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← Deafblind UK

2025-03-31-accounts

DeafblindUK » Annual report 2024—25 Our journey of growth

Contents

Welcome 01 Our purpose 02 Our vision & strategy 03 Improving our support 04 Educating others about deafblindness 05 Our research & influence 06 Structure, Governance & Management 07 Financial review 08 Independent Auditor’s Report 09 Financial statements 10 Accounting policies 11 Notes to the financial statements

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Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

Welcome from our CEO & Chair

We are delighted to present this year’s Annual Report, reflecting a period of significant progress and resilience at Deafblind

UK. Over the past year, we’ve expanded our services to better support individuals living with deafblindness.

These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Your unwavering commitment enables us to

continue our mission and adapt to the evolving needs of our members.

Our initiatives in education, research, and technology have empowered more people to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Notably, our collaboration with Birmingham City University is a game changer in the advancement of research

and education provision in the UK and beyond.

As we look ahead, we

remain focused on enhancing our services, fostering innovation, and advocating for greater awareness and inclusion. Together, we will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those impacted by deafblindness.

Thank you for your continued support.

Our commitment to

advocacy has also strengthened. By engaging with policymakers and participating in international forums, we’ve worked to ensure that the voices of those with dual sensory loss are heard and considered in decision-

making processes. The Deafblind UK Conference 2024, themed ‘Standing Out and Fitting In’, exemplified this effort, bringing together world experts with over 1,200 participants globally to share experiences and strategies.

Robert Nolan Nikki Morris Chairperson, CEO, Deafblind UK Deafblind UK

Chairperson, CEO, Deafblind UK Deafblind UK Razin. Net = SQee Newt

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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01 Our purpose

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

01 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 to lead their life in the way they want to 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 we are needed and in the way we are needed.

A life with deafblindness can

be challenging, one with constant adaptation and learning, and the mental load of doing this can be exhausting. Our specialist teams help people to cope with the emotional and physical challenges of adapting to and living with deafblindness.

Volunteers continue to enable us to achieve so much more. We had a total number of 473 volunteers contributing during 2024-2025. This donation of time is equivalent to staff costs of £320,095. Additional training and support opportunities for volunteers included access to a rolling programme of Deafblind Awareness sessions, introduction to BSL, introduction to Accessible Technology sessions, attendance at Deafblind UK conference, themed befriending sessions.

We are the national charity

that only specialises in supporting people who are deafblind in the UK, and we’ve been doing it for nearly 100 years!

66

Mum and I are so grateful for your kindness and help - and Angela has been absolutely wonderful. I try to support Mum as best I can and we’re very close - but nothing compares to being able to talk to someone who is going through exactly what you’re going through - and who faces the same challenges as you every day. Thank you for everything you do.

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01 Our purpose

Volunteering as a telephone befriender has helped me to get into University as I put it in my personal statement and my interviewers loved how I was giving back into the community. It set me apart.

100 188 473 1,905 4,346 9,312

Deafblind UK was founded nearly 100 years ago.

We’ve helped support 188 unpaid carers.

We’ve received support from 473 volunteers.

We’ve helped support 1,905 professionals in their roles with deafblind people.

We’ve helped support 4,346 people with dual sensory loss.

The Helpline team handled 9,312 calls over the year.

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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02 Our vision & strategy

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

02 Our vision & strategy

Our vision is to create a world where people living with deafblindness thrive, empowered by knowledge, support and equity.

Deafblindness is a condition that is affecting more and more people every year. In order to support people of all ages with dual sensory loss to thrive, and not just survive, we are continuing to evolve and grow. We are constantly developing our understanding of deafblindness and helping others to understand its impact.

Our five areas of impact provide a basis on which we are

developing and evolving. They are:

Providing support and information for people who are impacted by deafblindness and for professionals who work with people who are deafblind.

Educating others including those who are impacted by deafblindness and the wider local, national and international communities.

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03 Improving our support

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

03 Improving our support

Our support comes in many different formats, from easy to access online information to specialist one to one communication and guiding support. We continue to provide support to people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We aim to support people across all demographic and ethnic groups. We collect data to support how successful we are in reaching the diversity of our community. In 2024-2025 we supported people of all ages with the smallest percentage being under 18 and the largest percentage over 70 years old. 36% of those we support are 18-70 years old. We support over 21 different ethnic groups. Those we support use a variety of languages to communicate including Deafblind Manual, British Sign Language, Block, Hands-On, Makaton and Objects of Reference.

Our supported living complex, Rainbow Court, provides safe and welcoming homes to people who are deafblind. Last year we embarked on a redevelopment project to turn a former office building on the site into two specially designed accessible bungalows. The new build was opened by the Mayor of Peterborough and is now home to people who are deafblind with other, more complex needs.

This year we undertook a number of changes to better meet the needs of our members including incorporating the new CQC regulations, implementing a new care software system to better record and facilitate sharing information with the individual care recipients and developing our person-centred support plans.

The number of different ethnic groups we support:

Of total support, 36% of those are 18-70 years old.

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03 Improving our support

Deafblind UK launched an expanded Usher service in July 2024, including incorporating the Sense Usher team and their service users. This means people previously supported by Sense’s Usher service now have access to Deafblind UK’s wider range of specialist services.

Numbers continue to grow. There are currently 50 members

receiving support [196 interventions each month]. The Usher chat room generates 27 participants each month.

