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2022-03-31-accounts

Company registered number 5455554 Charity registered number 1128195

Anchor - The Counselling Practice

Report and Accounts

For the year ended

31 March 2022

Keith Vaudrey & Co Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 51 Marloes Road London W8 6LA

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Report and accounts Contents

Page
Trustees and professional advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 to 5
Independent examiners report 6 to 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Cash flow statement 10
Notes to the accounts 11

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Company Information For the year ended 31 March 2022

Trustees & Directors

Mr Andrew J Holt Dr Aleata Alstad-Calkins Ms Tatiana Iaz Mr John MacDonald (resigned on 15 June 2021) Michelle Diane Lloyd (resigned on 31 August 2021)

Secretary

Ms Michelle Diane Lloyd (resigned on 31 August 2021)

Chief Executive

Jacqueline McCouat

Independent Examiner

R Madhub Keith Vaudrey & Co Ltd Chartered Certified Account 51 Marloes Road London W8 6LA

Registered office

The Meadows Centre for Health Chinchilla Drive Hounslow England TW4 7NN

1

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Trustees' Report

The trustees (who for company law purposes are the Directors) present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Legal status

Anchor - The Counselling Practice (Anchor-TCP) was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 18 May 2005 and as a registered charity under the number 1128195. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. The company information page forms part of the trustees' report. The names Anchor - The Counselling Practice and Anchor Counselling refer to the same organisation and are used interchangeably through this report.

Trustees

The trustees in office during the year are listed on page one. New trustees are considered on the basis of strategic plans and any expertise and skill gaps of the board. The trustees undergo a vetting process and receive induction and relevant familiarisation and training. Trustees sign a conflict of interest declaration each year.

Introduction from Andrew Holt, Chair, Anchor Counselling

The period from April 2021 to March 2022 saw Anchor Counselling continue to deliver first-class counselling services to the residents of the London Borough of Hounslow.

As we emerged from lockdown, we still faced uncertainty in terms of how and where we could deliver our services – so our ability to be flexible and rapidly re-configure service delivery to become a mix of online and face-to-face was essential to avoid any delay to our clients. Furthermore, this mix of delivery gives more choice to clients and appointments to be available at a wider variety of times.

We are committed to continually improving and innovating our services to meet the ever-changing needs of our client base, providing services that enable fast, easy access for a multi-cultural and diverse population. Services included an important partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham foodbank offering free counselling services to foodbank users. Our professional network of counsellors and psychotherapists are qualified and registered with the main ethical regulatory organisations, UKCP or BACP.

We continue to have short waiting lists with no backlog and are proudly one of the best performing Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services in the UK, delivering psychological support in a densely populated London borough where residents are facing a significant number of challenges that impact on their mental health.

Also, during this period, we received the good news that our NHS contract would be extended, thus allowing continuity of care and consistency of delivery during what have been extremely turbulent times for the NHS in a post pandemic operating environment.

We participated in local Chamber of Commerce panels and webinars to offer guidance to local businesses and help them understand, prepare, and adapt working conditions to support possible employee mental health and wellbeing issues.

Anchor Counselling also received the prestigious Best Business for Health and Wellbeing Award 2021/2022 from Hounslow Chamber of Commerce.

I’d like to thank my fellow Trustees, Dr Aleata Alstaad-Calkins and Tatiana Iaz, as well as Jacqueline McCouat who is our really quite exceptional CEO, for their time and effort in keeping Anchor Counselling running smoothly. Of course, I’d also like to thank our well-trained pool of professional counsellors - many of whom also work in private practice - as well as the office staff who undertake the clinical administration and governance. Together we make an amazing Anchor Counselling team!

We are in a strong position now to be able to build out our successes over the forthcoming months.

2

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Trustees' Report

Objectives

The main objectives, purpose and activities of Anchor - The Counselling Practice, focus on the delivery of free professional counselling to adults experiencing mental health difficulties who would otherwise struggle to access support.

Operating Model and Activities

The charity comprises a core team to manage clinical operations, administration and a network of self-employed freelance professional counsellors and psychotherapists who provide sessional counselling services.

The operating model is lean and client centric to optimise fast support and access to relevant treatment. Capacity can be scaled rapidly to meet demand and appointments flexed to meet the needs of clients’ availability across weekdays, evenings and weekends, including for those clients with irregular working hours and periodic work rotas.

The counsellor network is DBS checked and qualified to accreditation level by the relevant professional governance institution (e.g. UKCP - UK Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and PSA – Professional Standards Authority.

The Charity is a registered organisational member of BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and follows BACP's Code of Ethics and Practice.

