## **Annual Report for the Year March 2025 – May 2026**
**Darlington Town Mission**
Tel: 0794 3251357 Founded 1838
Registered Office – 3 Idaho Gardens , Darlington, Co Durham DL1 2RG Reg. Charity Number: 235572 _‘We aim to provide relief from isolation and loneliness in the elderly by visiting, providing social contact and Christian Fellowship.’_ www.darlingtontownmission.org.uk
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## **REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2025 - 2026**
||page|
|---|---|
|**Contents**|2|
|Our Vision, Beliefs, Achievements and Appreciation for the year|3|
|What do we do?|4|
|What are loneliness and social isolation?|5 - 6|
|Chair’s Annual Report|7|
|Missioner’s review of the year 2025- 26
|8|
|Latest Marketing News|9 - 10|
|Organisations that support us|11|
|How could you support us?|12|
## **++++++++++++++++++**
## **Cindy Lombaard –**
## **A New volunteer**
“I came back to the UK in August 2023 and for a while lived around London where my friends are based. When I moved back, I knew I wanted to live somewhere in the North this time around to experience a different part of the UK and ultimately ended up in Darlington. Given that I didn't really know anyone in Darlington and generally believe in giving back/paying it forward, I looked for volunteering opportunities where I could meet people but also add to someone's life in some way. That is how I came across DTM. I loved the biblical principles on which the service is based and, from the start, how warm and welcoming everyone was. I also love my family and miss them dearly. Being able to connect and build relationships with the ladies that became my friends is an absolute gift.
Human connection, building community, being able to share in someone else's stories - what an absolute privilege! Being able to volunteer at DTM gives me the best of both worlds. Not only do I get to add value to someone else's life, but those relationships also enrich my life. Being able to engage like this means that I feel like I have a family in my new home when mine is far, support both ways! As I am allowed to help fill someone else's cup, mine is also filled”.
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## **Our Vision**
It is to reduce isolation and provide companionship.
## **Our Beliefs**
That every person is entitled to a good quality of life through fellowship and social support which combats isolation.
## **To achieve this, DTM normally:**
- Carry out home visits
- Provide companionship to our Friends individually or through a busy programme of group social events supported by a wonderful team of volunteer drivers
- Provide Acts of Worship when we are able
- Provide a limited accompanying service for urgent medical appointments
- Provide a monthly afternoon get-together club for a small number of Friends. This is called the Friend’s Forum meeting.
## **Achievements and Appreciation for 2025-26**
During the year the charity carried out 1,737 home visits and contacted Friends by telephone or texts to Friends 4,208 times to relieve our Friend's isolation.
We have also helped our Friends with transport to 116 medical appointments and made 618 shopping trips for Friends. Provided transport to church for 43 people and attended 16 funerals and 11care home service attendances. We have also organised monthly get togethers at the Friend’s Forum get afternoon meetings at Parkgate Community Centre. We are most grateful to be offered this excellent venue to use and to Brian Cooper who often provides quizzes etc. The Missioners are helped by a small team of DTM volunteers who offer transport and catering help. Thank you to them. We could accommodate a few more Friends to the Forum meetings if we had additional drivers to help.
We currently have three part time Missioners, Sue Wriglesworth, Lauren Hebden and Jeroen Hoogland.
At Christmas there was another very successful appeal to buy hampers for all our Friends. We gathered seasonal items from local shops and took over the church hall at Harrowgate Hill Methodist Church to pack the hampers. Thank you to the many volunteers that helped with this. There was lots of volunteer packers and distributors. Each hamper included a DTM Christmas Card for all our Friends. All our Friends in care homes were given alternative gifts.
The monthly care home Songs of Praise at Springfield Care Home is going well and we have recently been blessed by Simon Warner’s help in leading some of the services there. Simon is one of our new volunteers who joined us last year. Geoff Thompson and Jeroen Hoogland are just two of our volunteers we value so much for their keyboard skills.
