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← Derwent Rural Counselling Service

2025-03-31-accounts

Company registration number: 06081874 Charity registration number: 1124775

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

(A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Contents

Trustees' Report 1 to 10
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 11
Independent Auditor's Report 12 to 14
Statement of Financial Activities 15
Balance Sheet 16
Statement of Cash Flows 17
Notes to the Financial Statements 18 to 26

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report

Reference and Administrative Details

The Trustees, (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their Annual Report together with the audited financial statements of Derwent Rural Counselling Service (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Since the charity qualifies as small under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director’s Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.

Charity registration number : 1124775 Company Registration Number : 06081874

Trustees: Dr P L Askham (resigned 17 September 2025) Dr R M Biddulph Mr M R D Serby, Chair (resigned 10 April 2024) Mr M D Varnham Ms N J Adams (resigned 10 April 2024) Ms G Capewell (resigned 10 April 2024) Ms J Howlings (resigned 10 April 2024) Ms E T Muller (resigned 10 April 2024) Ms A J Worsnip (resigned 10 April 2024)

Ms G Y J Nkahirwa (appointed 7 June 2024 and resigned 2 October 2024) Ms J Henderson (appointed 6 November 2024 and resigned 30 June 2025) Mrs M Yarwood (appointed 6 November 2024)

Senior Management Team: Ms J Smeeton, Chief Executive Officer (resigned 18 September 2025) Mr M Penman, Operations Manager (resigned 31 May 2025) Ms K Heappey, Clinical Lead (resigned 30 June 2025) Ms A Wilshaw, Service Manager (appointed 1 July 2025)

Registered Office : Serenity House New Beetwell Street Chesterfield S40 1QR Auditor: Hawsons Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Pegasus House 463a Glossop Road Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2QD

Page 1

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

Bankers :

National Westminster Bank plc 1 Water Lane Bakewell DE45 1YY CCLA - COIF 1 Angel Lane London EC4R 3AB

Page 2

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

Derwent Rural Counselling Service (DRCS) is a charity that has been providing counselling and psychological therapy services across Derby and Derbyshire for the past 36 years. In the period of the report (1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025) DRCS operated as a sub-contractor for Talking Mental Health Derbyshire (TMHD) and the Talking Therapy for Anxiety and Depression (TTAD) service of Derbyshire Health Care Foundation Trust (DHCFT).

Our foundation in 1989 was in response to the needs of the rural community in the High Peaks and Dales and the crisis of foot and mouth disease that devastated the farming community. Our purpose then was to support these communities through this crisis.

This report is presented by the Trustees of the charity, Derwent Rural Counselling Service (DRCS), who are also directors for the purposes of the Companies Act. Each year we present this annual report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended. This report covers the year ended 31 March 2025. We can confirm that the Annual Report and Financial Statements comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Since the charity qualifies as ‘small’ under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director’s Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.

Objectives and activities

The charity’s objectives are to promote the good mental health and wellbeing of any members of the public who are experiencing mental illness, however and wherever those problems or illnesses have arisen, through the use of counselling, therapeutic and preventative practices.

Activities for achieving these objectives include a variety of therapies including

Strategies for achieving these objectives

Strategies are based on a commitment to provide professional confidential and empathic therapy to anyone who asks, which is essential given the increasing demand of the impact of mental health concerns affecting 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children every year in an increasingly complex post-pandemic world (McManus S., Bebbington P., Jenkins R. and Brugha T. 2016; ONS 2024).

We have a team of highly qualified and experienced accredited therapists ready to help any individual, regarding themselves personally, or if they are worried about a friend, colleague or loved one. We help individuals decide on the right choice of therapy and offer professional advice.

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

We help support businesses, schools and other educational establishments through our programme of preventative workshops. These focus on early identification of Mental Health difficulties amongst staff or students and overcoming stigma. A culture of wellbeing in the work place or learning environment is proven to have a positive impact on productivity and performance.

The charity uses a number of key performance measurements to assess success in delivering our objectives and activities. These are:

These performance indicators are measured against our own targets, regional targets and national targets.

