**DeafblindUK** : **Growing Together Annual report 2023–24**
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## **Contents**
|**Welcome ........................................ 1**
**Our purpose .................................. 2**|**Financial review ............................ 15**
Reserves Policy .............................. 16
Investment Policy ............................ 16|**Financial statements .................... 21**
**Financial notes .............................. 29**|
|---|---|---|
|**Our vision and strategy .............. 3**|**Independent Auditor’s Report ... 17**||
|**What next? ..................................... 9**|Opinion ............................................ 17||
|**Public benefit ................................ 10**
**Fundraising .................................... 11**|Basis for opinion .............................. 17
Conclusions relating to going
concern ....................................... 18||
|**Legal status and Group .............. 12**|Other information ............................ 18||
|The Board of Trustees .................... 12
Statement of Trustees
responsibilities ........................... 13
Statement of disclosure to auditor . 13
How we are managed .................... 13
Finance Committee ........................ 13|Other matters prescribed by the
Companies Act 2006 .................. 18
Matters on which we are required
to report by exception ................ 18
Responsibilities of Trustees ........... 18
Auditor’s responsibilities for the
audit of the financial statements . 19||
|Management team ......................... 13|Identifying and assessing risks related||
|Director recruitment, induction|to irregularities: ........................... 19||
|and training ................................ 14|Audit response to risks identified: ... 19||
|Risk Management .......................... 14|Use of our report ............................. 20||
1. **Welcome**
We’re astonished when we look back over this past year and reflect on just how much we’ve achieved. Deafblindness is affecting more and more people, so this year we have focussed on creating a sustainable support structure, which allows us to grow and adapt, reaching more people who need us.
We want to be here for anyone affected by deafblindness, at whatever point in their life they need us. Our growth plans focus on increasing the breadth and depth of our services so that we can truly support people from cradle to grave. We have developed a range of specialised services through which we provide customised support in areas such as mental health, employment and technology.
Some of our personal highlights from the past year have been watching the transformation of a former office
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■Nikki Morris, CEO ■Robert Nolan, Chair
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with increasing need and financial challenges. Having such a strong and growing supporter base has been so important to us this year and has shown what a difference collectively we can make together.
building into new bungalows at Rainbow Court, which will provide homes to people who are deafblind with additional needs. We were also proud to be involved in the Charity Supermarket pop up event at Bluewater and to be one of the Peterborough Mayor’s Charities of the year.
We are extremely proud to lead Deafblind UK and to play our part in the positive impact that Deafblind UK makes to so many people. We look forward to lots more years of growing and achieving together.
Central to this success is a strong focus on staff wellbeing for our dedicated staff team who work tirelessly to provide our services. This is reflected in our move to full time remote working in response to staff preference, and allows us to recruit the very best team members from across the UK.
Thank you too, to those who donate to us their time, skills and money. We couldn’t achieve as much as we do without you. These are challenging times for all charities in the UK
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## **Our purpose**
We are here for the growing number of people whose lives are affected by deafblindness. We support people at every stage of their journey and help them to continue their life beyond sight and hearing loss.
Over 450,000 people are affected by deafblindness in the UK, and this number is rising every day. So, we are growing too, to make sure that we can meet the needs of even more people in the future. Our support is available whenever they need it and in the way they need it.
A life with deafblindness can be challenging, one with constant adaptation and learning – the mental load can be exhausting. Our specialist teams help people to cope with the emotional and physical challenges of living with deafblindness. Thanks to our supporters, we help people to:
- Access information they need, when they need it, in a way that suits them
- Manage their mental health and get emotional support during difficult times
- Connect with others using the latest accessible technology
- Meet new people, socialise and have meaningful conversations
- Continue being as independent as they want, with our team of support workers and communicator guides as well as our supported living accommodation
- Reap the benefits of a short break away from home
- Confidently access employment or education.
## **This year, we have:**
- Directly supported **4,207** members
- Supported **9,285** helpline interventions
- Provided emotional support to **3,880** people
We are the only charity, local or national, that specialises in supporting people who are deafblind in the UK and we’ve been doing it for nearly 100 years!
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to sort my head out and put my bad past behind me.” Maureen, Deafblind UK member.
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## **Our vision and strategy**
Our vision is to create a world where people living with deafblindness thrive, empowered by knowledge, support and equity.
Deafblindness is a growing condition, affecting more and more people every year. In order to support these people to thrive, and not just survive, we need to evolve and grow to be able to offer adequate and relevant support for all ages. We need to constantly develop our understanding of deafblindness and help others to understand its impact. Our five areas of impact provide a basis on which we can develop and evolve. They are:
1. Improving support and
- information for people who are impacted by deafblindness and for professionals who work with people who are deafblind.
2. Educating others including those who are impacted by deafblindness and the wider local, national and international communities.
3. Researching deafblindness to better understand the condition and identify interventions that will improve the lives of those affected by deafblindness.
4. Influencing the decision makers for the benefit of those impacted by deafblindness and their communities.
5. Supporting the use of technology for people who are deafblind and for those who work with people who are deafblind.
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## **Improving support and information for people who are deafblind**
Our support comes in many different formats, from easy to access online information to specialist one to one communication and guiding support.
Our supported living complex, Rainbow Court, provides safe and welcoming homes to people who are deafblind. This year we embarked on a redevelopment project to turn a former office building on the site into two specially designed accessible bungalows. The new homes were opened by the Mayor of Peterborough and will provide homes to people who are deafblind with other, more complex needs.
In the second half of the year, work began on developing an easy to use app to help our members access information they need quickly and conveniently. The app will be launched in the next financial year and will give members another method of accessing support whenever they want it.
We are proud to have launched an Advisory Group of Deafblind UK members from whom we can gather feedback about our services and how we support people. This work also includes supporting third parties in their development of services and products to ensure those living with deafblindness can access them. This activity, along with other feedback
events, has been instrumental in setting up our new support services structure; an outcomes-led model, where each member has a bespoke package of support services which are based on an initial assessment of need.
We are passionate about keeping our support services relevant and accessible. This year saw us refresh our brand, making some small enhancements to our logo, colour palette and visual assets to maximise our potential and relevance. This ensures the brand works well for the charity both now and in the future. The brand refresh has been complemented by an increase in communications to supporters and stakeholders, specifically a move to a monthly email newsletter.
Accessibility will always be at our heart. We currently support a staff member to undertake a three-year PhD course researching accessible design. This will result in the development of a specialist design toolkit which we will use to lead industry design standards.
“The staff here are very nice and friendly. They are happy to support me out in the community as I like going shopping and like the extra clubs and activities they put on at Rainbow Court. I would like to try Tenpin Bowling so my staff are looking into this for me. Since moving to Rainbow Court, I feel more confident and it has helped with my independence. I feel well supported here.” Dermot, Rainbow Court tenant.
## **Educating others about deafblindness**
Deafblindness is a condition that is increasing in occurrence and therefore, the amount of people who need us is growing. In order to increase our reach and support a greater proportion of the deafblind population, it is vital that we help other people understand deafblindness and its impact.
