2024-03-31-accounts - Samaritans Of Lancaster & District

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SA.MARITAN Samaritans of Lancaster & District Registered Charity No. 1173652 21 Sun Street. lancaster LAI IEW Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31" March 2024 SAMARITANS 70 years of listening

Samaritans of Lancaster & District Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31° Marth 2024 The incorporated charity number 1173652 was started in October 2017 under the constitution dated July 2017. The Trustees of the charity are elected at the Annual General Meeting. Those who have acted from l April 2023, up to the date of this report, are as follows: Name Chrls Ingham Tracey Duffy June Ellis Carol Brearlev Val Willett Chris Hough Helen Murfin Jane Clarke Jenny Dlghton Director I Director Treasurer setsry Resigned 6th July 2023 Resl8ned 18 February 2024 Jude Whitwood Michael Brogan Joan Guenault Appolnted 6°July 2023 The organisation and financial affairs of the charity are mana8ed by the Branch Leadership Team18LTI, comprising Director. Deputy Directors, and Trustees. The BLT detemiines policy for and recelves reports from teams and Individuals who v•ork for the charity. The Trustees are responsible for overall governance and finance. The major risks to which the charity Is exposed, as Identlfied by the trustees, have been vieWed and systems or procedures are established to mana8e those risks. The thar15 bankers are National Westmlnster PLC, 68 Churth Street. Lancaster LAI ILN. A COIF Deposit Fund Account is held wlth CCLA Investment Management Ltd, One An8el Lane. London EC4R 3AB. The Independent Examirw 15 Jennifer Beckett FCCA of Taylor Robertson and Willett Ltd, 95 King Street, Lancaster iAI IRH. Thls Trustees Annual Report fonns an integral part of the full annual accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Samaritans of Lancaster & District Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31st March 2024 Aims and Organisatton Samaritans of Lancaster & District work with the main aim of alwwfi being there for the assistance of any person who is experiencin8 feelin8s of suicide. despair. or distress, by providing confidential emotional support by telephone, e mail, or webchat. Our charitable purpose is all focused on Public Benefit. We are based at 21, Surb Street, Lancaster and we are prlmarlly there to assist those in a 8eo8raphical area which indudes Lancaster, Morecambe, Lune5dale, Kendal, and South Lakeland, howeverthrou8h our internet-based platforni system we now answer Callers nationwlde. We are one of the 19 branches In the North West Reglon of Samarltans and have just over 106 volunteers. Lancaster Branch is one of over 2(Kl branches linked in a nationwide organlsation to Samaritans Central Charity. {Registered Charity no.219432}. The Central Office supports the Branches. and sets and monitors sLdardS of service and care by means of it5 regional structure. Revlew of Progress and Athlevwnents The quallty and extent of the servlce we can provide to those who are In need is dependent on havlng enough trained Samaritans. During the last year we have recruited, tralned, and mentored 25 listenin8 volunteers and S support volunteers. Thls alon8 With a hl8h retentlon of volunteers means we are 8rowing in numbers year on year. We deliver our Continuous development training for all volunteers as a mixtwe of Z)M and face to face which is 8oing well. We will continue to recruit more volunteers to extend the Service we can offer. Samaritans continue to provide a 'listening ea¢, to vulnerable, distre$5ed, and sulcldal callers, however they choose to contsct us. whether by telephone, email, or welKhaL The email service Is now provided through a Central Hub of volunteers since April 2023. Some of our branch volunteers are also part of this Hub. Our callers come from all walks of lrfe that reflects the society we live in. The extra pressures people are fadngtoday have resulted in an increase of people contacting us atut a range of COnmS and needing to have a safe Pla to talk and be listened to. We remain involved in prison suppo¢ and continue our positive relationship with HMP Lancaster Fanns, a Cate80ry C adult male prison. where we recruiL train, and sUPPOrt a team of knsteners who support other prisoners on a on going basi& We also offer support to staff on an onfo1 basis.

