RAY (Refugee Action York) (Registered Charity Number: 1154065) Trustees. Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Charlty accounts Independent examlnatlon servlces
RAY (Refugee Action York) {R•glstered Charlty Number: 1154065) Contents Index Pag8 Trustees. Annual Report Independent Examlner's Report Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts
Trustees, Annual Report From: 0110412023 To: 3110312024 Charlty'8 full namo RAY (Refugee Action York) Regl•t•rod Charlty number 1154085 Ob ectlves and actlvltlos Summary of th• purpo••• of th• charlty ••t out In It• govornlng document To advance education and relleve financlal hardship amongst mlgrants, those seeklng asylum and those granted refugee 8tstU8, P8rticularty by the provi8ion of advice and guidanca. To advance th8 education of the public in general about the issues relating to refvgees and those seeking asylum. Summary of the maln aetlvltles In relatlon to those purpos•• for th• publlc b•nefi( In parficular, th• actlvlllu, projects or •orvlco8 Id•ntlfl•d In tho accounts We have continued to run our Hub gathedngs once a month, celebrating dlfferent cultures each time we meet, and with varying infomiation sessions and activities also on offor. Th8 coff88 momings ar8 8 w88kly Iwo-hour dropin session hosted by York St John University, wth an enhanced offer of ESOL support through Unlver81ty staff and volunteers. We obso partner with CltSzen8 Advice York (CAY) to have an Outreach Advisor 8vai18bl8 for appointments at évery session. Each family or individual we support 18 allocated a Project Worker. who meets with them for an initial assessment of thelr needs and can then provlde approprlate help, support or referrals to appropriate agencies (8g financial halp or budgeting 8UPPOrt, mental health support or r6f8rral, immigration advice, housing need). RAY Pfovid89 weekly Youth Group and sports Sessions and m8ntoring for young people, as well as clawde8 in Arablc and Turk18h, Including GCSE and A Level. Th18 year we added Ukralnlan to the cla8888 Through our 8efrnd1ng Project RAY offered both Inltlal Intenslve pracllcal 8UPPOrt and longer-temi befriending and integration support to respond to tha user-identified needs of service users. We al80 continue to offer English conversation practice either in small groups led by a volunt88r. or on a one-to-one basis With a volunteer. Our Swlmming Project has offered the opportunity for anyone who cannot 3wim to leam to be 88fe in the water, erther through group sessions organized solely for RAY seNice users. or through a funded place at general Swimming lessons.
We continue to use our Hardship fund to support families and individuals who have no recour88 lo public funds, or who have a speclfic need such as winter coats or shoes, We held 3 drop-in sessions per week specificalty for asylum seekers who are living in a local hotel. We offer an initi81 needs assessm8nt. with raferrals to appropriat8 ag8nci8s (eg foodbank,18gal advice, mental health support): English conversation group: crafts & board games. he8lth and wellbeing informalion sessions and activities; giveaway sessions of donated items such as toyslschool unifomiltoiletries" and a chance to SOCi81ise with others from the hotel and RAY wjlunteers. We inlroduced a monthly Wornen's Project focusing on health and wellbeing, wlth infomation 8888lons on women's health topics. craft activities, and provision of lunch, For the first part of th8 year we ran 8 Clothing Bank project, working with churches from Ono Voice, enabling asylum seekers to select from donated Items of dothing, glvlng them more choice and dlgnlty. This was a tim8•limited Project which ended in August 2023. Th• trust8è8 consider that thoy have complied with their duti88 to have due regard to the public benefrt guSdance published by the Charlty Commission. Achlevements and rforniance 8ummary of the maln achlevements ol the charlty, Id•ntJfying the dlfference the charlty'8 work ha• made to th• clrcum8tance• of Its bgn•flclarlM and any wldor bonefit• to socloty •• a whole. In 2023124 RAY 8UPPOrted over 1,000 asylum seekers and refugees. Flve year8 ago this figure was around 150. As an organi8ation we have had to expand rapidty over the last few yearn. leaming to be re8pon8ive and flexible to meet the level of need and new th811enge8 we have faced 8rls5ng from different global 8nd political situations. Through our vaiious Services this year: At18a8t 58 seNic8 usars have had th8 b8n8fit of various referrals to foodbank. RAY hardship fund, benefits advice. communlty fumbture store, other Funds 8uch 88 Fuel Poverty or School Unlfomi fvnd8, Digital Inclusion projects, and bikes. 11 service US8rs w8r8 supported on enhancing their Cvs and assisting with preparation for job appllcations 8nd inlervlew8, 40 88rvlce users took up volunteering opportunitl8S Within RAY'S different servic08, including 2 who seNe on the Trustee Board. staff have worked with individuals on accessing housing and régistering onto the Local authority sodal housing scheme. Being matched with a volunt88r befriend8r has led to reduced isolation. and improved integration inlo the local community. 88 well as increa8od confidence in accessing new 8ervice8, and a grealer general 8en8e of wellbeing. It has also enabled other needs of the service user to be picked up at an early stage, so that RAY staff could help or refer to Ihe appropriate agencylorg8nl8ation.
