Registered Charity No. 1173652 21 Sun Street, Lancaster LA1 1EW
Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2021
The incorporated charity number 1173652 was started in October 2017 under the constitution dated July 2017. The Trustees of the charity are the Branch Leadership Team (BLT) elected at the Annual General Meeting held in September or as soon as possible thereafter. Those who have acted during the year are as follows:
| Name | Office held | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tracey Duffy | Director | Elected |
| Michael Spencer | Treasurer | Elected |
| Carol Brearley | Secretary | Elected |
| Pam Waddington | Vice Director. Vol. Support DD | Elected |
| Linda Smallman | Trustee | Elected |
| Liz Hartley | Deputy Director & Trustee | Elected |
| Val Willett | Deputy Director & Trustee | Elected |
| Michael Brogan | Trustee | Elected |
| Glyn Jones | Trustee | Elected |
| Chris Hough | Trustee | Elected |
| Helen Murfin | Trustee | Elected |
| Jane Clarke | Trustee | Elected |
The organisation and financial affairs of the charity are managed by the BLT. The BLT determines policy for and receives reports from teams and individuals who work for the charity. The major risk to which the charity is exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been reviewed and systems or procedures are established to manage those risks.
The charity’s bankers are National Westminster PLC, 68 Church Street, Lancaster LA1 1LN and its Independent Examiner is N Slater of Taylor Robertson and Willett, 95 King Street, Lancaster LA1 1RH. A COIF Deposit Fund Account is held with CCLA Investment Management Ltd, 80 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DZ.
The full annual accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2021, which form an official part of this report, are available on request to the Treasurer at Samaritans, 21 Sun Street, Lancaster LA1 1EW.
Aims and Organisation
Samaritans of Lancaster & District have worked for 49 years with the main aim of being there at all times for the assistance of any person who is experiencing feelings of suicide, despair or distress by providing confidential emotional support by telephone, e mail , webchat or face to face. We are based at 21, Sun Street, Lancaster and we are primarily there to assist those in a geographical area which includes Lancaster, Morecambe, Lunesdale, Kendal and South Lakeland, however through our Link telephone system we now answer calls nationwide.
We are one of the 19 branches in the North West Region of Samaritans and have just over 120 volunteers. Lancaster Branch is one of over 201 branches linked in a nationwide organisation to Samaritans Central Charity. (Registered Charity no.219432) The Central Office supports the Branches, sets and monitors standards of service and care by means of its regional structure.
Review of Progress and Achievements
The quality and extent of the service we can provide to needy and vulnerable people is dependent on having a sufficient number of trained Samaritans. After a difficult year with the COVID-19 pandemic we have managed to continue with our programme of recruiting, training and mentoring suitable volunteers.
Samaritans continue to provide a "listening ear" to vulnerable , distressed and suicidal callers, however they choose to contact us, whether by telephone, email, webchat or face to face . Our callers come from a wide range of society ,young and old, unemployed and over employed, men, women and children, and over the last few years a rising number of people with mental health problems.
We remain involved in prison outreach, and continue our relationship with HMP Lancaster Farms, a category C adult male prison, where we recruit, train and support a team of Listeners. Our Outreach team have been hampered by the COVID-19 situation but have been able to provide literature to local foodbanks and homeless shelters as well as done presentations and information sessions via Zoom to various local groups.
At Lancaster & District our calls are routed via the new National Freecall number 116 123. This facility has produced a large increase in the number of calls we receive, as now we are available to those who need us whether they have funds or not, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
Review of Financial Position and Affairs
With our income at £54,687, we again benefitted from a generous annual grant of £3,500 from the Frieda Scott Trust. We are proud to have been chosen by the Westminster Foundation to be their charity of the year for two years. We also received many donations from individuals and other organisations, in spite of the difficult economic circumstances. It is a great encouragement to know that our efforts are so widely appreciated. We received continuing support from Lancaster City Council, with a grant and with discretionary rates relief on 21, Sun Street and on our shop at 12, Damside Street. Agreements with the local prison also provide significant income. . We thank all our donors, particularly those who use Gift Aid. We have also worked hard to bring in funds for multiple income streams such as fundraising events and applying for funds from local companies, and charitable trusts. Our Charity shop raised £13,662, including government grants for COVID relief, and plays an important role in raising public awareness of Samaritans. We are very grateful for the hard work of our shop volunteers and supporters who have helped in all our fundraising efforts..
Expenditure was £35,066, our reserves stand at £80,951. This expenditure figure was as expected for our active and thriving branch. We have saved money this year with no face to face training and meetings being possible we switched to Zoom. Our annual conference was also unfortunately cancelled.
These reserves while healthy at present are only sustained by legacies, grants and donations. Nevertheless, we must address regular fundraising and income generation, in order to leave us with reliable funds to maintain and improve our service to vulnerable callers.
