## **THE ERD CONNECTION**
**Report and Unaudited Accounts for the period 06 June 2023 - 30 November 2024**
The ERD Connection is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity registration number: 1203440
**The ERD Connection**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **Trustees**
Ivan Cutting (appointed 23 October 2024) Graham Devlin (appointed 06 June 2023) Karen Goddard (appointed 06 June 2023) Sue Gull (resigned 04 September 2024)
**Charity Number** 1203440 **Independent Examiner** Mark Wallace CTA FCA Walter Wright Chartered Accountants 89 High Street Hadleigh Suffolk IP7 5EA
**The ERD Connection**
## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ report|1 - 4|
|Independent examiner’s report|5|
|Receipts and payments accounts|6|
|Statement of assets and liabilities|7|
|Notes to the accounts|8|
**The ERD Connection**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
For the period ended 30 November 2024
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the period ended 30 November 2024.
## **Objectives and activities**
The objects of the CIO are to relieve needs of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health (physical or mental), disability, financial hardship, social exclusion or other disadvantage (the **Beneficiaries** ), in particular but not exclusively by:
- providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of physical, educational and other activities;
and
- providing recreational and leisure time activity in the interests of social welfare for the Beneficiaries, with a view to improving the conditions of life of such persons.
## _Public benefit_
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the CIO should undertake.
## **Achievements and Performance**
From gaining charitable status in June 2023, the Charity has had an extremely busy and productive first 18 months. The principal activity over the reporting period has been the delivery of Stowmarket Youth Theatre (SYT). Through SYT the Charity has engaged with young people, aged 14-18, with additional needs, providing them with the opportunity of taking part in local, long term, high quality, after school drama activities and the benefits this brings.
To reach those often excluded, SYT aims to run all its projects free for the young people and there are no auditions to join or for parts in productions. Through drama based games and exercises participants are encouraged to develop the skills required for performance; building confidence, working as a team, problem solving, communicating and listening. As a result of taking part the young people improve their health and wellbeing, become more self determined and raise their aspirations. Very importantly, they make new friends, have fun and become more connected with their kin and communities.
Over the reporting period SYT has worked with 25 young people, the majority returning to the group for successive projects. The Charity has engaged experienced and talented youth theatre practitioners to carry out the work and delivered:
- 57 x participatory weekly workshops, and
- 2 x theatre shows (“The Wardrobe” by Sam Holcroft and “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare), performed in local venues with audiences of family, friends and supporters totalling around 270 people.
1
## **The ERD Connection**
SYT’s productions are created to appeal to non-theatre going audiences. They provide joyful community events with performances the young people can be proud of, as well as enjoyed and celebrated by those who come to watch. Ticket prices are kept at affordable prices. Both shows in this reporting period were performed at The Food Museum – one in a tin tabernacle Chapel and the other outside in the Bee Garden. Each location provided a unique, relaxed and atmospheric space for cast, crew and audience members.
In November 2024 SYT moved from The Mix Stowmarket to a new home, the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts in the centre of the town. The venue provides SYT with a space dedicated to arts and culture – it is well-appointed and a good value space to carry out its activities.
In October 2024 SYT were invited to take part in the Mayor of Stowmarket’s Civic Celebration. The occasion provided members another opportunity to perform and for the Charity to raise its profile within the local community.
The Charity supported SYT in running two theatre trips for young people to see professional productions at local theatres, the New Wolsey and High Tide. These were great bonding experiences for the group some of whom had not been to the theatre before and the trips provided inspirational experiences as well as breaking down the stigma of theatre buildings being “not for them”.
At the end of the year SYT had embarked on a new challenge, “Our Very Own Storyland” which will run into 2025. The young people will work with a professional playwright to create their own play, using the power of theatre to tell their stories and allow their voices to be heard.
## _Volunteers_
In July 2024 the Charity was pleased to engage with two ex SYT members as volunteers on the production of “Twelfth Night”. Their roles included assisting the cast backstage prior to the performances and managing front of house, welcoming our audiences to their seats and offering refreshments. The Charity is keen to expand the number of volunteers we work with, particularly young people.
## **Financial Review**
The Charity is reliant on raising funds from individuals and grant making organisations to carry out its work. Over the reporting period the Charity was successful in gaining income of £57,443 through applications to various trusts and foundations as well as local authorities - Mid Suffolk District Council and Stowmarket Town Council. £31,200 of the total income was restricted funding. Expenses over the reporting period amounted to £40,693 leaving a balance of £16,750 to be carried forward. £4,000 of this was restricted for the remuneration of the Lead Producer role. The remaining £12,750 was unrestricted. These funds have been allocated to the Storyland project and charity expenses going into the next reporting period 2024/25.
