SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
(formerly Shropshire Voluntary Association for the Blind) The Lantern Meadow Farm Drive Shrewsbury SY1 4NG
Tel 01743 250808
Visit our website: www.sightlossshropshire.org.uk Email: sightlossshropshire@shropshire.gov.uk
Registered Charity No. 215137
SLS gratefully acknowledges financial support from Shropshire Council
SLS ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
An Introduction to SLS
SLS – formerly the Shropshire Voluntary Association for the Blind – was founded in 1922. It is a registered charity that helps and supports blind and visually impaired people of all ages who live in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
SLS is one of the national network of local charities for blind and visually impaired people that serve every part of the country. We are a member of Visionary (formerly the National Association of Local Societies for the Visionary Impaired) and also Midlands Societies for the Blind.
SLS’s aim is to improve the quality of life of visually impaired people of all ages who live in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. Our objectives are:
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to help visually impaired people to cope with their sight loss and the difficulties this imposes on their daily lives
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to reduce social isolation for visually impaired people and provide access to a range of social, physical and creative activities that contribute to people’s physical and mental well-being.
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to enable visually impaired people to make informed choices about the services and support that they access
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to enable visually impaired people to access equipment and services that they cannot afford to self-fund, and which are not available from statutory services, but which have a significant impact on their level of independence
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to improve or maintain visually impaired people's confidence and mental well-being which are often adversely affected by a diagnosis of sight loss.
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to raise awareness of sight loss issues and improve the provision of local sight loss services
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to work in partnership with statutory, private and third sector organisations to support visually impaired people in the community
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to act as a local champion of visually impaired people who live in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin by facilitating national and local organisations' fuller understanding of the specific issues and circumstances faced by visually impaired people in our area
Our work includes the following:
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providing grants to help visually impaired people to acquire specialist aids and equipment to enable them to maintain and/or regain their independence;
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organising and providing major social events, and also supporting a network of local peer support groups for visually impaired people that meet in every part of our area;
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providing information and signposting about support and services to visually impaired people; their families, carers and friends; and to professionals working with visually impaired people
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working with our partners to ensure that visually impaired people have a voice
Our Management Committee is drawn from all over Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Half of the Committee are themselves either blind or partially sighted, and therefore have real first-hand understanding of the challenges of living with visual impairment.
SLS’s work is heavily dependent on donations from local people and the services of local volunteers.
COMMITTEE FOR 2021-22
President
Mrs P. Whitley
Vice-Presidents
Mr P. Rao FRCS Mrs G. Halliday – Trustee Cllr. Mrs. R. Houghton
Chairman
Mrs D. Flint DL – Trustee
Vice Chairman
*Mrs H. Dyson – Trustee
Members
Ms S. Brazendale
Mrs. L. Clark * Mr R. Cookson Mr. J. Feehan Mrs. K. Hill Mr. A. Jones Mrs A. Lawton Ms S. Mitchell Mrs. A. Read * Mrs L. Rowlands Mrs B. Shingler Mr J. Thatcher * Mr K. Whitcombe Mrs J. Wynn
Shropshire Council
Cllr D. Carroll Ms K. Garner (Representing the Director of Adult Services)
Telford & Wrekin Council
Mrs H. Cottrell (Representing the Director of Adult Services)
Secretary Mr R.E. Durham JP
Honorary Treasurer Mrs W. Robert – Trustee
Administrator Mrs C. Humphreys
Honorary Independent Examiner James, Holyoak & Parker, 1 Knights Court, Archers Way, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury, SY1 3GA
*Denotes a visually impaired person
USEFUL CONTACTS
SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL SENSORY SUPPORT SERVICES
Adult Social Care PO Box 4826 SHREWSBURY SY1 9LJ Tel: 01743 250529 Email: cs.sensoryimpairment@shropshire.gov.uk
TELFORD & WREKIN COUNCIL
To speak to the Rehabilitation Officer for the Visually Impaired, Tel: 07976 426483 between 10am and 2pm on Wednesdays
Contact the Wellbeing Independence Partnership Tel: 01952 385385 (select option 2 when prompted) E-mail: wip@tandwcvs.org.uk
EYE CLINIC LIAISON OFFICER
Mobile: 07808 736449 Tel: 01743 261000 ext. 3616 Email: e.chaplin2@nhs.net
ROYAL SHREWSBURY & TELFORD HOSPITALS TRUST LOW VISION CLINIC
01743 261000 Ext 3324
SHREWSBURY MOBILITY TEAM – GUIDE DOGS
0345 143 0226
RNIB HELPLINE 0303 123 9999
MACULAR SOCIETY HELPLINE 0300 3030 111
MEETINGS
The SLS Committee held four online meetings during the year.
