ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024
Chair’s Report - Joan Stannard
It has been a really busy and successful year at the Refugee Advice Centre. The classes for English and Maths continue and workshops have been provided by many external businesses and agencies without charge. Thus, a warm safe space is provided alongside information on life in the UK, health issues, fun sessions and a chance to relax, share food and make friends.
There have been many challenges too, especially with finding homes for those with new refugee status. It is difficult in the current housing crisis to find a hostel or any temporary shelter and even then it is often far from schools, friends and sometimes outside Derby. We are working closely with the housing team at Derby City Council in order to resolve some of these issues. Unfortunately, due to the lack of resources in both sectors, people are left helpless and distressed, with single men and women sleeping on the streets as they cannot find a place to stay. We have given out over 100 sleeping bags this year to those forced to sleep outside. This is a difficult and emotional task for volunteers to deal with when working face to face with people.
Derby Refugee Forum and Derby Refugee Advice Centre
May 2023 - June 2024
Without the 40 plus volunteers, we could not provide the service that we do. Our two parttime workers for Derby Refugee Advice Centre, plus the support of the Bosnia Herzegovina Centre enable us to effectively run the Advice Centre and work with external organisations like other front facing voluntary organisations, schools, the health sector and fire services, police, DWP and housing to name but a few.
It is with total and utter sadness that I must report that on 7th August 2024, our former manager and amazing volunteer, Janet, died from terminal cancer. She was much loved and respected for her wit, intelligence, knowledge and unwavering commitment. She was a huge part of our organisation and will be greatly missed by us all on both a personal and professional level.
We have also sadly lost Anne Wigley who volunteered for over ten years with us. She had been frail for some time and died in July. She too was well loved by many here at the Centre.
Thanks to our Derby Refugee Forum members who attend meetings and support our work. We need you to maintain our charitable status. It is a pleasure to work with a group of people who smile, laugh and share upsetting moments and successes so freely and with such resilience, - Thank you to all of you.
Lottery Update
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Lottery Update y
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Our primary source of funding for the past 5 years, has been from the National Lottery Community Fund, and we have a few key areas that we concentrate on to help our communities. This year there has been much activity based around healthcare. The Sexual Health Team run regular drop-in clinics and have provided training for our staff and volunteers. We have worked with the Richmond Fellowship who provided Mental Health workshops, the British Red Cross who taught emergency first aid and the Royal Derby Hospital who requested feedback on their services. Our advice sessions have also been integral to the healthcare work we do, with registering people with a GP or finding a dentist, helping to arrange and understand appointments, paying for travel to get to appointments, to assisting people to the Urgent Care Centre and A&E. We have continued to work with schools and have been delighted to receive both harvest and Christmas donations from them. Derby University ran an information workshop on higher education and Crich school have written letters to our English classes, who in return practiced their letter writing skills to write back. Jasmin house pupils attended a games event and our advice sessions are in regular contact with the New Community Team to get children into schools. This year we have taken two groups to shows at Derby Theatre, held theatre, dancing and puppet workshops in the Centre and supported a student with his theatre studies final project. Our close ties with Maison Foo and their Creative Sanctuary Team remain in place.
Our outdoor planters at the Centre have continued to blossom throughout the year with help from both clients and volunteers, planting them up for the different seasons and with regular watering duties. We’ve visited Wirksworth Community gardens and assisted Derbyshire Wildlife Trust with interpreters and support for their garden project at Laverstoke Court Initial Accommodation Centre.
Our Workshops and activity sessions have been busy Classes and again this year with a total of 58 sessions for 665 Workshops attendees. Outside of the lottery activities we have also had pamper sessions from LUSH, Parties for Eid and Christmas and visits to Derby County to watch football.
Learning English is an important part of the work we do and we run 4 classes most weeks – Beginners English, Improvers English, English Conversation and Practical maths. Over this year we have held 197 classes, nearly 300 hours, for over 175 individuals, attending 1017 times. Thanks go to our Tutors for their hard work
Thank you to all those who support us.
