2025-03-31-accounts

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Trustees Report and Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Charity Registration no 1103917

Legal and Administrative Information

Name: North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Name:	North Regional Association for Sensory SupportAssociation for Sensory Supportfor Sensory SupportSensory SupportSupport
Reg'd CharityNo:	1103917
Trustees:	CouncillorJohnAdams(Chair) Rosalind Copeland
	Emma Jones
Address:	ThePinetreeCentre
	Durham Road
	Birtley
	CoDurham
	DH3 2TD
Independent
Examiner:	MarkThompsonMAAT
	VODA
	SpiritofNorth Tyneside Wing
	2nd Floor, Wallsend CommunityHub& Library
	16 The Forum
	Wallsend
	NE288JR

| Capacity Building and Community Empowerment | As part of our renewed mission, Sensory Support UK will deliver a series of accessible workshops to empower | individuals and bolster community resilience. These will include:. Advocacy and Rights Awareness | . Accessibility and inclusive Practice | . Access to Work and Employment Pathways . Sensory Loss Awareness . Healthy Relationships and Boundaries . Digital Inclusion and Confidence

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Financial Review an e 1 r

Introduction

This year has continued to bring financial challenges, but our dedication to the sensory loss community remains steadfast. We have taken courageous steps to update our charity, enhance our strategic direction, and provide services that address unmet needs across the North East. Our efforts have reached hundreds of individuals, showing both the scope and depth of our[influence.]

Governance and Leadership

We are pleased to welcome Clir John Adams, Cabinet Member at Gateshead Council, as our new Chairman. His leadership provides strategic insight and enhances our alignment with local authority priorities. We also welcome Emma Jones to our Board of Trustees, a Deaf individual whose lived experience and community knowledge will be invaluable in shaping inclusive, responsive services.

The Committee continues to meet regularly to oversee governance, financial planning, and strategic development. We remain compliant with Charity Commission guidance and are committed to transparency, inclusion, and

Financial Overview

The charity has operated under constrained financial conditions throughout the year. The loss of the Hartlepool IAG contract, although small in income, reflects the broader funding pressures facing the sector. Nonetheless, we remain committed to securing sustainable income streams and have successfully negotiated a new agreement with Hartlepool Council to provide advocacy support to the local sensory loss community. This service will be promoted in

Strategic Rebrand and Promotional Strategy

We are pleased to announce our rebranding from North Regional Association for Sensory Support (NRASS) to Sensory Support UK . This new identity showcases our updated profile, national vision, and dedication

To support this transformation, we have launched an improved, accessible website and created new promotional materials. These tools lay the foundation of a refreshed communications strategy aimed at boosting visibility, attracting new referrals, and positioning our services in a more.financially sustainable and viable way.

Alignment with Local Authority Objectives

Our new strategic plans directly support these pledges:-

. People: We focus on individuals and families, supporting their wellbeing and transitions throughout different life

. Fairness: We tackle inequalities by reaching marginalised groups and promoting access to services, employment, - Communities: We empower communities through co-production, mentoring, and inclusive service design. . Prosperous: We support economic inclusion through workshops, employment pathways, and digital skills. . Future: We collaborate with partners to build sustainable, innovative services that reflect lived experience and

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These workshops will be developed collaboratively with community members and delivered in formats accessible to participants with sensory impairments.

Workforce Development and Professional Standards

We are proud to announce that all staff are now fully qualified advocates, with specialist training in British Sign Language (BSL) and Deafblind communication and guidance. This has greatly improved the quality, accessibility, and cultural awareness of our service. Our manager has gained accreditation as an Independent Civil Mediator and is currently completing the final year of her Master of Laws (LLM). This advanced legal training enhances our ability to provide rights-based advocacy, mediation, and statutory interpretation, especially in complex cases involving mental capacity, safeguarding, and

Annual impact and Service Reach

Our KPI data for 2024-2025 reflects a year of high engagement and meaningful support:-

. 272 individuals and organisations engaged with our services

. 76 clients accessed our targeted digital awareness projects

. 105 open cases at year-end, with zero terminations, indicating strong retention and continuity

. 780 contacts made with other services on behalf of service users . 5,005 classifications of work undertaken, demonstrating the breadth and responsiveness of our support . Most in-demand classification: Communication Support (supporting English Modification of language), followed by Advocacy and Access to Services

Demographics:-

. Majority of service users identified as Profoundly Deaf

. Highest referral age groups: 51-70 years

. Employment: 469 unemployed, 187 employed, 84 retired, remainder unspecified

. Gender: there is an equal split between male and female service users. . Ethnicity: predominantly white British

These figures show the trust placed in the service by the community and the increasing demand for specialist sensory loss services that are inclusive, rights-based, and locally responsive. It also highlights areas where engagement with wider marginalised minority groups in the area can be improved.

