## **Trustees’ Annual Report** Samaritans Brierley Hill Branch Registered Charity Number: 1168020 For the year ended 31[st] March 2025 ## **1. Reference and Administrative Details** Charity Name: Samaritans Brierley Hill Branch Registered Charity Number: 1168020 Principal Address: Beryl House 8 Albion Street Brierley Hill DY5 3EE Trustees During the Year: Christopher Bazley-Rose – Trustee Jennifer-Ann Portman – Trustee Dee Elaine Tranter – Trustee Stephen Walder – Trustee Pauline Anne Watson – Trustee Graham Bristow – Trustee (resigned 31/08/2025) Alicia Pawlowski – Trustee (resigned 30/09/2025) Joanne Petter – Trustee (resigned 31/08/2025) ## Independent Examiner: French Ludlam & Co Ltd 661 High Street Kingswinford DY6 8AL Work kindly completed pro bono Bankers: TSB Bank plc ## **2. Structure, Governance and Management** ## Governing Document Samaritans Brierley Hill Branch an affiliated branch to the main Samaritans Charity which is located at The Upper Mill, Kingston Road, Elwell, Surrey, KT17 2AF. Samaritans Brierley Hill is a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) which adheres to its Constitutional Rules. ## Appointment of Trustees Trustees are appointed in accordance with the branch’s governing document. All trustees receive induction and ongoing training covering Samaritans’ values, safeguarding responsibilities, governance obligations, and operational standards. 1 ## Management Structure The branch is overseen by the trustee board, which holds responsibility for strategy, compliance, safeguarding, financial oversight, and risk management. The Branch Director(s) manages day-to-day operations. The branch has no paid staff and relies entirely on its dedicated volunteer team of approximately 80 volunteers. ## Risk Management Trustees regularly review key operational risks including: - Safeguarding - Volunteer recruitment and retention - Financial stability - Building maintenance and service continuity - Compliance with national Samaritans standards Mitigations include training, supervision, financial controls, safeguarding procedures, and facilities maintenance. ## **3. Objectives and Activities** ## Charitable Purpose Our purpose, aligned with Samaritans nationally, is to reduce the number of people who die by suicide by providing confidential emotional support to anyone struggling to cope. ## Activities Undertaken To achieve this, during the year the branch: - Answered approximately 3,800 telephone calls - Delivered a growing number of outreach sessions in the community - Supported and organised around 80 volunteers through training, supervision and leadership - Maintained the branch building, technology, and phonelines to ensure safe, reliable support - Welcomed and trained a number of new volunteers ## Public Benefit The trustees confirm that the charity has complied with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The branch provides a clear and vital benefit by offering emotional support with the aim of few people dying by suicide. ## **4. Achievements and Performance** During the year, Samaritans Brierley Hill Branch: - Provided emotional support to thousands of people, evidenced by the 3,800 calls answered - Expanded its outreach presence, engaging the community through a growing number of outreach sessions - Successfully trained and integrated new volunteers, strengthening the branch’s longterm capacity 2 - Maintained consistent service delivery despite increasing demand - Ensured the branch building remained safe, functional, and accessible - Continued full compliance with Samaritans’ national quality, safeguarding, and training standards ## **5. Financial Review** ## Income Total income for the year was £31,004, derived from: - Local fundraising and donations - Grants - Gift Aid receipts ## Expenditure