REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
FOR
REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 10 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 11 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
| Balance Sheet | 13 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 14 to 26 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 27 to 28 |
THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 Objectives and aims
The objects of the Association are the advancement of education and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness amongst Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the North East of England and to that end to provide a mechanism for hearing the voice of Asylum Seekers and Refugees by bringing together in council representatives of Refugee Communities working in the area of benefit.
The organisation enables its members to collate their expert knowledge and evidence about the distinct and unique barriers and inequality experienced by asylum seekers and refugees living in the region. It then empowers them to present the authentic, collective advocate voice directly to decision makers to inform the development of evidence-based Policy and Practice with the aim of promoting the settlement and integration of all asylum seekers and refugees living in the region.
We are the only regional organisation in the refugee supporting sector that advocates for improvement in policy and practice as a core aim of the organisation rather than as an add on.
Significant activities
1 August 2021 - 31 July 2022 Our objectives have been:
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a) That more refugees and asylum seekers living in the North East region have access to better services and support that help them achieve economic inclusion, better health and wellbeing, more resilient families, and greater safety within the neighbourhoods they live in;
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b) That those services deliver support that responds to the specific and additional needs and barriers that the community faces, so that they benefit from them on an equal basis to all local residents;
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c) That more members are able to advocate effectively for change, both in their own lives and those of the community they support;
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d) That our work will address systemic, root causes of the specific and additional needs and barriers faced by asylum seekers and refugees and identify what works best in policy and practice so they impact positively on the lives of the whole community of asylum seekers and refugees living in the region;
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e) Improvement in the quality of life of those living in the region who are awaiting a decision on their asylum case, or who have had their cases refused, whose lives are framed and impacted by UK asylum policy and government contracted services.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Public benefit
Our organisation delivers development, empowerment and advocacy support to the region's community of refugees and asylum seekers, who arrived in need of sanctuary. This direct beneficiary community is a community of experience rather than identity. It contains great diversity in terms of nationality, ethnicity, background and faith. However, they all share additional and specific needs arising from their experience of exile and status as asylum seekers and refugees, and face significant and multiple disadvantages, inequalities and social and economic exclusion. The organisation unites refugee communities from all continents: South America, Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and Eastern Europe, in collective action to gain a greater influence on Policy and Practice, in the interests of all refugees and asylum seekers in the North East region. Our work enables members to develop advocacy skills, build and widen networks and engage with a whole range of agencies and local and regional engagement platforms relating to economic inclusion, better health and wellbeing, and safety within the neighbourhoods they live in. By hearing the authentic voiced experience of the community, that reflects what is shared rather than what is personal and individual, policy makers and service providers can improve access routes and deliver support that responds to the specific and additional needs and barriers that this community faces, so that they benefit from those services and opportunities on an equal basis to all local residents.
We also support refugee-led community organisations and initiatives to access appropriate development and capacity building support and funding to enable them to provide a range of unique support actions and solutions to the multiple needs of their communities, particularly in the areas of health, community safety, education, training and employment.
Our founding aim is for the region's community of refugees and asylum seekers to strategically use their Collective Voice to influence policy and practice that are the systemic causes of the poverty, disadvantage and exclusion they experience in their daily lives. We deliver this Social Justice agenda through an empowering development practice that aims to be transformative on two levels: the first in that the change it effects in policy and practice will promote the opportunity of all Refugees and Asylum seekers to be full, equal and active citizens, participating in and contributing equally to the social, economic, political and cultural life of the region; the second is that by genuinely being part of the process through which those changes are brought about, our members gain the essential knowledge, skills, networks and confidence to be active agents in further change.
Overcoming marginalisation and exclusion within the region, and promoting the ability of the community of refugees to participate in and contribute to the social, cultural and economic wealth of the region on an equal basis, will be in the interest of the whole regional community.
The achievements of the charity have been recognised through several awards: 'Community Organisation of the Year' award at the Tees Valley BME Achievement Awards 2012 and 'Outstanding small/medium organisation' at the North East Voluntary & Community Sector Awards 2013.
