2025-03-31-accounts - Croydon Refugee Day Centre

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Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts

We are a small, primarily-volunteer based organisation, dedicated to supporting asylum seekers and recently-recognised refugees in Croydon. We believe in a UK where people escaping persecution and violence can find sanctuary, rebuild their lives and thrive.

Our mission is to work together with asylum seekers, refugees and other stakeholders to create a welcoming, responsive and cohesive community in Croydon, where people seeking sanctuary are respected as equals, can regain some control of their lives and build towards a future in the UK.

We have run five projects over the last year:

Essentials Centre: new & second hand clothing, coats and shoes, school uniform and essentials, household goods, toiletries, online access and food.
Family Support Programme: weekly outreach into asylum hotels, building trust with families and helping children access education and other opportunities; providing necessary uniforms and equipment; liaising with schools to support children's needs.
Welcome Project: weekly community hub promoting well-being and mental health through social activities, language classes, children’s play, dance and art.
Signposting, Advice and Guidance Project: assists and supports with understanding and navigating UK systems and enabling asylum seekers and refugees to be represented and heard.
Refugee Homes Project: In partnership with The Spires Centre, supports newlyrecognised refugees who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to find housing options.

Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole

Against a backdrop of an increasingly hostile external environment, and fear induced by far-right riots targeting asylum seekers elsewhere in the UK, Croydon Refugee Day Centre’s volunteers have quietly continued our mission, supporting people seeking sanctuary in Croydon to feel more welcome, to rebuild their lives in the UK, and to contribute to our community.

Our 80-strong volunteer team – drawn from across refugee, migrant and British-born communities in Croydon - supported 1607 individuals altogether this year (987adults

and 620 children) – a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Individuals came from 73 different countries of origin and 49% of the adults we supported were women.

In 2024-25, we continued to grow our volunteer base and recruit new volunteers, including creating opportunities for people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary to volunteer and develop relevant skills and experience in the UK. All the volunteers seeking asylum who we surveyed reported that volunteering had helped them to develop new skills, increase their level of experience in the UK and feel more confident and/or positive. Volunteers with lived experience have been integral not only to service delivery, but also to shaping the charity’s strategic direction, with a small group supporting the development of our long-term strategy alongside staff and volunteers. My experience volunteering with the Croydon Refugee Day Centre has been incredibly rewarding . It has helped me build my confidence, improve my communication skills and develop a more positive outlook on life.’

Our projects have also increased their reach this year. Our Essentials Centre assisted an average of 114 people seeking sanctuary each week – supporting their immediate, basic needs and thus mitigating slightly the stark economic inequalities they face. Overall, we estimate that we distributed £150,000 worth of essential items, including thousands of items of general second hand clothing, 970 pairs of shoes, 710 winter coats, 956 sets of new underwear, 1,237 hygiene packs, 589 food parcels, 371 food vouchers, 298 SIM cards (each offering six months of calls/data), and 72 laptops. Approximately 200 children also received school uniform and equipment. This was supported by the donations of 35+ community and faith groups across Croydon, as well as partnerships further afield. ‘We got clothes, food, advice everything. Thank you so much for all the support and help. Words is not enough for this.’

Our Welcome Project served 300 adults and approximately 50 children, with average weekly attendance of 25-30 people. It provided a safe space away from the challenging environment of asylum hostels, where attendees could build community, attend English classes, and participate in activities such as dance, art, table tennis, and play sessions for children. 100% Community members reported that the Welcome Project improved their confidence and wellbeing and 87% said it helped them understand life in the UK better.

We successfully piloted and evaluated a new Family Support Programme, securing funding to continue the programme until 2027. This supported 235 children, helping them to enter education as quickly as possible, feeling ready and able to learn in the UK. 93% of parents said that their children had entered into education a lot more quickly than they would have done without our support and 83% said that their children had entered school feeling happier or more confident because of our support. “Without your help, we would never find a good school for my son and he was able to go to a school from the starting date without any delay. CRDC helped my son to get all the

items he needed for school. CRDC has also helped my son for his music work and other activities. Now my son is happy because of these things. I take this opportunity to thank the team at Croydon Refugee Day Centre. I wish them all the best to continue and excel at what they do.”

Our Signposting, Advice & Guidance Project ensured that basic signposting and guidance was available through all our projects. 130 individuals also received help with more complex issues, such as refusal of accommodation by the Home Office or Council and consequent destitution. Our volunteer help desk team doubled in size, greatly improving our ability to offer drop-in support. ‘You have greatly helped me in filling out forms, providing internet and Sim services, and assisting us in contacting the council to secure immediate housing.’

Our Refugee Homes partnership project with the Spires Centre successfully secured funding to continue, and assisted 120 recently-recognised refugees who were street homeless or at risk of street homelessness. The project enabled some of those supported to avoid street homelessness altogether.

Finally, in March 2025, we began the pilot of a new women’s project – developed in response to feedback from women about their experiences in asylum hostels. This pilot project will enable a group of women to come together fortnightly to cook together and build support networks outside the intimidating atmosphere of the hostels.

