Charity Registration Number: 1180870 The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults (formerly the Phoenix Group for Deaf Children) Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Organisational Information ## **Registered Charity Number** ## **Address** ## **Trustees** 1180870 The Hyde Out 2-6 The Hyde Stevenage Hertfordshire SG2 9SE V Copenhagen (Chair) E Vejsiu (Treasurer) A Ansell L Santos P Linnegar (appointed December 2023) ## **Independent Examiner** Paul O'Brien (ICPA) Dragonfly (Accounting & Financial Management) Ltd 34 King James Close Fordham, Ely Cambridgeshire CB7 5ZH ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015). Our annual report for 2023/24 looks back at the work of Phoenix Group during a year which has been productive and rewarding. **VISION:** Enriching the lives of D/deaf and Hard of Hearing Young People in Hertfordshire. **MISSION:** Advance the education of D/deaf children, young people and their families by providing training and activities to learn, empower and promote independence, positive wellbeing and inclusion. ## **OBJECTIVES:** Increase friendships and reduce isolation Improve skills, learning, confidence and independence Promote positive mental health and inclusion Increase feelings of support and inclusion Improve Deaf Awareness and BSL skills in the community ## **The following activities have been delivered this year.** - Short Breaks Local Offer (HCC) Holiday programmes for Flyers (8-13) and Youth (11-17) - Short Breaks Local Offer (HCC) Knightsfield School Friendship project. - Holiday programmes for Early Birds (0-7) and Phoenix Plus (17-30) - Individual support - British Sign Language tutoring for individuals and families in need of developing communication. - Phoenix Plus Life skills project - Monthly Family project ‘Phoenix Community Hub’ - The Duke of Edinburgh Award - Deaf Young Hertfordshire project - Parents termly meetings - Deaf Awareness and Introduction to British Sign Language courses - Education Health Care Plan, setting up your child for primary school and Disability Living Allowance, Deaf Mental Health and Wellbeing information sessions in partnership with NDCS and Sign Health. - SBLO Central Bedfordshire Holiday programme, in progress. ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 ## **Phoenix Strategy 2024 - 2027** At the beginning of the year, we launched our three-year strategy and have been working towards achieving the objectives in the plan. **----- Start of picture text -----**
MISSION OBJECTIVES OUTCOMES
OPPORTUNITIES
Young people achieving through our work To provide personalised support which
We continue to be a SBLO (Short
and life skills programmes, which support helps children and young people reach
Breaks Local Offer) provider for children
the development of their pathways into their full potential and to work in
and young people aged 8-18 years living in
adulthood. partnership to ensure a diverse range of
Hertfordshire. 104 children and young
opportunities are offered that are age
people accessed this provision from April
appropriate, accessible and inclusive.
23- March24.
Seven young people participated in the
The delivery of successful programmes that
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award with
inspire and engage children and young
Phoenix.
people, helping them to achieve tangible
outcomes that contribute to all areas of
their development.
Our life skills project continued, and
Happy children and young people. increased in young adult membership from
across Herts.
100% of children told us that our activities
made them feel happy, they learnt new
things and communicated with others and
they were active. 66.7% said our activities
helped them to become more independent.
TRAINING
Successful advocacy to ensure that D/deaf Through the delivery of training, we will
Deaf Awareness and BSL training delivered
parents have the same access to training to look to build confidence and empowerment
to organisations throughout Hertfordshire,
increase learning, that other Hertfordshire amongst parents and carers.
in partnership with Sign Health.
parents have.
Individual tutoring of BSL to six families, to
More confident parenting. help aid communication between parent,
carers and children.
Delivery of BSL level 1 and 2 at the Phoenix
Deaf friendlier communities.
Centre, in partnership with Sign Health.
INCLUSION
Increased numbers of children, young We will endeavor to identify solutions to We have increased transport support for
people and families accessing support and make services accessible for all our those members in need, to enable
opportunities. membership. engagement.
More members connecting and sharing 24 families were given food vouchers, and
experiences. some families were given essential items of
furniture and clothing.
A happier membership as a result of 51 families received a free meal at the
inclusion Phoenix Centre and had access to advice
and information re supporting services such
as local food banks. Phoenix is now a
referring agency for local food banks across
the county.
We delivered termly parents’ groups
online.
We set up a Deaf, Young Hertfordshire
group, consulting with deaf young people
on how Hertfordshire can become more
accessible.
We have delivered a monthly Saturday
session to increase access and
opportunities for our membership.
