Annual Report and Financial Statements 2 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17

Deafness affects us all

Janine first started losing her hearing when she was 18 and now has a severe to profound hearing loss.

“It can’t be emphasised enough that deafness isn’t just about old people. It affects one in six of us, and if it’s not you, then it’s going to be somebody you live with or know. So, we have to be well informed, we have to be kind and we have to be considerate.

“We all need somebody to point us in the right direction, and that’s what Action on Hearing Loss is dedicated to doing.

“When I think about the possibility of one day having 100% hearing again, I get very emotional. I would be able to communicate with everyone again.” We are Action on Hearing Loss

In the UK, one in six of us We help people who are has hearing loss. That’s confronting deafness, more than 11 million people, a number that will tinnitus and hearing loss to increase as the population live the life they choose. We ages. We estimate that, by 2035, more than 15.6 enable them to take control million people will have of their lives and remove hearing loss.. the barriers in their way.

We provide people with People who are severely or support and care, develop profoundly deaf are four technology and treatments, times more likely to be Over 6 million people and campaign for equality. unemployed than the general – that’s one in 10 of us – population. This is often as are living with tinnitus – Deafness, tinnitus and a result of public attitudes hearing loss are all ‘invisible towards deafness and a lack incessant buzzing, ringing, conditions’, so their impact is of awareness. whistling or banging in often underestimated. Yet there are so many ways one ear, both ears or in Being able to communicate that we can bring about the head. Research has with people and feeling part radical improvements in shown that, for some of a community is such an the quality of life for people important part of life. People with deafness, tinnitus and people, tinnitus can lead with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss – for example, to depression, anxiety, hearing loss can often feel information and advice, peer stress and sleep problems. isolated and cut off from networks, technology and everyday life. communication support. We believe everyone should have choice and control over how they live their lives. 08 10 15 18 46

Welcome to our Key Trustees’ Strategic Achievements Our future Annual Report Achievements Report Report and performance: plans and Financial Progress against Statements for our strategy 2016–17 48 54 60 66 68

Financial Risks and Structure, Statement Independent Financial review uncertainties governance and of Trustees’ Auditors’ Report Statements management responsibilities

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How can we help each other? Contents

The Board of Trustees of Action on Hearing Loss presents its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2017. These comply with the Companies Act 2006, Action on Hearing Loss’s governing document and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (2015). Details of our Trustees, professional advisors, and legal and administrative details are included on pages 60–65. 8 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 9

The year ahead conditions and their experiences of the health Welcome to our Annual Report and and social care system. With this vital evidence, we can represent this vulnerable group of While the external environment for charities people effectively. Financial Statements for 2016–17 remains a key challenge, we’ll keep striving to do more for people with deafness, tinnitus and We’ll continue to fund biomedical research, to Over 11 million people in the UK have hearing Technology can be a vital lifeline, connecting hearing loss. make the scientific discoveries that can lead to loss and one in 10 of us have tinnitus. This is a people to services and entertainment, and in effective treatments for tinnitus and hearing major health, economic and social issue that combating social isolation. As we move into the final year of our 2013–18 loss. We’ll work with manufacturers and experts government, businesses and the general public strategy, Taking Action, we’ll focus on to develop new technologies and offer digital simply cannot ignore. Our vision is to develop treatments to protect extending our reach to more people in more solutions to the people who face barriers in and restore hearing and silence tinnitus, and one communities. We’ll provide older people with everyday life because of deafness, tinnitus and This has been another year of successes and day discover cures for those who want them. To vital information through our new Hear to Inform hearing loss. challenges. Government cuts to health and bring us closer to that goal, in the past year we and Connect project and provide support to social care have threatened the availability of invested £1.7 million in biomedical research. local organisations so their services are more We’ll also continue to campaign for equality – in free hearing aids. This year, we successfully accessible to people with hearing loss. the workplace, when accessing healthcare, when persuaded all three NHS Clinical Commissioning In February 2017, thanks to our brilliant enjoying entertainment at home, or accessing Groups (CCGs) who considered making cuts to campaigners and supporters, we changed the GPs are often a major barrier to people culture through cinema and theatre, and in noisy continue to provide hearing aids to those who law on subtitling. The Digital Economy Act addressing their hearing loss. To understand cafes, bars and restaurants. need them. In North Staffordshire, where cuts requires all broadcasters to provide minimum why and find ways to change that, we will pilot have been made, we’ve been working to show levels of subtitles for all on-demand services. a GP project on the Isle of Wight that aims to Of course, this all takes money. That’s why we the CCG the impact this is having on people This means that people with deafness and improve referral rates to audiology for people will work harder than ever to raise funds, and to with hearing loss. hearing loss will be able to watch television, who suspect they have hearing loss. give people supporting our charity a rewarding however and wherever they want to, without and positive experience. Above all, we’ll use Last year, the John Townsend Trust in Kent went being excluded. We’ll run focus groups to understand further your generous donations to improve the lives of into administration. Its adult care and support the needs of people who are deaf with multiple people with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss. services for people who are profoundly deaf We also launched our Working for Change with additional needs faced imminent closure. campaign and published our report Improving We purchased five properties and took over the attitudes to hearing loss in the workplace. Its running of these services, enabling vulnerable aims are to help employers feel confident about people to stay in their homes and continue to recruiting people with hearing loss, and to Thank you receive the support they need. overcome common myths about hearing loss We want to say a very big ‘thank you’ to our staff, volunteers, members and supporters and employment. for everything you’ve done for people with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss. You are at the heart of our organisation, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything you do. We provided high-quality, person-centred care and support services to more people who are It’s been a year of mixed success for our We, and the Board of Trustees, hope you continue to feel inspired by the work we do to deaf with additional needs than ever before. Commercial Services. We sold more than take action and keep supporting our cause. 88,000 products to people who are deaf, In December 2016, we were proud to launch have tinnitus or hearing loss. We transformed our Technology Initiative for Hearing Loss, our professional services for employers to with HRH The Duke of York in attendance. It provide improved solutions and training. Our aims to support the innovation, development communication support business remains and take-up of technology to help people financially challenging, but with more confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss. than 16,000 communication assignments coordinated, we continue to deliver huge social impact for British Sign Language users and Paul Breckell, John Morgan, Chief Executive Chairman those who need communication support. people used our Hearing Check

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We supported 102 projects to increase research capacity, We Subtitle it! Whatever we watch make scientific discoveries and develop new treatments supported However we watch it We successfully convinced 90% of people who over the government to amend use our Hear to Help the Digital Economy 121,000 Act 2017, requiring service say that there people broadcasters to provide had been some or a minimum levels of subtitles 72,542 big improvement in Over 1,000 people people used our their daily life since helped us campaign, attending the hearing Hearing Check calling on the We persuaded a aid drop-in restaurant industry further 3 Clinical to reduce levels of The drop-in Commissioning session is very useful We helped background noise We gave care and Groups (CCGs) in to me. I can pick more than support to more England to carry up batteries there, 30,000 people Our befriending service get tubing replaced helped over 1,700 people than 550 people with hearing aids get on providing and talk to people who are deaf with who understand the most from them 89% of people attending free hearing aids, additional needs, hearing loss issues. our social groups or and continued 8% more than last Outcomes Survey, 2016 receiving home visits felt our fight against We they had improved their year, by taking on gave daily life 3 new care homes, the only CCG to have introduced I meet others who have 2 extra supported as bad or worse hearing living services restrictions 2.05 loss as myself and realise and an additional We launched our million hours I am not alone. day service Working for Change of high-quality, person-centred Outcomes Survey, 2016 91% campaign, helping of our volunteers care and support to people who employers see through are deaf with additional needs would recommend 1.88 the myths that prevent million people them from employing Through our free Information Action on Hearing visited our website people confronting Line, we answered 15,005 Loss as a good deafness, tinnitus Key calls and 9,805 emails place to volunteer and hearing loss We invested £1.7m in treatments to prevent hearing loss, restore hearing achievements and silence tinnitus Trustees’ Having worn hearing aids for 60 years, I just want to give back. If I can just help one person walk out feeling relieved, with a smile on their face, then it’s worth it. Marguerite, Hear to Help hearing aid clinic volunteer

Strategic 16 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 17

Our strategy

Our vision: Our purpose: We help people confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss to live the life A world where hearing loss doesn’t limit or label people, where tinnitus is they choose. We enable them to take control of their lives and remove the silenced – and where people value and look after their hearing. barriers in their way.

Our aims: Our values:

Our values, People, Passion and Partnership, reflect the identity and personality of our organisation.

Support Technology Equality and Care and Treatments

We help people confronting We enable people confronting We campaign to remove deafness, tinnitus and hearing deafness, tinnitus and hearing barriers faced by people loss to take control of their loss to take control of their confronting deafness, tinnitus lives, so they can live the life lives, so they can live the life and hearing loss, so they can they choose. they choose. live the life they choose. People Passion Partnership

• We provide high-quality • We fund biomedical • We influence governments We treat people as people – We are passionate about our We work alongside others to services, and we influence research, encourage and organisations, with human warmth, dignity work and we want to make a achieve the best results. We others to improve other funders to invest empower people and and respect. We see people real difference in people’s lives. listen carefully and try hard to their services to meet in hearing research, and change public attitudes. as whole people, not just as If things can be improved, understand. We share insights, people’s needs. drive the development an issue or a problem to be we won’t just settle for how ideas, learning and resources. and take-up of new • We seek to ensure that solved. We show kindness, they are. We’re prepared to We respect and value • We seek to ensure that technology. everyone confronting care and understanding, and challenge the status quo. We differences and we enable everyone confronting deafness, tinnitus and approach people how we strive for high standards, to do others to participate. We act deafness, tinnitus and • We seek to ensure that hearing loss has the same would like to be approached. our very best. We take positive with integrity and build trust. hearing loss receives the new technology and access and can make risks and innovate, trying diagnosis and information medical treatments the same life choices as new things. they need to manage their are developed quickly everyone else. condition, and any high- to benefit the people quality support or care we support. that they may need to live the life they choose. 18 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 19

Achievements and performance: Support and Care Progress against our strategy Through accurate information, welfare advocacy, talks and events, and a range of initiatives, we support 94% 67% individuals and families, at home, at work and in 30,000 people said they feel residential settings, to live the life they choose. of people received life-changing accessing Hear to Help services less on their own because they can Information and Our befriending services, Hear to Help 1,766 people were talk to people at Hear to Meet and In Touch, supported through Hear local services said it was good Hear to Meet We spent help those isolated due to to Meet and In Touch – Our knowledge, skills and their hearing loss. We gave or excellent an increase of 26% social groups experience allow us to 1,766 people with hearing loss £28.35m provide the right support, across England, Wales and supporting people when and where it is needed, Northern Ireland the chance confronting to the 11 million people with to meet up over tea and deafness, tinnitus hearing loss, including the coffee, share experiences and hearing loss 900,000 people with severe and information, and make or profound deafness, and the new friends. We’re ‘hear to help’ one in 10 people with tinnitus. Jo lives in Llandrindod Wells in “Then, Wales. She has been a hearing aid I heard To help, to meet and 15,005 user for four years and is a regular about the get in touch calls and visitor to her local Hear to Help clinic. monthly Hear “My hearing aids have made all the to Help clinic in Our Hear to Help hearing difference to me,” Jo says. “I can now Llandrindod Wells. It’s so much aid services gave life- hear the birds singing in the trees easier for me to get to and I can be 9,805 changing help to more than and watch TV again.” seen and back out in 15 minutes. It’s 30,000 people at our local Find out more about the emails wonderful to have this in my own drop-ins – or at home. Staff impact our Hear to Meet Recently, she needed her hearing community and it’s really given me INFORMATION LINE INFORMATION answered and committed volunteers service has had in Wales in aids serviced. It was only a small back my confidence. I’m no longer change batteries, perform this subtitled video on our problem, but it meant she couldn’t worried about something going repairs or simply spend time website: actiononhearingloss. hear properly. She went to audiology wrong, as I know help is close by.” with people. It’s a truly local org.uk/impact to get them looked at, but eventually service, enabling so many to gave up and decided to go home. manage their hearing loss “I felt vulnerable and annoyed.” more effectively.

Thank you for listening and giving me information on 69% of people accessing Hear to Help your telephone helpline about hearing loss in one ear, which was most distressing and impacting on my work. said they were happier because they Email feedback to Information Line could manage their hearing loss better 20 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 21

Employment services Charities like Action on Hearing Loss are making a big difference by supporting Deaf people, like me, whose We supported 123 people to return to, or enter, employment, first language is British Sign Language. They’re giving me through specialist work and strength by supporting me to overcome the communication employment programmes in Northern Ireland, Wales barriers and challenges I’ve been facing in trying to access and Scotland. the welfare system. Email feedback to Welfare Officer Our Moving On service in Scotland supports young people Information, Thirty-six of those supported rehabilitation and support with aged 16–25 who are deaf or have not isolation use British Sign Language as everyday skills such as cooking hearing loss into employment, their first language. and getting to the shops. training and education. This We gave information to more year, we supported 63 young than 71,000 people in local Sensory services for Tinnitus support grows people to get work experience communities across the people with both and 65% moved into full-time UK, through talks, leaflets, hearing and sight loss Our dedicated tinnitus support employment, training or factsheets and events – a services have supported education. 56% increase from the In England, our joint sensory 334 people in England and previous year. We reached services have supported Northern Ireland – through isolated people with little 3,374 people who are visually one-to-one sessions and group access to information about impaired, deaf, hard of hearing meetings. Our services are deafness, tinnitus, hearing or deafblind. We work with growing and we’ve helped A taste of success for Steven loss, equipment, services local authorities to assess 89% more people than in the and benefits. people’s needs, and offer previous year. Steven wanted to make the move from don’t know what’s on order, things can practical solutions, including a part-time placement into a permanent go wrong.” Advocating for career in catering. Our Scottish Moving Steven lipreads, uses basic signs and On service helped Steven to develop welfare rights exchanges notes by mobile with his his CV, enhance his job search skills and I have never been to a support group colleagues to make sure he’s on top of Our newly launched welfare prepare him for job interviews. He went the job. His supervisor is learning British rights service in Scotland gave before, as I can usually deal with any full-time as a kitchen porter and, five Sign Language, which means she will support and information about months later, was promoted to sous chef. problem, but I find the tinnitus group soon be able to communicate more benefits queries, claims and “I love my job because I’ve learnt many effectively with him. appeals to 74 people who really helps me and I now feel really cooking techniques and am looking are deaf or have hearing loss. “It can be tough for people who are deaf relaxed. Margate Impact Report for Discovery Grant forward to applying them in my new role to find work,” Steven says. “But knowing as a sous chef,” Steven says. “Kitchens what you want to do and getting the can be pressurised places and it is right support makes life much easier. The Isle of Wight recognised for excellence really important to work quickly and advice I received from Moving On has Our Isle of Wight sensory service was recognised by the Health Service Journal, being efficiently. To do my job correctly, good been life-changing. It means I am now shortlisted for an award for partnership between health and local government. We have communication is very important – if you doing the job I really want to do, and not been working with the NHS on the ‘My Life A Full Life’ programme, supporting people sitting at home losing my confidence.” to identify and better manage sensory loss, and highlighting that it is a long-term health condition often overlooked by health professionals. 22 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 23

Care and Support for the individual Wilfred’s supported living “I cannot thank the team We work with people who are deaf, deafblind or have hearing When the John Townsend Trust went enough for their care loss and also have additional into administration, we took on five needs, to help them achieve care homes facing closure in Westgate- and support” their goals. Support is tailored on-Sea, Kent. Vulnerable people like Wilfred, who lives to individuals’ needs and in St Christopher’s, can now stay in their homes and ranges from care in long-term receive continued care and support. Since the transfer, residential care settings to the Quality Care Commission has improved the rating for helping people adjust to three registered care services from ‘poor’ to ‘good’. independent living. “When the deaf school closed down, I worried about St Christopher’s closing,” Wilfred says. “I was so scared I’d have to move away, but Action on Hearing Loss saved the day and our house.”

