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2024-03-31-accounts

Happier, healthier lives through music

Musical Connections Annual Report and Financial Statement

31[st] March 2024

Reg. Charity No: 1165993

T: 01904 373011 E: enquiries@musicalconnections.org.uk W: www.musicalconnections.org.uk

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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 .................................................... 7 2023/24 AT A GLANCE ............................................................................................................. 9 SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR ....................................................................................... 10 IMPACT ON PARTICIPANT WELLBEING.............................................................................. 12 Social Prescribing................................................................................................................... 16 DIGITAL ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................. 17 MUSICAL CONNECTIONS’ MAGIC INGREDIENTS .............................................................. 18 IN MORE DEPTH: .................................................................................................................... 18 Clear Values and Carefully Considered Working Practices ............................................... 18 Support Offered to Beneficiaries Between Sessions ......................................................... 20 Creative, Skilled and Dedicated Musicians .......................................................................... 21 A Sizeable Volunteer Team .................................................................................................... 21 Partnership Working............................................................................................................... 23 Free Transport ......................................................................................................................... 24 Ongoing Relationships with Intergenerational Partners .................................................... 25 Solid Financial Management ................................................................................................. 26 FUTURE PLANS ...................................................................................................................... 27 FINANCES ................................................................................................................................ 29 Income and Expenditure ........................................................................................................ 29 Fundraising ............................................................................................................................. 31 Reserves Policy ...................................................................................................................... 33 Independent Examiner’s Report............................................................................................ 34

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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: 10th March 2016

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

Trustees: Valerie Sutton (Chair) Jo Farrington (Treasurer) Chris Bartram Hazel Brown Richard Frost Fiona Chapman Bank: NatWest City Centre Branch 1 Market Street York, YO1 8SR Accountants: Outsource 29 Millfield Road York, YO23 1NH

Over the last year, our team has consisted of two Project Managers, who are also musicians, and 2 more self-employed musicians, supported by an active Board of Trustees, which has remained unchanged.

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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 both experienced and active, bringing together a range of skills and expertise. Our Chair was previously Group Manager of Adult Services for City of York Council, and, since 2016, has used her extensive experience in managing and delivering care for York’s older people to inform our work. She has been 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, a retired chartered engineer, who is also one of our choir members, and Musical Connections’ former Project Director, who led the project for 13 years and continues to write grant applications in support of the charity. Together the board is well equipped to provide oversight and guidance for the project.

Our Project Managers have been dedicated members of the Musical Connections (MC) team for several years and are much-loved by MC beneficiaries in both care and community settings. They took over from the outgoing Project Director (who continues to mentor them in her role as a trustee) in July 2022, and have led the project with skill and indefatigable enthusiasm ever since. Highly skilled musicians themselves, they provide strong leadership and support to the team’s other musicians, who are also adept in working with vulnerable older people who have a range of needs, interests, and abilities.

Over the year, we have run 10 music sessions in a range of care and community settings (9 weekly and 1 fortnightly), plus numerous intergenerational events and activities. We have also built in some digital activity, informed by our learning and experiences during the pandemic, and continued to build on the strong sense of ‘family’ that we developed with group and choir members during that difficult time.

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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 had particular responsibility for Health and Safety, one of the Project Managers is the Designated Safeguarding Lead, and our Chair has been the Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Background

2023-24 has been the first year that has felt ‘normal’ since the advent of Covid-19. While new protocols have prevented us from resuming groups in GP surgeries (we now run these groups in nearby community venues), we no longer observe social distancing or use CO2 monitors in sessions. With the full support of our beneficiaries, we have also gradually increased the number of larger community-based and intergenerational events. Nonetheless, we have maintained ongoing vigilance about any possible re-emergence of the virus and have urged both beneficiaries and musicians not to attend sessions while suffering symptoms.

Objectives

The smooth transition in project management has ensured that we have continued to deliver on our charity’s objectives i.e.:

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ACTIVITIES DELIVERED AND BENEFICIARY

NUMBERS

Over the course of the year, the following activities were delivered by our team of dedicated musicians:

https://youtu.be/ou2zMa5tBLc?si=62wYTJcxZwBSbkNv

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Free transport was provided for anyone who needed it, to enable them to attend both weekly sessions, and additional community-based events.

