BRITISH TINNITUS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REVIEW 2013
2 British Tinnitus Association 2013 British Tinnitus Association 2013 3 ABOUT THE BRITISH TINNITUS ASSOCIATION About tinnitus Tinnitus is defined as a noise in the head or ears which has no external source, known cause, or current cure. 10% of UK adults have tinnitus, with one in ten going on to report severe effects on their quality of life including depression, anxiety, stress and sleep deprivation. How we help In the absence of a cure many people with tinnitus are told that there is no treatment available and they should learn to live with it. Here at the BTA we don t believe this is acceptable or true, and work tirelessly to provide support, advice and management techniques to reduce the negative impacts of tinnitus. tinnitus, by offering a wider range of much needed services which include our: Medical research programme Freephone helpline Local tinnitus group support Interactive website and social media pages Quarterly Quiet magazine Series of free information leaflets Free regional public events Discounted tinnitus management products Training for professionals Annual tinnitus conference Over the last year calls to our helpline have increased by 20%, and numbers of people accessing help from our website have almost doubled. Who we are Established almost 35 years ago, we are the only national UK charity solely dedicated to supporting the tinnitus community. We are led by a board of seven Trustees, with a vast knowledge of tinnitus and management expertise. Our Trustees are supported by a Professional Advisers Committee of 10 volunteers, all leaders in their field, who have a keen interest in helping tinnitus patients and in searching for a cure. Our Mission Statement The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) strives to be the primary source of support and information for people with tinnitus and their carers in the UK and to advocate on their behalf. We aim to encourage prevention through our educational programme and to seek effective management of tinnitus through a medical research programme. Tinnitus can occur at any age but is more likely in older people From our Sheffield office, with a team of just 11 staff, many of whom are part time, we support around 229,000 people annually. As we receive no government funding, our work is only possible with the contributions of our funders and donors, like yourself. Your generosity has helped us to support more people to successfully manage their We received almost 6,000 calls last year from people needing help
4 British Tinnitus Association 2013 British Tinnitus Association 2013 5 WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2012/13 OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE During the year we continued to improve and expand services offered to ensure the best possible outcomes for the tinnitus community. Key achievements were: Raising Awareness of Tinnitus February 2013 saw the delivery of another highly successful Tinnitus Awareness Week. Across the UK, 44 events took place, and 42 information stands were organised. Our Awareness Week web page received 766 visitors, an increase from 249 in 2012. We also revealed our plans for a compilation album to be released in 2014 featuring music from high profile musicians, who all have tinnitus. Healthcare for Tinnitus Our membership of the Department of Health Audiology Advisory Group has strengthened our ability to influence tinnitus healthcare provision. We attended numerous high profile meetings with an aim to influence key decision makers, ensuring tinnitus services remain at the heart of local provision. Improving and Increasing Support In September 2012 our team was strengthened by a new part time Groups Co-ordinator, responsible for increasing the availability and quality of local tinnitus groups. From September 2012 to March 2013, numbers of local groups increased by 30%, with training and events delivered to improve existing groups. We also delivered a programme of successful regional information events, which led to further events scheduled for 2013/14. The helpline was a wonderful source of support. No doubt about it. Just to speak to someone who is knowledgeable and friendly is priceless It set me on the right track to tackling my dismay about the onset of tinnitus. Straightforward and clear advice honesty Building on our achievements, we will continue to grow our services and resources, ensuring we are a world leader in tinnitus support and advice. Some key plans include: Extending and Enhancing Tinnitus Support This year we received increased demand for our support across all services. To enable us to continue to meet the tinnitus community s growing needs, we will extend and enhance the assistance we provide. We plan to increase our staff team, improve engagement of volunteers, deliver regional tinnitus events, and provide new support materials including leaflets for children with tinnitus. Defining the Cost of Tinnitus We plan to work with a leading university research team to assess and define the cost of tinnitus to healthcare services, and also define cost benefits of emerging treatments. This economic study, still in early development, will provide a benchmark for encouraging better public health support for tinnitus. User Led Provision In summer 2013, we will undertake a survey of BTA users to collate feedback on our range of support. This will be used to lead new developments in our work and ensure the views of our users are at the heart of our work. If you would like further detail on any aspect of our achievements or plans please get in touch. Images are for illustration purposes only The BTA has completely changed my views of tinnitus and talking to them has changed my life. I no longer live in fear that my tinnitus will ruin my life It helped me identify the type of tinnitus I am experiencing and prompted me to go to my GP. If I hadn t gone, my vascular condition would not have been discovered and investigated