We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commissions’ general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set. This is referred to in the achievements and performance section of this report.

Achievements and Performance

Review of Activities

Meeting demand

The demand for our service continues to grow and our achievements and challenges are listed below:

*NHS Stepped Care Model - step 2 work undertaken by Psychological Well-Being Practitioners (PWPs); step 3 work undertaken by CBT/High Intensity therapists

Waiting times

Page 4

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

Status

Contracts and partnerships - ongoing and live in 2024-25

Recruitment and staffing

Page 5

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

Infrastructure

Our portfolio of owned and leased properties (Belper, Alfreton, Derby, Chesterfield, Long Eaton, Bakewell) underwent regular maintenance.

However, due to the significant downturn in referrals following TMHD bringing their contract to an end we no longer needed all of this counselling space capacity. Consequently, a strategy of space reduction was initiated beginning with the serving of notice on the lease for our Bakewell office at the end of 2024. On 19 February 2025, the Alfreton Office was placed on the market for sale followed by the Derby property on 27 February 2025. With regard to the latter although there are strong arguments for retaining this property, due to the forecast reduction of income the charity would experience, it was decided to test the appetite in the marketplace.

Profiling

DRCS maintains its focus of keeping the clients’ best interests at the centre of decision making. We continue to strive to provide a first-class service to all our clients and customers be they individual members of the public, services supplied to employers, schools, businesses, local authorities or the NHS.

We aim to be the first choice for those that require support and help with their mental health. We will achieve this through maintaining our targeted social media and advertising strategy, networking and presenting at stakeholder events, strategically applying for funding and new contracts.

DRCS has a big vision for the future building on our strengths of providing successful services to:

Financial Review

Income for the year was £1,815,258 (2024: £2,106,477).

Expenditure for the year was £1,571,252 (2024: £1,892,316).

The Charity's net income was £244,006 (2024: £214,161).

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

Principal risks and uncertainties

The financial year 2024-25 was a significant year for the charity in that a process of reconfiguration and refocussing began for DRCS triggered by the decision by Derbyshire Health Care Foundation Trust not to bid to be sole provider of NHS Talking Therapies Service in Derbyshire (see earlier ‘Status’ section in this report). The trustees of DRCS considered forming a new partnership to bid for the contract but given the complexities, time scales and challenges of this move, decided against this. This strategic decision has exposed the charity to a number of risks previously identified on our organisational risk register. Given the magnitude and speed of this change the trustees and senior management team (SMT) established three sub-committees to plan a strategic response in key areas such as financial management and service development, membership of which was drawn from trustees and SMT personnel.

These risks, together with the steps taken to mitigate against them, are outlined below:

Risk: loss of contract with consequent loss of main income stream

Mitigation: immediate review of financial strategy to stabilize finances as soon as the downturn in income was forecast, looking for savings in outgoings and overheads as well as looking for new opportunities to generate income e.g. maximising room hire/letting income from our remaining offices in Chesterfield and Derby. A review of the referral rate into the original DRCS service (this is not part of the free to access NHS funded contract that we deliver) also took place with the aim of increasing the number of enquiries and referrals, In addition, a proactive approach has been taken to monitoring new contracts that are put out to tender and DRCS will apply for those that it can confidently service. We are maintaining our Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials plus accreditation as well as the NHS toolkit so that we are tender-ready. We are also considering commissioning a new data base.

Risk: office accommodation, running costs and surplus provision i.e. under-utilised or lack of building/office space; spare capacity not being utilised or turned to account

Mitigation: notice was served on all leased properties beginning with Bakewell (terminated March 2025). We closed our Alfreton office in December 2024, and this together with our Derby premises was placed on the market for sale in February 2024 .

Risk: employment issues e.g. under capacity and staff well-being issues

Mitigation: given the probability that we would not have enough work to keep all our employees and contractors fully engaged, we consulted with staff at the earliest opportunity in November 2024 and offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to reduce staff numbers. This avoided compulsory redundancies.