A large part of this is our awardwinning schools project which has continued to flourish over the past year, with key stage two and three resource packs in 1,671 schools. The focus for this year has been to continue building relationships with these schools whilst developing and piloting new resources for Early Years and Key Stage One. Our schools project is part of a wider development of our ‘Children and young people’ service, for which research is currently being undertaken.
To complement this, 816 people have learned about deafblindness from one of our deafblind awareness talks and we have delivered 11 one and two day learning sessions to organisations, giving 132 people a deeper understanding of deafblindness.
Our employability project gave people the skills and resources to find work or to access further education. Alongside this we support employers to be able to make the adjustments needed to welcome people who are deafblind to their workforce.
These projects are supported by a marketing and communications activity to raise awareness and understanding of deafblindness.
“This has been a fabulous day and the children have really engaged with all of your resources. We feel that we have a much better understanding of the challenges facing people who are deafblind.” Jake Perrin HT, Lutton St Nicholas Primary Academy.
“A perfect hour, explaining how deafblind people experience the world and how we as supporting workers and volunteers can be more helpful to them. Inclusive, well paced and relaxed and very well received by all who attended.” Deafblind awareness session attendee.
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## **Researching deafblindness to better understand the condition**
We need to constantly develop our understanding of deafblindness so that we can provide the very best, specialised support to those affected. During the year we have developed a research strategy which enables us to support national and global research as well as to solidify our position as sector experts.
We have developed relationships with key universities and are committed to further developing these.
We continue to support research within our own teams and are supporting PhD’s into accessible design and the prevalence of deafblindness amongst mainstream school pupils. Each of these projects will result in Deafblind UK developing and owning unique and specialised resources.
We are proud to be actively involved with Deafblind International. Our CEO, Nikki Morris joined the board earlier this year and our marketing team becoming communications ambassadors.
“Philippa’s research is an enquiry with a sense of relevant urgency underpinning it, and we look forward to the insights she reaches and the potential benefits that her research will bring.” Dr Catherine Dixon, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.
“Deafblind International is the point of connection in deafblindness worldwide, in close collaboration with the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB). We connect to maximise positive impact with and for all those concerned and involved. To have Deafblind UK in our worldwide network and Nikki Morris on our Board is indeed a wonderful next step forward on our journey. Together we can achieve so much more.” Mirko Baur, President of Deafblind International.
## **Influencing to ensure that deafblindness is on the International agenda**
This year, we have built solid relationships with key decision makers to ensure that everyone who is deafblind is appropriately supported.
We have worked with local and national decision makers such as MP’s, Councillors, Commissioners, Parliament, All-Party Parliamentary Groups and the Cabinet Office to ensure that the statutory obligations outlined in The Care Act (2014) are recognised and carried out at every level. We have welcomed providers and political influencers to our ongoing focus groups and it has been heartening to witness the level of commitment and optimism for positive change that has been evident.
“Absolutely incredible, met some amazing people and made some amazing memories.” USHthis camp attendee.
“I now feel more confident and comfortable being around people with Usher Syndrome.” USHthis camp attendee.
We continue to work closely with partner organisations and other charities, with whom we can increase the impact of our message. Once again, we worked with Usher Kids UK to support the ‘USHthis Summer Camp’ for young people with Usher Syndrome, which was attended by 20 young people who had the chance to develop new friendships and work with mentors to develop new skills.
The Deafblind UK Conference took place in October, where over 900 people from across the world joined us to discuss the topic of ‘Connected Lives’. Speakers included Christopher Patnoe, Head of Accessibility at Google, and the UK’s first deafblind person training to be a doctor, Alexandra Adams.
“This conference was 100% the best and most fluid virtual conference I have ever attended, excellent work!” Deafblind UK Conference attendee. ae
“Firstly, can I just say thank you. It was interesting to see the lives of deafblind people from all perspectives. I particularly found people’s personal experiences useful, making me even more determined to continue with my degree, so I can hopefully make a positive impact on deafblind peoples’ lives.” Deafblind UK Conference attendee.
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## **Supporting the development and use of technology**
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Technology is crucial in helping people who are deafblind maintain independence and continue to do the things that are important to them. Our role in this area is to both support our members to use technology and to influence new technological developments, ensuring accessibility is at the forefront.
Throughout the year we have worked closely with large technology developers, like Google, to help them understand more about how people who are deafblind use technology and the difference it can make to their lives. We’re proud to be able to impact new cutting edge developments and reassured to see considerations towards sensory loss become more commonplace. Our new technology focus groups have been instrumental in providing feedback to these developers.
We have also started to develop an app for Deafblind UK members. This is designed to give members quick access to support and information as well as to help them communicate their support needs to others.
Our digital inclusion team carried out 884 interventions this year. We supported people who are starting their journey into accessible technology, and those who want to develop their skills. We also offer regular webinars where members can hear from third party technology providers about their products or services.
“My jaw dropped. No one had ever taken the time to write such clear instructions for me in the format I need. I can’t believe you have managed to teach a deafblind person how to do these things on an iPad, just through one phone call!” Sabine, Deafblind UK member.
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## **What next?**
Throughout the next year we will continue on our journey of growth and development to make sure we reach as many people as we possibly can. We will continue to develop all five areas of impact; support and information, education, research, influence and technology. We recognise the importance of maintaining an engaged and motivated staff team in order to achieve this.
We will continue to develop our service provision to meet the evolving needs of our members. There will be a strong focus on areas of specialism, such as mental health, technology and access to employment, where we will invest even further in staff development and expertise to ensure we can provide the best possible specialist advice and support.
We are excited to develop our fundraising and retail income streams to provide greater financial sustainability. This will also provide opportunities to further engage with those people impacted by deafblindness and the communities they live within. It will also increase our platform to support the growing need for our services and engage with a wider audience.
Towards the end of the year, Deafblind UK absorbed the assets and liabilities of the Peterborough based charity, Peterborough Sight. The Peterborough Sight Social Group has transitioned to become one of Deafblind UK’s Peer Support Groups. Deafblind UK will use all funds transferred to support people with blindness and low vision in the Peterborough area in the future.
We will continue to develop our brand, ensuring that our tone of voice
and use of imagery is relevant and representative of our audience. In setting activities and objectives each year, the Directors refer to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The Directors always ensure that the activities, services or programmes undertaken are in line with the charitable objects and aims of the organisation.
“You have given me the confidence to get back out there and be visible, invigorated me to make a difference for Visually Impaired people.” Patrick, Deafblind UK member.
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## **Public benefit**
Deafblind UK complies with the Code of Fundraising Practice and we are registered with the Fundraising Regulator. We have also volunteered to be part of the Fundraising Preference Service, through which when requested, we removed one individual’s details in this reporting period.
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The vast majority of our activity to **Fundraising** reach new donors and supporters is undertaken by our fundraising team who have significant understanding of our service delivery.
Where we have worked with an external organisation, we ensure they are registered with the relevant bodies and we conduct appropriate due diligence prior to contract commencement. In addition to a new fundraising strategy, our focus is to develop procedures to enable our staff, volunteers and suppliers to carry out fundraising activity aligned with our policy and current UK regulation and legislation.