6 British Tinnitus Association 2013 British Tinnitus Association 2013 7 THE BTA RESEARCH PROGRAMME The year s progress Dr Roland Schaette, BTA Senior Research Fellow, continues to work on a two year BTA project, at UCL Ear Institute. This year a significant discovery was that physical damage to structures of the inner ear is not required for tinnitus to occur, exactly as predicted by the computer model developed with BTA support. This finding is good news for progress of tinnitus drugs. The UCL Ear Institute announced that following completion of the BTA contract, Dr Schaette will be employed directly by UCL as Lecturer in Tinnitus Research. This will be the first UK faculty appointment specifically dedicated to tinnitus research. BTA support was instrumental in persuading UCL of the need for a dedicated appointment, and the two organisations will continue to work closely together to ensure the best possible research. Other small scale research commissioned this year attracted wider external continuation funding. At the British Society of Audiologists (BSA) Conference, September 2012, we launched the Top Ten Tinnitus Research Uncertainties. Established as a result of our Tinnitus Priority Setting Partnership with the James Lind Alliance, and including the views of 835 tinnitus professionals and patients, these findings will lead future BTA research. This year, two new projects were developed in direct response: PhD Studentship Commencing late 2012, at Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, PhD Student, Lucy Handscomb, will work over five year s to test a new model of support for the emotional consequences of tinnitus. Focussing particularly on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the project will lead to greater knowledge and improved care for tinnitus patients. The project is in early stages of implementation and overall fundraising is on-going. Mindfulness Behavioural Cognitive Therapy Study Planned to start autumn 2013, Dr Laurence McKenna will conduct a clinical study to assess Mindfulness Behavioural Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in reducing distress for tinnitus patients MBCT is proven effective in managing depression and chronic pain, and a pilot study showed effectiveness in managing tinnitus distress. If findings can be repeated in this large scale study, there will be evidence to support MBCT being offered to tinnitus patients. The two year study will take place at Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital London. Tinnitus is dramatically under-researched and more research is needed to establish the causes and potential cures The precise causes of tinnitus are not fully understood Plans for the future We plan to continue fundraising to increase levels of on-going tinnitus research, commissioning new research that closes gaps in knowledge and develops new treatments. New projects will be directly influenced by the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership Top Ten Tinnitus Research Uncertainties. To enhance levels of research, and ensure best value is achieved, we will seek to collaborate with leading research bodies and develop new partnerships. New research projects will be announced via the BTA website www.tinnitus.org.uk and Quiet magazine. If you would like more detailed or technical information about our research programme please get in touch.
8 British Tinnitus Association 2013 British Tinnitus Association 2013 9 WHY I THE BTA ACCOUNTS SUMMARY I donate to the BTA because I had tinnitus a couple of years ago and it gave me a profound sense of how debilitating it can be. My sleep was severely affected; I was averaging 2-3 hours per night. My GP basically told me I d have to get used to it as there was nothing he could do. I began to wonder how I was ever going to function normally again. I came across some really useful information on the BTA website, prompting me to go back to my GP for ENT referral, which uncovered potentially treatable reasons for my tinnitus, and ways to manage my condition. I now barely hear what once seemed to be louder than a drill. I donate because I desperately hope a cure will be found for those who haven t been as lucky. Edward, regular donor. The BTA do great work and are one of those lean and purposeful charities that is easy to admire Alex, BTA Fundraiser My tinnitus began in 2005 and in the beginning I found it extremely difficult to live with, it changed my life completely. I couldn t enjoy the things I used to enjoy. I found it impossible to obtain useful tinnitus information until I discovered the number for the BTA. The person I spoke to on the phone that day was most helpful and gave me hope that there was help out there. I feel I am no longer suffering alone. It gives me hope that someday they will find a cure for this distressing and limiting condition and in the meantime the BTA is a comfort to me. This is why I chose to support the BTA s work. Helen, fundraiser. The research we commission and services we provide are only possible due to the selfless generosity of our supporters and donors. Every penny we receive makes a difference to our work, for which we are very grateful. Images are for illustration purposes only Restricted 113,733 Unrestricted 364,156 OVERALL INCOME 477,889 Restricted funds are those donated to us for a specific purpose such as medical research; and unrestricted funds those which can be used for any charitable purpose within the objects of our work. Due to the volatile and unpredictable nature of donations, we seek to minimise the risk to the charity through our policy to retain up to a year s operating costs in unrestricted funds. At the financial year end we held unrestricted reserves of 873,385. Budgeted annual running costs for the 2013/14 period total 706,496. Restricted 247,405 Unrestricted 306,578 OVERALL EXPENDITURE 553,983 Restricted 160,755 Unrestricted 873,385 OVERALL FUNDS AT 31ST MARCH 2013 1,034,140 In order to continue to operate in line with the reserves policy, and ensure surplus funds are available for charitable benefit, Trustees have allocated significant reserves to work towards achieving our Strategic Priorities, many of which are outlined in the plans for the future illustrated in this report, thus reducing current reserves. It is important that we are able to continue to raise funds and generate income to sustain increased levels of support we plan to offer to the tinnitus community beyond the 2013/14 period.
