2021-03-31-accounts - Durham Samaritans

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Registered Charity Number 1173976

DURHAM SAMARITANS

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021

DURHAM SAMARITANS

The trustees present their annual report and financial statement for the year ending 31 March 2021 and confirm that they have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting for Charities

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity name Durham Samaritans, previously The Samaritans of Central Durham Charity Registration 1173976 Principal office The Samaritans, 26 Sutton Street, Durham DH1 4BW Trustees The trustees during the year were: Linda Aldridge Susan Brady Lynn Christine Brooks to 2 August 2021 Mary Gardner Lynn Haley to 3 September 2021 Matthew Paul Johnson Glynis Margaret Peacock from 30 August 2021 Christopher David Rae Michael Ian Rayner Nicola Sian Sawicki to 11 November 2021 Jean Stores Amanda Louise Winter

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Durham Samaritans, hereafter called The Charity, is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“CIO”) which was registered on 27 July 2017 with the Charities Commission of England and Wales. The Constitution of Durham Samaritans, last amended on 27 November 2018, covers the Objects of the CIO, its governance and all aspects of its operation. Following the establishment of the CIO, Durham Samaritans is now recognised as a legal entity with the right to enter into contracts and agreements giving its Trustees the same protection as directors of a limited liability company.

Organisational structure

The trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the Charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits. The trustees meet monthly and are responsible for all decisions taken in relation to running the Charity.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the Charity comprise

the Branch Director
the elected trustees, being a trustee elected by the members with the role of secretary and a trustee elected by the members with the role of treasurer (or one trustee elected by the Members to serve as both secretary and treasurer)
up to eight additional trustees elected by the Members
up to two co-opted trustees appointed in accordance with clause 12.4 of the Constitution

All trustees have the same rights, duties and responsibilities unless otherwise specified in the constitution. All members of the Charity (including the trustees) may make nominations for individuals to stand for election as elected trustees.

OBJECTS

The objects of the Charity are:

To enable persons in Durham 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 emotional 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.

ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Volunteer Care

Rota management has been more difficult with fewer volunteers available because of the Covid pandemic. Some of our volunteers have had Covid, some have had to self-isolate and some were not comfortable entering the branch. Our policy to increase the number of volunteers enabled us to help more telephone callers and continue to cover our listening shifts.

Our face-to-face caller facility was suspended at the start of the Covid pandemic and contact between volunteers in the branch has been limited. We also outsourced our cleaning for a period during 2020 with the intention of keeping our volunteers safe.

We have missed getting together at branch meetings and social events, for example our 2020 Christmas meal had to be cancelled, but we have used Zoom to hold events, especially quizzes, where we could. We also held regular raffles and sold a recipe book as ways of keeping volunteers together during this period of relative isolation.

2021 is the 50th Anniversary of the founding of this branch of the Samaritans and events were held during the year to commemorate this event. Many volunteers took part in personal 50 for 50 event challenges.

We look forward to continuing our return to meetings taking place and more volunteers returning to normal duties. Our 2021 Christmas meal is booked for December and hopefully will prove to be enjoyed by all. We look forward to a new director being appointed who will be able to grow the branch and retain the friendliness for which we are noted.

Recruitment and Training

At the time of writing there are 132 people who want to join our branch and are awaiting an interview. It’s great that so many people want to be part of our organization and we wish we could have interviewed and trained them all during the year.

We embraced Zoom technology and new training materials provided by the Learning and Development team in Samaritans Central Office to undertake a programme of Core Development and Embedding training to ensure the Branch would have a steady supply of new volunteers. Four groups will go through training this year, an increase on previous years. Samaritans Central Office requested that branches increase the numbers of new volunteers to keep pace with the increasing numbers of callers. This Branch is proud to say that we responded.

Samaritans Central Office provided a range of online training courses to expand volunteers’ knowledge and better support callers, including Self Harm, Mental Health, How We Best Support Our Callers; Making Prison Calls Better. Our volunteers met that challenge and diligently worked through this training. Durham Branch also joined the pilot for new Safeguarding training materials; we completed the digital training and provided detailed feedback.

