## **Listening Post Annual Report** **Counselling and Training** **- 1 February 2021 31 January 2022** ## **Listening Post Chris�an Counselling Service Ltd** (Limited by guarantee and registered in the UK) Company Number 2619615 Charity Number 1013442 St Aldate Church, Finlay Road, Gloucester, GL4 6TN Telephone Number 01452 383820 Email Address counselling@lpost.org.uk Website www.listeningpost.org.uk Facebook Listening Post Counselling Twi�er @ListeningPostco **Cheltenham Centre** Hesters Way Community Resource Centre Cassin Drive, Cheltenham, GL51 7SU Telephone Number 01242 256060 Email Address: counselling@lpost.org.uk **Stroud Centre** Northcote House, Middle Street, Stroud, GL5 1DZ Telephone Number 01453 750123 Email Address counselling@lpost.org.uk ## **Independent Examiner** Mr Julian Owens BSc FCA, GCSD Accountants Ltd Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors 701 Stonehouse Park, Sperry Way, Stonehouse, GL10 3UT ## **Bankers** Chari�es Aid Founda�on Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ ## **How we work** The Charity is managed by its Council of Management (Trustees/Company Directors) through its Senior Management Team, all of whom are part-�me. We have a large team of volunteer Counsellors, Supervisors and Administra�ve support workers, without whom we could not operate. _Trustees are appointed in accordance with paragraphs 24-32 of the Ar�cles of Associa�on._ ## **Meet Our Patrons and Trustees** **Patron** Dr David Drew ## **Patron** The Right Revd Rachel Treweek Bishop of Gloucester ## **Chair** ## **Treasurer** Mr Robert Kingston ## **Trustee** Mr Mark Hammond ## **Trustee** Mrs Chris�ne Dale ## **Trustee** Mrs Sheila Appleton ## **Trustee** Mrs Sue Ingleby ## **Trustee** Ms Arlene Hanson Appointed 27 September 2021 ## **Trustee** Mr David Monument Co-opted 15 November 2021 **Trustee** Mr Alastair Sammon Appointed 27 September 2021 ## **Foreword from the Chair:** ## 2021, like 2020 before it, was a year dominated by the Covid 19 pandemic with further restric�ons on gathering, direc�ves to work from home where possible, and advice on ways to reduce transmission of the virus. Meanwhile Listening Post con�nued to offer both training and counselling without interrup�on, albeit in ways that sought to protect all involved as much as possible. This was a �me when we began to more fully understand the impact of the pandemic on individuals, and on the fabric of our society. We began as a country to count the cost to those on our front lines of care and support and on the mental health and wellbeing of swathes of the popula�on, many cut off from family and friends for months on end. We have seen a huge increase in those contac�ng us seeking counselling, and understood be�er the toll on our counsellors, many of whom have missed peer support and have missed being able to offer face-to-face counselling. A few have decided to step back from their role with Listening Post, to re�re or to commit their �me elsewhere. We are grateful to them and all those who choose to work with us through these difficult �mes. Our centres saw some of their essen�al life blood drain away during the months of lockdown when they had lain empty. We’ve been pleased to be able to open up these hubs again to enable face-to-face counselling to resume, whilst we con�nue to offer counselling also online or via phone. Each has had a face - li� and we are keen to see them return to being vibrant hubs of ac�vity and life in the months ahead. We are grateful to Stroud League of Friends for their generous dona�on to the running of the Stroud Centre and we were pleased to see that our in-year concerns regarding our centre in Cheltenham have been - allayed, with the emergence of a new landlord. COP 26 challenged us to think more deeply about our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment. Throughout the year Covid 19 has been the backdrop to our thinking in our service provision, as we sought to protect our clients, staff, volunteers, and students. Our training courses con�nued throughout, thanks to our tutors. During the summer, the vacant Lady Chapel at the Gloucester centre base has been repurposed as our new training facility. It’s a very welcome addi�on. Keen to come together to mark our 30[th] birthday we delayed our celebra�on un�l September in the hope that as many people as possible would be able to a�end. Combining it with our AGM, we gathered informally café style, in St Aldate’s church, decorated with balloons and posies of flowers. ## **Foreword from the Chair con�nued…** We heard from those involved in Listening Post’s early days and from a client who has recently received counselling. CEO, Linda, and Chair of Trustees, Rosie, spoke of more recent developments and some of the challenges ahead. Patron, Bishop Rachel, was unable to join us, but we were delighted to welcome her to the Gloucester office towards the end of the year when we spoke of our aim to be a resource for the church and to strengthen our links with the Diocese of Gloucester. Linda, and the whole team, have con�nued to ‘work their socks off’, labouring long hours and pitching in when needed to turn a key piece of work round. We as trustees are hugely grateful, but keen above all that all connected with Listening Post take �me to care for themselves, taking adequate �me off and holidays due. As trustees, we have con�nued to meet monthly via Zoom, with good a�endance. We have been pleased to welcome sales director, Arlene Hanson, and digital marke�ng manager, David Monument, to the trustee body as well as bringing Alastair Sammon, an experienced pair of hands back onto the board. Mark Hammond was elected Vice Chair. A few of us were privileged to join with many others to give thanks for the life of Frankie Marsh, former