Welcome the Stranger
Annual Review
For the year ending 30th September 2021
Registered charity: 1119463
CONTENTS
| Introduction from BEACON’s Chair of Trustees | 1 |
|---|---|
| Refections from BEACON’s Team Leader | 2 |
| Hosting - preventing destitution | 4 |
| McKenzie Friends – access to justice | 5 |
| CHAT – conversation and connection | 8 |
| Next Steps – support to move on | 10 |
| Comment from BEACON’s Treasurer | 11 |
| Income and Expenditure | 12 |
| How you can help | 13 |
The vision of BEACON is that the Bradford district becomes a hospitable community where people seeking asylum and refugees are welcome, enjoy access to justice and fair treatment and are supported on their journey to independence and integration
INTRODUCTION FROM BEACON’S CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
“Problems are not resolved and coexistence improved by building walls higher, but by joining forces to care for others.” Pope Francis
Over the last twelve months, the challenges faced by people seeking asylum in the UK have increased. The tragic drownings in the Channel seek to emphasise the risks desperate people seeking asylum must take. With so few legal routes to safety, they have no alternative. The situation in Afghanistan has forced thousands of people to flee persecution, reminding us of so many others, out of the public gaze, yet in a similar position. The proposals in the Nationality and Borders Bill, should they become law, will have devastating consequences for people seeking sanctuary here.
It is within this context that BEACON has continued to fulfil its charitable objectives.
Relieving Hardship
BEACON’s McKenzie Friends, Hosting and CHAT projects have continued. Our committed volunteers are the backbone of BEACON, so despite Covid restrictions, we’re proud to have recruited and trained new volunteers. The CHAT English Club has expanded to include various social activities. We have received funding from the Local Authority for the first time, to undertake a piece of work as part of the Next Steps Accommodation Project. This ensured that those people seeking asylum within the Covid 19 ‘Everyone In’ scheme were able to access move on accommodation when the scheme ended.
the ‘hostile environment’ by continuing to support the Lift the Ban campaign and joining the Together with Refugees, Families Together and Hands Up for Our Health coalitions. We’ve featured in a short film commissioned by the University of Bradford as part of their ‘Unify Festival’ and contributed to the consultation process for the Nationality and Borders Bill by making a submission, as a relevant organisation, in the process. Our experience is that a wide range of people and organisations do want to join forces to care for people seeking asylum who arrive in the UK and here in Bradford.
Increasing Capacity
As you read our Annual Report, you will see what BEACON, with a small staff team and committed band of volunteers, has achieved. However, we are conscious that many needs have gone unmet. With increased capacity, we could do even more! We’re grateful for the support of the Enhance programme which has enabled us to work with an external consultant to create an organisational strategy and business plan. We’re excited to be working on our fundraising strategy to ensure that the necessary financial resources are available for the changes we seek to make. We hope to be able to achieve even more!
I would like to say ‘thank you’ to our many volunteers, board of trustees, staff team, funders and all who support us with their commitment and prayers. You all play a part as we seek to ‘Welcome the Stranger’ here at BEACON.
Raising Awareness
BEACON hears many heart-breaking stories. Life threatening journeys to safety are made by desperate people, in fear of their lives, with no other option. So, we’ve sought to counter
Sarah Jemison Chair of Trustees
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REFLECTIONS FROM BEACON’S TEAM LEADER
Another year has passed, and it has once again been a challenging one for us all. Our work this year has demanded much from us all in the way of resilience and yet we recognise how much more challenging life has been for those we work with.
We were deeply concerned at the situation which unfolded in Afghanistan this year and reminded of the importance of our work for all who seek safety and protection. In the same vein, the proposals we see outlined in the Nationality and Borders Bill are of grave concern for the future of people seeking asylum. Nevertheless, despite these concerns and the ongoing pandemic, we are pleased to report that our activities this year have continued to have significant impact on the lives of the people using our services, during a year of ongoing uncertainty.
Whilst our Hosting project was paused for much of the year due to delayed Home Office evictions and the ‘Everyone In’ scheme offering provision that would not ordinarily be available, other areas of work grew and developed. We were selected by the local authority to receive a grant to support people within the Everyone In programme, we set up a digital legal advice surgery which has greatly enhanced the outcomes of the McKenzie Friends project, and our CHAT project expanded to offer a wider range of activities, including yoga, cooking and wellbeing walks, to keep people socially connected.
The year started on a high with the launch of the digital legal advice surgery in partnership with Fisher Stone solicitors – an initiative which has revitalised the McKenzie Friends project in a context of scarcity of quality legal advice available in our area. We are immensely grateful for a Respond and Adapt grant received from a network of funders
known as Migration Exchange which enabled us to set this project up and run it efficiently and safely throughout the year. This funding also opened up a host of opportunities to access support and training in other areas, including wellbeing, anti-racism, governance and fundraising which have proved essential in our organisational development during the past year.
We were pleased that our sponsored walk was able to go ahead during Refugee Week this summer, a longstanding tradition and opportunity to raise awareness of and funds towards our work, not to mention a social opportunity for BEACON staff, trustees, volunteers, supporters and users to come together after months of social isolation and lockdown.
Our work on diversity and inclusion has developed as we continue to understand more about how we can learn and change. Comprehensive anti-racism training for charity leaders delivered by brap, a leading charity in the area of equality and diversity, was a fundamental foundation for us to build on and together with Abigail Housing we plan to co-host additional training for people within our respective organisations in the coming year. We acknowledge that there is much more work to be done and that this is an ongoing process, however we have started the journey and are fully committed to staying on the path.
Another area of development for us this year has been taking more time to listen to and involve the people we work with in shaping the work we do and working towards ensuring people with lived experience of seeking asylum are fully involved in all aspects of BEACON. We are working to improve mechanisms for feedback from people who use our services and in March we
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were selected to be part of a national pilot programme facilitated by Refugee Action along with 7 other organisations across the UK to work on setting up Experts by Experience groups. This was an invaluable experience, and we plan to grow and consolidate this work in the coming year.
We have also been instrumental in setting up an online Single Point of Access system for people seeking asylum and refugees in Bradford as part of a steering group made up of local organisations. The new BRASH system (Bradford Refugee Asylum Services Hub) enables a streamlined and efficient pathway for people to access relevant services in a timely manner.
