REFUGEE & MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (a Registered Charity & Company Limited by Guarantee) Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (Registered Charity No 1150500) (Company Number 08026861)
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees present their report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) °Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in October 2019. Legal and Admlnlstratlve Detalls Charity Name Refugee and Migrant NebNork Sutton (also known as RMNSI Charity Registration Number.. 1150500 Company Registration Number.. 08026861 Registered Office and Operatwjnal Address.. Granfers corrL[rTrLty Centre 73-79 Oakhill Road Sutton, SM13A TrusteeslDirectors of the Charity and Company". The trustees, who are directors of the company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, are its trustees for the purposes of charity law and are referred tc throughout this report as the trustees. The trustees who held offi during the year, and since the year end, were as follows: Lorri Davtson Ann Morrison Olwen Edwards Lisa Webster John Branford Namrats Chowdhary Sultan Mahmoodi Briony Thomas Anne Towner Deborah Wroe Chair WI Chair Secretary Treasurer Volunteer Co-ordinator Appointed 28 April 2023 R9ed 17 Juty 2023 Members of the Drop-in Management Committee: John Branford Olwen Edwards Ann Morrison Debor3h vDe Cathy Baker Andrea Eckhardt-smith Advice Worker Lucy Minyo Bankers: HSBC, 54 Woodcote Road. Wallington, Surrey. SM6 ONJ Webslte: wvM.rmns.org.uk Facebook: facebook.comlrmnsutton Independent Examiner: Sarah Holman FCA, 16 Crichton Road. Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3LS
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 CHAIR'S REPORT l am happy to report that in 2023124 RMNS continued with its core activities: serving people who come for immigration advice (clients) and those who come for English classes (students). We have supported these activities with creative and work skills courses, a crèche for students, children and one to one help where needed. We could not do any of this without the support of funders. l am extremely grateful for the 5UPPOrt given by Trust for London, Lloyds Bank Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund and City Bridge Foundation. Together with other smaller funders, they have provided the financial security to enable us to help refugees and migrants in the Sutton area. l am also grateful to trustees, members and supporters for their on-going faithful commitment to RMNS. We have a small staff team: Lucy Minyo (Advice VVorker} and Zoe Clifford (Administrative Assistsnt) plus Diliana Diankova and Be8ta Mazurek (crèche workers). In September we welcomed Julia Hamori to the new post of Outreach Manager. My thanks to our staff team for all the work they have done in the past year. Thanks also to our amazing volunteer team led by John Branford (volunteer coordinator). Volunteers come week after week with lessons prepared but with great flexibility to respond to immediate issues. A training lunch held twice a year is well-attended. Every class is led by a qualifLed ESOL English teacher and experienced teachirLg assistants. We are delighted that one long-term teaching assistant volunteer is about to train ft)r an ESOL qU81ification and RMNS will part-fund his course so that he can go on to lead a class. l am pleased that we have recently been able to take up a housing problem with our two local MPS and the Council. This has resulted in RMNS working closely with Sutton Council to improve the situation. A highlight of the year was in December when the contribution of the organisation to Sutton was recognised when RMNS was awarded 'Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation of the Year Lorri Dawson
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Document Refugee and Migrant Network Sutton IRMNS, or'the charity,). formerly an unincorporated charily established in 1991, was registered as a charitable Company on 11 April 2012. It continues to b8 both a registered charity and a charitable company limited by guarantee, working with the same objectives and offering the Same range of services as it did before its alteration in ststus. It has no share capital and the liability of each member in the event of winding up is limitsd to £1. Recruitment and appolntment of trustees Overall management and control of the charity during the year to 31 March 2024 was the responsibility of the trustees, who are also the directors. and who were all elected at the Annual General Meeting. FomEr Chair of Trustees, Anne Towner, stood down as trustee during the financial year but remains a volunteer. Our board was joined in the ye2r by Sultan Mahmoodi, who brings with him lived experience of having to leave his home in difficult circumstances to settle in the UK from Afghanistan. The board of trustees meets at least quarterly, in addition to the Annual General Meeting, any specia5 meetings for a particular purpose and any meetings of working groups. Induction and trainlng of new trustees RMNS CrUitS trustees to meet the assessed needs of the charity and the particular contribution they can make. Prospective trustees serve as a volunteer for a period before appointmenl. The induction process, therefore, normally takes place over several months. Rlsk management The trustees are conscious of their duty to identify the risks which could have an impact on the organisation. A policy for risk management is in place and the register is regularly revised and updatsd. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The main objectives of RMNS, as set out in its Articles of Association, are to provide support for the relief of poverty to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants resident or working in the London Borough of Sutton by providing them with free and confidential advi, assistan, representation, counselling, translating and interpreting services in rnatters such as immigration, money, debt, welfare benefits, housing, health, education, training and employment. A further objective is to provide opportunities for clients to improve their English in order to improve their quality of life, their ability to integrate into the community and their access to employment. Summary of the main activities und8rtak8n for public benefit The trustees, mindful of their responsibility to ensure that all the activities undertaken by the charity are for the public benefit, declare that, in discharging this responsibility, they have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charrty Commission on public benefit.