10 British Tinnitus Association 2013 British Tinnitus Association 2013 11 INCOME SOURCES COST OF SERVICES 5 GIFTS IN WILLS 16% EVENTS AND AWARENESS RAISING 36% MEDICAL RESEARCH INFORMATION LEAFLETS 13% PERSONAL DONATIONS 10% MEMBERSHIP 477,889 < SPONSORSHIP < CORPORATE INCOME 3% BANK INTEREST 9% HELPLINE 7% GOVERNANCE 6% FUNDRAISING 553,983 VOLUNTEERING EMAIL WEBSITE AND ONLINE 2% MEMBER 8% TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS Over the last year we have seen proportionate reductions in gifts in Wills, and increases in personal donations and membership income. Whilst gifts in Wills are still vitally important to our existence we have sought to reduce our reliance upon this traditionally unpredictable income source. Quiet magazine, the Tinnitus Adviser Training Course, and Conference SALE OF SERVICE SALE OF GOODS also generate income to cover associated costs. As illustrated, our work is heavily reliant upon the receipt of donations from individuals, companies, and trusts and foundations. With demand for our support increasing so does our expenditure and the need to continue to receive charitable donations. We will continue to work to sustain all income channels and SALE OF GOODS seek to increase those providing lesser income to reduce reliance upon any particular source of income. TRAINING AND CONFERENCE Our work relies entirely on the generosity of our members and supporters, if you have donated to our work, many thanks for your support of BTA services and research into tinnitus. QUIET GROUP If you would like to support our work please go to www.tinnitus.org.uk/support-us or contact us for more information on 0114 2509933. To give online go to www.justgiving.com/bta
CAN YOU HELP US CONTINUE THIS IMPORTANT WORK? Throughout this report we have highlighted the huge steps forward we have taken in developing and improving support for the tinnitus community. In order to meet the ongoing costs of this increased support we need to raise around 500,000 this year from donations, fundraising, grants and gifts left in Wills. These funds will safeguard continued delivery of services, projects and initiatives that meet the ever growing needs of the tinnitus community, and also ensuring that we are here if you, or a loved one, ever need our help. We receive no government funding so are wholly reliant upon the kind financial support of our donors and fundraisers like yourself, without whom none of our work outlined in this Annual Review would be possible. Alongside all other donations we receive, gifts in Wills are extremely important to us. If the time is right for you to ever include a gift to charity in your Will please remember us. A gift left in a Will leaves a lasting legacy of your support for those affected by tinnitus. We are extremely grateful for each and every donation which makes a huge difference. Every donation is important to us and the people we help, regardless of size or scale. We assure that you can trust us to use all donations we receive to achieve the best possible outcomes and to have the most impact for the tinnitus community. If you would like further information about supporting the BTA please go to our website www.tinnitus.org.uk/support-us or contact Helen Goldsby-West on 0114 250 9933, helen@tinnitus.org.uk We would love to hear from you. If you would like to give online please go to www.justgiving.com/bta Thank you on behalf of the tinnitus community for your ongoing support. BRITISH TINNITUS ASSOCIATION Ground Floor, Unit 5, Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB Telephone: 0114 250 9933 Textphone: 0114 258 5694 Email: info@tinnitus.org.uk Registered charity no: 1011145 Company limited by guarantee no: 2709302 Registered in England