2025-03-31-accounts

Company registration number: 02695368 Charity registration number: 1009867

Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

HSJ Accountants Ltd Severn House Hazell Drive Newport South Wales NP10 8FY

Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Contents

Trustees' Report	1 to 19
Independent Examiner's Report	20
Statement of Financial Activities	21 to 22
Balance Sheet	23
Notes to the Financial Statements	24 to 37

Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

Mission Statement

Community Music Wales' Mission is to contribute to the empowerment of communities through enabling them to participate in creativity and learning through participation in music making.

Aims

1 To use music and creativity to support disadvantaged communities across Wales.

2 To provide participatory music opportunities for most in need.

3 To develop innovative work in response to the changing needs of Wales.

4 To raise the standard of community music delivery across Wales.

5 To develop cross cultural links through a planned programme of international activity.

6 In the promotion of the Welsh Language through delivery of service and public advocacy.

Objectives

1 Provide a diverse programme of music participation bi-lingually strategically across Wales to ensure maximum

participation and engagement.

2 Work with local, regional and national partners to deliver a diverse programme of work for specific needs groups.

3 Ensure community music has a presence as a credible career pathway within the cultural industries through work with HE, FE and the skills sector.

4 Provide the bridge between community music and the music industry, increasing opportunities for disengaged young people.

5 Raise the bar regarding the quality of delivery of community music across Wales.

6 Build capacity within communities to use music as an engagement tool, increasing the levels of participation. 7 Raise the standard of how community music is delivered through tutor, organisational and mentor training. 8 Increase the social use of Welsh through music.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Significant activities

1 Projects

2 Commissions

Charitable activities

1. Projects

The main body of our work is through our participatory programme which we deliver Wales wide. Our workshops provide opportunities for people to create and play music, whether in local parks, community centres or schools. We work in partnership with a large number of organisations, including groups with specific needs such as young people, NEETs (Not in Education Employment or Training) older people, disability groups, homeless, refugee and asylum seekers, people struggling with mental health issues and Young Offenders. Our work is developed in partnership with local organisations and targeted at those who are disadvantaged or suffer social exclusion. Our projects aim to empower the individual, improving not only their music and technical skills, but also emotional intelligence, self-esteem and self-confidence. We also promote other transferable skills including team-work, communication and basic skills such as numeracy and literacy. Our workshop programme is innovative and participant driven and is developed through continual discussion and consultation, which is adaptable to local needs. The projects concentrate on group work, encouraging team activity, communication and mutual respect, whilst also giving individual support. Within our workshop programme we deliver a variety of short and long-term projects from drumming sessions to new and innovative technology workshops. We also develop projects to use music to educate young people about their environment, local area and issues affecting their lives. Projects under this department are as follows:

Arts Council of Wales – Create Grant – Aber I Aber

We completed our Arts Council of Wales’ Create Funded project – Aber I Aber. This was a Wales wide participatory project using music to explore the issues effecting the communities who live near estuaries around the Welsh coast.

Aber i Aber was a participatory project that aimed to reach communities and involve large numbers of participants in arts activities, including those who had not previously had the opportunity to engage in such experiences. Another key objective was to connect different parts of Wales, reinforcing the idea of Wales as one nation.

Through the project, we engaged with eleven different community groups around Wales' coastline, capturing the richness of modern Wales. These groups represented a diverse range of cultures, languages, and musical traditions, providing insight into different community issues and ways of living. The funding enabled us to reach and represent modern Wales, offering as many people as possible the chance to participate in an arts project. We also collaborated with various community partners, including arts organisations, social groups, charities, youth groups, and Welsh speakers. Each project was tailored to the specific needs and interests of the participating communities.

Key outcomes of the project included the creation of original music, music videos, spoken word performances, and soundscapes, reflecting the unique experiences of the participants. We worked with groups such as KIM Inspire, TAPE, Gisda, Aeronfest, AberJazz, DYMA NI, Theatr Mwldan, Calabash Music, Living Levels, and Newport RSPB. Each collaboration brought fresh insights into the lived experiences of the communities and allowed participants to creatively express their identities and challenges.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

One of the key successes of the project was the high level of engagement. We initially anticipated reaching smaller numbers of people, but ultimately engaged with 420 participants from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, our evaluation showed that 94% of participants had a positive experience and felt more confident in expressing themselves through the arts. 89% stated that they would like to participate in similar projects in the future, demonstrating the lasting impact of the work.

The project has an ongoing legacy. We are currently developing a webpage to host the videos and information created throughout the project. This will be housed on our main CMW website and integrated with our previous Ffordd Sain project, which explored life along the A470, creating a comprehensive collection of creative materials representing Wales as a whole. We aim to use music to represent modern Wales through building up our creative Map of Wales, and engaging with groups from areas that do not have as much access to arts participation than others. The aim of this project, and our legacy going forward is also to connect Wales through culture language, diversity and living alongside one another in a modern world.

Peoples Post Code Lottery Trust

The year before last we were successful in a bid to run a project called Forget-Me-Knot Well Being Project. Based in Aberdare the project provides a much needed and consistent outlet for those living and affected by dementia, Alzheimer’s, and memory/brain trauma. Set up by Gary “Ragsy” Ryland, the Welsh singer-songwriter who shot to fame on the hit-series The Voice in 2013, Ragsy ran a pilot project as part of our ACW Creative Practitioners Lottery Funded project. The funding is to run for 3 years and this was the final year.

This was a Music & Wellbeing Project, a vital initiative designed to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals in the Aberdare area who are experiencing mental health issues, including dementia, Alzheimer’s, brain trauma, feelings of isolation, loneliness, and stress. By offering tailored music and wellbeing sessions, the project aimed to engage participants, foster meaningful connections with their family members and carers, and shift the focus from memory loss to memory retention mentally and physically.

The project’s structured activities, which included regular music workshops, memory connection sessions, and continuous evaluation, were geared towards creating joyful moments and stimulating meaningful interactions. We expected these sessions to lead to improved mental and emotional well-being for participants, stronger relationships with their carers and family members, and a positive impact on the wider community and this certainly proved to be the case.

One gentleman who lives in an assisted living complex, who attended the sessions regularly was inspired to buy himself a violin and get back into music. His carer said, “I can’t believe the difference in him after attending the project”.

We also had a group of men that attended who loved music but were too anxious to play in front of others. Due to the pressure-free environment and supportive tutors, by the end of the project one gentleman regularly performed his songs for the group, while another, an aspiring guitarist, who initially only listened, progressed to playing for the group and has purchased a guitar. The group gave them a much needed confidence boost and allowed them to showcase their talents in a safe and supportive environment.

