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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1174414

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Contents (continued)

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 16

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees Clive Pedwell Neil Warburton Rob Leighfield Ruth Arnold Charity Registration Number 1174414 Principal Office 2 Summerland Street Barnstaple Devon Ex32 8JJ Independent Examiner Catherine Williams FCA DChA Westcotts (SW) LLP 47 Boutport Street Barnstaple Devon EX31 1SQ

Page 1

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Trustees' Report

The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Structure, governance and management

Status

The North Devon & North Cornwall Samaritans were registered as a CIO on 29th August 2017. The charity had previously been registered as an unincorporated charity until this date.

All assets of the unincorporated charity were transferred to the CIO, the unincorporated charity has now been linked by the Charity Commission to the CIO, its registration number is now 1174414-1 .

Organisational Structure

The Trustees of the Samaritans of North Devon & North Cornwall Samaritans were appointed by a majority of the members at the charity’s Annual General Meeting.

Prior to the Annual General Meeting all members are circulated with invitations to nominate Trustees.

The Trustees meet approximately every month. There is a Branch Leadership Team (BLT) which is made up of Trustees and appointees by the Branch Director to whom day to day management of the charity is delegated.

There are no paid employees of the charity.

Although there is no formal induction process for new Trustees, they are provided with the model constitution of the Samaritans. There is an online training course provided nationally by the central-organisation which Trustees all attend when they are appointed. In addition, they sign a “fit and proper” declaration after reading the trustees responsibility document.

We also complete a full criminal records bureau check.

Related Parties:

The charity is dependent on the members of the North Devon & North Cornwall Samaritans, who provide services voluntarily to enable the charity to fulfil its commitments referred to in this Trustee Report. Many thanks are given to all our unpaid volunteers who give their time freely.

Governance and Internal Control:

The trustees have conducted their own review of the known major risks to which the charity is exposed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. This risk register has been reviewed and assessed by regional staff of the national Samaritans Charity.

Objectives and Activities:

Charitable Objectives:

The objectives of North Devon & North Cornwall Samaritans are to provide a 24 hour listening and befriending service, assist persons who are suicidal, despairing, lonely and depressed, through volunteers and trustees of the Charity, thus reducing the incidence of suicide.

This is incorporated into their own governing document.

Page 2

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Trustees' Report (continued)

Achievements and performance:

Review of Activities and Achievements

During the year the Charity has continued to provide a 24 hour listening and Outreach service for the suicidal, despairing, lonely and depressed through volunteers and Trustees of the charity.

The Charity plans continuing the objectives and activities as outlined above in the forthcoming years.

During the year the Charity responded to contacts (principally phone calls) of 16,279 (22/23 = 14,064). The average number of Available Volunteers (AVL’s) was 73. The branch planned shifts to deliver 4,596 hours with 16% ad hoc closures.

During 23/24, the principle of more dynamic shift creation continued from the previous year. This created more opportunities to match specially-opened shifts to available volunteer capacity.

Overall this saw an increased number of hours delivered but inevitably drove up the number of closed shifts too.

Public Benefit

The Trustees consider that the objects of the charity, as stated above, comply with Charities and Public Benefit: Summary Guidance for Charity trustees (January 2008).

The Trustees unanimously agree that the requirement for due regard to the Public Benefit guidance has been satisfied.

Financial review

The Charity had net incoming resources for the year of £2,006 (2023 net outgoing of £29,518).

At the year end, net assets stood at £97,890 (2023 - £95,884).

However, of this sum £34,708 has been designated as a freehold property reserve as it cannot be used to fund expenditure without being sold. The Trustees have also designated £25,000 to be set aside for future property repairs to the building.

Reserves

Sufficient funds are held to ensure the resources are available to meet all expected and known expenditure for the following year.

Unrestricted Reserves of £12,120 were held at year end, this would be expected to cover just under 7 months expenditure with the exception of repairs.

Restricted reserves at 31st March 2024 were held to the value of £26,222. Plans for the year 24/25 include using these reserves for their restricted aims of

Page 3

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Trustees' Report (continued)

Investment Powers, Policy and Performance:

The trustees have the power to invest monies when they have surplus funds and as they feel is appropriate for the charity.

Plans for Future periods

• To continue to provide a 24 hour listening service for the suicidal, despairing, lonely and depressed through volunteers and Trustees of the Charity.

• To expand the Charity’s services to the local community, via Outreach, by working in concert with like-minded organisations to promote the Charity’s Objectives.

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 13th September.................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Neil Warburton Trustee

Page 4

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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 accounts to be reached.

......................................

Catherine Williams FCA DChA Independent Examiner Westcotts (SW) LLP 47 Boutport Street Barnstaple Devon EX31 1SQ

Date:.............................

Page 5

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
2
Other trading activities
3
Investment income
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
5
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income
Gross transfers between
funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
14
Unrestricted
funds
£
10,421
24,763
25
35,209
(6,278)
(45,639)
(51,917)
(16,708)
1,264
(15,444)
87,112
71,668
Restricted
funds
£
17,855
3,000
-
20,855
(1,180)
(961)
(2,141)
18,714
(1,264)
17,450
8,772
26,222
Total
2024
£
28,276
27,763
25
56,064
(7,458)
(46,600)
(54,058)
2,006
-
2,006
95,884
97,890
Total
2023
£
110,806
21,358
175
132,339
(17,649)
(144,208)
(161,857)
(29,518)
-
(29,518)
125,402
95,884

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 14.

The notes on pages 8 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

(Registration number: 1174414) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
12
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
14
2024
£
36,696
63,711
(2,517)
61,194
97,890
26,222
71,668
97,890
2023
£
37,426
62,234
(3,776)
58,458
95,884
8,772
87,112
95,884

The financial statements on pages 6 to 16 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:

.........................................

