Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/08/2022 Period start date To 31/07/2023 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 financial year was the first full period not influenced by the Coronavirus Pandemic and marked a return to relative normalcy for workshops and activities. Attendance at workshops increased, allowing the organization to achieve its objectives in a more structured manner. |
| We performed our first concert in Autumn 2022 at St John's Smith Square, which was highly successful in terms of player and guest attendance. Throughout the year, we also conducted: - 4 workshops - Participation and performance at the Rail Industry Memorial Day Covid memorial - Attendance at Emergency Services shows These events supported the organization's primary goal of using Music Therapy to benefit individuals in the emergency services. Our financial position improved, achieving stability in accumulated funds. The organization was further strengthened by the appointment of several new trustees, each bringing unique skills to enhance operations and long-term strategy. |
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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 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. |
|---|---|---|
We are a user led charity, which aims to improve the mental well-being of emergency workers through music. The 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 4 workshops, we held 4. Against out objective to put on a concert, we held this in October 2022. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We raised more money than the previous year largely due to increase in donations |
| 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 the costs 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 asensiblebalance for future charitable events. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | we hold sufficient in reserves. |
| 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 events, donations from third parties 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: |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 26/01/2023 | |||
| Dr Richard GORROD |
||||
| David Smith | Treasurer | appointed 29/01/2023 | ||
| Amanda Thorpe | appointed 25/01/2023 | |||
| Christopher Evans | appointed 15/12/2022 | |||
Graham Caley |
appointed 1/7/2023 |
|||
– 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 16/05/2024
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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 01/08/2022 31/07/2023
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 1,850 - 1,850 343
Activities for generating funds 5,570 - - 5,570 3,064
Charitable Activities - - - - 47
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
7,420 - 7,420 3,464
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 7,420 - 7,420 -
A3 Payments
Costs of generating voluntary receipts - - - - 67
Fundraising costs 0 - - 0 0
Costs of charitable activities 5,362 430 - 5,792 4,221
Governance costs 0 - - 0 110
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total 5,362 430 - 5,792 4,398
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments 5,362 430 - 5.792 4,398
Net of receipts/(payments) 2,058 (430) - 1.628 934)
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 1,095 631 - 1,726 2,660
Cash funds this year end 3,153 201 - 3,354 1,726
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16/05/2024
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 3,153 3,153 |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - OK Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Amount due (optional) 201 201 |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
| - | ||||
| OK | ||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) |
||||
| - - - - - |
||||
| Print Name S Valentine |
Date of approval 16/05/2024 |
16/05/2024
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2