Synfonia
(a Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Registered Charity Number 1198071
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the period ended 31 August 2025.
Objectives and activities
Objectives
The objectives of the Charity are:
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To advance public education in, and appreciation of, the arts in such ways as the charity trustees think fit, including through the presentation of high-quality concerts and workshops, in particular but not exclusively for those in full-time education
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To advance in life and help young musicians by providing support and training which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
Activities
The main activities undertaken by the Charity in order to achieve its objectives are participatory events in schools, featuring full orchestral and chamber events, as well as workshops with individual musicians and smaller ensembles. In support of these events the Charity provides online resources for interested parties to use free of charge. These are focussed on Western classical music and currently include a composer timeline, a comprehensive world map of composers, and a guide to the instruments of the orchestra.
Achievements
During 2024/2025 we ran more workshops than the previous year, continuing our focus on brass instruments and ensembles after learning that students are less likely to have seen or heard those instruments in live projects. Working and playing with our young professional musicians, students get to know instruments which may be unfamiliar, while exploring their own creativity and connecting with each other. We were particularly pleased to be able to increase the number of workshops for 2024/2025 given the challenges of the current funding climate.
The year also saw us expanding our partnerships with other arts organisations, and conservatoires in particular, building on the expertise already present in the sector. By working in partnership we aim to increase access to high quality music education projects in areas of the country which are currently less well served. This work will begin in earnest during the 2025/2026 academic year.
Financial review
Results
The financial statements for the period show a surplus of receipts over payments of £14.
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
Reserves policy
The Charity is not yet in a position to maintain a defined level of reserves. In order to give the Charity a level of protection from financial risk it is the aim of the Trustees to build reserves equivalent to the cost of four months’ activity.
Structure, governance and management
Constitution
Synfonia is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 1198071.
Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the CIO. Each Trustee is appointed to the Board for a three-year term and can stand for re-election at the end of their term.
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & 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 its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 5 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Dr Chaz Keiderling (Trustee)
Charity number: 1198071
SYNFONIA
Type text here
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
SYNFONIA
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Statement of financial activities | 2 |
| Balance sheet | 3 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 4 - 10 |
SYNFONIA
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Trustees | Danielle Frate |
|---|---|
| Dr Chaz Keiderling | |
| Peter Athanassiadis | |
| Charity registered number 1198071 Principal office 38 Belle Vue Road London E17 4DG Accountants Griffin Stone Moscrop & Co Chartered Accountants 21-27 Lamb's Conduit Street London WC1N 3GS Bankers Virgin Money 154-158 Kensington High Street London W8 7RL Executive Director Andrea Robins |
Page 1
SYNFONIA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Other income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 4,644 51 4,695 4,681 4,681 14 104 14 118 |
Total funds 2025 £ 4,644 51 4,695 4,681 4,681 14 104 14 118 |
Total funds 2024 £ 4,379 63 4,442 3,007 3,007 1,435 (1,331) 1,435 104 |
|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 4 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
Page 2
SYNFONIA
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
| Note Fixed assets Current assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 11 Unrestricted funds 11 Total funds |
- 958 958 (840) |
2025 £ - 118 118 - 118 118 |
150 794 944 (840) |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - 104 |
||||
| 104 | ||||
| - 104 |
||||
| 104 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 05 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
................................................
Dr Chaz Keiderling Trustee
The notes on pages 4 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
Page 3
SYNFONIA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1. General information
Synfonia is a registered CIO in England and Wales, with registered number 1198071. The address of the registered office is 38 Belle Vue Road, London, E17 4DG.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
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 the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
Synfonia 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.
2.2 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.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable.
2.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
2.4 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
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SYNFONIA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.5 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and 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.
2.6 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
2.7 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 with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
2.8 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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SYNFONIA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
3. Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Total 2025 Donations Total 2024 Other incoming resources Other income Total 2025 Other income Total 2024 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 4,644 4,644 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 4,379 4,379 Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 51 51 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 63 63 |
Total funds 2025 £ 4,644 |
|---|---|---|
| 4,644 | ||
| Total funds 2024 £ 4,379 |
||
| 4,379 | ||
| Total funds 2025 £ 51 |
||
| 51 | ||
| Total funds 2024 £ 63 |
||
| 63 |
4. Other incoming resources
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SYNFONIA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Summary by fund type
| Unrestricted funds 2025 £ Charitable activities 4,681 Total 2025 4,681 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Charitable activities 3,007 Total 2024 3,007 |
Total 2025 £ 4,681 |
|---|---|
| 4,681 | |
| Total 2024 £ 3,007 |
|
| 3,007 |
6. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| Charitable activities Total 2025 Charitable activities Total 2024 |
Direct costs 2025 £ 2,250 2,250 Direct costs 2024 £ 650 650 |
Support costs 2025 £ 2,431 2,431 Support costs 2024 £ 2,357 2,357 |
Total funds 2025 £ 4,681 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,681 | |||
| Total funds 2024 £ 3,007 |
|||
| 3,007 |
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SYNFONIA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
6. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of direct costs
| Musician fees Consultant fees Analysis of support costs Bank charges Insurance Website costs Subscriptions Accountancy fees |
Total funds 2025 £ 2,250 - 2,250 Total funds 2025 £ 12 84 772 723 840 2,431 |
Total funds 2024 £ 400 250 |
|---|---|---|
| 650 | ||
| Total funds 2024 £ 11 96 492 918 840 |
||
| 2,357 |
7. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .
During the year ended 31 August 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL) .
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SYNFONIA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
8. Debtors
| Due within one year Gift Aid |
2025 £ - - |
2024 £ 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 150 |
9. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Accruals and deferred income Financial instruments Financial assets Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure |
2025 £ 840 2025 £ 958 |
2024 £ 840 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 £ 794 |
10. Financial instruments
Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure comprises cash at bank and in hand.
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SYNFONIA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
11. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds General Funds Statement of funds - prior year Unrestricted funds General Funds |
Balance at 1 September 2024 £ 104 Balance at 1 September 2023 £ (1,331) |
Income £ 4,695 Income £ 4,442 |
Expenditure £ (4,681) Expenditure £ (3,007) |
Balance at 31 August 2025 £ 118 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 31 August 2024 £ 104 |
12. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds 2025 £ Current assets 958 Creditors due within one year (840) Total 118 |
Total funds 2025 £ 958 (840) |
|---|---|
| 118 |
13. Related party transactions
The Charity has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the Charity at 31 August 2025.
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