TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD 1 APRIL 2022 TO 31 MARCH 2023
1. Reference and administration details
Charity name: The Visually Impaired Sailing Association of Great Britain (VISA-GB) Registered charity number: 1178077
Charity's principal address: C/O Pocklington Hub, 3 Queens Square, London WC1N3AR Patron: Pip Hare
2. Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Trustee name |
Office (if any) |
Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dee Jones | Chairman | ||
| Sue Hogge | Vice Chair and Membership Manager |
||
| Anilkumar Kanani | Governance & Compliance |
||
| Alan McKee | |||
| Tim Sandford | Operations Manager | ||
| Eddie Kitchen | Charter Manager | ||
| Stuart Curl | Treasurer |
3. Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document: CIO - ASSOCIATION Registered 24 Apr 2018 How the charity is constituted: Association
Trustee selection methods: Appointed by one member or Trustee recommending an individual for the role of Trustee with an endorsement by second member or Trustee
4. Charity’s objectives and activities
Our main objective is to provide opportunities for blind and visually impaired people to participate in offshore sailing as part of a full crew member with the aim of improving their lives through empowerment, encouragement, and confidence building.
5. The Charity’s people
The Charity is run by blind and partially sighted sailing enthusiasts to help others to enjoy the freedom of sailing.
Between them the Charity’s current Trustees have over 40,000 nautical miles and 75 years of sailing experience under their belt sailing in both local and international waters, with trips that include cruising for beginners, racing such as the Fastnet, Cowes Week and crossing oceans making them well qualified in the support and development of sailing programmes to benefit other visually impaired adults. The Trustees also have a wealth of experience running businesses and working in the private and public sectors.
Visa-gb
November 2023
1
6. Achievements and performance
We experienced a very active 12 months and were delighted to sail in Wales for the first time helping to achieve a key ambition to hold sailing events around the UK. Trips held in 2022 included the Royal Escape Race , Round The Island, Sea Vision Wales, West Country & the Isles of Scilly. Thanks to the continuing support of UKSA we were able to put on a number of trips in and around the Solent, including day sails from Southampton to encourage those that have not sailed before.
We had a notable achievement in the Round The Island Race by winning the ISC International Trophy for the first boat with a disabled crew to cross the finish line.
The Trustees would like to say thank our members, volunteers, the skippers, minute takers for their support. The wonders of technology, emails and zoom, also helped us to keep in touch. They all help Visa-gb keep on sailing. By the end of the accounting period we had over 70 volunteers – the highest number since the organisation started in 2009.
During the year we focused on continuing to build our sailing activities which included the introduction of more day sails, these are designed to encourage people who have not sailed before to have a go. We also started to record the positive impact sailing has on individuals taking part through interviews, some of which are on our website. There is a marked improvement in self confidence and well being as a result of sailing with Visa-gb which not only has a positive impact on individuals but their family and wider community.
Achievements include:
-
Increasing membership & volunteers. We have continued to increase our membership and volunteers over the year through increased marketing activity.
-
We delivered 66 sailing days in 2022 around the UK.
-
Benefitting 43 visually impaired adults.
-
Demonstrating ability over disability.
-
Improving confidence and self-belief.
-
Engaging with more clubs & associations.
-
Building a sustainable organisation.
Our achievements in 2022 are best expressed by Adele a first time volunteer Sea Vision Milford Haven:
‘The trip was amazing, I learned so much about others and myself too. Seeing the positive transformation of the Visually Impaired crew was humbling and incredibly rewarding. The Skippers were so patient and understanding of the Visually Impaired crew needs when sailing. Nothing was too much trouble I will support and advertise Visa-gb as best as I can going forward’
And by Nathalie who has sailed with Visa-gb for some years:
“The reason why I like sailing with Visa is because you are valued as yourself. We all get a chance to have a go at all aspects of sailing, and no matter how good or bad you are you are never judged or looked down upon by anyone. We all have a good laugh and it is a good way to make new friends as well as learning new skills.”
Visa-gb
November 2023
2
6. Financial review
The Charity is a non-profit making organisation and does not intend to hold large reserves but sufficient to be able to plan and announce in advance a number of events every year. Membership of Visa-gb is free but members may be required to contribute for the cost of their participation at events we deliver. They are also free to make donations if they wish.
Financial Year April 2022 – March 23
The Accounts for 2022-23 have been prepared and a copy is attached. In summary they show:
Income for the year was £24,995 and was made up by Donations of £14,396 and Sailing Payments of £10,599. The main donations were from the RYA who donated £3,911 and £2,860 and Thomas Pocklington Trust who donated £2,625 and £5,000.
Expenditure for the year was £19,972 and the largest items were Charter £13,966, Food £2,250, Fuel and Berth £1,709, IT £824 and Volunteer Expenses £784.
We started the year 1 April 2022 with cash in the bank of £18,673 and we ended the year 31 March 2023 with cash in bank of £23,695.
7. Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved this Annual Report and the Annual Accounts prepared by the Treasurer.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s):
Full name(s): Dee Jones Position: Chairman , Visa-gb Date: November 2023
Visa-gb
November 2023
3
THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED SAIUNG ASSOCIATION srATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcllviTES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 2023 2022 INCOMING RESOURCES Incomln8 resources from generatied funds Receipts Donations Sailin8 payments 14.396.fXI 10,598.78 12.774.86 7,082.22 24,994.78 19,857.08 Actlvltles for 8eneralln8 fvnds Fundrasing Other lincl. refund yatht charter deposit 2021 only) 28.75 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 24.994.78 19,885.83 RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating fund$ Fundralsing and publldty Charltable adlvltles Travel (incl Volunteer51 Charter fee Membership fee FuellBerth 784.37 13.965.56 290. 1.708.86 142. 823.88 2.249.75 8.01 616.72 15,592.25 260.00 1,873.57 874. 165.17 3.178.37 574.66 Insurance Cornputer & Software Crew cost Ifoodl Other 19.972.43 23.134.74 Carrled fonvard 5.022.35 13,248.911
THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED SAILING ASSOCIATION BALANCE SHE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 2022 2021 FIXED ASSErs Tangible A55ets CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 23,695.05 18.672.70 18.672.70 CREDITORS: fallin8 due wlthlfft on• year NET CURRENT ASSETS 23.695.05 18,672.10 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILMES 23.695.05 18.672.10