Taith

We were successful in applying to Taith to take part in an international project. Taith is a Welsh Government funded programme enabling people in Wales to learn, study and volunteer all over the world, while allowing organisations in Wales to invite international partners and learners to do the same here in Wales.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

Our Project, Dau Enaid, Un Taith (Two Souls, One Journey) is an exchange program and professional development opportunity for project development staff and early career community musicians, to learn how different countries use music to engage with their communities. The project is about the sharing of ideas, best practice and to build a cohesive network of community music organisations. The intention was that we will work collaboratively with our global partners to observe the systems they use to engage with their young people and communities and thus, we will share ours.

Last year, we started the project in Italy, Australia, when in May, we were invited by Immaginaria Coop Sociale Onlus to Procida, Italy, to spend the week working with community musicians from Georgia, Poland, Germany, Italy, Portugal & Serbia. Then in August staff & freelance tutors headed off for the Australian leg of our journey, through Em Events, we were fortunate to spend time in the Northern Territories with the First Nation people on Groote Eylandt, a small island just off the coast of Northern Australia. Then finally, four members of staff went to Finland, where we worked with Kukunori ry, an association for culture and mental health based in Helsinki. As well as learning about the work of the organisation, we were interested in exploring their ‘Culturehouse’ model. This is a combination of peer support and creative activities, supporting young adults suffering with their mental health.

This year saw the final visits, where staff & tutors visited Ireland, where we travelled outside of Dublin to a small town of

Edenderry to where Creative Lives have set up a four-year long initiative to work exclusively with the residents. They explained that it took a year to build consultation and gain the trust of the town but since then, they have established an entire program of arts activity, utilising the community spaces across the whole town, working with all ages. The project has now taken a life of its own and the residents are now setting up their own projects leading to sustainability and a positive future. They used music primarily to engage with e young people and had set up a local radio station where they could support the young people through offering training, volunteering opportunities, and play their music on the radio. Some of the young people have gone on to play in bigger gigs in Dublin and are now hoping to continue to grow. As with the other projects, we sent two staff members and two tutors who worked with the practitioners and shared ideas and methods.

Then the final visit was to Portugal we worked with community musicians who set up an annual festival for the whole community. Just like in Ireland, they embedded in a community through delivering weekly workshops, all leading to the festival in June which was attended by the residents and surrounding towns. They used the festival as a method of bringing the whole community together, through performing older traditional songs, and younger pop/rock songs, to build community intergenerational cohesion. The staff were very interested in how they mixed traditional music with modern music performed by the young people of the town as a way of supported integration. We sent two staff members and also two young people who were wanting to embark on a career as community practitioners, The two young people spent the time participating in the lead up workshops alongside the Portuguese tutors and learning about how they engaged with the communities. They were particularly impressed by the infusion of the traditional and modern. Our two young people then performed on stage as part of the festival. The staff members sent time with the host organisation learning about their methods of engagement and monitoring.

After this we hosted two return trips for the organisations that we had worked with, the first one in May when Dr. Shellie Morris came over from Australia. She started her trip in North Wales and actually performed at Wrexham's Focus Wales Festival. She spoke extensively to the delegates about the work she is doing in Australia. She also visited our projects and was impressed by the ways we engage our own communities - looking to take some learning back to Australia. She then visited South Wales where she visited Welsh language school Ysgol Plasmawr in Cardiff and spoke to the students about the importance of minority language.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

The second visit in June brought the two Italians from Immaginaria – Cooperativa sociale onlus and another music organisation called Distubia, the Portuguese partner who worked on the festival, a member of Kukinori from Finland and the Project officer from Creative Lives in Ireland. We spent the week in meetings discussing funding, project ideas, methods of engagement, use of space and how to evaluate the impact of our work. We spent time together visiting cultural sites like St Fagins, Caerphilly castle and Cardiff Bay and met with some of our arts partners such as the Yma Arts centre in Pontypridd. We also visited some community music projects working with disadvantaged young people, such as Grass Roots music studio in Cardiff. shared the culture of Wales - many of whom had not experienced Wales before and discussed the use of the Welsh language in our work. We are now building joint projects with all of the partners, starting with Finland where we have already secured funding to deliver our shared Culture House project with those living with poor mental health in Wales. We will be using their groundbreaking peer to peer methods of working for the first time.

The Ashley Family Foundation

With this funding, we delivered a youth music development program, primarily in Merthyr Tydfil, with young people who were living with disadvantage. The cuts in services and support for young people has seen an increase in mental health issues in young people particularly around depression, loneliness, and lack of opportunities. Through previous pilot schemes, we identified that providing the opportunities to develop their skills would seek to meet some of their societal needs and thus, support their wellbeing. We started the project by carrying out consultation with youth groups to develop this project and directly address the need identified. We also recognised that we needed to encourage diversity of participants in terms of culture, ethnicity & language, as well as musical style, through working with local partners & community organisations to ensure the project is reflective of the whole of Wales.

As a result of the consultation, we delivered music mentoring sessions in Theatr soar and the Redhouse on a weekly basis, starting in September 24 - primarily on Saturdays - where the young people started to write their own music, meet one another, form bands and play with one another for the first time. Through consultation with the young people, we also delivered condensed Rock schools over three days in the holidays, resulting in a small performance at the venue. We delivered the initial Rock school in half term in Spring 2024 at the Redhouse and later on an additional two in Theatr soar. These sessions included three days intensive sessions with four sections, - lyric writing, singing, guitar/base, keys and drums. The young people then came together in two performances at the theatre spaces on the last days which were attended by friends and families, in total, there were around 400 people in all of the audiences. We delivered the project with freelance musicians who were bi-lingual, which enabled us to deliver the sessions through both Welsh and English. The young tutors we worked with were experienced and provided good role models for the young people as they are also in bands themselves and have high profiles. For example, our tutor Katie is the lead singer in Welsh language band Chroma, who supported the Foo fighters in their Cardiff gig this year. This gave the young people inspiration, and they were able to mentor the young people to give them advice, support, and inspiration. The project was so successful, we have been commissioned to deliver other project in Theatr Soar in the Easter holidays and are now looking for further funding to extend the project into other areas.

The Rayne Foundation

This year saw the start of our Rayne Foundation funded project Calonnau Cerddorol 3, This project is dedicated to delivering inspiring music sessions with young people who are living with mental health challenges. We are currently running six focused projects across Gwynedd and Merthyr Tydfil, creating safe, creative spaces where young people can connect, express themselves, and grow.

