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← The Stringcredibles

2025-03-31-accounts

Charity 1158652

THE STRINGCREDIBLES

Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Charity information

Trustees

Isabel Churcher (Chair) Louise Braithwaite Michele Deeks Seb Lovell-Huckle Eluned Mansell (resigned 9 June 2025) Philip Mills Zoe Mountford (appointed 25 March 2025) Amrit Sohal (appointed 25 March 2025)

Charity Name

The Stringcredibles

Charity Number

1158652 (registered in England and Wales as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

Bankers

Co-operative Bank plc, Delf Way, Skelmersdale. WN8 6GH

Independent Examiner

Emma Bunting, MA, FCCA

Charity Principal Address

55 Bunbury Road, Birmingham, B31 2DS

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees of the Charity present their Annual Report and Accounts for the 12-month period ended 31 March 2025.

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:

Activities

2024-25 has been a year of consolidation and development for The Stringcredibles. We:

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

trusts and foundations to fund a further 28 performances in partnership with Birmingham Services for Education and the newly formed Black Country Music Hub (the first partnership project of this new Hub which includes Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley) - the first 2 of these 28 performances were delivered in this period.

Stringcredible Apprentices 2024

With generous support from the Albert and Eugenie Frost Music Trust for the third year running (this the first year of a further three year grant), our Stringcredible Apprentices programme 2024 was one of the highlights of this period. Our Apprentices programme has been running since 2014, 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 support the work of an excellent music hub.

In the autumn term, we took on a new cohort of learners in partnership with Birmingham’s Music Service at Services for Education (SFE). Throughout the term we worked with 8 young string quartet players and 4 music teachers. The teachers and young musicians came to see The Stringcredibles perform in a primary school, then learned how to perform the show as brand new quartets. The Stringcredibles trained the quartet of teachers, and then mentored the teachers as they trained up the quartets of young musicians.

Our 8 Apprentices were a culturally diverse cohort of male and female string players, selected by Sally Hobbs (Head of Strings at SFE) as being musicians of promise, who would benefit most from the experience. All participants had been taught by SFE teachers at some/all stages, and were part of either Birmingham Schools String Symphony or Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra. The project helped them to really hone their performance and public speaking skills, and use these to inspire other children to engage with music. In a new development for 2024 we had student placements from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire shadowing all activity.

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

This year we are proud to have reached:

The project has had positive impacts on:

Pitch Pace Perform

Our trademark Pitch Pace Perform methodology is still very much a core thread of our work. Designed to connect performers powerfully with their audiences, we have delivered training for the Birmingham Services for Education String Sinfonia and for teachers at the Lincolnshire Music Education Hub.

Wolverhampton Elevate

We continue to support Wolverhampton Music Service’s 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.

The Butterfly Lands

Considerable time this year has been spent delivering our newest show for primary schools, The Butterfly Lands, alongside saxophonist Nate Holder. The show is an interactive performance for primary schools, bringing together excellence in classical music with hip hop, world music and bespoke creative writing to explore themes of migration and inclusion. The show celebrates cultural diversity and

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

connects to the Kindness Curriculum, promoting empathy, respect and compassion. The project was established as a partnership between The Stringcredibles and Nate Holder, with shared ambitions to explore themes of migration through the universal language of music. We commissioned a diverse creative team to support us in bringing our vision to life, and worked with Music Education Hubs to ensure the project had relevance and value to schools in areas of priority for music engagement. The show includes bespoke compositions, poetry, illustrations and visual presentations. Data relating to migration in local communities was curated by the University of Birmingham. Over the course of an hour, audiences join the journey of a butterfly to five islands; music, language, food, clothing and belief. Each island introduces new musical compositions linked together with original poetry. The varied programme includes lively classical and fusion music, movement, singing, interaction, and quiet moments of calm to reflect on the themes.

The project offers access to high quality live music, and supports cross-curricular learning, encouraging take-up of instrumental lessons and promoting pro-social development. It demonstrates the power of music to connect across cultures, to communicate challenging ideas in accessible ways, and to inspire active participation. The show explores how each individual’s unique background contributes to a colourful community.

During this period, we have delivered 17 performances in primary schools across the West Midlands (15 for phase 1 and 2 for phase 2) and created a film summarising the achievements of this tour. Our funding structure of this project is a combination of support from Arts Council England, trusts and foundations, earned income, and generous individual donors. The show has been the catalyst for developing new partnerships, including additional Music Education Hubs and the Schools of Sanctuary networks.

