PCAS
Person Centred
Advocacy & Support
Together We Con
A Free to use,
100 % Independent,
Confidential, Advocacy Service
Advocacy
QPM
AWARD
Shropshire Peer Counselling & ￿vOCacy Service s a registwed thaiity (WISt￿￿j thartty number 1187362)

Contents
What is independent Advocacy..................... pg2
Background, Mission & Aims.......................... pg3
Welcome from our Chair........................
pg4
Managers Report............................................. pg 5
Impact Section.................................................. pg 6- 11
Impact Section- CASE STUDIES.................... pg 12- 18
Our Advocates............................. .
pg19
Structure, Governance and
Management...................................
pg20
Trustees and Principle Officers...................... pg 21
Financial Review................................................ pg 22
Independent Examinerfs Report..................... pg 23
Financial Activities........................................
pg24-33
Statement of Disclosure.................................. pg 34
Thanks to our funders and Donors................ pg 35
PCAS Contact Details..................................
Pg36
Focus on
impact, not
process.
VEVÉ ALLWAN I ¢4I*RIT* COACII

What Is Independent Advocacy.
At some point in our lives, most of us will need an Advocate. You may need help to make a
difficult phone call, need someone who can write a letter, or someone to attend with you, at a
difficult meeting.
In many cases, the Advocate is a friend or family member. for others, it may be a nurse or
social worker. But what if you don't have any of these people to help? Or the problem
relates in some way to your family. G.P, or social worker? This is where independent Advocacy
can help. an Advocate will support you to speak up for yourself as they are ONLY there for you
and have no ties to other agencies or people in your lrfe. An Advocate helps you to get the
information you need to make real choices about your Circumstan￿5, supporting you to put
your choices to others.
PCAS assists with:
Safeguarding peopSe who are vulnerable and discredited against or whom services find
difficult to serve.
Supporting disabled people at risk of losing their tenancy
Empowering people who need a stronger Vol￿ by enabling them to express their own needs
and make their own decisions.
Enabling people to gain access to information, explore and understand their options, and to
make their views and wishes known.
Care issues, accommodation. financial management and paperwork
Supporting at meetings and long temi support in order to stay living in their own homes for
longer.
PCAS can speak on behalf of people who are unable to do so for themselves.
PCAS helps people with Mental Heatth needs, something we have done for 29 years now.
PCAS helps clients through Adult Safeguarding pro￿sses.
Child Protectionlchild in n￿d work.
Our compassionats team will empower and uplift Clients to enhance their quality of life,
ensuring every voice is valued
It is important to recognise that an effective Advocate will use their knowledge, experience and
skills to enable their client to have the best lrfe possible. This might mean the Advocate telling
the client about options that the client has never thought of themselves.
It is also an Advocates job to be realistic with their client. as not all things a client may want will
be possible.

Background, Mission And Aims
BACKGROUND TO PCAS AND WHAT WE DO
PCAS Advocacy Service was started in 1995 by Shropshire Disabilty Consortium to provide a
community based independent advocacy Servi￿ for people with ANY disability over the age of
18 in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
PCAS was set up by disabled people who recognised a need for individuals to be supported to
ensure their Vol￿ was heard. PCAS is commttted to ensuring individuals are as involved as they
can be in decisions that affect their lives. We aim to raise awareness of a person's ri
hts and
ensure they are safeguarded against in instances where people are unable to do so
or
themselves.
PCAS is a re
istered charity, to maintain its Independen￿ it is managed by a Board of Trustees,
comprising o
individuals who have an interest in and a commitment to the work PCAS does. The
Board hold a strategic role, havin
PCAS meets it legal and charitab
responsibilty to oversee effecb've govemance by ensuring
e obligations.
Our Mission Statement Is..
PCAS pmvides independent advocac
ftir adults with any disability, physical. sensory.
learning or mental health. We aim to le the Service of Choice, to secure clients, rights,
services, and to ensure they are listened to, empowered and treated with respect. We
further aim to promote social inclusion, equality and socialjustice for all, irrespective of
sexual orientation or ethnicity.
We Aim to:
Assist disabled persons primarily. but not exclusively, living or working within the Counties of
Shropshire and Powys. through the provision of Advocacy and information.
Be recognised as the "Go to" Servi￿ for Advocacy support
Enable disabled people to make infomed Chol￿s, by giving them the infomation they need
Help rebuild confidence and self*steem though being valued as a person
Provide a service enabling the opportunity for people to take control of their own lives
Challenge decisions made on behalf of people which they disagree with
To listen to and engage with a client and actively involve them in any action PCAS assists
with
We also have a set of priorities that we use to plan what we want to achieve every year.
This year we have continued to develop our service to meet the growing needs of local people
who are requiring more long temi assistance with their finances, enabling disabled people to stay
living in their own homes for longer.
PCAS Website
wNw.shro
shire
cas.co.uk

