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2025-11-30-accounts

THE ERD CONNECTION

Report and Unaudited Accounts for the year 01 December 2024 - 30 November 2025

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) Lucy Maxwell (appointed 06 November 2025)

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 - 9

The ERD Connection

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

For the year ended 30 November 2025

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 30 November 2025.

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:

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

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, out of school drama activities and the benefits this brings.

To reach those often excluded, SYT removes barriers that may prevent participation; projects are free for the young people and there are no auditions to join or for roles in performances. Using drama based games and exercises, experienced youth theatre practitioners guide the young people in developing 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 worked with 20 young people to deliver an ambitious new challenge, “Our Very Own Storyland”, providing participants the chance to tell their stories and allow their voices to be heard. The Charity commissioned award winning playwright, Nicola Werenowska, who worked with the young people to explore the techniques involved in writing for the theatre.

The project culminated in a brand new play entitled, “This World is Ours” written by Nicky with the young people and completely inspired by their stories. The play was performed in July 2025 at the John Peel Centre in Stowmarket with audiences made up of family, friends and local residents.

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The ERD Connection

The production was strengthened by a professional technical team adding sound, lights and special effects to the show plus a composer/musician who added original music to the piece.

In total, over the reporting period, the Charity delivered:

SYT continues to hold its regular weekly workshops at the John Peel Centre (JPC) in the centre of Stowmarket. The Charity values its ongoing relationship with the JPC organisation, and the highly beneficial charity rate charged for hiring the venue.

The Charity was pleased to use JPC as the venue for SYT’s summer production feeding into its aims to use spaces that appeal to non-theatre going audiences. The performances of “This World is Ours” were extremely well received providing accessible community events for local families with ticket prices kept at affordable prices, free programmes and a welcoming atmosphere contributing to highly enjoyable occasions.

In May, SYT was chosen as the Mayor of Stowmarket’s Charity of the Year. This led to the Charity attending various community events providing opportunities to raise its profile, attract new recruits and additional funding. In October SYT’s young people were pleased to perform as part of the Mayor’s Civic Celebration and to attend tea with the Mayor and local Councillors afterwards.

In December the Charity supported SYT in a theatre trip for young people to see Eastern Angles’ production of “A Christmas Carol” at their theatre centre in Ipswich. Before the performance, the young people were treated to a tour of the building, a drama workshop and hot chocolate! Afterwards they met the cast on stage for a Q&A session and photos. This proved an excellent collaboration with a local theatre company and an inspirational visit for the young people, none of whom had been to Eastern Angles before.

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 £47,435 through applications to various trusts and foundations as well as local authorities - Mid Suffolk District Council, Stowmarket Town Council and Suffolk County Council. £34,520 of the total income was restricted funding. The Charity began the reporting period with a bank balance of £16,750. Expenses for the year amounted to £47,570 leaving a balance of £17,567 to be carried forward. £4,000 of this was restricted for the remuneration of the Lead Producer role, £2,528 for the ‘Thrive and Flourish’ programme. The remaining £11,038 was unrestricted. These funds have been allocated to the delivery of planned SYT projects and charity expenses going into the next reporting period from December 2025 – November 2026.

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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.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Its 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) Lucy Maxwell (appointed 06 November 2025)

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.

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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 04/06/2026

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The ERD Connection

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The ERD Connection on the accounts for the year ended 30 November 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30 November 2025.

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:

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 04/06/2026

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The ERD Connection

Receipts And Payments Account For the year ended 30 November 2025

INCOME RECEIPTS
Donations and grants
Ticket sales
Gift aid
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
Accountancy
Other
TOTAL PAYMENTS
NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR
Bank Balance as at 30 November 2024
Transfer of funds
Bank Balance at 30 November 2025		 Restricted
Unrestricted
£
£
34,520
12,915
-
495
-
456
34,520
13,866
-
150
35,465
-
3,380
180
3,233
-
381
-
1,374
203
-
96
-
697
1,009
200
-
90
-
432
-
630
-
52
44,841
2,729
(10,321)
11,137
4,000
12,750
12,849
(12,849)
6,528
£
11,038
£
2025		 TOTAL
£
47,435
495
456
48,387
150
35,465
3,560
3,233
381
1,577
96
697
1,209
90
432
630
52
47,570
817
16,750
-
17,567
£		 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
£

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The ERD Connection

Statement of Assets & Liabilities As At 30 November 2025

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		 Restricted
Unrestricted
£
£
200
604
6,528
11,038
6,728
11,642
-
(580)
6,728
£
11,062
£
6,728
-
-
11,062
6,728
£
11,062
£
2025		 TOTAL
£
804
17,567
18,371
(580)
17,791
£
6,728
11,062
17,791
£		 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
£
4,079
-
4,079
-
12,200
12,200
4,079
£
12,200
£
16,279
£
2024

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Date: 04/06/2026

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The ERD Connection

Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 30 November 2025

Note 1

The restricted funds are split between different funds as follows for the year ended 30 November 2025:

INCOME RECEIPTS
Donations and grants
PAYMENTS
Ticket purchases
Production costs
Hire costs
Costume and equipment costs
Printing, postage and stationery
Advertising
Mileage
TOTAL PAYMENTS
NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)
Fund balance as at 30 November 2024
Transfer of unrestricted funds
Fund Balance at 30 November 2025		 Lead
Producer
Remuneration
Our Very Own
Storyland
Anna
Buttery
Thrive and
Flourish
Total
£
£
£
£
£
12,000
16,080
920
5,520
34,520
-
-
-
-
-
(12,000)
(21,285)
(920)
(1,260)
(35,465)
-
(2,780)
-
(600)
(3,380)
-
(3,233)
-
-
(3,233)
-
(381)
-
-
(381)
-
(400)
(974)
(1,374)
-
(850)
-
(158)
(1,008)
(12,000)
(28,929)
(920)
(2,992)
(44,841)
-
(12,849)
-
2,528
(10,321)
4,000
-
-
-
4,000
-
12,849
-
-
12,849
4,000
£
-
-
2,528
£
6,528
£

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The ERD Connection

Notes to the Accounts

For the year ended 30 November 2025

The comparative restricted funds are split between two different funds as follows for the year ended 30 November 2024:

INCOME RECEIPTS
Donations and grants
PAYMENTS
Ticket purchases
Production costs
Hire costs
Costume and equipment costs
Printing, postage and stationery
Advertising
Mileage
TOTAL PAYMENTS
NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)		 Lead
Producer
Remuneration
SYT Project
Grant
Total
£
£
£
20,000
11,200
31,200
-
(557)
(557)
(16,000)
(13,845)
(29,845)
-
(4,361)
(4,361)
-
(1,150)
(1,150)
-
(206)
(206)
-
(887)
(887)
-
(996)
(996)
(16,000)
(22,002)
(38,002)
4,000
£
£(10,802)
£(6,802)

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