Charity Regiaratlon No. 1192772 RELEASE COUNSELUNG AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 RELEASE COUNSELUNG ANDTHERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees F Purchase (Chairl N Kuhrt CETownend L Yaffe (appointèd 17 May 20231 L O'connor lappointed 20June 20241 l Altinkaya (appointed 11 Marth 20241 CNef ExecutNe Offlcer A ￿ustOn Re8lst•red Charlty narne Release CounsellingAnd Therapy For Women CIO Charfty number 1192712 ReBI5te￿d offl Community Base 113 Queen5 Road Brighton East Sussex BNI 3XG Webslte www.releaseforwomen.org.uk Telephono 07954216995 Independent Examlner TC Group The Courtyard Shoreham Road Upper Beedin8 stÈyning West Sussex BN44 3TN Banker5 Co-operative Bank PLC Delf House Southwav Skelmersdale WN8 6NY RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO ONTENTS TfU5tees' Report Statement of Trustees, Responsibllities Independent Examinerfs Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts 10-16 RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 TheTru5tees of Release Counsellingand The￿py10rw0rnen presenttheirAnnual Reportforthe period ended 31 March 2024 tO8etherwith the accounts for the Charity. The accounts comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the charit¢s governing document and Accounting and Reporting byCharitie5'. Statementof Recommended PractSce applicable to charitles preparing their accounts in attordance wlth the Financial Reporting Standard applltable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective ljanuary 20191. Message from the chalr and chlef executhie Release Counsellin8 and TheTapy for Women was set up in Brlghton and Wove in January 2013. and register￿ as UK charity in 2020, to provlde affordable counsellinB and other forms of support for women Hcr05s Sussex experieneing mental health distress. The vlsion of Release simply put is for better mental health and wellbein8 for women aeross SussÈx. ￿ part of this, we aim to in¢rease Inclusion, reachin8 women often excluded from eounselling and other TTTental health support due to cost. Our misslon is to support women to change how they feel and to live better. Through low-cost one-to-one coun5elling and a range of the￿PeUtIC￿r0uPs, we empowerwomen to bring about change in thelr lives, live better happier lives, 8nd become mote actlve in their communities through feeling more connected. We have experienced a period of rapid growth in our actiwlties in the last couple of years, Increaslng our in¢ome to close to £150k, with the year ending April 2025 expected to show yet further growth. This Sncrease in income reflects the high levels of demand for ourservI￿5, which provide suth vital 5UPPOrt to women across the region. Lastly, we would like to welcome Amy Hutson to ttrle charity as the incoming Chief Executive officer from August 2024, tsking on the role from ourfounder Ellen Baldwinwhols stepping down after ovÈr 10 years of service. Amy, who is well regarded within ourfield of work, has been an advocate of Release for some time. and we're delighted to have her lead the charity for many years to come. Ellen Baldwln, Chlef Execut￿ Officer Felichty Purchase, Chair RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDE031 MARCH 2024 Ovèrvlew of ourwork Rele4se Counsellins and Therapy for Women (Releasel, Is a UK ￿giStered Charity, workin8 to imprové the mental health of women in Sussex, reduce i501ztion, and enable womento bringabout changes in thelr Iwes. We specialise in matemal ment31 health. 5LlPPOrting mothery and their bables durin6 the perinatal period. a keytran51tion period in whlch many rnothers experi2nce vulnerable mental health. Release operatÈ5 a tearn of qualified counsellors and carefully selected trair7ee counsellors, and work within the BACP (Briiish Association for Coun5ellors and Psythotherapistsl Ethical Framework. As a team we have additional specialism in the areas of trauma and sexual vlolation, perinatal mental health. couples counselling, addictions. and bereavernent and 1055. All our 3rtivitiÈ5 are funded byvoluntary donations and other funding sources. to ensure that all women who are in need of 5UPPOrt can access our setvices. In 2020 Release Counselling and Therapy for Women tran51tioned from 8 Community Interest Company to H UK Règistered Charity to better reflettthe nature of our work. Release Counselling and Therapy for Women has beèn operating sinc& 2013. Misslon Release exists ta help women across Sussex change how they feel and to Ilve better, through one-to-one ounselling and a range of therapeutlC8roups Charltable oblectSves To protect and promote the mental and emotional health of women land their families where necessary), livlnE in Brighton and Hove and ihe surroundin8 3reas. This will be achieved through. but not nece5sarilv restricted to.. providing an affordable and accessible counselling service, and by the tralning of indlvidua15 or groups in the provision of suth counselling and therapeutic support. Our core work We fulfil our mission by running the followin8 thrèe area5 of setvice.. l. One-to-one affordable counselllng for individuals. on a time-limited basis. 