We ran a course to train new leaders but we also included many experienced leaders who offered peer support. Together we refreshed ourselves on safeguarding from a leader standpoint.

Durham Branch also contributed to the Paired Mentor pilot. To increase the number of new volunteers coming in to the branch we tried out a paired mentor scheme whereby one Mentor supported two mentees. We are seeing the results of that trial now with that group moving from Observer status to Probationer status.

Prisons

After the pandemic year we are returning to normal in ‘our’ two prisons. During 2020 we supported our Listeners with conference calls but in May 2021 we were allowed back into both Low Newton and Durham to resume face to face support meetings. However, the number of Listeners at each prison had reduced to only two Listeners which was just enough not to cover the needs of the prisons.

At Low Newton new listeners were quickly cleared and trained. We now have four new listeners there and it has been great to see how well they’ve quickly taken to the role and receive positive feedback about the work they’ve done. Following the same process at Durham we now have fourteen listeners there.

2021 is the Listeners 30th Anniversary and Samaritans have a video to promote the scheme. There are five people on the video and we are really happy to say that two of them are a volunteer from this branch and a former Listener who we trained and supported.

Fundraising and Events

The Covid pandemic caused the cancellation of our normal programme of fundraising events and street collections in 2020. Despite restrictions many volunteers took part in the Samarathon, which allowed them to seek sponsorship for individual challenges both indoors and outside. This branch raised over £6000 through Samarathon.

We formed a bid writing team of volunteers to make use of their experience and abilities. Two successes were achieved almost at once with grants totalling £6000 being received from the County Durham Community Fund and the City of Durham Parish Council. These funds financed the repair and redecoration work undertaken within the building, to purchase new IT and items of furniture and equipment to support our volunteers.

Our increased costs and reduced income during 2020/21 were covered by support grants through Durham County Council totalling almost £17000.

We are very grateful for support from the Shakespeare Temperance Trust, the W A Handley Charity Trust and from our many donors and supporters during the year.

External events recommenced on 2 August 2021 with our annual Golf Day at Durham City Golf Club. Apart from the £3700 this event raised, this was an opportunity for volunteers to meet together for the first time and raises the awareness of Samaritans among a wider group of people.

Our collections resumed at the Sarah Millican show at the Gala Theatre on 3 September 2021, when £620 was collected.

We are now getting back out into the community and had a productive day at Durham Railway station promoting Samaritans on World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September

Four branches in the Northeast shared the cost of a campaign to display awareness posters on buses.in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham during summer 2021.

Building, Health and Safety

Despite restrictions due to the Covid pandemic all our building compliance checks were completed in 2020/21 and 2021/22 - PAT testing, new smoke detectors installed across the whole branch and test undertaken, emergency light repairs, fire equipment servicing, stairlift inspection and service, boiler service.

In June 2020 the non-compliant access ramp at the rear of the building was removed and the rear gate was replaced. In September the damaged yard wall was lowered and repointed as this wall had been reported as being unsafe.

A full uplift programme was completed on the first floor with the landing, operations room, kitchen and toilet being redecorated. The sagging floorboards in the landing, kitchen and toilet were repaired and the floor coverings were replaced.

In April and May 2021 we repaired and redecorated lintels and the timbers around the oriel window on the front external elevation and fitted a new front door handle and letterbox to go with the new digilock fitted the previous summer. The double-glazed kitchen window was also replaced.

In August 2021 the half landing, stairs, hall and basement were redecorated. This work completed a full cycle of internal repair and redecoration in the branch since 2018/19.

Our building condition survey risk assessments will now be reviewed and updated and these will provide the basis of a future programme of work in our branch building.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financially 2020/21 was a successful year with the branch ending in a positive situation. The Charity has to maintain a constant fundraising effort over the year to cover the running costs of its premises and relies on generosity of organisations, groups and individuals.

On the expenditure side the most obvious change was to increase spend on improving the decoration of the branch building. Our payment to the national organisation also increased because this was based on our increased reserves at the end of 2019/20. Other costs have generally reduced through our economy and the effects of the Covid pandemic.

