OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2022-03-31-accounts

The Amber Trust Music for Blind Children

Music is not just a pastime, it’s a lifeline

----- Start of picture text -----
REPORT
AND
ACCOUNTS
for the
year ended
31 March
2022
----- End of picture text -----

Registered Company Number 03117803

Contents

Contents
A Word from the Chair 1
About Amber 2-3
Benefciaries’ Stories 4-5
Amber's Music Services 6-7
Initiatives and Collaborations 8
Fundraising, Events and Other News 9-11
Objectives and Achievements 12
Plans for the Future 13
Thank You 14
Summary of Financial Activities 15
Structure, Governance and Management 16-17
Financial Statements 18
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 18
Independent Examiner's Report 19
Statement of Financial Activities 20
Balance Sheet 21
Notes to the Financial Statements 23
Legal and Administrative Information 29

A Word from the Chair

After almost a decade of service to Amber, including eight extraordinary years at the helm, Lady Julia Walport stepped down as Chair of the Trust at the end of March 2022. Her inspirational and dedicated leadership engendered a sustained period of growth, with the charity increasing in size by around 20% a year. In 2021/2022, our turnover was around £300,000, and our awards and services reached over 600 children and young people, enabling them to engage in music-making at every level. Julia will continue to represent Amber as a Patron, and we look forward to that ongoing relationship. We are indebted to her for her unwavering commitment to our beneficiaries.

Having worked closely with Julia over the last decade, I am honoured and immensely proud to take over as Chair of the charity that I founded in 1994 with a group of parents of vision impaired children. I have worked with young people who are blind or partially

sighted for over four decades, first as a volunteer and later as Head of Music at Linden Lodge School in Wandsworth, then as Music Advisor and later as Director of Education at the Royal National Institute of Blind People. In my current role as Professor of Music at the University of Roehampton, I have researched and written on how vision impairment affects children’s developing musicality, using the findings to create many of the resources that Amber uses today. I continue to teach blind and partially sighted children and young people every week, and have long-standing relationships with many of them and their families. My most well-known student is Amber’s Patron Derek Paravicini, with whom I have worked since 1984, when he was just five years old.

My aspiration for the coming five years is that Amber should continue to grow steadily, building on the firm foundations that Julia and her predecessors, Gavin Tait and Roderic Hill, laid down, enabling us to reach up to 1,000 of the 25,000 vision impaired children in the UK every year through our direct services, and many more indirectly (through the resources we make freely available to teachers, for example). This will mean growing and diversifying our sources of voluntary income. I should like to see us engaging more actively with statutory providers, particularly local music services, as they evolve to meet their new obligations to inclusivity set out in the National Plan for Music Education in England, and in the comparable strategies that pertain to services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I should like to see our fine Trustee Board expand to reflect the diversity of our beneficiaries more faithfully, and our still relatively new CEO, Angela Voyajolu, and her staff grow in confidence to manage and run Amber with greater day-to-day independence from Trustees. The skills and dedication of all our team – paid staff and volunteers – and our wider network of stakeholders fill with me confidence that Amber will go from strength to strength in what seems to be an ever more challenging world.

Professor Adam Ockelford , Chair of Trustees

1

About Amber

The Amber Trust was founded in 1995 with the aim of providing blind and partially sighted children, including those with additional disabilities, the best possible chance to meet their musical needs and aspirations. Today, we seek to enhance the lives of as many of the 25,000 vision impaired children and young people in the UK as possible through music, and to promote high quality music provision for them all.

For some children, learning to play an instrument or to sing can add immeasurably to their lives. With the right encouragement, these children can develop their talents to remarkable ends, breaking down barriers, promoting social inclusion and helping them to fulfil their potential as individuals and musicians.

----- Start of picture text -----
Queen Medley anuual concert
----- End of picture text -----

What we do

The Amber Trust’s core activity is providing Music Awards for individual blind and partially sighted children and young people. The Awards can fund:

Amber knows that children with sight loss, including those with additional disabilities, are less likely than their sighted peers to receive music tuition. This is often due to discrimination brought about through people’s misunderstandings about disability. Moreover, as many blind children in the UK live in relative poverty, they can suffer a double disadvantage, since their families cannot afford to give them the musical experiences that can make such a difference to their lives.

Amber’s direct music services are now established across the UK, allowing us to reach more blind and partially sighted children and young people. ‘Little Amber’ is for families with a vision impaired child aged 0–5, ‘AmberPlus’ for those with complex needs aged 5–18 and ‘With Music in Mind’, for those with neurodegenerative conditions. Each scheme has two elements. The first is freely available resources that can be viewed online or downloaded and are open to all families and professionals in the UK and beyond. The second is the Little Amber, AmberPlus and With Music in Mind Music Awards Schemes, through which families receive musical resources and visits from specially trained music practitioners. Over the year, 166 children have been supported through these services.

