Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
Annual Report and Accounts for 12 months ended 31[st] March 2025
Board of Trustees
Director: Zoe Smith (from 1[st] April 2022) Chair, Trustee and Secretary: Dorothy Hulley (from 2[nd] July 2017) Treasurer: Keith Anderson (from 26[th] June 2020 to 22[nd] January 2025) Treasurer: Graham Hyde (from 22[nd] January 2025) Trustee: Jean Cope (from 16[th] September 2019 to 22[nd] January 2025) Trustee: Tessa Hammersley (from 1[st] December 2020 to 22[nd] January 2025) Trustee: Frances Gathercole (from 8[th] July 2021) Trustee: LeElla Wagg (from 24[th] January 2024 ) Trustee: Katrina Hyde (from 24[th] January 2024) Trustee: Robert Hammersley (from 24[th] January 2024) Trustee: Emma Lord (from 22[nd] January 2025) Trustee: Nicholas Wood (from 22[nd] January 2025)
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: macclesfeld@samaritans.org Registered Charity Number: 1170130
Samaritans of Macclesfield and District (SMD)
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 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 non-judgmental – 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 2024-2025
It was another eventful and busy year at Macclesfield and District Samaritans. After finalising the purchase of our shop, work has been going on to refurbish and modernise the premises to make it fit for the future and suitable for shop volunteers and customers alike. We want to make sure that we make the right decisions so that our shop can continue to fund Macclesfield branch for many years to come. We’ve had several versions of architect drawings to look at over the last few months- making sure that all the shop volunteers and the branch leadership team were in agreement with what we needed. Towards the end of 2024, the final version was decided on and Trustees are getting quotes from builders etc so that we can start the improvements- which will include a lift (to save the legs of our more ‘senior’ shop volunteers), better spaces and facilities for sorting and displaying the donated items etc. Trustees will ensure that any financial decisions are made judicially.
Once we get this major project started, we may well be tapping into the good will and expertise of our volunteers and supporters to help with things like moving stock, decorating, putting up shelving etc- in other words anything that can keep the costs down!
In October we were visited by Julie Bentley- the CEO of Samaritans. Several volunteers (including shop volunteers) met with her and were able to tell her all the amazing things about Macclesfield branch and ask her questions. She found time to go down to the shop afterwards. I’m sure she was impressed by all she saw and heard. We were pleased that she clearly listened to our questions and concerns, because shortly afterwards she responded to them via email.
Social activities were organised and enjoyed. Our Christmas party was a great night out, entertained by the amazing Ukulele band. If you missed it, make sure you get to our next big get together. Other social events have included pub lunches, country walks (to a pub!!), ten pin bowling, pottery painting…to name but a few. Any other ideas- please let us know, we’re always up for a good time and for newer volunteers to get involved.
Within the branch we have seen a lot of new Samaritans graduate, and I want to say a big Thankyou to Wendy and her training team and to all the mentors who have guided these new Sams through their journey towards their number. A ‘Macclesfield’ version of On-going mentoring (OGM) was trialled- led by Wendy and a large group of mentors. Every listening volunteer was involved and it proved to be very informative and identified where we would benefit from additional training. As a result, Wendy (who now has the Regional Lead for Training) presented this scheme at the North West Regional conference. At the time of writing this report, we have now almost completed the second cycle of OGM.
I was really pleased that so many of our branch took part in the Voice survey- we had a very high engagement rate- better than many other local branches. And we took note of any issues raised.
Our technical skills were tested this last year. We all had to re-do our DBS checks, and thanks are given to Tessa 20 and Dave 39 for their patience and hard work getting us all through this hurdle. Then towards the end of the year we switched over to the new Listening Centre, moving away from Link. Getting used to the new headphones and making sure we didn’t press the MUTE button has been a challenge, but we did it!
Our Outreach work has, as always, been very busy. We’ve done sessions with pupils from Congleton High, Fallibroome, Poynton High School and Kings School. We are always looking for more people to join our school’s team- this is really rewarding work. We’ve also been a presence at the local train stations, in the local shopping centre for the White Ribbon events linked to Domestic Violence and for the two Pride events in the summer.
Our very own Poetry book “100 poems of Hope” was published and is available on Amazon. We’ve already had our first monies through from this- so huge thanks to all involved- especially Steve 111 and Kath 46.
Just after I started as Director, we had a ‘visit’ which assesses the branch against the Quality Framework. After this we had to write a detailed Action Plan to show how we could improve further. After two and a half years we were very pleased to hear that we’ve now had this action plan signed off as fully completed.
The year to the end of March 2025 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. The biggest change for the coming year will be the move to a new Branch Director- the process of which is in its final stages. I 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.
