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2023-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023 SPARC Stockport Progress And Recovery Centre

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Welcome to our
Annual Report
2022 - 2023.
We would like
to thank
everyone
involved for
their
commitment
and
contributions
in supporting
our charity .
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A few words from our Chair:

It has been a good year for SPARC since the last AGM.

SPARC has resumed all its activities and groups, and the Centre is thriving and welcoming new members.

The Management Committee has supported Pete and Lynn in their efforts to make SPARC ready for the future, following the disruption caused by the pandemic.

I am honoured to have served as Chair of SPARC, but my thanks go to the Members, Staff, Volunteers and my Management Committee colleagues who work together to ensure that SPARC remains the most caring and supportive organisation within Stockport's Mental Health Community.

Andy Jones

CONTENTS

Page 4: Manager's report Page 34: Computer Courses Page 9: Impact Report Page 35: SPARC Café Page 10: SPARC4YoungAdults Page 37: InReach Sessions Page 12:SPARClers & Music Group Page 39: Counselling Service Page 13: Horizons Page 44 : Community Connections Page 14: Health Walks Page 48: Relaxation Page 15: SPARC4Wellbeing Page 49: Funding & Fundraising Page 19: SPARC4ME Page 52: Volunteering at SPARC Page20 : ABL - A Better Life Page 53: Member Comments Page 22: Gardening Group Page 57: Our SPARC Team Page 25: Women's' Group Page 58: THANK YOU Page 26: Football Group Page 30: Growing Together Project Page 32: Arts & Crafts

MANAGER’S REPORT

It’s been another eventful year at SPARC: we’ve been busier than ever with more new members and more new projects and groups than in the past.

Our newer projects - SPARC4Change and SPARC4YoungAdults - have bloomed this year. These two projects began at the end of last year and have since come to provide vibrant, busy and unique services.

SPARC4YoungAdults fills a gap in provision for people who are hugely underrepresented in the mental health system at the moment. Beth Jones, the Project Lead, has worked with young adults to create a safe space in which they can unashamedly be themselves, without judgment or feeling under pressure to do or be something that they are not. SPARC4YoungAdults provides opportunities to express feelings about the past and future, show vulnerability without fear, and - most importantly - have fun. We are proud to see SPARC4YoungAdults at the forefront of this provision by creating fertile ground where young people can grow in confidence and develop self-esteem.

SPARC4Change is probably the project that has transformed the most in the last year. Formerly SPARC4Healing Project Lead Ged Saundry has advanced the service towards more therapeutic and creative interventions that are constantly evolving and responding to the needs of both individuals and groups. SPARC4Change helps people to progress in a direction of their choosing with a clear aim of helping to improve their quality of life. SPARC4Change hosts several groups each week and is supported by one of our dedicated volunteers: Cathy Millward. SPARC4Change has taken a step forward - moving beyond a traditional, simplistic, view of mental and physical health in isolation and turning it into a more powerful and innovative approach. An approach in which therapeutic methods are used alongside key pillars of compassion, motivation and the understanding of human experience in order to help people identify and develop an aspect of their lives that they may not have been able to approach before.

SPARC4Change works closely with SPARC Counselling Service by co-producing two groups together. This is a clear example of the empowerment and care that our Counselling Service provides not only to the people that use the service, but to SPARC as a whole. With the guidance of our Counselling Service Coordinator David Richards, our therapists - Jenny Knowles, Ovanda Nicol and Paul Lake - work hard to provide 7 group workshops per week as well as providing truly bespoke 1:1 therapy to 58 people in the 12 months. SPARC’s Counselling Service is a unique provision in the community in that it allows therapists to practice within a safe and compassionate organisation that truly puts the therapeutic relationship at its heart. Therapists work with members together to create a course of therapy that works for them and benefits them the most. SPARC Counselling Service prides itself on extremely high professional standards whilst never sacrificing open-mindedness and empathy.

The last year has also seen a great expansion in the Greenspace work that we do and our links to other Greenspace Projects in Stockport. James Campbell has built up a network of like-minded organisations that can support, and be supported by, SPARC’s gardeners and environmentally minded members. We are happy to report that we now have links with The Landing in Merseyway, the Heaton Norris Peaceful Garden, The Olive Branch Woodland Garden in Shaw Heath, Grit Studios and the Women’s Institute Community Bee Garden. Alongside these projects James and Marc Murphy facilitate our Allotment Group in Whitehill every Wednesday. This session operates in a peaceful environment outside of the centre where members can literally see the fruits (and vegetables) of their labours. Special thanks go to The Good Gym, Pure Innovations and SPARC member Alan McCabe who have helped maintain the plot in the last year.

In addition to his Greenspace work in the community James Campbell, with the help of volunteer Karen Bamforth provides our weekly gardening sessions. It goes without saying that this group is talented and dedicated, our garden always looks beautiful and is a place where our members can go to have a quiet moment, especially in summer when everything is in full bloom. As well as helping out in our Gardening Group Karen Bamforth facilitates a weekly Relaxation session which allows people in the centre 45 minutes of calm; this is especially welcome on a Thursday as this has been one of our busier days in the last year.

Our Horizons group runs on Wednesday evenings and takes on a collaborative, light hearted atmosphere. This thriving group is a key part of many people’s week and, with the help of David Richards, Ken Hazeldene and Jim Whittaker; Horizons members have been able keep the group relevant with a variety of unique weekly activities.

Our Tai-Chi group, coordinated by Jim Whittaker, provides a point of stability and calm for people to engage in mindful, guided movement at the start of the week. During summer months Jim holds as many of these sessions outside as possible so that people can feel comfortable and experience a feeling of space and solace when they need it.

Our Women’s group has continued to be a staple of what SPARC provides to the community. Sue Heaps and Amanda McClenaghan support our members to create a safe environment that people can rely on, year in and year out. SPARC’s Women’s Group has long been one of our best attended activities with new members joining and coming back week after week to build friendships, share experiences and gain confidence. With the help of our members, we hope to expand on what we already provide so that the group can continue to develop around the people that use it. Like our Women’s Group SPARC’s Football Group is consistently well attended and populated by passionate, dedicated members. SPARC’s Football Group has gone from strength to strength over the years. This group shows the best of peer support though the compassionate and caring attitudes that the members have towards each other as well as their enjoyment of an activity that benefits their mental and physical health. Our Football group, with help of David Richard and Ged Saundry and the drive of SPARC’s Football Committee, has become a very independent and varied group offering more activities and sessions that are decided on by the Football Committee and the group themselves.

Creativity is a key part of expression and can be instrumental in helping people to feel confident in themselves and their place within our community. Our Art Group, facilitated by Marc Murphy, is a group that helps people to create in the way that they want to, with advice and guidance from Marc. Many members who attend this group find that they are able to create art in a way that works for them; with encouragement and understanding people often flourish. Our Creative Expression Group, facilitated by Rob Hart, forms one side of a link between SPARC and Stepping Hill Hospital. Rob helps people both in SPARC and on Arden Ward to become more comfortable with their own creativity through a multitude of creative paper crafting projects that vary in style and method each week. This far reaching group helps people who leave the ward to feel comfortable and welcomed when they refer into SPARC.

Another extremely popular session is our Singing For Fun group. Facilitated by Lynn Barrett, this is a weekly session where members can go to have fun and enjoy being in the moment. Over the year this group has prospered and grown in popularity showing the need for people to be able to express themselves in the way that they want.

Earlier in the year Lynn pioneered our Warm Spaces Sessions which took place twice a week between November and March. These sessions provided a warm meal and a place to socialise during the winter months of the cost of living crisis.

In addition to all of these amazing groups and activities we have also consistently provided Sunday Social and Sunday Lunch Sessions. Staffed by Chris Platt, Marc Murphy and Rob Hart these sessions enable the centre to open on the weekend to provide a place for people to come to enjoy a healthy meal and have a place to go when many other services are not available. This service can be crucial in helping people get through the weekend which can, at times, seem very daunting.

Due to the hard work of our Café Worker, John Carrington and our extremely enthusiastic café volunteers, we are able to open our Café to our members on 4 days a week. The Café has become a staple of our day-to-day provision and something that improves the experience of members, visitors and workers.

Without volunteers we would not be the successful charity that we are. Our volunteers give their time and skills to facilitate groups, provide a listening ear for members, facilitate and lead trips and support staff in a huge variety of ways. Over the last year we have benefitted from the generous contribution of 26 volunteers who allow us to keep running the vast array of groups and 1-1 services that we do. Volunteers help to make SPARC what it is. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gave their time and energy to SPARC in the last year and know that the work you do is essential and ever appreciated.

I would also like to thank Lynn Barrett who has, in addition to maintaining several key aspects of the Centre, been putting a huge amount of time into funding and fundraising in the last year. Lynn’s dedication to SPARC and insight into the mental health sector as a whole is invaluable; especially in such financially difficult times that we have experienced in the last 12 months.

Our Management Committee, Chaired by Andrew Jones, has continued to guide SPARC through some of the most economically tumultuous times in recent memory with integrity and pragmatism. Our Management Committee are all volunteers who serve SPARC with the same drive towards the continued flourishing of our charity. Thank you to all our Committee members for giving up your time, skills and intuition over the last 12 months.

Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank our members. SPARC’s members keep our charity relevant. It is their feedback and suggestions that we use to create groups and activities that are needed by our community. Our members constantly show the value of kindness and understanding. Despite their own troubles, past and present our members care for and look out for each other. At SPARC I am honoured to see how our members use healing, empathy and compassion to turn hardship into friendship, generosity and belonging.

Pete Sherry-Wooldridge, Manager.

SPARC Impact Report Stockport Progress And Recovery Centre provides enablement and recovery to people who live with severe and enduring mental health problems through social and therapeutic interventions. OVERALL The need for SPARC continues to grow with 15% more referrals. 10% fflore attendances and 20% more active service users compared to 2021-22. ACTIVITIES PER WEEK REFERRALS 380 18,600 33 170 ACTIVE SERVICE USERS ATTENDANCES 26 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTING 1900 HOURS OF THEIR TIME WHAT DO WE DO? In 2022123 there was a increase in demand for in-person 8roup work. However ihere is still siBnilic8ni need lor line and telephone support since covid. group work 444444 444444 14% remote support 44 MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES Outcomes and monitoring are key to understanding needs and successes. We conduct regular reviews with our service users through the year to measure our impact and to ensure we are providing the right service. Service users Say they have improved confidence and self esteem. 80% 820/0 70% Of service users say they have improved long term wellbeing in the last year. Of service users say they are better able to cope with their mental health.

SPARC4YOUNG ADULTS

My first year as Project Leader has brought a lot of excitement, and experimentation with group activities. It has been a great honour to have been trusted by all the people who continue to attend our various groups and workshops related to self-harm, confidence, communication and self-esteem. Some of these workshops sparked interesting discussions about how the mental health system needs reform, and how members feel mental health does not feel like a priority in wider society outside of SPARC.

Our “Cathartic Writing” group came to an end, allowing the Monday “Out and About” sessions to continue and flourish! We have visited Manchester Science and Industry Museum, Marple locks, and Etherow. Other activities have included: pottery painting, trampolining, a murder-mystery event, a Christmas party, yummy baking, cinema trips, and mini golf - with more to come! In our Friday “Social Hub” sessions we have focused on fun and relaxing activities such as biscuit decorating, wreath making, board games, and creating new year’s resolutions. Plans are being made for more social activities in the future including a film club.

In 2023, SPARC4Young Adults have made a wonderful achievement, having their very own published poetry collection. Ella Otomewo came into SPARC, towards the end of 2022, for a number of weeks to deliver some poetry workshops focused on personal identity, relationships and finding your own voice. Several of the poems produced were published in Stockport Voices, called “Formation: A Poetry Collection for Embarking on Young Adult Life”.

In February 2023, we began Yoga Workshops to explore relaxation, new skills and hobbies. Facilitated by Emma from Upward Frog, these gave people the confidence to explore what yoga has to offer. The sessions brought people together, and inspired people to try activities out of their comfort zone.

We have become part of Stockport Women and Girls Network - a collective across Stockport, focused on meeting the needs of local women. Inspired by this, and in keeping with SPARC’s Women’s Day, I have started a new Young Adult Women’s Group to provide a welcoming place for women to feel heard, and free to express themselves. Over time I hope to deliver a range of activities promoting awareness on topics including domestic abuse and self-worth. SPARC4Young Adults was nominated by Stockport Women and Girl’s Network for the Mental Health Champion Award 2023. Although we didn’t win, it is fantastic to be recognized alongside other nominees such as Pure Innovations and Viaduct Care.

Here’s to another year of SPARC4YA in which I will be expanding the therapeutic workshops, to provide more opportunities for the young adults to discuss their mental health, and life experiences in a safe space.

BETH JONES Young Adults Project Leader

Pictured right: Exercising our competitive sides, playing darts at The Light Cinema, Stockport.

Pictured below: hard at work brainstorming poetic creations.

Pitcured left: a well deserved break after a beautiful walk at Etherow Country Park.

Pictured right: Edible art! Friday afternoon biscuit decorating at the Social Hub.

The SPARCLERS!

SPARC now has a regular weekly singing group which we call ‘The Sparclers Choir’. This was set up last September with the initial help and support of the very lovely volunteer Sheila Gott who had been away for some time due to Covid restrictions and also ill health. With Sheila’s direction, expertise and encouragement we were able to bring together a small number of members to get us started. Together we decided on a number of themes and work on songs to meet those themes such as Halloween and Bonfire Night. This was just the start; since then we have had themes of Christmas, Valentines, Manchester and Musicals.

The sessions are intended to be ‘just good fun’. If we find that a chosen song is more difficult than we expected, we just choose another one that isn’t and work on that one instead. We love singing ‘a capella’. One of our regular favourites is ‘Scarborough Fair’, as is our warm up song ‘I like the flowers’ - the chorus to this song can often be heard around the centre all week long!

Our bright and breezy approach has encouraged people who were very nervous and apprehensive or thought they couldn't sing, to join in and we now have a regular group of around 8-9 people. All of our members are invited to join us. We meet every Thursday from 12:30 until 13.:0. So come along and give it a go.

Lynn Barrett, Deputy Manager

SPARC Music Group

We all know how valuable music is. And we know about the therapeutic powers it can bring to players, singers and listeners.

Since Covid we have, unfortunately, lost Kim who organised, taught and participated in our Music Group. That is why we have made the decision to re-start it as a Peer-Led activity. We are very lucky to have a number of talented members and, between we now organise and run our own sessions every Tuesday.

In the Music Room we have access to great facilities including:

There really is something for everyone and music to suit all tastes.

The Music Group is open to everyone - we always welcome new people, even if they say they just wan to come in and listen and enjoy the music. Who knows - 'just listening' might turn into 'joining in' and attending regularly. Because the Tuesday sessions are popular I am trying to persuade members to restart our Friday sessions too!

Why not come along?

Jennifer Loynes, Group Member

Horizons Group

Horizons is the longest running group at SPARC, and I am proud to say that through all these years it has preserved it ethos and traditions of openness, welcoming, compassion, safe place, consistency, warmth for all these years. Where lots of new groups have brought with them new ideas, new ways of working and generally tried to re-invent the wheel, I very much believe Horizons’ philosophy, its character, and its exceptional spirit is the very reason it works which is incredibly heart-warming to know.

Held every Wednesday evening from 7:00pm till 9:30pm at SPARC, Horizons is a social group for adults in the Stockport area who experience some form of mental health difficulty. The aim is to provide a friendly and supportive meeting place where people can make friends have fun and engage in therapeutic activities. We have our trusted weekly activities list which is regularly reviewed, renewed, and updated in consultation with our members. All the old favourite activities have been well supported, namely food nights along with old faithful’s such as the weekly favourite - bingo! - and quizzes never seem to age. In addition, to these we have introduced newer external activities which have gone down extremely well. Every now and then we hold special events that make us feel very honoured to know that our members take joy in celebrating their birthday with us at Horizons. This creates that “family feel” which make Horizons special. An extra benefit has happily crept in: we have seen members motivating, encouraging, and supporting each other to participate which is an evident sign of the power of Horizons and its core value of socialising.

