Registered number: 03469264 Charity number: 1067245
VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers | 3 |
| Trustees' Report | 4 - 11 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 13 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
| Balance Sheet | 15 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 16 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 17-39 |
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Trustees | Ms R C di Corpo, Chair |
|---|---|
| Mr P A Reiff-Musgrove, Treasurer | |
| Mr J M Abro | |
| Ms L K Alston | |
| Ms V J Harrison | |
| Ms K A Hunter | |
| Mr E Matthies (appointed 10 May 2022) | |
| Ms T J Nichols | |
| Mr J L Penny | |
| Ms J C Wood (resigned 14May 2023) | |
| Company registered number Charity registered number Registered office Company secretary 03469264 1067245 Thomas Pocklington Trust 3 Queen Square London WC1N 3AR Natasha Bucknor MBE Chief executive officer Matthew Cock (resigned 3 July 2023) Natasha Bucknor MBE (appointed 26 July 2023) Independent Examiner MHA Chartered Accountants Barbican London EC2Y 5AU Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ |
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. 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 2019).
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.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
VocalEyes was established as a company limited by guarantee on 21 November 1997 and is both a registered charity and a registered company. Its affairs are governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and the liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £1.
Appointment of Trustees
The Trustees of the charity are also directors of the company for the purpose of company law and any reference to trustees is, therefore, also to directors. Those who served during the year and subsequently to the date of this report were:
Mr J M Abro Ms L K Alston Ms R C di Corpo Ms V J Harrison Ms K A Hunter Mr E Matthies (appointed 10 May 2022) Ms T J Nichols Mr J L Penny Mr P A Reiff-Musgrove Ms J C Wood (resigned 14 May 2023)
None of the Trustees has a beneficial interest in the company.
Trustees are appointed by an ordinary resolution. Whenever the Trustees are fewer than three, new Trustees must be appointed to bring the number up to three, and, until otherwise determined by a General meeting, the number of Trustees shall not exceed thirty. At every Annual General Meeting, the longest serving Trustees (chosen alphabetically if necessary) to the extent of one third of the Trustees for the time being shall retire and become eligible for reappointment. Trustees may serve for an initial period of three years and a retiring Trustee may serve for one further term of three years. Exceptionally, Trustees who have served for two terms may be asked to continue.
Methods adopted for the recruitment, induction and training of new trustees
Trustees are recruited through various networks within the arts and charity world. Before appointment, a prospective Trustee meets the Chair and Chief Executive for a full briefing and attends a Board meeting as an observer before formally joining the Board. New Trustees are provided with an induction that includes, where relevant to the individual: an organisational briefing with the Chief Executive, attendance at a team meeting, a governance workshop, participation in a visual awareness and guiding training course and attending an audio-described theatre show and / or an audio description (AD) tour at a museum or heritage site.
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
All new Trustees are assigned an existing Trustee as a Board Mentor for their first year.
Organisational structure
The Board of Trustees administers the charity. All major decisions are made by the Trustees who usually meet four times a year. In between Board meetings, the Chief Executive officer meets with individual Trustees or groups of Trustees as appropriate to discuss issues or make decisions. A scheme of delegation is in place and day-to-day responsibility for the affairs of the charity (including operational matters) rests with the Chief Executive officer.
Matthew Cock stepped down as Chief Executive Officer on 3 July 2023, to move to the South West. Matthew led VocalEyes since 2015 and helped to set the path for a sustainable future ensuring VocalEyes can continue to bring art and culture to life for blind and visually impaired people at theatres, museums, galleries, heritage sites and online.
Related parties
There are no related or connected parties. VocalEyes, however, has a close relationship and shared offices with Stagetext, a charitable company which provides captioning for cultural events giving access to people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. Stagetext and VocalEyes will leave the shared office in autumn 2023.
Governance
Erik Matthies joined the Board in May 2022. Erik is a long-standing disability and LGBT+ rights advocate and campaigner. He is a Policy Officer for the RNIB, represents the RNIB on the Covid Health Equity Manchester disabled people’s sounding board, and is a member of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Disability Design Reference Group. He’s also a trustee of Manchester Disabled People’s Access Group which promotes best practice in accessible and inclusive design in communications, policy and the built environment.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives and purpose of the Charity, as per its governing document, are to promote, maintain, improve and advance education particularly for blind and visually impaired people by the development and provision of and increasing access to audio description (AD) services for the arts.
Belief
VocalEyes believes that blind and visually impaired people should have the best possible opportunities to experience and enjoy art and heritage.
Mission
Our mission is to support the arts and heritage sector to welcome blind and visually impaired people as a core audience. We work with arts and heritage venues to increase the opportunities that they provide for blind and visually impaired audiences and visitors – at performances, events, in galleries, special exhibitions, heritage sites and online. We believe that cultural participation enriches people’s lives and brings a range of positive outcomes: improved individual health and wellbeing; enhanced social interaction, self-esteem and confidence. Blind and visually impaired people have as much a right to these as any UK citizen, resident or visitor.
Staff
Olivia Hewkin joined VocalEyes in early April 2022 as our new Museum, Galleries and Heritage Programme Manager. Olivia, formerly Head of Project Delivery at Babylon Arts in Ely, has 10 years of experience working
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
across the museum sector. Prior to Babylon Arts, Olivia spent three years as Investment Manager with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and two years at Arts Council England, where she supported organisations to access funding and manage projects.
Valerie Isaiah Sadoh joined VocalEyes as Programme Officer in September 2022, to support the theatre programme, museum, galleries and heritage programme and digital AD programme. Valerie has an MA in Dramatic Writing from University of the Arts London and is a published playwright with extensive experience in community theatre, having worked at organisations such as Bush Theatre, National Theatre and assistant directing young people shows at the Almeida Theatre.
ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS DURING 2022-2023
The activities undertaken by the Charity in relation to its purpose as per the governing document, and for the furtherance of public benefit, have been discussed below. When planning current and future activities, the Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit.
Trustees would like to thank all funders and individuals supporting the work of VocalEyes. It was a great pleasure to have received confirmation during the year that VocalEyes was to become one of Arts Council England’s Investment Principles Support Organisations (IPSO), for the period of 2023-2026.
The Community
As more venues returned to in-person events the quarterly production of the What’s On Guide was reestablished. The Guide is produced in clear print, braille, on USB and available to download from the VocalEyes website. This enables blind and visually impaired people to access their chosen format of the Guide. Each quarter approximately 900 guides are issued in clear print, 100 in braille and 70 on USB.
In July 2022 VocalEyes worked with Dr Amy Kavanagh on an Interaction, Consent and Touch project for blind and visually impaired people experiencing arts and heritage. VocalEyes staff and freelancers attended training sessions run by Dr Kavanagh, to ensure VocalEyes' touch tours and interactions are based on best practice.
The VocalEyes user panel, made up of blind and visually impaired people, continued to meet quarterly. The meetings are an opportunity for VocalEyes to discuss members' experiences of audio description, as well as asking for feedback on our What’s On guide and the accessibility of future surveys.
During the year VocalEyes returned to the Sight Village events in Birmingham and London with its stall attracting many new subscribers and the opportunity to talk to professionals working in the sight loss sector about its services. In addition, terms of reference for the VI Cultural Sector workers forum were put in place. This forum is a space for blind and visually impaired people either working, or seriously seeking work within, the arts and heritage sector.
Digital Programme
During the year, 125 projects were delivered as part of VocalEyes' Digital Programme with 110 audio-described films, 2 pre-recorded theatre audio descriptions, 3 audio brochures, 6 training courses and 4 consultancy projects. There were many highlights
Audio Description (AD) for six films was provided for Julie’s Bicycle, a pioneering organisation that mobilises the arts and culture to take action on the climate and ecological crisis – some were promotional materials and some others focused on activities related to COP26, giving voice to people from the Global South to speak about the climate emergency.
VocalEyes worked with Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios, commissioned by Unboxed: Creativity in the UK to deliver the festival Tour de Moon, with the contribution to the project covering volunteer training and audio description for the
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
theatre shows, outdoor installations and 16 films created by university students that had a focus on the festival's main theme, the Moon.
VocalEyes provided consultancy on accessible filmmaking and AD production for film production company biggerhouse, for a project in which it created 10 films showcasing the 2020-22 AHRC Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Engagement Fellowships, which included Hannah Thompson’s IDEA project, on which VocalEyes partnered.
Audio Description (AD) was also provided for 4 Virtual Reality (VR) pieces curated by DYSPLA, a neurodivergent-led, award-winning arts studio that produces and develops the work of neurodivergent storymakers. This was part of the Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival, Lewisham. Through this fruitful collaboration VocalEyes was able to continue exploring new ways of producing AD for VR content.
The British Library commissioned VocalEyes to deliver a set of introductory training courses and produce AD for their digital content. The training courses on Web and Social Media Accessibility and Film AD and Accessible Filmmaking were offered across the organisation and acted as a good introduction to different teams, who will now be well placed to create accessible content and/or commission VocalEyes to work with them.
Towards the end of the year, VocalEyes began exploring how it might adapt its ways of working to increase the number of blind and visually impaired people involved in the AD creative process. Using budget from the Arts Council England 100 Videos Described project grant, a series of discovery workshops with visually impaired creatives and non-blind describers were delivered to explore collaborative and co-creative production of film audio description. Participants worked together on scripting and editing film AD, and a set of guidelines for the sector is planned.
Museums, Galleries and Heritage Programme
Through the year, VocalEyes delivered:
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19 live AD tours (in person and online) for clients including: British Museum, Postal Museum, South London Gallery and Two Temple Place
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17 recorded AD projects, for clients including: British Council (Venice Biennale 2022), Bodleian Library, Oxford (Sensational Books exhibition) and the Wellcome Collection (co-curated AD guide for their In Plain Sight exhibition)
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33 training courses, for clients including Barnsley Museums, Hull Museums, Museum of Art and Photography, Bangalore (MAP), National Trust Souter Lighthouse, Natural History Museum (Tring), Northern Ireland Museums Council and Wellcome Collection (3 bespoke co-creating AD workshops for upcoming exhibitions: In Plain Sight, Jim Naughton & Grace Ndiritu and Milk)
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5 consultancy projects, for clients including National Portrait Gallery (new gallery AV/digital displays, the Natural History Museum (design of accessible workshops for the Youth Programme) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (Edinburgh Zoo) (Access audit)
Heritage Access 2022
After receiving National Lottery Heritage Fund grant funding as part of #Digital8, Heritage Access 2022 began on 1 March 2022, and concluded on 28 February 2023. This ambitious project focused on not only producing a comprehensive study of the state of access information provided online by museum and heritage sites across the UK, but on building a network of digital volunteer researchers recruited primarily from the d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent communities, as defined by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. By designing and implementing an extensive training program and supporting this with dynamic and flexible volunteer management strategies, the project was able to deliver on all project aims identified in VocalEyes’ original bid.
