2025-03-31-accounts - Herts And Essex (Ware) Samaritans

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HERTS AND ESSEX (WARE) SAMARITANS TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025 BRANCH ACTIVITIES AND FINANCE REPORT

Herts and Essex (Ware) Samaritans is an independent charity affiliated with Samaritans, a National organization whose vision is that no one dies by suicide. Our mission is to make sure there’s someone there for anyone who needs someone, to give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others, and to campaign to make suicide prevention a national and local priority.

Our branch is based in Ware, in Hertfordshire and as well as assisting with the National helpline on the phone and via chatlines, we also reach out to our local communities in East Hertfordshire and West Essex. As a small charity we have regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and consider that our activities are for the public benefit.

We are entirely voluntarily funded by a mixture of donations, legacies, grants, and fundraising activities.

FINANCE REPORT

Our income for 2024/25 was £120,017, from donations, legacies, investment income, charitable activities and grant income. We are grateful to all donees for their essential financial support. We remain grateful to Herts County Council for their continued support who awarded us a grant of £10,000. We received an extremely generous donation of £65,000 from another charity that has supported us in the past, the Michael Game charity.

We wish to thank all our volunteer fundraisers for their ongoing commitment and efforts, especially the Friends of Ware Samaritans, led by Joyce and Brian (recently deceased) and the 300 Club managed by Vivien which ensure we can continue to raise much needed funds for the branch. Together they were responsible for raising over £19,000 for the branch which is over 32% of our regular operating costs.

Our operating costs for the year were £99,133, which included additional donations to SCO, the Regional teams and two regional branches totalling £40,000. We also spent funds on redecorating the exterior of the branch.

We paid a Branch Contribution to Samaritans Central Office during the year of £16,464 as an affiliated branch as stated in note c to the Accounts. This was based on a formula related to our income, expenses, and reserves for 2023/24.

The Net surplus for the year on the General Fund was £20,884. The General fund also benefited from a transfer from designated funds of £7,020 and an increase in the value of our investments of £2,388. The net surplus across all funds was £23,272.

We have a part time administrative assistant to assist our Directors and Branch Secretary and also have a cleaner to keep our property up to the standard that our volunteers deserve. Apart from this we have no paid staff and are very grateful to our volunteers for their time freely given. It has been estimated that the employment cost of our volunteers would exceed £980,000.

As at 31 March 2025, we hold cash reserves of £64,175 to cover future short-term commitments. £60,040 of these funds are held in bank deposit accounts generating investment income.

Our investments are managed by Sarasin and Partners Investment Managers in a Sarasin’s Endowment Fund. The funds at 31 March 2025 had a market value of £160,159 (2024 £187,869) due in the main to a withdrawal of £20,000 to fund a contribution to SCO. This fund meets the key objectives of our investment policy.

The trustees regularly monitor the level of reserves to ensure that in this current economic climate, we have sufficient funds to continue if income levels were to fall, but also to consider future investments in our branch and our services.

GOVERNANCE AND TRUSTEES

Herts and Essex (Ware) Samaritans is registered with the Charity Commission under registered number 1173717, and its registered office is at 1 Cross Street, Ware, SG12 7AH and is governed by its Constitution alongside a Branch Agreement with Samaritans Central Office.

The Branch Directors are appointed trustees of the charity. Other trustees are appointed by the members at the Annual General Meeting and they are appointed until the next Annual General Meeting when they resign. The Branch Secretary and the Treasurer must be trustees appointed by the members.

The charity has a maximum of 13 trustees.

The trustees that were in place in 2024/25 and since that date are as follows:

Branch Director:

Jill Milner

Morisha Christy

Treasurer:

Karen Thomson (appointed 9 November 2024)

Carol Tittensor (resigned 9 November 2024)

Branch Secretary:

Zoe North (appointed 12 May 2025)

Ian Slater (resigned as Branch secretary 16 May 2024, remaining as a trustee)

Other trustees:

Jenny Barnes (resigned 9 November 2024)

Guya Persaud

Mike Tarpey (resigned 18 July 2024)

Amanda Weedon (appointed 16 May 2024)

Jodie Wheatley (resigned 9 November 2024) Nayan Chauhan (appointed 9 November 2024) Richard Lane (appointed 9 November 2024)

Ayesha Camp (appointed 9 November 2024)

Michael Houlihan (appointed 9 November 2024)

INVESTMENT POLICY

The key objectives of our investment policy are as follows: 'To achieve long-term capital and income growth and to provide sufficient income to support today’s beneficiaries whilst still seeking ‘real’ growth in capital to meet the future needs of the charity.'

