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2024-03-31-accounts

BEXLEY DEAF GROUP

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS of the TRUSTEES

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Charity registration number 1039183

Bank: Charities Aid Foundation Bank

Independent Examiner : Sadler Davies Trading as: Finsbury Robinson Ltd Top Floor, West Hill House, Dartford, Kent DA1 2EU

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Bexley Deaf Group (BDG)

Trustees' Annual Report for the period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024

Company Limited by Guarantee Number: 02942265

Charity Number: 1039183

Registered Office: The Learning & Enterprise College, 5 Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 4EZ

Bankers: CAF Bank

Accountants: Sadler Davies, Trading as: Finsbury Robinson Ltd, Top Floor, West Hill House, Dartford, Kent DA1 2EU

Directors and trustees:

The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law.

David Foot Chair and Director
Mark Raymond Gately Trustee and Director
Barry Hartwell Trustee and Director
Belliappa Konganda Trustee and Director
Nikolas Murley Trustee and Director
Melanie Porte Treasurer and Director
Oyin Olaitan Rogers Trustee and Director
Balkar Thind Trustee and Director
Michael Colget Trustee and Director – resigned June 2023

Key management personnel:

Chief Executive Officer – Mrs Tania Bushell

No trustees have received remuneration from employment with the charity.

Governing Document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 23rd June 1994 and registered as a charity on 1st July 1994.The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

We appoint Trustees through a programme of local advertising and recruitment, where we utilise local communication channels and partners, such as our local Council for Voluntary Services and service user groups. We advertise the skills and requirements needed to enhance the Board and applications are then reviewed by the Trustee Board. Shortlisted applicants have the opportunity to observe a Trustee Board meeting, ask informal questions prior to an interview with Trustee members and appointment.

The Charity’s structure is as follows:

General day to day management of the centre is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. All major decisions and expenditure must be presented to and agreed by the Trustees. There are no major risks that would affect the delivery of services provided by the charity.

The charity relies on a grant jointly funded from Bexley Council and South East London ICS, which provides most of the income for the charity to run. The trustees recognise the risk that should the grant not be awarded the charity would have to find different sources of funding.

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Objectives and activities and public benefit

To relieve deaf persons resident in the London Borough of Bexley in any manner which is now or shall hereafter be deemed to be charitable in law. Bexley Deaf Group provides support and encouragement to hearing impaired people and their families within the Bexley borough.

To promote improvements in all facilities (i.e. medical, environmental, educational and recreational) for Deaf and hard of hearing people irrespective of racial background, religion, gender, age or degree of hearing loss, resident in the London Borough of Bexley. It aims to enable these residents to enjoy the same quality of life as that enjoyed by those with unimpaired hearing.

Achievements and performance

This year has been another productive and rewarding one for the Bexley Deaf Group. Alongside our usual day-to-day work to support our local Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, we have also been involved in two important research projects relating to health care and the Deaf community.

The first of these was a continuation of our GP Access project, in partnership with the NHS. The project aims to make existing pathways to healthcare more accessible for the Deaf community in Bexley; to provide targeted support to Bexley GP practices to improve their engagement with Deaf clients; and to provide tools and training to local social prescribers in specific deaf support.

Building on the success of last year, we have continued to work with GP practices to update their websites with accessibility information, including BSL videos; to train them in the effective use of loop systems; and to support them in improving access to healthcare to the Deaf and hard of hearing. Our deaf awareness training, which initially covered GP surgeries, including support staff, has now been opened out to paramedics, advanced practitioners and nurses.

The second of our healthcare research projects was an initiative to help identify why there are so few Deaf people working within the South East London health and care workforce. Commissioned by Health Education England, the objectives of the project were to capture feedback from Deaf adults and young people; to understand the challenges faced by Deaf people when accessing jobs in the SEL health and care workforce; and to understand any communication issues/barriers that Deaf people experience in the workplace.

The project outcomes were to provide solutions to encourage more Deaf people to work in the healthcare sector; to devise a system where Deaf people are well supported when working within a healthcare setting in keeping with statutory guidelines; and to ensure that healthcare professionals and colleagues are educated in deaf awareness to enable them to understand communication barriers and Deaf culture.

