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Annual Report APRIL 2023 - MARCH 2024

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1098571

“I had never had counselling before and was a bit apprehensive but the process was so easy. The counselling itself was more than I could ever a f" imagined it could be, genuinely life » | : changing. It helped me with my anxiety and in so many areas of my life. Affordable counselling with GN incredible counsellors - I recommend The Listening Centre to everyone who is thinking of starting counselling.” CLIENT FEEDBACK

Foreword

2023-24 was a landmark year for The Listening Centre, with October marking thirty years since a small group of counsellors launched a drop-in listening service in Blackbird Leys. In the intervening years, TLC has, of course, developed and adapted to changing times, demands, and circumstances, but we’re proud to have retained the founding vision of providing an accessible counselling service to those who need it most.

One of the original founders in 1995 was Julian Sharples, who returned to the charity in 2008 to take on the role of Chair of Trustees, and later that of CEO, and was integral to the success of TLC for over fifteen years. TLC trustees, staff, and counsellors gathered to hear Julian’s reflections on his time at the charity’s helm and to thank him for his contributions at a community meeting in July 2023.

The primary focus of the trustees and interim CEO, Sian Renwick, over the course of 2023-24 was to stabilise the charity’s finances, through a combination of identifying potential reductions in expenditure and, crucially, increasing revenue. A standard client fee of £20 was introduced and TLC also invested in specialist fundraising support, developing a robust theory of change and case for support. These measures have already borne fruit, and the charity is delighted to report an annual surplus of £3,115.

For 2024-25, TLC intends to build on this progress and continue to invest in fundraising and partnership opportunities, as well as planning for succession by launching a recruitment drive for additional trustees.

CLAIRE JACQUES CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Our Values

affordable

We believe that psychotherapy and counselling should be available to all those who need it and can benefit from it regardless of their income.

inclusive

We want everyone to feel welcome, enabled and supported to achieve their potential without discrimination. We are committed to having a diverse range of clients, therapists, trustees and associates.

safe

We provide clients with a safe space in which to develop and grow at their own pace, by providing suitable counsellors or psychotherapists who adhere to strict codes of ethics and safeguarding that are aligned with recognised accrediting bodies.

supportive

We nurture and encourage mutual support and selfcare among all members of the organisation.

innovative

We embrace change and aim to continually improve our service through listening, learning, and innovating.

Organisational Overview

Across 2023/24, the core work of The Listening Centre was delivered by a dedicated team of volunteer counsellors. We’re committed to providing opportunities for counsellors in training to gain experience and clinical hours through placements, as well as welcoming qualified counsellors who wish to support our mission by volunteering. Essential clinical supervision was provided by our experienced associate supervisors, while an increased number of client enquiries, assessments, and allocations were managed by Kay Tillyer.

COUNSELLORS a SUPERVISORS a TRUSTEES a OPERATIONAL / SUPPORT ROLES a

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Flora Winchester / Dr Carole Blythe Melanie Kay / Sarah Oak / Sarah Burnet

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Sian Renwick / Kay Tillyer / Naomi Garrido

ADDITIONAL CONSULTANT / AD HOC ROLES Anne Timpson / Clare Patterson / Admin Team

This year saw a focus on establishing sustainable fundraising processes and networks. Internal policies and controls were also reviewed and updated. A pilot was introduced to begin an agency-style counselling model to provide qualified counsellors, especially those who had trained with us, paid opportunities beyond qualification. This new model also enables us to expand our reach as we now have more options to match clients with more complex needs with more experienced therapists.

Our Clients

The need for TLC’s services continues to grow, with initial enquiries up 21% in 2023/24 compared to the previous year.

220 CLIENT ENQUIRIES 182 a 21% 2022/23 2023/24

200 TOTAL CLIENTS SEEN (146 last year)

2003 NUMBER OF HOURS DELIVERED (1571 last year) 139 NUMBER OF ASSESSMENTS (126 last year)

139

What led clients to seek counselling?

