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2025-03-31-accounts

Registered number: 01830241 Charity number: 290118

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 31
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements 32 - 35
Statement of financial activities 36
Balance sheet 37 - 38
Statement of cash flows 39
Notes to the financial statements 40 - 55

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Trustees Mark Bland, Chair
Lipi Begum
Shruthi Belavadi (appointed 6 November 2024)
Michael Davis
Adam Duncan (appointed 6 January 2025)
Catherine Florin
Caroline Gardner
Alexander Jasiulek
Dr Lucy Moore
Nicola Moore (resigned 13 May 2024)
Joanna Stronach
Jonathan Tait
Company registered
number
01830241
Charity registered
number
290118
Registered office
26 Prince of Wales Road
Kentish Town
NW5 3LG
Company secretary
Julia Brown
Chief executive officer
Julia Brown
Independent auditors
Goodman Jones LLP
Chartered Accountants
1st Floor Arthur Stanley House
40-50 Tottenham Street
London
W1T 4RN
Bankers
Barclays Bank Plc
Leicester
LE87 2BB
CCLA
Senator House
85 Queen Victoria Street
London
EC4V 4ET

Page 1

Brandon Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy for Young People

Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Achievements and Performance ............................................................................................................ 2 Our Strategy ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ..................................................................................... 4 Open House 2024 ................................................................................................................................... 4 Our Core Services .................................................................................................................................. 5 Mental Health & Wellbeing Services for Young People ....................................................................... 6 Counselling and Psychotherapy Service ............................................................................................ 6 Psychotherapy for Care Leavers ........................................................................................................ 9 Young People’s Brief Counselling Service (YPBCS) – Camden (John Lyons) ............................. 10 Young People’s Brief Counselling Service (YPBCS) – Islington (at Collective Theatre).............. 11 Psychotherapy for Young People in Crisis ...................................................................................... 11 Psychotherapy for LGBTQ+ Young People .................................................................................... 11 Hostels Psychotherapy Service ........................................................................................................ 11 Refugee Psychotherapy Service ....................................................................................................... 12 Mental Health Outreach: Brandon Connect & Arsenal in the Community ..................................... 12 Social Prescribing ............................................................................................................................ 13 Therapeutic Yoga ............................................................................................................................. 14 Mental Health & Wellbeing Services for Families .............................................................................. 15 Systemic Integrative Treatment (SIT) Service ................................................................................ 15 Love and Limits Parent Programme ................................................................................................ 16 ADHD Parent Programme ............................................................................................................... 17 Parent support group for CAMHS waiting list ................................................................................ 17 The Families, Food and Feelings programme.................................................................................. 18 Return to Learn ................................................................................................................................ 18 Training & Consultancy ....................................................................................................................... 19 Enhanced Healthy Living Service ................................................................................................... 19 GroundUp ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Cornerstone Croydon Project ........................................................................................................... 21 Community Outreach Programmes...................................................................................................... 21 She Is Supported (SIS) ..................................................................................................................... 21 Arsenal Girls Kicks – Wellbeing Support for Girls Community Football ...................................... 22 Minding the Gap and the Hive youth support .................................................................................. 23 Condoms - C-Card collection, advice and information ................................................................... 23 Roche ............................................................................................................................................... 23

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Volunteering .................................................................................................................................... 24 Young Ambassadors ........................................................................................................................ 24 Book a Room ................................................................................................................................... 24 Organisation and Governance of the Charity....................................................................................... 25 a. Legal Status .................................................................................................................................. 25 b. Constitution .................................................................................................................................. 25 c. Appointment of Council Members............................................................................................... 25 d. Brandon Centre Board ................................................................................................................. 25 e. Young People’s Leadership Board (YPLB) ................................................................................. 26 f. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees ......................................................... 26 g. Pay policy for key management personnel .................................................................................. 26 h. Parent’s Advisory Committee (PAC) .......................................................................................... 27 i. Objectives and Public Benefit ....................................................................................................... 27 Financial review ................................................................................................................................... 27 a. Going concern .............................................................................................................................. 27 b. Reserves policy ............................................................................................................................ 27 c. Finances of the Charity ................................................................................................................ 28 d. Risk analysis ................................................................................................................................ 28 e. Fundraising ................................................................................................................................... 29 f. Donors .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities ............................................................................................... 29 Small company provisions ................................................................................................................... 30

Introduction

The Council of Management, who are the directors for Companies Act purposes and Trustees for Charities Act purposes, have the pleasure in submitting the Trustees’ Report for 2024/25. This is a Directors’ Report required by s417 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Achievements and Performance

Brandon Centre has supported young people in London for over 56 years with their mental health and wellbeing. We also provide support to parents and families and to professionals who work with young people. Our services are designed with the guidance of young people, and we provide a different and flexible t experience to statutory services. Our goal is to offer a warm, personal, and confidential face-to-face experience that centres on building relationships as well as addressing immediate needs.

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We are proud to report that this year we have succeeded in achieving these goals. Our largest service, Counselling and Psychotherapy, has seen an increasing number of referrals and assessments in 24/25. We have received 659 referrals , offered 446 assessment appointments, and 3952 therapy

appointments . Our outcome measures for this service, explained in more detail below, demonstrate that young people made significant improvements across all domains: emotional wellbeing; problems/symptoms; daily functioning; clinical risk; and global distress.

Our Strategy

In 2024/25 we further refined our Strategy – ‘Nurturing Growth’ 2023 – 2026. Over 2024/25 it has been helpful to review at Board, Young Ambassadors Board and Staff Away Days what we have achieved and to re-evaluate our strategic plans going forward. We want to ensure that our efforts not only make the most of our strengths but also reflect the current needs and priorities of the young people and families we support, whilst adapting to the challenges of the prevailing economic climate and post pandemic. We have further developed our engagement and partnerships with young people, families and local organisations across our local boroughs.

In recent years, we have seen a steady rise in demand for mental health and wellbeing services. In 2024/25 we have continued to see an ever-increasing number of referrals into our counselling services. Over the last year we have seen a doubling in referrals, with additional pressures on funding, leading to longer waiting lists. We have been working with commissioners and funders to ensure we reduce waiting list times and see Young People and Families in a timely way. The impact of the pandemic and cost of living crisis on young people’s mental health has been significant with public and third sector services finding it increasingly difficult to meet the demand.

Our aim continues to be the voluntary sector partner of choice for: Creating and delivering accessible, leading-edge, and collaborative mental health and wellbeing services to young people under 25 and families so they can overcome difficulties, mobilise their resources, and shape the future they want.

Our VISION is to be Here for Young People

We believe that all young people should be able to access the highest quality mental health and wellbeing support in a safe and welcoming environment.

Our MISSION is to maintain and develop our accessible, flexible and specialist services

We aim to respond to the psychological and social needs and challenges of young people under 25 years old.

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Our VALUES:

Compassion

We provide a welcoming and non-judgemental environment where our team can enjoy their work and where young people and families can access support that helps them live healthy and fulfilled lives.

Respect

We respect our diverse community and Brandon Centre team and work with a willingness to collaborate, adapt, and recognise the importance of difference and choice.

Inclusion

We strive to remove barriers to access for young people and staff and to use our expertise to provide services that young people and families can trust to be safe and to meet their individual needs.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

This year, we secured over £60,000 from the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme to replace our building’s single-glazed windows. This has significantly improved comfort for staff and service users and is already helping to reduce energy usage. With project underspend, we also worked with local tradespeople to repaint and repair external masonry, further improving the building’s condition into the future.

Our partnership with Kitty and Benny from Hawksbee Gardening has brought a renewed ecological focus to our outdoor space. Their ongoing care, using propagated plants and plans for increased biodiversity, has enhanced the garden as a valuable wellbeing space for both breaks and therapeutic use.

A member of our senior management team completed the Imperial College and Corndel Executive Development Programme (Level 7 Apprenticeship) with funding from Camden Borough’s Apprenticeship Levy. This has kickstarted a positive relationship with Camden Borough, whereby other senior leaders and members of our organisation have begun their apprenticeship journeys with both Imperial College and TPC Health training providers in Senior Leadership and Coaching.

Open House 2024

We were delighted to have taken part in the Open House 2024, London Festival again on 14th September ‘24. Open House London is “a celebration of London’s buildings, architecture and neighbourhoods and the curiosity for what happens inside the buildings we walk past every day.” We had over 55 people visiting, and we were supported by some of our staff, trustees and local volunteers who worked as stewards for the day.

Hands On London kindly attended Open House 24 discussing with visitors around the development of our wonderful mindful garden organising corporate

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volunteer teams to help us with the improvements, such as creating a new garden path which leads from our kitchen and accessible side gate to our summerhouse.

Our community-based services make an important contribution to the mental health and wellbeing support available for young people in Camden, Islington and neighbouring boroughs. It is important that we are able to invite our local communities into Brandon Centre to learn more about our services and to see our wonderful non-institutionalised centre and mindful garden.

