OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← Samaritans Of Macclesfield And District

2024-03-31-accounts

Samaritans of Macclesfield and District

| | |

Annual Report and Accounts for 12 months ended 315%* March 2024

Board of Trustees

:

Director: Zoe Smith (from 1° April 2022) Chair, Trustee and Secretary: Dorothy Hulley (from 2°¢ July 2017) Treasurer: Keith Anderson (from 26" June 2020) Trustee: Anthony Hilton (from 18" September 2017- 24 January 2024) Trustee: Linda Pyatt (from 18! September 2017- 24 January 2024) Trustee: Jean Cope (from 16" September 2019) Trustee: Tessa Hammersley (from 1% December 2020) Trustee: Frances Gathercole (from 8 July 2021) Trustee: Sarra Hoy (from 1 December 2020- 24'" January 2024) Trustee: LeElla Wagg (from 24 January 2024) Trustee: Katrina Hyde (from 24* January 2024) Trustee: Robert Hammersley (from 24" January 2024)

Independent Examiner: Melissa Bowers, Harts Limited, Westminster House, ~ 10, Westminster Road, Macclesfield. SK10 1BX

9, King Edward Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1AQ Telephone: 01625 426000 Email: macclesfield@samaritans.org Registered Charity Number: 1170130

—t oat

| SMD is a charitable incorporated organization affiliated to the national charity Samaritans, a charitable | company limited by guarantee. SMD is one of 201 branches who work with the Central Charity in a | federated way, governed by Branch Agreements and operating within criteria set down in an Operating | Agreement.

Samaritans of Macclesfield and District (SMD)

Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide. We aim to achieve that by alleviating emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicidal feelings and suicidal behaviour. In doing this we volunteer using our values which are:

Listening — We explore feelings distress and despair and help callers to reach better understanding of their situation and the options open to them.

Confidentiality — If callers feel safe, they are more likely to be open about their feelings.

Self-determination — We believe that callers have the right to make their own decisions wherever possible

Being nonjudgmental — We want callers to talk to us without fear of prejudice or rejection

Human Contact — Giving callers time, undivided attention and empathy meets a fundamental emotional need and reduces distress and despair.

Director's Report for 2023-2024

It was another eventful and busy year at Macclesfield and District Samaritans. The year started with the completion of our purchase of 69-71 Pickford Street — our Charity Shop. This shop is our main source of income and we are enormously grateful to our shop manager, LeEFlla and our eBay expert, Maureen, (not to mention the many shop volunteers who give up their valuable time every week). During this last year, Trustees and other interested parties have been researching how to refurbish this property to maximise the retail space and improve this substantial asset going forward. It is an exciting project.

We marked the placing of our bespoke Samaritans benches in West Park Macclesfield with a “Benches and Bubbles” party- sadly the weather didn’t co-operate but despite the wind and rain, Sarra did an amazing job to swiftly decamp and move the party to the branch. We hope that many local users of the park will use these facilities to engage in conversation, supporting the “Small Talk Saves Lives” campaign.

We were honoured bya visit from the High Sheriff of Cheshire who met with a group of Trustees, Deputy Directors and listening volunteers to find out more about the work of Samaritans. She was a delightful lady and was clearly much impressed by all that she saw and heard about- so much so that she tweeted about us on her much viewed social media page.

We were thrilled to be shortlisted for the North Cheshire Business Awards. Zoe 3 and Linda 76 attended the awards ceremony where we were presented with a Bronze Certificate for being the 3 best Charity in the north west.

Sarra 146 organised a series of talks from outside speakers, as well as tapping into the expertise of some of our own Listening and support volunteers. These included talks on Self Harm from Satveer, -2Z-

which was so very helpful to increase our understanding of the many and complex emotions behind | this emotive subject. We were entertained and enthralled by the talk linked to the Chimp Paradox. Our own John 66 gave us background to the work that Childline do, and Robert 68s partner Claire told us about how the NHS and other agencies work with people with mental health.

Our DD for Volunteer support (Beks72) initiated a series of informal meetings that we are calling ““uddles”. Each of these sessions gives volunteers the opportunity to discuss issues from calls they have taken and to explore in more depth someofthe important topics that have been raised locally or centrally. These include ending call, identifying, logging, and dealing with inappropriate callers and delving more deeply into how calls of a sexual nature can impact on us as listening volunteers. An incentive for attendees is that there is always something nice to eat.

Our training team were pleased to be able to return to face-to-face Core Training, after needing to train via Zoom during the pandemic. Two cohorts of trainees have successfully completed their Core Training and been welcomed into the Ops room as either Full or Probationary listening volunteers.

We have again been busy with our Outreach work delivering sessions to schools including Kings School and Poynton High School. We also continued our work in support of Network Rail with attendances at Macclesfield, and other local train stations, to promote Brew Monday and the Small Talk Saves Lives project. In addition, we have delivered talks and awareness sessions to local businesses and organisations and been a presence at the local Pride events. We are always looking for new ways to raise awareness and give support within our community.

We continue to support HMP Styal where there continue to be insufficient trained Listeners for a ~ number of reasons. We are immensely proud of our Prison Team for often going beyond their remit __ and taking on the challenging role of listening to prisoners themselves.

As always filling the rota is an on-going task and over the year the shift patterns have been adjusted, especially the hours of need (or anti-social) shifts. It was pleasing to note that overall, we increased our hours of need minutes. At the start of the year, we averaged 19 minutes per active volunteer but by the end of the year we averaged 48 minutes per active volunteer.

A group of Macclesfield volunteers attended the North West conference in April, where we heard a moving talk from one of the “3 dads walking” Of course, another highlight of conference is the chance to mix with Samaritans from other branches in the discussion groups and at the evening Fancy Dress party. There are photos from the event, but perhaps not for general viewing!

