AMARITANS lelp 00(1 esi 41owin •A Annual Report 2023-24
SAMARITANS 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 Listening Confidentiollty Non~judgmental People making Human contact Exploring feelings If people feel safe. We want people to their own decisions Givlng people time, alleviates distress they are more likely be able to talk to undivided crttentlon and helps people to be open obout us without fear of We belleve that and empathy meets to reach a better their feeling& preludke or relectlorL people have the q fundcmental understandlng rlght to flnd thelr ¢motlorKtI need of their sltuation own solution and and reduces dlstress and the options that telling people ond despalr. open to them. what to do takes responslblllty away from them. A r•4istw•d¢lority
Contents Page No Section 1 DIRECTOR'S INTRODUCTION 4&5 Section 2 BRANCH LEADERSHIP Section 3 WHAT WE DO Section 4 THE LAST YEAR 8&9 Section 5 GRANTS AND DONATIONS 10 Section 6 FINANCIAL REVIEW 11 Section 7 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 12-18
Director's Introduction Another successful year has flown pastand here l am writing mythird and final report as Director. Once again, I have to start by saying a huge thank you to you all, our amazing volunteers, both listeners and supporters. You have given up your time and skills so freely to support our callers and the branch in general throughout another year. Each year we hope that events in our country and the wider world will ease the burden on everyone but sadly things are slow to improve. We still see the effect of issues in the callers we listen to. The Cost- of-Living Crisis, Ukraine War, the Gaza Conflict, a change in government and what we are seeing as long-term mental health effects of the last few years still rumbles on. Our service is still needed even more than ever. mentored and thanks to Donna 838 for leading this dedicated group of volunteers. Our core priority is delivering listening on the phone, and via online chat and we have done really well in delivering a high- quality service. l am always thankful to our dedicated team of leaders led by Sarah 905 who support us after each shift with care and compassion. In addition to this, we train and support our extended team at Wealstun Prison. A huge thank you to Neil 897 and his team as well as the guys who deliver the service day in and day out in prison who offer invaluable support to their fellow prisoners. We have trained over 25 new listeners in the prison over the last year. In our branch, as ever, we have continued to support our callers in a professional, empathetic and caring way. In doing this we have vastly improved the number of shifts we have kept open, especially the number of night shifts we have delivered. This is truly amazing. I would like to thank again Mandy 881 and Jo 937 for their support over the last year through the good and shall we say more difficult times. In addition, the Branch Leadership Team and Trustees have each worked in different ways to keep our branch going. They have led on new developments, kept us safe and compliant, interviewed and recruited a further 22 volunteers and ensured we are financially sound. These volunteers in turn have been Our training and recruitment team, whilst at the moment is a diminishing band of dedicated folk, has worked hard to keep us topped up with new volunteers. This year lules 944 has led a revitalised Outreach Team and our standing and presence in the community has improved. Our work at the food bank is a particular success. Thank you once again to this dedicated band of volunteers.
Thanks also to Carol 933, Andrew 935, Lisa 962, Jan 929 and Anne 974 who have led successful teams in Fundraising, IT, Education, Volunteer Support and Rota Management. Without these Deputies and their Teams our branch would just not be able to function. We have to remember everyone that leads or volunteers in these teams do so on top of their regular commitments to listening. | am so grateful and really appreciate this.
A special mention must go to the recruitment and DBS team. Their work was significantly increased this year due to the need to renew DBS for everyone. The team worked hard to ensure each volunteer completed their checks. Ros 907 steps down in this role this year but leaves a small team to continue her great work.
It would probably destroy a_ small rainforest in paper if | listed the huge number of events we have held or attended this year. We have done so many events from talks to train stations, farming initiatives to food banks, and our 75-year birthday celebrations to Sarah Millican Tour collections. All supported by you our great Harrogate Branch.
As | step down in this role | want to say that | really do appreciate every single hour you all give and am so appreciative for all of your support that you have shown me during the last 2 years 9 months of my tenure as Branch Director. | am proud of each and every one of you and proud of what we do collectively to support those in our world that need a friendly, nonjudgemental listening ear.
Thank you all so much!
