NORTH DEVON MEKfAL HEALTH
SERVICE USERS FORUM
UNAUDrrED
TRUSTEES REPORT
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT8
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2023
CHARrrY NUMBER
1055224

North Devon Mental Health Servlce Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Contents
Page
Trusteas report
Legal and administrative informalion
Independent examiners, report
Receipts and payments account
Statement of assats and liabilities
10
Notes to the financial statements

North Devon Mental Health Servlce Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Report of the trustees
for the perlod ended 31 December 2023
Message from the Chalr of the Board - Dr Rlchard Holman
Claritys Mission is simple - to ensure every adult in North Devon can access the mental health care
that they need - promptly. professionally and affordably - whatever the challenge.
In a challenging economic climate, increasing numbers of our clients a￿ unable to afford the cost of
a private therapisl, and unable to secure a suitable or timely service from overstretched NHS
services. With a rural population of over 160,000 across some 800 square miles, Northem Devon
is one of the most economically disadvantaged and least accessible areas of Devon, served by the
most remote acute hospital in mainland UK. The area also boasts some of the highest house
prices and lowest salaries, exa￿rbated by a housing crisis as numerous long-term rentals are
converted to holiday accommodation to meet the needs of a thriving tourist industry.
The
Cosl-of-living crisis. coupled with a local housing crisis has cut deep into this community, and an
increasing number of people struggle with Iheir mental health and emotional wellbeing.
To ensure mental health support is accessible, Clarity launched a new website in 2023
www.claritynorthdevon.org.uk making self-referral easier than ever. Our waiting list has increased
as a result, and we have introduced new triage and risk assesstnent procedures to ensure we can
meet this increased demand.
All our counsellors are volunteers. most are fully qualified and widely experienced, though we also
offer clinical placements for counselling students in their final year, offering them learning
opportunities, peer support line management and clinical supervision. Many of our students stay on
to support us as volunteers after they become qualified. However, in line with national trends, we
have seen a reduction in the number of people able to volunteer with us this year, as many have to
increase their working hours for paid employment to meet rising costs.
Our volunteers are our lifeblood, so to ensure they feel valued for their time, we offer free clinical
supeniision, travel expenses, and are introducing a new training programme that allows our
qualified counsellors to upskill in specific areas of knowledge, while also ensuring we are able to
meet the changing needs of our clients.
We are grateful to our volunteers for their ongoing
commitment. passion and expertise that allowed us to support 164 people with 1,860 counselling
hours in 2023.
II,iiJF
Dr Richard Holman
Page 1

North Devon Mental Health Servlce Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Report of the trustees
for the period ended 31 December 2023
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the period ended 31 December
2023. The trustees who served during the period and up to the date of this report are set out on
page 7.
Our Pur
ose
To provide accessible. timely and affordable counselling and therapeutic group support to those
experiencing mental health and emotional issues within the communities of North Devon.
Our Vision
That everyone over the age of 18 in North Devon can receive prompt, professional and high-quality
mental health care no matter their income or background.
Our Ethos
We believe in every person's right to have access to therapeutic services that meet their needs and
will improve their mental wellbeing.
To provide excellence in the counselling and group work we deliver, we will always promote a
culture of sensitivity, trust and respect for those who need our services.
Our Publlc Beneflt
The charity operates for the public benefit by providing mental health support to adults in North
Devon by way of counselling and group therapy, using appropriately and professionally trained
counsellors. The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the charity Commission's guidance
on public benefit when reviewing the charitys aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
Our Strat
Over the next 5 years we remain committed to supporting as many people as possible, with the
shortest possible waiting time. In order to achieve this our strategic goals are as follows:
1. To identify and meet the mental health needs of the community by expanding and developing the
range of therapies available.
2. To ensure continuing growth and development, by reviewing and providing the appropriate skills
and expertise required to support the service and community
3. To continue developing the counselling team and supporting them in their continuing
professional development.
4. To provide a welcoming, supportive and safe environment for therapy, and investing in our
premises and resources as required to meet this goal.
5. To ensure that Clarity is well known locally for the service it provides, with easy and accesslble
self-referral for the public, or referral processes for other organisations.
6. In order to meet the strategic aims and needs described, to develop and increase fundraising
activities and income generation from both public and private Sour￿$.
Pago 2

