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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 Organi￿tIOn 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￿)na￿e 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 pre￿rIng 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 re￿IPt. 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. Charita￿e expenditure comprises those costs incurred by
the Cho rity in the delivery of its octivities and *rVi￿5 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￿$t￿cted 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 hou*keeping
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, Harro￿te were last valued informally on an open
market thsis by Mr S. G. Archer, BSC, FRICS. of Verity Frear￿n Ltd on 12 OCto￿r 2017.
11 Contribution to Samaritans Central Charity
The branch is required to make a contriFJJtion toward the cost of administrative eX￿nSeS to
Samaritans Central Charity. This contritrxjtion is E￿Ised on 4% of income F￿uS a I￿rCentage 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