## **The Lantern Meadow Farm Drive Shrewsbury SY1 4NG**
**Trustees’ Report and Unaudited Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024**
## **www.sightlossshropshire.org.uk**
**admin@sightlossshropshire.org.uk**
**07778 956096**
Registered Charity No. 215137
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**An introduction to Sight Loss Shropshire**|1 to 2|
|**Committee Details**|3|
|**Reference and Administrative Details**|4|
|**Meetings**|5|
|**Chairs’ Report**|6 to 7|
|**Operational Report**|8 to 11|
|**Trustees' Report**|12 to 13|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**|14|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|15|
|**Statement of Financial Position**|16|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|17 to 24|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|25 to 26|
## **SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24**
## **An Introduction to SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
Sight Loss Shropshire (SLS) was founded in 1922. It is a registered charity that helps and supports visually impaired people of all ages who live in Shropshire and Telford and 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 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 and Wrekin. Our objectives are:
- to help visually impaired people to cope with their sight loss and the difficulties this imposes on their daily lives
- 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 wellbeing
- to enable visually impaired people to make informed choices about the services and support that they access
- 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
- to improve or maintain visually impaired people's confidence and mental wellbeing which are often adversely affected by a diagnosis of sight loss
- to raise awareness of sight loss issues and improve the provision of local sight loss services
- to work in partnership with statutory, private and third sector organisations to support visually impaired people in the community
Page 1
- to act as a local champion of visually impaired people who live in Shropshire, Telford and 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:
- providing free ‘Living Well with Sight Loss’ courses to visually impaired people, their friends, family members or carers
- providing digital tech training to visually impaired people
- providing grants to help visually impaired people to acquire specialist aids and equipment to enable them to maintain and/or regain their independence
- 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
- 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
- working with our partners to ensure that visually impaired people have a voice
Our consultative 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 dependent on the services of local volunteers.
Page 2
## **COMMITTEE FOR 2023-24**
## **President**
Mrs J. Wynn, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire – Trustee
## **Vice-President**
Cllr. Mrs. R. Houghton – Trustee
## **Chair**
Mrs D. Flint DL – Trustee
## **Vice Chair**
*Mrs H. Dyson – Trustee
## **Honorary Treasurer**
Mr D. Clark – Trustee
## **Members**
- *Mrs. L. Clark
*Mr R. Cookson Miss G. Dorricott Mr T. Downes
- *Mr. J. Feehan
*Mrs. K. Hill Ms S. Mitchell Mrs Y. Ostermeyer *Mrs A. Read
*Mrs L. Rowlands – Trustee Mrs B. Shingler Mr J. Thatcher *Mr K. Whitcombe Mrs A. Woodward Mrs K. Tunbridge
## **Charity Director**
Mr A. Jones
**Charity Manager** Mrs S. Staar-Slogrove
*Denotes a visually impaired person
Page 3
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
|**TRUSTEES**|Ms D R Flint|
|---|---|
||Mr D Clark|
||Ms J Wynn|
||Ms R Houghton|
||Ms H Dyson|
||Ms L Rowlands|
||Mr A E Jones (appointed 8.11.23)|
|**PRINCIPAL ADDRESS**|Sight Loss Shropshire|
||The Lantern|
||Meadow Farm Drive|
||Shrewsbury|
||SY1 4NG|
|**REGISTERED CHARITY**|215137|
|**NUMBER**||
|**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER**|TCA (Shrewsbury) LLP|
||Third Floor|
||21 St Mary's Street|
||Shrewsbury|
||Shropshire|
||SY1 1ED|
|**BANKERS**|Barclays Bank|
||44-46 Castle Street|
||Shrewsbury|
||SY1 1BU|
|**INVESTMENT MANAGERS**|EFG Harris Allday|
||Church Mews|
||Ombersley|
||Worcestershire|
||WR9 0EW|
Page 4
## **MEETINGS**
The SLS Committee held four meetings during the year.
The AGM was held on 12[th] July 2023. The main business of the AGM was to approve the Annual Report for 2022/23, including the Annual Accounts. All papers were circulated two weeks in advance of the AGM date to enable any queries to be raised and answered.
