Communication
Unlimited
Annual Report
2021- 2022
## **Our Mission Statement**
To provide high quality, deaf communication services to empower individuals and groups to actively participate in society equally, primarily in the county of Derbyshire
## **Our Vision**
To constantly strive for improving effective communication for all the diverse needs of deaf people
## **Our Values**
- Bespoke Communication Services
- Confidentiality and Integrity
- Going above and beyond duty
- Hands on approach
## _Message from the Chair_
I am pleased to be presenting our 32nd Annual Report for Communication Unlimited, showing our work for 2021 – 2022.
We have once again gone through a tough year with the effects of COVID and the opening up of a ‘new’ normal life. We still did a lot of work online as well as seeing a rise in face to face work. It became a difficult balancing act for us
During 2021-2022 we delivered just over 4,600 assignments in comparison to over 6,000 in 2019 (before COVID struck). Remember we were still operating in the COVID restrictions, especially for public or school bookings and health appointments. 20222023 will show a further increase as we have built back to our pre-COVID levels.
I am pleased to say that we have continued to support trainee interpreters with their course work and this year we have 2 interpreters, Isobel Lamb and Fraser Holmes qualifying so many congratulations to them both. We continue to support Jess Squire and Stacey Fox with their coursework and hopefully next year we can celebrate their qualification too.
I am proud to say that Communication Unlimited supported the ‘Wheres the interpreter’ now campaign which ended up in the High court of Justice and the ‘Wheres the Interpreters’ team won their case. We also supported the BSL Act campaign led by Rosie Cooper MP and it went through and now has Royal Assent. We continue to watch this space for updates so we can work on this locally.
I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Communication Unlimited and the freelance interpreters, who worked for CU on some health jobs, for their continued dedication to providing a quality communication service for Deaf people especially during this difficult year.
I thank you all for continuing to use our services through the difficult times and your support towards the staff and the organisation over both the past 2 difficult years.
Your feedback on our services is very important and valuable to us as we need you to identify gaps and areas for improvements. Please continue to give us feedback.
_Rachell_
## Management Committee 2021 - 2022
Rachell Bastikar Chair
Mhairi Simpson
Siobhan John Lenton Shaw Vice Chair Secretary
Karen Adams Treasurer
Mark Chapman
Tammy Broskom
David Leader
## Communication Unlimited Staff
## Sign Language Interpreters
Helen Mary Emma Blunden Brumby Walker
Jacinta Victoria Bowen-Byrne Midgley
Jess Squire
Darren Askroft
Sam Isobel Waters Lamb
Stacey Fox Maternity leave Sept 2021
Fraser Holmes
Lynn Patton Business Coordinator
Cheryl Herbert Admin Assistant
Alison Jones CEO
## Case study 1
We were contacted by a family member to say that their deaf mother was in hospital and was very confused. One of our interpreters went in to interpret in the Emergency department and helped communication go smoothly as the staff were wearing masks due to COVID. The mother stayed in hospital for a week, we provided an interpreter to go in every day to interpret between the deaf mother and the hospital staff. We also interpreted the consultations between the various consultants and doctors with the deaf patient.
Outcome – the Deaf mother understood what was happening and was able to participate in the discussions and decisions about her treatment options.
Case study 2
A deaf asylum seeker came to our office asking for help, talking to him we realised he had been in Derby for 6 months with no access to information as he did not receive a Sign Language interpreter. We contacted the Home office on his behalf asking for a BSL interpreter to attend his appointments and we were booked to interpret for him along with a deaf relay interpreter as his first language was not BSL.
Outcome – he was able to participate in his regular meetings with the Home office, obtained medical treatment for a long standing ailment and understood what was happening to his application process to remain in UK
Committee meetings were held on Zoom as we could not meet face to face safely
Many of our work were still being delivered remotely and slowly the face to face work started to return.
2 of our interpreters qualified this year
## Fraser Holmes
## Isobel Lamb
## Awards Achieved
Helen Blunden achieved her ILM Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring.