Risk: Competition from similar organisations i.e. moving from a contracted (NHS) service to deliver a free at point of access service to a fee charging model means that only clients that can afford to pay can choose to access the service. This puts DRCS in direct competition with all other talking therapy services including NHS Talking Therapy for Anxiety and Depression, Derby and Derbyshire service as well as all other organisations offering a counselling service e.g. charities, private businesses and self employed counsellors.

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

Mitigation: we have reviewed the market and have marketed the key selling points of our brand, e.g. by continuing to offer a low-cost service for individuals who could evidence they are in receipt of means tested benefits. We reduced the fee we have historically charged from £60 to £50 to those who pay full fee to be competitive in the marketplace. This provided an opportunity for DRCS to enact its ethos as charity i.e. we offered a free assessment with 6 x free sessions of therapy for both adults 18+ and Children and Young People within the charitable DRCS Service. If clients were to continue, they then paid £50.00 per session with reduction to £10.00 for those clients who were on means tested benefits.

In advertising we are capitalising on our outstanding BACP rating and promoting our ‘no waiting times’ strapline evidenced by the fact that the majority of referrals we received are assessed and matched with a counsellor within one week. We have also reviewed the methods of service delivery by maintaining our face to face, online and telephone delivery making our service as accessible to as many people as possible.

Reserves Policy

The reserves policy is under constant review, setting a target level of reserves which is fit for purpose. The volume of activities has increased to pre pandemic levels. The charity requires enough funds in reserves to cover general expenditure in case of funding short-fall as well as a funds to cover future lease/mortgage commitments and a sufficient amount for investment and development of the charity’s services and infrastructure.

At the year-end free reserves not tied up in fixed assets and excluding bank loans secured on property were £933,367.

The target level of reserves at 31 March 2025 was £600,000 and accounted for three months of overall costs taking into consideration inflation and future lease commitments. However, since the year-end there has been the loss of a significant contract, resultant redundancies and the closure of properties, thus reducing operational costs.

Therefore, the recalculated level of reserves, taking into account three months of overall costs and future commitments is £196,000.

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries and given the planned sale of properties, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Plans for future periods

Future developments

DRCS is continuing with its strategy of growth. It is still the long-term strategy to develop the charity into a centre of excellence for providing psychological services and a preferred employer. As mentioned earlier in the report, DRCS is focussed on increasing its market share within the paid for therapy sector and we also be placing an increased emphasis on fund raising, something that received less attention whilst servicing the NHS contract as we were able to use residual income to fund our charitable free/ low-cost activities.

In 2022 the charity was successful in securing ownership of a significant property within Chesterfield town centre and renovations to provide bespoke office space, consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation spaces have now been completed offering further opportunities to extend potential services within this building. This is now a major asset in the future strategy for DRCS and we are negotiating the letting of one complete floor of Serenity House and are expecting this contract will begin in the 25/26 financial; the building’s quality room hire service is also showing signs of interest and growth.

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

Structure, governance and management

Constitution

Derwent Rural Counselling Service was the successor of Derwent Rural Counselling Services Limited which was established in 1989. The year ending March 2010 was the first year DRCS operated as an incorporated charity, limited by guarantee.

The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which were amended in 2016 to enable the charity to work across a wider geographical are and include well-being services in its activities.

Method of appointment or election of trustees

The existing trustees have the power to appoint new trustees who are able and willing to fulfil the role. Trustees are encouraged to join the board of trustees on the basis of expertise and experience to ensure the optimum contribution to the current and future needs of the charity. The trustees seek to maintain a suitable balance of skills and interests among those serving on the board.

Each trustee holds office for three years from the date of appointment at the end of which they are eligible for re appointment for one or more further terms of three years each. One of the new committees established during 24-25 is the Trustee Recruitment Committee which submitted proposals to the Board of Trustees (BoT) relating to a new approach to the recruitment of trustees. These were accepted and produced the following outcomes:

Policies adopted for the induction and training of trustees

Relationship-building with new trustees begins at the moment any individual expresses an interest becoming a member of the BoT. An encouraging face-to-face as well as virtual dialogue is initiated, an information pack is provided enabling questions to be posed, roles, responsibilities to be understood etc. If an individual chooses to progress their interest, then an application is made via the submission of a C.V. and covering letter, which triggers an interview process.

