2023-03-31-accounts - Durham Samaritans

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Registered Charity Number 1173976

DURHAM SAMARITANS

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023

DURHAM SAMARITANS

The trustees present their annual report and financial statement for the year ending 31 March 2023 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: Barry Thomas William Akins from 28 March 2023 Jeremy Felix Disley from 29 March 2022 Alan John MacDonald from 28 March 2023 Louise Elisabeth Gloria Maxwell from 29 March 2022

Dr Jeanne Marie Pratt from 29 March 2022 to 28 March 2023 Christopher David Rae to 28 March 2023 Michael Ian Rayner (Treasurer) Janine Schaffrath from 28 March 2023

Monica Rosemary Smith (Director) from 29 March 2022 to 31 March 2023 Donald Stronach (Director) from 1 April 2023 Jean Stores Amanda Louise Winter (Secretary)

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Durham Samaritans 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

Recruitment and Selection

In 2022/23 we reintroduced information evenings. At these sessions potential new volunteers are given a presentation in relation to the background and aim of the Samaritans. They gain an understanding of some of the benefits of volunteering with us and they are able to gather a fuller picture of the nuts and bolts of being a volunteer at the branch. Part of the session is informal where potential volunteers can meet with members of the recruitment and selection team, ask questions and have informal chats. These sessions proved to be a success. We had three separate intakes throughout the year, in June, October and February. The October and February sessions both held information sessions and were an overall success compared to the June session where people only attended for interviews.

Training

Over the past year, twenty potential volunteers completed their initial Core Development training, in three groups which started in March, July and October 2022, with a fourth group starting at the end of February 2023. Volunteers are introduced to the key elements underlying the role of a listening volunteer. Each session covers a great deal of new ground and trainees also have to complete a number of online modules between the faceto-face sessions. After the successful completion of this 18-hour course the volunteers are ready to start taking calls. Training continues for all new volunteers during the extensive period when they are Probationers, with new topics introduced in the 5 session Embedding course. Active participation is strongly encouraged at this stage of the learning process, as always within a mutually supportive environment. By the end of this learning period, new

volunteers are almost ready to become full volunteers and their initial learning curve is complete.

Since January 2022 our Branch Mentors have supported thirty new volunteers in their early journey towards becoming Samaritan Listening Volunteers. The support and guidance given to someone in this early stage of their volunteering pathway is invaluable. In the same time frame, we saw nine Probationers moving to other areas of the country after receiving their training and mentor support. nine Probationers progressed to become Full Listening Volunteers, eight of whom are still with our branch, and we had eleven current Probationers at the end of the year.

Durham has also seen a steady number of Returning Volunteers. Those include Volunteers returning from extended leaves of absence and people who are returning to Durham to study.

Prisons

At the beginning of 2022 support meetings with our prison Listeners at HMP Durham were still restricted due to Covid. Contact numbers were low and Listeners weren’t being used on an evening. Thirteen new Listeners were trained in May 2022 which took the team up to a healthy number. By the end of the year, we were left with only six Listeners, mainly through transfer to other establishments, but it’s pleasing to note that generally they continue to stay in the role of Listener in their new prisons. twelve new Listeners were selected and trained in January and February 2023, giving a much better spread of Listeners across the wings. All have had the opportunity to put their training into practice for real and have commented on how rewarding it is to feel that they’ve helped someone.

We are lucky to have a fairly constant number of Listeners at HMP Low Newton as, unlike HMP Durham which is a remand prison, sentenced prisoners tend to stay within one prison until they are re-categorised. We trained six new Listeners in July 2022 which took the number up to eleven. October saw a Family Day organised by the Safer Custody team as a sign of appreciation to the listeners for the work they do. The prison support team helped with the event by running a quiz and games of bingo for the Listeners, their families and friends. It’s always rewarding to hear how proud the families are of the Listeners for what they do for others who need emotional support. A selection process in February 2023 saw only two candidates to be trained.

We lost our two most experienced Listeners at the end of the year, one who had been a Listener for eleven years and the other for over five years. They decided that the time had come for them to concentrate on themselves and we are very grateful for all that they have done. Indeed, they have inspired others to become Listeners from the support that they provided to them in the early days of custody.

