TNF Tdking News Federali•ft TN F Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) number 1185913 REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERIOD FROM 1 APRIL 2024 TO 31 MARCH 2025
Legal and Administrative Infomiation TNF CIO Registered off ice and principal add$S 145 Victoria Road Swindon SN13BU Charity number 1185913 President Peter While MBE Trustees Mike Wood (Chair) (elected 13 January 2025) Richard Black ffreasurer) (elected 21 September 2024} Helen Tavemer (Secretary) (elected 21 September 20241 Deborah Harrison (elected 21 September 2024) Alan Dunderdale (elected 14 October 2023) Margaret Grainger (elected 131h January 2025) Heather Bolton (elected 9 October 2021, resigned 21 September 2024) Amanda Reed (elected 9 October 2021, resigned 2 January 2025} Luke Howarth (elected 14 October 2023, resigned 14 January 20251 June Litue {elected 17 September 2022. resigned 8 March 20251 Daniel White lelecled 14 October 2023. resigned 3 May 20251
Independent Examiner Gerald Bygraves GB Accounting Solutions Limited Millennium Studios Bedford Technology Park Bedford MK44 2YA Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill Wesl Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Shawbrook Bank Limited Lutea House, Wadey Hill Business Park The Drive. Great Warley Brenhvood. Essex CM13 3BE Natwest Bank PIC 30 High Street Chippenham SN15 3HB Contsct details Telephone Email Website 01793 497555 en uines tnf.o tnf.org.uk
From the Chair Ourlheme for last yearwas 'Challenging Assumptions" which was eloquenly introduced by Penny Melville-Brown Yhe Blind Bakerf in her engaging after dinner talk al the Conference Gala Dinnerwhen she kindly donated a handmade, beautiful, pewter fruit cake miniature as the Innovation Award. A huge Ihank you to our Talking Newspapers ffNsl, all Trustees. volunteers. workers, suppliers. local socieb'es, delegates, speakers. presenters, specialists and venues, who together have allowed us to achieve so much. Without them we could not actively support our membership so successfully. Achieved in this year National Conference and AGM Coventy held in September 2024 April 2024 Preston Roadshow April 2024 Winter Workshop June 2024 "Working in Partnership" Falkirk Roadshow October 2024 Winter Workshop Th Health Check- November 2024 Winter Workshop Visual Impairnent Awareness- January 2025 Winterwortshop "Copyrighr February 2025 Technical Winterworkshop March 2025 East and West Midlands Roadshow at Walsall March 2025 Technical Walsall Roadshow This yea¢s on*oing developments Talkphone TNF Soundings MYTN TNF archiving Supportj'ng TN in crisis whether opening, closing oriusl a helping hand TNF'S Audio TeGhnician to visit. check and advise on your sound set-up Exh ibiting at Sight Villages Events Developmentof TNF Social Media Psence Working on improving policy, guidan and.how to- guides TN Insurance from Insurance Brokers Verlingue Grantmaking to TNS Utilise HESK to ensure we respond to queries efficienly and effectively Liaising with Deafblind UK, RNIB, Blind Bntish Sport, Retina UK, Guide Dogs, Blind Veterans, Visionary, British Wireless forthe Blind, Macular Society, Scottish Tech Army. Launched the 'lnnovation Award- gifted by Penny Melville-Brown to annually celebrate membership s inspired new developments. Please note - This is not a comprehenslve Itst, and my slncere apologles If I have failed to mention work that has been achieved and not included here. This yearwe are celebrating 20 years of TNF supportforTalking Newspapers nationwide and througthoutthe yearwe will be acknowledging the achievements that have been made alongside new ideas and developments.
