BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) Charity number 1188583 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024 COMMUNITY
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Page Legal and Administration Information Trustees Annual Report 2* Independent Examine¢s Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts 10-14
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Registration Number: 1188583 Trustees J Maylin S Leftwich A Howell S Foggo C Eaton (resigned) L Pratt (resigned) A Rogers C Carter (appointed) Chair Charlty Offl¢es: Bradbury House Witchards Basildon Essex SS16 5BP Bankers: Lloyds Bank 9 Town Square Basildon Essex, SS14 1DU Independent Examinors: Community360 Winsley's House High Street Colchester C011UG
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Governance The charity is governed in accordan Vth its constitution registered on 17th March 2020. Summa of the ose of the chari To promote the welfare of. and to improve the Independen and the qualty of life, for all those tho have a visual impaimient, and their families and carers. Ivitle rrle thls ear Eye Cllnlc Llalson: Sarah-Jane Piper, our Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, has continued to support the Low Vision clinic at Orsett hospital. She is currently seeing an average of 15 patients each week there. This means we are delivering the support needed at the earliest possible point in someone's sight loss joumey particularly at a time when wait times for rehabilitation services are long. We have faced some challenges due to the NHS Integrated Care Board taking the decision to fund an RNIB ECLO to cover the Mid and South Essex Trust. However we believe that having our ECLO at Orsett is a vital part of our referral pathway and therefore we are working well alongside each other and hoping to conts'nue there. Befrlendlng: There are currendy 146 people benefitting from our befri8nding scheme. We have 25 volunteers who have been fully trained and are dedicated to offering a multitude of activities including companionship, sighted guiding on everyday tasks, telephone befriending and shopping trips. Telephone befriending has continued on a larger scale this year due to a growing need and increased levels of loneliness and isolation. Over 150 calls are made each Home Vlslts for Inforniatlon. advlce and guldance and omotlonal support: We visited 305 people in their homes to provide information on assistive equipment, available benefits, support groups, social actiwties and low visual aids. We supported over 900 people wtih information and guidance, Govering all aspects of living with sight loss. Awareness raislng talks: Staff and Volunteers of BASIS have delivered talks, to a range of local communty groups and attended places such as Basildon Hospital's stroke department to raise awareness of our serViS as VRII as representing visually impaired people at Disability and Inclusivity forums and local council meetings to raise awarene&8 of what it is like to live with sight loss. Soclal groups: We have continued the running of our social groups this year and added two new ones in Thurrock which we hope has made a drfference in reaching more isolated people in the area. These groups have been VRII attended by 117 people. and special thanks go to our volunteers without whom we would not be able to offer these sessions. Webslte and Social Media: Details of BASIS, $eMS can be found on our website .ba issouthessex.or .uk which is fulty accessib with the most up to date information. Our Facebook and X channels regularly feature posts vitth inf0mtIOn on upcoming activities and articles of interest to the visualty impaired.
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Essex Vlsion: Essex Vision is the strategic partnership fomed of BASIS, Essex Sight, Support 4 Sight and Southend In sight. It was created to champion the implementation of a Vision Strategy in E&sex and has evolved to work as a formal partnership from which to collaborate on funding bids and joint working. Children's Services: Thanks to an element of the National Lottery Communty Funding, have continued working to develop our reach to supporting children and young people in South Essex. We have connected with the teachers of visually impaired children locally and met wth the families of visually impaired children through various community outreach events. Publlc ben fl The Trustees confimi that they have understood the guidance from the Charities Commission regarding public benefrt and that all decisions taken this year relating to who can benefit from the charity's purposes and how, were made in accordan. Contributl nsb lunt ers We have largely been very fortunate to have retained our volunteer base with notable contributions from the small team that have made over 3,000 telephone calls to those most isolated visually impaired people. Also. mention must go to Steve Moxley and Stephen Foggo who have continued lo run our keep rrt group in person and via Zoom, providing vital lifeline to the members, enabling them to stay active and healthy. Thanks to Kee Cheung for his ongoing support with promoting our activities, to JOY Taylor for running our Canvey Group so successful, to Kayleigh Rogers, Kyla Skingle, Sarah Clark, Jason Reeves, Natasha Lavffence. Terry Murley. Mary Vince and June Maylin for their support with social groups and to all those providing befriending. Special recognition this year goes to Emily Shapland for her ongoing support of the clients she volunteers with through our befriending scheme, not even pausing after the birlh of her new babyl We raised money this year largely through succtssful bids lo trusts and foundations including Essex Community Foundation and The National Lottery Reaching Communities fund. We also reiVed donations through the generosty of our members.
