Charity Registration No. 1065021
Company Registration No. 03389496 (England and Wales)
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Patron
Lord Salisbury
Trustees
Mr Barry Avison
Mr Andrew Goodwin (Treasurer)
Mrs Elaine McDonald (Chair)
Mrs Jennifer Jones-Gray
Mr David Reader
(Appointed 23 April 2024)
Charity number
1065021
Company number
03389496
Registered office
Queens Drive Retail Park
West Derby
Liverpool
L13 0DJ
Auditor
Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
Suites C, D, E & F
14th Floor, The Plaza
100 Old Hall Street
Liverpool
England
L3 9QJ
Bankers
Barclays Bank PLC
Liverpool West Derby
39 Mill Lane
Liverpool
L12 7HY
NatWest Bank PLC
2-8 Church Street
Liverpool
L1 3BG
Flagstone
1st Floor
Clareville House
26-27 Oxendon Street
London
SW1Y 4EL
Solicitors
ACSL Solicitors
Suite 3
4c Exchange Court
1 Dale Street
Liverpool
L2 2PP
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
CONTENTS
Page
Chairman's statement
1 - 2
Trustees' report
3 - 12
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
13
Independent auditor's report
14 - 16
Statement of financial activities
17 - 18
Balance sheet
19
Statement of cash flows
20
Notes to the financial statements
21 - 36
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
CHAIR'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 1 -

I am pleased to report that the year has been one of stability and consolidation for the team at MSDP. After finalising the charity’s latest Business Strategy and Plan, the Board has focused on governance, ensuring the charity is well managed and is able to provide quality and safe services for those communities that turn to us for support.

In January we concluded a small restructure of services which facilitated the expansion of our frontline Advice and Support Service which leads on our drop in and appointment duty sessions. We have seen growth in our Community Support Service and of Deaf people accessing our duty sessions. Financially, our careful management and investment of charitable resources has stood us in good stead amidst continuing challenges and competition for funds that our sector face.

Staff development has also been a priority for the year, with a number of staff currently undertaking funded apprenticeships in leadership and finance. I would like to extend my thanks to Liverpool Football Club and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for their support in accessing the Apprenticeship Transfer Levy. In April we conducted a staff wellbeing survey, and Trustees were delighted to see high levels of satisfaction amongst the team.

Highlights of the year include:

Future plans

MSDP is aware of the skills shortage nationally of Deaf tutors and of registered Deaf-Blind Interpreters. We will be working locally and nationally with partners, including Signature, to establish collaborations to support the development of our training programmes and our training team.

In response to feedback from our communities, MSDP is committed to developing new services for families of Deaf children and Deaf parents. We will be proactively seeking funding over the next year to deliver projects which support local families and explores opportunities to learn sign language.

We will continue to support the most vulnerable people across our region. Staff have reported an increase in the numbers of vulnerable adults seeking support for very complex issues requiring multi-agency response. Additionally, as our frontline staff are Deaf and have multi-modal communication methods including International Sign Language we have experienced an increase in Deaf asylum seekers, refugees and migrants seeking support through our Duty service. As part of our fundraising plan, the team is looking to secure funds to further expand on our offer to these client groups.

Once again, I’d like to thank our Deaf and hard of hearing community and social groups across Liverpool and Wirral for their continued trust and support.

 

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
CHAIR'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 2 -

And finally, MSDP would not be able to deliver services to make the impact that we do, without the skill and dedication of its staff, volunteers, external consultants and without the support of individuals and organisations that made donations and funded our work. From our collaborative work with NHS Trusts on improving equality of access to our frontline staff empowering clients to achieve and enjoy the ordinary and extraordinary things in life, we are here to serve you.

Elaine McDonald
Chair of Trustees
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 3 -

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and "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).

 

Mission Statement

“MSDP working in partnerships, bringing together Deaf* and hearing communities to create more accessible services.”

*Deaf=Deaf, deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-blind

The Board of Management, staff and volunteers are committed to upholding the organisations Core Values.

The values of MSDP have recently been reviewed and the values highlighted below will provide a foundation for successful growth and development of services in the future.