142 people have attended ESOL or English ConrSation this y8ar, and 51 people have attended workshopsltalks. 4 young people achieved GCSE in Arabic. all at grade 8 or 9, and 2 achieved A Level. 2 young people were awarded Summer Scholarships at York University. 15 children and young people have participated in regular swimminglessons. In December w6 held a Chri8tma8 party in partnership with the Refugee Council at the Barbican Centre. Approxlrnately 170 asylum seekers attended, Father Christmas gave out presents donat8d by local charity (York Cares) and also led a Christmas singalong, children did Christmas themed craft activities and everyone received a party bag of food. On International Women's Day 39 women onjoyed participats'ng in a drumming workshop for women, In February the University of York 8POrt8 centre hosted us for an all ag8 multi sports activty session. 69 8ervlce users attended and had the opportunlty to play tenn18, badmlnton. volleyball, football, and to use balance bikas. This partn•r8hip with the Univarsity of York has b••n reAlly appr8ciat8d and we are looking to hold further ses8lons. The sports centre also provide drlnks and snacks, and dlstrlbuted bags, watsr bottles and sports clothes to attend88s. At the first Women's Project, we provided resource8 for the women lo make decoupage rnirror8, and talkad a littlo aboul brokonne88 and courag• u8ing a picturo with th888 word8 on it.. Work at boing in love wSlh the person in the mlrror who has been through so much but Is stlll standlng.. At the end of the sesslon one of the woman typed into a tran81ation app on h8r phone, .1 had lost myself for a long tim8, I had lost my feellngs . . With thls beautlful cultural work of yours, I found myself and my feellngs and my spSrlt again. Thanks" RAY'S Arabic Teachar reports.. 'Teaching Arabic language classes is a uniqu8 and fulfilling axp8rlence. It Invofves nol Just teaching language skills but al80 sharing cultural traditions and hlstory.. RAY has played an important rol8 in supporting the children who want to learn tho Arabic languag8 for free, 88CIallY since there are no Arablc schools in York, and l am 80 glad to work with RAY to support th18 Gau8e." Feedback from Ukrainian class Studants: o .1 really like the88 Ukrainian languag81833ons, and I think thoy are very important at the moment because I don't h8ve many opportunitles to communicate In my nativelanguage. That's why I Ihink th8 lessons are essential.. 0 "18tudy Iha Ukrainian language b•cau80 I dont want to forgot my homoland. I liko studying to remember that I was bom in Ukralne.. o "Every Friday, I leam something new about my language. It helps me to remember my native language arKI not ft)Tget it."
