Charity 1158652
THE STRINGCREDIBLES
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022
The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Charity information
Trustees
Sarah Gee, Chair Mark Devin (resigned 31 December 2022) Eluned Mansell Philip Mills Sally-Ann Sinclair
Charity Name
The Stringcredibles
Charity Number
1158652
Bankers
Co-operative Bank plc, Delf Way, Skelmersdale. WN8 6GH
Independent Examiner
Robert Page, CPFA, MSc. 187 Franchise Street, Wednesbury, WS10 9RH
Charity Principal Address
131 Sellywood Road, Birmingham, B30 1XA
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report
for the year ended 31 March 2022
The Trustees of the Charity present their Annual Report and Accounts for the 12-month period ended 31 March 2022.
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the Charity are to advance the education of the public in the art of music, in particular, but not exclusively, by facilitating creative learning experiences which allow participants to discuss and develop their individual capabilities, skills and potential.
The Trustees have complied with their duty in Section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
The objects of the charity have been achieved by:
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Enabling children to be active participants in classical music.
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Encouraging young performers to communicate better through their music.
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Sharing and developing dynamic performance practice among professionals.
Achievements and Performance
The Stringcredibles emerged from the Covid pandemic with a successful funding bid, from multiple funders, to deliver our largest project to date: Power Up. With this activity, and alongside other performing engagements, from April 2021 to March 2022 we have shared our music making with:
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over 5000 children
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4 primary schools
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4 music education hubs
Power Up was designed to boost the performance skills of young musicians and music teachers across the West Midlands, and to reconnect schools with live music after the challenges of the pandemic.
The project built on the success of our Pitch Pace Perform programme, established in 2015. This instils the premise that by pitching, pacing and performing classical music in a way that really considers the audience, you can create powerful connections, learning and relevance for the widest audiences and participants. Pitch Pace Perform enhances the musicians’ delivery of their music through stronger stage presence, body language, communication of emotion, projection, and self-confidence. Connecting as powerfully as possible to audiences is a theme endorsed by ABRSM in their new Performance Grades and also in the adjudication of the recent BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. It is more important than ever, and actually very rarely taught in an applied way. Using these skills to in turn inspire younger children is the cascading model of Power Up.
Working in partnership with four music education hubs - Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, and Wolverhampton - and combining in-person training with brand new digital resources, Power Up aimed to cascade our methodology and dramatically increase the reach and impact of our Pitch Pace Perform content.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)
Together, we aimed to bring live music into primary schools in each hub area, and to reinvigorate music engagement with thousands of children.
Our key objectives were:
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To up-skill music teachers and young musicians in performance methodologies, using in-person and online training from world-class musicians
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To improve knowledge and confidence in teaching performances skills and ensemble work
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To promote renewed commitment to instrumental lessons and music in the school curriculum
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To support cross-hub collaboration and deeper embedding of applied learning, allowing Pitch Pace Perform methodology to reach far further than ever before.
Activity:
Over the summer and autumn of 2021, we delivered a training scheme in each hub area, working with music hub staff, teachers and young musicians.
The project took place in two phases:
Phase One - The Stringcredibles performed in primary schools with opportunity for music teachers and young musicians to come along and observe. We then delivered a training programme for a quartet of music teachers in each hub, who then performed their own version of this interactive show in two local primary schools.
Phase Two - Those music teachers went on to train a quartet of young musicians in each hub, who then also performed in two local primary schools (with mentoring from The Stringcredibles).
All teachers and students had access to an online portal with all the resources they needed as well as child centred engaging videos supporting the Pitch Pace Perform method.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)
Key Achievements
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increased reach and impact of the Stringcredibles’ expertise, and working both inperson and digitally, both regionally and nationally
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partnership working with 4 music hubs - Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and Sandwell, gaining greater insight into the opportunities and challenges
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provided in depth CPD for 17 peripatetic music teachers and a much needed boost in morale and sense of value
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6 string quartets, made up of 16 of young musicians and 17 music teachers, performed in 21 primary schools, in 4 hub areas, to combined audiences of 3,540 children, whilst still observing the ever changing restrictions of the Covid pandemic
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84% of the primary school audiences said they either liked or loved the performances
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92% of teachers said their skills at holding the attention of a large audience improved
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92% of teachers said they felt more able to control their nerves when performing
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100% of apprentices showed improvement in communication skills
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83% of apprentices were more confident when presenting and performin
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increased demand for instrumental learning in those primary schools, and renewed commitment to supporting music teaching in the classroom
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embedded a hybrid (in-person and digital) way of working going forward
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created an opportunity for an emerging music administrator to gain valuable
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)
experience working on a region-wide project with multiple partners
As a result of this programme, other organisations approached us to deliver this activity for them. These include:
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Wolverhampton’s Elevate programme for pupils with potential
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Sheffield Music Hub, as part of the Awards for Young Musicians Furthering Talent programme
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Benedetti Foundation
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Chetham’s School of Music
Primary schools visited in April 2021 – March 2022
Birmingham
St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School St Edward’s Primary School Whitehouse Common Primary School St Mary's Church of England Primary School Colmore Junior School
St Francis Church of England Primary School and Nursery
Coventry
Hill Farm Primary School Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Primary School Stivichall Primary School Frederick Bird Primary School St Mary and St Benedict Catholic Primary School St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
Sandwell
Devonshire Junior Academy Ryders Green Primary Ferndale Primary School St Gregory's Catholic Primary School Abbey Junior School
Wolverhampton
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School St Michael's Church of England Primary School Woodthorne Primary School Castlecroft Primary School Christ Church Junior School
Walsall
Pinfold Street Primary School
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)
Warwickshire
Kings High Warwick, Warwick
Financial Review
Income for the year was £30,201 (2021: £33,910), and expenditure was £23,400 (2021: £18,813). The resulting surplus of £6,801 (2021: £15,097), left the charity with closing funds of £32,219 (2021: £25,418).