Horizons’ members have stated that the reason for the continued popularity and success lie in its deeprooted values, standards, and ethics and putting its members firmly at the centre of what we do. That his format works is a testament to the basic human need for social contact. I believe this is due to the “no frills' - what you see is what you get” approach of this client centred group. In Horizons SPARC offers a space for people to meet, share and socialise. A place in which to feel safe, talk openly with no judgements. Horizons is, basically somewhere to off-load the world for a couple of hours. - a place in which people feel they belong.

Thanks go to my colleague-in-arms Ken Hazeldine for his support and co- facilitation over the years. I feel we complement each other and work well as a team and on that note, long may it continue.

Appreciation goes to Jim our dedicated volunteer. He is always on hand to support, comfort and offer help and advice as well as call bingo and help out where needed.

Last, but not least; thank you to all our Horizons members for making Horizons a special place for everyone to feel safe, welcomed and wanted.

David Richards Facilitator

Horizons Members enjoying a social evening of Ten Pin Bowling

Health Walks at SPARC

Walks on the Mild Side

It’s now generally accepted that walking, whether it be a gentle stroll or a yomp across the hills, is an accessible and easy way to improve one's health and wellbeing.

Our "Walks on the Mild Side" sessions see a gentle stroll take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1pm. The stroll takes in Hallam Mill Gardens, the Davenport shopping area and Cale Green Park before returning to SPARC. The Tuesday walk goes in a clockwise direction and, to add variety, the Friday walk is anti-clockwise. These walks last around 45 minutes. If the weather is nice we may stop in the park, have a sit down and watch the world go by for 5 minutes.

Numbers taking part vary according to the weather and as the walks go on all year round can range between 2 and 9. I’ve facilitated this walk with the support of SPARC volunteers Cathy Millward and Eddie Garry.

Walks on the Wild Side

While these more adventurous walks have been popular in the past, 2022-2023 has been a disappointing year due to lack of attendance and interest, which is a shame. We organised trips to The Roman Lakes, Bruntwood Park and the Marple & Romily Canal but these were not well attended - the highest number being 5 members.

If we don’t get a sufficient number signing up to express interest and then committing to turn up, our "Walks on the Wild Side" sessions become an unviable proposition. Given that we have to plan our routes and options for public transport., and arrange for two full-time staff to be out of SPARC to facilitate these activities, we will have to assess the practicality of continuing to offer these walks.

JAMES CAMPELL Activities Co-Ordinator & Senior Support Worker

SPARC4CHANGE

Sparc4Change focuses on providing therapeutic based intervention, to help achieve desired changes that members wish to make, which supports their wellbeing. Research has shown that physical, emotional and social health are all interdependent, which is why this project looks at wellbeing as a whole. For example, a change somebody wishes to make may be centred on their emotional wellbeing, but the knock on impact of this change may see improvements in their ability to maintain relationships and physical activity. Through Sparc4Change we provide a time limited programme of one-to-one intervention lasting 12-24 weeks, and three (moving to four) weekly group sessions. We are open to primary and secondary mental health referrals.

In our first eight months, we facilitated four independent workshops: Repairing Motivation, Practical Soothing, Communication Skills and Addictive Coping. Across the four workshops we had 87 attendances and received warming feedback. However, member feedback raised the point that the time limited element to the group workshops limited members’ ability to feel a sense of ‘togetherness’ within the group setting. As a result of this feedback we changed the model of group work to ongoing groups, where members could build group cohesion, and now operate a waiting list for new members wishing to join. Currently the project runs three groups per week: Dance and Movement, Relationships and, Expression for Depression. Addictive Coping will return as a fourth group on Tuesday afternoons during the summer of 2023.

As we approach the third year of the project, we aim to continue building on the foundation of sparc4change. Specifically, we are looking to further develop referral relationships with NHS primary care and most importantly, support the growth of SPARC’S core service and the members of the Stockport mental health community.

Dance and Movement group

Research shows that rhythmic movement significantly decreases anxiety and reduces risk of long term physical health issue development. This session aims to provide a safe environment in which members can move freely to the sound of basic rhythms and personalised music. I and my co-facilitator, Ovanda Nicol, wanted to provide a safe space for members to develop confidence in physical movement, awareness of physical and emotional strain, through the phenomena of dance and free movement. We are not dance teachers and there is no emphasis on dancing competency. The focus is in the other direction: creating a sense of freedom to move in whatever way that feels right, without the fear of judgement. We have had a total of 80 attendances so far, and have seen cases of increased mobility maintenance, and described improvements in physical and social confidence.

Relationships – Online Therapy Workshop (rotating topics)

Relationships are crucial to our state of wellbeing and, from research findings, are identified as the key factor in attaining ‘happiness’. Most of our trauma or highlighting experiences of life revolve around relationships. Understanding the importance of this theme for our members led us to develop a weekly workshop that focuses on the many and varied aspects of relationships. This group is held online, via Zoom, and is cofacilitated by Jenny Knowles and myself. Each week we explore different strands of life and experience that impact our ability to develop relationships. Points of focus have included Shame, Attachment, Conflict, social Anxiety, Loss, Happiness, and Compassion among others. So far we have had 100 attendances and continue to grow in outreach each week. We tend to rotate focus topics in line with member feedback

Expression 4 Depression

The verb "to depress" means to push down or lower in value. This is what is generally experienced in the phenomenon of depression. Within depression, sufferers can feel numb, emotionless, meaningless or a constant state of negative emotion. The verb "to express" means to show or reveal. Exploring these definitions of depression and expression, Cathy - my co facilitator - and I developed the idea of expression as a relieving response to depression because it is the human function to which helps us dissolve depression.

We appreciate that expression doesn’t just appear magically - a warm and safe environment must be present to encourage it - and we work every week to create this. We aim to offer a variety of expressive options for clients, including: talking, creative expression (drawing), narrative exercises and image probing. Image probing involves presenting a wide selection of words and images allowing clients to point and pick out whatever reflects how they feel. This process can be helpful because it uses less cognitive energy and usually bypasses depressive implications. So far we have had 90 attendances at our sessions.

Cathy Millwall [Co- Facilitator]:

When Ged first proposed the idea of running a new depression group called Expression for Depression I was very excited by the prospects and possibilities of what could be achieved, and was delighted to be a part of it. As a person that has suffered with depression on and off throughout my whole adult life, the idea of a group bringing together people from all walks of life to meet weekly and talk about their personal journeys, brought a lot of hope to me.

One of my main focuses for the group was not to be seen as trying to offer a ‘quick fix’ or make promises of being cured from depression, but instead to offer a safe, empathic environment for all where members are encouraged to discuss their feelings, their worries, their pain, their experiences and develop their own self-acceptance and self-discovery through their expression.

One of the worst feelings surrounding depression is the feeling of loneliness and isolation. Our group emphasises that, although each of us has our own different experiences, we are not alone - we have each other. This is a beautiful, unique, group and nothing brings me more happiness than seeing the members build relationships gradually with each other.

It has been amazing spending quality time with so many inspiring, brave and interesting individuals.

External and Community Work

Over the past 14 months Sparc4Change has developed referral pathways with the Primary Care Network, Secondary services, Community Mental Health and Early Intervention Teams, and community charities such as Pure Innovations and A Better Life (ABL). With over 2600 activity engagements seen with Sparc4Change members across the first year, from a community viewpoint we are focused on developing service engagement for our clients.

Depending on client need, due to the time bound nature of one-to-one change intervention, we often make referrals to internal and external services. This has involved physical activity referrals to BOOST Sports and Activity in Stockport, counselling referrals for clients who require extended and in-depth therapeutic support, and Youth Service referrals for clients who need social and community activity engagement.

[One-to-one] Integrative Change Intervention

One-to-one work uses an integrative psychotherapy approach towards developing client change. This involves integrating physical (practical), narrative, cognitive and relational tools for activating change. At the beginning of the intervention clients express a desired change they wish to see and all subsequent sessions are developed in order to allow the space for clients to attain that change. It is up to the client whether they want the change to be psychologically, physically (behavioural activity, substance intake or routine) or socially based. We follow the biopsychosocial model of human development. Understanding how our social relationships, psychology and biology (physiology) all impact each other is an important value of the Sparc4Change service.

With over 310 in person sessions and 100 telephone sessions, this part of the service has been very busy. As not all clients wish to engage in a weekly and focused form of intervention, we developed an ad-hoc service which allows clients to check in from time to time and book in sessions when needed. This part of the service has also been busy with 106 engagements.

Ged Saundry, Project Leader

SPARC4 WELLBEING

SPARC4CHANGE

DAnce & Movement

Workshop sessions have had 87 attendances in just 8 months.

Total attendances to end of March 2023:

80

RELATIONSHIPS WORKSHOPS

100 attendances

EXPRESSION4 DEPRESSION

90 attendances

INTEGRATE CHANGE INTEVENTION

EXTERNAL & COMMUNITY WORK

310 In-Person & 2600 engagements with the activities 100 Phone Sessions

SPARC4ME

Having been a part of the wonderful SPARC4ME bespoke package of support for three years, I have seen first-hand how giving people much needed one to one attention and support has created an environment for the person to, using horticultural language, grow, bloom and blossom. Through SPARC4ME we aim to tailor a holistic package that will meet the needs and wants of each member based around their world. At the forefront of this package, we offer enablement, recovery, autonomy, and tools to work towards independence.

Assessments are completed to identify needs and potential benefits; allowing us to allocate workers, organise work sheets, customer packs, and meet health and safety requirements. The range of support provided will be based on the needs of the individual as identified by the service users, their carers, and key workers. Services offered will be designed to meet the specific outcomes of each individual to enable them to lead a fulfilling life and role within the community based on their own hopes, dreams and wishes. A sample range of support activities might include:

Process

Risk assessments completed to support the interventions.

Feedback

I love our days out, we get to go to some great places. [JB]

David Richards

ABL Men’s Health Group

SPARC's link up with A Better Life - ABL - continued with another programme of the regular group sessions during the middle part of the year which were open to men only, and as always these proved popular. Another series of sessions took place later in the year which were available to men and women as a mixed group, together with new one-to-one drop in sessions. Steven Greason [an Assistant Project Lead in Weight Management] led the sessions which started well enough but it became apparent that the 1:1 sessions were proving more popular than the group Session, the attendance of which became poor to the point of it being unviable.

We made the decision to cancel the group session and put all Steven’s efforts into the one-to-ones and these continued to go well. After a bit of jigging around with the timings of these, we arrived at a point were Steven would start his 1;1 sessions at Noon, support me on the health walk from 13:00 – 14:00 and then resume his sessions.

Once the new arrangement was in place it worked really well with regular and occasional attendees dropping by for health advice which covered exercise, healthy lifestyle, diet, BMI checks and weigh-ins. Steven also informed the attendees of health related events as he did various sessions at Life Leisure in Brinnington.

The SPARC/ABL link up has proved to be very good for those of our members who want to improve their physical health as many studies have shown a link between physical health and mental wellbeing.

James Campbell. Activities Co-ordinator & Senior Support Worker

A busy Men's Health session

Clients waiting for their 12 week measures

ABL Health and SPARC

ABL health and SPARC have a long-term partnership which started more than two years ago when we set up a group specifically for men to take a more active role in understanding their health and nutrition and lose weight during the process.

The first Men’s Health Group ran for 12 weeks and was very successful – by the end of the initial course all men who attended had changed at least one measurement [weight, waist size, Blood Pressure or general fitness levels] and were taking a more active responsibility for their health. As most of the men lived alone they enjoyed attending the sessions as a group also gaining new friends along the way to help with isolation and a number began to regularly attend the walking sessions offered by SPARC. The weight loss they achieved gave them a strong sense of accomplishment and they looked forward to attending the group every Friday. By being part of this group they have gained in self-confidence and some have taken part in exercise sessions run by ABL at Brinnington Life Leisure.

Building on the success of the Men’s Health Group we decided to develop a mixed group. This group was attended by 11 people and ran for 9 weeks. At the end of these sessions 8 of the 11 attendees had achieved weight loss.

At this stage James and I reviewed and evaluated the partnership, looking at ways in which we could increase engagement among SPARC members. We decided to trial the delivery of bespoke 1:1 sessions built around a health walk as a way of encouraging members to be more active. This is been a great success. Since it began we have managed to engage more clients than before and been able to support clients from previous groups to achieve meaningful weight loss.

As a direct outcome from these sessions both men and women have attended the Walking football sessions in partnership with Stockport Community Foundation and feel more confident in taking part in activities external to SPARC and report that they feel they are living happier and healthier lives. In summary, the total number of SPARC members who have benefitted form this partnership is 24. Of this number:

This partnership between SPARC and ABL continues to grow and together we hope to inspire more and more members to begin to take a more active role in managing their health.

Steven Greason Assistant Project Lead in Weight Management, ABL

Social and Therapeutic Horticulture [Gardening Group]

The year has seen lots of changes in the garden and lots of plans made for how the gardening group will develop.

2022/23 in the garden saw demolition and reconstruction in equal measure as one of our members, Alan McCabe, utilised his building skills in upgrading the garden buildings. The garden has 2 sheds, one of which was in a dilapidated condition and on the verge of collapse. Alan demolished this and recycled much of it to build a platform which, when complete, formed the floor of the other shed which was moved onto it. Due to the demolition this rebuilding we have been able to move the remaining shed into a more accessible position. Inspired by this success, Alan then turned his attention to the garden shelter. The new design is such an improvement and should last many years. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for all his hard work which was a huge undertaking.

Whilst all this work was going on, the day-to-day practicalities of facilitating the group sessions continued and in this I was again supported by SPARC volunteer Karen Bamforth as we sowed vegetable and salad seedlings in the Kitchen Garden, which was first laid out 11 years ago and has become a good source of produce for use in SPARC's Café.

Karen also organised a trip into Manchester enabling us to see the amazing work done at Mayfield Park near Piccadilly Station. This is a great piece of urban regeneration which has seen meadowland created around a stretch of the newly exposed river Medlock which had been culverted since the 19th Century. A great day out was had and we went on to explore other green space sites in and around the City centre. You can read more about this in Karen's piece. The trip was so successful and enjoyable, as it was good to be out and about checking what is happening in the wider world and have a change of scene, that we’ll have to build such trips into the gardening year .

My thanks go to Karen Bamforth for supporting me - her suggestions and fresh insights have been very much appreciated. Thanks also go to Steve Elliot who, though not a gardening participant, makes sure that the garden and poly tunnel are kept watered throughout the week.

James Campbell, Activities Co-Ordinator & Senior Support Worker

Social and Therapeutic Horticulture [Gardening Group]

Sowing salad for use in the Café

Alan and the new Garden Shelter at SPARC

Members of the Gardening Group on their visit to Mayfield Park

Volunteering in the Social and Therapeutic Gardening Session

I have been a volunteer in the Social and Therapeutic Gardening Session for over 2 years. During this time I have come to appreciate how gardening in green spaces is so important for mental and physical health. I retired from my job as a Support Worker in 2020 and initially I struggled to adjust to a new way of life. Volunteering at SPARC has helped to keep me motivated and has enabled me to maintain the skills that I have learnt throughout my career.

All our regular members say that they find the SPARC garden a safe and welcoming space, and a number have told me that they find it easier to talk about their own mental health issues while gardening.

In addition to maintaining the garden and planting vegetables for use in our café, I suggested that we start a cutting garden. My intention is that, hopefully, we will attract more members to participate in the session, especially those who are interested in flower arranging which can be both therapeutic and creative.

I also suggested, and helped to organise, a trip to Manchester city centre to visit some new Urban Gardens. We visited Mayfield Park, the small urban garden at Kampus and the Cathedral Gardens. Those who attended commented on how interesting it was to see how gardens can thrive among the new buildings in Manchester. We hope to have more garden visits in the coming year.

Karen Bamforth, Volunteer

Women’s Group

This group runs every Wednesday, providing a safe environment for women only.

