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← Oxford Samaritans

2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1173722

OXFORD SAMARITANS

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

OXFORD SAMARITANS

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees P Hopkins
V Hemming
P Greenall
J Knight
J Human
A Bridges
L Young
J Foster
R Jones (Appointed 25 September 2023)
T Saul (Appointed 25 May 2023)
Charity number 1173722
Independent examiner Richardsons
30 Upper High Street
Thame
Oxfordshire
OX9 3EZ
Solicitors Stanger Stacey and Mason
35 High Street
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX28 6HP

OXFORD SAMARITANS

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees report 1 - 4
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Balance sheet 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 - 14

OXFORD SAMARITANS

TRUSTEES REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)

Objectives and activities

The objectives

  1. To be available 24 hours a day

  2. To provide a public benefit which gives confidential emotional support for people in despair

The activities

  1. To provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide

  2. To advance education by providing society with a better understanding of suicide, suicidal behaviour and the value of expressing feelings that may lead to suicide.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities they should undertake.

OXFORD SAMARITANS

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Achievements and performance

The branch has maintained a high level of service and has been open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, throughout the year to March 2024. We have offered our service via telephone. We continue to receive an increasingly high number of telephone calls and our 24 hour service has meant that we have volunteers on duty throughout the night who are able to respond to callers at a time when their needs are greatest in terms of expressing suicidal thoughts and plans.

To ensure that our large body of volunteers continue to provide a consistent level of support in line with Samaritans’ principles, we have maintained a system of on-going mentoring for every volunteer. All eligible volunteers also participated in mandatory On Going Training, delivered online and at two face-to-face sessions at Oxford Spires Academy.

We have been fortunate to receive a high number of requests from individuals interested in training as Samaritans over the past 12 months and still have more applicants than we can currently train. We interview potential volunteers face-to-face and run face-to-face Samaritans Core Training sessions in our branch and have arranged for a small number of volunteers to be trained, online, by the Central Samaritans’ Training School. Three cohorts of new volunteers have been trained and begun listening with us during the year.

In recognition of the restrictions of the numbers of volunteers we can accommodate in our Oxford branch the Trustees are researching the viability of a satellite branch in the Didcot area sometime in 2025.

Our “Feet on the Street” programme continues to operate. Feet on the Streets is a proactive approach to Samaritans listening where trained volunteers are out meeting people on alternate Fridays, face to face, in the centre of Oxford.

We have also been researching safe ways to reintroduce our face to face service which was temporarily suspended during Covid. We intend to reintroduce it during 2024, with enhanced security measures to ensure the wellbeing of our callers and our volunteers.

Our Outreach Team continues to be engaged in many initiatives in the local community. The team regularly supports a local foodbank and community café. Listening volunteers visited both Oxford and Didcot railway stations as part of the national charity’s “Brew Monday” campaign had good engagement with commuters. Our volunteers also spent a day in the Orchard Shopping Centre in Didcot as part of the “Small Talk Saves Lives” campaign and had many meaningful contacts with the public.

The team is looking forward to engaging in many initiatives over 2024, including establishing a pub team who will visit some of the harder to reach areas of Oxford with a view to starting conversations and making people aware of our service; delivering talks to secondary schools with the area; forging links with our farming communities and taking part in Gay Pride events in Oxford.

We continue to deliver training, talks and support for local businesses, charities, and universities including talks at RAF Brize Norton, men’s health groups, Wis and Thames Valley Police.

We have continued to engage with and respond to local suicide prevention measures and planning via the Oxfordshire Multi Agency Group (MAG) for Suicide Prevention and through the Thames Valley’s Suicide Prevention and Intervention Network (SPIN).

We continue to allow Oxford Nightline to use our Training Room for their weekend training courses and we collaborate with other Samaritan Branches throughout the Southern region to train their or to allow our volunteers to attend the training run by others.

Our team of volunteers continues to train and support Listeners at HMP Bullingdon. There are still limits on activities within the prison because of severe staff shortages. Many men are locked in their cells for most of the day because there aren't enough officers to supervise association periods on the wing and the need for trained Listeners is high.