The Deafblind UK webmap of accessible social opportunities accessed via our website now has 135 opportunities listed, all of which have completed the Deafblind Friendly assessment and have been offered awareness upskilling. 98 of these are in England [the England National Lottery Community Fund are funding the project].

!a The number of members currently attend at least — one of our Deafblind Friendly opportunities:

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03 Improving our support

We are partnering with organisations including the Macular Society, Age UK, CamSight, Blind Asians, Re-engage and Andy’s Men’s Sheds to upskill their activity leaders and make their venues Deafblind Friendly, plus many additional single community venues requested by our members.

Our Advisory Group of Deafblind UK members is an invaluable resource from whom we, and other partners, gather feedback about services and products including those in development. It has also provided researchers with a willing group of participants to further our understanding of deafblindness and its impact.

We are passionate about ensuring our support services are relevant, accessible and make the biggest difference. With Professor Andy Jones we have undertaken a formal piece of work looking at how we assess the impact of our service provision to ensure the support we offer individuals, and the community collectively is as effective as possible and that we are able to evidence that to ourselves and key stakeholders. As part of this work, we are able to demonstrate that on average people are self-reporting their wellbeing at the start of accessing our support as 2.2/5 and at the end of support as 4.8/5. An incremental average improvement of 2.6.

2.2 /5

Self reporting of wellbeing at beginning of support.

==> picture [33 x 34] intentionally omitted <==

4.8 /5

Self reporting of wellbeing at end of support.

==> picture [33 x 34] intentionally omitted <==

Deafblind UK staff are approachable, helpful, knowledgeable and they care. Their genuine sector interest adds to the range of support available. They are my go-to organisation when I get stuck.

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04 Educating others about deafblindness

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

04 Educating others about deafblindness

Deafblindness is rising in incidence and, therefore, the number of people who need us is growing. To increase our reach to a greater proportion affected by dual sensory loss, it is vital that we help other people understand deafblindness and its impact.

A large part of this is our award-winning 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 also launching our new resources for Early Years and Key Stage One. Our schools project is part of a wider provision of our ‘Children and Young People’ service which was launched in Spring 2025.

To complement this a growing number of people have learned about deafblindness from our deafblind awareness talks and we have delivered learning sessions to organisations who want a deeper understanding of deafblindness. A total of 299 service talks or events were delivered this year. In June 2025 a new role of Education and Research Lead will be in post to lead on the development of our education programme to meet an increase in demand for this provision.

The feedback from my team about the session is the most positive we’ve ever had! I can’t thank you enough.

Braintree Council

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04 Educating others about deafblindness 1,671 Resource packs have been placed in 1,671 schools in the UK. 299

A total of 299 service talks or events were delivered this year.

Deafblind UK continues to partner with Birmingham City University for the provision of deafblind studies. The University launched the Certificate and Diploma in Professional Studies [Deafblind Studies] in collaboration with Deafblind UK and a consortium of charities in 2021, welcoming its first cohort of students in March 2022. The only one of its kind in the UK, the course is run by BCU’s Dr Peter Simcock, who is internationally renowned for his work.

Our employability project has given people the skills and resources to find work and to access support in work. Alongside this we support employers to be able to make the adjustments

needed to welcome people who are deafblind to their workforce. We will extend this project in 20252026 in response to an increase in need. CEO, Nikki Morris met Sir Stephen Timms MP this year and discussed with him the need for additional provision for those with deafblindness to secure work and support their retention in work.

Our Marketing and Communications work has been vital in extending the understanding of deafblindness to the wider community. In 2025-2026 we will look to extend the impact of this with a wider reach.

Best course I’ve done in years. The session was really informative and I’ve learned a lot. Thank you so much!

St. John Ambulance

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05 Our research & influence

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

05 Our research & influence

Researching deafblindness to better understand the

condition and its impact

We are constantly developing our understanding of deafblindness so that we can provide the very best, specialised support to those affected. And to disseminate this knowledge to other key partners.

In 2025 we launched the Deafblind UK Education and Research Centre at Birmingham City University in response to an urgent need to better understand the impact of deafblindness on individuals and their loved ones and the best interventions to help. This new Centre will help to fill that gap. The new Centre has been hailed as “life-changing” and a “game changer” in the fight to address the “frustrating and overwhelming isolation” felt by many deafblind people.

The Centre is the first of

its kind in the UK and is already connecting researchers, practitioners, and people living with deafblindness to increase our collective knowledge and raise awareness. It will also

equip junior researchers and the workforce with the knowledge and skills to become future leaders in deafblindness research and practice. In 2025-2026 two PhD students will be recruited to undertake research studies looking into the impact of deafblindness.

British Labour Party politician Lord Blunkett, who is himself blind, has supported this new development saying: “A great deal is known about sensory challenges for blind people and those with profound deafness, but much less about the dual challenges that deafblind people encounter on a daily basis. This Centre will make an important contribution.”

The spectrum of deafblindness is unique. Certain situations are isolating and overwhelming, like knowing when it’s your place to speak. Frustratingly, there are often adjustments in place for those who are deaf or blind. People often forget that many people have to grapple with both disabilities simultaneously.

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Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

05 Our research & influence

A great deal is known about sensory challenges for blind people and those with profound deafness, but much less about the dual challenges that deafblind people encounter on a daily basis. This Centre will make an important contribution – both to greater understanding and public awareness to the ways in which social and technological innovation can assist in the future.

