Suffolk Refugee Support Trustees, Report and Financial Statements for th8 year 8nded 31 March 2021
sKelugee Suffolk Refugee Support Contents for the year onded 31 March 2021 Page Legal and administrative details Trustees, report Independent examinerfs report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Cashflow statement 10 Notes to the financial statements Company Registration Number 03894990
efug@e Legal and administrative details Suffolk Refugee Support is a company limited by guarantee and 8 charity Charity number 1078794 Company number 03894990 Registered office and operational address.. 38 St Matthew's Street Ipswich IP1 3EP Trustees lan Stewart- chair (resigned May 20201 Gerry Toplis - Chair from July 2020, treasurer (from February 2020 to July 20201 Keith Faull - Vice chair and treasurer (from July 20201,. Chair {May- July 2020) Maggie Barradell - secretary (from February 2020 resigned April 20211 Greg Dodds Danielle Waller Kevin Clements {ele¢ted October 2020) Desiree Jones {elecled October 2020 resigned June 2021) Meg Day (elected 2020 resigned April 2021) Felicity Szesnal (Co-opted March 2021) Christina Sweel-Escott lco-opted March 20211 Pauline Lane (resigned August 20201 Marian Lanyon (resigned October 20201 Alan Blackshaw- honorary trustee Beleja GravqevGI - honorary trustee Charity Manager Rebecca Crerar Independent examiner Nicky Cordle FCA Foreshore Accountancy LLP Fairfield Sholley Road Chelmondiston Ipswich IP9 1EE Bankers Lloyd's Bank
lugo Report of the trustees Despite the loss of our major funder the National Lottery Fund from March 2020 onwards, and the disruptions to our services caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Suffolk Refugee Support has managed lo continue lo meet Its funding needg and pmvide continued services lo refuge8s and asylum seekers here in Suffolk. Our aims and achievements Our charitable objectives require us lo provide Services lo asylurn seekers and refugees in achieving the legal slalus to which they are entitled and in enjoying the same life opportunities as other people living in the UK. Our activities taken as a whole deliver public benefit by integrating vulnerable new arrivals into our community in Suffolk so that Ihey can make a positive contribution, be welcomed, and lead a life they wnsider worthwhile. We estimate that there are some 2,500 asylum seekers. refugees and former refugees and their families living in SuffoSk and we helped around 600 individual refugees and asylum seekers with our activities of supporl in 2020-21 This number does not include the many spouses and children of clients who have also b8nefitled. Vital services during Covid-19 During the lockdown periods we have rapidly switched our support services, which are a lifeline to many refugees and asylum seekers in Suffolk, from face-lo-face lo remote delivery. We are acutely aware that many of the issues our Clients already faced - isolation, anxiety, disadvantage, deprivation and lack of access lo seNices- might be compounded and worsened by the coronavirus crisis. We have therefore undertaken numerous actions lo ensure our clients do not suffer further harm.. We have operated our advice service fully via telephone, email, remote video tools and 8PPS, and office appoinlrllents where restrictions have allowed We have made regular telephone welfare checks to ensure no one is isolated and no issues go unseen We have liaised with schools aroLJnd coursework, educational resources and free school meals for the families we support We have provided resources. including laptops, for the most deprived families lo ensure children can keep up with studies and not be further disadvantaged We have supported clients with basic IT skills and resources, through our Skills Exchango project and International Women's Group, lo ensure they can access seNices and classes online, e.g. through Zoom group sessions We have provided regular translated guidance and information in our main client languages. focusing particularly on health advice
We have pul more than 30 volunteers in regular contact with ¢lients lo deliver 1-1 English language tuition. support and guidance, and implemented policies lo ensure this is done safely We have contacted all the young people we support lo check on their educational and emotional needs and have produced videos to help them keep active. safe and healthy Our activitles In numbers 462 clients received advice services between 01103120 and 28102121 146 clients received an individual heallh support service 107 clients received WhalsApp broadcasts on issues including Covid and he81th guidance, online scam prevention and hate crimes 54 clients were supported lo receive immigration legal advice 35 clients were supported with other legal issues victirns of Crime were supported, including