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← Islington Centre For Refugees And Migrants

2025-08-31-accounts

Annual Report 2024-2025

Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants

Table of Contents

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Table of Contents
Message from our CEO
01
Message from our Board Chair
02
Message from a Trustee
03
About Us
04
What We Do
05
Community Story
06
Our Year in Numbers
07
Our Community
09
Outcomes
11
Community Quotes
13
Samira’s Story
14
Organisational Developments
15
Community Member Highlight
16
Partnerships
17
Funding Overview
18
Community Partnerships
20
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements
21

Message from our CEO

Over the last year, despite increasing hostility towards migrants, we have seen many positive outcomes for our community members, including people gaining refugee status, finding safe accommodation, and in some cases, moving on to work or college.

We operate on a very tight budget and funding is always a challenge, but this year the funding environment has taken a turn that is adversely affecting the whole sector. In response to this we ran an urgent appeal between February and August. The success of the appeal enabled us to complete the year as planned – thank you to everyone who supported us!

In the face of these challenges I am proud that the Centre remains a place where people know they are welcome and can grow in confidence, dignity and strength. These challenges have brought us closer together as a community and helped us all to better understand the experiences of the people we work with.

For me, one of the highlights of the year was seeing the great collaborative work for and by our community members. From delivering sessions to serving on the trustee board, from volunteering on the ground to contributing to funding bids, our co-production work has propelled us forward and was key in preparing our ambitious new strategy for 2025-28.

We remain deeply grateful to our wonderful patron, Juliet Stevenson CBE, whose dedication and steadfast support have uplifted our community for many years.

The success of the year – which can be seen throughout the pages of this report – was made possible because of the contributions of our community, and the commitment of our incredible staff team.

ANDY RUIZ PALMA

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Message from our Board Chair

Reflecting back on the past year, we take pride in the Centre’s ability to lean in to the changing environment and to be resilient. This pride is strengthened by being a chosen partner in Islington Council’s Borough of Sanctuary Programme. We thank our supporters, longstanding and new, who are standing with us and the community of welcome we have built over nearly 30 years.

Looking ahead we have solid foundations in our new 3-year strategy and the talented and dedicated team of staff and volunteers. We know the continuing funding downturn across the charity sector creates uncertainty and this remains a top concern for our Board as we look at the impact this may have on our services and how we can strengthen our funding. For our community members, who are at the heart of all our work, hostility outside the friendship of the Centre and increasingly restrictive asylum policies means living day-to-day is fraught with uncertainties.

Through all this, we are there for them.

We continue our vital work with hope and confidence – we know what we do works and we know every day why it matters.

VICTORIA RAE

[Board Chair Victoria Rae pictured left with English student pictured right]

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Message from a Trustee

When I first came to the UK, the support I received from the Islington Centre was invaluable. It helped me improve my English, better understand the culture, connect with others in similar situations, access clothing for my children, and build meaningful friendships. These services made a significant difference in my life and in my ability to settle here.

; ! Having once been in the position of those we ’ support, I understand the challenges that newcomers face and the importance of Nae ets having a place to turn to. Now, as a Trustee, I sag GN am committed to ensuring that the Centre a continues to offer support to all who need it.

Angelina Durgaj Trustee

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About Us

Mission

To offer people the emotional support, practical tools and sense of community they need to build a happy life in the UK.

Vision

We envisage a world where refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are integrated fully into their new communities with equal access to opportunities to progress their lives and fulfil their potential.

Values

04 Respect and dignity for all

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What We Do

Classes and Activities

Our comprehensive offering of classes and therapeutic activities includes English, art and writing, yoga, gym, exercise, dance, choir, and sports discussion group. Classes are aimed at increasing language proficiency and building a sense of community. Last year we offered 1,260 classes both online and in-person.

Support Service

The Support Service provides expert advice and one-to-one casework to overcome the barriers people often face. Last year we provided 2,214 appointments supporting 75 people with housing, 81 people to see a solicitor and get the legal support they needed to advance their asylum case, 23 people to apply for college and so much more.

Centre Days

Every week, our Centre Days operate as a community hub with a space for migrants to come together, join engaging sessions, access advice, meet others, take items from the ‘free shop’, enjoy a shared meal, and feel at home. Last year we offered 115 Centre Days from three sites in Islington, with over 2,700 attendances in total.

