Page I iision C> North Somerset (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ANNUAL REPORT I AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 CHARITY REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES NUMBER: 1165364 Page 2 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Contents Trustees. report Page 4 Welcome from the Chair Page 5 Section One: objectives and activities Page 7 Summary of services and activities Page 9 Public benefit statement Page 10 Section Two: achievements and performance Staff and volunteers Pagell Page14 Strategy development Page16 Achievements- Services Page17 Advice. Registration and Low Vision Equipment Page18 Social support Page 27 Digital Support Page 32 Hearing Equipment Service Page 34 Page 3 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Contents Section Three: structure. governance and management Policies, Procedures and Risk Management Page 39 Fundraising Summary of services and activities Section Four: financial review Page 36 Page 40 Page 41 Reserves Policy Statement Actions to deliver the policy Plans for future periods Page 41 Page 41 Page 42 Principal Funding Sources Statement of Trustees, responsibilities Independent Examiner's Report Statement of financial activities Page 43 Page 45 Page 47 Page 48 Balance Sheet Page 49 Notes to the financial statements Page 50-62 Page 4 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Trustees M Bowen appointed 4 July 2023 J Brice Iresigned 31 March 2024) D Burden (resigned August 2023) K Govind M Mackle {Chair) H Morgan (resigned 19 February 2024) K Morrissey appointed 4 July 2023 S Samad appointed 13 December 2023 S Smith (Treasurer) {resigned 11 October 2024) Chief Executive L Williams Principal Office and Registered Office 3 Neva Road Weston Super Mare Somerset BS23 IYD Bankers Unity Trust Bank 9 Brindley Place 4 Oozells Square Birmingham Bl 2HB Independent Examiner Michelle Ferris Bsc (Hons) FCA DChA Albert Goodman LLP Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton Somerset TAI 2PX Page 5 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Welcome from the Chair Welcome to Vision North Somerset's Annual Report in a year when, together with our Service Users, health professionals and funders. we reviewed our services and set our strategy for the coming five years. In doing this we reaffirmed our ambition to improve life for people throughout North Somerset living with vision impairment and hearing loss. Over the course of the year we have been able to help over 800 people with sight and hearing impairment and we know that the number of people in North Somerset with sight loss alone is expected to grow by 22¥0 over the next ten years. Many of these people will face a range of other health conditions alongside sensory loss. Page 6 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 As an effective and independent local charity we have never been more needed, with increasing levels of calls for help, many of them not directly related to sight issues but where people come to us because they know and trust us. In these cases we are happy to take the time to refer them if a more appropriate agency can help them. but this of course adds a strain on our resources. In order to meet the need for our help we have set as one of our main objectives the continuation of building on our strong foundations to develop a well-funded and managed organisation. In doing this we are grateful for the generous support of many individuals. families and trust funds that provide the financial resources which are essential and the only income we have to deliver our charitable activities. We are proud that we retain the support of North Somerset Council to deliver the statutory services required for sight and hearing-impaired people in North Somerset. Despite all the challenges we face we know that everybody at Vision North Somerset - Trustees, Staff and Volunteers - will continue to work together and look forward to supporting the delivery of high quality services to help local people. Marie Mackle- Chair of Trustees trustees@visionns.org.uk Page 7 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Section One: objectives and activities The purpose of the Charity as set out in its governing document is "the prevention and alleviation of the effects of blindness and impaired vision and hearing loss". In North Somerset we are facing a growing population with sight loss or hearing loss. The older a person is. the greater the risk of sight loss or hearing loss. Around 12 % of the people we support have dual sensory loss. The proportion of people aged 75 years and over in North Somerset is significantly higher than the average for England: 12% of the population are aged 75 plus. compared to 9% across the whole of England. Life with visual impairment can involve being disabled by an inaccessible society and the negative attitudes of others. Many businesses and services, including health services, seem to struggle to provide vital information in accessible formats, leaving people unable to manage their health and wellbeing independently. Transport is a challenge for many in North Somerset but the need to rely on often inaccessible public transport can limit opportunities for people with visual impairment. Navigating streets, public spaces and buildings can be difficult for people with sight loss. especially if the environment is unfamiliar or not designed in an accessible way. Page 8 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Shockingly, more than one-third of blind and partially sighted people say that they sometimes or frequently experience negative attitudes from the public because of their sight loss. People with sight loss were more than twice as likely to have experienced difficulties with unhappiness or depression than the UK average. More than 40 per cent of blind and partially sighted people feel moderately or completely cut off from the people and things around them. (RNIB. 2021). At the end of 2023/24 Vision North Somerset was supporting around 14 % of the estimated local population with visual impairment. There may be many in the remaining 86 % who could be safer, happier and more independent through support from our charity. In addition, the number of local people with sight loss is predicted to increase to over11,000 by 2032. These facts are our drivers to grow fundraising income so that we can support the increasing number of people who need our help. Page 9 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Summary of services and activities Vision North Somerset offers a range of essential services to help people with visual impairment and a hearing equipment service. Our strategy focuses on key areas to encourage the independence of people with visual impairment and hearing