Sight Concern Bedfordshire – Annual Report
Charity Registration No 1117209
Company Registration No 05966120
Unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
A company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Contents
- Reference and Administrative Details .............................................................................................. 3 2. Objectives and Activities .................................................................................................................. 5 3. Achievements and Performance ...................................................................................................... 8 4. Financial Review ............................................................................................................................ 11 5. Plans for Future Periods ................................................................................................................ 13 6. Structure, Governance and Management ....................................................................................... 14 7. Sustainability, Environmental and Social Reporting ....................................................................... 17 8. Volunteers ...................................................................................................................................... 18 9. Principal Risks and Uncertainties ................................................................................................... 19 10. Fundraising Statement ................................................................................................................. 21 11. Approvals ..................................................................................................................................... 21 12. Financial Statements .................................................................................................................... 24
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire
1. Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees (who act as Directors for the Adrian Spurrell Chair (resigned 22[nd] purposes of the Companies Act) October 2025) Anne Davis (appointed 13[th] January 2026) Joanna Jameson David Mitchell Calli O’Brien Jamile Little Hubert Pawelkiewicz Secretary Carol O’Brien Chief Executive Officer Carol O’Brien Charity number 1117209 Company number 05966120 Registered & principal office St Bedes 116 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2QN Independent Examiner Louise Tunley FCA CTA DChA 19 Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3JY
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Reference and Administrative Details (continued)
Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Scottish Widows Bank Plc 67 Morrison Street Edinburgh EH3 8YJ Flagstone Group Ltd 1[st] Floor, Clareville House 26-27 Oxendon Street London SW1Y 4EL Solicitors HCB Solicitors Graylaw House 21 Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3JY
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
The trustees are pleased to present their annual trustees’ report for the year ending 30 September 2025 which is also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the charities Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland; FRS 102) issued in October 2019.
2. Objectives and Activities
Sight Concern Bedfordshire (SCB) is an established registered charity, supporting people with sight loss, along with their families and carers, to live active, independent lives.
Our objects are aligned with our Constitution.
To promote the relief of blind and partially sighted persons and persons with sensory or any other related disability.
The principal objectives of the charity are to support
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people who are blind or partially sighted resident in Luton and Bedfordshire and
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• people with sensory loss in Central Bedfordshire.
The main aims of the charity are:
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To provide appropriate help, support, aids, training and advice that contribute to improving the quality of life for people with sensory loss and their carers;
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To help people who use the charity’s services maintain choice and control over their lives
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To provide training to people with sensory loss to monitor their health and use any remaining vision they may have, thereby helping them to maintain their health and emotional wellbeing
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To raise awareness of the impact and issues of registration as blind or partially sighted and signposting / supporting people to register as appropriate
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To provide appropriate support to ensure the service users’ dignity, and at all times respecting the choices service users make.
Our staff, trustees and volunteers have a shared commitment to support people to achieve their potential. This is reflected in our organisational values - our SPIRIT.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Objectives and Activities (continued)
Specialist Knowledge – of sensory loss and how it affects lives
Professionalism – quality and care in all the services we provide
Inclusivity – equality and inclusivity for all
Relationships – collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and organisations
Integrity – in service provision and practice
Transparency – ensuring best practice in all we do
Public Benefit
In setting the charity’s objectives, and planning its aims and future activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit as required under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011.
The trustees recognise the principles of public benefit and believe that the objectives and activities of Sight Concern Bedfordshire meet these principles through the provision of free support to our beneficiary community. By delivering personalised, community-based support, the Trustees consider the organisation addresses a clear and evidenced need within our defined geographical area
We consider our work to be of public benefit given that an estimated 6400 people in Bedfordshire and Luton live with moderate to severe sight loss. Older people are disproportionately affected - one in seven people aged 65 and over and one in three people aged 85 and over. Without targeted support, people with sight loss face significant risk of social isolation, loss of independence and reduced quality of life.
During the year we delivered personalised support and practical services designed to help individuals maintain independence and prevent isolation. Our activities helped people to:
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Access the services and equipment they needed following a diagnosis of sight loss
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Continue activities they enjoyed and maintain social connections
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Navigate daily life with greater confidence and independence
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Feel less isolated and more supported in their homes and communities.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Objectives and Activities (continued)
Alignment with Strategy
Sight Concern operates within a clear three-year strategy covering the period October 2025 to September 2028. The strategy was developed through active engagement with staff, volunteers, beneficiaries and funders, ensuring it reflects lived experience alongside organisational expertise. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the strategy was tested and refreshed through external consultation to ensure it remained relevant in a changing external environment.
The most recent strategic review, Future Forwards, Future Backwards , was completed in 2025. This review enabled trustees and staff to take a structured, forward-looking approach to planning, sustainability and risk management, and to set a clear strategic direction for the charity over the period 2025–2028.
The strategy is underpinned by three strategic priorities:
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Sustainability – ensuring the charity operates within a financially resilient model that supports long-term service delivery
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Profile and Reach – improving awareness of Sight Concern among local communities, partners and funders so that more people who need our support can access it
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Quality of Services – delivering high-quality, professional and inclusive services that enhance independence and quality of life for people with sight loss
During the year, trustees and staff have used this strategic framework to guide decision-making, prioritise resources and respond to changes in the external landscape, including increasing demand for services and ongoing funding pressures within statutory provision. The charity’s activities during the year directly contributed to these priorities, including strengthening income generation, developing partnerships with health and community stakeholders, investing in governance and volunteer capacity, and improving internal systems to better support frontline service delivery.
Trustees review progress against the strategy on a regular basis and remain confident that it provides an effective framework for achieving the charity’s purpose, managing risk, and supporting Sight Concern’s long-term sustainability and impact.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
3. Achievements and Performance
Sight Concern Bedfordshire Services are diverse but share similar objectives – to improve the quality of life for people experiencing vision loss or impairment, through improvements to confidence, independence and social connection.
In the last year our services included:
Our Low Vision service in Luton and Bedford. Through this service, we offer rehabilitation support and practical advice; access to assistive technology and equipment demonstrations; and engage beneficiaries in the eye care pathway through outreach activities.
