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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1151557 (England and Wales)

Company registration number 08318232

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Ms P Holmes
Mr P Hand-Griffiths
Ms C A Root
Mr M Ngouala
Mr A Misail
Charity number 1151557
Company number 08318232
Registered office The Lodge
Green Lane
Bolton
Independent examiner David Kay, FCA
Barlow Andrews LLP
Carlyle House
78 Chorley New Road
Bolton
Bankers The Royal Bank of Scotland
46-48 Deansgate
Bolton

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 3
Independent examiner's report 4
Statement of financial activities 5
Balance sheet 6
Notes to the financial statements 7 - 13

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

The charity’s objects are:

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

  2. The provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life of those persons who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances.

The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects have not changed during the year.

Strategies for achieving aims and objectives

This has been carried out through weekly drop-in advice sessions, provision of specialist immigration advice, English classes, women-only classes, arts and craft activities, work-club, social/leisure activities, and trips.

Public benefit

The trustees have a duty to ensure that the activities of the charity continue to provide a public benefit. They are more than satisfied that by carrying out the above activities the charity continues to provide public benefit.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

Significant activities and achievements against objectives

BRASS is growing from strength to strength and is working with more outside agencies and partners than ever before.

We provide a full range of support and information services in our main building, with immigration advice and advisors providing continuous support throughout the week. We have individual appointments for immigration advice with our Senior Manager and now four registered immigration advisors who also have individual appointments but are able to accept drop-in appointments when possible.

Our Information and Support Hub has developed and expanded. BRASS has developed experience through our involvement in two Positive Pathway programmes, supported by Bolton CVS, the second of which ends in January 2026.

We have been working in partnership with Bolton College developing a Drop In initiative, supporting all our users, providing access to Bolton College, supporting employability and running a range of interesting and complementary workshops.

We have now developed an employability corner in our main building supported by a trained employment consultant helping users with their CVs and applications, accessing them to volunteering and employment opportunities.

The Digital Inclusion project, initially funded through Bolton Library, has been very popular and users have access to digital learning, including growth in literacy and language skill.

A Refugee Welcome project in partnership with WEA commences in 2025 and in 2024, we have been preparing the groundwork needed to achieve the results required.

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

We have ESOL classes throughout the week, including ESOL classes through WEA, and conversation cafes every week.

UK culture awareness training supports users to prepare for engagement and work and encourages them to volunteer and find ways to gain experience.

Our Women's Centre, supported by Bolton at Home, has also expanded with the two sessional workers being trained in a variety of skills including first aid and certified childcare. The centre holds ESOL classes every week, with an external volunteer, and sewing classes with a teacher helping women to develop their own skills. 226 women attended these sessions throughout the year.

Every year we receive many referrals from other organisations, which are beyond our remit or indeed our expertise, including the Home Office, the Red Cross, Job Centre Plus, NHS, Social Services, Greater Manchester Police, and GPs. We feel we can facilitate this need by continuing to allow other agencies to use our Hub facility.

BRASS is working in partnership with Refugee Action and is a full member of the Greater Manchester Consortium called Step Change. This continues to enable us access to Greater Manchester's wide support and connections. Our senior manager is a fundamental part of the Step Change task force and we are pursuing further partnership arrangements to expand this consortium.

In 2024, we supported 1510 people growing from 1046 people in 2023 and 1024 in 2022. We recorded 3647 visits with 757 supported across our immigration advice service. Our volunteers contributed 3647 hours to support our organisation and its services.

Nationality (visits): Iraq, Sudan, Iran, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Syria, Eritrea, Cameroon, Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Albania, Kuwait, Nigeria, Egypt, El Salvador, Somalia, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Nicaragua, Yemen, Russia, Rwanda, Guinea, Botswana, Angola, Lebanon, Turkey, South Sudan, Bangladesh and the Ukraine.

The main languages we deal with are Arabic, French, Farsi, Portuguese, Swahili and Spanish.

Our annual summer event in August was unfortunately cancelled following police advice due to the national riots. August 2025 has already been booked and everyone can not wait.

In December 2024, we held a thank you lunch for all our staff, volunteers, and trustees, which was attended and, enjoyed by all.

BRASS continues to learn from our partnership working and have plans to grow and expand our service in 2025/26 so that we can help more people and become a voice not only in Bolton but also in Greater Manchester.

Financial review

The results of the charity’s activities are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 6 of the accounts, showing net reduction in funds of £16,150. Unrestricted funds carried forward at year end totalled £104,549 and restricted funds were £14,962.

