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← Solihull Bereavement Counselling Service

2025-03-31-accounts

Solihull Bereavement Counselling Service

Annual Report

‘To be able to talk to Sonia about my feelings, my loss of Bas, to say things out loud and have Sonia respond with words that made me feel heard and the loss acknowledged.

Sonia is caring and genuine she made me feel understood and I cant thank her enough’

Jayne

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Looking back over the past year SBCS has continued its valuable contribution to supporting the Solihull Community. First and foremost our work with people experiencing breavement through various types of loss has continued unabated.

A huge debt of gratitude is owed to our Counsellors who freely give of their time and to our Supervisors who ensure our work is to the standard expected of a BACP affiliated professional organisation. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our Service Manager Julie Swiffin and her office staff. Again much appreciation goes to them all.

During the year we have had to say goodbye to Kay Kennea, our Office Administrator and we wish her well in her new life in Devon. Her role has been taken on by Val Whitlock who is also our Counselling Co-ordinator. Meanwhile Lisa McNamara continues in her role as Finance Administrator.

As always it is a privilege to be connected with SBCS and you will see from various comments from clients that are included in the report that our work makes a huge difference to many people’s lives just at a time when they are struggling. I can only give a heart-felt vote of thanks to all involved.

Isobel Ford

We have also reviewed and updated our Constitution and welcomed two new Trustees to the Board, Sue Clements and Kate Jones. There is still one vacancy. Should anyone be interested in supporting the work of SBCS in that way please contact the Office. My thanks go to all the Trustees, especially Malcolm Pratt our treasurer for his meticulous care of our finances, for their unstinting support of the service.

As always it is a privilege to be connected with SBCS and you will see from various comments from clients that are included in the report that our work makes a huge difference to many people’s lives just at a time when they are struggling. I can only give a heart-felt vote of thanks to all involved.

Service

Manager’s

Report

The start of 2024 was a difficult one as several of our long-standing colleagues died. I would therefore like to take a moment to remember Ray Walters, Jan Flint and Sue Rose. They were all a huge part of SBCS for many years and I worked closely with them all. They were all kind, thoughtful, and good people, and we still miss them today.

Theres no doubt 2024/2025 has been a year of change for SBCS, as we welcomed 2 new Trustees to SBCS, and remember those who have died. But there's also no doubt we are in a stronger position to take on new challenges and build on what we do best, making a difference to the lives of bereaved people.

As always, I have been proud as Service Manager to see how we have performed and continue to perform, helping those who need it.

We all encounter bereavement at some point. Grieving is a natural process, with its impact on mental and physical health well understood. Many people can find their way through this time with the support of friends or family, plus there is still a certain societal expectation that we should ‘get over it’ in a relatively short time.

During 2024/2025 we delivered 1,366 counselling and assessment sessions and we received 225 referrals. Demand for our service continues, and it is the hope that our input may potentially reduce the need for more complex or longer-term interventions.

I would like to thank Val Whitlock, Lisa McNamara and Kay Kennea ( Kay left the service in December 2024) for their support, hard work and commitment to the service, and helping me keep the wheels turning.

Thanks to the Board of Trustees for their support and trust in me; not forgetting our funders, Solihull Integrated Care Board, without whom this service would not be possible.

SBCS continues to develop strong relationships with partner agencies. We have good working relationships with Cruse, Marie Curie, Healthy Minds, Lyndon Clinic, Newington Centre, SIAS (Solihull Integrated Addiction Services) and many more.

Our counselling hours and number of referrals clearly show a need for bereavement counselling in the Solihull Borough, and, as an organisation, we endeavour to help those who need it.

This year SBCS has been working closely with Cruse, Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other partner agencies across Birmingham and Solihull.

Julie Swiffin M.A. P.G.Dip MBACP (Accred)

Supervision for our counsellors is provided monthly for 32 counsellors in groups of 4, for 3 hours. Our counsellors receive 1.5 hours per month each, which BACP states is the required number for safe practice. The team responsible for supervision are Bob Smallwood, Alison Wilkinson, Gail Roberts and Harry March. I would like to thank them all sincerely for all that they give to SBCS, and offering counsellors additional supervision as and when needed.

