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2026-03-31-accounts

Trustees Annual Report For the year ending 31 March 2026

Charity Name: Deaf Scots Trust

Registered Address: 133 Nether Auldhouse Road Glasgow G43 2YS

Charity Registration Number: SC050186 Trustees: Ross Grant Lilian Young Margaret Aitken Bankers: Co-operative Bank PO Box 368 Salford M5 0JQ Investment Advisors: St James’s Place Wealth Management St James’s Place House 168 West George Street Glasgow G2 2NR

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Trustees' Report

The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2026.

Financial Statement

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and in compliance with the charity's Constitution, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts.

Reference and Administrative Details

The legal and administrative information on page one forms part of this report.

Governance

Deaf Scots Trust is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and is governed by its Constitution. The charity continues to operate in accordance with its charitable purposes and remains committed to good governance, transparency and effective stewardship of its resources.

The Trustees continue to review the governance arrangements of the charity to ensure they remain proportionate to the size of the organisation and reflect best practice within the Scottish charity sector.

Trustee Recruitment and Appointment

The Trust currently has three Trustees, meeting the constitutional requirements for governance. During the year, the Trustees continued to review the skills and experience required to govern the charity effectively. Recruitment of additional Trustees will be considered as the charity develops and future succession planning becomes necessary.

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Charitable Purposes

"To provide support, provision and grants to deaf and deafblind people and groups in Scotland in order to advance their education, health, wellbeing, mental health, arts, heritage and culture."

Summary of the Main Activities and Achievements of the Charity

The Trustees are pleased to report another successful year of grant making across Scotland. Deaf Scots Trust remains committed to supporting deaf and deafblind people by investing in community-led organisations and initiatives that improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and increase opportunities for participation.

The voluntary sector continues to experience significant financial pressures, and many local deaf organisations continue to rely on charitable funding to sustain essential activities. In response, the Trustees have continued to adopt a flexible funding approach, supporting organisations that demonstrate clear community benefit and long-term impact.

During the year, final monitoring reports were received from the four organisations funded during the 2024/2025 funding round. Each of the four organisations demonstrated positive outcomes for the deaf communities they serve.

Funding supported:

The Trustees were encouraged by the positive reports received, which demonstrated continued community engagement, opportunities for social inclusion, improved access to British Sign Language environments, and enhanced wellbeing for deaf people across Scotland.

The Trustees thank each organisation for providing detailed monitoring information and for the valuable work they continue to undertake within their local communities.

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All funding decisions continue to be made in accordance with the Trust's Criteria, Assessment and Monitoring Policy. Equality, diversity and inclusion information continues to be collected through the application process to ensure that funding remains accessible and reaches a diverse range of deaf and deafblind people throughout Scotland.

Success of the 2024/2025 Projects

The Trustees were pleased to receive monitoring reports from each of the four organisations funded during the 2024/2025 grant round. Funding was distributed equally between the organisations, supporting projects that promoted inclusion, wellbeing, community participation and Deaf culture across Scotland.

Ayrshire Deaf Club – SCIO

Ayrshire Deaf Club continued to provide a wide range of opportunities for Deaf children, young people and adults throughout Ayrshire.

Its flagship Deaf Youth Club operated fortnightly during school terms, welcoming between 17 and 25 Deaf young people at each session, together with their families. The club provides a safe environment where Deaf children can develop confidence, build friendships, strengthen their Deaf identity and learn about Deaf culture without communication barriers. Hearing siblings are also encouraged to learn British Sign Language, helping to create inclusive family environments and future advocates for the Deaf community.

Young people are actively involved in planning activities and developing practical skills, including catering experience and food hygiene qualifications. During the year, three Trustees successfully completed First Aid training, strengthening the club's safeguarding capacity, with plans to extend training opportunities to volunteers.

The organisation also continued its monthly Deaf Adults Social evenings, attracting around 25 to 30 Deaf adults of all ages and providing an important opportunity to reduce isolation and maintain community connections. Alongside this, the club expanded opportunities

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through its Deaf five-a-side football activities, encouraging participation in sport and promoting physical wellbeing.

Funding from Deaf Scots Trust enabled these activities to continue at a time when alternative funding sources were limited, particularly for adult social activities and football, relieving financial pressures on the organisation.

Lothian Children's Deaf Club

Lothian Children's Deaf Club continued to provide invaluable support to Deaf children and their families through monthly accessible sessions and ongoing peer support.

Throughout the year, families participated in a diverse programme of activities including sensory workshops, Deaf-led music sessions, storytelling, science workshops, soft play and family learning opportunities. British Sign Language remained central to the club's approach, supported by Deaf mentors, interpreters, Teachers of the Deaf and representatives from the National Deaf Children's Society.

