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2022-03-31-accounts

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements

31[st] March 2022

Reg. Charity No: 1165993

T: 01904 373011

E: enquiries@musicalconnections.org.uk

W: www.musicalconnections.org.uk

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ORGANISATIONAL DETAILS ............................................................................................................................... 3 GOVERNANCE ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Election of Charity Trustees ............................................................................................................................... 4 Additional Governance Information and Organisational Structure ..................................................................... 4 Risk Management ............................................................................................................................................... 5 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................... 6 Background ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Objectives ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 ACTIVITIES DELIVERED AND BENEFICIARY NUMBERS ................................................................................. 8 Main Activities Delivered .................................................................................................................................... 8 1. In-Person Group Work ................................................................................................................................. 8 2. Digital Inclusion Activities ............................................................................................................................. 9 3. Intergenerational Sessions and Events ....................................................................................................... 9 4. Radio Sessions .......................................................................................................................................... 10 2020/22 AT A GLANCE ........................................................................................................................................ 12 IMPACT ON PARTICIPANT WELLBEING .......................................................................................................... 13 Social Prescribing ............................................................................................................................................. 18 DIGITAL ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................................................... 20 MUSICAL CONNECTIONS’ MAGIC INGREDIENTS ........................................................................................... 24 IN MORE DEPTH ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Clear Values and Carefully Considered Working Practices ............................................................................. 24 Creative, Skilled and Dedicated Musicians ...................................................................................................... 26 A Sizeable Volunteer Team .............................................................................................................................. 28 Partnership Working ......................................................................................................................................... 31 Free Transport .................................................................................................................................................. 31 Ongoing Relationships with Intergenerational Partners ................................................................................... 32 Solid Financial Management ............................................................................................................................ 34 Steadfast and Supportive Board of Trustees ................................................................................................... 35 FUTURE PLANS .................................................................................................................................................. 36 FINANCES .......................................................................................................................................................... 37 Income and Expenditure ................................................................................................................................. 37 Fundraising ....................................................................................................................................................... 42 Reserves Policy ................................................................................................................................................ 43 APPENDIX: Independent Examination and Trustees Annual Report ............................................................. 45

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ORGANISATIONAL DETAILS

Type of Charity: Musical Connections is a CIO (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation).

Charity Registration Number: 1165993

Date of Registration: 10[th] March 2016

Postal Address : PO Box 724, York, YO1 0HL

Trustees:

Valerie Sutton (Chair) Jo Farrington (Treasurer) Chris Bartram Hazel Brown Richard Frost

Bank: NatWest City Centre Branch 1 Market Street York YO1 8SR

Accountants: Outsource 29 Millfield Road York, YO23 1NH

Over the last year, our project team has consisted of a Project Director, who is also a musician, and 3 more self-employed musicians, supported by an active Board of Trustees.

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GOVERNANCE

Election of Charity Trustees

Clause 10.1 of our constitution states that ‘apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees’. Clause 10.2 states: ‘In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO’.

Additional Governance Information and Organisational Structure

Musical Connections’ board of trustees is stable, experienced, and very active, bringing together a range of skills and expertise. Our Chair was previously Group Manager of Adult Services for City of York Council, and brings extensive experience in managing and delivering care for older people. She is ably supported by the rest of the trustee board, which includes a retired GP, a former marketing manager, a former senior music lecturer from York St John University and a retired chartered engineer, who is also one of our choir members, enriching the board with his experience as a project beneficiary. Together the board is well equipped to provide oversight and guidance for the project.

Our Project Director/Lead Musician has led the Musical Connections project since its inception and has over 15 years’ experience of leading participatory music in care and community settings. She leads a small team of self-employed musicians who are highly trained and experienced in working with vulnerable older people who have a range of needs, interests and abilities.

As our work has gradually returned to near-normal this year, the team has built on the wealth of experience, skills and ideas they acquired during the pandemic, enabling us to resume face-to-face work quickly and effectively, and to deliver a project that, while very similar to our pre-Covid work, has become more multi-faceted, perhaps most noticeably in relation to digital activity and the strong sense of connection – ‘family’ – that now exists across the different groups and choirs that make up our project.

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Risk Management

The Board of Trustees considers that they have complied with their duties to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission, and work collectively to review risks, systems, and procedures on a regular basis. One of our trustees has particular responsibility for Health and Safety and our Chair is the named person responsible for safeguarding.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Background

Following a year which turned the world upside down, and the work of Musical Connections with it, we emerged from the long winter lockdown of early 2021 with cautious optimism that a return to some degree of normality would become possible during the year ahead. With this aim in mind, we took advantage of every change in the rules to advance towards an eventual return to indoor, in-person groups.

Between April and September 2021, we ran a hybrid service, which involved bringing group members together outdoors where possible, while also staying in telephone, postal and email contact with people who were too vulnerable to be in contact with others, or who were living in residential care settings where strict restrictions persisted.

On the 6[th] September, we eventually moved back indoors, gradually resuming our core group work across a range of care and community settings, while also incorporating new skills, ideas and activities developed during the pandemic. Although the emergence of the Omicron variant proved an unwelcome bump in the road, the worst of it coincided fortuitously with a planned break in sessions over Christmas, which meant there was minimum disruption to our activities – wherever possible, we simply moved our pre-Christmas carolling and events outdoors. After Christmas, City of York Council guidance allowed us to resume indoor sessions and, in February, we moved back into a care-home, which had been closed to the general public for almost 2 years. At the same time, we expanded our project by beginning a new group in a sheltered housing scheme where we had not previously worked.

Objectives

Funders continued to be fully supportive of our strategy, which enabled us to keep delivering on our charity’s objectives i.e.:

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ACTIVITIES DELIVERED AND BENEFICIARY NUMBERS

Main Activities Delivered

Over the course of the year, the following activities were delivered by our team of dedicated musicians, all of whom were closely supervised by the Project Director:

1. In-Person Group Work

https://youtu.be/mEKkdYFY32s. This was hugely exciting for everyone involved, although some of our most vulnerable members felt unable to cope with the unpredictable weather and uneven garden terrain, and so continued to stay in touch from a distance while awaiting the return to indoor sessions.

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As a result of these efforts, by the end of March 2022, we were running the following 10 weekly groups:

In addition to the core sessions, members from across all of the groups took part in a number of additional activities in the wider community, some of which were intergenerational. Free transport was provided for anyone who needed it, to enable them to attend both weekly sessions, and additional community-based events.

2. Digital Inclusion Activities

While it was highly gratifying that we were able to return to such a high volume of face-to-face work over the course of the year, our experience of working under lockdown had opened our eyes to the possibilities presented by including digital activities alongside traditional group work. It was clear that members with online access enjoyed taking part in collaborative recordings with students and members of other Musical Connections groups, and we had seen how much they enjoyed accessing Musical Connections material in their own homes. We therefore:

3. Intergenerational Sessions and Events

During the lockdowns, we managed to stay in touch with several intergenerational partners, which meant that local schoolchildren and students were able to participate in online sessions, virtual concerts, and collaborative recordings – something which was extremely rewarding for

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everyone involved whilst other options for social connection and music-making were so limited. However, as with all of our other work, there has been a strong desire to bring younger and older people together in person and so, gradually, and cautiously, we have instigated an increasing amount of face-to-face intergenerational work. By the end of March 2022, we had managed to run 10 face-to-face intergenerational sessions/events, and had included 253 children and young people across our in-person and online activities.

4. Radio Sessions

Our musicians have nurtured strong relationships with two local radio stations, YorkMix and YO1 Radio, which have enabled us to enjoy a strong radio presence across the city. Both stations have promoted the work of Musical Connections to their listeners, and YO1 Radio have invited group members to perform in the studio on a number of occasions. The station also created a feature about Musical Connections, which involved them visiting and broadcasting the work of our sheltered housing groups.

We are delighted that Laura Castle from YorkMix has recently accepted the role of ‘Musical Connections ambassador’.

‘What the team do at Musical Connections is amazing. Music is universal and to be able to bring people together through this medium and create true happiness and positivity are just some of the many reasons I feel so privileged to be an ambassador. I've been lucky enough

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to witness first-hand the joy that the sessions bring to the lives of those involved, and the more people that can hear about and get on board with the charity, the better’

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2021/22 AT A GLANCE

Over the course of the year, the number of beneficiaries actively engaging in face-to-face work increased from less than 20 in April 2021 to 213 by the end of March 2022, plus 60 additional vulnerable older people who took part in additional, one-off events in the wider community. We also continued to support 18 members with regular phone calls between sessions – some had been unable to return to their group/choir because of increasing frailty, while others, despite coming back to sessions, had got used to their phone calls and didn’t want to lose contact with the volunteers who were ringing them.

