OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-01-31-accounts

Charity Commission

Charity Commission Annual Return 2025

SINCERE SUPPORT

Charity registration number: 1182656

Most of the information you give in this form will become publicly available on the Register of Charities. Any field that the Charity Commission will not display will be clearly marked. This document is a record of the information provided in the Annual Return 2025.

Financial period

Financial period start date

01/02/2024

Financial period end date

31/01/2025

Income and spending

Income £

£121,693

Spending £

£112,223

Number of contracts from government

How many contracts (other than grant agreements) did your charity receive from central government or a local authority during the financial period for this return?

0

Number of grants from government

How many grants did your charity receive from central government or a local authority during the financial period for this return?

0

Income breakdown

Donations and legacies (excluding Endowments Received)

£0

Charitable activities

£37,472

Other trading activities

£0

Investments

£0

Other

£84,221

Corporate donations

What was the value of your charity’s single highest value donation received from a corporate donor during the financial period of this return?

£0

Donations from individuals

What was the value of your charity’s single highest value donation received from an individual during the financial period of this return?

£0

Donations from related parties

What was the value of your charity’s single highest value donation received from a related party during the financial period of this return?

£0

Grantmaking

Is grant making the main way your charity carries out its purposes?

No

Recipients of grants

Please round all figures to the nearest pound (do not enter decimal points or commas).Individuals

£0

Other charities

£0

Other organisations that are not charities

£0

Trustee payments

Excluding out of pocket expenses, for what were any of the trustees paid during the financial period for this return?

⊠ d. Other type of payment/benefit not defined

Did any of the trustees resign and take up employment with your charity in the financial period of this return?

No

Income from outside the UK

Did your charity receive income from outside of the United Kingdom in the financial period of this return?

No

Delivering activities outside the United Kingdom

Did your charity deliver charitable activities outside of the United Kingdom in the financial period of this return?

No

Spending outside of the United Kingdom

Did your charity spend funds outside of the United Kingdom in the financial period of this return?

No

Trading subsidiaries

Does the charity have any trading subsidiaries?

No

Employment contract types

People were permanently employed by your charity

2

People were on fixed-terms contracts with your charity

0

Self-employed people were working for your charity

6

Total overseas employees

How many of the people above work on behalf of your charity outside of the United Kingdom?

0

Total employee payroll

What was the total amount spent on employee payroll during the financial period relating to this return?

£56,961

Employees' salaries

Did any of your charity's employees receive total employment benefits of £60,000 or more in the financial period of this annual return?

No

Governance policies

Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures

Yes

Safeguarding policy and procedures

Yes

Financial reserves policy and procedures

Yes

Complaints policy and procedures

Yes

Serious incident reporting policy and procedures

Yes

Internal risk management policy and procedures

Yes

Trustee expenses policy and procedures

Yes

Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures

Yes

Investing charity funds policy and procedures

Yes

Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures

Yes

Bullying and harassment policy and procedures

Yes

Social media policy and procedures

Yes

Engaging external speakers at charity events policy and procedures

Yes

Safeguarding

Has your charity provided services to children and/or adults at risk in the financial period of the return?

No

Serious Incidents

Has your charity reported all Serious Incidents (including any historical incidents) that the charity became aware of during the financial period of this return?

There were no incidents to report

External risk and impact

Donations,

Unknown

Other income - grants

Unknown

Other income - contracts

Unknown

Other income - investment

Unknown

Expenditure on charitable activities

Unknown

Expenditure on overheads

Unknown

Number of volunteers

Unknown

Number of employees

Unknown

Number of trustees

Unknown

Fundraising activities

Unknown

Capacity to deliver services

Unknown

Total service demand

Unknown

Volunteers

Excluding trustees, provide an estimate of the number of volunteers who carried out charitable activities on behalf of your charity in the United Kingdom during the financial period of this return?