For the remainder of 2026 many other outings are in the pipeline including a visit to Strikes Garden Centre, visit to The Forum Music Centre for refreshments and a professional singer, visits to Sadberge and Summerhouse village halls and another Christmas Crafting afternoon organised by The Creation Station team. There is a fifth return trip to the seaside this time at
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Long Acre Pub near Saltburn. The seaside trips are supported by the legacy of Rita Malcolm who was one of our Friends.
We are always looking for fresh venues and activities that suit the number of Friends and volunteer drivers we have. Do get in touch with suggestions.
## **What we do**
The Darlington Town Mission was founded in 1838 by three local businessmen - John Backhouse and John Pease who were well known Quakers and John Hopkins, an Anglican.
The original aims of the charity were as follows:
- “
- _To relieve poverty, sickness, hardship, and dis-_
- _tress of those in need in the Borough of Darlington through the provision of practical and materiassistance, information, and support and by any other charitable means that the Trustees in their discretion think fit, in order to improve the said beneficiaries’ quality of life._
**----- Start of picture text -----**
al
**----- End of picture text -----**
- _To advance the Christian faith particularly but not exclusively by holding services of worship where appropriate”._
- Many of these aims are achieved today in the following ways:
- The Mission employs three Missioners who work with a number of volunteers.
- Visit people in their homes and in hospital to offer practical and material assistance, information, and pastoral support
- Arrange trips out and other social events
- Through exemplifying Christian love and service in the work we do, as well as arranging acts of Christian worship
We are now focusing our activities on relieving loneliness and isolation among the elderly in Darlington. All our charitable activities focus on improving quality of life and are done to further our charitable purpose for the public benefit.
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## **Loneliness & Social Isolation**
## **Combating Loneliness in Older Adults: Strategies for Connection and Well-Being**
Your mom lives alone and no longer drives.
- She rarely leaves the house and has lost connections with friends and no longer participates in activities that she used to love.
- You worry about her spending too much time alone – and with good reason.
## **Understanding the Impact of Loneliness on Older Adults**
Older people are at an increased risk for loneliness and isolation increases for a variety of reasons – driving may no longer possible, mobility issues, chronic illnesses and hearing loss. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Social isolation significantly increases a person’s risk of premature death from all causes – a risk that rivals smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.
- Social isolation was associated with about 50% increased risk of dementia.
- Poor social relationships were associated with 29% increased risk of heart disease and 32% increased risk of stroke.
- Loneliness was associated with higher rate of depression, anxiety and suicide.
- Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits.
“Socialisation is important at any age, but it’s critical for older adults – especially for those who live alone,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations manager for the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “It’s important for friends, family members, neighbours and others to know that they can really make a positive difference in their aging loved ones’ lives – boosting both the physical and mental health.”
## **Effective Strategies in Combating Loneliness in Older Adults**
To help your loved ones keep feelings of loneliness and isolation at bay, experts suggest:
- Finding an activity that they enjoy or helping them restart an old hobby.
- Encouraging them to schedule time every day to touch base with family, friends and neighbours – in person or by email, social media, phone calls and text.
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- Helping them learn new technologies, such as video chats and online games, to help keep them connected and engaged.
- Adopting a pet, if they’re able to care for one. They’re a great source of comfort and may also lower stress and blood pressure.
- Encouraging them to stay physically active.
- Checking out resources and programs that are offered through local social service agencies, churches ,clubs and societies that have older people in mind and charities such as Age UK and Darlington Town Mission.
