Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide.

Edinburgh Samaritans is a registered Scottish charity which is a branch of Samaritans, a charity which operates throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Edinburgh Samaritans, based at 25 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HX, aims to be open to telephone callers 24/7, 365 days a year. Around 26,000 inbound calls were taken in 2022. We also offer emotional support via email and online chat and hope to re-open to face-to-face callers, that service having been suspended during the pandemic.

Following our Treasurer stepping down from that voluntary role after many years of service, we wish to appoint an Accountant to assist our new Treasurer.

While the Treasurer’s role will remain voluntary, the new role of Accountant will be a paid position.

In outline, the role is to:

• Review monthly bank reconciliations prepared by the Administrative Secretary.
• Reconcile cash counted in shop with Shop Cash and Cheque Takings Account with physical cash in the shop at the end of each month. Review any discrepancies with the Shop Manager and identify areas in which shop till reporting can be improved.
• Ensure that payroll is paid each month and that pension contributions and HMRC payments are correctly collected, through review of payroll related accounts.
• Act as the main point of contact with the Payroll Administration and Pensions Administration companies.
• On a quarterly basis review all postings to ensure that costs are correctly recorded.
• Prepare the quarterly VAT returns
• At the year-end calculate and post depreciation for all assets.
• Provide information for the insurance declaration, usually in or around March each year.
• Provide training and guidance for the Administrative Secretary, so that they can carry out their work efficiently. Review the systems being used, manual or computer driven, to identify improvements and then implement these improvements after discussion with the Treasurer.
• Count petty cash within the branch twice a year, on a surprise basis, and reconcile to the balance in the accounting system.
• Prepare budgets for the shop and the branch for approval in December and January respectively for approval by the Shop Management Committee and then the Trustees.
• Help in the detailed preparation of any large projects or expansion plans in the branch or shop.
• Ensure that correct DP procedures are followed with regard to financial information, e.g. PCIDSS requirements.
• Ensure that cash is correctly allocated to all restricted funds.

We wish to appoint a new Treasurer following our Treasurer stepping down after many years of service.

In outline, the role is to:

• To be part of the BLT and provide support and advice in relation to financial matters

• To manage the branch’s finances

• To oversee and present budgets, accounts and financial statements

• To ensure that proper accounts and records are kept and financial resources are spent and invested in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements

• To be instrumental in the development and implementation of financial, reserves and investment policies

• To liaise with, guide and advise our part-time Administrative Secretary on the financial aspects of her role

• To attend meetings and report on the branch’s financial position as and when required

• To prepare an annual financial statement for Samaritans Central Charity

• To ensure income and expenditure is processed in line with branch policies and procedures

• To act as a signatory on cheques (including any electronic transactions) and any applications for funds

• To oversee the payment of volunteer expenses as agreed by the BLT

• To liaise with the branch’s bankers and payroll agency as/when required.

A full role description is attached below

Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide.

Edinburgh Samaritans is a registered Scottish charity which is a branch of Samaritans, a charity which operates throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Edinburgh Samaritans, based at 25 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HX, aims to be open to telephone callers 24/7, 365 days a year.

Around 21,000 inbound calls were taken in 2022/2021. We also offer emotional support via email and online chat, and hope to be able to re-open to face-to-face callers soon, that service having been suspended during the pandemic. Volunteers are involved in outreach in schools & communities and supporting listening schemes in two prisons.

The branch is run almost entirely by our 190 volunteers including fundraising, training, marketing, IT, property maintenance, health & safety.

Samaritans Central Charity policies and procedures are followed where applicable.

In 2020 the Branch opened a charity shop, the first in Scotland and already our largest source of income. The shop is managed by a full-time manager, two assistant managers and a team of volunteers.

The objects of Edinburgh Samaritans are:

• To enable persons in Edinburgh and the Lothians and the surrounding area as well as elsewhere who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide, to receive confidential emotional support at any time of the day or night in order to improve their emotional health and to reduce the incidence of suicide.
• To promote better public understanding of suicide, suicidal behaviour and the value of being able to talk to someone to express feelings which might otherwise lead to suicidal thoughts or impaired mental health.
• To collaborate with and support Samaritans Central Charity (SCC) and its affiliated branches in fulfilling these objectives.

New trustee roles

The Board is seeking two external trustees who:

• Are supportive of Samaritans vision and objects.
• Will provide support in effective operation of the branch.
• Can assist in delivering the Samaritans Strategy 2022-2027 and Strategic Delivery Plan for Scotland.
• Will bring a fresh outside view to thinking and decision-making.
• Will help ensure compliance with principles of good governance including observing charity law and our constitution.
• Are financially aware and, ideally, have understanding of charity accounts.
• Are team players.
• Ideally have experience of charity trusteeship and governance.

In particular we seek:

• One trustee with skills/experience in management of a charity shop.
• One trustee with skills/experience in HR/personnel management.

What being a trustee means for you:

• The opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the charity and also support and encourage a dedicated group of volunteers.
• Develop your own skills and experience in the charity sector.
• Expected to prepare for attend and contribute thoughtfully and constructively to Trustee meetings.
• You may be asked to join short-term working groups to complete specific tasks.
• Attend quarterly meetings of the Shop Management Committee, which has delegated powers.
• You will require suitable facilities to attend meetings remotely.
• Position is unpaid but reasonable expenses will be met.
• Requirement to complete mandatory trustee training online.
• Appointment may be subject to PVG certification and clearance by Samaritans Central Charity.

Additional information:

• Edinburgh Samaritans website
• National Samaritans website
• Samaritans 2022-27 strategy
• Strategic Delivery Plan for Scotland

Latest annual report available by email request to: eilidh.samaritans@edinburghsamaritans.org

Director Bruce Anderson is happy to have an informal discussion. Please email edinburgh.director@samaritans.org