Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023
CONTENTS
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05
Report of the trustees
General information
13
14
Statement of Balance financial activities sheet
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Report of the Independent Examiner
15 Grants and donations
16
Notes forming part of the accounts
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General information
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Name Beyond Detention Registered charity number 1143160 Registered company number 07652500 Registered Office 43 Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2AA
Directors (trustees)
Jivan Dempsey, Sarah Grahame, Eleanor Hitchman, Kristen Hope Burchill, Angela Huddart Catherine Kirk (Vice-Chair), Robina Pelham Burn (Chair), Stella Shyanguya
Independent Examiner Rob Baxter - Retired Life Member, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
Banker HSBC, 12 Allhallows, Bedford, MK40 1LJ
Governance and management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and registered with the Charity Commission. It is operated under the rules of its memorandum and articles of association dated 31st May 2011 as amended on 12th November 2021 and on 12th March 2022. It has no share capital and the liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £10.
Trustees are appointed on the basis of their commitment to the aims of the organisation and their willingness to devote both their time and talents to the cause. All trustees are appointed by a vote at trustees’ meetings and have due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. A governance review took place in 2022-23.
Aims and objectives
The charity’s objectives ("objects") are specifically restricted to the charitable relief of those detained in, and who have left, Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (YWIRC).
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From the Chair
In the past year, asylum seekers and immigration detention have rarely been out of the news. While the newspapers reported on the numbers and the wrangling over the llegal Immigration Bill, we continued to focus on the individuals behind the figures, specifically those detained at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (YWIRC) and those released from Yarl’s Wood and allowed to remain – temporarily or permanently – in the UK.
By offering emotional and practical support as well as referrals to other organisations and charities, we can and do make a difference. Demand for our services has never been higher. We are grateful to our funders, big and small, who are listed in the financial statements at the end of this report; to our growing network of local partners, not least the University of Bedfordshire; to the staff and volunteers who contribute in so many different ways; and to those with personal experience of immigration detention on the board, in the staff team and among our volunteers, whose guidance is invaluable.
ROBINA PELHAM BURN - CHAIR
From the CEO
Like many NGOs the need for our support services during 2022-23 has steadily increased to levels not experienced for many years. I am proud of how our staff and volunteer teams have continued to embrace the challenges of supporting increased numbers of people who have been impacted by immigration detention both at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (YWIRC) and across the UK in the community, post-detention. I am very pleased that as an organisation we have supported over 900 people during 2022-23 as they continue their journey with us wherever that may be.
During this time, we have taken the opportunity to develop our support services further as a response to pressures of financial poverty, digital exclusion and general social isolation affecting our service users. You will be able to read more about our outcomes and impacts later in this report.
I am delighted that as an organisation we took the opportunity to update our Vision, Mission, Values statement and our strategic plan in 2022-23 and we now have three new priorities: ‘Our services’, ‘Our community’ and ‘Our identity’. Again, more information on this can be found later in the report!
As CEO, one of my main priorities is the financial health of the organisation. I am pleased that we have been able to extend our income generation to improve our overall financial stability and I am truly grateful to the existing and new trusts and foundations who have put their faith and funding in us this year and in future years as we look to the ongoing needs of our service users.
I continue to be humbled by those who receive support from our staff and volunteers, and I enjoy being able to join my teams from time to time at our drop-ins in YWIRC. One of our most special activities, our Friendship Group, recently celebrated its second anniversary. In a recent survey of participants, 98 per cent of attendees reported that they felt more connected to a community. That is incredibly powerful in a world that is often dominated by loneliness and isolation.
Our work at YWIRC continues to evolve as we strive to meet the needs of those who are held there. With the generous support of our funders, we have been able to increase our practical support to those who are detained, and we now run drop-in sessions three times a week. I am reassured to know that 87 per cent of those who attended our drop-in sessions in 2022-23 reported a reduction in their feelings of isolation and an improvement in their wellbeing as a result of us being there.
