2024-12-31-accounts - Concern Cymru

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To	Trustees' Annual Report	Trustees' Annual Report	Trustees' Annual Report	Trustees' Annual Report	Trustees' Annual Report	for theperiod	for theperiod	for theperiod
		Period start date				Period end date
	From	Day 01	Month 01	Year 2024	To	Day 31	Month 12	Year 2024

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Concern Cymru

Other names charity is known by

Registered charity number (if any) 1182469

Charity's principal address The Ark Centre, Ararat Baptist Church Plas Treoda, Whitchurch Cardiff Postcode CF14 1PT

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
Mr Stuart Gerrish	Chair
Mr Michael Rees	Treasurer
Mrs Sheila Stephen
Mrs Anna Hartt
Mr Peter Knight
Miss Siobhan Walters
Mrs Camilla Owen		To October 2024
			Appointed by invite of trustees

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name	Dates acted if not for whole year
None

TAR 1 March 2012

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser	Name	Address
Bankers	CAF Bank Ltd	25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiner	Mrs Sylvia I. Whitehead	46 Bryn Terrace, Aberdare, CF44 8RA

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Director: Mr Russell Walters

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

Constitution registered by Charity Commission for England and Wales, March 14[th] 2019

Charitable Incorporated Organisation How the charity is constituted

(eg. trust, association, company)

Appointed by trustees Trustee selection methods

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

The charity is managed by a board of trustees who set the overall strategy for the operation and development of the organisation. In this they are assisted by a management committee consisting of the director, treasurer and four senior counsellors. This committee, through the director, also oversees the day to day operation of the service.

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;

All trustees and counsellors working with the charity hold current DBS checks.

the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
Concern Cymru is affiliated to the Association of Christians in Counselling (ACC) and operates under the code of ethics of that organisation.
relationship with any related parties;
A system of policies and codes of practice is in place that together with the code
parties; of ethics mentioned above, are designed to manage the inherent risks involved
● trustees’ consideration of in counselling. These are reinforced by the high standards of initial and ongoing major risks and the system training required to be undertaken by counsellors, and by continuous and procedures to manage supervision. The charities possible financial exposure to professional or public them. liability is covered adequately by insurance.

Section C Objectives and activities

The objects of Concern Cymru are:

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

the advancement of health for the public benefit by providing counselling to people with mental and emotional needs, together with
the advancement of education for the public benefit by providing accredited training and professional development for counsellors.

TAR 2 March 2012

Section C Objectives and activities (cont’d) In considering the operation and activities of Concern Cymru, the Trustees give due regard to the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit. Counselling is a well proven and approved technique for addressing a wide variety of mental, emotional and spiritual needs. Talking therapy is approved and provided by the National Health Service with the anticipation that patient's symptoms will be alleviated by counselling. Concern Cymru provides public benefit by mobilising the time and expertise of Christian volunteer counsellors in South Wales to provide a service to supplement the state talking therapy provision, which is increasingly overloaded and unable to meet demand. Its main activity is to provide free counselling to any person in need of such a service. A wide range of problems can be addressed and a number of counselling models are used, depending on the nature of the presenting case Summary of the main activities Clients can be offered counselling either in a face-to-face setting, online via a undertaken for the public benefit video conference or by telephone. in relation to these objects (include within this section the In order to make our services known as widely as possible, we maintain contacts statutory declaration that with local GP Health Centres, social services, local community health trustees have had regard to the organisations and support services, so that these organisations can refer people guidance issued by the Charity to us, who may benefit from our services. Our services are also advertised Commission on public benefit) through local media and our web site. Another of our aims is to provide public benefit by increasing the number of qualified counsellors available in the community. This is achieved by organising and running accredited training courses in counselling skills, together with specialised in-house courses and seminars to provide counsellors with the opportunity for continuous professional development. These courses and seminars are open to anyone with counselling interests, and not only those who work with Concern Cymru.

