## **Stretford Children’s Theatre** **REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1175334** ## **2022 / 2023 Annual Report** **Financial Year End 31.8.23** **(Period covered 01.09.22-31.08.23)** ## **Stretford Children’s Theatre** **Stretford Public Hall** **Chester Road** **Stretford** **Manchester** **M32 0LG** **Email: stretfordchildrenstheatre@gmail.com** **X: @SCT_Stretford** **Website: www.stretfordchildrenstheatre.org.uk** **Instagram: stretfordchildrenstheatre** ## _**Mission Statement:**_ To inspire, educate and enrich our community by providing high quality accessible performing arts sessions and through public productions. ## _**Our Vision:**_ To build a valued community organisation that is well-known for its high quality, inclusive, participant-led performing arts offer; an environment where everyone feels valued and supported to unlock talent and reach their potential. ## _**Our Values:**_ _Our_ **values** _, below, inform our work and guide our_ **attitudes** _and_ **behaviours** _:_ ## _**Our Aims:**_ - To provide fun, creative opportunities - To be participant led - To increase confidence, resilience and independence for participants - To develop social and emotional skills to support mental health and well-being - To develop confidence and leadership skills in order to enhance employability - To develop skills, knowledge and appreciation of the arts - To promote an understanding of the significance of the arts in our shared cultural heritage - To encourage participants’ connection to their community: a sense of belonging - To provide a safe and healthy environment for all - To work together with residents, community users, local authorities, voluntary and other organisations to be a positive part of the community - To be a robust and sustainable organisation Page **2** of **24** ## **Our Charitable Objects:** To advance education for the public benefit among children and young people aged 4 and above and adults in all aspects of the performing arts by the provision of workshops and opportunities to participate in artistic performances. Established in 1945 by Bertram H. Holland, Stretford Children’s Theatre became an integral part of the community for over 35 years. However, it ceased operations in the early 1980s. In 2015, a dedicated group of local individuals successfully revived the theatre, choosing one of its original venues, Stretford Public Hall, as the backdrop for its resurgence. Stretford Children’s Theatre [SCT] is dedicated to offering accessible, high-quality drama experiences for individuals aged 4 and above, extending to adults within our community. Our drama sessions are delivered by professional theatre practitioners, specialists at working with our different age groups. We think we meet our aims at every session we deliver and hope that everyone feels the same. If you feel differently please speak to the any member of the Board or staff and highlight any concerns you may have. As a foundation CIO, we are governed by our Constitution. If you wish for a copy of the Constitution which details more information about our group’s governance and rules, please ask any of the Board Members who can give you a copy, it can also be found on our website. We have had no serious or reportable accidents or incidents this year. Our public liability insurance is held with Markel Insurance. All our drama practitioners are DBS checked and follow our child protection policy and procedures. All our policies can be found on our website. We conduct risk assessments for each group, and each place we visit to ensure everybody’s safety. We continuously review policies during the year, our financial controls are monitored and adjusted accordingly to ensure robust processes are adhered to and trustees remain accountable. Page **3** of **24** Our registered address is: Stretford Public Hall, Chester Road, Stretford, M32 0LG ## _**Our active bank details are:**_ Natwest, Trafford Park, Third Avenue, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1NW - General Account Name: Stretford Children’s Theatre - General Account Number: 56057687 Sort Code: 010881 - Savings Account Name: Stretford Children’s Theatre - Savings Account Number: 56057695 Savings Sort Code: 010881 ## _**Our inactive bank details are:**_ CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME194JQ CAFCASH Account: Account Number: 00031787 Sort Code: 405240 ## _**This account was closed during the financial year.**_ ## **Thank you from us all for helping to make Stretford Children’s Theatre work.