## **Annual Review 2022-2023** ## The Trust for Deaf Studies The Vassall Centre Gill Avenue Bristol BS16 2QQ Charity Number: 289302 www.deafstudiestrust.org Deaf Studies Trust Annual Review 2022-2023 ## **Chair Report** This is my sixth report as Chair of the Trust. All our Trustee discussions continued to be held on Zoom and Facetime. The impact on the deaf community has not lessened and we are still in uncertain times in regard to deaf community and preservation of deaf culture. There is greater visibility for British Sign Language in the media and public agencies are more likely to offer BSL interpreting. However, there seems to be a widening gap between young people and the older adults. Where attendance at deaf clubs is more difficult and the inclusion that occurred in the past through deaf club activities, may not be reaching young deaf who are more and more likely to be educated in mainstream schools. The sense of ownership of a deaf space as in a club with a heritage has been affected. The prevalence of cochlear implants changes the expectations of families and for the young people. The concept of deafhood now resides in two communities – BSL users and those who need cochlear enhancements to function in a hearing world. We have begun a Lottery funded project with Gloucestershire Deaf Association and the Bristol Centre for Deaf people to interview a targeted sample of deaf people but this is in a very early stage. As usual, I would like to thank Jim Kyle, our secretary, to Esther, our Treasurer and to the Trustees for their continuing efforts. Heather Pender took a sabbatical, but she has been offering a Yoga course for deaf adults. Clark Denmark, Chair, 2023 2 Deaf Studies Trust Annual Review 2022-2023 ## **Secretary’s Report** Deaf Studies Trust is now entering its 40[th] year of activity. In that time, we have contributed to or led, over 50 distinct projects and collected research data on a wide range of topics. Perhaps most significant in recent times has been the focus on the deaf community itself and the health and well-being of that community. While this was an easier topic in 1984 when we started (as the deaf community was defined by its use of BSL and its interactions at deaf clubs throughout the country), things have changed. A much greater percentage of deaf children now attend hearing mainstream schools with varying amounts of interaction with other deaf people and limited interaction in BSL. Understanding this changing experience of life among deaf people has become a priority. We are still determined to document and promote the history of deaf people (starting with the Bristol area in the last 200 years). We have collected a great deal of materials – old texts, diaries, photos, artefacts and videos. This is a medium-term programme and we will need additional funding. The Trust will continue to work closely with deaf children and adults and with agencies who support. Special thanks as always to Esther Drewe who manages our finances and to our Chair, Clark Denmark who shares his enormous experience in all matters to do with the deaf community. Jim Kyle, Secretary 3 Deaf Studies Trust Annual Review 2022-2023 ## **Deaf in the Covid Aftermath** While in theory, the UK has recovered from Covid, many people continue to suffer from loss and ill-health. However, the impact on the deaf community was enormous during the pandemic but almost certainly continues to affect the way in which deaf people can lead their lives. During the pandemic. People were not allowed to congregate (deaf clubs closed down), they had to keep their distance whenever they did meet (so no deaf hugs) and worst of all members of society were meant to wear masks (making lip-reading impossible and seriously upsetting sign language interaction). It is true that these restrictions eased but it appears that the deaf community has not been returned to its previous state. More