Alongside these programmes, we are pleased to be working in partnership with other charities, and we continue to develop relationships with special schools for vision impaired children with complex needs, by providing music workshops.

The Amber Trust receives no statutory funding; we rely entirely on fundraising and the generosity of our donors. At a time when many public services are declining or have disappeared altogether, The Amber Trust has never been needed more.

In 2021/2022 we supported 610 blind and partially sighted children across the UK

2

3

Beneficiaries’ Stories

Ivan’s Story

Ivan, 16 years old, has been supported by The Amber Trust since the age of eleven. He began playing the piano at the age of eight and is an accomplished pianist and cellist. Previously at the Centre for Young Musicians (a division of the Guildhall School of Music), Ivan now studies music at the Junior Academy, Royal Academy of Music in London. He has received a DipABRSM in piano with Distinction, a Grade 8 Distinction in cello for the ABRSM exams and is currently preparing for the DipABRSM in cello as well. Ivan’s talents extend beyond music; he is the British No. 1 and the singles and doubles men’s Vision Impaired British tennis champion.

Ivan is an avid young musician, sharing his love of music with others through his performances. He has performed in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, St. John’s Church (Waterloo), St Paul’s School (Barnes) with The Amber Trust and at the Barbican as a member of the London Schools Symphony Orchestra. He has given yearly lunchtime solo recitals at St. Peter’s Church in St. Albans from 2020 to 2022. Ivan’s talents have also been recognised in several competitions. Most recently he was the winner in two classes at the Watford Festival of Music 2021, a finalist in Milton Keynes Young Musician of the Year Showcase 2021 as well as being shortlisted to perform at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe’s Junior Intercollegiate Competition. Other achievements include being invited to be mentored and perform with members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in their Junior Artists Overture Programme and becoming a member of the National Youth Orchestra’s Inspire programme.

The Amber Trust has been thrilled to see Ivan grow as a musician and are proud of all he has achieved; he is a role model and inspiration for children and young people with sight loss. In his own words, ‘since a young age, music has given me the opportunity to see and be seen in a different light in the world. It has put me on a level playing field in terms of being able to learn and to express myself without boundaries. My main aim is to a pursue a career in music as an orchestral musician and to bring the joy that music has brought me to others. My progress and my aspirations would never have been possible without the help and support of The Amber Trust and all those involved in it.’

Ruby's story

Ruby, 12 years old, spends hours listening to music and approaches the piano with joy, determination, and an enthusiasm for learning. As a result of achromatopsia, Ruby has no colour perception (seeing only in black and white), is highly sensitive to light and has no depth perception. However, Ruby’s strengths shine through in her musicality and her mother says that Ruby ‘has the most amazing ability to listen where she cannot see’.

Ruby has been the recipient of an Amber Music Award since 2020 after having thoroughly enjoyed her first introduction to piano lessons at school. Since then, Ruby’s love for the piano and for music has continued to grow. In her piano lessons Ruby is developing her technique as well as her creativity, playing pieces she has made up in addition to standard repertoire. She has had the opportunity to perform at school and her current goal is to work towards entering graded music exams, but in the long-term she dreams of pursuing a career in the performing arts.

As well as learning the piano, Ruby adores singing. She is part of a local theatre group where she has performed as part of the ensemble in Grease , played the main part in her school end of year play Alibaba and the Forty Thieves , and had the opportunity to sing a solo at her School Leavers’ Ceremony. She loves a variety of music but her current favourite performers to listen to are Ariana Grande and Alicia Keys. When asked about the place of music in her life, Ruby says, ‘I love where music takes me. I want to play piano forever, listen to music, and sing forever’.

Cleo’s story

Cleo, 6 years old, was born with septo-optic dysplasia, a rare condition which occurs in around 1 in 10,000 births, and as a result is blind with some light perception. Cleo has been drawn to music since she was a baby and at six years old already has an extensive range of music in her listening library. She can be heard singing songs by artists from Bob Marley to Whitney Houston and Bruno Mars, picking up melodies quickly. Cleo’s joy for singing is infectious, and her mum says that ‘her absolute passion is and has always been music ... she just makes everyone smile with her voice’.

Cleo had the opportunity to perform in a showcase through her teacher’s studio Born 2 Sing and was thrilled. Once a shy child for whom loud and busy surroundings elicited anxiety, she has found self-assurance through music. Her family observes, ‘Never in a million years would we have ever thought she would sing in front of a crowd. Her music seems to fill her with confidence and pride.’