Branch Leadership Samaritans of Harrogate and District, an affiliated branch of the national Samaritans organisation, is an independent charity (Registration No. 1173716). The branch was established in 1976 and converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1 October 2017. Its operation and conduct are governed by a Constitution dated 7 july 2017. The principal off ice is at 5 Mount Parade, Harrogate, HG11BX. Branch Leadership Team Following consultation with branch members, our Director is appointed for a three-year term by the Trustee Board of the Samaritans Central Charity. The Director heads a Branch Leadership Team which, in addition to being responsible for the provision and quality of support for callers and volunteers, manages the branch and its premises. This team comprises 2 Vice Directors, 7 Trustees and 11 Deputy Directors. Deputies are selected by the Director and, with effect from our 2018 Annual General Meeting, all Trustees other than the Director are elected annually. The Trustees have legal spOnSibl11tY for the operation of the branch and we currently have Deputies with the following operational responsibilities: Education and Outreach Fundraising Mentoring Prison Recruitment and Interviewing Rural Initiative Rota Training Volunteer Care Our Trustees Mark Edwards has been our Director since 10 March 2022. On the same date lo johnson and Mandy Fallon were appointed as Vice Directors. At the Annual General Meeting on 21 October 2023 the following Trustees were elected: Rosemary Evans James D'souza Zoe Partridge Branch Treasurer Trustee Without Portfolio Branch Minutes Secretary The following Trustees continued their terms: Carol Chapman Branch Secretary Mark Edwards Branch Director Trustee Jo Johnson Vice Director Mandy Fallon Vice Director
Our aim is to improve the emotional health of people who contact us and our mission is that fewer people die by suicide. We provide emotional support round the clock to people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide. In planning all activities of the Branch, the Trustees are conscious of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
Our listening volunteers support people in In the year leading up to 31 March 2024 distress over the phone, by email, and face Harrogate Samaritans answered 20,794 to face. On every shift at least four calls, an increase of 1199 from 31 March volunteers are required to support callers: 2023. They completed 840 web chats two volunteers in the branch providing compared to 620 a year earlier and made direct support, another volunteer, known 105 call backs to callers who needed as a Leader, available by phone for additional help and support after their unexpected problems and for debriefs at initial contact with us. In all, the volunteers the end of each shift; and one of our at Harrogate Samaritans made 21,686 Deputy Directors on standby for real separate contacts with callers who were in emergencies. distress or despair in order to listen and Sometimes people are referred to us for provide a space to talk in confidence.. The support by other organisations,ae such as overall number of contacts has , increased; mental health services and the police. by 1199; from, the year before, illustrating; the increasing demand for our service. Weto bgiv e givethp e peoplereop forwaysyothers.to copePWeandwantthe skillsto In addition. os to these contacts many celebrate those moments of connection Samaritans have been. approached, by between people that can protect and even members of. the public whilst, at Outreach, ; or Fundraising events either to receive save lives. . , . ; emotional support in this setting or to Harrogate is a very caring Branch. Our share stories of how their interactions with volunteers are supported by the Volunteer our ESOS trained Samaritans have made Care team who look after the wellbeing of areal difference to their lives, and at times all our fellow Samaritans,. both Listening, ; have savedatheir life. It's; these interactions; and Support volunteers. The team that can inspire and bring home. the reality responds to anyone with. a concern, of the work that we do by being; there for whether sy ; . ; callers when they need us any time of day going throughit's takinga difficulta dispa t urbch in gtheircall, ownor or night life.
The Last Year
The year to 31 March 2023 was yet another busy and interesting time for our branch.
The Volunteer Care team at Harrogate Samaritans is supported by Jan 929 (Deputy Director), Sheila 581 and Alison 972. They provide a brief monthly report of New Samaritans to the team and issue a list of those volunteers that are leaving which is displayed on the notice board each month. VC have stopped putting up those volunteers on Leave of Absence (LOA) as some LOA are private and those volunteers may not want it to be known that they are on LOA, and they want to be respectful of that.
Volunteer Care monitor some of those listeners that may not have been able to sign up for listening sessions for some time so that they can check in on them to see if they are ok and if they need additional support to return to calls.
The team also support those volunteers who might be on long term absence due to sickness and keep in touch by email or phone to make sure they feel supported in a way that suits them.
At the time of this report there were 123 listening volunteers in Harrogate Branch and we appreciate all the good work that they do. This figure is an increase of 7 volunteer listeners from last year. On average there are 3 volunteers who decide to leave each month who are then
potentially replaced by the New Samaritans who are trained by the Branch Training Team to enable them to take up their listening duties. The Volunteer Team have also taken the time to producea Volunteer Care Policy to look at how they support volunteers coming back from longer term absence and suggest mentored shifts, inhouse or online training and provide in person support led by Donna 838 and the Training Team Deputy Director. For the support of the volunteers, there is a private WhatsApp group run by the Volunteer Care Team. In this group each member of the VC team has an allocated number of volunteers to support on an ‘as and when needed’ basis. They liaise with each other regularly.