Page 5
## **CHAIR’S REPORT 2023/24**
The new structures put in place during 2022-2023 have been instrumental in allowing the charity to make significant progress and development during this year. The operational report from the Charity Manager gives details of the many initiatives taken by the charity this year to support those living with sight loss in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
We have again run a very happy and successful party, The Winter’s Day Out, at the Shrewsbury Football Ground where around 180 guests from support groups around the county were joined by special guests who have sponsored us during the year, as well as the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Mrs Mandy Thorn. Other events include exhibitions such as See and Hear which was run again after the Covid interval, but this time in partnership with Community Resource. Another fresh initiative is our first fundraiser and awareness event – a summers evening garden party at Hodnet Hall.
Life in the office has been exceptionally busy. On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to thank Charity Manager, Swantje Staar-Slogrove, and Administrative Assistant Mel Fullerton for the hard work they continue to put in to carry out the initiatives we set. We are set to develop the website and with Mel’s help and expertise, are expanding our marketing reach into social media and beyond. Noteworthy is the regular e-newsletter that we deliver. The Digital Tech Training in Telford is busy and popular, and we have extended this now into Shropshire. The Living Well with Sight Loss (LWWSL) courses continue to be very popular and our work has also broadened to support children and young people. The operational report details these and many more services we now offer, and an ambitious programme of partnerships is under way.
The finance report details the funding that we have been successful in attracting to support these initiatives. A highlight is the donation of £35K from the Liz and Jo Fullwood Trust for the Elderly Blind, and we are hugely grateful to their Trustees for choosing to donate this to Sight Loss Shropshire.
SLS continues to give grants to those who apply for funding to help purchase equipment. This assistance is now more accessible since the Trustees agreed that individuals could apply direct. It is our hope that we will be able to increase our grant giving in the future.
Page 6
Most importantly, I would like to thank the loyal volunteers without whose help we would not be able to achieve our aims. Many are also members of the Committee and the Trustees who so generously give of their time and expertise. The committees are a dynamic body and it is both healthy and encouraging that we have new members joining both the Committee and the Board of Trustees. I heartily thank everybody, but would like to record our best wishes and gratitude to retiring Trustee, Cllr Ruth Houghton. Special thanks go to our hardworking Treasurer who continues to steer us innovatively in managing our resources, and to Arwyn Jones who was welcomed as a Trustee earlier this year on finishing his role of guiding and mentoring the Charity Manager for the start of her role.
We have completed a busy year and have ambitions to deliver more in the coming year. A new website, popular newsletter, public events, partnerships and courses have all been part of the achievement, and thanks to the efforts of our staff, volunteers, Committee and Trustees, it really feels as though people can now reach, see and hear more clearly about the work we do.
Diana Flint Chair of Trustees, Sight Loss Shropshire 20 June 2024
Page 7
## **OPERATIONAL REPORT 2023/24**
During my second year as Manager for Sight Loss Shropshire, I have seen the charity grow and become more diverse.
Our Living Well with Sight Loss courses are now delivered face-to-face across the county and with support from Shropshire Council we have added digital tech training to our list of services. The team has grown again by one part-time staff member, we have gained 12 more dedicated volunteers, we have developed strategic partnerships and delivered through effective collaborations.
Our beneficiaries have become more diverse in age, our reach has become wider and we successfully addressed gaps that local sight loss services suffered during the and post-pandemic through our Living Well with Sight Loss courses, which many visually impaired people attend before receiving statutory support. Our marketing channels and activities have expanded vastly, and our funding has become more diverse.
I would like to thank our volunteers, without whom we couldn’t deliver our work, the staff team who have transformed the charity and the board of trustees of who lead with their passion and expertise.
## **SERVICES 2023/24**
## **‘Living Well with Sight Loss’ Courses**
Over 12 months Sight Loss Shropshire delivered:
- 6 phone courses with 46 participants. Each phone course consists of 4 sessions, which last up to 90 minutes each.
- 3 face-to-face courses in Telford, Shrewsbury and Oswestry, with 40 participants. Each face-to-face course consists of 2 sessions that last 5 hours each.