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
A commissioned evaluation report was produced. The report, completed by The Evaluator, deduced the following main summaries:
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79% of project volunteers surveyed identify as disabled, 21% identify as Deaf and 29% identify as neurodivergent
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100% of volunteers who had access requirements felt these needs were met during the project
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Volunteers reported an increase in their confidence in their digital skills, and understanding of good online accessibility practice
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The project made volunteers more likely to visit heritage sites
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The project increase volunteers’ digital confidence and skills
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Digital volunteer management and engagement
Heritage Access 2022 was a landmark project for VocalEyes, and project partners, as it required creating new volunteer management strategies and materials based on remote, digital roles. When onboarded, the Project and Volunteer Engagement Manager focused on inclusive volunteer recruitment and creating (and implementing) the necessary paperwork in order to create a starting point for volunteer support. These included an updated volunteer policy, a new checklist guidebook, volunteer handbook, and risk assessment.
Supported by the Heritage Volunteer Group and other organisations from the project advisory board, the project team devised an 8 hour 5 part training program for volunteers, focusing on online accessibility and access information. Volunteers were given the opportunity to feedback after every session and feedback was taken on board between events.
Notably, the project team devised a suitable volunteer support platform and events schedule, including weekly ‘virtual office hours’ and monthly volunteer support sessions. The methods of communication offered to volunteers was reflective of volunteer feedback given on their preferred method.
VocalEyes held its first Digital Volunteering Forum in February 2023 where we were joined by speakers from Museums Association, Heritage Volunteering Group, Attitude is Everything and the Heritage Trust Network.
Report and Benchmark publication
The 84 page report and accompanying Benchmark were published on Wednesday 19th October 2022, across VocalEyes – and HA22 project partners’ – websites and social media channels. The report was published in Clear Print (PDF), Large Print (Word document) and mp3, having worked with the VocalEyes audio production team to produce an audio recording of the report.
The report was also circulated to VocalEyes’ email newsletter subscribers. Paper copies were sent to the project volunteers, project partners, funder, and advisory board members. To date, the report has been downloaded over 600 times from the VocalEyes website.
The report, and news of its publication, was shared across many media sources. It was well supported by project partners and project advisory board members, as well as organisations and individuals with whom VocalEyes has established relationships (Dr Amy Kavanagh, Limping Chicken, Tamsin Russell). Social media mentions were received from GEM, Euan’s Guide, Curating for Change, Wikimedia, Rebuilding Heritage, Colchester Museums, Association of Independent Museums. Interviews were also conducted with radio (RNIB radio) and print (CreativeUK) by the Project and Volunteer Engagement Manager.
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Dissemination events
During the project duration, VocalEyes presented to numerous relevant institutions and organisations and at events (virtually) across the UK, including Museums and Galleries Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund (National and Northern Ireland offices), Character Matters: Skills, Behaviour, GEM Conference 2022, and the Heritage Volunteering Group Conference. In total, over 350 unique individuals attended these events, and 259 unique organisations.
For a few events, the project team were joined by a project volunteer who passionately shared their experience of volunteering for the project. This opportunity to present their findings was valuable to project volunteers as it gave them new skills in presenting to a professional audience, and in preparing their own materials (while supported by the project team).
Training
After a grant extension given in March 2023, the project team began devising and delivering a 6 week training programme focusing on helping heritage sites across the UK improve their access information. Each attending venue receives a personalised report on the current state of their online access information with recommendations of how to improve from the project team. The attendees are then supported in creating an “Action Plan” identifying changes that they will commit to making.
Theatre Programme
During the year VocalEyes delivered 240 live audio-described performances, the highest number ever. In the five years leading up to Covid-19, an average of 180 a year was delivered, with the previous highest number of descriptions being 201 in 2018-19. The total could have been even greater, with a much higher than average 13 performances cancelled during the year. Many of these were due to wider issues facing the Theatre industry since reopening -with several tours being cut short and not playing the venues booked for VocalEyes, or productions ending their West End run early - before the scheduled description.
At the beginning of the year, audiences were still cautious about attending the theatre, and towards its end the cost-of-living crisis was definitely being felt. In the past, whenever there has been a large increase in the number of audio-described performances - our average attendance has dropped - with available audiences having greater choice about what to attend. With the significant increase in the number of audio described performances (153 delivered performances in 2021-22, and 3 in 2020-21) and the wider issues noted, it was a real achievement to maintain and slightly increase our attendance with 4.2 (up from 4) blind and visually impaired people on average attending the performances. Including sighted companions this increased from 7.8 last year to 9 people at each performance in 2022-23. While there was only a small increase in average attendance, some shows were once again able to attract a sizeable audience - with 39 blind audience members and 29 sighted companions attending Beauty and The Beast at The London Palladium and 46 blind audience members and 26 sighted companions attending The Tempest at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Audio-described performances include a recorded audio introduction, a touch tour shortly before the performance, and the live AD broadcast through headphones during the performance, delivered by one or two professional audio describers.
“We had many audience members specifically come up to our team to share how fantastic the day was. One of our VI Patrons (a dad who was coming to the show with his sighted son) said that this was the best audio description of a performance he had ever listened to! High praise indeed.” Access Officer, Shakespeare’s Globe
“I visited his Majesty's Theatre for the touch tour and audio described version of the Phantom of the Opera; The describers were absolutely incredible and as this was the first time going to the theatre and using VocalEyes, I was truly impressed”.
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
VocalEyes worked at venues across the country from Bristol, Bath and Brighton to Canterbury, Norwich, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sunderland, Edinburgh and many points in-between - with 94 audio described performances at regional venues.
Theatre Programme Training
The Theatre Programme also delivered 8 training courses at venues in Leicester, Newcastle, Brighton, Southampton, London and online to a total of 155 participants. In addition, 30 students from Kent at Canterbury University attended our audio described performance of Les Miserables at The Marlowe Theatre and then discussed it with our audio describers as part of a Theatre Access course.
