BEYOND DETENTION ANNUAL REPORT 2023- 24 ## **CONTENTS** **03** **03 04 05** General From the From the Information Chair CEO **07 10 11** **11** Risk Management > Achievements Volunteering & Performance **06** Activities & Services **12** Independent Examiner’s Report **13** **16** Financial Notes to the Statements Accounts “For the cause that lacks assistance The wrong that needs resistance For the future in the distance And the good that I can do.” _George Linnaeus Banks_ ## **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 2024. ## **Full Name** Beyond Detention **Registered charity number** 1143160 **Registered company number** 07652500 **Registered address** 43 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2AA ## **Directors (Trustees)** Wozani Chida (appointed 6.3.2024), Jivan Dempsey, Sarah Grahame, Eleanor Hitchman, Kristen Hope Burchill, Angela Huddart (resigned 15.9.2023), Catherine Kirk (Vice-Chair), Robina Pelham Burn (Chair), Kinga Simony (Treasurer) (appointed 14.9.2023), Stella Shyanguya ## **Independent examiner** Rob Baxter Retired Life Member, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy ## **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 31 May 2011 as amended on 12 November 2021 and on 12 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 objects (“Objects”) are specifically restricted to the charitable relief of those detained in, or leaving, Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (YWIRC). **3** ## **FROM THE CHAIR** When the anti-immigration riots and racist attacks took place in July and August 2024, the staff displayed their usual combination of professionalism and compassion. They immediately contacted every single person we were supporting and checked in with them over the days that followed. Their response exemplifies what we do as a charity: recognise as individuals and treat with humanity the men and women detained in Yarl’s Wood IRC and those recently released from immigration detention. The staff team was led for much of 2023–24 by Donna-Louise Cobban, who oversaw our transition from Yarl’s Wood Befrienders to Beyond Detention, a change that reflected the expansion of our post-detention services. We wish her well in her new role with Emmaus. Sam Price joined us as CEO in January 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector, most recently with a homelessness charity in Luton. Sam has achieved an immense amount in a short time, not least in strengthening relationships with other organisations, crucial for a small charity. This is an opportunity to thank our funders, big and small, who are listed in the financial statements at the end of this report. They not only make it possible for us to deliver our services, but also serve as critical friends, helping us to view objectively what we do and consider whether there are better ways for us to fulfil our mission and objectives. Thank you also to my fellow trustees. Their skills, knowledge and experience – in human rights, charity leadership, clinical psychology, finance, HR and education – enrich the charity. My final thank you is to our valiant body of volunteers, who help run drop-in sessions within Yarl’s Wood, undertake one-to-one befriending of people in detention and after their release, act as caseworkers and serve on the steering group for our Friendship Group and other post-detention activities. In my time as chair, the number of volunteers, staff and trustees with personal experience of immigration detention and forced migration has steadily climbed. This is vital: input from people with lived experience guides what we do and how we do it. **Robina Pelham Burn** **4** ## **FROM THE CEO** I was delighted to take over as CEO at Beyond Detention in January 2024. Living locally, I have always been aware of the organisation and admired its reputation and resolve. Addressing social injustice and inequity is incredibly important to me, and I am proud to lead such a compassionate and dedicated team of people. I write this in the aftermath of the far-right violence we experienced in the summer of 2024, which shocked so many of us to our core. The people we support were directly targeted, and they felt afraid and anxious. It has highlighted to me the importance of the work we do, but also how essential it is to work together to change the negative narrative around people seeking asylum. For too long, people in power and the media have used derogatory and inflammatory language to incite fear and hatred in the general public, directed against people fleeing war, persecution and torture. This has to change. One of my most enjoyable early experiences at Beyond Detention was joining our weekly Friendship Group, and meeting the people we support. The Group is run by eight people with lived experience of immigration detention, and they welcomed me into the group unequivocally. I am passionate about involving people with lived experience in all aspects of our work, from decision-making and strategy to services and operations, and so we will be looking to increase opportunities for the people we support to become even more involved with our organisation. I have to thank my team of staff, Trustees and volunteers for all their support and advice, but also our partner organisations, such as AVID, the Detention Forum, Detention Action, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Bail for Immigration Detainees (BiD), Hibiscus and the Independent Monitoring Board. This is not an exhaustive list, and my apologies to anyone I have forgotten to mention! This year has seen a huge increase in the number of people we have supported, both in Yarl’s Wood IRC and beyond, but with the