REFUGEE & MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (a Registered Charity & Company Limited by Guarantee) Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (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 2025 The trustees present their report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Stalement of Recommended Practice {SORPI 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities. issued in October 2019. Legal and Administrative Details Charity Name Refugee and Migrant Neork Sutton (also known as RMNS) Charity Registration Number. 1150500 Company Registration Number: 08026861 Registered Office and Operational Address.. Granfers Communty Centre 73-79 Oakhill Road Sutton. SM13A4 TrusteeslDirectors of the Charity and Company" The trustees. who are dirèctors of the company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, are its trustees for the purposes of charity law and are referred to throughout this report as the trustees. The trustees who held office during the year, and since the year end: were as follows. Lorri Dawson Ann Morrison Olwen Edwards Lisa Webster John Branford Gulshoda Ahmadalieva Namrata Chowdhary Eva Kalmu5 Sultan Mahmoodi Dawn Plimmer Briony Thomas Deborah Wroe Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer Volunteer Co-ordinator Resigned 31 Juty 2025 COpted 11 July 2025 Resigned 23 October 2024 Appoinled 23 October 2024 Resigned 31 March 2025 Co-opted 11 July 2025 Membars of the Management Committeo: John Branford Cathy Baker Andrea Eckhardt-smith Olwen Edwards Julia Hamori Deborah Wroe Ann Morrison Tony Wilson Advlce Workers Lucia Minova & Mohammed El-Bahari {appointed 1 September 20251 Bankers: HSBC, 54 Woodcote Road, Vtsllington, Surrey, SM6 ONJ Webslte.. www.rmns org uk Facebook: fatx)ok.comlrnlnSutt0n 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 2025 CHAIR'S REPORT In 2024125 RMNS continued its core activities in support of its objectives set out in the Articles of Association. We have provided free immigration advice to our clients plus one-to-one help where needed, English classes plus a creche for students, children, creative courses and worked with Trinity Church. Sutton to provide opportunities for non-English speaking people to practise their English in an infomial coffee club setting. We continue to be grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund and the City Bridge Foundation for the core funding they have provided. Together with smaller funders, members, annual subscriptions and other donations from churches and individuals, we have had financial security to deliver our services and plan for the future. We have benefited from stability in our small staff team. our Advice worker, Lucia Minova {formerly Lucy Minyo), our administrative Assistsnt, Zoè Clifford and our creche workers. Diliana Diankova and Beats Mazurek plus our Outreach Manager, Julia Hamori, who has fitted well into the team_ Our staff members do an amazing job but we are also very dependent on our volunteers. Our Volunteer Coordinator, John Branford (who is also a truslee), ensures that we have the right people at the right time to cover classes and everything else needed to deliver the range of ServIS we offer. l am grateful to volunteers, members and 5UPPOrters for their faithful on-going contribution to supporting refugees and migrants in the Sutton area. In particular, l am grateful to our Trustee Board for their commitment to ensuring the organisation Is more professional and forward-thinking. Lorri DaOn
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Document Refugee and Migrant Netmork Sutton (RMNS, or'the charrty'l, formerly an unincorporated charity established in 1991, was registered as a charitable company on 11 April 2012. It continues to be both a registered charity and a charitable company limrted by guarantee, working with the same objectives and offering the same range of seNices as it did before its alteration in status. It has no share capital and the liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1. Recruitment and appointment of trustees Overall management and control of the charity during the year to 31 March 2025 was the responsibility of the trustees, who are also directors. and who were elected at the Annual General Meeting. The period since the last AGM has seen a number of changes in our board of trustees. We recruited retired GP and long-standing member, Eva Kalmus last October but Sultan Mahmoodi and Olwen Edwards have both stood down as trustees. We are grateful to Sultan, for the insights he brought from his lived experience during the time he was able to work with us and to Olwen. who has dedicated many years to RMNS as a trustee, company secretary, leacher and education coordinator. We will miss her enthusiasm and organising skills but we have been actively seeking new trustees and expect to make formal appointments at the October AGM of Dawn Plimmer and Gulshoda Ahmadalieva, who were co-opted in July. Induction and training of new trust88s RMNS recruits trustees to meet the assessed needs of the charity and the particular contribution they can make. Prospective trustees are welcomed as obseNers for a period before appointrnent. 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 updated OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The main objectives of RMNS, as set out in its Arbcles 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 advice, assistance. representation, counselling, translating and interpreting services in matters 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 undertaken 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 Charity Commission on public benefit.