Looking back over the past year and with all remaining Covid restrictions now lifted it has been nice to see the return of many old faces and some new ones too.

We have been able to re-introduce the ever popular Prize Bingo which is always very well attended and helps me brush up on my bingo calling skills! It was also great to resume our outings by taking a trip with the ever popular New Horizons boat, run by Stockport Canal Boat Trust, from Marple to Poynton including a nice lunch at the Miners Arms in Poynton - this was a lovely way to spend a summers day with our ladies.

Birthdays are always exciting events within the Women’s Group as regular members rally around and provide lovely gifts and flowers and always a scrumptious cake for the Birthday Girls.

December is always a busy month for us from an Xmas party at the Centre which includes lots of fantastic raffle prizes and a buffet as well as going out with the ladies to their favourite public house for a Christmas Carvery Lunch complete with crackers, jokes and wearing silly hats for a few hours.

In February 2023 we met with Maria Smallwood who was doing a skipping challenge throughout to raise monies for Cancer Research UK. Maria was visiting different locations each day in order to do 100 skips each time. I can categorically tell you this is blooming hard - I only managed no more than five on each attempt. Several of the ladies also enjoyed having a go and a very generously donated £30.00 to Maria.

Peer support has always played a vital part in this group and many friendships have been formed that have grown allowing the ladies to enjoyed theatre trips, shopping and lunches together away from the Centre

Lastly, but certainly not least, a very huge thanks to Scottie Anne for all her many years serving as a volunteer within Women’s Group.

Amanda McClenaghan and Sue Heaps, Support Workers

Football Group

It’s been quite a journey for SPARC’s football group since its beginnings 20 years ago; and now it is one of the most successful groups at SPARC! I'm proud to say that its mind-blowing evolution over the last 10 years has been driven by the commitment, compassion, teamwork, and friendships of the members.

I am sure you are aware of the power of physical activity and the positive results it can have on promoting mental wellbeing. It is scientifically proven that exercise is not only good for the body but is healthy for the mind and this is illustrated by many of our members who play on Fridays who have stated that the football group is beneficial to their wellbeing. This stimulus has helped build their confidence, communication, and social skills. The physical exercise helps free the mind from stress, anxiety, and other worries for a few hours. We play with an element of competitiveness and friendliness with the emphasis on friendly.

All of our games are played between members of SPARC - you must be a member to play. We meet every Friday, at Brinnington Park Leisure Complex for a 2:00pm kick off. The games encourage fitness, team play, interaction skills, and tactical improvement. The players enjoy the sessions, stating that their physical and mental health have both benefitted along with the development of friendships, camaraderie, and social activity.

Giving praise where it is due, the commitment to and drive for this group and the game is magnificent. Members turn up every week, regardless of the weather - you'd be surprised how often it rains on a Friday - giving their all. As a facilitator I can see how your support and encouragement for each other has grown and the continuing benefits of this. You have created a bond and know how to bring out the best in each other. I have witnessed your empathy and compassion towards each other especially those who feel not as good or able as others, you guys instinctively know how to promote empowerment, which is an exceptional skill.

Our trophies: proof that teamwork, persistence & peer support can make champions of us all.

Football Committee

Having facilitated the football group for a number of years, I have directly witnessed progression and advancement in countless ways. But I must say that the standout development for me has been the creation of SPARC Football Committee. It is an outstanding moment in the football group’s history and a personal wish that came true. The committee is a service user led group that is ran by a small number of the football players for the benefit of football group. They are a constituted group with a Chair person, Vice Chair, Secretary and a Treasurer meaning that they manage their own finances and bank account. Since the Committee was formed they have negotiated with likeminded businesses and organisations with great success and have raised several thousands of pounds. Our committee members are a dedicated and committed group with a shared vision.

Ability Counts

The Cheshire Ability Counts League, created by the Cheshire FA, is a one league structure providing opportunities for Under 12s, under 16s and adult[16 and above] male and female teams. Ability Counts focuses on people with pan disabilities such as sensory, physical, mental ill-health and neurological impairment and/or disability as well as sign communicators to get involved in playing football. The divisions are run on a round robin basis, for 6-a-side squad.

Since 2017 SPARC United has been playing in the league, with SPARC FC entering into the East Cheshire Ability Counts League. I am very proud to announce SPARC United have won it every season. We entered again last year, starting on the 7th October 2022, with the fixtures being played more or less on a monthly basis, and we are hoping to maintain our 100% success rate.

Both of our fantastic teams showing off their new kits at the Cheshire FA’s Ability Counts Tournament

SPARC’s Two Teams

The football group has grown large enough for the players to create and name two teams: SPARC United and SPARC FC. Both teams have entered and won several tournaments. The football committee raised funds to purchase bespoke football kits. The players have bespoke kits - purchased using money raised by the Committee - and, quite rightly, wear them with pride!

Kick It Out

Etihad Stadium Tour

On 21st October 2022 we had been granted, with the help of our fabulous Patron Paul Lake, the opportunity to visit and tour the famous home of Manchester City: the Etihad Stadium. We have some Manchester United fans who came and showed great “restraint” ha ha! Everyone really enjoyed the day .

Well-Being Event

After successfully winning a fundraising bid from Sector 3, Stockport Local Fund, the Football Committee created SPARC’s first ever Football Event: SPARC’s Well-Being & Social Inclusion Friendly Football Event which took place at Stockport Power League on Thursday 22nd September 2022. The emphasis for this event was Well-Being and Social Inclusion. The event had three elements: Showcasing, Networking and a Football Competition.

This Showcase gave an opportunity for all locally based social care related organisations, charities, groups, and societies to help form a “Network event” at which everyone to share their expertise and promote what they do with a view to offering their services, while also sharing their love of football. Our key aims were to:

The event was a huge success which ended on a high for our SPARC lads as they won premiership trophy and a team made up of patients on Arden ward at Stepping Hills Hospital’s mental health unit won the Championship trophy.

Thank-You

Thank you to all the volunteers whose dedicated support for this group has been as always outstanding! Huge thanks go to our number one volunteer James ‘Bambi’ Bamgbose whose unfailing motivation, enthusiasm, and drive to develop people’s passion for football and get out of them the best is simply exceptional! Also, to Mark Issacs and Steven Delahunt for their enthusiasm and investment in the group.

Wholehearted thanks go to Paul Lake, Manchester City Hall of Famer and SPARC Therapist, whose help and dedication has provided great networking avenues for the committee and helped us develop a link between SPARC Football Committee and Manchester City business partners.

Thank you to all the guys on the SPARC Football Committee for their hard work and dedication. For their unfailing work ethic, vision, and overall general support; “onwards and upwards!”

Thank you to Brinnington Life Leisure for the use of their Astro turf pitch and making us feel welcome. Their staff team are great and very helpful.

Lastly, to my co-facilitator Ged. His skills and knowledge are a magnificent asset to the football group. The way in which he has embraced our ethos which runs through his practice: he understands how our members may struggle with daily management of their mental ill-health, and yet he sees and appreciates the person behind the illness. I could not ask for a better co-facilitator!

On a personal note: no other SPARC group has given me more job satisfaction or has taught me the value of peer support and comradery than this football group. All the guys know my personal history and relationship with football; which has now completely changed and I honestly could not be prouder and more honoured to facilitate this group.

David Richards, Facilitator

SPARC Football Group in the changing room during our Etihad visit

The Growing Together Project at Plot 50, Whitehill Allotments

The 2022-23 season at Plot 50 saw lots of changes with arrivals, departures, demolition and reconstruction. Pure Innovations joined us and have taken on the job of cultivating the bottom half of the plot. The Pure session – known as The Nurture Group - takes place on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 15:00, and, like SPARC’s Wednesday session from 12:00-14:00, it provides time for the growing of crops such as salads, beans, carrots and potatoes. Alongside the practical and growing aspects of the sessions both SPARC and Pure offer a chance for people to socialise in the fresh air and benefit from being on a beautiful, peaceful site. All sessions are relaxed and encourage social contact and a supportive atmosphere. This has been aided by Pure providing a gas ring and a kettle, so that everyone can now enjoy a brew with their lunch.

It was very sad when we learned that, due to the project coming to an end, Man About A Dog would be giving up their section of the plot. Rachel and Chris had shared the top half of the plot with SPARC, and were dab hands at growing and cultivating courgettes and sweetcorn. They, and their green fingers, will be sorely missed. With the loss of Man About A Dog, SPARC now cultivates the entire top half of Plot 50.

SPARC’s Wednesday sessions see attendances ranging from 3 to 7 people and all the produce is available for members to take home if they wish to, otherwise produce is taken back for use in SPARC’s café. The sessions, due to their very nature, are weather dependent and some tasks [such as seed sowing] can be done at a table in the shed if the weather is bad. The space in the shed is limited and as it’s attached to the greenhouse it’s not ideal if it has to accommodate a large number of people.

A solution to this limited space came about when Alan McCabe, who has a background in building, suggested re-organising some of the workspace to reduce clutter in the shed as well as removing a dividing step between the shed and greenhouse which has always been an obstacle. During this process Alan found that the condition of the shed was poor, with the structure suffering from rot. Its condition was so bad that there was the possibility that during a winter storm the shed could collapse taking the attached greenhouse with it. At the end of the growing season in October, Alan stripped the shed down to its framework, secured it and then re-clad it. As an added bonus a clear plastic roof was added so the interior now blends seamlessly into the greenhouse, making it light filled, airy and generally more welcoming. It’s a great piece of work and because the floor space is open with no obstacles it has changed the use of the shed as many more people can access it if the weather is bad. This timing of these improvements and renovations was fortuitously because if the shed and greenhouse had collapsed it would have been near impossible to fund any rebuild and possibly sessions at Plot 50 would have had to cease.

Many thanks to Alan for taking on this project with took many weeks and much effort on his part to complete. Alan has also done some rebuilding at SPARC which is detailed in the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture report.

James Campbell Activities Co-Ordinator and Senior Support Worker

The Growing Together Project at Plot 50, Whitehill Allotments

ARTS and CRAFTS at SPARC

SPARC ART GROUP

It has been another great year for the art group.

Our Monday sessions have been very well attended and members have achieved a good standard of work. Because numbers attending are limited by the size of the room I am able to spend time with individuals developing their skills and offering one-to-one input and support. This means that many of those who attend have improved and are able to work with less input from me as facilitator.

It is our ongoing aim to provide a peaceful and supportive atmosphere in which our members can create artworks and develop their skills and confidence. in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. As a facilitator I continue to strive to meet the needs of individuals with a warm, caring and friendly approach. As a result of the success we have seen in our Monday sessions, we are exploring the possibility of offering a second session that would run on a Friday. This would allow those who regularly attend the art group more time to get creative and give more opportunities for even more members to join us and take time to develop their skills.

In her article "How Creativity Positively Impacts Your Health", for verywellmind.com, Barbara Field says, "Creativity helps us perceive the world in new and different ways. It helps us create works of beauty, problem solve, and refresh our bodies and our minds." In our sessions we accept the evidence from a growing body of research that activities like drawing and painting can relieve stress and depression as well as developing new skills and increasing self-confidence. Why not come and join us?

Marc Murphy

ARTS and CRAFTS at SPARC

The Crafty Crew at SPARC

This long running group has continued to meet each week at SPARC and our long time motto, "You can do it: try!” is still our mantra.

We create paper based art projects including greeting cards. home décor items and gifts.

The groups have, out of necessity, become smaller but are in the main well attended. Our participants enjoy practicing their basic paper crafting creative techniques and are often given tutorials where they can watch demonstrations of more difficult techniques carried out by the facilitator. These demos have proved popular over the past few months and are enjoyed as a social and educational event.

The Crafty Crew has forged a strong link with the work that SPARC does as part for the Inreach Programme at Stepping Hill Hospital, with new referrals from the hospital often remembering the groups at the hospital and opting to join the Crew.

Remember our motto: YOU CAN DO IT: TRY! can be applied to all aspects of your life.

Robert Hart

Computer Courses at SPARC

In October 2005 I began teaching computer courses in the SPARC Computer Room - and it have enjoyed my involvement in this project over the years.

For the first six years [or so] I was leading the Tuesday sessions as 'outreach teaching' on as a lecturer from Stockport College, then I enrolled with SPARC as a volunteer. In 2019 the course switched to Thursdays. Organising the courses on the 'College pattern' - offering one course per college term - was effective and seemed to work well for those attending the sessions. Many of my students re-enrolled for two or more courses - although I think the record is eight - spread over several years!

The main aim for the courses was to ensure that students would gain confidence in order to make better use of computers, but also that they should enjoy the experience of learning and practicing new skills. Our courses cover a range of skills t from basic introductions to the use of mouse and keyboard through to more advanced applications such as use of spreadsheets, file management and desktop publishing packages. Working at SPARC allowed the luxury being able to ensure that each student followed their own individual learning plan and made progress at their own pace.

Over the last couple of years, demand for these courses has decreased considerably. Now it is very difficult to find enough SPARC members who want a course, could benefit from them, and can commit to attending the sessions. As the 2022/2023 SPARC year drew to a close, we struggled to find people for the upcoming 2023 summer-term course. Sadly, the feasibility of running further courses beyond that looks doubtful. Of course, I am not getting any younger, and as computers have developed the nature of personal computing has evolved radically since 2005 - meaning that new people with new ideas are needed to ensure that any future course offered will be fully relevant to the needs of SPARC members.

I would like to thank the wonderful team at SPARC who have given me encouragement, assistance, and considerable support running these courses during the past eighteen years. It’s been fun!

Phil Hounsell Course Teacher

SPARC Café

Since I took over the running of SPARC Café we’ve seen some big increases in the cost of basics like food and utility bills, but with some careful budgeting we’ve managed to keep our menu varied and – more importantly – keep our prices very reasonable! A big part of what we do is designed to keep the Café selffunding: all the money that our customers put into our till is spent on the ingredients we use to make our meals.

We provide home cooked food alongside snacks and brews, all served in a welcoming and accessible space. Everything on the menu, from toast and toasties to omelettes and full breakfasts, is prepared fresh when it is ordered and our customers seem to enjoy what we make. I work in the kitchen every day and have support from Dean on Tuesdays. He is working well and together we can keep the hungry crowds well fed. And I do mean crowds – on average we serve around 60 meals every week!

Over my time here a good relationship between the Café and the Gardening Group has developed. We have worked with them to select seeds that can be planted and grown to produce ingredients such as lettuce that we can use in the kitchen.

In addition to the usual items on the menu, we provide a daily Special. These are prepared and cooked by my wife Janis. Janis makes sure that there is plenty of variety in these dishes – in Summer she provides delicious Ploughman’s Lunches as well as Chicken Curries, Sweet and Sour meals, Fish dishes, Cottage or Shepherd’s Pies, . These Specials are produced in limited numbers so that they are always fresh and, at £3.00, are a real bargain in terms of portion size and quality. If we know a particular meal is going down well, Janis will sometimes prepare extra meals to put in the freezer so that members can buy it to take home and enjoy later. Because they are limited in number they do sell out quickly – so you do need to be quick to enjoy them!

I have a team of members who volunteer to work as ‘front of house’ and keep everything running smoothly. Their roles include talking to customers, taking orders, dealing with payments and change, making brews as well as serving meals and clearing tables. So, I want to say a big thank you to Caroline, Chris, Dean, Hazel, Jan, Mark, Paul and Robert who give their time and work hard to keep the customers satisfied. We’re all parts of a machine – and by working together we makes sure that everything runs smoothly.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been running the café for more than a year now – around 15 months in total – and I’m looking forward to working to continue building a successful venture that allows SPARC members to develop skills, increase their self-confidence and play their part in contributing to the business side of things.

John Carrington

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Cafe
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You reap what you sow! SPARC Garden Group supports the Café by growing fresh produce that we can use in our meals.

Everybody on the SPARC Café team works hard to keep the customer satisfied.

