The PeerTalk Charitable Foundation Registered charity no. 1169830 Annual Report 2025
This report describes the activities related to the purposes of the charity from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. The audited and approved accounts for the year are included in this report.
PeerTalk support groups are attended by people who live with depression, anxiety and similar psychological distress. The groups are facilitated by trained volunteers. PeerTalk host 17 support groups. PeerTalk's vision is to establish a national network of support groups across the UK in the forthcoming years.
PeerTalk’s Charitable Objects - Reg Charity 1169830
To promote and protect good mental health amongst people who live with depression, their families and carers, in particular by the provision of support and support networks including facilitating peer support groups and by providing mental health and related information and educational material in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
PeerTalk has now embarked on its second decade of supporting people with depression. With our dedicated volunteer Facilitators we provide a safe place where experiences can be shared, where attendees can give encouragement and suggest coping strategies for those who attend. Feedback from attendees confirms the ongoing need for in person conversation and a safe space.
We are grateful to Meg Munn who stepped down as Chair and thank her for her continued support and encouragement. We are also grateful to our many volunteers and staff who are passionate supporters of our work, without them we could not exist. Funding is a constant concern and challenge for such a small charity, but we are grateful to our funders who recognise the value of our work.
Alistair Newton Chair of Trustees
If you feel you could offer your time as a volunteer facilitator (training given), a fundraiser or in other roles, please get in touch – we would be delighted to have a conversation with you.
PeerTalk Support Group Locations at 31st March 2025
PeerTalk groups meet weekly and are typically attended by between five and seven individuals. Each PeerTalk group is facilitated by two
trained volunteers. Volunteer Facilitators do not offer advice, counsel or their own opinions as it is those who attend who offer each other support, encouragement and share coping skills. PeerTalk meetings are not therapy but they are therapeutic. Attendees don't need to have a ‘diagnosis’ or be referred and they can just turn up on any week and it is free. The meetings are confidential within normal limits and all are welcome without judgement.
Governance and Policies
PeerTalk is a charitable incorporated organisation with only the trustees as the members. The charity’s governing document is its constitution which is based on the Charity Commission’s model. Trustees are appointed to complement the organisational requirements based on knowledge, experience and skills.
All trustees have been appropriately inducted and trained.
PeerTalk’s constitution requires that trustees can only hold office for six consecutive years. This has meant we have had to say thank you to Kate Chartres, Graham Iliff and Roger Butterfield who have served their full term of trustees. During this year Melissa Lauwers and Nabihah Kauser also discontinued in their office of trustees. We thank all of these for their exceptional contribution to the work of the charity.
Also during the year, in February, Margaret Munn who has served as the charity’s Chair of Trustees completed her term of six years in office and we are grateful to her for her outstanding leadership, vision and skills in leading the organisation. Taking on the role of Chair of Trustees in February was Revd Alistair Newton who will bring his broad experience, skills and knowledge to the role as a retired Superintendent Minister in the Methodist Church.
We were pleased to welcome back Joanne Malcolm who was reappointed in August 2024 as a trustee with her having been ‘out of office’ for a period of twelve months as the constitution requires.
We also welcome Revd Peter Sheasby as a trustee who was appointed in February 2025. Peter, another retired Superintendent Methodist Minister, brings to the role many years of experience of community organisations and their oversight.