Neil Warburton Trustee

The notes on pages 8 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income and endowments

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Investment income

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Page 8

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

Raising funds

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services 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.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Land and building 2% straight line Fixtures and fittings 20% straight line

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Page 9

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

Financial instruments

Classification

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities.

Recognition and measurement

All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.

Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.

2 Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Donations
Grants
Grants received
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
8,606
1,815
10,421
Restricted
funds
£
5,200
12,655
17,855
Total
2024
£
13,806
14,470
28,276

Page 10

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

Donations
Donations
Grants
Grants received
3
Income from other trading activities
Fundraising events
Tin rattle
Lottery income
Rental income
Fundraising events
Tin rattle
Lottery income
4
Investment income
Bank interest receivable
Bank interest receivable
Page
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
7,361
448
7,809
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
14,547
3,724
2,746
3,746
24,763
11
Restricted
funds
£
102,272
725
102,997
Restricted
funds
£
3,000
-
-
-
3,000
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
15,868
2,641
2,849
21,358
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
25
25
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
175
175
Total
2023
£
109,633
1,173
110,806
Total
2024
£
17,547
3,724
2,746
3,746
27,763
Total
2023
£
15,868
2,641
2,849
21,358
Total
2024
£
25
25
Total
2023
£
175
175

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

5 Expenditure on raising funds

a) Costs of generating donations and legacies

Water, light & heat
Repairs & renewals
Insurance
Advertising & publicity
Telephone
Depreciation
Lottery winnings
Provisions
Fundraising costs
Water, light & heat
Repairs & renewals
Insurance
Advertising & publicity
Telephone
Depreciation
Lottery winnings
Provisions
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
84
3,417
181
806
297
199
1,156
51
87
6,278
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
1,180
-
-
-
-
-
1,180
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
189
14,277
116
1,402
428
183
1,026
28
17,649
Total
2024
£
84
3,417
181
1,986
297
199
1,156
51
87
7,458
Total
2023
£
189
14,277
116
1,402
428
183
1,026
28
17,649

Page 12

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

6 Expenditure on charitable activities

Note
Providing a 24 hour listening and
befriending service
Allocated support costs
7
Note
Providing a 24 hour listening and
befriending service
Allocated support costs
7
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
36,104
9,535
45,639
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
30,275
19,708
49,983
Restricted
funds
£
-
961
961
Restricted
funds
£
94,225
-
94,225
Total
2024
£
36,104
10,496
46,600
Total
2023
£
124,500
19,708
144,208

7 Analysis of support costs

Support costs allocated to charitable activities

Telephone
General office
Contribution to general office
Water, light & heat
Repairs & renewals
Insurance
Accountancy fees
Depreciation
Provisions
General costs
Legal & professional
Total
2024
£
297
3,628
(51)
84
3,417
181
1,282
199
51
1,373
35
10,496
Total
2023
£
428
3,273
(1,534)
189
14,277
116
930
183
28
1,783
35
19,708

Page 13

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

8 Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year include:

Depreciation of fixed assets 2024
£
1,992
2023
£
1,826

9 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed personal expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

10 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

11 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
Land and
buildings
£
40,168
-
40,168
4,818
803
5,621
34,547
35,350
Furniture
and
equipment
£
23,827
1,264
25,091
21,751
1,191
22,942
2,149
2,076
Total
£
63,995
1,264
65,259
26,569
1,994
28,563
36,696
37,426

Page 14

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

12 Cash and cash equivalents

12 Cash and cash equivalents
2024
£
Cash at bank
63,711
13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
£
Accruals
2,517
14 Funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Incoming
resources
£
Resources
expended
£
Transfers
£
Unrestricted funds
General
General funds
26,762
35,209
(51,115)
1,264
Building fund
25,000
-
-
-
Freehold property reserve
35,350
-
(642)
-
87,112
35,209
(51,757)
1,264
Restricted funds
Outreach - GP/Primary
Care and Education
8,772
20,855
(2,141)
(1,264)
Total funds
95,884
56,064
(53,898)
-
Balance at 1
April 2022
£
Incoming
resources
£
Resources
expended
£
Unrestricted funds
General
General funds
64,249
29,342
(66,829)
Building fund
25,000
-
-
Freehold property reserve
36,153
-
(803)
125,402
29,342
(67,632)
2024
£
63,711
2024
£
2,517
Transfers
£
1,264
-
-
2023
£
62,234
2023
£
3,776
Balance at
31 March
2024
£
12,120
25,000
34,708
71,828
26,222
98,050
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
26,762
25,000
35,350
87,112

Page 15

North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

Restricted funds
Building repairs and
improvements
Outreach - GP/Primary Care
and Education
Total funds
Balance at 1
April 2022
£
-
-
-
125,402
Incoming
resources
£
94,225
8,772
102,997
132,339
Resources
expended
£
(94,225)
-
(94,225)
(161,857)
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
-
8,772
8,772
95,884

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Donations were received in 2023 to help with the costs of the building repairs and improvements. These were fully spent in the year.

Donations received in the year and previous years to fund the Outreach - GP/Primary Care and Education programme. The transfer from the Outreach fund to general funds was due to the purchase of fixed assets releasing the restrictions placed upon the funds.

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
36,696
37,489
(2,517)
71,668
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
37,426
53,462
(3,776)
87,112
Restricted
funds
£
-
26,222
-
26,222
Restricted
funds
£
-
8,772
-
8,772
Total funds
at 31 March
2024
£
36,696
63,711
(2,517)
97,890
Total funds
at 31 March
2023
£
37,426
62,234
(3,776)
95,884

16 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year.

Page 16