BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY
(BASIS)
Charity number 1188583
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
CONTENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Page
Legal and Administration Inlcrtmatlon
Trustees Annual Report
2-6
Indèp8nd8nt Examinoffs Report
Slatement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to Ihe A¢wunts
10-14

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Registration Numbor.
1188583
Trust608
J MaOin
Chalr
S Le￿Ich (resigned 0810412025)
A Howell (resigned 1010212025)
S Foggo
A Rogers
C Carter
Charfty Offl¢•$:
Bradbury House
Wit¢hards
8asildon
Essex
SS16 5BP
Banker8:
Uoyds Bank
9 Town Square
Baslldon
Es$ax. SS14 1DU
Indopondent Examlnèr8:
Community360
Winslels Hou88
High Street
Colchest8r
C01 1UG

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
From 1st So
mber 2024 to 31st Au ust 2025
This is a legal requirement as Blind and Sight Impaired Society (BASIS) is a Registered Charity in
England or Wales.
Aong ￿1th our a¢¢ounts, Ihe report tells people:
about our charitys work
where our money comes from
how we've spent our money In the past year
By we must also report how have carried out our chartvs purposes for the public benefit.
This hèlps people, Including funders and beneficiaries. to understand why our charfty doès what it
does.
Governance
The charity is governed In accordance with its constitution registergd on 17th March 2020.
Summa of the
r ose of the char
To promote the welfare of, and to Improve the Independence and the quallty of lrfe, for all thosè
vtho have a visual impainnent, and thelr famllies and carers.
A¢tivitl•s rArrlod out thls
Eyo Clinic Liaison: Sarah-Jane Piper. our Eye Clinic Liaison Offfcer. has continued to support
the Low Wision dinic at Orsott ho$pllal. She Is currenty seelng an average of 60 peoplo gach
week there, both patients and professionals. This means we are delivering th8 SUPPOrt needed
at the earliesl posslble point in someone's sight loss joumey particularly at 8 time when wait
times for rehabilitation semces are long. We have faced some ¢hallengos du8 to the NHS
Integratgd Care Board taking the decision to fund an RNIB ECLO to ¢over the Mid and South
Essex Trust. However we believe that hamng our ECLO at Orsett is a Mtal part of our rgferral
pathway and therefore we are working well ak)ngsido each other and hoping to continue there.
Befrlendlng: There are ￿rrentlY 165 people benefitting from our befrlending scheme. 49 of
whkh were newly referred to us this year. We have 31 volunteers who have been fully trained
and are dedicated to offerfng a multitude of a¢tiMties Indudlng o)mpanionshlp, slghtsd guldlng
on everyday tssks, telephone befriending and shopping trips. Telephone befriending has
continued on a larger scale this year due to a growng need and Increas8d18v8ls of loneliness
and isolation. Over 150 ¢alls are made each week.
Homo Vlsfts for Infomiatlon, advlco and guldance and emotlonal support: W8 vislted 273
people in thelr hornes to provid8 infomiatlon on assistive equlpment, available beneffts, 8UPPOrt
gTOUPS. soclal activities and low visual aids. Our Sensory Praciitioner, Sally Dunster has
worked tirelessly to support all of these people and we have had wonderful feedback on the
positive impact her visits have.we supported over 900 people ￿th infomiation and guidance,
covering all aspects of living vAth s￿ht103$.