same sized team as we had last year. This shows the need for our work, and the resilience and determination of our staff. I am also extremely grateful to our funders, who continue to believe in us, and in the work we do. As you will read in our report, it really does make a difference to people’s lives. **Sam Price** **5** ## **ACTIVITIES & SERVICES** Beyond Detention provides emotional and practical support to people detained in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) and post-detention, in the community. To people in detention, we offer one-to-one befriending, emotional support and practical support such as mobile phone credit and clothing, as well as advocacy, nonlegal casework and referrals to other support organisations. We hold three drop-in sessions each week for the men and women, spending time getting to know them, playing board games and writing letters of support. Post-detention we provide a support network, one-to-one phone befriending, a friendship group, online skills-based courses, mobile data and phone credit, digital devices, supermarket vouchers and referrals to specialist organisations. We have a staff team of 6 (4.5 FTE), supported by a body of volunteers. **6** **ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE** In 2023-24, we saw a huge increase in the number of people we supported in Yarl’s Wood IRC as a direct result of legislation such as the Illegal Migration Act, which came into effect in March 2023, and the Nationality & Borders Act of 2022. More and more people were detained, albeit for shorter periods of time, meaning there was a higher demand for the practical support we can offer, such as phone credit and clothing. At the end of the year, around 30% of the male residents were attending our weekly drop-in. The other impact this had on our work was that fewer people requested a befriender, as they were not in Yarl’s Wood for very long. We continued to be responsive to people’s needs, and through regular surveys and feedback we assessed how we could further develop our offer. ## **“Beyond Detention are the best. They’re making our lives in detention much easier.”** The main issue for people who were detained in Yarl’s Wood IRC in 2023–24 was that, having been granted bail by the immigration court, they remained in detention due to delays in Home Office approval of their accommodation. Delays of three months from when bail had been granted were not unusual. We also heard from people who had agreed to be returned to their country of origin (voluntary returns) but were stuck in detention for weeks, waiting for the Home Office to arrange it, since they are not allowed to organise their own departure. **7** **ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE** Post-detention, we supported more people with non-legal casework and advocacy, as well as signposting them to other support organisations across the country once they were released. Our online course attendance and Friendship Group attendance remained broadly similar to the previous year, and in line with our expectations. We gave away 74 more digital devices and SIM cards than in the previous year. **“I smile a lot when it is Wednesday because I am looking forward to meeting people in this group. Our gathering has made my life better. Thank you so much.”** Following extensive feedback from the people we support, we committed to finding a pathway post-detention to help connect them to each other and to their communities. Regular attendees of our Friendship Group, all of whom have lived experience of immigration detention, have now formed a Steering Group which has taken over responsibility for the group. They choose the topics, facilitate the sessions and follow up where necessary. **8** ## **ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE** **87% of residents reported feeling better equipped to deal with the detention centre environment** **91%** **of residents have reported a reduction in loneliness and an improvement in wellbeing** **9** **VOLUNTEERING** In 2023-24 we created a new volunteering pathway to increase the number of opportunities for people with lived experience to be involved in our organisation. The intention is that those released from detention will represent us at events, such as recruitment fairs and festivals, and help with our influencing and advocacy work. We plan to have people with lived experience providing translation services for those in detention and offering peer support to newly released individuals by researching support available for them in other parts of the country. People with lived experience will continue to sit on interview panels and deliver elements of our training to staff and volunteers. We have seen from the opportunities we already offer for people with lived experience to be involved that this can make a huge difference to their wellbeing, their mental health and their feeling of connection. ## **“This group is bringing out who I used to be before the wilderness journey...Thank you so much.”** Overall, our volunteer numbers remained stable. We ran quarterly online Information Sessions throughout the year for people who had expressed an interest in volunteering with us and held three in-person training days. At the end of the year, we had 37 volunteers, 27 female and 10 male. Eight of our volunteers (22%) had lived experience of immigration detention. ## **“I feel my work is helping those in need in a practical, tangible way. I ... feel that I'm working within a well-run organisation, which is important to me.”