Deafblind UK did not receive any complaints in relation to fundraising activities in 2023 – 24. As a charity that works directly with people in vulnerable circumstances, it is a fundamental value that no donation is sought from someone who may not have the capacity to make an informed and considered decision. We are fully compliant with the latest General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) ensuring that all communications are only sent to the right people.
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## **Legal status and Group**
Deafblind UK is a registered charity (Registration No. 802976) and company limited by guarantee (Registration No. 2426281) and is governed by its Articles of Association. It was founded in 1928 by deafblind people and their carers.
## **Registered Office**
National Centre for Deafblindness, Paston Ridings, Peterborough, PE4 7UP.
## **Auditor**
Saffery LLP, Peterborough Business Park, Westpoint, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6FZ.
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank, Peterborough Business Centre, Peterborough, PE1 1XE.
## **The Board of Trustees**
The Trustees, who are also Directors for the purpose of the Companies Act, take pleasure in presenting the report and the financial statements of the charity and subsidiary companies for the year ended 31 March 2024.
- R Nolan (Chair)
- J Churcher
- A Hussain
- R Wilson-Hinds
- G Foy
- M Nagra
- S Critoph
- E Beukes
- Company Secretary | R Cullen
- Chief Executive | N Morris
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## **Statement of Trustees responsibilities**
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).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales 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 the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity and the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, Trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS102)
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
- State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements
- 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 that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and applicable accounting regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Statement of disclosure to auditor**
So far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Charity’s auditors are unaware, and
They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Charity’s auditors are aware of that information.
Deafblind UK’s Board of Trustees (herein called Directors) have established a group of organisations to support the work of Deafblind UK.
These comprise Deafblind UK Trading Limited (Company No. 5082057), About Me Care and Support Limited (Company No. 7945990) and I Decide Limited (Company No. 8045589.
## **How we are managed**
The governing body of the Charity is the Board of Trustees. The Board meets quarterly and is supported by the finance sub-committee who regularly report back to the Board. Decisions are taken within our quarterly Board meetings and finance committee, our AGM and through other regular contact with other directors where required.
## **Finance Committee**
The Finance Committee was removed from the formal governance structure but the Chairman, Treasurer, CEO and Director of Finance continued to meet to review significant financial proposals such as the sale of the building and the budget before seeking full Board approval.
## **Management team**
The day to day management of Deafblind UK is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and executive management team comprising: Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations. The CEO meets regularly with the Chair and the full Board to review progress and address any specific operational issues.
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## **Director recruitment, induction and training**
We are committed to ensuring the Board comprises a mix of Directors who are deafblind and those who are sighted hearing.
The Directors are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the organisation and are elected by voting members. The Board is kept up to date with any major changes in the Charities Act and Charity Commission guidance and best practice. Directors do not receive a salary but may claim out of pocket expenses for attending meetings.
All new Directors follow an agreed robust and detailed Trustee induction programme to ensure they fully understand their responsibilities as Trustees.
## **Risk Management**
The Trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:
- An annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties the charity faces
- The establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review
- The implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialize
- Quarterly risk register reports to the Board.
The primary risk facing the charity is long-term financial stability and sustainability. The impact of the cost-ofliving crisis has significantly increased the cost base of the charity. This will put substantial pressure on achieving a break-even position in future years. The need for fundraised income to support and develop much needed services has never been more pressing and the charity has invested in this area for 2024/2025. In addition to the drive for an increase in income, continual monitoring and monthly review meetings of all budgeted expenditure will assist in mitigating the risk.
Attention remains focused on nonfinancial risks such as safeguarding, retention of key staff and recruitment of support workers for our care and support services. Robust policies and procedures underpin the charity ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements.
All the above risks are managed by a risk register which is regularly updated and reviewed quarterly at Board meetings.
The primary risk facing the charity is the on-going increases to the cost of living. Despite recent falls in inflation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remains significantly above the Bank of England’s target of 2%. This has placed substantial pressure on the cost base of the charity. Increased monitoring and monthly review meetings of all budgeted expenditure continue to mitigate the risk.
Attention remains focused on nonfinancial risks such as safeguarding, retention of key staff and recruitment
of support workers for our care and support services. We have embedded a robust process of policies and procedures to successfully comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) however impact of legislative changes remain a risk to member and donor growth.
All of the above risks are managed by a risk register which is regularly updated and reviewed quarterly at Board meetings.
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**Financial review**
The Deafblind UK accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024 show a surplus of £680,807 (2023: loss £191,982). Income increased to £3,466,183 (2023: £2,933,151) which is an increase of £533,032, or 18.2%.
Deafblind UK received 57% (2023: 50%) of its income from voluntary sources, such as trusts and foundations, the National Lottery Funds of England, Wales & Northern Ireland, and legacies. There has never been a greater need for our incredibly valuable services and we are always tremendously grateful for the wonderful support from all our donors.
Income from charitable activities fell slightly to £1,160,716 (2023: £1,185,581). In 2023 – 2024, the charity invested over £400,000 in converting an office building into two
accessible independent living flats at our Rainbow Court site. These flats will provide essential housing for people with deafblindness, whilst increasing income in this area.
Investment income rose 22% to £120,687 (2023: £98,525). These unrestricted funds are invaluable in supporting our work. Income from the investment portfolio fell just under 5%, however the increase in interest rates led to significant rise in receipts from cash reserves.
Income from the trading company increased by 42% to £205,914 (2023: £144,897). 2023/2024 was a very good year for the retail operations of the charity, returning a profit of over 10%. These unrestricted funds are vital to the sustainability of the charity. Further shops are planned for 2024 and beyond.
Overall expenditure increased by 1.3% when compared to the previous year. This demonstrates the strong focus on controlling the costs of the charity, as over the same period, inflation rose by 4.7%. Total expenditure in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) was £2,918,520 (2023: £2,879,703).
Termination payments for redundancies were also paid during the year, these are detailed in Note 7.
A detailed analysis of income and expenditure is shown in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) on page 22 and in Notes 1 to 8 of these accounts. The net assets of the group as shown in the consolidated balance sheet at year end amount to £5,477,878.
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## **Reserves Policy**
The policy for free reserves held by the charity is to have a minimum of three months with desire to hold no more than six months operating costs. This policy was reviewed at the Board in March 2024 as part of the annual review process.
The charity free reserves at the year-end were £1,318,934 which represents 5.4 months’ operating costs. Total funds at the end of the reporting period were, £5,477,878 of which £947,083 were fixed assets, and £236,861 were restricted funds.
with reputable UK based financial institutions which meet our ethical standards.
Deposits are selected which provide the best return available under current market conditions, whilst ensuring sufficient liquidity to provide operating capital and to cover capital requirements. The policy and portfolio of deposits are regularly kept under review by the Board.
## **Investment Policy**
Deafblind UK employ a professional investment management firm to manage the assets (excluding the direct property) on a discretionary basis in line with the investment policy.
