The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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 governing document, the Companies Act 2006 the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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)".
The members of the charity are deaf people who use our services.
The charity's objectives and principal activity during the year were to empower deaf and sensory impaired people and facilitate improvement of their quality of life to become active and participative citizens.
The strategies employed to assist the charity to meet these objectives include the following:
To improve mental health and wellbeing by reducing social isolation, exclusion and discrimination deaf and sensory impaired people experience from the stigma attached to deafness and ensuing extreme communication difficulties.
To work in partnership with service providers to reduce barriers and increase access for deaf and sensory impaired people.
To build capacity and facilitate consultation and involvement of deaf people and sensory impaired people with service providers.
To champion equal access, equality and diversity for deaf and sensory impaired people, within communities and service provision.
To do all things as may be in the interest of and for the benefit of deaf and sensory impaired people.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
During the financial year 2024/25, Deaf Links experienced a significant increase in demand for its services, alongside a continued diversification in the types of support offered. This growth occurred within a broader context of financial hardship stemming from the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which placed considerable strain on resources. Nevertheless, thanks to a combination of grant funding, charitable trust support, social enterprise income, and the outstanding commitment of our volunteers, staff, and Trustees, Deaf Links remained adaptable and responsive to community needs.
Advocacy Service
The Advocacy Service saw unprecedented levels of engagement, with 674 individuals supported during the year — a notable increase on previous years. Staff faced considerable challenges and pressure due to the intensity and complexity of issues presented, which included benefit entitlements, housing difficulties, rising utility costs, debt management, barriers to medical appointments, substance misuse concerns, and an especially high volume of mental health-related issues. Despite these demands, our experienced and professional team delivered exceptional support with empathy and resilience, ensuring that those most affected by intersecting barriers continued to receive person-centred advocacy.
DefiniTAY Project
Our DefiniTAY Project, supporting Deaf women and girls affected by gender-based violence and abuse, continued to develop in partnership with Women’s Aid organisations across Dundee, Perthshire and Angus. Educational discussion and health workshops offered tailored support and information to Deaf women and girls and were well-received across the Tayside region. Alongside direct support, DefiniTAY staff facilitated awareness sessions with a broad range of service providers and specialist agencies, improving understanding of cultural and access needs, and strengthening pathways to inclusive service provision. In September 2024 we won The ALLIANCE Sensory Impairment Positive Self Management Award for this work.
DefiniTAY was also actively involved in the national 16 Days of Action campaign (November–December 2024), where many events featured BSL-interpreted access. Deaf Links was a key partner in the Sign LOUD Research Project, led by Edinburgh and Heriot Watt Universities, which explored the experiences of children of Deaf women in abusive relationships, particularly the impact of being used as communication intermediaries. DefiniTAY staff contributed lived expertise and supported the participation of Deaf women, with the final report due for publication later in 2025.
Responding to the Cost-of-Living Crisis
Alongside providing advocacy support to individuals facing challenges, Deaf Links continued to respond proactively to the cost-of-living crisis with developments for the wider community including our CommuniTAY Food social supermarket initiative. Situated within our community café, this venture makes surplus and overstocked food available at significantly reduced prices. It not only supports people facing financial insecurity but also reduces food waste, challenges the stigma of poverty, and contributes income towards sustaining core services.
Consultation and Engagement
Additionally, through Deaf Links, Deaf and sensory impaired individuals have increasingly engaged in shaping services, activities and policies, local and national, through consultation, development activities and advocacy. Their participation in community research and feedback initiatives has informed broader discussions on the impact of economic hardship on Deaf and sensory-impaired communities. Our CEO has represented these experiences at a number of influential forums, including:
The Cross Party Group on Deafness
The Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities
Perth & Kinross Community Equality Advisory Group
The Scottish Parliament Equality and Human Rights Committee Inquiry into the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015
The Angus Protecting People Committee Learning and Development Sub-group
Social Enterprise, Volunteering and Awareness
Our social enterprise activities — including the café, charity shop, BSL courses, Deaf and sensory awareness training, communication service, and the BSL Tartan project — continued to flourish. These initiatives provided vital volunteering and work experience opportunities, contributing to both personal development and organisational sustainability.
We also produced a range of accessible information videos in BSL during the year. These resources, created in partnership with external agencies and our Advocacy team, addressed key issues related to the cost-of-living crisis, health and gender-based violence. Feedback from Deaf and sensory-impaired viewers confirmed the value of these videos, with many gaining awareness of subject matter and entitlements previously unknown to them. Several partner organisations have since committed to developing Deaf-specific materials, demonstrating the wider impact of this collaborative work.
