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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1082388

Company registration number 04026398 (England and Wales)

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees S Miklausic
J Price
A Slade
S Trapnell
S Oppenheimer
M Gibbons
M-L McDonald
C Montgomery
R Simpson
C Campbell (Appointed 6 June 2023)
Z Raja (Appointed 6 June 2023)
L Livesey (Appointed 22 March 2024)
Secretary J Price
Charity number 1082388
Company number 04026398
Registered office The Trust Centre
Falkner Street
Gloucester
GL1 4SQ
Auditor Pitt Godden & Taylor LLP
Unit 3 Ambrose House
Meteor Court
Barnett Way
Barnwood
Gloucester
GL4 3GG

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 3
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 4
Independent auditor's report 5 - 8
Statement of financial activities 9
Balance sheet 10
Statement of cash flows 11
Notes to the financial statements 12 - 23

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects are to relieve sickness, poverty and distress in and around Gloucestershire, with the particular aim of promoting the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers and other migrants.

The objectives of the charity will be carried out through our drop-in centre, which will be a safe space providing top level support to clients. These services include information, advocacy and advice on immigration, asylum, housing, health, benefits, law, education, careers and counselling.

The charity also liaises with other agencies in Gloucestershire which encounter asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants, including negotiating access to services at a strategic level.

Finally GARAS also raises awareness about the situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Gloucestershire with both the public and decision makers.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) has continued to grow and develop. The support continued to be provided to asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and those we work with on UKRS UK Resettlement Schemes (previously known as the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme). GARAS continues its commitment to Afghan Resettlement, both on ACRS and ARAP projects and has by March 2024 supported 46 families. GARAS continues to support asylum seekers within hotels and dispersal accommodation adding significantly to the work of the organisation. During the year this involved five different hotels, reducing to three by March 2024. GARAS continues to be part of the Ukrainian schemes, both Homes for Ukraine and Family Sponsorship route. The latter ended towards the end of this period. Across both, Gloucestershire has become home to over 2000 Ukrainians. GARAS has also continued to support clients through help with employment and our commitment to provide psychotherapy to clients in need of that support.

Staffing

The staffing is funded through full-cost recovery across the various funding streams, and has one full-time Chief Executive Officer - Adele Owen. We have a lead Advice and Support worker, a part time Womens Worker, two for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children and two working to support those in hotels. The advice team is completed by two other advice workers. In Resettlement there are two full-time Team Leaders and a team of six full and part time staff including one covering West Oxfordshire. Three full time staff are working on the Ukrainian Project. In addition we have an employment lead, a part time administrator and a part time Finance Officer. We are also grateful for the volunteers helping in various ways, including welcoming and teaching ESOL across the county.

Clients

We continued to support our vulnerable clients throughout the year. Clients can be supported in person, on line, on the telephone and through finding the best way to help the person concerned.The work to support refugees and asylum seekers has also had to adapt to the changing circumstances as to the geographic situation. That means ensuring that those living in hotels, for instance, are seen in the hotels where possible, and providing more complex work on site at the GARAS premises. The number of clients has grown dramatically in the past year across all aspects of our work. We have supported Ukrainians in a more peripatetic manner, both in the drop-in centre and in their hosting family homes or local to them. We have continued to provide therapeutic support across the year, recognising the specific emotional needs of those we work with.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Training

Training opportunities were taken by the team members to improve their skills. This has meant staff maintained their OISC requirements and other requirements relevant to their work. We have ensured that staff are trained in benefit and housing changes and also in IOM training around information about those countries from where our clients are arriving. All staff, volunteers and trustees meet the current Disclosure and Barring requirements. Staff and others have taken the opportunity to be trained in Trauma Informed Practice, relevant staff have completed their OISC requirements and staff have been trained in relevant and appropriate Benefit knowledge. We had a full team day off site which included the opportunity to consider our self care,

Financial review

Income for the year amounted to £1,340,600 (2023 : £1,264,113) of which £10,643 was restricted income. Expenses amounted to £1,240,629 (2023 : £1,137,231), resulting in net income of £99,971 (2023 : £126,882).

Reserves

The trustees are committed to maintaining a significant level of reserves so that the charity can develop its work with some feeling of security. The trustees are mindful of the need to set aside sufficient funds to cover staff redundancies, should funding be significantly reduced. The trustees calculate that £100,000 would be required to cover the cost of redundancies and other overheads that would be needed whilst winding the charity down. This accounts for 16% of our current unrestricted funds. The balance of the reserves are required to meet the ongoing costs of current projects. New projects are fully costed, and are not undertaken without the required funds being in place.

All Reserve policies are reviewed annually and finance levels are discussed at every trustees meeting. We hold sufficient funds (including restricted funds) to meet all our commitments. When this becomes unsustainable we will move towards planned redundancies and restructuring.