Volunteers
The Charity's Board of Trustees are all themselves volunteers and dedicate many hours annually to their Governance and representational roles. Our Collective Action is lead by key volunteers from across the membership who constitute our issue based Working Groups. Other volunteers offer their specific skills for particular activities, such as IT work and video production. The success of the Charity depends on the degree of voluntary participation and contribution of the membership in the range of activities it organises.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Achievements 1 August 2021 - 31 July 2022
1. EMPOWERING RAS COMMUNITY ACTIVISM AND ADVOCACY
Our Community Advocacy Project (CAP) helps them turn someone's ideas to support their community into practical action. Since it began delivery in June 2019, has worked with over 100 community mobilisers, activists and advocates. They are active in 45 RCOs across the region, 17 of which emerged during the project. Participants were women and men from 33 countries of origin and now living in 11 of the region's 12 Local Authorities. We have delivered over 100 group learning sessions on issues prioritised by participants, over 500 one to one support sessions to develop and progress action plans, and 23 learning visits to organisations and projects that can help promote confidence that pathways do exist to realise visions. We have brokered links to local services and widened networks of influence and resources and we delivered training to support participants to develop their knowledge, confidence and advocacy skills to use their voices to make change for their communities.
We continued our collaboration with The Open University to co-ordinate delivery of their national project, 'Participatory Arts based Methods for Civic Engagement of Migrant Organizations' in the North East region. Activities culminated in a weekend of face to face workshops facilitated by experts in using Forum Theatre to explore social issues. Members unpacked their experiences of discriminatory treatment in shops, on public transport, in the street and in accessing higher education and explored how they could use their voice to challenge and change the outcomes.
We have commissioned an independent consultant to conduct an evaluation of the Community Advocacy Project as it draws to a close and to research with our members the question of 'What works in helping turn someone's ideas to help their community into action'.
2. INFLUENCING PRACTICE THAT WILL PROMOTE SETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION OF RAS
a) Building the knowledge and skills of front line professionals
Our members delivered training to over 400 front line staff, including social workers, those with early intervention or step down roles, adult social care workers, GPs, nurses, mental health practitioners in primary care networks, crisis teams, post-graduate and undergraduate students, police and grant managers. Our training helps them gain insight into the distinct needs of RAS service users and builds empathetic understanding. Delivery has been both online and face to face.
Our sessions on the challenges to family resilience and parenting help workers gain greater insight and empathetic understanding into the impact of pre-arrival trauma and post-arrival stressors on the dynamics of RAS family life, and the specific challenges that newly arriving families face when they arrive overnight into a context of different laws, social norms and expectations around parenting in the UK. The sessions give them a clearer idea of what works in supporting these families.
Our sessions on the challenges RAS face that impact on health, mental health and healthy living help workers appreciate the challenges of looking after one's health in a system that differs in many ways from those known back home, both structurally and conceptually, whilst living in constant anxiety states. It highlights the risk of mental health deterioration after arrival in the UK and looks at some ways in which it can be avoided.
Feedback continues to be very positive. Trainees most often use the words 'transformative' and 'thought-provoking' in session evaluations. They report 'I've never heard first hand experiences like this before, so it was really eye-opening'; 'I didn't know how much I didn't know!'; 'I've gained new insights'; 'It opened my mind'.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
- b) Promoting transfer of prior skills and career based employment for new status refugees
We continued to develop the agenda and Chair quarterly meetings of the North East Migration Partnership's Move on & Economic Inclusion Subgroup. This is a multi-agency, multi-sector group focused on identifying and removing barriers faced by RAS at Move on and in achieving financial and economic inclusion.
Following on from our work in 2019 and 2021 promoting the development of sector skills based training for refugees with prior skills or an interest in Construction, when we lead a task group with the DWP Regional Partnership Manager, Refugee Employment Network, VCS agencies and local authorities, in May the first 4 week ESOL for Construction course began delivery by Gateshead College, followed by a 2 week Gateway to Construction training. The course is being repeated every few months. The DWP is now looking at further targeted training opportunities for refugees.
We supported the emergence of the North East Hong Kongers Club with the arrival of democracy campaigners from Hong Kong. As they have no recourse to public funds, so cannot be supported by Job Centres, we helped the club develop an online workshop with the National Careers Service so that new arrivals could find pathways back into their careers. The workshop was designed to help new arrivals understand the North East jobs market (including growth sectors and skills shortages), what skills and qualities employers value, transferable skills and how to use them in your job search and career planning, Job search and applying for jobs, how to gain new skills and translating qualifications gained. The workshop was then made available to all our member organisations and more widely for employment and employability agencies to organise with their clients.
c) Influencing dispersal and resettlement practice in the North East region
We contribute evidence and recommendations for the continuous improvement of Home Office Asylum Support contacts and Refugee Resettlement programmes and local services via our membership of the North East Migration Partnership's quarterly Asylum Stakeholder and Lead Officer Group. It is attended by the Home Office, its asylum support contractors, local authority migration leads, representatives from health and the 3 police forces. We are one of only two VCS organisations sitting on the group. We also contribute to the bimonthly multi-agency meetings focused on migration held each of the 12 local authority areas of the North East as part of the NEMP stakeholder arrangements.
