Charity 1158652
THE STRINGCREDIBLES
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023
The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity information | 1 |
| Trustees Annual Report | 2-5 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Accounting Policies | 9-11 |
| Notes to the accounts | 12-14 |
The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Charity information
Trustees
Sarah Gee (resigned 19 September 2023), Chair (until 19 September 2023) Isabel Churcher (appointed 24 July 2023), Chair (from 19 September 2023) Louise Braithwaite (appointed 24 July 2023) Michele Deeks (appointed 24 July 2023 Mark Devin (resigned 31 December 2022) Sebastian Lovell-Huckle (appointed 24 July 2023) Eluned Mansell Philip Mills Sally-Ann Sinclair (resigned 25 May 2023)
Charity Name
The Stringcredibles
Charity Number
1158652
Bankers
Co-operative Bank plc Delf Way Skelmersdale WN8 6GH
Independent Examiner
Kirsty Jackson BA (Hons) FCCA ACA JW Hinks LLP 19 Highfield Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3BH
Charity Principal Address
55 Bunbury Road Birmingham B31 2DS
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2023
The Trustees of the Charity present their Annual Report and Accounts for the 12-month period ended 31 March 2023.
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 discover 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.
Activities
2022 - 2023 was a year of continued delivery, consolidation and future planning. We ran our Apprentices programme once again with Birmingham Music Hub, continued our involvement with Wolverhampton Music Hub’s Elevate programme, visited primary schools across the West Midlands and started to plan an exciting new show focusing on Migration, in partnership with saxophonist Nate Holder.
Stringcredible Apprentices 2022
Our Apprentices programme has been running since 2015, and is designed to support young musicians and their performance skills. It allows for the development of young string players in inspirational roles, widens the reach of our performance methodologies programme, creates diverse role models in a very diverse city and supports the work of an excellent music hub.
The Apprentices programme offers:
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A first point of access for primary school children to watch live string performance and to explore opportunities to take up instrumental learning
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A chance for young musicians to up-skill and perform as a quartet, acting as inspirational role models for their peers
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Professional development opportunities for music teachers
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Cascading of learning from The Stringcredibles to music teachers and then to the pupils they teach
Support for the regional Music Education Hub (Birmingham Music Service) in recruiting more young musicians and developing the skillset of existing performers.
We worked with:
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4 string teachers from Services for Education, Birmingham Music Service
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8 young school aged string players, from 5 different schools in 2 string quartets
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2023 (continued)
We performed in 9 primary schools to audiences of over 1,600 children:
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Acocks Green Primary School
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Chad Vale Primary School
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Bournville Primary School
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Town Junior School
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George Dixon Academy
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Benson Primary School
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Broadmeadow Primary School
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Mansfield Green Primary Academy
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Benson Community School
Having been an Arts Council funded programme to date, Stringcredible Apprentices has moved to a new model, funded by Albert and Eugenie Frost Music Trust.
Wolverhampton Elevate
We continue to support Wolverhampton Music Services’ fast track progression programme Elevate. This is an ongoing partnership, delivering workshops in performance and ensemble skills for the young people selected for the programme.
Planning of Migration show
Considerable time this year has been spent planning our newest show for primary schools focused on migration, connected to the Kindness Curriculum. We are partnering with multiple creatives from composers, to visual artists, to statisticians. To build a bid for Arts Council England projects funding, we had conversations with:
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Lead partner: saxophonist Nate Holder
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Composers: Dot Inc, Shruthi Rajasekar, Cassie Kinoshi, Victoria Arlidge, Ryan Linham and Bobbie Jane Gardner
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Poet: Casey Bailey
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Researcher: Jenny Philimore, Professor of Migration and Superdiversity at the University of Birmingham
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Music Hubs in Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell
We heard later in the year that our funding bid was successful, and we have moved into the phase of creating the show, ready for delivery in schools in early 2024.
Our funding structure remains a combination of earned income with support from trusts and foundations, Arts Council England on a project by project basis and generous individual donors.
Financial Review
Income for the year was £11,358 (2022: £30,201), and expenditure was £23,603 (2022: £23,400). The resulting deficit of £12,245 (2022: £6,801 surplus), left the charity with closing funds of
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2023 (continued)
£19,974 (2022: £32,219). The deficit was due to the Power Up programme coming to an end, and so applying brought forward funds, and preparing for the Migrations programme.
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 2023 amounted to £19,974 (2022: £26,974); 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 2023 were £nil (2022: £5,245).
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.
There was one change to the board during the year to 31 March 2023. Mark Devin resigned from the board on 31 December 2022.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2023 (continued)
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 (FRS 102);
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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 operation.
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 October 2023. Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees:
Isabel Churcher Chair of Trustees
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 7 to 14.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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.
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.
