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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1165164

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Patron

Robert Voss CBE CStJ, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire

Trustees Tony Bernstein (Chairman)
Lyle Aitken (Treasurer)
Dave Carey
Adina Collins
Meena Hansen
Kate Holland-Hibbert
Suzanne Langridge
Chris Luff
Paul Lewis
Sarah Thompson
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mel Boda
Artistic Director Tom Billington
Charity number 1165164
Principal address Ramillies
The Green
Sarratt
Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire
WD3 6AY
Independent examiner Gary Howard FCA
Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants
36 Crown Rise
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD25 0NE

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 10
Independent examiner's report 11
Statement of financial activities 12
Balance sheet 13
Notes to the financial statements 14 - 25

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and "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)".

Objectives and activities

Charitable objects

The charity's objects are to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people with learning disabilities from becoming socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society in particular by providing them with opportunities to engage in music and performance.

Aims of charity

At Electric Umbrella (EU) we create amazing, interactive, live music experiences with learning disabled people, and in doing so help change the way the world looks at them - and others.

Everything EU does is led by learning disabled people working alongside professional musicians. Its programmes are broad and offer opportunities for learning disabled children and adults. EU provide social and work based opportunities for the members so that they can visibly make a meaningful contribution in the community. This develops friendships, skills and confidence, increases feelings of self worth, improves well being and promotes independence. The education programme reaches over 40,000 children a year across mainstream and SEND schools both in Hertfordshire and across the country and changes the way people think about diversity and inclusion.

Objectives for the year

EU’s objectives for each of its three key areas of Music, Education and Instruments are:

Music

Education

- To develop and extend the reach of EU’s ground-breaking Education Programme. The objective for Education was to create a mainstream primary school residency where we could develop a programme of work for KS1 and KS2 that aligned with the National curriculum, covering Music and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as English, Computing, Science and PE.

- To extend the impact of the weekly Music Machine online programme within the SEND schools nationally by offering face to face workshops to local SEND schools to enhance their relationship with EU and provide a strong music provision into those schools. Members are part of the Education Crew Days that visit schools three days a week, travelling on one of EU’s big yellow buses to deliver vibrant, interactive performances and workshops that help pupils to celebrate difference, helping them to explore inclusion, equality and diversity.

Instruments

- To create meaningful work experience with the EU Instruments for Change project for members who help to refurbish and reimagine donated musical instruments, and to develop income streams for the charity and opportunities for members to learn new skills.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Strategies for achieving objectives

On Saturday 14th May 2022 we held a grand opening for the EU store, The pop-up Emporium, in The Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead. With a grant from Hertfordshire Community Foundation we were able to transform the space into a retail shop, workshop and music studio. Having opened the site with its own studio it enabled opening more Face/Feel the music sessions to meet the demand, and in order to do so EU recruited and trained more music practitioners to deliver the sessions. We were able to increase member sessions gradually over the year and now have just over 200 members attending these sessions.

We also started grant applications to fund a second much needed Big Yellow minibus which would enable us to support members with a broader range of opportunities each week. Minibuses will increasingly be engaged across EU’s Education programme in schools, collecting and delivering instruments, delivering Disability Awareness training to corporates and other organisations, as well as performing at events and gigs. The first Big Yellow minibus has been in use every day and the ability to meet demand by projects had become constrained by limited transport capacity. Success in these grant applications from The Clothworkers’ Foundation, The John Apthorp Charity and the Bernard Sunley Foundation has now enabled EU to add two Big Yellow minibuses this year.

Public benefit statement

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

Activities and achievements

To summarise the impact of EU this year:

EU worked with 260 members, 6,000 children at SEND schools, 40,000 children at mainstream primary schools, as well as performing to more than 30,000 audience members at gigs and concerts.

Our members report huge increases in confidence and a sense of purpose, and a decrease in loneliness.

In November 2022, to kick off the 10 year anniversary celebrations, the first ever fundraising dinner was held, Music in Me, a spectacular evening packed with performances where members took centre stage, amazing music and raised £50,000 for the charity.