The investment manager provides custody of assets. The manager is required to produce a valuation and performance report quarterly. The objective of these investments is to maintain the real value of the assets whilst aiming to generate additional funds to support the charitable objectives.
The Trustees have decided to pursue two strategies for the Charity’s combined investments. One portfolio is invested at low risk, the other at medium risk. All investments are subject to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) parameters agreed with the Board of Trustees. Cash reserves are maintained in a spread of interest-bearing deposits
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## **Independent Auditor’s Report**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Deafblind UK (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise consolidated statement of financial activities, consolidated balance sheet, charity balance sheet, group cash flow statements and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
- Give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the group and the parent charitable company as at 31 March 2024 and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
- Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- Have been prepared in accordance with the requiremefnts of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
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## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group or the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the
financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information; we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- The information given in the Trustees’ Annual Report which includes the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- The Trustees’ Annual Report which includes the Directors’ Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and their environment obtained in the course
of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Annual Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- The parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- Certain disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- We have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of Trustees**
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities set out on (page 13), the Trustees (who are also the directors of the parent charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
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In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the group and the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We have been appointed as auditors under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with regulations made under that Act. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the group and parent financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with
laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are detailed below.
## **Identifying and assessing risks related to irregularities:**
We assessed the susceptibility of the group and parent charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement and how fraud might occur, including through discussions with the Trustees, discussions within our audit team planning meeting, updating our record of internal controls and ensuring these controls operated as intended.
We evaluated possible incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements.
We identified laws and regulations that are of significance in the context of the group and parent charitable company by discussions with Trustees and updating our understanding of the sector in which the group and parent charitable company operate.
Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the group and parent charitable company include The Companies Act 2006 and guidance issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Audit response to risks identified:**
We considered the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items including a review of financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the parent charitable company’s records of breaches of laws and regulations, minutes of meetings and correspondence with relevant authorities to identify potential material misstatements arising. We discussed the parent charitable
company’s policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations with members of management responsible for compliance.
During the planning meeting with the audit team, the engagement partner drew attention to the key areas which might involve non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud. We enquired of management whether they were aware of any instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations or knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and identifying any significant transactions that were unusual or outside the normal course of business. We assessed whether judgements made in making accounting estimates gave rise to a possible indication of management bias. At the completion stage of the audit, the engagement partner’s review included ensuring that the team had approached their work with appropriate professional
**19**
**DeafblindUK**
scepticism and thus the capacity to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed noncompliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Gareth Norris (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Saffery LLP Chartered Accountants Westpoint, Lynch Wood, Peterborough Cambridgeshire, PE2 6FZ
Statutory Auditors Date: 5 July 2024 Saffery LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the parent charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006.
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the parent charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the parent charitable company and the parent charitable
**DeafblindUK 20** 5
**----- Start of picture text -----**
10.
**----- End of picture text -----**
**Financial statements**
a. Consolidated statement of financial activities ...................................... 22 b. Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2024............................ 23 c. Charity balance sheet as at 31 March 2024 ................................ 24 d. Group cash flow statement ......... 25 e. Accounting policies ..................... 26 Charity information .......................... 26 Basis of accounting ......................... 26 Basis of consolidation ..................... 26 Going concern ................................. 26 Depreciation .................................... 26 Impairment of fixed assets .............. 26 Investment Accounting Policy ......... 27 Stocks .............................................. 27 Operating lease agreements .......... 27 Pension costs .................................. 27 Funds............................................... 27 Income ............................................ 27
Investment income includes: ........... 27 Income from charitable activities includes: ..................................... 28 Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT 28 Financial instruments ...................... 28 Debtors ............................................ 28 Cash ................................................ 28 Creditors .......................................... 28 Taxation ........................................... 28 Employee benefits ........................... 28 Retirement benefits ......................... 28 Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgements .................. 28 Critical accounting estimates and assumptions .............................. 28
**DeafblindUK 21**
## **a. Consolidated statement of financial activities**
|Notes
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
Legacies
Grants and trusts
1
Other donations
Other trading activities
Commercial trading operations
Fundraising income
Non-charitable trading
Charitable activities
Contracted services
3
Income from property
3
3
Investment income
2
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
Fundraising costs
5
Commercial trading operations
Charitable activities
6
**Total expenditure**
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**Net income/(expenditure) and net**
**movement in funds for the year**
**Transfers between funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|**Unrestricted funds**
£
863,400
-
72,578
935,978
205,914
11,513
18,880
236,307
905,813
254,903
1,160,716
120,687
2,453,688
235,069
183,112
1,610,571
2,028,752
133,144
558,080
-
4,682,937
5,241,017|**Restricted funds**
£
-
959,766
-
959,766
-
52,729
-
52,729
-
-
-
-
1,012,495
-
-
889,768
889,768
-
122,727
-
114,134
236,861|**Total funds 2024**
£
863,400
959,766
72,578
1,895,744
205,914
64,242
18,880
289,036
905,813
254,903
1,160,716
120,687
3,466,183
235,069
183,112
2,500,339
2,918,520
133,144
680,807
-
4,797,071
5,477,878|**Total funds 2023**
£
577,981
765,186
105,354|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||1,448,521
144,901
31,316
24,307|
|||||200,524
946,489
239,092|
|||||1,185,581|
|||||98,525|
|||||2,933,151|
|||||265,836
163,774
2,450,093|
|||||2,879,703|
|||||(245,430)
(191,982)
-
4,989,054|
|||||4,797,071|
||||||
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.
**DeafblindUK 22**
## **b. Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2024**
||||**2024**||**2023**|These financial statements were|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|approved and authorised for issue by|
|**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets|9||947,083||562,140|the Trustees on the 26th June 2024
and signed on their behalf by:|
|Investments
**Current assets**|10||2,987,504||2,787,783|R am. Note|
|Debtors|11|728,835||478,815||R Nolan (Chair) Trustee|
|Cash at bank and in hand||1,269,880||1,322,856||Company Registration No. 02426281.|
|||1,998,715||1,801,671||Charity No. 802976 The accounting|
|**Creditors: amounts falling due**|12|||||policies and notes on Pages 28 to 49
form part of these financial statements.|
|**within one year**||(455,424)||(354,523)|||
|Net current assets|||1,543,291||1,447,148||
|**Total assets less current**|||||||
|**liabilities**|||5,477,878||4,797,071||
|**Net assets**|||5,477,878||4,797,071||
|**Funds of the group**|||||||
|Restricted funds|13||236,861||114,134||
|Unrestricted funds|14||5,241,017||4,682,937||
|**Total funds**|||5,477,878||4,797,071||
**DeafblindUK 23** )
## **c. Charity balance sheet as at 31 March 2024**
||||**2024**||**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||||
|Tangible assets|9||933,087||539,857|
|Investments|10||2,987,514||2,787,793|
||||3,920,601||3,327,650|
|**Current assets**||||||
|Debtors|11|923,900||655,867||
|Cash at bank and in hand||1,202,356||1,297,413||
|||2,126,256||1,953,280||
|Creditors: amounts falling due|12|||||
|within one year||(439,871)||(339,473)||
|Net current assets|||1,686,385||1,613,807|
|**Total assets less current**||||||
|**liabilities**|||5,606,986||4,941,457|
|**Net assets**|||5,606,986||4,941,457|
|**Funds of the Charity**||||||
|Restricted funds|13||236,861||114,134|
|Unrestricted funds|14||5,370,125||4,827,323|
|**Total funds**|||5,606,986||4,941,457|
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the parent Charity’s Statement of financial activities has not been included in these financial statements. The unconsolidated figure for the net income of the charity, including donations from its subsidiaries, would have been £657,459 (2023: net expenditure of £165,088).
