Samaritans of Wigan
Trustees Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements
For the Year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Samaritans of Wigan
For the Year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees Annual Report | 2 - 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Position | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 – 11 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 12 |
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Samaritans of Wigan
Reference and Administrative Details
For the Year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
The Trustees Christopher Maj (Director) (appointed January 2025) Ruth Dean Dawn Jones Joseph McGlone (Treasurer) (appointed November 2024) Annick Morris (Secretary) Ann Marie Sandelands Pauline Westwood Charity number: 1170589 Registered Office: 73 Dicconson Street Wigan WN1 2AT
Independent Examiner M H C Lunt BCom MCom FCA Chartered Accountant Ashburn, Woodhart Lane, Eccleston Chorley, Lancashire PR7 5TB
Honorary Legal Adviser P Leppard BA, MA, BPTC 40 Newton Road, Billinge, Wigan, WN5 7LA Bankers Santander Bootle Merseyside L30 4GB Lloyds TSB Bank Plc., 7 Carter St, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8HD
Redwood Bank Limited The Nexus Building, Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3TA
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Samaritans of Wigan Trustees Annual Report For 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity are:
1) to enable persons in Wigan 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 confidential emotional support at any time of the day or night in order to improve their emotional health and to reduce the incidence of suicide; 2) to promote a better understanding in society of suicide, suicidal behaviour and the value of expressing feelings which may otherwise lead to suicide or impaired emotional health; and 3) to collaborate with and support Samaritans Central Charity and its affiliated branches in fulfilling these objects.
Callers contact Samaritans in a variety of ways and volunteers at Wigan branch deal with communications by telephone and email. Face to face callers are welcomed into the branch when possible. Calls made by telephone to the national number can be received at any one of over 200 branches.
The trustees have complied with the duty set out in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 and in planning their activities have paid due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Achievements and Performance
The following milestones outline the widespread Wigan Samaritans Branch (Branch) activity for the year ended 31 March 2025 and demonstrate the energies and enthusiasm of Branch members in maintaining service delivery and engaging with the local community and active participation of local Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Branch Maintenance . As a result of the generous Wigan Mayor’s Charity donation we were able to replace windows in the Branch Office and upgrade the alarm system. We have had a number of false starts and no shows for the upgrading of the electricity meter.
Fundraising - the following chronological events have raised valuable Branch funds during the year:
Wigan Mayor’s Charity raised a wonderful £18,675 for the Branch (17[th] December 2024) Aileen and her colleagues at Cheshire Chord sang for us at Westhoughton (8[th] March 2025) and generated £1,300.
Sally’s eternal presence at Shevington Fete raised £436 (June 2024)
Haigh Hall Crazy Golf raised £260 (24[th] August) thanks to Annick’s endeavours. Enormous thanks to Sheena’s wife Naomi who ran the Manchester marathon (concluding 2 further challenges) on behalf of the Branch raising £1,300.
Volunteer Development. Branch volunteers attended the North West Conference (July 2024) demonstrating our commitment to regional Samaritans.
The Listening Centre went live in November 2024 replacing the previous operating system.
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The transition of Branch Directorship took place in February /March 2025. The Branch trustees wish to acknowledge the energy and guidance Ruth provided during her period as Director. The re launch of ‘On Going Mentoring’ (annual requirement) was successfully introduced in February /March 2025.
New trainee Interviewing and Mentor training took place in February/March 2025.
Training - the Branch continues to maintain volunteer succession against a changing volunteer landscape with New Volunteer Training that continues to be delivered twice a year (Spring and Autumn) to maintain and bolster listening volunteer numbers at the Branch.
Thanks to all involved in recruitment and training for their hard work during the year.
Outreach - is an essential component of the Branch and engagement with the local community The following is a summary of activity:
The trustees continues to be active members of the ‘Wigan Suicide Prevention Group’ with quarterly meetings, a valuable source of connection with voluntary/statutory groups engaged with Suicide Prevention locally.
Standish Xmas market (28[th] Nov 2024).
St Helens Rugby Stadium (27[th] February 2025) - awareness to the building trade.
X2 online presentation to the COOP food retail group.
X2 online presentations to Human Resources company Tori.
Hindley Prison . Thanks to Pauline/Mabel/Penny we continue to train and provide weekly support and supervision for the Prison Listener’s scheme. Supported by our canine volunteer Jaxon who has proven to be a big hit with prisoners, especially those who are difficult to reach by human contact alone.
Please speak with Pauline or Penny if you would like to bolster their valuable outreach activities.