During the event, our Patron Robert Voss, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire presented EU with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. In 2022 EU was one of only 244 charities selected to receive the last of these prestigious awards. The trustees are immensely proud of the charity’s volunteers who are such an integral part of the EU community. It relies on 220 hours of volunteer support each week to operate its programmes.

The charitable activities of EU continue to be about forming a unique co-creation of adults with learning disabilities and musicians. These activities are as follows:

Music

Weekly group music sessions are what EU founded on - unique, regular, meaningful and musical experiences for learning disabled people.

The online music programme comprises small group ‘Cyber Sessions’, the National Big Yellow Choir and a free to attend Plug In programme which includes EUTV, Breakfast Club, SIngalong and Open Mic.

The online programme enables us to reach new members nationally and combat social isolation by improving the health and wellbeing of our amazing community through music, friendship and connection.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

EU’s face to face music sessions are in Hertfordshire and consist of either Face the Music, which are high energy sessions or quieter Feel the Music sessions which are more sensory. Both sessions are designed for those who love to create music and perform alongside professional musicians and meet the needs of everyone in the room so that everyone can fully participate and make a meaningful contribution. Adapted technology is widely used to make this possible.

The new pop-up Emporium and Studio in The Marlowes from May 2022 gradually increased the number of Feel and Face the Music sessions from two days a week to six days a week with many members opting to attend multiple sessions a week or combining a music session with a session in the Instrument Workshop. These added days complement the fully subscribed and extremely popular Friday Face the Music sessions at the Watford Pump House. Each half day music session can accommodate up to 20 members, designed for members who are eager to meet and create music together.

Feel and Face the Music sessions cater for 100 members each week and the online group music sessions continue to be popular with over 60 members joining them each week.

The Big Yellow Choirs are for everyone over the age of 16. The ethos of the choir is to encourage family groups to attend together, and it is well attended by family groups of multiple generations. EU offers two such amazing choirs, open to everyone regardless of ability or disability, the weekly online Big Yellow Choir and a face to face Big Yellow Choir in Hertfordshire, with over 100 members.

Plug In is a brilliant, free programme of online activity. Every week EUTV is broadcast, an interactive zoom TV show on Monday evenings, a Friday afternoon singalong and a Saturday breakfast show, as well as a monthly online Open Mic night. These shows are enjoyed by audiences of around 500 people from across the UK.

EU’s monthly residency at The Horns in Watford has become an essential part of our programme where learning disabled members perform live to audiences of over 150 people with the house band of professional musicians. Open Mic Nights are an opportunity for the members to shine on stage - summed up by an audience member: “Electric Umbrella represents everything that is wonderful about the world we live in. The Horns gig was pure joy!”

In October 2022 the charity expanded its big yellow family by welcoming children in their earliest years to the wonderful world of Electric Umbrella. Baby Brollies is the new weekly music session for all children aged 0 to 5 and their parents or carers. We believe everyone should have access to high quality and inclusive music experiences, and babies and young children should be no different. Importantly, these sessions provide opportunities for our adult members to undertake leadership roles and work with young children - for many of our members working with babies and toddlers is an aspiration but there are limited opportunities elsewhere.

In addition, we have also performed at numerous live and online events during the year including the Rickmansworth Canal Festival, the Herts County Show, the Watford Big Centenary, the Marlborough Festival, Jubilee street performances in Watford and Hemel, Hertfordshire Libraries Platinum Jubilee event, Croxfest, Warner Bros Studios 10th Anniversary, the annual Watford Christmas light switch on, the Hemel Hempstead Christmas light switch on, Corporate event performances at the Assembly Global Event and at VWV, and a Williams Syndrome Foundation event. The Big Yellow Choir performed at The Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead during the Christmas period. It is amazing how many of EU’s national members visit and take part in these performances, often travelling the length and breadth of the country to do so.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Education

As well as music sessions, EU also offers member Education Crew Days which provide meaningful work - and social - based experience for members. These Crew Days offer members the opportunity to travel to different SEND schools each week to deliver sessions, workshops and the live Music Machine broadcast or to deliver the Express show in mainstream primary schools across Hertfordshire. Crew teams include 6 to 10 members each day.

