## **Sole Purpose** (A company limited by guarantee with charitable status) ## **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements** **Period Start Date:** 01/04/23 **Period End Date:** 31/03/24 **Date of approval of this report:** 27.1.25 **Charity Name:** Sole Purpose **NI Charity No:** 100618 / XR32282 **Company No:** NI037481 **Registered Office:** 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry Londonderry BT48 6RG 1 ## **Charity Trustees** ## **Charity trustees during period of 1/4/23 to 31/3/24** Chairperson – (19/10/18 - current) – John McQuaide Vice Chairperson - (7.12.22 – current) - Elly Odhiambo Treasurer - (27/10/20 – current) - Ann Marie Thompson Secretary – (6.12.17 – current ) - Lisa Fitzpatrick Board Member – (5/6/24 to current ) – Catherine McBride ## **Current Charity Trustees: Elected at Sole Purpose AGM 10[th] December 2024** Chairperson - John McQuaide Vice Chairperson – Elly Odhiambo Treasurer – Ann Marie Thompson Secretary – Lisa Fitzpatrick Board Member – Catherine McBride 2 ## **Report of the trustees for the year ending 31st March 2024** The trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the consolidated financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31st March 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting and Reporting (SORP) as well as the public benefit requirement. ## **Chairperson’s Report** The year April 2023 to March 2024 has been a very productive time when the company has seen new developments and has expanded its horizons. We welcomed a new Board member, Cath McBride, who brings a wealth of experience in company development and fundraising. We also welcomed a new staff member, Mairéad Nic Bhloscaidh, Development Officer, who has greatly increased the scope and scale of the output of Sole Purpose. Throughout the year 2023-24 we worked in partnership with Wee Yarn Productions to tour their play _The Daughters of Róisín_ by Aoibh Johnson. This is a one woman play which explores the themes around mother and baby homes. It had two sold out performances in The Duncairn Arts Centre, and in The New Theatre in Dublin in May 2023. It had another two sold out shows at The MAC in September 2023 and at The London Irish Centre in November 2023. The play went on to do a full month at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2024, and received many 5 star reviews. The Sunflower Project entered a new stage of development. The group worked with artist Bronagh Corr McNichol to create an exhibition which resonated with their experiences. The exhibition included large scale print works, haiku poems and personal items associated with the mother and baby institutions. It took place from 2[nd] – 14[th] October 2023. It was very successful. Approximately 300 people attended the exhibition over two weeks, coming from all over Northern Ireland, Co. Donegal and London. Many people were very moved by the monologues, the images and personal items that were on display. The group also made a documentary film which was screened on Wednesday 22[nd] November at the Nerve Centre Venue as part of the Foyle Film Festival programme. It was sold out at 120 seats. This film, made by R&D Media, shows the process the group have been through on this two year project. Sole Purpose worked in partnership with the MakeyUppers to tour their workshop/show to 15 venues and groups in rural areas in Fermanagh and Causeway, to combat isolation and loneliness. These shows took place January – July 2024 and reached approximately 700 audience / participants which included older people, children and people with disabilities. From April 2023 to January 2024 we worked with Caitriona Cunningham on her script The Marian Hotel based on her lived experience of being in Marianvale mother and baby home in Newry. We went through a script development process with Dramaturg Emily DeDakis and eight actors which culminated in a rehearsed reading for an invited audience in January 2024. The play went on tour in autumn 2024 to sold out venues, standing ovations and critical acclaim. We are very grateful to our funders for this year who have made the work possible – The Ideas Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland who are our core funders and supported two projects. We would like to thank all the communities and artists we have worked with over the year and looking forward to an exciting year ahead. **John McQuaide, Chairperson 9.12.24** 3 ## **Charity’s Objectives and Activities** The principal activity of the company is to advance the education of the public in the arts and sciences, by the presentation of movement, drama, theatre performances and other activities. Sole Purpose is a multi award winning theatre company based in Derry Londonderry. We have been creating high quality, innovative theatre on social and public issues for over 25 years and have toured throughout Ireland and the UK. We have also taken productions to the USA. We produce new work for theatre and non-theatre venues, working in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations to bring professional theatre to working class and marginalised communities, as well as touring theatres. Our repertoire includes plays which look at issues of elder abuse, domestic violence, the ethnic minority experience in Northern Ireland, underage drinking, issues affecting the LGBT community, mental health, migration, refugees and other themes. We also run drama related workshops and writing workshops for people from all walks of life, to encourage creativity, build confidence and equip people with skills enabling them to pursue careers. Our work has taken place in community centres, care homes, hospitals, schools, colleges, women's aid centres, prisons and theatres. The people who benefit from our work are diverse. The many productions that we have developed target different audiences – young people, parents, teachers and carers, women, ethnic minority groups, refugees, working class communities, older people and their families, nurses, social workers, students, LGBTQIA+ people, their friends and families, community workers and the mainstream audience. Our production, _Blinkered_ by Patricia Byrne, which explores issues of suicide and mental health, toured schools and colleges 2016 - 2019. It helped numerous young people to tackle their own personal mental health issues. In 2019 Sole Purpose won the Special Jury Prize at Origin Theatre’s 1st Irish Festival in New York for bringing theatre on difficult social issues to non theatre spaces. In 2014 the company won the Eva Gore Booth Award at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival for Life and Love; Lesbian Style by Hilary McCollum. Sole Purpose is working with refugees and asylum seekers, using theatre and song workshops to assist with learning English, life skills and integration. We are working with people impacted by the mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland, this has been a two year project using the arts to help people to move past the shame and stigma of their very painful experiences. ## **Public Benefit** Statement: Trustees are aware of the Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The purposes of the charity satisfy the public benefit requirement. Where there are decisions to be made in the course of the charity’s activities, the Commission’s public benefit guidance, where relevant, is taken into account. The charity’s purpose is to advance the education of the public in the arts and sciences, in particular the art and science of movement, drama and theatre performances by the presentation of drama, movement, theatre performances and other activities for charitable purposes, throughout Ireland and the UK. There are five direct benefits that flow from this purpose. They are: (1) Promotion and growth of individual and collective knowledge and understanding of specific issues through our work. The subjects of our work are issue based and many pieces have been used by organisations such as schools and health care agencies as a means of further educating their pupils/staff on the subject, e.g. our play on abusive relationships among young people has toured for four years to secondary schools and youth centres raising awareness on these issues. 4 (2) Development of individual capabilities and skills through creative education. We run scriptwriting workshops where we develop the creative writing and scriptwriting skills of new, emerging and established writers. We work with aspiring actors, developing their acting skills and giving them the confidence to take these skills further. We run Theatre Labs for people with a disability and / or a mental health condition. (3) Increase the mental and physical wellbeing of the people who see our productions by staging plays which address subjects related to mental and physical health, including work on underage drinking, domestic violence, relationship abuse among young people, elder abuse and human trafficking. In 2016, 2017 and 2019 we staged _Blinkered,_ a play on mental health and suicide which toured secondary schools and colleges throughout Northern and Southern Ireland. We are currently working with people impacted by mother and baby institutions in Northern Ireland through The Sunflower Project and the play The Marian Hotel by birth mother Caitriona Cunningham. (4) Advancement of human rights and promotion of equality and diversity. Our work with the local LGBT community has helped to incorporate this marginalised community in the cultural life of the City, celebrated diversity and has broken down barriers. Our plays on human trafficking, elder and domestic abuse, and the immigrant experience in Northern Ireland has promoted understanding, educated the audience in these issues and raised awareness of human rights violations. We staged _She Wants to be a What?