Details concerning the subsidiary companies, along with their results and financial position are set out in note 4. These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on the 26th June 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
R Nolan (Chair) Trustee
Company Registration No. 02426281. Charity No. 802976 The accounting policies and notes on Pages 28 to 49 form part of these financial statements.
**DeafblindUK 24** )
## **d. Group cash flow statement**
|**Net cash used in operating activities**
**Cashfows from investing activities**
Interest received
Proceeds from sale of fxed assets
Purchase of plant and equipment
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing
activities
**Change in cash in the year**
Cash at the beginning of the year
Cash at the end of the year
**Reconciliation of net income/expenditure**
**to net cash fow from operating activities**
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Interest received
Proft on disposal
Change in value of Investment Portfolio
Depreciation
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities
**Analysis of cash**
Cash in hand
**Analysis of changes in net debt**
Cash
**Total**|**£**
36,199
-
(448,856)|**2024**
**£**
359,681
(412,657)
(52,976)
1,322,856
1,269,880
680,807
(36,199)
-
(199,721)
63,913
(250,020)
100,901
359,681
**2024**
**£**
1,269,880
**31 Mar 2023**
1,322,856
1,322,856|**£**
9,604
7,680
(125,698)
**Cashfows**
(52,976)
(52,976)|**2023**
**£**
(296,808)
(108,414)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||(405,222)
1,728,078|
|||||1,322,856|
|||||(191,982)
(9,604)
(7,680)
174,460
54,556
(229,707)
(86,851)|
|||||(296,808)|
|||||**2023**
**£**|
|||||1,322,856|
|||||**31 Mar 2024**
1,269,880|
|||||1,269,880|
Reconciliation of net income/ expenditure to net cash flow from operating activities
**DeafblindUK 25**
## **e. Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
Deafblind UK is a Charity domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is: National Centre for Deafblindness, 167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF.
## **Basis of accounting**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with 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) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102) Second Edition issued 1 October 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
Deafblind UK is a charitable company domiciled and registered in England. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the Financial Statement are set out below. Deafblind UK meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historic cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
## **Basis of consolidation**
The group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the Charity and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 March 2024. The statement of financial activities (SOFA) and the balance sheet consolidate the financial statements on a line by line basis where appropriate.
## **Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. There remain some negative impacts of Covid-19, however the Trustees have placed significant scrutiny in this area and are confident that the charity has the necessary resources to continue to deliver services to our members. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **Fixed assets**
All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost. Generally, expenditure over £1,000 of a capital nature is capitalised at cost as fixed assets within the relevant fund.
## **Depreciation**
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that as follows:
- Freehold property 2%–10% straight line
- Equipment 10%–33% straight line & reducing balance
- Caravan 15–20% straight line.
## **Impairment of fixed assets**
At each reporting end date, the Charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Charity estimates the recoverable amount of the cashgenerating unit to which the asset belongs. Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use.
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time, value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment
**DeafblindUK 26**
loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cashgenerating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in the statement of financial activities, unless the relevant asset is carried in at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
## **Investment Accounting Policy**
Investments are stated at market value. Changes in the market value of fixed asset investments are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as unrealised gains and losses. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the market value at the year end and the carrying value.
Realised gains and losses on the disposal of investments are calculated as the difference between sales
proceeds and the opening market value or the purchase cost if brought in this financial year.
## **Stocks**
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slowmoving items.
## **Operating lease agreements**
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged against profits on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
## **Pension costs**
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity. The annual contributions payable are charged to the statement of financial activities.
## **Funds**
If monies are given for a specific purpose, this income and related expenditure is treated as restricted. Monies are also held as designated funds as per Note 13. If the income is for general use, it is included as unrestricted and may be expended at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objects of the Charity.
## **Income**
Income from donations and legacies are recognised in the appropriate fund as follows:
## **Legacies**
Legacies are included in income when received, or if before receipt when the Charity is entitled to the income, it is probable that the legacy will be received and the value can be determined with reasonable accuracy.
## **Donations**
Donations under gift aid together with the associated income tax recovery are recognised as income when the donation is received. Income from other trading activities includes:
## **Retail**
Sales in the Charity Shop are recognised as income as soon as the transaction has taken place.
## **Contracted services**
Fees and charges and support work income, exclusive of VAT, are included in the period which they relate to.
## **Investment income includes:**
## **Rental income**
Deafblind UK receives rental income from renting accommodation at 18 Rainbow Court, Paston Ridings, Peterborough, PE4 7UP, to deafblind people. It is recognised as income in the period to which the income relates.
**DeafblindUK 27**
## **Income from charitable activities includes:**
Fees and charges and support work income, exclusive of VAT, are included in the period which they relate to.
## **Other income**
All other income, exclusive of VAT, is recorded in the period that it relates to.
## **Branch income**
The results of the branches of the Charity are consolidated in the accounts.
## **Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay. The costs of operating the Charity have been split between costs of raising funds, charitable expenditure and support costs.
Support costs include an apportionment to fundraising and direct charitable activities, and have been allocated based on staff numbers. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of expenditure for which it was incurred.
## **Financial instruments**
The group only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
## **Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **Cash**
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial instruments and include cash in hand.
## **Creditors**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## **Taxation**
The Charity is a registered Charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income tax or corporation tax on charitable activities.