Cafe

SPARC InReach Sessions

Runnymede Court Table top Gardeners

This session dates back to the Peoples Health Trust, Natural Progressions project from 2014/15 which saw me tasked with setting up community green space projects within local postcode areas. Current sessions runs fortnightly on Thursdays from 15:00 – 16:00.

Runnymede court is a Great Places Extra Care Housing Scheme which is a residential block of flats with a communal lounge. The scheme provides some social activities into which my gardening session fits . Initially, whilst being funded by the Peoples Health Trust I had more prep time to run the session there as a proper gardening session in which we grew things from seed. Due to the age and health of the participants which precluded them from doing heavy outdoor work, all the seed sowing and potting was done at a table in the lounge and so the ‘Table Top Gardeners’ were born. I created a large bed outside in the garden and, when they were big enough, transplanted flowers and salad crops there.

When the Natural Progressions funding ended it looked as though the sessions were going to have to finish. However, because the participants at Runnymede found the sessions rewarding and the staff saw how much participants looked forward to it, an arrangement was reached where SPARC would allow me to continue the sessions if the participants were willing to pay £5 per person per session to cover costs of resources and my time.

Over the years the group has evolved, due to lack of prep time to set up potting and sowing, into a flower arranging session with the participants creating displays to decorate the lounge Everyone, myself included, enjoys the sessions because of the strong social aspect involved - that and the fact that we always have a brew and biscuits [or cakes] when the flowers have been arranged.

James Campbell. Activities Co-ordinator & Senior Support Worker

SPARC InReach Sessions

InReach at Stepping Hill Hospital

During the past 12months we have continued to visit Stepping Hill Hospital to facilitate art and craft sessions on the wards of the Mental Health Unit. This relationship has been developed over some 9 years and continues to create a very strong bond between SPARC and the Mental Health Unit, resulting in continual referrals from the hospital.

On two mornings each week we visit the units and aim to provide therapeutic art sessions engaging the patients in a creative activity which explores both artistic ability and dexterity. All of the planned activities aim to give the participants a sense of achievement by making the projects suitable for most levels of artistic ability. We also encourage good social interaction between the patients and staff, breaking down the barriers that may be present on the ward. At present these groups are only provided on Norbury Ward, with the female patients, however there still remains a good relationship with the staff on Arden Ward, as well as Norbury Ward.

The groups focus on themes which are designed to coincide with landmark occasions and events during the year, such as Christmas and Easter, International Women's Day, Black History Month, Pride Festivals and international celebrations such as Holi.

We hope this valuable service will continue into the future.

Robert Hart

What is Counselling?

Counselling encourages and allows people to discuss their problems or issues and any difficult feelings they encounter in a safe, confidential environment. The term can mean different things to different people, but in general it is a process people seek when they want to change something in their lives or simply explore their thoughts and feelings in more depth. A Counsellor or Therapist is not there to sit you down and tell you what to do. Instead they will encourage you to talk about what's bothering you in order to uncover any root causes and identify your specific ways of thinking. The Counsellor or Therapist may then look to create a plan of action to either help you reconcile your issues or help you to find ways of coping.

What makes SPARC’s Counselling Service unique?

The Counselling Service provided through has flexibility – we do not offer a “one size fits all” approach! We aim to adapt and tailor the process used so that it can meet the needs and demands of our clients as individuals. Unlike the NHS bodies and Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service who offer a fixed number of therapy sessions; service users accessing SPARC’s Counselling service are initially given a set number of sessions which are then negotiated with the Therapist and tailored to their needs allowing an unspecified number of sessions. We at SPARC have found this flexible approach a positive way of fostering hope and empowering marginalised clients whose needs might otherwise not be met due to limited-service provision both locally and nationally.

Clients often come with complex symptoms and multiple diagnoses; our team consists of specialist Therapists, allowing us to refer clients to the most appropriate Therapist for their needs. This has proven effective so far when working with clients with more complex mental health presentation where accessing talking treatments is notoriously poor e.g., schizophrenia, bi-polar and personality disorders.

Towards the end of a course of therapy, we can (with the full consent of the client) invite a friend or key worker to join the session so that the key worker or friend can use information gained to continue the support element of therapy.

David Richards, oversees Counselling Provision here at SPARC

SPARC’s Counselling Service

Since 2016 SPARC’s Counselling Service has provided a physically and emotionally safe place where the people we work with are valued, listened to, and understood! Through SPARC Counselling I have the privilege of working with four wonderful Therapists who have brought their skills, knowledge, and talents into SPARC. Through their compassion and integrity and their genuine desire to help, they are encouraging and enabling people to achieve their goals and self-fulfilment.

Our Therapists endeavour to take a holistic approach in order to best serve and support our clients as they work towards making the necessary change they are aiming for. In order to achieve this our team work hard to keep their skills and knowledge of models and theories fresh and up to date so that they can be sure that the root cause of problems or distress to be attended to.

We pride ourselves on being an evolving provision - constantly adapting and changing to the ever-growing needs and demands of each individual we work with. Our Therapists are there on this personal journey with their clients: throughout the counselling process they see, feel and experience the growth and changes alongside the client they are working with. In order to achieve this we offer individualised face to face therapy, as well as online and telephone session and consultations. Additionally, we run in house and online workshops based on the demands of our clients. These workshops run weekly throughout the year and have included topics including, but not limited to: Hearing Voices, Exploring Relationships, Dance & Movement, Creative Writing, Exploring Emotions and Loss/Grief.

Every week we work with an average client group of 15 people all of whom present with a wide range of issues, problems, concerns, and matters. We work towards long lasting selfsufficiency and change, because we know that the is no such thing as “a quick fix”.

Here at SPARC Over the year 2022 -2023 we provide 58 people were helped 7 Therapy through our Workshops 1:1 Counselling Provision every week

SPARC’s Counselling Service

Our Referral Process

You can request referral forms for this service through SPARC. Once completed they are to be returned to the Counselling Co-ordinator. Your information will be entered into our database, in compliance with GDPR, and you will then then be placed on our waiting list. Once a Therapist becomes available, they will conduct an initial assessment to determine suitability. Once you have been assessed and it is agreed that treatment is viable you will be offered therapy.

Let’s hear from our wonderful Therapists

Jenny:

SPARC's Therapists work with people who have a very wide range of issues affecting their mental health, and I'm increasingly learning that at the heart of such diverse difficulties is shame and lack of compassion for self that limits connections with others. Having 1:1 therapy alongside the offer of therapy/healing groups works really well. The more I do this job, the more I feel it's all about connecting with others so it's brilliant having a vehicle for developing and healing attachments. I'm extremely proud to be part of a counselling team which provides sensitivity, empathy, and compassion for all who come into contact with our service.

Ovanda:

I’m acutely aware the majority of clients who access SPARC’s counselling service are diagnosed with multiple and complex biological and psychological issues. Working with SPARC over the last few years has allowed me to identify that many clients’s daily life challenges are due to their developmental trauma. It’s safe to say that, current medical models do not focus their support in this area. I’m committed to further develop my trauma informed practice. I feel proud to continuously apply my blend of East and West holistic approaches to meet client and service demands. It was such a rewarding experience to hear my client reports back, that, they no longer access any emergency services because they know they’ve got the skills, knowledge and confidence to manage their daily trials and tribulations.

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Ovanda [left]
&
Jenny [right]
pictured in our
Therapy Room
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SPARC’s Counselling Service

Paul:

Stockport Progress and Recover Centre is a truly unique, holistic, and dynamic place to work. All the staff who work at SPARC are trustworthy, dependable, and extremely motivated, which amplifies the caring attitude, which is palpable as you walk through the building.

The therapy team are both conscientious and creative, and implement a myriad of techniques across one-to-one and group sessions. The Centre is a safe space for members to receive therapy, either within the therapy room, or alternatively, in the ‘therapy shed’. The psychotherapeutic counselling provided at SPARC ensures that all members have access to the relevant support, information, and guidance they require – in a timely fashion.

Diana:

I first heard about SPARC through working for the Community Mental Health Team. I knew it straightway that this place if full of people with passion, compassion, and readiness to help others. It was a huge privilege to join the Counselling team as a Trainee Counsellor and to be able to expand my skills and knowledge in such a supportive environment.

Although the work we do at SPARC challenges us every day due to the complexity of our client group, seeing the positive results makes it very rewarding. What I like the most about SPARC’s Counselling Service is that the base of all our work is person-centred – we see every single person as an individual and we take as much time as is needed to fully understand and help the client. Also, the smell of wood in a Therapy Cabin works its magic.

Paul [left] & Diana [right] pictured at our Therapy Cabin

SPARC’s Counselling Service

Who is our service for?

We aim to support all organisations who work with people who are, or have at some point in their lives been, in secondary mental health service. This includes, but is not limited to: Community Mental Health Team, Early Intervention Team, Recovery and Inclusion Team, Psychology Department, or other secondary mental health services [for example: Inpatients, Consultants, Supported Living Teams, Home Treatment Team etc, including people at point of discharge or on fast track from secondary services], clients of Pure Innovations, Horizons, Stockport & District Mind, and their groups such as Rendezvous & Thursday at One.

The range of topics, issues, problems, and concerns we cover is wide, complex, and far reaching. Due to our service being open to multiple models, we can offer support with a variety of experiences such as: anger, abuse, addictions/substance abuse, anxiety and panic attacks, behaviour (changing), bereavement and loss, depression, domestic violence, eating disorders, family issues, ill health/long term sickness, mental ill health, obsessive compulsive disorder and similar, panic, phobia, relationship issues/breakdown, self-esteem issues/low self-esteem, sexual issues, sleep issues, stress, suicide/self-harm, trauma, post-trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and work related issues.

We are very excited to be dipping our toes into a new venture based around “Exploring Spirituality.” This group has been created in response to comments made by clients who have raised the idea that, at present, there is no place in which they can talk about spirituality or similar topics and that these topics have been disregarded by psychiatrists.

Partnership Working

Stockport Age UK has identified that hoarding has been an issue within Stockport and the wider community for some considerable time. In response we have jointly created a “De-Clutterers Group.” Its aim is to tackle the psychological effects of hoarding. It is hoped that, in the near future, we can develop and grow this service further and accept referrals from Carers and other services. I would like to thank Sarah and Hazel from Stockport Age UK for their hard work and dedication to this project along with Annalisa Tommesello our therapist who left SPARC earlier this year but contributed so much to this project and many other aspects of our work during in her time with us. We look forward to building on this partnership over time.

Looking to the Future

We would like to expand the service and the variety of models we use by employing more Counsellors/Therapists . We are exploring the possibility of offering couples counselling, applying differing group work theories and topics, and the possibility of home visits. In addition to this we are looking into the possibility of providing a service for clients who are Neurodiverse.

Green Space Community Connections

Emerging from the Covid period, it became apparent that contact with nature - whether it be in a garden, park or other Green Space - is beneficial to Mental Health. The current zeitgeist, with it's concerns for sustainability, climate change and the environment, would seem to confirm this. At the start of 2023, based on the success of working with The Olive Branch which has been so enjoyable, I felt it would be good to expand SPARC's links and engagement with other organisations that support Green Spaces, The following rundown of the contacts made shows how widely SPARC contributes to the local community.

Olive Branch Woodland Garden, Shaw Heath:

It must be 5 or more years since we first started supporting the Olive Branch with The Woodland Garden area which faces the Greek St roundabout on Shaw Heath. The gardening group paid two visits to this green space during the year, our last visit being at the start of December 2022 to do a tidy up for Winter. The Woodland Garden is made up of mature trees and shrubs and lies behind a grass verge which is maintained by the highways department. We are free to plant anything behind the verge and over the last few years have planted lots of Spring bulbs. Usually we do bulb planting during the autumn which has resulted in the area looking lovely in Springtime. We usually pay 2 or 3 visits a year to plant bulbs, manage it and keep it litter free. Supporting the Olive Branch with this area has added an extra dimension to the gardening group as it’s good to have a change of scene and perspective and has spurred me on to expand SPARC’s green space contacts.

Heaton Norris Community Peaceful Garden:

I contacted the Love Heaton Moor group via Facebook and made contact with Maggie Jones. Maggie is involved with the Heaton Norris Community Peaceful Garden which was laid out a couple of years ago and which lies just off the A6 between the Midland and Magnet Public Houses. I was contacted by Phil Rowbotham and paid him a visit at the garden on 27th January to discuss how SPARC could fit into their project and what their plans were for this year. Phil was welcoming and keen to make a connection with us. I was invited to their monthly meeting at the Magnet on Tuesday 7th February to address the group and give an overview of what SPARC does. The first session that the gardening group did at the Community Peaceful Garden was on Thursday 23rd February. We spent a very productive and enjoyable hour or so weeding and tidying up. Maggie and a colleague Tony Ashurst joined us. The session went better than I could have wished, and I look forward to this connection thriving over time. My thanks go to Maggie, Phil and Tony for making SPARC so welcome - we look forward to working with you again.

Cale Green Women’s Institute Community Bee Garden:

Commuting to and from SPARC, I noticed that near Johnson’s Decorating Centre which is at the junction of Lyme Grove and Wellington Road South the W.I. had adopted a raised bed and planted it with Bee friendly plants to create a Community Bee Garden. Their changing and eye-catching seasonal and special occasion decorations encouraged me to make contact and suggest a possible link up between them and SPARC with a view to maintaining the Garden. My contact, Liz Luddington, got back to me and said she would bring my suggestion to her next committee meeting. This went well and a W.I member called Margaret who manages the Garden was informed of my suggestion. A possible gardening session link up will happen in May around decorating the Garden for the Coronation. It’s my hope that throughout the year we will be involved in the planting and maintaining the garden with members of the W.I. The W.I. very kindly did some fundraising and made a generous donation of £300 to SPARC, for which we are very grateful.

Barnfield Road East Allotments, Davenport:

Elizabeth Luddington at Cale Green W.I. passed on my details to Lisa Davies who Invited me to see an allotment plot which they would like to offer to SPARC. Discussions are being had about how we at SPARC could manage this plot and the nature of sessions that might be held there should we be in a position to accept the offer.

The Landing, Merseyway Precinct:

I made contact with Nick Harlow who manages the Landing and is responsible for raising the exotic vegetables and herbs used by the Where the Light Gets In restaurant on Stockport market place. The gardening group visited the Landing on Thursday 23rd March and had a tour with Nick who explained the set up and its connection to Where The Light Gets In. Given its location on the roof of the shopping centre, it’s amazing how big the allotment plot is and how much it grows. All the produce is grown in raised beds and pots as well as a small greenhouse and Polytunnel. Nick is more than happy for the group to visit the Landing and help maintain it. Anyone who volunteers with them has to sign up with MUD (Manchester Urban Diggers) and Nick ok’d it for me to sign up as I was representing the gardening group so they could attend under my name. Any of our gardening group members who would like to volunteer outside of SPARC’s time there would have to sign-up individually. An added bonus is that if anyone volunteers there on Friday they are offered a free lunch at Where the Light Gets In as a thank you.

GRIT Studios, Canal St, off Hillgate :

Given the success of our teaming up with the Olive Branch Woodland Garden, I asked my contact at SMBC, Mark Calderbank (as a Neighbourhood Projects Officer with Stockport Council Mark supports the Olive Branch Woodland Garden Projectl) whether he knew of other sites in the area that could be adopted and worked on and he said he’d keep a look out for me. In response he passed on the contact details of an arts project called GRIT Studios.

Paying a visit there I met with Sophie Macauley who showed me around the workshops which do woodworking, stained glass and mosaic, amongst other things. They’re also involved in green space activity such as making the surrounding area more attractive for both wildlife and local residents. Sophie was open to having a link-up with SPARC. The Gardening Group visited GRIT on Thursday 2nd March and were shown the studios and informed of the green space plans for the surrounding area which is to cleared of undergrowth. GRIT had a ‘Paint and Plant’ weekend on 4th and 5th of March which was attended by couple of SPARC members. Because a lot of GRIT’s Green Space activity will happen at weekends and be of a more heavy duty nature it won’t be suitable for all, but would be great for those who like hacking back and clearing overgrown areas. I’ve asked Sophie to keep in contact and send me information relating to further weekend projects planned for the year.