The team does invaluable work, openly offering support and kindness to other volunteers should they ever need it. This enhances the whole ethos of trying to fully support our volunteers in their listening duties and other roles within the branch so they can continue to support our callers when it matters most.
Harrogate branch has a team that works
Finally, | have to say a very warm thank you to all our team members over this past year: Bonnie 1016, Chris 1020, Gillian 350, Hilary 895, Jane 1036, Julian 1018, Kevin 1067, Liz 565, Robyn 1053. You have done a superb job, and I’m proud of what we've all achieved.
had successful interviews and will be attending their training programme in September and October 2024. Our superb team of interviewers continue to give their time, and expertise which enables us to meet our recruitment targets.
DBS
We continue to be very fortunate that the The last couple of months have been a Harrogate Branch is attracting very busy time as all volunteers renewed applications from people who wish to be their Disclosure and Barring Service Samaritans when we are told that many Certificates. branches are struggling to recruit. It is very The small and newly formed DBS team important that we do attract new has steered us through this challenging Samaritans to our branch. Everyone can exercise, so well done to them and to you help to spread the word, encourage all. people to visit the website and learn more about the work that we do and how they can become involved. | know from my own H , personal ae arrogate volunteers continue to play a experience that people think it k . -, spss takes a ‘special person’ to become a ey, role in the ,region’s Rural Initiative which was established over 4 years ago. ;Samaritan; (anddofof course you all lore!)are!) b but The initiative aims to reduce the suicide it's important to tell people that we are all . , rate amongst those living in_ rural very different and that we_ receive ye . ; excellent training and ongoing support. communities. , and especially those working, in farming, who appear particularly oo Our first interviews this year took place in vulnerable to wpementalge health problems January when we recruited 3 new people given the specific financial, physical and _ for our inhouse training and 5 volunteers mental challenges they face. for the new online training which Is ron This has been a busy year with Harrogate centrally on Zoom. The flexibility of the , , ; - online training has already proved a volunteers attending the Annual. Farming, — Remembrance Plough Service at Ripon winning formula for some of our trainees , who Cathedral, manning stands at 2 have been able to attend online from cul hi h aH broad whilst working or on holida agricultural machinery[shows][in] Harrogate aproac Ww g Y: and Thirsk, at the Yorkshire Young Farmers Rally at York Auction Mart, We©© hanyany hysoso thb eenb een een holdineii Ing eee{ eee{{ in several shifts on our stands at the Great June and July, three three in the evening evening and one Yorkshire Show and Nidderdale Show. We
The last couple of months have been a very busy time as all volunteers renewed their Disclosure and Barring Service Certificates. The small and newly formed DBS team has steered us through this challenging exercise, so well done to them and to you all.
We©© hanyany hysoso thb eenb een een holdineii Ing eee{ eee{{ in June and July, three three in the evening evening and one during the day. So far 13 new people have
were also guests at the Yorkshire Women in Farming Conference in October.
Your support for events this year has been amazing and is really appreciated. Thank you.
This year has seen the launch of our first ever Strategic Outreach Plan for Harrogate. Our plan was created alongside North Yorkshire Council Public Health using the latest statistics to inform us of who our most at-risk groups are and how we could support those individuals. Our volunteers have been working with dedication and kindness to begin delivering this plan amongst our community. One of the key highlights of the Outreach initiative has been the launch of a formal partnership with the local food bank to deliver emotional support and awareness every month. This has been well received within the local community and has now become a regular feature of our off-site volunteering rota.
We are fortunate in Harrogate to also be able to support the young people who begin their training at the Army Foundation College. This has allowed the Outreach Team to set up an ongoing relationship with them, meeting over 800 new recruits so far to raise awareness of our service.
and the Outreach Team have established connections with a new local drug and alcohol recovery network to raise awareness of our service.
Local awareness has been key to the outreach strategy and this has been achieved by working with Public Health to erect permanent suicide awareness signage in 2 local high risk areas as well as the delivery of awareness packs to many local Pubs and GP surgeries in Harrogate and District. As a result of this work over a thousand more individuals within our local community now know where to find us if they need help. Our fantastic partnership with Network Rail in in particular the support we receive from staff at Harrogate Train Station has allowed us to be present on the platform to engage with local people on their commute. We have been able to share Samaritans published materials with them that provide guidance on what to do if they spot someone who is suicidal on the railway. This has opened up many conversations and during these sessions we have been pleased to hear directly how Samaritans has impacted someone's life, and at times saved a life due to their existence.