Cleo received her first Amber Music Award in December 2021 and is thriving in her weekly singing lessons. The Amber Trust are thrilled to support Cleo’s early talent and love of music and cannot wait to see how her musical journey continues.

4

5

Amber’s Music Services

Amber’s direct services provide music for vision impaired children and their families throughout the UK. In 2021/2022 our Little Amber scheme reached 83 children in the early years and their families. Through AmberPlus we reached 69 blind and partially sighted children over the age of five, with additional complex needs, and their families. It has been heartening to see 13 children move on from Little Amber and AmberPlus to our Music Awards, as they begin music lessons. With Music in Mind became an established service over the year, reaching 14 children and young people with neurodegenerative conditions and their families. This does not include the additional 12 children on the With Music in Mind scheme who are in receipt of a Music Award.

We had wonderful success with online workshops, a format which has continued beyond the pandemic. Online group sessions were held with the charities Camsight, Vision Norfolk and Sense. In-person workshops were also held with community groups, schools and through our AmberPlus ‘Music Makers’ scheme. Overall, 178 children attended our workshops in 2021/2022.

Theo looks forward with great anticipation to the VI Music group sessions … he can be in the moment, he can connect and communicate with those around him with music and he absolutely loves it … All this helps him musically but also gives him the chance to build and develop social connections with the other young people which is a joy to see. He always comes out standing taller with a spring in his step and a big smile on his face. He invariably tells me on the way home “That was lovely!”

This year we reached 344 children and families through our direct music services.

Little Amber: Olivia’s Story

Little Amber sessions are designed to empower families to embed music into their child’s daily life during the critical period of early childhood development. While musical engagement is a vital form of play in its own right, through music, sessions also become a way for young blind and partially sighted children to develop their communication skills and to build positive relationships with those around them.

For three-year-old Olivia, who is blind due to optic nerve hypoplasia, Little Amber sessions provide an opportunity to connect and engage with her music practitioner Katy as they explore music together. Olivia’s mum said, ‘Katy is

fantastic! She has such a warm and understanding presence, but more importantly, she just knows how to communicate with Olivia on a level that is surpassing me!’

While Olivia has developed this new relationship with Katy, she, in turn, has helped the family to encourage and explore Olivia’s love of music together, finding new ways to bond. Katy, who has worked with Olivia for nearly two years, told us how much satisfaction she gets in supporting Olivia and her family.

‘Olivia’s mum is fantastic in what she is doing for and with Olivia. She is developing ideas, activities, and everything ... Olivia is musical and so interested and curious about music and sounds it is an absolute pleasure to work alongside them.’

These meaningful relationships that develop and deepen through music are a key testament to the impact the Little Amber scheme has on the children and families we support.

AmberPlus: Tyler’s story

Now 18 years old, Tyler has been on the AmberPlus scheme since 2019. Tyler, who is blind and has profound and multiple learning difficulties, has always enjoyed his sessions, but during the Covid-19 pandemic they became even more important. His mum explained, ‘Tyler's mental health was very delicate during and after lockdown. Amber music sessions were one of the very few highlights in a bleak time’. Tyler’s music practitioner, Steve, held sessions online via Zoom throughout that difficult time, but gradually, they were able to meet again in person.

AmberPlus sessions are aimed at engaging the whole family in music, providing ideas for musical activities to be incorporated between visits and creating avenues for communication. Sessions are tailored towards Tyler’s strengths and needs, allowing him to engage in a multisensory way by exploring a variety of instruments.

Steve describes Tyler’s response thus, ‘He listens intently to songs that we repeat over and over, then some minutes later will start humming snippets of the melody. He interacts with his mum and little sister, swapping sounds and leading their fingers to the sound source.’ Activities used within sessions are carried over into the family’s daily life.

Tyler 'lights up and comes alive during his music sessions. Amber is a lifeline and puts such a massive smile on Tyler's and his little sisters face, we are so grateful,’ said his mum. The impact of AmberPlus sessions on Tyler and on his family are at the heart of the scheme’s aim to reach blind and partially sighted children by also involving those closest to them, through music.

6

7

Initiatives and Collaborations

Points of Contact

In May 2021 the South-East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS) awarded funds for a new PhD project to be led by the School of Education at the University of Roehampton in partnership with The Amber Trust. The project is titled ‘Points of Contact: Researching new resources and strategies for teaching and

learning music notation in tactile form for blind children using the Sounds of Intent Framework of Musical Development’.

Commencing in the year 2022/2023, the research aims to improve the quality of music education in the UK (and beyond) for blind children and young people. It will do this by researching how music and sound may most effectively be represented in

tactile form at different stages in a child’s education and will generate and test resources and teaching strategies that are informed by the findings of this research.

