SOUND OF WALES
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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] MARCH 2024
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C Management Services 69 Velindre Road Whitchurch Cardiff CF14 2TF
SOUND OF WALES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024
CHARITY INFORMATION
Trustees: Rob Jones Sian Rees Stephanie Parish Tim Watson Philip Joiner Charitable position: Registered Charity number 1193893 Governing Document: CIO Foundation Model dated 22[nd] March 2021 Address for correspondence: Sound of Wales c/o Temple Baptist Church The Cottage Gelliwastad Road Pontypridd CF37 2BP Independent Examiner: Paul Burnell ACMI C Management Services 69 Velindre Road CARDIFF CF14 2TF Bankers: CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling ME19 4JQ
| CONTENTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Page | ||
| Charity Information | 2 | |
| Trustees Report | 3-5 | |
| Independent Examiners Report | 6 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 | |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 8 | |
| Notes to the Accounts | 9 |
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the period ended 31st March 2024.
Structure, Governance and Management
As set out in the constitution, new trustees are inducted at a trustee meeting following their receipt of the constitution and the latest Annual Trustee Report. A period of training from trustees ensures new trustees are familiar with other policies and operational procedures.
There were no changes to the Trustee Board during the period.
Aim and purposes
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The advancement of the Christian faith through a variety of creative expressions such as teaching, writing and performing. This will inform people of the reasons for faith in God, and its impact on an individual and society as a whole if lived out honestly and with integrity. This will be expressed in Wales, other parts of the UK and other parts of the world as the trustees see fit.
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The advancement of education and of the arts through performances, training and the organisation and administration of community choirs and community arts projects. These are intended to build confidence in individuals to improve their wellbeing, and that of those to whom they perform. This will be expressed in Wales, other parts of the UK and other parts of the world as the trustees see fit.
Objectives and Activities
To continue to establish administrative processes, bank account and policies for SoW as a charity; To carry out events and ministry as requested; To build up fresh financial & prayer supporters; To develop songwriting amongst the SoW collective and establish partnership with a publisher.
Achievements and Performance
The work of SoW has continued throughout this year and many members of the SoW family have been involved in many excellent and exciting events. The following is a sample from across the year highlighting some of the more memorable events.
Key Events and Activities
From April 2023 to March 2024 SoW have held and been part of various community projects and public performances.
The dimension and dynamics of publishing and distribution of SoW music was explored and after consultation the Board and officers agreed to proceed with a contract with
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Wings Publishing for our first album under the charity. Copies of the contract have been lodged.
Key Events and Activities
God’s shiny bright star Story written by Dai Woolridge was launched December 2023 and was taken to primary schools for public readings, followed by an educational short project on the book by schools.
SoW was involved in a Songs of Praise broadcast repeats in January and March 2024..
On March 2nd, SoW were involved in leading the worship for the National Prayer Breakfast of Wales in the Senedd.
The Pembroke Castle Prayer & Praise event on 19[th] September saw SoW Worship with Dai Woolridge leading a gathering of churches from across the county in worship and prayer for Wales.
A plethora of excellent monthly gatherings for all the SoW songwriters became a place where the new SoW collective album was written.
The SoW album was recorded in September 2024 and is due for release on April 18[th] , 2025. Small teams from the SoW collective went to deliver ‘worship workshops’ for small churches in Swansea, Llanelli, Ammanford, Llandrindod Wells and Grangetown in Cardiff. We focused on the heart of worship, training of the hands and the engaging of the head in our preparation for sung communal worship.
Love a Granny and Gramps community project saw individuals and teams from SoW head into care homes across the valleys with a project called ‘Hymns and Hands’. Using creativity for mobility and memory with elderly people is one of our highlights in serving the community, with practical outputs and messages of hope.
Urban Wordsmiths, a new event and community for budding poets and writers, resumed in Cardiff for another 4 events. Every event was sold out and a community of spoken word artists are accumulating through this venture. We are now seeing similar projects develop with the help of Dai in Clevedon and Devon, as a result of the success of our Cardiff project.
The evening event in Capel Rhondda saw SoW filming with The Worship Effect.
SoW Acapella were invited to perform at numerous community events. One was at the Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd. The event was a great success. There were another 4 Christmas Acapella gigs around Wales, using song and story to deliver the Christmas message.
SOW Acapella were actively involved in the ‘Tynmor yr Haf’ programme which became a key venture in the National Eisteddfod of Wales, held in Pontypridd in 2024.
Cath and Dai were part of leading a stream for the ‘Creators creatives’ conference in Plymouth. A weekend retreat to encourage and inspire curious creatives.
