Annual Review
Improving the lives of visually impaired people. Annual Review 2007/08
Martin Pallett
Chief Executive
It has been an exciting year, making preparations for growth in service delivery and fundraising. We have started to develop local services across Cornwall in response to clients needs. In February 2008, we launched our first new Sight Centre in Penzance along with new social and leisure activities. This step change will move the CBA towards being a genuinely county-wide charity.
To help meet the growing demand for our services across the county and ensure long-term sustainability, a new fundraising team have been put into place to support our long-term financial strategy. We also had reason to celebrate after being awarded the 2007 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Also we have put £1million back into the pockets of blind and visually impaired people through our Benefits Service.
Martin Follett
Chair
We are continuing to develop local information and advice centres across North Cornwall, with services in Bodmin, Bude, and Launceston expected in the early half of this year. Consultation with users in the Caradon area is well underway, and we aim to take forward the implementation plan in the latter part of this year. Making our Truro based services accessible and ensuring we can accommodate the growing demand remains a priority for the Board.
A new five year Service Strategy will ensure the Board and Management continue to develop and improve the CBA for the benefit of clients, volunteers and staff. To help realise these plans, we will also be working towards the launch of our Fundraising Appeal in 2009.
Backbone of the CBA
With over 230 hard working and dedicated individuals, volunteers remain the backbone of CBA. To this end our volunteers received the 2007 Queens Awards for Voluntary Service. From our volunteer Board of Trustees to those assisting in any of the 22 roles currently available, volunteering is an integral part of the CBA.
In recognition of the valuable contribution our volunteers make, we undertook a review of volunteer services during 2007/2008. Our new Volunteering & Local Services Manager aims to streamline administration, develop a volunteer newsletter, increase the range of volunteering opportunities available, implement good practice, and ensure all volunteers receive the support and recognition they deserve.
"It's a case of giving back to society what I've received" Bobby Bownas, visually impaired volunteer
Right for sight
Our Low Vision eye clinic service, funded by the Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly NHS Primary Care Trust, provided a valuable opportunity for 690 visually impaired people to have their sight assessed by one of our qualified Optometrists. During 2007-2008 our Low Vision Team delivered over 119 clinics and nearly 200 home visits providing magnifiers or spectacle mounted telescopes on prescription. A new outreach service has commenced at the Penwith Sight Centre and in Penryn to better serve visually impaired people in those areas.
Our plans for 2008-2009 include further outreach across our new resource centres in North Cornwall and Caradon; and working towards greater client representation on the Low Vision Services Committee to ensure the best possible service for all visually impaired people.
"My garden is a reflection of my soul. Without the dedicated help of CBA and the Low Vision Service, I could neither enjoy what I can see nor see what I can enjoy" John Hodgson, Thrives Blind Gardener of the year 2007
Tackling rights and poverty
Over the last three years the Benefits Service has put approaching £1 million back into the pockets of blind and visually impaired people. In 2007-2008 we supported over 270 clients to claim their legal entitlements and challenge incorrect decisions. When the Pension Partnership funding expired in July 2007 we expanded the service to cover anyone over 18. This year we said a sad farewell to our long-standing Advisor, and have recently welcomed Ruth Broad as her successor. Her plans for 2008-2009 include:
- 1. Expanding the service to cover parents and carers with blind and visually impaired children
- 2. Developing outreach services in Restormel, Penwith, North Cornwall and Caradon
- 3. Expanding and developing the Advocacy Volunteer Team
Mrs B was housebound and living alone when referred to us at CBA. Upon assessment it was clear Mrs B didn't realise she was entitled to any state assistance. Following successful applications for Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit, Mrs B now receives over £70 per week in additional income. She is now able to pay for care and home help which she previously struggled without.
Outreach across Cornwall
We have been busy over the last year, building on the foundation laid by the 2006 University of Plymouth Report into the Needs of Blind and Visually Impaired People in Cornwall. Following their recommendations we have consulted and worked with potential clients in Penwith to develop our first outreach Sight Centre in Penzance which opened in February 2008.
During 2008-2009 we continue to move forward with our decentralisation plans to launch new services for:
- 1. North Cornwall in Bodmin, Bude and Launceston in addition to the Low Vision clinics in Wadebridge
- 2. Caradon in Liskeard, Saltash and Torpoint
- 3. Restormel by re-developing our space at St Austell Hospital
- 4. Expanding the number of Hospital Information Services from three to five across the county, including Bodmin, Camborne, Treliske, St Austell, and Stratton
Leisure and Social Opportunities for All
We continue to direct blind and visually impaired people to over 25 specialist sports and leisure groups across Cornwall.
In 2007-2008 we provided an evening trip along the River Fal, an adventure holiday in Bude for young people, and a supported holiday to Teignmouth for adults.
Our Talking Books service in partnership with the RNIB and Social Services continues to service over 680 clients each year.
In response to local needs our Penwith Co-ordinator has established cookery classes and a swimming group, with plans to establish a strolling group and weekly short mat bowls group in 2008/2009.