The Education programme reaches over 1,000 SEND school children each week and between 500 to 1,000 mainstream primary children each week.

During the year Electric Umbrella undertook a six month residency at Sarratt CofE Primary School and developed a programme of work for KS1 and KS2 that aligns with the National Curriculum. Whilst the programme is totally delivered through music, at the same time it pushes boundaries on equality, diversity and inclusion. The programme at Sarratt School was funded by the Royal Opera House Bridge and was recognised by Ofsted in their recent inspection, contributed to the award of Gold Artsmark for the school, and the whole year 4 received Blue Peter badges for their contributions.

EU membership continued to grow massively increasing awareness of what it offers across the UK. All of these achievements demonstrate how everything we do is led by learning disabled members working alongside professional musicians.

Instruments

As a result of a very successful instrument donation campaign last year and with the opportunity to open the first EU Emporium at The Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead in May 2022, the charity was able to offer its members a meaningful day in the workshop repairing, recycling and reimagining instruments.

The Emporium and Instrument workshop is staffed by Crew Day members, volunteers and the team of volunteer music specialists. Members learn how to repair instruments, hone their performance skills and interact face to face with customers in the shop. Not only does this support EU’s work in challenging perceptions about learning disabled people, but it provides meaningful work and social based opportunities for members to thrive - building friendships, learning new skills, developing independence, and increasing confidence and resilience. Additionally, the project has green/recycling benefits by reducing the number of broken instruments sent to landfill and strong messaging in the community about reuse. Ultimately the sale of the instruments provides a good unrestricted income stream for EU.

Our CEO Mel Boda said: "During the year we received 2862 instruments from across the UK, all to help us to create amazing music experiences with learning disabled people. As well as raising vital funds, most importantly these donated instruments enabled us to deliver an additional 1572 hours of work based activity with our members. Working together at our beautiful pop-up Emporium, members gain new skills restoring, repurposing and reselling your musical donations.”

Supporters and Partnerships

We worked closely with organisations across the country who promote EU within their own communities. A number of these organisations continue to be donation stations for EU’s instrument amnesty including Emmaus and Sunnyside Rural Trust who both operate locally to us in Hertfordshire.

We have also continued to benefit from partnerships with Warner Media, Watford Chamber of Commerce and both the Hertfordshire and Haringey Music Services, as well as receiving support and funds from Absolute Accountancy Recruitment and VWV.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

We continue to grow partnerships with other local charities and organisations, developing this with the inclusion of SEND schools nationally and Hertfordshire’s mainstream schools.

We continue to work closely with Watford Borough Council in promoting inclusion for Watford.

We are also extremely fortunate to have Robert Voss, the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, as our Patron. He has been instrumental in championing and promoting EU across the County.

The Staff Team

The team has grown from a staff of 14 to 22 during the year. EU’s founders, Mel Boda and Tom Billington, are always looking to strengthen and support the team to enable it to deliver a growing EU programme.

The staff team consisted of the two founders, a part-time Operations Manager, a part-time Finance Manager, a full time Fundraising manager, twelve delivery (i.e. music and workshop) staff across Music, Education and Instruments, one part-time administrator, one part-time volunteer coordinator, a full time Emporium Manager, a photographer/videographer and a full time Member Development Manager. It also includes two freelance musicians and a part-time freelance Marketing Manager.

We are extremely fortunate to have a volunteer Data Protection Officer who manages our GDPR compliance and IT needs, as well as a volunteer fundraiser who has been instrumental in raising grant income for EU this year through grants and trusts.

We rely on 220 hours of volunteer support every week to operate EU’s programmes, online sessions, live performances, recording on our albums, repairing, servicing and reimagining instruments, and behind the scenes work. The appointment of a volunteer coordinator has been invaluable in growing this invaluable resource as we continue to develop face to face provision and rely even more on volunteers.

Staff and Volunteer Development

We have been successful with a number of grants to develop the team of staff and volunteers which has in turn enabled us to develop and broaden services. We are also regularly approached by local businesses and services keen for EU to deliver disability awareness training to their organisations.