Vice Chair and volunteer with Listening Post, who died in March 2021. Over £4,000 has been given in her memory to Listening Post. We have invested in a library of counselling books in her memory, available to counsellors and students alike. We are deeply grateful for her contribu�on and for those who gave so generously. I am indebted to all my fellow trustees for their support throughout the year and to John Paterson, Associate to the Board, who has con�nued to give freely of his �me and exper�se. - increasing challenge. We are grateful to all those individuals, - churches, and grant making bodies who have generously given to us this year. We are acutely aware that with increasing pressure on the cost of living the task is not about to become any easier. We remain commi�ed to doing all that we can to con�nue to support those who turn to us in their �me of need, regardless of their ability to pay. **Chair** ## **Key Sta�s�cs Outcomes** **Delivery of Counselling Training Key Sta�s�cs:** **9,260** People Helped Since 1991 **89,534** Sessions Run Since 1991 **4,870** Sessions Run in 2021 ## **479** New People Helped in 2021 **£11.21** Listening Post has spent a year using the NHS approved - - PHQ 9 (measures depression) and GAD 7 (measures anxiety) ques�onnaires, instead of CORE-34. Results compare the earliest score with latest score. Only clients who have successfully recorded 2 repeat tests at least 6 weeks apart are included. This is 53 clients in the repor�ng period. **Notes** - Generalised Anxiety Disorder Ques�onnaire – - - 7 Ques�on Variant (GAD 7) - Pa�ent Health Ques�onnaire – - - 9 Ques�on Variant (PHQ 9) - flag’ for both scores, whilst 15 or greater is a ‘red flag’, indica�ng that ac�ve treatment is warranted. Average Client Dona�on **£30.24** Average Cost of a Session **14.5** Average Sessions A�ended **877** Carers Sessions 2021 ## **Key Sta�s�cs** **Reason for referral** **Counselling Delivery Key Sta�s�cs Face to Face / Remote Regular Clients: 1,432 (30%)** Face to Face **1,142 (23%)** Telephone **2,296 (47%)** Video Link **Carer Clients: 132 (15%)** Face to Face **544 (62%)** Telephone **201 (23%)** Video Link ## **Our Organisa�on** **----- Start of picture text -----**
COUNCIL OF MAN- Sub Commi�ees
AGEMENT
Strategy Group
(Board of Trustees)
Trusted Charity Group
CEO
TRAINING Manager CLINICAL Manager OPERATIONS Manager
Training Team Centre Team Leaders Finance & IT Admin
Contract Volunteer Recep�onists
Supervisors
Assessors
Volunteer
Supervisors
GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Our Vision** - To walk alongside the broken hearted and restore them to fuller life ## **Our Values** · Respect and nurture for all who come and all who serve at Listening Post · Integrity and Compassion, rooted in love ## **- Our Strategic Plan: 2019 2022** Our three year Strategic Plan, implemented on 1 February 2019, con�nued to govern our direc�on - of work during the repor�ng period. However, due to the pressures of the pandemic and re orien�ng the organisa�on to become a remotely accessible organisa�on, the focus remained on maintaining and adap�ng to circumstance over the course of this year. ## **Strategic Aim** ## **Strategic Objec�ves** **To deliver counselling that is accessible, affordable, appropriate and available/�mely** - fessional long term counselling employing differing modali�es, with posi�ve client feedback II. 25% more supervisor sessions 4. To have made arrangements to provide counselling for: I. Three churches - II. Three EAP’s 5. To have created a welcoming and warm environment at all centres, supported by good recep�on cover, with a par�cular focus on upgrading facili�es and working condi�ons at Gloucester **To deliver training in counselling** ## 1. To have consolidated the training team 2. To have developed a training business model and established our ability to deliver: I. The Listening Skills Course - II. The Founda�on Course III. The Diploma Course 3. To have an organisa�onal training plan which includes seminars 4. To be using �mely professional publicity and promo�onal material for all CPD and training - churches 7. To have consulted churches as to the support Listening Post could - provide. To have developed an off the shelf training programme 8. To have delivered six courses in churches and other organisa�ons ## **- Strategic Plan: 2019 2022 con�nued...** ## **Strategic Aim** ## **Strategic Objec�ves** **To be a professional and caring organisa�on** 1. To have gained level 1 accredita�on with ‘Trusted Charity’ a quality standards framework for the Charity sector 2. To be ready for sustained training course accredita�on with the BACP - indicators 4. To have an on-going three year strategic plan 5. To be able to fund the current strategic plan 6. To have secured reten�on of counsellors 8. To have an opera�onal Customer Rela�onship Management (CRM) system **To enable the Church community to play a part in allevia�ng emo�onal and psychological suffering** 1. To be known, acknowledged and respected professionally for counselling and training and as a Chris�an organisa�on within churches and the local community 2. To have established partnership working The progress achieved in these Strategic areas is delineated in the Governance report which follows. ## **The reports that follow are aligned with our organisa�onal structure** - **Governance** - **Management – Clinical** - **–** - **Management Training** - - - **Management Opera�ons** ## **Governance** **– Progress on our strategic plan: report from the Strategy group: January 2021 January 2022** - Set up in 2015, the Strategy group is tasked with determining an on going strategy for discussion and agreement by the Council of Management, in line with the vision and aims enshrined in the agency’s Memorandum and Ar�cles. ## **Listening Post’s aims** remain: 1. 