SIGHT FOR SURREY - APPLICATION FOR SUPPORT

Transcription

1 Agenda Item No. 23 EXECUTIVE 10 DECEMBER 2015 Executive Summary SIGHT FOR SURREY - APPLICATION FOR SUPPORT The Surrey Association for Visual Impairment works under the name of Sight for Surrey. Sight for Surrey works with blind and partially sighted people in Surrey, providing services to enable people to lead fuller, more independent lives. Services include rehabilitation work, children s services, home visiting, benefits advice and a resource centre through which items can be purchased to assist people with visual impairment. Sight for Surrey is applying for capital and revenue funding of 7,694 for 2016/17 to support a new Communications Class in Woking from September 2016, and to extend its existing outreach work in the Borough. The communication classes are similar to those operated in other Surrey districts and are a regular opportunity for vision impaired service users to learn and practice Braille, Typing and IT skills. The classes increase education and skills; help to improve health; help to tackle disadvantage and exclusion; and reduce isolation. Regarding the outreach work, there are currently 577 active service users clients living in Woking. The purpose of the work is to give information, support and advice to clients to enable them to live as independently as possible; to support a network of volunteers; to signpost people with a vision impairment to local services; and to support people newly diagnosed with a vision impairment. The grant would work towards developing the network of volunteers. The health benefits to the community of extending the outreach work taking place and setting up a Communication Class to enable vision impaired service users to access learning and support are clear. However it is noted that the Group also holds a high level of reserves ( 345,541) for its work across the County. Taking into account the consultee comments, any funding agreed would be on a one-off basis to enable the establishment of a Communications Class in Woking and building of the volunteer network to support on-going sustainability of the activity. As a one-off project, the funding would be allocated from the Community Fund. It is therefore recommended that the application be supported as a one-off grant for 2016/17, with funding of 7,700 being awarded from the Community Fund. The Group is encouraged to work with WAVS to identify alternative sources of funding for the work beyond April Reasons for Decision To enable the service to be enhanced for visually impaired service users in the Borough. Recommendations The Executive is requested to: RESOLVE That a one-off grant of 7,700 be awarded to Sight for Surrey from the Community Fund for 2016/17. 1

2 Amount(s) Recommended: 2016/17 Community Fund 7,700 Conditions Accounts. The Organisation must submit audited accounts for the year in which the grant is awarded, including an income and expenditure account and balance sheet. Please note that accounts for other years may also be required. Monitoring Information. The Organisation must submit quarterly monitoring information as a measure of its achievements. Failure to provide details will jeopardise the award. requests will be sent to the applicant on a quarterly basis. Publicity. Where possible, the Organisation is required to publicise the support received from Woking Borough Council, including on all literature and leaflets produced. Payments. Unless exceptional circumstances exist all claims must be received quarterly in writing ( or letter) with details of the costs incurred (invoices required for over 50K) and monitoring information for the previous quarter. Payment Period. Final quarter claims must be made by the second week in March. Unclaimed awards will not be available at a later date unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated to the Council before the end of the award year. Joint Working. WBC expects the Organisation to engage positively on health and wellbeing multi-agency joint work affecting Woking. Groups which refuse may place their Council support at risk, e.g. grant, concessionary rent and other assistance. Performance Indicators The Organisation to advise how the Council's support has been publicised over the last quarter. The Organisation to provide a breakdown of the users in the past quarter. The Organisation to provide a breakdown of the enquiries received during the last quarter. The Organisation to provide a statement stating the use to which the grant money has been put. The Organisation to provide details of activities and events held during the last quarter. The Executive has authority to determine the above recommendations. Background Papers: Application Form. 2

3 Reporting Person: Sue Barham, Strategic Director Extn: 3810, Ray Morgan, Chief Executive Extn: 3333, Frank Jeffrey, Democratic Services Manager Extn: 3012, Contact Person: Frank Jeffrey, Democratic Services Manager Extn: 3012, Doug Davern, Democratic Services Officer Extn: 3018, Portfolio Holder: Cllr Melanie Whitehand Shadow Portfolio Holder: Cllr Liam Lyons Date Published: 2 December

