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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration Number: 11808870

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 2025

The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults

Organisational Information

Registered Charity Number

1180870

Address

Trustees

The Hyde Out 2-6 The Hyde Stevenage Hertfordshire SG2 9SE V Copenhagen (Chair) E Vejsiu (resigned 2 December 2024) A Ansell V Reed (appointed 29 January 2025 P Linnegar L Santos (resigned 19 November 2024)

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 2025

The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. 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 2024/25 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.

The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults

Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

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.

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MISSION OBJECTIVES OUTCOMES
OPPORTUNITIES
Young people achieving through our work To provide personalised support which We continue to be a SBLO (Short Breaks
and life skills programmes, which support helps children and young people reach Local Offer) provider for children and young
the development of their pathways into their full potential and to work in people aged 5-18 years living in
adulthood. partnership to ensure a diverse range of Hertfordshire.
opportunities are offered that are age
appropriate, accessible and inclusive.
The delivery of successful programmes that We continue to be a registered DofE Centre
inspire and engage children and young and offer the DofE award to young people
people, helping them to achieve tangible aged 14-25 years.
outcomes that contribute to all areas of
their development.
Our young adult’s life skills project
Happy children and young people. continued and increased in membership to
13 regular members.
Trial of central Bedfordshire SBLO project.
Nine central Bedfordshire families engaged
in this programme.
The new Hatchlings group (0-4) parents and
early years group was established in
January 2025, open to Bedfordshire
families too. Delivery is during holiday
periods.
We became a partner of Hertfordshire
Chicks groups in January 2025 and
promoted this widely to our membership.
This term time group closely connects with
our new Hatchlings group which is in
holiday periods.
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 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 Reach.
Promotion of the NDCS training offer;
- Setting up support for your child
supporting primary school
- Understanding EHCPs
- Technology for Educational Settings
- Sleep issues and practical solutions
- Requesting an EHCP Assessment
- Preparing for an EHCP Annual Review
- Exploring Deaf Identity
- DLA Claims for your Deaf Child
- Real life experiences, Making Play and
Sports Inclusive.
Teaching of BSL in Hertfordshire schools
who are fundraising for us, involving
Phoenix Plus members and volunteers.
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The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults

Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

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INCLUSION
Increased numbers of children, young We will endeavor to identify solutions to We continue to provide transport support
people and families accessing support and make services accessible for all our for those members in need, to enable
opportunities. membership. engagement and have recruited a new
volunteer to assist with this.
More members connecting and sharing We have accessed ‘Cost of Living’ funding
experiences. to deliver a Community Hub at Phoenix
centre.
A happier membership as a result of - 24 families were given food vouchers
inclusion worth £125 each and some families were
given essential items of furniture and
clothing.
- 51 families received a free meal at the
Phoenix centre and had access to advice
and information re-supporting services such
as local food banks.
- Phoenix is a referring agency for local
food banks across the county.
We delivered termly parents’ participation
groups online, led by Deaf parent and
Trustee.
We have delivered a weekly friendship
group for students at Knightsfield School.
Our Phoenix Plus group is accessible to
young adults with a range of disabilities.
Families who told us were financially
excluded from accessing Phoenix activities
(through our cost-of-living questionnaire)
have been offered free activity places.
As a result of NDCS funding, we have
developed a new ‘Hatchlings’ group for
under 5s. Parents requested that a separate
group was established as the age range of 0-
7 was too wide and activities not suitable
for early years.
PARTNERSHIPS
Increased accessible opportunities for our We will develop and maintain closer links We are working with the NDCS
membership. with other Hertfordshire organisations, to Communities Delivery Officer to increase
advance the effectiveness of our work and opportunities.
increase opportunities.
Phoenix as the desired choice for D/deaf We continue to be members of the
children and young people in Hertfordshire. Children’s Hearing Service Working Group
(CHSWG) of Hertfordshire.
Sustainability through improved corporate We have developed a positive relationship
and public sector relationships. with Moss Bury School (who are a specialist
provision for deaf children) in Stevenage
and the charity are now based at the
school.
Our CEO is a member of Hertfordshire’s
Leaders Forum.
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The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults

Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

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PARTNERSHIPS
We have worked closely with Knightsfield
and Heathlands Schools delivering projects
to increase skill and reduce isolation.
We have developed relationships with
some of our funders and fundraisers, with
whom we work closely with.
Phoenix have developed our working
relationship with Hertfordshire County
Council to deliver the Chicks groups in
Stevenage.
We established a partnership with Central
Bedfordshire Council, to trial delivery of
CBC SBLO. We also developed links with
Access Bedfordshire and the Bedfordshire
Deaf Children’s Society local group.
DIVERSITY
Increase the number of D/deaf and Hard of Five 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, four of whom are Deaf or
groups too. We will also increase our efforts experience hearing loss.
when advertising work and volunteering New job roles have been advertised on Deaf
Shared experience to help us improve our opportunities, with the aim of creating a Jobs UK and information made accessible in
services.
more diverse workforce BSL.
Role models who demonstrate a positive 75% of the Board of Trustees are d/Deaf
contribution to society /hard of hearing.
Young adults attending Phoenix Plus have
diverse needs, some requiring delivery
adjustments.
We continue to be the only DofE centre in
Hertfordshire (possibly much wider)
specifically for young deaf people.
EXCELLENCE
A pro-active staff team, volunteers and Meet and maintain high standards of Staff training is undertaken to measure
trustee board who contribute effectively to trustees, staff, volunteers and operations impact more effectively; this is in practice.
achieving the strategic aims of the performance
organisation.
New staff improved knowledge of services
Strengthened areas of weakness. and audiology through training with a
teacher of the Deaf.
Progress is under way to improve the
A happy and well supported workforce. recruitment process of trustees to the
Board.
We have an improved process for managing
budgets.
Project Leader has completed level 3
qualification in Play Work, three members
of staff completed BSL courses and another
in progress.
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The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults

Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

EXCELLENCE We have introduced a behaviour management policy to our membership, to ensure that undesired behaviours are dealt with effectively. This relates to children and adults. Governance is reviewed and new policies are created in line with new legislation or practice. The CEO has undertaken a Level 5 Sustainability Business Management course. We will start to implement new measures within our work and promote the ‘greener’ message within our work with children, young people and families. The SBM course (level 5 award in Management and Leadership) gives the charity Chartered Management Status for one year.

The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults

Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Future Plans

We continue to work towards achieving outcomes linked to our strategy objectives. Our key plans for the next year include:

Achievement and Performance

Overall, we have had a positive and productive year, navigating a number of changes and challenges with resilience and careful planning. One of the most significant decisions was to end our lease at the Phoenix Centre in Stevenage, which had been the charity’s home for the past 10 years. Without the security of Lottery funding which previously covered our rental costs and the evolving needs of our members since the Coronavirus pandemic, we felt it was the right time to transition. We were delighted to be offered office space at Moss Bury School in Stevenage. This move has not only strengthened our partnership with another organisation supporting deaf children, but it has also eased financial pressures on the charity—allowing us to redirect resources to core services and support.

We remain grateful to Hertfordshire County Council, who continue to commission Phoenix to deliver the Short Breaks Local Offer (SBLO). Our SBLO holiday activities remain highly popular with children and young people across the county. As part of this programme, we have also been running a weekly lunchtime friendship group at Knightsfield School. Both initiatives are designed to enhance learning and physical activity, reduce isolation and loneliness, and help young people build confidence and friendships.

In addition, we continue to maintain our registration as a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Centre and are currently delivering our second DofE Award programme. We are particularly thankful to the Tweed Foundation for their continued support of this initiative.

We continued efforts to improve communication within our communities, working in partnership with Signreach who we contracted to deliver Deaf Awareness/Introduction to BSL. We also delivered training to families of deaf children, to help improve language and communication in the home. Individual support has also been provided to young people, this has been invaluable to individuals and families across the county.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to all our staff and volunteers for their dedication and hard work over the past year. Your commitment continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of the children, young people, and families we support.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Organisational Structure

This year there was a board made up of 4 Trustees, who met regularly to administer the charity. A CEO is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-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.

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.

Valerie Copenhagen remains Chair of Trustees

The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults

Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Trustees 2024/25

V Copenhagen E Vejsiu V Reed L Santos A Ansell P Linnegar

Appointment of trustees

V Reed was appointed as a trustee in January 2025.

Resignation of trustees

L Santos stepped down as a trustee in November 2024. E Vejsiu stepped down as a trustee in December 2024. A Ansell stepped down as a trustee in March 2025.

Governance

The Board remains committed to maintaining strong governance, transparency, and accountability. Policies are reviewed, amended as appropriate and approved by the board as required. Key risks include funding sustainability, safeguarding concerns, and staff capacity are reviewed and mitigating actions are implemented when deemed necessary.

Financial Performance

For the financial year ended March 2025, our total income was £212,857. Our CEO has worked diligently to diversify our fundraising streams, resulting in a significant increase in alternative fundraising activities. In particular, the support received from Helping Herts Charity was especially valuable.