About TNF TNF is a CIO run entirely by volunteers, with work overseen by a Board of elected Truslees. TNF'S objectives are to; promte good practice and the efficiency and effectiveness of its member organisations forthe benefit of people who are printdisabled, including those who are blind or parbally sighted and people labouring under some temporary or pemanent incapacity or disability thal makes reading a strain support, represent and develop the Work of TNF members who undertake the systematic provision of news and other material throughout the UK promte and assist the f0MtiOn of TN Organisations throughoutlhe UK. Our service TNF exists to support and assist some 300 local TNS throughout the UK who deliver local news and infomation in audio fonnat to people who a print disabled, including those who are blind and pa'allY sighted. The service is distributed on memory sts'cks via Royal Mail and is also accessible online. Our impact Local TNS and their listenets are at the heart of everything TNF do. We endeavour lo ensure the best quality service is delivered to our members. The diagnosis of a print disability, such as macular degeneration, can be disempowering. Many people with the condition describe it as isolats'ng and upsetting, similar to a bereavement. Many listeners regard the service provided by TNS as a way to counter loneliness and an opportunity to continue to keep in louch with local news and infomiation within their local community. The TN service impact across the UK can be summarised as. (er 20,000 listeners receive a regular local TN or magazine Almost 1,000 newspapers and magazines are recorded Some 9,000 volu nteers deliver Ihe service. Governance and Management This Report covers the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. There are currently six TNF Trustees who meet at leastquarterly to administerthe Charity. Every year one third of the Trustees are required to resign, however, Trustees may be nominated and elected forfurther tems. The Trustees are responsible for the process of succession planning to ensure that Ihe Committee is always composed of members with the requisite experience and skills necessary to contribute to the life of the Charity and with the interests of Charity always in mind. None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the Charity, nor receives any remuneration. The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed. in particular those related to the operations and financesofthe Charity and
are satisfied that systems are in place that offer reasonable mitigation of the major risks. Trustee indemnity insurance is included in our insurance policies and has been in place throughoutthe year. Social Investment All income received by Ihe Charity is used solely for the benefit of members. The TNstees do not provide any social investrnenl loans to individuals, charities or organisations. Grant Making No grants were awarded during the year. Remuneration Policy for Trustees The Charity's Trustees give of theirtime freely and none received remuneration in the year. Detsils of Trustees, expenses are in accordance with the TNF Allowances Policy on the TNF website. Fundraising Statement TNF does not currently conduct any proactive fundraising activity. We have never employed third paty fundraisers nor engaged with commercial partners, bought or sold lists of personal dats or mailing lists from any source. Public Benefft The Charilies Acl 2011 requires all charities to meet the legal requirementthat its aims are for the public benefit. Two key principles should be met in order to demnstrate that an organisation's aims are for the public benefit,. firsly, the musl be an idenbfiable benefit and. secondly, that the benefit must be for the public or a section of the public. The guidance issued by the Charity Commission indudes'promoting the relief of those in need by reason of disability, financial or other hardship" and Ihe provision of leisure-time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons forwhom they are intended.. The Trustees confinn they have given due considerats'on to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and are confident thatthe Charity has complied with these. TNF'S charitable objects fall within subsection 3 (11 of the Charities Act2011 relating to the Elief of those in need, by aSOn ofyouth, age, ill- health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage. The Trustees ensure these are carried out forthe public benefit, through delivery of the TN seNice delivered by some 300 local TNS for people who are printdisabled, including those who are blind or visually impaired within the UK.
Conflicts of Interest As part of ourgovemance process, Trustees are required to ¢onfimi annually whether they or any close member of theirfamily has any business interests in any organisab'on or company which may result in a conflicl of interest Several TTUStees are associated with MemberTNs. Reserves Statement The Annual Conference, which includes the AGM. is TNF'S maprfinanci81 commitrnent. The maximum liability could be up to £25,000. To meet this potential liability, a designated fu nd of £10,000 is held alongside a similar level fu nd lating to the developmenvrescue of TNS in the UK. The Trustees consider a level of unrestricted reseryes amounting to 500/0 of annual expenditure is realistic. The reserves held al the end of the Financial Year are significanly above the level needed by TNF due to the receipt of unbudgeted donations. Projects have been developed to ensure memberTNs, and the Listeners they serve, will benefit. The services are made available to member TNS without charge. Risk Management The Trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises., an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the Charity faces the establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate or remove those risks identified in the annual review, and the implementsb'on of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the Charity should those risks materialise Major risks arè: a loss of confidence in the TNF resulting in a reduction in membership. the continued closure of local and gIOnal print newspapers, bringing additional challenges to those providing local TN services. the closure of local TNS as a result of eitherthe demise of the printnewspap or the difficu lties of recruiting volunteers and leaders. The risk is managed by maintsining close links with TNS. the provision of the TNF website to attract listeners and volunteers and contributsng to Ihe TNTalk chat forum where questions on technical, govemance, copyright and related subjects may be posted and advice sought. TNF Trustees and other volunteers organise training and support events and represent TNF and the whole TN constituency at events organised by other Vl grou ps WOTking with similar beneficiaries.
