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2023-06-30-accounts

Charity registration number 1079042

Company registration number 3902118 (England and Wales)

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES) ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees J Osborne
D Garratt
M Taher
S Isegbe
H Al Sheikh
M Grenier
J Schofield-Wood
C Bacon
S Srikanth (Appointed 18 February 2023)
R Burman (Appointed 26 July 2023)
Charity number 1079042
Company number 3902118
Registered office 356 Holloway Road
London
N7 6PA
Independent examiner F J Wilde FCCA MBA DChA
Warner Wilde
4 Marigold Drive
Bisley
Surrey
GU24 9SF
Bankers CAF Bank Ltd
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ
The Co-operative Bank
P.O. Box 250
Dell House
Southway
Skelmersdale
WN8 6WT

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 14
Independent examiner's report 15
Statement of financial activities 16
Balance sheet 17
Notes to the financial statements 18 - 29

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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

The charity's objects are :

THE WORK OF ST UDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES

Our vision

A society where refugees are welcomed and can thrive as equal members of the community.

Our values

Inclusive: Our movement brings together people from all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring we are a welcoming and respectful place for all and continually strive to be more diverse and representative, particularly of those with lived refugee experience.

Student powered: Students are the driving force of STAR with the power to bring about positive change in their local communities and the UK.

Collaborative: We are stronger together. Change happens because we work collectively and share learning across our network, in our communities and alongside partners locally and nationally.

Dynamic: We have the energy to drive social change and the adaptability and flexibility to respond quickly and effectively to the changing environment.

Expert: Our network has the support of an experienced and knowledgeable staff team, and our work is informed by those with lived refugee experience.

Who we are and what we do

Student Action for Refugees (STAR) is the national network of students building a society where refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed and can thrive.

At STAR we know that refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK experience multiple forms of adversity while seeking protection. As well as the difficult and traumatic experiences people who are forced to flee their homes because of war and persecution must live through, their journey to safety is often long and dangerous. Once they arrive here, the difficulties are far from over, as they face many challenges in claiming their right to asylum and building new lives. This is due to an increasingly hostile policy environment, negative media narrative and public attitudes, and limited access to services. We want to change this. Set up by students at Nottingham University in 1994, STAR is creating a more understanding, just and welcoming society by:

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

We have a small expert staff team who work to build our movement, train and support the network and lead on national campaign and advocacy work for refugee rights, specialising in improving access to higher education

Our movement is an inclusive one with UK students, students from refugee backgrounds and international students working together to make change. For almost 30 years our vibrant national student network has impacted on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, making a difference that has reached far beyond the walls of universities and colleges. For many of our student leaders and activists, their involvement with STAR sparks the beginning of a lifelong commitment to social action and refugee and migrant rights.

Here’s how STAR made a difference in 2022/23:

The STAR student network

Training and empowering the network

Volunteering

Campaigning

Access to University

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Achievements of the STAR charity and network in 2022-23

We continued to build back the STAR student network post pandemic

It was another busy year across the STAR network, although we were still feeling the impact of Covid-19. Lower membership levels in 2021-22 as a direct result of the pandemic meant that a number of our groups struggled to recruit new leaders and were unable to continue, which slightly reduced the size and impact of the network. However, over the year we supported the set up of 7 new groups, bringing the total to 39 across 30 towns and cities in England, Scotland and Wales. The groups were run by 213 STAR student leaders and had a membership of over 2000 students. Across their active social media platforms, they had a reach of 21,876.

Here are what a few of our groups had to say when we asked them what they were most proud of this year…

Plymouth STAR “I am most proud of Plymouth STAR's volunteering - we collaborated with a local charity called Community Horizons to make over 300 care bags to be distributed to refugee families within the community and also to make toiletry bags for refugee women in the community. We have started sharing personal refugee stories on STAR Instagram page to raise awareness about barriers and obstacles refugees face when it comes to accessing higher education and dealing with the obstacles of day to day life. STAR have also done a charity bake sale to raise funds. We recruited student volunteers to attend a cultural kitchen (meeting place for refugees and asylum seekers to cook, share a healthy meal and socialise and practice English) at a local church. STAR provided student volunteers for the Plymouth Hope festival and we also did a SU quiz to raise awareness about refugee issues.”

Warwick Medical School STAR “We won a university wide community outreach award for our projects with local charities who work with refugees and displaced people in the area, winning a prize of £2000 to put towards STAR projects” -

Bath STAR “We are really proud of our contribution to the local community. We have worked with 3 councils across Somerset and supported refugees with Access to HE throughout the year including the exam seasons. We successfully hosted an open day as well. Furthermore, we changed the minds of 10 businesses by joining the Lift the Ban campaign and also rebuilt our society from the beginning as we had no handover from the previous year.”

Cardiff STAR “We ran 2 volunteering projects, one was our regular conversation class, and another was a new project volunteering at a hotel that housed refugees. At the hotel we mostly spent time with the children, played games, and did arts and crafts with them. However, we did also spend time with adults and had casual conversations with them. For our LGBTQ+ history month campaign we made an Instagram campaign about the struggles faced by refugees who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and also hosted a panel event with speakers discussing the topic. We are a part of the University of Sanctuary working group at Cardiff University which successfully managed to organise the first open day for refugees and asylum seekers at Cardiff university, the Aspire open day. We talked about our work and worked individually with refugees and asylum seekers to find what resources are available for their to be able to reach their individual goals e.g. how to get access to free courses,”

Sussex STAR “We are exceptionally proud of all the events we have put on, but more specifically how we are encouraging students and academic staff to think more ambitiously about scholarship programmes for refugees and asylum-seekers. We have done a lot of work on campaigning for equal access and a lot of working on challenging why we have a company like Mitie on campus when Sussex is a University of Sanctuary. We were even invited by the Sanctuary Steering Group to a focus group with a research company on why Mitie needs to be ousted and the Sanctuary Steering Group were really grateful for our input. We feel like we are making change at the university for the better .”

