The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016).
The company is a charity which exists to aid the provision of information and relief to cancer patients and their families and carers mainly in Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire.
Advice and Information
The Fountain Centre was established in 1998 in the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford to provide a caring environment for patients newly diagnosed with cancer, in order to balance the traditional approaches to cancer treatment with a range of complementary therapies and individual support. The Centre is located within the St Luke’s wing of the Hospital on two floors, a level A facility with treatment rooms was opened in April 2012 to extend the services provided by the original centre. Within this Centre, patients, their families and carers can make informed choices about their future and become active in their own self-management. In 2015, the Centre extended its outreach services at other local hospitals. Most administrative staff are employed by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, which is then in most cases, reimbursed by the company. As a temporary arrangement, additional staff have been provided for level A via the hospital at full cost to the Centre.
The Hospital provides the accommodation together with the related utilities in which the centre is located. The company contributes towards the running costs of the Centre. Therapists and volunteers are an essential part of the day to day operation. The Company funds the provision of books, leaflets, audio and video facilities to give information free of charge to those who visit the Centre. The Fountain Centre has a resource website for patients to access information and advice. As a result of COVID the service has also significantly increased its virtual and online services.
Future Strategy and purpose
In order to meet the objects of the company in support of The Fountain Centre operations, the future strategy includes seeking ways to expand the premises and facilities available to allow an increase in the services provided to meet the rise in numbers of people using the Centre year on year. To accommodate trading activities, Fountain Centre Services Limited was incorporated in 2015 and started trading on 1 February 2016. This year we saw the building work begin on the new cancer centre at the Royal Surrey. Plans were also developed for a new surgical innovation centre to improve and expand specialist cancer surgery across the South East. As part of this development, the Fountain Centre was given additional space in the new waiting area to be more physically present in the cancer centre and reach more people. As a result, The Fountain Centre Board of Trustees agreed to start discussions to formalise the relationship with the Royal Surrey, with a vision to be seen as the main cancer charity partner for health and wellbeing support. The business plan continued to be reviewed and updated regularly and via the centre development steering group, the functional milestones were linked directly to the budget to support the Fountain Centre manage its finances effectively.
The Trustees review the Charity’s objectives and activities to ensure they continue to reflect its aims. In carrying out this review, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that it meets the criteria in full.
Unfortunately, we were unable to restart our services at Frimley and Ashford Hospitals due to increased demand and capacity issues at the main hospital. As our presence within the Royal Surrey Cancer Service grows, it was agreed that for the immediate future, we would focus on developing the new space and increasing our scope of work within the main cancer centre.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020, Trustees have been aware that we are entering a more severe financial climate which may affect not only The Fountain Centre directly, but also the ability of grant awarding. Trustees review with the Head of The Fountain Centre whether there is still a demand for the service and, if so, how it might continue to be funded. The Head of The Fountain Centre updates the Board on progress in securing funding at its quarterly meetings.
Governance
We have continued to maintain good governance through regular meetings of the Board of Trustees and its constituent cornerstone groups and these have been well attended. The majority of these meetings have been held face to face but trustees have used video conference facilities where these have been more convenient for the members concerned.
The Trustees are grateful for the unstinting efforts of their staff and volunteers during this demanding period as we emerge from the COVID emergency.
Overall achievements
By the start of 2023, all COVID restrictions within the hospital had been lifted and we saw a steady increase in footfall across the hospital, as virtual appointments returned to face to face appointments. By August 2023, we had a 20% increase in referrals every month which mirrored the increase in chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
This year, we continued to collaborate with other charities and developed strong relationships with the Ruth Strauss Foundation, GRACE cancer charity, Pituitary Foundation and RESTORE. These relationships resulted in funding for a dedicated gynaecological cancer counsellor, a benign pituitary cancer counsellor, breast reconstruction events on-site at the Fountain Centre and a specialist working group established, supporting services that support children who have a parent with cancer. This joint work with local and national organisations, increased our profile, information sharing and funding opportunities. In addition, we saw a continued increase in attendance for our online patient courses for treatment specific symptoms, these courses ran in collaboration with the medical team.
The team continued to raise the profile of the Fountain Centre by attending local and national conferences. The team also were invited to present at a regional primary care education event and new registrars induction. Presentations at Urology, Colorectal and Breast cancer study days highlighted the importance of the role of third sector organisations, as well as the need for patients to have access to health and wellbeing support.
Nationally, there had been an increased focus on psychological support and exercise medicine. This is an area of expertise for the Fountain Centre and we were able to contribute regionally to discussions and focus groups, to improve patient access and engagement. Locally, the Fountain Centre worked with the University of Surrey's Sport and Physiology Department, to develop a structured exercise programme for colorectal cancer patients. This was trialled with two patients in 2023 and we hope to roll it out to all Royal Surrey curative colorectal cancer patients in 2024.
