Partially Sighted Society Havering Established 1977
(Registered Charity No. 1186148)
Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 19th May 2025
1.Welcome
John welcomed everyone and mentioned Karen Riley a new volunteer driver. As discussed in our last Committee meeting, he did some ‘housekeeping’ by giving the location of toilets and reading out fire drill procedures.
2.Apologies
Off sick - Jane Trevor, Jeanette Smith, Gene Holroyd, Sylvia Fisher, Margaret Youngman, Ken Towsey On holiday – Debbie Elliott, Pat Goggins
3. 2022 Minutes
The Minutes from the May 2024 AGM were read out by Janice. One error – Reading instead of Reeding in Resource Centre report.
4.Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
5.Chairman’s Report
John mentioned that it was our 5[th] AGM since becoming an independent charity and it has been a very busy year, not only running these monthly social evenings but also the weekly Drop-in groups and the new Thursday walking group organised by Anna and Michael. In addition to these, there was the Social Gathering, Barbecue, trips to the theatre and other places of interest plus with the Drop-ins many trips on Elizabeth line and a day in Southend. It has been a very busy year with a total of 120 activities.
On the Monday evenings we enjoyed an excellent mix of speakers, entertainers and quizzes. It was amazing to see so many people up and dancing, including Ken at 92!
The Tuesday Drop-In is an amazing friendly group enabling people with sight problems to meet others, have a chat and learn about the items demonstrated which can help in everyday life and make a difference. The
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speakers have been very informative and when Clover from Tesco visits, she has brought some tasty samples!
The Thursday walking group started last summer, which is a great way to get exercise in the Havering parks and they always end up with a brew.
The Social Gathering and barbecue were the best attended yet. In 5 years we have nearly doubled figures, from 36 to 67 people last year. The barbecue has been going for 10 years and last year we had 61 people and room for more. John hoped that you all enjoyed these events and looking forward to those of this year.
The theatre trips, train excursions and other outings have all had positive comments and been well attended and organised.
We lost 5 members, 2 having sadly passed away, one of whom was our Sally who had been with us for so many years, going back to the 80s. She is a big loss to us and will be very much missed. We have also lost Phil (Philomena), who had only been with us for 2 years but had enjoyed going to the groups. John and Ian, 2 volunteer drivers, are no longer able to drive for us. Pat Moody has moved into full time care.
However, we have 17 new members, the most ever in one year, and 4 of those are volunteer drivers. So we are doing something right!
The Council, having left us alone for a while, have now informed us that they want to refurbish the meeting and voluntary rooms at Yew Tree. Therefore, there will not be a Drop-In group here for 10 weeks from 8.7. We are in the process of finding a temporary venue. As a consequence, the resource room will not be accessible so any one-to-one demonstrations will have to be conducted before July or after end September.
Committee Members
The committee meet on a Saturday afternoon every 3 months in the community room at Hornchurch Fire Station. We welcome anyone who would like to join the committee and have some input on what we do. Some of the committee members attended the ‘Older Peoples Forum’ at the Queens Theatre in October. Also a number of the committee successfully took part in a first aid course and are planning to hold a refresher later this year. Some committee members are also trustees of various organizations supporting the VI community, ensuring we are all working together and helping each other.
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Policies
These are there to make sure we are doing everything to keep you, volunteers and entertainers safe and that we comply with the Charity Commission’s rules and regulations. They are reviewed and updated each year, copies of which are kept in the Demonstration Room and John keeps a copy also. They consist of:
Risk Assessments Policy – they apply to the barbecue, Drop-In and Monday evening groups. We are arranging for a new risk assessment policy for the temporary Drop-In venue.
Safeguarding Policy – these include First Aid, Fire, Code of Conduct and Health and Safety. We are reviewing our fire policies as we have been unable to carry out a fire drill which was on our previous safeguarding policy. This was not our fault. So we are changing our policy to fit in with the Council and will conduct a ‘housekeeping routine’ at the start of each meeting. John will have a fresh copy once it is completed.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – For your safety as we need your agreement to hold your personal information. Last year 1 person had to sign the form, this year no-one has to.
Public Liability Insurance – Indemnity cover is £5 million and this is for everything we do, whether at Yew Tree or other locations and also covers items bought for the demonstration room.
Havering Talking Newspaper – they are continuing to do an excellent job, providing updates every 2 weeks. Mo Brace and Dennis Lynch have been very good at reminding John when they are recording to enable him to have the information on time.