We now have 2 staff members who are qualified to deliver Coaching and Mentoring services to Deaf people and Interpreters
Communication Unlimited were awarded the Derby and Derbyshire Beacon of Hope for our services to the Deaf community during the COVID Pandemic
Alison Jones our CEO was also awarded the same award
We produced several information videos through out the year and they mainly appeared on our page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/BSLcommunicationunlimited
## Case Study 3
Derby and Derbyshire CCG were running a consultation about the Urgent Treatment Centres and were keen to include feedback from the Deaf community.
After talking with Communication Unlimited, we agreed to set up a Deaf community session and promote this to the Deaf community as well as providing BSL interpreters.
Outcome – Deaf people were able to feedback their thoughts and suggestions for improvements. The staff from the CCG collected a lot of valuable feedback.
We continue to be a partner with SignVideo, a national BSL Interpreter Videorelay service provider and we work with them 2-3 days a week on the videophone
Communication Unlimited have lent their support to these campaigns
Rosie Cooper MP led this campaign in parliament
Lynn Stewart-Taylor and her team lead the ‘Where is the interpreter’ campaign
In 2021-2022 Communication Unlimited was funded (grants and contracts) as follows
## **Derbyshire County Council Adult Social Services**
Derbyshire County Council gave Communication Unlimited £38,750 to sustain interpreting provision across the county. This support has enabled Deaf people to live independently and ensured access to the community services
## **Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group**
GP Extra Support
The provision of GP Extra support has continued enabling deaf people to get the most of their GP appointments. It has given Deaf people extra access to health information and NHS choices.
We handle the BSL bookings for University hospitals of Derby and Burton, we handle an average of 100 bookings a month. We have delivered several Deaf Awareness training sessions to various sections of the hospitals.
We work with a wide range of organisations and settings including schools, personal bookings, legal, workplaces, councils, etc
Would you accept an unregistered and
unqualified doctor for your healthcare
appointments? No.
Wouldyou allow an unregistered and
unqualified nurse to monitor your health -
and administer medication? No.
Would you see an unregistered and
unqualified dentist for your dental needs?
No.
So, why would you provide the public
with an unregistered and unqualified
language service professional for their
appointments?
Together, towards unlimited inclusion
for d/Deaf* and deafblind people.
NRCPD
Flat 1 Perth House
Athlone Close Chaddesden Derby DE21 4BP
Tel 01332 369920 Email bookings@cu-bsl.co.uk SMS / Glide 07812300280
Out of Hours Emergency 07432891697 Text Only
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1188251**
**Report of the Trustees and**
**Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
**for**
**Communication Unlimited**
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
||**Page**||
|---|---|---|
|**Reference and Administrative Details**|1||
|**Report of the Trustees**|2 to|4|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**|5||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|6||
|**Balance Sheet**|7||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|8 to|13|
**Communication Unlimited**
**Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
|**TRUSTEES**|R Bastikar|
|---|---|
||J Lenton|
||K Adams|
||S Shaw|
||M Simpson|
||D Leader|
||T Broskom|
||M Chapman|
|**PRINCIPAL ADDRESS**|Flat 1, Perth House|
||Athlone Close|
||Derby|
||Derbyshire|
||DE21 4BP|
|**REGISTERED CHARITY**|1188251|
|**NUMBER**||
|**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER**|Bates Weston LLP|
||Chartered Accountants|
||The Mills|
||Canal Street|
||Derby|
||DE1 2RJ|
|**BANKERS**|Unity trust Bank Plc|
||Nine Brindley Place|
||Oozells Square|
||Birmingham|
||B1 2HB|
Page 1
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2022. 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 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Our Mission Statement**
To provide high quality, deaf communication services to empower individuals and groups to actively participate in society, primarily in the county of Derbyshire.
## **Our Vision**
To constantly strive for improving effective communication for the diverse needs of deaf people.
## **Our Values**
- Bespoke communication services
- Confidentiality and integrity
- Going above and beyond duty
- Hands on approach
## **Public benefit**
The main aim of Communication Unlimited is to provide quality communication services for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind in Derby and Derbyshire.
The charitable activities focus on working in partnership with individuals and groups to overcome communication barriers therefore allowing Deaf people's access and full participation in society.
