deaf connexions Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1188715 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
I" Awll- 31"Marth 2023-24 rustee Annual Report from 1st April 2023 to 31" March 2024 Trustees, partners and staff Trustees Robin Amos Chairperson Laura Hawksworth Vice Chair Howard Jones Hon Treasurer Hannah Butcher Trustee (appointed 6 June 2023) Verity Gibson Trustee Claire Parker Trustee Paul Scott Trustee Tony Sutton Trustee Note.. all trustees listed above a in post at the date of this port Rotsry House Representatives Andy De'Ath & Mark Templeman staff Matthew Talbot Teresa H¢)ward Mary Chambers Chief Executive Deputy Manager- Deaf Advocacy Worker Deaf Community Worker
i" Aprfl- 3111 Mafth 2023.24 ion Bank Charities Aid Foundalion CAF Bank Limited. Independent Examlner Andrew Parker F.C.C.A, Andrew Parker Associates Ltd. Unil 7, BeKh Avenue Business Park, BeeGh Avenue. Taverham, Norwich NR8 6HW. Forniatlon Deaf Connexions Charitable Incorporated Organisation {CIOJ {"De8f Connexions") was incorporated on 23rd March 2020, with Charily number 1188715. Governance Trustees are recruited through the organisation's close links with the deaf communty and links with other organisations dedicated to improving Ibe lives of Deaf people. Trustees are appointed for terms of 3 years in accordance yth the charity's ¢onstituts'on. For decisions which can onty be made by members of Deaf Connexions, all trustees are members and VI versa. All trustees are on the Management Committee which provides oversight and direction to the organisation. From time to time the trustees will delegatè specific functions to a suIgrOUp, and from timtrtO•time non-voting representatives of partner organisations will be invited to Management Committee meetings to provide knowledge and 5UPPOrt. Management and activltles Deaf Connexions is managed on a day-to4ay basis by its Chief Executive, guided by decisions made by the Trustees. The charity wovides the following services to the deaf community under contracts or framework agreements with third party organisations: Advocacy and Open Door Operation and management of the Deaf Centre, NoNich Enhanced NHS funded services for Deaf People Rotary House for Ihe Deaf management and tenant support Communication Servi¢es including Language Aide and INTRAN (until June 2022). Subject to grant funding, Deaf Connexions delivers specific projects such as BSL training.
l°AwM- 31" Marth 2023-24 unities The main risks facing the charity relate to ils relatively small size reliant on incOff from a small number of Contracts. The Trustees have considered this risk and consider that due lo the nature of the seNice. the proven abilrty to meet commitments and renew contracts, and the on-going impact of the Equalty Act. the chaity continues to look forward to a successfvl future. Deaf Connexions has emerged successfully from significant changes in 2022-23 which saw the closure of most communications support activities and the loss of a number of staff, followed by the retirement of our highly experienced Chief Executive in early 2024. Through the appointment of a new Chief ExUtiVe and the work of dedicated staff the trustees have ensured that Deaf Connexions has progressed while maintaining all rts seNices. Financially. the reduced numter of staff has reduced the financial risk associated with losing contracts and consequenlly having to close the organisation. A good level of reseNes will enable necessary changes to be made in a way which limits the impact on seNice users. VolunteerJ Deaf Connexions uses volunteers to assist with its administrative and other fundions. It is grateful for their efforts. Employ89 involvement and employment of disabled people Employees are consulted on issues of cOnM to them by means of open day-t04Iay management. and regular staff meetings. The charity has implemented a numl)er of detailed policies in relation to all aspects of personnel matters including Equal Opportunities, HeaKh and Safety and Policies relating to the disclosure and baring Service- recruitment of ex-offenders. In accordance with the charity's equal opportunities policy. the charity has fair employment Practices in the recruitment, selection. retention and training of disabled staff.