We are all too aware of how the impact of drugs and alcohol can affect mental and physical health as well as relationships,
Grants and donations Fundraising is essential for the viability of our Branch and every donation, large or small, helps us to maintain our service and support people in emotional distress. Donations Collections We would like to thank the following: Our participation in various local events helped to raise vital funds. These included The Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate Christmas Market, Nidderdale Show, Harrogate Town FC, Alfie Boe Concert and the sale of Christmas Cards and various raffles. Volunteers, their families and former volunteers CAMEO - Gracious Street Methodist Church, Knaresborough Harrogate Round Table Harrogate 41 Club Skipton Craven Rotary Club Harrogate Nuns Harrogate Decorative & Fine Arts Group Fisher Singers Watsons of Harrogate Belzona How to donate Online donations can be made via Enthuse at samaritans.org/Harrogate or https://www.justgiving.com/samaritans- harrogate Donations can be made via online shopping at easyfundraising.org.uk and smile.amazon.co.uk Baltzersens Cheques can be sent to us at 5 Mount Parade, Harrogate HGI 1BX. Standing Order forms are also available for regular donation& The Local Lotto Mrs Katherine M Coward Grants We were fortunate to obtain grants from: The Sylvia & Colin Shepherd Charitable Trust The Linden Charitable Trust LNER Customer & Community Investment Fund Two Ridings Community Fund National Lottery Community Fund
•
•
Samaritans of Harrogate ond Distrirt RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE12 MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2024 This year 2023124 Previou5 yeor 202V23 Notes Total 12 month5 Totol Unrestricted Restricted fund5 fund5 12 month5 Recelpts Donations 22260 22260 22354 Legtscies 500 500 Fundroi5ing event5 452 452 6550 Grants 11,679 9,600 21,279 25,749 Covenants & Grft Ah 2.064 2.064 2224 Tax refunds 981 981 2h95 Invégtment income 1.911 1.913 7094 Interest received 961 961 282 40,830 9,600 50,430 67,748 Payments Direct charitable expenses 34.441 3.167 37.608 40233 Fundraising expense5 1047 29 3.076 2078 Management & admin costs 12208 897 11105 7b23 Governance costs 1,822 1,822 1£88 51518 4.093 55.611 52562 Net receipts / (payments) Investrnent sal Investment purchoses Cash funds last year end Cash funds transFer this perKid end Cash funds this year end 110.688) 5.507 (5.181) 8.586 75,326 2.402 67,040 2,402 (2,4021 5507 77.728 69,742 72547 77,728 Cash funds HSBC Currwt bonk account Virgin Money savings account CAF Current bank account CAF Savings account Provisions float 20.738 32.137 1.332 18,240 100 72.547 4,088 32.000 838 40102 100 77,728
Samaritans of Harrogate and District STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Unrestricted | Restricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash funds | Notes | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | ||
| HSBC Current bank account | 15,231 | 5,507 | |
| CAF Current bank account | 1,332 | - | |
| Short term bank deposits | 50,377 | - | |
| Provisions float | 100 | - | |
| 67,040 | 5,507 | ||
| Investment assets | 8 | Cost | Current value |
| £ | £ | ||
| Blackrock Charities UK Bond Fund | 17,423 | 14,568 | |
| M & G Equities Investment Fund for charities (Charifund) | 11,850 | 22,565 | |
| 29,273 | 37,133 | ||
| Assets retained forthe Charity’s own use | 9 | Current value | |
| £ | |||
| Premises at 5 Mount Parade, Harrogate | 10 | 175,000 | |
| 175,000 | |||
| Liabilities | Unrestricted | Restricted | |
| funds | funds | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Independent Examiner's fee 2024 | 500 | - | |
| Contribution to Samaritans Central Charity 2024 — subject to agreement | 11 | 4,000 | - |
| 4,500 | - |
Approved by the Trustees on 26 June 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Rosemary Evans, Branch Treasurer
The notes on the following pages form part of these financial statements
Samaritans of Harrogate and District NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE12 MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2024 1 General Information and Accounting Policies The Charity is a Charitable IncorpK)rated OrganitIOn registered with the Charities Commission for England and Wales and is governed by the Charities Act 2011. Basis of preparation The statement of accounts has LEen prewred on a receipts and wyments and in accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act 2011, the Statement of Recommended Practi and Accounting by Charities (SORP 2005) and the Charity's governing dooJment. Going concern The Trustees have a rea)nae expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. They continue to believe that the going concern Eosis of accounting is appropriate in prerIng the annual financial statement& Fund accounting policy