Our referral partners include Adferiad (North and South) – a mental health and drug rehabilitation organisation, Kim Inspire,

a North Wales–based charity supporting young people and adults with mental health needs, Betsi Cadwaladr University HealthBoard and Bro Morgannwg Health Board (mental health wards), Pupil Referral Units in Merthyr, and Gisda – a Welsh-medium charity supporting homeless young people.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

Through consultation with the young people themselves, we discovered that many struggle with low confidence and self-esteem. This often leaves them feeling isolated, unable to fully participate in school, society, or peer groups. Such challenges can fuel underachievement, diminish aspirations, and create barriers to fulfilling their potential. For some, this lack of confidence increases the risk of drifting towards negative role models.

To ensure our work has lasting impact, we have co-designed an evaluation system with our mental health partners, with expert guidance from the University of South Wales research department.

This project is continuing into next year.

Millenium Stadium Trust

This project aimed to inspire & support the creativity & talent of young people in the Merthyr Tydfil area talent, regardless of their socio-economic status/background.

The project offered an opportunity that set the young people on a positive trajectory in terms of gaining musical experience, building confidence, and tapping into Wales-wide creative networks, we did this through running Rock School workshops along with mentoring sessions at Theatre Soar in Merthyr Tydfil. The young people were encouraged to write their own music, meet one another, form bands and play with one another for the first time. There were Mentoring sessions in lyric writing, singing, guitar/base, keys and drums.

We encouraged diversity of participants in terms of culture, ethnicity, language, and musical style, working with local partners and community organisations to ensure the project reflected the whole of Wales. The impact was a healthy, confident youth music scene emerging from all corners of the country, representing youth culture and modern Welsh society.

We measured the impact through baseline studies in the form of questionnaires at the start of the project, focusing on three key outcomes: confidence building, community cohesion, and raising future aspirations. Evidence of improvement in these areas was observed by tutors and the project manager throughout the course of the project. A final evaluation was then carried out through face-to-face interviews and closing questionnaires, enabling us to clearly monitor and evidence changes in these outcomes. A parent of one participant said “Since being given the opportunity to attend your rock school, my son has decided that this is his passion and is now taking GCSE music at school too. He is playing music all day every day, making new music and writing songs. None of which would have been possible without you.”

Barings Foundation

We have been successful is gaining funding for a project aimed at men with mental health challenges. We are working with a partner from our TAITH project, Kukunori, who are based in Finland, looking at the Culture House model that they have successfully developed and delivered with adults living with mental health conditions across Finland. After research and consultation with our partner organisations and participants, we will be launching this innovative project in Wales for the first time. The project differs from the Kukunori model as their focus is on a variety of activities, whereas ours is focusing primarily be on music and the arts, working with men who have an interest and some experience and knowledge of music.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

The culture houses are community spaces where the participants with a shared interest in music meet and share their collective skills and resources to learn new skills from one another in peer-to-peer sessions. The participants will lead the project towards various outcomes including music creation, podcasts, playing or putting on their own performances, even recording their own music. The group will be strengthened through creative peer to peer activities, which will be supported by our trained staff on hand to help with the direction and mentoring where needed. Kukunori themselves will coming over from Finland to deliver training sessions to both CMW Staff and other participants in peer leadership skills. Activities are designed by the participants themselves in collaboration with trained peer supporters who are responsible for leading the activity. Our professional’s role is to train and support the peer tutors as well as mentor them on activities where necessary, but the project is designed to be self-sustaining long term. It is everyone's responsibility to create mutual understanding about the content and goals of the peer supported activity and to build functioning shared community based on trust and respect. The peer leaders will be voluntary and will gain accreditation from participating in the peer leadership training. This will lead to a sustainable project after the end of the grant. The model has worked successfully in Finland with Kukinori winning mental health awards for the project. This project is continuing into next year.

Awards for All

We were awarded a grant from Awards for All to work with Ty Canna mental health support service, based in Cardiff, and their service-users, to develop and deliver a new model of peer-led working. Building on previous music and song-writing sessions, we are working to develop the service-users skills and confidence to lead their own peer led activities. The activities and learning are designed by the participants themselves in collaboration with trained CMW and Ty Canna peer supporters, who provide ongoing support. Our professionals train service-users who have built up enough confidence to lead their own sessions with their peers.

The project is self-sustaining, as it equips service-users to design and deliver their own activities and take turns leading sessions for their peers. Everyone shares responsibility for creating mutual understanding about the content and goals of the peer-supported activity, while building a functioning, shared community based on trust and respect.

Peer leaders are voluntary and gain accreditation through participating in peer leadership training. This ensures the project remains sustainable beyond the life of the grant.

The participants will lead the project towards various outcomes including music creation, podcasts, playing or putting on their own performances, even recording their own music. We developed this project with Ty Canna, who have experience in peer led learning, and also through our partnership with our mental health partner in Finland, Kukinori.

Our project is designed to bring communities together and democratise their access to arts and wellbeing. On a weekly basis, we are turning the community room at Ty Canna into a Culture House, where the participants, all of whom have a shared experience of living with poor mental health, will meet in a welcoming, safe space and plan the project, share responsibilities, activities and work collaboratively towards shared goals. This helps to build confidence, community cohesion, develop those much-needed social networks as well as train and develop new skills. The project will use the familiar community space in Ty Canna, where the participants with a shared interest in music will meet and share their collective skills and resources to learn new skills from one another in peer-to-peer sessions. The supported peer learning will cultivate shared belonging, strengthen community bonds and build confidence for the future. This project is continuing into next year.

D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

We received funding to create a Community Choir for Refugees and Asylum Seekers alongside members of the local community in Bangor, North Wales. This initiative will bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds for a two-hour session every week, encouraging social interaction, cultural exchange, and emotional well-being through music.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

The choir will serve as a space for healing, connection, and creative expression for those who may feel isolated, as well as strengthen bonds between refugee and asylum seeker communities and the local residents. We also hope to organise a public performance at the end of the project that will celebrate diversity and promote understanding in the wider community.

We are working with three key partners, who are contributing their expertise and resources.

Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre: Pontio has run various initiatives for refugees and asylum seekers. The Arts Development Coordinator, has generously offered her time, knowledge, and expertise in kind to support the choir's development.

Gwynedd Council Refugee and Asylum Seeker Resettlement Service: This service will help raise awareness of the choir among refugee and asylum seeker communities in the area.

Pobl i Pobl: A voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum seekers in North Wales, Pobl i Pobl will assist in recruitment and offer additional emotional support to participants.

