Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 April 2024 To 31 March 2025
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 |
During 2024–25 Sound Progression delivered free- to-access music education, mentoring and creative development opportunities to young people aged 11–25 across Cardiff. Our work aimed to improve well-being, nurture talent, reduce social isolation and promote positive outcomes for young people facing barriers to participation, including those from low- income backgrounds, ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ young people, Welsh- speaking young people, neurodiverse individuals, and those with caring responsibilities. Key activities included: Open-Access Youth Provision We sustained weekly and twice-weekly music sessions across Ely, Llanedeyrn, Splott, Butetown and St Mellons, providing one-to-one studio support, songwriting, instrumental tuition, rap and vocal |
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| coaching, digital media activity and collaborative |
|---|
| band development. |
| New Centre Activity at Gabalfa Youth Centre |
| (from November 2024) |
| Provision expanded into Gabalfa with: |
| • A new post-16 daytime session every |
| Wednesday,and |
| • A weekly after-school music session. |
| This broadened our geographic reach and |
| strengthened partnership working with |
| Cardiff Youth Service. |
| Inclusive Practice |
| We delivered tailored group sessions including: |
| • LGBTQ+ Youth Club (Eastmoors) |
| • Inclusive Clubs (Ely and St Mellons) |
| • Welsh-language Club, ASC/Neurodiversity |
| Club and Intergenerational Choir |
| (Grassroots) |
| • Young Carers Club (Butetown – paused due |
| to low attendance) |
| These sessions created safe, identity-affirming |
| environments for young people who do not typically |
| access mainstream youth clubs. |
| Post-16 Daytime Provision at Grassroots |
| Grassroots operated as a central hub offering |
| daytime mentoring Monday–Friday, late opening on |
| Tuesdays and Thursdays, and structured weekend |
| activity. This provision offered stability, routine and |
| creative support for young people most in need of |
| consistent engagement. |
| Weekend Programme |
| A new programme ran weekly at Grassroots |
| featuring: |
| Saturdays |
| • Open-access mentoring |
| • DJ workshops |
| • Podcasting |
| • Instrument and vocal sessions |
| Sundays |
| • Dedicated band practice and recording |
| sessions |
| Supported by the Postcode Lottery Trust, it became |
| an essential city-centre sessions for young people |
| from across Cardiff. |
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| Performance & Progression Pathways We delivered performance opportunities at: • Immersed Festival, Tramshed • Clwb Ifor Bach • SouthernSUNdown • Big Love Festival • Green Man Festival • Norwegian Church • Pontcanna Sound Fest Young people were supported to develop live sets, build confidence on stage and grow professional networks. All activities directly supported our charitable purpose of enhancing young people’s well-being, skills and opportunities through music. |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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
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| 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 |
Throughout 2024–25 Sound Progression made a meaningful positive impact on 433 young people. Major achievements and outcomes included: Improved Well-Being and Confidence Young people reported increased self-esteem, emotional resilience and social confidence through regular engagement with staff and peers. Increased Access for Underrepresented Groups Our inclusive sessions enabled young people with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, LGBTQ+ identities and Welsh-speaking backgrounds to access creative opportunities safely and confidently. Expanded Access Across the City New delivery at Gabalfa provided essential access in North Cardiff, reducing travel barriers and increasing participation from young people living outside the city centre. Stability for Vulnerable Young People The ACW Job Protection grant ensured uninterrupted post-16 daytime provision at Grassroots, supporting young people who rely on consistent routine and safe adult mentoring. Enhanced Skills Development Young people developed technical skills in music production, performance, sound engineering, digital content creation, podcasting, DJing and collaborative music-making. Stronger Progression Routes 65 participants performed at high-profile festivals and local venues. These milestones raised aspirations and strengthened participants’ portfolios. Increased Visibility of Youth Voices Our Weekend programme provided new platforms for young people to share their work, express lived experiences and build supportive peer communities. |
|---|---|---|
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Organisational Strengthening
The start of the Ed Sheeran Foundation partnership (January 2025) enhanced our profile, increased equipment capacity and opened new cross-UK opportunities. Collectively, these achievements strengthened cultural participation, reduced isolation, and improved life chances for young people who face disadvantage.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
The charity met or exceeded its objectives for the year. Key achievements included: Objective: Sustain open-access music provision across Cardiff • Achieved through weekly sessions at six centres plus new provision launched in Gabalfa. Objective: Expand inclusive practice • Multiple inclusive clubs continued and new Welsh-language provision was introduced. Objective: Maintain consistent post-16 daytime support • Achieved through ACW Job Protection funding, enabling stable Grassroots delivery. Objective: Increase weekend and cross-ward engagement • Delivered a successful Weekend programme supported by the Postcode Lottery Trust. Objective: Strengthen performance opportunities • Achieved through year-round performances at festivals, venues and community events. Objective: Strengthen financial resilience • Achieved through a combination of short- term grants and new long-term partnerships, including the Ed Sheeran Foundation (starting January 2025). |
