Company registration number NI051710 (Northern Ireland)
Charity registration number NIC101104 (Northern Ireland)
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Directors
Mr D J Canmore
Mr P McCrisken
Mrs C J Wells
Lady D E Trimble
Mr D W Smyth
Mr M McKavanagh
Mr R Pollen
Ms R Millar
Ms N Curran
Mr S M Robinson
Secretary
Mr S M Robinson
Country of incorporation
United Kingdom
NI051710
(Northern Ireland)
Charity registration
Northern Ireland
NIC101104
Registered office
D6 Colvin House, Inspire Business Park
Carrowreagh Rd
Belfast
BT16 1QT
Auditor
HM Chartered Accountants
6th Floor East Tower
Lanyon Plaza
8 Lanyon Place
Belfast
Co. Antrim
BT1 3LP
Bankers
Ulster Bank
91/93 University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NB
Solicitors
Elliott Duffy Garrett
C/O Elliott Duffy Garrett
40 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BA
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
CONTENTS
Page
Directors' report
1 - 4
Statement of Directors' responsibilities
5
Independent auditor's report
6 - 9
Statement of financial activities
10
Statement of financial position
11
Notes to the financial statements
12 - 20
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 1 -

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)

Structure, Governance and Management

The Ulster Youth Orchestra Limited was incorporated on 20 September 2004. There are eleven directors of the company and new directors can be appointed at a properly convened company meeting up to the maximum permitted in the company's Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Objectives and activities

The company exists to give young people from across Northern Ireland the very best quality music tuition as well as the opportunity to perform with the world's leading musicians and conductors. It does this through the provision of an annual residential course consisting of workshops and tutorials ending with two concert performances with additional activities during the year.

The directors have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the company should undertake.

Achievements and performance

In October 2024 the application process for 2025 opened, and a high level of excellent quality applicants entered the audition process.

To facilitate this, an Audition Help Session was held over Zoom in December 2024. Four audition panellists and two UYO staff members delivered a 60-minute talk and Q&A session on how the audition process worked, how to prepare for an audition and what to expect on the day. A recording of the session was made available to those who were unable to attend live.

140 auditions were then held during December, 2024 with the first day held at Strabane Academy and the subsequent two days at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) Music Department. There was a small rise in applicants auditioning in Strabane which was encouraging as UYO aspires to increase engagement in the Northwest.

The annual Play-in Day event was held at QUB on 9th February 2025. Play-in Day was developed to give all applicants a positive experience post audition. 53 young musicians enjoyed a day of rehearsals and a short performance of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s ‘The Bamboula’ and selected movements from Mussorgsky arr. Ravel ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ in preparation for the summer course.

Matthew Quinn returned as our 2025 conductor. Matthew is a versatile young conductor/musical director from Belfast, Northern Ireland who is developing a reputation for his exciting and dynamic approach to his music making. He holds various positions; Chorus Director of English National Opera, Musical Director of Cappella Caeciliana, and Musical Director of London Youth Chamber Choir. Matthew also took up the position of Principal Conductor of National Youth Choir (15-18 Years) in 2025 to add to his portfolio. He has also worked with Chamber Choir Ireland, Northern Ireland Opera, Opera Collective Ireland/Academy für Alte Musik Berlin, the Ulster Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble. Following the initial tutti introduction to both pieces, the orchestra split into sectionals with the strings being taken by UYO alumni Paul McCusker, and brass, wind and percussion being led by Matthew.

UYO’s partnership with the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble continued in April when the Ensemble, 17 UYO members and 20 players from the Limerick School of Music joined together for performances at the Titanic Museum in Belfast. Rehearsals were held at Queen’s Music Department with social activities afterwards to introduce the two groups of young people. Chamber ensembles then performed at Cityside Retail Park, before moving on to the Titanic Museum for the performance of ‘The Sinking of the Titanic’ by Gavin Bryars.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 2 -

The partnership with the Ulster Orchestra also continues, with the Professional Experience Scheme.

The ten-day annual residential course began at Greenmount Agricultural College, Antrim in August 2025 with assistant conductor Matthew Quinn initially picking up the baton. Matthew and a team of highly experienced instrumental tutors took the new orchestra through its paces with a combination of sectional and tutti rehearsals. Eleven tutors were engaged to ‘note-bash’ - establishing the rhythms, articulation, bowings and accidentals before the handover from assistant and tutors to main conductor Michael Seal who then took the orchestra up another level by fine-tuning the phrasing and musicality of the repertoire in preparation for the two public concerts.

Michael Seal holds the position of Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). His in-depth knowledge of orchestras from an insider’s position (he was a violinist with the CBSO early in his career) gives him a unique perspective, and he has built a reputation for outstanding results, delivered with great charm.