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Chalr's Re It's been a time of progression for BASIS and l am delighted to report on another very successful year. The board of Trustees has been strengthened by the addrtion of Clrff Carter who has brought with him knowledge and experience from his professional life in the motor trade and time spent in other Trustee roles. At last year's AGM I was able to announce that BASIS had been awarded the Essex County Council contract to provide sensory seNices to the visually impaired across the county. Our staff and volunteers have spent much of this year developing and delivering these SeNiS which have so far had an extremely positive impact on the referral pathway for visually impaired people. By commissioning BASIS to provKle home visit assessments and to offer infomation, admce and guidance, we have been able to help reduce the pressure on the rehabilitation teams, shortening wait times for things like long cane training. We are consistently meeting our targets under the new contract and look forward to this relationship continuing in the coming years. Our application for further funding from the National Lottery to continue the funding of our befriending project, was successful and in April Y receNed the first payment of a £129,667 grant over three years. This means we can continue to support some of the m08t vulnerabbe people in our community whilst helping to redu loneliness and isolation. I woubj like to thank our staff, trustees and volunteers for their continued hard work and resilience this year. Also thanks go to all that have donated to the charity which has meant we have been able to continue providing the vital seNices our clients rely on. Myself and my team pledge to work hard in the coming year to ensure that the visually impaired people of South Essex feel supported. June Maylin Chair
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 CEO'S R l am proud to report on some significant achievements this year. We have embarked on our delivery of the sensory contract for Essex County Council in partnership with Essex Sight and Support for Sight with some fantastic outcomes already. It has been a very successful year for funding and a proud achievement for me personally when I was able to secure £129,000 from the National Lottery fund over three years to continue our Befriending and work with young people. All of this has been largely thanks to the staff team al BASIS who I would like to personally thank in this year's report. As part of the new contrad, Sally Dunster has joined us in the role of Specialist sensory practitioner. Sally has been an enomious asset to the team. delivering over 300 home visits to visually impaired people in her first year and receiving nothing but wonderful feedback on the difference She is making to people in the community. Our resource ntre has continued to be at the heart of our organisation with over 45 people visiting for infomiation and demonstration of assistive equipment. They have been welcomed and supported by our Centre Coordinator. Jo Willis, who has gathered so much knowledge and experience in her first full year with us and continues to ensure the smooth running of the charty. While this financial year has ended well with at ast 3 years of funding secured from the local authority and the National Lottery, the fund raising climate is still very Challenging for small charities like BASIS. We are very fortunate to have had the experien and support of our finan admlnistrator Kim Barden throughout to manage the ever growing patchwork of funding streams that we have to piece together to ensure the smooth running and sustainabilty of BASIS. Many of you know SaratFJane Piper who is our eye clinic liaison offIr and volunteer coordinator. Sarah-Jane has supported over 600 people in the eye clinic setting this year as well as overseeing the befriending project which has 146 people engaged currently. Her relationship with the palients and staff at Orsett hospital is a vital link betsveen us and the NHS so special thanks go to her for adapting so well to rent changes al Orsett hospital and finding new ways of working tcMJether for the benefrt of the patients. Enormous thanks go to our team of volunteers who support the running of our social groups and our Befriending project. Your contributions are what make our services possible and make such a differen to the people you support. Our priorities for the coming year will include: DeSivering a first rate Servi to visually impaired people via our local authority contract. Strengthening our partnership working within Essex Vision Campaigning for an improved sight loss pathway and reduced vrait times for rehabilitation Development of our Ghildren and young people's support
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Our services are also made possible by the support from other organisations and special thanks go to.. Essex Sight, Support 4 Sight. Southend In Sight, Hearing Help Essex, Essex Cares Ltd, Visionary, BBWCVS, Essex Communty Foundation, Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Talking Newspaper, The National Lottery Community Fund, Rayleigh Town Council, Essex County Council. The Reading Rooms, RayIgh Baptist Church, RAVS, CAVS, Community Agents, Canvey Royal British Legion, Jad( Evans Court and to all those individuals that have donated or supported us in other ways. Thank you. Michelle Thomson Chief Executive Officer