The Outreach Team engages beneficiaries in the eyecare pathway, and ensures that statutory services, including Moorfields, and community Optometrists are aware of and referring to the service.
The service team assess individuals’ visual needs, taking time to understand their condition, and answer any questions they have. They discuss the patient’s visual goals and how to make the most of their remaining sight. They provide various types of magnifiers to support people to meet those goals and give advice on lighting and other aids.
Our hybrid approach sees the service deliver 80% face to face appointments from our offices in Luton and Bedford, and 20% remote clinics which remove barriers to access and increase our reach, with the average appointment being 30 minutes long.
The Low Vision team received 990 referrals in the most recent year.
Highly skilled, and specialist Visual Impairment Advisors (VIAs) & Sensory Impairment Advisors (SIAs) work 1:1 with our most vulnerable clients across Bedfordshire, providing intensive support to encourage and enable them to build social networks and grow their confidence.
Clients and VIAs / SIAs collaborate to co-produce a detailed support plan that details the kind of help they need, and how this will be provided. This includes help to claim benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Carer’s allowance; concessions; demonstrating low vision aids; providing access to social groups and referrals to other support organisations.
In the last year, our specialist VIAs and SIAs helped 390 people obtain new benefits, principally PIP & Carers Allowance totalling £569,426. They also supported 105 people to secure concessions, including blue badges, bus passes, TV Licence discounts, and rail cards.
The service can be accessed by telephone, in person at our offices and at people’s homes.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Achievements and Performance (continued)
Information Services including a newsletter, helpline, and a Visual Impairment Champion contribute to the services we can offer our beneficiaries across Bedfordshire. They enhance understanding of sight loss for beneficiaries, carers/families, and the community as a whole, and deliver a vital additional element to the practical help we offer.
Specifically:
Our newsletter – News and Views, contains information about opportunities and local events, services from partner organisations, and sight loss prevention tips. The newsletter is available in accessible formats including large print, audio recording on memory stick, links to cloud provision and braille. In the last year, we distributed three editions of the newsletter, to a total of 2457 people over the course of the year.
Our telephone helpline, Facebook page and face to face appointments (when possible) provide essential Information, Advice and Guidance our services, partner services, eye health and relevant news for the visually impaired community in Bedfordshire. The services are valued by the people who access them – with the number of Facebook and Instagram followers increasing to 1100 and 207 respectively over the year. Our combined advice services provided support to 485 people during the last year. This number includes our telephone advice service which received 316 calls during the year.
Our Visual Impairment Champion works on an outreach basis to increase awareness of our services – attending local events to promote the support we have available for people with Sight Loss in the area. We pro-actively take information about our services into communities, rather than waiting for people to find us. In the last year we attended 41 beneficiary focused events including Disability celebrations, youth council awareness, social prescriber community drop ins and festival for older people.
Sight Loss Bedfordshire works closely with a wide range of partners to deliver the best outcomes for our service users, including Local Authority Social Services, Optometrists, Social Prescribers, and with charities who work with related groups or offer relevant services.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Achievements and Performance (continued)
Staffing:
Sight Concern values our skilled and dedicated staff team. We prioritise the wellbeing of our staff and use the NCVO Workforce Wheel as our outcome-based approach to people management. We evaluate the outcomes annually to inform our workforce development plans. In the last survey, we received average scores of 4.53 out of 5 for ten workforce outcomes. Which means there is a consistently positive staff experience, with particular strengths in safety and wellbeing, engagement and teamwork. We will work this year towards building confidence in conflict and difficult conversations.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
4. Financial Review
During the year Sight Concern Bedfordshire made a deficit of £12,939 (2024: surplus of £9,012). During the accounting period incoming resources amounted to £353,382 (2024: £361,196). Total resources expended were £371,780 (2024: £357,958). At the year end, total funds carried forward were £612,684 (2024: £625,623), of which £548,130 (2024: £559,833) were unrestricted.
4.1 Reserves Policy
As with any organisation, the charity faces risks which could impact its ability to continue to deliver services. The Trustees have concluded a risk-based Reserves Policy is essential to support decision making in managing the level of our free reserves held on an ongoing basis.
A recent assessment of risk (expected cost should a risk arise, weighted by the likelihood of that risk occurring) suggests a weighted risk reserve requirement of £210,000. The risks, their expected costs and likelihoods are documented and will be reviewed regularly as part of ongoing management of the charity’s finances.
Sight Concern Bedfordshire is required to hold Restricted Fund reserves where the use of donations has been restricted for specific purposes. It also holds Designated Funds, where the Trustees have already committed to supporting new developments activities and projects using legacy funds from our unrestricted reserves balance. This includes maintaining and supporting current services which are underfunded by external sources, or match funding certain projects where third parties are also committed. As at 30 September 2025, an amount of £110,147 has officially been designated to meet the costs of these projects.
Due to the fluctuation and unpredictability of income on an annual basis, we therefore need to ensure that in addition to the Restricted and Designated Fund reserves, an appropriate level of free reserves is maintained. This means we can respond to unforeseen events, without jeopardising our ability to continue support for visually impaired people and meet our obligations as they fall due.
Sight Concern Bedfordshire received a significant legacy donation which has resulted in free reserves that exceed the requirements of our risk-based reserves policy.
The trustees welcome this generous gift and recognise their responsibility to deploy it in a way that delivers lasting benefit to people with sight loss across Bedfordshire and Luton.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Reserves Policy (continued)
At the year end, free reserves stood at £543,440, of which £223,293 is held above the level required by the reserves policy. The trustees have approved a plan to invest this surplus purposefully over a five-year period, with a minimum of £50,000 per year directed toward new projects that develop and enhance our services in line with our charitable purpose.
The trustees have deliberately chosen a phased spend approach rather than seeking to expand provision rapidly. Responsible stewardship requires that any growth in services is sustainable: it would not be in the long-term interests of our beneficiaries to significantly increase the scale of our work using a one-off donation if we could not maintain that level of support beyond the period of funding. The pace of investment reflects the size and capacity of the organisation and ensures that new services can be embedded effectively and continued with confidence.
