Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 **Charity Registration No. 1196972** **CIO No. CE027496** ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND** **(KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** |**Patron**|Christina Rennie| |---|---| |**Chairman**|Lieke van Putten| |**Secretary**|Tom Mclnulty| |**Chief Executive**|Jackie Powers| |**Trustees**|Steve Boswell| ||Hannah Chivers| ||Abigail Dowling| ||David Marson| ||Tom McInulty| ||Lieke van Putten| |**Charity number**|1196972| |**CIO number**|CE027496| |**Principal address**|3A Bassett Avenue| ||Southampton| ||SO16 7DP| |**Other contact details**|Telephone: (023) 8076 9882| ||Email: Support@southamptonsight.org.uk| ||Web site: www.southamptonsight.org.uk| |**Independent examiner**|Fiander ETL| ||Stag Gates House| ||63/64 The Avenue| ||Southampton| ||Hampshire| ||SO17 1XS| |**Bankers**|The Co-operative Bank| ||PO Box 250| ||Skelmersdale| ||WN8 6WT| ||Virgin Money| ||Symington House| ||7-8 North Avenue| ||Clydebank Business Park| ||Clydebank| ||G81 2NT| |**Payroll Administrators**|HJS| ||Tagus House| ||9 Ocean Way| ||Ocean Village| ||Southampton| ||Hampshire| ||SO14 3TJ| Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) CONTENTS** ||**Page**| |---|---| |Trustees' report|1 - 8| |Independent examiner's report|9| |Statement of financial activities|10| |Balance sheet|11| |Notes to the accounts|12 - 27| Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) TRUSTEES' REPORT** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's Constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published in October 2019. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** The Charity's objects are to promote the welfare of blind and partially sighted people and people with hearing loss in Southampton and the surrounding area and to educate the public about their needs, aspirations and capabilities. ## **Our Mission** We know that when someone is diagnosed with sight loss, it can have a devasting impact on the physical, financial, and emotional health and wellbeing of the person and their loved ones. It is often accompanied by a sudden and profound loss of confidence. At Southampton Sight, we firmly believe that when someone loses their sight, they need to know it does not mean that their life is over. Our mission is to empower and support individuals who are blind and partially sighted by providing compassionate emotional support, practical assistance, and expert information and guidance. We want every person living with sight loss in Southampton to have the medical care, resources and confidence they need to live as independently as possible, and to have a good quality of life. ## **Our Aims** At Southampton Sight, we walk alongside each individual with sight loss. From diagnosis through every step to independence and empowerment, we are here for as long or as often as they need us. Some people choose to dip in and out as their sight loss progresses or their circumstances change. Others use our services week in, week out over many years. Our aim is to promote independence, wellbeing and choice. Our flexible, holistic services support people living with sight loss to: - have greater independence - experience reduced isolation - achieve their own individual goals - have greater access to information, advice, support and specialist equipment. ## **About Southampton Sight** We were originally established in 1899 as the Southampton Association for the Blind to offer social support to blind and partially sighted people, with an emphasis on caring for every need. Whist we have grown and evolved over the years; we are proud to remain true to our original purpose. We are here to provide support to anyone who is blind or partially sighted in Southampton regardless of age, background or identity. We offer a ‘one stop shop’ for people living with sight loss, with everything they need all in one place. We emphasise independence, life skills and social inclusion. Whether its expert information and advice or a call from one of our brilliant volunteers to simply provide a listening ear, we are always here to provide help in a warm, friendly and understanding way. Most importantly, Southampton Sight works hard to be proactive in ensuring local health and support services are ‘joined up’ and easier to navigate, so that people with sight loss can access the help, care and opportunities they need to live well. We do this by advocating on behalf of people with sight loss, by training medical professionals, and through close collaborations and partnerships with other service providers and the NHS. - 1 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **Where do we work** Southampton Sight is based in an accessible building in the north of the city, on the edge of Southampton Common, not far from Southampton General Hospital. We are here to serve anyone with sight loss in Southampton and the surrounding area. Southampton has a population of 252,689 people. According to RNIB statistics there are 7,000 blind and partially sighted people living in Southampton. Of these, 1,500 are registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired. Southampton is vibrant, diverse city on the coast of the affluent county of Hampshire. Whilst Southampton may appear to be a prosperous area, according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), Southampton is ranked the 55[th] most deprived local authority out of 317 Local Authorities in England, scoring worse than Bristol, Leeds or Sheffield. Having a disability like sight loss is closely correlated with deprivation, as both a cause and a consequence. According to a 2020 report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a shocking half of all people in the UK living in serious economic deprivation either share a household with a disabled person or are disabled themselves. Deprivation is a key driver of health inequalities and poor outcomes. Already struggling with finances and social isolation, people with sight loss face additional hurdles when navigating the complex health and social care system to access the help they need. _‘Southampton Sight to me is a place where I feel comfortable talking about my sight issues. A place full of lovely kind people. I feel like it's a place that's good for the mind and soul.’_ _Rob, Service User_ ## **Who do we help?