## **Annual Report Year ending 31st March 2025**
**Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch**
## **Message from our Chair**
**It's been quite a year for our charity, one filled with both significant challenges and important decisions that will shape our future. The cost of living crisis has affected many of the families we support, making our charitable delivery even more vital.**
**I'm pleased to share that we reached an all-time high of 66.7% charitable delivery in June, and maintained an average of 50.8% across the year overall. This demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring cost isn't a barrier to accessing the support people need.**
**February brought unexpected disruption when flooding hit our premises, but it was the insolvency of Relate National in November and Family Action takeover that presented us with a defining moment. Rather than simply accepting change imposed from outside, we chose to chart our own course. After careful consideration, we made the decision to relaunch and rebrand as Relationship and Family Therapy (RAFT) Ltd as of 1st April 2025. This transformation creates new opportunities, and allows us to better serve our beneficiaries whilst preserving many years of expertise and community connections. We're in consultation with other centres making similar moves, with hopes of creating a new collaborative network under Relationships England and Wales.**
**Change always brings uncertainty, but I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead. Our office team, counsellors, volunteers, supervisors, leadership and everyone who keeps us going have shown remarkable resilience throughout these challenges. You're all part of something we can be truly proud of. The future of RAFT looks bright, and I can't wait to see what we achieve together.**
**The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year to 31st March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the charitable company's memorandum and articles and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities issued on 16 July 2014 (SORP 2015 (FRSSE).**
## **Our Mission**
**To enhance the quality of couple and parental family relationships**
**To help relationships, marriages and civil partnerships withstand the pressures leading to breakdown**
**To help make living, working and being with other people, a better experience for our clients, at every stage of life**
**To limit the damage which commonly accompanies failing relationships, separation and divorce and increase the prospect of subsequent relationships succeeding.**
**To deliver services with cultural sensitivity and without discrimination. To operate fully within an equal opportunities policy and promote anti-discriminatory practice.**
## **Our Values**
## **We believe...**
**We are focused on the needs of clients and communities and we encourage continuous improvement and development**
**Our service delivery demonstrates excellence in practice, inclusiveness and respect for clients, stakeholders, employees and volunteers**
**An individual’s physical well-being, emotional and mental health benefit from a committed relationship.**
**Children thrive in families where relationships are positive and free from destructive conflict**
**People gain from an understanding of their sexuality**
## **Performance**
**This Annual Report examines what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. The report looks at the success of our key activities and the benefits they have brought to the people we are set up to help. It helps us ensure our activities remain focussed on our stated purpose. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit to ensure our previous and planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives we have set.**
## **Clinical Standards**
Our Relate centre is an organisational member of the BACP, adhering to their ethical guidelines as well as Relate National’s service specifications. The impact on the lives of clients is demonstrated in feedback from our clients gathered through our in-house survey as well as nationally recognised outcomes-measures.
## **Charitable Value**
This year, we have worked hard to maintain our charitable offer, with over 50% of our counselling sessions being partially or fully funded.
We have delivered 790 sessions of counselling thanks to the generous donations from Elevate Foundation, the Big Lottery and the Amateurs Trust. We have expanded our Family Coaching service, delivering Local Authority funded support for children returning from care to their birth families and coaching for their parents/ carers.
## **Local Funders**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Elevate
Foundation
Talbot trust
Amateurs Trust
BCP Council
Reducing Parental
Big Lottery
conflict &
Awards for All
Reunification
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Beneficiaries**
**Funding from trusts and grant-giving bodies in 2024-25 enabled us to provide fully funded and low cost counselling services to the following beneficiaries:**
- **Children and young people aged 8+ - Elevate Foundation £10,225 Children, young people and their families Big Lottery Awards for All £14,250 Families of SEND children (BCP Council - Reducing Parental Conflict Grant). £24,287 was spent in 2024-25. This project is to be continued into 2025-26**
- **Families of children returning from care (BCP Council - Reunification Project) £11,109.60 was spent in 2024-25. This project is to be continued into 2025-26**
- **Core cost funding - Amateurs Trust £10,000 grant was spent in 2024-5 Children and young people - Talbot Trust, a £18,750 grant was spent in 2024-25**