Unrestricted income funds are generol funds thot ore ovailable for use at the Trusteeg discretion in furtheronce of the objectives of the Chority. Restricted funds are those donoted for use in o porticulor area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. Receipts Voluntary income, including donations, legacies and grants, that provide core funding or are of a general nature are recognised on reIPt. Investment income is reccgnised on receipt. Payments Liabilities are stated as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committi ng the Charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on a wyment trx]&s and has en classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Charitae expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Cho rity in the delivery of its octivities and *rVi5 for its LEnef iciorie& It includes both costs that con be ollocated di rectly to such activities ond th costs of an indirect noture ne&sarY to support them. Govemance costs Governance costs include costs of the weForation and examination of the statutory accounts, the costs of Trustee meeti ngs and the cost of any legal advice to Trustees on governance or constitutional matter& Support costs Support costs are those costs incurred in connection with the ntrol and administration function of the Charity and are ollocated to charitoble functions on a prowrtionate basis to the direct cost&
Samaritans of Harrogate and District NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE12 MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2024 Thls year 20Z3124 Previovs year 2022123 Total un$tcted Restricted fvnds funds Total Notes 2 Donations Organisation donations Individual donations Trust donations 7374 14.886 7.374 14.886 72,499 9,855 22.260 22.260 22554 Grants HMPPS Listener Scheme Gront Grants 4,179 7500 11.679 4,179 17.100 21.279 2,749 23,000 25,749 9.600 9.600 3 Direct charitable expenses Volunteer training and SUFlYXt costs Volunteer travel expenses Advertising and putJicity Directors, expenses Share of wemises overheads 178 178 247 6,423 3,224 48 6,471 4,956 6,406 770 48 1,732 24.609 1387 25.996 32.827 34.441 3,167 37.608 40232 4 Fundraising expenses Fundraising expenses Share of wemises overheods 2534 513 2.534 542 2,734 684 29 3.047 29 3.076 2,818 5 Management and admin costs Postage. printing and rtationery Contribution to Samaritans Central Charity Voluntary donation to Samoritans Regionol Charity Sundry expenses Share of wemises overheads 1.837 5.866 2,000 1,992 513 798 2.635 5.866 2,000 2,062 542 2022 2280 70 29 7037 684 12.208 897 13.105 7.623 6 Governance costs Independent examiner's fee AGM18ranch meeting costs Legol fees 1.020 802 1.020 802 960 928 1.822 1.822 7088
Samaritans of Harrogate and District NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE12 MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2024 This year 2023124 Previous year 2022123 Total Unrestricted Restricted fvnds funds Total 7 Premises overheads Water, light and heot Repairs and renewals Cleoning and houkeeping Equipment purchoses Telephones Insurance Business rates 4,489 11,831 2,8 970 4,489 11,831 2,877 2,415 2,010 1,573 1,885 3,874 72,657 3,026 9,390 7,923 7,548 7,783 1,445 2,010 1573 1.885 25,635 1,445 27,080 34,195 Allocated to: Direct charitable expenditure Fundraisi ng & Publicity Management & administration 96 24,609 513 1387 29 25,996 542 32,827 684 684 513 29 542 25,635 1,445 27,080 34,195 8 Investments Quarterly valuations are received and as at 31 March 2024 there wa5 an overall gain of £7,860. The historic cost of these investments was £29,273 and quarterly income is received. 9 Fixtures. Fittings and Equipment The Chority has u of various sundry items of furniture ond office equipment purchased over the yeors. The cost and market value of these sundry assets are negligible to the Charity. 10 Premises The Charity's freehold premises at 5 Mount Parade, Harrote were last valued informally on an open market thsis by Mr S. G. Archer, BSC, FRICS. of Verity Frearn Ltd on 12 OCtor 2017. 11 Contribution to Samaritans Central Charity The branch is required to make a contriFJJtion toward the cost of administrative eXnSeS to Samaritans Central Charity. This contritrxjtion is EIsed on 4% of income FuS a IrCentage of reserves on a sliding scole. The contribution for the yeor to 31 Morch 2024 is estimated at £4,000, subject to agreement, and will wid during the year to 31 March 2025. 12 Trustees, Remuneration and Expenses None of the Trustees were directly or i ndirectly remunerated during the year. £3,959 extknses were wid to 6 Trustees (£1.160 fundraising: £1.070 travel.. £884 premise&. £845 administration). 13 Staff Costs The Chority does not hove any poid stoff.
We're here to listen Call day or nlght on 116 123 Emall jo@samaritan&org sarrKxritan&ory/harrogate Vlslt us 5 Mount Parade Harrogate HG11BX SAMARITANS