Outcomes:

In order to maintain our engagement with these groups, as well as keeping on top of our own garden at SPARC, I've arranged a rota of visits to the various organisations during the coming growing season so that the gardening group are aware when of these external sessions will take place. Hopefully a good year supporting other groups in the community will be enjoyed.

James Campbell, Activities Co-Ordinator & Senior Support Worker

Take time to Breathe and Relax…

Relaxation Sessions are held every Monday between 12:00-13:00. The sessions are well attended with numbers regularly ranging between 4 and 7.

We use Tai Chi style exercises which provide an opportunity to practice meditation in motion for those who wish to achieve deep breathing in time with gentle movement and are not so comfortable with seated meditation. The benefits of the exercises include reduced heart rate, lowered blood pressure and improved balance.

Once we have completed the Tai Chi we move on to a 20 minute seated relaxation called Progressive Muscle Relaxation. This involves a kind of ‘body scan’ which helps us to recognise tension in the body as it occurs and to deal with it in the moment.

If you like the sound of this, then why not come along and join us?

Jim Whittaker, Facilitator [VTCT in Complementary Therapies]

Every Thursday between 14:30 - 15:00 we hold a Relaxation Session in the Music Room. This is usually well attended, with up to 8 members in every session. It seems to be particularly popular with members who have attended other sessions during the day and want to take some ‘me time’ to absorb information and wind down.

The session begins with diaphragmatic breathing which helps us to focus. We then move on to a progressive relaxation - where we tense and relax parts of the body in order to become aware of any stress we may be feeling and be able to benefit more from relaxing.

In every session we build in some yoga-style exercises that can be done while seated, before moving on to standing exercises which focus on posture. This awareness of an open posture can help us to avoid the urge to let our muscles slouch and become tense. It also helps us to project a more confident attitude and fell more confident as a result.

To finish the session we return to our seats and, accompanied by a recording of natural sounds, we complete a visualisation exercise.

If you think this would be interesting - and perhaps useful to you - please drop in and try it out.

Karen Bamforth, Facilitator

Funding & Fundraising

As many will know the primary funding for SPARC comes via a commissioned contract with the Local Authority. This funding provides us with the monies to pay salaries, our utility bills, insurance and other necessary costs. Our lovely building and grounds, appreciated and maintained by so many of us, are also provided under the terms of this contract. Having this contract provides SPARC with the foundation needed to explore other funding opportunities such as sponsorships, donations and grants for particular programmes. During this year our MaaD (Man about a Dog) project also had funding from Stockport Public Health, although this sadly ended in October 2022. However we then became a part of the Community Hub Partnership with Pure Innovations.

SPARC Counselling service has benefitted for many years with grant funding from Lloyds Foundation for England & Wales. Access to this grant during the past year enabled us to run a pilot project for the De-Clutterers Group. Grants of this nature are often time-limited and this year has been the last for this source of funding. Despite our many efforts we have so far not been successful in our bid to replace this funding for the next financial year. Our efforts to find funding continue, and we have been fortunate to have the experience of working alongside Age UK Stockport fundraisers which has enhanced our awareness of where funds can be applied for and sharpened our skills in making applications.

We have been successful in the continuation of our SPARC4Wellbeing Lottery funding. This provides another aspect of the counselling service along with the funds for our Health and Wellbeing Worker [SPARC4Change] and our Young Adults Workers [SPARC4YA]. The development that has taken place within our associated projects has been a joy to observe and the benefits for our members are clear to see.

Funds raised this year Contract funding - £200K Grant funding - £93K

We do raise some funds via Café SPARC and the monies that our café customers invest in our café and would like to thank our café worker John and the café volunteers for the valuable contribution they make in this fund raising aspect of our service.

We have had donations over the past year from many supporters. These range from cake sale donations, to personal fund giving, to sponsored events and support from the local Women's Institute. In March we were the chosen charity of the Manchester Beethoven Society. They invited us to attend their feature concert and gave us the opportunity to speak to the audience about SPARC and the work that we do. It was a very grand and enjoyable affair which resulted in SPARC being the fortunate recipient of £500 donated by the audience.

In January a team of SPARC Staff and their families took part in the Three Halls Challenge, which you can read about in a separate item.

Our Football Group Committee have also taken responsibility for raising their own funds which has been very uplifting to observe. The commitment of the footballers to support and contribute to the running of their own group is amazing.

On behalf of SPARC I would like to thank each and every person who has donated time, money and kindness towards our charity. And I can assure everyone that every penny donated to SPARC is spent for the benefit and wellbeing of our members.

Funds raised this year Donations and fundraising events - £9K

SPARC takes on the THREE HALLS CHALLENGE

Back in the cold dark days of winter - on Sunday 22nd January 2023 to be precise - a team of seventeen members of our SPARC family roused themselves from their beds at some awful hour in order to assemble at Stockport Georgians Cricket Club by 08:30.

What motivated us? A desire to raise funds to improve provision at SPARC by getting a Defibrilator and creating a pot of money to help improve and update the Computer Systems used by staff.

As you can see from the photo above, we were lucky with the weather. The day remained bright but cold as we navigated our way around the 10 mile course - although I'd swear we did more due to detours! Spirits remained high throughout the 3 1/2hours we took to complete the course by calling at the sites of Poynton Hall and Hillbrook Grange before checking in at Bramhall Hall and making our way back to Stockport Georgians, where were happily accepted the offer of hot drinks or cups of soup.

Was it worth it? Yes. 100% yes: we raised £3829! And there's even been talk of doing it again in 2024...

Volunteering at SPARC

Our volunteers bring dynamics to our team, they are a very caring bunch and always have a willingness to listen to, interact with and help our members. They provide an integral support to our core staff.

Volunteers come from a very wide range of backgrounds, and it’s interesting to note that a high percentage of our volunteers are either SPARC members themselves or are people who, as both Pathways Volunteers and regular volunteers, have family and friends who have personal ‘Lived Experiences’ of mental health.

Having been a volunteer myself, I’m aware of how much time and dedication it takes. You have to be both able and willing to commit yourself to being there for others – mentally and physically. Volunteers bring all sorts of skills to SPARC. Some of these may seem simple - such as listening, learning and remembering names, and showing friendship – while others may seem more ‘professional’ such as musical gardening, cooking and creative skills. But what makes a good volunteer is that willingness to be with people and support them in whatever they need in the moment.

Our volunteer team continues to grow and all relevant information available can be found online through our website or Facebook page, or by speaking to me directly. Given the success of our SPARC 4 YOUNG ADULTS project we are hoping to attract some younger volunteers.

I’m looking forward to working with Sector 3 Stockport’s Volunteer Hub this coming year, with a focus on certain challenges faced by every organisation that is looking for volunteers: recruitment, advertising and also the stigma around volunteering which can be perceived as not being ‘Cool’ especially among younger people.

On behalf of all SPARC I would like to say a massive THANK YOU to all our current volunteers for their ongoing support and the time that they give so freely to either facilitate groups or work alongside our core staff team.

WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

Amanda McClenaghan, Volunteer Co-Ordinator

RLHNYMEDE COURT: Member Feedback l am in ttrE flcvrfer grow with JarTE5 which I enjcy and look forvrfard to rt every two weeks, it is about 8years n(Av I've been with him. MaryG Gard￿. TableTop wrth James. I ha%* enjoyed ourflcwer ￿0UP for nearty 6 ￿ar5 5irre I rn0￿ to RunryrrÉde C{￿rt. JaffÉs afvwa brings a good selecton of flowers and greenery for ow grojp to arrarge in vase Long he ccmts'nue. Anne W 2022 -2023 I ha￿ LEen a resident in a flat at Runnymede Court, Edgeley, Stcrkport, 9 rwnths and am settling in. At first rt was wyhard to accept the change. Wehave a fOrtn￿htlY flow arrargirvagroup which is really enj(Nable. Betty M I have enJo￿d this year's fI0￿Er arranging and k)ok forward to conts'nuing with further session& Rrhard H SPMAC Womens, w0￿￿n,5 Group is much aFpreciated . am able to tslk with other wiTherL You can beyowself, feel relaxed, feel supported and chat with likeminded women. Very good company, feel safe, secwe and suppcrted Mix with fritsmds a￿1 enjoy all activitie& 1 see frierds I wouldn't see thrwghwt the week, make new friends arKI go places together away from the Centre too. SPARC

FOOTBALL GROUP. Member Feedback I have teen 9)ing lo SPARC'S weekly Foolbal Grcmjp for many years and fiThJ rt beneficial both for filness & for my mental h￿1th111 helps my depressionl Aso, the lournamenls we errter are a good ChaI￿nge. We have thjne very well in them ￿lch Is also very benefiad lo mme & the othus M￿tal hthlth! .1 can honestly say that SPARGS footbal group has changed my lrfe The group alows me lo be myself and not lo worry about what pe(0￿ may Ihmk It is a very relaxed environment. No matter what struggles I have faced during the week I know that I can pLqy 2 hours ol football Wblh ￿Ople who have srnlar 1¥ob￿MS. 2022 -2023 I"OLLThryEERS 11 sii'es nie a foals and feeliiis of wellbein8 and also beiii8 part of a ie&ii I really enjoy i'dunlerfillg at SPARC as it is a bi8 <bstradiLm from my n(Knial thougl)ts I h(y¢ io n)ak¢ 4 differ¢llct ty 8ii'ill8 sothediiiig ¢k' "dimt¢erinB Vlith the Caft n)¢ais the wald to me and l to stay here for￿'er I I￿.e i'diu)teerin8 at SPARC. it keeps me busy. feeling fiilfilled and seThi118 8 wry)se Worling as a iolunteer hell￿ Mith niy depMYssio] N-dimteerii18 Erin8s roiitiiie to lily day ￿)d distracts fr(￿] iiiy ow'll kliysical ailiiiaits. l enjoy tbe social asFttI and t¢iii8 able to wt my skills to Fl.B.: l enjoy the 2￿M grou￿ as it helps io te in an un(SerstandinÉ erwirorwnent where I can safely express rnryself arK¥ know I'm not aone. M.B.-The zoom groups through spark have been an eye opener rh everyor stru88les and copes in different ways. i a￿layS feel beller after a zoLYn session, connetting and h￿IrE that safe space is imporrant to me and i feel most others will agreel Armxt I'm extréme￿ grateful for 2￿M Grou￿ esrecialty beCa￿e I've not been able to get out much at all in thè last few year5. M*y feel like a lifeline to me sometimes. jvst h3wn8that conwtiC￿, knowin81'm noton my own. They help to keep my anxiety mcye man4eable_ I'm glad the 8roups are there x. SPARC

Member Feedback FO(yfBALL GROUP. s.nce joining the football group, I have had made some very good thends l enjoy entering the toumaments meeting other teams and players and feel that all the weeks of football practice wrth SPARC means I can match others abi1rt￿s. I loved every minute of rt. I can get anxious every now and then but the players and staff are very friendly and welcomed me into the group Great place to meet up and Sockilising with other players. It is really tEneficial to me and my mental health. No matter how good or bad my week has b￿n I know that come to FrKJay football and l am guaranteed to play a full game of football. Great menlal health grcup We are all in it together and we can talk openly about our problems. It is a very relaxed atmosphere and all the other players seem to enjoy rt too. I h(pe the foclball group continues to run fix manv vears. 2022 -2023 HORIZONS I really lik.e Horizons I am made to feel i.ery 'e1c￿lie Tliere is a mixture of pecgle to soaalise with and alwftys 9J1)ec￿e to that to. l enjoy the i'￿1ety of qiiizzes Il's a ￿al place to nieet and l)aN'e a chat I mi&$ Horizons ￿llen I'ni ncrt tllere. il's a qreal ￿ace to L*. l ani happy M'beli l ani w'ith Ally fiiends cl)eer iiie lip M-lien l ￿11 feeling Ikni-n. To iiie Horiz￿5 means a lot lo me. l am of the Horizthis. f￿￿111Y. il has 8ii.en ille the to S￿I￿lise and ll￿k"e fiiends and get ini'c4i'ed too. SPARC

Member Feedback ljttst ￿]nted to s￿V thatl huve ahv(ry5frlt ok talking to nny os she (knesn't jthlge ￿￿fOrbe1n9 emotionolshe is very emwthetic anda greot sup&x)rt. Then7PiStfrom SPARChelpedme thrL￿gh o thfficuft frme in my life. Thr(W￿ his 5UPPiWt, fve been oble to imsild nryself-esteem, rysey-cmfidence, Gnd to mtweforwt7rd with mylifr. He hu5 been consistent, caiing and(J gwd listener- ollof bthich has ien o vitolcomponent to my rec￿ry. I connot $￿ak higmy e￿Ugh of the support ithtbySPARC 2022 -2023 MyihemK¥St quickly t>Id$￿te5$fU1IYgt?Ined my trusr ond respect ond tl coring.. mnsiderote.. w(leSsi￿oI ond 7rtive monnerodopted, oll0¥￿dme toftel comforta14efor therapy tosUpp￿t. He enabled me to (on5ider traum￿1( e¥entS t￿1 were offectin9 myself- COnfide￿e myfreliw of self-wcrth. In o ThyFjtKl￿mentaIrnonnerhe t7clivefy listened (7nd then helped n ts protess my onxiety linked to trtwmotic Évents Imd then helO me tOry￿e$s.. coff,. move on,. Pta￿ deol ￿th the Oss￿19tedneq0I1VefÉelAngS and to think mcye p)sitivefy t7ndproactively. Ihave let7rnt to (yeote o ffl￿e kvsitive out1￿ ond n￿ve onfrom my lormernegotivefeelings. Over the sessions. ry theropist enai4ed me to create o more positive and wcoctive woy of considerinqisstjes M￿¥noA￿￿￿[d rhrouoh life. SPARC4YOII¥GADL LTS 'Th• gr￿P has helpod rm a IL to lesstn my oeial isdation, and allowod m8 to eonnoct wrth ￿￿FI9 my agè, and with a rang6 of differont per￿naI￿leS and exper¢ence" 1redtyI￿tfvn￿ to my ￿ety$e$s1ons, l¢eta lotout the￿ It s not eosy tolking t?￿t yC4Jrfeelings Ifeel I hjve brnded with Jennyondshe make5 n￿feel really comfortoL¥e (mdoble to q)en up. fve reolly enjoFfd joining in SLyne (¥the group sessions Jennyhos invitedme to it snice tofeelportL¥o c(mmunity thor (mderstothls '1￿• not coming vory loTrJ. I've roelly f•lt at home when SKJing to groups ry 1-2-1 sessicfis at SPARC4Young Athlts. I￿e been gcing throu￿ a f•w things in my Per$￿al life and the 1-2-1 sess￿5 have been really helpfvl and supportive." "I want to say With￿¥t this I W￿ld truly struggle. It has helFed me s(￿lalIse wth people and nwd& me feel somewhal norn￿1.. b*ng with people with smilar experiences." 'The grcups have helpgd me with my CL￿fid￿co and getting rrE cArt of the he4Jse rmre. sPARc4Yc￿ng Adults feels cl'fferent to other services, it's nice w• can jcke and ncrt take everything so seri￿SIy., SPARC

Our SPARC Team: 2022 - 2023

TRUSTEES:

STAFF:

VOLUNTEERS:

Andrew Jones Chris Pringle Lawrence Gill Philip Davies Joanna Parfitt Janice Carrington Jennifer Loynes Paul Browne Ged Murtagh Karen Bamforth

Peter Sherry-Woolridge Lynn Barrett James Campbell David Richards Sue Heaps Amanda McClenaghan Chris Platt Ken Hazeldine Ged Saundry Beth Jones Rob Hart Marc Murphy Jim Whittaker Jill Kirton Malcolm Harding Ria Richards John Carrington

Therapists:

Annalisa Tommessello Jenny Knowles Ovanda Nicol Paul Lake Diane Darlak

Marc Murphy Rob Hart Jim Whittaker Karen Bamforth Anne Traille Phil Hounsell Aled Evans Steve Delahunt James Bamgbose Mark Isaacs Cathy Millward Eddie Garry Sheila Gott