We were immensely proud to be awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service during the year, the highest honour a charity can receive in the UK, thanks to the hard work and commitment of more than 300 EU volunteers.

Fundraising achievements

EU is grateful to have so many amazing individuals, families and community groups who have raised £52,134 for the charity this year.

As well as the £50,000 raised at the inaugural Music in Me event, we have been supported by companies raising £28,580 during the year including Robertson Sumner, CSL Europe, Camelot, Whistlebrook, Blackbaud and Europe Congress.

It was a great honour to be nominated as their charity of the year by Absolute Accountancy, VWV, Distinctly and Welcome Break. Each company supported us with events and fundraising during the year. Additionally EU unveiled its first yellow piano at Welcome Break’s South Mimms Services in January 2023.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

In addition to these generous donations from our community, EU have been successful in receiving grants totalling £261,644 from the following:

Dacorum Borough Council Watford Borough Council Quercus Fund Watford & Three Rivers Trust Hertfordshire Community Foundation People's Postcode Lottery Hertfordshire County Council National Lottery Grant Royal Opera House Meeting Needs The Clothworkers’ Foundation The John Apthorp Charity Childwick Trust Rix Thompson Rothenberg Foundation Bernard Sunley Foundation Watford Cultural Support and Development Grant Shoresh Charitable Trust Garfield Weston Foundation Edward Gostling Foundation

Financial review

Income

Total income for the year was £745,651, an increase of £479,565 from the previous period (2022: £266,086).

In 2022 income was split across member activities income (35%), donations and fundraising (30%) and grants (26%) and other (gigs, schools and merchandise 9%).

In 2023 income increased considerably by the addition of new activities (baby brollies) and by growing others (member crew days and sessions for a full year and a full year’s worth of instrument sales) as well as hosting a fundraising event to celebrate 10 years of EU called Music in Me:

Of the grant income, £221,644 was restricted grant income.

Expenditure

Total expenditure for the year was £704,876 which was an increase of £336,629 on the previous period (2022: £368,247). Of that expenditure, £143,185 was paid out of restricted reserves.

Our biggest cost remains our staff. We started the year with 14 members of staff on the payroll and ended the year with 22 members of staff. In order to achieve the increases in income and extension to our member programme, we recruited 5 part time music practitioners to run the daily Face the Music sessions, a full time fundraising manager and 2 full time members of staff to run the Emporium and Workshop.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Reserves

At the year end the charity carried forward a balance of £116,901 on Unrestricted Funds (2022: £81,058) and £6,721 on Restricted Funds (2022: £1,789), as well as a balance of £28,338 of deferred grant income in Accruals and Deferred Income (2022: £74,809). Total Unrestricted Funds are the equivalent of 2 months of running costs.

We delivered a surplus of £40,775 in the year as well as extending our face-to-face activities, maintaining online activities, successfully establishing the Member Development Programme, growing the Instruments for Change Project, and celebrating 10 years of EU.

As well as increasing income streams with new member activities and increased trading income, we also focussed on fundraising efforts to enable EU to deliver its ambitious plans and build reserves.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have agreed a policy whereby funds not committed or restricted by the charity should be maintained at a level sufficient to pay staff and running costs for a minimum of three months.

This policy allows for a reduction of income or lack of fundraising success during any particular year whilst allowing the charity to continue its activities at the current level for three months. The Trustees have carried out a risk profile on the income and expenditure streams which indicate we have successfully diversified income streams through crew days, donated instrument sales and seeking core costs grants. EU’s main committed expenditure is for staff and venue costs.

We strive to maintain an increasingly diverse stream of income to reduce risk of reliance on one or two sources.

The trustees acknowledge that reserves do not fulfil the agreed policy and plans were being developed for enactment in 2023/24 primarily to reduce expenditure and otherwise to improve the reserves position.

The principal sources of income are:

Member fees Gigs/shows Grants and Trusts Corporate sponsorship Individual Giving Instruments and Merchandise sales Schools Programme (Express & Music Machine)

Risk management

Risk factors and review

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. All sessions, crew days and events are risk assessed and we update all our policies and procedures on a rolling basis.

