Ejlling Togethe( Counselling Together Annual Report: 1 St January 2023 - 31 St December 2023 Charity number: 1108406 Registered address: c/0 Admin Office, Christchurch Baptist Church, IA Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch BH23 IQT
Reference & Administration Details Charity Name: Counselling Together Registered Charity no.. Charity's address: 1108406 c/0 Admin Office, Christchurch Baptist Church, IA Beaconsfield Road, Christchurch, BH23 IQT Trustees Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity: Trustee name Office Dates acted if not for whole year Whole year Whole year Whole year Mr Peter Parslow Chair Mrs France5 Daniel Trustee Mrs Margaret Boyce Trustee Management Team Sue Ingram Counselling Manager Alan 6oyce- Administration Manager Loraine Chirgwin- Bookkeeper CT Ch&.1"1Ly Lomm1551Dn A-.
Structure, governance & management Type of governing document: Trust Deed, declared 811212004 Supplemental Deed to adjust objerts- 51212005 Supplemental Deed for a change of name - 25/612011 Supplemental Deed to adjust objects- 1615/2023 How the charity is constituted: Charitable Trust Trustee selection methods- Appointed by the Trustees in place, following a selection process including an application form, taking references and DBS check. Recommendations for new Trustees are requested from Church leaders that support the Charity. Counselling Together- Organisational structure: The charity operates independently and does not work directly with other groups or networks. As a Christia n charity it is affiliated with the Association of Christians in Coun5elling and Linked Professions.. Counsellin8 Together works closely with Churches in the New Forest, Christchu rch and surrounding areas,. some provide the free use of counselling rooms and some contribute to the bursary fund for clients with financial needs. A review of the Policies and Procedure5 is regularly undertaken to keep them i n line with changing standards e.g. GDPR. Safeguarding etc. The trustees annually review CT'S risk assessment in consultation with the management team. The last such review Was in May 2024.
Objectives and activities Summary of the Counselling Togethers objectives: To provide relief to persons in need of emotional, psychological and spiritual support by the provi510n of professional coun5ellinB from a range of recognized approaches and the provision of training for those involved in professional counselling, both being in accordance with The Association of Christians In Counselling and Linked Professions, statement of faith. Summary of Counselling Togethers activities: We have been working in the New Forest since 2005 and now also in Christchurch and the surrounding areas. We offer a safe, secure and highly confidential counselling service from supportive and empathic counsellors, at a range of venues. Counselli ng Together is supported by a number of local churches both in providing counselling locations and financial assistance. All our counsellors work on a voluntary or reduced cost bas1S. This means that we can negotiate fees with clients that are below the market rate, in li ne with their personal f ina ncial situation, to ensure that all have access to a professional and local counselling service. One of our key aims is to try and ensure that nobody is denied counselling on the grounds of affordability. We offer a range of interactive training 5eminar5 Oll tOPlCs which are open to everyone to attend e.g. assertiveness, depression, loss. and bereavement. We also run courses for churches on Christian counselling and when a pastoral need may benefit from counselling input. n planning our activities for the year, we kept in mind the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit at our Trustees meetings. Counselling Together is supported by an excellent team of volunteers who give their time to provide counselling to clients, develop and deliver training courses and help run the service. Counselling Together is not a grant making body. -'?Ll l Jilji trINAL'