Support Packages

Through our Support Package financial hardship grants scheme, asylum seekers avoid hunger, have the means to buy essentials and can live with dignity. We are proud that last year we distributed 2,400+ . Support Package grants to 92 people seeking asylum

Digital Inclusion

Online access is vital to securing resources, attending online classes, and pursuing education. Last year we distributed 91 smartphones and laptops and empowered our community to feel confident online through 1-1 digital support sessions.

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Community Story

Since joining Islington Centre three years ago, Grace [not her real name] has seen her housing situation improved, built valuable friendships and studied hard to improve her English skills. She shared:

“My situation, it is so hard. At the Centre, I get to meet people . I get to exercise. I have been coming to the Centre every week. I do English classes, art, choir, dancing, and I especially love doing gym and yoga online.

The Islington Centre will find a way to help you. If you feel lonely, bad, or insecure, then this is a good place to be. They helped me when I had nowhere to stay —finding me a host and getting me off the streets.

I have studied very well and am attending college. I now have good references and I am going to the next level . Once I get my status, I want to work and give back. I want to be an inspirational person for others. Everything we do here is training for our new life.

I want to say to the donors of the Centre that they are amazing. You are sowing positive seeds. You are doing a good job. Thank you!”

Grace is continuing to build her new life in the UK and the Centre will be here as a place of support for as long as she needs us.

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Our Year in Numbers

609

576

115

2,214

English Arts + Fitness In-Person Support Service Classes Classes Centre Days Appointments

2,425

1,800

12

91

Support HomeEducational Laptops Packages cooked + Cultural + Phones Disbursed Meals Served Trips Distributed

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“Here I can get clothes, food, and toiletries. I can find housing and services. If not for them, I might not know about services and ways to get help. I have achieved a lot. I am more connected here. At Islington Centre I feel at home.” - Simone*

Our Community

Our approach is not institutional, but compassionate and human. We have been in London for 28 years and have built many long-standing relationships with our 219 community members who originate from more than 40 countries.

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Gender Destitution
Male
32%
Non-Destitute
Female Nonbinary
60%
67% 1%
government support
20
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----- Start of picture text -----
Destitute
40%
Non-Destitute
60%
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*People who are not legally allowed to work or access government support

Top 5 Boroughs

Country of Origin

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----- Start of picture text -----
15%
Sudan
Ethiopia
2% 2% 3% Iran
4%
Angola
4%
Eritrea
10% Other 6%
35%
Nigeria
10%
5%
0%
IslingtonHaringeyHackneyBarnetNewham Democratic Republic
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----- Start of picture text -----
Democratic Republic
of the Congo
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36%

“I feel good when I come to the Islington Centre. I am happy to learn. It has helped with my depression. I am happier.” - Faith*

“With the Islington Centre I am feeling more confident. My English has been improved. Here I feel safe, happy, and at home. “ - Hassan*

Outcomes

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Across the year our community of 219 people achieved many positive outcomes in their lives through their own hard work and the advocacy, referrals and casework of our Support Service. Our Support Service offers advice on a wide range of issues, including healthcare, education and housing and is registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA – formerly OISC) to provide advice at Level 1 (Asylum and Protection). Last year the issues people overcame included:

81 people accessed legal support

75 people avoided street sleeping and had safe housing

71 48 people people saw a negotiated the doctor or dentist asylum system to get healthcare

27 people accessed food banks

26 24 23 people accessed people accessed people applied to welfare / benefits new parent further their support education

18 14 people created people gained CVs and sought permission to stay employment in the UK

“If you bring any problem here, they will help you.” - Alan

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Outcomes

We are committed to ensuring that our services remain responsive, relevant, and impactful. We collect feedback from our community through regular co-creation sessions both in person and online. Twice a year, we run a co-created survey which goes to new starters in February and to the whole community in July. This ongoing dialogue helps us continually refine our approach. Below are the results from our allcommunity survey about Islington Centre’s impact over the last 12 months:

Less Isolated + More Part of Community 93% ~~ee~~ | Less Stressed ~~a~~ 91%

English Improved

96%

Access to Food, Clothes + Essentials Improved

95%

More Confident

More Confident Using Computers + Internet

96%

Physical Wellbeing Improved

100%

95%

Community Quotes

“I always feel great and happy at Islington Centre. I can’t feel loneliness or depressed again. I have very lovely people around me. They are always encouraging me to work hard to move forward. It is very good for me.”