Flnanclal revlew Revlew of tho charfty's flnanclal posftlon at the end of the perlod During the 202>24 financial year RAY received income of £277,898. which was a reduction of 16% from the previous financial year. and spènt £331,463 (increase of 43%). Th• majority of FIAY'S funding comprised grants from charltles and local government. Grant income was lower than last year, when RAY received some large oneff grants and additional funding following a significant increase in demand, when a hotel in York was opened to 450 asylum seekers. Regular donation income was consislent with previous years, but there were mor8 one-off donations in 2022-23, in response to high profile avents including the 8rr¢val of refugees from Ukraine. Expendtture incre88ed in 2023-24 because of the $u$talned hlgh demand for RAY'S salC8s. RAY employed more staff and ran mor8 activities to support th8 increas8d number of service users. This level of demand has continued into the 2024-25 financial year. As a lemporary measure following a large number of new arrivals in York in winter 2022. RAY coordinated and ran a clothing bank ft)r several months In 2023-24. In accordance wlth RAY'S flnanclal strategy, fundlng was Sought and obtalned from dfverse sources in Ihe 2023-24 financlal year, to ensure financlal 8tablllty. RAY 8eeks a mlxture of multi-year and Ind(vidual grants. The funding environment remains challenging and comp8titive. Generous donations from the public continue to provlde 8 vftal Source of unrestrlcted funds, which allow RAY the Ilexibillty lo be agile and respond rapidly to global events that cause people to seek refuge and asylum in the UK and. ultimately, York. gtatement explalnlng tho pollcy for holdlng re8erve• statlng why thoy are held Th8 charty relies on grants and donations to meet its objectives, FIAY has a policy of holding a18vel of unrestricted reserves In order to be able to fund operating expendtture for three to Six months, should grants and other funding obtained not be sufficient to maintsin services and react ftexibty to extemal events Sn the short tenn. The trustees have designated a small fund to ensure that reserves remaln avall8ble for hardship payments to th088 m¢)st in need. Amount of re8èrvM held Al the year end RAY held reserve8 of £210,513, over 96% of whlch wa8 held In ca8h. Around 84% of totsl reserves represented restricted funds, monies given to RAY for Specific purposes. Tho charity held unrestricted re88Nes of £65.670 at 31 March, equlvalent to 2.4 months of expenditure, wthlch 18 sllghtly b8low the desired rang8. RsOn• for holdlng zero •r¥•* NIA Fund• mat•rlally In d•flclt NIA Explanatlon of any unc•rtalntle• about the charlty contlnulng a• a golng concern NIA Additional infomiation RAY'S exlstence and success is enabled by the generous support of individuals, cornrnunty groups, business88 and tnjsts, l)oth within York and from further afield. The Board of Trustees tskes this opportunity lo recognise and thank everyone who has contributed to RAY'S funding in 2023-24, wrthout Vrn the seNices and support provided to servic8 users would simply not b8 possible.
Structure overnance and rnana ement Descrlption of th? charlty's tru•ts TY of govorning dUmeftt Constitution How the charity Is constitutsd cio Trustee Selection methods including New trustees are appointed by members at the Annual General d•tsll$ of Any con•tltutlonal M8gting provisions Reference and admlnl8tration detalls Charty'8 full name RAY (Refugee Action York) Charlty'• prfncipal addros• clo Cllfton Chiklren's Centre Kingsway North York Postc¢xle Y030 6JA Names of the tru8ts8s who mana e thè chari Offico ftt any) Chair from 7.12.23 Treasurer Tru•te¥ nam• David Croft Rachel Bateson Ma8 Dorai Annette Maas Thomas Adamski Valentin Muhire ary Mccormack Angela Creswick Until 6.12.23 6.6.19- 6.12.23 2.2.24 31.3.24 16.1.24 31.3.24 eclarauon The tru$tee8 doelaro that they havo *PPfoved the Tru•t•08 Annual Report and Accounts Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature Full Name Position Date bhiiib SA LLDFr