The two-hour weekly session will be facilitated by two professional choir tutors. These sessions will focus on teaching vocal techniques, group harmonies, and preparing for future performances. During these sessions the participants will have access to emotional support during sessions to ensure a positive, safe, and inclusive environment. We aim to Enhance cultural understanding and community cohesion by facilitating interaction between diverse groups and promote awareness of refugees and asylum seekers. This project is continuing next year.

Ty Cerdd

We were successful in getting funding from Ty Cerdd to run a RIFF project in Neuadd Ogwen Arts Centre in Bethesda, Gwynedd. RIFF is a bi-lingual music song writing, lyric writing and performance development project for young musicians aged between 12 – 25. It is designed to support the early development of young musicians & help to build up the youth music scene across the region through developing Welsh & English speaking song writing/band workshops (Rock Schools) and hosting a small performance to families and peers. We identified a gap at this very early stage for both English and Welsh speaking young people who had no or little experience playing in public and with others. So we delivered the project primarily through the Welsh language with Welsh speaking music practitioners. Riff was delivered over the May half term

week 2024, in the arts Centre, Neuadd Ogwen in Bethesda, Gwynedd and was open to 15 young people with differing musical tastes and with the help of our team of experienced tutors. The project consisted of three tutors working with groups of young musicians over three days, split into small groups where they learned to write a song through exploring lyric writing, music sessions and band workshops. It ended with a small performance on the stage in Neuadd Ogwen.

The success of this has enabled us to continue to develop this project at Neuadd Ogwen. Neuadd Ogwen, were able to secure some additional funding to carry the project on as they now want to deliver weekly rock schools at the centre for the local community. Since the end of this project, we have been able to deliver continued work and are currently in the process of working in partnership with Neuadd Ogwen to secure longer term secure funding to continue the scheme indefinitely. We also supported local musicians who wanted to develop their skills as community practitioners. Therefore, we have now trained an additional three tutors in the area, two of whom are Welsh speaking.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

RCT Together Community Development

We were funded by Rhondda Cynon Taff Community Development Team through the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund Community Grant to run a project based at Clwb y Bont in Pontypridd. We ran a RIFF project, combining creativity, collaboration, and mentorship, RiFF offers a fresh, bilingual approach where young people can explore songwriting, performance, and diverse musical genres in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Our Mentors will focus on exploring and developing song writing methods, organisational skills, playing in a group and listening, promoting and organising gigs, performance skills, branding, image, promotion and marketing together with creating an image. Music relies on an understanding of basic maths, therefore, there will be a heavy focus on numeracy, particularly throughout the projects, but particularly during songwriting, including counting beats, bars, learning digital programs, which need basic numeracy understanding. Through developing a better understanding of numeracy, the bands will write music and record a video at a professional music studio, this will document their work and form the basis for creating a professional visual presence online.

2. Commissions

Our 'Commissions' department is the department of CMW that enables our work to be bought in by partners and organisations. This is not funded through grants or tenders but relies on organisations to buy in our services. In response, we provide the musical expertise and project ideas, coordinate the project, contract the tutors, lease the equipment, offer insurance cover and add a 12% admin fee. Commissioned projects can be anything of the work that we usually offer as projects are totally bespoke to the client organisation. We currently do not promote this scheme as we rely on word of mouth; however, we receive income which can range from £20k - £50k depending on the number of projects. This income is unrestricted and has the potential of bringing in substantially more in the future. Through the development of our three-year business plan we are developing our 'Commissions' Department to enable us to take a more business-like approach to increase the amount of work we generate through non-grant funded sources. The commissions we receive are varied from across Wales and include a diverse range of music activity. It also brings in a significant amount of funds, which we intend to maximise in the future. Projects this year have included:

Amber Project - Cardiff

The Amber Project commissioned us to run a variety of music sessions with young people (aged 12- 25) living in Cardiff and the surrounding areas who have experience of self-harm. We have run multiple sessions throughout 2024/25.

Menter Iaith RCT

For this project, each mentor is tasked with the challenge of bringing together and working with students from one of four Welsh language comprehensives schools in RCT (Rhydywaun, Cwm Rhondda, Garth Olwg and Llanhari). There were mentoring sessions at Clwb y Bont on Saturday mornings / afternoons. Each mentor facilitated the formation of a band with the challenge of creating a set of original Welsh language songs ready to deliver a live set of around 20 minutes. We’re so proud to announce that this Welsh language RiFF project has won RCT's Youth Engagement & Participation Award for Digital, Sport, Music or Culture.

Canolfan Calon Taf

We were commissioned by RCT Council to run Open drop-in Ukulele workshop for all ages running during the May half term. The aim of the various events and workshops across the week is to engage local people and create awareness and interest in Canolfan Calon Taf, and the refurbished Bandstand.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

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Rhyl Refugee Week

We ran a drumming workshop during Refugee Week and it was an opportunity for those attending the session to engage in a fun drumming activity, which is one of many activities that were happening in the venue. The workshop was a drop-in session, so participants could have a go and stay for as long as they’d like.

Drumming in the Library

We were commissioned by Wellbeing Merthyr to run a one-off drop-in drumming and percussion workshop for all ages and abilities taking place in Merthyr Tydfil Central Library.

‘RiFF’ Ysgol Roc Neuadd Ogwen

As a result of our Ty Cerdd funded project, Neuadd Ogwen commissioned us to run more RIFF Rock School at different times throughout the year. The idea is to put together bands and allow them to create their own original songs which they may have the chance to perform at the end of the project.

Ty Canna - Cardiff

Ty Canna have once again, commissioned us to run multiple sessions throughout 2024/2025 for people who attend Ty Canna mental health referral service. The workshops aim to get participants to play together as a group and/or solo using hand drums and tuned instruments. The project aims to bring participants together in an informal setting to play music. Participants can bring their own instruments to weekly group sessions to work on playing the sort of music they like. They can also write their own music.

Barnardo's Young Carers

Barnardo’s Young Carers commissioned us to run Music making workshops throughout 2024/25. These sessions may include music making, hand drumming, song writing and recording, amongst many other musical activities and are for young carers who live in the Merthyr Tydfil area.

Merthyr Tydfil PRU

We were commissioned by Merthyr Tydfil Pupil Referral Unit to run regular weekly music sessions. These were focused on rhythm by using hand drums and percussion. Later they progressed to include lyric writing. The pupils worked towards an Agored Cymru Accreditation Unit.

Neuadd Ogwen

Continuing from the success of the Rock Schools that we had run at Neuadd Ogwen Arts Centre, we were commissioned to run on at Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen in Bethesda. This was run with students who were taking Music at GCSE.