Outreach

The end of lockdown restrictions gave us the opportunity to get back out in the community and meet the public in a variety of settings to promote the work of the Durham Branch. We do this by handing out information literature and promotional materials but more importantly by talking to people about the concerns they have raised or by simply just having a chat.

31 March was the anniversary of a 17-year-old young man tragically taking his life at Chester-le-Street station. We were at the station to talk to passengers and give out information about Samaritans.

11 May at New College Durham for Mental Health Awareness Week. This was a really good opportunity for us to raise awareness of our service among students and staff at the college. Some young people told us how difficult things had been with lockdown restrictions impacting on their education and on their ability to socialise with their friends.

29 May at Durham Pride. This was a day where people from across the county came together in a celebration of inclusion and diversity. We were able to take part in the parade that walked from Palace Green to the Sands, the main site of the event, where we had a stall which attracted a lot of interest.

On 9 July the Durham Miners’ Gala returned after a three-year absence. Thousands of people packed the streets of Durham and the Racecourse Ground in this unique and inspiring spectacle. It was a privilege for us to have a stall at the event where we met so many people.

21 September the Freshers Fair at New College Durham gave us an opportunity to meet with new students during what can for some be an anxious time.

10 October was World Mental Health Day and we handed out Samaritans branded coffee cups to passengers at Durham Station to raise awareness of mental health issues. We also returned to New College Durham to talk to students about mental health.

On 3 December we had a stall in Durham Town Hall as part of the mayor's annual appeal. It was a good opportunity for us to meet with people, raise the profile of the branch and support the mayor, who had nominated our branch as his designated charity for the year.

On 16 January we spent the morning on Durham station handing out Samaritans tea bags and listening tips to passengers for Brew Monday. The key message was that we can always make time for a cuppa and a catch up. Brew Monday encourages people to reach out to catch up with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.

Volunteer Care

Volunteer Care is a role that allows us to support volunteer wellbeing and morale with a calendar of events that volunteers would find enjoyable and beneficial. These included a Garden Day to tidy our yard space, a Sunday lunch in Volunteers’ Week, a Beetle Drive with pie and peas, our annual Christmas Dinner and a Tarot and Oracle evening. The intention is to give back to our volunteers who do so much for our branch and callers.

Data Protection

Durham Samaritans is registered annually with the Information Commissioner’s Office. With the support of the Central Charity, Durham Samaritans have mandated clear, plain English guidelines in terms of a Data Protection Policy and incorporated within this policy is a Schedule of Personal data held by the branch. This gives guidance on retention periods, guidance on CCTV procedures, Data Subject requests, an ongoing Data Protection Plan and a set of practical guidelines. The Data Protection Policy is available to all volunteers on the Three Rings platform.

Fundraising and Events

In 2022 we have been able to plan, organise and deliver some extremely successful events and are delighted that the community and branch volunteers have come along and supported these.

We began in April 2022 with a Colours Fashion Show hosted at Durham City Golf Club which was really well attended and raised a wonderful amount for Durham Samaritans.

Local Businesses and individuals were very generous in donating raffle prizes. As Listening volunteers, we also had an opportunity to raise awareness of Samaritans and tell our guests about the support we offer. c

In May 2022 we were invited to collect for Samaritans following a Sarah Millican event. This was really successful. Throughout the year collection tins were placed in shops, pharmacies, pubs, hairdressers and slimming clubs around Durham and we were amazed how much they raised. After cancelling our street collections during 2020 and 2021, we were able to visit towns in County Durham on Saturdays from May to August 2022, when a total of six street collections took place. While collecting it was great for the volunteers to speak to the public and tell them a little about what Samaritans can offer.

Our largest fundraising event took place in August 2022: the Charity Golf Day at Durham City Golf Club. We had the highest number of entrants ever, over 170. We were delighted this was so strongly supported and raised a large amount of money for Durham Samaritans. This event was sponsored by a local business, with other businesses and individuals supporting and donating prizes.

Durham Samaritans is registered on a fundraising platform called Enthuse, a platform used by many other Samaritans branches. Several of our volunteers this year have challenged themselves to walk or run for our charity and have successfully fundraised via this platform.

