Charity registration number 1159057 (England and Wales)
Company registration number 03315039
SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
LEGALAND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Mr C Sketchley
Ms L H Bruton
MrsEMWatt
Mrs A Loadman
Dr K Gilligan
Mr G M Speer
Chief Executive
Mr Toby Sweet
Chartty number
1159057
Company number
03315039
Registered office
51 John Street
Sunderland
SR1 1aN
Audltor
Davies Tracey
Swan House
Westpoint Road
Teesdale Business Park
stockion on Tees
TS17 6BP
Bankers
HSBC Bank pl
Unit 4￿5]
The Bridges Shopping Centre
Market Square
Sunderland
SR13LE
Solicitors
BHP Law
Westgate House
Faverdale
Darlington
DL3 OPZ

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees, report
Independent auditor's report
10-12
Statement of financial aclivilies
13
Balance sheet
14
statement of cash flows
15
Notes to the financial statements
16-28

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the
financial statements and comply with the chariiy's Memorandum and Articles, the Companies Act 2006 and
"Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Stalemenl of Recommended Pradice applicable to charities preparing
their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
(FRS 102)" {effeotive 1 January 2019).
Objectives and activltles
As defined in our governing document our charitable purposes are to provide counselling and psychological
therapy seNices in and around the City of Sunderiand and the North of England in order lo relieve suffering and
distress.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidan￿ issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what aclivtties the
harity should undertake.
In pursuance of this mission Sunderland Counselling Service exists to..
Promote and improve mental health and emotional wellbeing for adults.
Provide ServI￿S which assist in relieving suffering from emotional and l or mental distress.
Improve the lives of men and women who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence in
childhood and l or adullhood.
Promote and improve positive mental health and emotional wellbeing for children and young people.
Enable and empower users of our service to live independently in the wmmunity as valued citizens.
Develop and maintain a professional and suitably qualified workforce.
Maintain seNÈces thal meet the needs of our dients.
Work in partnership with other services in the statutory and voluntary sectors.
Woth to provide any other relevant and related service for which there is a genuine demand and
inadequate provision.
In worf(ing to achieve these aims Sunderland Counselling Service currently provides the following services:.
NHS Sunderland Talking Therapies: Working in partnership with Cumbria Northumberland Tyne &
Wear NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the NHS Sunderland Talking Therapies service, providing a
stepped care model of interventions for people suffering from common mental health problems, including
anxiety.and depression. Our focus is on low intensity CBT at step 2 of the stepped care model and high
intensity support for people whose mental health and emotional wellbeing are affected by their cartng
responsibilities.
Sunderland Primary Care Counselling Service: providing individual time limited ttiunselling as part of
the NHS Sunderland Talking Therapies palhway.
NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies: Working in partnership with Mental Health Matters to deliver
the NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies service, providing a stepped care model of interventions for
people suffering from common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Our focus is
on low intensity CBT and high intensity counselling elements of the service.
NHS North Tyneside Talking Therapies: provision of counselling pathways in the NHS North
Tyneside Talking Therapies seNice, working at bolh sleps 2 and 3 of the slepped care model.
NHS Durham & Darfington Talking Therapies: provision of two counselling pathways in the NHS
Durham and Darlinglon Talking Therapies seNice, working at both steps 1 and 3 of the stepped care
model.
Counselling for Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence and Abuse ICASSVA): provides individual
counselling to men and women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse or sexual violence in
adulthood in Sunderland- and to male clients across Ihe Northumbria police force area.
REACH Counselling se￿ice. counselling provision for male and female viclims of recent sexual
assault across the Northumbria police force area, working as part of the Northumbria Sexual Assault
Referral Centre.

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Cancer Counselllng SeNice (ended September 2025): provides individual counselling for adults
suffering from any fomi of cancer who are receiving trealment in Sunderland, and for their adult family
members l carers.
St Benedicvs Hospice Se￿ice. providing individual counselling and other forms of support for patients
and family members, carers and children of patients at St Benedicvs Hospice in Sunderland.
Bereavement Support." provision of bereavement support groups for Sunderland residents.
Sunderland Community Children and Young People's Mental Health Service: provides individual
counselling to children and young people in Sundedand. as parl of Ihe Sunderland Community Children
and Young People's Mental Health SeNice, in partnership with South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS
Foundation Trust- we also provide part of the team of Children's Wellbeing Practttioners in the service.
Good Ifjbes: working in collaboration with Sunderland All Together youth consortium, we deliver
individual counselling lo young people accessing yOLrth projects across the city.
Schools-based Counselling Services: we are directly commissioned by several schools across
Sunderland to provide individual Gounselling for their pupils.
Employee Counselling SeNices: under contract to Sundertand City Council, providing occupational
heallh counselling to council employees.
c￿ Counselling: providing one to one counselling for patients accessing secondary care communiiy
menlal health services in Sunderland and South Tyneside.
Link work projects: we deliver several link work projects in and around Sunderland including.-
Listening Ear. for parents of children and young people who are accessing Sunderland Communtty
Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Se￿1￿, who are themselves experiencing mental
health difficulties.
Maternal Mental Health Link Work: for new and expectant mothers in Sunderland who are
experiencing mental health difficulties..
Community Mental Health Link Work= for adults in Sunderland experiencing mental health
difficulties.
Children & Young People Link Work: for children and young people who are waiting for Ireatment
from Sunderland Community Children and Young People's Mental Health Service.
PLT Link Work service: providing additional support to patients with rnental health ditficullies who
are in contact with the Psychiatric Liaison Team at Sunderland Royal Hospilal.
Supervision and Professional Development: the service provides trainee placement and volunteering
opportunities for psychology students. trainee Gounsellors and other psythologiGal therapisls. We
provide clinical counselling supervision, training and professional development to our staff and
volunteers. we also provide Ihese services to other agencies.