Social activities were organised and enjoyed. Our Christmas party, despite the awful weather, was a great night out, entertained by the amazing Ukulele band. Other social events have included pub lunches, country walks (to a pub!!), ten pin bowling, crafting...to name but a few. We also had a joint celebration of Macclesfield Samaritan’s 60" birthday alongside with the Samaritans 70" birthday. We are always open to suggestions for other events where we can not only enjoy ourselves but also get to know newer volunteers.

The year to the end of March 2024 was, as always, full of challenges but we are proud of the manner in which we have overcome obstacles that might have impeded our ability to provide the best possible support for our callers. | look forward to the next part of the challenge in the knowledge that Samaritans of Macclesfield and District are a strong and robust team.

Zoe Smith Branch Director.

~ 2% x

Treasurer's Report for 2023/24

It is sufficient under Charity Commission rules (because we are only a small charity) to produce Receipts and Payments Accounts and these are attached.

Total revenue for the twelve-month period ending 31% March 2024 amounted to £70,566 (2023: £60,725). Significant revenue is received from our charity shop and eBay sales, totalling £50,197 (20232£47,953). Donations totalled £13,012 (2023: 7,931) and were boosted by a £5,000 legacy from a past Director.

Total running costs were £40,273 (2023: £93,703). The total running costs for 2023 included a donation to Barrow branch of £10,000 and a Branch Contribution to Samaritans Central Office of £32,585 which were one off items.

Because of the purchase of Pickford Street shop at the end of March 2023, rent ceased to be paid, resulting in a saving of £7,000 per annum. Other than that, expenses were well controlled and similar to the previous year.

The net Receipts for the year were £30,283 (2023 : Net Payments 240,012)

Cash reserves at 31°* March 2024 totalled £44,759 (2023 £14,476). Having significantly depleted our cash reserves by the purchase of the shop in the previous year, the Trustees aim was to rebuild our reserves so that they cover 12 months expenditure. This was achieved in the year, our cash balance being £44,759 compared to total expenditure of £40,273.

Keith Anderson 14th June 2024

—~Yy-

:

—— :[ENGLAND][AND][ WALES] The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District Gi CHARITY[FOR] COMMISSION . . . P nrReceipts and payments accounts For the period from 1st Apri 2023 31st March 2024 Section A Receipts and payments | Dati Ntots BeskiGe Endowment funds funds Total funds funds || funds funds tothe nearest £ to the nearest£ to the nearest the nearest nearest[[£]] to the nearest the nearest nearest[[£]] A‘DonationsReceipts se Ebay Sales 7 ee Fundraising a: ce Gift Aid —a} Co -) ll investment Income | (| COL

----- Start of picture text -----
cc16éa
----- End of picture text -----

Endowment funds funds Total funds funds Last year to the nearest the nearest nearest[[£]] to the nearest the nearest nearest[[£]] to the nearest[£] 7,934 |

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). fSaleofpremises Sub total]

----- Start of picture text -----
A3 Payments
Heat, Light and Water a
Repairs and renewals a es,
Cleaning & Housekeeping Fee] (| CO ee [so|
Telephone, IT and office costs eS ee
Insurance rr} CL [-|] Cl Le [1,123] [|]
Office Rent 000) oo an| 00|
Volunteer training & support ee ee [2,824 |
Volunteer Recognition ee ee
Gifts a es
Donation to Barrow branch ST OD
Shop Rent es ee
Shop heat light and water Ee
Other shop expenses Es ee C2
Storage | | | CU|
independent Examiner oo} | FE) ao
Branch Contribution Co i]
50th Celebration sD ts AT, |
su taf aee| ELS Bes
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
Equipment, Fixtures and Fittings Ro
Land and Buildings |
Sub total|
Net of recelpts(payments\ [eee [loa| fae eee oe
A6 Transfers between funds a dhl |
A6 Cash funds last year end x hs ( 14,476 | |
Cash funds this period end[ 8] (Ls 8) cin obi
----- End of picture text -----

= 4

----- Start of picture text -----
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
ea
Categories. Detalis a . . Unrestricted. fundsa ce Restrictedee funds : Endowment funds
to nearest £ to nearest£ to nearest; & :
Total cash funds 44,759
(agree balances with receipts and
payments account(s))
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B3 Details Sa valli! sot Cost (optional) Current value (optional)
Investment ee esee
Details Fan pid eee Cost (optional) Current value (optional)
oa ed ee ee
Details Fund to which liability Amount due (optional) When due (optional)
i relates
— = —s
Signed by one or two
thetrusteestrusteeson behalf of all ,Signature Print Name i Date of approval
| St — J EAN wary Anoresm| [14 bbe.
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
DW s
| | CHARITY COMMISSION| Independent examiner's |
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner's Report oe a
Report to the trustees/ | <7" " a.
members of | Samaritans of Macclesfield and District . |
Oege ne ee
On accounts for the year |lanuias.37% Marchiono 2024 Charity: ne | 1170130 |
ended (if any)
Set out on pages | wy,
pages) 5) & G&
| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity for the year ended 31/03/2024.
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation
basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 (“the Act’).
----- End of picture text -----

—_

| report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, | have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

----- Start of picture text -----
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: | hve bowe> - | Date: 2=\ OS Jn . |
Name: | Melissa Bowers
Relevant professional; =FCCA i
qualification(s) or body | |
(if any): | . |
Address: | Harts10 WestminsterLimited, Westminster House, Macclesfield, House Cheshire |
| SK10 1BX
IER Dag\e olliei i Mullin, C0. October 2018
;
b) oF
\ LA ~~
----- End of picture text -----

7