Company registration number: 03053277 Charity registration number: 1047257
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 30 June 2025
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Contents (continued)
| Trustees' Report | 1 to 9 |
|---|---|
| Independent Auditors' Report | 10 to 12 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
| Balance Sheet | 14 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 15 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 16 to 30 |
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report
Reference and Administrative Details
The trustees (who are also directors of The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
| Charity registration number: | 1047257 |
|---|---|
| Company Registration Number: | 03053277 |
| Governor: | The Earl of Scarbrough DL |
| Chairman: | Mr R A Frost |
| Directors and Trustees: | Mr S G Blacksell |
| Mr R A Frost | |
| Mr S J Hambleton | |
| Mr E R Hill | |
| Ms K M Hulse | |
| Ms D Kaur | |
| Mr R J M Nolan | |
| Mrs C J Pattison | |
| Mr G Smith | |
| Mr N Wragg OBE | |
| Mr N Creighton (appointed 7 May 2025) | |
| Ambassadors: | Mr J Campbell |
| Mr A P Cooper | |
| Mr S Wheatcroft | |
| Chief Executive Officer: | Mrs J L Ardern |
| Registered Office: | 5 Mappin Street |
| Sheffield | |
| South Yorkshire | |
| S1 4DT | |
| Bankers: | Virgin Money |
| Fargate | |
| Sheffield | |
| S1 1LL | |
| Auditor: | Hawsons Chartered Accountants |
| Statutory Auditor | |
| Pegasus House | |
| 463a Glossop Road | |
| Sheffield | |
| South Yorkshire | |
| S10 2QD |
Page 1
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report (continued)
Solicitors : Wrigleys Solicitors LLP Derwent House 150 Arundel Gate Sheffield S1 2FN Investment Managers : Rathbones Global plc Beech House 61 Napier Street Sheffield S11 8HA
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report (continued)
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements and auditors' report of the charitable company for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Objectives and policies
The charitable company is established to support people who are blind or who have a substantial visual impairment. SRSB provides opportunity, support, friendship and services to blind and partially sighted people in Sheffield and people with sight and/or hearing loss in Rotherham, helping them to achieve whatever they wish to do and whatever they aspire to be.
Whilst we are an independent charity, we also work closely with government departments, local authorities, national charities, local charities and support groups to enable blind and partially sighted people across Sheffield City Region to receive the most suitable support in an efficient manner.
The objects of the charity are set out in the governing document of the charitable company, its Articles of Association which were reviewed and updated in 2017, being adopted by Special Resolution at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the company on 27 April 2017.
In line with the charity’s ongoing strategic development, the trustees have initiated a further review of the charity’s objects to ensure they remain fit for purpose and aligned with current activities and future ambitions. The proposed amendments have been approved by the Charity Commission and were adopted by Special Resolution at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 6 November 2025.
The amended objectives adopted are as follows:
To relieve the charitable needs of, and care for, people with a sight impairment and/or people with a hearing impairment, in particular, but without limitation, by the provision of opportunity, support, friendship and services to people with a sight impairment and/or people with a hearing impairment, helping them to achieve whatever they legally wish to do and whatever they aspire to be.
Organisation
The charitable company is controlled by the Board of Trustees and is divided into four sectors of operation, namely:
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Headquarters based at 5 Mappin Street, Sheffield providing a social and activities centre, equipment advice, counselling and emotional support, community advice service and administration.
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Rotherham Sight and Sound, based at 8 Ship Hill, Rotherham providing social and activities centre, equipment advice, counselling and emotional support, hearing support service and community advice service.
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Cairn Home, being a residential care home at 58 Selborne Road, Crosspool, Sheffield, specialising in supporting elderly visually/sensory impaired people.
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Overend Cottages - Four properties for independent living, adjacent to Cairn Home, let to blind and partially sighted people.
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report (continued)
Trustee’s induction and training
Existing trustees select members of the board taking due account of the need to maintain a wide and relevant skills base on the board. Recruitment has traditionally been by word of mouth, but alternative methods of recruitment may be considered in the future.
Existing trustees are already familiar with the work that the charity undertakes but a number of these trustees have also undertaken the general induction training and visual impairment awareness training sessions which are regularly held for all new staff and volunteers. Feedback from trustees on the value of these training sessions has been very positive. All new trustees are invited to undertake this training in addition to being briefed by the Chairman and Chief Executive on the obligations of the trustees, the charitable company’s governing document being its Memorandum and Articles of Association, the operational and organisation structure, the current financial position, future plans and any other relevant matters of significance such as current major projects.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
The charity places a strong emphasis on lived experience, recognising it as a vital asset in shaping inclusive and effective services. More than a third of our staff at our Mappin Street and Ship Hill centres, along with a third of our trustees, have direct lived experience of visual or hearing impairment. This representation ensures that our approach to equality and diversity is not only informed but deeply embedded in our culture, enabling us to deliver services that are empathetic, accessible, and genuinely responsive to the needs of our community.
Review of the year
Over the past year, the charity has continued to deliver services from its Mappin Street Centre and Cairn Home, alongside its contracted provision at the Ship Hill Centre in Rotherham, in partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC).
Mappin Street Centre
Our focus throughout the year has been on expanding and enhancing our services. We’ve introduced new activities and groups aimed at boosting confidence, developing skills, and supporting emotional wellbeing, all while fostering friendships and social connections.
