SAMARITANS OF PRESTON AND DISTRICT
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The Charity's objectives and aims are:
To enable persons in Preston and the surrounding area as well as elsewhere who are
experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of
suicide, to receive confidential emotÉonal support at any time of the day or night in
order to improve their emotional health and to reduce the incidence of suicide.
To promote a better understanding in society of suicide, suicidal behaviour and the
value of expressing feelings which may otherwise lead to suicide or impaired
emotional health. and
To collaborate with and support Samaritans Central Charity and its affiliated branches
in fulfilling these Objects.
How our work delivers our aims
In common with all the other branches of Samaritans, we provide services to support people
who require emotional support, including those who are in distress, despair and who may be
suicidal. We do this by assisting to provide a 24-hour service of confidential, non-
judgemental emotional support by telephone and face to face. Within the next 12 months we
are looking to expand our services to include email and online messaging
We run an established Listener scheme at HMP Preston to help provide emotional support for
those in the prison community. Currently we have 18 Listeners covering all wings of the
prison and a further 18 in training. We have a strong working relationship with the prison
community and our work is greatly appreciated by Safer Custody.
Our Outreach team continues to look for ways of providing or improving access to emotional
support and to ieduce suicide within our local community and groups of high risk. During the
financial year we attended 37 events, in addition to a weekly tern] time (Irop in as part of our
partnership with the University of Central Lancashire.
Over that period we reached thousands of people, through awareness raising on the railway
stations as part of our participation in the Network Rail partnership (including promoting the
Small Talk Saves Lives and Brew Monday campaigns), at supermarkets, Jobcentres, World
Suicide Prevention Day at Preston bus ststion and Preston Pride on the Flag Market to name
a few. We are in contsct with our local suicide prevention groups, and work with Preston
Wellfest to raise public awareness of health and wellbeing issues and the support available to
individuals, groups, and communities in Preston.
We gave talks to promote our services to at risk groups highlighting the work that we do and
how we can help those who need our support but may not be aware of it, and engaged with
education establishments providing presentstions on managing emotional health, the value of
talking and listening and gaining support.
During the financial year we had, on average, 95 volunteers including 7 support volunteers.
Our 74 active listening volunteers ("ALV") provided 5,51 I hours of direct telephone support,
which equates to 17 hours and I I minutes on the phone per ALV. The national average is 12
hours 38 minutes.

In January 2020 Samaritans made filling the night hour shifts a national priority, as that is,
when callers can wait over 30 mins to speak to someone and they are often those in the most
desperate need. We have achkeved a significant increase in covering night minutes (2am - 6am)
from 57 minutes in January 2022 to 2 hours 31 minutes in January 2024 per ALV. This is
more than double our regional target of 70 minutes and more than double the national average
a fantastic achievement by both our listening volunteers and the directorate members
responsible for volunteer support. Our hours on the phone, per ALV, in The Twilight period
(lopm - 2am) are now 4 hours 31 mins compared to the national average of 2 hours 29
minutes.
This is in addition to the other services provided by the Branch, for example, training and
supporting the Listener scheme and our extensive Outreach programme. Volwiteers also
freely gave their time in a number of different administrative and management roles to
support the Branch. Our recruitment team is proactive and we have regular information
evenings and an active training and mentoring programme. We had l O trainee volunteers at
the year end.
We are pleased to report that the effort of our volunteers during the year exceeded the support
we were able to provide in the previous year, despite the Branch being closed for 5 weeks
during the relocation. In the future our new premises will enable us to increase our reach and
host meetings for other charities offering additional support to our local community.
Governance of the Braneh
The work of Samaritans as a federated charity involves the Central Charity and the affiliated
CIO branches working closely together to achieve common aims and objectives. The
framework for ensuring this is via the constitutions of the Central Charity and affiliated
branches and also via a branch agreement and operating agreement which define how all
parts of the federated charity work together.
The trustees of the Branch are elected, by the branch members, on an annual basis with the
exception of the Director who is elected a trustee for their three year tenn in office. Trustees
can serve up to a maximum of six years. Trustees may also be co-opted by the elected
Trustees to perfornl specific tasks as required. Trustees continue to oversee all aspects of
governance including financial oversigh¢ maintaining a Risk and Opportunity Register,
ensuring compliance with Data Protection and Health and Safety law. Working as members
of the Branch Leadership Team, but also in their own right, the Trnstees set the expectations
of the Branch in line with the constitution and the branch and operating agreements with the
Central Charity.
As well as working within the federated charity of Samaritans, the Branch is responsible for
its own fmances.
Significant activities
The Branch relocated in March 2024 disposing of St Wilfrid Street and acquiring No 9
Navigation Business Village. This completed a long search to find the Branch a new home
that offers more flexible accommodation in tenns of accessibility; training and meeting room
facilities" car parking and scope for future developments. The disposal and acquisition took
place in March 2024 resulting in a five week closure of the Branch whilst works were
completed. Outreach and Listener activities were maintained during the closure but the
telephone helpline service was temporarily paused.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing doeument
The charity is an incorporated organisation and the governing document is the constitution
dated 7 July 2017.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number
1173718
Principal address
9 Navigation Business Village
Navigation Way
Ashton on Ribble
Preston
PR2 2YP
Trustees
Sarah Jackson - Director
Martin Callagher- Deputy Director
Rebecca Wenham - seC￿tary
Michael Bowerman - Marketing & Publicity Manager
Lesley Dunn - Treasurer
Michael Morgan
appointed November 2021
appointed November 2021
appointed November 2021
appointed December 2022
appointed November 2023
appointed November 2023
Independent Examiner
M E Davenport
2 Nateby Court
Nateby
Preston PR3 OJF
Bankers
The Co-operative Bank
147 Church St,
Preston,
PRI 3UD
HSBC Bank
49A Fishergate,
Preston,
PRI 8BH