Draft Treasurer’s Report for 2024/25
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 31st March 2025 amounted to £71,883 (2024: £70,556). Significant revenue is received from our charity shop and eBay sales, totalling £58,101 (2024: £50,197). Donations totalled £10,148 (2024: 13,012).
Total running costs were £46,934 (2024: £40,273). The total running costs for 2024 were broadly in line with previous years though did reflect increases in utility expenses. Other than that, expenses were well controlled and similar to the previous year.
The net Receipts for the year were £21,574 (2024: Net Receipts £30,283)
Cash reserves at 31[st] March 2024 totalled £66,333 (2024 £44,759). The Trustee’s aim was to rebuild cash reserves after the purchase of the shop in 2023. This was started in 2024 and has continued over the year ending 31[st] March 2025. The Trustees now feel confident to invest in the fabric of the shop to improve volunteer efficiency, to improve the shop environment for both volunteers and customers and to maintain a necessary income stream.
Graham Hyde 6[th] May 2025
|Geno|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|The Samaritans of Macclesfield and District
CC16a
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period from
Period start date
To
Period end date
1st April 2024
31st March 2025
~~—————; |~~|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Section A Receipts and
payments
~~eS~~|||||||||||
||Unrestricted
funds||Restricted
funds||Endowment
funds||Total funds||Last year||
||to the nearest £||to the nearest £||to the nearest £||to the nearest £||to the nearest £||
|A1 Receipts|||||||||||
|Donations
Ebay Sales
Fundraising
Gift Aid
Investment Income
Prison Grant
Shop income
Sub total(Gross income for AR)|10,148
-
-
10,148
13,012
17,751
-
-
17,751
14,608
-
-
-
-
1,876
931
-
-
931
823
664
-
-
664
418
2,039
-
-
2,039
4,229
40,349
-
-
40,349
35,589
(Gross income for AR)71,883
-
-
71,883
70,556
~~=—55=~~||||||||||
|A2 Asset and investment sales, (see
table).
Sale of premises
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total -
-
-
-
-
Total receipts 71,883
-
-
71,883
70,556
~~SSSS555~~|||||||||||
|A3 Payments|||||||||||
|Heat, Light and Water|6,127||-||-||6,127||4,015||
|Repairs and renewals|278||-||-||278||-||
|Cleaning & Housekeeping|1,793||-||-||1,793||1,644||
|Telephone, IT and office costs|6,728||-||-||6,728||5,157||
|Insurance|1,883||-||-||1,883||1,812||
|Office Rent|11,000||-||-||11,000||11,000||
|Volunteer training & support|17||-||-||17||179||
|Volunteer Recognition|209||-||-||209||88||
|Travel expenses|3,822||-||-||3,822||192||
|Donation to Barrow branch|-||-||-||-||6,026||
|Listener|2,561||-||-||2,561||-||
|Prison costs|429||-||-||429||1,045||
|Fundraising expenses|110||-||-||110||1,492||
|Shop Rent|-||-||-||-||332||
|Shop heat light and water|2,994||-||-||2,994||- 1,750||
|Other shop expenses|3,607||-||-||3,607||2,668||
|Storage|-||-||-||-||1,759||
|Independent Examiner|630||-||-||630||6||
|Branch Contribution|2,532||-||-||2,532||600||
|Staff party|-||-||-||-||1,530||
|Outreach expenses|1,922||-||-||1,922||2,360||
|Volunteer Party|290||-||-||290||117||
|Sub total |46,934||-||-||46,934||40,273||
|A4 Asset and investment purchases,
(see table)
Equipment, Fixtures and Fittings
3,375
-
-
3,375
-
Land and Buildings
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total 3,375
-
-
3,375
-
Total payments
50,309
-
-
50,309
40,273
~~—SES5=~~|||||||||||
|Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this period end|21,574
-
-
21,574
30,283
-
-
-
-
-
44,759
-
-
44,759
14,476
66,333
-
-
66,333
44,759
~~S25~~|||||||||30,283
14,476
44,759|
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities |
Details Investment Fund Co-op Bank Account Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details Land and Buildings Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment Details Signature |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 62,074 - 4,259 - 66,333 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 200,960 12,539 - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Date of approval | |||
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of Samaritans of Macclesfield and District On accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 Charity no (if any) 1170130 Set out on pages 5&6 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 3110312025. 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 (he Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance wth section 130 of the Act," or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming 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 fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. Independent examiner's statement I have no concems 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: Date: Name: Melissa Bowers Relevant professional qualification(5) or body (if any): FCCA Address: Harts Limited. Westrninster House 10 Westminster House, Macdesfield, Cheshire SK10 1BX IER October 2018