Docusign Envelope ID: 46C0850B-033E-48C5-B3D4-2B5EFF321377
| Trustees' Annual Report | for theperiod | ||||||
| From | Period start date | To | Period end date | ||||
| Day 01 |
Month 04 |
Year 2024 |
Day 31 |
Month 03 |
Year 2025 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Baobab Steelband
Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1202388
Charity's principal address 27 Wareham House Carroun Road London Postcode SW8 1AZ
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adenike Alagbe | (Chair) | Whole Year | ||
| Natasha Edwards | (Secretary) | Whole Year | ||
| Shane Gray | (Treasurer) | Whole Year | ||
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document Constitution (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted CIO (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods Appointed by the trustees (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
1. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees:
Baobab Steelband has a robust set of policies in place since its establishment as a charity on 20/03/2023. These measures continue working well so there are no governance issues regarding the appointment, induction and training of Trustees.
2. The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works:
Baobab Steelband doesn’t have any governance issues relating to its organisational structure or wider networks it works with.
3. Relationship with any related parties:
Baobab Steelband doesn’t have any relationships with any related parties.
4. Trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them:
Baobab Steelband has a robust risk assessment procedure. Therefore, there are no governance issues regarding the trustees managing risk.
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Section C Objectives and activities
| Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) |
3.1. To advance public education & appreciation of the arts & science of music in all aspects especially, but not limited to the Steelpan, including through the promotion and presentation of concerts, events, and workshops. 3.2. To advance in life and help young people by providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities, and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals. |
|---|---|
| 1. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects Baobab Steelband has benefited the public by conducting the following activities: Education a) Actively engaging young people and adults in learning the history and culture of Steelpan b) Providing accessible music and developmental opportunities to Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association & Lambeth residents, alongside members of the wider public living further afield c) Delivering tuition and workshops, building musical ability, confidence, teamwork, and transferable life skills d) Fostering intergenerational learning, ensuring Steelpan heritage is being celebrated and passed on across generations Community Outreach a) Reaching people from marginalised backgrounds in communities where opportunities are limited b) Engaging members and the wider community through family fun days, team building trips, and Steelband performances c) Galvanising wider interest in the Steelpan artform, encouraging new enrolments and participation d) Enabling members to develop new skills, expand support networks, and form lifelong intergenerational friendships e) Creating protective factors by reducing isolation, countering anti- social behaviour, and strengthening mental health and wellbeing Performance a) Delivering performances, concerts, events, and workshops that are empowering beneficiaries and uplifting the wider community b) Motivating participation from individuals who might otherwise never be accessing the instrument c) Promoting cultural pride and information sharing through public showcases d) Providing platforms for members to grow in confidence, share talents, and inspire audiences 2. Statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The trustees declare that they have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
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Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
1. Grant-Making Policy
Baobab Steelband does not make grants.
2. Programme-Related Investment Policy
N/A. Baobab Steelband does not hold any investments.
3. Volunteer Contributions
- Our voluntary CEO purchased a set of Steelpans, which remain in use to support delivery of our charitable objectives.
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
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Our voluntary COO has led robust planning and implementation of organisational aims, including service delivery approaches and relationship building with new members and beneficiaries.
• Volunteers also contribute by gathering, editing, and distributing marketing materials (photos, videos, sound recordings) for social media. These efforts help engage new members and document the organisation’s inception, roots, and growth for posterity.
4. Partnership Support
We acknowledge the invaluable support of Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association, our local G15 registered social landlord. As the owner and operator of Bolney Meadow Community Centre, they provide the space where we rehearse and store our instruments. Their commitment has enabled us to secure a five ‑ year Licence to Occupy at peppercorn rent. This allows Baobab Steelband to continue delivering services to NHG and Lambeth residents, together with members of the wider public living further afield. Governance and Oversight We acknowledge the tireless support of our Board of Trustees, who invest their time, energy, and expertise into overseeing the charity and providing invaluable ideas for its continued development and success.