** _**If you are able to support us any further, through donations, volunteering your time or**_ Page **4** of **24** _**offering specific skills that might be useful, please do get in touch via email at stretfordchildrenstheatre@gmail.com or get in touch through our Facebook page (Stretford Children’s Theatre), or speak to any of the Board Members, staff, volunteers, or leaders.**_ Page **5** of **24** ## **Group Structure 2022/2023** ## **Our Charity Trustees / Board Members are:** |Michelle Calame-Bell|- Chairperson| |---|---| |Kirsty Thomas|- Treasurer| |Shelly Quinton-Hulme|- Secretary| |Janice Rendel|- Trustee| |Keith Broom|- Trustee| |Jessica Loveday|- Trustee| |Niall Brennan|- Trustee (joined 14thJanuary 2023)| |Sophie Bowden|- Trustee| |Michelle Darwin|- Trustee (resigned 3rdAugust 2023)| No changes to the Board are known about at this time but strengthening our capabilities is on the agenda and this may mean increasing the number of Trustees to the Board. We will advertise for new trustees looking for skills we need that have been identified using a trustee skills audit and any appointments will be made by the current board members. If you need to contact any of the Board Members please email: stretfordchildrenstheatre@gmail.com stating who you would like the email to go to. Natwest Cheque Signatories are: Kirsty Thomas; Shelly Quinton-Hulme; Janice Rendel Page **6** of **24** ## **A Year in Review** We would usually look to put on a performance from the start of September to be staged in December of that year. This year the landscape for our group was wholly different, and we weren’t really expecting that! The world post Covid was a difficult place where any funding for arts projects was difficult to win as more funding was put to mental health projects and first response groups. We learned pretty early on that funding for ‘extra curricular’ projects would be challenging and made the decision to ensure the group remained solvent. This unfortunately meant that the performances would be on hold until funding had been secured. The financial picture of the group illustrates our resilience during this year and our adaptability as a board to provide longevity to the charity. Despite the challenges faced, we think we did ok! We have been supported by a variety of funders and unusually this year the funds have come from first time funders. The majority of the donations received were from a local charity who have wrapped up their operations. This money allowed us to continue our operations until the end of the financial year and was gratefully received by our charity. Whilst we have had no big performances in the year, some of our groups held sessional performances for their parents and carers to share the work they had done over the year. Our annual award ceremony was held on Thu 20[th] July 2023 where we celebrated the achievements of our attendees. Awards were given out by our patron Thomas Roberts who came to visit us and Ella Brady in our senior section was bestowed with the Bertram Holland Shield Trophy. Each section gave a main trophy to a worthy winner and then smaller ones to all. We have opportunities for volunteering within our groups, as well as wider opportunities within the charity, and we love assisting our volunteers to be the best they can be and for what they help us to achieve. Page **7** of **24** ## **Volunteers, we need you!** We're on the search for volunteers to help our fabulous facilitators deliver our fun, energetic drama sessions. Sessions run each Thursday during school term times from 4-8pm hourly for our infant and junior classes Seniors run from 6-7.30pm Youth Theatre and Adult Community Theatre run from 7.30-9pm If you're looking to learn new skills, work with your local community, and have a passion for drama then get in touch! Contact us via our website or email us at stretfordchildrenstheatre@gmail.com We can't wait to hear from you. We will carry out all DBS checks. Page **8** of **24** Stretftbrd thlldren's ThÈ&tre - 12 week Y Person VoknntÈer Pro AThrne IQ Such b*Fth141 &r*rford P••dk th# and twthlity ￿ fu* ￿￿r iJrd d(•5. oiw Th• Ch¥itVQ¥ffttft55￿ & Osld Go tsd*s&.AZ•tU•l IwdifWIuf**>41r& aiid ffltin*offi J li(￿% F•rstsn Wtèkn• thi ch%r•n and t IW&¥ibltr fDr Olhw lh￿ ikn'io*fi W• 4M7uld 04Pk1 1fftlrn S*5sKtsII I h(tss s*55￿*1 I h(tss JI Iw*ttar•tt arv• th• O( rA411 bo jo Al L#a1w5 ar•t•5ice. atre. Nicola's first timÉ¥ actlng and ng In front a publlc audlence and as thrilled to be part of it. DAISY'S310RY Daisy likes to have fun and has a playful slde to she is also quite anxious and struggles with self-doubt. Dalsy's anxlety and self-doubt w paralys,l. past, she often gave up do something. Her parents and~ grandparents have / notlced how much her confldence and self-bellef have In- creased slnce