Our Core Services

Mental Health and Wellbeing Services for Young People

Mental Health and Wellbeing Services for Families

Consultancy and Training for Professionals

Community Outreach Programmes

“Working with my therapist was so life changing, I couldn’t appreciate them or Brandon Centre’s services more.”

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Mental Health & Wellbeing Services for Young People Mental Health and Wellbeing Services at Brandon Centre offer direct support to young people and families in a variety of different types of support. At the heart of our centre is our Counselling and Psychotherapy Service, which has been operating since 1969 when Brandon Centre was founded by Dr Faith Spicer. Our innovative Brandon Centre Systemic Integrative Treatment (BC-SIT) Service supports families and carers of young people with severe conduct difficulties at risk of going into an out-of-home placement (e.g. custody or foster care). The Brandon Connect project, delivered in partnership with Arsenal in the Community, supports young men aged 16-25 in Islington who are not in education employment or training (NEET) because of their mental health difficulties. We also have a range of other exciting partnerships and projects, which deliver innovative projects, such as our psychotherapy service for care leavers.

Counselling and Psychotherapy Service

Our Counselling and Psychotherapy Service operates across the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington for young people under the age of 25, with the majority of our young people in the 16-25 age range. We offer mainly Exploratory Psychotherapy for Young People, which is a holistic, goal-based, psychoanalytically informed approach, which also integrates coping skills as needed. As part of our holistic approach, we identify the young people’s needs beyond psychotherapy, and frequently signpost and refer to other service for other types of help and support (e.g. employment, sexual health, drug and alcohol, domestic violence, or housing services).

The team is clinically led and managed by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, two Senior Clinical Psychologist, and a Senior Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist. The staff team includes Clinical Psychologists, Psychodynamic Psychotherapists, Integrative Psychotherapists, and Counsellors. The service operated a hybrid delivery model in 2024-2025, offering a mixture of remote (telephone or video call) appointments, and face-to-face appointments at Brandon Centre and in Youth Hubs in Islington. Most appointments took place in person.

We received a total of 659 referrals across both Camden and Islington during the 2024-2025 year, a 4% increase from 2023-2024. 83% of these referrals were accepted. 368 referrals were from Camden and 291 referrals were from Islington. Across the service as whole, 30% of referrals were either self-referrals or referrals from parents/carers.

In Camden, we offered 254 assessment appointments and 1840 therapy appointments . Camden young people attended 87% of assessment appointments and 80% of treatment appointments offered. In Islington, 192 assessment appointments and 2112 therapy appointments were offered. Young people in Islington attended 80% of assessment appointments and 78% of treatment appointments offered. Across all appointments offered, our attendance rate averaged 80% , which is a high rate for engaging adolescents and young adults in a psychotherapy service.

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Due an increased number of referrals in recent years, waiting times have continued to increase across the year. In Camden, waiting times from referral to start of treatment increased from 40 weeks in Q1 to 63 weeks in Q4. In Islington, waiting times increased from 28 weeks in Q1 to 41 weeks in Q4.

Complexity:

Problem descriptors were recorded at the point of assessment to record the range of difficulties that a young person was facing including items such as ‘selfharm’, ‘drug and alcohol difficulties’, ‘problems in attachment to carer’, ‘self-care issues’, ‘home problems’, ‘community problems’, and several other items relating to mental health, family relationships, school-related, and social difficulties. The average number of problem descriptors for each young person was 9, with 75.4% of young people experiencing between 4 to 13 problem descriptors. This suggests that the young people seen at Brandon Centre present with a high level of complexity due to experiencing multiple psychosocial difficulties.

Specifically, over 75% of young people presented with low mood and 70% presented with generalised anxiety. 71% of young people reported family relationship difficulties, 76% reported general home problems, and 48% reported peer relationship difficulties.

Demographics:

Across Camden and Islington, 73% of young people seen were female, 24% were male, and 1% identified with another term for their gender.

45% of young people who stated their ethnicity identified as being from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, and Mixed backgrounds, while 40% identified as White (British, Irish, or Other). When compared to the wider borough population of Camden, in particular, our data reflects the ethnically diverse population which in 2021 reported that 40.5% of Camden residents were from Black, Asian or other minority ethnic groups.

61% of young people identified as Heterosexual or Straight, 7% as Gay or Lesbian, 14% as Bisexual, and 3% as another sexual orientation. This translates to approximately 1 in 4 young people identifying as LGBTQ+ at Brandon Centre.

Outcomes:

Young people completed the CORE-OM – a psychometric outcome measure that measures psychological distress - at the start (Time 1) and end (Time 2) of their treatment. The CORE-OM measures the following dimensions: emotional wellbeing, mental health problems/symptoms, daily functioning difficulties, and clinical risk (e.g. suicidality). The total score is called global distress. The scores are divided into the severe, moderately severe, moderate, mild, low, and healthy range. In 2024-2025, 86 young people completed CORE-OM at both Time 1 and Time 2, allowing for a direct comparison of scores. This was a 33% increase from last year. On average, young people scored in the moderately severe range at the start of treatment. This reduced to the mild range at the end of treatment, suggesting that their mental health significantly improved in response to therapy.

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Young people also completed the Goal Based Outcome (GBO) measure at the beginning and end of their treatment. The GBO is an idiographic measure – meaning that it is specific to the young person. Young people develop their own treatment goals, which we then rate on a scale of 0-10 (10 being goal achieved). 144 young people had re-rated at least one goal across two time points in their treatment. Of the young people who re-rated their goals, we found that young people made a clinically significant improvement (change of more than 2.45 on their goals) on all three of their treatment goals.

Feedback:

At the end of treatment, the service routinely collects feedback using the Experience of Service Questionnaire (ESQ) - which consists of a mix of multiple choice and open-ended questions - to provide young people with the opportunity to share anonymously their experience at the Brandon Centre. This is incredibly valuable as it helps us identify areas of strength and improvement needed at Brandon Centre.

98% of young people answered “certainly true” or “partly true” to the statements: “I was treated well by the people who saw me.”

99% of young people who responded to the CHI-ESQ answered “certainly true” or “partly true” to the statements:

“I feel that the people who saw me listened to me.”

97% of young people who responded to the CHI-ESQ answered “certainly true” or “partly true” to the statement:

“My views and worries were taken seriously.”

91% of young people who responded to the CHI-ESQ answered “certainly true” or “partly true” to the statements:

“If a friend needed this sort of help, I would suggest to them to come here.”

93% of young people answered “certainly true” or “partly true” to the statements: “I feel the people here know how to help me.”

92% of young people who responded to the CHI-ESQ answered “certainly true” or “partly true” to the statement:

“It was easy to talk to the people who saw me.”

96% of young people who responded to the CHI-ESQ answered “certainly true” or “partly true” to the statement:

“Overall, the help I have received here is good.”

The sample feedback below was gathered from open-ended questions answered by young people who used the service in 2024-2025:

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“For the first time I was actually able to talk to someone about many things that I haven’t been able to and have been keeping in for years. She listened to me always and was very kind and caring despite the fact that my situation was difficult with missing sessions and changing them to calls instead due to where I was living. I felt very supported and able to explore some things which I needed to in order to be able to move forward.”

“I felt truly heard, seen and respected - like my issues were taken seriously. I was given tools and explanations to be able to reframe experiences and learn how to keep myself safe. I never thought I would be at this point, thank you so much.”

“I felt like I was given a safe and comfortable place to express myself.”

Psychotherapy for Care Leavers

We have a small specialist psychotherapy provision (0.6 FTE psychotherapy) for care leavers - young people who were formally looked after children - at our centre. Care leavers can either be those who were formally looked after children from the United Kingdom or those who were formally unaccompanied asylumseeking children (UASC) from abroad. The native UK and formerly UASC care leavers have somewhat different needs and difficulties. For example, those who are formerly UASC may have ongoing immigration issues, may not speak English fluently, and have a complex trauma history including the original reason why they fled their country, as well as the secondary trauma of travelling without legal documentation to the UK, which can often take months or even years. Native UK care leavers often have a history of complex psychological trauma, including experiences of abuse and neglect, requiring a high level of emotional and practical support as young adults. Our psychotherapy service for care leavers is delivered by an experienced integrative psychotherapist, in partnership with the Camden and Islington Leaving Care Services.

In 2024-2025, we had 32 referrals to the service. The majority of these referrals (81%) were from professionals such as GPs, Social Services and Primary Care Mental Health Teams (i.e. Core Teams). 28 assessment appointments and 484 psychotherapy appointments were offered. 75% of assessment appointments and 60% of treatment appointments were attended. Attendance rates were lower for this population than for our main psychotherapy service. Therefore, more effort is required to engage these young people in treatment.