We are also deeply grateful for the backing of several key funders, including BBC Children in Need, Garfield Weston Foundation, Edward Gostling Foundation, and the Cranfield Trust, all of whom contributed towards our core operating costs. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our funders and fundraisers for their continued generosity and belief in our mission.

Total expenditure for the year amounted to £169,888, resulting in a net operating income of £42,968. When combined with our Designated Reserves and existing cash resources, Phoenix is entering the 2025–26 financial year in a strong and stable position. This is a particularly satisfying achievement, marking our first year operating independently of lottery funding, a significant milestone in our journey toward long-term sustainability.

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.

The trustees’ annual report was approved on 28 August 2025 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 2025

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 2025, 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:

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:

have not been met or

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 2025

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
£
5,548
4,307
-
30,495
40,350
16,330
-
-
16,330
24,020
-
85,657
109,677		 Designated
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
60,000
60,000		 Restricted
Funds
£
162,706
-
9,800
-
172,506
147,652
5,906
-
153,558
18,948
-
87,177
106,125		 Year
Ended
Mar-25
£
168,255
4,307
9,800
30,495
212,857
163,982
5,906
-
169,888
42,968
-
232,834
275,801		 Year
Ended
Mar-24
£
233,115
1,259
17,133
22,674
274,181
186,662
-
-
186,662
87,519
-
145,314
232,833

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 2025

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-2025
£
442
442
39
278,077
278,116
(2,756)
275,801
109,677
60,000
106,125
275,801		 Total
Mar-2024
£
590
590
39
234,960
234,999
(2,756)
232,833
92,290
60,000
80,543
232,833

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 2025

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 2025

2. Tangible fixed assets

COST
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
Charge of year
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
3. Debtors
2025
£
Other debtors
39
4. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
£
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):
2025
Employees
6
6		 Equipment
£
6,190
-
6,190
5,600
148
5,748
590
442
2024
£
39
2024
£
-
2,756
-
2,756
2024
4
4

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: £Nil).

6 Trustee remuneration and expenses

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 (2024: £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 2025

8. Movement in Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Designated Funds
Fundraising
Arnold Clark Fund
Big Lottery - Reaching Comm.
Bishops Stortford School
Care Vending
Children In Need
Childwick Trust
Comic Relief - Groundwork
Douglas Arter Foundation
Edward Gostling Foundation
Follet Trust
Frank Litchfield
Garfield Weston
HDCS
Hedley Foundation
Helping Herts
Herts Community Foundation
Herts County Council - Short Breaks
Masonic Charitable Foundation
National Deaf Children's Soc.
Neighbourly Foundation
Otodynamics
Postcode Lottery
Short Breaks (Beds)
Stevenage Borough Council - Laptop
Stevenage Borough Council - Video
Tesco
TKMaxx
The Charities Trust
The Tweed Foundation
Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Balance at
01.04.2024
£
85,657
60,000
17,133
-
17,913
4,678
1,075
5,841
-
238
-
10,000
-
2,564
-
7,178
-
19,153
915
(5,740)
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
510
500
350
-
-
(131)
70,044
232,833		 Amount
received in
year
£
40,350
-
9,800
1,000
-
-
4,720
13,629
6,000
-
500
-
500
-
10,000
-
2,380
15,734
5,030
47,288
6,120
7,191
500
1,000
25,000
5,000
-
-
-
500
614
10,000
162,706
212,856		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(58)
-
-
-
-
58
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Amount
expended
in year
£
(16,330)
-
(5,906)
-
(17,913)
(3,053)
(4,340)
(19,500)
(482)
(238)
-
(10,000)
-
(2,506)
(10,000)
(3,095)
-
(1,923)
(6,003)
(42,550)
(11,120)
-
(500)
-
(5,725)
(5,000)
(510)
(500)
-
(500)
(614)
(1,580)
(147,652)
(169,888)		 Balance at
31.03.2025
£
109,677
60,000
21,027
1,000
-
1,625
1,455
(30)
5,518
-
500
-
500
-
-
4,083
2,380
32,964
-
(1,002)
-
7,191
-
1,000
19,275
-
-
-
350
-
-
8,289
85,098
275,801

The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

INCOMING RESOURCES
Donations
Gift aid
Grants
Fundraising events
Activities
Interest receivable
Other income
Total incoming resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Staff costs
Pensions
Insurance
Activities
Fundraising expense
Workshops & course
Equipment
Premises costs
Office expenses
Governance costs
Professional fees
Travel
Depreciation
Total resources expended
Net income		 2025
£
4,114
1,434
162,706
9,800
4,307
-
30,495
212,857
99,402
5,424
1,058
6,992
5,906
1,700
2,093
38,664
5,285
-
696
2,522
148
169,888
42,968		 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