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE In the period 1st April 2024 - 31$1 March 2025 the advice team supported 103 clients of which 58 were new. There were 773 appointments or substantial phone discussion {attendances). There were 187 enquiries where, for a number of possible reasons, we were unable to progress the issue. These enquiries take up a lot of the team's time as often research Is needed to see if RMNS is the best organisation to work with the potential client. One example of the Advice Team's work.. we supported a family from Belarus who had a very problematic immigration history, initially by requesting extensive immigration files from the Home Office, and then discovering that they were incorrectly granted EU settled status. This was presented to an EU Settlement Resolution Centre caseworker, who then corrected the error and provided the clients with the correct residen documents. Clients are asked to complete a survey form after every attendan Clients come for advi about their immigration ststus or advice related to immigration. Of the 75 completed forms, 969/0 of clients who came for advice about their immigration status reported that they were happy or very happy with the advice they received. Clients who came for immigration-re13ted advice were 100°/. happy or very happy with the advice they received. Regarding access, g90/0 found RMNS easy to access. Questions about understanding the advice, confidence and reduced anxiety were also extremely positive. 99 % agreed or strongly agreed that they had a better understanding of their situation. 1000k of clients would recommend RMNS to a friend. It has been another positive year for our One20ne team in spite of headwinds which have seen a contraction in the ability of housing and health services to meet demand. The situation for our One20ne partners (the volunteer and refugeelmigrant they are supporting) has therefore become more challenging and the cases we encounter more complex. We now have nine volunteers including two support workers providing oversight and bringing an understanding of health provision. We are Wofking on further recruitment with an associated robust training process for new volunteers. Over the year we have assisted nine individuals wrth three trom Afghanistsn and others from Kyrgyzstan, Eritrea, Egypt and Iran. We have had a number of meetings with the local Council's housing providers and developed a good understanding of the pressures they are under. This relationship has helped us achieve positive outcomes with four cases involving actual and potential homelessness. All of these individuals had significant health problems. One example of the One20ne team's work.. our Advice Worker working Glosely with a One20ne volunteer successfully slopped the immediate eviction from temporary accommodation of a young vulnerable refugee client from Afghanistan. He remarked how difficult it would have been for him to manage without our help. We now provide English classes from centres. Our original hub- Wednesdays@Trlnity- has over 85 students on class registers and an average of 70 students each week. Classes are largely at capacity but we give priority to refugees and asylum seekers, who are always accepted, and those with very little English. We are constantly under pressure to accept students with a good level of funcbonal English who want to improve These are not our target group and we have to refer them to Sutton College or to our Monday collaboration with Trinity Church, the International Coffee Club. Each week classes are supported by 30 volunteers including teachers and assistants, managers and refreshment team. Currently there are 11 children on the crèche roll with staff (sessionall and 2 volunteers The new hub- Tuesdays@BishopAndrewes- is now well established with around 25 students in beginners, classes supported by three qualified teachers and one experienced teaching assistant and the Outreach Manager. The Outreach Manager is involved in both Tuesday and Wednesday sessions where she manages new student registrations and maintains a mailing list of students (who have given their permission) so that they can be sent news and information. She also runs the termly four-session creative courses and continues her community engagement work.
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) Management and Governance The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly. On 8 March 2025 an away moming was held to discuss future plans. Plans for the future and recent developments At our away morning, the Trustees discussed the future development of the organisation. Some trustees gave notlGe that Ihey would be standing down in the next year. Recruitment will thefOre continue to ensure we have a good balance of skills and experien. We discussed pressure on our Advice Worker and delays in being able to see clients in good time. It was agreed that, subject to additional funding, it was time to advertise for a part-time advice worker. This would give additional support to the current Advice Worker and enable clients to be seen sooner. Also, it would meet the requirements of the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) that the Servi would be able to continue if the full-time Advice Worker was absent through ill-health or other reason. Mohammed El-Bahari was appointed during the summer and started work on 1 September 2025. He brings a wealth of experience to the team. Additionally, we have been in contact with Seraphus Solicrtors who work with several organisations like RMNS to provide advice and training This potential relationship is at an eady stage but we are encouraged by the possibility of our Advice Worker being able to access a high level of advi when needed. We also discussed the longer-term needs of the organisation and thought that a part-time Operations Manager, responsible for all day-to-day activities, might be needed. We will continue to develop this idea but will not take practical steps to recruit until new trustees and additional funding are both in place and the role has been thoroughly scoped out. 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 2025 amounted to £10,477 {2024. £44:718). Incoming resources The charity reiVed a number of restricted grants totalling £98,140 (2024". £85,749}. In the prior year, the charity also received an unrestricted grant from the Lloyds Bank Foundation of £25,000. Reserves The charity has a policy of maintaining 6 months, expenditure as a designated fund. Designated reserves at the balance sheel date were £58,000 (2024.. £50:000). Total reserves of £77,004 (2024.. £66,527) at 31 March 2025 include £14,856 (2024.. £12,638) to be spent on restricted projects and there were free reserves of £4,148 (2024. £3,889).