In November 2022 we teamed with Body Shop and ran a Wellbeing Night, a great chance for people to meet, pamper themselves and order some Christmas presents.

Our last event in 2022 was Carol Singing at Durham Railway Station. Although this is not a fundraising event, we were amazed how much money the public donated.

Building, Health and Safety

During 2022 a fire door and fire evacuation survey was undertaken by the fire brigade and the fire risk assessment and fire evacuation plan were reviewed and updated.

Health and Safety checks and assessments are regularly undertaken and reviewed but health and safety is every volunteer’s responsibility. All relevant Health and Safety documents are now stored on the Three Rings platform, available to all branch members.

Annual preventative maintenance has been undertaken which has included electrical appliances (PAT), smoke detector and emergency light testing and servicing of the boiler, fire extinguishers. Repairs were also undertaken on the boiler and a new emergency light fitted in the hallway.

A comprehensive review of the Building Condition Survey was undertaken. In November 2022 repairs to the gable end, both front and rear, were undertaken. All the rear guttering was replaced and new hopper and new fixings to rear downpipe were fitted.

Environmental Policy

Durham Samaritans acknowledges its responsibility to, and the advantages of, maintaining a sound environment. We recognise the importance, no matter how small of the impact of our activities on the environment and that there is a need to consider ways in which we can conserve energy and minimise waste in these activities.

Our environmental policy was adopted as a guidance document to help us to consider how we can reduce where possible our impact on the environment.

Statistics

In the period covered by this report, branch volunteers have answered 12,825 contacts: 11,571 contacts by phone (totalling 3,270 hours) and 1,245 contacts by email for those who prefer to contact us via the written word.

Future plans: 2023-24

The pro-active Branch Leadership Team will continue to build on achievements and actions to date, with small but significant changes planned for the coming year.

The training team continues to grow with several more volunteers trained and joining the team of late. This will ensure that we commit to Core Development Training which will see up to 30 new volunteers trained to become Samaritans. It will also support the ongoing development of our existing volunteers. One of our aspirations is to attract a more diverse group of people to become volunteers.

We have resumed our Face-to-Face service in Branch. Supporting the people of Durham by offering them the opportunity to speak with a Samaritan in person, is important to us. The aim is to have our doors open from the hours of 9.00am to 9.00pm each day.

We are looking to build on our current successful Outreach Programme particularly around the support we offer our local Train Stations. We are trialling a regular outreach session, each Friday evening at the Chester Le Street Train Station where it has been reported that people in distress are attracted to the Station.

Fundraising continues at a pace with several community events planned for the coming months. This ensures we are sustainable as a charity.

There is an increasing demand for our service, this is noticeable in the number of calls received by Samaritans nationally. Overnight hours being the higher demand. Our response is to continue to review our volunteer rotas on a regular basis and to encourage and support our volunteers in the excellent work they do.

We historically have supported our Local NHS Mental Health Teams and Durham University Pastoral Service through locally agreed Memorandum of Understandings. These, post Covid, have lost their purpose and direction. We plan to engage with the NHS and Durham University to re-establish our support.

Succession Planning for future volunteer leaders is an area of importance to us. The Branch Leadership Team (BLT) have a key role in the sustainability of our Branch and offer direction through change. The BLT have opened up their meetings and are offering shadowing and mentoring opportunities for interested volunteers.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financially 2022/23 was year of financial normality and we operated within expected financial parameters. There was a deficit of £4272 but this was in line with our plan to reduce our reserves.

Our expenditure was basically in line with previous years but we did see the start of increases in volunteers’ travel costs and utility costs which have continued. This was balanced to some extent because our building improvement programme was completed and our annual payment to the national office was also reduced, due to our deficit in 2021/22

The Charity has to maintain a constant fundraising effort every year to cover the running costs of its premises and it continues to rely on the generosity of organisations, groups and individuals inside and outside Durham Samaritans. The major part of our income derives from the fundraising activities previously detailed and regular donation from two charitable trusts.

