The Purpose of the Foundation

The development of MyCool Music Foundation (MCMF) was a natural extension of the charitable fundraising begun by MyCool Singers (MCS).  The Foundation, in its infancy, has initially been established to raise funds that can be used to support individuals, groups and communities by using the therapeutic power and benefits of music and singing, both individually and collectively.

Aims and Objectives of the Foundation

Aims

MyCool Music Foundation works for the public benefit; its aims are:

1.    The advancement of music related education supporting disadvantaged children and adults in various locations, by offering them opportunities to engage in music and singing activities, to include but not limited to, workshops, choirs and concerts. 

2.    The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

3.    Support  other charitable organisations with a shared sense of purpose and with which the Foundation can work or offer support – through the use of music and singing

Objectives

MyCool Music Foundation will achieve its aims by:

1.    Fundraising opportunities for other charitable organisations which it supports or with which it works

2.    Working with individuals to enable them to express themselves, improve their health and promote wellbeing and enhance their lives.  The advancement of arts through the promotion of singing and music will enable and provide relief to those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

3.    Providing singing and choir workshops for those recovering from traumatic/life changing experiences or life crises such as bereavement, breakdowns in relationships, mental health difficulties etc. – who may benefit from the therapeutic value of singing

4.    Providing song writing sessions to help those experiencing life crises, bereavement or dealing with emotional challenges.  This may include song writing for the terminally ill, to enable them to leave or express their feelings of love and memories for loved ones whom they leave behind and who may find comfort whilst coping with their loss. 

5.    Providing music workshops for communities and organisations such as residential care home for adults or children, hospices and other specialist units

6.    Support for gifted and talented young people from disadvantaged/less privileged backgrounds to develop their music and associated aspirations.

7.    Exploiting the therapeutic value of music and singing to improve the health and well-being of individuals, groups and communities.

Fundraising achievements 

The Trustees have continued to be mindful of the limited initial capacity of the Foundation and during 2019/2020 fund raising efforts were concentrated on three main events as follows:

• ·         Third annual raffle drawn live on Facebook in December 2019

• ·         Second fundraising dinner dance with raffle on the night – in November 2019

• ·         Annual MCS concert – also involving MKC and Breathe Harmony (formerly Trust Harmonix) another choir closely associated with MCS.

1       The annual raffle began in August 2019 when members of MyCool Singers undertook to sell tickets.  The raffle was drawn live on Facebook on the 14 December 2019.  An impressive range of prizes were available and despite best efforts to limit the number of prizes in the raffle (to prevent the draw being too long), sixteen prizes were ultimately raffled ranging from various hampers, to seasonal drinks and edibles.  This raffle sold over 500 tickets and raised £550 this was a significant fundraising achievement and was very well supported.

2      The Trustees would like to thank Ruth Alvin (member of MyCool Singers) for her work with one of the Trustees in organising the raffle prizes, overseeing tickets sales and managing the live draw of the raffle.  Thanks also to other members of MyCool Singers who so generously donated goods for the prizes.  All of these contributions are very much appreciated and resulted in impressive prizes and such a significant amount of money being raised.

3       The second fund raising dinner-dance was held on Friday 15th November 2019 at The Warren in Hayes, Kent and was attended by 108 guests.  This proved to be another successful event, not only in terms of the funds it raised for the Foundation but because of the opportunity it provided for so many of its supporters to come together for an evening of fun and enjoyment.  This event was a team event for the Trustees led by the Chair of the Trustees, Carol Ashfield.  As well as a dinner, followed by dancing until midnight, MKC (Mike King Collective) provided a wonderful cabaret of songs drawn from their varied and polished repertoire, beautifully performed that entertained guests.  In addition there was an ‘on-the-night’ raffle that raised additional funds during the evening.  Overall the dinner dance raised a total of £3,307, which has made a significant contribution to the resources available to the Foundation.