## _A Prayer for the Darlington Town Mission Family_
_Compassionate Heavenly Father,_
_From the beginning of time, you said that it was not good for us to be alone._
_We all need company and community._
_We pray for the lonely, the isolated and the vulnerable who feel the strain of solitude._
_Please be especially near to our Friends and volunteers alike._
_We pray for Sue ,Lauren and Jeroen, our Missioners, that they may they feel Your presence. May all Darlington Town Mission family know that they are not alone. Put them on the hearts of Your people who can reach out to them in love, give them special gifts to flourish in unexpected ways, and may they feel your love and grace in their lives._
_We give thanks for all those that help with our finances and all those involved with our charity in so many ways. In the name of Christ, our risen Saviour, and our ultimate ‘Friend’._
## _**Amen.**_
## **Chair’s Annual Report 2025-2026**
It is a great privilege and a blessing to be part of the Darlington Town Mission family. Being part of this amazing charity brings many delightful encounters with Missioners, volunteers, our Friends and other supporters. My wife, Vanessa and I have been volunteers for DTM for some time and enjoy being a small part of the support that the charity gives to all those older people of Darlington that we care for.
We continue to rely on voluntary donations, legacies and business sponsorship to keep our finances on track. Dividends on our investments are decent, but they can fluctuate depending on current market conditions. You can help with finding businesses to hold collection tubs, organise their own fund-raising events etc. Like all charities we face ever increasing costs. It would be great if anyone reading this article could consider giving additional financial support to the charity.
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Others reading this report may wish to explore the possibility of becoming DTM volunteers themselves. Over the past year some volunteers have had to step back from office due to personal circumstances. We especially wish to thank Derek Mills for his many years as our treasurer.
We have welcomed some new members to the team including our new treasurer, Vicky McCourt. I pray that they will be blessed and feel confirmed in the service they offer. We really need additional Trustees with special expertise with Information technology and marketing experience to help us.
We also reflect that we have sadly said goodbye to those “Friends” who have died, they have been called home by the Lord. We give thanks for their lives.
We currently have 87 Friends on our books with a further 15 on a waiting list.
Love and care is at the heart of Darlington Town Mission in all it aims to achieve. I give hearty thanks to all those amazing members of the DTM family that have served to faithfully over the last year.
With every blessing
## _**Brian Simpson**_
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## **Missioners Review of the Year 2025-26**
In September 2025, Lauren returned from a yearlong maternity leave and has been busy getting reacquainted with friends old and new. She is working 16 hrs a week and works predominantly on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Jeroen works 10 hrs a week, predominantly on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sue W works 18 hrs a week, and predominantly works on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but available other days if required and always has the Missioner phone close by.
a is
Friend’s Forum continues at Park Place community centre on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month. If you have not been to Friends Forum, but would like to, just let one of the Missioners know. We have only 4 drivers, but we would like to ensure that everyone who wants to get an opportunity to try it. Brian Cooper, one of our newest volunteers, usually does a quiz and tells jokes and we enjoy tea and cakes.
The Missioners and or Chair take it in turns to lead worship in Springfield care home once a month and Jeroen and Geoff Thompson take it in turns to play hymns on the keyboard. Another one of our volunteers, Simon Warner also helps us to lead the services. We are well blessed!
During 2025 we welcomed Sharon Adams, Vicky McCourt, Cindy Lombaard and Simon Warner as new volunteers. This year we were fortunate to have Brian Cooper, Laura Murray, Dan Wilcock and Lilia Farid Hosseini as new volunteers. Some of you may have already met them and others of you may meet them on outings.
We are looking forward to going to a new venue for our seaside outing in July this year. It is the Longacre in Skelton which was discovered by Brian and Vanessa Simpson.
Town Mission could not continue without money raised to pay wages, mileage and outings. We are very grateful to our marketing person, Julia Bean, who is always thinking of new and innovative ideas to raise money to continue the good work. Julia approaches companies and individuals for sponsorship and always raises enough to purchase Christmas gifts.
Brian Simpson faithfully holds a sponsored hymn sing in November at Haughton Methodist Church, and welcomes sponsors to choose their favourite hymn for us to sing. We have two DTM collection boxes at the Co-op in Mowden and one at the Hurworth Spa Shop. Some Friends and volunteers have collection boxes in their homes too.
Nick Auty a volunteer, who attends All Saints church arranges a fundraising Christmas concert with their musical director Andy Young in December. This is free to attend, with donations being given for Town Mission. Anyone is welcome to attend this, and it is a brilliant event.
