Sense International
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Company registration number 3742986, Charity number 1076497
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Sense International
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Contents Chair’s foreword ........................................................................................................... 3 Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 ...................................................... 5 Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 ..................................................... 15 Independent auditors' report to the members of Sense International ......................... 25 Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025 ................................................................. 28 Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025 .......................................................................... 29 Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 March 2025 ............................................ 30 Accounting policies .................................................................................................... 31 Notes to the financial statements ................................................................................ 35 Major supporters …………………………………………………………… ...................... 48 Charity information ..................................................................................................... 50
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Chair’s foreword
I am pleased to introduce the Sense International 2024/25 annual report.
Sense International have delivered another impactful year, ensuring people with deafblindness move closer to realising their rights to health, education and employment, in the challenging backdrop of cuts to international development funding globally. This year, over 6,000 children were supported to learn and be educated and 1,565 young adults with deafblindness now have a better chance of earning a living. Together with partners and organisations of people with disabilities, we have raised our voices and advocated national and local governments for meaningful inclusion of people with deafblindness in policies, programmes and services.
2024 marked 30 years of Sense International. We celebrated this incredible milestone through our Changemakers’ campaign, reflecting on our successes and accomplishments over the last 30 years. It showcased the difference we have made to the lives of tens of thousands of people with deafblindness globally, shining a light on the barriers and challenges people with deafblindness continue to face. The highlight of our 30th year was the gala in September graced by our Patron, HRH the Princess Royal, raising over £100,000. We are grateful to our supporters and partners for their generosity in making this event a success.
Another proud moment was the launch of our Global Deafblindness Resource Hub in February, in partnership with the Nelumbo Foundation, hosted by Google at the Google Accessibility Discovery Centre in London. The hub is a digital platform offering a ‘one stop shop’ that guides and navigates people with deafblindness and their support networks to understand and connect more widely. The hub offers resources and information, local signposted services and networks. I want to thank Nelumbo Foundation for their support and steer in this innovative venture, which continues to evolve and widen its offering to our beneficiaries, their families and support staff.
A particular highlight and proud moment was to see Sense International Kenya win the prestigious Zero Project Award and receive much-deserved recognition for their InBusiness work, supporting micro-entrepreneurs with disabilities to grow and sustain their businesses, as part of the Disability Inclusive Development Inclusive Futures programme.
As ever, I remain grateful to our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, our President, Lord Levy, and our Honorary President, Sunil Sheth, who continue to champion and promote our work. I am appreciative of our board members in the UK and the national boards globally as well as our dedicated volunteers for their expertise and support. It would not be possible to deliver our incredible impact without the work and dedication of partners, staff and teams here in the UK and across the world. Their commitment, hard work and dedication ensure that we continue to deliver high quality and impactful programmes and services and I thank them all.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Chair’s foreword (continued)
I would also like to thank our funders and donors for their continued support (see the list on pages 48-49) which among others include the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission, Comic Relief, the Nelumbo Foundation, companies, trusts and foundations, individual supporters, as well as to our parent organisation Sense for their unwavering support.
Our work over the last three decades has made significant strides in challenging barriers and driving inclusion of people with deafblindness into mainstream policy, programmes and services, but critical gaps and challenges still remain. We were devastated to hear about further cuts to UK aid funding in early 2025, coming close on the heels of decimated USAID funding alongside other statutory cuts and freezes globally. I believe these cuts and its impact will be felt disproportionately by those who are already among the furthest left behind like the millions of adults and children with deafblindness who will only be pushed further into poverty and exclusion. The sector continues to face unprecedented challenges at a time when the work and solidarity of civil society organisations is needed the most. A safer world and a sustainable future for all is only possible if we join hands to reduce poverty and inequality so we leave no one behind.
R H Shah
Rex H Shah
Chair of Sense International Date: 23 September 2025
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (including the Directors’ report)
The Trustees of Sense International (who are also directors of Sense International for the purposes of company law) have pleasure in presenting their report, together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 2019 (FRS102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
Sense International is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee which was incorporated on 29 March 1999. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Vision: Our vision is of a world in which all people with deafblindness are equal and active members of society.
Mission: We work with people with deafblindness and partner organisations, to remove barriers in societies and systems, so that people with deafblindness are fully included and can fulfil their potential.
Values and Principles:
1. We champion inclusion: of everyone we work with in decisions affecting them. 2. We are rights-based: respecting dignity and diversity, promoting equality and respect for all human rights.
3. We value individuals: taking a person-centred approach which recognises the potential of each person, supports their quality of life and keeps them safe from harm.
4. We work in partnership: collaborating across the world with people with deafblindness, their representative organisations, families, carers, teachers and other professionals, communities, local organisations and governments, building respectful relationships for lasting change.
5. We uphold high standards: of accountability, integrity, quality and sustainability.
To ensure that these values and principles are truly embedded across the organisation, Sense International has a set of I-Statements which personalise these values for each member of the Sense International team:
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
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I will listen to others: However something is communicated to me – whether that be by gesture, facial expression, body tension or posture, sign language, objects of reference, in writing or by voice – I actively listen.
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I will understand and respond: I try to the best of my ability to understand what is being communicated to me and I always respond in a timely and respectful way.
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I will respect others: I respect and treat others as I would wish to be respected and treated myself.
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I will be honest and open: I am open about the reasons for my actions and give my honest opinion knowing that it will be respected.
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I will participate and contribute: I participate to the best of my ability and contribute willingly and freely.
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I will take informed risk: I consider the benefits of taking a risk, as well as what might happen if things go wrong. Where possible I seek to manage risk rather than avoid it.
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I will find things to celebrate: I recognise that all achievements, no matter how small they might seem to me, are cause for celebration.
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No decision about me, without me: I always seek to involve individuals in coming to decisions that affect them.
Sense International works through local Sense International offices in India, Kenya, Peru, Romania, Tanzania and Uganda and through lead partners in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Volunteers
Sense International’s work is supported by trustees, volunteers in the shops that Sense manages for the benefit of Sense International, and other volunteer fundraisers in raising funds for our work. No monetary value has been placed on this support in the Statement of Financial Activities.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Fundraising and engagement
We would like to thank all our incredible supporters who have helped Sense International in 2024/25. In the last few years and in response to the current funding landscape, Sense International is diversifying fundraising and has seen growth in Trusts and Foundations income which has continued through this year as well as some early signs of growth in events, high value funding and individual giving. Our focus has also been in building stronger sustainable financial growth across our regional teams and the countries we operate in to support a localised agenda in fundraising. We continue to build long-term relationships with all of our supporters and partners, ensuring we value the contribution every individual, group or organisation makes to Sense International – whether that be their time, their voice or their financial support.
Our commitment to fundraise responsibly
Our fundraising is carried out in line with Sense International’s values which means that honesty, transparency and accountability are central to everything we do. Ensuring that our supporters trust us is critical to all our fundraising efforts. We continue to comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements, and ensure that our policies, guidelines and processes are reviewed and updated regularly. We have guidelines in place for fundraising from vulnerable people and never put pressure on anyone to donate.
Sense International is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and works in a way that is compliant with the Code of Fundraising Practice. Suppliers and those fundraising on our behalf are closely monitored through regular meetings, and in the event of contracts not being adhered to they are brought to an end. In 2024/25 we worked with one professional marketer and no commercial participators to support our fundraising.
Last year we did not receive any complaints about Sense International’s fundraising, nor were any complaints made to the Fundraising Regulator during this period. We respond quickly to requests to change the way in which we contact people and always ensure that we manage our supporters’ personal details in a respectful and secure manner. We also review our data management procedures on a regular basis.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Our commitment to fundraise responsibly (continued)
From 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the team received six requests from Sense International supporters through the Fundraising Preference Service asking us to stop sending fundraising communications to them.