** Our service users include children, young people, people of working age and older people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We currently have 1,000 members signed up to our database who benefit from our services, and we work directly with around 600 people with sight loss each year, receiving on average 30 new referrals per month. We also provide support, information, advice and training to another 600 including friends and family, employers, other professionals and service providers. Age is a significant risk factor in sight loss, and in line with national statistics, just over 70% of the people we see are aged over 65. Sight loss is also more common with certain other disabilities and medical conditions such as hearing loss, stroke, diabetes, cerebral palsy or epilepsy. Increasingly, we see people who are contending with more than one disability and / or complex health conditions. Post-pandemic the NHS and local authority services in Southampton are under huge pressure. Whilst most people with vision loss receive appropriate medical support to manage their condition, diagnosis is not always as timely as it should be, and staff are overworked and pressed for time. Further, the social care and support blind and partially sighted people need in their everyday life is disjointed, hard to access, and too slow. By the time they reach Southampton Sight, many people are battling chronic loneliness, profound feelings of vulnerability, and a loss of independence. This is especially true if they are very young, or elderly, or if their vision impairment means they cannot work, take part in everyday activities, or leave the house unassisted. These issues can then contribute to high levels of emotional or mental health problems like depression and anxiety. We understand that sight loss is about more than a diagnosis, it can have a profound and long-lasting impact on all aspects of a person’s life and wellbeing. - 2 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **What is Vision Loss?** In the UK, around 250 people start to lose their sight every day, which is about one person every six minutes. The NHS estimates that more than 2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss. More than one million people are blind and partially sighted due to a long-term eye condition that cannot be reversed, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease, and other causes of permanent sight loss. Some key facts: - One in five people will live with sight loss in their lifetime - An estimated 50% of sight loss is avoidable - The number of people with vision loss is expected to rise to 2.7 million by 2030 - Approximately 340,000 people in the UK are registered as blind or partially sighted - Around 24,000 people are given a Certificate of Visual Impairment each year - Age is a significant risk factor – around 80% of blind and visually impaired people are aged over 65, and 60% are aged 75 or over - Over 60% of people who are living with sight loss are women - People from some minority groups are at greater risk of sight loss, for example sickle cell retinopathy almost exclusively affects Black people - There are more 25,000 visually impaired children in the UK aged under 16 years - Some children are at higher risk of vision impairment, including very premature babies, those growing up in acute poverty, and children with learning difficulties - Only one in ten registered blind and one in four partially sighted people of working age are in employment, and those that do work are often under-employed. _‘As I have had my sight condition from birth, Southampton Sight has been a huge part of my life since I was a child. This organisation and those involved in keeping it running have become like family to me. The support I have received has been indescribably valuable within all stages of my sight journey. Coming from an ethnic minority background has meant that I had additional barriers when trying to access support, but Southampton Sight has supported me in navigating all aspects and challenges. I particularly found it helpful when transitioning from being supported as a child, to then having help to put the right support in place for when I became an adult. They have supported me through navigating needs with education, personal challenges and connecting with other visually impaired people in the local area at every stage of my life.’_ _Sinem, Service User_ - 3 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **What support do we offer?** We support people living with sight loss to continue to live independently and we facilitate peer and social networks to reduce isolation. We believe that sight loss should not stop people reaching their full potential. Equal and timely access to support and services should be available to everyone newly diagnosed or living with sight loss in Southampton. We know that the provision of services can be difficult. We support people living with sight loss to navigate the system. We work to join up health, social care and community services, and we collaborate closely with statutory and voluntary partners, as well as medical professionals, to provide the best possible support. Our services include: 1. **Community Hub** - we host Southampton City Council’s Sensory Services and the NHS Low Vision Service in our building, co-locating assessments for those newly diagnosed, making our centre the local sight loss ‘one stop shop’. 2. **Sight Loss Nurse Advisors** – working in partnership with Southampton City Council Sensory Services and Southampton University Hospital Trust we deliver our specialist training programme to Sight Loss Nurse Advisors working in the hospital Ophthalmology Unit, supporting patients to understand their diagnosis, and to access further support. 3. **Information and Guidance** – our friendly team of Sight Loss Advisors provide high quality, accurate information and advice, providing support and solutions, and making onward referrals to third parties such as social care, where appropriate. Our advisors also provide information on welfare benefits, home aids and technology, and employment support. 4. **Social Activities** – we have a weekly programme of well-attended social activities including lunch clubs, age-appropriate groups, sporting activities, and a book group. Our wonderful team of volunteer drivers ensure that lack of transport it not a barrier to inclusion. 5. **Health and Wellbeing** – visual impairment can mean people become less active and socially isolated, which can impact health and wellbeing, so we offer a range of weekly activities including cooking with confidence, yoga, chair aerobics, a walking group, guided swimming sessions and an emotional support group. 