## **Saint Pauls Child Contact Centre** ## **Bracknell Charity Number 1200547** **Annual Reports & Accounts – 03/10/22 31/03/24** ## **OUR OBJECTIVES** 1. 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. 2. 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 CHARIIY COMMISSION F(* ENfAAt4) MowKts Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Section Ik-Recewts dftd"paymenls- UnrÈgt*icted Endowment Yotfjl ft&nd6 Lo￿year f￿[HI AR) 1&02J Te r¢9 323 A4 knet *d 5nvestm￿rt Sab AS Tr*)sféra betm*w CCXXRt Section B Statement of assèts and liabililtes a( th.e end of the period _-- fund$ ¢ateggries funds ET¥luwmenl Dkt8i15 Cetails B4A¥getsThtstned knll ¢brt<8 Otirn Iisè en41 DètaiL*