“The staff who support Wilfred know when he needs 96% help and back away when he needs space and time to Ioan thrown a lifeline of people are himself,” says Wilfred’s mum. “They are always available to speak to me. I am very happy with St Christopher’s With severe hearing loss and learning agreed, he has also been introduced to happy with and I know that Wilfred is too.” difficulties from birth, life became harder bowling and snooker, which he really the support for Ioan and his mum when he lost his enjoys. On top of doing three activities part-time job at Asda through ill health. he loves, he gets to meet others socially, something he looks forward to every they get Making it real on our website, you can see Describing that time as very difficult, week. Ioan and his mother now also Annual Care and Support for yourself how we approach Ioan’s mum worried about her son, who enjoy valuable time apart. survey, 2017 ‘Making it Real’ is a person-centred working: was “increasingly housebound and commitment across the care actiononhearingloss.org.uk/ relying on me for everything, and having Ioan’s mum now feels that she is “not sector to transform adult social impact great difficulty walking”. One of her alone” and looks forward every week care through person-centred main concerns was that “Ioan had no life to six hours’ respite from her caring working and community-based without me”. role. This has allowed her to take a support. We’re very proud holiday, with some family help, and she Then came a lifeline from Ioan’s social that every single one of our has peace of mind knowing that Ioan is worker and Action on Hearing Loss. Care and Support services safe and well. The social worker was able to get a can now display the Making it Disablement Grant to make their house “I cannot thank the team enough for 550 people Real kitemark. more “user friendly” and give Ioan a their care and support. Knowing there given 2.05 much-needed three hours’ support are people out there I can turn to for Tony, one of our deafblind a week. help means so much. As a parent with so million hours residents, moved 12 years many difficulties, I feel they’ve given me ago to Watery Lane in Bath, Ioan now goes swimming every week. of support in a better life and hope for the future.” where he was taught how to 100% With an additional three hours’ support 47 Care and deafblind sign, transforming of our Care and Support Support services his life. In our subtitled video services are ‘Making it Real’ 24 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 25

Diagnosis, specialist services. Low Check: 69,052 online and Fighting NHS cuts levels of diagnosis mean that 1,545 over the telephone. Recently I came into contact with information and two-thirds of people don’t get We successfully discouraged Action on Hearing Loss and since the support the treatment and support We have also set up a three Clinical Commissioning they need. Delays in treatment project with GPs on the Isle Groups (CCGs) in day I was fitted with a new hearing aid, Many vital NHS hearing mean that people with hearing of Wight to pilot a number Worcestershire from cutting I can hear words that are spoken to me. services are still under threat, loss are less likely to get the of approaches, tools and hearing aid provision, because of budget cuts and most benefit from hearing aids. materials designed to raise allowing those with hearing The difference is incredible and I am increasing demand. Our Evidence shows that hearing awareness of hearing loss and loss in the county to continue extremely grateful for the help I have research shows that this is aids reduce social isolation and increase referrals to audiology. benefiting from the only been given. Outcomes Survey, 2016 leading, in some parts of the the risk of depression (Source: viable treatment available UK, to people not getting the Hearing Matters report, 2015). to them. right diagnosis or hearing Publish, guide and improve services they need. Working to increase referrals In October 2015, despite our to audiology for people with strong campaign backed up We have worked with NHS England on the Action Plan Getting the right hearing loss, we’ve trialled local 45% by robust evidence, cuts to on Hearing Loss, which aims to drive improvements in diagnosis hearing screening services of people reporting free hearing aid provision healthcare. We have co-produced a literature review on across England, Northern hearing loss are not for people with mild hearing early intervention titled Early Diagnosis Scoping Report. Research suggests that GPs Ireland and Wales, benefiting loss came into effect in A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment guidance document fail to refer 45% of people 1,945 people. A total of 70,597 referred by GPs North Staffordshire. on hearing loss and a Living Well hearing loss guide for reporting hearing loss onto people took our Hearing Hearing Matters report, 2015 employers are being finalised. We have continued to campaign for the North Raising standards in Scotland 70,597 people used our Hearing Check: Staffordshire CCG to change its mind. In November 2016, Our report Time to raise the standards Time to raise the standards the Healthy Staffordshire highlights the experiences of NHS audiology The experiences of 69,052 online 1,545 via telephone NHS audiology patients

Select Committee voted patients in Scotland. We urge audiology in Scotland unanimously to refer the services to do more to meet the individual CCG’s policy to the Secretary needs of people, supporting them to make Cochlear implants make a difference of State for Health for fully informed decisions about how they further investigation. manage their hearing loss in everyday life. Cochlear implants can improve people’s ability to hear and understand speech if they can’t benefit from hearing aids. People can communicate more We have confidently, regain their independence and stand a better chance of getting the job they want. See what a discouraged difference cochlear implants have made in Laura’s life in this subtitled video on our website: actiononhearingloss.org.uk/impact

We responded to NHS Improvement’s consultation on proposed changes to funding for cochlear implant procedures, which could make them an unaffordable option for NHS trusts and deny many people the benefit of this technology. 3CCGs in Worcestershire from cutting hearing aid provision How we made a difference People who are deaf “Many deaf people can find it difficult to get employment to our beneficiaries… opportunities and experience difficulties following conversations at work but, thankfully, my Employment Advisor at Action on People with hearing loss Hearing Loss gave my colleagues some Deaf Awareness training and told me about the support, such as Access to Work.” “Because the hospital services were cutting back, they advised User of our Scottish employment service me about the support services Action on Hearing Loss provide. These have been my saviour since last September. I don’t know “I was attending interviews but not getting any work and I what I would have done without them.” was very frustrated. Action on Hearing Loss supported me to Hear to Help and Hear to Meet annual survey, 2017 gain work experience and further qualifications to add to my CV. I’m grateful to them for giving me a chance.” “The most important thing “I went to the lipreading User of our Welsh employment service is to be able to talk to classes and they gave me others with hearing loss, some knowledge about rather than only family or hearing loss, how the first friends, who at times do things to drop off your radar People with tinnitus not understand. I can feel are the leaves rustling, the “It is good to know I have support from other people.” isolated at times, and even birds chirping, and hearing Margate Impact Report for Discovery Grant though I wouldn’t wish my water running. This helped me hearing loss on others, the convince my husband that he support I’ve received and should go back to the hospital “My GP just said I had “Very caring and supportive not having to apologise to get another hearing test to learn to live with – an essential service. for not understanding and then start wearing the it. It is good to talk to Knowing someone else what is said to me are hearing aids he had been other people and not knows and can offer help feel alone.” and information is vital.” much appreciated.” given years ago.” Margate Impact Report for User of the Northern Ireland Hear to Help and Hear to Meet Hear to Help and Hear to Meet Discovery Grant Tinnitus Service annual survey, 2017 annual survey, 2017

“Before I had my hearing aids I had no idea I was hard of “I have had more help here in hearing. It was my family who noticed me having the TV on 10 minutes than in three NHS full volume and not hearing the doorbell. So very grateful for appointments.” my hearing aids, would not be without them – many thanks User of the Northern Ireland Tinnitus Service for your excellent service.” Hear to Help and Hear to Meet annual survey, 2017 28 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 29

Our Volunteering has helped me to improve my skills and gain new ones – helping me to find and secure a new job. volunteers Megan Volunteer Satisfaction Survey, 2016

An amazing 1,400 people “I wear hearing aids and rely on lipreading. I also generously gave up their time, have tinnitus, which can be really annoying at skills and energy for us this times of stress. It’s been an emotional journey Karl aids others in Essex year. Our volunteers help out and I’ve had to make some life-changing in many different ways: giving decisions, including changing my career path in One of our volunteers in Essex, Karl, draws on his information talks, supporting teaching, which has always been my passion. own experience of hearing loss to run one of our our hearing aid drop-in Hear to Help hearing aid support services. Like Karl, sessions, working with our It wasn’t until I turned 21 and started training 55% of our volunteers are deaf or have hearing finance team and helping out to become a teacher that I finally started my loss. Learn more about his story and his joy in at fundraising events. Without journey as a hearing aid user. I struggled at volunteering for us, in this short video on our website: their commitment and effort, times at university but, fortunately, I had good actiononhearingloss.org.uk/impact we simply wouldn’t be able friends who helped me to cope. I realised I to help so many people who relied more and more on my lipreading skills are deaf, or have tinnitus or and found myself extremely tired at the end hearing loss. of a day teaching young children. This didn’t stop me, though, and I taught successfully for Over the five two years after graduating. I gave it my all but, on reflection, I realise now how draining the years plus that work was. I have been I had to take action, so I did some research. volunteering, That’s how I came to Action on Hearing Loss. I made an appointment to visit the resource room I’ve enjoyed in Brighton, and attended several of the charity’s every minute coffee mornings and events, which encouraged me to get involved as a volunteer. I felt I had of it. Meeting something to give – particularly as I was younger new people than the average person with hearing loss. has turned As a volunteer, I have two roles: I help run a monthly lipreading group and I also work within me from a shy the Outreach Information team, giving talks and and anxious information to local groups and at events. person into a I’ve gained such a lot as a volunteer. It has really improved my confidence and given me more confident something that I can feel passionate about and version of get stuck into.” myself. Hear to Help Volunteer Satisfaction volunteer, Shirley Survey, 2016 30 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 31

Technology and In 2016–17, New project grants we spent Treatments We awarded six International Research Project grants: • Professor Karen Steel at King’s College • Dr Michael Bowl at MRC Mammalian To give people confronting hearing loss and tinnitus £3.74m London is researching diagnostic Genetics Unit, Harwell, Oxfordshire, hope for the future, we fund research now. To give developing new tests for age-related progressive is looking into identifying molecules them control of their lives today, we work to bring technologies and hearing loss. important for proper function of the them cutting-edge technology. treatments for tinnitus inner ear. and hearing loss • Dr Robert Carlyon at MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, • Dr Amanda Lauer at Johns Hopkins is researching methods for improving University, Baltimore, USA, is Why we fund • a Translational Research speech perception by cochlear investigating how stress and anxiety Initiative for Hearing grant research implant users. affect the development of tinnitus. worth £296,443 to bring There are currently no cures a promising approach to • Dr Lavinia Sheets at Massachusetts Eye • Dr Sally Dawson at University College for hearing loss or tinnitus. preventing a particular and Ear Infirmary, Harvard University, London is looking to discover more Treatment for hearing loss is type of hearing loss closer USA, is identifying drugs to promote genes that cause otosclerosis. largely limited to technology regeneration of auditory cells. • 12 Flexi Grants worth such as hearing aids or £52,709 to kick-start new cochlear implants. There are no areas of research treatments to silence tinnitus, The support from only ways to help people cope • three Pauline Ashley I’m looking at a new gene involved in deafness. I with it. Fellowships worth Action on Hearing Loss £166,197 to support has been pivotal to became involved in hearing loss research during my In the UK, so many of the 11 talented researchers at the my team’s work and Master’s degree in experimental neuroscience. million people with hearing start of their careers helped us collaborate I was looking at Parkinson’s disease, brain injury and loss and the one in 10 of us • five new PhD studentships with tinnitus desperately need with other research deafness, and found deafness the most interesting worth £362,500 (see ‘PhD new treatments and, ultimately, teams in the UK and students’, opposite) and varied. My ultimate goal is to find a way to reverse cures. That’s why, in 2016–17, abroad to explore damage in the auditory system. It would be great if we could just we spent £1.7m on research • 17 conference bursaries new research into take a pill and hear again. Rafael Kochaj, King’s College London (a breakdown of our grant worth £13,890, allowing age-related hearing payments is detailed in Note 10 early-career researchers to of the Financial Statements on present their work at three loss. It’s also directly funded the salary of pages 91–92). international conferences PhD students an up-and-coming • six undergraduate We awarded the following new It’s vital that we help to increase the number of scientists summer placements, research scientist awards: working on treatments and cures for hearing loss and worth £9,200, in hearing who’s been studying tinnitus. That’s why, in 2016–17, we funded five new PhD • six International Research research laboratories, to the role of a new gene studentships. Follow the link below to watch a video on Project grants worth spark interest in research that may be involved in our website of the students presenting their findings so far: £838,298 to make into deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss. actiononhearingloss.org.uk/impact scientific discoveries hearing loss. Mike Bowl, Medical (see ‘New project Research Council’s We also work in partnerships, co-funding PhD grants with Cochlear Ltd and Advanced Bionics. grants’, opposite) Harwell Institute 32 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 33

Recent breakthroughs From discovery Pilot studies NIHR Nottingham Hearing to treatment Biomedical Research Unit, The Action on Hearing Loss Our research at the University Twelve new pilot studies, are working on creating Flexi Grant helped get us on of Leicester discovered that We awarded funding to a funded through our Flexi a standard approach, our feet. The funding was exposure to loud noise can three-year project at the Grant scheme, will enable us to globally, for measuring the alter the strength of signalling University of Sussex to support develop new paths of research. results of clinical trials in just what we needed to set between neurons in a specific the development of a drug to Here are some of the studies adults with tinnitus. up epigenetics of the auditory part of the brain and that this prevent hearing loss caused we’re supporting: • Dr Andrew Liu, Dr Philip system in our lab and run one is linked to tinnitus. Targeting by aminoglycosides (a class of • Professor Colin Bingle, Gander, Dr Inyong Choi solid preliminary experiment. We used this this process in the future could antibiotic), which are used to University of Sheffield, and Dr Matthew Howard, lead to treatments for tinnitus. treat life-threatening infections. data to apply for a bigger grant, which we is using gene editing , State University of Iowa received. That’s now in its third year and (a new genetic tool) USA, are studying brain Dr Eri Hashino, of Indiana We provided expert support to investigate the role activity related to making we’re up and running. University School of Medicine, and advice to 11 companies of genes in cells of the greater effort to listen Professor Karen Avraham, Tel Aviv University has published in Nature with an interest in developing middle ear, in order to gain and understand speech Biotechnology the results treatments for hearing loss a better understanding of in noisy situations. This of research we funded. She and tinnitus, helping them to otitis media. could lead to new types describes a new method for make vital connections with of hearing tests. growing human inner ear clinicians and academics, • Dr Jacques Grange and tissue from stem cells. The cells identify investment partners Professor John Culling, • Dr Karina Needham, are grown as 3D structures, not and recruit people into Cardiff University, are University of Melbourne, as a flat layer on the surface of clinical trials. developing new ways of Australia, is looking at the a culture dish. This approach using cochlear implants to role played by a specific allows the cells to interact with We have been funding improve understanding of group of proteins in each other in ways that mimic research with the biotech speech in noisy situations. nerve damage caused by more closely what happens in company Otomagnetics to exposure to loud noise. • Professor Deborah Hall, the body. We hope this new develop a ‘magnetic injection’ Dr Kathryn Fackrell, • Professor Xiaorui Shi, approach will lead to new system for getting drugs Dr Haula Haider and Oregon Health and treatments to protect and into the inner ear to treat Professor Birgit Mazurek, Science University, regenerate hair cells. hearing loss. USA, is investigating whether damaged blood vessels in the inner ear Grant funding from Action on Hearing Loss helped can be regenerated to us jump-start the company. Together with support restore hearing. from the State of Maryland, we were able to do a lot of the initial laboratory work showing magnetic delivery works. We are starting a formal collaboration with one major pharmaceutical company and are in Less than 1% of the Dr Eri Hashino, discussions with others. Pharma companies and sophisticated total UK expenditure investors look at an investment by Action on Hearing Loss and see it on medical research of Indiana University as a vote of confidence by an organisation that’s expert in hearing. goes to hearing loss School of Medicine Dr Benjamin Shapiro, President and co-founder of Otomagnetics Hearing Matters report, 2015 34 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 35

Technology developers of groundbreaking S3A’s 3D sound system Get the facts, try innovations, including: based on object audio the tech – for example, by Retail therapy Technology is vital for giving • real-time, speech-to- increasing the volume of We have updated our control to people confronting text technology such as We sell a range of assistive technology products. speech and reducing the Products and Technology They’ve been tried and tested to help people deafness, tinnitus and hearing Texthear with Geemarc background noise. information factsheets and confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss, as well loss, and allowing them to as their families and friends, to enjoy a better quality of • providing information in leaflets. We also continue to participate fully in everyday life. Here’s what just a few people had to say: British Sign Language We also work with developers run our dedicated resource life. It lets them use services, (BSL) with app developer and manufacturers to help rooms, which give people with communicate in the workplace, Listening device Signly using augmented them understand how their deafness, tinnitus or hearing and socialise with friends reality technology; based technology could be used or loss the chance to try out new “What a wonderful little gadget – I and family. on the image picked up improved to support people technology. Trained volunteers use it with my hearing aids set on the loop system and the sound is by a smartphone camera, with deafness, tinnitus and are on hand to give assistance Breaking new ground loud and clear. To be hard of hearing a relevant BSL video hearing loss. One example and provide information about can be very isolating – I sometimes appears to translate is the ‘hearables’ market, our range of products and the We work in partnership with feel alone in a crowd, but from now the text non-medical devices that can support available. manufacturers and developers on I shall be able to converse with be worn on the ear. We’ve confidence. It’s going to turn my life of assistive technology to • cutting-edge audio reviewed a number of these around completely.” Helen bring more than 400 products technology that has on our website to make more to market through our online the potential to make people with hearing loss aware shop (see ‘Retail therapy’, watching TV more Vibrating alarm clock of technology that could be of opposite). This year, we accessible for people with “Once his hearing loss was severe, benefit to them. provided help and advice to hearing loss – such as things like waking up in the morning, alarm clocks, well, they could be a bomb going off, that wasn’t going to wake him up. So we invested in Taking the initiative 88,491 of our products were sold in 2016–17, an alarm clock with a vibrating pad, which at the time was hilarious, but a People with deafness and hearing loss to support the innovation, development from vibrating doorbells necessity to wake him up.” Lynn face many barriers daily, at home, at and take-up of technology to help people to amplified phones – work and when out and about. In public confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing an increase of 17% on places, there’s a lack of visual information. loss, with our Royal Patron, HRH The Duke last year Mainstream products frequently aren’t of York attending the event. designed with their needs in mind. “I’m really pleased to see that technology People with tinnitus face dwindling is being used to solve some of these numbers of specialists, and low awareness problems,” the Duke said. “Hearing loss and understanding of tinnitus management, is a human condition that we can in many leading to worsening symptoms. There is cases help alleviate, and there are people therefore a need for greater awareness of out there who simply don’t know that their assistive devices for tinnitus management. technology can be applied in this area. We just have to get the message out that That’s why, in December 2016, we launched this is an area where technology can make HRH The Duke of York at the our Technology Initiative for Hearing Loss a difference.” launch of the Technology Initiative for Hearing Loss, 2016 36 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 37

Equality The news about the change to the Awareness and understanding of the impact of Digital Economy Act deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss can result in people taking action. We campaign for change so means, quite simply, that we can have true equality and there are no that I will have the longer barriers to face. freedom to choose We spent what I view and Campaigning information to empower individuals to challenge things when, and will no £5.90m We campaign to make things that are not right and to longer be excluded in 2016–17 influencing better for people who are support and enable providers from watching with government and deaf or have hearing loss, and to make the case for the family or friends. encourage others to value changes needed. organisations, their hearing. We work with In a digital world, empowering people politicians, public services, Subtitle it! – it’s the law subtitles mean you and changing attitudes fellow charities, businesses, don’t get left out. and the general public so that When we launched our Michelle, Subtitle it! we can collaboratively make a Subtitle it! campaign in June campaigner difference to people’s lives. 2015, thousands of you asked 12,000 people have the government to put an end viewed our various We believe that everyone to the digital exclusion that online information resources: should enjoy the same human has prevented people who are 3,154 people took action for Subtitle it! in 2016–17 rights. Deafness and hearing deaf or have hearing loss from loss should not be a barrier to enjoying on-demand content. taking part fully in all aspects In summer 2016, on the back of our Eating out is of everyday life – at home, at Together, we did it. On 8 report Speak Easy: hearing the views 1,329 work, when using essential February 2017, of your customers, we launched our meant to be sociable on getting help Parliament , with a free from the jobcentre services and socialising. voted in favour of an Speak Easy campaign and fun, but often campaign pack, to take noise off amendment to the Digital the menu in cafes, pubs, bars I end up feeling 1,194 That’s why we’re calling on Economy Bill, now the Digital and restaurants. excluded because on supporting older people in residential care homes the UK government and other Economy Act 2017, making of the noise. It’s organisations to take stronger it a legal requirement for The campaign was reported on BBC Breakfast news and in The Times, the Daily Mail, the Guardian, the Independent embarrassing when action to improve the situation on-demand broadcasters 2,396 and several hospitality trade publications. Our Chief the server asks on visiting cafes, across the board. to provide minimum levels pubs and restaurants Executive, Paul Breckell, also gave interviews to various of subtitles. national radio stations. what drink I would It’s why we also create online like and I order the 1,943 We’ve also sent the report to some of the UK’s largest resources to help people We’ve worked with fish. Sometimes, on visiting the cinema restaurant chains, encouraging them to work with us as confronting deafness, tinnitus broadcasters such as Sky and campaign partners to tackle the problem of background I just have to say 1,992 and hearing loss to understand BT to support the rollout of noise in their venues. no to an invitation on visiting a GP their rights, and to explain subtitles on their on-demand So far, more than 1,000 people have requested the when I know it’s a legal obligations to service platforms, promoting their 3,152 campaign pack to provide direct feedback to their noisy venue. providers and employers. trials to our supporters with on telling your employer local venues. Susan, Speak Easy These resources provide deafness and hearing loss. about hearing loss campaigner 38 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 39