Alongside the groups, our musicians and volunteers have stayed in touch with group and choir members between sessions, ensuring everybody has had the information and support they have needed to be able to attend sessions, and to identify where extra help may be required.

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 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.

(Laura Castle, local radio presenter and Musical Connections ambassador, pictured centre

below)

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2023/24 AT A GLANCE

Over the course of the year, 298 beneficiaries have taken part in weekly music and singing sessions, plus c.188 additional vulnerable older people who took part in 20 additional, one-off events in the wider community. In addition, 659 children and young people from a local nursery, schools and universities took part in 26 intergenerational activities with beneficiaries. 88 people, who would otherwise have been unable to get involved in community-based creative activities, made use of our offer of free transport.

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SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Of this year’s many highlights, we were particularly proud of our intergenerational celebration of the King’s Coronation. This event provided group members with the unique opportunity to make music with the younger generation and enjoy informal performances in a relaxed and supportive setting. Similarly, a Sing for the King rehearsal prior to the event helped the children to feel as comfortable as possible whilst heightening their eagerness to engage. For some beneficiaries, particularly those who had only recently returned to larger, in-person events following the lockdowns, it also provided the much-needed chance to interact and connect with the wider community, allowing them to meet new friends and experience a sense of purpose and positivity through the power of music.

Just a brief note to say a huge thank you for all you arranged at St Joseph’s Church yesterday. Mary and I thoroughly enjoyed being with you, the children and all the singers. It was quite wonderful. Thank you again.

Most unexpectedly, this was followed, some months later, by an invitation from Buckingham Palace, to attend a reception at Windsor Castle for organisations working to promote and deliver community music in the UK. Due to the King’s ill health, the event has understandably been postponed, however, our project managers, Abigail Noble Coates, and Charlotte Yandell alongside Fiona Chapman, project founder and trustee, look forward to receiving this acknowledgment of the impact and importance of our work.

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Another big moment was our ‘Summer Spectacular’, a multi-media concert celebrating the end of a 20-month grant from Arts Council England. Attended by members from many of our groups, plus friends, family and project supporters, the evening was filled with Musical Connections performances, a virtual contribution from St Aelred’s School Choir, plenty of free-flowing Prosecco and a delicious cake baked by a group member. Altogether, it felt like a true summary of not just how special our Musical Connections family are, but also how far we’ve come during the last couple of years.

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IMPACT ON PARTICIPANT WELLBEING

Feedback from beneficiaries suggests that the work we have done over the last year has had a significant positive impact on their wellbeing.

During two tracking phases (October 2023 and March 2024), 118 beneficiaries completed feedback questionnaires.

I find it very uplifting. It reminds me that I'm still alive.

Being with the Rolling Tones invariably improves my mood - it is such a friendly, upbeat, and enthusiastic group.

The cheerfulness is infectious.

It really lifts my mood, especially when the weather is dull.

It's uplifting to be singing with others and leaving outside issues at the door.

One can forget about life's problems for a while.

Being a member of the Rolling Tones is an entirely positive experience for me - stimulating, fun and very satisfying - the feel-good factor lasts throughout the week, and even practising at home makes me feel happier and more positive.

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I was always told I couldn’t sing and now, in my 70s, I feel very welcome.

I think it’s such an achievement when we sing something we are learning, and it comes together.

I get a great sense of achievement getting it right.

I love having the opportunity to perform on a real stage.

I'm up early and ready to take part.

I always feel lifted, enlivened, and energised after a session.

participating in the

sessions gives them a sense of purpose and something to look forward to:

Tuesday mornings are such fun and there is always a buzz of anticipation in the hall. I really look forward to it each week.

I look forward to choir every week and find the sessions very enjoyable.

I always look forward to seeing people, talking to people, laughing with people.

Living on my own, it gives me the opportunity to feel included.

There are opportunities to chat to different people every week, and to new members.

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Being part of MC and attending sessions at the community centre (where I used to work) gives

me the opportunity to pass time with old colleagues.

The group has become close knit and caring.

I enjoy being sociable with like-minded people who have now become good friends.

I love singing and socialising with other people.

overall life satisfaction and 63% 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 find music and singing with others very uplifting. It reminds me that I'm still alive.

I'm always so very glad to have been with people who can take me as I am. It helps me feel I can cope with the rest of the day.