2. Therapeutlc Groups 3. WorkshDPS & Retreat5 RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH2024 Achievements and perfornian The charity continuesto grow its reath. wfth the 12 months covered kJythi5 reportseeing more dElivery than ever before. Thi5 important work included.. Following a con5ultatiort with service useys, we rebranded our 10-week motherhood groups to Mother Nurture IfoTmerly Mummyshockl Delivering our 10-week Mother Nurture groups for mums experiendng posthatal depression and anxiety, 9 tymes, in a varlety of new locations. All 9 £roup5 developed Into peer support 8roups at the end of the courses. We also developèd speclalist Mother Nurture 8roupsfor parentswith babies in NICU Ineonotal infant care unit). LGBTQ+families and 5urvlvors of sexual violence. Dellvering our new 8- week group Second Nature group for second/third+tirne mums. 5 tlmes In a variety of new location5. We eontinued to provlde mum & baby mental health wellbÈing day5, set in nature in partnership with Rock Farm. In addition, we have Provided low-cost Counselling for wornen in Brf8hton & Hove through our 1-2- I counselling provision. The followln8 storlesglvè an Inslght of the Impa¢tthat our servlcès have had on Indlvldual women: °Brilliont group. Greot to meet oll the other mothers gotng for coffee ofterwgrds. The fucilitutors were excellent they were wurm curing ond reullyFnterestedln wht7t we were suying. Ifeelso SUPP¢rtedin the group ondfound exploring these topics both interesting ond illurnlnuting. The ¢tsurse gove me the grft of heudspuce to be oble to look into some djollenging oreos of motherhoodumongstu group of women I nowconsidgr to be myfrlends, whilst hoving a rore hot¢up of teol. "I loved this cour5¢-lound It ljugely helpfvl ond such a pos1t1￿ in my second time porenting joumeyl I huve recommended it to so monypeoplel" .1 found the course 50 helpful It WllS such o saxe spoce to meet other m(Jms und to hove open, I￿neSt converst3tions thtit hove mode rnefÈel le55 lonely os o newpurent. It hus ulso given me more confidence t7nd re05suron¢e in my motherhood journey. Thefocilitotors were so kind ond mode everyone feel at euse. whi15t mointuining t7 greotlJLrlonce between speaking und listening. I willrealty mtss this groupl" Pllns fortbe future In the year ahead, alongwith developing our existlng deliverysupporting women and new mums, we plan to build on uur current SUC￿$$ by continuin8 to meet the growing need for our postnatal groups by providing servi¢es in nEW locatierts throughout Sussex. Trustees F Purchase Ichairl I Itinkaya lappointed 11 March 20241 R D'cunha (resigned 26 March 20241 N Kuhrt L O'connor (appointed 20 June 20241 CETownend LH Yaffe lappointed 17 May 20231 RELEASE COUNSELLING ANDTHERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR EAIDED 31 MARCH2024 Chlèf E¥ecutfve Offlcer E B31dwin Iresi8ned 24 August 20241 A Hutson (appointed 24 Au6USt 20241 Reglstered office Community Base 113 Queens Road Brighton BNI 3XG UK registered tharSty number 1192772 Flnandal revlew During the year ended 31 March 2024, Release Counselling and Therapy for Women saw an increase in incorne to £141,94612023.. £125.1271. which represented a significant increase on the prior year. This strong Erowth in income wa5 drlvoh predominantly through an increase in grant fundlng. but also throuEh a greater focu5 on developing unrestrlcted income streams. This included seeing Increases in fundraised income and Income from r low-cost counselling provision. Expenditure during thi5 period also irscre8sed In line with the growth of our delivery activity, and through planned investment into incfèasin8 Out organisational capacity. This Investment includèd inereasing our income generation capacity, which h35 seen a direct return Sn the year, as well as investing into the good governance of the charity. As a result the charity