2024-03-31-accounts

Charity no. 1119462

Wiltshire Blind Association Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2024

Wiltshire Blind Association

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Charity number 1119462 Registered office St. Lucy's Sight Centre and operational Browfort address Bath Road Devizes Wiltshire SN10 2AT President The Marchioness of Lansdowne Trustees Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows: Rachel Farr Kayvan GhotbiRavandi resigned 24 November 2023 Nicholas Grinham Carl Hall Chair Robin Stephens appointed 14 March 2024 Bankers CAF Bank Ltd The Co-operative Bank Kings Hill - Business West Malling PO Box 250 Kent Skelmersdale ME19 4TA WN8 6WT HSBC Bank Plc 45 Market Place Devizes Wiltshire SN10 1HZ

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Reference and administrative details

For the year	ended 31 March 2024
Investment	Rathbones Investment Management
managers	Port of Liverpool Building
	Pier Head
	Liverpool
	L3 1NW
Independent	Godfrey Wilson Limited
examiners	Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
	5th Floor Mariner House
	62 Prince Street
	Bristol
	BS1 4QD

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Constitution and the Statement of Recommended - Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

About Wiltshire Blind Association

The charitable object of Wiltshire Blind Association is to promote the welfare of blind and partially sighted persons living in Wiltshire and Swindon.

The operating name for the charity is Wiltshire Sight.

Our aim is to ensure that everyone newly diagnosed or living with sight loss in Wiltshire and Swindon, including children and young people, have equal and timely access to the support and services they need.

We work with people affected by sight loss to help them navigate the often complex provision of services, joining up health, social care and community services.

Our strategy is defined by the views and needs of people with sight loss, and our services reflect what they identify as important to them.

Our outcomes

Those directly affected by sight loss (including children) in Wiltshire and Swindon will:

• Understand their eye condition, and what it means for them

• • Have someone to talk to who will understand and listen

• • Be able to remain as independent as possible, and to look after themselves and their family

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

• Be able to access support to improve their health and wellbeing

• Have access to the right benefits, and be able to maintain control of finances and plan for the future

• Have access to volunteering opportunities and employment support

• Be able to be part of their community and play an active role in it

• Be aware of, and able to use, resources and technology that is relevant to their needs

• Understand how to make the most of their remaining sight

• Be able to make connections with others living with sight loss

• Be able to influence the services which affect them and others living with sight loss

Families and carers of people affected by sight loss in Wiltshire and Swindon will have:

• Access to support, advice and guidance in how to support people with sight loss

• A greater understanding of the challenges faced by people with sight loss and the resources available to overcome these challenges

Local authorities, health service and other providers in Wiltshire and Swindon will be supported to:

• Understand and address the needs of people living with sight loss in the provision of effective statutory services

• Work together to ensure greater consistency, good practice and reduced duplication of services for people living with sight loss

Communities, businesses and the general public in Wiltshire and Swindon will have a:

• Greater awareness of the importance of eye health, regular eye checks and other action to prevent sight loss

• Greater awareness of the challenges faced by people living with sight loss and be supported to remove barriers that inhibit participation and inclusion

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Review of the year

Over the past six years we have been working in partnership with Sight Support West of England to deliver our services in Wiltshire and Swindon. This year has seen a significant change in our partnership working as in July 2023 we joined forces with a third sight loss charity, Insight Gloucestershire. This means that our three charities now share all of our back-office functions, including management team, fundraising, finance, IT, HR, admin and communications. This model allows the three charities all to continue to run as independent, separate charities, but to benefit from shared costs and efficiencies, and to ensure good practice is replicated across the region. The 23-24 year has again been a positive one for Wiltshire Sight. Although we continue to see increasing demand for services, with a 6% increase in total clients over the year, our strategy of working through local community hubs across the county has meant that we have been able to ensure people can access support and social activities in their local area. Our 20 hubs across the county mean that 96% of the population has access to local support within a 5-mile radius of their home.

This year we saw a 57% increase in the number of people attending social activities (a total of 202 individuals), with new volunteer-led groups opening alongside our community hubs in Wroughton, Calne, Marlborough, Pewsey, Amesbury and Tisbury.