Michael has frequently been invited as guest conductor with all 5 BBC orchestras, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestras, as well as the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, BBC Concert Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Both conductors were very popular with the orchestra; the players remarked that Matthew had the quality that they would expect from the main conductor and would love to see him back. The players appreciated Michael Seal’s directness and energy, and they enjoyed listening to his stories from his vast orchestral experience.

New tutors in piano, horn, percussion, harp and cello sections all fitted in and understood the ethos of UYO perfectly. A tutor safeguarding talk was an excellent addition that will now be implemented every year. Welfare safeguarding training had a specific spotlight on inclusion and accommodating players with neurodiversity.

Outside of rehearsals, activities included; Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra workshop and performance, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble workshop, Informal concert, viola session on pellegrinas, career talks on arts management, and teaching styles, life at music college and working in the theatre, African drumming, Bollywood dancing, classes for front desk strings and principal roles and responsibilities.

Two public concerts were held, one at the Guildhall in Derry/Londonderry on 15th August and the finale at the Ulster Hall on Saturday 16th August. Despite the project for Older People having finished in 2024, the clients from Older People Northwest day centre were invited to the Guildhall as our guests which was very much appreciated by those who attended.

To conclude, the residential course was widely considered as one of the most enjoyable in several years and the concerts received glowing reviews from a wide range of attendees and participants.

During the year, string quartets, brass quintets and other small ensembles played at various events e.g. The Graduation Ceremony for Belfast School of Theology, at the Belfast Marathon for BBC Radio Ulster, at Belfast City Hall for the Remembering Srebrenica event, at the Royal Garden Party at Hillsborough Castle, St Anne’s Cathedral for a concert in aid of Cancer Fund for Children, and many more public and private performances.

Finally, the Board was delighted when the Orchestra’s General Manager, Paula Klein, was awarded the BEM for services to young people in classical music in Northern Ireland in the 2025 New Year's Honours List. This award was richly deserved, and is a fitting tribute in recognition of the many years of dedicated service that Paula has devoted to the development of young musicians.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 3 -
Financial review

The company relies on funding and sponsorship as well as personal donations to enable us to undertake all our activities. We also wish to acknowledge the ongoing support of members of the Orchestra and their families along with the invaluable work done by our volunteers. Without the support both financial and in person the activities of the Orchestra would be greatly curtailed. We are particularly grateful to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland who have consistently provided funding, which has provided a solid foundation on which the full artistic programme could be developed with confidence. This in turn has supported the Orchestra’s success in receiving funding awards from other Trusts and Foundations

Major grants and sponsorship received this year were as follows: £

Arts Council of Northern Ireland 5 6,670

Belfast City Council 6,330

Leverhulme Trust 6,000

Enkalon Foundation 2,000

Esme Mitchell Trust 1,000

The income from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Leverhulme Trust and Enkalon Foundation is regarded as restricted and is separately shown on the Statement of Financial Activities. All other income and expenditure is regarded as unrestricted, with any surplus or deficit in the year brought to reserves.

The total level of income during the year was higher than in prior years, due principally to an increase in Orchestra Tax relief. Income from other sources was in line with the previous year.

The net incoming resources for the year amounted to £76,20 8 (2024: £8,845 outgoing) leaving a surplus in reserves at the year-end of £165,26 1 (2024: £89,053), £162,36 6 of which is unrestricted (2024: £79,171).

Reserves Policy

The directors’ policy is to ensure that sufficient unrestricted reserves are available to cover core administration, fund-raising and support costs, without which the charity could not function, and to provide for known future developments, liabilities and uncertainties. The level of reserves is reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Risk Assessment

The directors have assessed the major risks to which the Orchestra is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.

Directors

The directors who served during the year are listed below

Mr A Boyd
(Resigned 12 May 2025)
Mr D J Canmore
Mr P McCrisken
Mrs C J Wells
Lady D E Trimble
Mr D W Smyth
Mr M McKavanagh
Mr R Pollen
Ms R Millar
Ms N Curran
Mr S M Robinson
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 4 -
Auditor

Harbinson Mulholland have indicated their willingness to continue in office and a resolution concerning their re-appointment will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

To the knowledge and belief of the directors, there is no relevant information that the company's auditors are not aware of, and the directors have taken all steps necessary to ensure the directors are aware of any relevant information, and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of the information.

The Directors' r eport was approved by the Board of Directors.