The counsellor network is representative of the local community it serves, in terms of diversity, inclusivity, gender, sexuality and multiple language skills. We evidence a high level of accessibility and inclusivity for clients of ethnic minority groups and work collaboratively with interpreters as and when needed.

Counselling treatment includes the use of mental health and wellbeing questionnaires (e.g. Depression and Anxiety - PHQ9, GAD-7) to evaluate the severity of presenting complaints and enable a personalised treatment plan to meet individual client needs and support improvement and recovery. In parallel, clients are supported to access other resources, such as employment help, financial advice and other specialist services, to help their recovery and sustain the continued benefits of counselling after treatment has ended. There is a range of counselling treatments available for individuals, couples and groups.

Principal activities and review of the year

Anchor - The Counselling Practice continues to provide counselling services to the London Borough of Hounslow for Hounslow NHS CCG in partnership with West London Health Trust (WLHT) and Twining Enterprise, under IAPT - Improving Access to Psychological Therapies. The London Borough of Hounslow is the ninth largest borough in London with a diverse population and communities that differ greatly in character, with unique health needs, challenges and priorities.

The Charity has built a trusted reputation and the confidence of local health professionals with its collaborative and flexible approach to providing professional support. Anchor - The Counselling Practice fully exceeded the key published NHS performance targets for client recovery rates, access to and delivery of services and efficient provision of services. https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/

Anchor - The Counselling Practice receives a magnitude of client and patient referrals each year. Its waiting list is short, and, at the end of counselling treatment, clients complete an anonymous evaluation of their experience and client satisfaction data is monitored to identify areas for improvement.

Client satisfaction data informs us where to focus investment and strategic development to best meet the future needs and requirements of clients and hard-to-access communities. Client satisfaction scores are upwards of 95% with clients confirming their confidence in Anchor Counselling and their therapist and treatment helping them to better understand and address their difficulties.

More information and client testimonials can be found at our website: https://www.anchorcounselling.org

3

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Trustees' Report

Examples of client satisfaction testimonials include:

•"I had an exceptionally good experience. There was a human quality to our interactions, which enabled the conversations to be honest and open, I was offered counselling quickly. Thank you, very grateful for the support provided."

• "During my assessment call with my counsellor, I felt very nervous and worried but my counsellor was very kind and helpful throughout the call and made me realise I was definitely doing the right thing trying to get help."

• "Talking to my therapist and knowing that I wouldn't be judged no matter what I say, made me realise there are others who would treat me the same which helped me feel better."

• "I am feeling stronger than when I started the appointments and have already started making small steps forward with all good memories. I am really grateful for all the time and care I was given."

• "My therapist was very accommodating and understanding of my schedule, while maintaining a high professional standard."

• "I felt I could be myself at all times, and was always met with an understanding in a way that it wasn't telling me exactly what to do but how I could arrive to a solution or an answer on my own terms."

• "I really needed someone to talk to and it has happened. I was lost, I didn't know what I was doing, now I feel more able to stand up, not lie down."

Partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Foodbank

Anchor - The Counselling Practice partners with Hammersmith & Fulham Foodbank, a member of the Trussell Trust, to offer foodbank users access to free psychological services. The therapy is provided in multiple languages, on- site or remotely with easy, flexible access to multiple counselling sessions and drop-in sessions as needed. Feedback is excellent, with foodbank users reporting wellbeing improvements in a short time frame.

Examples of Hammersmith & Fulham Foodbank client satisfaction, testimonials include:

• Yes, I found the counselling sessions helpful. I had confidence in my therapist and would recommend the Foodbank extends the service to more people.

• I had a really bad week with my son. I don’t know what I would’ve done without this appointment. It has saved my life really.

• You have been very helpful. Your support has given me a light out from the tunnel that I have been in, so I just want to say many many thanks.

• After the first couple of sessions, I started to manage my emotions and stress levels. My progress and positive recovery would not be so great should I not have had this service.

• I think it has really been helping me set my mind and help me through tough times. What a wonderful service you offer to the people who need that help. Thank you

• The counselling sessions have really helped me a lot in so many ways. I have overcome some of my concerns, I can go out now without social anxiety, I am more positive.

• Very positive experience. The negative side was opening up the can of worms, but so much to benefit from talking it through and making a plan on how to deal with things. Thank you. It has been good to finally have the chance to talk about things without judgement.

4

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Trustees' Report

Review of the financial position and results

The financial results for the year are given in the attached accounts. The Trustees consider the charity to be in strong financial health with healthy reserves and cash flow.

Reserves policy

The Charity has built a good level of reserves of unrestricted funds to mitigate any risks and to cover future commitments and expenditure. Reserves are monitored and reviewed regularly. Future commitment of reserves includes plans for investment in clinical and strategic developments to increase client access and the types of services on offer for clients, which will also support the longevity of the Charity.

