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 2026
## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults**
Organisational Information
**Registered Charity Number** 1180870 **Address** The Hyde Out 2-6 The Hyde Stevenage Hertfordshire SG2 9SE **Trustees** V Copenhagen (Chair) P Linnegar V Reed E Brown (appointed November 2025) B Whyatt (appointed January 2026) **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 2026
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2026. 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 2025/26 looks back on the work of the 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 for Hertfordshire (HCC) programmes for Early Birds (5-8) Flyers (8-11) and Youth (11-17) and School Lunchtime project in Knightsfield School and Heathlands School (NEW), all projects inclusive of Bedfordshire.
- NEW Hatchlings Group for 0-4years
- NEW partnership, supporting the Chicks Group for 0-4 years
- NEW Saturday Signing sessions with Georgia
- Phoenix Plus (17-30) out of term social events and weekly Life skills project
- Individual and family support
- Hatchlings Family BSL tuition
- The Duke of Edinburgh Award
- British Sign Language tutoring in the Community
111 children and young people accessed our Short Breaks Local Offer provision this year. A further 83 children and young people participated in other projects.
We are proud to continue to be a Short Breaks Local Offer (SBLO) provider for Hertfordshire County Council. We have increased our SBLO offer from 650 hours in 2024/25 to 1072 hours 2025/26. This is due to the delivery of two friendship/social inclusion projects in Knightsfield and Heathlands Schools. 111 children and young people aged 5 – 17 years are registered for SBLO, each having a total of 40 hours towards subsidised activities.
Our work continues to reflect the Phoenix Strategy objectives and the results of consultation processes with our membership. The views of our membership are incredibly important to us and we use a range of engagement and consultation resources to ensure we remain a user led organisation.
## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults**
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2026
As a result of last year 's ’ parents’ consultation, the Hatchlings group was formed and is specifically dedicated to supporting children aged 0-4 years and their families. The Hatchlings group is not the only progress we have made supporting early years this year. Phoenix is now a delivery partner for the HCC early Years Chicks group. The group provides developmental activities for children and support for families, and we are proud to be a Chicks partner.
As a result of requests to join the charity, we sought funding from the National Deaf Children ' s Society to open our activities to Bedfordshire children and young people and are delighted that the NDCS are also supporting this work for one year.
We continue to work in partnership with Adam from Sign Reach, Adam delivers Deaf Awareness and Introduction to British Sign Language classes within the community for us. The feedback from these sessions has always been incredibly positive. Adam has also delivered training to parents and families, helping to support communication within the home. Thank you, Adam, for your ongoing positive partnership.
## **ACHIEVMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Phoenix Strategy 2024 - 2027**
Phoenix is working towards achieving outcomes that contribute to the mission and vision of the charity. Below are the outcomes achieved from **April 2025 – March 2026**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
- We continue to be a SBLO (Short Breaks Local Offer) provider for children and young people
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES
aged 5-18 years living in Hertfordshire.
- We have increased our offer to be inclusive of Bedfordshire children and young people.
- We have provided individual support to help improve the wellbeing and career progression
of young adults.
- We continue to be a Duke of Edinburgh Scheme registered centre.
- Deaf Awareness and BSL training delivered to organisations throughout Hertfordshire, in
PROVIDING TRAINING
partnership with Sign Reach.
- Individual and family tutoring of BSL to families, to help aid communication between
parents, carers and children.
- Promotion of BSL level 1 and 2 in partnership with Sign Reach.
- Promotion of courses supporting parenting, delivered by the NDCS.
INCREASING INCLUSION - As a result of NDCS funding, we have developed a new ‘Hatchlings’ group for under 5s.
- 22 families/ young adults have benefited from the cost-of-living support, receiving
supermarket vouchers to help feed their families.
- Families are being offered free participation in activities because of our cost- of - living
questionnaire, and some families telling us that they cannot afford to attend Phoenix activities.
- We have recruited a Training and Development Manager (March 2026) and plan to increase
more opportunities for our membership.
- Our partnership working with the NDCS has increased because of the new Community Fund
DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS
for local groups.