63

Privacy statement

Any information you give us will be held securely and processed only in accordance with the rule on data protection. We will not disclose your personal details to anyone unconnected to the Charity Commission unless:

We may share and disclose information about you with relevant public authorities, regulatory bodies and agencies, outside the Charity Commission but only if:

Information we collect about you

We will use this information:

To enable us to carry out our statutory functions and duties;

This will include the following actions:

Information we receive from other sources.

Information we receive from other sources

We may combine this information with information you give to us and information we collect about you.

We may use this information and the combined information for the purposes set out above (depending on the types of information we receive).

We will ensure that any such disclosure and use is proportionate; considers your right to respect for your private life; and is done fairly and lawfully in accordance with the data protection principles of the Data Protection Act.

The Data Protection Act 1998 regulates the use of 'personal data', which is essentially any information, however stored, about identifiable living individuals.

As a 'data controller' under the Act, the Charity Commission must comply with it. Any changes we may make to our privacy statement in the future will be set out in the replacement version of this form.

Please check back frequently to see any updates or changes to our privacy policy.

Declaration

Your role at the charity (select one):

⊠ Trustee

Your role at the ch
⊠Trustee		 arity (select one):
Given names Stephen Haley
Family name Lister
Telephone 07976572406
number
Email stephenlister@btconnect.com
Date submitted 12/09/2025

It is a criminal offence under section 60 of the Charities Act 2011 for anyone to knowingly or recklessly provide false or misleading information to the commission; this includes suppressing, concealing or destroying documents.

Sincere Support

Charity Number 1182656

Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Account for the year 1st February 2024 to 31st January 2025

Sincere Support (Charity Number 1182656)

Report of the Trustees for the year 1st February 2024 to 31st January 2025

The trustees have the pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of the charity for the period 1st February 2024 to 31st January 2025.

Reference and Administration details

Sincere Support is a registered charity, charity number 1182656.

Principal address

C/O Meadow Hall Centre Limited Management Suite 1 The Oasis Meadowhall Centre Sheffield S9 1EP

Trustees

The trustees who served in the year were:

Stephen Haley Lister (Chairman) Sheena Powell-Bevan Geoffrey Brignall Ellis Brooke Powell-Bevan Fiona Bowden (appointed 2nd August 2024) Peter Bowden (appointed 2nd August 2024)

Structure, governance and management

The charity was constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Foundation on 27th March 2019. The governing document is a constitution.

Where there is a need for new trustees, these are identified and appointed by the existing Trustees.

Objectives and activities

The charity was formed to relieve the stresses experienced by the family and carers of children with terminal or serious illnesses in hospital in the region of Yorkshire, Humber and Lincolnshire and to support other properly constituted groups working for the same purpose.

Achievements and performance

The charity was formed on 27th March 2019 and superseded Sincere Support (charity number 1100487) from 16th October 2019.

£37,472 has been raised in the period from fundraising activities, which is unrestricted. Funding of £84,221 has also been secured from the National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities, which is restricted.

Financial performance

The reserves of the charity are unrestricted at the year end and are available to meet the costs of running the charity for its objectives and activities, for donation and fundraising activities.

At the year end the reserves were £76,080.

The receipts and payments accounts have been prepared under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice. The financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records and information and explanations provided to Jonathan White & Co Accountants Limited.

Further Information

As part of our ongoing National Lottery programme, we have had an external evaluation of our activities completed. This is highly detailed and we have attached a copy at the end of this document.

Public Benefit

The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The trustees have considered how planned activities contribute to the aims and objectives set ensuring activities offer and satisfy the public benefit requirement as stated in charity law.

This report and financial statements were approved by the trustees on the 12th September 2025 and is signed on behalf of them all.

