Registered number: 03148333 Charity number: 1052478
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 10 |
| Independent examiner's report | 11 |
| Statement of financial activities | 12 |
| Balance sheet | 13 - 14 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 15 - 24 |
(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Trustees | H McAlpine, Chairman |
|---|---|
| P Hughes | |
| L Rousseau | |
| I Johnson | |
| E Moore | |
| Company registered number 03148333 Charity registered number 1052478 Registered office 15 Great College Street London SW1P 3RX Company secretary S Armstrong Chief executive officer S Armstrong Accountants Haslers Chartered Accountants Old Station Road Loughton Essex IG10 4PL Bankers Lloyds Bank PLC Burgess Hill Branch PO Box 1000 BX1 1LT |
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(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) as amended by Update Bulletin 1 (effective January 2015).
Since the Charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
Objectives and activities
Ovingdean Hall Foundation, previously Ovingdean Hall School for Deaf Children, is a charity and grant-maker supporting education projects for deaf children and young people in England and Wales.
The charity's objects, as set out in its Charity Trust Deed, are to 'promote and further the education, including social and physical education, of children and young people with a hearing impairment.'
Ovingdean Hall School was incorporated in 1996 as a company limited by guarantee and the Memorandum and the Articles of Association were updated in 2001. The company changed its name in July 2012 and the Memorandum and Articles of Association were updated in 2012. The company is registered as a charity (number 1052478).
The charity is organised through a Board of Trustees. The Trustees for this period are listed in section 1.
Trustees are appointed by (and may be removed by) the Trustees of the Ewing Foundation (the ‘sister’ charity) and each appointment shall be for such length of term as they shall decide. This process is reviewed annually. The Board of Trustees when complete consists of at least three and not more than seven individuals.
The Trustees meet as a Board at least three times a year to review its overall management and control, for which they are legally responsible. At Trustees’ meetings, the Trustees agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the charity, including consideration of grant making, risk management, investments, reserve policies and operational procedures.
The day-to-day administration of grants and the processing and handling of applications prior to consideration by the Trustees is delegated to the 'Administrator of the Trustees'. The Administrator meets regularly with the Chair of the Trustees as well as attending all Trustee meetings. This arrangement continued digitally during this period.
To ensure there was a rigorous process of grant assessment, these sessions took place via Zoom, telephone calls and emails across the year.
Finally, the Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. During the year, the charity's activities continued to focus on grant making to other charitable organisations in furtherance of its charitable objects.
Achievements and performance
As described in section 2, the charity's objects, as set out in its Charity Trust Deed, are to 'promote and further the education, including social and physical education, of children and young people with a hearing impairment.' The objectives remain appropriate for a ‘generic approach’ and allow for a high degree of flexible interpretation and application, which is carefully monitored.
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(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
During 2023-24, Ovingdean Hall Foundation (OHF) supported a range of existing and new projects for deaf children and young people. In addition to supporting activities such as drama, music, sport and teacher training, OHF received an increased number of applications from youth clubs/groups, and during this period, it was able to provide additional support for these groups in Birmingham, Cardiff, Cheshire, London, Portsmouth and Walsall.
The Foundation continued to receive many enquiries for support, and worked closely with potential applicants to ensure this is the most appropriate funding opportunity for them. If so, we then helped them to shape their application so they could be very clear about the outcomes for deaf children and young people. If successful, we also provided additional support to ensure their grant was ‘maximised’. This can mean putting them in touch with other organisations or signposting to further resources. We believe this approach helps extend the value of each and every grant, and feedback is extremely positive about this ‘personal’ approach.
Trustees would also like to take this opportunity to thank their community of supporters for their continued loyalty and generosity. Over the course of the year, two newsletters were sent to supporters to let them know about OHF’s projects and communicate the immense value of their interest in the Foundation’s work. Their generosity and continued support enabled further grant giving in the year, and we were immensely grateful for that.
Below is a summary of the grants provided during the year:
Deafinitely Theatre – OHF supported Deafinitely’s popular Youth Theatre programme for deaf young people. The Youth Theatre is the only specialist, free of charge, deaf-led arts provision available to young people aged 14-21 in London and nationally. The Youth Theatre’s show Are We All Islands? was performed at Oxford House Theatre in London on 17th February. Built around John Donne’s ‘No man is an island’ poem, this imaginative play about a boy washed ashore a tropical island explored themes of family, friendship and the environment using BSL, creative sign and some spoken English. The show was followed by a Question and Answer session with the cast and crew. The young people had been working on the play since September 2023, and, writing in the event programme, Youth Co-ordinator Dilara said: ‘Their dedication and creativity have been remarkable as they have immersed themselves in the various disciplines of theatre.’