_ by Berni Kerr in 2019 and 2021, which explores transgender issues. We brought the play into local Nationalist and Unionist community venues. (5) Develop a sense of community. Our work is shown in many community settings including schools, hospitals, libraries and community centres – not just theatres. We work with marginalised groups to reduce social isolation. We encourage participation and raise awareness of issues important to building strong and confident communities. The benefit can be demonstrated by referring to evaluations received from audiences who see our work, the feedback we receive from our audience, public reviews, partnership organisations we work with and promoters of the work and also by the demand for our services from local community organisations. The benefits can also be demonstrated by looking at the scripts created as a result of our workshops and seeing the actors on stage and in DVD / digital recordings of our work. We have been working with a researcher on The Sunflower Project, she has written reports of various stages of the project which demonstrate the public benefit of this project. There is no harm flowing from our purposes. Our beneficiaries are the audiences who come to see our performances, the participants in our workshops, the actors and production crew who take part in our productions and the marginalised and under-represented sections of our community for whom we strive to promote greater awareness and understanding. The only private benefit that may arise as a result of our work is that the professional actors and production staff may gain experience of working in different venues and with different audiences, making contacts which may be useful to their further employment. This benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure the benefits are provided to our beneficiaries. ## **Main achievements and activities of the charity in the year 2023-24** ## **The Mystery Bag Tour** The Makey Uppers have toured The Mystery Bag to venues throughout Northern Ireland, in areas of high deprivation. This is an interactive show where the participants make up the story using props and costume and the MakeyUppers act it out. They did 11 shows and worked with adults, families, children, a deaf adult group, schools, people with disabilities, and older people. They toured to Coleraine, Dungannon, Strabane, Derry and The Duncairn in Belfast. Sole Purpose worked in association with MakeyUppers to deliver this tour. There were 337 audience / participants. 5 ## **The Sunflower Project** The Sunflower Project brought together a group of survivors of Northern Ireland mother and baby institutions. This is the second year of the project. They worked together with the artist Bronagh Corr McNicholl to develop art works that resonated with their experience, an exhibition of their work along with personal items connected with the mother and baby home. The Sunflower Project exhibition took place from 2[nd] - 14[th] October. It was very successful. Many people were very moved by the monologues film, the images and personal items that were on display. Approximate 300 people attended the exhibition over two weeks. The Manager and associates with The Ideas Fund came to Derry from England to visit groups they are funding. They also attended the exhibition, and expressed how impressed they were. The group also made a documentary film about the process they have been through on this two year project. film was screened on Wednesday 22[nd] November at the Nerve Centre Venue as part of the Foyle Film Festival programme. It was sold out at 120 seats. This film was made by R&D Media. There was a very positive response. WAVE Trauma Centre, an organisation which supports people impacted by mother and baby institutions, are interested to take the exhibition to Belfast and to show the film there. Audience response: “Heart-wrenching and inspiring film and exhibition. Thank you for sharing your stories. Thank you for showing the power to live without shame.” ## **European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Conference** Sole Purpose presented a 20 minute extract from _Blinkered,_ a play on mental health and suicide, at the opening ceremony of the conference on trauma in The Waterfront Belfast on 15[th] June 2023. It was organised by Queens University. There was an audience of approximately 500. There was a great response, it resonated very strongly with the themes of the conference. ## **The Pride Monologues** Sole Purpose delivered a series of workshops to develop pieces for The Pride Monologues, working with LGBTQIA+ experienced and new performers. The event on 24[th] August 2023 was held in The Playhouse. Approximately 75 people attended. Audience Response: “I have no words to express how I feel after The Pride Monologues as part of Foyle Pride Festival. I’ll never be able to convey how powerful an evening it was. It was so inspiring to watch each person get up on stage and open themselves up for all to see. To watch them be unapologetically themselves. I’ve never been in such a safe queer space and it was honestly life changing. The atmosphere was just electric and each and every performer/monologue spoke to me in a way I can’t describe. I’ve never felt so seen. Well done to everyone involved and thank you for letting us in.” Jason Dunne (a trans man). ## **The Daughters of Roisin** _The Daughters of Roisin_ by Aoibh Johnson was staged at The New Theatre in Dublin as part of the James Connolly Festival in May 2023, it then went to The MAC in Belfast for two sold out shows in September and two sold out shows at the London Irish Centre in November. The one woman play explores the church and state sanctioned abuse against women over the last 100 years. Sole Purpose worked in partnership with Wee Yarn Productions to tour the production. This was a great opportunity for a new young theatre company to show their work. It received standing ovations and great feedback. The play reached a total audience of over 600 people. Audience response: “Insightful and emotional, the play opens a platform for others to share their stories and highlight the deep impact the church and institutions had on society as a whole.” ## **The Marian Hotel by Caitriona Cunningham – Rehearsed Reading** The Marian Hotel by Caitriona Cunningham is based on the writer’s lived experience of being in a mother and baby institution in 1979. We received a small Arts Council NI Commissioning Grant and worked on script development with Dramaturg Emily DeDakis and a group of eight actors 6 March 2023 – January 2024. On Thursday 11[th] January Sole Purpose held a rehearsed reading of the play in The Playhouse to an invited audience of venue managers, members of the Truth Recovery Panel, people from WAVE Trauma Centre (an organisation that supports people impacted by mother and baby homes), business people, birth mothers and adoptees. 40 people attended. We received excellent feedback: **“** _The Marion Hotel_ by Caitriona Cunningham was amazing. The remarkable play gives an insight into the lived experience of women who were pregnant outside of marriage during the 1970s, and the shame and guilt that was loaded onto them by their families, society and church. In 2024, at a time when individuals and groups are campaigning for the rights of victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions in Northern Ireland, this play will help individuals to gain the strength to talk about their own experiences, to seek help. The reading was already hugely emotional and so well portrayed by the actors. I can’t wait to see the play on stage.” **Sonja Tammen, Lead Caseworker - Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, WAVE Trauma Cen tre** 7 ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Sole Purpose is a registered company. It was set up in 1997 by Dave Duggan and the current Artistic Director Patricia Byrne. Dave Duggan resigned in 2008 and an Arts Administrator started with the company in September 2008. They created a theatre association on the basis of a co-operative partnership in early 1997 with the support of the late Kevin O’Carroll of The Northern Ireland Cooperative Development Agency. With Kevin’s support Sole Purpose became a registered company with a Memorandum and Articles of Association, and with his further assistance secured charitable status for the company. ## **Sole Purpose Productions Memorandum and Articles of Association** THE COMPANIES (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDERS 1986 TO 1990 COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE AND NOT HAVING A SHARE CAPITAL MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF SOLE PURPOSE ## 1. The Company's name is: Sole Purpose 2. The Company's registered office is to be situated in Northern Ireland. 