Conscious of the failure to achieve adequate reserves in line with policy in the year the trustees and management will continue to review operations, resources and costs to grow income and improve reserves to ensure EU's future.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Plans for future periods

EU will continue with daily music sessions and the instrument workshop at the Emporium in The Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead. The aim is to fill each of the music and instrument workshop sessions this year across 6 days a week. Having started with two successful weekly Baby Brollies sessions, we will look for opportunities to take this concept into pre-schools and release the first Baby Brollies album.

Watford will also continue to be an important base hosting two Face the Music sessions each Friday at the Pump House.

The Education Programme in both mainstream and SEND schools will feature prominently in the coming year with considerable demand for second and third visits to schools, EU will continue to develop both of these programmes. EU’s second residency at a mainstream primary school has been booked for a whole academic year and we are excited to see how this partnership develops.

We are committed to the learning disabled community across the UK who participate in the online programme and we plan to maintain and develop this whilst continuing to increase in-person reach across Hertfordshire. We are acutely aware that EU provides purpose and regular meaningful social interaction for so many people, and we are dedicated to our charitable purpose of reducing social isolation through our programmes.

Our Member Development Programme gives members complete control over their involvement in EU projects, where members share their interests and aspirations, and it is up to us to find creative solutions and opportunities which will meet their requirements and help them to achieve their goals. This may mean creating a bespoke instrument (e.g. a wheelchair mounted drum kit, or guitar which is ‘strummed’ with a hand drill). Or it could be creating a specific development opportunity, such as learning to be a Roadie for our gigs – starting with unplugging all equipment at the end of the performance and progressing to unloading the van and setting up equipment.

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document and how we are constituted

Electric Umbrella is a foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its foundation CIO constitution and registered with the Charity Commission on 14 January 2016.

Trustees

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Lyle Aitken Tony Bernstein Dave Carey Adina Collins (appointed 15 November 2023) Meena Hansen (appointed 15 June 2022) Kate Holland-Hibbert Suzanne Langridge Chris Luff Paul Lewis (resigned 22 February 2023) Sarah Thompson

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

New Trustees are invited onto the Board by the existing Trustees, having been made aware of the aims and scope of the charity and of their duties and responsibilities as trustees. The Trustees reflect the needs of the charity and they offer a wide range of skills and experience.

Organisational structure

Day to day operations are delegated to the CEO, Melanie Boda who reports to the Trustees who meet at least 6 times per year.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Induction and training of trustees

The Chair of the board of Trustees meets each new trustee to provide Trustee induction. New trustees undertake a rigorous interview process. The CEO provides a guided tour of all services, information on the history of the organisation and current operations.

The charity Trustees make available to each new charity Trustee, on or before his or her first appointment:

The trustees have successfully participated in the Better Boards training conducted by Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Relationship with wider network

EU have excellent and numerous partnerships with other charitable organisations, and musicians across the industry that we continue to grow and develop. These relationships are developed through collaboration on our albums and delivery of our online programmes. Key partners over the year have included Mencap, Williams Syndrome Foundation, Emmaus, Sunnyside Rural Trust, Hertfordshire Community Foundation, Watford Pump House Theatre, Watford Borough Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Marlowes Shopping Centre and a wealth of both SEND and mainstream schools across the country.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

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 and 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 year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient 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 Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Board of Trustees to extend huge thanks to the members, staff, volunteers, supporters, ambassadors, advisors, the wider EU community and our Patron, The LordLieutenant Robert Voss CBE CStJ for all their support and hard work - without each of you Electric Umbrella would not be the success it is today.

Tony Bernstein

Tony Bernstein Chair of Trustees

Dated: 29 January 2024

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Electric Umbrella (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no 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 financial statements to be reached.

