REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05023067 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1103002

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOR

SOUNDABOUT

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Report of the Trustees

2

to

16

Independent Examiner's Report

17

Statement of Financial Activities

18

Balance Sheet

19

to

20

Notes to the Financial Statements

21

to

27

TRUSTEES

S J Claridge (resigned 10/7/2024)

Y Dattani (resigned 3/9/2024)

M Hartley

K Ungerer (resigned 15/1/2025)

E Newsome (resigned 10/7/2024)

C Thomson

B Weston-Conway

E Nunns

C W Yuen

H Chandler (appointed 17/7/2024)

B Travis (appointed 17/7/2024)

J Baird (appointed 17/7/2024)

I Pasricha (appointed 24/3/2025)

REGISTERED OFFICE

John Eccles House

Robert Robinson Avenue

Oxford

Oxfordshire

OX4 4GP

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER

05023067 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

1103002

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

Charity Bank Limited

Fosse House

182 High Street

Tonbridge

TN9 1BE

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 2025. 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

Charitable objects as per the Memorandum and Articles of Association:

To provide relief to people with severe learning difficulties and physical difficulties by the provision of interactive music making sessions.

Vision: A world where everyone can access and experience music.

Mission: Soundabout uses music, sound, and silence to create opportunities where learning Disabled people with complex support needs thrive.

Values

Kind: We are kind, friendly, and supportive to everyone.

Person-Centred: We celebrate each person; creating sound and music together.

Inclusive: we work hard to create welcoming and accessible spaces.

Aspirational: We use our energy to learn and aim for the best for everyone, while being curious, fun, and creative.

We are working to our strategic business plan 'Soundabout Build' which runs until 2027 and focuses on consolidation and stabilisation of offer, team, and finances, and preparing for the future. We want to build on expertise, knowledge, and learning, while creating new opportunities, innovation, and trailblazing in best practice in the field. We want to ensure that our offer is excellent in all ways, that we can keep Soundabout running robustly and sustainably, that we set ourselves up to grow in the future, and that we lead the sector by sharing our learning. This includes a range of activities listed below under the 'Our programmes' section.

In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, we can confirm that the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and are confident that the work of the charity falls in line with the guidance.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Soundabout Community Introduction

The Soundabout Participant Advisory Group thought it would be lovely to ask the Soundabout community to finish the sentence "Soundabout makes me feel..." as an introduction. Here are some of the responses:

Heard; Alive; Happy; Wonderful; Included; Lucky; Inspired; Grateful; Valued; Seen; Connected; Joy; Less Isolated.

Chair & CEO Introduction

We all assess impact in different ways. Some prefer to look at numbers and statistics, understanding scale and scope through charts and graphs. Others may prefer to read stories, allowing them to get to the emotional heart of transformation. For some, pictures and video tell the most vivid story, giving a sense of place and purpose that even the most gifted wordsmith would struggle to evoke. Whether you read this document from cover to cover or are simply flicking through, we hope that you will get a sense of the impact Soundabout has on the lives of Learning Disabled people in a way that appeals to you.

This report only represents a snapshot in Soundabout's life, but these 12 months, March 2024 - April 2025, have showcased momentum and continued strength. When we launched our three-year strategy, Soundabout Build, in late 2023, we endeavoured to enhance the quality of our output, develop an effective impact framework, develop organisational resilience and grow our cultural profile. In each of these areas, we are proud of the progress we have made. You will notice that our impact framework is now deeply embedded in our communication and reporting, and that our list of supporters is growing and becoming more diverse. Our training programme - generously funded by Youth Music - has been incredibly well received, and our practitioner team consistently deliver outstanding musical opportunities to Learning Disabled people across England and further afield online.

In other areas - such as growing our profile - our steps have been smaller, but we are learning how to communicate more effectively and authentically with our community with greater results. This will continue to be a priority in the final year of this strategic plan, and we remain steadfastly committed to our approach and ethos. This, in collaboration with planned growth in the Soundabout staff team, will supercharge this work in the years ahead.

It would not be possible for us to list every achievement of the last 12 months, but we hope this powerful document gives a flavour of what Soundabout is all about. Of course, the stories shared in this report would remain untold without the generous support of our donors, the tireless work of our staff team, the musical talent of our practitioners, and the dedication of our trustees and volunteers. But above all, we are most grateful to the families and individuals that embrace Soundabout, allowing us into their world. We are immensely proud to make music alongside the Learning Disabled community.

Thank you, as ever, for your continued support of Soundabout.

Ben Weston-Conway, Chair of Trustees

Holly Radford-James, Chief Executive Officer

About Soundabout and our community

We are Soundabout - the nation's specialist Learning Disability music charity

Soundabout utilises music, sound, and silence to make a difference to the lives of Learning Disabled people of all ages, and with complex support needs. Helping every individual to develop their ability to communicate and interact with the world around them in welcoming and accessible spaces both in-person and online.

With nearly thirty years' experience, Soundabout supports around 1,500 participants every year by organising over 1,000 interactive music making sessions. Equally importantly, Soundabout provides training for families, carers, professionals, and partner organisations enabling them to integrate the benefits of Soundabout's immersive music making programmes into the daily lives of the Learning Disabled people they support.