6. **Young People and Families** – in collaboration with the City Council’s Education Team, and Guide Dogs for the Blind, we provide high quality activities for children and young people aged under 19 and their families, promoting fun, life skills, independence and confidence including kayaking, horse riding, theatre, and cycling. 7. **Telephone Buddy Scheme** – developed during the pandemic, we provide a much-valued telephone befriending service for those feeling isolated or lonely. 8. **Community Outreach** – staff visit individuals at home, providing vital befriending and social support as well as assessing additional needs, working with local services and partners to provide rehabilitation and ongoing so people can retain their independence. 9. **Equipment and Resource Centre** – where people can try out a huge range of specialised adaptive equipment and technology to help with daily living, such as: specialist lighting, talking clocks and watches, speaking microwaves and other kitchen appliances, electronic magnifiers, and mobility canes and accessories. Where members are financially disadvantaged, we are able to purchase small items via our special equipment fund. 10. **Home and Assistive Technologies** – we provide information, personalised demonstrations and training to individuals, care homes and community groups about the latest advances in technology to help to overcome everyday challenges, like using a smart phone, a synaptic tablet, or an Alexa. 11. **Audio books, radios and newsletters** – our jampacked monthly newsletter goes out to 800 members in large print, on USB sticks or via email. Members can access audible books through our library, or through those provided by the RNIB or a charity called Calibre. We are agents for British Wireless for the Blind, providing radios, radio/CD/USB stick players as well as internet-based radios for people with sight loss. 12. **Sight Loss Awareness Training** – working with businesses, care homes, community groups, as well as junior and senior schools, providing fun and interactive specialist workshops and training explaining eye health, sight loss, and the principles of guiding and supporting a blind or partially sighted person. We have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The Trustees consider planned activities contribute to the aims and objectives set out above. - 4 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **Our Collaborative Approach** We believe working in collaboration with other organisations is essential to deliver better outcomes for individuals living with visual impairment. Hospitals, doctors, nurses and local authority teams are all doing their best under immense service and budgetary pressures, with very little spare capacity in the system. Consequently, for people with sight loss, particularly those with high and complex needs, accessing the support they need can be difficult and disjointed. Rather than ‘reinventing the wheel’ or duplicating services, we see our role as adding value to existing clinical, statutory and voluntary provision, acting rather like an advocate or broker, filling in the gaps, and linking up people, services and opportunities more quickly and efficiently, in order to improve the quality of life for blind and partially sighted people. By working in this way, we bring together a range of services – in a sight loss community hub for Southampton - which offer a seamless and cohesive response to the individual needs of visually impaired people in the local community. Our current collaborations include partnerships with: - Southampton City Council Sensory Team - University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust - Southampton General’s Patient Experience Team - NHS Low Vision Clinic - Southampton City Council SEND service - RNIB - Guide Dogs for the Blind - Southampton Area Talking Echo - Member of Visionary ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **What have we achieved in the last year?** In the last year we provided direct support to 972 people with sight loss. Typically, new referrals come from Sight Loss Nurse Advisors at Southampton Hospital, the City Council’s Sensory Team, as well as local partners such as the NHS Social Prescribers, Age UK, Open Sight Hampshire, and Carers in the Community, as well as direct from individuals or families. The average age of new registrations continues to increase, largely due to continuously improved treatments, but along with that we are finding that a lot of new referrals are suffering multiple disabilities and hence are being supported by several agencies, which can make navigating services and social support more complex. In 2024-25 our key achievements have been: ## **1. Providing Information and Guidance via our Sight Loss Advisory Service** Our primary activity is providing free information, help, support and advice via our experienced and knowledgeable Southampton Sight Loss Advisors, working with people face to face, on the phone and by email. In the last year the team have responded 4039 individual enquiries. This service is for anyone living with sight loss, their families or anyone who is involved in supporting, caring or offering any service to a visually impaired person, and is often a ‘first port of call’. Our Sight Loss Advisors can then advise on any and all aspects of living with sight loss, and co-ordinate a whole package of support and guidance, as well as signpost to other sources of help, or make onward referrals where appropriate. Whether it’s helping someone apply for Attendance Allowance or working with local partners so that a member can continue living in their own home, we tailor our support to the needs of each individual, often over an extended period of time. ## **2. Social Clubs and Group Activities** Our activity programme is designed to provide a range of entertainment, special interest and leisure activities to counter the isolation that members feel because of restricted access to transport and general mobility, whilst building confidence, skills and wellbeing. We currently have 194 regular attendees ranging in age from 0 to 99 years old, and over the last year we have provided 264 different group sessions. We hold regular focus groups to ensure our activities are user led. Given most of our members are on a low income, we charge a small nominal fee as a contribution to running costs, to ensure everyone can take part. - 5 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **3. Our innovative Sight Loss Nurse Advisors Partnership with the NHS** Established in 2022, we created our successful Sight Loss Nurse Advisor (SLNA) training programme to address the need for better