We are MSDP we are PROUD

 

Objectives and activities

From the Memorandum of Association, the main object of the charity is, in the old-fashioned language “the relief of persons who are Deaf, Deaf Blind and hard of hearing (“The beneficiaries”)

This is carried out in MSDP through: -

 

Understanding and reporting on Public Benefit

The Trustees of the Merseyside Society for Deaf People are fully aware of and understand the requirement to report on the charity’s activities in relation to Public Benefit, as set out in the Charity Commission’s guidance. The Trustees have paid due regard to the guidance when managing the activities of the charity and in reporting on its activities in this annual report.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 4 -

Achievements and performance

Premises

MSDP is based in two premises to help them achieve the purposes of the charity. One in Liverpool on Queens Drive Retail Park and the second as co-located partners within the offices of Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted in Birkenhead. The charity continues to support Wirral Deaf Community funding their weekly room hire of Our Lady of Lourdes in Birkenhead. Smaller groups utilise community space at nearby Wirral Society of Blind and Partially Sighted where our drop-in Duty Service is also based.

The Queens Drive building rents space to organisations (when it is not in use by our own departments and community) to help raise funds towards the maintenance of the building and thus support the charitable activities of the organisation.

Training and Communication Services

The charity provides BSL and Deaf Awareness courses to corporate and individual clients.

 

We welcomed Apprentice Tutor Jennifer Sealey to the team in November 2023 and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate her on achieving her Level 3 teaching qualification. Jennifer has been involved in delivering Deaf Awareness and British Sign Language and just recently 100% achieved pass rate for her first group of BSL Level 1 students which is a great achievement.

This year we have delivered Deaf Awareness and Introduction to BSL to a number of organisations including HMP Liverpool, Liverpool Football Club, South Liverpool Homes, Sefton Carers Service, Hollyoaks cast and crew and The Beatles Story who also had an access audit with recommendations on accessibility for deaf people.

We also supported a teenage CODA (child of a deaf adult) to achieve their BSL Level 1 qualification.

Our working partnership with University of Liverpool continues with a new cohort of Medical Students attending Deaf Awareness Training to improve their communication skills commencing in September 2024. Ian Cockburn was invited to attend a Medical Conference at the University of Warwick in July to showcase the partnership work between MSDP and the University of Liverpool in relation to the Deaf Awareness workshop for medical students.

In February Training Project Lead, Ian Cockburn was invited to attend an interview with BBC Radio Merseyside to discuss his views on the announcement of GCSE BSL being launched on the national curriculum.

In September 2024 MSDP launched the charity’s first Deaf Awareness e-learning packages and our new Level 4 BSL Course also went live.

 

During October 2023 to September 2024 a total of 981 delegates attended a Deaf Awareness or introduction to BSL session. 55 students undertook one of our British Sign Language courses in the financial year.

 

Communication services form, a small but important part of our charitable offer. We are grateful for the hard work of all our freelance BSL Interpreters who choose to register with us and completed 762 Interpreter bookings in the financial year.

 

Community Support Services

Kevin Bradley was appointed to the role of Support Services Manager in October 2023, driving forward a change programme for the department.

Rotas

Implementation of the Care Planner rota system now means all staff are able to see their shifts. All Support Workers have fixed shifts which helps manage the services more efficiently.

In addition, the Support Workers are able to log in and out of the shifts via the rota app and the manager is able to monitor the whereabouts of the team. For any late log ins, the Care Planner software alerts the manager after 10 minutes of no activity.

This makes planning so much easier as we can now plan in advance of up to 6 months and discuss with clients and their families about their preferred supporting hours. This has also improved staff wellbeing as support workers are now able to book annual leave in advance and the Manager can easily plan the rota.

 

 

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 5 -

Client records

As part of MSDP’s digital transformation, all key documents were reviewed and transferred into the Care Planner system. This included Support Plans, Consent forms, Health Passport, MSDP Risk Assessment, Safeguarding Risk Assessment, Premises & Environment Risk Assessment. This has enabled the team to improve and facilitate our person-centred services. All Support Workers have been assigned the key worker roles for nominated clients, with the support from the Manager, the support workers are then able to work with the clients and go through all areas of support needed. Then discuss the risks and how to manage the risks effectively. All clients have new folders each that has details of their support, information relating to their health. 

As with the documents, all support workers use the app to complete tasks and day notes, they can also read through any updates to the support plan for that client.