use has been made of social media and person to person contact happens more often online than in traditional deaf clubs. In a new cooperation, in a Lottery-funded project with the Gloucestershire Deaf Association and the Centre for Deaf People, the Deaf Studies Trust aims to find out about deaf people’s lives now and also to try to project their needs and aspirations over the next five to ten years. The project aims to interview 120 deaf people aged 20 to 80 years old to map their daily lives, to assess the importance of BSL and to analyse the changes which will become more obvious as the older residential deaf-school-educated deaf people are replaced by mainstream young people. The project began in February and will run into 2024. ## **Deaf Schools Athletics Competition again in 2023** Partnering with the Yate Athletics Club Adaptative Athletics group, we organised and ran a full-day athletics competition for 65 deaf young people. Aged from 6 years to 15 years they came from Deaf Schools, and mainstream schools and some attended singly with their parents. We provided activities from the quad-kids programme for younger participants as well as from standard England Athletics events – Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin, and sprinting. We adjusted the events to 4 Deaf Studies Trust Annual Review 2022-2023 suit age and ability. All participants wore numbers, distances were measured, and times were taken in all the races. Results were collated and returned to school and to all those taking part. The competition was arranged at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex which has all the regular facilities for track and field events. Leading up to the competition day we provided weekly training for participants from the deaf schools – in preparation for the main day. On the England Athletics 9-point scale of progress, some of the performances could be rated at bronze, silver and gold and two were even at the elite level. There are potential competitive athletes in the group. Perhaps unknown is that there is no deaf participation in ParaAthletics (long story dating back to the 1920s and it is very hard for deaf children to join regular athletics clubs due to differing communication needs. For most of the participants this was a rare opportunity to be on a track, to wear competition numbers and to have their events managed and timed by qualified England Athletics Officials. The event was a great success and is to be repeated in 2023. For the Deaf Studies Trust there has to be uniqueness in the initiative also the collection of data on the interaction of the deaf participants. Given the post-covid period, the participating levels are very important and in terms of research, they can be monitored from year to year. ## **Deaf Yoga** As part of the DST agenda to intervene to support deaf people’s health and well-being, we offered a ten week yoga class at the Vassall Centre. The purpose was to offer deaf participants, a signing approach to yoga exercises. Initially successful and well attended, there was a gradual drop off as we realised that the timing and the location were not ideal for participants. We are now seeking a different approach perhaps linking it with other activities which will occupy a longer session period. As a result of our earlier research work on deaf people’s access to health, DST remains committed to investigating the most effective way to support deaf health and physical wellbeing – Yoga is just one 5 Deaf Studies Trust Annual Review 2022-2023 aspect of this. The other strand of our approach is to train studentdoctors in BSL and in deaf awareness. ## **“Dealing with Deaf”** ## **Training of Second Year Medical Students in the University of Bristol** This continues to be a rewarding and effective programme. Students from the University of Bristol Medial School are provided with an immersive course of