Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 January 2025 Period start date To 31 December 2025 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.
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.
This year we held a fundraising Garden Afternoon Tea at Angerton Walled Garden near Morpeth. This raised approximately £1000 for the charity.
Accommodation
We rent a room, weekly, at Adapt North East, Hexham.
During this year, we have continued to offer 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 and ended the year with two part-time Volunteer Counsellors. We have also had two volunteer Trainee Counsellors during 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, Volunteer Counsellor, Trustee and Manager of the service. Brian Massey Trustee Robin Charlton Robin joined Sycamore as a Trustee during this year.
Sycamore Counselling Service
| Income and Expenditure for 2025 INCOME Giving 0.00 Gift aid 417.91 Client Cash 450.92 Client BACS 1320.00 Room Hire 0.00 Donations 500.00 Supervision 0.00 Grants 700.00 Fund Raiser 927.37 EXPENDITURE Room Hire 3960.00 0.00 Office&Equip 0.00 Phone 72.00 Insurance 135.88 Supervision 1210.00 ICO 47.00 Bank Charges 47.17 Website 224.85 Flowers 23.68 (Deficit)/Surplus Opening bank 01/01/2025 Income Expenditure Closing bank 31/12/2025 |
Income and Expenditure for 2025 INCOME Giving 0.00 Gift aid 417.91 Client Cash 450.92 Client BACS 1320.00 Room Hire 0.00 Donations 500.00 Supervision 0.00 Grants 700.00 Fund Raiser 927.37 EXPENDITURE Room Hire 3960.00 0.00 Office&Equip 0.00 Phone 72.00 Insurance 135.88 Supervision 1210.00 ICO 47.00 Bank Charges 47.17 Website 224.85 Flowers 23.68 (Deficit)/Surplus Opening bank 01/01/2025 Income Expenditure Closing bank 31/12/2025 |
year ending 31stDecember, 2025 2025 2024 90.00 1217.46 490.39 1281.00 88.00 0.00 60.00 0.00 0.00 4316.20 3960.00 0.00 568.78 72.00 160.50 1797.50 35.00 66.23 0.00 0.00 5720.58 (1404.38) 4992.40 01/01/24 4316.20 -5720.58 £3588.02 31/12/24 |
2024 3226.85 6660.01 (3433.16) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8425.56 3226.85 -6660.01 £4992.40 |
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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 and report on 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 account for the year ending 31[st] December, 2025 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