Samaritans of Lancaster & District Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31st March 20241¢ont) We have this year extended our work in education establishments to include schools, colle8es. and universEtle& This involves providing awareness trainin8 to staff and students and the dellvery of short projects dependin8 on identified need. Our Outreach team has been busy thn)ughout the year raising awareness of our Service and reachin8 Out to communlties that may need us. Some example5 are attending Pride events, organisin8 Stalls in Lancaster and Morecambe, presentations, and infomation sesslons to varfous local 8roups. Developin8 our partnership with Network Rail which includes havin8 a presence at the local train stations several times a year and offering support to staff when required. Along with respondlng to several requests for suppNt from other partner5 like Pollce, Health SeNice. Lancaster City Council. At Lancaster & District our calls are routed vla the National Freecall number 116 123. This facllity ha5 produced a lar8e increase in the number of calls we receive. as now we are avallable to those who need us whether they have funds or not, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Thanks to all ourvolunteers. without whom this would not be possible. During 2023 Lancaster and District branch answered Inbound calls of 12,362 over 3,518 hours, made Outbound calls of 160 over 54 hours, answered 175 emall callers over 88 hours and replled to 725 webchat callers over 410 hours. Rev[ of Flnandal Posltkn Total Income for the year was £33215. of which £5(KKI was a Rertrlcted Fund, a donation received from Morecambe Men's Committee. for outreath withln the Morecambe area. £2495 of this Restricted Fund remained at 31 March 2024. but it is expected that thls wlll be used in the yearto 31 Marth 2025. The Unrestricted Incomewas £28215 compared to £26977 for the year to 31 March 2023. We again benefftted fnmn a generous a 8rant of £3,5(K) from the Frieda Scott Charitable Trustfor volunteertravel expenses, which has been very welcome, as volunteer expenses totalled £8245 in 2023124. We are keen to offer 1mburseMent of expenses to all our volunteers, who are so generous Wlth their time, especially in the current financial climate. WÈ received ccmtinuln8 SUPPOrt from Lancaster City Council, with a grant of £2300, (an increase of £l(M) from the prevlous year) and with discretionary rates relief on 21, Sun Street and on our shop at 12. Dam5ide StreeL Our work and support of the local prison also provides significant income from the Prfson Service 1£20391, which is now all unrestricted, but used in the first instance for expenses related to our prison work. We received many donations fr(xn indivlduals and other organisations. often through their fundraising efforts, including Samarathon sponsorship and this year the retum of our Branch choir which was good fun whilst raising awareness and fvnds. It is a great encoura8ement to know that our efforts are so widely appreciated.

Samaritans of Lancaster & District Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31° Marth 2024 (cont) Our Charity shop raised £4840 in the year to 31 March 2024 which is down from £6034 in 2022123, but repairs expenditure was up by £8(K) as we caught up with some essential repairs and replacements. We struggled wtth insufficient volunteers to be able to open the shop every day. but at the date of this report some additional vdunteers have been recruited, the shop is open more. and takings are improvin& The shop plays an important role in providing funds for our work at the Centre and in raisin8 public awareness of Samaritans. We are very 8rateful for the efforts of Our shop volunteers and all who have helped in all our fundraising efforts. Expenditure this year on general unrestricted funds was £26237. 8lvln8 us a surplus for the vear of £1979, compared wlth a deficlt of £9137 In 2022123. The defidt In 2022123 was largely due to some increased expenditure on repalrs In that year. in particular replacement of our central heatin8 boiler. Our gas and electricity contracts were renewed on l August 2023, after being fixed prlor to the price rises, so this has meant some increased cost thls year from that date. Increase in publicity costs rel*e to outreach and awareness expenditure. especially a 2 year advert on the Lancaster hospital maps. Our reserves at 31 March 2024 stand at £92277. This is more than the 18 month5 runnin8 expenses we would normally seek to hold due to a decisi¢)n we took in 2023 to move premises. Early in 2023 we undertook a review of the suitability of our premises going forward, and whether a move to new premises might be advisable or posslble. To enable thls to become a reality we have ring fenced this funding to help achieve the move along with setting up a fundraisin8 8roup to support this decision and we will continue to work on this going forward. Slgned on behalf of the Trustees: . (Dlrertorl 12 August 2024