Independent examlnerfs report to the trustees of Home•Stsrt Craven I report on the accounts of: RAY (Refugee Artlon York) for the year ended: 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 18. This report Is made solely to the Charlty'S Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My independent examination work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responslblllty to anyone other than the CharSty and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my Independent examinatlon work, for thls report, or for the opinions I have formed. Responslbllftles and basls of report As the charlty Trustees of the Trust you are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts In accordance with the requlrements of the Charlties Act 2011 {'the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the CIO'S accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and In carryln8 Out my examination I have followed all the applicable Dlrertions glven by the Charity commission under sectlon 145{5)(b) of the Act. Independent examlner's statement I have completed my examlnatlon. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examlnatlon giving me cause to believe that In any materlal respect: I l.accounting records were not kept In respect of the Trust a5 requlred by section 130 of the Act; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records 3 the accounts do not comply with the accountlng requlrements of sectlon 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requlrement that the accounts give a 'true and falr vlew which Is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. or 4 3.the accounts do not comply wlth the applicable requirements concernln8 the form and content of accounts set out In the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts 8lve a true and falr view which is not a matter considered as part of an Independent examlnatlon. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connection wlth the examlnation to which attention should be drawn in this report In order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. )r/i/ir Jeff Todd (FCA) Outsource independent examination services 24 First Avenue York Y0317YQ Date:
RAY (Rofugee Actlon York) Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles for the year ondod: 31 March 2024 Unrestrlcted De•lgnatod Restrlcted funds funds fund8 Total 2024 Total 2023 Incom• and •ndowments from: Granis, donatlons and legacles Trading activiti8S Inv6slments 33.198 1,975 21 5.075 237,627 275.900 1,975 21 328,866 2,888 Total Incom• 35,194 5,075 237 627 331,754 Expendlturn on: Rai8ing furKI8 Charltable actlvltles 1,948 31,258 240 293,030 2.188 329,275 939 231,288 4,987 Total •xp•ndltur• 33,206 4.987 293 270 331,463 232,227 N•t Incom•l(•xpondltur•) 1.988 88 55.643 99.527 Gm$ transforn betWn fund8 (1,575) 1,575 Not mov•m•nt In fund• 413 88 Total fund• brought foThvard 85.257 9,735 189.088 264.080 164.553 Totsl funds carrl•d forward 65,670 9,823 135.020 210,513 264,080
RAY (Refugee Actlon York) Balance Sheet as at: 31 March 2024 Nots 2024 2023 Flxed a98ets Tanglble assets 2.807 3,451 3.451 Totsl fixad aM•ts Cuffent A8••t• Cash at bank and in hand 208,776 253,121 Debtors & prepayThnts Totsl cunent ag80ts 4,578 11,498 211,354 264 619 Curr•nt Llablllll•*'. Amounts falllng due wlthln ono year Credrtofs and awuals {3,648) {3.9 ) Total curr•nt Ilabllltl•s Not A•••l• 210 $13 FundB of tho Charfty Unr&stricted Funds (General) Designated Funds 10 85.870 65.257 10 9,823 9.735 R6stricted Funds 10 135,020 189.088 Totsl Fund• Carr1 forward 10 & 11 210,513 264 080 The financial Bt•teThnts w•r8 appTov•d by the truJle8• and $lgned on their beham by.. TnJ•ta•,' < rxtS:, 13T
RAY {R8fuge8 Actlon York) Notos to the accounts for the year ended: 31 March 2024 1 Basls of preparatlon 1.1 Basls of accountlng The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts In accordance wlth Ihe Flnanclal R8POrtlng Standard appllcable In the UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP (FRS 102)). 1.2 Changè of basls of accountlng and prevlous accounts Th8r8 has been no change to the accountlng pollcles (valuatlon rules and methods of accountlng) slnce last year. 1.3 Chang• to pr•vlou8 accounts No changes have been made lo accounts for prevlous y8ar8. 2 Accountlng pollcles Income and ondowmants Recognltlon of Income Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when: the charity becomes entitled to the resources; receipt is probable; and the mon8tary value can be measured with sufficient r81iabillty. Incomlng ro8ourco8 wlth related expendlture Where incoming resources have related expendlture, the Incoming r8sourc88 and related 8xpandltur6 are reported gross in the SOFA. Grants and donatlons Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has evidence of entitlement to the resources and receipt is probable. Volunteer help The value of any voluntary holp recelved18 not Induded In the accounts butls descrlb8d in the trustees, annual r8POrt. Expendlture and Llabllltlos Expendlture Charitable actlvltles Charitab18 activities expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and sorvic88. It indudas both costs that can bé allocated diredy to such activitiés and thos6 costs of an Indlrect nature necessary to support them. Llablllty recognltlon Liabilities are recognlsed as soon as there is a legal or constructive obllgation committing the charity to pay out resources.