2. To deliver training in counselling 3. 4. To be a professional and caring organisa�on ## **What progress did we make in 2021-2022?** ## A key focus was the reshaping of Listening Post’s clinical leadership team following the resigna�on of two of its three members and the recogni�on that there was insufficient resource allocated for the demands of the challenge. The new team of five, two managers and three team leaders, was in place by the end of the year. The members of the team carry less responsibility for supervision, thus freeing them up to provide more focussed guidance, management and support for our large team of counsellors. We hope it will help in reten�on, a key issue, when the demand for counselling is high. A number of our counsellors have chosen to leave, some to re�re and some to embark on private prac�ce. With the rising number of referrals, it has been important to be able to keep those wai�ng list updat- ed on the likely wait un�l they are allocated a counsellor. Addi�onal admin support, with a central ised booking system, has helped. We are also considering - ways in which we can offer some support before coun selling begins. Meanwhile discussions have taken place throughout the year to specify a Customer Rela�onship Management (CRM) system with a poten�al supplier. ## **Progress on strategic plan con�nued...** ## **2. The delivery of training in counselling** The student year started with a strong training team and a full complement of students for the Founda�on course and first year of the Diploma course. The training manager post is vacant. Accommoda�on for our courses became an issue in-year. The unoccupied Lady Chapel at St Aldate’s church, the base for the Gloucester office, is now in use several evenings a week. We are aware that there will be addi�onal compe��on for students from September 2022 as another provider enters the market. ## We have made limited progress on this aim. Rosie, Chair, and Linda, CEO met with our Patron, The Bishop of Gloucester, at the end of 2021. We hope to develop Listening Skills courses to churches/ groups of churches or Chris�an organisa�ons, specialized to their requirements. ## **4. To be a professional and caring organisa�on** they were used to, or would have liked. We hope to see our centres regain their sense of being a suppor�ve hub, places to chat over a cup of coffee, to gain support from one another. All three centres are in be�er shape following redecora�on and declu�ering. CEO Linda gave much �me to student counsellor induc�on in summer 2021 suppor�ng them as they embarked on their counselling career and accruing their qualifying hours. We met as a strategy group four �mes during the year. A report of each mee�ng of the group was - presented to the Council of Management. A fundraising sub group was formed towards the end of the year to oversee our approaches to grant-making bodies and to consider the employment of an in-house fundraiser. Kingston (Treasurer), Janice Ludlam (Voluntary Counsellor, Cheltenham Centre un�l June 2021), John – Paterson (Associate to the Board of Trustees), Vicki Paterson (Clinical Manager joined Strategy Group Jan 22), Alastair Sammon (Trustee), Alice Wheeler (Company Secretary and joint Opera�ons Manager). We would like to record our thanks to Janice Ludlam for her membership of this group over a number of years. She resigned as a counsellor in summer 2021. ## **Chair of Trustees** ## **Trusted Charity Report – January 2021 January 2022** In 2016 Listening Post’s Council of Management decided to work towards achieving the **Trusted Charity** (at that �me known as PQASSO) Quality mark. Built on eleven areas of quality, each aspect is broken down into two levels: ## **Level 2: to demonstrate organisa�on is opera�ng strategically** - Organisa�ons self assess, with an op�on to go for external assessment for the award of the Trusted Charity Mark. As well as being a benchmark and a useful tool to ensure the right founda�ons are in place, it is a confirma�on that the organisa�on has reached a recognised quality standard providing assurance for statutory and independent funders, users and other stakeholders. The group drawing together the required evidence for external assessment for the award of level 1 of the Trusted Charity Mark met twice in 2021. There were too many compe�ng priori�es to give it the full a�en�on it requires. We had hoped to have made more progress in these last 12 months, but Covid-19 has caused us to redirect our energies and resources. In 2021, NCVO handed over the oversight and support for the programme and transferred it to the Growth Company. We understand that the Growth Company has no plans to significantly change the standard, or its cost to par�cipa�ng organisa�ons. **Chair of Trustees** ## **Risk Register and Risk Management** The Governance Review Group met four �mes during the year and as part of the February and September mee�ng the Risk Register was updated to take account of the changing circumstances and the impact of these on the organisa�on. The updated Risk Register was presented to the Board of Trustees for approval. **Robert Kingston Chair of the Governance Review Group** ## **– Management Clinical** It is fair to say that during the year the Clinical Management team within Listening Post has undergone a significant amount of change in terms of staffing. We started the year with Fiona Stephens resigning from her posi�on of Clinical Manager and Caroline Salter resigning from her posi�on of Stroud Centre Clinical Co-ordinator leaving Vicki Paterson, then Cheltenham Centre Clinical Co-ordinator, the main point of contact for all things Clinical within Listening Post, holding a team of 80+ Volunteer Counsellors. In response to this staffing