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Summary of the year**
We have continued to have a difficult year focussing on recovery from the global pandemic of COVID 19 and the subsequent impacts on the world and our services. Our continuing strong relationships with the contract commissioners has meant that our quick switch to an alternative service provision has remained in place where needed offering BSL interpreting services flexible to suit the changing situations during this difficult period.
Very slowly we worked to rebuild the volume of bookings and our reputation for quality has helped us to do this. We have continued to work with as much flexibility as possible in response to the changes in working conditions within the different sectors including health and social care. These sectors have seen evolving working restrictions and many COVID safety protocols remaining a priority. We have worked to provide both face to face and remote interpreting services for these settings matching the demands and requests..
We have maintained a strong presence delivering British Sign Language Interpreting services in Derbyshire which has included working mainly in the Health sector under various contracts for example, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton and Derby & Derbyshire CCG to name only one. We adapted to work with health professionals who are continuing to provide vital services in such difficult circumstances including wearing PPE and working at a social distance. We worked together to ensure that Deaf people were able to access their appointments and to be able to speak to their health professional effectively. Many GP services continued to see their patients remotely and this also meant that we had to interpret remotely too, in a 3 way conversation.
We continue to deliver BSL services for Derbyshire County Council under the contract which has been expanded to include some additional elements such as Deafblind, lip speaking and note taking services. We worked with the Adult Social Care team to ensure that Deaf people were able to contact the Council and to get support when they needed it.
Many other ad hoc assignments have been undertaken working with many Companies in Derby and the Derbyshire area.
Page 2
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Summary of the year (continued)**
We have continued to develop strong relationships with freelance interpreters who have helped us to deliver on many medical appointments and the County work despite the difficult circumstances.
Our Interpreters have worked very hard to deliver many difficult assignments. This has included a lot of evening and weekend work. Without the dedication of our interpreters we would have had difficulties meeting these demands.
The GP Extra Support contract continues, which has enabled us to support many clients to obtain appointments with their GP or community Health services. We liaise with the surgeries to organise repeat prescriptions, something which was vital this year as many surgeries moved to a telephone-based service and also organise their referrals to alternative services via the 'Choose and book' system.
We were grateful to be successful in receiving funding to support our work and to enable us to provide extra services including COVID information in BSL for the Deaf community from Arnold Clark and COVID grants.
During the year we were pleased to say that Isobel Lamb and Fraser Holmes both qualified as a Sign Language Interpreters and Helen Blunden passed her ILM level 5 Coaching and Mentoring. We continue to support 2 more trainees on their interpreting training courses.
We were awarded the Derbyshire Beacon of Hope Award for our work during the COVID pandemic and received our award from the Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting policies.
Total incoming resources for the year ended 31 March 2022 was £495,583.
Unrestricted funds amounted to £228,834 including £200,971 allocated as designated funds.
It is the policy of the trustees to always designate 50% of the remaining undesignated unrestricted reserves to cover any unexpected events. This Contingency reserve is intended to cover any unforeseen redundancy payments, and also provide reserves for six months running costs, should funding be late or withheld. This designated fund is therefore not available for use in the general running of the organisation.
After accounting for all the above designated funds the free general reserves of the charity at 31 March 2022 amounted to £27,863.
## **INVESTMENT POWERS, POLICY AND PERFORMANCE**
The trustee's investment powers are governed by the constitution, which permits the charity's funds to be invested in, or on such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit.
## **Risk management**
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Page 3
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Charity constitution**
The Charity was constituted in 2020, at which point all assets were transferred from the Charity with registered number 1006643, and is registered with the Charity Commissioners under charity number 1188251. The charity is also known as CU.
