ANNUAL REPORT
2014/2015
ABOUT MAGIC ME
It is easy to spend too much time with the TV so as to have some company, but my head turns to fudge. When I have been out to Magic Me I go home with my head buzzing with new thoughts and ideas, so I don’t need to turn the TV on. Older participant
Magic Me brings the generations together to build a stronger, friendlier community.
The work our students achieve with Magic Me is an enrichment in so many ways; artistically, creatively, socially and in the field of human relationships.
All Magic Me projects encourage younger and older people, many living in difficult circumstances, to step outside of themselves and look at things from each other’s point of view.
Using drama or sculpture, photography or music, our artists design and lead projects that provoke an exchange of ideas and build relationships between the generations.
Secondary School Teacher
Magic Me has turned my life around, I want to get up in the morning and do things. I’ve got something to get up for.
They weren’t reserved old grannies who wanted nothing to do with us, quite the opposite. They were just like us.
Older participant
Younger participant
Because of East London’s ever-changing demographic, we link people of different ethnicities, faiths and cultures. We partner with care homes, schools and housing providers plus all kinds of arts organisations and venues.
As the UK’s leading provider of intergenerational arts projects, our consultancy and training work is in demand beyond our home borough of Tower Hamlets. All our work demonstrates that through shared, creative activity people of all ages can become good neighbours and friends.
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OUR COMMUNITY The place where the traditional East End meets the City of London and Canary Wharf, Tower Hamlets is a culturally diverse area. The borough remains one of the most deprived in England. High levels of unemployment, long term ill-health and disability mean life is a daily struggle for many people. Whilst there are pockets of great wealth, half the population live below the poverty line. Soaring property prices and not enough public housing mean younger generations move away. Older people are more isolated and community networks suffer.
Our Approach
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Our projects provide opportunities for younger and older people to meet and get to know each other. 54% of older Working together in creative ways, participants people in Tower learn from one another, making connections which Hamlets live alone, strengthen their community. Our projects are two thirds higher Pensioners in developed with our participants, so we address real than the national Tower Hamlets needs and aspirations. average. are the poorest in England. Office for National Statistics
THIS YEAR WE WORKED WITH
534 231 participants
artists
15
11
funders
711
audience members saw our work
20,000 + saw our exhibition
22
volunteers
11
care homes
8
trustees
5
6
cultural institutions
student placements
business supporters
5
housing providers
2 universities
2
5
schools
community centres
CHAIR’S REPORT
SHARED VIEWS
Getting to write the Chair’s report for an organisation like Magic Me is a privilege and a treat. We celebrated our 25th birthday this year (with a party at the Bank of England no less) and the organisation shows no sign of slowing down.
Across our city young and old live side by side but never speak. Our projects partnering housing providers offer shared activity and purpose, enabling neighbours to get to know each other and build community.
Our work, bringing generations and cultures together to create happier communities, has never been more important. From launching national campaigns against ageism to telling the stories of East London, our work takes the important issues, looks at them in creative ways and makes you consider them through a whole new lens. We are bringing to the fore voices you might not always hear. Based in Tower Hamlets, our work reaches far further afield and we’re very proud of the community growing around Magic Me. None of this would be possible without the support of our artists, partners, volunteers and funders. Thank you all for your support and dedication. We look forward to ever more exciting work ahead. 4
Alison Harvie, Chair of Trustees
I’m pleased that I am still able to mix with youngsters and feel comfortable. Age is just a number, it’s how you feel and how you act. Older participant
Tower Hamlets Homes commissioned us to run a project to challenge negative stereotypes of young and older people, and promote positive messages about age to their tenants. Younger and older residents worked together to create a touring exhibition of striking photographs sharing their perspectives.
If we’re more open, others will be too. Younger participant
RECIPES FOR SUCCESS London 2012 changed the landscape of Stratford beyond recognition. A brand new community of families has moved into homes on the former Olympic site, whilst the existing community has seen an immense amount of change to the area. Magic Me led an exciting partnership between newly opened school Chobham Academy and local housing providers, to establish connections across the generations and build community cohesion.
