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2023-03-31-accounts

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum LTD

2023 Report and Financial Statements Company Registration No. 8350097 Registered Charity No. 1153956

for the year ending the 31st March 2023

Cover

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ending the 31st March 2023

Page
Trustee's Report 1-3
Statement of Director's/Trustee's Responsibilities 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8-11

Contents Page

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ending the 31st March 2023

Reference and Administration Details Name of Charity Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum Ltd Charity registration number 1153956 Date Registered 25th September 2013 Company Registration No. 8350097 Date registered: 7th January 2013 Principal Address Astolat Coniers Way, New Inn Lane Burpham Guildford Surrey GU4 7HL Names of Trustees/ Directors Neelam Devesher DL Chair Rajendra Chhetri Ajibha Judi Linney MBE Thomas Dunkley Treasurer Meeta Joshi Anita Ho Hayet Shahrezaey David Munro Professor Aftab Ala Appointed 14 June 2022

Independent Examiner The Accounting Crew Limited

This annual report is prepared to meet the requirements of the directors’ report and accounts as required by company law.

Page 1

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (cont'd)

Our Charitable Objective

To help black and minoritised ethnic communities of Surrey integrate socially and to help raise their voice on their needs and aspirations. As a race equality charity, SMEF aims to address inequity in all aspects of life including health, housing, employment, education and cultural services.

Our Impact

Our recent work on ‘voice and representation’ brought together over 200 people to report their experience as citizens of Surrey. Needs based assessment workshops on the effect of COVID and cost-of-living crisis were run across Guildford, Woking, Redhill and Camberley. Four themes were discussed i.e., youth issues and education, health, employment and advocacy. New projects and interventions will be developed based on these themes. Final report was shared with system partners. We organised ‘voices heard’ event following a racially aggravated hate crime incident in Stanwell in early 2023. We invited members from Black African and Afro-Caribbean communities to discuss their issues. 55 people participated, giving their views on how racism affected their day to day lives and the damaging impact on young people and communities. The event was attended by HM Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and representatives from Surrey Police and Surrey County Council. Final report was shared with Surrey Police and Surrey County Council.

We delivered 9 social impact projects focussing on public policy and services delivery design changes, health (including mental health), domestic abuse, interfaith harmony, social integration, Muslim women and girls’ inclusion, community safety and households’ financial assistance. We continued to support our member organisations with capacity building, education and training.

Our ‘Active Communities – Community Safety’ project funded by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner is now in its sixth year. The project delivered sessions on domestic abuse and harmful traditional practices. 32 women were made aware of what domestic abuse means, and next steps once reporting abuse to authorities. Drug and alcohol abuse sessions were also delivered where 55 people were provided information on drugs being circulated and consequences of alcoholism and drug addiction. Participants were made aware of the need to speak openly about such issues and how to seek professional help. As part of the project, internet safety for parents and child sexual exploitation awareness workshops were organised. These workshops raised awareness of the dangers of internet misuse, cyber security and how to protect children. 38 people attended these workshops. Sessions on hate crime were delivered to schools as part of this project. These sessions focussed on raising awareness within schools and making young pupils aged 8-11 years aware of what hate crime is, the importance of not tolerating hate-motivated behaviours how to report such behaviours to the authorities. The sessions brought to light that majority of children are unwilling to report such negative behaviours to teachers at schools. A total of 783 children attended these sessions.

Four hate crime panel meetings were hosted and chaired by SMEF chairperson. LGBTQIA2S+, faith, disability and race related hate crimes were discussed where 100 people attended. Hate crime panel meetings provided Surrey Police with an insight to the issues faced by these protected groups, as well as gave protected groups information about how law enforcement is addressing these issues. These meeting are creating trust and understanding between the Police and the protected groups, so that they can work better together.

Our ‘Trust’ project directly supported survivors of domestic abuse. 63 women and 78 children were offered bespoke service helping them to overcome conflict in their lives.

Our ‘Many Hands of Surrey’ integration project is in its second year of operations. The project is helping BAME communities integrate within the UK society. This project aims to empower and upskill women, create awareness within the community of a topical issue and give children a sense of belonging and security within schools. 145 women have attended regular drop-in sessions, which helped improve their confidence, communication, volunteering, employment, and IT skills. 107 people attended ‘earth day’ events, raising awareness on environmental issues. 474 children attended our ‘identity and belonging’ sessions which raised their confidence, helping them to celebrate diversity and develop a broader view on migration while giving them a sense of being part of the British society.

