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2023-12-31-accounts

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation

Year Ended: 31 December 2023

Registered Charity Numbers: England and Wales (1148302) and Scotland (SCO45217) Registered Company Number: 08089745 (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

CONTENTS

**1. ** CHARITABLE COMPANY INFORMATION 2
**2. ** TRUSTEES’ REPORT 3
2a REPORT OF Chair of Trustees 3
2b Statement of Trustees Responsibilities 9
**3. ** INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 11
**4. ** STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 16
**5. ** STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 17
**6. ** STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 18
**7. ** NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 19

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Charitable Company Information

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 08089745

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBERS

England and Wales: 1148302 Scotland: SCO45217

REGISTERED OFFICE

Queen Elizabeth House, 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London, EC3R 8AD

PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS

Auditor:

Moore Kingston Smith 9 Appold Street London, EC2A 2AP

Solicitors:

Bates Wells & Braithwaite LLP 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1BE

Bankers:

Coutts & Co 440 The Strand London WC2R 0QS

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The Military Wives Choirs Foundation

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

CONSTITUTION

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation (‘the MWCF’) was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 30 May 2012, and it is governed by its memorandum and articles. The Foundation was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in England and Wales on 25 July 2012 and as a charity with the Office of the Scottish Regulator on 5 November 2014.

TRUSTEES

The Trustees, who are also the Foundation’s Directors, are:

J Cetti (resigned 13 January 2024) J Green (resigned 5 October 2023) B Johnson (resigned 31 March 2023) B Morgan M Pedder (resigned 6 July 2023) C Rowcliffe (resigned 24 January 2024) E Phillips (appointed 14 January 2023) A Cox (appointed 14 January 2023) S Deans (appointed 14 January 2023) A Blount (appointed 14 January 2023, resigned 3 April 2024) A Peck C Paxton C Hallatt (appointed 2 February 2024) S Lord (appointed 2 February 2024) A Peace Gadsby (appointed 2 February 2024) J Weatherall (appointed 2 February 2024)

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1. Report of the Chair of Trustees

Introduction

2023 has been the start of a transformation journey for the Military Wives Choirs as we became an independent charity. Our purpose remains to connect women impacted by their military connection and create a support network through the power of singing. The mission, Sing, Share, Support, remains at the heart of everything we do. Our core offer to beneficiaries remains the opportunity to join a local choir and make music every week, to perform nationally as part of ‘once in a lifetime opportunities’ that come to us as the performing artist ‘The Military Wives Choirs’ and to be mentored in a variety of roles within the network that help brush up or develop skills that enhance employability. We remain musically inclusive with no auditions to join a choir.

2023 was a year of both opportunity and challenges as we developed and launched our new strategy to support our evolution as an independent charity, while continuing to build the number of women in our network and the volume of performances post-COVID and cope with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on funding.

Strategic Development

We launched our new MWC strategy in December 2023 which articulates our direction and goals over the next 3-5 years. At the core of our strategy are three strategic goals:

Wellbeing – using the power of singing to reduce social isolation and improve the physical and mental wellbeing of all beneficiaries in our network by ensuring our musical strategy provides an inclusive and enriching experience. Delivering and participating in a variety of projects and opportunities designed to raise the profile of the charity, generate income, and provide ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences for beneficiaries to increase wellbeing and self-confidence.

Sustainability – securing the longer-term future of MWC by building a reliable funding pipeline, maintaining robust cost control, and strengthening the choir network. We are committed to maintaining and strengthening our relationship with SSAFA while looking to cultivate enduring relationships with a range of other corporate and charitable organisations and high-net-worth individuals to provide funding to cover our annual costs, replenish reserves and fund key projects.

Growth - growing our network to bring the benefits of singing to a wider audience within the population of women impacted by their military connection. Over the next three years MWC aims to grow the size of existing choirs by 25% to enhance their reach and sound and ensure their longer-term sustainability. There will be a focus on increasing our inclusion, diversity, and accessibility by reaching a broader demographic across the military community in terms of age, ethnicity and physical or mental ability, with a particular focus on serving and younger women and women in a variety of ethnic communities that are currently under-represented in our network.