– In November we held another Eye Can exhibition event this time at the Swindon Steam Museum. The event had over 150 attendees, with 100% of people rating it good or excellent.

Over the year, 88 evaluations were done by our team of volunteers: 98% of clients rated our services good, with 86% rating it as excellent. 93% of clients told us that they feel more able to cope with day-to-day life as a result of our support, and 91% said they were feeling less isolated.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

In Spring 2024 we launched a new campaign with our partners Sight Support West of England, entitled ‘Here from Day One’. The focus of the campaign is the aim to ensure that everyone who is diagnosed with sight loss has access to information and support from the point of diagnosis and throughout their sight loss journey. With the launch this year of the new Eye Care Support Pathway, we will be working hard over the next year to ensure the pathway is understood by local health and social care providers in Wiltshire and that actions are identified to improve referrals and integration of the clinical and community support available.

Our annual staff and volunteer survey results were again very positive, showing an engaged and happy team. We are proud that 30% of our joint staff teams and 29% of our volunteer team have lived experience of sight loss.

Our Client Advisory Group, launched with Sight Support in early 2023 is now fully functioning and self-managing. The group, consisting of service users from across the West of England area has proved to be invaluable, providing user feedback on service developments, fundraising messages and communications.

Specific progress against the key objectives we set ourselves for 23-24 is summarised below:

• Map the demographics of the region to identify key geographic areas where services are less accessible;

At the end of 2023 we undertook a mapping exercise to look at the coverage of our services. With 20 hubs running across Wiltshire, we know that 100% of our clients are living within a 10-mile radius of a community hub, and 96% are within a 5-mile radius. At these hubs clients can access support from a Community Sight Loss Advisor, and join a peer support social group. This is a fantastic achievement.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

We also conducted mapping of population areas against our map of clients and identified key target areas of focus for the coming year, predominantly within more deprived areas within Swindon.

• Ensure all community hubs fully established and supported by local volunteers. Increase CSLA capacity to deliver hubs by making those with low attendance ‘on-demand’;

• With the introduction of a new ‘Hub Maturity Model’, we now have a blueprint for the development of new community hubs through to mature hubs which are supported by volunteers, allowing our CSLAs to provide more 1-1 support to clients. We have been successful over the year in recruiting community volunteers, and the strategy is working well, with 10 hubs in Wiltshire and Swindon now considered ‘mature’ with regular volunteer support. This continues to be an area of focus for the coming year.

• Build relationships with key community organisations to support engagement with harder-to-reach communities;

• Our outreach work to reach new communities has had to take a back seat this year, as other priorities took over. This remains a priority for the coming year.

• Increase provision of digital support across the region;

• Providing digital support is a key priority for us, as key services continue to shift onto digital platforms and the risk of exclusion for those who are not digitally connected increases. Our Sight Loss Advisors regularly provide 1-1 technology support to people, introducing electronic magnifiers, smartphones and tablets and providing training on their use and how to become digitally connected.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

To address the increasing need for digital support being vocalised by our clients in Wiltshire, we will be seeking funding over the coming year to increase the range of technology support and training we are able to offer.

• Grow awareness of our charity as the local charity of choice within Wiltshire through increased attendance at community events by staff or volunteers.

We have had an increased focus on raising awareness within communities over the past year, with regular local news articles, social media sharing and posting, and posters put in local GPs, opticians and community settings, advising people where to go if they are struggling with sight loss.

With the opening of our third Wiltshire Sight shop in Trowbridge in December, we now have a very visible presence in the centre of the town. We also used the opportunity to get some good press coverage in papers and on the radio, promoting the support we can offer the local community.

Recruitment of local volunteers to support activities across the county has again gone well this year. We now have an incredible 77 active volunteers in Wiltshire, contributing over 4,000 hours of their time over the course of the last year. Volunteers have provided support over the year giving talks in schools, supporting community events such as our Aston Martin day, and doing supermarket collections. As always, we are incredibly grateful to all those who have given up their time and provided invaluable support.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Plans for the future

Our key development priorities for the 2024-25 year include:

• Ensure all community hubs in Wiltshire run effectively and are supported by local volunteers;

• Map and build relationships with key community organisations to support engagement with under-represented communities;

• Grow awareness of our charity as the local charity of choice within Wiltshire through increased attendance at community events and an increased focus on PR through traditional media channels;

• Open at least one more charity shop in a strategic location and build an online sales operation alongside our physical shops.