Once a trustee is appointed an invitation is issued to attend a half day induction programme with members of the recruitment committee which includes both existing trustees and senior staff members. The aim of the programme is to equip new trustees with the key elements of their role for example:

Pay policy for senior staff

When deciding pay levels for senior staff, trustees consider rates of pay for similar organisation, NHS banding rates and the benefits required to recruit and retain the most suitably qualified and capable staff.

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Trustees' Report (continued)

Organisational structure and decision making

DRCS is governed by its Board of Trustees (BoT) which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and its policy decisions. The BoT meets at least four times a year, undertakes additional informal meetings with the senior management team and delegates the day-to-day operation of the organisation to the senior management team.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for delivery of the strategic direction of the charity including managing income streams, ensuring a positive work culture and to keep the board fully informed of the operations of the charity. They are also responsible for recommending changes and actions for improvement.

A full time Senior Operations Manager (SEO), reporting to the BoT, runs the service on a day-to-day basis. The Admin Team consists of various full and part time staff who are managed by the Deputy Operations Manager. Their role is to ensure that appointments are booked with patients seeking treatment, that qualified clinicians are available, and that a suitable treatment room is provided for the treatment. Admin staff are also responsible for meeting and greeting patients in order to ensure that the patient experience is totally supportive from the first to the last contact with the service.

Clinical Governance is provided by a Clinical Lead who has responsibility for all of the clinical protocols required and reports on clinical matters directly to the Board. Given the breadth and complexity of clinical governance there are also two Senior Clinicians who have specific responsibility for safeguarding, CPD of clinicians and CBT therapy.

Risk Management

A detailed risk register is reviewed annually or earlier if changes to risks are identified. Trustees and the Senior Management team have taken steps to mitigate risks to an acceptable level.

Fundraising Standards Information

The charity does not currently carry out major fundraising nor use a professional fundraiser to carry out fundraising activities. Given the new trajectory of the organisation during 24-25, fund raising ideas were re-visited in a review discussed in the Service Development Committee. It is hoped to translate these idea into activity during 25-26.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company's auditor is aware of that information. The trustees confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware.

Small companies provision statement

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

28/01/2026 The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charitable company on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Dr R M Biddulph Trustee

Page 10

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of Derwent Rural Counselling Service for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Derwent Rural Counselling Service (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements were authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Page 12

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Derwent Rural Counselling Service (continued)

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities set out on page 11, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with this Act.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Page 13

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Derwent Rural Counselling Service (continued)

The charitable company is subject to laws and regulations that directly and indirectly affect the financial statements. Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the environment it operates within, we determined that the laws and regulations which were most significant included FRS 102, Companies Act 2006, Health and Safety regulations and the Charities Act 2011. We considered the extent to which non-compliance with these laws and regulations might have a material effect on the financial statements, including how fraud might occur. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to the posting of inappropriate journal entries to improve the company’s result for the period, and management bias in key accounting estimates.

Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the more removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance/auditor-s-responsibilities-for-the-audit-of-the-fi/description-of -the-auditor’s-responsibilities-for. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

...................................... Simon Bladen (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Hawsons Chartered Accountants, Statutory Auditor

Pegasus House 463a Glossop Road Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2QD

28/01/2026 Date:.............................

Page 14

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted Unrestricted
2025 2024
Note £ £
Incoming resources
Donations and legacies 2 8,784 3,948
Investment income 3 8,606 381
Charitable activities 4 1,797,868 2,102,148
Total incoming resources 1,815,258 2,106,477
Resources expended
Charitable activities 5 (1,571,252) (1,892,316)
Total expenditure (1,571,252) (1,892,316)
Net incoming resources 244,006 214,161
Net movement in funds 244,006 214,161
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 1,784,891 1,570,730
Total funds carried forward 18 2,028,897 1,784,891

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised during the year.