The Missioners are grateful to each and every friend who welcomes us into their homes, offering us their friendship. We hope that you enjoy being part of the Town Mission family, as much as we enjoy spending time with you all.
## **Sue, Lauren and Jeroen**
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## Latest Marketing News
## _Business Sponsors_
We have secured three new business sponsors which is very exciting.
We are delighted to be working with Specsavers Home Hearing Care. Jake Pilkiw, the Customer Service Director who lives in Darlington, has sponsored our new Volunteer leaflet and also the latest advert that appeared in One Darlington magazine. One of his colleagues is coming along to the Summerhouse Village Hall outing to tell us all about the free services they offer.
Clementine Services have been renovating the old Northern Echo building in Darlington town centre. We are working with them to create another summer outing to add to our existing programme in August which they will fully fund. More details to follow.
HM Treasury based in Darlington has chosen DTM as their local charity for 2025/6. Julia presented to The Engagement Co-Ordinator and team at Darlington Economic Campus. All the employees are invited to get involved in various fundraising events throughout the year including a Christmas raffle where we provided a Happy Hamper . In July we will find out how much they have raised for DTM.
## _Darlington College_
Our relationship with the college continues to be mutually beneficial.
We are involved with students who are currently studying website design and social media by providing them with real life projects as part of their curriculum. Two students have been selected to work in a professional capacity on the DTM website and to create posts for our social media platforms.
The students from the Beauty Therapy department created a “Pamper” afternoon in November. Our “Friends” received manicures and enjoyed chatting to the students.
We had some very happy customers.
## _**Dorothy**_
_**Marjorie**_
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## _New Volunteers_
This February we took a stand again at the Volunteer Fayre run by Darlington Borough Council at the Dolphin Centre. Penny, Lauren and Julia chatted to lots of people interested in knowing more about DTM and how they could get involved. We recruited a number of new volunteers, so another successful year.
We continue to advertise in the ‘One Darlington’ magazine allowing us to raise public awareness of DTM, attract new volunteers, business sponsors and promote our fundraising events.
## _Fundraising Events_
If you are looking for a gift for a family member, friend or a treat to yourself then why not have a browse through these stunning paintings by Rev. John Bower on the DTM website. Go to www.darlingtontownmission.org.uk and Art Sale.
## _DTM Summer Barbecue 2026_
Last year’s barbecue in 2025 was our biggest fundraiser of the year.
We are awaiting some final details before publishing the date. The event is hosted by our longtime supporters Pete & Nikki, who live just outside Croft and kindly give up their time and home to host this event. It's a great afternoon with live music, fabulous barbie food for everyone, a great way to spend an afternoon with your friends.
## **A reminder on how you can raise funds for DTM whenever you, your family and your friends shop online. Spread the word!**
Go to ‘Give as You Live’ (www.giveasyoulive.com) and simply hit the sign up for free button, enter your details and make Darlington Town Mission your chosen charity. Every time you shop using this website you will be raising money for DTM.
There are over 6,000 stores on the website, all of which give a % of the sale to a charity of the shoppers choice. All the big national stores and brands for clothing, electricals, home and garden, beauty and cosmetics, jewellery, travel & insurance - whatever you are shopping for it’s all there. Think - John Lewis, B&Q, Damart, AO.com. and Dunelm etc…
Thank you for your support
## _**Julia Bean & John Dobbin - Marketing Team**_
## **ORGANISATIONS THAT SUPPORTED US IN 2025-2026**
The Mission has been engaging with other groups, working with older people, exchanging ideas and practices. The Mission would like to thank the following;
_Those venues / organisations that have hosted or sponsored some of our outings in 2025-26_ Elm Ridge, The Well and Haughton Methodist Churches
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- St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
- Middleton Hall Retirement Village, Middleton-St-George
- Summerhouse Village Hall
- Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
- Polam Hall School
- Strikes Garden Centre
- The Lions and the Rotary Club
- Darlington College – marketing project
_Those companies that have sponsored our adverts in the One Darlington magazine in the past:_
- Seaton Leng
- Morrisons Supermarket
- Langthorne Farm Shop
- The Forum Music Centre
- The Mustard Tree Café (Hurworth Methodist Church)
- Charles Stanley Investment Advisory Service
We are so grateful to Park Place Community Centre for accommodating the Friend’s’ Forum.