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

We trained and empowered students to be effective changemakers

“Thanks all for the hard work. The STAR team is truly supportive. I am hoping that STAR continues to achieve great impact . ” (STAR leader)

Our strength is our amazing national network of dedicated student leaders, activists and volunteers so we make sure we provide them with the support and training they need to be effective changemakers.

The STAR national team provided extensive 1:1 support, training and networking opportunities to student leaders to help new groups - 7 this year - get established, and ensure all leaders had the advice and guidance they needed to run successful student societies, organise impactful events, volunteering projects and handover to new leadership at the end of the year. We had 84 1:1 support meetings with STAR leaders and ran 20 training sessions for 284 students. These covered topics like, an introduction to asylum in the UK, how to engage with your MP, how to advocate for Equal Access to higher education for refugees at your university, how to run your group and volunteering projects. Our English to Speakers of Other languages (ESOL) professionals provided national online training and local support to English Conversation Club coordinators and volunteers. We also provided a comprehensive selection of online guides and “how to” resources and were very excited to host our first in person AGM, networking and training event since 2019, in February this year!

“The conversation class coordinators in particular use the language resources to guide their worksheets for sessions each week. The training resources have also been helpful in informing us of our roles and how to run society effectively”

“I attended the leadership training. I found it really useful especially with the planner documents STAR provided. Other committee members such as the coordinator of the campaign attended the campaign's training, which they found useful and worked by the tips provided.”

“The most popular and well-received training [for our group] was the social media training and the words to be thoughtful about training held during the AGM. it really supported our team to present ourselves better”

We provided a practical community welcome through volunteering

“ Volunteering as part of a larger STAR network challenges the idea that your contribution is small…As STAR student leaders, we’re a small cog in a very big wheel making the UK a more welcoming place for refugees. ” (Peter, Cardiff STAR Leader)

Through our national network we mobilise large numbers of student volunteers who provide practical support and friendship to refugees in their local communities. Our volunteering projects, run in partnership with local charities and organisations, include English conversation clubs, women's groups, kids’ homework clubs, book clubs, bike projects, film nights, university open days and more. They help to combat isolation and make refugees feel welcomed, learn about their new home and improve their English. They also help to build cultural understanding and strengthen connections between and across communities. Centrally, we also run an online university application mentoring programme.

This year, STAR groups ran 22 student volunteer-led community projects supporting refugees and helped out at 8 projects run by local organisations. In total 741 refugees benefitted from the projects which were delivered by 323 volunteers. Alongside this they also organised 33 volunteering events from book, clothes and food collections, to present wrapping and creating 300 care packages for local refugee women.

These projects were delivered in partnership with 21 brilliant organisations; Jacari, Somali Resource Centre, Bristol City Council, Care4Calais, Space4U, Refugee Support Devon, RAFT, Maryhill Integration Network, Plateful Cafe, Love2Learn, CARAS, Westminster Council, Leeds Refugee Forum, PAFRAS, Rainbow Junction, Conversation Club Leeds, Nottingham Women’s Centre, The British Red Cross, Common Ground, Coventry City Council and Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

“I can't thank the STAR volunteers enough for the amazing work they have done with us this year. They have shown commitment, resilience, curiosity and involvement with and for our young people and the young people really enjoyed their presence. I am looking forward to collaborating again next academic year” - Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre

“The students [STAR volunteers] are really respectful, welcoming and make the learners feel at home. With the learners who consistently come, you can see the confidence growing in them. Everyone speaks some level of English, but all need that confidence to properly integrate in their communities.” - Maryhill Integration Network - Glasgow STAR English conversation club

Case study: Leeds English Conversation Club

Leeds STAR have a long-term partnership with Leeds Refugee Forum and delivers mixed-ability weekly English conversation clubs on a Wednesday. Ali Magroub, the CEO of Leeds Refugee Forum, describes the clubs a s " indispensable” and has high praise for the student coordinators. The club was ho sted online last academic year but returned to a face to face session in October 2022. 5 learners, from Iran, Ethiopia and Ukraine, attended the first in person session - a good turnout for the first club - and all of them came back for more. Overall 25 refugee learners were supported over the year by 25 STAR volunteers. Here is what some of the refugee learners had to say about the club;

“Thank you so much for the conversation, I really appreciate it . ”

“Now I can use English. I can speak, I can listen to other people who speak very well . ”

“We have different nations here but here all talk in English. It’s a good thing. We learn grammar and people correct our mistakes . ”

“...very important conversations and listening. I understand better . ”

The clubs are planned using STAR’s conversation club resources and supported by a local STAR ESOL professional. They bring together a diverse range of learners who want to improve their English skills in an informal way, and the social elements, like celebrating birthdays together, that are included in the sessions help learners form new friendships and connections. The student leaders promote collaborative learning between participants, as well as with the volunteers, for example by using the last 30 minutes of every session to hold group quizzes or games. In one of the clubs we visited, after vo l unteers and learners chatted about social media, one to one, there was a fun music quiz for everyone to take part in, which included guessing the national anthems of different countries.