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The wonderful thing about making is that while your hands are busy, your mouth and brain are free to wander, listen and engage in dialogue. Project volunteer
Recipes for Success used the theme of food to examine family roots and identity, discuss generational and cultural differences and similarities, and enable a group of year 9 pupils and local older people to spend time together. During weekly sessions the group created sculptures of food, learning to use saws, drills and other tools as well as textile techniques to sew giant fruit. They also cooked their families favourite dishes and experimented together to create new recipes.
The Recipes for Success cook book brings together the group’s artwork, recipes and food memories that were made and shared. Recipes include Nasreen’s chapatis, which she has been making since she was a child and Around The World Chicken inspired by family influences from Mauritius, Somalia and Bangladesh. Since its launch 1,500 copies of the book have been distributed to people moving into the area by project sponsors, Chobham Manor LLP, a partnership between housing providers L&Q and Taylor Wimpey.
We came to realise that the barriers between us, old and young, are just in our minds. Older participant 7
BIN AGEISM Our campaign to Bin Ageism united young and older people with a shared mission to debunk age-old myths and stereotypes. The group worked with BFI animators, Magic Me artists and Stitches in Time to design and make an animated film. Following a premiere at the BFI South Bank, they held screenings at eight venues, generating audience debate and awareness, whilst social media extended this further.
I loved working with the students. I hope everyone who watches our animation will join our campaign, so young people get fair wages! Older participant
It has been great working with a different age group than my own. I have learnt what ageism is and how it affects people. Sixth form participant
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Visit www.magicme.co.uk to watch the Bin Ageism animation and the Making Of‌ documentary.
CELEBRATE From April 2014 local older people met weekly with children from Old Palace and Shapla Primary schools in Tower Hamlets to explore the power of music. How does it make us feel? What sounds trigger certain emotions? How can we get to know each other through music? In June the 26 older people and 20 children involved in the project performed a collage of songs they had composed and written, at Rich Mix arts centre.
It was a lovely shared experience over time. The performance was electric, came off beautifully and everyone was at fever pitch. Older participant
OUTSPOKEN Inspired by the Bishopsgate Institute’s archive and exhibition about Speakers Corner, a group of 9 older and 9 younger women discussed why and when women speak out. Using drama, photography and energetic debate the group discovered how powerful and celebratory speaking out can be. The group also hosted a special “Oratory Jam” event recreating Speakers Corner for their guests. An estimated 20,000 people saw the Outspoken exhibition of the group’s striking photographs on display at the Institute throughout the summer.
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It was amazing to find that the younger generation’s ideas were similar to ours, it makes me feel young at heart. Older participant
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ROOMS WITH A VIEW No one place can be described through a single story. Using devised theatre and community conversations Rooms with a View examines the layered heritage of the borough of Tower Hamlets.
Collecting stories Since January 2015 12 local older women and 12 students from Mulberry School for Girls have been working together, to tell and collect some of the many stories that describe life in Tower Hamlets. The group gathered archive material and hosted five drop-in events at local venues attended by over 100 people who shared their stories, memories and experiences of finding shelter in the borough. 12
Sharing stories The group has since expanded to involve more performers, set makers and volunteers of all ages. In the Autumn this intergenerational group will create an immersive performance, devised from the stories and memories collected. The audience will be invited to share their own stories in a huge community conversation. A project exhibition will tour in late 2015 and early 2016. Oral histories of individuals we met through the project will also be recorded and donated to the permanent collection at the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives. This project includes professional development days for all Magic Me artists, including training in community conversations and conflict transformation with Raj Bhari of Talk for Change. Research is running alongside the project, led by our Research Associate Dr Caoimhe McAvinchey from Queen Mary University of London. The research report will be published in 2016.
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COCKTAILS IN CARE HOMES We started Cocktails in Care Homes in 2010 in response to residents telling us evenings were the loneliest part of the day in a care home as there were no activities. We now host monthly cocktail parties in 8 London care homes. Over the past 5 years we have seen how parties benefit residents, their families and staff.