A number of participants also pursued Arts Awards, an A-level equivalent, as part of the project. ‘It’s been a wonderful journey of fun, confidence, ability, teamwork and expressing their creativity, which has been a joy to witness!’ said Dilara.
DeafSELF – OHF continued its support of Deaf-SELF's summer play scheme, providing school holiday activities for Deaf children and youths in deprived areas of South London. The school-aged children have access to a range of outdoor activities and workshops. ‘Some of the highlights of the past year have included a professional drama workshop with the incomparable Graeae Theatre Company, a raucous drumming session at Crystal Palace Park, a kayaking adventure at Pirate Castle, and a tasty cookery class at professional commercial kitchen Mercato Metropolitano,’ said Annie, a Trustee.
The youth group also spent a day in Brighton, where they visited the pier, enjoyed a fish and chip lunch and took part in a game of beach volleyball. A couple of the participants on the trip expressed how much they appreciated Deaf-SELF, saying that without the club they would be staying in at home watching television, and that they love the opportunity to spend time with their friends.
Deafness Support Network (DSN) – OHF helped DSN deliver Youth Vibe, their group for deaf children and young people in the Cheshire area. The grant supported the Youth Vibe activity timetable for 8-19 year olds, plus the provision of opportunities for their Young Leaders, aged 13-25 years, to volunteer within these sessions. The aim of Youth Vibe is to reduce isolation, improve independence and increase accessibility.
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OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Elizabeth Foundation – OHF has continued its support of Let’s Listen and Talk (LL&T), The Elizabeth Foundation’s free online communication programme for deaf babies and young children. LL&T now has 1,262 registered users, a combination of families and deaf education and healthcare professionals. One parent told The Elizabeth Foundation: ‘The work you do is incredible and I’m extremely appreciative of all the resources available to me and to my family - both online and as people to actually talk to!’
Funky Kids – OHF has continued its support of Funky Kids, a grassroots community group for deaf children and their families in Walsall. The group has 380 members. Highlights from the year have included seaside trips to Llandudno and Barmouth, a festival of light, sports days, an event to mark the Coronation, a Mother’s Day afternoon tea, and a prom evening for teenagers. Funky Kids also provides specific groups for toddlers and teenagers, and a pan-disability football club. In February 2024, Funky Kids acquired a large allotment which has allowed families to garden and grow vegetables together.
In addition to social activities, Funky Kids offers wider support to families, such as sharing donated clothes and toys, providing children’s lunches and helping teenage members into employment. Founder Simone Carter has recently achieved her Level 2 in Counselling and is also able to offer some free counselling. ‘We love being part of the Funky Kids family,’ said one parent, ‘The activities are great, my daughter loves being here, and it's a great opportunity to meet other parents. The whole team work so hard to ensure everyone is welcome.’
Go Live Theatre Projects – During 2023-24, OHF supported three Stage Seen days delivered by Go Live Theatre Projects. The charity held two family events, built around The Wizard of Oz and Matilda, with 20 participants taking part on each day. In March 2024, Go Live took 44 deaf children and young people to a midweek performance of Romeo and Juliet at The Globe, as part of the theatre’s Playing Shakespeare programme (Shakespeare’s plays adapted for young audiences) for schools and community groups.
Each theatre day began with a pre-show workshop introducing the show’s central themes and characters. The family days were divided into two smaller workshops so that content could be tailored to the young people’s needs. The days also included a special meet-the-cast activity at the theatre. A couple of the parents also said that the experience had inspired their child to take up drama. One parent described a family day as, ‘A great experience and so accessible.’
‘My son had watched Matilda before but never showed the passion he showed at the Stage Seen day!’ said another parent. ‘After the workshop he really understood the characters, their body language and how they act, having the workshop before was such a beneficial experience and allowed us as a family to have an even more fun day!’
The Stage Seen day at The Globe began with an interactive carousel of pre-show activities, including a drama workshop, and Question and Answer sessions with a BSL consultant/actor and the show’s creative team. One teacher said: ‘The British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation of Romeo and Juliet was amazing, and our D/deaf base pupils could fully access and enjoy the play. The play was full of surprises and our pupils cannot stop talking about it.’