And finally, we couldn’t do what we do without the support of our fabulous volunteers and staff! They are a great team of kind, compassionate people who live our values in all that they do.
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DONNA-LOUISE COBBAN - CEO
Strategic plan 2023-2026
Our vision
Is a time when people who experience immigration detention in the UK have their rights respected
Our mission
Through emotional and practical support, we empower, restore dignity to and improve the wellbeing of people in immigration detention and after their release
Our values
We are compassionate, empowering and inclusive We act with integrity and kindness We are respectful and non-judgmental
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Strategic priorities
Our identity
Communicating clearly what we do and who we are
Our support services
Providing emotional and practical support to improve the wellbeing of people in immigration detention and after their release
Our community
The people we support, our staff and volunteers, our stakeholders
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Outcomes and impacts
We continue to support a range of service users in our in-detention support services at YWIRC and postdetention support services in the community.
We offer support for the duration of their detention, through our weekly drop-in sessions and 1:1 support from a Befriender or our In-detention Coordinator. We also provide a range of practical support such as essential clothing and shoes, monthly phone top-ups, suitcases, and other supplies to support them on their journey when they leave YWIRC.
In our post-detention services, we support people for up to one year after they have left YWIRC, are given immigration bail and await confirmation of their leave to remain and right to work. This support service has developed in response to people’s changing needs. We provide 1:1 support through our Post-detention Coordinator and volunteers. We continue to provide a number of support and informal learning groups through our Activities Coordinator, with new additions this year being introduced and adapted in response to service users’ feedback. The Friendship Group, with its steering committee of people with lived experience of detention, and the online informal learning groups are a source of peer-to-peer support as well as offering information and new skills.
Volunteers and staff
Beyond Detention is proud of the compassion and dedication shown by the volunteers, who deliver our essential emotional and practical support services. Our team of circa 40 volunteers come from all walks of life and bring a wealth of skills and experiences, including more than 20 different languages. Many are local to Bedford, and more volunteers are joining us from the wider regional community as they seek to support those held in or leaving Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (YWIRC).
Within our volunteer team we had some special milestones this year: John celebrated fifteen years as a volunteer, David, Monica and Sydney celebrated five years, and Priscilla, Louise and François completed their first year with us. Here’s to many more volunteering years with us!
The pressures of family life, work and the cost-of-living crisis meant that more volunteers left us than was anticipated during 2022-23, but we did welcome six new volunteers into the team and volunteer recruitment continues to be a priority for us.
We are pleased to have a restructured staff team with a clear distinction between in-detention and postdetention teams. This has given us more flexibility in our work and the ability to be more responsive to the needs of our service users.
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LORNA DELAYAHU ALINA KARIM BLANDINE MOKENGE-NAKIE
IN-DETENTION POST-DETENTION ACTIVITIES
COORDINATOR COORDINATOR COORDINATOR
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Our volunteers and staff have continued to rise to the challenge of supporting more and more service users and are living our values in all that they do. We are eternally grateful for their contributions to Beyond Detention.
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{iT41 THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! 09
Risk management
The Home Office has confirmed that Yarl's Wood IRC will remain both an immigration removal centre and a short-term holding facility for men that includes a cohort of Foreign National Offenders awaiting deportation. Towards the end of this year, women began once again to be detained at YWIRC.
We are mindful that changes at YWIRC and to Home Office policy can constitute a risk to our operations. The new Illegal Migration Bill, still to be finalised at March 2023, will affect our service users and therefore us. The trustees are committed to regular monitoring of our risk register to ensure we are prepared for what the future brings.
We are conscious of the risks associated with a volunteer-led service. We will continue to recruit new volunteers, and to adapt and increase the services that our volunteers offer, and we will continue to develop volunteers’ skills through training and information sessions.
All volunteers are given our code of conduct and sign a volunteering agreement. They are also guided by the policies reviewed annually by the trustees.
