SAMARITANS Scarborough Annual Report 2024-25
SAMARITANI Our vision Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Our mission To be there for anyone who needs someone. To give people ways to cope and be there for others. And to campaign to make suicide prevention a priority. Our values Llstsnlng Confldentlallty Non-ludgmental People maklng Human contact .Éxplorlng feellngs If people feel sufei We want peoplv.,to thelr own alleylates dlstress they are more Ilkely be ablt to talk to ,declslon5 Glvlng people ume,. undlvldèd attentlon and help$ people .to be open obout wlthvut fear of We bellevè that and empalhy moets tOir¢ach a better thelr fettllng5: preludlce or telèctlon. people huve the a fundam¢ntql understandlngi of.,'theSrsltuat4vn rlÈht to flnd thqlr éffiotlonal n¢ed own.501utksn and ,qhd, reduces'dlstress andthe optlon$ open to thwn. that telllng people arid despqlr. what to do takes re¥ponslblllty away..from them, A wi5teredchurity
Contents Section I Our Reference and Administration Detalls Page 4 Section 2 Our Structure, Governance and Management Page 5 Section 3 Our Objectlves and Actlvlties Page 6 Section 4 Reports from the Branch Director and Deputy Directors Page 8 Section 5 Our Financial Overview Page 14 Section 6 Declaration Page 17 Annual Report forthe perlod l Aprfl 2024 to 31 March 2025
Reference and Administration Details Charlty Name: Samarltans of Scarborough Reglstered Charity Number: 1171040 Chariws Principal Address: 40 Trafalgar Street West Scarborough North Yorkshire Y012 7AS Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Trustee Name Office (If any) Dates acted If not for the whole year Name of person or body entitled to appoint trustee (if any) Branch Volunteers Gill Nichol Branch Director & Chair of Trustees Elizabeth Lorton- Gilbert Treasurer Branch Volunteers Heidi Walker Secretary 11 July 2024 Branch Volunteers Rlchard Shore Branch Volunteers The charity does not have any paid executive staff or professional adviser5 Other than our accountants. Aiiriiial Reonrt for tl)o i)eiitsd l April 2024 to 31 Miirch 2025
Section Two: Structure, governance and management Description of the charity's trusts Type of governlng document Constitution How the charity is constltuted Trustees Trustee selectlon methods Elected by the volunteers (although the trustees can co-opt up to two additional trustees if desired) Additional governance information Trustees are voted in at the AGM; all trustees are required to complete online training on our Samaritans Home website and have to complete all relevant associated forms. This branch is an affiliate of the national organisation and must raise its own funds. Although we have our own Branch Constitution and structure, we are also obliged to complete a Quality Review, which takes place with the appointment of a new Branch Director, which is usually every three years. This review process is managed and overseen by regional and central office staff. In addition, the central office sends us weekly information emails, which we action and share as necessary. As an afflliate branch we work wlth local organisations to make them aware of our work, and to work with them where appropriate. The trustees meet every six weeks to discuss the running of the branch; these rneetings include regular reviews of our Risk Register, which is a live document. The trustees have given due regard to public beneflt guidance published by the Charity Commission and consider that the activities described within this report demonstrates how the charity fulfils its responsibilities to provide benefrt to the publlc. Aiiiiual Report for tlie periud l April 2024 to 31 March 2D25
Section Three: Our Objectives and Activities Summary of our objectives as set out in the constitution l. To offer support to those in Scarborough, the surrounding areas, and elsewhere {calls and onllne chats can come in from anywhere) who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide. Callers can expect to receive confidential emotional support at any time of the day or night. We believe that callers will have improved their emotional health after talking to us. Our overriding aim is to reduce the incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviour. Samaritans, vision is that fewer people die by suicide. 2. To promote a better understanding in society of suicide, suicidal behaviour and the value of expressing feelings that may otherwise lead to Suicide or impaired emotional health. 3. To collaborate with and support Samaritans Central Charity and its branches in fulfilling these objects. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects By listenlng to callers we alm to help people find ways of coping with emotional distress and thus reduce the number of our callers who choose to die by suicide. We also support those whose distress is less acute, in the hope that they will not reach the point of despair resulting in them wishing to end their lives. Nationally, we make our support available in many ways, by telephone, email. letter, and face-to-face. in prisons, schools and other educational settings. Locally, we support contacts via the telephone, online chat. outreach events in schools. colleges, and universities as well as other settings including local hospitals, and through our connections with the police, the fire service and public events such as Scarborough Armed Forces Day and Scarborough Pride. Our provision of Online Chat {OC) is relatively Ilmited- only a small number of volunteers are Oc-trained. IYS a valuable and growing servlce, and we plan to help meet this demand by training more branch volunteers in OC in 2025-2026.