Across both boroughs, 69% of young people accessing the service were female and the mean age of those referred was 20 years old. The majority (75%) were from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

Outcomes:

Young people completed the CORE-OM – a psychometric outcome measure that measures psychological distress - at the start (Time 1) and end (Time 2) of their treatment. The CORE-OM measures the following dimensions: emotional wellbeing, mental health problems/symptoms, daily functioning difficulties, and clinical risk (e.g. suicidality). The total score is called global distress. The scores are divided into the severe, moderately severe, moderate, mild, low, and healthy range. On average, care leavers scored in the moderately severe range at

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the start of treatment. This reduced to the moderate range at the end of treatment, suggesting that their mental health significantly improved in response to therapy. Specifically, young people made significant improvements several domains, including emotional wellbeing, problems/symptoms, daily functioning, and global distress. Some young people were also asked to complete the CORE-10 , a shortened version of the CORE-OM, in sessions as a way for the therapist to measure changes throughout the course of therapy. Average CORE-10 scores decreased from moderate to severe psychological distress at the start of treatment tomoderate range at the end of treatment. This represents a clinically significant change in symptoms.

Young people also completed the Goal Based Outcome (GBO) measure at the beginning and end of their treatment. The GBO is an idiographic measure – meaning that it is specific to the young person. Young people develop their own treatment goals, which we then rate on a scale of 0-10 (10 being goal achieved). On average, young people recorded a +3.9 change in goal scores, indicating a clinically significant and reliable change.

Feedback:

100% of the young people who accessed the service and provided feedback answered "Certainly True" to the statement:

Young people said in their own words:

“[Therapist] was understanding when I wasn’t able to come in and offered phone calls instead…this service has helped compared to when I first started.”

“It was my first time doing therapy as an adult and I went into it thinking it wouldn’t benefit me, but [Therapist] helped me in a lot of ways. She helped me to understand things I couldn’t of without her explanation and if I didn’t understand what she meant she was really good at saying it in a different way that I always got the second time which didn’t make me feel embarrassed that I didn’t get it.”

Young People’s Brief Counselling Service (YPBCS) – Camden (John Lyons) This service is delivered by a dedicated Psychodynamic Counsellor (0.5 FTE; 17.5 hours pw) and provides rapid-access, brief counselling (up to 6 sessions), to young people aged 12-25 who present to health services for a medical reason but could benefit from a space to talk about their difficulties. The service takes referrals from non-traditional referral pathways in order to provide mental health access to young people who may require mental health support but are not actively help-seeking. Referral partners currently Include the New Horizon’s Youth Centre, which supports homeless young people, local primary care services, and the UCLH OnWard Adolescent Health Clinic. The young people are mainly from Camden, but we also see a small number from other London Boroughs that form part of our funder's beneficial area (I.e. Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea and the Cities of London and Westminster).

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Across the 2024-2025 year, a total of 4 referrals were received for this service. Referrals decreased from Q1 2024-2025 in anticipation of the service ending in November 2025

This work is supported by a generous grant from John Lyon’s Charity.

Young People’s Brief Counselling Service (YPBCS) – Islington (at Collective Theatre)

The service originally began in July 2022 as a part-time post (0.7FTE) funded through the London borough of Islington, with the aim of delivering brief counselling to young people attending the Platform Youth Hub. With a generous Islington Giving grant (0.3FTE), awarded in February 2023, the post was expanded to full-time. After successful recruitment, the full-time Young People’s Counsellor joined the Brandon Centre in July 2023. Although Platform Youth Hub closed in December 2023, sessions continue to be held in the same building, now run by Collective Acting Studio . After the original counsellor left the post in June 2024, there was a brief summer break until the new counsellor began in September 2024. A total of 47 young people were seen between the two counsellors in the 2024-2025 year.

Psychotherapy for Young People in Crisis

We have a specialist psychotherapy provision of 0.8 FTE (28 hours pw) for young people aged 18-25 who are referred to us by the Camden or Islington Mental Health Trust Crisis Teams or who self-refer to us while experiencing a mental health crisis (e.g. currently suicidal or following a recent suicide attempt). These young people are prioritised for assessment and treatment at the Brandon Centre to prevent another mental health crisis from occurring whenever possible. This service provides therapy to up to 50 young people per year and is supported by a generous grant from the Henry Smith Charity.

Psychotherapy for LGBTQ+ Young People

Research suggests that young people who identify as LGBTQ+ experience higher rates of mental health difficulties than their heterosexual peers, due to a range of life experiences including experiencing discrimination. Approximately 1 In 4 (23%) of the young people we supported in 2024-2025 identified as LGBTQ+. We have therefore developed a specialist psychotherapy provision (0.8 FTE; 28 hours pw) available for young people aged 16-25 in Camden and Islington who identify as LGBTQ+. This service provides therapy to up to 50 young people per year and is supported by a generous grant from the City Bridge Foundation.

Hostels Psychotherapy Service

A new service providing psychotherapy to homeless young people aged 16-25 using either the Depaul or YMCA (LandAid House) hostels in Islington. The service is led by a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist (0.4 FTE). From January to December 2024, a total of 41 young people have been referred to the service. The project was previously funded by Islington Giving. Due to the success of the service, the project was generously refunded by Comic Relief and has been increased to 1.0FTE.

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Through our new partnership with Comic Relief, we were given the opportunity to consult and support Eastenders scriptwriters around their mental health story line with Phil Mitchell, to ensure it was portrayed accurately and authentically. In addition, in March 2025, we were part of the Comic Relief and Eastenders 5- minute episode that aired during Comic Relief: Funny for Money. The special episode powerfully captured the mental health struggles and situations that many of the young people we support face. The character Andy speaks about accessing therapy after becoming homeless in a hostel, a direct reference to the outreach therapy work we provide in the two local Islington homeless hostels. Even more special, our amazing therapist Aaron, who delivers this service, was interviewed by Davina McCall, highlighting not only the challenges young people experience but also the incredible impact of the work being done at Brandon Centre. This was an amazing achievement for Brandon Centre to gain national press and recognition and being able to bring important conversation into the spotlight.

Refugee Psychotherapy Service

A new service providing psychotherapy to Islington young people aged 5-25 on the Afghan Resettlement Scheme or Homes for Ukraine Scheme. The service is led by a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist (0.4 FTE). From January to December 2024, a total of 18 young people have been referred to the service. The project was generously funded by Islington Council and concluded in December 2024.

Mental Health Outreach: Brandon Connect & Arsenal in the Community

Brandon Connect is an innovative service that offers long-term psychotherapy for 16-to-25-year-old, young men who are not in education employment or training (NEET) or who are struggling to remain in education, employment, or training. A one-to-one psychotherapy service for 16 to 25-year-olds attending an Arsenal in the Community programme is delivered on Thursdays at the Arsenal Hub. Both services are provided by a Highly Specialist Psychotherapist (0.6 FTE; 21 hours pw) who applies a model of therapeutic change that is informed by The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change). The objectives of Brandon Connect are to engage young people in a therapeutic process that is collaborative, thoughtful and active so that they attend at least 10 sessions; to improve mental health problems that are a barrier to their participation in education,

employment, or training; to connect them back into education, employment, or training if they are NEET. The total number of young people seen in 2024/25 was 37 (33 male; 1 female; 3 transgender). There was a high rate of attendance: 449 (78%) of 579 appointments offered were taken up. There were reliable improvements in anxiety and mood although, understandably, at a point of transition into adulthood young people continued to experience episodes of anxiety. Areas of the young people’s life that are targets for therapeutic intervention, for example social interaction, personal well-being, self-esteem and self-confidence, reliably improved for 70%. Over half of the goals for treatment set by young people reliably improved. Psychotherapy helped 71% who were NEET into education, employment or training. Six young men benefited from Brandon Connect’s partnership with SPEAR, a local employability programme for young people facing barriers into work and Arsenal in the Community’s employability programme. Brandon Connect and the partnership with Arsenal in

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the Community are generously supported by Cripplegate Foundation, Islington in the Community and The Arsenal Foundation.

Social Prescribing

Brandon Centre's Social Prescribing was launched in July 2022, in partnership with The Hive and Fitzrovia Youth in Action. The service has run its third year, supporting young people aged 16-24 in Camden to access activities. Brandon Centre's Social Prescriber supports young people to access activities, classes, youth hubs and services of their choice. The aim is to boost mental and / or physical wellbeing.

Referrals received: Over the past year (April 2024 - March 2025), BC's social prescribing service accepted 36 referrals. 21 referrals were received in-house from BC therapists. External referrals came from La Sainte Union School, Parliament Hill GP Surgery, FWD drug and alcohol service, Tavistock, Age UK, Healthy Living Service, CAMHS, CAISS, and Greenwood Centre.

Brandon Centre's Social Prescriber carries out a huge amount of research and signposting to activities and supports each young person to choose options that best suit their needs. The Social Prescriber can book activities and classes for young people, using social prescribing budget if there is a cost; and accompany a young person to a class, activity, or youth hub if they would like that extra support.