Assessment of needs form was created by Sarah-Jane and a visit to all of the clients were completed with the scope to look at how we can improve support and use the information onto the support plan. A spot check form was created by the Manager with a view to improving the standards of support workers and how they conduct themselves within work and with their clients. This is linked up to their training and professional development plan.

Training

With the introduction of the training online, all support workers are able to complete either from office place or from home should they wish to complete it further. All support workers have completed their mandatory training. Supervisions are being completed and all support workers have reported that they are in a happy place, they feel supported by their manager and there is flexibility around work-life balance. Team meetings are conducted on a monthly basis with an average attendance of 8-9 staff (we have 15 in total including bank staff). The team feel valued in the meeting and are able to express their concerns or issues, all actions/ follow-ups were completed by the next team meeting. 

We offer support across all areas of Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral and this year the team were commissioned to deliver 11,369 hours of community support. Our specialism is our communication methods which include Deaf-Blind Tactile Sign, International Sign Language and British Sign Language.

Successful outcomes for clients include:

Our specialism is our ability to provide services for Deaf and Deaf-Blind individuals who use BSL, Deaf-Blind Manual and Deaf-Blind Hands on Signing, Sign Specific English or International Sign Language as their first or preferred language. The team in our support services continue to enable some of the most vulnerable people in Merseyside to live independently, stay connected and thrive.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 6 -

Our focus in the year has been on reviewing the effectiveness of our support services and developing our staff. During the year we have:

Advice and Support Service

Following an organisational restructure in January 2024, the team was strengthened by the introduction of an Advice and Support Service Manager and two Advice and Support Officers. The team provided 1,456 sessions of support to Deaf and Deaf-blind clients this year in Sefton, Liverpool and the Wirral.

The service continues to be a gateway to a large array of mainstream services for isolated Deaf people seeking support across a wide range of issues. In September 2024 MSDP was awarded a small amount of funding through Our Liverpool to expand on our work with Deaf migrants, refugees and asylum seekers over three years.

Environmental Aids department

The Environmental Aids department continues to work across Liverpool City and Wirral Borough Council areas to assess the needs of clients, installing and repairing equipment where required to maintain independence in their homes.

This year our Rehabilitation Officers completed 1,097 home visits to assess, fit and repair environmental aids equipment. Use of new doorbell technology has made efficient use of resources and has resulted in a reduction of requests for repairs. This has enabled the team to expand outreach work through holding equipment demonstrations across our region.

Community Engagement Team

As a user led charity we are shaping our user engagement plan to enable our communities to influence our services. More than 60% of our staff team are d/Deaf, we have d/Deaf Trustees and provide social spaces to the one of the largest Deaf Social Clubs in the country. MSDP’s Community Engagement Manager Janice Connolly is the charity’s representative at the British Deaf Association’s BSL Alliance, feeding in the views of Deaf people in our region.

In Summer 2024 we were grateful to the VOLA Consortium for a grant towards upgrading IT equipment in our computer room at Queen’s Drive and to cover costs of enhancing our WIFI capability to enable community access. We have been working with a Deaf IT enthusiast who has delivered sessions on basic IT.

We are currently working with Liverpool Women’s Digital Inclusion team lead to make their hospital more accessible.

 

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 7 -

Community Events:

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 8 -

Liverpool Deaf Community and Joes Bar

MSDP provides a room at Queen’s Drive for the use of community groups, which includes a bar. “Joes Bar” funds itself and is run by Liverpool Deaf Community committee with the help of 14 volunteer bar staff. Our weekly timetable is:

Regular Groups:

Tuesday Afternoon        Hard of Hearing

Wednesday Afternoon        Elderly Pensioners Club (EPC)

Thursday Morning         Coffee Morning

Thursday Afternoon         Arts and Crafts sessions including sewing

Friday Evening            Sports and Social Club

Sunday Evening            St Vincent’s Parish

Monthly Groups:

Occasionally – Big Bingo

Thank you to all the volunteers who continue to work in the bar and the Committee for their continued support.

Wirral Deaf Community

Wirral Deaf Community continues to meet at Our Lady of Lourdes in Birkenhead.

 

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 9 -

Fundraising activities

The landscape for trusts and foundations continues to be highly competitive. However, we were grateful to secure £8,555 of applications from funders.