Gary Howard FCA

Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants 36 Crown Rise Watford Hertfordshire WD25 0NE

Dated: 29 January 2024

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and
voluntary income
3
80,714
-
Charitable activities
4
443,293
221,644
Total income
524,007
221,644
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
5
71,549
-
Charitable activities
6
490,142
143,185
Total expenditure
561,691
143,185
Net (outgoing)/incoming
resources before
transfers
(37,684)
78,459
Gross transfers
between funds
73,527
(73,527)
Net income/(expenditure)
for the year/
Net movement in funds
35,843
4,932
Fund balances at 1 April
2022
81,058
1,789
Fund balances at 31
March 2023
116,901
6,721		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2023
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
80,714
79,724
-
79,724
664,937
131,685
54,677
186,362
745,651
211,409
54,677
266,086
71,549
44,005
32,297
76,302
633,327
240,940
51,005
291,945
704,876
284,945
83,302
368,247
40,775
(73,536)
(28,625)
(102,161)
-
-
-
-
40,775
(73,536)
(28,625)
(102,161)
82,847
154,594
30,414
185,008
123,622
81,058
1,789
82,847

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Stocks
11
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
13
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
16
Unrestricted funds		 2023
£
6,876
25,427
54,291
86,594
(61,689)		 2022
£
£
98,717
5,292
9,245
134,421
148,958
(100,350)
24,905
123,622
6,721
116,901
123,622		 £
34,239
48,608
82,847
1,789
81,058
82,847

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 29 January 2024

Tony Bernstein

Tony Bernstein Trustee

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Electric Umbrella is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's CIO constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and "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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements 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 the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

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

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. All other income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, otherwise the income is deferred until the performance conditions have been fulfilled. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis inclusive of VAT.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures and fittings 25% straight line Motor vehicles 25% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

The trustees have a policy not to capitalise individual asset purchases costing less than £1,000.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

1.9 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.10 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.11 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.12 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2 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 where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Donations and voluntary income

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Donations and gifts 80,714 79,724

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

4 Charitable activities

Session and choir fees
Events and gigs
Education programme income
Grants income
Instruments and merchandise sales
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Charitable grants
The National Lottery Community Fund
The John Apthorp Charity
Hertfordshire Community Foundation
The Edward Gostling Foundation
Watford Chamber of Commerce
Batchworth Trust
The Clothworkers Foundation
Garfield Weston
Watford and Three Rivers Trust
People's Postcode Lottery
Other		 2023
£
172,388
78,410
18,850
261,644
133,645
664,937
443,293
221,644
664,937
19,820
40,831
60,960
10,000
-
-
34,000
30,000
11,125
15,000
39,908
261,644		 2022
£
93,575
8,404
4,700
68,277
11,406
186,362
131,685
54,677
186,362
-
-
10,017
-
18,162
10,000
-
-
15,898
5,000
9,200
68,277

The charitable grants shown are the proportion of grants received during the year that relate to this accounting year. Where a proportion of the funding received specifically relates to a later accounting period the amount that relates to the future accounting period has been carried forward as deferred income.

5 Raising funds

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Marketing and Website costs
62,892
-
Other fundraising costs
8,657
-
Staff costs
-
-
71,549
-
For the year ended 31 March 2022
Fundraising and publicity
44,005
32,297		 Total
2023
£
62,892
8,657
-
71,549		 Total
2022
£
57,152
13,228
5,922
76,302
76,302

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6 Charitable activities

Staff costs and leader fees
Depreciation
Session and choir costs
Event costs
Emporium costs
Equipment purchases
Insurance
Travel
Office costs
Legal and professional costs
Other costs
Governance costs
Bank charges and other finance costs
Vehicle costs
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 2023
£
460,009
11,765
32,116
25,131
59,090
21,448
2,994
2,953
1,985
-
2,561
985
4,127
8,163
633,327
490,142
143,185
633,327		 2022
£
224,407
4,085
36,627
1,722
-
4,447
1,954
1,309
1,365
8,850
2,749
1,385
1,052
1,993
291,945
240,940
51,005
291,945

Governance costs include independent examiners' fees of £900 (2022 - £840).