- Phoenix has become a partner of the HCC led Chicks groups; a preschool group aiming to
promote language and communication.
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## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults**
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2026
**----- Start of picture text -----**
- We work in collaboration with Herts Parents and Carers Involvement group and CHSWG for
DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS
improved services for Deaf children and young people in Hertfordshire.
GROWING DIVERSITY - New deaf trainer employed to deliver BSL to families
- A 75% increase of Deaf volunteers
- We continue to have a predominately d/Deaf board, with 80% of trustees having lived
experience of deafness.
- We make adaptions for Neurodiversity.
- Phoenix Plus is specifically for Deaf young adults with learning difficulties.
- We have seen an increase in membership from ethnically diverse backgrounds since we
opened up our membership to Bedfordshire.
- Our CEO completed a Sustainable Business Management course to help the charity fulfil its
ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE sustainability responsibilities. The course (level 5 award in Management and Leadership) gives the
charity Chartered Management Status for one year.
- New staff improved knowledge of services and audiology through training with a teacher of
the Deaf.
- We are accredited to use the Charity Excellence Framework 2025 logo due to the ongoing
evaluations and improvements to our service.
- Programmes Manager Jodie has passed level 1 BSL and has begun level 2.
- We have recruited a new deaf BSL trainer who we are supporting to complete Level 3 Award
in Education and Training.
- We are an accredited Living Wage Employer
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Future Plans**
We listen to what our children, young people and families tell us and continue to work towards achieving outcomes linked to our strategy objectives. Our key plans for next year will include
- Growing our Bedfordshire Membership
- Improve communication between our membership by providing free sign language tuition/ activities.
- Providing further financial subsidies where needed
- The recruitment of an experienced youth worker who is fluent in BSL and can further develop youth and young adult
- projects
- The recruitment of an experienced Play Leader, to lead on our SBLO activities
- Continue to expand on lived experience within the charity
- Increasing the opportunity for learning amongst our membership
- Identify a new venue where we can deliver youth and Phoenix Plus activities, a safe space that young people can take o
- Increase learning opportunities for parenting a d/Deaf child
- Reintroduction of an online parents’ forum and establish a termly meet up for new members.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Organisational Structure**
As of March 2026, the Phoenix charity employ seven part time staff and have a service level agreement with a further three freelance workers, one of whom is contracted on a weekly basis.
## **Board of Trustees**
This year there was a board made up of 5 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.
## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults**
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2026
## **Trustees 2025/26**
Valarie Copenhagen - Chair of Trustees Eleanor Brown - Parent representative Beryl Whyatt - Secretary Valerie Reed Philip Linnegar
## **Appointment of trustees**
Eleanor Brown was appointed as a trustee in November 2025
Beryl Whyatt was appointed as a trustee in January 2026
## **Resignation of trustees**
There were no resignations during this period.
## **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**
The charity made a strategic decision to scale back fundraising activity during the year, reflecting the healthy level of reserves built up in recent years, alongside a significant reduction in rental and overhead costs. The charity will monitor the use of its reserves in the coming year and continue to manage its finances in line with its reserves policy and operational plan. This approach has enabled the charity to continue delivering its services without disruption while making prudent use of its available resources. Heartfelt thanks to all our funders and fundraisers this year for their continued generosity and belief in our mission.
Total expenditure for the year amounted to £134,611 resulting in a net operating income of £1,102. With our designated reserves and existing cash resources, Phoenix is entering the 2026–27 financial year in a strong and stable position.
## **Reserves Policy**
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 charity's 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 charity's current activities whilst consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.