In contrast, income was considerably affected by the Covid pandemic. Activities organised by the Fundraising Team and the Samarathon maintained the flow of funds close to the level of the previous year. Two successful bids submitted by the Bid Writing team were used to support significant improvements in the branch, and our increased costs and reduced income were more than offset by Covid 19 support grants from the County Council.

RESERVES POLICY

The Charity’s Reserve Policy was agreed on 8 September 2020. The Trustees consider it is appropriate to hold reserves of £33000. This can be quantified as £25000 representing eighteen months of basic expenditure plus £8000 contingency held for unbudgeted building, decorating and furniture expenditure.

The Charity cash in the bank at the end of the 2020/21 Financial Year was £70623.

Action is being taken to reduce our reserves through a programme of building repairs and decoration; and investment in equipment that will improve the working environment for our volunteers and which will provide improved service to callers and visitors. It is obvious that the reduction in the size of the Charity’s assets may well take some time to achieve.

THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 2019/20 WILL BE SUBMITTED AS A SEPARATE FILE

THE SAMARITANS OF CENTRAL DURHAM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021

INDEPENDANT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SAMARITANS OF CENTIL4L DURHAM FOR THF. YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021 I report to the Charity trustees on my examination gf th¢ a¢¢ouDts of ihe chaTiiy for the year end¢d 31 March 2021. Responsibilities And b9515 of the report As the charity's trustee5 you are responsible for the preparaiion of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitie5 Act 2011 I'the Act'l. I report in re5pe¢i of my examination of the charity's aecounis carri¢d out under s¢Ction 145 of the Act and in ¢anying out my examination I have followed all the applicable D&re¢iors given by th¢ ChaTity Commission under section 145{5llbl ofthe aet. Independent examlner's sthiement I hav¢ Completed my examination. I confirrn thai no material matters have Come to my aiteniion in connection Hith the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in SpeCt of the charity as required by section 130 ofihe oci., or The accounts do not accord iviih those records.. or the accoun15 do not comply with the llppli¢able rlquireznents concerning the form And content of a¢¢oiints set out in ¢h¢ Charities (Accounts and Reponsl Regulations ?008 other than any requiremeni that the accovnis give A true and fair view which is not a matter Considered as part of an independent examination. I confirm ihal ¢here are no other matters 10 which y.our altejlion should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo reached. Si8ned NameJD olloway FCA ChA Ribcheslers, Chartered Accouiitants Finchale House. Durham DH I ITW Date.. 23 Jul). 2021

THE SAI¥IARIT ANS OF CENTRAL DURHAM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 2021 Unrtstri¢led 2021 Reslrieted 2021 Total 2020 Total Note Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income Aciivities for generaiing funds Invesiinent income 14,225 9.103 266 14,225 9,103 266 17,404 9,115 214 Incomirto resources from charitable ACtiTritics 3,446 3,446 3,352 Oiher income Gov¢rnmenl Granis Total incoming resources Resources expended Costs of genernling funds Costs of generatin8 voluntary income 112 112 958 Charltnble actii'ilie5 21,735 21,735 20,884 Governance c05t5 213 213 366 Total resources expended Net movement in funds Total fund5 brought fonvard Total funds carried forward

THE SAMARITANS OF CENTRAL DURHAM BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021 2021 2021 Re$trl¢ted 2021 Total 2020 Total Note Unrestrieted Fixed assets Tangible asgets Current assets Debtorg Prepayment5 Cash at bank and in hand 152 152 2,776 Total current osset$ 71,319 71,319 52.698 CrediloT5 . 4mounls fglling due within one year Creditors Aecruals 433 405 433 405 225 79 Net current assets Net a55etS Funds ofthe charSty Unrestricted lunds Signed on behalf of all the TrL15tees on 23 July 2021 mi$L Mike Rayner Lynn Brooks