National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP) – OHF is a sponsor stakeholder of NatSIP, a partnership of organisations working to improve outcomes for children and young people with sensory impairments. In 20232024, OHF contributed to their ongoing work. NatSIP, together with University College London (UCL) and the Consortium for Research in Deaf Education (CRIDE), had been partners in a longitudinal project, led by Bob Denman from NatSIP. This was a collaborative longitudinal study of deaf children and young people, aiming to investigate relationships between pupil, provision and outcome variables.
The original study was designed to take place over a seven-year period, starting in the 2017-18 school year. By February 2022, the first three years of data collection had been finished, statistical analyses of the results completed, and a comprehensive report had been produced by Bob. Very sadly, Bob passed away in March 2022, and thus, the project was halted. As it had not been possible to restart the project, Trustees agreed in March 2023 to a further grant to fund dissemination of the study’s findings to date for the benefit of professionals
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OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
and for the public. In 2023-24, Carole Wood, an Education Advisor at OHF’s partner charity, was recruited to complete this work.
Panathlon UK – OHF is an official partner of disability sports charity Panathlon UK. OHF’s grant in 2023-2024 supported a range of sporting opportunities for deaf children and young people, including ten-pin bowling, swimming and football. The charity delivered activities across the country, including face-to-face and online sessions. Chief Operating Officer Tony Waymouth said that together Panathlon and OHF are, ‘helping schools create a legacy of inclusion,’ by encouraging them to adapt their sports curriculum, invest in sports equipment, assess and benchmark children’s development, and create leadership roles. One teacher said: ‘Our students come from eight different local authorities and some have a very long journey to school every day, so shared experiences and competitions with other deaf children are very rare and very worthwhile.’ Another teacher commented that: ‘Panathlon is fully inclusive of everybody.'
England Deaf Cricket International player James Dixon works for Panathlon four days a week as an Events Officer, organising activities in North West England. 'I tell young people at Panathlon to pick their sport, try their best and they can achieve anything,' he said.
Polka Theatre – OHF continued to support Pilot Theatre’s project to involve deaf young people in making theatre more accessible. The grant funded in-school workshops and theatre trips. The pre- and post-show workshops focused on language, characters and themes, and then each participant received a free ticket to watch the show at a local theatre. Pilot also provided free online resources so that the class could reinforce their learning by re-visiting topics and vocabulary.
Polka Theatre – OHF has supported Polka Theatre’s access programme, supporting captioned and British Sign Language (BSL) signed and integrated performances and adapted workshops. It has also helped to provide community tickets for Polka’s weekly Rhyme and Sign workshops for young children and their families. ‘Thank you for supporting these access workshops,’ said Lizzie Lord, Trusts Relationships Manager.
‘They are already having a big impact – providing a welcoming, inclusive space for children with hearing loss and speech delay to explore their senses, start to learn new ways to communicate, build confidence and socialize, but most importantly of all; have lots of fun together!’
Remark! Community – OHF has continued its support of Remark! Community, a youth club in North London attended by about 30 deaf children and young people each week. Remark! provides a range of activities, games, themed nights, and sports events. They also deliver workshops and group discussions on topics such as online safety, health issues, finances and lifestyle choices. ‘Remark! offers isolated Deaf young people a safe place to meet, socialise, and become more informed on issues facing teenagers today,’ said Trustee Jonny Nelson.
School of Sexuality Education (SSE) – OHF has continued to fund SSE’s project to develop contemporary and comprehensive Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) programmes for deaf learners. The charity helps schools to provide age-appropriate, inclusive and trauma-informed RSE programmes, promoting education as a means to prevent sexual violence, tackle taboos and social injustices, and create a safer and kinder environment for all young people.
During 2023-24, SSE continued to develop their workshops on consent and relationships and puberty and anatomy, breaking the subject matter into separate workshops where needed. The workshops have all been scaffolded within a progressive programme relating to age range and language and learning needs, with support from QToDs at our partner charity Ewing Foundation. In October 2023, SSE held an event to share their accessible resources for deaf learners and their teachers. Towards the end of the reporting period, SSE have been working on plans to make the project more sustainable and fully embedded within the charity's wider activities. As such, they are recruiting a Project Coordinator to join the team to lead the programmes and work more closely with QToDs.