Samaritans of Lancaster and District Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 I rekxt on the acc£wnts ofthg thrity forth8 3111 Marth 2024. ¥ch are settxrt on pages 2 to 7 folkming. This rep)rt is made sOty to the dwity's Trustees. as a IxNty. in ac(x)tdance wilh sth 145 oflh8 Charitss Act 2011 and mlè undef s)n 154 that My has ba undtrtakèn so that I mioht state to the chaiity's Tru5tee5 IIKW mattus l rlIfed to State to them in an In¢J8pondent Examinerfs rep)rt for no othw PLWPOSe. To the fvlest extent peItted by law. I not accept or assume resEb%ty to arryono other th8n thè tharity aThJ tha charli$ TnJste8s as a b. for my wL¥k for Itds wx)rL Th8 charity's TnJ8te88 we fty ofth& Ih)anclal stat79nts and tsy consKler that an is ncrt for this year 144(2) Chaiilm 2011 (the Act) and thal an independent oxamlnalxin is nefj(1od. It bs my reSpOltsIty io.. undgr sectn 145(5)(bl of Aci, and CommissKJn. AJ) ox8mMatson indudes a rev of tho acwunts'ng records kept by thè charity and comparison ol the fin8nciBI stst8m8nts pr6sente•J Ihw rec4)rds. 11 akn wid86 Lx61d8r8lK)n of any unusual rtem3 or dwk)sure8 in Ihe finarNxl statwrnnts. and seethj explanalions from you as Trustees cfjnceming arry sh rnattorn. Th8 kOn th) rnt wovide al the evKlen¢e that Wl¢j be requlr8d In an audrt and cwuenty is gr¥en as trjwhothw th¢ finandal SLnts pr68# 8 aTrJ fair1ry8 and rewyl is Imit1 to tr¥x6 mattern 801 (xrt In ts slatom8nl b8knY. Ind•pend•nl •xafflln•rfA st•l•m•rt . to prepwg nts whAth XLxd the trtords and o)mF* wlth accountiThJ requir•fflents of Acl ha ncrt baen (21 to which, In my opinKM, attwtkn S be h) a F Jennifer Bthtt F.C.C. countants 1¥ Jtty 2024 Lancaster Srtans 2024 Alx%nts - P¥ 1

The Samarltans of Lancaster and Dlstrict Registsr¢d Chartty No. 1173652 Statement of Financial Activltles For the period ended 31 March 2024 Ymr to 31.J24 Ymr to 31224 Y••T to 31.3.24 Y•rto 31J. Toi41 Total Incomln Don8tbn$. Gignts and &"ft Fundrots Ever¢lg Iu8 from Sho £14. É4.769 £4,840 £18.987 £3,305 £6.034 £1.OCPJ £1.448 £0 Éo £4.769 £4.840 £5.OC#J £3.840 Interest TOTAL In¢<bm 16 Dlract Chontabie EX ndrtufe Public £0 £20.579 £2.277 £3.441 £20.579 £4.722 £3.441 £28.417 £1.274 £0 37 £36 £1 79 73 Unr•all••d Galn8 ind LoM•8 Gain on Raluat of Ta Ibk Fixed £0 £0 N•t lkn•m•nt kn FTrd £1 73 Fnd 8•l•nc•• Tr•n•f•r b•iw••n fvnd• Fw4KI Blnc•• Trt•d fonv•vd £255 01 Th• folkJ•riw notes (notes 110 10 on pa988 3 to 7) fryrn part ofth• xccKfftts. . {Hon. Trna8urer) Page 2

Samaritans of Lan&qster and District Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 Yeaw to 31.U4 YTt0 31.324 Unwbl¢led Ygarto 31.324 Y•ar to 31.323 Tan ible Ftxed A8•ts £167J98 £167.398 Cufrnnt A88•18 COIF De osil Aco)unt NalWe8t Cufrwtt a¢ewnt Nalwest Current a¢¢ount Cash in haThl Debtor £82 052 £8.397 £74,412 £10,459 8Th1in erbjin '172 £2,495 £5.9)2 £0 £14 £14 £438 £14 £2,1 Total Currgnt A886ts Curront Liabllldo• Credltors 8nd Acw815 Def8rred Income Total Curr•nl Llabllltlos £391 £0 £0 £0 £391 Curnnl As8•ts1•88 Curront Llabllltl• Total A•sot• l••¥ CurY•nt Llabllltl•$ nt•d b TOTAL £259 Not to the Accounts for the year onded 31 March 2024 Noto l. ACCntIng pollclos. li) These accounts have been preped urmkn the historica cost conventM)n and in accordance wlth applicable accounting starKIS a1 the Stattrnenl of Remmended Practlca (SORPI on Ac(x)unting by Ch•ities. (11) All Incomè Is Ir¥Juded ITr th8 of Ad1vi (SOFA) Wt r8cepMI, unless th8 Trustees deem that in(x>N rl¥able frcwn recvv8r8d tax orfriyn lega(ae6 would alter the SOFA materialty. (iiil Net fundraising Inc( raTsed by the Frlen(ts ol Samarfkns and by our Charity sht)p Is included when received. arKI any asgxiated costs are separately disclo1 n a note. (iv) Premises owh8ats are aggregated aNI alkxated to the ¥aThS a(thities on a P8rcentage basis detennined by Ihe Tn atml disdosed in a Tr)te. managewnt and admini5tralK)n function. Ivi) Depreciation on eqUiF¥t arxl furnaure is Itten off on a straight kne tjasls over 5 years. Freehold property is re¥1 at 5 yw wilh no altr*. Pa3