The trustees’ annual report was approved on 16th June 2026 a nd 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 2026
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 2026, 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 2026
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Grants and donations
4,657
Income from other activities
3,441
Fundraising income
-
Other income
3,132
**Total incoming resources**
**11,230**
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable activities
246
Cost of generating funds
-
Governance costs
-
**Total resources expended**
**246**
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES**
**10,984**
**TRANSFER OF FUNDS**
**-**
**TOTAL FUNDS B/F**
**109,677**
**TOTAL FUNDS C/F**
**120,661**|**Designated**
**Funds**
£
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
**-**
**-**
**-**
**60,000**
**60,000**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
£
115,690
-
8,793
-
**124,483**
131,708
2,657
-
**134,365**
**(9,882)**
**-**
**106,125**
**96,243**|**Year**
**Ended**
**Mar-26**
£
120,347
3,441
8,793
3,132
**135,713**
131,954
2,657
-
**134,611**
**1,102**
**-**
**275,802**
**276,904**|**Year**
**Ended**
**Mar-25**
£
168,255
4,307
9,800
30,495
**212,857**
163,982
5,906
-
**169,888**
**42,968**
**-**
**232,834**
**275,802**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 2026
|**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-2026**
£
705
**705**
-
276,200
**276,200**
-
**276,904**
120,661
60,000
96,243
**276,904**|Total
Mar-2025
£
442
**442**
39
278,077
**278,116**
(2,756)
**275,802**
109,677
60,000
106,125
**275,802**|
|---|---|---|---|
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 2026
## **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 a t tributed 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 write off each asset over its estimat e d 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.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restri c tions 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 2026
## **2. Tangible fixed assets**
|**COST**
At 1 April 2025
Additions
At 31 March 2026
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 April 2025
Charge of year
At 31 March 2026
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 1 April 2025
At 31 March 2026
**3. Debtors**
**2026**
**£**
Other debtors
**-**
**4. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
**2026**
**£**
Trade creditors
-
Social security and other taxes
**-**
Other creditors
-
**-**
**5. Staff**
The number of employees, based upon FTE (Full-time equivalent):
**2026**
Employees
6
6|Equipment
£
6,190
498
6,688
5,748
235
5,983
442
705
2025
£
39
2025
£
-
2,756
-
**2,756**
**2025**
6
6|
|---|---|
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2025: £Nil).
## **6 Trustee remuneration and expenses**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2026 (2025: £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 2026
|**8. Movement in Funds**
**Unrestricted Funds**
**Designated Funds**
**Fundraising**
Arnold Clark Fund
Bailey Thomas
Bishops Stortford School
Care Vending
Children In Need
Childwick Trust
Douglas Arter Foundation
Enterprise Fund
Follet Trust
HDCS
Hedley Foundation
Helping Herts
Herts Community Foundation
Herts County Council - Short Breaks
Masonic Charitable Foundation
National Deaf Children's Soc.
Otodynamics
Postcode Lottery
Tesco
The Tweed Foundation
**Restricted Funds**
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Balance at
01.04.2025
£
**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**
**275,802**|Amount
received in
year
£
**11,230**
**-**
**8,793**
-
2,000
-
3,603
25,265
-
-
3,500
-
-
-
-
5,900
50,623
5,000
9,799
-
-
-
10,000
**115,690**
**135,713**|Transfers
£
**-**
**-**
**-**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
**-**|Amount
expended
in year
£
**(246)**
**-**
**(2,657)**
(1,000)
-
(966)
(3,689)
(25,235)
(3,718)
(500)
-
(500)
-
(880)
(1,951)
(5,030)
(49,621)
(1,463)
(11,708)
(1,000)
(19,275)
(350)
(4,822)
**(131,708)**
**(134,611)**|Balance at
31.03.2026
£
**120,661**
**60,000**
**27,163**
-
2,000
659
1,369
-
1,800
-
3,500
-
4,083
1,500
31,013
870
-
3,537
5,282
-
-
-
13,467
**69,080**
**276,904**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Young Adults**
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2026
|**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**|2026
£
2,972
1,685
115,690
8,793
3,441
-
3,132
**135,713**
94,181
3,903
753
14,449
2,657
-
-
5,743
5,621
-
3,389
3,670
246
**134,611**
**1,102**|2025
£
4,114
1,434
162,706
9,800
4,307
-
30,495
**274,181**
99,402
5,424
1,058
6,992
5,906
1,700
2,093
38,664
5,285
-
696
2,522
148
**186,661**
**87,519**|
|---|---|---|