Soundabout Community

At Soundabout, we use the term 'Learning Disabled people with complex support needs' to describe the people we work alongside because, having consulted with Soundabout families and Disabled people, we have found this term to be most aligned with the social model of disability (the understanding that disability is something created by barriers in society). At the same time, we also respect that individuals may choose to identify differently, and that care and education sectors may use 'Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities' (PMLD).

There are:

- 1.3 million Learning Disabled people in England

- 20,000 Learning Disabled adults and 10,000 Learning Disabled children with complex support needs.

- Only 5.1% of Learning Disabled adults are in paid work.

Barriers often faced by Learning Disabled people with complex support needs include:

- More than one disability, including a physical disability

- Requiring those who know them well to interpret communication

- Complex physical and mental health needs

- Inaccessible career, leisure, and art/cultural opportunities

- Isolation, loneliness, and poor visibility in society

- Financial challenges

Our Vision: A world where everyone can access and experience music.

Our Mission: Soundabout uses music, sound, and silence to create opportunities where learning Disabled people with complex support needs thrive.

Our Values:

Kind: We are kind, friendly, and supportive to everyone.

Person-Centred: We celebrate each person; creating sound and music together.

Inclusive: we work hard to create welcoming and accessible spaces.

Aspirational: We use our energy to learn and aim for the best for everyone, while being curious, fun, and creative.

To achieve our mission, we focus on 5 key outcomes for the Learning Disabled people we support: Improving Connectedness; Developing Communication; Encouraging Enjoyment; Increasing Self-Expression, Improving Health and Wellbeing.

We also focus on 4 key strategic aims to help Soundabout build from strength to strength: High quality delivery from a diverse practitioner team; Developing our impact measurement; Build sustainability by diversifying income; Grow Soundabout's profile.

To understand the difference we make, we measure our impact by collecting data from our projects and talking to the people who take part. We are proud to share insights into our services and the impact they have. We need music now more than ever - let us show you how music changes lives.

Our Programmes

Soundabout Choirs: a national network bringing Learning Disabled people of all ages and their local communities together to share their voices in ways accessible to them.

Sounds Virtual: online music-making sessions accessible live and on demand, meaning members can join from home, hospices, hospitals, day centres, and school!

Sounds Sensory: projects transforming schools and community spaces into themed immersive multi-sensory environments that engage all the senses.

Sounds Wild: innovative music-making sessions in inspiring outdoor spaces using a Forest School approach to access the many benefits of connecting with nature.

Sounds Together: face-to-face community music making sessions with small groups of Learning Disabled people where they design the project!

Training: families, carers, professionals, and partner organisations to use Soundabout techniques in the daily lives of the Learning Disabled people they support.

Emerging Leaders and Graduates: accredited course and work placements supporting Learning Disabled people to enhance leadership skills and confidence will preparing to become music practitioners.

Timeline & Our Year in Numbers

Key Dates between April 2024-March 2025

- April - Second Annual Workshop with National Children's Choir of Great Britain

- May - Tewkesbury Big Weekend

- June - Summer Performances including at Chalkhouse Green Farm Open Gardens and Plater Trust Awards

- July - I Can Carnival & Emerging Leaders Graduation

- August - Sounds Sensory Online launched & Resonance Board Training

- September - Sounds Together Exeter launched

- October - Autumn Sounds Wild school visits

- November - Live Better Live Longer workshops by Graduates

- December - Shine a Light campaign and events

- January - Moveabout campaign

- February - Bristol Information Event

- March - Volunteer Co-ordinator recruited due to National Lottery Grant for choirs and volunteering

Overview in Numbers for April 2024-March 2025

Previous Year

2024-25

Sessions

962

1,045

Total Attendees

3,341

3,502

Learning Disabled Participants

1,576

1.425

Parents / Carers

753

1,159

Professionals

890

723

YouTube Views

40,775

48,138

Graduate Emerging Leader Work Placements

65

180

Arts Award Qualification Success Rate

100%

100%

The slight reduction in Learning Disabled Participants is due to a small reduction in school commissions. Last year we had more large school groups and so anticipated the 2025 count to be much smaller than it ended up being. Please note that there may be some discrepancies between how staff have captured 'professionals' and 'parents / carers' with regards to paid carers, and so these stats are best placed read together, showing an overall increase in the number of parents, carers, and professionals we supported.

Outcomes Review

This section reviews Soundabout's progress towards the 5 main outcomes we aim to achieve with Learning Disabled people. We have provided data from a range of sources as evidence of progress towards each outcome.

Outcome 1: Improving Connectedness

Soundabout music making opportunities are group opportunities that enable Learning Disabled people with complex support needs to build positive relationships with their peers, parents and carers, and wider communities. Soundabout activities build strong networks and friendships that forge a sense of belonging. We use our national platform to showcase our community's talents and to shine a light on their experiences.