Activities accessed by young people this past year, via BC's social prescribing

service: Cooking classes, baking classes, relaxation and meditation on the Zen Bus, guitar lessons, 6-week yoga course (x2), football, online pasta-making classes, climbing induction course, visit to City Farm, pottery painting (x2), visit to Bubble Tea shop, day passes at the gym, 4-month gym memberships, piano lessons, event at Camden Roundhouse for young people (including tour of the studios, three creative workshops and free lunch), candle making class, weekly tumbling classes, BSL online training, creative writing classes, relaxation and meditation afternoon at MIND. The Social Prescriber also signposted a young person to a particular college course, which they enrolled on and attended.

Referrals made:

The social Prescriber made written referrals into the following external services: Islington and Camden Young Carers Service, 121 wellbeing support at The Hive (x2), Adult Early Help Pilot Service, SPEAR, Good Work Camden, and Connexions (x3).

The Social Prescriber offers basic emotional support to young people, often via weekly telephone calls, to 'check-in' with how they are getting on. The Social Prescriber signposted 7 young people to mental health support services and referred one young person into BC's therapy team. Young people who presented with a deterioration in their mental health were offered priority therapy appointments.

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Young Ambassadors

Three young people who received social prescribing support went on to become BC Young Ambassadors.

Evaluation

From April 2024, we gained quantitative feedback via SWEMWBS and goalbased outcomes, and qualitative feedback via a feedback form.

Some examples of feedback from young people:

I was pretty low when I started the social prescribing and while it hasn’t completely stopped these feelings, it’s helped keep me busy and give me more things to enjoy and look forward to, putting my time into healthier things and focusing on myself.... It has definitely improved my wellbeing.

I found that the sessions I had were really helpful. At first, I wasn't really into the idea of finding a new hobby but by the end, I discovered how much I love doing my new online cooking classes and how much it has helped me mentally.

The social prescribing support has been extremely helpful..... I believe that it gave me a safe space to be open and talk to someone about my problems. When it came to activities, the efficiency of sorting them out was great. I think that the activities really provided me an escape from all of the things that I have been thinking about.

Therapeutic Yoga

The therapeutic yoga programme, known as ‘Mindful Movers’ is a project generously funded by London Marathon Foundation’s Active Spaces Fund. The programme is a 6-week, group-based therapeutic yoga programme, led by a qualified Yoga Teacher and supervised by a Clinical Psychologist. It’s aim is to help young people who are currently underactive improve their physical and mental wellbeing. In 2024-2025, 29 referrals were received across 3 cohorts of 6- week classes. 28% of referrals came from professionals such as CAMHS, The Hive as well as internal referrals from Brandon Centre therapists. Of the 162 sessions offered to young people, 91 sessions were attended.

Outcomes:

The Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) was used to measure improvements in mental wellbeing in the Mindful Movers programme, which were completed at the point of referral (Time 1) and at the end of classes (Time 2). An increase of +3.1 in average scores was observed, indicating a clinically significant improvement in mental wellbeing following participation in the Mindful Movers programme.

The General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) was used to measure weekly activity levels. Young people completed this measure at the point of referral (T1) and then again at the end of the programme (T2). 75% of young people who completed the measure at T1 and T2 reported an increase in weekly activity level following completion of the programme .

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Feedback:

100% of the young people who accessed the service and provided feedback answered "Certainly True" or “Partly True” to the statement:

In their own words, young people shared:

“This has helped me get out of the house, encouraged me to do physical exercise and I have learnt coping mechanisms for stress.”

“I loved how it was a safe space although it’s the winter and most of us are feeling vulnerable at the moment. It gave me something to look forward to.”

“I enjoyed how people were able to bond as a group.”

Mental Health & Wellbeing Services for Families

Systemic Integrative Treatment (SIT) Service

Brandon Centre’s Systemic Integrative Treatment (SIT) service works with the families and professional networks of young people displaying a range of problem behaviours and aims to prevent family breakdown and young people entering costly out-of-home care. Our SIT team successfully treats families across several London boroughs and nearby counties. In 2024-2025 we supported families living In Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Barnet and Tower Hamlets. Our service was also commissioned by the Forensic CAMHS Service at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.

Key outcomes across the SIT service:

A total of 46 families were referred to Brandon Centre’s Systemic Integrative Treatment service during the 2024-2025 year. 31 of these referrals were accepted into BC SIT.

Of the 31 of BC-SIT young people with accepted referrals in 2024-2025, 15 (48.5%) referrals were from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) professionals. 15 (48.5%), were from social care professionals and 1 (3%) referral was privately funded.

18 (58%) of the referred cases were male and 13 (42%) cases were female.

A total of 1,237 session appointments were offered to BC-SIT families across 20242025. Of the 1,237 sessions offered, 1,080 (87%) of them were attended, 142 (12%) were cancelled, and 15 (2%) were missed without prior notice (DNA).

Sample stakeholder feedback:

From CAMHS - I want to say a huge thank you to the BC- SIT Team- the progress has been massive for the young person and your team has supported tremendously!! Amazing work!

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Sample family feedback:

From Mum- The BC SIT treatment was excellent and I think it moved us on as we were stuck, it was challenging and changed both of our idea’s perspectives, stopping the blame. It gave us skills and strategies to manage our daughters’ extreme behaviours. We check in more with each other and plan our responses to new situations as they arise.

Stage 1 was so incredibly hard, but we surprised ourselves with the support of the Brandon Centre, we managed and reduced our daughters’ violent behaviours in a relatively short space of time.

Stage 2 really helped to maintain our approach. We have come to the end and I thank both our therapists sincerely. Relationships in the family have improved. There are always going to be situations ups and downs, but I think by us working together and being better skilled we can help and support our child more, we are certainly more hopefully than we were a year ago. Thank you, Brandon Centre, and heartfelt thanks to SIT therapists- we have a much better life now x

From Dad – The therapist was empathetic, non-judgemental and a great listener with excellent advice. We would both rate her views, advice and presence extremely highly and provided a way for us as parents to process some of our difficulties in a safe way, that helped improve our family dynamics.

Mum - Unbelievable service! and a real lifeline in our crisis time, extremely grateful that we were able to access this service and meet the SIT therapist. I hope in time we can help support your work.

BC SIT were very nice to me and my daughter. I really did have good support. The service overall was very good!

Love and Limits Parent Programme

The Love and Limits parent programme is for parents/carers of teenagers (aged 12-16) with challenging behaviour. The programme offers parents strategies to improve behaviour coupled with psychoeducational elements and has been updated and adapted to be delivered online. 59 parents attended the programme over the last year. Out of the 59 participants, 35 were from the borough of Camden and 24 were from the Islington Borough.

Feedback from parents

“The facilitator presented in a very professional warm and inclusive manners the core structure of the developing teenager brain highlighting the challenges between the relationship with their parents/carers. She guided us to positively engage in the process of seeing the possibility of building healthy boundaries. She allowed a very insightful platform for deep exchange and reassurance among participants and herself, within the group and individually. She guided us in observing the dysfunctional dynamics with a compassionate and loving heart for the internal experience for both the parent and the teenager. I felt encouraged and inspired in finding new and creative ways of developing and nurturing my relationship with my daughter. I benefited from seeing the relationship with my

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daughter as a collaborative one and learnt new ways to navigate with her and structure it. I self-reflected on the importance of my role model for my daughter, on noticing my communications skills and how I can adapt my way of interacting with her. I have been searching for help for 10 years and had never participated to a parenting group programme of this high level and content. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”

“I found it helpful knowing there are other parents facing same difficulties as me and I am not the only one. Helpful in knowing how to address my child without offending or pushing buttons.”

“Great strategies and tools, great meeting the other mums.”

ADHD Parent Programme

The ADHD Parent Programme is for parents of children and young people (aged 5-12) who have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The programme offers psychoeducation about ADHD and discipline strategies related to the “1-2-3 Magic” model. 56 parents attended this programme over the last year. Out of the 56 participants, 32 were from the borough of Camden and 24 were from the Islington Borough.

Feedback from parents

“This program has been life changing and I cannot express enough gratitude. It has been a few weeks since the end of the course and the information and tips shared have transformed my parenting, his behaviour and our relationship. We hardly argue now and are always laughing. Thank you so very much.”

“Learning about 123 Magic and how to put it into practice really made a huge difference in the way I discipline my child. It has removed conflict and battles, it has removed tantrums (adult and child ones!) and it has given us the opportunity to enjoy more of each other and strengthen our relationship. Attending this group was more effective than just reading the book because it was easier to understand, ask specific questions and share experiences with other parents. I am grateful and feel lucky that I was able to attend. I strongly recommend it to every parent”.