In addition, 253 children and young people from local schools and universities took part in intergenerational activities with members.

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35 outdoor
sessions (1)
219 indoor
sessions
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IMPACT ON PARTICIPANT WELLBEING

Feedback from beneficiaries suggests that the work we have done to support them through another difficult year has had a significant positive impact on their wellbeing, helping to reduce the effects of prolonged restrictions and enabling them to re-connect with their community as restrictions have gradually eased.

During two tracking phases (October 2021 and March 2022), 111 beneficiaries completed feedback questionnaires.

99% said that going to their MC group improves their overall mood that day and 94% said that it greatly improves it:

‘I felt a bit under the weather on Wednesday morning but after one and a half hours with delightful Abby and the rest of the members, I danced out of the hall! Not quite literally, but I really felt so much better after that lovely session.’

‘We are a very happy group. If you’re a bit fed up when you come in, you won't be when you go out! Amy is a joy to be with.’

‘The best feeling ever is when it all comes together, we get it right and the sound is great!’

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100% said that weekly sessions make them feel generally happier and more positive about life ( 84% said that they greatly improve their happiness ):

‘MC has been a hugely positive impact on my life, for which I am very grateful. The consistent enthusiasm and cheerfulness of the musicians is such a lift from daily news and a reminder to engage with others as a distraction. I ALWAYS enjoying coming to MC’

95% said that participating in their MC group improves their confidence/self-esteem (60% said greatly) :

98% said that their MC sessions help them to feel more alert and active :

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group.’

other people whom l wouldn’t normally have contact with - just an enjoyable couple of hours.’

95% said that participating in MC events and sessions gives them an opportunity to make increased contact with other people/the wider community . For many, it is the only regular social and creative activity available to them:

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‘MC has been a major contribution to my ability to deal with Covid-19 and all the lockdown problems during the last eighteen months. I would have found it more of struggle without this community’

96% said that they have made new friends since joining the group:

‘I enjoy coming and meeting people - making friends out of strangers!’

‘It’s lovely to have an extra circle of friends’

‘I’ve made some lovely friends and always feel uplifted after the sessions’

99% said that going to their MC group improves their overall life satisfaction and 55% said it improves greatly . Weekly sessions and additional events in the wider community appear to give people who are struggling with loneliness something positive to think about and to draw upon during difficult times:

‘I leave with a feeling of satisfaction knowing that I have perhaps increased my life for another day and dread a time when I can no longer join’

‘Just so vital that this marvellous small team keeps

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going with what they are doing. So marvellously committed to each session and such a pleasure to hear such lovely singing voices being expressed with joy, enthusiasm, and love for the moment that we are all in. And they carry us along with them, which is always the miracle that is achieved at these Musical Connections sessions!’

95% said that MC sessions improve their overall wellbeing and 62% said greatly.

‘Always go home with a smile on your face’

‘I know it will be fun and full of laughter’

‘It always lifts my spirits – I come away with a smile on my face’

89% believe that participating in sessions improves their physical health . The focus and concentration needed to engage fully in session activities helps reduce rumination, anxiety, and stress, giving people a sense of clarity and helping them to feel calmer and more centred:

‘The songs with movement have got to be beneficial for our old bones!’

‘It helps massively with my health, it helps me to breathe easier, and mentally it goes a long way to help me to enjoy what I have.’

‘I get so much from attending the three Musical Connection groups. They have helped me so much through some very difficult times health-wise that I dread to think what I would do if they didn't exist’

‘With COPD and other medical conditions, singing helps with my breathing’

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The work that we did throughout the coronavirus lockdowns had the effect of making our musical community stronger and closer than it was before, with many members now referring affectionately to ‘Our Musical Family’. 100% said that they continue to feel a valued member of the MC family and 60% said greatly .

‘I am referred to by my name which makes me feel valued, and Fiona and Charlotte have a lot of names to remember! They always have a warm welcome and a smile.’

‘It's like once seen - never forgotten’

‘We are all made to feel so special by every one of you in the team’

Social Prescribing

Social prescribing is becoming increasingly accepted as a way of providing patients with legitimate nonmedical solutions to their problems, and York Medical Group (YMG) is keen to bring the benefits cited above to their patients. We have worked with YMG for over 4 years as a social prescribing partner and, prior to Covid, were running singing groups in two of their GP surgeries. No longer able to base ourselves in their surgeries, we have found alternative venues for these groups in the wider community - YMG is covering the rental costs for us. In November, we set

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up a third YMG-supported group, which is now based on campus at York St John University. Our aim is to create an intergenerational choir involving York St John students, YMG patients and other older members of the wider York community – so far, 17 older people and 3 students have participated in the group, and we continue to work on building numbers.

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DIGITAL ACTIVITIES

The pandemic illuminated the technology gap between ‘the haves’ and ‘the have nots’, with the benefits of technology never previously so apparent to our beneficiaries. During the lockdowns, those with internet access were able to participate in our large range of online

activities, while those without access felt

particularly isolated and left behind, despite having telephone and postal contact with us. We tried to address this problem by borrowing tablets from another local charity and running a small pilot project in a couple of the council’s sheltered housing schemes. However, the lack of resources available within the scheme to support novice

users meant that little progress was made. With this in mind, we made a successful application to the National Lottery’s Awards for All grant programme, which enabled us to purchase tablets for members of three of our groups and provide them with appropriate training in how to use the tablets to access Musical Connections resources and to connect with friends from their group between sessions.

Based on feedback from the pilot project, we developed 2 consecutive 12-week training programmes which aimed to ensure that tablet users experienced genuine benefits from having digital access. The first of these programmes took place between January and March 2022, during which we handed out 18 tablets across 2 of our groups (one community-based and one sheltered housing scheme). Given that most

members had never used a tablet before, we originally planned to focus on tablet functionality before introducing Wi-Fi access, however, in practice, it was easier to do both concurrently. After connecting them to the internet via personal hotspots and City of York Council Wi-Fi, a couple of volunteer ‘tech-buddies’ assisted the groups’ musicians in helping members to browse the internet, take pictures, and record parts of

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the weekly sessions – this content was then uploaded to two shared Google Drives, ‘TC family’ and ‘Gale Farm family’, which could be accessed by members at any time. Both Google Drives also included song lyrics used during the weekly sessions, MC group recordings and a regularly updated ‘group chat’ using Google Docs. In addition, some members used their newfound digital skills to discover family history, look up contact details for paying bills and catch up with their favourite television shows.

‘I've been using it on and off at home - I took a picture of Susie (the cat) yesterday, and Caroline (her carer) took a couple of me with her. I've got some of Charlene (another carer) too. Caroline has been helping me at home with it, and I've been finding Musical Connections songs on the internet, and also my own as well. I've found YouTube and things on there...my next thing is to try and do a video call.’

Of the 18 beneficiaries who were given tablets in January, all of the community-based group members (9) were keen to utilise them during sessions, but 5 of the sheltered housing scheme group members either returned their tablet soon after the programme began or refused to take one in the first place. 3 had tablets of their own at home, 1 felt they did not understand the digital world and were unwilling to learn and 1 had a visual impairment which prevented them from using a tablet effectively. 2 group members also missed the majority of Stage 1 due to health-related issues; 1 was in hospital and 1 was struggling with the aftereffects of Covid-19. Despite this, the remaining 2 sheltered housing scheme group members learnt quickly and are now confidently using the tablet, both at home and during sessions.

‘I find it useful for watching shows because I can’t get Coronation Street and Emmerdale on my television. I’ve been using it to take photographs too, and then I can show them to my neighbour – show her the things we’ve been doing in the sessions’

‘I’ve enjoyed it – at first I was just interested in looking up the York news, but now I’ve found that I can watch things on YouTube and that’s really good – I like to be informed about things and this is helping’

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11 beneficiaries across the two groups completed entry and exit questionnaires. This enabled us to compare their initial perceptions of the digital world with their experience having accessed it and it was gratifying to see that the number of people perceiving the benefits of tablet usage had increased by the end of the first training programme.

