## **Stretford Children’s Theatre** **REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1175334** # **2023 / 2024 Annual Report** # **Financial Year End 31.8.24** **(Period covered 01.09.23-31.08.24)** **Stretford Children’s Theatre** ## **Stretford Public Hall** ## **Chester Road** ## **Stretford** ## **Manchester** ## **M32 0LG** **Email: stretfordchildrenstheatre@gmail.com** **Instagram: stretfordchildrenstheatre** **Website: www.stretfordchildrenstheatre.org.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCTStretford/** **Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAngRLXIhN6h__u57i4fA?app=desktop** **X: @SCT_Stretford** ## _**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 **22** ## **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 **22** 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 ## **Natwest Business Account** - General Account Name: Stretford Children’s Theatre - General Account Number: 56126778 Sort Code: 010881 ## **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 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 **4** of **22** ## **Group Structure 2023/2024** ## **Our Charity Trustees / Board Members are:** ||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Trustee Name|Date of
appointment
to the board|Current|Term of
Office|Date of office up
for renewal|Number of terms| |||Position|||served currently| |||held|||| ||||||| ||||||| |Kirsty Thomas|23.10.17|Treasurer|3 years|23.10.25|2| ||||||| ||||||| |Sophie Bowden|21.02.22|Trustee|3 years|21.02.25|0| ||||||| ||||||| |Shelly Quinton-Hulme|23.10.17|Chairperson|
3 years|29.04.26|2| ||||||| ||||||| |Niall Brennan|19.01.23|Trustee|3 years|19.01.26|0| ||||||| ||||||| |Rachel Stevens|08.02.24|Trustee|3 years|Retired 04.07.24|0| ||||||| ||||||| |Ian Beard|08.02.24|Secretary|3 years|08.02.27|0| ||||||| ||||||| |Michelle Calame-Bell|12.08.20|Trustee|3 years|12.08.26|1| ||||||| ||||||| |Keith Broom|10.05.18|Trustee|3 years|Retired 17.01.24|2| ||||||| ||||||| |Janice Rendel|23.10.17|Trustee|3 years|Retired 28.12.23|2| ||||||| ||||||| |Jessica Loveday|29.04.20|Trustee|3 years|Retired 30.10.23|1| ||||||| 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; Niall Brennan Page **5** of **22** ## **A Year in Review** This has been a hard year for us as trustees to keep the group moving forwards with few resources at our disposal – but we have managed it and we hope for a better year next year. Page **6** of **22** 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. ## **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 **7** of **22** ## **Stretford Children’s Theatre - 12 week Young Person Volunteer Programme** This programme will give a minimum of 22 hours volunteering over 12 weeks. There will be more opportunities for the young person to volunteer if they so wish such as coming to observe a board meeting, or carrying out a fundraising project for the group, and the programme can be extended to 6, 12 months or longer if so desired. Our experienced Board members, Sessional Leaders, Sessional Manager and Fundraising Staff will support the young person whilst they are volunteering with us and ensure they are well looked after, safe, happy and learn as much as they can. You can find more information at our website: www.stretfordchildrenstheatre.org.uk We are based at Stretford Public Hall in the heart of Stretford town centre and the building is fully accessible. This would be a perfect placement for those doing the Duke of Edinburgh scheme or a young person wishing to enhanc their CV for college or university or their first job. We ask that the young person is aged 14 years as a minimum. |Week||**More Detail**| |---|---|---| |1|Initial Meeting with
Board Member – 1 hour|This meeting will be about what the young person hopes to achieve whilst
volunteering with us, and how we can best support them, and introductions to the
team and sessions themselves. Plus identifying any specific additional areas they
are interested in, planning how they might gain experience in those areas with
SCT.| |2|Understanding our
charity – 2 hours|Who we are; why we formed; our history; vision/values/aims; what we do; what a
board does; our constitution; The Charity Commission & our responsibilities;
policies and procedures; managing personnel/ volunteers; management systems
[OSM, Go Cardless ,iZettle]; financial management; funding/ fundraising; health
and safety;safeguarding;monitoring,evaluation;measuringimpact.| |3|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|These weekly volunteering sessions will be spent in either the infant or junior
drama sessions assisting the Sessional Leaders and the attending children.