I" Aprll- 31" March 2023-2•J Chairman's Report There afe still rnajor barrlers when trying to access seNices for Deaf people. Our Information, Advice and Advocacy serls continues to provide daity support for our Deaf Community which continues to work well under the new contract arrangements. Since the changes to the Interpreter service in June 2023 there have been ongoing difficulties for our Deaf Community to obtain Interpreters especially for health appointments and we continue to work wrth all providers to try and improve this seNiGe. l am pleased to report that this has assured that Deaf Connexions is now financially stable and secure and we can look foThvaFd to continuing to provide services and support for the future. The Deaf Community Centre continues to be well attended and busy, and we continue lo work in partnership with Rotsry House for the Deaf and once again we would like to thank them again this year for donating the rent we pay for office space back to supporting the Deaf Community. I would like to thank all our funders, staff and Volunteers for all their support. A very special thank you is due to Sue Moore, our Chief Executive for 27 years, who retired in May 2024. Deaf Connexions owes its existence to Sue, who in recent years saw the organisation through Covid and then the loss of our Intran contract and yet has left Deaf Connexions in a stable financial position with dedicated staff ensuring a good foundation for the future. Robin Amos Chalrman
i. Aprfl- 31"Mar 2023-24 ices and Projects Communicatlon Servlces- Language Aide We continue to work with just one famity and have provided 12 sessions of support. Advocacy and Open Door During 2023-24 we worked on 1,9 enquiries. This service is provided under a contract wlth Norfolk County Council through our lead provider Equal Lives. The majority of the queries we receive are connected with access to ststutory and other seryices. Now that so many services are online or phone only, it is increasingty difficult for some of our Deaf Community to gain access. NHS enhanced We are sub-contracting with Language Empire to provide this service and during 2023- 24 we worked on 328 enquirtes. Deaf connexions provide and facilitate arrangements with individual Deaf patients to enable them to book appointments with a primary care services on request and confimi an interpreter has been booked through Language Empire and the Deaf patient. The Deaf Centre The Deaf Centre has been busy with regular groups and activities throughout the week. Healthy walks take place every two weeks and are abNays popular, as are the gUlar BSL Coffee Morning. Sign zone, Arts and craft sessions and numerous groupslwotkshops that are well attend at the Centre. Rotsry House Tenants are supported fa to fac£ and via lextlemail Monday to Thursday wth set office hours Tirnes". We operate 24tl mobile phone support for emergency outside office hours. Renovations to flat5 have been taking place with new tenants welcomed during the year.
I" April- 2023.24 anclal results Introduction This is the fourth year of trading for Deaf Connexions Charitable Incorporated Orgar)isation (CIO), which, on 1 April 2020, took over the trade and asset5 of the prede¢esxrf Deaf Connexions ¢har"ty. Income and expendlture The financial year to 31 March 2024 saw the consolidation of services provided by Deaf Connexions following the closure of the communications seryice in 2022. After allocating salary and other costs in proportion to lime spent by staff, most services apart from the Deaf Centre showing a small surplus to cover management and governance costs and contribute to general reserves. General roserves were further supported by non-trading income of £9,011 which was the resuli of a generous donation in kind frorn Rotary House for the Deaf Limited, wuivalent to the value of office space ¢xcupied by Deaf Connexions * the Rotary House site. Restricted funds received during the year comprised £4,910 from the Norfolk Communty Foundation to provide classes and activities for Deaf people, and £3,100 received from Norfolk County Council to provide additional welfare support to the deaf Community. All restricted fvnds were fully used during the year. The general fund surplus over the year was £15,926, resulting in reserves carried fcrniard of £133.928. Reserves pollcy As a result of Ihe charity's exposure to a relatively small number of contrads. in December 2022 trustees agreed a revised target for reseNes of tetseen 50% and 100% of forecast annual income. This target- Currently slightly exceeded - is designed to manage cash-flows. as well as providing a buffer when services are re4efined and re-tendered. It also allows Deaf Connexions to undeTwrite and provide funding for smaller projects designed to help the Deaf community where external funding is not available. Durin9 the year Deaf Connexions received a legacy of £25.000. Trustees have agreed to d85ignate all of the funds to kick-start a.care at Home" projed, providing £20,0 seed funding to support Deaf people in their own homes, with £5,000 set aside to update outdated IT and to improve connectivity at and ItW&n our two main operational sites al Rotary House and the Norwich Deaf Centre. Approved by the Trustees Chairman Robin Amos