Annual Report 2021
49 years of supporting the people of Lancaster & District
21 Sun Street, Lancaster LA1 1EW Registered Charity No. 1173652
Phone Freecall 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org Write to: Chris, PO Box 9090 Stirling, FK8 2SA website: www.samaritans.org/lancaster
Samaritans of Lancaster and District Registered Charity No 1173652 Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Samaritans of Lancaster and District I report ot7 the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021. which are set out on pages 2 10 7 following. This report is made solely to the chanty's Trustees, as a tAxly, in 3X)rdan with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that ACL My work has been undertaken so that I might stste to the charity's Trustees those matters12m required to state to them in an Independent Examinerfs report and for no other purpose. To the fvllest extent peitted by law. I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other Ihan the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work Of for this report. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial ststernents and they consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(21 of the Charites Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examinab'on is needed. It is my responsibility lo.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Art to follow the procedures laid down in the general Direth"ons given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llb) of the Actr, and state whether particular matters have come to my attentton. Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in aC(X)rdan with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounb.ng records kept by the charty and a comparison of the financial statements presented wllh those records. It also includes consKleration of any unusual rtems or disclosures in the financial statements. and seeking explanations from you as Trustees conceming any such matters. The prccedure5 undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audtt and cOnsequenY no opinion i8 given as lo whether the fnan¢ial statements presenl a Irue and frdir vwl and the report is limrted to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examinab"on, no matter has (xjme to my attention.. which gtves me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respert the requirements". to keep a¢¢ounting fecords in accordan wtth section 130 of the ACL and to prepare accounts which accord wtth the accounting records and to Gomply with the accounting qUIrements of the Act have not been met or 12) to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be Ched. Neil Martin Slater F.C C Taylor, Robertson and Willett Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 95 King Street Lancaster 10 June 2021 Lancaster Samanians 2021 Accounts Page 1
The Samaritans of Lancaster and District Registered Chaiity No. 1173652 Statement of Financial Activities For the period ended 31March 2021 Period Year to 31.3.21 Yearto 31.3.21 Year to 31.3.21 Note 31.3.20 Restricted Unrestricted Total Total Incomin Donations, Grants and Gfft Avj Fundraisin Events ILSS from Sho acies sit Interest £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £37,374 £279 £13,662 £3,310 £62 £37,374 £279 £13,662 £3,310 £62 £22,949 £977 £4,840 £10,000 £292 De TOTAL Incomin Resources £0 £54,687 £39.058 Resources Ex ended Direct Charitable Public costs Mana ement and Administration Costs enditure £0 £0 £0 £21,765 £9,497 £3,804 £21,765 £9,497 £3,804 £28.001 £3,302 £5,514 TOTAL Resource5 Ex nded £0 £35,066 £35.066 £36.817 NET Incomin Resources for the £0 £19.621 £19,621 £2,240 Unrealised Gains and Losses Gain on Revaluatson of Tan ible Fixed Assets £0 £0 £0 £0 Net Movement in Funds £0 £19,621 £19.621 £2.240 Fund Balances brou ht forward £0 £230.203 £230,203 £227,963 Transfer between ndS £0 £0 Fund Balances carried forward £0 £249.824 £230,203 The following notes (notes 1 to 10 on pages 3 to 7) fonn part of these accounts. (Hon. Treasurer) (Chair) (Director Lancaster Samaritans 2021 A¢Unts Page 2
Samaritans of Lancaster and District Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021 Year to 31.3.21 Year to 31.3.21 Unrestricted Year to 31.3.21 Totsl Period to 31.3.20 Tan ible Fixed Assets £0 £168.873 £168,873 £170,861 Current Assets COIF De osit Account Nalwest Current account Natwest Current account Cash in hand Total Current Assets £0 £0 £0 £0 £75,928 £5,697 £794 £40 £75,928 £5,697 £794 £40 £82.459 £51,866 £9,370 £587 endin endin .172 '180 £61.863 Current Liabilities Creditors and Accruals Deferred Income Totsl Current Liabilities £0 £0 £1.509 £0 £1.509 £1.509 £0 £1,509 £2,521 £0 £2.521 Current Assets less Current Llabilities £0 £80.951 £59.341 Total Assets less Current Liabilitie5 £249,824 £249,824 £230.203 Re resented b £0 £249,824 £249,824 £230,203 TOTAL £0 £249.824 £249,824 £230.203 Notes to the Accounts for the period ended 31 March 2021 Note 1. Accounting policies. (i) These accounts have been prepared under the