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Philosophy
Counselling, therapy and support seNices are informed by a person-centred philosophy where clients are at the
heart of the therapeutic Inte￿entiOn. Key to our approach are the qualities of empathy, acceplance and
congruence. The service adheres to the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions laid down by the
British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) which emphasises principles of fidelily, aLrtonomy,
beneficen￿, n0n-malefi￿￿Ce, justice and self-respect. We maintain our service accreditation with BACP for the
majorily of our counselling services for adults and for children. By providing a safe and supportive environmenl
for clients to explore their issues, it is hoped that they will achieve a better ability to fvnction individually and
within society and a¢hieve a greater degree of autonomy and resoU￿fulness.
Equalities Statement
Sunderland Counselling Service is committed to making our servi￿$ a¢￿SSIble to those who need them.
Therefore, we operate an Equal Opportunities Policy, which applies equally lo clients accessing our ServI￿S as
well as to prospective employees and volunteers.
We undertake not lo discrsminate against any potential client in ensuring that they receive services appropriate to
their needs. We will assess individual need and provide Se￿IceS to meet this need wherever possible. This may
include making reasonable adaptations lo service delivery. such as providing a¢￿SSIble venues, interpreter
prowsion, literature in a range of languages and meeting any preference on gender of therapist where available.
We make no charge to our dients for any of the services we provide.
We further undertake not to discriminate against any prospecttve or current employee or volunteer for any
reason. We will do all we can to ensure that our staff and volunteer leams are representative of Ihe communities
we exist to serve. Ihat they are treated fairly and on the basis of metit and will do our best to provide positive
opportunities for underrepresented groups.
We recognise that certain groups in society often experience discrimination
for example, due to their age,
disabiltiy, gender reassignment, ma￿lage and civil partnership. pregnancy and matemity, race. religion or belief,
gendei, sex or sexual orientation. We recognise, respect and value the contributions made by individuals and
support them to deliver their work in a fair and equitable manner. We aim to cteate a working environment free of
bullying. harassment, victimisation and unlawtul discriminalion. We will not (xillude with acts of discrimination or
harassment and will thallenge systemic and structural discrimination wherever we encounter it.
Sunderland Counselling servi￿ is an established and respected voluntary sector organisation, committed to the
promotion of volunteering while ensuring safe professional Practi￿ and a productive working environment.
Operating according to the Volunteer Policy, underpinned by the Equal Opportunities Policy, all volunteers are
provided with the opportuniiy to access training and supervision appropriate to their role and which will assist
them in their personal and professional development. Volunteer roles are evidenced at all levels throughout the
service, as are the high number of volunteers who have achieved paid posts both within the service and with
many other agencies in the ststutory and voluntary sectors across our region.
Strategic report
The description under the headings 'Achievements and perfomiance" and "Financial review" meet the company
law requirements for the trustees to present a strategic report.

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Achievements and perfomiance
During the last yèar the charity has worked towards its objectives as described above and continues to provide
excellent services to the people of the northeast of England.
NHS Talking Therapies services:
Our contracts with CNTW for the provision of Sunderland's Primary Care Counselling service and NHS
Sunderland Talking Therapies are securely in place until March 2025, with an extension to March 2026.
NHS Sunderfand Talking Therapies met the national recovery tsrget for 10 out of 12 months in the year,
with our Psychological Wellbeing Praclitioners and Carers Therapist meeting the target every month.
The Primary Care Counselling service met the national recovery target every month, with reliable
improvement figures consistently well abové targets, demonstrating the positive impact that our services
have for the people who use them.
The conlract for NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies, in place until August 2024, was then extended
to March 2026.
The Northumberland Se￿1￿ as a whole met national targets for recovery for the year. and our PWPS
and counsellors also achieved these as distinct modalities.
In NHS North Tyneside Talking Therapies our counsellors at step 2 continued to deliver recovery rates
well above the required targets and our new step 3 counselling pathway also met the target. Both
pathways delivered reliable improvement figures above 800/0.
Our (x)ntract for NHS Durham & Darlington Talking Therapies ended in March 2025., during the year. we
were successfully able to negotiate a new three year contract to March 2028.
A common issue facing all Talking Therapies services. both regionally and nationally. is the drive to
reduce waiting times for therapy and we continued to work hard wtth all partners to improve this.
Our Chief Executive served as chair of the North East & North Cumbria Talking Therapies Oversight &
Delivery Group, helping to foster a collaborative approach to service delivery and development across
the region.
We helped co-ordinate. led and contributed to events during the year to boosl recruitment into
Talking Therapies seNices across the region.
Sexual Wiolence:
The NHS contract for our Counselling for Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence and Abuse (CASSVA>
service was extended for a turlhei yeai until March 2025. as was the (x7ntract for the REACH service.
Our successful bid lo the Northumbria PCC for three year funding from 2023-26 gives the CASSVA
Servi￿ a fvrther element of stability and enhanGed capacity.
Cancer and palliative care:
We continued to provide counselling for cancer patients in Sunderland this year, wth a much
appreciated grant from Sunderland NHS commissioners. This grant meanl Ihat the service was secure
until September 2025., sadly we were unable to secure ongoing funding, which meant the Service came
to an end in September 2025, after 14 years of life changing work.
Counselling provision at St Benedict's Hospice was agreed until March 2025 and continues to deliver
great benefits for patients. family members, carers and their children.
Children and young people:"
The contracl for our elements of the Sunderland Community Children and Young People's Mental Health
Service was again extended for a further year until March 2025 wtth additional funding allowing us to
create additional capacity to reduce waiting lists and waiting times.
Our Listening Ear project, providing short term practical and emotional support to parents and carers of
young people, has delivered demonstrable benefits to families across Sundedand this year, with funding
secured until March 2025.
Our social prescribing project for children and young people went live in September 2023 as part of a
national research project led by University College London. called Wellbeing While Watting". The study
will report in late 2025, bul initial results this year already suggesl improvements in resilience and
wellbeing for young people, with reduclions in numbers needing formal trealment.

