Trustees' Annual Report for the period
| Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod | Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod | Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod | Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod | Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod | Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod | Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod | Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod |
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| From | Period start date | To | Period end date | ||||
| Day 6th |
Month APRIL |
Year 2024 |
Day 5th |
Month APRIL |
Year 2025 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name
DialogCentre UK
Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1080175
n/a
Charity's principal address BM DialogCentre
London
Postcode WC1N 3XX
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS JONES | SECRETARY | |||
| COLIN WOOD | TREASURER | |||
| JOHN HARDAKER | CHAIRMAN | |||
| MARJORY SZURKO |
TRUSTEE | |||
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year n/a
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
CHRISTIAN SZURKO (Chief Executive and Senior Leader)
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Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
TRUST DEED 07 February 2000
How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
CHARITABLE TRUST
Trustee selection methods
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APPOINTED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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(eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
On 18[th] January 2025 a very useful face to face whole day meeting of all trustees with an invited Charity Safeguarding Expert (HG) was convened to discuss Charity Governance in general and the appropriate supporting documentation tailored to the needs of DCUK. HG is employed by an - accredited safeguarding organization https://thirtyoneeight.org/about us/who-we-are/.
Resulting from these discussions, and building on previous safeguarding training and governance expertise within the Board, it was decided that of primary importance was to:
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1) Make a formal safeguarding policy available on the website.
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2) Update DBS checks for our senior leader and all trustees.
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3) Publish the completed DCUK Privacy Policy to the website.
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4) Refresh and update the website itself.
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5) Compile a “risk” register.
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6) Develop a “conflict of interest” policy.
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7) Seek to expand the number of DCUK trustees
The Board agreed the need for ongoing training and updating for all DCUK personnel as necessary, as well as the continuing regular supervision by an independent psychologist or psychiatrist of our chief executive as has been usual.
We are members of the thirtyoneeight organization and continue to draw on their safeguarding and governance resource material, as well as their expertise, networking, and training modules as appropriate.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
The trustees shall hold the trust fund and its income upon trust to apply them for the following objects ("the objects") A) The education of the general public and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the forgoing, i) The promotion of the study of and research into the beliefs and practices of religions, religious systems of belief and systems of belief which appear initially to be non-religious or which are non-religious in their purposes, principles, structures, behaviours, vocabulary or other characteristics but which can have the same practical effects on their practitioners and those around them as religions and religious systems of belief
ii) The making available to the general public the results of the said study and research. B) The relief of physical, emotional and psychological suffering by any member of the general public incurred as a result of his or her participation in religions or those systems of belief as are referred to in (A) above by any method which shall be recognised as charitable and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, by i) counselling
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ii) referral to medical or psychological professional advice iii) other practical advice and help
Checked. True copy of Section 8 of Trust Deed dated 07/02/2000 (CW)
The main activities of the DialogCentre UK to accomplish our objects are:
We encourage research and greater understanding of various belief systems, whether oriented around religious, political, philosophical, scientific, artistic, therapeutic, or other principles. We co-operate and collaborate with others where appropriate.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
We offer introductory public talks, in-depth lectures, and advanced seminars on the nature of various religious and non-religious belief systems and their practical implications for personal relationships and for the wider society.
Where systems of belief become especially intense and extreme they can produce authoritarian structures of exploitative control, allowing leaders to abuse followers by enforcing destructive attitudes and behaviour.
This in turn has serious consequences for the rest of society.
The various kinds of harm may be psychological, emotional, physical, financial, relational, or occupational, and often are a combination of some or all of these. The umbrella term for this is "spiritual abuse". The DialogCentre offers relief and help to those who have been affected negatively.
We work with those who have been harmed in order to facilitate their recovery. Our first goal in these situations is to relieve the immediate distress experienced by those who come to us. Afterwards if they wish to continue, we work with them in a process of counselling and psychoeducation designed to help them rebuild their lives. Where appropriate we make referrals to other specialized sources
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
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You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
Section D Achievements and performance
(See section C)
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
We have comprehensively reviewed our Governance and identified the areas in which we can improve and take action. Our necessary policy documents are in the process of compilation.
The work of DCUK is open to all without prejudice,and continues as usual in supporting and helping to rehabilitate clients who have been traumatised, mainly through spiritual abuse, within high control, authoritarian groups. (see definition of Spiritual Abuse under “Main Activities” above)
This service remains free at the point of delivery.
The Charity remains solvent but our income remains well below the material and personal costs of running DCUK. This is in spite of some significant gifts this year for which we are most grateful, as the closely guarded confidential nature of our work makes public fund raising difficult. This difficulty exists because we are unable to broadcast most of the amazing stories which could invite further donations.
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Section E Financial review
We keep a reserve of £8000 to pay costs of clearing the offices and other Brief statement of the costs, in the unlikely event that our office lease should not be renewed, or charity’s policy on reserves if any other circumstance should force the closure of the Charity
Details of any funds materially None in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
Accounts report for 2024-25 attached below
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section G Declaration
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The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Dr John Hardaker Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chairman etc) Date 24/09/2025 Final 08/10/2025
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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the DialogCentre UK
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the DialogCentre UK (‘the Charity’) for the year ended 5 April 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s 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 the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Name: Philip Bingham
Address: 6 Rivy Close, Abingdon, OX14 3XT Date: 13/10/2025