3. The objects of the Company are to advance the education of the public in the arts and sciences and in particular the art and science of movement, drama and theatre performances, by the presentation of movement, drama, theatre performances and other activities. ## 4. POWERS In furtherance of the said objects, but not further or otherwise, the Company shall have power to: - (a) provide, endow, furnish and fit out with all necessary furniture and other equipment and maintain such buildings, premises, and centres as may from time to time be required for the purposes of the Company; - (b) co-operate and enter into arrangements with any authorities, national, local or otherwise; 8 (c) bring together in conference representatives of voluntary organisations, Government departments, statutory authorities and individuals; (d) arrange and provide for, either alone or with others, the holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars or training courses; (e) collect and disseminate information on all matters relating to its objects, and to exchange such information with other bodies having similar objects whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere; (f) write, print or publish, in whatever form, such papers, books, periodicals, pamphlets or other documents, including films and recorded material, as shall further its objects, and to issue or circulate the same whether for payment or otherwise; (g) accept subscriptions, donations, devises and bequests of and to purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire and hold any real or personal estate, maintain and alter any of the same as are necessary for any of the objects of the Company and (subject to such consents as may be required by law) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of or mortgage any such real or personal estate, having due regard to the requirements of, or conditions established by, statutory authorities or bodies providing funds or assistance of any kind to the Company; (h) issue appeals, hold public meetings and take such other steps as may be required for the purposes of procuring contributions to the funds of the Company in the form of donations, subscriptions or otherwise PROVIDED THAT the Company shall not undertake any permanent trading activity in raising funds for the objects of the Company; (I) draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, bills, cheques and other instruments, and to operate bank accounts; (j) borrow or raise money for the objects of the Company on such terms and (with such consents as are required by law) on such security as may be thought fit; (k) take and accept any gift of money, property or other assets, whether subject to any special trust or not, for any one or more of the objects of the 9 ## Company; (l) invest the monies of the Company not immediately required for its objects in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) and such consents (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law and subject also as hereinafter provided; (m) make any charitable donation either in cash or assets for the furtherance of the objects of the Company; (n) establish and support any charitable association or body and to subscribe or guarantee money for charitable purposes calculated to further the objects of the Company; (o) make regulations for the proper supervision, control and management of any property which may be so acquired; (p) employ such staff, who shall not be Directors of the Company, as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objects and to make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of pensions and superannuation to such staff and their dependents; (q) insure and arrange insurance cover for and to indemnify its officers, servants and voluntary workers from and against all such risks incurred in the course of the performance of their duties as may be thought fit; (r) subject to the provisions of clause 5 hereof to pay reasonable annual sums or premiums for or towards the provision of pensions for officers or servants for the time being of the Company or their dependents; (s) amalgamate with any companies, institutions, societies or associations which are charitable at law and have objects altogether or mainly similar to those of the Company and prohibit the payment of any dividend or profit to and the distribution of any of their assets amongst their members at least to the same extent as such payments or distributions are prohibited in the case of members of the Company by this Memorandum of Association; (t) pay out of the funds of the Company the costs, charges and expenses of and incidental to the formation and registration of the Company; 10 (u) do all such other lawful things as shall further the above objects or any of them. ## Provided that: (I) in case the Company shall take or hold any property which may be subject to any trusts, the Company shall only deal with or invest the same in such manner as allowed by law, having regard to such trusts; (ii) the objects of the Company shall not extend to the regulation of relations between workers and employers or organisations of workers and organisations of employers. 5. The income and property of the Company shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its objects as set forth in the Memorandum of Association and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to members or Directors of the Company. Provided that nothing herein shall prevent any payment in good faith by the Company: (a) of reasonable and proper remuneration for any services rendered to the Company by any member, officer or servant of the Company who is not a Director of the Company; (b) of interest on money lent by any member of the Company or of its Board of Directors at a rate per annum not exceeding 2 per cent less than the minimum lending rate prescribed for the time being by a clearing bank selected by that Board of Directors or 3 per cent whichever is the greater; (c) of reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let by any member of the Company or of its Board of Directors; (d) of fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money's worth to a company of which a member of the Board of Directors may be a member holding not more than 1/100th part of the capital of that Company; and (e) to any member of its Board of Directors of reasonable and proper out of- pocket expenses. 6. The liability of the members is limited. 7. Every member of the Company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Company, in the event of the same being wound up while it is a member, or within one year after it ceases to be 11 a member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Company contracted before it ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves, such amount as may be required not exceeding one pound. 8. If upon the winding-up or dissolution of the Company there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Company, but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Company, and which shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Company under or by virtue of Clause 5 hereof, such charitable institution or institutions to be determined by the members of the Company at or before the time of dissolution, and in so far as effect cannot be given to such provision, then to some other charitable object. THE COMPANIES (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDERS 1986 TO 1990 AND COMPANIES ACT 2006 COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE AND NOT HAVING A SHARE CAPITAL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF SOLE PURPOSE ## INTERPRETATIONS 1. In these articles:- "the Order" means the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 and any statutory modification or re-enactment for the time being in force thereof and any provisions of the Companies Act 2006 for the time being in force; “Table A” means Table A in the Companies (Tables A to F) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 (S.R. 1986 No. 264) as amended by the Companies (Tables A to F) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007 No. 394) and the Companies (Tables A to F) 12 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007 No. 425); "clear days" in relation to the period of a notice means that period excluding the day when the notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect; "communication" means the same as in the Electronic Communications Act (Northern Ireland) 2001; "electronic communication"means the same as in the Electronic Communications Act (Northern Ireland) 2001; “the Seal” means the common seal of the Company; “Secretary" means any person appointed to perform the duties of the Secretary of the Company; "the United Kingdom" means Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Expressions referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including references to printing, lithography, photography, electrostatic processes, and other modes of representing or reproducing words in a visible form. Unless the contrary intention appears, words or expressions contained in these articles shall bear the same meaning as in the Order or any statutory modification thereof in force at the time at which these articles become binding on the Company. The Regulations of Table A shall not apply to the Company. ## MEMBERS 2. The subscribers to the Memorandum of Association and such other persons, associations, societies, companies or other corporate bodies as the Directors shall admit to membership shall be members of the Company. 