understanding, patient empowerment and collaboration between the NHS and other services, improving referral pathways to community support. Patients not only need diagnoses and/or treatment, but they also need to be active participants in their own care. Sight loss is unique in its progression over time and its impact upon an individual’s life – we believe support networks must reflect this. Working in partnership with the Ophthalmology Department at Southampton General Hospital, to date we have trained an amazing 15 members of staff not only from the eye unit, but from frontline services like paediatrics and neurology. An impressive 1,100+ patients have been seen by the Sight Loss Nurse Advisor Team since the program’s Implementation, providing support, reassurance, advice and information on the spot, with over 900 patients referred for more targeted ongoing help by community partners. The programme ensures early intervention and ongoing support necessary for the newly diagnosed and long-term sight impaired alike. The training programme was devised, developed and is delivered by staff with lived experience of sight loss. Recent in-depth evaluation across a range of outcomes demonstrates its success, integrating support and advice within the NHS team. The SLNA team report that thanks to the programme they now have the time, space, and information to carry out their role and provide reassurance where necessary. The picture is equally positive for patients, the programme significantly improves patients’ knowledge, understanding and acceptance of their diagnosis and lowers their anxiety. Patients know what local authority and third sector support is available, including statutory, rehabilitation and other services, and how to access them. ## **4. Joining Up Services via our Community Hub** In 2018 we developed our Community Hub in partnership with Southampton City Council Sensory Team, the NHS Community Services Team and the NHS Low Vision Service in our centre, as a key part of the city’s Vision Loss Pathway. The hub brings together assessments for the newly diagnosed under one roof, providing a sight loss ‘one stop shop’ for the residents of Southampton. The hub is designed to improve patient care and speed up rehabilitation, empowering individuals to move forward in their lives. Working closely with partners also means we have the opportunity to deliver personal independence activities such as ‘Cooking With Confidence’ as part of the Hub’s extended services. Thanks to the Hub, an additional 240 new people are accessing our centre and services annually. ## **Our Team** Southampton Sight has a cohesive team of 5 staff, 1 full-time (supported by a support worker funded by Access to Work) and 4 part-time. Our experienced CEO is supported by the Services Manager, 3 Sight Loss Advisors who also act as Social Activities Co-ordinators. Our committed board of 8 Trustees (50% have sight loss) bring a wealth of experience from business, finance, healthcare and the third sector to ensure that financial controls, safeguarding, and governance remain strong. Volunteers are an essential part of our service delivery. The charity is fortunate to be able to call upon 63 enthusiastic and experienced volunteers to cover a wide range of duties, including administration, befriending, and running social and activity groups including transport to and from the centre. We have a deep understanding of the issues faced by blind and partially sighted people, many years of experience, and a dedicated team – from board to volunteers – many with lived experience. This brings a level of empathy, insight, pragmatism, and skill to our services for visually impaired people, allowing us to form long-term trusted relationships with our members, advocate for their needs, and work side by side to achieve the very best outcomes and quality of life. ‘If I had to sum it up, I’d say Southampton Sight’s a reminder. It has served to remind me of having that attitude of knocking down the barriers. This is a mindset I’d forgotten, and the charity nudged me in the direction to rediscover it.’ Calum, Service User - 6 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** Total income receipts for the year ending 31st March 2025 were £205,384 (2024: £225,674) resulting in a deficit for the year of £69,132 (2024: deficit £13,619). Restricted income receipts of £135,053 (2024: £122,871) derived principally from a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund that supported our core costs. We received voluntary income of £27,700 in donations, grants, legacies and community fundraising (2024: £71,451). Total expenditure for the year was £274,516, an increase of £35,223 from the preceding year (2024: £239,293). The year-end funds of the charity total £293,921 (2024: £363,053). The unrestricted fund balance was £201,987 (2024: £204,702). The restricted fund balance was £46,834 (2024: £51,519) and the designated fund balance was £45,100 (2024: £106,832). ## **Reserves policy** The Trustees have set a reserves policy for the forthcoming year. The Trustees have given due consideration to the external environment and the performance of current operations and have set a policy which requires that reserves be maintained at a level to ensure continuity of Southampton Sight’s core activities during current uncertain times, and which recognises that the principal source of funding is from legacies, which by their very nature are unpredictable. The Trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to a minimum of eighteen months and a maximum of 36 months of unrestricted charitable expenditure to ensure that there are sufficient resources: - To enable Southampton Sight to continue to deliver its core activities - To meet short term cashflow requirements - To provide funds to protect Southampton Sight against unforeseen adverse circumstances In the event of the Southampton Sight being a recipient of a large legacy, the Trustees will undertake to review the activities of the Charity. This policy will be reviewed annually. The unrestricted reserves held at 31st March 2025 were £201,987 (2024: £204,702). ## **Risk management** The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Charity has appropriate controls, including operational and financial controls. They are also responsible for safeguarding our members (when receiving our services) and assets, for taking reasonable steps to prevent accidents and incidents, to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities and to give reassurance that: - The Centre is safe for our members and staff. - Our assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposal. - There are proper records and financial information. - We comply with relevant laws and regulations. In meeting its responsibilities, the Trustees have adopted a risk-based approach to internal controls and all major risks that the Charity is exposed to have been identified, reviewed and procedures have been established to manage those risks. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Legal structure** Established as a 'Charity for the blind' in 1899 when it was known as the Southampton Association for the Blind, Southampton Sight was formerly an Unincorporated Membership Charity (registered Charity number 255718), receiving charitable registration in 1968. In August 2021 an Extraordinary General meeting was held where it was agreed to apply to the Charity Commission to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Foundation model effective 1 April 2022 (charity number 1196972). - 7 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Tom McInulty David Marson Steve Boswell Lieke van Putten Hannah Chivers Tony Abdoush (Resigned 22 June 2025) Abigail Dowling Howard Fair (Resigned 2 June 2025) ## **How we are managed** The Trustees act for and in the name of the Charity. The Trustees retain ultimate control over all aspects of the Charity's work and ensure its financial and legal responsibilities are properly fulfilled. Under the Articles of Association, the Board of Trustees consists of at least three and not more than twelve individuals. It is usual for 50% of the Board to be persons with sight loss or lived experience of sight loss. At present, the Board consists of seven appointed Trustees of which 50% are living with sight loss. The Board meets bi-monthly. All the Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the Charity. The Charity is grateful for their service. Day to day responsibility for the management of the Charity rests with the Chief Executive, who is a full-time employee, and is directly accountable to the Trustee Board. The Trustees who served during the year are listed above. Appointment of Trustees is through co-option followed by re-election at AGM. Nomination for new Trustees can also be put forward by any voting member at the AGM. New Trustees receive an information pack containing information about the organisation, guidance literature from the Charity Commission, and ongoing support and training where necessary. All Trustees complete a full DBS disclosure, work to an agreed job description and are subject to all the policies of the Charity. Trustees work within the standards outlined within 'the Hallmarks of an Effective Charity' as defined by the Charity Commission. ## **THE FUTURE** We are immensely proud of our reputation for making a significant and meaningful impact supporting people living with sight loss. We support people from Southampton and the surrounding areas with different life experiences but with one thing in common – the harsh reality of the physical, psychological, economic and social consequences of living with sight loss. Moving forwards the Trustees have agreed a strategy to continue to develop our services to assist people living with sight loss in the most practical and proactive way to enable people to cope with the challenges they face. We are in a strong position to continue this work as our financial status has remained stable due to prudent financial management and support from legacies, grants, donations and our National Lottery funding. In 2025/26 we are hopeful that the new financial year will bring new opportunities to enable us to maintain our existing services at the same time as developing services further to support people living with sight loss. The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees. .............................. Lieke van Putten Trustee 15/10/2025 | 12:06 BST Dated: ......................... - 8 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Southampton Society for the Blind (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 10 to 27. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. ## **Independent examiner's statement** 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 charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011. - 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or - 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached. Adam Buse, FCA Fiander ETL Stag Gates House 63/64 The Avenue Southampton Hampshire SO17 1XS 15/10/2025 | 15:01 BST Dated: ......................... - 9 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** |**Unrestricted Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**designated**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
27,700
-
131,053
Charitable activities
**4**
21,033
-
-
Other trading activities
**5**
15,080
-
-
Investments
**6**
10,518
-
-
**Total income**
74,331
-
131,053
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
**7**
7,276
11,841
-
Charitable activities
**8**
69,770
49,891
135,738
**Total resources expended**
77,046
61,732
135,738
**Net expenditure for the year/**
**Net movement in funds**
(2,715)
(61,732)
(4,685)
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
204,702
106,832
51,519
**Fund balances at 31 March 2025**
201,987
45,100
46,834|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
158,753
21,033
15,080
10,518
205,384
19,117
255,399
274,516
(69,132)
363,053
293,921|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
194,322
20,534
6,127
4,691
225,674
7,798
231,495
239,293
(13,619)
376,672
363,053| |---|---|---| The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. - 10 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) BALANCE SHEET** ## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2025** |**2025**
**Notes**
**£**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**13**
**Current assets**
Stocks
**14**
1,721
Debtors
**15**
16,146
Cash at bank and in hand
252,211
270,078
**Creditors: amounts falling due within**
**one year**
**16**
(14,225)
Net current assets
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Income funds**
Restricted funds
**17**
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
**18**
45,100
General unrestricted funds
201,987
The accounts were approved by the Trustees on .........................
15/10/2025 | 12:06 BST|**£**
38,068
255,853
293,921
46,834
247,087
293,921|**2024**
**£**
2,255
15,139
310,739
328,133
(10,407)
106,832
204,702|**£**
45,327
317,726| |---|---|---|---| ||||363,053| ||||51,519