Thank you’s – John thanked all the Committee, all the volunteer drivers, Wenda for the fundraising, chefs Jason and Dan, 1[st] Upminster Scout Group Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre and all the volunteers who have helped at all the events. You have all been amazing
6.Secretary’s Report
Janice mentioned the usual typing up of Minutes and generally helping out at the Monday evening events with refreshments and been an occasional relief driver. She mentioned having been on the First Aid course which was very informative, with a refresher to take place to keep up skills. Referring to Sally who we sadly lost last year, she would be proud of Peter’s ‘Moonwalk’ in her memory. Also Janice mentioned Tracy who is doing a brilliant job on the Committee and thanked Chris, who is standing down, for all his hard work. The PSSH lottery is doing well since it started last August. Janice concluded by wishing PSSH another successful year.
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7.Treasurer’s Report
Since taking over as Treasurer, Barbara has set up internet banking, which is quicker and easier. She thanked those who pay online, which saves going to the bank in this climate of banks ever closing (including Lloyds Bank Hornchurch which will be closing). She explained the misunderstanding with Lloyds Bank not realising PSSH were a registered charity and were going to charge fees on the account, but this has now been resolved.
Barbara passed round the annual account for anyone interested to see them. For accounting purposes, the Monday night club (Social) and the Tuesday (Drop-in) are kept separate.
Income - last year’s Social income total was £5,900.05 and Drop-In total was £2,500.75, combined income being £8,400.80.
Expenditure, Social was £6,696.76 (leaving a deficit of £796.71). Drop-In was £1,541.72 (leaving a surplus of £959.03), Total combined expenditure was £8,238.48, leaving a profit over the year of £162.32.
Cash Up to 31.3.25 Social was holding £803.35, Drop-In, £806.61, total is £1,609.96.
In the Bank , Social was holding £6,643.70, Drop-In £2,710.20, Total is £10.963.86.
It is a healthy balance which is necessary to cover any emergencies eg alternative arrangements for Drop-In over the 10 weeks Yew Tree is closed.
8.Social Secretary’s Report
Peter read the report In Jeanette Smith’s absence.
‘I have tried to provide a varied entertainment program throughout the year with a mixture of quizzes, speakers and entertainers which I hope you have enjoyed. Over the year we have had 4 entertainers, Angie Walk, Kelly’s Hero’s, Ian Geast and Ian Woodhouse who were very good. We have also had 2 speakers, Michael Farley with a talk about St. George and Roy Tyzack with a talk about policing in the East End in the 70s. David Caulfield with songs and stories from the 60s. There were 2 quizzes, Paul Seckleman’s musical quiz and Sandra’s general knowledge quiz with Domino Bingo in January. For the rest of 2025, June is Linda Hall, July, Helen Knox from the Essex Dog Therapy Trust, September, Out of the Blue Ukelele band, October, Ian Woodhouse, November, Paul Seckleman’s quiz and December, Angie Walk. We are fortunate to have some talented members in the club and I would particularly like to thank Sandra for providing the general knowledge quiz, Ian Woodhouse for entertaining us and Paul Seckleman for his interactive musical quiz once again. Their contribution has been very much appreciated. We hope you have enjoyed the different speakers, it has not always been easy to obtain suitable interesting speakers but will try and
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find at least 2 per year. We can usually tell if members are enjoying the musical entertainment by their clapping of hands and there has been more dancing than ever before. ‘
9.Membership Secretary’s Report
Members passed - Sadly we lost 3 members, Sally Slattery who was a longstanding member of the Committee and will be dearly missed, Philamena Rackham, here for a short while and Kath Sims, who had not been attending for some time but passed away at the remarkable age of 107. Members no longer attending – John Slocombe and Ian Hastings New Members – 17
Ian Woodhouse, Ken Towsey and Margaret Jayman – all 3 in June 2024 John McGee and Rita Stacey – July 2024
Roy and Audrey Bailey, Patrick Goggin and Alan Green – September 2024 Dave and Pauline Shepherdson, and Debbie Elliott – October 2024 Debbie Gaze, Sheila Hewson, Alfie Sibbons, Artiola Braha and Rita Miles - January 2025
Total membership - 80
10.Transport Secretary Report
John has 15 amazing volunteer drivers at present, plus a further 3 who are willing to help when needed.
We have lost 2 drivers, John Slocombe and Ian Hastings.
There are 4 new drivers, Alfie Sibbons, Artiola Braha, Debbie Gaze and Ian Woodhouse. We could not do what we do if it wasn’t for you.