Welcome from our Chair
I took over as PCAS Chair in January 2024 as
the previous Chair Peter Quinn was retiring,
having been with PCAS for more than 10
years.
l joined PCAS in early 2023 and have been
extremely proud to be appointed as
chairperson of a charity that does such an
amazing job in Shropshire every single day.
PCAS stands for 'Person Centred Advocacy &
Support"
PCAS is based in Oswestry but covers the
whole of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. We
provide one-to-one support and guidan￿ for
any adult with a disability who needs an
independent advocate.
Ben Payne, Chair of PCAS
The charity's advocates support clients to speak up for themselves, get the
information they need and make choices about their circuMstan￿S often at
the most difficult times in their lives.
Very often people with a disability are overlooked. They often struggle to get
their voices heard or can struggle with things that many of us take for granted.
But PCAS can offer a shoulder to lean on and a vital lifeline to some of the
most vulnerable peopSe in our community.
Now in it's 28-year history, the charity has supported more than 10,800 people
and in the past year alone, has helped clients access more than 2,000 new
services.
l am the operations director for 7video, a Shrewsbury based company making
films and animations and also a volunteer for the Teenage Cancer Trust and a
mentor with The Prince's Trust. l am also taking a qualification to become a
counsellor.

Manager's Report
PCAS - Person Centred Advocacy & Support, yes.
we have had a rebranding, PCAS used to stand for
Peer Counselling & Advocacy Servi￿, this is still our
registered charity name.
But this new branding reflects on how we work as a
service, better reflecting how we help and support
people. And after 29 years we thought it was time to
really focus on what we have done well for all those
years. Most people who use us or have used us over
the years, over 11.000 of you now, recognise us as
PCAS.
Simon Arthur, Manager
You will see in our annual report figures we have worked with less people this year, the reason for
this is the complexity of the issues people need help with, and the fact we had to close to new
referrals. We have helped the 245 people wtth 3801 issues this shows an average of 15.5 issues per
person, this really causes us concem as being on the frontline, we can see how people are suffering
from cuts, cost of living crisis, digff(al inclusion, huge utility rises to name a few of the factors.
Nothing changes for us we just keep on doing our amazing work, helping and supporting people with
disabilities to have a vol￿, be listened to, and have a better quality of life. Our focus will always be
on the person needing help, we will listen, discuss, plan. help and support, always keeping the client
at the centre of the work we do wtth and for them.
During this last year one of our amazing workers Glenda has reached 15 years, milestone of working
for us. I must say it has been a pleasure she is so dedicated and hard-working, Glenda is my
deputy, so she stands in when l am holidaying or off poorly. She is a star and I hope she continues
with us for many years to come Thank you Glenda.
It has been another busy year at PCAS with so many people needing our help and support,
unfortunately we cannot keep up wtth the demands being placed on us, and indeed had to close to
new referrals not once but on 4 occasions over the last 12 months. It is a sad fact that the world is in
a mess and this has a knock on effect on our servi￿, so many disabled and vulnerable people are
fast running out of options to help them, especially over the longer temi, l am prety sure we are the
only Servi￿ in Shropshire that offers this help and support for many years.
In an ideal world we need more funding! around £70,000 a year, rf we could achieve this, it would
enable us to employ a further 2 full time staff, but with so many challenges in our county as well as
around the country, grant funding is so hard to secure, V￿ are lucky that after 29 years we are still
here, able to help some if not all that need us.
We will keep on doing what we can for the people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin in this ever
changing world, but we need more supporters. people who can help us to raise funds, offer
sponsorship work with us to achieve our goals and those of the vulnerable disabled people we hel
and support.

OUR IMPACT
IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR
2023- 2024
PCAS HAS HELPED
245 PEOPLE
WITH 1785 INDIVIDUAL VISITS
WITH 3801 ISSUES
90
Start a_n_d_End_Qu_e_s_t_i_onn_a_ire_Re_s_u_l_ts
Where El - Yes at start of help 11- No at end of help
70
50
40
30
20
io
70
62
Are you at risk of losing your tenancy
Are you able to manage your own
moneylbanking
Are you in any debt

IMPACT SECTION
Over this financial year, PCAS has helped clients with a whopping 3801 client issues this year, which shows
the complexity of cases that we have been working with. Our advocates are working tirelessly to support
our clients as they sort through the complex issues to enable our clients to be in a more stable place.
Dividin8 the amount of i5sues138011 by the amount of clients helped12451 gives an average of each client
having over 15 issues that they need help with.
Client Issues April 2023- March 2024
Total Issues 3801 Average of 15.5 Issues per client
121XJ
iiio
600
400
231
218
200
139
133
143
136
136
142
132
83
82
88
25
31 42
22

IMPACT SECTION
Positive Client Outcomes April 2023- March 2024
Total 2625 Average of 10.7 per client
iooo
900
700
600
500
466
400
300
200
146
121 121
135
106
105
loo
70
37
50
14
14 7
28
24
13

IMPACT SECTION
Clients often require many other seniices to put their life back on track, an average of 6
other services per client this year.
Our Advocates are very skilled and persistent at getting other services involved to help
their clients. This can be very challenging, in that many are still working from home, or
have closed down, or at capacity because of high demand. Advocates can get frustrated
by some services who seem unable to do what they should be doing and are funded for.
Services Accessed For Clients this Financial Year Apr 23 - Mar 24
Totsi 1275
350
300
250
200
150
loo
50
Banks
Hosp/GpIsoliclFuneral/lns
Care Issues
Finance
Benefits • Housing
Other