311,534| ||||363,053| ||||| .............................. Lieke van Putten **Trustee** - 11 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **1 Accounting policies** ## **Charity information** Southampton Society for the Blind (Southampton Sight) is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales (registered charity number 1196972), and has a governing document, referred to as The Constitution (last amended 6 October 2021). The principal address is 3A Basset Avenue, Southampton, SO16 7DP. ## **1.1 Accounting convention** The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (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 issued in October 2019, UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and applicable charity law. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the 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 issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. ## **1.2 Going concern** At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus trustees consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these financial statements. ## **1.3 Charitable funds** Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes. Designated funds are funds set aside by the trustees for specific purposes. Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts. Transfers are made between funds when adequate justification and supporting evidence is provided. - 12 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **1 Accounting policies** ## **(Continued)** ## **1.4 Incoming resources** Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. Donations and legacies are recognised when the charity receives notification that it has become entitled to the income and the amount can be measured reliably. Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is probable. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset. Grants from local authorities and similar organisations have been included as contract for services where applicable but as donations where the money is given with greater freedom of use. Income is deferred when the monies receivable are specifically designated for a future time period. ## **1.5 Resources expended** Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to that category. Irrecoverable VAT is included with the category of expenditure to which it relates. Support costs and management and administration expenditure have been allocated between expenditure on charitable activities and expenditure on raising funds based on an estimate of staff time spent on each activity. ## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets** Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: Leasehold improvements straight line over 24 years Fixtures, fittings and equipment straight line over 4-10 years Computers straight line over 3-5 years The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities. - 13 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **1 Accounting policies** ## **(Continued)** ## **1.7 Impairment of fixed assets** At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). ## **1.8 Stocks** Stock is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution. ## **1.9 Cash and cash equivalents** Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. ## **1.10 Financial instruments** The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. ## **Basic financial assets** Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. ## **Basic financial liabilities** Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. ## **1.11 Employee benefits** The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. - 14 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **1 Accounting policies** ## **(Continued)** ## **1.12 Retirement benefits** The charity contributes to employee's defined contribution pension schemes and the charity's auto-enrolment pension scheme. The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. ## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which 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 periods. ## **3 Donations and legacies** |**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**£**
**£**
Donations and gifts
23,010
-
Legacies receivable
(677)
-
Grants
5,367
131,053
27,700
131,053
**For the year ended 31 March 2024**
71,451
122,871|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
23,010
(677)
136,420
158,753|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
15,854
55,597
122,871| |---|---|---| |||194,322| |||194,322| Grants include government grants of £55,912 (2024 - £44,582). In the current and prior year the government grants relates to the Access to Work grant. - 15 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **4 Charitable activities** |Equipment
Support work
Transport income
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds - general
**5**
**Other trading activities**
Room hire
Fundraising
Sale of donated goods
Other trading activities
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds - general|**2025**
**£**
5,097
7,975
7,961
21,033
21,033
21,033
**2025**
**£**
2,460
9,350
3,270
15,080
15,080
15,080|**2024**
**£**
4,627
7,774
8,133| |---|---|---| |||20,534| |||20,534| |||20,534| |||**2024**
**£**
1,158
4,780
189| |||6,127| |||6,127| |||6,127| - 16 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **6 Investments** |Interest receivable
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds - general|**2025**
**£**
10,518
10,518
10,518|**2024**
**£**
4,691| |---|---|---| |||4,691| |||4,691| ## **7 Raising funds** |**Unrestricted Unrestricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**general designated**
**£**
**£**
Fundraising costs
11
11,841
Share of support costs (see note 10)
7,265
-
7,276
11,841
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds - general
7,276
-
Unrestricted funds - designated
-
11,841
7,276
11,841|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
11,852
7,265
19,117
7,276
11,841
19,117|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
910
6,888| |---|---|---| |||7,798| |||6,899
899| |||7,798| - 17 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **8 Charitable activities** |Social and welfare activities
Equipment and aids
Sight loss nurse advisors
Share of support costs (see note 9)
Share of governance costs (see note 9)
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds - general
Unrestricted funds - designated
Restricted funds|**2025**
**£**
13,957
4,528
2,814
21,299
230,739
3,361
255,399
69,770
49,891
135,738
255,399|**2024**
**£**
16,361
2,916
-| |---|---|---| |||19,277
209,518
2,700| |||231,495| |||65,374
34,641
