2025-03-31-accounts

Company registration number: 07371472 Charity registration number: 1140978

Devon County Association for the Blind known as Devon in Sight (A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Keith Tuvey Redwoods Chartered Certified Accountants 2 Clyst Works Clyst Road Topsham Exeter EX3 0DB

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details	1
Trustees' Report	2 to 46
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities	47
Independent Examiner's Report	48 to 49
Statement of Financial Activities	50 to 51
Balance Sheet	52 to 53
Notes to the Financial Statements	54 to 83

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

	Reference and Administrative Details
Chairman	Dr A Jacobs
Charity Registration	1140978
Number
Company Registration	07371472
Number
	The charity is incorporated in England.
Registered Office	Unit 3 Splatford Barton
	Splatford Land
	Kennford
	Exeter
	Devon
	EX6 7XY
Independent Examiner	Keith Tuvey
	Redwoods Chartered Certified Accountants
	2 Clyst Works
	Clyst Road
	Topsham
	Exeter
	EX3 0DB
Accountants	Redwoods
	Chartered Certified Accountants
	2 Clyst Works
	Clyst Road
	Topsham
	Exeter
	Devon
	EX3 0DB
Solicitors:	Michelmores
	Woodwater House
	Pynes Hill
	Exeter
	EX2 5WR
Bankers	Lloyds Bank
	234 High Street
	Exeter
	EX4 3NL

Page 1

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Introduction

The Trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present their annual report and financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document and the Statement of Recommended Practice, “Accounting and Reporting by Charities”, issued in March 2005. The charity was founded in 1925 and was incorporated in April 2011.

Trustees: Dr Adrian Jacobs Chair Mr Steve Muncer Treasurer Mr Scott Hales-Bailey Vice Chair Dr Dave Adams Optometry Lead Mr Paul Hannan Safeguarding Lead Ms Marilyn Minter-Newson Trustee

Honorary Life Members: Mrs Gwyn Dickinson MBE Mr Peter Wareham

Patron:

Diana Devon, The Dowager Countess of Devon

Structure, Governance and Management

The company (Number 07371472) is a Registered Charity (Number 1140978) and is constituted under its Articles of Association dated 9th September 2010. The management of the affairs of the Charity is vested in the Trustees. The Trustees are the Directors of the Company together with not more than ten members elected by the Annual General Meeting or co-opted by the Trustees. Shortly after Trustees are appointed, they attend the main premises for induction meetings with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. An induction pack is given to the prospective Trustees followed by induction and training.

Sub Committee Working Groups may address certain matters. As part of their functions the Sub Committees may make recommendations and shall always be accountable to the Trustees. The Trustees are also empowered to appoint a Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, and staff as they deem necessary and may

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Devon County Association for the Blind known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

determine their remuneration, duties, and conditions of service. The Articles of the Association dated 9th September 2010 are available for inspection at the registered office address.

Objectives and activities

When planning activities for the year the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of health, and the relief of those in need, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

Our Mission

Devon in Sight is a local charity providing information, advice and guidance, practical help, and emotional support to enable people to overcome the many challenges of living with sight loss, to maintain their independence, health and wellbeing, and to live life to the full.

Our Vision

Our vision is to ‘ make Devon a Sight Loss Friendly County’ for people affected by sight loss.

Our Staff

In March 2025 the staff team consisted of five full-time staff and two part-time Support Works funded by the Government’s Access to Work Scheme.

Grahame Flynn Chief Executive Officer Tessa Barrett Head of Services Jennie Benham Head Office & Marketing Manager (Retired 13.12.24.) Sarah Small Head Office & Marketing Manager (Joined 06.01.25.) Louise Millington Sight Loss Adviser Mandy Darling (VI) Community Engagement & Fundraising Officer Fiona Hess Support Worker India Luther Support Worker (Left for University 28.11.24) Ella Morgan Support Worker (Joined 09.12.24) Pepsi The Guide Dog

Our Head Office Volunteer Linda Garaway Honorary Treasurer

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Chairman’s Report by Dr Adrian Jacobs

This is a special year, marking 100 years of Devon in Sight’s service to the sight loss community in Devon.

I have been a Trustee for Devon in Sight since 2015 and became Chair in March 2017. It has been a pleasure serving you all for the last decade but this year I must stand down under the terms of our constitution.

Devon in Sight’s Trustees support the Chief Executive Officer with the leadership of the organisation. We are enlisted for our skills and experience to ensure that Devon in Sight has the best people in place to oversee and ensure the future direction of the service and the implementation of our strategic priorities. These Strategic Priorities focus on the key areas that make the biggest impact to the lives of people affected by sight loss across all of Devon. Progress against our Strategic Priorities is evidenced within this report.

I would like to thank the staff team for their hard work, dedication, and professionalism in delivering our services. In August 2024, following our annual inspection, we were delighted to hear that Devon in Sight had maintained its Department of Education Matrix Standard Accreditation, the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and guidance (IAG). This is clear evidence of our staff’s professionalism and dedication.

May I express my sincere appreciation for the invaluable contribution that volunteers make to our organisation, particularly my fellow Trustees and our Assistant Treasurer Linda Garaway who dedicate their time and skills freely. I would particularly like to acknowledge those people who have undertaken a fundraising event for us, make a regular gift through ‘The Friends of Devon in Sight’ and those who have left us legacies.

The charity’s success relies on the continued support and engagement from all our stakeholders. May I thank donors and supporters for their generosity and commitment to the charity's cause.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

May I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the courage and resilience of people living with sight loss who inspire the charity's work.

We appreciate those who have shared their lived experience of sight loss for the benefit of others through our Sight Loss Forum, as Sight Loss Ambassadors, Peer Support Groups, through the Client Satisfaction Survey and sharing their personal stories in the form of case studies.

Finally, I would also like to commend the significant contribution that our Chief Executive Officer Grahame Flynn has made in driving forward change for the benefit of people living with sight loss locally, regionally and nationally.

I wish my successor Scott Hayes-Baily every success as your new Chair following his inauguration at our Annual General Meeting on 18[th] September 2025.

It has been an honour to serve as Chair, and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me.

…………………………….

Dr Adrian Jacobs Chair of Trustees 18 September 2025

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

by Grahame Flynn

Devon in Sight (The Devon County Association for the Blind) was established in 1925 and has a long and proud history of supporting people affected by sight loss.

We are an award-winning local, independent charity known for its excellence in service provision and innovation locally, regionally, and nationally.

Sight Loss Prevalence in Devon

In the Devon Integrated Care System (ICS) there are estimated to be 50,910 people living with sight loss. By 2032 there are expected to be 63,180 people in Devon living with sight loss, an estimated increase of 24% over the next decade. [Source: RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool Version 5.2, Date created: March 2023].

Our Vision

Our vision for sight loss services in Devon, includes people affected by sight loss in our decision making, maintaining our service offer, having plans for income generation, building capacity, and driving forward change to make Devon a better place for people affected by sight loss to live and work.

An Overview of Devon in Sight Services

Navigating the Adult Eye Health & Sight Loss Pathway is complex.

The Devon in Sight team help people to navigate their sight loss journey.

We provide a comprehensive range of award-winning support services for people navigating the challenges of visual impairment, designed to enhance their quality of life and opportunities. We believe that sight loss shouldn’t stop people reaching their full potential.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Our Sight Loss Services are designed to have the most impact for people living with sight loss. They focus on the four key areas of Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), Independent Living, Health & Wellbeing, and Influencing Change (Making Devon a better place for people affected by sight loss to live and work).

We work with partners across Health & Social Care and the Third Sector to provide a comprehensive portfolio of services for anyone affected by sight loss who lives or works in Devon.

1. Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) Service

Devon in Sight is committed to providing accurate and impartial Information, Advice and Guidance to people who are affected by sight loss and other stakeholders such as professionals working in Health & Social Care and the Third Sector.

We help people navigate their sight loss journey and unlike many national charities have a more comprehensive understanding of the services available for people living and/or working in Devon. We hold a comprehensive portfolio of Information Resources.

Our Helpline is registered with the Helplines Partnership. A Single Point of Contact for the organisation ensures a consistent and professional approach to triaging of all enquiries from our stakeholders and assessing need for our clients. We manage our clients through a secure Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System called Charitylog.

“Devon in Sight has opened up a whole new world for me.”

“Just knowing that Devon in Sight is there, we have somewhere to go to ask questions.”

“Your fact sheets are comprehensive and written in plain English!”

“You are there when I need you!”

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Devon County Association for the Blind known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Assessing Need & Case Work

At the earliest opportunity we complete a Client Fact Find to establish client need. For more complex cases we will undertake our awardwinning comprehensive needs assessment the Sight Loss MOT. The Sight Loss MOT looks at over 50 key issues, such as making sure that people understand their diagnosis, have access to the right statutory care, access to the latest assistive technology, social activities, financial support and emotional support.