crisis and following a period of reassessment and recruitment the following people were appointed into key posi�ons. Vicki Paterson and Rachel Allan were appointed Clinical Manager in a shared role and Nicola Stait and Lee Evans were appointed Team Leaders. Nicola with oversight of the Cheltenham Centre Counsellors and Lee with oversight of Stroud Centre Counsellors. Due to unforeseen circumstances both Nicola and Lee le� their roles within months of being appointed and Listening Post were forced to reassess and undergo a further period of recruitment. I am delighted to say that we then appointed Natasha Dancy, Rachel Eggleton and Vikki Smith into the Team Leader posi�ons for the Cheltenham, clinical management team. This year has also seen a first for Listening Post! The recruitment of a small number of Counsellors into paid Fixed Term Contract posi�ons to work with our clients presen�ng with more complex mental health needs. We hope to see this trend con�nue over the coming months and years. Our sincere thanks go to our team of counsellors for your pa�ence, support and adaptability during this �me and for your con�nued dedica�on to the work of Listening Post and our clients you really do make a difference! Recently, a client ending counselling told us: _‘I have nothing but praise for the way my counselling sessions were conducted. I felt totally supported by a very empathe�c Counsellor. I felt as if I was on a journey with a non judgemental friend . I would recommend Listening Post to anyone struggling with what life throws at us’._ As a team we have carried out a total of **5,644** counselling sessions during the year (Regular clients plus PeoplePlus Carers) which is a phenomenal achievement given the complexi�es that we’ve faced as an organisa�on. And, as you can see, our clients have seen a significant improvement in their mental health! **Notes** - Total surveyed par�cipants= 53 clients - Generalised Anxiety Disorder Ques�onnaire – 7 Ques�on Variant (GAD-7) - Pa�ent Health Ques�onnaire – 9 Ques�on Variant (PHQ-9) ## **– Management Training** The Covid-19 pandemic con�nued to prove a challenge for our training courses throughout the academic year. Courses were taught in person for the majority but remote from �me to �me in response to Government advice. Once again, our training team responded phenomenally well and we acknowledge the sheer hard work, commitment and dedica�on of our Tutors as they have con�nued to provide a rich learning experience for our students. During the year we welcomed Brad Hartsoe and Clara A�ridge onto the training team to teach our Founda�on Course which commenced in September 2021. We also welcomed Catherine Jones onto the training team to join Nicky Harber in teaching our Diploma Course which also commenced in September 2021. ## **Listening Post Courses** Listening Post provided the following training courses during the year: **Listening Skills Course, 10 week Introduc�on** _(Commenced January 2022) Tutors - Natasha Dancy & Rachel Smith_ 7 students completed our 10 week Listening Skills Course. **Founda�on Course in Counselling Skills and Studies (L2&L3)** _(Course ended July 2021) Tutors - Nicky Harber & Fiona Adams_ **Founda�on Course in Counselling Skills and Studies (L2&L3)** _(Commenced September 2021) Tutors - Brad Hartsoe & Clara A�ridge_ 15 students commenced our Founda�on Course. **— Diploma Course in Therapeu�c Counselling (L4 Year 1)** _(Commenced September 2021) Tutors—Nicky Harber & Catherine Jones_ 15 students commenced our L4 Diploma Course. **— Diploma Course in Therapeu�c Counselling (L4 Year 2)** _(Commenced September 2021) Tutors—Nicky Harber & Fiona Adams_ 9 students con�nued into the second year of their Diploma studies. ## **Listening Post Seminars** Listening Post held the following seminars during the year: March 2021 Sowing the Seeds of Cultural Competence (Roland Kandiah) April & May 2021 Working with Trauma (Jane Blackhurst) June 2021 Working with Mental Health Issues in Counselling (Karl Gregory) ## **- Management Opera�ons** ## **PeoplePlus** - In September 2019 Listening Post were sub contracted by PeoplePlus to provide counselling services to Carers within Gloucestershire. Between 1 February 2021 and 31 January 2022 177 carers were referred to us for counselling, an increase of 40% from the previous financial year. During the period Listening Post provided 877 sessions of counselling to these carers. Current sta�s�cs show that 80% of the carers, who have received counselling, saw a posi�ve improvement in both PHQ and GAD scores. Listening Post is delighted to have had the contract extended for a further 2 years. ## **Networking** Imagine Mental Health Services in Gloucestershire as a tapestry. The cloth is the NHS service provision, including the GPs, ‘Let’s Talk’ Service, psychiatric services and more. The interwoven threads are private sector and voluntary services that are sewn onto the fabric and delineate the fuller picture. Listening Post, and each service, only makes sense within its context. 