This is achieved with a broadly diversified global portfolio covering the world’s principal stock, bond and currency markets, together with investments in “alternative” assets such as property and hedge funds. As at 31 March 2025, the asset allocation was Fixed Income 9.7%, Equities 68.2%, Property 3.8% and other 18.3% including liquid assets. The geographic allocation is 24.2% UK, 49.5% North America, Europe 12.4% and 13.9% being the Rest of the World.

The Trustees review this investment policy annually and to ensure that it remains fit for purpose by reviewing the quarterly reports of our Investment Managers, attending their annual Spring Seminar and the annual Autumn Review of the fund to gain insight into their market perspectives and seeking additional advice if required.

AUDITOR

The Accounts were independently examined by Sylvia Jenkins. The Examiners report to the Trustees, dated 9 June 2025, is available from the Secretary.

A resolution for the reappointment of Sylvia Jenkins will be proposed at the next Annual General Meeting. We are very grateful for Sylvia’s continued support.

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustee on 18 June 2025

Jill Milner Chair

Morisha Christy Co Branch Director

THE SAMARITANS, HERTS AND ESSEX (WARE) BRANCH INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on the two pages attached hereto. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) dueb not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of the procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissions under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of the independent examiner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the account, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning dlly buch mattels. The prOdureS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1. which gives reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act, and to prepare aGGuuiilb wkiich accord with the aGcounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met, or 2. to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Sylvia A Jenkins, Mimram House Tewin Water Welwyn HERTS AL6 OAB 9 June 2025

HERTS ESSEX (WARE) SAMARITANS Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st March 2025

Note £ FIXED ASSETS (at Cost) Freehold Property - 1 Cross Street, Ware 270,529 Capitalised Development Costs 258,269 528,798 Van 10,000 Less: Depreciation at 20% (2,000) 8,000 INVESTMENTS (Market Value) Sarasin & Partners CIF for Endowments b/f 187,869 Dividends and interest received 4,902 Gain in Year 2,388 (Withdrawals) in Year (35,000) 160,159 CURRENT ASSETS Bank Balances Lloyds Bank plc - Current Account 2,957 Lloyds Bank deposit account 60,040 Barclays - Friends account 858 Barclays - 300 Club account 320 Petty Cash 0 64,175 TOTAL NET ASSETS 761,132 THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY: THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY: Restricted funds (after expenses) e 5,387 Designated Reserves Freehold Property on acquisition - 1 Cross St 270,529 Development cost to date 258,269 Total Fixed Asset reserve 528,798 Major Property maintenance Fund e 48,975 General Fund 177,972 Total unrestricted funds e 755,745 TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 761,132 2025	£ 270,529 258,269 2024
	528,798 10,000 0 10,000 178,675 5,322 13,872 (10,000) 187,869 10,147 0 1,000 46 0 11,193 737,860 12,407 270,529 258,269 528,798 48,975 147,680 725,453 737,860

Note
£
FIXED ASSETS (at Cost)
Freehold Property - 1 Cross Street, Ware
270,529
Capitalised Development Costs
258,269
528,798
Van
10,000
Less: Depreciation at 20%
(2,000)
8,000
INVESTMENTS (Market Value)
Sarasin & Partners CIF for Endowments b/f
187,869
Dividends and interest received
4,902
Gain in Year
2,388
(Withdrawals) in Year
(35,000)
160,159
CURRENT ASSETS
Bank Balances
Lloyds Bank plc - Current Account
2,957
Lloyds Bank deposit account
60,040
Barclays - Friends account
858
Barclays - 300 Club account
320
Petty Cash
0
64,175
TOTAL NET ASSETS
761,132
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY:
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY:
Restricted funds (after expenses) e
5,387
Designated Reserves
Freehold Property on acquisition - 1 Cross St
270,529
Development cost to date
258,269
Total Fixed Asset reserve
528,798
Major Property maintenance Fund e
48,975
General Fund
177,972
Total unrestricted funds e
755,745
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS
761,132
2025