“Excellent course, vibrant delivery by hosts, and left me feeling inspired, motivated and empowered to suggest and make changes that will make a real difference to the community” Audio Description for Access Champions and Managers course participant."
FUTURE PLANS
VocalEyes is continuing to develop its consultancy service, offering support to organisations in the UK and internationally. In 2023 consultancy will be provided to support CyArk, a company in the US, who produce digital 3D models of heritage sites.
VocalEyes continues to offer bespoke training services internationally, this will include a five-week online course for the Kennedy Center in the US, training a new cohort of theatre audio describers.
Throughout 2023-24 VocalEyes will continue to partner with blind, visually impaired and non-blind technicians and practitioners to discuss how to collaboratively produce film audio description, exploring how to use audio description software. The initial research and testing phase will lead to one to one training sessions with blind and visually impaired practitioners during the year.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Our total income for the year was £805,177 (2022: £608,584); total expenditure was £831,281 (2022: £584,435), giving a net deficit of £26,104 (2022: £24,149 surplus).
At the year-end, funds totaled £254,556 (2022: £280,660), of which £176,339 (2022: £175,242) was unrestricted and £78,217 (2022: £105,418) was restricted.
The increase in income reflects higher levels of activity, as venues begin to return to pre pandemic schedules.
Cost of delivering the activity, the theatre programme in particular, has also increased, proportionally higher than income. There have also been fewer touring productions across the country, which has resulted in limited opportunities to benefit from repeat fees from the audio descriptions that VocalEyes develop. Another contributing factor has been the impact of rail industrial action on expenses for theatre audio describers: travelling to venues has become more difficult often resulting in additional accommodation costs and travel expenses.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees maintain a target level of free reserves to enable the Charity to weather unexpected falls in income and unforeseen costs, helping to preserve its core services during difficult times. The Trustees have reviewed the Charity’s reserves policy in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission.
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The 2022-23 target level of free reserves is £81,500. At year end, our unrestricted reserves amount to £176,339 (2022: £175,242) comprising designated funds of £66,159 (£4,659 tangible fixed assets) and free reserves of £110,180.
The current level of free reserves is above the target level. This surplus will be used to finance the budgeted 2023-24 deficit.
Fundraising
The charity undertakes fundraising activity through seeking donations from members of the public, via VocalEyes' email newsletter, and through applying for grants from Charitable Trusts and Foundations and arts and heritage sector funding bodies such as Arts Council England. VocalEyes does not engage any professional fundraisers or commercial participators to carry out fundraising from members of the public on its behalf. The charity received no complaints about fundraising activities by the charity or by a person on behalf of the charity.
Remuneration of Key Management Personnel
The Charity considers its Key Management Personnel to be the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer.
Pay and benefits of the charity’s Chief Executive is considered alongside those of all members of staff, by a subgroup of Trustees every 2 to 3 years who review the Band minimum and maximum for all job roles in the charity, benchmarking similar roles in the disability charity and arts sectors. In addition, the Board considers an annual uplift to salaries for all staff.
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the management of risks faced by the charity. Risks are identified and assessed regularly and appropriate controls put in place to mitigate those perceived risks where possible. Consequently, the trustees are satisfied with the position.
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The most significant risk is the diversification of funding sources and achieving the fees VocalEyes needs in order to deliver its services. A greater focus on income generation through consultancy and training and an investment in fundraising are the key strategies for managing this risk.
TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
The Trustees (who are also directors of VocalEyes 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).
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 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 the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the relevant Charities SORP;
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and 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.
In preparing this report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415a of the Companies Act 2006.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees’ report is approved has confirmed that:
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in so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charitable company’s independent examiner is unaware; and
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that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any information needed by the charitable company’s independent examiner in connection with preparing their report.
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
MHA were appointed as independent examiner to the company.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Ms R C di Corpo Chair
Mr P A Reiff-Musgrove Treasurer
Date: 19 December 2023
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF VOCALEYES ('the Charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.
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
Since the Charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
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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.
Signed:
Sudhir Singh
Dated: 19 December 2023
FCA
MHA, 2 London Wall Place, London, EC2Y 5AU
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VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Note INCOME FROM: Donations and grants 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME Transfers between funds 15 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Restricted funds 2023 £ 97,803 - - 97,803 - 131,039 131,039 (33,236) 6,035 (27,201) 105,418 (27,201) 78,217 |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 243,993 461,555 1,826 707,374 12,147 688,095 700,242 7,132 (6,035) 1,097 175,242 1,097 176,339 |
Total funds 2023 £ 341,796 461,555 1,826 805,177 12,147 819,134 831,281 (26,104) - (26,104) 280,660 (26,104) 254,556 |
Total funds 2022 £ 295,536 312,991 57 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 608,584 | ||||
| 11,195 573,240 |
||||
| 584,435 | ||||
| 24,149 - |
||||
| 24,149 | ||||
| 256,511 24,149 |
||||
| 280,660 |
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the
year. The notes on pages 17 to 39 form part of these financial statements.
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VOCALEYES (A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 03469264
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 12 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 13 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 14 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS CHARITY FUNDS Restricted funds 15 Unrestricted funds 15 TOTAL FUNDS |
99,854 252,522 352,376 (102,479) |
2023 £ 4,659 4,659 249,897 254,556 78,217 176,339 254,556 |
51,392 364,596 415,988 (142,678) |
2022 £ 7,350 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,350 273,310 |
||||
| 280,660 | ||||
| 105,418 175,242 |
||||
| 280,660 |
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 and signed on their behalf by:
Ms R C di Corpo Mr P A Reiff-Musgrove Chair Treasurer
Date: 19 December 2023
The notes on pages 17 to 39 form part of these financial statements.