The Community Advice Service remains our core offering. Our dedicated team of eight Community Advice Officers conduct home visits to support individuals living with sight loss, providing guidance on benefits, services, and equipment. Demand for this service remains strong, particularly among newly registered clients. We’ve continued to refine our processes to ensure timely and targeted support. Two team members are on track to qualify as Vision Rehabilitation Specialists later this year, which will further strengthen our expertise.
Our emotional support services have grown significantly. We now offer a variety of wellbeing-focused activities including peer support, mindfulness, meditation, gong therapy, and “feel good” sessions. Counselling and emotional support remain available, and our user-led support groups continue to thrive.
The Look Ahead workshops remain a vital resource for newly registered clients. These sessions empower individuals facing recent diagnosis or changes in vision by increasing awareness of available support. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with most attendees going on to engage with other services. These workshops also serve as a gateway to our Life Ahead Project, launched in 2022, which helps clients reflect on their current circumstances and set personal goals-whether modest or ambitious. The project has been well received and offers a natural progression for those completing Look Ahead.
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report (continued)
Mappin Street Centre (continued)
Our centre continues to be a vibrant hub of activity. From curling to crafts, we cater to all ages and abilities. We also facilitate access to external activities such as snooker, shooting, and archery, providing transport where needed. New additions this year include ice skating and bouldering. We continue to support independent groups like the Sheffield Visually Impaired Walking Group and the South Yorkshire Visually Impaired Tennis Club.
With rapid advancements in technology, particularly AI, we’ve seen a surge in new products and apps for visually impaired users. Our Equipment Advisor and Technology Trainer offer guidance on both cutting-edge and traditional tools, hosting regular ‘Tech Days’ and providing support via phone and in-person appointments.
Demand for our Visual Impairment Awareness Training has grown. In addition to regular sessions for students in Medicine, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), Nursing, and Sports Science, we now deliver training to staff and volunteers at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, as well as various independent organisations and charities. We’ve recruited three volunteers specifically trained to assist with this programme, which not only raises awareness but also generates valuable income for the charity.
Our volunteer team continues to grow and remains integral to our operations. Volunteers assist with activities, training, administration, fundraising, and our telephone befriending service. Monthly coffee mornings have helped us improve support and training. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and remain committed to nurturing a supportive and engaging volunteer programme.
Rotherham Ship Hill Centre
Throughout the year, we’ve continued to support individuals with sensory impairments across the RMBC area. Our Rotherham centre is a well-utilised space offering activities, social groups, and advice for both visually and hearing impaired clients. We also provide tailored support for deaf clients who use British Sign Language (BSL), with several staff members proficient in BSL. The café remains a popular social hub.
Staff have continued to assist clients with benefit claims, emotional support, counselling and advice on specialist equipment and technology. Daily activities are held at the centre, and our hearing aid repair service remains in high demand, strengthening our partnerships with Audiology and RNID. Our Deaf Services Coordinators primarily work in the community, offering home visits, equipment advice, tailored group activities, and Deaf Awareness training.
Requests for Visual Impairment Training have again increased, and we continue to collaborate closely with Connect Health Care and RMBC. Our service has been funded by RMBC since 2017, with funding now secured through March 2027. Their ongoing support has been invaluable.
Cairn Home
Cairn Home faced challenges this year, including internal issues that led to a downgrade by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to “Requires Improvement.” We responded swiftly, implementing new systems and a revised management structure. Despite these difficulties, occupancy levels remained high, and staff demonstrated exceptional commitment, maintaining high standards of care. Feedback from residents, families, and professionals has been encouraging and we are confident that we will be upgraded once re-inspected.
The physical environment continues to be well maintained. Renovations of ensuite bathrooms and bedroom redecorations are ongoing. The front office has been refurbished to improve staff efficiency. We are now considering an expansion project to add five bedrooms and two self-contained apartments.
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report (continued)
Future strategy
The Operations Committee, chaired by Catherine Pattison, continues to meet quarterly.
Our strategic focus remains on empowering clients by fostering independence through services and activities that build confidence and skills.
We are also committed to improving community inclusion. We aim to collaborate with local businesses, organisations, and community groups to raise awareness and improve client experiences. A Reaching Communities Lottery funding application has been submitted to support this initiative.
The implementation of our CRM database back in 2023 significantly improved how we track our work. We’re continuing to explore its full potential for measuring outcomes and objectives and again looking at how we can use it to help us work more efficiently. In partnership with 1101 IT Support, we continue to work on consolidating our IT infrastructure to reduce risks, enhance performance, and achieve long-term cost savings.
The charity’s main challenge this year has been rising costs, particularly in staffing and service delivery. Legacy donations remain a vital source of support, and we reintroduced our free will service during the year to encourage continued engagement.
Going concern
The Trustees have reviewed the current year’s results and future projections in cash flows and do not believe that there are any material uncertainties which cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern.
Financial review
The funds of the charitable company have been applied throughout the year as follows:
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(1) The operations of the Sheffield centre to provide ongoing support and advice for people with a visual impairment, sport, leisure and social activities, support with emotional and mental wellbeing and delivery of specialist equipment.
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(2) The operations of the Rotherham centre to provide ongoing support and advice for people with a sensory impairment, sport, leisure and social activities, support with emotional and mental wellbeing and information and delivery of specialist equipment.
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(3) Direct grants for welfare purposes.
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(4) The operation of the Residential Care Home that specialises in care for elderly visually impaired people.
Risk Assessment
A formal risk management strategy is implemented by the trustees and a full review of all the risks, both financial and other operating risks is ongoing. The risks are reviewed on a regular basis and appropriate systems are in place to mitigate the effect of any significant risks. The trustees consider that this strategy, combined with maintaining reserves at the levels detailed in the reserves policy, will provide sufficient resources to maintain services during adverse operational conditions that may cause some uncertainty over the income levels of the society in the short to medium term.
