3The Museum of Drugs Annual Report
1[st] April 2022 – 31[st] March 2023
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.
The Museum of Drugs, Registered Charity 1181946.
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• 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
2022/ 23 focused on the transition of the Museum of Drugs Website to a modern and more user-friendly platform, requiring less coding and increased accessibility. This work progressed throughout the year, refreshing the brand, slimming down content, and ensuring that the website had a clear anti-discriminatory position in line with the Charity’s expectations. In addition, the website now has a very clear statement about our desire as a charity to collaborate with other community organisations, including museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces. The website also details ways in which the collection can make a difference.
Throughout 2022/ 23 the Museum of Drugs continued to use social media as a way of connecting with the wider community, sharing historical content from our collection of antiques and artefacts, championing social justice, and joining in debate.
A key collaboration for 2022/ 23 was with the Viktor Wynd Museum, which hosts the Last Tuesday Society online lectures. This led to a scheduled talk by Ben Curran, CEO and Founder of the Museum of Drugs in November 2022, however this unfortunately had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. This lecture was rescheduled to May 2023 and went ahead successfully. The recording of this lecture is available on our website. We will report on this in more detail in our annual return for the Financial Year 2023/ 24.
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 2023, the Museum of Drugs has received no income.
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.
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: 6[th] January 2024
The Museum of Drugs, Registered Charity 1181946.
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