impairment: Connect- we provide opportunities for people to come together with others in similar situations and with the wider community through support groups in person, online and via teleconferencing and through befriending. Inform- we support people to access the information. advice. and guidance they need. in the way that they need it through our sight loss Advisors. registration of visual impairment and the hearing equipment service. Enable- we support people to develop or rebuild the skills they need to maintain their independence and live the way they choose through vision rehabilitation. the hearing equipment service and our sight loss advisors. Empower- we work with local and national partners to support people to make their voices heard and to raise awareness of issues that matter to them, for example responding to local consultations, supporting networks such as the Disabled Access Group and the Sight Loss Council. Page 10 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Our strategy also prioritises 'building strong foundations.. This means continuing to develop a well-funded and well- managed organisation so that we can deliver excellent services for local people. Public benefit statement The Trustees are aware of their duty to have regard to the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit in the exercise of their powers and duties and they take this into account in their decision making. This Annual Report describes activities undertaken this year to meet Vision North Somerset's charitable purpose. Trustees are clear about who can benefit from the Charity's activities. People using Vision North Somerset's services must have lowvision or be blind or partially sighted or be deaf or hard of hearing. People the Charity supports may have both sight loss and hearing loss. Vision North Somerset works with families, carers and health and social care professionals supporting people who fit into the categories above. Page 11 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Section Two: achievements and performance Vision North Somerset is the only local charity in North Somerset supporting people with visual impairment or hearing impairment. We are often the first agency visiting vulnerable people in their homes to ensure that they are safe and well. This year we have noticed a significant increase in the difficulties facing the people we help. We are seeing an increase in mental health issues, self-harm and suicidal ideation, housing problems, the effects of poverty and discrimination, complex health issues and difficulties in accessing healthcare or social care, among other issues. The complex situations that people present have demanded great skill. effort and sensitivity from our frontline staff and managers. Vision North Somerset works closely with local partners. including on safeguarding and in multi-disciplinary meetings. We refer people to local services and receive referrals from a wide range of partners including the NHS, community optometry and audiology, the local authority, the Integrated Community Stroke Service, local housing providers, social prescribers, other charities and more. Page 12 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 We are proud to work closely with North Somerset Council, delivering the statutory services of vision rehabilitation, registration of sight loss and disability equipment. We offer a comprehensive suite of services to people with visual impairment and a hearing equipment service. Vision North Somerset contributes to local consultations, strategy and policy development and local working groups such as the Disability Access Group. Page 13 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 In 2023-24 we helped 527 visually impaired people of all ages. We also helped over 300 hearing impaired or deaf people with our hearing equipment service. A proportion of our service users will have both hearing loss and sight loss- this is more likely as people age. We often support people for years, or even decades with our range of services. During 2023-24 we delivered over 2007 individual service activities to people with visual impairment or hearing impairment. This does not include ad hoc support such as answering questions via telephone, email or social media. We also provide information in our newsletter and on social media. ¢a• Page 14 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Staff and volunteers At the end of the financial year, Vision North Somerset employed 7.2 full-time equivalent (FfE) staff with 12 staff members. Most staff members work part-time on different schedules to cover the working week. We are grateful to the 42 volunteers who provide essential support to the charity and to people with visual impairment. Volunteer roles: Befriending Leading or supporting social or physical activity groups Driving Managing fundraising collection boxes technology training as a'Digital Buddy, Ad hoc administrative support Page 15 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 We are particularly grateful to the three Office Administration volunteers who between them offer12 hours a week of support with reception and administrative tasks. Our Trustees also volunteer their time and expertise to support the charity in many ways. Around a quarter of our volunteers are visually impaired and many have other disabilities or long-term health conditions so they bring their lived experiences to their volunteering work. Page 16 Vision North Somerset Trustees, Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Strategy development In late 2022 and through 2023 Vision North Somerset developed our new five-year strategy. We gathered views and information through surveys. workshops. and meetings with a wide range of participants. We also used local and national research on the needs and aspirations of people with visual impairments and hearing impairments. The feedback confirms that Vision North Somerset is already delivering services that meet many of the needs and wishes of blind and partially sighted people and people with a hearing impairment. It also suggests that people want Vision North Somerset to expand our current services to reach more people across our geographical area and to reach younger people with visual impairment. Increased and sustainable funding will be crucial to meet increased demand in future years. Due to the ageing population. the number of local people with visual impairment is predicted to grow nearly 30 % by 2032. Page 17 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Achievements - Services Against the backdrop of greatly increased complexity and struggle in the lives of local visually impaired people, the service team exceeded expectations to provide life- changing support to over 500 