2024-03-31-accounts

BRIERLEY HILL SAMARITANS TRUSTEE REPORT 2024

Introduction

Brierley Hill Samaritans has had a presence in Brierley Hill since 1973. We are an affiliated branch to the main Samaritans Charity which is located at The Upper Mill, Kingston Road, Elwell, Surrey, KT17 2AF. Brierley Hill Samaritans is a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) which adheres to its Constitutional Rules.

The Branch Leadership Team are responsible for managing the Branch. Within the Branch Leadership Team are four Trustees who fulfil their obligations within the Charity Commission regulations and make decisions regarding expenditure, strategy etc. We have 15 DD’s (Deputy Directors) who help to spread the work load. They will manage the operational side of the branch, for example, the quality and consistency of our service, Recruitment & Selection, Training of new volunteers and ongoing training for existing volunteers, our work outside the branch and raising money for the branch (Outreach) and support for our volunteers in carrying out their duties (Volunteer Support).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BRANCH

Branch Leadership Team

Co-Directors and also Trustees – Graham Bristow Appointed 29[th] August 2022 and Joanne Petter (Emily) appointed 29[th] August 2022

Trustee and Secretary – Jennifer-Ann Portman co-opted 4[th] May 2021

Trustee and Treasurer – Alicia Pawlowski co-opted 19th January 2020

The Branch also has 15 Deputy Directors who are responsible for the following areas: New Volunteers, Mentors, Duty Support, Support Volunteers, EDI, Recruitment and Selection, IT, Volunteers Support, Training, Recruitment and Selection, Health and Safety and Premises, Branch Hub, Outreach, Admin, Rota.

Trustees’ Report

The AGM was held on 26[th] June 2024.

Our Listening Volunteers continue our core business which is to respond to contact from people who are in emotional despair or distress. This can be due to relationship breakdown, debt, addiction, loneliness, self -harm, mental health issues and the added pressures of cost of living crisis. Callers may also be experiencing suicidal thoughts.

The objective of the Charity is that fewer people die by suicide. Samaritans believe that giving emotional support to our callers by listening and empathising with them can reduce feelings of emotional distress and suicide. Callers contact us by phone or/and email. We have in the past offered Face to Face support but this is under review because of safety issues for our volunteers.

Our volunteers work in a shift pattern and will attend shifts throughout the night. Most of our volunteers have full time jobs and carry out their duties in their free time.

Our volunteers are supported by Duty Support who they debrief to at the end of a shift. The Volunteer Support DD also supports Volunteers by ensuring that they remain safe and happy while volunteering with us.

Our Safeguarding Policy is continually reviewed and updated and all our volunteers are aware of their responsibilities when dealing with vulnerable people. The main Samaritan Charity has developed a Phone Call monitoring team to ensure that our Callers receive the best response possible when they contact us in emotional distress.

The Branch no longer responds to emails but this is also under review as of November 2024.

Number of Calls

In September 2024, 49 Brierley Hill Listening Volunteers spent 187 hours on the phones taking 556 calls.

Training

New volunteers attend face to face training for sessions which includes skills practice, they are then allocated to a mentor to start shifts and once they are competent they start taking calls by themselves.

For all volunteers there is a range of on-line training modules which they can access as they seek to develop their own volunteer pathway. Any modules which they successfully complete are recorded on their own personal training log.

In addition, there is an expectation that they will also undertake, within each 12 month period, 5 hours of On-Going Training. This particular programme may be driven by volunteer in branch suggestions, which may be based on their feedback about an increase in the types of contacts being experienced / upskilling to provide volunteers with enhanced confidence in dealing with a particular contact, or range of, difficult contacts as highlighted by fellow volunteers. There may be occasions when On-Going Training modules may be driven by the main Samaritans Charity (Central Office).

Premises

At Brierley Hill Samaritans we are very fortunate to own purpose-built premises, which we moved to in November 1993 having been the beneficiary of the will of a founder member.

Trustees recognise that they are the current custodians of the building and have a responsibility and obligation to maintain and refurbish appropriately to ensure that it remains fit for purpose for years/decades to come. There is in place a rolling 12 month property schedule to ensure that we especially meet all necessary service dates. In doing so it ensures that our most valuable resource, our fellow volunteers, are provided with the best possible environment in which to support some of the most vulnerable individuals in society with the gift of being listened to.

Fundraising and Outreach

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The Fundraising Team continue to place Collecting Tins in pubs and shops. A Retro Night was held at Stourbridge Town Hall which was totally sponsored by Chapmans Electrical, Cradley Heath, with no cost to the Branch. Fundraising also attend events with the Outreach Team where donations are made. The main Outreach events have been - an organised Fun Run at the Dell Stadium, to coincide with the London Marathon. A visit to the Chatty Café at Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Armed Forces Day at Himley Hall, Brierley Hill Fun Day in the summer and also the Christmas Lights switch on.