Lord Blunkett, Labour Party

David Childs, Associate Professor, Head of College of Education and Social Work at BCU, said: “This Centre will be a game changer in how we understand more about deafblindness and what we can do to make the lives of all those affected better. The research undertaken in this area is shockingly low. The new Centre won’t just meet the knowledge gap, it will be an important beacon of hope to those affected by dual sensory loss.”

“Helen Keller, author, disability rights advocate, political activist and perhaps one of the world’s

most well-known deafblind people, described life as either a daring adventure or nothing at all,” said Dr Simcock, an Associate Professor of Social Work and a Deafblind UK ambassador. “Our Deafblind UK Centre will play a vital role in responding to the urgent need for more research, supporting deafblind people to enjoy this daring adventure to the full.”

We continue to support two PhD students who are looking into accessible design and the prevalence of deafblindness amongst mainstream school pupils.

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05 Remaining on the International Agenda

Remaining 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 including cabinet members, MP’s, Councillors, Commissioners and All Parliamentary Party Groups 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 Rainbow Court and team meetings to further their understanding of deafblindness and the role that Deafblind UK plays in the service provision and new knowledge acquisition in the area of dual sensory loss.

We continue to work closely with partner organisations and other charities, with whom we can increase the impact of our service delivery and messaging. Once again, we worked with Usher Kids UK to support their Summer Camp for young people with Usher syndrome, who had the chance to develop new friendships and work with mentors to develop new skills.

We are proud to continue to be actively involved with Deafblind International. Our CEO, Nikki Morris remains a member of the board

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05 Influencing

The Deafblind UK Conference took place in October, where over 1,200 people from across the world joining us to discuss the topic of Standing Out and Fitting In. Speakers included:

journeys and paths to accessing belief Asif Hussain, Deafblind UK Trustee

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05 Technology

Supporting the development and use of technology

Technology is often 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 support our members to use technology and to influence new technological developments, ensuring accessibility is at the forefront.

1,233 deafblind members received 1:1 technology support this year, plus 1,802 non-members [family, professionals, etc.]. ‘TalkTech’ webinars average 15 attendees each month.

To support independence, we have started to develop a library of downloadable fact sheets accessible via our website with 20 available and more planned.

Throughout the year we have continued to work closely with large and small technology developers 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 consideration towards sensory loss become more commonplace. Our new technology advisory group and our wider Deafblind UK advisory group are instrumental in providing feedback to these developers.

We have also been continuing to work on the development of 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.

1,233 1,233 deafblind members received 1:1 technology support. 1,802 1,802 non-members received 1:1 technology support.

There’s so much we didn’t know about! It’s all about just finding the right thing that works for you.

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05 Future plans

What’s next?

Next year we will continue 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. And 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 focus on developing our education programme and our access to employment programme, where we will invest even further in staff development and expertise to ensure we can provide the best possible specialist advice and support. This will be

alongside the further development of the DBUK Education and

Research Centre at Birmingham City University with the recruitment of PhD students undertaking discrete deafblind research.

We are excited to continue to develop our fundraising and retail income streams to provide greater financial sustainability. This will include further recruitment to our fundraising team to increase our reach and expertise. We will open an additional two shops to increase our retail income and further increase the benefits of economy of scale for this provision. This increase in activity will also provide opportunities to further engage with those people impacted by deafblindness and the communities they live within.

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05 Future plans

We will continue to develop our marketing and communications function to increase our impact in this area. In particular we will look at a longer-term strategy for effectiveness using a wider range of communication platforms and exploring better accessibility within them.

are already taking place and key relationships being developed in order to maximise the impact that this special year can achieve.

And of course, we will continue to be steered and energised by our ongoing daily liaison with the people who really matter - deafblind people themselves.

We will also continue to plan for our Centenary Celebrations in 2028. This is an opportunity to not only look back but also as a springboard for a bigger, even better future. Planning and developing opportunities in good time is the key. Planning meetings

2028 will mark a year of celebrations and future plans, as Deafblind UK turns 100.

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Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

06 Structure, Governance & Management

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

06 Structure, Governance & Management

Public benefit

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 objectives and aims of the organisation.

Fundraising

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. The vast majority of our activity to 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 putting a new fundraising strategy in place, our focus is to continue 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 2024 – 25. 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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06 Structure, Governance & Management

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.

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 2025.

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 & 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:

• 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.

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06 Structure, Governance & Management

Statement of disclosure to auditor

  1. So far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Charity’s auditors are unaware, and

  2. 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] and About Me Care and Support Limited [Company No. 7945990]

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, Director of Finance and Director of Operations continued to meet to review significant financial proposals and the budget before seeking full Board approval.

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06 Structure, Governance & Management

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.

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

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:

The primary financial risk facing the charity is impact of the Chancellor’s October 2024 Budget on the charity’s cost base, particularly the changes to Employer’s National Insurance. These National Insurance changes added an additional £70K to salary costs. Increased monitoring and monthly review meetings of all budgeted expenditure continue to mitigate the risk.

Attention remains focused on non-financial 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.

meetings.

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07 Financial review

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

07 Financial review

The Deafblind UK accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025 show a surplus of £57,560 [2024: £680,807]. Income increased to £3,607,959 [2024: £3,466,183] which is an increase of £141,776 or 4%.

Deafblind UK received 48% [2024: 56%] of its income from voluntary sources, such as trusts and foundations, the National Lottery Funds of England, Wales & Northern Ireland, and legacies. Without these valuable funds we would be unable to operate as a charity at the level that we do and provide so many much needed services to our members and the wider community. We are extremely grateful for this fantastic support from all our donors.

