## **Agenda** 6.30pm - Arrive (drinks available from the bar) 7pm - **Anne** to welcome and open the meeting Showing of Branch Documentary produced by Frances Harper ## **AGM** Apologies Minutes of the last AGM September 2023 Matters arising Presentation of the reports Treasurer’s Reports Appointment of Auditor , Ballams - Crane Court, 302 London Road, IP2 0AG Directors Report Election of Trustees New Trustees Ann Youngs Re-Election of… _Nicola Beach Tim Hammond Jane Riley Carla Smolarek - Branch Treasurer Fiona Simpson - Branch Secretary Judy Wright Steve Palmer_ Break with Tea and coffee ## **Suffolk High Sheriff Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason OBE** talk **Fiona** to thank and Long service awards presented by **David Sheepshanks** **Anne** to Close ## **Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in the Hall of Fame, Ipswich Town Football Club September 11 2023** **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **Welcome** Anne 167 welcomed volunteers and guests to the 2023 AGM, the year in which we celebrate our 60th year as a branch and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the organisation nationwide. It was great to see so many people supporting the branch and celebrating our milestone. - 1 **In attendance were:** _Volunteers_ : Anne 167, Gary 545, Josh 12, Colin 299, Jenny 308, Ann 362, Verity 77, Mike 166, Liz 144, Karin 125, Lorna 24, Julie 302, Annie 23, Carla 22, Wendy ex 199, Lorna 121, Linda 270, Maureen 16, Judy 353, Helen 702, Cynthia 132, Kim 695, Steven 7, Martin 750, Dave 293, Steve 427, Julie 704, Lisa 428, Mary 331, Carol 66, Terry 198, Christine 181, Jack 416, Hannah 430, Mel 696, Sarah 410, Alison 282, Vi 155, Jocelyn 53, Chris 47, Andrew 118, Jane 606, Steve 148, Su 348 _Pros Vol_ : Connie, Elaine Lawes, Stephanie Donnelly, Katharine Turner, Stephanie Donnelly _Guests_ : Ipswich Mayor, Lynne Mortimer, Honorary President of Samaritans, Felicity Varah Harding, Director Richard Hawkins, Trudie Clayden, Patron Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans, David Sheepshanks, Peter Hill, Nigel Hillwood, Walter Warne, Michael Stow, Vanda Rettie, Jim Cowie, Samantha Mardell, Jill Cole, Steve Downs, Clare Downs ## **Apologies** were received from: Ann 409, Abby 389, Beverley 112, Cathy 279, Chris 301, Claire 171, Debbie 429, Derren 413, Fiona 300, Jackie 414, Jane 540, Lynn 333, Monica 116, Paddy 400, Rebecca 655, Rob 402, Rosie ex 344,Sally 350, Sam 140, Val 408, Sue 190 - 2 **To receive the minutes of the previous AGM held on 20th June 2022 on Zoom** Anne shared the minutes of last year’s AGM and thanked Sean, our previous Branch Director, for steering us through such a turbulent time. There were no matters arising and the minutes were accepted as an accurate report of the meeting. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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- 3 **To receive the Charity** ’ **s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023** The Annual Report and Accounts have been approved by the Trustees and were accepted by this meeting. Colin 299, outgoing Treasurer, reported that although this year has been a bit disappointing from a financial point of view, the branch still has funds and that these are slightly over the amount recommended by the Charity Commission. He stressed that a top priority is to raise funds and in that regard, Anne 167 has appointed him as DD for Fundraising. A key contributor to our funds is the work of the shop and it is 1 hoped that proposed changes to Ipswich Town Centre will work in our favour and increase footfall. Anne 167 (BD) shared some highlights of the Branch Director’s Report. In many ways things are back to normal, e.g. we hold face to face meetings, training etc. and Volunteers interact with each other inbetween shifts, a welcome opportunity to rebuild community. The shop is really busy and sales are increasing but overheads are up. Filling the rota is our biggest challenge and not just for our branch. The recent survey provided some great, encouraging feedback with some highlights being that we have many long standing vols, a very successful Outreach programme, welcome and effective training, good IT and IT support, a recently refurbished OPs room. Anne invited guests to visit it and see for themselves how it contributes to a healthy branch. The leadership team is responding to suggestions She reinforced that, as ever, our priority is to provide a safe and