THE SAMARITANS OF CEf+iTRAL DURHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 Bisls of pr¢paration The financial siaiements of the charii),, which is a public benefit entit> under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance i11h lh¢ Charities SORP IFRS 1021'Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Siatemeni of Recornrnend¢d Practice applicable lo Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the LX and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffettive l January 20191,. Financial Reporting Siandard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard upplicable in ihe UK and Republic of Ireland. and the Charitie5 Act 2011. The fiDaneial statements have been Prepared under the historical cost convention. Accounting policies Recognilion of incoming re50urcts These are included in ilie Staletnent of Financial A¢¢ivitle5 ISOFAI when'.- Ihe cliarit). becomes entitled to the resources lh¢ tnJstee5 are virtually certain Ihe>' w'ill receive iht r¢sourc¢5 and the fftonetary value cllii be rnea5ured '$Th sufficient reliability Incomlng resource5 wlth relittd expenditure Where income resource5 have related expenditure. the incomin8 resources ond reloted expenditure are reponed gros5 in the SOFA. Grnnts doDfttionJ These are only inLlud¢d in the SOFA when ihe charity has unconditional entitlement 10 the resources. Investment In¢orne This is included in the aceounts when w¢ivable. ContrActUAI income This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been d¢liver¢d. I'olunteer help The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the irustees, annual report. Liability reeogDitioii Liabilities are recognised as soon as ¢here is p legal or constructive obligation commitiing the charity to pay out resources. Governance costs Includ< c0515 of the preparation and examination of statiitory accounts. the Costs of meetings and the cosi of any legal advice lo Iru51ees on soveTnance or consiiiuiional matter5. Support costs Include costs of central functions and have been allocated to activity Cost categories on a basi5 consistent with th¢ Use of resotirces. Unre5trieted funds Unrestricted funds represent income re¢eii'abl¢ or generated for ¢he objects of ¢he charity without further specified purpose and are available as 8eneral funds. Rtstri¢ted funds Resiricled fiinds are those fund5 which must be spent as income on the particular purposes specified by the donor or sp¢¢ifically identified in appeal literature. Tangible fixed n5sets for use by charity These are capitali5¢d if they can be used for more than one year and c051 at least £100. They are V2]u at cost or a reasonable value on receipt. The charit). does not have a policy of revaluation.

THE SAMARITANS OF CENTRAL DURHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 (continued) Voluntary Income 2021 2020 ShakespeaTe Temperan¢e Tn]st W A Handley Trust City of Durham Parish Countv Durham Commiinity Fund Churches, groLlPS and other clubs The Banks Group Oihers 6,000 1,000 2,500 3,500 535 6,000 1,000 1.500 3,500 690 Actli,Itles for generating funds 2021 2020 Fundraising Investment income 2021 2020 Bank interest lrtcomlng resources from charitable Activities 2021 2020 Contract incoTne from HM Prisons Costs of generllting voluntary ineome 2021 2020 Fundraising costs Charitable thctii,Itles 2021 2020 Dlreet costs Telephone and l.T. Administration Publicity Travelling Subsisten¢e Recruitment and trainin Licenses Samaritans affiliation fee and Conferenc¢ 2,179 190 429 1.673 1.714 2,852 753 971 1,204 1.913 205 35 Support costs Repairs and refiirbishmenl 7,760 1,621 496 2,887 129 5,423 2.318 492 1,545 295 In5Lirance Depreciation Bank charges

THE SAMARITANS OF CF.NTRAL DURHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 (continiied} Governanee costs 2021 2020 Meeting expenses 213 366 io Trustee expenses No trustees were paid expenses in either thi5 year or last year. li Tangible fixed assets Property Furniture Equipment Tot41 Asscl cost or valuotion Balan¢e brought forward Addiiions Balance carried forward 26.576 5,487 26,453 58.516 6.717 Aceumulthled depreclAilon Basi5 Raie Reducing balance Reducing balance R¢du¢ing balance 25% Balance biodgiii iorward Charge for year Balance carried fonvard 5,487 2,454 208 P4et book Trlllue Brought (orward Carried forward

THE SAMARITANS OF CENTRAL DURHAM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021