We also use the opportunity to promote sharing of learning and good practice from other areas of the UK and new initiatives to tackle persisting problems experienced by RAS across the region. We are currently advocating for testing of a psychological self-help tool developed by the World Health Organisation for use in situations with high stress levels but limited access to services which is based on group work in own language, and has the potential to achieve the scale needed with minimal resources.
The 'Welcome to the UK' video guides to life in the UK made by our members in 10 languages are now being used in the New Arrivals Pathway rolling out across the region so that they reach newly arriving RAS. These guides provide vital information on parenting, the school system, looking after your health, and life & laws which our members wish they had known when they first arrived.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
Principal funding sources Funding for the organisation's programmes is derived from grant funding from charitable foundations, the grants being restricted funds.
Core costs for influencing policy and practice are provided by The Millfield House Foundation as one of their Strategic Partner organisation and by a grant from the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.
Our empowerment of RAS community advocacy and action is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, as is our work to strengthen the capabilities of our organisation.
We secured two new grants and one new commission in this financial year.
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£2,770 from Carnegie UK to facilitate the inclusion of refugee and asylum seeker residents' voices in the North of Tyne Combined Authority's exploration of residents' views on Wellbeing in the North of Tyne.
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£3,000 from the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to make a video to enhance understanding of the unique role of RCOs
We also recovered £1,900 (£618 in 2020-21) in direct costs associated with the delivery of upskilling workshops with University and professional workforce development programmes and engagement events with external agencies.
Reserves policy
We are mindful of challenges our organisation faces in terms of sustainability particularly in the current environment. Employment contracts relate directly to project funding secured and the tenancy on both our offices has been negotiated for short notice. Where we receive grant income for a year in advance we seek the best no risk investment routes in order to provide interest on our income as a source of adding to our reserves. Whenever possible we operate a reserves policy of maintaining reserves at 3 months full operational costs.
Financial position
Incoming resources in the year were £114,432 of this £109,765 related to project restricted activities.
There was a deficit of £16,081 in the year. At 31 July 2022 total reserves were £91,857 of which £57,146 represented unrestricted funds.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
FUTURE PLANS 1 August 2022 - 31 July 2023
The change we aim to make:
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a) For more refugees and asylum seekers living in the region have access to better services and support that help them achieve economic inclusion, better health and wellbeing, more resilient families, and greater safety within the neighbourhoods they live in;
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b) For those services to deliver support that responds to the specific and additional needs and barriers that the community faces, so that they benefit from them on an equal basis to all local residents;
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c) For more refugees and asylum seekers living across the region to be empowered to become community mobilisers and take the lead in civil society, so that they are able to advocate effectively for change, both in their own lives and those of the community they support;
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d) To increase practical and strategic support across the region for actions led by RAS that are aimed at promoting settlement and integration of the RAS community
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e) For good and emerging practice identified within the region and beyond to be shared across the region to promote transfer and scale up of what works;
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f) For Asylum Support contracts and support arrangements to be contract compliant and to continuously advocate for improvements to the quality of life for those living in the region who are awaiting a decision on their asylum case, or who have had their cases refused;
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g) For Refugee Integration to be systematically considered within Local Authority policy planning, to include those granted LTR in-country, to reflect our members' definition of what integration means and what it must involve for it to be successful, to include recommendations produced by our Working Groups, and to include an asset-based community development approach.
