## Southampton Music Trust ## Trustees’ Report ## _**For the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024**_ ## Objectives and activities The aim of the Trust is to enable access to life-changing music experiences that enrich the happiness, health and wellbeing of the communities of Southampton and surrounding areas. The Trust was incorporated on 8th December 2017 and its objects are: - providing and assisting in the acquisition and provision of facilities, instruments, scores and other means of performance and study and places for such purposes; - promoting and facilitating access to and participation in performances of music; - making music education more accessible through, in particular but not exclusively, community music programmes. Southampton Music Trust works alongside Southampton Music Hub to provide diverse, engaging musical opportunities and enable greater access to high quality music-making for all children, young people, and their families living in Southampton and surrounding area. The promotion and fostering of knowledge and appreciation of music through the provision of funds and facilities for the education of the public remains our focus. In shaping objectives for the year the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance ‘public benefit: running a charity (PB2).’ The Trust endeavours to encourage people in Southampton with an interest in music to take advantage of the activities offered by Southampton Music Hub. Performances and workshops are given across the city, enabling the wider community to benefit. The strategies employed to achieve the charity’s objects are: - Provision of funds for musical tuition - Provision of funds for instruments and equipment - Provision of funds to support musical performances and workshops - Provision of funds for community-based music projects The charity wishes to achieve the following outcomes: - Broaden diversity; - Build community cohesion; - Deliver social impact; - Support disability and SEND provision; - Break down disadvantage; - Improve health and wellbeing. ## Achievements and performance The benefits of music continue to be important for helping improve the lives of children and young people. Ensuring the children and young people who face barriers to music-making are empowered to make music which meets their needs, interests and ambitions continues to be an important tool for improving outcomes for those who will benefit most. The trust and partners continue to respond to the needs facing the region with a flexible approach which allows children, young people, and schools to access a range of musical opportunities. Through the development manager, the trust has also supported the Youth Voice Network: a cross-regional programme funded by Youth Music which is delivering youth-led work in five regions, including: - Girls Make Music — a club to get young women and girls into music technology - FLOW — a rap club - Mix’Zine — a music publication for, and by, young people - SEND music sessions - Music Production Clubs - Open-access music provision The trust has also supported the progression of young musicians through the Middleton Bursary Fund (MBF), allowing them to access and progress with music-making, learning and performing. These include: Two young musicians with disabilities who are supported to travel to participate in music groups where they are learning with peers, composing their own music, and taking part in musical performances across the south coast. A young rapper who continues to develop their skills and experiences, performing at Southampton Guildhall and at a national music education conference. Supporting a young person to attend training in musical theater performance, allowing them to graduate from London School of Musical Theatre ## Finance The Trust achieved an income of £4150 this year to support the broad range of work undertaken at Southampton Music Hub. During this year the Trustees delivered the Middleton Bursary Fund to support children and young people who, without assistance, would not be able to progress their musical studies and development. ## **Financial review** During the year, we were most grateful for generous donations received from: - Donation in memory of Kenneth McGillivray - Other donations - As well as supporting the hub’s funding applications from: - Youth Music ## **Reserves Policy** At present the Trust operates on a raise and spend basis. As the Trust establishes itself, a clear reserves policy will be put in place. ## Plans for the future The Trust will focus its efforts in supporting Southampton Music Hub by continuing to add to the Middleton Bursary Fund, which will enable young musicians to progress and develop, regardless of their financial background. The trust also hopes to develop support of other projects to help children and young people facing challenging circumstances. ## Directors and Trustees The Trustees who served during the year were: - Janet Barbara Denholm - Simon John Farrenden - Michelle Rice - Sarah Spencer (Chair) No Trustees received any remuneration for their work. ## Governing Document The Charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated organisation (CIO) and as a result is governed under its Constitution dated 23rd November 2017. ## Appointment of Trustees 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. 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. ## Organisation The board of Trustees administers the charity. The board meets quarterly. CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES 1176179 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a F