## **AUDIOVISABILITY**
(Charity Registration Number: 1195285)
**Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 July 2024**
## **AUDIOVISABILITY**
## **For the period ended 31 July 2024**
|**For the period ended 31 July 2024**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Contents**|||
|||Page|
|Trustees’ Report|3-6||
|Statement of financial activities||7|
|Balance sheet||8|
|Notes to the financial statements||9-10|
**AUDIOVISABILITY Year ended 31 July 2024**
## **Trustees’ Report for the period ended 31 July 2024**
The full title of the trust is “Audiovisability”, Charity No. 1195285.
The trustees present their statutory report with the accounts of Audiovisibality for the period ended 31 July 2024. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 8 therein and comply with the Charity’s Trust Deed, applicable laws and the requirements of FRS 102, Charities SORP (FRS 102), and Charities Act 2011.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Status and administration**
Audiovisability was founded as a charity governed by a Trust Deed dated 23 July 2021. It is registered as an incorporated charity in England and Wales under Charity Commission reference number 1195285. The trustees are responsible for the administration and decisions of the Charity in accordance with the Trust Deed.
The trustees have adopted the elements of accounting policies recommended in the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
## **The Trustees**
The trustees, who held office during the year and subsequently were: Lucy Dunkerley Bryony Parkes Nnaemeka Martin Glover Lawrence Abramson Catherine Taylor
The trustees are appointed in accordance with the Trust Deed. The day-to-day running of the charity is delegated to Ruth Montgomery, Artistic Director and CEO.
## **Principal address**
Coltsfoot, Cherry Orchard Lane, Wyddial, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0EN
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ
## **Objectives and Activities**
The object of the charity is to provide education in the arts by delivering projects that bring the highest quality classical and popular music to deaf people by advancing the education of the public about how deaf people can participate in the arts and public events and to help young deaf people, especially but not exclusively through music and arts activities, so as to develop their capabilities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society.
The trustees shall apply the clear income of the charity for the above-mentioned object. The board met four times throughout the year.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting the grant making policy for the period.
## **Trustees’ Report for the period ended 31 July 2024**
3
**AUDIOVISABILITY Year ended 31 July 2024**
## **Artistic and Educational Achievements**
The year has seen an uptake in our consultancy and training services and our work has seen us practise in England, Wales, and Ireland. Focussing on our youth services, a key mission of Audiovisability, we have worked with numerous schools and youth organisations to widen music education. Our work at expending resources for music education is ongoing and our aim is still to deliver a national rollout of music education for deaf children.
## **Consultancy work**
We have undertaken the following consultancy work during the year:
**Operasonic:** Based in South Wales, Ruth Montgomery was the lead consultant working with families, deaf consultants and deaf musicians. Traditionally anecdotes are collated via English and then adapted into lullabies, however this approach does not suit deaf BSL users, and so this project looked at how to capture stories visually through BSL, art and images. It was piloted in Newport and additional funding is being sought for a national rollout.
**Incorporated Society of Musicians:** We were invited to join as a panel member alongside Dame Evelyn Glennie and Ear Surgeon, Chris Aldren. Raising awareness of differing levels of hearing, exploring alternative ways of accessing music, eradicating barriers, and eliminating stigma were all key priorities of the session and panel members were asked to share their own experiences.
**TFL Underground Sounds: (Link):** As part of their ground breaking Radio Underground series, we worked with Visual and Sound Artist, Joe Namy, to make _Art in the Underground_ accessible to deaf audiences. Deaf audiences are often excluded from sound art and this project aimed to ensure they were able to access visual information. The final piece included captions and sound descriptions. Our Artistic Director, Ruth Montgomery, performed on flute. A reception was held at Somerset House to launch the project.
## **Workshops and Training**
We have undertaken the following workshops and training during the year:
**Deaf Perspectives:** Conducted over a period of 3 months, this project was inspired by the life and photographs of Walton Burrell (1863-1944). Led by Suffolk Archives and delivered in partnership with Orchestras Live, Britten Sinfonia, Suffolk Music Education Hub, Audiovisability and two Bury St Edmund partner schools (Westgate Community Primary School and King Edward VI School). Aimed at school aged children, this project used Walton’s photography to build a narrative of his life which was then the inspiration for original composition.