“I want to thank you for taking the time to write to the council. Your involvement meant my problem was resolved within two weeks. I cannot tell you how grateful I am.”

In Vision Magazine

In Vision Magazine is available quarterly to subscribers in a range of fully accessible formats - large print, digital and audio USB for FREE. The audio version can also be accessed through our website.

Subscribers include people who are affected by sight loss, Health & Social Care Professionals, Voluntary Sector and Community Groups and Professional Networks and Consortia.

“Thank you so much for sending me my copy of In Vision Magazine. As always, a good read as well as being educational, informative, helpful and so well presented.”

“Your magazine is wonderful, and I read it from cover to cover. Thank you.”

“I have just listened to the audio magazine and found it very informative and useful. Thank you”.

“Grahame (narrator) makes me laugh when I listen to him read the magazine, especially when he makes a mistake but chooses to leave it in.”

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) Service Outputs 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 (Note: prior year figures shown in parenthesis)

Registered Clients

1,509 (1,366) Registered Clients

Sight Loss Helpline

5,310	(6,486)	Helpline calls were received
118	(155)	New Client Registrations
Ongoing	Case Work
687	(1,281)	Enquires led to ongoing casework

In Vision Magazine

Average Circulation Figures per issue of In Vision Magazine:

872	(859)	Articles for the Blind Subscribers
68		Standard Post Subscribers
359	(394)	Digital Subscribers (Email)
126	(128)	Audio Subscribers (USB)
1,425	(1,381)	Total Reach Each Edition
5,698	(5,524)	Annual Reach (Four Editions)

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

2. Independent Living Service

Our Independent Living Service ensures that people have the equipment and training in place to maintain their independence.

We work with our clients to identify the equipment, support and training that will help them maintain their independence and life to the full. We undertake this work in partnership with Health and Social Care and the Third Sector and private businesses.

Eye Health

We encourage our clients to engage with High Street Opticians and NHS Hospital Eye Units to monitor and maintain their eye health and sight. This is particularly important for clients with an acute condition.

Where appropriated we encourage people to ask for a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) as the first step to registering their sight loss.

We consequently work closely with Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs) who are specially trained sight loss advisers based in hospital eye departments who work with people of all ages affected by sight loss. They offer information, practical advice, and emotional support, and help people access the support available to them from a wide range of other organisations and services. An ECLO can help people with the certification and registration process which leads to further support and benefits.

NHS Low Vision Services

Low vision is a vision problem that makes it hard to do everyday activities. It can’t be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or other standard treatments like medicine or surgery. People may have low vision if they can’t see well enough to do things like read, drive, recognise people’s faces, tell colours apart, see their television or computer screen clearly.

All our clients are encouraged to undertake an NHS Low Vision Assessment (LVA) to assess the impact of reduced vision on a person’s everyday life.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Recommendations can be made to maximise remaining vision to overcome the challenges visual impairment can bring. This service can also provide FREE lighting and magnifiers.

Rehabilitation Services (Sensory Teams)

Where appropriate we refer our clients into the Sensory Teams of Devon and Torbay. The Rehabilitation Officer Visual Impairment (ROVI) provide assessment, advice and support to both children and adults with sight and hearing problems. They can help people to remain or become more independent.

ROVIs assess, advise and support blind and partially sighted people and are qualified to provide training in daily living skills and getting out and about (mobility). They also complete registrations as sight impaired or severely sight impaired and can visit people at home to discuss sight loss, assess their needs and provide information about services and equipment available to help.

They can also make suggestions about adaptations to people’s home environment to use lighting and colour contrast in order to help to minimise the effects of vision loss.

ROVIs can advise about support services, benefit entitlement and local groups or sources of help and they can also provide information and support to family members and carers to assist with awareness about sight loss.

Clinical Trials and Research

In partnership with The Retina Clinic London, we are keen to make our clients aware that there is a choice outside of teaching hospitals to access Clinical Trials and Research. Such trials can be an option for patients who have previously been told that there is nothing else that can be done for them, when there are no approved treatments for their retinal disease. Clinical Trials are Industry-sponsored and are usually at no cost to patients. Patients can even be reimbursed for travel and accommodation expenses.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Our Assistive Technology Partnership

Blind and partially sighted people are often digitally excluded. To address this issue, we launched our pioneering Assistive Technology Partnership with Sight and Sound Technology Limited in January 2021.

Sight and Sound offer hardware and software to the blind, partially sighted and those with learning and reading difficulties. By working with Sight and Sound we have been able to promote new technology and provide home visits for equipment demonstrations. They have also supported us at all our county wide Living Well with Sight Loss Events and annual County Conference.

Our Equipment Bursary Fund

In 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic we developed an Equipment Bursary Fund to supply our clients with some popular independent living equipment for free. This includes task lighting, talking clocks, USB audio players, Sunflower Lanyards, Devon Access Wallets and VIP badges. Funding for the Equipment Bursary comes from Trusts and Grants, individual donations, and some of the commission income from our Assistive Technology Partnership with Sight & Sound.

“The audio player you sent is working wonderfully. Thank you for your gift to me.”

“I was absolutely delighted and overwhelmed with emotion when I turned on the Task Light sent to me by Devon in Sight. I haven’t been able to read a book in over a year but by using the task light it made a real difference!”

“Devon in Sight is so wonderful and supportive. I am very fortunate to have Devon in Sight in my life. The USB player you sent me has made such a difference to my life, I look forward to listening to my books and it has helped me feel less isolated.”

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Living Well with Sight Loss Events

Our Living Well with Sight Loss Events were provided in partnership with Sight & Sound Technology to showcase the latest Assistive Technology Equipment and local services providers.

Clients received equipment demonstrations and engaged with local service providers, breaking down feelings of isolation, maintaining independence and keeping them safe in their own homes.

These community events took place in Torbay, Tavistock, Westward Ho!, Plymouth and Exeter. Fellow exhibitors included Blind Veterans UK, RNIB Technology Support Volunteers, Talking Newspapers, Sensory Team Rehabilitation Officers, local Blind Clubs, Lions Clubs, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Community Transport. These events were supported with funding from Tesco Community Grants.

“These events help give you more independence.”

“Can I just say I thought the whole Tavistock event was brilliant. It was well laid out and very useful.”

“It is lovely to feel part of a community and know you are not on your own.”

“They (Devon in Sight) give you a bit of encouragement.”

Employment Hub

Recognising the increasing number of working age clients seeking support Devon in Sight has partnered with Thomas Pocklington Trust to provide an innovative employment programme called 'Works For Me'.

Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) is a national charity which aims to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people. This new service is dedicated to supporting our clients in pursuit of paid employment, a change of career or seeking volunteering opportunities.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Devon Sight Loss Conference 2024

Our 2[nd] Conference took place at the Exeter Rougemont Hotel on Tuesday 10th September 2024. Delegates were invited to attend the 99[th] Annual General Meeting and visit a comprehensive Living Well with Sight Loss Exhibition. There were Private Consultation Rooms with the Retina Clinic London and Devon and Torbay Sensory Teams. Seminars included Retina Clinic London, Sight & Sound Technology and Stephens Scown Solicitors. We would like to extend our thanks to the sponsors.

“It was a well presented, absolutely amazing conference and the staff at Devon in Sight should be called, ‘The Absolutely Amazing Four’!”

June Brandon, Devon in Sight Client

“The Devon Sight Loss Conference was amazing. Interacting with all the other organisations and meeting with key people across the sight loss sector was brilliant, especially hearing about the trials being carried out by the Retina Clinic London. I also found the venue was really accessible.”

Tessa Williams (Eye Clinic Liaison Officer) West of England Eye Unit Sight Support Team “What a great opportunity to network. It’s great working together for the benefit of our clients and Visually Impaired listeners!”

Gill Laws, Exmouth Talking Newspapers

“What a really great networking event! We were introduced to some very interesting organisations, that we will now be working with in the future! We also met with many new clients that we were able to help with their energy needs!”

Tara Bowers, Healthy Homes Project Manager from Exeter Community Energy

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Independent Living Service

Service Outputs 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 (Note: prior year figures shown in parenthesis)

Our Assistive Technology Partnership

8* (126) Referrals were made to Sight and Sound Ltd.

£3,424 (£6,027) The value of equipment sold

£342 (£602) Commissioned income was earned

*This figure does not include people who were introduced to Sight and Sound at our Community Events.

Equipment Bursary Fund

• 139 (119) Equipment Bursary Fund Beneficiaries

349 (251) Items of Equipment were provided for free

• £3,647 (£2,029) The value of the equipment supplied

Community Living Well with Sight Loss Events

• 5 (3) Living Well with Sight Loss Events Held 124 (61) Attendees

Devon Sight Loss Conference 2024

89 (85) Delegates

• 17 (15) Organisations Exhibited

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

3. Health & Wellbeing Service

Our Health & Wellbeing Service aims to help keep our clients physically and mentally fit and safe in their own homes.