Income from charitable activities increased 31% to £1,519,868 [2024: £1,160,716]. This is an excellent performance in a financially challenging area.

Investment income fell slightly, 13% to £105,298 [2024: 120,687]. These unrestricted funds are invaluable in supporting our work.

Income from the trading company including gift aid donated to the charity increased by 12%. Income was £209,359 [2024: £205,914], with additional gift aid of £22,199. Following Trustees’ decision to invest in this area, a further shop was opened in the year, with three more planned in 2025/26. This investment in retail led to a loss of £44,310 before gift aid.

Overall expenditure increased by 23% when compared to the previous year. This reflects the increased activity and growth of services across the organisation. Total expenditure in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities [SOFA] was £3,597,701 [2024: £2,918,520].

There were no termination payments for redundancies paid during the year. A detailed analysis of income and expenditure is shown in the Statement of Financial Activities [SOFA] on page 37 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 £5,535,438 [2024: £5,477,878].

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 2025 as part of the annual review process. The charity’s free cash reserves at the year-end were £1,502,035 which represents 5.0 months’ operating costs. Total funds at the end of the reporting period were, £5,535,438 of which £3,099,919 were investments, £1,000,920 were fixed assets, and £182,483 were restricted funds.

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 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.

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08 Independent Auditor’s Report

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

08 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 2025 which comprise consolidated statement of financial activities, consolidated balance sheet, charity balance sheet, group cash flow statement 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 2025 and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

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.

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.

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08 Independent Auditor’s Report

Other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• 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:

• 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 27, 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.

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

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08 Independent Auditor’s Report

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 non-compliance 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 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 non-compliance 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.

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 company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Gareth Norris FCA

Senior Statutory Auditor

for and on behalf of Saffery LLP

Chartered Accountants Westpoint Lynch Wood, Peterborough Cambridgeshire, PE2 6FZ

Statutory Auditors :

Date: 16 July 2025

Saffery LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

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09 Financial statements

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

09 Financial statements

Consolidated statement of financial activities 2024–25

Notes

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.

Income from Notes Unrestricted
funds [£]		 Restricted
funds [£]		 Total funds
2025 [£]		 Total funds
2024 [£]
Donations and legacies
Legacies 530,274 — 530,274 863,400
Grants and trusts 1 64,505 890,679 955,184 959,766
Other donations 88,971 — 88,971 72,578
683,750 890,679 1,574,429 1,895,744
Other tradingactivities
Commercial tradingoperations
Fundraisingincome		 209,359
71,469		 —
78,915		 209,359
150,384		 205,914
64,242
Non-charitable trading 48,621 — 48,621 18,880
329,449 78,915 408,364 289,036
Charitable activities
Contracted services 3 1,227,688 — 1,227,688 905,813
Income from property 3 292,180 — 292,180 254,903
3 1,519,868 — 1,519,868 1,160,716
Investment income
Total income		 2 105,298
2,638,365		 —
969,594		 105,298
3,607,959		 120,687
3,466,183
Expenditure on:
Raisingfunds
Fundraisingcosts 5 327,414 — 327,414 235,069
Commercial tradingoperations 242,477 — 242,477 183,112
Charitable activities 6 2,003,838 1,023,972 3,027,810 2,500,339
Total expenditure 2,573,729 1,023,972 3,597,701 2,918,520
Net gains / [losses] on investments 47,302 — 47,302 133,144
Net income / [expenditure] and 111,938 [54,378] 57,560 680,807
net movement in funds for the year
Transfers between funds — — — —
Total funds brought forward 5,241,017 236,861 5,477,878 4,797,071
Total funds carried forward 5,352,955 182,483 5,535,438 5,477,878
p36

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

09 Financial statements

Group Balance Sheet as at 31[st] March 2025

Notes These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on the 25th June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Notes Notes [£] 2025
[£]		 2025
[£]		 [£] 2024
[£]
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 9 1,000,920 947,083
Investments 10 3,099,919 2,987,504
4,100,839 3,934,587
Current assets
Debtors		 11 815,370 728,835
Cash at bank and in hand 1,176,775 1,269,880
1,992,145 1,998,715
Creditors: amounts falling 12 [557,546] [455,424]
due within one year
Net current assets 1,434,599 1,543,291
Total assets less 5,535,438 5,477,878
current liabilities
Net assets 5,535,438 5,477,878
Funds of thegroup
Restricted funds 13 182,483 236,861
Unrestricted funds 14 5,352,955 5,241,017
Total funds 5,535,438 5,477,878

==> picture [73 x 32] intentionally omitted <==

R Nolan [Chair] Trustee

Company Registration No. 02426281. Charity No. 802976 The accounting policies and notes on Pages 45 to 67 form part of these financial statements.

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09 Financial statements

Charity Balance Sheet as at 31[st] March 2025

Notes

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 £89,504 [2024: net income of £657,457].

