RADEANNUAL REPORT

2014-15

Contents

Director’s Introduction ......................................................... 2

Section 1 Vision, Mission & Structure ................................ 3

Section 2 Participants and Therapeutic Supports ............ 6

Section 3 Artistic Achievements and Awards ................... 11

Section 4 Partnerships .........................................................13

Section 5 Annual Audited Accounts ...................................14

Introduction

After another exciting year of art, drama, creative writing and a specific emphasis on dance, I am very pleased to welcome our Annual Report for 2015.

This past year was our tenth anniversary and RADE has managed to not only stay afloat through the slashes and cuts of these austere times, but to continue our programme of quality productions demonstrating that ‘creativity is open to everyone’ and that engagement in arts activities, combined with therapeutic supports, does have a profound impact for making positive change in the lives of people affected by problem drug use.

Choreographer Cathy Coughlan, took the participants on a new journey in 2014 and created a spectacular dance show proving that every arts discipline is accessible to a programme like RADE. Peter Young also introduced participants to stained glass making and broadened the horizons and the reality of potential for participants. The beautiful panels are now installed in the OLV Building where they have brightened up and brought colour to our work studio. The stained glass windows were unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke, who also came to our assistance encouraging a commitment from the Council to repair the building. This in turn is now leading to RADE receiving a license which will secure our programme in the building at a nominal rent.

It’s full steam ahead now towards our programme for 2015/16. Paula Meehan kicked things off, in January, by choosing RADE as the community project she chose to give workshops in her role as Ireland’s Professor of Poetry. Our Stoned show is currently touring community projects in Dublin allowing for new participants to get performance experience. Malcolm MacClancy has already begun workshops to develop our theatre play set during the 1916 Rebellion and we have also engaged the assistance of Stuart Carolan (‘Love/Hate’ creator) for the project. Eoghan O’Neill and the art dept. in RADE will take on the production of an illustrated - comic story of the Rising.

We greatly appreciate the contribution of our committed Board, staff, trainers, artists and to all our supporters- statutory and personal, we offer a heartfelt thanks. To our programme participants we also extend our deepest thanks for the respect and bravery that they have demonstrated through the year.

Michael Egan Programme Director

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Section 1 - Vision, Mission & Structure

VisionCreativity is Open to Everyone

Mission

RADE engage recovering drug users with the arts and therapeutic supports and provide a platform for their artistic expression.

Methods

An Alternative to Drug use

Our purpose is to help to improve drug users’ quality of life and address their sense of isolation and boredom through the use of cultural activities that are plausible and attainable. We believe that what is missing in the lives of many users is the belief that they have a capacity to contribute to society.

• RADE works with people at all stages of drug recovery. This ranges from those who are still active users of street drugs, to people who are on methadone medication only, to people with alcohol problems and people who have become drug/alcohol-free.

• RADE works with the individual’s inherent creativity and uses it as a resource to promote positive change.

• The teamwork and interdependent nature of public productions competes with the passive stimulation experienced by drug-taking and helps to promote self-education, confidence and self-esteem. This helps to ensure a whole range of learning and gained experience that comes with the territory, whether it be development of literacy skills through playwriting/reading or technical skills achieved through realising productions in theatre, film and art.

• The focus towards the showcasing of the art product each year not only gives a meaningful motivation to participants but also helps to change societal perception of drug users.

• Our method of working allows participants to experience essential elements of employment, including teamwork, deadlines, time-keeping and personal responsibility. In the 2012 Service Users Satisfaction Survey 50% of participants stated they had a clear idea about training they wished to do or a job or career they would like to have in the future since attending RADE.

Corporate Governance

We confirm that our organisation complies with The Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charitable Sector in Ireland. The RADE board has set a Reserve Policy which requires €30,000

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“the performances are committed and nuanced”Michael Seaver, Irish Times Theatre Festival Review of ‘Source’

RADE Organisational Chart

Michael EganProgramme

Director

Averyl SwordsRehab & Training

Coordinator

Eoghan Ó NéillVisual Arts

Coordinator

Síne LynchProgrammeCoordinator

Professional ArtsTrainers

Counsellors Project Workers

Tom O’Connor

Hannah Kelleher

Patrick Kennedy

Cathal O’Grady

Terry Jones

Denise Bennett

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RADE Board Structure

RADE Board members can be contacted at RADE, OLV building, Cathedral View Court, Off New St, Dublin 8

