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ANNUAL REPORT

Deaflink North East

2019/2021

Chairs Comments - Maureen McGarritty

What an interesting last two years this has been!

You may have noticed that we didn’t have an AGM last year because we were too busy trying to keep safe and deliver our services so I will try and summarise the main events for 2019-21.

In terms of the Deaflink Board we have had to say goodbye to 2 Chairs. The first, Jo Nicolls, had been our chair since 2012 and she stepped down in February 2020. She was replaced by Jo Fortune and she served for just over a year before resigning – she became a staff member at Deaflink. We are grateful to both of them for their dedication and support—THANK YOU BOTH. I became the Deaflink Chair in February 2021.

In May 2019 we started the D/deaf Rights work (funded by the lottery). This made big changes to our work and we have been able to support BSL users in lots of new ways. This was especially important in the COVID lockdown in March 2020.

The D/deaf Communities have had to learn to use technologies they never knew about –“what’s a Zoom?” We have had to be flexible and creative in working together to continue to deliver services to the D/deaf communities who, overnight, were denied access to many services who shut their doors. The staff continued to provide help and support D/deaf people when no other service could.

In March 2020 we were in the process of moving offices and, when we went into the first lockdown, everything went into storage – apart from the computers. We were finally able to move into the new offices in October.

I am proud of the work of the staff, the board, the volunteers and let’s not forget the communication support professionals who have all pulled together to enable Deaflink to continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people.

In This Report  Chairs comments  Statistics 2019-21  Services  Finances  People

Board meetings on Zoom

2019-21 D/deaf support

One to one work

2019/20

We provided information, advice and support to 208 D/deaf people. This work included 436 meetings with them and it involved over 823 hours staff time.

In 2019/20 we were working hard to build our Deaf Rights work and had a steady increase in D/deaf people accessing our service. We were building relationships with agencies within Newcastle and raising awareness of the issues affecting D/deaf people. At the end of this year we went into a national lockdown. Deaflink did not stop delivering our service but we did have to change how we delivered it.

We faced a number of challenges:

BSL users with no access to computers

2020/21

GP’s, Hospitals, Banks and Council departments closed their doors and were accessible only by telephone and emails.

We provided information, advice and support to 161 D/deaf people. This work included 825 meetings/contacts with them and it involved over 1420 hours staff time.

Government information briefings were not signed.
Some clients could only communicate by letter

Group work

2019/20

Several of our clients had no way of communicating with anyone or any agency. None of them were identified as vulnerable by anyone, some were shielding.

We delivered 106 groups and forums with 163 people attending. On average each person attended 7 times a year.

We worked to identify the individuals who did not have computer access or knew how to do video calls and we helped them build their skills. We did this with IT equipment provided by a lottery grant, safe home visits and online coaching.

One of the highlights was a wood carving course and this brought together a group of Deaf people who learnt new skills together.

We created new, online ways to connect with people. We delivered a weekly bingo/quiz group and created Facebook pages. We produced weekly newsletters and for these we created BSL video’s to provide accessible information on Covid and developments.

2020/21

We delivered 155 groups and forums with 78 people attending. On average each person attended 9 times a year. All of these meetings were online.

Covid has had a significant impact on people’s access to services—for the D/deaf community it has created impossible barriers and for many those barriers are still there.

In 2019/20 went to 79 meetings and events to raise awareness of the issues and barriers affecting D/deaf people. 2020/21 we went to 39 video meetings

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Wednesday Bingo meeting
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We sent out fortnightly ebulletins to 332 people.

Hard of Hearing project

Louise McGlen took over the post of Hard of Hearing Involvement Worker in December 2019 and had three months before we were hit by Covid-19. Adaptability, quick learning and trial and error enabled us to continue to provide a service, using video messaging, social media, phone and text. Both SHHH and Tinnitus Groups ran virtually using Google Meet (which offered good subtitles) backed up by private Facebook groups and a Hard of Hearing Facebook Page.

Many of the new online services were not set up for people who cannot hear over the phone. Our work has included helping people to access hearing aid repairs, solve issues with or access hearing equipment. We frequently reminded organisation that providing just a phone number as means of contact was a problem for many.