timely listening service to callers and that we need to recruit, retain and train/retrain. We recognise that there may be a shift in attitude to volunteering and we are going to be flexible in order to respond to that. We are delighted that we have a significant number of prospective Volunteers starting training this week. The overall aim for the branch, in summary, is to increase our resources to support the national vision of fewer suicides, more face teo face, more Outreach. We are proud of the 60 years’ track record which has seen us take at least a million calls and in person visitors. Check out our history in Colin’s book ! - 4 **To approve the nomination for the appointment of the branch** ’ **s auditors:** Ballams, Crane Court, 302 London Road, Ipswich IP2 0AG for the next financial year. All were in favour and this was passed. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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- 5 **Retirement of trustees** Two of our Trustees have to retire because they have already served 6 years which our Constitution insists is the limit. We thank Colin 299 and Jane Cassidy for their service and hope they may return in future. - 6 **[Election of branch secretary and branch treasurer]** Carla Smolarek, Listening Volunteer, was duly elected as Branch Treasurer. Proposed by Colin 299, Seconded by Christine 181 Fiona Simpson, former Listening Volunteer and currently Support volunteer was duly elected as Branch Secretary. Proposed by Terry 198, Seconded by Dave 293 **----- Start of picture text -----**
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- 7 **Election of new trustees** Judy Wright, former Branch Director and currently Support volunteer, was duly elected as a Trustee. Proposed by Anne 167, Seconded by Colin 299 Steve Palmer, Shop Co-ordinator was duly elected as a Trustee. Proposed Maureen 16, Seconded by Dave 293 Andrew Brown, Vice Branch Director, was duly elected as a Trustee. Proposed by Anne 167, Seconded by Colin 299. 2 - 8 **Re-lection of trustees** The following were re-elected as Trustees. Proposed by Terry 168, Seconded by Christine 181. Nicola Beach Martin Le Corre Tim Hammond Jane Riley Anne 167 thanked them for their continuing support. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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- 9 **Any other business** There was no other business and so the formal part of the meeting was concluded. - 10 **Celebration of 60 years of Samaritans of Ipswich and East Suffolk and 70 years of Samaritans** A toast was proposed by David Sheepshanks, Patron of Samaritans of the branch. David proposed lots of thank yous – IPTFC for hosting this evening, Rory the Chef at Swan in Southwold (?) and Christine 181 for the celebratory cake, Colin for his book and a BIG thank to all current Volunteers and other supporters, family and friends. David emphasised the importance of team work and a shared vision – ‘One team, one dream’, reflecting the culture of our branch. Fundraising is tough and, as we have already seen, crucial. David offered thanks to Trudie especially this evening for the donation from the Clayden family. He said he is proud to be the patron of our branch which he has been since being appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2005 was asked to be patron of this branch. He described Samaritans as being at the sharp end and do the work no one else can. Our website stresses the work of Samaritans to establish itself as a mental health charity with educing suicide a key aim. He said how pleased he is to see us linking with other charities e,g. Home Start, and Suffolk Mind. Collaboration is another important dimension and speaks volumes. He expressed admiration for the work the leadership team and Trustees are engaged in and encouraged us all to keep up the good work. His call to action? ‘May the force be with you…’ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## 11 **Guest Speaker: Felicity Varah Harding, daughter of the founder of Samaritans, Chad Varah** Anne 167 introduced Felicity Varah Harding and said what a great honour it was to have her as our guest speaker. The only daughter of Chad, founder of Samaritans, she was awarded the OBE in 2019 for her work in the charitable sector, is a Samaritans Ambassador and our Honorary Patron. Felicity opened by expressing her delight in joining us to celebrate our 60[th] anniversary, a significant milestone, and shared that the Ipswich branch