Charity Number. 1107499 Company Number.. 05206358 Sense Ability Matters Ltd (formerly Vision & Hearing Support Gateshead and South Tyneside Ltd) (a company limited by guarantee) Unaudited Trustees, Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Sense AbS1ity Matters Ltd (a company limited by guarantee) Contents Page Trustees, Annual Report Independent Examiner's Report 18 Statement of Financial Activities 19 Balance Sheet 20 Cashflow Statement 21 Notes to Financial Statements 22-34 Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company limited by guarantee Trustee Report For the year ended 31 March 2024 2023124- Chalr of Trustees and Chief Executive Officers Statement The 2023124 period has been a year of development for the Charity. Significantly, in April 2023, our Membership voted to extend our Charitable Objectives to include disabled people and those with long term health conditions. We secured National Resilience funding from Vision Foundationl Fight For Sight to support thIs￿)rI< and launched our new name and brand in May 2024. In February 2023, we moved out of Stonehills Business Centre and relocated to community bases in each of our operating areas. The Low Vision Clinic moved into Gateshead Civic Centre which has been well received by patients. Attendance at clinics has already increased wth positive feedback. We occupied 34 36 New Green Street in South Shields for a significant part of the year and have taken up temporary office space at Inspire SoLlth Tyneside while the lease on New Green Streel is finalised. Both premises offer an enhanced local offer in accessible spaces for our beneficiaries. Throughout the year, we have continued to deliver the best possible services for our beneficiaries and have achieved excellent outcomes through our various projects. We WEre extremely grateful to receive a legacy donation of £11,458 from one of our beneficiaries in the year. Trustees have decided to designate this fund to increasing our digital library and support service. Referrals for assessments under our local authority Care Act 2014 contracts have In¢￿ased from the previous year with 548 support plans being completed (343 in 2023). The Team have consistently met Care Act 2014 targets with 990/0 of beneficiaries being contacted within 2 working days and 790/0 of referrals being assessed within Iwo weeks. The number of referring organisations has continued to rise as we increase publicity and networks. Our work to develop a Transition Pathway between Children's and Adult Services continues and we have seen an increase in younger people accessing our support as a result. This will remain a priority to ensure people are supported at a time when it is needed most. We have continued to work with our sight loss sector colleagues across the region and nationally. Through Visionary UK, we have contributed to national working groups for rehabilitation, low vision and cross-sector partnership developments. This nelwork has produced best practice guidance for low vision services and is developing a Rehabilitation workforce plan to ensure specialist skills are readily available. We attended the Visionary UK Conferen￿ 2023 to meet colleagues and share best practice among the sector. As we move into the next financial year, Ihe Truslees will remain agile and responsive to meet the Charity's objectives. This will be underpinned by our ambition to innovate and work collaboratively to achieve the best possible outcomes for our beneficiaries. The Board has worked hard in 2023124 to build upon the progress made in the previous five years to stabilise the Charity's finances and build appropriate reserves for the future. Chair- Lin Elder-Atterton MVO Chief Executive- Sarah French Sense Ability Matters Ltd {a company limited by guarantee) Trustee Report For the year ended 31 March 2024 Our Vision A vision and hearing loss community that is informed, empowered and resilient. Our Mission Empower our community by giving them the tools they need to live independently and make positive decisions. Help our community overcome adversity by increasing resilience and wellbeing. Ensure our community are informed by providing first class information, advice and guidance. Influence positive change locally, regionally and nationally for our community through strong stakeholder and relationship management. Ourvalues Supportlve We respond and adapt to the needs of the Vision and hearing loss community. We respect and value all our community equally. We are committed to working together to achieve shared goals. Trustworthy We are accountable. We are open and honest in our approach. We are reliable, act with integrity and do what it takes to support those in need. Caring We are friendly and warm. We take time to listen and promote inclusivity. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. Professional We are passionale and strive to be the best. We actively seek new ideas and innovation to bring about positive change. We rely on evidence to make our decisions. We challenge ourselves to be bold and resourceful. We are determined in the face of adversity. Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company limited by guarantee) Trustee Report For the year ended 31 March 2024 strategic Objectives Be the leading vision and hearing loss service provider Influence change locally, regionally & nationally Diversify our income generation portfolio Champion the inlerests of members. beneficiaries and sector Activities for public benefit Vision & Hearing Support strives to be the best for our community. We take time to listen and promote inclusivity, treating everyone wth dignity and respect. We actively seek new ideas and innovation to bring about positive change, acting with integrity to do what it takes to support those in need. Vision & Hearing Support is an organisation run for charitable purposes. We want to be around today and into the future to support people who are sight impaired, Deaf or hard of hearing. To achieve this, we recognise that there is a need to supplement our strategic aims wth business aims that wll deliver long term sustainability.. Diversify our income sources to increase financial sustainability. Develop the profile of Vision & Hearing Support, so that more people know about the services we provide, to increase the numbers of people ac￿SsIng services and the number of people wlling to donate and volunteer. Engage people with lived experience and wth people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds so that we learn from the strengths they bring in Iheir diversity. We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This report looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work during April 2023 to March 2024. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES We will work wth colleagues in a supportive environment of mutual respect and empowerment to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients. We will follow the principles set out in the Visionary Sight Loss Charter 2020 and promote collaboration, integrity, and accountability in all we do. Vision & Hearing Supportwll continue to work with its Members and beneficiaries to evidence our lived experience input. This is becoming ever more important to funders and society who expect Charities to engage with, listen to and respond direclly to those it is there to support. Alongside this, the Board has already recognised the need to diversify Trustee and staff representation to better reflect the communities in which we work. To achieve our strategy we deliver early intervention, crisis prevention and integrated social activities to reduce preventable sensory loss, maintain independence and mental wellbeing and reduce social isolation. Our interventions ensure that people- can live more independently, are less socially isolated, are more confident and empowered, experience improved wellbeing. Sense Ability Matters Ltd la company limited by guarantee} Trustee Report For the year ended 31 March 2024 ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE- 2023124 During 2023124, we supported 4.726 individuals resulting in,. 85 % reporting they were able to live more independently 86 % feeling less isolated 89 % reporting that they felt more confident and empowered 88 % reporting an improvement in their emotional health & wellbeing Over 10,650 people in South Tyneside and Gateshead live with moderate sight loss and over 1,640 are diagnosed as severely sight impaired (RNIB, 2023). Latest estimates indicate that in South Tyneside and Gateshead 67.386 people have hearing loss of 25 dB or more, and of those 7,243 have moderate or severe hearing loss, over 65 dB {NHS England, Hearing Loss data Tool). Our beneficiaries have increasingly complex health needs, for example 740/0 of active clients during the year have 2 or more additional disabilities,. 50 % have more than 1 eye condition- 920/0 have Arthritis; 939/0 are hard of hearing., 83 % have limited mobility and or high frailty,. 89°/0 have osteoporosis., 74¥0 have had a Stroke and 72 % have Diabetes. We work collaboratively to target the social determinants of health alongside specific eye care interventions, making sure provide the right support at the right time for individuals. "When I first considered going along to a social group, I thought 'l'm not going to like this,. I was so isolated, I couldn't drive, I couldn't get public transport, I didn't know what to do. But the team from VHS helped me get there, and something clicked - I really enjoyed It. Gettlng together at groups Ilke the Men Shed is fantastic. We have somethlng In common which bonds us, and we're able to open up in a way that we can't even with close family members. Over the years I've come to realise just how important mental health is, and these groups really help it gives you purpose, and makes you feel part of something. I'm excited that the organisatlon Is movlng onto even blgger and better things as they expand to help more people in the area - we look foThvard to welcoming anyone who wants to join our group. Not only do VHS support our group, but they can also help point you in the right direction for any other help you might need, from fixing your phone to getting a bus pass." Gary, 2024 Our unique and integrated pathway makes sure we provide the right support at the right time for individuals. We deliver the following activities to support people who are sight impaired, Deaf and hard of hearing across Gateshead and South Tyneside", Vision impaiment counselling - providing one-to one and group counselling sessions, including for friends and family. Delivered by a professional counsellor with lived experience, the service is supported at the start and end points to enable a smooth transition. "Well Connected" is a partnership project providing digital, one-to-one and peer support, a tech lending library and cyber security information. An optometrist and rehabilitation specialist led low vision clinic providing eady inteNention and magnification advice. This is a unique model that integrates health, social care and community activities to provide a seamless and effective service. "Community Voice" is a partnership project, led by people wth lived experience, that helps people access activities and services in the community through peer support and volunteering. Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company limited by guarantee) Trustee Report For the year ended 31 March 2024 Accessibility audits and professional Vision Impairment Awareness and Sighted Guide Training to raise awareness of sight loss and improve accessibility. Our incredible Volunteers made over 1000 tele-befriending calls this year, providing essential social support for people INing with sensory loss. We connect people to relevant peer led support groups including., the weekly Men's Shed Group. the Women's Weekly and Macular and Glaucoma peer support groups. Our statutory funded work includes.. Person centred assessments and planning under the Care Act 2014 to agree goals and actions that will have a positive impact., and Rehabilitation and Enablement support - providing independent living skills, orientation and mobility skills and independenl travel. We have directly supported 4,726 individuals across our serVi￿S during 2023124. The figures below show the numbers of individuals accessing each inteNention by type during the year: 548 people have been referred for and received a personal holistic assessment 79 people have accessed our intensive rehabilitation service 2,873 people benefitted from our Information, Advice and Guidance 1,113 people accessed our low vision service 213 people received digital support 239 people accessed the Community Voice project 6 young people have accessed our enhanced transition support 24 people received professional Counselling 76 people attended our Living Well with Sight Loss 200 people received 1,277 tele-support calls from our dedicated volunteers Helped 73 people access the benefits they were entitled to, a collective total of £344,149 per annum, plus backdated entitlement of £32.533. CORE CONTRACTED PROVISION Specialist person centred needs assessment and rehabilitation services - Gateshead Council and South Tyneside Council We assess what needs people have due to their sensory condition and put in place the services, support, equipment, concessions etc to meet those needs. The Gateshead Se￿iCe is for sight impairment only, South Tyneside service includes Deaf and hard of hearing support. We carry out the registration process, although we don't directly hold the register in Galeshead. In 2019120 we secured the South Tyneside Sensory Support contract for a further five years which includes equipment provision and supwrt for those with hearing loss. Our rehabilitation and enablement workers provide training on independent living skills, mobility and orientation, viewing techniques, communications, electronic low vision aids such as video magnifiers and new technology such as audio description, e-readers, aC￿SSIble mobiles etc. They also carry out lighting assessments in people's homes and they issue small aids such as white sticks, canes and symbol canes, liquid level indicators, talking clocks and signature guides. We issue daylight bulbs as many people are struggling wth the light provided by traditional low energy bulbs. Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company limited by guarantee) Trustees, Report (Contlnued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 5,489 enquiries, from 1,928 individuals. have been received for this service during 2023124: Gateshead - 2,670 South Tyneside- 2,789 Integrated Low Vision Clinic- Gateshead residents only INHS ICB) We assess people's residual vision and prescribe optical low vision aids such as magnifiers, telescopes, high add readers etc. to help maximise use of residual vision. We also consider viewing techniques (such as eccentric viewing), lighting, colour contrast and posture all of which will again help people make best use of remaining vision. We provide a two-year review, although people can re-refer themselves sooner if they feel their sight is deteriorating. Information, Advice and Guidance is available when needed along wth rehabilitation support, triage reviews and equipment advice. During 2023124 our key outputs as part of our low vision clinic work included.. 267 low vision clinics were held 474 low vision assessments were carried out 1,113 people were supported through the service ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVISION The following aGtivitie5 contribute to the overall success of Vision & Hearing Support's work by complementing and adding value to statutory provision.. Welfare Rights We provide advice and support on disability benefits such as DLAIPIP, Attendance Allowance, Employment Support Allowance as well as Universal Credit. Help is provided from completion of Ihe initial application, support when attending assessments all the way through to representation at Tribunal if the application isn't successful. Equlpment Llbrary Beneficiaries can call us or visit for specialist advice and info￿natIon on a wide range specialist equipment. The library contains various pieces of digital and analogue equipment which we lend to people on a short-term basis so that they can try them out at home before deciding whether they V￿Uld like to buy one (either they can buy it themselves if they can afford to do so or can help to find funding). Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company Ilmited by guarantee) Trustees, Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Living Well with Sight Loss Programme This course is for people who are newly visually impaired or new to our seNices. It runs for 2 weeks with 1 half- day session per week looking at the various aspects of visual impairment and help that is available. As well as providing lots of information and advice it also provides invaluable peer support. Training Our team of experienced profe&8ionals provide Visual Impairment Awareness, Sighted Guide and Deaf Awareness training to a wide audience including a numberof hospitals. council departments, businesses, charities and care homes. Well Connected - Digital & Cyber Securlty Support Our Partnership with ACTS, Age Gateshead and Your Voice Counts is funded through The National Lottery Community Fund and provides a range of support and tuition on how to make the most of digital and online services whilst avoiding online fraud and cyber scams. We engaged 449 clients and provided 162 intensive inteNenlions, leading to 97Q/o of participants reporting feeling more confident and empowered following our cyber security information, advice and guidance. Communlty Volce Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the project takes a partnership approach, led by people with lived experience, to help people access activities and seNices in the community through peer support and volunteering. During the year, 875 people have engaged wth the project, 276 of these have sensory impairment or dual sensory loss. 98 individuals have been supported with accessing community based activities, 25 are accessing volunteering pathways, and the Partnership has established 17 new activities in the community to meet the need of beneficiaries 80 % of clients who engaged in this project have said that they have felt increased self-esteem and confidence, feel less isolated and have betler well-being. Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company Ilmited by guarantee) Trustees, Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Counselling Lived experience is a core component of our counselling experience. Participants in our external evaluation (2023) discussed how this shared experience meant that: .1 don't have to explain myself. I get sick and tired of having to explain myself, (Robyn). Our structured pathway supports people into and out of counselling. increasing take up rates. Telephone Support Service Operated entirely by volunteers, all of whom have lived experience of sight loss, our Telephone Support Service calls service users whom we are aware are particularfy isolated due to other mobility issues or whom we haven't had recent contact. The support offered includes simply being a friendly voice to lalk to, we promote the activities and seNices offered by Sense Ability Matlers and if anyone called shares any concerns then the volunteer team refer them to our sight loss support team. Activity and Social Groups Our Community Voice project has supported numerous social groups and activities throughout the year. We will ontinue to work closely with independent groups to share information, provide support as required and to introduce new members. Brltlsh Wireless for the Blind IBWFTB) and RNIB Talking Books We are the agents for BWFTB and issue radios, CD players etc on their behalf to people who are eligible (they must be registered either Sight Impaired (Sl} or Severely Sight Impaired ISSI) and be in receipt of a qualifying means tested benefit (such as housing benefit or council tax benefit amongst others). We also help people with their initial applications for the RNI B talking book servi￿. Volunteers We have a dedicated team of volunteers who support our work. Volunteers cover many different roles at Vision & Hearing Support from reception, telephone befriending and administration support. A team of volunteer drivers are also a vital resource who transport service users to and from medical appointments, as well as enabling the, to access a range of support services provided by Sense Ability Matters. Case Studles and Impact Identifying, measuring and reporting upon the impact had by the wide range of support activities provided by Sense Ability Matters is not straight forward. We continue to work with our funders and commissioners to not only supply the contractual monitoring information they require, but to also evidence the case for continued further investment in Sense Ability Matters work. Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company limited by guarantee) Trustees, Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 We are also continuing to W￿rk wth Visionary, the national umbrella body for llxal sight loss charities, as they develop shared output, outcome and impact measurement tools for the sight loss sector. However, there is nothing more powerful than hearing real life examples of the work and impact delivered by our dedicated team of sight loss professionals, supported by our volunteer team. We have shared below a case study from the Gateshead Walking Project and a selection of quotes received throughout the year, that demonstrate the work we do. This example, along with many cases we haven't shared, shows that our personal and thorough approach delivers tangible outcomes for people and a lasting impact on their lives and the lives of those around them: WELL CONNECTED Simon wanted to be able to read his own mail and be more independent with daily activities. He wanted to manage his medication safely and make sure his appearance was smart. Our Digital Team visited Simon at his home to demonstrate spoken content on his iPad to enable him to read his documents and correspondence. Simon relied a lot on others to read and access information. We set up Be My Eyes on Simon's devices and worked through some lasks to demonstrate it's use. After leaving Simon with some ongoing tasks and information, we followed up the visit to see if the apps were working for him. The spoken content made a huge difference to Simon's confidence and wellbeing as he no longer relies on others to read his mail. The Be My Eye's app enables Simon to spend more time independently of others and he Is more confidenl to do so. Simon's wife feels more confident that he is safe and can get sighted help quickly if he needs it. 'Be My Eyes is brilliant, I can now be left alone, knowing that help is at hand" Case Study 2 - Well Connected Donna wanted to be able to manage family life independently. without relying on her children to support this. Our Digital Team demonstrated an Alexa device to set up timers. calendar entries and sticky notes to help plan the busy family routine. Donna can also access talking books through the device. Donna relied on others to read and access infomation, induding personal letters. We demonstrated a range of equipment from our lending library that could help Donna read independently. The Clover 6 electronic magnifier was Donna's preferred solution. and we helped her secure funding towards the cost of the devi￿. Donna has regained privacy and independence by having the right tools. She can plan the family schedule wthout relying on her three young children and wder family members to help. '1 really love my new magnifier, can't wait to try it out when I go shopping" Case Study 3 - Specialist Wision Impairment Counselllng George was struggling with the emotional impact of sight loss and felt isolated and lonely, despite having good relationships with friends and family. George had developed a sudden fearof being outdoors and he was unsure how to change things. Itwas important for'George' to feel more confident outdoors and more independent at home. Sense Ability Matters Ltd {a company limited by guarantee Trustees, Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 At the beginning of the counselling process George was reluctant to engage due to his fear of sight loss. He had previously been involved in the local Scout group and wanted to return to being outdoors and regain his independence. George and I built up a rapport during our work together and discussed strategies to help him overcome his fear and tools to enable him to share his sight loss journey w7th others. George is now pursuing long cane training and belter understands the impact of his eye condilion. He has gained enough confidence to speak to his family, friends and colleagues about his sight loss. '1 feel much more confident after my Gounselling. I'm coplng better on a day-to-day basis and am now looking towards the future positively" Case Study 4- Community Voice The B-social group meets every Friday to socialise wth a cup of tealcoffee and sometimes a game of bingo or a quiz. A client who participates in our B-Soci81 group approached staff to say that the group's dynamic had changed for the better and that it had become more of a support group. They stated thal participants in the group had become close enough to understand one another's issues, problems, health conditions and concerns. Participants now feel they can support each other with learning about one another's coping mechanisms such as talking about their problems, looking for solutions to issues, calling each other on the telephone and meeting up to enjoy lunches, walks and going to the theatre. "All of this has happened because of the Community Voice Project. We would not have made friends or become as close as we have if it weren't for the project and the staff." Ca88 Study 5 - Information, Advice & Guldance Claire was referred to us by Adult Social Care as she was struggling to manage daily tasks after a stroke affected her sight. Recently registered as sight impaired, Claire had lost her confidence and got upset at not being able to complete everyday tasks. Financially, Claireworried about increased spending on transport and aids for the home. Claire was not in receipt of benefits. her previous applications had been unsuccessful, so we supported her through the process. The Personal Independence Payment, Daily Living Component was awarded at the Enhanced rate of £101.75pw. "The additional money is a help, it's one less barrier to worry about" Case Study 6 - Integrated Low Vision Assessment 80-year-old Elizabeth was referred by Newcastle Eye Hospital for a Low Vision Assessment. Elizabeth is very active but was struggling wth low vision, particularly with one eye being worse than the other, which impacts on her mobility and daily living skills, including reading. The Low Vision Assessment gave her time to discuss her w￿rrIeS and concerns. She also mentioned that despite wearing varifocal glasses she continued to read almost exclusively with her magnifier and not through the slronger varifocal. We provided infomation and strategies to help her manage better at home using contrast enhancement and lighting. We looked at magnifier options to help both at home and when shopping. The equipment provided included.. a Iow-FK)wered, handheld illuminated magnifier, illuminated pocket magnifier for shopping, Daylight task lamp, daylight bulbs and fisher handled white walking stick. 