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Awaron•$s raising talks: Staff and Volunteers of BASIS have dellvered talk$, to a rango
of local community groups and attended places such as Basildon Hospital's stroke
department to raise awareness of our services as VMII as representing visualty impaired
people at Disability and Inclusivity forums and local coun￿1 meeting5 to raise awaran8ss
of what it is lik8 to live wth sight loss.
Soclal group8: We have continued thè running of our social groups this year and added
iwo new ones in Thurrock ￿lch we hope ha8 made a drffÈ￿n￿ In reathing more
isolated people in the area. These groups have been well attended by 117 people, and
speclal thanks go to our volunteers wttti(MJt whom we would not be able to offer these
sessions.
Web$lts and Social Media: Details of BASIS. seNices can be found on our website
www.basissouthessex.or
.uk which is fully accessible with the most up to date
infomiation. Our Facebook and X channels regularfy feature posts wth inforMat￿n on
upcoming actlvllies and artides of interest to the vi8uaUy impaired.
Essex Vlslon: Essex Vision is the strategic partnershlp formed of BASIS, Essex Sight,
Support 4 Sight and SoLrthend In sight. It was created to champion the implementstion of
a Vi$l¢)n Strategy in Essex and has ev0￿ed to V￿rk a$ a fomal partnership frem which to
)Ilaborate on funding bids and joint working.
Chlldron's Ser¥lces: Thank$ to an element of the National Lottery Communlty Funding.
we have masslvely grown our reach and offer of 8eNices for ¢hlldren and young pgople.
We have worked 14 new families this year who have attended 3 activty sessions at
the resource centre and a trip to Bar1e￿and5 fa￿. The parents have all reported th6
benefits of meeting wth other familios have similar lived experiences aniJ the
¢hildTrn enjoyed coming together for accessible play and learning.
Braillolossons: Our Braille tutor June. has delrvered 107 Braille lessons this year to 7
people, all who have completed Grade 1 and well on the way to Grade 2. This is a skill
that is not being taught to adutts anywhere else In the County, so we are proud to offer
these lessons whlch have a lrfelong Impact.
Public beneflt
The Trustees conflmi that they have urKlerstood the guidance from the Charities
Commission regardlng public benefit and that 811 de¢ision$ taken this y8ar relating to who
can benefit from the charitys purposes and how, were made in accordance.
Contrlbullons b
volunteers
We have largely been vary fortunate to hav8 retained our volunteer base wmh notsbl
contributions from the small team that have made over 3.500 telephone calls lo those most
isolated visually impaired people. Special mention to Stephen Foggo for his contribution to
the running of Craft group and seated yoga.
Thanks to Joyce Ta￿or for running our Canvey Group so successfulty. to Kayleigh Rogers,
Kyla Skingle, Sarah Clark, Jason Reeves, Natasha Lawrence, Tery Murley, Mary Wince and
Pauline Dotton for th8ir support wth social groups and Io 811 tt)08e providing befriending.

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Fundln
BASIS has continued to work within our commissioned contract wth Essex County Coundl
to delNer Information. advice and guidance and home visit assessments to the visually
impaired.
In addltlon to th1$ V￿ ralsed money largety through successful blds to trusts and foundatlons
includlng Essex Community Foundation,The National Lottery Award$ for Al fund and The
Postcode Pla¢es Twst. We also receivèd donations through th8 generosity of our members.
Chalrfs Re
It has been a tlme of growth for BASIS and l am delighted to r8POrt on a successful year for
our service ddivery and the posibve impact we have had within the Vl communlty.
The board of Trustees has seen some changes wth the resignations of Ann Howell and
Samantha Le￿ch who we would like to thank for the years of $8rvice they gave to BASIS.
We have falxd some challenges in recruiting new Trustees this year but we conlinue to
promote the opportunities and are hopeful of strengthening the board agaln very soon.
Thls has been the second year of delNering Information Advice and Guidance and home
sits under the Essex County Council Sensory contract. There is much change ahead for
the Council due to devolution plans ￿thIch have created some uncertainty around the
Continuation of the contract but we are consistently meeting our targets and have been
reassured that the fvnding will L¥)ntinue beyond 2026. Through this contrad, we have been
able to help reduce th8 pressure on the rehabilitation teams, shortening wait times for things
like long cane training.
The fundraising climale has been particularly challenging this year. With our current National
Lottery funding coming to an end in April 2027, we have been working to diversify our
income and strengthen our position.
Our chlldren's services have gone from strength to strength this year and have seen 14
new families loln us for accesslblg actNitses and outiWS.
I would Ilke to thank our staff. trustee3 and volunteers for thelr Lyjntlnued hard work thls year.
Also thanks go to all that have donated to the charity whlch has Meant we have been able to
continue providing the vital $eNlces our dlents rely on. Myself and my team pledge to work
hard in the ¢oming year to ensure that tha visually impaired peopl6 of South Essex feel
supported.
June Maylin
Chair