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees Iwho are also the directors of Refug and Migrant NeOrk Sutton for the purpose of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the Financial Statements in accordan with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. select suitsble accounting policies and then apply them wnsistently observe the methods and principles in the Charities 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 concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accurate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial F)OSition of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding 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 infomiation 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 fi'nancial information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information, Approved by the Trustees on 10 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Lorri Dawson Chair Ann Morrison Vice Chair
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK surfoN (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Refugee and Migrant Network Sutton I report to the Gharity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 9 to 15. Responslbilities 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 requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ( the 2006 Acr}. 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)(b) of the 2011 ACL Independent Examinefs Statement 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 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 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 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 10211. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signad on 10 October 2025 by: é'J&(L Sarah Holman FCA 16 Crichton Road Carshalton Surrey SMS 3LS
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2025 Note Unrestricted Restricted Total Total funds funds funds 2025 funds 2024 INCOME Donations 5,145 5,145 6,988 Income from events 43 Charitable activities 1,920 98,140 100,060 112,819 Income from investments 1,194 1,194 TOTAL 8,259 98,140 106,399 119,850 EXPENDITURE Charitable activities 95,922 95,922 75,132 TOTAL 95,922 95,922 Net incomel(expenditure) 8.259 2,218 10,477 44,718 Transfers between funds Net Movement in Funds 8.259 2,218 Total Funds brought forward 53,889 12,638 66,527 21,809 Net Movement in Funds 8,259 2,218 10.477 44,718 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 62.148 77,004 66,527 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 2025 Note 2025 2024 Current Assets Debtors 1,622 2,798 Cash at bank and in hand 78,615 73,229 Total Current Assets 80,237 76,027 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year (3,233) (9,500) Net Assets 77,004 66,527 The Funds of the Charity: Unrestricted Funds 62,148 53,889 Restricted Funds 14,856 12.638 Total Charity Funds 77,004 66.527 For the financial year ended 31 March 2025, the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relaling 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 Ihe Act with respect lo 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 10 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Lorri Dawson Chair 10
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) Notes to the flnanclal statements for the year endlng 31 March 2025 l. Accounting Policies Basis of Preparatlon The Accounts have been prepared under the historical cost 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 {FRS 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 2006. 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 Ststement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to it, the trustees are virtually certain they will receive it and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Where 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. ere grants have been received in advan of the start of the project, they have been deferred to the future period to which they relate. Expenditure and Llabllltles Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis_ Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay. Governance Costs Governance costs inGlude the costs of preparation and examination of the statutory accounts, the cost of trustee meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on g0Veman 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 rt relates. Golng Concern The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
