REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
FOR |
SOUNDABOUT |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
FOR |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Page |
Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
Soundabout Annual Report 2021-22 | 2 | to | 12 |
Report of the Trustees | 13 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 14 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 15 |
Balance Sheet | 16 | to | 17 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 18 | to | 24 |
SOUNDABOUT |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
TRUSTEES |
REGISTERED OFFICE |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Ad Valorem Accountancy Services Limited |
Chartered Certified Accountants |
2 Manor Farm Court |
Old Wolverton Road |
Old Wolverton |
Buckinghamshire |
MK12 5NN |
BANKERS | CAF Bank |
25 Kings Hill Avenue |
Kings Hill |
West Malling |
Kent |
ME19 4JQ |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Our Vision: To create a musical community without barriers. |
Our Mission: To empower people with profound disabilities to find their voice through music. |
Our Values: Accessible, Aspirational, Empowering, Trustworthy, Responsive, Inclusive. |
Organisational Objectives: |
To reduce isolation for participants and families through music |
To diversify our income generation |
To ensure the voices of our participants are heard |
To evolve a strong, effective and diverse organization |
Our programmes: |
Music Making |
Soundabout Choirs are a national network of musical communities without barriers, welcoming people of all ages and abilities. These inclusive and accessible choirs are designed so anyone can share their voice in their own way online or in person; from signing and technology to movement and singing. |
Sounds Virtual are online programmes of sessions which enable access to music making wherever you are. Members join from home, hospices, hospitals, day centres, and schools! Our huge resource bank of recordings means sessions can be accessed at any time. |
Sounds Multi-Sensory sessions explore music and sound in a themed indoor environment. Our skilled team can transform any school or community space into an engaging sensory spectacular. |
Sounds Wild sessions explore music making in inspiring outdoor spaces using a Forest School approach and all the senses! |
Sounds Together are face-to-face community music making sessions for small groups, supported by two specialist practitioners. The groups explore communication, self-expression, choice making, and ways to share their stories. |
Training and Resources |
No musical experience required! |
Soundabout offers a range of training opportunities and resources to support anyone interested in using simple tools and techniques to interact musically with someone with complex support needs. |
Little Soundabout and Soundabout Life are a collection of free online musical resources with simple ideas and activities that anyone can use to build musical and personal development with the person you are supporting. Activities are demonstrated live weekly on the Soundabout YouTube channel, to support use of the resources. |
Schools, Music Hubs, and other organisations can access bespoke training and consultancy from Soundabout. Models vary based on the organisation's requirements and can include anything from side-by-side music delivery, in-house staff training and mentoring, to extended programmes of support, and one-off consultancy sessions. |
Training Membership and Ready-To-Go Training Videos are ideal for anyone who wants to further develop their skills and knowledge in this area. |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Open Access Training Events run throughout the year bookable online. Sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with opportunities. |
Emerging Leaders and Graduate Emerging Leaders are programmes where Learning Disabled people enhance their leadership skills and confidence while preparing to become the music practitioners of the future. |
Chair's Foreword |
Soundabout continues to place its participants at the centre of everything it does, promoting its activities to ensure it serves them and the wider community in the best way it can. This year saw our newly appointed CEO confidently and devotedly take the reins to lead the charity to not only meet but exceed expectations and to flourish as it continues its valuable work. |
Highlights from the year include: our sold-out Colchester Zoo project, where the team held 6 multi-sensory, animal themed music sessions that attracted 101 attendees; our Worcester Cathedral performance in June centred around an inclusive experience; our BBC Radio 4 appeal featuring one of our Soundabout families; community fundraising including the successful Chalkhouse Green Farm Open Day; our Inclusive Choirs being featured in Manchester's Science and Industry Museum exhibition 'Turn It Up: The Power of Music' and Debbie Wiseman OBE writing a 'Moveabout' song to support our motivating Moveabout fundraising campaign. |
Another success to mention is that our new Family Support Coordinator Rebecca is helping to increase the accessibility of Soundabout sessions and reduce isolation for parents/carers of children in new innovative ways. |
The choirs continued with gusto and the team worked across an impressive 16 choirs around England, helping to connect with others through these inclusive musical opportunities. |
Our fantastic Emerging Leaders (EL) programme kicked off with a new cohort in September 2022, our graduates now support the Oxford and Wiltshire Inclusive choirs regularly, with one producing signing videos for the choirs in a new professional role. Moreover, some Emerging Leaders and Graduate Emerging Leaders were involved with the recruitment of two new Soundabout trustees. |
