COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 03152590 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1084854 Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Financial Statements 31 March 2025 WALTER HUNTER & CO LIMITED Chartered accountants & statutory auditor 24 Bridge Street Newport South Wales NP20 4SF Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Financial Statements Year ended 31 March 2025 Page Trustees, annual report (incorporating the director's report) Independent auditor's report to the members Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) 16 Statement of financial position 17 Statement of cash flows 18 Notes to the financial ststements 19 Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) Year ended 31 March 2025 The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. Chair's report Bawso continues to respond to both emerging and entrenched forms of Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse. and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) through a diverse portfolio of projects delivered across Wales. Each of our initiatives is grounded in partnership. evidence-based practice, and a deep understanding of the unique vulnerabilities faced by Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals and migrant communities. Handled over 2,100 advice calls Responded to almost 1,100 helpline contacts Provided one-to-one support to around 1,600 individuals Delivered training to more than 400 professionals Reached 1,700 community members through outreach and awareness events This year, our focus has been on amplifying survivors, vol￿S and improving their overall well-being. With this in mind, we are proud to announ￿ the launch of our three-year research programme, 'Listening Is a Big Step., delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales and funded by Health and Care Research Wales. This initiative will help us better understand survivors, experiences and shape our services around their needs. We also successfully hosted our flagship awareness events - Forced Marriage Remembrance Day, White Ribbon Day.. Light the Candle, and Zero Tolerance to FGM Day each seeing a growing number of participants and strengthened engagement across communities and partner organisations. Responding to government policy developments that influence our work remains central to our mission. This year, Bawso contributed to consultstions on the Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession Bill, Early Prison Release Policy, and Firewall proposals, ensuring that the voices of BME and migrant victims are represented at the national level. Our Board of Trustees met quarterly, with sub-committees continuing to play an active role in governance and oversight throughout the year. We extend our sincere thanks to our colleagues and board members who moved on from Bawso during the year for their Servi￿ and commitment. As we look ahead, we are excited to begin implementing our new Three-year Strategic Plan under the guidan￿ of our refreshed leadership team. Together, we will continue working towards our vision of a Wales free from all forms of violence and abuse. Mwape Burke Co Chair, Bawso Mutale Merrill OBE Co-chair, Bawso Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Reference and administrative details Registered charity name Bawso Limited Charity registration number 1084854 Company registration number 03152590 Principal office and registered Unit 4 Sovereign Quay office Havannah Street Cardiff CF10 5SF Wales The trustees Mwape Burke- Co Chair Mutale Merrill OBE- Co Chair Michael Murray - Treasurer Jennifer Fletcher Carol Manguera Harris Tahmina Khan Rachel McDonald Cynthia Ogbono Vimlaben Harilal Patel Giovanni Riva Chetna Sinha Temmy Woolston Pauline Walker (Appointed 12 December 2024) (Resigned 11 December 2024) (Appointed 12 December 2024) (Appointed 27 January 2025} (Appointed 12 December 2024) (Resigned 19 May 2025) Company secretary Pauline Walker (Resigned 19 May 2025) Auditor Jonathan Rhodes Bsc BFP FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) Walter Hunter & Co Limited Chartered accountants & statutory auditor 24 Bridge Street Newport South Wales NP20 4SF Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Structure, governance and management The Board of Trustees is an appointed or elected group of individuals with overall responsibility for the management and governance of the organisation. The Board ensures that all decisions are made in the best interests of stakeholders and that the organisation fulfils its mission and strategic objectives. At Bawso, our Board of Trustees comprises a diverse mix of professionals, community leaders, former staff members, and ex-service users. This composition reflects the communities we serve and reinforces our identity as a "by and forf organisation. Each trustee has been carefully selected for their expertise and the unique skills they bring to the organisation. Collectively, they contribute a wealth of experience in areas such as law, finance, international development, management consultancy, health, and the NHS, ensuring that Bawso is guided by strong governance and sound strategic oversight. Our Senior Management Team {SMT) consists of the Chief Executive and seven Senior Heads of Department. They are highly skilled professionals with extensive experience and a deep commitment to Bawso's mission. Their expertise spans leading large teams, managing front-line services, and developing strategic initiatives. The SMT also has proven ability in coalition-building and leading organisational change. For example, Bawso is represented on the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence IVAWDASV) National Partnership Board, which is responsible for implementing the Welsh Government's VAWDASV Strategy. 