Eoin RyanChairperson

Fedelma MartinSecretary

Colm Ó CléirighTreasurer

Dominique Cleary

Board Member

Jennifer Coppinger

Board Member

Theo DorganBoard Member

Carmel FurlongBoard Member

Tony Geoghegan

Board Member

Fiona McGinnBoard Member

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Section 2 - Participants and Therapeutic Supports

Rehab Programme

RADE’ s Rehab programme comprises Michael Egan (Programme Director), Averyl Swords (Rehab and Training Co-ordinator), Denise Bennett (Project Worker), Cathal O’Grady (Project Worker) and Terry Jones (Project Worker). Project Workers manage a caseload of programme participants whom they key-work providing advocacy, one to one support in areas of housing, health, addiction awareness and information and advice with emotional and financial issues. Keyworkers also assist programme participants in the identification of training courses and work experience placements and will aim to provide each participant with a CV prior to leaving the programme. RADE also has a dedicated team of psychotherapists who provide in-house counselling to programme participants.

Relapse Prevention Workshops

Relapse Prevention workshops provide space during the week for participants as a group to explore issues around addiction. The sessions are based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. They work from the belief that people can unlearn old behaviours through focusing on how and what they think. Participants are required to complete drug diaries as part of the course and to identify realistic and positive alternatives to drug using. Sessions are solution focused and generate a lot of support between group members. This group takes place every Thursday in RADE.

RADE utilise elements of the ‘Reduce to Use’ programme. Often workshops include information sessions on treatment options/nutrition and external agency presentations.

Afternoon Programme

RADE is delighted to announce the introduction of a new afternoon programme. The aim of this programme is to provide an opportunity for participants to:

• make a connection to the creative arts by participating in art and/or drama workshops

• have their art/drama work showcased in an exhibition/theatre production

• have the support of other stable participants in a group setting

• participate in a peer support workshop with discussions on what it means to be street drug free

• receive career guidance support in a group setting

• explore and provide information and referrals for detox options

“These performers are not professional dancers nor trained actors, yet the skill exhibited by each and every one of them in the performance was magical. There was an abundance of commitment from the ensemble.”

Ciara Murphy, The Public Review for ‘Source’

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Eligibility Criteria

Stable on methadone and/or other prescribed medication. No street drug use. All those interested will be required to be on at least one takeaway if they are linked in with a methadone programme.

Timetable

• Monday: Art

• Tuesday: Drama

• Wednesday: Peer support/housekeeping meeting

• Time: 2.30pm–4pm

• Location: RADE, OLV Building, Cathedral View Court, Off New Street, Dublin 8.

Contact Averyl for an assessment at (01) 454 8733 or averyl@rade.ie

Annual Statistics 2014-2015

RADE can accommodate 21 participants. 18 places are filled with CE Programme participants with 3 positions being afforded to Rehab support workers/keyworkers.

Over the period 2014-2015 36 individuals engaged with the RADE programme as participants and the statistics below are based on this number:

Gender Ratio: Male 5: Female 1

Age Profile: Median age of programme participants is mid thirties

Referrals into RADE: 96 referrals

External training

A large portion of the work undertaken by RADE and the Rehab team is to encourage participants to enrol in accredited training external to what is provided in RADE. This training takes place in various training colleges around the city and/or within the RADE premises in a group format. Training is identified on a one to one basis with the participant’s keyworkers based on interests and previous training and experience they may have acquired. External training facilitates participants’ entry into a formal learning environment they may not have had experience of in a long time.

The stats for 2014-2015 indicated that participants engaged in external accredited training in the following:

Care of the Older Person-Fetac Level 5 Barista Levels 1-3 SCAEHaccp Food and Hygiene Safety in the Workplace-Fetac Level 4

Other courses included:

Performance courses with the Gaiety School of Acting

Spanish

Music Production

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Agencies referring into RADE for period 2014-1015

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Crosscare

Ballyfermot STAR

Focus Ireland

Casadh

Coolmine

Bray CDT

Bridge Project

National Learning Networking

JADD

Rialto CDT

Chrysalis

MQI

HSE

Housing supports

Prison services

Self referrals

Series1

*Prison services (including Probation) 15

**Housing supports (primarily hostels) 17

***HSE (to include social work dept/addiction/outreach services) 10

Employment/Work experience

1 participant secured fulltime work in the UK in customer services, 7 participants acquired extras roles (3 had full speaking parts) in the TV series ‘Love/Hate’ following a visit to the programme from Casting Agent, Maureen Hughes.