Flnanclal Revlew The accounts for the year under report- 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025- have been Independentty Examined. r sustaining source of income is Membership Subscriptions from local Talking Newspaper organisations in the UK. This year, trustees engaged in a programme of contacting non-renewing TNS lo detennine their position. In most cases, contact details had not been updated so the neWa1 letters had not been delivered to the current TN trustees. This programme revived Membership numbers and even resulted in 5 TNS paying upfor previous years. This does nol disguisethe continuing reduction in the availability and contentof local newspapersas well as the increasing age of volunteers and listeners. MemberTNs are reminded to update the TNF records as soon as possible so that we do notfind ourselves contscting the grieving widow of theTN Treasurer who died a couple of years ago. Also, TNS will not be fully infomied about the new services developed by TNF. We received a couple of donations from TNS which decided to close this year, we are grateful forthe donations but disheartened at the declining TN numbers. Whilethe Accounts show a significanl rise in Membership income over last year this is, mainly, an accounting illusion. We record the funds received in the year into the bank account. Many TNS send cheques to usduring March to renew their subscriptions and, usually. these are held until April so they register in the correct accounting year. This year, they slipped into the bank in March. Total Income forthe Yearwas £23.807. TNF has developed several services to help TNS to support their Listeners. TNF has invested over £6,000 this year in these seNices and the TNF website to create the services. Free delivery to members will incur ongoing costs. The services are.. TNF Soundings TNF Talklnfo TNF TalkPhone Olher services available are Studio in the Cloud and MYTN Websites. Due to huge pressure on our technical volunteers, we have paused roll-outto additional TNS but hope to move forward with them shortly. We have invested furthersums in IT equipmentsupporbng the TNF Communicat'cS and Database services at our Swindon Office and in the Cloud. This has been updated and expanded at a cost of over £5.000 and should continue to provide a stable ICT operating base for several years. Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind continued to deliver administrative support both to TNF and to TN members during the period. The AGM and National Conference and the Roadshows for members were organised with Delegate Pricing set to reflect the restricted financial ability of many TNS. Consequendy, TNF supported Ihe various events to the extent of over £24,000. Once again, Ihe events was available to TNS on-line through the excellent audiowvisual equipmentand production team of TNF Volunteers.
Trustees continued their practice of altemating meetings beeen physical and virtual galhenngs. No applications to the Memberfs Grant scheme were received. Cerall, TNF trustees operated a policy of using ReseNes to subsidise member Events to ensure they remained within the financial reach of TNS. TNF registered a deficit of £31.861 on the year but remains financially viable.