Heathier Lifestyle Choices

We can help people access support to make healthier lifestyle choices such as smoking cessation, managing alcohol, diet and supplements, sleep hygiene and exercise. Many of these choices been scientifically proven to slow down the progression of many sight loss conditions.

Emotional Wellbeing

Supporting the emotional wellbeing of people with sight loss became one of our main priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in November 2020 we set up a new Emotional Wellbeing Service with three levels of support.

Level 1 – Low Level Emotional Support

Informal support for people’s emotional wellbeing starts as soon as we pick up the phone to them. As part of our initial assessment, we identify how people are feeling and what additional support they might need.

People can access our regular telephone-based services, they can be signposted to a befriending service for regular support, they can access Talking Newspapers and books and receive our quarterly In Vision Magazine in audio or large print - all designed to improve people’s knowledge, wellbeing and increase their connection to others.

Telephone-based Peer Support Services

We provide FREE telephone-based peer support through Togetherly a telehealth platform that enables us to give those who are socially and digitally isolated the opportunity to join or weekly Chit-Chat Calls and monthly Sight Loss Speaker Seminars.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

No computers, tablets or internet connection are required, joining a group call is as simple as making a regular phone call from a landline or mobile telephone. These calls are free to all participants.

Telephone Peer Support Chit-Chat Calls

Anyone affected by sight loss, including family, friends and carers can join our regular Telephone Chit-Chat Calls. They provide a welcoming and compassionate place where callers can support one another and build confidence. This service is facilitated by a member of Devon in Sight staff providing a safe space for callers to air thoughts, share experiences and ask questions. Chit-Chat Calls break down feelings of isolation giving our clients the opportunity to meet others experiencing sight loss.

Moderating the calls can prove challenging so a set of rules were introduced to manage some behaviours and provide clearer boundaries.

“The Chit-Chat Calls are very interesting and informative.”

“It’s good for a younger generation to join the Chit-Chat Call and speak with an older generation who share their experience, knowledge and support. That way you understand what the future might hold”.

“It’s good to know you are not alone.”

“The Chit Chat Call really lifts my mood for the day”.

Telephone Sight Loss Seminars

Our programme of free monthly Telephone Sight Loss

Seminars enables people to hear from our partners across the Health and Social Care Sectors, Third Sector and others in the comfort of their own homes.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

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Trustees’ Report

These events are far from passive and are structured so that following a formal information sharing presentation; listeners can contribute by asking questions and share their lived experiences of sight loss.

Subjects covered this year included: An Introduction to Benefits (Macular Society), An Introduction to the Work of an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (West of England Eye Unit), Bringing Water to Life (South West Water), Making Rail Accessible (GWR), Ask the Devon in Sight Team, What is Glaucoma, and How Can Glaucoma UK Support You, An Introduction to the RNIB Campaign Services, Assistive Technology Update (Sight & Sound Technology, Introducing the Macular Society, Works for Me (Thomas Pocklington Trust) and How will the Digital Switch Over Affect Me? (BT).

Speaker Events increase understanding of services available and break down feelings of isolation. An archive of previous seminars is accessible through the Devon in Sight Website.

“I like that you add the recording of the Speaker Events to your website. I can access them at a convenient time to me as I am at work in the day.”

“Your Speaker Events are very good indeed. I find them very informative.”

Social Clubs for the Visually Impaired

We hold a directory of all the independent Social Clubs for the Blind and Macular Society Groups in Devon. The groups are as varied as their members are. Most meet regularly, some for a couple of hours over coffee or a pub lunch, others for longer offering a range of leisure activities including reading, entertainment, art and crafts and visits to places of interest. Sadly, there has been a huge decline in these groups in recent years largely due to difficulties recruiting volunteers and venues closing.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Talking Books, Newspapers and Magazines

We refer clients into Talking Book Services from the RNIB and Caliber Audio. We also hold a directory of local Talking Newspapers and Magazines many of which are affiliated with The Talking News Federation (TNF).

Level 2 – Emotional Wellbeing Call

Many clients are offered an Emotional Wellbeing Call where they can talk specifically about how they are feeling about living with sight loss, often for the first time, and to explore what support they would find most helpful.

We have received a steady stream of referrals into the service from our partner organisations such as Guide Dogs, RNIB, Eye Clinic Liaison Officers, Rehabilitation Officers from the Sensory Team, Social Prescribers and High Street Opticians.

Common areas of difficulties have been an unexpected diagnosis of sight loss, anxiety around their diagnosis, deterioration of sight, isolation and loneliness, or people having to deal with other issues as well such as a cancer diagnosis or a bereavement.

Very often people don’t want to burden their family and friends with their concerns and have found the support from someone outside of their immediate circle supportive and helpful. Often the process of talking to our team about how they are feeling gives people a tremendous lift and reassures them that they are not alone. The Emotional Wellbeing Call is used to triage clients who may benefit from Formal Counselling.

Level 3 – Formal Counselling

Demand for formal counselling has increased massively. We work with highly experienced counsellors who specialise in supporting people with health issues and disabilities. They have also received RNIB accredited training around sight loss awareness and counselling people with sight loss.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

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Trustees’ Report

Counselling Therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental, and respectful environment giving our clients time and space to work through their sight loss diagnosis and develop coping strategies. It helps them gain a different perspective on problems and issues, helps them regain wellbeing and balance in their lives.

Our counsellors complete an assessment before and after seeing each client (using nationally recognised measures for anxiety and depression) and these continue to demonstrate the tremendous benefit of this new service.

“My counsellor has helped me in many ways, and I feel stronger and more positive to move on.”

“Thank you for the support we have all had independently. It has helped us all.”

Children and Young People’s Counselling Service

It is very fitting that our first area of service development for our centenary year was establishing a pilot Counselling Service for Children and Young People affected by sight loss. Joining our Counselling Team was Kristy Bale, a qualified Counsellor who specialises in this area of work.

The creation of a dedicated Counselling Suite would not have been possible without the support of Devon Sight Loss Charity ‘See the Future’, the Estate of Anita Fearnside and St. George’s Freemasons Lodge, Exeter.

“Through counselling my eight-year-old daughter has learnt to deal with her emotions and fears about my sight loss. She has been able to see that the future can still be positive. I’m so grateful for the support that Devon in Sight has given our family.”

Our Sight Loss Counselling Service has been shortlisted for the National Customer Excellence Award at the Visionary Conference 2025.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight Trustees’ Report

Health & Wellbeing Service

Service Outputs 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 (Note: prior year figures shown in parenthesis)

Level 1 – Low Level Emotional Support

40 Clients received Low Level Emotional Support

Telephone Chit-Chat Calls (Peer Support)

49 Chit-Chat Calls were facilitated 415 Client contacts made (Interactions) 8-10 Clients participating each call

Telephone Sight Loss Seminars

11 Sight Loss Speaker Events hosted 80 Client contacts were made (Interactions) 5-13 Clients participating each call

Social Clubs for the Visually Impaired

18 Social Clubs were promoted by Devon in Sight

Talking Books, Newspapers and Magazines

30 Clients were referred to Local Talking Newspapers 34 Clients were referred RNIB Talking Books

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Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Trustees’ Report

Level 2 – Emotional Wellbeing Call

6 Clients received Individual Support Calls (Please note: These calls are not necessary where a referral is made by another professional service provider such as the Local Authority Sensory Teams).

Level 3 – Formal Counselling

33 (7) People were referred to a Counsellor 203 (42) Closed counselling sessions offered 27% (14%) Of beneficiaries were male 73% (86%) Of beneficiaries were female 91% (100%) Of the people who completed their therapy sessions demonstrated a clinically significant change evidencing recovery or improvement.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

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Trustees’ Report

4. Influencing Change

Influencing change on any level is difficult but it can be achieved if it is specifically targeted and well evidenced.

Our vision is to ‘make Devon a Sight Loss Friendly County’ for

people affected by sight loss. This reflects the national Visionary Vision ‘ for a world in which people living with sight loss can access the services they need at a local level where and when they need them’.

Vision for Volunteering

Devon in Sight promotes a culture of listening and participation at all levels of the charity. Keeping ‘client voice’ at the heart of our charity will ensure that we continue to do the very best for people with sight loss in Devon. Our Vision for Volunteering has seen us identify various ways that people can support the charity including those directly affected by Sight Loss. There are several roles with various levels of responsibility and commitment.

Patronage

We continue to enjoy the Patronage of Diana Devon, The Dowager Countess of Devon. She has spoken passionately about Devon in Sight on many occasions. We are proud to have her as our Patron.