2.0 Partnership working Bawso strongly believes in the power of collaboration and has long benefited from working in partnership with other organisations across the sector. While we bring specialist expertise, partnership working enhances our capacity and enables us to deliver a more robust and meaningful response to the needs of our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) service users. In Cardiff, we deliver all domestic abuse services as part of a consortium through the RISE Project, a seven-year partnership funded by the local authority. The RISE Project is the main service delivery body for victims of VAWDASV in the city. In Newport, we deliver the BME Domestic Abuse Floating Support Service in partnership with Llamau. In Swansea, the Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop is delivered collaboratively with Stori and Swansea Women's Aid. In Merthyr, the Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop operates in partnership with the Merthyr Domestic Abuse Resource Team (DART). In North Wales, our One Stop Shop delivers vital services to scxalled "hard-tcFreach' communities, working closely with key partners such as the Police and other local agencies Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Objectives and activities 1.0 Service Delivery Bawso supports people from Black and Minority Ethnic {BME) backgrounds who are affected by domestic abuse and other fomis of violen￿ Against Women, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Forced Marriage (FM), Honour-Based Abuse (HBA). Modern Slavery, and Human Trafficking. Bawso currently delivers 36 projects across Wales through purpose-built refuges, safe houses, and an extensive Outreach, Resettlement. and Floating Support Programme. We provide support, advice, and information from our offices in Cardiff. Merthyr. Newport, Swansea, and Wrexham. In the past year, we handled over 2,100 advice calls, with almost 1,100 helpline users and around 1,600 individuals receiving one-to-one support. We delivered training to over 400 professionals and reached 1,700 community members through various outreach events. Bawso intervenes at the earliest opportunity to protect individuals at risk and supports survivors on their journey towards safety and recovery. We deliver specialist services accessible 2417, 365 days a year, through our Helpline, Advice and Advocacy ￿ntres, refuges, and community-based services. We provide housing advi￿ and support services to victims of violence, helping to prevent re-victimisation by building confidence, assertiveness, and awareness of rights. We support service users to recover from trauma and move forward with their lives. We also work to reduce barriers that BME women fa￿ in accessing statutory services by training practitioners to understand their unique needs and experiences. Additionally, we collaborate with BME communities to challenge harmful traditional praCtI￿S and to change attitudes that enable abuse to go unreported. 1.1 Protection and Support for Victims of All Fomis of Violence Against Women 1.1.1 Advice and Housing Support We provide practical and emotional support to families at risk of homelessness due to domestic abuse, helping them to manage accommodation and live independently. We offer advice on entitlements, benefits applications. referrals. and signposting, alongside a 2417 Helpline. 2023124.. 4,310 advicelhelpline calls 2024125.. 3,233 advicelhelpline calls (25 1 decrease) The decrease reflects capacity constraints. not reduced demand. We also provided housing-related support to 398 families, down from 724 the previous year {45 % decrease}. This reduction is due to families remaining in Servi￿ longer because of the rising cost of living, which has made it harder for them to sustain tenancies and leading to more financial issues. Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Objectives and activities (continued) 1.1.2 Safe Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Abuse Our purpose-built refuges are culturally and religiously sensitive spaces c(Fdesigned with service users, ensuring both choice and control over support arrangements. 2023124.. 98 women accommodated 2024125.. 68 women accommodated (30¥0 decrease) The decline is due to a lack of move-on accommodation, leading to bed blocking, not reduced demand. 1.1.3 Outreach Support in North Wales Specialist outreach workers provide tailored support to high-risk victims in partnership with local agencies, ensuring safety and long-term solutions. 2023124.. 131 victims supported 2024125.. 35 victims supported This decrease reflects the increasing complexity of client needs, resulting in longer engagement periods and not sufficient capacity for new referrals. 1.1.4 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Bawso delivers the Diogel Project across Wales, frjnded by the Home Office and Welsh Government. The project offers practical and emotional support, including legal assistance, access to psychotherapy, pregnancy-related care, integration into the community, and life skills development. 2023124.. 327 individuals supported 2024125.. 299 individuals supported (9 % decrease) The decrease relates to Home Office pro￿SSIng long-temi pending cases and clearing the backlog. Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Objectives and activities (continued) 1.1.5 servI￿s for Victims of FGM, FOr￿d Marriage, and Honour-Based Violence Bawso is the leading organisation in Wales supporting BME women and families affected by FGM, FM, and HBV. We provide one-t(>one holistic and culturally competent advocacy and support, working closely with Children's Services to safeguard those at risk. We also run peer-support groups for survivors and co-chair the Welsh Government's All Wales HBV Leadership Group. 