## **Employee benefits**
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
## **Retirement benefits**
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
## **Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgements**
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
## **Critical accounting estimates and assumptions**
The group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. There are no estimates and assumptions that are considered to have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
**DeafblindUK 28**
## **Financial notes**
|Note 1: Income from grants
and trusts .................................... 30|Note 14. Unrestricted Funds 2023 –
2024 ............................................ 43|
|---|---|
|Note 2. Investment income ............. 31|Note 14. Unrestricted 2022 – 2023 . 43|
|Note 3. Income from charitable|Note 15. Analysis of net assets|
|activities ...................................... 31|2023 – 2024 ............................... 44|
|Note 4. Income from subsidiary’s|Note 15. continued. Analysis of|
|trading activities .......................... 31|net assets 2022 – 2023 .............. 44|
|Note 5. Fundraising costs ............... 32|Note 16. Financial instruments ....... 45|
|Note 6. Charitable activities ............ 33|Note 17. Related party transaction . 45|
|Note 7. Staff costs .......................... 34|Note 18. Company limited by|
|Note 8. Net income/(expenditure) .. 35|guarantee .................................. 45|
|Note 9. Tangible fixed assets ......... 36|Note 19. Pensions .......................... 45|
|Note 10. Investments ..................... 37|Note 20. Contingent asset ............. 45|
|Note 11. Debtors ............................. 38|Note 21. Contingent liability ............. 45|
|Note 12. Creditors .......................... 39
Note 13. Restricted Funds 2023 –
2024 ............................................ 40|Note 22. Comparative consolidated
statement of financial activities
by fund ........................................ 46|
|Note 13. Restricted Funds 2022 –
2023 ............................................ 41|Note 23. Comparative analysis of
charitable activities (Note 6) ....... 47|
**DeafblindUK 29**
## **Note 1: Income from grants and trusts**
|**2023 – 2024**
**Grants and donations including**
Specifc appeals
Big Lottery Fund
**2022 – 2023**
**Grants and donations including**
Specifc appeals
Big Lottery Fund
Furlough Scheme Income|**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
-
-
-
**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-|**Restricted funds**
**£**
664,474
295,292
959,766
**Restricted funds**
**£**
616,513
148,673
-
765,186|**Total funds 2024**
**£**
664,474
295,292
959,766
**Total funds 2023**
**£**
616,513
148,673
-
765,186|**Total funds 2023**
**£**
616,513
148,673|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||765,186|
||||||
**2023 – 2024: Received with thanks, donations from:**
- The Ronald Miller Foundation
- ■ Inman Charity
- Constance Travis Charitable Trust
- Veterans Foundation
- Essex Community Foundation
- Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT)
- Essex Cares
- ScottishPower Foundation
- ■ National Lottery England ■ National Lottery Wales
- National Lottery Northern Ireland
**DeafblindUK 30**
## **Note 2. Investment income**
|Income from Portfolio
Bank interest received|**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
84,488
36,199
120,687|**Restricted funds**
**£**
-
-
-|**Total funds 2024**
**£**
84,488
36,199
120,687|**Total funds 2023**
**£**
88,921
9,604|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||98,525|
## **Note 3. Income from charitable activities**
|**Contracted services**
Fees, charges and support work
Income from property|**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
905,813
254,903
1,160,716|**Restricted funds**
**£**
-
-
-|**Total funds 2024**
**£**
905,813
254,903
1,160,716|**Total funds 2023**
**£**
946,489
239,092|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||1,185,581|
## **Note 4. Income from subsidiary’s trading activities**
|**Turnover**
Cost of sales
Administrative expenses
Other operating income
**Operating (loss)/ Proft before Taxation**
Interest receivable
Corporation tax Payable
**Retained proft**
Paid up share capital
Net assets/(liabilities)|**Deafblind UK Trading Limited**
**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
205,914
144,901
-
-
205,914
144,901
(183,114)
(171,844)
-
-
22,800
(26,943)
548
49
-
-
23,348
(26,894)
2
2
23,350
(26,892)|**Deafblind UK Trading Limited**
**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
205,914
144,901
-
-
205,914
144,901
(183,114)
(171,844)
-
-
22,800
(26,943)
548
49
-
-
23,348
(26,894)
2
2
23,350
(26,892)|
|---|---|---|
|||144,901
(171,844)
-|
|||(26,943)
49
-|
|||(26,894)|
|||2|
|||(26,892)|
Their results for the year, as extracted from the audited financial statements, are summarised below:
£nil (2023: £nil) was gifted by the subsidiaries to the charity in the year.
**31**
**DeafblindUK**
## **Note 5. Fundraising costs**
|Fundraising and publicity costs including
salaries and consultancy
Postage and stationery|**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
232,867
2,202
235,069|**Restricted funds**
**£**
-
-
-|**Total funds 2024**
**£**
232,867
2,202
235,069|**Total funds 2023**
**£**
260,297
5,539|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||265,836|
**DeafblindUK 32**
## **Note 6. Charitable activities**
|**Direct charitable expenditure**
Care & Support Operations
Governance
Community services
National Services
Rainbow Court
Information and Communications
Technology
**Charitable expenditure comprises the**
**following main elements:**
Wages and salaries, including staf training
Ofce running costs
Professional Fees & Consultancy
IT costs
Travel and subsistence costs
Insurances
Member costs
Interpreting costs
Depreciation and loss on disposal of
tangible fxed assets
Audit and accountancy|**Direct charitable**
**£**
917,856
46,755
372,776
443,367
137,566
85,344
2,003,664
**2024**
**£**
1,813,547
252,355
128,035
97,403
91,270
10,870
15,741
17,855
55,627
17,636
2,500,339|**Support costs**
**£**
227,521
11,590
92,405
109,903
34,101
21,155
496,675
**2023**
**£**
1,813,399
229,946
150,663
87,896
77,175
8,127
2,389
21,602
42,056
16,840
2,450,093|**Total funds 2024**
**£**
1,145,377
58,345
465,181
553,270
171,667
106,499
2,500,339|**Total funds 2023**
**£**
1,137,120
78,731
423,642
487,934
197,800
124,866|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||2,450,093|
||||||
**DeafblindUK 33**
## **Note 7. Staff costs**
|**The aggregate payroll costs were**
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Termination payments
**Employees who earned more than**
**£60,000 during the year:**
£80,001 - £90,000
£60,001 - £70,000
**Particulars of employees**
**The average number of staf employed**
**by the group during the fnancial year**
**amounted to:**
Finance administrative and support
Care and support
Fundraising
Community service|**2024**
**£**
1,954,358
154,556
44,201
2,726
2,155,841
**2024**
1
2
**2024**
**Number**
14
53
10
24
101|**2023**
**£**
1,921,830
160,576
47,848
27,848|
|---|---|---|
|||2,158,102|
|||**2023**
0
4
**2023**
**Number**
13
56
9
25|
|||103|
Pension contributions in relation to these employees amounted to £12,650 (2023: £14,416) in the year.
£229 has been reimbursed to Trustees during the year (2023: £386). This related to travel costs, guides and interpreting costs. 3 Trustees in total received reimbursements (2023:3).
The key management personnel of the parent charity, Deafblind UK, comprise the trustees (who are not remunerated in their role), and members of the executive team. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the Charity were £248,808 (2023: £293,175).
The key management personnel of the group comprise those of the Charity and the key management personnel of of its wholly owned subsidiaries Deafblind UK Trading Limited and About Me Care & Support Limited. The employee benefits of key management personnel for the group was therefore £248,808 (2023: £308,324).
Included in termination payments are non-contractual payments of £0 (2023: £15,000).
Trustees did not receive remuneration in 2024 or 2023.