Page 15
VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Note 17 18 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used in)/from operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Interest receivable Purchase of tangible fixed assets NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS IN THE YEAR Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE YEAR The notes on pages 17to 39form part of these financial statements |
2023 £ (111,421) 1,826 (2,479) (653) (112,074) 364,596 252,522 |
2022 £ 95,863 57 (875) (818) 95,045 269,551 364,596 |
|---|---|---|
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The members of the Charity are the trustees named on page 1. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member. The address of the registered office is Thomas Pocklington Trust, 3 Queen Square, London, England, WC1N.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
2.1 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.
VocalEyes 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.
2.2 GOING CONCERN
The Charity meets its day to day working capital requirements through the utilisation of its own funds. Since its inception in November 1997, the Charity has been principally funded by Arts Council England who are currently funding the charity by providing grant support, confirmed until March 2024. The trustees have prepared updated forecasts and projections based on a number of potential scenarios and these, together with reserves held, cost savings made and government assistance indicate that the Charity has adequate resources to continue its operations, albeit at a potentially lower level. It is, however, difficult to determine the assumptions that will prove to be most appropriate and therefore there is an element of uncertainty existing. After reviewing the forecasts and projections, at the time of approving these financial statements the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the next 12 months. The trustees therefore consider it appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Charity’s financial statements.
2.3 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.
Donations are accounted for when received. Performance fees are accounted for on an accruals basis with regard to the date of performance. Grants, including government grants, and investment income are accounted for on an accruals basis.
2.4 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.
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.5 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.
Cost of raising funds: this compromises all costs incurred by the Charity associated with attracting voluntary income to finance its charitable objectives.
Charitable expenditure: this comprises all expenditure incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries and includes commissioning costs, production expenses and research and development and comprises commission paid to describers, technical support costs, the cost of producing audio tracks with advance information and other costs associated with the incoming resources under the same heading.
Support costs: this comprises central costs including salaries, costs related to marketing, printing, website maintenance and other expenses necessary to support the activities. These costs have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Governance costs: this comprises all costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity.
2.6 TAXATION
The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
2.7 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION
Tangible fixed assets costing £250 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.7 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION (CONTINUED)
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Leasehold improvements - 20% Straight line Office furniture - 25% Straight line Computer equipment - 25% Straight line
2.8 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.
2.9 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.
2.10 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.
2.11 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.
2.12 PENSIONS
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.
Page 19
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.13 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.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
2.14 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND AREAS OF JUDGEMENT
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the reporting date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates.
Accruals
The Charity makes an estimate of accruals at the year end based on invoices received after the year end and work undertaken which has not been invoiced based on quotations or estimates of amounts that may be due for payment.
Tangible fixed assets
All assets are depreciated over their useful lives taking into account residual values where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending upon a number of factors.
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
3. INCOME FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS
| Arts Council England Kirsh Family Trust National Lottery Heritage Fund Thomas Pocklington Trust Scott Eredine Charitable Trust Dorothy Hay-Bolton Charitable Trust Clothworkers Foundation The Ulverscroft Foundation The Edward Gostling Foundation The Salters' Company Other donations Arts Council England Kirsh Family Trust National Lottery Heritage Fund Thomas Pocklington Trust Scott (Eredine) CharitableTrust Dorothy Hay-Bolton CharitableTrust Donations |
Restricted funds 2023 Unrestricted funds 2023 £ £ 16,351 227,929 - - 66,252 - 3,500 - - 4,000 - 3,000 7,700 - 4,000 - - 5,000 - 2,000 - 2,064 97,803 243,993 Restricted funds 2022 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ £ 28,542 227,929 14,500 - 7,809 - 9,900 - - 2,000 - 3,000 - 1,856 60,751 234,785 |
Total funds 2023 £ 244,280 - 66,252 3,500 4,000 3,000 7,700 4,000 5,000 2,000 2,064 |
|---|---|---|
| 341,796 | ||
| Total funds 2022 £ 256,471 14,500 7,809 9,900 2,000 3,000 1,856 |
||
| 295,536 |
Government grants of £244,820 (2022: £256,471) were received in the current year from Arts Council England. There were no unfulfilled commitments or other contingencies associated with this income at the year-end date.
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Fees for the provision of audio description services 419,382 Other income including training 42,173 461,555 |
Total funds 2023 £ 419,382 42,173 461,555 |
Total funds 2022 £ 268,344 44,647 |
|---|---|---|
| 312,991 |
In the prior year, all income from charitable activities was unrestricted.
5. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | |
| 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Bank interest | 1,826 | 1,826 | 57 |
In the prior year, all investment income was unrestricted.
Page 22
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
6. EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS
COSTS OF RAISING VOLUNTARY INCOME
| Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Other staff related costs 69 Marketing and communications 3,265 IT services and equipment 143 Board expenses (governance) - Examination & accountancy (governance) 538 Rent, services and utilities 851 Office running costs 455 Sundry costs 23 Depreciation 192 Staff costs 6,611 12,147 |
Total funds 2023 £ 69 3,265 143 - 538 851 455 23 192 6,611 12,147 |
Total funds 2022 £ 124 3,136 49 3 111 750 429 182 12 6,399 |
|---|---|---|
| 11,195 |
In the prior year, all costs of raising voluntary income were unrestricted.
7. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Audience Development & Marketing Audio Description Services Training & Other Services Research & Development |
Restricted funds 2023 Unrestricted funds 2023 £ £ 3,998 61,758 114,028 499,108 13,013 96,764 - 30,465 131,039 688,095 |
Total funds 2023 £ 65,756 613,136 109,777 30,465 |
|---|---|---|
| 819,134 |
Page 23
VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Audience Development & Marketing Audio Description Services Training & Other Services Research & Development |
Restricted funds 2022 £ 5,855 42,620 928 - 49,403 |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 61,108 345,829 88,627 28,273 523,837 |
Total funds 2022 £ 66,963 388,449 89,555 28,273 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 573,240 |
8.
ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE BY ACTIVITIES
| Audience Development & Marketing Audio Description Services Training & Other Services Research & Development Audience Development & Marketing Audio Description Services Training & Other Services Research & Development |
Activities undertaken directly 2023 £ 39,785 503,392 72,103 10,461 625,741 Activities undertaken directly 2022 £ 45,127 312,707 50,331 10,150 418,315 |
Support costs 2023 £ 25,971 109,744 37,674 20,004 193,393 Support costs 2022 £ 21,836 75,742 39,224 18,123 154,925 |
Total funds 2023 £ 65,756 613,136 109,777 30,465 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 819,134 | |||
| Total funds 2022 £ 66,963 388,449 89,555 28,273 |
|||
| 573,240 |
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VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
8. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE BY ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
ANALYSIS OF DIRECT COSTS
| Audience Development & Marketing 2023 £ Staff costs 20,321 Audio description services - Consultancy and training - Marketing and communications 19,442 Office running costs 22 Depreciation - 39,785 Audience Development & Marketing 2022 £ Staff costs 36,727 Audio description services - Other staff related costs 2,524 Consultancy and training - Marketing and communications 5,876 Depreciation - 45,127 |
Audience Development & Marketing 2023 £ Staff costs 20,321 Audio description services - Consultancy and training - Marketing and communications 19,442 Office running costs 22 Depreciation - 39,785 Audience Development & Marketing 2022 £ Staff costs 36,727 Audio description services - Other staff related costs 2,524 Consultancy and training - Marketing and communications 5,876 Depreciation - 45,127 |
Audio Description Services 2023 £ 95,201 408,005 40 - 162 (16) 503,392 Audio Description Services 2022 £ 46,380 266,311 - - - 16 312,707 |
Audio Description Services 2023 £ 95,201 408,005 40 - 162 (16) 503,392 Audio Description Services 2022 £ 46,380 266,311 - - - 16 312,707 |
Training & Other Services 2023 Research & Development 2023 £ £ 15,104 10,461 8,314 - 48,661 - - - 24 - - - 72,103 10,461 Training & Other Services 2022 Research & Development 2022 £ £ 13,140 10,150 - - - - 37,191 - - - - - 50,331 10,150 |
Training & Other Services 2023 Research & Development 2023 £ £ 15,104 10,461 8,314 - 48,661 - - - 24 - - - 72,103 10,461 Training & Other Services 2022 Research & Development 2022 £ £ 13,140 10,150 - - - - 37,191 - - - - - 50,331 10,150 |
Total funds 2023 £ 141,087 416,319 48,701 19,442 208 (16) 625,741 Total funds 2022 £ 106,397 266,311 2,524 37,191 5,876 16 418,315 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 503,392 | ||||||
| Audio Description Services 2022 £ 46,380 266,311 - - - 16 312,707 |
||||||
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
8. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE BY ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS
| Staff costs Other staff related costs Consultancy and training Marketing and communications IT services and equipment Independent examiner & accountancy (governance costs) Rent, services and utilities Office running costs Depreciation Sundry costs |
Audience Development & Marketing 2023 £ 20,035 173 84 193 359 1,345 2,128 1,115 481 58 25,971 |
Audio Description Services 2023 £ 63,032 3,848 281 1,447 2,689 10,084 15,959 8,361 3,608 435 109,744 |
Training & Other Services 2023 Research & Development 2023 £ £ 31,240 19,434 190 - - 570 212 - 394 - 1,479 - 2,341 - 1,226 - 529 - 63 - 37,674 20,004 |
Total funds 2023 £ 133,741 4,211 935 1,852 3,442 12,908 20,428 10,702 4,618 556 193,393 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 26
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
8. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE BY ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS (continued)
| Audience Development & Marketing 2022 £ Staff costs 15,750 Other staff related costs 2,104 Consultancy and training 53 Marketing and communications 151 IT services and equipment 121 Board expenses (governance) 6 Independent examiner (governance) 273 Rent, services and utilities 1,843 Office running costs 1,054 Depreciation 450 Sundry costs 31 21,836 |
Audio Description Services 2022 £ 43,676 2,253 176 1,139 909 56 2,063 13,901 7,951 3,393 225 75,742 |
Training & Other Services 2022 Research & Development 2022 £ £ 34,703 17,604 319 11 - 357 161 6 129 5 8 - 292 10 1,971 70 1,128 42 481 17 32 1 39,224 18,123 |
Total funds 2022 £ 111,733 4,687 586 1,457 1,164 70 2,638 17,785 10,175 4,341 289 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 154,925 |
9. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION
The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £2,850 (2022 - £2,750).
10. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes |
2023 £ 245,380 19,148 16,911 281,439 |
2022 £ 194,944 15,806 13,779 |
|---|---|---|
| 224,529 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
10. STAFF COSTS (CONTINUED)
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
| AD and training Support |
2023 No. 3 4 7 |
2022 No. 2 4 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 |
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
The total employee benefits (including pension contributions and employer's national insurance) of the key management personnel were £67,469 (2022: £64,577).
11. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2022 - £NIL).
During the year ended 31 March 2023, expenses totalling £55 were reimbursed or paid directly to 1 Trustee (2022 - £75 to 1 Trustee). Expenses relate to the reimbursement of training costs and membership fees.