featured on one of her father’s many lists as being open from 0900 – 2300. Chad was born in Lincolnshire where his father was a vicar, one of 9 children of which he was the first born. He was a gifted child (he spoke 14 languages, including Russian which he taught himself at school) and was educated by his father at home until he went to Worksop College and Keble College, Oxford where he took a degree in PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) with no clarity on what he wanted to do. He was, however, ordained as an Anglican clergyman in 1936, having been encourage by his godfather, the Bishop of Zanzibar to pursue a career in the church and worked as the priest of various parishes in London and the north of England. During his early career he became aware of the isolation and ignorance that children suffered. His first funeral was as assistant curate at St Giles, London, for a 13 year old girl who had taken her own life thinking that her menstruation was some awful disease and was buried in unconsecrated ground because suicide was considered a crime. This was a catalyst for what became his life work, helping young people by providing a safe place for them to 3 ||talk and be listened to. To supplement his meagre salary, Chad wrote for parish
magazines and Eagle Comics where he was the scientific cosultant for Dan Dare
supported by his friends in Fleet Street. One such contact at the Daily Mirror gave
described him as ‘a good Samaritan in the city’, the christening, perhaps, of the
organization as we know it. Key to his work was ‘unconditional listening’ and his
attitude to Samaritans was ‘I didn’t found Samaritans; Samaritans founded me’.
Chad didn’t drive and Felicity adopted the role of the Flying Squad., driving him to the
phone box to support a caller. This was the world’s first Helpline.
When Felicity qualified as social worker, she was ‘tricked’ by Chad to run a hostel in
Battersea, perhaps the first example of an Outreach Programme?
The combination of technology and compassion were Chad’s great passion and how
that has continued to be the case.
One of Felicity’s milestone contributions to
Samaritans was leading the ‘Chad Varah appeal’ between 2009-2011 which raised
£1,000,000 and funded the development and implementation of the phone system
used today by our listening volunteers.
Felicity reminded us that the key is never forgetting the caller…and being non-
judgmental, Chad’s legacy being that we all continue the vision of caller first,
embracing technology, good training, partnership and influencing national policies.
And how the cause has expanded with 220 branches in the UK and over 130
worldwide.
She congratulated us on the continuing growth and enduring success of our branch.
‘Thank you ALL,’ she said, ‘Samaritans are ordinary people doing extraordinary
things’.| |---|---| |12|**Presentation of Long Service awards**
Anne 167 shared that we have many Volunteers who have been with us for many years
and this evening we celebrate those who have been with the branch for over 20 years.
Colin 299 - 21 years
Alison 282 - 26 years
Fiona 300 - 28 years
John 59 - 30 years
Lydia 326 - 334 years
Sally 350 - 35 years
Dave 293 - 36 years
These Volunteers were awarded a certificate and personalised Samaritans mug in
recognition of their service.| |13|**Acceptance of donation from the Clayden family**
Trudie Clayden and her family have been supporting us since her brother Adrian died
in 2011. Donations from the family have been welcomed by our branch and most
recently helped with our refurbishment. Trudie shared that it is great that something
good has come from something so tragic and Anne 16y7 thanked her sincerely for her
the family’s generous donation.| |14|**Closure of Meeting**
Anne 167 thanked everyone for coming and supporting the first AGM since before
lockdown.| 4 **Ipswich & East Suffolk** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Annua lRe ort 2023–24
