Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 April 2024 To 31 March 2024
Charity name: Sound Progression Ltd
Charity registration number: 1190897
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 |
To advance in life and relieve needs of young people through: (a) The provision of recreational, educational and leisure time music and arts activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life; (b) Providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals. |
| 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 |
• Hosting weekly after school music studio sessions at five youth and community centres located across Cardiff. • Delivering daytime provision at the city- centre hub, Grassroots, to support vulnerable young people aged 16-25 via daytime drop-in sessions delivered Monday to Friday. • Developing young music talents through bespoke and tailored provision to facilitate the creation of original music, performance skills and industry sharing sessions. • Developed live bands to support festival touring opportunities. • Hosted a second year of our paid apprenticeship scheme developing the skills of two young men through bespoke training and on thejob learning. |
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| • Delivering events at various venues to showcase young people through performance platforms. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 |
The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission 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 |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 |
n/a |
| 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 |
Sound Progression delivers bespoke and individualised music development opportunities to empower new and diverse voices and is driven by the principal objective to increase engagement levels of young people from underrepresented groups, those hindered by financial and cultural barriers and considered to be hard to reach. We support children and young people who tend to have no formal music education ranging from aspiring singers, songwriters and rappers to music producers and engineers, and those simply wishing to explore their creativity through music- making. We worked at the grassroots in partnership with Cardiff Youth Service at six community centres, during 2023/2024, situated across the southern arc of Cardiff in areas of high deprivation. These include Ely, St Mellons, Llanedeyrn, Butetown, Splott and the city centre. All our provision is |
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offered free at the point of access to young people aged 11-25. Our sessions are hosted in well-equipped music studios and support young people’s music production, sound engineering, song/rap writing and performance skills as well as providing vocal, drumming, keyboard and guitar coaching. We respond to young people’s needs and foster emotional well-being by offering clear, tangible incentives and rewards such as co-creating original music tracks and producing industrystandard quality recordings. We hosted a total of 34, three-hour music studio sessions a week, consisting of 10 after-school sessions nestled within five established youth-club settings. Plus, 24 daytime sessions at our central hub, Grassroots, housing two studio suites and a music production training room. We also offered progression routes to support career development and host regular performance platforms through our talent development Academy Programme, as well as bespoke partnership projects with local youth-focused charities and services. During 2023/2024 we supported over 430 young people, 255 aged 11-19 who were supported through after-school sessions and a further 178 aged 16-25 through daytime provision. 80% of our participants attend regularly based on more than ten sessions within the last year and an estimated 85% of participants were from socio-economically disadvantaged areas living in households considered to be among the top 20% living in poverty in Wales. 35% of our participants are from global minority backgrounds and 70% are male and approximately 10% are supported through various social care and well-being initiatives. Furthermore, approximately 25% of participants have neurodiverse needs including Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia and ADHD. Additionally, during 2023/2024, we have hosted showcases in partnership with Cardiff Music Conference, Cardiff Music City Festival, Anthem Cymru and Platfform at venues including Grangetown Pavilion, Norwegian Church, The Corp and Pipes, and quarterly at Clwb Ifor Bach. We also presented 24 acts at the University of South Wales’s Immersed Festival at Tramshed, Cardiff and further established relationships with various festivals, presenting 6 acts at Green Man, 5 at Big Love, 1 at Blue Lagoon and 4 at SouthernSUNdown. These platforms have offered acts valuable opportunities to showcase new material, expand their audiences, and maintain a continuous pipeline of talent development opportunities.
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We’ve made a real difference in young lives by developing their skills, knowledge and passion for music and promoting their welfare and quality of life by ensuring our provision reflects needs and is a tool for improving prospects. We’ve fostered emotional and mental well-being by encouraging creativity and new experiences and by using the power of music as a tool to help overcome feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness.