Fundraising is overseen by the Chief Executive of Sense International, Associate Director of Fundraising and Communications, the Group Director of Engagement for Sense and the Sense International Fundraising Advisory Committee (a sub-committee of the Board).
Governance
There were eleven Trustees on the Board during the year as detailed below:
Richard Cooper (resigned 16 December 2024) Nicholas Corby Mythily Katsaris (resigned 23 September 2024) Suzi Nandera Sian Tesni Copeland Roberts (appointed 23 September 2024) Raaxeet Shah (Chair) Sunil Shah Lisa Szucs (resigned 13 April 2025) Kiran Virdee Lauren Watters Gillian Wood (resigned 23 September 2024)
The Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for a term of three years. The Board may appoint members by co-option who will hold office until the following AGM and shall be eligible for re-election by the Board or election at the AGM. The Board meets four times a year and the Trustees are expected to attend all Board meetings.
The Programme Advisory Committee is appointed by the Board and has three Trustees who meet with the Director and the Senior Programmes team to discuss strategic and operational programmatic issues as well as Safeguarding. It meets four times a year and reports to the Board.
The Fundraising Advisory Committee meets regularly between Board meetings to discuss progress against the Fundraising Strategy and to support events and approaches to individuals, companies and Trusts / Foundations. It is made up of Trustees and one specialist volunteer.
The Finance and Audit Committee has three Trustee members who meet to review the deployment of Sense International’s financial resources and the effectiveness of Sense International’s internal and external auditing procedures. It meets four times a year and reports to the Board.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Recruitment of new Trustees
Prospective candidates to be Trustees for Sense International are interviewed by at least two members of the Board including the Chair of the Board and the Director following responses to an advert, or through recommendation. The appointment of new Trustees is recommended to the Board of Trustees and on acceptance by the Board they are co-opted, until standing for election at the following AGM.
There is a comprehensive induction for new Trustees. The induction plan involves meetings with senior staff and internal and external training as necessary, along with an information pack, including signing up to adhere to appropriate policies e.g. Conflict of Interest and Safeguarding.
Relationship with related parties
Sense International is an independently registered charity and company, and is a subsidiary of Sense, the National Deafblind and Rubella Association (“Sense”). During the year, the Chief Executive of Sense International also held the post of Chief Executive of Sense. From 1 April 2025 Sense and Sense International have had separate Chief Executives. The Board of
Trustees reports once a year, at the AGM, to Sense, the sole member of Sense International. Sense provides support through sharing common facilities such as office space and IT, accounting and human resources support.
Delegated authority
The Board has delegated the day-to-day operational management of the organisation to the Chief Executive. The broad areas of delegation, for which the Chief Executive is accountable, are set out in the Sense governance handbook and are similar for Sense International.
During the year, to ensure these responsibilities were discharged effectively, the Chief Executive delegated responsibility to the Director of Sense International. The Director of Sense International was also a member of the Sense Executive Team.
Since 1 April 2025, following the appointment of the Director of Sense International as Chief Executive of Sense International, there has not been a separate post of Director of Sense International. The Chief Executive of Sense International is also a member of the Sense Executive Team.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees’ (who are also directors of Sense International for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report (including the Strategic Report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.
Company law requires the Trustees’ to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees’ have prepared the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Under company law the Trustees’ must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the 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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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (2019);
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102, have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business .
The Trustees are responsible for keeping 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.
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Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Sense International
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities (continued)
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
In accordance with Section 418, directors’ reports shall include a statement, in the case of each director in office at the date the directors’ report is approved, that:
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so far as the Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the
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company’s auditors are unaware; and
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they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Trustee in order to
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make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Public Benefit
Trustees have referred to the information contained in the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing aims and objectives, and planning future activities to implement the charity’s objects.
The information given about our objectives give clear examples of how our work is beneficial and brings public benefit through a wide range of activities and will continue to provide public benefit in line with our objects.
Charity Governance Code
The Board of Sense International believes that the policies and practice of Sense International are in keeping with the principles, rationale and key outcomes of the Charity Governance Code. In line with the requirements for charities to publish a statement in their annual report explaining the use of the Code, specifically on the three principles (4, 5 and 6),the Trustees state the following:
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Principle 3 recommends that the Board ‘understand their safeguarding responsibilities’. Safeguarding is a standing agenda item in all board meetings and a safeguarding report is produced for the board. The board approved Sense International’s refreshed Safeguarding Policy in September 2025.
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Principle 4 recommends that the Board ‘describe the charity’s approach to risk’. An updated version of the Sense International risk register is reviewed at each Board meeting. In addition, each national Board reviews the risk register for that country at each Board meeting.
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Principle 5 recommends that ‘The board explains in the governance statement how the charity reviews or evaluates the board.’
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Principle 6 recommends that ‘The board publishes an annual description of what it has done to address the diversity of the board and the charity’s leadership and its performance against its diversity objectives, with an explanation of where they have not been met.’
The Board currently has a good mixture of professional skills. In terms of gender balance there were five male and six female Trustees. Among the trustees we have experience of South Asia, East Africa and Latin America as well lived experience as a parent of a child with deafblindness When discussing new recruitment, the Board keeps diversity in mind. Age is an aspect of diversity kept under review by the Board.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Charity Governance Code (continued)
Gender balance of management roles:
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The CEO of Sense International is female with extensive experience of international development.
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The Associate Director Fundraising for Sense International is female.
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The Head of Finance for Sense International is male with international experience.
Safeguarding
Sense International operates a rights-based, risk-based approach to safeguarding. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of all forms.
In 2024/25 routine review of policies were undertaken in line with Charity Commission guidance. A new refreshed Safeguarding Policy was approved by the board in September 2025.
Recruitment across the organisation is carried out in accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy. All staff complete an online training module during their probation, which serves as an introduction to child and vulnerable adult protection and safeguarding considerations and we continue with periodic refresher training for staff in all our teams
Safeguarding Focal Points lead on safeguarding in each of the country programmes. Following clear terms of reference, these individuals take responsibility for championing good safeguarding practice at local level, meet regularly to share experience and feed into wider organisational work to strengthen systems and procedures.
Our reporting system continues as previously reported. During 2024/25 we received two reports through the safeguarding reporting channels, none of which met the Charity Commission’s definition of a Serious Incident.
For further information on Sense International’s Safeguarding System and related work, please visit our website: Safeguarding Statement (senseinternational.org.uk)
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Environmental Statement
As Sense International is based within the Sense offices in the UK we are following Sense’s environmental and carbon reporting.
As part of their annual obligations Sense has produced their SECR Energy and Carbon report 2024-2025 by following the UK HM Government “Environmental Reporting Guidelines: Including streamlined energy and carbon reporting guidance June 2023”. Sense also used the GHG Reporting Protocol Corporate Standard. The abridged SECR report can be found in Sense’s annual accounts. Over the past four years a lot of work has been done in relation to the organisation’s aims of reducing energy consumption and carbon output. Sense now has a stated vision of being carbon neutral by 2040 and to that end has allocated resources to form a dedicated team, and a budget to carry out carbon and energy reduction projects. Sense’s major contributors to carbon output (property, fleet and supply chain) are now under the direct management of the Sense Property team. This has enabled a more co-ordinated approach involving the whole organisation and Sense published a new Environmental Policy in the 2024/5 which makes direct reference to Sense International.
In addition to this, as Sense International we continue to monitor our CO2 emissions from air travel on an annual basis through reports from our travel providers.
Reappointment of auditors
A resolution to reappoint HaysMac LLP as auditors to the company will be proposed at the annual general meeting.
