What happens to your donations

1. Name

The charity's name is The Enso Project.

2. The Purposes of the Charity

To raise funds to support children's hospice care through live performances (primarily close-up magic and small community events) and to distribute those funds transparently and in full (with no deductions or administrative fees), helping provide the specialist care and comfort those families need.

This is achieved by collecting donations during performances and releasing them in full to support children's hospice care, in line with the project's Vision and Purpose Statement.

3. Trustees

The charity shall be managed and overseen by a committee of trustees. Initially the founder shall act as the sole trustee. As the project grows, additional trustees will be invited in accordance with the Trustee Remit. Trustees provide independent oversight and governance. Their main responsibilities are:

3.1 To act as signatories on the dedicated trustee-managed bank account so that funds can be released to support children's hospice care.

3.2 To ensure that all activities remain consistent with the Vision and Purpose Statement, particularly the principles of full transparency and zero administrative fees.

3.3 To offer general advice and support as trusted members of the local community when needed.

Day-to-day fundraising, event organisation, and administration remain with the founder and any volunteers/collaborators. Trustees are not expected to take part in these activities.

4. Powers

In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the founder and volunteers have the power to:

4.1 Raise funds through live performances (primarily close-up magic and small community events) and related activities.

4.2 Receive grants and donations.

4.3 Apply funds in full (with no deductions) to support children's hospice care.

4.4 Co-operate with and support other charities with similar purposes.

4.5 Do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes.

The trustees' role is limited to the oversight responsibilities set out in clause 3 above.

5. Fund Distribution

All funds raised are released in full to support children's hospice care, helping provide the specialist care and comfort those families need. Distribution is overseen directly by the trustees in accordance with this Constitution and the Trustee Remit.

6. Membership

Membership is not required at this early stage. The trustees may introduce a simple membership structure in the future if it becomes beneficial.

7. Trustee Meetings and Decision Making

Trustees will not hold formal board meetings at this early stage. Decisions will usually be made by informal discussion, short email approvals, or quick phone calls, particularly for releasing funds to support children's hospice care.

Trustees must act in the best interests of the charity and declare any conflicts of interest. Reasonable records of significant decisions will be kept.

8. Money and Property

Money and property must only be used for the charity's purposes.

8.1 Full and transparent records will be kept of all income and distributions. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request.

8.2 Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the charity, except to refund reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

8.3 All funds must be held in a dedicated trustee-managed bank account. Withdrawals or payments require approval consistent with the Trustee Remit (normally at least two trustee signatories).

8.4 No administrative fees or deductions will be taken from funds raised.

9. General Meetings

If major decisions are needed (such as changing the constitution or winding up the charity), the trustees will call a General Meeting with at least 14 days' notice.

10. Winding Up

Any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to one or more charities providing children's hospice care, or organisations with similar purposes, as decided by the trustees.

11. Changes to the Constitution

Changes can be made by the trustees (or at a General Meeting if one is called). No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity.

12. Interpretation

In this constitution, words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa, and words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. References to any legislation shall include any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof.

13. Area of Benefit

The principal area of benefit of The Enso Project shall be the county of Somerset, with a particular focus on local communities in and around Street, Glastonbury and surrounding areas. The trustees may from time to time review and amend the area of benefit as the project develops.

14. Disputes

Any dispute arising from the interpretation of this constitution shall be resolved by discussion between the trustees in the first instance. If the dispute cannot be resolved, it shall be referred to an independent mediator or, if necessary, to the Charity Commission for guidance.

15. Trustees' Role and Indemnity

The trustees of The Enso Project give their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. Their role is important in providing independent oversight and safeguarding the integrity of the project. The trustees shall not be personally liable for any loss or liability incurred by the charity, provided they act honestly, reasonably, and in good faith. The project will take all reasonable steps to support and protect trustees in the performance of their duties.

Download PDF ↓

1. Purpose

Trustees provide independent oversight and governance for The Enso Project. Their role is to safeguard the funds raised through live performances and ensure they are distributed transparently and in full to selected local charitable causes. This structure gives donors complete confidence and protects the integrity of the project.

2. Key Responsibilities

Trustees are asked to act as signatories on the dedicated trustee-managed bank account so that funds can be released to support children's hospice care. Trustees will ensure that all activities remain consistent with the Vision and Purpose Statement, particularly the principles of full transparency and zero administrative fees. They may also offer general advice and support as trusted members of the local community when needed.

3. Time Investment

The role is entirely voluntary and requires only a modest time commitment. It will typically consist of short email approvals or quick phone calls for fund releases together with occasional informal discussions. No formal board meetings are planned at this early stage. Day-to-day fundraising, event organisation, and administration will remain with the founder and collaborators.

4. Legal and Practical Requirements

Trustees will act in the best interests of The Enso Project and fulfil the standard duties expected for a small community organisation. These duties are clearly set out in the Charity Commission's guidance. The responsibilities are straightforward when funds are handled transparently and prudently as planned.

5. Support Provided

All paperwork, record-keeping, and day-to-day operations will be centrally managed. Trustees will receive a copy of the formal constitution prepared in accordance with Charity Commission specifications together with clear and concise reports on funds raised and proposed distributions.

Download PDF ↓

1. Purpose

The Performance Company exists to deliver high-quality, professional performances that support The Enso Project's fundraising mission. It brings together skilled performers who maintain high standards of performance, professionalism, audience engagement, and ethical conduct, while providing a respected platform for the artists involved.

