Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period start date Peri(*J end date 06 04 2023 05 04 2024 From To Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Company of Friends Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1172644 Charity's principal address., The Black-E l Great George Street Liverpool Postcode LI SEW Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if an Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Alan Wardle Paul Lafferty Sheila Rand 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Names of the trnstees for the charity, if anyi (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole ear TAR March 2012
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infomiation) e of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Section B Strurture, overnance and mana ement Description of the charity's trusts Constitution Type of governing document | How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee selection methods Appointed by the existing Trustees Additional governance issues (Optional information) You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees. the charity's organisational Structure and any wider network with which the charity works; relationship with any related parties; trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. Section C Ob-ectives and activities TAR March 2012
To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by working with people in Merseyside who have learning difficulties. who are socially excluded as a result of their learning difficulties and to relieve the needs of such people and assist them to integrate into society. Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Main activities include The practise and performance of theatre, art, music and movement therapy. Providing educational opportunities including visits to art institutions, i Raising public awareness of the issues affecting people with leaming difficulties. both generally and in relation to their social exclusion, Providing workshops. forums and general support, and providing recreational facilities and opportunities for people with learning difficulties. What we do Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) Drama is an established method for promoting self-confidence and a sense of belonging and sharing experiences. It breaks the cycle of isolatr'on, brings people together and presents them with challenges they can solve collaboratively. Company of Friends supports its members through the practise and performance of theatre, art, music and movement therapy. Since 2016, Company of Friends Theatre has staged many productions (at the Black-E), including 'Dr Who and the Unknown Dimension,, 'Macbeth', 'Our Will,, 'HamleV, 'Sherlock Holmes and the Wolfman,, 'The , Tempesy and 'Nothing to be Done,, based on Samuel Beckets work. Also, we have collaborated with LIPA to stage The Red and Black,, a factual production, involving the Spanish Civil War and some Liverpool Sailors, performed at LIPA and the Anglican Cathedral, and more recently, 'The Tam O'shanter Project, performed at Bidston, The Wirral. Victoria Victorious, on the streets of New Brighton. And our latest collaboration with LIPA, 'More then a Club, at Tanmere Rovers Football Club. After much consideration and consultation, 'Company B,, was born in May 2022. This activity group is seen as a stepping-stone, to the main group. Commitment is more relaxed, with drama attivity taking a secondary role, with the focus being on confidenTr, communication, collaboration, focus and fun. Currently, 6 members are involved, with I hopefully more to come. Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information) TAR March 2012
Accountabil Our members direct the work our Charity undertakes. The volunteers support the members in achieving this. Initially, discussions with the entire group take pla. Member5 will give suggestions as to what they would like to do next. This can range from 'Hamlet' to 'Sherlock Holmes nd the Wolfman,. Scripts are written, amended and then rehearsed. Before, finally 'Company of Friends, presents a production to a paying public. You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about: policy on grantmaking; policy programme related investment. ortunities | Company of Friends recognises that it is essential to provide to all I persons without discriminatron. Though we support members predominantly with Downs Syndrome, all our members are treated j equally without discrimination. Our members have a range of capacities, I which does necessitate achieving a 'good fiv with the individual's ability and the requirements of their involvement. contribution made by volunteers. Company of Friends promotes engagement with other local communities for the development of shared projects. Current projects being l undertaken include collaboration with UPA, Mencap and Liverpool Adult Social Services Section D Achievements and performance TAR March 2012
Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year Productions i For the main group, members of 'Company of Friends,, began development and rehearsal of 'What Ho! Uncle Vanya,, early 2023. This has been their most demanding work to date, being a melding of Chekhov and PG W()Jdhouse, with some Russian elements of the play, being exceptionally challenging. A public performance were held at the 'Black-E', our base theatre, later that year, and was well received. Company B, has continued to grow and flourish. A previously written drama 'The Cinnamon Roll,, was considered ideal, for a first taste of drama, and has proved ideal, for this new cohort, to develop confidence with collaboration. Public performances are imminenL As usual, Company of Friends began collaborating in Easter, with the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) in Easter, in co-operation with 2 other drama groups, each presenting their own work, as part of a main performance, which on this occasion was presented in the Main Theatre, at the Black-E, to an audience of several hundred. TAR March 2012
Section E Financial review Brief ststement of the charity's policy on reserves Company of Friends does not have a Reserves Policy Details of any funds materially in deficit Not applicable Further financial review details (Optional information) You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about: the charity's principal sources of funds (induding any fundraising); how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity. investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. The main expenditures for 'Company of Friends, and 'Company B, are 3 fold. Payments to project facilitators, administration and payment for office and rehearsal spa. Over recent years, we have secured grants from The Arts Council,, The Lottery,, the 'Community Impact Fund,, Jack's supermarket, 'Elizabeth | Rathbone Trusv, 'John Moores Foundation, and 'Eleanor Rathbone Trust, When no funding has been secured, we rely on the minimal subscription we charge our members, £4 a session (4 hours), to keep operational. At times, we have been fortunate that facilitstors, administration and hire Spa has been donated, either for free, or for a token amount. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report al>ove. Signed on behalf of the charity's tru Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretaryi Chair, etc) Alan Wardle Sheila Rand Trust/secretary Trust Date 410212025 TAR March 2012
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIAND AND WALES Company of Ffiends 1172644 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 0610412023 0510412024 To Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to the nearest Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds La$t year to the twrest£ to the nÈarest£ to the nearest £ lo the neartst £ A1 Receipts Donations Subscnpiions Other Payments Lottery Granl Black-E Contributions (light Desk) John Moores Foundation Grani Members Theatre contributions Members Meal Contributions 360 1,510 29 1,6f>O 1.474 1.s10 8.280 210 8.280 8.280 140 60 140 Sub total (Gross income forARJ A2 Asset and investment sales. {see table). 2,099 8.280 10.379 11.624 Sub total Total receipts 2,099 8,280 10.379 11.624 A3Pa ents Adminislralion Web Site Bla¢k-E Rental Hire Members Theatre Tickets Mernbers Meals 813ck_E Psyment Ilighl Desk) Audio Expenses Producbons SetsiProp Costs Training Materials stationary. Ink. stamps & expenses Facillitalor PayTnents Audio Equipment TealCoffe&lMilk 720 441 720 441 110 408 120 1.760 503 440 358 355 210 30 115 4108 120 82 170 19 62 82 170 19 62 12.480 210 31 69 12,480 210 Sub total 2.342 12,480 14,822 4.119 A4 Asset and investment urchases. (see table) Sub total 2,342 12,480 14,822 4,119 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 243 4.200 4,443 7,505 8,280 4,080 8.287 3,844 314 236 7,819 CCXX R1 accounts ISS} 0310212025
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fund$ Restricted funds Endowmenl funds to nearest £ <4&eiiori¢S Details to nearest £ lo nearest £ B1 Cash funds Bank 242 4.080 Cash Total cash funds 236 4,080 (agree baaFKes iewpts ?3rts a¢1UntI$ll Unrestricted funds to neare$t £ Restricted funds Endowment funds to nearest £ to nearest £ Fund to which asset belon Current value tional Details Cost loptionall Fund to which asset belon DEE311s Cost (opOnall Cvrrent value tional B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to whi¢h relatss AJnount due tional When due tional Details BS Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on beha of 811 the tnjstees Print Name Dale of roval ignature Alan Wardle Sheila Rand 0410212025 0410212025 CCKX R2 accounls ISSI 0310212025