Charity Registration No. 1192772 RELEASE COUNSELUNG AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees F Purchase (Chalrl Lo'connor l Altinkaya l Kopelma E Jacob K King P O'connor Chiel Executive Officer A Huston Reglstered Char]ty name Release Counselling And Therapy For Women CIO Charity number 1192772 Registered offlce Community Base 113 Queen5 Road Brighton East Sussex BNI 3XG Website www.releasefonNomen.org.uk Telephone 07954216995 Independent Examlner TC Group The Courtyard Shoreham Road Upper Beeding Steyning Westsussex BN44 3TN Bankers Co-Operate Bank PLC Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN86NY
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO CONTENTS Truste, Report Statement of Trustees, Hesponsibilities Independent Examinef s Report ststement of Financial Artivities Balante Sheet Notes to the Accounts 10-16
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees of Release CounsellSng andTherapyforWomen presentthelrAnnual Reportforthe period ended 31 March 2025 together with the accounts for the Charity. The accounts comply wtth the requirements of the Charitie5 Act 2011, the charity's Eoveming document and Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financlal Reportlng Standard applicable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20191. Message from the chair and chiel executive Founded Sn 2013 and established as a charity in 2020, Release CounsellinB and Therapy for Women Is a Sussex-based charity, led by women, for women. Over the past year, we ran frKus groups and surveys with our current and past participants to learn what further support is needed from us. They shared with us that there is little support for midlrfe women, despite this being a challengin8 time dealing with hormonal changes. parenting older children, looking after ageing parents and often juggling a career. This led to the development of our first-ever Meno Nurture therapeutic group for midlife women, which is due to launch later in 2025. We have also created a new, sknrter 44eek verslon of our current Second Nature therapeutic group to suit people who cannot attend the full 8-week group. And importantly, we have continued to run our popular, much-needed, Mother Nurture and Second Nature groups for first and second time+ mums and birthing parents acros5 Sussex, alongside our one-to-one counselling service. We look fOnard to the year ahead as we continue to expand our reach and sUPPOrt the mental health of more women across Sussex and beyond. Amy Hutson, Chief Executlve Officer Fellclty Purchase, Chair
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Overvlew of our work Women a atthe hiEhest risk of suicide upto a year aftergiving birth and during perimenopause. And we provide mental health sUPPOrt for women at these key times in their lives. We offer therapeutic 8roups for rnums and birthin8 parents and women in midlife, along with wellbeing days and a women's one-to-one online counselllng seryice. Release Counselllng and Therapy for Women (Release), 15 a UK registered charity. worklng to improve the mental health of women in Sussex, reduce isolation, and enable women to brinE about changes in their Iwes. We specialise in maternal mental health, supporting mothers durlng the different stages of parentin& when many mothers experien vulnerable mental health. We have a team of qualrfied counsellors and carefully selected trainee counsellors, and we work within the BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapist51 Ethical Framework. All our activities are funded by voluntary donations and other funding sources, to ensure that all women who are in need of support can acce55 our Servi5. Mlssion Release exists to help women across Sussex change how they feel and to live better, through one-to-one counsellln8 and a range of therapeutic groups Charitable objectives To protect and promote the mental and emotional heahh of women land their families where necessaryl, living in Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area5. This will be achieved throuBh, but not necessarily restricted to.. pmviding an affordable and accessible counselling seNice, and by the trainlng of Indlvidua15 or groups in the Pfovbsion of such counsellin8 and therapeutic support. Our core work We gupport the mental health of women in Sussex by running the folh)wlng three areas of service: l. One-to-one affordable counsellin8 for women. on a tim@-limited basis. 2. Therapeutic Groups 3. Wellbeing days
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES. REPORT R?R THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Achievements and perlonnance Over the past twelve months aeross Sussex, we have: Developed a new MenD Nurture therapeutic group for midlife women. Created a 4-week Second Nature therapy group to suit second- time+ mums and birthing parents unable to attend the full 8-week course. Deliver@d our 10-week Mother Nurture groups for mum5 experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety, 5 time5. Delivered our 8- week group Second Nature group for secondlthird+ time mums, 6 times. Delivered our Mother Nurture for SurvNors of Sexual Violence groups, 2 times. Delwered our mum and baby wellbelng days. 3 times. Delwered a l-l counsellins service for women online. What do partlclpants say about US: °My counsellor has been an incredible help through a very difflicultperiod of my life. Through our5e55ions I've been able toflnolly understand truly benefitArom therapy.. Counsellln8 client". Tr Mother Nurture group come ot exortly the right tlme for me. Having hod o premature baby and a traumutic start to motherhood, I was able to process myfeelings ¢7nd what ht7ppened to Us in a safe and open environment, olongside other mums." "Everyone's experiences were different, yet we hadso much in common. Being tible to take part in o group like this transformed the end of my moternity leave, helpNng me to prepore for returning to work and that rtext "phuse" of motherhood. It mukes It so much eG5ier to get this type of support us u new mum when you can take along your baby tool I'm so grateful to huve had the opportunity to toke part. Group participant Plans for the future In the year ahead, we plan to deliver our first Meno Nurture therapy group and bulld a variety of holistic l-l mental health support for rnenopausal women. from coaching to nutritional 5UPPOrt. We are also creating a specialised coun5elling service for young women aged 13+, so we can widen the support we can offer where we know it is needed. We will also continue all the work we have become known for and know works our women's one-to-one counselling service, wellbeing days and therapeutic groups for first and second time+ mums.