7 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

8 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Direct charitable work
Employment costs
Staff costs and leaders fees
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2023
Number
17
2023
£
418,277
33,422
8,310
460,009		 2022
Number
10
2022
£
212,410
14,003
3,916
230,329

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

9 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

10 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and
fittings
Motor
vehicles
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2022
1,494
36,830
Additions
3,300
72,943
At 31 March 2023
4,794
109,773
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2022
249
3,836
Depreciation charged in the year
1,038
10,727
At 31 March 2023
1,287
14,563
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2023
3,507
95,210
At 31 March 2022
1,245
32,994		 Total
£
38,324
76,243
114,567
4,085
11,765
15,850
98,717
34,239

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11
Stocks
Finished goods and goods for resale
12
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
13
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes
Other taxation and social security
Deferred income
14
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
14
Deferred income
Other deferred income
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities		 2023
£
6,876
2023
£
13,071
12,356
25,427
2023
£
11,176
35,908
10,120
4,485
61,689
2023
£
35,908
2023
£
35,908		 2022
£
5,292
2022
£
5,481
3,764
9,245
2022
£
6,683
78,489
7,812
7,366
100,350
2022
£
78,489
2022
£
78,489

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

14 Deferred income (Continued)
Movements in the year
Deferred income at 1 April 2022 78,489 31,045
Released from previous periods (78,489) (31,045)
Resources deferred in the year 35,908 78,489
Deferred income at 31 March 2023 35,908 78,489

15 Retirement benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £8,310 (2022 - £3,916).

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

16 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movement in funds
Balance at
1 April 2021
Income
Expenditure
Balance at
1 April 2022
£
£
£
£
Childwick Express
-
-
-
-
EUTV
8,500
-
(8,500)
-
Hertfordshire County Council
20,500
600
(21,100)
-
Dacorum Borough Council grant
-
-
-
-
Kickstart Scheme
-
18,162
(18,162)
-
Pushing Boundaries
-
-
-
-
Hertfordshire Community Foundation - Environment Grant
-
-
-
-
Peoples Postcode Lottery
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
The National Lottery/Awards for All grant
-
-
-
-
Watford & Three Rivers Trust
-
15,898
(14,700)
1,198
Minibus fund
-
-
-
-
Watford Schools Tour
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
Training sessions
-
1,970
(1,379)
591
Meeting Needs
-
-
-
-
Instruments for Change Project
-
8,047
(8,047)
-
Royal Opera House
-
-
-
-
Hertfordshire Community Foundation - Quercus Grant
-
-
-
-
Hertfordshire Community Foundation - Member
Development Programme
-
-
-
-
Arts Council grant for Watford Jubilee events
-
-
-
-
Other funds
1,414
-
(1,414)
-
30,414
54,677
(83,302)
1,789		 Movement in funds
Income
Expenditure
£
£
5,000
(5,000)
-
-
1,140
(1,140)
9,000
(9,000)
-
-
6,768
(6,768)
5,000
(5,000)
15,000
(15,000)
19,820
(19,820)
11,125
(12,323)
79,831
-
-
-
-
(591)
4,500
(4,500)
28,091
(28,091)
7,000
(7,000)
5,000
(4,583)
12,890
(12,890)
9,979
(9,979)
1,500
(1,500)
221,644
(143,185)		 Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2023
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(73,527)
6,304
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
417
-
-
-
-
-
-
(73,527)
6,721		 Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2023
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(73,527)
6,304
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
417
-
-
-
-
-
-
(73,527)
6,721
6,721

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

16 Restricted funds

(Continued)

The Childwick Express grant was awarded to support the running of our Electric Umbrella Express Programme, which is co-presented by our learning disabled members and professional musicians, and provides whole school assemblies and smaller group workshops to mainstream schools in Hertfordshire.

EUTV aka Electric Umbrella TV is the totally interactive online operation that we created during lockdown via zoom and provides 4 hours of content each day - a breakfast show, spotlight session with guest musician, sing along and bedtime story.

Hertfordshire County Council locality grants were awarded to support the running of our Electric Umbrella Express and Music Machine Programmes.

Dacorum Borough Council grant was awarded to help us launch two new music sessions during the year: (1) baby brollies music sessions for SEND and non-SEND babies and pre-school children and their parents (2) Feel the Music sessions for our adult members with more severe, complex or additional physical needs or who are non verbal. The grant helped to cover the cost of the new equipment needed.