An additional key development for us this year came in the form of support secured through the Enhance programme funded by Lloyds Bank Foundation to work with an external consultant to undertake a strategic review of BEACON. This was followed by the development of a comprehensive future strategy to consolidate and enhance our work to cater for increased demand to meet the evolving needs of people seeking asylum. We hope to implement our plans in the coming year. Exciting times!
As we look to the year ahead, we see both challenge and hope. Despite the increasingly hostile legislative changes, increased numbers of people needing support and ever competitive challenges of funding our work, we will continue to stand together with people seeking asylum, whatever the year brings. Thank you to everyone who supported us this year – we couldn’t do our work without you!
Katy Armitstead Team Leader
Unify Festival 2021
Launch of Walking Together 2021 sponsored walk
Finale of Walking Together 2021 sponsored walk
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HOSTING PREVENTING DESTITUTION
What a year!
For a large part of it, no hosting took place, as the situation for those we seek to help was significantly helped by two factors: the first was that the Home Office were forced to suspend evictions of asylum seekers whose cases had been refused; the second was Bradford Council’s decision to wholeheartedly participate in the government’s ‘Everyone In’ scheme, whereby all rough sleepers, including those with No Recourse to Public Funds, were offered accommodation and support. BEACON played a key role in offering support to people in the scheme who were seeking asylum (see page 10 for more on this).
We continued to stay abreast of the situation as it developed, meeting frequently with members of the NACCOM network to stay connected with other organisations doing similar work, and worked with other local organisations to coordinate a system for providing information to people who would at some point be facing eviction, to let them know of our support as early as possible.
Evictions were inevitably restarted, and the project reopened with additional safety measures in place, as our amazing hosts became available again and referrals begin to trickle through.
We were reminded on several occasions during the year of the value of the project, as we received the fantastic news that four people supported by us in previous years had at last been granted Leave to Remain in the UK. Without the kindness, compassion and generosity of our hosts when their guests were battling to prepare and submit fresh asylum claims, they would very likely remain destitute – or worse.
4 former guests granted Leave to Remain in the UK!
----- Start of picture text -----
Former host Jackie at the finish line of the London
marathon raising funds for BEACON
----- End of picture text -----
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MCKENZIE FRIENDS ACCESS TO JUSTICE
The McKenzie Friends project continued to offer legal advocacy and support to people seeking protection who were without hope and without legal representation. As expected, this year has been quite different from last year. Whilst we were able to return to some level of in-person support, we have retained some remote operations. This has unexpectedly brought many advantages and enabled us to develop new skills as a team.
Referrals have increased substantially from 29 last year to 46 this year. This is in part due to the Home Office recommencing its decision-making process as well as due to improved pathways between organisations supporting destitute people who need help with asylum issues.
One of the major successes has been the introduction of a fully funded digital legal advice service in partnership with Fisher Stone solicitors based in Halifax. This means we now have a simple pathway for all referrals to access high-quality, expert and honest legal advice (with an interpreter if needed), with 35 legal advice sessions facilitated over the year, and 19 people being taken on by one of the legal advisors to submit a fresh claim with Legal Aid, which is almost double the amount of people we were able to support to find a solicitor last year. Despite their huge workloads, we’re eternally grateful to the wonderful team at Fisher Stone (Karin, Ruth and Alice) for the time afforded to our clients.
The grant we received to set up the service also enabled us to purchase a laptop which has proved invaluable in enabling us to respond to ad-hoc requests, for example facilitating remote appeal hearings and interviews with experts involved in drafting specialist reports in support of fresh claims. We adapted our comprehensive training package and took on 4 new volunteers and have expanded our knowledge in areas such as human trafficking, with volunteers making referrals into the National Referral Mechanism and putting their training to good use to make a number of successful applications for Exceptional Case Funding for cases outside of the scope of legal aid. We connected with other local organisations to increase awareness of local services to meet the ever more complex needs of our clients, particularly in the areas of crisis and mental health support. We also accessed ongoing training from TACTIC Immigration and Asylum Training Consultancy, in the areas of credibility in asylum claims and a refresher course on approaches to fresh claims.
The hard work of the team paid off as we heard that 5 individuals we had supported to access legal representation went on to be granted Leave to Remain. This was a direct result of the perseverance of our volunteers and the high standard of Fresh Submissions. Thanks to the work of the McKenzie Friends volunteers, we are able to provide a flexible and supportive service developing expertise and evolving to adapt to the needs of some very vulnerable people.
5
59
People seeking asylum supported by McKenzie Friends
35
Legal advice sessions provided
3
Supported to attend appeal hearings
24
Supported to find legal representation
5
Granted Leave to Remain in the UK
“The McKenzie Friends have played such a crucial role. It’s a critical time when you need support, and they actually take time to understand your case and to help you find the best way forward. I think this is a really good service. It comes very highly praised by me.”
Working with BEACON is an enjoyable and beneficial project which has enabled us to increase our capacity to take on preparing further submissions for asylum seekers who have had a refusal on their claim, an essential part of our work that we can find it difficult to commit resources to. We look forward to continuing working with BEACON in the coming year
Karin Oliver, Director of Fisher Stone solicitors
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“McKenzie Friends provides a unique service both to our service users and to the solicitors who take on their cases. Solicitors do not get legal aid for any pastoral work, or to accompany clients to the Home Office or courts for instance.
As we are not qualified to give legal advice, the partnership with Fisher Stone is incredibly useful to us and our clients, many of whom have been taken on by them either straight away or after work we have done to help provide further evidence.
What most refused asylum seekers need more than anything is a successful fresh claim and we have helped achieve quite a few of these. This is job satisfaction!”
Ann Sargent, McKenzie Friends volunteer
Khaled’s story*
Khaled was a traumatised and vulnerable young man from Afghanistan. He had witnessed extreme violence; his family had been killed by the Taliban and he was now at risk himself so had fled the country. He had arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied minor aged 15. By the time he was referred to us his mental health was markedly poor, he suffered with PTSD, and was experiencing night terrors & suicidal thoughts as a result of his traumatic life experiences.
produced a report for a new asylum claim. Along with further evidence obtained with support from the volunteers, the solicitor was able to access Legal Aid to submit a fresh asylum claim and Khaled was supported to apply for Section 4 accommodation.
A few months later in March 2021, we had a phone call from an ecstatic Khaled to tell us the amazing news that the wait was over, and he had been granted Leave to Remain to start his new life free from fear here in the UK.