Preserving Well-Being
Losing your sight can be a frightening experience, which can damage self-confidence, cause anxiety, depression and the feeling of loss. Our well-being services supported the needs of 133 blind and visually impaired people experiencing depression and isolation. Three professionally trained counsellors provided over 395 counselling sessions to blind and visually impaired people, or their carer/families. This year 12 dedicated Talking Support Volunteers provided over 960 hours of telephone support, whilst our 30 Be-friending Volunteers assisted a further 43 people at home.
In 2008-2009 we aim to recruit and train additional volunteers for our talking support and be-friending services to help meet the growing demand. We are also planning to review and evaluate all three services to ensure we are providing high quality services that meet clients' needs.
"Getting over the first hurdle, psychologically is the first step to accepting more help"
Accessibility In a New Age
In 2007-2008 we welcomed Rodney Keat, Access Technology Officer, who has extensive experience in this field. The service provides hands-on advice and expertise across a range of specialist equipment to assist clients at home, out and about, in education or employment.
Last year we established outreach services in Penwith. In 2008-2009 we will outreach across our new sites, doubling the number of clients we assist. To keep abreast of changing technologies, we intend to upgrade and expand our product range, developing a transportable demonstration pack. We are also planning a number of supplier exhibitions and aim to work with our clients to help them get the grant funding they need for equipment.
In November 2007 Pete was involved in a serious road traffic accident which left him blind. At 18 years old he very much wanted to return to work and live a full life. Following an assessment, CBA were able to advise Pete of the best package to suit his needs, and enabled him to gain the computer skills needed through the specialist computer club at our Truro Sight Centre. Pete's friends helped to raise the funding needed to buy the equipment, and he is now well on his way to re-building his life.
Finances
Income in 2007/2008 was £468,892.
This comprised of:
Donations 11%
Cornwall County Council Adult Social Care 19%
Legacies 23%
Other Fundraised Income 4%
NHS Low Vision 20%
Other Income 8%
Investment Income 15%
Expenditure in 2007/2008 was £672,783.
This comprised of:
Low Vision 11%
Access Technology 4%
Professional & Benefits Advice 4%
Transport 8%
Well-being 3%
Talking Books 8%
Volunteer Co-ordination 5%
Spokes 8%
Other charitable activities 15%
Fundraising inc consultancy 14%
Governance 4%
Management & Administration 16%
As part of the ongoing review of our financial position Trustees have approved the implementation of a five year Service Strategy that will ensure against further spend of operating reserves, which currently stand at £409,214.
Included in the long term strategy was a planned deficit for 2007, this amounted to £203,891. The Income Generation Strategy supports the reversal of this situation and the strengthening of other income streams.
A copy of our independently audited Annual Report & Financial Statements to 31st March 2008 is available by contacting our Truro Sight Centre.
Fundraising
As a registered charity we rely on the generous support of others for the money and help we need to deliver our services. We'd like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who has supported CBA over the last year.
This year we have made significant changes in our fundraising to provide long term sustainability for our work. We have invested in a bold five year Income Generation Strategy and appointed skilled staff to deliver these tough targets. Developing alternative income streams will provide stability, in an environment where legacies and statutory funding are less dependable, whilst laying down foundations for our fundraising appeal.
In the Community
We really value the contribution that our volunteers, supporters and staff give, in delivering our key messages, raising awareness and in fundraising. From garden parties, to running marathons, from holding a collection tin, to climbing a mountain or jumping out of a plane, each contribution is as important as the other. The new team are committed to establishing ‘engaging and fun' ways to raise money. Our work in the coming year will be to encourage more fundraising volunteers and activities throughout Cornwall.
Corporate Partnerships
We have varied opportunities to engage with local and national companies. During 2008/09 we will be looking to develop corporate partnerships with sponsors, who can make a significant contribution to our work, whilst we can assist them with visual awareness training within their businesses.
Charitable Trusts
We have begun to work with charitable trusts and grant makers who share our goals, which we hope, will provide us with the vital project funding we need over the coming year.
We would like to thank all our dedicated, hard working volunteers without whom much of our valuable work would not be possible. We would also like to thank our funders and partners, most notably:
ActNow Broadband Cornwall
Action for Blind People
Age Concern England
Barchester Healthcare Foundation
Clare Milne Trust
Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly
NHS Primary Care Trust
Cornwall Community Foundation
Cornwall County Council Social Services: Adult Social Care
Cornwell Charitable Trust
Department of Work & Pensions: Pension Partnership Fund
Duchy Health Charity Ltd
Eatsome Project
Good Neighbours Trust
Mrs A Griffin for her continued support towards computer training
Mrs L M Ashford, Isles of Scilly
Penwith District Council
Royal National Institute for the Blind
Skinners Brewery
Staples
WC Rowe
Cornwall Blind & Partially Sighted Association
Registered Address: Sight Centre, Newham Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2DP
Tel: 01872 261110
Fax: 01872 222349
Email: info@cornwallblind.org.uk
Charities Commission Registration No: 1108761
Companies House Registration No: 5357432
Truro Sight Centre
01872 261110