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OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Sound Waves Foundation (SWF) – SWF is small parent-led charity committed to improving inclusivity and accessibly for deaf children and young people by promoting the use of live captioning in classrooms. Following OHF’s support of a successful research pilot during 2022, OHF funded the expansion of live captioning to four schools in East Sussex, benefiting around 400 students (both hearing and deaf). Initial qualitative research has been undertaken in two schools, and then reviewed by a panel of professionals, including OHF Trustee Lindsey Rousseau, and Clare Prior, an Education Advisor at Ewing Foundation. Further research into the outcomes of using speech-to-text Artificial Intelligence in classrooms will inform this project going forward.
Toy Like Me – OHF supported ‘Toy Like Me’, an arts and play non-profit that promotes positive representation of disability among children, their families and teachers, and the toy industry. OHF has previously supported ‘Toy Like Me’, providing funding to develop See It Be It, an interactive exhibition pack celebrating the wide variety of careers held by D/deaf adults. In 2023-24, OHF has funded eight new exhibition packs, containing display panels and activity materials, which have been shared with schools. Children use tokens to select their favourite jobs, and also create and add images of their own dream jobs. ‘They were really excited by the exhibition and loved the interactivity,’ said co-founder Karen Newell, ‘It created a lot of discussion about what jobs were available – they were all amazed at the range of jobs people had - some they hadn't thought were accessible, others they hadn't even thought about! It made their creating of the board with their own aspirations for employment more interesting.’
OHF also helped to fund five ‘Bear Ear Clinics’. The Clinic provides a set of classroom resources for teachers to run their own bear ear clinics, supporting deaf children in their mainstream setting and educating their hearing peers through representative play.
The resources include toy hearing aids, cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids, a Deaf Awareness booklet and a BSL alphabet, teddy bear and doctor’s coat. They also provide teachers with online training in how to deliver the clinic. ‘Our research with academics at Queen Margaret’s University has found that playing with disabled toys for just three minutes can improve the friendship intentions of non-disabled children towards their disabled peers,’ said Karen Newell. ‘We also know that positive playful representation and inclusion can boost self-esteem and in deaf and disabled children.’
Birmingham Institute for the Deaf (BID) Services – OHF supported BID Services’ youth provision for deaf children and young people in Birmingham and the surrounding areas. BID’s youth services include a weekly club that offers up to 20 deaf children and young people activities such as arts and crafts, drama and sports. In September 2023, they invited creatives from Birmingham Rep Foundry Project to deliver poetry, art, film making and dance sessions. Members and their families were all then invited to The Rep to watch a BSL-interpreted performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
BID also offer a holiday scheme. In January 2024, their new Youth Worker delivered three days of activities including swimming, rock climbing and archery, plus a special visit from a chef, who was also deaf, who showed members how to make a healthy pizza.
BID provides its members, aged 15-18 years, with the opportunity to part in their Youth Leaders programme. Once trained, the Youth Leaders go on to support the club’s activities, while also developing their own skills and confidence. ‘Our provision helps reduce isolation, increases aspirations, and most importantly, supports young deaf people’s social and educational development, through increased access to social and leisure activities,’ said Project Manager, Jorja Le Gallienne.
Glue Ear Together – OHF supported Glue Ear Together (GET), an organisation that provides families and professionals with practical information about glue ear, a temporary hearing loss that affects many young children. GET was co-founded in 2023 by Jen Royds, the mother of a child with glue ear, and Katy Mitchell, a Qualified Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People and Early Years specialist who also works with OHF’s partner charity Ewing Foundation.
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(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
OHF supported GET’s new website, enabling Jen and Katy to share information on the causes and symptoms of glue ear, together with interventions. The website launch coincided with the release of updated guidance on the condition from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and GET and Katy’s booklet about hearing loss Hearing to Succeed and Achieve have been signposted by NICE as sources of further information.
‘An awareness of the very simple steps that can be taken to help a child to hear will make a huge difference in enabling young children with glue ear to succeed and achieve,’ said Jen and Katy.
National Centre for Early Music – OHF has also started supporting the National Centre for Early Music’s I Can Play project, providing Saturday morning music lessons for deaf children in York. In September 2023, they launched ‘I Can Play Brass’, a collaboration with the Shepherd Group Brass Band, which has seen the charity deliver weekly (during term time) brass music lessons to deaf children. They have reported that even in this short space of time, participants have developed in musicianship, concentration, rehearsal etiquette and their approach to being part of an ensemble.