North Devon Mental Health Servlce Users Forum
Charlty Number 1055224
Report of the trustees
for the period ended 31 December 2023
In line with the strategy outlined above, for the period April to December 2023 we set and met the
following objectives:
1. Relaunched our programme of psychoeducation therapeutic groups, with themes focussed on
needs identified through our assessment process, and through collaboration with other local
voluntary sector organisations that support specific groups within our community.
2. Refocussed our strategic oversight and development through recruitment of new trustees with
relevant andlor transferrable skills.
3. Implemented a programme of training for volunteer counsellors to support their continuous
professional development, and ensure Clarity has the relevant skills and knowledge required by
our clients.
4. Improved the client experience with a new website that incorporates an easy self-referral
process.
5. Raised awareness of Clarity and the services available by networking with voluntary and
statutory organisalions across northern Devon, in line with the Community Mental Heafth
framework.
6. Developed a new funding strategy for greater financial sustainabilty and stability, and secured
multi-year funding Ihat gives Clarity a stable foundation to grow from.
Our Ob'ectives For 2024
In line with the strategy outlined above, this coming year we have set the following objectives:
1. To introduce a new programme of therapeutic groups, with specialist focus in areas of need such
as addictive behaviours, coping with challenging relationships and parenting through
neurodiversity.
2. To increase our volunteer numbers to pre-pandemic levels.
3. To identify and meet client needs by providing a programme of Continuous Professional
Development opportunities for our volunteer counsellors.
4. To raise awareness of Clarity services with a new social media campaign to support the launch
of the new website in 2023.
Page 3

North Devon Mental Health Servlce Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Report of the trustees
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Our Fundraisin
Activi
We are immensely grateful to all those people and organisations that have supported and raised
money for the charity during the year. 11 is only with this support that we are able to continue to
provide our vital mental health support to the people of North Devon.
In 2023 we were also able to secure vital funding from Trusts and Foundations that sustain our
activities including Forrester Family Charitable Trust, John's Charity, Barnstaple Town Council, The
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, the Norman Family Charitable Trust, David Gibbons
Foundation, Hendy Foundation, Devon Community Foundation and Fullabrook CIC, and corporate
support from Turnstyle Designs.
We remain indebted to The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for their support over the
last five years that has provided the foundation from which we have grown enormously. We are
thrilled to have recently secured a further three years of funding to underpin our core costs for 2024,
2025 and 2026. With this solid foundation, we have developed a fundraising strategy that allows us
to seek grants from other sources for distinct elements of our service, and maintain our
sustainability during a time when many trusls and foundations are ovepNhelmed by demand.
Our Flnanclal and erformance
Trustees took the decision to alter the financial year end to 31 December this year, resulting in a
nine-month financial year for 2023. Our total receipts in this nine-month period amounted to
£98,333 (2022-23: £113,662} reflecting a 150/0 increase this period pro rata. Total payments for the
period were £107,792 (2022-23: £109,750), resulted in net payments of £9,459 (2021-22: net
receipts £3,912).
The 15 % pro rata increase in receipts in the nine months to 31st December 2023, compared to the
previous year. is as a result of the first grant for National Lottery Hear Together of £17,338 prior to
the start of the project in January 2024.
We have also received substantial one-off grants from the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation and
from John's Charity in the year.
Reserves Polic
The trustees have set a reserves policy which includes a designated fund to allow a structured
closure of the charity should operational reseNes deplete to a level at which the charity is no longer
sustainable. This designated fund is reviewed annually and currently stands at £13,591 (2023
£40,000). This decrease represents the funding of a significant proportion of the cost of service
provision. payroll costs and overheads by long-term restricted funds. The resulting designated fund
would cover Ihe cost of long-term leases and the professional fees required to implement closure.
Due lo the nature of our service. the trustees have also set an unrestricted reserve policy of a
minimum of Ihree months total costs to ensure that the charity is able to support its clients safely
through the wind-down period. Based on current expectations, this amounts to approximately
£15,000 in addition to those costs represented by designated funds.
Page 4