Evidence towards improving connectedness:

"For Michael I think it's the sheer enjoyment, he loves the sessions and we know he gets a lot out of it. We get the pleasure of watching and listening and also taking part. There's various activities we can do which help Michael. I think it's also he gets a lot from the diversity of the group because the group are all made up of different individuals and each person brings something, and Michael brings something as well... He enjoys that feedback!... What he gets from here is the group, it's that interaction that being 'part of' something. Something a bit bigger than him on his own and gives him different perspectives." Carer (Sounds Together - Adults).

"I'd like to mention 'I Can Carnival'. We literally spent the whole day doing that and it was amazing. There's so many amazing benefits to these festivals but the fact that I just allowed myself to spend the day with the girls doing that, back-to-back sessions, they were all so different as well. It gave Maisy more of me which, sometimes I forget to do because like we're so consumed by dealing other things that, we overlook sometimes just spending that time doing those sessions together. It created such special, special times as a family. Maisy had been so unwell that day but then as soon as Karen [Soundabout Practitioner] came on and she heard her friends, she was giving so many smiles, so many giggles. In those moments, you just forget about all the bad stuff, you know, when they have bad days and rough days... you can just turn on the screen and connect with other people, with friends. And then she responds in the way she does. It creates those special moments. All the time." Parent (I Can Carnival)

"Soundabout are just amazing! My son absolutely loves his sessions with Soundabout. It gives him the opportunity to combine his most favourite things - music, singing and saying hello to people! The [Soundabout] practitioners are brilliant, so professional, kind, caring and they just get my son, they have an amazing talent to bring out the best in every participant at whatever level they are.... it's really fascinating to observe. Soundabout have created something much greater than just music sessions, they have created a community which makes you feel so included, my son feels part of something, something that's his and gives him musical and social opportunities which are not readily available in his outside world." Parent (Sounds Virtual and Graduate Emerging Leaders)

"It always just feels like the most epic family reunion, with the family we chose for ourselves and who make us feel safe, valued and loved." Parent (Sounds Virtual and I Can Carnival)

"My son really enjoys the sessions. He is highly anxious and sometimes find accessing the community overwhelming. Soundabout sessions allow him to feel a part of the community and interact and socialise with people." Parent (Sounds Virtual)

"I am amazed at how we have been able to build a community in such a short time." Choir Leader, Soundabout Associate Choir Network

100% of parent / carers reported a rise in confidence in supporting their child using music from the start to the end of Sounds Together Early Years Birmingham by at least 3 points on a 1-10 confidence scaling exercise.

"I would strongly recommend this project to other families. It has brought these children together, built up confidence of both children and families. I have seen a development in all of the children, particularly the little boy I care for. This project has taught me ways to continue what we have been doing every week and I can't wait to try things out. The EYIS and Soundabout staff have been amazing - professional, fun and in tune with each child and providing exactly what they need. It has been outstanding. More children should experience this project. I will truly miss this project, all of the staff and other families involved. 100% recommend!" Carer (Sounds Together - Early Years)

Across all Soundabout programmes, participants are 'having a go', 'achieving' and excelling in each level 'Me and My World' segment of the Sounds of Intent 'Me Framework'.

As part of our efforts to improve connectedness within the community and externally, we have supported Learning Disabled musicians in Soundabout choirs to release 6 public music videos which have been view 5,584 times, and to perform to audiences across the country.

Outcome 2: Developing Communication

Soundabout uses music, sound, and silence as tools to explore and enhance communication with and between learning Disabled people and the communities around them. Communication might be through vocalising or non-verbal e.g. facial expressions or gestures.

Our sessions allow plenty of space and time to explore communication and interactions, along with allowing space for silence and processing time. We work closely with learning Disabled people and their close supporters to learn their communication styles and follow their lead. We also support parents, carers, and professionals to learn how to interact and communicate musically so they can continue this outside of sessions.

Evidence towards developing communication:

"Soundabout came into William and I's life when he was in hospital and I was desperate to find something to entertain him. It has become so much more than that for us both. It was a lifeline during the 3 years he was unable to access school. A chance to learn together through music, to communicate on his level and make connections with peers and excellent music practitioners. The online sessions have opened up the world for William and given him an opportunity to socialise outside of school in a way that isn't possible for us living in such a remote rural area and facing the challenge of accessing after school activities when school is an hour from home. We appreciate so much the ability to attend wherever we are and it is a slice of normality when we are stuck in a hospital a long way from home to be able to see and hear familiar faces. Soundabout really is a community that feels more like a family and its essential to us all. The chance to take a moment in the day to make music and take joy in that. It's enormously powerful for William as its given him joy and the power to connect with others and communicate in his own way. I have learnt so much from the sessions, my own confidence in communicating with William using music has been built when attending the sessions and it has made our lives happier.' Parent (Sounds Virtual)

"One more thing I want to mention is the wonderful [Soundabout] practitioners. Charlie has built up a virtual relationship with three practitioners in particular, Karen, Georgie and Will, who just get her and over these last four or five years, know how she responds and even on the YouTube sessions when Karen only has information through the typed chat, she knows how Charlie will be responding and can incorporate her in that way. With no verbal communication, Charlie's world is very closed and limited but Soundabout has truly opened up this world. Thank you everyone at Soundabout." Parent (Sounds Virtual)

"My son has built a very good interactive skills since he started attending the class. He now murmurs in an attempt to start speaking. He can now engage better with play items. He can now flow with rhymes either by shaking his head, tapping his feet, murmuring or clapping of hands. He is now comfortable in the midst of new faces compared to before." Parent (Sounds Together - Early Years)

Forms of communication reported across all programmes by practitioners included 'showed awareness of others', 'interacted with others', 'initiated interactions', 'made intentional choice / preference', 'use of facial expression', 'use of body language', 'eye contact or eye pointing', 'vocalisation'.