Wigan North West Station. In addition to our annual awareness presence in January each year (Blue Monday initiative) , we have now established a weekly two-hour session at the station. This has been particularly valued by rail staff and its users. Our frequent presence has made a notable impact upon rail users and public around the station.
Financial Review
The Statements of Financial Activities and Financial Position, together with the notes, for the year ended 31 March 2025 are given on pages 7 to 11.
The finances of ‘Samaritans of Wigan’ (the ‘Charity’) are administered by the Branch Leadership Team, which includes the trustees of the Charity.
The surplus for 2025 was £10,968 (2024 deficit £2,762) which is a significant improvement.
Statement of Financial Activities.
Income.
The total income for the year was £37,015 (2024 £18,351). This is a significant increase.
The main reason for the increase was a donation from the Mayor of Wigan Charity Fund of £18,675. This has made a major change to the finances of the Charity and will ensure our future in the medium term.
We are also grateful for other donations. This support is very much appreciated from both our regular donors and new donors. It is encouraging to know that the services we provide are appreciated and backed up by financial support.
Fund raising income increased and fund-raising expenditure decreased and thus the net figure was a healthy increase on 2024. Our thanks go to all those who participated in the fund-raising events.
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The Charity participates in a partnership between the Samaritans Central Charity and the National Offender Management Service. The Charity receives a grant for its work in a local prison and the grant was approximately the same as last year.
The charity shop surplus – income less expenditure – was £1.546 (2024 £383) and the reason for this was an increase in takings while costs were controlled. Our thanks go to the shop manager and all the shop volunteers for their dedicated work throughout the year.
Interest received depends on the amount in the bank balances and the rate of interest. The fall in interest received s attributed to the fall in interest rates.
Expenditure.
The total expenditure for the year was £26.047 (2024 £21,113). However, the increase in expenditure has a positive explanation.
The telephone expenditure is reduced due to a change in the way the telephone is used which has reduced our expenditure with BT.
More has been spent on publicity and recruitment which is the sign of a healthy charity promoting its services and ensuring it can maintain its level of service.
Energy costs have increased which was inevitable given the state of the world energy crisis.
Repairs and renewals have increased as the premises have been improved to bring them to a level suitable to provide our services.
The Charity affiliation fee to the central charity Samaritans has increased based on a formula which combines income with working capital – both of which have increased.
Statement of Financial Position. (SOFA)
The SOFA shows that tangible fixed assets are unchanged from last year and these comprise just the long leasehold property which is the office for the Charity.
There was £65,823 in the bank accounts and £7,366 owing to creditors leaving a net cash balance available of £58,457 (2024 £47,489.)
The Charity was solvent at 31 March 2025 as assets exceeded liabilities and there was sufficient cash to meet short term liabilities.
In the short term, say four years, any future deficits, as incurred in 2024, can be met from the bank balance. The Trustees plan to ensure that the Charity, on a year-by-year basis, can raise sufficient income to meet its expenditure.
The Charity seeks to maintain a level of reserves sufficient to allow it to maintain the infrastructure necessary for it to carry on its operations, to provide a buffer against variations in cash flow and to allow for such contingencies as might reasonably be expected to arise.
Structure, Governance and Management
The governing body of the Samaritans Central Charity (SCC) is the Board of Trustees. There is a network of over 200 branches in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Samaritans of Wigan ("the Charity”) is an affiliated branch of SCC, The Charity is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and is managed by a Board of Trustees and a Branch Leadership Team, who are responsible for its general management.
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The trustees who served during the year are shown on page 2.
The CIO is linked to a previous charity, ‘The Samaritans of Wigan’, (the old Charity) which became a dormant charity and its registered number is 1170589-1. The CIO is the trustee of the old Charity and this role is carried out by the Director of the Charity. As a linked charity, separate accounts for the old Charity are no longer prepared.
Risk Management
The trustees have considered the principal risks to which the organisation is exposed and have developed strategies to mitigate the effects of these where possible.