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| COST OR VALUATION At 1 April 2022 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2023 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2022 Charge for the year On disposals At 31 March 2023 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 DEBTORS DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
Leasehold improvements £ 9,713 - - 9,713 6,315 1,941 - 8,256 1,457 3,398 |
Office furniture £ 1,780 2,479 - 4,259 1,446 791 - 2,237 2,022 334 |
Computer & equipment £ 18,784 - (375) 18,409 15,166 2,079 (16) 17,229 1,180 3,618 2023 £ 47,105 5,200 47,549 99,854 |
Total £ 30,277 2,479 (375) 32,381 22,927 4,811 (16) 27,722 4,659 7,350 2022 £ 33,107 7,187 11,098 51,392 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
13. DEBTORS
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VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Deferred income at 1 April 2022 Resources deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods |
2023 £ 64,340 14,411 1,297 22,431 102,479 2023 £ 58,449 15,771 (58,449) 15,771 |
2022 £ 49,832 21,321 474 71,051 142,678 2022 £ 26,786 58,449 (26,786) 58,449 |
|---|---|---|
Deferred income relates to grants received for a period spanning two financial years. Grant income is being recognised in line with grant expenditure.
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
15. STATEMENT OF FUNDS
STATEMENT OF FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS Premises Tangible fixed assets Creative workshops Workforce support initiative Supporting access and skills development Staff and describer CPD Training new describers GENERAL FUNDS General fund TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 9,500 7,350 5,000 5,000 20,000 10,000 12,000 68,850 106,392 175,242 |
Income £ - - - - - - - - 707,374 707,374 |
Expenditure £ - - - - - - - - (700,242) (700,242) |
Transfers in/out £ - (2,691) - - - - - (2,691) (3,344) (6,035) |
Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 9,500 4,659 5,000 5,000 20,000 10,000 12,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66,159 | |||||
| 110,180 | |||||
| 176,339 |
Page 31
VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
15. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (CONTINUED)
RESTRICTED FUNDS
| RESTRICTED FUNDS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased audio description and recordings Newsletter project Touring funds Training new describers project & CPD Museums & Galleries programme Research and development Audience development project Training in regional and London's smaller museums TOTAL OF FUNDS |
30,700 3,997 15,108 14,834 145 9,900 23,549 7,185 105,418 280,660 |
90,303 4,000 - - - 3,500 - - 97,803 805,177 |
(103,383) (2,998) (15,108) - - (8,550) (1,000) - (131,039) (831,281) |
6,035 - - - - - - - 6,035 - |
23,655 4,999 - 14,834 145 4,850 22,549 7,185 |
| 78,217 | |||||
| 254,556 |
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VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
15. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (CONTINUED)
| STATEMENT OF FUNDS (CONTINUED) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STATEMENT OF FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR Balance at 1 April 2021 £ UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS Premises 9,500 Staff costs 15,000 Tangible fixed assets 11,014 Creative workshops 5,000 Workforce support initiative 5,000 Supporting access and skills development 20,000 Staff and describer CPD 10,000 Training new describers - 75,514 GENERAL FUNDS General fund 86,927 TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 162,441 |
Income £ - - - - - - - - - 547,833 547,833 |
Expenditure £ - - - - - - - - - (535,032) (535,032) |
Transfers in/out £ - (15,000) (3,664) - - - - 12,000 (6,664) 6,664 - |
Balance at 31 March 2022 £ 9,500 - 7,350 5,000 5,000 20,000 10,000 12,000 |
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS Premises Staff costs Tangible fixed assets Creative workshops Workforce support initiative Supporting access and skills development Staff and describer CPD Training new describers GENERAL FUNDS General fund TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
||||
| 68,850 | ||||
| 106,392 | ||||
| 175,242 |
Page 33
VOCALEYES
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
15. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (CONTINUED)
RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Increased audio description and recordings Newsletter project Touring funds Training new describers project & CPD Museums & Galleries programme Research and development Audience development project Training in regional and London's smaller museums TOTAL OF FUNDS |
33,939 3,997 23,993 334 145 - 23,549 8,113 94,070 256,511 |
36,351 - - 14,500 - 9,900 - - 60,751 608,584 |
(39,590) - (8,885) - - - - (928) (49,403) (584,435) |
- - - - - - - - - - |
30,700 3,997 15,108 14,834 145 9,900 23,549 7,185 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105,418 | |||||
| 280,660 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
15. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (CONTINUED)
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Touring funds
Kirsh Family Trust: Touring Fund 2019/20 - Towards the costs of providing AD services for theatre productions touring to theatres around the UK, allowing VocalEyes to reduce the cost for individual venues and towards the cost of delivering Professional Development opportunities for specialist freelance audio describers and other practitioners.
Increased AD and recordings
Persula Foundation - Towards the costs of creating recorded Audio Introductions for VocalEyes' AD service for theatre performances, and the costs of maintaining up to date access information for theatre venues.
The Lawson Trust - Towards the costs of creating recorded Audio Introductions for the Theatre AD service.
Coral Samuel Charitable Trust – Towards the cost of creating recorded Audio Introductions for the Theatre AD Service.
Sobell Foundation – Towards the cost of creating recorded Audio Introductions for the Theatre AD Service.
Clothworkers' Foundation – Towards the cost of theatre AD equipment.
Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers – Towards the cost of providing audio described tours for buildings featured in the annual Open House Series.
The Edward Gostling Foundation – Towards the cost of creating recorded Audio Introductions for the Theatre AD Service.
Peskin Charitable Trust – Towards the cost of creating recorded Audio Introductions for the Theatre AD Service.
Haberdashers' Benevolent Foundation London Theatre – Towards the costs of delivering the AD service for theatre performances in London, specifically the recorded audio introductions for these events.
