Report of the Trustees of Warwickshire Youth Choirs
For the year ending 31[st] August 2025
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity are:
The advancement of musical education for the public benefit among children and young people aged between 4 and 24 in Warwickshire and the surrounding area, in particular relating to choral music, through the provision of:
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a) Regular rehearsal and structured workshops designed to enable participation and progression with the aim of developing confidence in, and enjoyment of, singing
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b) Opportunities to perform in both informal and public settings
Trustees give regard to the public benefit of any project development or change to our offer to ensure that it furthers our objectives and gives the best value for money to our members and our community.
Participation has been achieved through weekly choir opportunities for children aged 4+, provision of whole class curriculum music (singing-based curriculum) to primary schools, provision of in-school extra-curricular choirs, all-age workshops, children’s workshops and a massed concert involving hundreds of children in partnership with Apollo. This year we worked with Warwickshire Music, Coventry Music, Warwick Schools Foundation, Warwick, A Singing Town and Apollo.
A chievements and Performances
Progression has been achieved within every project through delivery of high-quality music education from expert staff. This year we maintained our offer to both younger and older children which was trialled last year. We also began provision of school-based extra-curricular opportunities. This had mixed success. The model we trialled created a benefit for the school if they recruited children for the after-school club. We feel this model could be really successful in larger schools. However, the schools which took us up on the offer were small village schools who couldn’t really make excellent value out of the programme. Progression and aspiration has also been demonstrated through our structured performance opportunities, giving children and young people (CYP) the opportunity to experience performances by groups and individuals at different ages and stages of musical development.
Community provision – Choirs and workshops
Performance opportunities this year have been varied and plentiful. In the autumn term we had a workshop (which 32 children attended) and a concert at Kings High School
which involving children from our school choirs as well as our own choirs. The choirs concluded the term by singing Christmas and winter-themed music at Warwick Castle Light Trail and Warwick Victorian Evening, where we were told that we were the ‘best youth choir they had heard’ by the Stage Manager.
In February we held a Youthies workshop and an all-age community workshop as part of National Lottery Open Week, launching our Sing Together Project funded by National Lottery Community Fund.
In Spring we 45 families joined us for our ‘Sing for Mum’ concert and later in term we were delighted to join Village Voices to sing the wonderful Zimbe! By Alexander L’Estrange in Kenilworth.
In Summer, we had small performances at Stratford and Warwick Pursuits Festivals giving preview performances of Sing Together and also giving members the opportunity to sing solo songs. A lot of energy was focussed on our Sing Together Concert, where we brought together 300 primary school children from across the county from both schools and community to sing in Coventry Cathedral with full orchestra. We were delighted to partner with Apollo Academy, a unique inclusive peer-led youth orchestra for children and young people aged 11 to 25. On a blistering hot day, they performed a range of works from our school programme for the year and a Children’s Oratorio, Romany Wood written by David Gaukroger and David Carr, both of whom attended the performance. We were thrilled that David Carr (the lyricist) was able to narrate the performance for us, a real honour. Everyone was mesmerised by his amazing voice. We were very saddened to subsequently hear of David’s death and hope that the performance will be a wonderful positive memory for his family members from across the world who attended that day.
School Provision
With no outside funding, we engaged 6 schools and employed two singing teachers. We also ran 3 extra-curricular school choirs.
Financial Review
The attached financial statements show the end financial position of the old Charity and the current state of the finances of the CIO organisation, which the Trustees consider to be sound.
Having had Arts Council funding via Warwickshire Music Hub for the last three years for our schools provision, we launched a very small, self-funded model for 2024-25 to mitigate risks. The programme was a success. However, the small scale meant that admin costs were prohibitive. As a result, we made changes mid-year which to reduce overheads for the charity. Following this realisation, we engaged a professional fundraiser to help us fundraise to secure the option of a larger-scale schools programme for the future, building on the learning and experience we have gathered in recent years. The contract has a refund model built in, so if the fundraiser is not successful in achieving funds for WYC, the fee will be returned at the end of the contract period.
Our choir and workshop delivery is mostly supported by subscription payments, donations and concert tickets. We are incredibly grateful for Warwick Schools Foundation for the benefit in kind that they provide us through use of their excellent facilities for regular rehearsals, workshops and concerts. Their support is essential to our success and ability to provide our low-cost inclusive offer.
Primary expenditures included contracts to musicians and administrators, bursaries, event-related costs and music. These expenditures are fundamental to the achievement of our charity objectives. However, the trustees did note the increased administration costs this year and have sought advice on the use of third-party specialist software to streamline administrative tasks whilst maintaining compliance.
