Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Period start date: 01.08.2022 Period end date: 31.07.2023 Charity name: OEDIPA Charity registration number: 1171656
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The object of the CIO is: to advance and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, opera, music theatre and the performing arts, in particular but not exclusively by the creation and presentation of opera and theatre productions and the provision of accompanying participatory workshops and training opportunities. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Aphasia New Music Group(ongoing) The charity raised multi-year funding from City Bridge Foundation and a private philanthropist to run the Aphasia New Music Group for three years from 2025-2028. Weekly sessions resumed from autumn 2024 and continued until July 2025 before a summer break. Quiet Songs With the Barbican, the charity co-produced an original piece of music theatre by Finn Beames. Quiet Songs played at the Barbican in October-November 2024 and at Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg in June 2025. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have read the guidance documents provided by the Charity Commission. |
Additional information (optional)
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The CIO does not make grants. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The CIO has not made social investments. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The appointed artistic director of the charity volunteers their time in bookkeeping, fundraising, communications and general administration. |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Para 1.20 In delivering the Aphasia New Music Group, the charity pioneers the use of songwriting and music making as a tool for creative expression for communication disabled adults, as well as exploring its potential for integration into speech and language therapy. The charity achieves this through strong links with the UCL Communication Clinic. The Aphasia New Music Group unites people with aphasia (PWA), professional musicians, and speech and language therapists (SLTs). Unlike other music projects, which typically involve singing familiar songs or commissioning composers to write on behalf of PWA, the project exclusively focuses on the co-creation of new music. Facilitators support individuals to write lyrics, compose, use their voices and play instruments, always led by the interests and experiences of group members. All activity is co-designed with PWA, and supported by qualified SLTs. When a person’s access to language changes, music can offer a vital form of self- expression, social cohesion and empowerment. In addition, writing music from scratch requires a great deal of communication and collaboration, offering a range of additional benefits which integrate well with PWAs’ ongoing therapy in clinical settings. Beneficiaries also include family and friends, who see loved ones in a new light; audiences, who learn about aphasia; and artists, who develop new skills in collaborating with PWA. The charity’s partnership with the UCL Communication Clinic enabled us to secure funding from the UCL Co-Production Collective, with which we co-produced an accessible evaluation tool with PWA. This allows us to assess the efficacy of our work against criteria which matter most to our participants. In the period, the charity also co-produced a professional music theatre production with the Barbican. Presented at the Barbican in October-November 2024,_Quiet Songs_was the winner of the Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award and starred Oscar- nominated Ruth Negga. The production was shortlisted for the Stage Awards in the Innovation category, before transferring to Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg for two performances in June 2025. |
|
|---|---|
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity is in a robust position until mid-2028 thanks to the new multi-year funding commitments cited above. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | As the charity operates on a project basis, a small amount of funds in reserve is helpful to ensure that any costs not related to a specific project can be met. The small amount of reserve funding held at the end of the period is not currently cause for concern, as the charity’s activities going forward are exclusively the continuation of the Aphasia New Music Group, which has no overhead costs at present. We aim to raise our reserves over the next three years. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £129 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Not applicable |
Additional information (optional)
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The charity has previously raised funds from Arts Council England, Jerwood Foundation and Second Movement, and secured in-kind support from partners such as UCL’s Communication Clinic. In the period, the charity received funds from the Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust, Garrick Charitable Trust, Maria Björnson Memorial Fund, the Barbican and Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg for Quiet Songs, and from the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia and City Bridge Foundation for the Aphasia New Music Group. For the first time, the Aphasia New Music Group was also supported by a donation from a private philanthropist, Ginny Battcock, administered via the Charities Aid Foundation. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The charity has not invested and accordingly has no investment policy. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The charity operates on a project basis, with no employed staff and no premises to maintain. There is very little risk in terms of funding streams, as each project is budgeted separately and usually has restricted funds. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | The charity has a foundation constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | The charity is a CIO. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Eligibility for trusteeship (a) Every charity trustee must be a natural person. (b) No individual may be appointed as a trustee of the CIO: ‣if they are under the age of 16 years; or ‣if they disqualified from acting as a charity trustee by virtue of section 178- 180 of the Charities Act 2011 (or any statutory re- enactment or modification of that provision). (c) No-one is entitled to act as a charity trustee whether on appointment or on any re-appointment until they have expressly acknowledged, in whatever way the CIO trustees decide, their acceptance of the office of charity trustee. Number of charity trustees (a) There must be at least three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum the remaining trustee or trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity trustees, or to appoint a new charity trustee. 5 of 19 (b) The maximum number of charity trustees is nine. The charity trustees may not appoint any charity trustee if as a result the number of charity trustees would exceed the maximum. Appointment of charity trustees (a) Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. (b) 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 information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Information for new charity trustees The charity trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before their first appointment: (a) a copy of the current version of the foundation constitution; and (b) a copy of the charity’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. (c) a copy of the charity’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The trustees oversee an Artistic Director, who manages the day-to-day running of the charity, as well as selecting creative projects to be approved and evaluated by the trustees against the charity’s object. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The charity has no formal relationships with other parties (apart from agreements made with funders). However, the charity has worked in partnership with other small organisations in the furthering of its object, such a Second Movement (an arts organisation offering a financial contribution to the project, administrative support and consultation). In the period the charity also worked with the UCL Communication Clinic, a world-leader on serving people with aphasia in clinical and research settings. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | OEDIPA |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | None |
| Registered charity number | 1171656 |
| Charity’s principal address | 20 Homefield, Stroud, GL6 0SP |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 3 4 |
Sarah Blowers | Chair | ||
| Alexandra Temple | ||||
| Fra Rustumji | 01.08.24 - 06.09.24 | |||
| Francesca Logi | 06.09.24 - 31.07.25 |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Not applicable
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Not applicable
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Not applicable
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature Full name Sarah Blowers Position Chair Date 10.09.2025
REGSTERED CHARITY NUMBER:1171656
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
for
Oedipa
Oedipa Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
Contents of Financial Statements
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 to 7 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
Oedipa
Registered Number:- 1171656
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Oedipa for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 July 2025, which are set out on pages 2 to 8.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:-
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosure in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to the matters set out in the next statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:-
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
-
have not been met or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
Richard Brooks Leonis Accountants Limited
Page 2
Registered Number:- 1171656
Oedipa
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities” issued in March 2005.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Number
1171656
Trustees
Sarah Blowers Francesca Logi Alexandra Temple
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a constitution, and is a charitable incorporated organisation..
