REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07355454 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1140475

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

FOR

THE OLIVE BRANCH COUNSELLING

SERVICE LIMITED

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

5

Independent Examiner's Report

6

Statement of Financial Activities

7

Balance Sheet

8

to

9

Notes to the Financial Statements

10

to

16

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The Charity provides professional and affordable counselling to individuals seeking emotional and psychological wellbeing. Our 5-year Strategy was launched in January 2020 which has guided our organisational focus and fundraising efforts, helping us to improve beneficiary focus, governance, staffing, and funding.

Our main objective for 2024 was to maximise access to affordable long-term counselling for adults experiencing mental health or wellbeing issues, particularly those with low incomes. We strive to serve all individuals regardless of age, ethnicity, faith, or financial situation.

We publicise our services through partnerships with mental health teams, GP surgeries, and other agencies across Hampshire. Our website offers information about how to access our services and we provide a telephone enquiry line for new clients.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm they have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

The Olive Branch provides open-ended counselling to individuals experiencing mental health challenges, regardless of financial means, ethnicity, or faith. At a time when statutory services are under considerable strain, our work represents a vital, sustained, and accessible contribution to public wellbeing.

The value of our work is reflected not only in successful grant funding but also in the ongoing generosity of individuals, churches, community groups, and-most importantly-the dedication of our volunteers.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

In 2024 we continued to build on the reviews of processes, policies, and procedures completed in 2023. Our focus remained on sustainable growth, with investment in counsellors and supervisors to expand capacity.

Key areas of development in 2024 included:

- Risk management - enhanced systems to identify and address client risks more effectively.

- Outcome measurement - new tools introduced to monitor and evaluate service impact.

- Assessment processes - streamlined for more comprehensive and timely evaluations.

- Administrative capacity - strengthened to meet rising demand.

- Enquiry line - improved to provide quicker and more effective client support.

Annual salary appraisals were undertaken on 1 April 2024, with pay adjusted in recognition of both performance and cost-of-living pressures.

During the year we welcomed 258 new clients. Most counselling was provided face-to-face, with remote options available for those unable to attend in person, largely due to disability or long-term health conditions.

Our service is supported by more than 40 volunteer counsellors. Over half are fully qualified to Level 5 or above, with the remainder undertaking supervised training placements. We maintain strong partnerships with regional training colleges, ensuring placements are recognised for their professionalism, governance, and high-quality supervision.

All counsellors participate in fortnightly group supervision, facilitated by 8 experienced volunteer supervisors, in line with BACP requirements. To strengthen future capacity, two counsellors began training as supervisors in 2024.

Client Profile 2024

- 60% from Winchester City and District; remainder from Southampton, Romsey, and Eastleigh.

- 62% female, 37% male, 1% non-binary.

- 71% from households with low or no income.

- Common presenting issues: anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, bereavement and loss, and low self-esteem.

Income and Fundraising

Client contributions remain an important income stream; however, the gap between contributions and the true cost of delivery has widened due to ongoing economic pressures. To address this, we have continued to pursue grants, trusts, and community fundraising, supported by Moneytree Fundraising.

Significant Achievements in 2024

- National Lottery Community Fund - 2024 marked the second year of our three-year grant, with objectives being met as planned.

-Funding applications - 24 applications submitted (valued at £77,368), compared with 12 applications in 2023 (valued at £346,000). Four were successful, raising £6,000. A fifth award (£3,000) was confirmed in early 2025 and is counted in the next financial year.

- Successful grants in 2024 included:

- £1,000 - Broyst Foundation

- £2,000 - Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Charitable Trust

- £2,000 - Syder Foundation (towards new chairs)

- £1,000 - Winchester District Council

- Additional income - generated by hiring out counselling rooms to qualified practitioners.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The charity relies entirely on fundraising from donations, trusts, foundations and other voluntary contributions. In common with other charities of a similar size given the current economic environment The Olive Branch has experienced a reduction in available funding.

In 2024 total income was £185,328 compared to £136,788 in 2023.