IMPACT SECTION
400
Postcode areas covered within this financial year -1159
(1785 individual visits)
350
300
250
200
150
loo
50
71
io
li
Age Graph April 23 - March 24 Totsl 245 Clients
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
Is
io
Under 25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
66-75
76-85
86-95
c￿er 96
10

IMPACT SECTION
160
Disabilities April 2023 to March 2024
Total 674 Average of 2.7 disabilities per client
140
120
40
20
145
Physical
Sensory
Mental
He3￿h
Learing
Disabillty
Over 65
Ex F¢)rces
Other
Multiple
Disabilities
Cotnplex
Needs
Quotes from Clients
My Advocate has supported me to get PIP & to move to more suitable accommodation. I would not be
able to cope financially & I would still be living in an upstairs flat that was getting too much for me
without PCAS
My finan￿5 are now safeguarded from my son. Shropshire Council have taken on the role of managing
my finan￿S. My son may have continued to manipulate me to give him money without PCAS
l am able to manage a direct payment & I have got control of my bank accounts & debt. My care
package would have collapsed & my financial issues would not be sorted without my Advocate
I felt as if someone was listening to what I needed help wtth. in confiden￿, wtthout judgement &
someone I could trust, and I don't find trusting or asking for help easy. Wrthout PCAS I would probably
of had a breakdown or be in prison
I have applied for Seven Trent Trust Fund with assistan￿ from my Advocate. The debt has been
written off & water charges are manageable now. Without you, I would have gotten deeper in debt &
wouldn't have known what to do. Thank you, you have been brilliant.
My PIP is now paid directly to me instead of an appointee. I would have to account to my family for rny
spending withoLrt your support
I now know what wll happen with adaptations to my home as I had help wrth the fonns. These fomis
would not have been completed wthout my Advocate & progress would not have been made. Thank
you for all your help.
11

IMPACT SECTION- CASE STUDIES
Thank You, from Ange a client"
l just want to say thank you for Jackie my lrfeline worker. who is a star of support in every way. I
am so grateful as I've found life shared is more bearable where it was impossible before.
Thank you for the wonderful servi￿, second to none.
My dient needed to renew her Blue Badge, however due to her Acquired Brain Injury. needed
support to enable her to collate the information and complete the relevant application.
We went onto the Renew a Blue Badge webstte and completed the relevant information, we
collated the documents and together we removed names etc.. and uploaded documents.
After completing the online application and ensuring my client was fully involved, she felt a
sense of self achievement, commenting "Oh, l think I could do that myself next time. whilst
laughing and then statr'ng - well maybe not!!
When my client disclosed to me she'd had her
iPad removed and therefore not only was she
unable to aC￿sS her games etc., she felt she was
being treated like a child.
The Social Worker and l explored why this had
happened and explaining to staff that you can only
deny something rf it is in their best interests.
It was agreed that she could have her iPad
retumed, however a couple of social media apps
were to be removed. The client understood why
and was happy with this.
This has made a huge differen￿ to my client, as
you can see from her smile.
12

IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES
My client said he was honoured to be asked to be
included in our Annual Report.
Mr Nasser said "PCAS has been life changing, the light in
the darkness and hope for me" He is devoted to his dog
Barney who photo bombed this picturel
For people in my 51tuation, this setwice is priceless and
precious and I can't explain just how important it is.
I have a neurological condition which leads to cognitive,
memory and physical impairment. I need help to access
other services, form filin& checking my post. financial
help, help with telephone calls and care issues. But most
of all to get my voice heard by others. I will continue to
need this help as my condition progresses.
I have trouble communicating which is related to my
medication, if not administered corrertly it has drastic
concequeses. I have tremors & spasms. I don't have any
family or friends. Talking to my advocate is therapeutic.
she is the only person I trust. I have memory problems.
am unable to complete fomis myself and ensure reviews
of health & care take place.
Jackie has made Doctors appointments. arranged my
stairlft service, ensures bills and
correspondence are up to date, files letters etc. She has
arranged adaptations and checks on my welfare.
Mostimportantlyto me,Jackie made sure that my dog
Bamey was included in my domiciliary care plan- he
means everythingto me.
My name is Midg and I INe with longstanding mental
health challenges which means the world is sometimes
a very diffiGutt place for me.
Care provider- fridge left open by carer & food ruined.
Many missed calls
Change of neck*ob pendent alarm to watch style alam.
His medication is delivered.
I try very hard to do things for myself bLrt l a￿yS end
up getting into a real muddle and that's where my
Advocate comes in. Without her I would just srt here on
my own not knowing what to do.
My Advocate helps me to access other $eM￿S that I
just couldn't manage to do on my own such as re￿ntly.
applying for my blue badge, liaising with DVLA about
my driving li￿n￿ and motability vehicle. helping me to
draw down on a pension annuty and then to claim tsx
back on the lump sum, make complaints to my housing
association and then get compensation from them for
missed appointments and much more over the 7 years
we have worked together.
We communicate mainly by text message which is great
for me.
l am so grateful to have my Advocate and I don't know
what I would do without her, l am very happy to share
my story with Shropshire PCAS.
13

IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES
Mydient has Msand no longerableto walk. l applied to an MS
Charity that I found online and they agreed to fund a power
Pack for her wheelchair. This has made it much easier for
agency carers or her daughter to tske her out on her social visit
to town each week a5 there are tsvo hills to negotiate and they
had been strugglingto push her wheelchair. l also challenged
the Incontinen￿ pads that were being supplied to her a5 they
were not absorbent enough and she was constantly wet,
especially in the momings which she found embarrassing and
humiliatin& After a lot of heated discussion, it Was agreed that a
more effective but much more expensive pad would be
provided for night time use only and this has made things a lot
better for her.
l asked for an OT review as she had fallen out of her armchair on
a couple of occasions and often seemed uncomfortable when I
sited her. Her feet were swelling and there was some
breakdown of her skin and I requested she be provided with a
rise and recline chair. This was eventually agreed and my client
has been informed that her chair will be delivered in the next
couple of days. She has temporarily had to stsy in bed until the
chair is in place which has meant She has been unable to go out
for her weekly Costa Coffee which is the highlight of her week.
as she is well known in the town and lots of people stop to have
a chat with her which she thoroughly enjoys. Despite being
stu¢k in bed. she still managed a smilel
SHREWSBURY
FOOD
BANK
I recently visited a client who has severe anxiety. She was experiencing a shortfall in
her finances so struggling to afford food that week. I helped her to make an
application to the local food bank. Whilst with the client, I completed the online
referral form to the food bank on my mobile phone and got a positive response
straight away via a text to my client, which meant the client could collect a food parcel
later on that same day, for which she was very grateful.
Client feedback. "l am grateful for Wendy s help and very reassured when she visits to
help me with my post or with contacting other agencies or organisations which I
struggle with due to my mental health and anxiety. l always say everyone should have
a Wendy."
14

IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDY- 73 year old with a recent diagnosis of dementia
needed support to navigate moving house
Housing Association needed possession of my client.s property. so he had a few options to consider and
some important decisions to make that would impact his life.
Where he was going to move to?
Who would support him to do this?
Who would support with the bureaucracyof moving.
Who would ensure his voice was heard and treated fairly.
PCAS supported the client to ensure his voice was heard, he had clear information in a forniat he
understood, and enabled an informed Choi￿ for hisfuture home.
Previous address was not in a good state of repair, and he clearly needed support going forward.
He was offered three options of where to live, it was very important to give the client the time to process
what this would mean for him. The three options were in differentvillages. and I made sure that I
discussed all of the options with him, including transport links, family links. local shops. GP surgery to
name a few.
He found this process quite diallengin& the Housing Association were trying to push things on a bit
quicker than his abilities allowed. this is where PCAS step in to explain to the Housing Association that his
disability needed to be recognized and that a deasion would be made when he had time to process the
information, going at the clients pa￿.
With the time afforded to him. he agreed on one of the options and PCAS supported him to transition to
his new address. It was a new build. supported living bungalow- he has since moved in and is making
good progress with his new property.
PCAS continue to 5UPPOrt the client, as he will need ongoing help with his paperwork. letters, keeping an
eye on bills and any unforeseen issues.
15

IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES
RNIB
swworfnq L4M￿l
I have a client who has just been diagnosed with a severe sight impairnient.
I have helped her liaise with the RNIB who are offering remote telephone support. They have been able to get my
client a Certificate of Visual Impairment signed off by her consultsnt. By scanning this document and uploading it
for her. it has allowed meto supwrt my dienttoaskfora thange of circumstancesof her PIP award which she has
been granted.
It also meant that I could use her certificate to expedite her Blue Badge renewal which I had submitted previously
using her current PIP award. She had already been waiting some weeks by using the CVI fc helped speed up the
process. Her blue badge was duly awarded and has come quickly in the post. She has also been able to get a
Disabled Person Bus Pass now she has her certificate of sight impaimient
l am also liaising with the benefft advisor at RNIB to provide the documentary evidence she needs to get my client
care contribution accurately calculatsd. This will hopefully help reduce the cosL
Client say5 she is grateful for the practical help I have given in liaising with the RNIB and helping get her paperwork
sorted to get her new higher rate award of PIP. Blue Badge and Bus pa55.
My clients are an elderly married couple. Mr5 S has severe physical disabilities and previously received a substantial
care package at home. When this fell apart she was moved into a Nursing Home close to their maritsl home and
she has now resided there for over two years. Her husband would visit her regularly.
When I became involved Mr S had also moved into the Nursing Home and was self-funding. This was due to a
deterioration in his physical and mental health and neighbours had become concerned about him as he was having
panic attacks and knocking on their doors in the middle of the night as he thought someone was in the house. He
was also not managing to feed himself properly and leaving food to go mouldy and he was qutte unsteady on his
feet. He had his Driving ￿cense taken away following concerns from his GP.
At this point. a Sotial Worker infomed Mrs S that a care agency had been found that could cover her care needs
back at home14 visits per day x 2 carers) and the plan was that she would go home. Another Social Worker had
assessed Mr S and the plan was for him to go home withouta care package.
They were both very nervous aboLrt this but seemed to think they had no choice but to go along with this plan. Mrs
S was very concerned that Mr S was no longer fit enough to provide her with any sUPPOrt at home when the
agency carers were not present and she felt much safer in the Nursing Home. However, she felt that she couldn't
let him go home by himself as he would not be able to cope. Mr S also wanted to Stay in the Nursing Home.
We talked through all the possible optionslscenarios and the fatt that they would have t0 Sell their house which
would mean they would both be self-funding until their capitsl reduced below the limit.
A new Social Worker was appointed to work with both of them who initially vislted Mrs S to tslk about when she
would go home and the new Care Agency start. l explained to him that both Mr and Mrs S wished to remain in the
Nursing Home. He did say"thaYs a lot of work for me" but took on board the request and did ask if I was willing to
assist writing the Support Plan for Mr S to help identify his care needs.
Unfortunately, Mr S has had a fall during the night re￿ntlY and has broken his hip. He has now had surgery and is
back at the Nursing Home but unable to walk and is using a wheelchair. This setback for Mr S should however make
it much easier for care needs to be identified so that Shropshire Council will provide funding when this coupl
apital diminishes and they are no longer self-funding.
16

IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES
Client is wheelchair dependent and was not able to a￿55 the
community or attend dentsl appointments etc, due to the
difficulties with a￿$5 to and from her property.
Referral made to W H Group and assessment completed by OT after
many discussion as to whether they should provide the
access. However I reminded them of the clients Equality & Human
Rights to:_
Accessible Housing
Equal Access to Healthcare- without a ramp this was becoming
impossible unless ambulance transport was used
Being Part of the community- wtth the ramp now is situ., the client
can interact wwthin the community attend groups or go shopping
with the support from a carer.
The client is extremely pleased wtth the outcome.
Kathleen, Client
17

IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES
It is inevitable that at times we lose some of our clients. sometimes it is experted, and
other times it seems so unfair.
I recently lost one of my younger clients who was a stroke sur4ivor. He was fiercely
independent, and overcame lots of issues that his disability came with.
He was affected by significant communication issues around his speech after his stroke,
which was very frustrating for him. Lots of impromptu terrible drawing from both him and
myself at times, to try and work out what he was saying! A sense of humour is vital in this
job, and sometimes helps to lighten the mood. He remained very independent, living out
in the community. refusing any social care involvement, but was happy to work with
myself.
Such a shame that he was diagnosed with cancer, and only lived for another few short
weeks after that.
However, PCAS did make a positive difference to him, his family lived in South Wales, and
with his consent, I was in touch with his Mum, who valued PCAS support enormously- we
were here for him when his Mum was 50 far away.
PCAS wa5 enormously touched when his funeral donations were donated to us, which will
help someone else in need.
Thank You from a deceased clients
arents:
Just a big thank you for all that you have done for Darren over the years. I know how hard he could be. I
said to the boys, if there were more people like you around, it would be a better world. Judith, Joanne
Family.
18

Our dedicated Advocacy Staff
Simon Arthur, Wendy Timmis, Lynne Davis, Maura Atterbury,
Jackie Copson & Glenda Crawshaw
PCAS passed our NEW QPM award in July 2023, which is our 3rd continued12016. 20201 QPM award. We
are very proud to have passed once again. Many things have changed over the years to reflert the change
in the way Advocacy Services are provided.
PM
The QPM is only awarded to organisations who can demonstrate that they provide
excellent services in line with QPM standards and the advocacy charter. The QPM is a
quality assurance assessment for providers of independent advocacy in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland.
Advocacy
QPM
AWARD
19

Structure, Governance and Management
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The charity is ttintrolled by its goveming document, a foundation model constitLrtion for a CIO.
Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy servi￿ covers the whole of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and is a
registered charity {numter 1187362)
PCAS supports any person aged 18 or over ￿th ANY disability or multiple disabilities.
There is no charge to our clients for our servi￿, which is something we feel very strongly aboLrt. Our clients
are often the most vulnerable in society. many having multiple disabilities and vtho do not fit into the remit of
other seNices.
Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees
Prospective trustees come from all walks of life. If you feel you would be interested in becoming a Trustee,
please contact the PCAS office on 01691658008. An info￿￿81 chat about what we do is the first step, then you
would fill in an application fomi if you are still interested. From there, you would meet a couple of Trustees,
and the current board would Ihen vote on your prospective application.
The Board of Trustees meet bi-morrthly and at other times deemed necessary. Trustees serve as volunteers
and re￿1ve no payment for their workltime. They a￿ from a variety of backgrounds and bring varied skills and
experien￿ to the Board. We currently have 2 clients, people wth disabilities themselves and those with a
professional background. The Trustees have the uflimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the Charity
and ensuring that it is solvent, well run and meets the charitable outcomes. Day lo day operational decisions
are taken by the PCAS Manager and staff of the organisation. wlthin the delegated authority conferred by the
Board.
Risk Assessment
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure controls
are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and effor. this has been done.
Public Benefit
The Trustees have taken due regard of the Charity Commission's guidan￿ on public benefit when
planning ihe activities for the year.
20