The AGM was held, via email, on 22[nd] July 2021. Members of the SLS Committee were consulted on proposals to hold the AGM via email and agreed unanimously. The main business of the AGM was to approve the Annual Report for 2020/21, including the Annual Accounts. All papers were circulated four weeks in advance of the AGM date to enable any queries to be raised and answered.
CHAIR’S REPORT 2021/22
This has been another busy year for the charity where we have continued to support people all over Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin against a backdrop of the challenges we have faced with the after effects of the Covid pandemic. The committee and county wide social groups are delighted to be able to meet once again in person, and the recent celebration of the Charity’s 100[th] Birthday was a truly special day where happiness of getting together again after two years absence was palpable. We look forward to being able to support such vital social events and the local social groups in the future. The negative effects of isolation during the Covid lockdowns cannot be underestimated.
This year, the message is one of Gratitude and Hope for the future. We are delighted that the Living Well with Sight Loss (LWWSL) courses have started in a positive way, and most grateful to the volunteers who have engaged in running these courses under the leadership of the Administrator, Clare Humphreys. We look forward to continuing delivery of the courses in 2023. We will also continue to monitor the support given by Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils to those recently diagnosed with sight loss. The waiting lists for visits by the Rehabilitation Officer (ROVI) remain unacceptably long.
In 2022 we face changes that are both challenging and invigorating as we look to reshape the charity following the reduction in financial support from Shropshire council. We are fortunate that some funding is available, but this is very much reduced.
We are immensely grateful to our outgoing President, Mrs. Penny Whitley, our Vice-President, Mrs. Gill Halliday, our Treasurer Mrs. Wendy Robert who retire at the AGM in July after many years of dedication and service. We have hope that the opportunities that arise from change and new appointments will strengthen the charity in the coming year.
In addition to the thanks above, I would like to add very sincere thanks to the members of the committee who have met regularly, albeit on a screen, over the year. Special thanks are due also to members of the smaller Strategy Group who have dedicated so much time to considering the challenges and opportunities of change. My thanks in particular to Clare
Humphreys, our Administrator who has so efficiently run the office, the 100[th] Birthday Party, the LWWSL courses and much more. Finally, my thanks to our Secretary, Robin Durham, who, indefatigably, has kept his experienced and steady hand on the tiller of Sight Loss Shropshire through the year.
Mrs Diana Flint Chair June 2021
SECRETARY'S ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22
I write this, my 16[th] Annual Report, a few days before Sight Loss Shropshire is due to celebrate its 100[th] Birthday. Many Happy Returns SLS! It is a remarkable milestone, and it also marks a very significant watershed in the story of Sight Loss Shropshire.
2021/2022 saw, at last, the gradual loosening of the grip of the Covid pandemic, at least in the UK, but much like the previous year and in every aspect of life, for Sight Loss Shropshire it has been a year in which a return to some semblance of normality came only very slowly. We can nevertheless celebrate the fact that the charity has survived!
The largest proportion of the charity’s revenue income derives from capital investments which are managed with the expertise of SLS’s investment advisers and managers, EFG Harris Allday. The value of the charity’s investments, thankfully, did not decline to any significant extent and for that there is a great deal to be thankful for.
After the trauma of Covid, at the end of 2021/2022 the charity faces another mountain to climb, with 2022/2023 setting the challenge of a watershed year in the long history of Sight Loss Shropshire.
As reported in previous years, in 2020/2021 the charity very sadly lost the small annual revenue grant from Telford and Wrekin Council, but nevertheless SLS has remained committed to offer its services in the Telford & Wrekin Council area.