Our SPAG (Soundabout Participant Advisory Group) continues under the leadership of Rebecca, with initiatives such as focus groups to ensure the family/participant voice is key in the future development of our charity. |
Lastly, our cross-functional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) group, comprising a mixture of stakeholders including staff, practitioners and trustees, continues to set the expectations and pathways to deep thinking and action around ED&I, ensuring this is embedded in all aspects of our work. |
As with the ED&I group, all work at Soundabout continues to adapt, update, improve and be collaborative where possible, to ensure we are truly helping to create a musical community without barriers. I couldn't be more thrilled with the work that Soundabout has carried out, and would like to thank everyone who is part of our community for all their time, commitment, passion and enthusiasm, including the staff team, our participants, practitioners, volunteers, funders and supporters. Watch this space for more exciting things to come! |
CEO Introduction |
I had the privilege of joining Soundabout as CEO in September 2022, part way through the 2022-23 year. The year began with preparation for the upcoming change in leadership. Efforts were focused on ensuring that Soundabout continued to offer a full range high quality music making opportunities, which the team managed brilliantly under the interim leadership of our Director of Programmes. Our commitment to offering accessible ways to make music remained front and centre, with online and hybrid opportunities continuing with as much importance as in-person activity. |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Right from the outset I was blown away by the personal nature of the work at Soundabout. We pride ourselves on the connections we have individuals, families, and partner organisations. Soundabout welcomed a new Family Support Co-ordinator, Rebecca Thomas, in September 2022. This personal approach to working with families has grown from strength to strength under Rebecca's expertise and guidance with a renewed focus on accessibility. |
Soundabout's reach continued to grow both geographically and in scale. Last year saw Soundabout reach 10,000 music making and training opportunities, and this year that record has been broken with a whopping 17,000 opportunities being offered. One noticeable area of growth has been the Soundabout Choirs; they have continued to flourish, with expansion into the East Midlands, performances in incredible locations such as Symphony Hall Birmingham, features in exhibitions, international connections, and award wins. In-person community sessions were relaunched during this time along with the reintroduction of multi-sensory music making indoors and outdoors. |
Once fully formed as a new staff team, we focussed our efforts to exploring future opportunities for Soundabout. Throughout the autumn term an organisation wide consultation was undertaken. This helped us to understand where the charity was at now and where the Soundabout community wanted to go together in the future. |
Looking forward |
It is an exciting time for Soundabout as we develop a new strategic business plan for the next 3 years. Work on updating Soundabout's Vision, Mission, and Values is underway and will be launched later this year. For now, we are focussing on doing more of what we do best, looking deeper into the impact we make, and developing more training so we can grow the practitioner team. |
I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the team and wider Soundabout community and am thankful for their warm welcome and patience! This report demonstrates their incredible collective achievements, which wouldn't be possible without their individual dedication and generosity. Roll on 2023-24! |
Review of our Objectives |
1. Reducing Isolation for Participants and Families through Music |
Overview in Numbers for April 2022-March 2023 |
1,251 | Sessions |
16,078 | Opportunities* |
2,884 | Total Attendees |
1,358 | Participants |
472 | SEN Staff |
706 | Parents / Carers |
38,216 | YouTube Views |
* opportunities to take part = sessions x number of places |
Highlighted Projects: A snapshot of four of our projects |
Family Support |
A new Family Support Coordinator was appointed in September 2022 to continue the initiatives of the previous year and be the main point of contact for any information, advice, or guidance families need. The Family Support Coordinator also rolled out new initiatives including: |
- Accessible resources - Increasing accessibility of Soundabout sessions and supporting participant's emotional wellbeing by developing accessible resources such as |
- accessible event booklets, helping to reduce social anxiety and increase participation around in-person events. |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
- creating bespoke songs with signing and Widgit symbols to communicate key messages. |
- Promotion at Parent/Carer Events - reducing isolation for families by attending parent/carer events and signposting to Soundabout services. |
- Supporting sessions - attending sessions across all areas of the programme to ensure families and participants feel connected and regularly feedback to the Family Support Coordinator ensuring parent/carer/participant voice is at the heart of internal decision making. |
Highlight: Developing our 'Achievement Documents' which support families and participants to reflect on their Soundabout experiences and celebrate their achievements against the Sounds of Intent: Me Framework. This has been rolled out to all Soundabout choirs, Emerging Leaders, as well as After School Clubs. |