£
270,529
258,269
2024

528,798
10,000
0
10,000
178,675
5,322
13,872
(10,000)
187,869
10,147
0
1,000
46
0
11,193
737,860
12,407
270,529
258,269
528,798
48,975
147,680
725,453
737,860

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf:

Morisha Christy…....................................................

Jill Milner…........................................................

HERTS ESSEX (WARE) SAMARITANS Receipts and Payments for the year ending 31st March 2025

Note

RECEIPTS b Donations Legacies Dividends and Interest received Charitable activities: Friends of Samaritans Grants Income Branch events Other trading activities 300 Club TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS b Emergency Telephones Volunteers Training & Support Publicity & Outreach Stationery & Postage Water, Light & Heat Household Expenses Repairs, Renewals & Servicing Equipment Purchase & Hire Office telephone Governance Costs Insurance & Legal Salary costs Van running expenses Depreciation of van d Cross Street maintenance SCO Listening project contribution c Contribution to regional branches c Contribution to SCO c TOTAL PAYMENTS NET INCOME SURPLUS for the Year Gains on Investment assets Transfer between funds MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RESERVE BALANCES at start of Year RESERVE BALANCES at end of Year	General Designated Restricted 2024/25 fund funds funds Total £ £ £ £ 84,544 84,544 1,500 1,500 4,942 4,942 16,857 16,857 10,000 10,000 0 0 2,174 2,174 120,017 0 0 120,017 0 0 6,626 6,626 677 677 798 798 3,864 3,864 2,888 2,888 5,222 5,222 5,474 5,474 0 0 848 848 1,198 1,198 10,806 10,806 1,358 1,358 2,000 2,000 910 910 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 16,464 16,464 99,133 0 0 99,133 20,884 20,884 2,388 2,388 7,020 (7,020) 30,292 (7,020) 23,272 147,680 577,773 12,407 737,860 177,972 577,773 5,387 761,132	2023/24 Total £ 18,190 7,520 5,522 9,671 15,500 0 1,904
		58,307
		175 4,777 2,543 1,208 4,319 3,112 4,274 3,074 694 1,079 1,135 9,360 1,120 0 12,361 0 0 7,589
		56,819
		1,488 13,872 0
		15,360 722,500
		737,860

HERTS AND ESSEX (WARE) SAMARITANS

Notes to the Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025

a) Accounting policies - the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies set out in the notes below and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and follow the guidelines issued by the Charities Commission in 2016 (Charity reporting and accounting CC15d). The charity is not required to prepare accruals accounts, so the Trustee’s have chosen to prepare receipts and payments accounts.
b) Receipts and Payments – summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. The closing cash balance is the cash balance plus any money received before the end of the year but only banked in the following year less any cheques written before the end of the year but not cleared through the bank until the following year.
c) The Contribution to SCO is utilised towards ongoing running costs of the service provided such as phone lines and IT connectivity and support, training materials, ongoing compliance and monitoring, research and influence.

In addition the Trustees approved a voluntary contribution to SCO to represent our share of the cost of the Listening Centre project which saw the digitalisation of all phone lines and change in the platform through which we take calls. We also made donations to other branches in the East Region and to the Regional budget, all to assist in allowing our service to develop and to support Samaritans Vision that fewer people die by suicide.

Payment for our Contribution to SCO for 2024-25 will be made after the year end and is not included in the accounts.

d) Depreciation has been provided on the van cost on a straight line basis over 5 years.
e) Fund accounting

Restricted funds represent restricted donations and grants, after deducting expenditure attributable thereto.

Unrestricted funds are spent or applied at the discretion of the Trustees to further the charity’s objectives.

The Major Property Maintenance Fund represents the balance of a a very generous donation from a private donor which will enable us to fund the ongoing improvements and maintenance of our property in future years.