i" Agrf1- 3151 Marth 2Q23.24 minor'$ Roport for th• y•4r ended 31 Mar¢h 2024 Indopg To the Trustees of Deaf Connexions.. I report on the financial stslemenls of the ¢harity for the year ended 31 March 2024. Respectivo rnJpon$lbilltlès of Trust••• and Indepond•nt Examin•r The charity's trustees afe responsible for the preparati¢)n of the financial statements. The charity's Iruslee5 consider that an audit is not a requirement for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe 2011 Act), and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my iesponsibilty to.. gxamine thè accounts under Sect 145 of Ihe 2011 Act", to follow the procedures laid down in the General Direotions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act., and to state whether particutsr matters have coma to my attention. 88818 of Independent Examin6rfs rnport My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination in¢ludes a review of the accounting records kept by the charty and a comparison of the financial 5tstements Pfesented with those records. It also includes consideration ol any unusual items or disclosures in the financial st*ements, and seeking explan81ion8 from you as Iruslees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and ttinsequently no opinion is given as to whether the finan¢tal ststements PTesent a 'lrue and fair view, and the rèport is limited lo those matters set out in Ihe staternenl bel¢)w. Indepèndenl Examin•r'8 •t•tsm¢nt In connection with my examination matter has come to my attenl¥)n'. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respe¢t the trustees have not mel the requirements lo ensure Ihat.. proper accounts.ng records are kept in accordance wrth se¢tKJn 130 ofthe 2011 Act.. and financial statements are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act,. or 2. to which, in my ¢¥inton, attention should be drawn in order to enable a pr¢yr understanding of the financial ststemen15 to be reached. Andrew Parker F.C.C.A Andrew Parker Associates Ltd Unit 7, Beech Avenue Business Park Beech Avenue, Tavgrham Nornich NR8 6HW KNEtsk5- Datg".
15¢ Awil- 31" March 2023-24 Deaf Connexlons Accounts Year to 31 March 2024 Balance sheet 31-Marry2024 31-Mor-2023 Current •886ts Debtors 5,478 16,675 Cash at bank and in hartd 156,393 105,004 Total current assets 181,869 121,879 Short torn) ¢roditorn 2,941 3,677 158,928 118.002 Unrn8trlcted In¢om• fund• Dosignated fund8 25,000 Gener81 reserve 133.928 118.002 158,928 118,002 Signed on behalf of the Trustees H Jones. Tm8urer
IIE Aprll- 31" March 2023-24 Deaf Connexions Accounts Year to 31 March 2024 Statement of financial activities - Including income and expenditure account 31-Mar-2024 3141•1-2023 Unrostri¢t•d D••ignated Ro$trl¢tad Funds FundB Funds Tot41 Fut)d• Incomlng ro80u•S Income from charitsble trading Communication services A¢jVacY and Open Door Deaf Centre NHS Enhanced Rotsry House Other projects 70,630 45,¥23 15291 l.C63 26,323 595 158,762 455 7,842 2,760 52.470 9,764 10.200 29,247 1,430 1 105,871 1,655 9,045 2,760 52,470 9.764 10,200 29.247 8,010 8.010 113,881 1,655 34,045 Inierest received othor incomin9 rg$ources 25.000 8.010 149.581 167,059 Total Incomlng r•8ource• 116,571 25.000 Expondlturn Charltablo •xp•nditur• Communication services Deaf Centrè Rotary House NHS Enhanced AdvoGaCy and Open Door other projec15 2,818 11.577 26,861 8.609 47.956 69,988 15.663 27.137 1,830 41,174 8,341 164,334 2,401 166.735 2,818 1 11,577 26,861 8,609 47.956 1,403 99.224 1,421 100.645 8.010 B,010 107,234 1.421 108.656 Govornanco colts Total èxpenditurn 8.010 Not mov•mant In fund¥ 15,926 25,000 40.92$ 324 118,002 158,928 117678 118,002 Funds balance brought forward Funds balan¢• ¢arrlod forward 118,002 133,928 25.000 io