Independent Examiner’s statement
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
Kirsty Jackson, BA (Hons) FCCA ACA Independent Examiner
15 January 2024
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The Stringcredibles
Charity Number 1158652
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Note INCOME Voluntary income 2 Charitable activities 3 TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Charitable activities 4 Governance costs 6 TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 Total 3,334 6,224 9,558 1,800 - 1,800 5,134 6,224 11,358 10,634 11,469 22,103 1,500 - 1,500 12,134 11,469 23,603 (7,000) (5,245) (12,245) 26,974 5,245 32,219 19,974 - 19,974 |
2022 Total 25,601 4,600 |
|---|---|---|
| 30,201 | ||
| 23,400 - |
||
| 23,400 | ||
| 6,801 25,418 |
||
| 32,219 |
The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part of these accounts.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity Number 1158652
Balance Sheet
at 31 March 2023
| Note CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 7 Cash at Bank CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within 1 year 8 NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) FUNDS Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL FUNDS 9 |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 Total 4,442 - 4,442 17,032 - 17,032 21,474 - 21,474 1,500 - 1,500 19,974 - 19,974 19,974 - 19,974 19,974 - 19,974 - - - 19,974 - 19,974 |
2022 Total 3,790 28,429 |
|---|---|---|
| 32,219 | ||
| - | ||
| 32,219 | ||
| 32,219 | ||
| 26,974 5,245 |
||
| 32,219 |
The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part of these accounts.
These accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees on 24 October 2023 and authorised to be signed by:
Isabel Churcher Chair of Trustees
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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 12month 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.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Accounting Policies (continued)
Grants and donations
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 VOLUNTARY INCOME
| Grants Donations Gift Aid |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 Total - 6,224 6,224 2,682 - 2,682 652 - 652 3,334 6,224 9,558 |
2022 Total 24,029 1,252 320 |
|---|---|---|
| 25,601 |
Grants includes £1,474 from Arts Council England.
Note 3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Fees from musical education performance |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 Total 1,800 - 1,800 |
2022 Total |
|---|---|---|
| 4,600 |
Note 4 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Musician fees & expenses Programme materials Project management Marketing Admin & sundry expenses |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 Total 5,598 8,786 14,384 4,466 - 4,466 78 2,513 2,591 259 170 429 233 - 233 10,634 11,469 22,103 |
2022 Total 14,875 756 5,197 2,480 92 |
|---|---|---|
| 23,400 |
Fees paid to the Independent Examiner totalled £1,500 (2022: £nil).
Note 5 STAFF COSTS
There were no employees during the year (2022: no employees).
Note 6 GOVERNANCE COSTS
Independent examiners fees have been incurred for the year ended 31 March 2023 totalling £1,500. (2022: £nil).
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
| Note 7 DEBTORS – amounts falling due within one year Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 To- tal Gift Aid 4,442 - 4,442 4,442 - 4,442 Note 8 CREDITORS Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 To- tal Accruals 1,500 - 1,500 Note 9 FUNDS 2022 brought forward Income Expenditure Transfers Unrestricted 26,974 5,134 (12,134) - Restricted Apprentices (Albert & Eu- genie Frost Music Trust) - 4,750 (4,750) Power Up (Arts Council England) 5,245 1,474 (6,719) - 5,245 6,224 (11,469) - 32,219 11,358 (23,603) - |
Note 7 DEBTORS – amounts falling due within one year Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 To- tal Gift Aid 4,442 - 4,442 4,442 - 4,442 Note 8 CREDITORS Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2023 To- tal Accruals 1,500 - 1,500 Note 9 FUNDS 2022 brought forward Income Expenditure Transfers Unrestricted 26,974 5,134 (12,134) - Restricted Apprentices (Albert & Eu- genie Frost Music Trust) - 4,750 (4,750) Power Up (Arts Council England) 5,245 1,474 (6,719) - 5,245 6,224 (11,469) - 32,219 11,358 (23,603) - |
2022 To- tal 3,790 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,790 | ||
| 2022 To- tal |
||
| - | ||
| 2023 carried forward 19,974 - - |
||
| 5,245 6,224 (11,469) - |
- |
|
| 32,219 11,358 (23,603) - |
19,974 |
Apprentices is a programme designed to support young musicians and their performance skills.
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.
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The Stringcredibles
Charity 1158652
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
| Unrestricted Restricted Pitch Pace Performance (Arts Council England) Power Up (Arts Council England) |
2021 brought forward Income Expenditure Transfers 2022 carried forward 24,418 7,234 (4,678) - 26,974 1,000 - (1,000) - - - 22,967 (17,722) - 5,245 |
|---|---|
| 1,000 22,967 (18,722) - 5,245 |
|
| 25,418 30,201 (23,400) - 32,219 |
Note 10 RELATED PARTIES
No Trustee received any remuneration in the year (2022: £nil). No Trustee was paid any expenses in the year (2022: nil).
There were no other related party transactions (2022: £nil).
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