Fundraising, Events and Other News

Relaxed Performance: Carols at the Hall – Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall generously provided The Amber Trust with 20 tickets in the Queen’s Box for blind and partially sighted children and their families to experience the Relaxed Performance of Carols at the Hall in December 2021. We were able to fund a further 19 tickets, so a total of 39 tickets were provided for 11 families to attend the magical event. We are indebted to the Royal Albert Hall for their kindness. The families were thrilled with this special opportunity.

Donations in memory

Our special thanks to those who donated in memory of Anva Luc, María Isabela Talavera de Véliz, Matthew Myatt, Olwyn Stocksley, Pamella Dow and Tom Nemeth.

Anva Luc

Amber’s Annual Concert and the Global Leader’s Program

The Amber Trust’s Annual Concert returned to The Wathen Hall at St Paul’s School in London on 26th September 2021. After moving the concert online in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was wonderful for young musicians supported by Amber to perform live once again. The concert was streamed for families, friends and supporters who were not able to be there in person. More than 100 people watched the inspiring event in person, while close to 2,000 viewed the recording.

The Amber Trust were thrilled to work with talented arts leaders who were among the 2021 cohort of The Global Leaders Program (GLP). Each year, a select cohort of sixty fellows take part in the GLP Executive Graduate Certificate in social entrepreneurship, organisation management, and education leadership. GLP Fellows Abigail Dance and Joanne Wicks created two specially arranged pieces for the Annual Concert, also working with blind and partially sighted young musicians during rehearsals and taking part in the special event. The incredible arrangements showcased individual children’s talents and included an ensemble performance of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ and a medley of Queen songs in the finale, performed by all musicians who took part in the event. We are grateful to them for sharing their talent, dedication and time and look forward to further collaborations with the Global Leaders Program in the future.

With many thanks to Karenne Mills, Tom Smith and St Paul’s School for making the event possible, to Parky TV for streaming the event and Caterlyst for their sponsorship of the live stream.

Anva was a well loved and respected local piano tuner and technician in Chichester, who is greatly missed by many people. He was blinded by a bomb in Vietnam at the age of eight, and when he was nineteen, came to the UK as a refugee, gaining a place to be trained as a piano tuner at The Royal National College of the Blind in Hereford. He inspired many people by his cheerful character and amazing capabilities, which went beyond music to include swimming, gardening, walking, house maintenance and so much more. He is survived by his wife Yuriko and his three children Imy, Maria and Kenji – all professional musicians. Anva’s family and friends raised nearly £2,000 in his memory in aid of The Amber Trust, for which we are so grateful.

Matthew Myatt

Beloved by many, Matthew Myatt pursued an incredible music career, before working for Microsoft. He took part in countless competitions, notching up at least 55 piano wins. His talents were not limited to piano, and he also played the clarinet in various bands, orchestras and ensembles. He performed in front of 30,000 people at Wembley Stadium and before Diana, Princess of Wales, adding the McDonald’s Child of Achievement Award as a solo clarinettist, to his vast and growing array of accolades. In 1994, at 17 years old Matthew gained national recognition as a finalist in the televised BBC’s ‘Young Musician of the Year’. We are indebted to family, friends and colleagues who raised £13,000 in his memory.

8

9

Community Events

As well as securing vital funds, community supporters are key to helping raise awareness of The Amber Trust’s vision, values and aims. Amber is thankful to all those in the community who organised events in aid of our charity throughout the year, together raising just over £37,000. We are delighted to share some of the highlights here.

The Captain Tom 100 Challenge – Do it Amber’s Way!

In May, as the country came back to life after lockdown our supporters joined thousands around the world in the Captain Tom 100 Challenge, Doing it Amber’s Way. Families and friends performed, played and practised music relating their efforts in some way to the number 100 and raised £4,890.

Thank you to everyone who took part, especially Dònal MacBradaigh and his family who raised over £1,500 and Poppy McGhee who, with her friends, practised for 100 hours and raised £900!

Thomas Dan Li – Christmas Fundraising Concert

Eton College music scholar Thomas Dan Li raised more than £2,200 for the charity through organising a Christmas concert at Morley College, Westminster on 21st December 2021. Pupils from Westminster School, St Paul’s School, North London Collegiate School and Wycombe Abbey School performed works by, among others, Chopin and Debussy and came together at the end with a festive medley of Christmas songs and music.

Marathon Runners

A trio of marathon runners raised more than £3,000 for Amber. Andy Shea, whose daughter Poppy is on the Little Amber scheme, and Chris Guy, both ran the Virtual London Marathon in October 2021 and Dan Hough completed the Berlin Marathon in September.