4 GROUP Sight for Surrey PROJECT OUTLINE Purpose of Application Community Strategy Amount(s) Requested Sight for Surrey wants to use the grant funding to support two projects as follows: 1. Communications Class in Woking. Sight for Surrey already runs communications classes in 7 of the 11 Boroughs. From September 2016 we want to open a new class in Woking where we currently don't have funds to run one. These classes are a regular opportunity for our vision impaired service users to learn/practice Braille, Typing, Moon and IT skills. The classes increase education and skills; help to improve health (physical/mental/emotional/wellbeing/confidence); help tackle disadvantage and exclusion and reduce isolation regardless. Typically those who attend are over 55 but the classes are open to any age. The funding will pay for the running of the class for the first year and purchase the required capital equipment. 2. Outreach Work in Woking. We have identified a need to engage further with existing clients in Woking and to identifying new clients. We currently have 577 active service users clients living in this area. The purpose of the role is to give information, support and advice to clients to enable them to live as independently as possible; to support a network of volunteers; to signpost people with a vision impairment to local services; to support people newly diagnosed with a vision impairment. This grant would develop the network of volunteers. A community which values personal health and well-being. 2016/17 7,694 BACKGROUND TO GROUP Status and Aims Sight for Surrey was formed in 1922 and provides support to the blind and partially sighted community. It is the largest charitable organisation in Surrey working with adults, young people and children who have a vision impairment and/or a combined vision and hearing loss. Every year it is contracted to help more than 4,000 registered adults and children, providing them with assessment, rehabilitation and life skills to enable them to live full and independent lives. Sight for Surrey offers a holistic, person-centred approach, focused on meeting the needs of each adult/young person/child and providing support for their families. Our activities include Volunteering Support, ICT and Communication Classes, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, Low Vision Aids and Gadgets, Assessment and Training for Computers, Transcription Service, 4

5 Employment Programme, Hearing and Sight Mobile Service, Friendship Groups, Outreach Service and a Children and Young People's Inclusion Programme. Volunteers How many volunteers does the Organisation have? 207 Please indicate how many are male 79 Please indicate how many are female 128 Please indicate how many are disabled 50 Please indicate how many are from an ethnic minority 2 Employees How many employees does the Organisation have 104 Please indicate how many are Male 13 Please indicate how many are female 91 Please indicate how many are disabled 16 Please indicate how many are from an ethnic minority 2 Users How many users does the Organisation have? 6693 Please indicate how many are Male 2455 Please indicate how many are Female 4238 Please indicate how many are disabled 6693 Please indicate how many are from an ethnic minority 360 Please indicate how many are from the Woking area 568 Please indicate how many are aged under 5 8 Please indicate how many are aged between 5 and 10 7 Please indicate how many are aged between 11 and Please indicate how many are aged between 18 and Please indicate how many are aged over Charges for users Not known Details of Charges For Users: Our One to One service users can privately book support workers to assist with specific appointments or events. However, the majority of our services, including the Woking Communication Classes are offered free of charge. Members How many Members does the Organisation have? 0 ASSESSMENT Review of Financial Standing At the time of the application, the Group held 418,640 in the bank, of which 345,541 is held in reserves representing the Trustees focus on future essential services over the next two years. Operational reserves are held to cover contingencies such as the closure or downsizing costs, and designation funds underpin the existing projects until full sustainable funding can be 5

6 achieved or the project funds. The reserves are divided between Unrestricted Funds ( 328,937) split between designated and operational reserves and a Revaluation Reserve, and Restricted Funds ( 16,603) set out as Children's Benefits. Budget The Group has submitted a budget for 2016/17. The budget for the coming year indicates a surplus of 9,626 based on an income of 1,908,322 against an expenditure of 1,898,696. Income includes Adult Services ( 1,038,740), Fundraising ( 277,086), Low Vision ( 150,127) and Children s Department ( 142,433). Items of expenditure include Adult Services ( 819,808), Charity & Admin ( 354,073), Low Vision ( 201,198) and Children s Department ( 153,432). Accounts The Group has submitted accounts for 2014/15 which show an income of 1,854,909 ( 1,613,188 in 2013/14) against expenditure of 1,857,158 ( 1,754,115 in 2013/14), resulting in a deficit of 2,249 (a deficit of 140,927 in 2013/14 largely due to a reduced level of incoming resources). The sum of 345,541 was carried forward at the end of the year. Income included Incoming Resources from Charitable Resources ( 1,184,378) and Voluntary Income ( 462,036). Items of expenditure included Charitable Activities ( 1,847,960). Previous Support by Woking Borough Council: 2011/12 No grant awarded 2007/08 No grant awarded Sue Barham Consultee Views I would generally be supportive of this application (albeit that it would appear they do have some funding in the bank apart from reserves), but only on a one-off basis to enable the establishment of a Communications Class in Woking and building of the volunteer network to support on-going sustainability of the activity. I would therefore request that consideration be given to funding this as a one-off grant only from the Community Fund. Summary of Key Supporting Information Assessment Overview Constitution - Yes Registered Charity - Yes VAT Registered - Yes Equal Opportunities Policy - Yes Safeguarding Policy - Yes Reserves Policy - No Quality Mark - N/A Other funding sources pursued - Yes 6