Volunteering Impact
Volunteers dedicated an extraordinary 34,832 hours of their time over the course of the year, directly supporting the Trustees in delivering the charitable aims of Deaf Links. This contribution was fundamental to the delivery of services across Tayside and played a crucial role in breaking down barriers for Deaf and deafblind individuals. Trustees wish to express sincere thanks to all staff and volunteers for their continued dedication and resilience in what has been another exceptionally challenging year.
The Trustees acknowledge that securing sustainable funding remains extremely difficult, with reduced opportunities and oversubscription across many funding streams. Nonetheless, they remain committed — alongside the staff team — to pursuing funding that enables Deaf Links to maintain and expand its essential services. Advocacy, support, and the promotion of equity for Deaf and sensory-impaired individuals across Tayside remain the core focus of our work.
The statement of financial activities shows net expenditure of £4,115 (2024 - net income £3,859) for the year with total reserves at a surplus of £27,792 (2024 - surplus £31,907). This is allocated between restricted and unrestricted funds and details are provided in the notes to the financial statements.
The charity has a policy of maintaining sufficient reserves to ensure the completion of the projects currently in progress.
The Trustees are committed to building up the unrestricted reserves over the next 12 months by controlling costs and actively seeking new funding.
Investment Policy
Under the memorandum and articles of association, the charity has the power to make any investments which the Trustees consider appropriate.
Risk Management
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that the systems that systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks
Deaf Links is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association which was updated on 29 August 2017
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:
Trustees are recruited and appointed in accordance with the provisions set out in the charity's Articles of Association.
The Trustees of the charity are deemed to be the key managers and decision makers and are supported by CEO Alana Harper. Trustees are responsible for setting pay and remuneration rates of key management personnel. No trustees received any remuneration for their role.
Ron Joseph Scrimgeour
Ron Joseph Scrimgeour served as a Founding Trustee of the charity, playing a pivotal role in its establishment and development. He retired from his position as a trustee in 2019, at which time he was appointed Honorary President in recognition of his outstanding contribution and long-standing commitment to the organisation.
The trustees were deeply saddened by his passing on 4 July 2025. Ron’s dedication, wisdom, and generosity of spirit left a lasting legacy, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of working alongside him. The trustees wish to record their sincere appreciation for his many years of service and unwavering support.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 20.
It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking 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 financial statements.
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:
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Deaf Links is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is Tayside Deaf Hub, The Old Mill, 23 Brown Street, Dundee, DD1 5EF.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
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 £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees note that the charity is reporting a deficit in unrestricted reserves. However, they have undertaken a review of future income expectations and cost commitments and are taking steps to improve the unrestricted reserves position,
Having considered these plans and the charity’s overall financial position, including its positive total reserves and projected cash flows, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Transfers are made from unrestricted funds to restricted funds to compensate fully all restricted funds which would otherwise be in deficit at the accounting date.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
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:
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.
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.
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.
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, 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, 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.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
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.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
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.
The allocation of staff costs between unrestricted and restricted funds is based on management’s estimation of staff time spent on specific activities funded by each income stream. Where staff are wholly engaged in projects funded by restricted income, their costs are charged in full to the relevant restricted fund. For staff involved in more than one area of the charity’s work, costs are apportioned using estimated percentages based on time records, management assessments, or activity levels.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
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 restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Perth & Kinross Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
Funding for local mental health and wellbeing priorities.
Dundee Volunteer & Voluntary Action
Funding for the communities mental health and wellbeing fund.
Angus Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
Funding to provide services for children who are deaf, or have dual sensory loss.
Gannochy Trust
Supporting the salary costs of the advocacy co-ordinator and support the deaf women's project DefiniTAY.
National Lottery Cost of Living Fund.
Funding for an advocacy worker and expenses for the café
The Volant Charitable Trust
Funding the salary of a fluent British Sign Language employee
Bank of Scotland Foundation Reach
Funding the salary of two sensory employees
Community Learning Digital Fund
Funding for computer and digital equipment
Health and Social Care Alliance Self Management Fund
Funding to develop health information videos for deaf women.
Agnes Hunter Trust
Funding the salary of a sensory advocacy coordinator.
Scottish Government Delivering Equally Safe Fund
Funding towards the delivering equally safe project, addressing violence against women.
National Lottery Community Fund
Funding for the connections in sign project.
Dundee City Council - ERI
Funding to support young people into sustainable employment opportunities.
Voluntary Action Angus
Funding for the communities mental health and wellbeing fund.
Dundee City Council - LTU
Funding to support people facing long-term unemployment.
Barnardos Kickstart/ERI
Funding to support 6 months employment for under 25 year olds.
The Stafford Trust
Funding for the advocacy service.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).