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES. REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Our Good Vibes project, a collaboration with the Sunderland All Together youthwork consortium to
deliver ¢ounselling in youth projects across Sunderland, was fvnded by Sunderland commissioners to
August 2024. A successfvl bid to the Big Lottery Fund means the project is now secure until August
2026.
The Beacon of Light school commissioned us to provide counselling for their pupils from November
2024. meaning we are now commissioned by seven schools in Sunderfand.
Link Work and other services:
Our Community Mental Health link work project, originally a pilot, is now successfully embedded into
mental heallh service pathways in SundeTland, wilh funding secured until March 2025.
Our Matemal Mental Health link work project continued this year with support from the Sunderland
family hub programme. During the year we collaborated with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance on a
successful bid to the Pilgrim Trust, meaning we will be able to expand the service in future years.
We have agreed to participate in a researth study with the University of York. aimed at improving
perinatal support for young mothers and birthing parents; recruitment of participants was due to slari in
April 2025.
Our link work project aimed at patients accessing the Psychialric Liaison Team at the Sunderland Royal
Hospital. which went live in January 2024, was paused in July 2024, due to staffing issues- we hope lo
revive this project in luture.
Our project to place counsellors into secondary care communiiy treatment teams expanded from
Sunderland to include the South Tyneside leams from January 2025.
Our bereavement support groups continued to offer valuable support to bereaved Sunderland residents
throughoul the year.
Our occupational health counselling Servi￿ continued to provide support to employees of the city
council throughout the year, under the leadership and guidance of our new lead counsellor.
We were asked by the North East & North Cumbria NHS Staff Wellbeing Hub to provide counselling
support to NHS staff referred inta their servi￿.
Developing our organisation and our profession:
The student we supported through a bursary scheme with Sunderland University Suc￿sSfullY completed
their Counselling BA Honours degree.
Under the pilot NHS PsycholherapeLrtic Counselling training programme, our trainees in the Durham &
Darlington service embarked on the third and final year of the programme.
We recruited five volunteer counsellors in training. all of whom have successfijlly completed their
placement and four are continuing to volunteer with us. We also recruited Iwo qualified volunteers, one
with a specialism in bereavement. These new volunteers join our existing cohort of three qualified
volunteers who remain from last year's cohort. This year. five of our qualified volunteers started paid
employment with us.
We maintained our service accreditations wilh BACP. our professional goveming body, for our adult and
young people's counselling services.
We maintained service accreditation with the Male SuNivors Partnership, a national group of
organisations that work wth male survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
We successfully submitted our NHS Data Security Protection Toolkit and maintsined Cyber Essentials
accreditation.
We maintained accreditation as a Mindfvl Employer.
Our dient engagement forum continued to meet on a quarterly basis.
In April. we commissioned a full day training event for all of our counsellors and link workers on
supporting people with autism.
Our Equality and Diversity guest speaker programme continued
We delivered a day in house training on working with clients who have experienced sexual violence
and abuse, as well as offering opportunities for staff to attend training in sight loss, LGBTQ+ awareness,
Domestic Abuse, working at end of life and suicide prevention
18 PWPS completed their training in low intensity CBT this year, from our Sunderland and
Northumberland services.

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES. REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
9 counsellors completed training in Person Centred Experienlial Counselling for Depression this year,
from services in Sunderland, Northumberland, North Tyneside and County Durham & Darlinglon.
We operate a hybrtd model across the majority of our services. We provide support in person, by
telephone and by secure video platform, making our setwi￿S more accessible and convenient for our
clients.
Financial review
Financial position
The charity had net assets of £5.239.150 al 31 March 2025, having generaled a surplus of £495,059 in Ihe year
then ended (of which £141,843 related to restricted funds). Net current assets amounted to £4.910,838 which
induded cash at bank of £3,396,247. Unrestricted funds totalled £3,792,656 and iestricted funds tolalled
£1,446,494.
Reserves policy
The management committee revised ils reserves policy so that unrestricted funds, nol committed or invested in
tangible fixed assets. held by the charity should now be al least 6 months of the resources expended, whioh
equates to resetves on unrestricted funds of approximately £2,640,000. The general fund reserve at 31 March
2025 amounted to £3,465,298. The management committee considers thal the level of resetves held
(approximately 8 months) is reasonable and appropriate so as to enable the charity to best funclion in the
currently challenging economic times.
Principal funding sources
Against a backdrop of insecurity over funding in some service areas the charity has worked hard to sustain
existing ServI￿S and where possible develop additional seNices. The management committee and staff have
worked hard to generate a positive financial OLrtcome for Ihe year.
The principal funding sources are=
NHS North Easl and North Cumbria ICB
Menlal Health Matters
St. Benedicvs Hospice Charity
NHS England wfE {fomierly Health Education England)
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Northumbria Healthcare Foundalion Trust
Sunderland City Council
Tees Esk & Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust
Sunderland All Together Consortium
Sunderland Family Hub
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Risk management
The trustees have conducted a review of major risks lo which the charity is exposed, including risks perlaining to
informalion governance. Systems and procedures have been established lo miligate those risks identrfied.

