# **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 **Flora Winchester / Dr Carole Blythe Melanie Kay / Sarah Oak / Sarah Burnet** **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?** **----- Start of picture text -----**
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%
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **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** **----- Start of picture text -----**
25,000.00
20,000.00
15,000.00
10,000.00
5,000.00
0.00
SUPPORT STAFF ROOM HIRE SUPERVISION
**----- End of picture text -----**
**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 cl￿baSe, 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$siOII INO 10985711 Tho ehar71y ts ctyisliliil¢d by deed darèd 21 Jiiile 2002 aiid updAlo(J 111 2009 Charty A¢thess The Old Schoolhouse lertlord Slieei Okfoid Ox4 3AJ The chaiily Is adriiinisieto(I by a coiiiinillco ol nisin¢igetiierii compfissr TIysie95 Chiis Cilyil)iin) Eli7aDOih Ann Tiippor Csaiie Anii Jacoue5 Thp obieciive ol Tile Lisieiiiliq Cetiiits ITLCI IS Ilie pieseivtllion atid prolec1￿17 ol goott lieallli lor people In iioed Ill Bl*lCkbiFo Lcys aiid Iho Surrouimling afL>¢i by pioviolin9 a counselling servte The charily ollers. aiid has ollerea siiice 1993 a reg11l lor tho rnr 56.397 3.115 41 S65 J,115 15.757 15,7S7 24.TJ2 £1 BAL•JICE SHEEfAS AT 31 MARCH 21124 ￿llen1 oc¢ou 8ank dewgii aewj 7512 14S63 15.7S7 ' 4counts ￿vabl &757 . REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1098571 THE LISTENING CENTRE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Mercer Lemrin Ltd Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditois 6-7 Cilibase, New Barclay House 234 Bolley Road Oxford OX2 OHP ThE LISTENING CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 IIARCH 2024 L￿ter4¢Y4 Cffitrtt 14 rnw'slwed wrth Charity CommLs¥on INQ 10985711. charty ly wistilul•d by deed. daled 21 Jung 2003 and updaled in 2009. Charty A(hJrfs$' The Cmd 01ltsrd OX4 Tl¥t ch•tty i8 admrfistsred by a thJmmill•a ol manao¢m•nl cofflprlsl￿d.' 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 3￿ce. proviled by Irairne Cour￿e[lO[$ undei supemsion. svpervssèd c¢xFnsellirg hews Ihp wai￿e 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 deve10ryn￿I 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.' t￿Y 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 $145 of Act and in accordance wtth d1￿ctionS given by the Charity Commissioners under subsection 5lbl of that section. An exarninzlion includes a review of the a¢￿UntIng re￿r￿S kept by the commrttee of rnanagement and a companson of the a￿Ount$ 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 aC￿unts p￿sented 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 G￿rOh￿l1￿ lees OBS checks Donabons grants cosls Independeni eXamI￿r.s lees 315 315 433 420 420 437 1.779 Reciiuimènl expenses Room ollu Fwe Sundry eypen5es 240 240 14,146 14.146 9A92 Telep￿ine 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 BU￿￿ddle11> 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 .