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2021-04-30-accounts

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Contents

Contents
Introduction 2
Covid-19 Response 3
How the power of song makes a real difference 5
Our Values 6
Impact 8
Staff Team 11
Future Plans 12
Fundraising & Financial Review 13
www.forgetmenotchorus.com
Charity number: 1151812

Introduction

2020 was a year we will never forget - overnight our core services were shut down by the Covid-19 global pandemic - and we had to quickly respond.

It was a difficult time for our

participants, partners, care homes and hospitals who were absolutely in the eye of the storm. Many lives were lost and many were isolated alone at home, in their care home or in hospital wards.

We were determined to stay connected and to step up to deliver moments of relief, joy and togetherness.

We created Forget-me-not sessions through film, we led sessions through the smallest crack in an open window, and we strove to reach those who needed the joy of music in whatever way we could.

The silver lining is that the methods that we developed in response to the pandemic will allow us, in the future, to reach many, many more people living with and alongside dementia than we could have ever imagined.

Covid-19 Response

We had an exciting year of work planned for 2020/21, with an expansion of core and additional activity scheduled. However as the country went into national lockdown as a result of Covid-19, all sessions were immediately suspended with all staff members working from home or furloughed (as appropriate). We adapted our methods of delivery to enable us to continue to work despite the restrictions nationally and locally.

As we moved through the pandemic we set a number of game plans to address how we would deal with the shifting sands of the pandemic. Mindful that the situation was constantly evolving, and that the impact of Covid-19 would continue to be felt long even after the majority of restrictions are lifted our approach was to review our strategy every six months.

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We were in good voice. We were so grateful for your ability to praise us as if you had heard our efforts. Isn't technology clever? Jane was joining you in Brahms Lullaby in GERMAN.

It became apparent very quickly that our traditional offering, ie weekly rehearsals meeting physically in homes/the community/hospitals could not be maintained (and would not be feasible for some time) and we therefore quickly evolved the offering to our existing established choirs, namely:

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How the power of song makes a real difference

We know the positive effect that music can have. People who may be quiet or reserved can be transformed when they hear a song they recognise - joining in with singing, or even having a dance.

DR JAMES PICKETT, HEAD OF RESEARCH, ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY

For some time now, singing has been used as an accepted tool for engagement and therapy. At a basic level, the ability to sing in a choir alleviates isolation and offers families the opportunity to engage with others in a safe and fun environment and therefore does bring benefits. However, at this level the benefits are generally palliative.

There is a body of research that concludes that the benefits of music may be more than merely palliative and could actually alleviate some of the symptoms of this terrible disease. The challenge was therefore to take things to a higher level, through the power of song to stimulate a sense of pride and self-worth in our choristers and directly address the impact of dementia and thus bring real meaning back to the lives of those involved. The challenge was huge, but the charity willingly picked up the baton.

Our values

A devastating impact of dementia is the sense of isolation that it can bring.

We provide a trusting environment that encourages a community of mutual support and understanding. FMNC creates a safe, inclusive space where all behaviours are accepted.

A diagnosis of dementia is often accompanied by the perception that people are no longer able to contribute and consequently can be patronised and marginalised.

FMNC counters this perception by always working to the highest possible standards. Collaborating with professional artists creates performance works of the highest artistic merit,

Dementia debilitates. As the disease progresses, it will reduce capabilities, making what were formerly everyday activities a huge challenge. This drains confidence and leads to a sense of isolation.

FMNC provides a meaningful artistic platform; restoring pride, bringing pleasure and raising awareness of the impact of living with and alongside dementia.

Dementia is devastating.

FMNC creates singing communities where joy and laughter are the norm, providing an escape from the relentless caring routine.

exceeding expectations and building selfesteem.