| The PeerTalk Charitable Foundaton Trustees as at 31st March 2025 | The PeerTalk Charitable Foundaton Trustees as at 31st March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Alistair Newton (Chair) |
Alistair Newton has been a Methodist Minister since 1985, serving in the North West and Yorkshire. Prior to ministry, Alistair had retail and ofce experience in a cost accounts setng. His hobbies include photography, walking and trying to play golf. Alistair brings his experience in collaboratve working to the role of Chair of Trustees |
| Andrew Varley | Andrew is a Fellow of the Chartered Associaton of Certfed Accountants with a background of working in manufacturing and constructon. Recently retred Andrew ofers a wealth of fnancial experience |
| Dr Susan Wishart | Susan is a registered social worker. Now retred Susan worked at a natonal level for the Prison Service in Safeguarding and working with sex ofenders. |
| Joanne Malcolm | Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist working in the Neuro- developmental Autsm assessment Team within a Community NHS Trust. Extensive experience and knowledge in Autsm diagnostcs |
| Peter Sheasby | Peter is a retred Superintendent Methodist Minister having served throughout Northern England. Peter brings much experience of working as part of a team on commitees and project management. When relaxing Peter can be found volunteering on heritage railways. |
THE PEERTALK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The PeerTalk Charitable Foundation
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The PeerTalk Charitable Foundation (the Foundation) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Foundation you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the Foundation’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiners’ statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Foundation as required by section 130 of the Act; or (2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
(3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr A T Wright 3 Meeting House Row Hornby Road Wray Lancaster LA2 8QN 26 January 2026
The PeerTalk Charitable Foundation - Receipts and Payments Account 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025
1st April 202 |
||
|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS 2024/2025 GRANTS & COMMISSIONS Grants: Restricted Funds Sir James Knot Trust HCD Memorial Fund East Hampshire District Council Next plc Hemby Charitable Trust Shanly Foundaton The Beamsley Trust The Craven Trust Preston City Council AbbVie Ltd NHS Lancashire & South Cumbria Integrated Care Board Afnity Care Community Panel (on behalf of NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board) BD4+ Community Panel (on behalf of NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board) One Community Foundaton Warrington Charity Trust Warrington In Mind West Yorkshire Methodist District Jimmy Dickinson Fund Garfeld Weston Foundaton Hadrian Trust Grants: Unrestricted Funds Tudor Trust Commissioned Work Mental Health Maters - Knowsley Thornaby Methodist Church OTHER INCOME SOURCES Donatons: Regular Giving Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Donatons: One-of Gifs (corporate donatons) Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Donatons: One-of Gifs (other) Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Fundraising Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds HMRC Gif Aid Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Interest Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Refunds Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds TOTAL RECEIPTS Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds |
Totals 2023/2024 Totals 56299.77 70695.99 47127.00 42867.77 5000.00 15000.00 10000.00 5000.00 1500.00 3000.00 1000.00 500.00 2127.00 2000.00 9901.72 1500.00 2000.00 2495.55 2970.5 500.00 3000.00 6000.00 1000.00 15000.00 500.00 0.00 12000.00 12000.00 9172.77 15828.22 2684.58 7163 6488.19 8665.22 24770.89 43751.59 1671.85 421.00 0.00 0.00 1671.85 421.00 5843.57 1250.00 1318.57 0.00 4525.00 1250.00 8638.03 32586.54 1026.02 8141.97 7612.01 24444.57 2995.87 2728.79 2883.87 2611.91 112.00 116.88 3504.31 4189.43 1977.75 0.00 1526.56 4189.43 2080.10 2575.83 1761.10 1690.71 319.00 885.12 37.16 0.00 37.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 81070.66 114447.58 65304.24 71140.58 15766.42 43307.00 |
|
| BALANCES CAF Bank Methodist Church Central Finance Board Cash TOTAL Startng Balance, 1st April 2024 Liabilites over a year old and not expected to be claimed (See note 2) 2024/2025 Income Less 2024/2025 Expenditure Closing Balance, 31st March 2025 |
2024/2025 Totals 2023/2024 Totals 5737.66 12374.73 39642.21 45586.86 26.00 0.00 |
|
| 45405.87 57961.59 |
||
| 57961.59 60.00 81070.66 -93686.38 |
||
| 45405.87 |
| PAYMENTS 2024/2025 |
Totals 2023/2024 Totals |
Totals 2023/2024 Totals |
Totals 2023/2024 Totals |
Totals 2023/2024 Totals |
Totals 2023/2024 Totals |
Totals 2023/2024 Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORE ORGANISATIONAL COSTS |
43863.02 | 82957.23 | ||||
| Staf/Contractor Costs | 37216.21 | 75377.60 | ||||
Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Admin, Website, Annual Fees & Equipment Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds General Publicity Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Staf & Key Volunteer General Travel Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Trustees Meetng Costs Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds SUPPORT GROUP MAINTENANCE COSTS Staf/Contractor Costs Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Support Group Venues Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Group Volunteer Travel Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Staf Travel to Cover Facilitatng Groups Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Support Group Coordinator Expenses Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Volunteer Facilitator Ongoing Training (indvidual training) Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Training New Volunteers (Existng Groups) Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Existng Volunteers DBS (Existng Groups) Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Local Publicity |
20538.58 16677.63 5639.42 3277.46 2361.96 49.77 0.00 49.77 957.62 918.02 39.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 49235.59 27198.74 26763.19 435.55 14965.85 14121.59 844.26 913.36 908.03 5.33 1534.21 1487.11 47.10 832.74 747.67 85.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 1435.95 1404.45 31.50 28.80 28.80 0.00 1527.23 |
39225.61 | ||||
| 36151.99 | ||||||
| 6152.45 | ||||||
| 367.76 | ||||||
| 5784.69 | ||||||
| 0.00 | ||||||
| 0.00 | ||||||
| 0.00 | ||||||
| 1170.48 | ||||||
| 782.82 | ||||||
| 387.66 | ||||||
| 256.70 | ||||||
| 165.10 | ||||||
| 91.60 | ||||||
| 59128.45 | ||||||
| 29717.41 | ||||||
| 28430.89 | ||||||
| 1286.52 | ||||||
| 14559.02 | ||||||
| 12863.23 | ||||||
| 1695.79 | ||||||
| 2308.22 | ||||||
| 2193.60 | ||||||
| 114.62 | ||||||
| 2910.30 | ||||||
| 2647.05 | ||||||
| 263.25 | ||||||
| 1735.43 | ||||||
| 1357.86 | ||||||
| 377.57 | ||||||
| 3.06 | ||||||
| 3.06 | ||||||
| 0.00 | ||||||
| 3653.10 | ||||||
| 3163.19 | ||||||
| 489.91 | ||||||
| 60.00 | ||||||
| 60.00 | ||||||
| 0.00 | ||||||
| 1359.71 | ||||||
| Restricted Funds | 1524.73 | 1148.11 | ||||
| Unrestricted Funds |
2.50 | 211.60 | ||||
| Volunteer Meetngs (for wellbeing and training) Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds GROWTH COSTS Training Days Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Group Launch Costs Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Evaluaton Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds FUNDRAISING COSTS Cost of Fundraising Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds TOTAL PAYMENTS Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds |
798.71 777.56 21.15 327.11 300.00 300.00 0.00 12.00 12.00 0.00 15.11 3.45 11.66 260.66 260.66 260.66 0.00 93686.38 73073.30 20613.08 |
2822.20 | ||||
| 2763.70 | ||||||
| 58.50 | ||||||
| 2391.51 | ||||||
| 802.48 | ||||||
| 802.48 | ||||||
| 0.00 | ||||||
| 484.38 | ||||||
| 484.38 | ||||||
| 0.00 | ||||||
| 1104.65 | ||||||
| 1104.65 | ||||||
| 0.00 | ||||||
| 662.40 | ||||||
| 662.40 | ||||||
| 46.75 | ||||||
| 615.65 | ||||||
| 145139.59 | ||||||
| 97610.24 | ||||||
| 47529.35 |
The PeerTalk Charitable Foundation
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
at 31st March 2025
| Cash funds | 45405.87 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | |
| Other Monetary Assets | 5000.00 | 130.89 | 5130.89 |
| HMRC Gif Aid Claim | 0.00 | 130.89 | 130.89 |
| Grant (Scurrah Wainwright Charity) | 5000.00 | 0.00 | 5000.00 |
| Investment Assets | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Assets Retained for the Charity's Own Use | |||
| 1x Laptop for Staf | |||
| 1x Printer for Staf | |||
| 4x Mobile Phones for Staf | |||
| 1x Projector for Presentatons | |||
| 3x Roller Banners for Publicity | |||
| 1x A-frames for Publicity at Groups | |||
| **Liabilites2 ** | 2871.11 | 529.35 | 3400.46 |
| Venues March 2025 | 957.84 | 176.00 | 1133.84 |
| Venues, uninvoiced from earlier dates (and invoice requested from venues) | 210.90 | 0.00 | 210.90 |
| HMRC | 512.35 | 171.48 | 683.83 |
| Staf Expenses | 670.15 | 169.37 | 839.52 |
| Trainer fee | 137.50 | 12.50 | 150.00 |
| Volunteer Expenses Claims | 382.37 | 0.00 | 382.37 |
| Cash funds, plus other monetary assets, less liabilites (see note 1) | 47136.30 |
| NOTES(REMAINING FUND BALANCES) | Restricted | Unrestricted Designated |
Unrestricted Undesignated |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Charitable Purpose | 4817.47 | ||||
| Redundancy Reserve | 1351.57 | ||||
| GENERAL Staf & Volunteer Wellbeing Restricted, Volunteer Meetngs Designated | 1392.94 | ||||
| GENERAL Volunteer meetngs for training and wellbeing | 1895.72 | ||||
| NORTHEAST Gateshead, North Shields, Sunderland and Whitley Bay | 1731.81 | ||||
| NORTHEAST Gateshead, N. Shields, Sunderland & Whitley Bay, staf costs designated | 2698.07 | ||||
| NORTHEAST Gateshead Sunderland Restricted, Gateshead venue costs designated | 312.26 | ||||
| NORTHEAST Gateshead, North Shields and Whitley Bay venues and vol. expenses | 2080.21 | ||||
| NORTHEAST Thornaby | 6152.13 | ||||