victims of modern slavery, domestic violence, hale crime, online crime and scams 55 clients were supported to learn English through our ESOL classes 65 young people received weekly welfare checks during lockdown young people from 14 different nalionalilies were supported with maaningful activities over the summer 17 young peoplo were supported with online 1-to-1 educational support 100 clients were supported with employmenl advice, tr8ining and practical help 28 women attended on line Inlern81ional Women's group sessions 33 48 Clients this year came from 34 different countries with the largest numbers still from Iraq, Iran and Syria. Unfortunately, the Vulnerable Persons'lchildren's Reselllement Programme was unable to bring any new families into Suffolk during this year, due lo travel restrictions. We continued to work under the contract with Suffolk County Council. to provide advice and port to the existing clients who have previoLJsly arrived under the programme and who still require a great deal of help with living in the UK. Sadly, our programme manager had lo return lo her home in Australia and was forced to resign and our advice worker resigned after a period of furlough. We subsequently increased our Advice SeNice Manager's hours and recruited a part time Resettlement Coordinator lo cover the work. We hope the programme will begin lo welcome new arrivals in 2021-22. The launch of our Skills Exchange Programme designed to give refugees and asylum seekers the chance to exchange the myriad of skills {oflen otheiSe hidden) with local volunteers in exchange for another piece of help or skill, gol off to a rocky slart. Covid meant that face lo face meetings were very limited and we had to resort to sharing online. We will develop this group further when face lo face meetings are allowed. Financlal review We made use of the government's furlough scherne lo enable four staff members lo lake lime out to care for family members during the lockdown {some partial only). Staff have shown an amazing resilience and positive spirit to keep supporting our clients during the lockdowns and have attended the office when possible in between.
Although we were very worried when we lost the National Lottery Reaching Communities Funding, we managed lo secure Ihe finances we needed to deliver the services for the year and cover all our costs. The majority of our funding needs are met by grants both national and local. We also have a very generous donor base of private individuals who provide us with vital unreslricled funds. We were lucky to receive grants from two larger Covid funds this year (National Lollery Covid-19 and Barrow Cadbury Covid Funds) which have made a significant difference to our income level and have enabled us to defer two other granls earmarked for 2020-21 inlo 2021-22. We were 8CUtely aware that funding was being offered by a lol of providers for the immediate impact of the virus. bul not for longer term so we are grateful for this opportunity to defer secured funds to when they will be needed for rebui5ding as restrictions are lifted. Through the generosity of our supporters and through local Covid and Hardship Funds, we have been able to provide cash and benefits in kind to the mo81 vulnerable of our clients, and to help others with essential travel costs {more limited due lo many immigration processes stopping for the majority of the yearl and items such as art and sports equipment and books to help them through the lockdown. Although the number of face-to-face talks we have given this year has been reduced, we have frequent presence on social media and have been regularly featured in the local press and given inlerviews on local radio. Reserves policy The Board agreed a Reserves Policy in December 2020 which follows Charity Commission guidance. The purpose of SRS holding financial re$eNes is to cover the cost of any shortfall of income either in the current financial year for which a budget has been set, or in fulure years where adjustment or closure of seNices is anticipated. Our aim is to have a level of reseNes that wll enable us to continue lo deliver our seTvices at their current level for six months, enabling an orderly winding down of some or all commitments if necessary. This level is currently recommended 8s £250,000. As a result of an unprecedented year, at the end of 2020-21, we are in a significantly better position with reserves well over this recommended amount. This was not unexpected and will be taken into accounl when planning our work as the Covid pandemic reslriclions are lifted and in line with our strategic and fundraising plans. We will make best and effective use of these available funds in the coming ye8r{sl to support our clients and tackle the stored-up problems that the pandemic has Created.