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SoW Worship led an event live on the streets of Cardiff, worshipping in collaboration with a ministry called ‘Presence’ from the Netherlands. This was transmitted out across the world and currently has 84k views on YouTube.
SoW partnered with ‘Firestarters’ for two of the young peoples’ gathering this year.
Cath was part of leading a morning in Welsh for the lunchtime devotions for the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol in partnership with Bible Society and Cygnus.
Dai Woolridge and Jessie Dipper recorded a new spoken word and music piece which was widely released.
SoW recorded a new song entitled Land of my Fathers, which was released in March 2022 and topped the Christian music charts.
The National Prayer breakfast of Pembrokeshire was held in St Davids on March 3[rd] and 4[th] where SoW were invited to lead the nation in worship and a word delivered through the medium of Welsh
We now have 4 SoW partnership choirs. These choirs meet once a week in Pontypridd, Cardiff, Cwmbran and Porthcawl. These choirs are set up to gather and support, to use the universal language of music and singing to bring hope and life to a diverse group of people. We are amazed at the growth and power of these community choirs.
Leadership
SoW continues to be led by Cath and Dai Woolridge. Cath holds the position of Founding CEO and Dai is Joint CEO. They are supported by a team of 5 trustees:
Rob Jones (Chair), Fawn Parish, Sian Wyn Rees, Tim Watson and Phil Joiner.
Trustees meet at least 3 times a year and there are various meetings involving different combinations of trustees with Cath and Dai throughout the year.
Reserves Policy
SoW continues to hold a healthy reserve of £10,000 with the aim of having enough reserves to be able to cover 4 months expenses. Our aim is to grow our income to be able to employ Cath full time and Dai for a day.
This report is signed on behalf of the Trustees on 27/01/2025 by Robert Jones as Trustee
Signed:
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
SOUND OF WALES
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31[st] March 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Paul Burnell
Paul Burnell ACMI
For and on behalf of:
C Management Services (trading name of C Mgmnt Services Ltd) 69 Velindre Road
Cardiff CF14 2TF
Date: 27[th] January 2025
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SOUND OF WALES
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2024
| Note RECEIPTS Receipts from generated funds 2 Receipts from charitable activities 3 Other receipts 4 Interest received Total Receipts PAYMENTS Charitable activities 5 Governance costs Total payments Net Receipts/(Payments) Transfers between funds Fund balances at 1st April 2022 Fund balances at 31st March 2023 |
Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2023 £ 23,295 - 23,295 13,396 13,869 - 13,869 3,085 - - - - 17 - 17 8 |
|---|---|
| 37,181 - 37,181 16,489 |
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| 31,750 - 31,750 16,334 - - - - |
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| 31,750 - 31,750 16,334 |
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| 5,431 - 5,431 155 - - - - 4,904 - 4,904 4,.749 |
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| 10,335 - 10,335 4,904 |
The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts.
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SOUND OF WALES
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024
1. Fixed Assets
| Insurance | Insurance | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Value 2024 | Value 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| The value of assets owned are: | |||
| Equipment | 5,000 | 5,000 | |
| 5,000 | 5,000 | ||
| 2. | Bank & Cash Balances | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 10,335 | 4,904 | |
| 10,335 | 4,904 | ||
| 3. | Other Assets and Liabilities | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Assets | |||
| Gift aid tax recovery not yet received | - | - | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Unbilled fee for Independent Examination 150 |
150 |
The accounts were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on 25[th] January 2025 by Rob Jones as Trustee
Signed:
The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts.
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SOUND OF WALES
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024
1. Accounting Policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis with a statement of assets and liabilities
| 2. Voluntary receipts Gift Aid donations Other donations Tax recovered 3. Receipts from charitable activities Conferences and events 4. Other Receipts Grant received Other sundry receipts 5. Charitable activities a. Direct Charitable Costs Salaries & staff expenses Event expenses b. Support and Administration Administration and general expenses Insurance |
Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total 2024 £ Total 2023 £ 2,277 - 2,277 - 20,707 - 20,707 13.396 311 - 311 - |
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| 23,295 - 23,295 13,396 |
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| 13,869 - 13,869 3,085 |
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| 13,869 - 13,869 3,085 |
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| Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total 2024 £ Total 2023 £ - - - - - - - - |
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| - - - - |
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| Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total 2024 £ Total 2023 £ 19,443 - 19,443 12,559 9,248 - 9,248 1,437 |
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| 28,691 - 28,691 13,996 |
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| 2,532 - 2,532 1,846 527 - 527 492 |
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| 3,059 - 3,059 2,338 |
6. Staff and Trustees
The charity has one part-time employed member of staff. Its activities are generally carried out by volunteers. No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
No remuneration or trustee expenses were paid to any other trustee during the year, nor to any person connected to them.
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