at- tending our ses- 51on5. and thls Is al- so beln8 reflected In her school work. Now, her anxlet affects hèr work much less becaus her confldence and self-bellef have Improved so much. FUN In December Z019, Dalsy pÈrformtrd In thrÈÈ sold-out khows of S•ussfj¢•l Jnr. Sh• pl•y•d a a key •ns•mbl* part a shgw that Is about standln8 up for your btlfjefs, havlnq confld•n¢• In yours•lf and mJkln8 sur• •very volc•. matt•r how small, Is Ilst•n•d to and Included. It was h•r flrst tlme actln8 Ind ￿nI1￿ In front a pub- Ilc audlenc•, and th• W￿11 n•v•r for8rt the exp•rlonc• and th• ap- plause from thog•kn. SAFE PPIH 110 7JACK'S STORY VVJ Creativity Jack Is on• ol S hls confldence Chlldr•A'sTh•atr•'s fAllnal fi*mb•rs aThJ Ilties have yeatty Improved slrKe he fvlr*d. pidly and sometlrDe5 'fumble5' hh word5 whlch Ht often wks lo*Y•d hls s•ll can slow hls sp•Kh df*kn ￿ cort*ntr "I feel rnore confldent and able to talk to people" '1 Ilke to com here to see my frlends, meet new people and help the youn8er kids out, We have fun. I never get boredl" r6EIIO' eway c Sh￿ of S•usskal Jnr. Jack's parents are proud of tht chan8•S they have seen durlw hfjs tlme at Strètford Chlldren's Theatrè. Jack's father told us ￿ loves attendlng because It's so Incluslve and ￿1p$ Jack w express hlms•lf. A5 Jack Is at an all-boys school, It'5 lrnportant that he mlxes wlth Ir15 In ) 5eml.socl)l settl￿, whlch Is ex4rtty what Slretl(ffd Chlldren'3 Theatre allows hlm to do. The Ilayor was an Intffjral part of ow thot'5 •bwt 5tandlni up for your bellefs. havln8 £onfSdence In ourself and makln8 %ur• •v•ry ic•. ￿ matter how small, Imagine -1.rn 50 pleased to See how much difference it make5 to my Jack as Mr Mayor- he's been 50 excited about doing thi5 s￿)W.- Petei, Jack's faiher s,I'i, Page 12 PPIH L 111 ORLA'S STORY Orla one of our orfglnal members and has ttyspraxia. Thls means she challen8es around s¥>atia areness and learnlng skills. She also 50rne difficulties social "Ils, vthkh led to her being bullled at prlmary school. Drarna enabled Orla to cqyfflththè prafound negative effects of the bullylng and deal vlth It. Belng In a group of Mke-mlnded tease benefits her greatly. udqe The physkal challen8 s are never bellttl•d by the group or facllltators, and she has found ways to work artwnd th•m and ensure sh• Is pble to fully Joln In all the Ktlvltles. Both her parents report that there has been • great change In O confldenee and abllltfes. Her eonfldence has Improved 50 muc she t¢)ok part In our ' ulded Mlsflts. fllm project. somethln8 she would never hav• b••n •vlously. In December 2019, Orla (left) performed In three sold¥OUt shows of Seusslcal Jnr. She worked hard and dellvered a brllllant p•rforma In a show about standlni up for your bellefs, havln8 confld•nc yourself and makire sure every volco, no matter how srnall, ts lis- tened to and Included. It was her flrst tlm¢ a and SIngl￿ In f a public bu ce, whlch shows h¢￿ mukn heè" Idence ha nt FA PPIH I SIREIFORD CMIIDREI'S Age 4-16 Led by experlenced fKilitators and practitioners Committed to providing fun. afft)rdable and high quality T drama and theatie experiences for young people AM •bthlltl•• w•l¢om• Support children's learnlng and encouragingr; creativity 10 Creating confident young people SCAN ME For more Inforniation: Theatre for All Page 14 of 24 , SIRE1FORD Age 16-25 Supportin young people's arnlng, creatlvity , nd experien Young People changing their lives through the Arts Theatre for change Theatre for All Led by experienced facilitators and practitioners. Committed to providing fun, affordable and high quality drama and theatre experiences ft)r teens and young adults All ab511tles welcome For more information: 10 BE SCAN ME Page 15 of 24 In April, Trafford Council granted funding to support the initiation of our weekly adult classes. These classes, led by Rosarie, a familiar face from our board of trustees, garnered positive feedback and have successfully continued without additional funding. The overwhelming popularity of the sessions has solidified their place as a permanent fixture. Moving forward into the next financial year, the group plans to organize small performances, with funding provided by the charity. As part of a broader strategy aimed at engaging larger sections of the community, we will actively seek grant funding to expand and enhance this particular aspect of our charitable activities. Below are some comments from the attendees I love that it feels like a safe and supportive space. I love this class – I really like the ad lib games and acting. I like all of the laughing and the fun. It’s great. Rosarie is brilliant at leading the group. I always go home with a smile on