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2024-03-31-accounts

SAMARITANS OF FALKIRK AND CENTRAL SCOTLAND SCIO

ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2024

Samaritans’ Vision is that fewer people die by suicide

ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

BRANCH DIRECTOR STATEMENT

I am pleased to present our annual report and financial statements for the year ending 31st March 2024.

This has been challenging but productive year, as we work towards resuming full listening volunteer numbers within the branch, our training/recruitment team have worked extremely hard with countless amount of training sessions, allowing potential volunteers to receive training at a time that suits them.

Thanks, must also go to fellow volunteers, who have in addition to their listening commitment, also contributed in roles to lead and support the running of the branch in various capacities.

It is my privilege to support the branch in the coming year as director. I look forward to working with all volunteers to deliver our listening services, and to support and work towards our objectives as we take our branch forward together.

CONTENTS Trustees’ Annual Report...................................................................................... 2-7 Independent Examiner’s Report.......................................................................... 8 Statement of Receipts & Payments..................................................................... 9 Statement of Balances......................................................................................... 10 Notes to the Financial Statements....................................................................... 11-13 Supporters........................................................................................................... 14

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity Name Samaritans of Falkirk & Central Scotland SCIO Charity Number SC047635

Principal Address

Website Address www.samaritans.org/branches/falkirk

Current Trustees

Other Trustees Who Served During The Year Bankers CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling ME19 4JQ

Independent Examiner

STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation that was registered on the 10[th] of August 2017 and governed by its constitution. It is the successor to the charity to Samaritans of Falkirk and Central Scotland which was an unincorporated association (Charity No SC006695), established in 1974.

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Appointment of trustees

The board of trustees consists of the branch director (whose appointment is subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Samaritans Charity), a secretary, a treasurer and up to eight trustees elected by the members of the branch. The trusteed may co-opt two further trustees.

The Branch Director serves for three years (four years in exceptional circumstances). All other trustees retire at the AGM, but are eligible for re-election if they have not served for six or more consecutive years.

Induction and Training of Trustees

New Trustees are inducted and trained in accordance with Samaritans national policy.

Organisational structure

The Board of trustees, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity, normally meets monthly.

Day-today management of the Branch is delegated to the Branch Leadership Team ("BLT") which normally meets on a monthly basis.

Sub-sections of the Branch Leadership Team ("BLT"), meet at regular intervals in the furtherance of operational activity.

Volunteers

Our Branch is run entirely by unpaid volunteers. Without them, our Branch would not exist. In addition to their core role of being available for our callers, many of our volunteers give generously of their time to undertake:

We are very grateful for the considerable time, enthusiasm and expertise with which these activities are undertaken.

Our support volunteers are also immensely valuable to us, giving us their expertise in finance, IT, compliance and office organisation.

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Risk assessment

The trustees and branch leadership team regularly review the risks, including the health and safety of its volunteers, to which the charity is exposed. They do not believe there are any substantial risks beyond the liabilities disclosed in the Balance Sheet. The trustees accept that the Samaritans’ reputation could be at risk through misuse of confidential information but has policies and procedures in place, including safeguarding and Protection of Vulnerable Groups checks on all volunteers, to mitigate this risk.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objectives of the charity are:

Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide. We work to achieve this by making our mission to alleviate emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicidal feeling and suicidal behaviour.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Summary

This year has been extremely rewarding, we have carried out numerous training sessions and have achieved our goal set last year, number of listening volunteers has increase to a more stable number. We have also transitioned our phone service to the national VoIP service provided by Central Charity. We as a branch still have an increasing amount of work to carry out in our public engagement, this is due to the increasing demand from outside organisations, reaching out for mental health awareness materials/talks.

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Volunteer capacity

At the end of this financial year, we have 56 volunteers actively supporting and undertaking listening duties. In addition to this we have 2 support Samaritans who contribute to the running of the branch in various capacities.

