## **Jewish Action for Mental Health**
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1190973**
**Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025**
## **Trustees’ Annual report**
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting the annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30/04/2025. The Trustees would also like to express their gratitude to all the volunteers for their support and donations that are sustaining the Charity.
## **Charity Objects**
To promote the preservation of mental health in the Jewish community and to assist in relieving and rehabilitating persons suffering from mental disorder or conditions of emotional or mental distress through the provision of support, education, advocacy and practical advice.
## **Governance and Management:**
Jewish Action for Mental Health (working name JAMH) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a constitution adopted on 21/08/2020.
## **Trustees:**
The following individuals served as trustees during the year:
Dr Sandi Mann (Chair)
Belinda Rich
Jonny Wineberg
Bernard Yardley (Treasurer)
Rabbi Benjamin Rickman
Sophie Bloom
Lucy Feingold
Gabriella Witkin (Appointed 2 February 2025)
The trustees serve as volunteers and details of any related party transactions are disclosed as applicable in the notes to the accounts. Recruitment and appointment of new trustees is executed in line with the trust deed taking into consideration the needs and demands of the organisation.
## **Risk Review:**
The trustees have assessed the risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the trust, and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage this.
## **Achievements and Performance:**
The charity received £180,018 income during the year net of grants received on behalf of, and distributed to, partner charities.
## **Delivery during the year included:**
- Provision of a helpline, website and email to enable clients to contact JAMH to request support.
- A team providing triage services through phone appointments and a clinical lead to match clients with appropriate support or referral to other agencies.
- Free therapy and counselling to **134** clients and with a database of **38** counsellors and therapists who are all registered with a professional body.
- Menucha v’Simcha – suicide support group for families who have lost a family member to suicide – is a project of JAMH.
- Art sessions to address loneliness and social isolation.
- Continued professional development and training for therapists and counsellors serving the Manchester Jewish community.
- Student placement programme matching student counsellors with clients and providing an induction programme and group supervision.
- Local tennis sessions for young people to improve physical and mental health.
- Horticultural therapy group at local allotment with increased access to the outdoor space for people with mobility issues.
## **Service users supported and evidence of impact**
We had 370 calls to our helplines in the year. We respond to all calls within 72 hours, with most clients being matched with a therapist within 5 working days. Clients in crisis can be matched with a therapist within 48 hrs.
Out of these calls, 92 clients have been offered counselling, 9 clients had EMDR therapy and 33 clients had CBT therapy sessions. Most clients have extended sessions of therapy. Clients range from age 9 years to adult. Over 35% of our clients are age 18 and under.
Our evaluation analysis over the last year showed the following results: (Average out of 10.0) **:**
- _**Mood:**_ 3.63 before, 7.35 after, a 3.72 point increase.
- _**Confident of making positive choices about life**_ **:** 4.84 before, 7.58 after, a 2.74 point increase. (see graph below)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Change in Mood and Confidence due to Support
8
7
7.58
7.35
6
5
4 4.84 mood
3 3.63 confidence
2
1
0
before after
average rating
**----- End of picture text -----**
- _**Supportiveness of approach of counsellor or therapist**_ **:** 9.35 (100% positive)
- _**Satisfaction with support services**_ **:** 9.30 (97.7% positive)
- _**Involvement improved mental health**_ **:** 8.14 (93.0% positive)
- _**Enabled to function better in activities in daily life:**_ 7.95 (88.4% positive)
- _**Feel more able to decide own future:**_ 8.00 (93.0% positive)
Nearly all measures show improvements from 2024 with average ratings extremely high. Both the ratings and percentage positive for improvement in mental health are significantly higher, evidencing strong outcomes for clients. This shows delivery remains very robust and we can be confident in our processes leading to excellent achievements.
Where appropriate, our counsellors and therapists use GAD-7 and PHQ-9 measures with clients to record levels of anxiety and depression respectively. Below are aggregated results for the last year:
The importance of a culturally appropriate service is emphasised by the following responses from clients:
The evidence that our provision, being culturally appropriate and of high quality, produces phenomenal results is unequivocal.