Our participants’ age ranged from 18 to 94 years and included newly diagnosed people as well as participants who had lived with sight loss for decades. Some beneficiaries cherished the opportunity to share advice and tips from their wealth of experience, whereas others were at the start of their sight loss journey, preparing for future years of degenerative eye conditions and diminished sight. Five volunteers with lived experience of sight loss supported the delivery of ‘Living Well with Sight Loss’ courses. Their input of
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experience, emotional empathy and gentle encouragement to share concerns, successes and solutions are invaluable to this service.
Participant quotes:
_“So much of what I’ve learned today is going to help me.”_
_“I was downloading the sight loss apps as we spoke on the course.”_
_“I don’t feel so isolated now, I feel part of something. I find it inspiring that a blind person can pick up boxing. Amazing!”_
## **Digital Tech Training**
‘In Touch Telford – Tech Training for Visually Impaired People’ is a service initiated by the Telford community and the project’s passionate visually impaired lead volunteer. As a small local charity, Sight Loss Shropshire was delighted to harness the enthusiasm and motivation for this service and work towards facilitating this now well-established offer. During times when recruiting volunteers becomes more and more difficult for charitable organisations, we were fortunate to receive support from Wellington Rotary who supplied the initial group of committed volunteers and were delighted to subsequently recruit employee volunteers from CapGemini and Telford & Wrekin Council.
‘In Touch Telford’ offers a warm and friendly welcome to anyone who benefits from learning about accessible digital technology. Over 20 sessions, the volunteers had appointments with 103 visually impaired clients, their family members, friends and carers.
After only six months of learning and encouraged by the positive impact from the Telford-based service, the charity decided to roll the Tech Training project out into wider Shropshire. This led to employing the charity’s first visually impaired staff member, who now travels across the county and supports clients on a bookable one-to-one basis. Initially based in Shrewsbury, this service delivered ten bespoke training courses with multiple sessions to people adapting to their sight loss.
## **Information, Advice & Signposting**
Sight Loss Shropshire receives enquiries directly from visually impaired people, but also more increasingly from family members, carers, social
Page 9
prescribers or care professionals. Advice can range from orientation of where to turn to at the early stages of sight loss to tips about social support, leisure facilities or technical advice, by people living in Shropshire or those planning to move here. 114 people received information upon enquiry from
Sight Loss Shropshire during this period, and many were referred to our charity’s own services afterwards. Signposting is still an important part of our offer, however we are increasingly more able to provide direct help through our own courses, training and events.
## **Peer Support Groups**
Twelve active peer support groups with 176 members of visually impaired people currently meet in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Sight Loss Shropshire does not lead these groups, but supports where numbers are dwindling and helps to revive or establish new groups, together with national charities like Macular Society. The Sight Loss Shropshire Manager attends some of the group meetings, gives talks and advice, receives feedback and uses the groups as a sounding board. Sight Loss Shropshire advertises all group activities across the county, signposts new members to the groups and supports them financially and in some cases organisationally with room hire and transport fees, thus contributing to a resilient and thriving community of sight loss groups, where its members exchange experience and daily living tips.
## **Grants to Individuals**
Sight Loss Shropshire offers contributory grants to visually impaired people, in cases where their needs cannot be met by statutory services with the aim to enhance their quality of life or their ability to live more independently. Applications previously had to be submitted by a health professional, but can now be made by individuals directly. Six grants at a total value of £1,467 have been awarded to visually impaired people. Full details can be obtained here: https://www.sightlossshropshire.org.uk/can-we-help-you/
## **Sight Loss Awareness**
Sight Loss Shropshire works in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary services to raise awareness of sight loss issues and improve the provision of local sight loss services. As a new initiative in 2023/24 we delivered sight loss training to 97 police officers in Telford, in partnership with West Mercia Police. Through developing and strengthening strategic alliances, we attended staff training days for 20 high street opticians and 17 cataract surgery staff. We attended the Local Optical Committee CPD
Page 10
training day (ca. 70 professionals) and hosted an NHS Hospital Transformation feedback session for visually impaired people, as well as delivering sight loss awareness talks to multiple social groups. As a member of the Local Eye Health Network we continue to promote awareness of sight loss and understanding in making services and places more accessible.
