SAMARITANS Mid Cheshire 11 We're celebrotlng 60 years of listening *•¥lP ## **Annual General Meeting** ## **Wednesday 2nd July 2025 at 7.00 pm** ## **Owley Wood Recreation Club** ## **Barrymore Rd, Weaverham, Northwich, CW8 3LS** ## **Sections** 1. Samaritans' Vision, Mission and Values. 2. Trustees' Report. 3. Samaritans of Mid Cheshire 4. Director’s Report. 5. Branch Strategy Review. 6. Treasurer's Report. 7. Financial Statement. 8. Thank You. 9. Incoming Director's Message. Page 1 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **1. Samaritans' Vision, Mission and Values** It’s now generally acknowledged that to genuinely reduce suicide we must reach people earlier on in the crisis cycle, which means reaching out to and helping people who would not consider themselves to be suicidal. We want all potential callers to understand that our service is here for anyone who is experiencing pain in their lives. ## **Our Vision** Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. To achieve this, we believe Samaritans has a crucial role to play in: - Reducing the risk factors that make some people more likely to take their own lives. - Ensuring that people who are at increased risk of suicide are supported. - Making it less likely that people who do experience suicidal thoughts act on them. - Reducing the likelihood that people develop suicidal thoughts. ## **Our Mission** We’re here every day and night of the year for anyone struggling to cope. We make sure people have somewhere to turn and support when they need it most. We work with communities to let people know we’re here for them and we campaign to make suicide prevention a priority. ## **Our Values** Our support service adapts to the changing environment, but the values are the core of our listening service remain constant: Listening: Exploring feelings alleviates distress and helps people to reach a better understanding of their situation, and the options open to them. Confidentiality: If people feel safe, they are more likely to be open about their feelings. Non-judgemental: We want people to be able to talk to us without fear of prejudice or rejection. People making their own decisions: We believe that people have the right to find their own solution and that telling people what to do takes responsibility away from them. Human contact: Giving people time, undivided attention and empathy meets a fundamental emotional need and reduces distress and despair. Page 2 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **2. Trustees' Report** The Trustees of Samaritans of Mid Cheshire present their report for the year ended 31 March 2025. Samaritans of Mid Cheshire is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission, with the Registration Number 1170575 and with a registered address of 1 Manchester Road, Northwich Cheshire CW9 5LY. It is an Affiliated Branch of the central charity, Samaritans (Registered Number 219432) and the relationship between the two charities is governed by an affiliation agreement. As an Affiliated Branch and as an independent Charity, the Branch has its own Trustees, and is run by the Branch Director (a volunteer leadership role) together with the Branch Leadership team. The Trustees who served during the year were: Judi Boardman Diana Brown Peter Burke Andrew Clarke Susan Coles Ron McLaverty Annie Mills John Munnery Bernice Philps (appointed 6[th] August 2024) Janice Scaplehorn The composition of the Board of Trustees is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the needs of the charity. Per the Constitution, the Board of Trustees should have a minimum of three members and a maximum of thirteen. All members of the Branch are encouraged to consider becoming Trustees, and external recruitment would be initiated as required. Branch Trustee meetings are scheduled at intervals of four to eight weeks depending on the requirements of the charity. The Branch Director for the past three years has been Annie Mills. As part of a planned cycle of transition, Annie will be resigning, and Jan Scaplehorn will be appointed as Branch Director at the AGM on 2 July 2025. The Trustees wish to thank Annie for her phenomenal leadership, and offer their full support to Jan as she takes over this essential role. Page 3 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **3. Samaritans of Mid Cheshire: who we are, what we do, and why we do it…** Our branch has been providing support to people nationally and in our local area since 1964. We offer emotional support by telephone, by email and soon, we hope, by on-line chat. Our branch covers Altrincham, Hale, Hale Barns, Knutsford, Lymm, Middlewich, Northwich, Timperley, and Winsford, and we have been working very hard to engage with the community on different levels and in different ways. ## **Nationally, Samaritans:** - Respond to over 3.3m calls for help a year, from 200 branches. - Answer a call for help every 10 seconds. - Suicidal feelings are mentioned in 1 in 4 calls. - Self-Harm is mentioned in 1 in 15 calls. - 7 out of 10 callers said they felt the call had a positive impact on how they were feeling, and they felt more able to cope. ## **In our Mid Cheshire Branch:** - We handle an average of 20,000 calls a year and over 3,000 emails. - We currently have 70 active Listeners who generally give at least three hours of their time every week. - Some are Leaders and Mentors or involved with other important functions such as Recruitment, Training, Outreach, Volunteer Support, Financial Control, IT and Branch Administration, giving extra time to these duties. - We are open 365 days a year. - We operate a combination of shifts, including nights and weekends. - Everyone is highly trained, mentored, and supported continually. - We have 20 Outreach trained Listeners. - We support Thorn Cross Prison and have a dedicated team of 10 who visit and support the in-house trained Listeners. - We give awareness talks to many organisations and businesses. - We work in partnership with Network Rail. - We belong to the Suicide Prevention Schemes that operate in our Region. - We are active in local schools and colleges giving interactive talks to students. - We attend local events to raise awareness of what we do. Page 4 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **4. Director's Report** It feels a bit strange, and sad in many ways, to be writing this report as I come to the end of my three-year term as Director of this amazing Branch. But mostly I just feel an immense sense of pride in what we have all achieved together! Every year we face challenges, but we also have amazing successes, and we can celebrate together knowing that going forward, although there will always be a lot to do, we can do so with confidence that we will continue to grow, be relevant, and will always be there for our callers. ## **I have summarised some of our achievements on the next page.** Our key strategies have remained the same throughout: - Strengthening the team. - Developing the Outreach opportunities. - Developing a sustainable Fundraising Policy. - Improving our provision of Night Hours to help meet caller needs. - Complete the building repairs and improvements. We have achieved on every single objective, thanks to everyone in the team. Over and above the objectives above we have: - Successfully gone through the change to the Listening Centre, which was not without its challenges. - Pioneered the new Director Selection Process. - Been part of the Future-Proofing research. - Redecorated the Training Room and spent monies furthering our strategic objectives. - Met with our local MP, Andrew Cooper, who endorsed us on his Facebook page. These are just a few of the things we have achieved together. I know we are not always at full strength, but I want to say thank you for doing whatever you have been able to do. I feel honoured to have been your Director, and humbled by the support you have shown me. You have all been my inspiration all the way through. ## **I want to thank you all:** The Branch Leadership team for their support, expertise and advice and the amazing work they have done together with their teams; the Trustees for their support and guidance; but **most importantly to every single one of you for continuing to be there for our callers,** no matter what other role you may play. ## **Thank you.** Page 5 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **5. Branch Strategy Review** ALL STRATEGIES ARE DISCUSSED AT BLT MEETINGS MONTHLY, TRUSTEE MEETINGS AND BRANCH MEETINGS Page 6 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **6. Treasurer's Report** This is my first Treasurer’s report since being appointed Treasurer in August 2024, and I’d like to start by thanking the previous Treasurer, Sue Coles, for the tremendous job that she did in this role for many years. Her support to me during this transition period has been wonderful, and I really appreciate her continuing support as Deputy Treasurer. Thank you, Sue. My second huge thank you is to Chris Jeffries for being our Independent Examiner. Samaritans of Mid Cheshire is an independent charity, affiliated to Samaritans, and hence is required to have an annual, independent review of its accounts. Chris has concluded and reported that there are no matters to be drawn to the attention of the Members of the charity. Thank you, Chris. ## **Review of the Financial Year** When compared with the prior year, the charity’s income in the 2024/2025 financial year has increased by 34% from **£34,015** to **£45,691** . The key elements to highlight in this change are as follows: - In the prior year, almost a third of our income (£10,900) was in the form of restricted donations specifically in relation to building work on both the exterior and interior of our premises in Manchester Road. These donations were received from a range of companies, organisations and individual donors and the building work was completed in the prior year. - In the current year, there has been a focus on raising unrestricted funds that can be used to cover our running costs and in expanding our Outreach activities. As part of these efforts, partnerships have been forged with local businesses, and with local organisations, clubs and churches. As well as raising funds, these partnerships often enable us to talk to people in their offices, or at their meetings, where we have the opportunity to explain who we are, what we do and how to reach us. - We have undertaken three street collections in the year, raising a total of nearly £3,000, and which again enables us to talk to people in an informal setting. - Our work with our local Prison is supported by a grant of £2,192. This is lower than in the prior year (prior year £4,179) simply because the charity received the grant for two years in the prior year. - We have also raised funds from social events in the year, including a very successful quiz night. - Finally, we are extremely grateful to the families who have donated to our Branch in memory of their loved ones. This thoughtfulness, and recognition of the work we do, is really appreciated. Page 7 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 With regards to expenditure, the expenditure has reduced from **£66,586** in the 2023/24 financial year to **£31,917** in 2024/25. This is primarily due to the one-off £34,000 restricted expenditure in 2023/24 on the Branch building and £2,000 restricted expenditure on the House interior refurbishment. In the current year, the focus has been on - Meeting the ongoing management and operating costs for the Branch premises including utilities, housekeeping costs, insurance and maintenance. - Expanding our Outreach activities, including the purchase of a new, robust gazebo to shelter our volunteers from the elements at Outreach events. In the 2024/25 year we were talking to people and raising awareness at events/venues including Brit Fest, the Cheshire Show, Winsford Pride, The Tatton Show and various local fetes. As a result of the increases in unrestricted funds and the decrease in restricted building costs, the charity made a surplus of **£13,774** in 2024/25. The balance of cash in the bank has thus increased by **£13,774** increased from **£39,988** to **£53,762** . These funds are held in reserve for the benefit of the charity’s beneficiaries and will be spent in accordance with the charity’s objectives of: - Maintaining safe and welcoming premises from which to operate the charity and our listening services. - Recruiting and retaining volunteers. - Taking every opportunity to increase awareness through Outreach of the Samaritans vision that fewer people die by suicide. Bernice Philps Treasurer Page 8 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **7. Financial Statement** Page 9 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **7. Financial Statement (cont’d)** Page 10 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **8. Thank You** ## **Samaritans would like to thank the following companies, organisations and people for their generous financial support:** AMS Limited Coveris Limited Churches and organisations, including St Helen’s (Northwich), Plumley Methodist Church, Antrobus Friendly Society, Knutsford Bowling Club, Knutsford Lions, Barthomley WI and Hartford Bridge Club. Jim Martin Family Trust. Family and friends in memory of Moira Menelaws and George Shaw, as well as the proceeds of a concert in memory of Barbara Cuthbert. Fund-raising (The Lion Hotel, Moulton quiz, 60-for-60, 100 Club, 60[th] Anniversary Raffle, Brew Monday, Samarathon). Collections in Northwich (twice), Altrincham and at a Sarah Millican performance. Fetes and festivals (Brit Fest, Knutsford, Weaverham and Northwich River festival). Donations from individuals, some on a monthly basis together with some significant one-off donations. All are appreciated. Gift Aid: we also appreciate everyone who enables us to claim Gift Aid on their donations. It really does make a difference. Our thanks also go to everyone for the generous donation of their time to support our work. Our thanks go to: - All our listening volunteers. - The leadership team and support volunteers who ensure the smooth running of the Branch. - Everyone who has attended external meetings or external organisations on behalf of the Branch. - Everyone who has participated in fund-raising in any way. - Everyone who has been a part of our Outreach activities in any way. It’s really important to remember just how many hours our volunteers and our supporters donate to the activities of the Branch. The donation of time is just as important as the donation of funds, and is equally appreciated. Thank you. **Supported by:** ## **Supported by:** **Empowering Clinicians with Innovative Solutions** Page 11 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 ## **9. Incoming Director's Message** Well, here we are again. I’ve had three years off for good behaviour, and I’m back! First, a huge 'Thank You' to Annie for doing an absolutely splendid job as Director, keeping us all on our toes, and bringing our Branch forward in such an amazing way. We had our challenges, the building for one and the fundraising needed to invest in it, all of which Annie overcame magnificently. I wish her well and know she will still be here with us to continue her good work. I treasure the work carried out by everyone associated with our Branch; Trustees, Branch Leadership Team, and every single volunteer, who all keep our Branch running smoothly, and building on the Samaritans’ Aims, to provide a safe, effective and positive service for our callers and volunteers. I’m enormously proud to be taking over as Director again, knowing that we will all continue to be there for our callers and for each other, as a ‘family’, during times of change and the challenges ahead. I look forward to meeting up with you at the AGM or on shift in the very near future. Thank you. Jan 456 _We didn't manage to grab a shot of Jan 456 and Annie 431 together before going to print, so here's one we did earlier…_ [© Within These Walls, June 2022] Page 12 of 12 Annual Review 2024-2025 We're here to listen Call free day or night on 116 123 Ernail jo@samaritans.org Web samaritans.org/midcheshire Visit us 1 Manchester Road Northwich CW9 SLY SAMARITANS Er￿￿ andWo*s m705751. Our registered offKe IS kKated ot l MarKhester R￿￿. CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Samaritans of Mld£heshire 1170575 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from 01- r-24 31-Mar-25 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to th• n8ar•st £ to thè n￿rn$t£ to Th￿rn$t £ to thg ngar8st£ to thg nearest £ A1 Recel ts Oonations Legacies and In rnemoFium Corporate donations Organisation¥, dubs. chtJr