We wish to express our gratitude to VOLA Consortium’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund for a grant of £8,017 Digital Connectivity in Community Facilities grant to upgrade our IT room in Queen’s Drive. Douglas Arter Foundation funded new equipment for our sewing group. We also successfully bid for £31,933 of funding from Forester Family Trust which will enable the charity to seed fund development of new services for families of Deaf children in 2025.

We received a further £10,551 in donations, including money raised by a team of Deaf women, interpreters and staff.

Volunteers

MSDP has a team of 11 volunteers providing frontline support to our reception, in our community activities and supporting external events.

 

Volunteers had many reasons for seeking volunteer opportunities. Some may have attended a BSL course and wanted to improve their signing skills, others wanted to support the community and to use their signing skills to help out in any way they can.

Volunteers are placed in different areas within the Charity to ensure they get to develop new skills, build on existing ones or simply help others to participate in their community.

Task descriptions:

Partners

A key objective in the charity’s Business Plan 2020-2023 was the development of partnerships. We wish to say a huge thank you to our partners and peers who have worked with us and supported us over the last year. We are stronger together!

Deaf Active: with thanks to joint CEOs Thomas Maher and Katie Godfrey
Deafness Resource Centre: with thanks to Helen Fitzgerald and the team
Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted: with thanks to Lynne Sedgewick and the team
The Deaf Health Charity SignHealth
Bradbury Fields
Deafness Support Network
Deaf Chief Officers Group

The 800 Group
Wirral Health and Wellbeing CIC

Well Placed (Liverpool’s Health and Wellbeing Strategic Leads Forum.
Core 20+5 Wirral

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 10 -
Financial review

We overachieved this year with our training offers compared to our original budget by £13k and interpreting was £50k higher in income contributing £20k. We need a focused strategy on the sales of our e-learning packages for the coming year, working with a marketing consultant to set a successful strategy going forwards. We have continued to achieve small increases to our two main contracts, a trend we anticipate will continue.

In addition to the Local Authority Contracts, the main income for the charity comes from:

Training Courses
Interpreting Services
Rental of space
Donations and legacies.

The Board are satisfied with the charity’s year end position despite the challenges that all charities will have faced over the period. Trustees set a budget of an £85k operational deficit based on income and expenditure. It’s worth noting that £52k of the end of year loss comes from legacy expenditure from a rent-free period and then depreciation. We still have approx. £400k in cash in a savings account. The Trustees are considering options to maximise charitable reserves through ethical investment opportunities such as forestry.

We are working with our tenants on the ground floor to separate utility bills, which we hope could save £20k per year.

We have a grant budget of £80k for 2024/2025 and have secured £40k but the outlook for funding is still very challenging.

Looking ahead:

We would like to extend our thanks to the organisations who have supported us to deliver vital projects or services over the year:

Vola Consortium

Douglas Arter Foundation

Forrester Family Trust

Liverpool City Council

Wirral Council

Sefton Council

Reserves policy

The Trustees have reviewed the Charity’s need for reserves in line with guidance issued by the Charity Commission. The Trustees agree to the aim of holding at least three months running costs in free reserves on the understanding that the charity’s funding is not certain and to ensure that the charity can run effectively and continue to meet the needs of its beneficiaries.

Accountability

The charity must comply with legislation and regulation in many areas of its work, including: -

data protection, staffing issues, selection, conditions, remuneration, discipline, grievance, Income Tax, National Insurance, health and safety, equality issues, race, gender and disability.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 11 -

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Structure, governance and management

Merseyside Society For Deaf People is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. The charity is governed by a memorandum of association, 13 June 1997, Revised and approved by Board and Members of the Deaf Community 31 March 2017. The company has no share capital, being a company limited by guarantee.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

 

Mr Barry Avison
Mr Andrew Goodwin (Treasurer)
Ms Katherine McGunigle
(Resigned 4 February 2024)
Mr John Brennan
(Resigned 23 April 2024)
Mrs Elaine McDonald (Chair)
Mrs Jennifer Jones-Gray
Mr David Reader
(Appointed 23 April 2024)

The Trustees have

Our Patron is Lord Salisbury

He says “I am very honoured to be a Patron of MSDP, particularly in view of my family’s long connection with the City of Liverpool, and it is a privilege to be a supporter of such an effective organisation. I wish MSDP the very best of good fortune in the years to come.”