The Community Probation Project

Arts Active in Cardiff commissioned us to run music workshops for people accessing the Grand Avenues community probation service in the Ely area of Cardiff. These sessions started with hand drumming and ukulele sessions but wre adapted towards the participants.

What’s Next Merthyr 2023

This event was commissioned by Careers Wales and is something we have taken part in over the last few years, so it was great to be invited back. During this event, we ran drop-in music taster sessions for school pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). We also had a stand at the event where we could hand out information about our organisation and raise our profile.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Trustees' Report

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal funding sources

Arts Council of Wales (ACW) provides financial support through their Revenue Funding scheme, which amounted to £97,500 for 2024/25. ACW carried out an Investment Review for all Revenue funded organisations during 2023 and CMW was very happy to be successful and to have remained one of ACW Revenue funded organisations.

ACW also supports CMW's programme of activity through its Lottery Schemes on an annual basis including funding for participatory community music projects, and through the professional development training.

Commissioned work

Many partner organisations also commission music projects from Community Music Wales and this forms a significant part of our income in a year. We aim to increase this each year to contribute to the running of the organisation. Community Music Wales is a successful organisation, which provides a wide range of high quality community music activity in Wales. Maintaining our level of funding and diversifying our funding base continues to be a priority for Community Music Wales in order to improve sustainability and continue to develop innovative work and support the development of community music in Wales. Despite the economic climate, we have still managed to retain a steady income and have developed a strategy to increase our commissionable activity and implement a targeted marketing campaign.

Reserves policy

The trustees are of the opinion that the free reserves of the charity, excluding restricted and designated funds should cover statutory redundancy costs should the company cease to trade at any point. This is to enable the charity to have time to react and to minimise the risks to the company caused by significant loss of funding.

At 31 March 2025 total funds of the charity amounted to (£9,131) of which £12,491 was held for restricted purposes, leaving the total unrestricted funds stand at (£21,622) However, of this £1,440 is represented by tangible fixed assets leaving (£23,062) as the free reserves of the charity.

Risk management

The Board of Trustees has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk register has been established and is reviewed quarterly and updated annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which will allow for the diversification of funding and activities. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for the authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers and clients at all venues. CMW implemented a risk management system including annual updates of the risk register and monitoring each decision against risk. CMW has also implemented sub committees to assess strategy, marketing, finance & governance. The strategy sub-committee has a particular focus on managing risk.

The continuing implementation of CMW's evaluation policy ensures a consistent high quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charity. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they to meet the needs of the charity.

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FUTURE PLANS

Over the past year, Community Music Wales has continued to navigate an increasingly challenging funding landscape. In response, we have taken proactive steps to adapt and strengthen our resilience. We are actively working to reduce overhead costs and embrace more agile working practices, enabling us to deliver our activities efficiently across Wales while maintaining high quality and local impact.

A key focus moving forward is the diversification of our income streams. We are developing new methods of income generation, including expanding our commercial activities, enhancing our fundraising efforts, and building strategic partnerships with local authorities, health boards, and other key organisations. These collaborations will help us to deliver impactful projects that address local needs while ensuring long-term sustainability.

In terms of funding applications, our priority is to increase our Reach through specific large scale programs aimed at increasing access for communities across Wales to good quality arts participation. Therefore, we will secure investment for ambitious, large-scale, and long-term initiatives. Current plans include a Wales-wide training programme, a major participatory arts project, and a significant mental health-focused programme. Each of these projects will be designed to have wide-reaching benefits, fostering creativity, inclusion, and wellbeing throughout Wales.

We are also committed to expanding our international reach, building on the success of previous projects. Our longstanding partnership with Finland will remain a cornerstone of our international work, as we develop and extend our training programme with partners across Europe. These collaborations not only enhance our skills and knowledge but also bring new perspectives and opportunities to our work in Wales.

As we look to the future, our mission remains clear: to use music as a tool for social change, personal development, and community cohesion, locally, nationally, and internationally.

Creative Projects

Aber i Aber

Aber i Aber, funded through the Arts Council of Wales’ Create programme, was a Wales-wide participatory project that used music to explore the issues affecting communities living near estuaries along the Welsh coast. Beginning at the River Severn – a gateway to Wales – we worked with communities all the way to the Dee Estuary and its connections to England and Ireland. Along this journey, the project examined environmental diversity, the impact of climate change, and socio-economic challenges, as well as local myths and legends, smuggling histories, and the effects of tourism on communities and the Welsh language. We worked with 10–15 communities situated near estuaries around the Welsh coast, supporting them in telling their own stories through songwriting, video creation, performance, and animation.

This project will culminate in Autumn 2025, where the videos, songs and other creative outputs will be featured on our new Digital Sound Map of Wales, which, alongside the launch of the Aber i Aber webpages, will go live. The completion of this project will serve as a springboard for our next large-scale participatory project, which will focus on the eastern border of Wales along Offa’s Dyke. This forthcoming work will explore Welsh identity, the experience of living in border towns, and what diversity means to rural Welsh communities in this unique geographical and cultural landscape.

– Glamorganshire Canal Carnival Project (2025 2027)

We have applied to the National Heritage Lottery for a large-scale participatory project which we hope to deliver in partnership with Butetown Arts and Cultural Association in Cardiff. From 2025 to 2027, we hope to deliver a major new project celebrating the history of the Glamorganshire Canal and the cultural legacy of immigration in South Wales. Working in partnership with Butetown Carnival, the project will connect eight communities along the canal’s former route, from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff

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Through a vibrant programme of workshops in music, costume-making, storytelling, and visual arts, local groups will explore their shared heritage—spanning the iron industry, Welsh processional traditions, and the diverse cultural influences brought by immigration. Each community will create its own carnival characters, blending historic figures from the Valleys with Caribbean carnival traditions, culminating in a series of mini-carnivals along the route.

The project will conclude with a spectacular finale in Butetown, uniting all participating communities in a procession from The Hayes in central Cardiff to Butetown, symbolically retracing the canal’s path. Over two years, the project will engage around 800 people, celebrate the multicultural identity of South Wales, and strengthen connections between its communities.

Riff – Youth Development Programme

We are developing Riff , an exciting expansion of our successful Rock School format, designed as a youth development programme for early-career artists and young people. The programme is aimed at those who have never played with others before, have lacked the confidence to perform in public, or simply want to develop their musical skills in a supportive, collaborative environment.

