2025-04-01-accounts - The Friends Of Centre Stage

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Trustee’s Annual Report for the period

From 1 April 2024 To 31 March 2025

Charity name: The Friends of Centre Stage (FoCS)

Charity registration number: 1201041

Objectives and Activities:

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Charitable purpose: To advance the education of the students of centre stage theatre academy, and those in the geographical areas the academy works within, by the provision of facilities for the academy and the supply of grants to children and young adults up to the age of 21 (25 if with a diagnosed disability), to access training and education in musical theatre, drama and the arts at, and through, the academy.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	As the charity, now in its second full year, continued to grow, The Friends of Centre Stage (FoCS) used the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 to build our funds and look into new and exciting ways to support our work. As such, we were able to expand the number of grants available enabling more students to attend after school clubs, holiday workshops, the CSTA Summer youth Project and main CSTA academies. In total between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 we are proud that we provided grants that supported over 100 students.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	This statement confirms that the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document

Charitable purpose:
To advance the education of the students of centre
stage theatre academy, and those in the geographical
areas the academy works within, by the provision of
facilities for the academy and the supply of grants to
children and young adults up to the age of 21 (25 if with
a diagnosed disability), to access training and
education in musical theatre, drama and the arts at, and
through, the academy.

Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.

As the charity, now in its second full year, continued to
grow, The Friends of Centre Stage (FoCS) used the
period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 to build our
funds and look into new and exciting ways to support
our work.
As such, we were able to expand the number of grants
available enabling more students to attend after school
clubs, holiday workshops, the CSTA Summer youth
Project and main CSTA academies. In total between 1
April 2024 and 31 March 2025 we are proud that we
provided grants that supported over 100 students.

Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit

This statement confirms that the trustees have had
regard to the guidance issued by the Charity
Commission on public benefit.

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Achievements and Performance

	Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Over 100 children took part in CSTA projects this year thanks to FoCS support — a record for the charity. During 2024/25, FoCS continued to make a real difference in the lives of children and young adults by supporting access to the world of musical theatre, drama, and the arts at CSTA. Many of these children would not have been able to participate without the charity’s support. Trustees are extremely proud of this growth and the tangible impact it has had on CSTA students’ confidence, creativity, and teamwork skills. Significant effort went into applying for grant funding during 2024/25. Although no grants were secured this year, the detailed feedback received will help strengthen future applications and guide the charity’s strategy going forward. Income from continued fundraising activities — including bucket collections, fundraising sales at academies, and one-off donations — alongside the charity’s first Gift Aid repayment, enabled FoCS to maintain vital support for students. These funds ensure that every child can participate in a nurturing environment where they gain singing, drama, and dance skills that will stay with them for life. By providing fair and inclusive access to performing arts training, FoCS contributes not only to the development of individual children but also to broader community benefits. CSTA students leave with increased confidence, teamwork, and creativity, helping to foster a more inclusive, resilient, and well-rounded generation.

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Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Cash book accounts 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025: Opening Balance £ 19,765.55 Income £ 14,675.38 Expenditure £ 17,143.50 Total Cash at bank and in hand £ 17,297.43 Creditors £ 0 Net assets £ 17,297.43
	Opening Balance	£ 19,765.55
	Income	£ 14,675.38
	Expenditure	£ 17,143.50
	Total Cash at bank and in hand	£ 17,297.43
	Creditors	£ 0
	Net assets	£ 17,297.43

Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	The charity currently has no requirement to hold reserves and therefore no requirement for a reserves policy.
Amount of reserves held	£0
Reasons for holding zero reserves	As a charity currently fully run and managed by its board of trustees with no ongoing financial commitments, The Friends of Centre Stage do not need to hold reserves. This policy will be reviewed annually.

Details of fund materially in deficit	There are no funds in material deficit
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	There are no concerns about the future ability of the charity to remain an ongoing concern.

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	The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	The charity’s principal sources of income during the year continued to come from its fundraising activities. These activities primarily fell into the following areas: • Bucket collections at Centre Stage Theatre Academy shows • Fundraising sales at academies • Single, one-off donations During the financial year, despite significant efforts, the charity was unfortunate not to secure any grant funding. However, as a registered charity, FoCS was able to access a number of one-off donations that would not have been available prior to registration. These included donations received via JustGiving, a £1,500 donation from John Lewis & Partners, a £500 donation from a local Masonic Lodge, and a donation received through Benevity, a corporate giving platform through which the charity was nominated by the parent of a CSTA student. The charity also received its first ever Gift Aid repayment during the year. While no sponsored events were held during the financial year, and therefore no income was generated through this method, income from all charitable activities for the year totalled £14,675.38, as shown in the cash book accounts. This level of income is broadly in line with the previous financial year when grant funding is excluded and is therefore considered by the trustees to represent a successful year of fundraising activity.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document	Constitution whose only voting members are its charity trustees
How is the charity constituted?	CIO

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Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	The Friends of Centre Stage
Other name the charity uses	FoCS
Registered charity number	1201041
Charity’s principal address	98 Gates Green Road West Wickham Kent BR4 9DG

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Daniel Joseph Johnson	Chair	N/A	N/A
Alison Maria Dawkins	Treasurer	N/A	N/A
Melanie Johnson	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Frankie Patrick Fitzgerald	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Lydia Jane Anderson Fitzgerald	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Jane Louise Ramsey	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Marvin Mark James Smith	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Vacant	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Vacant	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Vacant	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Vacant	Trustee	N/A	N/A
Vacant	Trustee	N/A	N/A

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	Daniel Joseph Johnson	Frankie Patrick Fitzgerald
	Chair	Trustee

	12 January 2026	12 January 2026

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