The Flower of Emotional Needs:

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Kitwood Model
Comfort
Identity
Attachment
LOVE
Occupation
Inclusion
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Thomas Kitwood, born in Lincolnshire was a pioneer in the field of dementia care. He identified a number of fundamental psychological and social human needs. These human needs have to be met for us all, in order to maintain a good sense of well-being. Kitwood’s model, shows that when caring for, and supporting people with dementia,

we must remember six psychological needs: love, comfort, identity, occupation, inclusion, and attachment.

SOURCE: https://reflectionsgreenwich.com/2017/03/25/the-flower-of-emotional-needs/ At MHM Wales, we are trained to deliver in accordance with the Kitwood flower of emotional needs and believe that the unique, person-centred service provided by the Forget-me-not Chorus fulfils each need identified by Kitwood, so crucial for the improvement of our patients' health and wellbeing.

Sally, Mental Health Matters Wales 7.

Impact

74 community zooms supporting 76 people living with and alongside dementia in the community - in our local community choirs in Cardiff North, Cardiff South, Newport and North Wales but also those from further afield from Cornwall to Scotland.

26 car park sessions car park sessions We have run sessions in car parks, courtyards and gardens of 7 care homes and 3 hospitals to support residents, patients and staff.

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Whilst mum’s world was already shrinking because of dementia, the lockdown has accelerated things as we all stay at home. Her daily shopping trips have stopped. Her catch ups with her friends and the people she knows at her weekly groups have halted. It is like her anchors has been lost and she drifts between her todays and her yesteryears. Our Forget-me-not rehearsals fix that feeling of being adrift. Kate’s enthusiasm, the familiar warm-ups and the chance to revisit some of our repertoire of songs is amazing. We have fun, we laugh lots and we exercise our breath, which is all important in these times. Forget-me-not Chorus is that punctuation in the week where we renew our love for song and share it with our very special, Forget-me-not family.

Community Participant

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care home zooms
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Care homes have had monumental challenges over the past 12 months and it has therefore been essential that we have been able to support them and bring some joy into the lives of residents and staff wherever we can.

\ 7 Pre -recorded singing sessions

Available FREE for all to access. Via youtube, DVD and download. Professionally filmed resource specially designed to bring joy, movement and song to all.

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Pre-recorded singing sessions

The Forget-menot Chorus is an amazing interactive resource that the residents engage in every time. Music has a way of reaching individuals with dementia when nothing else can and always raises spirits here at Llys Elian

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Activities Co-ordinator, Llys
Elian
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alongside dementia in the community. > © v 4 4
Supporting people in our local
VIRTVAL community choirs in Cardiff North, SESSION LIBRARY
Cardiff South, Newport and North NOW LIVE!
Wales but also being joined by
No. of care homes using our virtual participants from further afield from 52 300+
Cornwall to Scotland sessions
Wales-wide UK-wide
Location of care homes
Impact
FREE via Youtube, FMNC website
FREE via Youtube & PLUS
QUOTE TEXT Accessibility FMNC website DVDs now available
in direct response to feedback
Language/s QUOTE WHO English English & Welsh
how it started 2020 how it's going April 2021
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The commitment remains to offer our films and DVDs free of charge to any individual/care home that requests them.

Staff team eoSS SSS eee Appropriate advantage has been 6 & taken of the applicable government job retention scheme, with staff music leaders members being furloughed on full7 and part-time bases as required. At the beginning of the scheme 2 pianists trustees unanimously took the decision to maintain staff salaries at new music leaders 100% for as long as practicable, claiming back from the JRS the who have completed the bespoke training and have available proportion. joined the team of freelance 3 music leaders. Running As much as possible, we looked to reengage our wonderful team of sessions in the community, freelance project care homes and hospitals freelance musicians, the majority of throughout Wales. i managers whose work was decimated by the pandemic. 2 N\ 10 freelance project trustees assistants

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Future Plans

In the next year we aim to:

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Fundraising

Clearly the impact of Covid-19 is a principal risk to the future delivery of the charity's aims and objectives and the trustees have been mindful of this, and to plan and act accordingly.