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report (continued)
Investment Powers
In accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charitable company has the power to invest the funds of the charitable company in or on such investments, securities or properties as may be thought fit by the Board of Trustees subject to any conditions and consents, as may for the time being, be imposed or required by law.
Should the charitable company take or hold any property subject to the jurisdiction of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales, the charity shall not sell, mortgage, charge or lease the same without such authority, approval or consent as may be required by law.
The charitable company is empowered to borrow or raise money for the furtherment of its objectives on such terms as may thought to be fit.
Reserves Policy
The charitable company is committed to providing long term sustainable services and is heavily reliant upon its investment income to enable it to deliver these services. The trustees therefore consider it necessary to continue to hold a high level of reserves to maintain the current level of investment income. This decision is made in a climate of continued volatility in the investment markets with the resultant uncertainty about future returns. The reserves, which have been accumulated from legacies, are intended to ensure continuity of service provision, essential for an operational charitable company providing valuable services to the community and will of course be reviewed regularly.
Public Benefit
Severe impairment to sight can occur at any time and SRSB is rightly proud of its services to the community for the last 165+ years. It has changed from a philanthropic organisation to one that combines professional service delivery with the ethos of voluntary service. Its charitable and professional services are open to everyone regardless of age or ethnicity and the Society remains committed to public service of the highest order. We have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future work.
Fundraising
The charity’s approach to fundraising is to develop long term relationships with individuals, corporate supporters and grant making trusts.
The charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator as a ‘Smaller Fundraising Charity’. We comply with all of the rules and best practice guidance of the regulator and have received no complaints regarding our fundraising.
We do not undertake any form of ‘cold call’ fundraising with the general public either by telephone, electronically or in person. All of our fundraising activities are as a result of previous contact with the individual or through general advertising and promotion of fundraising events.
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report (continued)
Thanks
This year has presented a number of challenges, particularly concerning the situation at Cairn Home and the subsequent CQC downgrade. The Trustees would like to extend their sincere thanks to Liz Gurler, SRSB’s Operations Manager, who took on the role of Acting Home Manager for a period of five months. Her leadership and dedication were instrumental in maintaining standards and supporting the home through a difficult period.
These challenges have also underscored the strength and dedication of our staff across all three sites. Team members have willingly embraced additional responsibilities, consistently demonstrating their passion for the wellbeing of our residents and clients, and their unwavering commitment to the organisation as a whole.
The trustees are grateful for the ongoing support from the charity's Patron, The Earl of Scarbrough DL, who continues to show an active interest in the work of the Society.
The trustees are also grateful to the charity’s Ambassadors, former Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Mr John Campbell, together with Mr Tony Cooper and Mr Simon Wheatcroft who promote the work of the charity through their public and professional engagements.
The trustees are grateful to all staff and volunteers for the dedication and commitment to the Society in managing all these matters and in particular to the CEO, Joanne Ardern for her dedication and commitment to the Society.
In addition, sincere thanks and appreciation are expressed to all those who provide the charity with funds, through donations, grants or sponsorship which enable it to fulfil its mission in support of blind and partially sighted people in the Sheffield City Region.
Trustees
All trustees served throughout the year, except where noted.
| Mr R A Frost (Chairman) | Mr R J Nolan |
|---|---|
| Mr S G Blacksell | Mrs C J Pattison |
| Mr S J Hambleton | Mr E Hill |
| Mrs K Hulse | Mr N Wragg OBE |
| Mr G Smith | Ms D Kaur |
| Mr N Creighton (appointed 7 May 2025) |
For the purposes of charities legislation all trustees are also directors of the charitable company.
In accordance with the Articles of Association Mr N Wragg OBE, Mrs C J Pattison, N Creighton and Mr R Frost retire by rotation at the next Annual General Meeting and being eligible offer themselves for re-election.
None of the directors had a material interest in any contract which was significant to the charitable company’s business.
Trustee Indemnity Insurance is provided by the charity.
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Trustees' Report (continued)
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Disclosure of information to auditor
Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company's auditor is aware of that information. The trustees confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware.
Reappointment of auditor
A resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting that Hawsons be re-appointed as auditors to the charity for the ensuing year.
The report of the trustees has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 2006.
In approving the Trustees' Annual Report, we also approve the Strategic Report included therein, in our capacity as company directors.
13/11/2025 The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charitable company on .................... and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Mr R A Frost Chairman
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 30 June 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 June 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (continued)
Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
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In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Trustees' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Trustees' Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of trustees' responsibilities set out on page 9, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with this Act.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (continued)
The charitable company is subject to laws and regulations that directly and indirectly affect the financial statements. Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the environment it operates within, we determined that the laws and regulations which were most significant included FRS 102, Companies Act 2006, Health and Safety regulations and the Charities Act 2011. We considered the extent to which non-compliance with these laws and regulations might have a material effect on the financial statements, including how fraud might occur. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to the posting of inappropriate journal entries to improve the company’s result for the period, and management bias in key accounting estimates.
Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
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Discussions with management and those responsible for legal compliance procedures within the charitable company to obtain an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the charitable company and how the charitable company complies with that framework, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;
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Reviewing minutes of Trustee meetings;
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Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls that management has in place to prevent and detect fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations;
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Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates.