2023124.. 173 individuals supported 2024125.. 54 individuals supported The reduction reflects short-term fvnding cycles and the loss of funding in two of five regions during the year. 1.1.6 Support for Migrant Victims with No Recourse to Public Funds Bawso partners with Southall Black Sisters under the Support ft)r Migrant Victims (SMV) Scheme, funded by the Home Office and match-funded by the Welsh Government. Following the introduction of the Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) in February 2024, eligibility expanded to include victims on visitor. work, and student visas. Number of victims supported.. Increased from 65 to 149 - more than double. 1.1.7 Wales Sanctuary Service Through the Welsh Government's Inclusion Fund. administered by the Welsh Refugee Council, Bawso raises awareness about Violence Against Women among asylum seekers and refugees across Wales. 2023124.. 84 individuals supported 2024125.. 276 individuals supported (tripled) The increase reflects growing demand, particularly in North Wales, a key dispersal area. 1.2 Prevention of Re-victimisation.. Recovery and Empowerment Services Recovery and empowerment are vital for women from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds who often have limited support networks and face stigma in accessing services such as mental health care. Bawso provides both individual and group-based interventions, including peer-support and empowerment groups, helping women process trauma, rebuild confidence, and understand their rights. This year, 103 women participated in recovery and empowerment activities. Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Objectives and activities (continued) Primary Prevention of violen￿ Against Women Bawso actively develops prevention initiatives to challenge attitudes and stop violence before it occurs. This includes training. awareness campaigns in schools and communities, and counselling services where resources permit. We aim to transform cultural norms and attitudes that perpetuate abuse and to reduce reliance on crisis support services by addressing root causes. Through our awareness campaigns and community engagement, we reached 1,699 people this year. 1.2.1 Changing Attitudes Within BAME Communities We work within communities that practi￿ FGM. Forced Marriage, and HBV to promote non-divisive dialogue and community-led change. Our approach helps communities preserve cultural values while rejecting harmful practices. We train community advocates and young leaders to champion safety and equality, increasing awareness of the law and empowering people to speak out against abuse. 1.2.2 Training for Frontline Workers People from minority ethnic backgrounds often fa￿ Prejudi￿ and a lack of understanding from statutory and voluntary services. Bawso addresses this by providing training and advi￿ to practitioners in health, education, police, social services, local authorities, and the third sector. 434 practitioners trained this year. Through the IRIS Programme in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we train primary care practitioners to identify and refer victims of domestic abuse to appropriate support services. 2023124.. 315 women reached 2024125.. 239 women reached (240A decrease) Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Achievements and performance 2.0 Achievements Bawso has continued to deliver high-quality. safe ServI￿S to individuals affected by violen￿ Against Women, Domestic Abuse, and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) from BME communities across Wales. This year focused on consolidating existing seNices and strengthening organisational resilience. Key achievements include.. Development of a new Three-year Strategic Plan Securing funding for research on BME victims, experiences within the healthcare system Attainment of the National Quality Seniice Standards (NQSS) Financial review 3.0 Financial Review Bawso continues to take a proactive approach to financial management, anticipating changes in the external environment and responding effectively. The organisation has undertaken several internal reviews in preparation for sustained growth in both activity and size. These measures have strengthened the organisational structure and ensured that key management and financial processes remain robust, transparent, and responsive to future challenges. Bawso continues to face significant financial challenges due to the rising cost of living and increased operational expenses. To remain compliant with the uplift in the National Living Wage, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of staff salaries. In addition, the increase in Employer National Insuran￿ Contributions has created an added payroll burden of £82,500. Most of our service contracts are fixed-term and do not allow for inflationary adjustments, leaving us with limited flexibility to absorb these escalating costs. During the year, we also experienced a substantial reduction in funding under our Salvation Army Modern Slavery Contract. This contract is directly linked to the number of clients supported, many of whom are subject to immigration control. As decisions have been made regarding their immigration status, a significant number have exited the seniice, leading to a reduction in client numbers. To mitigate the current financial situation, Bawso's Board has implemented several measures to reduce costs and diversify income streams. The key lesson learned from this experience is the need to reduce our reliance on project-based funding and place a stronger focus on income generation. The coming year represents a period of consolidation. With renewed core funding and improved financial planning tools in place, we are confident in the organisation's long-term sustsinability. In 202412025 we report a deficit of £137,421. As at 31 March 2025 the charity reports retained reserves of £1,630,107 represented by £685,286 of unrestricted funds and £944,821 of restricted funds. Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Plans for future periods 1.0 Plans for the future Diversification of funding Expansion of Advice and Information Project across Develop a Volunteer Project Increase Wellbeing and development program for Servi￿ users 2.0 Acknowledgements Cardiff and Vale Universty Health Board Cardiff Counly Council City and County of Swansea Home Office Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Ministry of Justi Newport City Council Welsh Govemment Wrexham County Borough Council Dyfed Powys PCC Gwent Police North Wales PCC South Wales PCC South Wales Poli Gwent VAlnJUASV Mid and West Wales VAWDASV Swansea VAWDASV Cardiff Women's Aid Comic Relief Esmee Fairbaim Foundation Llamau National Heritage Lottery Fund Salvation Amiy Welsh Refugee Council Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Trustees. responsibilities statement The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordan￿ with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally AC￿pted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to= select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently" observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP; make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent" state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and 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. Auditor Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that.. so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware., and they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that inft)rmation. A resolution to reappoint Walter Hunter & Co Limited as auditors will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. The trustees, annual report and the strategic report were approved on 12 December 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by= Mutale Merrill OBE- Co Chair Michael Murray - Treasurer Trustee Trii*tp.p. Mwape Burke- Co Chair Trustee 10 Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Bawso Limited Year ended 31 March 2025 Opinion We have audited the financial statements of Bawso Limited (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {United Kingdom Generally AC￿pted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements= give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of reSoUr￿s, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally AC￿pted Accounting Practice., have been prepared in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordan￿ with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS IUKII and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities ft)r 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 accordan￿ 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 concem 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 perfomed, we have not identified any material Un￿rtaIntieS 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 peri(MJ of at least ￿e1ve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going con￿rn are described in the relevant sections of this report. 11 Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Bawso Limited (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Other infomiation The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditorfs report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, ex￿pt to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report. we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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. Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit.. the information given in the trustees, report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements" and the trustees, report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 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 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.. adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us., or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns,. or certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made.. or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 12 Bawso Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Bawso Limited (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Responsibilities of trustees As explained more frjlly in the trustees, responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes 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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic altemative but to do so. Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assuran￿ 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 reasonabty be expected to Influen￿ the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are InStan￿S of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above. to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities. including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below= By enquiring with senior management and those charged with governance all area of risk identified were considered and any potential litigation or claim, if any, were noted Ensuring by enquiry that there were no issues of non