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It is rewarding to sing as part of a group and to develop skills such

as singing harmonies.

It is an honour to meet and converse with such lovely people.

The warm-ups with movement are good fun - the more movement the better for all our practice pieces.

Being able to move (a little) in time to the music we sing relieves me of tension.

The deep breathing involved in singing is good for the heart and lungs.

I regard Abby and other group members as another branch of my family.

The MC team go to great lengths to be inclusive and friendly with everyone, routinely thanking members for their input, so that everyone can feel ‘seen’ and valued.

Charlotte has the skill of addressing every member by name and responding to individual concerns or questions immediately and with great patience.

It's great to feel accepted and not judged.

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Social Prescribing

Musical Connections has worked with York Medical Group (YMG) as a social prescribing partner since 2018. No longer able to base ourselves in their surgeries because of post-Covid protocols, we have found alternative venues for these groups in the wider community - YMG is covering the rental costs for us, and despite the loss of contact with patients in the surgeries, our strong relationships with YMG and their link-workers continue to ensure a steady stream of referrals.

Over the last 6 years, social prescribing has become a city-wide initiative, with widespread acceptance of its ability to provide patients with legitimate non- medical solutions to their problems. In addition to our close relationship with YMG, we are now well-connected to and receive regular referrals from NHS link-workers representing other primary care networks.

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DIGITAL ACTIVITIES

Following a digital inclusion project completed last year, we have come to the realisation that some of our most vulnerable beneficiaries need much more intensive support than our small team can provide. Nonetheless, we have continued to support those group members who are keen to engage with technology, and have also tried to involve other, more able members of the project – offering them tablets to access song lyrics during their weekly sessions. This has proved beneficial, and 33 members of two of our York Medical Group choirs are now using them in favour of paper. We have also continued to explore ways in which we can make the digital world slightly more accessible, including regular collaborative video recordings.

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MUSICAL CONNECTIONS’ MAGIC

INGREDIENTS

Over the 15 years that Musical Connections has been running, including throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen how these 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, including healthcare professionals.

IN MORE DEPTH:

Clear Values and Carefully Considered Working Practices

The following characteristics are cornerstones of our work:

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Continuity: During Covid-19, our determination to maintain the beneficiary friendships and community connections developed prior to the emergence of the virus and to provide a continuous programme of musical and social activities through all levels of restrictions meant that, as we emerged from the pandemic, many of these friendships and connections were even stronger than before. Our ongoing commitment to providing a continuous programme of sessions, events, and related activities (structured loosely around the academic timetable) has ensured that these relationships continue to flourish.

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.

We have become known amongst social prescribers and other sign-posters for our flexibility and willingness to provide the support needed to enable people to get involved and to circumvent any obstacles which prevent potential beneficiaries from joining us.

Avoidance of stereotyping: We do not make assumptions about participant preferences and invite them to engage with all kinds of musical genres and activities. In concerts and city-centre busking this year, members pulled off fantastic performances of songs by artists such as Walk the Moon and Fleetwood Mac.

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 re- visiting 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. Group/choir members who wish to are invited to perform solo or with small ensembles, and one member has used her considerable artistic skills to deliver art workshops for members of other groups.

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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Chris and John love coming to the choir – they both like being with people and they have friends here. They really look forward to coming, especially to the events with children.

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, we have run steering group sessions with beneficiaries, which has helped to provide extra insight and support for the team over the last year.

Disciplined and focused 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. While adjusting to in-person work, it has been very helpful to be able to gauge how beneficiaries have adapted to our ‘post-Covid’ project, and to understand how reconnecting with their musical family has benefited them.

Support Offered to Beneficiaries Between Sessions

The intensive support we provided to our beneficiaries during the pandemic has left a lasting legacy and, since returning to in-person sessions, our musicians and volunteers have continued to work incredibly hard to maintain contact with beneficiaries between sessions, helping them to sustain the connections formed within the groups, and identifying the support needed for them

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to access as many as possible of the numerous musical activities on offer. As a consequence of this additional work, we can say with confidence that we do not just offer participants a weekly creative outlet, but a much more profound social and creative framework which, over time, becomes the bedrock of many beneficiaries’ lives, giving them friendship, a sense of belonging and numerous experiences to look forward to and to enjoy together.