historiGal Gost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Re¢ommended Practice (SORP) on Accounting by Chartlies. (li) All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activrties {SOFA) when received, unless the Trustees deem that income receivable from recovered tax or from legacies would alter the SOFA materially. {iiiJ Net fundraising income raised by the Friends of Samaritans and by our Charity shop is included when received, and any associated costs are separately disclosed in a note. (iv) Premises overheads are aggregated and allor2ted to the various functional activities on a percentage basis detemiined by the Trustees and disclosed in a note. (v) Any costs which cannot be specifically Klentified otherwise are included in the management and administration function. (vi) Depreciation on equipment and fumrture ts written off on a straight line basis over 5 years. Freehold property is revalued at 5 year intervals wtth no depiatIOn allowan. Lancaster Samaritans 2021 Accounts Page 3
Note 2. Donations and rants Funds received from o anisations durin the period include: Restricted Unrestricted Total Frieda Scott Charitable Trust Lancaster Ci Council di5creknna CAF Covid Eme rant Pears Foundation rant Lancaster Brid e Club an Lancaster Friends Alchernie Technol Westminster Foundation Groundwork UK Catholic Womens Lea Pa Pal Givin Fund Lansil Golf Club Other donations, includin those from individuais. (including several funeral donations of su rters Tax recovered throu £3,500 £3,500 £645 £7,500 £5,888 £341 £400 rates reli enc £7,500 £5,888 £341 £400 £2,000 £10,200 £1.000 £600 £496 £337 £4,271 £10,200 £1.000 £600 £496 £337 £4,277 ue h GIftd £190 £190 Total donations and rants £0 £37.374 £37,374 Le acies (Unrestricted £3,310 Total le acies £3,310 Note 3. Fundralsin Events Lancaster and Kendal Friends roups andlor Samaritan volunteers Pam £279 Total fundraisin £279 Lancaster Samaritans 2021 Accourrts Page 4
Note 4. Samaritans shop 12 Damside StreeL Lancaster Summary for the year ended 31 March 2021 Income Unrestricted Sales Lancaster C" Council ovemment rants Lancaster Ci Council discretiona rates relte £7,384 £19.669 £829 total income £27.883 enditu Unrestricted Rent Insurance Rates Water, Li ht and Heat es and Travel irs & Renewals Tele hone & Broadband Streamline &Wodd Cha Sund nses and Housekee £10,000 £509 £829 £1,417 £0 £194 £495 £488 £267 Cleanin in totsl ex nditure £14,221 lu$ forthe £13,662 Lancaster Samaritans 2021 Accounts Page 5
Year to 31.3.21 Unrestricts Yearto 31.3.21 Restricted Perlod to 31.3.20 Total Year to 31.3.21 Note 5. Premises Overheads Water, Li ht and Heat Re airs and Renewals Cleanin and Housekee Office tele hone Insurance DIretiOnary Rates relief (Lancaster Cty Council De reciation £0 £2.069 £3.338 £2.978 £1.211 £1.034 £2,069 £3,338 £2,978 £1,211 £1,034 £1,992 £5,053 £2,638 £1,069 £1,249 in £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £645 £1.988 £645 £1,988 £635 £3,005 Total £13,263 £13,263 £15.641 Allocated to: Direct charitable ex nditute Mana ement and Administration costs 85° £0 £0 £0 £11.274 £1,989 £13,263 £11,274 £1,989 £13,263 £13,295 £2,346 £15,641 15° Total Year to 31.3.21 Unrestricte Year to 31.3.21 Restricted Period to 31.3.20 Total Yearto 31.3.21 Note 6. Direct Charitable ex nditure Eme en tele hone and email Volunteer trainin and su Volunteer travel ex nses- local Director's ex enses NalionaVRe ional meetin s and travel Share of remises overheads note 5 £0 £411 £1,679 £8,324 £36 £40 £11,274 £411 £1,679 £8,324 £36 £40 £11,274 £490 £3,082 £10,989 £0 £145 £13,295 £0 £0 £0 Total £0 £21,765 £21.765 £28,001 Year to 31.3.21 Unrestricte Year to 31.3.21 Restricted Period to 31.3.20 Total Note 7. Management and Administration Costs Year to 31.3.21 Posta rintin hotoco Afriliation fee to Samaritans Sund ex enses Le al fees re transfer from Branch to CIO Accountanc Share of Premises Overheads ier and statione £0 £0 £0 £0 £616 £958 £1,354 £0 £240 £2,346 £906 £625 £0 £0 £1,989 £9C6 £625 note 5 £0 £1,989 Total £0 £3,804 £3,804 £5.514 Note 8. Tangible Fixed Assets Unrestricted Freehold ui ment & Furniture Total Cost or Valuation at 31 March 2020 reciation £165.000 £0 £5,861 £1,988 £170,861 £1,988 Lancaster Samaritans 2021 Accounts Page 6
Cost or Valuation at 31 March 2021 £165,000 £373 £168.873 The Charity's freehold premises at 21 Sun Street. Lancaster were valued by Eckersley on an Open Market basis at £165,000 as at 14 June 2017. The title to the freehold premises is held by Samaritans as custodian trustee. Note 9. Reconciliation of Funds Restricted Unrestricted Total Funds balance brou ht forward £0 £230,203 £230,203 Incomin resources £0 £54,687 £54,687 Total resources ex £0 -£35,066 35,066 Transfer btheen funds (purchase of holoco ier £0 £0 £0 Funds balance carried forward £249,824 £249,824 Nots 10. Indemnity Insurance. Samaritans has ntraIlY*ffected professional indemnity insurance to protect trustees, directors and other volunteer members of all Samaritans branches. Lancaster Samarttans 2021 Accounts Page 7