Reserves policy

The reserves policy is regularly reviewed as the activities and operations of the charity continue to evolve. The aim remains to carry sufficient free reserves to cover a minimum of 6 months of operating costs, in the unlikely event that our income streams should cease or, more possibly, be significantly reduced, as we experienced a few years ago. Our free reserves currently stand at £100,860, which, though lower than last year, satisfies the target. We wish, however, to see this figure increase so that we give ourselves a secure platform from which to continue our valuable services in the long term.

Principal funding sources

Principal funding sources in 2024/25 were The National Lottery, Refugee Action, Bolton at Home, Tudor Trust and GMCA. We also received donations from various other sources and are grateful to all our funders for their support.

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Major risks

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Plans for future periods

We continue to learn from our partnership working and have plans to grow and expand our service in 2025/26 so that we can help more people and become a voice not only in Bolton but also in Greater Manchester.

Structure, governance and management

Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers (BRASS) is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The company was incorporated on 4 December 2012. There is no share capital and it is limited by guarantee, to a maximum £5 each, payable by its members.

As a registered charity the company is non-profit-making and its directors and trustees are volunteers.

The trustees (who are also the directors for the purpose of company law) who served during the year were: Ms P Holmes

Mr P Hand-Griffiths

Ms J A Hilling (Resigned 30 April 2024) Ms C A Root Mr M Ngouala Mr A Misail

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees are appointed by the members of the organisation at the Annual General Meeting. Directors/trustees have the power under the governing documents to co-opt individuals who support the objects of the organisation to fill vacancies on the Board of Management.

As part of their induction, new trustees are provided with information about the charity, the management structure, its history and working practices. In addition they are also provided with copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association plus information from the Charity Commission and Companies House regarding the duties and responsibilities of directors and trustees.

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £5 in the event of a winding up.

Organisational structure

Day to day management responsibility rests with the management team, which reports to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees meets on a regular basis and consisted of 5 trustees at the year end.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Ms P Holmes Trustee

23 September 2025

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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

Independent examiner's 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 that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

David Kay, FCA Barlow Andrews LLP Carlyle House 78 Chorley New Road Bolton

Dated: 23 September 2025

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
103,620
-
Grant income
3
-
82,260
Total income
103,620
82,260
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
134,732
67,298
Total expenditure
134,732
67,298
Net income/(expenditure) and
movement in funds
(31,112)
14,962
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
135,661
-
Fund balances at 31 March
2025
104,549
14,962
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
103,620
108,550
-
82,260
-
53,765
185,880
108,550
53,765
202,030
102,936
53,765
202,030
102,936
53,765
(16,150)
5,614
-
135,661
130,047
-
119,511
135,661
-
Total
2024
£
108,550
53,765
162,315
156,701
156,701
5,614
130,047
135,661

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
10
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
11
Unrestricted funds
2025
£
119,823
(4,001)
£
3,689
115,822
119,511
14,962
104,549
119,511
2024
£
138,832
(3,507)
£
336
135,325
135,661
-
135,661
135,661

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 23 September 2025

Ms P Holmes Trustee

Company registration number 08318232 (England and Wales)

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Lodge, Green Lane, Bolton.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are subject to specific restrictions imposed by the grantors or donors as to how the money can be spent. Where such funds are used to acquire fixed assets, the expenditure is capitalised and depreciation is charged annually against the fund balance.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Grant income is accounted for when all of the conditions for the grant have been met. Where unrestricted grant funding has been provided to cover running costs over a specified period of time, income is recognised on an accruals basis.

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category.

Expenditure is recognised when it is incurred and is reported gross of related income on the following basis:

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource.

Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, whilst others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures, fittings & equipment 20% straight line Computer equipment 25% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include the petty cash and bank current account balances.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, which include other creditors, are initially recognised at transaction price.

1.8 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

1.9 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.10 Taxation

The company has charitable status and is thus exempt from taxation of its income and gains falling within section 505 of The Taxes Act 1988 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that they are applied to its charitable objectives.