3. Any member which is an association or a corporate body shall by resolution of its governing body appoint a deputy who shall during the continuance of his/her appointment be entitled to exercise in any General Meeting all such rights and powers as the association or the corporate body would exercise if it were an individual person. 4. Every application for admission shall be considered by the Directors at their first meeting after it was made, or as soon thereafter as is practicable. There shall be no discrimination between persons by reference to politics, religion, race, sex, age or physical or mental disability. 5. The provision of Article 360 of the Order shall be observed by the Company and every member shall either sign a written consent to become a member or sign the Register of Members on 13 becoming a member. 6. A member may at any time withdraw from the Company by giving at least one month’s notice to the Company. Membership shall not be transferable and shall cease on death. ## CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP 7. A member shall cease to be a member if:- (a) such member resigns by notice in writing addressed and delivered to the Secretary; or (b) such member is expelled from membership by an ordinary resolution in that behalf carried at a duly convened General Meeting of the Company at which such member shall be first afforded the opportunity to make representations on the matter; or (c) such member ceases to be a body corporate or unincorporate or goes into liquidation or is dissolved. ## GENERAL MEETINGS 8. (a) Subject to paragraph (b) the Company shall in each calendar year hold a General Meeting as its Annual General Meeting in addition to any other meetings in that year, and shall specify the meeting as such and the notices calling it; and not more than fifteen months shall elapse between the date of one Annual General Meeting of the Company and that of the next. (b) So long as the Company holds its first Annual General Meeting within eighteen months of its incorporation, it need not hold it in the calendar year of its incorporation or in the following calendar year. The Annual General Meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Directors shall appoint. (c) The business of an Annual General Meeting shall comprise:- (i) the appointment of Directors; (ii) the consideration of the Report and Accounts presented by the Directors; (iii) the appointment and the fixing of the remuneration of the Auditor or Auditors (if appropriate). All other business transacted at an Annual General Meeting shall be deemed special. 9. The Directors may call General Meetings and, on the requisition of members pursuant to the provisions of the Order, shall forthwith proceed to convene a General Meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Order. If there are not within the United Kingdom sufficient Directors to call a General Meeting, any Director or any member of the Company may call a General Meeting. 14 10. An Annual General Meeting, or an Extraordinary General Meeting, shall constitute a General Meeting of the Company. 11. Decisions at General Meetings shall be made by passing resolutions: (a) Decisions involving an alteration of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and other decisions so required by statute shall be made by special resolution. A special resolution is one passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of members present in person or by proxy and voting at a General Meeting. (b) All other decisions shall be made by ordinary resolution requiring a simple majority of members present in person or by proxy and voting. ## NOTICES 12. General Meetings shall be called by at least fourteen clear days' notice but may be called by shorter notice if it is so agreed by a majority in number of the members having a right to attend and vote being a majority together holding not less than ninety per cent of the total voting rights at the meeting of all the members. The notice shall specify the time and place of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted and in the case of an Annual General Meeting shall specify the meeting as such. The notice shall be given to all the members and to the Directors and Auditors. 13. Any notice to be given to or by any person pursuant to the articles (other than a notice calling a meeting of Directors) shall be in writing or shall be given using electronic communications to an address for the time being notified for that purpose to the person giving the notice. In this article, "address", in relation to electronic communications, includes any number or address used for the purposes of such communications. 14. Proof that an envelope containing a notice was properly addressed, prepaid and posted shall be conclusive evidence that the notice was given. Proof that notice contained in an electronic communication was sent in accordance with guidance issued by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators shall be conclusive evidence that the notice was given. A notice shall be deemed to be given at the expiration of forty-eight hours after the envelope containing it was posted or, in the case of a notice contained in an electronic communication, at the expiration of forty-eight hours after the time it was sent. 15. The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the nonreceipt of notice of a meeting by, any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting. 16. The Company in General Meeting may decide from time to time to 15 invite by notice any person to a General Meeting of the Company. ## PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS 17. Every member and such other persons as receive notice shall be entitled to attend and speak at a General Meeting. 18. No business shall be transacted at a General Meeting unless a quorum is present. Save in the case of there being a single member, two persons entitled to vote upon the business to be transacted, each being a member or a proxy for a member or a duly authorised representative of a corporation, shall be a quorum. 19. If such a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, or if during a meeting such a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place or to such a day, time and place as the Directors may determine. 20. The Chairperson, if any, of the Directors shall preside as Chairperson at every General Meeting of the Company, or if there is no such Chairperson, or if he or she is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or is unwilling to act, the Directors present shall elect one of their number to be Chairperson of the meeting. 21. If at any meeting no Director is willing to act as Chairperson or if no Director is present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the members present shall choose one of their number to be Chairperson of the meeting. 22. The Chairperson may, with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting. 23. A resolution put to the vote of a meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless before, or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands a poll is duly demanded. Subject to the provisions of the Order a poll may be demanded:- - (a) by the Chairperson; or - (b) by not less than five of the members present in person or by proxy. 24. Unless a poll is duly demanded, a declaration by the Chairperson 16 that a resolution has been carried or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, or not carried by a particular majority and an entry made to that effect in the minutes of the meeting shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution. 25. The demand for a poll may, before the poll is taken, be withdrawn but only with the consent of the Chairperson and a demand so withdrawn shall not be taken to have invalidated the result of a show of hands declared before the demand was made. 26. Except as provided in article 28, if a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the Chairperson directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. 