69% of our clients are referred on from NHS services. This being said, we strongly feel the need to both maintain connec�ons and to broaden them. As CEO, Linda has met with Let’s Talk, Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Founda�on Trust, Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC), Network Counselling & Training (Bristol), We Hear You (Bath), The Well (Malvern), Willows Counselling & Training (Swindon), Cotswold Counselling, Footsteps Counselling & Care, The West Cheltenham Churches Team and Churches Together in Stroud. Learning from others about service delivery, best prac�ce and prac�cal systems: interlinking services where appropriate and finding our complementary places in the county is vital to a system that can help refer appropriately, and grow and respond to the ever increasing burden placed on Mental Health Services. ## **Communica�ons** The pandemic has changed the way Listening Post works forever. Having had to learn how to work remotely, we now find it convenient to con�nue to do so in part. Striking a balance between reduced travel and the spark that comes from in person interac�on is the fine line we are trying to walk. Listening Post has worked with a lovely local company called Colour Connec�on to update its graphics and style. As such, the Spring, Autumn and Christmas Newsle�ers looked professional and in harmony with our website and other major documenta�on. The updated style of this Annual Report is also thanks to them. ## **Organisa�on Systems (CRM)** Since Daniel, Linda and others invested many hours on inves�ga�ng a Customer Rela�onship Management (CRM) system prior to the pandemic, they are experiencing a certain déjà vu right now as we gather our resources again for this important organisa�onal change, taking into account the significant lessons learnt since we transferred to an online working system based on the use of Teams. A CRM is a semi- automated piece of so�ware that should help us to keep be�er communica�ons with clients, and to cut out some of the administra�ve labour involved in the client journey. ## **- Management Opera�ons con�nued...** Ed Mitchell who works as a tech consultant, has over the course of this year, walked us through a process of understanding our current systems, and guided the development of a proposal for what we need and would like going forward. The implementa�on of this system will be a significant moment for Listening Post. We hope to achieve it next year. ## **Fundraising** In 2021-2022 Listening Post raised £80,330 from dona�ons, subscrip�ons, fundraising and charitable bodies. This was in line with what we hoped to achieve although we s�ll ran an expected deficit of income over expenditure of just over £10,000. Alice, as joint Opera�ons Manager took on increasing responsibility for the fundraising role over the course of the year under the guidance of Anthony Oliver, our fundraising consultant. The Benefact Trust (formerly known as AllChurches Trust) has been ex- tremely pro ac�ve in seeking ways to benefit charitable development in the region, including running some excellent (and free!) fundraising training. ## **Listening Post Christmas Card** In September 2020 we were approached by Perdie and Harry Benne� from **Draw and Wonder** who **£742.** offered to design, print and sell a Christmas Card for Listening Post which raised an amazing Our grateful thanks go to Perdie and Harry. ## **– Management Opera�ons con�nued…** ## **Human Resources** with recruitment and leaving is a fairly con�nuous merry go round! A special ‘thank you’ to all the counsellor panellists who have volunteered their �me to assess students applying for placements. During the year we appointed a new Clinical Manager (Rachel Allen), 3 New Team Leaders (Rachel Eggleton, Natasha Dancy and Vikki Smith), an Opera�ons Manager, Alice Wheeler, a new administra- �on manager, Debbie Godsell, an admin assistant on the Kickstarter programme, Paige Renouf Preece, 3 tutors (Clara A�ridge, Brad Hartsoe and Catherine Jones) and 18 students on placement. We said goodbye to our Administrator, Claire Midwinter a�er 8 years in post. Also to our Team Leader for Stroud, Lee Evans; and Katherine Shipton as Stroud Office Manager (Katherine remains on team as an Assessor). We also want to extend our very grateful thanks to the volunteer counsellors who stepped down this year, they have poured so much �me and care into the clients and team at Listening Post. ## **Health and Safety** Compliance with Listening Post General and Fire Risk Assessments, including checking and upda�ng of fire equipment, panic alarm systems and other equipment has been carried out over the course of the year. - The novel coronavirus, Covid period. The risk assessment and Listening Post policy had to be updated at various points to reflect changing government guidance. From the summer of 2021 onwards, we began to reintroduce face to face working with safety measures in place, with restric�ons slowly li�ing over the course of the year. adults in Gloucestershire despite the condi�ons of the pandemic. What a collec�ve achievement! ## **Alice Wheeler and Jacqui Gill** ## **Financial Support** Our grateful thanks go to the many Charitable Trusts, Individuals, Friends, Members, Churches and Organisa�ons who have supported us so generously with their �me, dona�ons, equipment, and use of facili�es during this financial year. We have seen a 74% increase in client registra�ons since the end of the last lockdown in 2020. Thank you to each and every person and group who has contrib- ## **Charitable Trusts & Organisa�ons** **£53,140 raised** Emmaus Ethical Giving Gloucestershire Community Founda�on Gloucestershire Emergency Relief Fund Henry Smith Charity James Tudor Langtree Renishaw Spirax Sarco Souter Charitable Trust Stroud Hospital League of Friends Sylvanus Lysons The Albert Hunt Memorial Trust The Growth Hub ## **General Dona�ons** **£10,899 raised** £4,300 of these were dona�ons in memory of Frankie Marsh, former Trustee of Listening Post ## **Churches** **£3,950 raised** Bethesda Methodist Church Highbury Congrega�onal Church Mariners Church Monastery of Our Lady and St Bernard St Andrews, Churchdown St Mark’s, Cheltenham St Mark’s, Methodist ## **Friends, Members and fundraising** **£12,341 raised** Our 40 friends and members Gi� Aid claimed Emma Simpson (Ecclesias�cal Voluntary Day) Donors through Everyclick/Amazon smile A & B Village Cars Sophie’s memory Christmas Card dona�ons (thanks to Harry and Perdie Bennet and all who bought cards ## **Finance Report** surplus of £66,066. Income was very slightly higher than last year overall, with income from training and counselling rising by 42.5% but dona�ons and trust funding falling by 37.5%. Expenditure rose by around 42%, accoun�ng for the shor�all for the year. ## **Unrestricted Funds** In the Financial Year ending 31 January 2022 Unrestricted Funds amounted to £164,676. ## **Restricted Funds** In the Financial Year ending 31 January 2022 Restricted Funds amounted to £6,307. **Daniel Whisson** ## **Finance report Con�nued...