' DICE 2022-2023 Annual Report 11 vThvw.dicecharity.co.uk 07948719285 hellodicecharity@gmail.com
Foreword
This report summaries the activities, impact, opportunities and forward looking vision for DICE as we enter our second operating year.
Conceived in 2022 but delivering outcomes for the first time through 2023 DICE (DEAF, INCLUSION, COMMUNICATION and ENJOYMENT) set out to achieve the following objectives:
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1) To relieve the isolation of Deaf children during the school holidays
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2) To promote communication in Deaf children
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3) To advance Deaf awareness in the general public
DICE was established by Ryan Brewer who now sits as Chair alongside 5 further Trustees who assist in overseeing governance and strategy. Ryan works as a Teacher of the Deaf in a school for Deaf children. Through this role he identified an opportunity to further outcomes for Deaf Young People in Greater Manchester through the provision of a ‘communication club’ during the Easter and Summer school holidays, where Deaf children are most at risk of communicative and social isolation.
To date, DICE has delivered:
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Over 1,250 hours of holiday club provision with numerous activities including, art, crafting, cooking, games, outdoor play, bowling, trampoline parks and team building
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Employed two Deaf teenagers on a part time interim basis during the summer club
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Provided a much needed resource for Deaf children, their families and carers where their communicative social needs can be met effectively through targeted, meaningful support through a variety of communication modes (BSL, English and Sign Supported English)
Service delivery summary
Our service provision in 2023 was focused specifically within the Bolton, Bury and Wigan areas of Greater Manchester.
Given the communicative needs of the children attending DICE sessions, it was deemed important to staff each day with adults who were familiar with working with Deaf children and had British Sign Language skills. Consequently, staff from Bolton and Oldham Sensory Support Services, as well as the charity ‘Sign Health’ school were recruited to assist the sessions.
This worked extremely well for different stakeholders attending or running the sessions:
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The children who felt immediately comfortable with familiar peers and adults who could communicate effectively with them.
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Parents and carers were reassured by the quality of care, communication modes and array of activities provided, as well as free transport for some attendees.
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Staff themselves, who are passionate about supporting Deaf children, welcomed the opportunity to provide further care whilst opening the opportunity for an additional income, something that was particularly welcomed during the cost of living crisis.
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DICE believes that the strategy of recruiting familiar staff and paying a fair, competitive salary is important in ensuring the long term recurring viability and success of the sessions. It is simply not viable to rely on such specialist voluntary time being available.
Using 10 different members of staff through the summer camp enabled over 1,250 hours of care to be provided. Activities included art, design and technology, crafting, cooking, games, outdoor play, bowling, trampoline parks and team building. Importantly, each activity day emphasised inclusivity and a focus on communication.
Most sessions were hosted at a local community hall however a number of days were facilitated within the Bolton area at various activity locations. This was deemed important in order to boost awareness of the needs of Deaf children in the community whilst providing the children with an opportunity for new experiences and confidence boosting activities.
Community Outreach
Within our mission we seek to advance Deaf awareness within the general public. We have done so this year by bringing children out into community spaces to meet and mutually gain from such interactions with members of the hearing community. These activities included a day at a trampoline centre, a trip to a local park, restaurant and bowling.
Social Media
Additionally, the activities of DICE have been promoted via our Instagram page where we have 160+ followers. You can follow DICE using the handle @dice.charity
Feedback
"Very positive. 10/10. There is nothing like this available for Deaf children. My daughter joined a regular activity club last summer and felt very isolated because her communication needs were not met." - Emilia
"The fact that the club was free to attend also ensured that we weren’t limited to what sessions we could afford as our living costs have gone up considerably. I want to say how happy we are as a family that the club is running over other school holidays 😊 We cannot thank the team enough." - Abdi
We encourage you to view further feedback from parents on our website.
Financial Summary
DICE raised a total of £19,410.11 for services delivered between November 2022 & September 2023.
This was broken into:
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Grants - £17,845
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Private fundraising - £1,565.11
Expenses for our 2022-2023 Financial Year totalled £11,477.06 leaving a surplus of £7,933.05 to be carried over and used into 2024 (this will include the Easter 2024 Communication Clubs.).
The Board is comfortable with the surplus total given inflationary pressures and the ongoing cost of living crisis as we move further into 2024.
We anticipate an increase in staffing and venue costs for 2024 as we look to match increases in the Living Wage. It is also anticipated that after the initial excitement of our first year and increased living costs, it is likely that:
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attendee numbers will increase in 2024
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private donations will be reduced in 2024.
Furthermore, the grants we were successful in claiming in our first year have been reorganised and as such, the likely available funds for 2024 may be reduced.
Expenses for the calendar year 2023 are categorised as follows:
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Transportation (incl. fuel): £545.24
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Venue costs: £900
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Food and drink: £769.55
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Staffing: £4,398.30
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Resources: £2,022.80
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of which c.£1,605 contributed to reusable resources
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Administration (incl: accounting, branding, website management): £1,962.17 - of which £1,082 provides multi-year benefit (DBS, first aid training etc)
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Tax and National Insurance: £879
Forward looking strategy
The Chair and Board of Trustees are very pleased with the outcomes achieved in 2022-2023. We strongly believe the mission statement has been met and in doing so, significant value has been created for Deaf young people who have been in receipt of DICE services.
It is our intention to mirror the 2022-2023 delivery model into 2024 but with the expansion of the service into the Easter school holiday period as well as the existing sessions in the summer break.
We look forward to growing our relationships with existing and new granting and fundraising partners whilst slowly growing the scale of services provided by DICE (this year through sessions at Easter) to deliver on our founding mission.
In addition, the Chair and Board of Trustees (in the case of receiving funding above the amount we expect to receive) will develop a plan to expand our service to enable and support Deaf young people when accessing extra-curricular activities put on by external providers.
Thank you for your support and interest in DICE and those we provide services for. We look forward to doing it all again in 2024!
Ryan Brewer
Chairperson
DICE - INCOME & EXPENDITURE REPORT
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From 21/11/2022
To 26/09/2023
Period
Income
Donations £ 1,565.11
Grants £17,845.00
£19,410.11
Expenditure
Transportation costs £ 545.24
Venue hire £ 900.00
Food and Drink £ 769.55
Staffing £ 4,398.30
Resources £ 2,022.80
Administration £ 1,962.17
Tax and N.I £ 879.00
£11,477.06
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Funds to be taken forward
£ 7,933.05
Signature Name Ryan Brewer (Chair)