Talklng News Federation Accounts 2024 - 2025 The period rovere<l is from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Receipts M•mb•rshl Mernb8rsttip Subscriptions for the year 2023- 2024 Membership Subscnptions lor the year 2024- 2025 MembÈtship subscriptic5 for the year 2025- 2026 £210.00 £9,603.00 £1.848.00 £5.538.00 £420.00 Total Membership Subwptior £11.661.00 £5.958.00 Donatlons Donations- Gèneral t8.251.69 £40.548.90 Other Income Service Incorne Bank Interest £914.00 £2,793.07 £3.954.49 Total Recaipts £23,867.18 £50,213.97 Administration Office Administration Costs Office Equipment TNF Insurance Finance Charges Trustees Meetings Archiving Outsource Costs £5,145.66 £4.158.00 £1.477.97 £t49.04 £4.728.91 £94.50 £1,500.00 £17,254.10 £4,492.21 £5,623.24 £1,510.17 £67.12 £2,168.47 £109.29 £1,500.00 £15,470.50 Service5 Dir•ctTN Support Exhlbitsng at Events TNF Sounding5 TNF Talklnfo MYTN Project Studio in th8 Cloud TalkPhone TNF Website and Soual Media Promotional Material TN Developmenl and Training £3.126.47 £4.307.18 £1.267.70 £238.78 £0.00 £0.00 £299.57 £4.324.45 £285.00 £10.80 £13,859.95 £2,400.00 £Z.276.87 £533.07 £1.262.62 £951.( £379.05 £204.48 £489.17 £252.19 £o.I £8.748.45 Gowrnan¢e Subscription5 Independent EXaminab. 202&24 £144.00 £117.99 £261.99 £223.00 £119.94 £342.94 Total Payments £31.376.04 £24.561.89 SurpluslD8flcll for the y•ar 7.508.86 £25,652.08
Talklng News Federatlon National and R•gional Conf•r•n¢es 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Cov•ntry AGM & Conference Septernbef 2024 Falklrk Roadshow 2024 Walsall Roadshow 2025 Walsall Techni1 Roadshow 2025 Accounting Period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 2024125 2023124 RKoipts Delegate Fees Exhibition Stands Total R8¢•ipts £6.560.00 £0.00 16.560.00 £9.303. £419. £9.722.00 Payrrw Venuè and Accommodation SpeakerslGraiuities Stab'erffjl Tdephonel Postw Trav Audiovisual Syst8rn5 Planning & Owersiqht Total Payments £23.326.25 38.39 £5.278.89 É700.20 £1.369.39 £30,913.12 £24.951.45 £1,088.77 £37.68 £250.13 £0.00 £26,328.03 IDefl¢itl on cOnfnG*S forth• yr 3.12
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INDEPETriDEliT EXAMI.4iER'S REPORT TO THE TRLSTEESOF TALKING hiEWS FEDERATIOfv4 i [x)rt on ltte 8CCOUnts for the year ended 31 March 2025 set odi Ill the prwus four pages. Resp¢ctiTh'e responsihilitie% tsf irusi¢¢s examintT The thanlys Irusiees are responSie for th¢ prepara1n of the acCU13 LariWs irust¢e• c<)n$ider Ihai an audrt is no; requreil for this year un¢)er seaYJn 144121 of the Chants Act 2e11 (the 2011 Acti ana that an Irtd8pend•ni examination is needed It Is respon$ibiiity 10: -eXarne the a(tounts 3ethvn 145 of the 2011 ACL .to fdlow the proc¢¢urgs laid a{rt In the gen•r¥l Dii¢cborts given by the Ch3Tty Commiss undef sectn 1451Sllb', of tho 2011 Act. and -lo st218 vihather p3rtKular matter$ nave come to my attent B9515 of i¢dent exmin¢r's nport My examination kwa$ camed ?ut In a¢wdarK the gera4 DIrecn$ gNen by the Charity CornMisJm. An examination Includes a 'e¥i• of The ac<ounting re¢ofds kept ty tho chatty and a cornpanson of the accovni$ presenteo wrth those record$ 11 abo nOU(JeS ColderatIOn Jf any unu$ual Items or dCjOsures ifi the accoun:s, ana seeking •xpA?r$ from as WJstees corterniryJ ary matters. Tn8 procedures undértaken ao noi provide 011 the e¥idence ¢hai wcw,d be requKeO In an gudil ar con5equ¢nlty w opinion 1$ gNen as to whether the a¢unIS present a Irue ¥no fair and the report is limited 10 thos¢ matters set the slatemtym IE)dependeni eiamintW5 Staitrnent In cOnnn wrth my examirt3ts. no mailer has 10 rny artents0." 111 whith gi¥es me teasongbi• cause to be*¥e that arty matenal respe¢t the requiremefrt8". -10 keep accountn9 reeords In accordaw SottK 130 of the 2011 Act." an -lo prepare accounts which accud wrth the records ano compw wrtn the accouniing requirements otthe 2011 Act hav¢ ngt been rnet. or 121 to In rny opintin, att•fttion shoukb dfawn fft ¢yder to enable a prcper undèrstandry of the accounts to be foached <4r GB Accounting Solutrjns Limn Millenniurn Siud105 Be¢ford Tethnolcvy Pafk Thurleigh aedford 8e(ffordsbire MK44 2YA Date.