Trustee Selection and Development

The charity recruits Trustees onto the board who can contribute to the achievement of the charity’s objectives based on their skills, experience and knowledge. We proactively seek to recruit Trustees with lived experience of d/Deaf issues from a variety of perspectives. Prospective Trustees are asked to complete an application form and skills audit which covers the experience they can offer and their reasons for wishing to be a Trustee. After submitting the form, the prospective Trustee is interviewed by representatives of the Board. The appointment of the prospective Trustee is discussed at the next board meeting, and if approved by a majority of Trustees present, is invited to observe the board for a three month probation period before being formally registered with Companies House and the Charity Commission.

Any new Trustee is taken through an induction process that includes meeting staff to learn about our services, attending Deaf Awareness sessions, completing trustee and safeguarding training, signing up the Charity Governance Code Principles. Providing a three month period before formally signing up a new Trustee allows but the Board and potential Trustee to get to know each other and to get a feel for the charity and our objectives. All Trustees are valued and it’s important they become familiar with the charity and are encouraged to take advantage of occasions to meet staff and community members.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 12 -
Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Michell Charlesworth (Audit) Ltd be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mr Andrew Goodwin (Treasurer)
Trustee
Dated: 18 March 2025
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 13 -

The trustees, who are also the directors of Merseyside Society for Deaf People for the purpose of company law, 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).

 

Company Law 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 of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

 

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate 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 Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
- 14 -

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Merseyside Society for Deaf People (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 30 September 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 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 charitable company's affairs as at 30 September 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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 charity’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 contained within the annual report. 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

-

the information given in the trustees' report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

-

the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
- 15 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

-

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-
certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

-

the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the Trustees' Report and from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose 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 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 charity’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 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

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 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 extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
- 16 -

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://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 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 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Louise Casey (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
30 April 2025
Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Suites C, D, E & F
14th Floor, The Plaza
100 Old Hall Street
Liverpool
England
L3 9QJ
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 17 -
Current financial year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
12,432
-
12,432
6,748
Charitable activities
4
833,956
16,387
850,343
877,057
Investments
5
98,882
-
98,882
75,063
Other income
6
3,859
-
3,859
9,404
Total income
949,129
16,387
965,516
968,272
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
1,065,509
10,120
1,075,629
1,048,456
Total expenditure
1,065,509
10,120
1,075,629
1,048,456
Net movement in funds
(116,380)
6,267
(110,113)
(80,184)
Reconciliation of funds
Fund balances at 1 October 2023
1,322,491
7,800
1,330,291
1,410,475
Fund balances at 30 September 2024
1,206,111
14,067
1,220,178
1,330,291

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The movement in funds detailed above complies with the requirements for a statement of changes in equity under FRS102.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 18 -
Prior financial year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
6,748
-
6,748
Charitable activities
4
751,582
125,475
877,057
Investments
5
75,063
-
75,063
Other income
6
9,404
-
9,404
Total income
842,797
125,475
968,272
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
912,981
135,475
1,048,456
Total expenditure
912,981
135,475
1,048,456
Net movement in funds
(70,184)
(10,000)
(80,184)
Reconciliation of funds
Fund balances at 1 October 2022
1,392,675
17,800
1,410,475
Fund balances at 30 September 2023
1,322,491
7,800
1,330,291

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The movement in funds detailed above complies with the requirements for a statement of changes in equity under FRS102.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
30 SEPTEMBER 2024
30 September 2024
- 19 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
12
7,524
9,900
Tangible assets
13
1,137,717
1,129,936
1,145,241
1,139,836
Current assets
Debtors
15
132,420
119,008
Cash at bank and in hand
461,006
574,293
593,426
693,301
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
16
(137,276)
(85,932)
Net current assets
456,150
607,369
Total assets less current liabilities
1,601,391
1,747,205
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
18
(381,213)
(416,914)
Net assets
1,220,178
1,330,291
Income funds
Restricted funds
22
14,067
7,800
Unrestricted funds
General unrestricted funds
1,182,120
1,298,500
Revaluation reserve
24
23,991
23,991
1,206,111
1,322,491
1,220,178
1,330,291
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 18 March 2025
Mr Andrew Goodwin (Treasurer)
Trustee
Company registration number 03389496
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 20 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash absorbed by operations
27
(128,840)
(213,548)
Investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets
-
(11,880)
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(46,564)
(13,694)
Investment income received
98,882
75,063
Net cash generated from investing activities
52,318
49,489
Financing activities
Repayment of bank loans
(36,765)
(37,659)
Net cash used in financing activities
(36,765)
(37,659)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(113,287)
(201,718)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
574,293
776,011
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
461,006
574,293
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 21 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Merseyside Society for Deaf People is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Queens Drive Retail Park, West Derby, Liverpool, L13 0DJ.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