To achieve this change, we will deliver the following activities:
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1 Support our members to develop their evidence base and engage their collective advocate voice at appropriate platforms or through effective engagement routes to influence decision makers;
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2 Enable and facilitate the inclusion of the RAS voice within the region's migration stakeholder arrangements via the North East Migration Partnership and influence its work and that of Local Authorities;
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3 Support the emergence of community mobilisers and self-organising initiatives within newly arriving communities and newly establishing community groups from the asylum and refugee community and promote their inclusion within the charity;
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4 Empower RAS community mobilisers to gain the skills, knowledge and connections needed to turn their ideas to support their community into action
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5 Support our members to develop and deliver online and face to face upskilling sessions to increase empathic understanding, knowledge and competencies of front line practitioners;
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6 Promote access to and delivery of the Welcome to the UK guides to life in the UK to newly arriving RAS across the region
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7 Contribute to lobbying and advocacy taking place at the national level relating to national asylum policy, refugee resettlement programmes, asylum and refugee support and settlement and integration strategies;
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8 Co-ordinate and Chair the North East Migration Partnership's Move on & Economic Inclusion Subgroup to identify and drive forward practical actions that will close the transition gap at Move on, address barriers to employment, and promote pathways for prior skills, experience and qualifications to be transferred into the regional labour market;
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document
Regional Refugee Forum North East is a registered Charity and governed by a Constitution signed on 4th March 2003 and incorporating changes made at the EGM held on 20th March 2012.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The Committee, when complete, consists of at least three and not more than nine individuals serving as Trustees, all of whom must be members (but must not be paid employees) of the Association. The Committee is made up of up to seven members, each elected to serve for 3 years, and up to two members co opted by the Committee to hold office until the next AGM.
The membership of the organisation is determined by the Constitution as are the rules for electing its Trustees. Full Membership of the organisation is open to any refugee community organisation interested in promoting the objects whose application for membership has been approved by Trustees and ratified by the full membership at a general meeting. Trustees must belong to a member organisation. All member organisations may nominate representatives of any member organisation to stand for election to Committee. Each member organisation has 2 votes to exercise in an election. A third of the members of the Committee retire from office at the end of each AGM, but they may stand for re-election. Officers are elected by the Trustees at their first meeting following the AGM. Trustees can also appoint Advisers as they see fit. Advisers serve in a non-voting capacity.
Only one member of any member organisation can serve as a Trustee at any one time. Trustees do not serve on the Committee as representatives of their member organisation, but are elected to serve the interests of the whole membership. Trustees bring with them the experience of serving a member organisation. They are elected on the basis of their individual skills, expertise and commitment to service and support the aims of the organisation and interests of the whole community of refugees and asylum seekers in the region.
Trustees dedicate their time and expertise voluntarily to the organisation.
Organisational structure
The Trustees are tasked with overseeing the development and implementation of the organisation's Annual Plan, ensuring that it is rooted in the needs and priorities of the membership. Trustees carry responsibility for ensuring that the organisation is run according to its Constitution, adopted policies and procedures, legal requirements and within its financial means and the agreements made with our funders.
Trustees held 3 governance meetings and an AGM in this reporting year.
During the reporting period the Trustees employed 3 staff. The Chief Executive Officer (who is the senior staff member), the Project Manager and the Support Officer. The CEO has responsibility for day-to-day management of staff, activities and expenditure according to grant agreements. The CEO produces written reports which detail work in progress towards targets and refer a range of issues to the Trustees for consideration and decisions, which are presented to the Chair and Trustees. Trustees are responsible for final decisions relating to contracts, funding, recruitment, and employment issues.
Induction and training of new trustees
Trustees elected at the AGM attend an Induction Day with those continuing to serve and outgoing trustees to provide an opportunity to visit the objectives, values and principles of the organisation and consider its strengths and the opportunities and challenges faced. Senior staff provide a briefing on the Annual Plan and budget.
Training suitable to meet the needs identified by Trustees can be organised at any time throughout the year.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Related parties
Community sector relations:
The Organisation is related to refugee-led community organisations (RCOs) (some of which are registered charities) active across the North East region through their membership of the organisation or through their participation in our activities. Trustees are elected by the membership from the membership, and therefore our Trustees are all also members of member organisations. We also maintain communications with non-refugee new migrant community groups, particularly from Eastern Europe.
Voluntary sector relations:
The charity recognises itself as part of a very active voluntary and community sector dedicated to supporting the settlement and integration of refugees and asylum seekers in the North East region. It has historic and continued special relations with the North of England refugee service, where the RRF first began as a project. At a national level we contribute to national advocacy and campaigning. Where appropriate to pursue our objectives, we create regional campaign alliances with interested bodies.