Appropriate advantage has been taken of the applicable government job retention scheme, with staff members being furloughed on fulland part-time bases as required. At the beginning of the scheme trustees unanimously took the decision to maintain staff salaries at 100% for as long as practicable, claiming back from the JRS the available proportion.

All of the charity's funders have been accepting of our alternative delivery model with trusts and foundations showing a great deal of flexibility and understanding of the difficulties faced. This support, the government job retention scheme, a small reduction in expenditure as we adapted our activities, has resulted in the financially strong position at the year end. However, we are very mindful that there is no way of knowing whether the fundraising environment will remain as favourable into subsequent financial years

Whilst certain fundraising avenues simply went off the radar during the pandemic (and note, the Big Give will not provide such a large proportion of our revenue this year compared to previous years), through a massively focussed effort we have secured substantive donations and have met our objective of continuing to maintain reserves sufficient to cover core costs for a 6 month period.

Forget-me not Chorus is grateful for every donation that helps us make a difference through the power of song. Each gift helps us to restore pride and pleasure to those affected by dementia, and raise awareness of the impact that the condition has on so many lives.

We extend sincere appreciation for all donations made by individuals, corporate supporters, and Friends of FMNC and would like to acknowledge the following Trust & Foundations for their specific and significant support in this financial year:

We say a special thank you to those whose gifts in memory of a loved one will ensure FMNC can continue to make a difference to everyone affected by dementia – now and in the future.

Financial Review

Brief Statement of the Charity's Policy on Reserves

The reserve policy is to hold a sum equivalent to approximately six months’ average expenditure. Free reserves held at the year end which are surplus are allocated to a range of budgeted and planned activities for the forthcoming year or longer term. These are identified by the Board; and are in line with the charity's objects.

Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit

None

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Accounts

The Forget-me-Not Chorus For the 12 months ended 30 April 2021 Including VAT

Restricted reserves

51,644

Unrestricted reserves

The trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the consolidated 99,192 financial statements of the charity and its subsidiary for the year ending 30 April 2021 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993, the Companies Act 1985, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005).

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees' Report above. Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees.

Signature:

Full Name: David Jackson Position: Chair Date: 28/01/22

Signature:

Full Name: Jackie Askey Position: Trustee (Carer Representative) Date: 28/01/22

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl m•mber8 of On accounts for the year •ndod Charity no (If any) 30 Af&lL )021 If¥4f fj Set out on page8 I report to Ihe Imslees on my examination of the account8 of the abo¥e charity fihe Trust") for the year ended R•spon8lbllStl•¥ and basis of report As the (*arity's In191ees. you are responsible lor the preparation of the accounts in accordancè with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Acr). I repori in respect of my examination of the Tnjst's accoun1$ carried out under secllon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have foll¢)wed all Ihe applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under secllon 1451Sllbl ol the Act. Indfrpondont •xamlnef8 8tatement I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attenlion in connection wilh the ex8minalion lolher than that disdosed bel(yw ") which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 oflhe Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the aCC￿ntIng records.. or the accounts did not comply with the applrable requirements conceming the form and conlenl of accounts set (yjt In the Charitles (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf vlew which is nol a matter congidered as part of an independent examinalion. I have no concem8 and have come across no other matters in connection th Ihe examination lo which attention should be drawn in thi$ report in order to enable a proper underslanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the wonls in the brnckets if they do not appty. Slgnod: Dats: oi 90 LT) Name: gIMo Relevant professlonal qualificatlon(s) or body IER Oct 2018 18.

(if any): Address: Jx Sectlon B Disclosure Only complele if the examiner needs lo highlight malerial mallers ol concein (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to dl8close. IER Oct 2018 11.

Charity name: Forget-me-not Chorus Other names charity is known by: The Forget-me-not Chorus Cardiff, FMNC Charity number: 1151812

Charity’s operating address: 5 Lewis Road, Llandough, CF64 2LW

www.forgetmenotchorus.com hello@forgetmenotchorus.com Charity Number: 1151812