- Name has been changed
Khaled was referred to McKenzie Friends for legal support and to the Hosting project for accommodation. He was swiftly moved into a volunteer host household close to the city and subsequently linked in with the CHAT club, supported to access a bike, laptop, clothes & footwear, and a volunteer placement to learn construction skills. Although clearly still traumatised, his mental health & wellbeing improved markedly during this time. He was allocated two McKenzie Friends volunteers who provided support to access legal advice, arranged travel and accompanied him to London to meet with a psychiatrist who
“I am so very grateful for this opportunity. Since I came to BEACON, my luck has really changed”
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CHAT CONVERSATION AND CONNECTION
CHAT continued online for most of the year, providing a weekly safe space for volunteers and students to grow their already trusted and friendly relationships. A massive thank you to the volunteers who continued to support students week in week out during another difficult year – the online classes wouldn’t have been able to function without their fantastic support!
The greatest highlight has been being able to develop and grow the CHAT club throughout the year, despite the setbacks caused by the pandemic. The class developed to offer monthly online cooking classes, a 6-week beginner yoga course and short walks around some of Bradford’s beautiful parks, Bradford Cathedral and Little Germany. In a time where social isolation was very significant, this brought everyone closer together and helped with supporting physical and mental wellbeing.
The online CHAT Club provided a sense of routine and stability for a core group of students during the difficult winter lockdown. It allowed for one-to-one English practice and the opportunity to get to know students on a deeper level. Online classes enabled people to introduce some of their family members, and to show photographs and artwork they had created at home. Furthermore, it was an opportunity to connect with and reach a wider community of people seeking asylum and refugees from places such as Halifax, Manchester and Sheffield. Topics discussed throughout the year included family, mental health, fitness and providing translations for government restrictions and lockdown information. We also created a WhatsApp group for all students, a super way to keep in touch, share photos, information and provide a couple of laughs through the week.
Our monthly online cooking classes started in February 2021 following a very successful pilot in November 2020. Bradford chef, Sonia Sandhu creates delicious recipes for people to sign up and cook along together online. The class is free, and ingredients are delivered to participants’ homes beforehand – a great way to engage new students and chat to them face-to-face from a safe distance. The class has proved to be a real hit, with recipes including a spicy bean chilli, okra curry, chocolate and hazelnut brownies, and vegan spaghetti bolognese. Delicious! To celebrate coming out of lockdown and enjoy a little of the British summer we held a picnic in Lister Park for all the cooking class participants – the rain stayed away, and we managed a couple of games of cricket and frisbee with the homemade treat of Sonia’s cherry chocolate cake.
We also had the delight of congratulating a longstanding student on finally receiving his British Citizenship – a joyous day! Another student was reunited with his family, and they have been granted Leave to Remain, as have a couple of other students in the class. Great news to hear!
Despite a difficult year for many reasons, the students, and volunteers remained positive and are continuing into the new year with success. The class reopened in person in August 2021 with additional safety precautions in place. Numbers have swelled and it has been so lovely to see old and new students return. It is also comforting to know we are prepared for any future changes should we need to return to online classes depending on whatever this year brings.
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A total of 61 different individuals benefited from the various CHAT activities available this year. Participants came from a variety of countries as far-reaching as China, South Sudan, El Salvador, Kuwait, and Iran.
“Thank you for this cooking class because with lockdown I feel alone at home and with this class I have new friends. I really enjoyed it. I learnt a new and delicious food and I want to participate in this class again. The quality and training on Zoom were excellent. Thank you all.”
Running monthly virtual cooking classes with BEACON has been fantastic! As well as contributing to a more varied diet of healthy and seasonal dishes, the social aspect of the class has been important throughout periods of social restrictions during the pandemic - the class is relaxed and allows time for everyone to chat and catch up, practising their English language skills all whilst cooking dinner for themselves or with their family. We have all got to know each other quite well and really enjoyed a picnic in Lister Park over the summer where I met participants for the first time in person after many months of Zooming! The classes are a real highlight in my work, as they are such fun with enthusiastic participants who I look forward to seeing each month.
Sonia Sandhu, Bradford-based chef
A selection of the delights created at the monthly cooking class!
Some creative feedback from a grateful cooking class participant
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NEXT STEPS SUPPORT TO MOVE ON
We were pleased that the government provided additional accommodation at the height of the pandemic to people at risk of rough sleeping including those without recourse to public funds as part of the ‘Everyone In’ initiative. We were delighted to receive some funding from the local authority as part of the Next Steps Accommodation Programme to work with those in the scheme who were seeking asylum.
Audrey Smith who also occupies the role of McKenzie Friends Coordinator at BEACON, was appointed to the role as Project Coordinator. The work we undertook involved offering holistic support and assistance to ensure the needs of these individuals were met and ultimately to secure options for moving on into other accommodation once the scheme sadly yet inevitably came to an end.
The individuals we supported were experiencing extremely challenging situations and had multiple & complex needs including complicated asylum cases. Ensuring people had all the help they needed involved the provision of intensive support and working together with a range of services. Regular meetings were held between agencies offering support and collaborative relationships with mainstream homelessness and specialist support services were forged. Key partners we worked with included the Salvation Army who offer muchneeded support to people experiencing homelessness, the British Red Cross who provided destitution payments and support with asylum support applications, CGL who offered valuable support to people who were tragically suffering with substance misuse,
and charities committed to preventing destitution including Hope Housing, Abigail Housing and Humankind, who were able to ensure a roof was kept over the heads of the people we were working with once the scheme ended.
A key aspect of support was securing access to legal advice in order to determine subsequent options open to those in the scheme. Building on expertise, knowledge and connections gained through her role as McKenzie Friends Coordinator, Audrey was able to secure a solicitor to take on the cases of 8 people in the scheme.
At the start of the project, each person in the scheme was facing destitution and life on the streets. Thanks to Audrey’s hard work, patience, persistence, all 10 individuals in the scheme were supported to access accommodation and so were prevented from experiencing destitution when the programme closed.
“I cannot express how profound my gratitude is towards you. You have changed my life. Before, I had no future, and I didn’t know that there were people that cared about anything other than their own affairs. Because of you, I now know there are people in the world who have compassion, understanding, passion and kindness. I feel like a tree that has finally been able to blossom.”