In my report last year, I was able to report Shropshire Council had continued to provide its annual revenue grant to cover the 2021/2022 financial year. Sadly, the Council very significantly reduced its whole programme of revenue support grants to local charities. SLS was fortunate in being among relatively few that received something, but it was only half of what we have normally received tracking back over several decades. The grant that came was also with the warning that it was unlikely that the Council would provide a future programme of revenue support grants after the end of the 2022/2023 financial year.
The consequence of this has been that, during the latter part of this 2021/2022 year, there has been a great deal of discussion and consideration of radical changes to the charity’s business model. Significant changes will be required to secure the Sight Loss Shropshire’s future in the period from April 2023, and many of these changes will need to be made before then. Unless this work can be brought to a successful conclusion the charity’s ability to continue to provide its services will be put in jeopardy.
At the time of writing, and while this work is on-going, it is not possible to outline what solutions might be found. The SLS Trustees very wisely established a Strategy Group comprising the Trustees and other members of the Committee with relevant expertise and experience to examine and evaluate all the available options. Although it would be premature at this point to go into detail, the Strategy Group is at this point reasonably confident that a new and viable business model is possible, although much work remains to be done.
See & Hear Exhibition
Sadly, but unavoidably, the See Hear Exhibition had to be cancelled for the third year in a row. Unfortunately, it also proved not possible to negotiate an agreement with Shropshire Council to establish the basis of a partnership with SLS that might, potentially, have set out the respective roles and responsibilities that each contribute to the organization and management of future Exhibitions. In the event these negotiations never took place, and the Council has withdrawn from its former role in mounting the Exhibition. The consequence is that there is no likelihood that another See Hear Exhibition will be possible for the foreseeable future, unless and until some alternative means of making this happen can be found.
Information Point Service in the Hospital Eye Clinic and Living Well With Sight Loss courses
The Information Point (IP) service, which was initially launched on a small scale in the summer of 2019 and designed in collaboration with RNIB to complement and support the ECLO service (see below) The ECLO service is now well established and provided at both local hospitals through a partnership between the Hospitals’ Trust (SaTH) and RNIB.
During the ensuing months many patients expressed their appreciation of the IP service. Eventually a total of 11 volunteers were trained and were providing around 160 hours of support, contacting between 15 and 40 individuals per session. However, following the arrival of Covid, the IP service had to be withdrawn in March 2020.
One role that IP volunteers had had was to promote RNIB’s “Living Well With Sight Loss” (LWWSL) courses in Shropshire; 4 such courses had run after the Information Point was launched and all these courses were oversubscribed.
It is very pleasing to report that following discussions with RNIB in late 2021, and after securing a small grant from RNIB/Visionary, SLS was licensed by RNIB under a memorandum of understanding to be its provider of LWWSL courses for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin residents. Indeed, some of the IP volunteers who were recruited in 2019 are receiving training to contribute to LWWSL courses.
There is a strong expectation that this provision will grow significantly over time; the courses have proved to be in demand and to provide for an unmet need for enhanced support, most notably for those recently diagnosed with permanent sight loss.
Eye Clinic Liaison Officer
ECLO (Eye Clinic Liaison Officer) services operate in approximately half the hospital Eye Clinics in England. The aims of ECLO services are to help reduce the social isolation and distress caused by the onset of sight loss, to facilitate greater independence for those coming to terms with sight loss, and to promote the benefits of being formally registered with sight loss.
The ECLO service in Shropshire began in January 2019 after many years of determined campaigning by Sight Loss Shropshire. The service continues to flourish and does invaluable work in helping many eye patients, particularly those recently diagnosed with permanent sight loss.
Social Events and Social Groups
The charity continues to support and sponsor a network of affiliated local social groups for visually impaired people and intends this will continue to be an important component of the charity’s work into the future. The groups themselves are self-managing and provide a vital network of mutual support and social contact located across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
For their part the volunteer local organizers have set a wonderful example during the pandemic in the most testing circumstances by doing their best to keep in contact with their members, passing on information and, where appropriate, referring people for support.
SLS Grants
SLS has continued to be ready to provide grants to individuals with sight loss in cases where their needs could not be met by the statutory social care, health, education or other services. These grants allow individuals, who are referred to the charity by a professional worker in a statutory or authoritative service, to acquire a particular item of equipment they could not otherwise
obtain, or to be able to participate in activities that enhance their quality of life, that otherwise might not have been possible.