## **School Partners**
**This year, we provided counselling services to schools across BCP. Partner schools include: Bourne Academy, St Aldhelm’s Academy, Jewell Academy, Mudeford, Longfleet Primary and St Peter’s Catholic Secondary School; delivering a total of 790 sessions across all schools and our centre.**
## **National Partners**
**Our Charity provide fully and partially funded counselling to individuals, couples, families and children in partnership with the following trusts:**
**Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity Seafarers Charity Royal Air Force Benevolent Trust Bank Workers Charity**
**Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABA) Charity for Civil Servants Grocery Aid The Brain Tumour Charity The Retail Trust Licensed Trade Charity**
## **Delivery of partner-funded and bursary sessions for the financial year ending 31st March 2025**
**We have successfully reduced financial barriers to accessing our services in 2024-25. Our charitable delivery target of 50% has exceeded self-funded sessions over the past year. In total, we have spent £85,952 on delivering funded and subsidised sessions to low-income families. This compares to £83,303 income generated through self-funded appointments. The national partners are complimented by local partners, creating a more sustainable source of income and referrals.**
## **Service Delivery**
**Relationship Counselling**
**We delivered 932 sessions of relationship counselling including 89 initial consultations. This service supports people’s relationships by helping them discuss their feelings, attitudes and expectations, offering assistance with communication and problem solving.**
## **Family Counselling**
## **Parenting Workshops**
**We delivered 3 x two-part workshops to parents and carers of children with SEND under the ages of 8 years old. These workshops were funded by BCP council.**
**I found it helpful not feeling guilty about‘ giving time for myself.**
**We delivered 90 sessions of family counselling, supporting families of all ages, situations and dynamics to have more positive relationships with one another.**
## **Children & Young People's Counselling**
**We delivered 790 sessions of counselling to children and young people between ages 5-18**
**I’ve gained a greater feeling of empathy towards my wife and daughter. Conflict situations are a lot calmer and easier to resolve**
## **Family Coaching**
**We delivered 100 sessions of family coaching**
## **Individual Counselling**
**We delivered 171 sessions of individual counselling**
**In total our centre delivered a total of 2203 sessions in 2024-25 compared to 2255 sessions in 2023-24.**
**I found it helpful to discuss and share with the professional and with each other.**
## **Counselling Sessions**
## **What our Young Clients Have to Say...**
**Counselling made me feel heard and helped me think how I could deal with the things that were upsetting me.**
**I am able to talk about my feelings instead of bottling them all up.**
**66% of young people rated our service as ‘Excellent’.**
**I feel less anxious, I sleep better and can concentrate better**
**Counselling has made me feel a lot better. I use the tips a lot and feel much better**
**Counselling provided an outlet for me until the CAMHS referral came through**
**Client Children & Young People's survey 2024-25**
## **Feedback from Families...**
**I learned techniques to manage my son’s behaviour on a daily basis. He is more responsive and his behaviour is easier to manage.**
**Our coach was amazing. It felt like she had all the time in the world for a family that never stops.**
**88% of families rated our coaching service as 'Excellent', with 11% rating it as 'Good'**
**We are now able to more positively manage our son in a crisis**
**Now we make an effort to sit down together and talk about things in a way we didn't before. We’ve noticed changes in the family dynamic as a whole**
**Our coach was fantastic. I learned how to respect myself and set boundaries.**
**Family Coaching Survey 2024-25**
## **Financial Summary**
## **Reserves**
**The reserves policy should reflect three months running costs, which currently stands at £19,500 (3 months of £6,500 fixed costs). At year end, the reserves remained at £22,850 as at 31st March 2025. This financial position is being reviewed on a monthly basis. In addition, there is a designated Building Fund reserve of £8,391 following a £2,000 spend on a replacement boiler. We hold reserves in CAF Bank, a subsidiary of the Charities Aid Foundation.**
## **Principal Funding Sources**
**The principal funding sources for the charity are currently from client contributions, trust fundraising and spot purchasing from local schools and authorities.**
## **Public Benefit**
**The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty to give due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The work of the Charity is to prevent harm or further distress resulting from relationship breakdown and to educate the general public on matters pertaining to these issues. It is not considered that the Charity’s activities include any detriment to beneficiaries or that they convey any significant incidental private benefit to those governing the Charity. By fundamental definition, the charity’s beneficiaries; families under stress, or in relationship crisis, are the public. All counselling services rarely cover their costs. The Department for Education’s Evaluation of Relationship Services estimated the cost to provide one hour of counselling was £78. . These deficits are made up by a small gift aid stream from clients who make full contributions of £70 per supplied hour and by generating funds in other services to underpin the core services provided. The Relationship Foundation’s research on the cost to society of relationship breakdown, showed that, by reducing the risk of couples separating, every £1 spent on relationship counselling could save the public purse up to £11.50.**
## **Subsidy**
**As detailed in this report, Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch provides subsidised and fully funded counselling sessions using funds raised in the form of grants, donations and Gift Aid. The Charity also provides fully funded services to individuals, couples and families through both local and national contracts, such as employee assistance programmes and welfare services. The past year has seen growth in our charitable work in proportion to our self-funded client income.**
## **Charitable Value 2024-25**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
3 8 $s 5 s s 2 = s S $ s
Volunteer Contribution s&a= &sa= s$&a= Rsa= Rsa= &sa= &sa= s$8a= R$a= PsRsarsa&s a&sPs
@_} Session Month
Relate’s services, by definition, are necessarily complex and for the most part the Board (which is entirely
comprised of volunteers) is not able to agree to the deployment of volunteers in clinical or educational work,
with the exception of individuals participating in a Relate accredited course. The centre currently has 2
volunteer counsellors.