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NESTA/The Observer New Radicals 2014-15 “50 organisations changing Britain for the better”
• An informal opportunity for staff and residents to sit and talk and get to know each other. •F or relatives, care homes can be stressful, scary places to visit. A party provides a low pressure environment to visit a family member. • A social occasion with people from outside of the home, especially important for those residents who don’t have many, if any, visitors. • A vibrant change of atmosphere, which can have a profound effect on those with dementia.
It has given our staff a confidence which no training course could achieve. Care Home Manager
A couple danced together all evening. They live apart - he lives here in the home because of his dementia. This party made it possible for them to dance together again. Volunteer
It’s a chance to have a chat and meet new people. It’s a new lease of life. Resident
One resident who is usually difficult to communicate with is always happy and smiley at the parties. Care Home Activities Coordinator
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202
volunteers helped us to run
76 parties at 8 care homes
attended by
342 residents We trained 134
new volunteers
21 people had
dementia skills training
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All Cocktails in Care Homes parties are hosted and organised by volunteers, including volunteers from 8 corporate partners. Clifford Chance LLP volunteers organised a series of afternoon teas with musical entertainment at their offices for residents from all our partner homes; whilst volunteers from charity Floral Angels have regularly donated floral decorations for parties.
Going forward Thanks to a grant from The ExPat Foundation, we undertook research and development to create a three year growth plan to increase the reach of Cocktails in Care Homes, starting in April 2015.
PORTRAITS OF A DREAM Can you photograph a dream? Magic Me artists, residents and staff from three Jewish Care homes and local young adults set out to playfully explore, express and share their hopes, aspirations, memories and dreams using photography, storytelling and drama. Working together allowed commonalities between participants of all ages to emerge.
We had different traditional views but ended up with two cultures taking photos together. Older Participant
The resulting photos are on permanent display in the homes’ shared communal space.
Visit www.magicme.co.uk/cocktails to find out more, become a volunteer or sponsor a party.
I would go for a drink on my way home anyway. Now I go for a drink at the local care home and chat with the most amazing people! Volunteer
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GOING FORWARD
REGULAR GROUPS
Magic Me continues to be an innovator and leader in intergenerational arts practice. Already underway in 2015-16:
Older participants asked us for ways to keep in touch in between Magic Me projects, so we set up some regular activities for people to meet up.
Rooms with a View
Film Club
This ambitious project culminates in autumn 2015 in an immersive theatre piece created and performed by older and younger people, intriguingly staged in a transformed local building. Tickets on sale from our website from October.
Film Club is an informal, volunteer-led group that meets on the first Tuesday of the month to watch a film together at Rich Mix.
Artists’ Residencies
Our annual programme of outings to museums, galleries and places of interest. Go & See is coordinated by volunteers and the participants themselves. Group discounts and corporate support mean that trips are either subsidised or free.
Over the next two years this project aims to push the boundaries of what arts provision in cares homes can and should be. Our project partners are some of the UK’s leading performing arts practitioners - immersive theatre company Punchdrunk; alt-cabaret collective Duckie; performance artist Lois Weaver; and circus and aerial company Upswing. Each will be resident in one of four care homes run by housing provider Anchor. Supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Wakefield and Tetley Trust
Go & See
Last year’s trips included Kew Gardens, Stepney City Farm and the South Bank Centre, plus the group created an exhibition of photos to celebrate the 4th birthday of Go & See.
I enjoyed the exhibition, but I could quite happily have sat in the gardens, watching the world go by… See you all soon for the next adventure! Older participant
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PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN Artists Magic Me has a pool of freelance artists, including musicians, visual artists, creative writing and drama specialists, who design and lead our projects. They are all experienced and skilled community arts practitioners. Many have training in education, social work, conflict resolution and working with people with dementia.
Volunteers
I enjoy volunteering because I get to share my skills‌ each project makes me feel part of a great community.
EXPERTISE AND CONSULTANCY Magic Me is a learning organisation and a leader in the field of intergenerational arts. Over 25 years we have honed our practice through research, partnerships and CPD days with our artists and staff.
We also completed a research project with Queen Mary University of London, examining how we can best deliver intergenerational arts practice training and skills for museum, heritage and gallery professionals.
