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2025-03-31-accounts

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

Charity Commission Registered No 1170711

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

Page
Legal and administrative information 1
Trustees Report 2 - 8
Report of Independent Examiner 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Notes to the Accounts 12 - 15

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The principal objective of the charity is to provide assistance to individuals who are suicidal, despairing or in distress and to advance education by providing society with a better understanding of suicide, suicidal behaviour and the value of expressing feelings that may lead to suicide.

Trustees Paula Fairbairn - Director (ex officio)
Susan Margaret Clarke - Treasurer (ex officio)
Teresa Sarah Ann Ponton
Judith Houghton
Yvonne Elizabeth Potts
Mohamed Sidat
Pauline Hughes
Muhammad Furquan -appointed 3rd October 2024
The following Trustees have resigned
Joyce Partlin - resigned 24th April 2024
Jenna Shuttleworrth - resigned 17th April 2024
Heidi Marsden - resigned 3rd October 2024
XX - Trustee with dispensation - resigned 3rd October 2024
Janine Clitheroe - resigned 3rd October 2024
Registered addresss 105 New Park Street
Blackburn
BB2 1DF
Bankers Natwest Bank
35 King William Street
Blackburn
BB1 7DL
Independent Examiner Reverend Alan A Clements
15 Carleton Road
Great Knowley
Chorley
PR6 8TQ
Page 1

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT

The Trustees of The Samaritans of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley have pleasure in presenting their Report and unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025. The legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The Financial Statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires Trustees to prepare statements of account for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of it's financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity, and which enable the Trustees to ascertain the financial position of the charity and also enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity (Accounts and Reports)

Regulations 2000. 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. In this respect, the Trustees are pleased to report that the safeguards re fraud prevention are set out in a document entitled "Branch Fraud Safeguards re Payments" which is available, in branch, to all volunteers.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Samaritans of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley is a branch of the national Samaritans organisation but is a separate registered charity with independent management.

Whilst the governing body is the Trustees, day-to-day operational management is undertaken by the Branch Leadership team, appointed and led by our Director Paula Fairbairn.

In total we currently have 8 Trustees, two of whom are ex-officio,

the Director and the Treasurer with the remainder having been elected by the Members at the Annual General Meeting. The Branch Leadership Team and the Trustees meet on a regular basis to discuss branch leadership matters. For each meeting the Director and Acting Secretary produce an agenda which includes Trustee conflicts of interest, finance, health and safety, risk management, volunteer care, publicity, outreach, training, recruitment, IT and prison matters. For each meeting the Secretary produces minutes which are available, in branch, to all volunteers.

Page 2

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT

Structure, Governance and Management (continued)

All Trustees are required to udertake an online training course entitled "Trustees and Branch Leadership Team Induction", developed by Central Charity. They are also required to sign a Trustee Code of Conduct form which includes statements on their responsibilities to disclose any conflicts of interest.

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning it's future activities, which is an annual process.

The Trustees consider that they have met as required and discharged their duties in the best interests of the branch.

Objectives

The objects of the Charity are:

To support people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide, to provide 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;

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

To collaborate with and support Samaritans Central Charity and its affiliated branches in fulfilling these objectives.

Page 3

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT

Key Objectives

To maintain the service provided to our callers.

To provide ongoing support to our volunteers to enable them to continue to deliver our service.

To continue to recruit volunteers in order to deliver the best possible service.

Headline Performance

We are continuing to increase the number of hours that the branch is open to meet the needs of our callers.

All volunteers have completed mandatory digital training modules as directed by our Central Charity.

We have opened up three telephone lines which allows more flexibility for our volunteers to sign up to duties when it is convenient for them.

We continue to run, each year, three training cohorts for potential new volunteers

Director's Report

I am in my second year as Director. The leadership team are going from strength to strength and have really supported me - I simply could not have done without them. Some are mentioned further below for specific challenges they have dealt with during the year, but any one not mentioned has also provided amazing support - you know who you are and thanks to each and every one of you.

