The Make A Difference Trust

Who we are

Introduction

This document sets out the future for the MAD Trust in the coming three years. It describes how we want to develop our programmes and services in the years leading up to 2019.

Who We Are

MAD Trust is a fundraising body and registered charity that raises funds through the theatre community. These funds are used to works with partners both in the UK and sub-Saharan Africa to raise awareness, educate, support and care for those affected by HIV and AIDS. We fund and administer our West End Cares Fund, to support members of the theatre community and ACT Now an HIV and AIDS education programme.

Founded in 1989 by members of the West End theatre community and known as West End Cares, the fundraising body was a response to the AIDS crisis, which was devastating the theatre community. In 2008 The Make A Difference Trust was established and registered as a charity.

We look forward to our next three years, hopeful that we will continue to be well supported within our community and continue to help those who need our help, playing our small part in working towards a world free of HIV and AIDS.

Mission Statement

With a legacy of over 25 years, the MAD Trust, trading as TheatreMAD, brings together the theatre industry and its supporters to raise funds for HIV and AIDS projects that raise awareness, and provide care, support and education in the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. The Trust also supports those in the entertainment industry facing hardship as a result of a long-term illness.

Our Current Programmes

Are You Positive? An education through theatre programme aimed at 14-16 year olds. We currently have a pilot programme touring schools in the United Kingdom. It is designed to educated on HIV and AIDS and is part of our Act Now campaign.

West End Cares Fund. A fund set up to support people within the theatre industry experiencing hardship through long-term health issues. It is our intention to review the fund to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

Working with our partners Ubuntu, Sentebale, LTSG, AIDS Orphans, Waverly Cares, African Advocacy amongst others, we continue to prioritise education, care and support programmes

Our Current Fundraising Projects

All of our fundraising projects are supported by the theatre community, allowing us to deliver a series of fund raising events at minimal cost:

• West End Bares: A burlesque style show which takes place each September
• West End Eurovision: A Eurovision style contest between West End shows
• A West End Christmas: A Christmas celebration of words and music
• Late Night Cabaret Seasons: West End shows in cabaret at various cabaret venues throughout London
• MAD Online Shop: A online destination to buy MAD related merchandise and tickets

These events are augmented with other shows and performances all put on by members of the theatrical community.

Our major fund raising project is World AIDS Day bucket collections. We hold bucket collections in West End and regional Theatres to coincide with World AIDS Day.

These events are augmented with other shows and performances produced by members of the theatrical community.

Our Strategic Priorities for 2016 – 2019

Our vision for the next three years is to form a strong base from which to move forward towards our goal of becoming a recognised force in HIV AIDS education in the UK, and to continue our work with our partners both in the United Kingdom and Sub Saharan Africa.  

Over the next three years, the MAD Trust will focus on the following six priorities.

Development of ACT Now

‘Are You Positive?’ will be reviewed following its Autumn tour:

• Complete a full assessment following the Autumn 2015 tour.
• Engage with schools to assess timings of tours.
• Aim to have two groups touring within three years to reach more schools and to include theatre schools.

Second Stage of ACT Now Development

Roll out a poster campaign aimed at the theatre community in signposting local NHS testing centres:

• Year One - Initiate the campaign in West End theatres.
• Assess the success of the initial campaign.
• Year Two - Campaign to extend to all fringe theatres and theatre schools.
• Year Three – To extend the campaign in regional theatres.

​West End Cares Fund Review

• A complete review of the fund to ensure that it is fit for purpose and filling a need of the theatre community. To include members of the community in the discussions.
• Year two to promote the fund within the theatre community to be sure it is serving those who need it.

Increase our working partnerships within the United Kingdom - led by charity manager we will identify further HIV AIDS project to partner.

Continue to work with our partners in sub-Saharan Africa - to raise awareness, provide education, care, support to those living with HIV and AIDS.

To expand our Board of Trustees - to fill skill shortages that have been identified by the current board.

Organisational Structure

• The Board of Trustees (currently six voluntary members – this may be extended up to eight), meeting six times per year to administer the charity.
• A Charity Manager who takes overall responsibility for the management of the charity.
• An Events Manager who is responsible for organising and overseeing committees for each if the fundraising events produced by TheatreMAD (the production brand of MAD Trust).
• A Book Keeper.