SkyDive

Hannah Morgan’s amazing sky dive in aid of The Amber Trust raised £900. Hannah plummeted 15,000ft – including a oneminute freefall – at the North London Skydiving Centre in Cambridgeshire in October.

Staff changes

This year has seen Amber establish a

small permanent administrative team, dedicated to carrying out the critical day-to-day work of the charity and its growing number of beneficiaries. After her role as Music Operations Manager, we welcomed Dr Angela Voyajolu as Interim CEO in July, with the post becoming permanent in October. Ying Lin, Finance Officer became a permanent member of the team in July and Elissa Turay, after five years of working for Amber on a contractual basis, joined Amber permanently as Music Awards Manager in September. Dr Hannah Marsden, Music Services Manager continues to ensure the smooth delivery of Amber’s direct music services.

10

11

Objectives and Achievements for the Year

Plans for the Future

12

13

Thank You

Volunteers contribute to Amber’s activities in many ways and their resourceful support has again been so valuable this year. We are grateful to Priscilla Asirifi for reviewing the year-end financial accounts and for her advice; to Gina and Alan Miller for providing the design and production of our Annual Report and other literature.

Many others donated or raised money for Amber organising music and other events and taking part in sporting activities including: Aparna Agarwal, Angie and Poppy McGhee, Alison and David Loch, Andy Shea, Anthony and Katherine Pinching, Brid Mhic Dhiarmada, Máire Nic Dhiarmada and Donal Mac Bradaigh, Caterina Grewe, Caterlyst, Chris Guy, Dan Hough, Dawnie Vernon and Breast Cancer Haven, Emily Tully, Hannah Morgan, Linda Fletcher, Maggie and Peter Chambers, Mary and Jane Phillips, Monika Walo, Richard Blausten, Ruth Akers, Sara Walker, Sum Yee Chan, Thomas Dan Li, Auchterarder and District Rotary, Barston Association, The Derek Paravicini Quartet, Derek Paravicini and Johnny Stirling, Fortnum & Mason, Haileybury School, KCL Fencing Club, North Staffs Accordion Club, Rotary Club of Taunton, Thoughtworks, The Yarn Market Hotel. With thanks to all those who supported Amber via Facebook birthday donations.

Grants from Trusts and Foundations are vital in enabling Amber to reach as many visually impaired children as possible. For their invaluable support this year, we thank:

Summar of Financial Activities y

Charitable Activities

During the year to 31 March 2022, the charity raised funds of £294,561 including funds raised for specific projects of £207,180 which have been designated as restricted funds. The charity also received investment income of £5,163.

The directors spent £300,939 on charitable activities and raising funds (with £190,264 pledged but not yet paid at the year-end) and £3,560 on the governance of the charity. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, discretion was given to extend the time for which Music Awards could be used, with these delayed activities being taken up again in 2021/2022. This resulted in expenditure nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels by 31 March 2022.

Investment performance

The investments held by the charity at 31 March 2022 increased in value by £15,409 compared to the start of the year. During the year, the charity sold investments realising a profit on sale of £3,527. The market value of investments at the year-end of £308,983 represents an increase in value of £122,805 when compared to the book cost of £186,178. At 31 March 2022 the charity also held cash with the charity’s bankers and stockbrokers of £382,990 with sales proceeds and investment income due to be received shortly after the year end of £1,798.

Internal and external factors

In common with many charities, Amber continues to be affected by uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. There are no other significant internal or external factors currently affecting the charity.

We also thank those who have given generously but prefer no public acknowledgement

Investment and Reserves Policy

The charity is reliant on income from friends of Amber, Charitable Trusts and its fundraising activities. This income is difficult to predict so it is the policy of the directors to maintain a general reserve sufficient to cover the cost of between 18 months’ and two years’ charitable expenditure to ensure the charity can meet its commitments to its beneficiaries even if there is a dramatic fall in the charity’s income. The directors have no plans to build up any permanent endowment. At 31 March 2022 the charity held £119,827 in restricted funds, and £49,779 in designated funds, to be used for specific projects (see note 11 of the Financial Statements). The remaining funds are available for distribution and expenses necessarily incurred in furtherance of the charity’s objectives.

Principal funding sources

The charity’s funds are derived from its fundraising activities and investment income.

14

15

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Instrument

The Amber Trust was established by a Trust Deed dated 9 June 1994 and was incorporated as a private limited company registered with Companies House on 25 October 1995. The Trust’s Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended by special resolution on 5 December 2017 to bring the Trust's governing documents in line with current company and charity law and good practice.