| NORTHEAST Thornaby Restricted re Equipment | 463.84 | ||||
| NORTHWEST Knowsley Restricted | 701.33 | ||||
| NORTHWEST Preston restricted | 284.87 | ||||
| NORTHWEST Preston Intact Group plus volunteer support for both Preston groups | 331.84 | ||||
| NORTHWEST Preston costs of supportng volunteers only | 1237.10 | ||||
| SOUTH All purposes | 1081.27 | ||||
| SOUTH East Hampshire | 7232.34 | ||||
| SOUTH Farnham | 561.68 | ||||
| SOUTH Farnham Co-Ordinator costs inc expenses | 1261.33 | ||||
| SOUTH Surrey | 2114.60 | ||||
| YORKSHIRE All Purposes | 717.94 | ||||
| YORKSHIRE cost of staf support | 5000.00 | ||||
| YORKSHIRE staf costs and expenses re Batley, Huddersfeld & Skipton | 613.93 | ||||
| YORKSHIRE Bradford | 2096.64 | ||||
| YORKSHIRE Batley venue costs | 197.36 | ||||
| YORKSHIRE Skipton venue costs | 808.05 | Total: | |||
| TOTALS | 40967.26 | 1351.57 | 4817.47 |
47136.30 |
2. £60 of liabilities over a year old and not expected to be claimed were removed from the accounts
| PeerTalk Policies and Procedures | PeerTalk Policies and Procedures | PeerTalk Policies and Procedures | PeerTalk Policies and Procedures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unchanged | Reviewed or Revised April 1st 2024 - March 31st 2025 |
||
| Bullying and Harassment Policy |
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy |
Inducton for New Trustees |
Terms of Reference - Trustees |
| Complaints Procedure | Financial Policy | Receipt of Donatons Policy | Trustee Code of Conduct |
| Confdentality Policy | Governance Risks | Recruitment and Selecton Policy |
Volunteer Code of Practce |
| Conficts of Interest Policy | Grievance Procedure | Safeguarding Policy and Procedures |
Volunteer Facilitator Role Descripton |
| Data Protecton Policy & Privacy Notce |
Health and Safety Policy | Secure storage, handling, use, retenton and disposal of Disclosures and Disclosure Informaton Policy |
Volunteer Policy |
| Disciplinary Procedures | Home Working Risk Assessment |
Statement of Values |
Volunteer Facilitator Agreement |
| Equal Opportunites Policy | Lone Working: Policy, Procedure and Practce Guidance |
Environment and Sustainability Policy |
Whistleblowing Policy |
How our PeerTalk groups support people
Our groups are there on the weeks when people need support, and our attendees often network with each other between meetings, both generally and at moments of crisis, and this networking is a crucial part of having long rather than short term support. Our work aims to underpin the short term support the NHS provides, preventing relapse that will result in the need for greater clinical support or people attempting to end their lives, and to give their lives stability - for example an attendee “stated that he found Peer Talk one of the constants in his life and the group was available every week, he always felt welcomed” [Lead volunteer report, Warrington 16Sep2024].
The groups always start and finish in the same way, as we find this reduces anxiety amongst attendees - they know what they will be faced with. Between these points, facilitators open up the space : "You share, and you are peers as you are really equal. And you can speak, and if you don't want to speak, you don't have to" [Attendee, Sheffield Hallam report 2022]. Those that choose to then receive comments from other attendees (most do, but this is their choice). "[Attending] helps me talk about my feelings. I get honest feedback about how I can manage stress." [Attendee, survey return]. Each person who shares is then encouraged to work on one thing in the coming week - this avoids situations of an overwhelming plan of things to do to 'get better' and our experience is that having one thing to concentrate on enables people to make positive choices. "It gives my week structure and helps me to talk about my feelings" [Attendee, survey return]. Sheffield Hallam’s evaluation of our work identified three key areas in which we were supporting people – ‘Reciprocity of Peer Support’ – that sharing their experiences was crucial in helping them feel understood and empowered; ‘Relieving the pressure’ – that our groups were a safe environment where they felt able to release bottled-up feelings; and ‘Re-building of confidence’ – that meeting and sharing with people in a similar situation enabled people to rebuild their confidence.
Each meeting has two facilitators for good safeguarding and enabling additional support should someone become overly distressed. By ensuring ongoing training and support for volunteers with lived experience, PeerTalk strengthens the effectiveness of our meetings while fostering a supportive network within the organization. Essentially this all leads to individuals being supported by each other in coping with their depression or anxiety: “It helps me rationalise my emotional unstable personality disorder in a safe place. I have learned some coping strategies from other members of the group. The facilitators are very kind and approachable” [attendee, survey return].
Thank you to all those individuals, groups, trusts and foundations who have funded our work during the year.
Sir James Knott Trust
The Jimmy Dickinson Fund