deaf connexions Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1188715 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
i* Aprti- 31° Marth 2024.25 rustee Annual Report from 1" April 2024 to 31" March 2025 Trustees, partners and staff Trustees Laura Hawksworth Chairperson Howard Jones Hon Treasurer Robin Amos Trustee Hannah Butcher Trustee Verity Gibson Tnjstee Claire Parker Trustee {resigned April 20251 Paul Scott Trustee (resigned September 20251 Tony Sutton Trustee Note.. other than those shown as resigned, all trustees listed above a in post at the date of this report Rotary House Representatives Andy De Ath & Mark Templeman Chief Executive Matthew Talbot
i. Aprfl- 31° Marth 202*25 tion Bank Charities Aid Foundation CAF Bank Limited. Independent Examiner Andrew Parker F.C.C.A, Andrew Parker Associates Ltd, Unil 7, Beech Avenue Business Park, Beech Avenue, Taverham, Norwich NR8 6HW Formation Deaf Connexions Charitable Incorporated Organisation ICIO) {"Deaf Connexions.) was incorporated on 23rd March 2020, with Charty number 1188715. Governance Trustees are recruited through the organisation's close links with the deaf community and links with other organisations dedicated lo improving the lives of Deaf people. Trustees are appointed for tems of 3 years in accordance with the charty's constitution. For decisions which can only be made by members of Deaf Connexions, all trustees are members and vice versa. All trustees afe on the Management Committee which provides oversight and direction to the organisation. From time lo time the trustees will delegate specffic functions to a sub-group, and from time•to-time non-voting representatives of partner organisations will be invited to Management Committee meetings to provide knowledge and support. Management and activities Deaf Connexions is managed on a day-to-day basis by its Chief Executive, guided by decisions made by the Trustees. The charity provides the following services to the deaf community under contracts or framework agreements with third paty organisations.. Advocacy and Open Door Operation and management of a Deaf Centre, Norwich Enhanced NHS funded services for Deaf People Rotary House for the Deaf management and tenant support Subject to grant funding, Deaf Connexions delivers specific projects such as BSL training and support.
I" Aprll- 31° Marth 2024-25 unlties The main risks facing the charty relate to its relatively small size and relian on core funding from a small number of conlracls. The Trustees have considered this risk and consider that due to the nature of the service, the proven ability to meet commitments. renew contracts, and attract grant funding, the charity continues to look forward to a successful future. The retirement of our highly experienced Chief Executive in early 2024 presented a potential risk to the management of our services, However, through the Suc$$fUl appointment of a new Chief Executive and the work of dedicated staff the trustees have ensured that Deaf Connexions has maintained and developed its serVIS for deaf people. The financial risk around contracts has been dea with by managing staff numbers and resources within resources available. A health level of reseNes has enabled necessary changes to be made lo minimise the impact on service users. Volunteers Deaf Connexions uses volunteers to assist wrth its administrative and other functions. It is grateful for their efforts. Employee involvement and employment of disabled people Employees are consulted on issues of conrn to them by means of open (Jay-to-day management, and regular staff meetings. The charity has implemented a number of detailed policies in relation lo all aspects of personnel matters including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Policies relating io the disclosure and baring Service - recruitment of ex-offenders. In accordance with the charity's equal opportunrties policy, the charity has fair employment practices in the recruitment, selection, retention and training of disabled slaff.