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REGisfERED CHARITY NUMBER.. 116872S rt of the Trustees and Unau Ited al State lor the Yèar Ended 31 March 2024 arltans of 5wI East Suffolk Knights Lowe Ltd Chartered Accountants Crane Court 302 London Road Ipswlch Suffolk IP2 OAJ Samarltans ol I and East Suffolk Ich Contents of the Flnancial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Paga Report of the TrusteÈs Independent Examlner's Report Statement of Flnan¢lal Actlvltles Statern•nt of Flnan¢lal Posltlon Notes to the Flnanclal Statements 5 to 10 Detalled St•t•ment of Flnanclal Actlvltl li to 12 arltans of I and East Suffolk kh ofth• Truste f the Year Ended 31 Marth 2 The tru5tee5 present thelr report with the financial Statements of the tharity for yèar ènded 31 Marth 2024. The trustees have adopted the provlsions ol Atcountin8 ond Reporting by charl￿e$.. Siaiement of Re¢omrnended Pracrlce pplitable to chartties preparing their accounts In atcordance with the Flnancial Réporting Standard appllcèble in the UK and Republlc of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective l January 20191. STRVCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMEpir Governini document The charity's 5trurture was changed on 11 August 2016 to ihat of an assotiatlon charltable incorporated organlsatlon Icioi and Is controlled by Its governln8 document. a constitut6on, filed on that date. REFERENCE ANO ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Reglstered tharity number 1168725 Prlndpal addre 1410 St Helens Street Ipswth Suffolk IP4 21E Trustees C Stuart Treasurer (resigned 11.9.231 Mrs A Reeve- Secretary (resigned 11.9.231 S ￿der (resigned 11.9.231 J Wrlght lappolnted 11.9.231 A Reeder- 05rector Mrs I Cassidy Iresigned 11.9.231 S Coulter- Ljrector (resigned 11.9.231 TP Hammond Mrs l E Riley Mrs 141 Beach M Le Corre Mrs FA Simpson lappoinied 11.9.231 S Palmer lappointed 11.9.231 Mrs C S Smolarek. Treasurer lappolnted 11.9.231 Independent Examlmr M J Mortimer FCA FCCA Knl8hts L¢)we Ltd Chartered Accountants Crane Court 302 London Road Ipswich Suffolk IP2 Ohj Approved by order of the board of trustees on 3 Juty 2024 and *ned on Its behalf bv: A Reeder- Trustee Page I Ihde endent Examiner's Re ort to the Trustees of Samarltans of I swlth dE Suffolk Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Samarltans of Ipswlch and East Suffolk I report to the charity trustees on my examinatlon of the accounts of Samaritans of Ipswich and East Suffolk (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2024. Re5ponslbllltles and basls of report As the charlty trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accourits In accordance with the requirement5 of the Charitie5 Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examlnation of the Trust'5 accounts carried out under Sèttion 145 of the Act and in carryin8 out my examlnatlon I have followed all appllcable Dlrectlons 8lven by the Charlty Commlsslon under Sectlon 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner'5 Statement I have completed my examination. I conflrm that no material matters have Come to my attention In connection wlth the examination glving me cause to believe that In any materlal respect.. accountlng records were not kept In respect of the Trust a5 required by Sectlon 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not accord with those record5,' or the aicounts do not comply with the applicable requirements con¢ernln8 the form and content of accounts set out In the Charltles (Accounts and Reports) Resulatlons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts glve a true and falr vlew whlch Is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent examlnatlon. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connectlon wlth the examSnatlon to whlch attentlon should be drawn in thls report in order to enable a proper understanding ol the accounts to be reached. M J Mortlmer FCA FCCA Knl8hts Lowe Ltd Chartered Accountants Crane Court 302 London Road Ipswlch Suffolk IP20AJ 8 july 2024 Page 2 Samarltans of I 5wich and East Suflolk Statement of Flnantlal Activitie5 for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 2024 Total funds 2023 Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted fund Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 23.673 23,673 6,1X)4 Other tradlng actlvltles 63.254 63.254 69,659 Total 86.927 86.927 75,663 EXPENOITIJRE ON Ralsln8 f￿ndS 63,148 63,148 65,425 Charltable actlvltles Emergency support 28.687 28,687 22,514 Other 12.594 IZ,594 8,888 Total 104,429 104,429 96,827 NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI {17,5021 117,5021 121,1641 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total lund5 brought fon￿ard 158,342 158.342 179,506 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 140,840 140,840 158,342 The notes form part of these financial statements Page 3 Samarltahs ol I swlth and East Suffol statement of Financial Posltlon 31 March 2024 2024 Total funtjs 2023 Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted fund Notès FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 88.680 88,680 92,879 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks Debtors Cash in hand I,iiz 258 52.020 1,112 258 52,020 2,S20 6,454 57,415 53,390 53.390 66.389 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 11,2301 11,2301 19261 NET CURRENT ASSETS 52.160 52,160 65,463 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 140.840 140,840 158,342 NET ASSETS 140,840 140,840 158,342 FUNDS Unrestrlcted funds io 140.840 158,342 TOTAL FUNDS 140,840 158,342 The flnanclal statements were approved by the 8oard of Trustees and authorlsed for Issue on 3 july 2024 and were slgned on 5ts behalf by.. J Wri8ht- Trustee The notes form part of these financial statement5 Page 4 Samarltans of I swlc and East Suflolk Notes to the Financlal Statemènts for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basls of preparlng the IlnantSal statements The financial statements of the charity, which 15 a public benefit entity vnder FRS 102, have been prepared In atcordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 'Accountln8 and Reportin6 by Charlties.. Statement of Recommended Practlce appllcable to charitie5 preparln8 their accounts in accordance wlth the Financial ReportinB Standard appllcable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffectlve I january 20191,, Flnancial Reporting Standard 102 Yhe Financlal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Income All Incorne 15 recognlsed In the Statement of Financial Actlvltle5 once the charlty has entltlement to the funds, It Is probable that the Sncome will be recelved and the amount can be measured relSablv. Empendlture Llèbilitie5 are recognlsed a5 expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructlve obllgation commlttln8 the charity to that expendlture, it Is probable that a transfer of economlc beneflts will be requlred In settlement and the amount of the obllgatlon can be measured rellably. Expenditure Is accounted for on an 3¢cruals basls and has been classlfled under headln8S that aBgre8ate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to partlcular headln89 they have been allocated to activlties on a basls conslstent wlth the Use of resources. Tanglble Ilxed assets DeprecSatlon Is provlded at the followln8 annual rates Sn order to wrlte off each asset over Its estlmated useful Freehold propertv Flxtures and fittlngs Motor vehl¢les 2% 5tralght Ilne on bulldlngs 33% on reduclng balance and 25% on reducln8 balance 25% on reduclng balance Stocks Stock5 are valued at the lower of cost and net reallsable value, after makln8 due allowance for obsolete and slow movlng items. Taxatlon The charlty Is exempt from tax on Its charitable activities. Fund accountlng Unrestrlcted funds can be used In accordance wlth the charltable oblectlves at the dlscretlon of the trustees. Restrlcted funds can only be used for particular restrlcted purposes wlthln the objects of the charlty. Re5triction5 arise when Specified by the donor or when funds are ralsed lor particular restricted purposes. Further explanatlon of the nature and purpose of each fund Is Included In the notes to the finan¢ial statements. Page 5 continued... Samarltans of I swlch and East Suffolk Notes to the Financlal Statements- contlnued for the Year Ended 31 Marth 2024 OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES 2024 2023 Fundraisin8 events Shop income 'IOO Club N,O.M.S 617 59.463 204 2.970 2,876 64,858 306 1,619 63.254 69,659 TAUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees, remuneration or other beneflts for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 Mar¢h 2023. Trustttrs. expenses There were no tru5tees' expenses pald for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. STAFF COSTS The average monthly number of employee5 durin8 the year was as follow$'. 