The young person will never be left alone with the children and will not be
responsible for anything other than their own behaviour. We would expect them
to follow all our policies and procedures as discussed with them in weeks 1 and 2.
These sessions are fun and consist of drama games and often involve producing
pieces leading up to a performance – we hope the young person would get fully
involved in these sessions.
A board member is usually available weekly and as such progress reports will be
gathered and any issues for the young person or Sessional Leader will be
addressed as they arise.
All Sessional Leaders are DBS checked, and SCT is fully insured and has strict H&S
and safeguarding policies in place.| |4|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|| |5|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|| |6|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|| |7|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|| |8|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|| |9|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|| |10|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|| |11|Sessional Volunteering
– 2 hours|| |12|Close out meeting with
Board Member – 1 hour|This meeting will be to evaluate how the sessions have gone from the volunteer’s
perspective, and provide feedback from the Sessional Leaders and the Board to the
young person and complete some impact monitoring forms and case study
information and complete anydocumentation required.| The sessional volunteering hours are either Thursdays from 4-6pm or Thursdays from 5.30-7.30pm. We can accommodate 2 volunteers on each of the sessions at any one time. Other volunteering opportunities are also available that do not involve being in the sessions, such as communications & social media, fundraising, policies and procedures if that is of interest to any of the young people. Please get in touch if you wish to discuss any of the opportunities with us: stretfordchildrenstheatre@gmail.com Page **8** of **22** S1'O11'1C; OUR YEA ERS 241 voLvMY•e•• 31 240 ZMCOM• TYP•• A•C•IV• 3596 xp•MDrTUA• TVPQ• 74% o•oup eosy •oct X FOLLOW 831 Page 9 0122 S1'O11'1C; SURVEY SAYS 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 always go home with a smile
on my face – I’ve made friends
and look forward to the
I like all of the laughing weekly sessions.
and the fun. It’s great.
Rosarie is brilliant at
leading the group.
This is a perfect way to meet
new people with similar
interests, I’m looking forward to doing a
performance.
**----- End of picture text -----**
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 Page **17** of **22** ## **Treasurer’s Report** This financial year ended with a surplus of £4,651 which is an increase of £3,407 against prior year. We have been fortunate enough to receive four separate grants from a variety of funders; - Greater Manchester GMCVO £1,000 - Awards for All £10,000 - Forever Manchester £1,000 - Groundwork UK - £500 Awards for All, GMCVO and Forever Manchester have been used towards the running of the Adult and Infant classes during the year. These grants are all closed out as per the restricted grant spend highlighted as £12,303 allowing for £500 of Groundworks unspent. Groundworks monies are expected to begin use for the performance in the next financial year. Our subscriptions increased by £5,271 against prior year. This is due to an increase in our attendees and a change in the pricing structure beginning in September 2023. Our total expenditure increased by £2,471 which is inline with the increase in grant funding for the adult classes. Our GiftAid claim looks to be reduced against prior year, however, we made a decision in 2022 to ensure that our GiftAid claim for the academic year was submitted before the end of the financial year. In 2022/23 our claim spanned over two financial years which gave us an inflated amount. This has skewed the figures as if our claim is less, actually, in a single year it has increased in line with the attendees and increased subscriptions. In addition to the positive impact of GiftAid, our organization experienced a healthy amount of donations in the year. The bulk of these funds have been generously donated by locals within the community that see the good works we do. 