Financial review

Income and expenditure for 2023/24 were in line with the budget set for the year by the board. Our partnership with Sight Support West of England has made a significant difference to our overhead costs which means that the money we raise is able to go directly on our frontline services. In line with our financial planning, we are continuing to use our free reserves to fund services as we bring down our reserves levels in line with our reserves policy.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the board of trustees has a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, it continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

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Wiltshire Blind Association Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Charitable funders and supporters

Wiltshire Sight wishes to thank all its charitable funders and supporters, – listed below for the year April 2023 March 2024. As an independent charity we rely on the generosity of our supporters and the local community. Without their support we would not be able to deliver any of our valuable work providing local support for blind and partially sighted people in communities across Wiltshire and Swindon:

Calne Town Council	Nixon & Shaw Opticians, Devizes
Chippenham Borough Lands	Ray Harris Trust
Chippenham Town Council	Royal Wootton Basset Town
The Co-op Local Community	Council
Fund	Salisbury and District Darts
Devizes Lions	League
Devizes Town Council	Sainsburys, Devizes
Ever Green Social Group	Santander Trowbridge
Forss Opticians, Malmesbury	Screwfix Foundation
Inchcape Foundation	St James Trust
Leekes, Melksham	St Johns PCC
Lord Hanson Foundation	Trowbridge Town Council
Melksham Town Council	Walter Guinness Charitable Trust
Morrisons Foundation	Westbury Town Council

Wiltshire Sight would also like to make a special acknowledgement in memory of Jack and Hazel Barber. Their generous bequest will help our work continue for years to come.

Reserves policy

General funds held at 31 March 2024 were £166,553. A further £133,729 of unrestricted reserves are tied up in the capital assets of the charity and £300,000 has been designated by the trustees for future ongoing projects in Wiltshire to be completed over the next three years in partnership with Sight Support West of England.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Our current level of free reserves, defined as unrestricted net current assets/(liabilities), are in deficit of £49,363. Whilst in a current liability position, the charity holds sufficient assets within investments and has safe loan arrangements in place with our parent charity. We do not consider this to be a risk as we are taking actions to liquidate some investments in the coming weeks in order to pay down the loan balance.

The trustees are particularly aware of the need to take certain factors into account to cover fluctuations in income (principally legacies), current liabilities and unplanned expenditure. The target amount for contingency set by the charity is therefore 12 months’ operating costs. The reserves policy is kept under constant scrutiny by the trustees.

The level of reserves has been set by Wiltshire Sight taking into account the following:

• The smooth running of the charity, and the provision of core services to visually impaired clients, needs to be maintained. Funds should be available to continue to subsidise the provision of core services until alternative sources of funding can be found

• If the charity were to close it would take a minimum of 12 months to find alternative and equivalent sources of support for our visually impaired clients across Wiltshire and Swindon

• Funding should be available to deal with the contingencies which might arise in the day to day running of the organisation

• A number of costs would be associated with dissolution of the charity

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management

The organisation converted from a charitable company limited by guarantee to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1 September 2020. The charity was established in 1918 and registered under the Companies Act 2006 on 22 January 2007 and registered under the Charities Act 2011 on 1 June 2007. A new constitution of the CIO replaced the existing Memorandum of Association on 1 September 2020. This constitution establishes the objects and powers of the CIO, and governs its operations.

The organisation is governed by a board of trustees. The trustees do not receive any remuneration for their services to the charity.

In the event of the CIO being wound up, the trustees have no liability to contribute to its assets.

Related parties

There were no related party transactions with trustees or senior management other than donations received from trustees.

Risk management and delegation

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate systems and controls are in place in order to mitigate those risks and to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. During the year the trustees have considered the major risks and systems have been put in place to mitigate their impact.

