REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 292625
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
for
Compass Braille
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA
Compass Braille
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 7 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 14 |
Compass Braille
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
The trustee, being The Board of the Torch Trust for the Blind (Torch), presents their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025. The trustee has 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
The objects of the charity are to support the work of overseas Christian partner groups and individuals, who work amongst people with visual disabilities with an emphasis on underdeveloped countries and with the object of upholding the Gospel by providing braille resources, primarily Bibles.
Summary of main activities:
The principal activities of the charity are:
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The production of Braille, including development and preparation of computer software and the transcription of various languages into the Braille format.
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Mini-braille library projects supported by our Special Bible Fund provide rural house churches in India with Braille. Each mini library consists of 10 Braille Bible portions chosen by the group for use in Bible Studies. When and where appropriate additional portions are added.
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The transcription of Bibles into Giant Print in various languages in digital format only.
Policy on grant making and programme related investment:
Compass Braille is not in a position to make grants. They continue to send their Braille free of charge to the end user.
Contribution made by volunteers:
The charity gratefully acknowledges the contribution made by its volunteers in the preparation of the Braille portions: cutting, binding, labelling and packaging of books and Bible portions. It is estimated that they give 25-27 hours/week to this. Their valued help enables Compass Braille to produce large quantities of Braille each year. Outside volunteers (usually overseas) proofread sample Braille to check for errors.
Trustees/Staff/Volunteers:
The sole trustee of Compass Braille is the Board of The Torch Trust for the Blind (Torch) which, on 30th September 2025, had a chair and seven directors. Compass Braille has one staff member who handles transcription remotely. Production is outsourced to Torch and a team of six committed volunteers.
Page 1
Compass Braille
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Production of braille Bibles and books:
In 2024-25, Compass Braille had a steady stream of orders for braille Bibles and booklets. Over twelve months, they produced 7,091 braille volumes of which 6,233 were Bible volumes and 858 were booklets containing Scriptures on themes.
So far, they have transcribed the Bible and other books into braille in more than 60 languages for use in various parts of the world. During this financial year they completed transcribing the Bible into braille into 3 new languages: Ndebele for Zimbabwe, Lusoga for Uganda and Asante Twi for Ghana. For each new language a launch event was held in the recipient country, organised by the national Bible Society there. Each event included visually impaired people reading from the new braille Bibles and giving testimonies of the beneficial impact of the Bible in braille. These were occasions of much rejoicing and thanksgiving to God, with church leaders and national press in attendance.
Compass Braille employee, Jake Kyle, was invited to attend the launch of the Lusoga Braille Bible in Uganda in January 2025. This coincided with a summit organised by the Bible Society of Uganda whose aim was to increase Scripture engagement for visually impaired people. Also present were representatives from 12 African nations. It was a useful time of learning from one another and building relationships.
Transcription was also completed for two Spanish braille Bible projects: the Reina Valera version which is being produced by Christian Library for the Blind in the Netherlands and the deuterocanonical books of the more modern "Dios Habla Hoy" (God Speaks Today) version which is being produced in Brazil. Work continued on transcribing the Urdu Bible into braille.
Transcription was completed on the giant print versions of the Good News Bible in 24 pt font and the King James Version in 25 pt and 30 pt.
Compass Braille have continued to develop their Braille transcription program which has improved efficiency and accuracy and reduced overall transcription costs. Developing templates for Giant Print transcription was part of this.
Compass Braille are a licensed member of the Digital Bible Library, as part of their partnership with the United Bible Societies, and this involves ongoing transcription work. They continue to update their transcription software to handle the new languages and layouts.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Policy statement on Reserves:
The Torch reserves policy is three months' average expenditure, and Compass Braille's balance sheet shows more than that at the 30th September 2025 year end.
Principal sources of funds:
Compass Braille's funds come mainly from United Bible Societies (UBS) who part-fund and facilitate the braille projects of local Bible societies in poorer countries. Compass Braille also receives UK donations from individual supporters, church groups, grant-making bodies and legacies. They do not run fundraising campaigns, nor do they use any funds to engage professional fundraisers or commercial participants. They do have a website, and they produce a quarterly newsletter to raise awareness of their needs. They occasionally approach grant-making bodies for support of new projects or new equipment. Income from legacies bequeathed by supporters improves their financial position. They occasionally receive financial gifts when staff/volunteers give talks about the charity in churches or at social groups, but this is less common now.
They also have their own projects, such as Mini Braille Libraries and Braille for individuals or small groups who have no Bible Society support in their area, to which people can/have donate(d).