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Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations or posted by senior management.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the more removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance/auditor-s-responsibilities-for-the-audit-of-the-fi/description-of -the-auditor’s-responsibilities-for. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
...................................... Simon Bladen, Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Hawsons Chartered Accountants, Statutory Auditor
Pegasus House 463a Glossop Road Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2QD
17/11/2025 Date:.............................
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The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 June 2025
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted Endowment |
Restricted Endowment |
Restricted Endowment |
Restricted Endowment |
Total | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||||||||
| Incoming resources | ||||||||||||||||
| Donations and grants | 199,046 | 30,890 | - | 229,936 | 279,411 | |||||||||||
| Legacies | 225,534 | - | - | 225,534 | 546,755 | |||||||||||
| Contract income | 224,586 | - | - | 224,586 | 222,064 | |||||||||||
| Residential home fees | 1,370,882 | - | - | 1,370,882 | 1,214,831 | |||||||||||
| Investment income | 3 | 275,145 | - | 1,071 | 276,216 | 296,799 | ||||||||||
| Release of deferred | ||||||||||||||||
| income from disposal of | ||||||||||||||||
| Mappin Street leasehold | ||||||||||||||||
| interest | 5,000 | - | - | 5,000 | 5,000 | |||||||||||
| Total incoming | ||||||||||||||||
| resources | 2,300,193 | 30,890 | 1,071 | 2,332,154 | 2,564,860 | |||||||||||
| Resources expended | ||||||||||||||||
| Raising funds | 4 | 99,050 | - | - | 99,050 | 128,817 | ||||||||||
| Charitable activities | 4 | 2,550,644 | 67,910 | 1,071 | 2,619,625 | 2,399,113 | ||||||||||
| Total expenditure | 2,649,694 | 67,910 | 1,071 | 2,718,675 | 2,527,930 | |||||||||||
| Other recognised | ||||||||||||||||
| gains and losses | ||||||||||||||||
| Net gain/(loss) on | ||||||||||||||||
| investments | 212,790 | - | - | 212,790 | 308,001 | |||||||||||
| Net movement in funds | (136,711) | (37,020) | - | (173,731) | 344,931 | |||||||||||
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||||||||||||||
| Total funds brought | ||||||||||||||||
| forward | 7,197,241 | 164,141 | 26,774 | 7,388,156 | 7,043,225 | |||||||||||
| Total funds carried | ||||||||||||||||
| forward | 10 | 7,060,530 | 127,121 | 26,774 | 7,214,425 | 7,388,156 |
The notes on pages 16 to 30 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
(Registration number: 03053277) Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | 6 | 1,221,845 | 1,252,367 | ||
| Investments | 7 | 6,640,663 | 6,397,318 | ||
| 7,862,508 | 7,649,685 | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Stocks | 10,834 | 16,893 | |||
| Debtors | 8 | 158,053 | 622,547 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 148,626 | 73,643 | |||
| 317,513 | 713,083 | ||||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | 9 | (295,596) | (299,612) | ||
| Net current assets | 21,917 | 413,471 | |||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 7,884,425 | 8,063,156 | |||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year | 9 | (670,000) | (675,000) | ||
| Net assets | 7,214,425 | 7,388,156 | |||
| Charity funds | |||||
| General Funds | 10 | 5,730,461 | 6,081,339 | ||
| Revaluation fund | 10 | 1,330,069 | 1,115,902 | ||
| Total unrestricted funds | 7,060,530 | 7,197,241 | |||
| Total restricted funds | 11 | 127,121 | 164,141 | ||
| Endowment funds | 12 | 26,774 | 26,774 | ||
| Total charity funds | 10 | 7,214,425 | 7,388,156 |
The financial statements on pages 13 to 30 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .......................... 13/11/2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Mr R A Frost Chairman
The notes on pages 16 to 30 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 14
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 30 June 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | ||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
| Net cash (expenditure)/income | (173,731) | 344,931 | ||||
| Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items | ||||||
| Depreciation | 6 | 124,919 | 120,008 | |||
| Dividends and interest received | 3 | (259,710) | (282,212) | |||
| Profit on disposal of fixed assets | 46 | - | ||||
| Gain on investments | (212,790) | (308,001) | ||||
| (521,266) | (125,274) | |||||
| Working capital adjustments | ||||||
| Decrease in stocks | 6,059 | 704 | ||||
| Decrease/(increase) in debtors | 8 | 464,494 | (426,899) | |||
| (Decrease)/increase in creditors | 9 | (9,016) | 17,778 | |||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | (59,729) | (533,691) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||
| Dividends and interest received | 3 | 259,710 | 282,212 | |||
| Purchase of tangible fixed assets | 6 | (94,587) | (122,140) | |||
| Proceeds from the sale of tangible assets | 144 | - | ||||
| Purchase of investments | 7 | (731,177) | (578,141) | |||
| Proceeds from sale of investments | 700,622 | 938,694 | ||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | 134,712 | 520,625 | ||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 74,983 | (13,066) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at 1 July | 73,643 | 86,709 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June | 148,626 | 73,643 |
The notes on pages 16 to 30 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 15
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025
1 Accounting policies
The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material to the charitable company’s affairs.
Statutory information
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind is a company (No. 03053277) and charity (No. 1047257) domiciled in England and Wales The address of its registered office is: 5 Mappin Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 4DT.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, applicable accounting standards and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. There has been no material departure from this standard.
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind meets the definition of a Public Benefit Entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value, unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
The financial statements are presented in Sterling (£).
Going concern
The trustees have prepared these financial statements on a going concern basis. The trustees have reviewed forecasts to June 2027 and believe the charitable company will be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due, as a result, the trustees do not believe that there are any material uncertainties that exist in relation to going concern.