While rooted in a rock school-style approach, Riff is adaptable to any musical genre, ensuring that participants can explore and create music that reflects their own interests and cultural backgrounds. The programme is as much about building personal confidence and social connections as it is about musical development. By working in groups, participants will form new friendships, strengthen community links, and develop the teamwork skills that are vital both on and off stage.

Each Riff programme will culminate in a public performance, giving young people a tangible goal to work towards and the opportunity to experience the thrill of sharing their music with an audience. These events not only celebrate the achievements of the participants but also create a positive focal point for the wider community.

Following the success of our previous Riff sessions, we are now seeking additional funding and sponsorship to roll the programme out more widely—initially across Merthyr Tydfil and subsequently to other parts of Wales. Our ambition is to make Riff a Wales-wide initiative, enabling young people from diverse backgrounds and communities to access high-quality music training, develop self-belief, and find their voice as part of a creative, supportive network.

Training

Training remains relevant and continues to play a key role in the future of our organisation. The key to this is the development of our training programme and resources, providing access to resources for other organisations or members working in a community environment. It is essential to expand this department and seek to secure long term funding to deliver the courses with more regularity and consistency. We also intend to develop better links with HE and FE and start to develop better networks across the colleges to share resources and offer opportunities to work together to deliver practical aspects of the course. There is also a possibility of developing our long course to include other community arts as the skills are transferable to any art form. In order to deliver this, it is vital that we remain involved in the Art Works initiative, which will support a Wales-wide initiative to deliver comprehensive training across the participatory arts platform.

– Cornerstones (2025 2026)

We are delighted to have successfully secured Arts Council of Wales Create lottery funding to deliver Cornerstones —a year-long apprenticeship and training scheme for 10 project creators and artists. Building on the success of the original Cornerstones programme, this new phase will be rolled out across Wales as a comprehensive apprenticeship programme and training package aimed at supporting a diverse mix of artists from a wide range of communities.

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The scheme is designed for individuals seeking to develop their careers within the Creative Industries, with a particular focus on those passionate about using music and the arts to make a difference in their communities. Over the course of the year, participants will receive advanced training in project management, community engagement, and creative practice. They will also gain hands-on experience by designing and delivering their own live community arts initiatives in partnership with local organisations.

Through this combination of skills development and practical delivery, Cornerstones will empower the next generation of creative leaders in Wales—equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and professional networks needed to sustain successful careers in the arts. By prioritising diversity and representation, the programme will help ensure that the creative sector in Wales reflects the richness of its communities and continues to evolve in inclusive and innovative ways.

Board increase

Our main priority in terms of Board Development is to ensure that we have more diversity represented on the Board of Trustees. We have started to approach individuals and organisations, who we think would be an asset to CMW and aim to recruit another three/four members in the coming years.

Commissions

Our Commissions department packages work that can be bought in by other organisations, offering valuable opportunities to freelance artists across Wales while generating unrestricted income for Community Music Wales. Building on our strong track record—much of it achieved through word of mouth—we are now taking a more proactive approach to grow this area.

Over the next year, we will expand our commissioned work with health boards (via social prescribing), local authorities (through youth services), and town centre management teams. We will also redevelop our business-to-business team-building packages, opening up more corporate opportunities. Alongside this, we plan to launch a CMW merchandise shop to boost donations and raise our profile.

Our new marketing plan includes redeveloped promotional materials, a clear and accessible pricing structure, and targeted outreach to underrepresented regions such as West and Mid Wales. This strategic approach will help us reach new clients, diversify our income streams, and offer more work to freelance practitioners—strengthening both our organisation and the wider creative economy.

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Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Registration Number: 1009867 Company Registration Number: 02695368 Registered Office: Redhouse Cymru High Street Merthy Tydfil CF47 8AE Independent Examiner: HSJ Accountants Ltd Severn House Hazell Drive Newport South Wales NP10 8FY Bankers: Unity Trust Birmingham 4 Brindleyplace Birmingham B1 2HB

Trustees and officers

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Trustees: R L Richards N P Corrigan F W Morris (appointed 30 July 2024) K M Phelps (appointed 22 July 2024) E Lile (appointed 22 July 2024) A N Stark S A Benavente E C Bryan (Resigned 11 December 2024) Secretary: S Smith Senior Management / Leadership H Jenkins, Director Team:

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Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

Community Music Wales (CMW) is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 9 March 1992 and registered as a charity on 17 March 1992. Its Memorandum and Articles of Association govern the company. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10. A new Memorandum and Articles of Association was produced and was adopted by the charity in the 2009/10 AGM. The aims and objectives remain the same but now incorporate 2006 legislation and updated terms of reference.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and are known as members of the Board of Trustees. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the members of the Board of Trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting

Due to the nature of community music much of the charity's work inevitably focuses upon young people, their education, training and social inclusion. The Board of Trustees seeks to ensure that the needs of target groups are appropriately reflected through the diversity of the trustee body. The organisation will ensure that there is a better mix of diversity amongst its representation over the coming year.

Marketing, business, youth access, youth offending, social inclusion, arts management are areas of expertise represented on the Board of Trustees as well as experience of managing projects and employment issues. However, in an effort to maintain and improve on this broad skill mix, CMW and members of the Board of Trustees are continuing to recruit new members to the Board in areas which are not fully represented. In the event of particular skills being lost due to retirement, individuals may be approached to offer themselves for election. The Board has completed a skills audit, whereby there will be new trustees appointed to the board in 2024/25. This will widen the expertise as well as the numbers of the Board of Trustees.

Induction and training of trustees

New trustees attend a series of short training sessions to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates. The Chair of the Board of Trustees and the two executive officers of the Board of the charity run these sessions, which cover:

1. The obligations of the trustees who sit on the Board.

2. The main documents which set out the operational framework for the charity including the Mission Statement and Memorandum and Articles of Association.

3. Resourcing and the current financial position as set out in the latest published accounts.

4. Future plans and objectives.

After a successful submission of an initial skills audit and application form for potential new board members, the board will make the decision to invite them as an observer at the Board meeting. Once appointed, they will receive the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the latest financial statements, recent Business plan and copies of minutes of recent Board meetings.

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Organisational structure

Community Music Wales has a Board of Trustees with no maximum limit but not less than three members who meet quarterly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Board has seven members from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity. An observer from the Arts Council of Wales is entitled to attend all board meetings but has no voting rights.

The Board of Trustees appoints an executive officer to the post of Director. The Director is responsible tor the effective management and strategic development of Community Music Wales in accordance with its constitution and aims and objectives.