** In January, we held our Annual Conference at the University of Bedfordshire. Forty volunteers, staff, clients and stakeholders attended. They received an update on our work, a workshop on boundaries and two presentations, one from AVID (The Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees) about the impact of the Illegal Migration Act, and one from the Detention Forum, about alternatives to detention. ## **“I found the day invigorating and it renewed my sense of purpose and belonging.”** Our Coordinators were supported between November 2023 and May 2024 by a student social worker on work placement from the University of Bedfordshire. She offered one-toone support by phone, often utilising the telephone translation service, as well as assisting at the drop-ins. This has been a mutually beneficial relationship, enabling students to gain valuable experience and knowledge, and providing support to our staff team. **10** **RISK MANAGEMENT** The change in the demographic of the people held at Yarl’s Wood IRC, coupled with some widely publicised security breaches, led us to complete personal safety and de-escalation training with our staff and drop-in volunteers. We also introduced a monthly “Reflective Space” for our volunteers, facilitated by a trained counsellor, to ensure they have opportunities to reflect on the valuable yet sometimes challenging work they do. All our volunteers are required to sign annually a Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct, as well as undertake safeguarding training. We maintain a live Risk Register covering external and internal risk factors. This is reviewed quarterly by the CEO and Board of Trustees. **11** **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** ## **Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees of Beyond Detention for the year ended 31 March 2024** 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 you as 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: 1. 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 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 17th September 2024 Rob Baxter, Independent Examiner Retired Life Member, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy **12** ## **INCOME & EXPENDITURE** ||||**2023–24**|| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**2022–23**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**| |**Incoming Resources**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |Grants and Donations
Interest Income|346,638.20
271.81|109,064.71
1,229.05|102,915.40|211,980.11
1,229.05| |**Gross Profit Operating Costs Total**|**346,910.01**|**110,293.76**|**102,915.40**|**213,209.16**| |**Total Post-detention**|**64,179.24**|**29,885.96**|**31,621.06**|**61,507.02**| |**Total In-detention**|**33,890.61**|**4,907.43**|**35,953.83**|**40,861.26**| |**Total Operating Costs**|**98,069.85**|**34,793.39**|**67,574.89**|**102,368.28**| |**Overheads**||||| |Marketing & Communications|2,255.14|1,569.18||1,569.18| |Audit Fees|193.00|213.00||213.00| |Insurance|461.47|500.54||500.54| |Rent|7,032.00|7,230.00||7,230.00| |Fundraising Consulting|6,021.00|11,889.86||11,889.86| |Bank Fees|75.64|71.33||71.33| |Recruitment Costs|1,800.00|3,187.00||3,187.00| |IT Software and Consumables|2,509.18|1,700.65||1,700.65| |Subscriptions|763.10|793.00||793.00| |Postage, Freight & Courier|86.78|179.78||179.78| |Stationery|723.96|200.76||200.76| |Telephone & Internet|824.46|745.21||745.21| |Salaries|121,638.38|100,982.50|39,329.00|140,311.50| |Employer’s National Insurance|5,239.24|6,195.36||6,195.36| |Pensions Costs|7,385.60|8,066.29||8,066.29| |HR Provision Costs|(4,000.00)|2,916.00||2,916.00| |DBS Checks|1,835.08|465.20||465.20| |Volunteer Training
Volunteer Expenses|285.20
1,347.15|(1,748.66)
966.38|3,504.00
756.00|1,755.34
1,722.38| |Annual Conference|1,082.95|2,395.73||2,395.73| |Staff Group Supervision|2,175.27|690.00||690.00| |Staff Training|805.00|3,381.59||3,381.59| |Other Expenses|9,293.38|1,404.88|1,000.00|2,404.88| |CRM Implementation|0.00|0.40|10,157.00|10,157.40| |**Total Overheads**|**169,832.98**|**153,995.98**|**54,746.00**|**208,741.98**| |**Total Expenses**|**267,902.83**|**188,789.37**|**122,320.89**|**311,110.26**| |**Operating Profit**|**79,007.18**|**(78,495.61)**|**(19,405.49)**|**(97,901.10)**| |**Profit on Ordinary activities Before**
**Taxation**|**79,007.18**|**(78,495.61)**|**(19,405.49)**|**(97,901.10)**| |**Profit after Taxation**|**79,007.18**|**(78,495.61)**|**(19,405.49)**|**(97,901.10)**| |Funds Brought Forward|105,618.60|148,434.24|36,191.54|184,625.78| |**Funds Carried Forward**|**184,625.78**|**69,938.63**|**16,786.05**|**86,724.68**| **13** ## **BALANCE SHEET** |**2022–23**||**2023–24**| |---|---|---| |**£**||**£**| ||**Current Assets**|| |191,311.37|Bank (Current and Reserve Accounts)|147,767.92| |0.00|Petty Cash|0.00| |0.00|Accounts Receivable|0.00| |**191,311.37**|**Total Current Assets**|**147,767.92**| ||**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**|| |2,996.26|Accounts Payable|2,615.18| |0.00|Accruals|0.00| |0.00|Income in Advance|55,242.00| |1,104.29|Pensions Payable|0.00| |1,495.84|NIC Payable|1,774.06| |1,053.20|PAYE Payable|1,349.00| |36.00|Student Loan Deductions Payable|63.00| |**6,685.59**|**Total Current Liabilities**|**61,043.24**| |**184,625.78**|**Net Current Assets**|**86,724.68**| |148,434.24|Unrestricted Income funds|69,938.63| |36,191.54|Restricted Income funds|16,786.05| |**184,625.78**|**Total Capital and Reserves**|**86,724.68**| The Trustees declare that they have approved the accounts above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees: Robina Pelham Burn December 4, 2024 **14** ## **GRANTS & DONATIONS** ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|| |---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Total