## **Annual Report** _7[th] September 2023 - 6[th] September 2024_ ## **Index** - Who we are - Chairperson’s Report - Our Work - Financial Review - Future Plans ## **Who we are…** Originally set up in 1998 as Glasgow Asian Deaf Club (GADC) to provide support for Deaf Asian people and their families, the community quickly grew. As more people Deaf people from other ethnic minorities started to attend the bi-weekly social club, so did the need for advocacy and support for those who were unable to get advice and information from mainstream services. To represent the multi-cultures at the Club, in 2017 GADC became the Scottish Ethnic Minority Deaf Club SCIO, and from a small room in Pollokshield’s Community Centre the journey to grow the organisation began and as we started to seek ways to be able to provide the bespoke services that would be of benefit to the members of the community. Member led, Big Lottery funded the roles of a Project Manager and Development Worker from the community and from community consultations, we began to access funding to deliver wellbeing workshops, British Sign Language classes, organise social events and offer advice and information with full access to communication by providing BSL Interpreters and Deaf Relay Interpreters. In November 2022, due to the many services being provided such as employability, welfare rights, confidence building workshops, volunteering and the continued advocacy and support, SEMDC became the Scottish Ethnic Minority Deaf **Charity** as it had become much more than a Club. All members are Deaf and from an ethnic minority, all Trustees are members with lived experience. The members are regularly involved in community consultations and provide feedback on the projects and services throughout and bringing new ideas all the time, allowing us to monitor and evaluate service delivery and plan for future project delivery. As the organisation grows, we hope to continue to grow our membership, reaching out to other areas of Scotland and have a presence within local authorities and partner organisations, raising awareness of our deaf and cultural identity. ## **Chairperson’s report:** _“The year 2023 – 2024 has been very inspiring as we welcomed two Trustees onto the Board, who bring a wealth of experience and a new energy to the team._ _Various pots of funding enabled us to continue to provide advocacy and support for community members in regards to accessing advice and information on health-related topics and welfare rights._ _Our Deaf Relay Interpreting service is being requested more frequently by the NHS, Police Scotland and legal services ensuring our members have full access to communication regardless of their level of British Sign Language and can make major decisions for themselves._ _From humble beginnings of one member of staff in a tiny room in Pollokshield’s Community Centre, to a team of 8 members of staff, with lived experience, we now are in a city centre building which is accessible for members across Scotland to attend our many projects and services._ _2024 – 2025 hopes to be a fruitful year for the organisation, as we continue to develop opportunities for our members to learn and grow, as we focus on partnership working across all sectors of society”_ _Chair)_ Projects and Services The Rising Phoenix- The National Lottery & Postcode Lottery The bi-weekly Club is the backbone of the organisation, and it is here members meet socially to develop meaningful friendships and gain access to advice and information othernise not available to them through mainstream services. We have 95 members who come from all over Scotland when possible and with BSL being our preferred language, there are no barriers to communication at the Club. As we entered year 3 of funding, we were delighted to secure another 3 years from the Improving Lives Fund in February 2023, becoming The Soaring Phoenix, allowing us to continue to provide advocacy and support to the members of the community and also continue with the bi-weekly club. ossing his driving theory test, following attoi1(Jing Driving Theory Closses and peer supportfrom membèrs of stoff. Winter warm bank - crafting workshop Our advocacy service is instrumental in providing unique communication support for all members from across the globe and there is a range of workshops and activities to help decrease social isolation and loneliness while improving confidence and wellbeing. LI>CALB5LPiAH5 