Registered Charity No: 504774 DONCASTER AND DISTRICT DEAF SOCIETY REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
DONCAsfER AND DISTiucf DEAF SOCIETY REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 CONTENTS Page Legal and Admlnlstrative Information Trustees, Report Independent Examiner's Report ReIpts & Payments Account 10 Statement of Assets and Liabilities 11 Notes to the Financial Statements 12-14 Page 2
DONCASTER AND DISTRICT DEAF socIrrY LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Full Name: DONCASTER AND DISTRICT DEAF SOCIETY Reglstered Charity Number: 504774 Contact Address: Deaf Community Centre Milton Walk St James Street Doncaster DNI 3QG Trustees: Mark Tolson Georgina Cook Susan Cobb Mary Jones Pauline Dunn Management Committee: Mark Tolson - Chair Simon Tacey - Vice Chair Pauline Dunn- Secretaryttreasurer Georgina Cook Patricia Raikes Lisa Aithwaite Rebecca Walls - NHS R-Dash Cllr Jane Kidd Cllr David Nevett Karen Holdsworth Bankers: Uoyds Bank 55 High Street Doncaster DNI IBH Independent Examiner: stephanie Tolson Community Accountant BCVS Services 23 Queens Road Barnsley S71 IAN Page 3
DONCASTER AND DISTRICT DEAF SOCIETY TRUSTEES. REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year endlng 31 March 2024. Structurei governance and management Doncaster and Distrlct Deaf Society is an unincorporated charlty, registered wSth the Charity Commission on 2nd February 1976 and governed by Its constitution adopted 4th March 1974, and amended on the 1st October 2016. The affairs of the charity are managed by the Management Committee, who may exercise all the powers of the charity. Appointment of trustees In accordance with the ternis of the constitution, members of the Society can only be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting. The trustees and Management Committee who served during the year are shown on page 3 of this report. Membership of the Society shall be open to any person who is totally deaf or hard of hearing and has paid the annual subscription fees. Hearing people and those interested in the welfare of the deaf a welcome subjett to approval of the Committee. The Deaf Society advertise through local community channels for skilled professional people and by word of mouth. We look for both deaf and hearing volunteers who have a keen InteSt in the worl(ings and ethos of Society and the Deaf Community we proudly serve, who can offer their skills and professionalism and loyalty. Preferable, but not essential, that interested hearing people have knowledge of British Sign Language and be deaf aware. Prospettive Trustees will show a genuine interest in promoting the Deaf Society and deaf BSL User community in Doncaster and to leam and develop BSL skills themselves. Interested Trustees wlll be dedicated to the work and development of the Deaf Society borough wide, the Deaf Community, Deaf Culture, its Language and willing advocate the Rights of Deaf people living in Doncaster. Charitable aims and objectives The objects of the charity are: To promote the welfare of Deaf people in any manner which is now or hereafter may be deemed by the Law in England and Wales to be charitable wlthln the new Metropolltan District of Doncaster. Publlc benefit In shaping the objertives for the year, the trustees have paid due regard to the public benefit guidance publlshed by the Charlty Commission. The trustees consider that all activities as outllned In thls report meet the public benefit requlrement. The Doncaster & Distritt Deaf Society is a dedlcated autonomous, volunteer third settor, BSL User organisation, that successfully, serves the Doncaster deaf communlty. Page 4
DONCAsfER AND DISTRIcf DEAF SOCIETY TRUSTEES. REPORT continued YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Society is managed by BSL User volunteers who make every effort to serve the Doncaster deaf community in advocating deaf rlghts and work alongside service providers and BSL Users to remove barrlers to prevent loneliness, isolation and exclusion, The Society works valiantly in both deaf and hearlng worlds to promote equality, empowerment, social inclusion, health and wellbeing for the benefit of the Doncaster Deaf BSL User Community Borough-wide it proudly serves. The untiring work of the Society is unlque and recognised by professional organisations, serwice providers and Britlsh Slgn Language Users as a central BSL Hub point of contact. Professional advice and support is provided through the Society's advice and information ntre and Monday morning support from Doncaster Council's Sensory Team. The Society liaised with Citizens Advice and secUd funding for the training and employment of a BSL Advisor. The Society is the uMblIa to diligently oversee the smooth running of its five dedicated deaf volunteer groups namely; Happy