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RECOMMENDED FEELING DEPRESSED
15.8% 20.8%
How did clients access
their counselling? 80%
SEEKING SELF KNOWLEDGE
11.2%
ONLINE
37.4%
GRIEF
7.3%
FACE TO FACE
ANXIOUSNESS
62.6%
29.4%
RELATIONSHIP ISSUES
15.5%
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Financial Overview

£49,075.92

£2,986.24

CLIENT FEES (£29,691.07 last year) DONATIONS (£1,227.56 last year)

£7,250.00

GRANTS (£2,000 last year)

£3,115

SURPLUS

MAIN EXPENSES

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25,000.00
20,000.00
15,000.00
10,000.00
5,000.00
0.00
SUPPORT STAFF ROOM HIRE SUPERVISION
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Income in 2023/24 outstripped costs, due to increases in the number of counsellors, clients, and our £20 minimum fee. Client contributions remained the primary source of income. Although investment in fundraising also saw a significant increase in grants. We remain committed to providing truly affordable counselling to those who would ’ otherwise not be able to access it and, despite increases, client contributions still didn t cover the true cost of a session (c. £28). Some clients continue to pay as little as £5 per session. Developing our agency-style model to broaden our reach remains a priority.

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1098571 THE LISTENING CENTRE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Mercer LevAn Ltd Chartgrfjd AcMuntants and Registere(J Audito 8-7 clbaSe, New 8afclay House 234 Botley Road Oxford OX2 OHP

THE LISTENING CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT FOA THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Pw1. Tho Lisienirwj Cenlro ¢5 reoisierod wilh Iho Cl?aiily Coninii$siOII INO 10985711 Tho ehar71y ts ctyisliliil¢d by deed darèd 21 Jiiile 2002 aiid updAlo(J 111 2009 Charty A¢thess The Old Schoolhouse lertlord Slieei Okfoid Ox4 3AJ The chaiily Is adriiinisieto(I by a coiiiinillco ol nisin¢igetiierii compfissr TIysie95 Chiis Cilyil)iin) Eli7aDOih Ann Tiippor Csaiie Anii Jacoue5 Thp obieciive ol Tile Lisieiiiliq Cetiiits ITLCI IS Ilie pieseivtllion atid prolec117 ol goott lieallli lor people In iioed Ill BllCkbiFo Lcys aiid Iho Surrouimling afL>¢i by pioviolin9 a counselling servte The charily ollers. aiid has ollerea siiice 1993 a reg11l<ii loyi-cosi Coiiiiselling s¢rvi¢e Diov%led by liainee Couiisolltys uiioei 5pe1VIsIo1I T1115 siiperv15ets cotii)s¢4lliiig ¢llSO hQlPS Ihe iiaiiiee counsellois aii&n Ihe iie¢essary e4pernce feouiied lor Ilieii Pfolossional QiJ¢ililicaiiofts TLC Olovides t¢gulaf 9ioup siipeFviSion sess+ong lot Ils volilnieeis. has an on9oifyJ prograrnme ol pioILSSSIOrial devtloweiil loi 11$ Couiiseibrs Ihiougli Ino delivery ol woikshws an¢1 Ilainit se$$n$ Cta¢re Jaw