100% of parent / carers answered 'Strongly Agree' to the following statement at the end of Sounds Together Early Years (Birmingham) project: "I now have some ways of interacting and engaging with my child through music / song / rhyme to support their development."

Outcome 3: Encouraging Enjoyment

Being playful with music and sound is a big part of the Soundabout ethos, resulting in increased feelings of enjoyment. The atmosphere of our sessions is relaxed and fun with playful interactions being at the heart of our delivery. We aim to encourage everyone to enjoy music making at our sessions showing delight through laughing, smiling, indicating for 'more' and returning to Soundabout sessions.

Evidence towards encouraging enjoyment:

"Emma said she really enjoys Soundabout and it's so much fun. We would say that Soundabout helped Emma a lot in building up her confidence when doing the performances as well as the online sessions and through the emerging leader schemes. Music is part of her life now and we can see that she feels safe and happy from the bottom of her heart when she is with Soundabout. Soundabout is helping so many families like us and we cannot say more to thank you all." Parent (Choirs and Graduate Emerging Leaders)

"You have no idea how much impact yesterday [work experience] has had on B. She has beaming ever since & was talking about it for ages. We are very proud of her. Please do ask her again for anything else you feel she is up to." Parent (Graduate Emerging Leaders)

"These sessions have been amazing for him and his development. They are absolutely wonderful, please keep them going. I told him that he is going to his music class today and will see his friends and he vocalised so loudly." Carer (Sounds Together - Early Years)

"I just wanted to let you know that today was a really amazing session, and I am looking forward to this 12-week journey. I am kind of sad that we are already one week down. It is really exciting, and I love how J engaged, and I love what I have already been able to learn from the first session. I am looking forward to next week. Also, there are already bits of information and tips and techniques that I have picked from Will [Soundabout Practitioner] that I have found useful." Parent (Sounds Together - Early Years)

"I've really enjoyed it. I was leader in the group, I was leading with the drum and my hand to stop and the group was following me. I enjoyed that!" Participant (Sounds Together - Young Adults)

"It was just the most amazing day! All the sessions were such fun and so engaging. Hats off to the Soundabout team for their imagination, creativity and really slick production." Parent (I Can Carnival)

"It was SO awesome!! Her best day of the holiday so far.' Parent (Sounds Virtual)

In Soundabout practitioner reflections of Oxford Choir participants, practitioners reported enjoyment in 92% of participants who were individually observed over the course of the year.

"He often enthusiastically nods his head and moves his body rhythmically to the music, expressing a lot of joy in this movement. He also smiled and recognised when his ideas and movements were celebrated by leaders." Practitioner (Oxford Choir)

83% of Song Explorer practitioner observations reported 'enjoyment' in participant interactions. The top engagements in this area were 'Smiling', 'Laughing', 'Swaying/Rocking' and 'Vocalising'.

"She smiled in response to things she likes. During our heartbeat song we were looking to do it again and she seemed to lift her head up smiling which suggested she wanted more of the heartbeat sounds." Practitioner (Song Explorers)

Outcome 4: Increasing Self-Expression

Everyone has a right to agency and self-expression. Soundabout techniques provide opportunities to explore that sense of self and provides a creative outlet with Learning Disabled people.

By self-expression we mean being able to participate in creative sound-based activities, to enhance sense of self and others (explored via interactive activities), being able to make choices, and express likes and dislikes.

Our person centred approach means that sessions are co-designed with attendees, following their lead and their choices throughout.

Evidence towards increasing self-expression:

"It's just so uplifting and the way he copies, recognition of sounds and beats, how he claps his hands to the beat, he really loves music and singing, so enjoyable. Just makes the children all so happy, so lovely to see all their smiles. I think it's really beneficial for the children. Literally our highlight of our week. He has got so confident over the weeks." Parent (Sounds Together - Early Years)

"My son M has been in the choir since the very first session and he's also a graduate emerging leader. He's virtually nonverbal. He's got severe learning difficulties and he's very shy as well. He knows everyone at the choir. He knows what's going to happen. There's no surprises. And he can just be on his own if he wants to and spin about and do whatever he wants. Anyway, Ellen [Soundabout Practitioner] had asked him in one of the sessions if he wanted to take part in a song and help to lead it as part of his graduate emerging leader experience. And we suggested we would but also we knew there was no pressure if he didn't want to on the day. His dad came with us to the rehearsal and this song came up. And before Ellen had said it, he jumped up to go... He took the mic and he just sang and led this song in front of everyone. We were, well we were in shock, he's never done that before. It was so wonderful to see. His father was laughing, through joy and shock... cause he knew that was his song. He sang in his own way and then afterwards, all the practitioners, everyone, was all so excited to come and speak to him and celebrate him. Martin, our [Soundabout Practitioner] instrumentalist came up and said 'Do you know what? He was completely in pitch, he was singing all in pitch.' Everyone thought it was fantastic! The choir and the Emerging Leaders programme has just made such a big impact on him and us, please just continue doing what you're doing." Parent (Choir, Graduate Emerging Leaders)