By Order of Trustees
R H Shah
Rex H Shah
Chair
Date: 23 September 2025
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Sense International supports children and adults with deafblindness in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Romania, Tanzania and Uganda. In the countries we work, people with deafblindness are more likely to live in poverty and be unemployed, with lower educational outcomes than other persons with disabilities. People with deafblindness face multiple barriers, including lack of access to healthcare, education, vocational training and opportunities to participate in their community compounded by lack of accessible information and communication, which makes it extremely difficult for them to voice their issues.
Sense International had three strategic objectives for 2024/25:
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INNOVATE: People with deafblindness are included in national systems.
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INFORM: People with deafblindness, and the people who support them, have more information, skills and knowledge.
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INFLUENCE: People with deafblindness are recognised in laws, policies and budgets.
Overall, we have delivered on our strategic objectives despite a challenging year due to a tough economic and funding landscape exacerbated by the cost of living pressures faced globally. In formulating and reporting on our strategy, we include all members of the Sense International family, including Sense International India. Sense International India is a fully independent charity. Only a small part of its expenditure is funded through Sense International and only this part of its expenditure is included in Sense International’s financial statements.
Strategic objective 1: People with deafblindness are included in national systems
We innovate and, working in partnership with governments, public structures including schools, hospitals and health facilities, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), parents and others, show how people with deafblindness can be included in national systems such as healthcare, education and vocational training.
Screening and Early Intervention
We take a life cycle approach, identifying children with deafblindness as early as possible and supporting them through their life stages from education through to employment and family and community life. Through our work, we demonstrate to governments, health authorities, families and communities how early screening and intervention can make a huge difference to a child’s life.
We screened 55,770 children for deafblindness .
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
In Tanzania , 33,560 children were screened over the year. This was part of the Caretech Foundation funded three-year Sensory Screening and Early Intervention project. Out of the 33,560 children screened, using the first stage risk factor screening questionnaire, 3,055 children were referred to the Early Intervention units for second stage hearing and eye screening and assessment. In the year 3,330 children attended their second stage screening, and 134 children were identified with deafblindness and other complex disabilities. These children are now enrolled in the Early Intervention services and together with their caregivers and Occupational Therapist are working to achieve their developmental milestones.
Sense International Kenya successfully launched screening services in Msambweni County Referral Hospital in Kwale County funded by the Hear the World Foundation. 2,460 children (1,226 girls and 1,234 boys) were screened with 22 children fitted with hearing aids.
Sense International India started new Baby screening programmes in Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Jharkhand which have increased the visibility of the project in these states and also ensured that newborn babies who are either born in or come for any treatment get the free assessment for hearing within the hospital. This will provide parents of newborn babies
Inclusive Education
Every child has the right to an education. We work with families, schools, colleges, partner organisations, government institutions and Ministries of Education, to enable learners with deafblindness to fulfil their potential, by getting the educational support that they need. This may be home-based, centre-based or in a mainstream school where the child receives support from a learning support assistant. We do what is needed to enable children with deafblindness to learn – from training parents and teachers, to providing specialist technology and adapting school facilities, curricula and learning materials.
Across all countries, we supported 6,007 children with deafblindness to access education.
As part of our Disability Inclusive Development Inclusive Futures programme funded by FCDO, inclusive education projects are running in Tanzania, Bangladesh and Nepal.
In Romania four orientation and mobility trips were organised in the mountains in April-May 2024 and March 2025 for 52 children with deafblindness from 17 partner schools along with 25 teachers and 15 family members. These were more than just trips, they were moments of growth, overcoming limits and getting to know new places and people, and even creating new friendships. For many of them, this was their first time traveling by train to the mountains, a great opportunity to socialise and spend time in nature.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Vocational training and livelihoods
Like any young person, young people with deafblindness want to be as independent as possible, earn a living and contribute to their families and communities. We support young people with deafblindness through the different stages of this process, enabling them to join a vocational training centre, become an apprentice, or plan to start their own business.
1,565 young people were supported with vocational training or opportunities to earn across our eight countries.
In Tanzania , from January to March, as part of the vocational training project funded by the Government of the Faroe Islands and the Hodge Foundation, we supported 68 youth with disabilities to be placed in skills development programmes. These youth are supported by 10 trained and dedicated college instructors.
Sense International India supported 32 adults with deafblindness with seed grants to start income generation activities.
Sense International Kenya provided business growth kits to 19 micro-entrepreneurs and their families under the InBusiness project part of the Disability Inclusive Development Inclusive Futures programme funded by FCDO. Business Development Service (BDS) providers will track business performance to assess growth. Over 60% of microentrepreneurs have reporting more than double growth.
Strategic objective 2: People with deafblindness, and the people who support them, have more information, skills and knowledge
We share information and train people with deafblindness, their families and carers, healthworkers, educators and other professionals, communities and decision-makers, so that people with deafblindness get better support.
Across all countries, 17,373 people were trained to support people with deafblindness.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
In February 2025, we successfully launched the Global Deafblindness Resource Hub, cohosting this global launch with Google with the event held at the Google Discovery Accessibility Centre. The launch was attended by 180 participants from 20 countries in person and online. The Global Deafblindness Resource Hub funded by Nelumbo Foundation, is a platform that brings together, for the first time, access to a range of resources from across the eight countries we work in. It will offer a ‘one stop shop’ into information that can guide and navigate people with deafblindness and their support networks to understand and connect more widely with information, local signposted services and networks. We continue to develop the online Global Deafblindness Resource Hub with accessible information and resources for people with deafblindness and those who support them, including parents, caregivers, teachers and NGO workers. We currently have resources in 7 languages on the hub – English, Nepali, Romanian, Spanish, Bangla, Hindi and Swahili.
“First steps: a guide for parents of children with deafblindness and sensory impairments” developed by Sense International Romania as an essential resource for parents of children with deafblindness (https://surdocecitate.ro/en/press-releases/first-steps/) was formally launched in June 2024, simultaneously in three major cities in Romania and received great media coverage. It was developed with input of over 70 parents of children with deafblindness.
Sense International Tanzania , as part of the Disability Inclusive Development Inclusive Futures programme funded by FCDO, continued to expand their Parents Support Groups (PSG) Model for building capacity in leadership, group management, income generations, disability rights and child safeguarding among parents. Through training and support, 12 PSGs started small businesses with 10 receiving seed funding of TZS 5million (approx. £2800) to grow their businesses. Profits have helped families support their children’s education, including providing school meals. The initiative has also strengthened group leadership, peer support, and collective action within communities including teacher parent relationships.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Sense International Peru provided virtual educational support services in Ucayali, Madre de Dios and Amazonas regions through 103 sessions delivered to 52 family members of students with disabilities (21 females and 31 males). They also delivered similar service to 114 education professionals from government disability inclusion teams from the regions of Ancash, Cajamarca, La Libertad, Lambayeque and Piura and to inclusive teachers in the Northeast Macro Region and Central Regions. The purpose of these sessions was to create a space for reflection and exchange and strengthen capacities on inclusive policies, cultures and practices, providing support to improve the inclusive experience of students.
Strategic objective 3: People with deafblindness are recognised in laws, policies and budgets
We advocate for change based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and other international legal instruments, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We support people with deafblindness to self-advocate, work with organisations led by people with deafblindness and parents’ groups, and gather rigorous research and evidence.
Sense International Kenya won the prestigious Zero Project Award for their InBusiness project, part of the Disability Inclusive Development Inclusive Futures programme. The project supports micro-entrepreneurs with disabilities to grow their businesses, provides them with training and adaptation and seeks to connect them to a wider enterprise network. It was notable that our work in Kenya has been recognised as one of 77 winners out of 522 nominations from across the world. The Sense International Kenya team received the award at the Zero Project Conference held in Vienna in March.