Stephen Haley Lister Chairman

Sincere Support (Charity Number 1182656) Independent Examiners Report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above named charity for the year ended 31st January 2025, which are set out on pages 4 to 6.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation 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 in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

12th September 2025

Jonathan White

Jonathan White & Co Accountants Limited 134 Dobbin Hill Sheffield S11 7JD

Sincere Support (Charity Number 1182656)

Receipts and Payments Account for the year 1st February 2024 to 31st January 2025

Receipts
Fundraising activities
The National Lottery Community Fund
Reaching Communities
Other income
Total receipts
Payments
Family support
Donations made
Sessional workers
Salaries 1.
Training
Fundraising
General office costs
Telephone
Motor vehicle
Legal and professional
Accountancy
Marketing
Cleaning of premises
Total payments
Asset and investment purchases
Assets purchased
Total asset and investment purchases
Total payments
Net (Payments)/Receipts for the year
Funds balance brought forward
Funds balance carried forward		 Restriced
Funds 2025
£
0
-
84,221
0
84,221
9,407
0
9,101
56,961
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
677
3,513
79,659
0
0
79,659
4,562
19,382
23,944		 Unrestriced
Funds 2025
£
37,472
0
0
37,472
4,618
25
1,097
0
0
15,046
6,782
1,308
784
0
804
2,100
0
32,564
0
0
32,564
4,908
50,764
55,672		 Total Funds
Funds 2025
£
37,472
84,221
0
121,693
14,025
25
10,198
56,961
0
15,046
6,782
1,308
784
0
804
2,777
3,513
112,223
0
0
112,223
9,470
70,146
79,616		 Restriced
Funds 2024
£
0
83,120
0
83,120
8,210
0
10,069
60,248
0
0
77
0
0
640
0
803
3,482
83,529
0
0
83,529
(409)
19,791
19,382		 Unrestriced
Funds 2024
£
10,248
0
0
10,248
4,736
0
590
0
0
2,679
1,802
1,287
1,821
2,410
804
2,659
0
18,788
4,800
4,800
23,588
(13,340)
64,104
50,764		 Total Funds
2024
£
10,248
83,120
0
93,368
12,946
0
10,659
60,248
0
2,679
1,879
1,287
1,821
3,050
804
3,462
3,482
102,317
4,800
4,800
107,117
(13,749)
83,895
70,146

Sincere Support (Charity Number 1182656) Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st January 2025

Assets retained for the charity's own use
Motor vehicles
Furniture, fixtures and fittings
Plant and machinery
Computer equipment
Cash at Bank
Total assets
Liabilites
Creditors 2.
Total Liabilites		 Restriced
Funds 2025
£
0
0
305
0
305
23,944
23,944
2,732
2,732		 Unrestriced
Funds 2025
£
22,500
95
1,094
1,960
25,649
55,672
55,672
804
804		 Total Funds
2025
£
22,500
95
1,399
1,960
25,954
79,616
79,616
3,536
3,536		 Restriced
Funds 2024
£
0
0
305
0
305
19,382
19,382
1,099
1,099		 Unrestriced
Funds 2024
£
22,500
95
1,094
1,960
25,649
50,764
50,764
0
0		 Total Funds
2024
£
22,500
95
1,399
1,960
25,954
70,146
70,146
1,099
1,099

Sincere Support (Charity Number 1182656)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year 1st February 2024 to 31st January 2025

Notes

  1. Included with Salaries are salary payments of £20,195 to MR S Lister, a trustee.

  2. Creditors:

Pension contributions 1,229 PAYE & Nic 1,503 Professional fees 804

3,536

I: -( jlli ('re support REGISTeAÉO CHARITY NUMBEf¢ I1￿2656) Our impact 2023/2024 30 years of support COMMUNITY FUND

Providing financial and emotional help to the families of sick children in hospital or who have sadly been bereaved.

Sincere Support has assisted hundreds of families with sick children in hospital or who have sadly been bereaved. We are an organisation, helping those who have no other means of financial support to cover the non - medical expenses that arise when a child needs to be sent to Sheffield Children's Hospital or out of town for surgery or on-going treatment. Those expenses cover a broad spectrum of needs that are individual to each family. Sometimes it is the need to look after accommodation for the months the family will be away or to cover the cost of daycare for siblings left behind while parents are with their sick child. Whatever the need, Sincere Support has always been there to help ease the financial burden the family must face.