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charlty Number 1055224
Report of the trustees
for the perlod ended 31 December 2023
Currently, unrestricted reserves are £30,338 {2022-23- £12,057). Combined with relevant
designated funds, this represents 3.65 months of anticipated total costs. The trustees feel that
unrestricted funds are sufficient to support the charity in its day-to-day operations in 2024.
The Irustees also believe that the designated fund totalling £13,591 is, in current circumstances,
sufficient to allow a structured closure of the charity. if necessary, but consider that the charity is
sustainable for the immediate future.
Our Or
anisational Structure
Clarity registered as a charity in May 1996. The charity is managed by a Board of Trustees who are
responsible for ensuring financial stability and providing professional and strategic advice on policy
and resource management.
The trustees are responsible for the overall management and control of the charity and receive
regular reports from the clinical team involved in the day-to-day setvice delivery, and from the
administrative and fundraising team tasked with maintaining, recording and safeguarding the
charitys finances and supporting the clinical team. All matters and powers of strategic management
and control are vested in the Board. The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the
charity is exposed in the year and have taken steps to mitigate these risks.
Meeting quarterly, the Trustee Board bring a range of skills to the charitvs governance Including a
retired GP Partner as Chairman and a retired project manager for a major pharmaceutical company
as Secretary. Other Trustees bring experience and expertise in marketing, communications, digital
marketing and finance. Trustees also bring lived experience of mental health concems either
Ihrough the experience of close family members, or their own personal journey. Two are past
service users who were ineligible for statutory support following a life-changing experience. For
them, joining the Board of Clarity is an opportunity to give back by bringing expertise in website and
optimisation, project management and marketing and charity governance. All give their time freely.
New trustees are appointed by existing trustees, who actively recruit based on experience and
skills. and three new Trustees with relevant and transferrable skills joined the Board in early 2024.
Clarty is traditionally a volunteer led charity. which has grown to include a small staff team at the
helm as the charity grows lo meet demand. The trustees would like to acknowledge and thank the
commitment and care that has been given by staff, counsellors, students and volunteers during the
year.
Pago 5

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charlty Number 1055224
Report of the trustees
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Statement of trustees, responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements
in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice}.
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepa￿ financial
Statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of charity and of the incoming
resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial
statements the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and esiimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements" and
prepare the financial statemenls on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
that Ihe charity will continue in operation.
The Irustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the
financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity {Accounts and Reports)
Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection ot fraud arKI other irregulartties.
On behalf of the board
Dr Chrislopher Arber
Truslee
Page 6

North Devon Mental Health Servlce Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Legal and administrative information
Status
North Devon Mental Heallh Service Users Forum {also known as Clarity) is an unincorporated charity
governed by a formal constitution adopted 9 May 1996.
Charity number
1055224
Business address
104A Boulport Street
Barnstaple
Devon
EX311SW
Trustees
Dr Alison Judith Ayers
James Craigie
Matthew Jones
Dr Chrislopher Arber
Dr Richard Holman
Frank Biederman
Christopher McDonald
Bryony McDonald
(Resigned 29 September 2023)
(Appointed 24 January 2024)
(Appointed 24 January 2024)
(Appointed 9 January 2024)
Accounlants
Westcotts
47 Boutport Street
Bamstaple
Devon
EX31 1SQ
Page 7

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charlty Number 1055224
Independent examiner's report lo the trustees on the unaudited flnanclal ststements of North
Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum.
IrKlependent examiner's report to Ihe trusiees of North Devon Mentsl Health Servlce Users
Forum.
I report 10 the trustees on my examination of the accounts of North Devon Mental Health Service
Users Forum for the period ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibllitles and basis of report
As the charivs trustees of North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum you are responsible for
the preparaiion of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the
act,).,
I report in respect of my examination of North Devon Mental Health Serivce Users Forum accounts
carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all
the applicable directions given by Ihe Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act.
Independent examlnerfs ststemenl
I have completed rny examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in
connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of North Devon Mental Health Users Forum as
required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinations to
which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
Catherine Williams FCA DChA
Independent Examiner
Weslcotts (SW) LLP
47 Boutport Street
Barnstaple
Devon
EX311SQ
Page 8