The Fountain Centre continued to develop its specialist complementary therapy services and had 4 paid therapists delivering hands-on therapies throughout the working week in our outpatients department and on the specialist oncology ward. This small team saw an increase in referrals in 2023 directly from the medical team and palliative care, recognising the importance of therapy and support. Our ward therapists were nominated and received an award from the medical team on the ward, and our volunteers were nominated and short-listed for a Royal Surrey Stars award.
In 2023, the Fountain Centre celebrated its 25th anniversary with many celebrations and a ball to commemorate the occasion.
Fundraising
We held a number of fundraising events during 2023 including a sponsored abseil at Guildford Cathedral, a Fashion Show, a Ball to celebrate the Centre’s 25th Anniversary and the Christmas Concert, bringing in £101,613. We are grateful for the continued contributions of donors and supporters, especially those who enhance their donations through gift aid which realised £47,476.35 during 2023. We continued to be funded for specific activities and roles and are very grateful for the ongoing support from our donors. Our healthy fundraising meant that our income exceeded our running costs in 2023, enabling us again to replenish some of the reserves we were forced to draw on in 2021, which have now almost recovered to their pre-COVID state.
Results
The net incoming resources for the year amounted to £78,704 (2022: £39,785) including net incoming resources of £18,343 (2022: £33,502) related to designated and restricted funds. At the end of the year General Unrestricted Funds amounted to £426,800 (2022: £366,439), Designated Funds £271,595 (2022: £267,457) and Restricted Funds £185,466 (2022: £171,261).
Fundraising events raised sums of £101,613 in 2023 (2022: £75,037). In addition, general unrestricted donations were £198,858 (2022: £182,641) (see note 2).
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have established a policy whereby the aim is to hold General Reserves which equate to a minimum of six months of the annual running costs of operating the Fountain Centre. We are currently exceeding this reserve target and closely monitor funding needs of the charity on an ongoing basis, balancing the desire to maintain reserves with the cash requirements of developing the future strategy. The Trustees formally review the continuing appropriateness of the reserves policy on a regular basis.
Investment Policy and Strategy
As reported previously, due to a significant legacy and a few large donations, The Fountain Centre’s investment strategy was revised at the end of 2019 to manage these funds appropriately. These funds have been set aside to cover the ongoing costs of posts and their associated services currently covered by grants, which, with termination dates, may possibly not be renewed. The Fountain Centre board felt it was appropriate to set these funds aside due to concerns regarding accessing future grants, thereby ensuring continuity around these posts and the value they add to patient support.
In 2019 an initial amount of £200,000 was earmarked to be drip-fed into three funds under a Standard Life wrap, which was completed in 2020. A later decision was made in 2021 to invest a further £300,000 and to modify the investment policy so that we could be assured that there was no direct exposure of the charity to the tobacco industry, resulting in investments in the Quilter Charities Fund and two new funds under the Standard Life wrap.
As reported last year, because of the volatility in the financial markets during 2022 the Board consulted regularly with its Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) and a new survey was conducted to review Trustees’ attitude to risk which remained Cautious to Moderate. In the summer the Board accepted the IFA’s advice to slow down the drip feed of investments into the charity’s Wrap account and to subsequently pause these investments at the beginning of November pending more clarity on the future direction of the financial markets. Regular consultations with the IFA continued throughout 2023 and the Board accepted the IFA’s advice to continue the pause on these investments.
At 31 December 2023 the Fountain Centre’s investments in these funds stood at £410,729 (2022: £400,136), and a net gain on investments was recognised during the year of £24,063 (2022: loss of £41,719).
Risk Review
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The most significant risks to the organisation have been identified as:
Financial disruption associated with macro economic factors including investment performance and the recent cost of living rises.
Threats to the IT systems including cyber security, misuse of systems and the cost of continual investment in systems and hardware.
External risks to funding have been diminished by the diversification of the sources of fundraising and the establishment of a reserves policy. Internal risks are minimised by the procedures for authorisation, before commitment and payment of all transactions and the policy of bringing forward all major projects for the approval of the Trustees and the annual operating costs budget before financial commitment is made.
Policies are reviewed on a regular basis.
Status
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity on 26 October 2001.
Members of the charitable company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of a winding up. At 31 December 2023, the number of members was 10 (2022: 9) with the total of guarantees of £100 (2022: £90).
The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which sets out the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. These Articles were reviewed in the first half of 2022 and the Board agreed changes which were reported on in the previous report.