Review of the financial year A note from our Chair of Trustees, Peter Parslow". iot picked up as last as oy.r,Pi.i i"; I ijau, s11.iw VlSlts to local churc, i J L.? Wiiieii Kiiuvvitugtr uf c'LJi" seri.'ILt'.- - l. ¢r- ted to meet ¥vith othei orga*i ',S- 04fer nieD.tal he2',th sUPtiC'- ". e:ognising th.ai k'eoL . &anisations can offer a vBrie:5' OT SVPPOV., ..(4iiig wh.at the others can offÉ,- ' a:, .Ir De-'a's, tkie This ¥tyd', triISt,- te6im ot trusteos. fro¢Jltifice c j? I, ri Sue, irigram. oi tr CcknY<= il,'n.g l/idoager, Il.,: !sira-, iQ,n lJi&nager to run thpe cno-: -0.. oir,e In 35 bookkeeper h8S .l!IStrdteJ-¥at 13St vears changr Gi ' 51 ts." i.-V(JC a good ,'dÈ3, by being , SI- - r,artPWiJnt 3C"OLint.£ r:uickl¥ oiJfin,¥ thL !.-ear ij,, .e. l•é.r Wr. formalised the sli8h" ". rwordin.E c! c. Ji r objects m&n,-: nvide professioiiai elling, nct fipecif.:callv Christian io fv'i3 fiager, las continueo to coordiD.o'_ nEJmber of counsell1n.a hoiirs IA"": 'nyJging for longer. One o. our -.ther >t-irfeu her Placeme-. riel" LC. L¥>'.-o.-nts 3 ,]. i j Icome trom aonotions still repre<= for ge-.,nll sevei 7, GC.Ic'. ava balan=?d trie bfjo,- with a healthier balance eqUliai- TOI fflG' 1come. l 6m gratef Ji I to Ala,-, .'? C311 ena ib,e year L1."e extremely Eratpful to tPOS4J rr::. Illid",I' iaily, witWI donaiions makirig i- -hurcnes i¥no hJve .jl.-Idu3!s who hakie iUF,POlted us r iiic.IrYe. are also grateTul io '.lities op.C DgB;', F.C,ing, objec(ive of keeping coijnf all- !'.& ori Iindncial g.. nobody Is ieci i. l LilrIty 0[ramSsIon Reog * Trn-.
We have received excellent feedback this year: I feel much more confident" "Learnt to talk about my worries etc. It was free-ing" "We cannot cope with life's shocks/frustrations by ourselves. We need to off-load without being judged" Key performance data for the year ending 31 December 2023.. Clients counselled.. 31 (down from 43). Clients completed counsellin8 in the last 12 months.. 23 Idown from 301. Annua 1112 months) counselling sessions= 606 lup from 5611 although less client numbers, these clients are staying in therapy longer to provide a hi8her number of sessions over the entire year. Clients receiving the benefit of grant5 from our bursary fund during the year.. 16, with 7 of these remaining at the end of the year. Financial Review Reserves Policy: Counselling Together has a Reserves Policy, adopted in November 2016, which requ ires three months of operating costs to be held as a Reserve. This was reviewed and reconfirmed by the Trustees at a meeting in October 2022. Financial structure overview: Counselling Together charges fee5 for counselling services which are typically below commercial rates. We are supported by regular donations from local churches and individuals that help to subsidise fees for clients. We received a grant of £3.900 from Dorset Community Foundation's Neighbourhood Fund,. £481 from J.P. Morgan and £80 from New Forest District Council. In addition, we were fortunate to be given several donations including £500 from the Ellingham Show and £150 from Bransgore Parish Council. These were vital in ensuring the charity can continue it5 operations. fl?? F.:f4AL-
Of the total outgoings 27% is spent on counselling and Supervision costs with 65 /0 paid to sub-contractors to carry out the Counselling Manager, Bookkeeper and Administration Manger roles at below normal market rates. Counselling Together does not hold funds for investment. Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf f the char s trustees: Signaturelsl.. Full namelsl.. Peter Parslow Position.. Trustee (Chair of Trustees) Oate- L.hèrify Commi,.
