Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/08/2021 Period start date To 31/07/2022 Period end date
Charity name: Blue Light Symphony Orchestra
Charity registration number:1184720
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1. TO ADVANCE, IMPROVE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN, AND APPRECIATION OF, THE ART AND SCIENCE OF MUSIC IN ALL ITS ASPECTS BY ANY MEANS THE TRUSTEES SEE FIT, INCLUDING THROUGH THE PROVISION OF WORKSHOPS, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE OR WHO HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF THE UK EMERGENCY SERVICES TO ENABLE THEM TO PLAY MUSIC AND PUT ON CONCERTS. 2. TO FURTHER SUCH CHARITABLE PURPOSE OR PURPOSES AS THE TRUSTEES IN THEIR ABSOLUTE DISCRETION SHALL THINK FIT BUT IN PARTICULAR THROUGH THE MAKING OF GRANTS AND DONATIONS TO ORGANISATIONS/CHARITIES WHICH PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO UK EMERGECY SERVICES WORKERS. |
| 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 |
The beginning of this year was still challenging due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and we decided to cancel our first workshop on 21st November due to low numbers. Since then attendance at workshops has increased and we have not had to cancel and since for reasons of low attendance. We also decided to put on our first concert and were playing music in the workshops that we were planning to play in that concert. The concert itself went ahead in the Autumn of 2022 so is outside the scope of this annual report but it is worth mentioning because we used this year to prepare for it. |
| On Sunday 13th March 2022 we did a day workshop in London on Brahms 2nd Symphony. This was attended by around 40 people. On Sunday 29th May 2022 we did a day workshop in London on Beethoven 5th Symphony which was attended by around 30 people. Additionally, we were asked to provide music for the Advancing Healthcare Awards on 8th April 2022 where 10 players and our musical director provided some music and received a special recognition award for the BLSO’s work on Music Therapy in the emergency services. In other activities, we published a report on out Blues and Tunes Music Therapy project which took place in Surrey and Sussex in 2021. This project was a success and although small scale, it does give some indication that Music Therapy could be of benefit to people in the emergency services. We hope to do more work on Music Therapy soon. Our financial turnover was considerably less than last year and this is due to the fact that we received a one off grant for the Music Therapy project last year which represented the majority of our income. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | All trustees have had regard to this guidance. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | We do not currently have a grant making policy because we do not have enough assets to make grants, however we will develop a grant making policy when we think we will be in a position to award them. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | We do not currently make any investments |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers have contributed time to assist the charity. |
| Other | N/A |
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 | Through our workshops, we have provided opportunities for emergency workers to come together and play music in a supportive environment. Music has been proven to increase mood and the effects are felt long after the event itself. Studies with support groups of veterans have found that coming together in a group of people who are of the same ‘in group’ and have experienced similar trauma is extremely beneficial. Playing music together allows for expression of emotion in a safe way and provides a short-cut to bonding. We know through both the feedback we have had and the fact that people come back to our workshops again and again that they enjoy them hugely. Professions associated with a higher risk for the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include the military, fire fighters, first responder/ambulance personnel and law enforcement officers (Skogstad, 2013). In 2019, Police Care UK reported that 1 in 5 serving police officers were living with PTSD or anxiety disorders triggered by exposure to one or multiple traumatic events. Almost two-thirds of officers reported experience of fatigue, anxiety or sleep disturbances. However, they continued to go to work as per usual. The after effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the additional stress it put the emergency services under, coupled with issues around workloads and retention meant that the mental health crisis in the emergency services is not likely to get better any time soon. The main treatment options offered for PTSD in the UK are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming (EMDR) and/or medication, with the goals of reducing symptoms, teaching strategies and skills to deal with symptoms, and restoring self-esteem. The use of music therapy for PTSD, anxiety and trauma- related stress within ex-military personnel in the US is well documented (Libby et al. 2014), yet despite an equally high incidence of PTSD symptoms reported in blue-light emergency service personnel, music therapy as a treatment modality within these services has not been explored, until now. |