Volunteer
Our expertise is in demand. This year we spoke at events in Belfast, London and Essex, sharing our research findings and practical approach. Our Director, Susan Langford MBE, served on the Social Integration Commission, an independent inquiry which examined the social, economic and health impacts of a lack of social mixing and practical ways to foster interaction between people of different ages, ethnicities and income levels.
Interested in our training or consultancy service? Contact susanlangford@magicme.co.uk or call 020 3222 6064 to find out more.
231
volunteers worked with Magic Me last year, giving
We could not run our projects and reach as many people as we do without our volunteers. Volunteer roles range from project assistant to admin support, Cocktails in Care Homes party manager to specialist input e.g. accountancy. Each year we also provide corporate partners with volunteering opportunities for their staff.
2694 hours or 336 days!
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To find out more about volunteering, visit the Get involved section of our website. A heartfelt thank you to everyone for their time, energy and enthusiasm.
A highly stimulating, thought-provoking and useful day. Artist training attendee
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PEOPLE INVOLVED 2014/15
9
intergenerational arts projects
project sessions
65-74
76 Cocktails in Care Homes parties 342 residents
5-10 Age groups
aged 65+
11-17
202
volunteers
18-64
White
Asian Diversity
Mixed Race
121 71 older people
younger people
192
participants
NB: Total 151 respondees. Not all responded to every question.
Black
96
75+
PEOPLE WE WORK WITH Board of Trustees
Staff
Associates
Freelance Artists Pool
Jacqui Christian Chair until Jan 15 Alison Harvie Chair from Feb 15 Cynthia Edwards Wilson Secretary Sanjay Vyas Treasurer Fahad Abdi Trustee until Nov 14 James Barrett Trustee Sue Clive Trustee until Nov 14 Helen Kenney Trustee until Jun 14 Paul Shaw Trustee
Susan Langford Director Charlotte O’Dair Programme Director (maternity leave from Oct 14) Holly Stratton Programme Director Maternity Cover Clea House Development & Volunteer Manager (maternity leave from Mar 15) Ellie Watmough Volunteer & Project Manager Nicole Artingstall Programme Assistant Maternity Cover Sarah Dean General Manager David McCleery Administrator (until May 14) Lika Abdalla Project Phakama Intern (until Jun 14)
Louise Alexander Accountant Sue Mayo Associate Artist Dr Caoimhe McAvinchey Researcher, Queen Mary University of London Anna Scrine Development Consultant
Larry Achiampong Polly Beestone Ali Campbell Sara Clifford Kathryn Gilfoy Liane Harris Emma Higham Bhavesh Hindocha Lehni Lamide Norman Kate Lovell Anita McKenzie Douglas Nicolson Zoe Palmer Lesley Pinder Ellie Rees Keiran Sheehan Verity Standen Surya Turner Julian West Amanda Westbury
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THANKS TO: Professional Services Chiara Ceolin, Photographer Dementia Care Matters DR-ink Design Richard Hopper, Auditor Helen Jermyn, Photographer Chloe White,Film Maker Williams Murray Hamm The Young Foundation and all our good neighbours in 17 & 18 Victoria Park Square
Professional Volunteers Stephen Davies, Accountancy
Office Volunteers 24
Katherine Eves Helen Phillips Emma Swan
Students on Placement
Anita McKenzie Ellie Watmough
Josh Gardner Hannah Martin Elke Schweder Tinka Werner
Bin Ageism
Annual Report Photography Chiara Ceolin Upswing’s Dance in Time Photos (on page 18) provided courtesy of Dance in Devon, photographer Kevin Clifford All the Cocktails in Care Homes Party Managers Liane Harris – including cover images Tamara Hussain Helen Jermyn Ruth Napolitano Douglas Nicolson
Oaklands School campus students, Cambridge Heath Sixth Form and local older people BFI Stitches in Time Douglas Nicolson, Photographer/Creative Facilitator Surya Turner, Writer/ Creative Facilitator Tamara Hussain, Volunteer Project Assistant
Celebrate Shapla Primary School and Glamis Hall; Old Palace Primary School and Bromley by Bow Centre
Verity Standen, Musical Director Sara Clifford, Writer & Drama practitioner Kate Lovell, Writer & Drama practitioner Lynn Morris, Volunteer Project Assistant
Cocktails in Care Homes Volunteers and residents from George Mason Lodge, Hawthorn Green Residential and Nursing Home, Mildmay Extra Care Services Nos 73 & 20-26, Pat Shaw House, Rose Court Care Home, Silk Court Care Home and Westport Care Centre. Chris Ali, Trish Birkin, Sophie Fanning
Tichborne, Eimear Hurley, Helen Lidis, Chloe Lloyd-Horton, Helen O’Kelly, Jo Pearce, Dyra Trikka - Volunteer Party Managers. Bernadette Hinde, Craft Club Volunteer Thanks to our Corporate & Project Partners - Bank of England, Clifford Chance LLP, Floral Angels, John Lewis Oxford Street, John Lewis Stratford, Schroders and Standard Chartered.