three weeks duration. In 2022, this was located at the Vassall Centre with a full day programme of BSL and background lectures based on research work. We continue to use the techniques developed in the Language Skills project, augmented by materials for self-teaching (homework) where the student matches their own signing to that of the doctor (or the patient). Interestingly the course also allows the students to practise remote video consultations with a deaf patient and with an interpreter online. This has become a more common form of interaction during the pandemic when on-site consultation has been considerable reduced. 6 Deaf Studies Trust Annual Review 2022-2023 ## **The Statement of Financial Activities for the Year to 31st March 2023** The financial situation in outline (31st March 2023) is as follows: Balance in the bank of £86k. Last year’s balance was £68k. Income over the year has been from the course for Medical students learning about deaf health and communication in October (£34k). Looking forward, the Trust has plans to work on future activities – We have started the Deaf aftermath of Covid project in conjunction with GDA and CfD Bristol. Medic student training will again take place in Sept – Oct, and continue with the Health & Sports, and Dementia Awareness and this work should generate future projects and thereby, repay any financial investments made. We expect to receive nearly £30k for the medic training in 2023. We have continuing overheads of rent, accounting and website costs amounting around £3.5k per annum. We do not have any pension liabilities and we contract as necessary for different activities. The Trust is in a good financial position at this time. Esther Drewe September 2023 7 Deaf Studies Trust Annual Review 2022-2023 **The Deaf Studies Trust continues to move forward in its work. It succeeds with low overhead margins and does not seek to generate large profits on its work.** **The Deaf Studies Trust strives continuously to make Deaf people’s lives more valued and understood by the society at large.** ## The Trust for Deaf Studies The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ www.deafstudiestrust.org Chair: Clark Denmark Secretary: Jim Kyle Treasurer: Esther Drewe Trustee: Hilary Sutherland Trustee: Mike Gulliver Trustee: Heather Pender 8 Ch•lty no. 289302 The Trust for Deaf Sludies Financial Statements Year Ended 31 st March 2023 FARQUHAR PAlm4ERSHIP LIMITED Chartered 151 Vth1*￿theS Ro•J, Chfton. Brthl 8S8 2RA Thg Trust for Deaf Studles Flnanclal Statsments Y•ar Ended 31st March 2023 Cont•nts Pag• TNste¢8' Annual R8Wt Irthpendent Examlmrts Rewt to ts Trwtee8 statement of FInar￿al A¢llvitie8 Balance Sheot Notsj to the Fln•rKW Statements The Trust for Deaf Studies Trustees, Annual Report Year Ended 31st March 2023 The Trustees present their ￿port and the unaudited financial statements of Ihe charity for the year ended 31st Mar¢h 2023. Relarence and admlnlslratlve delalls Registered charity name The Trust for Oeaf Studies Charity registration no. 289302 Prlnciple office The Vassall Centra, Gill Avenue, Flshponds, Bristol 8S16 2QQ Trusteos and Offlcef• The Iru8tee8 who served thé charity durlng the year were as follows.. Dr H Suth8rtand M Gulliver A C Denmark H A Pender A Glbb8 SKrelary Indep•nd•rt •xamln•r J Kyle R. Bourke ACCA of Farquhar Partnershlp Llmlled Chartered Accountants, 151 Whiteladies Road, Cllfton, Bristol, 8S8 2RA 8tructurn, Gov•m•nce and Managomenl The Trust for Oeaf Studies Is a registered charlty, number 289302 and18 governed by a trust deed. The charity is an unincorporated organlsatlon. established in 1984. When recrulllng new trustees, the board look8 for InOlvldual8 wllh skllls and éxperience whlch are Ilkely lo be of value to Ihe organisatlon. If there Is Ilkely to be support for an appllcanl, Inltl81 contact wlll b8 made wllh the Sndlvldual to ascertain both their suitability and