5. Governance and Oversight
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
In 2024–25, Baobab Steelband continued to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local residents by combining music, culture, and community spirit. Our work this year reflects both growth and resilience, with clear evidence of impact across education, participation, and performance.
1. Community Presence and Outreach
Baobab Steelband maintained a strong and visible presence at local community events, raising awareness among Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) and Lambeth residents while strengthening connections with the wider public.
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a) Performances at Urban Elephant (14 September 2024) and Bolney Meadow Community Fun Day (5 October 2024) provided valuable opportunities to distribute flyers and gather expressions of interest from Lambeth residents eager to join our new Saturday classes.
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b) Working closely with our key stakeholder Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association (NHG), new promotional materials were created and distributed across local churches, community centres, leisure centres, gyms, a homeless shelter, Age UK, Unbound Moving Arts, and Integrate Agency to encourage participation, particularly among over-50s.
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c) In January 2025, the CEO initiated direct engagement with local schools, collecting expressions of interest from under18s to ensure younger residents were also reached and included.
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d) To further strengthen recruitment, Baobab Steelband engaged Capital Gems Marketing Agency to bolster its online presence. For the first quarter of 2025, the agency uploaded three social media posts per week across our social media platforms, each generating around 1,000 views. This helped us continue raising awareness of Steelpan history and culture while increasing participation numbers in our main band and Saturday classes.
2. Expanding Access to Music Education
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a) Free twice-weekly Steelpan rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bolney Meadow Community Centre remain the cornerstone of our programme, offering accessible opportunities for residents to engage with music.
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b) From 18 January 2025, two new Saturday classes were launched:
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Over 50s: 11am – 1pm
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Under 18s: 2pm – 4pm
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c) Weekly participation peaked at over 40 beneficiaries, before stabilising at 28 by 31/03/2025. This natural adjustment reflects the long-term commitment patterns of our members and highlights the sustainability of our programme.
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Section D Achievements and performance
3. Participation and Delivery
| 3. Participation and Delivery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Activity | Participation Instances |
Tuition Hours |
| Tue & Thurs Main Band rehearsals | 1,470 | 294 |
| SaturdayUnder 18s & Adults Over 50 classes | 203 | 44 |
| 4. Safe and Inspiring Learning Environment Our tutors provide not only technical instruction but also a nurturing and supportive space where members grow both musically and personally. Participants learn Steelpan techniques, expand their musical knowledge, and explore the rich cultural heritage of the instrument. Outcomes are carefully documented through feedback forms and testimonials, ensuring transparency and accountability for both funding and audit purposes. 5. Performance and Repertoire Development The main band works on a diverse repertoire, deliberately challenging traditional perceptions of the Steelpan by demonstrating its versatility across a wide range of musical genres. Public performances allow members to showcase their progress to friends, family, stakeholders, and the wider community. These events reinforce Baobab Steelband’s role as a champion of cultural celebration and community cohesion. |
6. Impact on Members
Participation in Baobab Steelband classes continues to deliver wideranging benefits, including:
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Strengthened teamwork and collaboration.
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Increased self-esteem and confidence.
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Enhanced critical thinking skills.
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Development of language, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
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• Cognitive stimulation, with Steelpan playing acting as a “fullbody workout for the brain.”
Section E Financial review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
Our reserves policy states that Baobab Steelband can hold sufficient funds to meet future commitments whilst ensuring funds are spent in accordance with the charitable objects.
Baobab Steelband holds designated funds for infrastructure development such as new instrument purchases and maintenance, repair and replacement of existing instruments.