Across this financial year we received several resignations, from our existing volunteer base. This has been a significant loss to the branch in terms of knowledge, skills and community contribution. The reasons for resignations are varied, however, we have seen several volunteers explain that their personal circumstances have changed or retirement from volunteering.

As a board, we are supportive and respectful of everyone, and their decision to volunteer. It’s our wish to share a heartfelt appreciation for the contribution and efforts of each volunteer during their time with the branch.

Volunteer Recruitment & Training

The branch has recruited various intakes of potential new volunteers, who have settled within the branch, as above our training team have worked extremely hard this year to increase the numbers or volunteers.

We have also carried out a huge number of interviews, this has resulted a reduction in the backlog of potential volunteers from Covid restrictions.

Over the next year we will continue with the same pace as we have, this will enable the branch to keep with demand of applications being received.

All mandatory training has been completed by listening and support volunteers as directed by Central Charity across the year.

Service delivery

Across this financial year, the branch has delivered 1212 shifts from listening volunteers. This total is made of up of:

Out of Hours Shifts:256 Day Shifts: 956

The branch has remained closed for face-to-face calls.

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Prisons

Historically this branch would support both the Cornton Vale women’s prison in Stirling, and the Polmont Young Offenders Institution.

Since the newly opened HMP Stirling opened this year, our branch has bi-weekly visits to the ladies that have moved there from Corton Vale, the increasing demand on our services within HMP Stirling has allowed potential new Listener volunteers to be trained.

We have also carried out various training days/information sessions with both prisoners and staff, we will continue to work with both HMP Striling and HMP Polmont, throughout the year we will support both prisons through face to face visits.

Outreach, Schools

As a branch we are continuing to support various schools within the community, notably Dollar Academy, we have carried out bi weekly talks with pupils, the school team are continuing to work hard, regularly reaching out to schools/colleges looking to provide material for awareness.

Partnership Working & National Campaigns

The branch maintains relationships with local partnerships, which support the visibility and awareness of Samaritans and our services. The partnerships have been specifically cultivated to reach key demographics who have historically found it more difficult to reach out for help and support in times of crisis.

Falkirk Football Club, The branch have a presence at the Falkirk Football Club, in the form of various banners which are visible at pitch side, the hope is to work with the football club to explore ways to work together to meet our objectives across the coming year.

Police Scotland (Forth Valley) , As restrictions have eased, the branch have held events to drive awareness in the community in conjunction with Police Scotland of Forth Valley. This has consisted of town centre presence, discussing the service and making contact details available to the public.

Network Rail, In conjunction with network rail, the branch has hosted community awareness events at high traffic train stations across our region. Stations reached include - Stirling, Bridge of Allen, Falkirk High & Falkirk Grahamston. These events supported national Samaritans campaigns such as ‘Brew Monday’, and general awareness across key local dates.

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Fundraising Activities

We rely on income from a variety of sectors; some independent people do provide donations and larger groups / companies we appeal to for funds.

Face to face collections and informal fundraising activity has largely been our main income this year, throughout the next financial term we will continue to fundraise the same way and also try for grant funding to assist with branch equipment.

Any funds which are received by the branch are used to help run our branch with every day running costs. We advertise at football grounds, schools, colleges, use posters to support awareness across the region, in addition to delivering talks. Our aim is to share the message that it is OK to talk to Samaritans at any time of the day or night.

FUTURE PLANS

In the immediate future, there are several activities which we will continue to focus on:

Director

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Samaritans of Falkirk and Central Scotland SCIO

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 13.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 ("the 2005 Act") and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) ("the 2006 Regulations"). The trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation (10)(1)(d) of the 2006 Regulations does not apply.