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 **18** of **22** ## **Ways to donate** ## _**Give as you earn/Donate as you earn**_ As an employee you can set up a direct payment from your gross pay to Stretford Children’s Theatre under a scheme called ‘Give as You Earn’ – ask your HR or Payroll Manager whether your company has signed up to CAF Give As You Earn and if so, how you can join the payroll giving scheme. In terms of our balance sheet, as of August 31, 2024, our bank holds £4,651 in total. This comprises £4,151 in unprotected funds (free reserves) and £500 in protected funds (remaining from the grant received from Groundworks UK). Our trustees are committed to a reserves policy, retaining funds to cover 12 weeks (one academic full term). Despite challenges in the past financial year, we aim to restore reserves to the agreedupon value in 2024/25 - £6k?. 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. Page **19** of **22** ||**Stretford Children's Theatre**|**Stretford Children's Theatre**|**Stretford Children's Theatre**|**Stretford Children's Theatre**|**1175334**|**CC16a**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Receipts andpayments accounts**|||||| ||**For the period**
**from**||01/09/2023|**To**|31/08/2024|| |||||||| |**Section A Receipts and payments**||||||| |**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest**
**£**||**Restricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**|| |Subscriptions|**16,240**||**-**
**12,500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**-**|**16,240**|**10,969**| |Grants|**-**|||**-**|**12,500**|**1,000**| |Donations|**2,770**|||**-**|**2,770**|**3,622**| |GiftAid|**3,869**|||**-**|**3,869**|**4,464**| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|**-**| |**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|

**22,879**||**12,500**|**-**|**35,379**|**20,055**| ||**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**|||| |**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**||||||| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|**-**| |**_Sub total_**
**_Total receipts_ **
**A3 Payments**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**| |||||||| ||**22,879**||**12,500**|**-**|**35,379**|**20,055**| |||||||| |Session Leaders|**15,295**||**5,320**
**1,638**
**5,130**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**215**
**-**
**-**|**-**|**20,615**|**21,131**| |Session Managers|**1,286**|||**-**|**2,924**|**3,134**| |Hall Hire|**690**|||**-**|**5,820**|**3,535**| |External Activities|**100**|||**-**|**100**|**-**| |Insurance|**361**|||**-**|**361**|**336**| |Administrative Charges|**1,287**|||**-**|**1,287**|**903**| |Payment Charges|**650**|||**-**|**650**|**462**| |Equipment Purchase|**-**|||**-**|**215**|**-**| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|**-**| |**_Sub total_ **|**19,669**||**12,303**|**-**|**31,972**|**29,501**| ||**-**
**-**||**-**
**-**|||| |**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**||||||| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|| ||**-**|||**-**|**-**|| |**_Sub total_ **
**_Total payments_ **
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**_Cash funds this year end_**|**-**||**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**| |||||||| ||**19,669**||**12,303**|**-**|**31,972**|**29,501**| ||**3,210**||**197**|||| ||**3,210**|||**-**|
**3,407**|**- 9,446**| ||**-**|
|**-**
**-**|**-**|**-**|**-**| ||**1,244**|||**-**|**1,244**|**8,691**| ||**4,454**||**197**|**-**|**4,651**|**- 755**| Page **20** of **22** ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**|**Details**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Bank|**4,151**|**500**|**-**| |||**-**|**-**|**-**| |||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))|**4,151**|**500**|**-**| |||Agreement Error|Agreement Error|OK| |||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**| |||**-**|**-**|**-**| |||**-**|**-**|**-**| |||**-**|**-**|**-**| |||**-**|**-**|**-**| |||**-**|**-**|**-**| |||**-**|**-**|**-**| ||**Details**|**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**|**Cost (optional)**|**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||**Details**|**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**|**Cost (optional)**|**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||**Details**|**Fund to which**
**liability relates**|**Amount due**
**(optional)**|**When due**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**|| ||||**-**|| ||||**-**|| ||||**-**|| ||||**-**|| ||Signature|Print Name||Date of
approval| |||||| |||||| Page **21** of **22** **Annual Report accepted at the Annual General Meeting** # **of Stretford Children’s Theatre** **on 4[th ] November 2024** **Signed: Full Name: Shelly Quinton-Hulme MBE Position: Chairperson Signed: Full Name: Kirsty Thomas Position: Treasurer** Page **22** of **22**