"I've told anybody for Soundabout, I so enjoy what I do, it's a joy to do it and I say, even though it can be hard, I like to give it go and other people need to realise that anyone that's in a chair needs to give anything a go. Needs to realise who they actually are and just be themselves because a lot of people aren't their selves in any chair. So, in a Soundabout way, it is all about music and you can talk with music, you can sing with music.. you can do anything. I've been to a Soundabout session where you can make music up and I've been one of their online sessions where you have to make a song and being in that way of making is very enjoyable and I think people need to know that you can… I've seen people make music with their mouths and I think how talented they are not using their hands but to move their heads to make music is a brilliant thing because that shows people you can do different things with different technologies…" Participant (Graduate Emerging Leaders)

"Work experience is a lot of fun and enjoyable. Within the work experience I have kept my leading skills and trying new things like the backing track for the new songs. I have learnt new things within the work experience and really enjoyed myself. Like in the past, I would have been really shy. I wouldn't be able to do it, but now that I overcome that knowing it'll be ok, it does help. I never thought I'd be a role model. But it's just amazing." Participant (Graduate Emerging Leaders)

100% of participants who took part in Sounds Together Programmes across England showed evidence of making developments self-expression throughout the project.

"She reached out whilst smiling, took a support workers hand and made a beat by tapping her finger on the fingers of the support worker. She enjoyed playing the wind chimes independently and understood that we were all listening to her solo. She also played sounds using the iPad, looking up and smiling and understanding that we were listening to the sounds she was creating." Practitioner (Sounds Together)

75% of participants in Sounds Sensory Online participants showed evidence of self-expression in Levels 1 & 2 of Sounds of Intent 'Me Framework' (me, my thoughts and feelings). 25% of participants have showed evidence of self-expression in Levels 4 of Sounds of Intent 'Me Framework' (me, my thoughts and feelings). Practitioner (Sounds Sensory Online)

Outcome 5: Promoting Health and Wellbeing

Music, Sound and Silence can support a sense of well-being by engaging in positive, enjoyable activities. We refer to health and wellbeing of our community as any observed/recorded positive impact on physical and mental health. This could refer to direct impacts e.g. on mental health, or in-direct e.g. by emotionally supporting participants while having medical interventions.

Our sessions bring groups together for meaningful activities, reducing isolation and bringing wellbeing through a sense of purpose. Our Sounds Wild provision provides opportunities to connect with nature and reap the benefits of being outdoors.

Evidence towards promoting health and wellbeing:

"It serves as nerves relaxation after spending time at the session he sleeps soundly. His movement has also improved as he was motivated to do what other children are doing." Parent (Sounds Together - Early Years)

"I swear to God, your sessions should be available in the NHS. They're the best medicine anyone has ever prescribed and the only side effect is pure joy. Your impact in hospital settings is immeasurable. You have made the room safe for Ava when she has felt anything but safe. You've been there for cannulas going in, ECGs, EEGs. You've been there post-surgery, prior to surgery. You've sang to her as she's gone to sleep under the care of an anaesthetist. On many occasions, you didn't even know you were there. But Ava did, and I did, and you made everything feel less terrifying. We weren't alone." Parent (Sounds Virtual and Soundabout Participant Advisory Group)

"I haven't been very well, that's why her carer is here too but I really wanted to come as we rarely get out to places like this and it's done me good too being in the fresh air. She loves the music… and the sensory elements as you can see!" Parent (Sounds Wild)

"Just a quick message of thanks to Soundabout, for T experience at NAIDEX yesterday. He really enjoyed and learned from it. He was also delighted to meet L [Graduate Emerging Leader] in the flesh for the first time. For us [parents] the visit was also instructive in other areas. We got helpful information from exhibitors around helping T get into the workplace... It is hard to express the extent to which T is enriched by his engagement with Soundabout. Thank you again.' Parent (Graduate Emerging Leaders)

In the practitioners reflection reports, practitioners observed improvements in the Health and Wellbeing of 60% of After School Club Participants.

"Even during some of her most poorly or most dystonic days, we have found that attending After School Club can sometimes offer her a respite from her discomfort and allow her to relax for a short while or ease her to sleep." Practitioner (After School Club)

Across all Soundabout programmes, improvements were reported in practitioner reflections around the 'Me & My Body' area of the Sounds of Intent: Me Framework. Most participants were reported to be 'Having a go', achieving or excelling in the Levels 1 & 2 of the framework with a particular focus on movement.

Review of Strategic Aims

This section reviews progress towards Soundabout's 4 Strategic Aims for 'Soundabout Build' our strategy and business plan for 2023-27. Each strategic aim has related objectives to help achieve the aim and we've shared highlights below to demonstrate progress towards these aims.

