Company registration number- 5291167 Charity registration number: 1117872 BECOMING VISIBLE LIMITED TRUSTEES. REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Contents Page Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Report Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 7-10 The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts: Detailed Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) li Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Reference and Administrative Details For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 Trustees Mr R J Herdman Mr F P Murphy Mr M Macmurtrie (resigned 0111012025} Mr A J Smare {appointed 07109120241 Mr M J Connolly (appointed 07/0912024) Mrs R Crdig-murphy {appointed 0710912024} Mr A A Woodford (appointed 0710912024) (resigned 01/1012025) Charity Number 1117872 Company Number 5291167 Registered Office The Victory 39-41 North Bridge Street Sunderland Tyne & Wear SR5 IAH Independent Examiner Valued ACCA Page I Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Company No. 5291167 Trustees. Report For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. Objectives and Activities Aims and Objectives With Becoming Visible's charitable objectives in mind. the charity has continued to deliver and adapt its work to promote greater social inclusion for Deaf people in the North of England. supporting participation in every sphere of life. A key focus of the charity's work remains the development of self-confidence and self-esteem through the promotion of British Sign Language and Deaf Culture. As a specialist, forward-thinking organisation working at the heart of the Deaf Communityi we provide services that benefit both Deaf and hearing people. We are proud to continue to deliver solutions that are culturally appropriate, friendly, approachable and, in the current financial climate. cost-effertive. During 2024-2025, the charity employed two full-time staff. seven part-time staff, and a bank of 7 zero-hours Staff. We would like to note that Jack Murphyi an employee, graduated from Newcastle University with a distinction in his degree which we were absolutely thrilled about. He moved to London to do his Masters, so we welcomed another addition to the team in terms of Darren O'Dowd who moved to Becoming Visible after 29 years at Newcastle College. We have a steady established team which helps us to grow and expand our work. Vision: "The leading organisation in all things related to British Sign Language and Deaf Culture.- Mission: 'People first. Values: Respect for our language, culture, heritage, and diversity is ntral to all we do Providing high-quality, accessible services, projects. and opportunities Working in partnership and signposting with other organisations to promote a positive image of British Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and the diversity of the Deaf Community Listening to feedback and continually striving to improve Remaining innovative to create exciting opportunities for member5 of the Deaf Community Significant Activities SERVICES BV Interpreting British Sign Language l English interpreting services for the public. private. and voluntary sectors have been the core of our work and income since 2003. Changes and challenges in procurement have led us to diversify our income streams, which has strengthened our overall service offer and benefited the community. We are extremely grateful to our hardworking team of interpreters, both in-house and freelance. For the first time in the charity's history, staff interpreters were appointed, with plans to continue developing this model to address the decreasing number of qualified BSL/English Interpreters in the North-East and ensure a responsive service. We continue to develop this model. We are proud to retain a loyal core client base and have seen an increase in new clients from across the UK, reflecting the organisation's strong reputation. BV Translation In this financial year, we faced issues in providing our translation work due to the lack of a central dedicated studio however we have continued to outsource this work. this is central to our mission to provide cost effective solutions. BV Training Following the closure of the Institute of British Sign Language. efforts to identify a suitable awarding body to continue delivery have been ongoing but challenging for several reasons. This remains an active area of development, particularly with our eye on the national development in BSL teaching and training. Deaf ID Deaf ID is our community support service, providing support workers and personal assistants to children, young people, and adults within the Deaf Community. Staff are employed on a mixture of full-time, part-time, and bank contracts. .CONTINUED Page 2 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Trustees. Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 Significant Activities - continued This is a responsive and growing service that we intend to continue expanding. It enables us to be one of the largest employers of Deaf people in the region, an achievement of which we are particularly proud. 