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 £.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have 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.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

1.4
Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt.

Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, and contract income is included in income when these are receivable, except as follows:

 

 

 

 

Other grants, which have particular service requirements and which are provided in accordance with a contract or service level agreement are included in the Statement of Financial Activities under the heading Charitable Activities.

Rental income from operating leases (net of any incentives given to the lessees) is recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 22 -
1.5
Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

 

Management and governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

1.6
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Development costs
over 5 years
1.7
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Freehold buildings
2% on cost of buildings
Property improvements
10% on cost
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
10% - 20% on cost
Computers
20% on cost

Freehold land is not depreciated.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.8
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).

1.9
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 23 -
1.10
Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.11
Employee benefits

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.

1.12
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.13
Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

Rentals received under operating leases are credited to the Statement of Financial Activity on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 24 -
1.14

Taxation

The charity benefits from various exemptions from taxation afforded by tax legislation and is not liable to corporation tax on income or gains falling within those exemptions. Recovery is made of tax deducted from qualifying income and from receipts under gift aid.

 

The charity is not able to recover Value Added Tax. Expenditure is recorded in the accounts inclusive of VAT.

2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

 

There are no critical accounting estimates or judgements in these accounts.

3
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Total
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
Donations and gifts
12,232
12,232
6,748
Legacies receivable
200
200
-
12,432
12,432
6,748
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 25 -
4
Charitable activities
2024
2023
£
£
Education, welfare and support
Income from charitable activities
398,003
321,308
Services provided under contract
435,611
430,274
Performance related grants
16,729
125,475
850,343
877,057
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
833,956
Restricted funds
16,387
850,343
For the year ended 30 September 2023
Unrestricted funds
751,582
Restricted funds
125,475
877,057
5
Investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Rental income
77,539
69,803
Interest receivable
21,343
5,260
98,882
75,063
6
Other income
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Other income
3,859
9,404
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 26 -
7
Charitable activities
2024
2023
£
£
Education, welfare and support
Staff costs
625,864
598,672

Exam fees

1,872
4,429

Other costs

32,108
34,219
659,844
637,320
Share of support costs (see note 8)
377,163
381,571
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
38,622
29,565
1,075,629
1,048,456
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
1,065,509
912,981
Restricted funds
10,120
135,475
1,075,629
1,048,456
8
Support costs
Support costs
Governance costs
2024
Support costs
Governance costs
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Staff costs
59,060
-
59,060
68,545
-
68,545
Depreciation & amortisation
41,159
-
41,159
33,966
-
33,966

Premises costs

54,621
-
54,621
62,790
-
62,790

Office costs

62,933
-
62,933
58,595
-
58,595

Other costs

159,390
-
159,390
157,675
-
157,675
Audit fees
-
7,770
7,770
-
7,400
7,400
Accountancy
-
6,115
6,115
-
3,131
3,131
Legal and professional
-
24,737
24,737
-
19,034
19,034
377,163
38,622
415,785
381,571
29,565
411,136
Analysed between
Charitable activities
377,163
38,622
415,785
381,571
29,565
411,136

Support and governance costs are recharged to charitable activities.

 

 

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 27 -
9
Auditor's remuneration

The analysis of auditor's remuneration is as follows:

Fees payable to the charity's auditor
2024
2023
£
£
Audit of the charity's annual accounts
7,770
7,400
Non-audit services
All other non-audit services
6,115
3,131
10
Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, and no trustees were reimbursed expenses (2023- no trustees remunerated or reimbursed expenses).