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
CEO'S Ro ort
l am proud to report on some significanl achlevements thi5 year. We have continued with
our delivery of the sensory contract for Essex County Counal in partnership wth Essex
Sigm and Support for Sight wtih some fantastic outcomas. We have helped to redesign the
pathway to ensure that people are receiving timely SnteNentions thich are making a
po$itsve impact on wail times for rehabilitation.
All of this has been largety thanks to the staff team at BASIS vtho I would Ilk8 to personally
thank for their th￿Ie$S dedication.
Sally has worked tirelessly. delivering over 230 home visits to Msually impaired people this
year and received nothing but wonderful feedback on the difference she is making to peopl
in th8.communty.
Our resource centre has conlinued lo be at tha heart of our organisation with over 65 people
Msiting for information and demonstration of assistive equipment. They have been
Welcomed and supported by our Centre Coordinator. Jo Willis and June MaOin who have
both continued to provide training in assistive technology and d8mon5trations of equipment
such as magnifiers and lighting.
While thi$ financial year has ended well with at least 18 months of funding secured from the
local aLrthoTity and the National Lollery. the fund raising climate 15 Still very challenging for
small charities like BASIS. We are very fortunate to havè had the experience and support of
our finan￿ administrator Kim Barden throughout to manage our funding streams that we
have to piece togeth8r to ensure the $moolh rUnn￿g and suslainability of BASIS.
Many of you know SaTah-Jan& Piper who is our eye clinic liaison off￿er and volunteer
coordinator. Sarah-Jane has supported over 600 people in the eye dini¢ setting Ihis year as
well as overseeing th6 befriending project which has 146 people engaged currently. Her
relationship wilh the patients and staff at Orsett hospital is a vital link belween us and thè
NHS so 5peaal thanks go to her for her dedication to the patients.
Enomious thanks go to our team of volunteers ￿0 support the running of our so¢ial groups
and our Befriending project. Your contributions are what make our $eNicos possible and
make $u¢h a drflerence to the paople y¢)u support.
Our prioriti8s for the coming year are a ￿ntinuatiOn of this yearfs work and will inciude:
Deliverlng a first rate service to wsualty Impaired people Ma our local authority contract.
Strengthening our partnership working v￿thin Ess8x Vision
Campaigning for an improved sight loss pathvrdy and reduced walt tlmes for rehabilitation
Development of our ¢hildren and young people's support

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Our semces are also made possible by tho support from other organisations and special
thanks go to: Essex Sight, Support 4 Slght. Southend In Sight, He8rfng Help Essex, Essex
Cares Ltd. Visionary. BBWCVS. Essex Community Found8tion, Basildon, Billericay 8nd
Wlckford Talking Newspaper. The National Lottery Cornmunty Fund, Rayleigh Town
Council. Essex County Council, The Reading Rooms, Rayleigh Baptlst Chur¢h, RAVS,
CAVS. Communty Agents, Canvey Royal British Legion, Jack Evans Court and to all those
indiwduals that have donatsd 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 2025** 

I report on the accounts of Blind and Sight Impaired Society (BASIS) for the year ended 31st August 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 14. 

## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** 

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.  The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not 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 accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, 

- To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and 

- To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

## **Basis of independent examiner’s Statement** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners.  An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.  It also includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters.  The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. 

## **Independent examiner’s statement** 

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 were 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 comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the 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 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. 

David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of: 

Community360 Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex Date 18/12/2025 

**7** 



BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIEfY (BASIS)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTivmES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Unr••trlctsd R•strlGtsd
Funds
Fund•
2025
2025
Totsl
Funds
2025
Tot*1
Fun
incoming r•source8
Donations and legaclas
Income from charftaNe a(IMtI8S
Fundralglng Inoxne
30,080
11.047
434
30.080
187,886
17,966
157240
10.529
1.373
176,839
Totsl hmmlng rnsourc•s
41121
176.839
219.960
187,108
Charltable acffvltle8
C06t of garmung fund8
20.449
161
177.922
198.371
161
179.621
3.929
20.810
177,W22
198,532 '
183,550
N•t I￿on￿0x￿7$•j
22.S11
<1.083)
21.428
Gain from dispo881 of assets
A• at 15•pl•mbor 2024
115.402
30A81
145.883
142,325
at 31 August 2025
137,913
167
29.398 ￿11 145.983
The notss on pago 10. 14 flvm W of th959 financlal statgmgnts.