Trustees and Principle Officers
Trustees
Chair
Benjamin Payne
Clare Harris
Ice Chair
Treasurer
Doreen Ellis
Trustee
Russell Jones
Trustee
Neil Pulker
Trustee
Jacob Ayre
Staff - PCAS
PCAS Manager/Advocate
Assistant Manager/Shropshire Advocate
Shropshire Athiocate
Simon Arthur
Glenda Crawshaw
Wendyfimmis
Shropshire Advocate
Jackie Copson
Shropshire Advocate
Lynne Davis
T & W Advocate
Maura Atterbury
Evaluation Manager
Allisone Arthur
Professional Advisors
Bank
Unity Trust Bank
Building Society.
The West Bromwich
Independent Exarniners
Border Accountants
5 Lower Brook Street. Oswestry. Shropshire SYII 2HG
21

Financial Review
Reserves Policy
The free reserves of the charity were £60,614 at the year end and the Trustees consider this amount to be sufficient for
their immediate operating requirements. Included in the £60,614 is £40,000 which has been designated for operating
costs should funding cease to a51ow the charity to continue to function whilst further funding is applied for.
Principal Funding Sources
The charity has been funded by variou5 grants this year from..
The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communitie5}
The Henry Smith Charity
Private Donation
Lloyds Bank Foundation
Select Healthcare
Nationwide Commun¢tyGrants
The above funders and supporters are the backbone of our charity and without their generous funding we would not be
able to provide the service we do.
Future Developments
We continuously strive to develop our 5ervice5 in order to meet the need of our clients. Funding is always an issue.
However, we endeavour to be proattive as we fight for the rights of our vulnerable client group.
The trustees. report was approved by the Board of Trustees
Ben Pa
Chair
_io-L*
22

Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31st March 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statement of Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy
Service Ithe charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the
requirements of the Charitie5 Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the charl￿S financial ststements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Att.
In carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under
section 14515llbl of the Act.
Independent examinerfs statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and
Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK
and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of
Recommended Practice issued on l April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been
withdrawn.
l understand that this has been done in order for firEancial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after l January 2015.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the
examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
l Accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act- or
2 The financial statements do not accord with those records,. or
3 The financial statements do not comply wrth the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of
accounts set out in the Charities IAccounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the
accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should
be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Border Accounts
5 Lower Brook Street
Oswestry
Shropshire
SYII 2HG
United Kingdom
Dated:..l.L!"....8.Lk.&.kn Zow .
23

Statement of Financial Activities
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31 St March 2024
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
Unrestricted Unrestricted
fvnd5
funds
2024
2024
Total Unrestrirted
funds
2024
Restrirted
funds
2023
Total
2023
2023
Notes
In
om
Donations and
Legacies
Charitable Activities
Investments
3.443
3,443
197,830
750
4,117
4.117
173,841
300
197,830
173,841
750
300
Total Incorne
4,193
197,830
202,023
4,417
173,841
178,258
Charitable activities
209
187,865
188.074
1461
184,920
184,874
Other
6,000
6,000
6.000
6,000
Total Expenditure
209
193.865
194,074
1461
190,920
190,874
Net income/lexpenditurel
For the year/
Net movement infunds
3.984
3.965
7,949
4,463
117.0791
112.6161
Fund balances at I" April
2023
56,779
29.702
86,481
52.316
46,781
99.097
Fund balances at 31st
March 2024
60,763
33.667
94,430
56.779
29,702
86,481
The statement of financial activities includes all Eains and losses recognised in the year.
A15 income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
24

Balance Sheet
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31st March 2024
Balance Sheet
2024
2023
Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
li
149
199
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
132,535
148,764
Creditors: amounts falling
Due within one year
12
138,2541
162,4821
Net current assets
94,281
86,282
Total assets less current liabilities
94,430
86,481
Income funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds=
Shut down fund
14
33,667
29,702
40.000
40,000
General unrestricted funds
15
40,000
20,763
40,000
16.779
60,763
56,779
94,430
86,481
The financ"
statements were approved by the Trustees on ......
Trustee
25

Notes to the Financial Statement
PCAS - Shropshire P￿r Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31 St March 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Accounting polices
Charity inforrnation
Shropshire Peer Coun5elling and Advocacy servi￿ is a charttable incorporated organisation.
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordan￿ with the charity's {governing document), the
Charities Act 2011 and 'Accounting and Repo￿ng by Chanb"es". Statement of Recomrnended Prdctice
applicable to charrties preparing their accounts in accordan￿ wrth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable o
in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective 1 January 2019)"_ The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity
as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has tsken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities apptying FRS 102 Update
Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements report on the income for Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy Service CIO
and Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy servi￿ under the Merger Accounting method as sel out in
SORP FRS 102 section 27.12-27.13
The financial statements have departed from the Charibes (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the
extent required lo provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of
Recommended Practice for Charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Ststernenl of
Recommended Practs"ce which is referred lo in the Regulations but which has Sin￿ been withdrawn.
The financtal statements are prepared in steding, which is the functional currency of the chanty. Monetary
amounts in these financial statements are rounded lo the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prePa￿d under the historical cost convention, {modffied to include the
revaluation of freehold properties and to include investrnent properties and certain financial instwments at fair
value). The principal accounbng polices adopted are set out below.
Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the
charity has adequate resources to conb.nue in operational existence ft)r the fore￿e￿ble future. Thus the
trustees continue lo adopt the going COn￿M basis of accounting in preparing the financial ststements.
Charitsble funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in ftjrtherance of their charitable
objectNes.
Restricted funds are subject lo specific condib'ons by donors as to how they may be used. The purpose and
uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds a￿ subject to specffic condibons by donors that the capital must be maintained by the
charity.
Income
Income is reeognised when the charrty is legalty entiued to tt after any perfornian￿ condits.ons have been met,
the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be re￿ived.
Cash donations are ￿COgnised on receipt. Other donations are reccgnised once the charity has been notified of
the donab"on, unless perforTll2nce conditions require deferral of the amounL Income tax recoverable in relation
to donab.ons received under Gtft Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the bme of the donation.
26