|---|---|---|
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| Objective: Grow organisational partnerships • Strengthened relationships with Cardiff Youth Service, Ty Cerdd, Cardiff Music City Festival, and other regional arts organisations. Objective: Prepare for long-term funding sustainability • Successfully secured multi-year People & Places funding (to begin after year-end). |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 2024-25 financial year (FY25) is based on an income level of £162,994 (prior year: £203,429) and expenditure of £139,417 (prior year: £217,253). Our operating surplus is £23,577 (prior year: deficit £13,824) for FY25. We brought forward a surplus of £40,128, therefore combined with the surplus generated in FY25 of £23,577, results in a carried forward surplus of £63,705 (£15,161 unrestricted & £48,544 in designated funds) into financial year 2026. |
| 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 £15,161 (prior year: £14,394) 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) |
Para 1.47 | During 2024–25, the charity’s income came from a mixture of multi-year grants, project grants, short-term awards and in-kind support. Principal sources included: Major Grants • Ed Sheeran Foundation– multi- year partnership, first instalment received January 2025 • Arts Council of Wales– Job Protection grant (sustaining daytime provision), plus Create fund support for specific activity |
|---|---|---|
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| • Cardiff Music City Festival– two awards supporting our InMotion performance programme Youth Service Partnership • Delivery partnership withCardiff Youth Service, including staffing support and access to facilities across the city Project and Short-Term Grants • People’s Postcode Lottery Trust – Saturday programme and youth club support • C3SC Shared Prosperity Fund– gap funding for youth club provision • Ty Cerdd Engage Awards (x2)– activity across autumn 2024 Future (secured post year-end) • National Lottery People & Places Stage Two– £320,000 over four years, starting April 2025 (not included in this year’s income) No public fundraising activities were undertaken during the year. The charity continued to operate without paid employees, engaging freelance practitioners on a project basis. |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | The Trustees reviewed risks throughout the year and identified the following principal areas: 1. Funding Volatility As a project-funded organisation without core funding, income can fluctuate significantly. Several grants ended simultaneously in 2024, creating a temporary risk to programme continuity. This was mitigated through: • Short-term bridging grants (C3SC, Ty Cerdd) • Careful cashflow management |
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• Securing multi-year support beginning in early 2025 2. Reliance on External Premises Much of our activity depends on Cardiff Youth Service venues. Building issues (e.g. the temporary closure of the Grassroots basement studio) highlighted risks beyond our control. Mitigation included temporary relocation of equipment and strengthened communication with the Youth Service. 3. Capacity and Workforce Pressures Periods of reduced staffing hours created operational strain. The Trustees monitored workloads closely and supported the team to prevent burnout, with new funding later allowing increased capacity. 4. Safeguarding and Data Protection Safeguarding young people remained a critical priority. The development of a new evaluation App highlighted the importance of GDPR compliance, particularly around sensitive demographic data. Trustees oversaw risk mitigation and staff training. 5. Political and Sector Changes Shifts in public funding priorities and pressure on local authority budgets presented ongoing uncertainties. Trustees maintained regular dialogue with partners and diversified funding applications where possible. Despite these challenges, the charity remained operationally stable and ended the year with new multi-year funding secured to strengthen future resilience. n/a Other
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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 16/12/2025
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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 2025.
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)].
Scott Munro-Morris (BSc, ACA)
11, Cherwell Road Penarth Cardiff, CF64 3PE
10[th] December 2025
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Sound Progression Ltd STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
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Sound Progression Ltd
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes | 31 March 2025 | 31 March 2025 | 31 March 2024 | 31 March 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 5 |
£ 63,705 |
£ | £ 40,128 40,128 |
£ |
| 63,705 | ||||
| Creditors:Amounts falling due within one year 6 |
- | - | ||
| Net current assets Net Assets Funds Unrestricted income funds 7 Restricted income funds 8 |
63,705 63,705 15,161 48,544 |
40,128 | ||
| 40,128 | ||||
| 14,394 25,734 |
||||
| 63,705 | 40,128 |
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
10 December 2025
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Sound Progression Ltd NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.
-
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 2025
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 2025
Final 10 December 2025
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Sound Progression Ltd NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
Final 10 December 2025
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