131,480| |||231,495| - 18 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **9 Support costs** |Staff costs
Depreciation
Premises costs
General office costs
Travel
Sundry costs
Training and recruitment
Advertising
Bank and interest
charges
Accountancy
Other governance costs
Analysed between
Raising funds
Charitable activities|**Support**
**costs**
**Governance**
**costs**
**£**
**£**
176,888
-
11,993
-
34,274
-
5,663
-
6,376
-
1,870
-
474
-
351
-
115
-
-
2,710
-
651
238,004
3,361
7,265
-
230,739
3,361
238,004
3,361|**2025**
**£**
176,888
11,993
34,274
5,663
6,376
1,870
474
351
115
2,710
651
241,365
7,265
234,100
241,365|**2024 Basis of allocation**
**£**
168,502 Staff time
11,170 Staff time
21,416 Staff time
5,032 Staff time
7,080 Staff time
923 Staff time
1,479 Staff time
495 Staff time
309 Staff time
2,700 Governance
- Governance
219,106
6,888
212,218
219,106| |---|---|---|---| Governance costs include costs of the independent examination of £2,710 (2024 - £2,700). ## **10 Trustees** None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. No expense payments were made to trustees during the year (2024 - none). - 19 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **11 Employees** ## **Number of employees** The average monthly number of employees during the year was: |**Employment costs**
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs|**2025**
**Number**
7
**2025**
**£**
161,638
9,337
5,913
176,888|**2024**
**Number**
7| |---|---|---| |||**2024**
**£**
154,485
8,410
5,607| |||168,502| There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more. ## **12 Taxation** The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. ## **13 Tangible fixed assets** |**Leasehold**
**improvements**
**Fixtures,**
**fittings and**
**equipment**
**Computers**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2024
29,994
53,253
17,697
Additions
-
4,266
468
Disposals
-
-
(1,716)
At 31 March 2025
29,994
57,519
16,449
**Depreciation and impairment**
At 1 April 2024
6,203
35,470
13,944
Depreciation charged in the year
1,518
7,204
3,271
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
-
(1,716)
At 31 March 2025
7,721
42,674
15,499
**Carrying amount**
At 31 March 2025
22,273
14,845
950
At 31 March 2024
23,791
17,783
3,753|**Total**
**£**
100,944
4,734
(1,716)| |---|---| ||103,962| ||55,617
11,993
(1,716)| ||65,894| ||38,068| ||45,327| - 20 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** |**14**
**Stocks**
Equipment for resale
**15**
**Debtors**
**Amounts falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income|**2025**
**£**
1,721
**2025**
**£**
7,179
1,900
7,067
16,146|**2024**
**£**
2,255| |---|---|---| |||**2024**
**£**
3,859
4,920
6,360| |||15,139| The charity was notified of a legacy in the prior year. As there is some uncertainty regarding the amount due, no provision has been made in the accounts. The amount receivable is expected to be in the region of £80,000. ## **16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** |**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**||| |---|---|---| |Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals|**2025**
**£**
7,515
2,194
4,516
14,225|**2024**
**£**
6,655
326
3,426| |||10,407| - 21 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **17 Restricted funds** The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. |||**Movement in funds**|**Movement in funds**||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Balance at 1**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers **|**Balance at 31**| ||**April 2024**|**resources**|**expended**||**March 2025**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |HAUGBPS|135|-|(67)|-|68| |Access to Work|5,056|44,863|(46,814)|-|3,105| |Morrisons|10,458|-|(552)|-|9,906| |Southampton Charitable Trust|-|930|(816)|-|114| |Bursary Fund (C Quinton)|914|-|-|-|914| |Quinton Helping Others (Hardship|||||| |Fund)|7,459|-|(557)|-|6,902| |C Quinton|13,333|-|(5,102)|-|8,231| |SCC - Refurbishment Grant|7,222|-|(2,407)|-|4,815| |Energise Me|2,432|-|(972)|-|1,460| |Southampton City Council|-|2,390|(576)|-|1,814| |Woodroffe Benton|-|1,750|-|-|1,750| |Hedley Foundation|-|3,000|(1,858)|-|1,142| |Miller Homes|-|1,000|-|-|1,000| |United Way - Costco|-|1,500|(1,200)|-|300| |Barker Mills|-|500|-|-|500| |Co-op 7 VIEW|-|500|-|-|500| |Sport England|-|8,659|(4,446)|-|4,213| |SCC - Hearing Loop|200|-|(100)|-|100| |Semble Grassroots (Green King)|-|2,080|(2,080)|-|-| |Southampton Hospital Charity|-|500|(500)|-|-| |Moore Barlow|-|1,500|(1,500)|-|-| |UPS Foundation|120|-|(120)|-|-| |HIOWCF - NET Coronavirus|||||| |Programme|314|-|(314)|-|-| |SVS - Covid Building Grant|100|-|(100)|-|-| |National Lottery Community Fund|-|61,881|(61,881)|-|-| |Stewardship - Looking Forward|1,376|-|(1,376)|-|-| |Quinton-Pitt - Looking Forward|2,400|-|(2,400)|-|-| ||51,519|131,053|(135,738)|-|46,834| - 22 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **17 Restricted funds** **(Continued)** |||**Movement in funds**|**Movement in funds**||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Balance at 1**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers **|**Balance at 31**| ||**April 2023**|**resources**|**expended**||**March 2024**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |HAUGBPS|203|-|(68)|-|135| |Access to Work|5,102|44,582|(44,628)|-|5,056| |Morrisons|11,008|-|(550)|-|10,458| |Southampton Charitable Trust|93|885|(978)|-|-| |Bursary Fund (C Quinton)|914|-|-|-|914| |Quinton Helping Others (Hardship|||||| |Fund)|8,059|-|(600)|-|7,459| |C Quinton|22,260|-|(8,927)|-|13,333| |SCC - Refurbishment Grant|9,028|-|(1,806)|-|7,222| |Energise Me|-|10,000|(7,568)|-|2,432| |SCC - Hearing Loop|300|-|(100)|-|200| |UPS Foundation|241|-|(121)|-|120| |HIOWCF - NET Coronavirus|||||| |Programme|626|-|(312)|-|314| |SVS - Covid Building Grant|200|-|(100)|-|100| |National Lottery Community Fund|1,398|60,079|(61,477)|-|-| |Stewardship - Looking Forward|-|2,176|(800)|-|1,376| |Quinton-Pitt - Looking Forward|-|2,400|-|-|2,400| |Leeds Building Society|160|-|(160)|-|-| |Co-op 6|536|-|(536)|-|-| |Quinton-Pitt Volunteer Conference|-|1,749|(1,749)||-| |Mary Adams - Staff Training|-|1,000|(1,000)|-|-| ||60,128|122,871|(131,480)|-|51,519| - 23 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **17 Restricted funds** ## **(Continued)** HAUGBPS - This comprises funds given by the charity, Hampshire Advocacy User Group for the Blind and Partially Sighted. The funds are to be used for equipment and demonstration of equipment. Access to Work - Funding for support worker for a visually impaired member of staff. The balance held on this fund is within fixed