**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<br>2025<br>**INCOME**<br>Giving<br>0.00<br>Gift aid<br>417.91<br>Client Cash<br>450.92<br>Client BACS<br>1320.00<br>Room Hire<br>0.00<br>Donations<br>500.00<br>Supervision<br>0.00<br>Grants<br>700.00<br> Fund Raiser<br>927.37<br>**EXPENDITURE**<br>Room Hire<br>3960.00<br>Print<br>0.00<br>Office&Equip<br>0.00<br>Phone<br>72.00<br>Insurance<br>135.88<br>Supervision<br>1210.00<br>ICO<br>47.00<br>Bank Charges<br>47.17<br>Website<br>224.85<br>Flowers<br>23.68<br>(Deficit)/Surplus<br>Opening bank<br>01/01/2025<br>Income<br>Expenditure<br>Closing bank<br>31/12/2025|Income and Expenditure for<br>2025<br>**INCOME**<br>Giving<br>0.00<br>Gift aid<br>417.91<br>Client Cash<br>450.92<br>Client BACS<br>1320.00<br>Room Hire<br>0.00<br>Donations<br>500.00<br>Supervision<br>0.00<br>Grants<br>700.00<br> Fund Raiser<br>927.37<br>**EXPENDITURE**<br>Room Hire<br>3960.00<br>Print<br>0.00<br>Office&Equip<br>0.00<br>Phone<br>72.00<br>Insurance<br>135.88<br>Supervision<br>1210.00<br>ICO<br>47.00<br>Bank Charges<br>47.17<br>Website<br>224.85<br>Flowers<br>23.68<br>(Deficit)/Surplus<br>Opening bank<br>01/01/2025<br>Income<br>Expenditure<br>Closing bank<br>31/12/2025|year ending 31stDecember, 2025<br>2025<br>2024<br>90.00<br>1217.46<br>490.39<br>1281.00<br>88.00<br>0.00<br>60.00<br>0.00<br>0.00<br>4316.20<br>3960.00<br>0.00<br>568.78<br>72.00<br>160.50<br>1797.50<br>35.00<br>66.23<br>0.00<br>0.00<br>5720.58<br>**(1404.38)**<br>4992.40<br> 01/01/24<br>4316.20<br>-5720.58<br>£3588.02<br> 31/12/24||2024<br>3226.85<br>6660.01<br>**(3433.16)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||8425.56<br>3226.85<br>-6660.01<br>**£4992.40**|
||||||



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