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10
8
6
4
2
0
Useful Makes life easier Makes sessions easier Helps to connect with
to follow others
Before After
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Of the 11 beneficiaries who used a tablet throughout the programme:

One member has found the tablet so beneficial, both during weekly sessions and at home, that she has bought herself a tablet and had broadband installed at home .

‘It’s made me buy one, so it’s definitely done something! I’ve just got the internet too, so it’s made me do that – I do find it useful’

Building on learning and member experience during Stage 1, we will shortly be rolling out the tablet training to a third group (in a sheltered housing scheme) for another 12-week period and will also continue supporting members in the original two groups. We hope that this will

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provide maximum opportunity for our members to engage with each other, access online creative opportunities, and connect with the wider world.

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MUSICAL CONNECTIONS’ MAGIC INGREDIENTS

Over the 13 years that Musical Connections has been running, including throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen how the following ingredients have combined to create a formula which has enabled us to consistently deliver a creative, high-quality, and adaptable project which has become greatly valued in York, both by its beneficiaries and by the wider community.

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A steadfast and Clear values and
supportive Board of carefully-
Trustees considered working
practices
Creative, skilled
Solid financial
and dedicated
management musicians
Ongoing
A sizeable
relationships with
volunteer team
intergenerational
partners
Free transport Partnership working
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IN MORE DEPTH:

Clear Values and Carefully Considered Working Practices

The following characteristics are cornerstones of our work, which have remained constant through the challenges of the pandemic:

Continuity : in pre-Covid times, our commitment to providing a continuous programme of weekly sessions (structured loosely round the academic timetable) enabled participants to build self-confidence and to develop meaningful relationships with other members of the

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Musical Connections family. Our determination to maintain these relationships and to provide a continuous programme of musical and social activities through all levels of restrictions has meant that, as we have emerged from the pandemic, many of these relationships are now even stronger than before.

Inclusivity : we welcome any older person who wishes to join us, regardless of ability or disability. We do not believe in compartmentalising people and have been told, particularly by people living with dementia, that they prefer not to be pigeon-holed as such, but would rather mix with other members of the community as they would have done before their diagnosis. Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to receive referrals from local agencies seeking support for vulnerable and chronically isolated older people.

Avoidance of stereotyping: we do not make assumptions about participant preferences and invite them to engage with all kinds of musical genres and activities. At a recent choir festival in March, our large community choir, The Rolling Tones, brought the house down with their energetic performance of Proud Mary (Rolling on the River), a Tina Turner classic.

Providing opportunities to learn and achieve: beneficiaries, including those with learning disabilities or dementia, have repeatedly demonstrated that they enjoy and are stimulated by being offered a degree of challenge e.g., learning and composing new songs. Simply revisiting old favourites can get boring after a while.

Building on participant skills and interests : where participants have shown a particular talent, we have worked hard to celebrate it. While we have only just been able to resume inperson performances and concerts, the last year has seen us produce a host of recordings and videos to which interested beneficiaries have been encouraged to contribute. In addition, a couple of members who are passionate about their music, plus one of our musicians and a volunteer, have created a band which has performed several times on local radio.

Good relationships between the project musicians and carers/staff in care settings : our team works hard at developing positive relationships with others who have responsibility for the welfare of our beneficiaries. We aim to develop an understanding of each other’s issues, and to develop mutual respect, which ensures that the project is delivered collaboratively, with a shared focus on how to maximise benefits for participants.

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Ensuring participants are fully involved in evaluation and planning activities : while

most participants tell us that they would rather be making music than discussing the process/project, they appreciate being asked for their opinions about their group, and for guidance on its future development. In an extension of this work, a beneficiary steering group was created in early 2022, which we hope will provide extra insight and support for the team.

Disciplined and focussed tracking and evaluation activities : involving beneficiaries and volunteers in the following activities has given us great insight into the impact of our work, enabling us to move forwards with confidence and an understanding of what beneficiaries need and value:

Continuous review of the process has optimised participation in it and the usefulness of the information collected. This has been particularly important while we have been moving through the different phases of the pandemic and its restrictions – it has enabled us to assess people’s confidence about returning to sessions and to establish the approach needed to enable them to feel safe while re-connecting with their group.

Creative, Skilled and Dedicated Musicians

The Musical Connections musicians demonstrated huge resilience and professionalism throughout the strict Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020-21, which, despite the challenges presented, illuminated the musicians’ dedication, creativity, and skill. These attributes were also in evidence in the second year of the pandemic, as they constantly adapted to evolving restrictions, taking advantage of every increase in freedom to generate new opportunities for face-to-face activities with beneficiaries. Finding suitable outdoor venues and delivering

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sessions in changeable weather with difficult acoustics can be challenging, but, as with everything else, they greeted the task with determination and ingenuity, and it is testament to the excellent relationships they maintained with beneficiaries during the lockdowns that it was a relatively seamless process to reunite the groups indoors in September.

With a return to indoor sessions, the musicians have re-embraced the established practices of Musical Connections, continuing to work hard to achieve a balance between accessibility and providing a level of challenge which requires focus and application from group participants. An emphasis on developing musical understanding and offering more complex experiences than traditional singalongs is appreciated by beneficiaries who are keen to use their brains and skills and to embrace an opportunity to learn and experience something new without feeling any pressure.

The musicians provide a welcoming and supportive environment for these activities to take place and fully understand that, while the music gives group members focus and purpose, the groups need to be delivered in a way that maximises relationships with and between everyone involved – the musicians all know that, ultimately, the purpose of the music is to facilitate these relationships and is not an end in itself. This knowledge and understanding is what helps them to deliver our project so effectively – and is also what drives them to stay in contact with some of our most vulnerable members between sessions – they appreciate that ‘our musical family’ extends beyond the boundaries of session times.

Alongside traditional music-making, the musicians are now embedding digital activity within the project (see above). This has only been possible because of their own excellent digital skills, which they honed out of necessity during the pandemic.

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A Sizeable Volunteer Team

During 2020-21, our volunteer team expanded significantly, benefiting from a large influx of young people under the age of 30 who were looking to do something useful during lockdown restrictions. Once restrictions started to ease, however, these volunteers quickly fell away, presumably taking advantage of their new freedoms and, by July 2021, only 3 of the original 19 were still with us. In response, we launched a multi-pronged recruitment campaign. We:

These efforts resulted in 10 new volunteers under the age of 30, plus the 3 who stayed on after lockdown restrictions ended, and the 6 older volunteers who stayed with us throughout. Across the year, we had a total of 38 volunteers working for the charity for varying amounts of time, in a number of different roles. At the end of March 2022, we had:

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18 6
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6
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Working as ‘music buddies’ at weekly sessions, supporting members/musicians

Providing members with transport to sessions

Staying in phone contact between sessions with vulnerable members

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Our beneficiaries benefit hugely from the volunteers’ contributions:

“Our volunteer, Tiffany, is an excellent aid to the group, she fits in like a hand fits in a glove. She’s so helpful and makes the group flow smoothly every week’

‘I am always in touch with my volunteers and team leaders, they all need five stars in my mind, or better still medals saying, ‘We care’.’

It is apparent that the volunteers enjoy their work with us and benefit just as much as our primary beneficiaries from the social connection and musical participation that the groups afford them. They are also inspired by the opportunities the project presents for them to use their skills and time in support of others.

In questionnaires conducted with 15 volunteers, ALL said that volunteering for MC greatly improved their mood that day (13 said greatly):

ALL said that it made them feel generally happier and more positive ( 10 said greatly ):

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‘Caring for, and helping people, makes me happy - it gives me a purpose and makes me feel valued.’

‘I've absolutely loved volunteering with Musical Connections so far - every session is different and has provided me with the opportunity to enjoy new experiences.’

ALL said volunteering had helped to improve their confidence ( 9 said greatly ):

ALL said that being a part of the MC volunteering team had improved their overall satisfaction with life ( 8 said greatly ):

‘Seeing the impact that the sessions have on residents and attendees first-hand is such a humbling experience and being a part of that is a great feeling.’

‘It helps to put my thoughts and feelings into perspective.’

ALL said that they felt a valued member of the MC family ( 8 said greatly ):

‘I feel very involved and welcomed by MC – they're incredibly inclusive.’

‘I am regularly thanked for what I do’

ALL said they were very happy with the communication and support from the team.