Creative, Skilled and Dedicated Musicians

Our musicians 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 are 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.

The musicians also have considerable digital abilities, which have enabled them to support beneficiaries who have wished to develop their own digital skills.

A Sizeable Volunteer Team

Over the year, 25 volunteers have supported the project, with 12 of these as regulars, and 13 students who have worked with us on an ad-hoc basis:

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Our beneficiaries benefit hugely from the volunteers’ contributions:

Members of the group are so appreciative, which supports your confidence that you are doing something worthwhile.

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 offer them. They are also inspired by the opportunities the project presents for them to use their skills and time in support of others.

I have taken away so much from volunteering with MC – each session was a worthwhile reminder of the importance and influence of friendship, compassion and laughter. Likewise, it was heartwarming to see fabulous people from all walks of life find a common interest in music.

In questionnaires conducted with 7 volunteers, ALL said that volunteering for MC improved their mood that day):

I left every session with a smile and always took something positive away. It's hard not to when the atmosphere is so full of joy!

My mental health benefits enormously from being an active volunteer, having social contact with and contributing to such an upbeat group.

It’s easier to have a more positive outlook on life after sessions.

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My confidence and self-esteem grew with each session, as I was made to feel completely welcome and part of the team.

Volunteering gives vital structure, sociability and focus to life post-retirement, especially when it involves an activity that you love. For me, volunteering with Musical Connections fulfils all these elements. Also, it constantly informs my understanding of other people's lives and challenges.

I've always felt valued by the team at Musical Connections. Charlotte never fails to express her appreciation to volunteers.

Alongside our volunteer team, we have had an active beneficiary steering group, which has provided useful feedback on the project, and helped to guide and support the musicians over the last year.

Partnership Working

We receive regular referrals from City of York Council’s Local Area Co-ordinators, York Medical Group and other NHS social prescribers. We also have good relationships with other related agencies such as Age UK York, OCAY (Older Citizens Advocacy York), Dementia Forward and York Cares, who are in a position to promote our work to potential beneficiaries and with whom we occasionally run joint events or projects. Similarly, we benefit from a positive relationship with Make It York, a local authority funded agency working to raise the profile of York’s local organisations and connect them with the wider community.

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 are also members of the Music for Healthy Lives Research and Practice Network steering group, an initiative led by the University of Leeds.

After 15 years of successfully delivering and developing our project, we are really starting to become embedded within the York community, and our project partners clearly value our ability to work with them to provide tailored solutions to overcoming the barriers that prevent older

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people from being able to stay involved with their local community. The following comment is from the Chief Executive of York Medical Group:

‘Musical Connections is an incredible organisation that works with our (older) patients, gets them together, helps them to find their singing voice and fills their hearts (and mine) with joy. While the mode is music, the outcome is healing through the magic of music, and it has been amazing to watch how the project has grown. We want to be able to prescribe music, not pills, and we know Musical Connections can help us to do ‘this’.

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 transport or taxis because of disability or a lack of money. Free transport is now firmly embedded in our offer and 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. 88 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.

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.

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Ongoing Relationships with Intergenerational Partners

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:

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

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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.

The following video spotlights our intergenerational work and includes feedback from both older and younger participants:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdxw5in5ts

Solid Financial Management

Since emerging from the Covid-19 crisis, we have been focusing on longer-term sustainability. A large grant from Arts Council England, which carried us through the re-instatement of in-person activities, came to an end in July 2023, but the project was able to continue without interruption thanks to several additional grants secured prior to this date. Our unrestricted reserves remain just below the 6-month mark, and a substantial amount of grant funding is in place for the coming year.

Grant funding has been 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.

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FUTURE PLANS

The next 12 months will see us:

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FINANCES

Income and Expenditure

The total receipts up to 31st March were £97,561, and the total payments were £86,077, which leaves a surplus of £11,484 for the financial year. When added to the carried forward balance from 2022/23 (£77,253), this left Musical Connections with a total balance of £88,737 for the end of the financial year.

The total amount of receipts allocated to unrestricted funding was £27,974, and there were payments to the value of £30,096, thus leaving a deficit of -£2,122 at the end of 2023/24. When added to the balance brought forward at the end of 22/23 (£39,433), this leaves the charity with £37,311 of unrestricted funds.