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 **----- Start of picture text -----**
PARTNERSHIPS
Increased accessible opportunities for our We will develop and maintain closer links We delivered a webinar about Phoenix to
membership. with other Hertfordshire organisations, to HCC employees. Over 150 attended,
advance the effectiveness of our work and spreading the word of our services.
increase opportunities.
Phoenix as the desired choice for D/deaf We are working with the NDCS
children and young people in Hertfordshire. Communities Delivery Officer to increase
opportunities.
Sustainability through improved corporate Staff increased the promotion of project
and public sector relationships. work online to celebrate what our members
achieve.
We have a presence at CHSWG of
Hertfordshire.
We have developed a positive relationship
with Moss Bury School (who have provision
for deaf children) in Stevenage.
Our CEO is a member of Hertfordshire’s
Leaders Forum.
We are a chosen charity of Helping Herts
Charity, who support us in a range of ways
and increase our networking opportunities.
We have worked closely with Knightsfield
and Healthlands Schools delivering projects
to increase skill and reduce isolation.
DIVERSITY
Increase the number of D/deaf and Hard of Two new volunteers have joined the
A wealth of lived experience and knowledge
Hearing people involved in the organisation, organisation from under - represented
within the organisation.
and individuals from under - represented groups, one of whom is deaf.
groups too. We will also increase our efforts New job roles have been advertised on Deaf
Shared experience to help us improve our
when advertising work and volunteering Jobs UK and information made accessible in
services.
opportunities, with the aim of creating a BSL.
more diverse workforce
Role models who demonstrate a positive
contribution to society
EXCELLENCE
A pro-active staff team, volunteers and Meet and maintain high standards of Training undertaken to Measure impact
trustee board who contribute effectively to trustees, staff, volunteers and operations more effectively.
achieving the strategic aims of the performance
organisation.
Progress is underway to improve the
Strengthened areas of weakness.
recruitment of Trustees to the Board.
Staff, volunteers and Trustees are trained in
A happy and well supported workforce.
safeguarding.
We have introduced a behaviour
management policy to our membership, to
ensure that undesired behaviours are dealt
with effectively.
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 ## **Future Plans** We continue to work towards achieving outcomes linked to our strategy objectives. Our key plans for the next year include: - Continue to establish a transparent structure and build a balanced Board with the right skills to grow the organization. - Deliver SBLO and increase our engagement of membership across Central Bedfordshire as a result of requests for support from - Bedfordshire families. - Grow the diversity within the organisation. - Expand on lived deaf experience within the organisation. - Continue to develop Deaf Awareness and BSL training in the community. - Continue to be user led: work alongside and hear the views and thoughts of our members. - Delivery of our existing programmes and the creation of new projects as needs are identified. - Developing and nurturing partnerships with local and national organisations such as the National Deaf Children Society, - Hertfordshire County Council and Bedfordshire Central Council. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Achievement and Performance** We have had a satisfying year in terms of performance and fundraising. Being a chosen partner of Helping Herts charity, has increased awareness of the charity and our fundraising efforts. Our networking has increased, and partnerships have been positive and productive. We continued to deliver Short Breaks Local Offer (SBLO) on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, which is a substantial piece of work for the charity and attracts the most membership engagement. 104 children and young people are registered for the local offer and we have delivered 46 sessions for our membership during this financial year. We endeavor to include informal education and/or physical activity into our programmes and monitor and record outcomes as achieved by the children and young people. Recorded outcomes will be published in our full end of year report. Our relationship with Heathlands and Knightsfield Schools has been extremely positive this year, with the introduction of a SBLO lunchtime project in Knightsfield and the DofE programme at Heathlands. Seven young people participated in the scheme, which was the first in Hertfordshire specifically for D/deaf young people. Our Phoenix Plus group has increased in membership and the young adults have had a range of opportunities to develop their life skills and personal growth. We have supported individuals within the group with personal challenges they faced, whilst helping them grow in terms of independence. We continued to work in partnership with Sign Reach to deliver Deaf Awareness and Introduction to BSL within the Community. Many requests for training come from a local organisation delivering a range of services for children and young people in the community. We also support SignReach in delivering level 1 and 2 in the community. Many of our staff members have undertaken this quality training and we are very proud to be in partnership with SignReach. There were some staff changes with the recruitment of an Activities Coordinator to take over the planning of programmes, this allowed our Communities Participation Leader more time to deliver services with our membership. A key member of staff has been on adoptive leave from January 24, her work