## **Events**
Sight Loss Shropshire held a ‘Spring Day Out’ at Shrewsbury Town Football Club in May 2023, attended by 200 visually impaired people and their partners, and its popular ‘Winter’s Day Out’ in January 2024, attended by 180 people. These social celebrations highlight the remarkable achievements of some visually impaired individuals, as well as bringing people together and showcasing the range of services available to support people living with sight loss in leading fulfilling lives.
We also collaborated with Optelec to facilitate VisionZone 2023, the first local sight and hearing loss exhibition since See & Hear Shropshire ceased before the pandemic. The event, showcasing some assistive technology and services for people with sensory impairment, attracted 100 visitors.
## **Total numbers of people supported through our activities:**
933 (excluding peer support group members)
## **Looking ahead**
In 2024/25 Sight Loss Shropshire will work in partnership with Community Resource to revive the See & Hear exhibition, a much larger event dedicated to focussing on providing support and resources for individuals experiencing hearing and/or sight loss challenges. We will continue our project with West Mercia to improve police services for people living with a sensory loss and will build on our growing experience of sight loss awareness training, with the aim to roll training out to commercial businesses and wider organisations. We aim to expand our reach to visually impaired individuals across the county by delivering bookable tech training sessions at Shropshire based community hubs.
Swantje Staar-Slogrove Charity Manager, Sight Loss Shropshire June 2024
Page 11
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and aims**
The objects of the charity are defined in the constitution as:
- To help blind and partially sighted persons resident in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
- To do all such other charitable things as are incidental to or conducive to the attainment of the above
- - object.
## **Significant activities**
The main activities of the charity are:
- Supporting a network of peer support groups for visually impaired people;
- Providing information and signposting about support and services available for people with sight loss;
- Providing grants to help visually impaired people to acquire specialist aids and equipment;
- Organising and providing major social events for visually impaired people;
- Providing digital technology training for visually impaired people;
- Providing ‘Living Well with Sight Loss’courses;
- Acting as a local champion of visually impaired people who live in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities**
Details of the activities have been set out in the attached Chairmans' report.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial position**
The charity’s performance for the year and that of its funds is laid out in the financial statement on pages 15 to 24. The Charity had a net income before gains and losses on investment assets of £22 (2023: net expenditure of £21,688). This is due to investment in expanded staffing and operations during the year, which the Trustees believe is a good use of funds to further the Charity’s objectives. We also seek external funding for projects whenever feasible.
The Charity’s investments saw an increase in value in the year of £8,341 (2023: decrease of £41,331) resulting in a net increase in funds of £8,363 (2023: net decrease of £63,019). Our investments are held on a long-term basis and the Trustees remain confident in our investment strategy, which they will keep under review.
## **Investment policy and objectives**
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 charity 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.
## **Reserves policy**
The charity aims to keep liquid reserves equivalent to 3 months running cost which equates to £10,000.
At the year end, the charity had free reserves of £48,491 (2023: £20,133), representing unrestricted funds, less designated funds and fixed assets held.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Page 12
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Charity constitution**
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. It was revised again in July 2022 to reflect a change in services since the Covid pandemic.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
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 Board of Trustees shall comprise up to 8 members drawn from the Committee. The Committee shall compromise up to 24 members including at least 8 who shall be persons diagnosed with sight loss and/or who are registered blind or partially sighted. The Trustees are those elected at the Annual General Meeting as Chairman, Vice Chairman, President, Vice President, the Honorary Treasurer and additional Trustees. The constitution allows additional members to be co-opted to the committee and board of Trustees.
## **Organisational structure**
The charity’s Director, Manager and Administrative Assistant carry out the day-to-day running of the charity.
The management committee, which includes the Trustees, meets quarterly. A separate Trustee meeting following the committee meeting.
## **TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ………..10[th] July 2024 .......... and signed on its behalf by:
................................................................. Mrs D R Flint - Trustee
Page 13
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THETRUSTEES OF
SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE
Independent examlnerfs report to the trustees of Sight Loss Shropshire
I report to the charity Iruslees on my examination of the accounts of Sight Loss Shropshire (the Tru511 for the
year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibllltles and bas18 of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you a responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'lhe Acl'l.
l port in respect of ry examination of the Trusvs accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in
carrying out rny examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under
Sectson 14515llbl of the Act.