** ## **Monies Available** charity are therefore £164,676. Expenditure for the year commencing 1 February 2022 is es�mated to be £298,313. The monies available will therefore cover 6.6 months of costs, mee�ng our reserves policy of holding at least 6 months reserves. ## **Report from the Treasurer** A good year overall with results in line with the budget. This included an ambi�ous target of £80,0000 from trusts and founda�ons, which we almost reached. While this is less than last year’s total, 2021 was excep�onal with the range of Covid grants we were able to access, and this year’s result is significantly larger than income from Trusts and founda�ons in earlier years. Thanks to those who worked hard to achieve this good result. The deficit for the year was planned as we decided to spend £12000 of last year’s surplus to help address our increasing wai�ng list. Demand for our services is increasing following Covid, partly driven by NHS referrals due to limited NHS provision in areas of wellbeing and counselling. Like many other chari�es we have lost volunteers during Covid and this presents challenges to our work as operate going forward. The Council of Management are looking to hold a strategy day to consider this and other challenges in the ‘new normal’. **Robert Kingston Treasurer** ## **A Final Word from the CEO:** ## **Linda Bullock** As I’m wri�ng, I came across this image (on the right). I’m not a boa�ng enthusiast, I know that some of you are, and to be honest, I’ve never actually been on a barge before, unless it’s moored and it’s been serving coffee and cake, so I don’t really know whether this analogy that I’m going to use is accurate or not. However, what I can say with all honesty, is that being at the Helm of Listening Post this year, yet again, has felt like steering a barge, trying to keep it out of trouble. We’ve all needed to be on high alert, at all �mes, to keep the organisa�on on the straight and narrow to avoid disaster. And yes, I believe it would be a disaster for people living within Gloucestershire if they did not have access to the support that Listening Post provide through our thoroughly wonderful and dedicated team. One of the key rules when steering a barge is to ‘TAKE YOUR TIME’ and ’ALWAYS PLAN YOUR MANOUEVERS WELL IN ADVANCE’ I feel that this has been easier said than done in Listening Post over the last year. Quite o�en, due to the daily changing environment, and the impact of this, we’ve found ourselves being reac�ve instead of proac�ve. However, I just want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support through this �me. At �mes, par�cularly with the number of staff changes that have taken place, the boat has felt a li�le unsteady and the waters a li�le choppy but we hope and pray that very soon around the next bend, the water will be a li�le smoother and we’ll be able to enjoy a smoother cruise, which allegedly is a wonderful experience! I am immensely proud of how the organisa�on has responded to every turn of the �ller this year and for a team of just over 120 people this is no easy task. Listening Post has gone through a significant number of changes with every turn and over the coming weeks and months we should start to see the organisa�on respond. So let us look forward with an�cipa�on, keeping our engines topped up ready for the journey—I’m grateful that you’re all joining me on this ride, I enjoy your company very much, and I look forward to embarking on the next stage of our adventure! **Linda Bullock** Cornpèny Numboi.. 0281D8t6 ISTENINO POST CHRISTIAN CQVN8ELLINfj SERVICE Lif¥lJlBD ANNUAL TrEPORI' ANU UNAUDITEDAeeouNT$ JI JANUARY 10?? LIYTENINQ POST c￿RIsT￿￿N COUNgELLIWts SERVICE LlhllTEO At4NUAL REPOIIT ANO UNAUDITED A¢COIJNT$ FOR THE YEAR ENDEU J1 JANUARY 2012 COIITENTS PAGEJ Conwny InlNinaii rh• Rtyorncllha Councw Shetrl NDlo¥tO Ihtr UnButyiiid Ac(Ount¥ 7k10 LISTENING POST CHRIJTIAN COUNSELLING SERwce LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR rHe YEAR ENDEO 31 JANUAR Y 2022 CHARITY AND COPIPANY INFORMATION COMPANY NUMBER 02619615 CHARifrf NUMBER 101J442 PATRON8 nr D Drgw The Rlghl R&ver8nd Rachd Trfiwgek CHIEF EXECUTIVE Mr5 L Bullock COUNCIL OF MANAGEMeNT Mis S M AppleloD MT$ tq ¢llKori5 IcaHlrpeT$Dnl Mrs C A Dale Mr M D Harnfflon4 Mr$ A H8nson D Kin93lOn Dr A M Simmon TREASURÈR Mr R D Klngston COMPANY SECRETAR Y Mr5 L Bullock REGISTEFIED OFFICE Sl Ald8le Church GLOUCèSfER GL4 8IN INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr J Ow•nJ B8c FCA C>C8D AccoLinl8ni8 Llrnll84 701 sionehoL15e Park Sp8iry Wdy 5TONEFIOUSE 1.10 2UT ANKER8 CAF Bank Lld Wesl Malling KEJnl ME19 4JQ Page 3 LISTENING POST CHRISTIAN UOUNSELLING gEFIVICE LIMITeD ANNIIAL REPOR T ANO UNAUDI IEU AI.'COUNrs FQR THE kNDED 31 JANUARY 2022 TFIE REPORT OF THE COLJNCIL OF MANAGEMENT The Councll ol ManageiTieiTrl. who are the directors of th& totnpany and tru8lees ol Ihe charlty, wesenl 11)p.Il dnriu81 report ￿tIllhe un8udil8d accounls tsl the ¢umpdiiy loi the yeai elided 31 JanuFiry X122 The iiuslee5 have ?dop'.