Parent/Carer Feedback on Achievement Documents: "Thank you so much for R's celebratory document! What a wonderful thing for you and your staff to take the time to do this - even though I am present at the sessions it's lovely to get feedback from you all, especially from K, she is so amazing and skilful at what she does, she gets the best out of R and pushes him to try something new which she always gets just right with him." |
"Thank you very much for doing this. I'm so excited to sit down with G and read through the document. I will also make a playlist of all the repertoire we've covered in choir so we can listen back and sing along. I hadn't realised we had covered so much over the last 6 months and how much G has achieved. Thanks again!" |
Looking forward: the Family Support Soundabout is developing an in-person 'tour', ready to be trialled in 2023-24. They will run workshops for parents/carers using the Little Soundabout and Soundabout Life resources helping people to make music together at home as well as signposting to Soundabout sessions and wider opportunities. |
Soundabout Choirs |
Another phenomenal year for our Choir projects, which are going from strength to strength. |
We worked across 16 Choirs around England to create a network of inclusive, supported Choir opportunities. This year we launched the new Soundabout Choir Membership scheme that allows external organisations access to our resources for a small fee. We have been delighted to see the membership reaching a wide network of organisations including internationally, it really demonstrates how unique and necessary the creation of these types of accessible song resources are. |
Some of this year's fantastic performances included our work with the National Children's Choir of Great Britain in the West Midlands and our guest appearance at Oxford's Sheldonian theatre event with a Japanese Body Percussion group lead by Toshiyuki Yamada. |
The choirs gained national recognition, with the West Midlands choir winning the 'Excellence in SEND Award' at the Music and Drama Education Awards 2023, and as finalists for Youth Music's 'Outstanding Project' Award. The work of the choir was also featured in Manchester's Science and Industry Museum's exhibition 'Turn It Up: The Power of Music', which then toured the country. |
A particularly exciting development was the start of our online sessions aimed at Choir members with more complex support needs, Song Explorers. The aim of which is to break down the songs into multi-sensory accessible experiences that those members can take back to their own choirs. |
Highlight of the year: Watching members of the National Children's Choir of Great Britain echoing back one of our Soundabout Choir member's vocalisations. It was one of those instant hits of pure joy and true inclusion. |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
"My daughter loves her Equity Group sessions. As you can probably see she can't help but giggle through them. She really enjoys interacting with Emma and recognizes her voice as well as the sounds made by others. Breaking down the songs from the main choir into such simple elements is really helpful and accessible" (Parent of Equity Group member, 2023) |
"I should just congratulate everyone involved in the most brilliant, life-affirming concert we have ever, ever been to! We had such an amazing time last evening! It was so wonderful to meet musicians from totally different worlds to our own! My goodness it was so joyous! My son got so much out of it. He's on a real high." (Parent of Choir member attending a performance event, 2023) |
Looking forward: |
We look forward to an exciting year ahead with the Soundabout Choirs, building on our relationship with the National Children's Choir of Great Britain, and supporting partners to develop choirs in new areas such as the Gateshead, Sunderland, and Hampshire. |
Sounds Wild and Sounds Multi-Sensory |
Under the sea adventures and winter wonderlands were featured in our indoor multi-sensory sessions this year. We worked with SEND schools across the West Midlands to deliver these exciting experiences. We also had one of our biggest Sounds Wild seasons to date, delivering creative outdoor nature-based music sessions to over 368 learning Disabled children and young people. |
For the first time, we opened bookings to families and at two new venues; Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve and Westonbirt Arboretum. We ran a large programme working with schools as well as families to deliver many hours of wonderful sound exploration in nature. |
A special addition to our deliver this year was a series of dates we held at Colchester Zoo, where we hosted over 100 people for animal-themed multisensory music sessions. The feedback from families was fantastic and something we hope to run again in the future. |
Highlight of the year: Running our first indoor multi-sensory sessions after a long multi-year Covid-gap. It was so good to be able to offer this type of session again as it's a central part of our provision. |
"My daughter can be difficult to engage but we were delighted to see her engaging wonderfully with all the activities and thoroughly enjoying it. It was particularly lovely for my husband as he hasn't really seen her engage like that before" (Parent, Sounds Wild, 2022) |
"We had a great time; it was lovely to see (my son) engaging and interacting in the session. He can struggle with groups and noise and can become overwhelmed in new places but we were able to participate in a way that worked for him. Soundabout, you continue to be a lifeline for us and stop us being isolated, it is so special to be part of something, somewhere we belong." (Parent, Colchester Zoo session, 2022) |