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LISTENING CENTRE l port on the occounti of the ch8rity for the year ended 31 March 2024 vthl¢h artr $et oul on the Inoc8 and Expen¢Yiturè Aecount and 8alance Sheet appendod to this roport. R••p•¢W¥e r••pon•lbllltl•# of Commltte• of M•n4g•mgnt and ex•mln•r The corNn¢ttee ol mana9emenl ar¥ respon$ib for the preparntion ol lh• accounts,. tY c4Jnsiderthat tho audlt wuirement of the Charrts Acl 2011 (the Actl does not apply. 11 is my responsikn'lity, Mlhout performing an audit, to carry out an examinabgn of the accounts and to report to you. B•¥ls of Ex•mln•Vi •tsthrnent My Part Is In r•8pd of an exarnln•tyon ¢arried out under 1145 of th• AQ and in iccord8nc• w5th directiong given by the Charity Comrnissionérs under subction 5lbl of that sectKJn. An gx¥mination includes a VIeW of the accounting rèeord3 kept by the commrttee of managernent and a companson of the accounts pSented wlh thoae records which is prirnsrily lirniled lo analytical proe•dures and 10 thè making 018uch enquiries ol th¢ comrniltee ol mansg•rnont ?• wa• nee4ry tor th• puwie• ol thm report. Th• procedu$ undertaken do not tnnstttuts an audit. Ex•rnln•rf• •tAt•rn•nl B98ed on my examinath'on. no m8tt•r has come lo my attentien whirh gNe8 me rea80nab cause to believe that in any matenal reset. ac(xuntsng reCrdS havo not teon kept In accoriJant• wlth 8130 01 the Act, or that the 4ccount$ pffjsenled do not accord with Ih¢ie recor¢8 or comply wrth tha accountiry quir8ments olthe Acl No rnatter h88 coma tty my Pttention to %sich, in my opin•Jn, •llentlon 8hould b• drawn In ord•r lo enable a proper undtrstandlng ol the accounls lo be reached. LL A Churchill Ston• FCA DChA Mercer Le%n Ltd Chartered Ac¥xuntants and Regi6tsmd Audito 6-7 Crtib8se. New Barclay House 234 Boll•y Road Oxford OX2 OHP 14th January 2025

TrIE LISTENING CENTRE INCOME AND EXPENDifuRE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Pao• 3. Gonoi11 Roy11[0 Toial luryJ$ 2024 Toial Bai)k Inltbrcsi CiTu con1r1 Don8iions and Olhei In¢tsino Graiits Worksh5 201 49.076 2971 7.265 201 49.076 2.971 7.265 71 29A97 1.228 2.000 Dlrecl ch•ritable ipendilure A(ITninrsiiaiion expens0$ Aovoriisirig Q¥11SeS ch#rges Boohhoppillu leos co.ordiiia1n 113es DBS Checks ()oriaiJoiis ai)U orants cosis liiacoen¢Lini Clydiiiiinei's lecs Insuiance 8ACP fflember51Mp RocriLIITneni eipensos Rooin an(t oll¢c 10 Sijndry expensos Supe[viSi1. ckni)Ical and con5uiiaiicy Tolephono Assessmeni Fees & ENpenses Volunieer expenses antt If<ivei Wcb511e ano Iniernei Cuutiselloi Paynieni5 CEO Fees $9.513 $9,513 32.990 7.770 922 922 72 4J3 315 315 420 420 1 158 240 i.IS8 240 437 1.779 14,146 14.146 9.592 897 11.027 1.029 10.144 10.144 1.125 2.7fy) 1.172 144 2.700 ,172 744 3.585 56.397 $6.397 3.116 BUlu•1lcft) lor th• y•ir 8alanco tyoughl lofward 41.965 J,11S 15.757 11975) 15.757 £18 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 Bath c1jen1 8#nk aoF)sn ac¢tyM# 7S12 Accounts Vabl+ 16.757

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1098571 THE LISTENING CENTRE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Mercer Lemrin Ltd Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditois 6-7 Cilibase, New Barclay House 234 Bolley Road Oxford OX2 OHP