has now secured m(tlti-year fundin& enabling ever more long term infrastructural devel¢*prnentfor the charity. Whilst the irnpatt of this growth in income has r25ulted in a surplus of £12.290 3t the year end, and an increase in reserves to £19.821, the investment of unrestrirted funds to support lon8 term growth has led to an increase in unresirlctèd resefve5, leaving 3 year-end balance of £5,792. Theyearahead is projected tosee thls strong linanclal performance continue, with both furthergrowth In income, nd particularly a growth in unrestricted incom2, leading to a further growth in unrestricted reserves. This strong financial performan￿, combined with the positive financial projections for the year ahead, leave the charity well placed to continuÈ to deliver impactful, life-chan8in8 work within our community. Remuntratlon The salaries of the staffin8 tearn are determlned by the board of trustees and reviewed annually. The board ensure5 thatthe charity paystaff an appropriate and competwtive level of remuneration. The board of trustees set and approve any annual cost of living inuease. Reserves The trustees are focused on developing a proportionate reserve5 policyfor the thzrity, whilst recognisingthat it is still in its infancy. The reserves policy looks to maintain an appropriate level OF free reseNes to 5UPPOrt the ongoing actimties of the organisation. This policy takes into account any risks to whlch the charity is exposed. along with the current and projected future levels of income and expendlture. The pollcy and determination of the required level of reserve5 are set in actordance with the Charity Commi551on guidelines and are reviewed by the trustees annually. RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TrUSTEES' REPORT FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH2024 The Trustees. Report was approved bythe Board of Trustees on... 3011112024 and signed 0rt1ts behalf bv- Feliaty Purchase Chalr RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO srATEMENT OF TRUSTEEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustee5. who are also the Directors of Release Counselling and Therapy for Women CIO for the purpose ol company law. are responsible for prep3ring the Tru5tees' Report and the accounts in accordancé with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accountlng PrattSeel. Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare accoLtnts for each finan¢ial year whi¢h give a true and fair view of the statÈ ol affairs of the Charity and of the incomlng ￿SOurceS and applicatiun of resources. including the Encome and expendltur2, of the charitable tompany for that year. In preparin8 these accounts. the Trustees are ￿quired to.. select sultable accountin8 pditie5 and then apply them consistently, observe the method5 and prinriples in the Charities SORP,. makejudgements and estlmatès that are reasonable and pruden¢. state whether applicable UK accountin8 Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures di5clo5ed 4nd explained in the financial statements- and prepare the accounts on the going concern basi5 unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charitywill continue in operatlon. The Trustees are responslble for keepin8 proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuraty at any time the financial positlon ol the Charity and to enable th2m to ensuie that the financial statements cornply with the Charitles Act 2011. They are also responsible for safe8uardin8 the a55ets of the Charlty and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detectio￿ of fraud and other Irrègularities. ThÈTrustees are responsible for the rnaintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information Included on the Charity's wÈbsite. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparatlon and dissemination of linanaal statements may differ frorn legislation in other juri5dictloll5. RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FORWOMEN CIO INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THETRUSTEES OF RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO I reporttLlthe tmstees on myexamination ofthe accounts ofThe Charity forthe yearendÉd 31 Marth 2024. Re5pon51bilities and basls of report As the charity trusteÈs you are responsiblè for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charfties Att 20111.the ACVI. I report In respectof my examination of the charty's accounts carried out under sertion 145 of the 2011 Act and In canylng out my