Strategic Aim 1: To become the 'go to' charity within our specialism in England and Wales, by creating consistently high-quality musical opportunities with our participants facilitated by a diverse team of expert music practitioners.

Soundabout's geographical reach continues to widen through Sounds Together programmes and Associate Choirs in areas such as Devon, Kent, and the North West. While good progress is being made, there are many more possible areas of the country that might benefit from in-person Soundabout opportunities. In the interim, Soundabout continues to reach wider networks of Learning Disabled people indirectly through the training and mentoring of parents, carers, and professionals who support them. In the last year Soundabout supported 1,159 Parents and Carers and 723 Professionals were supported via public training programmes, training projects with schools and other organisations, mentoring programmes, and reflective sharing sessions, as well as through informal practice modelling during music making sessions. Many of the 1,882 parents, carers, and professionals trained by Soundabout support more than one Learning Disabled person.

Soundabout's commitment to ensuring the highest quality of delivery was supported by 'Soundabout Grow', our Youth Music funded workforce development programme. Year 2 of the 3 year programme saw the implementation of a new and bespoke Quality Assurance Framework designed using feedback from our community. 25 peer observation visits were undertaken by practitioners and staff across virtual and in-person provision ensuring consistency and quality of delivery. As part of the programme, 5 open agenda peer support sessions offered space for peer discussion and reflection around any specific topics or concerns related to their practice. In addition, 6 practitioner training days saw our commitment to best practice enhanced by external experts in areas such as intensive interaction, non-verbal communication, Makaton signing, and mental health with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.

"I've really noticed the paid training opportunities provided by Soundabout grow and I really am grateful. The ones I've been able to attend have been so helpful and inspiring, thank you!" Practitioner

Data from practitioner self-evaluation includes; 80% selected "overall, I have felt satisfied in my work at Soundabout", 100% selected "I feel like my work is valued and my voice is heard".

Soundabout's Emerging Leaders and Graduate Emerging Leaders programmes continued to develop Learning Disabled young people who are interested in careers in the sector, while also diversifying the workforce. The young leaders have been informing organisational development and bring a wealth of creative thinking to Soundabout. Cohort 3 (autumn 2023 to summer 2024) completed their course with all 10 Emerging Leaders successfully achieving Bronze Arts Awards through Trinity College London, gaining formal accreditation and UCAS points. Targets for Graduate Emerging Leader work placements were exceeded with 180 placements undertaken during the year, an 176% increase from the previous year. Placements were bespoke to the young leader's choices and goals, including video production, sounds together project assistant, group facilitation, choir leading, graphic design, concert hosting, signing video production, DJ, presenting, audio recording.

Strategic Aim 2: To further understand and demonstrate the value of our work by developing the way we measure impact.

Throughout the year the team have worked hard to continue implementing Soundabout's evaluation framework which captures data against the five core outcomes we reported on in the previous section of this report. The use of the Sounds of Intent Framework and the Sounds of Intent Me Framework (demonstrated above) has supported the capture of quantative data across some outcomes, however we are still experimenting with other meaningful ways of capturing and measuring progress outside of observations and quotes. Alongside our outcomes evaluation, the Soundabout Participant Advisory Group, Emerging Leaders, and Graduate Emerging Leaders, have been pivotal in offering their feedback into decision making at every level. Accessibility measures to support participant voice have been experimented with such as video and audio recording responses as well as incorporating interactive music making in focus group sessions to encourage contributions. Work in this area is contributing to a greater understanding of the impact of our work and a robustness to our practices.

An example of the Sounds of Intent Framework in action from a report to the Lightbulb Trust in July 2024:

Measuring against a Framework: Sounds of Intent

To measure outcomes more effectively, Soundabout has implemented the Sounds of Intent Framework into practitioner practice and feedback forms. Sounds of Intent focusses on three key musical areas of development which permeates into wider areas of personal development, these areas are: 'Reactive' listening and responding to sounds and music, 'Proactive' making sounds, singing and playing alone, and 'Interactive' making sounds and music with other people. .

In this example the SOI Framework was used to explore the following specific project outcome: 'Develop inclusive musical communities that reduce isolation of profoundly Disabled people.' We used observations of progress made in the interactive area of the framework. An increase in progress made in interactivity would translate into wider development such as being able to listen to and respond to others and therefore forming connections with the wider community and reducing feelings of isolation.

Sounds of Intent identifies six levels of musical engagement that occur sequentially in human development. Neurotypical age of occurrence, together with the levels of Neurodiversity likely to be associated with each form of musical engagement in older children, young people and adults, is compared with associated level of disability. For example, Level 1 'learning to hear' which in neurotypical occurrence would be prior to three months before birth and relates to those with the most profound learning disabilities.

In the interactivity area of the framework, the six levels of interactive progress descriptors are as follows:

1. Relates unwittingly through sound.

2. Interacts with others using sound.

3. Copies others' sounds and/or is aware of own sounds being copied.

4. Engages in musical dialogues using motifs.

5. Performs and/or improvises short and simple pieces of music with other people which may increase in complexity over time.