Mr S M Robinson
Secretary
Dated: 11 May 2026
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 5 -

The directors, who also act as trustees for the charitable activities of The Ulster Youth Orchestra, are responsible for preparing the Directors' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the directors to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these accounts, the directors are required to:

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and

- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in operation.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Mr S M Robinson
Secretary
Dated: 11 May 2026
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
- 6 -

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Ulster Youth Orchestra (the ‘company’) for the year ended 30 September 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the statement of financial position and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

-

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 September 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;

-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Accounts and Reports Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-

the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the Directors' report; or

-

sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or

-

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or

-

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
- 7 -
Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the s tatement of Directors' r esponsibilities, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
- 8 -

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

- the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

- we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and/or senior management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector;

We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation, data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation

- we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and

- identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

- making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and

- considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations;

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

- performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;

- tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;

- assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in Note 2 were indicative of potential bias; and

- investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions;

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

- agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;

- reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;

- enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and

- reviewing correspondence with HMRC and the company’s legal advisors;

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
- 9 -

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Angela Craigan (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of HM Chartered Accountants
11 May 2026
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
6th Floor East Tower
Lanyon Plaza
8 Lanyon Place
Belfast
Co. Antrim
BT1 3LP

HM Chartered Accountants is eligible for appointment as auditor of the company by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 10 -
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2025
2025
2025
2024
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
12,345
71,300
83,645
14,812
78,721
93,533
Charitable activities
4
59,811
-
59,811
59,027
-
59,027
Investments
5
1,735
-
1,735
1,443
-
1,443
Other income
6
122,416
-
122,416
25,161
-
25,161
Total income
196,307
71,300
267,607
100,443
78,721
179,164
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
113,112
78,287
191,399
98,198
89,811
188,009
Total expenditure
113,112
78,287
191,399
98,198
89,811
188,009
Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds
83,195
(6,987)
76,208
2,245
(11,090)
(8,845)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 October 2024
79,171
9,882
89,053
76,926
20,972
97,898
Fund balances at 30 September 2025
162,366
2,895
165,261
79,171
9,882
89,053

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT
30 SEPTEMBER 2025
30 September 2025
- 11 -
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
2,831
9,108
Current assets
Debtors
14
-
22,165
Cash at bank and in hand
172,451
76,850
172,451
99,015
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
15
(10,021)
(19,070)
Net current assets
162,430
79,945
Total assets less current liabilities
165,261
89,053
Income funds
Restricted funds
17
2,895
9,882
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
18
150,000
65,000
General unrestricted funds
12,366
14,171
162,366
79,171
165,261
89,053

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 September 2025.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Directors on 11 May 2026
Mr M McKavanagh
Director
Company Registration No. NI051710
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 12 -
1
Accounting policies
1.1
Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The Ulster Youth company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The company has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary a mounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

The charity reported net income of £76,208 for the year, of which £83,195 net income related to unrestricted funds. At the year end the charity held unrestricted funds of £162,366. The directors have prepared projections and, having considered the circumstances outlined above, are of the view that they have secured sufficient funding to ensure that the company can continue to trade for the next 12 months. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the company.
1.4
Income
Income is recognised when the company is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Grants and donations are credited to incoming resources on the earlier date of when they are received or when they are receivable, unless they relate to a specified future period, in which case they are deferred.

Grants and donations which have been restricted for use by the donor or which relate to capital expenditure are treated as restricted income and are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when they are receivable and when any performance conditions attached to the grant or donation have been met.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Ulster Youth Orchestra has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Income from charitable activities includes all incoming resources generated from audition fees, course fees, performances of the orchestra and other sundry items arising from the charitable activities of the organisation. All income is recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -

Income from other trading activates includes all incoming resources from the sale of Ulster Youth Orchestra branded hoodies and t-shirts. All income is recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.

Investment income is recognised when received and is allocated to the appropriate fund.

1.5
Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

This comprises all resources applied by the charity when working to meet its charitable objectives. This includes support costs allocated to activities on the basis of time spent on those activities. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include the costs of maintaining the office.

Governance costs are those incurred in connection with the administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

1.6
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures and fittings
20% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -
1.9
Financial instruments

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future p aymen ts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10
Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 15 -
2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2025
2025
2025
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
Donations and gifts
10,690
-
10,690
9,852
-
9,852
Grants
1,655
71,300
72,955
4,960
78,721
83,681
12,345
71,300
83,645
14,812
78,721
93,533
4
Charitable activities
2025
2024
£
£

Box office income

6,858
4,675

Members' fees

52,953
54,352
59,811
59,027

All income from charitable activities i s unrestricted in 2025 & 2024.

5

Investment s

2025
2024
£
£

Interest recievable

1,735
1,443

All investment income is unrestricted in 2025 & 2024.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 16 -
6
Other income
2025
2024
£
£
Other income
122,416
25,161

Other income includes £118,049 (2024 - £22,164) in respect of Orchestra tax relief.

All Other income is unrestricted in 2025 & 2024.