Noto 2. Donatiom and rants Funds rn¢Olv from Includo: Totsl Frieda Scott chttab Trust Lancaster Cli CouKil dtscretio NOMS unrestrfcted NOMS restricted £3.500 £666 £2,039 £0 £75 £2.300 £251 £3.5CIJ rates rel £2.039 £0 £75 £2,300 £251 Lancaster C Coundl Grant Erthu5e Amazon SmlFe & Morecambe Men's Commlttee Other donatKJns. indudin those frcrtm wMjNKlls. linduding several fungral tjonat$ of su orters Tax recov8ret1 £1.117 h Gift £18 £18 Totsl donatlon¥ Jnd rants 000 £1 a¢8 Unrnstrl¢t•d Total cl• Noto 3. Fundralsl Ev•nt• S8mar8thon Gift Aid on Samaratk Sarnh Milllcan Sarah Millican colloc11 lo R Sl Pa,3 Caton Wend Ta Cosh4Coins Ladies of Note Cholr Sn m Univers Sludgnts colaction Brew Monda Outrp8¢h carol si Other Outrgath events Crtherfvndrdsl £316 £207 207 £891 £285 É5C £120 &Kerink £407 £69 £102 Total fundrals

12 Dam$ldg Str84 LaKaster Summary for lh• year ended 31 IAar¢h 2024 In¢om Vnrèstrld £19.542 Lanter C Clnl 71 ndlture Unrestrict•d £10.8¢J) £336 £829 Insurance Rates Water irs & Renewals Tele hone & Broartjand Worfd Ch Sund 8rKI Housgke Stattone £989 £427 £505 £1¢ £13 £83 dllvr• Su lu• for th•

Y•ar to 31.3.24 Y&ir to 31.324 Year to 31.323 Total Yoarto 31124 Nots & Premises (fverhead• Watw. ht and Heal airs and R8newals Cleanin and Housekee Offic8 t818 & broadband Insurance Discretionary Rates relief (Lancaster Cty Council reclallon £1,859 £1.379 £1.379 £0 £1.392 £1.290 £1.530 £857 £1.372 £1.372 £2.161 £9252 £16.S02 Allocated to- Dlrect CharItab ex iture 85% Mana emenl and Admini5tratbn costs £14,027 £2,475 £16 502 15% £1.388 £1.388 £0 Y•ar lo 31.324 Ywto 31324 Year to 31.323 Total Y•aT to 31.3.24 Note & Dlrncl Charltsbl• Eme hone and emal Volunl8er trainin and su Volunt88r travel ex Dlr8ciorfs ex nses Nalion8llRe Frre1$in Share of rgmis8s overhead6 £0 £1.610 £2.312 £1.610 £2.312 £8.245 £139 £883 £2.142 £9,764 £115 ns65- £139 travd £0 £126 £126 £22 £14 027 £0 Ywrlo 31.124 Y•ar to 31J.24 Ywlo 31.3.23 Note 7. Ilanag•m•nt and co•ts Yo•rto 31.3.24 Post ffilialion f8e to Samaritans Sund nses L 01 fees re transfer from Brarth to CIO Accounts Share of Premlses (brhe £93 £1.708 52 £0 £506 £3,303 £915 £0 £0 £0 £1.708 £1.388 £3M1 £7.199

Nots 8. Tanglblg Flxod As$6ts Unrostricled ment Total Cost or ValuatwJn at 31 March 2023 Dis Additions at cost reclalion £165 lY)O £0 £0 £0 £2.730 £0 £577 £167 730 £0 £sn Cost or Valuation at 31 Plarth 2024 £167 398 The Charitws freehokl premlses at 21 Sun Stree( Lancaster were val1 by Rktsrd P Taylor Chartered Sup4eyor5 on 310(Xober 2022 of belween £150,000 and £175.000. Therefore tha previous vaue wovthd by Eckersley of £165,0(M) at 14 June 2017. remains In the unts. The titl8 to the fr88hokl pr8mises is hekl by Samln9 as (xthian InMts8. Not• 9. R•¢on¢lllatlon of Fund* UnrMtrlcl•d Totsl Funds balance brou hl forward £0 £255201 £255.201 Incoml £33.216 TO1 resoue8 ex 6237 Transf8r been lunds Fund• balanco c4frS•d torwanl Nots 10. Indwnnlty Insurance. Samaritans has (xntrally-effected professional indemnty insurance to protect Irustees, dirr5 and other voknnteer mwnbers of all Samaritans branches. Page 7