We found a range of solutions to help everyday life with face masks, which make conversation even harder to follow. Solutions included using the sunflower lanyard, “I lip read” badges and Nexus Bridge cards (these alert staff to the communication needs of an individual). One new development has been live transcribe an app free on android phones that provides speech to text support for conversations. We have supported several people to download and use on their phones and have had very positive feedback about the positive impact it has had. Live transcribe in action

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Live transcribe in action
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Finances

Thanks to our Funders and contributors - Newcastle Fund and National Lottery Community Fund. Also a big THANK YOU for the wonderful donations from members of the public. It all helps keep Deaflink ticking over.

We Spent Our Income	2019/20	2020/21
	84,990	86,412
	92,357	100,746

For a full copy of our 2019/20 and our 2020/21 accounts please contact Heidi Jobling on 0191 281 2314 or email: heidi@deaflink.org.uk or look online at Charity Commission website.

DEAFLINK PEOPLE

The last 18 months have been some of the most difficult people have faced but it has also reminded us of what is most important.

We are lucky to have a such a wonderful team of people.

We have to say thank you and best wishes in your retirement to both Bob Weiner and Jenny Wright. Long standing Board members who brought wisdom, passion and commitment (and pretty good chocolate brownies). Many thanks also to the staff and volunteers. And to those who have moved on to new things— you will always be a part of the Deaflink family.

THE WINNERS. In December 2019 we had our first Helen Howie Golf competition. Congratulations—Mairhi, Emma, Dolly and Maggie.

Contact Us

4 Glendale Terrace, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 1PB

07897 329 359

0191 281 2314

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admin@deaflink.org.uk
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CLIENT FEEDBACK

I learnt how to Zoom which opened me up to chats with friends

www.deaflink.org.uk

www.facebook.com/ deaflink Deaflink_NE

Deaflink North East is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England and Wales; Company No. 7982375; Charity No. 1147237. Registered address above.

Deaflink North East

(a company limited by guarantee)

Company Registration no 07982375 Charity Registration no 1147237

Financial Statements For the period ended 31 March 2021

Deaflink North East Ltd 4 Glendale Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1PB.

Deaflink North East (a company limited by guarantee)

Legal and Administrative Information

Name: Deaflink North East Company No: 07982375 Charity No: 1147237 Directors/Trustees: Maureen Bonnie McGarrity (Chair from March 2021) Robert Thomas Weiner (signatory for accounts) Joyce Pennington (signatory for accounts) Rachel Ross Laura McQuillan Christopher Rowlands Heather Thompson Louise Borrell Geoff Bell (joined 22/03/21) Joanne Fortune (Chair and signatory) left 28/02/21 Jennifer Susan Wright left 09/07/20 Registered Address: 4 Glendale Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1PB Bankers: The Co-operative Bank PO Box 250 Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT Structure: Deaflink is a Company limited by guarantee and a registered Charity. Independent Examiner: Kate Tully FMAAT FCIE 20 Ennerdale Crescent Winlaton Blaydon on Tyne NE21 6PS

Company No. 07982375 Charity No. 1147237

Page 2 of 12

Deaflink North East (a company limited by guarantee)

Director’s/Trustees Report Pages 4-5 2. Independent Examiner’s Report Page 6 3. Statement of Financial Activities Page 7 4. Balance Sheet Page 8 5. Notes to the Accounts Pages 9-12

Company No. 07982375 Charity No. 1147237

Page 3 of 12

Deaflink North East (a company limited by guarantee)

Directors’/Trustees’ Report

Objectives and Activities

The aim of Deaflink is to:

Improve access to employment, education, health, leisure and social opportunities for all D/deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people in Newcastle and the North East
To raise awareness of the needs of these excluded groups to statutory and voluntary/private organisations and agencies
To act as a consultative group offering training support and advocacy

Deaflink was part of Newcastle Healthy City until that organisation was forced to close in March 2012. From April 2012 Deaflink North East became a new charity and company limited by guarantee with a wider North East remit.

Achievements and Performance:

The work of Deaflink addresses inequalities and barriers facing people who have hearing loss. We encourage people to be aware of their rights and responsibilities. Our primary focus remains ensuring that D/deaf people are empowered by having access to information to enable them to make choices. Deaflink North East continues to build strong relationships with key partners in the city of Newcastle and the North East.

The year 2020-21 has been both challenging and interesting.

From March 2020 to October 2020 our office contents were in storage – we were moving to a new office and the Covid-19 pandemic hit and we went into lockdown. The staff worked from their homes. The first challenge was to ensure that we had the equipment and internet connections to provide a reliable service. We also needed policies and procedures to ensure that all staff and clients were not put at any risk.

The Deaflink staff continued to provide support to D/deaf people throughout.

The Board were clear that the service should continue and that clients and staff must be protected. We also had to learn how to do accessible online meetings. They spent many hours discussing the ways in which we could continue to provide our service safely. We faced a number of challenges:

BSL users with no access to the internet, computers or the knowledge to use IT.
GP’s, Hospitals, Banks and Council departments closed their doors and were accessible by telephone and emails.
Government Briefings were not signed.
Some people we could only communicate with by letter

Deaflink moved to our new offices in October and have managed to balance home and office working. We are continuing to learn and adapt to living with the threat of the virus. Long term planning and event management are challenging. The Deaflink team of volunteers, board members and staff will be united in trying to meet the needs of the D/deaf communities.

Risk Management

The Directors are examining the major risks, which the company faces in relation to external factors, governance and management, internal operations and business. They are considering the likelihood and the impact of risks and are reviewing what systems should be in place to control and reduce those risks. The systems are being designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material loss or misstatement of loss.

Company No. 07982375 Charity No. 1147237

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Deaflink North East (a company limited by guarantee)

The trustees/directors have considered the guidance produced by the Charity Commission on the provision of public benefit and they confirm that public benefit has been provided by the range of activities as described above.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the company to try to build up unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the company, to a level that equates to approximately 3 months unrestricted expenditure. This will provide sufficient funds to cover management and administration support costs and any emergencies that may arise from time to time.

Directors’ responsibilities:

The Directors’/Trustees’ are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the company and which enable them to comply with applicable law. The Directors/Trustees 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.

For the year ending 31 March 2021 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

Approved by the members and signed on their behalf:

Name: Robert Weiner Signature: R Weiner Name: Joyce Pennington Signature: J Pennington Date: 23[rd] September 2021

Company No. 07982375 Charity No. 1147237

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Deaflink North East (a company limited by guarantee)

Independent Examiners Report

Report to the trustees/members of Deaflink North East Limited on Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 set out on pages 7-12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The charity's gross income does not exceed £250,000.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Kate Tully FMAAT FCIE

Date 28[th] October 2021

Signed K A Tully

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acie
association
of charity
independent
examiners
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Kate Tully is a Fellow Member of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners and a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians

Company No. 07982375 Charity No. 1147237

Page 6 of 12

Deaflink North East (a company limited by guarantee) Statement of Financial Activities

(incorporating the income and expenditure account)

for the period ended 31 March 2021

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Funds Funds Funds £ £ £	Total Funds 2020-21 £	Total Funds 2019-20 £
244 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100,352 0 0 0 150 0 0	244 0 100,352 0 150	90 27 92,235 0 5
394 0 100,352	100,746	92,357
0 0 86,412 0 0 0	0 86,412 0	0 84,990 0
0 0 86,412	86,412	84,990
394 0 13,940	14,334	7,368
	0 0	0
394 0 13,940	14,334	7,368
29,933 34,778 5,703	70,414	63,046
30,327 34,778 19,643	84,748	70,414

The notes on pages 9-12 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Company No. 07982375 Charity No. 1147237

Page 7 of 12

Deaflink North East (a company limited by guarantee) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021

Note Fixed Assets: Tangible Assets Total Fixed Assets: Current Assets Debtors 6 Cash at Bank and In Hand Total Current Assets Total Current and Fixed Assets Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 7 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year Total Current and Long Term Liabilities Total Assets The Funds of the Charity: Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds Restricted Funds TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS	2020-21 Funds £ 0	2019-20 Funds £ 0
	0	0
	0 85,894	0 71,694
	85,894	71,694

	85,894	71,694
	(1,146) 0	(1,280) 0
	(1,146)	(1,280)

	84,748	70,414
	30,327 34,778 19,643	29,933 34,778 5,703
	84,748	70,414

Statement of Exemption:

For the year ending 31 March 2021 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.’

Approved by the members and signed on their behalf:

Name: Robert Weiner Signature: R Weiner Name: Joyce Pennington Signature: J Pennington Date: 23[rd] September 2021

The notes on pages 9-12 form an integral part of these financial statements

Company No. 07982375 Charity No. 1147237

Page 8 of 12

Deaflink North East (a company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the period ending 31 March 2021

1 Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

These 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) (effective January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS 102).

Deaflink North East meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Incoming Resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability

Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Capital Grants are released over the economic useful life of the asset to which they relate

Resources Expended and Liabilities

Resources expended have been analysed using a natural classification.

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Company No. 07982375 Charity No. 1147237

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Deaflink North East