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To address this gap, a working collaboration between the Blue Light Symphony Orchestra (BLSO), Chroma, and five Blue Light organisations: Surrey Police, Sussex Police, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and South East Ambulance Service, was established to design, implement, and evaluate music therapy as a treatment option for front line workers with symptoms of PTSD. The BLSO is a user led charity, which aims to improve the mental well-being of emergency workers through music. Chroma is the UK’s leading provider of creative arts therapies services to partners across the health, education, social care and statutory sectors, through its team of over 90 HCPC registered creative arts therapists. The formation of this charity is important because, as far as we can tell from our research, it is the only orchestra of it’s kind in the world which takes players from all emergency services to come together. We think that collaboration across the emergency services is vital and we aim to encourage it. Our work is highlighting the differences in approach and access to support across the emergency services. Wider society benefits from resilient and healthy emergency services personnel both from a point of view of the services they give to the public but also a reduction in days lost to mental illness. Days lost to mental health is an increasing issue in the emergency services in the UK as is suicide. The BLSO aims to help alleviate both these issues.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Against our objective to hold 3 workshops, we held 2. Against out objective to put on a concert, we planned this for October 2022 and used this years workshops to prepare. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We raised less money than the previous year in part due to the one off grant we received for the Music Therapy project. We also did less workshops than we wanted to. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
|---|---|---|
| Other | N/A |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | We are in asoundfinancial position and able to afford theproformacosts of delivering the objectives of the charity. Wecontinue tolook for further funding for Music Therapy projects. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Wehold a minimal balance for future charitable events. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | We do not currently have a reserves policy. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Income from workshops and grants we have applied for. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| Other | N/A |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Foundation Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | 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 | Selection and appointment is made by the current trustees by way of written expression of interest and interview. |
| 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 | Trustees are provided with the Charity Commission guidance to trustees. Trustees are expected to complete trustee training with NVCO. Trustees are offered role specific training as required. The charity will fund courses on a case by case basis and will suggest courses and seminars for trustees. We are members of Making Music and the NVCO who all provide free and paid for training opportunities, guidance and advice. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is a CIO and is always seeking to form partnerships with emergency services organisations and charities. We have partnered with Chroma, the UK’s leading provider of Arts therapies to provide Music Therapy to emergency workers. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | We have formed a working partnership with Chroma to develop our Music Therapy projects. |
| Other | N/A |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Blue Light Symphony Orchestra |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | None |
| Registered charity number | 1184720 |
Charity’s principal address Studio 1 305A Goldhawk Road LONDON W12 8EU
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Valentine | Chair | |||
| Ruiko Asaba | ||||
| Simon Robinson | appointed Jan 2023 | |||
| Dr Richard GORROD |
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| David Smith | Treasurer | Appointed Jan 2023 | ||
| Amanda Thorpe | Appointed Jan 2023 | |||
| Christopher Evans | Appointed Dec 2022 | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name No directors appointed
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| None | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Peter Valentine Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 16/05/2023
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Charity Name No (if any)
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 01/08/2021 31/07/2022
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Voluntary Receipts 343 - 343 10,119
Activities for generating funds 3,064 - - 3,064 44
Charitable Activities 47 - - 47 966
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
3,464 - 3,464 11,129
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 3,464 - 3,464 -
A3 Payments
Costs of generating voluntary receipts 67 - - 67 30
Fundraising costs 0 - - 0 34
Costs of charitable activities 3,398 823 - 4,221 9,543
Governance costs 110 - - 110 94
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total 3,575 823 - 4,398 9,701
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments 3,575 823 - 4,398 9,701
Net of receipts/(payments) (111) (823) - (934) 1,428
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 1,206 1,454 - 2,660 1,232
Cash funds this year end 1,095 631 - 1,726 2,660
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16/05/2023
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | the end of the period | the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Cash at bank Details Signature |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates 1,095 1095 |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - OK Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Amount due (optional) 631 631 |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
| - | ||||
| OK | ||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) |
||||
| - - - - - |
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| Print Name S Valentine |
Date of approval 16/05/2023 |
16/05/2023
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2