Plans for future periods Our clients are likely to present with slored up problems from 2020 as we start to resume face to face services. This. coupled with the hopeful relaunch of the Resettlement Programme and the likelihood of increases in numbers of asylum seekers in dispersal accommodation in Suffolk will mean our services continue to be very much in demand. We plan lo focus on increased client participation in the running of activities and an increase in self-reliance among our clients this year. Our ability to meet Dur budget requirements is looking positive although we are awailing the outcome of two large funding bids still. structure, governance and management governing document The organisation is a charitable cornpany limited by guarantee, incorporated in 1999 and registered as a charity in 2000. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute up lo £1. Recruitment and appointment of trustees The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charily18w. The trustees are elected to seNe for three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting. The trustees received no benefits from the charity and claimed no expenses In their capacity as such. The charity saw a change in its Chair this year with the stepping down of the previous Chair in advance of periods of tenure for trustees being proposed, and with the Covid reslriclions making meeting difficult as they moved to Ljsing Zoom. Three new trustees were voted on al the online AGM and Iwo trustees resigned this year. The board of Trustees has introduced a Strategic Plan with six main aims for the organisalion, along with Operatlng Principles and Volunteer Principles, which are helping lo shape its action plan for the year. Trustee inductlon and trainlng There is a trustee recruitment process overseen by the Secretary and Chair. After completing an application form and interview potential new Irustees attend a board meeting and, if the other trustees feel il appropriate, and they themselves remain willing. they are co-opted until the next AGM, at which their first three-year election takes place. They are given a formal induction and receive a Trustees Handbook, which gives a history of the charity, ils funding arrangements, its activities, and the responsibilit18s of trustees, as well as a copy of the Memorandum and Articles. They are sign-posted to the Charity Commission's "The Essentia Trustee" Most of the trustees are already, or become, volunteers with the charity, meeting and helping the seNi¢e users and staff.
Responsibilities of the trustees The trustees (who are also directors of Suffolk Refugee Support Lld for the purposes of Company lawl are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and UK GAAP. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charitabl8 company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the 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 eslimales that are reasonable and prud8nl', slate whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and prepare th8 financial statements on the going concern basis unless il is inappropriate lo assume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy al any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financia1 statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Slandard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1021 Approved by the board on 021 and signed on its behalf by.. Gerry Top Chair
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Suffolk Rofugee Support I report on the financial staternenls of the charity the year ended 31 March 2021 which are sel out on pages 8 to 17. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity's trustees consider that an audlt is not requlred for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charilies Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Charities Act- follow the prOdUreS laid down in the general Directions given by th8 Charity Commission under section 14515llb) of the Charities A¢t'. and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent Oxamlnerfs statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An 8xamination includes a review of the accounling records kept by the charity and 8 comparison of the flnanclal statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial staternents, and seeking explanations from the trust88s conceming any such malters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the financial statements presenl a °true and fair vie, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independenl examlnerf3 Statement In connection with my 8xamlnation, no matter has come to my altention.. 1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: lo keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act- to prepare financial statem8nts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act hav8 not been mel., or to which, in my opinlon. attentlon should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the financial statemenls to be reached. Nicky Cordle FCA Foreshore Accountancy LLP Fairfield Shouey Road Chelmondislon Ipswich IP91EE | 6-oq-2021
Statement of Financial Activities Including Income and Expenditure Account efugg For the year ended 31 March 2021 Unrèstrictèd funds Restricted funds Total 2021 Total 2020 Note 5 Notes Income and endowmènts from Donations and legaciÉs Charitable activities Investments Other 133,142 48,349 133,142 321,909 111,083 479,001 273,560 Total Income 181,491 273,560 455,051 590.084 Expenditure on Charitable aclivrftles.. Refugee Support Other 79,781 298,287 378,068 456.020 Total Expendlture 79,781 298,287 378,068 456,020 Net Income I lexpendlturel 101,710 1 24,7271 76.983 134,064 Total Funds brought fOard at 1 Aprll 2020 220,091 145,223 365,314 231,250 Total Funds carrlod fOard at 31 Mar¢h 2021 321.801 120,496 442,297 365.314 Durlng the year there were no recognised gains or10ss6S Other than those includod above. All acllvilies included wilhln Ihls statement are contlnuing.
Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2021 2021 2020 Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 15,095 497,634 490,604 512,729 490,604 Creditors: amounts falling due within on year 70,432) 1125,290 Net current assets 442,297 365,314 Total nel assots 442,297 365.314 The funds of the charity Reslri¢ted funds 10 120.496 145,223 Unrestricted funds.. General charitable funds 11 321,801 220,091 442,297 365,314 For the year ending 31 March 2021 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating lo small companies. The members have not required the company lo obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors aGknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect lo accounting rerdS and for preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject lo the small companies regime Approved by the Board at ils meeting on behalf by'.- IL 2021 and signed on its Gerry Toplis Chair
ty¢lug¥e Cash flow statement For the year ended 31 March 2021 Notes 2021 2020 Cash flows from operating activilies Net cash provided by operating activities (see below) 7,030 225,058 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year 7.030 225,058 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2020 490,604 265,546 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2021 13 497,634 490,604 Reconcllialion of cash flows from operating activities Net income for the year las per statement of flnancial a¢tivitlesl 76,983 134,064 Ilncreaseydecrease in debtors { 15,0951 72,413 Increaselldecreasel in creditors 154,858 18,581 Nat cash provided by operating activities Isee above) 7.030 225,058 io
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2021 1 Accounting po5icies lil Basis of preparatlon The flnancial slalernenls have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial slatemenls have been prepared in accordance with the Slalement ol Recommended PracliGe, in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102. applicable UK Accounting Sl8ndards and the Companies Ael 2006. Th& financial st8tém&nts have been prepared on the going concern basis. Th6 principal ac¢ounling policies adopted in the preparation of the finan¢181 statements are sel out below. The charity meets the definition of a PLJblic benefit enllty under FRS 102. Key judgements and assumptions The nature of the company's affairs is such thal the directors believe that there are no areas of signifi¢anl judgement and no significant assumptions that are required in the preparation of the financial statements other than those relating 10 90ing concern. Going concern rests on the availability of fuluTe funding and uncertainly ov8r such income is mitigated by the r8serves held by the company. see below. lill In¢omg Grants are recognised whon these are certaln as being receivable. Grant income is deferred. even wh8r• the income is receivable. when this in¢ome is given for expenditure in tha folloring year. Membership subscrlptions and donallons are recognis8d In the period to which they relate. Income from th8 provision of $8rvices is recognlsod in aCCoance Mqlh Ihg contractual agreement under which the setvices are provided. {111) Expenditure Expenditure is recognSsed in the period to which it relates. Irrecoverablts VAT is included vth the relevant expenditure. Costs are allo¢aled directly lo the activities wherever possible. Support costs are then attributed based on estimated staff lime. Grants payable are recognised when committed. liv) Tanglble fixed ass8ts and depreclation Tangibl8 fixed assets are Stated al cost less depreciation. Depre¢ialion is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful Ilfg as follows.. Fixtures, fittings and equipment 200A On a straight line basis li
(v) Debtors Trade debtors. relating to amounts due under contracts for the provision of services, are measured al the amounts recelvable under the conlracls. Prepayments, lating to expenditu incurred which has economic benefit in future acounting periods, and a¢erued income. relating lo income due and receivable bul outstanding al Ihts balance sheet date, are measured al their recoverable amount being the sum that ill be recèived after the balance sheet dale. Ivil Creditors.. Amounts falling du8 wlthln one ar Trade creditors and accruals, relating lo expenditure not paid until after the balance sheet dale which confers o¢onomic benef on the current accounting period, is CogniSed al the amount of that economic benefit. Deferred income. relating to income rtsceived in the current ac¢ounting petiod bul which relates to future periods, Is rtcognised as the whole of the income in question. Restri¢ted fund income received in the cUrn1 accounting period which relates to tha current and future periods is recognised within reslricled funds, see below. Iviil Pensions The charity makes contributions to the Personal Penslon Plans of employees where these are In existence or lo a workplace pension scheme in accordance wth the regulations governing the s¢heme. Iviiil Accumulated fund$ Funds fall into two categories, restricted, where their use is governed by the wishes of the enlily providing the funds or the contractual ttsrms under which the funds are eam8d. and unrestricted, whore there are no pre-conditions lo the use of the funds other than the charitable objeclivos of the organisation. Designated funds are a subset of unrestricted funds representing amounts set aside by the Iruslees for speafic purpos8S. Funds are transferred from reslTlCt8d lo unrestricl8d funds as they become free from the relevant restrictions. 