assets. Morrisons - Funding from the Morrisons Foundation for replacing the flat roof of the Centre. The balance held on this fund is within fixed assets. Southampton Charitable Trust - Grants for the benefit of the "Sick Poor of Southampton". Bursary Fund (C Quinton) - This income was donated for the provision of a bursary fund. Quinton Helping Others (Hardship Fund) - Hardship fund for people with sight loss. C Quinton – Supporting young people through positive change. SCC Refurbishment Grant - Grant from Southampton City Council for the refurbishment of the main hall and offices at the Social Centre at 3A Bassett Avenue. Energise Me – Funding awarded for weekly swimming and activity programmes encouraging people living with sight loss to become more active. Southampton City Council - Funding for swimming lessons for children with a visual impairment. Woodroffe Benton - Funding for weekly lunch and laughter clubs. Hedley Foundation - Funding for Visually Impaired Emotional Wellbeing (VIEW) Group aimed at bolstering self-confidence and healthy living for those with sight loss. Miller Homes - Funding for Visually Impaired Emotional Wellbeing (VIEW) Group aimed at bolstering selfconfidence and healthy living for those with sight loss. United Way – Costco - Funding for Visually Impaired Emotional Wellbeing (VIEW) Group aimed at bolstering self-confidence and healthy living for those with sight loss. Barker Mills - Funding for Visually Impaired Emotional Wellbeing (VIEW) Group aimed at bolstering selfconfidence and healthy living for those with sight loss. Co-Op 7 VIEW - Funding for Visually Impaired Emotional Wellbeing (VIEW) Group aimed at bolstering selfconfidence and healthy living for those with sight loss. Sport England - Funding for weekly chair aerobic exercise for those living with sight loss. SCC - Hearing Loop - Grant from Southampton City Council for the purchase of a portable hearing loop. Semble Grassroots (Green King) - Funding for weekly swimming and activity programme for adults with a visual impairment. Southampton Hospital Charity - Funding to pay for an external review and report of the Sight Loss Nurse Advisor programme. Moore Barlow - Funding for Sight Loss Nurse Advisor Training. - 24 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **17 Restricted funds** **(Continued)** UPS Foundation - This is income provided specifically for the refurbishment of the kitchen. The balance held on this fund is within fixed assets. HIOWCF - NET Coronavirus Programme - Funding to support Covid-19 pandemic befriending and meals project for people with sight loss. The balance held on this fund is within fixed assets. SVS - Covid Building Grant - Funding to support necessary changes to make the building covid compliant. The balance held on this fund is within fixed assets. National Lottery Community Fund - Funding to support Core Service and Volunteer and Apprenticeship Programme. Stewardship and Quinton-Pitt Looking Forward funds – Funding awarded to support the training of Sight Loss Nurse Advisors based at Southampton University Hospital. Leeds Building Society - Provision of an induction hob in the rehabilitation kitchen .The balance held on this fund is within fixed assets. Co-Op 6 - Grant from the Co-op to pay for healthy food for our members attending our social activities. Quinton-Pitt – Volunteer Conference - Funding awarded for an annual volunteer conference. Mary Adams - Staff Training – A gift of thanks for the staff who support Southampton Sight members tirelessly. Transfers are made between restricted and unrestricted funds when funds are no longer required to be held for specific purposes or where insufficient funds are held to meet specific purposes. - 25 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **18 Designated funds** The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes. |||**Movement in funds**|**Movement in funds**||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Balance at 1**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**Balance at 31**| ||**April 2024**|**resources**|**expended**||**March 2025**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |Building Fund|35,077|-|(14,977)|-|20,100| |National Lottery Fund|46,755|-|(46,755)|-|-| |Redundancy Fund|25,000|-|-|-|25,000| ||106,832|-|(61,732)|-|45,100| |||**Movement in funds**|||| ||**Balance at 1**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**Balance at 31**| ||**April 2023**|**resources**|**expended**||**March 2024**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |Building Fund|21,556|-|(9,295)|22,816|35,077| |Apprenticeship Fund|20,683|-|-|(20,683)|-| |National Lottery Fund|-|-|(26,245)|73,000|46,755| |Redundancy Fund|-|-|-|25,000|25,000| ||42,239|-|(35,540)|100,133|106,832| Building Fund - Funds set aside by the trustees to cover the cost of building improvements. Apprenticeship Fund – Funds set aside for the Core Service and Volunteer and Apprenticeship Programme. Due to the financial climate Southampton Sight has a recruitment freeze to ensure consistency and stability going forwards. As these funds are no longer required, these have been transferred to general funds. National Lottery Fund – Funds set aside to cover costs relating to the Core Service and Volunteer and Apprenticeship Programme. Redundancy Fund - The trustees have agreed to set aside £25,000 as a redundancy fund. - 26 - Docusign Envelope ID: 7E3AECFD-BD62-4825-B097-5118A64767F5 ## **SOUTHAMPTON SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (KNOWN AS SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **19 Analysis of net assets between funds** |**Unrestricted**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**designated**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
7,763
15,127
15,178
Current assets/(liabilities)
194,224
29,973
31,656
201,987
45,100
46,834
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
7,388
17,238
20,701
Current assets/(liabilities)
197,314
89,594
30,818
204,702
106,832
51,519|**Total**
**£**
38,068
255,853| |---|---| ||293,921| ||45,327
317,726| ||363,053| ## **20 Related party transactions** There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none). ## **Remuneration of key management personnel** The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows: ||**2025**|**2024**| |---|---|---| ||**£**|**£**| |Aggregate remuneration|82,100|80,828| ## **Transactions with related parties** During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties: Donations totalling £965 were received from trustees and other related parties during the year (2024 - £300). - 27 -