Expenditure was primarily on: - Premises costs (utilities, maintenance, repairs, cleaning) - Volunteer training, support, and resources - Telephone and IT systems required for service delivery - Insurance, governance, and compliance requirements - Outreach activities and volunteer expenses ## Reserves At year end, the branch held £65,915 in cash at bank. The trustees have set a target reserve level of £20,000, which is considered sufficient to cover several months of essential running costs and ensure service continuity in the event of unexpected financial difficulties. The current level of reserves is above the target. This provides the branch with stability and the ability to address future maintenance needs and support volunteer recruitment. ## Going Concern The trustees are confident that the charity remains financially stable and able to continue operating for the foreseeable future. ## **6. Fundraising Statement** All fundraising is carried out by volunteers in accordance with Samaritans’ national fundraising policies and the Code of Fundraising Practice. The branch does not employ paid fundraisers or use external fundraising agencies. Safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable people. ## **7. Safeguarding** The branch follows Samaritans’ national safeguarding policies. All volunteers undertake mandatory safeguarding training. Any concerns are escalated to the Branch Director and, where appropriate, the national safeguarding team. The trustees oversee safeguarding compliance. 3 ## **8. Plans for the Future** In the coming year, the branch aims to: - Continue increasing volunteer numbers - Strengthen overnight and peak-time telephone coverage - Enhance outreach work within the community - Maintain and upgrade branch facilities and equipment - Deliver high-quality training and support to all volunteers - Undertake sustainable local fundraising to support long-term stability ## **9. Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement** The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. They must: Ensure proper accounting records are kept Safeguard the assets of the charity Ensure the financial statements give a true and fair view Approve and authorise the annual report This report was approved by the trustees on 20[th] December 2025. Signed on behalf of the Board: Pauline Watson Treasurer and Trustee 20[th] December 2025 4 THE SAMARITANS BRIERLEY HILL BRANCH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 THE SAMAIUTAIIS BRIERLEY HILL B114NCH ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31.ST MARCH 2025 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trust¢e$ of The SAmaritYdns of Brierley Hill We report on the accounts of The Samaritans of Brierley Hill for the year ended 31 St March 2025, which are sel out on Pages Respective responsibilitles of trustees And examiner As the charit￿5 trustees you are responsible for the pr¢paration of the accounts; you consid¢r that the audit requirement of section 144{2) of thc Charities Act 2011 (thc 2011 Act) does not apply. It is our responsibilily to stat¢, on the basis ofprocedures sp¢¢ified in the General Directions given by th¢ Charity Conunissioncrs under section 145(5){b) of the Acl, whether particular matlers have come lo my attention. Basss of Indep¢ndent examiner's report Our examinaiion was carried out in a¢¢ordan¢¢ with the General Directions giv¢n by the Charity Commissioners. An examinalion includes a review of th¢ accounling record5 k¢pi by the charity and a Comparison of Ihc accounts pr¢8¢nled with those rccords, li also in¢ludes consideration of any unusual it¢ms or disclosiircs in the accounts, and seeking explan81ior$ from you as iru¥lees concerning any such maltcrs. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and con5equLntly we do not exprcss an audit opinion on the view given by Ihe a¢Gounts. Independiint exlmlner's St4tement In connection with our cx3minalioi), no mallcr has conie lo our u(tention.' (i) which gives u5 rea50nabl¢ ¢ause to beliL've that in any material rcspcct th¢ r¢quirements to keep accounting records in accordance with seclion 130 of the 2011 Acl. PAnd lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and lo comply with thc accounting r¢quir¢mentB or the2011 Acl hav¢ noi been mel; or (2) to which. in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo en8bl¢ a proper understanding of the accounts lo be r¢Mclied. NCH LUDLAM & CO LIMI Statuto Auditors and A ED countants Kingswinford 29 July 2025 Page I THE SAMARITANS BRIERLEY HILL BIiANCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3 1ST MARCH 202 tNCOME 4,055 (297) Fundraising Less fundraising ¢xp¢ns¢s Donations and grants Rental income Gift Aid re¢¢iv¢d Interest received 2,856 (122) 3,758 18.095 500 1,550 869 24.772 2,734 26,377 500 70 ,323 31.004 F.XPF.NDITURE Donation lo Walsall Branch Maintenance of centre Insurance Heat, light and water Printin8 and stationery Postage and telephonc Travelling Outreach Ccnlre Lleaning and refreshments Volunteer support Branch contribution Sw)dry expenses Depreciation 1,000 6,908 ,905 4,326 395 4,233 1,961 3,502 ,042 4115 1,517 3,397 300 1,932 89 6,125 1,525 2,831 741 2,795 828 6,125 24,995 29,478 (222) DF.FICIT RPLUS FOR THF. YEAR ,526 ACCOUNT RT W¢ ¢¢rtify the annexed summary accounts are in a¢¢ordance with the full accounts of the branch. A Copy of the fvll a¢counts are available on r¢quest. FRENCH LUDLAM AND CO LIMITED istered Auditors and A Ki 5winford 29 Jul 2025 untants Page 2 THE SAMAIUTANS BRIERLEY HILL BRANCH BALANCE SHEET 3 1st March 2024 31 ST MARCH 2025 FIXED ASSETS Freehold land and buildings at cost &sat 31 st March 2024 L¢ss depreciation 93,143 3,210 89,933 3,210 89,933 86.723 Fixtur¢s and equipment as at 3 1st March 2024 Additions less disposals during the year 9.371 3,487 12,858 2,915 9,943 9,943 2.915 9.943 99,876 Less deprcciation 7,028 93,751 RRENT ASSETS 2,041 Dcblors and prcpayments Cash at bi￿k CUr￿nt account United Trust Bank l 00 day nolice account 146 25.171 31,074 28,517 37,398 58,286 66,061 CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,936 Creditors 3,060 55,350 NET RRENT ASSET 63,001 155,226 TOT NET ASSETS 156.752 Represented by,. Balance as at 31 st March 2024 {Deficit)/Surplus For The Year 155,448 (222) 155,226 1.526 155,226 156,752 ACCOUNTANTS REPORT We certify the annex¢d summary accounts are in accordanc¢ with ihe full arrounts of the branch. A copy of the full accounts are available on request. FRENCH LUDLAM AND CO LIMITED istered Auditors and Accountants Kin swinford 29 Jul 2025 Pase 3 THF. SAMARITANS BRIERLEY HILL BRANCH NOTES TO TIIE ACCOUNTS l ) Accountin Poli¢1 a} Basis of accounting. These accounts have been prepared und¢r the historical cosl convention And in a¢¢ordance with applicable accounting standards and th¢ St8lem¢nt of Reeommended Practice on A¢¢ounting by Charities ("the Charities SORP FRS 102.). and with the Charities Act 2011. b) Voluntary income received by way of donations and Eifts is included in the Statement of FinAnciAI Activities {the "SOFA.) when received. Gifts in kind are valued and brought in 88 income and the appropriak expenditure. c) Gross fundraising income from events organised by the charity ilsclf is included in the SOFA whcn received. Where d¢emed maiLrial, fundTaising pm¢e¢ds not yet r¢¢¢iv¢d by the charity at the year ¢nd havi also been taken lo in¢omi ¥L Ihe Truslee5' estimate of likely re¢eivabl¢ amount. dl Covenant, Gift Aid and othcr income received by the charity in wspcet of which & claim for repayment of tsx hus or will be made is grossed up for