Public Sector relations:
We work to develop constructive and collaborative direct engagement processes with public sector bodies who have a role in developing policy and in commissioning and delivering local services. Our willingness to proactively enter into on-going, open conversation as to potential issues impacting on asylum seekers and refugees, focusing on solutions rather than 'blame', has been identified as a significant positive for improving access to services.
We also work closely with the North East Migration Partnership, established in December 2014 under an enabling grant from the Home Office. Led by Middlesbrough Council, the Partnership is a local authority led collaboration of organisations across the statutory and voluntary sector and includes input from the private sector contractors who who deliver the asylum support contracts. They come together to provide strategic direction and insight on asylum and refugee related issues. The Partnership also seeks to provide policy and integration support and guidance on wider migration issues. We are one of 2 VCS members of its Asylum & Migration Stakeholder Group and we are a memberl of all 12 local authority Multi-agency meetings. We also Chair and Co-ordinate its Move On & Economic Inclusion Subgroup.
We maintain close working relations with key public sector agencies, including the the Home Office, DWP, Jobcentre Plus, Public Health, NHS, the region's three police forces and the Universities of Durham, Teeside and Sunderland.
We also engage with Home Office contractors The Mears Group, who deliver the AASC (asylum seeker accommodation) contract in the North East, and with Migrant Help who deliver the AIRE contract. Our aim is to support the highest standards of contract delivery through brokering relations and enabling the consumer voice to inform service delivery.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Risk management
We have a range of customised Employment and Health & Safety policies and procedures created by professional Employment Law and Health & Safety specialists to ensure the organisation operates according to legislation and quality management standards.
The senior staff member is responsible for the overall day to day financial management. We outsource additional accounting functions for production of quarterly management accounts which are reported to the Treasurer and Trustees so that they can ensure the organisation remains within its financial capacity, and enables forward planning. Our Annual Accounts are independently examined by Read Milburn & Co.
The community we serve and volunteers who participate in our work are exceptional in that many are not entitled to work, receive support on a no-cash basis only, or have no recourse to any public funds. They therefore have no cash to purchase travel tickets to participate in activities or to purchase childcare. Consequently we have a high level of petty cash transactions to refund out of pocket expenses. We have a robust petty cash recording and accounting system to manage this.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1109815
Principal address A5 Design Works, William Street Felling, Gateshead Tyne and Wear NE10 0JP
Trustees
| Trustees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Office | Resigned | Re-appointed |
| Elham Ahmed | Chair to 6 April 2022 | 15 July 2022 | |
| Ramatoulie Saidykhan | Chair from 6 April 2022 | 15 July 2022 | 15 July 2022 |
| Alice Mupaya Masuku | Treasurer | 15 July 2022 | 15 July 2022 |
| Nishanthini Mayurathan | Secretary | 15 July 2022 | 15 July 2022 |
| Latifa Shomari | 15 July 2022 | ||
| Nida Muzaffar | 15 July 2022 | ||
| Larry Amadi-Emina | 15 July 2022 | 15 July 2022 | |
| Printha Muthukumar | 15 July 2022 | 15 July 2022 | |
| Degu Tariku | 15 July 2022 | ||
| Jeffreys Muguti | 15 July 2022 | ||
| Senior staff | |||
| Georgina Fletcher | Chief executive officer |
Independent Examiner
Read, Milburn & Co 71 Howard Street North Shields Tyne and Wear NE30 1AF
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Bankers
TSB Bank plc St Mary's Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7PR
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 20 March 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
R Saidykhan - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Regional Refugee Forum North East
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Regional Refugee Forum North East (the Trust) for the year ended 31 July 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Nick Liley FCA
Read, Milburn & Co North Shields
20 April 2023
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Charitable activities 2 Grant income 280 Other income 4,387 Total 4,667 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 3 Salaries and NIC 284 General running expenses 1,295 Training staff and volunteers - Participant travel and childcare expenses 145 Activity expenses 40 Staff travel - Total 1,764 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 2,903 Transfers between funds 13 1,331 Net movement in funds 4,234 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 52,912 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 57,146 |
Restricted funds £ 109,115 650 109,765 94,119 11,376 2,520 6,823 13,320 591 128,749 (18,984) (1,331) (20,315) 55,026 34,711 |
2022 Total funds £ 109,395 5,037 114,432 94,403 12,671 2,520 6,968 13,360 591 130,513 (16,081) - (16,081) 107,938 91,857 |
2021 Total funds £ 165,531 4,036 169,567 106,195 22,508 2,868 5,778 6,149 - 143,498 26,069 - 26,069 81,869 107,938 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
BALANCE SHEET 31 JULY 2022
| Notes CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 9 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 10 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 13 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2022 £ 2,423 130,701 133,124 (41,267) 91,857 91,857 91,857 57,146 34,711 91,857 |
2021 £ 5,500 197,685 203,185 (95,247) 107,938 107,938 107,938 52,912 55,026 107,938 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 20 March 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
R Saidykhan - Trustee
A Mupaya - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
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 a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost Computer equipment - 33% on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
continued...