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31 St March 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STSTEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Accounting polices
Legacies are recognised on re￿Ipl or othemse rf the ¢hanty has been nots.fied of an impending distribub'on, the
amount is known, and receipt is exFected. If the amount is not known. the legacy is treated as a contingent
asseL
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised onee there is a legal or ￿nstrUctive obligatpon lo transfer economic benefit to a third
paty, it is probable that a transfer of economic beneffts will be required in setdemenL and the amount of the
obligatson can be measured rel￿bty.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each actNty are made Ltp of the total of direct costs and
shared costs, including support costs inVo￿ed in undertaking each activty. Direct costs attributsbSe to a single
activity are allocated directly to that ath"vity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support
costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned be￿een those activrties on a basis consistent
with the use of resou￿5. Central stsff costs are allO￿ted on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges
are allocated on the portion of assefs use.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequenty measured at cost or valuation. net of
dep￿CiatIOn and any impaimient losses.
DepreC￿tIon is rwnised so as to write off the cost or valuab.on of assets less their residual values over their
useful lives on the following bases:
Fixiures and fittings
25% reducing balance
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is detemined as the difference betsveen the sale proceeds
and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the ststement of financial activibes.
Impainnent of fixed assets
Al each reporting end dale. the charty reviews the carying amounts of tts tsngible assets to delemine whether
there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impaiment loss. If any such loss indication exits. the
recoverable amount of the asset is esb'mated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss lif anyl-
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents indude cash in har¢d, deFostis held at call vth banks. other ShOrt-te￿ liquid
investments with original maturrties of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown
within borrowings in current liabilities.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balan￿5, are initially measured at transaction
price including transaction costs and are subsequentty carried at amorts.sed cost using the effective interest
method unless the arrangement Constitutes a financial transacb"on. where the transaction is measu￿￿ at the
present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest Financial assets classified as
re￿1vable within one year are not amorts'sed.
27

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Servi
For the year ended 31 St March 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Accounting polices
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditor5 and bank loans are intbally recognised at transacb'on pri￿ unless the
arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of
the future payments discounted al a market rate of interest. Financial liabilib.es classified as payable within one
year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequenuy ￿rrIed at am0￿sed cost. using the effec*"ve interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to Pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of
operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are ¢la55ffied as current liabilib.es if payment is due within one
year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabil￿.e5_ Trade creditor5 are recognised initially al
transaction price and subsequently measured at arno￿"5ed cost using the effeth.ve interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilits.es are derecognised when the Chari￿s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or
eaneelled.
Employee benefrts
The cost of any unused holiday entittement is reeognised in the period in which the ernployee's services are
received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when Ihe charity is demonstrably committed to
terminate the employment of an employee to prOV￿e teryninatson beneffts.
Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees a￿ required to make judgernents, esb'mates
and assumptions about the carying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readity apparent from other
sources. The estimates and associated assumptions a￿ based on historical experience and other factors that
are considered lo be relevant. Actual results may differ frorn these estimates.
The eslimales and undertytng assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting
esb"mates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that
period, or in the period of the revision and fijttjre periods ￿ere the revision affects both current and future
periods.
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
fund$
Unrestricted
funds
2024
2023
Donations and gifts
3,443
4,117
28

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Servi
For the year ended 31 st March 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Charitsble activities
Counsellsng
& Advocacy
2024
Counselling
& Advocacy
2023
Service5 provided under contract
197,830
173.841
Investments
Unrestricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2024
2023
Interest receivable
750
300
Charitable activities
Counselling
& Advocacy
2024
Counselling
& Advocacy
2023
Staff costs
Depreciation and impairrnent
Rent
Insurance
Telephone
Postage and stationery
Light and heat
Repairs and renewals
Subscriptions
Sundry
Marketing
168,304
50
6,343
802
2,065
2,252
2,453
374
166,601
5,680
690
3,035
4,552
3,416
557
149
128
160
5,271
188.074
184,874
188,074
184,874
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restn"cted funds
209
187,865
1461
184,920
188.074
184,874
29