Ihelr interest in a vacancy. ObJectlve• and actlvltl The main objective of the Trust is to Improve communlcation and underslandlng among deaf people and the members of the hearing community by unlocking the potential of the sign language using community and reaching out to hard of hgarlng people. The intention Is to Increa￿ mutual Tespecl and parttcIp8tion. The Trusfs work Is drlven by research with deaf people and ¢onceming their inlerfxe wllh hearlng organisations. families and society as a whole. The Trust carries out this ￿searCh and make5 it avallable lo all. in response lo individual requests and direcuy to groups, In courses, in ¢onferenres arsd workshops and online through our website. The Trust lor Deaf Studle8 Trustees. Annual Report (eortdnuod) Year Ended 31st March 2023 Achl•voment8 and perforniance From Aprfl 2022 to March 2023, allhough we have passed through the Covid period, our office In the va￿11 Centre remains under-used. Partngr m•èttngs have been malnly through thg use ol Zoom. We requested an addlllon81 room and a move of the DST office in ordor lo house lh• archlva materlal but for varfous admlnlslratfv8 reasons at the Vassall Cenlre. the move ha$ not taken place. Thls has 8lgnth¢•ntty delay8d the start of OUT archive deaf hl$tory project. We PM)pe to beg5n later in 2023. We have been able agaln to offer the th[￿-week full tim• Iralnlng for 2nd year medlc 8ludenl# (th16 Uma In 2 block8 in September and OGtoberl. We u8ed a pragramme of orFsilg teaching and l¢¢turo8 Ilnked Into the u$6 of Zoom for 8elf-t68chlng. The outcom88 were excellent and the students gav8 very podlive reports on Ihelr prc8re88. We have ac¢umulated slgnlfficant dalaba8e of vld80 material8 for doGtor-pallent Interactlon whlch we plan to mov• toward8 8 3D formal1888 below). The Doaf schools atNotlcs programme r8•8tarted In June arKI ran weekty up to thè Dèaf Ath￿leS ￿ent. Thlj evonl usèd thè fomat of quad klds (ruTrlumplhfOW) for younger portl¢lpants and the maln8tream England Athletics programme for older partlclp8nts. Over 50 ¢hlldron took part and deaf a8818tant8 made rt feel Ilk• a deaf-focu80d ovenL After a lorvj pgrfod of pTopo881 wrltlng and 8ubm188lon to the Lottery, we w¢r8 abl• lo t*gin W￿rk In January. The alm was to InleNlew 120 de8f people about Ihelr •xperlence8 In ¢ovld and hcAv th• d8Af communty I ttsjoy. We predlct a major 8hlft In tho 8¢tlvhles of deaf people 8ln¢e Ihe earfy 20008. One ol Tw8t•e8. Heath•r Pender rnn • weekly yoga ¢la88 for doaf people... V•hth WaB 8u¢ceB8frJl but numbers of partlclpanl8 were le88 than oxpoctod. Wa are lod(Ing for a diifernnl format. A new oppartunmy aroie In conlurKtlon vllh Bath Unlver81ty to produca new m•dlcal mal•rl•l• through molknn c•ptufe- this may off•r u8 &D vldeo to 118e lor student 8ell-leachlrvJ. Initial pllol wa8 not ￿mpletety sUc￿V￿ful bLrt due to go b8¢k for fvrt￿r trfals. Fln•n¢l•l r•vl The flnanci8181tuatlon18 monltored rogularfy and at the ye8r end by the InJ8te88. Tho charttys free reserv oré rèpra8enl8d by unrestricted lund8. The tru81ee8 belleve the organi881ion's free reserves should be approxlmately three rnontr￿ unreBtrfct¢d •xperKlitura. wthl¢h •qualo1 to £2.000. At the year end the charlty• free reserves weffj £47,204. Th• tN8tO08 d8¢lar• that they havo approved the Irustee8' roport above. 023 JIMK Char n behaff flho ntY8 tru81ees pw2 The Trust for Deaf Studies Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of The Trust for Deaf Studies Year Ended 31st March 2023 Charbty no. 289302 I report on th8 accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2023 set out on pages 4 to 10. Respective ￿PonSIbl11t1es of TNsleos and Independent Examlner The charity's tnjstees are re5ponsibte for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wlth the Charities Act 2011 {"Ihe ACV,). The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for Ihis year under section 144 of the Charit￿$ Act 2011 (the Charibes Act) and that an independent examination 1$ needed. It is my responsibility to= examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow Ihe procedures laid down in the general Direction5 given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145{51{bl of the Charities Act}, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent examlnees statement My examinatKJn was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commlssion. An examination includes a review of the accounting ￿COrdS kept by the ¢harity and a comparison of the a¢¢ounl$ presenled with those records. It a150 includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the 8¢counls. and seeklng explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evtdence that would be required in an audit, and consequentty no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a 'true and fail view and the reE￿ is Ilmited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent oxaminerf8 Statement In connection v￿h my examination. no matter has come to my attentb)n ich gives me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material resp8cL the requirements.. . lo keep aGcounting records in accordance with seGts'on 130 of the Charities Act.. and . lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met.. or to which. in my opinion, attenlton should be drawn in order io enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. R. Boufke ACCA of Farquhar Partnership Limited Chartered Accountsnts. 151 Whiteladies Road. Clifton, Bristol. BS8 2RA page 3 The Trust for Deaf Studles Statement of Flnancial Activities Year Ended 31st March 2023 Unro8trf¢l•d Fund• Rostrlcted Funds Total Fund8 2023 Total Funds 2022 Noto8 In¢omlng Rosourcos From generating fund$". Donal¢ons and legacl8S Chartlable actlvllia$ Other Income Tolal Incomlng ro8our¢o8 34,21XI 34,200 18.333 1.575 34,200 35,775 18,333 Re8our¢o• •xp•nd•d Charllable acttvllles Governance c08ts Total rnsour¢è1 0x￿nded 4.193 720 4,913 12,386 16.579 720 1T.299 16.021 720 16.741 12.386 N•1 In¢omel{expendlthr•) Tran•forn b•tw••n lund• Not mov•m•nt In fund8 (3.3381 21.814 18,476 1,592 10,11 13,338) 21.814 18,476 1,592 R•con¢lll•tlon of fund•: Total lund8 brought fi)n¥ard $0,542 17.240 87,782 66,190 Totsl fvnd• carrlad lo￿0rd 47.204 39,054 86,258 87,782 Thg Statem￿t of Flnanclal ActfvlU88 In¢lud8s all galns and1086e8 In tho year and 88 8 r06uII a $latam8nt ol recogn18ed galns afKI108ses ha8 riot bean pr•Fkgrad. l of th8 abova amount8 relate to ￿n￿nUIng acllvlt￿8. pap4 The Trust for Deaf Studles Balance Sheet Year Ended 31st March 2023 2023 Nol•• Currnnt 8$8•ts Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 86,258 69,065 Nat curront as8•t• 86.258 69,065 Credltars and a¢¢ru•ls 1.283 Tolal as••ts l••1 eurr•nl Ilabllltles 86,258 67,782 Funds of th• Ch•rlty R•slrl¢led Incom8 funds Unr8strlc10d Ino>no funds 39,054 47,204 17,240 50,542 10 Totsl fund¥ 86,258 67,782 These flnand818tstsment8 were 8pprov8d by tho TNstse8 and glgned Ihelr tjehelf by. 20tJ TN8leè ILonated sfjrvkes and l•cilltles Dor￿ad seNices aTrJ fad1￿8 are induded in the SOFA when recaved atthe Val￿ ol tho gift to charity prov¥Jed the value of the grfl can be measured roii8bly. Support costs The charity Ilas Incurred exp*thire o)*. Volunt••r help The value of ary help rec¢Ned is nL* ind￿￿ed n the a(>￿nts iKrt is descrlbed in the tru8iees' onnLHI re￿*¢. The Trust for Deaf Studios Notes to the Flnancial Statements Year Ended 31st March 2023 EXPENOITURE AND LIABILITIES Llablllty rocognltlon Liabilities are recognised ￿ere1118 more likely than not that there is a legal or ¢on8trLKtlvè obugation ommltting the charlty to pay out resources and ts amount of the obligation can be measured wlh reasonabk certainty. Govern•n¢• and support costs Support COSts have been allocated bethpAen govemance co$ls and othw supp(Yt. G0Vemar￿ costs comprise all costs involving public