“Attending English lessons greatly contributes to my positivity and boosts my confidence.”

“The Islington Centre is where I can learn English, have many activities, like going on a trip to learn not only English, but also history and culture. I can get support, which makes my life easier and comfortable, not stressed, to more actively live.”

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“The Islington Centre has been my companion. They have arranged for whatever my baby needs and baby clothes. They give us what we need. I love this Centre.”

“The Islington Centre will find a way to help you. If you feel lonely, bad, or insecure then this is a good place to be. They are helping if you don’t have a place to stay. They helped me with hosts and got me off the streets and helped me find a home.”

“I like to come to see friends, meet new people, take part in choir and dance with people I can relate to. I also like doing art, playing bingo at the Tea Cosy club and having lunch.”

*Feedback provided anonymously by community members during our latest surveys.

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Samira’s Story

When Samira [not her real name] first came to Islington Centre in 2023, she was living in an asylum hotel, struggling with poor mental health, and awaiting a decision on her asylum claim. She dreamed of going to college but needed support to take those first steps. At Islington Centre, she joined our higher-level English classes and met regularly with the Support Service, beginning to build confidence and a sense of community.

In October 2024, Samira’s asylum claim was refused. Within weeks she lost her financial support and accommodation, a devastating blow that left her facing homelessness and suicidal thoughts. She felt deeply hopeless. Islington Centre acted immediately, offering emotional support and referring her to The Listening Place, where she accessed professional mental health care. We also helped her secure emergency accommodation ensuring she wasn’t left on the streets.

During this time, Samira discovered she was pregnant, and the constant moving daily from place to place began affecting her health. We successfully advocated for a safe night shelter, allowing her to rest and store her belongings, though she still had to leave during the day.

Samira found a solicitor to prepare a fresh asylum claim. We supported this process by liaising with her solicitor and covering travel costs for her to lodge her asylum claim inperson in Cardiff. We also helped her apply for Section 4 support for refused asylum seekers, which was granted. When bureaucratic delays left her without accommodation, we intervened to secure a place in London, protecting her links to her support network. When the housing provider proposed relocating her outside London, we advocated for her to remain near her support network. She was eventually moved to suitable selfcatering accommodation in South London.

We celebrated with Samira when she was granted discretionary leave to remain and we continued to stand alongside her as she transitioned to this new stage in life. We supported her in claiming Universal Credit and with other practical issues. During her pregnancy, we referred her to baby-focused organisations and sourced a car seat, essential for leaving the hospital. Her baby was born in August 2025.

Samira sought long-term housing for herself and her baby, with Islington Centre supporting her with a housing application to her local council. When she was given an unsuitable place to live, Islington Centre brought in a housing solicitor. After the many challenges and barriers, Samira is now in a lovely flat, watching her baby grow, and looking forward to their future together in the UK.

Islington Centre will continue to support Samira for as long as she needs. Her journey reflects Islington Centre’s commitment to walking with individuals through every challenge, providing practical help, advocacy, and care.

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Organisational Developments

Strategy

Our three year strategy came to an end in 2025 and we are proud that, led by our Board, we delivered on key goals. Highlights included strengthening our organisational structure, growing our fundraising capacity, expanding our in person English language provision and forging new partnerships. In the autumn of 2025, our Board launched our new three year strategic plan to shape the Centre’s future direction.

Co-Creation

For 28 years, our work has been shaped by what our community tells us they need. Since September 2024, we’ve partnered with Expert Link through a grant with the Lloyds Bank Foundation to embed co-creation across Islington Centre, from community-led sessions and volunteering to co-designed surveys and feedback forums. We are establishing a community advisory panel to further elevate lived experience in our decision making.

Income Diversification

Over the last year, in the face of a difficult economic climate, Islington Centre has put in place measures to diversify our income so we are more resilient in where our funding comes from. Over the last year, we worked with a consultant through Lloyds Bank Foundation on a fundraising strategy and expanded capacity in our fundraising team.

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Community Member Highlight

Gladys

Gladys first came to the Centre for help with legal advice, and we celebrated with her last year when she was granted leave to remain in the UK.