Members of the Management Committee
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
The Trustees are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law. The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of the report are set out above.
The Directors, together with the Treasurer and the Head of Fountain Centre, are responsible for the operational management of the company and for the financial and other controls, procedures and risk assessments to ensure proper husbandry of resources.
The board of Trustees meet on a regular basis to consider and review the charity’s activities, general progress and current financial position. Decisions are then made on matters such as the investment of the charity’s funds and the level of reserves appropriate to each fund in order to meet their objectives.
Martin Read was succeeded as Chairman by Nigel Hobson on 27 March 2023, following a competitive recruitment process.
The Trustees, who are also the directors of The Fountain Centre for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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 Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Fountain Centre (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
As the Trustees of the Charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Since the Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Investments
Raising funds
Charitable activities
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Investments
Raising funds
Charitable activities
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Fountain Centre is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Rd, Guildford, GU2 7XX.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defines by FRS 102.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. All income is included when receivable.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
Gift aid and discretionary trust fund distribution tax credits are recognised with the income to which they relate.
Legacies are treated as received when funds are notified as receivable. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably, and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution.
Income from government and other grants whether capital grants or revenue grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Resources expended include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.
Governance costs represent the general running of the charity and which are not in respect of the direct management and costs of generating funds and the day to day delivery of the main objectives.
Support costs are directly attributed to the activity to which they relate.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Debtors are measured at their transaction value less any impairment losses. They are measured at their recoverable amounts. Cash at bank and in hand are basic financial assets and include deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with maturities of three months or less.
Creditors are measured at transaction price and recognised when the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event and the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably (usually the invoice price).
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Covenants
In a covenant with the Royal Surrey County Hospital National Health Trust dated 21 February 2003 the Fountain Centre agreed to gift the cost of the new extension to the Hospital and in exchange the Fountain Centre will be permitted to use the whole area – including that under the covenant dated 19 July 2002 and the new extension. Subsequent two-year extensions to the initial ten-year licence have been agreed until replaced by a new Rolling Agreement with annual review taking effect from 1 February 2020. The agreement was renewed for a further 12 months from March 2022. A new service level agreement, containing lease details, was signed in April 2022 for a further year. This agreement was reviewed in April 2023 following the completion of the St Luke’s Cancer Centre renovation, whereby a new rolling agreement with an annual review was agreed to be effective for 2 years to April 2025.
Unrestricted fund donations include grants of £Nil (2022: £Nil). Restricted fund donations include grants of £1,125 (2022: £45,924).
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Fundraising
Raising funds
Advice, Information and Centre costs (see note)
Therapy and other direct costs
Advice, information and centre costs relate to a contribution to Royal Surrey County Hospital salaries.
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year.
No trustee expenses have been incurred during the year (2022: £nil)
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
General
Governance costs includes payments to the independent examiner of £2,640 (2022: £2,400) for the examination of the accounts.
The company, being a registered charity, is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fountain Centre Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Fountain Centre. The company is a private company limited by shares and incorporated in England. Its registered office is The Fountain Centre, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XX. It provides therapy services to cancer patients and their carers at other hospitals.
The Fountain Centre has not prepared consolidated accounts in accordance with the exemption permitted by FRS102 as the total income of Fountain Centre Services Limited is below the consolidation threshold. Separate financial statements are prepared presenting the information of the charity as an individual undertaking.
The investment in the subsidiary is shown at the initial cost of the ordinary shares of £100, which is 100% of the called-up share capital. The subsidiary company has traded since 1 February 2016. In 2023 a donation of £14,826 (2022: £10,569) was received by the parent from the subsidiary.
| 2023 | 2022 |
| £ | £ |
Capital and Reserves |
|
|
Called up share capital | 100 | 100 |
Profit and loss reserve | 14,827 | 10,570 |
| 14,927 | 10,670 |
Net Assets |
|
|
Assets | 17,458 | 14,320 |
Liabilities | (2,531) | (3,650) |
Net Assets | 14,927 | 10,670 |
|
|
|
Profit and Loss Account |
|
|
Sales | 53,872 | 39,575 |
Direct costs | (38,005) | (27,905) |
Administrative costs | (11,610) | (8,068) |
Net Profit/(Loss) | 4,257 | 3,602 |
|
|
|
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost.
These are unrestricted funds which are material to the Charity's activities.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Development Fund
The development fund was established from general funds in 2012 for the future development of the Fountain Centre. Expenditure in the amount of £862 was incurred in 2023 (2022: £4,000).