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Receipts and Payments Account
For the period ended 31 December 2023
Period
ended
Unrestricted Restrlcled 31112123
tunds
funds
Total
Year
ended
514123
Total
Notes
Receipts
Incoming resources from generating funds:
Donations and grants
Investment income
Incoming resources from charitable activities 4
24,657
1,073
1,544
71,059 95,716
1,073
1 ,544
108,552
201
4,909
Total receipts
27,274
71,059 98,333
113,662
Payments
Employment costs
Other Slaff costs
Self Employed costs
Establishment costs
Travel costs
Legal and Professional Fees
Accountancy fees
Telephone and IT costs
Office Costs
Management costs
Subscriptions
Sundry expenses
Fundraising costs
Total payments
7,940
10,906 18,846
111
111
23,532 25,872
8,782
8,782
4,498
4,947
223
493
3,470
6,482
6,482
4,341
4,341
12,540 23,721
36,518
933
42,573
3,634
5,258
1,346
3,550
3,610
1,709
2,340
449
270
3,470
11,181
240
1,886
8,493
250
9,502
945
30
1,195
9,532
35,402
72,390 107,792
109,750
Net of receiptsl(payments)
(8,128) (1,331) (9,459)
3,912
Cash funds brought fonvard
52,057
51,635 103,692
99,780
Cash funds carried forward
43,929
50,304 94,233
103,692
All of the above amounts relate lo continuing activities.
The notes on pages 11 to 17 form an Intsgral part ot these flnanclal statements.
Page 9

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
ststement of Assets and Llabillties
As At 31 December 2023
31112123
05104123
Notes
Cash funds
Bank and cash
94,233
103,692
94,233
103,692
Assets and liabilities
94,233
103,692
Funds
Restricted income funds
Unreslricted income funds
Unreslricted designated funds
50,304
30,338
13,591
51,635
12,057
40,000
Total funds
94.233
103,692
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on
behalf by
and signed on its
Dr Chrlstopher Arber
Tru8188
The notes on pages 11 to 17 form an integral part of these flnanclal statements.
Page 10

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Notes to the financial statements
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Accounting policles
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been
applied consistently throughout the period and the preceding year.
1.1. Basis of accounting
The financial statements are prepared under the receipts and payments basis and in
accordance with FRS102. the Charities SORP (FRS102} and the requirement of Accounting
and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities
preparing their accounts in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) and the Charities
Act2011.
1.2. Cashflow
The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS102 from the requirement to
produce a cashflow statement as it is classed as a small charity.
1.3. Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the
objects of the charity without further specific purpose and which the charity may use for its
purpose al its discretion.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or
through the terms of an appeal.
1.4. Incomlng resources
All incoming resources are included in the Receipts and Payments when the charity receives
the income. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Donations are received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the
Receipts and Payments when received.
The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
Fees are included in full in the Receipts and Pa￿nentS when received. All other incoming
resources are also included in full in the Receipts and Payments when received.
Grants. including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Receipts
and Payments in the year in which they are received.
1.5. Resources expended
Expendrture is recognised on a payments basis. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot
be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Page 11

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Notes to the financial statements
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Donations and grants
Period
ended
Unrestricted Restricted 31112123
Year
ended
514123
Donations > £100
Donations < £100
Counselling Donations
Grants Received
Regular giving
Government grants
Fundraising Income
8,500
1,103
7,801
6,500
753
1,500 10,000
1,103
7,801
29,140 35,640
753
40,419 40,419
7,666
1.819
9,076
83,458
1,175
2,675
2,683
24,657
71,059 95,716
108,552
Funders
Turnstyla Designs
are a Barnstaple based company delivering luxury door hardware for
high-end residential, commercial and yacht projects. The company strives wherever possible
to support local causes and give back to the community, and Clarity is grateful for their
continued support in the form of unrestricted donations (included above)
https./fvN￿.turnstyIedeS1gns.ComlsUSta1nabIIIty1
We are also grateful to the following funders for making unrestricted grants that make our
work possible:
Norman Family Charitable Trust
Barnstaple Town Council
Investment income
Period
ended
Unrestricted 31112123
funds
Total
Year
ended
514123
Total
Bank interest received
1,073
1,073
201
1,073
1,073
201
Page 12

North Devon Mental Health Servlce Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Notes to the financial statements
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Period
ended
Unrestrlcted 31112123
tunds
Total
Year
ended
514123
Total
Counselling
Travel Costs
Counselling fees
1.350
194
1,350
194
4,170
679
60
1,544
1,544
4,909
Employees
Employment costs
Period
ended
31112123
Year
ended
514123
Wages and salaries
Pension costs
18,525
321
35,926
592
18,846
36,518
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 (514123 . None).
Number of employees
The average monthly numbers of employees during the period was as follows:
Period
ended
31112123
Number
Year
ended
514123
Number
Employees
Pago 13