“Volunteering with STAR for the conversation classes, the homework club and the bike scheme is incredibly eye-opening. It is a great way to help refugees and asylum seekers in our local community whilst educating myself on the obstacles they are up against. Therefore, it is both enriching and rewarding and I would recommend it to anyone that has the chance to get involved” - Leeds conversation club volunteer.

We improved access to university for people seeking asylum and refugees

Refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK face numerous challenges in accessing higher education due to limited financial support, difficulties in navigating the complex university system, and inadequate information and guidance. Access to higher education is life changing. Studies have shown that it can mitigate the negative effects of traumatic experiences, helping people focus on the future, not just surviving the present and helping them develop skills and improve employability. University provides a safe, empowering environment where people fleeing persecution can rebuild their lives and support networks. The current system results in a huge waste of potential and has long-term impacts on integration, wellbeing and employability.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

We are committed to ensuring campuses are places of welcome for refugees and we have been leading advocacy for scholarship programmes and work on improved access to university in the UK since 2008. We are experts in access to university for refugees and asylum seekers and in campaigning for, developing and managing Sanctuary Scholarships. We also bring the sector together, share and encourage good practice and lobby institutions for more and better scholarships and improved access pathways. This work is shaped by a group of STAR activists with lived experience of forced migration (Equal Access Activists).

“Equal access to higher education is a human right, and I believe that everyone, regardless of circumstance, has the right to an education. Many people are unaware of the barriers that refugees and asylum seekers face in accessing admission to higher education, as well as the day-to-day obstacles they confront. As someone who had to overcome numerous barriers and obstacles to pursue higher education, I understand how difficult it is to persevere when there are so many hurdles in your way, as it is so easy to give up. That is why equal access to higher education is so important to me. I believe there is a significant under-representation of individuals from sanctuary seeking backgrounds in higher education for a variety of reasons, such as issues with their status, lack of student finance access, and a lack of overall support, so I wanted to change that and STAR is a perfect platform to push for this muchneeded access...As part of the Equal Access group, we have spoken at national and international conferences, provided feedback to institutions such as UCAS, Student Finance England and many more. By getting involved with STAR, you will be given an excellent platform to raise awareness and fight for equal access to higher education for individuals from sanctuary seeking backgrounds. By educating the community and by advocating for their rights, you will be helping them reach for the stars! I am so proud to be a member of STAR and am really excited to fight against more social injustices together with my fellow STAR members around the UK!” (Shehany, Plymouth STAR President and Equal Access Activist)

Equal Access Activists took the lead - This year the Equal Access Activists have been reviewing the campaign’s strategy and running focus groups with partner organisations, university staff, students and applicants. Alongside this, they presented about access to university at 8 events, helped us develop the new Displaced Students Opportunities website.

‘Being part of the group has been such a positive highlight and helped me develop skills, experiences and feel more confident about campaigning, networking with students, universities and charities. It has been a brilliant opportunity’.

‘Felt very supported and STAR gave me a platform to improve my leadership and communication, public speaking and team working skills’.

They have also been involved in working on an interactive research project with Sheffield University - “(Re) Imagining the Higher Education Border”. The project is collating the ‘advice and guidance’ queries received by STAR and REUK to “increase the visibility of borders and their reproduction in higher education”.

We supported universities and advocated for more access opportunities : 88 universities now offer Sanctuary Scholarships, up from 83 last year. We provided guidance to 18 institutions to help them improve existing scholarships or plan new ones and delivered 5 information and networking events for 243 university staff. We also worked with Universities of Sanctuary to publish a new resource for universities on setting eligibility criteria for Sanctuary Scholarships. 12 of our student groups campaigned for better access at their institutions and in January, we supported STAR leaders and Equal Access Activists to take part in two conferences in Edinburgh alongside university staff and leaders: The Higher Education and Refugees Forum organised by UNHCR and Times Higher Education, and The Universities of Sanctuary annual conference. Both events were a fantastic opportunity to ensure that a strong student voice, and particularly that of students with lived experience, was included in discussions about access to HE for people seeking sanctuary.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

We provided information and support to refugee applicants: The STAR central team responded to 335 enquiries from individual refugees about higher education and delivered information events for 777 refugees. We ran an online mentoring programme that provided 1:1 support for 72 people from 42 STAR volunteers to help them apply to university and for scholarships. We improved the resources on our website by adding a frequently asked questions page which has been visited 4481 times and our sanctuary scholarship list was visited 72,918 times. Bath, Bristol, Warwick and York STAR held campus open days for local refugees and people seeking asylum. Warwick STAR decided to make theirs a ‘family open afternoon’ which was a huge success, attended by 52 adults and 13 children from the local area.

“With the help and guidance of STAR I was able to receive admissions to universities and received two sanctuary scholarships from UEA and Sussex.”

