film was a commission by Westminster Early Help Service via the GLA supporting 8 Parent Champions to create films exploring mental health. Film skills were facilitated by two young people who have been supported through DreamArts. None of the parents had made films before, interviewing DreamArts members and producing pieces exploring the school experience for SEN pupils, bullying and how school exclusions impact mental health. **9 |** P a g e ## Friends From Afar supported 20 unaccompanied asylum seekers from areas ranging from Syria to Sudan and Vietnam. For many it was their first time interacting with others because they’d arrived during lockdown, increasing isolation and loneliness. They connected with their new home City for the first time, enjoying sessions that explored and celebrated their identity beyond their immigration status and media stereotypes. Many members went through pandemic - delayed Home Office assessments so FFA was a regular space where they could express their worries and feel connected and supported. Over Easter the group created their own short film, ‘Understand You,’ about young people speaking different languages and struggling to communicate who use sport to connect and become a team. Over the summer they devised their own work which they shared before Christmas on themes they feel passionately about such as overcoming struggle, supporting others and social justice. We also offered trips that focused on getting to know and access their new home city, from West End shows _(Everybody’s Talking About Jamie_ ), live music, museums (Cartoon Museum) and art galleries. “I really like using music and drama because you can express your emotions and share something with other people.” ## Friends From Afar Case Study **Young person M** is from Afghanistan and had been in the UK for 2 years when he joined _FFA_ . M was withdrawn in sessions, sharing with the group, ‘I am so shy and quiet person all the time’. M participated in all activities but didn’t electively share his thoughts or feelings or put himself forward. M told us he’d struggled with online lockdown learning and would be repeating the year at school. His language skills and vocabulary were limited in comparison to time spent in education. As M regularly attended FFA he grew socially, personally and artistically. Overcoming shyness, M massively developed relationships becoming a popular group member. He took more creative risks creating lots of comedy roles and showing his playful personality. M mentioned he doesn’t participate in any additional activities and spends a lot of time at home. He really enjoyed the trips and experiencing more of London including Tate Modern and a river cruise. _‘I really like going out and love look the artwork and go to the boat I really enjoyed it’_ . He also enjoyed seeing a West End show, feeling inspired to write out the whole narrative in English and sharing this with the group. M started sharing more about his life in Afghanistan and his culture. As situations in Afghanistan deteriorated, M blocked social media as it became overwhelming and impacted his mental health. We increased regular phone check-ins and M attended sessions but felt very emotional and low, becoming quiet and withdrawn. The following week, in a check-in, M expressed to the group he’s feeling very sad about what he sees happening. This was a big breakthrough for him to share after shutting down. His peers came around him offering hugs, expressing they’re pleased he’s here. We echoed this as practitioners and it’s OK to feel sad, the most important thing is he’s present with us. M really progressed over the final week coming back to some of his newfound confidence. He created movement pieces, songs and performed in the sharing. Reflecting on the project, one his peers said: ‘ _I need to tell you that you have become more confident. He said he’s shy when he sees people. But now he’s grown and got big confidence’_ . M responded: “I see that in myself and feel more confident. I liked to come every week because I don’t have any plan to go outside with someone. But when I come here I enjoy because it’s a lot of fun joining in, I’m excited to come.” **10 |** P a g e ## **EXPRESS SPOTLIGHT: CREATIVE TRANSITIONS** This programme fuses creativity and therapeutic approaches to support Year 6 pupils transitioning to secondary school. Building on the success of our 2020 pilot, DreamArts was invited by Early Help Service and the Young Westminster Foundation to expand this work across Westminster. Overall, we engaged 483 participants; Moving On Up 1-day workshops were delivered in 10 primary schools for 347 students, and three targeted week-long summer holiday projects supported 136 young people identified as facing