j Period start date Period end date i eicln N N T a MAIE OS G r aoe 1 April 2025 be 31 March S| Year2026
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator
Charity name Counselling Services Scotland
Other names charity is known by Registered charity number $C035051 Charity’s principal address Moorfoot Avenue
Glenburn
Paisley
Renfrewshire
Postcode PA2 8AD
Names of the charity trustees on date of approval of Trustees’ Annual Report
ig ae baseTrusteeace as die SPR Scien =i 4h eeseh See eas eine Name ofperson name Office (if any) not for whole year (or body) entitled to 1 Maureen Blackburn Chairperson : : | 2 ‘Tilda Boyle Secretary 3 Margaret Totten Treasurer 4 Morag Donnelly 5 ! : : ; :
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Reference and administration details
Names of all other charity trustees during the period, if any, (for example, those who resigned part way through the financial period) hates sooo 5 aera uieaaaomen ae ajan Daesacted imnottor wholeyear... es
Structure, governance and management
Type of governing document Counselling Services Scotland is an Unincorporated Association and is governed by its constitution. The charity has been a registered Scottish Charity since October 2003. Trustees are responsible for the day to day management and operational duties of the charity as there are no paid employees.
Trustee recruitment and appointment The trustees were those appointed at its Annual General Meeting. Appointment and removal of Trustees is in accordance with the constitution that also requires any person who wishes to be a trustee to submit an application for appointment prior to the AGM. Any appointment is ratified at the AGM by members in attendance.
Objectives and activities
Charitable purposes The purpose of the charity is to advance the education and relieve the suffering and distress of those affected by mental ill-health and generally promotes the welfare of those sufferers and their families and carers.
Summary of the main activities To charity provide a range of information, practical and emotional support in relation to these objects through self help forums, self management awareness training, information and education on the nature of mental health issues. To provide relevant and appropriate training, support and supervision to agencies and individuals.
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Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of — The charity had a slight increase in the number of email requests seeking the charity during the financial period _ information from (593 : 2024/25) to 601. The main reason for contact was to seek assistance and information directly relating to mental health issues such as low mood and feeling isolated as well as financial worries and potential changes in welfare benefits. Similar to 2024/25 service users stating feelings of despair, worried, seeing no future as a direct result of being affected physically and or mentally due to family financial pressures. The following statistics recorded reflect this: 81 face to face meetings were undertaken with individuals 39 family face to face sessions were delivered 93 persons requested specific mental health specific information sheets 76 service users sought assistance relating to contact details for welfare assistance 16 applications for funds to meet day to day running costs and upgrade the charity’s laptop and software due to volunteers having to use their own laptops which are struggling to update and manage the mobile dongles issued There was no support and supervision sessions offered during the financial year due to volunteers having insufficient time and an increase in the number of charities using AI online sessions. In addition, the charity continues to have issues opening documents sent by other companies, charities and funders, as the one off payment purchase of Microsoft Office reported to happen in October 2026, seems unlikely at this time. The Trustees have no plans to develop its own website due to cost and training implications. The Trustees believe current arrangements with other agencies and organisations is sufficient at this time, as is the number of individuals/families being supported is at a level that the charity and its’ counsellors/volunteers are able to support at this time. Brief statement of the charity’s policy —_‘The charity’s policy on reserves is to have three months operating costs (£564). on reserves The charity report a deficit of £2,217 of funds for year ending 31 March 2026 compared to £89, in the previous financial year (2024/25). The figures reported require no additional explanation. The Trustees are confident that the charity will be able to maintain service delivery at its current rate to meet all 2026/27 costs. Details of any deficit The deficit reported at the financial year end was due to a reduction in income and higher than anticipated insurance and mobile dongle/top-up costs and attendance a of events. Donated facilities and services (if any) | Organisations provided free premises for individuals receiving one to one support as in previous year. The charity’s Trustees met all travel costs themselves 2 Volunteers were reimbursed for out of pocket public transport costs to events.
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Other optional information
There was a significant decrease in donations and fund raising activities income during the financial year 2025/26.
No trustee submitted expense claims for out of pocket travel during the financial year. Any claims received would be met from unrestricted funds. The Trustees are concemed that volunteers are absorbing more and more costs for travel, use of their own mobile and home phone costs. Trustees ensured that 2 Volunteers were reimbursed for out of pocket public transport costs incurred to attend events on behalf of the charity.