The notes on pages 18 to 26 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 15

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

(Registration number: 06081874)

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2025

2025 2024
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 10 1,479,193 1,461,818
Current assets
Debtors 11 100,810 295,971
Investments 12 358,356 -
Cash at bank and in hand 511,591 596,408
970,757 892,379
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 13 (92,071) (184,631)
Net current assets 878,686 707,748
Total assets less current liabilities 2,357,879 2,169,566
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 14 (328,982) (384,675)
Net assets 2,028,897 1,784,891
Charity funds
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds 2,028,897 1,784,891
Total charity funds 18 2,028,897 1,784,891

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements on pages 15 to 26 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... 28/01/2026 and signed on their behalf by:

.........................................

Dr R M Biddulph Trustee

The notes on pages 18 to 26 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 16

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Statement of Cash Flows

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2025 2024
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income 244,006 214,161
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation 36,280 32,686
Investment income (8,606) (381)
Interest payable 26,576 40,030
298,256 286,496
Working capital adjustments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 195,161 (83,402)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (98,643) 67,747
Net cash flows from operating activities 394,774 270,841
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest receivable and similar income 8,606 381
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (53,655) (691,066)
Amounts invested in deposit account (358,356) -
Net cash flows from investing activities (403,405) (690,685)
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest payable and similar charges (26,576) (40,030)
Repayment of loans and borrowings (49,610) (38,168)
Net cash flows from financing activities (76,186) (78,198)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (84,817) (498,042)
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 596,408 1,094,450
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 511,591 596,408

The notes on pages 18 to 26 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 17

Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material to the charitable company’s affairs.

Statutory information

Derwent Rural Counselling Service is a company limited by guarantee (No. 06081874) and is a registered charity (No. 1124775) domiciled in England and Wales. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The address of its registered office is: Serenity House, New Beetwell Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1QR.

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

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 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Charities Act 2011, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

Derwent Rural Counselling Service meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charitable company.

Income recognition

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes direct costs and appropriate proportion of the support costs of the business.

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Taxation

The charitable company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charitable company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Buildings 2% straight line Office equipment 10% straight line Computer equipment 25% straight line

Current asset investments

Current asset investments are included at the lower of cost and net realisable value / market value.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charitable company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charitable company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charitable company has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

Fund structure

Unrestricted funds are 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 other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution plan for the benefit of its employees. Contributions are expensed as they become payable.

Financial instruments

Financial instruments are classified and accounted for, according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as financial assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities.

2 Income from donations and legacies

2 Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted Unrestricted
2025 2024
£ £
Client donations 8,784 3,948
3 Investment income
Unrestricted Unrestricted
2025 2024
£ £
Investment income 8,606 381

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

4 Income from charitable activities

4
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted Unrestricted
2025 2024
£ £
Fees for counselling 1,757,831 2,053,253
Well-being fees 14,113 29,940
Supervision fees 2,940 4,560
Other income 22,984 14,395
1,797,868 2,102,148
5
Expenditure on charitable activities
2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries 602,935 743,284
Staff NIC 53,332 64,750
Staff pensions 27,775 34,357
Staff training 1,773 1,593
Staff welfare 5,403 6,859
Insurance 7,509 8,175
Premises expenses 97,617 103,721
Room hire 5,635 11,358
Telephone, internet and postage 44,136 48,553
Supervision 3,079 5,134
Computer software and maintenance costs 17,042 20,515
Printing and stationery 3,431 6,240
Subscriptions 9,539 8,553
Sundry expenses 13,526 7,745
Advertising 1,263 19
Auditors remuneration 8,178 12,288
Counsellors fees 556,279 680,903
Counsellors expenses 4,547 7,105
Recruitment 287 1,773
Legal and professional fees 44,263 45,735
Bank charges 847 940
Loan interest 26,576 40,030
Depreciation 36,280 32,686
1,571,252 1,892,316

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

6 Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net incoming resources for the year include:

6
Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net incoming resources for the year include:
2025 2024
£ £
Operating leases - other assets 33,013 28,878
Auditor's remuneration 8,178 12,288
Depreciation of fixed assets 36,280 32,686

7 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received or waived any remuneration from the charitable company during the year.

The amount of expenses claimed or waived by the trustees during the year totalled £Nil (2024 - £Nil).

