OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-12-31-accounts

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association (Registered charity, number 1176919) Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Page Contents
2 - 7 Trustees’ annual report
8 Independent examiner’s report
9 Receipts & Payments Account
10 Statement of Assets & Liabilities
11 Notes to the Accounts

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

Full name Staffordshire Sight Loss Association

Registered charity number 1176919

Principal address

1 Ketton Close Stoke-on-Trent ST6 6UE

Trustees

Andrea Louise Scott (Chair) Linda Ann Dunn (Treasurer) Sandra Michelle Barlow (Secretary) Ian Alan Wiltshaw Ian Knowles Lisa Jayne Trickett

(appointed 10/09/2024) (appointed 10/09/2024)

Bankers

Natwest

Independent examiner

Daryl Denson ACMA VAST The Dudson Centre Hope Street Hanley Stoke on Trent ST1 5DD

Charity Objectives

For the public benefit to promote the relief of blind and partially sighted people, their friends, families, and carers who primarily (but not exclusively) live in Staffordshire, including those who may not be registered as Blind/ Severely Sight Impaired or Partially Sighted/ Sight Impaired, by such means as the trustees think fit including:

Governance and management

The Charity is governed by a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Constitution (Foundation Model), adopted on 31st January 2018.

The methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The trustees of the charity must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.

Related Parties

Staffordshire Sight Loss operates independently and has no related party transactions.

2

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit

● Advice, information, and support around living independently with sight loss, including welfare rights, concessions, advice about equipment, support with forms, grant applications, and housing issues. Our Independent Living Coordinators provide this service through office appointments and home visits.

● Resource Centre: We have a Resource Centre based on Albion Street in Hanley that is open every Tuesday from 10 am till 4 pm. Here we display a wide range of daily living equipment for the community to try, for example, magnifiers, talking kitchen equipment, lighting, mobility aids, and assistive technology. Beneficiaries can also attend our Resource Centre for advice and information, to find out about our other services and those of other organisations, and for a coffee and chat.

● Community Hubs in Leek and Biddulph: These are community-based social groups and advice drop-ins that take place from 10.30 am till 2 pm. We use a community room at the Salvation Army in Leek on the second Friday of each month and the Town Hall in Biddulph on the third Friday of each month for these services. At both locations, we offer a social group from 10.30 am until 12 pm, and from 10.30 am until 2 pm we provide an advice drop-in with a range of equipment that people can try.

● We have struggled to find a suitable venue to deliver a Community Hub in Newcastle-under-Lyme and decided at the start of the year to deliver several one-off advice drop-ins across the Borough. Over the course of the year we delivered drop-ins in Madeley, Chesterton, Kidsgrove and Wolstanton.

● Peer support/ social groups: In addition to the social groups that take place monthly in Leek and Biddulph we offer monthly groups in Hanley and Newcastle. Our Hanley group takes place at our offices on Albion Street, and our Newcastle group takes place at the Community Junction Cafe at Andrew Place.

● Weekly braille class every Monday in Hanley.

● Activity groups and excursions: Towards the end of 2023 we were awarded a ‘Know Your Neighbourhood’ grant from the Community Foundation for Staffordshire. This has enabled us to deliver a wide range of activities and outings throughout 2024. Activities have included ten-pin bowling, Steel Drumming, a Mindfulness session, a textile workshop, and Alpaca Walk. We also visited the theatre, the Black Country Living Museum, the World of Wedgewood, the Beatles Museum, and Liverpool Cathedral.

● Group celebrations: In May 2024 we held a 1940’s themed Afternoon Tea party at The new Vic Theatre in Newcastle, and in December we organised a Christmas celebration at a local venue with food and live music.

● Technology Support Service: to support people in using technology for independence, including phones, tablets, computers, and smart speakers. We provide this service through office appointments and home visits.

● Living Well with Sight Loss Courses: In 2024 we held three Living Well with Sight Loss Courses. These courses are designed using the RNIB Quality Framework; they aim to ensure that people experiencing sight loss are well-informed, connected to others, and have the information and support that they need to live full and independent lives.

● We held two Goalball Taster Sessions at Stoke-on-Trent College in partnership with Goalball UK

● Community Radio Show: Throughout the year, three of our volunteers produced a weekly Community Radio show aired by local Community Radio Station Rainbow FM. The show includes music, topical conversations, guest speakers and lots of information about our charity.

● Awareness Work: In July, we held a Community Awareness Event at Burslem Park. The event aimed to raise awareness and increase the local community’s understanding of sight loss, break down barriers, and dispel myths and stereotypes. To achieve this, we delivered a range of awareness-raising activities alongside other more mainstream activities to attract as wide an audience as possible. We have also delivered several Awareness sessions with local businesses and organisations this year.

3

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit (continued)

● Accessible Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers have supported all areas of our work this year including administration tasks such as answering the phone, updating databases, and conducting feedback questionnaires. They have helped with running and supporting our groups and drop-ins, giving advice, guiding at events and outings, supporting people with technology, fundraising activities, and much more.