Access to healthcare People can use the Even when an interpreter is Action on Hearing Loss materials to make sure their requested, around two-thirds Cymru’s campaign Access Working for change The Accessible Information communication needs are of patients don’t get one, and Denied highlights these Standard came into effect properly registered. This almost half who do find the cuts in spending on assistive For years, people with hearing loss have from 31 July 2016, requiring information should then be quality of interpretation is not technology, which could told us that the biggest barrier they face all NHS and adult social-care permanently recorded and good enough. On the Record put people at risk of serious in the workplace is the poor attitude of

Improving attitudes services in England to identify, available to any healthcare is working to change this. isolation, loneliness and, employers. Our new campaign, Working to hearing loss in the workplace record, share and meet the provider to whom they ultimately, developing mental for Change, aims to change that. by Laura Cook communication needs of are referred. Access denied health problems. patients, including people with Supported by the Minister of State for Disabled People, deafness or hearing loss. We’ve worked with NHS Adapted telephones, flashing More than 700 people took Health and Work, we have published Working for change: England to understand how doorbells and hearing loops action by contacting their improving attitudes to hearing loss in the workplace, a To coincide with the the Standard is being complied are some of the potentially local director of social services myth-busting guide that will help employers feel confident publication of the Standard, we with, and we responded to life-changing items that local and asking them to increase about recruiting people with hearing loss. launched our On the Record their post-implementation social services should provide the budget for people with campaign, producing materials review with our Accessible for people who are deaf or deafness and hearing loss. “All employees at Sass and Belle are offered an tailored for people who are Information Standard have hearing loss. But with opportunity to learn BSL and most do take the lessons. The deaf or have hearing loss: a Review – Action on Hearing cuts in spending on assistive classes are excellent for team-building and providing staff rights guide, a communication Loss Response. technology, thousands of Communication with a new skill. We currently employ one Deaf BSL-user card and a template letter, people with hearing loss across support in our design team. His colleagues communicate with him which were also provided For BSL users, the lack of Wales are now not getting the using his preferred language, so he feels part of the team.” We delivered 15,505 sign in BSL. booked interpreters at health support they need. Richard Stone, Managing Director, Sass and Belle language assignments appointments continues to be to people needing a barrier. communication support, and more than 822 assignments across the Accessible referendum in Scotland UK to people needing non-BSL or electronic We successfully campaigned for two TV programmes shown in Scotland about the support, such as speech- European Union referendum to be accessible and include British Sign Language (BSL). to-text reporters (STTRs), We also persuaded both Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe to issue campaign who provide a word- videos in BSL. for-word account on a screen, in real time, for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. We When I was referred to hospital, information about provided a wide range of communication support my hearing loss was not shared [by my GP]. The hospital to help people who are did not know that I had hearing aids, and staff shouted deaf or have hearing loss access public services, everyone’s names out when it was their turn – and this work-related meetings, was for people waiting for ear, nose and throat (ENT) and training, appointments Deaf Awareness and events. audiology appointments. Accessible Information Standard Review – training, London Action on Hearing Loss Response 40 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 41

Awareness raising carried out 134 work-based Changing public assessments, advising attitudes and influencing employers on how best to Margaret gets connected support staff with hearing loss. We have started a pilot to We have been working with the Royal says. “The tinnitus sometimes keeps me Deaf awareness engage the wider public on National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) awake all night and I need a distraction the personal and emotional and Sense, the charity for people to keep it at bay. Despite changes to the impact of hearing loss, to 45 Deaf who are deafblind or have sensory law, people with deafness change the way people think, “I decided to go to an Online Today impairments or complex needs, to or hearing loss still feel and act. The response session to learn how to use the laptop Awareness deliver an access-to-technology service experience disadvantage has been very positive with I bought three years ago. They showed called Online Today. We have supported and discrimination. Often, training attendees wanting to talk me how to search the internet, and more than 1,200 people this year to people and organisations, to family members about create Facebook and email accounts. get online and connect to other people including workplaces, simply sessions; 134 hearing loss with a better I can now email my sister in Canada, digitally, among them Margaret of lack awareness of how to understanding, and pledges by which I am thrilled about. work-based Portadown, Northern Ireland. improve communication. people to do more to help. “I have also found learning all these new “I am a cochlear implant and hearing aid assessments things to be a sort of therapy because it That’s why we are user and I also have tinnitus,” Margaret has taken my mind off the tinnitus.” determined to make everyone more deaf aware HA by empowering individuals, Louder than Words™ T N R

informing employers and E W Louder than Words is our nationally D O

influencing government.

U

recognised accreditation for R

D O

L organisations striving to offer S We ran a campaign called BSL National excellent levels of service and ‘Definitely Can’ on social Plan for accessibility for customers and media for Deaf Awareness employees who are deaf or have hearing loss. Scotland Week 2016, tearing up society’s assumptions and The British Sign The charter mark helps businesses meet the needs of turning the spotlight on the Language (Scotland) Act the 11 million people with hearing loss, improve service incredible things deaf people 2015 places a duty on quality, grow customer loyalty and meet the requirements and people with hearing the Scottish government of the Equality Act and the public sector Equality Duty loss can do. Our Twitter and local authorities (Disability Discrimination Act 1995, in Northern Ireland). engagement increased by to promote the use of 450% during the campaign. BSL in Scotland. We This year, we awarded Louder than Words again to 21 have been advising the organisations, and to three new organisations for the In 2016–17, we provided 45 Scottish government first time.Nine other organisations went through the Deaf Awareness training on the first draftBSL benchmark process and will receive the award in 2017–18. sessions to voluntary, National Plan and how private and public sector to promote it. The Plan, organisations. We also due to be published in October 2017, sets out more than 50 actions to be taken by 2023. The training made me feel like it is perfectly achievable for me to learn sign language. David, Martindale Pharma 42 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 43

Fundraising £40,000 raised through tinnitus TV ad

We couldn’t support, campaign and fund research for people confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss without the generosity of our supporters. We are hugely grateful to every one of them for their commitment and support. Inspired DJ raises funds Our achievements Public fundraising important source of income for us. We match our major In October 2016, in a series of challenges noise-cancelling earplugs a few times, Through gifts in wills, public We are fortunate to have over supporters with specific on our behalf, Philip took on the with only the sound of my footsteps fundraising, major giving and 50,000 active supporters projects if requested, and gruelling 13.1 miles at the Royal Parks shuddering internally and my pulse partnerships, advertising and and members. We rely on work hard to build a close Half Marathon in London, followed by the for company. sponsored events, it’s been their donations for much of relationship between our Maidstone Half Marathon just one week “It’s very lonely being soundless. There another successful year in our voluntary income. This supporters and the work later. During the races, he wore specially are so many sounds out there in the fundraising, bringing in a total year, we received individual they fund. made earplugs that cancelled out most everyday world. They all add up to of £12.59m. donations from supporters sounds, so that he could experience making the day special, even if they’re who responded to specific One of our key partners what it’s like to have hearing loss. annoying things like my wife’s snoring! Gifts in wills charity appeals, attended is Boots Hearingcare. “I was keen to do some work for Action Everyday sounds inspire me as I pound events or took on a challenge, Employees raise funds for on Hearing Loss, because I have a real the streets, knowing that everything In 2016–17, 435 supporters left entered into our weekly lottery our cause, and we work in passion for sound,” Philip says. “I DJ in I raise will go towards research and us gifts in their will, helping to or shopped online. partnership with the company my spare time but the love goes so much support for those living with deafness, raise over £9.4m, the largest to raise awareness of how further than music. I’ve run with the tinnitus and hearing loss.” amount in more than 10 years. Major giving and important it is to have your Once again, this generosity partnerships hearing checked. has made much of our work possible. Major donations from individuals, companies and trusts are an increasingly

Tinnitus on TV

This year, we launched a TV advertisement promoting a new tinnitus guide. It reached 17.3 million adults, prompting an extraordinary 34,000 requests for the free guide and raising £40,000.

The advert also raised awareness of the reality of millions of people in the UK facing tinnitus, and of the work we are doing to find a cure. Taking control of We want to help those people manage their tinnitus and reduce the tinnitus impact it can have on their lives. Philip supporting

While these new initiatives may initially require investment, they broaden our appeal to Action on Hearing Loss new supporters and help grow income in the future. in the Royal Parks Half Marathon 2016 44 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 45

Fundraising control We took the opportunity agencies for street fundraising. and for what purpose – and We also have contracts and Commitment to assess our practices to We also worked with agencies we honour those wishes. We controls in place, as described and regulation make sure we were doing to help us process responses also offer everyone we contact previously, to ensure all We will continue to monitor everything we could to to appeals and donations simple ways to opt out of any agencies that may come into closely all of our fundraising We follow the standards laid provide our supporters with a received, to print and mail further communication. contact with vulnerable people activities to ensure they remain out in the Code of Fundraising rewarding experience, and to on our behalf, maintain our treat them in line with our at the highest standards Practice, and adhere to the consistently uphold the highest supporter database and help We do not sell or policies and values. and reflect the wishes and guidance of the Institute of ethical standards. us monitor the effectiveness exchange lists of data preferences of all our generous Fundraising and the Direct of our fundraising activities. with any other charities or Complaints supporters. We welcome any Marketing Association We regularly use a number We work with any newly companies for marketing or feedback or comments you (DMA). We are organisational of methods to monitor our appointed agencies to ensure fundraising purposes. We take every complaint may have. To get in touch members of the Institute of performance and those of that contracts are set up to we receive seriously and by post or email, see the Fundraising and members of the agencies we work with, comply with the current and We are also preparing to make sure that we respond last page of this report for the Fundraising Regulator. including robust contracts, known changes to regulation. ensure that we are compliant promptly and investigate fully. contact details. We are also members of, and mystery shopping, random We also regularly review with the impending launch of We report our complaints are regularly audited by, the call monitoring, and close existing contracts to ensure the General Data Protection on a calendar-year basis in Gambling Commission. monitoring of complaints to that they continue to meet our Regulation in May 2018 and line with the Fundraising identify and resolve the root high standards. the implementation of the Regulator’s requirements. For Recent media exposure causes of any problems that Fundraising Preference Service the 12 months to 31 March 2017, of certain unacceptable people may be experiencing. Managing in July 2017. we received 41 fundraising- fundraising practices This ensures that everyone related complaints, which is an elsewhere within the sector communications who works with us to raise People in vulnerable improvement on the previous led to an investigation and funds complies with our We want our supporters to year, in which we received subsequent report by Sir circumstances high standards. have the opportunity to tell us 85. We received no official Stuart Etherington, Chief how they would like us to stay We take our responsibility complaints via the Fundraising Executive of the National Use of agencies and in touch with them, so we can towards supporter care and, in Regulator. To ensure that Council for Voluntary honour their wishes and share particular, to vulnerable people we provide the best level of Organisations. We welcomed third parties information on topics that are very seriously. Members of service to the people who his recommendation for the We worked with carefully important to them. our in-house Supporter Care support our work, we regularly formation of a new charity selected professional team are all trained to respond monitor the level and nature of fundraising regulator. fundraising agencies for We offer supporters the sensitively and appropriately feedback that we receive. telephone and door-to-door opportunity to choose how to any individual showing fundraising. We did not use we communicate with them signs of distress, confusion or vulnerability. 46 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 47

Our future plans

Taking Action: Our strategy 2013–18

Our national and local strategy sets out clearly how, by 2018, we’ll get closer to our vision of a world Finally, we will do more to We will continue our work to • provide the highly where hearing loss does not limit or label people, where tinnitus is silenced – and where people increase people’s awareness empower people confronting effective products and value and look after their hearing. of our biomedical research, deafness, tinnitus and services that directly and building on people’s interest hearing loss through online indirectly improve the 2016–17 was the fourth year in which we delivered this strategy. We’ll move closer to achieving our in this area of our work to resources, so that they have lives of people confronting vision in 2017–18, the final year of the strategy, by continuing to focus on our three core aims. further support our fundraising better access to key areas of deafness, tinnitus and efforts. We will develop a life, by raising awareness of hearing loss major fundraising appeal and their rights, helping them to • build on improvements engaging information for exercise those rights, and by to our systems and our website. helping providers make the processes, particularly changes needed. in Finance and Human GP awareness and referral to Resources, and continue Support and Care Technology and We will also pilot and launch audiology is one of the biggest to operate the safe and a project to change public barriers to people successfully Treatments secure legal, operational Within our Support and Care attitudes to hearing loss so addressing their hearing loss. and financial infrastructure programme, we will continue We will continue to invest that more people understand that’s so essential the expansion of our local in biomedical research to Equality it, care about it and take action. We are also seeking to improve community services that has accelerate the discovery and • make sure the organisation the support we can offer to been taking place since we development of treatments to Through our Speak Easy is financially healthy and people who are deaf with developed our Taking Action prevent hearing loss, restore campaign, we will keep sustainable so that we can multiple needs and, if possible, strategy. Continuing to grow hearing and silence tinnitus. campaigning to reduce To achieve these aims, we’ll: deliver what we promise expand our high-quality Care means working with more background noise in and Support services. • continue to grow our • develop our next five-year volunteers, more effectively, We will continue to catalyse restaurants, bars and cafes; fundraising, inspire more strategy for 2018–23, and finding new ways to innovation, support we will improve access to We will also be piloting people to care about engaging with and fund and sustain our work for development and increase television through our Subtitle focus groups to further our hearing loss – and do consulting the people we people confronting deafness, take-up of technology to It! campaign; and, through understanding of the needs something about it – and support, our partners and tinnitus and hearing loss. improve the lives of people Working for Change, challenge of people who are deaf with use our new database to the wider charity sector as we support through our the attitudes of employers additional needs in order to improve our relationships we develop our plans for We will pilot a project to Technology Initiative for and assist people we support advocate for change based with, and service the future. increase referral rates to Hearing Loss. to enter and progress in on the experience of those we to, supporters audiology by influencing the workplace. currently, and will continue to, GPs. We know that lack of work with.

Our new Hear to We will hold an international conference on We will work with Inform and Connect 5 small to medium research into treatments for hearing loss and project aims to reach organisations to help 12,000 older people them become more tinnitus in March 2018, bringing together inclusive to employees with hearing loss with hearing loss leaders from industry and academia in its first year 48 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 49

Financial review Financial highlights 2016–17

Expenditure: We effectively managed our expenditure to ensure Income: £42.25m we achieved our net budget

£40.29m How we spend £1 income:

We were impacted by our Commercial Services performance. Commercial Services Fundraising are one year behind in delivering the strategy, income:

as a result of recruitment and marketing delays. Generating future Charitable £12.59m income: 10% activities: 90%

Where did our money come from? How was our money spent? Support and Care: £21.99m

Technology and Treatments: £1.53m Support and Care: £28.35m

Equality: £3.50m Technology and Treatments: £3.74m Voluntary income and activities Equality: £5.90m for generating funds: £12.59m Expenditure on raising funds: £4.26m Other income and investments: £0.69m 50 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 51

Overview managed, resulting in a net 73 people locally. There were Financial Statements, it is 1 October 2001 and closed it Reserves policy operating deficit, compared £120,000 of one-off costs too early to determine with to new accruals on 31 March to the positive contribution associated with legal and any certainty what the exit 2010. The annually calculated Financially, 2016–17 has been Reserves are maintained at a expected. Significant changes other fees. from the European Union notional surplus or deficit on a busy and mixed year, with level that enables the Charity have been made in the teams will mean for the Charity or the funding of the scheme some positive successes being to manage financial risk and as new structures were put During the year, we also our beneficiaries. is shown in the Financial offset by challenges elsewhere. short-term income volatility. in place, but with delays to started the refurbishment of Statements as the ‘pension Free reserves available for recruitment of key positions the new head office acquired reserve’ and is deducted We had £9.4m in legacy Going concern use exclude restricted and and some challenging external in August 2015, spending from unrestricted funds in the income, the highest level designated funds and the markets, it means that we £1.261m in year. balance sheet. in 11 years and £1.0m more The Trustees have reviewed tangible fixed assets held are 12 months behind our than planned. This in part the Charity’s financial as unrestricted funds. Free plan for the turnaround. The last detailed actuarial helped mitigate declines in Events after the position, taking account of reserves also exclude any The financial results in the triennial valuation was other fundraising areas, in the satisfactory levels of long-term liabilities, including year do not do justice to the reporting period carried out on 31 March 2015. particular regular donations reserves, amounts receivable, long-term loans and any positive operational changes Following this, a revised and corporates. On 2 May 2017, the Charity the annual plan and the deficit reported on the being implemented and the funding plan was agreed with moved to a new head office five-year financial plan, and its pension scheme. hard work of the committed members and the pension Support and Care income following its purchase in systems of financial and risk team, which are setting the scheme Trustees. grew by 5.9%. It was an August 2015 and subsequent management. As a result of As a matter of policy, each foundations for future success. extremely busy year, with the refurbishment. As of 24 May its review, the Trustees believe year the Trustees review the As part of the Annual Report transfer and integration of 2017, no further rent or other that the Charity is well placed value of the reserves required We continued to invest in and Financial Statements’ the former John Townsend obligations exist in relation to to manage operational and to be held in investments, door-to-door fundraising preparation process, an Trust adult services, and the the former head office of 19–23 financial risks successfully. cash and cash equivalents to secure future income, a actuarial valuation was carried management of ongoing Featherstone Street, London. that are not restricted to any strategy that was approved by out on 31 March 2017 using funding pressures from The head office purchase and Accordingly, the Trustees have particular purpose. Trustees, following the sale of methodology recommended statutory commissioning move was funded from the a reasonable expectation that the former head office. During by Financial Reporting authorities and higher than designated fund, created from the Charity and the Group We calculate the amount that the year, we diversified our Standard 102. This valuation expected voids in some of the sale of the Featherstone have adequate resources is required to be held based fundraising investment with showed market value of assets the services. The transferred Street building in March 2014. to continue in operational on the assessment of the risks the launch of our firstdirect to be £69.2m and the current services, although not at full existence for the foreseeable affecting the income and response television campaign, value of liabilities of £78.5m. capacity, have financially The UK initiated Article 50 of future. Thus the Trustees expenditure of the Charity. which has proven to be The net deficit of £9.3m performed well. the Lisbon Treaty on 29 March continue to adopt the going We consider the exposure of successful, and we have similar compared to a net deficit of 2017, which formally notified concern basis of accounting in the Charity to the risk of any campaigns planned for the £7.4m as at 31 March 2016. Our Commercial Services the European Union of the preparing the annual accounts. significant loss of income or upcoming year. The funding plan is a schedule directorate, which has income UK’s intention to leave. There unforeseen increase in costs. of deficit-reducing payments and expenditure across all will be at least a two-year A drop in income is the major At the beginning of the year Pensions designed to eliminate charitable activities, had a window to negotiate the exit risk that these reserves are we acquired five freehold the deficit by 2030; the challenging year, with income from the European Union. held to mitigate against. properties for £3.2m with We operate a funded pension contribution by the Charity this lower than expected and Risks and opportunities arising mortgage finance to facilitate scheme that has both year was £1.0m. Further details in decline from the prior from this are being proactively The calculation of the reserves the transfer of former John defined benefit and defined are included in Note 22. year. With reduced income, identified and managed required to be held takes into Townsend Trust services, contribution sections. We expenditure across the various through the Risk Committee. account the risk-weighted enabling 49 people to remain closed the defined benefit products and services was At the time of signing the income and expenditure. in their homes, and employing section to new entrants on 52 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 53