Board of Trustees

Our Trustees are recruited to ensure the good governance of the organisation; and to further its charitable objectives.

Voting Membership

Devon in Sight is constituted as a Membership Charity. Voting Members can bring real benefits both to the work of the charity and for society more generally. Voting Members take an active role in our AGM.

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Devon County Association for the Blind

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Trustees’ Report

Sight Loss Ambassadors

Our Sight Loss Ambassadors are a group of volunteers with lived experience of sight loss who can represent Devon in Sight helping us raise the profile of sight loss with the public. They include Barry Goodfellow (The Blind Artist), Andrew Hesser (The Blind Gardener), Trish Sail (Winner of Season 3 of BBC TV’s Race Across the World) and Mr Steve Darling MP (Member of Parliament for Torbay).

Devon Sight Loss Forum

Our Devon Sight Loss Forum has proved to be an invaluable opportunity for people affected by sight loss to influence change within our charity, health and social care and wider public services in Devon.

Our current focus has been on gathering visually impaired people’s experiences of accessing GP appointments, and hospital Inpatient and outpatient experiences.

Community Fundraising Volunteers

We have seen an increasing number of people affected by sight loss participating in community fundraising events this year. Most notably our Jump for Sight (Parachute Jumps) for 2024.

Community Champion Awards

Our Community Champion Awards highlight the excellent service given to our clients by individuals and organisations. This is good publicity and raises awareness of the needs of people with little or no sight with the public. It also raises awareness of sight loss within local businesses.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

During October 2024, three of Devon in Sight’s trustees conducted our randomised biennial Customer Satisfaction Survey. The survey is one of the tools that we use to inform Devon in Sight’s Strategic Priorities and allows us to make changes to services, if required.

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Whilst we received excellent feedback, it was disappointing to learn that many clients still live under the misconception that we are affiliated and therefore funded by national charities or receive statutory funding. This is not the case. The Executive Summary is available on our website.

Influencing Change

Consortia

Devon in Sight is the founding member of the South West Regional Group of Visionary. Visionary is the national membership organisation for local sight loss charities. Membership gives us voice at a national level and the opportunity for staff to engage at the national conference in Birmingham.

The Joint Strategic Eye Health Needs Assessment (JSEHNA) We were delighted to be invited by the Devon Local Optical Committee (LOC) to take the lead on creating an Eye Health Needs Assessment for Devon. The initial work to update statistics has been completed. We are now entering the consultation stage with our partners in Health & Social Care.

Green Paper Consultation - Personal Independence Payments

We attended a Green Paper meeting with the Rt Hon Martin Wrigley and partners, including Devon Carers, local support groups, and Citizens Advice, to discuss proposed changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system. Our contribution ensured that the voice of people with sight loss was heard in shaping future policy.

Community Engagement

The Devon County Show 2024

A key theme of the 2024 Devon County Show was inclusivity and accessibility. It was therefore a huge honour to be approached to provide a Sensory Garden Experience for the show in the prestigious Crafts & Horticulture Marquee.

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Our CEO’s vision was realised with the help of Mr Stuart Barker, The BBC Sound Effects Library, Devon County Agricultural Association, Iron in the Blood, In Focus, Lady Diana Devon, Lakeway Ecological Consultancy Ltd., Marilyn Minter-Newson, See the Future, Shields Buildings, Stalite Signs, St. Bridget Nurseries, Mrs Ann Wilson and the Devon in Sight Team. The garden was opened by our Patron Lady Diana Devon and won the Feature Garden Large Gold Medal.

Campaigns & Consultancy

Devon in Sight has been actively engaging with a range of partners, organisations, and decision-makers to promote awareness of sight loss and to advocate for the needs of those living with visual impairment. The addition of Mandy Darling to the staff team as Community Engagement Officer has enabled us to represent people living with sight loss on a wider scale. Her lived experience of sight loss has proved invaluable.

Seeing in the New Year Campaign 2025

We launched our first ‘Seeing in the New Year Campaign’ in December 2013. Devised by our CEO the premise is simple. ‘Seeing in the New Year’ promotes the importance of regular eye tests for everyone and encourages everyone to make a New Year’s Resolution to book an eye test.

NaviLens Trial at Saltram House

Many blind and partly sighted people have difficulty using traditional signage and therefore find it a challenge to be autonomous in unfamiliar environments. The National Trust’s Saltram House in Plymouth became the first outdoor cultural site on mainland UK to trial the use of a pioneering navigational app for partially sighted visitors. NaviLens is a free navigation app which can help give greater independence and freedom for users to navigate their way around places with less or even no aid.

Sight Loss Adviser Louise Millington took the lead in arranging a group from Devon in Sight took part in the trail giving feedback on how the application could be improved for national rollout. Saltram House has subsequently secured significant National Lottery Funding to expand the project.

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National Technology Partnership Meeting

We attended a national meeting at Westminster involving major technology companies, including Google, Meta, and the Be My Eyes platform. The focus was on advancing technology solutions to support those living with sight loss, ensuring innovations are inclusive, practical, and user-led.

Audio Description for Television Streaming Services

We played a key role in recent studies looking at audio description for streamed television services and the value of this to those with sight loss.

Cardiology Services in Devon

We had a presence at the Overview and Scrutiny Meeting with the Integrated Care Board, reviewing cardiology services in Torbay and across Devon. Recognising that many individuals with sight loss also experience cardiac conditions, we advocated for local integrated, accessible healthcare pathways.

Exeter Airport - Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) Group Devon in Sight continues to contribute to discussions within the Exeter PRM Group at Exeter Airport, ensuring that the needs of passengers with sight loss are recognised and met. This involvement supports the ongoing development of accessible travel services and facilities. The work of this group was showcased recently at the International Conference on Dementia in Plymouth run by Angela Rippon and Ian Sherriff.

Accessible Street Design

Devon in Sight has joined a national street accessibility study, contributing valuable insight to the project. As part of the research, tactile models of street layouts were delivered to the office, allowing staff and service users to explore the designs through touch. This hands-on approach ensures that accessibility considerations are informed by real-world experiences of people with sight loss.

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Exeter Floating Bus Stops

Devon in Sight is working closely with Devon County Council, the developers, Guide Dogs, RNIB, and local sight loss groups to address accessibility concerns on Rifford Road in Exeter. The partnership is focusing on ensuring that, where a floating bus stop has been installed, the vicinity includes safe and clearly designed crossing points over cycle lanes for people with sight loss. This collaborative work is ongoing, with all parties committed to creating a safer and more inclusive environment.

The Pheonix Fountain

A central element of Plymouth City Council’s Armada Way Regeneration Project is the Phoenix Fountain. Our Sight Loss Adviser Louise Millington has been working with the architects on some braille elements of the design.

Training

‘Sight Wise’ CPD Accredited Sight Loss Awareness Training Our Disability Awareness Training for Public and Community Bus Drivers had been renewed for another year by Devon County Council. We continue to receive excellent feedback from clients regarding the increased sight loss awareness of bus drivers across Devon.

We are now working on a CPD Sight Loss Awareness Course which can be tailored to hospital staff, residential and nursing home staff, Dentistry and High Street Optometry in partnership with Devon Local Optical Committee.

Training for Senior Clinical Staff

We delivered specialist training to senior clinical staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter University Hospital, focusing on how to effectively approach and communicate with patients living with sight loss. This training aimed to improve patient experience, ensure greater accessibility, and foster confidence among healthcare professionals

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in supporting those with visual impairments. This has progressed from 1 training session to 3 annually.

The negative experiences of our late friend David Gailey at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital led the creation of a hospital bed notice for visually impaired patients admitted to hospital wards.

We are now working with the hospital to improve the inpatient experience for patients with little or no sight and partnership working In partnership with The West of England Eye Unit for patients accessing all departments around sight loss awareness and accessible information standards.

Professional Visitors

Our local Sensory Teams, Eye Clinic Liaison Officers and trainee opticians have sent new staff and trainees to us to understand the services we provide to clients, families and carers whose life has been affected by sight loss. We have also become an Agency for Placement Counsellors to support them obtain their qualification.

EYESReality

The EYESReality Visual Impairment Simulator allows us to simulate more than 20 different pathologies and symptoms in a real environment: Bringing to life the difficulties and challenges faced by people with visual impairments to a sighted audience. This is a particularly important tool for sighted family members and decision makers. This equipment was only made possible through the support of The Hedley Foundation.

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Devon County Association for the Blind known as Devon in Sight Trustees’ Report

Influencing Change Service Outputs 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025

Our Voting Membership

141 Registered Voting Members

The Devon Sight Loss Forum

9 Registered Sight Loss Forum Members Disability Awareness Training Public & Community Transport

To date:

37 Public and Community Transport providers targeted 1,593 Bus Driver Disability Awareness Manuals Distributed 54 Individuals have completed the on-Line CPD Course.