The Director oversees the work of CMW and its current departments, which are as follows:

1. Workshops

2. Training

3. Commissions

The Director, working with the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the strategic development of CMW and for maintaining and improving its funding base. The Director is responsible for co-ordinating all the activities of the departments ensuring that CMW delivers the specified services and manages, evaluates and monitors projects to meet key performance indicators as well as maintaining the high quality of the services provided to clients.

CMW employs six staff in total, five in Merthyr and one in Bethesda. CMW also employs over seventy freelance workers (tutors, mentors, engineers, studios, directors etc.) who work on a range of creative music projects, events, training and activities. Activity is delivered on an outreach basis in partnership with a wide range of organisations across Wales and approx. 5,000 participants.

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Relationships with related parties

Arts Council of Wales

In so far as it is complementary to the charity's objectives, the charity is guided by both local and national policy.

Our work is in line with the Arts Council of Wales' strategy called 'Inspire.' The Inspire document focuses on three key areas. We plan all our work in line with these key outcomes. These are:

1. Make

2. Reach

3. Sustain

Community Music Wales has also signed up to the Arts Council of Wales' Cultural Contract, whereby we will work to ensure our organisation operates with diversity, equality and fairness, ensuring we work together to break down barriers to participation and employment and ensure that we are as open as possible. This cultural contract runs through the board, staff and freelance staff, and all areas will be scrutinised to ensure we are operating at all levels within this cultural contract.

Our work also supports the Welsh government's strategy called 'Seven Well-being Goals' which is defined in its landmark Well-being of Future Generation legislation. The seven well-being goals are:

1. A prosperous Wales: Prosperity

2. A resilient Wales: Resilience

3. A healthier Wales: Health

4. A more equal Wales: Equality

5. A Wales of more cohesive communities: Community

6. A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh Language: Culture

7. 7.A globally responsible Wales: Global

CMW is supported by many local and regional partnerships in Wales and is an integral part of local and national regeneration strategies for development of activities, which support social inclusion, community involvement, quality of life and participation in arts activity.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

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• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... N P Corrigan Trustee

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement - matter of concern identified

I have completed my examination. I have identified matters of concern that the charitable company faces challenges in respect to Going Concern and to this end draw the users attention to disclosure made by the Trustees' in note 2 to the Financial Statements.

I confirm that no other matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

...................................... Andrew Hill FCCA ACA DChA BFP ACCA

Severn House Hazell Drive Newport South Wales NP10 8FY

Date:.............................

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 14	Unrestricted funds £ 97,509 44,165 141,674 (151,508) (151,508) (9,834) (9,834) (11,787) (21,621)	Restricted funds £ - 63,427 63,427 (103,127) (103,127) (39,700) (39,700) 52,191 12,491	Total 2025 £ 97,509 107,592
			205,101
			(254,635)
			(254,635)
			(49,534)
			(49,534) 40,404
			(9,130)

The notes on pages 24 to 37 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 21

Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 14	Unrestricted funds £ 140,009 40,921 180,930 (197,434) (197,434) (16,504) (16,504) 4,717 (11,787)	Restricted funds £ - 100,005 100,005 (84,465) (84,465) 15,540 15,540 36,651 52,191	Total 2024 £ 140,009 140,926
			280,935
			(281,899)
			(281,899)
			(964)
			(964) 41,368
			40,404

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 14.

The notes on pages 24 to 37 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 22

Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

(Registration number: 02695368) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 11 Current assets Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 13 Net current (liabilities)/assets Net (liabilities)/assets Funds of the charity: Restricted income funds Restricted funds Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 14	2025 £ 1,440 2,249 43,246 45,495 (56,065) (10,570) (9,130) 12,491 (21,621) (9,130)	2024 £ 3,364 36,922 11,879
		48,801 (11,761)
		37,040
		40,404
		52,191 (11,787)
		40,404

For the financial year ending 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

• The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and

• The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

The financial statements on pages 21 to 37 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... N P Corrigan Trustee

The notes on pages 24 to 37 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 23

Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1 Charity status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in , and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Redhouse Cymru High Street Merthy Tydfil CF47 8AE

Authorised for issue date

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

The financial statements are presented in Sterling (£), the company's functional currency, and rounded to the nearest pound.

Going concern

At 31 March 2025 total funds of the charity amounted to (£9,130) of which £12,491 were held for restricted purposes, leaving no free reserves of the charity at the year end. This was as a result of the application process for the Investment Review, which took a considerable amount of time, and for such a small team, this had a significant impact on the ability to apply for additional funding and promote Commissions. Service delivery during this year has focussed on those projects that received restricted funding, and this unfortunately meant that unrestricted funds were overspent and restricted funds were used to cover core costs. Since March 2025, the management team have been able to increase unrestricted income and are anticipating the unrestricted surplus in 2025/26 to rectify the position.

The trustees are confident that Community Music Wales will be able to tailor service provision in line with the funding available and will look to obtain additional funding from other sources, see the future plans section of the Report of the Trustees for further information. As a result, the trustees consider it appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on a going concern basis.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement

The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.

Income and endowments

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies income includes donations, gifts and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature are recognised where there is entitlement, probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred when the donor specifies it must be used in future accounting periods or the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Deferred income

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:

• The donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or

• The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.

Other trading activities

Income from other trading activities includes income received under contract. This income is recognised as the related services are provided and there is entitlement, probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income is deferred when the amounts received are in advance of the performance of the service or event to which they relate.

Investment income

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.

Charitable activities

Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions. This income is recognised as the related services are provided and there is entitlement, probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income is deferred when the amounts received are in advance of the performance of the service or event to which they relate.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Charitable activities

Expenditure on charitable activities comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include staff costs, finance costs, general office and premises costs, depreciation and governance costs which support the activities of the charity. These costs have been allocated to charitable activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly; others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Government grants

Government grants are recognised based on the accrual model and are measured at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are classified as relating either to revenue or to assets. Grants relating to revenue are recognised in income over the period in which the related costs are recognised. Grants relating to assets are recognised over the expected useful life of the asset. Where part of a grant relating to an asset is deferred, it is recognised as deferred income.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £500.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class

Musical and office equipment

Depreciation method and rate 20% - 33.3% straight line

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Trade debtors

Trade debtors and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discounts offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Fund structure

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity. Contributions payable for the year are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Financial instruments

Classification

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals Grants, including capital grants; Arts Council of Wales Garfield Weston Foundation	Unrestricted funds General £ 9 97,500 - 97,509	Total 2025 £ 9 97,500 - 97,509	Total 2024 £ 24 114,985 25,000
			140,009