Looking ahead: Over the coming year we plan to train more practitioners to allow us to take Sounds Wild and Sounds Multi-Sensory to new areas. |
Emerging Leaders |
The Emerging Leaders programme is an opportunity for Learning Disabled people to enhance their leadership skills and confidence while preparing to become the music practitioners of the future. The first cohort of Emerging Leaders graduated over the summer 2022, after excelling in the yearlong programme. |
We welcomed a new cohort of eight Emerging Leaders in September 2022. During weekly online sessions, the Emerging Leaders completed several mini projects, including making backing tracks, signing videos and warm up videos for the Soundabout Choirs. Some Emerging Leaders and Graduate Emerging Leaders were also involved with the recruitment of two new Soundabout trustees. |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Highlight: It has been fantastic to see the growing confidence of the Emerging Leaders. Each member has led the 'Hello Song' at least once - something that would have been unthinkable for some of them at the start of the academic year! |
Parent/Carer: 'E loves singing and joining in but the Emerging Leaders group has really helped her to grow in confidence and independence. She now contributes readily to group discussions rather than just observing. The discussions and activities are very thoughtfully prepared to be accessible on all levels. E really looks forward to seeing all her friends on a Friday.' |
Participant: 'I think it is good online because I like zoom because it's on the laptop. I like doing it from home and I like meeting the other people. I like hearing the songs they choose [...] Emerging leaders has made me feel good.' |
Looking ahead: We look forward to developing the Emerging and Graduate Leaders programme through 'Soundabout Grow' our new Youth Music grant. This will provide a greater range of opportunities for the leaders to put their skills into practice both online and in-person via supported placements. We also look forward to introducing an accreditation option to the programme. |
2. Diversification of Income Generation |
Individual Giving |
Soundabout's BBC Radio 4 Appeal was the focus for individual giving this year. The appeal was presented by Liz Chaplin, who spoke wonderfully about the Soundabout experiences she has shared with her daughter Ava. The appeal raised an incredible £26,039.42 and generated a lot of interest in Soundabout. Following the appeal, we had contact from families, organisations, musicians, and supporters all new to Soundabout. |
Soundabout was also supported through one-off and regular donations from our generous supporters. We also continued to receive generous major gifts including support from John Hall and family, who have been at the heart of Soundabout since it was founded. We'd like to express heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated. |
Community and Events |
Incredible supporters continued to fundraise via their own ideas and Soundabout supported events. |
Soundabout's annual Moveabout challenge ran between January and March 2023. Supporters from far and wide collected sponsorship by collecting kilometres in whatever way they chose; from walking, wheeling, running, to ski-ing, karate-ing, and wheeling! Moveabout-ers raised an incredible £3,738.78, covering a staggering 4,856.8km. |
Soundabout has also been supported by choirs and community groups across the country. The South Oxfordshire Choir generously fundraised for Soundabout through their concert series and even joined the Soundabout Oxford and Beyond Choir for a Christmas sing-along. We'd also like to thank Warminster Community Choir and the Japanese Body Percussion Ensemble for running collections for Soundabout at their concerts. |
School supporters raised £4,000 for Soundabout last year. The schools raised this money in a variety of ways including sales, concerts, and challenge events. |
Other community groups continued to support Soundabout, and we'd like to thank the Somer Valley Ramble for their donations following a Christmas lunch and raffle. |
We'd like to thank everyone involved in fundraising for Soundabout. Your time, support, passion, and determination is greatly valued. |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Trusts and Foundations |
Thanks to the support of charitable trusts and foundations, we have been able to support hundreds of children, young people, and adults to express themselves through music during 2022-23. We are grateful to all of our supporters and have listed below, with thanks, those who gave over £5,000: |
Awards for All |
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund |
Charles Plater Trust |
Childwick Trust |
Elsie Davis Trust |
Lightbulb Trust |
MariaMarina Foundation |
Masonic Charitable Foundation |
Morgan Blake Charitable Trust |
Revere Charitable Trust |
St James's Place Foundation |
Wates Foundation |
Youth Music |
Earned Income |
Soundabout continued to generate income from commissioned music making delivery, training, and consultancy. Other avenues of earned income included ticket sales for training events, and memberships (family, training, choir). |
Corporate |
We were delighted to receive special support from Viking, of £10,000 to celebrate the launch of the new ship Viking Mars. Fleet Caravans kindly continued their long-term support of Soundabout for which we are very grateful. |
In Memory |
Soundabout received £1,500 in donations given in memory of loved ones. We are incredibly grateful to all involved and hope that the donations bring some comfort in knowing that they are helping to change someone's life through music. |