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE In Ihe period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 there were 92 new clients registered with Advice Worker, Lucy Minyo, and there were 410 attendance5. This period included Sick leave mentioned in the last statthory account5. The Admin Assistant, Zoe Clifford. has continued to play an essential role in supporting Lucy. being a friendly and welcoming Vol when people phone and also recording client information on the Lamplight database. Lucy is now supported by a volunteer, Vera Kim, who is considering training to OISC Level 1_ She can help clients with issues where qualified help is not essential. An example of Lucy's help is the situation where a single parent with a disabled child came to RMNS because she had Icst her Indefinite Leave to Remain IILRI document when she became homeless. Lucy was able to gather evidentt, including from the police. to put to the Home Office. The client now has her ILR in the form of a Biometric Residency Permit. Clients are asked to complete a SUNey form after every attendance. Of the 100 completed forms, 90 /0 of clients reported that they were happy or very happy with the advice they were given on their immigration status. On other issues, 88 /0 were happy or very happy with the advice given. Regarding access, 970/0 found RMNS easy to access. Questions about understanding the advice, confidence and reduced anxiety were also extremely positive. 100 % of clients would recommend RMNS to a friend. We have continued to provide English classes at 6 levels in Sutton town centre. There are 75 students on class registers and an average attendance of 67 each week. Classes are supported by 30 volunteers including teachers and assistants, managers and refreshment team. Currently there are 7 ch'ildren in the crèche with Iwo staff (sessional) and 1 volunteer. Student suniey forms are collected once a year, the most recent ones in March. The survey shows that 100 % of students were happy or very happy with their classes. Also, 1000/0 agreed or strongly agreed that they were making progress with their English. 96 % were feeling more confidence with their English. RMNS continues to welcome students with almost no English. There are Found8tion classes so that students get maximum help. One is designed for students with no English and no experience of LatinlRoman alphabet. This year our nine One20ne volunteers have supported twelve clients including people from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, Iran, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and Jamaica. Major issues have been housing, mental health, assistsnce in integration and support in finding employment. Volunteers have supported clients in some very difficult situations. They have needed to draw on deep experience from previous work as, for example GPS, civil servants and housing officers. We have held One20ne traininglsupport team sessions and One20ne members have also participated in wider training on Safeguarding and on Domeslic Abuse facilitsted by RMNS. Management and Governance Trustees, meetings were held four times in the period We have nine trustees and are in the process of welcoming a tenth to our team. The AGM was held on 18 October 2023. A One20ne volunteer, Lyndon Edwards, spoke movingly of the needs of people coming to the organisation for individual help. There were about 50 members, Supporte and local organisations present. The Management Committee, which is primarily concerned with running the Wednesday classes, meets once a term. Membership includes some trustees, teachers and volunteer representalives. We continue to work with Trinity Church in running the International Coffee Club (ICC) which provides a place on Monday mornings in term time for people to come for conversation. It is open to anyone and attracts people with moderately good English such as people from Hong Kong or former students. Plans for the future and recent dovelopments The new post of Outreach Manager was filled in mid-september by Julia Hamori. One aspect of her work was to complete a research project to help Truslees decide where an additional hub or centre should be located. We have been impressed by the methodical and professional way Julia has set about this work. Her report wa5
REFUGEE AND IVUGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company LRmited by Guarantee No 08026861) discussed at the Trustees. Meeting on 26 April 2024. The data suggests there is some justification for opening another centre in central Sutton (where the current centre is based) but this is unlikely to attract groups we are nol already reaching. Alternatively. we could locate in an area of deprivation and run pilot classes to assess need. Trustees agreed that we should seek a location in an area of deprivation. We have every confidence that this additional centre will be operational by the autumn term. Julia is also engaging with the community to identify under-served groups and additional needs. She is working with Sutton Mental Health Foundation with a view to offering a regular wellbeing course to students. We are very conscious that students in the top classes are looking for something in addition to English classes. Some are looking for work and others want volunteer opportunities. Many attend the creative courses, go to the Internab'onal Coffee Club and welcome exira sessions such as work-skills. They have reasonably good functional English. We are workillg with various providers (Sutton College, in particular) to provide tailored careers, work skills and employment courses. FINANCIAL REVIEW The financial statements have been presented in a format to comply with both company and charity law. Net income in the year to 31 March 2024 amounted to £44,718 (2023.. net expenditure £3,900). Incoming resources The charity Ceived a number of restricted grants lotalling £85,749 (2023.. £28,870). The charty also ceiVed an unrestricted grant from the Lloyds Bank Foundation of 5,000 {2023. £27,250). Reserves The charity has a policy of maintaining 6 months, expenditure as a designated fund, which it has succeeded in cebuilding during the year. Designated reserves at the balance sheet date were £50,000 (2023.. £20,838) Total reserves of £66,527 {2023'. £21.809) at 31 March 2024 include £12,638 (2023= £971) to be spent on restricted projects and there were free reserves of £3,889 (2023 £nil)