Independent Examiner's Report to the TrUSt￿S of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31 St March 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUEDI
Trustees
None ofthe tnjstees {or any persons connected wtth them) receNed any remuneration on benefits from the
charity during the year.
Ernployees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was..
2024
Nurnber
2023
Nurnber
2024
2023
Employment cost
Wages and salaries
146,284
146,028
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
Other
Restricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024
2023
Accountsncy
6,000
6,000
6,000
6.000
10
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains Pdlling wtthin section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section
252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
30

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31st March 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEpifs (CONTINUED)
11
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and fittings
Cost
At 1 April 2023
2,376
At 31 March 2024
2.376
Depreciation and irnpainnent
At 1 April 2023
2,227
At 31 March 2024
2,227
Carying amount
Al 31 March 2024
149
Al 31 March 2023
199
12
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Notes
Deferred income
Accruals and deferred income
13
36,754
1,500
61,982
500
38,254
62,482
13
Deferred income
2024
2023
Other deferred income
36,754
61,982
Deferred income is included in the financial slatements as follows"
2024
2023
Deferred income is included within..
Current liabilth.es
36,754
61,982
Movements in the year.
31

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31st March 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
13
Deferred income
Deferred income at 1 April 2023
Released from previous pericxys
Resourtss deferred in the year
61.982
161.9821
36,754
93,681
193,6811
61,982
Deferred income at 31 March 2024
36.754
61,982
14
Restricted funds
The income fijnds of the charity include restn.cted fijnds comprising the following unexpected t)alances of donations
and grants held on trust for the specific purposed..
Movement in funds
Movement in funds
Balance at Incoming ReSoUr￿S Balance al Incoming
Resources
Balance at
1 April 2022 resources exFended 1 April 2023
resources
expended 31 March 2024
Garfield Weston
10,026
Henry Smith
2,498
Trusthouse
992
Private
14,884
Reaching Communities 3,795
Nationwide
Others
10,000
17,933
6.667
{18,6621
{18.8701
17,2161
110,1681
111.908 {109,3631
25,000
124,615}
2.332
12.0251
1,364
8,523
443
4,716
5,307
45
13,269
1,561
443
4,716
6,340
385
14.893
53,800
146,8381
114,034
25.000
4,996
1115,L%$71
125,3401
16,6201
14,586
46.781
173.840 1190.919}
29.702
197,830
1193,8651
33,667
Designated funds
The income funds of the charity include the foll0v￿ng designated funds which have been sel aside out of unrestricted
funds by the trustees for specific purposes..
Movement
Movement
in funds
in funds
Balance at Incoming Balance at
Incoming
Balance at
1 April 2022 resources 1 April 2023 resources 31 March 2024
Shut down fund
40,000
40.000
40,000
40,000
40.000
40,000
32

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31 St March 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {continuedl
16
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Total Unrestricted Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Total
2024
2023
Fund balances at 31 March
2024 are represented by-.
Tangible assets
Current assets Iliabilitiesl
149
60,614
149
94.281
199
56,579
199
86,282
33.667
29,703
60,763
33.667
94.430
56,778
29,703
86,481
17
Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during Ihe year {2023- none).
33

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of
PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service
For the year ended 31 st March 2024
Independent Examiners
A resolution will be proposed at the Arbnual General Meeting that Border Accountants be re-appointed as independent
examiners for the ensuing year.
Trustees, Responsibilities
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view
of our Registered Charity, as at the Balance Sheet date and of its incoming resource5 and applications, including income
and expenditure for the financial year. In preparing these Financial Statements. the Trustees shoLfjld follow best practice
and-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed
subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the Financial Statements: and
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any
time the financial position of the Registered Charity and to enable them to ensure that the Financial Ststements comply
with the Registered Charities Att of 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Registered Charity
and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Statement of Disclosure
So far as the Trustees are aware. there is not any relevant accounting information of which the charities examiners are
unaware. Additionallyi the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as TrLtstees in order to make
themselves aware of any relevant accounting information and to establish that the Charivs examiners are aware of
said information.
This Annual Report was designed and compiled by Allisone Arthur
34

Thank You to all our funders and donors
The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communities)
Private Donation
Nationwide Community Grants
Arnold Clark Community Fund
Lloyds Bank Foundation
The Henry Smith Charity
Select Healthcare
Wesleyan Winter of Giving
Tesco Community Grant
Wynn Foundation
Sir Robert McAlpine
Other Donations
PCAS
Person Centred
Advococy & Support
Together We Can
Contact Us: You can follow us on Facebook or twitter." @ShropshirePCAS
Shropshire Peer Counselling & knice is a registerol d￿rity (Register￿ dlarity number 1187362)
35

Our Contact Details :_
PCAS (Person Centred Advocacy & Support)
Suite I
The Willow Tree
Willow Street
Oswestry
SYII IAJ
Telephone: 01691658008
Web Site: www.shropshirepcas.co.uk
Email: simon@shropshirepcas.co.uk (PCAS Manager)
alli@shropshirepcas.co.uk (Evaluation Manager
PCAS
Person Centred
Advocacy & Support
Together We Con
Contact Us: You can follow us on Facebook or twitter: @ShropshirePCAS
Shropshire Peer Counselling & thcocy SavKe is a registwej thaiity (ReJ1St￿ thaiity number 1187362)
36