6. Performs and/or improvises music of increasing sophistication expressively with other people.

Each descriptor pertains to one of three sub-levels of engagement: 'having a go', got it!' (which for the purpose of the report we have called 'consistently achieving') and 'taking things further'. Once a participant is consistently achieving at a particular element, they can take things further and 'excel' within that area.

Example Case Study:

As an organisation we are particularly focussed on supporting participants to access and progress between levels 2 - 4. Using the practitioner evaluations from Sounds Together Touchbase Pears we are able to see how the Sounds Together sessions directly impact progress made by participants against the Sounds of Intent Framework with evaluations being measured at the beginning middle and end of the project.

J's Progress against the Sounds of Intent Framework (Levels 2 - 4)

Please note: areas of progress from start to the end of the project are highlighted in bold.

Sounds of Intent Levels of Interactivity

Start of Project

Midway of Project

End of Project

L2 Interacts with others using sound

Consistently Achieving

Taking it Further

Taking it Further

L3 Copies others' sounds and/or is aware of own sounds being copied

Having a Go

Consistently Achieving

Taking it Further

L4 Engages in musical dialogues using motifs

No Evidence

No Evidence

Having a Go

As seen in the above example, J made progress across three levels of the Sounds of Intent framework specifically in the area of interactivity across the 12-week project. By showing evidence of interacting using sound, being aware of others using sound, and beginning to engage in musical dialogues, it gives J the skills and outlet to express himself and connect with others.

Example of practitioner comments in relation to interactivity progress of J during the sessions:

'J was smiling and shrieking, turning his head towards sounds and familiar people making sounds to him/copying him.'

'J was happy and confident to engage with both myself and Emily [Soundabout Practitioner], resting hand on drum as we tap it and singing into microphone.'

'J sang an ah sound responding quickly and rhythmically to Emily [Soundabout Practitioner] in a call and response manner'

Strategic Aim 3. Build Soundabout's resilience and sustainability by diversifying income streams, enabling the organisation to evolve within the landscape we operate in.

Soundabout continued to focus fundraising efforts on unrestricted income, in multi-year form where possible, and from a diverse range of sources. This approach has been working well, with multi-year grants secured for unrestricted income, choirs, volunteering, and emerging leaders from The National Lottery Reaching Communities England Fund, The Lightbulb Trust, and St James's Place Charitable Foundation.

Currently fundraising responsibilities lie with the Chief Executive Officer and a freelance Trusts and Foundations fundraiser who works for the charity 2 days per month. Soundabout sourced funding to bring additional fundraising support for 2 days per week from September 2024 - March 2025. This gave a boost to the charity's community and events fundraising work, with the production of many resources. Additional fundraising capacity is being worked towards to further develop and diversify Soundabout's fundraising and income generation.

New areas of fundraising have started to be trialled such as legacy fundraising. During this period Soundabout signed up to the National Free Wills Network and is now able to offer supporters the opportunity to write their will for free in the hope that they leave a gift to Soundabout once they have sorted their loved ones. Donor stewardship is an ongoing area of development for Soundabout. The charity's Sparkle with Soundabout 'Light' campaign in the winter of 2024 included a Christmas Big Give appeal which introduced new donors to Soundabout and encouraged higher donations from previous donors. We continue to build on the work above modestly while looking at ways to increase capacity in this area.

In early 2025 Soundabout underwent a recruitment drive for 3 staff team roles; Administrator (due to a staff member moving on), Marketing & Communications Officer (new post, repurposing some of the previous Administrator's duties), and a Volunteer Co-ordinator (new post, fully funded by the National Lottery grant). This recruitment drive was incredibly successful with 1,074 applications across the roles. The Marketing and Communications Officer started the role in May, outside of this reporting period, and is already enhancing fundraising and income generation efforts.

We are incredibly grateful to all our supporters and have listed below, with thanks, the Trusts and Foundations who gave over £5,000:

Baily Thomas Charitable Trust

EBM Charitable Trust

Garfield Weston Foundation

Golden Bottle Trust

Heart of England Inclusive Communities Fund

MacFarlane Family Foundation

MariaMarina Foundation

Morgan Blake Charitable Trust

National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund and Awards For All

St James's Place Charitable Foundation

The Charles Plater Trust

The Promenaders Musical Charity

The Thomas Curtis Foundation

Youth Music

Strategic Aim 4: Grow Soundabout's professional, personal, and cultural profile.

Over the past year we have worked hard to grow our profile among organisations within the music sector, the arts sector more widely, as well as the health and social care sector. Most of our efforts have been building connections in the local areas surrounding our in-person delivery, creating tangible signposting opportunities and raising awareness of our work among potential recipients and supporters. We worked with 61 partners across the year including 24 from our choir network.

Media coverage has been limited due to staff capacity relating to changes among the Soundabout team and reduced capacity due to the workload of recruitment. Press coverage included Graduate Emerging Leaders being interviewed live and the 'Shine a Light' original composition being aired on BBC Radio West Midlands, alongside Sounds Wild articles featuring in NHS publications. Engagement with Soundabout social media channels has increased for example views on the Soundabout YouTube channel increased by 18% to 48,138, and Facebook followers has increased by 4% to 5,513.