At the end of the year, we report a small surplus. This can support the cashflow / reserves which had been reduced (in real terms) in recent years.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Warwickshire Choristers charity (1150219) is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Warwickshire Youth Choirs is a Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), which was registered with the Charity Commission on 11[th] December 2024. Its governing document is a constitution approved by the Charity Commission on 11[th] December 2024. At a meeting of the members held on 29[th] November 2023, it was decided that the assets of the unincorporated charity (number 1150219) would be transferred to the new CIO (1211368). The transfer took place on 30[th] August 2025.
The trustees of Charity 1150219 agreed to become the founding trustees of the charity number 1211368 except for one who stepped down.
All trustees and volunteers are DBS checked and provide their time voluntarily without remuneration. The role of volunteers is central to the success of our organisation and we are incredibly grateful to them.
Reference and Administrative Details
Name and Registration Number
Warwickshire Choristers (working name Warwickshire Youth Choirs) 1150219 Unincorporated membership charity to 30 August 2025
Warwickshire Youth Choirs 1211368 from 31[st] August 2025 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Principal Address
42 Kempson Ave Sutton Coldfield West Midlands, B721HE
Trustees
Annabel Precious Elizabeth Mitchell Lucy MacDonald
Independent Examiner
Andy Hopkins (BVSC)
This report was approved by the trustees on 28[th] May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Elizabeth Mitchell
Elizabeth Mitchell
CHARITY COMMISSIIJY I FOR EK>MD WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent ExaTh¥ner'B Rep(¥t Rewt to the truke Warwickshre y1 Ch(4ts On accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025 Charity no 1211368 Irf any) I repcrft lo the truslees on rny eXinab.0n ofthe acco ofthe above chanty Iyhe Tnr) tr ye¥ enoed 31108r2025 Respon8ibilitieg and basis of rep¢xt As the charitys trustees. Y are responsible foi the preparalion of the accounts in acCOance wilh requirements oflhe CharlTh Act 2011 Ilhe Acr). I rep in Tespect of my exanNnation of the TNst's accounts carried out under 8eth"L 145 of the 2011 Act aThJ in Carry1 out rny exanynabon. I have follvwed all the DeonS by the Chanty commiss)n under section 145{5Xbl oflhe Act. Independent examiners statement I have ccnpleted nyy examinakn. I conffimi that no maten.al Matte have ccMe lo my attention in C(neC110n wth Ihe examaknn (other that ddoSed bel(Yrt gives me cause to beleve that ii, any mal&ial tesFd". the accountwig records were nol c0[anCe wilh seclKffl 130 of Ihe Chatrties Act," or the accounts dKI not acccrfd with the accounting records., or the accounts dKI not CClY the applcable requirements conceming the forni and content ol acco sel out n the Charibes (Accounls Reporfsl Regulab.S 2rJ8 olher Ihan any requ11 Ihal Ihe accounts give a MKI fair. view whbch is not a matter cons•Jered as parl of an YidepeTrJent examinalicffi. I have no concems have auoss no other mallers in cneCtIon wh the exarninab"M to whh atton shoubj be drawn in Ihi8 report m (*der lo ate a pw(yer understandw ofthe acco13 to be reached. D•le: 2108r2026 Sioned: Mame: Andy Hcykiis. BVSC Accountancy SerNice5, BVSC. Latham House, Paradise Street, Bim)ingha, B1 2A1 IER Oct 2018
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ending 31[st] August 2025
| Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Full Year 2025 |
30thto 31stAug 2025 |
1stSept 2024 to 30th Aug2025 |
Total 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: | |||||||
| Donations and legacies |
50 | 27,900 | 27,950 | - | 27,950 | 55,739 | A1 |
| Gift Aid | 1,427 | - | 1,427 | - | 1,427 | 1,327 | |
| Interest Received |
36 | - | 36 | - | 36 | 30 | |
| Charitable Activities |
31,930 | 31,930 | - | 31,930 | 10,574 | A2 | |
| Total | 33,443 | 27,900 | 61,343 | - | 61,343 | 67,850 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||||||
| Raisingfunds | 3,000 | - | 3,000 | - | 3,000 | 819 | B1 |
| Charitable Activities |
28,233 | 27,900 | 56,133 | - | 56,133 | 71,658 | B2 |
| Total | 31,233 | 27,900 | 59,133 | - | 59,133 | 72,477 | |
| Net Income/ (Expenditure) |
2,210 | - | 2,210 | - | 2,210 | (4,626) | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||||||
| Total funds brought forward |
7,866 | - | 7,866 | 10,076 | 7,866 | 12,492 | |
| Total funds carried forward |
10,076 | - | 10,076 | 10,076 | 10,076 | 7,866 |
Balance Sheet
For year ending 31[st] August 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Full Year 2025 |
30thto 31stAug 2025 |
1stSept 2024 to 30thAug 2025 |
2024 Total |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Assets | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Current Assets | |||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand1 |
12,610 | - | 12,610 | 12,610 | 12,610 | 8,561 | |
| Debtors2 | 5,862 | - | 5,862 | 5,862 | 5,862 | 1,721 | B2 |
| Total current assets |
18,472 | - | 18,472 | 18,472 | 18,472 | 10,283 | |
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Creditors: falling due within one year3 |
8,396 | - | 8,396 | 8,396 | 8,396 | 2,417 | C1 |
| Net current assets |
10,076 | - | 10,076 | 10,076 | 10,076 | 7,866 | D |
This Balance Sheet was approved by the trustees on 24[th] May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Elizabeth Mitchell
Elizabeth Mitchell
Constitution and Charity merger
Warwickshire Youth Choirs is a CIO which was registered with the Charity Commission on 11[th] December 2024. Its governing document is a constitution approved on date 29[th] November 2023 and registered with the Charity Commission on date 11[th] December 2024
At a meeting held on 29[th] November 2023, the members of the unincorporated charity (1150219) approved the transfer of assets to the CIO. The transfer took place on 30[th] August 2025.
Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies, all of which have been applied consistently throughout the year, are set out below. Where a change of accounting policy has occurred, the prior year figures have been adjusted to reflect the new treatment.
These accounts present a true and fair view. The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) 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 presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).
Basis of Preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of investments at market value, and are in accordance with trust law, applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice, “Accounting and Reporting by Charities”, issues in March 2005.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of any of the objectives of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The designated fund for reserves at year ending 31[st] August 2024 is £7,500 which amounts to approximately three months operating income. Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area of for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area of purpose and restriction means that the funds can only be used for specific projects or activities.
Incoming Resources
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Resources Expended
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds. Governance costs include those incurred in the governance by the trustees of the charity’s assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements of operating the charity.
Donated Goods and volunteer and other donated services
The charity did not receive any donated goods. The trustees acknowledge the importance of volunteers to support the projects and governance of the charity. The value of general volunteering is not incorporated in these financial statements. Where services are provided to the charity as a donation that would normally be purchased from our suppliers, this contribution is included in the financial statements at an estimate based on the value of the contribution to the charity had the charity purchased them. In this accounting period, we valued the gift of venue hire as 35 weeks at £90 per week for rehearsals, 2 workshops at £150 and 2 concerts at £300, a total of £4,050. These are sums that trustees had agreed could be spent for a suitable venue. These are included in A2 and B2 in the SoFA.
Trustee Renumeration and Benefits None of the trustees have been paid any renumeration or has received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or any related entity.
Trustee Expenses No trustees were paid expenses other than reimbursement of product bought on behalf on Warwickshire Youth Choirs at our request.
Related Party transactions There were no related party transactions during this reporting period.
Financial Service Fees We are really grateful to Andy Hopkins for independently Examining the charity accounts.
Ex-Gratia Payments There were no ex-gratia payments made during the reporting period.
Staff Costs and Employee Benefits All our staff are part-time freelance contractors. No social security or pension costs were incurred during the reporting period. A total of four part-time staff were contracted during the period. The total costs of staff was £38,234. No employees received benefits of more than £60,000
Key Management Personnel Payments to senior management in the reporting period was £18,751.
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
Income and Endowments
| Income and Endowments | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Donations and Legacies | ||
| Donations | 23,900 | 50,789 |
| Gift Aid | 1,427 | 1,327 |
| Benefit in Kind | 4,050 | 4,050 |
| Charitable Activities | ||
| Events | 8,694 | 4,289 |
| Subscriptions | 23,236 | 6,466 |
| Interest Received | 36 | 30 |
| Total | 61,343 | 67,850 |
| Expenditure | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Raising donations and legacies | ||
| FundraisingCosts | 3,000 | - |
| Other | 819 | |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Musician Fees | 32,384 | 46,618 |
| CPD / Training | - | 406 |
| Event Costs | 10,744 | 8,952 |
| Website and other costs | 281 | 235 |
| Venue Costs | 5,100 | - |
| Administration | 6,271 | 14,825 |
| Bank charges | 60 | 60 |
| Governance costs(insurance and Independent Examiner | 537 | 361 |
| DBS checks | - | 200 |
| Uniform | 756 | - |
| Total expenditure | 59,133 | 71,657 |
| NET(EXPENDITURE)/INCOME | 2,210 | (4,626) |