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:

Notes Notes [£] 2025
[£]		 2025
[£]		 [£] 2024
[£]
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 9 980,801 933,087
Investments 10 3,099,929 2,987,514
4,080,730 3,920,601
Current assets
Debtors		 11 1,032,782 923,900
Cash at bank and in hand 1,116,897 1,202,356
2,149,679 2,126,256
Creditors: amounts falling 12 [521,585] [439,871]
due within one year
Net current assets 1,628,094 1,686,385
Total assets less
current liabilities		 5,708,824 5,606,986
Net assets 5,708,824 5,606,986
Funds of thegroup
Restricted funds		 13 182,483 236,861
Unrestricted funds 14 5,526,341 5,370,125
Total funds 5,708,824 5,606,986

==> picture [73 x 32] intentionally omitted <==

R Nolan [Chair] Trustee

Company Registration No. 02426281. Charity No. 802976 The accounting policies and notes on Pages 45 to 67 form part of these financial statements.

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09 Financial statements

Group cash-flow statement 2024–25

[£] 2025
[£]		 2025
[£]		 [£] 2024
[£]
Net cash used in operating activities 22,571 359,681
Cashfows from investingactivities
Interest received 19,636 36,199
Purchase ofplant and equipment [135,312] [448,856]
Net cash [used in] / provided by investing
in activities		 [115,676] [412,657]
Change in cash in theyear [93,105] [52,976]
Cash at the beginningof theyear 1,269,880 1,322,856
Cash at the end of the year 1,176,775 1,269,880
Reconciliation of net income / expenditure
to net cash fow from operatingactivities
Net income / [expenditure] 57,560 680,807
for theyear
Interest received [19,636] [36,199]
Change in value of Investment Portfolio [112,415] [199,721]
Depreciation 81,475 63,913
Decrease / [increase] in debtors [86,535] [250,020]
Increase / [decrease] in creditors 102,122 100,901
Net cash used in operating activities 22,571 359,681
Analysis of cash
Cash in hand 1,176,775 1,269,880
Analysis of Changes in net debt 2024 Cashfows 2025
31stMarch 31stMarch
Cash 1,269,880 [93,105] 1,176,775
Total 1,269,880 [93,105] 1,176,775

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10 Accounting policies

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

10 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 2025. 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. 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:

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 cash-generating

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 cashgenerating unit] is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment 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.

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10 Accounting policies

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 cash-generating 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 slow moving items.

Operating lease agreements Income Rentals applicable to operating Income from donations and leases where substantially all of legacies are recognised in the the benefits and risks of ownership appropriate fund as follows: remain with the lessor are charged Legacies against profits on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. Legacies are included in income when received, or if before receipt Pension costs when the Charity is entitled to the The Charity operates a defined income, it is probable that the legacy will be received and the contribution pension scheme value can be determined with for employees. The assets of the reasonable accuracy. scheme are held separately from those of the Charity. The annual Donations contributions payable are charged to the statement of financial Donations under gift aid together with the associated income tax activities. recovery are recognised as income Funds when the donation is received. Income from other trading If monies are given for a specific activities includes: purpose, this income and related expenditure is treated as restricted. Retail Monies are also held as designated Sales in the Charity Shop are funds as per Note 13. If the income recognised as income as soon as is for general use, it is included as the transaction has taken place. unrestricted and may be expended at the discretion of the Trustees in Contracted services

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.

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.

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.

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10 Accounting policies

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.

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 01

Income from grants and trusts
2024–2025 Unrestricted
funds
[£]		 Restricted
funds
[£]		 Total funds
2025
[£]		 Total funds
2024
[£]
Grants and donations including
Specifc appeals
Big Lottery Fund		 64,505
—		 569,635
321,044		 634,140
321,044		 664,474
295,292
Total funds 64,505 890,679 955,184 959,766
Received with thanks, donations from:
Steel Charitable Trust, Boshier-Hinton Foundation, Ronald Miller
Foundation, Inman Charity, Essex Community Foundation, Veterans’
Foundation, Essex Cares, RNBT, Constance Travis Charitable Trust,
The Lawson Trust, The National Lottery Community Fund, England,
The National Lottery Community Fund, Wales, The National Lottery
Community Fund, Northern Ireland
2023–2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds
funds funds 2024
[£] [£] [£]
Grants and donations including
Specifc appeals — 664,474 664,474
Big Lottery Fund — 295,292 295,292
Total funds — 959,766 959,766

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Notes 02–03

Investment income
2024–2025 Unrestricted
funds
[£]		 Restricted
funds
[£]		 Total funds
2025
[£]		 Total funds
2024
[£]
Income from Portfolio 85,662 0 85,662 84,488
Bank interest received
Total funds		 19,636
105,298		 0
0		 19,636
105,298		 36,199
120,687
Income from charitable activities
2024–2025 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Total funds
funds funds 2025 2024
[£] [£] [£] [£]
Contracted services
Fees, charges and support work 1,227,688 0 1,227,688 905,813
Income from property 292,180 0 292,180 254,903
Total funds 1,519,868 0 1,519,868 1,160,716

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Notes 04–05

Additional information

Their results for the year, as extracted from the audited financial statements, are summarised here.