Towards the end of the year, we added to our volunteer team by setting up a beneficiary steering group, which we hope will provide useful feedback, and help to guide and support the team as we continue to move forwards.

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Partnership Working

With the resumption of face-to-face sessions, we have relied heavily on our partnerships with local agencies, venue providers, social prescribers, and York Medical Group. All of our regular venue providers preserved our weekly slots free of charge throughout the pandemic, and, before we were able to move indoors, we were able to hold outdoor sessions in the gardens of a York Medical Group surgery and a local church, as well as the sports court of a community centre.

Since re-starting the groups indoors, we have received a steady stream of referrals. The key partners who identify and signpost vulnerable and isolated older people to us are City of York Council’s community teams, York Medical Group, NHS Primary Care Link Workers, York CVS’s Ways to Wellbeing social prescribing team and Age UK York. We are also connected to other related agencies such as OCAY (Older Citizens Advocacy York) and York Neighbours, who are in a position to promote our work to potential beneficiaries.

More generally, we benefit from York CVS’s excellent support for the voluntary sector in the city, and regularly attend their training and information sessions. We have also worked closely with York Cares in our search for volunteers and our efforts to improve digital inclusion, and are members of the Music for Healthy Lives Research and Practice Network steering group, an initiative led by the University of Leeds.

Free Transport

When Musical Connections began working in community settings, it quickly became apparent that transport was a huge barrier for some potential beneficiaries, who could not use public

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transport or taxis because of disability or a lack of money. Pre-Covid, we had already embedded free transport within our offer, and, since resuming in-person work, it continues to make a huge difference for people who would not otherwise be able to get to weekly sessions or additional events in the wider community. 17 participants have used this service over the last year, relying either on volunteer drivers or local taxi firms, who are aware of our beneficiaries’ circumstances and needs, and have provided updated safeguarding policies which cover Covid safety.

We know that our project partners find the offer of free transport hugely helpful in encouraging and enabling their clients to get involved with us, and we believe that our commitment to providing this service on a bespoke and ongoing basis sets us apart from many local services.

Ongoing Relationships with Intergenerational Partners

Prior to the onset of Covid-19, we were running 50+ intergenerational sessions and events per year. During the lockdowns, we stayed in contact with many of our intergenerational partners, who were keen to contribute to collaborative recordings and other online activities, such as Zoom sessions and online concerts. With restrictions still in place at the start of the year, digital activities gave both younger and older participants a rare opportunity to make music with others, to connect with the wider community, and to feel a sense of purpose and positivity at a time when their options were limited. Please follow the links to watch some of the intergenerational recordings we have made over the last year:

While continuing to deliver digital activities, the easing of restrictions over the course of the year has enabled us to gradually start re-introducing in-person intergenerational work with local schools and universities. It was with a sense of great excitement that students from both of York’s universities began to join us in November, working as group ‘music

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buddies’ and delivering instrumental and vocal workshops, and, in December, local primary schools visited sheltered housing groups for Christmas carols and workshop activities - with the rise of the Omicron variant, the children stayed outside the housing schemes, while beneficiaries stayed inside, participating alongside their younger counterparts through open doors and windows. After Christmas, once concerns about the Omicron variant had begun to subside, we set about creating a timetable of indoor intergenerational workshops, and even managed to take beneficiaries into a local nursery and primary school for a couple of ‘Little Sings’.

Intergenerational work has always played a key role within our project. Our approach is one of mutuality and an expectation that everyone involved will play an equal and active role, so that all participants, regardless of age, have a sense of purpose and a properly shared and meaningful experience. It delivers immediate and direct benefits to participants, both younger and older, as well as wider sustainable benefits relating to cross-generational understanding.

Its success is built on:

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involved and enjoy each other’s company. By working in this way, we have found that educational establishments are much more likely to commit to ongoing collaboration than if we base our approaches to them on a vague notion of public-spiritedness and social conscience.

Over the last year, we have worked with the following:

St Aelred’s Primary Westfield Primary Fulford Secondary University of York School School School University of York St Scarcroft Primary St George’s Primary Clifton Day Nursery John School School

The interactive content and the regularity of this work helps isolated older people to get involved or re-involved in the life of their community, and to enjoy positive experiences and connections with other people and generations. The evidence suggests that it is an equally positive experience for younger participants:

‘It was a pleasure for us, a treat for the children. I know the children enjoyed it equally as much as the choir’

Solid Financial Management

During 2020-21, funders were very supportive of a re-deployment of their grants towards Covid-response activities, and a significant amount of covid-related funding was made available for charities working to reduce isolation amongst older people. The challenge for 2021-22 was to secure funding which not only continued to facilitate Covid-response activities where needed, but also enabled us to work towards a resumption of in-person work. Our priority was to move out of crisis mode, and to focus once more on longer-term sustainability, and we were delighted that several funders, including Arts Council England were keen to support us in this. Unlike many other charities, we were in an excellent financial position at

35

the end of the year, with our reserves intact and significant grant funding in place for the next 16 months.

The grant funding was complemented by income from voluntary participant contributions at weekly sessions (we request £4, but do not exclude anyone who is unwilling or unable to contribute), community fundraising and additional donations from members and project supporters.

Steadfast and Supportive Board of Trustees

Throughout the two years of the pandemic, our musicians have been supported by an unchanging Board of Trustees, all of whom have demonstrated the same flexibility and dedication as the musicians. As the project has returned to near-normal, the trustees have been closely involved every step of the way, providing guidance, encouragement, and careful thinking in the face of the complexities raised by evolving Covid restrictions and a move from laws to guidance.

The trustees bring a range of skills to the charity; our Chair was previously Group Manager of Adult Services for City of York Council, and our Treasurer is a former marketing manager within Leeds City Council. The other trustees are a retired GP, a former senior lecturer in Music at York St John University and a retired engineer, who is also a Musical Connections choir member.

36

FUTURE PLANS

We are looking to the next year with optimism, and hope that the road back to normality will now be relatively smooth. Over the next 12 months, we will be:

37

FINANCES

Income and Expenditure

Table 1 highlights the overall receipts and payments from 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022, the brought forward balance at the end of 20/21, and the subsequent bank balance.

The total receipts up to 31[st] March were £100,774, and the total payments were £72,914, which leaves a balance of £27,860 for the financial year. When added to the carried forward balance from 2020/21 (£52,345), this left Musical Connections with a total balance of £80,205 for the end of the financial year.

The total amount of receipts allocated to unrestricted funding was £19,729, and there were payments to the value of £10,775, thus leaving an unrestricted surplus of £8,954 at the end of 2021/22. When added to the balance brought forward at the end of 20/21 (£27,539) and accounting for some minor transfers of funds (£34), this leaves the charity with £36,459 of unrestricted funds.

The total amount of receipts allocated to restricted funding was £81,045, and there were payments to the value of £62,139, thus leaving a balance of £18,906 in restricted grants to carry forward into the next financial year. When added to the balance of restricted funding brought forward at the end of 20/21 (£24,806) and allowing for a small number of transfers between funds, this leaves Musical Connections with £43,746 in restricted funds to carry forward into 22/23.

The total receipts received in 21/22 (£100,774) were made up of grants received £80,045 (79%), followed by session fees and contributions of £9,018 (9%). Donations from organisations (£4,687), community fundraising (£4,513) and individual giving (£2,511) together represented the remaining 12% of the total.

The payments (£72,914) comprised the overall people costs (81%) at £58,912. The top five categories of payments and the % of the total they accounted for, were as follows:

Project management fees - £22,140 (30%)
Musicians’ session fees - £17,596 (24%)
Community involvement activities - £16,753 (23%)
Equipment - £5,372 (7%)
Beneficiary Travel and Transport - £2,145 (3%)

38

Table 2 provides a breakdown of receipts and payments for unrestricted funds and each restricted fund. It also provides the current surplus for each fund, the amount brought forward from 20/21 and the funds carried forward at the end of the financial year. This table also shows where payments were made against a brought forward balance from 20/21 rather than a receipt in 21/22 e.g., Wharfedale Foundation.

Table 3 shows the statement of Musial Connections’ assets and liabilities on 31[st] March 2022.