The Trustees recognise there that the volatility of the stock £6.0m. Free reserves as at The fund managers are Grant-making policy reviewers and a voluntary is a voluntary income risk market and other factors can 31 March 2017 were £5.2m assessed against the following independent grant-review in relation to the current lead to declining legacy values (2016: £7.7m) and in line with performance benchmark set panel. Each panel is made up We award biomedical research economic and political climate; and reduced donations. the reserve policy. In the year, by the Board of Trustees: of experts who serve for a grants to fund world-class a social enterprise income the Trustees again continued three-year term and the panel research projects that will risk given current market The Trustees have agreed investing in fundraising • FTSE All-Share Index: 40% members are listed on our accelerate the development conditions and continued that the free reserves should programmes from reserves as website. We make the final • FTSE World (ex-UK) of medical treatments to pressures in public sector be in the range of £5.0m part of an income growth and decision about each award on Index: 20% prevent hearing loss, restore funding. It is also recognised and £7.0m with a target of diversification strategy. the basis of this expert advice, hearing and alleviate tinnitus. • FTSE Gilts 0–5 Year: 20% the relevance of the research We also make grants to to our biomedical research 2017 2016 • IPD UK all Property: 10% increase the numbers of The table shows strategy, and our available Free reserves (£m) (£m) trained research staff, build the change in free • LIBOR +3%: 10% budget. We usually make future research capacity reserves from Total unrestricted funds 20.7 18.7 payments every six months • Cash: 0% and support small-scale 31 March 2016 to Less: Unrestricted fixed assets (15.5) (11.0) and review progress regularly. activities that will strengthen 31 March 2017. 5.2 7.7 Overall, it has been a positive the hearing research Everyone involved in the grant- Represented by: year for our investments community. Universities, application process is asked Investments 2.3 3.4 with the portfolio, with a non-profit research institutes to abide by our Biomedical Current assets 8.0 8.2 performance return of 15.3% to and technology-led small Research Programme’s Code Current liabilities (5.1) (3.9) 31 March 2017. This is slightly businesses from any country of Conduct and Conflict 5.2 7.7 lower than the benchmark are eligible for funding, except of Interest policy. We for the year of 15.9%. During where geographical and occasionally award a small the year, the Charity divested organisational-type restrictions number of grants for social £1.5m to support its working are stated for specific and technical research to capital requirements. £1.1m funding schemes. Investment policy The actual allocations are • Fixed income assets help provide the evidence that was on deposit matured shown in Note 16, which should have a maturity of basis for campaigning and and performance and was also transferred into We widely publicise our demonstrates that the asset seven years or less with a policy development. We also a current account to fund calls for grant proposals. We Our investment objective for allocation at the year-end are weighted average of no award grants to develop our building work on the new head advertise our grant schemes the Charity’s financial assets is within the target ranges shown more than five years. library collection, currently office building. The external on our website and through to maximise long-term, total above. The Board of Trustees housed and managed by conditions remain volatile with emails sent out to the research return with appropriate risk has set the fund managers a We expect our fund managers University College London. both global and local market community. The proposals management and liquidity series of additional limitations to take social, environmental Other details of grants payable and political uncertainties, and we receive are subjected requirements of the Charity. on the way the portfolio is and ethical considerations are shown in Note 10 to the Trustees intend to keep the to an appropriate level of The Board of Trustees has managed, as follows: into account when assessing Financial Statements. investment approach under expert peer review, typically set the following asset the suitability of investments particular scrutiny during the involving independent, external allocation targets: • Fixed income assets and when exercising the year to 31 March 2018. should have a minimum rights attached to the • Equities: 45%–65% rating of BBB with investments. The Board has assets rated BBB not an Investment Committee that • Fixed Income: 15%–30% representing more than reviews fund manager and • Property: 5%–10% 10% for the fixed-term investment performance on a portfolio. regular basis. • Alternatives: 5%–15%

• Cash: 0%–10% 54 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 55

Risks and uncertainties Strategic risk identification and mitigation is summarised as: Risk Mitigation The Trustees continue Strategic risk identification and terms of supporting the aims Financial risk, which includes: • A detailed approach is taken to budget to support a formal risk oversight this year has focused of our beneficiaries. setting with the development of financial management process to on continued management • not meeting our targets for plans that are reviewed and approved assess business risks and of our financial position, We monitor the risks and unrestricted income by the Board of Trustees. Regular, implement risk management continued regulatory reporting uncertainties arising from • loss of, or reduction of, funding streams detailed financial monitoring is carried strategies through regular meeting any change in Brexit and consult with various out during the year and quarterly re- review and oversight by the requirements, further progress sector groups to identify any • uncontrolled expenditure forecasts are prepared. Actions are Audit Committee. This has with the development of our emerging risks, threats and • our free reserve position falling below the taken to mitigate against budget-income involved identifying the types Commercial Services Group opportunities. Currently, no parameters set by the reserves policy. pressures, including effective cost of risks faced by Action on strategy, and monitoring and material change is noted from management measures. Hearing Loss, prioritising them modifying approaches to our risk analysis. These risks would reduce our capacity to in terms of potential impact fundraising to meet changing • Regular monitoring of the impacts of deliver our strategy. and likelihood of occurrence regulations and in advance of As Trustees we recognise austerity measures emanating from and then identifying and the introduction of GDPR in there remain uncertainties local authority and central government implementing mitigation steps. May 2018. that could affect our risk expenditure, mitigating associated risks We continue to measure the mitigation strategy through by improving efficiencies and, where impact of any potential risk by Action on Hearing Loss has a uncontrollable, external necessary, considering the long-term considering our free reserve clear policy in relation to its factors such as government viability of service delivery. position rather than income. strategic risk appetite being policy, external focus on the • Detailed oversight of a new Commercial risk averse in terms of financial charity sector and the wider Services Group strategy and continuous management and risk-taking in economic conditions. review of our fundraising strategies to maximise our unrestricted income streams.

• Continuing to invest in diverse income- generating strategies to maintain and grow unrestricted income.

• Effective management of our pension fund obligations and continued, positive engagement with the pension scheme Trustees.

• Monitoring and reviewing our investment strategy and its performance, managed by appointed, external fund managers.

• Monitoring developments in respect of the UK’s Brexit negotiations. 56 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 57

Risk Mitigation Risk Mitigation

, which includes: Governance risk • Trustees are recruited through open and transparent Brand protection and reputation • We protect our brand reputation by delivering risk, which includes: • lack of compliance with legal member elections or through the advertisement and a proactive and reactive communications and and regulatory requirements appointment of co-opted positions managed by the • loss of brand value, reducing marketing strategy, and by ensuring appropriate Board of Trustees Nominations Committee. fundraising and influencing training and policies are in place to govern external • conflicts of interest potential communications and social media. • Board of Trustees’ approval of delegated authority is • lack of appropriate oversight or regularly reviewed and clearly communicated. • receiving damaging publicity • We work to engage stakeholders and people we delegations of responsibility. support in our campaigns and the services we offer. • In-depth reporting framework to the Board of • damage to charity sector These risks could have an impact Trustees is maintained. brand image. • We have an ethics and brand risk management on our operational delivery and the policy that helps to ensure we form • We review and continually update our compliance degree of regulatory scrutiny we We recognise that reputation and appropriate partnerships. and regulatory reporting to reflect legislative and may face. brand are essential to maximise regulatory changes, an example of which includes • We track complaints and feedback to ensure we are support and organisation impact. data protection compliance reporting. aware of potential issues. If risks around these were to • We continue to review and improve our online materialise, key stakeholders such • We are members of all relevant fundraising monitoring systems, such as quality monitoring as funders and beneficiaries may professional standards bodies and other systems, online complaints system, online incident no longer wish to be involved with professional standards bodies and have worked reporting system and online management us, meaning that, consequently, we collaboratively with them to address concerns raised compliance audits, providing improved would be less able to achieve our about sector practice. visibility evidencing good practice and areas desired impact. • We work to build our brand through marketing and for improvement. by ensuring our values are embedded in our staff • A robust whistle-blowing policy is in place, which is and external communications. accessible and known to all employees. Any issues • We have worked with charity partners to collectively arising from a disclosure are promptly and properly provide feedback on adverse media publicity. investigated, and reported. • We have reviewed and tested in year our Business • Quarterly reporting to our Audit Committee, whose Continuity Plan. membership includes three Trustees and two independent advisors, on risks arising out of the • We keep our fundraising standards and Charity’s operations and internal mitigating controls. practices under review to minimise the risk of The Audit Committee reviews and monitors the reputational impact. adequacy of internal controls and reports to the Board of Trustees on significant risks, any identified weaknesses in controls and progress of actions for addressing any such identified weaknesses. actiononhearingloss.org.uk 59

Risk Mitigation

Asset management – our people, • Our most important asset is our people. So that we money and property risk, which includes: continue to recruit and retain people of the required calibre, we invest significantly in learning and • our ability to recruit and retain development. We have person-centred recruitment people with the required skills policies and we have further progressed work on our and experience pay and reward policy. • not achieving best value • We carry out an annual survey of our staff from expenditure and volunteers and, from this, we develop and • our infrastructure not being fit implement action plans to address key issues. for purpose • We continue to review our property portfolio to • our ability to recruit a sufficient ensure we maximise its value. number of volunteers to support • We continue to review the suitability of our our strategic objectives financial-control measures to reduce the possibility • the risk of failure of our support of deliberate or accidental loss. systems such as IT. • We continued and increased our IT infrastructure investment programme. These risks would mean that we would be unable to work effectively • We continue to carry out resilience testing of key towards our objectives, reducing business-critical activities led by our Business our impact. Continuity Board.

Information security risk, which • We continue to monitor risks associated with poor includes: information governance through our Information Security Board and ensure appropriate controls are • loss, or disclosure of, in place to mitigate those risks. confidential information or personal data • We continue to monitor risks associated with cyber security and ensure our controls remain suitable • misuse of personal data and proportionate. • a cyber-security attack on • We have reviewed our Information Security and our infrastructure. management arrangements and invested in additional support to ensure that we make progress What motivated me to go into hearing These risks could result in the loss against the implementation of the new General Data research is that I feel completely indebted of stakeholder confidence, breach Protection Regulations (GDPR). to cochlear impact technology. of contractual and/or regulatory requirements and regulatory fines. Helen Willis, University College London 60 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 61

Structure, governance and management

Structure activities to raise funds for • by funding biomedical the end of which they must and stood down – Peter Clarke informed decision-making. Action on Hearing Loss. During research that aims to retire but are then eligible and Win Griffiths. Jim Waits Trustees are encouraged to Action on Hearing Loss is the the financial year, it made an catalyse the development for reappointment (either by resigned on 10 January 2017. attend training sessions to trading name of the charitable operating profit of £277 of treatments and cures of election or by being co-opted). The Board of Trustees wishes develop their knowledge company limited by guarantee, (2016: £15,567). hearing loss and tinnitus, Trustees are not normally to acknowledge its thanks and and skills. the Royal National Institute for aiding future generations eligible to serve for more than appreciation for their valuable Deaf People (RNID), registered two terms in total. contributions to the work of As part of an ongoing Public benefit • by working with the NHS in England and Wales No. the Charity. programme of governance and other organisations to 454169. It is registered as a Effective partnership between work, the Board of Trustees The Trustees use Charity improve their services and charity (No. 207720 England Trustees and staff continues to Our new Chair, John Morgan, and its Committees during Commission guidance on by encouraging individuals and Wales and SC038926 contribute significantly to our was appointed on 1 January the year self-evaluated their public benefit (section four to address their hearing Scotland). Action on Hearing success. Trustees are required 2017 following a formal effectiveness, both individually of the Charities Act 2006). loss early. Loss is governed by its Articles to meet at least three times a recruitment process managed and collectively through a With regard to the Charity of Association, adopted on 14 year. In the year up to 31 March by the Nominations Committee series of questionnaires. The Commission’s guidance, the May 1948, and last amended Governance 2017, they met at four quarterly and an independent external results from the self-evaluation Trustees consider the Charity on 7 November 2008. The Board meetings and reviewed advisor. Two new elected were collated, and presented has a wide impact on society registered office address, Board of Trustees strategy and performance, and Trustees – Professor Brian to and discussed by the and provides public benefit in which changed on 2 May 2017, set our operating plan and the Moore and Maggie Hampton Board of Trustees. Overall, the the following ways: is 1–3 Highbury Station Road, The Board of Trustees is annual budget. – joined the Board of Trustees Trustees were pleased with the London N1 1SE. • by reducing social responsible for the overall during the year. We are positive results; in response isolation and supporting governance of Action on New and delighted to welcome them all to the feedback, the Trustees Action on Hearing Loss’s people with deafness, Hearing Loss. Trustees are retired Trustees to the Action on Hearing Loss agreed changes to its board objects are to promote and tinnitus and hearing loss to either elected or co-opted. Board at this exciting time. meetings’ structure, agendas encourage the prevention and gain employment The total number of Trustees Our Chair, Stephen Hill OBE, and papers. The Board of mitigation of deafness and the may not exceed 14. Eight resigned on 1 January 2017, Board induction Trustees continues to monitor • by providing information, better treatment, education, Trustees are elected directly by after eight successful years as its effectiveness, taking advice, support and care and training training, employment and members and, of these eight, a Trustee and nearly four years account of the self-evaluation to people with deafness, welfare of people who are three seats are reserved for as Chair. The Board of Trustees New Trustees receive an feedback, and has planned a tinnitus and hearing loss, deaf or hard of hearing Trustees elected respectively and the Executive Directors induction pack containing further detailed review in 2018. and their families and, generally, to promote, by members resident in Wales, wish to thank him for his detailed information about us, safeguard and protect the • by campaigning for Northern Ireland and Scotland. significant contributions and how we are organised and our welfare of such people. equality for those Six seats are allocated to acknowledge his leadership work. They are invited to spend confronting deafness co-opted Trustees who are not and commitment to Action on time with the Chief Executive Action on Hearing Loss has a and hearing loss, and by elected but appointed by the Hearing Loss. and the Executive Directors, wholly owned subsidiary, RNID providing deaf awareness Board of Trustees. All Trustees and to familiarise themselves Activities Ltd, which carries to the general public are appointed for a term not Two Trustees completed their with our activities, to prepare out non-charitable trading and businesses exceeding three years, at terms of office during the year themselves for effective and actiononhearingloss.org.uk 63

Committees of the Board List of Trustees and Executive Officers and their membership of sub-committees The Board delegates certain powers in connection with the Charity’s management and administration, as set out below. This delegation is Audit Investment Nominations Trustees controlled by requiring the committees to report back regularly to the Board, Committee Committee Committee ensuring that all decisions made under delegated powers can be ratified by John Morgan (Chair from 1 January 2017) the full Board in due course. All committees provide meeting minutes and an (Chair) annual report to the Board that outlines key areas of work undertaken. Stephen Hill OBE (Chair until 1 January 2017 ) (Chair)

Eric Roux (Treasurer) Audit Committee Investment Committee Nominations (Chair) (Chair) Committee The Audit Committee The Investment Committee Caroline Ashley comprises the Honorary comprises the Honorary The Nominations Treasurer, at least one Treasurer, one other Committee comprises Ingrid Gallen other Trustee, and up Trustee, the Executive at least three Trustees, Peter Clarke (until 4 November 2016) to two independent Director, Corporate and takes delegated members. All committee Resources and an responsibility on behalf Carol Cole members are independent independent member. of the Board of Trustees of management and It meets at least twice a for identifying, proposing Richard Jones CBE free of any relationship year, and is responsible and encouraging new Win Griffiths (until 4 November 2016) that, in the opinion of for maintaining the members of the Board, the Board of Trustees, Charity’s investment funds, and for ensuring they Professor Quentin Summerfield would interfere with their appointing and regularly receive induction, support exercise of independent reviewing the performance and development. Liz Tait judgement. The Audit of appropriate fund Committee meets quarterly managers, and ensuring Dr Gerhard May and is responsible for investment matters are Jacqueline Press reviewing the Charity’s conducted in line with risk assessment, risk the investment policy Louise Craddock management and determined by the Board internal control systems of Trustees. Jim Waits (until 10 January 2017) and processes. Maggie Hampton (from 4 November 2016) Professor Brian Moore (from 4 November 2016)

Country Advisory Groups Chief Executive Audit Investment Nominations Executive Officers (as at 31 March 2017) The Country Advisory Groups in Wales, The Chief Executive is responsible for the Committee Committee Committee Scotland and Northern Ireland each day-to-day management of Action on comprise a nominated Trustee who is the Hearing Loss and for implementing policies Chief Executive, elected Trustee for the relevant country, agreed by the Board of Trustees. The Chief Paul Breckell representatives elected by members who Executive is assisted by five Executive are resident in the relevant country, and a Directors and eight Directors. Executive Director, Corporate Resources and number of co-opted members. Each Advisory Company Secretary, Peter Robson Group is tasked with long-term planning for their country and advises the Country Executive Director, Commercial Services, Directors on local priorities and issues. James Rowe Executive Director, Fundraising and Marketing, David Steadman Executive Director, Services, Louise Pritchard Executive Director, Biomedical Research, Sohaila Rastan 64 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 65