Community Consultation in partnership with the British Deaf Associt7tion New Lt7nark Heritage Centre Deaf CAN - Scottish Government Our employability programme entered year 3 which encompasses welfare rights, allows members to focus on pursuing career goals, enter education and training and gain a fuller understanding of the UK benefits system. Members receive 1.1 support or can attend group workshops to improve their knowledge or enhance their skills. Working in partnership with local colleges, members attended Math classes, many for in a learning environment for the first time in their lives. In this year, members ac￿SSed bespoke support from the Deaf CAN team, reports showing that 85 % of participants had a greater understanding of their welfare rights and 70 % were more involved in things that were important to them. 45 GIGsgow Jobs Fair Sept 2023 Sayed enters paid employment through GCVS Paid Work Placement Scheme Healthy Deaf Minds- Henry Duncan Grants Following on from year 1 and year 2 which raised awareness of mental health issues, Year 3 focussed on peer led workshops, to enable the members to put their learning into practice. Evaluation show that more members felt less socially isolated, and with developing friendships, were accessing more activities out with SEMDC servI￿s. Jewellery Session Doy Trip to Arran Men's Minds Matter- GCVS Our Men's Group certainly took traction and over this year, men participated in group activities to enhance their wellbeing. Activities ranged from swimming lessons and learning archery, to First Aid Training and Prostate Cancer Awareness workshops. 23 Grond Centrol Station Tour Paddleboarding t7nd kayaking at Pink5ton Watersports Craft Pottery Workshops Women's Group - Winter Social Wellbeing Fundlvolant Trust In this last year we have been able to pilot a women's group, starting with a SEMDC Sewing Circle funded by Impact Funding's Winter Wellbeing Fund and then the Volant Trust to provide wellbeing workshops. 8 women participated overall. SEMDCSewers FirstAid Training- StAndrew's First Aid ## **Good Governance:** _**Roberston Trust**_ In our final year of funding from Robertson Trust – Small Grants, we were able to manage the cost-of-living crisis, contribute to shortfalls in staff salaries and provide essential staff training. Additionally, we rolled out Human Rights training to staff and volunteers, and provided BSL Level I _Signature_ accredited for 2 staff members and 8 members of the community. ## **Financial Report** Trustees’ Annual Report 2023-24 The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and audited financial statements for the year 7th September 2023 to 6th September 2024. Please see attached appendix. ## **Future Plans…** - oa Imperative to the continuation of the organisation, we will be applying to Roberston Trust large grants to be able to continue to provide essential advice and information on Welfare Rights. - oa Hopeful of a continuation of our employability programme, funded by Scottish Government, we await information on next steps in regards to the Equality and Human Rights Fund. - oa Community feedback: From a community consultation, demand is high for bespoke BSL Classes, with a BSL Level I class that started in August 2024 to end in March 2025, we will be looking for funding to progress successful candidates to BSL Level II. - oa A review of our constitution is planned to ensure we are fully reflecting the work we do and services we provide. As more members are wanting to know more about their rights, and staff are trained on Human Rights First Approach. ## **With special thanks to our Funders and Partners** APPENDIX 2 SC047714 Receipts and payments accounts Fwth• pertod Tthal lur ¢urmni p•r fun p•rbo A1 Re¢ei rknaiion8 GrnNI& R￿lpt9 knn¢v•iwrvJ •ctivi Grtt4 tradino rK•oti nc0￿￿ Inv•Btmtrisc4h8rlh•n nd ￿lId1 R•nts from iqnd & t*Jildi 174,IIB3 174glJ 184,761 71 RK•lptyfrom ••••t• Inv••¢m•bit Ml Irw asl• Off￿d•￿e Procetdi trom olinw¥lmeh 17(9•) 191.169 17I.ts71 A3 Ptym•nl• Gr￿8 trnduvj VyTr•nll Paytwnlry r•law 10 8aiwd•s Go¥•rnanc• Auart I kthp8nder* 4¥wnhprts) Prnp0r￿￿ ot4nnualKwunts Leg•1 ￿¥t$ 2Jl8 3.217 1•40)4 166.3611 156,lJ63 A4 P•ym•rtx rnmllng to u••t ind Invwlmont mov•m•¥ PurehatsOSOtfix•d u*¢tJ Pur¢haBeof irn¥••tmwlts Al￿￿(0 164.[ 166.369 156.IXJ 3* 10,IT9 2S.3ty) AS Tr•n•f•rn lol lfroml fund• SC047717 Bl Calh luYoJ¥ 105.01• 13YA•I iom zswu Is.(K• 182.7•1 137A aJOih•rMa•l• 7WI T