Public Benefit

In planning our activities our trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The trustees are committed to being a community-led charity that carries out continuous engagement with our beneficiaries in order to stay relevant to the needs of the community that we serve.

Achievements and Performance

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association was set up in 2018 to provide in-person support services for blind and partially sighted people living in North Staffordshire. We are a community-led charity, and our services have been designed and developed in consultation with our local community. Over the last 7 years, our organisation has grown from a small group of volunteers to a team of 6 staff, 6 trustees, and 23 regular volunteers. This is thanks to the wonderful support of our funders, our volunteers, and our community.

During 2024, we delivered:

drop-in.

In total, this amounted to 179 community-based sessions.

We also delivered:

When we combine attendance for the above activities with the number of people who have accessed our Independent Living Advice service and Technology Support Service, this year over 800 people have engaged with our services with many people engaging on multiple occasions.

In addition to this, approximately 570 people have engaged with our Awareness activities and events this year, including our Awareness Event at Burslem Park in July.

A big part of the work we do is to bring people together for peer support and many of our services aim to reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness. This year we have expanded our range of groups, activities, and outings, thanks to the ‘Know Your Neighbourhood’ grant that we received in late 2023 from The Community Foundation for Staffordshire. We have been able to visit many wonderful places with our beneficiaries as a result and have seen how valuable sharing experiences with peers can be for building confidence and increasing independence. Our activities have provided opportunities for attendees to have fun together, make memories, and in many instances, build lasting friendships.

Following on from the success of our 2023 Community Awareness events we delivered another event at Burslem Park in July 2024. We took learning from our previous events to make this year’s event bigger and better than before and were extremely pleased with attendance and feedback from the event.

4

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Throughout the year we have seen increased demand for our services as awareness of our organisation grows. We are very proud of what we have achieved this year and feedback has shown that our services have led to many positive outcomes for our beneficiaries. Moving into 2025 we are looking forward to developing our services further using beneficiary and partner feedback to continue to improve in a community-led way.

At the end of 2024 we have 6 staff members (2 full-time and 4 part-time) and we would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication over the last 12 months. We have also welcomed two new trustees to our team this year, both bring a wealth of experience and skills to our board.

Thank yous

We would like to thank all partner organisations that we have worked with and who have helped to promote our services this year. We would like to thank the staff at the Royal Stoke University Hospital Eye Clinic Helpdesk, our local Sensory Teams in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, local Social Prescribers, and Primary Care Network staff for their support in helping to promote our services and for inviting us to their community events. We would also like to thank the RNIB, The Macular Society, Update, and The Staffordshire Moorlands Talking Newspapers, Rainbow FM, Goalball UK, The Mitchell Arts Centre, Frontline Dance, and Appetite.

We would like to thank everyone who supported our Burslem Park Awareness Event, including the Port Vale FC Foundation, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, local schools and nurseries, and businesses who helped us to promote the event. We would like to thank Stoke-on-Trent City Council, as well as all of our wonderful volunteers who came to help on the day.

We would like to thank our many funders and supporters including The National Lottery Community Fund, The Community Foundation for Staffordshire, Postcode Local Trust, KCCF small grants, Barclays Bank, and the Etruscan Lodge. We would like to thank our wonderful Potters ‘arf Marathon team which was bigger this year than it’s ever been. Thank you also to everyone who has supported our other fundraising efforts across the year, including businesses who have donated raffle prizes, members of the community who have bought raffle and tombola tickets, and the many people who have supported us at community events such as Stoke-onTrent Pride and Longton Pig Walk and Carnival, as well as the organisations and communities that have invited us to their events, for example Endon Village Hall, Stoke Minster and Urban Wilderness.

Volunteers have played a huge part in all areas of the charity’s work in 2024 including supporting our services (for example with administration tasks, technology support, and hosting social groups), attending Steering Group meetings, helping at events, assisting and guiding at outings, and helping with social media and fundraising. We would like to extend a special thank you to the Hanley Economic Building Society, many of their staff have used their employee volunteer hours to help our charity this year, guiding at outings and helping at events. This year our charity has been supported by 47 volunteers who have donated an amazing 5941 hours of their time. 29 of these are regular volunteers and the remainder are people who have given up their time to support one-off events and activities (including volunteers from local businesses). We cannot thank our volunteers enough for the difference that they have made for our community and our organisation.

Financial Review

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association had an income of £225,868 in the financial year 2024.

We rent an office space on Albion Street in Hanley and our assets consist of our office furniture and equipment (for example our printer, laptops, phones etc.), daily living equipment and technology purchased for demonstration purposes at our Community Hubs, and stock for our resource centre.

At year end the charity has a balance of £99,555. £42,198 of this is unrestricted funds. Our expenditure for the year was £189,881.