people. The services below are listed against the most relevant strategic priorities from our strategy document. Connect Inform Enable Page 18 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Advice. Registration and Low Vision Equipment- Inform. Enable Our two Sight Loss Advisors are an invaluable first port of call for everyone with visual impairment who comes to Vision North Somerset for help. Sight Loss Advisors usually visit the person at home for an assessment in the form of a relaxed conversation to establish their needs and issues. Sight Loss Advisors have a wealth of knowledge to make referrals to other local or national services. They provide advice. light-touch emotional support and refer people to other Vision North Somerset services as needed. Sight Loss Advisors can be involved in safeguarding and welfare concerns: for example. for people with dementia who have lost the ability to care for themselves. or for those with serious mental health issues. We manage the Registration process for visual impairment on behalf of North Somerset Council. This involves receiving Certificates of Visual Impairment from Hospital Ophthalmology services, informing North Somerset Council, issuing people with a registration card, informing people of the benefits of Registration and how to access further support such as a Blue Badge or disabled bus pass. Page 19 Our Low Vision Resource Centre in Weston-super-mare offers appointments for people to try a wide range of assistive equipment and to receive advice and training. Equipment can range from a talking microwave oven to specialised glare shield sunglasses, a large button telephone or a liquid level indicator device to safely make a hot drink. Ours is the only service in North Somerset displaying most of this equipment. All of the respondents to our outcome monitoring survey agreed that they feel more confident and independent around the home and that they feel happier in their day to day living after our support. 67% of people felt more confident to cope with their sight loss. This figure may reflect how distressing it is to lose sight and the impact of the progressive nature of many eye conditions. 75% of people agreed that the future seems brighter and 80 % agreed that they felt less anxious or stressed. In 2023-24 we provided assessments. information. advice. equipment or Registration for 220 people through a mixture of home visits and visits to our well- equipped Resource Centre. Page 20 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Brians. story After receiving a referral from the Department for Work and Pensions our Sight Loss Advisor quickly gave Brian a call. Brian shared that, while he was only in his early 60s, he had severe cataracts and multiple health issues. He was struggling with finances and did not have support from family or friends. He lacked basics such as kettle, washing machine, and hoover. Living in small bedsit with a damp problem, he had fallen down the steep front steps several times as there was no handrail. To top it all off, Brian's beloved dog was ill and he couldn't afford a vet visit. We linked up with the two other agencies already involved with Brian to share information and to plan support with him. After months of work with Brian he is now in a much more positive place. Page 21 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 We contacted the hospital and ensured that Brian was back on the list for cataract surgery after he was removed from the list due to an error. He received a cataract procedure in 2024 leading to improved sight. The correct magnifier means Brian can read his post. We ensured that an Occupational Therapist fitted a handrail and made adaptations to Brian's home. We loaned a mobile phone and advised on a tablet computer. After training, Brian is now able to access emails and social media and make calls. A vet successfully treated the dog. Brian felt safer walking in community with a symbol cane and lanyard. Brian is now on the council housing list with the aim to move into extra care housing. He is now supported by a social worker and Alliance Homes. with a carer to help with shopping and cleaning. Brian wasn't taking vital medications as he couldn't manage the packaging. After our intervention with the pharmacy, he had a dosette box delivered and support with medications. 'Name changed to protect privacy Page 22 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Brian says Without Vision (North Somerset) I would have been stuck, with no help. They have been a tremendous help to me. I would have given up without them. They have given me so much support as well as passing me on to other services. The whole team have been brilliant." Page 23 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Vision Rehabilitation and Low Vision Support- Enable Our experienced Vision Rehabilitation Specialist helps people to regain independence and increase their safety, reducing risks such as falls and burns. Vision rehabilitation can give people who have experienced sight loss the skills and confidence to manage activities like making a cup of tea, shopping, crossing a road safely, reading post, and continuing in work. Vision Rehabilitation is a statutory requirement; it is a reablement service similar to Occupational Therapy and requires a specialist qualification. Our Vision Rehabilitation Specialist is trained to provide functional low vision appointments focussing on lighting, magnification and training to make the best use of remaining vision for reading or close work. People can try out equipment before purchasing and we have some donated equipment for those who struggle financially. Functional low vision assessments complement the oversubscribed hospital low vision service and any low vision support provided by high street optometrists. Our service enables people to receive vision support within two to four weeks of requesting an appointment. This service is free to local people with sight loss. Page 24 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 From our outcome monitoring, 67% of respondents said that they have not fallen or not fallen as often as they used to before our interventions. 