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
During 2023-2024 we secured a number of grants to support a year-round programme of activity, delivering various projects that supported artist development, daytime activity, school holiday workshops as well as continuing our after-school provision. We increased the number of young artists we support and created regular performance and platforming opportunities for them, widening our partnership with the music industry including venues and other youth music organisations. We have also continued to support young people from BAME backgrounds who represented 35% of our participant base. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
n/a |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 |
n/a |
| Other | n/a |
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Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 |
Sound Progression’s turnover for 2023-24 financial year is based on an income level of £203,429 (prior year: £161,309) and expenditure of £217,253 (prior year: £155,373). Our operating surplus/deficit is £13,824 (prior year: £5,936) for year-end 2023. Due to a brought forward figure of £53,952 from the previous financial year (2022-23), we carry forward £40,128 into the 2024-25 accounting period of which £25,734 is designated funds and £14,393 is unrestricted. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 |
Sound Progression is funded on a project-by- project basis based on submission of balanced budgets. There is currently no core funding available and thus little opportunity to build up reserves. If core funding is secured then the Trustees will review its reserves policy. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 |
Reserves (unrestricted funds) at the year-end were £14,393 (prior year: £18,226) Sound Progression understands that this low level of reserves imposes a tight budget/cashflow discipline. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 |
n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 |
Nil |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Nil |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Sound Progression’s principal ongoing funders are the Arts Council of Wales, which supported the open-access after- school provision with match funding from Cardiff Council. The National Lottery Community Fund supported our daytime programme for ages 16-25 at our central hub. In addition, Youth Music provided an Incubator Award to support the second year of our Apprentice Scheme. The performance programme was supported by Diverse Cymru through the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Sound Progression’s principal ongoing funders are the Arts Council of Wales, which supported the open-access after- school provision with match funding from Cardiff Council. The National Lottery Community Fund supported our daytime programme for ages 16-25 at our central hub. In addition, Youth Music provided an Incubator Award to support the second year of our Apprentice Scheme. The performance programme was supported by Diverse Cymru through the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist |
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| Wales Culture, Heritage and Sports Fun, The Arts Council of Wales, Anthem Cymru and Ty Cerdd with match funding through various festivals and partnerships. All grant income is applied for against criteria specified by the grant giving organisation and these funds can only be used for the purposed approved. All expenditure incurred by the company is in support of the key objects of the charity. |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | As our provision is offered free of charge to young people, we are highly dependent on receiving grant income and the support of our partner, Cardiff Youth Service, to provide the in-kind use of their music studios. |
| Other | n/a |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Memorandum and Articles of Association. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| 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 | Elected |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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 | Trustee’s handbook and safeguarding training. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | n/a |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Sound Progression works in partnership with Cardiff Council’s Youth Service who support our delivery through the use of their music studios and additional safeguarding, where required. |
| Other | n/a |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Sound Progression Ltd |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses |
|
| Registered charity number | 1190897 |
| Charity’s principal address | 117 Fairwater Grove West Cardiff CF5 2JP |
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Alexander Parry |
Chair | |||
| Jonathan Kenneth Luxton |
Treasurer | |||
| Emma Clark | ||||
| Ian John Llewelyn Mc Andrew |
||||
| Gerald Kuzhangaira |
||||
| Cian Ciaran | ||||
| Marcelle Louisa dos Santos |
||||
| Barbara Jean Lima |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name Nil
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| Nil |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Nil 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 n/a for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
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Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser n/a
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Carole Blade (Company Manager)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
n/a
Other optional information
n/a
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Declarations
The charity has taken advantage of the small companies’ exemption in preparing the report above.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report (including directors’ report) above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Matthew Alexander Parry Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 17/01/2025
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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Sound Progression Ltd (‘the Organisation’)
I report on the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
Whilst I do note that the prior year accounts have a small classification error, I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Ailsa Hawkins (BSc, ACA)
40, Woodruff Way Thornhill Cardiff, CF14 9FP
12[th] December 2024
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Sound Progression Ltd STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
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Sound Progression Ltd
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
The company was entitled to exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees/director
Matthew Alexander Parry Trustee and Chair
17 January 2024
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Sound Progression Ltd NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation . The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 - abbreviated to Charities SORP FRS102)) issued on 16 July 2014, Update Bulletin 1 (effective 1 January 2016) to Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and the Companies Act 2006. The charity has adopted some of the SORP reporting requirements for larger charities.
Sound Progression Ltd (the charity) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis . The trustees consider that the charity can continue as a going concern for at least the next 12 months.
Income . Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. Donated goods income is recognised when the goods are sold as it is impractical to measure the fair value and the costs of valuation outweigh the benefit to users of the accounts and the charity of this information. Where income has related expenditure (as often with fundraising), the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Interest receivable. Interest on any funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
Fund accounting. Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Restricted funds are donations which the donor, or charity when making an appeal, has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work.
Expenditure . Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
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Costs of raising funds cover all expenditure incurred by the charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes - including the costs of all fundraising activities, events and non-charitable trading activities, plus the associated support costs.
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Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of information provision and beneficiary support undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.
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Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.
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Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
Support costs. Support costs are those functions, such as office/building overheads and governance, that assist the work of the charity; these costs are split between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. Governance costs are those costs associated with meeting the strategic management, constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include accountancy fees and associated staff time.
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Sound Progression Ltd NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024
Cost Attribution . Costs have been attributed on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Where costs cannot be allocated, they are apportioned by the estimated percentage of time spent on each activity. .
Tangible fixed assets . Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over an estimated useful economic life of 4 years on a straight line basis. The charity has no such eligible assets.
Financial instruments . The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Cash at bank and in hand . Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Creditors and provisions . Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Taxation . The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
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Sound Progression Ltd NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2023
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Sound Progression Ltd NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024
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11 2021122 COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTNMES Unrostrlcted Restrlcted funds funds Total 2022123 Income from: Charitable Activities: Open AesS Performance Programme Organisational Development 1,856 130.185 11,856 7,385 132,041 11,856 17.385 27 10,000 27 Bank Interest Totsl Income 11,882 149,426 161,308 Expenditure on: Charitsble Activities: Open Access Performance Programme Organisational Development Totsl Resources Expended 2,063 130,345 15,856 7,109 132,408 15,856 7,109 2,063 153,310 155,373 Net movemont In funds 9,820 (3,884) 5,936 Reconciliation of funds Total fvnds brought forward Total funds carried forward 8,406 18,226 39,610 35,726 48,016 53,952 Final 17 January 2025 Page 18of18