particular transition challenges. Young people had a safe space to play out scenarios, rehearse obstacles, acknowledge and name their feelings and identify their skills. They consistently expressed feelings of isolation experienced during the pandemic and their desire to connect with their peers, including “be kind”, “not making judgements, being accepting and supportive”, “have fun, spread positivity”, “active listening”, “be yourself”, and “try”. Young people creatively explored these personal attributes, for example informing their creation of an avatar character, a fictionalised version of self, rooted in the young persons’ identity and who could serve as a blueprint for the self they wish to develop at secondary school. They identified how feelings manifest in the body through creative activities such as mask work, and tools for regulating emotions such as breathing techniques. Participants built on this to each produce a strength-based plan for their first week at secondary school. For example, an identified strength such as “kindness” was developed into an action plan of “playing with someone who is sitting by themselves”. Participants presented an exhibition and performance sharing for family members, making them aware of the support their child needs. Feedback from a regrouping session 3 months into secondary school evidenced the project’s impact. “I learned to interact with new people and to be more positive.” “I learned to be independent.” “I achieved sharing my emotions and teamwork.” “It was great to have you in not only to get them thinking about their transition to Year 7 but also to develop life skills like dealing with change.” Teacher “I have never seen my class so absorbed! I also got good tips to incorporate into my daily teaching.” Teacher “She has been very confident with herself which is the best outcome.” Parent _Workshop visited by Nickie Aiken MP._ **11 |** P a g e ## **EXPERIMENT** Experiment’s priority during the pandemic has remained to give young people a space to creatively express their thoughts and feelings, reaching 55 participants (2021= 65). The Performance Company of sixteen 13-19 year olds kickstarted the year with a welcome return to in-person work, collaborating with the award-winning theatre company Les Enfants Terrible and Grey Beanie Productions to create an **immersive film entitled** _**Stained Glass**_ . For the majority this was their first experience of creating a film, shooting on location around Paddington Basin and on the Electric Barge with the added challenge of filming with masks and social distancing. Set in a dystopian world, their story involved a rebel group battling shady politicians who control the population by poisoning the water. Given a YouTube premiere in May and viewed over 400 times, the audience had to choose their own path through the story. Our Juniors groups aged 7-13 returned to inperson projects in the **summer half term holiday project** which engaged 22 participants. It was clear that lockdowns and educational disruptions had left many members struggling in a group setting. We therefore spent time focusing on fun and relationship building, developing teamwork and communication skills through creative devising and games. The summer holidays saw our Performance Company and Junior members join forces for **West End Stars** . The project arose from DreamArts participants wanting to learn more about the professional performing arts industry and gaining insight into ‘Drama School’ level training. Participants created their own West End musical hits, developed routines with the acclaimed Shobana Jeyasingh Dance company and were introduced to acting techniques by team member Kemi Awoderu, a graduate from Blood in the Water _, and_ West End Stars _._ **12 |** P a g e RADA and former member of DreamArts who has performed in West End productions including _Jerusalem_ . The project climaxed in a welcome in-person sharing at the Parker Morris Hall for 40 family and friends. ## **Experiment returned to regular weekend** **sessions on Saturdays and Sundays** in autumn 2021. After 18 months of Covid restrictions it became clear we would need to help participants navigate the impact of the pandemic. This included the opportunity during check-ins and check-outs for the group to creatively explore and share their feelings in a safe and non-exposing way. Rather than working towards a performance of new musicals which could cause additional stress and pressure, sessions focused on sharing and belonging through play and creative experimentation. As the winter progressed the ‘pingdemic’ hit proving difficult for members and staff who had to self-isolate. Combined with fluctuating participation patterns and Covid uncertainties we