Schools we have visited with all our projects in this period:

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Organisations we have worked with in this period:

Trust and Foundations we have been supported by in this period:

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Quotes from our participants.

Primary school children:

“We learned without realising because it’s so much fun.”

“We’ve let go of our differences and found out we’ve had so much in common.”

Parent of Young Apprentice:

“Thank you so much for your hard work and support… [he] has loved the experience, which would not have been nearly as special without your collective input. It’s been such an enriching experience!”

Primary school teachers”

“Wow!! What can I say? All I heard from members of staff was that it was absolutely amazing on both our sites. I received loads of emails saying how professional, talented and wonderful everyone was. The children absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for giving our children and staff an amazing musical experience. What a treat!’”

“As a headteacher, I sat through it all and thought it one of the best performances we’ve ever hosted”

“It’s priceless”

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Board recruitment and development

This year has seen useful board consolidation and expansion for The Stringcredibles. We advertised for new Trustees and received excellent applications leading to the appointment of two new Trustees: Amrit Sohal and Zoe Mountford. They both bring a passion for music as well as providing us with respective key experience and skills in the areas of music education and safeguarding and of charity finance.

Amrit Sohal is a professional French Horn player, teacher and workshop facilitator. With a passion for creating an inclusive environment within music education, during her time at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Amrit created Motherland Music CIC where she runs workshops based on composers and musicians from global majority backgrounds. She is also a trustee for the People’s Orchestra.

Zoe Mountford is a Corporate Finance Advisor at Springboard Corporate Finance. She holds a BA(Sons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Warwick and is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA), having also worked in Audit and Transaction Advisory Services at Grant Thornton. In addition to her finance career, Zoe has a background in music, having studied violin, viola and classical voice at the Junior Birmingham Conservatoire for over 10 years.

Eluned Mansell will step down in the next financial year, while Isabel Churcher (Chair), Philip Mills, Michele Deeks, Louise Braithwaite and Seb Lovell-Huckle will continue to provide essential board support and particularly continuity, with the introduction of two new trustees.

As Chair, Isabel Churcher has guided the Board through a cycle of governance updates to ensure that our policies and procedures are all up to date, led The Stringcredibles through the 7 Principles of the Charity Governance Code, and facilitated the implementation of Values and Strategy documents, created by a working group led by Michele Deeks.

Financial Review

Income for the year was £30,930 (2024: £45,324), and expenditure was £32,334 (2024: £42,216). The resulting deficit of £1,404 (2024: £3,108 surplus), left the charity with closing funds of £21,678 (2024: £23,082). The deficit was due to lower grant income.

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

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 2025 amounted to £21,568 (2024: £22,452); the Trustees consider that the reserves do not exceed what is necessary for the Charity to continue as a going concern and expect the unrestricted funds to be applied to the charitable purposes within a reasonable period. Restricted funds at 31 March 2025 were £110 (2024: £630).

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:

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.

This year we advertised for new Trustees and received numerous interesting

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

applications. Following a rigorous recruitment process, we appointed two new Trustees: Amit Kaur Sohal and Zoe Mountford. They all bring a passion for music and professional and personal insights into the world of The Stringcredibles.

Risk Management

Our charity takes a proactive and proportionate approach to risk management to support effective decision-making and safeguard the achievement of our charitable purposes.

We maintain a comprehensive risk register that is regularly reviewed by both The Stringcredibles and the Board. This register considers strategic, operational, financial, reputational, and compliance risks, with clear mitigating actions and assigned responsibilities. The Board formally reviews the risk register at every meeting, with ongoing updates provided throughout the year as circumstances evolve. Particular attention is given to safeguarding risks, data protection, financial sustainability, and the delivery of services to our beneficiaries.

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:

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

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

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 23 September 2025.

Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees:

Isabel Churcher Chair of Trustees

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 2025 which are set out on pages 14 to 21.

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:

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.