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COMMENT FROM BEACON’S TREASURER
This year has been a challenging one, but as our figures show, we have come through and are able to plan ahead and continue the work of which we are so proud.
In particular, the generosity of our funders has ensured that cash flow has been maintained during the course of the pandemic. Funders have been understanding about the need for the charity to have flexibility in the use of its funds coupled with certainty of income. Many thanks are due to all our donors.
The Financial Statements contained within the examined accounts show the year in numbers, but I feel it is important to recognise that they are also a reflection of the hard work of those at BEACON who show all due diligence in our financial management, careful monitoring and control of costs, and in income generation.
Roland Clark Treasurer
Bradford walking tour
Picnic in the park
Pre-lockdown walk
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INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
----- Start of picture text -----
Income (£50,290)
970 1,435
25,570
18,107
4,208
Grants Faith group donations Individual donations
Sponsored walk Other donations
----- End of picture text -----
Thank you to everyone who supported us financially over the past year. It’s thanks to your help that we have been able to help so many people seeking asylum in Bradford in 2020/2021.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
Become a volunteer
Make a direct different to the life of someone seeking asylum - get in touch to find out more about what roles we have available
Make a donation
Every little helps and can go a long way to help people seeking asylum – contact us about making a one-off donation or setting up a regular donation to help us on an ongoing basis
Fundraise - and have fun!
From a personal challenge such as running a marathon or giving up chocolate, to holding a coffee morning or a quiz night, we’d love to hear from you!
Help us raise awareness
We can always use help to spread the word about the challenges faced by people seeking asylum – get in touch if you’re interested in awareness raising
Join our mailing list
Sign up to receive our newsletter and keep up to date with our work and activities
Become a member of BEACON
As a BEACON member, you can show your support for our vision and objectives and vote at our Annual General Meeting
For further information, please see our web site www.beaconbradford.org or contact us at beacon@beaconbradford.org or on 07419 990578. We look forward to hearing from you!
“Those who have desperation as the only way – they will find some help at BEACON”
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Welcome the Stranger
Contact us:
BEACON Office
c/o Touchstone, 4 Easby Road, Bradford, BD7 1QX
E: beacon@beaconbradford.org T: 07419 990578
Hosting
E: hosting@beaconbradford.org T: 07505 053149
McKenzie Friends
E: mckenziefriends@beaconbradford.org T: 07531 576330
CHAT
E: chat@beaconbradford.org T: 07754 228569
Twitter: @BEACON_Bradford Facebook: Beacon32 www.beaconbradford.org
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Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Charity number 1119463
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 30 September 2021
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2021
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 2 to 5 |
| Examiner's report | 6 |
| Receipts and payments account | 7 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 9 to 11 |
Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service
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Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Trustees' report for the year ended 30 September 2021
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors
The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates Sarah Jemison Chair Heather Grinter Vice Chair Roland Clark Treasurer Barbara Clarke Secretary William Sutcliffe Andrew Howorth Mary Brooks Edward Sterling Appointed 27 January 2021 Aimee Nyembo Appointed 27 January 2021
Charity number
The charity was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, number 1119463, on 1 June 2007.
Principal address Bankers c/o Touchstone Unity Trust Bank plc 4 Easby Road Nine Brindleyplace Bradford Birmingham BD7 1QX B1 2HB
Independent examiner
Rhys North ACA
West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
Structure, governance and management
The charity is governed by a constitution adopted on 14 November 2006 as amended on 8 October 2019 and 28 January 2020.
Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees
The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM.
The charity's objects
The relief of hardship among those seeking asylum in the UK or who are refugees who reside in the Bradford Metropolitan District and surrounding areas. To advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum.
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Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2021
The charity's main activities
All of BEACON’s activities are underpinned by our vision that the Bradford district becomes a hospitable community where people seeking asylum and refugees are welcome, enjoy access to justice and fair treatment and are supported on their journey to independence and integration.
Our key activities are:
Hosting – the prevention of destitution for people seeking asylum through the provision of accommodation in volunteer host households, a weekly allowance to meet basic needs and a travel pass to access local services and activities. Guests are provided with support to link them in with a variety of services and activities, from volunteering to healthcare and legal advice to ensure their needs are met holistically.
CHAT – a weekly English conversation and activities group open to non-English speakers in the local community, for all abilities. The group provides a friendly and welcoming environment in which to improve English, form social connections, enhance wellbeing and enjoy a variety of additional activities from gardening, to theatre trips and cooking classes.
McKenzie Friends – volunteers provide legal support and advocacy to people seeking asylum to navigate the complexities of the asylum system, including facilitating access to legal advice and accompanying unrepresented asylum seekers to appeal hearings.
Public benefit statement
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. In line with our charitable purposes:
1) We have helped to relieve hardship among those seeking asylum in the UK or who are refugees who reside in the Bradford Metropolitan District and surrounding areas, through our McKenzie Friends, Hosting, CHAT and Next Steps projects. The projects continued, in safely adapted forms, throughout the year and when restrictions permitted, we returned to in-person activities. The projects are dependent on a wide range of committed volunteers who enable us to deliver a high-quality service to our clients and guests. During the year we have recruited and trained new volunteers, thus increasing the public benefit delivered through these projects in supporting people seeking asylum through the asylum process. This includes support to access legal advice and the relief of destitution & lack of basic needs such as food and money. The CHAT English club has expanded to include various social activities; in addition to improving English language skills, social networks have been established, leading to a reduction in isolation, increased wellbeing and empowerment amongst those seeking asylum. Additionally, we were commissioned by the Local Authority to deliver support as part of the Next Steps Accommodation Project, relieving hardship of those seeking asylum within the Everyone In scheme and ensuring they were able to access accommodation to move to when they were required to leave the accommodation provided through the Covid19 pandemic.
2) We have also furthered our objective to advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum. We have continued to support and raise awareness of the campaign to ‘Lift the Ban’ on the right to work for those seeking asylum. We have also joined the Together with Refugees and Hands Up for Our Health coalitions in order to better educate the public and counter the effects of the ‘hostile environment’. We made the public aware of the consultation process for the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill as well as making a submission, as a relevant organisation, in the process. Furthermore, we were featured in a short film commissioned by the University of Bradford as part of their ‘Unify Festival’. The film was promoted widely and was an opportunity to raise awareness about the need for our work with people seeking asylum in Bradford. We were able to adapt our offer to provide online talks to local groups to further spread awareness of the increasingly challenging needs of people seeking asylum during the pandemic. We have also been featured in the local press this year – offering comment on the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and coverage of our sponsored event during Refugee Week. We have also maintained a strong social media presence throughout the year and grown our number of followers as well as increasing numbers signed up to our mailing list.