One mother said that, ‘My daughter says it's time to get together with people that enjoy playing brass instruments and a place where she is not judged for being deaf,’
Her daughter added, ‘Everyone is a good friend there and they help me if I play the wrong note. I feel we are all the same and just have fun.’
‘I Can Play Brass’ participants performed with Brass Roots at the Shepherd Group Brass Band Christmas concerts in December 2023, and also gave a short performance at a Christmas party organised by the hearing loss charity ‘Lollipop’ in York.
Orchestras Live – OHF supported ‘Deaf Perspectives – Past and Present’, a heritage project produced by Orchestras Live in partnership with Suffolk Archives and Suffolk Music Hub. The project involved two school resource bases for deaf children and young people in West Suffolk, and included film, photography and music activities inspired by the life of local deaf photographer Walton Burrell (1863-1944). The project included film and photography workshops, a museum visit to view the type of World War One artefacts that featured in Burrell’s war photography, and a research workshop hosted by Suffolk Archives.
The children and young people worked with composer James Redwood and deaf flautist Ruth Montgomery to create rhythms and sounds inspired by Burrell’s photographs, and these were developed into several pieces that the young people could perform alongside Britten Sinfonia at a concert in Bury St Edmunds in December 2023. One student said, ‘The show was a fascinating experience as I saw how we worked together as a group, we put a smile on the crowd’s faces.’ Another student added: ‘I loved playing with the orchestra. It was so fun. I now love playing music.’
Saturday Kids Zone – OHF supported the Portsmouth-based youth club Saturday Kids Zone (SKZ), covering venue hire for one year. SKZ was founded by Lindsey Piasco, who wanted her own children and other deaf children to benefit from the type of clubs she had attended when young. After a successful launch in 2017, SKZ was forced to close during the pandemic. OHF’s grant has helped the club to open its doors again in January 2024, with 34 families joining in the first year. The venue provides a place for children and their families to take part in activities and socialise together. The club offers arts and crafts, an area for toddlers, and a games room for teenagers. Highlights from the year have included making gifts for Mother’s and Father’s Days, a science workshop, trips to captioned cinema and theatre, go-karting and a Christmas party. ‘The lives of children and their families are truly enriched by this club,’ said Lindsey.
Sign School – OHF has supported Sign School, a community British Sign Language (BSL) school serving Cardiff and the surrounding areas. Founded by Siobhan Darien, the mother of a deaf child, this popular club delivers BSL lessons to children and their families. There are also play and arts and crafts activities led by Deaf youth workers, as well as sports and coaching activities with a qualified sports coach who is Deaf. Highlights from the year have included a music workshop with Paul Whittaker, a football game with players from Welsh
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(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Deaf Football, rock climbing and water rafting. ‘We support children who are the only Deaf child in their school, family, and community,’ said Siobhan, ‘To these children, Sign School provides a Deaf peer group and an opportunity to build a strong Deaf identity.’
Status Employment – OHF supported the charity Status Employment’s Hear to Work project to provide young adults in Lambeth, who are deaf and and/ or hard of hearing, with the opportunity to carry our six-month paid work placements at a local café/community venue. Participants took part in barista training and also learned about food preparation and customer service. The young people on the placement also benefited from the charity’s one-to-one employment support, such as searching for jobs, writing applications and preparing for interviews. ‘Participants are supported to create a journey-to-work plan to enable them to gain sustainable employment beyond the initial work placement,’ said Warren Trunchion, Status’s Services Manager.
Con Powell Memorial Scholarships – This year, OHF awarded seven new Scholarships for teachers to train to become Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (QToDs). The Scholarships are managed on behalf of OHF by the British Association of Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (BATOD). Scholars also benefit from the support of deaf education professionals at our partner charity Ewing Foundation. The Scholarships are named in honour of Con Powell, the first President of BATOD and the first Chief Executive Officer of Ewing Foundation.
OHF small grants scheme
OHF’s programme to provide grants for small organisations and individuals working with deaf children and young people entered its third year. With grants ranging from a few hundred pounds to £1,500, funding is available to support professional development such as accessing training, undertaking research, buying a resource or piece of equipment not available to applicants through their work. This process is not intended for projects where other funding should be available, for example, by schools, colleges or individuals providing activities under their statutory duty.