Go & See and Film Club Magic Me participants Thanks to Rich Mix for hosting film club. Ida Casilli, Volunteer Film Club Manager Jemima Wilson, Volunteer Go & See Manager 2014 Aimee Marlow, Volunteer Go & See Manager 2015
Outspoken Bishopsgate Institute, Mulberry School for Girls and local older women Sue Mayo, Writer & Theatre Practitioner Anita McKenzie, Photographer Anna Bosworth, Volunteer Assistant Facilitator
Portraits of a Dream Jewish Care residents and staff from Lady Sarah Cohen House, Rosetrees Residential Home and Betty and Asher Loftus Centre, local young people and students from Central School of Speech and Drama Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade Liane Harris, Photographer Lehni Lamide Davies, Drama Practitioner
Marine Begault, Project Assistant
Recipes for Success Chobham Academy Chobham Manor LLP Local older people from L&Q Housing Group Polly Beestone, Visual Artist Helena Roden, Visual Artist Marine Begault, Project Volunteer Zoulfa Boussora, Support Assistant
Rooms with a View Mulberry School for Girls and local older women Bishopsgate Institute Bromley by Bow Centre Geffrye Museum Sutton House Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives
Sue Mayo, Lead Artist Raj Bhari, Consulting artist from Talk for Change Tas Emiabata, Theatre Practitioner Catherine Lambert, Marketing Amanda Mascarenhas, Set Design Dan Scott Sound Design Lucy Wood, Production Manager Marine Begault, Project Assistant
Shared Views Older and Younger Residents Tower Hamlets Homes Liane Harris Lehni Lamide Davies Kate Lovell
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WE REMEMBER Magic Me participants who passed away in 2014 and 2015 Peggy Adams
Elizabeth Jennings
Winifred Tolland
Elizabeth Ashby
William Junor
Edna Waterfield
Maria Brooksbank
Alfred King
Dennis Weston
Len Herbert
Reginald Payne
Doreen Wright
Ellen Hurley
Amy Sergeant
I look at this project as part of my creativity. I am going on learning, regardless of age, and that’s what life’s all about. Older participant
Magic Me was a place… where we met some of the most amazing women in the world. Younger participant
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SUPPORT US
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Magic Me is a charity. We receive no core funding from public sources, we rely entirely on grants, fundraising, corporate and individual donations to support our work.
During this time of increased pressure on traditional funders, individual donations are vital.
Magic Me has been a real lifesaver since I retired... I don’t know what I’d have done without it.. it’s good to have something to keep me busy and meeting other people.
When I joined this project I had no confidence. By the end…I was the first speaker on stage! Younger participant
Older participant
I am always doing things I don’t think I can do when I am at Magic Me. 28
Older participant
I feel very privileged to be part of a group where I could get to know and have friendships with the older generation. Younger participant
Your gift will make a big difference Please consider making a regular donation. Regular gifts allow us to plan ahead and save on admin costs making your money go further. To give by credit or debit card, visit www. magicme.co.uk and click on Donate Now. Or send cheques payable to Magic Me to 18 Victoria Park Square, London, E2 9PF. Thank you to everyone who has made a donation or fundraised for us in 2014/15. A special mention to the Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Cllr Lesley Pavitt who made us one of her Charities of the year.