4    MyCool Singers Concert in August 2019 included guest performances from Breathe Harmony (formerly Trust Harmonix) – its ‘sister choir’ also directed by Mike King, and MKC.  The total funds raised from this concert was £1,155 – this included £200 from money collected in buckets.

5    Individual personal donations also contributed to the fund raising efforts of the Foundation during 2019/2020 with a significant number being made between September and December, generated by the two above mentioned fund-raising efforts.  Personal donations amounted to £1,215.00.

Funding Granted

1. Camberwell Skylarks is seeking support for singing sessions for people suffering with Parkinson Disease, this organisation has established links to Kings College.  The Trustees were all in agreement this was an excellent application and a worthy project to support, as it meets many areas of the Foundations criteria, aims and objectives, it was also suggested that the Foundation could offer some support through future workshops. The Trustees agreed to full fund this worthy project.

2. Mind and Soul is requesting support with choir sessions and a joint concert with refreshments.  Although the Trustees felt this was a worthwhile project to support and therefore were willing to agree to fund for 50% towards the costs of the choir sessions.

3. Soundabout A choir based in Bristol who supports people in the local areas of Bristol with learning difficulties. This organisation does meet the aims and objectives of the Foundation, however the costs are on the higher side and would have taken much of the Foundations budget allocation. The Trustees therefore agreed to partially support this project.

4. Bexley Mencap are a music and percussion group, organisation within the borough of Bexley Council, they are a community based organisation with established links within their local community, they are seeking a contribution towards their project and have reached out to other charity organisations for support. The Trustees were all in agreement this was an excellent and worthy project, it met many areas of the Foundation criteria and all were all in agreement to fund in full, with a caveat to include an acknowledgement within their literature / social media that the Foundation supported this group.

5. Grant requested to support talented musical asylum seeker this individual is currently unable to work, and was helped in submitting his application.  A kind person also donated to him a guitar. He is requesting support and help with receiving specialist voice coaching and guitar lessons.  A grant would enable this individual to further develop his musical skills, at the same time the foundation would be able to offer an opportunity in supporting an asylum seeker within the community.  It was agreed the Foundation would support 10 sessions split between vocals and guitar lessons.

Look Ahead

The Foundation will work with the projects that have secured funding to ensure they are able to deliver their programmes successfully in 2020/2021, with the appropriate level of due diligence, monitoring and evaluation.  As well as ensuring the funds raised by the Foundation are used appropriately, this process will again provide the Trustees with some valuable learning to apply to commissioning of future projects and grants.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic the Foundation will continue its fundraising efforts in the coming year and it is hoped the implementation of projects from the 2019/20 round of commissioning will be an encouragement to its fundraising efforts.  The Trustees hope potential contributors and donors will feel confident in the ability of the Foundation to deliver a successful programme of initiatives using the funds raised effectively to ensure benefits to wider groups, communities and individuals.

However, due to COVID-19 MCMF has decided to cancel and/or postpone the following fundraising initiatives for 2020/21:

• ·         MyCool Singers concert presented under the auspices of the MyCool Music Foundation – to be held on Saturday 16th August 2020 at Peckham Theatre, 221 Havil Street, Camberwell, London SE5 7SD.

• A third fundraising dinner-dance planned for November 2020.

The Foundation has identified a number of organisations/charities with which it would like to forge stronger partnerships building upon existing links and offer support to use music and singing therapeutically.  A number of these have emerged through links with MyCool Singers choir and individual members and include:

• ·         Young Lewisham Project – working with disadvantaged young people.

• ·         Quo Vadis Trust - involved in providing care, housing and social support.

• ·         SIDCAS – working with asylum seekers and using music to provide support.

• ·         Ladywell Mental Health Unit – where MyCool Singers have previously performed.

• ·         Breast Cancer Now

• ·         Lewisham Borough Council – particularly as it prepares to be London Borough of Culture in 2021

• ·         Sevenoaks Borough Council

• ·         Ashton Jazz Academy – previously supported by MyCool Singers.

• ·         South East Cancer Care – previously supported by MyCool Singers.