&d Ihe piiivi¥l(iTr% olAccounling and RoportlD9 by Charit￿8 Sl8lfjinelll ol R6cofMineiirlv.d PiaLlice appllcablè lo chaiilios In accordance wlh tho Firiar￿1aI Reportlng Slandard CONSTITUTION ANO 08JECTIVES OF TIIE CIIARITY Ll8iÈiilnu Poyl its a company Ilnilled by quaranleo and goveiR8d by Ils Meinotanduni and Artlr.le& ol A550claison and 1$ a rogi?l¢red Charity Tli& i)biYLI& Df the company, ag $ialed In Ils Mgmorandum and eiiin11onal antj psycholiJglc%il piobloms sucli viays Ihe foouncll ol Managèmgni MHV Illnk 111 and p(Inclples This co.Ilinues to be COiirÈd ODI wilhin Glovcesloi, Cheiienhani 8nd Slroud. ORGAP418ATION OF TklE CHARITY Ihg chfjrily 19 man898¢J Oy Ihe foiin¢il of M8na9èmenl 8nd a Dlieciol of Sarvklwllh E 58roe leorn 01 voIuni8ws wllhoul whorn Ilwoukj nol be oblL' 10 operaie as &lleellv¢ly. COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT IDIRECTQRSI The dlreclors whD $èNed tho Company dufing Ihe ytar woro 8% IDIIow8'. Mr8 S M Apploion MIB ￿ F Clillord MTs¢ADal Mr M D Haninioiid Is A I18ris0Tr Ieppoiiiled 28 Juno 7￿1) lfjrs S F Ingloby Mig r M8r5h l(leces$Ed Z MarGh 2021 Mr D Monumrtiil Idiipuinled 15 Novembér 20211 DrA M Saryfflon lappoinled 27 September 20211 IhB diro¢loFs ar• $ppoinl¥d ill 8c¢ordan¢? wllh paraof4Ph8 24 10 32 01 IheATUtles ol Associ?Uon. SIw8d on behalf ollhe Coyncil ol MÉnagem&nl ory, Mr8 R Cllrford Chilrpors¢n P8ge 4 L1STENING POST CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING SER VICE LIMITED SIATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2022 Unrestrlcted funds Rèstrlcted funds Total Prlorperiod lunds rotal funds Further detalls See note.. Income from= Donatlons and legacles 57,876 21,172 79,048 126, 621 Trainlng Coun60111ng 68,416 99,252 68,416 99,252 46,311 71, 245 Other Iiadlng 8¢llvlliès'. Fundraising 1,2B3 1,283 3, 735 Invoslmen18 16 IS 76 Olhei 10 10 Total 226 852 248,024 247. 986 Expondlture on: Ralsliig funds 19,682 19,682 13,9L)3 Ch8ritabl8 aclivilles.. Tialning CoLin$olling 69,664 136,449 09,864 188.866 44,904 123,Q91 32,417 othèr 22 Total 225,695 268,112 181,920 N8t Incomellgxpendlturel 1,157 11.246 10,088 66,066 Extraordlnary Items 12 Transfers belwèon lund8 Net movemènt In funds 66,066 Reconclllatloii of funds.. Toljl fuiids brought forward 163,619 17.662 181,071 115,005 Total funds carrled fomard 164,676 6,307 170,983 181,071 The nol8E on pages 5 10 8 form part ol these accounts Page 5 LISTENING POST CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE LIMITED BALANCE SHEET AT 31 JANUARY 2022 Note Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2022 Total 2021 rotal Fixed A5SgtB'. Tangible fixed assels 9,762 9,762 10, 524 Current Assets,. Deb1015 Cash at bank and In hand 7,894 151,782 159,676 7,894 158,089 166,983 5,808 168 605 174,413 6,307 6,307 Credllors.. Amounts falling due within 10 one year 4,762 4.762 3,866 Net Currènt AsE8ts 1S4914 6,307 161 221 170,547 Total Assets Less Current Llabllltles 164,676 170,983 181,071 Total Nèt As5et8 164,876 170 9B3 781071 Funds.. Gpne.ral Funds Designated Funds Rcslricled income fund 164.876 146,855 16.664 170983 181071 Total charlty lund5 The eharilable company is enlilled lo exemp￿On from gudil under Secllon 477 01 the Companies A¢1 2006 for the y¢ar ended 31 January 2022. Th6 mernber3 have not requlred the charitablè company to obtain an audit ol il linanclal slalgmen15 lor the y•gr ended 31 January 2022 In accordance wllh Section 478 ol the Companies Ael 2006 The Iruslees acknowledg8 Iheir responsibllity lor ensurlng that the company keeps pioper accounting records whlch comply with Sections 386 and 38701 the Act, and lor proparing 8ccoun15 which give a true and lair vipw ol Ihe slate ol affairs ol Ihe company as al thè end ol the linanclal yoar and ol ils surplus or delicll lor the financial year in aceordance with th8 requlr8men15 01 Sectlons 394 and 395, and Wh￿Ch olherwise comply with th$ requiieinenls of Ihe Companles Act 2006 relallng lo accounts, so far as 8ppIic8ble lo th• cowpany. These financial 51alemenls havè been prepared in accordance with the %pe¢lal provisions ol Parl 16 01 the Companies Act 2006 rel8llng to small charitable companies. These gccounls were approved by the Councll ol Management on behalf by.. and are slgnèd on their Mr5 R Clifford Chairperson Mr R D Klngslon Treasurer The notes on pages 5 10 8 form parl of these accounts Page 8 LISTENING POSTCHRISTrAN COUNSELLING SERVICE LIMITED TrIOTES TO THE UNAUDITED AGCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2022 11 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of accounting rh8 financial statements ol Ihg ch8rilablÈ company hove been pr8p&r8d in ￿CCordanCe wlh Ihe Charit￿￿ SORP IFRS 1021 Ac¢ouiling 8nd Reporlinu by Cliariles Slaletnenl ol Recominf.nded PracliGp. applicablE lu cliyfiliès preparing their dccounls In accordance wlh the >inancial Rèporlliig Slandaid appllcaoie IFRS 1021 leffeclive l January 20151 and Cornpanies AGt 2006. Th8 ￿nan￿al slalsmnls hava been prepared under h151oTical c051 CDnvenliun. Cash flow stAlem9Trt The Gh8rliy has taken advanlag8 ol Iho disclosuro exemption. wrryllled by FRS 102, Iht requirom¢nl8 ol S¢¢tson 7 Sl8¢emanl ol Cash F104Vg Donallorbs Incorno trom eonalbns reprg9oD16 Incorne recebvable duiiny Ihe y&ar SDc4udln9 881imated 4mounig not yet receNed whoro thesa can be deleiFninBd wllh rtasonabl6 accufacy. Glfts In klnd ar6 rocognl$Bd as Incoming resources al a FeE5Dnab￿ v¥lliiiH1e of Ih¥l( vJlue ￿ I chgrily ag ioquiied by tho SloletTQDI of Rocommoniknd Pr)cli¢b AtCOUD1ing by ChArilies Tanglbl• flx•d a649ts T8noibl¢ fixed 8Jrsels oro iiKludod Bl G081 le88 approprlalb provi$lon fordeprecieliDn. Dgpr8¢litlo Dtrprec181ioii 13 CH￿￿1￿18d aj ID will& oll iho cost ol each a8Bo1 ovor118 e61imaled life 88 lolkyNB.' Olllc8 furnllure and &quiwnanl Support ¢0gt¥ Support Gosls Include central lunciion8 and have b8en alKic8lwd lo aGllvily cosls Cèl&gorles Dn CO915 by lloor Space And other co818, Buch ielephone, by appoilitsnttd oNiimal*. 