i# Aprll- 3111 March 2013-24 Notes forming part of the flnancial statements for the year ended 31 March2024 5taternent of Compllance The financial statements have been prepared In accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective l January 20151- {Charities SORP IFRS 1021), the Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Charities Act 2011. The charity has opted to adopt Bulletin I published on 2 February 2016 and has therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements. Apart from a small number of additional disclosures, no changes have been made to the content or format of these accounts. and no prior year adlu5tment5 have been made. Basis of preparation Deaf Connexion5 meets the def inition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. l. Accountlng policles Fund accounting The general fund Is an unrestritted fund which is available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charlty. Designated funds comprise unrestritted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purpose funds and restricted funds are f und5 which are to be used in accordance wlth specific restrictlons imposed by donors. Incomlng resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activitles1SOFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Our Core incorne relates to our Contract Agreements with (directly or indirectly Norfolk County Council: "Deaf Community Centre" 'Lan8uage Aide" and"Open Door& Advocacy. Until 30June 2022 Deaf Connexions provided the "INTRAN" sign language comrnunication service. In addition Deaf Connexions services a management contract for the management of Rotary House for the Deaf, and works to enhance services under a contract wlth the NHS. li
3111 March 2Q23-24 ded All expen ure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Staff costs and other costs {e8 rent and rates) whlch car)not be attributed to a particular heading have been allocated based on an analysis of the proportlon of tirne spent by each staff member. Tangible fixed assets Tangible flxed assets costing MO than £2,SOO and not funded directly through contract or grant are capitalised and included at cost induding any incidental expense of acquisition. The charity currently has no tangible f ixed assets. When it does, depreciation will be provlded. Pension costs The charity contributes to a pension scheme which is available to all staff and provides a 3% contributlon to The People'5 Penslon. 2. Income Incoming resources- Income from charitable trading 20Z4 2023 70,630 45,923 15.291 1,063 26,323 IS9.229 Communication services Advocacy and Open Door Deaf Centre NHS Enhanced Rotary House 52,470 9,764 10,2¢XI 29,247 104,441 Note: Deaf Connexions has contracts and service agreements with a number of public sertor or8anisations includin8 Norfolk County Council and the Health Service, as well as Rotary House for the Deaf. 12
i"April- 3111 March 2023-24 ration Fees totallng £957 were paid to one trustee for cleaning services. Certain trustees may benef it indirectly through availability of externally funded services for deaf people on the same basi5 as any service user. 4. Staff costs As at 31 March 2024 employees totaled Ifull- time and 2 part-time. No member of Staff received a salary of more than £60,000 in the year to 31$1 March 2024. All staff have been enrolled in an approved auto-enrolment pension scheme. 2024 2023 107,883 7.648 Wageslsalaries Social security costs Pensions Total 63,468 4,6251 2,586 70.6BO 2,586 118.117 5. Flnancial commltments At 31st March 2024. Deaf Connexions had no long term commitments. 13
i. Aprfl- YIY Morch 2023-24 6, Analysis of movement on reserves 1-Apr-2023 b.d 314lar-2024 cTh¥d Income Expenditure RtrIctd lund8 Norfolk C¢)mmunbty Foundation- Love Norfolk Deaf Centre SLKial & Leaming Opportuniltes 4,Q10 4,910 3,100 8.010 3,100 8.010 Deslgn•l&d funds Care al Home pro11 $eoJ fvnding Update and improve IT and connectivity 20,000 5.000 25,000 20.000 5,000 25.000 Genoral fund 118.002 116,571 100,645 158,928 Total funds 117.678 149,581 108,655 7. support Costs 2024 2023 1.206 729 66 1.697 306 Payroll Stationary Travel Equipment Membership Training Pholowpier RentlRaies Telephone Insurance AGMICharity inc independent examination Office exp 3,118 264 665 1,4C6 8,360 2.426 2,553 1,920 408 256 1.4C 11,738 2.553 1.078 822 686 20.540 23,185 Support Costs have been allocated across services on the basis of staff costs for each service. 14
I" AprU- 31SIMxch 2W>24 ources expended by expendlture type Freeknce and travel costs 2024 Other Costs 2024 Costs 2024 Totsl 2024 Tolal 2023 Communicatlon serviGe Deal Centre Rotary House management Language Aide Advo¢acy and Open Door Olher projects Governance cosls 232 5,S74 20,812 6,670 31,177 5.113 1,102 2,519 4,384 68 1.620 6,048 1.939 9,(60 1.486 320 2,818 11,577 26,861 8,609 47,956 9,413 1.422 69,988 15.864 27.137 1,830 41,174 8,341 7,719 2.814 20,540 166,735 Deaf Connexlons Rotary House King Street Nonvich NRI 2BL Text phone 01603 661113 www.deafconnexions.or .uk mail@deafconnexions.org.uk deaf connexions 15