Incoming resources
Donations, gifts and legacies
All monetary donations and gifts are included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable, provided there are no donor-imposed restrictions as to the timing of the related expenditure, in which case recognition is deferred until the pre-condition has been met.
Legacies are recognised when they are notified to us, that we have sufficient information to determine the amount or make a reasonable estimate of the amount and it is probable that it will be received.
Nominal rental income - Mappin Street
Nominal rental income relating to the Mappin Street site has been partially received and has been credited to deferred income. The total income receivable will be released to the statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.
Investment income
Investment income, including associated income tax recoveries, is recognised when the charity’s right to receive payment is established.
Page 16
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Resources expended
Expenditure, which is charged on an accruals basis, is allocated between:
-
Expenditure incurred directly to the fulfilment of the charitable company’s objectives (direct charitable);
-
Expenditure incurred in the governance of the charitable company.
Financial risk
The charitable company uses financial instruments comprising cash, debtors and creditors. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to finance the working capital cycle of the charitable company and finance longer term capital needs. The policies for managing the risks which may affect the charitable company remain unchanged from the previous year.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for expenditure on the general objectives of the charitable company.
Restricted funds are maintained separately from unrestricted funds.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost, net of depreciation. Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of tangible fixed assets other than land by equal annual instalments over their estimated useful economic lives, charging a full year in the year of purchase and none in the year of disposal. The rates generally applicable are:
Asset class Depreciation method and rate Freehold and leasehold buildings 2% - 5% Straight line Motor vehicles 15% Straight line Fixtures and fittings 10% - 20% Straight line
Investments
Assets held for investment purposes are valued at market value at the balance sheet date. Net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals during the year are included in the statement of financial activities.
Stocks
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after due regard for obsolete and slow moving stocks. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Debtors
Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment.
Creditors
Short term trade creditors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits within financial institutions.
Defined contribution pension scheme
The pension costs charged in the statement of financial activities represent the amount of the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.
Page 17
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Operating leases
Rentals under operating leases are charged to expenditure on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Financial Instruments
The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value, representing amortised cost, as follows:
| Financial | instrument | Measurement on initial recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | Cash Held | |
| Debtors | Settlement amount after any trade discounts | |
| Creditors | Settlement amount after any trade discounts (assuming normal credit terms apply) |
Significant judgements and estimates
The charity has made judgements and estimates in respect of legacy income. The basis of this is that legacies are recognised when they are notified to us, that we have sufficient information to determine the amount or make a reasonable estimate of the amount and it is probable that it will be received. The estimate of legacy income included within debtors at the year-end is £27,600 of which £17,500 has been received to date.
2 Income
All of the income for the charitable company was attributable to the United Kingdom.
3 Investment income
| 3 Investment income |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Investment income comprises income from: | |||||
| Rental income | 16,506 | 14,587 | |||
| Listed investments | 257,107 | 278,855 | |||
| Bank deposits | 2,603 | 3,357 | |||
| 276,216 | 296,799 |
Page 18
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
4 Analysis of total expenditure
| Cairn | Mappin | Total | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund-raising | Home | Street | Rotherham | Governance | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Direct costs | |||||||||
| Staff costs | 79,326 | 1,037,745 | 613,830 | 154,689 | - | 1,885,590 | 1,654,820 | ||
| Depreciation | - | 56,391 | 38,404 | 12,232 | - | 107,027 | 99,854 | ||
| Catering costs | - | 51,085 | - | - | - | 51,085 | 57,292 | ||
| Client transport costs | - | 5,434 | - | 1,764 | - | 7,198 | 6,938 | ||
| Residential fees subsidy | - | 35,855 | - | - | - | 35,855 | 32,584 | ||
| Holidays and outings | - | - | 339 | - | - | 339 | (240) | ||
| Other direct welfare costs | - | 5,461 | 28,461 | 22,287 | - | 56,209 | 65,089 | ||
| Staff travel costs | - | - | 26,379 | 407 | - | 26,786 | 16,797 | ||
| Property and equipment maintenance costs | - | 81,179 | 75,465 | - | - | 156,644 | 130,789 | ||
| Heating and lighting | - | 41,510 | 26,083 | - | - | 67,593 | 80,162 | ||
| Other establishment costs | 12,104 | 28,415 | 10,305 | 26,790 | - | 77,614 | 85,971 | ||
| Audit fee | - | - | - | - | 21,500 | 21,500 | 19,470 | ||
| Legal and professional | - | 821 | 2,946 | 1,163 | - | 4,930 | 4,409 | ||
| 91,430 | 1,343,896 | 822,212 | 219,332 | 21,500 | 2,498,370 | 2,253,935 | |||
| Allocated costs | |||||||||
| General office, finance and management staff | 7,620 | 30,479 | 76,197 | 38,099 | - | 152,395 | 143,919 | ||
| 7,620 | 30,479 | 76,197 | 38,099 | - | 152,395 | 143,919 |
Page 19
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
4 Analysis of total expenditure (continued)
| Cairn | Mappin | Total | Total | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund-raising | Home | Street | Rotherham | Governance | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted funds | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | - | - | 3,871 | 14,021 | - | 17,892 | 20,154 | |||||||||||||
| Other establishment costs | - | - | 22,607 | 1,284 | - | 23,891 | 10,080 | |||||||||||||
| Other direct welfare costs | - | - | 19,005 | - | - | 19,005 | 6,964 | |||||||||||||
| Staff costs | - | - | 7,122 | - | - | 7,122 | 92,878 | |||||||||||||
| - | - | 52,605 | 15,305 | - | 67,910 | 130,076 | ||||||||||||||
| Total resources expended | 99,050 | 1,374,375 | 951,014 | 272,736 | 21,500 | 2,718,675 | 2,527,930 |
Allocated costs are split on a basis of time spent.