REFUGEE AND MIGRAIIT NETWORK suON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) 2. Income from charitable activities Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 Totsl Funds 2024 Grants 98.140 98,140 110,749 Membership subscriptions 530 530 550 Registration fees 1,390 1.390 1.520 1.920 98.140 100.060 112.819 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities - year on year Unrestricted funds 2025 Restricted funds 2025 Total Unrestricted fvnds funds 2025 2024 Restricted funds 2024 Total funds 2024 Advice work Staff costs Training Premises cosls Translation SeiceS Office costs 50,108 2,030 3.678 1.649 4.020 50,108 2.030 3,678 1,649 4.020 773 40.703 2,772 3,596 1,029 3,111 41,476 2,772 3.596 1.029 3.111 61,485 61,485 773 51,211 51,984 Wednesdays Staff costs Training Premises costs Resources & refreshments Trinity 3,192 326 5.658 540 3,192 326 5.658 540 200 3,159 105 4,978 871 3,359 105 4,978 871 9.716 9,716 21)0 9,113 9,313 Tuesdays@BishopAndrewes Staff c051s Training Premises costs Resources & refreshments 1,237 1.403 409 1,237 1.403 409 3,049 Outreach project Slaff costs Office cos15 15.502 15,$02 77 8,202 781 8,279 781 15.502 15,502 77 8,983 9.080 Other charitable expenditure Client grants One20ne Creative courses Govemance costs 150 61 2,088 3.871 150 61 2,088 3,871 100 53 2,345 2,277 100 53 2,345 2.277 6.170 6.170 4,775 4.775 95,922 95.922 1,050 74.082 75,132 12
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) l No fee was charged for the Independent Examination of the accounts (2024= £nill. 2024 figures have been re-formatted with insurance and accreditation cosls moved d¢)wn into govemance. A furthei refotmath'ng is being consideied. showing full cost recovery of those govemance costs to the different activities. 4. Debtors 2025 2024 Other debtors Pfepaymenls 1,332 1,466 1,226 Total 1.622 2,798 Creditors- amounts falling due within one year 2025 2024 Accrued expenses Pension creditor Deferred income {note 6) 999 388 1,846 1,170 348 7,982 Total 3.233 9.500 6. Analysis of deferred income 2025 2024 Tnjst for London 2.750 Hilden Trust 3,325 SCF7- One20ne 376 437 SCF8 - volunteer advice worker training 1,470 1.470 Total 1.846 7.982 Income has been deferred where tash received relates to specific b'me-bound projects spanning, or beginning after. the year end. 7. Trustee remuneratlon and expenses No trustee received any remuneration during this or the previous year_ Trustees have nol been reimbursed for travel or subsisten¢e expenses {2024-. nil) but only for purchases made on behalf of RMNS. There was one transaction with a related party during the year for £250, declared in advance and approved by the other truslees12024.. £250). 13
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) 8. Stsff costs 2025 2024 Wages and salaries National Insurance thntributions Pension contributions 66.870 22 1,910 51,665 1,449 68.802 53,114 The average number of employees during the year was 5 (2024.. 51. No employee eamed £60.CQO per annum or more in this or the previous year. Analysis of funds Opening Balance at 1 April 2024 Incomo Expenditure Transfers Closing Balance at 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Funds General Funds Designated fijnds 3.889 50,000 53.889 8.259 {8,O¢X)I 8,000 4,148 58,000 62,148 8,259 Restricted Funds Lottery 20210952 City Bridge Advice work (Trust for London) Hilden Trust One20ne {SCF"7} Volunleer advice worker training {SCF"8) Grants for Deslitule Refugees {LCRN) ESOL toddler group (London 8orough of Sutton Neighbourhood Grant) 59,044 32,9eii 2,750 3,325 61 (53,7641 (35,8241 (2,750) {3,325) (61) 14.848 2.864 (150) 148) 12,638 98,140 95.922 14,856 66,527 106,399 {95.9221 77,004 "London Borough of Sutton Community Fund (SCF) have provided RMNS wtth a number of different granls for the specifi purposes detailed above. 14
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT NETWORK SUTTON (A Company Limited by Guarantee No 08026861) 9. (continued) Analysis of funds - GparatiVeS Opening Balance at 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfefs 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 Restricted Funds Lottery 20210952 City Bridge Advice work (Trust for Lond¢)n) Hilden Trust One20ne ISCF"71 Volunteer advice worker training (SCF'8) Advice worker training to OISC2 (SCF?) Grants for Destitute Refugees ILCRN) ESOL toddler group (London Borough of Sutton Neighbourhood Grant) 36.556 31.39J 10,750 7,000 53 (26,988) (28,526) (10,750) 17.000) (53) 9,568 2,864 665 258 48 (6651 (1001 158 48 971 85.749 74,082 12,638 21,809 119.850 (75.1321 66,527 "London Borough of SLrtton Community Fund ISCF) have provided RMNS with a number of different granls for the specific purposes detailed at>ove. 10. Net assets by fund Total Funds 2025 Total Funds 2024 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Current assets 63,535 16,702 80,237 76,027 Credilors.. amounts falling due within one year (1.387) {1.846) (3,233) (9.500) 62.148 14.856 77.004 66.527 15