As mentioned in previous years, there has been a very significant reduction in referrals for grants being made to SLS from the local authorities’ sensory impairment services, as compared to the numbers of people who were referred in years past. Inevitably the consequence of the pandemic has been to shrink the number of referrals that SLS has received even further.
It is hoped that as direct contact between referrers and their clients/patients returns to normal, so more referrals will be received by the charity.
It is also intended that this service should remain one that SLS offers into the future.
Local Authority Sensory Support provision
In my report last year, I indicated that the charity has, over the years of financial austerity, expressed its concerns over the impact there has been on sensory impairment services. In recent years these difficulties have been acute for the services provided by Shropshire Council.
The pandemic has caused further major frustration in addressing the problems the Council had already been struggling with and coupled with continuing staffing issues, has made the job of reducing the backlog of cases awaiting a full rehabilitation assessment problematic.
The resilience and effectiveness of Shropshire’s ROVI service has therefore continued to remain a significant concern.
A Final Word
As I have every year, I must conclude with a very big thank you to all the SLS volunteers and for the voluntary effort that supports all that the charity does. I would also like to express a particular thank you to members of the SLS Committee, who have attended the meetings which have been held throughout the year, for their support and commitment to the charity.
In particular I would like to express thanks and gratitude to two very long serving senior members of Sight Loss Shropshire who have contributed their wisdom, time and help extending back to before the time I joined SLS in 2006. They are Penny Whitley, SLS’s President and Gill Halliday, a former Chairman of SLS and now Senior Vice-President. Both are owed a great debt of gratitude for their many years of steadfast support and commitment to the charity’s work.
I must also express heartfelt thanks to Wendy Robert, our Treasurer, who has handed over the reins of her role as she has gained promotion to a different post in public sector accountancy in the West Midlands. Her 16 years as SLS Treasurer were distinguished by complete dependability in keeping the Association's affairs and finances in good order. She departs with our every best wish in her new job, and with our thanks for her many years contributing to SLS’s work.
I must also record once more my most sincere thanks and appreciation to Clare Humphreys, SLS's Administrator, for all her truly excellent work and great dedication to the charity and everything the charity aims to achieve. Finally, I would like to give heartfelt thanks to our Chairman Diana Flint, for her support both to me and to Clare and for her very strong commitment to the leadership of the charity.
Robin Durham
May 2022
SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE AFFILIATED PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
There are 16 peer support groups that are supported by and affiliated to Sight Loss Shropshire; 12 in Shropshire and 4 in Telford & Wrekin. Groups are run by local volunteers who provide a programme of social, creative and physical activities based on the wishes and needs of their members.
During the first half of this year, the groups continued to hold meetings via telephone conference or using conferencing software such as Zoom or Teams. From September onwards, some groups started to hold face to face meetings again, with protocols in place to minimise the risk of Covid transmission. When Covid transmission rates were high, face to face meetings were cancelled to safeguard members and volunteers.
Groups encountered a number of barriers to re-starting face to face meetings. Previous venues were not always available or hire costs were prohibitive, resulting in some groups having to move to a new venue or change their meeting day. Many groups reported reduced numbers of members as former members were either no longer able, or unwilling, to attend groups.
Sight Loss Shropshire acknowledges the magnificent work undertaken by the volunteer Group Organisers who have kept in regular contact with their members, circulating information and providing support and a listening ear throughout the pandemic.
For information about any of the peer support groups, contact the SLS office - - 01743 250808 or by email to sightlossshropshire@shropshire.gov.uk and/or the SLS website – http://www.sightlossshropshire.org.uk
SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
FORMERLY SHROPSHIRE VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION
FOR THE BLIND
ACCOUNTS & TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE
YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022
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Registered Charity No. 215137
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2022
SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2022. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 to the accounts and comply with 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 Ireland published on 16 July 2014.
