SAMARITANS OF SHREWSBURY A registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation under the Charities Act 2011 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
SAMARITANS OF SHREWSBURY COMPANY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES Angela Ruth Dunhlll Frances Anne Stone £llve Andrew Dean Sue Bevan Ann Wlshart Beryl Jane Coward Patrlcla Rosemary Curtls Geoffrey Brough SECRETARY Patrlcla Rosemary Curtls COMPANY NUMBER CE009158 CHARITY NUMBER 1170399
SAMARITANS OF SHREWSBURY TRUSTEES REPORT The Trustees present their report and accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 March 2025. OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY The charity's objects as set out in its governing document are: To enable persons in Shrewsbury, Shropshlre and the surrounding area as well as elsewhere who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide, to receive confldential emotional support at any time of the day or night In order to improve their emotional health and to reduce the incidence of suicide. To promote a better understanding in society of sulcide, suicidal behaviour and the value of expressing feellngs which may otherwise lead to suiclde or impaired emotional health. To collaborate with and support Samarltans Central Charlty and Its affiliated branches in fulf illing these Objects. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Samarltans of Shrewsbury Is a Charltable Incorporated Organlsation (CIO) whlch was registered on 25 November 2016. The charlty operates as a separate independent charlty although It Is recognised as an affSllated branch of the national Samaritans charlty. Samaritans of Shrewsbury operates under the model constitution for Samaritan branches. Samarltans of Shrewsbury was formed as part of the restructurlng of the natlonal Samarltans charitable company. On l April 2017, the assets, Ilabilities and activlties of Shrewsbury Samaritans were transferred to Samaritans of Shrewsbury. The transfer to the new CIO has had no effect on the operations of the branch and the transaction has been accounted for as a charity merger. Thls charity remains as the sole trustee of the old unincorporated charity and incorporates all funds held by the old charity. New trustees of the charity are elected at The Annual General Meeting each year. The members of the charity elect the elected trustees following the nomination made. The trustees may appoint (co-opt) up to two additional trustees {co-opted trustees), so long as the total number of trustees does not exceed thirteen. The Branch Director may appoint one of the other trustees as vice-director. All trustees receive appropriate training in their duties and responsibilities. The trustees and non-trustee Deputy Directors form the Branch Leadership Team which meets bi-monthly. The director is responsible for the allocation of duties within the Branch.
SAMARITANS OF SHREWSBURY TRUSTEES REPORT CONTINUED PUBLIC BENEFIT The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. RISK MANAGEMENT The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to whlch the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance agalnst fraud and error. The trustees monltor rlsks to whlch the charity is exposed throughout the year and mitigate their potential impact. A risk register is used with risks classlfled between management, premlses and equlpment, operatlonal, flnanclal and external rlsks. RESERVES The trustees have examined the requirement for free reserves, i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested In tanglble flxed assets, deslgnated for specific purposes, or otherwlse committed. Conslderatlon was given to the nature of the income and expenditure streams and the current composltlon of the reserves. The trustees took account of the followlng: the inherent fluctuation in incomlng funds the ongoing costs of runnlng the branch-owned property the ongolng costs of malntainlng key equipment In view of thls the Trustees consider that the branch should keep around 12 months, worth of expenditure in unrestricted reserves, trustees consider thls to be around £35,000 based on previous year financial statements. They consider this is prudent in view of the nature of the core work of the branch. Where specific work is planned, for instance, for buildlng repair/ renovation, reserves may be required which would be allocated to specific purposes and, therefore, not included in free reserves. This reserves policy will be reviewed annually, taking into account current forecasts of cash flows and income and expenditure budgets for the coming year.