Parent support group for CAMHS waiting list

This project began as a pilot parent programme in 2022 delivered in partnership with Mind in London. The project was initially funded by NHS England and later received bridge-funding each year to continue providing group support to parents. Brandon Centre developed this parent programme to support the parents/carers of young people aged 11-16 who are on long waiting lists for assessment and treatment from statutory CAMHS, VCS and SEMH services. The programme now offers inclusion criteria for ADHD and ASD in additional to low mood, anxiety and depression. Referral numbers have been lower this year; 60 parents registered for the programme, and 29 completed all 8 sessions in the programme. Other parents cited work clashes, health issues and family schedules for not being able to complete the programme. Feedback and

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outcomes from this programme have been positive. Many parents and carers attending the programme also reported that their adolescents are presenting with some neurodiversity e.g. ADHD and ASD or both. Some parents also disclosed their own undiagnosed ND. Funding has been secured from the ICB for a further 6 months. Interestingly, 14 out of 29 parents who completed the service evaluation form expressed a desire to be actively involved in shaping future programmes and indicated their willingness to be contacted for further input.Feedback from Parents

“This group has been wonderful, a great support in a difficult time and I started to actually look foward to it, rather than just thinking of it as somewhere that I might learn something that might help! I do find talking in online groups difficult so encouraging people to use the chat function if they prefer is good. I hope that some of the group may continue to meet informally after the sessions have finished to continue to support one another, as I feel we have a good understanding of what we're all experiencing, and this can be invaluable.”

“Meeting other parents in the same boat. Getting tips on self care. Getting tips on changing my thoughts/perception of the situation. Learning about listening skills. Feeling heard. Feeling understood. Having a weekly space where I knew I could let out my feelings - I would look forward to knowing support would be available which gave me strength to carry on. The format of 4 weeks of learning then 4 weeks of less structured discussion was good. I appreciated the group leaders being firm about keeping the space confidential e.g. cameras on, no one else present.”

“I loved the sharing experience with other parents and both Vlatka and Tanya were absolutely exceptional in guiding the discussion.”

The Families, Food and Feelings programme

The Families, Food and Feelings programme was delivered to 34 parents .

Feedback from Families

“These sessions have opened my eyes to different ideas I can go forward with.”

“I have improve on how to let them try new foods , on how to turn off tv for them to have time to eat their meals, on how to avoid conflict or arguing, but rather to approach differently”

Return to Learn

Return to Learn is a 2-year project funded by the Portal Trust (Sept 2024- Sept 2026) developed in response to rising levels of school absenteeism among young people in Camden. The project draws on the successful systemic approach demonstrated in BC SIT, working in close partnership with schools and families to re-engage young people whose attendance has become persistently low.

The project provides a structured, time-limited programme of support for parents and carers (6-week courses for up to 8 families per group), offering practical strategies and therapeutic input to help families address the barriers preventing school attendance. Alongside this, the project works directly with

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schools to improve communication and collaboration with families, ensuring a coordinated approach around the young person.

The programme has been delivered to a total of 25 families since its launch in September 24, with feedback from schools and families being highly positive, and evidence of improved attendance, strengthened family-school relationships, and greater parental confidence in managing difficulties at home. The project has become a key strand of Brandon Centre’s work in addressing complex needs that sit at the intersection of mental health, family relationships, and education.

Some feedback from families and staff members:

“She is in now most days, with far less arguing”- Parent

"My contact with the school has improved immensely"- Parent

“ I could freely share, which has felt so valuable”- Parent

“R2L takes the lead with coordinating our approach to attendance, it

reduces the burden on staff”- Head of School

“Very informative, and found the strategies helpful”- Staff Member

R2L has been a great experience for our parents. They found the sessions really useful and felt empowered to confidently use the strategies’ they learned. Having the session at school has really helped to strengthen communication and engagement between school and families. We’ve seen a positive impact on students’ attendance as a result- Home-School Link Worker

Training & Consultancy

Enhanced Healthy Living Service

The Enhanced Healthy Living Service (EHLS) is a targeted service for children and young people who are overweight or obese in Camden and Islington. The service is an evidence-based intervention working with the parents of these children and integrating treatment with other teams/professionals via consultation and Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) working.

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GroundUp

GroundUp is a staff consultation service led by a Clinical Psychologist at the Brandon Centre, funded by the London Borough of Camden. It supports Camden-based VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisations working with children and young people by offering supervision, consultation, training, and reflective practice to their staff members.

The programme aims to:

GroundUp’s services are free to eligible organisations and include:

A total of 79 sessions were delivered, comprising supervision, reflective practice, consultation, training, and webinar delivery. This amounted to 173 equivalent contact hours (cumulative time spent supporting individuals).

Support was provided to eight different organisations operating across a broad spectrum of services (youth work, early years family support, residential care, youth homelessness, volunteer mentoring):

GroundUp Summary

GroundUp Summary
Activity Type Sessions Participants
(range/total)
Supervisions(1:1) 60 attended 1per session
Reflective Practice 13 sessions 2–6per session
Consultations 2 sessions 2 total
Training 3 sessions 20 total
Webinar (Trauma-
Informed Care)		 1 session 36 participants

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Selected Feedback Quotes

Supervision

“Safe space to talk openly and honestly about how I am feeling about work with no judgement.”

“It was really personalised… what was shared will help me professionally organise my workload.”

Reflective Practice

“Having a space to talk openly… feeling heard and validated.”

“Being able to navigate work for the first time in months.”

Training

“I found it helpful to be validated and encouraged in my approach to parents.” “Group discussions and techniques taught… also learning how to deal with young people.”

Webinar (Trauma-Informed Care)

“Window of tolerance and strategies to bring someone back into their window.” “Differential diagnosis discussion – trauma vs autism, ADHD.”

Cornerstone Croydon Project

Our Cornerstone Croydon Project (CCP) – in collaboration with London Youth – supports Youth Organisations in the London Borough of Croydon by providing their youth staff with clinical supervision, reflective practice, and consultation, with a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

This year we supported staff from the following organisations:

This project came to an end in December 2024. The CCP has made meaningful progress in supporting the mental health of both youth workers and young people and supporting cross-organisational collaboration and learning. While micro-level changes are evident, broader systemic impact will require sustained effort and investment.

Community Outreach Programmes

She Is Supported (SIS)

She Is Supported (SIS) is a two-year pilot project generously funded with support from The Mayor of London and Propel partners – a collaboration made up of funders of different sizes and sectors – both public and corporate as well as independent foundations. SIS is a consortium of 4 youth organisations: Brandon Centre, Prospex, Highbury Roundhouse, and Mary’s Youth Club. The project

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targets 500 girls aged 10-25 in Islington. The three youth hubs provide girls groups and 1-1 mentoring, while Brandon Centre provides counselling and psychotherapy for any girls identified as needing extra support. Brandon Centre successfully recruited a Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapist (0.8 FTE) in February 2024. Her contract began on 1st April 2024, and she began seeing young people in May 2024. From the start of the project in January 2024 to March 2025, a total of 253 girls have been supported across the 4 youth organisations. The majority of these girls (58%) were from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Recent highlights from the programme include successful wellbeing ambassador training, supergroups between hubs to expand connections, catering for neurodiversities and the annual retreat. Challenges include fluctuating attendance, partnership expansion challenges and engaging parents in services. The most recent annual residential recently took a maximum of 40 girls to Girl’s Guide Centre in Chigwell. Activities included silent discos, water sports, night walks and yoga. For many of these girls, this was the first time they had left London, been away from their families and/or been on holiday.

Arsenal Girls Kicks – Wellbeing Support for Girls Community Football

The Arsenal Girls Kicks programme offers community football sessions to girls aged 8-16. It is part of the Premier League Kicks initiative, which aims to inspire young people by engaging them in football. Brandon Centre has been providing emotional wellbeing support to the Arsenal Girls Kicks programme, thanks to generous funding provided to us via Islington Giving. This has been delivered by a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. Our offer included pitch-side emotional wellbeing conversations on a 1:1 or group basis during football practice. This year we focused on 6 themes that we covered with young people in their football practice sessions – on and off the pitch. These are:

  1. Deliberate Practice: Introduced and developed an understanding of deliberate practice and its use in advancing skill and performance.

  2. Effective Communication: Developed an understanding of how to communicate effectively and why it is important in sports (but also in life).

  3. Emotional Awareness: Developed an understanding of emotional awareness, emotion regulation, and how emotions impact the way we think feel and behave (relevant inside and outside of football).

  4. Mindfulness: Introduced and developed an understanding of awareness from a “being present” and mindfulness perspective.

  5. Strengths and Values: Introduced and developed an understanding and knowledge of why knowing your strengths and values is beneficial.

  6. Growth Mindset: Introduced growth mindset. Learning how to recover from mistakes/ past “failures”. “Failures” as learning opportunities. Developing resilience.

Arsenal Girls Kicks in Numbers:

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Minding the Gap and the Hive youth support

Brandon Centre seconded three young people's workers to provide holistic psychosocial support services at The Hive, a therapeutic youth hub in Camden. The Hive is jointly commissioned by the Camden Clinical Commissioning Group (now part of NCL ICB) and Camden Council. The Hive is provided by a consortium of service providers and is led by Catch-22. The consortium is made up of The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, Fitzrovia Youth in Action, The Winch, and the Brandon Centre. The Hive offers a free mental health and wellbeing service that supports young people aged 16 to 24 in Camden. The Hive Is a youth hub with a warm and welcoming feel to it. The service allows workers to have a unique approach to each young person. This is achieved through 1-1 work and the social hub involving activity group work. This is a unique approach, holistically viewing mental health and creating a service that is non-clinical, accessible, flexible, and creative. We find this approach helps keep each young person at the centre of their journey. We attend The Hive’s Board meetings on a quarterly basis.