**Chris Wright** : A continuation of previous work to explore visual methods of engaging deaf people in sound. The techniques previously developed were trialled in a series of workshops held at Deaf Schools - Braidwood Secondary School, 30 pupils, and Blanche Nevile Primary School, 12 pupils. Attendees were given the opportunity to explore sound waves (using a custom-made Sonic Vibration Generator, SVG) and investigate how elements such as pitch and vibration can create visual sound patterns. To many, this was their first experience of music education and visual sound waves.
**Flarewave:** A session entitled, _The Visuality of Music_ , was delivered by deaf musicians Ruth Montgomery, Miriam Dubois and Alicia Wiseman to an audience of over 30 people. Aimed at British Sign Language users, percussion instruments and visual depictions were used to convey elements such as rhythm, pitch and emotion. Participants were encouraged to think visually and express how they felt music would ‘look’ using a range of materials including painting. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and many stated this is the first time they had engaged with music education. In addition, a djembe class was delivered by Miriam, supported by Ruth.
**Sound of Intent** : Following two prior annual sessions, we were invited to deliver deaf awareness training to Sound of Intent PGCert Students as part of their SEND specialist education programme at Roehampton University. The theme of the session is to explore what it means to be a deaf person within the field of music.
**FormidAbility** : Supporting a national opera tour, these sessions were held in advance of individual concerts and were designed to give deaf individuals an understanding of the concert’s content. The workshop includes creating their own short song and a performance in sign language.
4
## **AUDIOVISABILITY**
## **Year ended 31 July 2024**
**Music and Health Ireland: Notes and Signs project:** As part of the Notes and Signs Project continuing for the second year running, we delivered a series of workshops for Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreters focussing on translating lyric less and classical music. Sessions included deaf sign language interpreters and translators exploring access and opportunities in this field. Additional sessions were held online for music teachers. A second tranche of the project offered opportunities for schools and families to take part in an accessible concert led by our Artistic Director (including local Irish musicians) delivering the theme ‘ _Around the World_ ’.
**Deaf Explorer:** As part of ‘ _Away Days Allies in the Art Sector_ ’ conference, we delivered a 60-minute session on how music can be made both accessible and meaningful to the deaf community. Based on the principle that deaf people should be at the forefront of planning and preparation rather than an afterthought, the session explored innovative solutions without the need for BSL interpreted performances.
**Roding Primary school:** We delivered accessible music workshops to 200 children at Roding Primary School/ Roding is a mainstream school with a significant population of deaf children. The aim of the sessions was to promote positive deaf role-models and to highlight the skills of deaf tutors.
**Deep Roots:** Held in the Deaf Centre in Northampton, and attended by 26 young people (all deaf, varying degrees of communication needs), ages 8 - 21. The group performed Bob Marley’s _Three Little Birds, The Lion Sleeps Tonight_ , and _Ode to Joy_ . Attendees were given the opportunity to play the keyboard, drums and hand-chimes and were accompanied by singers. Local professional musicians were recruited and for many this was the first time they had worked with the deaf community.
**Sparks Musical Senses -** In collaboration with Tri-borough music hub with Royal College of Music. A total of 9 young people aged between 11 - 18 joined our workshops which were held over three consecutive weekends. Attendees were given training on music composition and were supported to compose original pieces. The training aimed to inspire younger deaf audiences, raise expectations, and raise awareness for careers in the music industry. The project culminated in a concert where the original composition was performed.
**National Music Service for Wales Music Training** : As an invited panellist of 'Notes on Inclusion Training: Empowering Educators’ our Artistic Director, Ruth Montgomery, participated in both a panel discussion and delivered a workshop on the theme of music education. Aimed at professional music educators looking to develop their music practice working across Wales, this session provided an opportunity to ask questions and to develop good practice for teaching deaf children.
## **Volunteers**
There were no volunteers in the period
## **Risk assessment**
The major risks, to which the charity is exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been reviewed and systems and controls have been established to mitigate these risks.
## **Financial Review**
The income for the first year was £20,213 (2023: £42,500) with expenditure of £11,823, giving rise to reserves carried forward of £8,501 (2023: £7,328). The policy towards reserves is to ensure that they do not fall to a level that would mean curtailing charitable objectives. The Trustees consider this level of reserves to be sufficient.
## **Safeguarding**
The safeguarding policy can be found on the Charities website:
www.audiovisability.com/safeguarding
## **Future Plans**
The Charity will continue to develop projects to fulfil its charitable objectives. We are currently in the process of applying for funding from Arts Council England and other Trusts and Foundations which will, if successful, enable us to work on a larger scale.