ai. March 202ty25 Chair's Report Despite progress. significant barriers remain for Deaf people when accessing essential services. Our Information, Advi, and Advocacy Service continues to deliver vital daily support lo the Deaf community and is operaling effectively under the new contract arrangements. l am pleased to confirm that these developments have strengthened Deaf Connexions, financial position, ensuring stability and security for the future. This allows us to focus on sustaining and expanding our services. The Deaf Community Centre remains vibrant and well-attended. We have seen increased participation. driven by Deaf-led workshops and an enhand social media presence, which has helped our service groups grow. We continue to work in partnership with Rotary House for the Deaf, and we extend our sincere thanks for Iheir generosity in donating the office rent back to support the Deaf community. I would like to express my gratitude to all our funders, staff, and volunteers for their unwavering support. This year, we welcomed Matthew Talbot as our new CEO. His lived experience and strong Deaf leadership have opened new funding streams, enabling the development of additional servi$ and the expansion of Deaf Connexions. Laura Hawksworth Chairperson
I" April- 31" March 2024-25 ices and Projects Advocacy and Open Door This service is provided under a contract with Norfolk County Council through our lead provider Equal Lives. Now that so many services are online or phone only, il is increasingly difficult for some of our Deaf Community to gain access and the majority of the queries we receive are connected with access lo statutory and other services. During 202425 we worked on 645 enquiries, NHS enhanced Deaf Connexions provides this service under a contract with Language Empire. Our role is lo help Deaf patients to enable them to book appointments with primary care providers, and to request and confirm sign language interpreter services booked through Language Empire. In the year to March 2025 Deaf Connexions supported 195 Service users. The Deaf Centre Managed under a contract with Norfolk County Council the Norwich Deaf Centre has been busy with regular groups and activities each week throLtghout the year BSL Art group take place every weeks and are always popular, as are the regular Sign Zone and numerous groups that attend the Centre. During 2024-25 6,617 service users used the Deal Cenlre. Due lo building conditions, Deaf Centre operations have rentlY moved to Carrow House in Norwich. Rotsry House Work with 16 tenants at Rotary House for the Deaf is provided by Deaf Connexions through a contract Rotary House for the Deaf Ltd. Tenants are supported face to face and via textlemail Monday to Thursday with set office hours Times" We operate 2417 mobile phone support for emergencies outside office hours.
I" AprS1- 31 March 225 ancial results Introduction This is the fifth year of trading for Deaf Connexions Charitable Incorporated Organisation {ClOI, which, on 1 April 2020, look over the trade and assets of the predecessor Deaf Connexions charity. Income and expenditure The financial year lo 31 March 2025 saw a continualion of services provided by Deaf Connexions. After allocating salary and overheads in proportion to time spent by staff, all Se15 have shown a loss. However this loss has been largely offset by a generous donation from Rotary House for the Deaf Ltd in the form of rent-free Offi space, resuming in a small net increase general reserves of £2,520 to £136,449. Deaf Connexions started the year wrth two designated funds formed as a result of a legacy received in 2023-24. One of these funds has been fully spent on updating outdated IT and improving connectivity Ieen our main operational sites al Rotary House and the Norwich Deaf Cenlre. The other fund was designated as Care at Home project seed funding, and due to limrted resources and a change of key staff during the year this project is still in progress. A major financial SucsS during the year has been approach to grant funders, with six grants received lotaling £70,104, including £40,000 for a Deaf Childrens project (Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System), £12,500 for a BSL translator project (Norwich Charrtable Trust i No¥wich Consolidated Charities) and £10,000 for BSL Home support {Norfolk Communrty Foundation). Due to the timing of receipts, and the resource needed to initiate projects, the majority of ihis funding has been carried forward into 2025-26. Reserves policy As a result of the charity's exposure lo a relatively small number of conlracls, in December 2022 trustees agreed a revised target for reserves of between 50% and 1000/0 of forecast annual general fund Income. After adjusting for Access to Work grant support, the general resetve sits al 112% of income, slightly higher than target. This provides a buffer when services are re- defined and re-tendered, means that we don't need to plan to make a profit, and allows Deaf Connexions to undetwrite and provide funding for smaller projects designed to help the Deaf community where external funding is not available. Approved by the Trustees Chairperson Laura Hawksworth