examination I have followed all the applicable Direttions given by the Chartty Ccthmission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's Statement I have completed my examinatlon. I conflrm that no material matters have come to my attention in connectyon with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any materlal respect: I have no contrrns and have come across no other Matte￿ In connection with the examination to whieh attention should be drawn in thi5 report in order to enab12 a proper understanding of tho accounts to be reathed. accounting records were not kept in respert of the charity a5 required by Section 130 of the Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord wSth those records,. or 3. the accounts do nc*t ¢omply with the applicablè requlrements concernlng the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Account5 and Report51 Rtrgulations 2008 other than any requlrement that the accounts give a true and fairview whith is not a matteT mn51dered a5 part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to whlch attention should be drown in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reathed. Mr Mark Cummlns FCCA FCIE forand on behalF of TC Group The Courtyard Shoreham Road Upper Beedlng 5teyning West Sussex BN44 3TN Dated.. C4•vW RELEASE COUNSELLING ANDTHERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOMEAND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNn FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH2024 Notes Unrestrltted Restrlrted Total Total Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 March 31 March 31 Marth 31 March 2024 2024 2024 2023 om Donations 32,342 3ZB42 18,088 Grant5 7.529 89,984 97,513 99.835 Charitable artivities 12.091 ,091 7,204 Totdl income 5L%2 89.984 141,946 125,127 ndlture on-. Raising funds 1.296 1.296 1,106 Charftable activities 45,262 83,098 128.360 122.389 Totsl expendltu 46,558 83.098 129.556 123.495 Net Incomè and movement in funds 12.290 1.632 Fund balances at 31 Marth 2023 388 7,143 7,531 5,899 Fund balances at 31 Marth 2024 5,792 14,029 19.821 7,531 l activitie5 are das5ified as contlnuing. There are no recognised gains or loues otherthan on the Statetnent of Financial Activities. se rfjpqrted •J RELEASE COUNSELLING ANDTHERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO BALANCE SHEEr AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 31 March 2024 31 March 2023 Notes Current assets Cash at bank and In hand 24.845 13.436 Debtors 2,516 2.053 27,361 .489 Credltors: amounts falling due withln one year io 17,5401 17,9581 Net ¢urreb)t assets 19,821 7.531 Totsl net a55ets 19.821 7.531 Income funds Restricted funds li 14,029 7,143 Unrestricted funds 5,792 388 19,821 7,531 The accounts were approved by the Board on ......ao11112Q24...........-... Fellcity Purchase Cha RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 LO Statutcry infomiatlon Release Cgunselling and Therapy for Women is an incorporated charity re8lStered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. Further detalls re8arding the charity are shgwn on the Le8al and Administrative page. 2.0 A￿UIrt1￿ polldes 2.1 Basls of prepara￿On The acccunts have been prepared underthe historical c05t convention and in accordance wlth Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Stat&rnent of Recommended Prartite applicablè to charSties preparing their accounts in accordance with the Flnancial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective l January 20191 Icharities SORP IFR5 10211. the Finanelal Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Charitie5 Act 2011. Release Counselling and Therapy for Women meets the definition of a public benetht èntlty under FRSIO2. Assets and liabS1ities are initially reco8ni5ed at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the rÈlevant accounting policy ntstelsl. There are no material uncertainties about Release Counselling and Ther3py for Women's ability to continue as a going Con￿rn. The financial statements are prepared in sterllng, which is the functlonal currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound. 2.2 Income All inttsme is accounted for in the Statement of Financial Activitie5 ISOFAI when the Charlty 15 legallv entitled to the Income, receipt is probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuray. Income from donations is accounted for as received bythe Charity. Thè Income from fund raSsing ventures is shown gross, with the associated costs included in fund raising costs. The value of voluntary work 15 not included in the finanaal statements. Grants are recognised in full in the year in which they are receivable and the charity is entitled to the income. Other Income is rètorded on an accruals basi5. 