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2025-08-31-accounts

Charity no. 1151714

LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 August 2025

London Youth Choirs Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA

Telephone: 07388 623 178 Email: office@londonyouthchoirs.com

londonyouthchoirs.com

LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

CONTENTS

Reference and administrative information …………………………………………………. 2 Trustees’ report …………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Independent examiner’s report ……………………………………………………………… 22 Statement of financial activities ……………………………………………………………… 23 Balance sheet ……………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Cashflow statement……………………………………………………………………………... 25 Notes to the financial statements ……………………………………………………………. 26

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

For the year ended 31 August 2025

Founding President

Suzi Digby OBE

Honorary Patrons

Gareth Malone OBE Sir Andrew Parmley Dame Janet Ritterman Sir John Rutter

Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE (Founding Patron) Patrick Russill (Founding Patron)

Trustees

Dame Deirdre Hutton (Chair) Leslie East OBE (Vice-Chair)(resigned 18th June 2025) Trevor Ford (joined 1st October 2025) Mike Georgiou (resigned 1st August 2025) Sir Andrew Haines (joined 1st October 2025) Michael Llewelyn-Jones Kate Ludlow Lucy Noble Duncan Watts George Wills

Chief Executive

Nina Camilleri

Development Committee

Kate Ludlow (Chair) Richard Huntingford Karaca Mestci Mary Quillen Andy Roberts Charles Sandford Fiona Yeomans

Artistic Director Rachel Staunton

Charity registered number 1151714

Registered office

Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA

Independent examiner Jessica Lawrence FCA CTA

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Azets Audit Services Limited 12 King Street Leeds LS1 2HL

Bankers

CAF Bank Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME14 4TA

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

For the year ended 31 August 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of London Youth Choirs for the year ended 31 August 2025. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of "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)" (effective 1 January 2019) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).

The reference and administrative information on the preceding page forms part of this report.

Objectives and Activities

Activities for Achieving Objectives – ‘Raising Voices | Shaping Lives’

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

At London Youth Choirs (LYC), we provide a progression pathway for young people aged 7 to 23, welcoming everyone from absolute beginners to those aspiring to professional careers in the performing arts. Our 10 choirs, six central (City) and four regional (Southwark, Ealing, Tottenham, and Streatham), form the heart of our work, bringing together young singers from across London for weekly rehearsals and inspiring performances.

LYC members benefit from exceptional vocal training led by our highly experienced choral conductors, who nurture talent, build confidence, and develop skills in teamwork, musicianship, and self-expression. These dedicated mentors not only foster vocal ability but also inspire and challenge our members. Through their expert guidance, our singers explore an extraordinary range of music - from 500 years of classical repertoire to jazz, gospel, contemporary pop, and newly commissioned works - ensuring a rich and diverse musical experience.

Beyond rehearsals, members gain specialist coaching and opportunities through our partnerships with leading ensembles, including Tenebrae, The Sixteen, The Bach Choir, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir. These collaborations provide masterclasses, peer-to-peer learning, and performance opportunities, further enriching musical development and experience.

At LYC, we believe that choirs offer more than musical development - they provide a lifeline for young people’s wellbeing. Research shows that singing in a choir can positively impact mental health and social connection, particularly for those facing challenges. Our Wellbeing

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Team ensures that members feel supported, valued, and empowered, helping them to thrive both musically and personally.

Our Choirs

Singers can join LYC at any age or progress through the choirs, from Junior level to Cambiata Choirs and then to London Youth Choir or Chamber Choir. Level-appropriate musicianship training supports members’ singing and development.

Rehearsals take place weekly during term time across London:

We are grateful for our strategic partnerships with City of London School and Streatham & Clapham High School, which provide essential in-kind support through free rehearsal space. These partnerships enable us to expand our reach, enhance artistic output, and maintain a vibrant and inclusive choral community.

Many LYC members go on to audition for the National Youth Choirs, with six LYC members (1 in London Youth Choir and 5 in Chamber Choir) currently participating. Our collaboration with NYC broadens opportunities for young people from all backgrounds, further shaping the future of UK choral music.

Widening Access

Ensuring that LYC is open and accessible to all young Londoners remains central to our charitable mission. We work proactively to remove financial, geographical, and administrative barriers, ensuring that no child is excluded from choral singing because of their circumstances.

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This commitment is increasingly important at a time when arts and music education continue to be marginalised within national education policy, and access to high-quality provision is becoming more dependent on families’ ability to pay. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has placed additional pressure on households, reinforcing the importance of LYC’s role in providing affordable, inclusive opportunities.

To achieve this, LYC operates a highly subsidised membership model:

Impact in 2024/25:

Beyond financial support, LYC delivers free workshops, and all auditions remain free of charge. We also provide snacks for members who need additional support, ensuring no child is disadvantaged.

Our financial support programme is fundamental to nurturing musical talent, building confidence, and ensuring our choirs reflect the diversity of London. Through sustained fundraising activity, every young person can find their voice at LYC, regardless of background.