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Tru#ees F Purchase Ichairl l Atinkaya L (Yconnor lappointed 20 June 20241 CE Townend (resigned 31 December 20241 J Kopelman (appointed 24 February 20251 LH Yaffe (resigned 29 February 20251 N Kuhrt (resigned 24 March 20251 E Jacob lappointed 22107120251 K King lappointed 14111120251 P O'connor (appointed 11112120251 Chief Executive Officer E Baldwin (resigned 24 August 20241 A Hutson (appointed 24 August 20241 Regtstered office Communlty Base 113 Queens Road Brighton BNI 3XG UK registered charity number 1192772 Financial revlew During the year ended 31 March 2025, Release Counselling and Therapy for Women saw an IncaSe in income to É155,82912024: £141.9461, which represented a significant increase on the prior year. This strong growth in income was driven prodominantty through an increase in grant funding. Expenditure durin8this period decreased to £103,94412024'. £129.6561. Whilst the impact of this growth in income has resulted in a surplus of £51,885 al the year end, and an increase in reserves to £71,706, the investment of unrestricted funds to SUPPOrt long term growth has led to an increase in unrestrirted reserve5, leaving a year-end balance of £32,492. The year ahead is projected to see a growth in unrestricted income, leading to a further growth in unrestricted resetwes. This Strong financial performance. combined with the positive financial prolections for the year ahead, leave the charity well placed to continue to deliver impactful, IIFe-changing work wtthin our community. Remuneratlon The Salaries of the gtafflng team a determlned by the board of trustee5 and reviewed annually. The board ensures that the charity pay staff an appropriate and competitive level of remuneratSon. The board of trustees set and approve any annual cost of living increase.
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Reserves The trustees are focused on developing a proportionate reserves policyforthe charity, whilst recognising that it is still in its infanty. The reseeS policy looks to maintain an appropriate level of free reserves to support the ongoing activff(ies of the organisation. This policy takes into account any ri5k5 to which the charty is exposed, along with the current and projected future levels of income and expenditure. The policy and determination of the required level of reserves are Set in accordance with the Charity Commi55i0n 8uideline5 and are reviewed by the trustees annually. The Trustees, Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 1711212025 and signed on its behalf by- Felicity Purchase Chair
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees, who are also the Directors of Release Counselline and Therapy for Women CIO for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the accounts In accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Prartlcel. Charty law requires the Trustees to prepare ac¢ount5 for each flnanclal year which glve a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the Incoming resources and application of resource5, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these accounts, Ihe Trustees are required to- selett suitable accountin8 policies and then apply them consistently; obsetve the methods and Fjrinciples in the Charities SORP,. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,. State whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed. subjert to any rnaterlal departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and prepare the accounts on the going concern basls unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue In operation. The Trustees are responsible for keepin8 proper accounting CordS that 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. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irregulartties. The Trustees are respon51ble forthe maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Charitws website. Legislation in the United Klngdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statemenis may dlffer from legislation in other jurisdictions.