The charity investment portfolio is managed by an independent investments manager who operates within the specific guidelines and restrictions set and is reviewed annually by the board.

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Wiltshire Blind Association Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Public benefit

The board of trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit “Charities and Public Benefit”.

Wiltshire Blind Association’s charitable objectives are enshrined within its articles and, as such, the trustees ensure that this charter is carried out for the public benefit. This is done through the delivery of services which, whilst primarily aimed at those who are blind or partially sighted are, where appropriate, open to all who might benefit.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales 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 charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently

• ▪ observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent

• state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2024

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Inependent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 14 June 2024 and signed on their behalf

Carl Hall - Chair

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Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Wiltshire Blind Association

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Wiltshire Blind Association (the CIO) for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 17 to 30.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Godfrey Wilson Limited also provides bookkeeping services to the CIO. I confirm that as a member of the ICAEW I am subject to the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2016, which I have applied with respect to this engagement.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

• (1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the Act; or

• (2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or

• (3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Wiltshire Blind Association

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.

Date: 14 June 2024 Robert Wilson FCA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of:

Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Note Income from: 3 4 Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 12 Donations and legacies Charitable activities Charitable activities Other trading activities Net income / (expenditure) Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) before gains Net gains / (losses) on investments	Restricted Unrestricted £ £ - 81,314 11,558 30,596 - - - 10,014 11,558 121,924 - 10,630 9,158 208,712 9,158 219,342 2,400 (97,418) - 32,655 2,400 (64,763)	2024 2023 Total Total £ £ 81,314 106,426 42,154 73,121 - 459 10,014 8,445 133,482 188,451 10,630 - 217,870 230,539 228,500 230,539 (95,018) (42,088) 32,655 (32,616) (62,363) (74,704)

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 March 2024

7 Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Net income / (expenditure) (continued) Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward		2,400 (2,400) - - -	(64,763) 2,400 (62,363) 662,645 600,282	(62,363) - (62,363) 662,645 600,282	(74,704) -
					(74,704) 737,349
					662,645

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 16 to the accounts.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2024

			2024	2023
	Note	£	£	£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	11		133,729	138,482
Investments	12		515,916	474,320
			649,645	612,802
Current assets
Debtors	13	88,555		54,467
Cash at bank and in hand		32,705		117,880
		121,260		172,347
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within 1 year	14	(170,623)		(122,504)
Net current assets / (liabilities)			(49,363)	49,843
Net assets	15		600,282	662,645
Funds	16
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds			433,729	438,482
General funds			166,553	224,163
Total charity funds			600,282	662,645

Approved by the trustees on 14 June 2024 and signed on their behalf

Carl Hall - Chair

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Wiltshire Blind Association meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern. The charity holds unrestricted funds of £600,282 and has sufficient cash and investments to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which these financial statements are approved.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received in advance of provision of a specified service is deferred until criteria for income recognition are met.

d) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting policies (continued)

e) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

f) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

g) Grants payable

Grants payable are charged in the year in which the offer is conveyed to the recipient except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attached have been fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions at the year end are noted as commitment but are not accrued as expenditure.

h) Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. These costs have been allocated in full to expenditure on charitable activities which is deemed to be reflective of the activities of the charity in this period.

i) Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Long leasehold 50 years straight line Computer equipment 25% reducing balance Fixtures and fittings 25% reducing balance

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.

j) Investments

Investments held at the year end are valued at the current market value at that date. Investment income from dividends is included in incoming resources while realised and unrealised losses and gains on investments are shown separately on the statement of financial activities (SoFA). Realised gains and losses are calculated on investment disposals during the year as the difference between the opening market value and the proceeds received on sale. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated on investment holdings at the year end as the difference between the closing market value and the opening market value or purchase value during the year.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting policies (continued)

k) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

l) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

m) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

n) Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

o) Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Balances denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the year end.

p) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are described below.