Condoms - C-Card collection, advice and information

With funding from the local authority, Brandon Centre has continued to be a provider of the Come Correct (C-Card) scheme which provides condoms for Under 25’s across London. Over the course of this year we were able to raise repeat encounters from 29 in the previous year to 54, something that local sexual health services have noted to always struggle with. In this financial year 21 young people were registered by our team and in total 775 condoms were given out. All full time and part time Front Office staff are trained to register Young People for this vital service, ensuring that their needs are still met and the link to our sexual health history is maintained.

Roche

In 2024, Roche nominated Brandon Centre as its Charity of the Year. Roche employees demonstrated creativity and commitment through a wide range of fundraising activities, including raffles, art auctions, cake bake-offs, and crocheting tops for letterboxes. One standout effort was Pete Johnson’s remarkable completion of the Ice Ultra Marathon, a 230km trek across the Arctic Circle, exemplifying the dedication and resilience of the Roche team.

Beyond fundraising, Roche also commissioned Brandon Centre to deliver CAMHS parenting workshops to its employees, promoting mental health awareness and was very well received by employee’s. Additionally, we collaborated to record a podcast together, providing insights into the vital work of Brandon Centre and highlighting the importance of mental health services for young people.

These collective efforts raised an outstanding £20,000. We are immensely grateful for Roche’s support, which has made a real difference in our ability to serve those who need us most

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Volunteering

We encourage members of our local communities to support us in volunteering with Brandon Centre. Volunteering over this last year has seen a change in direction with engaging new volunteers who have brought a variety of complementary skills and experience. We have welcomed more volunteers in supporting Brandon Centre with our fundraising such as the London Santa Run, Roche Charity of the Year Events and Brandon Centre Sponsored Walk. We have engaged with 50 volunteers. Over 2024/25 we have provided opportunities for individual and group contributions from corporate and community organisations. Whilst we continue to develop our volunteering and corporate social responsibility offers.

Young Patron

Our Young Patron, Grace Campbell is focused to continue to help raise money and social awareness of our Brandon Centre’s work over the coming months

Young Ambassadors

We have involved 112 young ambassadors in our online group and 20 of these young ambassadors have been working on specific projects in person. Young Ambassadors have been involved in the design, development and improvement of our services. Over this last year, we have also involved our young ambassadors in the review of and re-launch of our overall strategy, through discussions at the Young People’s Leadership Board and attendance at our Away days.

We also organised two wellness events for our young ambassadors. In the summer we held a wellness event in our garden, with craft activities and the creation of a positivity tree, which is now displayed in our waiting area. In December 2024, we organised a winter-themed wellness evening for our young ambassadors, which was also held in the Brandon Centre. Activities included cookie decorating, painting tealight holders and sharing reflections from the previous year as well as our hopes for the year to come. The wellness evenings were a great space to come together for Young Ambassadors to meet each other and Brandon Centre staff

Book a Room

The first half of the financial year was dedicated to laying the groundwork for the launch of our Book a Room service, aimed at providing a space for private therapeutic work at times when our building is not occupied for Brandon Centre’s core services. Following its launch in December 2024, we were pleased to secure 10 bookings by the end of the financial year, with 7 of these being for three months or longer, an encouraging sign of demand and the service’s longterm potential.

With our newly upgraded website now live and plans in place for targeted online advertising, we are confident that the year ahead will bring continued growth in bookings. This service presents a valuable opportunity to generate additional income while supporting professionals whose work aligns with our mission.

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Organisation and Governance of the Charity

a. Legal Status

Brandon Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy for Young People is a charitable company limited by guarantee, number 1830241, and therefore has no share capital and is also a registered charity, number 290118.

b. Con titution

The Brandon Centre was formerly The London Youth Advisory Centre, which was founded in 1969. It was registered as a charity and incorporated as a company in 1984. The names of the members of the Council of Management on 31st March 2024/25 are set out on page 1. The objectives and activities of the company are governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

c. Appointment of Council Members

Members of the Council must be Members of the Company and shall be elected either by the Members of the Company in General Meeting or by the Council. At each AGM one-third of the Members of the Council are required to retire from office by rotation however are eligible for re-election. The Council may appoint someone to be a Member of the Council, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing membership, and anyone so appointed holds office only until the next AGM but is eligible for re-election. No Director shall serve for more than nine consecutive years, unless the Directors consider it would be in the best interests of the Charity for a particular Director to continue to serve beyond that period and that Director is reappointed in accordance with the Articles. We have been supported by 12 Trustees, members of the Council, in 2024/25.

d. Brandon Centre Board

Brandon Centre’s Board enjoys the support of a broad range of experienced Trustees. Our Trustees continue to contribute so much to Brandon Centre. The Board has met quarterly, with one Annual General Meeting, a few Board Strategy Away Day’s and the Chair attended our Staff Away Day. The Board ensures Brandon Centre’s aims are delivered effectively and sustainably. It has quarterly sub-committees for Finance, Audit & Renumeration, Quality, Safety & Risk, People, Business Development & Fundraising, Information Governance and our newly developed Environmental, Social and Governance Committee.

Our Chief Executive, supported by the Senior Leadership Team, remains accountable to the Board for administration and financial management and works together with the Board to develop Brandon Centre’s long-term strategy, business development, budget and business plan.

Our governance focus has included ensuring:

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e. Young People’s Leadership Board (YPLB)

The Young People’s Leadership Board reports into the main Board, through the People Committee and enables our Young Ambassadors to support the Senior Leadership Team in making the best service developments and

recommendations for the young people in our community. They have also been involved in the development of our overall strategy and the review of our People and Engagement Strategies.

Sajida, our Chair for the YPLB, is very much involved and active in her role. As well as Chairing our quarterly YPLB meetings, she attends our People Committee and has also attended our Board Away Day. Sajida has also supported in developing and delivering workshops for Young People supported by funding from Linklaters.

This project, funded by Linklaters, aimed to explore the voices of young people from global majority backgrounds to better understand their experiences accessing mental health services and how services like Brandon Centre can better facilitate their needs.

3 focus groups were run between March 2025 and May 2025, with 10 young people that had previously accessed Brandon Centre services. The young people came from a diverse range of backgrounds , including Asian Chinese, Asian Other, Latin American, Mixed White & Asian, Asian Bangladeshi and another ethnicity. This project is ongoing, and more details will follow in our report for 2025/26

f. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

New trustees have an induction process and are encouraged to meet senior managers and attend meetings. There are regular awaydays to enable the trustees to understand the organisation better and provide the opportunity to meet face-to-face with management. Trustees complete core training as part of Brandon Centre’s training programme and there are regular additional training provided within the Board and at awaydays.

g. Pay policy for key management personnel

Staff and management pay is set annually subsequent to a review of the employment market. The Board approve the annual pay rise as part of the budgeting process and the CEO is required to keep the total cost of the organisation within the agreed budget but has the flexibility to transfer funds between expenditure heads. The CEO, Head of Finance and Head of People meet fortnightly to review any changes to staff hours or salaries; such changes must be approved at this meeting before being implemented. Any change to the CEO salary must be approved by the Chair.

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h. Parent’s Advisory Committee (PAC)

We continue to develop our Parents Advisory Committee, with members including parents, carers and or family members who have accessed our services. We have held on line meetings and received very helpful feedback from the committee on our Parenting programmes and Systemic work. Members of our PAC have also supported Brandon Centre with attendance at the Open House event and a visit to Brandon Centre by one of our local Councillors.

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive environment where people can be their genuine selves in accordance with our values. We are dedicated to taking proactive steps to advance a culture of non-discrimination, inclusion and equity and to support this our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working Group has been meeting regularly. The group has reviewed our ED&I Strategy and is working towards identifying key priorities and actions for the new Strategy. The group is led by our two ED&I Trustees and has staff representatives, young ambassador representatives and is also supported by a Brandon Centre Ambassador.

i. Objectives and Public Benefit

The objectives of the Brandon Centre are:

(I) The advancement of education, the furtherance of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness of young persons (being persons under the age of 25 in the United Kingdom).

(2) The relief and prevention of suffering caused by mental or physical il-health or by social and economic circumstances among young people by establishing, maintaining and developing a counselling service for the giving of individual or group counselling, and practical advice.

(3) The prevention and mitigation of suffering caused by unwanted pregnancy by educating young persons in matters of sex and contraception and developing among them a sense of responsibility in regard to sexual behaviour.

The Trustees have reviewed these objectives with regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and determined they are consistent with it.