To this end, we engaged with as many of the local Deaf population as possible, via focus groups, face-toface conversations and email responses. We used our own service user contacts as well as those known to social services who may not necessarily use our services. We consulted our colleagues in the sensory support team who provided valuable insight and helped us to contact some of the harder to reach members of the Deaf community.

Our research uncovered some valuable feedback and fascinating insights into the type of barriers that Deaf people face in pursuing a career in the health and care sector. It is hoped that our work will aid South East London ICS in breaking down these barriers, which will not only enable more Deaf people to gain employment with the trust but also benefit the wider Deaf population.

Following on from our GP Access project, and as part of an ongoing drive to provide public and healthcare information in British Sign Language, we have recorded some short BSL information videos for Bexley Council. This service forms part of a broader initiative by the local authority to better meet the needs of the Deaf community and more importantly to meet the council’s statutory obligations under the

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Accessible Information Standard. Our CEO currently sits on the Bexley Wellbeing Partnership Accessibility sub-group with the aim to ensure that all public information is available in British Sign Language.

Although our research projects have been an important part of this year, our work in the Bexley Deaf community remains at the heart of our day-to-day lives. Our Lend an Ear befriending project provides practical and emotional support to vulnerable Deaf and hard-of-hearing members of our community within their homes, while the Deaf Centre remains a place where people can drop in for hearing checks, hearing aid maintenance, and general advice and support.

Our website has been revamped in a more contemporary and animated style while remaining accessible and informative, with a new welcome video in British Sign Language and subtitles featuring prominently on our home page.

Our sign language classes, which offer BSL levels 1 and 2, continue to be very successful, and this year saw the relaunch of our lipreading classes. Our deaf awareness provision to schools, companies and the community has included sessions for Sixth Formers at Blackfen School, employees of Workspace Group PLC, and council staff at Bexley Civic Offices, as well as training for 55 firefighters and support staff of the London Fire Brigade.

We have all been keeping fit and having fun with the launch of regular Deaf Bowls and Deaf Pickle Ball sessions, while, on a more cultural note, our annual Christmas Carol concert with our signing choir and the children of Pelham School was, as always, an extremely well attended and well received event.

We are excited to announce that we are shortly due to move into new premises in Bexleyheath. Not only will these premises provide superior resources but also benefit from excellent transport links and will enhance our ability to meet our clients’ needs. The move will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the charity so we are looking forward to a double celebration in the coming months.

Our commissioned services include:

Financial Review

The income of the charity exceeded the expenditure, resulting in a surplus of £77,140.29 (2023 surplus £5,934.43) in the year and has £126,067.44 (2023 £43,283.10) unrestricted reserves.

The charity has a policy on reserves, to keep at least 3 months expenditure in the unrestricted reserve.

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Staffing: The staffing levels for the year were 3 full time equivalent paid staff and 7 volunteers give their time on an ad hoc basis.

Investment Policy . Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves most of the charity's funds are spent in the short term, consequently there are no long term investments.

Trustees' responsibilities

The trustees are required under the Charities Act 2011 to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records, which enable them to disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity, and for ensuring that they comply with applicable law and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

David Foot

David Foot (Dec 16, 2024 11:47 GMT)

Mr David Foot Chair of Trustees

Date: 16/12/24

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BEXLEY DEAF GROUP

Charity Number

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st March 2024

Note
Tangible Fixed Assets
2
Current Assets
Monetary Assets
Cash
Bank account
Total current assets
Liabilities: amounts falling due within 1 year
3
Current Assets less Current Liabilities
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
FUNDS
6
Unrestricted: General
Designated: Daisy Mumford
Restricted: South East London ICS - Rent
Restricted: South East London ICS - Lend an Ear
Restricted: GWUK Groundwork (Tesco) - Lend an Ear
Restricted: South East London ICS - GP Access Project
Restricted: BVSC: Info Video Fund
Restricted: BVSC: Walking Football Project		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
2024
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
3,526.56
-
-
3,526.56
34.01
- -
34.01
124,257.66
94,195.82
39,454.94
257,908.42
124,291.67
94,195.82
39,454.94
257,942.43
1,750.79
- -
1,750.79
122,540.88
94,195.82
39,454.94
256,191.64
£126,067.44
£94,195.82
£39,454.94
£259,718.20
126,067.44
- -
126,067.44
-
94,195.82 -
94,195.82
-
- 9,869.52 9,869.52
-
- 10,535.53 10,535.53
-
-
- -
-
- 16,395.82 16,395.82
-
-
- -
-
- 2,654.07 2,654.07
£126,067.44
£94,195.82
£39,454.94
£259,718.20		 Total
2023
£
3,448.51
14.01
180,321.22
180,335.23
1,205.83
179,129.40
£182,577.91
43,283.10
94,394.82
3,713.92
15,483.00
6,125.00
14,539.70
1,000.00
4,038.37
£182,577.91