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
general
2025
2025
£
£
Donations and gifts
103,620
-
Donations and gifts
Other donations
3,370
-
National Lottery Community Foundation
50,000
-
Refugee Action
250
-
Bolton at Home
15,000
-
The Tudor Trust
35,000
-
103,620
-
Total Unrestricted
funds
2025
2024
£
£
103,620
108,550
3,370
1,000
50,000
32,550
250
-
15,000
40,000
35,000
35,000
103,620
108,550
Total Unrestricted
funds
2025
2024
£
£
103,620
108,550
3,370
1,000
50,000
32,550
250
-
15,000
40,000
35,000
35,000
103,620
108,550
1,000
32,550
-
40,000
35,000
108,550

3 Income from charitable activities

Restricted Restricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Grant income
The National Lottery 19,950 -
Bolton's Fund 2,000 -
Bolton Council 3,250 -
The Tudor Trust - 2,000
Refugee Action 47,643 51,765
GMCA 9,417 -
82,260 53,765

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4 Expenditure on charitable activities

Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Sessional work
Staff training
Project costs
Insurance
Repairs and cleaning
Travel expenses
Office expenses
Payroll processing fees
Professional fees and consultancy
Bank charges
Sundry expenses
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
2025
£
58,422
807
41,600
716
38,183
1,359
3,286
10,437
27,225
341
19,167
487
-
202,030
134,732
67,298
202,030
2024
£
52,054
421
32,050
-
20,853
1,743
3,700
9,602
23,066
319
12,558
277
58
156,701
102,936
53,765
156,701

Governance costs of £2,904 (2024: £2,808) are included in professional fees and consultancy above, relating to the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts.

5 Net movement in funds 2025 2024
£ £
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial
statements 2,904 2,880
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 807 421

6 Trustees

Two of the trustees received remuneration during the year for services provided over and above the normal services of a trustee, as disclosed to and agreed with the Charity Commission. C A Root received £16,347 (2024: £9,750) for services in the coordination of the BRASS Hub paperwork as required by the service level agreement with Refugee Action, whilst M Ngouala received remuneration of £36,294 (2024: £32,878) for his ongoing non-trustee services to the organisation.

Two trustees were reimbursed for travel expenses during the year amounting to £2,130 (2024: £1,824).

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2025 2024
Number Number
2 2
Employment costs 2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries 56,039 49,287
Social security costs 371 -
Other pension costs 2,012 2,767
58,422 52,054

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

8 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

9 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures,
fittings &
equipment
Computer
equipment
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2024
675
1,143
Additions
1,574
2,586
At 31 March 2025
2,249
3,729
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
506
976
Depreciation charged in the year
371
436
At 31 March 2025
877
1,412
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
1,372
2,317
At 31 March 2024
169
167
Total
£
1,818
4,160
5,978
1,482
807
2,289
3,689
336

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income
2025
£
1,097
2,904
4,001
2024
£
627
2,880
3,507

11 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At
Refugee Action
National Lottery
Bolton's Fund
GMCA
Bolton Council
Previous year:
At
Refugee Action
Tudor Trust
1 April
2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2025
£
£
£
£
-
47,643
(47,643)
-
-
19,950
(4,988)
14,962
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
-
9,417
(9,417)
-
-
3,250
(3,250)
-
-
82,260
(67,298)
14,962
1 April
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2024
£
£
£
£
-
51,765
(51,765)
-
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
-
53,765
(53,765)
-
1 April
2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2025
£
£
£
£
-
47,643
(47,643)
-
-
19,950
(4,988)
14,962
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
-
9,417
(9,417)
-
-
3,250
(3,250)
-
-
82,260
(67,298)
14,962
1 April
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
At 31 March
2024
£
£
£
£
-
51,765
(51,765)
-
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
-
53,765
(53,765)
-
-

Funding received from Refugee Action is for an initiative to transform Manchester's service provision into a joined-up and collaborative ecosystem of support for refugees, in partnership with Refugee Action.

Funding received from Bolton's Fund is to provide supermarket vouchers to asylum seekers and refugees, whilst in the previous year money received from Tudor Trust was for this same scheme.

Funding received from National Lottery related to the expansion of the Women's Centre, a project that provides a safe space for women to share their experiences as refugees and asylum seekers.

Funding received from GMCA is to engage with marginalised individuals from some of the region's hardest to reach communities; supporting them to remove barriers that prevent them engaging with education, training, or employment.

Funding received from Bolton Council is to promote and extend support for digital inclusion across Bolton. It aims to help to set up a network of 'community drop-ins' to provide digital help and skills.

BEFRIENDING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
At 31 March 2025:
Tangible assets
3,689
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
100,860
14,962
104,549
14,962
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
At 31 March 2024:
Tangible assets
336
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
135,325
-
135,661
-
Total
2025
£
3,689
115,822
119,511
Total
2024
£
336
135,325
135,661

13 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none), other than those already disclosed in note 6.