None of the work that we do would be possible without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, so a huge THANKS goes to them. This year 44 volunteers have supported all the work that we do. Without their skills, expertise and enthusiasm, we simply couldn't exist. We’re also grateful to all those groups and individuals who support us with financial, food, household and clothing donations. We really are appreciative to everyone who supports us.
Annual Report 2023/2024
Derby Refugee Forum
During the year June 23 to May 24 the demand on our services has continued to rise with new issues to solve. Over the last 12 months we have seen the Asylum Questionnaire rollout where we have helped apply for time extensions, dealt with the fallout of the Rwanda policy, seen an increase in positive decisions and felt the impact of changes to government procedure.
| Total Advice Sessions 2023/24 | 2124 |
|---|---|
| No. Service Users | 740 |
| Average Sessions Per Day | 21 |
| No. of Service User Nationalities | 55 |
| Total Sessions Since 2002 | 37893 |
Since June 2023 we have held 2124 advice sessions for 740 service users. This is a rise of 688 sessions for 250 more service users, over the previous year, with an increase to an average 21 advice sessions, compared to 14 the previous year. We continue to see more Refugees than Asylum Seekers, with a 77%/23% split. An increase again in Refugee numbers, partially due to the increase in decision making by the Home Office, and partially due to our close work and referral procedures with British Red Cross, who have held 16 outreach sessions in the Centre.
Nearly a third of our advice sessions have been assisting people with housing. With more positive decisions, alongside a national housing crisis, we have seen a huge increase in homelessness this year. Over 150 sessions have been to assist with this problem, including giving out over 100 sleeping bags and emergency blankets. We continue to work closely with Derby City Housing Options, Upbeat Communities Host scheme and Metropolitan Housing, along with the Rough Sleeping team on this matter.
AGE RANGE % OF VISITS seen a huge increase this last year, with 26% of our advice sessions helping people to access universal credit, housing benefit and council tax support. We have been pleased to A0 welcome DWP staff to the Centre this year for 19 outreach sessions to help with this. The majority of our work within the 18% of Refugee Services has been linked to the increase in housing, with 222 appointments 20 ” to support with utility bills, and household support and energy support fund applications.
the numbers of people
fleeing for safety continues, Asylum Seeker Destitution Asylum Seeker Asylum Support 5% 3% and we have seen an increase Asylum Seeker Education in the number of nationalities 1% SS Advice Sessions using our services. We have seen service users from 55 6% — different nationalities. The AsylumAsylum Seeker Immigration Seeker Health —_f . ea)\ wal| Reason for Visit majority come from Sudan 1% Refugee Housing (532), Iran (499), Iraq (393), 31% Refugee Benefits Refugee Education Afghanistan (245) and Kuwait (116), but we have also seen 26% /XS [Fea 2% people from Bangladesh, —_ Refugee Immigration Bolivia, Honduras, India, Refugee Services 6% 18% ‘
Annual Report 2023/2024
Derby Refugee Forum
Brief on finances 2023-2024
| Income 2023–2024 2022/2023 Unrestr. Restr. Total 11250 Grants 0 33288 33288 8932 Donations 7939 0 7939 |
|
|---|---|
| 20182 TOTAL 7939 33288 41227 | |
| Expenditure: 2082 Office Cost 547 1755 2302 5748 Salaries Contrib. 854 16412 17266 0 Rent &Room Hiring 0 1216 1216 924 Interpreting Cost 1022 257 1279 2338 Destitution Cost 384 4148 4523 855 Manag. Vol. cost 0 0 0 0 Equipment Cost 0 0 0 4667 Sundry 1854 8401 10255 |
5748 Salaries Contrib. 854 16412 17266 |
| 16615 TOTAL 4661 32189 36850 | |
| 3567 Year movement -3278 1099 4377 17575 Start of period 13505 7636 21141 0 Transfer between 0 0 0 21141 Carr. Forward 16783 8736 25519 Assets and Liabilities 21141 Bank 25519 300 Cash 500 21441 Total assets 26019 21441 Net Assets 26019 |
Funding from Big Lottery Reaching Communities programme has reached its fifth and final year for this project round, and has covered all of the core costs. This joint project with The Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Community has given stability to the organisation for last 10+ years. It has provided a free place for clients, office space, management, the ability to do further fundraising activities and continuation of the salary for the Project Coordinator post. Other expenditure for this year has been covered through various fundraising activities and from restricted sources. Our reserves have increased on the previous year, with many of our funding applications being successful. With reserves remaining below expenditure, this gives us increased opportunities to apply for funding from external sources. A mixture of grants, donations and the joint project, has resulted in a good balance between finances and services delivered. I wish to thank those volunteers who helped with funding applications and gave talks, and to the many churches, community groups and individual donors who’ve supported us - it is much appreciated. Ferid Kevric, Treasurer
Expenditure
The expenditure for this financial year reflects the activities of Derby Refugee Forum and Derby Refugee Advice Centre. The main expenditure was linked to contributions towards staff salaries, volunteer travel and interpreting costs, destitution, food, travel and emergency food. The rest of the expenditure includes volunteer costs and stationary. Office space, a proportion of salaries, insurances and room for activities is all covered through the joint funding bid
with Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Community Association. Over the past 2 years, due to HSBC banking regulations, there has been an additional cost of using the bank and paying by cheque. In response, we have opened online banking as per the policy adopted by Management Committee and have new signatories on our account. A breakdown of expenditure can be seen above.