10 Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company limited by guarantee) Trustees, Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Following the appointment, Elizabeth wrote to our Lead Optometrist, Stephanie: Hello Stephanie, I received all the paperwork you posted to me detailing everything that was discussed and carried ou( last week at my appointment with you. You were so thorough in all you did and to give me all the items that will help me, and ARE helping me already, every day with my poor sight, it felt like Christmasl Thank you also for writing to my Opticians re; an eye test. Stephanie, I was SO impressed with everything, I couldn't wait to tell my family and friends, so I do hope my passing on all this hasn't caused a flood of enquiries at your clinic from people who didn't even know you existedll Thank you very much and keep up your wonderful work" Quotes from our Annual Survey 2023; "Very good support and great with advice. Also helped me with my PIP application. Also gave me a contact number if I needed any support or help with anything. "Can't think of anything everything was great. thanksl. "Excellent help and care. Lots of good practical tips to deal with the situation. Provided me with dark glasses which l use all the time. Fantastic organisation. .1 have received fantastic support from the setvice" °Just knowing that a phone call can help with any issue as it happens. 'Very friendly and efficient service. FINANCIAL REVIEW na os Financial perfomance in 2023124 continues to provide stabilily for the Charity moving forwards. This is largely due to support through cost of living funds grants to support running costs. Income in 2023124 was £752,142 - representing an decrease of £27,954 to the previous year (£780,096- 2022123). This is chiefly because of one-off cost of living support grants during the previous year and the discontinuation of the 'Future You, Filot project. Our expenditure has increased by £7,282 on the previous year, in line wth growth and delivery of specific grant funded projects. Expenditure in 2022123 was £669.948. Pri nci al f undin sourc Our main core contracted income has remained stable and we have performed well against this income achieving all the required performance indicators. Sense Ability Matters Ltd la company limited by guarantee) Trustees, Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Key income streams: Gateshead Council South Tyneside Council NHS North East North Cumbria Integrated Care Board The National Lottery Community Fund North East North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network and Ways to Wellness Fight For Sighv Vision Foundation- National Resilience Fund The receipt of this funding enables the charitable company to meet its charitable objectives to provide support advice and activities to people who are Sight Impaired, Severely Sight Impaired. Deaf, hard of hearing or Deaflblind. Investmenl olic and ob'ectives Under the memorandum and articles of association, the Charity has the power to make any investment which the Trustees see fit. Reserves olic The Board has reviewed the reserves of the Charity and concluded that to allow the Charily to be managed efficiently and to provide a buffer for uninterrupted services, attempts should be made to increase general reserves. It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between six and nine month's expenditure. The directors consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised, 12 Sense Ability Matters Ltd (a company limited by guarantee) Trustees, Report (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 The Charity has several restricted funds for identified projects, which have specific budgets and timescales. In order to reach the agreed level of reserves the charitable company intends to continue to look for increased income from our own fundraising efforts, as well as obtaining additional grant funding to increase unrestricted income. At 31 March 2024 the charita￿e company held total reserves of £440,029 (2023.. £365,117). We will continue to review levels of expenditure. FUTURE PLANS The expansion of our Charitable Objectives wll help us to realise our ambits'on to serve all adults in our South Tyneside and Gateshead community who have a sensory Impai￿ent, are disabled, or live wth a long-term health condition. Working wilh people with lived experien￿, our charity is determined to: leverage further investment to support disabilily services across South Tyneside and Gateshead, ensuring greater provision for more people, enable more people with lived experience to co