A major project this year was the development and launch of the Displaced Student Opportunities UK website - with partners Refugee Education UK and Universities of Sanctuary, and pro bono support from digital marketing agency, Hewitt Matthews. STAR Equal Access Activists also gave their time to advise on the development and test it out. Here is what one of them said about the portal; “I cannot stress how great it looks and how easy it is to navigate through. The fact that there is a tool for scholarship search devoted for students from displaced backgrounds would make the application process a lot clearer and smoother too. A huge congratulation to you and to everyone involved in this wonderful project. I can't wait to see its positive impact on Displaced people.” The new website provides a one stop shop for access to higher education opportunities for people from refugee backgrounds - from people who have arrived through the Ukraine schemes, to those who are seeking asylum or have arrived on a resettlement scheme. The types of opportunities vary, but include: open events; summer courses; undergraduate, postgraduate, postgraduate research; and PhD’s; as well as, English courses and mentoring support. In the first 6 months, 83 providers - including universities, charities and colleges - set up an account and posted 107 opportunities. The website was used by 8,173 individuals and viewed 51,832 times. We were also really pleased that the site won ‘Third Sector Website of the Year’ at the UK Dev Awards in February. The feedback from opportunity providers was very positive, for example;

“extremely useful to have a dedicated portal like this - we are making sure we use this for all of our opportunities, and are linking to this from our web pages to direct applicants to other institutions' opportunities”

“The portal provides a very important platform/ system to inform and be informed about opportunities to organisations and applicants. Its immense contribution in reaching out to small charities such as ReConnect and marginalised groups such as refugees and asylum seekers need to be highlighted and recognised”

Case study: STAR University Application Mentoring Project

We know that many people seeking asylum and refugees struggle to get the information and support they need to access university in the UK. Which is why we launched our University Application online mentoring project during the pandemic. This year we saw a huge increase in interest in the initial information session sign-ups and overall 633 people attended the three sessions! The first one in November covered how to apply to university in the UK and included guidance from UCAS, the second session was delivered with the Student Loans Company and finally in March we held a session on understanding and applying for Sanctuary Scholarships. .

The option for one to one online mentoring from our trained student volunteers was offered to people who attended the information sessions. In total 72 people received support volunteer mentors recruited from our student network and Equal Access activists. People were paired with mentors who had similar qualifications and academic interest and they received advice and guidance about the university application process from the perspective of a student who has recently submitted an application themselves. Here is what some of the mentees had to say about their experience:

“They provided me with all the information I needed. Answered my questions with evidence. Encouraged me with positive advice”

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

“Thank you very much for all the support, now I feel confident about applying to university. It was very fruitful”

“It has boosted my confidence in applying for university as an asylum seeker”

We followed up with the mentees in the summer to find out if there had been any positive outcomes as a result of the mentoring. Out of 13 survey responses received, 11 had applied to university and 8 had received offers. 7 had applied for Sanctuary Scholarships and 3 had been successful. 6 of the respondents said that they would be going to university this year. They also shared some feedback with us about how the information session and mentoring had helped them:

“At first yes [had difficulties applying to university] , however I didn't give up and sought advice from your mentors and templates provided by your website, and at the end I was able to do better and received many admissions offers”.

We shared information about asylum and the lived experience of refugees to shift the narrative.

Hostile public opinion drives harsh public policy and an unwelcoming reception for refugees in local communities. Research on “contact theory” shows that social contact is one of the most effective ways of building positive attitudes towards refugees in host communities and encouraging intercultural tolerance and understanding. This happens both through STAR groups local volunteering projects and also through the many events about asylum and the refugee experience.

Before joining STAR, only 8% of our student leaders were very confident at talking to other people about asylum and refugees and 42% were not confident at all. By the end of the year all were more confident with 71% feeling very confident

Before joining STAR, 42% of our leaders felt very committed to creating a welcoming society for refugees and people seeking asylum but by the end of the year 96% would describe themselves as very committed.

We empower students to hold engaging and informative events that provide a platform for experts by experience, academics, activists, artists and organisations to help their fellow students better understand asylum and the experiences of refugees. These interactions and information mobilise our student members to tackle systemic problems and to change the minds of peers, friends, and families, which in turn helps to build public support for policy change.

This year STAR groups organised 345 events attended by 9697 people. These took place on and off campus, and on and offline, and ranged from demonstrations, stalls and film showings to speaker events, plays and comedy nights. For example:

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

We’re proud to be on the steering group of Refugee Week and this year a number of groups organised events, for example Birkbeck STAR collaborated with the Voices Network to host a panel talk, “Compassion to Action: Sanctuary Seekers in Higher Education.” They heard from experts in access to education and asylum law and heard stories of success from people with lived experience followed by some amazing poetry and songs from Voices Network members.

Case Study: Warwick Medical School panel event

Warwick Medical School (WMS) STAR hosted a panel event on the Health Impact of UK AntiImmigration Policies which was sponsored by the Medical Defense Union. Over 50 people attended the event and the panel was followed by a Q&A in addition to nibbles, hot drinks and networking. The event was so successful that it contributed to WMS STAR being awarded a Warwick Award for Community and Public Engagement. The panel was chaired by the WMS STAR president Laura Whitter with four guest panellists:

Together they discussed the barriers faced accessing healthcare in migrant communities, and explored what barriers are preventing people from getting the help they need. The panellists spoke both from their experience working in the sector, and their own personal experiences accessing healthcare.

“It was definitely an eye-opener learning about what is happening to refugees in the UK at the moment, and is a reminder that we all need to advocate for the rights of others”

Case Study: STAR national meetup & AGM

Our STAR national network meetup & AGM took place on February 18, 2023 in London. It was our first in-person event since 2019, and was attended by student leaders from STAR groups across the UK and Equal Access activists. We made sure there was lots of time for everyone to connect and share successes and challenges, and our AGM was a chance for STAR groups to get involved in the running of the charity and to celebrate their achievements. Alongside this we organised a diverse range of workshops and activities to educate and inspire our members;

“Really well organised and inspiring!”