"LYC is an exceptional group. I have rarely encountered an organisation with such energy, vision, ambition, creativity, inclusion and phenomenal communication and organisation. It is a rare treat indeed." – LYC parent

LYC Schools and Communities

“ At a time when access to high-quality music education is increasingly at risk in UK schools, it is more important than ever for organisations like LYC to create multiple, accessible entry points for young people. Through LYC Schools & Communities, we provide safe, creative spaces where young people can express themselves through singing - one of the most inclusive and joyful ways to develop musical skills.” - Ishani O’Connor, Head of Engagement at London Youth Choirs

While affordability is a vital component of widening access, it is only one part of a truly inclusive approach. Reaching young people who are least likely to engage with choral

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singing also requires sustained partnerships with schools and communities across London. This is the focus of London Youth Choirs’ Schools and Communities work.

LYC Schools and Communities is a programme designed to reinvigorate music-making at a local level and bring the joy and benefits of singing to musically underserved areas of the capital. Working in close collaboration with schools, music hubs and families, the programme empowers young people through high-quality choral experiences, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of singing.

At the heart of LYC Schools and Communities are free, engaging workshops that introduce young people to choral singing in an inclusive, creative and enjoyable way. These activities not only inspire a love of singing, but also establish clear pathways into LYC choirs, helping to identify and nurture diverse musical talent. By building trust with children, teachers and local communities, the programme creates lasting connections and opens doors to high-quality music education for those who might otherwise miss out.

In 2024/25, LYC Schools and Communities engaged 1,560 young people through free singing activities across London. This included:

Come & Sing Workshops

These intergenerational, open-access workshops take place in community hubs during school holidays and offer children and their families a completely free opportunity to experience group singing and meet the LYC team. In 2024/25, we delivered 6 events across London , reaching 169 participants .

Teacher CPD Sessions

We offer practical training that equips school staff with the confidence and skills to lead singing sustainably in their classrooms. During the year, we delivered 4 Teacher CPD sessions , training 60 teachers .

Singing Assemblies

Our singing assemblies are high-energy, whole-school sessions that introduce simple group singing techniques. In 2024/25, we delivered 6 Singing Assemblies , reaching 1,020 children . These sessions are often paired with Teacher CPD, allowing school staff to see their learning applied in practice.

Positive Change Choirs

Positive Change Choirs are longer-term school-based projects that provide young people with a more in-depth introduction to group singing and performance. We delivered two iterations of this project in 2024/25:

These projects play a key role in diversifying participation in choral singing and provide clear progression routes for further musical development, including pathways into LYC’s core choirs.

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“This project has been fantastic. The Positive Change Choir has been the perfect springboard to boost our school choir and embed a lasting legacy of singing at George Green’s School.” – Head of Music, George Green’s School

LYC Experience Choir Day

New for 2024/25, the LYC Experience Choir Day offered children an intensive introduction to what an LYC choir rehearsal looks like. The day included practice auditions, helping to demystify the audition process and make it more accessible for young singers. 31 children participated .

The day included an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion evaluation led by Jeanetta Hurst, exploring perceptions of choirs among families new to LYC. Findings showed that many young people feel anxious about auditions, inspiring the development of a new video resource for schools and community groups that explains the LYC audition process. This resource aims to reduce barriers to participation and help more young people feel confident and supported in joining our choirs.

ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCES

Building on the strong foundation of our first decade, LYC has continued to grow and thrive throughout 2024/25. We celebrate the dedication and passion of our members and the outstanding commitment of our team, which includes 13 core staff in the LYC office, 10 conductors, 4 pianists, and 32 assistant leaders – 10 of whom were former members of LYC. The entire LYC community can take pride in our achievements as we look ahead to an exciting future.

2024/25 – our membership at a glance:

We’re constantly working to make our choirs more representative of the amazing diversity of London and measure our progress against London census data. Over the next year, we’re focusing on improving the numbers of young people who take part who receive Pupil Premium, who identify as Disabled, and on the representation of ethnicities throughout our

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organisation. This is alongside our commitment to further increase the number of young people receiving financial assistance and to encourage more boys singing.

Performance Highlights – A Year of Spectacular Music-Making

In 2024/25, London Youth Choirs delivered an extraordinary range of 29 performances, showcasing 95 pieces by 92 composers , with 60% of the repertoire written in the 21st century . Spanning choral, folk, gospel, jazz, pop, and musical theatre, the programme embraced eight different languages , reflecting the diversity, ambition, and dynamism of our young singers.

This breadth of repertoire was matched by the scale and significance of our performance activity. During the year, LYC appeared in many of London’s most prestigious venues, delivering high-profile concerts, landmark collaborations, and nationally significant appearances. Highlights included:

Broadcast & National Moments

Royal & Civic Events

Collaborative Performances

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Steele (saxophone), and Linton Williams (bassoon). Premiered new music written by LYC members themselves.