**DeafblindUK 34**
## **Note 8. Net income/(expenditure)**
||**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Depreciation of tangible fxed asset –|||
|owned|63,913|54,556|
|Proft on disposal|-|(7,680)|
|**Auditors’ remuneration:**|||
|- statutory audit of parent and consolidated|||
|accounts|18,132|15,300|
|- statutory audit of subsidiaries|3,385|3,200|
|- other services|1,945|3,665|
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting)
**DeafblindUK 35**
## **Note 9. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Group**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
**At 31 March 2024**
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal
**At 31 March 2024**
**Net book value**
**At 31 March 2024**
**At 31 March 2023**
**Charity**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
**At 31 March 2024**
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal
**At 31 March 2024**
**Net book value**
**At 31 March 2024**
**At 31 March 2023**|**Freehold**
**Property**
**£**
814,910
424,273
-
1,239,183
309,027
28,855
-
337,882
901,301
505,883
**Freehold**
**Property**
**£**
814,910
424,273
-
1,239,183
309,027
28,855
-
337,882
901,301
505,883|**Equipment**
**£**
322,701
24,583
-
347,284
266,444
35,058
-
301,502
45,782
56,257
**Equipment**
**£**
256,902
24,583
-
281,485
222,928
26,771
-
249,699
31,786
33,974|**Total**
**£**
1,137,611
448,856
-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,586,467|
||||575,471
63,913
-|
||||639,384|
||||947,083
562,140
**Total**
**£**
1,071,812
448,856
-|
||||1,520,668|
||||531,955
55,626
-|
||||587,581|
||||933,087
539,857|
All fixed assets are held for charitable purposes.
**DeafblindUK 36**
## **Note 10. Investments**
|**Group**
Brought forward
Additions
Disposals at carrying value (market value)
Unrealised gain / (loss)
Realised gain / (loss)
Investments
Cash held at brokers
**Total Fund**
**Charity**
Listed Investments
Brought forward
Additions
Disposals at carrying value (market value)
Unrealised gain / (loss)
Realised gain / (loss)
Investments
Cash held at brokers
**Total Fund**
Shares in Subsidiary Companies at cost
**Total Value of Investments**|**2024**
**£**
2,727,906
1,087,901
(994,946)
201,001
(67,856)
2,954,006
33,498
2,987,504
**2024**
**£**
2,727,906
1,087,901
(994,946)
201,001
(67,856)
2,954,006
33,498
2,987,504
10
2,987,514|**2023**
**£**
2,769,182
896,770
(692,616)
(161,257)
(84,173)|
|---|---|---|
|||2,727,906|
|||59,877|
|||2,787,783|
|||**2023**
**£**
2,769,182
896,770
(692,616)
(161,257)
(84,173)|
|||2,727,906|
|||59,877|
|||2,787,783|
|||10|
|||2,787,793|
Group: Fixed asset investments comprise of listed investments.
Charity: Fixed asset investments comprise of listed investments, and shares held in 100% owned subsidiaries. The subsidiary companies are Deafblind UK Trading Limited and About Me Care and Support Limited, both are incorporated in the United Kingdom.
**DeafblindUK 37**
## **Note 11. Debtors**
|**Group**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments
**Charity**
Trade debtors
Amounts owed by group undertakings
Prepayments
Other debtors|**2024**
**£**
38,095
685,896
4,844
728,835
**2024**
**£**
38,095
205,945
4,794
675,066
923,900|**2023**
**£**
56,612
354,811
67,392|
|---|---|---|
|||478,815|
|||**2023**
**£**
56,612
177,102
67,342
354,811|
|||655,867|
**DeafblindUK 38**
**Note 12. Creditors**
## **Amounts falling due within one year**
|**Amounts falling due within one year**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Group**
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals
**Charity**
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals|**2024**
**£**
138,084
31,810
76,573
208,957
455,424
**2024**
**£**
131,669
30,795
76,572
200,835
439,871|**2023**
**£**
64,860
30,767
31,148
227,748|
|||354,523|
|||**2023**
**£**
59,525
30,628
30,981
218,339|
|||339,473|
**DeafblindUK 39**
**Note 13. Restricted Funds 2023 – 2024**
|**Group and Charity Movement in**
**resources**
The National Lottery Community Fund - Out
of the Shadows (Northern Ireland)
Access to Work Appeal
Youth Project Appeal
Education Project
Community Reconnections Cymru
Lottery Project - England
Essex
Digital Inclusion
Deafblind Holidays
Veterans
Well-being & Emotional Support
Early Intervention
Deafblind Equipment
Peterborough Sight
**Restricted funds**|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
5,865
32,473
17,048
44,450
11,798
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,500
-
114,134|**Income**
**£**
99,738
82,190
34,161
105,871
97,190
98,365
44,703
14,500
11,750
14,000
351,298
6,000
-
52,729
1,012,495|**Expenditure**
**£**
105,603
52,478
51,209
59,387
85,250
91,090
44,703
14,500
11,750
14,000
351,298
6,000
2,500
-
889,768|**Transfer**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Balance at 31**
**March 2024**
**£**
-
62,185
-
90,934
23,738
7,275
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
52,729|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||236,861|
**DeafblindUK 40**
## **Note 13. Restricted Funds 2022 – 2023**
|**Group and Charity Movement in**
**resources**
The National Lottery Community Fund –
Out of the Shadows (Northern Ireland)
BAME Appeal
Access to Work Appeal
Youth Project Appeal
Education Project
Community Reconnections Cymru
Essex
Deafblind Friendly Garden
Digital Inclusion
Deafblind Holidays
Bristol Outreach
Cambridgeshire Carers Project
E-Learning Project
Veterans
Wellbeing & Emotional Support
Early Intervention
Deafblind Equipment
Restricted funds|**Balance at 31**
**March 2022**
**£**
5,548
43,918
39,935
11,125
44,609
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
145,135|**Income**
**£**
99,225
5,000
32,047
39,847
81,648
49,447
45,125
4,960
6,500
10,500
10,000
7,445
7,500
34,950
273,664
54,828
2,500
765,186|**Expenditure**
**£**
98,908
48,918
39,509
33,924
81,807
37,649
45,125
4,960
6,500
10,500
10,000
7,445
7,500
34,950
273,664
54,828
-
796,187|**Transfer**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
5,865
-
32,473
17,048
44,450
11,798
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,500|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||114,134|
**DeafblindUK 41**
## **Note 13. Continued**
## **Designated funds**
|**Designated funds**||
|---|---|
|Expansion of Rainbow Court
New Supported Living Complex
Seed funding for retail expansion
IT Support Programme
Research Programme
**Total Designated Funds**|1,500,000
1,000,000
225,000
100,000
150,000|
||2,975,000|
## **Analysis of group reserves**
|**Analysis of group reserves**||
|---|---|
|Restricted Reserves
Unrestricted Designated Reserves
Unrestricted Fixed Assets
Unrestricted Free Reserves
**Total group reserves**|236,861
2,975,000
947,083
1,318,934|
||5,477,878|
**DeafblindUK 42**
## **Note 14. Unrestricted Funds 2023 – 2024**
|**Group**
General
Other fxed assets
**Unrestricted funds**
**Charity**
General
Other fxed assets
**Unrestricted funds**|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
4,120,797
562,140
4,682,937