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Report of the Independent Examiner
I report on the accounts of the charity, which are set out below.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
ROB BAXTER - INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
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Statement of financial activities
In 2022-23, incoming resources were £346,910 and resources expended were £267,903, giving a net income of £79,007.
Funds carried forward at 31 March 2023 totalled £184,626.
The charity received grants and donations totalling £346,910, of which £192,184 were unrestricted funds and £154,726 were restricted funds.
Principal funding sources were the National Lottery Community Fund, the Lloyds Bank Foundation, The Harpur Trust, The Tudor Trust, AB Charitable Trust and The Bromley Trust.
We hold reserves of three to six months’ operating costs, as detailed in the financial statements below, and are aware we must continue to develop our income generation plan and diversify our funding.
BELAL BUNIAN - FINANCE OFFICER
Funds held for third parties
No funds are held for third parties.
Exemptions
The trustees have taken advantage of the exemptions available to small companies, including the audit exemption (see statement in inspection report).
Responsibilities of the trustees
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the year and of the surplus or deficiency for the year then ended.
In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies, as described in this report, and then apply them on a consistent basis, making judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable. The members of the committee must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.
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Income and expenditure
| 2021–22 | 2022–23 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Incoming Resources | ||||
| 163,357.89 | Grants and Donations | 191,912.33 | 154,725.87 | 346,638.20 |
| 7.34 | Bank Interest | 271.81 | 271.81 | |
| 163,365.23 | Total Incoming Resources | 192,184.14 | 154,725.87 | 346,910.01 |
| Resources Expended | ||||
| 128,931.57 | Wages, NI and Pensions | 54,945.98 | 77,717.24 | 132,663.22 |
| 388.00 | Personnel/DBS Costs | 3,635.08 | 285.20 | 3,920.28 |
| 4,089.33 | Office Expenses | 9,723.26 | 9,723.26 | |
| 7,032.00 | Rent and Rates | 7,032.00 | 7,032.00 | |
| 5,958.95 | Consulting and Evaluation | 6,021.00 | 6,021.00 | |
| 808.97 | Covid-19 Expenses | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| 6,277.51 | In-detention Support | 8,663.26 | 25,227.35 | 33,890.61 |
| 28,824.75 | Post-detention Support | 40,743.69 | 23,435.55 | 64,179.24 |
| 134.25 | Volunteer Expenses | 2,758.22 | 1,847.15 | 4,605.37 |
| 1,638.79 | Training | 0.00 | 4,408.38 | 4,408.38 |
| 430.32 | Insurance | 461.47 | 461.47 | |
| 4,201.00 | Professional Fees | 193.00 | 193.00 | |
| 1,180.00 | Staff Supervision | 0.00 | 805.00 | 805.00 |
| 189,895.44 | Total Resources Expended | 134,176.96 | 133,725.87 | 267,902.83 |
| -26,530.21 | Net Income/(-) Expenditure | 58,007.18 | 21,000.00 | 79,007.18 |
| 132,148.81 | Total Funds Brought Forward | 90,427.06 | 15,191.54 | 105,618.60 |
| 105,618.60 | Total Funds Carried Forward | 148,434.24 | 36,191.54 | 184,625.78 |
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Balance sheet
| 2021–22 | 2022–23 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Current Assets | ||
| 39,113.19 | Bank - Current Account | 120,921.32 |
| 70,118.24 | Bank - Reserve Account | 70,390.05 |
| 109,231.43 | Total Current Assets | 191,311.37 |
| Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 1,387.38 | Accounts Payable | 2,996.26 |
| 1,354.05 | NIC Payable | 1,495.84 |
| 871.40 | PAYE Payabl e | 1,053.20 |
| 0.00 | Pensions Payable | 1,104.29 |
| 0.00 | Student Loan Deductions Payable | 36.00 |
| 3,612.83 | Total Current Liabilities | 6,685.59 |
| 105,618.60 | Net Current Assets | 184,625.78 |
| Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year | ||
| 20,000.00 | Provision - Closure costs | 4,500.00 |
| 40,000.00 | Provision - Running costs | 41,000.00 |
| 10,000.00 | Provision - Redundancies Reserve | 24,500.00 |
| 70,000.00 | Total Reserves | 70,000.00 |
| 35,618.60 | Net Assets | 114,625.78 |
| 20,427.06 | Unrestricted Income Funds | 78,434.24 |
