The Museum of Drugs Annual Report 29[th] March 2020 – 28[th] March 2021
Charity Number: 1181946
Operational Address: 29 Carrow Hill, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12AA
Trustees: Emma Ratzer MBE (Chair), Dan Mobbs
CEO/ Curator: Ben Curran
1. Overview
The Museum of Drugs was established in May 2008 as an online showcase for a unique and growing collection, and as a resource for those interested in the historical context of drug production, supply, use, and societal reaction.
Since its inception in 2008 the Museum of Drugs has provided consultancy on numerous projects and provided lectures to universities and the general public.
On 8th February 2019 the Museum of Drugs became a Registered Charity with the Charities Commission in England & Wales. This was the realisation of a longstanding aspiration to deliver on a range of charitable objectives as detailed below.
2. Objectives and Activities
2.1 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in the governing document. The objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit, to advance the education of the public on the subject of drug and alcohol use from a historical perspective, and to preserve and protect good health by raising public awareness of the risks of drug and alcohol use and helping those whose lives have been affected by drugs and alcohol in particular by signposting them to appropriate resources and help.
In further of these objects the CIO may do all or any of the following:
• The collection and preservation of historical antiques and ephemera which will be made available to the public through:
o the provision of cultural and educational resources, displayed publicly through ‘pop-up’ Museum exhibitions and more permanent Museum sites.
o public lectures, presentations and events aimed at informing the public about society’s relationship with drugs and alcohol and the associated risks.
o provision of resources to college and university students through presentations and lectures and direct access to the Museum collection.
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The Museum of Drugs, Registered Charity 1181946.
• Engage the wider public in open discussion and debate about the subject of drug and alcohol use from a historical perspective; linking in with local health and social care agencies to provide support to people whose lives have been affected by drugs and alcohol.
2.2 Summary of our main activities
As has been the case for so many charities, the continued global and national efforts to manage Covid19 and variants has significantly affected our aspirations to deliver public, open-access, exhibitions in the year 2020/ 21. Understandably the focus of grant funding in the main has been directed towards the impact of Covid19 and there has been limited scope for accessing funds for the activities of the Museum of Drugs.
Notwithstanding, the Museum of Drugs has sought ways to adapt to the prevailing situation and developed an online ‘taster’ exhibition using the virtual reality platform, ‘artsteps’ (https://www.artsteps.com/view/5f6ce8d57f31777558433de9?currentUser) which has received positive feedback from the general public.
The launch of the online virtual exhibition was supported by a competition to identify the answers to a number of questions based on the exhibits. The competition was actively promoted on social media, increased the exhibition footfall, and received a number of respondents.
The taster exhibition has created something of a blueprint for a physical exhibition, which will incorporate items from the collection, storyboards, music and film, alongside harm reduction support and signposting to relevant services.
The Museum of Drugs has continued to use social media platforms to actively promote its work, the collection and the social relevance.
We have been working on an application to the Heritage Lottery for grant funding to support an exhibition in 2022/ 23 and we will be submitting this in the first week of January 2022.
2.3 Statement confirming that the trustees have had regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit
The Trustees are satisfied that the Museum of Drugs has acted in accordance with the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit for the period of this report.
2.4 Financial Review
As of 31[st] March 2021, the Museum of Drugs has received no income. We are submitting an application to the Heritage Lottery in January 2022.
2.5 Governance
The Museum of Drugs was established in 2018, becoming a Registered Charity in February 2019. The Board meets four times a year, in March, July, November and January.
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The Museum of Drugs, Registered Charity 1181946.
Trustees are responsible for:
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Ensuring that the Museum of Drugs has a clear mission, vision, and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
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Being responsible for the performance of the Museum of Drugs and its ‘corporate’ behaviour.
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Ensuring that the Museum of Drugs complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
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Ensuring that the governance of the Museum of Drugs is of the highest standard.
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● The Trustees delegate responsibility for the day-to-day operation and management of the Charity to the CEO/ Curator.
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The Trustees consider recruitment of new Trustees as the need arises. Applications from suitable candidates would be sought by identifying specific gaps in professional skills and seeking recommendations of professionally qualified candidates, if necessary, placing advertisements in suitable publications. Applicants would be provided with an information pack outlining the history of the organisation, its structure, activities and objectives, roles and expectations of Trustees, plus other supporting information. A new Trustee would be provided with information on the activities, financing and management structure of the Charity, together with Charity Commission guidance and codes of conduct related to the roles and responsibilities of Trustees.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved this report.
Emma Ratzer (Gallant)
Chair of Trustees
Dated: 19[th] December 2021
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The Museum of Drugs, Registered Charity 1181946.