Recruitment of a Marketing and Communications Officer has been the main significant development towards this aim. This is a completely new post and it will provide capacity and expertise in this area which should significantly support the growth of Soundabout's profile. The recruitment of a Volunteer Co-ordinator will also help to boost Soundabout's profile. This is also a brand new role for the organisation and will allow us to launch a programme that reaches out to new potential supporters offering chances to engage with the organisation in a more bespoke and meaningful way than we have previously been able to offer. We hope that the recruitment of new volunteers will create a pool of engaged people who can advocate for the charity and raise awareness in their communities and networks, complementing the charity's current small scale champions programme.

Finally, to grow our profile we committed to finding and creating platforms for our participants to perform or share their music, achievements, and stories in meaningful ways. Events and performances included the Tewkesbury Big Weekend, Chalkhouse Green Farm Open Gardens, Soundabout concerts in Wiltshire and Oxford, plus a joint workshop with the National Children's Choir of Great Britain at their spring residential course. The Soundabout Choirs recorded and released 6 music videos, including composing a brand new original song called 'Shine a Light'. Collectively the 6 music videos have been viewed 5,584 times on YouTube.

Financial Review

Soundabout continued to raise sufficient funds to deliver our core projects and services despite a backdrop of high competition for funding and the increased cost of living. The charity's income increased from the previous financial year by £137k driven by increased grants and donations raised from Trusts and Foundations. Income highlights include new project funding of £216,556 over 3 years from the National Lottery Community Fund, continuation funding of £75,000 from the MariaMarina Foundation, £31,250 from The MacFarlane Family Foundation for our community projects and £20,000 each from EBM Charitable Trust and Garfield Weston for our core work. The charity has also spent time in the year developing relationships with new trusts and fundraisers, holding showcasing events and meetings.

Expenditure grew by £50k reflecting the increase in project activity and service delivery resulting from the rise in income.

Looking to the future the charity aims to continue diversifying income streams and prioritising multi-year support. Areas of development include earned income, individual giving, legacies, and community fundraising. The charity aims to continue stabilising finances in preparation to design an ambitious strategy which will be launched in the 2027 aligning with Soundabout's 30th anniversary.

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 staff salaries and core costs (£75,699). Current unrestricted reserves are £62,740. The charity aims to increase its unrestricted reserves to their upper limit over the next 2 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.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are recruited openly, with the role advertised publicly inviting applications from a diverse range of applicants. Applicants are shortlisted and interviewed by a panel of Trustees and Soundabout's CEO. The panel then take their recommendation to the full board of Trustees at a general meeting or annual general meeting who vote to appoint the new Trustees. The Articles of Association provide that one-third of the board shall retire from office at each annual general meeting. The Articles allow retiring directors to be eligible for re-election. At the meeting at which a director retires the Articles allow the board to appoint a new director in place of the retiring director.

A chair is elected by the Trustees who will then determine how long the chair will hold office.

The trustees in the form of the Board of Management are responsible for the overall strategic development and control of the charity's activities. Sub-committees may also exist to deal with various issues. Day to day operational management of the charity is delegated by the trustees to Soundabout staff.

During this financial year the Chief Executive Officer remained as Holly Radford-James and the Finance Manager remained as Fiona Kellett.

Risk management

The Trustees have conducted a review of the risks to the charity and maintain a risk register with mitigation in place to reduce those risks. The risk register is reviewed and updated regularly.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

M Hartley - Trustee

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 2025.

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 Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, 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

30 September 2025

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

fund

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

18,658

-

18,658

27,008

Charitable activities

Restricted Funds

-

350,078

350,078

245,357

Unrestricted funds

73,809

-

73,809

43,605

Other trading activities

3

41,698

-

41,698

32,001

Investment income

4

5,534

-

5,534

4,402

Total

139,699

350,078

489,777

352,373

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

7,458

-

7,458

7,200

Charitable activities

Restricted Funds

-

312,915

312,915

291,705

Unrestricted funds

125,269

-

125,269

96,463

Total

132,727

312,915

445,642

395,368

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

6,972

37,163

44,135

(42,995

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

55,768

86,349

142,117

185,112

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

62,740

123,512

186,252

142,117

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

fund

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

10

2,073

-

2,073

4,850

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks

11

1,235

-

1,235

1,293

Debtors

12

21,326

-

21,326

6,596

Cash at bank

48,812

123,512

172,324

143,332

71,373

123,512

194,885

151,221

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

13

(10,706

)

-

(10,706

)

(13,954

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

60,667

123,512

184,179

137,267

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

62,740

123,512

186,252

142,117

NET ASSETS

62,740

123,512

186,252

142,117

FUNDS

14

Unrestricted funds

62,740

55,768

Restricted funds

123,512

86,349

TOTAL FUNDS

186,252

142,117

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 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.

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 24 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

M Hartley - Trustee

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

-

33% on cost

Fixtures and fittings

-

33% on cost

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:

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

2025

2024

£

£

Other trading/fundraising activities

41,698

32,001

4.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

£

Investments

5,534

4,402

5.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

Depreciation - owned assets

2,777

2,679

6.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

TRUSTEES' EXPENSES

£94 (2024 - £nil) was paid to 3 Trustees for expenses incurred during the year.