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
2. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Millfield House Foundation National Lottery Community Fund Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland NE Migration Partnership Middlesbrough Council Open University Carnegie UK 3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
2022 Grant income £ 42,000 47,987 7,167 4,048 - 5,423 2,770 109,395 |
2021 Total activities £ 45,500 94,066 10,000 - 7,075 8,890 - 165,531 |
|---|---|---|
| Salaries and NIC General running expenses Training staff and volunteers Participant travel and childcare expenses Activity expenses Staff travel |
Direct Costs £ 90,676 - 2,520 6,968 13,360 591 114,115 |
Support costs (see note 4) £ 3,727 12,671 - - - - 16,398 |
Totals £ 94,403 12,671 2,520 6,968 13,360 591 130,513 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4. SUPPORT COSTS Governance Management costs £ £ Salaries and NIC 3,727 - General running expenses 10,640 2,031 14,367 2,031 |
Totals £ 3,727 12,671 16,398 |
|---|---|
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
4. SUPPORT COSTS - continued
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
| Finance officer's salary Rent and utilities Insurance Telephone and internet charges Stationery and postage Cleaning and office sundries Repairs and equipment IT and software support Professional charges Accountancy and payroll charges |
Salaries and NIC £ 3,727 - - - - - - - - - 3,727 |
General running expenses £ - 3,853 499 2,929 400 - 1,479 1,323 157 2,031 12,671 |
2022 Total activities £ 3,727 3,853 499 2,929 400 - 1,479 1,323 157 2,031 16,398 |
2021 Total activities £ 3,618 5,220 558 2,318 410 500 - 2,084 9,888 1,746 26,342 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2022 nor for the year ended 31 July 2021.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2022 nor for the year ended 31 July 2021.
6. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs |
2022 £ 83,764 8,238 2,401 94,403 |
2021 £ 94,098 9,172 2,709 105,979 |
|---|---|---|
The charity's key management personnel comprise the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £52,451 (2021 - £50,762).
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
6. STAFF COSTS - continued
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| Project Finance |
2022 2 1 3 |
2021 2 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 |
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
| 7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted Restricted fund funds £ £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Charitable activities Grant income - 165,531 Other income 4,036 - Total 4,036 165,531 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Salaries and NIC 144 106,051 General running expenses 69 22,439 Training staff and volunteers - 2,868 Participant travel and childcare expenses - 5,778 Activity expenses 57 6,092 Total 270 143,228 NET INCOME 3,766 22,303 Transfers between funds 6,123 (6,123) Net movement in funds 9,889 16,180 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 43,023 38,846 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 52,912 55,026 |
Total funds £ 165,531 4,036 169,567 106,195 22,508 2,868 5,778 6,149 143,498 26,069 - 26,069 81,869 107,938 |
|---|---|
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
| 8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Fixtures and Computer fittings equipment £ £ COST At 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022 1,819 9,983 DEPRECIATION At 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022 1,819 9,983 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 July 2022 - - At 31 July 2021 - - 9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2022 £ Other debtors - Prepayments 2,423 2,423 10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2022 £ Inter fund loan (see note 11) - Taxation and social security 1,231 Other creditors 40,036 41,267 11. LOANS An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: 2022 £ Amounts falling due within one year on demand: Bank overdrafts - |
Totals £ 11,802 11,802 - - 2021 £ 3,047 2,453 5,500 2021 £ 3,047 - 92,200 95,247 2021 £ 3,047 |
|---|---|
continued...