Community Champion Award Nominations

6 People from 6 organisations were nominated for a Community Champion Award during the year.

Sight Loss Ambassadors

• 4 Registered Sight Loss Ambassadors

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Client Demographics

Of the 1,509 clients on the Database during the period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025:

Age

1%	(1%)	were under 24
13%	(17%)	were 25 to 64
58%	(68%)	were over 65 years of age
28%	(14%)	Prefer not to say

Gender

nder
63%	(65%)	Female
33%	(35%)	Male
4%	-	Unknown

Ethnicity
98%	(98%)	Identified themselves as being White British
1%	(1%)	White Irish
1%	(1%)	As White ‘Other’

None of our clients identified themselves as being from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Communities.

Sexuality

Only one of our clients identified themselves as being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

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Sight Conditions

The main presenting sight conditions were:

39% Macular Disease 3% Retinitis Pigmentosa 7% Glaucoma 4% Cataract 2% Diabetic Retinopathy 45% Other Conditions

Percentage of People Registered by District:

25% (27%) East Devon (379) 12% (11%) Teignbridge (184) 19% (20%) Exeter (294) 10% (12%) Torbay (156) 8% (11%) Mid Devon (128) 1% (1%) Torridge (14) 4% (3%) North Devon (58) 6% (7%) West Devon (97) 2% (2%) Plymouth (29) 2% (2%) Out of Devon (31) 4% (4%) South Hams (66) 7% Unknown (73)

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5. Charity Management Services

As well as our core public service offer, we also have Charity Management Services. This covers the charity’s governance and compliance, strategic development, income generation, human resources including staff and volunteer development and training, facilities management, finance, administration and accreditation.

Governance and Compliance

We have known that our longstanding Chair Dr Adrian Jacobs would have to stand down at the 2025 AGM. We would like to thank Adrian for his wisdom and encouragement over many years.

His successor Scott Hayes-Bailey has been a trustee since 2018. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the private and statutory sector. He was previously Business Development Manager of the Medical Eye Clinic in Exeter and worked in several different roles with NEW Devon NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, including as a lead on Ophthalmology.

We are pleased to announce that Mrs Alvis Merrall-Spiers, a person with lived experience of sight loss will be joining the Board formally at our 2025 AGM. This is not a token position as the person concerned has extensive experience as a qualified social worker, therapist and senior management roles prior to her retirement.

Strategic Development

Our Strategic Priorities for 2026 – 2028 were agreed at our Board Meeting on 24[th] July 2025 (See below).

Finance & Risk Management

See Finance Report.

Human Resources

Succession Planning

In December 2024 we saw the retirement of long-term employee Office Manager Jennie Benham after many years’ service. She will be remembered fondly by us all.

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Sarah Small arrived in January 2025 and in a short period of time has made her mark particularly with her extensive administrative and marketing skills.

Staff Training and Development

The charity invested in training through our membership of the Helplines Partnership to ensure that the staff have the tools needed to support callers to the helpline.

Our new Office Manager has completed a Level 2 Certificate in Digital Promotion for Business. We have seen a dramatic increase in social media posts promoting our work.

Our new Community Engagement Officer has become a member of the Institute of Fundraising and is engaging in additional training.

Our Sight Loss Adviser and Community Engagement Officer will be attending the National Visionary Conference as part of their development.

Employee Assistance Programme

Our staff have access to a 24/7 support service to ensure that they can receive independent, confidential support when required.

Complaints and Compliments

We are pleased to report we received no complaints during this financial year.

We continue to receive encouraging comments and compliments about the work that we do.

Safeguarding

Concern for the safety of two of our clients resulted in referrals to the Devon Safeguarding Team. The matters were investigated fully.

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Facilities Management

This year has seen the replacement of some older personal computers, upgrade to our photocopier, telephone system and internet supplier. This is particularly important for remote working.

Counselling Suite

In January 2025 were pleased to be able to create a formal counselling suite at Splatford Barton to allow face-to-face Counselling Therapy. This would not have been possible without the support of Devon charity See the future, the Estate of Anita Fearnside and St. George’s Freemasons Lodge No.112 (Exeter).

Accreditation

In August 2024 we were delighted to hear that Devon in Sight had maintained its Department of Education Matrix Standard Accreditation , the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and guidance (IAG).

This independent evaluation confirmed that at the heart of highquality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service, and a focus on continuous improvement. Our ongoing accreditation confirms that Devon in Sight is working to provide the best possible support to our clients.

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Our Strategic Priorities 2026 - 2028

Our strategy is defined by the views and needs of people with sight loss, and our services will reflect what they identify as important to them. At the Board Meeting on 24[th] July 2025, we revised and updated our Strategic Priorities for the next three years.

Priority 1: Supporting People affected by Sight Loss

• We will support people to navigate the complexities of the Adult Eye Health and Sight Loss Pathway by providing quality information, advice and guidance on accessing relevant service providers including Health and Social Care, the Third Sector and Community Groups.

• We will empower independence, equipping people with the necessary skills, knowledge, equipment and support to make their own choices, manage their lives, and participate fully in their communities, work and education.

• We will enhance the health and emotional wellbeing of our clients by encouraging them to make healthy lifestyle choices, engage with peer support and provide emotional support and counselling services where appropriate.

• We recognise the crucial role of families and carers and will provide them with the support they need.

Priority 2: Awareness and Prevention of Sight Loss

• We will continue to highlight initiatives aimed at preventing avoidable sight loss through public awareness campaigns, early detection programs, and access to timely treatment.

• We will continue to promote eye health , educating the public about good eye health and the importance of regular eye exams and healthy lifestyle choices.

• We will inform patient choice by highlighting Clinical Trials and Research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of sight loss.

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Priority 3: Advocating for Change (Making Devon a Sight Loss Friendly County).

• We will continue to advocate for change locally, regionally and nationally for policy changes and creating a more inclusive society for people with sight loss.

• Equal and timely access to support and services should be available to everyone newly diagnosed or living with sight loss in Devon.

• We will continue to develop formal strategic partnerships with key Statutory and Voluntary Sector partners strengthening referral pathways and partnership working to achieve this. We will help them understand and address the needs of people living with sight loss in the provision of effective statutory services. We will work together to ensure greater consistency, good practice and reduced duplication of services for people living with sight loss.

• We will identify gaps in service provision for people affected by sight loss in Devon and pilot initiatives that will make life easier for more of the population living with sight loss.

• We will continue to develop information resources and/or services which tackle digital exclusion, accessible information, accessible transport, mental health support for younger people transitioning into adult services, employment, and carers.

• We will raise awareness and understanding of sight loss and its impact with the public and service providers through our ‘Sight Wise’ Initiative.

• We will build partnerships and collaborations with other organisations, healthcare providers, and government bodies to achieve common goals.

• We will continue our efforts to embed Devon in Sight’s services locally in The Adult Eye Health and Sight Loss Pathway in partnership with the Devon Local Optical Committee.

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• We will continue to investigate ways that we can support young people and their families around emotional wellbeing and accessing further education or employment.

Priority 4: Building a Strong Foundation

• We will continue to invest in the charity's long-term financial sustainability, governance, operational effectiveness and ability to adapt to changing needs.

• We will continue our broad fundraising strategy, developing Individual Giving, Trusts and Grants, Business & Corporate Fundraising, Community Fundraising and developing CPD accredited training packages.

• We will ensure that our reserves are used wisely to support the charity’s operations and development.

• We will reinforce to our benefactors that we receive no statutory funding our services and that we are not affiliated with any national charity.

• We will continue to invest in quality staff and volunteers to deliver high-quality services and advocate for the wider sight loss community.

• We are committed to measuring and demonstrating the impact of our work.

Our Outcomes

Those directly affected by sight loss (including children and young people) will:

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

• Understand how to make the most of their remaining sight.

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• Remain as independent as possible, able to look after themselves and their family.

• Be part of their community and play an active role in it if they wish.

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

• Be able to gain enter further education and employment.

We will make sure that people have:

• Influence over the services which affect them and others living with sight loss.

• Support to improve their health and emotional wellbeing.

• Access to the right benefits and be able to maintain control of finances and plan for the future.

• Support to access further education, employment and volunteering opportunities.

• Opportunities to make connections with others living with sight loss.

• Finally, we aim to make sure that everyone affected by sight loss has someone to talk to, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

We will review progress against our Three-Year Strategic Priorities annually.

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I couldn’t be prouder of what the team at Devon in Sight has achieved to realise our wish ‘to make Devon a Sight Loss Friendly County’.