decided the Performance Company, instead of working on a single performance piece to share, would create their own cabaret. The results were outstanding as members took huge creative risks presenting their own stand-up comedy, solo dance and small-group choreography. They performed to a packed Sarah Siddons Theatre alongside Sunday Juniors at our Gala whilst Saturday Juniors gave a presentation at the Abbey Centre which fused puppetry, protest songs and members running activities for their parents. “I enjoyed learning more about the post-production process and meeting people I’ve known over Zoom in person.” Participant aged 14 “I made new friends that I never thought I would make.” Participant aged 12 “I’ve grown in confidence and improved my learning skills.” Participant aged 13 “I like to perform in front of others now.” Participant aged 8 “She is able to express her feelings and listen when others express theirs.” Parent “Thank you for giving a small young boy who was shy and anxious a space, voice and opportunity to shine! We are so grateful for your commitment and dedication towards these young children. You have helped Rion find his confidence and believe in himself! A life-skill he will utilize and cherish forever.” Parent _From top to bottom; Experiment Sunday, a scene from the Performance Company zoom film_ Blood in the Water _, our West End Stars project, and our 2021 Gala._ **13 |** P a g e TAKE THE STAGE 141 Page ## **EXPAND** Express engaged 94 participants (2021=102). Our usual Youth Arts Leadership training schemes remained on hold as opportunities for young people to put their skills into practice remained limited by Covid restrictions. Nevertheless, young people continued taking control of our work. Our Social Media Team involving 4 young people work alongside our team to shape our communications and ensure young people’s voices are at the heart of our messaging. The team interviewed young actor Jordan Nash who starred in the Disney live-action _Aladdin_ and the Peter Pan movie Finding Neverland and told us about working alongside Will Smith. DreamArts members were given insight into the world of technical theatre and backstage in workshops led by DreamArts alumni and former Expand leader Sylvia DarkwaOhemeng (pictured below) who gave insights into her professional theatre career which includes being Stage Manager at the Young Vic and setting up Backstage Niche to promote behind-the-scenes opportunities for people of colour. ## City Lions DreamArts helps develop and deliver City Lions, Westminster City Council’s flagship project to support 13-16 year olds living in the borough’s deprived areas to engage with creative opportunities on their doorstep. DreamArts team member Gaynor Smith is City Lions Creative Curator and was at the forefront of developing interactive, fun and engaging remote sessions during lockdowns, leading 4 remote and 2 in-person holiday programmes involving over 90 young people with partners including The Saatchi Gallery and The Cartoon Museum (above is an example of comic strips created during a City Lions visit to the Cartoon Museum). ## “I really enjoyed learning creativity is needed in all jobs.” **15 |** P a g e ## **DREAMARTS STAR** ## DK Fashoula DK joined DreamArts aged 14 and took part in Street 2 Stage where young people create and produce their own original musicals. DK took lead roles including _Metropolis_ in 2005 at The Cochrane Theatre in Covent Garden (pictured, with DK on the top step) displaying her interest and talent for all aspects of creativity. DK always had a passion for devising her own work and signed up for our Advanced Youth Art Leadership Scheme developing skills in taking a creative idea through to production, budgeting, marketing and working with your peers. Through the scheme DK founded her first company which built into an awardwinning force in dance and physical theatre. DK has continued as a multidisciplinary performer and theatre maker, her company Initiative.dkf winning commissions from Theatre Royal Stratford East and creating the Melanin Box Festival. Recent credits include the Royal Shakespeare Company’s _Much Ado About Nothing_ (pictured right alongside another DreamArts star Luke Wilson as Benedick) receiving acclaim in the British Theatre Guide review; “Movement director DK Fashola - who also appears as the Friar - is simply electric with the choreography, that includes elements of disco, ritual and a few moves that could come from a Maori haka.” “DreamArts was the space for me. It gave us a base to be comfortable and free, developing our talents and encouraging us not to be afraid of the gifts we have. During the Leadership scheme I ended up formulating a group that has gone on to perform around the world. Even