The trustees who served during the period can be found on the reference and administrative details of the charity page.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
The selection procedure begins prior to the AGM. Notification and information is sent to all full members and trustees, giving names of people who have served on the board in the past year and outlining who is to retire at the forthcoming AGM. A nomination form is also sent inviting nominees for the vacant positions. These are returned to the office, the results collated, which are then presented to the AGM. Nominations are proposed, seconded and approved by the members at the meeting. if more nominations are received than places available then a voting process takes place at the AGM by the members.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 5 December 2022 and signed on its behalf by:
R Bastikar - Trustee
Page 4
**Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Communication Unlimited**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Communication Unlimited**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Communication Unlimited (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2022.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Wayne Thomas ACA Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Bates Weston LLP Chartered Accountants The Mills Canal Street Derby DE1 2RJ
6 December 2022
Page 5
## **Communication Unlimited**
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
## **for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
|Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
**Charitable activities**
Government Grants
2,207
Communication services
428,838
Investment income
2
88
Other income
4
-
**Total**
431,133
**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Charitable activities**
5
Communication services
405,870
**NET INCOME**
25,263
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
**Total funds brought forward**
203,571
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
228,834|Restricted
funds
£
-
64,450
-
-
64,450
64,450
-
-
-|2022
Total
funds
£
2,207
493,288
88
-
495,583
470,320
25,263
203,571
228,834|2021
Total
funds
£
60,171
366,962
-
158,658|
|---|---|---|---|
||||585,791|
||||382,220
203,571
-|
||||203,571|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
## **Communication Unlimited**
## **Balance Sheet**
## **31 March 2022**
|Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
10
10,102
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
11
34,103
Cash at bank
188,069
222,172
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
12
(3,440)
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
218,732
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
228,834
**NET ASSETS**
228,834
**FUNDS**
13
Unrestricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2022
Total
funds
£
10,102
34,103
188,069
222,172
(3,440)
218,732
228,834
228,834
228,834
228,834|2021
Total
funds
£
8,813
22,756
174,202
196,958
(2,200)
194,758
203,571
203,571
203,571
203,571|
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 5 December 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:
R Bastikar - Trustee
K Adams - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' 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**
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
- Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to these activities and costs that are of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
- Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
- All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designated to reflect the use of resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g. floor areas, per capital or estimated usage.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
All assets costing more than £500 are capitalised.
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
|Fixtures and fittings|-|15% straight line|
|---|---|---|
|Computer equipment|-|25% straight line|
## **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. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and 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.
Page 8
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Going concern**
At the balance sheet date the charity had a significant cash balance and a strong net current asset position. At the time of signing these accounts, the trustees have considered the effect of the Coronavirus on the going concern position, and consider that this does indicate that the charity will charity will continue to operate for a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these accounts due to the UK Government support available during this difficult time.
## **2. INVESTMENT INCOME**
## **3.**
|Interest income
**INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
Activity
Government grants
Government Grants
Translation fees
Communication services
Donations and grants
Communication services|2022
£
88
2022
£
2,207
425,838
67,450
495,495|2021
£
-
2021
£
60,171
275,162
91,800|2021
£
-|
|---|---|---|---|
|||427,133||
During the year the charity received income of £2,207 from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
## **4. OTHER INCOME**
|**OTHER INCOME**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||2022||2021|
||£||£|
|Transfer from antecedent charity||-|158,658|
On 29 April 2020 all assets were transferred from the unincorporated charity Communication Unlimited (charity number: 1006643) to the newly incorporated Communication Unlimited.
## **5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
|**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||Direct|Support||
||Costs (see|costs (see||
||note 6)|note 7)|Totals|
||£|£|£|
|Communication services|434,400|35,920|470,320|
Page 9
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **6. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
|**DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**||
|---|---|
|2022
£
Staff costs
364,643
Freelance interpreters
21,960
Bad debt expense
(1,215)