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Compass Braille
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Type of governing document: Trust deed
How the charity is constituted: Declaration of Trust
Trustee selection methods: Appointed by existing trustees
Organisational structure:
The trustee, being The Board of The Torch Trust for the Blind, has delegated management of Compass Braille to Torch staff, in particular the Ceo, the Head of Technical Services and the Head of Finance and Operations. They report to the Board on progress. The Board meets four times per year. Compass Braille has only one employee, their full-time Transcription Specialist.
Partnerships/Relationship with related parties:
Compass Braille works in partnership with the United Bible Society(UBS) Helpdesk for People with Visual Disability based in Germany. UBS collaborate with many Bible Societies around the world and facilitate Braille provision. These Bible Societies then distribute Braille portions on behalf of Compass Braille. Compass Braille also partners with other overseas Mission Groups who run projects in their countries, particularly those working in Outreach, Education, Vocational Training, Community Healthcare and Healthcare Awareness.
Consideration of major risks:
The charity recognises that, having one main partner and only a few smaller partner groups, their ability to function is dependent on these groups so they continue to seek new partnerships and add new languages. The website and quarterly newsletters have helped to increase the number of enquiries which can lead to the production of Braille for new countries or new language areas. One of Compass Braille's unique strengths is that they are the only group in the UK (and worldwide) who transcribe and produce the Braille Bible, with its complex layout, in so many languages. Their press is fully computerised, allowing them to produce Braille in small or large quantities in any language.
Prior to the move to Torch House in 2023, the need to dissolve the charity due to greatly increased lease costs was a serious risk. The charity still does not own any property of its own. However, being housed in facilities owned by Torch offers considerable security.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
292625
Principal address
Torch House Torch Way Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 9HL
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Compass Braille
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
Trustees
Trustee : The Board of The Torch Trust for the Blind.
The Board had five members on 1st October 2024. Three new ones were added in the course of the year. The eight members of the Board as at 30th September 2025 are as follows: Anthony (Tony) Brown (Chair of Trustees) Marilyn Baker Ife Akintunde Sheila Armstrong Brian Anderson Edith Townsend Philip Rice Trevor Stammers
Chief Executive/Oversight
Compass Braille's oversight is delegated to staff at Torch: CEO Sarah Dawkins, Head of Technical Services, Paul Wood, and Head of Finance and Operations, Linda Prickett.
Independent Examiner
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA
Bankers
Lloyds Bank PLC Fore Street Okehampton EX20 1HJ
Approved by order of the board of The Torch Trust for the Blind on 19 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Anthony (Tony) Brown-Chair of Trustees
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Compass Braille
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Compass Braille
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Compass Braille (the Trust) for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA
Date: 14 April 2026
Page 5
Compass Braille
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 24,113 Charitable activities Braille production 84,783 Investment income 2 96 Total 108,992 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 275 Charitable activities Braille production 79,465 Support costs 7,470 Total 87,210 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 21,782 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 45,590 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 67,372 |
Year Ended 30.9.25 Restricted Total funds funds £ £ - 24,113 - 84,783 - 96 - 108,992 - 275 - 79,465 - 7,470 - 87,210 - 21,782 - 45,590 - 67,372 |
Period 1.4.23 to 30.9.24 Total funds £ 41,046 105,496 756 147,298 - 171,920 4,124 176,044 (28,746) 74,336 45,590 |
|---|---|---|
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Compass Braille
Balance Sheet
30 September 2025
| 30.9.25 | 30.9.24 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |||
| funds | funds | funds | funds | |||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| FIXED ASSETS | ||||||
| Tangible assets | 7 | 9,423 | - | 9,423 | 12,564 | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||
| Stocks | 8 | 11,370 | - | 11,370 | 10,300 | |
| Debtors | 9 | 7,014 | - | 7,014 | 502 | |
| Cash at bank | 46,479 | - | 46,479 | 47,335 | ||
| 64,863 | - | 64,863 | 58,137 | |||
| CREDITORS | ||||||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 10 | (6,914) | - | (6,914) | (25,111) | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 57,949 | - | 57,949 | 33,026 | ||
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 67,372 | - | 67,372 | 45,590 | ||
| NET ASSETS | 67,372 | - | 67,372 | 45,590 | ||
| FUNDS | 11 | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 67,372 | 45,590 | ||||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 67,372 | 45,590 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees of the Torch Trust for the Blind and authorised for issue on 1 April 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
Anthony (Tony) Brown- Chair of Trustees
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
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.
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 - 25% on reducing balance
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
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.
continued...
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Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
| INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| Period | ||
| 1.4.23 | ||
| Year Ended | to | |
| 30.9.25 | 30.9.24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Interest | 96 | 756 |
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No trustees' remuneration was paid during the year as the trustee is a charity.