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

We took action to campaign for a humane asylum system and a warm welcome for refugees

Every year STAR mobilises and empowers thousands of students across the country to take action to fight the hostile environment, advocate for a humane asylum system and a warm welcome for people seeking sanctuary. Our central staff team works alongside national and local organisations and campaign coalitions to identify where our student network can make the biggest impact for systems and policy change. Our student groups hold stalls and events on campus to inform their peers and get them to take action, organise campaign stunts, sign and share petitions and lobby local MPs and decision makers and get the message out there on social media. This year there were 108 campaign activities with over 2,374 participants

It has been a challenging period with an almost constant onslaught of new and increasingly harsh immigration policy and demonising of forced migrants by politicians. The Nationality and Borders Act came into force at the start of this year but by March there was already a new Illegal Migration Bill going through parliament. At the same time the Rwanda plan was in motion, there were record asylum decision backlogs and the quality of accommodation provided for people seeking asylum and resettled refugees continued to decline.

We remained active in longstanding national campaigns - calling for the right to work with Lift the Ban, better refugee family reunion rights with Families Together, and campaigning against immigration detention - but our major focus this year was responding to the evolving government policy.

Fighting the Anti-Refugee Laws

With the Nationality and Borders Act in place and the Illegal Migration Bill announced in March 2023, over the course of the year the majority of our national campaigning was fighting the government’s anti-refugee laws. In the summer we signed up to the Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws coalition, which was established after the Nationality and Borders Act passed to secure pledges from national and local organisations, local authorities and MPs to challenge the anti-refugee laws. At the start of the academic year we joined the # StopRwanda coalition and supported actions planned by the Together With Refugees coalition. For example, STAR groups participated in the # FillTheSkiesWithHope action during freshers week. Stirling STAR took the action one step further by packaging up their paper planes and sending them to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. We also joined Together with Refugees on their campaign bus outside Westminster in January. In November we held an online event, for 107 people, that brought together a diverse range of speakers to discuss how current government policy is impacting on the lives of people seeking asylum in the UK and how we can take action for change. Here is some of that great advice from a couple of the speakers;

“Bring real stories and the examples of people who have lived experience. There are many people who would like to do something but are not educated enough” - Ali Ghaderi, actor, activist, and founder of Babylon Project

“Don’t underestimate the power of conversations with people. People will have specific views, and talking through and challenging them - those conversations, wherever you are, can really make a difference.” - Enver Solomon, Refugee Council CEO

When the Illegal Migration Bill was announced we prioritised sharing up to date information with our student network, encouraging groups to support national actions, and supporting them to organise local actions.

We published a national statement and call to action, shared write to MP actions, petitions and signed open letters coordinated by sector partners and encouraged other organisations and groups to sign up to the Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws pledge. We also co-led the student bloc at Stand Up to Racism’s # ResistRacism march for UN Anti-Racism Day on 18th March in London with Kent STAR, Cambridge STAR, UCL STAR, Birkbeck STAR, and LJMU STAR, with STAR Edinburgh attending the demonstration in Glasgow. As the Bill reached its final stages in Parliament, we worked with SolidariTee, Universities of Sanctuary, and the Voices Network to launch a petition for university students and staff who oppose the Bill. On the day that Parliament passed the law, we handed the petition, signed by 839 people, into Downing Street.

STAR group local actions included; Stirling STAR’s open letter which collected over 80 signatures from students, academics and local residents calling on the government to scrap the ‘Illegal Migration’ Bill, Warwick STAR organised a demonstration on campus and Edinburgh STAR teamed up with Contemporary Art Soc to run a workshop on protest art and the Illegal Migration Bill.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Case study - Durham STAR Mitie Must Fall campaign

Durham STARs successful campus campaign against Mitie Group Plc was a highlight this year. As part of their long-running campaign against detention and support of the No To Hassockfield Immigration Detention Centre campaign, this year Durham STAR focused their attention on removing the presence of companies complicit in detention from the university’s campus.

Alongside attending monthly protests at the Hassockfield/Derwentside Detention Centre, the STAR group kickstarted an information campaign - 15 students organised stalls in high-volume areas around the university with banners, tea, and coffee where they engaged people in conversation about immigration detention and the fact that a company which made a profit running the nearby detention centre for women was also providing services for Durham University. They launched an open letter to the university and after a leafleting and social media campaign they had 1129 signatures. This is equivalent to an eighth of the undergraduate population! In February, Durham STAR handed the letter to the university who responded a month later to state that while the contract with Mitie has been renewed for a 2-year period, this is a ‘transition period’ in which the university will bring staff contracts in-house and end their involvement with Mitie.

“I'm incredibly proud of how adaptive and versatile my exec have been for me this year, doing incredible work as circumstances particularly relating to the Mitie campaign changed so quickly. Everyone adapted and took on new roles and changed expectations so we could take on the opportunity we had to make change and as a result we now have a written commitment that the contract will be ended. We now need to work to assure this is followed through on, but that result is due to persistence and versatility of everyone involved. ” - Durham STAR leader

Thank you to our donors

A huge thank you to the following groups and individuals who went above and beyond to raise money for the STAR charity. Thanks to Bristol STAR, Edinburgh STAR, Birmingham STAR in partnership with the Birmingham Dance Society, Warwick STAR, UCL STAR and Plymouth STAR. We also don’t want to forget our regular donors, Facebook birthday fundraisers and everyone else who gave generously to support our work this year. Thank you so much!