Goldies OAP Club, Social Club/ Sewing Craft Lunch Club, Leisure Club, Happy Hands Play Group and Drama Group. Each club/gmup provides a variety social activities covering all ages, abilities and disabilities for Doncaster's BSL deaf community to benefit; primarily focussing on mental health & wellbeing and quality of life of the BSL User in Doncaster as its priority. Communication is British Sign Language and the Society strives and succeeds to maintain deaf culture and its language. through its BSL User vibrant Groups. A variety of indoor and outdoor activities are organised, suitable for the deaf community, all ages, Whe social interattion and companionship is enjoyed Bingo, tombola, raffle, quizzes, DVD nights, Easter. Halloween, Christmas and New Year parties, birthday parties, children's activities, drama workshops and themed events. The OAP & Social Club provide hot and cold snacks, with a variety of tasty food for its members as many live alone and isolated because of their deafness. The Leisure Club runs food & drink Café and sweet shop for adults and children's activities Activities and events are all inclusive suitable for wheelchair users, members with leaming difficulties and mental health issues. January this year, the Society set up arrangements with Happy Hands playgroup to have monthly visits from health visitors and play care workers. Outdoor group/club activities are day and weekend trips, visits to local theatres for BSL signed performances are organi*d. Fundraising events are always popular with lots of family fun, allowing young and old to Join in annual artivities. To malntain a high stsndard of BSL interpreting at theat performances, the Society is active in relaying both positive and constructive feedback to theatres, thus making sure BSL User, adults, young people and children enjoy performan5 on par with hearing counterparts. For mental Health, well-being and companionship two successful, well attended tutorial Christmas Craft 2023 activities were organlsed Page 5
DONCASTER AND DISTRICT DEAF SOCIErY TRusfEES' REPORT continued YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Review of the maln achlevements during the year The Deaf Society worked closely with NHS Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching hospltals, Primary Care Health professionals and Doncaster Wellbeing board to improve the quality of health services of concern, includlng GP and dental surgeries, and audiology issues withln the BSL User Doncaster borough Dlgltsl Inclusion relating to health services is a challenge for the most vulnerable BSL Users including digital poverty, in particular the additlonal needs of the very elderly have been addressed. The past year has been a year of positive progress, important informatlon gathering and feedback, involving face to face meetings with BSL Users and health professionals at the deaf community centre. Some aspects were not easy listening, but prepared a vital action plan for the ensuing year. Regular, essential, contatt with Clarion BSL Interpreter Services CEO, to improve and maintain quality interpreting services, culminated with a BSL psentatIOn at the Deaf Community Centre highlighting positive and negative progress. The Society highlighted issues BSL parents experiences and worked with Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teachlng hospitals and Maternity & Neonatal Voices partnerships, to identify gaps in maternity services. Culminating in forty four South Yorkshire maternity staff learning British Sign Language. Visits to Doncaster Hospital new birthing unit to give advice on eouipment needed for BSL User parents. Their advice, including BSL welcome signs and baby monitors in cots linked to a vibration pager for deaf mums to know when their baby needs attention whilst staying in hospital maternity wards, was well received. Additionallyi working with Doncaster Council family hubs, Happy Hands parents now have monthly supported visits in British Sign Language with Community Health Visitor and play Ca worker. Working at thls high level of health professlonals and covering equallty in health services has been a great achievement and breakthrough for the Doncaster deaf community to benefit long term. Working with Voluntary Action Doncaster the Society organised a very successful, much needed, seven week BSL digital learning course and access to the NHS App. Each learner was given a free tablet to kick start learning and a reconditioned laptop at the end of the course. The society have been proud to work with Citizens Advice to improve aCsS to their services on advice and information in British Sign Language on a one to one basis, which has been lacking for years. The Society were able to support financially by negotiating to hand over the Society's £35,000 successful funding project, to where it was most needed, for Doncaster Citizens Advlce to employ a BSL User Advlsor to the deaf BSL Community livlng In all Doncaster's twenty one Wards. Thls was seen as a great breakthrough to serve the Doncaster deaf BSL User community, enabling access to one to one prlvate and confidential information and support wlthout a third party interpreter present. Page 6