Looking forward: We recognise that the funding landscape is challenging we will continue to mitigate this risk by seeking greater diversification of income. |
3. Voices of Participants to Be Heard |
At Soundabout, we are passionate about providing opportunities for the voices of Learning Disabled people and their families to be clearly heard within society. We do this in a range of ways from performances, recordings, press stories, social media, and supported feedback opportunities. |
Here are some examples of the quotes we've gathered this year: |
About Afterschool Club Sessions: 'Afterschool club. It's a beautiful thing to be a part of. Generally the same children every week. What a beautiful family it has created for us all. It's really special as you're zooming into people's homes every week. It's so lovely... The children really care about each other's well being. They notice if someone is not well or not there and they are missed. They've built strong friendships. Somebody is missing them. Virtual friendships formed through Soundabout are just as good as the friendships daughter has formed in school. It's a beautiful community.' |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
About Inclusive Choir: 'We attend Virtual Choir and we also use the YouTube material when my daughter was poorly and it never fails to cheer her up. She immediately comes alive when she hears the Soundabout music and choir recordings. Virtual sessions are so lovely and the hub is brilliant. It's very accessible, clear, fantastic and lovely to dip in and out of.' |
About Performance Opportunities: Just to thank you for a wonderful pinch-yourself experience last night. We loved performing for an audience and enjoyed meeting the other music ensembles too. We both got so much from all the performances. The joy was overwhelming.' |
About Saturday Lives: 'These sessions have been absolutely invaluable to us and has increased M's quality of life 10 x over. Being able to join in live or watching them later has been such a wonderful resource. They have also been equally enjoyable for us as a family.' |
Media Interviews |
In addition to the BBC Radio 4 Appeal coverage, Soundabout participated in a number of other radio interviews during the year, raising awareness of the Soundabout community. Radio stations included BBC Radio London, BBC Radio WM (West Midlands), BBC Radio Gloucestershire, and BBC Radio Wiltshire. Topics covered included Soundabout Choir performances, Award wins, and Moveabout. These stories also featured in local printed and online news coverage. |
Performances |
Ensuring our community has a platform to share their voices through performance is something we committed to offer for those who wanted to participate. Our choirs have showcased some stunning performances and special moments over the past year including wow-ing a sold-out Gloucester Cathedral as special guests for Meningitis Now's Christmas concert, launching Services For Education's series of Gala Concerts at Symphony Hall Birmingham, performing at the Grand Hotel Birmingham for the National Association for Special Educational Needs Awards, joining forces with the Japanese Body Percussion Ensemble at The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, as well as performing to close family and friends at special events in Oxford and Birmingham. |
For those preferring virtual alternatives we provided recording opportunities, with the Soundabout choirs releasing X music videos across the year. You can watch the videos here: |
Social Media |
We have reenergised our social media platforms over the past year, focusing on |
- Maintaining regular and exciting content |
- Increasing accessibility of content by introducing Widgit symbols into posts |
- Increasing use of video content |
Our following and reach has increased across all platforms. Our following and reach for the period between Apr 2022 - March 2023 are summarised below: |
Followers | Reach |
5,080 | 71,382 |
1,200 | 13,699 |
2,977 | 14,300 |
391 | 448 |
One area of growth to highlight is Facebook: visits to page/profile up 79.4% from 2021-22 year to 12,236 visits, new page likes up 80.5% from previous year. |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Some of our top performing posts were: |
Soundabout (@soundabout.uk) | Instagram |
Soundabout - The countdown is ON! Just 3 days until Liz shares her... | Facebook |
The Soundabout YouTube channel had 38,216 views during this year. |
4. Strong, Diverse and Effective Organisation |
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion |
Soundabout took a firm hold of developing a cross-organisational action plan to strengthen our work around EDI during 2020. We have maintained progress on this agenda over the past three years, ensuring that it's at the heart of our planning, our strategy and our practice. |
This year we've used the Music Masters 'I'm in' toolkit to re-examine our plans to encompass even more aspects of our operational delivery. We want to go further into exploring our practice and constantly challenge ourselves to do things differently where that can improve EDI outcomes. We have committed to doing this in a safe space environment so that we can openly learn from each other and external experts. |
We spent a good deal of time in the Autumn of 2022, gathering feedback from staff, trustees, practitioners and families around our organisational values to help us review our EDI statement. This has naturally led into our overall discussion on our vision and mission of the charity and has fed into the renewal of our EDI and Equal Opportunities policies. Our monthly EDI working group is a morphing group of people committed to keep pushing on the action plan and holding ourselves to account. |