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John thanked all members who had let him know in advance that they were not attending the group, which allowed him to let the drivers know, saving them time and money.
At this point we stopped for a refreshment break.
11.Resource Centre Report
Glynda said she would be brief as most things have already been mentioned. Everyone is welcome at the Drop-In, Tuesdays 12.30-3pm. We share information and ideas and are there to all help each other. We have had speakers from Age UK, Careers Hub, Talking Newspaper, 2 visits from Clover at Tescos, visit from Denise, the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer from Queens Hospital, Ben Rendall from the Macula Society, the London Fire Brigade, Lara from the RNIB library and the Eye Clinic at Elm Park. We had
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an outing to Southend with fish and chips. Sandra gave a talk about hearing loss, also from a lady who trained puppies to become guide dogs. Andrew Palmer from VI safety and Ben from Vision Aid came with lots of equipment. We also celebrated Easter and had a Christmas Party.
Glynda and Gene have taken over the finance as sadly Chris Nicholass has stepped down. He was part of the group for a long time and did a fantastic job. Gene has taken over the signing in,
12.Activity Report
Over the past year we attended the audio described performances of Silence, Turn of the Screw, Cinderella, Handbagged and Animal Farm at the Queens Theatre. We also took part in a backstage tour of the theatre which was very informative but the following afternoon tea was disappointing.
Kew Gardens – rained so those attending went to cinema instead. Visited Royal Mews – interesting but not worth journey.
Epping Ongar Railway, Essex Spirit Company, Dick Whittington panto by Habbit Factory, Christmasland Tour in Harrow Lodge Park. Thursday walks were started by Michael, in local parks, from around 11.30am. There is a WhatsApp group you can join. Walks are around an hour, followed by a brew.
Upcoming trips
1.8 Tiptree farm, 18.8 Houses of Parliament and in September, Denby Wine estate
Upcoming shows
Queens Theatre – 7.6 Noises Off, End November Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk and the Habbit Factory pantomime
The Committee Resigned
13.Elections
The Committee were re-elected en-bloc, proposed Richard Darmody, seconded Alan Green.
14.Any Other Business
There was no other business.
Meeting ended 9.50 pm
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- Partially Sighted Society Havering Registered Charity Number: 1186148 Accounts for the year end 31 March 2025
| Proft and Loss Account Social Income Barbecue Charge £821.60 Donations £450.00 Raffle £898.50 Collection Pots £161.15 Subscriptions £870.00 Trips /Theatre - Sales £2,189.00 Diaries/Cals/Pens/Lanyds £227.00 Lottery Income £188.00 Miscellaneous |
Drop- In Total £821.60 £153.75 £603.75 £1,228.00 £2,126.50 £161.15 £1,119.00 £1,989.00 £2,189.00 £227.00 £188.00 £0.00 £0.00 |
Total |
|---|---|---|
| £5,805.25 £2,500.75 £8,306.00 |
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| Expenditure Barbeque £1,456.28 £1,456.28 Christmas Party £272.52 £1,336.34 £1,608.86 Summer Gathering £105.00 £105.00 D B S Checks £57.70 £57.70 Trips/Theatre Tickets £2,301.70 £2,301.70 Diaries/Cals/Pens/Lanyds £297.01 £297.01 Entertainment £540.00 £540.00 Gifts £82.00 £29.48 £111.48 1st Aid Training £420.00 £420.00 Insurance £204.96 £204.96 LBH YewTree Hall Hire £450.00 £450.00 PPL Licence £88.75 £88.75 Postage/Stationary £189.65 £10.75 £200.40 Raffel £38.50 £38.50 Refreshments £124.67 Miscellaneous £40.45 |
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| £6,504.07 £1,376.57 £7,880.64 |
||
| -£698.82 £1,124.18 £425.36 Surplus/ (Defcit) |
- Partially Sighted Society Havering Registered Charity Number: 1186148 Accounts for the year end 31 March 2024
| Balance Sheet Assets Cash @ 31st March Bank @ 31st March |
31st March 25 £803.35 £9,353.70 |
31st March 24 |
|---|---|---|
| £437.78 £10,363.76 |
||
| £10,157.05 | £10,801.54 | |
| Liabilities Reserves at 31st March 24 Proft / (loss) on activities to 31st March 25 |
£10,801.54 £425.36 |
£10,801.54 |
| £11,226.90 | £10,801.54 |
Prepared by: Barbara Hensher 7th April 2025