Attendance continued to grow, with around 20 Deaf children regularly attending sessions, including several newly diagnosed families and families with young babies. The club has successfully created opportunities for Deaf children to develop friendships, meet Deaf role models and increase their confidence within an accessible environment. Families also reported improvements in their children's sense of belonging and growing interest in learning British Sign Language .

Coatbridge Deaf Club

Coatbridge Deaf Club continued to provide regular social opportunities that brought Deaf people together within an accessible environment.

Funding supported the continuation of community-based activities that reduce loneliness, improve mental wellbeing and preserve Deaf culture. The Trustees recognise the continuing importance of Deaf clubs in providing safe spaces where Deaf people can communicate freely, maintain friendships and participate fully in community life.

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Deaf and Hearing Loss Isles Associated Support (DAHLIAS)

DAHLIAS, established in 2024, has continued to develop into an important support network for Deaf and hard of hearing people living in the Western Isles.

The funding from Deaf Scots Trust represented the group's first successful grant award and enabled the organisation to establish essential infrastructure, purchase equipment and deliver a programme of social activities. During the year, members participated in community events including bingo sessions, a Christmas gathering and activities designed to reduce isolation and strengthen peer support.

Funding also enabled DAHLIAS to coordinate a successful Deaf Awareness Week programme, including British Sign Language Sign Café sessions, community awareness activities and educational presentations delivered in partnership with NHS Audiology and local organisations. The events increased awareness of hearing loss within the wider community whilst celebrating Deaf culture and British Sign Language.

The Trustees were particularly encouraged that the organisation has carefully managed its funding, retaining resources to support future activities including lipreading classes, community outings and further opportunities for local people with hearing loss.

The Trustees are grateful to all four organisations for the positive outcomes achieved through this funding programme. Their work continues to strengthen Deaf communities across Scotland by reducing isolation, promoting wellbeing, encouraging participation and increasing opportunities for Deaf people of all ages.

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2025/2026 Projects

Following consideration of applications received during the autumn funding round, the Trustees approved funding in November 2025 for three projects which closely aligned with the charity's objectives.

The following organisations received funding:

Glasgow Deaf Darts Hub

Funding was awarded to support the development of Glasgow Deaf Darts Hub, enabling Deaf people to participate in accessible sporting and social opportunities while promoting inclusion, wellbeing and community engagement.

Coatbridge Deaf Club

The Trustees agreed to provide further support to Coatbridge Deaf Club in recognition of the continued value the organisation provides to the local Deaf community through accessible social activities and opportunities to reduce isolation.

Sign Vine

Funding was awarded to Sign Vine in support of its work promoting accessible communication, Deaf culture and community engagement.

The Trustees recognised the project's potential to reach Deaf people across Scotland through innovative and inclusive activities.

Final monitoring reports for these projects are expected during November 2026 and will be reported within the 2026/2027 Trustees' Annual Report.

Investment Policy

The Trustees continue to review the charity's Investment Policy annually in partnership with the Trust's investment advisers. The charity remains committed to ensuring that its investments are managed prudently while

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maintaining sufficient resources to continue supporting charitable activities across Scotland.

The Trustees recognise that responsible financial management is fundamental to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Deaf Scots Trust and its ability to continue awarding grants in future years. Looking Forward

The Trustees remain committed to growing the impact of Deaf Scots Trust by supporting projects that improve the lives of deaf and deafblind people throughout Scotland.

During the coming year the Trustees intend to:

The Trustees would like to thank every organisation that applied for funding during the year and congratulate those whose projects continue to make a meaningful difference within Deaf communities across Scotland.

Ross Grant Trustee

Date: 14/08/2026

Signed on behalf of all Trustees

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Deal Se•t$ Trust Financial Statement Deaf Scots Trust 2025 - 2026 Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 st March 2026 202512026 202412025 Receipts Grants Trust Funds Donations Refunded grant Bank Interest Total Recei 86 106 191 171 221 ts Payments Grants Ipads & Laptop Trainin Total Pa 2200 3787 ments 2200 3787 Surplusl(deficit} for the year -2009 -3566 Bank Opening Balance Surplusl(Deficit) for the year Closing Balance 7503 -2009 5494 11069 -3566 7503 Cash in bank (at 31 st March 2025) 5494 7503 Total Fund5 as at 31st March 2026 General Funds Investments Total Funds 5494 142447 147941 7503 128062 135565

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Deaf Scots Trust

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on page 9.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention;

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations

have not been met, or

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  1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Name: James Sorohan

Date: 14/08/2026

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