LYC Organisational Showcases

"I never underestimate the amount of work that goes in behind the scenes for these concerts, and I’m so very grateful for everyone who makes it happen. Giving the children such a rich and stimulating musical experience means so much to us all." – LYC Parent

ENRICHING OUR ARTISTIC PROGRAMME

As LYC continues to grow in scale and reach, the organisation has taken the opportunity to further strengthen the quality and depth of its artistic programme. Alongside widening participation, there is a renewed focus on ensuring that members are supported through a rigorous and enriching training experience that enables them to develop as confident, skilled, and expressive singers.

There is no doubt that the period following the COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact across the youth arts sector, affecting continuity of training and young people’s musical development. In response, LYC has reflected on how best to invest time, structure, and expertise into its rehearsal model, with the aim of supporting higher musical quality and more consistent artistic outcomes across the organisation.

This work marks a positive step forward, reaffirming LYC’s identity as an organisation that combines broad access with high artistic standards, and that equips young people with the skills, confidence, and discipline needed to perform at their best.

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Strengthening Music Provision

Time is central to effective musical training. To maximise its impact, LYC is reviewing how rehearsal schedules and performance planning can best support musical development and ensemble cohesion. Key developments include:

Securing and retaining high-quality musical leadership remains central. The experience and artistic insight of LYC’s conductors and musicians play a vital role in shaping young people’s musical development and sustaining the standards the organisation aspires to.

Artistic Programming and Musical Leadership

To support a coherent and ambitious approach to programming, LYC has established a Music Committee , led by the Artistic Director and supported by trustees, conductors, assistant leaders, and freelance musicians. The Committee provides strategic oversight of repertoire and helps ensure that musical choices support progression, challenge singers appropriately, and reflect the breadth of the organisation.

This collaborative model is already strengthening artistic planning. Looking ahead, LYC sees further opportunity to enrich this work by incorporating external artistic perspectives from across the choral and wider music sector. By welcoming a broader range of voices into programming discussions, LYC aims to remain artistically curious, responsive, and forwardlooking.

Through these developments, LYC continues to invest in the quality of its artistic programme, ensuring that young people from all backgrounds are supported to deepen their musicianship, grow in confidence, and achieve high artistic standards within an inclusive and supportive environment.

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Launched in May 2025, LYC Voices is LYC’s new industry-facing commercial arm , created to provide professional performance opportunities for current and former LYC members. Building on the artistic excellence of LYC’s performance work, it offers a clear and supported pathway from youth choral participation into the professional performing arts sector.

The performing arts industry continues to face an urgent need for a more representative and diverse talent pipeline. As the reputation of London Youth Choirs has grown, so too has demand for recording, broadcast, and high-profile performance work from agencies, studios, and producers seeking authentic and inclusive groups. LYC Voices enables LYC to respond meaningfully to this demand, while ensuring that young singers from a wide range of backgrounds can access opportunities that have historically been out of reach.

In 2024/25, LYC Voices undertook a number of high-profile recording and performance projects, including:

These experiences are genuinely transformative for the young singers involved. They offer first-hand insight into professional music-making, develop industry-ready skills, and play a vital role in diversifying the pipeline of talent entering the cultural and creative industries.

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

LYC Voices Ltd operates as a wholly owned subsidiary company with dedicated in-house management. The income it generates is reinvested directly into London Youth Choirs’ charitable work, strengthening core programmes, expanding outreach, and enabling LYC to engage more young people across the capital.

A strategic partnership with London Voices, the UK’s leading adult session choir for film and game soundtracks, supports this work by directing youth choir enquiries to LYC Voices and strengthening connections between training and professional practice.

Together, this model creates a virtuous cycle: professional opportunities inspire and equip young singers; earned income strengthens the charity; and increased capacity allows LYC to reach more young people, particularly those from underserved communities. In doing so, LYC Voices plays an important role in shaping a more inclusive future for the performing arts.

“We worked with London Youth Choirs on Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy for a scene where we needed a children’s choir to sing ‘I’d Do Anything’ in a very pivotal and emotional scene in the film. Working with LYC was a dream - professional on all levels, from the organisation and administration, to the preparation and dedication from the brilliant young singers who weren’t fazed by recording in a studio, and created a beautiful performance and recording. I look forward to working with LYC again on future film and television projects.” - Catherine Grieves, On-Camera Music Advisor and Music Supervisor

YOUNG LEADERS’ COLLECTIVE

"Youth Voice is not something to be done, but something to be guided by. It involves actively seeking out and then actioning young people’s authentic needs, desires, and opinions. It’s about having a constant ability to change and be flexible as young people grow." – Liz Birch, Inspirational Music Leader Award Winner, YMAs 2023

We place young people’s voices at the heart of LYC's decision-making, recognising that authentic participation strengthens both our artistic and organisational practice. During 2024/25, the Young Leaders Collective (YLC) continued to meet monthly, maintaining high attendance and a palpable commitment to the programme and to LYC as a whole. The YLC provides a structured forum for young people to contribute to strategy, programming, and governance, ensuring that their perspectives shape the organisation in meaningful ways.