more important we found out who we are as individual artists and people which made us stronger in all areas of our lives.” **16 |** P a g e ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** **It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees that the charity remains financially sound. Income for the year ending 31 March 2022 totaled £307,557 whilst expenditure was £311,176. This produced a year-end deficit of £3,619, leaving the charity with reserves of £53,809** . Incoming resources were up 18% from last year at £307,557 (2022 = £261,091). Our main source of income this year has been grants applied for by the charity primarily to deliver its core programmes. The level of this funding source rose to £252,043 (2022 = £198,405). This includes a 2-year core funding grant from Westminster City Council and The Young Westminster Foundation, the second year of our John Lyon’s Charity grant of £40k per year towards our core costs, and a 3-year £30k per year grant from City Bridge supporting Express Plus. In 2021-22 commissions are commissions were £48,972 (2021 = £59,308) which included developing and delivering aspects of City Lions, our Transitions commission and our work with unaccompanied asylum seekers. Our income from donations and tickets generated £6,542 (2021 = £3,378) which includes a kind £3k donation from our former Chair and member Ronald Cummings-John to support the costs of recruiting a new Chair of Trustees. ## **Reserves Policy** Reserves at year end stood at £53,809 (2021 = £57,428). We have therefore achieved what trustees consider to be a satisfactory reserves level since the charity has no fixed liabilities beyond its core full-time staff team and is structured to be able to reduce its work if funding is not secured for a particular programme. ## **Supporters in 2021-22** We are grateful to the following Trusts and Foundations for their support: John Lyon’s Charity Young Westminster Foundation City Bridge St Giles and William Shelton Education Trust BBC Children in Need Church Street Neighbourhood Keepers Fund GLA Young Londoners Fund City of Westminster Charitable Trust Westminster Foundation Strand Parishes Hyde Park Estate Charity Westminster Almshouses Pimlico Million Tesco Charitable expenditure was £288,656 (2021 = £236,057). £177,697 was expended on Express, £83,148 on Experiment and £27,811 on Expand. The costs spent on generating funds was £18,680 (2021= £17,399) which includes 25% of our Chief Executive’s time and our freelance fundraiser’s fees. Our governance costs for the year were £3,840 (2021 = £780) consisting of £840 in accountancy costs and £3k in trustee recruitment costs. Thus, we continue our policy of living within our means. **17 |** P a g e ## **LOOKING FORWARD** The work of DreamArts has never been more important as the wellbeing needs of young people continue to rise, compounded by the impact of the pandemic. Whilst our plans have had to adapt to changing demands we have evidenced our expertise and flexibility to support young people whether working remotely or face-to-face. This means we are able to stay true to our core vision that **young people across Westminster can express themselves on their own terms, explore their challenges and build on their strengths so they can realise their potential.** In Westminster there are 5,000 young people living in poverty in our target wards. Four years ago we set ourselves the target of raising our income from £165k to £300k each year so we can double our reach. We have achieved this – in 2022 we secured £307,557 and worked with over 800 participants, the majority of whom live in our target wards. Our other key strategic targets are to; - **Develop delivery partnerships that are deeper, stronger and longer-term.** - **Secure commissions that enable us to reach young people most in need and provide us with key resources.** - **Build a network of support from business and individual Friends to secure, sustain and grow our vision** Our reputation for quality and innovation continues, leading Westminster City Council to continue supporting our work with unaccompanied asylum seekers and commissioning DreamArts to host a new Young Carers Navigator role to advocate and support the needs of young carers. To support rising wellbeing needs we will continue to pioneer our fusion of arts and therapeutic practice assisted by the appointment of leading therapist Anthea Benjamin as our Therapeutic Consultant. We continue to work hard for DreamArts to be a ‘brave space’ where we positively challenge ourselves and embed inclusive practice. This includes continuing conversations around race, inclusiveness and equity stimulated by Black Lives Matters and put into action what it means to create a ‘safe