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Future plans for 2025- 26
Plans for the coming financial year are as follows-
NHS Talking Therapies seNices:
We will work wtth cornmissioners and colleagues in Talking Therapies semces in Northumberland.
Durham & Darlington. North Tyneside and Sundertand to meet revised nalional targets with a particular
focus on reducing waiting times for therapy whilst maintaining reliable recovery and reliable
improvement across all modalities.
In particular we will demonstrate the value and effectiveness of counselling and low intensity CBT within
these services, the significant contribution these modalities make to achieving recovery largels, and the
benefit of investing adequately in Ihese teams.
Through our involvement with the Talking Therapies Oversight & Delivery Group, we will ensure we are
able to influence and participate in service developments across the region, which are likely to focus on
workforGe development and digital innovation, for the benefit of our client groups.
Vvhere possible and appropriate. we will seek to increase the size and capacity of our teams through
access lo what is known as "autumn statemenf expansion funding.
We will collaborate with colleagues in other services, universwties and commissioners to address the
common problems fa￿d by Talking Therapies around recruitment and retention of staff. Furlher
recruitment events are already planned for the summer of 2025.
As we know that our contracts for seNices in Sunderland, Northumberland and North Tyneside are all
due to end in Marth 2026, we will work with partners and commissioners to ensure we are able to keep
delivering these services.
Sexual Violence:
Given the challenges we face in maintaining funding for working with victims of sexual violence. we will
Gontinue to ty and secure adequate long term funding for this invaluable area of work. As our current
PCC grant is due to end in March 2026, we will make a furlher applicalion to the PCC for grant funding
duting the year.
We will explore opportunities for specialist pathways for survivors of sexual violence who have learning
difficulties, given the vulnerability to abuse we know these people often experience.
Cancer and palliative care:
Sadly, we were unable to secure funding for our cancer counselling service beyond September 2025.
meaning we had to close that service. However we will look for any further opportunities to reinstate that
service if possible.
Counselling provision at St Benedicvs Hospi￿ is agreed until March 2026 and so we will work closely
with the St Benedict's Hospi￿ Charity board to secure ongoing funding beyond that date, on an annual
rolling basis.
Children and Young People:
Having secured additional funding to expand our Gounselling capacity in the Sunderland Community
Children and Young People's Mentsl Health Service, we will make good use of it to significantly reduce
waiting times for children and young people.
We will work with colleagues in STSFT lo make the case that this expanded service offer should be
made pemianent with recurring funding.
As fvnding for the Good Vibes project is due to end in August 2026, we will pro-actively look for further
sources of funding, to ensure this valuable work continues.
We will continue to work with research colleagues at University College London to demonstrate the
impact and value of social prescribing inte￿entionS for children and young people in Sunderland. We will
complete work on the 'Wellbeing While Waiting. study and plan to take part in the "INACT" study. which
will look at the impact of social prescribing on children and young people experiencing loneliness.
We will expand the availability of social pre￿ribing for children and young people beyond Sunderland,
based on our positive results to date.
We will also expand the availability of Listening Ear support for their parents and carers.

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES. REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Link Work and other servi¢es:
We will revive and revttalise the link work project aimed at patients ac￿SsIng the Psychiatric Liaison
Team at the Sunderland Royal Hospital, following a hiatus last year.
We will sustain and develop our counselling servicè for people who are supported by the community
treatment teams in Sunderland and South Tyneside, enhancing the range of talking therapies available
within those teams.
Following our sucossfvl bid to the Pilgrim Trust, we will expand the capacity and remit of our Maternal
Mental Heallh link work project.
The contract for our occupational heallh counselling service for Sunderland City Council was due to end
in October 2025- we will bid for and aim to retain this contract.
We will build on our positive relationship and successful work with the NENC Staff Wellbeing Hub and
aim to increase the range of our service offer to heallh and social care staff across the region.
Sustaining and developing our organisation:
We will continue to develop our workforce, investing in suitable training for existing staff and volunteers
and recruiting trainee staff as appropriate.
In particular we will make good use of NHS funded training opportunities in recognised evidence-based
therapies, such as low intensily CBT, Counselling for Depression and the NHS Psychotherapeutic
Gounselling training programme.
We will explore further opportunities for collaboralion with the untversities in our region and potential
involvement in research.
We will maintain our service accreditations wrth BACP and the Male Survivors Partnership.
We will maintain accreditation as a Living Wage employer.
We will further develop our plans to reduce our environmental impacl and carbon footprint.
We will further develop our plans to improve our approach to issues of equalriy. diversity and inclusion.
with a particular focus on how we adapt and deliver services for people with autism and neurodiverse
client groups.
We will review our approach to communications and marketing, including updating our website, building
our social media presence and making our communications more accessible and inclusive.
Structure, governance and management
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee. incorporated on 7 Febwary 1997. The company
is governed by its Memorandum and Artides of Association. In the event of the company being wound up
members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
The trustees. who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up
lo Ihe date of signature of the financial statements were-
Mr C Skelchley
Ms L H Bruton
MrsEMWatt
MrsA Loadman
Mr B Greener
Dr K Gilligan
Mr G M Speer
(Resigned 6 October 2025)
In addition to responding to advertisements placed in the media, p80ple with a genuine interest in the work of
Sunderland Counselling Service may approach the service seeking opportunities to volunteer and become a
trustee, wishing to contribute worthwhile activity to the community. People who have benefiled from the service
provision often return at a later date wishing to give somelhing back and offer their services as volunteers, which
is evidenced at all levels throughout the organisation. Prospective trustees are requested to apply in writing to
the Chair of the management committee including a curriculum vitae. After having been supplied wilh infomiation
about the se￿[ce the applicant will be then invited to meet with the management committee for an interview,
during which the expeotations of both applicant and committee will be discussed. The applicant will then be
informed of the outcome of the interview within seven days.

