# The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 1184720 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1184720)
- Website: https://www.bluelightsymphony.org
- Latest income: £14.6k; spending £11.8k
- What it funds: Health / saving of lives, Arts / culture / heritage / science
- How it gives: Makes grants to individuals, Makes grants to organisations, Acts as an umbrella or resource body
- Area of operation: Throughout England and Wales
- Other names: Blso (working)
- Trustees: 7
- Last verified: 2026-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/blue-light-symphony-orchestra

The BLSO is the UK's only orchestra for all Emergency Services personnel. We also promote and support music-making in the emergency services to aid mental wellbeing and promote the use of music therapy to treat serious mental health problems such as PTSD, chronic stress and anxiety.

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Jul 2025 | £14.6k | £11.8k | not filed |
| 31 Jul 2024 | £8,040 | £6,062 | not filed |
| 31 Jul 2023 | £7,420 | £5,792 | not filed |
| 31 Jul 2022 | £3,464 | £4,398 | not filed |
| 31 Jul 2021 | £11.1k | £9,701 | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> The objects of the CIO are:1. To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in,and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspectsby any means the trustees see fit, including through the provisionof workshops, in particular but not exclusively for people who areor who have been members of the UK emergency services to enablethem to play music and put on concerts.2. To further such charitable purpose or purposes as the trustees intheir absolute discretion shall think fit but in particular throughthe making of grants and donations to organisations/charitieswhich provide mental health services to UK emergecy servicesworkers.

## What it funds

The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra is registered under the Charity Commission purposes health / saving of lives and arts / culture / heritage / science; the register records that it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and acts as an umbrella or resource body. In its latest reported year The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra reported income of £14.6k and spending of £11.8k. Over its last 5 reported years, to 31 Jul 2025, it spent £37.8k in total.

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as England and Wales.

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra in its sources (last checked 4 Nov 2026). Its website (bluelightsymphony.org) may list programmes that are not yet open or are by invitation only. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 4 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra fund?

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as England and Wales.

### Does The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra give grants to individuals?

Yes, according to the Charity Commission register, which records that The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra makes grants to individuals as well as to organisations. Check its own guidance for who qualifies.

### How much does The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra give each year?

The register does not break out The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 31 Jul 2025 was £11.8k. Over its last 5 reported years its spending averaged £7,554 a year.

### How large is The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra?

In its latest reported year The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra reported income of £14.6k and spending of £11.8k.


## Similar funders

- [The Wellcome Trust](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/wellcome-trust) – 8 open schemes
- [Corra Foundation](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/corra-foundation) – 4 open schemes
- [Wolfson Foundation](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/wolfson-foundation) – 1 open scheme
- [The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/triangle-trust-1949-fund) – 1 open scheme
- [Gatsby Charitable Foundation](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/gatsby-charitable-foundation)
- [Nesta](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/nesta)

## Guides

- [Arts and heritage grants in Scotland: what is open now and who funds it](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/arts-and-heritage-grants-in-scotland)
- [How to apply to Dorset Community Foundation: who it funds, typical awards and deadlines](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/how-to-apply-to-dorset-community-foundation)
- [How to apply to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation: who it funds, typical awards and timescales](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/how-to-apply-to-esmee-fairbairn-foundation)
