Trustee Reporting 2024-2025- Drama Express
We are pleased to report a successful year of operations for Drama Express. The group operations for 2024-2025 have been summarised below:
Drama Express Workshop Programme - meeting in Truro a diverse range of workshops have included creative writing, voice (accents and dialect) contemporary dance, improvisation skills, film studies, comedy, puppetry, developing a character, monologues, drumming /percussion, mime, role play, storytelling, circus skills and musical theatre. The skills and knowledge gained at the workshops have been transferable to many Drama Express productions. Workshops take place each Sunday at the Moresk Centre in Truro.
Drama Express Showcase Sessions - Individual and collective performances by our members that demonstrate the benefits of developing creative practice through attendance in the group. Showcase sessions take place at the Reddanick Theatre and Old Bakery Studios in Truro at regular intervals.
Drama Express Movement and Dance Group - A weekly Wednesday morning session for young people. Our energetic dance coach Charlotte takes us through gentle exercise work outs to more structured dance routines. Meeting at Camborne Community Centre.
Drama Express Wheelchair Dance Group -Meeting again at Camborne this group uses the floorspace to create innovative routines. the group is also open to those with limited and restricted mobility.
Drama Express Isles of Scilly Group - Meeting on the Island of St Mary's the 'free spirit' of the island culture is often replicated in the creative output of the young islanders. Workshops and live performances are held year-round, predominately in school holidays.
Drama Express Creative Writing Group - Monthly workshops explore aspects of writing that include poetry, script writing, song lyrics, journals and diaries, fiction and story creating. Attendees are welcomed to read their own work; the results have been outstanding with plans to publish a collection of the poems written by the young people.
Drama Express L!ve Theatre Group - With participation from members of all our groups we 'take the show on the road' throughout the West Country. In 2024 / 25 Drama Express performed at many venues including the Hall for Cornwall, Truro Cathedral and Minack Theatre. Our live productions also include an annual pantomime, Christmas show and outdoor Summer performances aimed at tourist visitors.
We have been pleased to report the above groups have led to an increase in 40% membership for Drama Express activities. Our profile within Cornwall has been recognised as outstanding by both care sector and theatre professionals. An increase in volunteer numbers has enabled us to deliver more ‘support in kind’ activities. Our diversity to support a wider range of complex disabilities reiterates the aim to ensure the arts is accessible to all members of the community.
Drama Express takes great pride in the feedback it receives from it’s beneficiaries, with the young people the focus of shaping our outcomes. See recent results below
Drama Express Members 2025 Feedback
“My name is Callum, and I have autism. I find many situations difficult to cope with. Drama Express has not only given me confidence to be myself but also I have the chance to perform on stage. Drama Express is my happy place. I have now been given an opportunity to study performing arts at Bath University and I have appeared at the Edinburgh fringe festival. None of this would have happened without Drama Express” (Callum,19-Isles of Scilly)
“I enjoy Drama Express so much. As a wheelchair user I find it difficult to go to groups of people similar to my age. Drama Express makes sure I don’t have to worry about things like accessibility. I can concentrate on developing my skills as a singer, dancer and actor.” (Saskia,14-Truro)
“I think Drama Express is the best thing I have ever done. Every time I attend a workshop or rehearsal, I feel I can achieve anything. I started by just telling a few jokes at one of the Drama Express showcase sessions, now I am actually going around Cornwall performing my own stand-up comedy. I also host a show on Redruth radio with Marci, another member of Drama Express.” (Josh,16-Connor Downs)
“I have always wanted to be on stage, because of my Asperger’s It’s difficult to be in ‘normal’ drama groups. I can get anxious, stressed and upset because of my Asperger’s which a lot of people find hard to cope with. Everyone in Drama Express understands me and doesn’t treat me any different. I like that so much.” (Amelie 17- St Austell)
“My name is Tom, and I can’t hear or see very well. I also have a heart defect. I am still energetic and enjoy dancing and playing the drums. The leaders and volunteers use sign language, so I never feel left out at Drama Express. I also use Brialle, and this is how I learn the scripts. Drama Express really cares about me and my other friends. It’s definitely like a happy family for me.” (Tom,14- Penzance)
“I use an electric wheelchair. I made friends with two other young people who also use electric wheelchairs in Drama Express. We are part of the dance group and Charlotte the dance coach has made some routines just for us. We use a lot of floor space! At the last Drama Express show the audience gave us a standing ovation, something I never thought I would ever experience.” (Grace, 14-Falmouth)
“I go to the Drama Express creative writing group in Truro. I love writing poems and short stories. They help me get out a lot of feelings I have about my emotions and the frustrations about having a complex disability.” (Georgia, 19-Helston)
“I like Drama Express because we get to say what we like to do. We have meetings to decide new things we want to learn at the workshops, where we want to perform and any things we want to change to make things better for us. It always feels like it’s our group and our views are listened to.” (Jude, 14-St Ives)
| Drama Express CIO | Drama Express CIO | Drama Express CIO | 1188250 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annual accounts for the period |
||||||
| 01/04/2024 | To | Period end date |
31/03/2025 | |||
| Section A | ||||||
| Recommended categories by activity Guidance Note Incoming resources (Note 3) Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies S01 Charitable activities S02 Other trading activities S03 Investments S04 Separate material item of income S05 Other S06 S07 Resources expended (Note 6) Expenditure on: Raising funds S08 Charitable activities S09 Separate material item of expense S10 Other S11 S12 S13 Net gains/(losses) on investments S14 S15 Extraordinary items S16 S17 S18 Other gains/(losses) S19 S20 Reconciliation of funds: S21 S22 1 Total Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Total Net income/(expenditure) before investment gains/(losses) Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Other recognised gains/(losses): Gains and losses on revaluation of fixed assets for the charity’s own use |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees
Charity Name Drama Express CIO
On accounts for the year 31[st] of March 2025 Charity no 1188250 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 and 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30/09/2024 DD / MM / YYYY . Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent [The charity’s gross income did not exceed £250,000 and I am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified accountant .
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: Name: Louise Poor Relevant professional AAT Level 4 ICB qualified qualification(s) or body (if any):
Date: 29/09/2025
1
Oct 2018
IER
Address: Michaelmas House, Troan, Summercourt, Newquay, Cornwall
TR8 5DG
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
Oct 2018
IER