11
Employees
Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024
2023
Number
Number
Charitable activity
24
23
Management and support
3
3
27
26
Employment costs
2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
631,017
613,029
Social security costs
38,844
38,999
Other pension costs
15,063
15,189
684,924
667,217

Included within payroll costs above is £72,175 (2023: £79,291) for costs of freelance interpreters, bank staff, social care and training contractors.

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more (2023: none).
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 28 -
12
Intangible fixed assets
Development costs
£
Cost
At 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024
11,880
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 October 2023
1,980
Amortisation charged for the year
2,376
At 30 September 2024
4,356
Carrying amount
At 30 September 2024
7,524
At 30 September 2023
9,900
13
Tangible fixed assets
Freehold land and buildings
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
Computers
Total
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 October 2023
1,268,170
98,180
25,243
1,391,593
Additions
-
8,934
37,630
46,564
At 30 September 2024
1,268,170
107,114
62,873
1,438,157
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 October 2023
173,292
81,247
7,118
261,657
Depreciation charged in the year
24,756
3,692
10,335
38,783
At 30 September 2024
198,048
84,939
17,453
300,440
Carrying amount
At 30 September 2024
1,070,122
22,175
45,420
1,137,717
At 30 September 2023
1,094,878
16,933
18,125
1,129,936
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
13
Tangible fixed assets
(Continued)
- 29 -

The land at Queens Drive is included at the deemed cost of £30,359 as allowed by regulations under FRS102 and the charity SORP 2015, see note 24.

 

Barclays Bank plc hold a floating charge over all property or undertakings of the charity.

 

National Westminster Bank plc hold a legal charge, created in July 2017, over freehold land and buildings at Queens Drive, West Derby, Liverpool.

 

As at 30 September 2024 the amount owed to National Westminster Bank plc was £421,342 (2023: £458,107).

 

Freehold land and buildings includes investment property which comprises one floor of the property at Queens Drive, West Derby, Liverpool. The entire property is accounted for as freehold land and buildings within tangible fixed assets as the fair value of the investment property component cannot be measured reliably without undue costs to the charity.

14
Financial instruments
2024
2023
£
£
Carrying amount of financial assets
Debt instruments measured at amortised cost
538,527
646,590
Carrying amount of financial liabilities
Measured at amortised cost
462,626
502,846
15
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
77,305
72,297
Other debtors
2,352
-
Prepayments and accrued income
26,303
16,331
105,960
88,628
2024
2023
Amounts falling due after more than one year:
£
£
Prepayments and accrued income
26,460
30,380
Total debtors
132,420
119,008
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 30 -
16
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Bank loans
19
40,129
41,193
Other taxation and social security
9,430
-
Deferred income
17
46,433
-
Trade creditors
30,200
35,359
Accruals
11,084
9,380
137,276
85,932
17
Deferred income
2024
2023
£
£
Other deferred income
46,433
-

Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:

2024
2023
£
£
Total deferred income at 1 October 2023
-
127,991
Amounts received in year
46,433
-
Amounts credited to statement of financial activities
-
(127,991)
Total deferred income at 30 September 2024
46,433
-
18
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Bank loans
19
381,213
416,914
The bank loans are secured by legal charges over the charity's property as detailed in the fixed asset and borrowings notes (see notes 13 & 19)

 

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 31 -
19
Loans
2024
2023
£
£
Bank loans
421,342
458,107
Payable within one year
40,129
41,193
Payable after one year
381,213
416,914
Amounts included above which fall due after five years:
Payable by instalments
190,369
242,567

The bank loan is secured by a legal charge over the charity's property in Queens Drive, Liverpool.

20
Retirement benefit schemes
Defined contribution schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The charge in the statement of financial activities for the year in respect of defined contribution schemes was £15,063 (2023: £15,189).

 

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 32 -
21
Operating lease commitments

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2024
2023
£
£
Within one year
1,530
1,530
Between two and five years
3,443
4,974
4,973
6,504
Lessor

The operating leases represent leases to third parties. The leases are negotiated over terms of 5 to 15 years and rental income is fixed for 5 years. The longer leases includes a provision for five-yearly upward rent reviews according to prevailing market conditions. There are no options in place for any party to extend the terms of the leases.

