## **2024/25 accounts Trustees Report** ## **1. INTRODUCTION** 2024/25 was a nine-month transitional period (1 October 2024 to 30 June 2025), as the Foundation changed its financial year end from 30 September to 30 June, to align with the wider Sing Up Group. The period was characterised by a combination of ongoing programme delivery and a review of the Foundation’s strategic direction and future positioning. The Foundation focused its efforts on the following main areas: - Recording and beginning to publish Series 2 of _Inspiring Voices_ , the Sing Up Foundation podcast - A successful Big Give campaign to support work with displaced children and young people, and the formation of a community of practice amongst key UK providers - Further development of the Sing Up Foundation website - Initial work towards the Foundation’s ‘State of Play’ publication on singing for mental health and wellbeing - Continuing induction of new trustees and development of the Explore & Discuss trustee discussion programme - Strategic review, as part of the wider Sing Up Group business planning process ## **2. ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE YEAR – FURTHER DETAIL** The period saw the recording of the complete second series of the Foundation’s podcast, _Inspiring Voices_ . The first three episodes were published during the financial year, with the remainder following in July and August 2025. The podcast continued to give insights into the work of teachers, music leaders and researchers using singing as a tool to support mental health and wellbeing. The Foundation ran a successful Big Give campaign during the period, raising £10,961 in restricted funding to support its work with displaced children and young people. This total included match-funding of £5,000 from a research trust. The campaign has led to the formation of a community of practice amongst several of the main providers working with displaced young people in the UK, a significant step forward for this strand of the Foundation’s work. Development of the Sing Up Foundation website continued, building up a rich and engaging mix of resources and guidance for practitioners and researchers. Alongside the Big Give campaign, a number of applications were made to trusts and foundations during the period. All were ultimately unsuccessful, reflecting the extreme challenges of fundraising from these sources in the current climate. By contrast, the Foundation saw comparative success through more direct routes such as individual giving, which continued to provide a reliable stream of unrestricted income. The period was also defined by a wider strategic review. Engagement with the Sing Up Group business planning process prompted the Foundation to take a step back and examine its own future direction. This review led to several important decisions, including the commitment to create a ‘State of Play’ publication, drawing together all that the Foundation has learned about singing to support mental health and wellbeing, with a view to positioning the Foundation within wider sectors and drawing greater engagement with its work. The period saw the ongoing induction of new trustees to the Foundation’s board, and the development of the Explore & Discuss programme – a series of regular trustee discussions designed to allow for greater exploration of the Foundation’s work than would be feasible within standard board meetings. This initiative helped to build stronger connections with and between trustees, particularly those who were newly appointed. The Foundation engaged with several cross-Sing Up Group strands of work, including AntiRacism and AI. Overall expenditure during the period was modest, partly influenced by the shorter ninemonth financial year. A number of projects were carried over into 2025/26. **3. COMMENTARY ON THE 2024/25 ACCOUNTS** ## **Income** Unrestricted income (S01) of £2,958 was received from the Foundation’s portfolio of individual giving sites (including JustGiving, Give As You Live and Easy Fundraising), from the Foundation’s year-long status as designated charity of the London Oriana Choir, and from an HMRC Gift Aid reclaim. Restricted income (S01) of £10,961 was raised through a Big Give campaign to support the Foundation’s work with displaced children and young people. This included match-funding of £5,000 from a research trust. Other income of £51,721 (S06) was a donation from Sing Up Group Ltd to cover staff costs during the period. ## **Expenditure** Expenditure against Raising funds (S08) was £1,400 on fundraising consultancy from Sixth Voice Consultancy. Charitable Activities (S09) of £3,217 included podcast production costs, training, a Zoom Pro subscription, NCVO membership and trustee expenses. ## **Summary** The above financial activity generated a surplus for the period of £10,702 (S22). Offset against brought forward funds from 2023/24 of £31,271 (S23), the period closed with carried forward funds of £41,973 (S24), comprising £32,026 in unrestricted funds and £9,947 in restricted funds. Signed: Jeremy Sleith Chair of Trustees COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 10364807 Sing Up Foundation Company Limited by Guarantee Filleted Unaudited Financial Statements 30 June 2025 HAN AND CO Chartered accountants Epworth Hou3e 7 Lucy Street Chester le Street Co. Durham DH3 3UP Sing Up Foundation Company Llmited by Guarantse Statement of Financial Position 30 June 2025 Peri¢xl from 1 Oct24to 30 Jun 25 Year to 30 Sep 24 Current assets 41,973 31,271 Net currnnt assets 41,973 31.271 Total assets lass current liabilities 41,973 31,271 Capital and reserves 41.973 31.271 For the period ending 30 June 2025 the company Nrds ents'tled lo exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small ￿MpanIeS. Directorfs responsibilities- The members have not required the company lo obtain an audit of tts financial staternents for the period in question in accordance with section 476.. The director acknovledges his responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financbal statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance ￿1th the microentty provisions and have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies wime. These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on , and are signed on behalf of the board by. M J James Director Company registration number: 10364807 The company is a prFvate company limited by guarantee. registsred in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Gateshead Intemational Business Centre. Mulgrave Terrace, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. NE38 7QT. Sin Inde U Foundatlon Limited endent Examiners Re ort for the nod ended 30th June 2025 I report on the accounts of the Charity for the period ended 30th June 2025 which are set out on the attached pages. Res ective res onsibillties of trustees and examiner The Gharitys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitys trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144{2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilty to examine the accounts {under section 145 of the 2011 Act). follow the procedures laid dovrfn in the General Directions given by the Charty Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act)," and state whether particular matters ha4e come to my attention. Basis of inde endent examinerfs statement My examination was carried out in accordance wrth the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts. and seekj'ng explanations from 5r)u as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below. Inde endent examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which grve me cause to believe that in any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.. or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems 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 reache traughan B J Straughan an Chartered Accountants L4d Epworth House 7 Lucy Street Chester le Street County Durham DH3 3UP Date