Every family Sincere Support has helped endure a myriad of emotions from fear to frustration. Sometimes the outcome is tragic, we don't always win. The pain of losing a child is unimaginable to most of us and even more heart-breaking if it happens after months of being away from home. That reality is unbearable. It's not only the child and their families who win, by having 'more tomorrows' but all of us who have helped to make it happen.

We are able to share joy of success not only when we get the call that the surgery is over and "My child is doing great!", but every time we get a letter, a Christmas card, a picture or a thank you from a very grateful family.

Overview

Impact outlined and the difference the project will make

Supporting Families through Crisis aims to improve and provide the best circumstances for parents/carers who have received a devastating diagnosis/prognosis about their child, have a seriously/terminally ill child, or have suffered bereavement.

It provides an accessible respite centre supporting people with counselling, and building an understanding of, and access to, health and welfare systems, and other agencies. The aim is to improve mental and physical wellbeing and self-esteem, reduce isolation and build more cohesive families to prevent later crises.

The project will support 300 new clients and 100 existing clients per annum totalling 900 new and 300 existing clients over the three year project lifetime. Clients may be individuals or families.

The project will also help 73 volunteers to continue to develop skills and take fulfilling community roles leading to increased confidence and selfesteem.

The project will progress the capacity of the organisation and develop its sustainability.

----- Start of picture text -----
HIGHLIGHTS
252 Families received
practical support
17 Volunteers joined
NLCF funding received
4 Sessional workers
for 3 years
recruited
Redeveloped our
website and social
media
----- End of picture text -----

From our Chair – Stephen Lister

For 30 years Sincere Support has supported children and families as they face life with a serious childhood illness. Brexit, the cost of living and COVID-19 continues to take its heavy toll on the everyday lives of many of the families we support and the care that we could safely deliver. In 2022/23 our main priorities were to: Re-build referrals to pre-pandemic levels Reach more children and families by developing online support, establish a new Ambassador Team, Increase volunteer support for families with less intense needs, Develop new partnerships with health and social care providers. Despite the challenges of the year, we made good progress and in this Impact Report you can read more about our achievements. We want to say a massive thank you to all our supporters. Your donations large and small ensure that seriously ill children and their families get the support they need.

----- Start of picture text -----
100% of our
families gave
positive feedback
of good or
excellent
----- End of picture text -----

The impact we made

----- Start of picture text -----
New families started receiving our
24 Families
stopped receiving 63 New families 784 Total people
252 Families
help as they felt started receiving we reached over
supported
better able to help and support this last year
cope
----- End of picture text -----

How we achieved it

We restructed our management team to make sure we covered all the skills needed to be able to efficiently meet the needs of our families and the services we provide. Our volunteers all have specific expertise and knowledge we can call upon, this significantly increases our ability to reach new families across the region and provide the individual needs of those families.

Following generous funding from the National Lottery Community Fund we were able to solidify and boost our family support services to really make a difference to the lives of those who are suffering the trauma of a child in hospital or the tragedy of bereavement.

We have further completed in house training for our workers in first aid, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults & basic bereavement trainming counselling.

The difference we have made

252 Families supported across the region.

With the devastating news that your region child has a life threatening or terminal illness your whole world may feel like it’s falling apart. Sincere Support provides a range of support to parents and families from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. We support the whole family both emotionally and practically including siblings and grandparents. Families received

Direct help can be given or specialist counselling can be accessed relevant to individual needs.