Page 20
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
5 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||||||
| Wages and salaries | 1,727,574 | 1,625,582 | |||||||
| Social security costs | 148,147 | 118,189 | |||||||
| Pension costs | 49,199 | 47,207 | |||||||
| Other costs | 9,451 | 5,454 | |||||||
| Agency costs | 58,644 | 48,332 | |||||||
| 1,993,015 | 1,844,764 | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | ||||||
| Full time | Part time | Full time | Part time | ||||||
| Mappin Street Centre | 20 | 16 | 22 | 17 | |||||
| Cairn Home Residential Home | 29 | 16 | 26 | 21 | |||||
| Rotherham Sight and Sound | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| 50 | 36 | 49 | 41 |
Payroll costs include £Nil (2024: £3,554) in respect of redundancy costs.
No employee earned £60,000 per annum or more in the current or preceding year.
Expenses totalling £Nil (2024: £48) were paid on behalf of trustees during the year.
The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel is £277,728 (2024: £262,915). The key management personnel of the charity comprise the following 7 (2024: 7) members of the Senior Management Team:
CEO Manager, Cairn Home Operations Manager Finance Manager Fundraising Manager Marketing Manager Community Service Manager
Page 21
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
6 Tangible fixed assets
| Long | Freehold | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| leasehold | Land and | Motor | Fixtures and | |||||||||
| buildings | buildings | vehicles | fittings | Total | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| Cost | ||||||||||||
| At 1 July 2024 | 757,682 | 1,374,018 | 135,116 | 605,574 | 2,872,390 | |||||||
| Additions | - | 38,589 | - | 55,998 | 94,587 | |||||||
| Disposals | - | - | - | (298) | (298) | |||||||
| At 30 June 2025 | 757,682 | 1,412,607 | 135,116 | 661,274 | 2,966,679 | |||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||||||
| At 1 July 2024 | 227,084 | 736,933 | 133,611 | 522,395 | 1,620,023 | |||||||
| Charge for the | ||||||||||||
| year | 15,160 | 70,672 | 1,505 | 37,582 | 124,919 | |||||||
| Eliminated on | ||||||||||||
| disposals | - | - | - | (108) | (108) | |||||||
| At 30 June 2025 | 242,244 | 807,605 | 135,116 | 559,869 | 1,744,834 | |||||||
| Net book value | ||||||||||||
| At 30 June 2025 | 515,438 | 605,002 | - | 101,405 | 1,221,845 | |||||||
| At 30 June 2024 | 530,598 | 637,085 | 1,505 | 83,179 | 1,252,367 |
As a result of the redevelopment of the Mappin Street site, the building was valued in 2009 by surveyors. They estimated that the value of the part of the building to be occupied and used by Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind to be £750,000. The valuation was carried out by Lambert Smith Hampton for the purpose of the valuation of the lease and underlease and was completed on 30 June 2009. The Society has acquired this asset by entering into a lease agreement allowing the developer to use the freehold land for 150 years. The rent for this land is deemed to be received in advance and is shown as deferred income.
Page 22
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
7 Investments
| 7 Investments |
||
|---|---|---|
| Listed | ||
| investments | ||
| £ | ||
| Cost or Valuation | ||
| At 1 July 2024 | 6,397,318 | |
| Additions | 731,177 | |
| Gain on investments | 212,790 | |
| Disposals | (700,622) | |
| At 30 June 2025 | 6,640,663 | |
| Historical Cost at 30 June 2025 | 5,310,593 |
Listed investments are stated at their mid market value as at the balance sheet date.
If listed investments had not been re-valued, they would have been included on the historical cost basis at £5,310,593 (2024: £5,281,384). The difference between historical cost and market value is included in unrestricted funds.
The following investments represent more than 5% of the investment portfolio: JP Morgan Funds Ltd US Equity Income - 5.75%
Gain on investments in the year of £212,790 (2024: gain on investments of £308,001) include realised loss of £1,377 (2024: £108,936) and unrealised gains of £214,167 (2024: unrealised losses of £199,065).
8 Debtors
| 8 Debtors |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Other debtors | 200 | 200 | |||
| Trade debtors | 102,394 | 61,775 | |||
| Prepayments | 25,018 | 56,945 | |||
| Accrued income | 30,441 | 503,627 | |||
| 158,053 | 622,547 |
Page 23
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
9 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year
| 9 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Trade creditors | 62,714 | 80,803 | |||
| Other taxation and social security | 37,925 | 38,569 | |||
| Other creditors | 60,952 | 66,671 | |||
| Accruals | 134,005 | 113,569 | |||
| 295,596 | 299,612 | ||||
| Amounts falling due after more than one year | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Deferred income | 670,000 | 675,000 |
The deferred income represents the value of a lease over freehold land at Mappin Street which has been received in the form of the leasehold property shown within fixed assets (the lease is for 150 years and the deferred income will be released over this period).