An area that we have worked hard to strengthen are our recruitment practices, we've been really interested to hear candidates' feedback that it is still uncommon to share pre-share interview questions to allow people time to consider their answers in depth. This has been our practice for over 3 years now and we hope we can inspire more people to take this approach, as it's highly appreciated by candidates who can then shine in their interviews. |
Participation |
Soundabout Participant Advisory Group (SPAG): |
Our SPAG group has become an essential cog in Soundabout's development and decision-making processes. The group meets quarterly ahead of upcoming trustee meetings, allowing for the group to feed into the agenda and have a voice at a strategic level. This also ensures Soundabout's vision and development is always based on our communities' lived experiences with their views, thoughts and feelings at the heart of any changes being made. |
Within the last year, there has been a conscious effort by the Soundabout Team to make SPAG meetings and recruitment into the group as accessible as possible. With music being the point of connection in our community, we wanted to make SPAG more musical, and now have our very own SPAG song. This song is played at the start of each meeting as a reminder of our purpose as a group. Having musical elements as part of the group has encouraged more participants to join in with the sessions alongside parents and carers. |
With accessibility in mind, the Agenda is also compiled using Widgit symbols, see below for example: |
Any developments made as a result of our SPAG group meetings is fed back to all members. |
Parent/Carer Quote from SPAG: 'You are proactive in Soundabout in showing us like you have done here this evening [in SPAG], what happens with our feedback and how you use it to develop Soundabout.' |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Stakeholder Survey & Focus Groups: |
The Stakeholder Survey and Focus Groups ran simultaneously in order to provide the Soundabout community with both written and verbal opportunities to share their valuable feedback. It is essential that the voice of participants and their families are at the heart of any future developments at Soundabout. This year the stakeholder survey and focus groups sessions gathered feedback and ideas for the organisation-wide SWOT analysis (looking at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to Soundabout), ensuring family input from the very start of the strategy refresh process. |
Carer feedback from focus groups (in discussing what Soundabout potential opportunities): 'We are very privileged that T is able to have 1-1 sessions with a Soundabout practitioner, he absolutely adores his sessions and his face lights up every time he sees his practitioner... Perhaps you could think about offering a gift card so that family/friends can buy sessions for their loved one at Christmas or for birthdays? It sometimes difficult to buy gifts that are meaningful, and this would definitely be gift that would mean a lot to families and other participants.' |
As a result of the feedback given in the focus groups, having Soundabout gift cards within our online shop which could be used on Soundabout sessions and/or other items in our shop was actioned with immediate effect: https://www.soundabout.org.uk/shop/gift-card/. |
Environmental Sustainability |
No organisation can afford to ignore the dominating issues of the impact of our climate crisis, Soundabout have been lucky in 2022 to have an injection of energy into this agenda, with new team members re-forming a working group to lead on progress. We have been lucky to have taken part in two 'Climate Fresk' Workshops that were specifically offered to our team to learn more about climate science in general. This has helped us ground our practice into real world facts and figures and underlined the importance of us acting as a collective to play our part. No organisation is too small to make a difference, but we also acknowledge that structures and power disbalance in society can make it very difficult for communities like ours to implement changes. We believe in challenging the powerful organisations and structures that dominate in contributing to the climate crisis. |
The working group have drawn up an Environmental Sustainability Policy and an Environmental Action Plan covering all aspects of the organisation from waste, travel, suppliers, to our digital carbon footprint. We have already made changes to the suppliers we use for merchandise and marketing materials, and look forward to the journey ahead. |
Governance |
We continue to link our governance structures to our family support and participation work, ensuring that community voice directly feeds into trustee meetings and influences decision making. The recruitment and onboarding processes for trustees has been updated in line with best practice in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to encourage a wider range of applicants and to support new trustees to understand the work of Soundabout. |
The Finance and Risk Subcommittee remains effective and continues to meet regularly led by the Treasurer in conjunction with Soundabout's Finance Manager. Trustees continue to play an active role in Soundabout's EDI group too. A small working group of Trustees and senior managers have begun work on refreshing Soundabout's strategic business plan with support from an external consultant. |
SOUNDABOUT |
SOUNDABOUT ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Volunteers |