Finance Report 1[st] April 2023 – 31[st] March 2024

As an affiliated Branch to the main Samaritans Charity we are responsible for our own finances and are responsible for raising funds to cover the costs of running the Branch. This money is raised by the fundraising team, grant applications and the receipt of receiving regular donations. As a registered charity we follow Charity Commission rules.

This financial year shows a steady flow of income and expenditure with a small deficit for the year of £222. Total income decreased by £2,874.874. The main donations received were from Enterprise Car Rentals £2,500, McDermott Buildings £7,060, Rotary Club of Kinver £1,000, Wilkes Tranter Accountants £1,000. Main Fundraising income was from collection tins £590 and the bucket collection after Sarah Millican Concert of £643. A Retro Night (as mentioned above) raised £1,355. A £1,000 Grant was received from the Anthony and Gwendoline Memorial Fund. £1,351 Gift Aid from HMRC was claimed and received.

Expenditure was £24,995 a small increase of £320 on previous year. This was mainly due to the increase in fuel costs after coming off a fixed contract and an increase in Outreach costs of £726. Postage and telephone costs decreased as Samaritan branches, as a whole, transferred over to the VOIP system of telephone call with Central Office picking up the Broadband costs. £4,233 was spent on Branch Maintenance £3,397 on Centre Cleaning and Refreshments, Heat light and water £3,502. The deficit of £222 includes a depreciation figure of £6,125.

Despite the small deficit in the financial year, we continue to have a strong balance sheet with Total Net Assets of £155,226. Although we have a strong Balance Sheet, it must be appreciated that we need to continue to work hard applying for Grants, Fundraising and raising our profile in the Black Country Community to encourage support and ensuring we cover our outgoing costs.

Future planned expenditure is the replacement of fencing on the perimeter of the building to help keep it secure and possibly replacing single glazed windows with double glazed units.

Our Auditors are French Ludlam and Co. Ltd., Kingswinford and a copy of the Statement of Accounts is available on this Site. French Ludlam provide their services free of charge.

Future Objectives for the Branch:

The main objectives over the next 12 months is to continue to:

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• Develop an inclusive culture and community feel within the branch

• Increase and retain volunteer numbers

• Recruit more volunteers to roles of responsibility

• Focus on supporting vulnerable groups within our community

Alicia Pawlowski Treasurer and Trustee November 2024

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AMARITANS BRIERLEY L BRANC STATE ENT OF ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED TMAR H 2024

BRIERLEY HILL BRANCH DED T MARCH 202 Independent Examlner's Report to the Tnut¢¢s of The Sallwritsw of Brlerley Hill We report ol) the accounts of Th¢ Samaritans of Brierley Hill for th¢ >f•T ended 31st March 2024, which are set out on Pages Respectlve respoHslbilllles of trnst¢¢s and examlner As the charitys ¢rnst¢¢s you ar¢ r¢sponsibl¢ the preparntion of the 8¢co￿ts. you consider that the audil rcquir¢mcDt of section 144(2) of the Charili¢s Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) d[￿ not apply. It 15 our responsibility to stal< on the bjsis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Ch￿lty Commissionets under section 145(5Xb) of th¢ A¢L wb¢th¢r particulAt matters have come to my attentio Basls of Indep¢nd¢nt examffiner's report Our examination was Carried out in accordance with the Gcneral Directions ￿Ven by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a revicw of the accounting records kept by the ¢l)arity and a comparison of the accounts prcsenled with those records. 11 also includes considerntion of any unusual lten￿ or disclosure5 in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees con¢en)in8 any such matters. The procedures undertaken th) not provide all the evidence that would b¢ required in an audit. and COD5equently we do not express an audit opinion ffl the vi¢w 8iv¢n by the accounts. Independeot examln¢r's $tslement In ¢onn¢¢tion with our examination, no matter has come to our att¢nti(m: (i) which gi￿ us reasonable to b¢lIe￿ that in any owter1￿ respect the requirements . to keep aowmling records ID accordance with scctiOD 130 of the 2011 Act: and - to prepare a¢counts which I¢¢￿d with the a¢c(Amting Tecords and to comply with the ac¢ounting requirements of the2011 have not been met; or {2) to whith in our Opinio￿ attention $I￿ld be drawn in ord¢r to enable a pnyer Unde￿ing of the aecounts to be ched. HLUD ED Ststuto countants Kingswinford 31 May 2024 Page I