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity:
Trustee name Office Diana Rosemary Flint DL Chairman Hayley Dyson Vice - Chairman Gillian Elizabeth Halliday Vice - President Wendy Robert Honorary Treasurer
Administrative Information
Principal Office
The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive, Harlescott, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG
Independent Examiner
Jonathan Rimmer FCA, James, Holyoak & Parker Limited, 1 Knights Court, Archers Way, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 3GA
Bankers
Barclays Bank, 44-46 Castle Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 2BU
Investment Managers
EFG Harris Allday, Church Mews, Ombersley, Worcestershire, WR9 0EW
Structure, governance and management:
The charity was formed by a constitution in 1922, revised July 2008 as an unincorporated association. Its constitution was most recently revised in February 2013 to change the name of the charity to Sight Loss Shropshire, and to allow the election of the management committee every 3 years. The constitution was revised in July 2016 to incorporate a mechanism for the removal of members of the Committee.
The Association’s Secretary and its Administrator carry out the day-to-day running of the Association.
The management committee, which includes the Trustees, meets quarterly. A separate Trustee meeting is held annually.
The appointment of Trustees is determined as laid out in the constitution. Trustees are appointed by virtue of the office they hold, and each is eligible to stand for re-election every 3 years. The management committee consists of 7 officers and 14 members, 7 of which must be registered blind or partially sighted. The Trustees are those elected at the Annual General Meeting as Chairman, Vice Chairman, the longest servicing Vice President and the Honorary Treasurer. The constitution allows additional members to be co-opted to the management committee.
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2022 (Continued)
Objectives and activities for the public benefit
The objects of the Association are defined in the constitution as:
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To help blind and partially sighted persons resident in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
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To do all such other charitable things as are incidental to or conducive to the attainment of the above object.
Main Activities of the Association are:
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Supporting a network of peer support groups for visually impaired people;
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Providing information and signposting about support and services available for people with sight loss;
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Providing grants to help visually impaired people to acquire specialist aids and equipment;
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Supporting the work of the Eye Care Liasion Officer at the local hospital trust;
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Organising and providing major social events for visually impaired people;
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Contributing to the planning and running of the annual See & Hear Shropshire Exhibition;
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Acting as a local champion of visually impaired people who live in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
Financial Review
The Association’s performance for the year and that of its funds is laid out in the financial statement on pages 4 to 13. The Charity had a net profit before gains and losses on investment assets of £3,657. The Charity’s investments saw an increase in value in the year of £30,406 resulting in a net increase in funds of £79,467.
The trustees are satisfied with the results for the year given the current economic climate and the impact of Covid-19 on the nation. The Investment portfolio recovered the losses that were initially incurred at the start of the pandemic and the trustees are satisfied with the investment income for the year given the turbulence in the markets.
Achievements and Performance
The Charity’s activities were curtailed during the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Charity was unable to hold its annual ‘Winter’s Day Out’ social event and also had to postpone the annual ‘See Hear Exhibition’. However it was still able to support visually impaired people via continuing to support local groups and issuing 8 equipment grants to help visually impaired people improve their everyday life. The Trustees believe that charity continues to make a difference to the lives of the blind and partially sighted residents of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. The Charity expects its activity levels will return to normal as lockdown eases.
Reserves Policy
The Association aims to keep liquid reserves equivalent to 3 months running cost which equates to £6,000. At the year end the association had £40,910 (2021: £87,735) of net current assets in its unrestricted general purposes fund.
Investment Policy
The Association’s portfolio is designed to provide an opportunity for capital growth together with the provision of a regular income, meeting both short and medium term needs. The Association has appointed a Fund Manager to manage the investment on their behalf. The Trustees discuss and review investment strategy with the fund manager on a regular basis.
Approved by the trustees on 28th June 2022 and signed on their behalf by
D. Flint
D Flint Chair of Trustees
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE Registered Charity No. 215137
I report on the accounts of the Association for the year ended 31st March 2022, which are set out on pages 4 to13.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:-
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examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act);
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jonathan Rimmer Chartered Accountant James, Holyoak & Parker Ltd 1 Knights Court, Archers Way, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury, SY1 3GA
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Registered Charity No. 215137
SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2022
| Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income | |||||
| Donations, Legacies and Grants | 2 | 5,318 | 1,000 | 6,318 | 5,573 |
| Income from Charitable activities | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| Income from other trading activities | 4 | 998 | - | 998 | 1,274 |
| Investment Income | 4 | 19,196 | 2 | 19,198 | 17,326 |
| Total Income | 25,512 | 1,002 | 26,514 | 24,173 | |
| Expenditure | |||||
| Cost of Raising Funds: | |||||
| Costs of generating voluntary income | 5 | 912 | - | 912 | 835 |
| Fundraising costs | 5 | 677 | - | 677 | 159 |
| Investment Management Costs | 5 | - | - | - | - |
| Costs of Charitable activities | 5 | 20,827 | - | 20,827 | 24,205 |
| Other | |||||
| Governance Costs | 5 | 441 | - | 441 | 643 |
| Total Expenditure | 22,857 | - | 22,857 | 25,842 | |
| Net Income (expenditure) | 2,655 | 1,002 | 3,657 | (1,669) | |
| Gross transfers between funds | 400 | (400) | - | - | |
| Net Income (expenditure)before other | |||||
| recognised gains | 3,055 | 602 | 3,657 | (1,669) | |
| Other recognised gains/(losses) | |||||
| Profit or (loss) on disposal of fixed assets | - | - | - | (18) | |
| Gains and (losses) on investment assets | 9 | 30,406 | - | 30,406 | 82,399 |
| Net Movement in Funds | **33,461 ** | **602 ** | 34,063 | 80,712 | |
| Reconciliation of Funds: | |||||
| Total Funds brought forward | 586,869 | 19,770 | 606,639 | 525,927 | |
| Total Funds carried forward | 13,14 | 620,330 | 20,372 | **640,702 ** | 606,639 |
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE Registered Charity No. 215137
BALANCE SHEETAT 31 MARCH 2022
| Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | ||||||
| Tangible assets | 8 | - | - | - | - | 135 |
| Investments | 9 | 578,466 | - | - | 578,466 | 498,999 |
| 578,466 | - | - | 578,466 | 499,134 | ||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Debtors | 10 | 2,092 | - | - | 2,092 | 300 |
| Cashat bankandin hand | 11 | 39,802 | 20,372 | - | 60,174 | 107,205 |
| 41,894 | 20,372 | - | 62,266 | 107,505 | ||
| Creditors: amounts | ||||||
| falling due within one | ||||||
| year | 12 | (30) | - | - | (30) | - |
| Net Current Assets | 41,864 | 20,372 | - | 62,236 | 107,505 | |
| Creditors: amounts | ||||||
| falling due after one | ||||||
| year | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Net Assets | 620,330 | 20,372 | - | **640,702 ** | 606,639 | |
| Funds of the charity | ||||||
| Unrestricted funds | 14,15 | 620,330 | - | - | 620,330 | 586,869 |
| Restricted funds | 13,15 | - | 20,372 | - | 20,372 | 19,770 |
| Endowment funds | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total funds | 620,330 | 20,372 | - | **640,702 ** | 606,639 |
Approved by the Trustees on 28[th] June 2022 and signed on their behalf
W. Robert
…………………………..
Wendy Robert (Treasurer)
D. Flint
………………………….. Diana Flint (Chair)
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE Registered Charity No. 215137
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
1. Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of preparation of accounts
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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
Sight Loss Shropshire meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
(b) Income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable and the amount can be measured reliably. The income from fundraising ventures is shown gross, with the associated costs included in fundraising costs. Donated services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt. Donations and Legacies are recognised when they have been communicated in writing and the amount and settlement date is known. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
(c) Value Added Tax
- Value added tax is not recoverable by the Charity, and as such is included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.
(d) Fundraising costs
- Fundraising expenditure comprises costs incurred in inducing people and organisations to contribute financially to the Charity’s work. This includes the costs of staging special fundraising events.
(e) Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
Registered Charity No. 215137
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
(f)
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:
Equipment
10% straight line
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 credited or charged to income and expenditure.
(g) Investments
Investments are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with changes recognised in ‘net gains / (losses) on investments’ in the SoFA if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably. Other investments are measured at cost less impairment.