176 Siblings supported.

We understand having a child with a life-threatening illness or bereavement can affect the whole family. Our Support Workers and professional counsellors help siblings cope through one-to-one support, and sibling groups and events. It might be spending time playing, talking to our support workers or going on outings to football matches, leisure parks etc. Their world can be drastically changed in a moment, they might not be able to be with their brother or sister, and they could feel isolated and alone. Our support plays a vital role in their development and understanding of what is happening, helping them with coping strategies, school work, building a support network for them.

252 Families supported at home.

Sincere Support provides a range of support to parents and families from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. We support the whole family both emotionally and practically including siblings and grandparents.

Support is available to anyone concerned about, or working with people suffering illness or bereavement. Support could be in the form of cleaning, hygiene care packs, shopping, laundry services (pick up and drop off services), and food hampers.

88 Families supported at hospital

Sincere Support can offer a service designed to assist parents and their families whilst the child is in hospital or after discharge. We can offer practical and emotional support during hospital visits and at home both before and after discharge

Support can be in the form of transport, care packs, food provision, errand running, laundry done etc.

71 Families supported with transport .

Sincere Support can provide safe, free transport to and from hospital or to appointments.

We have a fabulous team of volunteer drivers to assist with direct transport or specialist assistance can be accessed relevant to individual needs through our partners.

24/7 support to families across the region .

People are able to cope better if they

Sincere Support feels in counselling the following needs are important and it prides itself on

Empathy: The ability to feel the individuals’ emotions - Congruence: The individual needs to see that you are a real person genuinely interested in them - Unconditional Positive Regard: listening without judgment - Dedicated time to explore difficulties, stressful situations, or emotional upset faced by an individual - Helping the individual see their situation and feelings from a different viewpoint, potentially to facilitate change - Building a relationship based on trust and confidentiality.

Supporting Mental Health

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Caring for a seriously ill child or going through bereavement can be one of the most stressful experiences families can go through, it could last many months or years

This year we continued to provide essential practical and emotional support to help alleviate the immense pressure many parents were under. As the cost of living increased creating additional family stresses, we provided direct family support, sign-posted parents to financial help and provided high

levels of transport support. This alleviated the worry of expensive trips to hospital for appointments and treatment that could be miles away from a family’s home. Our Family Support Workers do not provide counselling, but their extensive experience of working with families with a seriously ill child can equip them to spot potential mental health issues and to act at an early stage. We were able to provide an important support network that improved families’ emotional well-being as they could talk about how they were coping to someone who understood and never judged.

Sincere Support is in the process of organising a bespoke Mental Health/Grief Counselling course combined in 2025. We have not used our allocation of money for training in year 1 so we can increase the quality and content of the training course using our funding for year 1 and year 2 together.

Taking a mental health/grief training course can be incredibly beneficial for several reasons:

  1. Increased awareness: Our work force will gain a better understanding of issues associated with mental health and grief, which can help candidates recognise signs of distress in themselves and others.

  2. Support environment: These courses will give them the tools to create a supportive environment, whether at work or in their personal life. This can lead to more open conversations about mental health and grief and reduce stigma.

  3. Improved wellbeing: Learning techniques to manage stress, anxiety and other mental health/grief challenges can improve overall wellbeing.

  4. Enhanced skills : They will develop skills to support others who may be experiencing mental health/grief issues, making them a valuable resource within their community and work place.

  5. Productivity and performance: For workplaces, mental health/grief counselling training can lead to improved productivity and performance by fostering a healthier, more supportive work environment.

Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of our charity. Throughout the last year our great team of volunteers have provided direct support to families and helped us raise much needed funds.

Volunteering allows Sincere Support to carry out our important mission, ensure we meet the needs of service users, keep day-to-day operations ticking along, raise money and awareness, and broadly support our community.

We welcomed 17 new volunteers to our fold and although this fell short of our target it helped us reach more families.

There are tons of essential benefits to volunteering, allowing them to gain new skills, find new friends, improve confidence, and give back.

