Sing Healthy Choirs Report and Financial Statements Year ending 31[st] December 2024 Charity Number: 1194226
Table of Contents
| page | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Introducton | 3 |
| 2.0 | Reference and administraton details | 3 |
| 3.0 | Structure, governance and management | 3 |
| 4.0 | Objectves and actvites | 4 |
| 5.0 | Achievements and performance | 4 |
| - 5.1 General situaton |
4 | |
| - 5.2 Performances |
5 | |
| - 5.3 Charitable giving |
5 | |
| 6.0 | Financial review | 6 |
| - 6.1 2024 commentary | 6 | |
| 6.1.1 Income | 6 | |
| 6.1.2 Expenditure | 6 | |
| CC receipts and payments account, 16a | 7 |
2
1.0 Introduction
The trustees present their annual report for the year ending 31st December 2024. The financial statements have been prepared on the “Receipts and Payments” basis as defined by the Charity Commission to apply to a charity of our size.
2.0 Reference and administration details
CIO name: Sing Healthy Choirs
Charity registration number: 1194226
Charity address: Wilton House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1PH
Trustees
The Trustees as voted at the Annual General Meeting held on 21[st] March 2024:
| Lynn Marshall | Secretary |
|---|---|
| Michael Gale | Treasurer |
| Paul Dunn | Trustee |
| Nicola Nicholson | Trustee |
| Ann Stainton | Trustee |
| Michael Hardman | Trustee |
| Sian Morris | Trustee |
| Colette Ashby | Trustee |
| Clare Waters | Trustee |
| Alison Roberts | Trustee |
| Gloria Groves | Trustee |
| Margaret Bunker | Trustee |
In compliance with our constitution, two trustees stood down at the AGM; Ann Shaw did not stand for re-election. During the year, Alison Roberts and Michael Gale resigned.
3.0 Structure, governance and management
Sing Healthy Choirs CIO is governed by its Constitution document of 26th April 2021. The Constitution defines the objects of the charity and the associated controls and governance around it.
3
4.0 Objectives and activities
Sing Healthy Choirs CIO has two objects for the benefit of the public:-
-
To promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the CIO trustees see fit including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals
-
Such charitable purposes for the public benefit as are exclusively charitable according to the laws of England and Wales as the trustees may from time to time determine
The CIO seeks to fulfil its objects through the running of choirs that benefit both the members in their enjoyment of music and also the general public who benefit from the choir performances.
Charitable donations are made to, primarily, local organisations when the funding position of the CIO permits.
The trustees have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. The following responses are taken from the charities which benefited from Sing Healthy Choir concerts during 2024.
“I am really pleased to hear that the concert was a success. Thank you for your kindness.” - Just Around the Corner (JAC), April 2024
“That is an amazing result and far exceeds our expectations! Thank you so very, very much – and please pass on our huge thanks to everyone involved.” – My Cancer, My Choices , June 2024
“The incredible £2,000 you raised means the world to us and will enable us to bring about positive changes in the lives of more people through gardening.” – Thrive , December 2024
5.0 Achievements and performance
5.1 General Situation
2024 represented the third full year of Sing Healthy Choirs being a CIO. The trustees have continued to operate two choirs, one more oriented towards classical choral repertoire and the other to popular contemporary music. This mix offers the new members a choice and some do attend both choirs.
Our two Music Directors continue to develop enjoyable repertoires for the choirs that have led to successful concerts both musically and financially. The trustees much appreciate the Directors for their talent, musicality and willingness to try many new approaches for the enjoyment of the members and general public.
4
Overall, our membership numbers have remained relatively stable with new members largely matching our losses. There is some seasonality to the membership numbers and some movement between the choirs which has meant a reduction in membership income over the year compared with 2023.
As a non-auditioned community choir, we are always pleased to welcome new singers. The trustees provide the membership with newsletters to keep them abreast of choir activities, plans and charitable donations.
5.2 Performances
We held four successful public performances this year.
In April, we staged a Wokingham choir concert of ‘ Shakespeare Songs,’ in collaboration with Berkshire Youth String Ensemble.
June saw our Bracknell Choir’s ‘ Premium Bond’ concert which featured themes from James Bond films and we were pleased that the clarinet octet, Liquorice Allsorts, joined us again.
A summer concert/picnic was held in July for the choir members, family and friends. This provided an opportunity for both choirs to come together, to enjoy each other’s music and to sing joint pieces. Our CLASP Choir for adults with learning disabilities took part, too.
Finally in December, we had our joint choirs Christmas concert in conjunction with CLASP self-advocacy charity.
All our organised concerts proved to be very popular and appreciated. All were profitable and donations were presented to our chosen charities.
Christmas time also saw the members supporting several fundraising and publicity “sing outs” of popular carols at various locations across our area.
“Thank you for your time and efforts at Reading Train Station Bucket Collection, we raised an amazing £763.50, and we couldn’t have done this without the help of all our volunteers. Thank you so much for your continued support.” Daisy’s Dream
5.3 Charitable giving
The CIO has been very pleased to make an increased number of charitable donations this year from our concert profits. Recipient charities:
Berkshire Music Trust – teaching instrumental and singing lessons in schools and music centres is the backbone of the Trust’s objectives
Just Around the Corner (JAC) – supports thousands of children and young people through mentoring and development work in schools and outreach work in the community
5
My Cancer, My Choices – offers holistic complementary therapies to enhance the wellbeing of individuals with cancer in Berkshire
Thrive – empowers people through gardening and nature-based activities, helping them build skills, improve mental health and their own self-confidence
Caring, Listening and Supporting Partnership (CLASP) – a self-advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities which helps them to find a voice in the community
6.0 Financial review
Overall, the CIO made a loss of £775. This loss was expected and planned to be absorbed from the reserve fund.
Our cash reserves have decreased to c. £15.5k and in line with our target level of approximately 50% of our subscription income.
Member subscription levels have been held stable for many years, but cost pressures have led to the trustees deciding to increase them in 2025 to avoid further losses.
Our approach to charitable donations is to use the profits from our concerts. The generosity of our members and audiences has allowed us to make just under £5k in donations to a range of local charities selected by our members.
6.1 2024 Commentary
Comments are made on an exception basis
6.1.1 Income
The numbers for 2024 are similar to 2023 and reflect a generally consistent financial performance.
Membership income over the year is slightly down, but marginally mitigated by an increased take up of Gift Aid registrations. Concert income is increased as a result of the larger audience numbers at our events. This has allowed us to increase charity donations marginally from the concert profits despite the cost of concerts having risen.
6.1.2 Expenditure
Expenditure has increased consistent with the broader rise of charges in the UK.
The Music Directors’ income is the largest component of costs and has increased by c. 14%, but concert and rehearsal venue outlays have also increased. The trustees continue to maintain close monitoring of expenses and try to mitigate them wherever possible. The renegotiation of our storage facilities to a lower cost is one example.
The achievement of just under £5k of charitable donations in total is considered a great success by the trustees.
6
CILIRITY COMMISSION Recel ts and ents accounts CC161 tffjl,XQ4 31.IZ'3J24 Soctlon A Roculpts and paymonts bJTrd Af 25¥1• 7634 374) 2D19 14• 40 $97 •6244 Concwf Cost 371 J2S• SJ2S I1611 ScorD* 2J SIN r• Iti I Iwr• 247 SÈC Cha In¢m••• In ¢•th no•t 41 172 41JJl It229 14JAI 1&4
Sectlon B Stat9mgnt of assgts and liJbllitlg5 at tho gnd ol tho pgrood 1&4 tai IIX25