11 is the aim ol the charity lo m8lntain the balan¢8 of nStrIcted resarv8s at a level equiv81ont lo six months expenditure, in order that the charity can re8s0nably withstand unforeseen reductions in funding, plus an amount lo cover adverse variations occurring in contracts lar the Provision of services. 2 Total Income 2021 2020 Donatlons Donations Grants 76.230 5e,912 37,305 73,778 133,142 111,083 Charitable activities Grants {s8e note 101 Delivery ol Refugee Reselll8ment Programme project 273,560 48,349 357.845 121.156 321,909 479.001 12
3 Total resources expended staff costs Depreciation Other costs Total 2021 Tota 2020 Charitable activities 290,323 75,145 365,468 444,020 Governance costs 10,500 2.100 12,600 12.000 300,823 77,245 378,068 456,020 4 Trustees None of the trustees lor any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or expenses during the year. 5 Employees Number of employees Tha avèrage numbar of employees during the year was.. 2021 Number 2020 Number Project staff 15 Management and adminislralion 19 22 Employm&nt costs 2021 2020 Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs Other costs 270,338 19,358 9,927 1,200 329,707 23,903 14,118 2,859 300,823 370,587 Th8r& w&r8 no employoes whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more. 13
6 Comparatlve Statement of Finanolal Activitie5 The detsiled Slalemenl of Financial Affairs for the year ended 31 March 2020 is sel out below Total 2020 Unrèslrlcled funés Reslricled funds Income and endowments froTll Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investments Other 111.083 121,156 111.083 479,001 357,845 Total incomg 232,239 357,845 590.084 Expenditure on Charitable aclivilies.. Refugee Support Governance costs 181,498 274,522 456,020 Total expendituro 181,498 274,522 456.020 Net income l {expènditure) 50,741 83,323 134,064 Totsl Funds brought forward at 1 Aprll 2019 189,350 61.900 231,250 Total Funds Carrled fOard at 34 March 2020 220,091 145,223 365,314 7 Tanglblè fixed assets Fixturas flttlngs & equipments Total Cost At 1 April 2020 16.788 16,788 Additions Al 31 March 2021 16,788 16,788 Depreciation Al 1 April 2020 16,788 16,788 Charge for the year Al 31 March 2021 16,788 16,788 Net book value At 31 March 2021 Al 31 March 2020 14
B Debtors 2021 2020 Trade debtors Taxes and social security costs 15,095 15,095 9 Credltors: amounts falllng due withln one yèar 2021 2020 Bank overdraft Trade creditors Taxes and 50¢1al security costs Accruals and other creditors Deferred income 32.472 30,640 20,419 960 73,271 960 37,000 70,432 125,290 Deferred Income represents amounts received by the company the benefit of which is intended for future periods. All doferred income at 31 M8r¢h 2020 was re¢ognised in the income and expenditure account in the year ended 31 March 2021. 15
10 R&strlcted funds The income funds of the charity include reslricted lunds comprising the followng unexpended balances ol donations and grants hold on irust for specific purposes.. Balance 8t 1 April 2020 Incoming resources Resourc&s Balance at expended 31 March 2021 Nationride Community Grant (via Essex Commuinily Foundationl 44,3g1 44,391 Lloyds Bank Foundation 22,953 24.832 1 1,879) Realising Ambillons Fund (Ipswich & East Suffolk CCG via Suffolk Community Foundalionl New Anglia LEP Community Challenge Fund (via Suffolk Community Foundation) Barrow Cadbury TrusUThe National Lottery Community FLJnd GOVID Support Fund 18,086 18,086 11,739 20,000 13.401 18.338 49,850 42,012 7,838 National Lollery Coronavirus Community Support Fund 45.000 45,000 Building Beller Opportunities Fund - European Social Fund & the National Lottery Communrty Fund Suffolk Police & Clim8 Commissionerfs Fund Iwa Suffolk Communlly Foundallonl 661 39,443 40.104 1.2201 29,978 8,758 20,000 BBC Ghildren in Need 1.866) 27,526 22,484 3,176 The Lovel FoundatSon 9,115 10,000 9.867 9.248 Limbourno Trust 9.078 10,000 9,719 9,359 Suffolk Community Foundation- other grants 25,257 13,474 31.927 6.804 Other 7,029 28,289 32,097 3,221 145,223 273,560 298,287 120,496 All above funds support the proje¢l operated by Suffolk Refugee Support lo prowde setvices lo asylum seekers and refugees in achieving the legal slalus to which they are enlilled and in enjoying the same life opportunities as oiher people livlng in the UK. 16
11 Unrestrlcted funds Balance at 1 Aprll 2020 Net Incom& Transfers Balance at 31 Mar¢h 2021 General charitable funds 220,091 101,710 321.801 220,091 101,730 321,801 12 Analysls of net assats between funds Unrostrlcted fund5 Réstricted funds Total Fund balan¢es at 31 March 2021 are represented by.. Tangibl8 fixed ass¢ts Current assets Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 392,233 120,496 512,729 { 70,432) 1 70,4321 321,801 120,496 442,297 13 Analysls of cash and cash equlvalents 2021 2020 Bank current accounts 495,677 489,090 Poty cash 1.957 1.514 Totsl 497,634 490,604 14 Related parties There have been no Ir8nsactioNs with related parties. 17