Depreciation

As described in note 1i to the financial statements, depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) before gains Net losses on investments 3. Income from donations and legacies Donations Legacies Net income / (expenditure) and net movement in funds	Restricted £ £ - 106,426 5,334 67,787 - 459 - 8,445 5,334 183,117 5,334 225,205 5,334 225,205 - (42,088) - (32,616) - (74,704) 2024 Total £ 21,889 59,425 81,314 Unrestricted	2023 Total £ 106,426 73,121 459 8,445
		188,451
		230,539
		230,539
		(42,088) (32,616)
		(74,704)
		2023 Total £ 21,449 84,977
		106,426

All income from donations and legacies in the current and prior period was unrestricted.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

4. Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities
Grants Resource sales Prior period comparative: Grants Resource sales	Restricted £ £ 11,558 19,805 - 10,791 11,558 30,596 Restricted £ £ 5,334 67,611 - 176 5,334 67,787 Unrestricted Unrestricted	2024 Total £ 31,363 10,791
		42,154
		2023 Total £ 72,945 176
		73,121

5. Government grants

Income recorded as government grants are discretionary awards made by local councils and administrations totaling £4,630 (2023: £6,934). In 2023 the National Lottery Community Fund awarded a grant of £10,000. There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attached to any of these grant awards.

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

6. Total expenditure

Staff costs (note 9) Grants payable Depreciation Accountancy Advertising and promotion Insurance Investment management fees IT and communications Bank charges Repairs and maintenance Subscriptions Sub-total Allocation of support and governance costs Total expenditure	Raising funds £ 8,018 2,612 - - - - - - - - - 10,630 - 10,630	Charitable activities £ 75,978 133,343 - - - - - - - - - 209,321 8,549 217,870	£ - - 4,753 2,628 42 371 300 - 407 14 35 8,549 (8,549) - Support and governance	2024 Total £ 83,996 135,955 4,753 2,628 42 371 300 - 407 14 35 228,500 - 228,500	Charitable activities £ 67,594 149,434 - - - - - - - - - 217,028 13,511 230,539	£ - - 5,258 2,537 - 360 300 15 216 4,790 35 13,511 (13,511) - Support and governance	2023 Total £ 67,594 149,434 5,258 2,537 - 360 300 15 216 4,790 35
							230,539 -
							230,539

Total governance costs were £2,340 (2023: £2,220)

All amounts included in grants payable are paid to Sight Support West of England (SSWE), the parent charity of Wiltshire Blind Association for the provision and management of sight loss services in Wiltshire and Swindon.

25

Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

7. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Depreciation Trustees' remuneration Trustees' reimbursed expenses Independent examiner's remuneration (excluding VAT): ▪Independent examination fee	2024 £ 4,753 Nil Nil 2,340	2023 £ 5,258 Nil Nil 1,850

9. Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs	2024 £ 75,872 4,583 3,541 83,996	2023 £ 61,177 3,473 2,944
		67,594

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year.

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees. There was no remuneration paid to key management personnel.

Average head count	2024 No. 7	2023 No. 4

10. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

26

Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

11. Tangible fixed assets

Cost At 1 April 2023 and at 31 March 2024 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year At 31 March 2024 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 12. Investments Market value at 1 April 2023 Additions Disposals proceeds Equalisations Realised gains / (losses) Unrealised gains / (losses) Movement in cash balances Market value at 31 March 2024 Represented by: Listed equities Cash Total	Long leasehold £ 161,424 29,052 3,228 32,280 129,144 132,372	Computer equipment £ 34,562 30,961 1,070 32,031 2,531 3,601	Fixtures and fittings £ 34,070 31,561 455 32,016 2,054 2,509 2024 £ 474,320 86,053 (59,876) - (1,206) 33,861 (17,236) 515,916 508,017 7,899 515,916	Total £ 230,056
				91,574 4,753
				96,327
				133,729
				138,482
				2023 £ 499,273 32,500 (19,192) 146 (206) (32,556) (5,645)
				474,320
				449,185 25,135
				474,320

Investments comprise listed investments held by the charity via Rathbones.