Income
Unrestricted funding came from variety of sources inc. donations from churches, event collections, volunteer talks and individual donations. Donations received by direct transfer to the Charity account have increased to 93 this year, ranging from £10 to £900. Thanks go to all and particularly those who make monthly donations directly. We have been successful obtaining funding from Warm Welcome £7000, Hilden Charitable Trust £5300, YAPP Charitable Trust £3000, Severn Trent Water £10000 and Community Matters £7988. As our work increases, the funding focus for the following year must be on raising finances through a variety of sources.
Derby Refugee Forum and Derby Refugee Advice Centre 99 Curzon Street, Derby, DE1 1LN 01332 347497 drac2@hotmail.co.uk ww.derbyrefugeeforum.org Charity Number 1121582
D E R B Y R E F U G E E F O R U M
Statement of Financial Activity for year 2023/2024 - on 31st May 2024
| No restricted | No restricted | Warm | Hilden Chrt. | YAAP Chrt. | Household | Allen Lane | Severn | Community | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRF | Welcome | Trust | Trust | Support | Foundation | Trent | Matters | Funds | ||
| £ | R E C E I P T S | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| 6250.00 | Warm Welcome-Community | 0.00 | 7000.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 7000.00 |
| 0.00 | Hilden Charitable Trust | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5300.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5300.00 |
| 0.00 | Yapp - Charitable Trust-NN R | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3000.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3000.00 |
| 0.00 | Allen Lane Foundation | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 5000.00 | Household Support Fund | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 8932.01 | Donations + Fundraising | 7939.35 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 7939.35 |
| 0.00 | Severn Trent Water Fund | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 10000.00 | 0.00 | 10000.00 |
| 0.00 | Community Matters Fund | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 7988.00 | 7988.00 |
| 20182.01 | Total receipts | 7939.35 | 7000.00 | 5300.00 | 3000.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 10000.00 | 7988.00 | 41227.35 |
| DIRECT CHARITABLE | EXPENDITURE | |||||||||
| 494.66 | Phone & Fax cost | 523.71 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 523.71 |
| 680.12 | Travel for volunteers | 508.00 | 0.00 | 65.01 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 573.01 |
| 1477.10 | Stationary-Publicity | 0.00 | 1739.49 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1739.49 |
| 0.00 | Rent and Room Hiring | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1216.00 | 1216.00 |
| 110.68 | Stamps & Postage | 23.79 | 0.00 | 15.34 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 39.13 |
| 5748.45 | Salaries Cost + NIC | 853.13 | 0.00 | 4685.65 | 2743.39 | 382.45 | 0.00 | 6758.88 | 1872.00 | 17295.50 |
| 0.00 | Training cost | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 191.86 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 191.86 |
| 924.00 | Interpreting cost - travel | 323.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 323.50 |
| 528.50 | Emergency Food/Cost | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 34.14 | 0.00 | 34.14 |
