Saint Pauls Child Contact Centre
Bracknell Charity Number 1200547
Annual Reports & Accounts – 03/10/22 31/03/24
OUR OBJECTIVES
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TO RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN SEPARATED FROM PARENTS AND/OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGH DIVORCE AND FAMILY BREAKDOWN IN BRACKNELL AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS AND TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH THE PROVISION OF A CHILD CONTACT CENTRE TO FACILITATE CONTACT ARRANGEMENTS WITH NON-RESIDENT PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS IN A SAFE, SECURE AND NEUTRAL LOCATION.
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TO ADHERE TO THE STANDARDS SET BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHILD CONTACT CENTRES AND THE COVENANT WITH ST. PAUL'S UNITED REFORMED
Our Performance
During the course of the year we received 25 referrals , involving 19 children. Out of those- only 15 families came to contact involving 19 children.
Of the 10 referrals that didn’t make it to contact :
4 were families we worked with, some quite significantly, but the parents just couldn’t agree, or failed to arrive for pre contact visits, or cancelled last minute mentioned.
3 families decided they didn’t need a place anymore – 2 of those made their own arrangements. Some use the Centre as a threat - thinking the other party will lose interest. Some just need to get over the hump of communicating with one another again and are able to agree between themselves.
1 had accepted a place at another centre but did not inform us.
The other 3 families simply didnot respond to calls. One party didn’t return calls or respond to e mails……in that case, all we can do is advise the other parent to speak to a solicitor for advice.
During the year 8 families successfully moved on meaning 11 children now see their parents regularly and in a much more normal environment.
6 families are still with us,
For one family contact broke down – because it really wasn’t in the best interests of the child , or the parents, to continue to come to the centre- not because of any failing on our part or even that of the parents, it was because of the interference of one particular Grandparent, who made contact a dreadful and stressful experience for all concerned, and contact was stopped.
So, the centre may not have seemed quite so busy because of the usual no shows and cancellations but, a lot of work continues in the background, and as always, we have had our moments and our characters!
Our resources
The centre is overseen by a management committee which consists of our trustees with the Elders Representative from St Pauls United Reform Church whose building we use.
We employ a paid coordinator who works 10 hours per week on administration She also co-ordinates the centre on a Saturday afternoon.
We currently have 16 active volunteers plus 3 volunteers in training. This allows us to cover the rota requiring 6 volunteers (including the coordinator) at each session.
Recruitment of new volunteers is an ongoing process.
Our Finances
For the period 3.10.2022 to 31.03.2024 ended the contact centre generated a small deficit in the year reducing our retained funds by £2,626.
Income
Our main source of income was the Children in Need grant of £7,987. In addition we received grants of £3,959 from NACCC/MOJ and £1,000 from Bracknell Town Council.
Expenses
Our main expenditure was Employment costs were £11,908. Other expenses totalled £3,731 and included rent of £1,000 and subscriptions of £820.
The Contact Centre is in a good financial position as we have secured Children in Need funding for the next 3 years. We therefore have enough money to continue to run for at least 4 years at current levels. The reason for the deficit in the accounts is due the inclusion of the period 3.10.2022 to 31.03.2023 to satisfy Charity Commission reporting. This was a period when we incurred expenses for 6 months but with no receipt of corresponding funding as the grant from Children in Need was received prior to this period.
Our Trustees
The charity currently has 5 Trustees registered with the Charity Commision,
Russell Goodburn Chair
Stephanie Winston Bray Treasurer
Pamela Day
Susan Perret
Brenda Bailey
All were appointed on 14/09/22
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