Income from subsidiary’s trading activities
Deafblind UK
Trading Limited		 2025
[£]		 2024
[£]
Turnover 209,408 205,914
Cost of sales —
209,408		 —
205,914
Administrative expenses [254,892] [183,114]
Other operating income
Operating [loss]/ Proft before Taxation
Interest receivable		 —
[45,484]
1,174		 —
22,800
548
Corporation tax Payable — —
Retainedproft /[loss] [44,310] 23,348
Share Capital 2 2
Net liabilities / assets [173,416] [129,106]
£nil [2024: £nil] was gifted by the subsidiaries
to the charity in the year.
Fundraising costs
2024–2025 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Total funds
funds funds 2025 2024
[£] [£] [£] [£]
Fundraising and publicity costs including 324,363 — 324,363 232,867
salaries and consultancy
Postage and stationery 3,051 — 3,051 2,202
Total funds 327,414 — 327,414 235,069

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 06

Charitable activities
Direct charitable expenditure Direct
charitable
[£]		 Support
costs
[£]		 2025
[£]		 2024
[£]
Care & Support Operations 1,168,795 296,995 1,465,790 1,145,377
Governance
Communityservices		 145,044
53,968
36,856
13,713		 181,901
67,681		 58,345
465,181
National Services 379,333 96,390 475,723 553,270
Rainbow Court 583,603 148,296 731,899 171,667
Information and Communications 83,579 21,238 104,817 106,499
Technology
Total 2,414,322 613,488 3,027,810 2,500,339
Charitable expenditure comprises the 2025 2024
following main elements
[£] [£]
Wages and salaries, includingstaff training 2,132,883 1,813,547
Offce runningcosts 269,722 252,355
Professional Fees & Consultancy 314,654 128,035
IT costs 96,196 97,403
Travel and subsistence costs 99,787 91,270
Insurances 11,978 10,870
Member costs 708 15,741
Interpretingcosts 10,374 17,855
Depreciation and loss on disposal
of tangible fxed assets		 71,744 55,627
Audit and accountancy 19,764 17,636
Total 3,027,810 2,500,339

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 07

Additional information

£584 has been reimbursed to Trustees during the year [2024: £229]. This related to travel costs, guides and interpreting costs. 3 Trustees in total received reimbursements [2024:3].

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 £253,364 [2024: £248,404].

The key management personnel of the group comprise those of the Charity and the key management personnel 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 £261,401 [2024: £248,404].

Pension contributions in relation to these employees amounted to £13,280 [2024: £12,650] in the year.

Included in termination payments are non-contractual payments of £0 [2024: £0].

Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were 2025
[£]		 2024
[£]
Wages and salaries 2,327,576 1,954,358
Social securitycosts 192,871 154,556
Pension costs
Termination payments		 51,598
20,957
44,201
2,726
Total 2,593,002 2,155,841
Employees who earned more than
£60,000 during the year		 2025
[£]		 2024
[£]
£80,001 - £90,000
£60,001 - £70,000
Particulars of employees
The average number of staff employed
by the group during the fnancial year
amounted to:
Finance administrative and support
Care and support		 1
2
2025
[Number]
16
59		 1
2
2024
[Number]
14
53
Fundraising
Communityservice
Total		 11
23
109		 10
24
101

Trustees did not receive remuneration in 2025 or 2024.

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 08

Net income / [expenditure]
Net income / [expenditure] is stated
after charging / [crediting]		 2025
[£]		 2024
[£]
Depreciation of tangible fxed asset – owned 81,475 63,913
Auditors’ remuneration:
Statutory audit of parent		 18,672 18,132
and consolidated accounts
Statutoryaudit of subsidiaries 3,485 3,385
Other services 2,005 1,945

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 09

Additional information

All fixed assets are held for charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets
Group Freehold
Property
[£]		 Equipment
[£]		 Total
[£]
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions		 1,239,183
63,200		 347,284
72,112		 1,586,467
135,312
At 31 March 2025 1,302,383 419,396 1,721,779
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for theyear		 337,882
35,773		 301,502
45,702		 639,384
81,475
At 31 March 2025 373,655 347,204 720,859
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 928,728 72,192 1,000,920
At 1 April 2024 901,301 45,782 947,083

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 09 [cont.]

Additional information

All fixed assets are held for charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets
Charity Freehold
Property
[£]		 Equipment
[£]		 Total
[£]
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions		 1,239,183
63,200		 281,485
56,258		 1,520,668
119,458
At 31 March 2025 1,302,383 337,743 1,640,126
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for theyear		 337,882
35,773		 249,699
35,971		 587,581
71,744
At 31 March 2025 373,655 285,670 659,325
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 928,728 52,073 980,801
At 1 April 2024 901,301 31,786 933,087

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 10

Fixed Asset Investments
Group 2025
[£]		 2024
[£]
Brought forward 2,954,006 2,727,906
Additions 812,625 1,087,901
Disposals at carrying value [market value] [728,770] [994,946]
Unrealisedgain / [loss] 58,043 201,001
Realisedgain / [loss] [16,642] [67,856]
Investments 3,079,262 2,954,006
Cash held at brokers 20,657 33,498
Total Fund 3,099,919 2,987,504
Fixed asset investments comprise of listed investments.
Charity 2025 2024
[£] [£]
Listed Investments
Brought forward 2,954,006 2,727,906
Additions 812,625 1,087,901
Disposals at carryingvalue [market value] [728,770] [994,946]
Unrealisedgain / [loss] 58,043 201,001
Realisedgain / [loss] [16,642] [67,856]
Investments 3,079,262 2,954,006
Cash held at brokers 20,657 33,498
Total Fund 3,099,919 2,987,504
Shares in Subsidiary Companies at cost 10 10
Total Value of Investments 3,099,929 2,987,514

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.