At the reporting end date the charity had contracted with tenants for the following minimum lease payments:

2024
2023
£
£
Within one year
58,800
58,800
Between two and five years
235,200
235,200
In over five years
147,000
205,800
441,000
499,800
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 33 -
22
Restricted funds
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:
Movement in funds
Movement in funds
Balance at
1 October 2022

Income

Expenditure

Balance at
1 October 2023

Income

Expenditure

Balance at
30 September 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
National Lottery Awards for All
-
10,000
(10,000)
-
-
-
-
Wirral Building Fund
7,800
-
-
7,800
-
(5,000)
2,800
CAF Funding
10,000
77,409
(87,409)
-
-
-
-
Liferooms Commission
-
29,462
(29,462)
-
-
-
-
Deaf Migrants
-
-
-
-
8,370
-
8,370
Vola Consortium
-
8,295
(8,295)
-
8,017
(5,120)
2,897
NHS England Nurse Placement
-
309
(309)
-
-
-
-
17,800
125,475
(135,475)
7,800
16,387
(10,120)
14,067
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
22
Restricted funds
(Continued)
- 34 -

National Lottery Awards for All - This funding will be used to develop resources and update materials to improve the Training courses that we deliver. 

The Wirral building fund aims to raise funds to purchase and renovate a building on the Wirral to enable the charity to reach those who need it most.

CAF Funding - Transformation programme, for charitable purposes to cover specific project and resilience costs to support the development and improve resilience of all areas within the Charity. 

 

Wirral Infection Control Fund – to help reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission and support recruitment and retention of employees within the care sector. 

 

Liferooms Commission – To provide physical activity sessions and community activities to improve physical and mental health of Deaf and Deaf-blind people. In partnership with Deaf Active. 

 

Deaf Migrants - This project aims to reduce social isolation experienced by Deaf refugees, Deaf people seeking asylum and Deaf vulnerable migrants, to involve them in their local communities.

 

VOLA Digital Connectivity for Local Community Facilities Project - This funding will be used to upgrade the IT suite at Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted People in Birkenhead, where MSDP are co-located to improve IT access for Deaf-Blind people and people with sight loss in the local community. 

 

NHS England – Student placements - We are providing opportunities for Nursing students from John Moores University to attend on work placements, to gain insight into the Deaf Community. A contribution towards hosting the students is paid to MSDP.

 

MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 35 -
23
Designated funds
The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:
Balance at
1 October 2022
Transfers
Balance at
1 October 2023
Transfers
Balance at
30 September 2024
£
£
£
£
£
Future property fund
52,500
(52,500)
-
-
-
52,500
(52,500)
-
-
-

During a previous year, the trustees designated funds to establish additional permanent, physical spaces on Merseyside to enable the charity to reach those who need it most. However, last year the decision was made by the trustees to release these funds back to general unrestricted reserves.

 

24
Revaluation reserve

Included within the unrestricted funds is the revaluation reserve of £23,991 (2023: £23,991). This is the deemed cost element of land retained at Queens Drive, West Derby for the new building to be erected following the sale of the site and old building in the year ended 30 September 2015, less the original cost of that land of £6,368.

 

25
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fund balances at 30 September 2024 are represented by:
Intangible fixed assets
7,524
-
7,524
9,900
-
9,900
Tangible assets
1,137,717
-
1,137,717
1,129,936
-
1,129,936
Current assets/(liabilities)
442,083
14,067
456,150
599,569
7,800
607,369
Long term liabilities
(381,213)
-
(381,213)
(416,914)
-
(416,914)
1,206,111
14,067
1,220,178
1,322,491
7,800
1,330,291
MERSEYSIDE SOCIETY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 36 -
26
Related party transactions
Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

2024
2023
£
£
Aggregate remuneration
108,318
76,965

The son of trustee John Brennan is employed by the charity and receives a salary which is at market rate. He was made redundant in January 2024.

There were no other related party transactions in the year.

 

27
Cash generated from operations
2024
2023
£
£
Deficit for the year
(110,113)
(80,184)
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
(98,882)
(75,063)
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
3,960
1,980
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
37,199
31,986
Movements in working capital:
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(13,412)
28,357
Increase in creditors
5,975
7,367
Increase/(decrease) in deferred income
46,433
(127,991)
Cash absorbed by operations
(128,840)
(213,548)
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