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Structure, Governance & Management**
## **Governing Document**
**Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch is a charitable company limited by guarantee; incorporated 1st April 2008 and Registered as a Charity 1st April 2008. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed by its Articles of Association, which were ratified on 15th July 2010 to bring them in line with Relate as a Federation. Strategic, financial and policy decisions are exclusively taken by the individual Charity at quarterly Board meetings. Operational issues are address in supervision between the Chair and CEO, decisions are made and reported to the Board at Executive meetings. The Chairman supervises the work of the CEO and receives the financial reports.**
## **Finance Meetings**
**The CEO, Treasurer and Management Accountant meet on a regular basis. The purpose of this meeting is to examine the draft management accounts, to look at variances against budget and in activity, to examine cash flow demands and income streams. Additionally, it is an opportunity to answer any queries for the financial staff. Once this group has agreed the figures they are presented to the Main Board every quarter.**
## **Service Management**
**The CEO is Claire Ranford, who is responsible for reporting to the Board on issues of Finance, HR, Quality Control, Service Delivery, Safeguarding and Development. Claire is a registered member of NCPS and a qualified Clinical Supervisor. She is responsible for managing and developing existing contracts, developing business ideas and is the public face of the Charity. Our BACP Registered / Accredited Clinical Supervisors are Helen Strickland and Lindsey Flack. The Centre's Senior Practice Consultant is Sue Armstrong. The Clinical Supervisors, Senior Practice Consultant and CEO work closely to maintain high standards and look for areas of improvement within our clinical practice. All our practitioners are registered on the Relate Practitioner Directory, who vet and monitor staff and volunteer DBS checks, professional membership, qualifications, supervision and Continuing Professional Development training certificates.**
**In the interests of achieving a sustainable team of practitioners, whilst improving service quality, over the past year, we have successfully recruited 7 new Counsellors. We have also provided placements to 3 trainee counsellors (including couples, children and young people's therapy). We have increased workforce capacity by supporting existing Counsellors through provision of placements for additional specialist qualifications.**
## **Plans for the Future**
## **Meeting the Needs of our Communities**
**We are committed to inclusion and striving to better meet the needs of those affected by the cost of living crisis. We aim to sustain continued growth in the percentage of funded and subsidised counselling sessions. We are aiming for 60% of total delivery.**
## **Fundraising**
**We will continue to seek funding for schools-based counselling and for sustained subsidies for low income families. We plan to apply for core funding to sustain the growth of the charity.**
## **Inclusion**
**We are striving to better represent the community that we serve by recruiting Counsellors, staff and Trustees from diverse backgrounds. We plan to improve access to therapy through increasing our offer of languages for non-English speaking clients.**
## **Recruitment**
**We will recruit to meet the growing demand for our services, ensuring we have a pipeline of couples, family and children's counsellors. We will increase our workforce of Family Coaches to deliver our Reducing Parental Conflict and Reunification projects in partnership with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.**
## **Building Relationships**
**We plan to extend our reach of partnerships by developing our relationships with local collaborations, charities, agencies and statutory sector partners including BCP Council and health sector providers. We are looking to invest in forging a new network of relationship counselling providers following the insolvency of Relate National in November 2024.**
## **Be More Visible**
**We will promote our re-branded Charity at local networking events and meetings, improve our social media presence and continue to deliver Continuing Professional Development training for local and national organisations.**
## **Board of Trustees**
## **Trustee Appointments**
**An appointment of a new Trustee is a formal process. Once an interested party is identified (such as via a public speaking event or networking) the person(s) are invited to information briefings which are usually held by the CEO and at least one Trustee. If after this process, the person concerned wishes to apply they are supplied with good practice guides from the Charity Commission on Trusteeship and Responsibilities, relevant business plan(s), annual reports / accounts, a person specification and a job description. Upon receipt of a completed application form, the Chair or Vice Chair will meet with the applicant and determine suitability on the basis of skills, Board needs, time available and commitment. If successful, references and a DBS check will be undertaken and parties invited to attend meetings as an observer. Once all matters are satisfactory an invitation to become a Director is made and the relevant Companies House information completed. Whilst this process is lengthy, it has led to long-term commitment from people who can contribute to the quality and effectiveness of the organisation and add value to its service delivery. Our trustees may serve for a maximum of 8 years and we are delighted that many stay to give this length of invaluable service.**
## **Trustee Training**
**Trustee training is dependent on need. Trustees have attended conferences and local Community Voluntary Services events; Monthly updates from Charity Lawyers and HR Professionals are shared. The agency subscribes to Third Sector publications and attempts to send a representative to at least one National Council for Voluntary Organisations learning event per annum, with information being cascaded, shared or implemented. Relate also recognises the training brought to the Board by Trustee’s other roles, some of which is extensive, given annual requirements for Continuous Professional Development.**
## **Report Approval**
## **Small Company Provisions**
**This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.**
**This Report was approved by the Board on :**
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
## Company registration number: **06109030** Registered Charity: **1120017**
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch
REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS For the year ended 31 March 2025
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
|CONTENTS|PAGE|
|---|---|
|Legaland administrative information|2|
|Trustees' Report|3-15|
|Statement of Financial Activities|16|
|Balance Sheet|17|
|Notes to the accounts|18-23|
## Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
## LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch (name changed to Relationship and Family Therapy (RAFT) Ltd on 1[st] April 2025) is a company limited by guarantee and not having share capital and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The company is a registered charity.