2. Performance Expectations

Performers are encouraged to deliver engaging and authentic performances that entertain audiences and inspire support for The Enso Project. The Performance Company welcomes performers from a wide range of experience levels and supports their ongoing development. Members are expected to prepare to the best of their ability, interact warmly and respectfully with audiences, and maintain a positive, professional attitude at all times.

3. Membership

The Performance Company includes performers from a wide range of experience levels who demonstrate a professional attitude, reliability, and a genuine desire to support the project's mission. Selection is based on suitability for representing The Enso Project. Membership may change over time according to the needs of the project.

4. Frequency and Participation

Participation is entirely voluntary. Performers take part in events, performances, and rehearsals only as mutually agreed with the project team. There is no obligation to accept any engagement, and members may withdraw at any time with reasonable notice.

5. Self-Promotion and Ethics

Performers may mention their involvement with The Enso Project on personal websites and social media. Personal promotion of private work should only occur with prior agreement from the team. All members are expected to act with integrity and in the best interests of The Enso Project.

6. Relationship to The Enso Project

Performers form an integral part of The Enso Project's fundraising efforts and work in collaboration with the project team. They may, at their own discretion, access optional guidance and mentorship from the Mentoring Team to support their development and the project's long-term credibility.

Download PDF ↓

1. Purpose

The Mentoring Team provides guidance, mentorship, and practical advice to performers working with The Enso Project. Its purpose is to support high standards of performance, professionalism, audience engagement, and ethical conduct. The Mentoring Team exists to educate, encourage, and develop performers rather than to manage or direct fundraising activity itself.

2. Advisory Process

Advice and feedback may be provided individually or collectively. Discussions are intended to assist performers in developing confidence, effectiveness, and professionalism. Recommendations made by the Mentoring Team are advisory in nature and are not binding.

3. Membership

The Mentoring Team consists of experienced magicians and performers selected on the basis of professional experience, judgement, and suitability for a mentoring role. Membership may change over time according to the needs of the project.

4. Frequency

The Mentoring Team meets or confers as required. Guidance may be offered formally or informally, including through conversation, written feedback, rehearsal observation, or mentoring sessions.

5. Relationship to The Enso Project

The Mentoring Team operates in an advisory capacity in support of The Enso Project's fundraising activities. Its role is to help maintain standards, encourage performer development, and support the long-term credibility and effectiveness of the project.

Download PDF ↓

The following is reproduced from the official GOV.UK guidance document "Charity trustee: what's involved (CC3a)". It is not original content created by The Enso Project. The full source is available at gov.uk (last updated 3 May 2018). Although The Enso Project is currently an unincorporated community initiative and not a registered charity, this represents the widely accepted national standard of good governance for small voluntary organisations that handle public donations.

1. Ensure your charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit

You and your co-trustees must make sure that the charity is carrying out the purposes for which it is set up, and no other purpose. This means you should ensure you understand the charity's purposes as set out in its governing document, plan what your charity will do and what you want it to achieve, be able to explain how all of the charity's activities are intended to further or support its purposes, and understand how the charity benefits the public by carrying out its purposes. Spending charity funds on the wrong purposes is a very serious matter; in some cases trustees may have to reimburse the charity personally.

2. Comply with your charity's governing document and the law

You and your co-trustees must make sure that the charity complies with its governing document and comply with charity law requirements and other laws that apply to your charity. You should take reasonable steps to find out about legal requirements, for example by reading relevant guidance or taking appropriate advice when you need to. Registered charities must keep their details on the register up to date and ensure they send the right financial and other information to the commission in their annual return or annual update.

3. Act in your charity's best interests

You must do what you and your co-trustees decide will best enable the charity to carry out its purposes. You and your co-trustees must make balanced and adequately informed decisions, thinking about the long term as well as the short term, avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to your charity conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body, and not receive any benefit from the charity unless it is properly authorised and is clearly in the charity's interests. This also includes anyone who is financially connected to you, such as a partner, dependent child or business partner.

4. Manage your charity's resources responsibly

You must act responsibly, reasonably and honestly. This is sometimes called the duty of prudence. Prudence is about exercising sound judgement. You and your co-trustees must make sure the charity's assets are only used to support or carry out its purposes, not take inappropriate risks with the charity's assets or reputation, not over-commit the charity, take special care when investing or borrowing, and comply with any restrictions on spending funds. You and your co-trustees should put appropriate procedures and safeguards in place and take reasonable steps to ensure that these are followed. Otherwise you risk making the charity vulnerable to fraud or theft, or other kinds of abuse, and being in breach of your duty.

5. Act with reasonable care and skill

As someone responsible for governing a charity, you must use reasonable care and skill, making use of your skills and experience and taking appropriate advice when necessary, and should give enough time, thought and energy to your role, for example by preparing for, attending and actively participating in all trustees' meetings.

6. Ensure your charity is accountable

You and your co-trustees must comply with statutory accounting and reporting requirements. You should also be able to demonstrate that your charity is complying with the law, well run and effective, ensure appropriate accountability to members if your charity has a membership separate from the trustees, and ensure accountability within the charity, particularly where you delegate responsibility for particular tasks or decisions to staff or volunteers.

Download PDF ↓