Travel costs
19,980
IT costs
20,054
Postage and stationery
1,402
Note taker fees
1,052
Sundries
2,305
Depreciation
2,326
Loss on sale of assets
1,893
434,400
**SUPPORT COSTS**
Governance
Finance
Other
costs
£
£
£
Communication services
301
20,049
15,570|2021
£
287,270
10,993
7,548
9,678
8,047
1,488
640
4,225
913
-|
||330,802|
||Totals
£
35,920|
## **7. SUPPORT COSTS**
## **8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the year ended 31 March 2021.
## **9. STAFF COSTS**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Employees|2022
£
328,617
19,436
16,590
364,643
2022
14|2021
£
254,556
19,286
13,428|
|---|---|---|
|||287,270|
|||2021
15|
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Page 10
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
|**10.**
**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
Fixtures
and
fittings
£
**COST**
At 1 April 2021
1,390
Additions
-
Disposals
-
At 31 March 2022
1,390
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 April 2021
122
Charge for year
209
Eliminated on disposal
-
At 31 March 2022
331
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 March 2022
1,059
At 31 March 2021
1,268
**11.**
**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Trade debtors
**12.**
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Other creditors
Accrued expenses
**13.**
**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
Net
movement
At 1.4.21
in funds
£
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
24,732
25,263
Training reserve
9,500
-
Building reserve
40,000
-
Contingency reserve
129,339
-
203,571
25,263
**TOTAL FUNDS**
203,571
25,263|Computer
equipment
£
8,336
5,508
(2,163)
11,681
791
2,117
(270)
2,638
9,043
7,545
2022
£
34,103
2022
£
200
3,240
3,440
Transfers
between
funds
£
(22,132)
2,500
7,000
12,632
-
-|Totals
£
9,726
5,508
(2,163)
13,071
913
2,326
(270)
2,969
10,102
8,813
2021
£
22,756
2021
£
200
2,000
2,200
At
31.3.22
£
27,863
12,000
47,000
141,971
228,834
228,834|
|---|---|---|
Page 11
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Derbyshire County Council
GP Extra Support Contract
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
431,133
38,750
25,700
64,450
495,583|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(405,870)
25,263
(38,750)
-
(25,700)
-
(64,450)
-
(470,320)
25,263|
|---|---|---|
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Training reserve
Building reserve
Contingency reserve
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Net
movement
in funds
£
49,465
9,500
40,000
104,606
203,571
203,571|Transfers
between
funds
£
(24,733)
-
-
24,733
-
-|At
31.3.21
£
24,732
9,500
40,000
129,339|
|---|---|---|---|
||||203,571|
||||203,571|
Page 12
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Training reserve
Building reserve
Contingency reserve
**Restricted funds**
Derbyshire County Council
Southern Derbyshire CCG-GP Extra
Support
Foundation Derbyshire
National Lottery Community Fund
Additional Restrictions Grant
Duke of Devonshire Grant
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
340,285
9,500
40,000
104,606
494,391
38,750
25,000
3,900
8,750
12,000
3,000
91,400
585,791|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(290,820)
49,465
-
9,500
-
40,000
-
104,606
(290,820)
203,571
(38,750)
-
(25,000)
-
(3,900)
-
(8,750)
-
(12,000)
-
(3,000)
-
(91,400)
-
(382,220)
203,571|
|---|---|---|
Training reserve - this covers the course costs for trainee interpreters to become qualified interpreters and to cover course costs for staff development.
Building reserve - in the near future larger premises will be required as services develop thus this reserve will help fund this.
Contingency reserve - this covers any potential difficulties in the future and is a requirement to have at least 6 months running costs in reserve.
## **14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
The remuneration of key management personnel who comprise the trustees and certain members of the senior management team is as follows:
||**2022**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|
|Aggregate remuneration|**£**|**£**|
||28,157|24,448|
Page 13
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1188251**
**Report of the Trustees and**
**Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
**for**
**Communication Unlimited**
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
||**Page**||
|---|---|---|
|**Reference and Administrative Details**|1||
|**Report of the Trustees**|2 to|4|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**|5||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|6||
|**Balance Sheet**|7||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|8 to|13|
**Communication Unlimited**
**Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
|**TRUSTEES**|R Bastikar|
|---|---|
||J Lenton|
||K Adams|
||S Shaw|
||M Simpson|
||D Leader|
||T Broskom|
||M Chapman|
|**PRINCIPAL ADDRESS**|Flat 1, Perth House|
||Athlone Close|
||Derby|
||Derbyshire|
||DE21 4BP|
|**REGISTERED CHARITY**|1188251|
|**NUMBER**||
|**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER**|Bates Weston LLP|
||Chartered Accountants|
||The Mills|
||Canal Street|
||Derby|
||DE1 2RJ|
|**BANKERS**|Unity trust Bank Plc|
||Nine Brindley Place|
||Oozells Square|
||Birmingham|
||B1 2HB|
Page 1
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2022. 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 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Our Mission Statement**
To provide high quality, deaf communication services to empower individuals and groups to actively participate in society, primarily in the county of Derbyshire.