COUNSELLING TOGETrIER BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31- DECEMBER 2023 Chartty Number 1108406 Funds 2023 Funds 2022 Note rrent Asset& Debtrjrs and Prepayrnents Cash at Bank and in Hand 273 li IL523 10.366 LMbl1te Creditors hlli14g due WFth one year End of Yèar Adiustsnent Net Current Assds Net Assets 255 The Funds ofthe arty. Unrestrirted Income F¢Jnds'. Reserves Unrestricted Income Funds 7.081 11,023 5,827 RestrFrted Income Funds 232 Totsl Charity Funds The finanaal statements were apwoved by the Trustees and st8ned on their behalf. Chair of Trustees Date P Parslow 17.04.24
Counselllng To8etl 2022 Inrome DOnaon$ Grants IS76 115 18.785 7¥5 11703 16.703 Expejjditureon Rt¥wgFunds.' wete LknlopmeTht & Print 516 Cost of Actmties ¥576 rJ.466) Transfers 8ets4en Fur 4ffi17 Net%knnrrt in F5 in Period Totsl Funds Brought FoThRrd SA27 3.196 8fi76 11524 Nei Movemerbtof Funds labxl Il8491 12.5011 The Statementof ktThitstsindudes all galnsand bjsses reLLwW intrperK)d. l income and expendiEure defNefrcfflcctIwlM8athI
COUNSELLING TOGEtHER NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERI(J) ENDED 31- DECEMBER 2023 l Accountini Polkie5 1.1 Basls of preparation of lInala1 statemeThts Counselling Together is a tharity Ino. 11084061 regirtered in the United Kingdom. The address of the registered Offi is given in the Trustees ReporL The nature of the ctharivs operations and principal activitiex arè destrth in the Trustees Report. The financial statements of the tharity. whith is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordante with The Charitie5 SORP IF[6 1021'Accounttng and Reporting by Charitbes.. Statement of Recommended Prartire applicable to Charities preparing their actounts in attordancè with the Finanaal ReportirE Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of IreSand (FR5 1021 leffertive ljanuary 2015Y, Finanaal ReportinK Standard 102 The finan(ial Reporknngstandard applir3ble in the UK and Republic of Iieland and the Charities A(t 2011.. The financial statements are prepared on a going COnM basis underthe hi5tOfical cost convention. modffied to include certain items at fair value. The financial ststements are prepared in sterlirq whith ss the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £ The signfficant accountinE poli applied in the preparntsn of thesè financial statements are set out below. These policie5 have been consistentty applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated. The tharity adopted SORP IFRS 1021 in 2015 and no tsansition adjustments were identified. 1.2 Accounting Perrod These ffinanoal 5tatsrrtents wver a 12 month from I'january 2023 to 31" Decemter 2023. 1.3 IrKorne Voluntary income and donations are recognised on a retsivable Iiasis. No pÈrnianèntendowments been receNed in the period. All incoming resources are accounted lor the Ststèment of Financial Actiwties when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantrfied reasonable accuracy. Donated goods and seNces are recognised in income attheir fair ¥aewhen their ewnomic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control 0%r the item. No amount is induded in the Financial Statemerrtsfor volurrteer time tn line with the SORP IFRS 1021. 1.4 Expenditureand Irre(o¥erableVAT Expenditure is rècognised once there is a legal or constructive obl¥ation to make a paymentto a third party, it is probablè that settlement will be required and the amount of the olEation can be measured reliabP¥. Expenditure is allocated to the approprrate headings in the account& Irrecoverable VAT Is charged as • cost against the hthling forwhith the expenditure was inTed. 1.5 Funds Thè funds held constitute: General funds held for any purpose ofthe tharFty 1th are unre5trirted. Designated funds are unre5trirted fvnds set aside at the dis(Tetion of the Trustees for specrfic purposes. ttsils of designated fvnds are disclosed in note 5 of these accounts. Restricted funds which are hekl fora rtaffower purpose and Endowment Funds which represent 8ift5, the caprial nomally being unavailable for spendin& and the income from which is ther restricted or unresfri¢ted. Details of Èad) material restricted fund are disdosed in note 5 of these accounts. 1.6 Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognistd at the settlement amount du& prepaTrents are valued at the amount prepald. 1.7 Cash at 8ankand in hand Cash at Bank and cash in hand induded cash on deposiL IA Creditors Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obl¥atsn rÈsu7ting frnm a p3St èvÈnt that probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be ffleasured or èstimated reliabw.