the tax recoverable and this gross amount r¢cogmised in the SOFA. e) Incom¢ from legacies is included in the SOFA when received or whcn the TTUSt¢¢s are Satisfi￿ Ihe charity hos a legally ¢nforccable right of r¢ceipi of a ¢onservativ¢ly measurable sum. Revenue ￿ants for imm¢dial¢ financial support and assistanc¢ arc r¢cognised in the SOFA ott receipt and on Botisfgclion of any preconditions. g) Depr¢¢ia(ion is provided on all tangibl¢ fixed assets of material Vdlu¢ h¢ld by thc chaTity for its own use on a 8trai8hi lin¢ basis 80 as to writ¢ orriheir cosi over thcir estiinol¢d useful lives as follows.. Freehold buildings Fixture5 and cquipm¢nt slrnighi line basis strnighi line basis 2) tatTCosts and No members of stsff w¢r¢ ¢mployed by the Charity during the year. 31 Rccon¢il- ion rFunds All funds hdd are available for Ihe ordinary purpo8¢s of th¢ charity. 4) As part of a reSlrnc￿rin¥ of ihe national Sam&ritan8 organisation, on l Octobcr 2016, thc assets, liabilities and aclivili¢4 ofTh¢ Samurilans Brierlcy Hill Branch {'Ihc Charity"} w¢r¢ transf¥rrcd io a n¢w Charitable In¢orporation Organisation (CIO). The transfer to the new CIO had no effecl on the operations of the branch. Page 4 THE SAMARITANS BRIERLEY HILL BRANCH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 THE SAMAIUTAIIS BRIERLEY HILL B114NCH ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31.ST MARCH 2025 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trust¢e$ of The SAmaritYdns of Brierley Hill We report on the accounts of The Samaritans of Brierley Hill for the year ended 31 St March 2025, which are sel out on Pages Respective responsibilitles of trustees And examiner As the charit￿5 trustees you are responsible for the pr¢paration of the accounts; you consid¢r that the audit requirement of section 144{2) of thc Charities Act 2011 (thc 2011 Act) does not apply. It is our responsibilily to stat¢, on the basis ofprocedures sp¢¢ified in the General Directions given by th¢ Charity Conunissioncrs under section 145(5){b) of the Acl, whether particular matlers have come lo my attention. Basss of Indep¢ndent examiner's report Our examinaiion was carried out in a¢¢ordan¢¢ with the General Directions giv¢n by the Charity Commissioners. An examinalion includes a review of th¢ accounling record5 k¢pi by the charity and a Comparison of Ihc accounts pr¢8¢nled with those rccords, li also in¢ludes consideration of any unusual it¢ms or disclosiircs in the accounts, and seeking explan81ior$ from you as iru¥lees concerning any such maltcrs. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and con5equLntly we do not exprcss an audit opinion on the view given by Ihe a¢Gounts. Independiint exlmlner's St4tement In connection with our cx3minalioi), no mallcr has conie lo our u(tention.' (i) which gives u5 rea50nabl¢ ¢ause to beliL've that in any material rcspcct th¢ r¢quirements to keep accounting records in accordance with seclion 130 of the 2011 Acl. PAnd lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and lo comply with thc accounting r¢quir¢mentB or the2011 Acl hav¢ noi been mel; or (2) to which. in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo en8bl¢ a proper understanding of the accounts lo be r¢Mclied. NCH LUDLAM & CO LIMI Statuto Auditors and A ED countants Kingswinford 29 July 2025 Page I THE SAMARITANS BRIERLEY HILL BIiANCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3 1ST MARCH 202 tNCOME 4,055 (297) Fundraising Less fundraising ¢xp¢ns¢s Donations and grants Rental income Gift Aid re¢¢iv¢d Interest received 2,856 (122) 3,758 18.095 500 1,550 869 24.772 2,734 26,377 500 70 ,323 31.004 F.XPF.NDITURE Donation lo Walsall Branch Maintenance of centre Insurance Heat, light and water Printin8 and stationery Postage and telephonc Travelling Outreach Ccnlre