Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 January 2024 Period start date To 31 December 2024 Period end date
Charity name: Sycamore Counselling Service
Charity registration number: 1179039
Aim and purposes
Our aim during counselling at Sycamore Counselling Service is to enable positive change through a professional caring relationship, working within clearly agreed boundaries.
Our counselling service is offered regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or cultural background, to people of any faith or none. We work with adults on an individual basis (we do not currently offer couples counselling or family therapy).
Each counsellor has a different way of working depending on their training and model used. Our counsellors are Christians and are motivated by their faith to seek to serve the community. Whilst all those working at Sycamore share a world view that is drawn from the Christian faith, there is no expectation that clients will hold the same world view.
Objectives and Activities
Sycamore Counselling Services is committed to enabling as many people as possible to access professional counselling that can enable a route forward for individuals struggling with mental health issues.
We do not charge individuals who access the service but ask for donations, if they are in a position to do so.
Achievements and Performance
Marketing
Business cards and leaflets have been circulated to local GP practises, Banks, Building Societies, Churches, Community Centres and Public Libraries.
Sycamore Counselling has a website, a listing on the Counselling Directory, a Facebook page and a presence on LinkedIn.
Fund Raising
Individual donations following counselling sessions, and financial gifts given by supporters of the Charity.
Accommodation
We rent a room, weekly, at Adapt North East, Hexham.
During this year, we have continued to use telephone and Zoom Counselling options as well as face-to-face.
Recruitment
We are always looking into recruiting further Christian volunteer Counsellors and trainees.
CPD
CPD has been completed in line with professional guidelines from the Association of Christian Counsellors and BACP.
Financial Review
As per the examined accounts Sycamore is funded by donation sufficient to maintain the service.
Volunteers
This year we started with three part-time Volunteer Counsellors and ended the year with two part-time Volunteer Counsellors. We also have had one volunteer Trainee Counsellor this year. We would like to thank them for the work they do on behalf of Sycamore Counselling.
Structure, governance and management
The Trustees and the Counsellors meet every 2 – 3 months. An agenda is sent out in advance, and the meetings are minuted.
Administrative Information
| Ann Attwood | Chairman and Trustee |
|---|---|
| Margi McAllister | Vice Chairman and Trustee |
| Vicky Herod | Treasurer, Counsellor and Trustee. Manager since Jenny |
| retired. | |
| Brian Massey | Trustee |
| Jenny Tabori retired as Manager and Trustee during this year |
Sycamore Counselling Service
Income and Expenditure for year ending 31[st] December, 2024
| 2024 01/01/2024 INCOME Giving 90.00 Gift aid 1217.46 Client Cash 490.39 Client BACS 1281.00 Room Hire 88.00 Donations 0.00 Supervision 60.00 EXPENDITURE Room Hire 3960.00 0.00 Office&Equip 568.78 Phone 72.00 Insurance 160.50 Supervision 1797.50 ICO 35.00 Bank Charges 66.23 Training 0.00 Flowers 0.00 (Deficit)/Surplus Opening Bank 8425.56 Income 3226.85 Expenditure -6660.01 Closing Bank 4992.40 |
2024 2023 165.00 818.63 1715.00 500.00 7581.00 600.00 3226.85 4175.60 0.00 1040.54 72.00 238.36 1165.00 35.00 70.68 500.00 35.00 6660.01 (3433.16) |
2023 11379.63 7332.18 4047.45 |
2023 11379.63 7332.18 4047.45 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and consider that an audit is not required.
It is my responsibility to examine the accounts.
My examination was carried out following the General Directions of the Charity Commission and includes a review of the underlying accounts.
I have examined the Income and Expenditure report for the year ending 31[st] December, 2024 along with supporting documentary evidence and in connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention that gives me reasonable cause to believe that the books and records are not an accurate reflection of activity.
BRUCE NAPIER