We also provide the opportunity for students studying for counselling degrees or diplomas at local universities and colleges, to work with us. This enables them to build up their practical skills and the necessary number of practice hours required for their courses.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose to include Concern Cymru is grateful to the volunteers, who give their time freely to further statements, where relevant, counsel our clients and also to study and improve their counselling skills. about: Without them Concern Cymru would not be able to function in its present ● policy on grantmaking; format, where no compulsory charge is made to clients for counselling. ● policy programme related investment ● contribution made by volunteers.

TAR 3 March 2012

Section D Achievements and performance

Developments in the Counselling Ministry

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The number of people referring to Concern Cymru for counselling continued to rise through 2024. A total of 355 referrals for counselling were received, a 13.8% increase on 2023. As is normal, after an initial discussion with these people who enquire about counselling, a high percentage decide not to go ahead. Of those who applied in 2024, 72 have completed or started a course of counselling sessions and some 30 are waiting to start. Since the Covid pandemic, we have been able to offer clients a choice of online or face to face counselling. Initially, online counselling had become the choice of most people as it saved travelling time and cost to attend our centres. However, in 2024, requests for face to face counselling started to increase again, and approximately 50% of sessions in 2024 were conducted face to face. As a consequence of the increase in face to face counselling , we have extended the one year contract we had with Thornhill Church Centre in Cardiff to provide a room for our sole use to give additional counselling space. We continue to provide up to 15 weekly counselling sessions during term times at St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School, to provide a counselling service for students at this school. 38 new students started counselling this year. Towards the end of 2024 we made a new connection with the Forward Trust charity. This charity helps prisoners in three prisons across Wales to free themselves from addictions. Our role with the charity will be to offer their staff who work with these prisoners, supervision twice a month for 1 hour. In 2024 we supported at 7 of their staff in this way. Improving Counsellor Skills and Numbers Our counsellor numbers reduced to 15 during the year and an important focus for 2025 will be to encourage more voluntary counsellors to join us. To help to manage the service with the reduced numbers of counsellors, we are hoping to move into group work where groups of clients suffering from a similar problem, can be brought together and counselled by fewer counsellors in a group setting. It is hoped to start a group for people suffering from anxiety early in 2025. We recruited seven new student counsellors in the year. These students are undertaking counselling degree or diploma courses at local colleges, and we offer them the opportunity to build up the hours of practical counselling they need to complete their courses. It is hoped that some of these students will continue to work us when they are fully qualified. Due to the demand for supervision for students, we have introduced group supervision in 2024, and have recruited an external supervisor for this role. Bi-monthly Continuous Professional Development evenings for counsellors have been run through the year, with guest specialist speakers invited to give our counsellors the best CPD training opportunities we can offer. To support the self-care of our counsellors, we held 2 away days in the year.

TAR 4 March 2012

Section D (cont’d) Achievements and performance

In this year when our staff and volunteers have again been called on to make exceptional efforts to maintain Concern Cymru’s service to the community, we are extremely thankful for the continued prayers and financial support of local churches, clients, friends and private charitable trusts, which have enabled us to maintain the free service we offer.

Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s Concern Cymru aims to maintain reserves to cover a minimum of six months’ policy on reserves operation. This would allow the charity to arrange for an orderly closure should funding cease, ensuring that any client undergoing counselling at the announcement of closure would have every chance of their case being brought to a conclusion whilst the charity was still able to operate. Details of any funds materially There are no funds in deficit in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

Total receipts for the year were £53,344 and payments were £54.873. We also received unrestricted donations from several charitable trusts. These were £9000 from the Ardbarron Trust Ltd and £1,200 from the James Williams Trust.

The total reserves held by Concern Cymru at the end of the year were You may choose to include £44,322. £42,392 of these reserves were held in the general fund which was additional information, where relevant about: sufficient to meet the requirements of the reserve policy above. ● the charity’s principal Most of the charity’s expenditure is used to rent and operate suitable sources of funds premises to provide counselling rooms and office accommodation, to (including any provide training, and to pay a part time salary to a director and fundraising); administrator to oversee the day to day operation of the service.