13 Expendlture Costs are included In the StatemeTht of Financial Activities on an accrua15 basis Inclusivè of Irrecoverable VAT. All costs are allocated between expÈndilure categories and department5 on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resour￿. Where p055iblÉ. costs have been allocated dirertlyto the attivltyto which they relate. However, there are also central support cost5 that enable the Charity's charitable income generating and admini5tratlve activities to be undertaken. -1 RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 2024 2A Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank and in hand indudes cash and shortterm hi8hly liquid investments. The trustees seek to use short and medium temi deposits where posslble to maKmise the return on monies held at the bank and to rmanage cash flow. 23 Financlal Instruments The Charity only has finanoal assets and financial liabilltles of a knnd that qualify as basic financial Instr¢Jments. Baslc flnancial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently mÈasured attheir settlementvalue. 16 Credkors ah)d provlslons Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from 3 past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a thlrd party and the amount due to settle the oblt8ation can be measured or estimated reliably. 2.7 Accumulated funds Fund5 held by the Charity are either: Llftrestritted general fund5-these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objÈcts atthe discreticin of the trustees. Restricted fund5- Donations, bequests or incoming resour￿5 for whlch the donor has earmarked for a specific purpose are treatsd as restricted funds. Further exp13nation of the nature and purpose of each fund is Included in the notes to the financial statements. a charity, Release Counselling and Therapy for Women is exèmpt from tsx on income and gains to the extent that these are applied to its charitsble objects. RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTESTOTHE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Inrorne frorn dvnations Unrestrltted funds Restrlcted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Donations 32,342 32.342 32,342 32.342 18,088 18.088 Income from erants Unre5trlrted fund5 Restrlrted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Arnold Clark Allen Lane Foundation Brighton & Hove Counol Brighton & Sussex Medical School BUPA Chalk Cliffe Trust Early Birth Association Emest ￿einWOrt Charitable Trust Farrester FamilyTrust Heads On Henry Smith Charity Mid Su55ex District Movement For Good National Lottery PeacehavEn Town Council Postcode Lottery Trust Postcode Society Trusl Somptin8 Big Local Sport EnBI?nd sussex Community Foundation The House Prolect 1,000 6,277 6277 13,330 1.872 1.872 6,(K)Ct s,￿0 4,657 4,657 1,500 5,000 18,059 48,2CKJ 4,998 18,059 48.200 4,998 Ixjoo I,￿0 17,500 500 500 24,938 9(J) 6,700 5.750 6.700 5,750 21,667 2,0Tr) 99,835 7,529 89,984 97￿13 -12- RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN ao NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Income from ¢harftable artlvlties UnrÈstrirted funds RÈstrictÈd tunds Totsl Z024 Total 2023 Counselling 12,091 12,091 12.091 12091 7,204 7.204 Total eJKpenditure Staff Costs Other Total 2024 Total 2023 Ralslng funds Fundraising activities 1296 1,296 1,296 1.296 1,106 1,106 Charltable artlvlties Salaries Programme to$ts Support costs 82,890 82.890 34.561 10,909 128A60 78.063 31.888 12.438 122,389 34.561 10,909 45,470 82,890 Total expendltwe 82,890 46,766 129.656 123,495 Support costs Total 2024 Total 2023 Bankfees Independent Èxaminer Le8al & Professional Fees Administrative costs Staff training 86 i.￿0 3,108 6,054 2,000 12,438 1.500 3N56 4A99 IA45 10.909 These costs include amounts payable to the independent examiners of £1.500 12023.. £1,190) for independent examinatlon and other services. RELEASE COUNSELLING ANDTHERAPY FOR WOMEN ao NOTE5 TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 8. Staff cost The total average monthly number of employees (number of staff employed) durin8 the reportlng period was 912023.41. Total 2024 Total 2023 Wages and Salaries Employers National Insurance Stafflng costs Pension costs 79,638 62,175 11,284 552 2,700 8l890 4,604 78,063 No employee reteive