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIEfY (BASIS)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
T•nglblo tsod •45%•1s
8.158
10.552
Cash at bank and In hand
Prepayménts
159.628
135.802
69
134871
159,692
Curr•nt Uabllftl•s
Creditors: Due vththin ona yoar
Total Gurr•nt l1ablll￿¥
540
540
N•t ¢urr•nt
159.152
135.331
N•t a8sel8
107.311
145,883
Unre¥trfGteAI fund8
13
13
137.913
29.398
167.311
115.402
30.481
144883
Total lund•
Th688 account# have been approved by the Trustees on and sign8d on their b8h81P.
Stgned:
Ilknt)e
J Maylin, C￿r

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIEfY (BASIS)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1. Accounting Policio#
Basls of the preparntion of th• accounts
These accounts have been prepared under the histori¢al cost convention with Items belng
racognisad at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated irs the relevant note to
these accounts.
The financial $tatem¢nts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting
by Charftl8s'. Statement on Recommanded praGt1￿ appliGable to charities preparing their
actsjunts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicablé in the UK and
Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) leffgctive 1 January 2019)- IChariti8s SORP {FRS 102)). tha
Flnancial R6porting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) and
the Companles Act 2006.
Cash Flow
Tha financial statements do not include a cash flow siatement b6cau$8 th8 charity. as a
Small reporting entty. is 8xempt from the requirement lo prepare such a Statement under
Financial Rewrting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements..
Value added tax
Value added tax is not recoverable by the ¢harity. and as such is included in th8 Statement
of FinanGlai Actfvltles.
Tangiblg fixed assots for use by tho Association and dgpwaciation
Tangibl8 fixed assets for use by the Association are statgd at ¢ost1gss dgpreaation.
Deprgciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets. less their
e81imated resldual value. over their exp8ct8d useful liv8s on the following basis:
Office & Kitchen Equlpment
Sp￿la1 Equipment
Crttlcal a￿?￿ntIng 8sthnatos and Judg•monts
In the application of the chall￿$ ac¢ounting poliaes, the Trusle8s are required to make
Judg8mants, estimates and assumptions about the carying amount of ass¢l$ and liabilities
that are not r8adity apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions
are based on hlstorical 8xperience and oth8r f8Ctor8 that are considered to be relevant
Actual results may differ from thes& estimates.
The estimal8s and underf￿ng assumptions are rgvigwgd on an ongolng basls. Revlslons to
accounting estimates are rewgnised in tho perlod In whlth th8 6slimate is revised wh8r8 tha
revision affects only that p8rlod, or In the period of th? revision and fvture pgdods where Ihg
revlslon affects both current and fij￿re periods.
Thero ara no critical aC￿Unting estimatos or judgemgnts in the financlal statemonts.
10

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
2. Donations and legacles
Unr•strithd RostAct•d
2025
2025
Total
2025
Tolal
2024
Donatlon8
10,080
10,080
16.966
Coronaviws Retgntion Stheme
Sundry Grants
20.000
20.000
1,0(KJ
30.080
30,080
17,966
Inc¢xne from charltsblo actlvltles
Unrgstrlctgd R8strlct•d
2025
2025
Total
2025
Total
2024
Grants Received..
Goods and servic88
176,839
176.839
11,047
187,886
147,183
10,057
157,240
11,047
11,047
176,839
In¢omo from Fundralsing Aclivitigs
Unrnstriclod Rostrfct•d
2025
2025
Total
2025
Totsl
2024
Fundraising Income
434
434
10,529
11