As reported last year the charities Trustee’s are concerned about the increase number of individuals/families seeking support and or assistance for their mental wellbeing and financial poverty and remain committed to its position that no counsellor/volunteer or trustee is or should directly assist any client with any welfare benefit claim form filling or provide specific advice or information on what to report on any claim being submitted by a client. The Trustees fully believe and acknowledge that due to the many welfare reform changes and the many government financial assistance funds that client’s should seek the services of a specialist welfare officer either directly employed by the local authority, Citizens Advice or similar agencies such as Trust Scotland and this continues to be the view today. Clients are now provided with contact details where appropriate to allow them to contact relevant agencies/departments direct.
2 Volunteers attended various events throughout the year including the use of AI in specific operations organised by NHS24 and Scottish Parliament. In addition events attended including the introduction of professional Pharmacist being able to diagnose and prescribe certain conditions rather than attendance at GP surgeries, use of AI within cardiac surgery and the in dispensing medication organised by Strathclyde University, GCVS and Glasgow University on behalf of the Government.
The Trustees are concerned as a small charity the legal obligations appear to be increasing and therefore will continue to review and monitor changes as and when they are being considered. The Trustees held a special meeting at the end of March 2026 to discuss the future of the charity. After a long discussion it was agreed the charity consider applying for ‘dissolution of the charity’ at the end of March 2027. This decision will be reviewed in September 2026.
As reported last year the Trustees had hoped that Microsoft would have available a onetime cost to purchase its software, which was due to be released at the end of last year — this has still not happened and directly impacts the charities ability to open and download specific documents/information.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
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Signature(s) a
fF? JEr—
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Full name(s)
Maureen Blackburn
Position (e.g. Chair) Chairperson
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Date
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Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator
independent examiner’s report on the accounts Report to the trustees/members of Counselling; Services; Scotland Registered charity S$C035051 number On the accounts of the Period start date Period end date charity for the period Day Month Year Day Month Year 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 Set out on =pages 6 to 10 Respective the charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance responsibilities of with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the trustees and examiner Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent Vly examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities examiner's statement Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequenily, | do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent examiner’s _{n the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: * to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and * to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Sioned iseCadden pate: 5/5/2O2Le Name: Fiona Collie Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: Roman Road
Falkirk FK4 2DE
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based Heike OSCFCoe at eae Counselling Services Scotland $C035051
Receipts and payments accounts
For theom period | |“ [Day] [[month] ] tol_Day_||Month|
Section A Statement of receipts and payrnents
Unrestricted Restricted a einen muda Total funds Total funds
funds funds March 2026 March 2025
funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £
Ai Receipts
Beier ea ae as | SS eae
ements ese scent AG AR te oo rae
CL an kena I : |ae
ReceiptsGross from fundraising activites | [__—106] | | [106] |
trading receipts eae 7. aa
Income from investments other than
land and buildings
Rents from land & buildings ines i
Gross receipts from other charitable
activities
Ai Sub total L764
|
A2 Receipts from asset &
investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets ieee areas
Proceeds from sale of investments ieee
Az Sub total] _-]
A3 Payments
Payments relating directly to charitable
activities 2,898 2,898
semetenios | a
soverancecosss ce
Re eee a
Az Sub total| 2,804) [2.006| [F888|
A4 Payments relating to asset and
investment movements
Purchases of fixed assets ee eee
Purchase ofivesmenis |
Ad Subtotal]
Net evelrts (payments) [TO] ee oe EE ee
Surplus/ (deficit) foryear (2,217) (2,217)
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Counselling Services Scotland $C035051
Section B Statement of balances
= Expendable Permanent
Categories Details sichnia Restricted funds endowmentfunds endowmentfunds pg am bie so
B1 £ fs cy € £ £
Cash funds Cash and bank balances at start of year Ps aa | 11001 | | 180]
Surplus / (deficit) shown on receipts and
payments account (2,217) (2,217)
Cash and bank balances at end of year 8,874 8,874 | 11,091 |
Fund to which asset belongs Market Valuation Market Value
Details
£ £
Ss = ee
Total
Details Fund to whichF asset belongs Cost (if- available)" Total2026 March Total2025 March
£ £ £
B3 Other assets HP All in one PC & Warranty Urestricted Eee
a sae
Details Fund to whichena liabileeel i ty relates Total2026March Total2025March
£ £
B4 Liabilities Domestic & General PC Warranty Unrestricted Funds a. hae
Amount due
Details Fund to which liability relates Merchzozg{estimate) | TNA(estimate) March.2025
ae cece ae £ £
Total
Signed by one or two trustees
on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of
approval
41)arae We. Margaret Totten (Treasurer( 3s4 May 2b
YN Maureen Blackburn (Chair) p
Zl] fiH kre of0
Z
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$C035051
Counselling Services Scotland
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Section C Notes to the Accounts
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C1 Nature and and purpose of funds
C1 Nature and and purpose of Unrestricted funds are free reservies of the charity. As in previous years unrestricted funds met the cost of funds purchasing four annual mobile/broadband dongles to allow counsellors to keep in contact with the charity via email while travelling to and from client visits. In addition unrestricted funds were used to meet the day to day operating running costs such as purchase of postage, stationery, printing of information handouts. All costs were met from reserves held. Restricted funds are those donated specifically to be used for the purposes applied. No restricted funds were received during the financial year. Type of activity or project supported unite siveeae 3 C2 Grants No grants were received = Total C3a Trustee Trustee remuneration If no remuneration was paid during the period to any charity trustee or person connected to a trustee cross this box (otherwise complete section 3b) Authority under which paid = C3b Trustee remuneration - details C4a Trustee Trustee expenses If no expenses were paid to any charity trustee during the period then cross this box (otherwise complete section 4b) Number of £ trustees
C3a Trustee Trustee remuneration
C3b Trustee remuneration - details
C4a Trustee Trustee expenses
C4b Trustee expenses - details
;
Nature of relationship
Nature of transaction
Transaction Balance amount (£) outstanding at March 2026 3
C5 Transactions with trustees and connected persons
C6 Other information
Gross trading receipts are shown under the unrestricted fund heading. Donations were received from individuals who received one to one support.