Sense International India contributed to the civil society report on accessibility commissioned by the Supreme Court of India and SI India’s note on access to education for people with deafblindness included in the final report submitted to the Supreme Court. More than 117 people with deafblindness participated in the consultation, providing inputs on their access to schools.
Our partner in Nepal hosted the first ever Asia Deafblind International (DBI) conference with attendees from over 30 countries including colleagues from East Africa, Bangladesh, India, and UK drawing attention of local stakeholders including Ministries and government authorities to the situation of people with deafblindness and raising the profile of our work and cause.
Sense International Uganda’ s advocacy efforts have resulted in disability data being included in lower health facilities resulting in better availability of medications for children with complex disabilities as the disability data has informed better planning.
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Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
On 3rd December to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the UK , the Director of Sense International participated in a panel discussion at an event hosted by FCDO and Inclusive Futures to raise awareness of the work of the programme and to advocate for the adoption of the Six Principles of Inclusive Development, which have been developed based on our learning from the Inclusive Futures work.
Following the devastating cuts to UK ’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) bringing UK’s ODA contribution to its lowest level in over 24 years, Sense International – through its membership of networks such as Bond and IDDC - joined the sector in condemning these cuts through letters to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and other government officials and through statements highlighting that the impact of the cuts will be felt significantly and disproportionately by people with disabilities particularly those with deafblindness who are among the furthest left behind.
Objectives for 2025/26
Our objectives for 2025/26 continue to be as set out in our 2022-27 strategy, namely:
Mission : We work in partnership with people with deafblindness and others, to remove barriers in societies and systems, so that people with deafblindness are fully included and can fulfil their potential.
Strategic Objective 1 (Innovate) People with deafblindness are included in national systems : we innovate and show how people with deafblindness can be included in national systems such as healthcare, education and vocational training, working in partnership with governments, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, parents and others.
Strategic Objective 2 (Inform) People with deafblindness, and the people who support them, have more information, skills and knowledge : we share information and train people with deafblindness, their families and carers, health-workers, educators and other professionals, communities and decision-makers, so that people with deafblindness get better support.
Strategic Objective 3 (Influence) People with deafblindness are recognised in laws, policies and budgets : we support people with deafblindness to self-advocate, join advocacy efforts by organisations of people with deafblindness and parents’ groups, gather rigorous research and evidence, and meet decision-makers.
20
Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Objectives for 2025/26 (continued)
A few of our priorities for 2025/26 include (not an exhaustive list):
-
Sense International will begin work on developing our new strategy (2027-28 onwards) which will include considerations and commitments on how we can become more locally led as an organisation with a view to ensuring that power, agency and ownership of the work we do sits with local people and communities and that people with deafblindness have a say in what we do and the way we work. Consultations with local and UK teams and trustees and local communities are planned in 2025/26.
-
In Tanzania, we will begin a five year programme called ‘Collective Action on Disability Rights’ This is a grant of 10million Norwegian Kroner funded by the Norwegian government through Atlas Alliance and Signo Foundation. The ‘Collective Action on Disability Rights’ programme aims to empower persons with disabilities and their representative organisations (OPDs) to claim their rights, improve their lives, and hold governments accountable for implementing inclusive policies in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In Tanzania the programme focuses on improving access to quality inclusive pre-primary, primary and secondary education for girls and boys with disabilities.
-
We will take our Global Inclusive Education programme from strength to strength ensuring more children with deafblindness have access to education and people with deafblindness have access to information and resources in an accessible way through our Global Deafblindness Resource Hub, following its successful launch in February 2025. In 2025/26 we look forward to the local launches of the Hub in all our countries.
-
We will be closing out our Disability Inclusive Development Inclusive Futures programme funded by FCDO as the programme comes to an end in December 2025. We will be publishing and disseminating learning pieces from the programme sharing the insights and experience gained from almost 7 years of implementing of inclusive education and inclusive business and livelihoods programmes.
-
In Romania, we will be supporting the formal establishment and launch of the first ever Association of People with Deafblindness in July 2025.
21
Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Internal Financial Control
The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material financial misstatement or loss. They include:
-
An annual budget and operational plan approved by the Trustees. A number of matters are specifically reserved for the Trustees approval. There is a clear organisational structure with appropriate lines for reporting.
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Regular review and consideration by the Trustees of financial results, variances from budgets, reforecasts and non-financial performance indicators.
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Policy documents covering major strategic and operational activities are developed and reviewed with appropriate regularity and consultation.
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Regular monitoring of budgets, operational plan and financial activities by the Director of Sense International with the Management Team.
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Identification and management of risks
The Trustees adopted a risk management policy in December 2018 which was updated on 26th November 2019. Trustees have delegated day-to-day responsibility for the management of risks to the Director of Sense International. An ongoing risk management process assesses business risks and implements risk management strategies. This involves identifying the types of risks the Charity faces, prioritising them in terms of potential impact and likelihood of occurrence, and regularly updating an action plan to allow satisfactory mitigation and management of likely risks.
This occurs as an intrinsic part of the annual operational planning process and is then reviewed in regular meetings of senior managers, reported to the Trustees each quarter both in the Finance and Audit Committee and the in Board Meetings. It is further overseen by the Sense audit committee. The Trustees have developed systems to respond quickly to evolving risks arising from factors within the Charity and to changes in the external environment, including procedures for reporting failings immediately to appropriate levels of management, the Trustees, and when required to other external authorities such as the Charity Commission, together with details of corrective action being undertaken.
The principal risks are as follows:
Fundraising: Sense International’s fundraising team in the UK and the in-country teams fail to reach targets. This risk is mitigated by the adoption of a realistic fundraising strategy, by a focussed and highly skilled team of fundraisers concentrating on Sense International, and by the close involvement of Trustees in fundraising efforts.
22
Sense International Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Internal Financial Control (continued)
Compliance: In-country partners do not adhere to policies, systems, procedures and donor compliance requirements leading to a financial, reputational, compliance or quality risk. This risk is mitigated through ensuring partners sign Memoranda of Understanding, committing to following Sense International policies in key areas, discussing the policies, systems and procedures at the start of programmes and identifying staff training needs and on-going compliance measures, and through regular and periodic monitoring by SI staff.
Financial management: Sense International global teams do not comply with financial procedures or national financial reporting requirements or do not have the necessary levels of skill and experience to ensure robust, transparent, timely and accurate management of finances. This risk is mitigated through a programme of review of in-country financial procedures, through training and monitoring by UK finance and programme staff.
Currency exchange: As Sense International receives income mainly in Pound Sterling and spends in a variety of currencies, its spending power is reduced if the Pound Sterling falls in value against these operating currencies. The risk is mitigated through spreading exposure to currency fluctuation by holding part of Sense International’s cash in various operating currencies and in Euros and US Dollars.
Financial review for the year ended 31 March 2025
Income for the year was £3.60m (2024: £3.13m). Total expenditure was £3.29m (2024: 2.82m). The proportion of expenditure spent on charitable activities decreased to 90% (2024: 92%).
During the year, the Chief Executive of Sense International was the Chief Executive of Sense and received no remuneration from Sense International. The salary of the Director of Sense International was set based on benchmarking in line with the salaries of directorlevel employees within Sense - each job role in the organisation is mapped to a Sense pay band and to a job level within the Sense job evaluation system. The benefits available for the Director of Sense International are in line with those of other employees. The review of the pay of the director is carried out, and set, in line with the overall pay award for all other employees.
23
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Sense International
Strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
Reserves
The Trustees agreed an aim to hold unrestricted reserves equivalent to four months’ annual expenditure from unrestricted funds, including transfers from unrestricted to restricted funds. The Trustees have set this target in order to ensure Sense International has reserves capable of providing sufficient working capital for budgeted operational commitments and funding responsive action in the event of a significant financial downturn.