Charity Name Relationship and Family Therapy (RAFT) Ltd Charity registration number 1120017 (registered 11 July 2007) Company Number 06109030 (incorporated 15 February 2007) Trustees Nicole Jessop Anne Clarkson Richard Cook Jacqueline Reeves Dorothy Brown Debra Clark Pauline Wheeler Registered office 1 Stratfield Saye 20-22 Wellington Road Bournemouth Dorset BHS SJN United Kingdom Bankers CAF Bank Accountant HJ Accounts Management Ltd 45 Ensbury Avenue Bournemouth Dorset BH10 4HF United Kingdom
2
## **Annual Report Year ending 31st March 2025**
**Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch**
3
## **Message from our Chair**
**It's been quite a year for our charity, one filled with both significant challenges and important decisions that will shape our future. The cost of living crisis has affected many of the families we support, making our charitable delivery even more vital.**
**I'm pleased to share that we reached an all-time high of 66.7% charitable delivery in June, and maintained an average of 50.8% across the year overall. This demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring cost isn't a barrier to accessing the support people need.**
**February brought unexpected disruption when flooding hit our premises, but it was the insolvency of Relate National in November and Family Action takeover that presented us with a defining moment. Rather than simply accepting change imposed from outside, we chose to chart our own course. After careful consideration, we made the decision to relaunch and rebrand as Relationship and Family Therapy (RAFT) Ltd as of 1st April 2025. This transformation creates new opportunities, and allows us to better serve our beneficiaries whilst preserving many years of expertise and community connections. We're in consultation with other centres making similar moves, with hopes of creating a new collaborative network under Relationships England and Wales.**
**Change always brings uncertainty, but I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead. Our office team, counsellors, volunteers, supervisors, leadership and everyone who keeps us going have shown remarkable resilience throughout these challenges. You're all part of something we can be truly proud of. The future of RAFT looks bright, and I can't wait to see what we achieve together.**
**The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year to 31st March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the charitable company's memorandum and articles and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities issued on 16 July 2014 (SORP 2015 (FRSSE).**
4
## **Our Mission**
**To enhance the quality of couple and parental family relationships**
**To help relationships, marriages and civil partnerships withstand the pressures leading to breakdown**
**To help make living, working and being with other people, a better experience for our clients, at every stage of life**
**To limit the damage which commonly accompanies failing relationships, separation and divorce and increase the prospect of subsequent relationships succeeding.**
**To deliver services with cultural sensitivity and without discrimination. To operate fully within an equal opportunities policy and promote anti-discriminatory practice.**
## **Our Values**
## **We believe...**
**We are focused on the needs of clients and communities and we encourage continuous improvement and development**
**Our service delivery demonstrates excellence in practice, inclusiveness and respect for clients, stakeholders, employees and volunteers**
**An individual’s physical well-being, emotional and mental health benefit from a committed relationship.**
**Children thrive in families where relationships are positive and free from destructive conflict**
**People gain from an understanding of their sexuality**
5
## **Performance**
**This Annual Report examines what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. The report looks at the success of our key activities and the benefits they have brought to the people we are set up to help. It helps us ensure our activities remain focussed on our stated purpose. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit to ensure our previous and planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives we have set.**
## **Clinical Standards**
Our Relate centre is an organisational member of the BACP, adhering to their ethical guidelines as well as Relate National’s service specifications. The impact on the lives of clients is demonstrated in feedback from our clients gathered through our in-house survey as well as nationally recognised outcomes-measures.
## **Charitable Value**
This year, we have worked hard to maintain our charitable offer, with over 50% of our counselling sessions being partially or fully funded.
We have delivered 790 sessions of counselling thanks to the generous donations from Elevate Foundation, the Big Lottery and the Amateurs Trust. We have expanded our Family Coaching service, delivering Local Authority funded support for children returning from care to their birth families and coaching for their parents/ carers.