2024 2023 Shop manageress Deputy shop manager Cleaner No employees received emoluments In excess of £60,OCK). COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestrlcted funds riestrlcted fund Total funds INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donatlons and legacSes 6,004 6,004 Othertrading activltles 69,659 69,659 Total 75,663 75,663 EXPENDITURE ON Ralslng funds 65,425 65,425 Charltable actlvltles Emergency support 22,514 22,514 Other 8.888 8,888 Page 6 contlnued... Samaritans of I swich and East Suffolk Notes to the Flnanclal Statements- conllnued for the èar Ended 31 March 2024 COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcnviTIES- continued Unrestrlcted funds Restrlcted fund Total funds Ttstal 96,827 96,827 NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI 121,1641 121,1641 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 179,506 179,506 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 158,342 158,342 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Flxtures and fittings Freehold property Motor vehi¢les Tota15 COST At l Aprll 2023 and 31 March 2024 186,883 48,365 17.851 253,099 DEPRECIATION At l April 2023 Charge for yeai 95,847 3.738 47,862 126 16,511 33S 160,220 4,199 At 31 March 2024 99,585 47,988 16,846 164,419 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2024 87,298 377 1,005 88,680 At 31 March 2023 91,036 503 1,340 92,879 STOCKS 2024 2023 Stocks 1.112 2,520 Page 7 continued... Samaritans of I swlth and East Suffolk Notes to the Flnanclal Statemènts- contl èd fo the Year Ended 31 Marth 2014 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Trade debtors VAT Prepayments and accrued Income ILKI 1,966 4.388 258 258 6,454 CREDITORS.. AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Trède creditor5 Other creditors 926 1,200 1,230 926 io. MOVEMENTIN FUNDS Net movement In funds At 31.3.24 Al 1.4.23 Unrestrlctèd fund5 General fund 158.342 117,5021 140,840 TOTAL FUNOS IS8,342 117,5021 140.840 Net movement In funds, Included In the above are as follows.. Incomin8 resources Resources expended Movement In funds Unrestrlcted fi•nds General fund 86,9Z7 1104,4291 117,5021 TOTAL FUNDS 86.927 1104.4291 117.5021 Page 8 continued... Samarltans of I swlch and East Suffolk Notes to the Flnanclal Siatements- contlnued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 io. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- ¢ontlnued Comparatives for movement in lunds Net rnovement in funds At 31.3.23 Al 1.4.22 Unrèstrlctèd funds General fund 179,506 121,1641 158,342 TOTAL FUNDS 179,506 121,1641 158,342 Comparatlve net movement In funds, Included In the above are as follows.. In¢omin8 resources Resources expended Movement In funds Unre5trlcted fund5 General fund 75,663 196,8271 121,1641 TOTAL FUNDS 75,663 196,8271 121,1641 A current year 12 months and prlor year 12 month5 combined posltlon Is as follows.. Net movement In funds At 31.3.24 At 1.4.22 Unrestrlited funds General fund 179.506 138,6661 140,840 TOTALFUNDS 179,506 138,6661 140,840 A current year 12 months and prlor year 12 months combined net movement In funds, Includèd In the above are as follows.. Incoming resources Resources expended Movement Sn fund5 Unrestrlcièd funds General fund 162.590 1201,2561 138.6661 TOTAL FUNDS 162,590 1201,2561 138,6661 Page 9 contlnued... Samaritans of swlth and East Suffolk Notes to thè Flnanclal Statements- continued forthe Year Ended 31 March 2024 ii. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related party transactlon5 for the year ended 31 March 2024. Page 10 Samarltans of I swlc nd East Suffolk Detalled Statèment ol Financlal Actlvities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 2024 2023 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donatlons and legacles DonatSonsi 8rants and 8ift5 Gift ald 23.673 5,490 514 23.673 6,LX14 Other tradlng adlvltl*s Fundralslng evènts Shop Income 'IOO" Club N.O.M.S 617 59,463 204 2.970 2,876 64,858 3LIS 1,619 63,254 69,659 Total Incomln8 resour¢es 86.927 75,663 EXPENDITURE other tradln8 artlvltles Openln8 stock Wages Other 5elllng costs C1051nB Stock 2,520 24,679 37,061 11,1121 2,400 26,133 39,412 12,5201 63,148 65,425 Charltable actlvltles Buslness ratès Insurèn¢e Water light and heat Emergency telephone Advert15in8 and publiclty Repairs and renewals Cleanlng and housekeeplng Volunteer travel expenses Freehold property depreclatlon Fixtures & fittings depreciation Motor vehlcle depreclatlon 730 1,760 3,855 4,601 3,424 6,364 1,776 2,352 3,364 126 335 483 1,923 3,992 3,014 1,849 2,751 2,843 1,450 3,364 168 447 28.687 22,284 Support tosts Management Business rates Carried forward 81 81 54 54 Thls page does not form part of the statutory financial statements Pa8e 11 Samaritans of I swlch and East Suffolk Detalled Statement of Fl andal ACtI￿tIeS tsrthe Year Endèd ai March 2024 2024 2023 Management Brought forward Insurance Water Ilght and heat Printing postage & statlonery Sundries Professional fees Vehicle expenses Branch affillation fee Repalrs and renewals Cleaning and housekeeping Conference expenses Freehold