The trustees continue actively to pursue potential fundraising activities to augment existing reserves.

The Trustees remain confident that, through strong governance, careful oversight, and a commitment to continuous improvement, The Olive Branch is well placed to sustain and grow its impact in the years ahead.

Reserves policy

Our policy is to maintain reserves of between three and six months' worth of operating expenses. The Charity's total funds stand as at 31st December 2024 at £66,336 of which £38,087 was restricted in nature (2023: £15,660 of which £36,263 was restricted), which is below this target.In 2024 we have increased our unrestricted funds by £48,852 to £28,249 which means we are much closer to our target of 3 month's expenditure of around £34,000.

FUTURE PLANS

Looking ahead, the Trustees will begin developing a new strategic framework comprising:

- A three-year strategy, and

- A one-year business plan,

to be launched by the end of 2025, with delivery beginning in 2026.

This framework will ensure the Charity remains responsive to community needs and the challenges of rising living costs. It will also strengthen our ability to extend access to counselling and psychotherapy services for those on low or zero income.

We continue to pursue a wide range of fundraising opportunities, including applications to trusts and foundations for core costs, alongside rebuilding support from community fundraising, local donors, and individual giving. This dual approach underpins both service delivery and quality improvements.

Our fundraising target for 2025 is £10,500, comprising:

- £5,250 from trusts and foundations

- £5,250 from community fundraising and individual donors

Meeting this target is essential to cover rising costs and to meet the conditions of the National Lottery grant.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Olive Branch was constituted as a trust under a Deed dated 30 May 1996 and incorporated on 24 August 2010. It operates as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act 2006 and is governed by its Articles of Association.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees, who also serve as company directors, are typically drawn from experienced supervisors, counsellors, or members of the local community. Under Article 34(1) of the Articles of Association, trustees may appoint new members, subject to re-election at the AGM.

Organisational structure

- Trustees provide overall governance and strategic oversight.

- The Clinical Lead manages counselling services, supported by the Head of Counselling, Assistant Head of Counselling, and Senior Office Administrator.

- Volunteer counsellors are supported by Clinical Supervisors.

- Assessors manage client consultations and determine suitability for our services.

Induction and training of new trustees

- Role descriptions clarify responsibilities.

- Induction includes meetings with the clinical team and an introduction to key policies and systems.

- Trustees receive regular reports on finances, service delivery, and strategic developments.

Risk management

The Trustees and Clinical Lead review major risks regularly, including:

- Client safety - maintained through robust risk assessments and referral pathways.

- Financial sustainability - addressed by diversifying income sources.

- Staff and volunteer dependency - mitigated by prioritising supervision, wellbeing, and structured support.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

07355454 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1140475

Registered office

14 St Clement Street

Winchester

Hampshire

SO23 9HH

Trustees

H McMahon MBE (resigned 17.6.2024)

A Jenvey

N Siouty

N Cadavieco (appointed 17.6.2024)

G Mortimer (appointed 1.4.2025)

Independent Examiner

D J C Barr FCA

Martin and Company

25 St Thomas Street

Winchester

Hampshire

SO23 9HJ

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30th September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

G Mortimer - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Olive Branch Counselling Service Limited ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company 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 your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts 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

4.

the accounts 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 accounts to be reached.

D J C Barr FCA

Martin and Company

25 St Thomas Street

Winchester

Hampshire

SO23 9HJ

30th September 2025

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

23,923

88,234

112,157

90,505

Charitable activities

Counselling services

72,435

-

72,435

46,267

Investment income

3

736

-

736

16

Total

97,094

88,234

185,328

136,788

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

5,659

-

5,659

5,886

Charitable activities

4

Counselling services

42,583

86,410

128,993

118,210

Total

48,242

86,410

134,652

124,096

NET INCOME

48,852

1,824

50,676

12,692

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

(20,603

)

36,263

15,660

2,968

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

28,249

38,087

66,336

15,660

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

10

1,729

-

1,729

496

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

11

153

-

153

8,738

Cash at bank and in hand

39,086

38,087

77,173

29,325

39,239

38,087

77,326

38,063

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

12

(12,719

)

-

(12,719

)

(22,899

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

26,520

38,087

64,607

15,164

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

28,249

38,087

66,336

15,660

NET ASSETS

28,249

38,087

66,336

15,660

FUNDS

13

Unrestricted funds

28,249

(20,603

)

Restricted funds

38,087

36,263

TOTAL FUNDS

66,336

15,660

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st December 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30th September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

A Jenvey - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Society's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.