6
## **Local Funders**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Elevate
Foundation
Talbot trust
Amateurs Trust
BCP Council
Reducing Parental
Big Lottery
conflict &
Awards for All
Reunification
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Beneficiaries**
**Funding from trusts and grant-giving bodies in 2024-25 enabled us to provide fully funded and low cost counselling services to the following beneficiaries:**
- **Children and young people aged 8+ - Elevate Foundation £10,225 Children, young people and their families Big Lottery Awards for All £14,250 Families of SEND children (BCP Council - Reducing Parental Conflict Grant). £24,287 was spent in 2024-25. This project is to be continued into 2025-26**
- **Families of children returning from care (BCP Council - Reunification Project) £11,109.60 was spent in 2024-25. This project is to be continued into 2025-26**
- **Core cost funding - Amateurs Trust £10,000 grant was spent in 2024-5 Children and young people - Talbot Trust, a £18,750 grant was spent in 2024-25**
## **School Partners**
**This year, we provided counselling services to schools across BCP. Partner schools include: Bourne Academy, St Aldhelm’s Academy, Jewell Academy, Mudeford, Longfleet Primary and St Peter’s Catholic Secondary School; delivering a total of 790 sessions across all schools and our centre.**
7
## **National Partners**
**Our Charity provide fully and partially funded counselling to individuals, couples, families and children in partnership with the following trusts:**
**Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity Seafarers Charity Royal Air Force Benevolent Trust Bank Workers Charity**
**Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABA) Charity for Civil Servants Grocery Aid The Brain Tumour Charity The Retail Trust Licensed Trade Charity**
## **Delivery of partner-funded and bursary sessions for the financial year ending 31st March 2025**
**We have successfully reduced financial barriers to accessing our services in 2024-25. Our charitable delivery target of 50% has exceeded self-funded sessions over the past year. In total, we have spent £85,952 on delivering funded and subsidised sessions to low-income families. This compares to £83,303 income generated through self-funded appointments. The national partners are complimented by local partners, creating a more sustainable source of income and referrals.**
8
## **Service Delivery**
**Relationship Counselling**
**We delivered 932 sessions of relationship counselling including 89 initial consultations. This service supports people’s relationships by helping them discuss their feelings, attitudes and expectations, offering assistance with communication and problem solving.**
## **Family Counselling**
## **Parenting Workshops**
**We delivered 3 x two-part workshops to parents and carers of children with SEND under the ages of 8 years old. These workshops were funded by BCP council.**
**I found it helpful not feeling guilty about‘ giving time for myself.**
**We delivered 90 sessions of family counselling, supporting families of all ages, situations and dynamics to have more positive relationships with one another.**
## **Children & Young People's Counselling**
**We delivered 790 sessions of counselling to children and young people between ages 5-18**
**I’ve gained a greater feeling of empathy towards my wife and daughter. Conflict situations are a lot calmer and easier to resolve**
## **Family Coaching**
**We delivered 100 sessions of family coaching**
## **Individual Counselling**
**We delivered 171 sessions of individual counselling**
**In total our centre delivered a total of 2203 sessions in 2024-25 compared to 2255 sessions in 2023-24.**
**I found it helpful to discuss and share with the professional and with each other.**
## **Counselling Sessions**
9
## **What our Young Clients Have to Say...**
**Counselling made me feel heard and helped me think how I could deal with the things that were upsetting me.**
**I am able to talk about my feelings instead of bottling them all up.**
**66% of young people rated our service as ‘Excellent’.**
**I feel less anxious, I sleep better and can concentrate better**
**Counselling has made me feel a lot better. I use the tips a lot and feel much better**
**Counselling provided an outlet for me until the CAMHS referral came through**
**Client Children & Young People's survey 2024-25** 10
## **Feedback from Families...**
**I learned techniques to manage my son’s behaviour on a daily basis. He is more responsive and his behaviour is easier to manage.**
**Our coach was amazing. It felt like she had all the time in the world for a family that never stops.**
**88% of families rated our coaching service as 'Excellent', with 11% rating it as 'Good'**
**We are now able to more positively manage our son in a crisis**
**Now we make an effort to sit down together and talk about things in a way we didn't before. We’ve noticed changes in the family dynamic as a whole**
**Our coach was fantastic. I learned how to respect myself and set boundaries.**
11
**Family Coaching Survey 2024-25**
## **Financial Summary**
## **Reserves**
**The reserves policy should reflect three months running costs, which currently stands at £19,500 (3 months of £6,500 fixed costs). At year end, the reserves remained at £22,850 as at 31st March 2025. This financial position is being reviewed on a monthly basis. In addition, there is a designated Building Fund reserve of £8,391 following a £2,000 spend on a replacement boiler. We hold reserves in CAF Bank, a subsidiary of the Charities Aid Foundation.**
## **Principal Funding Sources**
**The principal funding sources for the charity are currently from client contributions, trust fundraising and spot purchasing from local schools and authorities.**
## **Public Benefit**
**The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty to give due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The work of the Charity is to prevent harm or further distress resulting from relationship breakdown and to educate the general public on matters pertaining to these issues. It is not considered that the Charity’s activities include any detriment to beneficiaries or that they convey any significant incidental private benefit to those governing the Charity. By fundamental definition, the charity’s beneficiaries; families under stress, or in relationship crisis, are the public. All counselling services rarely cover their costs. The Department for Education’s Evaluation of Relationship Services estimated the cost to provide one hour of counselling was £78. . These deficits are made up by a small gift aid stream from clients who make full contributions of £70 per supplied hour and by generating funds in other services to underpin the core services provided. The Relationship Foundation’s research on the cost to society of relationship breakdown, showed that, by reducing the risk of couples separating, every £1 spent on relationship counselling could save the public purse up to £11.50.**
## **Subsidy**
**As detailed in this report, Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch provides subsidised and fully funded counselling sessions using funds raised in the form of grants, donations and Gift Aid. The Charity also provides fully funded services to individuals, couples and families through both local and national contracts, such as employee assistance programmes and welfare services. The past year has seen growth in our charitable work in proportion to our self-funded client income.**
## **Charitable Value 2024-25**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Volunteer Contribution &xAaxs+ a a 3S&a &aa &xA Bi&a aAx Daa= FSPel& Pel & g&Pel
©) Session Month
Relate’s services, by definition, are necessarily complex and for the most part the Board (which is entirely
comprised of volunteers) is not able to agree to the deployment of volunteers in clinical or educational work,
with the exception of individuals participating in a Relate accredited course. The centre currently has 2
volunteer counsellors.