The total amount of receipts allocated to restricted funding was £69,587, and there were payments to the value of £55,981, thus leaving a surplus balance of £13,606 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 22/23 (£37,820), this leaves Musical Connections with £51,426 in restricted funds to carry forward into 24/25.

The total receipts received in 23/24 (£97,561) were made up of grants received £69,587 (71%), followed by session fees and contributions of £16,199 (17%). Donations from organisations (£6,350), community fundraising (£3,411) and individual giving (£2,014) together represented the remaining 12% of the total.

The top five categories of payments and the 90% of the total (£86,077) they accounted for, were as follows:

:
Musicians’ session fees - £27,359 (32%)
Project management fees - £25,920 (30%)
Beneficiary transport - £11,741 (14%)
Community involvement and alternative artistic - £8,100 (9%)
activities
Venue hire costs - £3,188 (4%)

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For more details on the accounts, please see the Independent Examiners Report for 2023/2024 on pages 34 – 39.

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Fundraising

Our income comes from 4 main sources:

Grants and organisational donations : a large grant from Arts Council England, which took us through all of 2022-23 up until July 2023, was followed by other significant grants which ensured the project was able to continue seamlessly through the rest of 2023-24 e.g. £10,000 from both the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Shears Foundation. A significant amount of further grant funding has been raised for 2024-25.

Weekly voluntary donations at sessions: these have come from participants at our community-based groups. We have continued to suggest a £4 donation per session (the amount suggested has remained unchanged since 2021) - some beneficiaries give more, some less and some nothing at all. 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 primarily from the private care-homes which have paid us directly for regular sessions. Age UK has also paid us for a handful of taster sessions at their day clubs

Community fundraising and individual donations : Community fundraising activities have included concerts, busking and carol-singing.

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

Arts Council England

Awards for All (National Lottery)

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation

Benenden Health Community Fund

Brelms Trust CIO

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Charles Hayward Foundation

The Dulverton Trust Fund

D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

The Feoffees of St Michael’s Spurriergate

Garfield Weston Foundation

The Headley Trust

The Liz & Terry Bramall Foundation

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

The Shears Foundation

The Utley Foundation

The Victoria Wood Foundation

The Whitwam Family Charitable Foundation

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Reserves Policy

Musical Connections’ Reserves Policy, approved by the Trustees in May 2023, states that the charity should hold a maximum of £44.44K 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, trustees took the decision that they needed to protect the beneficiaries in the event of having to cease operation, and therefore considered it prudent to hold in reserves six months of its operating costs plus additional funds to cover any professional services, e.g. legal or financial, required to aid the closure. £44.4K represents 50% of the current annual operational costs of running the project with an additional 10% to go towards paying for any professional services that may need to be employed. 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 2023/24, the level of reserves held was £37.32K.

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Musical Connections

(Charity Number 1165993)

Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of Musical Connections

I report on the accounts of: Musical Connections

For the year ended:

31st March 2024

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts inaccordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Karen Wood ACMA, CGMA Outsource independent examination service The Hiscox Building Peasholme Green York YO1 7PR

Date

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Musical Connections

(Charity Number 1165993)

31st March 2024
Receipts & payments accounts for the year ending:		 31st March 2024
Receipts & payments accounts for the year ending:
Receipts
Total receipts
Grants
Donations from organisations
Donations from individuals
Community fundraising and events
Session fees & contributions
Transfers between funds
Balance brought forward
Net of payments/receipts
Balance carried forward
Payments
Session costs - musicians
Marketing & website
Meeting costs
Beneficiary transport costs
Session and events resources
Insurance
Project management costs
Administration & offce costs
Funding bids & fundraising
Training costs
Community involvement and
alternative artistic activities
Venue costs
Volunteer costs & DBS checks
Independent examination
Evaluation
Total payments		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024
Total
2023
Total
£
£
£
£
16,199
-
16,199
14,177
-
69,587
69,587
51,839
6,350
-
6,350
2,000
2,014
-
2,014
8,485
3,411
-
3,411
4,348
27,974
69,587
97,561
80,849
£
£
£
£
9,992
17,367
27,359
30,695
393
1,250
1,643
1,111
-
-
-
450
266
11,475
11,741
8,956
359
620
979
1,666
-
444
444
518
11,587
14,333
25,920
24,836
472
1,060
1,532
893
2,894
165
3,059
820
275
1,043
1,318
1,545
2,670
5,430
8,100
7,398
894
2,294
3,188
4,301
-
-
-
12
-
350
350
300
294
150
444
300
30,096
55,981
86,077
83,801
(2,122)
13,606
11,484
(2,952)
-
-
-
-
39,433
37,820
77,253
80,205
37,311
51,426
88,737
77,253