Details of any funds materially in deficit
Baobab Steelband has no funds materially in deficit.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 46C0850B-033E-48C5-B3D4-2B5EFF321377
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
1. The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising): Grant Funding Received (2024–25)
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a) £20,000 – Lambeth Council Changing Lives Social Value Fund (CLSVF)
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Initial payment of £10,000 issued on 30/10/2024
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Remaining £10,000 scheduled for receipt during the 2025–26 financial year
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b) £10,000 – Clarion Housing & Places for People Resilience Fund (RF)
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Full £10,000 issued on 14/01/2025, allocated for use during the 2025 calendar year (01/01/2025 – 31/12/2025)
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Expenditure expected primarily in the 2025–26 financial year
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c) £6,000 – Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association Love Where You Live Fund (LWYLF)
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Initial payment of £3,000 issued on 24/03/2025
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Remaining £3,000 scheduled for receipt during the 2025– 26 financial year
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2. How expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity: Impact of Funding
This funding has enabled the purchase of essential equipment and ensured the continuation of our regular programme of services. It has also supported the introduction of two additional Steelpan classes for Under 18s and Adults Over 50, commencing in January 2025 for one year, free at the point of access for all participants.
In addition, the funding facilitated the purchase of new instruments, public liability insurance, band uniforms, marketing materials, and stationery. It also supported band members in attending team-bonding activities, strengthening cohesion and enhancing the delivery of our charitable objectives.
3. Investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
N/A. Baobab Steelband doesn’t have any investments.
Section F Other optional information
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Docusign Envelope ID: 46C0850B-033E-48C5-B3D4-2B5EFF321377
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Shane Gray Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date December 17, 2025
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Docusign Envelope ID: 46C0850B-033E-48C5-B3D4-2B5EFF321377
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Baobab Steelband CIO On accounts for the year 31/03/2025 Charity no 1202388 ended (if any) Set out on pages 11-12 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended DD / MM / YYYY .
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and 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.
Signed: Date: 12/12/2025 Name: M.H TUFFAHA AFA Relevant professional IFA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 86-90 Paul Street, London, England, EC2A 4NE
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Docusign Envelope ID: 46C0850B-033E-48C5-B3D4-2B5EFF321377
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
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Docusign Envelope ID: 46C0850B-033E-48C5-B3D4-2B5EFF321377
| Charity Name BAOBAB STEELBAND | Charity Name BAOBAB STEELBAND | Charity Name BAOBAB STEELBAND | Charity Name BAOBAB STEELBAND | Charity Name BAOBAB STEELBAND | No1202388 | No1202388 | CC16a | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | |||||||||
| For the period from |
Period start date | To | Period end date | ||||||
| 01/04/2024 | 31/03/2025 | ||||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | |||||
| to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||
| Donations and Legacies | 601 | 23,000 | - | 23,601 | 6,000 | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
601 | 23,000 | - | 23,601 | 6,000 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Total receipts | 601 | 23,000 | - | 23,601 | 6,000 | ||||
| A3 Payments | |||||||||
| Charitable Activities | 1,656 | 7,287 | - | 8,942 | 3,096 | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 1,656 | 7,287 | - | 8,942 | 3,096 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Totalpayments | 1,656 | 7,287 | - | 8,942 | 3,096 | ||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | - 1,055 | 15,713 | - | 14,658 | 2,904 | ||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| A6 Cash funds lastyear end | 2,904 | - | - | 2,904 | - | ||||
| Cash funds thisyear end | 1,849 | 15,713 | - | 17,562 | 2,904 | ||||
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Docusign Envelope ID: 46C0850B-033E-48C5-B3D4-2B5EFF321377
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Categories Details funds funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Cash in Hand and Bank 1,849 15,713 -
- - -
- - -
Total cash funds 1,849 15,713 -
(agree balances w ith receipts and payments
account(s)) OK OK OK
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
funds funds funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets - - -
- - -
Fund to which Current value
Cost (optional)
Details asset belongs (optional)
B3 Investment assets - -
- -
Fund to which Current value
Cost (optional)
Details asset belongs (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the - -
- -
Fund to which Amount due When due
Details liability relates (optional) (optional)
B5 Liabilities -
-
Signed by one or two trustees on Date of
behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name approval
Shane Gray December 17, 2025
----- End of picture text -----
Related Party Transactions
There has been no related party transactions during the year (None in 2024)
Trustees Remuneration, benefits and expenses
There have been no remuneration, expenses or benefits paid to trustees in during the year (None in 2024)
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