39

Table 1: Receipts & payments for the year ending: 31[st] March 2022

Table 1: Receipts & payments for the year ending: 31 stMarch 2022 Table 1: Receipts & payments for the year ending: 31 stMarch 2022 Table 1: Receipts & payments for the year ending: 31 stMarch 2022 Table 1: Receipts & payments for the year ending: 31 stMarch 2022 Table 1: Receipts & payments for the year ending: 31 stMarch 2022
2022 2021
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds		 Total funds
Receipts £ £ £ £
Session fees & contributions 9,018 - 9,018 1,071
Grants - 80,045 80,045 42,290
Donations from organisations 3,687 1,000 4,687 1,812
Donations from individuals 2,511 - 2,511 6,093
Communityfundraising 4,513 - 4,513 6,540
Events & training - - - -
Total receipts 19,729 81,045 100,774 57,806
Payments
Session costs – musicians 3,190 14,406 17,596 -
Marketing& website 31 1,247 1,278 433
Meetingcosts 58 201 259 352
Travel costs 41 2,104 2,145 315
Musical equipment & music 261 5,111 5,372 1,699
Insurance - 372 372 372
Project management costs 3,240 18,900 22,140 25,065
Stationery, printing& office costs 316 769 1,085 1,236
Fundingbids & fundraising 884 - 884 823
Trainingcosts 280 1,506 1,786 60
Communityinvolvement activities 1,176 15,577 16,753 37,578
Venue costs 396 1,326 1,722 51
Volunteer costs & DBS checks 48 96 144 92
COVID self-isolationpayment 378 - 378 -
Consumables,repairs & renewals 115 454 569 -
Independent examination 300 - 300 -
Self-evaluation - - - 352
Miscellaneous expenses 61 70 131 313
Totalpayments 10,775 62,139 72,914 68,741
Net of receipts/(payments) 8,954 18,906 27,860 -10,935
Transfers between funds -34 34 - -
Balance brought forward 27,539 24,806 52,345 63,280
Balance carried forward 36,459 43,746 80,205 52,345

40

Table 2 – Unrestricted and Restricted Funds

----- Start of picture text -----
Balance Income Resources Transfer of Balance
b/fwd recevied expended funds c/fwd
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted 27,539 19,729 10,775 -34 36,459
Restricted
Derwenthorpe Community Fund 293 - 293 - -
Wharfedale Foundation 2,000 - 640 - 1,360
Masonic Charitable Foundation 2,795 3,594 6,389 - -
Jack Brunton Charitable Trust 2,000 - 2,000 - -
HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust 500 - 430 - 70
Ashley Family Foundation 5,000 5,000 8,430 - 1,570
Liz and Terry Bramwell 5,000 - 5,001 1 -
Ways to Wellbeing York CVS 2,218 - 2,219 1 -
Whitwam Family Charitable Trust 5,000 - 5,001 1 -
Brelms Trust CIO - 5,000 3,555 - 1,445
Awards for All - 9,990 6,760 - 3,230
Betty’s and Taylor’s - 5,000 5,000 - -
Magic Little Grants - 500 500 - -
Westfield Ward - 500 500 - -
Hobson Charity - 5,000 2,079 - 2,921
Headley Trust - 1,000 1,031 31 -
Evan Cornish Foundation - 5,000 5,000 - -
Garfield Weston Foundation - 10,000 2,541 - 7,459
Arts Council - 17,361 113 - 17,248
Purey Cust Trust - 1,684 830 - 854
Headley Trust (2) - 5,000 2,208 - 2,792
Postcode Neighbourhood - 6,416 1,619 - 4,797
Total Restricted 24,806 81,045 62,139 34 43,746
Total Funds 52,345 100,774 72,914 - 80,205
----- End of picture text -----

41

Table 3 – Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31[st] March 2022

Table 3 – Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31 stMarch 2022 Table 3 – Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31 stMarch 2022 Table 3 – Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31 stMarch 2022 Table 3 – Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31 stMarch 2022 Table 3 – Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31 stMarch 2022
2021/22 2020/21
Unrestricted
funds

Restricted
funds
Total
funds
Total
funds
£ £ £ £
Assets
Current bank account 36,315 43,746 80,061 52,340
Pettycash 144 - 144 5
36,459 43,746 80,205 52,345
Assets retained for the charity’s
own use		 Fund Cost Current
Value
Details £ £
3 x keyboard Unrestricted 300 150
1 x keyboard Life Less Lonely 155 50
Large amp Unrestricted 150 50
Portable amp Robert McAlpine 160 50
Portable amp Life Less Lonely 149 50
3 x iPod touch Freemasons 597 150
Loopstation Unrestricted 135 20
Chime bars Freemasons 260 100
Chime bars Unrestricted 260 100
Chime bars Micklegate Ward 127 100
Projector & case Unrestricted 612 50
Portable speaker Unrestricted 160 50
2 x camera Unrestricted 379 100
Notebook Freemasons 299 150
2 x tablet Unrestricted 200 160
45 x tablets Awards for All 4,455 4,455
2022 2021
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
funds
Total
funds
Liabilities £ £ £ £
Independent examination fee 300 - 300 300
300 - 300 300

42

Fundraising

Having had to adjust our fundraising strategy during Covid to take account of the loss of income from face-to-face sessions, this year has seen us once again generating income from direct fee income and participant donations at sessions, as well as from grants, individual/corporate donations and community fundraising:

Grants and organisational donations : having applied for and received a considerable amount of Covid-response funding in 2020-21, our focus over the last year has been to generate new grants/donations aimed at stabilising and sustaining us during and beyond the transition out of crisis mode. We have been successful in securing a number of multi-year grants, the most significant coming from the Garfield Weston Foundation (£30,000 over 3 years) and Arts Council England (£34,722 over 20 months)

Weekly voluntary donations at sessions: these have come from participants at our community-based groups. This year, we increased our suggested donation to £4 (we had planned to do so in April 2020, following 5 years of £3 donations) – in reality, some beneficiaries have donated more, and some have given less. While these donations are an important source of income for us, nobody is excluded if they are unable or willing to make a contribution

Direct fee income : this has come from a private care-home which has paid us directly for sessions

Community fundraising and individual donations : during the lockdowns, we worked hard to increase income from these sources, and our efforts continue to pay off, with income from these sources continuing to be considerably higher than it was in the year before the pandemic. With the closure of Virgin Money Giving, we have switched to Invest My Community for online fundraising, while community fundraising activities have included a brica-brac fair, concerts, carol-singing and sponsored events - the most notable of these was based on The Proclaimers’ song ‘500 Miles’ – we challenged our musicians and members to walk 500 miles to raise £500 and actually raised £1,331.

We would like to thank the following funders for their support over the last year:

43

Arts Council England Ashley Family Foundation Bettys & Taylor’s Coronavirus Community Fund Brelms Trust CIO Derwenthorpe Community Fund Evan Cornish Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation Headley Trust Hobson Charity HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust Jack Brunton CharitableTrust Liz & Terry Bramall Foundation Magic Little Grants Masonic Charitable Foundation

Postcode Neighbourhood Trust (a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery)

Purey Cust Trust Ways to Wellbeing York CVS City of York Council’s Westfield Ward Whitwam Family Charitable Trust

Reserves Policy

Musical Connections’ Reserves Policy, approved by the Trustees in July 2021, states that the charity should hold a maximum of £40k in reserves. This level of reserves was set after careful consideration of all the potential reasons reserves would be needed e.g. to aid cash flow, contingency planning to mitigate against unexpected expenditure, to commit designated funds to expenditure not covered by annual income and finally the closure of the charity. After due consideration of all these potential calls on reserves, it was determined that Musical Connections would need to hold a range of reserves between £9.5k and £40k. The trustees took the decision that they needed to protect the beneficiaries in the event of having to cease its operation and therefore the figure of £40k was agreed, as being 50% of the current operational costs of running the project with an additional 10% to go towards paying for any

44

professional services that may need to be employed to aid closure. This level of reserves would protect the charity’s beneficiaries, who are mainly socially isolated and vulnerable adults, and enable it to wind down its operation in a sustainable way, rather than abruptly withdraw its services, which would have a detrimental impact on their quality of life. At the end of 2021/22, the level of reserves held was £36, 459.