10 Funds
| 10 Funds | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Other | Balance at | |||||||||||||
| 1 July | Incoming | Resources | recognised | 30 June | |||||||||||
| 2024 | resources | expended | gains/(losses) | 2025 | |||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||||||||
| General funds | 6,081,339 | 2,300,193 | (2,649,694) | (1,377) | 5,730,461 | ||||||||||
| Revaluation fund | 1,115,902 | - | - | 214,167 | 1,330,069 | ||||||||||
| Restricted funds | 164,141 | 30,890 | (67,910) | - | 127,121 | ||||||||||
| Endowment funds | 26,774 | 1,071 | (1,071) | - | 26,774 | ||||||||||
| Total funds | 7,388,156 | 2,332,154 | (2,718,675) | 212,790 | 7,214,425 |
Page 24
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
11 Restricted funds
| 11 Restricted funds | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | |||||||||||
| Balance at 1 | Incoming | Resources | 30 June | ||||||||
| July 2024 | resources | expended | 2025 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||
| Barnsley Council | - | 5,000 | (5,000) | - | |||||||
| Cutlers Company Charitable Trust | 1,105 | 2,000 | (1,284) | 1,821 | |||||||
| Gardner's Trust for the Blind | 769 | - | (769) | - | |||||||
| Marjorie Coote Old People's | |||||||||||
| Charity Fund | 340 | 5,000 | (1,741) | 3,599 | |||||||
| National Heritage Lottery | 13,543 | - | (13,543) | - | |||||||
| National Lottery Community | |||||||||||
| Awards For All Fund | 5,030 | - | (5,030) | - | |||||||
| Norman Bradbury Award | 2,233 | - | (339) | 1,894 | |||||||
| Peter Harrison Foundation | 7,000 | 5,000 | (11,167) | 833 | |||||||
| Primary Club | 1,712 | - | (1,712) | - | |||||||
| Rotherham Refurbishment Appeal | 96,949 | - | (13,360) | 83,589 | |||||||
| Sheffield & District Association For | |||||||||||
| The Disabled | 2,000 | 2,500 | (2,000) | 2,500 | |||||||
| Sheffield Club for the Hard of | |||||||||||
| Hearing | - | 500 | (500) | - | |||||||
| Sheffield YP Life Skills Trust 1 | 923 | - | (68) | 855 | |||||||
| Sheffield YP Life Skills Trust 2 | 190 | - | (188) | 2 | |||||||
| Sport England | 12,911 | - | (2,642) | 10,269 | |||||||
| South Yorkshire's Community | |||||||||||
| Foundation | 2,092 | - | (2,092) | - | |||||||
| The Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust | - | 2,200 | (2,200) | - | |||||||
| Ulverscroft Foundation | 12,219 | - | (660) | 11,559 | |||||||
| Worshipful Company of | |||||||||||
| Information Technologists | 3,400 | - | (3,400) | - | |||||||
| Worshipful Company of Spectacle | |||||||||||
| Makers | 1,725 | - | - | 1,725 | |||||||
| YOR4Good Fund - East Riding of | |||||||||||
| Yorkshire Council | - | 8,690 | (215) | 8,475 | |||||||
| 164,141 | 30,890 | (67,910) | 127,121 |
Page 25
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
11 Restricted funds (continued)
National Heritage Lottery This is a grant to fund costs associated with celebrating SRSB’s 160th anniversary (video, brochure, history book, remaining garden costs).
National Lottery Community Awards for all Fund To help part fund a Rehabilitation Officer and fuel costs for a Daily Living Project.
National Lottery Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund To fund staff and equipment working to maximise the benefits for visually impaired people in Sheffield & Rotherham.
Norman Bradbury Award This is a donation made to the SRSB by Sheffield Talking News from which grants are made to visually impaired people in Sheffield who are in dire straits.
Primary Club This is a donation made to SRSB to fund the purchase of shooting equipment.
Rotherham Minibus Appeal Rotherham Sight & Sound launched an appeal to fund the purchase of a minibus. When the appeal reached the target of £50,000 a minibus was purchased. When the vehicle was purchased it was capitalised as an addition to tangible fixed assets and the depreciation charged against the asset each year is then allocated against the donations received.
Rotherham Refurbishment Appeal Donations towards the building work at our Rotherham Sight and Sound site. Donations have been received from:
-
Bernard Sunley Foundation
-
Lord Barnby’s Foundation
-
Westfield Health
-
Wolfson Foundation
-
West Riding Masonic Charities
These funds relate to tangible fixed assets and so the depreciation charged against the assets each year is then allocated against the donations received.
Sheffield & District Association for the Disabled Towards the costs of Winter Warmer/Cream Teas for clients.
Sheffield YP Life Skills Trust 1 This is a grant made to SRSB originally for the provision of supporting children with a visual impairment to attend residential activity courses operated by RNIB. However the courses were subsequently cancelled by RNIB and the donor agreed we could utilise the funds to provide activity toys for children with a visual impairment. Two awards were made during 2019-20 for the purchase of two specialist armchairs for children with complex needs. The purchases were capitalised and the depreciation charged against the assets each year will then be allocated against the grants received.
Sheffield YP Life Skills Trust 2 This is a grant made to purchase iPads for the use of children and young people with a visual impairment. When the iPads are purchased they will be capitalised as an addition to tangible fixed assets and the depreciation charged against the asset each year will then be allocated against the grant received.
South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation Towards the running costs of the Sheffield DeafBlind Group
Sport England Towards sports equipment, visually impaired tennis and visually impaired baseball.
Page 26
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
11 Restricted funds (continued)
Ulverscroft Foundation Towards the costs of a Home Demonstration Kitchen and Daily Living Project
Worshipful Company of Information Technologists This is a grant made to purchase tablets / iPads.
Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers This is a grant made for tandem repairs and to purchase a tandem trailer.
The Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust Towards the costs of Looking Ahead support group.