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 11

Debtors
Group 2025
[£]		 2024
[£]
Trade debtors 149,676 38,095
Other debtors 661,393 685,896
Prepayments 4,301 4,844
Total 815,370 728,835
Charity 2025 2024
[£] [£]
Trade debtors 149,676 38,095
Amounts owed by groupundertakings 220,235 205,945
Prepayments 4,301 4,794
Other debtors 658,570 675,066
Total 1,032,782 923,900

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 12

Creditors [amounts falling due within one year]
Group 2025
[£]		 2024
[£]
Trade creditors 82,735 138,084
Taxation and social security 36,454 31,810
Other creditors 45,919 76,573
Accruals 392,438 208,957
Total 557,546 455,424
Charity 2025 2024
[£] [£]
Trade creditors 71,582 131,669
Taxation and social security 39,807 30,795
Other creditors 33,148 76,572
Accruals 377,048 200,835
Total 521,585 439,871

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 13

Restricted funds
Group and Charity 2024-2025
Movement in resources		 Balance at
31-Mar-24
[£]		 Income
[£]		 Expenditure
[£]		 Transfer
[£]		 Balance at
31-Mar-25
[£]
The National Lottery Community — 124,779 102,712 — 22,067
Fund — Out of the Shadows
[Northern Ireland]
Access to Work Appeal 62,185 31,498 61,076 — 32,607
Children & YoungPeople Project 90,934 20,700 93,691 — 17,943
CommunityReconnections Cymru 23,738 100,444 124,182 — —
LotteryProject - England 7,275 95,821 103,096 — —
Essex — 56,530 56,530 — —
Deafblind Holidays — 14,250 14,250 — —
Veterans — 11,001 11,001 — —
Wellbeing& Emotional Support — 321,667 321,667 — —
National Research Centre — 113,989 113,989 — —
Peterborough Sight 52,729 78,915 21,778 — 109,866
Restricted funds 236,861 969,594 1,023,972 — 182,483

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 13 [cont.]

Restricted funds
Group and Charity 2023-2024
Movement in resources		 Balance at
31-Mar-23
[£]		 Income
[£]		 Expenditure
[£]		 Transfer
[£]		 Balance at
31-Mar-24
[£]
The National Lottery Community 5,865 99,738 105,603 — —
Fund — Out of the Shadows
[Northern Ireland]
Access to Work Appeal		 32,473 82,190 52,478 — 62,185
Youth Project Appeal 17,048 34,161 51,209 — —
Education Project 44,450 105,871 59,387 — 90,934
CommunityReconnections Cymru 11,798 97,190 85,250 — 23,738
LotteryProject — England — 98,365 91,090 — 7,275
Essex — 44,703 44,703 — —
Digital Inclusion — 14,500 14,500 — —
Deafblind Holidays — 11,750 11,750 — —
Veterans — 14,000 14,000 — —
Well—being& Emotional Support — 351,298 351,298 — —
EarlyIntervention — 6,000 6,000 — —
Deafblind Equipment 2,500 — 2,500 — —
Peterborough Sight — 52,729 — — 52,729
Restricted funds 114,134 —
1,012,495		 —
889,768		 —
—		 —
236,861

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 13 [cont.]

Designated funds

Designated funds
Item Fund
[£]
Expansion of Rainbow Court 1,500,000
New Supported LivingComplex 1,000,000
Seed fundingfor retail expansion
IT Support Programme		 100,000
100,000
Research Programme 150,000
Total designated funds 2,850,000
Analysis of group reserves
Item Fund
[£]
Restricted Reserves 182,483
Unrestricted Designated Funds 2,850,000
Unrestricted Fixed Assets 1,000,920
Unrestricted Free Reserves 1,502,035
Total group reserves 5,534,438

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 14

Unrestricted funds
Group Movement
in resources
Balance at
31–Mar–24
Income Gains /
[losses] on

Expenditure Transfer Balance at
31–Mar–25
investments
[£] [£] [£] [£] [£]
General 4,293,934 2,638,365 47,302 [2,492,254] [135,312] 4,352,035
Other fxed assets 947,083 — [81,475] 135,312 1,000,920
Unrestricted funds 5,241,017 2,638,365 47,302 [2,573,729] — 5,352,955
Charity Movement
in resources
Balance at
31–Mar–24		 Income Gains /
[losses] on

Expenditure Transfer Balance at
31–Mar–25
investments
[£] [£] [£] [£] [£]
General 4,437,038 2,427,832 47,302 [2,247,174] [119,457] 4,545,540
Other fxed assets 933,087 — [71,744] 119,457 980,801
Unrestricted funds 5,370,125 2,427,832 47,302 [2,318,918] — 5,526,341

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 14 [cont.]

Unrestricted funds
Comparative Figures
Group		 Movement
in resources
Balance at

Income Expenditure Transfer Balance at
31–Mar–23 31–Mar–24
General [£]
4,120,797		 [£]
2,586,832		 [£]
[1,964,839]		 [£]
[448,856]		 [£]
4,293,934
Other fxed assets 562,140 — [63,913] 448,856 947,083
Unrestricted funds 4,682,937 2,586,832 [2,028,752] — 5,241,017
Comparative Figures Movement
Charity in resources
Balance at Income Expenditure Transfer Balance at
31–Mar–23 31–Mar–24
[£] [£] [£] [£] [£]
General 4,287,466 2,380,370 [1,781,942] [448,856] 4,437,038
Other fxed assets 539,857 — [55,626] 448,856 933,087
Unrestricted funds 4,827,323 2,380,370 [1,837,568] — 5,370,125

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 15

Analysis of net assets

Group Tangible
fxed assets
[£]		 Tangible
fxed assets
[£]		 Investments
[£]		 Net current
assets
[£]		 Total
[£]
Restricted funds — — 182,483 182,483
Unrestricted funds 1,000,920 3,099,919 1,252,116 5,352,955
Total 1,000,920 3,099,919 1,434,599 5,535,438
Charity Tangible
fxed assets		 Investments Net current
assets		 Total
[£] [£] [£] [£]
Restricted funds — — 182,483 182,483
Unrestricted funds 980,801 3,099,929 1,445,611 5,526,341
Total 980,801 3,099,929 1,628,094 5,708,824

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 15 [Cont.]