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK sirrTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees (who are also the direGtors of Refugee and Migrant NeOrk Sutton for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the Financial Statements irT accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice}. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements ft)r each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charilable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. select suilable accounting policies and then apply them consistently observe the rnethods and principles In the Chanbes SORP make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable cornpany will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accurate accounting records which disclose with reasonable sccuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safegLJarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities_ So far as the Trustees are aware.. there is no relevant information of which the charitable company's independent examiner is unaware, and the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant flnancial ipformation and to establish that the bThdependent examiner is aware of that Information. Approved by the Trustees on 5 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by: Lorri Dawson Chalr Olwen Edwards Secretary
REFUGEE AND MtGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company LinRited by Guarantee No 08026861) Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Refugee and Mlgrant Network Sutton I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Gharity for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 15. Responsibilities and basis of report As the trustees, who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirernents of the Companies Act 2006 ("the 2006 ACVI. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charity are not required to be audited and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity'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)(bl of the 2011 Act. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examinatron. 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 charity 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 2 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 Practits for accounting and reporting by charities lapplicable 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 cOnrnS 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. Signed on 5 July 2024 by: /5uL Sarah Holman FCA 16 Crichton Road Carshalton Surrey SM5 3LS
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUThON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Note Unrestrlcted Restricted Total Total funds funds funds 2024 funds 2023 INCOME Donations 6,988 6.988 4,308 Income from events 43 43 Charitable acttvities 27,070 85,749 112,819 57,681 TOTAL 34,101 85,749 119,850 61,989 EXPENDITURE Costs of fundraising 115 Charitable activities 1,050 74,082 75,132 65,774 TOTAL 1,050 74,082 75,132 65,889 Net incomel(expenditurel 33,051 11,667 44,718 (3,900> Transfers belween funds Net Movement in Funds 33,051 11,667 44,718 Totsl Funds brought forward 20,838 971 21,809 25,709 Net Movement in Funds 33,051 11,667 44,718 {3,900) TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 53,889 12,638 66,527 21,809 The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 Note 2024 2023 Current Assets Debtors 2,798 1,528 Cash at bank and in hand 73,229 41.779 Total Current Assets 76,027 43,307 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year (9,500) (21,498) Net Assets 66,527 21,809 The Funds of the Charity: Unrestricted Funds 53,889 20,838 Restricted Funds 12,638 971 Total Charity Funds 66,527 21,809 For the financial year ended 31 March 2024, the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP. Approved by the trustees on 5 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by: Lorrl Dawson Chalr 10
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) Notes to tho financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 Accounting Pollcles Basis of Preparation The Accounts have been prepared under the historic21 ccst convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) issued in October 2019, and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2008. Funds Structure Unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the trustees, at their discretion, have set aside resources for a specific purpose. Restricted funds have been provided to the charity for particular purposes, and it is the policy of the trustees to carefully monitor the application of those funds in accordance with the restrictions placed upon them. More details are given in note 9. Income Recognition Income is recognised and included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entilled to it, the trustees are virtually certain they will receive it and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Vvhere income has related expenditure (as with fundraising>, the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. Bank interest is recognised when it is credited to the account. Deferred Income Grant income is recognised over the life of the project to which it relates. Where grants have been received in advance of the start of the project, they have been deferred to the future period to which they relate. Expenditure and Liabilities Expenditure is accounted for cn an accruals basis. Liabilities afft recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation to psy. Governancg Costs Governance costs include the costs of preparation and examination of the st8tutory accounts, the cost of trustse meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. Taxation The charity is not liable to income or capital gains tax on its charitable activities. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the asset cost or expense to which it relates. Going Concern The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) 2. Income from charitable activities Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Grants 25,000 85,749 110.749 56.120 Membership gubscriptlons 550 550 490 Registration fees 1,520 1,520 1,071 27,070 85.749 112,819 57,681 Analy818 of expenditure on charitable activitie8- year on year Unrestrlcted funds 2024 Restricted funds 2024 Total Unrestricted funds funds 2a24 2023 Restricted funds 2023 Total funds 2023 Advice work Salaries Training Premises costs Translation services Office costs 773 40,703 2,772 3,596 1,029 3.111 41,476 2,772 3,596 1,029 3,111 18,875 23,588 765 490 42,463 1,433 3,598 1,518 3,343 3,108 1,518 3,098 245 773 51,211 51,984 27,267 25,088 Wednesdays Salaries Training Premises costs Resources & refreshments Trinity 200 3,159 105 4,978 871 3,359 105 4,978 871 293 2,727 3.020 3,873 350 900 35 4,773 385 200 9,113 9,313 4,516 3,662 8,178 Outreach project Salaries Office costs 77 8,202 781 8,279 781 77 8,983 9,060 Othèr charitable expenditure Client grants One20ne Creative courses Govemance costs 100 53 2,345 2,277 100 53 2,345 2,277 150 98 297 350 150 98 1,522 3.471 1,225 3,121 4,775 4,775 4.346 895 5,241 1,050 74,082 75.132 36,129 29,645 65,774 1 No fee was charged for the Independent Examination of the accounts {2023'. £nil). 2023 figures have been re-formatted with insurance and accreditation costs moved down into govemance. A further refomatting 15 being considered, showing full cost recovery of those gOverrnan costs to the different activities. 12
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) Debtors 2024 2023 other deblors Prepayrnents 1,332 1.466 873 655 Total 2.798 1,528 Crediiors- Amounts falling due wlthln one year 2024 2023 Accrued expenses Pension credrtor Deferred income 1.170 348 7,982 365 21.133 Total 9,500 21.498 Analysis of deferred income 2024 2023 City Bridge 7,848 Trust for London 2,750 B,000 Hilden Tiust 3,325 3,325 SCF7- On820ne 437 490 SCF8 - volunteer advice worker training 1.470 1,470 Totsl 7,982 21,133 Income has been deferred where cash received relates to specific time-bound prDjects spanning, or beginning after, the year end. Trustee Remuneration and Expenses No trustee received any remuneration during this or the previous year. Trustees have not been r8imbursed for travel or subsistence expenses (2023.. nil) but only for purthases made on behalf of RMNS. Ther8 was one transatticn with a related paty during in the year for £250. declared in advan and approved by the other trustees {2023= £23DI. 13
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) Staff Costs 2024 2023 Wages and salaries 51,665 44,246 Pension contributions 1,449 1,237 53,114 45,483 The average number of employees during the year was 5 {2023:4}, No employee earned £60,000 per annum or more in this or the previous year. Analysis of Funds Openlng Balance at 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers Closing Balance at 31 March 2024 Unrestricted Funds General Funds Designated funds 34,101 (1,050) (29,162) 29,162 3,889 50,000 53,889 20,838 20,838 34,101 1,050 Restrfctsd Funds Lottery 20210952 City Bridge Advice work (Trusl for London) Hilden Trust One20ne (SCFY) Volunteer advice work8r training (SCF'81 Advice wod<er training to OISC2 (SCF'2) Grants for Destitute Refugees ILCRNI ESOL toddler group {London Borough of Sutton N8ighbourhood Grant) 36,556 31,390 10,750 7,000 53 (26,988) (28,526) (10,750) (7,000) (53) 9,568 2,864 665 258 48 1665) 1100) 158 971 as,?4974,o82 12,638 21,809 119,850 175,132) 66,527 'London Borough of Sutton Community Fund (SCF) have prcvided RMNS with a number of different grants for the specific purposes detsiled above 14
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) 9, (continued) Analy8ls of Fundg - comparatives Opening Balance at 1 April 2022 Income Expenditure Transferg Closing Balance at 31 March 2023 Unregtricted Funds General Funds Designated funds 33,119 136,244) 3,125 3 1251 23.963 23,963 20,838 20,838 33,119 36,2441 Restricted Funds Advice work (Trust for London) Advice work referrals (Sutton CAB l Big Lottery Reaching Communilies) Advi worker training to OISC2 (SCF°2) Grants ftjr Deslilute Refvgees ILCRN) ESOL toddler group (London Borough of Sutton Neighbourhood Grant) Awards for All One20ne (SCF'n Drop-in costs (SCF"91 Hilden Trust Ukrain8 Response {Cornmunily Action Sutton) 10,000 319 I10,0) (319) 1,290 408 48 (6251 {150) 665 258 48 6,759 98 3,552 3,675 4.467 (6,759) 198) (3,552) 13,675) 14,467) 28,870 j29,645J 971 25,709 61,989 165,889) 21,809 "London Borough of Sutton Communty Fund (SCF) have provided RMNS with a number of drfferent grants forthe specific purposes detailed above. 10. Net Assets by Fund Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Unrastricted Funds Rostricted Funds Current assets 55,407 20,620 76,027 43,3D7 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year (1,518) 17,982) (9.500) {21,498) 53.889 12,638 66,527 21,809 15