Short Impact Study: Communication Support

One of the most sought-after areas of our work this year was Communication Support. This category includes translation or modifying written English, providing accessible information, and helping clients navigate complex

A profoundly Deaf service user was supported to attend a court hearing with customised communication guidance, advocacy, and mediation. The outcome was positive, and the client reported increased confidence, reduced anxiety, and better access to future services.

This case exemplifies the convergence of our advocacy, communication, and legal expertise, highlighting the realworld impact of our qualified staff and inclusive approach.

Service innovation and Sector Distinction

focus is on addressing unmet needs, including transitions from childhood to adult services, mediation, mentoring, and rights-based advocacy. Co-production remains at the heart of our approach, ensuring that lived experience influences every aspect of our work,

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Conclusion and Outlook

Despite financial pressures, Sensory Support UK is moving into a new phase of growth and innovation. Our rebrand, leadership expertise, expanded service offer, and promotional strategy position us to makea lasting impact on the sensory loss community. We will continue to seek funding to sustain and develop our work, ensuring that the charity remainsa vital and responsive resource for years to come.

Trustees’ Responsibilities in relation to Financial Statements

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Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regula
set out in the Charities Act 1993.
SignedTT Adens. Chair, on behalf of Trustees
Dete 17 Oc Ee Ze? Shox
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

Report to the trustees of North Regional Association for Sensory Support On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Charityno 1103917 Respective The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year responsibilities of | (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act)) and that an trustees and independent examination is needed. examiner itis my responsibility to * examine the accounts (under section 43 of the Act), * follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 43(7)(b) of the Act), and * state whether particular matters have come to my attention. . Basis of | My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions —- independent given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of examiner’s __ the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison_of the... statement | accounts presented with those records. _Italso includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent _ In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: examiner's 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material statement -respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that: * proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 41 of the Act); and , ¢ accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: NMa Date: 6th October 2025 Name: Mark Thompson MAAT Address: VODA Spirit of North Tyneside Wing 2nd Floor, Wallsend Community Hub & Library 16 The Forum Wallsend NE28 8JR

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

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|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Statement|of|Financial|Activities| |for the year ended|31|March|2025| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total| |Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds| |Receipts|2025|2025|2025|2024| |£| |Grants|3450|3450|68220| |Contracts|52795|52795|52795| |Donations|0|350| |Training|1525|1525|2150| |Total|Receipts|57770|0|57770|123515| |Payments| |Staff Costs & Related Expenses|2|64453|64453|61451| |Training|874|874|1869| |Subscriptions,|Affiliations and|Licences|501|501|78| |Printing, Postage and|Stationery|367|367|1469| |Small Equipment|0|0|556| |Telephone & Broadband|3812|3812|3619| |Consultant Fees|145|445|0| |Computer & IT Costs|1001|1001|3217| |Office Rent & Rates|2649|2649|3444| |Insurance|1054|1054|1032| |Meeting & Commitee Exp|327|327|0| |Accountancy & Payroll fees|1832|1832|1399| |Fundraising|0|0|2120| |Miscellaneous|349|349|872| |Advertisement|134|134|0| |Project Expenses|686|686|9559| |Total Payments|78184|0|78184|90685| |Surplus / deficit for the year|-20414|0|-20414|32830| |Funds as at|1|April 2024|42809|0|42809|9979| |Funds at 31|March 2025|~~37395.2~”—~—CCCOC~C~‘C’OQOOOSHC«CMCDOO|

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North Regional Association for Sensory Support

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

			2025		2024
			£		£
		Notes
CurrentAssets
Cash at Bank& in Hand		4	22395		42809
TotalCashBalances			22395		42809
Current Liabilities			0		0
For theyearended 31 March2025			22395		42809
Represented By:
Restricted Funds			0		0
Unrestricted Funds			22395		42809
			22395	—42808
siones CIM One.		Position ..	WIANAGGR	.
SIQNED .........cee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee		PositionTREASURER			.
DateTNO)28	conn

Signa

Alan Brown (Oct 20, 2025 18:31:04 GMT+1) Email: [e-mail]

2025-10-20

NRASS Accounts 2024 to 2025

Final Audit Report

Created: 2025-10-20 By: Jacqueline Wanless ([e-mail]) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAcF0oHZfPdRVxCu4usvGmeaUW6U2_NRYH

"NRASS Accounts 2024 to 2025" History

Document created by Jacqueline Wanless ([e-mail])

2025-10-20 - 1:02:58 PM GMT- IP address: 90.211.42.191

Document emailed to Alan Brown ([e-mail]) for signature

2025-10-20 - 1:03:13 PM GMT

Email viewed by Alan Brown ([e-mail])

2025-10-20 - 5:28:29 PM GMT- IP address: 86.159.165.150

Document e-signed by Alan Brown ([e-mail])

Signature Date: 2025-10-20 - 5:31:04 PM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 86.159.165.150

Agreement completed.

2025-10-20 - 5:31:04 PM GMT