One of the main challenges this year has been the implementation of the new Listening Centre brought in by Central Charity. The Listening Centre came with lots of challenges as we had to move from hard wired telephone lines (BT) to a Voice over Internet Provider (VoIP) (Gamma). The challenges (which really were many) included dealing with a number of initial Samaritans wide system "glitches" and changing our existing headsets to new headsets which met the VoIP requirements. We also provided each volunteer, who did not like using a headset, with their own personal handset. Monica 1 oversaw the Listening Centre implementation and I find it impossible to express adequately my enormous thanks to her for her role in this respect.

Page 4

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT

Director's Report (continued)

An ever-present challenge is filling our shifts, to be there as much as possible for our callers. Following the implementation of the new Listening Centre, we were able to increase the number of listening stations from two (the minimum required) to three. Whilst this may seem to be a small change, in fact it provides volunteers with a lot more flexibility in booking their shifts, as a volunteer can become a "third" on duty, even right at the last minute. We continue to be flexible with our rota times and helping volunteers to balance their listening duties with their other life responsibilities as well as focusing on recruiting new volunteers wherever possible.

Each shift also requires a "Leader" who provides support to those on duty. Our Deputy for Leaders and Mentors, together with her team (of one!!) have done a great job in increasing the number of our Leaders whilst ensuring each new volunteer is provided with a mentor.

Filling shifts with volunteers and leaders is no easy process with theory and practice diverging hugely. This is where our Rota Secretary comes into herself. Many of us have been Rota Secretary, for a week or two, over the years and it can be one of the most thankless of tasks. That is why I offer my enormous thanks and recognition to our now regular Rota Secretary who does such a worthwhile job, largely behind the scenes.

Another ever-present challenge is fund raising, given we need to raise in excess of £30,000 each year, to run the branch. Our Deputy for Fundraising continues to ensure day-to-day fundraising is as successful as posible. In addition, John 26 has continued to do an amazing job in raising grants for the branch. It would be remiss of me not to mention Jean 26, a long serving listening volunteer, who for the last few years, as a support volunteer, has run "Pay for a Day" whereby locall businesses are asked to pay for one day of our running costs. Jean has expended a huge number of hours on this process and has raised countless thousands of £s for the branch, over the years. She has now retired from this task but we will be ever grateful for her hard and successful work.

Prospective new volunteers apply through an online process, undergo a structured interview by two branch volunteers and, if accepted, then undertake training for three to four hours one evening a week for seven weeks before they come down, under supervision, into the duty room. Recognising the strong link between the recruitment and training process, our Deputy for Training has also taken on the oversight of recruitment which allowed us to have an oversight of the end-to-end journey through recruitment and training. Diane 7 continues to lead on the day-to-day recruitment process but under the oversight of Kathy 19.

Our Volunteer Care team have gone from strengh to strengh over the year and continue to contact all volunteers on a regular basis. Every listening volunteer was given the opportunity to complete a questionnaire on what helps and hinders about the current rota. Once the findings were analysed, it was agreed with our Vice Director that the current rota met the volunteers needs. We cannot be complacent in this respect and we regularly challenge ourselves as to any improvements that can be made.

Page 5

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT

Director's Report (continued)

When we started our collaboration with Nightsafe, a local charity providing a drop-in facility and limited overnight accomodation for homeless 16-25 year olds, we agreed that we would attend every six weeks. In 2024 we increased our visits to every two weeks and our collaboration has grown from strengh to strengh.

During the year we were able, after an absence of a few years, to re-introduce on-going mentoring (OGM) the process by which each listening volunteer has a number of their calls listened into by a fellow volunteer and receives feedback on their call handling. Another process overseen by our Deputy for Training and Recruitment.

The North West conference went ahead again at Lancaster University and we were able to send five volunteers to this event as well as having another four who assisted over the weekend. It was generally agreed that the event was well worth attending.

And, finally, thanks to every listening and support volunteer for everything you do to enable us to play our incredibly important part in being there for our callers.