At 31 March 2025, unrestricted reserves totalled £275,133 which is equivalent to four months’ expenditure from unrestricted funds, including transfers from unrestricted to restricted funds. (2024: £23,141 equivalent to two weeks.) The level of unrestricted reserves is now in line with the level targeted by the Trustees.
By Order of Trustees
R H Shah
Rex H Shah
Chair
Date: 23 September 2025
24
Sense International Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Sense International
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Sense International for the period ended 31st March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the Statement of Cashflows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
-
give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31st March 2025 and of the charitable company’s net movement in funds, including the income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ Report and the Chairman’s report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
25
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Sense International (continued)
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
-
the information given in the Trustees’ Report (which includes the strategic report and the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
-
the strategic report and the directors’ report included within the Trustees’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Report (which incorporates the strategic report and the directors’ report).
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the charitable company; or
-
the charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
Responsibilities of trustees for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement , the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
26
Sense International Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Sense International (continued)
Based on our understanding of the and the environment in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to GDPR and employment law, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011, and consider other factors such as payroll tax.
We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to fraud in revenue recognition and the risk of management override of controls. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
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Discussions with management including consideration of known or suspected instances of noncompliance with laws and regulation and fraud;
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Evaluating management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities;
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Identifying and testing journals, in particular journal entries posted with unusual account combinations, postings by unusual users or with unusual descriptions; and
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Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their critical accounting estimates
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Steve Harper (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of HaysMac LLP
Date: 27 September 2025
10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG
27
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income from | |||||
| Donations and | 1,003,360 | 1,604,612 | 2,607,972 | 2,170,230 | |
| legacies | |||||
| Charitable activities | 2 | 24,667 | 962,134 | 986,801 | 959,837 |
| Investments | 6,183 | 3,966 | 10,149 | 4,812 | |
| Total | 1,034,210 | 2,570,712 | 3,604,922 | 3,134,879 | |
| Expenditure on | |||||
| Raising funds | 4 | 315,114 | - | 315,114 | 219,558 |
| Charitable activities | 4 | 222,924 | 2,748,326 | 2,971,250 | 2,598,191 |
| **Total ** | 538,038 | 2,748,326 | 3,286,364 | 2,817,749 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) | 496,172 | (177,614) | 318,558 | 317,130 | |
| - | |||||
| Transfers from | (244,180) | 244,180 | - | - | |
| unrestricted to | |||||
| restricted funds | |||||
| Net movement on | 251,992 | 66,566 | 318,558 | 317,130 | |
| funds | |||||
| Fund balances brought | 23,141 | 843,911 | 867,052 | 549,922 | |
| forward at start of year | |||||
| Fund balances carried | 275,133 | 910,477 | 1,185,610 | 867,052 | |
| **forward at end of year ** |
The accounting policies and notes on pages 31 to 47 form part of these financial statements.
All the results included in the statement of financial activities above relate to continuing activities. The Charity has no recognised gains and losses other than those included in the statement of financial activities above, and therefore no separate statement of other comprehensive income has been presented. There is no difference between the fund balances and the net incoming resources for the years stated above and their historical cost equivalents.
The comparative Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024 is given in Note 1.
28
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
| Note | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 5 | 7,825 | 19,218 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 6 | 387,696 | 244,297 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 957,270 | 1,046,831 | |
| Total current assets | 1,344,966 | 1,291,128 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Creditors falling due within one year | 7 | (151,181) | (419,294) |
| Net current assets | 1,193,785 | 871,834 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 1,201,610 | 891,052 | |
| Creditors falling due after more than | 8 | (16,000) | (24,000) |
| one year | |||
| Total net assets | 1,185,610 | 867,052 | |
| The funds of the Charity: | |||
| Restricted funds | 10,11 | 910,477 | 843,911 |
| Unrestricted funds | 10,11 | 275,133 | 23,141 |
| Total charity funds | 1,185,610 | 867,052 |
The financial statements on pages 28 to 47 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 23 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
R H Shah
Rex H Shah Chair
Company registration number 3742986
29
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Note | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||
| Net cash provided by (used in) | 18 | (95,658) | 638,920 |
| operating activities | |||
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||
| Interest received | 10,149 | 4,812 | |
| Purchase of property, plant and | (4,052) | (5,553) | |
| equipment | |||
| Net cash (used in) operating activites | 6,097 | (741) | |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents | (89,561) | 638,179 | |
| in the year | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the | 1,046,831 | 408,652 | |
| beginning of the year | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end | 20 | 957,270 | 1,046,831 |
| of the year |
30
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Accounting policies
Statement of Compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in compliance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards including:
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Accounting and Reporting for Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP FRS 102);
-
the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"); and
-
the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of investments at market value and in accordance with applicable UK accounting standards; Accounting and Reporting for Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP FRS 102); the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"); and the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees have reviewed the Company’s forecasts, and made appropriate enquiries of the wider Group’s financial position and forecasts, in assessing the adoption of the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements. Trustees have reviewed the forecasts in the light of severe and plausible downsides such as loss of retail income or lower than expected income from fundraising events. The risk presented by operating with a low level of unrestricted reserves is mitigated by the ongoing financial support of the parent company, Sense, The National Deafblind and Rubella Association (“Sense”) which was confirmed in a letter of support to the Trustees of Sense International received in September 2025. The Trustees consider the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate because there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability of the company to continue as a going concern. On this basis the financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.
Particulars of the significant accounting policies of the Charity are given below.
31
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Accounting policies (continued)
Income from Charitable Activities
This consists of income from grants and contracts, which is recognised and included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Grants received in advance but with donor imposed conditions that specify the time period in which the expenditure of resources can take place are accounted for as deferred income and recognised as a liability. Income receivable under the terms of a grant at balance sheet date is recognised as accrued income and recognised within debtors.
Donations and Legacies
Legacy income is recognised on a receivable basis when it is probable that legacy income will be received and the value of the incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability. Donations are accounted for when received.
Donations includes donations from Sense International’s parent company, Sense. Sense operates five shops for the benefit of Sense International and the profit from these shops is donated to Sense International and included in donations and legacies.
Investment Income
Investment income consists of bank interest and is recognised on a receivable basis.
Expenditure
All expenditure, including any irrecoverable VAT, is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Fundraising for Sense International is carried out by fundraisers employed by the parent charity Sense and all costs charged to Sense International for this work are direct costs. Accordingly, all support costs relate to charitable activities.
Cost incurred by country programmes are included within direct costs. Costs incurred in the UK are allocated to direct or support costs based on an estimate of the split by activity of staff time in each cost centre.
Governance Costs
Governance costs include external audit and Trustees’ expenses.
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, and other shortterm highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
32
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Accounting policies (continued)
Foreign Currency
i. Functional and presentation currency
The company’s functional and presentation currency is the Pound Sterling.
ii. Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.
At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Nonmonetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.
Recognition of Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised when an obligation arises to transfer economic benefits as a result of past transactions or events.
Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of tangible assets over their estimated useful economic lives in equal annual instalments over 4 years.
Purchases of fixed assets valued at £500 and above are capitalised, otherwise they are expensed in the year the cost is incurred.
Pension Costs
The charity operates defined contribution schemes for staff. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they are payable.
Taxation
The company is recognised as a charity by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs for the purposes of Section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and is exempt from Corporation Tax.
33
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Accounting policies (continued)
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds, which have not been designated for other purposes, are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity.
Restricted funds are those which are to be used in accordance with specific instructions imposed by the donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.
Restricted fund expenditure is accounted for when the funds are expended. All expenditure made in the countries we work in outside the UK is accounted for as restricted fund expenditure and a transfer is made from unrestricted funds at the end of the year to cover any expenditure not covered by restricted income.
