PHOENIX COUNSELLING SERVICE
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2022
On Behalf of the Board of Trustees
Phoenix Counselling Service is registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The Charity Registration Number is 1177399. During 2021 Phoenix Counselling Service has continued to carry out its charitable function of providing counselling for adults in Burntwood, Lichfield and the surrounding area who cannot access counselling via the NHS and cannot afford private counselling.
During 2022 there has been little change compared to 2021 in terms of service provision with just a small increase in referrals and waiting list numbers.
Alison and the support group of Pauline, Carole and Rhoda have had a good year managing the service efficiently behind the scenes. We recognise that without good counsellors and management support none of the activity in Phoenix could happen. In addition to counsellors and management, trustees have played a role by having regular formal meetings to oversee the service.
This year we were challenged about whether we could accommodate student placements but have decided that we must focus on providing good low cost counselling.
In terms of developments there has been work on making the recruitment a safe and structured process. Fundraising is important especially since it accounts for about 70% of Phoenix income with 30% coming from client payments and we must thank Alison for successfully continuing to fund raise.
There has been a good social event and also a leaving party to mark Dawn and Gail leaving and we especially record our thanks for all their work. At the same time we welcome Loran as the new Lead Counsellor from Jan 2023 taking over from Rhoda who has worked so hard in the role since 2015. We also welcomed four new counsellors in 2022 Sarah, Steph and Karen and Ellen.
Looking ahead we hope to recruit more counsellors and continue to look for another trustee. We are aware of the increase in demand for counselling and conscious of the role that social media and website activity play in helping to promote the service.
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Finally I would like to end by saying that Rhoda is now stepping down from the support group and lead counsellor role in Phoenix but continuing counselling, and I would like to thank her for all her work setting up and developing Phoenix since 2015.
John Wharton
Chair
Management
2022 saw the service returning to face-to-face appointments which satisfied our service users and counsellors. The number of referrals increased from last year to 64 with 51 starting sessions. During 2022 we delivered 564 counselling sessions.
| Statistics for 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of appointments attended | 564 | 610 | 306 | 456 | 343 | 283 |
| Number of referrals | 64 | 51 | 62 | 101 | 107 | 71 |
| Number ofpeople startingcounselling | 51 | 46 | 77 | 85 | 57 | 42 |
| Number ofpeople completed counselling | 44 | 64 | 59 | 78 | 49 | 40 |
| Number of people of the waiting list at the start of 2021 |
3 | 6 | 17 | 27 | 18 | 8 |
| Number of people on the waiting list at The end of 2021 |
14 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 27 | 18 |
Our WriteUpp Management system is now fully operational and working well. This is very much supported by Carole who looks after our Data and Pauline dealing with Finance. Review Meetings take place every 6 weeks to ensure the service is running smoothly.
We continue to make applications for funding from Trusts and Foundations whose criteria we fit and this remains ongoing. We are also continuing to recruit new counsellors to help combat the waiting list.
Financial Summary
As a charity we rely heavily on fundraising via Trusts and Foundations and this remains the backbone of our income. Donations from individuals and contributions made by clients are also very important to us. Voluntary contributions from clients range from £1 - £20 per session with 28% paying £20., 42% paying £10., 21% paying £5. and 8% making no contribution. We are finding more clients are making a contribution during 2022 compared with 26% making no contribution the previous year.
The Audited Accounts will be circulated.
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Fundraising
We are extremely grateful to Support Staffordshire , the Albert Hunt Trust, Yapp Foundation, The Community Foundation, Doing our Bit and Lichfield District Council all of which have awarded us grants this year and allowed our service to continue.
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
To help us monitor and further develop our service and ensure we are meeting our aims, we ask clients to complete a Client Satisfaction Questionnaire at the end of counselling.
The responses to these questionnaires indicates we are offering a first class service and making a very positive difference to the lives of our clients.
Aims 2023
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Continue to develop the service.
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Recruit 1-2 more counsellors.
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Research all possible Fundraising avenues and build relationship with Trusts and the community.
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Develop our website and social media.
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Recruit an additional Trustee.
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Explore possibilities of enabling Phoenix to become viable as an organisation. Either continue to develop it in its present structure, another organisation to take it over, or individuals to run the service.
| Incomeandexpenditurestatement2022 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | |||
| Currentassets | |||
| Cash | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Bank | 30598.25 | £16,477.12 | |
| Totalassets | 30598.25 | 16477.12 | |
| Creditors | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| NetAssets | 30598.25 | 16477.12 | |
| Fundbrtfwd1/1/22 | 16477.12 | 14176.40 | |
| Cashbooktotals | |||
| Totalincome | 34319.50 | 26035.43 | |
| Totalexpenditure | 20198.37 | 23734.71 | |
| Totalincomeoverexpenditure | 14121.13 | 2300.72 | |
| Fundc/fwd31/12/22 | 30598.25 | 16477.12 | |
| Income | |||
| CounsellingSessions | 3650.00 | 2676.00 | |
| Grants | 26810.50 | 15185.51 | |
| Donations | 3859.00 | 7925.00 | |
| Other | 0.00 | 248.92 | |
| Total | 34319.50 | 26035.43 | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Counsellors | 11210.00 | 13760.00 | |
| Management&WriteUpp | 8273.55 | 9680.82 | |
| OtherAdmin&utility | 714.82 | 293.89 | |
| Total | 20198.37 | 23734.71 |
CHARITY COMMISSION I FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent ExaMineS Report R•port to the truste nrnber8 of PtK)enix C(yJnsellI Ser¥ice On accounts for th• y•ar •nd•d 3111 December 2022 Charlty no (If any) 1177399 I report to the trustees on rny examination of th8 accounts of the above chanty {Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 31112r2022. RMpon•lblllll•• Ind ba•1• ol r•pct Ag chantys trustees, you are r08p(Kwble for tho preparation of tho accounts in ac¢rKdance wrth the fequirements of the Charrtie8 Act 2011 (Ihe Aca"). I report in respect of my éxamination of the Trnst's account8 camed out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all applicable Direction$ 9rven by the Chaiity Commission under 8e(on 145(5){b) of the Aca. Ind•p•nd•nt I havo comwed my examinalK)n. I confinn that no material rnatter8 have examlnorf8 •tatemont come to my attention in ¢onrCtion wtth the •xamM dK619M. whth giv•s me to believe thal in, any material ac¢ountirvJ record8 •re not kept in accordancé with section 130 of the Charities Act.. or the accounts did Mt accud with accounting re(x)rd$.' or the accounts d*J not comply wrth the applicable requirements concerning the fo and content of accounts set cxrt in Ihe Charrties (Accounts and ReFrfxts) Regulations 2iJ18 other than any requirement that the accounts give a and fairf W4 wt)ich 18 not a matter considered as part of an irthpendent examination. I have no Concems and have cone across no Ottr matters in connection wth the examination to attention shoukj be drawn in this report in order to enable a Fyopor und•rstandfW of the accounts to be reached. Sn•d.. D•t•: 17102r2023 Jon Penrose Relevant profuslonal qualificatlon(sl or body IFA (member 25431) IER Oct 2018