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
TRUSTEES. REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Organisational structu
Sunderland Counselling SeNice has a management committee of a minimum of 3 members who meet monthly
and are responsible for the strategi¢ direction of the charity. A chief executive offitsr is appointed by Ihe
committee and is responsible for all aspects of the charity's operations, including obtaining adequate funding to
finance the charity's services.
Key management remuneration
The pay of all staff is reviewed annually by the board of tNstees and normally increased in line with average
eamings. In view of the nature, size and growth of the charity, salaries for senior staff are benchmarked against
charities of similar size, complexty and reach. NHS salary scales for comparable roles are considered. given the
large amount of collaboration and partnership working we do with NHS organisations. Affordability is a key factor.
as well as growth of the charity in the preceding year and any significant changes in individual job roles, scale or
remit.
Statement of trustees. responsibilities
The trustees. who are also the directors of Sunderland Counselling Service for the purpose 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 Praclice).
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 charity and of the incoming resour￿$ and application of resources, including
the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparjng these financial stalemenls. Ihe trustees are required to-.
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently-
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and pnjdenl., and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at
any time the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial statements comply with
the Companies Act 2006. They 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.
Disclosure of infomiation to audltor
Eath of the trustees has confirmed that there is no infomiation of which they ar8 aware which is relevant to the
audit, but of which Ihe auditor is unaware. They have further confimed thal they have taken appropriate steps to
identify such relevant information and to 8Stablish that the auditor is aware of such infomation.
MrsEMWatt
Chair of Bo
tees

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Sunderland Counselling Service (the 'charity') for the year ended 31
March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balan￿ sheet, the statement of cash flows and
notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that
has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, induding
Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applioable in the UK and Republic of I￿land
(United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financyal statements..
give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its
incoming reSoUr￿S and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then
ended.,
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally A￿pted Accounting Practice,.
and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
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 fijrlher described in the Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit of
the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, induding 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 conduded 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 charity's ability to continue as a going
concem for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concem are described in the
relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The oth6r information comprises the information induded in the annual report other than the financial statements
and our auditorfs report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information conlained within the annual
report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the olher infomiation and. except to Ihe 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 50, 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 idenlyfy such material inconsislencies or apparent malerial misstatements, we are
required to determine whether this gives rise lo 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 Ihis other information.
we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit..
the information given in the trustees, report for the financial year for whith the financial statements are
prepared, which includes the directors, report and the strategic report prepared for the purposes of company
law, is consistent with the financial statements., and
the strategic report and the directors, report included within the trustees, report have been prepared in
accordance with applicable legal requirements.
10-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
Matters on which we are required to report by axcoptlon
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charily and its environment obtsined in the course of the
audit, we have not identified material misslatements in thè strategic report or the dire¢tors' report included within the
trustees, report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in rèlation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires
us to report to you if, in our opinion..
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or retums adequate for our audit have not been re￿iVed
from branches not vissted by us. or
the financial ststements are not in agreement with the accounting records and retums; or
certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made- or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the stalement of trustees, responsibilities. the Iruslees, who are also the directors of the
charily for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparalion of Ihe financial statements and for being
satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such intemal control as the tnjstees determine is necessary to
enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material mi5Statement. whether due to fraud or
error. In preparing the financial statement5. the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's abiliiy to
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going cOn￿M and using the going
con￿rn basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to ￿ase
operations, or have no realistic altemative but to do so.
Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assuran￿ about whether the financial stalements as a whole are free from
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. and to issue an auditors 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 misststement when it exists. Misstaternenls can arise from fraud or
error and are considered material rf, indsvidually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud. are inslantEs of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in
line with our responsibilities. outlined above, to detect material misststements in respect of irregularities. including
fraud. The extent to which our prO￿dureS are capable of detecting irregularities. including fraud, is the extent to
which an audit conducted under ISAS (UK) is capable of deteoting irregularities, including fraud. Our prO￿dureS
include..
obtsining an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charity, such as the
Companies Act 2006 and relevant charity and tax legislation, and obtaining an underslanding of how the
charity complies with those frameworks;
assessing the susceptibility of the chaiity's financial statements to material misstatement, including how
fraud might occur, with audit procedures including.. ¢onsid8ring internal ¢ontrols' testing supporting
documentation; enquiring of the ¢harity's management-, reviewing minutes of trustees. meetings- and
obtaining written confirmations.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those
18ading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases
the more that compliance with a law or regulalion is removed from the event5 and transactions reflected in the
financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also
greater regarding irregularities occurring due lo fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment,
forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. We are not responsible for preventing fraud or non-compliance
with laws and regulations and cannot be exp8Cted to detect all fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at.. https'.11
www.frc.org.uklauditorsresponsibilities. This description fomis part of our auditols report.
11