The public benefit arising from these activities is the increase in information given to the public which has enhanced support for, and consideration of, the difficulties faced by the individuals we support.
The charity trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have a plan to manage identified risks.
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Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2021
Achievements and performance
We are pleased to report that our activities this year have continued to have significant impact on the lives of the people using our services, during a year of continued uncertainty and challenge.
Our CHAT project continued to provide a weekly safe space for English conversation practice, continuing online for most of the year until the class was reopened with additional safety precautions in place in August, when numbers grew and the in-person provision has now been firmly re-established. During the difficult winter months back in lockdown, we developed an additional offer of social activities to address reduced wellbeing and social isolation. A free monthly online cooking class in partnership with local professional chef Sonia Sandhu was established, as well as the provision of online yoga sessions delivered by professional yoga teacher Annie Golding streamed live from Kathmandu, Nepal. We also arranged a number of walks in local parks throughout the year and a summer picnic to provide opportunities for social contact as well as access to nature and exercise. 61 individuals in total benefited from the CHAT activities this year.
The Hosting project was paused for much of the year due to both the UK government’s Everyone In scheme which provided accommodation to anyone sleeping rough during the pandemic including those without Recourse to Public Funds, and the Home Office pause on evictions from asylum accommodation. This meant that those who would normally be referred to us were able to access other options for accommodation during this time. However, evictions were inevitably restarted and the Hosting project reopened in August, with revised precautions in place to ensure the safety of both guest and host.
During the time when the Everyone In scheme was operational, we were awarded funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of the Next Steps Accommodation Programme to work with those in the scheme who were seeking asylum. We were funded to offer holistic support and assistance to ensure needs were met and ultimately to secure options for moving on into other accommodation once the scheme came to an end. The individuals we supported were experiencing extremely challenging situations and had multiple and complex needs, however we were able to work intensively with each person and ensure that all 10 people secured accommodation once the scheme came to an end. The work provided an opportunity for us to build on our network of partnerships and work collaboratively with mainstream homelessness and specialist support services in Bradford.
The McKenzie Friends project continued to offer legal advocacy and support to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum who were without hope and without legal representation. We secured a Respond and Adapt grant through Migration Exchange (a network of independent funders) which has been invaluable in furthering the work of the project and enabled us to set up a digital legal advice surgery in partnership with Fisher Stone solicitors in Halifax. This means we now have a simple pathway for all referrals to access highquality, expert and honest legal advice, with 35 legal advice sessions facilitated over the year, and 19 people being taken on by one of the legal advisors to submit a fresh claim with Legal Aid. The grant enabled us to purchase a laptop which has also been invaluable in enabling us to respond to ad-hoc requests, for example facilitating remote appeal hearings and interviews with experts involved in drafting specialist reports in support of fresh claims. We adapted our comprehensive training package and took on 4 new volunteers, and have expanded our knowledge in areas such as human trafficking, with volunteers making referrals into the National Referral Mechanism and making successful applications for Exceptional Case Funding for cases outside of the scope of legal aid, for example, Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for private and family life). We also heard that 5 individuals we previously supported to access legal representation went on to be granted Leave to Remain.
In addition to the work of our projects outlined above, we have also been instrumental in setting up an online Single Point of Access system for people seeking asylum and refugees in Bradford as part of a steering group made up of local organisations supporting this client group. The new BRASH system (Bradford Refugee Asylum Services Hub) enables a streamlined and efficient pathway for people to access relevant services in a timely manner.
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Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2021
Achievements and performance continued
The Respond and Adapt funding we secured via Migration Exchange led to further opportunities and we were subsequently selected to be part of a national pilot run by Refugee Action to support organisations to set up ‘Experts by Experience’ groups within their organisation. This was an invaluable experience and forms part of our strategy to ensure people with lived experience are involved at all levels of BEACON. We plan to grow and consolidate this work further in the coming year. We also secured support under the Enhance programme funded by Lloyds Bank Foundation to work with an external consultant to undertake a strategic review of our work. This was followed by the development of a comprehensive future strategy to consolidate and enhance our work to cater for increased demand to meet the evolving needs of people seeking asylum which we hope to implement in the coming year. As Respond and Adapt grantees, we have also benefited immensely from free training opportunities in the areas of wellbeing, anti-racism, fundraising and governance which have all been crucial in our professional and organisational development this year.
Financial review
The net payments for the year were £2,974, including net receipts of £12,636 on unrestricted funds and net payments of £15,610 on restricted funds.
The generosity of our funders has ensured that cash flow has been maintained during the course of the pandemic. Funders have been particularly understanding about the need for the charity to have flexibility in the use of its funds coupled with certainty of income. Many thanks are due to all our donors.
At the time of signing these accounts the charity has been impacted by the global Covid-19 virus. However, the trustees have reassessed the charity’s ability to continue for at least 12 months from the date that the accounts are approved and conclude that no material uncertainties exist that cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
Reserves policy
The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £77,172.
BEACON depends on grants and donations to sustain its activities. We run the risk of closure if funding difficulties were to happen, if there were a temporary shortfall in income, or an unforeseen rise in spending requirements and costs.
The main concerns are to ensure:
-
l that service users (particularly our hosted guests) are supported to move on to other services in a timely and sympathetic manner
-
l an ability to develop new projects and grasp new opportunities should they arise
-
l that staff can continue working to develop another funding stream to continue the work of BEACON
-
l that staff will be provided with redundancy payments where applicable.
The reserves should be built up from the unrestricted income.
The ideal amount of reserves has been set as an amount equivalent to 12 months running costs, as this is deemed an appropriate period of time to achieve the above aims. The annual budget will show the appropriate amount.
The level of reserves is calculated and monitored every 3 months by the Treasurer and the Finance Administrator and presented to the board of trustees.
This policy is reviewed yearly and whenever there are significant changes in staff hours or numbers.