Minoritised ethnic stakeholder reference group project helped Surrey County Council and system partners re-shape delivery of services and policies in line with the needs and aspirations of Surrey 24% ethnic population. The project is funded by Surrey County Council and commenced in November 2021. During the period April 2022 through March 2023, project delivered on its KPIs as follows:

Stakeholder reference group strategy meetings 8
SCC & system partner meetings/consultations 12
MESRG representations on strategic forums 6
Intra-projects workshops participations 6
Total communities’ health champions trained 5
Community health seminars delivered 10
Community fire safety workshops delivered 2
GSP volunteering focus group survey responses 117
National housing policy survey responses 37
Employment & skills research participations
 3
Systems knowledge and digital engagement training 5
Young people drug abuse awareness talks
 3
Direct payments strategy co-production case studies 9
Third sector participatory consultations 4

Following key system partner consultations have been undertaken so far, under this project:

• Health champions community training

Page 2

The project had an overall direct community reach of 500 people, with indirect reach estimated at 10,000 people.

Our ‘health and race’ project works with public health professionals and Health Inequalities Task Group at Surrey County Council to raise concerns and feedback from community groups at different forums. This has resulted in professionals being more aware of the needs of the minoritised communities in Surrey. Diabetes and liver health awareness sessions were held where 120 people attended. Our perinatal equity project supports Black and minoritised pregnant women in Woking, Redhill and Stanwell. Regular drop-in sessions delivered by our community development workers aim to improve pregnancy experience and help ensure that the first 1000 days of an ethnic minority child can give them the best chances in life. Our ‘mental health engagement’ project is being delivered in partnership with Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and the Independent Mental Health Network. This project is now in its second year and has engaged with 576 people across the county. The project is aimed at early prevention, reducing mental health stigma and improving access to services through coproduction. The information cascaded through the project is showing an increased engagement with people from BAME communities with lived experience of mental health. We delivered mental health first aid training to 240 people (50 people attended certified mental health first aid training and 190 people attended mental health events). This training supported our 11 member groups to organise mental health events in their communities. The trainers were able to tailor events according to each community own needs such as language and location. People from ethnic minority communities were made aware of mental health issues and what to do in a mental health first aid situation as well as where to get long term support.

Our ‘Surrey Faith Links’ project aims to build interfaith harmony and improved relationships across multiple faith organisations and other sectors, particularly local authorities, public services, and voluntary and community groups. 23 Interfaith events were organised which were attended by 1150 people. The project helps create better understanding between people of diverse faiths and improve community cohesion. Surrey Faith Links project took the lead on raising awareness on climate change. 6 events were delivered with 185 people attending. As a result of these events, people developed greater understanding of climate change issues and how to reduce impact. They are also more aware of where to get support.

Our ‘Muslim Women and Girls Eco Warriors’ project worked with 30 women and girls on regular environmental and naturebased activities. The group engaged with Surrey Wildlife Trust, RHS Wisley Gardens and the Surrey Hills Society. The yearlong project culminated in an art project called with RHS Wisley ‘Under the Sea’ – part of the annual ‘House Plant Takeover’ event. The result was two large hand-sewn fabric panels of including fish, seaweed, and coral that went on to be displayed in the RHS Wiseley’s famous glasshouse. The women and girls reported that the activities reduced their isolation and improved their wellbeing.

We have continued to support our 55 membership organisations with capacity building, education and training. Community groups were supported with governance matters, charity registrations, fundraising and engaging with our various projects. We also provided emergency financial assistance to eligible households from Black and minoritised ethnic communities through our membership organisations under the ‘household support grant’ scheme. Up to GBP 200/- per household were distributed to 136 Black and minoritised ethnic families facing income poverty.

During financial year 2022-23, we have directly impacted the lives of over 5,000 Black and minoritised ethnic people. Following projects are still ongoing:

  1. Many Hands of Surrey

  2. The Trust

  3. Minoritised Ethnic Stakeholder Reference Group

  4. Health & Race (including All Age Autism Strategy)

  5. Perinatal Equity

  6. BAME Mental Health Engagement

  7. Surrey Faith Links

  8. Household Support Grants.

Page 3

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (cont'd)

Financial review

SMEF net funds position increased by 5% year-on-year from GBP 461,722 in financial year 2022 to GBP 484,635 in FY 2023. This comprises of GBP 342,410 of restricted funds Nd GBP 142,225 of unrestricted funds. SMEF raised a total of GBP 545,035 during the current financial year, compared to GBP 698,437 during previous year. SMEF’s total current asset position as at March 31, 2023 is GBP 569,332 compared to previous year current asset balance of GBP 638,157. There is a significant decline in SMEF short term liabilities which are GBP 84,697/- compared to GBP 176,434 last year. This has improved SMEF net assets position significantly.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff and volunteers for their dedication and commitment to our work. I would also like to thank our members, supporters, donors, board of trustees and especially our funders for their support during the year. I look forward to reiterating the message of race equality for all through our various project activities and front-line advocacy.