The trustees are satisfied that this approach represents the most effective and responsible use of the legacy and will keep the plan under review as opportunities to develop services emerge.
Principle funding sources
In the context of the wider charity sector, Sight Concern Bedfordshire is a smaller regional charity but has a wide range of services to fund. In a normal year without exceptional legacy income, around 44% of total funding comes from the public sector. 42% of funding is obtained from grant giving bodies, the largest of which is awarded by Bedfordshire Luton Community Foundation’s from the Luton Rising – Community Investment Fund.
Thank you for your support
Sight Concern is helped by many people, businesses, and organisations throughout the year. We would like to extend our thanks to:
Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation and the Luton Rising- Community Investment Fund programme
Access to Work grant to help two members of staff continue to work independently at Sight Concern Connolly Foundation, Panacea foundation and Bedfordshire Charitable Trust, George W Dickens Charity, The Harpur Trust, Mowsbury Golf Club.
Our thanks go to our staff and volunteers and supporters for their resilience, creativity and sheer hard work in continuing to move Sight Concern onwards and upwards.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
4.2 Going Concern Statement
The Trustees have assessed Sight Concern Bedfordshire’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these accounts.
In making this assessment, the trustees have reviewed the charity’s current financial position, projected income and expenditure, cash flow forecasts, and free reserves. The trustees have considered the charity’s principal sources of income, including charitable donations, grants from charitable trusts, local authority contracts, and fundraised income, and are satisfied that these funding streams provide a reasonable basis for continued operations.
The trustees are satisfied that Sight Concern Bedfordshire has adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The trustees are not aware of any material uncertainties that call into question the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
5. Plans for Future Periods
Strategic Priorities
During the period October 2025 to September 2026, Sight Concern will focus on three core strategic priorities: financial sustainability, organisational profile, and service quality. These priorities support the charity’s longer-term three-year strategy (October 2025 to September 2028) and are intended to ensure the organisation remains resilient and responsive to the needs of blind and partially sighted people across Bedfordshire.
Planned Developments
To strengthen financial sustainability, planned activity includes the delivery of a refreshed fundraising strategy, the recommencement of Grants and Trusts fundraising, and the introduction of a legacy giving partnership through Octopus Wills. These developments aim to diversify income streams and reduce reliance on statutory funding.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Plans for Future Periods (continued)
To increase reach and accessibility, Sight Concern will work to raise awareness of its services among beneficiaries, statutory partners, and funders. This will include increasing registered beneficiaries, strengthening partnerships across health and voluntary sectors, and developing new corporate and community relationships.
The charity will also continue to enhance service quality through improved outcome measurement, greater use of service-user feedback, and the development of new or adapted services in response to changing needs.
Anticipated Changes
The Trustees anticipate increased demand for services as levels of sight loss continue to rise locally, alongside ongoing financial pressures within the wider funding environment. Sight Concern will continue to adapt its services and operating approaches to respond to these changes while maintaining focus on its long-term strategic aims.
6. Structure, Governance and Management
Legal Structure and Governing Document
Sight Concern Bedfordshire was incorporated on 13 October 2006 as a company limited by guarantee, not having share capital, and is a registered charity in England and Wales. The governing document of the charity is its Articles of Association.
The charity’s members are also its trustees. Each trustee undertakes to contribute up to £10 in the event that the charity is wound up.
Governance and Trustee Recruitment
The trustees form the charity’s governing body and are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation, safeguarding its assets, ensuring financial sustainability, and maintaining compliance with charity and company law.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Structure, Governance and Management (continued)
The trustees set the classes and conditions of membership and approve all new members. Any new trustee appointment is made at a properly convened meeting of the board, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Trustee recruitment is undertaken to ensure the board maintains an appropriate balance of skills, experience and knowledge to govern the charity effectively.
3 of the 6 Trustees who served during the year are registered blind or partially sighted.
Trustee Induction and Support
New trustees receive a comprehensive induction designed to support them in fulfilling their duties. This includes:
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an overview of trustee roles and responsibilities, training
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meetings with staff, senior management and existing trustees
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review of the charity’s key policies, literature, recent financial accounts and board minutes
Trustee involvement
The trustees maintain collective responsibility for the overall governance, strategic direction and performance of the charity. The board meets at least four times a year to agree strategic aims, review organisational performance, and ensure that the charity continues to operate in accordance with its charitable objects and regulatory obligations.
To support effective monitoring of the charity’s key business areas, the board has established a Finance Committee, chaired by a trustee, with membership drawn from both trustees and senior staff. The committee provides detailed financial oversight and reports regularly to the full board.
In addition, trustees contribute to the effective operation of the charity through sub-groups, convened as required, including Marketing and Communications, Human Resources, and time-limited task-and-finish groups. These arrangements enable trustees to apply their skills and experience effectively while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability.
Management Structure
The trustees delegate responsibility for the day-to-day management of the charity to the senior management team, while retaining overall responsibility for strategic oversight, performance, risk and financial control. Trustees receive regular management, finance and performance reports to support informed decision-making.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Structure, Governance and Management (continued)
Pay Policy for Senior Staff
The Board of Trustees and the Senior Management Team constitute the charity’s key management personnel, responsible for directing, controlling and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis. All trustees provide their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration for their services. Any expenses reimbursed to trustees are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The Trustees review the pay policy annually as part of the charity’s budget-setting process, ensuring that salaries remain appropriate, affordable and aligned with the charity’s strategic objectives and financial position.
Risk Management Approach
Sight Concern Bedfordshire operates a proactive risk management strategy overseen by the trustees. Risks are considered throughout the year as a standing item at board meetings, with responsibility shared between trustees, staff and volunteers.
A risk register is maintained and reviewed quarterly, or more frequently where changes in the operating environment require it. The charity has appropriate policies, systems and procedures in place to mitigate identified risks, and clear procedures to manage and minimise the impact should risks materialise.