27. Where there is an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the Chairperson of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place, or at which the poll is demanded, shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote. 28. A poll demanded on the election of a Chairperson, or on a question of adjournment, shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the Chairperson of the meeting directs, and any business other than that upon which a poll has been demanded may be proceeded with pending the taking of the poll. 29. A resolution in writing signed by a majority of the members for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at General Meetings shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a General Meeting of the Company duly convened and held. ## VOTES OF MEMBERS 30. On a show of hands or on a secret ballot every member who (being an individual) is present in person or by proxy or (being an organisation) is present by a duly authorised representative or by proxy, unless the proxy (in either case) or the representative is himself/herself a member entitled to vote, shall have one vote. 31. The appointment of a proxy shall be executed by or on behalf of the appointer and shall be in the following form (or in a form as near thereto as circumstances allow or in any other form which is usual or which the Directors may approve)- "Sole Purpose I/We ................................... of ........................................... in the county of ................................. being a member/members of the above named company, hereby appoint ........................... of .................... or failing him/her .............................. of .............................................. as my/our proxy to vote in my/our name(s) and on my/our behalf at the general meeting of the company to 17 be held on the ....................... day of ........................ 20 ........ and at any adjournment thereof. Signed this ................. day of ........................ 20 ........... 32. Where it is desired to afford members an opportunity of instructing the proxy how he/she shall act the appointment of a proxy shall be in the following form (or in a form as near thereto as circumstances allow or in any other form which is usual or which the Directors may approve)- "Sole Purpose I/We.......................................... of ...........................................in the county of ........................being a member/members of the above named company, hereby appoint ...................... of ........................ or failing him/her ........................... of ............................ as my/our proxy to vote in my/our name(s) on my/our behalf at the general meeting of the company to be held on the ................. day of ................ 20.......... and at any adjournment thereof. This form is to be used in respect of the resolutions mentioned below as follows: Resolution No. 1 * for * against Resolution No. 2 * for * against - Strike out whichever is not desired. Unless otherwise instructed the proxy will vote as he/she thinks fit or abstain from voting. Signed this day of 20 .” 33. The appointment of a proxy and any authority under which it is executed or a copy of such authority certified notarially or in some other way approved by the Directors may: - (a) in the case of an instrument in writing, be deposited at the registered office of the Company or at such other place within the United Kingdom as is specified in the notice convening the meeting or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company in relation to the meeting not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; or - (b) in the case of an appointment contained in an electronic communication, where an address has been specified for the purpose of receiving electronic communications- - (i) in the notice convening the meeting, or - (ii) in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company in relation to the meeting, or - (iii) in any invitation contained in an electronic - communication to appoint a proxy issued by the 18 Company in relation to the meeting, be received at such address not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the appointment proposes to vote; - (c) in the case of a secret ballot taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, be deposited or received as aforesaid after the secret ballot has been demanded and not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the taking of the secret ballot; or - (d) where the secret ballot is not taken forthwith but is taken not more than 48 hours after it was demanded, be delivered at the meeting at which the secret ballot was demanded to the Chairperson or to the Secretary or to any Director; and an appointment of proxy which is not deposited, delivered or received in a manner so permitted shall be invalid. In calculating the periods mentioned in (a), (b), (c) and (d) above, no account shall be taken of any part of a day that is not a working day. In this article and the next, "address", in relation to electronic communications, includes any number or address used for the purposes of such communications. 34. A vote given or a secret ballot demanded by proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous determination of the authority of the person voting or demanding a secret ballot unless notice of the determination was received by the Company at the office or at such other place at which the instrument of proxy was duly deposited or, where the appointment of the proxy was contained in an electronic communication, at the address at which the appointment was duly received before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote is given or the secret ballot demanded or (in the case of a secret ballot taken otherwise than on the same day as the meeting or adjourned meeting) the time appointed for taking the secret ballot. ## DIRECTORS 35. Unless otherwise determined by the Company in General Meeting the number of Directors shall not be subject to any maximum but shall not be less than three. 36. The initial Directors from incorporation until the first Annual General Meeting shall be determined in writing by the subscribers of the Memorandum of Association. 37. The Directors shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting by the members present. 38. A Director shall, subject to article 40 below, hold office until the next Annual General Meeting following his/her appointment. A retiring Director shall be eligible for re election. 19 39. The Directors shall have the power at any time and from time to time to appoint any person to be a Director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing Directors. Any Director so appointed shall hold office only until the next following Annual General Meeting and shall then be eligible for re-election. DISQUALIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS 40. The office of a Director shall be vacated if:- - (a) S/he resigns his/her office in writing to the Company. (b) S/he fails to declare his/her interest in any contract as referred to in article 47. (c) S/he becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangements or composition with his/her creditors generally. (d) S/he is, or may be, suffering from mental disorder and either:- (i) he/she is detained for treatment within the meaning of Article 12(5) of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, or - (ii) an order is made by a court having jurisdiction (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere), in matters concerning mental disorder for his/her detention or for the appointment of a controller, receiver, curator bonis or other person to exercise powers with respect to his/her property or affairs. (e) S/he is removed from office by resolution of the Company in General Meeting (in accordance with Article 311 of the Order). ## DIRECTORS’ EXPENSES 41. The Directors may be paid all travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with their attendance at meetings of Directors or committees of Directors or General Meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of their duties. ## POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIRECTORS 42. The business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors who may pay all expense of the formation of the Company as they think fit and may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such acts on behalf of the Company as may be exercised and done by the Company and as are not by statute or by these articles required to be exercised or done by the Company in General Meeting. 43. No regulation made by the Company in General Meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid had that regulation not been made. 20 44. All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments and all receipts for money paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed as the case may be in such manner as the Directors shall from time to time by resolution determine. 