Lleaning and refreshments Volunteer support Branch contribution Sw)dry expenses Depreciation 1,000 6,908 ,905 4,326 395 4,233 1,961 3,502 ,042 4115 1,517 3,397 300 1,932 89 6,125 1,525 2,831 741 2,795 828 6,125 24,995 29,478 (222) DF.FICIT RPLUS FOR THF. YEAR ,526 ACCOUNT RT W¢ ¢¢rtify the annexed summary accounts are in a¢¢ordance with the full accounts of the branch. A Copy of the fvll a¢counts are available on r¢quest. FRENCH LUDLAM AND CO LIMITED istered Auditors and A Ki 5winford 29 Jul 2025 untants Page 2 THE SAMAIUTANS BRIERLEY HILL BRANCH BALANCE SHEET 3 1st March 2024 31 ST MARCH 2025 FIXED ASSETS Freehold land and buildings at cost &sat 31 st March 2024 L¢ss depreciation 93,143 3,210 89,933 3,210 89,933 86.723 Fixtur¢s and equipment as at 3 1st March 2024 Additions less disposals during the year 9.371 3,487 12,858 2,915 9,943 9,943 2.915 9.943 99,876 Less deprcciation 7,028 93,751 RRENT ASSETS 2,041 Dcblors and prcpayments Cash at bi￿k CUr￿nt account United Trust Bank l 00 day nolice account 146 25.171 31,074 28,517 37,398 58,286 66,061 CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,936 Creditors 3,060 55,350 NET RRENT ASSET 63,001 155,226 TOT NET ASSETS 156.752 Represented by,. Balance as at 31 st March 2024 {Deficit)/Surplus For The Year 155,448 (222) 155,226 1.526 155,226 156,752 ACCOUNTANTS REPORT We certify the annex¢d summary accounts are in accordanc¢ with ihe full arrounts of the branch. A copy of the full accounts are available on request. FRENCH LUDLAM AND CO LIMITED istered Auditors and Accountants Kin swinford 29 Jul 2025 Pase 3 THF. SAMARITANS BRIERLEY HILL BRANCH NOTES TO TIIE ACCOUNTS l ) Accountin Poli¢1 a} Basis of accounting. These accounts have been prepared und¢r the historical cosl convention And in a¢¢ordance with applicable accounting standards and th¢ St8lem¢nt of Reeommended Practice on A¢¢ounting by Charities ("the Charities SORP FRS 102.). and with the Charities Act 2011. b) Voluntary income received by way of donations and Eifts is included in the Statement of FinAnciAI Activities {the "SOFA.) when received. Gifts in kind are valued and brought in 88 income and the appropriak expenditure. c) Gross fundraising income from events organised by the charity ilsclf is included in the SOFA whcn received. Where d¢emed maiLrial, fundTaising pm¢e¢ds not yet r¢¢¢iv¢d by the charity at the year ¢nd havi also been taken lo in¢omi ¥L Ihe Truslee5' estimate of likely re¢eivabl¢ amount. dl Covenant, Gift Aid and othcr income received by the charity in wspcet of which & claim for repayment of tsx hus or will be made is grossed up for the tax recoverable and this gross amount r¢cogmised in the SOFA. e) Incom¢ from legacies is included in the SOFA when received or whcn the TTUSt¢¢s are Satisfi￿ Ihe charity hos a legally ¢nforccable right of r¢ceipi of a ¢onservativ¢ly measurable sum. Revenue ￿ants for imm¢dial¢ financial support and assistanc¢ arc r¢cognised in the SOFA ott receipt and on Botisfgclion of any preconditions. g) Depr¢¢ia(ion is provided on all tangibl¢ fixed assets of material Vdlu¢ h¢ld by thc chaTity for its own use on a 8trai8hi lin¢ basis 80 as to writ¢ orriheir cosi over thcir estiinol¢d useful lives as follows.. Freehold buildings Fixture5 and cquipm¢nt slrnighi line basis strnighi line basis 2) tatTCosts and No members of stsff w¢r¢ ¢mployed by the Charity during the year. 31 Rccon¢il- ion rFunds All funds hdd are available for Ihe ordinary purpo8¢s of th¢ charity. 4) As part of a reSlrnc￿rin¥ of ihe national Sam&ritan8 organisation, on l Octobcr 2016, thc assets, liabilities and aclivili¢4 ofTh¢ Samurilans Brierlcy Hill Branch {'Ihc Charity"} w¢r¢ transf¥rrcd io a n¢w Charitable In¢orporation Organisation (CIO). The transfer to the new CIO had no effecl on the operations of the branch. Page 4