We are delighted that we have been able to support so many people seeking sanctuary this year: to start to settle in the UK, rebuild their lives, and feel welcome in the community in Croydon. We say an enormous thank you to our volunteer team, who are vital to all our work, and a big thank you both to the 35+ community and faith groups across Croydon and beyond who have supported us with in kind and financial donations, and to the trusts and foundations who have supported us financially.

We are really looking forward to continuing to build our much-needed community and services in 2025-26.

CROYDON REFUGEE DAY CENTRE

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Categories Receipts Donation and gifts General grants Gift Aid Interest income Other Totalreceipts Payments Administration & IT Consulting Clothes Food and food vouchers Equipmentconsumables Insurance Telephone S�a�training Subscriptions Toiletries Travel Use of Space General expenses External Tuition Wages and salaries Acc��a��fees TotalPayments Net of receipts/payments) Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end	Unrestricted funds 26,079 5,000 1,373 384 296 33,132 781 300 884 681 323 57 47 419 12 1,017 43 - 2,103 - 2,240 1,475 10,382 22,750 36,596 59,346	Restricted funds 6,926 118,224 - - - 125,150 1,095 - 8,652 12,030 - 275 510 1,195 95 1,087 7,093 7,000 1,587 - 55,383 3,240 99,242 25,908 36,353 62,261	Total funds 33,005 123,224 1,373 384 296 158,282 1,876 300 9,536 12,711 323 332 557 1,614 107 2,104 7,136 7,000 3,690 - 57,623 4,715 109,624 48,658 72,949 121,607	Last year 28,915 62,889 - - 149 91,953 2,013 - 2,246 9,626 - 311 238 - - 2,074 2,612 4,500 2,173 575 18,853 1,765 46,986 44,967 27,982 72,949

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CROYDON REFUGEE DAY CENTRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. Accounting Policies

The ��i�ci�a� acc��i�g ��icie� ad��ed b� �he Cha�i��, �hich i� a ��b�ic be�e�� e��i��, i� �he ��e�a�a�i�� of the accounts are as follows.

1.1 Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared under the receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Charity Commissions guidance and the Charities Act 2011.

These accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.

1.2 Going concern

The T��ee� ha�e ��e�a�ed ��a�cia� ��jec�i��, �aki�g i�� c��ide�a�i�� he c��e�� ec��ic c��di�i�� and have, at the time of approving these accounts, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern of accounting in preparing the accounts.

2. Income from Donations and Legacies

Analysis Donation and gifts General grants Gift Aid	Unrestricted funds £ 26,079 5,000 1,373 32,452	Restricted income funds £ 6,926 118,224 - 125,150	Total funds 2025 £ 33,005 123,224 1,373 157,602	*Total funds 2024* £ 28,915 62,889 -
				91,804

3. Income from Investments

Analysis Interest income 4. Other Income Analysis Other	Unrestrictedfunds £ 384 384 Unrestrictedfunds £ 296 296	Total funds 2025 £ 384 384 Total funds 2025 £ 296 296	Total funds 2024 £ - -
			Total funds 2024 £ 149
			149

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CROYDON REFUGEE DAY CENTRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (continued)

5. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

Analysis Clothes Food and food vouchers Toiletries External Tuition Wages and salaries SupportCosts (see note 6)	Total funds 2025 £ Total funds 2024 £ 9,536 2,246 12,711 9,626 2,104 2,074 - 575 55,383 14,291 29,890 18,174
	109,624 46,986

6. Support Costs

6. Support Costs
Analysis Administration & IT Equipmentconsumables Insurance Telephone S�a�training Subscriptions Travel Use of Space General expenses Wages and salaries Governance Costs Consulting Acc��a��fees	Total funds 2025 £ Total funds 2024 £ 1,876 2,013 323 - 332 311 557 238 1,614 - 107 - 7,136 2,612 7,000 4,500 3,690 2,173 2,240 300 4,562 - 4,715 1,765
	29,890 18,174

7. Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand	Total funds 2025 £ 121,607 Total funds 2024 £ 72,949
	121,607 72,949

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CROYDON REFUGEE DAY CENTRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (continued)

8. Charity funds

8.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period

Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds Total	Fund Fund balances brought forward Income Expenditure Transfers Gains and losses balances carried forward £ £ £ £ £ £ 36,596 33,132 (10,382) - - 59,346 36,353 125,150 (99,242) - - 62,261 72,949 158,282 (109,624) - - 121,607

8.2 Details of material funds held and movements during the PREVIOUS reporting period

Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds Total	Fund Fund balances brought forward Income Expenditure Transfers Gains and losses balances carried forward £ £ £ £ £ £ 25,905 23,517 (12,826) - - 36,596 2,078 68,436 (34,161) - - 36,353 27,983 91,953 (46,987) - - 72,949

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Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Croydon Refugee Day Centre On accounts for the year 31 March 2025 Charity no 1064465 ended (if any)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 11 November 2025 Signed: Name: Dominique Wells ~~Ce~~ Relevant professional FCA - Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 10 Lakeswood Road Petts Wood Kent BR5 1BJ

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of None. any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

IER