45. Without prejudice to its general powers the Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking and property or any part thereof and to issue debentures and other securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. 46. The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books provided for the purpose:- (a) of all appointments of Officers made by the ## Directors; (b) of all the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; (c) of all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company and all meetings of the Directors and all meetings of committees of Directors. 47. A Director shall not vote in respect of any contract in which s/he is directly or indirectly interested or any matter arising therefrom and if s/he does so vote his/her vote shall not be counted. ## PROCEEDINGS OF THE DIRECTORS 48. The Directors may meet together for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit and questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. 49. A Director may and the Secretary shall on the requisition of a Director summon a meeting of the Directors at any reasonable time. 50. The quorum necessary for the transaction of business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors and unless so fixed at any other number shall be two Directors or one-third of Directors, whichever is the greater. 51. If the Directors shall at any time be reduced in number to less than the minimum prescribed in these articles, they may act as the Directors for the purpose of filling vacancies in their body or summoning a General Meeting of the Company but for no other purpose. 52. The Directors may elect a Chairperson of their meetings and determine the period for which he or she is to hold office; but if 21 no such Chairperson is elected, or if at any meeting the Chairperson is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be Chairperson of the meeting. 53. A resolution in writing signed by all Directors for the time being who are entitled to vote shall be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors and may consist of several documents in like form signed by one or more Directors. ## MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 54. The Board of Directors may delegate any of its powers to a Management Committee consisting of at least one Director and other appointees approved by the Directors. All acts and proceedings shall be reported back to the Board of Directors fully and promptly. Any such delegation may be made subject to any conditions the Directors may impose, and either collaterally with or to the exclusion of their own powers and may be revoked or altered. 55. The quorum necessary for the transaction of business of the Management Committee shall be one-half plus one of the members of the Management Committee for the time being. ## OTHER COMMITTEES 56. The Directors may delegate any of its powers to other committees consisting of such members of the Company as it thinks fit. Any committee so formed shall conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors. 57. A committee may elect a Chairperson of its meetings, but if no such Chairperson is elected, or if at any meeting the Chairperson is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the members present may choose one of their number to be Chairperson of the meeting. 58. A committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present. ## THE SEAL 59. The Directors shall provide for the safe custody of the Seal which shall only be used by the authority of the Directors acting on behalf of the Company. Every instrument to which the Seal shall be attached shall be signed by a Director and countersigned by a second member, the Secretary or a Director. 22 ## SECRETARY 60. Subject to the provisions of the Order, the Secretary shall be appointed or removed by the Membership. 61. Anything which has to be done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be done by one person acting in both capacities. ## ACCOUNTS 62. The Directors shall cause proper accounting records to be kept in accordance with the provisions of the Order with respect to:- - (a) All sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the receipt and expenditure takes place. - (b) All sales and purchases of goods by the Company. - (c) The assets and liabilities of the Company. Proper accounting records shall be deemed to be kept if they give a true and fair record of the state of the Company's affairs and explain its transactions. 63. The accounting records shall be kept at the registered office of the Company or subject to Articles 230(1) and (2) of the Order at such other places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of all officers of the Company during their working hours and by such other persons authorised by the Company in General Meeting. 64. The Directors shall from time to time in accordance with their statutory obligations cause to be prepared and laid before the Company in General Meeting such profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and reports as are required by statute. 65. In addition the Directors shall, following the first General meeting, prepare and present the members with such regular trading accounts showing so far as is possible the current financial results of the Company as the Company in General Meeting shall require to be laid before them. 66. A copy of every balance sheet (including every document required by law to be annexed thereto) which is to be laid before the Company in General Meeting, together with a copy of the Auditor's report, shall, not less than twenty- one clear days before the date of the meeting, be sent or delivered to every member, the Auditors and every holder of loan stock or debentures of the Company. Provided that this article shall not require a copy of those documents to be sent to any person of whose address the Company is not aware or to more than one of the joint holders of any debenture. 23 ## AUDIT 67. Unless the Company is eligible for and has decided to implement the small company audit exemptions, once at least in every year the accounts of the Company shall be examined and correctness of the income and expenditure account and balance sheet ascertained by one or more properly qualified Auditor or Auditors. 68. Auditors or Independent Examiners shall be appointed (as necessary) and their duties regulated in accordance with the Orders. WAGES AND WELFARE 69. The terms and conditions of the contracts of employment of employees of the Company shall be determined by the Directors, be in accordance with law and promote good industrial relations. ## INDEMNITY 70. Every member or auditor or officer of the Company shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all losses or liabilities incurred by him/her in or about the execution and discharge of the duties of his/her office, except to the extent that such losses or liabilities shall be attributed to either:- (a) fraud or other matters in respect of which such person concerned shall be convicted of a criminal offence; or - (b) negligence; or - (c) actions knowingly beyond the scope of a specific authority or limit thereon on the part of such person. ## DISSOLUTION 71. Clause 8 of the Memorandum of Association relating to the winding up and dissolution of the Company shall have effect as if the provisions thereof were repeated in these articles. - 72.The provisions of article 71 and of this article may only be changed by the unanimous vote of all members entitled to vote. By order of the trustees: John McQuaide (Chairperson) 10[th] December 2024 24 Sole Purpose Independent exan)iner's report on the unaudited financial statements to the of Sole Purposc We report on tlle accounts of tlie coinpany for the year ended 31 Marcli 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 13. Respective responslbllltles of charlty dlrectors and examlner. As tlie cliarity direclors you are responsible for Ihe preparation of the accounts in accordance witli the requireinenls of tlie Coinpaiiies Act 2006. Having satisfied ourselves that tlie charity is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent exainination, it is our responsibility to; examine the accounts under section 65 of tlie Charities Act 2008; follow the procedures laid down in tlie geiieral directions given by the Charity Coinmission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of tlie Charities Act 2008. slate whether particular Inatters liave coine to our atteiition. Basis of independent examlncr's report We have exainiiied your cliÈLriiy aecounls as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and our examination was carried oui in accordance with tlie general directions given by the Cliarity Commission for Northern Ircland uiider Sectioii 65(9)(b) of tlie Charities Act. The exainination included a review of the accounting records kept by the cliarity and a comparison of tlie accounts presented with those records. It also included a consideration of any unusual iteins or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking cxplanations from you as charity directors conceriiiiig aiiy