YOR4Good Fund This is a grant made for refurbishments at Rotherham.
Barnsley Council This is a grant towards business productivity and digitalisation.
Sheffield Club for the Hard of Hearing This is a grant made to purchase IT equipment.
Page 27
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
11 Restricted funds (continued)
| 11 Restricted funds (continued) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | |||||||||||
| Balance at 1 | Incoming | Resources | 30 June | ||||||||
| July 2023 | resources | expended | 2024 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||
| Cutlers Company Charitable Trust | 1,936 | - | (831) | 1,105 | |||||||
| Gardner's Trust for the Blind | 450 | 769 | (450) | 769 | |||||||
| Gripple | - | 5,000 | (5,000) | - | |||||||
| Marjorie Coote Old People's | |||||||||||
| Charity Fund | 970 | - | (630) | 340 | |||||||
| National Heritage Lottery | 6,867 | 10,280 | (3,604) | 13,543 | |||||||
| National Lottery Community | |||||||||||
| Awards For All Fund | - | 20,000 | (14,970) | 5,030 | |||||||
| National Lottery Community | |||||||||||
| Organisations Cost of Living Fund | - | 75,000 | (75,000) | - | |||||||
| Norman Bradbury Award | 1,635 | 1,000 | (402) | 2,233 | |||||||
| Peter Harrison Foundation | 1,500 | 7,000 | (1,500) | 7,000 | |||||||
| Primary Club | 1,712 | - | - | 1,712 | |||||||
| Rotherham Minibus Appeal | 7,182 | - | (7,182) | - | |||||||
| Rotherham Refurbishment Appeal | 109,665 | - | (12,716) | 96,949 | |||||||
| Sheffield & District Association for | |||||||||||
| the Disabled | - | 2,000 | - | 2,000 | |||||||
| Sheffield YP Life Skills Trust 1 | 991 | - | (68) | 923 | |||||||
| Sheffield YP Life Skills Trust 2 | 378 | - | (188) | 190 | |||||||
| Sport England | - | 13,269 | (358) | 12,911 | |||||||
| South Yorkshire’s Community | |||||||||||
| Foundation | - | 5,000 | (2,908) | 2,092 | |||||||
| Ulverscroft Foundation | - | 15,338 | (3,119) | 12,219 | |||||||
| Westfield Health | 650 | - | (650) | - | |||||||
| Worshipful Company of | |||||||||||
| Information Technologists | 3,400 | - | - | 3,400 | |||||||
| Worshipful Company of Spectacle | |||||||||||
| Makers | 2,225 | - | (500) | 1,725 | |||||||
| 139,561 | 154,656 | (130,076) | 164,141 |
Page 28
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
12 Endowment funds
| 12 Endowment funds | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 1 | Incoming | Resources | Balance at | ||||||||
| July 2024 | resources | expended | 30 June 2025 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||
| Earnshaw Trust | 11,851 | 474 | (474) | 11,851 | |||||||
| Henrietta Kitchin Will Trust | 14,923 | 597 | (597) | 14,923 | |||||||
| 26,774 | 1,071 | (1,071) | 26,774 | ||||||||
| Balance at 1 | Incoming | Resources | Balance at | ||||||||
| July 2023 | resources | expended | 30 June 2024 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||
| Earnshaw Trust | 11,851 | 475 | (475) | 11,851 | |||||||
| Henrietta Kitchin Will Trust | 14,923 | 598 | (598) | 14,923 | |||||||
| 26,774 | 1,073 | (1,073) | 26,774 | ||||||||
| 13 Analysis of net assets between funds | |||||||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | |||||||||
| fund | funds | funds | 2025 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 1,130,156 | 91,689 | - | 1,221,845 | |||||||
| Investments | 6,613,889 | - | 26,774 | 6,640,663 | |||||||
| Net current assets | (13,515) | 35,432 | - | 21,917 | |||||||
| Deferred income | (670,000) | - | - | (670,000) | |||||||
| Total net assets | 7,060,530 | 127,121 | 26,774 | 7,214,425 | |||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | |||||||||
| funds | funds | funds | 2024 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||
| Tangible assets | 1,138,392 | 113,975 | - | 1,252,367 | |||||||
| Investments | 6,370,544 | - | 26,774 | 6,397,318 | |||||||
| Net current assets | 363,305 | 50,166 | - | 413,471 | |||||||
| Deferred income | (675,000) | - | - | (675,000) | |||||||
| Total net assets | 7,197,241 | 164,141 | 26,774 | 7,388,156 |
Page 29
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)
14 Analysis of net debt
| 14 Analysis of net debt | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 2024 | Cash flow | Non-cash Movements |
30 June 2025 |
|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Cash at the bank and in hand | 73,643 | 74,983 | - | 148,626 | |
| 73,643 | 74,983 | 148,626 |
15 Liability of members
Under Clause 6 of the Memorandum of Association all members undertake to contribute to the assets of the charitable company such an amount as may be required, not exceeding £1, in the event of it being wound up during the period of membership and within one year afterwards.
16 Contingent liabilities
The charitable company had no contingent liabilities at 30 June 2025 or 30 June 2024.
17 Leasing commitments
The charitable company had no leases at 30 June 2025 or 30 June 2024.
18 Retirement benefits
The charitable company operates defined contribution pension schemes for the benefit of the employees. The assets are administered by trustees in funds independent from the funds of the charitable company.
19 Related party transactions
During the year Mr E Hill (£120), Mr R A Frost (£100), and Mr N Wragg (£25) made donations to the charity.
Page 30