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have set a policy that committed expenditure does not exceed the value of unrestricted funds, and that the unrestricted funds do not exceed 12 months of planned expenditure. The total unrestricted funds at 31 March 2022 amounted to £26,974 (2021: £24,418); the Trustees consider that the reserves do not exceed what is necessary for the Charity to continue as a going concern and plans are in place to apply the unrestricted funds to the charitable purposes within a reasonable timescale. Restricted funds at 31 March 2022 were £5,245 (2021: £1,000).
Going Concern
The Charity’s work is delivered in programmes of work based on funding achieved. It does not, therefore, commit expenditure that is not funded, and at the end of the year had reserves to cover committed expenditure. The Trustees believe that the Charity will be able to meet its ongoing commitments for more than 12 months from the signing of the Balance Sheet, and that it is therefore appropriate to continue accounting on a going concern basis.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which was registered with the Charity Commission on 24 September 2014. It is governed by a constitution using the foundation model dated 22 November 2022. The Trustees make strategic decisions and ensure overall control; they delegate day to day management and delivery of this objective to the Stringcredibles' musicians, who are:
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Catherine Arlidge
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Helen Edgar
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Bryony Morrison
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Amy Thomas
The Trustees during the year under review and up to the date the accounts were approved are listed on page 1.
The Board recruits new trustees by assessing the skills required and skills of existing trustees, determining a skills gap and advertising for suitable applicants. New trustees are appointed at duly convened meetings of the board of trustees.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022 (continued)
There were no changes to the board during the year to 31 March 2022. Mark Devin resigned from the board on 31 December 2022.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and 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 and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the affairs of the charity and of incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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Observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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State whether applicable standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the charity’s governing document. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they approved the Trustees’ report above on 24 January 2023. Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees:
Philip Mills Trustee
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2022 which are set out on pages 10 to 18.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(3) of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charities Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Independent Examiner’s Report (continued)
Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirement[to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act and the regulations made thereunder have not been met;
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Robert Page, CPFA, MSc Date 07 February 2023 Independent Examiner
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The Stringcredibles
Charity Number 1158652
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2022
The notes on pages 12 to 18 form part of these accounts.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity Number 1158652
Balance Sheet
at 31 March 2022
The notes on pages 12 to 18 form part of these accounts.
These accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees on 24 January 2023 and authorised to be signed by:
Philip Mills Trustee
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The Stringcredibles
Charity Number 1158652
Accounting Policies
Note 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation of accounts
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost.
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice.
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
- 1.2 Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds and expected income and expenditure for the following 12-month period.
- 1.3 Incoming Resources
Recognition of incoming resources
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:
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the Charity becomes entitled to the resources,
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it is more likely than not that the Charity will receive the resources, and
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the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Incoming resources with related expenditure
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contractual income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.
Grants and donations
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Accounting Policies (continued)
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Tax reclaims on donations and gifts
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
Contractual income and performance related grants
This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.
Volunteer help
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees’ annual report.
Investment income
This is included in the accounts when receivable.
- 1.4 Expenditure and liabilities
Liability recognition
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out funds.
Charitable activities
These costs relate to the musicians’ fees for the provision of concerts, etc..
Governance costs
These include the costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the cost of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Accounting Policies (continued)
Grants with performance conditions
Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient has provided the specified service or output.
Grants payable without performance conditions
There are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to the grant which remain in the control of the charity.
Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to the activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity Number 1158652
Notes to the Accounts
Note 2 DONATIONS & LEGACIES
Grants includes £13,267, from Arts Council England.
Note 3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Note 4 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
No fees were paid to the Independent Examiner (2021: £nil).
Note 5 STAFF COSTS
There were no employees during the year (2021: no employees).
Note 6 OVERNANCE COSTS
There have been no governance costs during the year (2021: £nil).
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
Note 7 DEBTORS – amounts falling due within one year
Note 8 CREDITORS – amounts falling due within one year
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
Note 9 FUNDS
Power Up includes a grant from Arts Council England of £13,267. This programme builds on the Pitch, Pace, Perform programme by training teachers in four music hubs.
Power Up includes a grant from Arts Council England of £8,100. This programme builds on the Pitch, Pace, Perform programme by training teachers in four music hubs.
Note 10 RELATED PARTIES
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
No Trustee received any remuneration in the year (2021: £nil). No Trustee was paid any expenses in the year (2021: nil).
There were no other related party transactions (2021: £nil).
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