Service Manager

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Counselling
Service
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32 volunteers donated their time

1,673 unique users viewed our website

“Learning the stages of grief and also the ways of channelling my emotions in a positive way. Lorraine was absolutely brilliant, she was so helpful and made me feel comfortable about my feelings.’’

Dan

We provided 1,366 counselling and assessment sessions

We received 225 referrals

Appendix 1 at the end of this report shows a breakdown analysis of the yearly client referrals for 2024/2025

Counselling

Service

Clients who do not progress to counselling are either signposted to other agencies, or the clients themselves decide that one-to-one counselling is not what they wanted at the time of the assessment. SBCS’s aim is to assess clients within 5 weeks of their referral, and to allocate to counsellors within acceptable timescales. We train new volunteers each year, so we are fortunate to have counsellors available at all times. However, there are occasions during peak holiday periods when we have to delay allocations. Clients are always kept informed if there is a change to the standard allocation time.

We offer counselling appointments Monday-Friday from 9.00am till 7.00pm, ensuring we meet the needs of people who work, or have childcare issues. We offer face to face or telephone sessions.

“It has given me the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings about my bereavement. Some of the thoughts I shared with my counsellor, I had not shared with anyone before.

This was my first experience of counselling and I have found it to be a positive one. My counsellor showed empathy at all times and was a good listener.’’

Stephen

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Volunteers
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The service has 32 volunteer counsellors. Each counsellor manages a caseload, which can vary from one to five clients. To ensure cover for the number of referrals we receive each year, SBCS endeavour to have approximately 30 to 34 volunteer counsellors available.

Volunteers at SBCS need to have a Diploma in counselling, or be studying on a Diploma course. This high standard we require reflects in our service delivery and quality assurance.

We are very proud of our volunteers, and to show our appreciation we present a long service certificate at our Annual General Meeting to any counsellors who have completed 5 years service initially, and every subsequent 5 years thereafter. This is our opportunity to acknowledge the commitment and loyalty of our counsellors.

“Lorraine has been so helpful in listening and understanding where my bereavement and grief is moving and manifesting.

Lorraine's brilliant active listening and caring approach, and the understanding of what ‘goals’ should look like. It was an amazing safe place.”

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Bethany
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Training and
Supervision
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In compliance with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework, SBCS continues to provide on-going training to all our counsellors.

Each counsellor is required to undertake a minimum of ten hours continuing professional development training (CPD) per year as part of their contract with SBCS.

SBCS has tried to reduce the costs of training by external trainers and are grateful to those who have lowered their fee because of our charitable status.

The following topics have been covered during the year (April 2024– March 2025)

Suicide Awareness June 2024 (5 hours in person)

Autism Awareness January 2025 (5 hours in person) Safeguarding March 2025 (5 hours in person)

“Fantastic experience, this has really helped me cope. The counsellor was excellent, non judgemental, caring and empathetic. A great experience.

I am so thankful for the support. They understood my emotions and grief.”

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John
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BACP Ethical Framework states that supervisors remain competent to carry out their role by attending monthly external supervision. SBCS pays for the supervision of our supervisors.

Counsellors attend group supervision sessions for 3 hours per month. This meets BACP guidelines of 1.5 hours supervision per month per counsellor.

Funding

Core funding from Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) is specifically for clients who live in the borough of Solihull or whose GP is part of the Birmingham and Solihull ICB.

We would like to thank our funders Solihull Integrated Care Board (Solihull & Birmingham Mental Health Trust) for having confidence in SBCS and work in partnership with us. Thanks also goes to Charitable Trusts, who donate funds and support us. Without you, our work would not be possible.

“It helped me get through a really tough part of my life. The things I have learnt will help moving forward.

Speaking to Paul has been so lovely and the outlet I knew I needed and more .

I want to thank Paul again, I will never forget how much he helped me.” Lucy

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Finance
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Report
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Staff
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We have 7 Trustees and this is an appropriate time to thank the Board of Trustees for their support and commitment to the service.