The branch offers both national and local seniices. National via the 2417 service to callers (both via phone calls and OCI and local via our outreach and associated activities. Further information on the contribution made by our amazing volunteers Our volunteers are the backbone of all that we do and are our most valuable asset, giving up their time to offer help and support to some of the most vulnerable and distressed people in our community. Our listening volunteers are asked to complete 144 hours of listening over a calendar year (including evening and night hours), which averages out to a three-hour listening shift each week. We are a small branch, but we like to think we punch above our weight in terms of activity and output! In addition to the core listening role, many volunteers are also volunteer shift leaders and/or play an active role in another part of the life of the branch - for example training, outreach. and fundraising. Two of our volunteers also have regional roles. Most of our shop volunteers do a minimum of one three-hour shift in the shop each week, with several doing many more than this. Our support volunteers fulfil a variety of functions, including fundraising and outreach- see Section 4, starting on page 8, for more information on their activities.
Section Four: The highlights of our year- reports from the Branch and Deputy Directors The Leadership Team Gill Nichol Libby Lorton4ilbert Rlk Shore Liz Goodwlll Bridget Robinson-clark Heidi Walker Lindsey Redford Ruth Harper Branch Director Vice-Director and Deputy Director (Outreach & Fundraising} Vice-Director and Deputy Director {Training) Deputy Director (Volunteer Support) April- October 2024 Deputy Director (Volunteer Support) from October 2024 Deputy Director (Without Portfolio) Deputy Director {Rota) Deputy Director (Recruitment Branch Director On l April 2024,1 had been the Branch Director for less than a month; this report covers mv first 11 months in the role. Aside from choosing the Deputy Directors and starting to work together as a team to restore equilibrium to the branch, one of my main activities of the first few months of being BD was working with the Central Office Disclosures Team at Central Office, and Liz Goodwill, to ensure all volunteers- listening and support- had the correct level of DBS. During the year we also updated the Rota Policy, the Mentoring Policy and the Volunteer Expenses Policy. All are available on Three Rings, with hard copie5 on the notice boards in the branch. A good amount of time was also spent on the Quulity Review (which concluded in May 2025, outside the timescale of this report.) Overall, it's been a satisfying year. We had some challenges along the way, but, as you will read below, some great successes too. Being Branch Director is a privilege. but at times, it can be overwhelming . l am more than grateful for the support received from the Regional team- particularly from Belinda Merrison and Liz Wilson - and the Branch Leadership Team too. I have leaned heavily on most of them, and am particularly grateful for the support and generous sharing of knowledge from our fantastic Vice-Directors Libby and Rik. Aniiii&il FLwiMlrt Iiii Il'ii: iJeil¢Jd J Aijrll p.y?Il ID 41 Mr¢ll ?02.4
The branch and l are also indebted to Steve Witty, {ak3 Steve 2), who is the best Health and Safety Officer a branch could wish for. Leys just say I don't have to consider the practicalities and legalities of H&S because I know that Steve 2 has it all in hand. l am more than proud of the Scarborough branch and everyone who gives their time to support our work in whatever capacity; we are all volunteers, and I don't underestimate the time, effort, energy and commitment we all give this branch. Thank you. Gill 819 Branch Director Outreach and Fundraising Introduction We had a slow start to the year as we found our rhythm again after a challenging beginning. However. we gradually built momentum and engaged in a variety of outreach and fundraising activities throughout the year. Monthly highlights May Attended a Volunteers Fair at Scarborough TEC and participated in Mental Health Week (13th-19th May). Attended a Welfare Day h05ted by St Catherine's Hospice - a great networking opportunity. Shop volunteers participated in a tabletop sale at Scarborough Market Hall. Attendance was low, possibly due to it being held on a Sunday. John Castle (Listening Volunteer) completed a walking challenge, raising £3(M) for Samaritans Central Charity. Dan Kneen (Shop Volunteer) completed an ultramarathon, raising £140.15 for Samaritans of Scarborough. Outreach event at scarborough Morri50ns with a tombola raised £79. Steve and Libby delivered a talk at the YMCA to the Ladies of Leisure and Learning Group. 20 attendees donated £20. July Participated in Armed Forces Day, which was a great succe55. We sold cakes and ran a tombola, raising £633 August Though many volunteers had other commitments, August remained a productive month: Ali hosted a Yorkshire Day Qulz, raising £128. Rik, Lindsey, Libby, and Dawn collected £737.81 at Scarborough Spa after a Sarah Millican performance. Participated in the Communlty Fair, raising £335.68.