60 % of people can now participate in leisure activities or now find them easier than before their contact with us. Some respondents were more confident to use public transport to travel, however the majority of our service users rely on being driven by family members or friends. in 2023-24 we supported 107 people with rehabilitation programmes. We follow national guidance. so rehabilitation is provided in accordance with the needs of the individual. People may have months of weekly sessions to enable them to achieve their goals. We delivered 102 functional low vision assessments. helping people use lighting and magnification to make the best of their remaining vision. Page 25 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Sonia's. story: We have been supporting a lady called Sonia since she moved to Weston from outside the area recently. She is in her late 60s and has multiple health issues alongside her severe sight loss: an autoimmune disorder. arthritis. hearing loss. issues with mobility. diabetes, respiratory issues and poor mental health. She was socially isolated. living alone in supported housing with no contact with family. Initially when speaking to our staff, she was often in tears and said that she was ovenmhelmed with all her issues. She sometimes repeated herself or became confused. We initiated a range of support from Vision North Somerset including minor home adaptation, equipment such as glare shields and white cane training so that she could get out and about independently. Page 26 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 She is now being trained in using her mobile phone at our office with a volunteer who is also severely sight impaired, offering peer support alongside the technology training. Sonia is proudly travelling independently using her white cane, saying that it's like when you first get your driving licence and you're nervous but need to practice. Name changed to protect privacy Page 27 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Social support - Connect Hearing that you are going to lose your sight can be devastating news. Often friends and family struggle to understand and people with visual impairment can quickly feel cut off from others. It can be helpful for people with visual impairment to meet to support one another through tough situations and to share a laugh. Our various support groups and activities are popular and continually growing. Our social support work includes befriending. in-person support groups, teleconference groups and a range of physical activities as suggested by local people with visual impairment. During 2023-24 we began a new visually impaired bowling group. referred service users to accessible online pilates and opened a new teleconferencing group. In 2023-24 we offered 15 different support and activity groups. This includes four in-person social groups in various locations around North Somerset: Weston-Super- Mare (weekly), Clevedon, Portishead and Nailsea (all monthly.) Page 28 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 We have deliberately chosen public venues such as cafes, pubs and a community centre to support the inclusion of visually impaired people into society We used a grant from St Monica Trust to celebrate the King's Coronation in 2023 with three outreach events reaching 46 people in Weston-super-mare. Portishead and Clevedon. The events included a cream tea. thanking our volunteers and sharing information about our services. Our teleconferencing groups continue to be popular with five phone groups running regularly, including an audio- book group and technology chat groups. The book group receive the audiobooks in advance via memory stick. We use a teleconferencing system where we can telephone participants as a group. We also support a range of activities including gardening. Vl bowls and swimming to improve the wellbeing of people with sight loss. Page 29 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 We had 209 visually impaired people attending one or more support group. This is an increase of nearly two thirds from last year. 17 people were meeting regularly with Befrienders, nearly double the number from last year. From our outcome survey, 80 % of people supported by Vision North Somerset agreed that they feel less alone and 90 % agreed that they are more in contact with people than before Page 30 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Alice's. story Alice was working full time in healthcare when she noticed that she couldn't see the difference between pink and blue on some medical equipment. She was diagnosed with advanced Macular Degeneration. This sudden sight loss turned her active life into a very small world. She was unable to work. drive. care for her elderly mother. or look after her grandchildren. This affected her mental health and wellbeing. She thought. "I will never have anything again in my life. I won't ever have a life again". Our Volunteer Coordinator initially visited Alice as she had enquired about volunteering with Vision North Somerset. When our staff member visited, Alice shared that she sat on her sofa in her lounge all day while her husband worked. She was too anxious to complete any tasks in the home or to go out by herself. We immediately put a range of training and support in place to develop Alice's skills and confidence. Page 31 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 At the same time, Alice alsojoined one of our support groups where she met other people who have sight loss. This peer support was key to her rehabilitation as she was able to chat with people who had been visually impaired for many years and start to come to terms with her sight loss. After joining our support group, we noticed that she started to become less anxious and seemed happier. Alice now joins in with our swimming club as well as joining her local gym. She has also become a regular volunteer in our office garden. Without our support Alice would still be sitting alone on her sofa, unable to move during the day. 'Name changed to protect privacy Page 32 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Digital Support- Inform. Enable People are being excluded from everyday activities such as booking an appointment with their GP, banking, paying for parking, managing their bills and much more as services increasingly'go digital,. While many people do not have the skill, equipment or interest to manage their lives online, these activities are significantly more difficult for people with visual impairment. It is not right that small charities like ours are picking up the burden of helping the population adjust to the digitisation of services. We continue to support national campaigns around digital exclusion. However, while we await further support from government and businesses, we have significant demand for technology support from local people with sight loss. Page 33 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Our Digital Support service offers expert advice and the chance to try a range of equipment such as mobile phones, tablet computers, smart speakers and digital magnifiers. People can receive training sessions to help them use equipment to carry out tasks in their daily lives and stay connected with others. Sessions are delivered at our four local'Hub' meetings, in our technology suite in Weston-super-mare and via home