space’ where everyone can try things out, express themselves and grow their skills so that DreamArts can achieve the best outcomes for all young people. Key priorities for the coming period are: - Develop responsive projects to meet needs arising from the pandemic. - Build our work with unaccompanied asylum seekers into a sustainable long-term project that is an example of best practice. - Seek opportunities for expanding our therapeutic support - Build a sustainable pan-Westminster programme of support for young carers through our new commission hosting the Young Carers Navigator. ## **Future Fundraising** Having expanded to meet the needs of young people during the pandemic we will focus on fundraising to sustain and secure the longerterm growth of our therapeutic support and our work with unaccompanied asylum seekers and young carers. Trusts and foundations recognise the impact we have and want to invest in advancing our work whilst commissions from City Council grow as DreamArts demonstrates the quality and impact of our work in times of crisis. These challenging times continue and we will explore other sources of support, including from business and individuals who recognise the value we provide to local communities. To this end we are delighted that William Jackson Food Group have donated £10k for 2022/23. **18 |** P a g e INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTOTHE TRUSTEE8 OF DREAMARTS Ind•p•ndent¢x•mlneff¥ report io thoiru$t*e$ of Dwam•rts I rew)rt totr* chatty trL￿t￿on tnyex8tnirthon oftt* &([￿&01￿* Dre￿rtS (the Trust) knthe Wend￿ 31 arch 20 RO3pon3i￿1it￿S and basis Of report As ihe chanty iTu51985 ollhB T￿￿1 you arn r*￿)￿b￿lorth8 dth6 acco￿ts in attt*d8rts the requirements o1th8 Chant￿Ac1 2011 Ilh8Acri I retK)rt in res￿Of my examinabon of the Twsys 8CCOLnts camed oth U￿e[secbOn 145 of theACt8￿ In c8[Tri[￿ my exa[￿nal￿ I have Idl0￿￿1 all ap￿ICable Directsn5 grrt￿ bythecharty u[K￿[SeC￿On 14y5llblof t Ind•p•nd•nt¢x•mSn•f¥ ¥wom*nt nte your ch8nVs gross Income exceeded your examiner must be a MeM￿￿Of a Iisled LKxty I ￿[1[M th81 I ￿ walified to U[K￿rtth examinabon ￿cause l am 8 reg￿tered n￿Mb￿ of The InsbtLJte of chart￿ed Accountsnts In England Wale5 which 15 on&ol the I￿1* ￿1 I have my ex8mingtw I ￿fi[m Ih8t no mgteri* matteTS have¢(￿￿ lo myatt￿l￿ in c{￿re¢￿￿ vAth ihe examina￿) gi￿1￿ m* wse ￿ believe thai In any re$￿t accounbng recortswere notkept In rest￿1 of thg Tnjsl as[equr￿l by sec￿ 130of the Art". or thp ￿(l￿nts do llDt accorf record5." or th8 acctyJnis do not c(mnplyv￿lh Ih&sprAi¢atrA8 1&]uiiemnts ¢Mceminy ihe ftsm 8nd c¢r)tenlof accounts $810 In t￿ Ch8ritieslACc￿nts and Rewsl R￿UlatiOnS 20￿ otheT th8n any r4uirement thatts gi¥E8 true and fFArwewvthich Is not 8 matte[c￿s￿ed as W of8n Independent eydanunt*kn. I havè nO￿￿c&m5 havg (￿rne acroBS noolhgrfflattBrs ￿ conne¢bon wlh pxatniD8bon ta whlch att4nUon 9￿j bèdra￿7 In roport ￿ ordgrto enab￿ a proper understrdnding of the accoun15to bF reathFd. BA 8FP FCA Albury Assooai¢s knmil 2nd Aoor. One Hobbs HDuS&, Harrovian Bu51ne55Vilbge 8ssborough Road Harrow Middlesex HA13EX Dale.. 24 January 2023 Asif Raniwala, Treasurer **20 |** P a g e Asif Raniwala, Treasurer **21 |** P a g e DREAMARTS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 ACCOUNTING POUCIES Basis of preparing the financial ststements Th@ finamal sla18m8nts of th8 chanty. which Is a putAic t￿effi antsty under FRS 102. Iw¥8 b88n prepar￿ in acc￿dan￿ the Cl*ribes SORP IFRS 1021 'ACC(￿ning and R8wrting by Charthes. Statemnt of RetommÈrKled PracbcÈ arplIcab￿ tr> chariiies preparing theiraccounis In actordance the Finantid Re￿r￿ng Standard ap￿Icab￿ In the UK and RepuNic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffecbve 1 January 20151,, FinatKial Rewtting Standard 102 The FinarK1￿ ReporbTrJ Standard applicab￿ In the UK Republic of Ireland, and ChaDbe5 Act 2011 Thefinanud statem8nts have been pt8par8d ￿de[th8 hiskncal cost con￿til Incomè All Income 15 reCogn￿ed in the Statement of Financial ActMIEs 0[￿e the chatity ha5 to thp funds, It 6 prrl)atle thatthe incotne wl be received aTvJ lheat￿￿t can be meqsL¥d ieliaLIy. Expendlture Liabilit￿sale recLrynisad as 8xpenditur8a9￿n &slh818 Isa18gal oiconstsuthv8oNigaion commitbrvJlh8ch* to Ihal expenditure, il is probatAe Ihal atransfer of Ècon(mit ￿nefIts￿lI1 be required in seillwÉni and Ihe ￿M￿nt of the Obluat￿ can tE measured reliabty Expenditure Is accounted f￿ on an acctuals bas15 has bee Clas￿rIed underheadin95 that t4Jgregate 41 cost rdatgJ to the category. Where cos15 canrw)t be direclty attnbulgj to part￿U￿r headings they have been allocat￿ to actMts￿ on a ths cowstentwth the use of ieg)uic Taxatlon The th2rKty Is exempi from tax tsn its charnabk a¢v¥rties Fund aecountlng Unreslricled furKJ5 