Our Annual Golf Tournament was a big success, raising £2,572.30. Many thanks to Boyes for donating raffle prizes - the tickets sold very well. September Attended Fresher's Falrs at Scarborough 6th Form and Coventry University. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it to Scarborough TEC. Took part in Scarborou8h Prlde, including the parade. It was a fun day with great community interaction. October Attended World Mental Health Day event at Scarborough TEC (10th October). Participated in a Veterans. Event hosted by the local library. November Took part in the Scarborough Fire Station Open Day, a well-attended family event. We continue to enhance our outreach with attractions for younger visitors. December Paula decorated a Christmas tree at St Marfs Church. Whltby, in Samaritans, brand colours. A ukulele band performed In Plckerlng, donating all proceeds to us- a tremendous £3,500 raisedl Ali hosted another successful Quiz Night at the Railway Club, Scarborough, raislng £406 January Brew Monday was celebrated with Paula hosting a coffee and cake morning at her B&B in Whitby. Volunteers also attended a Coffee Morning at Scarborough TEC, supporting students in their hospitality training. February & March Delivered talks to: Members of St Marfs Church. Scarborough Rotary Club members in Pickering Students at Blueberry Academy All were well received with good engagement and questions. Scarborough TEC hosted a 12-hour Dartathon. where we were present for around 4 hours. Ongoing Commitment Despite being a small team, we continue to reach out to our community and raise vital funds for our branch. Huge thanks to every volunteer who has supported us throughout the year. Calverts Carpets collected £178.41, Osgodby coffee mornings and Newlands Pub have our collection tlns throughout the year and raised £982.10 and £629.63 respectively. io
Special Thanks To: Ali, Brenda, Carmen, Celia, Dan, Dawn, Ed, lan, Kelly, Kim. Liz C, Sally, Steve 2, Tamsin, Rik, and Ruth 2 your time and effort are deeply appreciated. Libby Deputy Director (Outreach & Fundralslng) Recruitment I was appointed Deputy Director (Recruitment) in May 2024. With the help and support of the Leadership and Recruitment Teams, 18 intepliews took place between April 2024 and March 2025. From these interviews, seven people became Listening Volunteers and two became Support Volunteers. Thank you to the Outreach Team- their visible presence and the conversations they have at local events have been a huge help in recruiting new volunteer5. In January 2025, the Leadership Team decided to use the Online Training School for training new Samaritans. This has proved to be very successful, and we have received good feedback from those who have been trained by the Online School. I work closely with both the online training team and with Rik, Deputy Director (Trainingl. The coming year is looking very promising for recruiting new volunteers. Thank you to all volunteers who are helping with interviews and mentoring the newly trained volunteers - couldn't do it without your help and support. Ruth 582 Deputy Dirertor (Recruitment) Rota At Scarborough branch, we had 30 listening volunteers on duty covering the rota during the year. Overall, we were extremely successful in our rota commitment- our twilight hours were particularly strong, with an average of three twilight shifts a week. We also made a positive contribution to our night hours commitment. with 21 night shifts across the year. We are hoping to build on both these solid bases in the coming year, increasing the night hours we are open to provide support and care to our caller5 when iys most needed. {If you would like more information on night hours and the flexibility we can offer in how you choose to do your night hours, please talk to mel) The rota team and l are extremely grateful to all who sign up for duties, and to those who swap or change and cover hours, especially at short notice. As always, we thank you for