8 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

8
Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
2025 2024
£ £
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries 602,935 743,284
Social security costs 53,332 64,750
Pension costs 27,775 34,357
684,042 842,391

Wages and salaries include costs in respect of agency fees amounting to £Nil (2024 - £26,939).

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management) employed by the charitable company during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

2025 2024
No No
Therapists, supervisors and administration 19 27

19 (2024 - 27) of the above employees participated in the defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions to the employee pension scheme for the year totalled £27,775 (2024 - £34,357).

The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following bands was:

2025 2024
No No
£60,001 - £70,000 1 1

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

8 Staff costs (continued)

The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charitable company were £203,951 (2024 - £188,702). The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the Senior Management Team, which at the year end comprises the Chief Executive Officer, the Clinical Lead and the Operations Manager.

9 Taxation

The charitable company is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

10 Tangible fixed assets

10 Tangible fixed assets
Land and Computer Office
buildings equipment equipment Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2024 1,538,986 37,966 45,948 1,622,900
Additions 53,655 - - 53,655
At 31 March 2025 1,592,641 37,966 45,948 1,676,555
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 96,351 37,860 26,871 161,082
Charge for the year 32,198 106 3,976 36,280
At 31 March 2025 128,549 37,966 30,847 197,362
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 1,464,092 - 15,101 1,479,193
At 31 March 2024 1,442,635 106 19,077 1,461,818
11 Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 92,389 280,971
Other debtors 8,421 15,000
100,810 295,971

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

12 Current asset investments

2025
£
Cash equivalents on deposit 358,356

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Bank loans - secured 54,681 48,598
Trade creditors 17,231 16,207
Other taxation and social security 8,259 15,609
Other creditors 11,900 104,217
92,071 184,631

14 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year

2025 2024
£ £
Bank loans - secured 328,982 384,675

Bank loans are secured by charges over the freehold land and buildings owned by the charity.

Included in the creditors are the following amounts due after more than five years:

2025 2024
£ £
After more than five years by instalments 85,492 160,437

15 Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Operating lease commitments

Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

2025 2024
£ £
Land and buildings
Within one year 1,000 17,513
Between one and five years - 18,647
1,000 36,160

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

16 Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charitable company to the scheme and amounted to £27,775 (2024 - £34,357).

17 Contingent assets

There are no contingent assets or liabilities (2024: £nil).

18 Funds

Balance at
Balance at 1 Incoming Resources 31 March
**April ** 2024 resources expended 2025
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted fund 1,784,891 1,815,258 (1,571,252) 2,028,897
Total funds 1,784,891 1,815,258 (1,571,252) 2,028,897
Balance at Balance at
1 April Incoming Resources 31 March
2023 resources expended Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted fund 1,320,730 2,106,477 (1,892,316) 250,000 1,784,891
Designated - future
infrastructure development 250,000 - - (250,000) -
Total funds 1,570,730 2,106,477 (1,892,316) - 1,784,891

The designated funds were for fit out costs of new property and future infrastructure development.

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Derwent Rural Counselling Service

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

19 Analysis of net assets between funds

19 Analysis of net assets between funds
Total funds
Unrestricted at 31 March
fund Designated 2025
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 1,479,193 - 1,479,193
Debtors 100,810 - 100,810
Current asset investments 358,356 - 358,356
Cash at bank and in hand 511,591 - 511,591
Current liabilities (92,071) - (92,071)
Creditors over 1 year (328,982) - (328,982)
Total net assets 2,028,897 - 2,028,897
Total funds
Unrestricted at 31 March
fund Designated 2024
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 1,461,818 - 1,461,818
Debtors 295,971 - 295,971
Cash at bank and in hand 596,408 - 596,408
Current liabilities (184,631) - (184,631)
Creditors over 1 year (384,675) - (384,675)
Total net assets 1,784,891 - 1,784,891

20 Related party transactions

During the year PR services were provided amounting to £Nil (2024: £7,642) by Agent PR Limited, a company in which Ms A Worsnip, a trustee of the charity, holds a significant shareholding.

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