SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 106793

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
COMPANY INFORMATION
Full Name of Charity:
Samaritans of Ballymena
Company Number:
N1645348
Charity Number:
106793
Company Registered Office:
45, Mount Street, Ballymena, BT43 6BP
Directors:
Marie Nesbitt
Mandy Higgin5
Jed Murray
Principal Banker:
Ulster Bank, Antrim Branch,
8 Market Square, Antrim BT414AT
Principal Solicitors:
McKep4ill Neilly,
l Broadway Avenue, Ballymena, BT43 7AA
Independent Examiner:
William Parkinson FCCA ACMA CGMA
11 Parkmount Road, Ballymena, BT43 SHR
Page I

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
Dirertors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2023
The Directors hereby present their report and financial statements, together with the independent
examinerfs report, for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Structure, Governance and Management
Samaritans of Ballymena was incorporated on 21 April 2017 and is a Private Company, Limited by
Guarantee.
Management, Internal Control and Risk Management
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Directors of the Charity, who are
responsible for the implementation of Samaritans strategy and to SUPPOrt the work of Samaritan
volunteers in the Charity.
The Directors have the overall responsibility for the system of internal control for the Charity,
including the safety of Charity assets and the integrity of the accounting procedures.
Public Benefit Statement
Samaritans of Ballymena 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 15 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 in many ways. including by telephone, live chat,
email, letter, and face to face.
Samaritans, service is open to people who are suicidal, despairing or in distress. The branch provides
a service primarily intended for the benefit of persons in Ballymena and the surrounding area.
However, it also works with all Samaritans branches to ensure 24-hour availability of the service
across the UK.
The Directors confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commi55ion'5 guidance on public
benefit when reviewing the Branch's aims and objectives in planning future activities.
Page 2

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
Directors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the Charity are:
la) to enable person5 in Ballymena and the surrounding area (but without specific limitations a5
to area) who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at
risk of suicide, to receive confidential emotional 5UPPOrt at any time of the day or night in
order to improve their emotional health and to reduce the incidence of suicide;
(bl to promote a better understanding in society of suicide, suicidal behaviour and the value of
expressing feelings which may otherwise lead to suicide or impaired emotional health; and
Ic} to collaborate with and support the Samaritans Central Charity and its affiliated branches in
fulfilling these objectives.
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;
and
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-judgmentol
Human Contact
Page 3

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
Dirertors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Outreach and Awareness Raising
For the first time since the Covid19 lockdown we had a stand at the Ballymena Agriculture Show and
distributed leaflets with information about Samaritans. We were invited to attend a civic reception
hosted by the borough's Mayor on the longest night, 21. December. This was reported in the local
papers, raising awareness of the work of Samaritans. A number of articles were published
throughout the year. encouraging people to take care of their mental health and informing them
how to contact Samaritans if they needed our support. Our street collections were augmented with
information stands at Tesco supermarkets in the local towns, including a collection on the 24 July
to highlight Samaritans, availability around the clock124:71. Volunteers attended the two day annual
flower show in Antrim and took part in an awareness-raising walk to Lough Neagh on 21" June, the
longest day of the year. The Mid Antrim 150 motorcycle club continues to have the branch as their
nominated charity and volunteers attended their meeting in Ballymena Rugby Club building in
November to raise awareness of Samaritans among the club members. They invited us to attend the
two-day Ballymoney Motorcycle Show in March and a rota of volunteers ensured we were available
to speak to people throughout the event.
Financial Review
At the year-end, the charity had unrestricted funds of £191,274.
The principal sources of income were donations from the public and also grant funding. Among
grants received was £l,(J)O received from the Black Santa Christmas sit-out. The purchase and
installation of a lift at a cost of £33,CrfJO is the first phase of ongoing renovations to 45 Mount Street.
With the exception of the current building works, expenditure is focused on core service provision,
together with property maintenance and running costs. Income and expenditure for the year were
£24,205 and £12,207 respectively, resulting in a 5urplu5 of £11,998.
Principal Risks
The principal risks facing the branch are insufficient volunteer5 to keep the branch open and the
possibility of breach of confidentiality.
New volunteer recruitment is essential to ensure that we always have adequate cover.
Through a comprehensive training programme, with the theory and role-play once again
delivered face-to-face to 12 new volunteers, we have maintained the number of volunteers
with 62 listening volunteers at the year end.
Fundraising is also essential in order to meet running costs as well as to pay a contribution to
the central charity towards the costs of the services and systems, without which branches
could not operate.
A corner-stone of Samaritans, service is that all those who contact us are guaranteed
absolute confidentiality. Policies and procedures, including DBS checks for all volunteers, are
in place to reduce the possibility of inadvertent breach of confidentiality.
Page 4