2024-2025 continues to see the service grow from strength to strength. Community Work Community activities are delivered in partnership with Sundedand Deaf Society and at strawberry Lane, including coffee mornings and afternoon clubs. These sessions provide safe, welcoming spaces for people to socialise, learn, and engage with speakers from Deaf and hearing organisations. Community outreach remains a priority as the longer-term impacts of COVID continue to affert engagement. During the early part of 2025, we launched our newsletter which has received positive feedback. We will deliver this 4 times a year in our aim to reach as many people who are not digitally confident as the newsletter, even though it is bilingual in BSU English is also available online and in print, reaching out to many people. Youth Work Holiday activities and monthly sessions continue for deaf children and young people aged 8-17, delivered by a part-time Youth Worker. Sunderland Deaf Society have been working hard to get funding so that we can offer activities for deaf children and CODAS. Challenges during 202412025 In the space of 18 months - we moved three times. In Spring 2024, we moved from Newcastle to Sunderland, to the old Deaf Club at 34-35 North Bridge Street and then a few weeks later to 39-41 North Bridge Street, Sunderland the new home of Sunderland Deaf Society. This resulted in a turbulent year operationally, with significant internal change alongside continued service delivery and expansion of new work. The office was renovated in summer 2024 and we finally moved in in late Autumn 2024, however significant building work meant we had to leave the office and we found a temporary space in North Shields for 3 months. We eventually returned to Sunderland. 2025 ha5 been about settling down and getting used to the various sltes we work from. Partnerships have been Set up with Northumbria Deaf Mission, Mesign, The British Deaf Association and supporting the new network of Deaf Clubs. We remain working in the local, regional, national and international community. Other Information Looking to The Future The charity remains committed to continuing service delivery while remaining responsive, innovative, and focused on meeting the needs of the Deaf Community. We have exciting developments coming in for 202512026 and a new board of trustees which will help us to develop robust governance. Small Company Rules This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees, report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by: Mr F P Murphy Trustee 0610312026 Page 3 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Becoming Visible Limited For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and Basis of Report As the charity trustees of the Company land also its director5 for the purposes of company lawl, 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 respert of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 {'the 2011 Act'l. 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 sertion 145 of the 2011 Art. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The AsSOClation of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies. have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe= l. 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 3. 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 4. 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). 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. Valued ACCA 06/0312026 Page 4 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies Charitable activities= 3,283 3,660 Invoices services and recharged expenses 489,403 498,073 492,686 501,733 EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities- General charitable activities (223,851) (265,717) (265,128) (229,329) Goverance costs (489,568) (494,457) NET INCOME 3,118 7,276 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: 3,118 7,276 Total funds brought forward 242,921 235,645 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 14 246,039 242,921 The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these financial statements. Page 5 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Balance Sheet As At 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Total funds Total funds Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets io 9,598 9,598 11,635 9,598 9,598 11,635 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank and in hand li 287,759 12,245 287,759 12,245 281,175 11,693 300,004 300,004 292,868 Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 12 (63,563) {63,563) (61,582) NET CURRENT ASSETS {LIABILITIES) 236,441 236,441 231,286 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 246.039 246,039 242,921 NET ASSETS 246,039 246,039 242,921 FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted Funds 246,039 242,921 TOTAL FUNDS 14 246,039 242,921 For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Att with respett to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies Subject to the small companies regime. On behalf of the board Mr F P Murphy Trustee 0610312026 The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these financial statements. Page 6 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 l. General Information Becoming Visible Limited is a company limited by guarantee. incorporated in England & Wales, registered number 5291167 and registered charity number l 117872. The registered office is The Victoryi 39-41 North Bridge Street, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR5 IAH. 2. Accounting Policies 2.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective I January 2019)" Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Companies Act 2006. The charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. 2.2. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation 15 provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets. less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases- Fixtures & Fittings Computer Equipment 200h reducing balance 200h straight line 2.3. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial asset5 and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts. Income from Donations and Legacies 2025 2024 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds Donations and gifts 3,283 3,660 4. Income from Charitable Activities 2025 2024 Unrestrirted Unrestricted funds funds Invoices services and recharged expenses 489,403 498,073 Net Income/{Expenditure) The net income is stated after charging/{crediting)= 2025 2024 Depreciation of tangible fixed assets - owned 4,126 4,177 Page 7 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 6. Analysis of Expenditure 2025 Support costs (see note 7) General charitable activities 223,851 265,717 Goverance costs 489,568 2024 Support costs (see note 7) General charitable activities 265,128 229,329 Goverance costs 494,457 7. Support Costs 2025 General charitable artivities Goverance costs Total Employee costs Premises expenses Gener81 administration Depreciation Governance costs 211,135 13,673 36,783 4,126 211,135 13,673 36,783 4,126 223,851 223.851 223,851 265,717 489,568 2024 General charitable activities Goverance costs Total Employee costs Premises expenses General administration 185,027 9,600 30,525 4,177 185,027 9,600 30,525 4,177 265,128 Depreciation Governance costs 265,128 265,128 229,329 494,457 Page 8 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 8. Staff Costs staff costs were as follows.. 2025 2024 Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs 197,918 8.169 5,048 173,276 6,905 4,846 211,135 185,027 No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000. 9. Average Number of Employees Average number of employees during the year was= 14 (2024= 12) 10. Tangible Assets Fixtures & Fittings Computer Equipment Total Cost As at l April 2024 Additions 10,335 1,167 31,279 921 41,614 2,088 As at 31 March 2025 11.502 32,200 43,702 Depreciation As at l April 2024 Provided during the period 8,568 476 21,411 3,649 29,979 4,125 As at 31 March 2025 9.044 25,060 34,104 Net Book Value As at 31 March 2025 2,458 7,140 9,598 As at l April 2024 1,767 9,868 11,635 11. Debtors 2025 2024 Due within one year Trade debtors 287.099 660 280,799 376 Other debtors 287,759 281,175 12. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 2025 2024 Trade creditors 32,431 4,354 24,341 2.437 33,579 4,400 18,588 5,015 Other creditors Taxation and social security Accruals and deferred income 63,563 61,582 Page 9 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 13. Pension Commitments The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company in an independently administered fund. During the year the charge to the statement of financial attivities in respect of defined contribution schemes was £5,048 (2024: £4,846). At the balance sheet date contributions of £1.184.01 (2024 £1.138.30) were due to the fund and are included in creditors. 14. Movement in Funds As at l April 2024 Asat31 Expenditure March 2025 Income Unrestricted funds General.. General unrestricted fund 242.921 492,686 {489,568) 246,039 Total funds 242,921 492,686 1489,568} 246,039 As at l April 2023 Asat31 Expenditure March 2024 Income Unrestricted funds General.. General unrestricted fund 235,645 501,733 1494,457) 242,921 Total funds 235,645 501,733 1494,457) 242,921 15. Transactions with Trustees None of the trustees received any remuneration or any other benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity during the current or previous year. No trustee expenses have been incurred. 16. Related Party Disclosures There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure. 17. Company limited by guarantee The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the companyi in the event of a winding up, such an amount as may be required not exceeding £1. Page 10 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77
Becoming Visible Limited Detailed Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Total funds Total funds INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies Donations and gifts 3,283 3,660 3,283 3,660 Charitable Activities: Invoices services and recharged expenses Income from charitable activities 489,403 498,073 489,403 498,073 492,686 501,733 EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable Activities: General charitable activities Other governance costs {223,851) (265,128) 1223,851) (265,128) Goverance costs Wages and salaries Employers Nl Employers pensions - defined contributions scheme Rent Travel and subsistence { 197,918) 18,169) (5,048) (13,673} (17,986) {226) (1,493) 12,611) (1,123) 11,077) (5,421) 13,357) (47) 11,568) {245} {368) (75) 11,186) (4,126) (173,276) {6,905) (4,846) {9,600) (4,370) { 1,439) {60) {1,3191 (943) {3,4481 (4,817) {6,1201 {35) {1,4141 (276) {991 (302) {5,883) {4,177) Computer software costs Repairs, renewals and maintenance Insurance Printing, postage and stationery Training seminars and workshops Telecommunications and data costs Accountancy fees Legal fees Subscriptions Bank charges Charitable donations Entertaining Sundry expenses Depreciation 1265,717) (229,329) 1489,568) (494,457) NET INCOME 3,118 7,276 Page 11 Doc ID-. d3122dcbc8e2fe96fa533a5baa3e32d1 a6382c77