## **Our Vision**
To constantly strive for improving effective communication for the diverse needs of deaf people.
## **Our Values**
- Bespoke communication services
- Confidentiality and integrity
- Going above and beyond duty
- Hands on approach
## **Public benefit**
The main aim of Communication Unlimited is to provide quality communication services for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind in Derby and Derbyshire.
The charitable activities focus on working in partnership with individuals and groups to overcome communication barriers therefore allowing Deaf people's access and full participation in society.
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Summary of the year**
We have continued to have a difficult year focussing on recovery from the global pandemic of COVID 19 and the subsequent impacts on the world and our services. Our continuing strong relationships with the contract commissioners has meant that our quick switch to an alternative service provision has remained in place where needed offering BSL interpreting services flexible to suit the changing situations during this difficult period.
Very slowly we worked to rebuild the volume of bookings and our reputation for quality has helped us to do this. We have continued to work with as much flexibility as possible in response to the changes in working conditions within the different sectors including health and social care. These sectors have seen evolving working restrictions and many COVID safety protocols remaining a priority. We have worked to provide both face to face and remote interpreting services for these settings matching the demands and requests..
We have maintained a strong presence delivering British Sign Language Interpreting services in Derbyshire which has included working mainly in the Health sector under various contracts for example, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton and Derby & Derbyshire CCG to name only one. We adapted to work with health professionals who are continuing to provide vital services in such difficult circumstances including wearing PPE and working at a social distance. We worked together to ensure that Deaf people were able to access their appointments and to be able to speak to their health professional effectively. Many GP services continued to see their patients remotely and this also meant that we had to interpret remotely too, in a 3 way conversation.
We continue to deliver BSL services for Derbyshire County Council under the contract which has been expanded to include some additional elements such as Deafblind, lip speaking and note taking services. We worked with the Adult Social Care team to ensure that Deaf people were able to contact the Council and to get support when they needed it.
Many other ad hoc assignments have been undertaken working with many Companies in Derby and the Derbyshire area.
Page 2
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Summary of the year (continued)**
We have continued to develop strong relationships with freelance interpreters who have helped us to deliver on many medical appointments and the County work despite the difficult circumstances.
Our Interpreters have worked very hard to deliver many difficult assignments. This has included a lot of evening and weekend work. Without the dedication of our interpreters we would have had difficulties meeting these demands.
The GP Extra Support contract continues, which has enabled us to support many clients to obtain appointments with their GP or community Health services. We liaise with the surgeries to organise repeat prescriptions, something which was vital this year as many surgeries moved to a telephone-based service and also organise their referrals to alternative services via the 'Choose and book' system.
We were grateful to be successful in receiving funding to support our work and to enable us to provide extra services including COVID information in BSL for the Deaf community from Arnold Clark and COVID grants.
During the year we were pleased to say that Isobel Lamb and Fraser Holmes both qualified as a Sign Language Interpreters and Helen Blunden passed her ILM level 5 Coaching and Mentoring. We continue to support 2 more trainees on their interpreting training courses.
We were awarded the Derbyshire Beacon of Hope Award for our work during the COVID pandemic and received our award from the Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting policies.
Total incoming resources for the year ended 31 March 2022 was £495,583.
Unrestricted funds amounted to £228,834 including £200,971 allocated as designated funds.
It is the policy of the trustees to always designate 50% of the remaining undesignated unrestricted reserves to cover any unexpected events. This Contingency reserve is intended to cover any unforeseen redundancy payments, and also provide reserves for six months running costs, should funding be late or withheld. This designated fund is therefore not available for use in the general running of the organisation.
After accounting for all the above designated funds the free general reserves of the charity at 31 March 2022 amounted to £27,863.