Investment income and gains are allocated to the appropriate fund.
Principal Accounting Estimates and Judgements
In the application of Sense International’s accounting policies, management is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. These estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. These estimates together with their underlying assumptions are continually reviewed. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The matter below is considered to be the most important in understanding the judgements that are involved in preparing the financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact the amounts reported:
Legacy income is recognised as detailed under income recognition above. In calculating the level of accrued legacy income, management is required to exercise estimation and judgement, particularly in determining the value and probability of receipt.
34
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
1 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Income from | |||
| Donations and legacies | 794,700 | 1,375,530 | 2,170,230 |
| Charitable activities | - | 959,837 | 959,837 |
| Investments | 2,882 | 1,930 | 4,812 |
| Total | 797,582 | 2,337,297 | 3,134,879 |
| Expenditure on | |||
| Raising funds | 219,551 | 7 | 219,558 |
| Charitable activities | 202,346 | 2,395,845 | 2,598,191 |
| Total | 421,897 | 2,395,852 | 2,817,749 |
| Net income/(expenditure) | 375,685 | (58,555) | 317,130 |
| Transfers from unrestricted to | (369,140) | 369,140 | - |
| restricted funds | |||
| Net movement on funds | 6,545 |
310,585 | 317,130 |
| Fund balances brought forward at | 16,596 | 533,326 | 549,922 |
| start of year | |||
| Fund balances carried forward at | 23,141 | 843,911 | 867,052 |
| end of year |
35
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
2 Income from charitable activities
| Income from Charitable Activities Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Disability Inclusive Development (DID) Programme 'Inclusive Futures' consortium Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission Education, learning and skills for people with deafblindness in Bangladesh Faroe Islands Ministry of Justice Empowering Youth with Disabilities: Market- Driven Vocational Training for Sutainable Livelihoods in Singida, Tanzania Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Improving Developmental Outcomes for Children with Complex Disabilities in Garissa and Kwale Counties of Rural Kenya (UK Aid Match) Comic Relief - (SI Uganda) Holistic Early Child Development (ECD) for Children with Complex Disabilities in Uganda Active Citizens Fund Romania Program – (SI Romania) The voice of people with deafblindness in Romania Unrestricted Income Total Income from Charitable Activities |
2025 2024 £ £ 866,252 714,520 52,460 50,900 43,422 - - 75,881 - 67,131 - 51,405 24,667 - |
|---|---|
| 986,801 979,635 |
36
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
3 Income from donations and legacies
During the year, a donation of £300,000 (2024: £500,000) was received from the parent company, Sense.
In addition, in the year ended 31 March 2025, Sense donated £124,075 (2024: £123,148) representing the net profit on five shops run by Sense that are designated as Sense International shops.
Income from legacies for the year was £98,599 (2024: £6,000).
4 Expenditure
| Direct Costs | Support Costs | Total 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Raising funds | 315,114 | - | 315,114 |
| Charitable activities | 2,874,446 | 96,804 | 2,971,250 |
| 3,189,560 | 96,804 | 3,286,364 | |
| Support Costs | Management | Governance | Total 2025 |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Charitable activities | 89,804 | 7,000 | 96,804 |
| 89,804 | 7,000 | 96,804 | |
| Governance costs included £7,000 (2024: £8,064) of external audit | fees. No payments | ||
| were made to Sense International’s auditors in respect of non-audit | services. | ||
| The corresponding amounts for the previous year were as follows: | |||
| Direct Costs | Support Costs | Total 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Raising funds | 219,558 | - | 219,558 |
| Charitable activities | 2,453,656 | 144,535 | 2,598,191 |
| 2,673,214 | 144,535 | 2,817,749 | |
| Support Costs | |||
| Management | Governance | Total 2024 | |
| Charitable activities | £ | £ | £ |
| 102,675 | 41,860 | 144,535 |
Governance costs included £7,000 (2024: £8,064) of external audit fees. No payments were made to Sense International’s auditors in respect of non-audit services.
37
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
5 Tangible assets
| continued) Tangible assets |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computers | Motor | Fixtures & | Total | |
| Vehicles | Fittings | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | ||||
| At 31 March 2024 | 7,672 | 69,002 | 4,650 | 81,324 |
| Additions | 4,052 | - | - | 4,052 |
| Disposals | (1,303) | - | - | (1,303) |
| 31 March 2025 | 10,421 | 69,002 | 4,650 | 84,073 |
| Accumulated | ||||
| Depreciation | ||||
| At 31 March 2024 | 5,629 | 55,757 | 720 | 62,106 |
| Charge for the year | 1,882 | 11,283 | 1,323 | 14,487 |
| Eliminated on disposal | (345) | - | - | (345) |
| At 31 March 2025 | 7,166 | 67,040 | 2,043 | 76,248 |
| Net Book Value | ||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 3,256 | 1,962 | 2,607 | 7,825 |
| At 31 March 2024 | 2,043 | 13,245 | 3,930 | 19,218 |
All tangible fixed assets are used for charitable purposes. There were no capital commitments at the balance sheet date (2023: £nil).
6 Debtors
| Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Other debtors | 109,764 | 69,222 |
| Accrued income | 264,438 | 159,537 |
| Prepayments | 13,494 | 15,538 |
| 387,696 | 244,297 |
38
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
7 Creditors falling due within one year
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Trade creditors | 592 | 72 |
| Amounts owed to Group undertakings | 69,298 | 215,491 |
| Deferred income | 14,482 | 73,131 |
| Other creditors and accruals | 66,809 | 130,600 |
| 151,181 | 419,294 |
Amounts due to group undertakings are unsecured, interest free, have no fixed date of repayment and are repayable on demand.
Deferred income is restricted income received prior to the year end subject to a condition that it may not be spent until after the year end. All deferred income was utlised in the year following receipt.
8 Creditors falling due after more than one year
The amount due after more than one year is in respect of a loan of £40,000 that is unsecured, interest free, and repayable in five equal annual instalments from March 2024. The amount falling due after more than one year is £16,000 (2024: £24,000). The loan is from a related party as disclosed in note 15.
9 Capital
Sense International is registered in England (Company registration number 3742986) as a company limited by guarantee having no share capital. The liability of the member is limited by guarantee. The member has undertaken to contribute an amount not exceeding one pound as may be required in the event of the charity being wound up.