Grahame Flynn Chief Executive Officer

18 September 2025

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Financial Review

by Steve Muncer, Honorary Treasurer

Review of the Financial Year 2024/25

(Note: prior year figures shown in parenthesis)

2024/25 has been another year when we have used our reserves to support ongoing services which has resulted in an annual deficit of £67,653 compared to a prior year surplus of £24,989.

Income at £205,617 has fallen by nearly 19%, £47,213, because of the absence of any new commissioned work in the year and £18,258 from lower legacy receipts. There was some partial mitigation, with less resources on commissioned work we were able to concentrate efforts elsewhere and increased monies received from Trust and Grants, fundraising and donations. Investment income including interest received on deposits was also up on the prior year.

Our largest source of income was legacies where we received £124,902 (£143,160) in the year. This figure included a further instalment of £50,000 from the Anita Fearnside and £74,717 from John Redvers Turner estates. Over the last three years we have received £500,000 from Mrs Fearnside estate which, together with other legacies, has given us the headroom to continue to fund current service levels despite fluctuating income elsewhere.

Expenditure in 2024/25 was £267,264, a 15% increase compared to the prior year £231,925, with staff costs remaining by far the biggest element of our cost base. The main drivers to the higher expenditure are £29,029 staff costs, with pay awards and the full year effect of 5 headcount and £8,786 additional counselling costs. Savings from nonrecurring commissioned work have largely been offset by additional costs on the Annual Sight Loss Conference and Devon County Show both of which were fully funded.

The deficit in the year includes a loss on investments of £6,006 compared to a surplus of £4,151 in the prior year. All this loss is unrealised and has been more than recouped in the 1st quarter of the new financial year.

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Capital expenditure in the year was £6,287 (£3,110) on updated Personal computers, a laptop and an EYESReality Simulator.

Total funds at the year-end stood at £598,333 (£665,986) and comprised furniture and equipment of just £8,525 (£3,898) and liquid reserves of £589,808 (£662,088). There were no remaining restricted funds at the year end.

Although diminishing, our current reserves reflect the sale of our previous offices in Topsham and the significant legacy monies we have received over the last three years. Together these non-recurring events have contributed over £900,000 to our liquid reserves and enabled us to continue to fund existing services. However, the scale of our liquid reserves continues to present challenges for future fundraising as we can’t rely on large windfalls and need to continue to seek reliable and ongoing sources of funds.

Funding

Funding our services remains key and we would like to thank all our funders, sponsors and donors for their support, especially the following:

Janet Baker, Stuart Barker, The Clare Milne Trust, Deliah Kennedy, Devon County Agricultural Association, The Friends of Devon in Sight, The Hedley Foundation, Jump for Sight (Sky Dive) volunteers, The Retina Clinic London, See the Future, Sight & Sound Technology Ltd., and Tesco Community Grants.

Lastly, we wish to pass on our sincere thanks to the friends and family of Mrs Anita Fearnside and John Redvers Turner for their most generous legacies and those who arranged in memoriam collections.

Our Reserves Policy

There has been no change in our reserve policy in the year and we continue with a minimum level of 12 months operating costs.

With the earlier proceeds from the sale of our office and recent large legacies we are conscious that our liquid reserves are comparatively strong. However, we no longer have the security of owning our own building and have no statutory funding or guaranteed income streams.

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We currently have underlying losses of around £125,000 per annum and the Trustees recognise that we will continue to run down reserves over the next few years to both subsidise existing services and also to provide match/seed funding to make us more attractive to potential future funders.

Our Designated Funds

Trustees have reviewed existing and new designated funds as follows: -

Building Fund

During 2018/19 the Trustees disposed of our previously owned property in Topsham and moved into rented accommodation at Splatford Barton. Our 6-year lease expired in July 2024 and we explored various options including purchasing and relocating to alternative premises. Although we eventually decided to remain at Splatford Barton and renew our lease for a further 6 years we still think it is sensible to keep the existing £250,000 designated fund.

Redundancy Fund

Whilst not an immediate issue the Trustees believe that it is prudent to set aside monies within the general reserve for potential redundancy costs if the charity were ever to close. With lower projected costs as a result of more recently appointed staff the value of the designated fund has been reduced from £40,000 to £35,000.

Service Support Fund

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed our vulnerability to external influences on the charity, driving up demand at the same time as adversely affecting both income and costs. Although that particular risk has faded we are nevertheless cognisant that we may need additional capacity to react to potential future external events that have a major negative impact on the charity being able to maintain its core services. The Trustees believe that this designated fund should be maintained at £50,000.

Match/Seed fund

We are heavily reliant on attracting Trust and Grant funders. It is a very competitive market, not helped by our current level of liquid reserves. We believe that if we demonstrate that we were

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prepared to provide either our own seed or match funding we would be better placed to attract additional external funding. As a minimum the Trustees consider that this fund ought to be maintained at £50,000.

Our Investment Policy

No change has been made in the year to the investment policy. The overall objective is to create sufficient income and capital growth from the investments to enable the charity, with its other income streams, to carry out its purposes on a consistent basis with minimum adverse effect on the overall value of the retained invested funds.

These objectives are achieved by investing prudently in a collective range of fixed securities and equities. The investments are managed on our behalf on a discretionary basis within the risk profiles agreed by the Trustees by professional advisors Rowan Dartington.

Previous risk assessments have resulted in two portfolios, a Balanced low to medium risk portfolio which majors on income generation with some capital growth and a medium risk Ethical Fund primarily seeking capital growth. The risk assessment was last carried out in April 2024 and confirmed we should continue with the same two portfolios. At the year end the split between the Balanced and Ethical funds was 39%:61% respectively.

The performance of the two funds is kept under continuous review. The returns in the year were disappointing but there has been a definite turnaround in the first half of the new year. However, as equity returns remain uncertain and interest rates have been relatively high we have continued to hold over 40% of our reserves in fixed term notice accounts.

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Our Risk Management Policy

The Senior Management Team and Trustees are currently reviewing and updating the risk register and hope to complete over the coming months.

Approved by the Board on 18th September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

……………………………….

Mr S Muncer Honorary Treasurer

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Small companies provision statement

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 18 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Dr A Jacobs Chairman and trustee

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Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of Devon County Association for the Blind for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 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 its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can 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.

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

Approved by the trustees of the charity on 18 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Dr A Jacobs Chairman and trustee

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Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Devon County Association for the Blind ('the Company')

I 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’s 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 charity’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

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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Devon County Association for the Blind 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)].

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.

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Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Devon County Association for the Blind ('the Company')

...................................... Keith Tuvey FCCA Redwoods Chartered Certified Accountants

2 Clyst Works Clyst Road Topsham Exeter EX3 0DB

18 September 2025

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Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Current financial year Note Unrestricted funds £ Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 162,109 Charitable activities 4 1,261 Other trading activities 5 12,736 Investment income 6 19,831 Other income 7 5,000 Total income 200,937 Expenditure on: Raising funds 8 (60,639) Charitable activities 9 (189,280) Total expenditure (249,919) Gains/(losses) on investment assets (6,006) Net expenditure (54,988) Transfers between funds (8,630) Net movement in funds (63,618) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 661,951 Total funds carried forward 23 598,333	Restricted funds £ 4,680 - - - - 4,680 (3,013) (14,332) (17,345) - (12,665) 8,630 (4,035) 4,035 -	Total 2025 £ 166,789 1,261 12,736 19,831 5,000
		205,617
		(63,652) (203,612)
		(267,264) (6,006)
		(67,653) -
		(67,653) 665,986
		598,333

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known as Devon in Sight

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Prior financial year Note Unrestricted funds £ Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 175,818 Charitable activities 4 48,474 Other trading activities 5 5,837 Investment income 6 17,634 Other income 7 5,000 Total income 252,763 Expenditure on: Raising funds 8 (40,926) Charitable activities 9 (185,441) Total expenditure (226,367) Gains/(losses) on investment assets 4,151 Net income/(expenditure) 30,547 Net movement in funds 30,547 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 631,404 Total funds carried forward 23 661,951	Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - (5,558) (5,558) - (5,558) (5,558) 9,593 4,035	Total 2024 £ (As restated) 175,818 48,474 5,837 17,634 5,000
		252,763
		(40,926) (190,999)
		(231,925) 4,151
		24,989
		24,989 640,997
		665,986

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 23.

The notes on pages 54 to 83 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 51

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

(Registration number: 07371472) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 17 Investments 18 Current assets Debtors 19 Cash at bank and in hand 20 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 21 Net current assets Net assets Funds of the charity: Restricted income funds Restricted funds 23 Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 23	2025 £ 8,525 301,462 309,987 6,599 293,058 299,657 (11,311) 288,346 598,333 - 598,333 598,333	2024 £ 3,898 287,294
		291,192
		114,304 271,241
		385,545 (10,751)
		374,794
		665,986
		4,035 661,951
		665,986

The notes on pages 54 to 83 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 52

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

(Registration number: 07371472) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

For the financial year ending 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

• The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and

• 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 on pages 50 to 83 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 18 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Dr A Jacobs Chairman and trustee

The notes on pages 54 to 83 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 53

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1 Charity status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Unit 3 Splatford Barton Splatford Land Kennford Exeter Devon EX6 7XY

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 18 September 2025.