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees on 11/1/2022
Sarah Jemison (Trustee)
5
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 30 September 2021, which are set out on pages 7 to 11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees 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 as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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:
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Rhys North ACA
20/1/2022
West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
6
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Receipts and payments account for the year ended 30 September 2021
| Notes 2021 Unrestricted funds £ Receipts Grants (2) 19,390 Donations - Churches 3,808 Donations - Individuals 7,432 Donations - Other 1,435 Sponsored walk 970 Total receipts 33,035 Payments Staffing costs (3) 8,860 Rent 4,288 Insurance - Office costs (including phone and postage) 480 Publicity and fundraising (including printing) 34 Training 80 Subscriptions 689 Project costs 4,252 IT costs 888 Volunteer expenses 83 Other expenses 63 Governance costs 328 Independent examination 354 Total payments 20,399 12,636 Fund balances brought forward 64,536 Fund balances carried forward (4) 77,172 Net receipts / (payments) |
2021 Restricted funds £ 6,180 400 10,675 - - 17,255 28,731 1,952 1,048 365 - - 60 611 - 98 - - - 32,865 (15,610) 28,777 13,167 |
2021 Total funds £ 25,570 4,208 18,107 1,435 970 50,290 37,591 6,240 1,048 845 34 80 749 4,863 888 181 63 328 354 53,264 (2,974) 93,313 90,339 |
2020 Total funds £ 68,227 2,613 5,899 1,662 - 78,401 36,397 5,965 705 724 373 137 874 3,483 2,235 46 899 - 354 52,192 26,209 67,104 93,313 |
|---|---|---|---|
7
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Statement of assets and liabilities
| as at 30 September 2021 2021 Unrestricted £ Cash funds Cash at bank 67,860 Cash at bank - Bradford CPA 9,212 Cash in hand 100 Total cash funds 77,172 Liabilities Independent examination September 2021 Pension contributions |
2021 Restricted £ 13,167 - - 13,167 |
2021 Total £ 81,027 9,212 100 90,339 £ 390 101 491 |
2020 Total £ 92,543 705 65 93,313 |
|---|---|---|---|
Approval of the accounts
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 11/1/2022
Sarah Jemison (Trustee)
8
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 30 September 2021
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.
No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
Taxation
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
9
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 30 September 2021
| 2 Grants Bradford Metropolitan District Council (BMDC) HMRC Job Retention Scheme Lyndal Tree Foundation Refugee Action The Methodist Church Yorkshire West District Society of the Holy Child Jesus (SHCJ) Joseph Rank Trust Evan Cornish Foundation Sisters of the Cross and Passion Sharegift - Orr Mack Foundation 3 Staff costs and numbers Gross salaries Social security costs Employment allowance Pensions Less: Pension Liability at 30 September 2021 Payroll fees |
2021 Unrestricted funds £ - - 8,000 1,390 10,000 - - - - - 19,390 |
2021 Restricted funds £ 6000 180 - - - - - - - - 6,180 |
2021 Total funds £ 6000 180 8,000 1,390 10,000 - - - - - 25,570 2021 £ 36,491 1,637 (1,637) 495 (101) 707 37,591 |
2020 Total funds £ - 727 8,000 7,000 - 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 2,500 68,227 2020 £ 35,192 1,372 (1,302) 359 - 776 36,397 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The average number employees during the year was 4, being an average of 1.6 full time equivalent (2020: 4.1, 1.6 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.
| Defined contribution pension scheme | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year | 495 | 359 |
10
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 30 September 2021
| 4 Restricted funds SHCJ Hosting Joseph Rank Trust HMRC Job Retention Scheme McKenzie Friends BMDC Next Steps |
Balance b/f £ 20,000 5,032 3,745 - - - 28,777 |
Incoming £ - 675 - 180 10,400 6,000 17,255 |
Outgoing £ 20,000 2,210 3,745 180 1,131 5,599 32,865 |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - |
Balance c/f £ - 3,497 - - 9,269 401 13,167 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fund name
Purpose of restriction
SHCJ To support the salary costs of the Team Leader and McKenzie Friends project leader. Hosting To host people seeking asylum who are destitute. Joseph Rank Trust For running costs of the charity. HMRC Job Retention Scheme To contribute to furlough staffing costs. McKenzie Friends To provide legal advocacy and support to people seeking asylum. BMDC Next Steps To offer support and assistance to asylum seekers who have been provided with emergency accommodation under the rough sleeper Everyone In programme.
5 Related party transactions
Trustee expenses
No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.
Trustee remuneration and benefits
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
11
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Charity number 1119463
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 30 September 2021
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2021
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 2 to 5 |
| Examiner's report | 6 |
| Receipts and payments account | 7 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 9 to 11 |
Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service
1
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Trustees' report for the year ended 30 September 2021
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors
The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates Sarah Jemison Chair Heather Grinter Vice Chair Roland Clark Treasurer Barbara Clarke Secretary William Sutcliffe Andrew Howorth Mary Brooks Edward Sterling Appointed 27 January 2021 Aimee Nyembo Appointed 27 January 2021
Charity number
The charity was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, number 1119463, on 1 June 2007.
Principal address Bankers c/o Touchstone Unity Trust Bank plc 4 Easby Road Nine Brindleyplace Bradford Birmingham BD7 1QX B1 2HB
Independent examiner
Rhys North ACA
West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
Structure, governance and management
The charity is governed by a constitution adopted on 14 November 2006 as amended on 8 October 2019 and 28 January 2020.
Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees
The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM.
The charity's objects
The relief of hardship among those seeking asylum in the UK or who are refugees who reside in the Bradford Metropolitan District and surrounding areas. To advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum.
2
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2021
The charity's main activities
All of BEACON’s activities are underpinned by our vision that the Bradford district becomes a hospitable community where people seeking asylum and refugees are welcome, enjoy access to justice and fair treatment and are supported on their journey to independence and integration.
Our key activities are:
Hosting – the prevention of destitution for people seeking asylum through the provision of accommodation in volunteer host households, a weekly allowance to meet basic needs and a travel pass to access local services and activities. Guests are provided with support to link them in with a variety of services and activities, from volunteering to healthcare and legal advice to ensure their needs are met holistically.
CHAT – a weekly English conversation and activities group open to non-English speakers in the local community, for all abilities. The group provides a friendly and welcoming environment in which to improve English, form social connections, enhance wellbeing and enjoy a variety of additional activities from gardening, to theatre trips and cooking classes.