**----- End of picture text -----**
12
## **Structure, Governance & Management**
## **Governing Document**
**Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch is a charitable company limited by guarantee; incorporated 1st April 2008 and Registered as a Charity 1st April 2008. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed by its Articles of Association, which were ratified on 15th July 2010 to bring them in line with Relate as a Federation. Strategic, financial and policy decisions are exclusively taken by the individual Charity at quarterly Board meetings. Operational issues are address in supervision between the Chair and CEO, decisions are made and reported to the Board at Executive meetings. The Chairman supervises the work of the CEO and receives the financial reports.**
## **Finance Meetings**
**The CEO, Treasurer and Management Accountant meet on a regular basis. The purpose of this meeting is to examine the draft management accounts, to look at variances against budget and in activity, to examine cash flow demands and income streams. Additionally, it is an opportunity to answer any queries for the financial staff. Once this group has agreed the figures they are presented to the Main Board every quarter.**
## **Service Management**
**The CEO is Claire Ranford, who is responsible for reporting to the Board on issues of Finance, HR, Quality Control, Service Delivery, Safeguarding and Development. Claire is a registered member of NCPS and a qualified Clinical Supervisor. She is responsible for managing and developing existing contracts, developing business ideas and is the public face of the Charity. Our BACP Registered / Accredited Clinical Supervisors are Helen Strickland and Lindsey Flack. The Centre's Senior Practice Consultant is Sue Armstrong. The Clinical Supervisors, Senior Practice Consultant and CEO work closely to maintain high standards and look for areas of improvement within our clinical practice. All our practitioners are registered on the Relate Practitioner Directory, who vet and monitor staff and volunteer DBS checks, professional membership, qualifications, supervision and Continuing Professional Development training certificates.**
**In the interests of achieving a sustainable team of practitioners, whilst improving service quality, over the past year, we have successfully recruited 7 new Counsellors. We have also provided placements to 3 trainee counsellors (including couples, children and young people's therapy). We have increased workforce capacity by supporting existing Counsellors through provision of placements for additional specialist qualifications.**
13
## **Plans for the Future**
## **Meeting the Needs of our Communities**
**We are committed to inclusion and striving to better meet the needs of those affected by the cost of living crisis. We aim to sustain continued growth in the percentage of funded and subsidised counselling sessions. We are aiming for 60% of total delivery.**
## **Fundraising**
**We will continue to seek funding for schools-based counselling and for sustained subsidies for low income families. We plan to apply for core funding to sustain the growth of the charity.**
## **Inclusion**
**We are striving to better represent the community that we serve by recruiting Counsellors, staff and Trustees from diverse backgrounds. We plan to improve access to therapy through increasing our offer of languages for non-English speaking clients.**
## **Recruitment**
**We will recruit to meet the growing demand for our services, ensuring we have a pipeline of couples, family and children's counsellors. We will increase our workforce of Family Coaches to deliver our Reducing Parental Conflict and Reunification projects in partnership with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.**
## **Building Relationships**
**We plan to extend our reach of partnerships by developing our relationships with local collaborations, charities, agencies and statutory sector partners including BCP Council and health sector providers. We are looking to invest in forging a new network of relationship counselling providers following the insolvency of Relate National in November 2024.**
## **Be More Visible**
**We will promote our re-branded Charity at local networking events and meetings, improve our social media presence and continue to deliver Continuing Professional Development training for local and national organisations.**
14
## **Board of Trustees**
## **Trustee Appointments**
**An appointment of a new Trustee is a formal process. Once an interested party is identified (such as via a public speaking event or networking) the person(s) are invited to information briefings which are usually held by the CEO and at least one Trustee. If after this process, the person concerned wishes to apply they are supplied with good practice guides from the Charity Commission on Trusteeship and Responsibilities, relevant business plan(s), annual reports / accounts, a person specification and a job description. Upon receipt of a completed application form, the Chair or Vice Chair will meet with the applicant and determine suitability on the basis of skills, Board needs, time available and commitment. If successful, references and a DBS check will be undertaken and parties invited to attend meetings as an observer. Once all matters are satisfactory an invitation to become a Director is made and the relevant Companies House information completed. Whilst this process is lengthy, it has led to long-term commitment from people who can contribute to the quality and effectiveness of the organisation and add value to its service delivery. Our trustees may serve for a maximum of 8 years and we are delighted that many stay to give this length of invaluable service.**
## **Trustee Training**
**Trustee training is dependent on need. Trustees have attended conferences and local Community Voluntary Services events; Monthly updates from Charity Lawyers and HR Professionals are shared. The agency subscribes to Third Sector publications and attempts to send a representative to at least one National Council for Voluntary Organisations learning event per annum, with information being cascaded, shared or implemented. Relate also recognises the training brought to the Board by Trustee’s other roles, some of which is extensive, given annual requirements for Continuous Professional Development.**
## **Report Approval**
## **Small Company Provisions**
**This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.**
## Richard Cook
Richard Cook (Dec 12, 2025 15:53:53 GMT)
**This Report was approved by the Board on :** Dec 12, 2025
15
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
## Statement of financial activities (including Income and Expenditure account) For the year ended 31 March 2025
The company had no gains or losses other than those shown above.