Trustees Responsibility Statement
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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Samaritans of Wigan Statement of Financial Activities Period 1st April 2024 to 31 March 2025
| notes INCOME Voluntary Income Donations Activities for Generating Funds Fund raising National Offender Management Service Grant Charity shop receipts Interest received TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Cost of Generating Funds Fundraising expenses Charity shop expenses Charitable expenditure Telephone Conference ,training, recruitment Travel expenses Publicity and recruitment Waste and water Heat and light Cleaning and household Stationery and postage Insurance Repairs and renewals Sundry Branch affiliation fee to Samaritans Bank charges Depreciation TOTAL EXPENDITURE Net income / ( expenditure) for the year Funds 1 April 2024 Funds 31 March 2025 |
2025 Unrestricted Funds £ 23,993 3,015 1,921 7,291 795 |
2025 Unrestricted Funds £ 23,993 3,015 1,921 7,291 795 |
2024 Total Funds £ 6,319 2,232 2,129 5,794 1,877 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37,015 | 18,351 | |||
| 82 5,745 2,574 990 160 621 873 3,523 1,522 261 1,442 4,373 472 3,368 43 - |
1,205 5,411 3,870 864 3 0 754 2,663 1,014 67 1,431 1,539 195 2,073 24 - |
|||
| 26,047 |
21,113 | |||
| 10,968 76,889 |
(2,762) 79,651 |
|||
| 87,857 |
76,889 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these accounts
Samaritans of Wigan
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Statement of Financial Position At 31 March 2025
| notes | 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| TANGIBLE FIXED | |||||
| ASSETS | note 4 | 29,400 | 29,400 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Bank - current accounts | 13,672 | 13,672 | 11,546 | ||
| Bank - deposit accounts | 52,151 | 52,151 | 43,997 | ||
| 65,823 | 65,823 | 55,543 | |||
| CREDITORS : AMOUNTS | |||||
| FALLING | |||||
| DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||||
| Contribution to Samaritans | (3,368) | (2,125) | |||
| Other creditors | (1,441) | (3,303) | |||
| Deferred income NOMS Grant | (2,037) | (2,039) | |||
| Accruals | (520) | (587) | |||
| (7,366) | (8,054) | ||||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 58,457 | 47,489 | |||
| NET ASSETS | 87,857 | 76,889 | |||
| REPRESENTED BY | |||||
| RESERVES | |||||
| UNRESTRICTED | |||||
| General reserve | note 5 | 58,458 | 47,490 | ||
| Capital reserve | note 5 | 29,399 | 29,399 | ||
| 87,857 | 76,889 |
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 13 November 2025 and agreed and signed on its behalf by: DIRECTOR
Christopher Maj
TREASURER
Joseph McGlone
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these accounts
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Samaritans of Wigan Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
1 . Accounting Policies
Basis of preparing the financial statements
‘The Samaritans of Wigan’, a dormant charity with registration number, 1170589-1, is linked to ‘Samaritans of Wigan’ (the Charity). As a linked charity, separate accounts are not required although a summary of its assets and activities is set out in Note 7 below.
Accounting convention
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public interest entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered and this is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Cost of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting fund raising and shop sales.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Management and administration costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
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Samaritans of Wigan Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
1 . Accounting Policies (continued)
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Minor additions costing less than £500 are not capitalised.
Long leasehold land - nil, but subject to impairment test Long leasehold property - nil, based on high residual value, but subject to impairment test Fixtures and fittings - 15% on cost Office equipment - 25% on cost
As the long leasehold property is maintained in a state of repair such that its estimated residual value is not less than its original cost, the annual charge for depreciation is considered to be nil.
2 Trustees’ Remuneration.
No remuneration was paid to any trustees in the year. (2024 nil).
3 Management and administration cost
There are no material management and administration costs.
4 Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 Net Book Value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
Long Leasehold Property £ 29,400 |
Long Leasehold Property £ 29,400 |
Office Equipment Equipment £ - |
Furniture & Fittings - |
Furniture & Fittings - |
Total £ 29,400 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29,400 |
- | - | 29,400 | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| 29,40 0 |
- | - | 29,40 0 |
||||||
| 29,40 0 |
- | - | 29,40 0 |
||||||
5 Unrestricted Reserves
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| 1 April 2024 Surplus/ (deficit) for the year Depreciation transfer At 31 March 2025 |
Genera l £ 47,490 10,968 '- |
Capital £ 29,399 - '- - |
Total £ 76,889 10,968 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58,458 | 29,399 | 87,857 |
The capital reserve is a designated reserve set up to reflect the funds tied up in fixed assets.
6 Related Parties
The charity is controlled by the trustees.
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
7 Linked Charity
‘The Samaritans of Wigan’, registration number 1170589-1, is a dormant charity linked to the Charity.
At 31 March 2025, the old Charity had assets of £20, represented by cash at bank. (2024 £20).
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Samaritans of Wigan on the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Samaritans of Wigan.
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Samaritans of Wigan for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report.
As the charity trustees of the Trust, 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 Trust'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 examiner's 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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.
Signature
Date: 13 November 2025
M H C Lunt BCom MCom FCA Chartered Accountant
Ashburn Woodhart Lane Eccleston Chorley Lancashire PR7 5TB
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