27

Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

13. Debtors

Trade debtors Accrued income	2024 2023 £ £ 555 392 88,000 54,075 88,555 54,467

14. Creditors : amounts due within 1 year

Creditors : amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors Owed to Sight Support West of England Accruals	2024 £ - 168,283 2,340 170,623	2023 £ 526 119,758 2,220
		122,504

15. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets Investments Current assets Current liabilities Net assets at 31 March 2024 Prior period comparative Tangible fixed assets Investments Current assets Current liabilities Net assets at 31 March 2023	£ 133,729 300,000 - - 433,729 £ 138,482 300,000 - - 438,482 Designated funds Designated funds	£ - 215,916 121,260 (170,623) 166,553 £ - 174,320 172,347 (122,504) 224,163 General funds General funds	Total funds £ 133,729 515,916 121,260 (170,623)
			600,282
			Total funds £ 138,482 474,320 172,347 (122,504)
			662,645

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Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

16. Movements in funds

				Transfers
	At 1 April			between	Gains /	At 31
	2023	Income	Expenditure	funds	(losses)	March 2024
	£	£	£	£		£
Restricted funds
Wiltshire community
sight loss service	-	2,500	(2,500)	-	-	-
Screwfix	-	2,400	-	(2,400)	-	-
Trowbridge services
hub	-	6,658	(6,658)	-	-	-
Total restricted funds	-	11,558	(9,158)	(2,400)	-	-
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds:
Development fund	300,000	-	-	-	-	300,000
Fixed asset fund	138,482	-	(4,753)	-	-	133,729
Total designated funds	438,482	-	(4,753)	-	-	433,729
General funds	224,163	121,926	(214,591)	2,400	32,655	166,553
Total unrestricted
funds	662,645	121,926	(214,591)	2,400	32,655	600,282
Total funds	662,645	133,484	(223,749)	-	32,655	600,282
Purposes of restricted	funds
Wiltshire community	Funding provided for		the costs of a Community		Sight Loss Advisor in
sight loss service	Wiltshire.
Screwfix	Funding the	replacement of a boiler at St Lucy's Sight Centre.
Trowbridge services	To fund the fitting out		and equipment costs of a new resource centre in
hub	Trowbridge.
Purposes of designated funds
Development fund	To fund Sight Support		West of England to provide sight loss			advice and
	guidance services across Wiltshire and			Swindon.
Fixed asset fund	Represents the net book value of fixed assets.

Purposes of transfers between funds

Transfers from restricted funds represent the purchase of a new boiler in the prior year. The restriction has been discharged by the purchase of the asset.

29

Wiltshire Blind Association

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

16. Movements in funds (continued) Restricted funds Total restricted funds Designated funds: Development fund Fixed asset fund Total designated funds General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds Wiltshire Community Sight Loss Service Prior period comparative	£ - - 300,000 143,740 443,740 293,609 737,349 737,349 At 1 April 2022	Income £ £ 5,334 (5,334) 5,334 (5,334) - - - (5,258) - (5,258) 183,117 (219,947) 183,117 (225,205) 188,451 (230,539) Expenditure and losses	£ £ - - - - - 300,000 - 138,482 - 438,482 (32,616) 224,163 (32,616) 662,645 (32,616) 662,645 Gains / (losses) At 31 March 2023	£ £ - - - - - 300,000 - 138,482 - 438,482 (32,616) 224,163 (32,616) 662,645 (32,616) 662,645 Gains / (losses) At 31 March 2023
				-
				300,000 138,482
				438,482
				224,163
				662,645
				662,645

17. Financial instruments at fair value

Financial assets measured at fair value	2024 £ 515,916	2023 £ 474,320

Financial assets measured at fair value comprise listed investments.

18. Related party transactions

Nick Grinham, Carl Hall and Kayvan Ghotbi-Ravandi (to 24 November 2023), trustees of Wiltshire Blind Association (WBA), are also trustees of Sight Support West of England (SSWE). WBA sees SSWE as its parent charity, and they share some services. During the year ended 31 March 2024, WBA collected monies on behalf of SSWE and granted it £135,955 (2023: £149,434). SSWE recharged staff costs of £83,996 (2023: £67,594) to WBA. At 31 March 2024, WBA owed SSWE £168,283 (2023: £119,758).

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