Garden Project Fund
The project fund was set up to design and construct a garden for use by cancer patients and their carers in an area at the side of St Luke’s Cancer Centre entrance and leading to The Fountain Centre. The balance of the fund is available for maintenance and improvements to the garden. There was no expenditure in 2023 (2022: £nil) due to building works to St Luke’s Cancer Centre. Once this is completed the garden will undergo a redesign to create quiet areas.
Art Project
There was no expenditure in 2023 (2022: £nil). The art group will recommence in 2024 following a gap due to COVID restrictions.
Hascombe Oncology Support Fund
This was set up to provide assistance to young people with cancer. There was no expenditure in 2023 (2022: £nil).
Debra Stappard Fund
The purpose of the Fund is to look after and maintain the Debra Stappard Room in the Royal Surrey County Hospital in accordance with the original establishment of the room by the Debra Stappard Cancer Trust, which has now been wound up. The donation of £10,000 in 2004 by the trust to the company has been set aside to allow such future maintenance costs to be met. There was no expenditure in 2023 (2022: £nil) due to the room being used as COVID space. The room will be revamped in 2024.
Outreach Unit Fund
This fund was established from unrestricted general funds in 2016 to meet the perceived need to expand premises and facilities to meet the rising demand for cancer treatment care. As there was little or no prospect of additional Trust space becoming available for the Fountain Centre, the management team and trustees explored a number of options, including the purchase of a vehicle to contain treatment rooms, the lease of premises near to the Fountain Centre, and the development of satellite units at Frimley Park and Ashford St Peters hospitals.
With the decrease in footfall in 2020-2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic the need for additional space reduced but now that footfall has recovered to pre-pandemic levels and the new St Luke's Cancer Centre is complete, the space requirements will be reviewed in 2024.
Family Support Services
A children's counsellor was recruited in March 2017 to support children under 18 of parents with cancer. Within six months, the counsellor had over 140 child clients to review over and beyond the period of treatment of the children's parents. This significant uptake pointed to the need and importance of this work which the trustees agreed to support through the establishment of this designated fund supplemented by support from third parties up to September 2017. Subsequently the demand led to the recruitment of additional staff and development of the service, largely funded by a five-year National Lottery grant to September 2022. In October 2022 the Fountain Centre was awarded a five year grant by the Luigi Francescon Trust to maintain and develop the Family Support Services. The designated fund is being retained to meet any additional costs not covered by the grant and to provide continuity of service when the current grant expires.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Positive Health Programme
The Research project is a Positive Health Programme initiative which takes a holistic view of the health of the participants to enable them to make significant lifestyle changes. It promotes the value of preventative measures aimed at the prevention of cancer or its recurrence. Participation is entirely voluntary and open to both patients who have completed treatment and to carers. It has initially been funded by a donation of £12,600 from the West Surrey Health Authority in 2001 with further funding received in 2009.
Brain Tumour Support Group
The fund was established in January 2013 for the provision of staff training and equipment to improve the treatment of skin cancer and brain tumours. The fund received donations of £Nil in 2023 (2022: £Nil) and had outgoings of £Nil (2022: £Nil).
Teenage and Young Adult Support Group
The support group was set up as a result of a new service provided by the Royal Surrey Hospital for 16 to 24-year-old cancer patients. Funds are raised by the group and used mainly for social events.
Family Support Services Fund
A children’s counsellor was recruited in March 2017 to support children under 18 of parents with cancer. A National Lottery grant funds two full-time counsellors to meet the demand for this service. The grant totals £401,831 over five years, ending in September 2022, with £Nil being received in 2023 (2022: £38,424). Prior to that the fund was supported by Waverley CCG.
Luigi Francescon Trust
The Trust, who had provided funding in 2019 to provide a new building for children’s counselling, provided funds to finance the development of online services launched during the pandemic and to offset the salary costs of those staff who were not redeployed in the Royal Surrey County Hospital. In 2022, following the ending of the funding for the Family support service by the National lottery, the Luigi Francescon Trust agreed to take over the funding of the Family support service for a further 3 years, until October 2025. This grant will pay for two full time counsellors. The Luigi Francescon Trust has continued to support The Fountain Centre by providing further funding for a number of posts. In addition to the 3 years funding of the Family Support Service, they committed to a further 1 year funding for 5 other posts. It was agreed that future funding would be agreed on a year on year basis. The funds remaining have been allocated to specific posts and will be paid out in 2024.
Ashford Outreach
The plans for the Fountain Centre at Ashford hospital have been kept on hold, and any development of services at Ashford will be re-evaluated in 2024.
GRACE
This service started in December 2023 in collaboration with GRACE and funding was provided up front to be spent throughout 2024.
Fountain Centre Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Fountain Centre, made a charitable donation totalling £14,826 to the charity during the year (2022: £10,569).