Financial review

a. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries and modelling anticipated income for the foreseeable future the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

b. Reserves policy

As a reserves policy, the Council of Management have agreed there should be 3 months running costs. On 31st March 2025, the Centre had total reserves of £956k (2024: £815k) of which free reserves (excludes restricted funds and funds

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invested in the Brandon Centre’s building) amounted to £448k (2024: £389k). Unrestricted reserves currently cover 11.7 weeks of operating costs. This is an improvement on the previous year and brings the total very close to the target level. Our goal is to close this gap with the reserve policy during the next couple of years.

c. Finances of the Charity

Brandon Centre’s financial position on 31st March 2025 remains sound, with the Centre continuing to run a surplus in 2024/25.

As shown by the Statement of Financial Activities, total incoming resources for the year to 31st March 2025 were £2,137k (£259k (14.0%) higher than in the previous year). This included a grant of £66k for the replacement windows, as well as several other new grants for therapy services.

Expenditure totalled £1,994.7k (£138.9k (7.4%) higher than in previous year). The growth in income was higher than the change in expenditure due to the timing of projects, which resulted in some grants being carried forward in restricted reserves, with the net movement on restricted reserves being a net increase of £82.7k.

The increase in unrestricted reserves for 2024/25 was £59.1k which was £53.2k higher than the previous year. The increase being due to a combination of removing a sum previously provided for wall repairs, not now needed, additional donation income plus various minor underspends across a range of headings. As in previous years, the Centre has benefited from the financial support of Health and Local Authorities, Charitable Trusts and Corporate donors.

d. Risk analysis

Reviews of the major risks the charity is exposed to and the systems in place to mitigate those risks are regularly undertaken across all levels of the organisation; a major risk being where there is a high probability that an event will happen that has a significant impact on the running of the organisation, such as financial loss, damage to property, or disruption of activity. The risk register, where these risks are recorded, is considered quarterly by the Quality, Safety and Risk Committee and subsequently tabled at the Board of Trustees meeting. Risks and opportunities are regularly discussed at Finance Committee meetings, and their impact on the budget – both short and medium term – taken into account when making decisions that affect the charity’s financial position. In addition, the major risks are reviewed at strategy development sessions with senior management and trustees, as well as with staff at the annual awayday, where a bottom-up analysis is undertaken.

One of the key risks over the medium term is the uncertainty of future funding streams, due to pressures on funders nationally plus challenges presented by local authority procurement processes. Against this is a backdrop of increasing demand due to changes in social policy and child and adolescent mental health service provision.

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These risks are mitigated through dialogue with service commissioners and grant providers, giving the charity the best chances to access new funds, plus proactive cost management, with expenditure routinely mapped against income so that costs can be contained within available funds.

e. Fundraising

Brandon Centre is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and has committed to following the Code of Fundraising Practice and the Fundraising Promise. No complaints were received during the year regarding Brandon Centre's fundraising activity. Expenditure on fundraising in 2024/25 was £20,736 which was 1% of income.

f. Donors

We were fortunate to receive generous support from a number of donors this year, including a couple of large contributions - one of which came from an anonymous donor. We remain deeply grateful to all who have contributed, regardless of the size of their gift. Every donation, large or small, plays a vital role in helping us continue our work, and we are continually heartened by the generosity and commitment of our supporters.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees must prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

30

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees confirm that as far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by section 418(3) of the Companies Act 2006) of which the charitable company’s auditors are unaware. They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company's auditors are aware of that information.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies’ regime under the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

Mark Bland

Chair and Trustee

Date: 06-11-25

31

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Brandon Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy for Young People (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Page 32

(A company limited by guarantee)

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (CONTINUED)

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Page 33

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (CONTINUED)

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the company and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to industry sector regulations and unethical and prohibited business practices, and we considered the extent to which noncompliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, Charity Commission and sector regulations, and UK Tax Legislation. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls). Appropriate audit procedures in response to these risks were carried out. These procedures included:

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members; and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.

Page 34

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (CONTINUED)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Goodman Jones LLP

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors 1st Floor Arthur Stanley House 40-50 Tottenham Street London W1T 4RN

Date: 06-11-25

Goodman Jones LLP are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 35

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
4
Charitable activities
5
Other trading activities
6
Investments
7
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
151,933
1,547,559
464
12,914
1,712,870
20,736
1,633,018
1,653,754
59,116
389,096
59,116
448,212		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
423,635
-
-
-
423,635
-
340,973
340,973
82,662
425,836
82,662
508,498		 Total
funds
2025
£
575,568
1,547,559
464
12,914
2,136,505
20,736
1,973,991
1,994,727
141,778
814,932
141,778
956,710		 Total
funds
2024
£
463,624
1,405,442
-
8,768
1,877,834
21,878
1,833,887
1,855,765
22,069
792,863
22,069
814,932

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 40 to 55 form part of these financial statements.

Page 36

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 01830241

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Investments
14
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
15
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
16
Unrestricted funds
16
Total funds		 188,644
291,000
412,150
891,794
(268,421)		 2025
£
333,337
333,337
623,373
956,710
956,710
508,498
448,212
956,710		 143,794
320,000
426,667
890,461
(349,529)		 2024
£
274,000
274,000
540,932
814,932
814,932
425,836
389,096
814,932

The entity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the entity to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

However, an audit is required in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

Page 37

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

................................................

Mark Bland

Chair

Date: 06-11-25

The notes on pages 40 to 55 form part of these financial statements.

Page 38

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Investment income
Transfers from/(to) treasury deposits
Net cash used in investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		 2025
£
16,470
(72,901)
12,914
29,000
(30,987)
(14,517)
426,667
412,150		 2024
£
27,289
(20,565)
8,768
(320,000)
(331,797)
(304,508)
731,175
426,667

The notes on pages 40 to 55 form part of these financial statements

Page 39

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. General information

Brandon Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy for Young People is a charitable company registered in England and Wales. The registered office address is 26 Prince of Wales Road, Kentish Town NW5 3LG. The objects of the Charity are set out in the Trustees' Report on page 2.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Brandon Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy for Young People meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

The financial statements are prepared in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

2.2 Going concern

Having considered the future plans of the Charity, including expected income and expenditure, for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements, the Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis.

2.3 Company Status

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the Charity.

2.4 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Page 40

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.5 Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis and to the extent that any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

2.6 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.7 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

Page 41

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.8 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £1000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

At each reporting date the Charity assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

2.9 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

2.10 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

2.11 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

Page 42

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.12 Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.13 Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities on a straightline basis over the lease term.

2.14 Pensions

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. Management must also exercise judgemental in applying the Charity's accounting policies. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Income recognition:

The Charity receives income from contracts and performance grants. These agreements include various quantitative and qualitative milestones and performance conditions to be met in order for the Charity to have entitlement to the funds. The Charity makes various assumptions in determining the stage of completion of these contracts and performance grants.

Page 43

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4. Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
2025
Restricted
funds
2025
£
£
Donations
45,286
-
Grants
106,647
423,635
151,933
423,635
Total 2024
39,423
424,201
5.
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
London Borough of Camden
751,657
London Borough of Islington
110,494
NHS North Central London ICB
464,624
NHS South West London ICB
1,705
Mind in Enfield and Barnet
-
UCL Training
19,067
Tavistock and Portman
93,932
Catch 22
-
Other charitable activities
106,080
1,547,559		 Total
funds
2025
£
45,286
530,282
575,568
463,624
Total
funds
2025
£
751,657
110,494
464,624
1,705
-
19,067
93,932
-
106,080
1,547,559		 Total
funds
2024
£
18,293
445,331
463,624
Total
funds
2024
£
664,370
86,318
385,319
225
34,009
69,247
52,000
84,592
29,362
1,405,442

Page 44

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

6. Income from other trading activities

Income from non charitable trading activities

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Sales of Product income
464
Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Bank interest receivable
12,914		 Total
funds
2025
£
464
Total
funds
2025
£
12,914		 Total
funds
2024
£
-
Total
funds
2024
£
8,768

7. Investment income

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Charitable activities
Total 2024		 Direct costs
2025
£
1,710,648
1,606,863		 Support
costs
2025
£
263,343
227,024		 Total
funds
2025
£
1,973,991
1,833,887		 Total
funds
2024
£
1,833,887

Page 45

(A company limited by guarantee)

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs

Staff costs
Depreciation
Advertising and promotion
Books, pamphlets and subscriptions
Computer maintenance
Course and conferences
Household expenses and sundries
IG consulting
Locums and temporary staff
Printing, postage and stationary
Professional fees
Rent, rates and repairs
Sub-contract service provision
Staff expenses
Telephone and communications
Travel, recruitment and training		 Charitable
activities
2025
£
1,519,711
4,564
-
3,075
18,907
1,008
-
9,000
-
144
11,071
4,580
123,428
8,232
1,217
5,711
1,710,648		 Total
funds
2025
£
1,519,711
4,564
-
3,075
18,907
1,008
-
9,000
-
144
11,071
4,580
123,428
8,232
1,217
5,711
1,710,648		 Total
funds
2024
£
1,503,925
-
1,000
3,827
19,727
-
2,257
-
6,982
-
6,969
-
44,431
5,507
7,349
4,889
1,606,863