Achievements and Performances

Throughout the year we have continued to offer our beneficiaries the opportunity to participate in both their local weekly music-making and performances and a range of performance and development opportunities with colleagues across the network. Key achievements and activities this year include:

  1. Growing the network by just under 250 members

  2. Engaging approximately 335 members of our network in nine national performances including the Royal British Legion Poppy Days in London and Manchester, the King’s Coronation Commonwealth Choir, Raising the Flag on Armed Forces Day at the Houses of

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Parliament, the HR Livery Company Gala in the City of London, and an event for veterans at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. This is in addition to the many performances organised locally by our choirs. Wellbeing measurement before and after these events demonstrates a 5% uplift in wellbeing and a 10% uplift in feeling relaxed, one of the 7 key markers in the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale.

  1. We have continued to maintain and update the repertoire in our music library, the common resource available to all our choirs ensuring all members find familiar songs in ever choir they join.

  2. Launching our AFCFT funded Research ‘Open Arms’ which evidenced the value our beneficiaries perceive in our role in fostering social connections, increasing empowerment, and improving emotional and physical health. It also provided valuable insight into the barriers to involvement and the need to widen access which will inform future choir recruitment.

Network Development

Our network of 68 choirs spreads across the globe. The majority of our choirs are based in the UK, however we also have choirs in the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Belgium, Canada and Gibraltar. We added 2 choirs to the network in Abingdon and St Mawgan. While we add new choirs where there is local demand and need, our focus is on building and strengthening existing choirs to ensure every week we have sufficient singers to cover the standard 3 parts in the arrangements in our repertoire and provide a rich singing experience.

Each of our choirs has a professional Musical Director who structures the weekly music-making experience. The quality of our Musical Directors is assured by our Artistic Planning and Development Manager, our Music Trustees and our Artistic Director. This year we had a 13% turnover in our MDs and recruited 11 new MDs.

In addition to an MD, each choir has a volunteer Committee with a variety of roles depending on the size of the choir but including as a minimum a Choir Lead, Treasurer, PR and Social Media and Social Secretary. We have provided mentoring and virtual training reaching 218 members of the network in committee roles to ensure good governance and consistent running of the choirs. Additionally, this upskilling increases confidence and can help those who want a gateway to employment. Attendees reported a 23% increase in their understanding of their role, a 19% increase in their confidence in their role and overall satisfaction with training as 92%. We have also provided support in managing challenging situations by providing mediation and training, helping to make choir an inclusive, safe and open space for all.

We have held quarterly virtual Volunteer Forums for all of our Committee members. These sessions are an important two-way communication opportunity, providing updates on our strategy and focusing on building understanding of key policies and driving compliance across the network. In addition, we run twice yearly virtual meetings with our entire network, enabling us to reach all beneficiaries and share how we are developing and evolving the charity and the opportunities available to them.

Charity Development

A second year of significant level of grant funding being secured has ensured this small charity with a national and international reach has the structure and governance appropriate for future operation.

With sub committees now an established structure for board operations, key strategic areas are clearly defined as Wellbeing and Development, Finance and Fundraising, Musical Development and Governance. Each Committee meets 4 times a year to ensure operations and initiatives are aligned

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with our strategy and budget and are compliant with all relevant regulation, recommending key topics for full Board approval as appropriate.

We are grateful to SSAFA for their continued operational support in some key areas and the ongoing development of this valuable partnership continues. SSAFA continue to provide accounting support, allocating income and expenditure, processing invoices and producing monthly management accounts. SSAFA also manages merchandising for MWC and we continue to use

Structure, Governance, and Management

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation in 2022 was a subsidiary charity of The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA). SSAFA was the sole legal member of the Military Wives Choirs Foundation until December 31[st] , 2022, when it resigned at which point the Trustees became the members.