visits for those who cannot travel. We recruited and trained volunteer'Digital Buddies, who offer one-to-one training, provide talks and group training. Our staff have also provided advice on equipment, individual training and home visits where needed. Last year, 333 people benefited from technology support delivered by our two part time staff and four volunteers. This is an increase of over 50 people helped compared to last year. 90 % of people answering our outcome survey after our support agree that they use technology to stay in touch with family or friends. Page 34 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Hearing Equipment Service- Inform, Enable People with hearing impairment are at high risk of social isolation, poor mental health and developing dementia, which can lead to increased care needs. Our hearing equipment service helps people maintain independence, pursue leisure activities and sustain social connections. Our experienced Hearing Equipment Officer visits people at home to provide personalised advice on the appropriate equipment for each person such as doorbells, telephones and devices to help people hear the television. He provides referrals to the Fire Service regarding fire alarms. He fits the equipment and trains people in using it; for example, explaining how to use Bluetooth technology to older people who have no prior experience. Our hearing service supports an independent monthly hard-of-hearing group which meets in our meeting room. We also liaise with hospital audiology departments and high street audiology, as well as providing awareness talks and personalised advice about hearing loops to local organisations. Page 35 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Sally's story: We have been supporting a lady called Sally who lives alone and has both hearing loss and sight loss. Sally is in her early 80s and many other health issues. She had been having falls and was often in tears when talking to our staff. Sally was very worried about the digital switchover of telephones, especially with how the new systems might interact with her hearing aid. Our Hearing Officer worked with our Digital Officer to help her choose a mobile phone which she was able learn to use. Our Hearing Officer visited her several times for training and to set up the phone with her hearing aid. He organised weekly trial telephone calls for her to practice using her phone by calling the office. Sally is now confidently using her new telephone and sounds much happier when we speak to her. Name changed to protect privacy. Page 36 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Section Three: structure. governance and management The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the Charity for the Year ended 31 March 2024. The provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (SORP FRS 102- implemented l January 2019) have been adopted in preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Charity. Vision North Somerset is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission in February 2016. The Charity was set up to replace Woodspring Association for Blind People, an unincorporated Charity registration number 270331. Page 37 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 This report covers the period from l April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Vision North Somerset is governed by a constitution, which allows for between four and twelve Trustees. Decisions are made by a majority vote of Trustees present at their meetings. Trustees are elected at the AGM by members present. People with sensory loss are encouraged to serve as Trustees and make an important contribution to our Board; during the year we had three sight impaired Trustees. Officers of the Committee are elected from amongst themselves at the first meeting following the AGM. The Committee has the power to appoint to fill occasional vacancies and anyone so appointed would have full voting rights and hold office until the next AGM. when they are eligible for election. All Trustees are volunteers and as such benefit from the support of the Vision North Somerset Volunteer Policy, including induction and visual impairment awareness training. Trustees are offered relevant training and networking opportunities. Page 38 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 The Trustees who served during the period and since the period end are: M Bowen appointed 4 July 2023 J Brice (resigned 31 March 2024) D Burden (resigned August 2023) K Govind M Mackle (Chair) H Morgan (resigned 19 February 2024) K Morrissey appointed 4 July 2023 S Samad appointed 13 December 2023 S Smith (Treasurerl (resigned 11 October 2024) As at the year end, the Charity had seven Trustees, which meets constitutional requirements. All Trustees are aware of their responsibilities in relation to compliance and policy making. Policies, risk management and compliance are regularly reviewed at Trustee meetings and between meetings via email as needed. Page 39 Vision North Somerset Trustees. Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Day-to-day management of the organisation is the responsibility of the Chief Executive. Regular reports are made by the Chief Executive to the Trustees to ensure they are aware of operational activities. Trustees are responsible for the overall management of the Charity. Policies. Procedures and Risk Management Vision North Somerset has policies and procedures in place to assist with the operation of the Charity; these include Health and Safety, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Volunteer Disciplinary, Grievance, Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults policies. All are reviewed on a regular schedule. Vision North Somerset maintains and regularly reviews a risk register to support the management of significant risks. Mitigating actions to avoid or manage risks are recorded by trustees. Page 40 Vision North Somerset Trustees, Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Fundraising Vision North Somerset undertakes the majority of its fundraising activities in-house and uses a consultant who knows our charity well for the purpose of large grant applications. Vision North Somerset was registered with the Fundraising Regulator during 2024. We adhere to the codes of ethics laid out by the Fundraising Regulator and The Code of Fundraising practice in relation to all fundraising activities. The Charity received no complaints about its fundraising practice in this financial year. .'Vision lorth Somerseti GÈT HELP DONATE VOLUNTEÈR. Page 41 Vision North Somerset Trustees, Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Section Four: financial review Reserves Policy Statement Vision North Somerset's Reserves Policy (set in June 2022) sets