Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2024 Period start date To March 31[st] 2025 Period end date
Charity name: Reach Out – Support In The Community
Charity registration number: 1171740
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Reach Out provides one to one support to children and young adults. This is offered on a weekly/fortnightly basis with a support volunteer, Counsellor or Therapist. Therapeutic activities are also offered. We look at the needs and interests of individuals to improve their overall wellbeing. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Over the last year the charity has continued to support the children at Wolverley and other secondary schools across the Wyre Forest area. There has been an increased demand in primary schools for our services. We have focused on early intervention and providing support at the earliest opportunity. This has been via primary school and parental referral. Local GP’s have also been referring parents with children suffering with emotional and mental health issues to Reach Out as they are currently not referring all children to CAMHS. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The charity has continued to provide a service in supporting especially children/young people struggling with emotional and mental health issues. Which impacts their day-to-day life. The charity continues to grow as demand has increased greatly in the surrounding community. The majority being at our Wolverley offices. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The charity does not routinely make grants. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The charity does not have sufficient funds to invest. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Our volunteers are the mainstay of Reach Out. Their contribution and commitment is paramount in the charity’s growth and continued work within the community. The volunteers give their time and expertise freely with different levels of commitment ranging from 1 - 4 hours per week. Our established volunteers with exceptional life skills and wide range of work experience provide induction/safeguarding training for new volunteers. This has proven to work well due to their commitment of over seven years. |
| Other | We have Counsellors who join us to provide their services voluntarily and Therapists who can provide an alternative approach in helping to improve emotional wellbeing. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Our achievements this year have been to continue providing much needed support in our community. We continue to work with LAC children, providing activities and teaching them life skills from our wonderful team of volunteers. We are looking at art therapy in groups and other important activities to help children with certain issues as it is proven to improve wellbeing. 25 children/young people were supported at Wolverley and in the Wyre Forest area. We have experienced an increase in referrals from CAMHS (NHS), social services and other organisations and local charities wanting Reach Out to support children in need of in many cases urgent support for their mental health. Parents continue to contact us directly as they have children with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, autism, ADHD, anger issues and bereavement. Parents have taken their children to their GP to be told that there |
is no help for them. They are unable to refer to CAMHS. We have worked tirelessly to support these children/young people even though we have become stretched ourselves. Anecdotal evidence remains that our service within the Wyre Forest community is highly appreciated by children/young people, parents, adults, school pastoral team, governors, local charities and organisations. We continue to support the Mitch’sLaw campaign and petition to get better services for children/young people.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
This being the tenth year of the Charity’s existence. Our main objective is to continue to support children/young people and adults in our community. Being able to cope with an increased demand for our service. As we have now established a good reputation and are considered to be a valuable service. Remaining professional, accountable and competent. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We have continued to focus on securing funding in order to become sustainable in the future, as the need for our service increases each year. We have not been able to get any substantial amount of funding and still rely on our community. Members of the community have raised money in several ways to show their support. We continue to promote the Mitch’s Law campaign to get better services for our children/young people. There is still a need to secure funding in order to have paid positions within the charity and cope with demand of those seeking help. Volunteers time is limited. This remains a priority for the growth of the Charity, and we will continue to apply for funding. We continue to look at smaller organisations in the hope for success in securing much needed funding. We unfortunately have not been able to get the funding necessary to expand our services. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | The Charity holds no investments. |
| Other | We recruited 5 new volunteers. We continue to put the wellbeing of all the |
children/young people we support as paramount in our continued work. We now comprise of 10 volunteers who are all DBS cleared and checked. We continue to recruit volunteers and counsellors. We continue to recruit counsellors and Therapists. This will be a great help in coping with the demand for our service. We continue to look at training to offer our volunteers in helping them work with children/young people. Looking at new alternative therapies and courses.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Charity started the reporting period with £11,930.80 in the bank. We have received donations of £2,317.69 The account balance at the year end showed a balance of £9,050.15 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | No reserves held. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | None |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | The Charity occupies premises provided free of charge by Wolverley C E Secondary School. It does not employ anyone. It therefore has no financial obligations. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | The Charity is not in deficit. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Applying for funding remains a priority as we have and continue to grow. The reputation and the awareness of Reach Out means we have seen an increase in referrals. This means there is a possibility that we become overwhelmed with demand and children/young people will wait longer to be seen. We continue to be in a position that we do not require any major expenditure and so there is no concern about the Charity’s future financial viability. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