Tanglbl• flxed assets for use by the charlty These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at th8 value to the charfty on receipt. Depreciation is charged at the rate of 20°h on the straight line basls. Fund accountlng Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for u88 at th8 discretion of the trustees in fvrtherance of the general objectiV88 of the charily. Designated funds are funds lch are 8annarked by the trustees for a partlcular purpose and can be formally undesignated and retumed to unrestricted funds. Restrfcted funds are funds which can only be used for particular restrlcted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions ari8e when specified by the donor. 10
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RAY (Refugee Actlon York) Notes to the accounts for the year ended: 31 March 2024 5 Trustse expenses & •xamlnatlon fees 5.1 Trustse •xponsos No trustees received a remuneration for services rendered during the year, nor were any trustee8' Out of pocket expenses reimbursed. 2024 2023 5.2 Feos for examlnatlon of the accounts Independent ExamSnerfs fees for reporting on the accounts 600 600 Other fees paid to the Independent Examiner 6 Pald Employees 2024 2023 6.1 Staff costs Gross wages, salaries and b8n8fits in kind Employerfs Natlonal Insurance costs Employerfs Pension costs 230,075 13,483 153,916 6,363 Totsl staff costs 249 175 6.2 Averago numbor of full tlmo •qulvalent omploy•os by department 2024 2023 Charltable Actlvltles Total 7 Tanglbl• flxed assets ICT and offlc• •qulpment Total 7.1 Cost or valuatlon Balanca blfv 7,055 7,055 Additions Disposals 710 (157) 710 (157) Balan ¢lfwd 7,608 7,608 7.2 Deproclatlon Balance blfwd 3,604 3,604 Charge for year Di8P06816 1.354 (157 } 1,354 (157) Balance clfwd 4,801 4,801 7.3 Net book valu• Brought forwa 3.451 3.451 Carrled forward 2,807 13
8 Debtors and prepaymonts Analysis of debtors Amounts falllng due wlthln on• ar Grants recelvable Prepayments and accrued income 2024 2023 3,736 8,500 2,998 Total 9 Crodltors and accruals Analy8ls of creditor8 Amounts falling dua wlthln one year CredStors Accruals and deferred Income 2024 2023 3,048 600 3,390 600 Total 14
10 Movement of funds 10.1 Movement of major funds 2024 Balance blfwd Incomlng Outgoing r•$ourcg8 resourc•$ Balance clfwd Fund Name Tran•fern Unrestrlcted Funds (Goneral) General funds 33,206 Deslgnatsd Funds Hardship 9,735 9,735 5,075 5,075 4,987 4,987 9,823 9,823 Rostrlcted Belfry 818 Lottery BBC Children in Need coyc 3,750 39,893 12,731 3,750 129,948 12,731 135,000 44,945 Main funding Brexlt Financial Inclusion Fishergate Ukralne 34,744 25 (1,492) 1,150 23,096 34,744 25 9,683 2.295 2,298 243 1,054 3,443 40,456 2,302 8,593 2,550 80 13,139 11,937 5,999 8,000 293 270 9,600 1.145 40,000 285 1,575 60,798 42 Donatlons Geoff Herrington IC8 JRF JRHT Refugee Council Refugee week Sam Pegram Foundatlon Swlmming Two Ridlngs Two Ridings Cost of Living York Foodbank (Clothlng bank) 1,054 15,000 11,557 40,456 2,302 11,210 2,167 750 10,000 2,470 10,000 2,617 383 670 10,390 13,529 9,467 4,001 8,000 237 627 135 020 Totsl Funds 264,080 277,896 331463 210,513 15