ijt Aprll- 31. March 2024-25 Indapè miner's Rgportfor tho yearendgd 31 March 2025 To the Trustees of Deaf Connexions.. I report on the financial stslements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. Rt8pacVe re8pon8lbllities of Truste•$ and Indop•ndent Examiner The charity's Iruslees are fesponsible for the preparation of the financial st8tements. The charity's trustees con51der that an audr( is not a requirement for this year under section 144121 of the CharilEs Act 2011 Ilhe 2011 Acll, and that an independent examination Is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of th8 2011 Act., to follow the procedures laid down In the General Directions gwen by the Charty Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act,. and to slate whether particular matters have come tr) my attention. Basi8 of Ind•pend8nt ExamineV8 report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions gwen by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and cKJmparison of the financial statements presented with those records 11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial slalemenls, 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 no opinion is given as lo whether the financial ststemenls present a 'lrue and fair view, and the reF)0rt 1s limited lo those matters sel out in the statement below Indapendent Examiner's $tat8m•nt In connectson with my examination no matter has come lo my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the Iruslees have not mel the reqU1MentS lo ensure Ihal.. proper accounting records are kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 kl,. and financial statements are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act", or 2. to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the financial slalemenls lo be reached. Andrew Parker F.C.C.A Andrew Parter Assctiales Ltd Unil 7, Beech Avenue Business Park Beech Avenue. Taverham Norwich NR8 6HW Dale..
J" Aprfl- 31X March 2024-25 Deaf Connexions Accounts Year to 31 March 2025 Balance sheet 31-Mar-2025 31-Mar-2024 Current 18sets Debtors 32,085 5,476 Cash al bank and in hand 195,380 156.393 Total current assets 227,465 161,869 Short tem) creditors Accruals 8.771 2,941 N•t assets 218,694 158,928 Unrestrict•d incomg fund8 Restricted funds 62,877 Designated ftjnds 19,369 25,000 General reserve 136.449 133,928 218,694 158.928 Signed on behalf of the Trustees H Jones, Treasurer Dale 21 January 2026
1° Aprll- 31" M3rch 202+25 Deaf Connexions Accounts Year to 31 March 2025 Statement of financial activities including income and expenditure account 31-Mar-2025 Total Funds Unro$trlcted Designatod Restricted Funds Fund8 Funds 314lar-2024 Incoming rnsources Inme from charitable trading Communication services AdVacY and Open Door Deaf Centre NHS Enhanced Rotary House Other projects 2,760 52,470 9.764 10,200 29,247 9.440 113,881 1,6S5 42,126 24.501 8,775 29,642 42,126 24,501 8,775 29.642 70,104 70,104 105.D45 2.126 51,492 10,377 169,040 Interest received Access lo Work IA2WJ grant Other incoming resources Total incoming r¢sourco8 175,149 2,126 51,492 34,045 149,581 70.104 ExpendFture Charitable oxpendlture Deaf Centre Rotary House NHS Enhanced Advocacy and Open Door Communication support IA2WI Other proj&ls 26.085 31,862 10.793 43.300 51.492 26,085 31,862 10,793 43,300 51,492 12,858 176,391 2,987 179,378 11,577 26,861 8,609 47,956 2,818 9,413 107,234 1,422 108,655 5,632 5,632 7,227 7.227 163,533 2.987 166,520 Governance c06ts Total expendFtur• 5,632 7,227 Not movemènt in funds 2,520 -5,632 62,877 59,766 40,926 Funds balan brought forward Funds balance carrled forward 133.928 136,449 25,000 158,928 218.694 118.002 158.928 62,877 io