my face – I’ve made friends and look forward to the weekly sessions. This is a perfect way to meet new people with similar interests, I’m looking forward to doing a performance. Page **16** of **24** Financial Re ort 2022 Page 17 of 24 cItARITY COMMISSION FOR ENfAA14D A14D WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthew Section A Receipts and payments A1 Reeel r0$5 Inco ARI l•ee lablel. Tol•lr•cW¥ 1161 134 Sub tol•l Sub tol•l 29yJi htet olreceiptsllpaNmentsJ 7￿1 Ca•h l••t )*wend C•sh fynds thi* •nd Page 18 of 24 Page 19 of 24 Section B Statement of a55ets and liabilities at the end of the period B1 Cuh lund¥ Tof•l c•Jh lunds Delwh Fw•Jtsth BJ In¥ulm•nt u•¢ B4 Auots retained lor I eh4rity'¥ own u¥e Delw" 85 Ll•billt6e• zaaa Page 20 of 24 Page 21 of 24 ## **Treasurer’s Report** This fiscal year posed financial challenges for our organization due to changes in the grant application landscape, resulting in the loss of grants we had previously been fortunate to receive. Despite these challenges, there has been a remarkable overall income increase of £6,550 compared to the prior year, representing a substantial 63% growth. This significant boost is particularly noteworthy as it alleviates the burden on our financial obligations. The primary contributor to this increase is a substantial sum of £4,464 from GiftAid. Notably, we made two claims during the financial year, spanning both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 periods. This decision was strategic, aimed at ensuring the continuity of our classes until the year's end. In addition to the positive impact of GiftAid, our organization experienced a noteworthy surge in donations, witnessing a remarkable 215% increase from the previous year, amounting to £3,622. The bulk of these funds, generously donated by The Stretford Youth Theatre, have been received with gratitude. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all involved for their consideration and support. For anyone who would like to donate or find out more about donations please see below. Page **22** of **24** In the past year, our organization faced challenges as the cost of living increased in our community, leading to a decline in monthly subscription values towards the year's end. Overall attendance dropped by 11%, largely anticipated due to the absence of performances. However, swift actions were taken, and we're pleased to report that our groups have now returned to full capacity. Financially, we received support from Trafford Council, amounting to £1,999, earmarked for our adult group's induction as a new group. As of August 31, 2023, £408 from this grant remains to be spent in the current financial year. Additionally, we secured £1,000 in funding from Caddick for core costs such as hall hire, session leaders, and managers. These funds, received in late August, will be utilized in accordance with the agreed-upon terms during the current financial year. Total expenditure saw a 37% increase, stemming from the irregularities in our activities in 2021/22 due to Covid regulations. Although our costs appear higher now, if our classes had been consistent back then, the expenses would have remained the same, barring an increase in sessions. To enhance our capabilities, we expanded our session staff to include a session administrator. This support not only facilitates applications for additional grants but also ensures the upkeep of our website details. In terms of our balance sheet, as of August 31, 2023, our bank holds £1,244 in total. This comprises £835 in unprotected funds (free reserves) and £409 in protected funds (remaining from the grant received from Trafford Council). Our trustees are committed to a reserves policy, retaining funds to cover 12 weeks (one academic term). Despite challenges in the past financial year, we aim to restore reserves to the agreed-upon value in 2023/24. This plan involves increasing grant applications to cover core costs and allowing subscription revenue to replenish the deficit by the end of the financial year. A disclosure notes that one trustee received £450 as a session leader, distinct from trustee duties. Despite our income falling below the £25,000 threshold for independent examination, we voluntarily subjected our accounts to an independent review. This choice reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, to give confidence to our stakeholders. Page **23** of **24** # **Annual Report accepted at the Annual General Meeting of Stretford Children’s Theatre on 18[th ] January 2024** **Signed: Full Name: Shelly Quinton-Hulme MBE Position: Secretary Signed: Full Name: Kirsty Thomas Position: Treasurer** Page **24** of **24**