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation has its own Board of Trustees and is considered an independent charity for the purposes of charity law.

Trustees

During 2023, the eleventh full year of operation for the Military Wives Choirs Foundation, the Board met 6 times. The trustees are listed on page 2. As per our governing document, the Board comprises at least three trustees, but not more than 12. A trustee can be appointed for a term of up to three years. A retiring trustee may be re-appointed for a further term of up to three years. Once a trustee has served two terms consecutively, he/she may only stand for re-election so long as they have taken a break of at least one year from membership of the Board of Trustees following their consecutive term.

Each member guarantees to pay £1 in the event of the winding up of the Military Wives Choirs Foundation.

The Board undertake an annual skills audit to review the skills and performance of the Board and to identify skills gaps and emerging skill needs. All new Trustees undertaken a full induction programme which aims to familiarise them with the charity and their responsibilities as a Trustee. Trustees already in post are encouraged to attend virtual training sessions and undertake CPD.

Military Wives Choirs Foundation Structure

During 2023 we reviewed our staff structure to better reflect our strategic aims and reduced the paid staff team from 7 posts to 4. The Choirs Support Team now comprises of three posts, Welfare and Development Manager, Fundraising Manager and Artistic Planning and Development Manager, all of whom report to the Chief Executive.

Choir Governance

Each choir committee in our network elected annually from the choir members, each of whom are appointed by nomination and a choir vote at each choir’s Annual General Meeting. Each choir appoints, as a minimum, a Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Each choir member signs our charter when they join binding them to our code of conduct and the rules and procedures of the charity.

Every choir maintains its own bank account, but all choirs are wholly part of the Military Wives Choirs Foundation and submit their annual accounts for scrutiny at the end of each financial year.

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Financial Review

A summary of the results for the Military Wives Choirs Foundation for the year is given on page 14 of the financial statements. 2023 was a year that saw the total surplus of funds increase from £75,613 to £137,857. Unrestricted trading in the year had a surplus of £26,510, and overall unrestricted reserves at the end of 2023 increased to £68,502.

It is with grateful thanks that we acknowledge the support of our key funders;

Adrian Swire Charitable Trust SSAFA Scottish Veterans Fund The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust The Army Benevolent Fund The Army Central Fund The Veterans’ Foundation

Reserves Policy

The trustees have agreed a policy of maintaining free reserves to ensure operational expenditure of three to six months is covered. This target is met in the centre, with the regional choir network raising sufficient finds through performances and subscriptions.

Risk Management

The trustees have considered the key risks affecting the Military Wives Choirs Foundation and will continue to record these in a risk register that is reviewed by both the Governance Committee and the main board to ensure relevance and appropriate mitigating responses. The financial viability of the Foundation has been addressed through cost-cutting and agreement with the organisation’s Social Investor SSAFA.

Public Benefit

The trustees are confident that they comply with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Going Concern

SSAFA has loaned £262,444 in the Foundation as a social investment furthering its charitable objects of providing welfare to current and former members of the British Armed Forces and their families. SSAFA has signed a letter of support and undertaken not to demand repayment of its investment until such time as the charity is able to repay it without compromising its ability to continue to trade and to meet its liabilities as they fall due. Furthermore, SSAFA has undertaken to make a social investment of £124,000 over the course of 2024 to enable it to meet its liabilities on the understanding that MWC makes a payback of 1% on unrestricted funds at 31st December 2024 with interest on 0.005% of that to be added. The Trustees have prepared budgets and forecasts for the 12 months following the approval of these financial statements and believe the Foundation will have sufficient resources to operate for the foreseeable future.

On this basis the Trustees consider that the Foundation is a going concern. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Small Company Exemption

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and the Directors have also taken advantage of the small company exemption not to prepare a Strategic Report.