accountsbllty of the tharity and Its compliance with rogulation and good practicè. Support costs incI￿Je ￿ntral fvnction8 and have been allotated to a¢My cost categor¢es cn a basls consistent wlh the use of r8$ources, eg allocating propety costs byfloor am8, or per Ca￿0, Staff costs by the time ynt and other costs bytheir usage. Crgdltorg The charity has creditors vthich a￿ measured at setuwnent amounts less any trade dl8counts. Provlslons for Ilabllltlgs A Irability is measured on recognthon at its historical cost and then subsequenty measwed * the best esllmate of the amount required to Ihe obllgalion at thè reporting date. Value added tax ResourGe$ expended Indude attributa￿8 VAT ￿sCh can not be recovered. ASSETS Tanglble flxed assats for usg by charfty These are ¢apitalised rfthey can be u8ed for more one ￿ar, arvj valued al cosL DèbtorJ Debtors Ilncluding trade debtors and loans recelvablel are measured on inlllal recognilon at setuement amount after ary trade disctyJnl8 or amount advartsd by the charty. Subsequentty. they a￿ measura(I al the cash or other ¢onslderation expected to be received. page T The Trust for Doaf Studles Nots8 to the Flnanclal Statement8 feon*nuodJ Year Ended 31 st March 2023 Analy818 of Incom• Totsl Funds 2023 Tolal Fund• 2022 Unr•8lrlctsd Re•trlcted Fund8 Funds Oonitlons and 1gg•el Donatlons and 91ft8 Charltable •ctlvltles Assè88ment & rèports Grants racelvablo Famlty SPKIrt Coursu Medlcal Studonts Language Skllls Ir¢payment-20221 Sport8 & Health Dgmenlia Awarene8$ BITS Deaf Aw8r•n888 Future Brlght Natlonal Lottery Communlty Fund for D8afStatlon 34,200 34,200 21,800 {6,757} 3,490 Oth•r Inco Other In¢oma Totsl In¢om• 1.575 34,200 35,775 18,333 An•ly•l8 ol •xpondlturn Exp•ndltur• on ¢h*rftablo •¢tlvltl Staff ¢0818 Consullan¢y Rent, rates and ierlke chargol In8uranca Motor and travel Room hlre and L¥>um expen888 ¢ountsncy Telephon• Offlce expense$ Interpreting fees Glfts 8nd gntertalnlng Surwjry 11.899 11,899 610 3,873 8,029 2,042 281 17381 810 1,821 277 277 373 270 373 342 72 730 112 730 727 1,488 510 e15 GovomanGo and Bupport costs Indèpendent Ex8mlnef8 fee8 720 720 720 720 720 720 Total Expendltur• 4.913 12,386 17,299 18,741 The Trust for Deaf Studles Notes to the Financlal Statements (eonJnu•d) Year Ended 31st March 2023 8taff Costs 2023 2022 Wages aro salarfg5 and employer8 NIC SubcontraGtors 11,899 11,699 3,873 3.873 No employees re¢elved empl¢)ya8 benaflts lexcludlng amployer pen8lon c08ts) for the reportlng period ol more than £80,000. no. Average numb8r of employ￿$ In the year Involvad wlth.. Charttable Acllvltle8 Dobtor• and pr•p*ymonts Charflable Debt¢r8 Prepayments Cash at bank •Trd In hand Bank ol Scauand 86,258 Cr•dltor• and a¢¢N•l• Nallonal Lottery Communlty Fund lor Dealstauon 1,283 •trl¢t•d Incom• fund• Balanc• Incornln9 Outgolng 01.¢M.22 mourco• mource• Balan¢• 31.03.23 Tr•n•f•rn Famlly Project Short Cours0$ Medlcal Students Sports & Health Demanlia Awarenes$ Nellonal Lottery Communlty Fund for Deafstallon 141 16,068 1.228 141 39,785 {875} 34,200 110,483} 11,903) 198 17.240 198 39.054 12.388 Bank Interest 34,200 10. Vnr•strlctod Incom• lunds General fvnds 50,542 4,913 47,204 The Trust for Deaf Studies Notes to the Flnancial Statsm•nts Year Ended 31st March 2023 11. Trnnsferg between fvnd8 Transfers bthen lunds represent th• movement of rex*urces In line wlh conditions relatlng to the re8pecb.ve grants received. 12. TTansNGtlons vAth rel•ted partles 2023 2022 Name of trustae or relat•d paty Legal aUth￿lty H SLrtherland. Trustee Teaching. leGturing. consultancy and expenses Trust D8 25 M Gulliver, Trusleè Teaching, WurlrKJ. consuttanGy and expens0S Trust Deed A C 08nmark. Trustse Teaching, le¢turing. consultary and expenses Trust Dead 1,098 H A P¢rKler. Trustee Teathing. lecturtng. consultancy and eynses Trust Deed 413 40 A Gibbs, Twstee Teaching, ieGturing. consultan¢y and experffjes Trust Deed pago 10