45

APPENDIX

Independent Examination and Trustees Annual Report

46 Musical Connertions (Charlty Numbor.. 11659931 Trustees Annual Report & Financlal Statements for the year ended 31st March 2022 Charity accounts preparation & independent examination service

47 Musical Connections Plumber. 11659931 Contents Index Page Report of the trustees Independent examlner's report Receipts & payments accounts Statement of assets and15abilitles Notes to the accounts

48 Trustges. Annual Rèport Ta-. P•Bl•t•r•d ¢hwty Obi•d6b*• •nd •ctlvlti

49 W•.. In tro fKTt h¥rortM 2021.22. 3$￿￿ory￿1 ro•rf•M•krn

50 Fln•n¢l•l T￿• At t)1th• 2021f22fna￿1 li cI£10).n4 w¥J ￿￿1￿￿£72.•14 8tstmwt•xpl•lnknoth• polty lot ht4dlng r•••rn• •MWng hyipy • Cr)nÉdion$ Fteseryea Prjy. wo￿1 hi J￿Y 2021 stBttt (rf£4C that ltrmy ne•d•d to wc4•ct ￿th￿t c4 to fyur•or£w dqtrimirtyl |rn￿ tsi AnountolrnMr¥•A hqld bo £40k. fftch 41 prBxqnl rqll¥#s SO% clth•Dy• r<•tsi4nrwthe •MllY)7¥ 10% to 45.55 at th• wdol Angnu￿wIl NIA lurth ¢l•lk NIA O••cdpiknn olth• ¢htrw• Iru d•tsiiJ olwy p￿￿1￿nI•.4. •l•Etlon to (•y trLat•4 cl￿￿￿ 10.2 147

51 R•f•r•nc• Ind •dmlnl•trlon d•1￿1 YL¥k Y01 C* om¢• v￿ Sutton Jo F•irry￿ Tru•¢•• NIA N•m•s wd4ddF•uM 01•￿￿ ••r Karen YIoc•J Yoi 7PR NIA 819Tr•d olth•(hwlV•tnxt• SIV￿lUr• Fdl N•rn• Fwrrykn 2q/7/zL

52 Inde ndent examinerfs rt to the trustees of Musical Connections I report on the accounis of.. for the year ended.. Responslbllltles and basls of report Musl¢al Connedlons 315t March 2022 which are set out on pages 6 to 9. A5 the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible lor the preparation of the account5 in attordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.ihe A￿1. I report in respect ol my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Art and in carrying out my examlnation I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145lSllbl of the Act. Independent èxamlntr's statèmènt I have completed my examinatlon. I confirni that no materlal matters have come to my attent5on In connection with the examination glvlng me cause to believe that in any material respect.. l accounling records were not kept in respect of the Trust as requifed by section 130 of thè Art.. or 2 the accounts do not accord with th05e record5 I have no ¢oncerr5 and have come across no other rnotter5 in connertion with the exarnlnation to which atttntitsn should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reachèd. 9/912L Karen Wo¢)d IACMAI Outsource independent examination service The Hi5cox Building Peasholme Green York YOI 7PR Dat*:

53 Musical Connections (Charity Number= 11659931 Receipt5 & payments accounts for the year ending: 315t March 2022 2022 Total funds 2021 Total funds Unrestrlcted funds Restrirted lunds Receipts Session fees & contributions Grants Donations from organisations Donations from individuals Community fundraisln8 Events & trainin8 Total recelpts 9,018 9,018 80,045 4,687 2,511 4,513 1,071 42,290 1,812 6,093 6.540 80,045 3,687 2.511 4.513 Payments Session costs- musicians Marketing & Website Meetlng cost5 Travel costs Musical equipment & muslc Insurance Project management COStS Stationery, printing & office costs Funding bids & fundraising Training Costs Community involvement activitieslvolunteer management. musicians Venve costs Volunteer cost5 & DBS checks Covid self isolation payment Consvmables, repairs & renewals Independent examination Self evaluation Miscellaneous expenses Total payments Net of recelpts/lpayments) Transfers between funds 3.190 31 58 41 261 14,406 1,247 201 2,104 5,111 372 18,900 769 17,596 1,278 259 2,145 5,372 372 22,140 1,085 884 1,786 433 352 315 1,699 372 25,065 1,236 823 60 3,240 316 1.176 15.577 16.753 37,578 396 48 378 115 300 1.326 96 1.722 144 378 569 300 51 92 454 352 313 61 70 131 8,954 18.906 27,860 110,9351 1341 34 Balance brought forward Balance carried forward 27.539 24,806 52,345 63,280

54 (Charity Number." 11659931 ststemeni of ass¢ts •nd Ilab114tle5 at: Jtst M•rth 2024 2011 Tothl Totsl ds CuNent ba4 •tcount Petty ￿5h 36.315 144 43.746 .c61 144 52,340 16 Curr?nt Value Asstts rttslned lorth•rlWs￿￿ w• O•t•lls 3 x Keyboard I x Keyboard r8e amp Portable amp Portable amp 3 x Ipod 1￿ch Loop station Chlme bars Chlme bars ChSme bars Prolecior & tsÈ PortèblÈsptakpr 2 x camtfa Notebook Unrestritted It Le55 Lone Unrestricted Robert M(Altyne Llle Less LC¥ Fretmbsons Unfestrttttd Iso 50 so 50 155 150 160 149 597 135 160 2flJ 117 612 160 379 299 2¢ 4.455 150 20 Ir Ic UnrestTlcte Mickleyte W•rd UDresrdtted Unrèstricted U•restiicted Freemasoni Unrestritted Award$for￿1 i￿) 150 160 4.455 45 x tabs 2022 Yotal nds 2Wi Tot•1 fvDds Ratrkted nth Uab11111•5 Independent exarfAn•tknn fet 3ry) 3(Y) 3Lh)

55 Icharity NumbÈr 116$9931 Notestoth•arf•urt5hrthe DorwefflthNpe c4mmun￿¥ hirtof a VQllL4plryth¢ftdllr4TLYS Vlhwhdèh Mo50niC ChirtiablpFoY￿ JXk•rUn¢¢￿ th4rlthbltTiwt hloy F•m11¥F￿n￿llO Ur&T4rry Br￿¥￿1 w￿10 WolIt•￿V￿￿cvs Sq¢Md InstalmtK llli I￿$14rt￿ ofth tOY4rk FAWE•lfjroup'5 Awl￿f0( Jt•pthYy"Iwlrd5￿¥5ld Sult41n4￿11ThlQrMc ￿ 5UPWt Coron•Yifus tommunlty Fund ik Westfitlttwlrd [￿￿Mun HobnCWty He•dleyTiuSI Evan Combh GrnotttrardtrornroJts Grnntth¥Jatth ioMfQJlS rstihSWllintol•yinttr5LWrt." the feSurnpMn of¥Jookty, IwwThmu5k•roups4fK1 PuieyCusg7rttst 4d*Trust121

56 TqtslUnr•rtrlthd 27.539 19.729 10.775 56.459 trentorptCoMuntyFw wharledileFoundat￿Tr Masonic ChaiitatAtFfrtJndaiknn Jack 8runlon ChaDtèble T￿t HDHWI115 1965 ChntAlpTni Jhley FafflilyFour￿ 193 293 Ljg) 1795 &S94 4YJ s.￿1 2.219 Ls70 to Wellbei￿YrrfkC¥S Izii $rdm5Trus1 AWard5ftsF￿ etty's &TaWortGmupCfrfownJ5CwDrnwty Fun¢ isswd Fpufidatkn M4ic Uttl*Gtanti Wesffiel¢ Ward HobsoD Ch•rlty He4they TIus1 E¥aM Cornlsh Fl￿￿j￿￿On rReld Western FouTrJ•U Art5 Counrll Ewhnd Pyreycust Trust 55 760 1,445 3.2XS 79 iO.C•X) 17.361 1541 7,459 iY,Z48 Z.2r P05tiudp NE￿￿bOUr1￿dTnAf 4.757 4Y.746 52J45 10i774 71914 1717/x2 J-F- 27/7/21 D4te

- 10were intergenerational workshops,eventsand concerts where group beneficiaries made musicwithchildren and young
peoplefromlocal schools and universities
- 6were community-basedeventsinvolving members singing at a local market,asupermarket, a city centre fundraiser and
events involving an additional 60 peoplefroman Age UK day club and $everal local authority housing schemes
- 4 were radio sessions
. 99% said going to their Musical Connections session improved their mood on the day (94% said greatly)
. 100% said going to their group helped them tofeelhappier and more positive about life (84% said greatly)
. 95% said that taking part improved their confidence (60% said greatly)
. 89% said their physical wellbeingwasimproved
. 99% said they felt greater satisfaction with their lives
. gBoAsaid going to their group improved their alertness and activity levels
. 98o/osaiditgave them a sense of purpose and something to look forwardto
. S5%saiditenabled them to make increased contact with other people
. 960/osaid they had made new friends through their group
. 100% said they considered themselvestobeavalued member oftheMC Farnily {60% said greatly)
. 95olosaid their overall wellbeing was improved