being there for our callers and for the ongoing support you give to each other. A massive thank you to all you do in helping us keep as many hours and shifts open as you do. l am looking forward to another successful year. Llndsey 603 Deputy Dlrector (Rota) Training Over the year we saw a steady flow of new volunteers coming into training and ran two in- house training courses during the year; the first in May/June and the second in September/October. Numbers were fairly low on both courses, and, as the training works best with large groups, the training team and I felt the volunteers weren't getting the best experience possible. As a result, we decided to start using the Samaritans Online Training School in January 2025 - we'll see how well that goesl I hope that, with the core training of new volunteers moving to the online school, I will be able to focus on delivering ongoing training for Pvs and full volunteers in the coming year. Rik 682 Deputy Dlrertor (Training) Volunteer Support Sometimes our lives challenge us, whether it be issues at work, or with our families, our health, or just life, and on these occasions our volunteer roles can be made more challenging. Knowing this informed my decision to join the Volunteer Support team - I wanted to be there for our extraordinary volunteers when needed. After Liz stepped down as Deputy Director for Volunteer Support in October 2024 ,1 was offered and accepted the DD role. I have continued Liz's work and support volunteers when needed, whether that be meeting for a coffee, dropping someone a regular message or sending a 'thinking of you, card. In addition to this, since November 2024, we've organised a monthly social- a chance for volunteers to get to know each other better, do fun stuff together and also to give our friends and family a chance to meet our Samaritans family. I felt that I could support volunteers more if I got to know them better. and it follows that as we all get to know each other better, we can support each other more too. Across the five events held to date, we've had good attendance, with an average of 13 volunteers attending per event (including many who have attended more than one event}. Our best-attended event was the escape room outing in January. hiiiiiial F4gOLf,I lor Ilio piii'luil. l Aijll J.1>24 lfr 31 MAiLlI ?lj!f,
Followlng a poll for ideas, from November to March 2025, we have had an afternoon tea, a visit to the escape rooms, a games night and a line dancing taster. All have had a good turnout and they continue every month. Socials are open to all volunteers, and many events are also open to family and friends. l encourage everyone to come along. Brldget 862 Deputy Dlrector (Volunteer Support) 13 Annua5 Report for the period l April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Section Five: Our Financial Overview Legacy We were very fortunate to receive an astonishlngly generous £200,000 bequest from Bertha Everitt, a woman from Filey, who chose to leave her estate to charities- although we did not know her personally, the trustees of her estate decided to leave a large portion of it to further our work. The branch trustees decided to give £15,000 to our region and £40,000 to the Samaritans Central Charity. Volunteers were invited to show their interest in how the rest of the funds could be spent. Re-decorating and re-carpeting the Centre were high on the list, and we are looking forward to organising this next year. Incomings Shop: £11,862 Donations". £4,676 Fundraising: £ 6,401 nvestment: £2,250 Other: £477 Legacy: £200,000 Golf Day: £2,572 Shop Closure Our shop volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the year to keep the shop running. However, due to ongolng challenges in recruiting and retalning volunteers, and after much discussion over recent years, the difficult decision was made to close the shop. We raised £11,861.86 this year and spent £9,413.49. Volunteers put in tremendous effort too; to sell, bag, and box donations, distribute fixtures and fittings to other charity shops (including the Samaritans shop in Bridlington}, coordinate online sales and paint the shop in readiness for handing back to the council, our landlord. This was a deeply emotional time for all involved. We thank each of our dedicated shop volunteers: Dan, Carmen, Celia, Ed, Helen, lan, Liz C, Ruth 2. and Tamsln- you've been absolutely amazing.