Reserves are needed to bridge the gap between the spending and receiving of income to cover unplanned expenditure, and also to provide opportunities for investment in new activities. Our reserves policy gives the ideal range for reserves of between 3 and 12 months operating costs. As at the end of March 2023 this range was £131k-£522k based on the year's performance and so the closing balance of £484k which is within this range.

The principal uncertainties for the continued operation of SMEF are the lack of consistent unrestricted income sources and long term funding security with most grants being given over 1- 3 years.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity is constituted as a Company limited by Guarantee and is therefore governed by its Memorandum & Articles of Association.

The Directors of the Company are also Trustees of the Charity.

Eligibility for membership of the Charity and membership of the Board of Trustees is governed by the Memorandum & Articles of Association.

There are no restrictions on the operation of the Charity or on its investment powers, other than those imposed by general Charity law.

Trustees are appointed in consultation with the members of SMEF, and given a formal induction by the Chair of the Board.

Statement of responsibilities of the Trustees

The Charities and the Companies Acts require the Board of Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Board is required to:-

· prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will not continue on that basis.

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with both charity and company law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are also responsible for the contents of the Trustees’ report, and the responsibility of the independent examiner in relations to the Trustees’ report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that, on the face of the report, there are no inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.

Page 4

Mlth)thy Elhnlt Fomm 14$($￿) (4W•3011

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending the 31st March 2023 including the Income and Expenditure account

Notes Unrestricted
Funds
£
Income from:
Charitable activities
141,259
Donations
10,000
Total
151,259
Expenditure on:
Charitable Activities
Community engagement and events
2
169,029
Total
169,029
Net Income/( Expenditure)
(17,771)
Transfer between funds
62,379
Total Funds brought forward at the 1st April
97,617
Total Funds carried forward at the 31st March
5 142,225		 Restricted
Funds
£
2023
Total
£
393,776
535,035
-
10,000
393,776
545,035
353,093
522,122
353,093
522,122
40,684
22,913
(62,379)
-
364,105
461,722
342,410
484,635		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
93,006
231
93,237
31,075
31,075
62,162
-
35,455
97,617		 Restricted
Funds
£
2022
Total
£
605,200
698,206
-
231
605,200
698,437
376,584
407,659
376,584
407,659
228,616
290,778
135,489
170,944
364,105
461,722

Page 6

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum

Balance Sheet at 31st March 2023

Current Assets
Notes
Debtors
6
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
7
Creditors: Amounts held on behalf of members
11
Net Current assets
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
Total Net Assets
The funds of the charity:
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds
5		 2023
£
10,846
558,486
569,332
84,697
-
484,635
484,635
484,635
142,225
342,410
484,635		 2022
£
124,332
513,825
638,157
176,434
-
461,722
461,722
461,722
97,617
364,105
461,722

The directors are satisfied that for the financial year ended 31[st] March 2022 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 and under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.

Under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 the accounts have been examined by an independent examiner, whose report appears on page 5.

The director’s acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect of accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies and with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008, revised July 2014).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 28 Nov 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

Thomas Dunkley (Co-Treasurer)

…………………………… ………………………….

Page 7

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending the 31st March 2023

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE), effective April 2008, revised July 2014, and all other applicable accounting standards, as modified by the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting issued by the Charity Commissioners for England & Wales (revised July 2014). The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Companies Act 2006.

Cash flow exemption

Exemption has been taken from preparing a cash flow statement on the grounds that the Charity qualifies as a small company.

Fund Accounting

Restricted Funds is money received which has been earmarked for a specific purpose by the donor or which has been raised by the charity for particular purposes. This includes both specific costs of delivering the work, and a proportion of the overheads costs, which are general administration and office management expenses related to the charity as a whole.

Unrestricted Funds is money available for any purpose agree by the trustees within the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for any other purpose.

Income

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities where the Charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis; which means the date the expense relates to, rather than when the payment was made.

Measurement of Financial Assets & Liabilities

All debtors, creditors and financial instruments are measured at amortised cost; which means, the original value less any amounts paid.