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Counselling Services Scotland
$C035051
Additional analysis (1)
Analysis of receipts and payments
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1 Donations
eerily= Restricted funds Expendableendowment endowmentPermanent beersimer fr aa
£ £ funds£ funds£ £ £
Self Management Training Pap aang ae |ee
Support & Supervision eae BBG |mee
lint Donations os a sat} |ees |
2 Grants
Unrestricted ‘ Total March Total March
funds eames 2026 2025
£ £ € £
Total == =
3 Gross receipts from other charitable activities
5 Expendable Permanent
ee Restricted funds endowment endowment gp cage ee
£ funds funds
£ iS = (x £
Various Fundraising Activites 0 ae enor?
4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities
5 Expendable Permanent
eeeie! Restricted funds endowment endowment — begin [ft]
£ £ funds£ funds£ £ £
MembershipProfessional Insurance fae. |PE. | [463] |
Fees es [oes] Uh ete ay Ge |Sore
eee)ae) ae ee|aT]
Publications ]SS Bee. |Sa
(Resources) TSae |aeee Pensae |
Mobile Dongles ee SRR] |S|
& Top-Ups ae |See: || a]
Courses/Conference Fees iss
Reinbursement a Sl (a Eek |eee
iT of Volunteer Travel Costs aaa.1)RR CATE” |RN
BTSchaas (aie loco) eae mT ee
DomesticTelepone/Email Rae |RT: ear |a
& General PC Insurance se| ee ne) a
Total iceman, aS
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$C035051
Counselling Services Scotland
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Additional analysis (2)
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5 Breakdown of unrestricted funds
Individuals & sen ae Various Fund Support &
OrganisationDonations impact Training ActivitiesRalsing Supervision
Total Total
unrestricted unrestricted
funds March funds March
Receipts £ £ £ 2026£ 2025£
[eee Pee ad Ea) ee
eae eae EEE pee
Receipts Ree Ween Be |
Gross from fundraising activities cee See) ee] cs AO
trading receipts See) an bs ra BS HEROES hES
Rents from land & buildings praties wre ss ee rea Tees |ae
Gross receipis from other charitable acivides Spewa Pea sane | FRCS. boa
Subtotal [— [581] PREETI(J
Receipts from asset & investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of investments
Sub total
Payments
Expenses
Gross for fundraising activities ieee eee nee i oe hae
trading payments (EE, fei tee ay GEEGRSE oR
Payments EES pear Pea |ae
relating directly to charitable activities Pei2,798 ieee cw 2108| [204| | [4,883] |
vane oe ee Reta |Se
Audit independent examination] |_| ratseae cared RuaesarsAES ||errorSS
Preparation ofannual accounts) |__| ete ter PO EEE
Pe val arb ra a TE)
EERIE aroha eenaoe eg)|| (Me erane Caah eas) BEResea ||eeea eea
Sub fotal 2,798 p06 | X73 |
Payments relating to asset and investment
movements
Purchases of fixed assets
Sub total
Total payments [2786] [—~] =a
Tranefer to / (rom) fundsNetreceets/(peyments) Ga[e390] [=]ed Ee[an]ee ee
Surplus / (deficit) for year aan) aeS ee
Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds are the free reserves of the charity that can be used at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the charities objectives
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