One year on, her life has transformed. She’s already thinking about how she can give back to others starting out on the same journey. She shared with us:

“I like the Centre. They are helping me a lot, a lot, a lot. Now I have my own place and I started my first job in the UK. Everything is opening for me now. The Centre is good.

For the future I am thinking to do a lot of things. I am thinking about helping people - people like me when I first came here. I want to give back. Now I know things and I want to give back to my community. When we come to the Centre we meet people and are a big family.

To donors of the Centre I need to say thank you so much. Not just from me. There are many people here you are supporting to get housing, to get food, to make friends. God’s blessings to you."

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Partnerships

Speak Street

We partner with Speak Street, which provides fun, high-quality English classes. Speak Street leads an online English class for our community each week with 39 sessions across the year as well as monthly field trips to art galleries with 12 art trips last year.

NHS CLASH

NHS Central London Action on Sexual Health (CLASH) provides free and confidential sexual health advice sessions to our community with 15 sessions across the year.

Bloody Good Period

We partnered with Bloody Good Period, working together to ensure dignity through accessibility of period products to people in our community. Last year we distributed 125 orders directly to people’s homes, including 5,500 individual items.

Screen Share UK

Screen Share UK works to ensure every refugee in the UK has access to a connected digital device and the skills to use it to achieve their goals. Screen Share UK led 63 digital support sessions across the year and distributed 14 laptops to our community.

Thank you to the 110 volunteers who generously gave their time and talents to make this work possible!

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Funding Overview

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----- Start of picture text -----
Our income of £529,069 came from:
Corporate Partnerships
8%
Trusts and Foundations Community Partners
69% 6%
Individuals
17%
In 2024-25 we continued to grow our services with the addition of more
68.7%
8.1%
Trusts and Foundations
Community Partners
17.2%
Individuals
----- End of picture text -----

In 2024-25 we continued to grow our services with the addition of more activities and new partnerships. Reflecting this development, our expenditure increased from £505,227 in 2023-24 to £529,572 in 2024-25. Our fundraising continued to be strong through the year, with a significant grant secured from the Islington Council Borough of Sanctuary and excellent ongoing relationships with long-term funding partners, including Cloudesley, City Bridge Foundation and others.

As the year progressed, we started to feel the effects of a sector-wide downturn in grant giving. In February 2025, we launched an Urgent Fundraising Campaign for the remaining 6 months of the year to address an anticipated £90,000 shortfall in our budget. We are proud to report that by the end of August the campaign exceeded expectations, raising over £96,000 . The Campaign included appeals to existing donors, holding events at our Centre, taking part in the Big Give and linking with local organisations and businesses which fundraised on our behalf. We are proud that in such a tough economic climate, we achieved an almost balanced budget, spending just £503 of our opening reserves.

Looking ahead, we’re approaching 2025-26 with caution. The fundraising landscape remains uncertain. We’re managing our expenditure carefully and putting in place measures to strengthen our position, including continuing to focus on diversifying our income so we are more resilient in the current challenging fundraising environment.

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Funders

We rely entirely on the kindness and generosity of our supporters. Listed here are the trusts, foundations and companies which made our work possible in 2024-25. There are also many individuals who make our work possible. A huge thank you to each and every supporter!

Funders

Albert Hunt Memorial Trust Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust City Bridge Foundation Charles S French Charitable Trust Cloudesley Co-op Local Community Fund Cripplegate Foundation Diana Parker Charitable Trust French Huguenot Church of London Charitable Trust Garfield Weston Foundation Hillcote Trust Islington Council Borough of Sanctuary Islington Council VCS Leigh Trust Lloyds Bank Foundation

London Churches Refugee Fund M and H Maunsell Charitable Trust Mbili Charitable Trust Mercers' Company National Lottery Awards for All PALCA Stevenson Giving CIO Reel Fund via The London Community Foundation Society of Holy Child Jesus Souter Charitable Trust Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation Swan Mountain Trust The Blue Thread The Porta Pia 2012 Foundation Victoria Wood Foundation Wates Family Enterprise Trust Westminster Abbey

Thursday English Class launched in 2024 and funded by Islington Borough of Sanctuary along with other generous funders

P A G E 1 9

Community Partnerships

Heartfelt thanks to our community partners including:

Angel Comedy Nisaba Arachne Women's Support Peel Institute Arcola Theatre Pram Depot Bloody Good Period Protein Dance British Museum Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration Christ Church Highbury Routes Church on the Corner Samya Studios Cross Street Baptist Church Screen Share UK Culpepper Community Garden Soho Swim ETC (Education Training Citizenship) Songworks Choir Expert Link Speak Street Fund for Human Needs Squire Patton Boggs Houghton University Steve Hatt Islington Library South St Andrew’s Church King's College London St Mary's Islington Lawyers Against Poverty The Coffee Bean London College of Communication The Funding Network London School of Economics The Good Things Foundation London St Pauli Fan Club Time to Walk that Talk Lucky Generals Toiletries Amnesty Migrateful Trampoline Cafe National Energy Action (NEA) University College London NHS Central London Action on Sexual Whittington Health (NHS) Health (CLASH) World Harmony Orchestra

We are grateful to our many incredible referral partners including:

C4WS Winter Night Shelter Freedom From Torture Hackney Night Shelter Helen Bamber Foundation Mace Housing Cooperative Manna Society Refugees at Home Room for Refugees Room to Heal Shelter from the Storm The Bike Project

Nisaba yoga session for our community at Samya Studios

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Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024-25

Table of Contents:

Reference and Administrative Details 22
Trustees’ Annual Report 23
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants 29
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 30
Balance Sheet at 31 August 2025 31
Notes to the Financial Statements 32

PAGE 21

Reference and Administrative Details

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER:

07076199

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1135205

TRUSTEES:

Victoria Rae (Chair) Charlotte Lilley (Secretary) Imran Malik (Treasurer) Gabrielle Samuels Ghadeer Al-Seragi Gjelina Durgaj Kathy Margerison Margaret Lally Syed Zahid

REGISTERED OFFICE:

PRIMARY BANKERS:

Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants Cross Street Baptist Church 16-18 Cross Street London N1 2BG islingtoncentre@gmail.com www.islingtoncentre.co.uk The Co-operative Bank PO Box 250, Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: Mr J P Foxwell FCCA FCIE independent-examiner.net 12 Hillbourne Road Poole BH17 7JB

PAGE 22

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

The Trustees of the charity for the purposes of UK Charity Law are also the directors of the company for the purposes of UK Company Law. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the overall management and governance of the charity, ensuring it operates in line with its stated purpose, complies with relevant laws, and manages its resources responsibly by making strategic decisions that prioritise the best interests of the beneficiaries, all while acting with reasonable care and skill. The Trustees delegate day-to-day management to the CEO and the leadership team.

The Trustees of Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants (“the Charitable Company” or “Centre”) for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their report and the financial statements for the year ending 31 August 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the governing document, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (“SORP”) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

STATUS: The Charitable Company, Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants is:

The Articles of Association is the governing document of the Charitable Company. The limit of the members’ guarantee is £10. No provision for taxation has been made on the basis that the Charitable Company is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY : The principal activity of the Charitable Company in the year under review was Education - Adult and other education.

CHARITABLE PURPOSES: The Objects as described in the Articles of Association read as follows:

  1. To advance education and relieve financial hardship amongst those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status by the provision of advice, training and support.

  2. To advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum.

  3. To advance the Christian religion by living out our love for neighbour and bringing the stranger of any or no faith into our community.

All work of the Charitable Company has been dedicated to the furtherance of these purposes.

BANK ACCOUNTS

The Centre’s main bank account is with the Cooperative Bank. The Centre has a savings deposit account with Triodos Bank UK and no further bank accounts were opened throughout the year. The Centre has an account with PayPal in order to receive online donations. Donations are also received via Charities Aid Foundation, Donorfy and Just Giving donations platforms.

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

PUBLIC BENEFIT

Trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit - SORP reference 1.18.

Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants is committed to its charitable purposes in all its activities. The principal activities, in line with the Charity Commission’s public benefit description are:

On completing activities at the Centre many of our Clients progress onto their next steps which include further education courses in their chosen subject area, volunteer roles in the community or to paid employment positions. Asylum seekers who are prohibited from working are welcomed to continue attending the Centre while they await the outcome of their asylum application.