North Devon Mental Health Servlce Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Notes to the financial statements
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Analysis ot net assets between funds
Unrestrlcted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
funds
Fund balances at 31 December 2023 as represented by:
Current assets
43,929
50,304
94,233
43,929
50,304
94,233
Unreslrlcled funds
At
6 April
2023
Incoming
resources
Oulgoing
resources
31 December
Transfers
2023
Unrestricted funds
Designated fund
12,057
40,000
27,274
(35.402)
26,409
(28,409)
30.338
13,591
52,057
27,274
(35,402)
43,929
Purposes of unrestrlcted funds
Unrestricted funds are used to further the objects of the charity, but are subject to no
restrictions on their use within those objects.
Designated funds are used to cover potential costs if the charity finds that it is unable to
continue to operate.
Page 14

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charlty Number 1055224
Notes to the financlal statements
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Restrlcted funds
At31
6 April Incoming Outgoing December
2023 resources
resources
2023
Break the Cycle
Dannrfs Line
Devon Community Foundation
Fullabrook CIC
John's Charity
National Loltery - Hear Together
National Lottery
Reaching
Communities
David Gibbons Trust
Trusthous8 Charitable Foundaiion
Hendy Foundation
1,478
14,030
(1,182)
296
15,530
1,500
2,000
5,000
7,200
17,338
23,081
(2,000)
5,000
7,200
17,338
11,002
(11,002)
25,125
(48,206)
2,000
10,000
2,940
2,000
(10,000)
2,940
51,635
71,059
(72,390)
50,304
Page 15

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charity Number 1055224
Notes to the financial statements
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Purposes of restricted funds
Break the Cycle - is an initiative funded by North Devon Police to provide counselling
to reduce the repetitive behaviour of individuals that results in police attendance to
incidents. In addition to supporting the individuals concerned, this intervention frees
up police time, reduces the need for other emergency services and reduces the
impact on the wider community.
Dannys Line
is an ongoing fundraising initiative to provide a telephone support
service, staffed by experienced counsellors. to help individuals experiencing suicidal
thoughts and intention.
Devon Community Foundation kindly provided a community grant towards our core
expenditure, funding such essential costs as insurance, professional fees, premises
and office costs.
Fullabrook CIC - following earlier funding towards the charity's running costs, this
year's grant generously provides additional funding of volunteer support costs,
whether that is covering their travel costs, providing free clinical supervision and
support, or opportunities for training.
John's Charity - this funding in 2022123 was to cover various capital improvements to
the charitls off ice environment and technology. This has improved the experience of
clients engaging with our service, by improving comfort and security as well as
increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of staff. Funding has been used for new
phones, IT equipment, door entry system, furniture, internal redecoration, and a new
website to improve our branding and increase awareness ol the charity.
Futiabrook CIC
In 2023 we were fortunate to receive additional funding identified to cover the
significant travel costs of the charity's team of volunteer counsellors in 2024. The
grant will be used for mileage and parking costs incurred, ensuring that these crucial
volunteers are not financially impacted by their generous support to the charity.
The National Lottery - Hear Together grant commences in 2024 for a period of three
years covering the costs of key personnel, the chariws premises costs and also its
core business professional support costs. The support of the National Lottery
continues to be the cornerstone of funding for the charity in the absence of any
financial SLJPPOrt from the government.
CO￿￿MI
The National Lottery - Reaching Communities funding was provided over a five year
period to help the charity finance its service delivery, both directly for counsellors, fees
and travel, and in respect of administrative costs such as payroll, office costs and
insurance.
David Gibbons Trust
have kindly given funding to support our team of volunteer
counsellors in their essential work. We provide them with free clinical supervision and
also regular line management, peer support, CPD training opportunities and travelling
expenses.
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation generously provided funding towards the costs of
the post of charity manager in 2023. This role is crucial to the effective running of the
charity, pulling all the diverse functions of the charity together cohesively and
providing both clinical and adminsitrative support and guidance.
Page 16

North Devon Mental Health Service Users Forum
Charlty Number 1055224
Notes to the financial statements
for the period ended 31 December 2023
Hendy Foundation is specifically meeting the costs of running one of the charitys
twelve-week groups in 2024. Groups involve a wide variety of direct and indirect costs
including group facilitators, group development and administration, clinical lead input,
clinical supervision of facilitators, monitoring and evaluation, as well as venue costs.
Page 17