property depreclatlon 81 196 428 979 4,526 1,928 1,862 444 96 3,268 1,023 1,676 1,540 306 316 21 374 707 197 1,316 374 12,594 9,118 Total resources expended 104,429 96,827 Net expendJtur• 117,50ZI 121,1641 This page does not form part of the statutory flnantial statements Page 12 ## TREASURER’S REPORT In the year ending March 2024 our income from donations, grants and gift aid exceeded the previous year by over £17,000, although it should be noted that donations for the previous year were especially low. Our other fundraising activities however, which includes Charity Shop income, 100 Club and income from the National offenders’ management service was around £6000 lower than the previous year. This means that our total income for the year was just under 90,000, an increase over the previous year of £14,264. We were pleased to see that our Shop expenditure was £1650 less than the previous year, but sadly our costs for running the branch were just under £8,000 more than the previous year. The result of all this was that our net income for the year was in deficit by £17,502 which, although a smaller deficit than last year, still needs addressing as our bank balances are obviously still being reduced because of our increased expenditure. This is of course, a situation that most charities are still finding themselves currently, but nevertheless we do now need to try and reverse this trend. Our reserves are however more or less in line with the expectations of the charities commission, but the leadership team and our Trustees are keeping a close eye on our finances and have been looking at ways to increase our income and if possible, reduce our expenditure. Reducing expenditure is not an easy task given the current climate of rising costs, although we have been able to negotiate a much lower rental on the shop with our landlords which should help somewhat, but we are currently focusing very much on trying to increase our income. We are therefore now in the middle of our raffle for the Maggi Hambling painting which we hope will raise quite a bit of funds. We are also starting up Supermarket collections again, along with other planned fundraising events this year and next. The ideal situation for the immediate future would be that we manage to keep our income the same – or slightly more - than our expenditure. That way we will continue to stay within the boundaries that are recommended by the charities commission of not holding excessive amounts of reserves. Branch Treasurer ## **Branch Director’s Report for April 1st 2023 - March 31st 2024** 2023 -2024 was a busy year for the branch as we started to work on the issues our volunteers had raised in the branch survey, we had carried out early in the year. The priorities are: 1. Recruitment 2. Filling the rota especially at weekends and nights 3. Easier car parking (College permits from 16.00) 4. Fundraising 5. More outreach and increased working with local partners to offer people support in different venues across East Suffolk 6. Rebuild confidence and a sense of community within the Branch by having clear, effective, Leadership 7. Volunteer retention regular and varied social activities. Face to face meetings. Keep communicating with volunteers 8. Updates on training for volunteers (Safeguarding, 3rd Party calls, Emergencies within the Branch etc.) 9. Recruit Support Volunteers to spread the work load with a focus on non-confidential tasks. 10. A handbook with all the relevant information (reviewed & updated every 6 months for all Listening Volunteers. So quite a task! we still have a lot to do but I think we have made some good progress. We ran two training courses for new volunteers and although our overall number of volunteers at the end of March was 116 compared to 111 at the same time the year before, we increased the number of active listening volunteers from 46 to 55. Unfortunately, the number of calls we took decreased slightly from 11,665 calls in 2022 - 23. to 10,532 in 2023-24. This could be because some calls are longer but this is something we need to look at this year. Most charities lose a few volunteers annually as life circumstances change, so recruitment will always be one of our key priorities. So that we can train and support an increased number of new volunteers each year, many listening volunteers have recently trained to be mentors and we are exploring bigger training venues. Filling the rota has been a concern for some time. So, we carried out a thorough