SAMARITANS OF SHREWSBURY TRUSTEES REPORT Directorfs Report Overview My first year as Director has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. I'm so grateful for the support I've received from the Branch Leadership Team and all our dedicated volunteers at Samaritans of Shrewsbury. Everyone has worked so hard to ensure we deliver the best possible seniice and are always there for those In need. Over the past year, we were supported by 16 Support Volunteers and an average of 61 Listenlng Volunteers who answered 10,118 phone calls; 2,190 emalls; 677 online chats and had 203 face to face emotional support conversations. We conslstently ranked among the top in the West Midlands for covering night tlme shifts. I'm incredibly proud of our Branch and the outstanding commltment of all our volunteers. Branch Leadershlp Team Our Branch Leadership Team (BLTI met bimonthly, with people attending both online and in person. These hybrid meetings allowed team members who Ilve further away to participate regardless of weather condltions, while also reducing travel costs and supportlng our sustainability efforts. We revlewed and adhered to our Operatlng Agreement with Samarltans Central Charlty, along wlth our local policies and procedures, Flnances In 2024125 payments exceeded receipts by £8,817, however, we retalned a strong reserves position of £53,123. Incorne and expendlture are recorded on a cash basis and s? the timing of cash recelpts/payments have a big Impact on financial results. The Treasurer, wlth overslght from our Trustees, closely managed our finances to ensure we would be in a healthy state going into the next financial year. Our fundraisln8 volunteers, including the Friends of Shrewsbury Samaritans, worked hard throughout the year to generate income to sustain our core services. Donations via our Enthuse website also contlnued to demonstrate the generosity of our community, We successfully secured funding for specific projects, particularly to support building maintenance and core operational costs. Toward the end of the year, we were invited to submit a substantial bid to the Shropshire Association for Supported Housin8. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our BLT members, we were thrilled to learn, just before the end of the financial year, that our bid had been successful. The resulting funds, due in April 2025, will be reserved for essential building work and reaching out to the people of Shropshire. We are so grateful to all our supporters for their contributions throughout the year.
Our Volunteers We are fortunate in Shrewsbury to have a waiting list of people keen to join us as Listening Volunteers. Two cohorts completed our rigorous training programme during the year. Our dedicated team of trainers and mentors ensured each volunteer gained the skills and confidence required to take on this challenging and vital role. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion remained a focus throughout the year. We made adaptations wherever possible and, most importantly, listened to the needs of our volunteers to ensure that their experience with us is accessible, inclusive, and positive. Social events including a Branch Brunch, quiz night, and meals out together helped us to get to know each other even better and contrlbuted to the warm, famlly feel of the branch. As part of our ongoing development, one-to-one mentorlng was provided for all Listening Volunteers. In addition to branch-based training sessions, volunteers were encouraged to participate in regional trainlng and use online modules to refresh and enhance their skills. Our Support Volunteers are a tremendous asset to our branch. The Premises Team Support Volunteers help keep us safe and ensure the branch remains In good repair throu8h regular maintenance and safety checks. Other Support Volunteers play equally vital roles: making sure everyone has an enhanced DBS check, helping us raise funds, providing IT support, keeping gaps In the rota filled, supporting our volunteers, and even caring for our plantsl IT Chan8es We made the transltlon to a new platform - the Llstenlng Centre - for dlgltal phone calls and our online chat service. Thls was a significant change, but our Listening Volunteers adapted quickly and confidently with the support provided. We also upgraded equipment In our training room, making hybrid meetings and tralnlng sessions more effective and accessible. Marketing and Publlclty The usability of our website was improved and our outreach was broadened through local radio and podcasts. We also engaged with local businesses to promote our services, seek financial and in-kind support, and to offer Active Listening workshops where appropriate.
Outreach Our 'Reaching Out. team expanded their reach impressively this year. They delivered eight Active Listening Workshops across the county including nursing home staff, mental health groups, and 'Chatterbox' volunteers, all of whom gave very positive feedback. Work to raise awareness of our seniices included attending events and giving talks at many different venues including RAF Shawbury, the Citizens Advice Shropshire, Shrewsbury Fire Statlon, college campuses, libraries and various county shows. We continued our presence at food banks, weekly in Shrewsbury and biweekly in Oswestry and regularly attended Shrewsbury Railway Statlon, providing vital face-to-face emotional support. Our work at HMP Oakwood in Wolverhampton contlnued with great success. Around 30 prisoners were trained as Listeners to support fellow inmates, wlth the programme gaining respect and recognition for its impact. Thank You We are so grateful to everyone who supports Samaritans of Shrewsbury. Without the generosity of individuals and funding bodles, our vital work wouldn't be possible. Listening without Judgement, offerlng unconditional support and belng there for people when they are struggling can be so powerful. Wlth the help of our supporter5 no one has to face thelr darkest times alone. c(0 t5 Angela Dunhlll Director Samaritans of Shrewsbury
Independent examlnerfs report to the trustees of Samarltans of Shrewsbury Charity Number 1170399 I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st March 2025 Respectlve responsibllities of trustees and examlner The trustees {who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audlt under company law and is eliglble for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures lald down in the general Directlons given by the Charity Commlssion under section 145(5){bl of the 2011 Act; and to state whether partlcular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's report My examlnatlon was carried out in accordance with the general Directions glven by the Charity Commls5ion. An examinatlon Includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charlty and a comparlson of the accounts presented with those records. It also Includes consideration of any unusual items or d15closures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be requlred In an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection wlth my examinatlon, no matter has come to my attention: {1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that In any material respect the requlrements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accountlng requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and prlnclples of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102). have not been met. or {2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. John Higson Bsc Oak Ridge. Edgton Craven Arms Shropshire SY7 8HW oq 2oLr ' Date:
SAMARtTANS OF SHREWSBURY Receipts and Payments Ac¢ount FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Restrirted Unrestrirted Total Funds Totsl Fund5 Recel ts Shrewsbury Friends of Sarnarftans Fundraising Events Fundralslng Artivitles Donatlons and Glfts Glft Aid Pr150n Receipt Interest Received 798 301 798 301 40 26.383 203 6,539 7,175 19.208 203 37.162 8,736 653 653 430 Total Recelpts 7.175 24.203 3L378 58,867 Ex endlture Charilable Exptnses Telephone Charyes Travel & Tralnlng Costs Car Parkln8 800 9,956 403 3,103 1,000 800 12,920 403 3,103 2,418 12,546 297 1.771 2,964 Donatlon$ Made Premlses Overhead190% Rates, lnSurnn, Ught & Heat Prlntlng, Statlonery & Postage Bank Charges House Keepln8 Indudlng Repalrs 5,937 956 201 7,220 S,937 956 201 9,920 3577 274 7573 2,7LKI Fundralsln 3578 Management & Admlnl$tr•tlon Branth Contrlknlon Independent Examlners Report AGM Costs 2.433 2.433 480 107 iioo 834 63 107 Premlses Overtbead {lO%) Rates, Insurance. Ught & Heat Prlntln& Statlonery & Postag• Bank Charge5 House Keeplng Indudlng Repalvs 660 107 22 1,146 397 165 30 107 22 3CK> Total Expendlture 34.231 40,195 36,952 Cash Surplus/{Deficltl for ye•r i.zii 110.0281 18,8171 21,915 2024 Cash Funds 3,000 58.940 41,940 40,025 2025 Cash Funds 4,211 48.91 3.123 61.940 Movements In Cash Funds Balance Movements In y•ar Balanc• 01.04.2024 In¢ornln8 01rt8olng 31.03.2025 Unrestrlrted Funds General Fvnd S8,940 24,203 34.231 48,912 S8,940 24,203 34,231 48,912 Restrlrted Fund$ Edward Cadbury Hllton Jone5 Trust (backyard projert) Wllllam Cadbury Trust (backyard projert) shrevUry Town Councll Grart Shropshlre Coundl Grant 2.175 1,211 7,175 4,211 61.940 31.378 40,195 53,123
SAMARITANS OF SHREWSBURY Statement of Assets and Llabllltles As at 31st Mah 2025 2025 2024 Moneta Assets Restrlcted Unrestrlrted Total Re$trlrted Unrestrlcted Tolal Bank Current Accounts Bank Depaslt Account Glft Ald Account 4,211 5,756 38,135 5,021 9,967 38,13S 5,021 3,000 23,704 27,481 7,755 26.704 27,481 7,755 Assets retalned for the Charl 's own use Swan House- Insuran¢e vJlu• 581,198 564,269 Branch Equlpm•nt - •rtlmat•d current valu• 7,200 8,000 15,200 7,200 8,000 15,200 Uabllltles Branch Contrlbutlon to ¢entral charlty 928 928 2,433 2,433 These flnaTrclal statemonts were •pproved by the board of trustees and authorlsed for Issue on: 518ned on behalf of the board: Treasurer