The risk management process covers all areas of the charity’s work and includes risks relating to:
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contracts
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finance
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information technology
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staff and volunteers
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service user recruitment
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operational activities
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health and safety
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organisational reputation
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Structure, Governance and Management (continued)
Principal risk
The trustees have identified the long-term financial sustainability of services provided to Local Authorities as a principal risk. To mitigate this risk, the charity is:
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developing and delivering services in a financially sustainable way
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implementing a formal fundraising strategy developed with support from Cranfield Trust
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increasing focus on grants, trusts and legacy giving to diversify income and reduce reliance on statutory funding
The trustees review this risk regularly and are satisfied that appropriate plans and mitigations are in place.
Related Parties
The charity has no subsidiary undertakings or formally connected organisations.
7. Sustainability, Environmental and Social Reporting
Sight Concern Bedfordshire (SCB) recognises our responsibility to operate in ways that support environmental sustainability and positive social outcomes, while ensuring that everything we do remains accessible to the people we serve.
Environmental approach
As a small local charity, SCB’s environmental footprint is modest, but we take practical steps to minimise it, including reducing energy use in our buildings, limiting unnecessary travel and encouraging car share / use of public transport, recycling office waste and considering the environmental impact in procurement decisions.
Some accessibility requirements, e.g., large print materials and other resources, can carry environmental costs and we balance these alongside our duty to provide fully accessible services. We continue to review our practices and identify opportunities to improve.
Social value, equity, diversity and inclusion
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Sustainability, Environmental and Social Reporting (continued)
Social value sits at the heart of SCB’s purpose. Our work directly supports the independence, wellbeing and inclusion of people living with sight loss across Bedfordshire, and our approach to sustainability is grounded in the same commitment to fairness and equity that shapes our services.
Findings from our 2025 staff survey on equity, diversity and inclusion show consistently positive experiences across the organisation. The large majority of respondents reported feeling valued by their managers, treated with dignity and respect by colleagues, and comfortable being themselves at work. Most also felt they have equal opportunities to fulfil their potential, regardless of protected characteristics, background or caring responsibilities. Our workforce reflects a range of ages, ethnic backgrounds, beliefs and personal circumstances, and feedback demonstrates an inclusive culture in which different perspectives are respected.
Together this commitment to fairness, wellbeing and inclusion underpins SCB’s wider approach to sustainability, reinforcing positive outcomes for staff and service users alike and supporting a resilient, values driven organisation.
8. Volunteers
Volunteers play a significant role in our service delivery – they provide compassionate, irreplaceable support for our service users.
The Telephone Befriending services makes planned, regular calls to visually impaired people who are home bound or who are social isolated.
Our Peer Support volunteers have lived experience of sight loss, help newly diagnosed or those with significant sight deterioration via telephone support.
Office based administrative volunteers help us with a huge range of tasks, including working with the British Wireless for the Blind, processing our donations, processing invoices or carrying out telephone services.
We circulate Talking Newspapers containing audio recordings made by our volunteer readers.
Our regular clubs for service users are also made possible by our committed volunteers. They include an accessible IT club, Friday Club, Socialeyez, Family group and Youth forums. Each give our service users the opportunity to socialise with others and receive ongoing informal support with practical issues such as getting online and using digital tools to make life easier.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Volunteers (continued)
Sight Concern Bedfordshire can call upon more than 80 volunteers in the Bedfordshire and Luton area.
The charity aims to use volunteers as effectively as possible and to ensure volunteers participate at all levels within the charity.
All volunteers complete training before beginning their role which is delivered both face to face and online to be as inclusive as possible. Further support is offered throughout the year, this included IT training and Peer support Training.
We recruited 4 new volunteers in 25/26 2 of which are visually impaired of whom have lived experience of sight loss. The volunteers have been placed into various roles, including IT Support, Admin, Telephone Befriending and Social club support. We also support existing volunteers to try different roles and share ideas for services. Youth Forum and Peer Support calls were both projects coproduced with existing visually impaired volunteers.
During the year, regular communications with volunteers increased including 1-1 calls, group Zoom calls and email updates from the Volunteer Manager and the Chair of the board.
9. Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The trustees recognise that effective risk management is essential to protect Sight Concern Bedfordshire’s charitable activities and to support long-term sustainability. The Board maintains and regularly reviews a costed risk register, with principal risks reviewed as part of routine governance and financial oversight. Trustees also undertake horizon-scanning through PESTLE analysis and Future Forwards workshops to identify emerging risks and uncertainties and to inform strategic decision-making.
- Reliance on external/statutory funding – The charity remains vulnerable to changes in local authority and NHS funding, including recommissioning, reductions in grant availability, or changes to eligibility and performance requirements. Mitigation: diversification of income (grants and trusts, legacy and end of life giving), maintaining strong relationships with commissioners and partners, demonstrating outcomes and impact, and maintaining adequate reserves in line with the reserves policy.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
Principal Risks and Uncertainties (continued)
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Macroeconomic pressures (inflation, wage increases and cost volatility) – Inflationary pressures and labour market conditions can increase operating costs and place additional pressure on contract values that do not fully reflect cost increases. Mitigation: robust budgeting and forecasting, with focus on ensuring pay follows National Living Wage increases and staffing decisions remain affordable and aligned to the charity’s priorities.
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Funding environment under pressure / uncertainty of grant awards – Competition for charitable funding and changes to funder priorities can reduce success rates or create delays between bids and awards. Mitigation: planned pipeline of applications, strengthening the case for support and impact reporting, and focusing on relationship-based fundraising and longer-term funding opportunities where possible.
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Rising demand and increasing complexity of need – Demand for services may increase, with more complex support needs and higher expectations around responsiveness and accessibility. Mitigation: regular monitoring of demand and waiting times, prioritisation processes, partnership working and signposting, volunteer development, and service planning linked to the 2025–2028 strategy.
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Technology and infrastructure change (including cyber and system resilience) – Keeping pace with changing technology, accessibility requirements and cyber threats is essential to service delivery and safeguarding data. Mitigation: maintaining appropriate IT policies and controls, planned maintenance and upgrades, staff training, and ongoing review of systems and suppliers.