We are fortunate enough to benefit from the skills of two professional fundraisers who are also listening volunteers and Trustees. We also have skilled Support Volunteers who look after our publicity, Health & Safety and IT support.

OXFORD SAMARITANS

TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Financial review

Reserves policy

The trustees have reviewed the policy and have resolved to keep reserves of unrestricted funds equal to approximately two years expenditure. The balance of unrestricted current net assets of £203,358 (2023: £196,482) is in keeping with that policy once this expenditure has occurred.

Total funds of the charity stood at £882,948 (2023: £876,072) at the year end.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Strategy

During the year, the Trustees and the Branch Management Team collaborated to review the 3-year strategy put in place in 2022. The strategy identified goals aligned with the Charity's mission to provide emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which might lead to suicide. Also included were initiatives to ensure the sustainability of the service, when faced with external pressure; to recruit, support and retain volunteers; to increase outreach activities and to raise awareness of the charity within the communities in which we operate; to seek ways to maintain the quality of volunteers' support to callers and encourage self-awareness and reflective practice; and, to continue to value and encourage two-way communication between Oxford Samaritans' branch and the national charity and other branches within the country. The Trustees were pleased to conclude that the majority of the initiatives had been achieved and were able to set additional goals including the establishment of a satellite branch.

Structure, governance and management

Oxford Samaritans is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Oxford Samaritans is an affiliated branch set up as an individual charity, with governing documents based on templates and with specific agreements with the Central Charity, including the branch rules and operating agreement.

The Branch Leadership Team is comprised of the Branch Trustees (including the Branch Director) and the Deputy Directors. Trustees are elected by members of the Oxford branch at the AGM and hold office for a maximum period of three years.

Prior to selection prospective trustees are seen by the Branch Director who explains an outline of their duties. Once they have been appointed they are formally inducted and introduced to their duties by the Deputy Director for Governance. They then complete a mandatory online training module offered by Samaritans Central Charity.

OXFORD SAMARITANS TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED> FOR TrIE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees 36Ned during the year R Mann P Hopkins V HemmirrfJ P Greenall J Martyn P Foster J Knighl J Human A Br*Yges L Young J Fosler R Jon&s T Saul {ResiJnwJ 31 May 2￿) (Res•Jned 31 Dwnbèr 20Z3) (Resth3n￿ 22 OdLthr2023} (Apwbnled 25 May 2023) V Hernmlng Trustee Dated.. T Saul Truslee

OXFORD SAMARITANS

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF OXFORD SAMARITANS

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Oxford Samaritans (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Rachel Porter Richardsons 30 Upper High Street Thame Oxfordshire OX9 3EZ

Dated: 13 May 2024

OXFORD SAMARITANS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
21,399
8,435
Charitable activities
4
33,345
-
Investments
5
30,067
-
Total income
84,811
8,435
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
16,677
-
Charitable activities
7
61,258
8,435
Total resources expended
77,935
8,435
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
6,876
-
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
876,072
-
Fund balances at 31 March 2024
882,948
-		 Total
2024
£
29,834
33,345
30,067
93,246
16,677
69,693
86,370
6,876
876,072
882,948		 Total
2023
£
30,055
22,627
26,922
79,604
13,798
63,748
77,546
2,058
874,014
876,072

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

OXFORD SAMARITANS BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 Fixed assets Tangible assets Current ass¢ts Debtor5 Cash at bank arnl in harvj 12 679.591 679.590 13 103 224,665 2.771 224.082 224.768 Credltors: amounts tslllng due wlthln on• y•ar 14 121,410) 130.3711 Net current assets 203.358 196.482 Total ass•ts less currant IlabllJllo8 876.072 Income fvnds Unrestrtcted furmts 876,072 882,948 876,072 13 May 2024 The ffinanaal statements wore aptwoved by Ihe Tntslges On ............ V Hemming Trusteo T Saul Trusts•

OXFORD SAMARITANS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Oxford Samaritans is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The principal address is 60 Magdalen Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1RB.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