RESERVES POLICY

The Charity’s Reserve Policy was agreed on 14 February 2023. The Trustees consider it is appropriate to hold reserves of £44000. This can be quantified as £36500 representing eighteen months of basic expenditure plus £7500 contingency held for unbudgeted building, decorating and furniture expenditure.

The Charity cash in the bank at the end of the 2022/23 Financial Year was £64433.

Action is being taken to reduce our reserves through a programme that will either improve the working environment for our volunteers or which will provide improved service to callers and visitors. It is obvious that the reduction in the Charity’s reserves may well take some time to achieve.

THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 2022/23 WILL BE SUBMITTED AS A SEPARATE FILE

THE SMIARITANS OF CENTRAL DURHAM FINth'CIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

INDEPENDANf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SAMARITANS OF CEPITRAL DURHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 I repori to the charity trusiees on my examination of the accou1 of the chariiy fot the year ended 31 mch 2023. Responsibilities and S1$ of the report As charity's trustees you are restK)nsible for the preparaiion of the accounts in accordance ryth the requitements of the Charities Aci 2011 ('the Aet.). I tert ill SpeCt of m). examination of the charÉly'S accounts carried out utmler Section 145 of the Aci and in carrying oui my examination I have follo.ed all the applicable Direciors gii'en by ihe Charity Cotnmissioll utKier sectiOD 1451510)) of the aci. Independent examiner's ststennI I have completed rny examinaiilin. I confimi (hat no rnaierial matters have come to my attention in conne£iion (h the examinaiion giN'ing me cause io believe that in any maietial respe£i'. ac£ouniing rec4)tds tre kepi in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the act- or 2. the accounts do M)t accord those records: or 3. the accounts do not COU4)ly the applicable requirements collcernit]ts the and eonient of accounts sei oui in the Chatiiies IAccouTrts and Rewrtsl Regulations 28 other than any requirelneni that the accounis give a true and fair view .hich is not a ]naiiet cO51dered as part of an independent exirnination. I confurn that there are no other Thatters to which your attet]tion should be to enable a pror utmlersthnding of the accounts 10 reached. Signed Name J D Hollowa). FCA RibLhe%ter%_ Chartered.4ci()untants Finchale HOe, Durham DH I ITW

THE SAMARITANS OF CENfRAL DURHA1 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR Eh'DED 31 MARCH 2013 2023 2023 Unre5trieted Restricted 2023 Tothl 2022 Total Note Income Incoming resources from generated funds Voluniary income Activities for generating funds Investment income Incoming resources from charitsblt activi¢ies 15,739 7,894 107 15.739 7,894 107 14,449 7.782 51 3,587 3.587 5.342 (hher income Government Grants 816 Total incoming resourtts Expenditure Costs of generating funds Costs of generating voluniary incon 4.544 3.520 Charitable actiTrities Total resources expended Net movement in fun(ts Totsl funds brought fonward Totsl funds carried foThArd

THE SAMARITANS OF CENTRAL DURHAM BALANCK SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023 2023 Unrestricted 2023 Restricted 2023 Tot21 2022 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 10 Current assets Debtors Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 28 28 735 Total current assets 64.461 64,461 69,140 Creditors . amounts falling due within one year Creditors Accruals 260 260 381 Net current assets Net assets Funds Unrestri¢ted funds Signed on behalf of all the Trusiees on 1919 23 Mike Rayner Don Stronach