In the period ended 30 September 2024, remuneration was paid to a trustee, G A Dowling (£8,145), and family members related to G A Dowling as follows:
C P Dowling, also a member of key management personnel, received remuneration of £14,915.
N A Dowling received remuneration totalling £14,706.
R J Dowling received remuneration totalling £18,320.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30 September 2025 nor for the period ended 30 September 2024.
4. STAFF COSTS
Staff costs incurred by the charity were as follows:
| Gross Wages Employer's National Insurance Pension costs Total |
Year ended 30.9.25 £ 30,031 - 897 £30,928 |
Period 1.4.23 to 30.9.24 £ 97,370 - 1,309 |
|---|---|---|
| £98,679 |
The average number of full and part-time staff employed by the charity was as follows:
| Period | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | 1.4.23 | |
| ended | to | |
| 30.9.25 | 30.9.24 | |
| Charitable activities | 1 | 3 |
There were no employees whose remuneration exceeded £60,000 (2024: none).
continued...
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Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
| 5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted funds £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 41,046 Charitable activities Braille production 105,496 Investment income 756 Total 147,298 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Braille production 171,920 Support costs 4,124 Total 176,044 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (28,746) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 74,336 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 45,590 6. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION Independent Examiner's remuneration |
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted funds £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 41,046 Charitable activities Braille production 105,496 Investment income 756 Total 147,298 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Braille production 171,920 Support costs 4,124 Total 176,044 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (28,746) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 74,336 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 45,590 6. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION Independent Examiner's remuneration |
Restricted funds £ - - - |
Total funds £ 41,046 105,496 756 147,298 171,920 4,124 176,044 (28,746) 74,336 45,590 Period 1.4.23 to 30.9.24 £ £1,700 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 147,298 171,920 4,124 176,044 (28,746) 74,336 45,590 |
- - - - - - - Year ended 30.9.25 £ £1,700 |
continued...
Page 10
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
| 7. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | |||
| £ | |||
| COST | |||
| At 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025 | 57,821 | ||
| DEPRECIATION | |||
| At 1 October 2024 | 45,257 | ||
| Charge for year | 3,141 | ||
| At 30 September 2025 | 48,398 | ||
| NET BOOK VALUE | |||
| At 30 September 2025 | 9,423 | ||
| At 30 September 2024 | 12,564 | ||
| 8. | STOCKS | ||
| 30.9.25 | 30.9.24 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Stock of paper and packaging | 11,370 | 10,300 | |
| 9. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||
| 30.9.25 | 30.9.24 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade debtors | 5,286 | - | |
| Tax recoverable | 1,083 | 317 | |
| VAT | 645 | 185 | |
| 7,014 | 502 |
continued...
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Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||
|---|---|---|
| 30.9.25 | 30.9.24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Trade creditors | 468 | - |
| Taxation and social security | 396 | 363 |
| Other creditors | 6,050 | 24,748 |
| 6,914 | 25,111 |
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund Special Bible Fund Special Booklet Fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund Special Bible Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Net At movement At 1.10.24 in funds 30.9.25 £ £ £ 36,434 21,820 58,254 6,575 (38) 6,537 2,581 - 2,581 45,590 21,782 67,372 45,590 21,782 67,372 Incoming Resources Movement resources expended in funds £ £ £ 108,492 (86,672) 21,820 500 (538) (38) 108,992 (87,210) 21,782 108,992 (87,210) 21,782 |
|---|---|
continued...
Page 12
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | 30.9.24 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 65,180 | (28,746) | 36,434 |
| Special Bible Fund | 6,575 | - | 6,575 |
| Special Booklet Fund | 2,581 | - | 2,581 |
| 74,336 | (28,746) | 45,590 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 74,336 | (28,746) | 45,590 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 147,298 147,298 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (176,044) (28,746) (176,044) (28,746) |
|---|---|---|
General fund
This represents the general funds of the charity, to be used to further its charitable objectives.
Special Bible Fund
Gifts which donors make specifically to the Special Bible Fund are used for our own projects. Unlike our other projects that are supported through our partnership with the United Bible Societies, these projects are either urgent or fall outside of the normal remit. The purpose is to help smaller overseas groups who only use small amounts of Braille.
Special Booklet Fund
This fund supports the production of Braille Booklets. These consist of 'lifestyle' books, children's story books, health awareness books, etc.
continued...
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Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
During the year, £29,000 in respect of production costs and a contribution to overheads was recharged by the Torch Trust for the Blind, a trustee, to Compass Braille. Expenditure of £2,317 was also paid by the Torch Trust for the Blind on behalf of Compass Braille and reimbursed to them.
At the year end, the outstanding balance due to the Torch Trust for the Blind was £4,173.
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