Churches of various denominations for the support they give to the work of the Mission and individuals who have supported us financially.
And all the local businesses who are displaying DTM donations boxes at their service points and to other supporters that continue to help by having a donation box in their homes.
Thank you all for your generous support.
## _**From all the Darlington Town Mission Trustees**_
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## **HOW COULD YOU SUPPORT US?**
## **a) Volunteering opportunities**
We could not provide the service we do without the input of our volunteers. They provide assistance across the board from visiting our Friends, driving, and accompanying them on outings, and participating in our monthly care home acts of worship. We are so grateful to them for the time and effort they put in and we do our best to make sure their involvement is both fulfilling and rewarding.
If you would you like to join as part of our pool of volunteer drivers who take our Friends on monthly outings organised by our Missioners, or if you would like to relieve the loneliness of elderly people by spending a couple of hours a week visiting, please call our lead Missioner on 07943251357 or Email dtm@darlingtontownmission.org.uk for further information. With your help we could enrich many more elderly people’s lives. We would love to hear from you.
## **b) Financial support**
To continue and expand our services we rely on the generosity of individuals, churches and groups. If you wish to donate you can do so online at:
**www.localgiving.com/darlingtontownmission** or send a cheque to our address or Email us at dtm@darlingtontownmission.org.uk for details of other means of giving.
You can even raise funds for us by shopping online using the amazing website that supports charities like ours. It costs you nothing at all, simply go to **www.giveasyoulive.com** and:
1. Sign up choosing Darlington Town Mission as your chosen charity
2. Choose from over 4,200 stores to shop with
3. Click through to the store from their site & shop as usual
4. They donate a % of your spending to us - for free!
If you are interested in helping with our fundraising, you can join our Fundraising Team. They are currently seeking extra people with fund-raising knowledge to help out.
Please contact us for more details or if you wish to do a sponsored fundraising event for us you can open a fundraising page on our local giving website as above.
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# **Trustee’s report, independently examined financial statements and administrative information**
Registered address for correspondence is - Darlington Town Mission, c/o 3 Idaho Gardens, Darlington, Co Durham DL1 2RG Registered Charity No. 235572
## **TRUSTEES as at 31 December 2025:**
Mr Brian Simpson (Chair) Ms Victoria McCourt (Treasurer) Ms Julia Bean Mr John Dobbin Mrs Mary Drury Mr Dermot Winters Mrs Penny Moon (Secretary)
## **HON. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:**
Mr Ian Groves
## **BANKERS:**
Barclays Bank PLC
## **INVESTMENT ADVISORS:**
Charles Stanley
## **ORGANISATION:**
The Mission is an unincorporated body governed by a constitution. It is run by an Executive Committee whose members act as the Trustees of the Charity. Trustees are elected by the members for a term of three years and then may stand for re-election. Membership of the Mission is open to persons over the age of eighteen who are interested in furthering the aims of the Charity.
The Executive Committee, which is responsible for overall management and policy, meets at least three times a year. The day-to-day running of the Mission is delegated to a Management Sub-Committee which meets with the Missioners at a monthly planning meeting. The Management Sub-Committee consists of Chair, Marketing Trustee, Assistant Treasurer, and Secretary. Our Missioners are invited to join the Management SubCommittee as guests and employees.
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## **FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR 2025**
In the year to 31 December 2025 the Mission had an operating deficit of £12,057 (2024: £14,775). Unrestricted income for the year was £30,713 (2024: £22,219). There was no restricted income for the year (2024: £3,293). Income increased by some £5,000. This was made up of an increase in both legacies and fundraising income, tempered slightly by a decrease in investment income.