List of Patrons and Independent auditors We have a Staff Council that (2016: 21.4%) of our staff were We are a complex organisation into account performance, Vice Presidents PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provides a way for employees, disabled or had hearing loss. with over 800 employees benchmarking, inflationary 1 Embankment Place through their representatives, across the UK. It is important factors where appropriate, Patron: London WC2N 6RH to contribute to the continuous We recognise the invaluable that we are able to attract and and due consideration HRH The Duke of York KG improvement of the work that our members retain people with the right of the Charity’s overall Bankers organisation and its working and volunteers do on our skills, talents and knowledge, financial position. Vice Presidents: Lloyds Banking Group environment. behalf and the part they so we can run the Charity 4th Floor play in contributing to the as efficiently and effectively The Executive Directors’ pay is • The Rt Hon. the Lord 25 Gresham Street We support equal achievement of our shared as possible. determined in accordance with Bruce of Bennachie London EC2V 7HN opportunities, and hold both objectives. 1,400 dedicated the staff pay framework and • Keith Butler-Wheelhouse the Investor in People standard volunteers (55% are deaf or In order to maintain fairness policy. A separate pay band Investment managers and the Disability Confident have hearing loss) are actively and transparency, we have determines the pay range for • Gerald Corbett Smith & Williamson standard. We follow a policy involved in supporting our a pay and reward strategy the Executive Directors and • Professor Adrian Davis 25 Moorgate of recruitment and promotion work in all kinds of ways: that defines the framework the level of individual pay OBE London EC2R 6AY on the basis of aptitude and they campaign and fundraise, and policy for staff pay. The within that band is set by the ability without discrimination. provide hearing aid support policy defines a pay structure Chief Executive. There is a • Sir Ranulph Fiennes Management We pursue the employment and befriending services for in which job roles are placed remuneration advisory group • Sir Rocco Forte of disabled people and the people with hearing loss, within pay bands. We adhere established, incorporating continued employment and use their creative skills to to the requirements of the external advisors who • Dame Evelyn Glennie Employees and retraining of employees who support people with hearing UK government’s National support the Chief Executive • Baroness Howe of Idlicote volunteers become disabled during loss and additional needs, get Living Wage. in overseeing and setting employment with us. involved in art activities at our Executive Director pay. • Steven Norris We aim to be an organisation Educational Day Service in On 1 April 2016, a charity-wide, where employees feel fulfilled, • Dame Esther Rantzen We are committed to the Bath, and work in our offices annual pay award of 1.0% was Further details of employee supported and developed. training, career development across the UK, supporting given to all staff. No individual remuneration are disclosed in • Dr Miriam Stoppard OBE Employees are kept fully and promotion of all diverse teams. performance bonuses are paid. Note 11 to the accounts. informed about our strategy • James Strachan employees. We assess and objectives, as well as an individual’s career We thank all our members, Following the introduction of a • Stephen Hill OBE day-to-day news and events. development with an campaigners and donors new pay structure, which came Regular information about annual appraisal and regular for contributing their time into effect on 1 April 2016, a job Principal professional the organisation is available one-to-one meetings. We and energy to supporting evaluation process has been through meetings, briefings advisors provide training programmes ongoing campaigns and undertaken to benchmark and our intranet site – The to meet any ongoing needs, fundraising activities. our roles against similar-sized Solicitors Loop. All employees are with the aim of developing charities and the wider labour Wilsons Solicitors LLP encouraged to give their employees for both their Remuneration policy market. This will continue to be Alexandra House suggestions and views on current and potential roles. completed at regular intervals. St John’s Street performance and strategy. We particularly seek to Our skilled and dedicated Salisbury SP1 2SB We create a variety of encourage employees with members of staff are vital to Senior management opportunities for staff to feed hearing loss to play an active providing our wide-ranging Bates Wells Braithwaite back, including an annual pay role in developing both the services; from our high-quality 10 Queen St Place satisfaction survey. organisation and themselves, care homes, to campaigning The Chief Executive’s salary London EC4R 1BE with specific training courses for equality or providing is reviewed every year by the Joint consultation is an to meet this need. At the end assistive technology. Board of Trustees. They take essential feature of our of the financial year, 20.2% employee-relations policies. 66 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 67

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also directors of Action • state whether applicable UK Accounting The Trustees are responsible for the on Hearing Loss for the purposes of company Standards, comprising FRS 102, have been maintenance and integrity of the charitable law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ followed, subject to any material departures company’s website. Legislation in the United Annual Report (including the ‘Strategic Report’) disclosed and explained in the Financial Kingdom governing the preparation and and the Financial Statements in accordance with Statements; and dissemination of Financial Statements may applicable law and regulation. differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. • prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis unless it is Company law requires the Trustees to prepare By order of the Board of Trustees, the Annual inappropriate to presume that the Financial Statements for each financial year. Report (incorporating the ‘Strategic Report’) charitable company will continue Under that law, the Trustees have prepared the has been approved by the Board of Trustees in business. Financial Statements in accordance with United and signed on its behalf by: Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising The Trustees are responsible for keeping FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard adequate accounting records that are sufficient applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, to show and explain the charitable company’s and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally transactions and disclose with reasonable Accepted Accounting Practice). Under company accuracy at any time the financial position of the law, the Trustees must not approve the Financial charitable company and the Group, and enable Statements unless they are satisfied that they them to ensure that the Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the state of the comply with the Companies Act 2006, Charities affairs of the charitable company and the Group and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act and of the incoming resources and application 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) of resources, including the income and Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are also expenditure, of the charitable Group for that John Morgan responsible for safeguarding the assets of the period. In preparing these Financial Statements, Chairman charitable company and the Group and hence 9 November 2017 the Trustees are required to: for taking reasonable steps for the prevention • select suitable accounting policies and then and detection of fraud and other irregularities. apply them consistently; In so far as the Trustees are aware: • observe the methods and principles in the Statement of Recommended Practice: • there is no relevant audit information of Accounting and Reporting by Charities which the company’s auditors are unaware (2015); • they have taken all the steps that they • make judgements and estimates that are ought to have taken as Trustees in order reasonable and prudent; to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information. 68 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 69

Independent Auditors’ Report

Independent auditors’ report to the members and Trustees of The Royal National Institute for Deaf People

Report on the • the consolidated statement of financial the financial year for which the Financial • the parent charitable company Financial Financial Statements activities (incorporating an income and Statements are prepared is consistent with Statements are not in agreement with the expenditure account) for the year then the Financial Statements; and accounting records and returns. ended; Our opinion • the ‘Strategic Report’ and the Trustees’ We have no exceptions to report arising from • the consolidated statement of cash flows Annual Report have been prepared this responsibility. In our opinion, The Royal National Institute for for the year then ended; and in accordance with applicable Deaf People’s Group Financial Statements and legal requirements. • the Notes to the Financial Statements, Trustees’ remuneration parent charitable company Financial Statements which include a summary of significant (the “Financial Statements”): In addition, in light of the knowledge and accounting policies and other explanatory Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required understanding of the company and its • give a true and fair view of the state of information. to report to you if, in our opinion, certain environment obtained in the course of the audit, the Group’s and of the parent charitable disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified we are required to report if we have identified company’s affairs as at 31 March 2017 The financial reporting framework that has by law are not made. We have no exceptions to any material misstatements in the ‘Strategic and of the Group’s incoming resources been applied in the preparation of the Financial report arising from this responsibility. Report’ and the Trustees’ Annual Report. We and application of resources, including its Statements is United Kingdom Accounting have nothing to report in this respect. income and expenditure and of the Group’s Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Responsibilities for the Financial cash flows for the year then ended; Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and applicable Other matters on which we are Statements and the audit • have been properly prepared in accordance law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted with United Kingdom Generally Accepted required to report by exception Accounting Practice). Our responsibilities and those of Accounting Practice; and Adequacy of accounting the Trustees • have been prepared in accordance with In applying the financial reporting framework, the requirements of the Companies Act the Trustees have made a number of subjective records and information and As explained more fully in the Statement of 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment judgements, for example in respect of significant explanations received Trustees’ responsibilities, the Trustees are (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulations 6 accounting estimates. In making such estimates, responsible for the preparation of the Financial Under the Companies Act 2006 and the and 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) they have made assumptions and considered Statements and for being satisfied that they Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 Regulations 2006 (as amended). future events. give a true and fair view. (as amended) we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: What we have audited Opinion on other matters Our responsibility is to audit and express • we have not received all the information an opinion on the Financial Statements The Financial Statements, included within the prescribed by the Companies and explanations we require for our in accordance with applicable law and Annual Report and Financial Statements (the Act 2006 audit; or International Standards on Auditing (UK and “Annual Report”), comprise: Ireland) (“ISAs (UK and Ireland)”). Those • adequate accounting records have not been In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in standards require us to comply with the • the consolidated and Charity balance sheets kept by the parent charitable company, or the course of the audit: Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards as at 31 March 2017; returns adequate for our audit have not for Auditors. • the information given in the Trustees’ Annual been received from branches not visited by Report, including the ‘Strategic Report’, for us; or 70 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17

This report, including the opinions, has been We primarily focus our work in these areas prepared for and only for the company’s by assessing the Trustees’ judgements members and Trustees as a body in accordance against available evidence, forming our own with section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and judgements, and evaluating the disclosures in Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Financial Statements. the Companies Act 2006 and regulations made under those Acts (regulation 10 of the We test and examine information, using Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 sampling and other auditing techniques, to (as amended) and Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the the extent we consider necessary to provide Companies Act 2006) and for no other purpose. a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or We obtain audit evidence through testing assume responsibility for any other purpose the effectiveness of controls, substantive or to any other person to whom this report is procedures or a combination of both. shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent In addition, we read all the financial and non- in writing. financial information in theAnnual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the What an audit of Financial audited Financial Statements and to identify Statements involves any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent We conducted our audit in accordance with with, the knowledge acquired by us in the ISAs (UK and Ireland). An audit involves course of performing the audit. If we become obtaining evidence about the amounts and aware of any apparent material misstatements disclosures in the Financial Statements sufficient or inconsistencies we consider the implications to give reasonable assurance that the Financial for our report. Statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes With respect to the ‘Strategic Report’ and the an assessment of: Trustees’ Annual Report, we consider whether those reports include the disclosures required • whether the accounting policies are by applicable legal requirements. appropriate to the Group’s and the parent charitable company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed;

• the reasonableness of significant Jill Halford (Senior Statutory Auditor) accounting estimates made by the for and on behalf of Trustees; and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants and • the overall presentation of the Statutory Auditors Financial Statements. London 22 November 2017 Akinola watering the garden at the Huguenot Place care home Financial 74 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 75

Consolidated statement of financial Consolidated statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2017 activities for the year ended 31 March 2017 (incorporating an income and expenditure account) (continued) Company number: 454169 Company number: 454169

Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Total funds Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Total funds funds funds 2017 2016 funds funds 2017 2016 Note (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) Note (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000)

Income from: Total net investment gain/(loss) 382 - 382 (113) Donations and legacies 5 12,253 336 12,589 13,244 Income from charitable activities: Support and Care 5 20,959 1,034 21,993 20,772 Net (expenditure) (1,506) (66) (1,572) (589) Technology and Treatments 5 1,008 518 1,526 814 Net actuarial gain/(loss) on pensions 22 (2,604) - (2,604) 5,054 Equality 5 3,176 321 3,497 2,854 Other trading activities 5 571 - 571 548 Net movement in funds (4,110) (66) (4,176) 4,465 Investments 5 117 - 117 148

Total income 38,084 2,209 40,293 38,380 Reconciliation of funds: Funds brought forward at 1 April 2016 12,566 2,394 14,960 10,495 Expenditure on raising funds 7 4,263 - 4,263 4,183

Funds carried forward at 31 March 2017 8,456 2,328 10,784 14,960 Net income available for charitable application 33,821 2,209 36,030 34,197

Reconciliation of funds: Cost of charitable activities: Funds brought forward at 1 April 2015 8,190 2,305 10,495 12,020 Support and Care 7 27,212 1,138 28,350 25,258 Technology and Treatments 7 2,968 771 3,739 3,510 Equality 7 5,529 366 5,895 5,905 Funds carried forward at 31 March 2016 12,566 2,394 14,960 10,495

Total 35,709 2,275 37,984 34,673

Total expenditure 39,972 2,275 42,247 38,856

All amounts relate to continuing operations. All gains and losses recognised in the year are included in All amounts relate to continuing operations. All gains and losses recognised in the year are included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA). Results for the year ended 31 March 2016 are the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA). Results for the year ended 31 March 2016 are shown in corresponding Notes to the Financial Statements. shown in corresponding Notes to the Financial Statements. 76 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 77

Consolidated and Charity balance sheet Consolidated and Charity balance sheet (as at 31 March 2017) (as at 31 March 2017)

Company number: 454169 Company number: 454169

Group Charity Group Charity

2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Note (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) Note (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000)

Fixed assets The funds of the Charity Intangible fixed assets 14 1,150 866 1,150 866 Endowment funds 24 68 68 68 68 Tangible fixed assets 15 15,936 11,823 15,936 11,823 Restricted income funds 24 2,260 2,326 2,260 2,326

Investments 16 2,380 3,387 2,380 3,387 2,328 2,394 2,328 2,394 19,466 16,076 19,466 16,076

Unrestricted income funds Current assets Unrestricted income funds excluding pension liability 20,410 18,573 20,410 18,573

Stocks 17 403 457 403 457 Designated fund 24 2 1,263 2 1,263 Debtors 18 7,767 6,822 7,769 6,838 Revaluation reserve 331 111 331 111 Short-term deposits 12 1,112 12 1,112 Pension reserve (9,269) (7,381) (9,269) (7,381) Cash at bank and in hand 572 1,871 555 1,847 Loan (3,018) - (3,018) - 8,754 10,262 8,739 10,254

Total unrestricted income funds 8,456 12,566 8,456 12,566 Current liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 19a 5,149 3,997 5,134 3,989 Total funds 10,784 14,960 10,784 14,960

Net current assets 3,605 6,265 3,605 6,265

Liabilities Amounts falling due after more then one year 19b 3,018 - 3,018 -

Total assets less total liabilities 20,053 22,341 20,053 22,341 (excluding pension liability) The Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 9 November 2017 and signed on their behalf by:

Defined benefit pension scheme liability 22 9,269 7,381 9,269 7,381

Net assets including pension liability 21 10,784 14,960 10,784 14,960

John Morgan Eric Roux Chairman Honorary Treasurer

The Notes on pages 79–111 form part of these Financial Statements. 78 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 79

Consolidated statement of cash flows for Notes to the Financial Statements the year ended 31 March 2017 Note 1. General Information The Charity has adapted the Companies Act formats to reflect the SORP 2015 and the special Company number: 454169 Action on Hearing Loss is the largest charity nature of the Charity’s activities. representing the 11 million people with hearing 2017 2016 loss in the UK. In preparing the Financial Statements, the Note (£’000) (£’000) Trustees have considered whether in applying The Charity is a private company limited the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and Cash flows from operating activities: by guarantee without share capital and the SORP 2015 the following disclosures were Net cash generated from/used in operating activities 26 1,144 (606) is incorporated and based in the UK, required. number 454169. Cash flows from investing activities: 1. SORP 2015 states that legacy income Interest received 33 77 Action on Hearing Loss is a registered charity should be recognised; when entitlement Dividends received 84 71 Proceeds from sale of tangible fixed assets - 17 in England and Wales (207720) and Scotland is confirmed, it is probable the benefit will Purchase of intangibles (194) (16) (SCO38926). flow to the Charity and the income can be Purchase of intangible assets under construction (151) (128) reliably measured. Action on Hearing Loss Purchase of property assets under construction (1,037) (6,694) The address of its registered office is 1–3 has therefore decided to act in a prudent Purchase of property (3,358) (67) Highbury Station Road, London N1 1SE. manner and only recognise legacy income Purchase of other tangible fixed assets (145) (285) on the earlier of the final legacy accounts Purchase of other under construction tangible assets (66) - Purchase of investments (1,056) (808) In the event of the Charity being wound up, the being issued, or cash being received, to Sale of investments 2,445 810 liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to ensure income can be reliably measured. £1 per member of the Charity. Net cash used in investing activities (3,445) (7,023) 2. FRS 102 requires that net realised and unrealised investment gains and losses be Cash flows from financing activities: Note 2. Statement of presented in arriving at net income. Interest paid (98) (12) compliance

Net cash used in financing activities (98) (12) The Financial Statements are prepared under Note 3. Accounting policies the historical cost convention, modified to These consolidated and Charity Financial 26 (2,399) (7,641) include the revaluation of investments to Decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting year Statements are prepared on a going concern fair value, and in accordance with applicable basis, under the historical cost convention, as accounting standards in the United Kingdom. Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 2,983 10,624 modified by the recognition of certain financial These are the Statement of Recommended Decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the year (2,399) (7,641) assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 584 2,983 by Charities 2015’ and Financial Reporting Going concern Standard (FRS) 102, together with the reporting Cash and cash equivalents consist of: requirements of the Companies Act 2006, The Charity’s five-year plan projects increased Cash at bank and in hand 572 1,871 the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and charitable expenditure with a small surplus for Other deposits 12 1,112 Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the next three years with free reserves within the Cash and cash equivalents 26 584 2,983 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) reserves policy range. There are no uncertainties Regulations 2006 (as amended). about the Charity’s ability to continue. The Charity is a public benefit entity.

