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2024-03-31-accounts

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY (NI 644871; CCNI 106776) UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2024

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

CONTENTS

For the Year ended 31st March 2024

INDEX PAGE
Trustees' Report 2
IndependentExaminer's Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Statement of Changes in Reserves 12
Notes to the Financial Statements 13

Page1

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

TRUSTEES' REPORT for the year to 31st March 2024

COMPANY INFORMATION

1. Reference and administration

Full name of Charity: Samaritans of Newry.(CCNI 106776)
The Charity is an incorporated organisation (CLG NI 644871)
and is recognised by the Organisation as an affiliated branch
of the Organisation. The Organisation Trustee Board shall
have power to dissolve, suspend or withdraw recognition of
the Charity as a branch of the Organisation.
Organisation: The Company limited by guarantee called Samaritans of
Newry is affiliated to the wider Samaritan Organisation
which was incorporated under the Companies Act 1948 on
11 April 1963 and is a company limited by guarantee not
having a share capital.
Company Registered office: 19 St. Colman’s Park, Newry, BT34 2BX
Charity address: 19 St. Colman’s Park, Newry, Co. Down, BT34 2BX
Trustees serving 2023/24: Oonagh Brown
Maire Hughes
Martin Darling
Anne Carlisle
Secretary Martin Darling
Treasurer Anne Carlisle
Custodian Trustees: Samaritans
The Upper Mill
Kingston Road
Ewell, Surrey, KTl7 2AF
Principal Banker: A.I.B Bank
42-44 Hill Street,
Newry, BT34 1AU
Principal Solicitors: The Elliot Trainor
Partnership,
3 Downshire Road
Newry BT341EE
Accountants: RPB Chartered Accountants
22 St. Colman’s Park
Newry, BT34 2BX
Insurance Brokers: PIB Insurance Brokers
Poppleton Grange
Low Poppleton Lane
York YO26 6GZ

Page2

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

for the year to 31st March 2024

The Trustees hereby present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024.

These documents are prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and, voluntarily, in accordance with international best practice (Statement of Recommended Practice in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS l 02 effective 2015) as recommended by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. The Trustees' Report contains the information required to be provided in the Trustee's Annual Report under the Statements of Recommended Practice guidelines.

The Trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024.

1. Structure, Governance and Management

Samaritans of Newry (CLG NI 644871; CCNI 106776) is, and is recognised by the Organisation as an affiliated branch of the Organisation.

The Organisation called Samaritans was incorporated under the Companies Act 1948 on 11 April 1963 and is a company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital, registered in England and Wales with company number 757372, and a charity registered in England and Wales (charity registered number 219432) and in Scotland (Scottish charity number SC040604) (''the Central Charity").

The Organisation's Trustee Board shall have power to dissolve, suspend or withdraw recognition of the Charity as a branch of the Organisation.

2. Management, Internal Control and Risk Management

The day-to-day management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees of the Charity who are responsible for the implementation of Samaritans strategy and to support the work of Samaritan volunteers in the Charity.

The Trustees have overall responsibility for the system of internal control for the charity including the safety of Charity assets and the integrity of the accounting procedures.

The Branch Leadership Team is comprised of:

Page3

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

for the year to 31st March 2024

A member shall not serve for more than three consecutive years in a given role. The exception to this is the Branch Secretary who may serve for six consecutive years.

In the event of any vacancy in the elected members of the BLT (other than ex-officio members) the BLT shall require the Secretary to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting to elect a Samaritan to fill such vacancy.

Casual vacancies on the BLT may be filled by the Director/Chair.

The Trustees shall meet as often as may be required but at least three times a year. Three members of the Trustees shall be a quorum.

It is recommended that the BLT meet at least every 6 – 8 weeks.

3. Public Benefit Statement

In planning our activities for the year Trustees have kept in mind the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

Samaritans offers support to those at risk of suicide by being there to listen and encourage the recognition and exploration of their options. By doing so we aim to help people find ways of coping with their distress without choosing to die by suicide. We also seek to support those whose distress is less acute, in the hope that they will not reach the point of feeling that they wish to end their lives. We make our support available by telephone and email.

Samaritans' service is open to people who are suicidal, despairing or in distress. It works with all Samaritans branches to ensure 24-hour availability of the service across the UK.

4. Objectives and Activities

4.1 Objectives

Samaritans of Newry main objects are:

4.2 Principal Activities

Samaritans of Newry principal activities include the following:

Page4

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

TRUSTEES' REPORT for the year to 31st March 2024

5. Mission and Values

Samaritans' Vision is that fewer people die by suicide.

