2021-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: Period start date: 01.01.2021 To: 31.12.2021

Period end date:

Charity name: Bridge Counselling

Charity registration number: 1191105

Objectives and Activities

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SORP reference
Summary of the purposes Para 1.17 To promote the mental health of people
of the charity as set out residing in Bromham and the Bedford
in its governing areas through provision of a
document counselling service in accordance with
the values of the Christian faith
Summary of the main Para 1.17 and  Receiving requests for counselling,
1.19
activities in relation to  Providing an initial interview and
those purposes for the then introduction to a counsellor
public benefit, in who is appropriately trained and
particular, the activities, supervised
projects or services  Counselling sessions provided as
identified in the agreed between client and
accounts. counsellor
 Regular supervision sessions for
each counsellor and financial
contributions for each counsellor
towards training and ongoing
development.
 Bi monthly Counsellor meetings
 Bi monthly Trustees meetings
Statement confirming Para 1.18 Bridge Counselling is open to all
whether the trustees enquiries from people with varying
have had regard to the issues who wish to discuss them with a
guidance issued by the trained counsellor.
Charity Commission on Most clients approach the service via
public benefit telephone, email or communication
direct from our web site.
During this year, because of the Covid
19 pandemic counselling has still
continued if the client is willing and
able to use technology such as Zoom.
Our counsellors have been as flexible
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as they can be to continue offering services during this difficult time. The Trustees have read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is meeting its Purpose and is providing a benefit to the public.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference

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SORP reference
N/A at this time
Para 1.38
Policy on grant making
N/A at this time
Para 1.38
Policy on social
investment including
program related
investment
All counsellors offer their services free
Para 1.38 of charge to Bridge Counselling and
Contribution made by the service could not run without their
volunteers support.
Throughout the pandemic one of the
counsellors has co-ordinated the
service, managed the waiting list and
carried out initial interviews by phone
to those who enquired about
counselling.
Trustees have taken on roles to assist
Other with the running of this service –
Finance, Data Protection, Safeguarding
etc.
Their time is given free of charge
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Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

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	Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the diference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its benefciaries and any wider benefts to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	Bridge Counselling has received 50 enquiries during the period January 1st 2021 and December 31st2021 This has resulted in 44 Initial interviews 28 people receiving or received counselling 3 people on hold for various reasons 703 hours of counselling given by 10 counsellors during this period

Financial Review

	Review of the charity’s fnancial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	A total of £11,200 was received during the year of which £4,000 was a grant from Bromham Baptist Church, £1000 was a loan from same church to open a bank account and £1,600 from other donations. In addition, income from counselling was £4,600. Bridge Counselling also receives services in kind from Bromham Baptist Church covering accommodation facilities and utilities. The main items of expenditure are: Counselling supervision which was £2466, and administrative charges which include the following:- ICO – £35, bank charges - £80, insurance - £135 professional registration and training £635. Web site - £168 Other - £17 Our counsellors provide their services free of charge.

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This resulted in a surplus for the year
of £7,664
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 Bridge Counselling maintains a
policy for holding reserve fund to allow the organisation
reserves stating why to adapt to any changes in our
they are held income or expenditure. The reserve
is the equivalent to one month of day
to day running costs plus an
additional sum for one off
professional indemnity insurance
costs if the organisation has to close
down
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22
The Trustees currently agreed that
this amount should be £1000.
Explanation of any Para 1.23 Bridge Counselling is reliant on the
uncertainties about the counsellors who give their time and
charity continuing as a expertise freely.
going concern We are seeking new counsellors to
join the team and encouraging those
interested in training to be
counsellors to find out more. If we
cannot recruit new counsellors the
charity cannot continue to function
and provide the service
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Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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Grant from Bromham Baptist Church -
£4,000
The charity’s principal Counselling fees
sources of funds Para 1.47 Donations
(including any One off gifts
fundraising)
Investment policy and N/A at this time
objectives including any
social investment policy Para 1.46
adopted
Counsellors resigning their service and
not being able to replace their given
A description of the Para 1.46 time for counselling.
principal risks facing the
charity
N/A
Other
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Structure, Governance and Management

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Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing Para 1.25 Constitution
document
(trust deed, royal
charter)
How is the charity Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
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constituted? (CIO)
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
Trustee selection Para 1.25 Invitation to serve as Trustee followed
methods including details by information sharing and decision by
of any constitutional the invited Trustee to commit to the
provisions e.g. election to role
post or name of any
person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees
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Additional information (optional)

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You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Continuing as a work in progress
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction Para 1.51
and training of trustees
The Charity is based at
Bromham Baptist Church, Village Road,
The charity’s Bromham, Bedford. MK43 8LJ.
organisational structure Para 1.51 For most of the year we have had one
and any wider network of the counsellors volunteering to co-
with which the charity ordinate the enquiries and carrying out
works the initial interviews
Bromham Baptist Church supports
Bridge Counselling CIO with an annual
Relationship with any Para 1.51 grant and the use of premises and
related parties facilities within the church building.
This arrangement is confirmed with a
Memorandum of Understanding which
will be reviewed every 6 months
Other
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Reference and Administrative details

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Charity name Bridge Counselling Bromham
Other name the charity Bridge Counselling
uses
Registered charity 1191105
number
Charity’s principal Bridge Counselling, Bromham Baptist Church, Village
address Road, Bromham, Bedford. MK43 8LJ
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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Name of person (or body)
Dates acted if not for
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint trustee
whole year
(if any)
Mrs Barbara Chair
1
Bannard-Smith
Mrs Lesley Co-ordinator
2
Dean
Mrs Felicity Finance
3
Leinster
Mrs Jenny Safeguarding and
4
Hadley Data Protection
Dr Michael 1 [st] January 2021 –
5
O’Rourke 29 [th] June 2021
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name

N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year N/A

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

LR Dean Signature(s) BL Bannard-Smith Lesley Rita Dean Full name(s) Barbara Lesley BannardSmith Position (eg Chair Co-Ordinator Secretary, Chair, etc)

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Date 16" August 2022

Bridge Accounts February 25th 2020

Bridge Counselling
Budget
		Dec-
	2021	20	Year to date	Jan	Feb
Income
				100
BBCgrant for reserves	1000		1000	0
BBC grant	4000		1000		1000
Income - counselling	3160	1683	147.5	60	87.5
Charge income -
counselling			0
Schools		270	0
Other donations	1200		500		500
			0
			0
Total income	8360	1953	1647.5	60	1587.5
Expenditure
Supervision	2500	2125	328	60	268
Schools		225	0
Insurance	135	308	0
Registration	1200	595	175	175
ICO	40		0
Website	204		0
Training	700	181	0
Conference	1400		0
Expenses - other			10.95		10.95
			0
Total expenditure	6179	3434	513.95	235	278.95
Reserve	1000		1000
			1133.5	-
Income - expenditure	2181	-1481	5	175	1308.55
			2133.5
Money in Bank			5