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
Directors. Report
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Reserves policv
As branch income is heavily dependent on donations and fundraising activities it cannot be
guaranteed. The directors consider that around 18 months of annual, non-capital, expenditure
1£18,0001 is an appropriate level of reserves to maintain in order to meet working capital needs.
Expendable reserves, which excludes fixed assets, were £191,274 at the year-end12022: £212,664).
Appointment of Dirertors
Directors are elected by the members of the Branch at the Annual General Meeting. Appointment of
the Director is subject to approval by the Samaritans Central Charity.
Organisational Structure
The Branch Board, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity, meets on a
monthly basis.
Samaritans of Ballymena is a recognised branch of Samaritans, a company limited by guarantee (No
7573721, having its registered office at The Upper Mill, Kingston Road, Ewell, Surrey KT17 2AF.
The Branch operates entirely through its dedicated volunteers without whom the service could not
be provided.
Induction and Training of Directors
Dirertors are inducted and trained in accordance with Samaritans, national policy.
Training and new recruits
Dermot186, Recruitment Deputy Director, is the lead on the management of the Business
Management Tool {BMT) as it is designed to assist in the recruitment of new volunteers. When
potential volunteers are interviewed and accepted for training the BMT creates their individual
Samaritans account and thi5 enables them to access the online modules of the training programme.
Two training programmes were completed this year, with 12 new recruits completing their training
and being registered on the Register of Members. Eight new recruits were selected for the spring
2023 training programme.
Kieran165, Training Deputy Director. organised the training to be delivered, face-to-face, in an
outside venue to reduce the risk of Covid19 infection.
Page5

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
Dirertors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Statement of responsibilities of members of the Board in respect of Financial Statements
The Trustees (who are also the Directors of Samaritans of Ballymena for the purposes of company
law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standard5 (United Kingdom
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland,.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. which
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming
resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable
company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern ba515 unless it 15 inappropriate to presume
that the charitable company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure
that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
th
Approved at a meeting on 8 June 2023 and signed on behalf of the Board.
M Nesbitt
Branch Dirertor
M. Higgins
Secretary
Page 6

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
Income and Expenditure
for the year ended 31 March 2023
2023
2022
Notes
Unrestrirted Restrirted Total
Total
Totsl
Income From:
Donations
10,169
10,169
4,964
Charitable Activities
6,380
6,380
2,333
Other Income
enditure on:
Charitable Activities
Net (expenditure)/lncome
11,998
11,998
(2,377)
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
{21,390)
33,388
11,998
12,3771
Total funds brought forward
212,664
139,127
351,791 354,168
Total Funds carried forward
The above statement contains all gains and losses recognized during the year. The notes on pages 9
to 13 form an integral part of these accounts.
Page 7

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
Balance Sheet
As ot 31 Morch 2023
2023
2022
Notes
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
172,515
172,515
139,127
Currents Assets
Cash at bank
Prepayments
Total Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Accrua15
191,274
191,274
212,664
191,274
191,274 212,664
io
Net Current Assets
191,274
191,274 212,664
Total net assets
£1
172
Funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Capitalisation of fixed a55ets
191,274
191,274
212,664
172 515
172 515 139 127
Total funds
The notes on pages 9 to 13 form an integral part of these accounts.
For the financial year in question the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the
Companies Act 2￿6 in relation to small companies.
No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question,
in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with
respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies
subject to the small companies regime.
Approved on behalf of the Board on 8th June 2023.
4 E knItLi5r
M Nesbitt
Branch Director
M. Higgins
Secretary
Page 8