The Centre has a comprehensive website and internet profile in order to present its work and the wider impact of its activities and services on refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. It shines a light on the struggles of its service users in order to educate the public on the issues faced by its Clients.

Volunteering is a critical element in the development of a strong community and it is this which mutually benefits the wider community and the Centre. At any given time there are around 40 volunteers contributing to the work of the Centre undertaking activities as varied as preparing food, supporting Clients with their everyday or more complex problems, facilitating arts and craft groups and furthering their experiences of British life through our enrichment programme.

We welcome people who have been displaced from their countries of origin, wherever they have come from, whatever has happened in their lives and regardless of any or no faith. The refugees and migrants who come to us have been through extremely difficult times. Leaving your country because of war, persecution or incarceration takes real grit, determination and courage. But for many, arriving in London is just the beginning of a long journey towards settled status and a decent quality of life.

At Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants, we welcome people, talk with them, listen to what they need and respond to that. Whether someone tells us they need English lessons, advice on housing, accessing healthcare, applying to college or any of the many challenges of being a migrant in London – we are here for our Clients.

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE

We work to ensure positive, sustainable change for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.

Our Centre is a place where:

We support our Clients to:

We do this through providing the following services and activities:

PAGE 25

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

TRUSTEES

The trustees (who also act as directors for Companies Act purposes) who served during the year 2024-25 are as follows:

2024-25 are as follows:
Appointment Start Appointment End
Victoria Rae (Chair) 17/01/22 Continuing
Teresa Dodgson (Secretary) 21/06/12 05/06/2025
Imran Malik (Treasurer) 15/05/23 Continuing
Gladys Jusu-Sheriff 21/06/12 30/01/2026
Kathy Margerison 14/03/22 Continuing
Francis Bowondo 13/03/23 05/08/2025
Gabrielle Samuels 15/05/23 Continuing
Charlotte Lilley 15/05/23 Continuing
Ghadeer Al-Seragi 10/07/23 Continuing
Gjelina Durgaj 22/09/25 Continuing
Margaret Lally 22/09/25 Continuing
Syed Zahid 22/09/25 Continuing

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of the Charitable Company’s affairs and of the surplus or deficit for the year.

In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for:

The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. They include:

PAGE 26

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Trustees have developed and work closely with an active risk register in order to manage any issues and to minimise disruption in the event of a realised risk.

The Centre has insurance policies as follows:

The Centre has in place the following policies:

Safeguarding Policy suite for vulnerable adults and children that it works with

Health and Safety Policy

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Privacy and Data Protection Policy

Finance Policy and Procedure (including delegation of authority matrix)

Reserves Policy

Investment Policy

Pay and Reward Policy

Grievance/Disciplinary Procedure

Complaints Procedure

Incident Reporting Procedure

Business Continuity Plan

The Trustees have prepared and agreed to comply to a Trustee Code of Conduct

All Centre Personnel agree to comply with a Centre Code of Conduct as part of our safeguarding commitment to our Clients.

PAGE 27

RESERVES

Reserves Statement:

The net current assets at year end 31 August 2025 of £240,986 (at year end 31 August 2024 £241,489) comprise restricted funds of £68,934 and unrestricted reserves of £172,052 (at year end 31 August 2024 £199,826). The unrestricted reserves represent 3.8 months of the total expenditure budget for year 2025-26 (compared to year end 31 August 2024 of 4.3 months of expenditure budget for 24-25).

Designated Redundancy Fund:

£28,000 has been designated to a redundancy fund giving free undesignated reserves of £144,052. The free reserves element of the current assets represents approximately 3.1 months’ running costs of the expenditure budget for year 2025-26.

Reserves Policy:

The policy is to maintain unrestricted funds of between 3 to 6 months of average operating costs as an Operating Reserve Fund to ensure the sustainability of the Charitable Company and future delivery and development of services.

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 30 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Victoria Rae

Chair of Trustees

PAGE 28

Independent Examiner’s Report To The Trustees Of

Islington Centre For Refugees And Migrants

I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise a Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet and related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s Trustees of the Charitable Company (and also its Directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charitable Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your Charitable Company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the Charitable Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Association of Charity Independent Examiners (ACIE), both of which are listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charitable Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice (“SORP”) for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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.