The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees. Report.
Siglled on behalf of the Charity's Trustees:
Signature... SarahJackson........................................................
FullName... SarahHelenJackson............................
Position...... BranchDirector................................
Date..
24July2024............................................................

Samaritans of Preston & District
Registered Charity No. 1173718
Financial Report
Year Ended 31st March 2024

Contents
Page
Financial Report
Independent Examinerfs Report
ststement of Financlal Activltles
Balan￿ Sheet
Notesforming partof the Flnanclal Statements

Financlal report for the year
Premises at St Wilfrid Street presented significant sustainabilty and accessibility issues: step free
access wasvia a backentrance through the accessible toilet; the backentrance was off a rearalleyway;
the accessible toilet had an entran￿ door into it; stairs to the first floor were very steep and
narrow. In addition, there were parkingproblemsand resultlngpersonalsafetycon￿rn5,part1cu1ar
duringthe night, and the space was limited overall and in termsof layout. TheTrustees have invested
significant time over the past two years considering the best option for future accommodation to
provide a safe and appropriate environmentwhich allows volunteersto focus on the core charitable
objectives. With this in mind a Branch Refurbishment ReSe￿e0f £l(X),OtX)wa5 designated tofacilitate
improvements to the Branch premises.
The Branch relocated in March 2024 disposing of St Wilfrid Street and acquiring No 9 Navigation
Business Village. This completed a long search to find the branch a new home that offers more
flexible accommodation in terms of accessibility,. training and meeting room facilities; car parking
and scopeforfuture developments. The disposal and acquisition took place in March 2024 resulting
in a temporary closure of the branch whilst works were completed. The statutory accounts reflect
the transaction costs, but the costs of redevelopment and adaptatlons occurred at the start of the
new financial year and the provisions/restricted funds in respect of these works are included on the
balance sheet as at 31 March 2024.
Funds in the year were re￿iVed by way of private donations from individuals and grants. The shop
ased to trade in September 2022 as it no longer made a financial contribution.
The principal source of income in the yearwas a sum of £50,IJJ) received from the TJH Foundation
who, togetherwith Mr TrevorHemmings, have been very generous to the charity over a number of
years. This donation was speciflcally in relation to the redevelopment and adaptation of the new
premises and is shown as a restricted fund. A number of smaller donations were also gratefully
received in the year.
The financial resultsof the Samaritans of Preston & District forthe yearto 31 March 2024 are setout
in the financial report. Whilst the accounts show net incoming funds of £70,953 for the year ending
31 March 2024, this is after a profit on disposal of the former premises of £74,674. The underlying
deficit is £3,721 and this is before the contribution to central office of £2,950 paid post yearend.
The shop deficit in respect of the year ended 31 March 2023 will be offset by a reclaim in respect of
statutory maternity pay accounted for on a receipts basis and due in the currentfinancial year.
ReseNes Pollcy and Future Plans
The Branch seeksto maintain a minimum liquid reSe￿e of 12 months running Costs. Available liquid
reseNes (that is, excluding the value of the building at 9 Navigation Business Village, Preston
£150,(XX), £74,674 set aside for refurbishment and adaptations and the restricted fund of £50,(KK))
stood at É80,014 at theyear-end and is, in the opinion of the trustees, sufficientto meetthis reSer*￿S
policy.

Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of the Preston and District Branch of the
Samaritsns
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31" March 2024, which are set out on the
following pages.
Respective responslbllltles of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees
considerthat an audit is notrequired forthis yearundersection 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the
2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the general Dirertions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14415)Ib} of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent examinees report
My examination was carried out in accordan￿ with the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any
unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees
concerningany such matters.The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence thatwould
be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whetherthe accounts present a
'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examlnerfs statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(i)
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130of the 2011 Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the
accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
(2)
which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding
of the accounts to be reached.
M E Davenport
2 Nateby Court
Nateby
Preston PR3 OJF
Signed: rYA)
Date:

ststement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31 March 2024
Unrestrirted Restrlcted Total 23124 Totsl 22123
Funds
Funds
Nots
Incoming resources
Incomlng resourcesfmm genen7tedfunds.'
Voluntary income - donations and grants
Funds arlsing from charitable activities
Profit on disposal of fixed assets
11,811
50,(MJ)
61,811
37,182
6,686
74,674
74,674
Total Incoming Resources
86,485
50,(￿>
136,485
43,868
Resources expended
Costs of genemtingfunds..
Charitable activities
Governance costs
{15,432)
{l(K))
{ 15,432)
(100)
(36,805)
{33,161)
Total Resources Expended
115,5321
(15,532)
(69,966)
Net Incomlng /{outgoingl resources
70,953
50,CrfX)
120,953
{26,098}
Reconclliation of funds
Balance brought forward at I" April 2023
233,735
233,735
259,833
Balance carried forward at I" April 2024
304,688
so,(￿)
354,688
233,735
The notes pages following form part of these financial statements.

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024
202312024
2022/2023
Note
Fixed Assets
Property at valuation
150,(KK)
50,tKxJ
Current Assets
Cash at bank
Debtors
204,368
320
204,688
184,147
184,147
Less current liabilities
(412)
Net current assets
204,688
183,735
Net assets
354,688
233,735
Represented by:
General Funds
Designated Funds
Fixed Assets
Branch Relocation/Refurbishment
80,014
83,735
150,(Kt)
50,tK)O
Total Unrestricted Funds
304,688
233,735
Restricted Funds
Total Funds
354688
233,735
On Behalf of the Trustees
Sign
Sign
Print Name.m.(WL.i.i.. ... ...
Print Name........
Approved by the Trustees on ....................
{Date)

Notes forming part of the flnanclal statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
Accounting pollcles
Basis of Accounting
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of The Statement of
Recommended Practice- Accounting by Charities {"the 2005 SORP").
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the historical c05t convention as
modlfied by the revaluation of the Property.
The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No. I from
the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it qualifies as a small
charity.
Fund accountlng pollcy
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees,
discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Within unrestricted funds the
Trustees have designated amounts comprising the investment in the property and funds for
further redevelopment and adaptations.
Restricted income funds can only be used for the specified purposes.
Incomlng resources
Donations, Legacies and Other Voluntary Income are credited to the Statement of Financial
Activities where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured
with sufficient reliability.
Shop income is recognised as earned (that is, as the related goods or services are provided).
Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the
charity to the expenditure. All expenditure has been classified under headings that aggregate
all costs related to the category.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its
activities and service5 for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly
to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs
Governance costs include costs of the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts,
and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. In
addition to the branch levy payable to Central Office.
Value Added Tox
Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the charity, and as such 15 included in the relevant costs
in the Statement of Financial Activities.

2 Proflt on dlsposal of fixed assets
The property at St Wilfrid Street was disposed of during the year generating a net profit of £74,674
after disposal costs of £5,326. The funds generated were used towards the purchase No 9
Navigation Business Village offering more suitable and accessible accommodation.
Total Resources Expended
Charitable Governance
Activities
Costs
Costs 23/24
23124
Total
23/24
Total
22/23
Staff Costs
5,751
Training and associated venue hire
382
382
3,548
Rent & rates
385
385
4,272
Light and heat
1,318
1,318
6,910
Insurance
1,242
1,242
1,397
Repairs and renewals
374
374
571
Telephone
1,823
1,823
2,560
Printing, stationery and postage
440
440
479
Acquisition costs
2,754
2,754
Miscellaneous and general expenses
6,632
6,632
11,228
Bank & other charBe5
82
82
89
Accountancy charges
100
loo
109
Branch contribution
33,052
15,432
100
15,532
69,966
4 The charity employed a part time shop manager for part of the previous year until the closure of the shop
in September 2022.
5 None of the trustees received any emoluments during the year.
6 Governance includes the contribution to Central Office and the costs for the Independent Examinerfs review.
7 The costs of disposal and the additional investment in the new premises were offset against the designated fund.
8 Restricted income includes the donation from the TJH Foundation for the redevelopment and adaptation of the
new premises.