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the yeor ending 31 March 2023
I.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 and Ireland IFRS
1021 (effective l January 2015)- (Charities SORP {FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the United Kingdom {FRS102)- (Charities SORPIFRS1021).
The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS102 requires the use of certain
critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgement in applying the
Charities accounting policies.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial
statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the company is responsible in law.
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS (remove spacellO2.
The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
Golng 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 Directors in
furtherance of the objectives of the Charity and have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by
donors or which have been raised by the charity for specific purposes. Costs relating to such funds
are charged against the specific fund.
Incoming Resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally
entitled to the income, normally on receipt.
Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Fixed assets comprise the premises at 45. and 47, Mount Street, Ballymena. Details of historic costs
of the building at 45. Mount Street are not available and as a result an independent valuation of
£80,IJJO, obtained in 2017, is included in the accounts.
During 2022 47 Mount Street was purchased at a cost of £59,127. Land and Buildings were valued at
£139,127 at I" April 2022.
Page 9

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ending 31 March 2023
Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation (continued)
This year,2023, £33,388 was spent on the installation of a lift and the valuation was increased to
£172,515.
During the current year there are plans to further develop the premises. The additions will be
capitalized and added to the 31" March 2023 valuation of £172,515.
st
At 31 March 2024 an independent valuation will be obtained and included in the accounts. The
shortfall, if any, will be recorded as a deficit on revaluation.
Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for as incurred 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 activitie5 on a basis consistent with use of resources. Support Costs have
been allocated on the basis of spend to programme areas and to Fundraising and Governance
activities. The Charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.
Volunteer help
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts, in line with the SORP (FRS
1021.
Cash on hand
Cash consists of cash on hand and on deposit.
Taxation
The Charity is not liable to corporation tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.
2. DONATIONS
Totsl
Funds
2023
Total
Funds
2022
Unrestrirted Restricted
Donations and Gifts
Gift Aid
Legacies and Bequests
9.302
867
9,302
867
2,914
2,050
£1
Page 10

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ending 31 March 2023
3. CHARITABLE AcfiviTIES
Total
Funds
2023
Total
Funds
2022
Unrestrirted Restricted
Income from Charitable
Activities
4. OTHER INCOME
Total
Funds
2023
Totsl
Funds
2022
Unrestricted Restricted
Bank Interest
Grants
2,084
2,084
1,784
£7
5. EXPENDITURE on CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Total
Funds
2023
Totsl
Funds
2022
Unrestricted Restrirted
Housekeeping
Head Office Levies
Office Costs
Training
401
401
1,094
4,979
6,185
241
8,849
1,201
10,050
6. EMPLOYEES
There were no employees of the charity during the year 2023 {2022: none).
Page 11

SAMARITANS of BALLYMENA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ending 31 March 2023
7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Land and
Buildings
Total
At l April 2022
Additions in year
139,127
33,388
139,127
33,388
At 31 March 2023
£172
172
Depreciation
At l April 2022
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2023
Net book value
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022
£1
£1
The assets are used for direct charitable purposes.
8. Cash at Bank and on deposit
Unrestricted
Restrirted
Total
2023
Total
2022
Cash at bank
Cash on deposit
17,588
173 686
17,588
173 686
£1
40,919
171745
9. PAYMENTS TO DIRECTORS
No payments have been made to Board members in respect of remuneration during the year.
Expense reimbursements to Directors totalled £3.681 for the year ended 31 March 2023
12022 £6.1291.
10. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
There have been no significant events affecting the company since the balance sheet date.
Page 12

Samaritans of Baltymena
Independent Examiner's Report for the year ended 31st March 2023
I report on the accounts of the Society for the year ended 31 st March 2023, which are set
out on the attached account
Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the Charities Act (Northem Ireland) 2008.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act
- follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the
Commission under section 65(9){b) of the Charities Act
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act
and my examination was carried out in accordan￿ with the general Directions given by
the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.
My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of
any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as
charity trustees con￿mIng any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me
cause to believe:
1 That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act
2 That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records
3 That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
4 That there is further infomation needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be
reached.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination and have no concems in respect of the matters {1) to (4)
listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for
Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
Name: [￿l￿aLL."
Iliam Parkinson FCCAACMA CGMA
Address: 11 Parkmount Road, Ballymena, BT43 SHR, Northem Ireland
Date..
l&, 2cA%