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Auditor

In accordance with Section 485 (4) of Companies Act 2006 a resolution to reappoint Moore Kingston Smith LLP will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

The Trustees (who are also directors of The Military Wives Choirs Foundation for the purposes of company law) are res statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. 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 the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the cha

time the financial position of the 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 confirm that:

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 25 June 2024

Trustee Trustee

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Military Wives Choirs Foundation (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs(UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION (continued)

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ annual report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the Charities Act 2011 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on pages 9-10, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION (continued)

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under Section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Companies Act 2006 and Section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report to you in accordance with regulations made under those Acts.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION (continued)

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charitable company.

Our approach was as follows:

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THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION (continued)

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

Use of our report

Chapter 3 of Part 16 accordance with Section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, and in respect of the consolidated financial statements, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party other than the charitable company, the charitable report, or for the opinion we have formed.

Adam Fullerton (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statutory Auditor

9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP

Date: 16 July 2024

Moore Kingston Smith LLP is eligible to act as auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

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THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Fund Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Voluntary income:
5 103,274
-		 103,274 140,954
Donations and contributions 5 130,766
126,028		 256,794
313,048
Grants receivable ------------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Total voluntary income 234,040 126,028 360,068 454,002
Income from charitable activities:
Subscriptions 216,824 - 216,824 186,380
Performancerelated income 74,919 - 74,919 54,912
Other charitable income
Royalty income		 1,299
9,963		 - 1,299
9,963		 199
-
Total income from charitable activities --------
303,005		 - --------
303,005		 --------
241,491
------------- ------------ ----------- -----------
Total income 537,045 126,028 663,073 695,493
------------- ------------ ----------- -----------
EXPENDITURE
Costs of raising funds
Fundraising and promotion 11,803 13,605 25,408 34,642
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Charitable activities
Choir welfare, support and development 6 498,732 76,689 575,421 813,286
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Total charitable activities 498,732 76,689 575,421 813,286
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Total expenditure 510,535 90,294 600,829 847,928
------------- ------------- --------- -------------
Net income/(expenditure) 26,510 35,734 62,244 (152,435)
------------- ------------ ----------- -----------
Total funds brought forward at 1 January 41,992 33,621 75,613 228,048
Total funds carried forward at 31 December
13		 68,502 69,355 137,857 75,613
------------- ------------- ----------- -----------

All amounts relate to continuing activities. The company has no gains or losses other than the result for the year. The accompanying accounting policies and notes on pages 17 to 23 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Registered Company Number 08089745 AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes 2023 2022
£ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets
CURRENT ASSETS		 10 1,000 1,200
Debtors 11 16,692 17,819
Cash at Bank and in Hand 398,833 327,888
415,525 345,707
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 12 (278,668) (271,294)
Net current assets 136,857 74,413
Total assets less current liabilities 137,857 75,613
137,857
NET ASSETS 75,613
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY:
Unrestricted income funds
Restricted income funds		 13
13		 68,502
69,355		 41,992
33,621
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 137,857 75,613

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with section 44 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to the members of the company.

The notes on pages 17 to 23 form part of these accounts.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 25 June 2024 and signed on 25 June 2024 by:

A Cox Trustee

Trustee

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MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Registered Company Number 08089745 AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit/(loss) for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase /(decrease) in creditors
Net cash from operating activities
Cash at beginning of year
Cash at end of year
There is no net debt.		 Notes 2023
£
62,244
200
1,127
7,374
70,945
327,888
398,833		 2022
£
(152,435)
200
(16,210)
(8,891)
(177,336)
505,224
327,888

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THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 COMPANY INFORMATION

The company was incorporated on 30 May 2012 as a company limited by guarantee.

The key objective of the MWCF is to relieve the need, suffering and distress of members and former members of the armed forces, their partners, spouses and other family members, principally through the formation, support and development of choirs (predominantly military wives choirs). We are first and foremost a welfare organisation.

2 BASIS OF PREPARATION

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 – 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' ('FRS 102'), the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and with the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis.

The company was controlled by its ultimate parent undertaking, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help, a charity incorporated under Royal Charter, until it resigned its sole membership at 31[st] December 2022 with all then serving trustees being appointed members of the MWCF under paragraph 12.5 of its Articles of Association.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are presented in Sterling (£).