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:

Emma Bunting, MA, FCCA Date Independent Examiner

Monday 22[nd] September 2025

The Stringcredibles

Charity Number 1158652

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2025

for the year ended 31 March 2025
Note
INCOME
Donations & legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
4
Cost of raising funds
6
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME BEING
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD
FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
Funds
Funds
Total
3,713
20,868
24,581
6,349
-
6,349
10,062
20,868
30,930
10,321
21,388
31,709
625
-
625
10,946
21,388
32,334
(884)
(520)
(1,404)
22,452
630
23,082
21,568
110
21,678		 2024
Total
36,198
9,126
45,324
42,216
-
42,216
3,108
19,974
23,082

The Stringcredibles

Charity Number 1158652

Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025

Balance Sheet
at 31 March 2025
Note Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
Funds Funds Total Total
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 7 638 - 638 8,023
Cash at Bank 20,930 110 21,040 21,734
21,568 110 21,678 29,757
CREDITORS: Amounts falling
due within 1 year 8 - - - 6,675
NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 21,568 110 21,678 23,082
NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 21,568 110 21,678 23,082
FUNDS
Unrestricted 21,568 - 21,568 22,452
Restricted - 110 110 630
TOTAL FUNDS 9 21,568 110 21,678 23,082

The notes on pages 16 to 21 form part of these accounts.

These accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees on 23 September 2025 and authorised to be signed by:

Isabel Churcher Chair of Trustees

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.

Recognition of incoming resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Accounting Policies (continued)

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

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.

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.

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.

The Stringcredibles

Charity Number 1158652

Notes to the Accounts

Note 2 DONATIONS & LEGACIES

Grants
Donations
Gift Aid
Donations & Legacies		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
funds
funds
Total
1,000
20,868
21,868
1,875
-
1,875
838
-
838
3,713
20,868
24,581		 2024
Total
32,485
3,227
486
36,198

Grants includes £2,893 (2024:£26,035) from Arts Council England.

Note 3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Musical performances
Charitable activities		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
funds
funds
Total
6,349
-
6,349
6,349
-
6,349		 2024
Total
9,126
9,126

Note 4 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
funds
funds
Total
Musician fees & expenses
8,390
13,880
22,270
Commissions
-
1,800
1,800
Programme materials
-
311
311
Project management
1,580
5,391
6,971
Marketing
110
-
110
Admin & sundry expenses
241
6
247
Charitable activities
10,321
21,388
31,709		 2024
Total
26,080
8,000
655
7,145
25
311
42,216

Note 5 STAFF COSTS

There were no employees during the year (2024: no employees).

Note 6 GOVERNANCE COSTS

There have been no governance costs during the year (2024: £nil).

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Notes to the Accounts (continued)

Note 7 DEBTORS – amounts falling due within one year

Trade debtors
Gift Aid
Debtors		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
funds
funds
Total
150
-
150
488
-
488
638
-
638		 2024
Total
3,095
4,928
8,023

Note 8 Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year

Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
funds
funds
Total		 2024
Total
Accruals -
-
-		 6,675
Creditors < 1 year -
-
-		 6,675

Note 9 FUNDS

Unrestricted
Restricted
Migrations		 brought
forward
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
carried
forward
22,452
10,062
(10,946)
-
21,568
411
14,618
(15,029)
-
-
Apprentices 219
6,250
(6,359)
-
110
630
20,868
(21,388)
-
110
23,082
30,930
(32,334)
-
21,678

Migrations is a programme to deliver experience of live music to primary school children, that also addresses the issues of migration, diversity and inclusion. This is funded by Arts Council England.

Apprentices is a programme designed to support young musicians and their performance skills.

The Stringcredibles

Charity 1158652

Notes to the Accounts (continued)

2023
2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Migrations
Apprentices		 brought
forward
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
carried
forward
19,974
12,839
(10,361)
-
22,452
-
26,035
(25,624)
-
411
-
6,450
(6,231)
-
219
-
32,485
(31,855)
-
630
19,974
45,324
(42,216)
-
23,082

Migrations is a programme to deliver experience of live music to primary school children, that also addresses the issues of migration, diversity and inclusion. This is funded by Arts Council England.

Apprentices is a programme designed to support young musicians and their performance skills.

Note 10 RELATED PARTIES

One trustee received a gift on retiring (Sarah Gee, £100) (2023: £nil); no trustee received any remuneration in the year (2023: £nil). One trustee was paid expenses in the year (Isabel Churcher £110), (2023: nil).

There were no other related party transactions (2023: £nil).