4 Income from charitable activities

Training Commissions Workshops	Unrestricted funds General £ - 27,958 16,207 44,165	Restricted funds £ - - 63,427 63,427	Total 2025 £ - 27,958 79,634 107,592	Total 2024 £ 32,721 42,421 65,784
				140,926

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Income generated from charitable activies above is further detailed as follows:

Training - Taith Training - Bristol University Internship Training - Ashley Family Foundation Workshops - Barings Foundation Workshops - Awards for All Workshops - Rayne Foundation Workshops - Postcode Community Trust Workshops - D'Oyly Carte Workshops - Gwynedd Council Workshops - ACW - Create Aber i Aber Workshops - Postcode Community Trust Workshops - ACW - Ffordd Sain Workshops - Ty Cerdd Music Centre Wales Workshops - Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council Commissions - Project invoiced income	Unrestricted funds General £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 38,165 38,165	Restricted funds £ - - - 21,701 17,000 13,173 5,106 4,000 2,447 - - - - - - 63,427	Total 2025 £ - - - 21,701 17,000 13,173 5,106 4,000 2,447 - - - - - 38,165 101,592	Total 2024 £ 22,891 1,330 8,500 - - - - - - 49,161 11,900 (1,500) 1,350 4,873 42,421
				140,926

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

5 Expenditure on charitable activities

Training Projects Commissions	Activity undertaken directly £ - 136,108 18,227 154,335	Activity support costs £ - 100,300 - 100,300	2025 £ - 236,408 18,227 254,635	2024 £ 63,235 174,691 43,973
				281,899

In addition to the expenditure analysed above, there are also governance costs of £2,699 (2024 - £2,400) which relate directly to charitable activities. See note 6 for further details.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

6 Analysis of governance and support costs

Support costs allocated to charitable activities

Basis of allocation Training A Projects A Commissions A	Governance costs £ - 2,699 - 2,699	Finance costs £ - 208 - 208	Staff costs £ Administration costs £ - - 83,774 1,924 - - 83,774 1,924	Other support costs £ - 11,695 - 11,695	Total 2025 £ - 100,300 - 100,300	Total 2024 £ 35,870 62,082 40,010
						137,962

Basis of allocation

Reference Method of allocation A Apportioned on a time spent basis

Governance costs

Unrestricted

Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements

funds General £ 2,699 2,699	Total 2025 £ 2,699 2,699	Total 2024 £ 2,400
		2,400

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

7 Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net outgoing resources for the year include:

Other non-audit services Depreciation of fixed assets	2025 £ 2,699 1,924	2024 £ 2,400 2,058

8 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

9 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs	2025 £ 161,339 9,771 8,081 179,191	2024 £ 173,680 10,196 8,500
		192,376

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

Administration staff Managerial staff Development staff	2025 No 1 2 3 6	2024 No 2 2 3
		7

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

10 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

11 Tangible fixed assets

Cost At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 12 Debtors Trade debtors Other debtors		Musical & Office Equipment £ 25,315		Total £ 25,315 25,315 21,951 1,924 23,875 1,440 3,364 2024 £ 4,751 32,171
		25,315
		21,951 1,924
		23,875
		1,440
		3,364
		2025 £ 2,249 - 2,249
				36,922

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security Accruals Deferred income Deferred income at 1 April 2024 Resources deferred in the period Amounts released from previous periods Deferred income at year end	2025 £ 3,240 2,699 50,126 56,065 2025 £ 5,106 50,126 (5,106) 50,126	2024 £ 3,655 3,000 5,106
		11,761
		2024 £ 26,976 5,106 (26,976)
		5,106

Deferred income represents funds received in advance from the Barings Trust and Rayne Foundation (2024: Community Postcode Fund).

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

14 Funds Unrestricted funds General General fund Restricted funds Postcode Community Trust Taith ACW Calonnau Cerddorol - Aber i Aber Ashley Family foundation - Youth Development Ty Cerdd Music Centre Wales - Engage programme Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council - Dementia Aware Rayne Foundation Barings Foundation Awards for All Gwynedd Council D'oyly Carte Total restricted funds Total funds	Balance at 1 April 2024 £ (11,787) 1,357 9,244 32,351 5,100 1,350 2,789 - - - - - 52,191 40,404	Incoming resources £ 141,674 5,106 - - - - - 13,173 21,701 17,000 2,447 4,000 63,427 205,101	Resources expended £ (151,509) (6,463) (9,244) (32,351) (5,100) (822) - (13,173) (21,701) (12,878) - (1,395) (103,127) (254,636)	Balance at 31 March 2025 £ (21,622) - - - - 528 2,789 - - 4,122 2,447 2,605
				12,491
				(9,131)

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted funds General General fund Restricted funds ACW - Calonnau Cerddorol Postcode Communtiy Trust Taith ACW - Calonnau Cerddorol - Aber i Aber Ashely Family Foundation - Youth Development Ty Cerdd Music Centre Wales - Engage programme Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council - Dementia Aware Bristol University - Internship Total funds	Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 4,717 24,588 395 11,668 - - - - - 36,651 41,368	Incoming resources £ 180,930 - 11,900 22,891 49,161 8,500 1,350 4,873 1,330 100,005 280,935	Resources expended £ (197,434) (24,588) (10,938) (25,315) (16,810) (3,400) - (2,084) (1,330) (84,465) (281,899)	Balance at 31 March 2024 £ (11,787) - 1,357 9,244 32,351 5,100 1,350 2,789 -
				52,191
				40,404

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Bristol University - lnternship

Funding received towards the SME internship service scheme.

ACW - Calonnau Cerddorol

Funding received towards workshops that explore music and its impact on mental health.

Taith

Funding received towards international learning exchange programme.

Postcode Community Trust

Funding received towards providing weekly workshops for people with dementia and other brain trauma.

ACW - Aber i Aber

Funding received towards workshops that will harness the power of music.

Ashley Family Foundation

Funding received towards workshop project with young people.

Ty Cerydd Music Centre Wales

Funding towards the project 'Engage/Ymgysylltu.

Denbighshire Council

Funding from the dementia aware community led grant programme run by the Denbighshire Council.

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Community Music Wales / Cerddoriaeth Gymunedol Cymru

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

15 Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets	Unrestricted funds General £ 1,440 12,878 (35,939) (21,621) Unrestricted funds General £ 3,364 (8,496) (6,655) (11,787)	Restricted funds £ - 32,617 (20,126) 12,491 Restricted funds £ - 57,297 (5,106) 52,191	Total funds at 31 March 2025 £ 1,440 45,495 (56,065)
			(9,130)
			Total funds at 31 March 2024 £ 3,364 48,801 (11,761)
			40,404

Page 37