CAFE:

John Carrington Janice Carrington Wayne Joyce Robert Gall Caroline Fletcher Dean McDonough Jan Hosler Lauren Beal Mark Romagnoli Paul Leyden Hazel Howard

THANK YOU to all of our supporters:

SMBC Social Services Pennine Care NHS Trust Pure Innovations Beacon Counselling Disability Stockport Barry Tildsley Sam Evans Rashida Bhim Jonathan Wilmott Judith Stroble Stockport Public Health Karen & John Spencer [Gravitas] APH CMHT Councillor Lane CMHT Baker Street North West Digital TNL Community Fund Lloyds Foundation for England and Wales Stockport Local Fund Stockport Community Champions Stockport ABL Signpost For Carers Making Space Mental Health Unit, Stepping Hill Hospital Cornerstone Resources Stockport Good Gym Cathal Sherry GMCVO Eden Planning Peter Jacobs Steve Flynn Life Leisure, Brinnington Age UK Stockport SPARC Football Committee Andrea Ferguson Victoria PCN Give As You Live Lee Wolstenholme The Ollerenshaw Family Christadelphian Church Cheshire Freemasons Synergy Stockport Sector 3 The Beethoven Society Margaret White The Alex Quiz Team Chris Penney Judith Pullen Cheryl Elford The Friends of Alexander Park M. Wood Community Accountancy Services The D’Oyly Carte Trust Everyone who sponsored us on The Three Halls Walk

and our Patron: Paul Lake

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Registered Charity No. 515832 Company Registration No. 1862257

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE INDEX PAGE NUMBER CONTENTS TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BALANCE SHEET 10 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOVVS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR MANAGEMENT PURPOSES ONLY 20 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

STOCKPORT PROGRESS ANO RECOVERY CENTRE Report of the trustees for the year ended 31" March 2023 The trustees present their annual directo￿, report and financial statement5 of the charity for tho year ended 31" March 2023 which are also prepared to meet the requirement5 for a directors, report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the 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 IFRS 1021 (effective I January 20191. Oblectlves and actlvltles The purposes of the charity are as listed below and the main activities are as listed below. The tru5tee5 confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commi5sion'5 guidance on pvblic benefit when reviewing the CharitV'5 aims and objectives, in planning future activrties, and setting the policie5 for the year. Pvrposes and Aims to reduce the likelihood of relapse by offering support to individua15 with mental health needs living in the community or p￿parIng to discharge from hospital. to encourage individuals to feel a valued part of thelr Community. Supporting individuals to make use of local resources. to provide social, leisure and educational opportunitie5 to help overcorne the loneliness and isolation often a5SOClated with having a mental health problem. to promote the active involvement of members in achieving the above through a combination of regular menbers meetings and member representation on the Management Committee, and through the provision of an environment of support and acceptance aimed ai encouraging individua15 to express their needs and intere5tS. Ensuring our work delivers our aims.. Thi5 is achieved through the implementation of effective monltOTing systems throu8hovt all aspects of our work. We gain valuable knowledge from having open communication with service users and other stakeholdeT5 to ensure a high quality of service provision. The charlty furthers it5 charitable purposes for the publlc benefit through enabling people to live full and active lives and thereby contribute to public benefit. By responding to the expressed needs of local stakeholders and working in partnership with other services from both the privatelvoluntary sector and statutory services we are able to provide a holistic and creative apprDach to supporting the needs of those people in Society whom are m05t vulnerable. The main aspect of the char￿S actwities, funded by Stockport Metropolltan Borough Council via the Stockport Mental Health contratt and the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, is pioviding 5UPPOrt and meaningful activitles for our service users who are in the main residents in Stockport who aTe experiencing mental health Problems. A variety of groups and therapeutic Interventlons are provlded,. aimed at SUPtK>ftlng reiovery ihrough the participation of therap¢utlc activity. We have a staff team who are able to support people on a l-l basis both within the cent and out in the tommunlty.

STOCKPORT PROGRE55 AND RECOVERY CENTRE We provide voluntary work opportunities and placements for social work Students for which we receive a daily monetary rate for the duration of the placement. This work enhances the main activitie5 provided by the charitv. We have continued to provide a variety of greenspace artivities working alongside local community groups towards various aims such as the rejuvenation and maintaining of a piece of local land. We have supported the access for our service user5 in the use of Information and Technology equipment in order to participate in online sessions that remain a valued aspect of our Service since their creation in response to the pèndemic lockdown re5triction5. SPARC have continued to maintain our partnership working with Pennine Care Trust in the provision of therapeutic activitie5 Wlth the Mental Health Unit at the local hospital. SPARC4Wellbeing is a National Lottery- Reaching Communities funded project is the larEest prolect outside of the core Stockport Council COFbtr3Ct. SPARC4Wellbein8 funds 3 therapists, and 2 project lead5. This allows SPARC to provide SPARC4Counselling our bespoke counsellin8 Servi￿, SPARC4Healing our mental and physical health seNice that promotes positive behaviour changes and SPARC4YoungAdults a Service for 18-30 year olds suffering with the effetts of mental ill-health as well as the existing pressures of their age group. A revlew of our achievements ¥fid pÈrformantÈ ChallenEes this year have been increasing demand on our organisation. Both in terms of higher numbers of service users and financially, as the need to replenish existing fundin8 was exacefbated due to the cost of living cri515 and energy price increase5. We work continually to gather data that p roves the value of our service in order to provide that information io prospective fijture funding bodies. We have also strengthened our partnership working with Pure Innovètions and endeavoured to become fully appraised f>f 3nd enmeshed in the changes that are occurring in the social care and charity sector, both nationally and locally. SPARC is busier with more varied projects and groups than in the past. This creates a sttuation where many of our service u5er5 are able to get many of their therapeutlc and wellbeing needs met from our servlce alone. The culture within SPARC remains one of empathyi open-mlndednes5 and compassion. SPARC tontinues to be successful in creating mutual partnership with local organi5atlOll5. We continue our partnership with SMBC and Pure Innovations in ihe Mental Health Network contract. In addition we have entered into a joint project between our local Primary Care Nelwork and BOOST, this form5 a new drive toward5 integrating in a more efficient way wf(h primary care. SPARC ha5 also been attending Living Well Collaboration events, these form a network of voluntary and statutory or8ani5ations to guide the creation of new working practices throughout Stockport. This year we have contihued to build our group based activlties which has necessitated an int￿aSe in the number of volunteers that support our service. We are now fully operational in comparison to the years ol covid and contlnue to provide some 5ervlce5 were created in th6t lime. Targets forthe coming year Inclvde.. successfully completing the procurement process for our core council funding. Obtaining continuation funding for our Lottery funded SPARC4Wellbeing project. And analyslng our service to ensure that we remain relevant for the people that we are here to help.

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE Flnanclal revlew The finances for SPARC have been consistent over the past 12 months monitored Closely by Trustees and Management. We have continued to manage the funding under the Stockport Mental Health Contract and have met the standards required In partnership with SMBC. We have been able to show added value by adapting the range of our artivities in response to gaps in service provision and the identified needs of our service users. We have continued to employ a manager, social worker, support worker5, Peer support Project Worker5, administration and dome5tlC Staff enhanced by the recruitment of volunteers. We have also employed three therapists with fundlng from The National Lottery- Reaching Communities fund as well as one therapist with funding from Lloyds Bank Foundation and we have continued to provide in-reach creative sessions in partnership with the local hospital mental health unit. We havè a Young Persons Project Worker and a Mental and Physic31 Health Practitioner funded by The National Lottery Cornrnunity Fund and continue to fund SPARC Café. We are seeking top up funding for the coming year of SPARC4Wellbein8 a5 well a5 new funding to enhance our Women's Group and Green5pace projects. InvÈstmÉnt powèrs and poli¢y Aside from retaining a prLsdent amount in reserves each year, most of the charkty's funds are to be spent in the short term 50 there are few funds for any longer teTm investment. RÈsÈrves poliry and going cohcern The balance held In unrestricted reserves at 31" March 2023 was £70,556 of which £67.682 are free reserve5, after allowing for funds tied up in tangible fixed assets. The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately three months of unrestricted charitable expenditure. The trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to respond to 3pplications for grants and ensure that support ènd goveTnance costs are covered. The Company's main source of income Is grant funding and member's incorne. The directors consider that it is appropriate to prepare the accounts on a golng concern basis and, consequently, the accounts do not Include any adjustments that would be necessary if the funding should cease. Rlsk management The Management Committee has conducted a review of the major risks tts which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risk5 the charity face5. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, parents. children and visitors. Plans for Future The Management Committee in partnership wbth the staff team strive to develop the organisation to meet the needs of its servite users and stakeholders. We will continue to provide a range of services via a contract with the Local Authority and continue to work with other paTtners ill identifying gaps in service provlslon pn5uring efTiciencies wherever P0551ble. We will continue ro develop the seNice in line with SPARC's current business plan. We will continue to develop the SPARC4Wellbelng project, Green5paie and WDrnen's projetts and continue to source fundlng for the maintenance of these Projects and to establish new services in line with our Buslness Plan and gaps in provision a5 identlfied with our service users. We want to continue to grow our volunteer team

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE and h05t constructive Student placements. We will contlnue to build resourcès into the main Structure of the service as we move forward. Covld-19 recLwery Since last year when restrictions were lifte(J SPARC has grown into a more complete servite than ever before. Wilh more on offer than in the past and more in pe￿on and online groups than before the pandemic. Covid-19 has left some indelible marks on the structures in social care and the charity sector as well as on peoples menta health. As we continue to support people in iheir lives a new challenge lies ahead as the challenges faced by the national and local economy are creatinB a contraction in available funding pots. With this comes more competition and greater time investment required to successfully obtèin these fund5. Structure4 governance and management Stockport ProEress and Recovery Centre is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 8 November 1984. It is registered as a tharity with the Charity Commlssion and is constituted under a trust deed dated 26" November 1984. Appointment of trustee5 The directors of the corllpany are a150 charily trustees for the purposes of charity Saw and under the company's articles are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of A550ciation, members of the Management Committee shall hold office until the end of the Annual General Meeting next following their election appointment OT CO-OPtion and shall be ellgible for re*lection or re-co-option. Trustee indurtlon and tralnlng Most trustees are already familiar with the work of the charity a5 a result of longstandlng connertion with the organisation. Additionally, new tru51ee5 are invited and encouraged to attend the rneetinBs and activities of the service to familiarise themselves W￿th the work of the charity and the context within which it operates. The organi5ation has now produced a trustee induction pack in order to support and inform Trustees in their role. Organisation The board of trustees administers the charity. The board normally meets every 6 week5. A Centre Manager is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day opefations of the charity. Related partles and co-operation ￿th other oyganisatlons None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charty. Any connection between a trustee or senior manager with any service provider5 must be disclosed to the full board of trustees in the same way as any other ¢ontractual relationship with a related party. In the current year no such related party transaction5 were reported. Reference and admlnlstratlve Information Charity Name.. Stockport Prggress and Recovery Centre forrnerly known as siockport Day Centre. Charity Number.. 515832 Company Registration Number= 1862257 (England alld Wales)

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE Directors and trustees The directors of the charitable company (the charity) ère its trustee5 for the purpose of charity law. The trusteès and officers serving during the year and since the year-end were as follows.. Key management personnel: Trustees and DSrKtors Directors.. Andrew lone5 Philip Davies Trustees: Andrew Jones Philip Davies Paul Browne Joanne Parr Lawrence Gill janice Carringion Jennifer Loynes Christopher Pringle Gerald Murtagh Karen Bamforth Kevin Brosnahan Chair Company Secretary Secretary Members Representative Treasurer Vice Chalr Senlor managers Pete Wooldridge Registered Office Progress House, 35a Adswood Lane East, Stockport, SK2 6RE Independent Examiners Community Accountancy Service Limited The Grange Pilgrim Drive Beswick Manchester MII 3TQ Bankers Co-operative Bank plc Balloon Street Manchester M4 4BE

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE Sollcltors Phllip Davies & Companv Tyustees responsibilltles in Yelation to thÈ flnancial statements The charity trustees (who are also the directors of Stockport Progress and Recovery Centre for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing a trustees, annual report and Pinancial 5tatement5 in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards Iunited Kingdom Generally Accepted Arcovnting Practice). Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true at)d fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incomin8 resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the tru5tee5 are required to.. Select suitable accounting principles and then apply them consistentlv; Observe the method5 and principles in the applicable Charities SORP. Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent- State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures that must be dlsclosed and explained in the financial 5tatemenis,' Prepare the financial statements on a going toneern basis unless it is appropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are re5pon5ible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial p051tion of the charity and to enable them to ensure that t￿e financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charlty and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. By order of the board of trustees Andrew lones Chair Date.. 7, lune 2023

lttdependent examiner's report to the trustees of Stockport Progress and Reeovery Centre I report on the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31" March 2023, which are set out on pages 8 10 19. Rogpective responsibili¢les of trustees and examiner Th¢ trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposcs of company law} are responsible for the preparation of the a¢¢ounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144{2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The charity is required by company law to prepare aecrued a¢¢ounts and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of The Association of Charterd Certified A¢eountants. Having satisfied myself that the chayity is not subj¢¢t to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of ihe 201 l Act , to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{b) of the 2011 Act. and to state whether particular matters have ¢ome lo my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report My examinaiion was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. li also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and s¢eking explanations from you as trustees ¢on¢erning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all thc evidenc¢ that would b¢ requircd in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether ihe awounts present a 'true and fair vi¢w' and the report is limited to those matters set out in lh¢ statement below. Independent examiner's 5tatemeDt In connection with tny examination, no matter has come to my attention.. (l ) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requircments to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006. and lo prepare ac¢ounls which accord with the accounting re¢ords, comply wilh the ccounting requirements of s¢ciion 396 of the Companies Act 2006, and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met. or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to b¢ rcached. AM King FCCA Community Accounianiy 5crvlcc LLd Th¢ Grange. Pilgrim Drive Beswick, Manchester, M I13TQ A.v.¢ Date.. 7, June 2023

SToeKPQRT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE STATEM ANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDeD 31 MARCH 2023 Income and Ex ndJLure Accoun Incor oratln Total Funds Yotal Fund¥ Year Ended Y￿r Ended Unre5trlGted Rest￿cts￿ 31$t M8rch 31st Mavch Fund 2023 2012 Furthpr D¢tsll$ Imcomtrfrom: Donations and legaues Charitable Activities Other Tradirbg Aothitiès Invesirneni Income Olher Totsi 1.834 181,000 25.168 4.875 189.767 4,616 6.709 370.767 29.784 10.765 244.893 23.914 1.075 209.077 5.044 284.616 199.258 408,335 ExpEnditure on= R¥15ing Furrts charitab￿ Actfvide5 Other Total 8.641 188,092 1,9d7 178,6eo 8,841 343.979 1.947 5,219 2P8,420 175,887 175,887 305.265 Net Incornellexpenditurel 30.397 23.371 53.768 120.6491 TTansfers bewn funds 4.936 Net M0￿mplIt In luttds 25.461 28.307 53,768 120,6491 R•¢on¢llIa￿0n of Totsl funds broughl forward Total lundg carrled f0ry44rd 45,095 .55 101 923 0.230 147.018 167 667 147 018 The statementof fin8n￿oI 9th￿e5 includes all 9•ln8 8rtd losses recognised in Ihe year. Income alld 6wdi￿re ￿er￿e frorn Gonlinuing acifviiies. The notes pages 11 to 19 form p8rtof t￿$8 8co)unts