The Charity continues to apply for funding. The local community have raised money in various ways, and some have made small contributions when family members have been supported by Reach Out. Local organisations have also made small donations. In support of our work. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | There are not sufficient funds to warrant investments. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The greatest risk to Reach Out is the same as last year, namely that of an incident impacting on its reputation. These risks would fall into two broad categories: 1. Volunteer related. For example, allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a volunteer, failure to disclose information during the DBS process, misrepresenting their credentials, breaches of trust and confidentiality and |
| the like. 2. Client related. Self- harm, suicide or acts of aggression while receiving support from Reach Out. This could call into question the competence of the service. On this latter point, it is precisely risk of self- harm and problems managing anger which frequently lead to young people being referred to Reach Out. If we turned these people away simply to reduce the risk to our reputation, there would be little other support available for them. The local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service is unable to meet demand and has to prioritise its service to those deemed to be at greatest risk and for only a limited number of sessions. During the current reporting period Reach Out has built its reputation even further and is highly respected by staff and management of Wolverley C E Secondary School. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Other | Our suicide/self-harm policy/procedure is now active part of our daily work with children/young people. This was needed urgently due to the increase in self harm, suicidal thoughts amongst children/young people. All new volunteers receive training to ensure compliance. We continue to collaborate with Worcester County Council to develop a countywide and multi-agency strategy on suicide and self-harm reduction among young people. We will also continue our work in raising awareness of the Mitch’sLaw campaign for better services for our children/ young people. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Standard charity constitution document. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The Charity is constituted as a CIO. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustee nominations considered, nominated and seconded at AGM. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
We have completed policies and procedures for inducting/training trustees. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The Charity works within a teamwork structure and only provides its services within the Wyre Forest area. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | None |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Reach Out–Support In The Community |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1171740 |
| Charity’s principal address | AIG Centre Wolverley CE Secondary School Blakeshall Lane Wolverley, Kidderminster DY11 5XQ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Whitehouse | Wholeyear | |||
| Lucinda Wood | Wholeyear | |||
| Angie Gibbs | Wholeyear | |||
| Rob Collins | Wholeyear | |||
| Lisa Collins | Wholeyear | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not applicable safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Mrs Andrea Whitehouse
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Other optional information
This report has been signed off by Luke Whitehouse and Angie Gibbs 27-01-26
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
A E Gibbs Signature(s) L Whitehouse Angie Gibbs Full name(s) Luke Whitehouse Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair Trustee Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 27-01-26
RECEIPTS 24-25
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RECEIPTS - 1st Apr 24 to 31st Mar 25
VOLUNTARY INCOME ACTIVITIES GENERATING INVESTMENT TRANSFERS
INCOME INCOME
Date Description Contributions Collections Grants & Special Raffles Sale of Interest Transfers Cash Cheque/Payi Amount
Legacies Events books, between a/cs ng in/direct
cards, etc to bank
01/04/2023 CARRIED FORWARD FROM 31/3/24 £ - £ 11,930.80 £ 11,930.80
01/04-31/03 Donations £ 2,317.69 £ - £ 2,317.69 £ 2,317.69
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
£ - £ - £ -
Subtotals £ - £ 2,317.69 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 14,248.49 £ 14,248.49
Totals £ - £ 14,248.49 £ 14,248.49
Category Totals £ 2,317.69 £ - £ 14,248.49 £ 14,248.49
EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR £ 5,198.34 £ 5,198.34
END OF YEAR BALANCE £ 9,050.15 £ 9,050.15
UNPRESENTED CHEQUES £ - £ -
ACTUAL IN BANK £ 9,050.15
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PAYMENTS 24-25
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COST OF GENERATING COST OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES GOVERNANCE TRANSFERS
FUNDS COSTS EXPENDITURE
Date Description Cheque Hiring Cost of Committee Volunteers' Stationery, Other Subscriptions Donations Literature Bank Between Cash Cheque or Amount Cheque
no expenses items for and Expenses phone, etc activities and grants charges accounts bank cleared?
sale conferences transfer
04/24-01/25 Volunteer Travel Costs £ 716.21 £ - £ 716.21
04/24-03/25 Mobile Phone Costs £ 737.14 £ - £ 737.14
04/24-03/25 Website/Subscriptions £ 313.25 £ - £ 313.25
04/24-03/25 Office Equipment £ 166.86 £ 283.77 £ 271.00 £ - £ 721.63
06/24-03/25 Resources, books, crafts, art materials and games £ 582.00 £ 247.00 £ - £ 829.00
04/24-03/25 Training £ 193.91 £ 130.00 £ 169.00 £ - £ 492.91
04/24-03/25 Charity Insurance £ 187.04 £ - £ 187.04
04/24-03/25 Stationary £ 54.65 £ 160.00 £ 20.00 £ - £ 214.65
04/24-03/25 Fund raising activities £ 366.86 £ 68.69 £ - £ 435.55
04/24-03/25 Marketing £ 145.96 £ 200.00 £ 185.00 £ - £ 530.96
£ - £ -
Subtotal £ 339.87 £ - £ 54.65 £1,413.07 £ 1,883.69 £ 902.81 £ 313.25 £ - £ 271.00 £ - £ - £ - £ 20.00 £ 5,178.34
Total £ 339.87 £ - £ 54.65 £ 1,413.07 £ 1,883.69 £ 902.81 £ 313.25 £ - £ 271.00 £ - £ - £ - £ 20.00 £ - £ 5,198.34
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Reach Out Project
Income and expenditure accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025
| Income Bank balance 1/4/24 Cash balance 1/4/24 Voluntary income: Contributions Collections Grants & legacies Activities generating income: Special events Raffles Sale of books,cards, etc Investment income Transfers between accounts |
11,930.80 £ - £ - £ 2,317.69 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 14,248.49 £ |
Expenditure Cost of generating funds: Hiring expenses Cost of items for sale Cost of charitable activities Committee and conferences Volunteers' expenses Stationery, phone, etc Other activities Subscriptions Donations and grants Literature Bank charges Governance costs Transfers between accounts Expenditure Bank balance 31/3/25 Cash balance 31/3/25 Theoretical in bank on 31/3/25 Unpresented cheques Adjusted in bank for 31/3/25 Actual bank balance on 31/3/25 |
339.87 £ - £ 54.65 £ 1,413.07 £ 1,883.69 £ 902.81 £ 313.25 £ - £ 271.00 £ - £ - £ - £ 5,178.34 £ 9,050.15 £ 20.00 -£ 9,030.15 £ 9,030.15 £ - £ 9,030.15 £ 9,050.15 £ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
Treasurer…………………………………… Examiner…………………………………….