has been covered by other staff members and has caused little disruption to service. Staff have demonstrated commitment to progress in their learning with 4 staff members undertaking training in British Sign Language and one in Play Work and Autism. Staff development is important to us and we will support this whenever possible. Safeguarding continues to be at the forefront of our work and all staff and volunteers undertake routine training and refresher training. On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our enormous gratitude and appreciation to all our staff and volunteers for their hard work, commitment and tenacity during this past year. ## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees** Phil Linnegar was appointed as Trustee at our AGM December 2023. ## **Organisational Structure** This year there has been a board made up of 4 Trustees, who met regularly to administer the charity, There is also one other nonvoting, Advisory Member on the Management Committee who is not a Trustee. A CEO is appointed by the trustees to manage the dayto-day operations of the charity. All potential new trustees attend a minimum of two trustee meetings as observers to familiarize themselves with the running and operations of the charity, before deciding whether they wish to become formal trustees and put themselves forward for election at the AGM. Valerie Copenhagen remains as Chair of Trustees, and we are delighted to welcome Phil Linnegar to the Board this year. ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 We continue to encourage other potential trustees or advisors who believe they can contribute to the charity and take the opportunity to join our trustee meetings initially as an observer, with the potential to join on a formal basis should interests align. ## **Financial Performance** For the financial year ended March 2024, overall income came in at £274,180 principally comprising our primary and _final_ grant funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. Our CEO has worked hard to diversify our fundraising streams, increasing alternative fundraising activity in which the support from Helping Herts Charity was particularly welcomed. We were delighted to receive news of a successful Children in Need application, which will contribute to supporting our core costs for three years. We received a donation from an organisation once known as Hertfordshire Deaf Society, the charity folded some years ago and they have kindly transferred surplus funds to Phoenix. We are extremely thankful to all of our funders and fundraisers for their generosity and support. Total expenditure was£186,661 . Overall the year ended with a net operating income of £87,519 which combined with our Designated Reserves account and cash resources means that Phoenix is a strong financial position going into 2024-25. This was our aim for this year, as we face the challenge of business beyond the Big Lottery Fund. ## **POLICY ON RESERVES** The unrestricted funds are used for general purposes within the charity. The restricted funds are used according to their original instruction. The level of reserves is monitored and reviewed at the regular Trustee Board meetings. It is the policy of the charity that we aim for unrestricted reserves to be maintained at a level equivalent of between three and six months’ expenditure. All other unrestricted funds will be used in connection with the charities day to day business. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level, will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charities current activities whilst consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. To this end a further £30,000 has been transferred from the Charity’s unrestricted moneys to the separate Designated Reserves account for this purpose ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** Trustees V Copenhagen E Vejsiu A Ansell L Santos P Linnegar (appointed December 2023) The trustees’ annual report was approved on …………………………………. And signed on behalf of the board of trustees by: ………………………..…………………… Ms V Copenhagen Chair of Trustees ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Independent Examiners report to the Trustees For the year ended 31 March 2024 I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults (formerly The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children) for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on the following pages. This report is made solely to the Charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's trustees those matters I am required to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed. ## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner** The Charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not rquired for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the acconts under section 145 of the 2011 Act - to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention ## **Basis of independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the - accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met or - 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached Name: Paul O'Brien (ICPA)) - Dragonfly (Accounting & Financial Management) Ltd Address: 34 King James Close, Fordham, Ely, CB7 5ZH ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 March 2024 |INCOMING RESOURCES
Grants and donations
Income from other activities
Fundraising income
Other income
**Total incoming resources**
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable activities
Cost of generating funds
Governance costs
**Total resources expended**
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES**
**TRANSFER OF FUNDS**
**TOTAL FUNDS B/F**
**TOTAL FUNDS C/F**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
£
21,752
1,259
6,633
22,674