COUNSELLING TOGEfHER NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERI¢ ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2023 2 C05t of Pxti¥itie5 FUN15 Funds 2023 Q>unselling Costs Counsellor Fees Counsèllor Wèlfare Supervision Costs 4A63 190 7.318 Support Costs Contrador Costs Administration Costs Training Sundries Membership Insurance Bookkeeping Office Equipment 15.554 16,166 943 320 29 215 172 1.784 li 35 143 2.120 19 478 19 478 Independent Examiner5 Fee5 Totsl Costof P&tl¥lties 3 Debtor5 and Prepaymeilts Outstanding Receipts Prepayments Debtors and Prepayments 170 214 273 4 Credrt(>rs Falli [e within One Ythr A¢cruals Independent Examiner 268 1.343 343 Indudefl in this balan is the Independent Examiners Fees of
COLWSEWNG TOGETHER NOTESTO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31- DECEMBER 2023 S An4lysi5 of Fund Mo¥emerts To General 31.1123 Unrestricted Funds General Funds 17731 27.174 126.9991 3,942 Designated Funds Tatal Unrestrkted Funds 27 Restrfrted Fund$ Bursary Funds BH23 Bursary Funds L576 14,1721 368 228 Total Restrkted Funds Total Fund5 Name of Fund DexriO¥)n. and Purp(wof Fund Bursary Funds To promde a buryAry for dients that are unable to meet the costs for counselling servrces. 8H23 Buysary Funds To promde a bursaryfor dtents Imng in the BH23 postcode area that are unable lo rneet the c95ts for coun5ellirs services. Restricted Funds are entirely represented ty (urrent asse Desgnated Fund Resen Desl8nated Fund Other To hold 3 months. operational costs in the event of dosure, in respect of a reserve. To hold fuNls desigr*ated for spÈafic expendrture. 6 Related Party Transactions There were no related party transactions during the period. 7 Trustees Remuneration No Trustees were remunerated during the period. 8 Trnstees Expenses No trustees recerved reimbur5ernentfor expense5 duringthe period. 9 Trustees Donations There were Trustee donations to the frjnds during the period. 10 Control Rel•tiortshl The Charity 15 ultimatelv controlled bv theTrustee&
INDEPENDEP4T EXAMINERS REPORTTO THE TRUSTEE5 OF COUPISELUNG T06EThER I r•port to th• Trustees tm my oxamln•tlon of the accounts of Couns•lllng Try•ther (CT) ft•r the perlod ended 3111 December 2023. The Trustees of CT are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts In Jccordance wlth the requlrement of th• Chafftles Re8lstratlon and Regulatlon A¢t 2019 lhe Acr) and th• Charltl•s Rryulatlons 2020 ("the Re8ulatlrf. B• oflnd•pnd•R Ex4mlnerf¥ Rwt Commtsslon. Thls Indudes a review of the accountlng records kept by th• Charlty and a comparlson of the accounts wesented wlth those record& The wocedur•s undortaken do not provide all the eviderte that would be rnquir• In an audit, and consequ•ntty no oplnlon ts gfven as to whether the accourrts present a ue and falrf view and the report Is Ilmlt•d I have completed my examination. I c(th that no mat•rial mattws h•v• Come to my attentlon in connecuon wlth the examlnatlon whkh RIS me cause to b•lleve th•t, In any material resp¢rt: L The a¢countiw records *re Tr)t In respert of cr as r•qulrod by Soctl•)n 46 of the k¢ and Part 6 ofthe Act and the Rqulat1,. or examlnatlon to vthlch attention should be drawn. Namv. Ad(trw. G6 LrfAqÉ,
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF COUNSELLING TOGETHER I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Counselling Together (cr) for the period ended 31, December 2023. Responsibilities The Trustees of CT are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirement of the Charities Registration and Regulation Act 2019 ("the Act") and the Charities Regulations 2020 ("the Regulations"). Basis of Independent Examlnerfs Report My examination was carried out in accordance with the Directions given by the Charity Commission. This includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be require in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fairf, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect" l. The accounting records were not kept in respect of CT as required by Section 46 of the Act, and Part 6 of the Act and the Regulations. or 2. The accounts did not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn. Name: d (4& Address: AO IiproL Date: