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2025-04-01-accounts

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1162947

Access Bedford

Unaudited Financial Statements 31 March 2025

Access Bedford

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Page
Trustees'
annual
report		 1
Independent
examiner's
report
to
the
trustees		 4
Statement
of
financial
activities		 5
Statement
of
financial
position		 6
Notes
to
the
financial
statements		 7
The
following
pages
do
not
form
part
of
the
financial
statemenB
Detailed
statement
of
financial
activities		 15

Access Bedford

Trustees' Annual Report

Year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name Access Bedford Charity registration number 1162947 Principal office The Place Bradgate Road Bedford MK40 3DE The trustees Mrs R James Mrs H Bolton (Resigned 27 June 2025) Mrs C Wright Mrs C Jones (Appointed 17 May 2024)

Structure, govemance and management

Access Bedford is a deaf-lead incorporated charity, managed by a board of trustees with the assistance of a part-time paid charity manager, two part time staff and a volunteer group, all of whom have ties to the deaf and hard of hearing community across Bedfordshire.

Objectives and activities

The objectives of the charity are to empower the local deaf and hard of hearing community, reduce local isolation and improve physical and mental wellbeing through events, support, training and the provision of accessible Information, Advice and Guidance services. We also aim to improve inclusivity within Bedfordshire by working with individuals and service providers in the hearing community, to improve deaf awareness and understanding through training, education and the creation of inclusive events and activities.

Access Bedford

Trustooo• Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance

Access Bedford has been a dedicated champion for change, inclusion, and equity for the deaf and hard of hearing community for over a decade. We address the marginalisation and discrimination faced by deaf individuals in all aspects of life within our region.

Through our Deaf Space Support provision we regularly work with families in the local area, providing support in all areas of life, from booking travel and job seeking to accessing health care and filing HMRC tax retums.

We continue to work with any relevant, appropriate, and engaged partners from all sectors to open doors, remove barriers, and empower our community to thrive. By leveraging these collaborations and referral processes, Access Bedford ensures that our community receives comprehensive and effective support, enhancing their quality of life and promoting inclusively.

Our deaf-led fitness club continues to thrive, and helps improve the physical and mental wellbeing of our deaf community and also promotes inclusion through welcoming hearing people to the activities.

The Deaf Space service, funded by the Frank Branston community Foundation, provides information, advice and guidance (IAG) through the provision of free IAG support workers and interpreters, and we have been able to broaden our service by partnering with Luton Citizens Advice Service.

We continue to deliver BSL Courses & Deaf Awareness training in schools, hospitals, fire services, hospices, local govemment and to all GP clinical and non-clinical staff across Bedfordshire.

Financial review

The charity's activities continue to extend as a result of increases in funding obtained. Future plans include making a substantial funding application to the National Lottery which, if approved, will expand our staffed team to support the charity to grow and become sustainable into the next decade.

The funding application will include a move to permanent premises offering Access Bedford a home and allowing us to continue to provide services to support and empower our deaf service users.

Restricted funds

BLMK ICG

Bedford & Luton Community Foundation The Harpur Trust House of Industry Bedford Borough Council Welcoming Spaces - Bedford Borough Council

Funding received allowed the charity to deliver information and wellbeing sessions for the deaf community, to provide BSL interpreted Information, advice and guidance services, as well as securing paid roles for two part time staff members.

-2.

Access Bedford

Trustoos• Annual Roport (continued)

Year endod 31 March 2026

The trustees' annual report was approved on 4th March 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mrs R James Trustee

Access Bedford

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Access Bedford

Year ended 31 March 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Access Bedford ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).

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

Independent examiner's statement

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Andrew Upton FCCA Independent Examiner

.4-

Access Bedford

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 March 2025

2025 2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total
funds		 Total
funds
Note
Income
and
endowments
Donations
and
legacies		 4 49,849 35,888 85,738 26,535
Total
income		 49,849 35.888 85,738 26,535
Expenditure
Expenditure
on
charitable
activities		 24,511 28,230 52,742 29,203
Total
expenditure		 24,511 28,230 52,742 29,203
Net
income/(expenditure)
and		 net
movement
in
funds		 25,338 7,658 32,996 (2,668)
Reconciliation
of
funds
Total
funds
brought
forward		 13,020 5,826 18,846 21,514
Total
funds
carried
forward		 38,358 13,484 51
,842		 18,846

The of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these financial statements.

Access Bedford

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2025

31
March
2025
2025 2024
Note
Current
assets
Cash
at
bank
and
in
hand		 51,842 18,846
Net
current
assets		 51,842 18,846
Total
assets
less		 current
liabilities		 51,842
18,846
Funds
of
the
charity
Restricted
funds		 13,484 5,826
Unrestricted
funds		 38,358 13,020
Total
charity
funds		 10
51,842
18,846

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 4th March 2026 and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Mrs
R
James		 Mrs
C
Jones
Trustee Trustee

The notøe on pages 7 to 13 form part of these financial statements.

Access Bedford

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is The Place, Bradgate Road, Bedford, MK40 3DE.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donoc or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Access Bedford

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

  1. Accounting pollcles (continued)

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Access Bedford

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

mere investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.

Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.

Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.

For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets frat are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.

Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.