Risk management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which Anchor - The Counselling Practice is exposed and works to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

Future activities

Anchor Counselling will continue to focus on its purpose, exploring ideas for therapeutic services that best serve the needs of all clients and enable the highest quality delivery of efficient services. This involves researching industry trends, sourcing opportunities for funding and partnerships and exploring innovations in counselling treatment methods, technologies and delivery. We will sustain and grow our presence, reputation and value in existing markets and evaluate growth prospects in existing and new markets. Our flexible operating model enables rapid scaling of capacity to meet increased demand and targets for mental health services. The Charity will continue to forge strong relationships with local commerce and business entities as a trusted advisor in matters of mental health and wellbeing.

Trustees' responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the report and accounts in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), the Charities Act 2011 and applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees should follow best practice and:

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

This report was approved by the trustees on 15/12/2022 and signed on its behalf by Chairman A Holt

Trustee Anchor - The Counselling Practice

5

Anchor - The Counselling Practice

Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of the charitable company on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022.

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charitable company on pages 8 to 13 for the year ended 31 March 2022 which have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) as modified by FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015, (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016), (The SORP), published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) , and under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out on page 11.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner and the basis of the report

As described on page 5, you, the charitable company's Trustees, who are also the Directors of the Company for the purposes of Company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and all other applicable law and with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, applicable to smaller entities, and for being satisfied that the financial statements give a true and fair view.

The Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Section 144(1) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply, and that there is no requirement in the memorandum and articles of the charity for the conducting of an audit, and that the accounts do not require an audit in accordance with Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. As a consequence, the Trustees have elected that the financial statements be subject to independent examination.

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements are not required to be audited under any legal provision, or otherwise, and are eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:-

a) examine the financial statements of the charity under Section 145 of the Act;

b) follow the applicable procedures in the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement and scope of work undertaken

Since the charitable company's gross income exceeded £250,000, the charitable company's examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am an authorised member of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants which is one of the listed bodies.

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under s145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act setting out the duties of an independent examiner in relation to the conducting of an independent examination. An independent examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charitable company and of the accounting systems employed by the charitable company and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you, as Trustees, concerning such matters. The purpose of the examination is to establish as far as possible that there have been no breaches of charity legislation and that, on a test basis of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures made, the financial statements comply with the SORP.

6

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and information supplied by the Trustees in the course of the examination is not subjected to audit tests or enquiries and does not cover all the matters that an auditor would consider in arriving at an opinion. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide

Consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements, and in particular, I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view of the affairs of the charity, and my report is limited to the matters set out in the statement below.

I planned and performed my examination so as to satisfy myself that the objectives of the independent examination are achieved and before finalising the report I obtained written assurances from the Trustees of all material matters.

Independent Examiner's Statement, Report and Opinion

Subject to the limitations upon the scope of my work as detailed above, I have completed my examination: and can confirm that:-

The accounts of this charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006;

This is a report in respect of an examination carried out under 145 of the Act and in accordance with Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act which may be applicable;

and that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:-

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Rakesh Madhub FCCA (Independent examiner) Keith Vaudrey & Co Ltd Date: 16/12/2022 Chartered Certified Accountant 51 Marloes Road London W8 6LA

7

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2022

Notes
General
fund
Reserve
fund
Restricted
Fund
2022
£
£
£
£
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generated funds
Grants received
706,000
-
-
706,000
Other income
0
-
-
-
Total incoming resources
706,000
-
-
706,000
Resources expended
Charitable activities
Direct charitable expenditure
2
687,249
73
7,050
694,372
Governance costs
3
34,254
-
-
34,254
Total resources expended
721,503
73
7,050
728,626
Net incoming resources for the year
(15,503)
(73)
(7,050)
(22,626)
Transfer between funds
-
-
-
-
Fund balances at start of year
321,494
50,193
23,700
395,387
Fund balances at end of year
305,991
50,120
16,650
372,761
Unrestricted funds		 2021
General
fund
Reserve
fund
Restricted
Fund
£
£
£
764,884
731,484
-
33,400
35
35
-
-
764,919
731,519
-
33,400
723,293
713,520
73
9,700
28,010
28,010
-
-
751,303
741,530
73
9,700
13,616
(10,011)
(73)
23,700
-
-
-
-
381,771
331,505
50,266
-
395,387
321,494
50,193
23,700
Unrestricted funds

Continuing operations

None of the charitable company's activities were acquired or discontinued during the above two financial years.

Statement of total recognised gains and losses

The charitable company has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the above two financial years.