Grants are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities over the period for which they are receivable.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Improvements to property

-

in accordance with the property

Fixtures and fittings

-

25% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2024

2023

£

£

Donations

18,623

39,894

Grants

93,534

50,611

112,157

90,505

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2024

2023

£

£

Deposit account interest

736

16

4.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Direct

Support

Costs (see

costs (see

note 5)

note 6)

Totals

£

£

£

Counselling services

126,256

2,737

128,993

5.	DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2024

2023

£

£

Staff costs

61,948

56,078

Rent

19,000

19,000

Rates and water

1,521

1,615

Insurance

766

978

Light and heat

2,048

2,605

Telephone

1,728

1,771

Advertising

140

171

Sundries

2,499

2,308

Accountancy & bookkeeping

5,516

5,425

Subscriptions

308

240

Firecare

355

1,084

Supervision costs

22,275

11,490

Training

399

5,128

Repairs and maintenance

2,025

773

Cleaning

2,233

2,163

Office expenses

2,414

2,370

IT expenditure

1,081

1,315

Office manager

-

1,584

126,256

116,098

6.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

Management

costs

Totals

£

£

£

Counselling services

787

1,950

2,737

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

Management

2024

2023

Counselling

Total

services

activities

£

£

Depreciation of tangible and heritage assets

787

282

Governance costs

2024

2023

Counselling

Total

services

activities

£

£

Independent examiner's fees

1,950

1,830

7.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2024

2023

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

787

282

Other operating leases

19,000

19,000

8.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st December 2024 nor for the year ended 31st December 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st December 2024 nor for the year ended 31st December 2023.

9.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2024

2023

Administration

4

4

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

10.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements

Fixtures

to

and

property

fittings

Totals

£

£

£

COST

At 1st January 2024

8,566

3,964

12,530

Additions

-

2,020

2,020

At 31st December 2024

8,566

5,984

14,550

DEPRECIATION

At 1st January 2024

8,566

3,468

12,034

Charge for year

-

787

787

At 31st December 2024

8,566

4,255

12,821

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31st December 2024

-

1,729

1,729

At 31st December 2023

-

496

496

11.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Other debtors

-

8,585

Prepayments and accrued income

153

153

153

8,738

12.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Social security

-

8,579

Other creditors

10,829

12,057

Accrued expenses

1,890

2,263

12,719

22,899

13.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

31.12.24

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

(20,603

)

48,852

28,249

Restricted funds

National Lottery grant

36,263

1,824

38,087

TOTAL FUNDS

15,660

50,676

66,336

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

97,094

(48,242

)

48,852

Restricted funds

National Lottery grant

88,234

(86,410

)

1,824

TOTAL FUNDS

185,328

(134,652

)

50,676

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.23

in funds

31.12.23

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

2,548

(23,151

)

(20,603

)

Restricted funds

GDPR training

420

(420

)

-

National Lottery grant

-

36,263

36,263

420

35,843

36,263

TOTAL FUNDS

2,968

12,692

15,660

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

90,077

(113,228

)

(23,151

)

Restricted funds

GDPR training

-

(420

)

(420

)

National Lottery grant

43,072

(6,809

)

36,263

Winchester City Council

3,639

(3,639

)

-

46,711

(10,868

)

35,843

TOTAL FUNDS

136,788

(124,096

)

12,692

Winchester City Council awarded a grant of £420 for training in GDPR.

Charlotte Bonham Carter awarded a grant of £3,000 for supervision costs. This was spent in the year.

14.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st December 2024.