Over the past year, the YLC contributed to a wide range of projects and initiatives, demonstrating both leadership and creativity:

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The YLC also presented a Recommendation to the Board in June, sharing reflections on their year, discussing their experiences, and responding to trustees’ questions. Their final meeting in July provided an opportunity to reflect on legacy, feedback, and personal growth. These activities, alongside the successful delivery of the Open Mic event, demonstrate the YLC’s dynamic and evolving contribution to the organisation, and the importance of flexible, responsive approaches to youth voice.

In addition, LYC piloted consultation sessions with young people outside the organisation, including a feedback and evaluation session in May with participants aged 6–11. Insights from these sessions are informing future engagement, helping ensure that all children and young people — whether current members or new to choral singing — have an opportunity to be heard.

Looking ahead to 2025/26, the lessons and initiatives from the YLC will continue to inform programme development, recruitment, and organisational practice. LYC remains committed to embedding youth voice across all areas of its work, ensuring that young people shape the present and future of the organisation.

"As a member of LYC Chamber Choir and the Young Leaders Collective, I really feel LYC has made a huge difference to my life; both in terms of my pursuit of music as a career and more generally with its amazing social aspects and the new confidence I have found in my two years here." – LYC Chamber Choir and YLC member

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

LYC recognises that inequities within society -and within the cultural sectors we serve - require sustained and deliberate action. Trustees and staff share a strong belief that music-making should be for everyone. The choral sector is stronger, richer, and more relevant when more people feel they have a place within it. As an organisation with a growing national and international profile, LYC sees it as its responsibility to lead by example, championing bold, positive, and inclusive practice across all areas of its work.

We strive to nurture a creative community in which everyone can participate fully and achieve their potential - a community that is inclusive, representative of the society we live and work in, and which actively supports the safety, wellbeing, and sense of belonging of all those involved. This commitment underpins our approach to accessibility, anti-racism, respect, and the celebration of difference, as set out in our publicly available Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement.

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EDI Highlights 2024/25

SUPPORTING MEMBERS’ MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

"Your pastoral and safeguarding care is excellent and far better than at other activities my child takes part in. You care for the whole child rather than applying a minimum of the required rules." - LYC Parent

While LYC’s core activities focus on choral training, our overarching aim is to help young people reach their full potential, particularly those who have faced barriers to music-making due to social disadvantage. Over the past 11 years, we have seen that a robust safeguarding, wellbeing, and pastoral support programme is essential to the success of our music education work — without it, our training would be less effective.

Our pastoral care provision ensures that all young people are welcomed into the LYC community, with individual needs supported through one-on-one conversations, weekly check-ins, and tailored adjustments to the programme. For many, LYC rehearsals provide the only dedicated pastoral support network they have, helping them feel safe, valued, and able to grow in confidence.

For the past four years, Alison Bastable has led our safeguarding and pastoral care work, supported by the Planning & Operations Director, Chief Executive, Membership & ED Manager, and LYC’s Safeguarding Trustee, George Wills. New Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, Zoe Nendick and Lily Pietersen, have completed advanced safeguarding training to ensure comprehensive coverage. All trustees undertake NSPCC safeguarding training, and our safer recruitment processes continue to be refined to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all members.

Safeguarding is embedded in all LYC activity, guided by a culture of openness, respect, and compassion. All staff and volunteers are expected to uphold the LYC Code of Conduct,

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A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

complete mandatory safeguarding training, and engage in professional curiosity, ensuring that any concern — however small it may appear — is taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

"You have been very kind when poor mental health has prevented our daughter from attending rehearsals. We feel that you are an organisation that really cares for its young people." - LYC Parent

Looking ahead, LYC is planning to strengthen the capacity and resilience of our safeguarding and pastoral care provision as the organisation grows. This includes formalising and embedding the Head of Safeguarding & Pastoral Care role, introducing a Deputy Head to provide additional support, and expanding the responsibilities of regional choir leaders to act as Safeguarding Officers. These measures will ensure consistent safeguarding coverage,

enable professional development for key staff, and maintain a safe, supportive environment for all members as LYC’s reach continues to expand.

Through this holistic approach to wellbeing, London Youth Choirs continues to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment, enabling young people to thrive both musically and personally.

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE & ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

During the year, the Board implemented a strategic review of LYC’s leadership structure to ensure it supports the organisation’s continued growth and long-term sustainability. The new structure, implemented in January 2025, reflects the increasing scale and complexity of LYC’s operations and positions the organisation to deliver its mission effectively over the next decade.

Executive Leadership

The role of Executive Director transitioned to Chief Executive, with Nina Camilleri assuming this position. This change reflects the expanded strategic, operational, and financial responsibilities associated with leading LYC. Nina provides overall organisational oversight while continuing to nurture the collaborative, mission-driven culture that is central to LYC’s success.