## **INVESTMENT POWERS, POLICY AND PERFORMANCE**
The trustee's investment powers are governed by the constitution, which permits the charity's funds to be invested in, or on such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit.
## **Risk management**
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Page 3
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Charity constitution**
The Charity was constituted in 2020, at which point all assets were transferred from the Charity with registered number 1006643, and is registered with the Charity Commissioners under charity number 1188251. The charity is also known as CU.
The trustees who served during the period can be found on the reference and administrative details of the charity page.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
The selection procedure begins prior to the AGM. Notification and information is sent to all full members and trustees, giving names of people who have served on the board in the past year and outlining who is to retire at the forthcoming AGM. A nomination form is also sent inviting nominees for the vacant positions. These are returned to the office, the results collated, which are then presented to the AGM. Nominations are proposed, seconded and approved by the members at the meeting. if more nominations are received than places available then a voting process takes place at the AGM by the members.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 5 December 2022 and signed on its behalf by:
R Bastikar - Trustee
Page 4
**Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Communication Unlimited**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Communication Unlimited**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Communication Unlimited (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2022.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Wayne Thomas ACA Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Bates Weston LLP Chartered Accountants The Mills Canal Street Derby DE1 2RJ
6 December 2022
Page 5
## **Communication Unlimited**
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
## **for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
|Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
**Charitable activities**
Government Grants
2,207
Communication services
428,838
Investment income
2
88
Other income
4
-
**Total**
431,133
**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Charitable activities**
5
Communication services
405,870
**NET INCOME**
25,263
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
**Total funds brought forward**
203,571
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
228,834|Restricted
funds
£
-
64,450
-
-
64,450
64,450
-
-
-|2022
Total
funds
£
2,207
493,288
88
-
495,583
470,320
25,263
203,571
228,834|2021
Total
funds
£
60,171
366,962
-
158,658|
|---|---|---|---|
||||585,791|
||||382,220
203,571
-|
||||203,571|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
## **Communication Unlimited**
## **Balance Sheet**
## **31 March 2022**
|Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
10
10,102
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
11
34,103
Cash at bank
188,069
222,172
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
12
(3,440)
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
218,732
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
228,834
**NET ASSETS**
228,834
**FUNDS**
13
Unrestricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2022
Total
funds
£
10,102
34,103
188,069
222,172
(3,440)
218,732
228,834
228,834
228,834
228,834|2021
Total
funds
£
8,813
22,756
174,202
196,958
(2,200)
194,758
203,571
203,571
203,571
203,571|
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 5 December 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:
R Bastikar - Trustee
K Adams - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' 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**
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
- Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to these activities and costs that are of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
- Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
- All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designated to reflect the use of resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g. floor areas, per capital or estimated usage.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
All assets costing more than £500 are capitalised.
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
|Fixtures and fittings|-|15% straight line|
|---|---|---|
|Computer equipment|-|25% straight line|
## **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. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and 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.
Page 8
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Going concern**
At the balance sheet date the charity had a significant cash balance and a strong net current asset position. At the time of signing these accounts, the trustees have considered the effect of the Coronavirus on the going concern position, and consider that this does indicate that the charity will charity will continue to operate for a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these accounts due to the UK Government support available during this difficult time.
## **2. INVESTMENT INCOME**
## **3.**
|Interest income
**INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
Activity
Government grants
Government Grants
Translation fees
Communication services
Donations and grants
Communication services|2022
£
88
2022
£
2,207
425,838
67,450
495,495|2021
£
-
2021
£
60,171
275,162
91,800|2021
£
-|
|---|---|---|---|
|||427,133||
During the year the charity received income of £2,207 from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
## **4. OTHER INCOME**
|**OTHER INCOME**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||2022||2021|
||£||£|
|Transfer from antecedent charity||-|158,658|
On 29 April 2020 all assets were transferred from the unincorporated charity Communication Unlimited (charity number: 1006643) to the newly incorporated Communication Unlimited.