In 2023-24, small grants were granted to support Saturday Kids Zone’s venue hire, Sign School’s activities budget and Glue Ear Together’s website. A contribution was also made to a Specialist Deaf Consultant’s Deaf Relay training in order to help her support vulnerable deaf children and young people in their contact with legal and local authorities.
A small contribution was also made to Heathlands School toward the cost of taking three students to The Battle of the Books, an international literacy competition at Gallaudet University, USA. Although this was not something OHF would normally fund, it was felt appropriate to recognise the students’ achievement (they were the only UK school competing) with a one-off small grant. Congratulations to the team from Heathlands School for winning third place in their division.
Financial review
Following a strategic review in the previous year, and as detailed in our last report, Trustees recognised the financial resources will soon deplete and the grant making will no longer be able to continue when that happens. A loss was recognised of £253,309 in the accounts reducing net funds to £1,114,886.
Trustees believe the current resources will last for a further 8-10 years, depending on the level of grant allocations in the years ahead. Therefore, they continued to monitor this situation very closely over this period, and continued to use a rigorous process of grant assessment and monitoring.
Structure, governance and management
As detailed in section 2, Ovingdean Hall Foundation was previously Ovingdean Hall School for Deaf Children, and is a charity and grant-maker supporting education projects for deaf children and young people in England and Wales.
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(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The charity's objects, as set out in its Charity Trust Deed, are to 'promote and further the education, including social and physical education, of children and young people with a hearing impairment.'
Ovingdean Hall School was incorporated in 1996 as a company limited by guarantee and the Memorandum and the Articles of Association were updated in 2001. The company changed its name in July 2012 and the Memorandum and Articles of Association were updated in 2012. The company is registered as a charity (number 1052478).
As detailed in section one, the charity is organised through a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are appointed by (and may be removed by) the Trustees of the Ewing Foundation and each appointment shall be for such length of term as they shall decide. Trustees are inducted into the working of the charity, including statutory and nonstatutory information and procedures.
The Board of Trustees, when complete, consists of at least three and not more than seven individuals. The Trustees meet as a Board at least three times a year to review its overall management and control, for which they are legally responsible. At Trustees’ meetings, the Trustees agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the charity, including consideration of grant making, risk management, investments, reserve policies and operational procedures. The day-to-day administration of grants and the processing and handling of applications prior to consideration by the Trustees is delegated to the 'Administrator of the Trustees'. The Administrator meets regularly with the Chair of the Trustees as well as attending all Trustee meetings.
The Trustees examine the major risks that the charity faces each financial year through their Trustee meetings. There are systems in place to monitor and control these risks in order to mitigate any impact that they may have on the charity. Risks are identified, assessed and controls established throughout the year. The key controls used by the charity include;
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Agendas and minutes for all Trustees' meetings
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Professional Consultants to advise Trustees as necessary
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Financial controls and management accounting
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Authorisation and approval levels
The main financial risk for consideration for the Trustees is to ensure they do not over commit in terms of their grant making activity whereby they do not have the funds to maintain the long- term day-to-day running of the charity. Through the risk management process, Trustees are satisfied that the major risks identified have been adequately mitigated.
It is recognised that systems can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately managed.
The Trustees are mindful of their duty of due diligence and have accordingly put in place a range of procedures and requirements for groups and organisations to follow when requesting grants. Trustees have established agreed criteria for eligibility for submitting grant applications including areas that they will not fund.
They have ensured that the application process gives a detailed overview of the project, including the purpose for which the grant is requested, who will benefit from the grant, a breakdown of costs and the way the project will meet the identified need.
Applications are then considered by the Trustees using the information from the application form and supporting mandatory information such as the applying organisation's trading accounts for the last financial year, forecast income and expenditure for the current financial year and their safeguarding policies and procedures.
Any applications that are requesting grants for large or unusual projects are also visited by an independent consultant representing Ovingdean Hall Foundation who then submits a report to the Trustees prior to Board's
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OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
final decision.
Once an application has been successful, the project is monitored throughout its term by visits from an Ovingdean Hall Foundation representative and through stringent interim and end of project monitoring forms.
Finally, Ovingdean Hall Foundation continued to be directly linked to The Ewing Foundation (www.ewingfoundation.org.uk) during this period, for the wider benefit of deaf children and young people.
Looking ahead
The Trustees will continue to pay close attention to the financial resources available to achieve the charity objects, as set out in the Charity Trust Deed.