sucli matters. Our role is to state wliether aiiy mat¢rial matt¢rs hav¢ ¢om¢ to our attention giviiig us cause to believe: tliat accounting records were not k¢pt in accordance with section 386 of the Coinpani¢s Act 2006; tliat Ilie accounts do not accord with tliose accounting records; tliat the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Section 396 of the Coinpanies Act 2006 and the mctliods and principlcs of the Cliaritics Statement of Recominendcd Practice applicable to charities preparing tlicir accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ir¢laiid; that tliere is furtlier inforination needcd for proper undcrstanding. Independent examlner's statement We have completed our examination aiid have no concerns in respect of the matters listed above and, in connection with following the directioiis of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, we have found no Inatters tliat require drawiiig to your aitention. McGrollr Mcc ffe Accountants & Ta 2 Carlis Derry BT48 6JX Date: 10 December 2024 td sultunts rrace Page 5 **Sole Purpose Reserve Policy** ## ∙ **PURPOSE OF THE RESERVES POLICY** 1. The purpose of the Reserves Policy for Sole Purpose is to ensure the stability of the mission, programs, employment, and ongoing operations of the organisation and to provide a source of internal funds for organisational priorities such as marketing, equipment, computer system update and unforeseen essential costs that are not covered by other income. 2. The Reserves Policy will be implemented in line with the organisational objectives and other governance policies to support the explicit goals and strategies contained in these documents. This policy works alongside the existing Financial Policy. ## ∙ **PURPOSE OF THE OPERATING RESERVE** 1. The Operating Reserve is intended to provide an internal source of funds for situations such as a sudden increase in expenses, one-time expenses that are otherwise not within an available existing budget, unanticipated loss in funding, or uninsured losses. Operating Reserves are not intended to replace a permanent loss of funds or eliminate an ongoing budget gap. 2. It is the intention that Operating Reserves to be used and replenished within a short period of time. 3. The Operating Reserve Fund is to be a designated fund set aside and utilised or actioned in response request and subsequent quorum agreement by the Board of Directors. It is not a petty-cash resource. 4. A minimum amount to be designated as Operating Reserve will be established and reported on to the Board of Directors through board meetings. The agreed Operating Reserve will be reviewed and agreed at each board meeting and adjusted in response to both internal and external changes. 5. A target minimum Operating Reserve Fund is equal to approximately **1.5** months of average operating costs of Sole Purpose Productions. This calculation excludes all nonoperational and actual programme expenses. ## ∙ **ACCOUNTING FOR RESERVES** 1. The Reserve Funds will be recorded in the financial records as ‘Designated Reserve’. Reserves will be maintained within the general cash and accounts of the organisation. 27 ## ∙ **FUNDING OF RESERVES** 1. The Operating Reserve will be funded with surplus unrestricted operating funds. Funding applications will seek to secure 15% of revenue be levered towards management and administration off which 5% will be set aside for Operating Reserves. 2. All donations in cash to the organisation will be designated within the Operating Reserves unless otherwise specified by the donor or purpose of the targeted donation. 3. Sponsorship to the organisation will be designated within the Operating Reserves unless otherwise specified by the donor or purpose of the targeted sponsorship. ## **PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORISATION OF USE OF RESERVES** Use of the Reserves requires three steps: 1. **Identification of appropriate use of reserve funds.** A Board member or staff member identifies the need for access to reserve funds. The need for the fund should be: 1. consistent with the purpose of the reserves as described in this Policy and in line with the organisational purpose and aims; 2. reason for the shortfall and concern or risk to the company if not funded should be clarified; 3. the availability of any other sources of funds before using reserves; 4. and evaluation of the time period that the funds will be needed and replenished. 2. **Authority to use reserves.** The use of Reserves should be approved in writing by the Artistic Director AND either the Treasurer or Chairperson. The use of Reserves must be reported to the Board of Management at the next board meeting, accompanied by a description of the analysis and written authorisation of the use of funds and plans for replenishment to restore the Reserve Fund to the target minimum amount. 3. **Reporting and monitoring.** The Board of Management and the Artistic Director are responsible for ensuring that the Reserve Funds are maintained and used only as described in this Policy. Upon approval for the use of Reserve Funds, the Treasurer and Artistic Director will maintain records of the use of funds and plan for replenishment. 28 Company No. N1037481 Sole Purpose (Company Llmlted by Guarantee) Aeeount$ for the year ended 31 March 2024 Sole Purpose Contents Page Inforination Dire¢tors' report Independeiits exaininers, report Stateiiient of financial activities Balance shcct Notes to the accounts 10-14 Sole Purpose Information Accountants McGroarty Mccaffety & Company Ltd Accountants & Tax Consultants 2 Carlisle Terrace Derry BT48 6JX Company Numbor N1037481 Charlty Number XR 32282 NIC100618 Bankers Bank of Ireland 27 Culmore Road Derry BT48 8JB Directors John Joscph Philip McQuaide Lisa Fitzpatrick Ann Marie Thompson Elly Omondi Odhiambo Cath¢rine McBride Appointed 5th June 2024 Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick Jolin Josepli Philip McQuaid¢ Appointed 8th December 2023 Resigned 8th December 2023 Registered Office Tlie Playllouse 5-7 Artillery Street Derry BT48 6RG Page I Sole Purpose Directors, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 Tlie directors present tlieir report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. Prlnclpal activity Th¢ principal activity of tl)e company is to advance the education of the public in the arts and sciences, by the preseiitatioii of moveireiit, draina, theatre performances and other activities. Objeetivos and activEtles Sole Purpose is a professional theatre company based in Derry/Londonderry. We Iiave been creating high quality, ii)novative tliealre 011 social and public issues since 1997 and liave toured througliout Ireland and tl)e UK. We liave also takcn productions to the USA. W¢ produce new work for tlieatre and iioii-tlieatre venues, working in partiiersliip witli statutory and voluntary organisations to bring professional tlieatre to working class and marginalised coininuiiities, as well as touring theatres. Our repertoire includes plays wliicli look at the issues of elder abuse, domestic violence, the etlinic minority experience iii Nortliern Ireland, underage drinking, issues affecting the LGBT comInunity, mental liealtli and otlier themes. We also run draina related workshops and writiiig workshops for people from all walks of life, to encourage Greativity, build confidence and equip people willi skills enabling them to pursue careers. Our work has taken place in coininunity centre5, care lioines, hospitals, scliools, colleges, women's aid centres, prison5 and tlieatres. The people wlio benefit from our work are diverse. Tlie many productions tliat we have developed target different audienccs young people, parents, teachers and carers, womeii, ethnic minority groups, working class communiti¢s, older people and tlieir fainilies, nurses, social ivorkers, students, LGBT people, their friends and families, coinniuiiity workers and Ilie mainstream audience. Our most recent paly, Blinkered by Patricia Byrne, wliich explores issues of suioide and mental health, has been touring schools and colleges since 2016. It has lielped nuinerous young people to tackle their own mental health issues. In 2019 Sole Purpose won the Special Jury Prize at Origin Theatre's I st Irish Folk Festival in New York for bringing theatre on difficult social issues to non tliealre spaces. In 2014 the company woii tlie Eva Gorc Bootli Award at tlie Iiiternational Dublin Gay Theatre Festival for Life aiid Love: Lesbian Style by Hilary Mccollum. Sole Purpose is working with Syrian refugees, using theatre to asist with learning Englisli and iiilergration. Publlc bencfit Our purpose is to advance the cducation of the public in the arts and sciences, in particular the art and science of movement, drama and theatre performanc¢s by the presentation of drama, movement, theatre perfonnances and other activities for charitable purposes, througliout Ireland and the UK. We believe that the purposes of our cliarity satisfy the public benefit requireinent. There are five direct bcnefits that flow froin this purpose. They are: l) Promotion and growth of individual and collective knowledge and understanding of 5p¢cifi¢ issues througli our work. The subjects of our work are issue based and many pieces have been used by organisaiions such as schools and health car¢ ageiicies as a In¢ans of further ¢du¢ating their pupils15tafYon the subject, eg. our play on abusive relationsliips ainong young people ha5 toured for three years to secondary schools and youtli centres raising awareness on tljese issues. 