Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From: 1/1/25 (Period start date ) To: 31/12/25 (Period end date)
Charity name: Seed Studios CIO
Charity registration number: 1172658
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The purpose of Seed Studios CIO is to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society by providing a community music and arts service. |
| 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 |
We have improved local health, creativity and connections through two main activities. • Provision of weekly volunteer-led Community Music Wellbeing Workshops which are free, open to all adults and suitable for all abilities • Provision of 1-to-1 music sessions by sessional workers for adults referred to Seed Studios through local health and community partners |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In planning and decision-making, the Trustees kept in mind the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Para 1.38 | Volunteers remained at the heart of Seed Studios in 2025, playingan essential role in |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
delivering a vibrant programme of musical activities across Trafford, contributing over 1,000 hours of volunteer-led sessions, highlighting the incredible commitment and talent within our community. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Other |
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 | Headlines: Secured a TNL 3 year Reaching Communities grant, which will help to cover staff costs until Dec 2027 Attracted six additional grants totalling nearly £30,000 Increased footfall by nearly 600 to just short of 2,600 attendances in total with more than 250 in June, our busiest month so far. Ten different workshop sessions per week with over 20 hours of provision from Beginners Guitar to the Ukelele Singalong. Our volunteers delivered over 1,000 hours of free workshops in the year. 90 participant musicians had the chance to perform in front of an audience, many for the 1sttime. We launched a new songwriting workshop called The Orchard which has already established a vibrant and growing community of core members. We were able to secure funding to continue our social prescribing work for the next year with the aim to be delivering 7 hours a week by the end of 2026. Developed 6 new partnerships: Reform Radio, Old Trafford Limelight, Dementia Disco, Trafford Choices, Altrincham Priory and the Contact Hostel. Maintained our existing partnerships with: String of Hearts CIC, Bluesci Support, Manchester International Roots Orchestra, Trafford Community Collective and others. We delivered open mic events at Limelight Old Trafford in March; Broomwood in June Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) delivering a series of Roma music workshops at our Old Trafford and Broomwood studios. In November, members of our community were invited to perform and close Trafford Council’s Arts, Health, Action Day. |
Delivered the Celebrate Seed Studios event in December |
|---|
| at Band on the Wall, that saw over 40 musicians perform |
| in seven different groups on the iconic stage, many |
| performing for the first time and over 100 audience |
| members (not including musicians) attended. |
| We predominantly worked with people aged between 35 and 75 |
| plus. This is a more diverse range from previous years but still |
| highlights that an area for development is to increase engagement |
| amongst 18 to 35-year-olds. With this in mind, we are in the |
| process of setting up a new partnership with nearby Gorse Hill |
| Studios, who have spare capacity, and generally work with |
| younger people |
In common with many smaller charities, we are very focused on ‘doing it’ but sometimes less good at ‘recording it’ and showing what we’ve achieved. We do have an ongoing informal debate with our volunteers and participants, but recognise that this will be an area of improvement for 2026.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity had bank balances totalling £41,418 at the end of the year. The charity had receipts totalling £37,263 for the year. The charity had payments totalling £59,273 for theyear. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The reserves policy for this financial year was to maintain sufficient reserves to meet statutory obligations regarding staff redundancy and notice periods, as well basic operational costs for up to a year of insurance, bank charges and basic accountancy. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £6,043 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Seed Studios CIO |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | Seed Studios |
| Registered charitynumber | 1172658 |
| Charity’s principal address | 54-56, Seymour Grove, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0LN |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Hodson | Chair | |||
| LucyKohoutek Power | ||||
| PhilipHandscomb | Treasurer | |||
| Ann-Marie Crowley |
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Andrew Hodson Full name(s) Andrew Christopher Hodson Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 20/8/26
Seed Studios Management accounts 1/1/25 to 30/04/26
Seed Studios Management accounts
Jan 1st 2025-Dec 31st 2025
| Income | |
|---|---|
| OpeningBalance | £41,418 |
| Grants | £34,610 |
| Donations | £2,504 |
| Interest | £59 |
| Sundries | £90 |
| Total | £78,681 |
| Expenditure | |
| Staff Costs | £39,788 |
| CommunityConnector Costs | £5,078 |
| WellbeingSupport | £4,372 |
| Facilitator Costs | £3,357 |
| Volunteer Expences | £1,462 |
| Subs & Fees | £1,217 |
| Events & Promotion | £2,814 |
| Equipment | £1,185 |
| Total | £59,273 |
| Balance | £19,408 |
| BB 31/12/25 | £19,408 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report Report to the trustees On accounts for the year ended Charlty no {rf any) Sot out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for year end8d R•sponsibilities and basis of report As the charity's Iwslees. you are reskxK6ible for the preparation of the accounts in acC(Kdan with th8 requirements of the Charities Act 2011 rthe ALY). I report in res of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions gtven by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirrn that no material matters have examinerfs statement COFne to my attenti in conneckn wFEh the examination whth gtves me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the acrnuntFng records were not kept in accordance with seCtn 130 of the Chars15es Act., or the accounts did not accord wlth the accountlng records: or acrJJunts di(1 not ccffnply with the applicable requirements ncerning the fomi and cuilent of accounts s8t out in the Charities (Acry)unts and RetM)rts) Regulations 2C()8 other ttn any requirement Ihat the accounts give a Mrue and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no nCnS and have o)me a(xoss no other matters in connection with the examination to whtch attention shcyjld be drawn in this report in order enable a proper understanding of ac(t)unts to be r8ached. Signed: Name: Relevant professional quallfication(s) or l)ody (ff any): Ejt. m.pki •)[wJ I 0£ IER Oct 2018