Treasurer's Report Overview This yearfs accounts appear out of sync with previous years due to the generous legacy of £200,000 left to us. Despite receiving this substantial gift, we continued our fundraising efforts throughout the year to maintain community engagement and financial resilience. The trustees have held extensive discussions regarding, responsible use of the legacy funds and our contribution to the national branch. We plan to ask the central charity to consider the funds we've already donated when assessing our requlred contribution, particularly in relation to the 40% national levy. Financial Year-End Summary Financial Year-End Income Spending 31 March 2023 £40,397 £46,905 31 March 2024 £33,510 £40,650 31 March 2025 £228,238 £90,472 Reserves Policy Samaritans of Scarborough maintains a reserves policy to ensure financial stability and preparedness: We hold designated funds equivalent to 18 months of running costs, currently calculated at £35,517.21. An additional £64,895.75 is held in investments, earmarked for: Purchasing a new shop Building or relocating branch premises Emergency repairs Reserve levels are reviewed every six months by the Trustees and formally agreed at the Branch AGM. Libby Lorton-Gllbert Branch Treasurer
Section Six: Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Slgned on behalf of the charitVs trustees Signature(s) Full name{s) GILLIAN ISABELLA NICHOL EU BH LORTON-GILBERT Position (e.g. Secretary etc) CHAIR / BRANCH DIRECTOR TREASURER Date 21 October 2025 21 October 2025 -h 21lAr
4" l.,2.411 We're here to listen Call free day or nlght on 116 123 Email jo@samaritans.org Web samaritans.org/scarborough Visit us Samaritan House 40 Trafalgar Street West Scarborough Y012 7AS ¥.% SAMARITANS yi SamarltThw olScarborou9h kso Ck*JrftubhlrKryrotttl Oryunlsttikn r•glmr•d England and Wrd•s llV10401. OurM9lsteredolfk•Jslocated at SornorIt HoLry440 Tstree1w, S¢¢JthwW, N•rthY05fvlY0ftYA
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES Samarltans of Scarborough 1171040 1171040-1 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perlod from 01 April 2024 31 March 2025 To Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last y•ar to the noamt to thè nèartsst £ tr* the n•ara8t £ to tha nearest £ to the nèar05t £ A1 Receipts Donations and gift5 LegaGie5 Grnnts for chafitablè act4viti8S Fundraising events 50th annSversary Charilv shop Inv8slment incom8 Refund8. Insurance clalrns. elc. ac 4,676 4.67e 981 2,166 6A10 8.&73 8.973 11,862 2,250 477 200,000 11.862 2.250 477 200.000 17.676 2.277 Sub total (Gross incomo for ARJ A2 Asset and investment salg5, (see table). 228.23B 228.238 33,510 ub total Total re¢elpts 228,238 228,238 33.510 A3Pa ents Charflv shorTr Costs FundraSsSng &xpen$e6 50th Annlversary Telephone support Including premi$88 sts, publlelty, volunteèr tralnlrvJ and support expèns&s Outreach Manag8ment and adminlslralion Bfanch contribution Don8tion to R8gion Accountancy 9.413 63 9A13 63 9,328 18,690 18,690 17,554 658 658 504 4.716 55.000 1.428 90,472 S5.000 1,42e 90.4D 5.000 1.380 40,650 Sub total A4 Asset and investment purchases. soe table Sub total Total payments 90.472 90N72 40.650 Net of roceipts/(payments) A5 Transf•rs between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds thls year end 137,766 137,76 (7.140) 37.212 174978 37,212 174,978 44.352 37.212 CCXX R1 accounts {SSI 1611012025
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period UnroStriGtod Restricted funds funds to ne4r•st £ to n•ar•sl £ Endowment fund$ to n•ar•st £ Categories Details B1 Cash funds Gen8ral bank a¢count 174.592 Payp81 296 Cash floats 90 Total cash funds 174,978 (agree th recglpts p4ymentg accounll811 OK Unrestrlcted funds OK Endowment funds Restrlcted funds Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to noarest £ -"•444 Fund to whl¢h a$¥èt b•ltsn Unraslriclod Curr•nt v•lu• tlonal 45.878 Oetails B18¢krock Ch8rities UK Equity Fund Cost loptlonall B3 Investment assets Blackrock Charities UK 8ond Fund Unr96tr1ct8d 19.018 Fund to whlch asaet bolon Unre&lrl¢tgd Co&t loptlona 307,454 Curr•ntvalu• o tlonAI Detalls Freehold prop&ty B4 Assets retalned for the charitys own use ImproYem8n15 to18a8ehold proFerty UnreStrfCd 10.254 i- Fund to whlch rolate8 Amount due IlonBI Whon due tlonal Details B5 Liabilities Slgned by one or tsyo tru81&e8 on behalf of all the Irusle8S Date of roval Signature Print Name 23,10.2r l£.lo, GILLIAkJ Q ICtrtL)L CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 1611012025
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Samaritans of Scarborough On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Charlty no (if any) 1171040 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ( the Trust") for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilltles 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 ("the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinalion, 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 (&th8Ptl*fvttClOSd-b8Iow in connection with the examination which gives me caus8 to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns 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. Please delete the words in the brack8ts if they do not apply. Slgned: Date: 27 November 2025 Name: Anna Wiffen FCCA Relevant professional qualifi¢ation{s} or body (if any): Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Address: Ashby Berry Coulsons Chartered Accountants 2 Belgrave Crescent, Scarborough North Yorkshire Y0111 UB IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts,. directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brlef detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018