2023 Balance blfwd Incoming Outgolng resources resources Balanco clfwd Fund Name Transfers Unrestrlcted Funds (G•neral) General funds 103503 19,783 Deslgnated Funds Hardship Lloyds Bank 10,427 11,741 22,168 10,136 10,828 9,735 (11,741) 11,741 10,136 10,828 9,735 Restrlctsd Awards for All Belfry Big Lottery BBC Children In Need Bresleff coyc 710 (710) 4,000 60,000 25,075 250 28.452 21,872 3,750 39.893 12,731 8.345 9,528 1,458 (1,458) Main fundlng Brexit Financial IncSusion Flshergate Ukralne 225 6,842 45,000 10,481 6,817 10,492 4,076 4,062 328 7,730 376 12,780 76 34,744 25 {1,492} 1,150 23,096 9,000 5,226 27,158 Evan Cornish Geoff Herrington Hotel public donations JRF JRHT MEX MIND Refugee week Swlmming Two Ridings 328 8,784 376 1,054 53,236 40,456 2,302 2,378 1,880 3,994 383 10,000 {1,880) (3,994) 383 13,529 10,000 6,471 Parenting course Ukraine Mental Health and wellbein8 Hardship York Foodbank {Clothin8 bank) 1,150 1,150 2,514 3,803 2.000 8.000 189 088 3,000 4,950 2,000 10,000 486 1,147 2.000 117896 Total Funds 164,553 331.754 232.227 264,080 16
10.2 Dotalls of Funds Held Bolfry Funding for a 6 month clothing bank project 8lg Lottery To provide fundlng for staff. venue and runnlng costs of our regular sessions and s8Nices BBC Chlldren In Need To fund Youth Worker and youth club sessions Brelms To provide funding for Volunteer Coordinator post COYC Maln lundlng To provide funding for running costs for our services and Project Work8r to support Ukrainians COYC Brexlt To provide funding for Project Worker to support Ukr8inians resettling In York COYC Flnanclal Incluslon To fund a project to help users maxlmise thelr Income and access advlce COYC Flshergate Ward Funding for a 6 month clothing bank project and venue costs for dropin sessions COYC Ukralne To provide funding for Project Worker to support Ukrainians resettllng In York CVSINAVCA Funding to help lauch our Clothing Bank Geoff Horrlngton To fund work with 18-258 ICB To fund work supporting the health and wellbelng of asylum seekers Ilvlng In a hotel in York JRF To providing funding for Project Worker, Volunteer Coordinator and Youth Worker posts JRHT To fund a project to help u88rs maximis6 their Income and access advice NHS App To fund activities that provide engag8ment and support to download, register and use the NHS App Refugoe Councll To fund a weekly dropin sesslon for asylum s88kers Refugee Week To fund events in Refugee Week Sam Pegram Foundatlon To fund access to sports activitle8 for asylum seeking children In York Swlmmlng To fund swimmlng lessons for non-swlmmers, and other actlvltles Two Rldlngs To fund a Parentlng Course, SUPPOrt to Ukrainians resettling In York, and a Montal Health & Wollbeing Project York Foodbank - Clothlng Bank Funding for a 6 month clothing bank project 10.3 Transfers betwoon funds These represent balances in projects which are now complate and the grantors have allowed the transfer of rgmaining amounts to unrestrlcted funds. 17
11 Net assots between funds Unrnstrlctod & deslgnatod Funds R•8tricted Totsl Funds 2024 Balanc•s at 31•t March 2024 Fixed assets Current assets Current liabS1Stles 2,807 76,334 3,648 2,807 211,354 3.648 210 513 135,020 135 020 Unrestrlcted & doslgnatad Funds R••trlcted Total Funds 2023 Balancu at 31st March 2023 Fixed a8Sats Current assets Current Ilabllltles 3,451 75,531 (3,990) 3,451 264.619 (3,990) 264,080 189,088 189 088 18