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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)) (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.

Basis of preparation

Devon County Association for the Blind 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 notes.

The accounts are presented in £ Sterling and are rounded to the nearest £1.

Page 54

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.

Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement

The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.

Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Page 55

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Deferred income

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:

• The donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or - The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.

Investment income

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Raising funds

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Page 56

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class	Depreciation method and rate
Furniture and office equipment	15% straight line basis
Fixtures and fittings	10% straight line basis
Freehold interest in land and buildings	2% straight line basis

Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.

Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.

Page 57

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

Page 58

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Foreign exchange

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at that date.

The results of overseas operations are translated at the average rates of exchange during the period and their balance sheets at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on translation of the opening net assets and results of overseas operations are reported in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity (attributed to non-controlling interests as appropriate).

Other exchange differences are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they arise except for:

1) exchange differences on transactions entered into to hedge certain foreign currency risks (see above);

2) exchange differences arising on gains or losses on non-monetary items which are recognised in other comprehensive income; and

3) in the case of the consolidated financial statements, exchange differences on monetary items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur (therefore forming part of the net investment in the foreign operation), which are recognised in other comprehensive income and reported under equity.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Page 59

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Financial instruments

Classification

The company only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities, such as trade and other accounts receivable and payable and loans from banks/other third parties.

Recognition and measurement

Debt instruments like loans are initially measured at present value of the future payments and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Debt instruments that are payable or receivable within one year, typically trade payable or receivables, are measured initially and subsequently, at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received. In the case of a non current liability not at a market rate of interest, the financial liability is measured initially and subsequently at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Page 60

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Impairment

Financial assets that are measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows, discounted at the assets original effective interest rate.

For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset’s carrying amount and the best estimate, which is an approximation, of the amount that the company would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the statement of financial position when there is an enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Page 61

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Debt instruments

Debt instruments which meet the following conditions are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method:

(a) The contractual return to the holder is (i) a fixed amount; (ii) a positive fixed rate or a positive variable rate; or (iii) a combination of a positive or a negative fixed rate and a positive variable rate.

(b) The contract may provide for repayments of the principal or the return to the holder (but not both) to be linked to a single relevant observable index of general price inflation of the currency in which the debt instrument is denominated, provided such links are not leveraged.

(c) The contract may provide for a determinable variation of the return to the holder during the life of the instrument, provided that (i) the new rate satisfies condition (a) and the variation is not contingent on future events other than (1) a change of a contractual variable rate; (2) to protect the holder against credit deterioration of the issuer; (3) changes in levies applied by a central bank or arising from changes in relevant taxation or law; or (ii) the new rate is a market rate of interest and satisfies condition (a).

(d) There is no contractual provision that could, by its terms, result in the holder losing the principal amount or any interest attributable to the current period or prior periods.

(e) Contractual provisions that permit the issuer to prepay a debt instrument or permit the holder to put it back to the issuer before maturity are not contingent on future events, other than to protect the holder against the credit deterioration of the issuer or a change in control of the issuer, or to protect the holder or issuer against changes in levies applied by a central bank or arising from changes in relevant taxation or law.

Investments

Investments in non-convertible preference shares and non-puttable ordinary or preference shares (where shares are publicly traded or their fair value is reliably measurable) are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Where fair value cannot be measured reliably, investments are measured at cost less impairment.

Investments in subsidiaries and associates are measured at cost less impairment. For investments in subsidiaries acquired for consideration including the issue of shares qualifying for merger relief, cost is measured by reference to the nominal value of the shares issued plus fair value of other consideration. Any premium is ignored.

Page 62

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Derivative financial instruments

The charity uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to foreign exchange risk and interest rate movements. The charity does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at each reporting date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in statement of financial activities immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in statement of financial activities depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.

Fair value measurement

The best evidence of fair value is a quoted price for an identical asset in an active market. When quoted prices are unavailable, the price of a recent transaction for an identical asset provides evidence of fair value as long as there has not been a significant change in economic circumstances or a significant lapse of time since the transaction took place. If the market is not active and recent transactions of an identical asset on their own are not a good estimate of fair value, the fair value is estimated by using a valuation technique.

Page 63

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted funds Restricted General £ funds £ Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals 12,707 880 Legacies 124,902 - Grants, including capital grants; Grants from other charities 24,500 3,800 162,109 4,680 4 Income from charitable activities Unrestricted funds General £ Commissioned work 1,261 5 Income from other trading activities Unrestricted funds General £ Events income; Annual show and AGM 6,424 Local fundraising income 6,312 Advertising and commission income - 12,736	Total 2025 £ 13,587 124,902 28,300 166,789 Total 2025 £ 1,261 Total funds £ 6,424 6,312 - 12,736	Total 2024 £ 9,107 143,160 23,551
		175,818
		Total 2024 £ 48,474
		Total 2024 £ (As restated) 4,050 989 798
		5,837

Page 64

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

6 Investment income

Unrestricted funds General £ Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits 11,233 Other income from fixed asset investments 8,598 19,831 7 Other income Unrestricted funds General £ UK Government grants - employment allowance 5,000	Total 2025 £ 11,233 8,598 19,831 Total 2025 £ 5,000	Total 2024 £ 9,141 8,493
		17,634
		Total 2024 £ 5,000

Page 65

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

8 Expenditure on raising funds

a) Costs of generating donations and legacies

Costs of generating donations and legacies	Direct costs £ 51,906	Allocated support costs £ 6,964	Total 2025 £ 58,870	Total 2024 £ 36,331

b) Investment management costs

Unrestricted funds Note General £ Other investment management costs; Other portfolio management costs 4,782 4,782	Total 2025 £ 4,782 4,782	Total 2024 £ 4,595
		4,595

Page 66

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

9 Expenditure on charitable activities

Information advice and guidance Independent living Health and wellbeing Influencing change Information advice and guidance Independent living Health and wellbeing Influencing change Commissioned work	Activity undertaken directly £ 50,743 46,328 47,359 35,472 179,902 Activity undertaken directly £ 44,523 41,177 16,006 30,954 24,091 156,751	Activity support costs £ 6,774 6,511 5,535 4,890 23,710 Activity support costs £ 8,770 10,024 4,177 6,683 4,594 34,248	2025 £ 57,517 52,839 52,894 40,362
			203,612
			2024 £ 53,293 51,201 20,183 37,637 28,685
			190,999

In addition to the expenditure analysed above, there are also governance costs of £6,424 (2024 - £5,457) which relate directly to charitable activities. See note 10 for further details.

Page 67

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

10Analysis of governance and support costs

Basis of allocation

Reference Method of allocation A Costs associated with fundraising B Costs allocated on the basis of management assessment

Support costs allocated to raising funds

Basis of allocation Governance costs £ Fundraising A 1,457 Basis of allocation Governance costs £ Fundraising A 982	Info technology £ 73 Info technology £ 640	Staff costs £ 4,286 Staff costs £ 28,540	Admin costs £ Premises including depreciation £ 264 542 Admin costs £ Premises including depreciation £ 2,063 3,671	Other support costs £ 342 Other support costs £ 268	Total 2025 £ 6,964
					Total 2024 £ 36,164

Page 68

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Support costs allocated to charitable activities

Basis of allocation Governance costs £ Information advice and guidance B 1,419 Independent living B 1,364 Health and wellbeing B 1,159 Influencing change B 1,024 4,966 Basis of allocation Governance costs £ Information advice and guidance B 1,146 Independent living B 1,310 Health and wellbeing B 546 Influencing change B 873 Commissioned work B 600 4,475	Info technology £ 71 68 58 51 248 Info technology £ 106 121 50 80 55 412	Staff costs £ 4,169 4,006 3,406 3,009 14,590 Staff costs £ 6,259 7,153 2,981 4,769 3,279 24,441	Admin costs £ Premises including depreciation £ 256 527 246 506 210 431 185 380 897 1,844 Admin costs £ Premises including depreciation £ 341 606 389 692 162 289 260 462 178 317 1,330 2,366	Other support costs £ 333 320 272 240 1,165 Other support costs £ 314 359 149 239 164 1,225	Total 2025 £ 6,775 6,510 5,536 4,889
					23,710
					Total 2024 £ 8,772 10,024 4,177 6,683 4,593
					34,249

Page 69

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Governance costs

Governance costs
Unrestricted funds General £ Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements 3,720 Trustees remuneration and expenses 69 Marketing and publicity 1,307 Other governance costs 1,328 6,424	Total 2025 £ 3,720 69 1,307 1,328 6,424	Total 2024 £ 3,420 228 549 1,260
		5,457