----- Start of picture text -----
71 Volunteers
gave us their
time and
support
----- End of picture text -----

Fundraising

Ian Hammond – Cycling Fundraiser

CYCLING BY NUMBERS Facts & Figures

26 games

When I first heard about Sincere Support, I was immediately struck by the profound impact they have on families in some of the most challenging times of their lives. Organizations like Sincere Support provide a lifeline, offering both practical help and compassionate care and their mission resonated with me and I wanted to do something to support this incredible cause. 

  - 84 separate cycle rides

Families dealing with a child's illness or loss often find themselves overwhelmed, not just emotionally, but financially as well. The costs associated with hospital stays, treatments, and the necessary time away from work can be devastating. Sincere Support steps in to alleviate some of these burdens, allowing families to focus on what truly matters: being there for their children and ensuring families can stay together during these critical times. 

  - 11 grounds visited

But it’s not just about the money. The emotional support Sincere Support offers is equally vital. Having someone to talk to, someone who understands what you're going through can make an enormous difference. Sincere Support connects families with counselling services, support groups, and a network of people who have faced similar challenges. This sense of community can provide comfort and strength during the darkest times.

Inspired by the incredible work of Sincere Support, I decided to embark on a unique fundraising challenge - as the manager of my son’s football team, Young Owls, during the 2023-24 season every week I cycled the round-trip distance between our ground and that of our opponents (or a minimum of 30 miles, whichever was the greater).Fundraising for Sincere Support has been a rewarding experience. It’s not just about the money raised but the awareness spread, and knowing that our efforts can help ease the burden for families in crisis is incredibly fulfilling.

I encourage everyone to learn more about Sincere Support and consider how they can contribute. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every little bit helps. Together, we can ensure that no family faces these challenges alone.

In conclusion, my charity cycle ride for Sincere Support was a very meaningful endeavour. It allowed me to contribute to an organization that provides essential services to families in need and I am proud to support their mission and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.

Family G

Evening Beverley/Stephen,

Today you both gave myself and Jack some hope, for over 2 years now we've struggled alone, not knowing who to seek help and advice from, for over a year we've had social care involved and we are still alone struggling, hospital appointments cause so much stress due to the worry of just parking and paying or the gamble of avoiding tickets... One call with yourselves and immediately you've resolved one of the biggest battles we've been facing.. Over a year or more services all-knowing each week the trauma this causes and they couldn't support us. You have, words can't explain or even come close to how grateful we are, I'm still so emotional thinking about your generosity and I'd like to say it, but a gift of kindness, I will forever be indebted to you both.

I've taken photo copies of all jack's current diagnosis, also copied evidence of new referrals, so rather than list the whole ins and outs of his health problems in depth I can pass these on to Stephen Monday? I have attached a photo of a letter received on Feb, with just some of his current conditions he is being treated for however he's now had a further 5 new referrals for other issues.

 High BMI with complications from excessive weight  Short stature  Insulin resistant  Low vitamin D  Abnormal liver function  Subclinical hypothyroidism  Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss Left ear cholesteatoma   Sleep disorder breathing  Aden tonsillectomy Picture and name used with the express permission of Jack’s mum, Amy

Nottingham Panthers Ice Hockey Player death

Nottingham Panthers' player Adam Johnson died on Saturday 28 October 2023 after being hit in the neck by a Sheffield Steeler’s player's skate during a match at Sheffield's Utilita Arena.

The game was abandoned after the incident and the 8,000-strong crowd was asked to leave as Mr Johnson, 29, received medical attention. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

The following Tuesday, Sincere Support were contacted by Matt Hall from Sheffield Steeler’s (he is also one of our lead ambassadors) to see if we were able to offer/provide any help to the club as the players were meeting the next day for the first time as a team back at the Arena.

As the scale of the event was so huge and given that the trauma was witnessed by Sheffield Steeler’s players, Management, staff, families and supporters and also witnessed by the public on TV we felt it needed to be handled by a very specialist organisation.