Independent examlnerfs statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no rnalerial matters have come lo my attention in
connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect..
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust 88 required by Section 130 of the Act,. or
the accounts do not accord with those reeords., or
the accounts do not comply with the applicabl& requirements concerning the form and conlenl of
accounts set out in the Charities IAccounls and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any
requirement that the accounts give 8 true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an
Independent examination.
I have no concern8 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 proFer understanding of the accounts to
reached.
C Mo?n-wIll1arns, Bsc FCA
TCA IShr¢wsburyl LLP
Third Floor
21 Sl Mary's Stmel
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY1 1ED
Dale.,
Page 14
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
61,348
**Charitable activities**
General
-
Other trading activities
2
1,377
Investment income
3
23,276
**Total**
86,001
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
6,420
**Charitable activities**
General
73,684
**Total**
80,104
Net gains/(losses) on investments
8,341
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
14,238
**Transfers between funds**
11
(5,606)
**Net movement in funds**
8,632
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
557,268
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
565,900|Restricted
funds
£
6,370
100
-
232
6,702
-
12,577
12,577
-
(5,875)
5,606
(269)
20,415
20,146|2024
Total
funds
£
67,718
100
1,377
23,508
92,703
6,420
86,261
92,681
8,341
8,363
-
8,363
577,683
586,046|2023
Total
funds
£
7,096
-
1,006
23,903
32,005
6,183
47,510
53,693
(41,331)
(63,019)
-
(63,019)
640,702
577,683|
|---|---|---|---|
## **CONTINUING OPERATIONS**
All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 15
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION**
## **31 MARCH 2024**
|Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
7
Investments
8
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
9
Cash at bank
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
10
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
11
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**||Unrestricted
funds
£
1,996
514,632
516,628
2,500
54,055
56,555
(7,283)
49,272
565,900
565,900|Restricted
funds
£
1,297
-
1,297
-
18,849
18,849
-
18,849
20,146
20,146|2024
Total
funds
£
3,293
514,632
517,925
2,500
72,904
75,404
(7,283)
68,121
586,046
586,046
565,900
20,146
586,046|2023
Total
funds
£
-
537,135
537,135
300
44,748
45,048
(4,500)
40,548
577,683
577,683
557,268
20,415
577,683|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||
|||||||
|||||||
|||||||
|||||||
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ……..10[th] July 2024 ................ and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. Mrs D R Flint - Trustee
............................................. Mr D Clark - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 16
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.
## **Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions**
The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':
- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
- the requirement of paragraph 3.17(d);
- the requirements of paragraphs 11.42, 11.44, 11.45, 11.47, 11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c);
- the requirements of paragraphs 12.26, 12.27, 12.29(a), 12.29(b) and 12.29A;
- the requirement of paragraph 33.7.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
- Equipment - 3 years straight line
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Page 17
continued...
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discount due.
## **Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and 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.
## **Financial instruments**
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
## **2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**
|Social lotteries
Christmas Card
**3.**
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
Deposit account interest
Harris Allday Income||
|---|---|
## **4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Trustees' expenses**
Trustee expenses of £17 were reimbursed for the year ended 31 March 2024. (2023: £nil).
## **5. STAFF COSTS**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
|Staff employed|2024
3|2023
2|
|---|---|---|
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Page 18
continued...
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**6.**
**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
Unrestricted
funds
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
6,546
Other trading activities
1,006
Investment income
23,860
**Total**
31,412
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
6,183
**Charitable activities**
General
47,510
**Total**
53,693
Net gains/(losses) on investments
(41,331)
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
(63,612)
**Transfers between funds**
550
**Net movement in funds**
(63,062)
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
620,330
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
557,268
**7.**
**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
**COST**
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 April 2023
Charge for year
At 31 March 2024
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023|Restricted
Total
funds
funds
£
£
550
7,096
-
1,006
43
23,903
593
32,005
-
6,183
-
47,510
-
53,693
-
(41,331)
593
(63,019)
(550)
-
43
(63,019)
20,372
640,702
20,415
577,683
Equipment
£
1,898
4,940
6,838
1,898
1,647
3,545
3,293
-|
|---|---|
Page 19
continued...