We work to achieve this by making it our Mission to alleviate emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicidal feelings and suicidal behaviour.

We do this by being available round the clock to provide emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of emotional distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide:

Reaching out to high-risk groups and communities to reduce the risk of suicide.

Working in partnership with other organisations, agencies and experts to achieve our Vision.

Influencing public policy and raising awareness of the challenges of reducing suicide.

We are committed to the following Values:

Listening Confidentiality

People making their own decisions

Being non-judgmental

Human Contact

6. Volunteers

Samaritans of Newry could not exist without the dedication, skill and commitment of its volunteers. We are committed to best practice in volunteering and invest substantially in initial training and on-going training to ensure that the highest standards of training and volunteer management are maintained in the branch.

All new listening volunteers are required to clear Samaritans disclosure and baring service before commencing emotional support duties.

Our volunteers know how important it is that we are always available, providing a safe place, where people can be themselves when they need us most. Our volunteers are ordinary people who do extraordinary things, and we could do nothing without them. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.

To this end we have a comprehensive volunteer support system, comprising of a volunteer care team, mentors, Leaders and on-call Deputy Directors

7. Helpline

Samaritans branches collectively operate a 24-hour freephone and email helpline service. The Newry branch is one of the eight branches in Northern Ireland connected to the UK telephony network, Link.

Page5

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

TRUSTEES'REPORT

for the year to 31st March 2024

The Link system is a resilient digital platform which ensures that callers are connected to the service as quickly as possible and that capacity can be monitored to ensure that the service offers optimal capacity. Samaritans is also signposted to by other service providers, and many other helplines, not in a position to offer a 24-hour service.

8. Awareness raising, Outreach and face to face

Samaritans of Newry deliver a range of awareness raising sessions in the community. The broad themes of our Branch outreach/awareness activity are:

During the period of this report, we were involved in the “Darkness into Light” walk in Kilbroney Park on 24[th] May 2023.

We also were in attendance at the Vintage Car Rally in Rostrevor in June 2023.

We have been in contact with schools and businesses and delivered emotional wellbeing talks.

We raised our profile through social media campaigns and features in the local press.

9. Achievements, performance and plans for the future

In the 12-month period to the end of March 2024 the Branch answered 18325 calls and 3829 hours were spent on the telephone. Showing an increase on the previous years figures. All callers were provided with confidential, nonjudgmental, emotional support.

Page6

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

TRUSTEES'REPORT

for the year to 31st March 2024

Recruitment and Training of new volunteers is ongoing in the Branch. Two cohorts received training during the period of the report, one finishing in June 2023 and the other, having finished their initial training, are in the process of Embedment training. Ongoing training of established volunteers continued via digital modules. In September 2023 we had a very successful training session in a local hotel involving all volunteers. Our thanks go to the training team for their dedication in delivering very high quality of training.

A number of volunteers attended the Regional Conference in Bangor and participated in a number of workshops and information sessions.

The Branch Director and members of the BLT attended various online conferences, webinars and workshops including Samaritans AGM Regional Council meeting.

We are celebrating 50 years in Newry this year and to raise our profile in the local community, we were featured in the local newspaper. The publicity was useful to our recruitment drive also.

Samaritans was a nominated charity by Mylife and we were charity partners with Newry Chamber of Commerce in June.

10. Financial Review

I 0.1 Results for the year

Financial results for the year ended 31 March 2024 are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 10.

10.2 Income Generation

Samaritans of Newry raised total income of £33,082 in the year to 31st March 2024.

10.3 Resources Expended

Total resources expended by Samaritans of Newry amounted to £22,233 for the year to 31 March 2024. Of the Charities expenditure 60% was spent on direct charitable activities and 40% on governance.

Page7

TRUSTEES' REPORT for the year to 31st March 2024

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

10.4 Reserve Policy

In accordance with recommended best practice, the Trustees have adopted a Reserves Policy which is concerned with how much 'free' (or unallocated) reserves the charity retains.

This excludes the following:

Samaritans of Newry has the responsibility for establishing an appropriate Reserve Policy. Having reviewed the reserves of the charity, the policy of the Trustees is to retain sufficient reserves to ensure the continuity of operations and to absorb periodic setbacks, while committing the maximum amount available for the provision of services.

11. Statement of responsibilities of members of the Board in respect of the financial statements

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustee's Report and the financial statements in accordance with UK Law and regulation.

The Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including SORP Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK.

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

The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the Charity keeps or causes to be kept adequate accounting records which correctly explain and record the transactions of the Charity, enable at any time the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Charity to be determined with reasonable accuracy and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and Directors' Report comply with legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees,

Anne Carlisle Trustee Date: 26[th] June 2024

Oonagh Brown Trustee Date: 26[th] June 2024

Page 8

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT for the year to 31st March 2024

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 10 to 20.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The trustees (who are also the directors of Samaritans of Newry for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

My examination 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. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

RPB Chartered Accountants Independent examiner 22 St. Colman’s Park Newry BT34 2BX

Page 9

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year to 31st March 2024

Note
Income and Endowments
Donations and Legacies
2
Income from Charitable
Activities:
3
Investment Income
Total Income and
Endowments
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds:
Fundraising and Publicity
Expenditure on Charitable
Activities
Total Expenditure
4/5
Net incoming (outgoing)
resources before other
recognised gains and losses
Funds transferred from
Samaritans of Newry
Total Funds Brought Forward
Total Funds Carried Forward		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
19,438
1,500
20,938
23,455
12,144
-
12,144
7,000
-
-
-
-
31,582
1,500
33,082
30,455
1,640
-
1,640
3.542
20,593
-
20,593
20,073
22,233
-
22,233
23,615
9,349
1,500
10,849
6,840
-
-
-
-
246,878
35,976
228,854
276,014
256,227
37,476
293,703
282,854

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities.

On behalf of the Trustees

Anne Carlisle

Anne Carlisle Oonagh Brown Trustee Trustee Date: 26[th] June 2024 Date: 26[th] June 2024

Page 10

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

BALANCE SHEET As at 31st March 2024

Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
8
Investments
Current Assets
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and short-term deposits
Creditors: due within one year
10
Net current assets
Total net assets
Funds
General funds
11,12 &
14
Restricted funds
Designated funds
Total funds		 2024
2023
203,795
208,350
-
-
203,795
208,350
-
-
90,358
74,954
90,358
74,954
(450)
(450)
89,908
74,504
293,703
282,854
256,227
246,878
37,476
35,976
293,703
282,854

On behalf of the Trustees

Anne Carlisle Trustee Date:26[th] June 2024

Oonagh Brown Trustee Date: 26[th] June 2024

Page 11

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN RESERVES As at 31st March 2024

RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN RESERVES
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Net incoming (outgoing) resources for the year
Prior year adjustment
Total recognised gains (losses) for the year
Reserves at the beginning of the year
Transfer from Samaritans of Newry
Designated Reserves
Reserves at the end of the year
11,12 & 14





2024
2023
£ £
10,849 6,840
10,849 6,840
282,854 276,014

293,703 282,854

Page 12

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

for the year ended 31st March 2024

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 United Kingdom (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom {FRS 102) and UK statute comprising of the Companies Act 2014.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies.

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

Going Concern

The financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis.

Funding accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity and have not been designated for other purposes. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds which have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for specific purposes. Costs relating to such funds are charged against the specific fund.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income, there is reasonable certainty of receipt and _the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies apply to categories of income:

Donations

Accounted for when received.

Legacies

Entitlement is the earlier of the charity receiving final estate accounts (or other similar evidence) which provides sufficient certainty of receipt and reliability of value, or the legacy actually being received. No value is included where the legacy is subject to a life interest held by another party.

Grants and Contracts

Where contracts are related to specific deliverables income is recognised to the extent that those deliverables have been achieved. Where income through contract or grant is received in advance, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Other Income

Income generated from other activities is recognised as earned.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the assets to their estimated residual values over the course of their anticipated working lives.

Page 13

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2024

The rate of depreciation used is as follows: -

• Computer Equipment - 20% straight line • Freehold - 2% straight line

Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of resources. Support costs have been allocated on the basis of spend to program areas and to Fundraising and Governance activities. The following specific policies apply to categories of expenditure:

i) Grants

Grants are charged to the statement of financial activities when there is a liability to pay.

ii) Fundraising Costs

Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.

iii) Governance Costs

Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity which relate to the general running of the charity to distinguish from those costs associated with fundraising or charitable activity. Included within this category are costs associated with the strategic management of the charity's activities.