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 I report on the accounts of Blind and Sight Impaired Society (BASIS) for the year ended 31st August 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to 14. Respecllve responslbllities of trustoos and examlnor The Charty's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 {2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. Examine the acwnts under section 145 of th8 Chanties Ad, To follow the procedures laid dovm in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Ad, and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Bas1$ of Indopondont examlneVs Statsment My examination was carried out in accordance wsih the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination indudes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wrth those records. It also includes considerations of any unusual ttems or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The pr¢)¢8dures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Indopondont examIno$ statemont In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the accounting records Yre not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act, or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not rnmply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give true and fairf view whith is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have come across no other matters in connection the examination to vthich attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Shelley Rudling FMAAT AATQB for and on tehalt of.. Community360 Winsley's House, High Street, Colchester. Essex Date 3110112025
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Unrestrleted Restrlcted Funds Funds 2024 2024 Total Funds 2024 Totsl Funds 2023 Incomlng rosour¢as Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Fundraising income Investment income 17,966 10,057 10,529 1.373 17,966 157,240 10.529 1,373 17,965 109,500 91 4tXI 147,183 Total Incoming rnsources 39.925 147.183 187,108 127,956 Resources •xponded Charitable activities Cost of generating funds 26,516 3,629 153,106 300 179,621 3,929 131,208 3,796 Total re8ourcos expended 30.144 153,406 183,550 135,004 Net Incomel{oxp8nsol 9,781 (6,223) 3,558 (7,048) Gain from disposal of assets As at 1 Septembor 2023 105,621 36,704 142,325 149,373 As at 31 August 2024 115,402 30,481 14S,883 142,325 The notes on page 10 - 14 fonn part of these financial statements.
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024 Not• 2024 2023 Tanglble fixed a8S8ts 10,552 14,242 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Prepayments 135,802 69 135,871 160,578 996 161,574 Current Liabilitio$ Creditors.. Due within one year Total current Ilabllltles 540 33,491 33,491 Not currnnt assets 135,331 128,083 Nat assets 145,883 142,325 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Totsl fund$ 13 13 115,402 30,481 145,883 105,621 36,704 142,325 These accounts have been approved by the Trustees on and sned on their behalf: Signed.. Date: 21 loi 2015 J Maylin, Chair
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 1. Accountlng Pollcles Basis of the preparation of thè accounts These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention wth ttems being re¢ognised at Cost or transadion value unless otherbvise stated in the relevant note lo these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wrth Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement on Recommended Prath'ce applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicablè in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) (effective 1 January 20191- (Charities SORP {FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and RepubliG of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. Cash Flow The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement berAuse the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements" Value addèd L Value added tax is not recoverable by the Charrty, and as such Is included in the Statement of Financial Activities. Tanglble flxed assots for use by the Association and deprKiation Tangible fixed assets for use by the Association are stated at cost less depr8ciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculaled lo write off the cost of fixed assels, less thelr estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis.. Officé & Kitchen Equipment Special Equipment crftlcal accountlng estlmates and judgèments In the application of the chartty's accounting policies, the TNStees are reqUId to make judgements, estimates and assumptions aboLrt the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The eslimates and assoaated assumptions are based on historical experience and other ta¢tors that are Considered to be leVant. Actual resulis may differ from Ihese estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to aGcounting estimates are recognised in the period in bvhich the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future penods. There are no critical accounting estimates orjudgements in the financial statements.
