Trustees, Annual Report for the period Period start date PericNJ end date 06 04 2024 05 04 2025 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 LI SEW Names of the charity tSteeS who manage the charity Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (rf an Trustee name offi (if any) Dates acted rf not for whole year Alan Wardle Paul Lafferty Sheila Rand 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Names of the trustees for the charity, if anyi (for example, any stOdian trustees) Name Datss acted if not for whole ear TAR March 2012
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional inforniation) of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior stsff members (Optional inforniation) Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Description of the charitys trusts Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitutioi How the charity is constituted Charitsble Incorporated Organisation Trustee selettion methods inied electea b,, Appointed by the existing Trustees Addltional governan 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 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 leaming 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, Raising public awareness of the issues affecting people with learning 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 guidan 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 isolation, brings people together and presents them with challenges they can solve collaboratively. Company of Friends supports its members through the prattise and perfomiance 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,, 'Hamlet', 'Sherlock Holmes and the Wolfman,, 'The Tempesy and 'Nothing to be Done., based on Samuel Beckets work. Also, we have collaborated with UPA to stage The Red and Black,, a fattual 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 Vittorious, on the streets of New Brighton. 'More then a Club, at Tranmere Rovers Football Club. Our latest collaboration with LIPA, 'Penny Lane Peoples,, was performed with 6 other groups, at the Penny Lane Community Centre. After much consideration and consultstion, 'Company B., was born in May 2022. This attivity group is seen as a stepping-stone, to the main group. Commitment is more relaxed, with drama activity tsking a secondary role, with the focus being on confidence, communication, collaboration, focus and fun. Currently, 6 members are involved, with hopefully more to come. Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information) TAR March 2012
Accountabilit Our members dirett the work our Charity undertakes. The volunteers support the members in achieving this. Initially, discussions with the entire group tske place. Members will give suggestions as to what they would like to do next. This can range from 'Hamlet' to 'Sherlock Holmes and the Wolfrnan,. 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. E ual O ortunities Company of Friends recognises that it is essential to provide to all persons without discrimination. Though we support members predominantly with Downs Syndrome, all our members are treated equally without discrimination. Our members have a range of capacities, which does necessitste achieving a 'good fit, 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 undertaken include collaboration with LIPA, 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 Produrtions For the main group, members of 'Company of Friends,, began development and rehearsal of 'Murder most Haunted ' early 2024. As always, we challenge our members, to further refine their skills, with the dramas we undertake. This latest play, does exactly that, with members taking on multiple roles, and with the added challenge, of strong emotional expression. A public performance was held at the 'Black-E', our base theatre, later that year, and was well received. Company B, continues to grow in members and their skills. Working collaboratively, they have improved in many areas, including communication, memory, confidence and focus. Especially impressive is the emotion they bring to the characters they portray, a real sign of atting maturity. Again, Company of Friends began collaborating in Easter, with the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA), on a shared produrtion, with 6 other groups. The projett 'Penny Lane Peoples,, was presented to an audience of several hundred at the 'Penny Lane Community Centre,. 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 inforniation) You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about: the charity's principal sources of funds (including 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 space. Over recent years, we have secured grants from The Arts Council,, The Lottery,, the 'Community Impatt Fund,, Jack's supermarket, 'Elizabeth Rathbone Trusy, 'John Moores Foundation,, 'Eleanor Rathbone Trus and 'The Merseyside Lieutenan When no fiJnding has been secured, we rely on the minimal subscription we charge our members, £4 a session (4 hours), to kp operational. At times, we have been fortunate that facilitators, administration and hire ace 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 above. Signed on behalf of the tharitys trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretaryi Chair, etc) Alan Wardle Sheila Rand Trustee/Secretary Trustee Date 0310212026 TAR March 2012
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Company of Frlends 1172644 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from I104/2024 0510412025 To Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to the nearest Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest£ to the rEearest £ to the nearèst £ to thg nearest £ A1 Receipts Donations Subscriptions Received Dance Eleanour Rathbone Grant Elizabeth Rathbone Grant Lottery Grant Members TenPin conin'bution Members Meal Contributyon 360 1.525 240 360 1.510 29 1,525 1.656 8.280 140 60 105 105 Sub total (Gross income forAR) A2 Asset and investment $ales, (see table). 2.270 4,656 6,926 10.379 Sub total zzz£ 2,270 4,656 6,926 10,379 A3 Pa ments Adrninistraboll Web Site 81ack-E Rental Hire Facillilator Dance Payrnent Members Tenpin Wing Members Meals IT Computer Dnves Productions Cost SetslProp Costs Training Materials Stationary. Ink, stamps & expen Fac111itator Payments Audio Equipment Tealcoffeelmilk Last year missed £48 . Tea and Coffee 1.020 359 1,020 359 720 441 110 129 174 67 17 129 174 67 17 408 120 82 170 24 22 22 62 12.480 210 18 18 2.074 6,154 14,870 A4 Asset and Investment urchases, see table Sub total 2.074 4.080 6.154 14.870 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 196 576 772 4,491 4,080 4,656 3,796 4,568 3,844 60 88 CCXX R1 accounts ISS) 0410212026
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds nearÈst£ Restricted funds to ne3rest £ Endowment funds to nearèst £ Categories Details 81 Cash funds Bank 4.656 Cash Total cash funds 88 4,656 xJxDSl) Unrestricted funds to nearest £ Restricted funds to neat £ Endowment funds tg nearest £ Details Fund to whtch assèt bÈlon $ Currènt valu• tsonal Details Cost loptTronall Fund to which asset bdon Details Cost loptionall Current value o tional B4 Assets retsined for the charity's own use Fund to which r8latos Amoufit due When due tional Details 85 Liabilitles Signed by one or tM40 trustees on eha of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of roval Aran Ward Sheila Rand 0310212026 0310212026 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 0410212026