Deferred income

Deferred income represents income received in advance.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash consists of cash on hand and demand deposits. Cash equivalents consist of short term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash that are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Creditors

Short-term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Going Concern

The Trustees have prepared budgets and cash flows for a period of at least twelve months from the date of the approval of the financial statements which demonstrate that there is no material uncertainty regarding the company's ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due, and to continue as a going concern. On this basis the Trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities that may arise if the company was unable to continue as a going concern.

Page 14

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2024

2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Fundraising activities
Individual donation 19,438 1,500 20,938 13,741
Legacies and covenants - - - 1,943
Total Fundraising Activities 19,438 1,500 20,938 15,684
Trusts and Foundations
Grant Income - - - 7,771
Total Trusts and Foundations - - - 7,771
Total Voluntary Income 19,438 1,500 20,938 23,455

3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Fundraising Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
12,144
-
12,144
7,000-
12,144
-
12,144
7,000

Page 15

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2024

4 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Services
Property & maintenance
Telephone & computer
Light & heat
Travel & course
Fundraising and advertising
Branch running costs
Motor expenses
Total Direct Costs
Support Costs
Accountancy
Total charitable expenditure		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
1,192
-
1,192
2,104
2,620
-
2,620
2,446
2,184
-
2,184
2,585
2,546
-
2,546
1.520
1,640
-
1,640
3,542
2,731
-
2,731
2,152
-
-
-
-
12,913
-
12,913
14,349
8,722
-
8,722
8,526
598
-
598
740
22,233
-
22,233
23,615

Page 16

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31st March 2024

5 ANALYSIS OF GOVERNANCE AND SUPPORT COSTS

The charity identifies the costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function. Governance costs and other support costs are apportioned separately between the charitable activities undertaken in the period. Refer to the table below for the basis for apportionment and analysis of support and governance costs.

General Support General Support Governance Function
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Postage & Stationary 702 - - - 702 30
Water Rates 274 - - - 274 -
Housekeeping 702 - - - 702 527
Insurance 2,150 - - - 2,150 1,590
Bank charges 339 - - - 339 273
Accountancy - - 598 - 598 740
Depreciation 4,555 - - - 4,555 6,106
8,722 - 598 - 9,320 9,266
2024
6
STAFF COSTS

Administration support Charitable Activities

Samaritans of Newry is entirely volunteer led and as such has no employees.

7 NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR

Result for the year arrived after charging: 2024
£
Depreciation 4,555
Accountancy fees 598

Page 17

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31st March 2024

8 FIXED ASSETS

Land and
Motor
Buildings
Vehicles
£
£
Cost or valuation
At 1stApril 2023
231,092
-
Additions
-
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
231,092 -
Depreciation
At 1stApril 2023
23,355
-
Charge for year
4,122
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
27,477
-
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
203,615
-
The assets are used for direct charitable purposes.
9
DEBTORS

Prepayments
Accrued Income
Debtors falling due within one year
10. CREDITORS: FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Accruals
Trade Creditors		 Fixtures
Total
and Fittings
£
£
30,914
262,006
30,914
262,006
30,301
53,656
433
4,555
30,734
58,211
180
203,795
2024
2023
£
£
2024
2023
£
£
450 450
450 450

Page 18

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31st March 2024

11
STATEMENT OF MOVEMENT ON FUNDS
Balance at beginning of year
Net incoming resources, before transfers and recognised
gains
Transfer from Samaritans of Newry
Balance at end of year
12
ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENTINFUNDS
Opening balance
Income
Charitable activities costs
Accountancy
Support Costs
Closing Balance		 General
fund
Restricted
fund
Total
£
£
£
246,878
35,976
282,854
9,349
1,500
10,849
256,227
37,476
293,703
Unrestricted
fund
Restricted
fund
Total
£
£
£
246,878
35,976
282,854
31,582
1,500
33,082
(12,913)
-
(12,913)
(598)
-
(598)
(8,722)
-
(8,722)
256,227
37,476
293,703

13 PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES

No payments have been made to board members in respect of remuneration during the year.

Page 19

SAMARITANS OF NEWRY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2024

14 STATEMENT OF FUNDS

Balance at Balance at
01-Apr-23 Income Expenditure Transfer 31-Mar-24
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted: Accumulated 246,878 13,582 (22,233) - 256,227
Restricted Funds 35,976 1,500 - - 37,476
Total accumulated funds 282,854 33,082 (22,233) - 293,703
I5
POST BALANCE		 SHEET EVENTS

There have been no significant events affecting the company since the balance sheet date.

16 APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Trustees approved the financial statements on

Page20