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 2. Donations and legacies Unrestrictod Restricted 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Donations Coronavirus Retention Scheme Sundry Grants 16,966 16,966 16,465 1.000 1,000 1,500 17,966 17,966 17,965 Income from ¢haritabl• actlvltle$ Unrnstricted Restrictod 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Grants Rec8lV8d'. Goods and services 147,183 147,183 10,057 157,240 103,846 5,653 109,500 10.057 10,057 147,183 4. Income from Fundralslng Actlvltles Unrestrlcted Rèstrlctsd 2024 2024 Total 2024 Totsl 2023 Fundraising Income 10,529 10,529 91 91 10,529
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Direct Charitable Expandituro Unrestrietsd Restricted 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Wages and salaries Pensions Coach hire Training expenses Travel expenses Telephone Printing, postage and stationery Refreshments Miscellaneous Vehicle Gosts Accomodation Miscellaneous Equipment Rent Insurance Accountancy Project costs Depreciation 13,918 1,877 108,201 7,230 2,428 1,515 2,291 2,033 1,470 28 1.940 2.670 5.835 4.108 4,022 1.249 540 4,671 2,875 153,106 122.119 9,107 2,428 2,014 2,474 2,033 1,473 254 10,742 2,670 5,835 4,302 4,022 1,249 540 4,671 3,689 179,621 80,888 4,509 6,408 600 200 1,822 967 192 12,186 3,368 499 182 226 8.802 194 3,637 10,451 927 598 350 4,105 131,208 814 26,516 6. Co81 of generatlng funds Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Fundraising costs 3,629 3,629 300 3,929 3,929 3,796 3,796 300 7. Debtors 2024 2023 Prepayments 69 69 996 996 8. Credltors 2024 2023 Accruals Deferred Income 540 460 33,031 33,491 540
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 9. Tanglble fixed assets Office & Restricted Restricted Speclal Kitchen Vehicles Equipment Equipment Equipmont Total Cost At 1 September 2023 Additions Disposal At 31 August 2024 Depreclation At 1 September 2023 Charge forthe year At 31 August 2024 10.495 10,335 32,325 29.860 83.015 10.495 10,335 32,325 29,860 83,015 4.592 1.476 6,068 5,750 1,399 7,149 29,572 28.859 250 68,774 3,689 72,463 30,137 29,109 Not book values At 31 August 2024 4,427 3,186 2,188 751 10,552 At 31 August 2023 5,903 4,585 2,753 1,001 14,242 10. Staff costs Staff cosls were as follows.. 2024 2023 Wages and national insurance Pensions 122,119 9,107 131,226 80,888 4,509 85,397 The average weekly number of employees during the year was: K8y management personnel For 2024, one member of staff vms paid as key management personnel. They recelved less than £60,000 per annum. 11. Trustees remunèratlon The trustees reiVed remuneration for travel expenses only, incurred while undertaking their role of trustees. 12. Related party trdnsactlons No person connected wth the trustees has receNed or is due to receive any remuneration for the year directly or indirecily from the charitys funds.
BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 13. Movement in funds Asat 0110912023 Incomlng rèsources Expended resources Asat 3110812024 Restricted fund$: Social Service FurKI People's Health Trust Big Lottery Fund Visionary Grant AFA Independent Age CAFRF Clothworker Foundation Essex Community Foundation ECL Covid Fund Vinci Foundation UK RTCG MLG CSFCT ECCIAG ECCASS TES BLF BCOF ROSCA 1,512 656 2,764 559 7,700 126 1,111 (2,599) {6561 (35,0261 (1401 {7,7001 23 33,031 769 419 126 455 2.000 9,883 1,110 7,209 (152) (862) (10,059) (268) (1,476) (399) (1661 {4,8831 (25,7051 (48,380) 11,054) (12,774) (8) (1,100) {153.4061 2,862 9.292 1,377 8,685 399 10,649 5,000 24.397 49,151 1,125 20.419 1.200 1.100 147.183 117 1,308 771 71 7,645 1,192 36.704 30,482 Unre8tri¢ted Funds 105,621 39,925 (30,144) 115,402 Total Fundg 142,326 187,108 183,550) 145,884 14. Analysls ol net assets between funds Unrestricted Restrlctsd Funds Funds 2024 2024 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Tangible fixed assets Current assets Currenl liabilities 2.939 112.463 7,613 23,408 (540} 30.481 10,552 135,871 (540) 145,883 14,242 161,574 (33,491 } 142,325 115,402