THE SAlARITAN5 OF CENTRAL DURHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNfs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JIARCH 2023 Basis of preparation The financial statements of the chariry. wthich is a public benefji eniiiy under FRS 102. have been prepared in accordance 1th the Charities SORP {FRS 1021 'Accounting aNI Rewning by Chariiies.. Staiement of Recommended Praciice applicable to chatiiies preparing their accounts in accordance '1th the FinatKial Reporting Siandard applicable in ihe UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (efftivt l January 20191,, Financial Reporting Siandard 102 The Financial Rewrtints StatM]ard applicable Én the UK and Republic of Ireland, aTKi the Charities Act 201 l. The financial siaiemenis hai'e ken prepared Under the historical cost coni'ention. Accounting policies Recognition of illcoming resources These are included in the slement of Financial Activities {SOFAI wkn-.- the chariiy becomes eniiiled io the resources the trustees ate Yirtually cetrain they .11] recei&e the resources and the monetary value can be measured wilh sufficierf relrability Incoming resources Thiih lated expenditure Where incoming resources haie relaied expenditu. the incoming resowees ath1 related expenditwe are reported gt058 in the SOFA. Grdnts and donalion5 These are only tncludLryJ ID the SOFA tLe0 the charity h&s u]Kondi(ional eniiilemeni Éo the resources. InTrestment income This is includLul in the accounis when receii'able. Contractual incon This is only included in the SOFA o]Ke the telated g(wds or services ha%¢ been delivered. Volunteer help The value of any voluntary help received is not iluded in the accollnts but is described in the Trll5tees' Annual report. Liabilit) recognition Liabiliiie5 ale recogni5ed as 500n as thete is a legal or constructiN'e obligation commiiiing the charity to pay out Tesoutces. Goi'ernance cosLs InLlude the cost5 of the prepaFation and eAaminaiion of sia(utory a(Colln the costs of meeiing% and ihe cost of any legal advice io iru.stees on gol'etnance or coll5É1lUtional maners. Supwrt costs Include costs of central fUtiOnS and have been al]Lated to aetiviiJ' cost cateeoiies OE) a basis consisteni with the use of TesoutLes. Unrestricted funds UnTe511icled funds represent iome ieceivable or generaied for the objects of the ctwiiy without further SFecified purpose aRd are aNailable as general futMJ5. Restricted funds RebtriLied 1.unds dre thvse funds "hILb must be speni as iome on the tArtiLular putposts speLified by the dunor or specifiially identified in ap]Kal liieraiure. Tangible fixed assets for use b). chants- The.e are capitalised if the)" can be used for more than one year and at leasi £l(X). They are i'alued ai cosi or a reasonable value on receipt. The charkty does have a wTrlicy of revdu&iion_

THE SAMAIUTANS OF CEIYlliAL DURHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 NIARCH 2013 (Contin1) Voluntsry income 2023 2022 shakeS[are TemExrance Trust W A Handley Trust Anonymous Enthuse Churches. groups and other clubs The Banks Group Donated Services Individual Donations Shop Colleciions Virgin Money Giving Others 1.276 .586 236 704 139 480 1,672 1.359 2,475 620 480 2.384 14 Donated services represent the value of time spent b) the Indepen&ni Examiner in undertaking such responsibiliiies. These services have been provided without charge. Activitie5 for generating funds 2023 2022 Funthaising Investment income 2023 2022 Bank inieresi Incoming resource5 from charitable aclii'ities 2023 2022 Contract income from HM Prisons Costs of generating voluntary income 2023 2022 Fundraisintr Costs Charitable activities 2023 2022 Direct Costs Telephone and rr Administraiion Cost5 Publicity Travelling Subsislence Recruiiment and training Licences Samaritans Affiliation fee and Conference DD Volunteer Care (54) 1.683 510 6.693 1.159 258 1,525 158 1.361 3,540 1.061 95 35 4,633 3.251 126

THE SAlARITANs OF CENTRAL DURHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2011 {¢oniinued) Charitable activities (continued) 2023 2022 Direct costs DD Selection, Reeruitmeni and outreach R&R 568 2023 2022 Charitable activities Support eosts R&R Uiilities Ensurance tndependent Exarniners Fee Depreciation Bank charges Computer Costs 3.581 2.375 734 480 3,191 235 7,617 2,085 543 480 3,039 204 Trustee expenses None of the trustees were paid expenses in eithei this year or last year. io Tangible fixed assets Property Furnilure Equipment Total Asset cost Balance brought forward Additions Balance carried fotivard 26.576 5,487 36,475 68,538 Depreciation Balance brought fonvard Charge for year Balance carried fonvard 16.587 21K) 5,487 27,968 50.(H2 Nei book i'alue Broughi forward 9.989 Carried fonvard Basis Raie Reducino balance Reducing balance Reducing balance 25% 2.5%

THE SMIARITANS OF CENTRAL DURHAM FINth'CIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023