Page 6

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT

Financial Review

The Branch has recorded a deficit on unrestricted funds of £4,256 for the year, (2024 £11,624)

Reserves Policy

The Trustees take into consideration the level of reserves to be held for the prudent management of our operating expenditure, commitments and contingencies of the branch.

In normal circumstances the Trustees aim to hold reserves at a minimum the equivalent to normal operating expenditure over an 18 month period.

However, due to the current economic situation, the Trustees feel that it would be prudent to hold all reserves indefinately to meet ongoing expenditure only.

Previously, our policy of making excess reserves available for the benefit of the Samaritan organisation, as a whole, was suspended. This policy will be reviewed by the Trustees on a regular basis.

Investment Policy

The Trustees have considered the most appropriate policy for investing funds, taking account of the requirement that such investments must be secure and that the value of the capital involved must be maintained. The Trustees feel that the investment in National Savings Income Bonds satisfies these criteria. At 31st March 2025 investments held were £80,500 (2024, £81,000) with interest received during the year of £3,022 (2024, £2,689). The charity also has a bank current account which at the year end held £21,569 (2024, £25,149).

Risk Assessment

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibility to assess and manage both the internal and external risks to which the branch may be exposed. The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to those risks or actions are being taken to do so.The Trustees review the Branch Risk Register at each of their meetings, to consider whether any changes should be made, both to the risk exposure and actions required.

Independent Examiner

A resolution to appoint Reverend Alan A Clements as Independent Examiner will be put to the members at the Annual General Meeting.

Page 7

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 TRUSTEES REPORT

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 17th July 2025 and signed on it's behalf by:

Paula Fairbairn Pauline Hughes Yvonne Potts Trustee Trustee Trustee Director Vice Director

The Samaritans of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley 105 New Park Street

Blackburn Lancashire BB2 1DF

Page 8

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Samaritans of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

I report on the financial statements of The Samaritans of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley for the year ended 31st March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and the related notes.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner's Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence which would be required 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 Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

Rev'd Alan A Clements

15 Carleton Road, Great Knowley, Chorley, PR6 8TQ

Dated

Page 9

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 2024 2024 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Note
Income
Donations and grants 4 19,809 2,522 22,331 19,367 2,000 21,367
Trading activities 5 3,368 0 3,368 5,627 0 5,627
Investment income 6 3,022 0 3,022 2,689 0 2,689
Total income 26,199 2,522 28,721 27,683 2,000 29,683
Expenditure 7 (32,977) 0 (32,977) (39,307) 2,650 (41,957)
Net expenditure (6,778) 2,522 (4,256) (11,624) (650) (12,274)
Transfers - purchase of fixed assets 2,522 (2,522) 0 0 0 0
Net movement of funds (4,256) 0 (4,256) (11,624) (650) (12,274)
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
2025 2024
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (Loss) (4,256) (12,274)
Adjustments for depreciation of tangible
fixed assets 1027 506
Purchase of fixed assets (6,664) 0
Changes in:
Debtors and prepayments 1,165 (304)
Creditors and accruals 4,329 (11,579)
Net cash movements (4,399) (23,651)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and equivalents (4,399) (23,651)
Cash and equivalents at the beginning of the year 106,569 130,220
Cash and equivalents at the end of the year 102,170 106,569

The notes on pages 12 to 15 form part of these financial statements

Page 10

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025

2025
£
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
National Savings Income Bonds
80,500
Debtors and prepayments
613
Cash at bank
21,569
Cash in hand
101
102,783
Current liabilities
Sundry creditors and accruals
2,908
NBC accrual
9,792
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Reserves as at 1st April 2024
Net loss for the year
Reserves at 31st March 2025
The funds of the charity
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
145,637
140,000
81,000
1,778
25,149
420
108,347
3,014
5,357
90,083
99,976
235,720
239,976
239,976
252,250
4,256
12,274
235,720
239976
0
0
235,720
239,976
235,720
239,976
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
145,637
140,000
81,000
1,778
25,149
420
108,347
3,014
5,357
90,083
99,976
235,720
239,976
239,976
252,250
4,256
12,274
235,720
239976
0
0
235,720
239,976
235,720
239,976
252,250
12,274
239976
0
239,976
239,976