Special mentions for these amazing fundraisers!

And of course, a huge thank you to all of the generous trusts and foundations who fund us; The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Maingot Charitable Trust, The Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund, The AB Charitable Trust, The Aziz Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Allen Lane Foundation, Pears Foundation.

Financial review

The charity's reserves stood at £133,048 at the year end (2022: £90,690). The reserves were made up of £128,586 unrestricted reserves (2022: £85,576) and £4,462 restricted reserves (2022: £5,114).

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a sufficient level to:

The trustees have concluded that the amount required is £52,269. This is based on a predetermined formula and is reviewed on a regular basis. The excess above the essential reserves is earmarked for spending in 2023-24.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

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.

Risk Management

STAR has a risk register which is updated annually by the Trustees with advice from the staff team.

Public Benefit

When planning activities for the year, th e trustees have considered the Charity Commission 's guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the charity's activities meet the principles laid out in that guidance.

Plans for future periods

These are our strategic goals for 2021-24. We are pleased to say that we have made good progress against these, despite the challenges of the past few years.

1. To create a better welcome for refugees by :

2. To build a more powerful movement by:

Structure, governance and management

STAR was established in 1994 by students at the University of Nottingham and registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee in January 2000. It was established under a Memorandum of Association, which establishes the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed by the Articles of Association. The charity’s objects are:

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

K Joksaite (Resigned 18 February 2023) E Arnold (Resigned 18 February 2023) J Osborne D Garratt M Taher B Dibb (Resigned 18 February 2023) S Isegbe H Al Sheikh W Zuoriki (Resigned 18 February 2023) M Grenier J Schofield-Wood C Bacon S Srikanth (Appointed 18 February 2023) R Burman (Appointed 26 July 2023)

New Trustees are elected by the STAR membership at the AGM. Candidates are asked to submit a written application to Trustees and, if selected, will be co-opted by the Board to serve until the following AGM. STAR also has three places reserved for STAR student members who are elected by the membership at the AGM.

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

Organisational Structure

STAR is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, the Trustees of the charity are also directors of the limited company. STAR is a membership organisation with the STAR groups as its members. STAR groups are student union societies which are constituted within their universities or college’s student union and then affiliated to the STAR national charity. STAR members are trained and supported by the staff team from the charity’s offices in London.

STAR’s student members meet annually at the AGM in November at which they elect Trustees, view the Annual Accounts and plan STAR’s work for the coming year. The Trustees are ultimately responsible for governance and oversight of the charity, they ensure that STAR fulfils its legal obligations and carries out activities to fulfil its aims for the public benefit, they also oversee strategy and resources. The Trustees delegate responsibility for running the charity to the Chief Executive and meet quarterly as well as attending the AGM and annual student Committee Training in June.

STAR Groups

Affiliated groups

University of Bath, Birmingham City University (BCU), Birkbeck University of London, University of Birmingham, BPP University, University of Bristol, Brunel University London, Cardiff University, University of Cambridge, Durham University, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, University of Glasgow, University of Gloucestershire, Goldsmiths University of London, King’s College London (KCL), University of Kent, Lancaster University, University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, University of Leicester, Liverpool John Moores University (LJM), London School of Economics (LSE), University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, University of Plymouth, University of Sheffield, Solent University, University of Southampton, St George’s University of London, University of Stirling, University of Sussex, Swansea University, University College London (UCL), University of East Anglia (UEA), University of Warwick, University of Winchester, Warwick Medical School (WMS) & University of York.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Staff and volunteers

STAR’s work is undertaken by a network of thousands of student volunteers supported by a small central staff and volunteer team based in London. Additional staff support the English conversation clubs across the country. STAR’s staff team this year were:

Paid staff

Emily Crowley, Chief Executive Siobhán Coskeran, Access to University Co-ordinator & Campaigns and Communications Manager Rebekah Lucking, Volunteering Project Manager (left 7th July 2022) Sophie Cox, Student Network Manager Hannah Carbery, Student Network Organiser (left 17th January 2022) Annie Feetham, Student Network Organiser (Temporary cover) Ali Al-Enazi, Student Network Organiser Intern (Short term role - left 23rd February 2023) Lois Barton, Student Network Organiser Afsana Hamidy, Access to University Project Coordinator Trà My Hicken, Communications Assistant (Short term role - left 5th July 2023)

Consultants

Abi Airey, Conversation Club ESOL Specialist Patricia Mersh, Conversation Club ESOL Specialist Abdullah Rafiq, Researcher

National Volunteers Hannah Carbery Marta Muniz Alice Clarke Meije Dumont Tim Lineham

National Volunteers: Equal Access Activists

Daniel, Venita, Waleed, Maryam, Abdullah, AbdulRahman, Pearlgin, Abdullah, Michael, Arooba, Anne, Zana, Dickson, Akram, Tamana, Shehany

The trustees' r eport was approved by the Board of Trustees.

..............................

D Garratt

Trustee

Nov 30 2023 Date: .............................................