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Principal Team

A new Principal Team has been established, comprising the Chief Executive, Artistic Director Rachel Staunton, and Finance Director James Prescott-Martin. This team provides coordinated leadership across strategic, operational, artistic, and financial matters, enabling efficient and responsive decision-making.

Senior Leadership Team

The Senior Leadership Team now includes the Principal Team alongside two senior functional leads:

The newly defined Director of Planning & Operations role oversees the coordination of LYC’s programmes and aligns operational delivery with the organisation’s artistic and strategic objectives. The Senior Leadership Team meets weekly to ensure alignment across all areas of activity, maintaining a cohesive and proactive approach to delivery.

Engagement and Programme Integration

To further strengthen LYC’s work in community engagement, the Head of Engagement role now sits within the Operations function. This ensures closer integration of the LYC Experience programme with the organisation’s core activities, with oversight and guidance from the Chief Executive.

The Board believes that these changes position LYC to continue advancing its charitable objectives with clarity, ambition, and resilience, while maintaining the supportive and inclusive culture that underpins its work.

FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATIONS

LYC is committed to high standards in fundraising and communications. Throughout the year 2024/25, LYC raised £527,241 from corporates, trusts, and individual donors, including many parents/guardians of LYC members. While we are clear that we are reliant on voluntary funds for 76% of our income, we focus on building friendly, sustainable, and professional relationships with all our supporters.

We are grateful for the support of Convex Insurance and Advent, and for our in-kind support from the Clayton Hotel. We held two Big Give campaigns throughout the year and were supported by a number of trusts and foundations, including John Lyon’s Charity, The Swire Charitable Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Horizon Stichting, The Symondson Foundation, The Leverhulme Trust, City of London Corporation and The Childhood Trust. We also acknowledge the help and support of Fiona Yeomans, Richard Huntingford, and Andrew Roberts.

This year, we appointed a new full-time Fundraising and Communications Director—a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising—to bring fundraising, marketing, and communications together into one cohesive team. We also appointed a full-time Trusts and Foundations Manager to strengthen and grow our reach in these areas.

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During the year, we worked with Branding and Communications consultant, Jude Bridge, to consolidate our brand story, incorporating our new areas of work and redefining our mission and brand values. Gary Cooke of Brand Cooke was retained to create visual brand guidelines and to bring our new brand to life. We also appointed NGO Business Services to implement our Salesforce database.

All fundraising activities are conducted in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice. LYC is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and has committed to the Fundraising Promise. We proudly display the Fundraising Regulator badge on our marketing materials to reassure donors that our fundraising is legal, open, and honest.

We are committed to protecting the public, including vulnerable people, from unreasonable intrusion or pressure. During the year, we created a Supporter Promise page on our website, which includes our vulnerable donor policy and details on how to make a complaint. In line with Regulator advice, we have also implemented a fundraising safeguarding policy to ensure that our fundraisers are safe at all times. In the 2024/25 financial year, we did not receive any complaints or deal with any incidents regarding our fundraising activities.

LYC is indebted to all our donors—those who ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon for us, those who gave to the Big Give, and those who gave via regular donations or one-off gifts. Without this support, LYC would simply not exist. Thank you.

LOOKING AHEAD | 2025/26

As LYC enters 2025/26, our focus is on consolidating the progress achieved over the past six years, strengthening our foundations, and deepening the impact of our artistic, educational, and engagement work. Our strategy is guided by three interconnected pillars: financial resilience, artistic enrichment, and inclusive engagement.

Strategic Pillars

1. Financial Resilience

Financial stability underpins everything we do. LYC remains heavily reliant on voluntary income, which represents approximately 71% of annual revenue. This dependency highlights the critical importance of resilience in this area for the long-term health of the organisation.

In 2025/26, we will continue to:

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2. Artistic Enrichment and LSO Partnership

Deepening the artistic experience for our members remains a priority. Piloting a residential course will provide immersive learning opportunities, strengthen ensemble cohesion, and prepare choirs for future high-profile performances.

Our three-year partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) (2025–28) represents a transformative step for LYC, extending artistic reach and educational impact. Forty-two young singers from the former LSO Discovery Choirs have joined the LYC network. The partnership focuses on:

These initiatives strengthen the distinctiveness of the LYC musical experience and embed our choir firmly within London’s cultural life.

3. Inclusive Engagement – LYC Schools & Communities

Increasing diversity and accessibility is central to our work. LYC Schools & Communities combines project-led initiatives with embedded programmes to address barriers and widen access to high-quality musical training and performance experiences.

Key priorities in 2025/26 include:

Strengthening Governance

Method of appointment or election of trustees

The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Charity Commission Scheme. Under the

requirements of the Constitution, the Trustees are elected to serve for a period of four years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity, after which they must be re-elected.