## _Reserves_
It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to three month’s expenditure.
2
**The ERD Connection**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It’s legal name is The ERD Connection.
The CIO is registered in England and Wales with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (CCEW) with charity number 1203440.
## **The principal operating address, telephone number, email and web address of the Charity are:**
Bush Cottage Bush Corner Debenham Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 6BT
Telephone: 07775 778228 Email address: liz@erdconnection org.uk Web address: https://www.erdconnection.org.uk The Trustees who served during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Ivan Cutting (appointed 23 October 2024) Graham Devlin (appointed 06 June 2023) Karen Goddard (appointed 06 June 2023) Sue Gull (resigned 04 September 2024)
The Trustees of the Charity are all individuals.
_Recruitment and appointment of Trustees_
Trustees are recruited to ensure the Charity has the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the organisation. There must be at least three charity Trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining Trustee or Trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity Trustees, or appoint a new charity Trustee. There is no maximum number of Trustees that may be appointed to the Charity.
Apart from the first charity Trustees, every Trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity Trustees.
3
**The ERD Connection**
## _Other matters_
The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for the governance and direction of the Charity and ensuring that it meets its charitable objects for the public benefit.
The day-to-day management and operation of the Charity is delegated to Liz Downie in her role as consultant Lead Producer.
The Trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Graham Devlin **Trustee**
Date 25/04/2025
4
**The ERD Connection**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The ERD Connection on the accounts for the period ended 30 November 2024**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the period ended 30 November 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act
## **Independent examiner's statement**
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:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mark A Wallace CTA FCA Walter Wright 89 High Street Hadleigh IP7 5EA
Date 25/04/2025
5
**The ERD Connection**
## **Receipts And Payments Account For The Period Ended 30 November 2024**
|**INCOME RECEIPTS**
Donations and grants
Ticket sales
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Direct charitable expenditure:
Ticket purchases
Production costs
Hire costs
Costume and equipment costs
Other Expenditure:
Printing, postage and stationery
Advertising
Computer and website
Insurance
Mileage
Training costs
Subscriptions
Other
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
**NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR**
**Total funds as at 30 November 2023**
**Transfer of funds**
**Total funds as at 30 November 2024**|**Restricted Unrestricted**
**£**
**£**
31,200
25,753
-
490
**31,200**
**26,243**
557
-
29,845
-
4,361
-
1,150
-
206
274
887
-
-
663
-
1,181
996
-
-
310
-
240
-
22
**38,002**
**2,691**
**(6,802)**
**23,552**
-
-
10,802
(10,802)
**4,000**
**£**
**12,750**
**£**|**2024**
**TOTAL**
**£**
56,953
490|
|---|---|---|
|||**57,443**|
|||557
29,845
4,361
1,150
480
887
663
1,181
996
310
240
22|
|||**40,693**|
|||**16,750**|
|||-|
|||-|
|||**16,750**
**£**|
6
**The ERD Connection**
## **Statement of Assets & Liabilities As At 30 November 2024**
|**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
NatWest Bank Account
**CURRENT LIABILITIES**
Creditors payable within one year
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY**
Restricted fund
Unrestricted fund
Signed on behalf of the Trustees|**2024**
**Restricted**
**Unrestricted**
**TOTAL**
**£**
**£**
**£**
79
-
79
4,000
12,750
16,750
4,079
12,750
16,829
-
(550)
(550)
**4,079**
**£**
**12,200**
**£**
**16,279**
**£**
79
-
79
4,000
12,200
16,200
**4,079**
**£**
**12,200**
**£**
**16,279**
**£**|
|---|---|
Date:
25/04/2025
7
**The ERD Connection**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For The Period Ended 30 November 2024**
## **Note 1**
|The restricted funds are split between two different funds as follows:
**Lead**
**Producer**
**Remuneration**
**SYT**
**Project**
**Grant**
**£**
**£**
**INCOME RECEIPTS**
Donations and grants
20,000
11,200
**PAYMENTS**
Ticket purchases
-
(557)
Production costs
(16,000)
(13,845)
Hire costs
-
(4,361)
Costume and equipment costs
-
(1,150)
Printing, postage and stationery
-
(206)
Advertising
-
(887)
Mileage
-
(996)
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
(16,000)
(22,002)
**NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)**
4,000
£
£ (10,802)|**Total**
**£**
31,200|
|---|---|
||(557)
(29,845)
(4,361)
(1,150)
(206)
(887)
(996)|
||(38,002)|
||£ (6,802)|
8