Harborough Christian Counselling Service
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Objectives and Activities
Values
The values that underpin the service provided by the Harborough Christian Counselling Service cover confidentiality (respecting privacy); acceptance through non-judgemental approach; independence through giving people the right to make their own choices; respect by recognising that God made everyone unique and that individual dignity should be maintained; and finally equality in that the service is available to all, irrespective of race, religion, culture, sex, gender, age or disability.
Whilst the staff, counsellors and support workers of the charity will be Christian, the service is available to people of all faiths and none.
Operational report for the year 2024-25
The Bower House continues to provide a Counselling Service to residents of Market Harborough, the 2 Bowden villages and those living within a 10 mile radius of the town. Demand for the service continues at a high rate of referral.
Over 2000 counselling hours have been provided through the work of over 30 volunteer counsellors, managed by 2 part-time paid Service Co-ordinators.
Around 24 volunteer Support workers provide administrative assistance and welcome to clients as well as practical help in maintaining the property.
Since introducing the suggested minimum donation of £10 per session to clients, the average amount donated by clients has increased. Efforts are being made to encourage client donations with the aim of increasing this average to £15 per session and this is producing some results . It is important to note, however, that counselling continues to be offered to those who cannot afford to donate.
Other regular support has come from the Friends donations, from individual donations and from generous donations from local churches in Market Harborough. There has also been a number of fundraising events co-ordinated by a Finance committee of volunteers.
Report of the Governing Body
The Governing Body presents this report together with the financial statements of Harborough Christian Counselling Service for the year ended 31 March 2024. Harborough Christian Counselling Service is a registered charity, number 1076294. The address of the charity is: The Bower House, 32 Coventry Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9BZ.
The financial statements comply with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable un the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and with the Charities Act 2011.
The Constitution adopted 27 May 1999 is the governing document. The Chair is elected by members of the Governing Body. The Governing Body meets 4 times per year.
The Governing Body comprises:
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The Chair of Churches Together in Market Harborough (Churches Together sponsors Harborough Christian Counselling Service).
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Up to 2 further persons appointed by Churches Together.
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The Service Co-ordinator
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The Charity’s Treasurer.
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Other members appointed by the Governing Body
The Secretary of the Governing Body is appointed from amongst the its members and a minimum of 3 people are additionally appointed by the Governing Body to act as Holding Trustees.
The Joint Working Group of the Charity meets at least 10 time per year. The Chair and the Secretary of the Joint Working Group are elected by its members, who comprise the Charity’s Treasurer, and between 6 and 10 other persons who are approved by the Governing Body.
Harborough Christian Counselling Service is established:
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To provide a Christian counselling response to the needs of people in Market Harborough and the surrounding district (limited to a 10 mile radius from the town) for help, support and encouragement at times of crisis in their lives. The aim is to help and empower people to make their own decisions in appropriate ways to enable them to satisfactorily come through those crises.
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To train and equip Christians to be involved in counselling and to enable Christians to utilise the gifts that God has given them.
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To work alongside churches in their caring missions, and with secular organisations that care for people. The income and property of Harborough Christian Counselling Service is used to further these objectives. As Harborough Christian Counselling Service is a registered charity, legally recognised as established for charitable purposes only, all funds raised are used to further the aims of the Charity.
The Charity remains in a satisfactory position as regards its reserves policy. This policy requires that the restricted funds held by the Charity represent the amount required for its winding up if it ceases to operate. These costs are estimated at £20,000 (2023 £20,000). The reserves policy is reviewed annually. The Charity has Charity Trustee insurance in place indemnifying any officer against liability as a result of his/her negligence, up to an aggregate liability of £100,000.
On behalf of the Governing Body
Linda Gemmell - Chair
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF : HARBOROUGH CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE
| report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on the following pages.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and the examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
it is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under
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section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and * to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the Accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: -
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e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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e to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act. have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn, in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts reached. .
signed: Q Coe kT AV\E.,
Dated: OOTY Ot [22.55 =
HARBOROUGH CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| INCOME | ||||
| Donations | 50615 | 36885 | ||
| Other income | 19033 | 27301 | ||
| Building Society Interest | 987 | |||
| Total Income | 70635 | 64186 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Establishment | ||||
| Rates | 978 | 958 | ||
| Light and heat | 2667 | 2238 | ||
| Water | 312 | 366 | ||
| Repairs, office equipment & cleaning | 988 | 1236 | ||
| Depreciation | 13539 | 548 | ||
| 18483 | 5346 | |||
| Administration | ||||
| Salaries and on-costs | 43182 | 40361 | ||
| Stationary, office supplies and services | 1624 | 2475 | ||
| Telephone, broadband and bureau services | 1926 | 2076 | ||
| Membership subscriptions and Insurance | 1981 | 1963 | ||
| Independent examination fee | 0 | 600 | ||
| Training/Refunds | 2620 | 4527 | ||
| Fundraising expenses, sundries | 813 | |||
| 52145 | 52002 | |||
| Total Expenditure | 70629 | 57348 | ||
| Net Income/Loss foryear | 7 | 6838 | ||
| Balance brought forward at 1 April 2024 | 256035 | 249197 | ||
| 256042 | 256035 |
HARBOROUGH CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
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2025 2024
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Freehold Property 248,744 261,836
Office furniture and equipment 4,018 4,465
252,762 266,301
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 568 825
Cash 107,657 93,985
108,225 94,810
Creditors
Due in one year 500 1,432
NET CURRENT ASSETS 107,725 93,378
NET ASSETS 360,488 359,679
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On behalf of the Governing Body
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‘o | Cem meu
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Linda Gemmell - Chair
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HARBOROUGH CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. Accounting Convention
The Accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of freehold property to market value and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Fund Accounting
General income funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Governing Body in furtherance of the objectives of the Charity.
Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets over their useful lives as follows:
Freehold Property — 5% per annum,
Office Furniture and Equipment - 10% per annum - reducing balance. The Governing Body has agreed to have the property revalued once urgent repairs are complete.
2. Donations
| 2. | Donations | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Individual | 35,865 | 34,468 | |
| Church and Related Organisations | 10,083 | 2,033 | |
| VoluntaryOrganisations | 4,667 _384 | ||
| 30,615 | 36,855 | ||
| 3. | Other income | ||
| Fundraising | 9,869 | 11.360 | |
| Gift Aid | 4,679 | 6,566 | |
| Legacies, interest and other income | 5,472 | ||
| Grantfrom Market Harborough and Bowdens Charity | 9375 | ||
| ~£20,020£27,301 |
HARBOROUGH CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
4. Fixed Assets
| Furniture | Freehold | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| & | |||
| Equipment | Property | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | |||
| As at 1 April 2024 | 33,601 | 261,836 | 295,437 |
| Additions | - | - | - |
| Disposals | i. | - | - |
| As at 1 April 2025 | 33,601 | 261,836 | 295,437 |
| Depreciation | |||
| As at 1 April 2024 | 29,136 | 29,136 | |
| Charge fortheyear | 447 | 13,092 | 13,539 |
| Disposals | - | - | 5 |
| As at 1 April 2025 | 29,583 | 13,092 | 42,675 |
| Net BookValue | 4,018 | 248,744 | 252,762 |
| Asat1April2024 | 4,465 | 261,836 | 266,301 |