£100
Buy a round of drinks for a cocktail party in a care home.
£50
£10
Hail a cab! Help a frail older person get to a workshop. A cinema trip for a group of 10 older people, enabling them to get out of the house and socialise.
£25
A place on an intergenerational arts workshop for a young person.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Income
Corporates: £21,685
Individual donors: £14,428
Incoming Resources
This summary is taken from Magic Me’s full independently examined accounts, a copy of which is available upon request.
Donations and legacies Activities for generatingfunds Investment income
The Auditor’s report contained no qualifications.
Earned income: £2,732
Expenditure Governance: £7,686 Project materials: £19,534
Fundraising: £3,000
Partners: £30,691 National Lottery: £37,800
Trusts and Foundations: £126,976
Project artists: £47,876
Staff including training: £150,241
Restricted funds
Total 2015
Total 2014
12,486 176 528 13,190
-
1,942 160 2,102
14,428 336 528 15,292
13,665 233 600 14,498
111,902 1,868 126,960
-
132,639 134,741
244,541 1,868 261,701
186,090 8,220 208,808
Costs of generating grants and donations
21,842
-
-
21,842
3,000
Net incoming resources available Intergenerational activities Training and development activities Total charitable expenditure Governance costs Total resources expended Net incoming/(outgoing)resources before transfers Gross transfers between funds Net income/(expenditure) for the year/ Net movement in funds Fund balances at 1 April 2014
105,118 81,793 1,210 83,003 7,686 112,531
-
134,741 128,632 8,522 137,154 137,154
239,859 210,425 9,732 220,157 7,686 249,685
205,808 235,859 14,649 250,508 2,100 255,608
14,429 (2,000)
2,000
(2,413) -
12,016 -
(46,800) -
12,429 3,426
2,000 18,734
(2,413) 71,472
12,016 93,632
(46,800) 140,432
15,855
20,734
69,059
105,648
93,632
Incoming resources from charitable activities Other incoming resources Total incoming resources
Rent & office: £21,348
Tower Hamlets: £27,389
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Unrestricted funds Designated funds
For the year ending March 2015
Resources Expended
Fund balances at 31 March 2015
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
BE PART OF MAGIC ME To find out more about our work, sign up for our e-news, watch our promo films, download our research or make a donation, visit www.magicme.co.uk
Join us For details of opportunities for older people to join our projects and how to volunteer for Magic Me, go to the Get involved section of our website.
Work with us We are always keen to hear from new partners - community groups, arts organisations, corporate groups, schools and housing providers.
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We accept commissions to design and deliver a complete project, or to provide expertise to help an existing team to help set up and run intergenerational work. Get in touch info@magicme.co.uk or call 020 3222 6064
We learnt so much from watching Magic Me patiently and proactively build bridges between older and young participants… there was real learning and understanding taking place across the generations. Michelle Johansen, Bishopsgate Institute
THANK YOU Funders & Donors Aldgate & All Hallows Foundation Arts Council England Creative Works East End Community Foundation Esmée Fairbairn Foundation The ExPat Foundation The Haberdashers’ Company The Henry Smith Charity
to all our funders, donors, business supporters and project partners.
Heritage Lottery Fund JSF Pollitzer Charitable Trust Lloyds Bank Foundation London Borough of Tower Hamlets Lucas Tooth Trust The May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust Wakefield & Tetley Trust
Business Supporters Allen & Overy Foundation Bank of England Clifford Chance Globe Business Publishing John Lewis Partnership Kajaine Ltd Liberty Global Group Liberty Specialty Markets Milk Architecture & Design Schroders Standard Chartered
Uniqlo Project partners Anchor Jewish Care Chobham Manor LLP L&Q Foundation Mulberry School for Girls Tower Hamlets Homes And thank you to everyone who gave a one-off or regular donation or fundraised for us.
18 Victoria Park Square London E2 9PF Tel: 020 3222 6064 info@magicme.co.uk www.magicme.co.uk Registered Charity No. 328331 Thanks to Allen & Overy LLP for printing this report