aside two levels of cash reserves to be met by unrestricted funds: Tier one: a buffer amount that will allow the organisation to continue to operate if income is unexpectedly reduced. Tier Two: a closure amount that will be used if Vision North Somerset ceases activity and closes to allow the organisation to meet essential expenses. Actions to deliver the Policy At the end of the 2023-24, Vision North Somerset has sufficient reserves to meet the needs of the reserves policy. The Trustees aim to secure financial support sufficient to ensure that the minimum reserves target continues to be met, and that funds are available to cover future capital expenditure or unexpected costs. Page 42 Vision North Somerset Trustees, Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Plans for future periods Developing Our Services- what we offer and how we offer it. Review, hone and prioritise our service offering (detailed reviews of the needs of visually impaired children and young people and adults with hearing impairment to be revisited in l- 2 years) Expand our reach to include more people across North Somerset, especially those outside Weston-super-mare and younger people with visual impairment. Link to wider community to raise awareness of services available Continue to build partnerships with other organisations and strengthen our existing networks Building Strong Foundations- long term investment in our organisation. Achieve income growth from different sources to stabilise the organisation and reach more people with our services Build a team of outstanding staff and a growing number of volunteers who feel supported and empowered to deliver excellent services Review and develop the organisation's structures. processes. policies and systems to ensure that they support excellent service delivery. with an initial focus on outcome measurement. reviewing our database and upgrading the website. Page 43 Vision North Somerset Trustees, Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Principal Funding Sources Vision North Somerset is primarily funded by grants from trusts. foundations and other sources including grant funding from North Somerset Council. We are grateful to the individuals, local organisations and businesses who choose to support our vital local work with donations. We thank the visually impaired people and their families who have chosen to leave a gift in their Will or give a gift in memory ofa loved one. The Charity is seeking to grow local fundraising so that it can continue to help the increasing number of local people who come to us for support. Page 44 Vision North Somerset Trustees, Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 During 2023-24 the Charity is grateful for financial support from the following: Quartet Community Foundation St Monica Trust Postcode Local Trust Ashwell's Charitable Trust Uk Government through the UK Social Prosperity Fund Age UK Bristol Town and Parish councils including: Yatton Parish Council and Clevedon Parish Council. North Somerset Council is a significant funder of Vision North Somerset as the Charity delivers some statutory services on behalf of the council. The grant supports specific activities within the scope of our grant agreement and contributes towards operational costs. Page 45 Vision North Somerset Trustees, Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Statement of Trustees. responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the income and expenditure of the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to: Page 46 Vision North Somerset Trustees, Report For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed/constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the board on 16 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by: M Mackle Trustee Page 47 Vision North Somersel Independent Examiners. Report to the Trustees For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Independent examiner's report lo the Trustees of Vision North Somerset I report to the Trustees on my exaMinatiC￿ of the acco￿ts Vision N¢)rth Somerset (Yhe Cha￿) for the year entsd 31 March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report A8 the Trustees of the Chwity you are reSp￿￿Ible for the prep8ration of the act￿nts in actordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Yhe 2011 Acn_ I repcvi in respect of my exwnnatK)n of the Chwty's accounts camed out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and n carrying out my examinats'on I have followed all the apF4icaLle Direcbon$ gven by the Charty Commiss¢)n under sectKJn 145{5)(bl of the 2011 ACL Independent exwniner's statement Since the Chantys gTOSS in¢ome exceeded £250.OIXI y¢)ur ex￿l￿er must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confim that l am qualffied to undertake the examMat￿n 1￿Cause l am a memL>er of the Instrtule of Chwtered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bcA1*8. I have completed my examinabon. I confim that no material matters have come to my attenb'on in connecb'on wilh the ex8mination gNng me cause to bel*ve that in any material re¥*ect'. 1. a¢counlYbg fttord$ were not kept in respect of tl* Charity as required by sedicffj 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accO￿ts do not compty y￿h these record8", or 3. the atcounts ￿ mt conwly with the apFAicable requirements conceming the fom and content of the aecounts set ￿t in the ChantWJ (Accounts and Rerorts) RegUlatK)r￿ 2008 other than any quirement that the ateounts give a Ynje and fair vievf which is not a matter eonsidered as pa1 of ￿ irnjependertt examinatr*n. I h8ve no coneems and have come across no matters in COnnect￿n with the ex￿Ina￿)n to which attenb.on Should be drawn in this report in order to ￿al￿e a proper understanding of the acccrtjnts to be Micheffle FerTi8 6Sc {￿￿￿s) FCA DC bert G￿dMan LLP Goo(hv¢)od House Blackbrook Pth Avenue Taunton Somefset TA12PX Dated:..17,.10,20.24............ Page 48 Vision North Somerset statement of Financial Activrtj'es Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 UMe- Re- stricted stricted Fffids Funts Unre- Re- stricled stricted FwKIs Funds Total 2024 Total 3)23 Notes Income frorn: (HKluding grants) Other trading Income from investmefts 35,875 265,102 16,7 5,152 ,9TT 16,750 5,152 37.116 255.921 293,037 16.477 16,4TI 1.994 ToLql 57,777 265.102 322.879 55,587 255.921 311.508 ExpeTrJitwe on". ch￿Ie ath¥￿es 35,616 278.088 313,704 74.654 267.229 311,883 Total 35,616 278.088 313,704 74,654 267.229 341,883 Net I￿on* I lexwldtture) foi the sear bef(￿e trartsfers 22,161 (12,986} 9.175 {19,￿7) {11.