5
## **AUDIOVISABILITY Year ended 31 July 2024**
## **Training and resources**
We will continue to develop our innovative modules and available resources in order to move towards creating a music curriculum for deaf children and accompanying teacher training resources. We will maintain our commitment to research and will conduct a series of projects which identify the current provision for deaf children across the UK.
We plan to develop an immersive orchestral story project, Quest III, relating to the remarkable achievement of the deaf sailor Gerry Hughes, who circumnavigated the earth solo. We will target schools and community groups to offer music learning and performing opportunities, as well as the chance to perform deaf musicians, film-makers, artists and role models.
## **Going concern**
The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future being a period of at least 12 months from approval of the financial statements. No material uncertainties in relation to the ability of the charity to continue on a going concern basis have been identified by the trustees. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:-
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material
- departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
- charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Lucy Dunkerley **Chair of Trustees** Date: 8 May 2025
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**AUDIOVISABILITY Year ended 31 July 2024**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 July 2024**
|Notes
**Income from:**
Interest Received
_Charitable activities:_
Events
Donations
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Bank Charges
Charitable activities
3
**Total expenditure**
5
**Net income**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
8
Total funds carried forward
8|**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**Total**
**Funds**
**2023**
**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
£
**-**
**15**
**15**
18
**-**
**19,243**
**19,243**
36,061
**-**
**955**
**955**
5,520|
|---|---|
||**-**
**20,213**
**20,213**
42,500
**-**
**(103)**
**(103)**
(69)
**(767)**
**(18,170)**
**(18,937)**
(40,215)|
|||
||**(767)**
**(18,273)**
**(19,040)**
(40,284)|
||**(767)**
**1,940**
**1,173**
2,216|
||**976**
**6,352**
**7,328**
5.112|
||**209**
**8,282**
**8,501**
7,328|
The notes on pages 9 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
7
**AUDIOVISABILITY Year ended 31 July 2024**
## **Balance sheet as at 31 July 2024**
|**alance sheet as at 31 July 2024**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**2024**|**2023**|
||Notes|**£**|**£**|
|**Current assets**||||
|Accrued income||**2,350**|-|
|Cash at bank||**7,921**|7,328|
|**Total current assets**||**10,271**|7,328|
|**Liabilities**||||
|Creditors – Amounts falling due within one period|5|**(1,770)**|-|
|Net current assets||**8,501**|7,328|
|**Total net assets**|||7,328|
|**Funds of the charity**||||
|Restricted|5|**209**|-|
|Unrestricted Funds|5|**8,282**|7,328|
|**Total funds**||**8,501**|7,328|
The financial statements of Audiovisability set out on pages 7 to 10 were authorised for issue and approved by the trustees on **8 May 2025** and signed on their behalf by:
Lucy Dunkerley
**Chair of Trustees**
8
**AUDIOVISABILITY Year ended 31 July 2024**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **1. Accounting policies**
## **Basis of Accounting**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Charities Act 2011 and the UK Generally Accepted Practice.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following 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) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
Audiovisability 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 notes.
## **Taxation**
As a charity Audiovisability is exempt from taxation of income and gains received within categories covered by The Corporation Taxes Act 2010, Part 11 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. tax charge has arisen in the period.
## **Going Concern**
The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least 12 months from the approval of the financial statements. No material uncertainties in relation to the ability of the charity to continue on a going concern basis have been identified by the trustees. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **Income**
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Donations are recognised on receipt unless Audiovisability has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date.
Charitable activities include income generated through fundraising events hosted by Audiovisability and income is recognised on a receipt’s basis.
Interest on money in the bank 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.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is accounted for in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which the cost relates and is apportioned to cost categories based on the nature of the cost incurred. Grants are accounted for in the period in which they are made or communicated to the third party. The grant making policy is discussed further in the Trustees’ Report.
9
**AUDIOVISABILITY Year ended 31 July 2024**
## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)**
## **Funds**
Unrestricted funds can be spent on any charitable purpose in accordance with the objects of the charity at the discretion of the trustees.
## **2. Staff costs**
There were no employees in 2024
No Trustees received remuneration for their services or were reimbursed for expenses incurred.
## **3. Creditors**
|**3. Creditors**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2024**||**2023**||
||**£**||**£**||
|Accrued costs||**1,770**||-|
|||**1,770**||-|
## **4. Movement in funds**
||2023|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Total|||**Total**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Unrestricted|976|**-**|**(767)**|**209**|
|Restricted|6,352|**20,213**|**(18,273)**|**8,292**|
|Total|7,328|**20,213**|**(19,040)**|**8,501**|
10