Going Concern

The MWCF became an independent charity on 31 December 2022 when its previous parent charity, SSAFA, resigned its sole membership of the MWCF. SSAFA has invested £262,444 in the Foundation as a social investment furthering its charitable objects of providing welfare to current and former members of the British Armed Forces and their families.

Furthermore, SSAFA has undertaken to grant the charity up to £124,000 over the course of 2024 to enable it to meet its liabilities. The Trustees have prepared budgets and forecasts for the following 12 months and believe the Foundation will have sufficient resources to operate for the foreseeable future. SSAFA has signed a letter of support and has undertaken not to demand repayment of its investment until at least twelve months from the approval of these financial statements.

On this basis the Trustees consider that the Foundation is a going concern. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

3 SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make significant judgements and estimates. Income includes voluntary donations from performances and the Charity recognises these in the period in which the event occurs even if the amounts are not paid until the following year.

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THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

4 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are as follows:

4.1 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost and depreciated in equal instalments from the year of purchase. Music equipment is depreciated over 5 years except for pianos which are depreciated over 10 years. Additions valued at less than £2,000 are written off in the year of purchase.

4.2 Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the MWCF is legally entitled to the income, there is probability of receipt and it can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants receivable are recognised when the foundation has an entitlement to the funds, the amounts can be quantified reliably, and it is probable that the income will be received. Voluntary subscriptions from members are recognised when paid.

Government grants relating to revenue are recognised in income on a systematic basis over the periods in which the entity recognises the associated costs for which the grant is intended to compensate.

4.3 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised in the year in which it is incurred and includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenditure is recognised when the MWCF has entered into a legal or constructive obligation. Support costs are those functions which assist the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. These include back office costs, finance, costs incurred by the Choirs and governance costs.

4.4 Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment.

4.5 Creditors

Short term trade creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

4.6 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are those freely available for use in pursuance of the MWCF’s general objects of the charity.

Restricted funds are funds to be used only for the purposes specified by the donor.

4.7 Gift Aid

The Company has adopted a policy of recognising donations from fellow group undertakings when received.

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THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

4.8 Pension costs

The Company operates a defined contribution scheme. Contributions to the Company’s pension scheme are charged to profit and loss in the period to which they relate.

5 DONATIONS AND GRANTS

Donations and contributions
Donation from fellow subsidiary
Donations collected by Choirs
Other donations
All donations and contributions in both years are unrestricted.
Grants receivable
Restricted grants
Unrestricted grants		 2023
£
-
73,702
29,572		 2022
£
10,294
115,991
14,669
103,274 140,954
126,028
130,766		 223,048
90,000
256,794 313,048

.

6 CHARITY WELFARE, SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT

Supporting choirs with their development
Fees – Directors, Artists and Music
Other music and performance costs
Website development, IT and hosting costs
Recruitment
Salaries (recharged – Note 9)
Travel, meeting costs and other expenses
Legal and professional fees
Depreciation and loss on disposals
Support costs
Governance costs (see Note 7)		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
2023
2022
£
£
31,100
14,481
45,581
154,480
180,032
-
180,032
164,025
97,629
3,786
101,415
137,109
10,467
-
10,467
28,567
567
-
567
-
150,733
57,580
208,313
287,133
4,705
386
5,091
13,100
2,397
200
-
2,397
200
11,383
200
10,842
10,060
403
53
11,245
10,113
6,169
11,120
498,732
76,689
575,421
813,286

19

THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

7 GOVERNANCE COSTS

Audit fees
Trustees’ expenses
Other		 2023
£
9,372
544
197
10,113		 2022
£
9,636
1,484
-
11,120

Trustee expenses relate to reimbursement and costs in respect of attendance of Trustees’ meetings for 3 Trustees during the year (2022: 3 Trustees).

8 NET EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR

Net expenditure for the year is after charging:

Audit fees
Depreciation		 2023
£
9,372
200		 2022
£
9,636
200

9 STAFF COSTS AND TRUSTEES REMUNERATION

None of the trustees received any emoluments in respect of services to the MWCF.