OXFORD SAMARITANS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs can not be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Freehold land and buildings Depreciation is not charged (see below) Computers 25% straight line basis

The freehold property is included at cost as the fair value cannot be measured reliably without undue cost or effort. Depreciation has not been charged in respect of freehold property. The charity adopts a policy of fully maintaining and repairing its building and as such the residual value is so high, and the expected life so long, that the depreciation charge would not be significant.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

OXFORD SAMARITANS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Donations and gifts
21,322
6,000
Grants
-
2,435
Other
77
-
21,399
8,435		 Total
2024
£
27,322
2,435
77
29,834		 Total
2023
£
25,375
4,458
222
30,055

OXFORD SAMARITANS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4 Charitable activites

5
6		 Collections
Marathon
income
Charitable
Income
Total
2024
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
Other income
436
16,298
16,611
33,345
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Sundry
income
Collections
Marathon
income
Marathon
income
Charitable
Income
£
£
£
£
£
Other income
1,090
2,296
8,990
9,823
428
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
1,090
2,296
8,990
9,823
428
Investments
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Rental income
29,109
Interest receivable
958
30,067
Raising funds
2024
£
Fundraising and publicity
Fundraising
5,798
OutReach
-
Management fees
6,709
Repairs for rental property
4,170
Fundraising and publicity
16,677		 Total
2023
£
22,627
Total
2023
£
22,627
22,627
Total
2023
£
26,922
-
26,922
2023
£
3,401
623
3,876
5,898
13,798

OXFORD SAMARITANS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6 Raising funds

(Continued)

7 Charitable activities

Telephone
Volunteer & officers' expenses
Share of support costs (see note 8)
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Support costs
Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
Training and conferences
7,516
-
Rates
3,090
-
Heat and light
3,887
-
Equipment costs
3,432
-
Housekeeping
6,013
-
Printing and stationery
113
-
Insurance
1,946
-
Maintenance of premises
10,084
-
Bank charges
-
94
Levy to/(from) Samaritans
-
18,346
Professional fees
-
5,045
36,081
23,485
Analysed between
Charitable activities
36,081
23,485		 2024
£
3,456
6,671
10,127
36,081
23,485
69,693
61,258
8,435
69,693
2024
£
7,516
3,090
3,887
3,432
6,013
113
1,946
10,084
94
18,346
5,045
59,566
59,566		 2023
£
2,831
3,625
6,456
26,820
30,472
63,748
59,290
4,458
63,748
2023
£
6,821
1,750
3,444
3,216
6,474
311
1,886
2,918
84
27,833
2,555
57,292
57,292

8 Support costs

Governance costs includes payments to the Independent Examiner of £2,760 (2023: £2,520) for fees.

OXFORD SAMARITANS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. No trustee received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

Trustees' expenses

No trustees (2023: None) were reimbursed for expenses during the year.

10 Employees

There were no employees during the year (2023: nil). The average number of volunteers during the year was estimated to be:

2024 2023
Number Number
165 170

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

11 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

12 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Freehold land
and buildings
Computers
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
679,590
3,262
At 31 March 2024
679,590
3,262
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
-
3,262
At 31 March 2024
-
3,262
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
679,590
-
At 31 March 2023
679,590
-		 Total
£
682,852
682,852
3,262
3,262
679,590
679,590

OXFORD SAMARITANS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

13 Debtors

Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2024
£
103
-
103
2024
£
1,117
17,533
2,760
21,410		 2023
£
-
2,771
2,771
2023
£
861
26,990
2,520
30,371

14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

15 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 April Incoming Resources At 31 March
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £
General funds 876,072 84,811 (77,935) 882,948
Previous year: At 1 April Incoming Resources At 31 March
2022 resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £
General funds 874,014 75,146 (73,088) 876,072

16 Related party transactions

Oxford Samaritans is an affiliated branch of Samaritans.

Included in other creditors is a Branch Affiliation Fee of £17,533 (2023: £26,990) due to be paid to Samaritans.