The Rehab team referred participants who did not complete their 12 months on the programme to the following organisations for further support :

Orgnisation No. Participants Organisation No. ParticipantsSimon Community

1 Casadh 1

Don Bosco 1 Mental Health Services 1Alcohol Treatment Unity, Baggot Street

1 Tusla 1

MQ1 1 Local Employment Service 2

***

***

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Number

Drug use

Drug trends change and this can be reflected in the drug profile of participants engaging in the programme. For the period 2014-2015 RADE participants presented with the following drug using profiles:

30% of programme participants have reduced their drug use significantly and are now stable on prescription meds.

14% of programme participants are detoxing off their methadone and are at low doses.

Accommodation

56% of programme participants acquired and maintained stable accommodation whilst on the RADE programme.

Self esteem/confidence

97% of programme participants felt their self-esteem and confidence improved through engaging with the RADE programme. They believe the opportunities to perform, create art, and engage in training and therapeutic supports all assisted in this. Participants believed their communication skills, assertiveness and sense of self-worth has increased allowing for participants to engage better with family and in social situations.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Methadone Tablets-benzos/sleeping

tablets

Opiates Alcohol Suboxone Cocaine/Crack Gambling

Series1

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RADE Afternoon ProgrammeFive participants are involved in this programme currently with recent referrals coming from:

Self 1 Rialto CDT 2

Case Studies

JodyI joined RADE eleven months ago. Before I joined, my life was in chaos. I sat in my house smoking heroin from morning until night. I was lost and I had no direction. Eventually I asked for help. I started on a suboxone detox but still needed something bigger than drugs in my life.The RADE Programme is based around art, drama, creative writing and rehabilitation with a relapse prevention focus. I always wanted to pursue creative writing and drama but drugs always got in the way. I made the decision to contact RADE and after my assessment was accepted onto the programme. I was more stable then and things have been progressively getting better for me. I am finding the results amazing. I have started training in the performance arts with the Gaiety School of Acting and was involved last year in a dance show called, Source which was nominated for two awards at the Dublin Fringe Festival. Being on stage for me is a lifelong dream come true. I am also thinking ahead in terms of further education and have applied to NUI Maynooth to do a Fetac Level 7 in Creative Writing for Publication.My journey is not over yet. I still have my struggles with drugs but with RADE, I finally see a way out.

DerekRADE to me has meant so much in terms of my recovery and opportunity. I was an active heroin user, using every day. There were times I could hold down work and other times when things became too chaotic to apply myself to anything involving a structure. Since starting with RADE three years ago I have stopped my active drug use and have taken part in many training courses. RADE worked with me through a series of workshops in the creative arts, key-working, training identification, relapse prevention and counselling. I have become a lot more confident and I have followed through on an interest I had for drama when I was back in school. I have completed numerous courses with the Gaiety School of Acting, I have performed in two RADE drama/theatre/dance productions that were both nominated for awards in the Dublin Fringe Festival and I had the opportunity of working with Maureen Hughes (Casting Director) ‘Love/Hate’ which resulted in me acquiring a speaking part in the popular series. As a result of my stability I have moved from the Morning Programme Relapse Prevention to the Afternoon Peer Evaluation programme which works with people who are street drug free and stable. I am hoping to acquire more opportunities to perform when I leave RADE but for now I am returning to the Gaiety School of Acting to complete training and develop skills for camera work and I have applied to do ‘Artstrain’ with the National Association of Youth Drama. My thinking and attitude towards using drugs has done a complete you turn. I am looking forward to being part of so many more positive opportunities and investing in myself more and more as a person.

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SECTION 3 - Artistic Achievements and Awards

Farmleigh House saw the final performance of our show A Hundred Years Ago. Peter Sheridan invited RADE to be part of this prestigious event which included performances and reading from artists like Dermot Bulger, Paula Meehan, Theo Dorgan, Sabina Higgins. The success of the show, which had been seen by approx. 1,500 people, led to 2 participants being cast in the ‘Love/Hate’ series and a further 5 getting parts as extras in what many viewers felt was one of the most exciting scenes from the series. As a result Thomas Dunne was invited as a guest on RTE Saturday Night Show where he charmed the TV audience and gave great praise to RADE and his fellow participants.

Participants also auditioned for the Abbey Theatre and ‘Vikings’ TV Series.

We celebrated our 10th anniversary in 2014 and to mark the occasion we engaged in 2 major projects in art and performance/film. Throughout the year participants produced the following:

• An acclaimed and award nominated new dance-theatre and film show Source which was staged in September at South Studios, Dublin 8 over 4 nights to full houses as part of the Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival. Following the success of this show 3 additional performances took place in the OLV Building again to full houses. Participants developed skills not only in dance and performance but also posture, relaxation, movement, coordination and team building. Those not involved in the live performance were responsible for production under the guidance of Eoghan O’ Neill – set design and build, as well as technical support with lights, projection, film and sound. Participants worked with dance artist Cathy Coughlan to create this show. Mick Egan and Síne Lynch prepared participants for the live performance through drama workshops throughout the year. Síne was producer and production manager. The production was nominated for 2 awards – Best Ensemble and First Fortnight. Source also received acclaimed reviews from Le Cool Magazine, meg.com, The Public Review and four stars from the Irish Times Theatre Festival Review.