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO I report tothe trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Charlty for the year ended 31 March 2025. ResponslLlllrles and basis of report As the charlty trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wfth the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respea of my examlnatM)n of the charitfs accounts carried out under 5ettion 145 of the 2011 Aci and in carrying out rny examination I have followed all the applicable Directions gwen by the Charity Commission under sectlon 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examlner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in onnection with the examinatiori giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act- or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records,. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Rewrtsl Regulatlons 2008 other than any requirernent that the account5 give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered a5 part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In conllectv)n with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the attounts to be reached. Mr Mark Cummins FCCA FCIE for and on behalf of TC Group The Courtyard Shoreham Road Upper Beeding Steynin8 West Sussex BN44 3TN Dated.. 18 Doctljxf 2oPS
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES {INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH2025 Notes Unrestrlrted Restricted Total Total Year ended Yearended Year ended Yearended 31 March 31 March 31 March 31 March 20Z5 2025 2025 2024 Income from: Donations 26,358 26,358 32,342 Grants 5,450 114A86 119,936 97,513 Charitable activities 9,535 9,535 12,091 Total Income 41,343 114,486 IS5,829 141,946 Ex enditure on: Raising funds 3.665 3.665 1,296 Charitsble actNities 10.978 89,301 100,279 128,360 Total expenditure 14,643 89,301 103,944 129.656 Net Income and movement In funds 26,700 25.185 51,885 12,290 Fund balances at 31 March 2024 5,792 14,029 19,821 7,531 Fund balances at 31 March 2025 32,492 39,214 71.706 19,821 All activsties are classrfied as continulng. There are no recognlsed gains or losse5 Other than those reported on the Statement of Financial Activities.
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO BALANCE SHEET AS AT31 MARCH 2025 31 March 2025 31 Mar(h 2024 Notes Current asset5 Cash at bank and in hand 77.664 24.845 Debtors 638 2,516 78,302 27,631 Credltors: amounts falling due wlthln one year io 17,5401 (6,596) Net current assets 19,821 Total net assets 71,706 19,821 Income funds Restricted funds li 39,214 14,029 UnrestrKted funds 32,492 5,792 71,706 19.821 The accounts were approved by the Board on 1711212025. Felicity Purchase Chair 1192772
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 1.0 Statutory Information Release Counselling and Therapy for Women 15 an incorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. Further detai15 re8arding the charity are shown on the Legal and Administrative page. 2.0 Accounting policies 2.1 Basi5 01 preparation The accounts have been prepared under the hlstorical t05t convention and in accordance with Accounting and Rewrting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance wtth the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20191- (Charities SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Charities Act 2011. Release COUelling and Therapy for Women meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRSIO2. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or tran5artion value unless otherwise 5tsted in the relevant accounting policy notelsl. There are no material uncertainties about Release Counselling and Therapy for Women's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements aro prepared in sterlin& which the funrtional currency of the charity. Monetsry amount5 in these financial Statements are rounded to the nearest pound. 12 Income All income is accounted for in the Statement of Financial Activities ISOFAI when the Charity is legal entitled to the income, recelpt Is probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Income from donations is accounted for as receTried by the Charity. The income from fund raising ventures is shown gross, with the associated costs included in fund raising costs. Th@ value of voluntary work Is not included in thè financial 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 recorded on an atcruals basis. 2.3 Expendlture Costs are included in the Siatement of Financial Activities on an accruals basls Inclusive of irrecoverable VAT. All costs are allocated between expendSture categorles and departments on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Where p055ible, costs have been allocated directly to the activity to which they relate. However, there are also central support costs that enable the Charlty's charltable Income generating and administrative activities to be undertaken. -10-