**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
4,287,466
539,857
4,827,323|**Movement in resources**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfer**
**£**
**£**
**£**
2,586,832
(1,964,839)
(448,856)
-
(63,913)
448,856
2,586,832
(2,028,752)
-
**Movement in resources**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfer**
**£**
**£**
**£**
2,380,370
(1,781,942)
(448,856)
-
(55,626)
448,856
2,380,370
(1,837,568)
-|**Balance at 31**
**March 2024**
**£**
4,293,934
947,083|
|---|---|---|---|
||||5,241,017|
||||**Balance at 31**
**March 2024**
**£**
4,437,038
933,087|
||||5,370,125|
## **Note 14. Unrestricted Funds 2022 – 2023**
## **Movement in resources**
|**Group**
General
Other fxed assets
**Unrestricted funds**|**Balance at 31**
**March 2022**
**£**
4,352,919
491,000
4,843,919|**Income**
**£**
2,167,965
-
2,167,965|**Expenditure**
**£**
(2,274,391)
(54,556)
(2,328,947)|**Transfer**
**£**
(125,696)
125,696
-|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
4,120,797
562,140|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||4,682,937|
|**Charity**
General
Other fxed assets
**Unrestricted funds**|**Balance at 31**
**March 2022**
**£**
4,510,262
459,217
4,969,479|**Movement in resources**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfer**
**£**
**£**
**£**
2,023,064
(2,120,164)
(125,696)
-
(45,056)
125,696
2,023,064
(2,165,220)
-|**Balance at 31**
**March 2023**
**£**
4,287,466
539,857|
|---|---|---|---|
||||4,827,323|
**DeafblindUK 43**
## **Note 15. Analysis of net assets 2023 – 2024**
||**Tangible fxed**|**Investments**|**Net current assets**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**assets**||||
|**Group**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Restricted funds|-|-|236,861|236,861|
|Unrestricted funds|947,083|2,987,504|1,306,430|5,241,017|
||947,083|2,987,504|1,543,291|5,477,878|
||**Tangible fxed**|**Investments**|**Net current assets**|**Total**|
||**assets**||||
|**Charity**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Restricted|-|-|236,861|236,861|
|Unrestricted funds|933,087|2,987,514|1,449,524|5,370,125|
||933,087|2,987,514|1,686,385|5,606,986|
|**Note 15. continued. Analysis of net assets 2022 – 2023**|||||
||**Tangible fxed**|**Investments**|**Net current assets**|**Total**|
||**assets**||||
|**Group**|£|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Restricted funds|-|-|114,134|114,134|
|Unrestricted funds|562,140|2,787,783|1,333,014|4,682,937|
||562,140|2,787,783|1,447,148|4,797,071|
||**Tangible fxed**|**Investments**|**Net current assets**|**Total**|
||**assets**||||
|**Charity**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Restricted|-|-|114,134|114,134|
|Unrestricted funds|539,857|2,787,793|1,499,673|4,827,323|
||539,857|2,787,793|1,613,807|4,941,457|
## **Note 15. continued. Analysis of net assets 2022 – 2023**
**DeafblindUK 44**
## **Note 16. Financial instruments**
|**The carrying amount of the charitable**
**company’s fnancial instruments as at**
**31 March 2024 was:**
**Financial assets**
Equity instruments measured at fair value
Debt instruments measured at Amortised
cost
**Financial liabilities**
Measured at amortised cost|**Group 2024**
**£**
2,954,006
723,991
246,467|**Charity 2024**
**£**
2,954,016
713,161
239,036|**Group 2023**
**£**
2,727,906
411,423
126,775|**Charity 2023**
**£**
2,727,916
411,423|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||121,134|
## **Note 17. Related party transaction**
At the year end the charity was owed £205,945 (2023: £177,102) by Deafblind UK Trading Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deafblind UK. During the year the charity recharged expenses of £20,773 (2023: £29,805) to Deafblind UK Trading Limited.
## **Note 18. Company limited by guarantee**
The company does not have share capital and is limited by guarantee. In the event of the company being wound up, the maximum amount which each member is liable to contribute is £10.
## **Note 19. Pensions**
The group contributes to a defined benefit contribution scheme for its employees.
The charge for the year is £44,201 (2023: £47,848) and at the balance sheet date there were £4,245 (2023: £4,285) of outstanding contributions which were included within the creditors.
## **Note 20. Contingent asset**
There no contingent assets as at 31st March 2024. (2023: £nil).
## **Note 21. Contingent liability**
There are no contingent liabilities as at 31 March 2024. (2023: £nil).
**45**
**DeafblindUK**
## **Note 22. Comparative consolidated statement of financial activities by fund**
|**Income from Donations and legacies**
Legacies
Grants and trusts
Other donations
**Other trading activities**
Commercial trading operations
Fundraising income
Non-charitable trading
**Charitable activities**
Contracted services
Income from property
Investment income
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
Fundraising costs
Commercial trading operations
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**Net income/(expenditure) and net**
**movement in funds for the year**
Transfers between funds
Total funds bought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
577,981
-
105,354
683,335
144,901
31,316
24,307
200,524
946,489
239,092
1,185,581
98,525
2,167,965
265,836
163,774
1,653,906
2,083,516
(245,430)
(160,981)
-
4,843,918
4,682,937|**Restricted funds**
**£**
-
765,186
-
765,186
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
765,186
-
-
796,187
796,187
-
(31,001)
-
145,136
114,134|**Total funds 2023**
**£**
577,981
765,186
105,354|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,448,521
144,901
31,316
24,307|
||||200,524
946,489
239,092|
||||1,185,581|
||||98,525|
||||2,933,151|
||||265,836
163,774
2,450,093|
||||2,879,703|
||||(245,430)
(191,982)
-|
||||4,989,054|
||||4,797,071|
**DeafblindUK 46**
## **Note 23. Comparative analysis of charitable activities (Note 6)**
|**Direct charitable expenditure**
Care & Support
Governance
Community Services
National Services
Rainbow Court
Information and Communications
Technology|**Direct charitable**
**£**
891,574
52,718
409,123
375,258
94,451
97,903
1,921,027|**Support costs**
**£**
245,546
26,013
14,519
112,676
103,349
26,963
529,066|**Total funds**
**£**
1,137,120
78,731
423,642
487,934
197,800
124,866|
|---|---|---|---|
||||2,450,093|
|**Charitable expenditure comprises the**
**following main elements:**
Wages and salaries, including staf training
Ofce running costs
IT costs
Travel and subsistence costs
Insurances
Deafblind Club costs
Interpreting costs
Depreciation and loss on disposal of
tangible fxed assets
Bad debt expenses
Audit and accountancy|1,813,399
380,609
87,896
77,175
8,127
2,389
21,602
42,056
-
16,840|
|---|---|
||2,450,093|
**DeafblindUK 47**
| DeafblindUK) **Growing Together Annual report 2023–24**
Deafblind UK
167-169 Great Portland Street 5th Floor London W1W 5PF
Tel: 0800 132 320 Email: info@deafblind.org.uk
## **deafblind.org.uk**
Registered Charity No: 802976 Company Reg No: 2426281