7

Expenditure on c haritable activities

2025
2024
£
£
Depreciation and impairment
7,246
11,551

Direct costs and overheads

135,478
126,954
142,724
138,505
Share of support costs (see note 9)
46,375
47,204
Share of governance costs (see note 9)
2,300
2,300
191,399
188,009
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
113,112
98,198
Restricted funds
78,287
89,811
191,399
188,009
8
Net movement in funds
2025
2024
£
£
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the audit of the charity's financial statements
2,300
2,300
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
7,246
11,551
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 17 -
9
Support costs
Support costs
Governance costs
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
Staff costs
37,644
-
37,644
38,712

Office overheads

8,731
-
8,731
8,492
Audit fees
-
2,300
2,300
2,300
46,375
2,300
48,675
49,504
Analysed between
Charitable activities
46,375
2,300
48,675
49,504

Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £2,300 (2024- £2,300 ) for audit fees.

10
Directors
None of the directors (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the company during the year.
11
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2025
2024
Number
Number
2
2
Employment costs
2025
2024
£
£
Wages and salaries
33,794
33,287
Other pension costs
3,850
5,425
37,644
38,712
Remuneration of key management personnel

The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel in the period was £37,644 (2024- £38,712 ). The charity considers its key management personnel to be the Orchestra Manager and the Administrative Assistant.

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 18 -
12
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and fittings
£
Cost
At 1 October 2024
57,756
Additions
968
Disposals
(22,492)
At 30 September 2025
36,232
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 October 2024
48,647
Depreciation charged in the year
7,246
Eliminated in respect of disposals
(22,492)
At 30 September 2025
33,401
Carrying amount
At 30 September 2025
2,831
At 30 September 2024
9,108
13
Financial instruments
2025
2024
£
£
Carrying amount of financial liabilities
Measured at amortised cost
10,021
19,070
14
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Other debtors
-
22,165
15
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Accruals and deferred income
10,021
19,070
16
Retirement benefit schemes
2025
2024
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
3,850
5,425
THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
16
Retirement benefit schemes
(Continued)
- 19 -

The company operates a defined contribution scheme. The pension cost and charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund amounted to £3,850 (2024- £5,425 ). At 30 September 2025 £283 contributions were payable to the fund (2024- £Nil).

17
Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity compri se the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be use d.

At 1 October 2024
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 30 September 2025
£
£
£
£
ACNI
-
55,702
(55,702)
-
ACNI Capital
9,082
968
(7,155)
2,895
Ulster Garden Villages
800
-
(800)
-
Belfast City Council
-
6,330
(6,330)
-
Enkalon Foundation
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
Leverhulme Trust
-
6,300
(6,300)
-
9,882
71,300
(78,287)
2,895
Previous year:
At 1 October 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 30 September 2024
£
£
£
£
ACNI
-
57,727
(57,727)
-
ACNI Capital
19,372
-
(10,290)
9,082
Garfield Weston
-
15,000
(15,000)
-
Ulster Garden Villages
1,600
-
(800)
800
Radcliffe Trust
-
2,500
(2,500)
-
Enkalon Foundation
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
Arts & Business
-
1,494
(1,494)
-
20,972
78,721
(89,811)
9,882

The ACNI, Garfield Weston, Foyle Foundation, NI Opera and Belfast City Council funds represent grants received towards core and programming costs of the Orchestra.

The ACNI Capital fund represents grants received from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland towards the purchase of musical instruments for the Orchestra.

The Ulster Garden Villages award represents a grant received towards the purchase of musical instruments for the Orchestra.

THE ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 20 -
18
Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity compri se the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be use d. The se include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 October 2024
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
At 30 September 2025
£
£
£
£
£
Cash flow reserve
65,000
-
-
(15,000)
50,000
Orchestra Tour Reserve
-
-
-
100,000
100,000
General funds
14,171
196,307
(113,112)
(85,000)
12,366
79,171
196,307
(113,112)
-
162,366
Previous year:
At 1 October 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
At 30 September 2024
£
£
£
£
£
Cash flow reserve
65,000
-
-
-
65,000
General funds
11,926
100,443
(98,198)
-
14,171
76,926
100,443
(98,198)
-
79,171
19
Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted funds

Restricted funds

Total

Unrestricted funds

Restricted funds

Total
2025
2025
2025
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fund balances at 30 September 2025 are represented by:
Tangible assets
-
2,831
2,831
-
9,108
9,108
Current assets/(liabilities)
162,366
64
162,430
79,172
773
79,945
162,366
2,895
165,261
79,172
9,881
89,053
20
Contingent liabilities

At the reporting end date the company had total outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: Within one year £4,803 (2024- £4,803), within two to five years £Nil (2024- £Nil).

21
Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).

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