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES) I report to the trustees on my examination of the fina￿101 ststements of STAR (Student ActK)n for Refuge8s) (the charity) for the year ended 30 June 2023. Responslbllltles and ba818 of rnport As thg truste8s of the charity (and aL80 ils directors for the purposes of company lawl you ar8 responsiblè for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance wlth the rèqutr&ments of the Companies Act 2006 {th8 2006 AGt). Havlng satisfied mysell that the financid statements of ts tharity are not requlred to bo audlted under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are ellglble for independent examination. I repcvt in respect of my examinati￿ of the charity'$ financial statements carried out under Ser￿on 145 of Ihe Charitles Act 2011 Ilhe 2011 Act). In carying out my examinatlon I have followed all the appllc*bl8 Dlredons glv8n by th8 Charfty Commlssk)n under sedon 145(51 Ibl of the 2011 Act. Ind•p•nd•nt •xamlnorfs statomonl I have completed my examination. I rx)nfim that no rnatto￿ havo ¢omo to my 8tt•nlon In connedon wllh the 6xamlnallon glvlng ma c8use to bellove that In any materfal respecL a¢¢ounling récords were not kept In respect of the chadty as requlred by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or thg flnanGial ststoments do I￿t at￿rd with those recJ)rd8; or thg financlal statements do r￿t comply the a¢¢xJunting requlr8mants of 8ectlon 396 of the 2006 Act other Ihan ary requlrement that the accounts gSve a Irue and falr vlew whlth18 not a mattèr ¢on8ld8red as part of an Independent gxamlnation: or the financial statements have not b99n prepargd in accordancg wlth tho mèthods and prlnclplas of the ststemont of R6comm6nded Practi¢a for acctsjntlng and reportlng by charftles appllcable lo chariugs preparing thelr accounts In accordance V•ith thg Financial Reporting Stsndard opplicabla In the UK and Republlc of Ireland IFRS 102). I have no ty)n¢em$ and hovo 8¢ross no other matters Ln connactlon wlth examlnatk)n to whlch attentlon 8hould bo drawn In thls report In order to enabl8 a proper understsndlng of the finandal slatements to ba rggGhed. F J Wllde FCCA MBA DChA Wamer Wlde 4 Marigold Drive Blsley SuTrey GU24 9SF 15-

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
174,665
39,725
Charitable activities
4
732
-
Other trading activities
5
2,605
5,420
Investments
6
523
-
Total income
178,525
45,145
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
803
-
Charitable activities
8
134,712
45,797
Total expenditure
135,515
45,797
Net income/(expenditure)
for the year/
Net movement in funds
43,010
(652)
Fund balances at 1 July 2022
85,576
5,114
Fund balances at 30 June
2023
128,586
4,462		 Total Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
214,390
163,008
58,067
732
-
-
8,025
5,005
-
523
29
-
223,670
168,042
58,067
803
1,338
-
180,509
116,455
58,771
181,312
117,793
58,771
42,358
50,249
(704)
90,690
35,327
5,818
133,048
85,576
5,114		 Total
2022
£
221,075
-
5,005
29
226,109
1,338
175,226
176,564
49,545
41,145
90,690

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 JUNE 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
14
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
16
Unrestricted funds		 2023
£
5,422
148,038
153,460
(20,412)		 £
-
133,048
133,048
4,462
128,586
133,048		 2022
£
-
94,931
94,931
(4,893)		 £
652
90,038
90,690
5,114
85,576
90,690

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 June 2023.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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

22nd November 2023

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................

.............................. ..............................
J Osborne D Garratt
Trustee Trustee

Company registration number 3902118

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

STAR (Student Action for Refugees) is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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 charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling , which is the functional currency of the charity . Monetary a mounts 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.

1.2 Going concern

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.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Donated services are included in income at the estimate value to the Charity, when quantifiable and measurable. No income is recognised for services donated by volunteers.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Expenditure includes those costs of a direct nature which can be allocated to a specific activity. It also includes indirect costs, including governance costs that do not relate to a specific activity but are necessary to support them. Support costs are apportioned to each activity on the basis of staff time.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

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:

Fixtures and fittings

3 years straight line

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 .

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any ) .

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

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.

1.9 Financial instruments

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.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future p aymen ts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity ’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Donations and gifts
15,580
297
Grants receivable
157,585
39,428
Donated goods and
services
1,500
-
174,665
39,725
Grants receivable for
core activities
Esmee Fairbairn
Foundation
72,000
-
Sam and Bella Sebba
Charitable Trust
-
-
The Aziz Foundation
-
25,928
Refugee Council
-
-
Maingot Charitable Trust
15,000
-
Alan and Babette
Sainsbury Charitable
Fund
15,000
-
Garfield Weston
Foundation
25,000
-
Refugee Education UK
-
13,500
The Steel Charitable
Trust
-
-
Kickstart Scheme
1,085
-
The Allen Lane
Foundation
4,500
-
The Southall Trust
-
-
Other
25,000
-
157,585
39,428		 TotalUnrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
15,877
8,658
1,879
197,013
152,500
56,188
1,500
1,850
-
214,390
163,008
58,067
72,000
90,000
-
-
7,500
-
25,928
-
4,297
-
-
25,000
15,000
10,000
-
15,000
7,500
-
25,000
20,000
-
13,500
-
-
-
-
15,000
1,085
-
11,891
4,500
4,500
-
-
3,000
-
25,000
10,000
-
197,013
152,500
56,188		 Total
2022
£
10,537
208,688
1,850
221,075
90,000
7,500
4,297
25,000
10,000
7,500
20,000
-
15,000
11,891
4,500
3,000
10,000
208,688