7 Other support by the Council - Yes Fundraising - Yes Two quotes - N/A Regular monitoring information previously provided? - N/A The Surrey Association for Visual Impairment works under the name of Sight for Surrey. Sight for Surrey works with blind and partially sighted people in Surrey, providing services to enable people to lead fuller, more independent lives. Services include rehabilitation work, children s services, home visiting, benefits advice and a resource centre through which items can be purchased to assist people with visual impairment. The organisation has: 58 sessional staff operations staff from Rehabilitation, Children and Adult Services, Outreach and One to One. 18 full-time staff specialist staff in equipment and technology, charity management and administration. 26 part-time staff support and administration staff working across all departments. A total of 207 volunteers help to increase the awareness and understanding of the organisation, and add value to the services on offer. The Group has a range of volunteer opportunities with varying amounts of time and input required, for example, drivers, home visitors, virtual befrienders, IT support, sighted guides, fundraisers, admin support. Many of the volunteers have a vision impairment themselves and are of all ages, nearly half working with the organisation for 10 years. It recruits its volunteers from across Surrey but places them locally in their communities. All volunteers complete a registration form, provide two references and undertake a DBS check. Training is provided which introduces them to the work, common impairments, sighted guiding techniques, the opportunity to practice and includes a visit to the Low Vision Resources Centre. Volunteers are offered out of pocket expenses, a regular volunteers' newsletter, local support meetings twice a year and an annual awards ceremony. It is working towards the Investors in Volunteers quality assurance mark. Sight for Surrey supports 6,693 visually impaired people across the County. The majority of services are offered free of charge. A one to one service can be paid for separately which users can book privately to work on specific issues. The Group strongly believes that consultation with service users is an essential part of its development. Recent feedback at user and carer forums suggests that services in Woking could be further improved, giving better access to a network of support services and access to equipment / technology. In addition, the annual research document Project Voices outlines a definitive need for service development across the county with 80% of participants agreeing that equipment and personal support were essential for independent living. It notes that attendance, monitoring and feedback of the existing Communication Classes, running in 7 other Surrey boroughs, demonstrates the need for a similar service in Woking. In addition to providing support and guidance with technology, equipment and communication techniques, there is also a direct benefit in terms of social inclusion, therefore aiding a fuller and more independent life. A total of 568 people are worked with in Woking through a range of services. The Group believes that the expansion of projects provides an excellent opportunity to build a stronger partnership with the Council, allowing a deeper level of support to be offered to existing users whilst identifying and engaging with relevant individuals currently not accessing the services. In addition, many of the goals and aims of the projects are stated to fit well within Surrey s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy relating to physical activity, mental health, social isolation, ongoing independence and more transparent and joined up care. During the past year the Group has received funds from Runnymede Community Projects Fund 7

8 towards a new tablet with synaptic software and from Surrey County Council Members Allocations Funds towards a new braille machine. Sight for Surrey has a developing fundraising strategy aimed at working closely with community organisations, individuals, businesses and charitable trusts. It is currently undertaking a number of campaigns, such as Slurp for Sight, aimed at increasing funds, and awareness, for the charity. As an independent charity it works closely with organisations on national level such as RNIB and Guide Dogs. As well as a close partnership with Surrey County Council, it also works with all local disability charities and groups such as Surrey Disabled People s Partnership (SDPP), and other infrastructures such as Woking Association of Voluntary Service (WAVS). It strongly believes that building strong and lasting relationships with other organisations enables it to continue providing effective and high quality services to service users across Surrey. Considerations Sight for Surrey is applying for capital and revenue funding of 7,694 for 2016/17 to support two projects: 1. Communications Class in Woking. Sight for Surrey already runs communications classes in 7 of the 11 Boroughs. From September 2016 it is looking to open a new class in Woking where it currently does not have funds to run one. The classes are a regular opportunity for vision impaired service users to learn and practice Braille, Typing and IT skills. The classes increase education and skills; help to improve health; help to tackle disadvantage and exclusion; and reduce isolation. Typically those who attend are over 55 but the classes are open to any age. The funding will pay for the running of the class for the first year and purchase the required capital equipment. No charge would be levied to the users. 2. Outreach Work in Woking. The Group has identified a need to engage further with existing clients in Woking and to identify new clients. It currently has 577 active service users living in the area. The purpose of the role is to give information, support and advice to clients to enable them to live as independently as possible; to support a network of volunteers; to signpost people with a vision impairment to local services; and to support people newly diagnosed with a vision impairment. The grant would work towards developing the network of volunteers. Woking Communications Class (costs based on other existing classes) Class Costs equate to 4,500: Venue Cost 800; Equipment Cost 250; Facilitator Costs 1473; Staff and Volunteer Travel Costs 1343; Other Expenses and Overheads 634. The one off costs total 1,634: 1 Braille Machine 535; 1 laptop 600; 1 tablet with synaptic 499. The Outreach Worker would cost 1,560 for a total of 130 hours of outreach work at 12 per hour. The health benefits to the community of extending the outreach work taking place and setting up a Communication Class to enable vision impaired service users to access learning and support 8

9 are clear. However it is noted that the Group also holds a high level of reserves ( 345,541) for its work across the County. Taking into account the consultee comments, any funding agreed would be on a one-off basis to enable the establishment of a Communications Class in Woking and building of the volunteer network to support on-going sustainability of the activity. As a one-off project, the funding would be allocated from the Community Fund. It is therefore recommended that the application be supported as a one-off grant for 2016/17, with funding of 7,700 being awarded from the Community Fund. The Group is encouraged to work with WAVS to identify alternative sources of funding for the work beyond April S142 Local Government Act 1972 S111 Local Government Act 1972 Legal Authority REPORT ENDS 9