(h) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
(i) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Creditors and provisions
(j) Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Going concern
(k) The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income
and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE Registered Charity No. 215137
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (Continued)
2. Donations Legacies and Grants
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Midland Societies Grant | 1,667 | - | 1,667 | 418 |
| Shropshire Council | 1,720 | - | 1,720 | 1,900 |
| Telford & Wrekin Council Grant | - | - | - | - |
| Legacies &Donations | 1,931 | 1,000 | 2,931 | 3,255 |
| 5,318 | 1,000 | 6,318 | 5,573 |
3. Income from Charitable Activities
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Beacon Care For The Blind | - | - | - | - |
| SeeHear Exhibition | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
4. Income from Other Trading Activities and Investment Income
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Fundraising Activities | ||||
| TLC Lottery | 94 | - | 94 | 94 |
| Christmas Card | 904 | - | 904 | 1,180 |
| 998 | - | 998 | 1,274 | |
| Investment Income | ||||
| Bank Interest | 5 | 2 | 7 | 40 |
| HarrisAlldayIncome | 19,191 | - | 19,191 | 17,286 |
| 19,196 | 2 | 19,198 | 17,326 |
-8-
SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
Registered Charity No. 215137
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (Continued)
5. Expenditure
| Cost of | Fundraising | Costs of | Governance | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| generating | costs | Charitable | Costs | 2022 | 2021 | |
| voluntary | Activities | |||||
| income | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted | ||||||
| Salaries | 904 | - | 17,172 | - | 18,076 | 16,565 |
| Provision of Equipment | - | - | 1,621 | - | 1,621 | 2,712 |
| Printing, stationery and | ||||||
| postage | 8 | - | 168 | - | 176 | 142 |
| Insurance | - | - | - | 403 | 403 | 403 |
| Christmas Cards | - | 677 | - | - | 677 | 159 |
| Social Groups | - | - | 1,250 | - | 1,250 | 1,500 |
| Grants for Visually | ||||||
| Impaired | - | - | - | - | - | 70 |
| Winters Day Out | - | - | - | - | - | 100 |
| Travel | - | - | 56 | - | 56 | 352 |
| Rent of Rooms | - | - | - | 38 | 38 | - |
| Other Services | - | - | 425 | - | 425 | 910 |
| Christmas Gifts | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Depreciation | - | - | 135 | - | 135 | 189 |
| Bank charges | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Investment charges | - | - | - | - | - | 240 |
| 912 | 677 | 20,827 | 441 | 22,857 | 23,342 | |
| Restricted | ||||||
| See Hear Exhibition | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sheila Whitley Fund | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| ECLO | - | - | - | - | - | 2,500 |
| 912 | 677 | 20,827 | 441 | **22,857 ** | 25,842 |
6. Staff Costs and Numbers
| 6. StaffCosts and Numbers | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Staff costs were as follows | ||
| Salaries and Wages | 18,076 | 16,565 |
| Social Security Costs | - | - |
| 18,076 | 16,565 |
The average weekly number of staff employed, calculated as full time equivalents during the year was as follows:
| No. | No. | |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising Activities | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| CharitableActivities | 0.72 | 0.72 |
| 0.77 | 0.77 | |
| **7. Taxation ** |
The Charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
Registered Charity No. 215137
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (Continued)
8. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Equipment | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cost | ||
| 1,898 | 1,898 | |
| As at 1stApril 2021 | ||
| Disposals | - | - |
| As at 31st March 2022 | 1,898 | 1,898 |
| Depreciation | ||
| As at 1stApril 2021 | 1,763 | 1,763 |
| Charge for the year | 135 | 135 |
| Elimination on disposal | - | - |
| As at 31st March 2022 | 1,898 | 1,898 |
| NBV at 31st March 2022 | - | - |
| NBV at 31st March 2021 | 135 | 135 |
| 9. Investments | ||
| 2022 | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Market Value at 1st April 2021 | 498,999 | 400,179 |
| Add: Additions at Cost | 49,061 | 36,905 |
| Less: Disposals at carrying value | (-) | (20,484) |
| Add: Gain/(Loss) on Revaluation | 30,406 | 82,417 |
| Less: Loss on Disposal | (-) | (18) |
| Market Value at 31st March 2022 | 578,466 | 498,999 |