Over the year the service employed one full-time Service Manager, three part-time office staff, and three clinical supervisors.

37 hrs per week

Service Manager

Counselling Co-ordinator

7 hrs per week

Administration Assistant (Finance) 7 hrs per week

“I have found the sessions to be really helpful. I still miss my husband and coming home to an empty house is no longer as painful as it was. I'm learning to deal with the day to day running of the house and have more confidence, I was surprised with that.

I now go our with friends and help out at a charity shop once a week. I have also joined a small craft group. Thank you so much”

Heather

Administration Assistant 10 hrs per week

Supervisors x 3 7.5 hrs. – 10.5 hrs per month, depending on how many supervision groups they supervise.

Achievements 2024-2025

Achievements for 2024/2025 were:

“Since my counselling sessions I have made progress in coming to terms with the loss of my mother.

I understand how my grief was affecting my ability to deal with other situations in my adult life., and the sessions with Maria really did save my life.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you again for your service.”

Rebecca

Appendix 1

Referrals 225

174

Male

51 Female

April 2024 - March 2025

Referrals Analysis

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Age Group
years		 Totals Source of referral Totals Death of Totals Cause of Death Totals Interval from Death to
Referral		 Totals
11-17 0 Self 6 Husband 35 Cancer 61 Under 1 month 4
18-25 9 GP 87 Wife 6 Heart related 46 1 -3 months 69
26-39 56 Family 6 Father 46 Other illness 48 4 -7 months 44
40-55 66 Health workers 35 Mother 64 Stroke/Aneurysm 4 8 -12 months 32
56-70 64 Hospital/Hospice 2 Sibling 18 Suicide 13 13 - 18 months 16
71-85 27 Social Services 1 Child 13 Accidents 7 19 - 23 months 10
85 & over 3 Voluntary Agency 9 Grandparent 13 Road Trafc Accident 0 2 - 5 Years 39
SBCS Website 72 Partner 12 Covid 19 2 6-10 Years 7
Friend 5 In- Laws 3 Murder/Assault 0 11-20 Years 1
Employer 1 Other relatves 7 Term, stll, neo 2 Over 20 Years 3
Educatonal Welfare 0 Friend 7 Old Age 8
Church 1 Term, stll/neo 1 Liver Failure due to
Alcohol		 3
Pneumonia 9
Brain Tumor 10
Dementa 12
Total 225 Total 225 Total Total 225 Total 225

Appendix 2 PLACE OF DEATH

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Solihull Hospital 3 Heartlands 59 Good Hope 3 Diff Hospital 40 Marie Curie 9 Nursing/ Resd 13 Own Home 69 Other 13 Accident scene 8 Hospice 7 N/K 1

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Solihull Bereavement.
_Counselling Service.
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.

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Accounts to 31/03/2025
Income yle yie Expenditure yle y/e
2025 2024 2025 2,024
Core Funding 42982 40,128 Salaries 51864 52,304
Client Contributions 8815 8,719 Pensions 4556 4,344
Major Donations 8800 3,527 Travel & other 960 867
Office Expenses 2604 2,446
Other Donations 575 233 Staff Supervision 2455 2,356
Training Fees 2280 1,875 Training 705 2,025
Bank Interest 1810 1,693 Fees/Subscriptions 466 468
Insurances 440 421
Gift aid donations 1004 330 AGM Costs 0
Gift Aid tax 712 Advertising 0
Equipment 552
Bank Charges 60 60
Web Costs 0
66978 56,505 64662 65291
Deficit 8,786 Surplus 2317
66978 65,291 66978 £ 65,291
Deposit a/c c/f £ 78,906 Equity b/f 77,740
Current a/c £ 1,151 =
Cash in hand £ - Surplus £ 2,317
£ 80,057 £ 80,057
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Malcolm Pratt { or
Treasurer Za
31 March 2025 .
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J have examined the books and accounts of Solihull Bereavement Counselling Service and certify that the above is in accordance therewith.

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