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
12. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Unrestricted fund £ Current assets 59,913 Current liabilities (2,767) 57,146 |
Restricted funds £ 73,211 (38,500) 34,711 |
2022 Total funds £ 133,124 (41,267) 91,857 |
2021 Total funds £ 203,185 (95,247) 107,938 |
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Millfield House Foundation-Strategic Partners Jill Franklin Trust-RCO Development Community Foundation serving Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Working Group Objectives Empowering Community Organisers-National Lottery Community Fund Building Capabilities-National Lottery Community Fund Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Train the Trainers Open University-Arts based method for Civil Engagement North East Migration Partnership-NEMP Video Commission Millfield House Foundation-Future Planning North East Migration Partnership-'Welcome to the UK' project, the design and printing of promotional materials Carnegie UK-participation in the Wellbeing in the North of Tyne Research The Daphne & Martin Cookson and Sara Alexandra Bernstone Funds at the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland-Promotional Film on the work of refugee led community action TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1/8/21 £ 52,912 4,578 1,000 864 41,050 1,317 3,717 - - 2,500 - - - 55,026 107,938 |
Net movement in funds £ 2,903 3,245 - (312) (22,280) - (3,420) 1 (230) - (1) 1,013 3,000 (18,984) (16,081) |
Transfers between funds £ 1,331 438 - (552) (434) - - (1) 230 - 1 (1,013) - (1,331) - |
At 31/7/22 £ 57,146 8,261 1,000 - 18,336 1,317 297 - - 2,500 - - 3,000 34,711 91,857 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Millfield House Foundation-Strategic Partners Community Foundation serving Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Working Group Objectives Empowering Community Organisers-National Lottery Community Fund Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Train the Trainers Open University-Arts based method for Civil Engagement North East Migration Partnership-NEMP Video Commission North East Migration Partnership-'Welcome to the UK' project, the design and printing of promotional materials Carnegie UK-participation in the Wellbeing in the North of Tyne Research The Daphne & Martin Cookson and Sara Alexandra Bernstone Funds at the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland-Promotional Film on the work of refugee led community action TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 4,667 42,000 4,167 47,987 - 5,423 2,795 1,623 2,770 3,000 109,765 114,432 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (1,764) 2,903 (38,755) 3,245 (4,479) (312) (70,267) (22,280) (3,420) (3,420) (5,422) 1 (3,025) (230) (1,624) (1) (1,757) 1,013 - 3,000 (128,749) (18,984) (130,513) (16,081) |
|---|---|---|
continued...
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | Transfers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| movement | between | At | |||
| At 1/8/20 | in funds | funds | 31/7/21 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General fund | 43,023 | 3,766 | 6,123 | 52,912 | |
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Northern Rock | |||||
| Foundation-Communications | 292 | - | (292) | - | |
| Tyne & Wear Community | |||||
| Foundation-Social Media Pilot | 1,045 | - | (1,045) | - | |
| Millfield House Foundation-Strategic | |||||
| Partners | 6,326 | (1,946) | 198 | 4,578 | |
| Upskilling Delivery-Health Working | |||||
| Group | 476 | - | (476) | - | |
| Jill Franklin Trust-RCO Development | 1,000 | - | - | 1,000 | |
| Community Foundation serving Tyne | |||||
| and Wear and | |||||
| Northumberland-Working Group | |||||
| Objectives | 139 | 177 | 548 | 864 | |
| Better Health Outcomes for | |||||
| RAS-Awards For All | 3,949 | - | (3,949) | - | |
| Empowering Community | |||||
| Organisers-National Lottery | |||||
| Community Fund | 17,057 | 24,117 | (124) | 41,050 | |
| Building Capabilities-National Lottery | |||||
| Community Fund | 2,577 | (1,260) | - | 1,317 | |
| Community Foundation for Tyne and | |||||
| Wear and Northumberland-Train the | |||||
| Trainers | 5,985 | (2,268) | - | 3,717 | |
| North East Migration | |||||
| Partnership-NEMP Video Commission | - | 983 | (983) | - | |
| Millfield House Foundation-Future | |||||
| Planning | - | 2,500 | - | 2,500 | |
| 38,846 | 22,303 | (6,123) | 55,026 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 81,869 | 26,069 | - | 107,938 |
continued...