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
Registered Charity No. 215137
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (Continued)
| 9. Investments (continued) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units | Cost | Value at 31st | Value at | Change | |
| March 2022 | 31st | in Value | |||
| March | |||||
| 2021 | |||||
| No. | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| One Saving Bank 7.875 Perp | 15,000 | 15,935 | 14,550 | 13,519 | 1,031 |
| BlackRock Charities UK BD FD Inc | 10,788 | 18,750 | 18,648 | 20,217 | (1,569) |
| Murry Inc Trust PLC | 2,160 | 13,240 | 19,138 | 18,446 | 692 |
| Dunedin Inc Grwth Inv Trust | 6,200 | 13,245 | 18,724 | 18,197 | 527 |
| Schroder Char Charity Equity Income | 28,968 | 68,990 | 132,819 | 114,859 | 17,960 |
| BlackRock Charishare Comm Inv FD | 20,578 | 56,138 | 147,608 | 137,134 | 10,474 |
| M&G Charifund A Income | 4,472 | 31,245 | 70,645 | 65,846 | 4,799 |
| M&G Charibond Income Units | 17,362 | 18,921 | 20,492 | 21,445 | (953) |
| JP Morgan GBL Grown and Inc | 5,335 | 16,127 | 25,235 | 21,820 | 3,415 |
| Primary Health Properties GBP 0.125 | 11,840 | 13,238 | 17,559 | 17,547 | 12 |
| Civitas Social Housing PLC REIT | 14,805 | 16,212 | 12,940 | 16,108 | (3,168) |
| Octopus Renewables Infra Trust | 15,850 | 18,445 | 17,752 | 18,069 | (317) |
| JP Morgan GLB Core Assets | 16,450 | 18,460 | 15,200 | 15,792 | (592) |
| RM Secured Direct Lending | 17,000 | 16,317 | 15,765 | - | (552) |
| RIT Capital Partners | 610 | 16,360 | 15,555 | - | (805) |
| LXI Reit PLC | 10,700 | 16,384 | 15,836 | - | (548) |
| 368,007 | 578,466 | 498,999 | 30,406 |
10. Debtors
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Prepayments andAccruedIncome | 2,092 | 300 |
| **2,092 ** | 300 |
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE Registered Charity No. 215137
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (Continued)
11. Cash at Bank and in Hand
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Barclays Current Account | 13,366 | 17,523 |
| Barclays Business Saver Account | 22,828 | 67,271 |
| Barclays Sheila Whitley Fund Account | 323 | 323 |
| Harris Allday Clearing Account | 4,208 | 2,641 |
| Barclays See &Hear DepositAccount | 19,449 | 19,447 |
| 60,174 | 107,205 |
12. Creditors
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals and Deferred Income | 30 | - |
13. Movement in Restricted Funds
| At | 1st April | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfer | At 31st March |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Resources | Resources | between Funds | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Living Well with Sight Loss | - | 600 | - | - | 600 |
| ECLO Officer Fund | - | - | - | - | - |
| See Hear Exhibition Fund | 19,447 | 2 | - | - | 19,449 |
| Sheila WhitleyFund | 323 | 400 | - | (400) | 323 |
| 19,770 | **1,002 ** | - | (400) | 20,372 |
The Living Well with Sight Loss Fund represents seed funding to support the provision of educational courses developed by Visionary, the RNIB and the Thomas Pocklington Trust, to help people in need live well with sight loss.
The ELCO Fund is to support the work in recruiting an eye care liaison officer within the Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin eye clinics.
The See Hear Exhibition Fund are funds held on behalf of the exhibition to fund future events.
The Sheila Whitley Fund is used to provide grants to purchase specialist IT equipment for people in need in the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin areas. It was previously treated as a designated fund.
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SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
Registered Charity No. 215137
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (Continued)
14. Movement in Unrestricted Fund
| At 1st | Incoming | Outgoing | Recognised | Transfers | At 31st | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | Resources | Resources | after Gains & | between | March | |
| 2021 | £ | £ | Losses | funds | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| General Fund | 586,869 | 25,512 | (22,857) | 30,406 | 400 | 620,330 |
| 586,869 | 25,512 | (22,857) | 30,406 | 400 | 620,330 |
15. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible Fixed Assets | 578,466 | - | 578,466 |
| Current Assets | 41,894 | 20,372 | 62,266 |
| Current Liabilities | (30) | - | (30) |
| Net Assets at 31st March 2022 | 620,330 | 20,372 | **640,702 ** |
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