Kickstart scheme is funding from Watford Chamber of Commerce towards salary costs of three posts.

The RTR Foundation grant was awarded to support our Pushing Boundaries Education Programme, which is co-created and co-delivered by our learning disabled members alongside professional musicians, and delivers performances and workshops in the community, in mainstream senior schools and at Corporate events.

Hertfordshire Community Foundation Environmental Grant was awarded to help fund the salary of our workshop assistant who works to upcycle and reimagine instruments.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

16 Restricted funds

(Continued)

The People's Postcode Lottery grant was awarded towards the salary costs of one post: our Member Development Manager.

The National Lottery / Awards for All grants were for (1) the salary costs of one post for our Music Machine Programme which delivers workshops in SEND schools across the country, and (2) for a series of yellow piano street performances to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in Hemel Hempstead

Watford Three Rivers Trust grants were for (1) the salary costs of one post to develop our crew day programme at the Emporium where our members can spend the day with us gaining work experience, and (2) towards the cost of equipment.

Minibus Fund was a grant received for the acquisition of two minibuses. The assets have been transferred to unrestricted funds on acquisition.

Watford Schools Tour was a grant towards the cost of Electric Umbrella Express in Watford Schools.

Hertfordshire Community Foundation Workforce grant was awarded for mentoring costs, first aid training, safeguarding training and member development tools. The remainder of the grant will be received in 2023-2024.

Meeting Needs awarded us a grant for equipment for staging and events.

The Graham Rowlandson Foundation (via Hertfordshire Community Foundation) grant was awarded for our Instruments for Change Programme which repairs and upcycles donated musical instruments which are then sold in our Emporium in Hemel Hempstead as well as online.

The Royal Opera House grant funded the development of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Education Programme for KS1 and KS2 that aligned with the National Curriculum during a six month residency at Sarratt C of E Primary School.

Hertfordshire Community Foundation Quercus awarded us a grant for our Express Schools Programme within Watford mainstream primary schools.

The Hertfordshire Community Foundation has awarded us a two year grant for our Member Development Programme. This is the first year of the grant which is for community opportunities and day activities.

The Arts Council Lets Create grant was awarded for a series of events to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in Watford including street performances, workshops and concerts.

Other funds in 2023 is a grant from Watford Borough Council towards our Education Programme within Watford SEND schools and colleges.

ELECTRIC UMBRELLA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

17
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Fund balances at 31
March 2023 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
98,717
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
18,184
6,721
116,901
6,721		 Total Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
98,717
34,239
-
24,905
46,819
1,789
123,622
81,058
1,789		 Total
2022
£
34,239
48,608
82,847

18 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).

Electric Umbrella Final Accounts 31.03.23

Final Audit Report 2024-01-30

Created: 2024-01-29 By: Gary Howard (gary@howardwilson.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAA8Sfcsfk5bWcsMUJPzZ4WLeysl5g24eLk

"Electric Umbrella Final Accounts 31.03.23" History

Document created by Gary Howard (gary@howardwilson.co.uk)

2024-01-29 - 5:17:39 PM GMT

Document emailed to tony@electricumbrella.co.uk for signature

Email viewed by tony@electricumbrella.co.uk

2024-01-29 - 7:16:31 PM GMT

Signer tony@electricumbrella.co.uk entered name at signing as Tony Bernstein 2024-01-29 - 7:18:59 PM GMT

Document e-signed by Tony Bernstein (tony@electricumbrella.co.uk)

Signature Date: 2024-01-29 - 7:19:01 PM GMT - Time Source: server

Document emailed to Gary Howard (gary@howardwilson.co.uk) for signature 2024-01-29 - 7:19:02 PM GMT

Email viewed by Gary Howard (gary@howardwilson.co.uk) 2024-01-30 - 7:34:35 AM GMT

Document e-signed by Gary Howard (gary@howardwilson.co.uk) Signature Date: 2024-01-30 - 7:34:43 AM GMT - Time Source: server

Agreement completed.

2024-01-30 - 7:34:43 AM GMT