Mr J P Foxwell FCCA FCIE independent-examiner.net

12 Hillbourne Road Poole BH17 7JB Date: 30 March 2026

PAGE 29

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2025 (including an Income and Expenditure Account)

==> picture [512 x 601] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Notes Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
(Restated -
Note 11)
INCOME
Donations and legacies 240,407 23,000 263,407 143,688
Activities for generating funds 156 - 156 -
Charitable activities 2 41,833 223,311 265,144 355,523
Other income 362 - 362 60
Total income 282,758 246,311 529,069 499,271
EXPENDITURE
Costs of generating income 78,461 14,190 92,651 59,224
Charitable activities 232,072 204,849 436,921 446,003
Total expenditure 3 310,533 219,039 529,572 505,227
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds (27,775) 27,272 (503) (5,956)
Funds brought forward 199,827 41,662 241,489 247,445
Funds carried forward 172,052 68,934 240,986 241,489
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════
----- End of picture text -----

The Statement of Financial Activities reflects the results of continuing activities for the year.

There are no recognised gains and losses other than those shown in the Statement of Financial Activities.

PAGE 30

Balance Sheet at 31 August 2025

Notes 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors and accrued income
5		 - 10,417
Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg
Cash at bank and in hand 243,666 260,905
243,666 271,322
CREDITORS –amounts falling due in
less than one year
6		 (2,680) (29,833)
NET CURRENT ASSETS £240,986 £241,489
FUNDS
General fund 144,052 171,827
Designated fund
7		 28,000 28,000
Total unrestricted funds 172,052 199,827
Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg Encvsesesecoessscenrscevessssensscscessssesssscsnssssssssssonssssssnsssnnsssnssnsassssnsassnsassesesassssasnesssassoenssssnsnoposssacensnsasensesscsessouegiessansesansesasnnsesasesasnnsesassnsassssessopesasassesassucasassesassosasassnsacsssesecsosageceesecassnsacansecsssesesansesassnsesassesasageessssesasnsesassesesausesassesaseeseseceg
Restricted funds
10		 68,934 41,662
Total funds £240,986 £241,489
══════ ══════

The Directors are satisfied that the Charitable Company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the 2006 Act.

The Directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the 2006 Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

Approved by the Trustees on 30 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Victoria Rae Chair of Trustees

PAGE 31

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (“SORP”) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

There have been no changes in accounting policies or application of such policies during the year.

(a) Company status

The Charitable Company is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are those persons included in the register of members and include the Trustees named on page 24.

In the event of the Charitable Company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member.

(b) Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charitable Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

(c) Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charitable Company is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

(d) Pensions

During the financial year ending 31 August 2025 pension provision continued with the employer’s contribution being 8% for all eligible staff. The Centre adheres to the Auto Enrolment Scheme and is compliant with the requirements as set out by the Pensions Regulator.

The Centre's pensions’ service provider is The Pensions Trust.

(e) Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Governance costs, now included within charitable activity costs, are those incurred in connection with administration of the Charitable Company and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

PAGE 32

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

2. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

CAF Keystone Fund
City Bridge Foundation
Cloudesley (Principal Grant Extension)
Cloudesley (Catalyst)
Cloudesley (Welfare)
Cloudesley (Presentation)
Cloudesley (Welfare Uplift)
Crippegate Foundation
Garfield Weston Foundation
Islington Council VCS
Islington Council's Borough of Sanctuary
Lloyds Bank Foundation
Lloyds Bank Foundation (Uplift)
Lloyds Bank Foundation (Specialist Programme)
London Churches Refugee Fund
The Mercers’ Company
National Lottery - Awards for All
National Lottery - Reaching Communities
National Lottery - Community Organisation Cost of Living
Fund
Society of the Holy Child Jesus
Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total 2025
Total 2024
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
35,000
-
45,269
45,269
49,443
-
35,000
35,000
35,000
-
5,000
5,000
4,993
-
15,000
15,000
15,000
-
-
-
150
-
5,000
5,000
5,000
-
1,000
1,000
-
-
-
-
25,000
-
39,583
39,583
20,417
-
25,000
25,000
-
-
-
-
23,000
-
-
-
2,500
20,833
-
20,833
4,167
-
1,900
1,900
1,650
21,000
-
21,000
25,000
-
20,000
20,000
-
-
-
-
30,000
-
-
-
59,215
-
15,000
15,000
-
-
15,559
15,559
19,989
41,833
223,311
265,144
355,523