Following their strategic review in the previous year, and as detailed in our last report, they recognised the resources will soon deplete and the grant making will no longer be able to continue when that happens. Trustees believe resources will last for a further 8-10 years, depending on the level of grant allocations. Therefore, careful monitoring of spend continues to be needed in the next period. Trustees agreed they will continue to use their robust methods of grant application and assessment (as described earlier in this report) to ensure they 'promote and further the education, including social and physical education, of children and young people with a hearing impairment', as set out in its Charity Trust Deed.
Trustees will continue to offer ‘small grant’ funding for individuals, small groups and organisations in the year ahead, as described earlier in this report. They recognise a small amount can go a very long way for smaller groups and charities, and are very pleased to be able to continue to offer this support. Trustees would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Lindsey Rousseau for her continued support with this aspect of OHF grant giving.
Finally, Trustees recognised they will need to recruit new Trustees going forward. This work has begun and will continue into the next period. This will be reported on in the next annual report.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 13 December 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
L Rousseau
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OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Ovingdean Hall Foundation ('the Charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the Charity (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: 13 December 2024 Laura Ambrose FCA
Haslers Old Station Road Loughton Essex IG10 4PL
Page 11
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 2 Investments 3 Rental income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Total expenditure Net expenditure before net losses on investments Net losses on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 8,100 48,296 1 56,397 988 280,150 281,138 (224,741) (28,570) (253,311) 1,368,196 (253,311) 1,114,885 |
Total funds 2024 £ 8,100 48,296 1 56,397 988 280,150 281,138 (224,741) (28,570) (253,311) 1,368,196 (253,311) 1,114,885 |
Total funds 2023 £ 9,638 66,533 1 76,172 1,816 237,341 239,157 (162,985) (125,314) (288,299) 1,656,495 (288,299) 1,368,196 |
|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 15 to 24 form part of these financial statements.
Page 12
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 03148333
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Note Fixed assets Investments 9 Current assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets excluding pension asset Total net assets |
2,684 122,051 124,735 (19,956) |
2024 £ 1,010,107 1,010,107 104,779 1,114,886 1,114,886 1,114,886 |
6,444 119,842 126,286 (25,569) |
2023 £ 1,267,479 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,267,479 100,717 |
||||
| 1,368,196 | ||||
| 1,368,196 | ||||
| 1,368,196 |
Page 13
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 03148333
BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Note Charity funds Unrestricted funds 12 Total funds |
2024 £ 1,114,886 1,114,886 |
2023 £ 1,368,196 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,368,196 |
The Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 13 December 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
L Rousseau
The notes on pages 15 to 24 form part of these financial statements.
Page 14
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Ovingdean Hall Foundation 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.
1.2 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
Page 15
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.4 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
1.5 Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the statement of financial activities.
1.6 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
1.7 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.8 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
1.9 Financial instruments
The Charity 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 with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Page 16
(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.10 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
2. Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Donations 8,100 Total 2023 9,638 |
Total funds 2024 £ 8,100 9,638 |
Total funds 2023 £ 9,638 |
|---|---|---|
3. Investment income
| Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Income from listed investments 47,870 Investment income 426 48,296 Total 2023 66,533 |
Total funds 2024 £ 47,870 426 48,296 66,533 |
Total funds 2023 £ 66,409 124 |
|---|---|---|
| 66,533 | ||
Page 17
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 4. Other incoming resources Rental income 5. Analysis of grants Grants paid Total 2023 |
Grants to Institutions 2024 £ 251,240 206,317 |
Total funds 2024 £ 1 Total funds 2024 £ 251,240 206,317 |
Total funds 2023 £ 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2023 £ 206,317 |
|||
Page 18
(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
5. Analysis of grants (continued)
The Charity has made the following material grants to institutions during the year:
| Name of institution BATOD - Con Powell Scholarships Cheshire Youth Vibe Deafinitely Theatre NATSIP Panathlon Soundwaves Deaf-Self Signhealth Funkykids Ewing Foundation Remark! Community Ltd Elizabeth Foundation School of Sexuality Education Ltd Mousetrap Pilot Theatre BID Services Sounds of intent Toys Like Me The York Early Music Foundation Small Grants under £2,000 |
2024 £ 41,920 - - 5,000 25,000 - - - 12,411 47,200 10,935 25,782 30,000 15,000 7,745 8,500 - 6,620 3,000 12,127 251,240 251,240 |
2023 £ 30,600 5,058 10,000 5,000 - 30,976 15,400 11,700 11,280 47,200 10,575 - 10,000 - - - 12,233 - - 6,295 |
|---|---|---|
| 206,317 | ||
| 206,317 |
Page 19
(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
6. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| Charitable activities Other trading activities Total 2023 Analysis of support costs Sundry expenses Travel expenses Legal & professional expenses Trustee expenses Bank charges Accountancy Consulting Printing & stationery Telephone & internet Insurance Rent Computer costs Subscriptions Investment management fees |
Grant funding of activities 2024 £ - 251,240 251,240 206,317 |
Support costs 2024 £ 28,910 - 28,910 31,024 |
Total funds 2024 £ 28,910 251,240 280,150 237,341 Total funds 2024 £ 1 1,757 277 113 94 2,732 12,776 634 708 2,172 2,195 1,320 998 3,133 28,910 |
Total funds 2023 £ 31,024 206,317 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 237,341 | ||||
| Total funds 2023 £ 546 475 - 123 108 2,860 14,095 704 643 1,794 1,394 4,200 621 3,461 |
||||
| 31,024 |
Page 20
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
7. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL) .