## **Promotional work undertaken**
- We have advertised our services in the local Jewish printed media and have over 1,323 followers on our social media channels.
- We advertise our group workshops via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp groups including targeted information for parents’ groups.
- Our group workshops are also advertised through school newsletters, as is our counselling and therapy provision, which is particularly targeted for both young people and parents.
- We advertise through other Jewish communal organisations who have similar target groups, such as the local Jewish Family Centre, Manchester Jewish Federation and youth groups that target both young women and young men.
- We hold community events designed to engage and spread awareness of life issues that may lead to poorer mental health. For example, we facilitate local litter picks, promotional stands at wellbeing seminars and festival parades.
- We have reached up to 2,000 people when boosting Facebook posts with most reaching 600 to 750. Our Facebook engagement rates vary but continue to improve, especially where we have video content.
- We have seen an uptick in self-referral following every advert in the local weekly Jewish newspaper and weekly Advertiser. These often coincide with Jewish festivals, which has an effect of increasing calls to our helpline.
- Referrals from partner agencies have continued to increase following promotion at the community professionals' monthly meeting, as well as from the NHS.
## **Samples of Qualitative Feedback**
_I had previously sought support from mainstream services before I got in touch with JAMH and the difference has been astronomical in creating a safe space for me to address the issues that have been impacting my mental health._
_**I really appreciate that I was able to access the service. I was off ill from work and very alone and it has enabled me to return to my job and cope better the stress of that and my personal life and be able to start to enjoy some social events.**_
_Thank you so much for the support, JAMH is such a wonderful organisation and incentive. It is so crucial for our community to have access to the amazing services that you provide._
_Thank you for this much needed service to our community._
## _**I have been seeing my therapist and she has been a fantastic support, and offered inciteful wisdom which has helped me to move forward and improve in the way I handle my challenges in many respects.**_
_Thank you so, so much. I wouldn't have got to where I am today without your help and support._
## _**This service has definitely changed my life for the better. I've been recommending it to so many people because it has impacted me so positively.**_
_I'm able to express and discuss my issues especially feeling comfortable with being Jewish._
_**Knowing that there is someone there for me to talk to who understands me and can find my worries relatable has reduced my anxiety a lot. I have a place to offload all the things that weigh heavy on my mind.**_
_This service has definitely changed my life for the better. I've been recommending it to so many people because it has impacted me so positively._
## _**I found the service I used perfect for me and am very grateful that JAMH exists.**_
_I was so happy with my therapist. The only thing that would make it better is more funding!_
## **Future Plans**
We intend to continue delivering holistic provision, in partnership with other local charities where appropriate, offering befriending, mentoring, counselling, therapy, community support and group activities to those whose mental health needs support.
This will include:
- A helpline, responding quickly to people, taking calls from those anxious, stressed, depressed or with other mental health issues followed by triage, then offering appropriate level of support;
- Increasing awareness of, and widening, the support we make available with advertising in local, and social, media, plus flyers and a billboard;
- Delivery of counselling and therapy sessions in person/phone/Zoom. If a client wishes, we will undertake an assessment and help them put together a personal action plan;
- Preventative youth work through group activities, 1-to-1 support plus support for youth leaders in youth groups in the community.
- Group arts/craft activities with art therapists supporting group delivery;
- Develop a peer support group for men.
- Continued professional development training for therapists
- Continued facilitation of our community professionals' monthly meeting, supporting agencies with specific cases.
- Sourcing an office space for our full-time project manager as well as occasional venues for future training sessions and community events.
- To continue our work with the Menucha V’Simcha project.
- Develop a bullying support charity as part of JAMH.
- Mental health support and helpline for people to seek support if they have experienced antisemitism.
- Build up relationship for referrals to JAMH from BOD, CST, and the Manchester Jewish Housing Association.
- Provide culturally appropriate online mental health resources for those who may not access in-person services.
- Establish specialised Support Groups to create safe spaces for individuals with shared experiences, facilitated by trained professionals. Offer both in-person and virtual options to widen accessibility.