McKenzie Friends – volunteers provide legal support and advocacy to people seeking asylum to navigate the complexities of the asylum system, including facilitating access to legal advice and accompanying unrepresented asylum seekers to appeal hearings.
Public benefit statement
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. In line with our charitable purposes:
1) We have helped to relieve hardship among those seeking asylum in the UK or who are refugees who reside in the Bradford Metropolitan District and surrounding areas, through our McKenzie Friends, Hosting, CHAT and Next Steps projects. The projects continued, in safely adapted forms, throughout the year and when restrictions permitted, we returned to in-person activities. The projects are dependent on a wide range of committed volunteers who enable us to deliver a high-quality service to our clients and guests. During the year we have recruited and trained new volunteers, thus increasing the public benefit delivered through these projects in supporting people seeking asylum through the asylum process. This includes support to access legal advice and the relief of destitution & lack of basic needs such as food and money. The CHAT English club has expanded to include various social activities; in addition to improving English language skills, social networks have been established, leading to a reduction in isolation, increased wellbeing and empowerment amongst those seeking asylum. Additionally, we were commissioned by the Local Authority to deliver support as part of the Next Steps Accommodation Project, relieving hardship of those seeking asylum within the Everyone In scheme and ensuring they were able to access accommodation to move to when they were required to leave the accommodation provided through the Covid19 pandemic.
2) We have also furthered our objective to advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum. We have continued to support and raise awareness of the campaign to ‘Lift the Ban’ on the right to work for those seeking asylum. We have also joined the Together with Refugees and Hands Up for Our Health coalitions in order to better educate the public and counter the effects of the ‘hostile environment’. We made the public aware of the consultation process for the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill as well as making a submission, as a relevant organisation, in the process. Furthermore, we were featured in a short film commissioned by the University of Bradford as part of their ‘Unify Festival’. The film was promoted widely and was an opportunity to raise awareness about the need for our work with people seeking asylum in Bradford. We were able to adapt our offer to provide online talks to local groups to further spread awareness of the increasingly challenging needs of people seeking asylum during the pandemic. We have also been featured in the local press this year – offering comment on the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and coverage of our sponsored event during Refugee Week. We have also maintained a strong social media presence throughout the year and grown our number of followers as well as increasing numbers signed up to our mailing list.
The public benefit arising from these activities is the increase in information given to the public which has enhanced support for, and consideration of, the difficulties faced by the individuals we support.
The charity trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have a plan to manage identified risks.
3
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2021
Achievements and performance
We are pleased to report that our activities this year have continued to have significant impact on the lives of the people using our services, during a year of continued uncertainty and challenge.
Our CHAT project continued to provide a weekly safe space for English conversation practice, continuing online for most of the year until the class was reopened with additional safety precautions in place in August, when numbers grew and the in-person provision has now been firmly re-established. During the difficult winter months back in lockdown, we developed an additional offer of social activities to address reduced wellbeing and social isolation. A free monthly online cooking class in partnership with local professional chef Sonia Sandhu was established, as well as the provision of online yoga sessions delivered by professional yoga teacher Annie Golding streamed live from Kathmandu, Nepal. We also arranged a number of walks in local parks throughout the year and a summer picnic to provide opportunities for social contact as well as access to nature and exercise. 61 individuals in total benefited from the CHAT activities this year.
The Hosting project was paused for much of the year due to both the UK government’s Everyone In scheme which provided accommodation to anyone sleeping rough during the pandemic including those without Recourse to Public Funds, and the Home Office pause on evictions from asylum accommodation. This meant that those who would normally be referred to us were able to access other options for accommodation during this time. However, evictions were inevitably restarted and the Hosting project reopened in August, with revised precautions in place to ensure the safety of both guest and host.
During the time when the Everyone In scheme was operational, we were awarded funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of the Next Steps Accommodation Programme to work with those in the scheme who were seeking asylum. We were funded to offer holistic support and assistance to ensure needs were met and ultimately to secure options for moving on into other accommodation once the scheme came to an end. The individuals we supported were experiencing extremely challenging situations and had multiple and complex needs, however we were able to work intensively with each person and ensure that all 10 people secured accommodation once the scheme came to an end. The work provided an opportunity for us to build on our network of partnerships and work collaboratively with mainstream homelessness and specialist support services in Bradford.
The McKenzie Friends project continued to offer legal advocacy and support to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum who were without hope and without legal representation. We secured a Respond and Adapt grant through Migration Exchange (a network of independent funders) which has been invaluable in furthering the work of the project and enabled us to set up a digital legal advice surgery in partnership with Fisher Stone solicitors in Halifax. This means we now have a simple pathway for all referrals to access highquality, expert and honest legal advice, with 35 legal advice sessions facilitated over the year, and 19 people being taken on by one of the legal advisors to submit a fresh claim with Legal Aid. The grant enabled us to purchase a laptop which has also been invaluable in enabling us to respond to ad-hoc requests, for example facilitating remote appeal hearings and interviews with experts involved in drafting specialist reports in support of fresh claims. We adapted our comprehensive training package and took on 4 new volunteers, and have expanded our knowledge in areas such as human trafficking, with volunteers making referrals into the National Referral Mechanism and making successful applications for Exceptional Case Funding for cases outside of the scope of legal aid, for example, Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for private and family life). We also heard that 5 individuals we previously supported to access legal representation went on to be granted Leave to Remain.
In addition to the work of our projects outlined above, we have also been instrumental in setting up an online Single Point of Access system for people seeking asylum and refugees in Bradford as part of a steering group made up of local organisations supporting this client group. The new BRASH system (Bradford Refugee Asylum Services Hub) enables a streamlined and efficient pathway for people to access relevant services in a timely manner.
4
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 30 September 2021
Achievements and performance continued
The Respond and Adapt funding we secured via Migration Exchange led to further opportunities and we were subsequently selected to be part of a national pilot run by Refugee Action to support organisations to set up ‘Experts by Experience’ groups within their organisation. This was an invaluable experience and forms part of our strategy to ensure people with lived experience are involved at all levels of BEACON. We plan to grow and consolidate this work further in the coming year. We also secured support under the Enhance programme funded by Lloyds Bank Foundation to work with an external consultant to undertake a strategic review of our work. This was followed by the development of a comprehensive future strategy to consolidate and enhance our work to cater for increased demand to meet the evolving needs of people seeking asylum which we hope to implement in the coming year. As Respond and Adapt grantees, we have also benefited immensely from free training opportunities in the areas of wellbeing, anti-racism, fundraising and governance which have all been crucial in our professional and organisational development this year.