The Board of Trustees seeks to ensure that its members possess the range of skills and expertise required for the effective administration of the charity. In the event of particular skills or expertise being lost due to retirement, appropriate individuals are

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identified and approached to offer themselves for election to the Board of Trustees. The charity has produced an induction policy which outlines how a Trustee is approached and introduced to the charity and the formal procedure for appointing them as Trustee. Trustees are also offered the opportunity to visit the charity office and spend time with staff understanding systems and details of the operation of the charity. Following our recent Trustees Skills Audit, we are seeking appointments to strengthen the Board, including a new Chair of the Finance & Risk Management Committee and Trustees with expertise in fundraising, equity, diversity & inclusion, and the choral sector. These appointments will ensure LYC has the strategic oversight to deliver on its ambitions and manage growth sustainably.

15th Anniversary and Royal Albert Hall

Preparations are underway for LYC’s 15th Anniversary in March 2028. Hundreds of young people from across our choirs and wider community will take part in this milestone celebration, reflecting over a decade of outstanding artistic achievement and youth development.

Gratitude to the City of London School

We are profoundly grateful to Alan Bird, Headmaster, and the team at City of London School for their exceptional support over the past six years. Their generosity has been transformative for LYC, enabling artistic and organisational growth. As they noted:

"The school has been absolutely delighted to support LYC for so many years and we have witnessed first-hand the transformational work your organisation does for young voices in London. Your commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a love for music within the community is truly inspiring, and it has been an honour to contribute to your mission." - Alan Bird, Headmaster at the City of London School

As we transition to St John’s Waterloo, this site will become a dedicated home for rehearsals and our office base, providing stability and a consistent environment for our work as LYC continues to grow and develop.

Financial Review

The total funds held by the charity at year-end amounted to £137,466 (2024: £236,450), including restricted funds of £360 (2024: £360). During the year, the Trustees allocated £100,000 from unrestricted funds to a designated reserve. This reserve was established to support key growth areas, specifically the restructuring and transition of the Development team into a new Fundraising & Communications department, guided by a fresh strategy.

After deducting restricted funds and functional assets, the charity’s free reserves stood at £109,268 (2024: £222,253).

Reserves Policy The Trustees have adopted a policy that aims to build reserves to £300,000 over the next five years, balancing this goal with the ongoing need to invest in growth. Trustees will continue to monitor contributions to these reserves closely over the coming years.

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Trustees ' Responsibilities Statement

The Trustees 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).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

This report was approved by the Trustees of the London Youth Choirs on

and signed on their behalf by:

Dame Deirdre Hutton, Chair

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

For the year ended 31 August 2025

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of London Youth Choirs

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘the CIO’) for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

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

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.

Signed: Jessica Lawrence FCA CTA Azets Audit Services Limited 12 King Street Leeds LS1 2HL Dated:

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

For the year ended 31 August 2025
Notes 2025
Unrestricted
£		 2025
Restricted
£		 2025
Total
£		 2024
Unrestricted
£		 2024
Restricted
£		 2024
Total
£
Income from:
Donations 2 493,924 62,341 556,265 521,472 12,940 534,412
Charitable
activities		 3 215,098 - 215,098
181,712 - 181,712
Investments 4,431 - 4,431 4,598 - 4,598
713,453 62,341 775,794 707,782 12,940 720,722
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 4 144,069 - 144,069 91,062 - 91,062
Charitable
activities		 5 668,368 62,341 730,709 621,695 12,940 634,635
812,437 62,341 874,778 712,757 12,940 725,697
Net income (98,984) - (98,984) (4,975) - (4,975)
Transfers between
funds		 15 - - - 15,000 - 15,000
Net movement in
funds		 (98,984) - (98,984) 10,025
- 10,025
Reconciliation of
funds:
Total funds brought
forward
General Funds 236,090 360 236,450 136,090 360 236,450
Designated Funds - - - - - -
Total funds carried
forward		 15 137,106 360 137,466 236,090 360 236,450

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All the charity’s operations are classed as continuing.

The notes on pages 26-37 comprise these parts of these financial statements.

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

BALANCE SHEET

As at 31 August 2025
Notes 2025
£		 2025
£		 2024
£		 2024
£
Fixed assets
Investments 9 1
Intangible assets 10 16,652 6,824
Tangible assets 11 11,186 7,013
27,839 13,837
Current assets
Debtors 12 29,863 32,222
Cash at bank and in hand 108,340 213,161
138,203 245,383
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year		 13 (28,576) (22,770)
Net current assets 109,627 222,613
Total net assets 137,466 236,450
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted general 16 137,106 236,090
Unrestricted designated 16 - -
Restricted funds 16 360 360
Total funds 137,466 236,450

The accounts were approved by the Board on and signed on its behalf by:

……………………………………….

Dame Deirdre Hutton Chair

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

CASHFLOW STATEMENT

As at 31 August 2025
Statement of Cash Flows 2025 2024
Notes £ £ £ £
Cash flows from operating activities 14
Cash absorbed by operations - 85,548 - 31,249
Investing activities
Non-current asset (additions)/disposals - 19,273 - 7,320
Net cash generated from investing activities - 19,273 - 7,320
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents - 104,821 - 38,569
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 213,161 251,730
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 108,340 213,161

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

For the year ended 31 August 2025

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are as follows:

1.1 Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and 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)" (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

London Youth Choir 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 policies.

The accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.

1.2 Status

The London Youth Choir is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Rich Mix, 3547 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA.

1.3 Going concern

The Trustees have at the time of approving the financial statements a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income from donations and grants is recognised when the charity is entitled to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. For donations, this is usually on receipt. For grants, this is usually when a formal offer is made in writing. If a donation or grant contains terms and conditions outside of the charity's control which must be met before the charity is entitled to the funds, or if the donor specifies that the funds must be used in future time periods, then the income is deferred.

Donated facilities and services are recognised at the date that they are utilised and are measured at their estimated fair value.

Income from charitable activities is recognised over the period to which the income relates. Concert fees are recognised at the date of the event. Membership fees are recognised over the period of the membership.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be estimated reliably. It is inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered.

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Direct costs are those costs which directly attribute to its activities. The Trustees consider that there is only one activity, which is running the choirs. Wages and salaries are allocated to direct costs based on an estimate of time spent on charitable activities by staff members.

Support costs are those costs relating to functions which assist the work of the charity but do not directly relate to its activities, and creditors are measured at their settlement value.

1.6 Staff costs

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense where settlement of obligations does not fall within the same period. The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

1.7 Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for employees. Contributions are charged as an expense to the SoFA in the period in which they fall due.

1.8 Intangible assets

Intangible assets comprise of software and website development costs capitalised at cost and amortised over the estimated useful economic lives in annual instalments, with a full year’s charge in the acquisition year and no charge in the year of disposal as follows: website costs – 25% straight line.

1.9 Tangible assets

Individual fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised and included at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives in annual instalments, with a full year’s charge in the acquisition year and no charge in the year of disposal as follows: equipment – 20% straight line.

1.10 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are those funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.

1.11 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities.

1.12 Taxation

The CIO is a registered charity and has no liability to corporation tax on its charitable activities during the year.

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

1.13 Financial instruments

The charity only has financial instruments of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. The charity's short term debtors and creditors are measured at their settlement value.

2. Income from donations

2. Income from donations
Total funds 2025
£		 Total funds 2024
£
Donations 261,893 309,557
Donated facilities and services 29,024 23,500
Grants 265,348 201,355
556,265 534,412

Grants include £62,341 of restricted income. The comparative figure for 2024 includes £12,940 of restricted income.

Donated facilities and services relate to the provision of office space as well as marketing and professional services.

3. Charitable activities

3. Charitable activities
Income Total funds 2025
£		 Total funds 2024
£
Membership fees 161,506 132,161
Concert fees 51,592 49,551
LYC Voices Ltd dividend income 2,000 -
215,098 181,712

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

4. Raising funds

4. Raising funds
Total funds 2025
£		 Total funds 2024
£
Wages and salaries 126,842
86,376
Fundraising consultancy fees 5,100
410
Other costs 12,127
4,276
144,069
91,062

5. Charitable activities

5. Charitable activities
Expenditure Total funds 2025
£		 Total funds 2024
£
Wages and salaries 307,851 285,426
Musical leader and pastoral support fees 196,096 151,754
Bursary awards 30,881 20,128
Venue hire 72,542 38,016
Music hire 15,094 22,676
Advertising and marketing 12,623 26,730
Bank charges 100 106
Depreciation 5,272 4,070
Subscriptions 995 487
Travel 6,986 5,159
Support costs (see note 6) 82,269
80,083
**730,709 ** 634,635

Expenditure includes £62,341 of restricted expenditure from restricted funds. The comparative figure for 2024 includes £12,940 of expenditure from restricted funds.

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

6. Support costs

6. Support costs
Total funds 2025
£		 Total funds 2024
£
Wages and salaries 31,375 30,000
Staff costs 10,794 11,809
Office costs 19,040 18,371
Printing, postage and stationery 2,418 2,919
Rent 15,492 13,714
Governance costs
Independent examiners fees 3,150 3,270
Legal fees - -
82,269 80,083

7. Staff costs

7. Staff costs 7. Staff costs
Total funds 2025
£		 Total funds 2024
£
Gross salaries 416,266
360,059
Employer’s National Insurance 37,350
30,989
Employer’s pension costs 12,452 10,754
466,068
401,802

The average number of employees during the year, based on headcount, was 11 (2024:11). One member of staff earned over £60,000 in both years.

8. Related party transactions

The charity's key management personnel are the Trustees, Artistic Director, Chief Executive & Finance Director. During 2025 £169,813 (2024: £151,397) was paid in employment benefits (including employer's National Insurance & pension contributions) and £5,000 (2024: £4,686) in consultancy fees to key management personnel. None of the Trustees received any remuneration in the year. No Trustees received reimbursement for expenses. The husband of the Chief Executive was not contracted in the year to provide conductor services, including expenses, totaling £0 (2024:£398).