Legacy income was boosted by a very generous gift from the estate of the late Audrey G Smith who was one of our lovely Friends for many years before her death in 2023. The Summer BBQ fundraiser was very successful, generating over £3,000 for the charity.
Total expenditure of unrestricted funds for the year was £42,770 (2024: £36,994). Total expenditure of restricted funds for the year was £767 (2024: £2,526). The balance of unrestricted funds was £nil at the year end.
Investment income for the year was down just over £2,000 but the market value of the portfolio at the end of the year had increased by almost £3,000. The current estimated yield of the portfolio is now 2.89% (2024: 3.29%). The investment manager’s fee charged was £3,035 (2024: £3,010).
## **Vicky McCourt Treasurer**
## **FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES**
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts are properly prepared. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and to ensure that the Charity complies with its Constitution, Charity Commission guidelines, and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Charity.
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## _**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DARLINGTON TOWN MISSION**_
_I have independently examined the Income & Expenditure Account and Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2025 and the Balance Sheet as at that date from the books, records and information supplied to me and confirm them to be in accordance therewith._
## I Groves
_A. C. A. Independent Examiner_
## **RESERVES POLICY**
In drawing up this policy the Executive Committee had regard to securing and sustaining the Mission’s viability and future, given the uncertainty of future legacies, donations, and investment income. We are aware that the service we provide is an integral and essential part of the life of our Friends and to cut back or withdraw our services would provide real hardship.
The Mission’s unrestricted income in 2025 came from individuals, organisations, and church donations (41%), legacies (20%), fundraising and sundry income (20%), and investment income (19%).
The Mission requires reserves in order:
- 1) to cover fluctuations in income, principally legacies, but also in other sources of income. In previous years the Mission’s expenditure has only been fully covered where larger legacies and grants have been received. On the whole, the level of all sources of income is becoming more uncertain, and investment returns continue to be volatile.
- 2) to provide for staff contractual commitments and working capital. Staff contractual commitments are likely to increase in the future due to statutory increases in the living wage and contributions to the workplace pension scheme.
The Trustees believe that they should set the level of reserves held to forty-eight months of full operating expenditure as a reserve against fluctuations in income due to unforeseen circumstances and for contractual commitments and working capital.
Currently this level of reserves is being achieved. However, estimates of future costs show that these are likely to rise faster than projected income.
A review of the level of reserves needed, and of this policy, will be carried out annually by the Executive Committee.
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## **Darlington Town Mission Income & Expenditure Account Year to 31 December 2025**
|Income and Endowments from:
Donations
Legacies
Grants & sponsorship
Fundraising
Happy Hampers
Sundry income
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Salaries
Pension costs
Travel
Outings
Fundraising
Happy Hampers
Insurance
Publicity
Telephone
Sundries
Investment managers fee
Total expenditure
Surplus/(deficit)
Profit on sale of investments
Funds as at 1 January 2025
Funds as at 31 December 2025|2025
2025
£
£
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
12,655
-
6,076
-
-
-
5,188
-
714
-
125
-
5,955
-
30,713
0
29,488
-
99
-
2,393
-
3,076
-
592
-
698
767
521
-
1,804
-
419
-
645
-
3,035
-
42,770
767
(12,057)
(767)
6,203
-
207,111
767
201,257
0|2024
2024
£
£
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
11,760
-
938
-
-
1,000
1,474
-
-
2,293
-
-
8,047
-|
|---|---|---|
|||22,219
3,293
27,267
-
-
-
2,230
-
1,707
-
-
-
-
1,466
469
-
993
1,060
390
-
928
-
3,010
-|
|||36,994
2,526
(14,775)
767
3,561
-
218,325
