FRIENDS OF THE FERNS
CHAIRMAN’S AGM REPORT, 7TH JANUARY 2025
Introduction:
The year was one of significant change for The Ferns, but services continue.
Therefore it is worth recapping on current status.
The SARC is now managed and run by Mountain Healthcare, funded by Police and NHS.
The ISVA Service is funded by the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
The SARC and ISVA service work in collaboration. They are separate services, and currently share an office building.
SARC services:
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Immediate over-the-phone rape and sexual assault support and signposting to
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specialist services
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In-person rape or sexual assault crisis support and healthcare including access to
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medicine
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Forensic medical examinations
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Holistic examinations and care for non-recent cases
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Collection and storage of forensic samples
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Comprehensive Risk Assessments
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Referrals to specialist counselling and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA)
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support.
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Follow-up calls after an appointment.
Services are offered based on your individual needs and can be used as much or as little as required.
ISVA services:
An Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) is a specially trained worker who is there to provide all survivors of sexual violence and abuse with a non-judgmental, safe, and confidential space to access support.
The support offered can be accessed regardless of the person’s gender, age and when the offence happened. Those accessing our support are not expected to travel to any office to access the service, ISVAs will work to identify a safe place or method to have contact.
Support can be accessed whether a police investigation is engaged or not.
The ISVA service will not make anyone report to the police.
The ISVA’s role is to work with the survivor and to help them to access services to address both short term and long-term needs. They will complete an initial assessment to identify these requirements.
ISVA’s can provide support and advice across a wide range of issues such as housing, health, and education. If the police are involved, the ISVA service can provide advice and support alongside the criminal justice system, including supporting the survivor at court.
If required, an ISVA can refer a survivor to different agencies or assist in accessing the services of these agencies.
The ISVA service is non-therapeutic, which means the ISVA is not able to provide counselling or therapy, but they can advise onthe therapeutic support available.
The ISVA service is a free and confidential service.
An ISVA cannot discuss the evidential detail of what has happened.
Activities for the period:
Financially, the Charity has recorded a deficit for the year of £3,715. This is largely on account of the uncertainties around the Ferns and the outlook for the Charity in the coming years. The Trustees are currently consulting on the future of the Charity. There are approximately 3 years of reserves at the current run-rate.
Payments for equipment and client services, such as counselling, have remained largely consistent with the prior year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Trustees, particularly Rosie and Fenella who have decided to step down as Trustees in the coming year. I especially would like to thank everyone at the Ferns and the ISVAs for the hard work they do in very difficult circumstance. I propose that the accounts are adopted as laid before this meeting.
Luke Morris
Chairman
7 January 2025
Summary of Income and Expenditure for the Year Ended 26/06/2024
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£ £
2024 2023
INCOME
Fundraising Events 230 1,793
Donations & Grants 777 8,310
Gift Aid 49 368
1,057 10,471
EXPENSES
Equipment 4,153 3,688
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Fundraising Expenses
Totalgiving/Sprite charges 7 43
Website/Services 313 150
Criticial Incident Work 300 330
4,772 4,211
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) : - 3,715 6,260
Balance Carried Forward: 9,648 13,363
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