Funds**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**| |National Lottery Community Fund||57,758.00|57,758.00| |John Apthorp Charity||10,157.40|10,157.40| |BromleyTrust|15,000.00||15,000.00| |House of Industry||15,000.00|15,000.00| |Harpur Trust|15,000.00||15,000.00| |Tudor Trust|30,000.00||30,000.00| |FarthingTrust|12,000.00||12,000.00| |29th May 1961 Charitable Trust|3,000.00||3,000.00| |General Donations|8,064.71||8,064.71| |People’s Postcode Lottery|25,000.00||25,000.00| |The Grocers’ Charity||5,000.00|5,000.00| |St Albans Cathedral|1,000.00||1,000.00| |Hobsons Charitable Trust||6,000.00|6,000.00| |Panacea Charitable Trust||7,000.00|7,000.00| |Leeds BuildingSociety||1,000.00|1,000.00| |Bedford Borough Council||1,000.00|1,000.00| ||**109,064.71**|**102,915.40**|**211,980.11**| **15** **NOTES TO 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 – Deferred Income** To enhance the accuracy of the financial status in the reports of the organisation, a significant change has been made to the presentation of income for the year. Specifically, the concept of “deferred income” is being introduced. This adjustment will ensure that income is only included for the financial year for which it is designated, improving transparency and financial clarity. What is deferred income? Deferred income refers to funds received that are not yet earned and therefore should not be recognised as income in the current financial year. This practice is crucial for accurately reflecting the financial position, particularly when dealing with multi-year grants or contracts with performance-related conditions. ## **Application of Deferred Income** - Multi-year grants with conditions: when a grant is intended to cover multiple years and it includes specific conditions or milestones, the portion of the grant not applicable to the current year will be deferred. For example, if a three-year grant of £90,000 is received with performance conditions for each year, only the portion applicable to the current year will be recognised as income. The remaining amount will be deferred. - Multi-year service contracts: similarly, for contracts involving the delivery of services over several years, the income will be recognised based on the services rendered within the financial year. If a contract worth £40,000 spans two years, it will be treated as £20,000 relating to each year, deferring the second year’s portion as a liability. **16** **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **Financial Reporting Implications of Deferred Income** - Liability in year-end accounts: the deferred amount will be listed as a liability in the year-end accounts. This representation ensures that the financial statements accurately reflect the funds available for the current year’s operations. - Release as income in subsequent year: the deferred income will be recognised as income in the subsequent year, aligning with the period it is intended for and earned. ## **Benefits of Deferred Income Reporting** - Improved accuracy: by recognising income only for the financial year for which it is designated, the accuracy of the financial reports is enhanced. - Transparency: this practice promotes greater transparency, allowing stakeholders to better understand the financial position and future obligations. - Compliance: adopting deferred income reporting complies with Charity SORP and best practices while reinforcing the integrity of the financial management. ## **Summary** The introduction of deferred income is a strategic move to ensure the financial reporting is more accurate, transparent, and reflective of the organisation’s true financial status. While it will temporarily ‘reduce’ the year-end reserves substantially, this change will provide a clearer and more realistic view of the organisation’s financial health, enabling better financial planning and management. ## **Pension costs** In 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. **17** **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **2. Staff costs and numbers** **2022 - 23** Wages (inc NI & Pension Contributions) £130,263 **2023 - 24** £154,573 No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000. The average FTE of the year was 4.5 FTE (4.5 March 2023). ## **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 inspection of the accounts was £200. ## **6. Annual commitments under operating leases** The organisation rents two rooms in 43 Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2AA for office premises, the notice period being six months. **18** **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **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** During the year, the Board reviewed the charity’s Reserves Policy and changed it to the following: It is the policy of the Trustees to maintain throughout the year reserves equivalent to approximately 4 months’ worth of staff costs and the cost of redundancies. This is to enable the organisation to meet its statutory obligations and wind up in an orderly fashion, if all cash inflows were to cease. In 2024, this figure is calculated to be £72,000. At 31 March 2024, the charity held net assets / total funds of £86,725. In the Trustees’ opinion, at year end the reserves exceed the reserves target under the Reserves Policy. ## **9. Funds position** As a result of losses during the last two years and due to changes in the presentation of the accounts and the introduction of “deferred income”, the remaining total reserves at 31 March 2024 were reduced to £87k. This figure includes the designated funds provision for closure and redundancies of £72k. **19 Registered charity number: 1143160 Registered company number: 07652500**