1st Aprfl- 31X March 202ty25 Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March2025 Statement of Compliance The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 IFRS 1021 leffective l January 20151- Icharities SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting 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 adjustments have been made. Basis of preparation Deaf Connexions meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. l. Accounting policies Fund accounting The general fund is an unrestricted fund which is available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purpose funds and restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors. Incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities {SOFAI when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracv. Our Core income relates to our Contract Agreements with (directly or indirectly Norfolk County Council:"Deaf Community Centre" "Language Aide" and"Open Door& Advocacy. In addition Deaf Connexions services a management contract for the management of Rotary House for the Deaf Ltd, and works to enhance services under a contract with the NHS. li
1° April- 31st March 2024-25 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 leg rent and rates) which cannot be attributed to a particular heading have been allocated based on an analysis of the proportion of time spent by each staff member. Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets costing more than £2,500 and not funded directly through contract or grant are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expense of acquisition. The charity currently has no tangible fixed assets. When it does, depreciation will be provided. Pension costs The charity contribute5 to a pension scheme which is available to all staff and provides a 3% contribution to The People's Pension. 2. Income Incoming resources- Income from charitable trading 2025 2024 Communication services Advocacy and Open Door Deaf Centre 2,760 52.470 9,764 42,126 24.501 8,775 29.642 105,045 NHS Enhanced Rotary House 29,247 104,441 Note: Deaf Connexions has contrarts and service agreements with a number of organisation5 ncluding Norfolk County Council and Rotary House for the Deaf. 12
I. April- 31° Marth 2024-25 eratlon Fees totaling £44 were paid to one trustee for cleaning services. Certain trustees may benefit indirectly through availability of externally funded services for deaf people on the same basis as any service user. 4. Staff costs As at 31 March 2024 employees totaled I full- time and 2 part-time. No member of staff received a salary of more than £60,000 in the year to 31, March 2024. All staff have been enrolled in an approved auto-enrolment pension scheme. 2025 2024 W3ges/salaries Social security costs Pensions Total 76.562 7.467 2,450 86,479 63,468 4,625 2,586 70.680 5. Financial commitments At 31st Marth 2025, Deaf Connexions had no long-term commitments. 13
IX Aprll- 31° March 2024-25 6. Analysis of movement on reserves 1-Apr-2024 31-Mar-2025 Income Expenditure ¢Trid Restrictod funds Deaf Youth Project for18-25s BSL translator projert Love Norfolk project Deaf Children's project BSL Home Support Nature project 500 5.936 s,000 40,604 10,000 1,500 70.104 170 6,564 1,000 120 330 6,459 4,000 40.484 10,000 1,500 62.877 7,227 Dèsignated funds Care home project seed funding Update and improve IT connectivity 20,000 5,000 25.000 632 5.000 5,632 19,369 19,369 General fund 133.928 169.040 166.520 136,449 Total funds 158,928 239.144 179,378 218,694 7. Support Costs 2025 2024 Payroll Stationary Travel Equipment Training Photocopier Rent/Rates Telephone Insurance AGMICharity inc independent examination Office exp inc web.main 2,072 1,225 1,206 729 66 3,396 171 1,460 11,616 2,882 1,225 3,675 341 256 1,406 11.738 2,553 1,078 822 686 28,063 20,540 Support costs have been allocated across services on the basis of staff costs for each service. 14
i¥1 Aprti- 31 March 2024-25 8. Analysis of resources expended by expenditure type Staff FraèL4rre & Cost5 equipment cos 2025 2025 OtPEr Cost$ 2025 Total 2025 Total 2024 Deaf C8ntre Roiary marAgerngrt NHS Enharud Admxacy aT%l Open Door Cornmwication SLpfA)rt IA2 Otr£r projects G0maa costs 17.975 24.056 8,149 32,692 2,278 5,833 7,8L 26.085 31,862 10,793 43,300 51,492 12,858 2.987 179,378 11,577 26,861 8,609 47.958 2.818 9,413 1,422 108,655 10,608 51,492 10.469 1,804 1.804 86.479 585 585 28.063 64,837 Note- in the second column equipment costs relate to "other projects" Otherwise the costs refer to freelance Communications support. Deaf Connexions Rotary House King Street Norwich NRI 2BL Text phone 01603 661113 www.deafconnexions.org.uk mail@deafconnexions.org.uk deaf connexions 15