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2.4 Cash at bank and In hand Cash at bank and in hand indudes cash and short term highly Ilquid Snvestments. The trustee5 seek to use short and medium term dep051ts where possible to maximi5e the return on rnonie5 held at the bank and to manage cash flow. 2.5 Financial instruments The Charity only ha5 firiancial a55et5 and flnanclal 1Sabilitiès of a kind that qualtfy as basic financial instruments. Basic financial ItrumentS are initlally recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. 2.6 Creditors and provlsions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity ha5 a present obligation resuIng from a past event that will probably result in the transfer ot funds to a thlrd party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or tiMated reliably. 2.7 Accumulated funds Funds held by the Charity are efther.. Unrestricted general fund5- these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable oblects at the discretion of the tNstees. Restricted funds Oonations, bequests or incoming resources for which the donor has earmarked for a specrfic purpose are treated as restrScted funds. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of eath fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. 2.8 Taxatlon A5 a charity. Release Counselllng and Therapy for Women is exempt from tax on income and gains to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Intome from donations Unrestrlcted funds Restrirted funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Donatlons 26,358 26,358 26,358 26,358 32,342 32,342 Income from 8rants Unrestrlcted funds Restricted fund5 Total 2025 Total 2024 Allen Lane Foundatlon Brighton & Sussex Medical School Chalk CltFFe Trust Early Birth Association Friarsgate Trust Heads On Henry Smith Charlty Mid Sussex Distrirt Movement For Good National Lottery Awards for All Postcode Society Trust Sport England Sussex Community Foundatlon The Albert Hunt Trust Trusthouse CharitableTrust 6,277 1,872 3,678 3,678 4,657 3,CQO 3,000 950 49.700 g50 18,059 48,2(J) 4,998 1,000 49,700 20,000 20,000 20MJO 20,000 6,700 5,750 4,500 4,500 5.000 13,108 119,936 13.108 114,486 5,450 97.513 -12-
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Income from charitable attivities Unrestricted funds Restrlcted fund5 Total 2025 Total 2024 Counselling 9,535 9,535 9.535 9,535 12,091 12,091 Tgtal expendlture Staff costs Other Costs Total 2025 Total 2024 Raising fund5 Fundraising activitles 3,665 3,665 3,665 3,665 1,296 1,296 Charftable o¢tlvities Salaries Prugramme costs support costs 72.007 72,007 18,536 9,736 100,279 82,890 34,561 10.909 128,360 18.536 9.736 28.272 72.007 Total expenditure 72,007 31,937 103.944 129,656 Support costs Totsl 2025 Total 2024 Bank fees Independent examiner Legal & Professional Fees Administratlve costs Staff trainin 13 1,500 3,456 4,499 1,445 10,909 3,601 2,964 1.558 9,736 -13-
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 8. Staff cost The total average monthly number of employees (number of staff employed) during the reporting period was 1112024- 91. Total 2025 Total 2024 Wages and salarie5 Staffing costs Penslon costs 69,398 162 79,638 552 2,447 72,007 2,700 82,890 No employee received remuneration above E60k. The key management personnel of the Charity comprised the Chief Executive. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel We £36,10912024: £43,036). Debtors 2025 2024 Due within one year Trade debtors 335 880 Other debiors Accrued Income 303 76 1.560 638 2,516 10. Credltors: amounts fralllng due wfthln one year 2025 2024 Trade creditors Accrua15 Penslon payable Other Credltors 1,308 4,584 696 2,476 4,484 580 6,596 7,540 -14-
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 11. Restricted funds The income funds of the charity include restrltted funds compr18 the followlng unexpended balance5 of donations and grants for speclfic purposes: Balance at 31 March 2024 Balance at 31 March 2025 Income Expenditure Core Infrastructure fund 52,700 61,786 139,4701 135,8021 114,0291 13,230 25,984 Maternal mental heah fund Women's wellbelng fund 14,029 14,029 114,486 189,3011 39,214 Core Infrastrurturefund- The core infrastructure fund comprises grant funding restricted to investment in the central management of the charity. Muternol mental health fvnd- The maternal health fund comprises grant funding restricted to the support of new mums mental heah and wellbeing. Funders include the Foyle Foundation and the National Lottery. Women's wellbeing fvnd -The women's mental health fund comprises grant funding restricted to improving the mental he3h and wellbeing of women within Sussex. 12. Analysis uf net a5S•ts between funds Unrestrirted funds Restrlcled funds Total Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by: Current assets 39,088 16,5961 32,492 39,214 78,302 {6,5961 71,706 Creditors 39.214 Unrestrlrted funds Restricted funds Total Fund balance5 at 31 March 2024 are represented bv: Current a55ets 13,332 17,5401 14,029 27.361 17.5401 19.821 Creditors 5,792 14.029 -15-
RELEASE COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR WOMEN CIO NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 13. Control No one member has overall control of the Chartty. 14. Comparatlve funds- Statement of Flnancial Activltles lor the perlod ended 31 March 2024 Unrestrlcted fund5 Restricted funds Total 2024 Income from: Donations 32.342 7.529 12,091 32,342 97,513 12,091 Grants 89,984 Charitable activities Total income 51.962 89.984 141,946 Ex enditur on: Raising funds 1,296 1,296 Charttable Actwities 45,262 83,098 128,360 Totsl expenditure 46.558 83,098 129,656 Net income and movement In funds 6,886 12,290 Fund balances at 31 March 2023 7,143 7,531 Fund balances at 31 March 2024 5.792 14,029 19,821 -18-