ThE LISTENING CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 IIARCH 2024 Lter4¢Y4 Cffitrtt 14 rnw'slwed wrth Charity CommLs¥on INQ 10985711. charty ly wistilul•d by deed. daled 21 Jung 2003 and updaled in 2009. Charty A(hJrfs$' The Cmd 01ltsrd OX4 Tl¥t ch•tty i8 admrfistsred by a thJmmill•a ol manao¢m•nl cofflprlsld.' TnJsl¢¢s.' Chns Graham Cla*è Ann Jwtses ThB otyective ol The LwleniryJ Ceiiire ITLCI v& Ihe presgrvaiion and wolecthon ol good heaw) lor peo in n¢ed in Bla¢kknrtl Leys anrl ihe surFoundiNJ area a eoun8elling serviee. ehwity ollers. and has olfered since 1993. 8 rogujar. Eow.cosi counselung 3ce. proviled by Irairne Coure[lO[$ undei supemsion. svpervssèd c¢xFnsellirg hews Ihp waie counsellofs io allwn ne¢e55ary eiporknKe r8wired lor Ihew wolessitsnal quaThltcaliong TLC wufar gioup supeivlslon sessoon5 lor its ¥olynteers. aryl has an progiamme ol prolwmal deve10rynI lor ts COLfftsellNs through th8 ¢Jeliwol and IrainKIg sgssioris. Ckwe Jacqu

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LISTENING CENTRE l POrt on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are Set out on the Incame and Eypenditu Account and B81ance Sheet appended to this report. RÈ8pectlve respon#ibiliUes of Commlllee of Manag•m•nt and Examlner The committe8 of management arg responsible for the preparation olthÉ 8eLounts.' tY considerthat thè audit requirement of Ihe Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsSbilty, without performing an audrt, to carry out an examination ol the accounts and to report to you. Baslg of Examlnerfo statement My pOrt Is in resped ol an examination carried out under $145 of Act and in accordance wtth d1ctionS given by the Charity Commissioners under subsection 5lbl of that section. An exarninzlion includes a review of the a¢UntIng rerS kept by the commrttee of rnanagement and a companson of the aOunt$ presented wrth those records whid) ts primarily lirniled to analytical procedures and to the makiThJ of such enquiries ol th£ (yJmmrttee of management a8 was necessary for the purposes of this feporL The procÉdures undertaken do not constitute an audit. Examinerfs $tat•ment Based on my examination. no matter has CL¥ne to rny attention which gwes me reasonable cause to believe that in any rnaterial respect, accounting records have not been kepl in accordance wth s130 of th¢ Ad. or that the aCunts psented do not a¢cy)rd ¥Mth those r20)rds or comply wrth Ihe accounting requirernents of the Act. No matter has come to my attention to thich, in my opinton, attenlK)n should be drawn in orderto enable 8 proper understanding of the awounts to b• reached. IL -< A Churchill Ston? FCA DChA Mercef Lewin Ltd Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 6-7 Citibase, New Barclay House 234 8oUey Road Oxford OX2 OHP 14th January 2025

ThE USTEMNG CENTrE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE Accouiif FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 GeFKNal Regliictod Tow Bal iniefesi 201 49,076 2.971 7265 201 49,076 2,971 Donations and Olhei ift¢omè - Grants ". Wothshcos 71 29A1 Dlrecl ¢harttabfe expendllur• $9,513 59.519 ertising exwnses 11.711 9 11.711 922 8ookkeeping lees GrOhl1 lees OBS checks Donabons grants cosls Independeni eXamIr.s lees 315 315 433 420 420 437 1.779 Reciiuimènl expenses Room ollu Fwe Sundry eypen5es 240 240 14,146 14.146 9A92 Telepine Asses&neni Fees & Eypense5 Vohtrfeer expènses and travtrl Websrte and mlernBI CoLsnseJlor Payments CEO Fees 10.144 1.125 1700 10.144 1.125 2.71 1.172 --11.027 144 S6.397 BUddle11> lor tho rnr 56.397 3.115 41 S65 J,115 15.757 15,7S7 24.TJ2 £1 BAL•JICE SHEEfAS AT 31 MARCH 21124 llen1 oc¢ou 8ank dewgii aewj 7512 14S63 15.7S7 ' 4counts vabl &757 .

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