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charilable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16
of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so Ihat we might state to the charitable company's
members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorfs report and for no other purpose. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, we do not a¢¢ept or assume responsibilty to anyone other than the charitsble
company and Ihe charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we
have fomed.
Craig McBride (Senior Statutory Auditor}
For and on behalf of Davies Tra￿Y
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Swan House
Westpoint Road
Teesdale Business Park
Stockton on Tees
TS17 6BP
12-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Unrestrlcted Restrictsd
funds
funds
2025
2025
Total Unrestricted Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Total
2025
2024
Notes
Income from:
Donations and legaGies
Charitable activities
Provision of counselling
service
1,207
1,207
5,600,807 1,017,313 6,618,120
5,254,670
143,113 5,397.783
Inveslments
30,119
30,119
25.060
25,060
Total income
5,631.332 1,017,313 6,648,645
5,280,937
143,113 5,424,050
Expenditure on:
Charitable aclivilies
Provision of counselling
service
5,278,116
875,470 6,153.586
5,062.318 1,058,820 6,121.138
Total expenditure
5,278.116
875,470 6,153,586
5.062,318 1,058.820 6.121,138
Net incomel{expenditure)
353,216
141,843
495.059
218,619
(915.70n (697,088)
Transfers behveen
funds
(2,252)
2.252
(200}
200
Net movement in
funds
350,964
144,095
495,059
218.419
(915,507) (697,088)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
3.441,692 1,302,399 4,744.091
3,223,273 2.217.906 5,441,179
Fund balances at 31 March
2025
3,792.656 1,446,494 5,239,150
3,441,692 1,302,399 4,744,091
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure
derive from continuing activities.
13-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT31 MARCH 2025
2025
2024
Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
328,312
340,411
CuThent assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
13
1,726,043
3,396,247
1,506,285
3,169,914
5,122,290
4.676.199
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
14
(211,452)
(272,519)
Net current assets
4,910.838
4,403.680
Total assets less current liabilities
5.239,150
4,744,091
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
15
1,446,494
3.792.656
1,302,399
3.441,692
5.239.150
4.744,091
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on .... .
and were signed on their behalf by=
MrsEMWatt
Chair of Board of Trustees
Company registration number 03315039 {England and Wales)
14-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2025
2024
Notss
Cash flov￿ from operating activities
Cash generated froml(absorbed by)
operations
20
214,843
(609,189)
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Investment income received
(18,629)
30,119
(30,246)
25,060
Net cash generated froml(used inl investing
activities
11,490
(5,186)
Net cash generated from financing activities
Net In¢￿ase1{decreaSe) in cash and cash
equivalents
226.333
(614,375)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
3,169,914
3.784.289
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
3,396.247
3,169,914
15-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Accounting policies
Chaiity information
Sunderland Counselling Service is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and
Wales. Thè registered office is 51 John Street, Sunderland, SR1 1 QN.
1.1 Accountlng convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles, the
Companies Act 2006. Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the
UK and Republic of Ireland" and "Accounting and Reporting by Charilies.. Statement of Recommended
Practice applicable to chartties preparing their accounts in accordance with Ihe Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)" The charity is a Public
Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statefflents are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary
amounts in Ihese financial ststements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting
policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charty
has adequate reSoUr￿S to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees
continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable
objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The
purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the ￿pItal must be maintained by the
charity.
1A Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when all of the following criteria are met:
the thartly has entitlement to the funds..
any performan￿ Gonditions attached to the item{s) of income have been met or are fully wtthin the
control of the chartty.,
there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable,. and
the amount can be measured reliably.
Service contract fee5 are accounted for on an accruals basis. Income received in advance of the provision of
the specified services is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
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 Ihe interest paid or payable by the Bank.
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered.
Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
16-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Accounting policies
(Contlnued)
Donated goods and se￿i￿S are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any
condilions associated with the donated ilem have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by
the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. On receipt, donated
servi￿$ and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the
charity would have been willing to pay to obtsin services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the
open market,. a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
Income from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entillement after
any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount
can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred.
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party. it
is probable Ihal settlement will be required and Ihe amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of the provision of counselling serVI￿S and the
associated support costs.
I￿eCOVerable VAT is charged as a cost against the actsvity for which the expenditure was incurred.
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the tharity has a present obligation resulting from a past evenl
that will probably result in the transfer of fvnds to a third party and the amount due lo settle the obligation (xn
be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally re￿gnised at their settlement
amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible [￿ed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation. net of
depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their
useful lives on the following bases-.
Freehold land and buildings
Fixtures and fittings
Equipment
over 50 years on a straight line basis
15°h reducing balance120°h on cost
150A-33Qh reducing balance120-25.fi on cost
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference belween th8 sale prO￿edS
and the carrying value of the asset. and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
1.7 Impainnent of fixed assets
Al each reporting 8nd date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tsngible assets to determine