Expenditure is also incurred to provide insurance cover to protect our ● how expenditure has counsellors and the service against professional and public liabilities which supported the key may arise. objectives of the charity; Counsellors are not paid for counselling services given to Concern Cymru to ● • investment policy and fulfil the service’s normal voluntary activities, although occasionally objectives including any travelling expenses are paid when counsellors have to travel long distances ethical investment policy to our counselling centres. However, private counsellors are hired for a fee adopted . to provide the contracted services Concern Cymru offer to organisations such as St Teilo’s High School and the Forward Trust. It is also sometimes necessary to hire in specialist professional counsellors to meet particular needs. It is usually necessary to pay fees for this.

Section F Other optional information

TAR 5 March 2012

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature (s) Full name(s) Michael Bernard Rees John Stuart Gerrish Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair, Chair etc)[Treasurer ] Date 8[th] April 2025

TAR 6 March 2012

Concern Cymru

Registered Charity Number 1182469

Receipts & Payment Account and Statement of Assets & Liabilities

under Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011 for the period of 12 months ending December 31st 2024

Receipts:
Note
(a) Voluntary Sources
Client donations
Church gifts
Other donations
2
Income tax recovered
3
(b) Income from Assets
Bank interest
4
(c) Counselling Contracts
St Teilo's High School receipts
Student counsellor fees
Forward Trust
(d) Miscellaneous Receipts
Fund Raising
5
Room Hire
Prepayment for Training Fees
6
Sundry income
7
Total Receipts
Payments:
(a) Direct Charitable Expenditure
Salaries, Staff expenses
8
Schools' counselling counsellor fees
Forward Trust counselling counsellor fees
Student Counsellor counselling fees
Operation of counselling premises
9
Support of counselling service
10
Administration
11
Training and information
12
(b) Other Expenditure
Fund raising costs
13
Publicity
14
Retirement/memorial gifts
Total Payments
Surplus/(deficit) for the year before transfers
Transfers (Surplus training fees returned to general fund)
Surplus/(deficit) for the year after transfers
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
ASSETS:
Bank and cash balances:
Debtors
Furniture and fittings (insured value)
LIABILITIES:
Creditors

2023
General
Fund
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Total
Training
Courses
Croeserw
Service
£
£
£
£
£
2,758
-
-
2,758
1,551
1,664
-
-
1,664
1,713
25,840
-
-
25,840
31,385
1,358
-
-
1,358
2,792
939
-
-
939
541
19,480
-
-
19,480
17,187
759
-
-
759
-
-
-
-
67
-
-
67
61
480
-
-
480
30
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
53,344
-
-
53,344
55,259
25,806
-
-
25,806
22,306
15,588
-
-
15,588
15,046
1,188
-
-
1,188
-
200
-
-
200
-
7,806
-
-
7,806
6,844
2,018
-
-
2,018
923
2,103
-
-
2,103
1,474
164
-
-
164
77
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
250
54,873
-
-
54,873
46,919
(1,528)
-
-
(1,528)
8,340
-
-
(1,528)
-
-
(1,528)
8,340
43,920
-
1,930
45,850
37,510
42,392
-
1,930
44,322
45,850
Note
2024
2023
£
£
15
44,322
45,850
16
1,898
3,560
12,500
12,500
17
-
1,230
2024

Purpose of Funds:

a) Designated funds hold monies received and spent in connection with counselling training courses provided by Cardiff Concern. Surplus monies remaining after the completion of each course are transferred back to the general fund.

b) Restricted funds hold the income and expenditure associated with grants made to Cardiff Concern for specific purposes.

Concern Cymru - Accounts 2024 Page 1 of 3

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS:

1. Basis of accounts:

These accounts have been prepared on a 'receipts and payments' basis in accord with the Statement of Recommended Accounting Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005), UK Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 2011

Receipts:

2. Donations and other income: Transferred from Cardiff Concern Friends Gift Aided Other Counsellors Gift Aided Other In Memorium gifts Grants (restricted) Ffynon Oer Windfarm Benefit - People's Health Trust - Llynfi Afan - National Lotter - Charitable trusts Arrbarron Trust 8,000 Hebron Hall Cardiff YMCA (1910)Trust James Williams Trust 1,200 3. Income tax recovered: From Gift Aid donations Small Donation scheme 4. Bank interest: CAF Bank Accounts HMRC interest 5. Fund Raising: Collection Boxes Sales 6. Training Fees Trauma Course Donations Level 1/2 course fees Level 3 course fees CBT course fees 7. Sundry income Utilities commission *Payments:* 8. Salaries and staff expenses: Director Salary Director expenses Director Pension/N.I. Administrator Salary/Fees Training/Supervisor Co-ordinator Salary/Expenses Counsellor fees /expenses 9. Operation of counselling premises: Rent/Rates Cleaning Energy Supplies,equipment and safety Repairs/Refurbishment Building and contents insurance Events	General Designated Restricted Total 19 19 2,170 - - 2,170 9,370 - - 9,370 5,080 - - 5,080 1 - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9,200 - - 9,200 25,840 - - 25,840 1,358 - - 1,358 - - - - 1,358 - - 1,358 939 - - 939 - - - - 939 - - 939 67 - - 67 - - - - - - 67 - - 67 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - General Designated Restricted *Total* 18,270 - - 18,270 - - - - 486 - - 486 4,650 - - 4,650 2,400 - - 2,400 - - - - 25,806 - - 25,806 7,200 - - 7,200 - - - - - - - - 202 - - 202 - - - - 404 - - 404 7,806 - - 7,806 2024 2024	Total 9,545 1,795 3,745 6,100 - - - - - - - - - - - 9,000 1,200 10,200 31,385 2,792 - 2,792 541 - 541 61 - - 61 - - - - - - - Total 17,466 - 337 4,210 293 22,306 5,200 - - 1,254 - 390 6,844 2023 2023

Concern Cymru - Accounts 2024 Page 2 of 3

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (cont'd)

Payments: (cont'd)

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
10. Support of counselling service: General Designated Restricted Total Total
Liability and accident insurance 396 - - 396 371
Association fees and subscriptions 160 - - 160 152
Group Supervision fees 1,100 - - 1,100
DBS Checks 123 - - 123 158
Counselling Telephone 239 - - 239 242
Books and resources - - - - -
2,018 - - 2,018 923
11. Administration:
Bank Charges 202 - - 202 135
Internet 1,800 - - 1,800 1,309
Postage, stationery 102 - - 102 29
Photocopying - - - - -
2,103 - - 2,103 1,474
12. Training and information:
External courses/conference fees,
114 - - 114 77
expenses, CPD sessions
Course teaching and accreditation fees:
Trauma Course - - - - -
Level 3 - - - -
Level 1/2 - - - - -
CBT - - - -
College Partnership Fees - - - - -
Other training resources 50 - 50 -
164 - - 164 77
13. Fund Raising costs
Promotional pens - - - - -
- - - - -
14. Publicity:
Media advertising - - - - -
Counselling service publicity printing/postage - - - - -
- - - - -
Assets and liabilities:
2024 2023
15. Bank and cash balances: General Designated Restricted Total Total
CAF Cash Account 13,395 - 13,395 5,848
CAF Gold Account 28,997 - 1,930 30,927 40,002
- -
PayPal Account - - - - -
Cash in hand - - - - -
42,392 - 1,930 44,322 45,850
16. Debtors
Payments due for counselling contracts 1,395 - - 1,395 3,560
Unclaimed tax on gift aid donations 503 - - 503 -
1,898 - - 1,898 3,560
17. Creditors
Administrator fees - - - - 330
Charges for School Contract - - - - 900
- - - - 1,230
----- End of picture text -----

Accounts prepared by Michael B. Rees (Treasurer), January 2025

The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities set out on pages 1 to 3 relating to the year ending 31st December 2024 are as approved by the trustees.

Signed:

Stuart Gerrish (Chair)

Date: 27th January 2025

Concern Cymru - Accounts 2024 Page 3 of 3

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Concern Cymru members of On accounts for the year 31[st] December 2024 Charity no 1182469 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 to 3 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2024

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed 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 ( ~~other than that disclosed below~~ *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed: Date: 12[th] February 2025 Name: Mrs Sylvia I. Whitehead Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):

Address: 46 Bryn Terrace Cwmdare Aberdare CF44 8RA

October 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

October 2018

IER