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Millfield House Foundation-Strategic Partners Community Foundation serving Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Working Group Objectives Empowering Community Organisers-National Lottery Community Fund Building Capabilities-National Lottery Community Fund Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Train the Trainers Open University-Arts based method for Civil Engagement North East Migration Partnership-NEMP Video Commission Middlesbrough Council-NEMP Video Flyers Millfield House Foundation-Future Planning TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 4,036 42,000 10,000 94,066 - - 8,890 6,400 675 3,500 165,531 169,567 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (270) 3,766 (43,946) (1,946) (9,823) 177 (69,949) 24,117 (1,260) (1,260) (2,268) (2,268) (8,890) - (5,417) 983 (675) - (1,000) 2,500 (143,228) 22,303 (143,498) 26,069 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Millfield House Foundation-Strategic Partners Jill Franklin Trust-RCO Development Community Foundation serving Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Working Group Objectives Empowering Community Organisers-National Lottery Community Fund Building Capabilities-National Lottery Community Fund Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Train the Trainers Open University-Arts based method for Civil Engagement North East Migration Partnership-NEMP Video Commission Millfield House Foundation-Future Planning North East Migration Partnership-'Welcome to the UK' project, the design and printing of promotional materials Carnegie UK-participation in the Wellbeing in the North of Tyne Research The Daphne & Martin Cookson and Sara Alexandra Bernstone Funds at the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland-Promotional Film on the work of refugee led community action TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1/8/20 £ 43,023 6,326 1,000 139 17,057 2,577 5,985 - - - - - - 33,084 81,869 |
Net movement in funds £ 6,669 1,299 - (135) 1,837 (1,260) (5,688) 1 753 2,500 (1) 1,013 3,000 3,319 9,988 |
Transfers between funds £ 7,454 636 - (4) (558) - - (1) (753) - 1 (1,013) - (1,692) - |
At 31/7/22 £ 57,146 8,261 1,000 - 18,336 1,317 297 - - 2,500 - - 3,000 34,711 91,857 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Millfield House Foundation-Strategic Partners Community Foundation serving Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Working Group Objectives Empowering Community Organisers-National Lottery Community Fund Building Capabilities-National Lottery Community Fund Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland-Train the Trainers Open University-Arts based method for Civil Engagement North East Migration Partnership-NEMP Video Commission Millfield House Foundation-Future Planning North East Migration Partnership-'Welcome to the UK' project, the design and printing of promotional materials Carnegie UK-participation in the Wellbeing in the North of Tyne Research The Daphne & Martin Cookson and Sara Alexandra Bernstone Funds at the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland-Promotional Film on the work of refugee led community action TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 8,703 84,000 14,167 142,053 - - 14,313 9,195 3,500 1,623 2,770 3,000 274,621 283,999 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (2,034) 6,669 (82,701) 1,299 (14,302) (135) (140,216) 1,837 (1,260) (1,260) (5,688) (5,688) (14,312) 1 (8,442) 753 (1,000) 2,500 (1,624) (1) (1,757) 1,013 - 3,000 (271,302) 3,319 (274,011) 9,988 |
|---|---|---|
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
The restricted funds comprise grants received from funders for a specific purpose or project and can be expended only in the way already agreed to by the charity.
Transfers between funds
The transfers are of any remaining balances on the completion of the relevant project.
14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 July 2022.
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Charitable activities Millfield House Foundation National Lottery Community Fund Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland NE Migration Partnership Middlesbrough Council Open University Carnegie UK Other income Other income Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Wages Social security Pensions Staff travel Participants costs Training Research costs Working groups Professional fees Support costs Management Finance officer's salary Rent and utilities Insurance Telephone and internet charges Stationery and postage Cleaning and office sundries Carried forward |
2022 £ 42,000 47,987 7,167 4,048 - 5,423 2,770 109,395 5,037 114,432 80,037 8,238 2,401 591 6,968 2,520 2,400 6,412 4,548 114,115 3,727 3,853 499 2,929 400 - 11,408 |
2021 £ 45,500 94,066 10,000 - 7,075 8,890 - 165,531 4,036 169,567 90,480 9,172 2,709 - 5,778 2,868 - 6,149 - 117,156 3,618 5,220 558 2,318 410 500 12,624 |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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THE REGIONAL REFUGEE FORUM NORTH EAST
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
| Management Brought forward Repairs and equipment IT and software support Professional charges Governance costs Accountancy and payroll charges Total resources expended Net (expenditure)/income |
2022 £ 11,408 1,479 1,323 157 14,367 2,031 130,513 (16,081) |
2021 £ 12,624 - 2,084 9,888 24,596 1,746 143,498 26,069 |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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