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **8. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS**
|**FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS**||
|---|---|
||Listed|
||investments|
||£|
|**MARKET VALUE**||
|At 1 April 2023|537,135|
|Additions|240,941|
|Disposals|(271,784)|
|Revaluations|8,340|
|At 31 March 2024|514,632|
|**NET BOOK VALUE**||
|At 31 March 2024|514,632|
|At 31 March 2023|537,135|
91.04% of the investment value is held within the UK. The remainder is held in overseas investments. Cost or valuation at 31 March 2024 is represented by:
|Valuation in 2024
Cost
**9.**
**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Prepayments and accrued income
**10.**
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Taxation and social security
Other creditors|Listed
investments
£
44,090
470,542
514,632
2024
2023
£
£
2,500
300
2024
2023
£
£
223
-
7,060
4,500
7,283
4,500|
|---|---|
Included within other creditors is deferred income of £5,500, in respect of grant funding received during this financial year for projects to be undertaken in the year ended 31 March 2025. This income will be released in full in the financial year ended 31 March 2025.
In the year ended 31 March 2023, other creditors included deferred income of £4,500, which has been released in full in the year ended 31 March 2024.
Page 20
continued...
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Designated - Sheila Whitley Fund
**Restricted funds**
Living Well with Sight Loss Fund
See Hear Exhibition Fund
Sheila Whitley Fund
Tech Service
**TOTAL FUNDS**
Net movement in funds, included in the above
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Designated - Sheila Whitley Fund
**Restricted funds**
Living Well with Sight Loss Fund
See Hear Exhibition Fund
Tech Service
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**Comparatives for movement in funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**Restricted funds**
Living Well with Sight Loss Fund
See Hear Exhibition Fund
Sheila Whitley Fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**
General fund|At 1.4.23
£
557,268
-
557,268
600
19,491
324
-
20,415
577,683
are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
85,293
708
86,001
1,500
332
4,870
6,702
92,703
At 1.4.22
£
600
19,449
323
20,372
640,702
620,330|Net
movement
in funds
£
13,781
457
14,238
(3,950)
(642)
-
(1,283)
(5,875)
8,363
Resources
expended
£
(79,853)
(251)
(80,104)
(5,450)
(974)
(6,153)
(12,577)
(92,681)
Net
movement
in funds
£
-
42
551
593
(63,019)
(63,612)|Transfers
between
At
funds
31.3.24
£
£
(5,930)
565,119
324
781
(5,606)
565,900
3,350
-
-
18,849
(324)
-
2,580
1,297
5,606
20,146
-
586,046
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
8,341
13,781
-
457
8,341
14,238
-
(3,950)
-
(642)
-
(1,283)
-
(5,875)
8,341
8,363
Transfers
between
At
funds
£
31.3.23
£
-
600
-
19,491
(550)
324
(550)
20,415
-
577,683
550
557,268|
|---|---|---|---|
Page 21
continued...
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
||Incoming|Resources|Gains and|Movement|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|losses|in funds|
||£|£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**|||||
|General fund|31,412|(53,693)|(41,331)|(63,612)|
|**Restricted funds**|||||
|See Hear Exhibition Fund|42|-|-|42|
|Sheila Whitley Fund|551|-|-|551|
||593|-|-|593|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|32,005|(53,693)|(41,331)|(63,019)|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Designated - Sheila Whitley Fund
**Restricted funds**
Living Well with Sight Loss Fund
See Hear Exhibition Fund
Sheila Whitley Fund
Tech Service
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1.4.22
£
620,330
-
620,330
600
19,449
323
-
20,372
640,702|Net
movement
in funds
£
(49,831)
457
(49,374)
(3,950)
(600)
551
(1,283)
(5,282)
(54,656)|Transfers
between
funds
£
(5,380)
324
(5,056)
3,350
-
(874)
2,580
5,056
-|At
31.3.24
£
565,119
781
565,900
-
18,849
-
1,297
20,146
586,046|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 22
continued...