Public Benefit Statement

The directors consider that the charity’s activities, as set out in its Objectives and Achievements for the Year are for the public benefit. The directors confirm that they have complied with their duty under s17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Related parties

Recruitment and Appointment of New Directors

The power to appoint new directors of the charitable company is vested in the directors who are its trustees for the purpose of charity law. Under the requirements of the Articles of Association, one third of the directors are required to retire from office each year and are eligible for reappointment. Angelica Bomford, Elizabeth Renshaw-Ames and Julia Walport will retire this year by rotation. Angelica Bomford, being eligible, offers herself for re-appointment. Julia Walport stood down as chair of The Amber Trust on 31st March 2022 and will retire this year and not seek re-appointment. Elizabeth Renshaw-Ames will also not seek re-appointment. Adam Ockelford was appointed Chair with effect from 1st April 2022. In looking for new directors, the directors will bear in mind the experience and qualifications of the existing directors and possible candidates. The successful candidates are appointed by a meeting of the existing directors.

Induction and Training of New Directors

The directors share responsibility for the induction and training of all new directors of the charity. New directors will be provided with copies of:

• The Articles of Association • The latest accounts of the charity • The Trustees Handbook

New directors are asked to read and familiarise themselves with Charity Commission guidance notes CC3 – The Essential Trustee. In addition, directors are encouraged to read Charity Commission and other newsletters and to attend courses designed to keep them abreast of their duties and responsibilities.

Organisational Structure

The directors of the charitable company are the same as its company law members. The directors manage the charity generally and together with the Chief Executive Officer, ensure that the charity delivers its aims and objectives and take responsibility for the charity’s performance and strategy. Day to day activities are the responsibility of the Chief Executive who reports to the trustees. Angela Voyajolu was appointed Chief Executive on 20th October 2021. Stephen Hough is Company Secretary and Adam Ockelford, Chair from 1st April 2022.

Wider Network

The charity is not part of a wider network.

The charity works closely with the Applied Music Research Centre at the University of Roehampton to fund specific projects. Adam Ockelford, a director of The Amber Trust is Professor of Music and Director of the Applied Music Research Centre. Professor Ockelford received no personal benefit from the grants. The charity has no subsidiaries.

Professor Ockelford and Simon Vincent are trustees of the charity Sounds of Intent, which promotes the music education of young people with a focus on learning difficulties. Professor Ockelford is a trustee of Live Music Now, a UK-wide charity offering music for social benefit, and a trustee of SEMPRE, an organisation that encourages music education and music psychology research.

Risk Management

The directors have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. At each directors' meeting the significant risks of the charity are discussed including a report on any Safeguarding issues presented by the charity's Designated Safeguarding Lead. Where appropriate, risks are reported on and discussed in subsequent meetings. The directors have reviewed the risks to which the charity is exposed and consider that they have established sufficient systems and procedures to mitigate those risks.

Amber’s President

Amber's President, HRH The former Duchess of Cornwall, continues to be a great support to Amber, and her involvement is invaluable in ensuring that Amber's important work with blind and partially sighted children maintains a high profile.

Directors

The following directors held office during the year:

Julia Walport (Chair until 31 March 2022) Stephen Hough Simon Vincent Angelica Bomford Adam Ockelford Will Walker-Arnott Fiona Costa Elizabeth Renshaw-Ames

The directors who held office at the end of the financial period have no beneficial interest in the Company. All new directors are elected on the collective agreement of its present directors.

16

17

Financial Statements

Independent Examiner

The accountants, Messrs Burgess Hodgson, have indicated their willingness to continue in office and a resolution concerning their appointment will be proposed in due course at the appropriate juncture.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small entities.

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in Respect of the Accounts

Company law requires the directors to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the surplus or deficit of the company for that period. In preparing those accounts the directors are required to:

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

Inde endent Examiner's Re ort p p

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Amber Trust Charitable Company

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022, which comprise the statement of financial activities, statement of financial position and the related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees (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

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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

APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AND SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Professor Adam Ockelford Chair

4 October 2022

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Colin Reid, Independent Examiner

Burgess Hodgson LLP, Chartered Accountants, Camburgh House, 27 New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3DN

18

19

The Amber Trust – Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2022 including income and expenditure account

Notes 31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Incoming resources:
Donations 3 49,895 207,180 257,075 376,673
Income from fundraising events 3 37,486 - 37,486 17,834
Investments 5,163 - 5,163 5,370
Total incoming resources 92,544 207,180 299,724 399,877
Resources expended:
Charitable activities 4a) 57,305 182,708 240,013 211,728
Raising funds 4a) 60,925 - 60,925 48,870
Governance costs 4b) 3,560 - 3,560 6,075
Total resources expended 121,791 182,708 304,499 266,673
Net incoming/(outgoing)
resources for the year		 (29,247) 24,472 (4,775) 133,204
Other recognised gains/(losses)
Gains/(losses) on investment assets 6 13,462 - 13,462 67,491
Net movement in funds (15,785) 24,472 8,687 200,695
Funds brought forward at 1 April 399,465 95,355 494,820 494,820
Funds carried forward at
31 March		 383,680 119,827 503,507 494,820