8

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2022

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
4
Current assets
Debtors
5
Cash at bank
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
6
Net current assets
Total assets less current
liabilities
Funds
Unrestricted funds - general
7
- designated
Restricted fund
8
Total funds		 2022
£
3,208
47,334
413,829
461,163
(91,610)
369,553
372,761
305,991
50,120
16,650
372,761		 1,669
421,150
422,819
(30,491)		 2021
£
3,059
392,328
395,387
321,494
50,193
23,700
395,387

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

Members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

Director: A Holt Approved by the board on 15/12/2022

9

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2022

Note
Cash generated from operating activities:
Net Cash provided by operating activities
A
Application of cash:
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets
Net (decrease)/ Increase in cash:
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March
Cash and cash equivalents comprise:
Cash at bank		 2022
£
(6,102)
(1,219)
(1,219)
(7,321)
421,150
413,829
413,829		 2021
£
14,622
-
-
14,622
406,528
421,150
421,150

A. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Depreciation
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net movement in funds for the reporting period (as per
Adjustments for:		 2022
£
(22,626)
1,070
(45,665)
61,119
(6,102)		 2021
£
13,616
1,020
(1,669)
1,655
14,622

10

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022

1 Accounting policies

Accounting convention

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) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The incorporated charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The directors also called trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.

Incoming resources

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. Grants, are recognised when the Trust has been notified in writing of both the amount and the settlement date. Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measure reliably.

Expenditure on charitable activities comprises direct expenses incurred on the defined charitable purposes of the charity and includes staff costs attributable to the activity.

As all expenditure can be attributed to specific categories no apportionment between headings has been necessary. Irrecoverable VAT is include in the items of expenditure to which it relates.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulative depreciation and any accumulative impairment losses. Full depreciation is provided in the year of acquisition and no depreciation is provided in the year of disposals. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, at a rate of depreciation which is applied over the net book value and is calculated to write off the cost as follows:

Depreciation rate %
Equipment, Plant and machinery Reducing balance method 25

Resources expended and basis of allocation of cost

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Management and administrative costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements

Taxation

No provision has been made for taxation on the basis that the charitable company has been granted exemption from tax under S505 of the Income and Corporation taxes Act 1988.

11

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022

2
Direct Charitable expenditure
Wages and salaries
Pensions
Counsellors
Training
Temporary staff & Recruitment
Establishment costs
Finance costs
3
Governance costs
Accountancy fees
Independent Examiner's fee
Consultancy
Depreciation
CRB checks
Other legal and professional
Pension administration fees
4
Tangible Fixed assets
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2021
Additions
At 31 March 2022
Depreciation
At 1 April 2021
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2022
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2022
At 31 March 2021		 £
General
fund
114,833
1,961
548,955
-
-
21,258
242
687,249		 2022
£
£
£
Reserve
fund
Restricted
fund
Total
-
-
114,833
-
-
1,961
-
7,050
556,005
-
-
-
-
-
-
21,258
73
315
73
7,050
694,372
2022
£
3,294
2,100
26,141
1,070
605
734
310
34,254		 2021
£
Total
107,866
2,190
588,649
212
300
23,823
253
723,293
2021
£
2,340
2,100
17,067
1,020
85
5,088
310
28,010
Equipment
Plant and
Machinery
£
6,722
1,219
7,941
3,663
1,070
4,733
3,208
3,059

12

Anchor - The Counselling Practice Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022

5
Debtors
Other debtors
6
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
7
Unrestricted funds
At 1 April 2021
Deficit for the financial year
Transfers
At 31 March 2022
8
Restricted funds
At 1 April 2021
Add: Incoming resources
Less: Outgoing resources
At 31 March 2022		 2022
£
47,334
2022
£
91,610
2022
£
321,494
(15,503)
-
305,991
2022
£
23,700
-
7,050
16,650		 2021
£
1,669
2021
£
30,491
2021
£
331,505
(10,011)
-
321,494
2021
£
-
33,400
9,700
23,700

Restricted funds - foodbank fund is a trial partnership between Anchor - The Counselling Practice and the Hammersmith and Fulham foodbank to enable users to get free access to psychological services.

9 Company limited by guarantee

The charitable company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member is limited and each member undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the company's assets in the event of it being wound up while being a member or within one year after ceasing to be a member.

10 Analysis of net assets between funds

Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
General
Designated
see below		 Tangible
Net Current
Fixed assets
Assets
Total
£
£
£
-
16,650
16,650
3,208
302,783
305,991
-
50,120
50,120
3,208
369,553
372,761

The designated fund was set up in 2015 in order that specific projects could be funded at short notice and as a contingency fund to cover administrative, fundraising and support costs for the Charity should a funding shortfall arise.

13