Page 70

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

11Total resources expended

Emotional support costs Equipment donations Wages, agency staff and training Accreditation-Matrix/CPD Commissioned work Premises costs Office and IT costs Sight loss events Volunteers travel Trustee expenses and travel Fundraising and DC Show In Vision Magazine Promotional and AGM Independent examiners fees Insurance Legal and professional Depreciation and loss on disposal	Direct charitable activity Direct fundraising Indirect charitable expenditure Governance £ £ £ £ 11,646 - - - 3,087 - - - 123,973 37,378 18,680 - - - - - - 1,231 - - 15,786 4,637 2,223 - 10,517 3,089 1,481 - 1,237 - - - 405 119 57 - - - 1,450 69 - 4,703 - - 6,781 - - - 5,313 409 196 1,307 - - - 3,720 - - - 1,328 - 4,782 - - 1,157 340 163 - 179,902 56,688 24,250 6,424	Total 2025 £ 11,646 3,087 180,031 - 1,231 22,646 15,087 1,237 581 1,519 4,703 6,781 7,225 3,720 1,328 4,782 1,660 267,264	Total 2024 £ 2,860 3,795 151,002 2,288 7,658 19,276 15,067 - 581 1,141 167 8,088 9,542 3,420 1,260 4,595 1,185
			231,925

Page 71

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

12Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net (outgoing)/incoming resources for the year include:

Depreciation of fixed assets

2025 £ 1,660	2024 £ 1,186

13Trustees remuneration and expenses

During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees:

Dr D W Adams

£Nil (2024: £126) of expenses were reimbursed to Dr D W Adams during the year.

Amounts reimbursed for travel expenses

Mrs M Minter-Newson

£558 (2024: £103) of expenses were reimbursed to Mrs M Minter-Newson during the year.

Amounts reimbursed for travel expenses

Mr Paul Hannan

£104 (2024: £Nil) of expenses were reimbursed to Mr Paul Hannan during the year.

Amounts reimbursed for travel expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any other benefits from the charity during the year.

14Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs	2025 £ 157,440 15,450 4,589 177,479	2024 £ 134,367 12,507 3,810
		150,684

Page 72

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

follows:
	2025		2024
	No		No
Charitable activities		5		4

5 (2024 - 4) of the above employees participated in the Defined Contribution Pension Schemes.

Contributions to the employee pension schemes for the year totalled £4,589 (2024 - £3,010).

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

15Independent examiner's remuneration

Examination of the financial statements	2025 £ 3,720	2024 £ 3,420

16Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

Page 73

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

17Tangible fixed assets

Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024	Furniture and equipment £ 10,197 6,287 16,484 6,299 1,660 7,959 8,525 3,898	Total £ 10,197 6,287
		16,484
		6,299 1,660
		7,959
		8,525
		3,898

Page 74

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

18Fixed asset investments

Other investments

Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2024 Revaluation Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024	Listed investments £ 287,293 (10,167) 120,926 (96,590) 301,462 301,462 287,293	Total £ 287,293 (10,167) 120,926 (96,590)
		301,462
		301,462
		287,293

The market value of the listed investments at	31 March 2025 was	£301,462 (2024 -	£301,462 (2024 -
£287,294).
19Debtors
	2025		2024
	£		£
Accrued income	6,599		114,304
20Cash and cash equivalents
	2025		2024
	£		£
Cash on hand		80	130
Cash at bank	292,978		271,111
	293,058		271,241

Page 75

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

21Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

21Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals Deferred income Deferred income at 1 April 2024 Resources deferred in the period Amounts released from previous periods Deferred income at year end	2025 £ 3,376 4,395 3,540 - 11,311 2025 £ 2,500 (2,500) - -	2024 £ 3,343 1,548 3,360 2,500
		10,751
		2024 £ 10,000 2,500 (10,000)
		2,500

22Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Operating lease commitments

Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Land and buildings Within one year Between one and five years After five years	2025 £ 14,436 49,260 2,925 66,621	2024 £ 4,475 - -
		4,475

Page 76

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

23Funds Unrestricted funds General Unrestricted Income Fund Revaluation reserve Designated Redundancy Fund Building Fund Service Support Fund Match/Seed Fund Total unrestricted funds	Balance at 1 April 2024 £ 252,076 19,875 271,951 40,000 250,000 50,000 50,000 390,000 661,951	Incoming resources £ 200,937 - 200,937 - - - - - 200,937	Resources expended £ (249,919) - (249,919) - - - - - (249,919)	Transfers £ Other recognised gains/(losses) £ (3,630) - - (6,006) (3,630) (6,006) (5,000) - - - - - - - (5,000) - (8,630) (6,006)	Balance at 31 March 2025 £ 199,464 13,869
					213,333
					35,000 250,000 50,000 50,000
					385,000
					598,333

Page 77

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Restricted funds Talking Computers Emotional support/counselling Devon County Show Total restricted funds Total funds	Balance at 1 April 2024 £ 953 3,082 - 4,035 665,986	Incoming resources £ - - 4,680 4,680 205,617	Resources expended £ (1,019) (11,646) (4,680) (17,345) (267,264)	Transfers £ Other recognised gains/(losses) £ 66 - 8,564 - - - 8,630 - - (6,006)	Balance at 31 March 2025 £ - - -
					-
					598,333

Page 78

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted funds General Unrestricted Income Fund Revaluation reserve Designated Redundancy Fund Building Fund Service Support Fund Match/Seed Fund Total unrestricted funds	Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 238,889 17,515 256,404 25,000 250,000 50,000 50,000 375,000 631,404	Incoming resources £ 252,763 - 252,763 - - - - - 252,763	Resources expended £ (226,367) - (226,367) - - - - - (226,367)	Transfers £ Other recognised gains/(losses) £ (13,209) - (1,791) 4,151 (15,000) 4,151 15,000 - - - - - - - 15,000 - - 4,151	Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 252,076 19,875
					271,951
					40,000 250,000 50,000 50,000
					390,000
					661,951

Page 79

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Restricted Talking Computers For Clubs Emotional support/counselling Total restricted funds Total funds	Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 1,927 299 7,367 9,593 640,997	Incoming resources £ - - - - 252,763	Resources expended £ (974) (299) (4,285) (5,558) (231,925)	Transfers £ Other recognised gains/(losses) £ - - - - - - - - - 4,151	Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 953 - 3,082
					4,035
					665,986

Page 80

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Details of designated funds are included in the Treasurer's report.

RESTRICTED FUNDS

Talking Computers Equipment Fund – These funds arose following the receipt of specific bequests for the purpose of purchasing talking computers. These bequests were received many years ago, and whilst not specifically being used for talking computers, have more recently been used to fund new PC’s and other assistive technology equipment. Depreciation charges in the year of £1,019 more than utilised the brought forward balance of £953 and, to balance, £66 has been transferred from general unrestricted funds.

Emotional Support/Counselling - Funds brought forward of £3,082 were originally received for the purpose of providing emotional support and counselling. This support is now a key part of our day to day service offering and expenditure in the year of £11,646 more than exhausted this fund and has necessitated £8,564 being transferred from unrestricted funds.

Devon County Show – Grants and specific donations of £4,680 were also raised during the year to fund an exhibition stand at Devon County Show to promote the charity services. All these monies were expended in the year.

As a consequence of the above we no longer hold any unused restricted funds at the 31st March 2025.

Page 81

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

24Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets	Unrestricted funds General £ Designated £ 8,525 - - 301,462 216,119 83,538 (11,311) - 213,333 385,000 Unrestricted funds Restricted General £ Designated £ funds £ 3,898 - - - 287,294 - 278,804 102,706 4,035 (10,751) - - 271,951 390,000 4,035	Total funds at 31 March 2025 £ 8,525 301,462 299,657 (11,311)
		598,333
		Total funds at 31 March 2024 £ 3,898 287,294 385,545 (10,751)
		665,986

Page 82

Devon County Association for the Blind

known as Devon in Sight

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

25Analysis of net funds

Cash at bank and in hand Debt due within one year Current asset investments Net debt Cash at bank and in hand Debt due within one year Current asset investments Net debt	At 1 April 2024 £ 271,241 (11,395) 405,496 665,342 At 1 April 2023 £ 362,726 (16,516) 294,787 640,997	Financing cash flows £ 21,817 (560) (82,260) (61,003) Financing cash flows £ (91,485) 5,765 106,558 20,838	Other non cash changes £ - - (6,006) (6,006) Other non cash changes £ - - 4,151 4,151	At 31 March 2025 £ 293,058 (11,955) 317,230
				598,333
				At 31 March 2024 £ 271,241 (10,751) 405,496
				665,986

26Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year.

Page 83