35

Musical Connections

(Charity Number 1165993)

Statement of assets and liabilities at:

31st March 2024

Assets
Liabilities
Current bank account
Independent examination fee
Petty cash		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024 total
funds
2023 total
funds
37,107
51,426
88,533
77,144
204
-
204
109
37,311
51,426
88,737
77,253
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024 total
funds
2023 total
funds
350
-
350
300
350
-
350
300

36

Musical Connections

(Charity Number 1165993)

Notes to the accounts for the year ended:

31st March 2024

1. Basis of accounts

The Trustees have taken advantage of Section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 and prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.

2. Restricted income funds

Fund name
3rd instalment of a 3-year grant to deliver music groups and
intergenerational activities
For the provision of intergenerational work and activities
A grant towards core costs
A grant towards core costs
3rd instalment of a 3-year grant towards core costs
A grant towards core costs and the provision of free benefciary transport
Second instalment of a grant to support: weekly in-person music
groups; the inclusion of digital/online activities; signifcant organisational
development
2nd instalment of a 2-year grant towards core costs
A grant towards core costs to increase beneficiary numbers
A grant towards core costs
For musician fees for Acomb Singers
A grant towards core costs
Purpose
Brelms Trust CIO
Charles Hayward Foundation
D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
The Liz & Terry Bramall Foundation
Garfeld Weston Foundation
Awards for All (National Lottery)
Arts Council England
The Headley Trust
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust_(a grant_
giving charity funded entirely by players
of the People’s Postcode Lottery)
The Shears Foundation
Benenden Health Community Fund
The Whitwam Family Charitable
Fdti

The Whitwam Family Charitable Foundation

For a Coronation concert with members of York Medical Group’s Tower Court Singers, plus other groups

The Utley Foundation

For musician fees for York Medical Group’s Tower Court Singers and Monkgate Wellness Choir

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation

The Victoria Wood Foundation

For musician fees for Gale Farm Court

The Feoffees of St Michael’s Spurriergate

The Dulverton Trust Fund

1st instalment of a 2-year grant towards core costs A grant towards core costs

37

Musical Connections

(Charity Number 1165993)

Notes to the accounts for the year ended: 31st March 2024

Balance b/ Income Resources Transfer of Balance c/
fwd received expended funds fwd
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds 39,433 27,974 30,096 - 37,311
Brelms Trust CIO 3,858 - 3,858 - -
Charles Hayward Foundation - 5,000 1,945 - 3,055
D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust - 3,000 - - 3,000
Liz & Terry Bramall Foundation - 5,000 3,532 - 1,468
Garfeld Weston Foundation 10,065 10,000 10,065 - 10,000
Awards for All - 9,200 7,537 - 1,663
Arts Council England 3,030 3,472 6,502 - -
Headley Trust 2,917 - 2,917 - -
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust - 15,000 - - 15,000
Shears Foundation 10,000 - 10,000 - -
Benenden Health Community Fund 1,950 - 1,950 - -
Whitwam Family Charitable Foundation 5,000 - 5,000 - -
Utley Foundation 1,000 - 1,000 - -
Barchester’s Charitable Foundation - 975 975 - -
Victoria Wood Foundation - 2,940 700 - 2,240
Feoffees of St Michael’s Spurriergate - 10,000 - - 10,000
Dulverton Trust Fund - 5,000 - - 5,000
Total Restricted 37,820 69,587 55,981 - 51,426
Total Funds 77,253 97,561 86,077 - 88,737

Transfer between funds

Funds have been transferred from unrestricted funds to various overspent restricted funds.

38

Musical Connections

(Charity Number 1165993)

Approval of accounts for the year ended:

31st March 2024

The report and accounts were approved at a meeting of the Trustees held on:

Signed for and on behalf of the trustees

Date

Print name

Position (e.g. Chair etc)