- Develop Mental Health Training for rabbis, educators, and community leaders with skills to recognise and support mental health issues, so they can be proactive in providing support.
- Offering adult group workshops, teaching skills on how to how to manage anxiety and depression.
- Continue to develop our Trauma Response Protocol and provide continual training for our therapists in this specialism.
## **Case Studies**
## _**Case Study 1:**_ **Bury based, 20 year old female called phoneline in June 2024**
## **Situation before support:**
A young adult female contacted the service struggling with severe health anxiety. Minor illnesses or injuries, like a cold or small cut, triggered intense worry, and past concerns about pet allergies added to his stress. He also experienced social anxiety, believing friends disliked him. She didn’t tell any of her friends about her problems. Also had anxiety about travelling on public transport, feels people are going to attack her.
## **What was done to help:**
The client received anxiety-focused CBT. Sessions explored current stressors and worries, including family changes and financial concerns. Therapeutic work focused on understanding anxiety, labelling and defining emotions, challenging unhelpful thoughts, and problem-solving. Practical anxiety-management techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and graded exposure were introduced, alongside discussion of wellbeing factors including sleep and routine.
## **Situation now:**
The client developed skills in emotion labelling, cognitive challenging, distress tolerance, and exposure to anxiety. He reported feeling confident using these techniques independently and was managing a new job well. Therapy concluded by mutual agreement, with the option to return for further support if needed.
## _**Case Study 2:**_ **Salford based, 24 year old male called phoneline in December 2024**
## **Situation before support:**
The client was struggling emotionally following the breakdown of an intense relationship. The separation ended badly, leaving him with unresolved anger, feelings of betrayal, and a sense of injustice due to a lack of accountability or apology. Conflicting narratives and limited social support added to his distress. He remained emotionally invested in his former partner, making encounters triggering and prolonging the grieving process marked by loss, hurt, and anger. GAD – 12 and PHQ - 6
## **What was done to help:**
The client was matched with a male therapist trained in EMDR. Therapy focused on processing unresolved anger and emotional distress linked to the relationship breakdown. EMDR techniques were used alongside cognitive interweaves to help reframe distressing memories and explore alternative perspectives, including how situations might have played out differently. Grounding and breathing exercises were introduced to support emotional regulation, and sessions also explored healthy boundary-setting to increase a sense of control and safety.
## **Situation now:**
Following EMDR therapy, the client reported a significant reduction in emotional distress and anger related to the relationship breakdown. He felt better able to regulate his emotions using grounding and breathing techniques and gained increased clarity around boundaries, allowing him to manage contact and triggers more effectively. The client described feeling less emotionally invested and more able to move forward. Outcome measures showed improvement, with GAD reducing to 5 and PHQ to 4.
**Jewish Action for Mental Health Report and Accounts 30/04/2025 Trustees’ Annual report (continued)**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Charity Commission website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
## **Independent Examiner:**
Mr G A Harris has been appointed as independent examiner for the ensuing year.
This report was approved by the board on 29[th] January 2026 and signed on behalf of the trustees.
Bernard Yardley …………………………… Treasurer 29/01/2026
Jewish Action for Mental Health Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025
Independent Examiner's Report
I report on the accounts for the year ended 30 April 2025 set out on pages 7 to 10.
## Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
- to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## Basis of the independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.
## Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
Have not been met; or
- (2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Gary A Harris
G A Harris & Co Ltd Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Brulimar House Jubilee Road Middleton Manchester M242LX
Date: 29.1.2026
**Jewish Action for Mental Health**
## **Statement Of Financial Activities For the year ended 30th April 2025**
|_Notes_
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
**Incoming resources from generated funds**
Voluntary income
_2_
**Total incoming resources**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Charitable activities**
_3_
Support cost
_4_
Governance costs
_5_
Bank charges
**Total resources expensed**
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES**
**Funds brought forward from previous period**
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|2025
Unrestricted
Funds
£
105,102
105,102
1,467
33,998
4,470
-
39,934
65,168
78,554
143,722|2025
Restricted
Funds
£
74,916
74,916
53,473
21,828
-
-
75,301
385
-
21,823
21,438|2025
Total
Funds
£
180,018
180,018
54,940
55,826
4,470
-
115,235
64,783
100,377
165,160|2024
Total
Funds
£
155,548
155,548
145,240
58,976
4,705
-
208,921
53,373
-
153,750
100,377|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **CONTINUING OPERATIONS**
All incoming resources and resources expended arise from continuing activities.