39
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
10 Movement in funds
| Fund | Balance at 31 March 2024 |
Income | Expenditure | Transfers | Balance at 31 March 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Nelumbo Stiftung Education Phase 2 |
261,879 | 549,347 | 475,956 | - | 335,270 |
| Romania– In-countryIncome | 120,244 | 73,801 | 52,048 | - | 141,997 |
| John Lewis Foundation | 99,545 | (9,399) | 86,000 | - | 4,146 |
| Nelumbo Stiftung Early Intervention (Uganda) Phase 2 |
99,505 | 117,697 | 140,182 | - | 77,020 |
| Karlson Javita Charitable Foundation (Peru) |
59,616 | 68,720 | 50,659 | - | 77,677 |
| Deaf Child Worldwide (Kenya) | 32,128 | 28,633 | 60,761 | - | - |
| Hollyhock Foundation | 25,050 | 23,366 | 34,271 | - | 14,145 |
| IHelp Uganda | 20,301 | 30,187 | 20,710 | - | 29,788 |
| Commonwealth Foundation (Kenya) |
17,366 | 4,981 | 9,610 | - | 12,736 |
| Active CitizensRomania | 14,986 | (2,764) | 12,222 | - | - |
| CareTech Foundation Tanzania | 13,917 | 45,216 | 59,133 | - | - |
| MTN Telecoms (Uganda) | 13,078 | 179,820 | 169,820 | - | 23,078 |
| Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa Uganda |
9,643 | 24,798 | 16,775 | - | 17,666 |
| Synevo (Romania) | 8,014 | - | 8,014 | - | - |
| Halcrow Foundation | 7,421 | 4,122 | 10,958 | - | 585 |
| Medicor | 6,470 | - | 6,470 | - | - |
| Priory Foundation | 3,923 | - | 655 | - | 3,268 |
| Hugh Symons (Bangladesh) | 3,491 | (297) | 3,194 | - | - |
| LavellePeru | 3,474 | 42,724 | 41,136 | - | 5,062 |
| James Tudor Foundation (Nepal) | 3,000 | - | - | - | 3,000 |
| Romania Orange E-Sense | 2,712 | - | 2,712 | - | - |
| Guernsey Overseas Aid Education 2 (Bangladesh) |
678 | 21,699 | 22,377 | - | - |
| FCDO Disability Inclusive Development |
- | 866,252 | 866,252 | - | - |
| Else Krone Frosenius Stiftung | - | 80,150 | 55,244 | - | 24,906 |
| PeruHoldingFund | - | 15,502 | 47,040 | 31,538 | - |
| Uganda Holding Fund | - | 5,561 | 88,788 | 83,227 | - |
| Kenya Holding Fund | - | 2,637 | 64,612 | 61,975 | - |
| Tanzania Holding Fund | - | 1,166 | 51,865 | 50,699 | - |
| Bangladesh Holding Fund | - | - | 16,730 | 16,730 | - |
| HeartheWorldFoundation | - | 78,092 | 78,092 | - | - |
| Comic Relief Uganda | - | 70,308 | 40,101 | - | 30,206 |
| Hollyhock Foundation (Nepal) | - | 51,856 | 31,454 | - | 20,402 |
| Faroe Islands | - | 43,422 | 23,592 | - | 19,830 |
| Guernsey Overseas Aid Education3 (Bangladesh) |
- | 29,060 | 20,851 | - | 8,209 |
| Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust |
- | 25,000 | - | - | 25,000 |
| Other | 17,470 | 74,125 | 96,772 | - | 16,741 |
| Total restricted | 843,911 | 2,570,712 | 2,748,326 | 244,180 | 910,477 |
| Unrestricted | 23,141 | 1,034,210 | 538,038 | (244,180) | 275,133 |
| Total | 867,052 | 3,604,922 | 3,286,364 | - | 1,185,610 |
40
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
10 Movement in funds (continued)
The corresponding amounts for the previous year were as follows:
| Fund | Balance at 1 April 2023 |
Income |
Expenditure | Transfers | Balance at 31 March 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Romania–In-country Income | 134,113 | 59,349 | 73,218 | - | 120,244 |
| Comic Relief Uganda | 114,034 | 67,318 | 181,352 | - | - |
| FCDO UK Aid Match Kenya | 56,274 | - | 56,274 | - | - |
| IHelp Uganda | 51,508 | 21,956 | 53,163 | - | 20,301 |
| Latin American Children’s Trust Peru |
47,077 | - | 47,077 | - | - |
| Medicor | 29,791 | - | 23,321 | - | 6,470 |
| Active Citizens Romania | 27,380 | 51,405 | 63,799 | - | 14,986 |
| Hollyhock Foundation | 20,621 | 26,846 | 22,417 | - | 25,050 |
| Guernsey Overseas Aid (Bangladesh) |
13,189 | 29,009 | 42,198 | - | - |
| Commonwealth Foundation (Kenya) |
10,783 | 25,515 | 18,932 | - | 17,366 |
| Thomas Cook Children's Charity |
8,737 | - | 8,737 | - | - |
| Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa Uganda |
2,217 | 22,800 | 15,374 | - | 9,643 |
| FCDO UK Aid Direct Kenya Cofunding |
1,551 | - | 1,551 | - | - |
| Lavelle Peru | 120 | 32,529 | 29,175 | - | 3,474 |
| Nelumbo Stiftung Education Phase 2 |
- | 456,521 | 194,642 | - | 261,879 |
| John Lewis Foundation | - | 99,545 | - | - | 99,545 |
| Nelumbo Stiftung Early Intervention (Uganda) Phase 2 |
- | 153,667 | 54,162 | - | 99,505 |
| Karlson Javita Charitable Foundation(Peru) |
- | 64,304 | 4,688 | - | 59,616 |
| Deaf Child Worldwide (Kenya) | - | 40,214 | 8,086 | - | 32,128 |
| CareTech Foundation (Tanzania) |
- | 70,866 | 56,949 | - | 13,917 |
| MTN Telecoms (Uganda) | - | 162,452 | 149,374 | 13,078 | |
| Synevo (Romania) | - | 13,442 | 5,428 | - | 8,014 |
| Halcrow Foundation | - | 7,421 | - | - | 7,421 |
| Priory Foundation | - | 5,000 | 1,077 | - | 3,923 |
| HughSymons (Bangladesh) | - | 3,500 | 9 | - | 3,491 |
| The James Tudor Foundation (Nepal) |
- | 3,000 | - | - | 3,000 |
| Romania OrangeE-Sense | - | 6,253 | 3,541 | - | 2,712 |
| Guernsey Overseas Aid Education (Bangladesh) |
- | 23,401 | 22,723 | - | 678 |
| FCDO Disability Inclusive Development |
- | 713,450 | 713,450 | - | - |
| Subtotal carried forward to next page |
517,395 | 2,159,763 | 1,850,717 | - | 826,441 |
41
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
10 Movement in funds (continued)
| Fund | Balance at 1 April 2023 |
Income |
Expenditure | Transfers | Balance at 31 March 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Subtotal bought forward from previous page |
517,395 | 2,159,763 | 1,850,717 | - | 826,441 |
| UgandaHoldingFund | - | 106,690 | 165,298 | 58,608 | - |
| Nelumbo Stiftung Education Phase 1 |
- | 46,592 | 46,592 | - | - |
| The Hodge Foundation Inclusive Education (Bangladesh |
- | 7,500 | 7,500 | - | - |
| Kenya Holding Fund | - | 3,972 | 100,590 | 96,618 | - |
| Tanzania Buhangija School | - | 2,500 | 2,500 | - | - |
| Tanzania Holding Fund | - | - | 102,324 | 102,324 | - |
| PeruHoldingFund | - | - | 98,609 | 98,609 | - |
| Romania Holding Fund | - | - | 10,413 | 10,413 | - |
| Other | 15,931 | 10,280 | 11,309 | 2,568 | 17,470 |
| Total restricted | 533,326 | 2,337,297 | 2,395,852 | 369,140 | 843,911 |
| Unrestricted | 16,596 | 797,582 | 421,897 | (369,140) | 23,141 |
| Total | 549,922 | 3,134,879 | 2,817,749 | - | 867,052 |
Restricted funds are funds held by the Charity for particular applications, specified by the donor and within the Charity’s objectives, and can only be applied to those particular purposes. The restrictions may apply to income or capital or both. Many of the restricted funds are generated through targeted project appeals.
Expenditure incurred outside of the UK that is not eligible to be charged against specific restricted income is charged against a restricted fund set up for each country. Where we receive income that is restricted to be spent in a particular country, but not otherwise restricted, it is credited to the restricted fund for that country. At the end of each year, if expenditure from the restricted fund for a country exceeds income to the fund, then a transfer is made from unrestricted funds to restricted funds to bring the fund balance to zero.