London Freemasons's Charity – Towards the cost of VocalEyes' AD services delivered in London (theatre or museums, galleries or heritage sites).
Rothschild Foundation Grant – For audio descriptions of 5 London Bridges for the Illuminated River project to support accessibility for blind and visually impaired people.
National Lottery Health Fund - Museum and Heritage Access 2022 - to build a network of digital volunteer researchers recruited primarily from the deaf, disabled and neurodivergent community. The volunteer researchers will run an information audit of the website access information of 3,000-3,500 UK heritage venues / sites. VocalEyes will use this to underpin increasing awareness in the sector of the importance of structured, detailed and descriptive online access information to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent visitors.
Arts Council Grant - To support VocalEyes' project '100 Videos Described' that increases capabilities to offer an AD service for online film, and also provides subsidy allowing us to discount client fees for 100 film projects. A £6,035 transfer has been made to this fund from general funds to cover expenditure that will not be funded by Arts Council England.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
15. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (CONTINUED)
Research and development
Thomas Pocklington Trust - Towards the costs of a consultant to help improve VocalEyes' technological capabilities, through accessible software options appraisal and requirements development for an updated or new system to manage VocalEyes' activity and contacts.
Training in regional and London’s smaller museums
The Catherine Lewis Foundation - Towards the costs of training museum, gallery and heritage staff in UK regions (not London).
The Annie Tranmer Charitable Trust - Towards the costs of training museum, gallery and heritage staff in UK regions (ideally in the Suffolk area).
Vision Foundation (formerly Greater London Fund for the Blind) - Towards the costs of training staff at small museums, galleries and heritage sites in London.
The Weinstock Fund – Towards the cost of audio description and visual awareness hub training courses.
Museums and Galleries programme
Barchester Foundation - Towards the cost of equipment and resources to create Tactile Diagrams for use in museums, galleries and heritage sites.
Audience Development Project
John Ellerman Foundation - Towards costs of marketing and Audience Manager salary costs and other marketing costs.
Newsletter project
Ulverscroft Foundation - Towards the cost of VocalEyes' quarterly What’s On guide in clear print, braille and audio which promotes accessible events to the blind and visually impaired community.
Scott (Eredine) Charitable Trust - Towards the cost of the quarterly What’s On Guide in clear print, braille and audio which promotes accessible events to the blind and visually impaired community.
Training new describers project & CPD
The D'Oyly Carte Charitable - The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust - Towards the cost of delivering training for new Audio Describers.
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Office-related costs, including dilapidations - Reserved for potential costs – e.g. access alterations or dilapidations / making good at end of lease, planned spend during the year 2023- 24.
Fixed assets – represents the value of funds tied up in fixed assets.
Creative workshops and other initiatives supporting the individual creativity of blind and visually impaired people - Planned spend during the years 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Initiative supporting blind and visually impaired people in the arts and heritage workforce - Planned spend during the years 2022-23 to 2025-26.
Supporting access and skills development at small arts and heritage venues - planned spend during the years 2022-23 to 2025-26.
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
15. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (CONTINUED)
Staff and describer CPD - Planned spend during the years 2022-23 to 2025-26.
Training new describers - Planned spend during the years 2022-23 to 2024-25.
16. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR
| Restricted | Unrestricted Total |
|
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds funds |
|
| 2023 | 2023 2023 |
|
| £ | £ £ |
|
| Tangible fixed assets | - | 4,659 4,659 |
| Current assets | 93,988 | 258,388 352,376 |
| Creditors due within one year | (15,771) | (86,708) (102,479) |
| TOTAL | 78,217 | 176,339 254,556 |
| ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR | ||
| Restricted | Unrestricted Total |
|
| funds | funds funds |
|
| 2022 | 2022 2022 |
|
| £ | £ £ |
|
| Tangible fixed assets | - | 7,350 7,350 |
| Current assets | 105,418 | 310,570 415,988 |
| Creditors due within one year | - | (142,678) (142,678) |
| TOTAL | 105,418 | 175,242 280,660 |
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
17. RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| Net (expenditure)/income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) ADJUSTMENTS FOR: Interest receivable Depreciation Loss on the sale of fixed assets Increase in debtors (Decrease)/increase in creditors NET CASH (USED IN)/PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 18. ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash in hand TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 19. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT At 1 April 2022 £ Cash at bank and in hand 364,596 364,596 |
2023 £ (26,104) (1,826) 4,811 359 (48,462) (40,199) (111,421) 2023 £ 252,522 252,522 Cash flows £ (112,074) (112,074) |
2022 £ 24,149 (57) 4,540 - (24,281) 91,512 95,863 2022 £ 364,596 364,596 At 31 March 2023 £ 252,522 252,522 |
|---|---|---|
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(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
VOCALEYES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
20. PENSION COMMITMENTS
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Charity to the fund and amounted to £16,911 (2022: £13,779). At the year-end, £1,297 was payable to the scheme (2022: £474).
21. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
At 31 March 2023 the Charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:
| Leased premises Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years |
2023 £ 11,943 - 11,943 |
2022 £ 16,640 11,943 |
|---|---|---|
| 28,583 |
The following lease payments have been recognised as an expense in the Statement of Financial Activities:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Operating lease rentals | 16,640 | 16,640 |
22. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Lynette Alston, director of VocalEyes from 30 July 2018, is Company Secretary of Polka Children’s Theatre Limited. During the year a total amount of £800 (2022: £2,050) was invoiced by VocalEyes to Polka Children’s Theatre Limited and as at 31 March 2023, an amount of £Nil (2022: £Nil) was owed to VocalEyes by Polka Children’s Theatre Limited.
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