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (contlnued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Olrect Charliable Exp•ndllur•
Unrnstrictsd R•slrietsd
2025
2025
Total
2025
Totsl
2024
Wages and salaries
Pensions
Coach hlre
Training expense$
Travel expenses
Telephone & communicaoon
Printing. postsg& and stationery
Refroshments
Goods Bought
Miscellaneous
Vehlcle costs
Voluntggr costs
Accomodatlon
Miscellaneous Equipment
Rent
Insurance
Accountancy
Projed costs
Depreciation
7.317
517
126,413
5.736
133,730
6,253
122.119
9,107
2.428
2,014
2,474
2,033
1,473
254
4,850
5,892
2,670
624
6,647
2,855
624
6.742
2,855
95
515
515
10.821
9,590
1.471
830
8.836
2.195
2,421
315
$40
8.233
2,394
198.371
10,821
1,017
8,574
1.471
830
8.836
2.195
2.418
315
5.835
4,302
4.022
1.249
540
4.671
3,689
179.821
8.233
1,721
177.922
673
20.449
6. C￿1 of g•ngratlng funds
Unr•strlctsd Rgstrlcted
2025
2025
Total
2025
Total
2024
Fundraising costs
161
161
3.929
3.929
7. Debtors
202$
2024
Prepayments
69
64
. Crodlto
2025
2024
Accruals
Deferred Income
540
540
540
12

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (contlnued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
9. Tangibl• fix•d assots
Offic• &
Restrl¢ted Restrlcted
Speclal
Kltchgn
Vehlclgs Equlpmgnt Equlpm•nt Equlpmont
Tolal
Cost
At 1 September 2024
Additions
Disposal
At 31 August 2025
D•prociati¢Jn
At 1 September 2024
Charge for the y8ar
Al 31 August2025
10,495
10.335
32,325
29,860
83,015
10.495
10.335
32,325
29,860
83,015
6.068
1,107
7,175
7.149
614
30.137
485
29,109
188
72.463
2,394
74,857
7,763
30,622
29.297
N•t book values
At 31 August 2025
3,320
2.572
1,703
8,158
At 31 August 2024
4,427
3,186
2,188
751
10,552
1￿ Staff Gosts
Staff costs wgr& 8$ follows:
2025
2024
Wages and nabonal insurance
Pensions
133,730
6,253
139,983
122.119
9.107
131,226
Tho av8rago waekly number of emph)ye68 durfng the year was:
K•y managemgnt ￿￿80n￿•1
For 2025, one member of staff was pald as key manag8ment personnel. They received less
than £60,000 per 8nnum.
11. Trustees rnrnuneratlon
Thè trustees receNed remuneration for travel gxpenses only. incurrad Whi￿ undertaklng thelr
rol8 of trustees.
12. R•lal•d party transactions
No person connected wilh th8 trustees has received or Is due to receivg ary remuneration
for thè year diredy or indirocty from the chariws funds.
13

BLIND AND SIGHT IMPAIRED SOCIETY (BASIS)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
13. Movemonl In funds
Asat
Incomlng
Expèndèd
0110912024 rosources r•sour￿*
3110812025
Restrictgd funds:
Social Service Fund
Big Lottery Fund
Visionary Grant
AFA
Independent Age
CAFRF
Clothworkor FoundatK>n
Essex Community Foundation
ECL Covid Fund
Vinci Foundation UK
RTCG
CSFCT
ECCIAG
ECCASS
TES
BLF
BCOF
23
769
419
{61
{7091
{1051
{14.3791
11261
11141
1862}
{9,874)
1220)
{1,107)
1331)
1117)
(37,204)
(68,782)
1446)
(42,3491
(1,1921
1177.922)
60
314
4,221
18.600
126
455
2,000
9.883
1.110
7.209
341
1.138
9.518
890
6.102
519
9,509
850
117
{1.308)
771
71
7,645
1.192
30,482
37,142
68.266
375
42,097
{1,370)
255
7.393
176,839
29,398
Unroslri¢t•d Funds
115.402
43,121
(20,610)
137,913
Total Fund8
145.884
219.960
198.532
167.310
14. Analysls of net assots bolween funds Unrestrlctod Re8tr1ctsd
Funds
Funds
2025
2025
Totsl
Funds
2025
Totsl
Funds
2024
Tanglb16 fixed as$ots
Current assets
Current Ilablllti88
2,266
135.647
5,892
24.046
(5401
29.398
8.158
159,692
1540)
167.311
10,552
135,871
{540)
145,883
137.913
14