Signed by

David Foot

David Foot (Dec 16, 2024 11:47 GMT)

Mr David Foot Date: 16/12/24

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BEXLEY DEAF GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Note Unrestricted Funds Restricted TOTAL FUNDS
General Designated Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary Income 4a 3,582.65 - - 3,582.65 3,556.01
Charitable Activities 4b 81,468.42 - 119,286.10 200,754.52 157,853.13
Income from investments 4c 476.85 - - 476.85 284.21
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 85,527.92 - 119,286.10 204,814.02 161,693.35
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable Activities 5a 1,811.67 199.00 124,731.15 126,741.82 154,835.50
Other expenditure 5b 931.91 - - 931.91 923.42
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 2,743.58 199.00 124,731.15 127,673.73 155,758.92
NET INCOMING / ( OUTGOING )
RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS 82,784.34 (199.00) (5,445.05) 77,140.29 5,934.43
ADDITIONS TO & RELEASES FROM
FUNDS - - - - -
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 82,784.34 (199.00) (5,445.05) 77,140.29 5,934.43
BALANCES BROUGHT FWD AT
1 APRIL 2023 (2022) £ 43,283.10 £ 94,394.82 £ 44,899.99 £ 182,577.91 £ 176,643.48
BALANCES CARRIED FWD AT
31 MARCH 2024 (2023) £ 126,067.44 £ 94,195.82 £ 39,454.94 £ 259,718.20 £ 182,577.91
----- End of picture text -----

BEXLEY DEAF GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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1 Accounting Policies

1a Accounting Convention

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP FRS102) 2015 and the Charities Act 2011. An independent examination is required under the Charities Act 2011.

Abridged financial statements have been filed with Companies House in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to smaller companies. No audit is required under exemption S 477 of the Companies Act 2006. Exemption has been taken from preparing a cashflow on the grounds that the company qualifies as a small company.

1b Tangible Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Office furniture and computer equipment - 20% reducing balance.

1c Pension Costs

Bexley Deaf Group has offered the NEST pension plan for all eligible employees.

1d Fund accounting

Unrestricted and designated funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor.

2
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Office Equipment
Cost
Addition
Accumulated Depreciation 1st April 2023
Charge for year
NET BOOK VALUE 31st March 2024
3
LIABILITIES FALLING DUE WITHIN 1 YEAR
Creditors
Nest Pension
Accrued expenses		 2024
£
12,984.68
949.96
13,934.64
9,536.17
871.91
10,408.08
3,526.56
460.80
326.99
963.00
1,750.79		 2023
£
12,759.79
224.89
12,984.68
8,685.25
850.92
9,536.17
3,448.51
-
255.83
950.00
1,205.83
4
INCOMING RESOURCES
4a
Voluntary Income
Donations and legacies
4b
Charitable Activities
Access to work reclaims
South East London ICS - Service Delivery and Rent
South East London ICS - Lend an Ear
South East London ICS - GP Access Project
South East London ICS - Core Sustainability Fund
GWUK Groundwork (Tesco) - Lend an Ear
BVSC: Info Video Fund
Community Links Bromley - Health Education England
Courses
4c
Income from investment
Bank interest
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES		 Unrestricted
General
£
3,582.65
3,582.65
-
56,650.00
-
-
-
-
-
-
24,818.42
81,468.42
476.85
476.85
£85,527.92		 Designated
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
£0.00






Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
12,311.10
-
25,000.00
60,000.00
375.00
-
21,600.00
-
119,286.10
-
-
£119,286.10		 TOTAL
2024
£
3,582.65
3,582.65
-
68,961.10
-
25,000.00
60,000.00
375.00
-
21,600.00
24,818.42
200,754.52
476.85
476.85
£204,814.02		 TOTAL FUNDS
2023
£
3,556.01
3,556.01
2,675.00
86,187.92
15,483.00
30,000.00
-
6,125.00
1,000.00
-
16,382.21
157,853.13
284.21
284.21
£161,693.35




















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BEXLEY DEAF GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
5 RESOURCES EXPENDED Unrestricted Designated Restricted TOTAL FUNDS
General Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
5a Expenditure on charitable activities
British Sign Language Courses 1,798.67 - 12,451.60 14,250.27 9,790.60
Interpreting Services - - 1,090.00 1,090.00 2,115.00
Charitable Activities: Expenses - - 1,357.30 1,357.30 4,815.13
Rent of offices - - 6,155.50 6,155.50 39,574.00
Meeting room hire - - 127.50 127.50 -
Wages - - 92,332.53 92,332.53 90,023.49
Employers NI - - 1,091.32 1,091.32 376.16
Pensions - - 1,572.63 1,572.63 1,264.96
Telephone - - 1,158.25 1,158.25 987.08
Computer software - - 449.00 449.00 -
Printing postage stationery - - 1,340.55 1,340.55 1,261.06
Travel and subsistence - - 68.45 68.45 16.40
Insurance - - 623.76 623.76 719.90
Refreshments - - 361.52 361.52 220.50
Company accounts filing fees 13.00 - - 13.00 13.00
Staff training - - 30.00 30.00 -
Sundry - - 442.30 442.30 324.50
Accountancy and book keeping - - 1,285.34 1,285.34 1,054.72
Subscriptions - 199.00 890.00 1,089.00 564.00
Legal & Professional - - 1,903.60 1,903.60 1,715.00
1,811.67 199.00 124,731.15 126,741.82 154,835.50
5b Other expenditure
Depreciation 871.91 - - 871.91 850.92
Bank charges 60.00 - - 60.00 72.50
931.91 - - 931.91 923.42
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED £2,743.58 £199.00 £124,731.15 £127,673.73 £155,758.92
6 Funds
Restricted Funds BFWD Income Expenditure Net Movement Transfers CFWD
South East London ICS - Rent 3,713.92 12,311.10 6,155.50 6,155.60 9,869.52
South East London ICS - Lend an Ear 15,483.00 - 4,947.47 (4,947.47) 10,535.53
South East London ICS - GP Access Project 14,539.70 25,000.00 23,143.88 1,856.12 16,395.82
South East London ICS - Core Sustainability Fund - 60,000.00 60,000.00 - -
GWUK Groundwork (Tesco) - Lend an Ear 6,125.00 375.00 6,500.00 (6,125.00) -
BVSC: Info Video Fund 1,000.00 - 1,000.00 (1,000.00) -
Community Links Bromley - Health Education England - 21,600.00 21,600.00 - -
BVSC: Walking Football Project 4,038.37 - 1,384.30 (1,384.30) 2,654.07
44,899.99 119,286.10 124,731.15 (5,445.05) - 39,454.94
Designated - Daisy Mumford 94,394.82 - 199.00 (199.00) - 94,195.82
General 43,283.10 85,527.92 £2,743.58 82,784.34 - 126,067.44
TOTAL FUNDS £182,577.91 £204,814.02 £127,673.73 £77,140.29 £0.00 £259,718.20
----- End of picture text -----

BEXLEY DEAF GROUP INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BEXLEY DEAF GROUP This report on the financial statements of the BEXLEY DEAF GROUP for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set on pages 5 to 8 is in resp￿¢ of an examination carried out in accordance with s145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). Respective responsibilities of the trustees and the examiner The charity's tntstees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) or under Regulation 10(I)(d) of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (the 2006 Accounts Regulations) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the 2005 Act) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 201 l Act. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. The examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audiL and ¢on5equently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In connection with our examination. no matfrr has corne to our attention: {1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the ACL and to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act: have not been met. or to which. in our opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. or which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the accounting rules of the ¢harity's onstitution ha GemmA L F Sadler Davies Trading as: Finsbury Robinson Ltd Top Floor, West Hill House, Dart(ord, Kent DAI 2EU tyFCA Date: O￿lILl zo