| 1353.67 | Food and hot drinks Asylum Se | 7.35 | 4083.82 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4091.17 |
| 455.65 | All Travel related destitute Asy | 377.15 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 377.15 |
| 0.00 | Management Cost | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 175.11 | Volunteers refreshments | 190.54 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 190.54 |
| 0.00 | Equipment different for Office | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 4667.39 | Misleaneous & Sundries | 1853.99 | 2865.98 | 0.00 | 64.75 | 504.30 | 0.00 | 65.66 | 4900.00 | 10254.68 |
| **16615.33 ** | Total Expenditure | 4661.16 | 8689.29 | 4766.00 | 3000.00 | 886.75 | 0.00 | 6858.68 | 7988.00 | 36849.88 |
| 3566.68 | Movement of fund Surplus/(De | 3278.19 | -1689.29 | 534.00 | 0.00 | -886.75 | 0.00 | 3141.32 | 0.00 | 4377.47 |
| 17574.51 | Fund balance brought forward- | 13505.22 | 2,767.17 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4868.80 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 21141.19 |
| **21141.19 ** | Fund balance carried-end | 16783.41 | 1077.88 | 534.00 | 0.00 | 3982.05 | 0.00 | 3141.32 | 0.00 | 25518.66 |
Balance Sheet for year 2022/2023 - ending on 31st May 2024
£
£ Fixed Assets £ £ 0.00 Equipment (at cost) 0.00 less depreciation 0.00
0.00
Current Assets
| 21,141.19 | Balance at Bank | 25518.66 |
|---|---|---|
| 300.00 | Petty Cash | 500.00 |
| **21441.19 ** | Total Asset Value | 26018.66 |
| 0.00 | Liabilities | 0.00 |
| 0.00 | Creditors | 0.00 |
| **21441.19 ** | Total Net Assets | 26018.66 |
| AVAILABLE FUND - FINANCE (to Next Year + Petty Cash) | ||
| 7,635.97 | Restricted Funds | 8735.25 |
| 13,805.22 | Unrestricted Funds | 16783.41 |
| 21441.19 | 25518.66 |
| SOURCES OF INCOME | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Funds | Income | Brought | Total | Expend. | Balance |
| Hillden Charitaable Trust | 5300.00 | 0.00 | 5300.00 | 4766.00 | 534.00 |
| Warm Welcome - Communit | 7000.00 | 2767.17 | 9767.17 | 8689.29 | 1077.88 |
| YAAP Charitable Trust | 3000.00 | 0.00 | 3000.00 | 3000.00 | 0.00 |
| Allen Lane Foundation | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Household Support Fund | 0.00 | 4868.80 | 4868.80 | 886.75 | 3982.05 |
| Severn Trent Water | 10000.00 | 0.00 | 10000.00 | 6858.68 | 3141.32 |
| Community Matters fund | 7988.00 | 0.00 | 7988.00 | 7988.00 | 0.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | 33288.00 | 7635.97 | 40923.97 | 32188.72 | 8735.25 |
| No Restricted Funds | |||||
| DRAC fundrasing | 7939.35 | 13505.22 | 21444.57 | 4661.16 | 16783.41 |
| Petty Cash | 200.00 | 300.00 | 500.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | 8139.35 | 13805.22 | 21944.57 | 4661.16 | 17283.41 |
| T O T A L | 41427.35 | 21441.19 | 62868.54 | 36849.88 | 26018.66 |
Signed by: On 10th June 2024
Ferid Kevric, Treasurer
Joan Stannard, Chair person
DERBY REFUGEE FORUM
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
31 MAY 2024
Charity Registration Number 1121582
Bi)
DERBY REFUGEE FORUM
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report | 1 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 2 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 3 |
| NotestotheAccounts | 4-5 |
i)
DERBY REFUGEE FORUM
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Derby Refugee Forum
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 May 2024 which are set out on pages 2 to 3.
Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner
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”).
| report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, | have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
| have completed my examination. 1 confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
AA. pleat ey
Mark Newey ACMA Derby Community Accountancy Service Babington Lodge 128 Green Lane Derby DEI 1RY
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Date
3
DERBY REFUGEE FORUM
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024
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|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2023|2024|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|
|Total|Funds|Funds|Total|
|£|£|£|£|
|Charitable|Income|
|[1250|Grants|nate|||0|33288|33288|
|8932|Donations|7939|0|__7939|
|20182|7939|33288|41227|
|Charitable|Expenditure|
|529|Emergency|Food|- COVID|19|0|34|44|
|1477|Office|stationery,|publicity|0)|1739|1739|
|111|Stamps|and|Postage|24|15|49|
|0|Rent|and|Room|Hire|0|1216|1216|
|0|Equipment|0|0)|0|
|495|Telephone &|Associated|Casts|524|0|524|
|5748|Salaries|&|Associated|Costs|833|16442|17296|
|0|Training|cost|0|192|192|
|680|Volunteer|Travel|Costs|508|65|573|
|924|Volunteer|Travel|-|Interpreter|324|0|324|
|175|Refreshments|19]|0|19]|
|1354|Food|Costs|-|Destitute|Asylum|Seekers|7|4084|4091|
|456|Travel|Costs|-|Destitute|Asylum|Seekers|377|0|377|
|4667|Sundry|nete3|1854|8401|10253_|
|16615|4661|32189|36850)|
|3567|Movement|of funds|for|the|year|3278|1099|4377|
|17875|Fund|balance|at|start|of period|13805|7636|21441|
|0|Transfer|between|funds|0|0|0|
|21441|Fund|balance at|end|of period|17083|S735|25819|
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3
DERBY REFUGEE FORUM
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 MAY 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
2023 2024
£ £
Current Assets
21141 Bank 244519
300 Cash 300
21441 Total assets 25819
less liabilities
i] Creditors 0
2144] Net Assets 25819
A Slew end 3) 09 |r
Chair Date
@ fi) , 23-09-2024
Test —/ Date
l/ |
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3
DERBY REFUGEE FORUM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
Note |
Grants and donations consisted of:-
| Grants and donations consisted of:- | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Hilton Charitable Trust | 0 | 5300 | 5300 | 0 |
| Warm Welcome - Community Action | Q | 7000 | 7000 | i) |
| YAAP Charitable Trust | i | 3000 | 3000 | i) |
| Severn TrentCommunity Fund | 0 | 10000 | 10000 | i) |
| Community Matters fund | 0 | TORR | FORR | 0 |
| Derby City Council | 0 | 0) | iH | 5000 |
| Community Action Derby | 0 | ) | 0 | 6250 |
| 0 | 33285 | 33288 | 11250 |
Note 2 Restricted Funds
| Transfer | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | Between | Closing | |||
| Balance | Income | Expenditure | Funds | Balance | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Household Support | 4869 | i) | Ba7 | 0 | 3982 |
| Warm Welcome | 2767 | 7000 | 8689 | 0 | 1078 |
| Hilton Charitable Trust | 0 | 5300 | 4766 | 0 | 534 |
| YAAP Charitable Trust | Q | 3000 | 3000 | 0 | 0 |
| Severn Trent Community Fund | 0 | 10000 | 6859 | i] | 314] |
| Community Matters fund | 0 | TORR | FORE | 0 | 0 |
| 7636 | 33288 | 32189 | iH | $735 |
The Household Support funding provided through Derby City Council was to help buy household goods for asylum seekers.
The Warm Welcome funding, provided through Community Action Derby and was
to provide a warm, welcoming space to the community,
Hilton Charitable Trust was to fund the salary of the project manager within Derby Refugee
Forum project for one year.
Y AAP Charitable Trust money was to partly fund the salary of the Project Manager and small
sundry costs,
Severn Trent Community Fund was to fund the Administration support office within the
Refugee Forum
Community Matters fund - Funding through the National Grid for warm pack and part of salaries for staff at Derby Refugee Forum
Br)
DERBY REFUGEE FORUM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
Note3 Sundry
| Note33 Sundry |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Warn Welcome project casts | 2866 | 1984 |
| YAAP Charitable Trust Project costs | 65 | fi} |
| Severn Trent Water project costs | it | iy |
| Community Matters fund project costs | 4000 | 0 |
| Household Support project costs | 504 | i} |
| Other costs | 1834 | 2684 |
| 10255 | 4667 |
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