The Amber Trust – Balance sheet as at 31 March 2022

Notes 31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Current assets:
Debtors 7 1,798 1,379
Investments 308,983 293,574
Cash at bank and in hand 382,990 395,468
693,771 690,421
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 (190,264) (195,601)
Net current assets 503,507 494,820
The funds of the charity:
Unrestricted - undesignated funds 11 333,901 339,814
Unrestricted - designated funds 11 49,779 59,651
383,680 399,465
Restricted funds 11 119,827 95,355
Total charity funds 503,507 494,820

All of the company’s activities are classed as continuing and there are no other recognised gains and losses other than the net movement of funds for the financial periods presented.

20

21

The Amber Trust – Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022

The trustees are satisfied that the charity is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 447, and no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

1. Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 1A for smaller entities and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

2. Accounting policies

a) Income

Donations are recognised as income when received. If paid under covenant or gift aid, the related tax recoverable is recognised when the original donation is received.

Other income is recognised when received.

b) Expenditure

These statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 1A for smaller entities.

These accounts were approved by the board of directors on 4 October 2022.

Signed on behalf of the board

Professor Adam Ockelford

Chair

4 October 2022

Charitable activities are those activities undertaken to achieve the charity’s objectives. Expenditure on charitable activities is recognised when the Charity’s Music Awards Committee has agreed a grant to a beneficiary or when payment is due.

Expenditure on raising funds comprises costs incurred in generating voluntary income, including fundraising events.

Governance costs are incurred on constitutional and statutory requirements.

Support costs have been allocated to charitable activities and fundraising activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

c) Funds

The charity’s funds have been classified as unrestricted and restricted. Unrestricted funds may be used at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the charity’s objectives and aims. Where the trustees have set aside a part of the unrestricted fund to be used for specific projects, this fund is described as ‘designated’. Restricted funds may only be used in accordance with the donor’s wishes.

d) Investment valuation

Investments are valued at their 31 March 2022 market values.

e) Taxation

No provision has been made for either income tax or corporation tax, the company being exempt as a registered charity. The Amber Trust is not registered for Value Added Tax.

22

23

The Amber Trust – Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022 continued

3. Incoming resources

The Amber Trust – Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022 continued

4. Resources expended

a) Analysis of total resources expended

31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Donations:
From Trusts and Foundations 35,180 207,180 242,360 277,014
From individual donors 9,927 - 9,927 12,262
Legacies 1,500 - 1,500 83,297
Gift Aid recovery 3,287 - 3,287 4,100
49,895 207,180 257,075 376,673
Income from fundraising events:
Major fundraising event 15,835 - 15,835 8,845
Community fundraising 21,651 - 21,651 8,989
37,486 - 37,486 17,834
Investments 5,163 - 5,163 5,370
92,544 207,180 299,724 399,877
31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Direct activity Support costs Total Total
Charitable activities:
Expenditure on programmes:
Music Award 146,054 16,069 162,123 100,243
Little Amber 10,740 12,339 23,079 19,838
AmberPlus 12,837 13,370 26,208 25,533
Music Makers 3,533 3,157 6,690 20,454
With Music in Mind 12,639 6,266 18,904 21,265
185,804 51,201 237,004 187,333
Investment fees 2,670 - 2,670 2,216
Development of resources 339 - 339 22,179
188,812 51,201 240,013 211,728
Cost of raising funds:
Fundraising and events 16,384 44,542 60,925 48,870
Governance - 3,560 3,560 6,075
Total resources expended 205,196 99,303 304,499 266,673
4.b) Analysis of total support costs
31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Charitable
activities		 Cost of
raising funds		 Governance Total Total
Music programmes administration 51,201 - - 51,201 43,880
Ofce costs - 42,368 - 42,368 42,899
Travel and subsistence - 199 - 199 -
Website + systems development - 1,974 - 1,974 4,254
Bank charges - - 54 54 5,295
HR/accountant fees - - 3,506 3,506 780
51,201 44,542 3,506 99,303 97,108

24

25

The Amber Trust – Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022 continued

The Amber Trust – Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022 continued

c) Wages and Salaries

Total support costs include the following amounts in respect of staff costs:

31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Wages and salaries 84,418 56,637
Social security costs 2,513 1,045
Pension costs 2,529 1,655
89,460 59,337

Average headcount during the year was 4 (2021 2).