5

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association Trustees, Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024 Reserves Policy The charity has a reserves policy. Staffordshire Sight Loss Association has been operating for just under 7 years, we have been gradually building our reserves during that time and reserves have increased year on year. Building our reserves was initially challenging because any money raised was needed for operational costs, our fundraising plans were later impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic. We have a Sustainability Plan in place which is regularly reviewed and this year we have worked hard to diversify our income and try different fundraising approaches. We have also found that as the reach of our services has grown, support for our charity has grown leading to an increase in individual donations from our beneficiaries for which we are extremely grateful. As a result of this work we have increased our reserves by over 37 % this year and at year end they are £42,198. It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should ideally be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months non-project expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will cover continuity, restructuring to cover essential activities where it's necessary to source further income and a Dissolution Fund to provide for dissolution should the charity be unable to continue. £42,198 equates to just over two and a half months of our 2024 expenditure. Our reserves are therefore not yet where we need them to be but we are very pleased with our progress this year. We will continue to work towards our goal and we aim to increase our reserves to an adequate level over the next 18-24 months. Due to the nature of our organisation and the regular review of our budget our Reserves Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that it reflects what is needed for continuity, that the restructuring element matches the requirements of our activities and that the dissolution element matches the requirements of staffing levels. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees: Signed Andrea Scott Date3) io hair Signed Linda Dunn Treasurer Date

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Staffordshire Sight Loss Association for the year ended 31 December 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 9.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees of Staffordshire Sight Loss Association, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act).

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

Independent examiner’s statement

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

  1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of Staffordshire Sight Loss Association as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts to not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

31/10/2025 Signed ____ Date _______ Daryl Denson ACMA VAST

7

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association Receipts & Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2024

Receipts
Grants
Donation
Events
Sales
Fundraising
Miscellaneous income
Total receipts
Payments
Equipment
Other Purchases
Salaries plus expenses
Volunteer Expenses
Rent and Storage
Room Hire
Resource Centre Stock
Database
Staff Training
Miscellaneous expenditure
Fundraising
Accountancy
Phone and Internet
Stationary and Postage
Refreshments
Insurance
Activities and Events
Rates
Subscriptions & Memberships
Transcripts
Repairs & Decorations
Professional Services
Marketing
Total payments
Net receipts/(payments)
Cash funds at start of this period
Cash funds at end of this period		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
8,346
3,144
13,179
7,130
14,102
45,901
8,443
-
5,911
2,145
-
1,750
-
330
1,404
3,324
2,755
-
2,651
1,465
600
1,249
-
-
910
-
488
246
723
34,394
11,507
30,691
42,198		 Restricted
Funds
£
179,957
10
-
-
-
-
179,967
12,552
-
105,388
-
24,260
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,287
-
-
-
-
-
-
155,487
24,480
32,877
57,357		 Total
2024
£
179,957
8,356
3,144
13,179
7,130
14,102
225,868
20,995
-
111,299
2,145
24,260
1,750
-
330
1,404
3,324
2,755
-
2,651
1,465
600
1,249
13,287
-
910
-
488
246
723
189,881
35,987
63,568
99,555		 Total
2023
£
154,116
3,848
9,377
14,045
5,687
8,805
195,878
29,637
3,304
85,394
1,288
24,165
3,056
-
267
1,659
-
3,273
1,016
2,279
1,956
4,799
1,099
3,524
81
436
2,263
319
-
922
170,737
25,141
38,427
63,568

8

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2024 2024 2023 Cash assets Bank Current Account 99,555 99,555 63,568 63,568 Llabilites due Accountancy Fees 694 694 660 660 These financial sta ment rea behalf of the charity by: Signed Andrea Scott Chair Dated olz Signed Linda Dunn Treasurer LD- Dated Ic)[ ( ol I

Staffordshire Sight Loss Association Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. Receipts & payments accounts

Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context “cash” includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due. For the purposes of understanding a statement of assets and liabilities at the year-end has been included.

2. Trustees’ remuneration

Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in this year.

3. Funds

Restricted Funds
National Lottery - CF Project 2
King Charles Tech Grant
Postcode Local Giving
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
VCSE Supportive
Communities & Better Health
George Earl Fund
RNBI Funding
Staffs Found KYN (Social)
KYN NLCF (Volunteering)
BBS
Designated Funds
Unrestricted Funds
General Funds
Total		 Opening
balance
£
19,619
-
-
1,882
-
-
(3,098)
3,842
8,904
742
986		 Receipts
£
100,672
2,500
25,000
-
7,671
-
6,095
16,844
21,185
-
14,332		 Payments
Closing
balance
£
£
(104,332)
15,959
(2,186)
314
25,000
-
1,882
(1,917)
5,754
(70)
(70)
(2,997)
-
(21,051)
(365)
(22,835)
7,254
(216)
526
(14,215)
1,103
32,877 194,299 (169,819)
57,357
30,691 37,384 (25,877)
42,198
30,691 37,384 (25,877)
42,198
63,568 231,683 (195,696)
99,555

10