## **5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
|**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||Direct|Support||
||Costs (see|costs (see||
||note 6)|note 7)|Totals|
||£|£|£|
|Communication services|434,400|35,920|470,320|
Page 9
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **6. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
|**DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**||
|---|---|
|2022
£
Staff costs
364,643
Freelance interpreters
21,960
Bad debt expense
(1,215)
Travel costs
19,980
IT costs
20,054
Postage and stationery
1,402
Note taker fees
1,052
Sundries
2,305
Depreciation
2,326
Loss on sale of assets
1,893
434,400
**SUPPORT COSTS**
Governance
Finance
Other
costs
£
£
£
Communication services
301
20,049
15,570|2021
£
287,270
10,993
7,548
9,678
8,047
1,488
640
4,225
913
-|
||330,802|
||Totals
£
35,920|
## **7. SUPPORT COSTS**
## **8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the year ended 31 March 2021.
## **9. STAFF COSTS**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Employees|2022
£
328,617
19,436
16,590
364,643
2022
14|2021
£
254,556
19,286
13,428|
|---|---|---|
|||287,270|
|||2021
15|
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Page 10
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
|**10.**
**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
Fixtures
and
fittings
£
**COST**
At 1 April 2021
1,390
Additions
-
Disposals
-
At 31 March 2022
1,390
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 April 2021
122
Charge for year
209
Eliminated on disposal
-
At 31 March 2022
331
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 March 2022
1,059
At 31 March 2021
1,268
**11.**
**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Trade debtors
**12.**
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Other creditors
Accrued expenses
**13.**
**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
Net
movement
At 1.4.21
in funds
£
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
24,732
25,263
Training reserve
9,500
-
Building reserve
40,000
-
Contingency reserve
129,339
-
203,571
25,263
**TOTAL FUNDS**
203,571
25,263|Computer
equipment
£
8,336
5,508
(2,163)
11,681
791
2,117
(270)
2,638
9,043
7,545
2022
£
34,103
2022
£
200
3,240
3,440
Transfers
between
funds
£
(22,132)
2,500
7,000
12,632
-
-|Totals
£
9,726
5,508
(2,163)
13,071
913
2,326
(270)
2,969
10,102
8,813
2021
£
22,756
2021
£
200
2,000
2,200
At
31.3.22
£
27,863
12,000
47,000
141,971
228,834
228,834|
|---|---|---|
Page 11
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Derbyshire County Council
GP Extra Support Contract
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
431,133
38,750
25,700
64,450
495,583|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(405,870)
25,263
(38,750)
-
(25,700)
-
(64,450)
-
(470,320)
25,263|
|---|---|---|
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Training reserve
Building reserve
Contingency reserve
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Net
movement
in funds
£
49,465
9,500
40,000
104,606
203,571
203,571|Transfers
between
funds
£
(24,733)
-
-
24,733
-
-|At
31.3.21
£
24,732
9,500
40,000
129,339|
|---|---|---|---|
||||203,571|
||||203,571|
Page 12
continued...
**Communication Unlimited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022**
## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Training reserve
Building reserve
Contingency reserve
**Restricted funds**
Derbyshire County Council
Southern Derbyshire CCG-GP Extra
Support
Foundation Derbyshire
National Lottery Community Fund
Additional Restrictions Grant
Duke of Devonshire Grant
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
340,285
9,500
40,000
104,606
494,391
38,750
25,000
3,900
8,750
12,000
3,000
91,400
585,791|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(290,820)
49,465
-
9,500
-
40,000
-
104,606
(290,820)
203,571
(38,750)
-
(25,000)
-
(3,900)
-
(8,750)
-
(12,000)
-
(3,000)
-
(91,400)
-
(382,220)
203,571|
|---|---|---|
Training reserve - this covers the course costs for trainee interpreters to become qualified interpreters and to cover course costs for staff development.
Building reserve - in the near future larger premises will be required as services develop thus this reserve will help fund this.
Contingency reserve - this covers any potential difficulties in the future and is a requirement to have at least 6 months running costs in reserve.
## **14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
The remuneration of key management personnel who comprise the trustees and certain members of the senior management team is as follows:
||**2022**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|
|Aggregate remuneration|**£**|**£**|
||28,157|24,448|
Page 13