Refarence andadminis tration details
Charity'sfullname Musical Connections
Othernames thecharityis known byNIA
Charlty's principaladdress PO Box 724
York
YOlOHL
Names of thetrustaes who
ValSutton Chair
JoFarrlngton Treasurer
Chris Bartram
Hazel Brown
Richard Frost
Names and addressesof advisers(OPTIONALI
Karen Wood
lndependent ExaminerAGMA,CGMA		 Outsource Accountancy Services &lndependentExaminations
Hiscox Building, Peasholme Green
YO1 7PR
Bankers
Natwest Bank
Name of ehief executiveornamesof senior staffmembers
N/A

Receipts&
ents accountsfortheyear ending:		 Receipts&
ents accountsfortheyear ending:		 31stMarch2A22 31stMarch2A22
2022 2A2t
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
Receipts € f f f
Sessionfees&contributions 9,018 9,018 1,07L
Grants 80,045 80,045 42,294
Donationsfromorganisations 3,687 1,000 4,697 1,812
Donationsfromindividuals 2,51t 2,51r 6,093
Community fundraising 4,513 4,513 6,540
Events&training
Totalreceipts t9,729_____g1,045 tOO,774__5zqqg
Payments
Sessioncosts - musicians 3,L90 14,406 17,596
Marketing& Website 31 t,247 L,278 433
Meetingcosts 58 201 259 352
Travel costs 41 2,t44 2,L45 315
Musicalequipment &music 26L 5,111 5,372 1,599
lnsurance 372 372 372
Projectmanagementcosts 3,244 18,900 22,140 25,065
Stationery,printing&officecosts 316 769 1,095 1,236
Funding bids& fundraising 884 884 823
Trainingcosts 280 1,506 1,786 60
Communityinvolvement
activitieslvolunteermanagement. L,L76 15,577 16,753 37,578
musicians
Venuecosts 396 L,326 L,722 51
Volunteercosts&DBSchecks 48 96 L44 92
Covidself isolation payment 378 378
Consumables,repairs&renewals 115 454 569
lndependent examination 300 300
Selfevaluation 35;
Miscellaneous expenses 51 ?; 131- 313
Total payments
Netof receipts/{payments}		 --*rgz!---9t139_
_J2&r4__99;741
8,954 19,90627,960(10,9351
Transfershetween funds (34) 34
Balancebroughtforward 27,539 24,80652,34563,290
Balancecarriedforward -1S1I9_43t46-gg3gl*__&gl5-

Statementofassetsandliahilities at : 31st March202i
2022 2021
Assets UnrestrictedRestricted
funds
funds
fc		 Total
fundsf		 Total
funds
€
Current hank account 35,315 43,746 80,051 52,340
PeWCash 144 144 5
36,459 43,746 80,205
52,345
Current
Assetsretainedforcharity'sournuse Fund Cost value
€ f
Details
3x Keyboard Unrestricted 300 150
1xKeyboard LifeLessLonely 155 50
Largeamp Unrestricted 150 50
Portable amp Robert McAlpine L60 50
Portable amp LifeLessLonely L49 50
3 xipodtouch Freemasons 597 150
Loopstation Unrestricted 135 20
Chime bars Freemasons 260 1.00
Chlme bars Unrestricted 26A L00
Chimebars Micklegate Ward 127 100
Projector&case Unrestricted 512 50
Portable speaker Unrestricted 160 50
2 xcamera Unrestricted 379 100
Notebook Freemasons 299 150
2xtablet Unrestricted 200 160
45xtablets AwardsforAll 4,455 4,455
2022 2021
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
[iabilities f f € c
lndependentexamination fee 300 - 300
300		 300
300

Fund name Purpose
Derwenthorpe CommunityFund Forhire ofavenuefor theRolling Tones
Wharfedale Foundation Forintergenerationalwork('Generations in Harmony')
Masonic Charitable Foundation Finalinstalment ofa3-yeargranttohelp sustain and develop our work.Thegrant comeswitha
strong focus on active co-operation,withaviewtoincreasing and sharing learning
JackBrunton Charitable Trust Agrant towards corecosts
HDHWills1965Charitable Trust Fundingtowards venue hireforHoneysuckle Singers
Ashley Family Foundation Secondinstalment ofa2-yeargrant towards corecostsfor,Communitiesin Harmony,
Liz& Terry Bramwell Grant supporting post-Covid resumption of in-person activities
WaystoWellbeingYorkCVS Agranttoaidthe start-up ofanewmusicgroup linked toyorkMedical Group,s Monkgate
surgery
WhitwamFamilyCharitable Trust Grant towards corecosts
BrelmsTrust Secondinstalment ofa3-year granttodelivermusicgroups and intergenerational activities
AwardsforAll Grantforadigital inclusion project aimed at enablingMCmemberstousetablets duringand
between weeklymusic sessions
Betty's & Taylor's Group Fundingtoenablea'stepchange'towardsincreasedsustainabilityforMC bysupporting
Coronavirus CommunityFund volunteerrecruitment, expanded online provision and project managementtraining
issued byTwoRidingsCommunity
Foundation
Magic Little Grants Fundingfor outdoormusic sessionsduring Summer2021
Westfield Ward Agranttowardsre-starting in-personsessionsatGale FarmCourt independent living
communitv
HobsonCharity Fundingtoenableustoprovide free beneficiarytransport
HeadleyTrust Granttowardscorecosts
EvanCornish Foundation Grant towards corecosts
Garfield Western Foundation Firstyear ofa (second) 3-yeargrant towards corecosts
Arts CouncilEngland Firstinstalment ofagranttosupport:theresumption of weekly, in-personmusicgroupsand
intergenerational activities;theinclusion ofdigital/onlineactivities; significant organisational
development
Purey CustTrust Fundingfor theresumption of AcombSingers'in-personsessions
HeadleyTrust{2} Granttowardscorecosts
PostcodeNeighbourhood Trust Granttowardsresumption of TheRolling TonesCommunity Choir
Balance lncomeResourcesTransfer lncomeResourcesTransfer lncomeResourcesTransfer Balance
TotalUnrestricted bfiwd
f
:::i3p		 rcceived expendedoffunds
fff
*-tz?n
10,2s--_l5ai		 c/fwd
I
_*:glse-
Derwenthorpe CommunityFund 293 293
Wharfedale Foundation 2,000 640 1,360
Masonic Charitable Foundati0n 2,795 3,59; 6,389
iack Brunton Charitable Trust 2,000 2,000 :
HDHWills 1965 Charitable Trust 500 430 70
Ashley Family Foundation 5,000 5,000 8.430 1,570
Liz&T€rry Bramwell s,000 5,001 1
WaystoWellbeingYorkCVS 2,218 . 2,219 1
WhitwamFamilyCharitable Trust 5,000 5,001 1
BrelmsTrust s,000 3,555 1,445
AwardsforAll 9,990 6,760 3,230
Betty's & Taylor's Group Coronavirus Community
Fund issued byTwoRidingsCommunity
Foundation 5,000 s,000
Magic Little Grants 500 500
Westfield Ward 500 500
HobsonCharity 5,000 2,0v9 2,92i
HeadleyTrust L,000 1,031 31
EvanCornish Foundation 5,000 5,000
Garfield Western Foundation 10,000 2,54t 7,459
Arts CouncilEngland L7,36! :.13 L7,?48
Purey CustTrust 1,684 830 854
HeadleyTrust{2)
PostcodeNeighbourhood Trust
Total Restricted		 s,000
6,416_
24806 81,045		 2,208