The notes form part of these financial statements
**Jewish Action for Mental Health**
## **Balance sheet For the year ended 30th April 2025**
|_Notes_
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Cash at bank
Paypal
Debtors
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
_6_
**NET CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due after one year
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
_8_
**TOTAL FUNDS**|2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
143,927
10
-
143,937
186
186
143,751
-
143,751
143,751
143,751|2025
Restricted
Funds
£
21,823
-
-
21,823
-
-
21,823
-
21,823
21,823
21,823|2025
Total
Funds
£
165,750
10
-
165,760
186
186
165,574
-
165,574
165,574
165,574|2024
Total
Funds
£
101,088
-
-
101,088
711
711
100,377
-
100,377
100,377
100,377|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 22/01/2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
## **ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:**
………………………………………….. Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
**Jewish Action for Mental Health**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30th April 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Accounting convention**
The finanacial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the statement of recommended practice: Accounting and Reporting by charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and with the Charities Act 2011
## **Financial reporting standard number 1**
Exemption has been taken from preparing a cash flow statement on the grounds that the charity qualifies as a small charity.
## **Incoming resources**
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasaonable accuracy.
## **Resources expended**
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under the headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restriction arises when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **2. VOLUNTARY INCOME**
|Donations
Grants
Event donations
Miscellaneous income
Gift Aid
**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
Grants Payable
Counselling & Therapy
Event costs
Youth Work
Menucha V'Simcha|2025
Unrestricted
Funds
£
96,647
-
-
-
8,455
105,102
2025
Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,060
311
96
1,467|2025
Restricted
Funds
£
-
74,916
-
-
-
74,916
2025
Restricted
Funds
£
11,229
19,361
8,360
14,523
0
53,473|2025
Total
Funds
£
96,647
74,916
-
-
8,455
180,018
2025
Total
Funds
£
11,229
20,421
8,671
14,523
96
54,940|2024
Total
Funds
£
46,715
102,306
-
107
6,420
155,548
2024
Total
Funds
£
22,459
104,244
7,707
10,625
205
145,240|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
**Jewish Action for Mental Health**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the year ended 30th April 2024**
|**4.**
**SUPPORT COSTS**
Telephone
Publicity
Staff & Management costs
Training
Insurance
Repair & Renewals
Rent
**5.**
**GOVERNANCE COSTS**
Accountancy
Consultancy
Statutory spending
Software
Legal & Professional Fees
**6.**
**CREDITORS**
PAYE
National Insurance
Pension|2025
Unrestricted
Funds
£
313
1,850
27,858
259
1,063
407
2,247
33,998
1,752
1,539
764
415
4,470
186
186|2025
Restricted
Funds
£
3,696
14,877
3,255
21,828
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2025
Total
Funds
£
313
5,546
42,735
3,514
1,063
407
2,247
55,826
1,752
1,539
-
764
415
4,470
0
0
186
186|2024
Total
Funds
£
157
1,469
53,698
1,127
1,024
190
1,311
58,976
1,208
3,000
-
132
365
4,705
499
116
96
711|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **7. TRUSTEES EXPENSES**
There were no Trustees' expenses paid for the year 30th April 2025
## **8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|As at
01/05/2024
£
General fund
100,377
**TOTAL FUNDS**
100,377
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
180,018
**TOTAL FUNDS**
180,018|Net movement
in funds
£
64,783
64,783
Resources
expended
£
115,235
115,235|As at
30/04/2025
£
165,160
165,160
Movement
in funds
£
64,783
64,783|
|---|---|---|