SOUNDWELL MUSIC THERAPY TRUST
Soundwell's mission statement is: "To enhance the mental health of people experiencing emotional and mental distress by promoting and providing an inclusive, community-based service of music therapy which includes outreach, short and long term groups and individual work"Music therapy is the use of musical instruments and the sounds they make to promote change and recovery.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity will cease operations in July 2026 due to a lack of funding, resulting in a net deficit of £98,798 for the year. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves at year-end were £16,763, which is below the deemed appropriate reserve figure of £66,556 calculated to cover cessation costs. The charity is winding up its affairs and donating remaining assets to other charities.
What the accounts disclose
“we have deemed a reserve figures of £66,556 to be appropriate.” — page 8
“I have identified matters of concern in my report. I draw attention to note 1 of the financial statements which states that Soundwell Music Therapy Trust will cease operations in July 2026. The charity is not a going concern.” — page 10
Trustees
- Dr Catherine Warnerchair
- Alison Harris
- Daniel Bateman
- Jennifer Wildblood
- Oliver Kelham
- PETER WATSON
- RICHARD ELLIS
- Simon Hall
- Victoria Berger
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £97k | £196k |
| 31/03/2025 | £187k | £164k |
| 31/03/2024 | £143k | £184k |
| 31/03/2023 | £214k | £192k |
| 31/03/2022 | £153k | £173k |
Common questions
Is SOUNDWELL MUSIC THERAPY TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity will cease operations in July 2026 due to a lack of funding, resulting in a net deficit of £98,798 for the year. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves at year-end were £16,763, which is below the deemed appropriate reserve figure of £66,556 calculated to cover cessation costs. The charity is winding up its affairs and donating remaining assets to other charities. Its FY2026 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds SOUNDWELL MUSIC THERAPY TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name SOUNDWELL MUSIC THERAPY TRUST as a grant recipient include The Ashley Family Foundation, THE THOMAS WALL TRUST, GLOUCESTERSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST, THE SIR BERNARD & LADY SCHREIER FOUNDATION, SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ashley Family Foundation | FY2022 | £12k | |
| THE THOMAS WALL TRUST | FY2022 | £5k | |
| GLOUCESTERSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST | FY2025 | £4k | Major re-ordering |
| THE SIR BERNARD & LADY SCHREIER FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £3k | |
| SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £3k | Ann Rylands Small Donations Programme |
| SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £3k | |
| THE JOYCE FLETCHER CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £3k | |
| SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £3k | Ann Rylands Small Donations |
| THE SIR BERNARD & LADY SCHREIER FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £3k | |
| THE SIR BERNARD & LADY SCHREIER FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £3k | |
| THE JOYCE FLETCHER CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £2k | |
| THE SIR BERNARD & LADY SCHREIER FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £2k | |
| BARCHESTER HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £2k | Music therapy costs for this charity aimed at improving adult mental health. |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postcode Lottery | 30/09/2024 | £25k | Unrestricted Funding |
| Postcode Lottery | 03/04/2023 | £20k | Unrestricted Funding |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 08/07/2022 | £10k | Music Therapy for wellbeing – reaching and serving a diverse community |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 08/04/2015 | £499k | Music Therapy for Mental Health and Inclusion |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 12/01/2010 | £489k | Music Therapy for Mental Health and Inclusion |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 05/07/2005 | £93k | New Music Therapy Groups |