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds are held for the general purposes of the Charity. Because they can be deployed flexibly, unrestricted funds allow the Charity to fund core organisational costs necessary for delivery of projects partially funded with restricted funds. Unrestricted funds also allows the Charity, through co-funding, to leverage restricted funding from Governmental and State agencies that will usually only commit to fund part of the costs of major projects. Hence, unrestricted funds are vitally important for the day to day operation of the Charity and the support we provide to people with deafblindness and multi-sensory impairments.
42
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
11 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | 7,825 | 0 | 7,825 |
| Net current assets | 283,308 | 910,477 | 1,193,785 |
| Creditors falling due | (16,000) | 0 | (16,000) |
| after more than one | |||
| year | |||
| 275,133 | 910,477 | 1,185,610 |
The corresponding amounts for the previous year were as follows:
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | 19,218 | - | 19,218 |
| Net current assets | 27,923 | 843,911 | 871,834 |
| Creditors falling due | (24,000) | - | (24,000) |
| after more than one | |||
| year | |||
| 23,141 | 843,911 | 867,052 |
43
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
12 Employees' remuneration
continued) 2 Employees' remuneration |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and Salaries | 1,016,690 | 1,118,459 |
| Social Security costs | 61,353 | 73,083 |
| Otherpension costs | 55,203 | 62,421 |
| 1,133,246 | 1,253,963 |
The average monthly number of persons employed by the Charity was 57 (2024: 63).
No employees earned £60,000 to £70,000 (2024: 1), one employee earned between £70,000 and £80,000 (2024: nil), and one employee earned between £80,000 and £90,000 (2024: 1).
The Trustees of Sense International received no remuneration (2024: £nil) and received £162 reimbursements of expenses (2024: £nil).
13 Pensions
Sense International contributes to defined contribution pension schemes in the countries in which it operates. The pension charge for the year was £62,421 (2023: £67,076).
14 Capital commitments
Capital expenditure authorised and contracted for but not provided for at 31 March 2025 amounted to £nil (2024: £nil).
15 Related Parties
In the year ending 31 March 2020, Sense International entered into a loan with Dandylion Consulting Limited, a company of which trustee Sunil Shah was also a Director in the year. The loan was unsecured, interest free, and repayable in five equal annual instalments from March 2023. During the prior year, Dandylion Consulting Limited agreed to a deferment of repayments by one year. The amount of the loan outstanding at the balance sheet date is £24,000. See also note 8.
See Note 3 for donations from Sense International’s parent charity Sense and Note 17 for disclosure of remuneration for key management personnel.
44
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
16 Parent undertaking and ultimate controlling party
The charity’s parent undertaking and ultimate controlling party is considered by the Trustees to be Sense, The National Deafblind and Rubella Association, a charity and company, registered in England. The registered address of Sense from which copies of this company’s financial statements are available is:
101 Pentonville Road London N1 9LG
17 Key Management Personnel
During the year, the Trustees delegated day to day responsibility to the Chief Executive, Richard Kramer who was supported by Kavita Prasad, the Director of Sense International. The Chief Executive was remunerated by Sense and received no remuneration from Sense International. The Director of Sense International was remunerated by Sense International and her remuneration is included in the amounts disclosed in Note 12.
The aggregate remuneration of the one key management personnel remunerated by Sense International (2024: 1), was £89,183 (2024: £86,676) before pension contributions of £4,459 (2024: £4,332).
18 Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Net Income/(expenditure) | 318,558 | 317,130 |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets | 958 | - |
| Investment income received | (10,149) | (4,812) |
| Depreciation | 14,487 | 14,965 |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | (143,399) | 224,816 |
| Increase/(decrease)in creditors | (276,113) | 86,821 |
| Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating | (95,658) | 638,920 |
| activities |
45
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
19 Net debt
| 9 Net debt | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April | Cashflows | Other non- | At 31 | March | |
| 2024 | cash | 2025 | |||
| movements | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Cash | 1,046,831 | (89,561) | - | 957,270 | |
| Loans falling due | (8,000) | 8,000 | (8,000) | (8,000) | |
| within one year | |||||
| Loans falling due | (24,000) | - | 8,000 | (16,000) | |
| after more than | |||||
| one year | |||||
| Total | 1,014,831 | (66,803) | - | 933,270 |
20 Analysis of changes in net cash
| At 1 April | Cash flows | Non-cash | At 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | changes | March 2025 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,046,831 | (89,561) | - | 957,270 |
| Net cash | 1,046,831 | (89,561) | - | 957,270 |
The corresponding amounts for the previous year were as follows:
| At 1 April | Cash flows | Non-cash | At 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | changes | March 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 408,652 | 638,179 | - | 1,046,831 |
| Net cash | 408,652 | 638,179 | - | 1,046,831 |
46
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
21 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
| At 1 April | Cash flows | Non-cash | At 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | changes | March 2025 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,046,831 | (89,561) | - | 957,270 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,046,831 | (89,561) | - | 957,270 |
The corresponding amounts for the previous year were as follows:
| At 1 April | Cash flows | Non-cash | At 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | changes | March 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 408,652 | 638,179 | - | 1,046,831 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 408,652 | 638,179 | - | 1,046,831 |
47
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Major Supporters
The Trustees are indebted to all of our donors for their support, both financial and otherwise. Without their support it would not have been possible for the Charity to operate. We are particularly grateful to those who have made unrestricted donations in the year. With special thanks to:
Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement
Active Citizens Fund Romania, programme funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021 – Sense International Romania
Beatrice Laing Charitable Trust
Bhim Ruia Foundation
CareTech Foundation
Coles-Medlock Foundation
Comic Relief – Sense International Uganda
Commonwealth Foundation – Sense International Kenya
Deaf Child Worldwide – Sense International Kenya
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Forrester Family Trusts
Guernsey Overseas Aid & Development Commission
Government of the Faroe Islands
Halcrow Foundation
Hear the World Foundation – Sense International Kenya
Hodge Foundation
John & Sarah Rockliff (Friends of the Reed Foundation)
48
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Major Supporters (continued)
John Lewis Partnership Foundation
Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa - Sense International Uganda
Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Inc. - Sense International Peru
MTN Foundation – Sense International Uganda
Nelumbo Foundation
Pradip Dhamecha
Sunil Shah
Synevo Romania with the support of Medicover Association – Sense International Romania
Terry Williams
The Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada – Sense International Uganda partner with Kyambogo University.
The Hollyhock Charitable Foundation
The Karlsson Játiva Charitable Foundation’s LACT programme
49
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Charity Information
Charity name Sense International Governing instrument Memorandum and Articles of Association Registered charity number 1076497 Company registration number 3742986 Trustees Richard Cooper (resigned 16 December 2024) Nicholas Corby Mythily Katsaris (resigned 23 September 2024) Suzi Nandera Sian Tesni Copeland Roberts (appointed 23 September 2024) Raaxeet Shah (Chair) Sunil Shah Lisa Szucs (resigned 13 April 2025) Kiran Virdee Lauren Watters Gillian Wood (resigned 23 September 2024) Company secretary Richard Kramer (resigned 31 January 2025) Edward Watson-O’Neill (appointed 3 February 2025, resigned 31 March 2025) Kavita Prasad (from 31 March 2025) Key management personnel Chief executive Richard Kramer (to 31 January 2025) Edward Watson-O’Neill (from 3 February 2025 to 31 March 2025) Kavita Prasad (from 1 April 2025) Director Kavita Prasad (to 31 March 2025) Registered office 101 Pentonville Road London N1 9LG
50
Sense International
Annual report and financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025
Charity information (continued)
Bankers National Westminster Bank PLC Tavistock House, Tavistock Square London, WC1H 9JA Solicitors Wilsons Solicitors LLP Alexandra House St John Street Salisbury SP1 2SB Trowers & Hamlins LLP 3 Bunhill Row London EC1Y 8YZ Independent Auditors HaysMac LLP 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1AG
51