￿) {30.375) Tiansfets beiween f￿dS 10,673 (10.673) Othef [£ro￿lSed losses: Actuarial gans cffl defined be￿rt pe￿$￿￿ schen 15 62,ChS7 62,067 8,000 8,OCfl Net n￿vernents in fU￿S 84,228 (12.986) 71,242 (391) (21.981) 122,375) Reconciliation of lunds: FuTrJ baances at 1 N) 285,886 27,Tr37 312.983 286,280 49,078 335,358 Fu￿1 bad￿ at 31 370,114 14,111 384,225 285,886 27.CI37 312.983 The resutt3 for the y&qr derNe frc*n cont'nuing aclivrtieg aThJ there are no gains or los8es other than th)se shthvn above. Page 49 Vision North Somerset Balance sheet As at 31 March 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Fixe(l assets Tavjible assets 401, 411,414 Current assels 13.722 103 229.272 66.( 3,316 Cash at b￿k arnl in hand Investrnents 212,942 66.OCQ ,C67 282,338 Ciedrtors Anwits tallThJ due ore y 10 {168,373) (380,769) Net cwrenl assets 140,724 {98,431) 512,687 312.983 Credrtofs nwNe than ￿e ye L￿f￿1 scfM 11 {158,462) Total net assets inclqKling p￿$1￿ lialmlilies 384.225 311983 UnTestticted funds 12 370,114 285, Restricted funds 12 14,111 27,fr37 Total funds 384,225 312,983 The financial statements bvere apwoved by the Trustees on .16.0.¢.to.b.¢r. 2024. and signed on tr*ir behaff by: M Mackk Trustee Page 50 Vision North Somerset Notes to the Financial Statements Forthe Year ended 31 March 2024 Accounting policies The wincipal accountwkg policies adopted, judgements and key sourcts of estThalKm uncertainty Ihe preparats)n of the financial statements are as foMryNs. Basis of preparation The financial statements have been wepared under the hist￿￿¢ cost convention. The financial Statements have been p￿pared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Chanties" Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to ch8rrties prepanng their accounts in accordance wtth the Financial ReForting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 leffedive 1 January 20191 ICharil)es SORP (FRS10211 and the Financial Reporting Standard ar¢•licable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The ChaTty meets the definrtton of pubht berkefit under FRS 102. Assets and liakn"lrties are inilsalty recognised at historical c¢)st cf transacts"c￿ value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting polcy. 1.2 Income Income from grants and donat*)ns ts reCOgn￿ed in the year in which they are receivable when tt*re is evidence of enbtlemen( receipt is probable and the amcwnt can be reliatrAy measured. Income from government grants and local authorit*s is recognised when the Chanty has entrtlement to the funds, any perfomianee condrtiorts attached to the grants have been met. rt 18 probable that the income y￿11 be received and the amount can be measured reliabty and is not deferred. Where no ¢(￿dIt"0n9 are attached to the grant income they are recognised wrthin donabon$ and legacies and Ythere ¢ondib"¢)ns relating to perfomiance of serrfices are attache(l. grant income is recogrosed in ￿cOMe frcm chanlable ath'vths within the Statement of Financial Activit*s. Inccmne from ottEr trading acts.vths is includeil in the petK>d in T*thi¢h the Charty Is entitled to cep( it 1$ probable that e¢Onc￿lC benefits will flow to the entsty and the amount can be reliably measured. 1.3 Expenditure Resources expended are ￿cOgnised on the a¢cruals ba818 to match the pml in which the expenditure was incufred. Charitable expendrture eompnses costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of rts a¢trvrties and services for its ￿nefiCIa[les. It indudes both costs that can be allocated d￿ectlY to such activitss arKI costs of an indirect nature necessary to supwrt them. 1.4 Tangible fixed assets Depreciab)n is calculated to YKite off the cost or valuatK)n of r￿ed assets over their estimated Set￿ lives at the following rate: Freehdd kyoperty Fixtures and fitkn'ngs 1% straight line 25% straight line Fixed assets are capitslised where expenditure incurred 18 in exte88 of £5CK) the asset purchased is considered to have a knng term benefrt to the organisats"on. Page 51 Vision North Somerset Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2024 1.5 DebtOf8 Trade debtors we amounts trom customers for services perforn)ed in the ￿linary aclivrties of Chatty. Trade debtof¥ we recognised inrtialty at the transacts'￿ wce. They are sthsequerrtty measw•J at amortised cost using the effecb.ve interest melhoj, bess provisK)n for impairment. A provision for Thpaimient of trade debtor5 15 established when there is ¢Jbjective evidence that the Chwty will not be able to collect all amounts due to according to the ￿lgInal ternis of the receivables. other debtor3 ccfftprise amounts due frorn prepayments. Arnt￿nts due from prepayinents arise from the payments for services prior to benefit from those Servi￿$. 1.6 Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank and cash in ha￿1 v)cludes cash a￿1 short term hKJhty hjuid nvestments vnlh a thL¥t maturty of three months ￿ less from the date of acquisition or Oper￿ng of the deposf( or similar account. 1.7 Creditors Credrtors are recognised where the Charty has 8 present obligat￿n resufting from a p8St event that will probabiy result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the arnount due to settle the 0￿￿jaI￿n can be measured or estjmated reliably. Credrtors are nomamy recc*Jntsed at their settlement amount after alluwing any trade d￿cOUnts due. Stocks Stocks are valued at the l(¥wer of cost and net real￿a￿e value. after makn.ng ￿e allowance f¢x ob*)lete aThJ 8h)w n￿VIng rtem8. Co81 18 calculated on 8 ffirst in, fir8t out basis. 1.9 Taxation Vision North S4Jnef5et is a reg￿tered Charity and B therefore not liabbe to corporat￿n lax to the extent that inccffie and gains are applied to chanlable purposes. 1.10 Investments Investments are at faw value deteryn￿ed ty the amounts held in Nats'onal Savings and Inve8lments b(￿d5. 1.11 Fund accounting Unresthcted furmjs ￿ be used in acC¢Yd￿Ce with ts ¢haritsbk o14ectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Restncted funds are to be used for specffic purposes as laid do*n by the dornr. Expenditure which meets this crrterwjn is charged to the lund, together with a fair alh)cation of management and wpp(xt u>sts. Further exr4anaticffl of the nature and pwpose of each fund is inC￿e￿ in the notes to the financwl ststements. Page 52 Vision North Somerset Notes to the Finanaal Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2024 1.12 Local Government Pen8bon Scheme Reb'rement benefits to employees of VisM?n North Somerset are wovided ty the Avon Pensi¢)n Fund Local Govemment Pension Scherne ('LGPS'I. This is a multi-ernployer defined beTrefit scheme, that is contracted out of Stste Eaming>Related Pen￿On Scheme ('SERPS'). and the assets are held sewately from those at Vtspjn North Somerset. The LGPS is a funded scheme and the assets are held separately frc*n those of Vision North Somerset in separate trustee administered funds. PenS￿n Scheme assets are measured at fair ¥a￿e and l￿bIlitIeS are measLKed on an actuarid