|**Notes**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Investment Income
3
Charitable activities
4
**Total Income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
**Total Expenditure**
6
**Net income before transfers**
5
Transfer between funds
12
**Net (expenditure)/income for the year**
**Funds brought forward**
**Funds carried forward**
12&13|**Unrestricted**
**Designated Restricted**
**Total**
**funds**
**Total**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
10,104
0
0
10,104
11,285
1,556
0
0
1,556
1,697
118,743
0
63,225
181,968
136,539|
|---|---|
||130,402
0
63,225
193,627
149,521|
||0
0
194,477
0
0
194,477
173,155|
||194,477
0
0
194,477
173,155|
||(64,074)
0
63,225
(849)
(23,634)
67,073
(2,000)
(65,073)
0
0|
||2,999
(2,000)
(1,848)
(849)
(23,634)
1,193
33,241
105,884
140,318
163,952|
||4,192
31,241
104,036
139,469
140,319|
16
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
## Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
8
Investments
9
**Current assets**
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
11
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted income funds
Designated funds
13
General funds
Restricted funds
12
**Total funds**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2025**
**2024**
**funds**
**funds**
**Total**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
2,089
77,732
79,821
80,720
253
-
253
253|
|---|---|
||2,342
77,732
80,074
80,973
17,465
-
17,465
8,506
34,378
26,304
60,682
65,710|
||51,843
26,304
78,147
74,216
(18,752)
-
(18,752)
(14,870)|
||33,091
26,304
59,395
59,346|
||35,433
104,036 139,469
140,319|
||31,241
-
31,241
33,241
4,192
-
4,192
1,193
-
104,036
104,036
105,884|
||35,433
104,036 139,469
140,319|
For the year ended 31 March 2025, the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. No Member of the charitable company has deposited a notice, pursuant of section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of its surplus or deficit for the fi nancial year in accordance with the requirements of section 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the charity.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the micro-entities provision.
Approved by the Trustees on: Dec 12, 2025
And signed on their behalf by Richard Cook, Chair of Trustees
## Richard Cook
Richard Cook (Dec 12, 2025 15:53:53 GMT)
17
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
## Accounting Policies
## (a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE), and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) 1 to these accounts.
- (b) Income recognition
Income is recognised in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt, the amount can be measured reliably, it is probable that the income will be received.
- (c) Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on the accruals basis as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure, it is probably that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Irrecoverable value added tax is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
- (d) Fixed assets and depreciation
Fixed assets retained for continuing use in the charity are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Leasehold property amortisation 1% straight line Office equipment and furniture 15% reducing balance Computer Equipment 25% straight line
- (e) Fund accounting
The General Fund is an unrestricted fund which is available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for a specific purpose.
The Designated Funds are unrestricted funds which have been set up by the Trustees to meet identified future costs of the charity and allow the charity to continue should there be a future funding shortfall.
Restricted Funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donors. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the accounts.
Incoming resources and resources expended are allocated to the Funds on a direct or time apportioned basis as appropriate.
## (f) Pensions
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
## (g) Donated Service
Donated services provided by individuals or entities as part of their trade or profession are included as incoming resources as their estimated open market value where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable and measurable.
18
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
Notes to the Accounts (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025
|**2. Donations and legacies**
Donations:
Unrestricted donations
Grant Income
**3. Investment income**
Interest
**4. Income from charitable activities**
Client contributions for counselling
Gift Aid recoverable on client contributions
Mediation income
Family Matters Bursary Fund
Award for All
Bursary Income
Training income
Room hire and other income|
|**General**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
104
-
104
160
10,000
10,000
11,125
10,104
-
10,104
11,285
**General**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,556
-
1,556
1,697
1,556
-
1,556
1,697
**General**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
106,753
-
106,753
105,669
-
-
-
4,462
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20,000
20,000
-
-
43,225
43,225
20,000
-
-
-
270
11,990
-
11,990
6,139|
|---|---|---|
|||118,743
63,225
181,968
136,539|
19
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
Notes to the Accounts (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025
|**5. Total resources expended**
These include:
Wages and salaries (including redundancy)
Employers national insurance
Pension costs
Depreciation
Average number of employees|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
130,363
125,708
-
-
4,687
3,274
1,506
1,324|
|---|---|
||20
17|
There are no staff members earning in excess of £60,000 pa
20
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
Notes to the Accounts (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025
|**6. Expenditure**
**Charitable activity costs, by type of expense**
Wages and salaries (including redundancy)
Pension costs
Subcontractor costs
Mediation costs
Training direct costs
Supervision
Travel and subsistence
Rates
Light and heat
Cleaning
Telephone and fax
Advertising
Stationery, postage and printing
Subscriptions
Relate membership
Bank charges
Insurance
Software and computer maintenance
Repairs and maintenance
Staff Entertainment
Gifts & Donations
Sundry expenses
Professional fees
Depreciation and loss on disposal of assets
**Governance costs**
Independent examination
Accountancy
Total charitable expenditure|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
130,363
125,708
4,687
3,274
4,515
1,702
-
25
250
200
4,220
2,930
197
165
2,861
2,811
2,629
2,071
1,897
2,624
4,200
4,717
-
-
751
588
370
532
11,501
11,829
1,024
1,264
1,463
1,336
2,722
373
7,627
2,183
2,584
1,616
1,212
418
3,889
1,230
209
420
1,506
1,324|
|---|---|
||190,678
169,341|
||415
395
3,384
3,419|
||3,799
3,814|
||194,477
173,155|
## **7. Trustee's remuneration and expenses**
No Trustee received any remuneration from the charity in relation to the performance of their duties.