review of the rota, looking at different ways other branches run their rotas, seeking advice from our Regional Capacity Improvement Officer, asking our volunteers what would work best for them and dedicating a branch meeting to discuss various options. We introduced a new rota offering different times and lengths of shifts and set up a rota team. The new rota is being reviewed and final changes will be made after a six-month trial. Car parking remains an issue and we have looked at several options. None are ideal so we keep looking, but we have made the instructions for using our residents parking clearer and the College has bought forward the time we car park in their carpark. Fundraising is essential and like most charities, it is challenging in the current economic climate. So Colin 299, now a support volunteer, is our Fundraising Lead and has a team of volunteers helping him. Last year, Colin asked Maggi Hamblin, a well-known local artist, if she would donate one of her paintings to the branch, to raise funds, and amazingly she agreed. Raffle tickets for her oil painting, Storm Approaching, are being sold now and the draw will be in September. Bucket collections at supermarkets are ongoing and more fundraising activities are being planned. The shop plays a major part in fundraising for the branch. Unfortunately, like many other charity shops, we have seen a drop in income. We reorganised the shop during the year to try and maximise sales and continue to look at ways to help the shop team to ensure a surplus is available to support the running costs of the branch. During the year, we have formed several links with other local charities and organisations and have re-established the referral service we had with NSFT Mental Health Liaison Team. To ensure the branch has clear, effective leadership and rebuilds confidence and a sense of community within the Branch we enlarged the branch leadership team (BLT) adding the roles of DD Prisons, in recognition of the important work carried out by our prison team, and DD Marketing to focus on both internal and external communication and marketing. Our newsletter has been produced four times a year and has been widely appreciated by volunteers. We try to communicate to all volunteers regularly through emails, Three Rings overview and at branch meetings. Our file store in Three Rings has been updated and reorganised. The leadership team are trying to be as visible as possible in both the centre and the shop and be responsive to emails and phone calls. We encouraged all volunteers, to take on additional roles in the branch, when they feel ready to and have the time and it is really encouraging to see so many support and new volunteers helping with things like outreach, training and marketing. Several support volunteers have taken on key roles in the branch. New roles have been created and as well as our new Fundraising Lead, Cynthia 132 is now our Branch Hub liaison Officer, working closely with Central Office to support our callers and ensure the quality of the service is high. We are delighted to have a volunteer house keeper, Paul 999, who ensures we are kept supplied with other essential items. We hope this, along with the branch meetings and social activities that the social team have organised, will help encourage volunteers feel more involved to and will stay as members for many years. Finally, during the year, the branch underwent the quality review which takes place every three years and is done by experienced volunteers, from other branches usually past Branch or Regional Directors, Thank you to everyone who took part in the Zoom calls for your positive comments. I am pleased to say, that the Quality `mentors’ report has been sent to Samaritans Central Office and while we await the final report, the feedback we have received so far has been extremely positive, with many complements on our initiatives and our great volunteers. So, thank you everyone. We really do have a great branch with fantastic volunteers. Anne 167 Branch Director. ## **We’re here to listen** **Call free day or night on 116 123** **Email jo@samaritans.org** **Web samaritans.org/ipswcih** **Visit us V tisiu s 105 New Park Street, 140 S tHelen s'Stree t Blackburn, Lancashire Ipswcih BB2 1DFIP4 2LE** Samatiran soI fpswcih and Ea tsSuff si kloa ChatiraI elbncorporated Orgasinaiton regtsieredni Enlgand and Wael11( s68725 .)Our regtsiered ociffol si ecated a1 t40 St Hele s'nSrteeI ,tpswcih ,SuffI kloP4 2LE .