Our funding is always changing and is in need of constant vigilance. We are always exploring all avenues of appropriate funding, both old and new.

Risk

The main risk to the charity is the ending of funding for the work of GARAS; if that happened then the charity would change fundamentally in the way it delivers its service. This would need to be looked at when, and if, such an eventuality should arise. In the past year we have taken professional advice to ensure we maintain current best practice.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on the 4th July 2000. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were: The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
S Miklausic
D Organ (Resigned 6 June 2023)
J Price
A Slade
S Trapnell
S Oppenheimer
M Gibbons
J Lawson (Resigned 6 June 2023)
M-L McDonald
C Montgomery
R Simpson
C Campbell (Appointed 6 June 2023)
Z Raja (Appointed 6 June 2023)
L Livesey (Appointed 22 March 2024)

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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.

Patrons

The following have served as patrons during the period under review: The Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester David Drew Martin Horwood Dame Janet Trotter Rev Jim Caterer

There is a full time Chief Executive Officer - Adele Owen to whom day-to-day management of the charity is delegated by the trustees.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Pitt Godden & Taylor LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

A Slade

Trustee

19 September 2024

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors of Gloucestershire Action For Refugees and Asylum Seekers for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

Opinion

We have audited the revised financial statements of Gloucestershire Action For Refugees and Asylum Seekers (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the revised financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To assess the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of any relevant regulatory correspondence.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

Nicholas J Bishop FCCA ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Pitt Godden & Taylor LLP

19 September 2024

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor

Unit 3 Ambrose House Meteor Court Barnett Way Barnwood Gloucester GL4 3GG

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
1,314,830
10,643
Charitable activities
4
1,150
-
Other trading activities
5
1,750
-
Investments
6
12,227
-
Total income
1,329,957
10,643
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
1,232,833
7,796
Total expenditure
1,232,833
7,796
Net income and movement in
funds
97,124
2,847
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
512,065
27,565
Fund balances at 31 March
2024
609,189
30,412		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
1,325,473
1,257,837
1,160
1,150
-
-
1,750
1,507
-
12,227
3,609
-
1,340,600
1,262,953
1,160
1,240,629
1,136,047
1,184
1,240,629
1,136,047
1,184
99,971
126,906
(24)
539,630
385,159
27,589
639,601
512,065
27,565		 Total
2023
£
1,258,997
-
1,507
3,609
1,264,113
1,137,231
1,137,231
126,882
412,748
539,630

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Current assets
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
15
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
17
Unrestricted funds
18		 2024
£
147,473
526,507
673,980
(40,453)		 £
6,074
633,527
639,601
30,412
609,189
639,601		 2023
£
79,516
525,350
604,866
(69,751)		 £
4,515
535,115
539,630
27,565
512,065
539,630

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 19 September 2024

A Slade Trustee

Company registration number 04026398 (England and Wales)

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from
operations
23
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Repayment of loans
Investment income received
Net cash generated from/(used in)
investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2024
£
(5,415)
(520)
12,227		 £
(5,135)
6,292
-
1,157
525,350
526,507		 2023
£
(2,981)
(2,728)
3,609		 £
198,239
(2,100)
-
196,139
329,211
525,350

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Gloucestershire Action For Refugees and Asylum Seekers is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Trust Centre, Falkner Street, Gloucester, GL1 4SQ.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts 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 or grantors 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.

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.

1.5 Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

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 20% on cost Computers 25% on cost

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.

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.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

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 payments 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.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3 Donations, legacies and grants

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
Donations and gifts
78,424
10,643
Grants received
1,236,406
-
1,314,830
10,643
For the year ended 31 March 2023
1,257,837
1,160
Grants receivable for core activities
Lloyds Bank Foundation
-
-
NHSFT Glos Health & Care
139,047
-
ECCTIS
14,700
-
Gloucestershire County Council
153,000
-
Blue Moon Trust
5,000
-
W. Oxford Coucil Afghan Project
91,526
-
Gloucester City Council Afghan Project
223,421
-
GEM/ESHO
22,419
-
Gloucestershire County Council Ukraine Project
161,329
-
Gloucestershire County Council UKRS Project
319,692
-
CAB
50,537
-
Other
55,735
-
1,236,406
-		 Total
2024
£
89,067
1,236,406
1,325,473
-
139,047
14,700
153,000
5,000
91,526
223,421
22,419
161,329
319,692
50,537
55,735
1,236,406		 Total
2023
£
178,807
1,080,190
1,258,997
1,258,997
32,854
153,046
-
32,032
5,000
-
311,553
20,929
147,613
266,864
45,474
64,825
1,080,190

4 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Other income 1,150 -

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5 Income from other trading activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Hire of hall 1,630 840
Fundraising events 120 667
Other trading activities 1,750 1,507
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Interest receivable 12,227 3,609