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People and succession risk – The charity relies on a small number of key staff with specialist knowledge; unexpected absence or turnover could affect delivery and organisational memory. Mitigation: succession planning for key roles, documenting core processes, cross-training, and active workforce planning and wellbeing support.
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Social and political climate / increased “othering” – Wider social and political tensions can affect community cohesion, stakeholder relationships and the experiences of beneficiaries, volunteers and staff. Mitigation: reinforcing the organisation’s values and inclusive practice, maintaining strong partnerships, monitoring reputational risks, and ensuring services remain accessible, welcoming and equitable.
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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
10. Fundraising Statement
The charity does not currently carry out formal fundraising activities. The amounts allocated for raising funds represent staff time spent on promotion and publicity in general, in order to raise the profile of the charity and raise general awareness of the charity for donors and funding organisations. Sight Concern has used a professional fundraiser to write grant applications and to help create a case for support. The charity does not use professional fundraisers to target donations from individuals.
11. Approvals
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees (who are also directors of Sight Concern Bedfordshire for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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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 operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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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Sight Concern Bedfordshire Trustees’ report
For the year ended 30 September 2025
As far as the trustees are aware:
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there is no relevant information of which the charitable company’s Independent Examiner is unaware;
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and the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Auditor is aware of that information.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on 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.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
By order of the board of trustees
Anne Davis Trustee (Chair) Date: 4 June 2026
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Sight Concern Bedfordshire For the year ended 30 September 2025
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I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 30 September 2025 which are set out on pages 24 to 43.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Louise Tunley FCA CTA DChA 19 Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3JY
Date: 4 June 2026
23
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Statement of financial activities (incorporating the Income and Expenditure account) For the year ended 30 September 2025
12. Financial Statements
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 4 | 16,005 | - | 16,005 | 35,811 |
| Charitable activities | 5 | 6,977 | 305,064 | 312,041 | 302,720 |
| Investments | 6 | 23,744 | - | 23,744 | 22,501 |
| Other | 7 | 1,592 | - | 1,592 | 164 |
| ─────── | ────── | ─────── | ─────── | ||
| Total income | 48,318 | 305,064 | 353,382 | 361,196 | |
| ─────── | ────── | ─────── | ─────── | ||
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | 8 | 4,164 | - | 4,164 | 10,897 |
| Charitable activities | 8 | 61,316 | 306,300 | 367,616 | 347,061 |
| ─────── | ────── | ─────── | ─────── | ||
| Total expenditure | 65,480 | 306,300 | 371,780 | 357,958 | |
| ─────── | ────── | ─────── | ─────── | ||
| Gain/(Loss) on | 15 | 5,459 | - | 5,459 | 5,774 |
| revaluation of investment | |||||
| assets | |||||
| ─────── | ────── | ─────── | ─────── | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) | (11,703) | (1,236) | (12,939) | 9,012 | |
| Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | |
| ─────── | ────── | ─────── | ─────── | ||
| Net movement in funds | (11,703) | (1,236) | (12,939) | 9,012 | |
| ─────── | ────── | ─────── | ─────── | ||
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 559,833 | 65,790 | 625,623 | 616,611 | |
| ─────── | ────── | ─────── | ─────── | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 18,19 | 548,130 | 64,554 | 612,684 | 625,623 |
| ═══════ | ══════ | ═══════ | ═══════ |
The notes on page 28 to 43 form part of these financial statements. The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
24
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Balance sheet (Company number 05966120) As at 30 September 2025
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed Assets | ||||||
| Tangible Assets | 14 | 4,690 | 4,634 | |||
| Investments | 15 | 105,519 | 100,060 | |||
| ───── | ───── | |||||
| Total Fixed Assets | 110,209 | 104,694 | ||||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Stocks | 6,328 | 3,772 | ||||
| Debtors | 16 | 43,751 | 66,856 | |||
| Bank and cash balances | 524,212 | 558,180 | ||||
| ───── | ───── | |||||
| Total Current Assets | 574,291 | 628,808 | ||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due | 17 | (71,816) | (107,879) | |||
| within one year | ───── | ───── | ||||
| Net current assets | 502,475 | 520,929 | ||||
| ───── | ───── | |||||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 612,684 | 625,623 | ||||
| ───── | ───── | |||||
| Net assets | 612,684 | 625,623 | ||||
| ═════ | ═════ | |||||
| The funds of the charity: | ||||||
| Unrestricted income funds | 18 | 548,130 | 559,833 | |||
| Restricted income funds | 19 | 64,554 | 65,790 | |||
| ───── | ───── | |||||
| Total funds | 20 | 612,684 | 625,623 | |||
| ═════ | ═════ |
The notes on pages 28 to 43 form part of these financial statements.
25
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Balance sheet (Company number 05966120) As at 30 September 2025
For the year ended 30 September 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors’ (Trustees’) responsibilities:
-
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
-
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 4 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by
Anne Davis
Trustee (Chair)
26
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Statement of cash flows For the year ended 30 September 2025
| Note | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | 25 | (56,093) | 32,030 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||
| Interest, dividend and rental income | 23,744 | 22,501 | ||
| Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets | (1,619) | (1,724) | ||
| ────── | ────── | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | 22,125 | 20,777 | ||
| ────── | ────── | |||
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year | (33,968) | 52,807 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 558,180 | 505,373 | ||
| ────── | ────── | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | 524,212 | 558,180 | ||
| ══════ | ══════ |
27
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
1 Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern
Sight Concern Bedfordshire is a private charitable company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and was incorporated on 13 October 2006. The charitable company's registered number and registered office address can be found on page 3. The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£). The company has no share capital and in the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to no more than £10 per member of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Sight Concern Bedfordshire constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about Sight Concern Bedfordshire’s ability to continue as a going concern due to the level of reserves held compared with usual annual expenditure. The most significant area of uncertainty is the level of investment return and the performance of investment markets (see the investment policy in the trustees’ report for more information).
1.2 Incoming resources
The charity derives its income from donations, legacies and other voluntary income and grants that provide core funding.
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
-
The charity has entitlement to the funds;
-
Any performance conditions attached to the item (s) of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity or its subsidiary;
-
There is sufficient certainty that the receipt of the income is considered probably; and
-
The amount can be measured reliably.