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND REeovERY CENTRE BALA AS AT 31 MARCH 202 ¢ompany ￿9￿tratIOn numbgr 01862287 2023 2022 Notes Fixed assets.. Tangible assets Total fLKed assets 23,705 24.792 Current a$¥et4'. Slocks Deb￿r5 Cash Bl Ballk & in Hand Total cuirem ¥s¥ets 9,930 194.580 49.301 183.281 232.582 Liabilrtivs: Creditors.. AM(￿nIS tal￿1￿ duewthm oneyear 27.429 110.356 Netc￿￿ent9sSetS orliabllibes 177.081 122,226 Totsi as8ats bss c￿￿ent liabil￿e5 200.786 147,018 Creditors." Amounts falling due after more IhBn oneyear Tot81 not •$sgts or IlabllWes 200.786 147.018 The luniJ9 Ot the chavity= Restricted illcotne funds 130.230 iot,923 Unrgstr*ted inc0rn8 funds 70,598 45.095 Total chorfty funds 200,786 147.018 For yw in que8lh?n the cownyw88 enlilled totho examp￿"0n frorn audll r￿er section 477 of Ihe Compan￿& Act 2006 ￿lating lo srnaii ¢omp8nlÈs. - The members have nol ￿quired The Gompany lo obtain #n authl of Its accounts for Ihe year Quest￿ll in accoid8nce with section 476. - The dlrectors a£knDwW th￿r reBpollsibililies forC0mp￿ny wlh the requirtrments of tht A¢lwlh rè$pe¢tto 8eLounlinu rwdx and the preparation of a¢￿unIS. These ar￿u￿1$ have been prepared in a￿￿[danc6W11h Ihe provislons apylcab￿ ID CtyllP3nies subJ"edl0 the small ctynpanie5' regime. Approved by the trU8iee5 on 7th September 2023 Andrew Jonas Chair The notes on pages 11 to 19 fLYm part DI these aE¢ouni¥

STOCKPORT PROGRESS ANO RECOVERY CENTRE 10 8ttèrMntof Cash Flow8 lor thoy•aiendithy 31 M•v¢h 2023 R¢con¢lllatlon of net mo¥ement In fund5tu netC45h flowfrom operètlniattivltles Yoar Ended Yo4r End•d 31st March 318t March 2023 2022 Nel mDvÈment In funds Ad¢ back depre¢k8kn Ded￿l inv&simeni income Decrea￿{1n¢rea$8I in stc¢ks De¢reasellincre8sel in debt¢Ks Increaselldecmsèl in uediiors 53,788 2,999 120.6491 2.812 39.371 182.9271 146.175) 87,224 Net cash used In operatlng¥rtiVitles 23,212 Cash flo￿ fr+yn In¥•&tmèrtOCtfvlYes'. PuTGhas8 of flxed 8ssel& {5,52n Netta8h ptovld4d by InvestiDu •¢wv5￿5 1.912 Increa¥elldtcrea8el sn c8sh and cash eqU￿alentS during theyear 11.299 17.685 Cash and Gy5h equiwalenls brougMforard 183.281 165,5 Cash and ￿8b equlval•nts ¢arrled fomatd 194,S 183,281

STOCKPORT PROGRÉSS AND RECOVERY CENTRE 11 Not•s to the J¢eout)ts l. Atcountinu pollcles lal Basls of prEparatlon and assessment of going ¢oncern The aGcounls (financial Stslemèntsi have been prepared underlhe hi8￿1￿￿1 cost convenuon Items recwnised at cosl or tranSa¢b.￿ value unle85 olhe￿¥1se slaied in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial $wi&m8nts ave bpen prepared in actr)rdan￿ vAth the Slaiemeni of Recommended PractSce". Accounting and Reportlng by Charili2s prepaTrllg theii 8¢counts in accord2n¢e with the Finan￿31 Reporbng Standard 8ppIic8Ne in the UK and Republic of 5reland IFRS 1021 and the Financial Reporbno Standard applicabk in th6 United Kin9dom and Republic ol Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Chadies Act 2011. The charily CQnSiilutes a publiG benefit enlty as defined by FRS 102. Thetrusiees w5iderthai there e no mBièrio1 uncertginties 8boutlhe ehaiW$ ablltyto ￿tInUe?5 a g￿n0 CDneem. Ib} Funds stwctuye ReStr￿ted funds ale funds vthich are to be used In accordarKewth speufic re51riclion5 bythe donoror lyustdeed Thore are 22 re8lricied funds. Unre51ncled incorne funds comprise ihose (unds which the trustees arefree ￿ usefof aw purpose In furlherance of the charitable Dbjettis. Ullrestricled funds include deslonaied fund5 vth8re Ihe Irustse¥. alth￿[ discxetion, h8vg created a fund for 8 spe¢ifl¢ purpos6. Further detsils ote8ch fund are disdosgd in note 17. Ill Incorne recogDltion Ml income is recognised once ihe charity has e￿I￿￿nent lo the Inco￿￿. 115 prob8ble ￿8t Ihe income wlll be reNed and amount uf in￿[nO re¢elvable Can b8 measuied reliably. Donations are reco9nisedwhen the charity has twn ngtified In of both the amouniand settkrnent date. In IIE Ev￿1 that 8 donaliDn is subject to conditions that ￿quIre 8 levèl of performance bèfore thè ¢harity Is enliued lo the funds. the Inwme Is deferred and nol recognised untyl either Ihose condilions are lulty mel, or the fulfilmenl of those diiions is whollywithifi the contrDI of Ihe charity and il Is WDbable that those C￿ditIOns￿lI1 be fvlfilleo ID the repDrtin9 perKyJ Inieresi on funds held on ¢epo￿l is Included wh2n receivatAe and the amDunl (xn be measured reliabty bytht ¢h&fjty". this is normally upon notification of Ihe interest paid or pay8blè bylhe bank. Divldends iecoyni5ed once thg diwden4 has been declared and notrfitabon has receiveo of the dlviLlenO due. Idl Expenditure Recolnltlon Liaknlitses Bre recognised as exp8ndilure as soon as therè 15 a18gal 0[￿81T￿￿￿e obllgauon c￿rmitting the tharityto that expÈndiiure. Il Is probable th9t 5etUnenlwlll be required and the arnounlol the O￿lgation Can bè measure All expenditure 15 amaled for Dn sn accruals basis. All trxpenses indudino support and governance ￿515 819 allocated or apportioned io the aprAicaLl8 expanditure headinos For more inftrmBtion on this 8ttrltyLrtion ￿f9rt0 note Igl below. lel Ir￿CoVerable VAT IriBCOVBrabk VAT 13 char9Bd ￿￿$t th8 expenditure t￿￿1￿0 forwhth itwa5 I￿￿11•d. IflA11ocatlon of 5UPPOrt and £ovemance c05ts Support costs havè beÈn all0G￿ed beiwepn govemance cost5 and other supportCDSl8 Govemance wsts (x)mprise811 ¢osl¥ involving the public accountsbllity of the charity ano cornpll8nce wlh reguiaiiOTh and gOCl PTactiC8. These Cosig indude c0518 related lo IndÈpÈndeni ex2minaiion and legal fees109elMerwbti an appDrtionmenl of overhead and supporf Gosts. Govtrrngn￿ costs and supportcosts reLBting to chwit8tAe ath1w1￿$ hllve been apportLoned based on type ofexwnse. Tht a1￿c￿li0n of swwl and governan￿ cosls Is 8natys& In note 8. (8) Costs of rai5in8 futhds Tho ¢0515 of raising funds consists of costs requiredto gen•¥ie income. IhlCh4ritsble A(tlvl*les Costs of ¢haritab1e acliwlies inGlTr)Ye po¥eman¢8 to81$ and gn app)r￿￿M￿nI of supportcosts as shown In not8 7.

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE 12 Note$to the accounts lil Tanilbleffxed assets and dÈprÈ£latlon l assets coslSno more than £SOO aro Ixpftalised and valued at hlstorical rx%t. D8prerAation is charged on the follo¥%Sno bas'. Fumiture & Office Equipment 10% str7Joht Ilne Ul Reallsed Balns and losses l oains 8Dd105se5 are lakan lo ihe Slatertsntof Fin8ntsa1 A¢livrfies as they arise. Real￿ed gains and losses Dn Inveslmen18 are c8lculaled as th8 dlfference b&N¥een sales woceeds and I￿rr openin9 t￿try￿9 valup or their purGh8se value rf 8cquired wbsequentto Ihfyfir51 of the finanGial ye8r. VnrealLsed g8in5 and10sses are rAlcul8ied a$ the difference tts￿￿n the fairv81ue 81 the year #thd and ¢￿irV￿ryIng value. Rèaiised and unreal￿ed investment gain5 and losses a￿ cornbined in Ihe Stalernent of Financlal Activthes. Ikl Pen51ons The ¢hanty ¢urrenly Bdminislers contribull0r￿ to an aulD enrdmani penslon xheme C￿ behalf of indiwdtsa18. The tharity has liability bwnd maklng it6 ¢onirfbuih)n8 and palng across Ihe deducibns forthe employee's conlilbulons. 111 Dotytors Trade and other dEbl(Ys are recognised al the setU￿ent amount due afterany ITade di8CQUntoffeffjd. Pffjpayments a￿ valued 81 Ihe amouni prepaid not of any trad2 discoun15 due. lrnl Crtdrtor$ and provi4lon$ Credrtors and provision6 a￿ recoun￿ed where Ihe Charfty has a present obligalbn resulllno frtyn a pasi eventthatwll prOba￿Y result in the transferol funds ID a third party and the amount dueto $6lUe the oNlgalion Can be measured or estimated rel18bly. Crodiiors and prov1510ns are normally recognised al Iheirsetvemenl amount afttr allovAng forany Irade discounts due. 2. Relatpd party trnnsa¢tlons and t￿SlEE5. exppnsw and remuneratlon ThOtrustèes all oNe froety their Ilm£ and èxperfsewilh￿I any form of remuneiaion or other benefrt in cash Dr ki￿1 12022.. £n111- Expen¥e$ pald forthe iiustees in the year totsllad £nil 12022.. £nlll 3. Donatlons and Legacie Unrestrictsd Regtfftted Total Funds Totsl Fund# Year Ended Y•ar Ended Year Ended Y•ar Ended 31$¢ MawGh 31st MaKh 31st March 31¥t M•r¢h 2023 2023 2023 2022 Donations 1.834 1 834 6,709 10.765 10.765 4,875 pre￿Ou8 reporbng Unrestricted Restiicted Totsl Fvnd& Year Ended Year Ended Year End•d 31st M•ich 315t March 31st March 2Q22 2922 2Q22 Donati0ts8 10.765 10.765 10,765 10.7S5 4. In¢omg Irom chwritsbie activiti Uhre8trlctsd Re8tslcted Toial Fund5 Totsl Fupd¥ Yoar End•d Yllr Endod Y•ar Ende(l Year Ended 31$¢ March 31st March 310¢ March 31st March 2023 2023 2023 2022 Restr￿ed and Unreslricled grants.. Slockwrt MBC Alliance Funding si(¢kport MBC Suidde Prevenllon Stockportcommunhty Champions Sthkpofi MBC Adult Socisl Care S￿k￿rt SM8 W8rrn Spates 10GM Comrnunlly Hub The ScrtrNn¥ Fovndation Big Lottery Fund Lloyds CBT 180.000 180,000 183.325 11.000 11.650 11,000 11.000 1,000 36,900 10.206 36,900 10.208 0,7DO 24,998 10.220 244,893 115,102 16,557 70.767 16.557 .767 181.000

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE 13 Notes to the a¢counls 4. Income from ¢harttsbk adv11￿5 PmK)us reportlng perf Llnrestrictsd R?Jtri¢ted Total Funds YeAr Ended Year Ended YeHr Erbded 31Bt MarGh 31st March 318t M•v¢h 2022 2022 2022 Reslricled gr4nls-. SIoGkport Mec Wliance Funding siocAport M8C Sulclde Prevenbtrl Slo(port CommuDIty Ch8mpons The Scfewfix FouniJBbon Bio Lottery Fwd Lloyds CBT 183.325 11.000 11.650 3.7 24,998 10,220 61.568 11.000 11.650 3.700 24.998 10,220 61,568 3.325 6. Income from othèrtradln9 •¢Wvltlo Unro¥tsi¢t•d R￿trIcted TDtal Fund$ Total Fund5 Year Endéd Year En(Jod Yoar Ended Y04r Endod 31¥t Mar¢h 31$t Mwr¢h 314t March 31st M•r¢h 2023 2023 2023 2022 Skndenl Pla￿￿ent Fee¥ Tr8lning Income Acti￿1￿& and Evenls 2,800 150 20.964 23.914 25,168 4.616 4.616 29.784 29, Pieviw8 Teporting pthLI Unrestrlctod Rtstrfcted Totrl Funfl8 Year ended Yeor Ended Ytr8r Ended 31Bt March 31st March 31st March 2022 2022 22 StudÈrtt Pl8cettnt Faes Training Incorne Acknviti¢S and Events 2.800 150 20.964 2,800 20.964 3,764

STOCKPORT PROGRES3 AND REGOVERY CENTRE 14 Nots$ to thp a¢countg 6. Empendlture Year Ended Year Ended J1st March 31st March 2023 2022 A¢￿V￿le0 Expenditure on ralslthg fvnd5'. Food and Drink Events and Acbvities Li¢*n￿8 8,332 8,332 4.793 309 8,841 418 5.219 8,fj41 Expendlture on charhabla actlvltle8'. Employm&ni Costs Training PensK)n$ Staff supery1s￿n DBS Check5 Payroii Bureau Fees Recruitment Spart4rne Expenses Sessional Workers Equipment Lessing Staff and Volunteer Expens Group Aclivilies anij Equiprn8nl Growing Together Expenses Inrea¢h Sessions Heal. LwJht & Watei Subs￿P110nS Equipment and Maintenance Telephone Compuier Co$1$ Supplles 217.357 2.678 492 193 186 1.882 154 2.TT6 35,045 2.96Z 2.116 5.416 217.357 2,678 492 193 186 1.882 173.185 2.887 492 214 1.702 2,776 35.045 2.962 987 40,385 2.62S 5.416 5,990 32 2,953 7.496 333 1.878 4,157 6.388 751 2,729 12.918 165 2,729 12.918 165 3,572 5242 597 21 2.264 39,506 1,592 2.999 343.979 3,572 5,242 S97 Website In3urance Governance Support Cos1¥ Posi, Prinfyllg & Stalv)nery Deprwallon 2.264 39,506 1.592 1.755 38.046 2.224 343.979 298,420 Othgr èxpondliure: Sundry Expenses 1.947 1.947 354.567 1,947 1.947 354.567 1.626 1.626 305,265 Reslricted funds UNeslricted lunds 175.887 178.680 354,567 80.530 224.735 305,265

STOCKPORT PROGIIESSAND RECOVERY CENTRE 18 Ntste$ to thp •¢countg 7. Nlotgtion of govèrnance and supportcortS The breakdwr ofsupport costs and howlhese were allocated bel￿ governan￿ and other 5UlVlrtcosts is shown LEIow'. Genpral Support Govorn4n To1412023 Bas58 of apportlonm•nt 4,151 type of expense 34,580 percÈntap tsfwtrk perfomd 775 ofexpen$tr 39,$06 Professional SeM¢e8 Employment Cosis Accountanw Fee$ 34.580 775 775 58.731 Prewous reporbng pe￿1￿$ General Support Governance Totil 2022 Bisis of pportlothm•nt 3.700 type ofexpense 33.596 percentage ofwoth perfomied 750 type of expense 38.046 Professional SeMce5 Employment Costs Accountancy Fees 3.700 33.596 750 750 . Anaty5150f stsff costs Yèar Ended Ye•r Endod J1st March 318t M•rch 2025 2022 Wage5 and Sala￿$ Hdiday Pay A¢¢rual Adjuslmenl Social SecuTity Costs Pension Cos 241.602 192.2 4.144 8.Z21 2,612 207 273 11,992 2,979 252,429 CharifaNe aGtswltes Supw)rt cosis 217.849 34.580 252.429 176.678 30,595 207,273 The average number of em￿oYeeS dvring thtry88fw8$ 17 (prev￿U$ year. 151. The charlly consider5 118 key rnanagemeDI per5¢nnel compristss Ihe Irusle8s and Sonior ￿nagers. The ioial employtnenl benefits, includiry ernployer pension contribut￿)lls of the kèy management P￿sonneL W￿re £50,525 Iprem￿S year.. £49.8631. No empw ha5 benefjls In ex￿5 Df £60,000 (prev￿U$ year. nortl.

3rocKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE 16 Notes to thg •ceounts 9. Independent Examiner Fe•8 Year Ended Ye•r Ended 318t Mdr¢h 31Jt March 2023 2022 ITthpendenl examin8tion fees 775 750 750 10. Tangible Fixed Assets FurnltUfO & Equlpnt)t Toial cost AI Isi April 2022 AddilK)ns Al 31sl M8rth 2023 65.761 1.912 87.673 85.761 87.673 Depre¢latloD Al 151 April 2022 Ch8rge fDr Year AI 31st March 2023 60.969 2.999 63.968 60.969 63,8 NET 800KVALUE Al 31st March 2023 Al 31st March 2022 23.705 24,792 23,705 24,7 11. Stocks Tha charity did not hold any6tockS allhe yEaT er￿. 12. AnJlysls otdebtors 2023 2022 7.459 2,471 9,930 46.880 2.621 49.391 Prepaymènts Deblots and prepa￿entS comprise £7.753 ￿tr￿le4 funds and £2.177 Unrestri￿8￿ fund512022'. £769￿48,532l. 13. Credltors.. arnounts fBllin8 duewllhin oneye4r 2023 2022 Cr￿1[¢r5 Short-iemi compensated absences Ihdiday payl Olh8r credllors and actruals DelerrÉd incor T8X8tion gnd secudty costs 7,008 2,582 4,144 1,401 99.304 2.925 1.829 15,000 3,592 14. Wgrr•d Into Def8rred income COTnprfses grants lThvoled in ad¥8nce lor periods after the yearend. Bgiance 86 ¥1 1st April 20Z2 Amount re￿aged10 ints)rne earned frotn tharitabl¢ activiti8s Arn(￿nI deferred in year Balance al 31st March 2023 99.304 199.3041 15,000 15.0 16. Credknrs= arrt)unts failing duo •tter rnorn thin ono year 2023 2022 ProviS￿n$for ￿8b￿rtIeS

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE 17 Notes totho •ccotsrbts 16. Analy8 of charftable funds Arbatysls of fflovenxnt# In Unlestr￿ted lunds B•lante •1 I$iAprll 2022 BHkn¢e •t 31st M•rth 2023 In¢ornlng Rosources R•$our¢81 Expfrnded Trinsfero General Fund 45,095 45,095 209,077 209,077 178,680 178,680 70,5S6 70.556 4.9361 Previous rewrtynG period Balonce at 1$tAprll 2021 Balancé At 315t M•r¢h 2022 IncorniD9 R8SQUTce$ Resouvc Expfrnded Transfers General Fund 57.465 57.465 223.048 223.048 224,735 224.735 ID.683 10.fjU3 45.095 45.095 N•nb of untsstrl¢t•d lund.. GBneW Fund De6¢rlptlon, nature and purp059 ofthe fund The"free ieserve5" An8ty81s ot movenEnts In re4trl¢ted BaL8nc? at 318t March 2023 1stApril 2022 Incomlng Resources Re8our¢e Expende Transfers Dtythppers IMembe¢s Foruml Honzons G[Ov￿ng Toutther sIL￿kp0rt MBC- Returblshmenl Peoplas. Heallh Trust- Natural Progres￿$ Big Lottery Fund 111 Bio Lottery Fund12} Reab￿ment Fundin D'oyly Carte ResiriGted Donalbn5 SlockpDrtMBC Suiude PreVeth￿an siotkport MBC LoGal Fund stockport Communty Champions 10GM Cotnmunity Hub CRH Char￿ableT[￿Sl-yQUng Perw's Project Tre Screwfix Foundalbn Big Lottery Fund Awards lor All Lloyds CBT Éqully Foundation Suicide Prevention Pennine CarB NHS Tru51 (In￿th Se3￿0￿5) 2.555 3.811 1341 14 2.535 4.115 12.052 11581 11.896 14 306 1,3 13061 932 48 (48) 12.827} 2,827 4.875 11.000 4,875 639 9.417 123.4761 14,1541 18.8461 19,1901 18.43BI 13.550 6.774 21 2,074 36.900 10,208 27,71D 1,772 4,939 3,339 50.433 2,929 1,082 639 2.496 130.230 5.019 3.756 14.601 4,022 115.102 179,2701 11,093) 133,2861 16,557 730 3.617 199.258 2.729 175 887 101 923 4.936

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE 18 NoteB to the ac¢ounts 11. AnalysLs of charttab￿ f￿ndS Anatysbs of movemonts In wstrf¢ted funds Prewou5 reporbng perir B•latyco at Bilance Jt Jlst March 2022 Incoming Rg$o¥r¢o¥ Re50urGes Expondgd 2021 Transfer5 DaytripFErs (Memws Faruml HDriZ￿8 Growng Tcoeiher Stockport MBC- Refurbishment Pea￿e3, Heallh Tru$i- Nawral Pr(wessk?ns Big LollÈry Fund 111 Big Lottery Fund 121 Re8blemeni Fundin9 Slo(*piKt iIBC Suityde Prevention Stockwrt MBC l￿al Fund Sittkwrt Community Ch¥mpH)ns CRH Charitable Tru51- Counsellino CRH Charitable Trust- Y(￿n9 Person's Prr4ect The Screwfix Foundation Big Lottery Fund Awards lorAJI Lloyds CBT Eouty Foundation- sul￿de Prevention Pennine Care NHS Ttust Ilntsach Sessions) 2.555 3,586 479 12.208 196 614 1,880 2,555 14091 634 21 468 12.052 196 306 1,396 48 11561 11841 14641 1481 115,414} 12.449 13,550 11,000 5,060 13,550 6.774 11,650 14,8761 117,5201 17.510 5.019 10 5.019 3.756 14,601 4,022 3.700 24.998 474 (10.397} 15671 125.362) 4,SB9 33,053 10,220 730 320 110.202 2.987 80.530 61.568 10.683 101.923

STOCKPORT PROGRESS RECOVERY CENTRE 19 NoteB to the aGGounts 16. Anatyiis of ¢hailtab￿ lunds An•￿1¥ of ftw•mtrnts in ro•ts¥cted lund Nam of re#trf¢t•d lund.. n8Wrip￿rs (Member's Forum) Horizons Growing Together Slockport MBC- Refurbi5hmerrt DeJGription, nalure and purpose of the fund lo f¥tylSWe acbviiitrs of Ihe rnembe¢s f(xum forihe purchase of equikmnenl and sundry items forthe Hol￿On8 groLP tofgulit8te the &¢t￿lI1¢S of Gr￿ing Together ProieGt for puiGh85e of equipment and Sundry iletn5 for refurbi5hmiof People5. Health Tru51- Natural Progres￿L￿5 Blg Lotiery Fund111 Big Lottery Fund121 to faulit¥lelhe aclMl$ of ihe Nabjral Progre85ion8 Proi8¢t lorlhe purchase ol equlpmenl for lh• pvr¢ha$e of musi¢818gUiPfftsDt and provlsion ofworkshop8 for SPARC Musio Project lo pmide addillonal organBaUonal support for Iha developneni of an Enablemenl and Re(xwery Senn( for Greenspace de¥elopTnent for the p￿r¢haSe of a detribrilblor and newwuipment for the Suiode Prevenlion project Ihe new Cafe ProjeGt io work wilh residents ai n5k of Covid 19 for engagetnenlwiih lotsl Primary Care N&bvoYk for community menl&l heamh 5UPPOrtln partnBrship wlth Pure Innowdtions for the Young Petson's Project a therapy shed to create a physvl and mental fvÈ81th wellbeinu pathage Io suppori people accessing secondary Garo fty mental health condthon$ forthe Counsèllirtg Servt8 lo support the Suicide Prevention proje¢i (Man Abouta Dog) forthe Sulclde PrevenlK)n proji lo provide Iherapeulic ac1fv5des lo pati￿ts In the Ment81 He8llh Unltal Stepping Hill Ho8Pi Reablemeni Funding D'oyly Carte Reswicled Donation5 Stockport Mbc Sul¢Kle Prevenvon siockport MBC Loral Fund stO&kport Communlty Ch8mplon5 10GM Cotnmunity Hub CRH Ch¥ritable Trust- YourrfJ Pet3on's Project The Screwfix Foundabon Blg Lottery Fund Awards forAII Lloyds CBT Equity Found81ion- Suiude Prevention Pennine C8re NHS TTusi Ilnroa¢h Ses￿OnsI 17. Anatysil ol notas$ets funds Llnre•trlctgd Deslgty•tsd Re5tTlcted lun*Js fonds Total 2023 Ta￿aIble ffxed asseis Cash ai bsnk and In hand Other ne1C￿r[￿nI assetsllliaknliiw) Ciedilors of more than one y Total 2.874 92.834 125,2521 20.831 101.646 7,753 23.705 194,580 117.4991 130.23 2DO 786 Prewws Teportlng ￿0d Unyestrlcted De•lgnat•d funds fundB Rg$trlct•d lund6 Total Z022 Tangib￿ fixed as&et$ Cash at bank and in h3ThJ Olh&r nei current asselsll11llbiliti¥sl Creditors of rn0￿ than one year Totsl 1,743 64,043 23.049 119,238 140,3641 24,792 183,281 161.0551 45.095 101.923 147 Dl 18. Flnancl•l lttstrurn?nts The charbty onty has financial 8s8ets and l￿bil￿eS of 8 ty)81 qualrfy as ba$5cfinancial instruments. Basic financial instruments are iniwally re￿nIg@d on a trans8¢tion value and sub8equ8niiy measured al thdr setUemtDI valUeV￿lh th8 exception of bank loans whkh are $ubsequeniiy measuied al an am￿h8•d Cost u51w the 8ttective inlgresi mgthL¥J.

STOCKPORT PROGRESS AND RECOVERY CENTRE 20 Income and Empendlture Account Year Ended Year Ended 31st March 31st March 2023 2022 Income Donations Regtricled and Unrestricted grants.. Stockport M8C Alliance Funding Stockport MBC Suicide Prevention Stockport Community Champions Stockport MBC Adult Soual Care Stockport SMB Warm Spaces IOGM Community Hub The Screwfix Foundation Big Lottery Fund Lloyds CBT Student Placement Fees Training Income Activities and Events Investment Income Other Total Income 6,709 10,765 180,000 183,325 11.000 11,650 11,DOO 1,000 36,90CI 10,208 3,700 24,998 10,220 2,8QO 150 20,964 115,102 16,557 29,784 1,075 408,335 284,616 Expenditure Food 8nd Dfink Events and Activitie5 Licences Empltsyment Costs Training Pensions Stsff Supervision DBS Checks Payroll Bureau Fees Recruitment Sparc4me Expenses Sessional Workers Equipment Leasing Staff and Volunteer Expellses Group Activities and Equipment Growing Together Expenses Inreach Se5s10ns Heat. Light & Water Subsciipiions Equipment and Maintenance Telephone Computer Costs Domestic Supplies Website 8,332 4,793 309 217.357 2,678 492 193 186 1,882 154 2,776 35,045 2.982 2,116 5,416 418 173.185 2,897 492 214 1,702 987 40,385 2,625 1,118 5,990 32 2,953 7,496 333 1.878 4,157 6,388 751 2,729 12,918 165 1.117 3.572 5,242 597 21 2.264 39,506 1,592 2,999 1,947 3S4,567 In$ur?n¢e Governance and Support Costs Post, Printing & Stationery Depreci8tion Sundry Expenses Total Expgndlture 1755 38048 2224 2812 1626 305,265 Surplu$llDèficltl for the Y?ar 53,768 20,649

I￿￿ePendent tXhlirtrr'$ report t(J th¢ trysl¥Es of stocJ£pori Pro¥res5 and R¢covLry CLlltre rtport on the ac¢ounts ofthe compan). for the year ¢nd¢d 31" March 2023. Avhich t¢ srl out on pagLry 8 ti) J 9, I1￿[￿111.¢ responsibilitiLS of trllsie& eIMminer The tru5tee5 (i¥'ho are k]l%o tEie dirti¢or5 of thc coinpany fr￿ th¢ purposC5 of coin pany law) &rc r¢sponsibl¢ f<Jr thc prcparation of the a¢¢ourtts. The truslcc5 considcr that an aud i¢ ib no¢ rcquired for this y¢ar undrr s¢£tivn J 44(2) ofthe Charities AGI 201 I (Ihr ?0 I l Act) and that an indcpcndcnL ¢xal￿1￿atIOn is nceded. 'ltre Lh#rity is r¢quircd by ￿mpanY lavi to PYP4t¢ &¢crucd gCC4)U nts llrtd I Iiial ilicd to undcrtake the ex&mination by b¢ing a quulifi¢d mcmbcT o f The A550ciation of Chtyttd Certilied A¢c<Juntants. Havijig satj5fJcd sn)'se If th￿ th¢ charity is nut sUbJ￿t to audit under Cd)nipllny law arLd is Lligibl¢ frjr indLpcndeiit Lxatnination: it is m! ￿SPonSib il ity 10: ¢xamin¢ the a¥ooun¢s und¢r se¢iion l4! of Ihc 201 l Act . tn follow tjie pr(￿4￿[¢5 laid do￿'ll in the g¢n¢ral Di ￿¥[10[15 givrn bv ¢h¢ Ch¥4rily Cornmission undei 5ectioTr 145(b) of tlie 2011 Act, and tu Slal,¢ whrihii parti¢ular Tna¢lct5 bavc cornc lo my #ttcntion. Fl&si$ 4)r irt di[Itnileii¢ exniirttr'$ My eKamination was carried out in accordancc ￿'1th thc gcnrral Di￿￿till￿5 givcn by Ih Charitv Cotnn)issiun. An CKdminaiion in¢liides a r¢vi¢v•' of the ¥counting records kept by th£ charity and a ¢Dmparison of the accounis presented with those records. It also incluile5 4)11siiJeraticin of any uniifiuk]l items or disclosures in thc a￿oUnt4 and 5c<kin¥ &tjyr]S froÈn vou as tn15tCC5 conccrnins aD)' qii¢h mAtter_%_ The procedures undcrlakrn do not p￿¥74j￿ FLII th¢ ¢hai would be reqiiircd in an audit ¢oin*4uenily ncp opinion is SI￿.en as to rliethcr thc accounls pr¢5cnl a 'tru¢ and fajr view. and the reporl is limiL¢d tt) Ehnqe matters qet oiit i n th¢ Stytenient be Low. IndepLnd¢nl t￿￿￿kIner.$ statement In con￿￿¢10￿ With my examination, no matter has come to IMY &lie￿Ill)rt: ( l ) which oives Inc rcasvnablr ¢Auqe to believe that in #nv m?r¢rilll re%yect the rcqui rGrncni5 to kcep A¢¢lJUntinLry re£oTds in &CCL1riJ￿nke With section 380 01 th¢ Cotllp¥tsi¢S Act 2006. nd to prcparr accounls which accord M'ith th¢ ac¢oMintiDg rewrd5. comply wÈth Lh¢ ntittg requirement5 of seLliOn 396 of the C()mpaniG5 A¢i 2006. and Wiith thc mcthods aDd princ#ples of the Statetn¢nt of R¢¢omm¢nded Practicr; A¢Lt)ufJting Ilcporting by Chorities hkiye not becn tnei" or (2) to 11,hich. in tny opin jon, attention should bc drawn irb ()rder10 enabLe a propcr undLrst&nd itts of the accounts to bc rcilLhvd. AM Kill￿ FCC.4 Cotmmiiniiy AcLr)untancy SLrvlu LILI Thc GranB¢. Pil8J'ini DriN'c Bcsvh'irk. MancEiester, M l13TQ A,￿.￿ Datc: 7 June 2023