THE BLUE LIGHT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 July 2025
THE BLUE LIGHT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Trustees’ Annual Report
For the year ended 31 July 2025 Charity Registration No. 1184720
1. Reference and Administrative Information
Charity details
Full name The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra (BLSO) Registered charity no. 1184720 Registered address 305A Goldhawk Road, London, W12 8EU Financial year 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025
Trustees
The trustees who served during the year are listed below. All trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and none received remuneration or other benefits in respect of their trustee role during the year.
| Name | Role | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Sebastian Rex Valentine | Chair | 1 August 2019 |
| David Austin Smith | Treasurer | 29 January 2023 |
| Amanda Thorpe | Trustee | 25 January 2023 |
| Simon Thomas Robinson | Trustee | 26 January 2023 |
| Graham John Caley | Trustee | 1 July 2023 |
Advisers
The charity does not currently retain professional advisers. Banking is conducted through Barclays Bank.
2. Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated and registered in England and Wales. The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
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THE BLUE LIGHT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 July 2025
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity’s governing document. New trustees are recruited through personal networks and by invitation, with an induction process covering the charity’s activities, governance responsibilities and financial position. The Charity Commission’s guidance for new trustees is made available to all incoming trustees.
Organisational structure
The charity is governed by its board of trustees, which meets regularly to oversee strategy, finances and compliance. Day-to-day administration and the coordination of musical activities are carried out by volunteers. The charity has no paid employees and is not part of any wider group structure.
Risk management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to manage those risks. The principal risks identified include reliance on volunteer capacity, the availability of suitable venues, and fluctuations in income from events and workshops. The charity maintains a financial reserves policy to provide a buffer against unexpected costs or income shortfalls.
Governance policies
The following governance policies and procedures were in place during the year:
| Policy | Status |
|---|---|
| Internal financial controls | Yes |
| Safeguarding | Yes |
| Financial reserves | Yes |
| Complaints | Yes |
| Serious incident reporting | Yes |
| Internal risk management | Yes |
| Trustee expenses | Yes |
| Trustee conflicts of interest | Yes |
| Investing charity funds | Yes |
| Campaigns and political activity | Yes |
| Bullying and harassment | Yes |
| Social media | Yes |
| Engaging external speakers at charity events | Not applicable |
3. Objectives and Activities
Charitable purposes
The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra exists to promote the musical arts for the benefit of the public and to support the wellbeing of those serving in the emergency services and blue light community.
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THE BLUE LIGHT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 July 2025
The orchestra brings together musicians from across the blue light services to perform, rehearse and connect through music.
Activities undertaken
In furtherance of its charitable purposes during the year, the charity carried out the following activities:
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Regular orchestral workshops — five workshops were held during the year, providing regular playing opportunities for members and supported by professional paid musicians.
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Concerts and events — the charity performed at a number of events and concerts open to the public, including the Annual Concert at St John’s Smith Square, London, which was a significant milestone for the orchestra.
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Fundraising activities — a programme of fundraising was undertaken, including joint events with London Fire Brigade (LFB) and digital fundraising through Paypal Giving Fund and Gift Aid-eligible donations.
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Community engagement — the charity continued to build its profile within the blue light community through sponsorship, donations and outreach.
The charity confirmed that it does not make grants to individuals or other organisations as its main activity, does not operate outside England and Wales, and received no income from government contracts or grants during the year.
Volunteers
The charity is entirely volunteer-led. Approximately 5 volunteers (excluding trustees) carried out charitable activities on behalf of the charity in the United Kingdom during the year.
4. Achievements and Performance
Annual Concert — St John’s Smith Square
The highlight of the year was the Annual Concert at St John’s Smith Square, London. This was the orchestra’s most ambitious public performance to date and was well received. The concert generated ticket and event income of £3,738, making it a significant contributor to the charity’s overall income for the year. Costs associated with the concert included hire of the hall (£2,044), production and other costs (£3,252), instrument hire (£350), fixers (£75) and music hire (£28), reflecting the scale and ambition of the event.
Workshops
Five workshops were held during the year, continuing the charity’s core programme of regular musical activity. Workshop income totalled £1,968 (including £1,435 from regular workshop fees and £533 from associated donations). Expenditure on workshops grew substantially year-on-year, reflecting investment in professional musicians, increased instrument and music hire, and higher participation levels.
Fundraising and income
Total income for the year was £14,550 (2024: £8,040), representing an 81% increase on the prior year. This was driven primarily by the Annual Concert, growth in event income, and a significant
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THE BLUE LIGHT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 July 2025
increase in Gift Aid reclaims (£2,284 versus £521 in the prior year). Sponsorship income doubled to £1,000. The charity is grateful to all its donors, sponsors and supporters.
Looking ahead
The trustees look forward to building on the success of this year. Planning is underway for a further annual concert at The Forum in August 2026, and the workshop programme will continue. The trustees are mindful of the increased cost base and will manage expenditure carefully to ensure the charity remains financially sustainable.
5. Financial Review
Overview
The following is a summary of the charity’s Receipts and Payments account for the year ended 31 July 2025, with comparative figures for the prior year.
| 2025 £ | 2024 £ | |
|---|---|---|
| Receipts | ||
| Donations and gift aid | 5,221 | 5,071 |
| Event and concert income | 5,330 | 850 |
| Workshop fees and donations | 1,968 | 1,863 |
| Annual Concert (St John’s Smith Square) | 3,738 | — |
| Joint fundraising (LFB) — net | (1,530) | — |
| Other revenue | (176) | 256 |
| Total Receipts | 14,550 | 8,040 |
| Payments | ||
| Annual Concert costs | 5,749 | — |
| Workshop costs | 4,582 | 1,670 |
| Advertising and marketing | 35 | 1,185 |
| Travel, events and music costs | 647 | 1,182 |
| Administration (insurance, IT, postage, etc.) | 805 | 1,006 |
| Stripe fees (admin) | 57 | — |
| Total Payments | 11,875 | 6,063 |
| Net surplus for the year | 2,675 | 1,977 |
Reserves policy
The trustees maintain a reserves policy to ensure the charity holds sufficient funds to meet its commitments and to provide resilience against unexpected events or income shortfalls. The net
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THE BLUE LIGHT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | Trustees’ Annual Report | Year ended 31 July 2025
surplus for the year of £2,675 (2024: £1,977) will be carried forward as free reserves. The trustees consider the current level of reserves to be appropriate for a charity of this size and nature, and will review this policy annually.
Going concern
The trustees are satisfied that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in the preparation of the accounts.
Income from outside the UK
The charity received no income from outside the United Kingdom during the year.
6. Declaration
The trustees confirm that they have approved this Trustees’ Annual Report and authorise it to be signed on their behalf.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
David Smith, Trustee and Treasurer
Date: 5th May 2026
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