Through our contacts and associations we were able to reach out to the Professional Footballers Association and Sporting Chance charity based in London. The following day the players and staff met with 3 very experienced counsellors, including one of Sincere Supports lead counsellors, who held group and individual sessions to help them begin their mental health recovery. This has carried on continually even to this day and it was also extended to players/staff families and friends who were trying to deal with the trauma. The Steelers’ player involved in the tragedy has, and continues to have, 1 to 1 sessions with one of our counsellors as his trauma and also the investigation into the event goes on.

The Sporting Chance charity are in the process of putting together a structure for the Elite Hockey League to be able to provide mental health awareness sessions/understanding to all its members. All this counselling assistance has been given free of charge.

Sincere Support is proud to have been able to help using its partner specialists during this terrible time for many people and although cannot quantify numbers realises that many hundreds of people have been assisted on their road to mental health recovery.

Dear Bev and Stephen,

I wanted to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for the urgent assistance you provided to the Sheffield Steelers during such a difficult time last October. In the wake of the sudden and tragic passing of one of the Nottingham Panthers players whilst playing in a game against our club, your quick support and compassion truly made a difference.

Your efforts in connecting us with Colin Bland and the Sporting Chance organisation, which led to arranging psychiatric assistance for our team were invaluable. It helped our players navigate through the emotional challenges they faced during this time of grief, trauma, and uncertainty. The care and support offered by both your organisations have meant more to us than words can express.

Colin had arranged for two psychiatric consultants and a mental health consultant to be on site within 15 hours of asking, and they have continued to work with the club for the past 11 months to present day. We have players who will continue to receive help, and support from the charity and on a private basis for some time to come I imagine.

We are sincerely thankful for your partnership and the role you played in our ongoing healing process. Your dedication to helping others in moments of need is truly remarkable, and we will always be grateful for your kindness and professionalism throughout these difficult times.

With heartfelt thanks from the Sheffield Steelers organisation and myself.

From Matt Hall – Sincere Support, Lead Ambassador

The road ahead

This year is certain to have more than its fair share of political, economic, and social change. But we’ve also entered a year of choices, challenges, and opportunities.

Our latest Road Ahead plan is to analyse major trends and issues for 2024/5 to help create a path through the year. As well as helping our families make decisions, this plan will also demonstrate how we at Sincere Support deliver – and adapt – the support and guidance we offer to our families and the wider community. We are expecting considerable change for both our sector and our society.

We believe Sincere Support will play an even bigger role in this transformational year for our families, particularly by raising our collective voice about the issues that matter and the realities facing our communities. Sincere Support hopes to shine through once again in 2024/5. But we also need to see the government tackle the issues facing our society. This requires greater collaboration in the voluntary sector to navigate the challenges ahead and create the most impact for the people and communities we support. This isn’t just a cost of living crisis, for charities like Sincere Support, who give so much, this is a cost of giving crisis. As costs continue to climb, funding opportunities fall, charities fight for the same pound, our sector could be in crisis. We need urgent support, or our families and the communities we assist will be at risk.

During this 1[st] year we reviewed our transport mode and decided to go for a more economical vehicle to assist with the day to day running expenses. The cost of fuel has risen quite dramatically so we opted for a Hybrid vehicle to lower our fuel costs. This has worked quite well however it has also backfired in the fact that we cannot manage as much luggage, buggies, and mobility scooters etc. due to its load capacity. After discussion with our management committee we need to source funding to be able to purchase a slightly bigger Hybrid vehicle to satisfy our families’ demands/needs and effectively cater for these requirements.

Some of our arlners and su oriers STERLING COMIAODITIES Ls,, 1993 myhealtl.pal WORITJ DF SlJPEh￿E1oEs THE HYOIINI BANK Westfield Health Utility Source PRESSURE SPORTING CHANCE M ET A L S ,@ SHEFFIELD QQ FORGEMASTERS Bradwell smart fomputers ￿K￿m￿RE RECYCLING HALILAGE TSB 0114 2442489