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THE AMBER TRUST

Registered charity 1050503 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as ACCESS TO MUSIC FOR BLIND PEOPLE EDUCATION AND RESIDENTIAL

The charity helps blind or partially sighted children, including those with additional disabilities, who have a talent or a love for music. The AMBER Music Awards were established to enable these children to nurture this talent by accessing the music that can transform their lives.

Causes: Education/training · Disability · Arts/culture/heritage/science · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£316k
Latest spending
£478k
Registered
1995
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a net movement in funds of a deficit of £155,271 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in year-end reserves of £71,691. The trustees note that this balance was lower than anticipated due to a phasing issue where £200,000 in income was received after the year-end. The charity's reserves policy is to maintain a general reserve sufficient to cover six months' operational costs.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: six months’ operational costs (held: £72k)
“the policy of the trustees is to maintain a general reserve sufficient to cover six months’ operational costs.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The University of Roehampton undertook research and development projects for The Amber Trust. Professor Adam Ockelford, a director, is Director of the Applied Music Research Centre at the University. He receives no personal benefit.
“Adam Ockelford, a director of The Amber Trust, is Professor of Music and Director of the Applied Music Research Centre at the University of Roehampton. The University has undertaken research and development projects for The Amber Trust, payments for which are negotiated and approved by other Trustees of the Trust. Professor Ockelford receives no personal benefit from these payments.” — page 37
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Public fundraising profile: JustGiving — The AMBER Trust (matched by registered charity number).

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Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Northern Ireland · Scotland · Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/03/2025£316k£478k
31/03/2024£314k£540k
31/03/2023£349k£401k
31/03/2022£300k£304k
31/03/2021£400k£267k

Common questions

Is THE AMBER TRUST financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net movement in funds of a deficit of £155,271 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in year-end reserves of £71,691. The trustees note that this balance was lower than anticipated due to a phasing issue where £200,000 in income was received after the year-end. The charity's reserves policy is to maintain a general reserve sufficient to cover six months' operational costs. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.