Donation income is included within the Statements of Financial Activities as it is received. Legacies are recognised when the above criteria are met. Grants are recognised in the period to which they relate.
1.3 Operating leases
Rent payable on operating leases is accounted for in the year to which it relates.
1.4 Governance costs
Governance costs are those costs associated with maintaining the governance of the charity as opposed to the management of the charity’s activities.
28
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
1.5 Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised in the period to which it relates and liabilities are recognised in the period in which they arise. Other expenditure is allocated between support costs for assessing grants, fundraising and management and administration of the charity. Where it relates to more than one category, it is apportioned over relevant headings. The basis of apportionment reflects time and resources expended directly on various activities or in support of these activities.
Allocation of costs: Services 80% Management and administration 20%
1.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Other tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of fixed assets over their estimated useful lives. The depreciation rates used are as follows:
Computers and peripherals 25% reducing balance method Equipment and furniture 25% reducing balance method
1.7 Fixed asset investments
Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. All gain and losses (realised and unrealised) are recognised in the SOFA in the period to which they relate.
1.8 Stock
Stocks are recognised at the lower of cost or net realisable value less any provision for slow-moving or obsolete stock.
1.9 Short term employee benefits
When employees have rendered service to the charity, short-term employee benefits to which the employees are entitled are recognised at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid in exchange for that service. The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the statement of financial activities in the period to which they relate. Redundancy and other termination payments are accounted for when the employment contract is terminated.
1.10 Voluntary assistance
The charity receives help and support in the form of voluntary assistance. This is not included in the accounts in accordance with the SORP.
29
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
1.11 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are those funds available for the general running of the charity and the use of those funds is limited only by the objects of the charity. Designated funds are also unrestricted in as much as they are established by the trustees for a specific purpose and the trustees may, at their discretion, transfer funds out of a designated fund in the future. Restricted funds are those funds that have been donated for a purpose specified by the donor. The use of restricted funds is not at the discretion of the trustees. Permanent endowments are funds that have been set up for the long term use of the charity and the assets of these funds cannot be expended.
1.12 Financial instruments
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the statement of financial activities in support costs.
2 Key areas of judgement and estimate
In applying the accounting policies, the Trustees have made critical accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and are reviewed on a continual basis.
The critical accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions that have a material effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements for both the current and next financial years are discussed below.
30
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
3 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 September 2024 is presented for illustrative purposes
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Income: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 35,811 | - | 35,811 |
| Charitable activities | 8,731 | 293,989 | 302,720 |
| Investments | 22,501 | - | 22,501 |
| Other | 164 | - | 164 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Total income | 67,207 | 293,989 | 361,196 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Expenditure: | |||
| Raising Funds | 10,897 | - | 10,897 |
| Charitable Activities | 58,247 | 288,814 | 347,061 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Total expenditure | 69,144 | 288,814 | 357,958 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Gain/(loss) on revaluation of investment assets | 5,774 | - | 5,774 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Net income/(expenditure) | 3,837 | 5,175 | 9,012 |
| Transfers between funds | - | - | - |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Net movement in funds | 3,837 | 5,175 | 9,012 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Total Funds brought forward | 555,996 | 60,615 | 616,611 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Total Funds carried forward | 559,833 | 65,790 | 625,623 |
| ═══════ | ═══════ | ═══════ |
31
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
4 Income from donations
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations | 7,709 | - | 7,709 | 8,233 |
| Legacies | 4,496 | - | 4,496 | 25,000 |
| Group income | 1,154 | - | 1,154 | 1,260 |
| Memory Giving | 863 | - | 863 | 257 |
| Gift aid | 765 | - | 765 | 143 |
| Collecting boxes | 1,018 | - | 1,018 | 918 |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | |
| 16,005 | - | 16,005 | 35,811 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
All of the £35,811 received in 2024 was unrestricted.
The charity benefits greatly from the involvement and enthusiastic support of its many volunteers, details of which are given in our annual report. In accordance with accounting standards, the economic contribution of general volunteers is not measured in the accounts.
32
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
5 Income from charitable activities
The incoming resources classified under charitable activities are outlined in more detail below. This income is classified as such as it relates to specific projects and outcomes.
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Grants: | ||||
| Access to Work Support | - | 10,847 | 10,847 | 12,380 |
| George W Dickens Charity | 500 | - | 500 | 1,000 |
| Bedford Charitable Trust (Bedford Project) | - | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Connelly Foundation (Bedford Project) | - | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Panacea Trust (Bedford Project) | - | 10,000 | 10,000 | - |
| Wixamtree (Bedford Project) | - | 10,000 | 10,000 | - |
| Harpur Trust (Bedford VIA) | - | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Community Central Award | - | - | - | 3,000 |
| Luton Airport funding | - | 103,555 | 103,555 | 107,567 |
| Service Level Agreements: | ||||
| Other Services | 839 | - | 839 | 1,735 |
| Central Beds Sensory Impairment Fee | - | 67,026 | 67,026 | 65,245 |
| Bedford Low Vision Clinic | - | 32,902 | 32,902 | 32,455 |
| Luton Low Vision Clinic | - | 45,734 | 45,734 | 48,342 |
| Other services | ||||
| Resource centre sales | 767 | - | 767 | 2,024 |
| Low vision clinic sales and service income | 4,871 | - | 4,871 | 3,972 |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | |
| 6,977 | 305,064 | 312,041 | 302,720 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
In 2024, £293,989 restricted funding was received, being £107,567 grant from Luton Airport Funding; £12,380 from Access to Work Support; £15,000 Harpur Trust grant, £5,000 from each of Bedford Charitable Trust grant Connelly Foundation grant for the Bedford Project; £65,245 Central Beds Sensory Impairment SLA; £32,455 Bedford Low Vision Clinic; £48,342 Luton Low Vision Clinic and £3,000 for Community Central Award.
6 Investment income
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Interest on bank accounts | 19,948 | - | 19,948 | 18,563 |
| Share Dividends | 3,796 | - | 3,796 | 3,938 |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | |
| 23,744 | - | 23,744 | 22,501 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
All income in 2024 was unrestricted.