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|
above are as follows:|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Incoming|Resources|Gains and|Movement|
||resources|expended|losses|in funds|
||£|£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**|||||
|General fund|116,705|(133,546)|(32,990)|(49,831)|
|Designated - Sheila Whitley Fund|708|(251)|-|457|
||117,413|(133,797)|(32,990)|(49,374)|
|**Restricted funds**|||||
|Living Well with Sight Loss Fund|1,500|(5,450)|-|(3,950)|
|See Hear Exhibition Fund|374|(974)|-|(600)|
|Sheila Whitley Fund|551|-|-|551|
|Tech Service|4,870|(6,153)|-|(1,283)|
||7,295|(12,577)|-|(5,282)|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|124,708|(146,374)|(32,990)|(54,656)|
## **Designated Funds**
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. In 2023, this fund was treated as a restricted fund, however the board have confirmed that this amount is unrestricted and should be designated for use as noted.
## **Restricted Funds**
The Living Well with Sight Loss Fund provided by the local eye health network and the Spectacle Makers Charity enables visually impaired people to access information about all areas impacted by Sight Loss.
The See Hear Exhibition Fund are funds held on behalf of the exhibition to fund future events.
The Tech Service provides visually impaired people with training opportunities to make best use of digital devices focussing on accessibility.
## **12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £544 (2023: £321) Contributions totalling £120 (2023: £nil) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date.
Page 23
continued...
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
During the year, the charity received donations from Trustees totalling £60. (2023: £nil).
During the year, payments of £3,750 were made to Arwyn Jones for his role as Charity Director. Arwyn resigned as Director in October 2023 and was appointed as a Trustee of Sight Loss Shropshire on 8th November 2023.
Page 24
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
||2024|2023|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**|||
|**Donations and legacies**|||
|Donations and legacies|48,298|2,096|
|Grants|19,420|5,000|
||67,718|7,096|
|**Other trading activities**|||
|Social lotteries|59|93|
|Christmas Card|1,318|913|
||1,377|1,006|
|**Investment income**|||
|Deposit account interest|354|71|
|Harris Allday Income|23,154|23,832|
||23,508|23,903|
|**Charitable activities**|||
|See Hear Exhibition Income|100|-|
|**Total incoming resources**|92,703|32,005|
|**EXPENDITURE**|||
|**Raising donations and legacies**|||
|Wages|4,350|5,952|
|Pensions|93|-|
|Subcontractors and other staff costs|997|-|
|Postage and stationery|44|47|
|Christmas Cards|936|184|
||6,420|6,183|
|**Charitable activities**|||
|Wages|30,286|23,812|
|Pensions|451|321|
|Subcontractors and other staff costs|18,945|-|
|Postage and stationery|832|896|
|Provision of Equipment|4|1,249|
|Social Groups|1,154|1,062|
|Winters Day Out|9,522|3,467|
|Travel|1,169|158|
|Other Services|3,577|1,030|
|Website|-|120|
|Recruitment & HR|-|5,783|
|Accountancy|-|216|
|Grants for Visually Impaired|1,939|1,629|
|Carried forward|67,879|39,743|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 25
**SIGHT LOSS SHROPSHIRE**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|2024
£
**Charitable activities**
Brought forward
67,879
Living Well with Sight Loss expenses
1,320
Volunteer costs
984
See Hear Exhibition costs
200
Marketing
275
Equipment depreciation
1,647
72,305
**Support costs**
**Finance**
**Other**
Insurance
426
Website, IT and Telecomms
4,297
Other Services
-
Rent of Rooms
486
Accountancy fees
660
Independent Examiners fees
780
Professional fees
865
7,514
Total resources expended
92,681
**Net income/(expenditure) before gains**
**and losses**
22
**Realised recognised gains and losses**
Realised gains/(losses) on fixed asset
investments
8,341
**Net income/(expenditure)**
8,363
Investment charges
6,442|2023
£
39,743
-
-
-
-
-
39,743
375
1,298
358
380
480
-
-
2,891
53,693
(21,688)
(41,331)
(63,019)
4,876|
|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 26