THE SAMARITANS BIUERLEY HIL BRAN STATEMENT OF FINANC 202 LES OR THE YE D 3 IST bAARCH 2024 3,085 (442) Fundraisin8 tAs fundraising ¢xpens¢s Donations and ￿ants R¢ntal in¢om¢ Gift Aid received In1¢￿5¢ rcrxiv¢d 4,055 (297) 2.643 21,649 2,000 1,149 206 27,647 3,758 18,095 500 1.550 869 24.772 EXPENDtTURE Donation to Matale Branch Maintenance of centre tnsuran¢¢ Heal li8bt and w4i¢r Printing and stationery Poslage and telephone Trnvelling Outreach Centre cle8ning and refresbment$ Trainin8 Braoch eontribution Sundry expenses Depre¢iation 4,485 .735 2,552 189 1,831 719 791 2,599 4233 .961 3.502 .042 1.517 3,397 2.336 394 7,043 1.932 24,675 6,125 24.995 2,972 EFEC URPL SFOR (222) We certify the annexed summary a￿Unts are in ￿ordanCe with the full oc¢ounts of the branch. A copy of th¢ fvll accounts are available on r4U o. FRENCH LUDLAM AND CO LIMI Re stered Auditors countsnts 31Ma 2024 Pa8e 2

THE SAMARITANS RIERLEY HILL BRANC BALAN HEET 1st March 202 31 TMAR H 2024 FIXED A ETS Freehold land and buildin8s at cost as at 3 1st MaTch 2023 Less depreciation 96,353 3,210 93,143 3.210 93,143 89,933 Fixtur¢8 and equipment as at 31 st Mar¢h 2023 Additions l¢s$ disposals during th¢ year 5.600 7.604 13,204 3.833 9,371 3.487 12,858 2,915 9,371 102.514 Less deprexiation 9,943 99,876 716 Debtors and Prepa￿nents Cash at bank Current account United Trust Bank l 00 day noti¢¢ a¢count 2.041 30,584 25,205 25,171 31.074 56,505 58,286 UAB 3,571 Cr¢dilors 2,936 51934 55,3SO IS5,448 155,226 R¢pr¢s¢nted by: Balance as at 315t M8r¢h 2023 (Deficit)ISury)lus For The Year 152.476 2,972 155,448 (222) 155.448 155.226 TANT We certify the annexed summary accounts are in a￿ordanCe with the full accounts of the bran¢h.. A Copy of the full accounts are av on uesL DLAM AN rs and Ac OLIM TE stered swinford Page 3

THE SAMAIUTANS BRIERLKY HILL BRANCH Polici a) B&sis of a¢¢ountlng. Tlkse a¢￿￿ts have b¢¢D prepared under the hi8toricAI c08t conv¢ntion and in accordhnce with applicable 8ccounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Pra¢ti¢e on Accounting by Charities {'the Charities SORP FRS 102.). and with the Charitiu Act 2011. b) Voluntary income re¢eived by way of donations and gifts is incltsde4J in the StAtement of Financial A￿1Vill¢S (th¢"SOFA") when received. Gifts in kil￿ gr¢ Valu￿ and bmugbi in as sncome and the appropriate ￿penditUr c) Gms$ fundrnisiDg iDCOrne from events organised by th¢ tharity itself is included in th¢ SOFA when r#eived. Where deemed material, fvndrnising pro¢￿d8 not yet re￿ived by the charity at th¢ y¢ar end have also been taken to income at the T￿Slee$, ¢stimat¢ of likely ￿1Vable amounL d) Covcn8nL Gift Aid and other income received by th¢ Charity in respecl of which a ¢lRim ftsr r9>ayn￿l of tsx h&s or will be rnade is up for the tax r¥overable and this gr085 amounl rKo8nised in th¢ SOFA. e) tncome from le8acies is iD¢ludd in th¢ SOFA WI￿) I￿c]ved or when the Trn8tees are s8tisfi¢d thc charity has 8 legally enforceable right of receipt of a consavatively measurable 5ullL Q R¢v¢nu¢ grnnts for immediate financial support and assistance are recopis¢d in the SOFA on receipt and on s￿1$faCt10n of any precondilions. g) Dep￿latIon is provided on all tangible fixed assets oematerial value heid by th¢ ¢haTity for its own u8e on a 8trai8ht lin¢ basis so as lo write off th¢ir ¢08t over IbeirestiD￿¢ed useful liv¢s as follows: Freehold buildings Fixtums and equipment 2Y• - StTAigh¢ lin¢ basis 15% - stiaigbt line basis 2) Staff Costs No membcrs of stsff were emphyal by the ¢h8rity during th¢ year. 3) R￿OnellI4ti0rt of Funds All fiinds held 8re available forth¢ ordinary PUTpo8es of the charity. 4) As part of a restructiwin8 of the national Swnaritans organisatson, on l Octobtr 2016. the as5¢ts, liabiliti¢s and a¢tiviti&q of The Samaritsns Brierley Hill Branch {"the Cbarity.) were transferred to a Dew Charitable Jn¢oJporalion Or88ni58tion (CIO). The traosfer to the new CIO had no effect on the operations of the branch. Page 4