The Notes on pages 79–111 form part of these Financial Statements. 80 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 81

The accounting policies have been applied Exemptions for qualifying entities legacy income on the earlier of the final legacy Income from performance-related government consistently throughout the Financial under FRS 102 accounts being issued, or cash being received, to grants is recognised when the Charity has Statements and the prior year. ensure income can be reliably measured. entitlement to the funds, any performance FRS 102 allows a qualifying entity certain conditions have been met, it is probable the disclosure exemptions, subject to certain When the criteria for income recognition have The Financial Statements are drawn up on the income will be received and the amount can be conditions, which have been complied with. not been met, then the legacy is treated as a going concern basis which assumes Action measured reliably and is not deferred. contingent asset (see Note 20). on Hearing Loss will continue in operational The Charity has taken advantage of the following The nature of these grants is disclosed in Note existence for the foreseeable future. The Board exemptions: Contractual 24. There were no unfulfilled conditions or has given due consideration to the working special criteria. capital and cash flow requirements. Action on 1. from preparing a statement of cash flows, Where contracts contain the right to receive Hearing Loss relies on income from statutory on the basis that it is a qualifying entity and periodic payments, these receipts are recognised Other forms of government assistance from authorities as well as voluntary fundraising for its the consolidated statement of cash flows, when they fall due and on completion of the which the Charity has directly benefited are current and future commitments and operates included in these Financial Statements, Charity’s contractual obligations for the period. Access to Work payments, local authority on that basis. The Group’s forecasts, taking includes the Charity’s cash flows; Income is accrued if the Charity is entitled to payments for local service agreements, and Care account of possible changes in performance, the income. and Support contracts. 2. from the financial instrument disclosures, show that the Group is expected to operate required under FRS 102 paragraphs 11.39 to within the limits of its current facilities. The Board Grant income Donated services and facilities 11.48A and paragraphs 12.26 to 12.29, as the considers Action on Hearing Loss’s current and information is provided in the consolidated Income from grants is credited to the SoFA. It On receipt, donated professional services forecast cash resources to be sufficient to cover financial statement disclosures. is recognised when the Charity has entitlement and donated facilities are recognised on their the working capital requirements of the Charity at to the funds, any performance conditions have commercial value when this can be quantified. least to November 2018, which is 12 months from Income been met, it is probable the income will be the date of signing the Financial Statements, and Donated services and gifts in kind over £20,000 received and the amount can be measured required by FRS 102. Income is accrued and included in the SoFA are included as both income and expenditure in reliably. If the grant relates to a specific future when the Group is entitled to the income, the relevant category. time period it will be deferred. On the assumption that the Charity continues receipt can be quantified and is probable and A valuation of volunteer time given to the Charity to perform activities as planned, there are no they are deferred when they relate to future Trading activity is not recorded in the Financial Statements. uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to accounting periods. continue, and the Trustees have continued to Income from trading activities is credited to the Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Donations SoFA when received or receivable, whichever Financial Statements. is earlier, unless it relates to a specific future Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals General donations, gifts, donations from period, in which case it is deferred. Income from basis in the period in which they are incurred. fundraising events, trusts and corporate income Basis of consolidation lotteries is recognised when the draw is made. Expenditure on raising funds includes the costs and direct marketing income are accounted Income received in advance for future lotteries incurred in raising donation income, legacy The Financial Statements consolidate the results for on a received basis, except sponsorship is deferred until the draw takes place. Trading income, grant income and income from trading of the Charity and its wholly owned subsidiary income from events, which is recognised when income from the gift catalogue is recognised activities, including apportioned support costs. RNID Activities Ltd on a line by line basis. A the event takes place. Gift Aid receivable is when invoiced or received, depending on the separate Statement of Financial Activities included when claimable. Expenditure on charitable activities comprises customer. All other income is accounted for on (SoFA) and Income and Expenditure Account for the costs incurred on charitable activities an accruals basis. the Charity itself is not presented as allowed by Legacies including the apportioned support costs. section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. Pecuniary legacies are recognised as receivable Government grants Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost The Charity’s deficit for the financial year of once probate has been granted and notification against the activity for which the expenditure Action on Hearing Loss received government £1,572,000 (2016: deficit of £589,000) is the has been received. was incurred. grants that were performance-related grants. same as the Group result as the subsidiary’s For residuary legacies, the Charity has decided Performance-related grants are recognised in profits are remitted to the Charity under Gift to act in a prudent manner and only recognise income under “charitable objectives”. Aid regulations. 82 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 83

Allocation of expenditure unless the asset cost is below this value but is Assets under construction are not depreciated Fund accounting part of a larger project where the value would be and comprise expenditure on the purchase Expenditure is allocated to the particular activity Unrestricted funds are available to spend on more than £5,000 in total, then it is capitalised. or creation of intangible and tangible assets to which the cost relates. When expenditure activities that further any of the purposes of not brought into use at the balance sheet relates to more than one area of activity, the Amortisation is calculated, using the straight- the Charity. Designated funds are unrestricted date. Transfers are made from assets under costs are allocated to each of the activities line method, to allocate the depreciable amount funds of the Charity that the Trustees decided construction to the relevant category of tangible based on estimated staff time. of the assets to their residual values over their at their discretion to set aside for the new head and intangible asset when the asset is brought estimated useful life as follows: office building that was purchased. Restricted into use. Governance costs funds are funds that the donor has specified Intangible asset Duration Tangible assets are subject to review for to be solely used for particular areas of the Governance costs are the costs associated Software 5 years impairment when there is an indication of a Charity’s work. with constitutional and statutory requirements (Costs associated with maintaining reduction in their carrying value. and with the strategic management of the computer software are recognised as an expense as incurred.) The endowment funds are permanently Charity’s activities. Leased assets endowed and their purpose is to relieve the Intangible assets are subject to review for charitable needs of people who are deaf or Grant commitments impairment when there is an indication of a Payments under operating leases are charged to have hearing loss, who may suffer from any reduction in their carrying value. the SoFA on a straight-line basis over the period Grants are generally made to organisations to other illness or permanent conditions with a of the lease. facilitate research into hearing loss and tinnitus. preference for older people. Tangible assets Grants payable are payments made to third Investments parties in the furtherance of the charitable Tangible assets are stated at cost, less Pension costs objectives of the Charity. The grants are accumulated depreciation. The Group only Listed investments are held at fair value which The Charity operates three funded pension accounted for where either the Trustees have capitalises items costing more than £5,000, is their bid price basis. Gains and losses are schemes in the UK (the “Scheme”). One agreed to pay the grant without condition or up unless the asset cost is below this value but part recognised in the SoFA. Realised gains and Scheme has both defined benefit and defined to the point at which the conditions have been of a larger project where the value would be losses are calculated as the difference between contribution sections and the others just have fulfilled. The key condition is a regular review more than £5,000 in total, then it is capitalised. disposal proceeds and the opening market value defined contribution sections. by the Charity, and this can be on a six-month of the investment, or cost if purchased during Depreciation is provided so as to write-off the or 12-month basis, as specified in the grant the year. Unrealised gains and losses represent cost of fixed assets on a straight-line basis over The current service cost of the Charity’s defined award letter. the movement in market value during the year. their expected useful lives, as follows: pension scheme is charged to the SoFA. Investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost Taxation Tangible asset Duration in the Charity’s balance sheet. The Charity operates a defined benefit plan The activities of the Charity and its charitable Freehold land and Not depreciated for certain employees. A defined benefit plan buildings (land) or subsidiary are exempt from corporation defines the benefit that the employees will 50 years Stocks taxation under section 505 of the Income (buildings) receive on retirement, usually dependent Stock is valued at the lower of cost and and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 to the extent on certain factors including age, length of fair value less costs, to sell using an average that they are applied to the organisation’s Improvements to freehold 25 years service and remuneration. A defined benefit and long-leasehold properties cost calculation. charitable primary objectives, if these profits plan is a pension plan that is not a defined are applied solely for charitable purposes. The contribution plan. Leasehold 50 years or Cash and cash equivalents trading subsidiary does not generally pay UK properties lease period if shorter corporation tax because its policy is to pay Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, A full actuarial valuation of the Scheme was taxable profits as Gift Aid to the Charity. Fixtures, fittings, furniture 5 years and deposits held with banks. carried out at 31 March 2017 by a qualified and other equipment independent actuary, based on membership Intangible assets data as at 31 March 2015, but amended to take Computer equipment 5 years account of material movements during the year. Intangible assets are stated at cost, less accumulated amortisation. The Group only capitalises items costing more than £5,000, 84 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 85

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised on Short-term employee benefits Critical accounting judgements and financial year, actual holiday to be carried the face of the SoFA as net actuarial gain or loss into the following year was determined. This Short-term benefits, including holiday pay and estimation uncertainty on pensions. was reviewed together with salary costs per other non-monetary benefits, are recognised as Estimates and judgements are continually employee, to determine the value of any an expense in the period in which the service evaluated and are based on historical experience The defined benefit obligation is calculated holiday pay accrual. is received. and other factors, including expectations of using the independent actuary’s valuation future events that are believed to be reasonable 4. Stock provision model, which forms a representation of the Foreign currency under the circumstances. Stock is provided for based on a review future benefit payments of the Scheme, which of old and slow moving items. As stock is are then discounted to the valuation date. Foreign currency transactions are recorded at Critical accounting estimates and assumptions written-off throughout the year, there is no Annually, the Charity engages independent the exchange rate at the time of the transaction. The Group makes estimates and assumptions stock provision needed at 31 March 2017 actuaries to calculate the obligation. Foreign currency balances are translated into concerning the future. The resulting accounting (2016: nil). sterling at the exchange rate at the balance estimates will, by definition, seldom equal The present value is determined by discounting sheet date. Resulting gains or losses are included 5. Provision for doubtful debts the related actual results. The estimates and the estimated future payments using market in the SoFA. Trade debtors and other receivables are assumptions that have a significant risk of yields on the Merill Lynch UK AA corporate recognised at their transaction value, less causing a material adjustment to the carrying bond yield curve at a duration of 18 years as Contingencies any provision for doubtful debts. The amounts of the assets and liabilities within the at 31 March 2017 and a discount rate of 2.7% provision for doubtful debts is based on a Contingent assets are disclosed in the Financial next financial year are addressed below. per annum. review of aged items, by type of debt, which Statements when an inflow of economic benefit 1. Legacy income takes account of credit control activities to is probable. The only contingent asset of the The liability recognised in the balance sheet in The Charity has elected to continue collect the amounts outstanding, including Group relates to legacies (Note 20). respect of the defined benefit plan is the present recognising residual legacy income on any indications that debt will not be value of the defined benefit obligation at the receipt of final estate accounts, or when fully recovered. Financial instruments reporting date less the fair value of the plan cash has been received, when entitlement 6. Assets under construction assets at the reporting date. The Group has financial assets and financial conditions have been met, due to the nature The new head office that the Charity moved liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic. These of underlying assets and liabilities and the into on 2 May 2017 is shown under assets Accrual of benefits under the defined benefit are initially recognised at transaction value and time that may elapse between probate and under construction rather than freehold as section of the Scheme ceased with effect from subsequently measured at their settlement value. closure, and other contingencies that can it was not practically completed until 13 31 March 2010. contest the estate. April 2017. The Group has chosen to adopt Section 11 of FRS 2. Defined benefit pension scheme The Group operates two defined contribution 102 in respect of financial instruments. 7. Public benefit entity combinations The Charity has an obligation to pay pension plans for its employees. A defined Where a combination involving public benefits to certain employees. The cost of contribution plan is a pension plan under Related party transactions benefit entities is in substance a gift at nil these benefits and the present value of the which the employees and the Group pay fixed or nominal consideration, any excess of the The Group discloses transactions between obligation depend on a number of factors, contributions into a separate entity. Once the fair value of the assets received over the fair the Charity and related parties, including its including: life expectancy, asset valuations contributions have been paid, the Group has no value of the liabilities assumed is recognised subsidiary undertaking RNID Activities Ltd. and the discount rate on corporate bonds. further payment obligations. The contributions as a gain in the SoFA. Where appropriate, transactions of a similar Our pension actuary estimates these factors are recognised as an expense on the SoFA when nature are aggregated unless, in the opinion of in determining the net pension asset in the they are due. Amounts not paid are shown as the Trustees, separate disclosure is necessary to balance sheet. The assumptions reflect outstanding in the balance sheet. understand the effect of the transactions on the historical experience and current trends. Group Financial Statements (Note 27). The assets of the plan are held separately from 3. Short-term compensated absences the Group in independently administered funds. FRS 102 requires the cost of short-term compensated absences to be recognised when the employees render the service that increases their entitlement. At the end of the 86 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 87

Note 4. Consolidated statement of financial activities for Note 5. Income the year ended 31 March 2016 (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

Unrestricted Restricted Total funds 2017 2016 funds 2016 funds 2016 2016 (£’000) (£’000) Donations and legacies (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) Gifts 3,182 4,089 Income from: Legacies 9,407 9,155 Donations and legacies 12,876 368 13,244 12,589 13,244 Income from charitable activities: Support and Care 19,414 1,358 20,772 Technology and Treatments 391 423 814 Equality 2,481 373 2,854 Other trading activities 548 - 548 The income from donations and legacies was £12.6m (2016: £13.2m) of which £12.3m was Investments 148 - 148 unrestricted (2016: £12.9m) and £336,000 was restricted (2016: £368,000).

Total income 35,858 2,522 38,380

Expenditure on raising funds 4,183 - 4,183 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds 2017 funds 2016 (£’000) (£’000) Income from trading activities Net income available for charitable application 31,675 2,522 34,197 Weekly lottery 380 451 RNID Activities Ltd 10 24 Cost of charitable activities Other income 181 73 Support and Care 23,858 1,400 25,258 571 548 Technology and Treatments 2,822 688 3,510 Equality 5,560 345 5,905

Total 32,240 2,433 34,673

Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds 2017 funds 2017 2017 funds 2016 funds 2016 2016 Total expenditure 36,423 2,433 38,856 (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) Income from charitable activities Support and Care 20,959 1,034 21,993 19,414 1,358 20,772 Net realised investment loss (44) - (44) Net unrealised investment loss (69) - (69) Technology and Treatments 1,008 518 1,526 391 423 814 Equality 3,176 321 3,497 2,481 373 2,854 Total net investment loss (113) - (113) 25,143 1,873 27,016 22,286 2,154 24,440

Net expenditure (678) 89 (589) Net actuarial gain on pensions 5,054 - 5,054

Unrestricted Unrestricted Net movement in funds 4,376 89 4,465 funds 2017 funds 2016 (£’000) (£’000) Investment income Reconciliation of funds: Dividend income from listed Funds brought forward 8,190 2,305 10,495 investments – UK 84 77

Bank interest received on current account and money on deposit 8 47 Funds carried forward 12,566 2,394 14,960

Bank interest received from investment company 25 24

117 148 88 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 89

Note 6. Related undertakings Note 7. Expenditure

The summary financial performance of the subsidiary alone is:

2017 2016 Direct costs (£’000) Support costs (£’000) Total (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) RNID Activities Ltd Staff Other Staff Other 2017 2016 Turnover 10.0 24.3 Cost of sales (0.5) (0.6) Expenditure on raising funds from Interest receivable 0.0 0.2 trading activities Fundraising costs 1,808 2,082 165 180 4,235 4,153 Gross profit 9.5 23.9 RNID Activities Limited – 10 – – 10 9 Investment management fees – 18 – – 18 21

Administrative expenses (9.2) (8.4) 1,808 2,110 165 180 4,263 4,183

Net profit 0.3 15.6 Charitable activities Support and Care 15,951 6,224 2,991 3,184 28,350 25,258 Amount Gift Aided to the Charity (0.3) (15.6) Technology and Treatments 907 2,595 113 124 3,739 3,510 Equality 2,206 3,070 295 324 5,905 Retained in subsidiary – – 5,895 19,064 11,889 3,399 3,632 37,984 34,673

The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary were: Current assets 17.7 27.5 Total resources expended 20,872 13,999 3,564 3,812 42,247 38,856 Current liabilities (17.3) (27.1)

Total net assets 0.4 0.4 Expenditure on charitable activities was £38.0m (2016: £34.7m) of which £35.7m was from unrestricted funds (2016: £32.2m) and £2.3m was from restricted funds (2016: £2.5m).

Aggregate share capital and reserves 0.4 0.4

Note 8. Support costs

The wholly owned trading subsidiary RNID Activities Ltd is incorporated in the United Kingdom

(company number 913439) and pays all of its profits by bank transfer to the Charity under the

Gift Aid scheme through a deed of covenant.

Action on Hearing Loss owns 100% of the issued share capital of trading company RNID

Activities Ltd. The Charity’s investment in RNID Activities Ltd is £2. 2017 and Corporate Management (£’000) and Finance Strategy directorate (£’000) Information systems (£’000) Learning People, and Development (£’000) Risk and Legal (£’000) Property (£’000) Governance (£’000) 2017 Total (£’000) Fundraising 44 59 48 77 18 94 5 345 The year end of RNID Activities Ltd is 31 March 2017. The only related party transactions Support and Care 760 1,081 883 1,394 319 1,640 98 6,175 between Action on Hearing Loss and RNID Activities Ltd is the management recharge Technology and Treatments 30 41 33 53 12 64 4 237 Equality 79 106 87 137 31 169 10 619 of £2,538 (2016: £3,431). Total 913 1,287 1,051 1,661 380 1,967 117 7,376

Sound Advantage Ltd (02437205), Action on Hearing Loss Ltd (07566245) and The Hearing Research Trust Ltd (07146209) are wholly owned, dormant subsidiaries, and have therefore not Support costs were apportioned to activities on the basis of staff numbers in each of the been consolidated. departments supporting the various activities. Governance costs included within support costs are apportioned on the same basis. 90 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 91

Note 8. Support costs (continued) Note 10. Grants payable

The aggregate amount of grants made during the year ended 31 March 2017, analysed

by recipient was:

Medical research into hearing loss

2016 and Corporate Management (£’000) and Finance Strategy directorate (£’000) Information systems (£’000) Learning People, and Development (£’000) Risk and Legal (£’000) Property (£’000) Governance (£’000) 2016 Total (£’000) Number of Institution grants 2017 2017 (£’000) 2016 (£’000) Fundraising 52 60 56 76 25 87 5 361 Support and Care 844 981 911 1,249 401 1,418 77 5,881 University College London 25 498 468 Technology and Treatments 29 33 31 42 14 48 3 200 King’s College London 9 145 111 Equality 83 97 90 124 40 140 7 581 MRC Institute of Hearing Research 4 122 123 Newcastle University 4 101 99 Total 1,008 1,171 1,088 1,491 480 1,693 92 7,023 Pragma Therapeutics 2 99 54 University of Sheffield 5 83 54 University of Sussex 3 73 25 Washington State University 3 70 43 Imperial College London 1 60 - Purdue University 2 52 53 Note 9. Net expenditure for the year Acies Bio 1 50 100 Otomagnetics 1 46 96 University of Manchester 4 38 - 2017 2016 Radboud University Medical Center 1 27 55 (£’000) (£’000) This is stated after charging/(crediting): Nottingham University 5 27 25 Interest payable: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infinity 1 27 - University of Indiana 1 24 49 Bank interest, bank loans and overdrafts 98 12 wholly repayable within five years University of Manchester 2 24 49 Depreciation/Amortisation charge for the year 534 523 Johns Hopkins University Central Lockbox 4 21 23 Loss/(Profit) on disposal of fixed assets 20 (1) University of Strathclyde 1 12 2 Payments under operating leases: University of Southampton 1 12 24 Land and buildings 978 853 The Bionics University of Australia 2 10 5 Vehicles and equipment 286 295 Cardiff University 1 5 4 Loss on foreign exchange 11 4 University of Melbourne 1 5 54 Auditors’ remuneration: University of Miami 1 5 - Statutory audit fee 88 61 State University of Iowa 1 5 - Other non-audit fee – grant return audit 2 2 University of Keele 1 2 2 Tax advisory services 9 9 Glasgow University 1 2 - University of York 1 2 - Washington University in St Louis - - 48 University of Leicester - - 25 The audit fees inclusive of VAT were £105k at year end (2016: £73k). Oregon Health and Science University - - 5 Universidad DeGranada - - 5 Universitat Pompeu Fabra - - 5 University of Bristol - - 4 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - - 2 University of Cambridge - - 2 British Society of Audiology - - 1

89 1,647 1,615 92 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 93

Note 10. Grants payable (continued) Note 11. Employees and Trustees

Welfare, education and training for deaf and hard of hearing people Employees

Number of 2017 2016 Institution grants 2017 2017 (£’000) 2016 (£’000) Staff costs consist of: (£’000) (£’000) University College London 1 33 10 Wages and salaries 21,594 18,905 The Ear Foundation 1 7 6 Social security costs 1,622 1,440 Pension costs 643 593 2 40 16 23,859 20,938

Medical research into hearing loss (individual grants) In 2016, employer contributions to the defined benefit pension scheme of £938k were included in Number of the pensions costs disclosure. Individual grants grants, 2017 2017 (£’000) 2016 (£’000) Association for Research in Otolaryngology 11 8 14 Total redundancy costs of £80,433 were paid during the year (2016: £90,098). These amounts were Conference Bursary Award paid through the payroll and charged to redundancy expenditure. There were £10,000 accrued 11 8 14 costs at the year end (2016: nil).