PAGE 33

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

3. COSTS OF ACTIVITIES IN FURTHERANCE OF THE CHARITABLE OBJECTS

Clients activities
Client hardship payments
Client travel and subsistence
Governance
Running Costs
Salaries and associated on costs
Sessional workers
Staff and volunteer development
Volunteer costs
Fundraising		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds Total 2025
Total 2024
(as
restated)
£
£
£
£
3,922
2,133
6,055
10,707
30,666
41,298
71,964
78,062
3,375
500
3,875
3,594
2,835
1,195
4,030
3,516
34,494
15,442
49,936
33,391
142,219
133,705
275,924
283,444
12,440
8,119
20,559
23,022
1,247
1,305
2,552
8,099
873
1,153
2,026
2,168
78,462
14,189
92,651
59,224
310,533
219,039
529,572
505,227

4. STAFF COSTS

TS
Total Total
2025 2024
£ £
Salaries and wages 315,927 293,815
Social security costs 24,411 23,803
Pension costs 25,477 23,552
───── ─────
£365,815 £341,170
═════ ═════

Staff costs exclude payroll service provider costs.

One employee received employee benefits within £60,000 - £70,000 band during the year (2024: 1). The average monthly headcount was 10 staff (2024: 9 staff).

PAGE 34

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

5. DEBTORS AND ACCRUED INCOME

AND ACCRUED INCOME
Total Total
2025 2024
£ £
Accrued grant income £0 £10,417
═════ ═════
S AND DEFERRED INCOME
Total Total
2025 2024
£ £
Creditors 2,680 2,000
Deferred grant income 0 27,833
───── ─────
£2,680 £29,833
═════ ═════

6. CREDITORS AND DEFERRED INCOME

7. DESIGNATED FUND

The Trustees have designated £28,000 as a contingency against unexpected staff costs. (2024: £28,000).

8. TRUSTEES

No Trustee received any remuneration during the year. No expenses were reimbursed to any Trustee during the year ending 31 August 2025 (2024: nil).

9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Current assets 174,732 68,934 243,666 271,322
Creditors (2,680) - (2,680) (29,833)
───── ───── ───── ─────
£172,052 £68,934 £240,986 £241,489
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

PAGE 35

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

10. RESTRICTED FUNDS

Islington Council VCS
Islington Council Borough of Sanctuary
London Churches Refugee Fund
Cloudesley (Catalyst)
Cloudesley (Welfare)
Cloudesley (Welfare Uplift)
Cloudesley (Principal Grant Extension)
City Bridge Foundation
Cripplegate Foundation
Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation
Reel Fund
Society of the Holy Child Jesus
National Lottery Awards for All
The French Huguenot Church of London
Charitable Trust
Swan Mountain Trust
Victoria Wood Foundation
Garfield Weston Foundation		 Balance b/f
Income
Expenditure
Balance c/f
£
£
£
£
-
39,583
(25,000)
14,583
-
25,000
(6,250)
18,750
-
1,900
(1,900)
-
1,660
5,000
(5,000)
1,660
-
15,000
(15,000)
-
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
2,917
35,000
(35,000)
2,917
10,586
45,269
(42,998)
12,857
-
1,000
(1,000)
-
-
15,559
(15,559)
-
-
10,000
(10,000)
-
-
15,000
(15,000)
-
-
20,000
(3,333)
16,667
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
1,500
3,000
(3,000)
1,500
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
25,000
-
(25,000)
-
41,663
246,311
(219,040)
68,934

11. RESTATEMENT OF COMPARATIVE FIGURES

The expenditure figures for 2024 have been restated on the face of the Statement of Financial Activities to more accurately reflect the payroll costs of the fundraisers as costs of raising funds rather than charitable expenditure. This restatement does not affect total expenditure, split of unrestricted to restricted funds, or the balance sheet totals in any way, but aids comparison from year to year.

PAGE 36

Contact Us

Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants is a registered charity in England and Wales Charity number: 1135205 Company number: 07076199

Email info@islingtoncentre.co.uk

Website islingtoncentre.co.uk

Location

16-18 Cross Street London N1 2BG

Social Media

Facebook: @IslingtonCentre Instagram: @IslingtonCentre