basis using the Pfojected method and discounted at a rate equivalent to the current rate of return on a h￿h qualty corwrate bond of equsvalent term and currency to the liabilrties. The actuarid valua￿n$ are obtsined at least triennially are upjated at each balance date. The amounts charged to operating surpkns are the current the current service c05t and gains and losses on gettlements and curtailments. They are included as part of staff costs. Past service costs are recognised immediatety, the costs are recognised over the peri(*J unts"I vesting occurs. The expected return on assets and the interest cost are shown as a net finance amount of other finance costs or credrt adjacent to interest. Actuarial gains and1088es are reCogn￿d immediately in other gans and ￿￿Se$. During the ended 31 March 2023, the fjnal entrant in the scheme left the empbyTnent of the chanty thereby crystalising the scheme at this w)int. During the year, ne9obatK>ns have ￿en entered into wrth the pension provider, and a drall agreement for repayment is in discus&on. The balance owing at the year end of £266,400 is included in credrtors, split betsveen amounts due in rK)re than and less than one year based on the arrticipated repayment scheme. 1.13 Defined contTibulion pension scheme The Charity t>pfrr¥te8 a defined contributw)n pension ¥ch8me {NEST. A defined contribution plan pension F4an under which fixed Ct)ntr￿Ul￿)nS 17.5% employer contn'bub'onl are paid into pension f￿d and the Charity has ￿ legal or c￿tra$￿'Ve (￿lIgatIon to pay further conln'buts'ons even if Ihe fund does not hold sufficEnt assets to pay all employees the beneffts relats'ng to empbyee service in trtre current arwj prior periods. C 1 sear 107.938 340,￿1 158.462 T(*a wsIC￿ SCI￿￿ lthlty 266,400 340,1 Page 59 Vision North Somerset Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2024 12 Statement of Fwds Bdance 01.0423 Ttansfeisl Ilosses) Balance 31.03.24 Income Expenditure Restricted funds St Dknica TrL6t- Digrta VANS UK Social Ftscribi nat Postccxje LcKa T[￿t Quartet - ReglerKe Furnj h s(￿r5et CO￿￿1 . Socol Prescrits'ng cÈsts'nthn Quartet - volunte￿ng st Ph)nica Tntst- CommuThty Impart st Pknica Tr￿. Cormal Age UK Brtstol - tX"grtal Indu% St Ph)nica . Imrxow C￿￿e¢bonS th S(xwset CcAmal 35,tixi 129,582) (5,oc￿) 110,OCI)) 5.418 5.000 10,CKKI 7.396 (7,396) 110,OCIJ) (5,OCQ) 10.(KM) 3,651 8,616 19280 16. (22,931) (16,813) 8.693 (5(K)) (1,934) (3,334) 1,934 3.334 165.598 (165,598) Total restrided 27.097 265,102 {278,088) 14,111 Unrestricted ftmds Unreslncted furwts excknfjThJ pe￿C￿ reserve 285.886 57,777 {35.616) 62.(￿7 370,114 Toted u[￿estriCted fund5 285,886 57,TT7 {35,616) 62,C67 370,114 Totyl F￿d5 311983 322.879 (313,704) 62,C￿7 .225 Page 60 Vision North Somerset Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2024 Balance 01.04.22 Tra￿fer31 IlossM) Balance 31.0323 Income EXpe￿IllUre Restricted fund8 lan Karten CEntre VANS Chat & Cmrect VANS The &g Lottery PL7tcoJe L¢xal Trust TIKMPS PothlIngtt￿ Trust Quartet ￿ Grant Av￿rdS for all Quartet - Talkir¥J for Ptalth Quartet_ Volurleen'ng St A￿TrIca Trust. Irry)act St N•nr*ica Trust- cry￿alK Age LK ￿￿t01 - ci"grtal Indu8Km Tesco - Grwnd*ort UK- ￿'grt NSC Infects￿ C{￿tr￿ FurKI (605) (4,8291 (B,￿) 4,829 5,000 25,884 {25,8841 (15,0271 (10,(KKII (1 SS) {3,6391 {6,8721 (16,0751 (16,376) 22,423 10,CMX) 7,396 155 3,639 8,567 (1,695) 19,726 16,581 3,651 8,616 8,411 1,974 (401 (sffli {2,4221 1,934 2,422 Totd restricted fun¢ 49,078 255.921 (267,229) (10,673) 27,097 Unrestricted fu￿18 Un￿Stn'Cted flmds excllklry 634,2 55,587 {74,6541 {329,327) 285,886 {348,OCIJ Total unrestricted funds 286,2 55.587 174,654) 18,6n 285,886 Total Funds 335,35B 311.508 (341,B83) 312,983 Page 61 Vision North Somerset Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2024 The purposes for m8tertal fuTrJs are as folly￿. st ￿(￿Ica Trust - ￿qrtaI Inclu5Don - deliverirmj technology advice arKI traning to people with visual •npaJrment and relevant professional parthers. UK So¢￿1 Prescribing Desbnab'on - develO￿ftg social SUPF*Xt for people wilh visual impaimient. Postcode Local Trust - developing and gr(Ming social and wellbeng supp(¥t for pewe with visual wnpaiment. Quartet Resilience Fund - devebping the infrastructure wbd resI￿.enCe of the chwty through training and communicalKsns. Quartet Communrty Foundatim Volunteering - trt deveb)pment and growth ol the volunteering Jgramme. St Monica Trust - Cc¥nmunty Impact ￿ fcy delvenng peer support and %)cial inclusion activrties ch as social groups and suppcfft groups. Nc*lh Somer$et Council _ delivering statutory services wtrd a cOntr￿ut￿)n t(wards essential costs for the charty. lan Karten Centre fund are amounts received for the purchase of infonnation technokjgy assets that ￿11 aKI the of the visually impaired. Fund ￿ reduced by the purchase arld depre￿at￿n of assets. The Big Lottery Fund ￿ to fund the 'ln Sight, In Twch, wqe¢t provKling a suite of Serv1￿ to r*ople wrth visual impaiment. Th(￿aS Pockljngton Trust- funOTrJ to develop a long4ern) strategy fi)r the charity. When fixed assets have been purchased with restncted funds, upon purchase, a transfer has been made from restn.cted to unrestricted. During the year, this amounted to £0 of fixed assets being purchased using restricied funds (2023: £10,S93). 13 Related party transactsons No remunerats'on has been paid to Trustees duriThJ the year 12023: r￿￿e1. No trustees wtre bursed travelling exper￿ durin9 the year {2023" two- £3341. 14 Analysis of net assets between l￿dS Unre- stricted Funds Re- stricted Unre- stn.cted F￿ts Re- stncted F￿d$ T(￿al 2024 Total 2023 TaThJth assets 401, 126,613 (158,462) 401,%3 411,414 140,724 (125,528) (158,4621 411,414 (98,431) 14,111 27,097 C￿drtt￿s due > 1 sear 370,114 14,111 384.225 285,886 27.097 312.￿3 Page 62 Vision North Somerset Notes to the Finanaal Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2024 15 Pension commitments Some of the Charty3 empk•yees belonged to the Local G¢y¥emment Pensic)n Schemes {LGPS) managed by the Avon Pensi￿ Fund {'APPI. Durir¥J the ended 31 March 2023, the ￿al entrant in the scheme left the emplO￿lent of the charity thereby crystalising the scheme at this point. An amount has been included wrthin creditors due under one year and due in more than one year for the final balance owed which is on a dtfferent valuation basis to that of the wevious actuarial valuations. There B therefore no actuarial valuation carried out for the scheme as at 31 March 2024 or 31 March 2023. The rensm valuation included in the acC￿nts was an estimated value, which has since been updated to relkct the amount of repayment due under a draft a9reemenL 2024 2023 PensTh scheme I￿Alty Repa￿ts Revauats(xi in ye 340,000 348,C (11,533) (62,06n 18,(KKI) PensKffi scheme lithity cJl4Yl 266,400 340,LIXI