Analysis of net assets

Analysis of net assets for 2023-2024

Analysis of net assets
for 2023-2024
Group Tangible
fxed assets		 Investments Net current
assets		 Total
Restricted funds [£]
—		 [£]
—		 [£]
236,861		 [£]
236,861
Unrestricted funds 947,083 2,987,504 1,306,430 5,241,017
Total 947,083 2,987,504 1,543,291 5,477,878
Analysis of net assets
for 2023-2024
Charity Tangible
fxed assets		 Investments Net current
assets		 Total
[£] [£] [£] [£]
Restricted funds — — 236,861 236,861
Unrestricted funds 933,087 2,987,514 1,449,524 5,370,125
Total 933,087 2,987,514 1,686,385 5,606,986

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 16

Additional information

The carrying amount of the charitable company’s financial instruments as at 31 March 2025.

Financial instruments
Group
2025
[£]		 Charity
2025
[£]		 Group
2024
[£]		 Charity
2024
[£]
Financial assets
Equity instruments measured
at fair value		 3,079,262 3,079,272 2,954,006 2,954,016
Debt instruments measured 811,069 808,246 723,991 713,161
at Amortised cost
Financial liabilities
Measured at amortised cost 165,108 144,537 246,467 239,036

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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11 Notes to the financial statements

Notes 17–21

Related party transactions

At the year end the charity was owed £220,235 [2024: £205,945] by Deafblind UK Trading Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deafblind UK. During the year the charity recharged expenses of £14,290 [2024: £20,773] to Deafblind UK Trading Limited.

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.

Pensions

The group contributes to a defined benefit contribution scheme for its employees.

The charge for the year is £51,598 [2024: £44,201] and at the balance sheet date there were £4,541 [2024: £4,245] of outstanding contributions which were included within the creditors.

Contingent asset

There are no contingent assets as at 31[st] March 2025. [2024: £nil].

Contingent liability

There are no contingent liabilities as at 31 March 2025. [2024: £nil].

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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Comparative statement of financial activities by fund

11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 22


activities by fund
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total funds
2024
[£] [£] [£]
Income from Donations and legacies
Legacies		 863,400 — 863,400
Grants and trusts — 959,766 959,766
Other donations 72,578 — 72,578
935,978 959,766 1,895,744
Other tradingactivities
Commercial tradingoperations 205,914 — 205,914
Fundraisingincome 11,513 52,729 64,242
Non-charitable trading 18,880 — 18,880
236,307 52,729 289,036
Charitable activities
Contracted services 905,813 — 905,813
Income from property 254,903 — 254,903
Total 1,160,716 — 1,160,716
Investment income 120,687 — 120,687
Total income 2,453,688 1,012,495 3,466,183
Expenditure
Fundraisingcosts 235,069 — 235,069
Commercial tradingoperations 183,112 — 183,112
Charitable activities 1,610,571 889,768 2,500,339
Total expenditure 2,028,752 889,768 2,918,520
Net gains / [losses] on investments 133,144 — 133,144

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Comparative statement of financial activities by fund

11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 22 [cont.]


activities by fund
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total funds
2024
[£] [£] [£]
Net income / [expenditure] and net
movement in funds for theyear		 558,080 122,727 680,807
Transfers between funds — — —
Total funds bought forward 4,682,937 114,134 4,797,071
Total funds carried forward 5,241,017 236,861 5,477,878

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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Comparative analysis of charitable activities [Note 6]

11 Notes to the financial statements

Note 23


activities [Note 6]
Direct charitable expenditure Direct
charitable		 Support
costs		 Total funds
2024
[£] [£] [£]
Care & Support
Governance		 917,856
46,755		 227,521
11,590		 1,145,377
58,345
CommunityServices 372,776 92,405 465,181
National Services 443,367 109,903 553,270
Rainbow Court 137,566 34,101 171,667
Information and Communications 85,344 21,155 106,499
Technology
Total 2,003,664 496,675 2,500,339
Wages and salaries, includingstaff training 1,813,547
Offce runningcosts 252,355
Professional Fees & Consultancy 128,035
IT costs 97,403
Travel and subsistence costs 91,270
Insurances 10,870
Deafblind Club costs 15,741
Interpretingcosts 17,855
Depreciation and loss on disposal of tangible
fxed assets		 55,627
Audit and accountancy 17,636
Total 2,500,339

Deafblind UK Annual Report 2024–2025

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Deafblind UK

167-169 Great Portland St. 5th Floor London W1W 5PF

Contact 0800 132 320 info@deafblind.org.uk www.deafblind.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 802976 Company Reg No: 2426281

Credits

Iconography All stock iconography by Fae Frey from Noun Project

Stock photography Imagery on pages 17, 18, 20, 26, 27, &28 sourced from Unsplash

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