The average headcount of employees, 2017 2016 Total grants 102 1,695 1,645 analysed by function, was: (Number) (Number) Support and Care 690 618 Technology and Treatments 26 21 Equality 68 61 Fundraising and Marketing 38 38 Of the total grant funding made during the year, £1.65m related to biomedical research projects. Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology 71 63 and administration

In addition to the above, the Charity expects to fund future grants totalling £2.55m, which have been 893 801 awarded subject to satisfactory reviews during the course of the project being funded. These have not been provided for in Action on Hearing Loss’s Financial Statements. The average monthly number of employees on full-time 788 697 equivalent basis during the year was: The expenditure for grants sits mainly within the ‘Technology and Treatments’ line for charitable expenditure within the SoFA. The number of employees whose remuneration was over £60,000 (excluding employer pension 2017 2016 contributions) fell within the following bands: (Number) (Number) £60,001 to £70,000 3 1 £70,001 to £80,000 1 1 £80,001 to £90,000 - 1 £90,001 to £100,000 3 2 £100,001 to £110,000 1 - £110,001 to £120,000 1 1

None of these employees (2016: nil) are in the defined benefit pension scheme, and all (2016: 6) are in the defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions in the pension year to the defined contribution scheme were £51,837, in respect of all employees (2016: 6 with contributions of £44,072). 94 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 95

Note 11. Employees and Trustees (continued) Note 14. Intangible fixed assets – Group and Charity

Computer Assets under Total Inc. pension Excl. pension software construction contributions contributions Cost (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) Remuneration and benefits for the Chief Executive 2017 2016 2017 2016 Officer and other Key Management Personnel (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) At the beginning of the year 2,467 569 3,036 Chief Executive Officer 129 127 119 118 Additions 194 151 345 Other Executive Officers 404 395 380 371 Disposals (92) - (92) Transfer 98 (98) - Key Management Personnel 533 522 499 489 Reclassification of assets 98 - 98

At the end of the year 2,765 622 3,387 Key Management Personnel is defined as members of the Executive Board. There were five Executive Officers in post in the year (2016: 5). Accumulated amortisation At the beginning of the year 2,170 - 2,170 Trustees Charge for year 156 - 156 Disposals (72) - (72) Reclassification of assets (17) - (17) None of the members of the Board of Trustees received any remuneration during this year 2,237 (2016: £nil). During the year, 13 Trustees (2016: 11) received reimbursements of non-private travel At the end of the year - 2,237 and subsistence expenditure amounting to £5,238 (2016: £5,237). The value of expenses waived Net book value at 31 March 2017 528 622 1,150 was not material. Net book value at 31 March 2016 297 569 866 No Charity Trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the Charity (2016: £nil). The amortisation on the useful economic life of these intangible assets is the same as it would have Total donations in the year from Trustees amounted to £nil (2016: £2,945). been under tangible assets in the previous financial year, five years.

Note 12. Government grants Assets under construction are not amortised and comprise expenditure on the purchase or creation of intangible assets not brought into use at the balance sheet date. Transfers are made from assets under construction to the relevant category of intangible asset when the asset is Income from government grants comprises performance-related grants made by various brought into use. government bodies to fund the Charity’s three main objectives.

Within intangible assets are computer software under construction with a cost of £0.6m See Note 24 for more information on the amount and source of these grants. (2016: £0.6m).

Note 13. Corporation taxation Reclassification of assets is between intangible and tangible computer assets due to an error in classification last year, now rectified. The Charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity. 96 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 97

Note 15. Tangible fixed assets – Group and Charity On 4 May 2016, the Charity completed the property purchase and transfer of adult services at Westgate on Sea. This ensured that 49 vulnerable adults were able to remain in their homes, which had been threatened with closure. A mortgage of £3.2m payable over 25 years, was secured to purchase five properties, with repayments funded from the transferred services.

After the year end, the Charity has put in place a £3.0m revolving credit facility that is secured over the new head office.

Cost (£’000) Freehold leasehold Long Short leasehold underAssets construction property Total fittings & Fixtures, furniture Computer equipment Other equipment vehicles Motor underAssets construction other Total total Grand Reclassification of assets is between intangible and tangible computer assets due to an error in

At 1 April 2016 7,183 242 161 6,694 14,280 2,790 1,536 798 - - 5,124 19,404 classification last year, now rectified. Additions 3,357 - 1 1,037 4,395 95 40 - 8 66 209 4,604 Disposals - - - - - (329) (95) (34) - - (458) (458) Reclassification of assets - - - - - 1 (98) - - - (97) (97) Note 16. Investments – Group and Charity At 31 March 2017 10,540 242 162 7,731 18,675 2,557 1,383 764 8 66 4,778 23,453

Accumulated depreciation 2017 2016 At 1 April 2016 2,707 63 72 - 2,842 2,728 1,213 798 - - 4,739 7,581 (£’000) (£’000) Charge for year 224 7 27 - 258 68 51 - 1 - 120 378 Fair value of investment portfolio at 1 April 3,387 3,502 Disposals - - - - - (329) (95) (34) - - (458) (458) Additions 1,056 808 Reclassification of assets - - - - - (1) 17 - - - 16 16 Disposals (2,445) (810) At 31 March 2017 2,931 70 99 - 3,100 2,466 1,186 764 1 - 4,417 7,517 Realised gain/(loss) on investments 28 (44) Unrealised gain/(loss) on investments 354 (69)

2,380 3,387 Net book value

At 31 March 2017 7,609 172 63 7,731 15,575 91 197 - 7 66 361 15,936 Represented by: At 31 March 2016 4,476 179 89 6,694 11,438 62 323 - - - 385 11,823 Listed securities: Direct UK equities 402 767 Direct overseas equities 499 598 UK corporate bonds 218 423 UK government bonds 144 190 Assets under construction are not depreciated and comprise expenditure on the purchase or UK equity funds 178 229 creation of tangible assets not brought into use at the balance sheet date. Transfers are made from Overseas equity funds 420 506 UK property funds 126 264 assets under construction to the relevant category of tangible asset when the asset is brought Infrastructure 220 223 into use. Multi-asset funds 173 187

Total 2,380 3,387 Within tangible assets are computer equipment under construction with a cost of £66k (2016: £nil) and property with a cost of £7.73m (2016: £6.69m). Cost at 31 March 2017 2,049 3,276

The property under construction relates mainly to the acquision of a new head office, which the Included in the portfolio are the following individual investments that represent more than 5% by Charity moved to on 2 May 2017. value of the total fund.

For this year’s current Financial Statements it is therefore still shown in assets under construction as 2017 2016 it was not practically completed until 13 April 2017. (£’000) (£’000) Cash 67 197 BlackRock UK Property 68 223 98 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 99

Note 17. Stocks – Group and Charity Note 19. Creditors

(a) Amounts falling due within one year Group Charity

2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000)

Equipment and publications 403 457 Trade creditors 1,050 1,263 1,050 1,263 Accruals for grants payable 1,001 314 1,001 314 Taxation and social security 408 373 408 373 Loan 82 - 82 - Note 18. Debtors Other creditors 193 203 188 200 Accruals 2,103 1,283 2,093 1,278 Deferred income 312 561 312 561 Group Charity 5,149 3,997 5,134 3,989 2017 2016 2017 2016 (£’000) (£,000) (£’000) (£,000)

Trade debtors 4,999 4,613 4,999 4,610 Deferred income at the beginning of the year 561 350 561 350 Amounts owed by subsidiary undertaking - - - 16 Amount released to income earned from charitable activities (486) (289) (486) (289) Other debtors 157 133 159 136 Amount deferred in year 237 500 237 500 Prepayments and accrued income 2,611 2,076 2,611 2,076 Deferred income at the end of the year 312 561 312 561 7,767 6,822 7,769 6,838

(b) Amounts falling due after one year Group Charity

2017 2016 2017 2016 (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000)

Net obligations under bank loan is as follows: between one and two years 85 - 85 - between two and five years 372 - 372 - over five years 2,561 - 2,561 -

3,018 - 3,018 -

Amounts falling due after one year relates to a mortgage of £3.2m payable over 25 years, commencing 4 May 2016, to purchase five properties and to enable the transfer of adult services in Westgate on Sea.

The mortgage is secured over the five properties and two other properties.

At 31 March 2017, the amount owing on the loan is £3.018m (2016: £nil) in total. Interest is charged at base rate (at 31 March 2017: 0.25%) plus 3%. 100 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 101

Note 20. Contingent assets – legacies Note 22. Pension

The Trustees have been notified that the Charity is a beneficiary of a number of estates for which Group and Charity the amounts to be paid to the Charity have not yet been confirmed. In view of the uncertainty over the amounts that may be received, the Trustees have concluded that the conditions for recognition Action on Hearing Loss operates a funded pension scheme in the UK (the “Scheme”). The Scheme of these legacies have not yet been met and accordingly these legacies are not reflected in these has both defined benefit and defined contribution sections, although the defined contribution Financial Statements. Provisional estimates indicate a potential value of these legacies of £4.7m section is relatively small. Pension benefits in the defined benefit section are related to the members’ (2016: £4.8m) final salary at retirement (or earlier if they leave the Scheme before retirement) and their length of service.

Note 21. Analysis of group net assets between funds Accrual of benefits under the defined benefit section of the Scheme ceased with effect from 31 March 2010. Fund balances at 31 March 2017 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds are represented by: funds (£’000) funds (£’000) funds (£’000) 2017 (£’000) There is also another defined contribution scheme administered by a different company. Intangible fixed assets 1,150 - - 1,150 Tangible fixed assets 14,370 1,566 - 15,936 The amount recognised in the SoFA is as follows: Investments 2,312 - 68 2,380 Current assets 8,015 739 - 8,754 Current liabilities (5,104) (45) - (5,149) 2017 2016 Long-term liabilities (3,018) - - (3,018) Note (£’000) (£’000) Pension liability (9,269) - - (9,269) Defined benefit scheme Group net assets 8,456 2,260 68 10,784 Current service cost – – Defined contribution schemes 643 593

Total charge in operating profit 643 593 Fund balances at 31 March 2016 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds are represented by: funds (£’000) funds (£’000) funds (£’000) 2016 (£’000) Defined benefit scheme Net interest expense 249 413 Intangible fixed assets 866 - - 866 Tangible fixed assets 10,221 1,602 - 11,823 Total charge 892 1,006 Investments 3,319 - 68 3,387 Current assets 9,537 725 - 10,262 Current liabilities (3,996) (1) - (3,997) Pension liability (7,381) - - (7,381)

Group net assets 12,566 2,326 68 14,960 1. Defined benefit scheme

The pension cost that would have been charged to operating surplus under FRS 102 for the year amounts to £241,000 (2016 pension cost: £262,000). This charge is equal to the contributions of £241,000 (2016: £262,000) paid by Action on Hearing Loss in respect of the defined contribution section of the Scheme.

Contributions to the Scheme for the year beginning 1 April 2017 are expected to be £993,120, plus contributions to the defined contributions scheme. Except where stated otherwise, the remainder of the FRS 102 pensions Note relates only to the defined benefit section of the Scheme.

A full actuarial valuation of the Scheme was carried out at 31 March 2017 by a qualified independent actuary, based on membership data as at 31 March 2015, but amended to take account of material movements during the year. 102 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 103

Note 22. Pension (continued)

The plan is administered by independent Trustees, who are responsible for ensuring that the plan is The fair value of the Scheme’s assets, which are not intended to be realised in the short-term and sufficiently funded to meet current and future obligations. The Charity has agreed with the Trustees may be subject to significant change before they are realised, and the present value of the Scheme’s to make additional contributions to reduce the funding deficit where necessary. liabilities, which are delivered for cash flow projections over long periods and thus inherently uncertain, were: The funding plan is a schedule of 12-monthly deficit reduction payments, which started in 2009, designed to eliminate the deficit by September 2030. Value at 2017 Value at 2016 Reconciliation of scheme assets and liabilities (£’000) (£’000) The annual pension deficit funding was £965,136 in the financial year to 31 March 2017. The next Equity and property 18,619 18,439 triennial valuation is on 31 March 2018. Judgement is required in a number of areas, including Fixed interest 28,851 25,192 inflation, mortality rates and the selection of appropriate discount rates. Index linked gilts 10,293 5,709 Insured annuities 674 662 Cash 2,691 2,094 Other 8,074 5,594 The major assumptions used by the actuary were (in nominal terms) as follows: 2017 2016 Fair value of scheme assets 69,202 57,690 Discount rate at 31 March 2.7% 3.6% Inflation assumption 3.4% 3.0% The plan assets do not include any of the Charity’s financial instruments, Future LPI pension increases 3.4% 3.0% nor is any property occupied by any Group entity. Revaluation in deferment 3.4% 3.0%

2017 2016 Assumed life expectations on retirements at age 65: 2017 2016 The return on the plan assets was: (£’000) (£’000) Retiring today – females 24.0 24.2 Interest income 2,059 1,903 Retiring today – males 21.8 21.8 Return on plan assets less interest income 10,459 (1,314) Retiring in 20 years – females 25.5 26.2 Retiring in 20 years – males 23.2 23.5 Total return on plan assets 12,518 589

Assets Liabilities Total Reconciliation of scheme assets and liabilities (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) 2. Defined contribution scheme As at 1 April 2016 57,690 (65,071) (7,381) Benefits paid (1,971) 1,971 - The Charity provides two defined contribution schemes for its employees, although Employer contributions 965 - 965 Interest income/(expense) 2,059 (2,308) (249) one is now closed to new entrants. Remeasurement gains - (13,063) (13,063) Return on plan assets 10,459 - 10,459 The amount recognised as an expense for the defined 2017 2016 contribution schemes was: (£’000) (£’000) Total charge 69,202 (78,471) (9,269) Current year contributions 643 593

2017 2016 (£’000) (£’000)

Net interest expense 249 413

Total charge 249 413

No amounts (2016: nil) were included in the cost of assets. 104 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 105

Note 23. Financial instruments 2. Restricted funds

Balance, Balance, 2017 2016 1 April 2016 Income Expenditure 31 March 2017 The Group has the following financial instruments: (£’000) (£’000) Restricted (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) Financial assets that are debt instruments The Bath Charity 1,602 - (36) 1,566 measured at amortised cost Moving On/On the Move* 30 145 (110) 65 Trade debtors 4,999 4,613 In Touch* 32 111 (92) 51 Other debtors 157 133 Glasgow Integrated Sensory Services* 45 34 (30) 49 Investments in short-term deposits 12 1,112 Legacy restricted to South Wales 40 48 (40) 48 5,168 5,858 Restricted to investigation into genetic causes of deafness 25 25 (13) 37 Harlow Trust Fund 34 - (1) 33 Manchester Hear to Help* 12 35 (20) 27 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost Grants restricted to use in Scotland 22 - - 22 Trade creditors 1,050 1,263 Hear to Meet in Kirklees* 15 32 (29) 18 Other creditors 193 203 Employment programme for people who are deaf or have 10 8 - 18 Long-term loan – current 82 - hearing loss in Glasgow* Long-term loan – non-current 3,018 - Tayside integrated sensory services* 31 28 (43) 16 4,343 1,466 Hear to Care* 14 68 (74) 8 NI Employability Programme* 2 104 (104) 2 Isle of Wight Befriending 17 - (16) 1 Hear to Meet Wales* 75 18 (93) - Legacy restricted to Tinnitus Research 71 - (71) - Note 24. Group/Charity statement of funds – Equality & Inclusion* 32 44 (76) - restricted and endowment funds Hear to Help Wales* 31 9 (40) - Pathway to Lipreading Scotland* 16 - (16) - 1. Designated funds Restricted to Identifying ways to improve therapies to regrow 16 - (16) - hair cells Leicester Ageing Together* 15 42 (57) - Balance, Balance, 1 April 2016 Income Expenditure 31 March 2017 Ayrshire and Aaron Integrated Sensory Services* 7 6 (13) - (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) SHSCT Hear to Help* 3 - (3) - Property purchase fund 1,263 – (1,261) 2 Tinnitus Service Northern Ireland* 2 - (2) - Hear to Help Leeds* 2 - (2) - Total designated – Group and Charity 1,263 – (1,261) 2 Provision of sensory services Northern Ireland* 1 - (1) - Legacy restricted to Wolverhampton - 67 - 67 Royal British Legion Hear to Help England - 50 - 50 Legacy restricted to the Isle of Wight - 30 - 30 Property purchase fund: The purpose of this fund was to purchase a new building as the head office Managing hearing loss in Devon & Cornwall - 50 (26) 24 of Action on Hearing Loss was sold on 24 March 2014. Sensory services in Ayrshire* - 51 (28) 23 Research into improving the understanding and diagnosis of - 26 (13) 13 auditory processing disorder (APD) A new head office property was purchased on 16 August 2015, building and fit-out works were Hear to Help Lewisham - 13 - 13 completed on 13 April 2017, and moved into on 2 May 2017. Northumberland volunteers* - 65 (54) 11 Ageing Better - 13 (3) 10 Live Well with Hearing Loss* - 159 (159) - Online Today Project* - 156 (156) - Biomedical research - 115 (115) - Research into the pharmacological manipulation of neuronal - 100 (100) - oscillations in tinnitus: bridging the therapeutic gap Other restricted funds 124 557 (623) 58

* Government-funded 106 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 107

Note 24. Group/Charity statement of funds – • Hear to Meet in Kirklees is funded by Kirklees Council and is supporting older people with hearing loss and those at risk of isolation and experiencing loneliness overcome the barriers of restricted and endowment funds (continued) social exclusion. We are doing this through delivering befriending and information activities, such as drop-in sessions, to build confidence and aid accessibility to community services. We 2. Restricted funds (continued) are working with other agencies and charities in order to extend our reach.