whether there is any indication that those assels have suffered an impainnent loss. If any such indication
exi5tS, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to detemiine the extent of the impairment
loss (rf any).
1.8 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown
within borrowings in Curreni liabilities.
17-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.9 Financial instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basi¢ Financial Instruments, and Section 12
'Olher Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of tts financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the
contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial slatements, when
there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net
basis or lo realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic finanelal assets
Basic financial assets. which include debtors and (xsh and bank balances, are initially measured at
transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective
interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaclion, where the transaction is
measured at the presenl value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets
classrfied as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities. including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless
the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present
value of the future paymenls discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabililies classified as payable
within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequenlly carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of
operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one
year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade crediiors are recognised initially at
transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when Ihe charttys contractual obligations expire or are discharged or
cancelled.
1.10 Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tsx on its charitable acttvities.
1.11 Employee beneffts
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are
received.
Termination beneffts are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed
to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.12 Retirement beneffts
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The charity makes a conlribution to this pension
scheme and a salary Sacrifi￿ option is offered to employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately
from those of the charity and the Charity acts as agent in collecting and paying over the employees, pension
&ntributions. The employels contribLrtions made for the accounting period are treated as an expense.
18-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Crillcal accounting estimatss and judgemènts
In the application of the charity's accounting policies. the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates
and assumptions about the carying amount of assets and liabilities Ihal are not readily apparent from other
sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical expetience and other factors that
are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these eslimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting
estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimale is revised where the revision affects only that
period. or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future
periods.
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
funds
2025
Unrestrictsd
funds
2024
Donations and gifts
406
1.207
Donated goods and services
In addition to recorded incorning resources the charity received the benefit of many thousands of voluntary
hours and unclaimed out of pocket expenses contributed by its supporters. It would be impossible to place a
value on all Éhese services and expenses, without which much of the work undertaken could not be achieved
and for which the charity is exlremely grateful.
Income from charitable activities
Provision of Provision of
counselling ¢ounselling
service
service
2025
2024
Setvices provided under contract
6,618,120 5,397,783
Analysis by fund
Unrestrided funds
Restricted funds
5.600,807 5,254,670
1,017.313
143,113
6,618,120 5,397,783
19-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Income from charitable activities
{Contlnued)
Charitable trading income
Cancer Counselling SeNice
The provision of individual counselling to people with any frjmi of cancer.
Sunderland Communty Children and Young People's Mentsl Health Service
Conlract held with NHS Sunderland ICB for the provision of indiwdual counselling support to children and
young people and inteNentions delivered by CWPS, in Sunderland.
Counselling for Adult SuNivors of Sexual Violence and Abuse (CASSVA)
Contract held with NHS Sunderland ICB for the provision of individual counselling for male and female
survivors of rape and sexual abuse in Sunderland.
crr Counselling
A pilot project to provide counselling in the community treatment teams in Sunderland and South Tyneside.
CYP Social Prescribing
A pilot project to deliver social prescribing for children and young people in Sunderland.
Durham & Darlington Talking Therdpies
Under contract to TEWV NHS Foundation Trust, provision of counselling at steps 1 and 3 in the Talking
Therapies Servi￿ covering County Durham & Darlington.
Good Ifibes
A project funded by Ihe Big Lottery Fund and led by the Sunderland All Together youth consortium" we deliver
counselling in youth projects across the city.
GP Project
Contract held with CNTW for the provision of counselling in GP praCtI￿S in Sunderland.
North Tyneside Talking Therapies
Under contract to NHS Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust for the provision of the counselling element
of North Tyneside's Talking Therapies service.
-20-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Income from charitable actlvltles
{Continued
GP Project
Contract held with CNTW for the provision of counselling in GP practices in Sunderland.
North Tyneside Talklng Therapies
Under contract to NHS Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust for the provision of the counselling elèment
of North Tyneside's Talking Therapies service.
Northumberland Talking Therapies
Under sub-contract to MHM. delivery of Northumberland's Talking Therapies seNice.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Grant fvnding from the Northumbria PCC. with which we augment our service pro)rision within the CASSVA
seNice to increase overall Servi￿ capacily and address gaps in service provision for male rape victims in the
region.
Occupational Health
Contract held with Sunderland Cty Council for employee counselling, as part of their Occupational Health
service.
REACH
A Se￿iCe provided under contract to provide counselling services for re￿nt victims of sexual violence across
the Northumbria Police Force area.
Schools
A service lo provide an effective school-based counselling service for children and young people in the City of
Sunderland.
St Benedicts Hospice
Providing individual counselling and other fomis of support for patients and family members. carers and
children of patients at St Benedict's Hospice in Sunderland.
Sunderland Talking Therapies
Contract funding from CNTW allocated to the provision of step 2 interventions within Sunderland's Talking
Therapies service- and provision of therapy for people whose mental health and emotional wellbeing are
affected by their caring responsibilities.
21