4. Donations and legacies

IJnrestricted Restricted Total
Funds
Funds Funds 2025
Grants
Grants
and
donations
receivable		 49,849 35,888 85,738
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds
Funds Funds 2024
Grants
Grants
and
donations
receivable		 20,516 6,019 26,535

-9-

Access Bedford

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

5. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total
Funds
Funds Funds 2025
Support
costs		 24,511 28,230 52,742
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds
Funds Funds 2024
Support
costs		 25,145 4,058 29,203
6. Expenditure
on
charitable
activities		 by
activity		 type
Activities
undertaken Total
funds		 Total
fund
directly 2025 2024
Support costs 52,742 52,742 29,203
7. Independent
examination
fees
2025 2024
Fees
payable		 to
the
independent		 examiner for:
Independent
examination		 of the
financial		 statements 120 120

8. Staff costs

The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2024: Nil).

No employee received employee benefits of more than E60,OOO during the year (2024: Nil).

9. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No salaries were paid to any of the trustees although interpreter and translation fees totalling €2,159 (2024 - €2,095) were reimbursed to Mrs H Bolton.

Access Bedford

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

10. Anatysls of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

At At
1
April
2024		 Income Expenditure 31
March
2025
General
funds		 13,020 49,849 (24,511) 38,358
At At
1
April		 2023 Income Expenditure 31
March
2024
General
funds		 17,649 20,516 (25,
145)		 13,020
Restricted
funds
At At
1
April
2024		 Income Expenditure 31 March
2025
NHS
Bedfordshire
CCG		 2,153 (636) 1,517
Deaf
Coffee
Club		 1,016 980 (1
,203)		 793
Family
signing		 2,657 348 (3,005)
Deaf
space
Community
Wellbeing		 9,876
9,000		 (7,088)
(6,328)		 2,788
2,672
House
of
Industry		 15,184 (9,630) 5,554
VEJcoming
Spaces		 500 (340) 160
5,826 35,888 (28,230) 13.484
At
1
April
2023		 Income Expenditure 31
March
2024
NHS
Bedfordshire
CCG		 3,185 (1
,032)		 2,153
Together
Fund		 1,758 (1,758)
Deaf
Coffee
Club		 680 1,128 (792) 1,016
Family
signing		 3,133 (476) 2,657
3,865 6,019 (4,058) 5,826

-11.

Access Bedford

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

10. Anatysis of charitable funds (conånued)

NHS Bedfordshire CCG

Grant monies were received from the NHS to provide translation of English to British Sign language on videos to be used on their social media channels to provide access for the deaf community.

Deaf Coffee Club

Funding was provided from various sources to provide space for the deaf community to meet and socialise and to provide social activities for the group.

Family Signing

Grant monies received will enable the 12 month project to deliver monthly face to face classes to families of deaf children aged 0-6. The sessions will be open to parents and up to 2 other primary carers for each child, with a maximum of 5 children per class.

Deaf Space

The funding provided by the Bedford & Luton Community Foundation is to be used to provide Deaf Space infomation, advice and guidance service, to enable a paid staff member with BSL Level 6 and IAG qualifications to deliver the service, as well as providing a laptop and mobile phone dedicated to that service to ensure GDPR compliance and client privacy.

Community Wellbeing

The funding provided by The Harpur Trust is to be used to provide intensive 'catch up' workshops designed to mitigate risks, enhance lift skills and boost confidence when interacting with non-BSL service providers. The funding is to cover venue costs, as well as ensuring a suitably qualified BSL interpreter is available to each session to enable clear communication. Each visiting service provider will be given Deaf Awareness training before they present, in order to further improve of the needs of the deaf community.

House of Industry

The funding provided by Bedford Borough Council is to be used to enable the charity to continue to fundjon by covering the wage costs of the Charity Manager and Admin Assistant for 6 months, whilst waiting for a confirmed grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to be finalised and processed

Welcoming Spaces

The funding by Bedford Borough Council is to enable the Deaf Coffee moming to provide a warm place for ESL community members to socialise and access a free hot drink over winter

-12.

Access Bedford

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

11. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds
Funds Funds 2025
Current
assets		 38,358 13,484 51,842
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds
Funds Funds 2024
Current
assets		 13,020 5,826 18,846

Access Bedford

Management Information

Year ended 31 March 2025

The following pages do not form part of the financial statements.

Access Bedford

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

Year endod 31 March 2025

2026 2026 2026 2024 2024
Income
and
endowments
Donations
and
legacies
Gr•nts
and
donations
receivable		 85,738 26,535
Total
income		 85,738 26,535
Expenditure
Expenditure
on
charitable
activities
Support
costs
Activities
undertaken
directly
Interpreter
&
translation
fees		 12,810 4,312
Purchases 4,706 3,100
Instructor
fees		 3,225 4,005
Room
hire		 4,233 2,915
Training
costs		 1,176 2,019
Administration
support		 22,778 10,494
Insurance 112 227
Printing, &
stationery		 357 103
Travelling
costs		 117 57
Accountancy 680 386
Subscription 396
Computer
costs		 1,075 240
Telephone 130 170
Website
cosS		 924 779
Sundnes 55
52,742 29,203
Toul
expenditure		 52,742 29,203
Net
income/(expenditure)		 32,996 (2,668)