33
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
7 Other income
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Consultancy services provided | 1,500 | - | 1,500 | - | |||
| Unity | Monthly Lottery | 92 | - | 92 | 164 | ||
| ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | ||||
| 1,592 | - | 1,592 | 164 | ||||
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ||||
| Expenditure | |||||||
| Staff | Other | Depreciat- | Support | 2025 | |||
| 2025 | costs | costs | ion/loss on | costs | Total | ||
| disposal | |||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Charity Activities | |||||||
| Direct services | 186,787 | 28,767 | 720 | 20,278 | 236,552 | ||
| Management and Admin. | 48,515 | 32,531 | 843 | 32,120 | 114,009 | ||
| Governance (Note 9) | 15,242 | 213 | - | 1,600 | 17,055 | ||
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | |||
| Total for charitable activities | 250,544 | 61,511 | 1,563 | 53,998 | 367,616 | ||
| Fundraising | - | 4,164 | - | 4,164 | |||
| - | |||||||
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | |||
| 250,544 | 65,675 | 1,563 | 53,998 | 371,780 | |||
| ══════ | ══════ | ══════ | ══════ | ══════ |
8 Expenditure
34
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
8 Expenditure (continued)
| Staff | Other | Depreciat- | Support | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | costs | costs | ion/loss on | costs | Total | |
| disposal | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Charity Activities | ||||||
| Direct services | 180,740 | 42,257 | 960 | 25,061 | 249,018 | |
| Management and Admin. | 26,089 | 24,281 | 584 | 30,391 | 81,345 | |
| Governance (Note 9) | 14,698 | 100 | - | 1,900 | 16,698 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| Total for charitable activities | 221,527 | 66,638 | 1,544 | 57,352 | 347,061 | |
| Fundraising | 10,897 | 10,897 | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| 221,527 | 77,535 | 1,544 | 57,352 | 357,958 | ||
| ══════ | ══════ | ══════ | ══════ | ══════ |
Other expenditure is allocated between support costs for assessing grants, fundraising and management and administration of the charity. Where it relates to more than one category, it is apportioned over relevant headings. The basis of apportionment reflects time and resources expended directly on various activities or in support of these activities.
| Allocation of support costs: | |
|---|---|
| Services | 80% |
| Management and administration | 20% |
Support costs is analysed as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | Basis of Apportionment | |
| Rent, insurance and service charges | 26,676 | 30,683 | Invoiced Costs |
| Computer costs | 874 | 934 | Invoiced costs |
| Telephone | 8,375 | 4,733 | Invoiced costs |
| Printing, postage and stationery | 1,556 | 1,304 | Invoiced costs |
| Repairs and renewals | 7,122 | 7,638 | Invoiced costs |
| Other costs | 977 | 878 | Invoiced costs |
| Other staff costs | 6,818 | 9,282 | Invoiced costs |
| Legal and professional fees | 1,600 | 1,900 | Invoiced costs |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| 53,998 | 57,352 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ |
There were no grants to institutions.
35
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
9 Governance costs
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Other Trustee costs | 103 |
72 |
| Trustee costs | 110 |
28 |
| External advisors | 1,600 |
1,900 |
| Staff costs | 15,242 |
14,698 |
| ────── | ────── | |
| 17,055 |
16,698 | |
| ══════ | ══════ |
10 Staff costs
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Salaries | 230,122 | 202,853 |
| Social Security costs | 9,213 | 8,643 |
| Pension Costs | 11,209 | 10,031 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| 250,544 | 221,527 | |
| ═════ | ═════ |
No employee earned more than £60,000 (2024: none).
The average number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | 1 | 1 | |
| Other Staff | Full time | - | - |
| Part time | 13 | 11 | |
| ────── | ────── | ||
| 14 | 12 | ||
| ══════ | ══════ |
The charity operated a Stakeholder Pension Scheme for its employees and contributes at a rate of 6%, this scheme has been amended to meet auto-enrolment requirements. There are 10 current members of the scheme (2024: 8).
36
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
11 Key Management Personnel
Key Management Personnel during the year were trustees of the organisation who are not paid and staff member Carol O'Brien as CEO. Total gross salaries and employer pensions contributions amounted to £40,476 (2024: £39,315).
12 Taxation
As Sight Concern Bedfordshire is a registered charity, the charitable company is not liable to corporation tax.
13 Statement of Financial Activities
The net movement in funds is stated after charging:
| The net movement in funds is stated after charging: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Independent Examiner’s fees | 1,600 |
1,900 |
| Depreciation | 1,563 |
1,544 |
| Rent on licence | 20,226 |
20,094 |
| ═════ | ═════ |
37
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
| 14 Fixed assets |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | |||
| Computer | fund | ||
| equipment | equipment | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | |||
| At 1 October 2024 | 10,722 | 14,349 | 25,071 |
| Additions | 1,619 | - | 1,619 |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | |
| At 30 September 2025 | 12,341 | 14,349 | 26,690 |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | |
| Depreciation | |||
| At 1 October 2024 | 8,197 | 12,240 | 20,437 |
| Charge for the year | 1,036 | 527 | 1,563 |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | |
| At 30 September 2025 | 9,233 | 12,767 | 22,000 |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | |
| Net book values | |||
| 30 September 2025 | 3,108 | 1,582 | 4,690 |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | |
| 30 September 2024 | 2,525 | 2,109 | 4,634 |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | |
| All assets are held for direct charitable purposes. | |||
| 15 Fixed asset investments |
| 1 Oct 2024 | Additions | Unrealised gain/(loss) |
30 Sep 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| United Utilities Group Plc, ordinary shares (772) | 8,087 | - | 764 | 8,851 |
| Santander (UK) Plc (507) | 2,023 | - | 2,045 | 4,068 |
| Sarasin GlobalStar - Cautious Fund (2500) | 25,150 | - | 475 | 25,625 |
| Murray Income Trust (7500) | 64,800 | - | 2,175 | 66,975 |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | |
| 100,060 | - | 5,459 | 105,519 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
All investments are listed investments.