DONCAsfER AND DIsriucr DEAF SOCIETY TRUSTEES. REPORT continued YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Other recent successful funding applications during the past year have been:_ l. Rotary for Happy Hands baby and early years development sensory toys 2. Well Doncaster for publlcity, advertlslng and marketing equlpment and materials. We a now able to attend community networking events to promote British Sign Language and Deaf Culture to benefit communities 3. National Lottery funding to set up a children and young people's Saturday bi-lingual Board Game Café for children and siblings of the Doncaster deaf community ages 8- 18 years for social fun and mentsl health and wellbelng. The Soclety worked wih LNER for BSL access at railway stations stsrting with trials at Doncaster Railway Station. Five of our BSL Users had several meetings with LNER staff and gave invaluable advice using train services travelling either as an elderly person, single person or family traveller with young children. The trials were sucSsful and digital 'Sign Apse. BSL interpreting is now shown on all Doncaster Station information boards as equal access to information. The system will now be used at other railway stations around the country for BSL Users to benefit. A remarkable state of the art achievement. The Charlvs policy on reserves The trustees cognISe the need to keep reserves at a level which will ensure that the charity can contlnue to operate in the event of unforeseen arising. The trustees consider that it is prudent to hold reserves of at least £5,000 as a "rainy day- reserve. The Society's insurance policy also ensures continuity of activities and social gatherings ft)r BSL Users living in Doncaster should alternative premises need to be sought if the building is deemed unusable due to fire or mallcious attacks, until repairs or rebuild is completed. At the year end the general reserve stands at £6,405 (2023: £5,419) which meets this requirement. Related Partles The trustees consider that there are no related parties to the charlty. Trustees responsibilities for the financial statements The trustees are sponSible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financlal positlon of the charlty at any time and enable the trustees to prepare financial ststements for each financial year. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities. Page 7
DONCASTER AND DISTRZCT DEAF SOCIETY TRUSTEES, REPORT continued YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Flnanclal Posltion The financial statements are set out in pages 10 to 14. The Receipts and Payments Account shows a surplus at the year end of £19,610 (2023: deficit of £361). Total funds of the charity at year-end stand at £28,654 (2023:£9,044). The trustees declare that they have approved the report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees.. Signed: Date: 9th April 202S Mark Tolson, Chair Page 8
DONCASTER AND DisfRIcf DEAF SOCIETY INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 I report on the accounts of the charity, which are set out on pages 10 to 14. Respective responsibllltles of trustees and examiner The charlty's trustees are responsible for the preparatlon of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year, under section 144 (2) of the Charities Att 2011 (the 2011 Art) and that an independent examination Is needed. It is my responsibillty to: examlne the accounts, under section 145 of the 2011 Att; follow the procedures laid down In the general directions given by the Charity Commlssioners under settion 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and state whether partlcular 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 Commission. 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 conmIng 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: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting COrdS. in accordance with sertion 130 of the 2011 Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting qUirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or 2. to which, in my oplnion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Slgned Date: 9th April 2025 Stephanie Tolson Community Accountsnt. BCVS Services, 23 Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 IAN Page 9
DONCASTER AND DisfRIcf DEAF SOCIETY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 U937 U997 275 Rojn Flre 275 T(tsl 997 9KIJI 746 746 Lkiliti 1,721 791 I,T21 791 1,213 1,173 744 PrnalLRrxl & rr 21J) PLtIts &Tri 2,374 528 455 216 216 926 9,2 (2,437) 5,419 3,423 19,610 (361) 9,405 (3,423) Page 10
OONCASTeR AND DIsfRIcf DEAF SOCIETY STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LZABILITIES AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 2023 28,654 Cash in hand ¥654 A list of assets retalnEd for the Chaliti uqe is induded in rK)te 8 of the accounts (page 14) IrEuraTre ppaKI 257 1,075 257 1.075 Llabilitles: £ntarY Fee The trustees declare that they have approved the accounts above. Signed on behalf of the charlty's trustees: Date: 9th April 2025 Pauline Dunn, Treasurer Page 11
DONCASTER AND DISTRIcf DEAF SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 l. Accounting policies aration of the accounts The flnancial statements have been prepared on a Receipts & Payments basis which summarises the movement of cash in and out of the organisation. In this context 'cash' includes cash equlvalents, such as bank accounts where cash can be readily available to pay debts as they fall due. This format of accounts Is available to non-company charities with gross annual income of £250,000 or less. Classific ti f inc me&ex endlture Income and expenditure has been analysed in the accounts using natural classification. The charity maintains an unrestricted fund which represents funds which are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Unrestricted funds may arise from general donations, grants of a general nature, fees for service provision and payment for service delivery contracts. Restricted funds may be provided to the charity for particular purposes and may only be spent for the purposes for which they were given. Any balance remainlng outstanding on a restricted fund at the end of the year is carried forward as a balance on the fund, unless permission has been given by the funder to remove the restriction on the balance outstanding. Restricted fvnds will arise from grants and donations given to the charity for specific purposes. Doncaster and District Deaf Society is a registered charity and is exempt from UK corporation tax on income from its charitable activities. 2. Trustee payments, benefits and expenses There were no payments, remuneration or benefits to trustees during the period, other than out of pocket expenses that were reasonably incurred by trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity. 3. Related Party Transactlons No payments were made to related parties during the perlod. 4. Premises The land for the charity's premlses Is provlded by the local authority on a leasehold basis. The bullding's freehold is owned by the charity. Page 12
DONCASTER AND DISTRIcf DEAF SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 5. Grants & Donations 2024 Total Unrestrlcted Restrirted 2023 DMBC Ward Councillor J Kearsley Liz & Tery Brammall Foundation National Lottery ccrv grant SYFAB - NHS Focus Group Voluntary Artion Doncaster Covld Sodexo Catering Chanel 3 TV DMBC Rotary Club Happy Hands Voluntsry Artion Doncaster Broadband DMBC Well Doncaster A4A Lottery Board Game Cafe Funeral Donations Social Club QAP Happy Goldies group DDLC Citizens Advice Bureau Various small donations Total 528 5,000 1,366 200 750 200 200 254 494 3,030 19,219 254 494 3,030 19,219 616 250 300 593 loo 616 250 300 593 loo 37 8,281 1.864 22,997 24,861 6. Fund Analysi5 Openlng balance Fund Receipts Payments Transfers Closlng balance Unrestrlcted funds General Fund 5,419 2,539 (4,976) 3,423 6,405 (4.976 3.423 6,405 Restricted funds DMBC Ward Cllr Budget DMBC Cultural & Leisure Trust SYFAB Covid Recovery A4A Lottery Fund Voluntary Action Doncaster DMBC Well Doncaster Rotary Club Happy Hands (20) (164) 188 20 164 (188) (2) 19,219 494 3,030 254 19,219 202 {696) 3,417 (3,417) 3,030 (254) (950 TOTAL FUNDS 9,044 25,536 (5,926) 28,654 Page 13
DONCASTER AND DISTRICT DEAF SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 7. Restricted Funds and transfers A4A National Lottery- a grant of £19,219 was recelved to fund a Board Game Café. This grant Is spent In the followlng flnancial year. DMBC Well grant - a grant of £3,030 was received for marketing and advertising materials. This grant is carried forward to the following financlal year. Rotary Club - A £254 grant was recelved and spent in the year, for sensory toys for the Happy Hands Group. Voluntary Attion Doncaster - A £494 grant was received to cover broadband costs to facilitate a computer course. Fund Transfers - A number of fund transfers between Stricted and unrestricted funds were made to close some previous grant pots that had been fully spent and accounted for. 8. Assets Retained for the Charity's Own Use Building with estimated value of £lOO,000 Equipmenvcomputer approx. value £4,764 Furniture approx. value £7,647 Vacuum Cleaner £140 Page 14