During the year the charity received a dividend income from LYC Voices Ltd, a subsidiary company, of £2,000 (2024 - £Nil).At the year end, a balance of £1,434 (2024 - £Nil) was due from LYC Voices Ltd to the charity, which relates to trading balances, and is included within prepayments and accrued income.

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

9. Investments

By virtue of ownership of 100% share capital, London Youth Choirs is the parent company of LYC Voices Ltd. The company has a registered office address of 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA

10. Fixed Assets

10. Fixed Assets
Intangible assets Website
£		 Total
£
Cost
At 1 September 2024 26,529
26,529
Additions 14,750 14,750
Disposals - -
Transfers (4,163)
(4,163)
At 31 August 2025 37,116 37,116
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024 (19,705)
(19,705)
Charge (2,096)
(2,096)
Disposals - -
Transfers (1,338)
(1,338)
At 31 August 2025 (20,464) (20,464)
Net Book Value
At 31 August 2025 16,652 16,652
At 31 August 2024 6,828 6,828

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

11. Fixed Assets

11. Fixed Assets
Tangible assets Equipment
£
Total
£
Cost
At 1 September 2024 12,784 12,784
Additions 4,522 4,522
Disposals - -
Transfer 3,062 3,062
At 31 August 2025 20,368 20,368
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024 (5,771) (5,771)
Charge (3,411) (3,411)
Disposals - -
At 31 August 2025 (9,182) (9,182)
Net Book Value
At 31 August 2025 11,186 11,186
At 31 August 2024 7,013
7,013

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

12. Debtors

12. Debtors
Total funds 2025
£		 Total funds 2024
£
Trade debtors 6,814 3,139
Prepayments and accrued income 18,986 22,214
Gift Aid 4,063
6,869
29,863 32,222

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Total funds 2025
£		 Total funds 2024
£
Trade creditors 13,814 4,263
Other tax and social security 11,612 10,600
Accrued expenses 3,150 7,907
Deferred income - -
28,576 22,770
Deferred income brought forward - 5,000
Amounts released in the year - (5,000)
Income deferred in the year - -
Deferred income carried forward - -

Deferred income relates to pledges received in advance, which the donor has specified is to be used in future time periods.

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

14. Cash absorbed by operations
Cash absorbed by operations 2025 2024
£ £
Surplus for the year - 98,984 - 4,975
Adjustments for:
Depreciation 5,272 4,071
Movements in working capital:
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors 2,358 - 17,476
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors 5,806 - 12,869
Cash absorbed by operations - 85,548 - 31,249

15. Lease Commitments

At the reporting end date LYC had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, as follows:

FinancialCommitments: 2025 2024
Within 12 months £6,109 £7,407
More than 12 months £4,784 £12,463
Total £10,893 £19,871

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

16. Movement in funds
Current year Brought
forward
£
Income
£		 Resources
£		 Transfers
£		 Carried
 forward
£
Unrestricted funds (812,437) - 137,106
236,090 613,453
Designated funds -
100,000 (100,000) -
-
Unrestricted funds 236,090 713,453 (812,437) - 137,106
Restricted funds:
John Lyons Trust 40,000 (40,000) -
City of London - 22,341 (22,341) - -
Cathedral Choirs 360 - - - 360
Restricted Funds 360 62,341 (62,341) - 360
236,450 775,794 (874,788) - 137,466
Prior year Brought
forward
£		 Income
£		 Resources
£		 Transfers
£		 Carried
 forward
£
Unrestricted funds 226,065 707,782 (712,757) 236,090
Designated funds 15,000 - - (15,000) -
Unrestricted funds 241,065 707,782 (712,757) 85,000 236,090
Restricted funds:
Safeguarding 2,000 (2,000)
City of London - 10,000 (10,000) - -
Cathedral choirs 360 - - - 360
Restricted Funds 360 12,940 (12,940) - 360
241,425 720,722 (725,697) - 236,450

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LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

The Cathedral Choirs project seeks to engage members with church music and facilitate visits and joint performances with church choirs during the year.

The John Lyons Trust provides funding for the regional LYC Choir West and outreach targeted specifically at young people from Harrow, Brent and Ealing.

The City of London provides funding for a series of summer Pop Up concerts at venues across the City of London.

16. Analysis of net assets between funds
Current year Restricted
funds 2025
£		 Unrestricted
funds 2025
£		 Total
funds 2025
£
Fixed assets - 27,838 27,838
Current assets 360 137,844 138,204
Creditors due
within one year		 - (28,576) (28,576)
360 137,106 137,466
Prior year Restricted
funds 2024
£		 Unrestricted
funds 2024
£		 Total
funds 2024
£
Fixed assets - 13,837 13,837
Current assets 360 245,023 245,383
Creditors due
within one year		 - (22,770) (22,770)
360 236,090 236,450

36