Pension

SMEF operates an autoenrolment pension scheme with Nest. This benefit is extended to all employees who wish to join. The scheme commenced during 2017/18 in line with our staging date.

Taxation

The charity does not incur any corporation tax on its charitable activities.

VAT

The charity does not have any income subject to VAT.

Reserves policy

Unrestricted reserves are regularly reviewed by the trustees to ensure they are sufficient to meet existing commitments and cover any expenses already committed or in the event that the Charity is wound up.

2.Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Direct expenditure (note 3)
Support costs (office and admin costs)
Governance (note 4)
Community engagement and events		 Unrestricted Restricted
2023
Total
2022
Total
109,273
351,140
460,013
365,501
48,478
1,952
50,430
40,320
11,279
-11,279 1,838
169,029
353,093
522,122
407,659

Of the total expenditure in 2022/23 £353,093 was restricted funds and £169,029 was unrestricted funds

Page 8

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending the 31st March 2023

3. Analysis of direct expenditure
Staff costs (note 8)
Facilitators fees/expenses
Meeting costs
Grants
Other		 2023
2022
Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
107,503
276,593
384,096
321,652
273
2,082
2,335
318
1,497
22,065
23,562
20,115
-
50,400
50,400
23,415
-
-
-
-
109,273
351,140
460,413
365,501

4. Governance costs

Staff costs
Independent Examiner’s Report
Annual return		 2023
2022
10,906
1,465
360
360
13
13
11,279
1,838

5. Funds

These represent specific grants from supporters towards various programmes undertaken by Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum. The amounts carried forward

Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey -
Active Communities Project
Community Foundation - Being Ourselves/MWG
Community Foundation - Capacity Building
UK Community Foundations - BAME Infrastructure
Fund
Mixed Funding - Health & Race
The National Lottery - Many Hands
Independent Mental Health Network - Mental Health
Survey
Surrey County Council - Household Support
Health Education England - Community Participatory
Action Research Project
Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey -
SMEF Trust Project
Surrey County Council - Surrey Faith Links
Let’s Create
Perinatal Equity
Total Funds		 Balance
1.4.2022
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfer
between
funds £
Balance
31.3.2023
£
97,617
151,259
169,029
(62,379)
142,225

34,001
675
9,182
25,494
-
952
19,934
21,801
(914)
3,556
23,063
4,591
22,028
66,564
3,000
33,505
36,059
117,696
6,563
9,288
114,971
60,366
95,478
85,682
70,162
22,006
43,425
45,303
20,128
-
44,550
50,259
(5,709)
37,142
1,030
1,287
36,885
-

16,826
34,631
39,750
11,708
4,995
27,714
35,150
(2.434)
3,714
4,952
(1,246)
90,000
12,343
77,657
364,105
393,776
353,093
62,379
342,410
461,722
545,035
522,122
-
484,635

Page 9

Comparative information for the movement in funds in the previous year is as follows:

Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey -
Active Communities Project
Community Foundation - Being Ourselves
Community Foundation - Capacity Building
UK Community Foundations - BAME Infrastructure
Fund
Mixed Funding - Corona Virus Support Fund
Mixed Funding - Health & Race
The National Lottery - Many Hands
Independent Mental Health Network - Mental Health
Survey
Community Foundation - Telephone Befriending
Surrey County Council - Household Support
Health Education England - Community Participatory
Action Research Project
Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey -
SMEF Trust Project
Surrey County Council - Surrey Faith Links
Total Funds		 Balance
1.4.2021
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Balance
31.3.2022
£
35,455
93,237
31,075
97,617

18,953
28,712
13,664
34,001
952
24,000
24,000
952
-
9,431
5,875
3,556
-
80,500
13,936
66,564
3,869
4,655
8,524
-
41,510
143,950
67,764
117,696
66,646
128,589
134,869
60,366
3,079
37,400
18,473
22,006
480
-
480
-
-
20,000
20,000
-
-
41,606
4,464
37,142

-
50,482
33,656
16,826
-
35,875
30,881
4,995
135,489
605,200
376,584
364,105
382,617
698,437
407,659
461,722

Page 10

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending the 31st March 2023

6. Debtors

6. Debtors
Debtors
7. Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
Deferred Income
Creditors
Accruals
8. Staff costs
Salaries
Employers Pension
Employers NI
The average Head count in the year
No employees received emoluments of more than £60,000
9. Trustee remuneration
Reimbursement of trustee travel costs (2022: 2 people)
10. Related party declaration and conflict of interest		 2023
2022
10,846 124,324

There were no related party transactions to declare during the financial year 22/23.

Page 11