**52,318**
658
-
-
**658**
**51,660**
**(30,000)**
**70,630**
**92,290**|**Designated**
**Funds**
£
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
**-**
**-**
**30,000**
**30,000**
**60,000**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
£
211,363
-
10,500
-
**221,863**
186,004
-
-
**186,004**
**35,859**
**-**
**44,684**
**80,543**|**Year**
**Ended**
**Mar-24**
£
233,115
1,259
17,133
22,674
**274,181**
186,662
-
-
**186,662**
**87,519**
**-**
**145,314**
**232,833**|**Year**
**Ended**
**Mar-23**
£
166,036
2,410
10,852
19,274
**198,572**
163,591
-
184
**163,775**
**34,798**
**-**
**110,517**
**145,315**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Statement of Financial Position For the year ended 31 March 2024 |**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted funds
**Designated funds**
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Notes
2
3
4
8|**Total**
**Mar-2024**
£
590
**590**
39
234,960
**234,999**
(2,756)
**232,833**
92,290
60,000
80,543
**232,833**|Total
Mar-2023
£
787
**787**
39
147,245
**147,284**
(2,756)
**145,315**
70,630
30,000
44,684
**145,314**| |---|---|---|---| These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on ….................. and are signed on behalf of the board by: …....................................................... Ms V Copenhagen Chair of Trustees ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 ## **1. Accounting policies** ## **Basis of preparation** 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)), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. ## **Income** All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. ## **Expenditure** Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly atributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. ## **Tangible fixed assets** Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to wrtite off each asset over its estimatd useful life. Equipment - 25% on cost ## **Taxation** The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities. ## **Fund accounting** Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Resctricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrcitions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. ## **Pension costs and the other post-retirement benefits** The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 ## **2. Tangible fixed assets** |**COST**
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 April 2023
Charge of year
At 31 March 2024
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 1 April 2023
At 31 March 2024
**3. Debtors**
**2024**
**£**
Other debtors
**39**
**4. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
**2024**
**£**
Trade creditors
-
Social security and other taxes
**2,756**
Other creditors
-
**2,756**
**5. Staff**
The number of employees, based upon FTE (Full-time equivalent):
**2024**
Employees
4
4|Equipment
£
6,190
-
6,190
5,403
197
5,600
787
590
2023
£
39
2023
£
-
2,756
-
**2,756**
**2023**
4
4| |---|---| No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2023: £Nil). ## **6 Trustee remuneration and expenses** There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 (2023: £Nil). ## **7. Related parties** There have been no related party transactions in the accounting year which require disclosure. ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 |**8. Movement in Funds**
**Unrestricted Funds**
**Fundraising**
**Designated Funds**
Active Fridays
Bailey Thomas Fund
Big Lottery - Reaching Comm.
Bishops Stortford School
Care Vending
Children In Need
Co-op Community Grant
Comic Relief - Groundwork
Edward Gostling Foundation
Frank Litchfield
HDCS
Helping Herts
Herts Community Foundation
Herts County Council
Herts County Council - Short Breaks
Herts Sport Partnership
Masonic Charitable Foundation
National Deaf Children's Soc.
Road Safety Initiative
Shanley Foundation
Stevenage Borough Council - Laptop
Stevenage Borough Council - Video
Stevenage BC - LBGT Funding
Tesco
The Hedley Foundation
The Tweed Foundation
**Restricted Funds**
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Balance at
01.04.2023
£
**70,630**
**-**
**30,000**
-
-
17,913
6,152
2,315
-
-
3,353
-
-
-
-
-
-
(896)
3,697
-
-
-
1,046
-
-
1,229
-
1,058
8,818
**44,685**
**145,315**|Amount
received in
year
£
**45,685**
**17,133**
**-**
500
-
97,598
-
1,260
5,841
1,941
882
10,000
5,000
7,178
30,708
5,000
1,000
32,940
-
5,000
500
4,165
-
1,000
500
-
350
-
-
**211,363**
**274,181**|Transfers
£
**(30,000)**
**-**
**30,000**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
**-**|Amount
expended
in year
£
**(658)**
**-**
**-**
(500)
-
(97,598)
(1,474)
(2,500)
-
(1,941)
(3,997)
-
(2,436)
-
(11,555)
(4,085)
(1,000)
(37,784)
(3,697)
-
(500)
(4,165)
(1,046)
(490)
-
(1,229)
-
(1,058)
(8,949)
**(186,004)**
**(186,662)**|Balance at
31.03.2024
£
**85,657**
**17,133**
**60,000**
-
-
17,913
4,678
1,075
5,841
0
238
10,000
2,564
7,178
19,153
915
-
(5,740)
-
5,000
-
-
-
510
500
-
350
-
(131)
**70,044**
**232,833**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults** Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 |**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Donations
Gift aid
Grants
Fundraising
Activities
Interest receivable
Other income
**Total incoming resources**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
Staff costs
Pensions
Insurance
Activities
Fundraising expense
Workshops & courses
Equipment
Premises costs
Office expenses
Governance costs
Professional fees
Travel
Depreciation
**Total resources expended**
**Net income**|2024
£
21,752
-
211,363
17,133
1,259
22,674
**274,181**
114,013
4,336
1,364
11,873
11,890
-
-
34,776
3,911
-
1,047
3,254
197
**186,661**
**87,519**|2023
£
35,194
1,222
129,621
10,852
2,410
19,274
**198,572**
106,864
3,527
1,221
13,141
2,025
1,302
948
27,566
4,006
184
768
1,961
263
**163,775**
**34,798**| |---|---|---|