It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section (44)(1)(c) of the 2005 Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement

My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Regulations. 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 consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with the examination, no matter came to my attention:-

  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 Regulations, and

to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations

have not been met, or

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

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Receipts
Donations
Gift Aid
Prison support grant
Other grants
Fund Raising
Bank interest
Payments
Fund raising costs
Charitable activities
Branch costs
Service delivery
Central charity dues
Governance costs
Annual accounts
Data Protection registration
Deficit for the year		 Note Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
7
8		 £
£
£
£
6,217
6,217
8,170
1,238
1,238
220
2,514
2,514
2,384
691
691
1,232
825
825
107
80
80
68
10,873
691
11,564
12,181
236
236
327
12,521
12,521
14,031
3,658
1,393
5,051
5,569
1,517
1,517
4,373
0
0
35
35
35
17,966
1,393
19,360
24,335
-7,094
-702
-7,796
-12,154

The Notes on pages 11 to 13 form an integral part of these accounts.

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

STATEMENT OF BALANCES

STATEMENT OF BALANCES
AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
Cash at Bank
Balance as at 01 April 2023
Surplus/(Deficit) for period
Balance as at 31 March 2024
Other Assets
Tangible fixed assets
Debtors & prepayments
Liabilities
Central charity dues
Other creditors		 Note Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
9
11
12		 £
£
£
£
43,213
-622
42,591
54,745
-8,487
691
-7,796
-12,154
34,726
69
34,795
42,591
716,956
716,956
703,411
2,035
702
2,737
2,826
718,991
702
719,693
706,237
1,138
1,138
1,517
39
39
201
1,177
0
1,177
1,718

The Notes on pages 11 to 13 form an integral part of these accounts.

These accounts, which have been prepared in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, were approved by the trustees on 11th December 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Director

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Fund

Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees

The charity is not liable to corporation tax or capital gains tax on its charitable (a) activities.

The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT (b) charged.

No remuneration was paid to trustees during the year or in the previous (a) year.

The charity's insurance policy includes trustees indemnity insurance cover for all of (b) its trustees.

Trustee

Expenses were reimbursed to trustees as

follows:

Travelling expenses 2024
2023
No
£
No
£
0
0
1
49

There were no transactions with related parties during the year or in the previous year.

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7 Branch costs

Cleaning & housekeeping
Heating & lighting
Insurance
Office
equipment
Property Maintenance
Rent		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
4,576
4,576
4,358
5,286
5,286
4,557
1,557
1,557
1,545
117
117
0
985
985
3,571
0
0
0
12,521
0
12,521
14,031

8 Service delivery costs

Advertising & publicity
Print Postage & Stationery
Telephone
Travel expenses
Prison
expenses
Sundries		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
1,850
1,850
3,175
187
187
975
1,393
1,393
1,240
918
918
102
511
0
102
192
192
77
3,658
1,393
4,540
5,671

9 Fixed assets

The charity owns the property at 19 Orchard Street, Falkirk, which has been refurbished over time. No

reliable market value is available, but current insurance cover is as follows:

Buildings
Contents		 2024
2023
£
£
686,549
669,80
4
30,407
33,607
716,956
703,41
1

10 Movements in funds

As at
As at 31/03/
31/03/23 Receipts Payments 24

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted Funds
General fund
Restricted
Funds
CFSLA lottery
Total Funds
11
Debtors &
Prepayments
Debtors
NCS Overpayment
Prepayments
Insurance
Accrued
income
Gift Aid to be charged to
HMRC
CFSLA charge payment
to come
12 Creditors
Creditor
s
Travel Expenses
Office Equipment
Contribution to central charity		 £
£
£
£
43,213
10,872
17,966
36,119
-622
691
1,393
-1,324
42,591
11,563
19,359
34,795
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
0
203
1,557
1,557
1,545
479
479
455
702
702
622
2,035
702
2,737
2,826
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
39
39
39
0
162
1,138
1,138
1,517
1,177
0
1,177
1,718

Purpose of 13 funds

An unrestricted fund that may be expanded at the discretion of the trustees General Fund in

furtherance of the objects of the charity. Grant funding from the CFSLA lottery to cover internet and CFSLA Lottery telephone costs. Claims are submitted to CFSLA after bills have been paid which results in a negative balance until the funds are received.

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ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Samaritans of Falkirk and Central Scotland are very grateful for all the support that we receive throughout the year and, in particular, would like to thank the following:-

The Dawson Trust HW Coats

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