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Income from investments
Unrestiicted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
Interest re￿1vable
30,119
25,060
Expendrture on chaiitable activities
Provision of Provision of
counselling counselling
service
service
2025
2024
Direct costs
Staff costs
Telephone
Direct service costs
Advertising
Printing. posiage and stationary
Training and supervision
Travel and volunteer expenses
Other costs
4,923.390
30.662
377.660
753
3,869
50.498
14,070
78,420
4,999.411
26,345
478,350
1,784
5.659
50.951
12.183
39,524
5.479,322
5,614,207
Share of support and governance costs {see note 7)
Support
Governance
659.994
14.270
489,891
17.040
6,153.586
6.121,138
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
5,278,116
875.470
5,062,318
1,058,820
6.153.586
6,121,138

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Support costs allocated to activities
2025
2024
Staff costs
Depreciation
Rates and water
Insurance
Light and heat
484,395
30,728
1,925
18,881
7,617
305,146
27,534
15,228
6,327
¥ 11
Rent
Repairs and maintenance
Accountancy
Legal and professional fees
Bank charges
Governance costs
19,979
68.529
14.140
13,738
62
14,270
20,303
85,243
11,520
17.370
60
17.540
674,264
506,931
Analysed between:
Provision of counselling service
674,264
506,931
Basis of apportionment
Staff costs - time spent
Depreciation and other overheads- usage
Auditorfs remuneration
Fees payable to the charity's auditor and associates=
2025
2024
For audit services
Audit of the tharity's annual accounts
5,000
4,500
For other services
All other nowudii 5ervic6S
14,140
11.520
Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or beneffts from the
charity during the year.
-23-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
10 Employeès
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
2025
Number
2024
Number
Counselling and support
Administration
156
12
153
12
Total
168
165
Employment costs
2025
2024
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
other pension costs
4,606,784
432.561
368.940
4,708,584
454,822
141,651
5,408,285
5,305,057
During 2025 many employees have taken advantage of the company's pension scheme salary sacrifice
arrangement.
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000
is as follows..
2025
Number
2024
Number
£60,001- £70,000
£80,001- £90,000
Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
2025
2024
Aggregate compensation
291,984
292,603
11 Taxatton
The company is exempt from tax under Sections 466 to 493 Corporation Taxes Act 2010 as long as income is
applied for charitable purposes only.
-24-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
12 Tangible fixed assets
F￿hold land Fixtur•$ and
and bulldlngs
fitting8
Equlpment
Total
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
338,267
31,119
193,713
18,629
563,099
18,629
At 31 March 2025
338,267
31,119
2.12,342
581,728
Depreciation and impaimient
At 1 April 2024
Depreciation charged in the year
55.249
6,765
30.867
38
136,572
23,925
222,688
30.728
At 31 March 2025
62,014
30.905
160,497
253,416
Carrying amount
Al 31 March 2025
276,253
214
51,845
328,312
At 31 March 2024
283,018
252
57,141
340,411
13 Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year.
other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
1,284.206
441.837
1.298,031
208,254
1,726,043
1,506,285
Included in the above is accrued income of £397.989 (2024.. £165,461).
14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
78,368
93,652
39,432
87,166
177,136
8,217
211,452
272.519
Included in the above 15 deferred income of £Nil (2024 . £Nil).
-25-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
15 Restricted funds
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balan¢es of donations and grants held on trust
subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
At 1 April
2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Transfers At 31 March
2025
Can￿r Counselling Servi
South Tyneside GP Project
Bereavement Support
CCAMHS
Good vibes
Covid 19 Community Fund
Adult transformation
IAPT Network Funding
Northem Can￿r Alliance
Northumbria Police and Crime
Commissioner
Listening Ear
MMHS
CMHF
crt Counselling
cyp
PLTIED
174,400
3,048
(2,252)
550,759
10.072
6,333
100,000
9,371
50,000
25,632
{112,941)
87,091
3,048
2.252
(112.000)
(320.363)
(44,465)
(334)
118,396
(5,841)
28,552
{5,999)
{100.000)
9,371
50.000
455
40,000
270,000
48,942
110,186
142,000
144,000
208,000
{47,191)
{44.816)
{47,006)
{87,876)
(44.749)
{98.200)
{27,528)
(6,736)
225.184
51,540
135.036
188.117
327.321
263,967
49.604
6,727
90,866
169,521
83.495
105,999
112.000
1,302,399
1,017,313
(875,470)
2.252
1.446,494
-26-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
15 Restiicted funds
(Continued)
Previous year.
At l April
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Transfers At 31 March
2024
Cancer Counselling se￿ice
South Tyneside GP Project
Bereavement Support
Ministry of Justice Male Rape
Support FundlBTS
CCAMHS
Good Wibes
Covid 19 Community Fund
Adult transfomiation
IAPT Netsvork Funding
Northem Can￿r Alliance
Northumbria Police and Crime
Commissioner
268,189
3,048
(2,072)
(93,788)
174,401
(180)
(2.252)
(139)
1,025,791
850
6,762
100.000
9,371
50.000
139
(100.000)
100.000
{375,032)
(103,789)
(429)
550,759
10,072
6,333
100,000
9.371
50,000
13.011
48,512
81,590
(48.05n
(46.781)
(118,969)
(101,872)
(130,085)
(21,386)
(18,451)
455
49,604
6,727
90.866
169,521
MMHS
CMHF
crr Counselling
cyp
PTSMHP
PLTIED
14,795
125,696
192,738
299.606
21,325
101,946
61
83.495
2,217,906
143,113
(1,058.820)
200
1.302,399
16 Analysi5 of rbet assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
Restricted
funds
2025
Total
2025
At 31 March 2025:
Tangible assets
Current assetsl(liabilities)
327,358
3,465,298
954
1,445,540
328.312
4.910,838
3,792,656
1,446.494
5,239,150
Unrestrfcted
funds
2024
Restricted
funds
2024
Total
2024
At 31 March 2024:
Tangible assets
Current assetsl(liabiliti8s)
338,649
3.103,043
1,762
1,300,637
340,411
4,403,680
3,441,692
1,302,399
4,744,091
-27-

SUNDERLAND COUNSELLING SERVICE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
17 Financial commltmentsy guarantees and contlngent liabilities
Grants receivablè and similar funding may be repayable if certain associated conditions are not. or have not
been, mèt.
18 Operating lease commitments
Lessee
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under
non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows..
2025
2024
Within one year
Between and five years
1,252
1,146
427
748
2,398
1,175
19 Related party transactions
There were no disdosable related paty transactions duting the year {2024 - none).
20 Cash generdted froml{absorbed by} operations
2025
2024
Surplusl(defictt) for the year
495,059
(697.088)
Adjustments for:
Inveslment income recognised in statement of financial aclivilies
Depreciation and impaimient of tangible fixed assels
(30.119)
30.728
(25.060)
27,534
Movements in working capital:
(Increase) in debtors
(Decrease)lincrease in creditors
(219.758)
(61.067)
(36,550)
121.975
Cash generated froml(absorbed by) operations
214.843
(609.189)
21 Analysis of changes In net funds
The charity had no material debt during the year.
22 Company limited by guarantee
The liability of the members of the wmpany is limited by guarantee. Each member has undertaken to
contribute an amount not ex￿e￿Ing £1 towards any deficit arising in the event of the company being wound
-28-