21 Income From Donatl¢n•, Grant• and LégBclo¥ Unre8lrlcled Rg*irlclod 2022 2021 Tclal Donallons 26,117 32,TS9 2S,117 53.931 20,480 106.135 Lagacies 176 631 31 Incomé from Charltsble Actlvllle• Unreslrlcled Reglricled Fund3 Fuiid8 2Q22 ToiJl 2021 Tolal Il Tralnlng & S•mlnar8'. Trainlng Cour88s Training S&minar5 68,41e fjU,418 46,311 46311 bl Counsglllng S*rvl¢*$'. Cotsnselllno Placement Adminl8lr811on Fees 1,7IU 35,2eu 54,616 1,700 3S,280 64,616 I,fT6 19,830 46,841 Ctsunsalllng Clignl 0on8lion8 Cotsnselllng Clleni A58essm8ni BorAfing Feee B9.252 71,243 P80fr 7 LISTENINts POST ¢HRISTIAN ¢QUNSELLING SERVICF LIMITED MOTES TO ThE UNAUDITED AfCOUNTS FOR THE YEAft CNDED 31 JANUARY 20?2 l¢onlliiuodl 41 EMpendltur$ ¢n Ralslng Fund8 unreslrlcled Re51rlclfyd Pund5 Fund& 2022 2021 Tolbl Dlrecictrals Support ¢wlS Isee n41e 61 15,426 4,156 19,582 15.426 4,156 19.G82 0.421 3.4r6 f3.90J 91 Exp9ndllurg on ChartiaOl• Acllvltb* unr￿strIct0d Aosli.Ic14yd FuDds Funds 2022 2021 Toral al fralnlnu & SRmlnars'. 29,996 10,Y9S 9,15fj 29,988 10,798 P,156 18,309 8.J13 3. 149 01h￿r DITeci cos15 SUPPOrt cos151$40 noto 81 $9.666 Couiiselllno Svrvlc•s.' 11,032 62.204 963 24,99 SJ4 ooso 8, 147 ¥2.609 123.091 963 8,280 9,087 Supe￿1810￿ 7.421 1.728 SLIPP4rf ¢0ts1815ee nola 61 13e 16B886 61 AnAlyals ol Support Cos1* Fund5 SuppDrt 3lHfl cojli GovèinanGè 13,lJ9 4,480 283 46J 40,897 10,7Je 11,59U 6.895 20,269 8y 1,269 5,35) 18,658 1.575 359 J,749 9Jg 8y ttGllmulod usau 8y 9slim41od u5JA By eJirn4iod usige 1,358 90 50 2JJ 299 4Y9 3,gB2 Pe(11am by Pholocopler Total Support c￿19 Jocs Pa9B 8 LISTENING P05T CHRISfAN COUNSELLING SERVICE LIMITED NO IES TO THE UNAUOITEO ACCOIINTS Foft THE YCAR ENDED JI JANVARY 2022 Iconiiniièdl 71 $14fl Cosls and Employgfj Hen¢lll 2012 Wao8s a￿d salBAèB ioT.rf8 55 8P2 108 OG6 Employ￿ penslon 5chernv C￿li1b￿l￿ni N0 9fflployèÈ12021.' nil) b&riied £60.OW 4rmor8, N4 dirtttorllrusiÈ$ Tfcglved &ny rernUnèlAl￿1l or The avgroga number olemplDyeeJ Ovilng th8 ￿&1 waE. 2022 ND. 31.83 2021 Plo, ?0,75 Averooe numbftr ol p¥n Ilmfr il•M'. A¥eikgD nufflboi ollull Ilme equ￿￿11￿￿. 81 Flx•d A$5Tr15 Piopèrly & CguipmFni COSY Al 1 F•bwary 2021 AddlllQnS al Jl Janvary ZD?? )1.QQ6 34.825 OEPRECIAfioN Chorge loi yoar Al JI Jan￿gry 2D2? 7,140 2t,08t 6.906 NET QOOK VALUE Ai $1 J&nuyiy ?022 J,279 6.414 Af31 January 2021 91 D8blors,' Amoynis duo wllhln one y•ii 2Q22 1,013 .?87 3.448 Piepaym•ni4 P400 9 LISTENING POST CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE LIMITED NOTES TO TklE UNAUUITFD ACCOUNTS FOFI THE YEAR ENDEO 31 JANUAR Y 2022 Iconllnuedl 1Ql Crgdilors.. Amounls lallSng dufrwilliin yfrar 2922 2021 2,107 4J 1.SQ9 1,331 t,292 5, vance Tiainhg Fees Taxaiion and 50ckyl sewrlly Accruals 3886 Oalance al JI 20Z1 Incoming Oul9olng Ao¥ourr95 Ro&ourcoJ Bolancfr al JI January 2022 Slioud Relurb15hmqnl Wlnklemanl SupoNl$lon (Sy￿sn￿9 Ly$4nsl mobil￿'PhonQS, Romal Inl?Tnel & ￿￿pe{viSIon Iv 1DO 7,411 12,000 4.$79 9D7 907 Slioud Coniio IRoThl$h•wl Slioud Ceniré ISLOFI New W?b411è IHobsoDI 350 550 0,954 11.939 53 5,000 5,000 2,000 2,790 40J2 J2,417 IEmmDusl 2,000 2,790 Slroud RolurbI5hm•iil A 9ihnl WAY oblBined IowArdJ r•luiblihin9 th• Slitsud ¢Vnli* •tyd h•8 ￿en p4rU4lly Bponi on palnlln9. Supor¥lslon Mobll•'Plionp$. Rtmol• Iniorn•l & Sup•NlsloTh A orani was obialne¢ loF remote￿￿rkIng, has bor*n lully Bponl Two gran',* 4wro ublalned lowiids runiilDg Gosl6 ol Ihts siroud Cftnii*. And beEn pHrll8ly spBnl. Nuw Wgbs110 A giBnl wai obta1n￿ 14w4rds b L151gnlng POBI wobille, and ha8 béon p8rtiHIty ip4nl. Covld Rèllvf A oiEI)I wis obloin#d Iowoids funftlng cos1) E3 5 ￿51111 of Covld End haj been lully $p¢nl, A559gsmAntS Aoronl Wa5 Obl￿1￿0d provldhg a4909smBnl 8esJlons, and hpi boen lullygp*nL LAptop$ Klck5t8M•r A 9IBlllwas obtai￿6 io*mploy A Kl¢k819rt s￿￿￿wo1*6r, is bBlng spgDI tnDnthly aB1115 recal¥od. 121 Extr40rdlnary118m¥ None in the y£8r. IJI Dgrylgnaled Funds The conipnny Is • ch*rFty his no charge lo corporallon lox In I￿ linon¢lBI yo4r. P*oè 10 INDEPENDEN f EXAMIT4ER'S REPOR T TO TFIE TRUSTEFS OF LIS fENIItG P05T CHRISTIAN COUNSELLItéQ ofERVICE LIM17ED FOR TFIE YEAR E.NDED.31 JANUARY 2022 I on Ihfj 4rcounts chBrltyfor Ihe ye81 8￿jed )1 January 202?. Wh4￿ gro ¥fjl out oil PAg85 3 10 8 Thb report is made sokly lo Ihg chaflly'¥ IwsleA¥. as a body, 8ccordanro wkh ge¢llon 1A5 ol Iha Chari1185 Acl 2011 Wwork ha5 &e8n vDdert8k8n so th81 I mlghlslaie to the charlly's IFuslgfj5 Iho&a by law. I do nDI ￿￿epI or s58ume respon5￿￿tIlY to olhaf IhHI Ihd tharny and Ilia thoiily's trus￿￿# and B budy, lor my wowk. for Ihls'epoii. Oi Ihp oplnlDn8 1 h8v8 lormed. R•$ppGllve FagPDn•lblllll•s of IriJ918ps and eMarnI￿r Tlie charllys Iiu51e¥s aTe regPDn6foPg for prepar￿110n ol financlai slal8iY*fjts. The durlly's Irusle33 cOns￿er that an audit 16 not iequlr8d loi Ihe y8ar undBT Sec1￿11 144 Df th8 CharlileBA¢i 2011 1'TheCh•ilU95 Ael? Blio Ihal an Indopondenl fjxaffllDallon L3 needed. In Inllwi1he piot8dw8s la￿ down In th• General DkgGlknn$ y1V￿ èy 1118 Charlty Commlsjlon U￿&T ¥oclknn 14515llbl ol IhF ChaiiiiÈH Acl, and Basls ol In¥wpondgnl tyxarnlnèfy r•port iuch mallers. I'l)* prDcpdiic&$ undèriakon Oo Iioi provlde )11 the evid6n¢& Ihal wo11￿ bo iequlityd li an vlev/ Ihe repod ￿ Ilmlled10 those mallerE stri 4uI h Ihè stal¥M8nl belo￿. In¢Jep¥ndoni •KDmlnoi's AtaiAiii4nl In ¢onn?clion wlth my *xamlnaliOD, InBlltyi coma 10 my8llenll4n.' lal whl¢h would give 1098onabia COu4e lo bol* IhFI ln 4ny maltilai 1&8pecl the rEqU￿MenU1'. lo keop Dccounlln9 records ID IlP.CtrldAQ￿ $•cllon 7dQ ol Ihè Charlllg8 Act. Ind Wiin Ilie acLwiiltsio regulr•ffl•nig ol Uio Ch41illo8 Acl.. h•¥0 nol bB8n rnei,, 01 Ibl 10 Whlcli. In my upIn￿n. oIIEnt￿n shDubY bè *8wn In 4￿q￿ lo •n•blB a PiUP&r und?Islandkn Mr J Oweny Bsc FCA GCSD Acc¢JDI￿IiIb Llmllé YOI SIDnpliouso Peik Spfrrty Way STONEHOUSF G￿U¢￿91ersh1l¥ GL10 3UT D41pd...... Poge11