1,q19
62,139		 7,792
4,797
43,?45
TotalFunds --mFaE *-r067ia 72,914 80,205

- 10were intergenerational workshops,eventsand concerts where group beneficiaries made musicwithchildren and young
peoplefromlocal schools and universities
- 6were community-basedeventsinvolving members singing at a local market,asupermarket, a city centre fundraiser and
events involving an additional 60 peoplefroman Age UK day club and $everal local authority housing schemes
- 4 were radio sessions
. 99% said going to their Musical Connections session improved their mood on the day (94% said greatly)
. 100% said going to their group helped them tofeelhappier and more positive about life (84% said greatly)
. 95% said that taking part improved their confidence (60% said greatly)
. 89% said their physical wellbeingwasimproved
. 99% said they felt greater satisfaction with their lives
. gBoAsaid going to their group improved their alertness and activity levels
. 98o/osaiditgave them a sense of purpose and something to look forwardto
. S5%saiditenabled them to make increased contact with other people
. 960/osaid they had made new friends through their group
. 100% said they considered themselvestobeavalued member oftheMC Farnily {60% said greatly)
. 95olosaid their overall wellbeing was improved

Refarence andadminis tration details
Charity'sfullname Musical Connections
Othernames thecharityis known byNIA
Charlty's principaladdress PO Box 724
York
YOlOHL
Names of thetrustaes who
ValSutton Chair
JoFarrlngton Treasurer
Chris Bartram
Hazel Brown
Richard Frost
Names and addressesof advisers(OPTIONALI
Karen Wood
lndependent ExaminerAGMA,CGMA		 Outsource Accountancy Services &lndependentExaminations
Hiscox Building, Peasholme Green
YO1 7PR
Bankers
Natwest Bank
Name of ehief executiveornamesof senior staffmembers
N/A

Receipts&
ents accountsfortheyear ending:		 Receipts&
ents accountsfortheyear ending:		 31stMarch2A22 31stMarch2A22
2022 2A2t
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
Receipts € f f f
Sessionfees&contributions 9,018 9,018 1,07L
Grants 80,045 80,045 42,294
Donationsfromorganisations 3,687 1,000 4,697 1,812
Donationsfromindividuals 2,51t 2,51r 6,093
Community fundraising 4,513 4,513 6,540
Events&training
Totalreceipts t9,729_____g1,045 tOO,774__5zqqg
Payments
Sessioncosts - musicians 3,L90 14,406 17,596
Marketing& Website 31 t,247 L,278 433
Meetingcosts 58 201 259 352
Travel costs 41 2,t44 2,L45 315
Musicalequipment &music 26L 5,111 5,372 1,599
lnsurance 372 372 372
Projectmanagementcosts 3,244 18,900 22,140 25,065
Stationery,printing&officecosts 316 769 1,095 1,236
Funding bids& fundraising 884 884 823
Trainingcosts 280 1,506 1,786 60
Communityinvolvement
activitieslvolunteermanagement. L,L76 15,577 16,753 37,578
musicians
Venuecosts 396 L,326 L,722 51
Volunteercosts&DBSchecks 48 96 L44 92
Covidself isolation payment 378 378
Consumables,repairs&renewals 115 454 569
lndependent examination 300 300
Selfevaluation 35;
Miscellaneous expenses 51 ?; 131- 313
Total payments
Netof receipts/{payments}		 --*rgz!---9t139_
_J2&r4__99;741
8,954 19,90627,960(10,9351
Transfershetween funds (34) 34
Balancebroughtforward 27,539 24,80652,34563,290
Balancecarriedforward -1S1I9_43t46-gg3gl*__&gl5-

Statementofassetsandliahilities at : 31st March202i
2022 2021
Assets UnrestrictedRestricted
funds
funds
fc		 Total
fundsf		 Total
funds
€
Current hank account 35,315 43,746 80,051 52,340
PeWCash 144 144 5
36,459 43,746 80,205
52,345
Current
Assetsretainedforcharity'sournuse Fund Cost value
€ f
Details
3x Keyboard Unrestricted 300 150
1xKeyboard LifeLessLonely 155 50
Largeamp Unrestricted 150 50
Portable amp Robert McAlpine L60 50
Portable amp LifeLessLonely L49 50
3 xipodtouch Freemasons 597 150
Loopstation Unrestricted 135 20
Chime bars Freemasons 260 1.00
Chlme bars Unrestricted 26A L00
Chimebars Micklegate Ward 127 100
Projector&case Unrestricted 512 50
Portable speaker Unrestricted 160 50
2 xcamera Unrestricted 379 100
Notebook Freemasons 299 150
2xtablet Unrestricted 200 160
45xtablets AwardsforAll 4,455 4,455
2022 2021
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
[iabilities f f € c
lndependentexamination fee 300 - 300
300		 300
300

Fund name Purpose
Derwenthorpe CommunityFund Forhire ofavenuefor theRolling Tones
Wharfedale Foundation Forintergenerationalwork('Generations in Harmony')
Masonic Charitable Foundation Finalinstalment ofa3-yeargranttohelp sustain and develop our work.Thegrant comeswitha
strong focus on active co-operation,withaviewtoincreasing and sharing learning
JackBrunton Charitable Trust Agrant towards corecosts
HDHWills1965Charitable Trust Fundingtowards venue hireforHoneysuckle Singers
Ashley Family Foundation Secondinstalment ofa2-yeargrant towards corecostsfor,Communitiesin Harmony,
Liz& Terry Bramwell Grant supporting post-Covid resumption of in-person activities
WaystoWellbeingYorkCVS Agranttoaidthe start-up ofanewmusicgroup linked toyorkMedical Group,s Monkgate
surgery
WhitwamFamilyCharitable Trust Grant towards corecosts
BrelmsTrust Secondinstalment ofa3-year granttodelivermusicgroups and intergenerational activities
AwardsforAll Grantforadigital inclusion project aimed at enablingMCmemberstousetablets duringand
between weeklymusic sessions
Betty's & Taylor's Group Fundingtoenablea'stepchange'towardsincreasedsustainabilityforMC bysupporting
Coronavirus CommunityFund volunteerrecruitment, expanded online provision and project managementtraining
issued byTwoRidingsCommunity
Foundation
Magic Little Grants Fundingfor outdoormusic sessionsduring Summer2021
Westfield Ward Agranttowardsre-starting in-personsessionsatGale FarmCourt independent living
communitv
HobsonCharity Fundingtoenableustoprovide free beneficiarytransport
HeadleyTrust Granttowardscorecosts
EvanCornish Foundation Grant towards corecosts
Garfield Western Foundation Firstyear ofa (second) 3-yeargrant towards corecosts
Arts CouncilEngland Firstinstalment ofagranttosupport:theresumption of weekly, in-personmusicgroupsand
intergenerational activities;theinclusion ofdigital/onlineactivities; significant organisational
development
Purey CustTrust Fundingfor theresumption of AcombSingers'in-personsessions
HeadleyTrust{2} Granttowardscorecosts
PostcodeNeighbourhood Trust Granttowardsresumption of TheRolling TonesCommunity Choir
Balance lncomeResourcesTransfer lncomeResourcesTransfer lncomeResourcesTransfer Balance
TotalUnrestricted bfiwd
f
:::i3p		 rcceived expendedoffunds
fff
*-tz?n
10,2s--_l5ai		 c/fwd
I
_*:glse-
Derwenthorpe CommunityFund 293 293
Wharfedale Foundation 2,000 640 1,360
Masonic Charitable Foundati0n 2,795 3,59; 6,389
iack Brunton Charitable Trust 2,000 2,000 :
HDHWills 1965 Charitable Trust 500 430 70
Ashley Family Foundation 5,000 5,000 8.430 1,570
Liz&T€rry Bramwell s,000 5,001 1
WaystoWellbeingYorkCVS 2,218 . 2,219 1
WhitwamFamilyCharitable Trust 5,000 5,001 1
BrelmsTrust s,000 3,555 1,445
AwardsforAll 9,990 6,760 3,230
Betty's & Taylor's Group Coronavirus Community
Fund issued byTwoRidingsCommunity
Foundation 5,000 s,000
Magic Little Grants 500 500
Westfield Ward 500 500
HobsonCharity 5,000 2,0v9 2,92i
HeadleyTrust L,000 1,031 31
EvanCornish Foundation 5,000 5,000
Garfield Western Foundation 10,000 2,54t 7,459
Arts CouncilEngland L7,36! :.13 L7,?48
Purey CustTrust 1,684 830 854
HeadleyTrust{2)
PostcodeNeighbourhood Trust
Total Restricted		 s,000
6,416_
24806 81,045		 2,208

1,q19
62,139		 7,792
4,797
43,?45
TotalFunds --mFaE *-r067ia 72,914 80,205