Page 46

(A company limited by guarantee)

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs

Charitable
activities
2025
£
Staff costs
121,549
Depreciation
12,587
Advertising and promotion
12,640
Books, pamphlets and subscriptions
549
Computer maintenance
27,254
Courses and conferences
-
Household expenses and sundries
8,922
IG consulting
-
Insurance
22,785
Light, heat and power
6,433
Medical supplies
20
Printing, postage and stationary
1,354
Professional fees
7,828
Rent, rates and repairs
8,934
Staff expenses
678
Telephone and communications
17,418
Travel, recruitment and training
2,392
Governance costs
12,000
263,343
9.
Auditors' remuneration
Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual
accounts (including irrecoverable VAT)		 Total
funds
2025
£
121,549
12,587
12,640
549
27,254
-
8,922
-
22,785
6,433
20
1,354
7,828
8,934
678
17,418
2,392
12,000
263,343
2025
£
12,000		 Total
funds
2024
£
76,773
11,365
15,494
513
19,304
(248)
25,155
10,799
21,104
8,554
35
1,911
7,475
7,217
-
8,991
1,782
10,800
227,024
2024
£
10,800

Page 47

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes		 2025
£
1,464,115
140,176
36,969
1,641,260		 2024
£
1,411,511
132,427
36,760
1,580,698

The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:

Director
Psychotherapy
Contraception and sexual health
Systemic integrative therapy
Central administration		 2025
No.
1
25
-
11
17
54		 2024
No.
1
28
3
9
14
55

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

2025 2024
No. No.
In the band £60,001 - £70,000 1 1
In the band £70,001 - £80,000 1 1

Total expenditure incurred in respect of key management personnel, including employer's national insurance and employer's pension costs, totalled £110,118 (2024: £106,284).

11. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 31 March 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL) .

Page 48

(A company limited by guarantee)

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12. Tangible fixed assets

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Freehold
property
£
252,387
66,186
318,573
-
3,677
3,677
314,896
252,387		 Plant and
machinery
£
69,672
6,715
76,387
56,643
8,704
65,347
11,040
13,029		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
11,652
-
11,652
3,066
1,185
4,251
7,401
8,586		 Total
£
333,711
72,901
406,612
59,709
13,566
73,275
333,337
274,002

The Trustees consider that any depreciation charge on the freehold property would be immaterial on the grounds that the estimated residual value is not materially different from the carrying value (which is the cost of acquisition) and given market value is considered to be significantly higher (based on a professional valuation from February 2022). As a result, no depreciation has been provided.

The freehold property, 26 Prince of Wales Road, London NWS, was acquired in April 1983 at a cost of £35,559. Donations were received for the cost of the premises and a capital reserve fund was established for these funds. An extension to the building was subsequently added and further donations were received and placed to the credit of the capital reserve. In 2009, building works were carried out to convert the top floor flat into offices for the use of the Centre. This was funded from the development fund set up for this purpose. An amount equal to the cost has been transferred from the development fund to the capital reserve fund. The balance on the capital reserve fund equals the cost of the property.

Page 49

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

13. Debtors

Due within one year
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2025
£
53,072
80
135,492
188,644		 2024
£
61,678
80
82,036
143,794

14. Current asset investments

Treasury deposits
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred income at 1 April 2024
Resources deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods		 2025
£
291,000
2025
£
32,569
37,315
10,750
187,787
268,421
2025
£
244,061
123,970
(244,061)
123,970		 2024
£
320,000
2024
£
30,970
28,581
8,110
281,868
349,529
2024
£
266,612
244,061
(266,612)
244,061

15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Deferred income represents income being received in advance of entitlement under the grant agreements/contracts.

Page 50

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted funds
General Funds - all funds
Restricted funds
Arsenal Connect
Capital reserve
Capital Improvements
Islington Hostel and Young People therapy
Support
Clinical Supervision
Therapy Support for Young People with SH
problems
Systemic Integrative Therapy
Psychotherapy for Young People from the
LGBTQ+ Community
Psychotherapy for Young People with
Significant MH problems
Mentoring for Young People
Total funds		 Balance at 1
April 2024
£
389,096
11,899
252,387
-
27,274
-
18,002
-
33,828
65,772
16,674
425,836
814,932		 Income
£
1,712,870
-
-
66,566
56,835
14,000
-
20,376
58,667
48,903
158,288
423,635
2,136,505		 Expenditure
£
(1,653,754)
(8,399)
-
(3,677)
(44,683)
(14,000)
(18,002)
(15,982)
(51,507)
(34,466)
(150,257)
(340,973)
(1,994,727)		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
448,212
3,500
252,387
62,889
39,426
-
-
4,394
40,988
80,209
24,705
508,498
956,710

Page 51

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
General Funds - all funds
Restricted funds
Arsenal Connect
Brandon Connect - Islington
Capital reserve
Capital Improvements
Islington Hostel and Young People therapy
Support
Healthy Eating
Mentoring for Young People
Psychotherapy for Young People from the
LGBTQ+ Community
Clinical supervision
Psychotherapy for Young People from the
LBGTQ+ Community
Psychotherapy for Young People with
significant MH problems
Total funds		 Balance at
1 April 2023
£
383,208
17,171
-
252,387
-
-
22,495
-
18,002
-
33,828
65,772
409,655
792,863		 Income
£
1,453,833
10,987
38,334
-
92,995
45,000
-
63,685
31,000
14,000
50,000
78,000
424,001
1,877,834		 Expenditure
£
(1,447,945)
(16,259)
(38,334)
-
(92,995)
(17,726)
(22,495)
(47,011)
(31,000)
(14,000)
(50,000)
(78,000)
(407,820)
(1,855,765)		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
389,096
11,899
-
252,387
-
27,274
-
16,674
18,002
-
33,828
65,772
425,836
814,932

Page 52

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16. Statement of funds (continued)

Restricted funds comprise:

Arsenal Connect - A project supporting girls/young women of Islington in non-stigmatising group settings.

Brandon Connect - Islington - A project supporting young people in Islington to engage in education, employment or training who have been restricted from doing so due to mental health problems.

Capital reserve - As described in note 10 this fund equals the cost of the freehold property.

Capital Improvements - Grant funds were received to improve the premises environmental rating through the installation of double glazed windows.

Clinical Supervision - A project providing young people in Camden with clinical supervision, reflective practice, and consultation, with a qualified Clinical Psychologist.

Counselling and psychotherapy for young Islington residents - A psychotherapy service for 16 to 21 year olds based in Islington.

Counselling for 16 to 24 year olds with mental health problems - A mental health project that offers support to 16 to 24 year olds with mental health problems.

Psychotherapy for Young People from the LGBTQ+ Communit y - A psycotherapy service for 16 to 21 year olds from the LGBQT+ community.

Psychotherapy for Young People with Significant MH problems - A psycotherapy service for 16 to 21 year olds experiencing significant mental health difficulties.

Systemic Integrative Therapy - A project working with families of young people diseplaying a range of problematic behaviours with the aim of preventing these young pepple entering care.

Therapy Support for Young People with SH Problems – To support young people experienced difficulties with sexual health issues.

Mentoring for Young People - A project in collaboration with 3 youth hubs to provide girls identified as needing extra support with counselling and psychotherapy.

Page 53

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted
funds
2025
Restricted
funds
2025
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
333,337
-
Current assets
383,296
508,498
Creditors due within one year
(268,421)
-
Total
448,212
508,498
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
Unrestricted
funds
2024
Restricted
funds
2024
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
274,000
-
Current assets
464,625
425,836
Creditors due within one year
(349,529)
-
Total
389,096
425,836
18.
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities
2025
£
Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities)
141,778
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
16,265
Investment income
(12,914)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
(44,850)
Decrease in creditors
(81,110)
Net cash provided by operating activities
19,169		 Total
funds
2025
£
333,337
891,794
(268,421)
956,710
Total
funds
2024
£
274,000
890,461
(349,529)
814,932
2024
£
22,069
11,366
(8,768)
5,084
(2,462)
27,289

Page 54

BRANDON CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

19. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents		 2025
£
412,150
412,150		 2024
£
426,667
426,667

20. Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand
Liquid investments		 At 1 April
2024
£
426,667
320,000
746,667		 Cash flows
£
(14,517)
(29,000)
(43,517)		 At 31 March
2025
£
412,150
291,000
703,150

21. Pension commitments

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Charity to the fund in the year of £36,969 (2024: £36,760). Contributions totaling £8,107 (2024: £7,260) were payable to the scheme at the end of the period and are included in creditors.

22. Operating lease commitments

At 31 March 2025 the Charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:

2025 2024
£ £
Not later than 1 year - 757

23. Related party transactions

Other than disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements, there were no related party transactions requiring disclosure during the current or previous year.

Page 55