We have a strong team of 30 volunteers, 10 regulars, supporting Soundabout activity. The end of pandemic restrictions saw some volunteers returning to their pre-pandemic activities / commitments, so numbers have declined. Volunteering opportunities have been updated based on our current programme of activity. The impact of the work has been tremendous, with volunteers undertaking a variety of opportunities: |
- Assisting our participants with eye gaze technology, iPads, and other assistive tech at choir rehearsals |
- Supporting in-person and online sessions with tasks such as room set up, zoom admin, registers, refreshments |
- Supporting families at Sounds Wild sessions |
- Giving valuable insight and tips on the design of the Soundabout website |
- Minuting the Trustee board meetings |
- Contributing to our monthly Equity Diversity and Inclusion meetings |
- Helping to design and implement stakeholder surveys |
- Fundraising vital funds for Soundabout |
Our work is only made possible by the support of our loyal volunteers. |
Thank you to our steadfast volunteers for their unwavering commitment to making music change lives! |
SOUNDABOUT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 05023067) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Public benefit |
Vision |
A musical community without barriers. |
Mission |
To empower those with profound disabilities to find their voice through music. |
Values |
Accessible- we strive to remove barriers to participation. |
Aspirational- we are always striving to create opportunities to reach further. |
Empowering- we search for and build confidence in peoples' own musical ability. |
Responsive- we out participants and their families at the heart of our decision-making process. |
Inclusive- we stand strongly against all forms of discrimination. |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Reserves policy |
Under the charity's reserve policy the Trustees have resolved that the upper limit for unrestricted funds should be set at approximately 3 months running costs (£91,000). Current unrestricted reserves are £52,415. The charity aims to increase its unrestricted reserves to their upper limit over the next 5 years. |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF |
SOUNDABOUT |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Soundabout ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
Independent examiner's statement |
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. |
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or |
4. | the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). |
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
D R Kerins FCCA |
Ad Valorem Accountancy Services Limited |
Chartered Certified Accountants |
2 Manor Farm Court |
Old Wolverton Road |
Old Wolverton |
Buckinghamshire |
MK12 5NN |
20 October 2023 |
SOUNDABOUT |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
(INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
2023 | 2022 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | fund | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Other trading activities | 3 |
Investment income | 4 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities |
Total |
NET INCOME |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 136,183 |
SOUNDABOUT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 05023067) |
BALANCE SHEET |
31 MARCH 2023 |
2023 | 2022 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | fund | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Intangible assets | 9 |
Tangible assets | 10 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Stocks | 11 |
Debtors | 12 |
Cash at bank |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 13 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 14 |
Unrestricted funds | 43,976 |
Restricted funds | 92,207 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 136,183 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
SOUNDABOUT (REGISTERED NUMBER: 05023067) |
BALANCE SHEET - continued |
31 MARCH 2023 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
SOUNDABOUT |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
1. | STATUTORY INFORMATION |
Soundabout is a private limited company, limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. The company's registered number and registered office can be found on the company information page. The presentation of the financial statements is in pound sterling (£). |
2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
ACCOUNTING CONVENTION |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
INCOMING RESOURCES / TURNOVER |
Income has been recognised on the following basis: |
- Donations and grants are generally recognised when received. |
- Invoiced income is accrued monthly. |
- Interest income is recognised on receipt. |
EXPENDITURE |
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis. |
Allocation of expenditure |
Salary and related staff costs are directly allocated to a charitable activity or other resources expended heading on the basis of time spent. The charity distinguishes between overhead costs in support of its charitable work, for example course administration, marketing and training equipment, and general administration costs. Both categories of overheads are allocated to fundraising, charitable activity and governance costs based on the amount of direct expenditure incurred. |
AMORTISATION OF INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Amortisation is calculated to write off the cost of intangible fixed assets on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives at the following rate : |
Website and software : Straight line 3 years |
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Plant and machinery | - |
Fixtures and fittings | - |
STOCKS |
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. |