8. Creditors – amounts falling due within one year

31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Grants approved but unpaid at end of year 190,264 190,601
Other creditors 190,264 5,000
190,264 195,601

9. Capital

The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. Each member has a liability limited to £1 for payment of the company’s debts if the company is wound up or dissolved.

5. Directors’ fees and expenses

No remuneration, benefits or expenses were paid to the Directors during the year.

6. Realised and unrealised investment gains and losses

a) Realised gains and losses

31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Proft/(loss) on sale of investments 3,527 12,857

b) Unrealised gains and losses

31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Value of investments at beginning of year 293,574 220,573
Less: value of investments sold (2,320) (15,513)
Add: cost of investments purchased 7,794 33,880
Adjusted value at beginning of year 299,048 238,940
Market value of investments at end of year 308,983 293,574
Unrealised gain/(loss) 9,935 54,634

7. Debtors

31.03.22
£		 31.03.21
£
Investment income 1,789 1,379

10. Related party transactions

Adam Ockelford, a director of The Amber Trust, is Professor of Music and Director of the Applied Music Research Centre at the University of Roehampton. The University has undertaken research and development projects for The Amber Trust, payments for which are negotiated and approved by other Trustees of the Trust. Professor Ockelford receives no personal benefit from these payments.

Simon Vincent, Trustee of The Amber Trust, was Chair of the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People when their award was made to The Amber Trust in 2020. However, Mr Vincent was not involved in the grant discussion and decision when the award was made.

There have been no other related party transactions in the year.

11. Funds

An analysis of the company’s assets at 31 March 2022 by fund is provided in the table below:

Restricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Total
£ Undesignated Designated
Current assets 205,017 433,475 55,279 693,771
Creditors amounts falling due
within one year		 (85,190) (99,574) (5,500) (190,264)
Net assets 119,827 333,901 49,779 503,507

26

27

The Amber Trust – Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022 continued

Movements on restricted and unrestricted designated funds during the year ended 31 March 2022 are analysed in the table below:

£ At 1 April 2021 Income Expenditure At 31 March 2022
Restricted funds source
MariaMarina Foundation 7,019 50,000 (53,135) 3,884
The GC Gibson Charitable Trust 5,201 - (2,374) 2,827
Sisters of the HolyCross Charitable Trust 1,168 - (1,168) 0
The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust 45,235 100,000 (62,370) 82,865
Global's Make Some Noise 20,268 - (20,268) 0
Vision Foundation - 6,780 (6,780) 0
Societyof the HolyChild Jesus CIO 5,497 25,000 (21,657) 8,840
The de Laszlo Foundation - 2,400 (2,076) 324
The LinburyTrust 10,967 23,000 (12,880) 21,087
95,355 207,180 (182,708) 119,827
Designated funds source
Wathan Hall concert designated funds 651 - (651) 0
DM Thomas Foundation for Young
People		 9,000 - (2,702) 6,298
The Carmen Butler-Charters Charitable
Trust		 50,000 - (6,519) 43,481
Thomas J Horne Memorial Trust - 5,500 (5,500) 0
59,651 5,500 (15,372) 49,779

Le al and Administrative Information g

HRH The former Duchess of Cornwall

President

Roderic Hill, Jools Holland OBE, James Lisney, Derek Paravicini, Nic Paravicini DL, Lady Eleanor Shearing, Gavin Tait

Patrons

Julia Walport (Chair), Angelica Bomford, Fiona Costa, Stephen Hough, Adam Ockelford, Elizabeth Renshaw-Ames, Simon Vincent, Will Walker-Arnott

Directors and Trustees

Email

contact@ambertrust.org

Website

www.ambertrust.org

Registered Address

64a Princes Way, London, SW19 6JF

Charity Registration Number

1050503

Company Registration Number 03117803

Company limited by guarantee

Status

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4TA

Independent Examiner

Burgess Hodgson Chartered Accountants, 27 New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3DN

Solicitors

Bates Wells, 10 Queen Street Place, London, EC4R 1BE

Investment Advisers

Rathbone Investment Management Ltd, Fiennes House, 32 Southgate Street, Winchester, SO23 9EH

12. Controlling party

Designed and produced by Nick Roberts

The directors are the ultimate controlling party.

29

The Amber Trust Music for Blind Children

The Amber Trust

64a Princes Way, London SW19 6JF Registered Charity No: 1050503 • Company No: 03117803

@theambertrust the-amber-trust theambertrust theambertrust

www.ambertrust.org contact@ambertrust.org facebook.com/theambertrust ;