“I have a great personal admiration for RADE and the work they do for people who suffer addiction and

who wish to restore their lives.”The Very Revd Victor Stacey, B.A., M.Th. Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

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• Participants worked with stained glass artist Peter Young to learn the medieval craft of stained glass. Artists Eoghan O’ Neill and Cathal O’ Grady assisted with the workshops. The window were designed and created by participants. They learnt skills in cutting, leading, soldering, design and installation. The final windows were exhibited during the summer in Dublin City Council’s office along with some paintings. The final windows were installed in the OLV Building and officially launched by Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke.

• A behind the scenes documentary showcasing the art workshops, creation and installation of the stained glass windows, film workshops teaching participants how to shoot, produce and edit films and dance workshops resulting in the production of Source. Film maker Cathy Coughlan facilitated workshops and oversaw the final edit.

• Participants engaged in 6 weeks creative writing workshops with novelist Laurence O Bryan. Participant’s literacy skills were greatly enhanced and they were encouraged to read works by modern authors. Laurence offered one to one support to a participant in the process of writing their first novel.

• For the fourth consecutive year participants were nominated for a STAR Award for their outstanding contribution to adult education. The award ceremony took place in February 2015 in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin 4

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Section 4 - PartnershipsRehabilitation Partnerships

Dublin Simon Community

Merchants Quay Ireland

Coolmine Therapeutic Community

Peter McVerry Trust

Matt Talbot Trust

Artistic Partnerships

The Gaiety School of Acting

The Abbey Theatre

Smock Alley Theatre

Dance Ireland

Professional Artists Partnerships

Choreographer / Film Maker – Cathy Coughlan

Stained Glass Artist – Peter Young

Costume / Lighting Designer – Darryn O’ Kane

Musician – Liam Kennedy

Novelist – Laurence O’ Bryan

Stage Manager – Rachel Burke

Casting Director - Maureen Hughes

Writer/Creator of ‘Love/Hate’ - Stuart Carolan

Drama Facilitator - Natalia Botonakis

Yoga Instructor – Cayla Williams

Yoga Instructor – Dee Kearns

Funders

Department of Social Protection (DSP)

South Inner City Local Drug Task Force

Dublin City Council

The Arts Office (Dublin City Council), The Cork Street Fund, St Patrick’s Cathedral.

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Section 5 - Annual Audited AccountsAnnual Audited Accounts – summary only of audited accounts a high level breakdown

RADE limited

(being a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 4TH APRIL 2015

Continuing operations2015 2014

Notes € €Grants and Donationas Received 462,224 425,187

LDTF expenses (71,431) (63,808)Other Expenses (388,776) (400,850)Retaained surplus/(deficit) for the year 2 2,017 (39,471)

Balance Sheet

as at 4th April 2015

2015 2014Notes € € € €

Fixed AssetsTangible assets 4 5,780 6,537Current AssestsDebtors 5 12,099 24,263Cash at bank and in hand 81,770 74,749

93,869 99,012

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

6 (50,014) (59,163)

Net Current Assets 43,855 39,849

Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 49,635 46,386Capital Grants 7 (5,779) (4,548)Net Assets 43.856 41.838

ReservesIncome and Expenditure 43.856 41838Members Funds 8 43,856 41,838

CASH FLOW STATEMENTFOR THE YEAR ENDED 4TH APRIL 2015

2015 2014Notes € €

Reconciliation of operating surplus/(deficit) to net cash inflow from operating activities

Operating surplus/(deficit) 2,017 (39,471)Depreciation 3,828 3,602Decrease in debtors 12,164 6,258(Decrease) in creditors (8,372) 1,993Government grant amortised (1,839) (6,562)Net cash inflow from operating activities 7,798 (34,180)

Cash Flow StatementNet cash inflow from operating activies 7,798 (34,180)Capital Expenditure (3,071) (6,420)Capital Grant received 3,070 -Increase in cash in the year 7,797 (40,600)

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt (Note 9)Increase in cash in the year 7,797 (40,600)Net funds at 5th April 2014 72,909 113,509Net funds at 4th April 2015 80,706 72,909