During the year ended 31 March 2024, expenses totalling £ 113 were reimbursed or paid directly to the Trustees (2023 - £123 ).
8. Tangible fixed assets
The charity purchased a freehold property in 2012 which has been leased under a 99 year lease at a peppercorn rent to another charity. The freehold reversionary interest has been retained and is valued at £nil within these financial statements.
9. Fixed asset investments
| Cost or valuation At 1 April 2023 Disposals Revaluations At 31 March 2024 |
Listed investments £ 1,267,478 (194,434) (62,937) 1,010,107 |
|---|---|
Material investments (greater than 5% of portfolio)
20,000 - Legal & General - £50,880 12,000 - Edinburgh Investment Trust - £82,800 54,000 - International Public Partnership Ltd - £66,960 1,500 - Rio Tinto - £75,255 33,000 - Aberdeen Asia Smaller Co's - £87,285 450 - Findlay Park - £77,843 10,000 - Manchester & London Inv Trust - £66,800 71,000 - The Renewables Infrastructure Fund - £71,568
UK holdings comprised £765,152 (2023: £853,521) and overseas holdings comprised £244,955 (2023: £413,958)
Page 21
(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
10. Debtors
| Due within one year Prepayments and accrued income |
2024 £ 2,684 2,684 |
2023 £ 6,444 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,444 |
11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2024 £ 17,336 2,620 19,956 |
2023 £ 22,929 2,640 |
|---|---|---|
| 25,569 |
12. Statement of funds Statement of funds - current year
| Balance at | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 1 | Gains/ | 31 March | |||
| April 2023 | Income | Expenditure | (Losses) | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General Fund | 1,368,196 | 56,397 | (281,137) | (28,570) | 1,114,886 |
| Statement of funds - prior year | |||||
| Balance at | |||||
| Balance at | Gains/ | 31 March | |||
| 1 April 2022 | Income | Expenditure | (Losses) | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General Fund | 1,656,495 | 76,171 | (239,156) | (125,314) | 1,368,196 |
Page 22
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
13. Summary of funds
Summary of funds - current year
| General funds | Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 1,368,196 Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 1,656,495 |
Income £ 56,397 Income £ 76,171 |
Expenditure £ (281,137) Expenditure £ (239,156) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ (28,570) Gains/ (Losses) £ (125,314) |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 1,114,886 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 1,368,196 |
|||||
| Summary of funds - prior year | |||||
| General funds |
Page 23
(A company limited by guarantee)
OVINGDEAN HALL FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
14. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current period
| Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Fixed asset investments 1,010,107 Current assets 124,734 Creditors due within one year (19,956) Total 1,114,885 |
Total funds 2024 £ 1,010,107 124,734 (19,956) 1,114,885 |
|---|---|
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period
| Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 1,267,479 126,286 (25,569) 1,368,196 |
Total funds 2023 £ 1,267,479 126,286 (25,569) 1,368,196 |
|---|---|---|
15. Related party transactions
During the period the charity paid a donation of £47,200 (2023: £47,200) to Ewing Foundation, a charity in which has the power to appoint the trustees of Ovingdean Hall Foundtion. There were no conditions attached to the donation. At the year end £170 (2023: £NIL) was payable to Ewing Foundation.
Page 24
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