-|
|||207,111
767|
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## **Darlington Town Mission Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2025**
|Investments (note 1)
Current Assets
Debtors
Bank
Current Liabilities
Creditors
Net current assets
Total assets
Funds:
Unrestricted
Restricted (note 2)|2025
£
188,127
203
13,958
14,161
1,031
1,031
13,130
201,257
201,257
-
201,257|2024
£
194,927|
|---|---|---|
|||241
13,193|
|||13,434
483|
|||483|
|||12,951|
||||
|||207,878|
|||207,111
767|
|||207,878|
Approved by the Trustees on 20 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by: Brian Simpson Vicky McCourt
_______________ ________________ Brian Simpson Vicky McCourt Trustee & Chair Trustee & Treasurer
## **Darlington Town Mission Notes As at 31 December 2025**
## Note 1:
|Note 1:|||
|---|---|---|
|Investments
At beginning of year
Purchases
Sales
Cash balance
At end of year
Market value at 31 December|2025
£
193,175
145,904
339,079
(152,917)
186,162
1,965
188,127
232,976|2024
£
192,198
66,136|
|||258,334
(65,159)|
|||193,175
1,752|
|||194,927|
|||230,084|
|Note 2:
Breakdown of restricted funds
As at 1 January
Restricted income
Restricted expenditure
As at 31 December|2025
£
767
-
(767)
0|2024
£
-
3,293
(2,526)|
|---|---|---|
|||767|
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# **Trustee’s report, independently examined financial statements and administrative information**
Registered address for correspondence is - Darlington Town Mission, c/o 3 Idaho Gardens, Darlington, Co Durham DL1 2RG Registered Charity No. 235572
## **TRUSTEES as at 31 December 2025:**
Mr Brian Simpson (Chair) Ms Victoria McCourt (Treasurer) Ms Julia Bean Mr John Dobbin Mrs Mary Drury Mr Dermot Winters Mrs Penny Moon (Secretary)
## **HON. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:**
Mr Ian Groves
## **BANKERS:**
Barclays Bank PLC
## **INVESTMENT ADVISORS:**
Charles Stanley
## **ORGANISATION:**
The Mission is an unincorporated body governed by a constitution. It is run by an Executive Committee whose members act as the Trustees of the Charity. Trustees are elected by the members for a term of three years and then may stand for re-election. Membership of the Mission is open to persons over the age of eighteen who are interested in furthering the aims of the Charity.
The Executive Committee, which is responsible for overall management and policy, meets at least three times a year. The day-to-day running of the Mission is delegated to a Management Sub-Committee which meets with the Missioners at a monthly planning meeting. The Management Sub-Committee consists of Chair, Marketing Trustee, Assistant Treasurer, and Secretary. Our Missioners are invited to join the Management SubCommittee as guests and employees.
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## **FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR 2025**
In the year to 31 December 2025 the Mission had an operating deficit of £12,057 (2024: £14,775). Unrestricted income for the year was £30,713 (2024: £22,219). There was no restricted income for the year (2024: £3,293). Income increased by some £5,000. This was made up of an increase in both legacies and fundraising income, tempered slightly by a decrease in investment income.
Legacy income was boosted by a very generous gift from the estate of the late Audrey G Smith who was one of our lovely Friends for many years before her death in 2023. The Summer BBQ fundraiser was very successful, generating over £3,000 for the charity.
Total expenditure of unrestricted funds for the year was £42,770 (2024: £36,994). Total expenditure of restricted funds for the year was £767 (2024: £2,526). The balance of unrestricted funds was £nil at the year end.
Investment income for the year was down just over £2,000 but the market value of the portfolio at the end of the year had increased by almost £3,000. The current estimated yield of the portfolio is now 2.89% (2024: 3.29%). The investment manager’s fee charged was £3,035 (2024: £3,010).
## **Vicky McCourt Treasurer**
## **FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES**
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts are properly prepared. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and to ensure that the Charity complies with its Constitution, Charity Commission guidelines, and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Charity.