The notes on pages 12 to 15 form part of these financial statements

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 17th July 2025 and signed on it's behalf by:

Paula Fairbairn Pauline Hughes Yvonne Potts
Trustee Trustee Trustee
Director Vice Director

Page 11

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

1 General information

The charity is a registered charity and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

2 Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 and Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities.

3 Accounting Policies

a Basis of preparation - these accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.

b Going concern - the Trustees see no material uncertainties concerning the charity's ability to continue in operation.

Page 12

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

3 Accounting Policies (continued)

j Support costs represent the costs of managing and administering the charity.

Freehold property At valuation Fixtures and fittings 4 years Computers 3 years Telephony 2 years

Page 13

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 2024 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
4 Donations and grants 0
Donations 10,770 0 10,770 9,177 0 9,177
Grants 9,039 2,522 11,561 10,190 2,000 12,190
19,809 2,522 22,331 19,367 2,000 21,367
**5 ** Trading Activities
Fundraising events 3,368 0 3,368 5,627 0 5,627
**6 ** Investment income
Savings bond interest 3,022 0 3,022 2,689 0 2,689
26,199 2,522 28,721 27,683 2,000 29,683
**7 ** Cost of activities
Utilities 2,612 0 2,612 2, 026 0 2,026
Housekeeping 2,823 0 2,823 2,965 0 2,965
Repairs and renewals 740 0 740 2,609 0 2,609
Conference and training 1,676 0 1,676 1,050 0 1,050
Travel 3,342 0 3,342 5,019 0 5,019
Stationery & photocopier 412 0 412 286 0 286
Telephones and IT 1,800 0 1,800 3,278 0 3,278
Insurance 1,077 0 1,077 1,053 0 1,053
Publicity and recruitment 3,141 0 3,141 4,671 650 5,321
NBC fees 9,792 0 9,792 5,357 0 5,357
Depreciation 1,027 0 1,027 506 0 506
Sundries 2,578 0 2,578 1,911 0 1,911
Fundraising 867 0 867 667 0 667
Darwen Project 0 0 0 1,077 2,000 3,077
HMP Garth expenses 1,090 0 1,090 1,832 0 1,832
Donation to Central Office 0 0 0 5,000 0 5,000
32,977 0 32,977 39,307 2,650 41,957

8 Net Income

Net income is stated after charging: Depreciation of fixtures and fittings £1,027

9 Independent Examiners fee

The independent examiner received payment of £100 . No expenses were incurred.

Page 14

THE SAMARITANS OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN, HYNDBURN AND RIBBLE VALLEY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

10 Employee and staff costs

There were no employees during the year and therefore no staff costs.

11 Trustees Remuneration and Expenses

None of the charity's Trustees were directly or indirectly remunerated in any way. It is the policy of the charity to reimburse in full all expenses properly incurred by the Trustees in connection with it's charitable activities.

12 Indemnity Insurance

The Samaritans have centrally provided professional indemnity insurance to protect volunteers, Trustees and other volunteer members of all Samaritan branches..

13 Tangible Fixed Assets

Freehold Fixtures Total
Property & Fittings
£ £ £
Cost
At 1st April 2024 163,257 12,315 175,572
Additions 0 6,664 6,664
At 31st March 2025 163,257 18,979 182,236
Depreciation
At 1st April 2024 23,257 12,315 35,572
Charge for the year 0 1,027 1,027
At 31st March 2025 23,257 13,342 36,599
Net Book Value
At 31st March 2025 140,000 5,637 145,637

In November 2020 a professional valuation of the property was carried out by T V Shaw Ltd. The valuation resulted in a deficit on cost of £23,257.

Page 15