Risk Management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity if exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on………………………………… and signed on its behalf by:
………………………………..
S Blowers Chair or Trustees
Page 3
Registered Number:- 1171656
Oedipa
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
| INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming Resources from generated funds Voluntary income RESOURCES EXPANDED Charitable activities Production Governance costs Other resources expended Total resources expended NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted Funds £ - - - - - - 129 129 |
Restricted Funds £ 97,640 80,460 571 - 81,031 16,609 8,109 24,718 |
31.07.2025 Total Funds £ 97,640 80,460 571 - 81,031 16,609 8,238 24,847 |
31.07.2024 Total Funds £ 27,183 40,884 544 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41,428 | ||||
| (14,245) 22,483 |
||||
| 8,238 |
Page 4
Registered Number:- 1171656
Oedipa
Balance Sheet
for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
| Notes CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 4 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted funds 5 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted Funds £ 129 129 ( - ) 129 129 129 |
Restricted Funds £ 24,918 24,918 (200) 24,718 24,718 24,718 |
31.07.2025 Total Funds £ 25,047 25,047 (200) 24,847 24,847 24,847 24,847 24,847 |
31.07.2024 Total Funds £ 8,438 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,438 (200) |
||||
| 8,238 | ||||
| 8,238 | ||||
| 8,238 | ||||
| 8,238 | ||||
| 8,238 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on………………………… and were signed on its behalf by:
…………………………………… S Blowers Chair or Trustees
Page 5
Registered Number:- 1171656
Oedipa
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting Charities.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under the headings that aggregate all the cost relating to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2024 or 31 July 2023.
Trustees expenses
There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2025 or 31 July 2024.
3. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Accruals and deferred income | 2025 £ 200 200 |
2024 £ 200 |
|---|---|---|
| 200 |
Page 6
Registered Number:- 1171656
Oedipa
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
4. STATEMENT OF MOVEMENTS
| Opening funds £ Restricted funds 8,109 Unrestricted funds 129 TOTAL FUNDS 8,238 et movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources £ Restricted fund Unrestricted fund 97,640 - TOTAL FUNDS 97,640 |
Opening funds £ 8,109 129 |
Net movement in funds At 31.07.2025 £ £ 16,609 24,718 - 129 16,609 24,847 Resources expended Movement in funds £ £ (81,031) - 16,609 - (81,031) 16,609 |
Net movement in funds At 31.07.2025 £ £ 16,609 24,718 - 129 16,609 24,847 Resources expended Movement in funds £ £ (81,031) - 16,609 - (81,031) 16,609 |
At 31.07.2025 £ 24,718 129 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,238 | 24,847 | ||||
| Resources expended £ (81,031) - (81,031) |
|||||
| 16,609 |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Page 7
Registered Number:- 1171656
Oedipa
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025
| INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary income Restricted grants Show income Miscellaneous income Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable activities Artist costs Production costs Storage costs Support costs Accountancy Insurance Bank charges Telephone Travel and accommodation Sundries Total resources expended Net Income/(expenditure) |
2025 £ £ 97,640 - - 97,640 97,640 - 80,460 - 80,460 175 396 - - - - 571 81,031 16,609 |
2024 £ £ 27,183 - - 27,183 27,183 - 40,883 - 40,883 150 394 - - - - 544 41,427 (14,244) |
2024 £ £ 27,183 - - 27,183 27,183 - 40,883 - 40,883 150 394 - - - - 544 41,427 (14,244) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27,183 | |||
| 27,183 | |||
| 40,883 544 |
|||
| 41,427 | |||
| (14,244) |
Page 8