Balance, Balance, • To provide funding in Glasgow for improving the health, wellbeing and life skills of, and 1 April 2016 Income Expenditure 31 March 2017 increasing access to information and services, for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) (£’000) The project works with other agencies to provide information and advice in provision of Restricted funds 2,326 2,209 (2,275)) 2,260 healthcare, social care, education, training, employment and leisure. It will also fund delivery of a Endowed programme of accredited training courses, develop a user forum, support work placements and The Wennington Charity 68 - - 68 encourage peer support within central Scotland. Endowed funds 68 - - 68 • Tayside integrated sensory services support people with sensory impairment living in the Total Restricted funds 2,394 2,209 (2,275) 2,328 Tayside area by strengthening existing structures, introducing support services such as Hear to

* Government-funded Help, and by raising awareness and the profile of sensory impairment in the area.

• Hear to Care aims to improve the long-term care and support for older people in care settings. The purposes of these funds is explained on pages 106–109. • NI Employability Programme supports people with hearing loss across Northern Ireland to enter employment. • The Bath Charity is restricted to providing relief for the charitable needs of people who are deaf or have hearing loss by the provision of services. • Isle of Wight Befriending Service supports those made isolated through hearing loss and other long-term conditions, using staff and volunteers, by providing practical support and advice, • On the Move provides funding for improving the health, wellbeing and life skills of, and building a mutually supportive relationship to build confidence and develop existing services. increasing access to information and services for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. The project works with other agencies to provide information and advice in provision of • Hear to Meet Wales supports older people with hearing loss and those at risk of experiencing healthcare, social care, education, training, employment and leisure. It will also fund delivery of a loneliness to overcome the barriers of social exclusion by providing a mutually supportive programme of accredited training courses, develop a user forum, support work placements and relationship to build confidence and aid accessibility to community services. encourage peer support within central Scotland. • A legacy restricted to Tinnitus Research. • The In Touch project aims to help people who are deaf or have hearing loss across Northern • Equality and inclusion funding provides people with sensory loss with training and support to Ireland and will specifically target those people living in the community and in residential improve their confidence and skills and to share their personal experiences of using everyday accommodation. services relating to health, housing and social services. • Glasgow Integrated Sensory Services support people with sensory impairment living in the • Hear to Help Wales is a volunteer-led service that provides hearing aid support on a one-to-one Greater Glasgow and Clyde area by strengthening existing structures, introducing additional basis and in drop-in settings in communities across Wales. support services such as Hear to Help, and by raising awareness and the profile of sensory impairment in the region. • Pathway to Lipreading Scotland, under the direction of the Scottish Lipreading Strategy Group, aims to understand existing evidence, triggers and best timing to access lipreading • A legacy restricted to funding in South Wales. classes and develop a multi-agency pathway to lipreading classes. • This fund is restricted to investigation into genetic causes of deafness. • Restricted to Identifying ways to improve therapies to regrow hair cells. • The Harlow Trust provides funding for people who are deaf or have hearing loss to participate • Leicester Ageing Together is a peer-to-peer information and support project for older people in financial qualification courses. who are deaf or have hearing loss in the Leicester area. Supported by a project co-ordinator, • Manchester Hear to Help is a volunteer-led service that provides hearing aid support on a volunteers will support older people with information, advice, and the long-term management one-to-one basis and in drop-in settings in communities across Manchester. of their hearing aids and hearing loss, and provide opportunities for people to come together and share information and experiences. • General donations restricted to use in Scotland. 108 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 109

• Ayrshire and Arran Integrated Sensory Services are delivered in partnership with RNIB and • The Online Today project enables people with sensory loss to gain the basic skills and support people with sensory impairment living in the Ayrshire and Arran area, by strengthening confidence to use technology and get online. existing structures, introducing additional support services such as Hear to Help, and raising • General funding for Biomedical research. awareness and the profile of sensory impairment in the region. • Funding towards research into pharmacological manipulation of neuronal oscillations in • SHSCT Hear to Help provides hearing aid support on a one-to-one basis and in drop-in settings tinnitus: bridging the therapeutic gap. across the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area. • The Wennington Charity Endowment Fund is to relieve the needs of people who are deaf or • Tinnitus Service Northern Ireland aims to run Tinnitus courses across Northern Ireland, enabling have hearing loss with any other illness or permanent condition, focusing on older people. people to understand how to cope with and manage their condition. • Other restricted funds comprises 63 restricted funds providing income in support of Action on • Hear to Help Leeds is a volunteer-led service that provides hearing aid support on a one-to-one Hearing Loss activities. basis and in drop-in settings in Leeds. It also provides information on hearing equipment and other services available for local people with hearing loss.

• To support people with sensory impairment living in Northern Ireland by strengthening existing structures, introducing additional support services such as Hear to Help, and raising awareness and the profile of sensory impairment in the region.

• A legacy restricted to the Wolverhampton area. Note 25. Capital and other commitments • Royal British Legion Hear to Help England is to help serving and ex-service personnel, to help them feel less isolated, increase their confidence and improve their communication with others. Group and Charity

• A legacy restricted to the Isle of Wight. 2017 2016 (£’000) (£’000) • Funding for Devon and Cornwall to help people with hearing loss improve their confidence and Contracts for future capital expenditure not provided in the 543 22 knowledge on how to better manage their hearing loss. Financial Statements – property, plant and equipment

• Funding to support people with sensory impairment living in the Ayrshire and Arran area by

strengthening existing structures, introducing additional support services such as Hear to Help, As of 31 March 2017, Action on Hearing Loss had a total value of minimum future lease payments as and raising awareness and the profile of sensory impairment in the region. set out below: • Funding to be used towards research into Improving the understanding and diagnosis of auditory processing disorder (APD). 2017 2016 • Hear to Help Lewisham is a volunteer-led service that provides hearing aid support on a Payments due (£’000) (£’000) one-to-one basis and in drop-in settings in the Lewisham area. It also provides information on Within one year 1,025 950 hearing equipment and other services available for local people with hearing loss. Between one and five years 768 782 After five years - 291 • Northumberland Information Volunteering Project is led by a Regional Volunteer Manager and 1,793 2,023 a team of volunteers. It provides information to help people who are deaf or have hearing loss, their families and professionals working with them in the community.

• Connect Hackney – Ageing Better is a programme that aims to reduce and prevent the isolation of older people (aged 50+).

• Live Well with Hearing Loss focuses on supporting people with hearing loss or who are deaf with assistive equipment (doorbells, phones, personal listeners, etc) in their own homes and also in community hub locations. The project aims to work closely with social services departments so as to offer equipment and support to people once they have been assessed by social services. 110 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 111

Note 26. Notes to the cash flow statement Liz Tait is a Charity Trustee and is also a Trustee and Chair of the Institute of Fundraising. There was £10,365 for agency fees, training and attendance at conferences (2015–16: £355).

2017 2016 (£’000) (£’000) Richard Jones CBE is a Charity Trustee and was also a Trustee and Chair of Audit at Scope, which he Net expenditure for the reporting year (as per the statement retired from on 25 November 2016. There was £1,059 for room and facilities hire (2015–16: £664). (1,572) (589) of financial activities) The only related party transactions between Action on Hearing Loss and RNID Activities Ltd is the Adjustments for: management recharge of £2,538 (2015–16: £3,431). Depreciation charge for the year on tangible assets 378 365 Amortisation charge for intangible assets 156 158 During 2016–17, Trustees and Key Management Personnel did not raise any funds through (Gains)/Losses on investments (382) 113 fundraising activities (2015–16: £2,945). Interest paid 98 12 Interest/dividend received (117) (148) Loss/(Profit) on disposal of intangible/tangible assets 20 (1) Decrease/(Increase) in stock 54 131 Note 28. Company Increase in debtors (945) (866) Increase in creditors 1,152 744 Other than the transactions disclosed above, the Company’s other related party transactions were Increase in non-current long-term loan 3,018 - with the wholly owned subsidiary and are disclosed in Note 6 and Note 27. Pensions reserve funding deficit movements (716) (525)

Net cash generated from/used in operating activities 1,144 (606) Note 29. Events after the reporting period

At 1 April 2016 At 31 March 2017 On 2 May 2017, the Charity moved to a new head office, following the purchase of a smaller property Analysis of cash and cash equivalents (£’000) Cash flows (£’000) in August 2015. As of 24 May 2017, no further rent or other obligations exist in relation to the former Cash at bank and in hand 1,871 (1,299) 572 head office of 19-23 Featherstone Street, London. The head office purchase and move was funded Short-term deposits 1,112 (1,100) 12 from the designated fund, created from the sale of the Featherstone Street building in March 2014. Total cash and cash equivalents 2,983 (2,399) 584

The United Kingdom initiated Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on 29 March 2017, which formally notified the European Union of its intention to leave. There will be at least a two-year window to Note 27. Related party transactions negotiate the exit from the European Union. Risks and opportunities arising from this are being proactively identified and managed through the Risk Committee. At the time of signing the Financial Statements, it is too early to determine with any certainty what the exit from the European Union Expenses reimbursed to Trustees and the remuneration of the Key Management Personnel of the will mean for the Charity or our beneficiaries. Charity are disclosed in Note 11 and transactions by the Charity with its defined benefit pension scheme are set out in Note 22. There were no other transactions during the year that come within the definition of ‘related party transactions’ in FRS 102.

John Morgan is Chief Executive of Morgan Sindall Group PLC, and was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Trustees on 1 January 2017. The Charity engaged Morgan Lovell, a subsidiary of Morgan Sindall Group PLC, to complete the refurbishment of the new head office on 15 February 2016. This engagement was in place before John Morgan was involved with Action on Hearing Loss and he had no influence over the contract, which was on commercial terms. For full disclosure, £1,151,773 was paid to Morgan Lovell in the 2016–17 financial year.

Paul Breckell is Chief Executive of the Charity and is also a Trustee of Roffey Park Institute Limited. The Charity used the services of the Roffey Park Institute Limited, totalling £2,143 (2015–16: £3,130). 112 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 113

Acknowledgements Royal British Legion – Hear to Help Projects We are grateful to the following funders who have given generously the following grants, donations, Trusts in England sponsorship and gifts in wills during the financial year. The Barbour Foundation – Hear to Help ShareGift North of Tyne Department of Health – Hear to Care Esme Mitchell Trust – Information Service Big Lottery Fund The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust Department of Health, Northern Ireland – Core Grant – Biomedical Research Ardbarron Trust – Information Service Royal Society for Blind – Leicester Ageing Together Disability Employment Services (DES) – Specialist The Clapp Family Charitable Trust Hear to Meet – Wales Employment Programme Corporate Constance Travis Charitable Trust In Touch Project – Northern Ireland Dundee Community Regeneration Fund – Lochee- – Biomedical Research Boots Hearingcare Tayside Hear to Help Moving On – Scotland The Edith Murphy Foundation Phonak Doncaster Deaf Trust – Employment Services Wales – Biomedical Research Reaching Communities ‘North East Rural Volunteer – Employment Services Scotland GN ReSound Outreach Project’ – Northumberland The Eveson Charitable Trust – Birmingham Health & Social Care Board (HSCB) – Tinnitus Service Hear to Help Next Plc Accelerating Ideas ‘Hear to Inform and Connect’ – National Kirklees Council – Kirklees Hear to Meet The Frederick Arthur Alford Charitable Trust Belfast International Airport – Biomedical Research Awards for All ‘Sensory Equipment’ – England Northern Health & Social Care Trust (NHSCT) Northern Ireland Electricity – Hear to Help Gerald Micklem Trust – Southampton Project Reaching Communities ‘Hear to Inform Ulster Bank and Support’ – Devon and Cornwall Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) The Galanthus Trust – Biomedical Research Bombardier – Online Today Haberdasher’s Benevolent Charity Santander Statutory South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) – Hear to Help Bexley – Hear to Help Service Welsh Government – Live Well With Hearing Loss Lord and Lady Lurgan Trust – NI Information and Southern Health & Social Care Trust (SHSCT) Advice Service Major Gifts Local Government & Communities Directorate – Hear to Help The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation – Manchester Melanie and Stephen Edge Equality Human Rights and Glasgow Third Sector Transformation Fund Hear to Help Third Sector Division – Hear for Welfare – Glasgow Hear to Help Dr Roger Allport Masonic Charitable Foundation South Ayrshire Council – Ayrshire & Arran Hear to Western Health & Social Care Trust (WHSCT) – Biomedical Research Mr and Mrs John Walton Help – Sensory Support Services Merchant Taylors’ Consolidated Charities Dr Susan Wilson Perth & Kinross Council – Provision of sensory for the Infirm– Hear to Help Lewisham services Jeff Horne European Fund The Nora and Olive Brewer Memorial Trust Middleborough Council – Deaf Centre Dr Jones European Social Fund (ESF) – Specialist The Norman Family Charitable Trust Employment Programme Wales Hear to Help – Powys Teaching Heath Board – Devon & Cornwall Project CHK Charities Limited

Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (BHSCT) Philip and Marjorie Robinson Charitable Trust – Hear to Help – Biomedical Research

Department for the Economy (DfE) – Specialist The Robertson Trust – Tayside Hear to Help Employment Programme 114 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17

We remember with deep gratitude the 435 donors who left gifts to us in their wills in 2016–17. Every legacy gift is truly appreciated.

Many other organisations, trusts and individuals have given generously during the year and we are very grateful to all our supporters.

This funding enables us to continue our vital work for people who are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus. My research is bringing us one step closer to developing a technique that can be used in clinics to identify children, and even babies, who are struggling to hear with their cochlear implants. The funding I have received from Action on Hearing Loss has enabled me to pursue this exciting and vital area of research which I hope will have a real impact on the quality of life of many young children.

Faizah Mustaq, PhD Student, National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham.

Northern Ireland ESF Programme Investment for Jobs and Growth - 2014 to 2020

Branding and Publicity Requirements

June 2015 (revised January 2016, May 2016 and June 2016)

This document sets out the minimum requirements for branding and publicity in relation to ESF project development or delivery, further to Commission Regulations No 1303/2013, No 1304/2013 and No 821/2014, and provides an interpretation of the Regulations in relation to branding and publicity for the ESF Programme.

This document is only intended to set out the requirements and provide beneficiaries with guidance as to the requirements based on the Managing Authority’s interpretation of the Regulations. It is the sole responsibility of the beneficiary to ensure that they fully understand and comply with the publicity requirements. They must also ensure that any partners comply with publicity requirements. If beneficiaries are unclear about any aspect of the publicity requirements, they should seek advice from the ESF Managing Authority. 116 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016–17 actiononhearingloss.org.uk 117

How can we help each other? Raise funds for us Become a member Whether you have 10 minutes How we can help you: or 10 days, if you want to go it Join us today! Become alone or as part of a group, if Hearing loss affects over 11 million people in the UK. By 2035, it’ll be one-fifth of us. It could a member and stay your venue is your home, school affect you or someone that you know. We have a wide range of services that can help. connected. For just £12.50 or place of work, there are a year you will receive our award-winning countless ways you can do your Training, consultations and members’ magazine, sent directly to part and help those confronting your door four times a year. Packed with deafness, tinnitus and hearing work-based assessments the latest news and stories of real-life loss. We love finding new and Information, Our Deaf Awareness training, Start to Sign training and experiences, it gives you the opportunity different ways to raise money. So, work-based assessments help ensure that the workplace to pick up some great tips and advice. if you are bursting with ideas and resources and public places are accessible for people who are deaf What’s more, we provide regular reviews want to come up with your own and advice or have hearing loss. event or challenge – then go for of hearing loss products to suit your it! We have Regional Fundraising Take a look at our For more information: needs, and give you the chance to find website to find out Managers throughout the UK 0333 240 5658 0161 276 2316 out about upcoming accessible events about what we do, who would be delighted to help [email protected] near you. You’ll even receive a discount on access more information you every step of the way. through our online and our product catalogue and online shop. As well as organising your own printed resources – or For more information, and to sign visit our forums where Products and equipment fundraising event, why not up to be a member, visit our website you can share ideas We have a range of products designed to make life easier, nominate us as your business or actiononhearingloss.org.uk/membership with, and gain support safer and more enjoyable. There are hundreds of clever community group’s Charity of from, other people devices to help you maintain your independence and carry the Year? You could even share who have hearing loss on doing all the things you love. Visit our online shop: your birthday or anniversary and/or tinnitus. actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop with us and take part in 03330 144 525 03330 144 530 celebration giving. Or simply actiononhearingloss.org.uk [email protected] Campaign adopt a collection tin and place it Campaign with us to somewhere local. Information Line make things better for For more information, or to You can contact us for information by calling our free helpline on 0808 808 0123 people who are deaf or have hearing or textphone 0808 808 9000. It’s a great place to start if you want practical register your interest, email information on any aspect of deafness, hearing loss or tinnitus; or to find out more loss or tinnitus, and encourage others [email protected] about what we do, or how we can help you or your friends or family. to value their hearing. We speak to politicians, public services, fellow How you can help us: charities, businesses and the general public, so we can make a difference Donate now We can’t do what we do without our brilliant volunteers and donations. Join our cause to people’s lives. Visit the campaign and help us to achieve even more in 2017–18. You can make a one-off pages on our website to read more donation or set up a about what we’re doing and how to Volunteer regular direct debit at get involved, or to sign up to receive Our 1,400 volunteers bring skills, experience, energy, enthusiasm and actiononhearingloss.org.uk/ commitment to Action on Hearing Loss, and volunteering can make a difference our campaign updates. in your life too, letting you meet new people and learn new skills. To find out donate more about volunteering, please email [email protected] actiononhearingloss.org.uk/campaign My cochlear implant has transformed my life – and my family’s life – in ways I never thought possible. Steve, golf enthusiast and cochlear implant user Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) is the largest UK charity helping people who are confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss. We give support and care, develop technology and treatments, and campaign for equality. We rely on donations to continue our vital work. To find out more, visit actiononhearingloss.org.uk

Contact our free, confidential Information Line: Telephone 0808 808 0123 Textphone 0808 808 9000 SMS 0780 000 0360 (standard text message rates apply) Email [email protected]

Join us Action on Hearing Loss @ActionOnHearing

Front cover image: Victor from London South East College attending a Deaf Awareness training session

Action on Hearing Loss is the trading name of The Royal National Institute for Deaf People. A registered charity in England and Wales (207720) and Scotland (SC038926). A1416/1117