2
## _**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DARLINGTON TOWN MISSION**_
_I have independently examined the Income & Expenditure Account and Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2025 and the Balance Sheet as at that date from the books, records and information supplied to me and confirm them to be in accordance therewith._
## I Groves
_A. C. A. Independent Examiner_
## **RESERVES POLICY**
In drawing up this policy the Executive Committee had regard to securing and sustaining the Mission’s viability and future, given the uncertainty of future legacies, donations, and investment income. We are aware that the service we provide is an integral and essential part of the life of our Friends and to cut back or withdraw our services would provide real hardship.
The Mission’s unrestricted income in 2025 came from individuals, organisations, and church donations (41%), legacies (20%), fundraising and sundry income (20%), and investment income (19%).
The Mission requires reserves in order:
- 1) to cover fluctuations in income, principally legacies, but also in other sources of income. In previous years the Mission’s expenditure has only been fully covered where larger legacies and grants have been received. On the whole, the level of all sources of income is becoming more uncertain, and investment returns continue to be volatile.
- 2) to provide for staff contractual commitments and working capital. Staff contractual commitments are likely to increase in the future due to statutory increases in the living wage and contributions to the workplace pension scheme.
The Trustees believe that they should set the level of reserves held to forty-eight months of full operating expenditure as a reserve against fluctuations in income due to unforeseen circumstances and for contractual commitments and working capital.
Currently this level of reserves is being achieved. However, estimates of future costs show that these are likely to rise faster than projected income.
A review of the level of reserves needed, and of this policy, will be carried out annually by the Executive Committee.
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## **Darlington Town Mission Income & Expenditure Account Year to 31 December 2025**
|Income and Endowments from:
Donations
Legacies
Grants & sponsorship
Fundraising
Happy Hampers
Sundry income
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Salaries
Pension costs
Travel
Outings
Fundraising
Happy Hampers
Insurance
Publicity
Telephone
Sundries
Investment managers fee
Total expenditure
Surplus/(deficit)
Profit on sale of investments
Funds as at 1 January 2025
Funds as at 31 December 2025|2025
2025
£
£
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
12,655
-
6,076
-
-
-
5,188
-
714
-
125
-
5,955
-
30,713
0
29,488
-
99
-
2,393
-
3,076
-
592
-
698
767
521
-
1,804
-
419
-
645
-
3,035
-
42,770
767
(12,057)
(767)
6,203
-
207,111
767
201,257
0|2024
2024
£
£
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
11,760
-
938
-
-
1,000
1,474
-
-
2,293
-
-
8,047
-|
|---|---|---|
|||22,219
3,293
27,267
-
-
-
2,230
-
1,707
-
-
-
-
1,466
469
-
993
1,060
390
-
928
-
3,010
-|
|||36,994
2,526
(14,775)
767
3,561
-
218,325
-|
|||207,111
767|
4
## **Darlington Town Mission Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2025**
|Investments (note 1)
Current Assets
Debtors
Bank
Current Liabilities
Creditors
Net current assets
Total assets
Funds:
Unrestricted
Restricted (note 2)|2025
£
188,127
203
13,958
14,161
1,031
1,031
13,130
201,257
201,257
-
201,257|2024
£
194,927|
|---|---|---|
|||241
13,193|
|||13,434
483|
|||483|
|||12,951|
||||
|||207,878|
|||207,111
767|
|||207,878|
Approved by the Trustees on 20 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by: Brian Simpson Vicky McCourt
_______________ ________________ Brian Simpson Vicky McCourt Trustee & Chair Trustee & Treasurer
## **Darlington Town Mission Notes As at 31 December 2025**
## Note 1:
|Note 1:|||
|---|---|---|
|Investments
At beginning of year
Purchases
Sales
Cash balance
At end of year
Market value at 31 December|2025
£
193,175
145,904
339,079
(152,917)
186,162
1,965
188,127
232,976|2024
£
192,198
66,136|
|||258,334
(65,159)|
|||193,175
1,752|
|||194,927|
|||230,084|
|Note 2:
Breakdown of restricted funds
As at 1 January
Restricted income
Restricted expenditure
As at 31 December|2025
£
767
-
(767)
0|2024
£
-
3,293
(2,526)|
|---|---|---|
|||767|
6