2) Development of individual capabilities and sk-ills through creative education. Wc run scriptwriting workshops where we develop tlie creative writing and scriptwriting skills of ncw, emerging and establTshed writers. We Nvork witli aspiring aclors, developing their acting skills and giviiig tliem the confidence to take thcse skills furtl)er. We run Theatre Labs for people with a disability andlor a mental health condition. Page 2 Sole Purpose Directors, report for the year ended 31 March 2024 continued 3) Increase the Inental and physical wellbeing of the people who see our productions by stagiiig plays which address subjects related to mental and pliysical healtli, including work on underage drinking, domestic violence, relationship abuse aiiiong young people, elder abuse and human trafficking. In 2016, 2017 and 2019 we staged Blinkered, a play oli mental liealth and suicide which toured secondary scliools and colleges tlirougliout Nortlicm and Southern Ireland. 4) Advanccment of huinan rights and proinotion of equality and diversity. Our work with the local LGBT cominunity has helped to incorporate this Inarginalised community in tlie cultural life of the City, celebrated diversity and has broken down barriers. Our plays on human traificking, elder and domestic abuse, and tlie immigrant experience in Nortliern Ireland lias promoted understanding, educated the audience in these issues and raised awareness of huinan rights violation5. W¢ staged Slie Wants to be a What? by Berni Kerr in Noveinber 2018, whicl) explored transgender issues. We brought tlie play into local Nationalist and Unionist ¢ominumiiy venues. 5) Develop a sense of coiiiinuiiily. Our work is shown in many community settings including schools, hospitals, libraries and coiiiiiiunity eentres not jusl theatres. We work with marginalised groups to reduce social isolatioii. We encourage participation and raise awareness of issues important to building strong and confident communities. The benefit can be deinonstrated by referring to evaluations received from audiences wlio see our work, ilie feedback we receive from our audience, public reviews, partnership organisations we work with and promoters of the work and also by the demand for our services from local community organisations. Th¢ bcnefits can also be demonstrated by looking at the scripts created as a result of our workshops and seeing tlie actors on stage and in DVD/ digital recordings of our work. Tliere is no harm flowing froin oiir purposes. Our ben¢ficiari¢5 ar¢ the audieii¢¢s who coine to see our perfomiances, tlie participants in our workshops, the actors and productioii crew wlio take part iii our perforinaiices aiid the marginalised and mistreated sections of our commuiiily for whoin we strive to proinote greater awareness and understanding. The only private benefit tlial Inay arise as a result of our work is Iliat Ilie professional actors and production staff may gain experience of working li) different veiiues and witli different audiences, making contacts wliich may be useful to their furtlier eiiiployixent. This bei)efit is in¢ideiital and necessary to eiisure the benefits are provided to our beneficiaries. Dlrectors The directors wlio served during the year are as stated below: Jolin Joseph Philip McQuaide Lisa fitzpatrick Anti Marie Thoinpson Elly Omondi Odhiambo Catherine McBride Appointed 5th June 2024 Page 3 Sole Purpose Directors, report ror the year ended 31 March 2024 , continued Directors Respobsibilities The directon% of Sole Purpose for the purposes of company law are responsible for preparing the Directors, Annual R¢port and tlie financial statem¢nls in accord1￿ce with applicable law and United In numbcr NK037481 Page 8 Sole Purpose Notes to Ihe accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Accounting policies The principal accounting policies adopted in tlie preparation of the financial statements are set out below and have remained unchanged froin tlie previous year, and also have been consistently applied witliiii tlje same accounts. Tlie financial statcmcnts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional ¢urKii¢y of Ilie entity. Accounting convention Tlie finaiicial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Stateiiient of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing tlieir accounts in accordance willi tlie Financial Reportiiig Staiidard applicable in the UK and Republic of Irelai)d Cliarties SORP 2019 (FRS 102), Compaiiies Act 2006 and Cliarities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. 1.2. Income (i) GrAnts Graiils represent all aniounts received and receivable duriiig Ilie year. Revenue grants are credited to the Statemciit of Financial Activitics in the year in wliich tliey are received. (li) Sundry Income This comprises ainounts r¢¢eived during tlie year. I xpendlture (i) Dlrect Charltable Expenditure This represeiits all e.xpenditure dircctly attributable to cliaritable uses. (li) Managmcnt & Admlnlstratlon Tliis includes all other expeiiditure not directly allocated above and a proportion of the overhead costs atlributable to Inaiiagmciit and administration. 1.3. Tangible tlxed assets and depreciation Depreciation is provided at ratcs calculated to write off the cost or valuation less residual value of each asset over its e,xpected useful life, follows: Fixtures, fittings aiid equipment 250/0 SÉraiglit Line Foreign currencies Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange prevailing at the accounting date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the date of the transactions. All differeiices are taken to tlie Profit and Loss account. Sole Purpose Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Inconiing Resources Restricted Funds 2024 2023 Arts Council Noriliern Ireland Coininuiiity Relations Council Derry City & Strabaiie DC British Science Association Cominunity Foundation NI Halif&x Foundation Garfield Westoii Fouiidation Donatioiis restricted 35,833 38,031 4,285 4,800 15,227 4,000 4,500 27,230 5,444 5,000 73,507 70,843 Unrestricted Funds 2024 2023 Bo.x Office Otlier income Th¢atr¢ tax credit 4,437 5,387 6,920 1,213 3,683 l6,744 4,896 Total Income 90,251 75,739 Restricted Funds Funds received wliich are earniarked by tlie funder for specific purposes. Such purposes are within the overall aims of the organisatioii. Unrostricted Funds Funds which arc expendable at tlie discrction of tlie company in furtlierance of the aims of the charity. Iii additioii funds may be held in order to finance capital iiivestment aiid working capital. Page 10 Sole Purpose Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Resources Expended Unrostricted Funds Restricted Funds Tot81 2024 Total 2023 ManagenieDt & Admiiiistration Rent Payable Insuraiice Coinputer Costs Travclliiig & Sub51Stence General Expeiises Printing, postage and stationery Advertising & Publicity rreelance Fees Project Costs Legal & Professioiial Fees Telephone & F Subscriptioiis Chciritable donatioiis Accountancy Bank Charges Profit/Loss 011 exchic nge Deprcciation 2,843 1,218 238 2,966 14 424 2,152 25,284 36,148 2,843 1,218 238 3,048 14 424 2,152 25,284 45,438 2,843 1,168 475 7,302 82 208 1,718 25,110 32,691 9,290 952 312 952 312 1,675 960 278 (2) 152 913 156 1,675 960 973 284 278 (2) 152 116 11,325 73,661 84,986 73,959 Taxation No charge to taxation is due as thc company lias cliaritable status. Page 11 Sole Purpose Notes to the accounts for tlie year ended 31 March 2024 Tangible US¥•et$ Equipment Total Cost At l April 2023 Additions 990 608 990 608 At 31 Marcli 2024 1,598 1,598 Dcpreclallon At l April 2023 Cliarge for the year 990 152 990 152 At 31 Marcli 2024 1,142 1,142 Net book vAlues At 31 Marcli 2024 456 456 At 31 Marcli 2023 Debtors 2024 2023 Debtors 1,692 Current Liabilities 2024 2023 Accruals and deferred income 12,155 16,765 Page 12 Sole Purpose Notes to the accounts for tlie year ended 31 March 2024 Movements in Funds At At l April Incoming Outgolng 31 March 2023 resources resources 2024 Restricted funds: (576) 73,507 (73,661) (730) Total restricted fuiids (576) 73,507 (73,661) (730) Unrestricted funds: 8,357 16,744 (11,325) 13,776 Total unrestricted fuiids 8,357 16,744 (11,325) 13,776 7,781 90,251 (84,986) 13,046 Purposes of Restrlcted Furtd¥ Restricted grants awarded to Ilie cliarity is provided to cover the core objects as explllined in directors report. Related party transactions There were no related party transactions in tlie period under r¢vi¢w. 10. Company liniitcd by guarantee Tlie coinpaiiy is liillited by guaraiilee and does not liave a share capital. Page 13