Financial review
The net payments for the year were £2,974, including net receipts of £12,636 on unrestricted funds and net payments of £15,610 on restricted funds.
The generosity of our funders has ensured that cash flow has been maintained during the course of the pandemic. Funders have been particularly understanding about the need for the charity to have flexibility in the use of its funds coupled with certainty of income. Many thanks are due to all our donors.
At the time of signing these accounts the charity has been impacted by the global Covid-19 virus. However, the trustees have reassessed the charity’s ability to continue for at least 12 months from the date that the accounts are approved and conclude that no material uncertainties exist that cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
Reserves policy
The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £77,172.
BEACON depends on grants and donations to sustain its activities. We run the risk of closure if funding difficulties were to happen, if there were a temporary shortfall in income, or an unforeseen rise in spending requirements and costs.
The main concerns are to ensure:
-
l that service users (particularly our hosted guests) are supported to move on to other services in a timely and sympathetic manner
-
l an ability to develop new projects and grasp new opportunities should they arise
-
l that staff can continue working to develop another funding stream to continue the work of BEACON
-
l that staff will be provided with redundancy payments where applicable.
The reserves should be built up from the unrestricted income.
The ideal amount of reserves has been set as an amount equivalent to 12 months running costs, as this is deemed an appropriate period of time to achieve the above aims. The annual budget will show the appropriate amount.
The level of reserves is calculated and monitored every 3 months by the Treasurer and the Finance Administrator and presented to the board of trustees.
This policy is reviewed yearly and whenever there are significant changes in staff hours or numbers.
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees on 11/1/2022
Sarah Jemison (Trustee)
5
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 30 September 2021, which are set out on pages 7 to 11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees 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 as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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:
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Rhys North ACA
20/1/2022
West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
6
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Receipts and payments account for the year ended 30 September 2021
| Notes 2021 Unrestricted funds £ Receipts Grants (2) 19,390 Donations - Churches 3,808 Donations - Individuals 7,432 Donations - Other 1,435 Sponsored walk 970 Total receipts 33,035 Payments Staffing costs (3) 8,860 Rent 4,288 Insurance - Office costs (including phone and postage) 480 Publicity and fundraising (including printing) 34 Training 80 Subscriptions 689 Project costs 4,252 IT costs 888 Volunteer expenses 83 Other expenses 63 Governance costs 328 Independent examination 354 Total payments 20,399 12,636 Fund balances brought forward 64,536 Fund balances carried forward (4) 77,172 Net receipts / (payments) |
2021 Restricted funds £ 6,180 400 10,675 - - 17,255 28,731 1,952 1,048 365 - - 60 611 - 98 - - - 32,865 (15,610) 28,777 13,167 |
2021 Total funds £ 25,570 4,208 18,107 1,435 970 50,290 37,591 6,240 1,048 845 34 80 749 4,863 888 181 63 328 354 53,264 (2,974) 93,313 90,339 |
2020 Total funds £ 68,227 2,613 5,899 1,662 - 78,401 36,397 5,965 705 724 373 137 874 3,483 2,235 46 899 - 354 52,192 26,209 67,104 93,313 |
|---|---|---|---|
7
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Statement of assets and liabilities
| as at 30 September 2021 2021 Unrestricted £ Cash funds Cash at bank 67,860 Cash at bank - Bradford CPA 9,212 Cash in hand 100 Total cash funds 77,172 Liabilities Independent examination September 2021 Pension contributions |
2021 Restricted £ 13,167 - - 13,167 |
2021 Total £ 81,027 9,212 100 90,339 £ 390 101 491 |
2020 Total £ 92,543 705 65 93,313 |
|---|---|---|---|
Approval of the accounts
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 11/1/2022
Sarah Jemison (Trustee)
8
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 30 September 2021
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.
No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
Taxation
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
9
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 30 September 2021
| 2 Grants Bradford Metropolitan District Council (BMDC) HMRC Job Retention Scheme Lyndal Tree Foundation Refugee Action The Methodist Church Yorkshire West District Society of the Holy Child Jesus (SHCJ) Joseph Rank Trust Evan Cornish Foundation Sisters of the Cross and Passion Sharegift - Orr Mack Foundation 3 Staff costs and numbers Gross salaries Social security costs Employment allowance Pensions Less: Pension Liability at 30 September 2021 Payroll fees |
2021 Unrestricted funds £ - - 8,000 1,390 10,000 - - - - - 19,390 |
2021 Restricted funds £ 6000 180 - - - - - - - - 6,180 |
2021 Total funds £ 6000 180 8,000 1,390 10,000 - - - - - 25,570 2021 £ 36,491 1,637 (1,637) 495 (101) 707 37,591 |
2020 Total funds £ - 727 8,000 7,000 - 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 2,500 68,227 2020 £ 35,192 1,372 (1,302) 359 - 776 36,397 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The average number employees during the year was 4, being an average of 1.6 full time equivalent (2020: 4.1, 1.6 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.
| Defined contribution pension scheme | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year | 495 | 359 |
10
Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern (BEACON)
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 30 September 2021
| 4 Restricted funds SHCJ Hosting Joseph Rank Trust HMRC Job Retention Scheme McKenzie Friends BMDC Next Steps |
Balance b/f £ 20,000 5,032 3,745 - - - 28,777 |
Incoming £ - 675 - 180 10,400 6,000 17,255 |
Outgoing £ 20,000 2,210 3,745 180 1,131 5,599 32,865 |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - |
Balance c/f £ - 3,497 - - 9,269 401 13,167 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fund name
Purpose of restriction
SHCJ To support the salary costs of the Team Leader and McKenzie Friends project leader. Hosting To host people seeking asylum who are destitute. Joseph Rank Trust For running costs of the charity. HMRC Job Retention Scheme To contribute to furlough staffing costs. McKenzie Friends To provide legal advocacy and support to people seeking asylum. BMDC Next Steps To offer support and assistance to asylum seekers who have been provided with emergency accommodation under the rough sleeper Everyone In programme.
5 Related party transactions
Trustee expenses
No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.
Trustee remuneration and benefits
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
11