4 Charitable activities

Other income

2022
2023
£ £
732 -

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

5 Other trading activities

6
7		 Unrestricted
Restricted
TotalUnrestricted
funds
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
Fundraising events
2,605
5,420
8,025
5,005
Investments
UnrestrictedUnrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Interest receivable
523
29
Raising funds
UnrestrictedUnrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Other fundraising costs
803
1,338
803
1,338

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

8 Charitable activities

Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Student network support costs
Printing, postage and stationery
Telephone and internet
Subscriptions and membership fees
Staff training and recruitment
ESOL tutors
Consultancy
Share of support costs (see note 9)
Share of governance costs (see note 9)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 2023
£
145,684
651
12,505
512
274
188
921
3,200
1,330
165,265
13,533
1,711
180,509
134,712
45,797
180,509		 2022
£
153,648
651
3,432
180
281
-
1,183
1,450
-
160,825
12,979
1,422
175,226
116,455
58,771
175,226

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

9 Support costs

Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
Professional fees
587
-
Rent, rates and room
hire
8,914
-
Insurance
1,522
-
Computer and IT
2,270
-
Bank charges
115
-
Repairs, maintenance
and equipment
125
-
Independent Examiners
fees
-
1,530
Other governance costs
-
181
13,533
1,711
Analysed between
Charitable activities
13,533
1,711		 2023
£
587
8,914
1,522
2,270
115
125
1,530
181
15,244
15,244		 Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
685
-
8,158
-
1,331
-
2,576
-
142
-
87
-
-
1,422
-
-
12,979
1,422
12,979
1,422		 2022
£
685
8,158
1,331
2,576
142
87
1,422
-
14,401
14,401

Governance costs includes payments to the Independent Examiner of £ 1,530 (2022- £ 1,422 )

10 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

11 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2023
Number
6
2023
£
132,364
7,240
6,080
145,684		 2022
Number
7
2022
£
137,308
8,925
7,415
153,648

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

12 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 July 2022
Disposals
At 30 June 2023
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 July 2022
Depreciation charged in the year
Eliminated in respect of disposals
At 30 June 2023
Carrying amount
At 30 June 2023
At 30 June 2022
13
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Other debtors
14
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes
Other taxation and social security
Deferred income
15
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
15
Deferred income
Other deferred income		 Fixtures and fittings
£
3,900
(188)
3,712
3,249
651
(188)
3,712
-
652
2023
2022
£
£
5,422
-
2023
2022
£
£
2,118
2,152
13,500
-
1,526
1,042
3,268
1,699
20,412
4,893
2023
2022
£
£
13,500
-

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

15
Deferred income
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
Movements in the year:
Deferred income at 1 July 2022
Released from previous periods
Resources deferred in the year
Deferred income at 30 June 2023		 (Continued)
2023
2022
£
£
13,500
-
-
55,000
-
(55,000)
13,500
-
13,500
-

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

16 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movement Movement in funds Movement in funds
Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at
1 July 2021 resources expended 1 July 2022 resources expended 30 June
2023
£ £ £ £ £ £ £
Foundation Open Society
Institute 6,045 - (1,583)
4,462		 - - 4,462
The Barrow Cadbury
Trust - Covid-19 Support
Fund 1,303 - (651)
652		 - (652)
-
Refugee Council - 25,000 (25,000)
-		 - - -
DWP Kickstart scheme (1,530) 11,891 (10,361)
-		 - - -
The Aziz Foundation - 4,297 (4,297)
-		 25,928 (25,928)
-
The Steel Charitable
Trust - 15,000 (15,000)
-		 - - -
Equal Access - 1,879 (1,879)
-		 - - -
UNHCR Grant - - - - 3,620 (3,620)
-
Refugee Education UK - - - - 13,500 (13,500)
-
REHEB Project - - - - 2,097 (2,097)
-
5,818 58,067 (58,771)
5,114		 45,145 (45,797)
4,462

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

16 Restricted funds

(Continued)

Foundation Open Society Institute

To empower university students to support refugees to settle and succeed in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Barrow Cadbury Trust - Covid-19 Support Fund

To maintain STAR's student volunteer services supporting refugees and asylum seekers

The balance on the fund represents the net book value of the office equipment and will be offset against depreciation of the assets.

Refugee Council and Easy Access

Furthering the opportunities available to refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK for access to higher education.

DWP Kickstart Scheme

For the Communications Officer salary. Funding is received in arrears so income is anticipated after the year-end to cover the deficit.

The Aziz Foundation

Funding for staff: Access to University Co-ordinator and Student Network Organiser.

The Steel Charitable Trust

Funding for English conversation clubs.

UNHCR Grant

To cover the costs of STAR activists and staff attending the The Higher Education and Refugees Forum in Edinburgh

Refugee Education UK

Towards the cost of staff time providing university-facing support for institutions using the Displaced Student Opportunities UK portal, including quality assurance and due diligence on all opportunities featured on the site and good practice coordination

REHEB Project

To contribute to the costs of involvement in a Sheffield University research project

17
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Fund balances at 30
June 2023 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
-
-
Current assets/
(liabilities)
128,586
4,462
128,586
4,462		 TotalUnrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
-
-
652
133,048
85,576
4,462
133,048
85,576
5,114		 Total
2022
£
652
90,038
90,690

STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

18 Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel, defined as the Chief Executive role, is as follows.

2023 2022
£ £
Aggregate compensation 52,333 51,827