The historical cost of the investments is £70,601.
38
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
| 16 | Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade | debtors | 1,051 | 49,043 |
| Prepayments | 8,114 | 10,404 | |
| Accrued income | 34,586 | 7,409 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| 43,751 | 66,856 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ | ||
| 17 | Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade | creditors | 11,478 |
12,250 |
| Taxation and social security | 3,843 |
2,940 | |
| Other | creditors | 1,960 |
1,744 |
| Accruals and deferred income | 54,535 |
90,945 | |
| ───── | ───── | ||
| 71,816 |
107,879 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ |
Included in other creditors is an amount in respect of pension contributions of £1,960 (2024: £1,744) outstanding at the year end.
Deferred income
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| At 1 October 2024 | 83,070 | 48,802 |
| Received during the year | 205,614 | 242,591 |
| Released to incoming resources | (237,654) | (208,323) |
| ───── | ───── | |
| At 30 September 2025 | 51,030 | 83,070 |
| ═════ | ═════ |
Income is deferred where is relates to the following financial year.
39
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
18 Unrestricted funds
| Movement | in year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Balance at | ||
| 1 Oct 2024 | resources | expended | Transfers | 30 Sept 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General fund | 453,781 | 53,777 |
(30,517) | (39,058) | 437,983 |
| Designated fund | 106,052 | - |
(34,963) | 39,058 | 110,147 |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | |
| 559,833 | 53,777 |
(65,480) | - | 548,130 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
Details of designated funds are listed in section 4.1 in the Trustees Report.
19 Restricted funds
| Movement | in year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Fund | Balance at | |
| 1 Oct 2024 | resources | expended | Transfers | 30 Sept 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Luton BC Airport fund | 3,685 | 103,555 | (98,499) | - | 8,741 |
| Central Beds Sensory Impairment | 13,516 | 67,026 | (68,593) | - | 11,949 |
| Beds PCT Low Vision Clinic | 2,704 | 32,902 | (35,606) | - | - |
| Luton low vision clinic | 30,287 | 45,734 | (46,586) | - | 29,435 |
| Grants: | |||||
| The Will Trust | 400 | - | (15) | - | 385 |
| Wixamtree IT Grant | 383 | - | (96) | - | 287 |
| Luton IT donation | 343 | - | - | - | 343 |
| Access to work support | 1,600 | 10,847 | (11,171) | - | 1,276 |
| Beds. & Luton Comm Fund | 654 | - | (164) | - | 490 |
| Wixamtree (Bedford Project) | - | 10,000 | (10,000) | - | - |
| Panacea Trust (Bedford Project) | - | 10,000 | (10,000) | - | - |
| Bedford Charitable Trust (BP) | - | 5,000 | (5,000) | - | - |
| Connelly Foundation (BP) | - | 5,000 | (5,000) | - | - |
| Harpur Trust (Bedford VIA) | 12,218 | 15,000 | (15,570) | - | 11,648 |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | |
| 65,790 | 305,064 | (306,300) | - | 64,554 | |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
40
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
19 Restricted funds (continued)
A brief description of each restricted fund is outlined below:
Grant awarded by BLCF as part of Luton Rising Community Investment Fund – funding for support and advice to service users in the Luton area
Central Beds Sensory Impairment – support to sensory impaired service users in the Central Beds area
Bedford Low Vision clinic – funding for running a clinic in Bedford for service users to attend
Luton Low Vision clinic – funding for running a clinic in Luton for service users to attend
The Will trust – funding for the provision of equipment, including minibus services for service users
Wixamtree IT Grant – funding to replace server and update IT services
Luton IT donation – donation in memory of Peter Miles to be used for IT at Luton
Access to Work grant – provide equipment to help support employees to work independently
Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation – Bedfordshire Coronavirus Emergency Fund provided in 2019/20 to support the charity to work remotely during Covid-19, balance is depreciation of equipment.
Bedford Charitable Trust, Panacea Trust, Wixamtree and Connelly foundation– funding for Bedford to reduce poverty, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing
Harpur Trust – funding for a Visual Impairment Advisor in Bedford
41
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
20 Net assets held by funds
| Cash | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | at bank & | Other | ||||
| 2025 | Assets | Investments | Assets | Creditors | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| General fund | 3,108 | 545,590 |
14,675 | (15,243) | 548,130 | |
| Restricted funds | 1,582 | 84,141 |
35,404 | (56,573) | 64,554 | |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | ||
| 4,690 | 629,731 | 50,079 | (71,816) | 612,684 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ||
| Cash | ||||||
| Fixed | at bank & | Other | ||||
| 2024 | Assets | Investments | Assets | Creditors | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| General fund | 2,525 | 553,555 | 13,371 | (9,618) | 559,833 | |
| Restricted funds | 2,109 | 104,685 | 57,257 | (98,261) | 65,790 | |
| ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | ───── | ||
| 4,634 | 658,240 | 70,628 |
(107,879) | 625,623 | ||
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
21 Share capital
The company is limited by guarantee and has no issued share capital. The liability of members is limited to no more than £10.
22 Trustees’ remuneration
No trustee received any remuneration for their services (2024: none). During the year the following trustee received travel expenses:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Jamile Little | 110 | 28 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| 110 | 28 | |
| ═════ | ═════ |
23 Related party transactions
Donations from trustees during the year amounted to £nil (2024: £nil). There were no other related party transactions during the year.
42
Sight Concern Bedfordshire
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2025
24 Financial commitments
At 30 September 2025 the charitable company had no annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases (2024: £nil).
There are no capital commitments (2024: £nil).
25 Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Net income/(expenditure) for the year | (12,939) |
9,012 |
| Depreciation charges | 1,563 |
1,544 |
| (Gains)/losses on investments | (5,459) | (5,774) |
| Dividends, interest and rents from investments | (23,744) | (22,501) |
| (Increase)/decrease in stocks | (2,556) |
4,152 |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | 23,105 | 2,649 |
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | (36,063) |
42,948 |
| ───── | ───── | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | (56,093) | 32,030 |
| ════ | ════ |
43