can be used in accordance wrth the chanlable objective5 atthe discreti￿ of the trustees. Resiricied funds Can onty be used for parti¢ular resiricied puwses Wllhin the obieds of the ch*ity. Resiricuons an5e vthen specthed by the donor or when funds are raised for parkncukar re51ncted putposes Further eXp￿nat￿)n of the nalwe and putP05e of each fund 15 included In the notes to the financ&al slaletnents. Pension costs and other post￿etIrement benefits The chanty operates a defined contnbutson pension scheme. Contnbutions payable lo the chaTrtWs penS￿n scheme a￿ tharged lo the SlaiÈmeni of Finantial Atuviiies in the perh)d p whith Ihey rela RAISING FUNDS Raising donatlons and l•gaci4s 2022 2021 SuppDrt CQS 18.880 173 TRUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were rK) IN*ees' reMUnern￿n or ￿her benefits for Ihe year ended 31 March 2022 nor for trt year ended 31 March 2021. Trustees. expense5 There were no Irusiees, expenses paid for Iheyeaf ended 31 March 2022 rnr for Ihe year ended 31 March 2021. 221 Page NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 STAFF COSTS The average tnonthty number of empknyees dunng Ihe yearwas as folk>ws". 2022 2)21 Full Time Part Time Freelance Project Staff 12 24 No employees re￿1¥￿1 emduments In eX￿sS of£60.000. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT QF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2(r21 2021 2021 Reslncted fvn Unre5tncted tunds Tot funds INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donatson5 and ￿gaCleS 3.378 3.378 Incoming Resources from chantab￿ activty 61.328 1%,385 257.713 Total 64,706 196,385 261,091 EXPENOITURE ON Raising funds 17,399 17,393 Charitabl• activiti•s EypE55 Expenment Expand 18,084 122,084 60.358 13,207 140.904 65,9￿2 29,251 16.044 Other Total 57.851 196.385 254.240 NET INCOME 6.855 6.855 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total frjnds brought forward 50.573 J.573 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARC* 67,428 57.428 DEBTORS.. AMOUNTS FALLING Due WITHIN ONE YEAR 2022 2021 Trdde deblot5 Otherdeblors 57,486 245 1.888 245 67,731 2.133 231 Page DREAMARTS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 CREDITORS.. AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2022 2021 Bank loans and overdrafts Trade treditors Other credilotS Grant prepayments for202212023 926 4,060 780 62 505 8.808 3.822 13.006 2S.635 68 272 MOVEMENT IN FUND$ N•t mov4m4nt funds At 114121 At 3113122 Unr•strlct•d fijnds General fund 57.428 53.809 TOTAL FUNDS 50.573 3,6191 53.809 Nel movement In funds. indLKled in the above are as frAIows. Incoming r•souro•s Resources •xp•nd•d Movement in funds Unrestricted fvnds General fund R•strlct•d funds General fund 97.442 210.115 TOTAL FUNDS 307,557 3,6191 Comparatives for movement in funds Net mov•m•nt In fvnds At 114120 Al 3113121 Unr•strlet*d Funds General fund 50.573 6.855 57.428 TOTAL FUNDS 50,573 6.855 57.428 CA)mpa￿t￿e nel movement in funds, included in the above are asfollows Incoming r•sourc•s Resources •xp•nd•d Movement in funds Unr•strict•d funds General fund R•striet•d Funds Gener￿1 Fund 64.706 6.B55 196.385 1196.3851 TOTAL FUNC*S 261.091 254.2361 241 Page DREAMARTS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 h1ARCH 2Q22 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS. contlnu•d A ￿trent year 12 tnonths and pnoryear 12 months combined posrtion is as fol￿ws". Net mov•m•nt In funds At 114120 At 3113122 Unrestricted fvnd5 General fund 50,573 3.236 53.809 TOTAL FUNDS 50,573 3.236 53.809 A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined nel movement in funds, Induded In IrE ab)¥e are as follows Incorning resource5 Re50urce5 expended Movement in fund5 Unr4striet•d funds General fund Restricted Funds General fund 162,148 1158.9121 3,236 406,500 1406.5001 TOTAL FUNDS 56B,64B 1565.4121 3,236 RELATED PAR TY DISCLQSURES There were no related paty Iransacbons forthe yearended 31 March 2022. 251 Page DREAMARTS DETAILED STATeMeNT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 MARCH 2022 2022 2021 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donatlons and ￿93Cl•S Donal￿nS Incomiw resources from chantable acbvity 6.542 301,015 3.378 25TT13 Total Ineomlng r•sour¢•s 307,557 261.091 EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Wages Social secunty Production & Propct Costs 162,413 10,956 78,294 123,763 19.583 50,821 251,663 194,167 Support eosts Mtsnau*m*ni Wages Pensions Support Costs 16.060 5,040 35.￿2 15.537 10.309 33,443 55,672 59.289 Gov•rnanc• costs Accountancy and legal fees 3,840 780 Total r•sourc•s •xp•nd4d 311,176 2￿.236 N*t Incom•ll*xp•ndltur•l 3,6191 261 Page r!K 3Yp DreamArts 34 Grosvenor Gardens London SW1W ODH graham@dreamarts.org.uk f&t @DreamArts www.dreamarts.org.uk