There are no related party transactions to disclose.
21
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
|Notes to the Accounts (continued) for the year|Notes to the Accounts (continued) for the year|ended 31 March 2025|ended 31 March 2025|
|---|---|---|---|
|**8. Fixed assets**|**Land and**|**Plant and**||
||**buildings**|**machinery**|**Total**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Cost**||||
|At 1 April 2024|93,644|11,819|105,463|
|Additions|-|607|607|
|Disposals|-|-|-|
|At 31 March 2025|93,644|12,426|106,070|
|**Depreciation**|||-|
|At 1 April 2024|14,976|9,767|24,743|
|Charge for the year|936|570|1,506|
|On disposals|-|-|-|
|At 31 March 2025|15,912|10,337|26,249|
|**Net book value**|||-|
|At 31 March 2025|77,732|2,089|79,821|
|At 31 March 2024|78,668|2,052|80,720|
In the opinion of the Trustees, the current market value of the leasehold land and buildings at the balance sheet date was approximately £190,000.
|**9. Investments**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
**Other investments**
Unlisted investments stated at cost
**10. Debtors**
Trade debtors
Other debtors and prepayments
**11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Accruals
Other creditors|**2025**
**£**
253|**Other**
**investments**
**£**
253|
|---|---|---|
|||253|
|||**2024**
**£**
253|
||**2025**
**£**
11,865
5,601|**2024**
**£**
2,385
6,121|
||17,465|8,506|
||**2025**
**£**
4,781
983
12,989
-|**2024**
**£**
307
1,253
13,310
-|
||18,752|14,870|
22
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
Notes to the Accounts (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025
|**12. Restricted Funds**
**Capital Fund**
Leasehold property
**Promoting health and well-being**
Parenting Project Grant
Awards for All
Bursary Income
**Total restricted funds**|**Transfer**
**At 1 April**
**Incoming**
**Outgoing**
**between**
**At 31 March**
**2024**
**resources**
**resources**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
78,668
-
-
(936)
77,732|
|---|---|
||-
-
-
-
-
-
20,000
-
-
20,000
27,216
43,225
-
(64,137)
6,304|
||105,884
63,225
-
(65,073)
104,036|
|**13. Designated Funds**
Building Fund
Running Costs Reserves Fund
Organisational Development Fund|**Transfer**
**At 1 April**
**Incoming**
**Outgoing**
**between**
**At 31 March**
**2024**
**resources**
**resources**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
10,391
-
-
(2,000)
8,391
22,850
-
-
-
22,850
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|
||33,241
-
-
(2,000)
31,241|
## **14. Members’ liability**
The company is limited by guarantee. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of the same being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the company contracted before he o r she ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up such amount as may be required not exceeding £1. The number of members at the balance sheet date was 7 (31/03/2025).
## **15. Control**
Relate Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch (now Relationship and Family Therapy (RAFT) Ltd) is constituted as a charitable company with no share capital. Control of the company is therefore vested in the trustees.
23
## Final Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 Updated Compressed
## Final Audit Report
## 2025-12-12
Created: 2025-12-05 By: Hannah Jeffery (hannah@hjaccountsmanagement.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAIytq87vulc1hP3fHytXIQg754Td-IOZA
## "Final Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 Updated Compress ed" History
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## Document e-signed by Richard Cook (richard@raft.org.uk)
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## Agreement completed.
2025-12-12 - 15:53:53 GMT
4[th] December 2025
The Trustees RAFT 1 Stra�ield SAYE 20-22 Wellington Road Bournemouth BH5 5JN
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS**
## **Report to the trustees of RAFT, on accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025**
## **Respec've responsibili'es of Trustees and examiner**
The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under sec*on 144(2) of the Chari*es Act 2011 (the Act)) and that an independent examina*on is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- Examine the accounts (under sec*on 145 of the Act);
- To follow the procedures laid down in the General Direc*ons given by the Charity Commission (under sec*on 145(5)(b) of the Act), and
- To state whether par*cular ma7ers have come to my a7en*on.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement**
My examina*on was carried out in accordance with General Direc*ons given by the Charity Commission. An examina*on includes a review of the accoun*ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considera*on of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explana*ons from you as trustees concerning any such ma7ers. 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 ma7ers set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In the course of my examina*on, no ma7er has come to my a7en*on:
1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
- a. Proper accoun*ng records are kept (in accordance with sec*on 41 of the Act); and
- b. Accounts are prepared which agree with the accoun*ng records and comply with the accoun*ng requirements of the Act; or
2. To which, in my opinion, a7en*on should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed… _SueW_ ……… Date… 4/12/2025…..
Sue Wintle ACIE 27 Basco7 Road Bournemouth Dorset BH11 8RJ