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
Re￿Ipts & 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
Inte￿St 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 secU￿d funding for the training and
employment of a BSL Advisor.
The Society is the uMb￿lIa 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 performan￿5 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 p￿sentatIOn 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 aC￿sS 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 suc￿Ssful 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 con￿mIng 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 p￿paKI
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