Wages and salaries
National Insurance Employers
Pension costs
Staff numbers		 2023
2022
£
£
180,397
16,839
11,077
254,480
17,056
15,597
208,313
287,133
4
7

There were no higher-paid staff in either 2023 or 2022 receiving emoluments of £60,000 per annum or more.

20

THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

10 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost
Brought forward at 1 January 2023
Carried forward at 31 December 2023
Depreciation
Brought forward at 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
Carried forward at 31 December 2023
Net Book Value at 31 December 2023
Net Book Value at 31 December 2022
11 DEBTORS
Other debtors
12 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Amounts due to social investor
Tax and social security
Accruals and deferred income		 Equipment
£
2,460		 Equipment
£
2,460		 Equipment
£
2,460		 Piano
£
2,000		 Piano
£
2,000		 Total
£
4,460
2,460 2,000 4,460
2,460
-		 800
200		 3,260
200
2,460 1,000 3,460
- 1,000 1,000
- 1,200 1,200

2023
£
16,692		 2022
£
17,819
16,692 17,819
2023
£
1,873
262,444
4,715
9,636		 2022
£
9,651
248,683
-
12,960
278,668 271,294

Amounts due to the social investor are repayable on demand and interest-free.

21

THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

13 ANALYSIS OF RESTRICTED FUNDS

Government funding
Other restricted grants
Total restricted funds
Government funding
Other restricted grants
Total restricted funds		 At 1 Jan
2023
Income
Expenditure
At 31
Dec
2023
£
£
£
32,064
26,028
(41,737)
16,355
1,557
100,000
(48,557)
53,000
33,621
126,028
(90,294)
69,355
At 1 Jan
2022
Income
Expenditure
At 31
Dec
2022
£
£
£
107,667
117,561
(193,164)
32,064
41,269
105,487
(145,199)
1,557
148,936
223,048
(338,363)
33,621

There are no endowment funds. Other restricted funds include funds from benevolent funds to enable training, support and develop regional choirs and to support the Regional Voices Group, the organisation’s representative body.

Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds		 At 1 Jan
2023
Income
Expenditure
At 31
Dec
2023
£
£
£
41.992
537,045
(510,535)
68,502
At 1 Jan
2022
Income
Expenditure
At 31
Dec
2022
£
£
£
79,112
472,445
(509,565)
41,992

22

THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS FOUNDATION NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

14 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total funds		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2023
Total
Funds
£
£
£
1,000
-
1,000
346,170
69,355
415,525
(278,668)
-
(278,668)
68,502
69,355
137,857
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total funds		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
£
£
1,200
-
312,086
33,621
(271,294)
-		 2022
Total
Funds
£
1,200
345,707
(271,294)
41,992
33,621		 75,613

15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no related party transactions during the year. At 31 December 2022 the Charity ceased to be a wholly owned subsidiary of SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity and is now a social investment. The debt due to SSAFA at 31 December 2023 was £262,444 (2022: £248,683). This arose due to costs paid out primarily in earlier years for the MWCF. Any new costs incurred in respect of the MWCF will be repaid to SSAFA on a timely basis. No interest is charged and the loan is repayable on demand. SSAFA granted the charity £124,000 during the year (2022-£90,000).

There were no other related party transactions during the year.

16 ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

Until 31 December 2022 the MWCF was controlled by SSAFA as the sole member of the MWCF. SSAFA is a charity registered in England and Wales (charity number: 210760) and Scotland (charity number: SCO45217). On 31 December 2022 SSAFA resigned its position as sole member and the Trustees became members themselves from that date, and consider there to be no ultimate controlling party at 31 December 2023.

17 FUTURE COMMITMENTS

The MWCF had no formal agreed commitments or contractual obligations, or contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2023 (2022: Nil).

18 CORPORATION TAXATION

The MWCF is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxes and Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objectives.

23