| 15,191.54 | Restricted Income Funds | 36,191.54 |
| 35,618.60 | Total Capital and Reserves | 114,625.78 |
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Grants and donations
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust | 3,000.00 | 3,000.00 | |
| AB Charitable Trust | 17,000.00 | 17,000.00 | |
| Bromley Trust | 15,000.00 | 15,000.00 | |
| Farthing Trust | 12,000.00 | 12,000.00 | |
| Forrester Family Trust | 40,000.00 | 40,000.00 | |
| Harpur Trust | 8,000.00 | 8,000.00 | |
| Harpur Trust | 43,000.00 | 43,000.00 | |
| House of Industry | 7,885.87 | 7,885.87 | |
| Lloyds Bank Foundation | 27,250.00 | 27,250.00 | |
| Online donations | 2,087.39 | 2,087.39 | |
| Other donations | 3,574.94 | 3,574.94 | |
| National Lottery Community Fund | 90,000.00 | 90,000.00 | |
| Post-detention supermarket vouchers support | 5,840.00 | 5,840.00 | |
| Souter Charitable Trust | 3,000.00 | 3,000.00 | |
| Swan Mountain Trust | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | |
| Tudor Trust | 60,000.00 | 60,000.00 | |
| Wixamtree Trust | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | |
| Total | 191,912.33 | 154,725.87 | 348,910.00 |
Our thanks to
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Notes forming parts of the accounts
1. Accounting policies
Basis of the preparation of the accounts
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities - Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP revised 2005), the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008) and the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.
Incoming resources
All material incoming resources have been included on a receivable basis – i.e. they are included if the date receivable falls within the period covered by these accounts.
Pension costs
As from January 2017 the charity began a defined contribution pension scheme with the National Employment Savings Trust. All appropriate costs are allocated in these accounts.
Resources expended
These have been analysed using a classification appropriate to the activities of the organisation.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value, of all tangible fixed assets over their expected useful lives on a straight-line basis.
2. Staff costs and numbers
2022 2023 Wages (inc NI & Pension Contributions) £128,932 £130,263
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.
The average FTE of the year was 4.5 FTE (4.51 FTE in March 2022).
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3. Trustees’ remuneration, benefits and expenses
The trustees received no remuneration or expenses in the year. A number of trustees are also befrienders and can claim expenses relevant to those activities.
4. Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions in the year.
5. Independent examination and accountancy services
During the period, the cost of the examination and accountancy services was £200.
6. Annual commitments under operating leases
The organisation leases one room in 43 Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2AA for office premises, the notice period being six months.
7. Glossary of terms
Restricted funds: These are funds given to the charity, subject to specific restrictions set by the donor, but still within the general objects of the charity.
8. The charity’s policy on reserves
The charity aims to have reserves equivalent to three to six months’ running costs. Against actual spend of circa £268k this year, the surplus to be carried over is circa £115k which, together with the current reserves of circa £70k, comfortably meets the organisation’s criteria. Within the reserves, there are provisions of £4.5k against closure costs, £24.5k against redundancy payments and £41k against running costs.
9. Funds position
The organisation operated at a surplus in 2022–23 of circa £79k, a much healthier trading position than that of 2021–22. The reserves remain the same (£70k), though there has been a reallocation, increasing the redundancies reserve and reducing the closure reserve by c. £15k. The changes in specific income and expenditure lines reflect the change in the organisation’s activities as the impact of Covid-19 lessened.
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www.beyonddetention.org info@beyonddetention.org
Registered charity number: 1143160 Registered company number: 07652500