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7 Charitable activities

Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Rent and rates
Light and heat
Training and supervision
Other expenses
Telephone
Postage and stationery
Insurance
Subscriptions
Bank charges
Client trips, classes and food
Project expenditure
Accountancy and professional fees
Equipment and property repairs
Counselling & Interpreting		 Charity
expenses
2024
£
719,735
3,856
20,250
26,837
3,661
10,809
1,347
5,779
2,619
4,809
141
6,145
29,611
6,012
1,955
82,187
925,753
925,753		 UKRS
Project
Glos GEM/
ESHO
2024
2024
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
101,931
664
-
-
-
-
-
-
101,931
664
101,931
664		 Afghan
Project
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
143,747
-
-
-
143,747
143,747		 Ukraine
Project
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
60,738
-
-
-
60,738
60,738		 Total
2024
£
719,735
3,856
20,250
26,837
3,661
10,809
1,347
5,779
2,619
4,809
141
6,145
336,691
6,012
1,955
82,187
1,232,833
1,232,833		 Total
2023
£
585,016
2,504
15,000
28,583
10,530
4,666
1,414
2,526
2,271
1,731
186
6,271
389,225
6,446
2,947
77,915
1,137,231
1,137,231

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Charitable activities
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 925,753
-
925,753
763,367
-
763,367		 -
-
-
-
-
-		 664
-
664
1,269
-
1,269		 143,747
7,796
151,543
153,993
1,184
-		 162,669
-
162,669
217,418
-
-		 (Continued)
1,232,833
1,136,047
7,796
1,184
1,240,629
1,137,231
1,136,047
1,184
1,137,231		 (Continued)
1,232,833
1,136,047
7,796
1,184
1,240,629
1,137,231
1,136,047
1,184
1,137,231
1,137,231
1,136,047
1,184
1,137,231

Accountancy and professional fees of £6,012 includes payments to the auditors of £5,000 (2023 - £5,000).

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8 Net movement in funds 2024 2023
£ £
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 3,856 2,504

9 Trustees

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

10 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Other pension costs		 2024
Number
24
2024
£
705,328
14,407
719,735		 2023
Number
21
2023
£
575,617
9,399
585,016

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

11 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

12
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and
fittings
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
8,161
Additions
-
At 31 March 2024
8,161
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
7,336
Depreciation charged in the year
697
At 31 March 2024
8,033
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
128
At 31 March 2023
825
13
Financial instruments
Carrying amount of financial assets
Debt instruments measured at amortised cost
Carrying amount of financial liabilities
Measured at amortised cost
14
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
15
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Computers
£
14,375
5,415
19,790
10,685
3,159
13,844
5,946
3,690
2024
£
144,097
40,453
2024
£
140,849
3,248
3,376
147,473
2024
£
29,292
11,161
40,453		 Total
£
22,536
5,415
27,951
18,021
3,856
21,877
6,074
4,515
2023
£
76,381
69,751
2023
£
73,653
2,728
3,135
79,516
2023
£
64,751
5,000
69,751

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16 Retirement benefit schemes
2024 2023
Defined contribution schemes £ £
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes 14,407 9,399

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

17 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

Various small restricted funds
Previous year:		 At 1 April
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2024
£
£
£
£
27,565
10,643
(7,796)
30,412
At 1 April
2022
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2023
£
£
£
£
27,589
1,160
(1,184)
27,565

18 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

General funds
Previous year:
General funds		 At 1 April
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2024
£
£
£
£
512,065
1,329,957
(1,232,833)
609,189
At 1 April
2022
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2023
£
£
£
£
385,159
1,262,953
(1,136,047)
512,065

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

19 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
At 31 March 2024:
Tangible assets
6,074
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
603,115
30,412
609,189
30,412
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
At 31 March 2023:
Tangible assets
4,515
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
507,550
27,565
512,065
27,565		 Total
2024
£
6,074
633,527
639,601
Total
2023
£
4,515
535,115
539,630

20 Operating lease commitments

Lessee

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year
21
Related party transactions		 2024
£
22,000		 2023
£
22,000

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).

22 Amended Financial Statements

These revised financial statements replace the original financial statements for the financial year ended 31 March 2023.

The revised financial statements are now the statutory financial statements for that year.

The revised financial statements have been prepared as at the date of the original financial statements, and not as at the date of the revision and accordingly do not deal with events between those dates.

The revised financial statements now include a Cash Flow Statement and accompanying notes that were not originally present.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

23
Cash generated from operations
Surplus for the year
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
Movements in working capital:
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations
24
Analysis of changes in net funds		 2024
£
99,971
(12,227)
3,856
(67,437)
(29,298)
(5,135)		 2023
£
126,882
(3,609)
2,504
21,797
50,665
198,239

The charity had no material debt during the year.