TAXATION |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
FUND ACCOUNTING |
Funds held by the charity are: |
SOUNDABOUT |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
FUND ACCOUNTING |
Unrestricted funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. Income is recognised as unrestricted income when the charity becomes entitled to the income as a result of activities already performed and any pre-conditions have been met. Where this is not the case the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the activities have been performed. |
Designated funds - these comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the Trustees Report; any movements are in the notes to the financial statements. |
Restricted funds - these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. The Trustees monitor and discuss the restricted funds at meetings to ensure the restricted expenditure is allocated accordingly. |
3. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Other trading/fundraising activities | 46,707 | 49,981 |
4. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Investments | 992 | 21 |
5. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure is stated after charging/(crediting): |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ |
Depreciation - owned assets | 4,743 | 3,968 |
Website costs amortisation | 1,015 | 1,846 |
6. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. |
TRUSTEES' EXPENSES |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. |
SOUNDABOUT |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
7. | STAFF COSTS |
No member of staff earned more than £60,000 a year. |
The average number of employees during the year was 14 (2022 - 12). |
8. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
funds | fund | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Other trading activities |
Investment income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities |
Total |
NET INCOME |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward | 39,851 | 91,686 |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 43,976 | 92,207 | 136,183 |
SOUNDABOUT |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
9. | INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Website |
Costs |
£ |
COST |
At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 |
AMORTISATION |
At 1 April 2022 |
Charge for year |
At 31 March 2023 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2023 |
At 31 March 2022 |
10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Fixtures |
Plant and | and |
machinery | fittings | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1 April 2022 |
Additions |
At 31 March 2023 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 April 2022 |
Charge for year |
At 31 March 2023 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2023 |
At 31 March 2022 |
11. | STOCKS |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Stock |
SOUNDABOUT |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
12. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Trade debtors |
Other debtors |
Prepayments and accrued income |
13. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Social security and other taxes |
Accrued expenses |
14. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1/4/22 | in funds | 31/3/23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds | 43,976 | 8,439 | 52,415 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted funds | 92,207 | 40,490 | 132,697 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 48,929 | 185,112 |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds | 136,076 | (127,637 | ) | 8,439 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted funds | 294,145 | (253,655 | ) | 40,490 |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 48,929 |
SOUNDABOUT |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
14. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1/4/21 | in funds | 31/3/22 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds | 39,851 | 4,125 | 43,976 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted funds | 91,686 | 521 | 92,207 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 131,537 | 4,646 | 136,183 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds | 142,388 | (138,263 | ) | 4,125 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted funds | 268,885 | (268,364 | ) | 521 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 411,273 | (406,627 | ) | 4,646 |
15. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
There have been no related party transactions in the year. |
SOUNDABOUT |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
16. | SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS |
Funds 31.03.22 |
Incoming Resources |
Outgoing Resources |
Transfers |
Funds at 31.03.23 |
Restricted Income Funds |
Schools | 3,000 | - | 2,000 | 1,000 |
Building Bridges | 14,915 | 10,000 | 24,915 | - |
Music Hubs | 12,873 | 1,200 | 14,073 | - |
Family Community Programme |
7,679 |
15,957 |
22,879 |
757 |
Inclusive Choir | 13,195 | 57,377 | 44,820 | 25,752 |
Equipment | 4,206 | 750 | 1,184 | 3,772 |
Staff Training and Development |
- |
4,400 |
1,065 |
3,335 |
Sounds Wild | 4,779 | 21,487 | 11,064 | 15,202 |
Festivals | 5,000 | 12,050 | 7,558 | 9,492 |
Family Support | 8,143 | 50,000 | 48,545 | 9,598 |
Sounds Together | - | 40,000 | - | 40,000 |
Community Commissioned Work |
(200 |
) |
15,900 |
15,319 |
381 |
Choir Commissioned Work | 18,617 | 41,711 | 36,920 | 23,408 |
Schools Commissioned | - | 23,313 | 23,313 | - |
Total restricted funds | 92,207 | 294,145 | 253,655 | 132,697 |
Unrestricted income funds |
Unrestricted income funds | 43,976 | 136,076 | 127,637 | 52,415 |
Total charity funds | 136,183 | 430,221 | 381,292 | 185,112 |