ASSIST SHEFFIELD
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1154862
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
TINGLE ASHMORE LTD CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS SHEFFIELD
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
INDEX
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees' annual report | 2 - 7 |
| Independent examiner's report | 8 |
| Statement of financial activities and income and expenditure account | 9 |
| Balance sheet | 10 |
| Statement of cash flows | 11 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 12 - 19 |
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Name and principal address | ASSIST Sheffield |
|---|---|
| c/o Victoria Hall Methodist Church | |
| Norfolk Street | |
| Sheffield | |
| S1 2JB | |
| Other names the charity is known by | ASSIST |
| Charity number | 1154862 |
| Trustees | Paul Harvey |
| Peter Wood | |
| Kevin Quinton | |
| Godfrey Chikaviro | |
| Joy Uwamurera | |
| Wendy Yap | |
| Anokhee Parikh - appointed 28.9.23 |
|
| May Lubienski - appointed 28.9.23 |
|
| Pious Nyandoro - appointed 28.9.23 |
|
| Clive Last - appointed 25.1.24 |
|
| Elizabeth Clough - resigned 31.5.23 |
|
| Leadership team | Anna Rudd - Interim Director from October 2022 and |
| appointed Director in November 2023 | |
| Isabelle Fathimani - Client Support Manager, left | |
| August 2023 | |
| Jochen Kortlander - Accommodation Manager | |
| Phil Moore - Operations Manager | |
| Lyndsey McLellan - Fundraising Manager, left April 2023 | |
| Gemma Pillay - Client Support Manager, from July 2023 | |
| Clive Last - Volunteer Member, left May 2023 | |
| Bankers | The Co-operative Bank |
| PO Box 250, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT | |
| Charity Bank | |
| 194 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE | |
| Virgin Money | |
| 66 Fargate, Sheffield, S1 2HE | |
| United Trust Bank | |
| One Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9AW | |
| Nationwide | |
| Nationwide House, Pipers Way, Swindon, SN38 1NW | |
| Accountants and independent examiners | Tingle Ashmore Ltd |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| Enterprise House, Broadfield Court, Sheffield, S8 0XF |
Page 1
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
The trustees of the charity submit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024.
1. Structure, Governance and Management
The entity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which was registered with the Charity Commission in December 2013, charity number 1154862.
Previously the entity operated as Asylum Seekers Support Initiative Short Term (ASSIST), which was an unincorporated charity founded in 2003, charity number 1100894. The assets and liabilities of Asylum Seekers Support Initiative Short Term were transferred into the CIO in April 2014.
Overall governance of the charity is the responsibility of the trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the constitution. Day to day activity is managed and carried out by our Leadership Team consisting of a Director, Accommodation Manager, Client Support Manager and Operations Manager. The Leadership Team is assisted in the delivery of ASSIST’s services by 149 volunteers and a further 8 paid staff.
2. Charitable Aims and objectives The Trustees shall hold the trust fund and its income upon trust to apply them in the City of Sheffield and its environs for:
-
●The relief of people seeking asylum who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.
-
The advancement of the education of the public, and organisations (statutory or voluntary) to assist the inclusion of people seeking asylum into the wider community.
3. Vision and Mission Statement
Our overall vision is for all people seeking sanctuary in Sheffield to live life with dignity and hope for the future.
Our mission is to enable people seeking sanctuary in the UK who are being denied access to public funds, to sustain resilience against the effects of destitution and to make informed decisions about their future. We challenge the policy of destitution.
4. Our Core Values
Respect: We respect and value the intrinsic dignity and worth of individuals and celebrate diversity. We are committed to equality and creating a culture of inclusion and belonging.
Empowerment: We recognise that our clients are powerful individuals who have the agency and right to personal autonomy. ASSIST will work in ways that empower clients, centering them in our work. We will work to support clients to build resilience, take ownership of their lives and thrive.
Social Justice: Our work and campaigns are based on a deeply held belief in challenging social injustice and participating in a wider movement to bring about social change.
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
Partnership: We seek diverse perspectives and strive to include the breadth of ideas, experience and skills of all staff and volunteers. Where appropriate, we will collaborate and form strategic partnerships with other voluntary and statutory agencies.
Empathy: At ASSIST, we recognise the humanity in every person we interact with and treat people with compassion and kindness.
Competency: Informed by continuous learning, we aim for excellence and integrity in all our activities. We are courteous, ethical and non-judgemental and operate in line with agreed policies.
Transparency: We are dedicated to and encourage transparency, honesty, commitment and discipline in every aspect of our work.
5. ASSIST’s Strategic Objectives
In 2022/23 we engaged in a collaborative review of our current strategy; drawing on the contributions of clients, volunteers, staff and trustees across the ASSIST Community. We have set 5 priority objectives for 2023-2024:
● Include
Clients influence the way ASSIST works and that our ways of working become even more reflective of different groups in society.
● Stabilise
We will increase the capacity and quality of housing we offer and increase the lengths of stay so that more clients will move on positively from our accommodation
● Empower
Clients are supported in a way that is clear, fair, effective and informed by their own priorities and choices.
● Sustain
We are in a position to continue supporting our clients through our core services; housing, casework support and financial support. Staff and volunteers have what they need to do this, now and in the future.
● Partnership
Clients will see the benefits of us working more closely and effectively with our partner organisations.
6. ASSIST’s Main Activities
The main activities undertaken for the public benefit during the year were the alleviation of destitution for people seeking asylum and the education of the public about asylum and destitution.
In overseeing this work, the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
The main activities of the charity are focused on the support of people seeking asylum who have been made destitute by;
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●Providing material support through client welfare sessions
-
●Provision of initial and longer-term accommodation
-
●Casework and new client appointments
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●Accompanying service, through which clients are accompanied to important appointments
ASSIST Sheffield has a policy of supporting clients for a period of up to 3 years, with longer-term accommodation in a house provided for up to 24 months.
The Community and Fundraising team seeks to increase awareness of the issues facing people seeking asylum through publicity (e.g. local media, social media, newsletters) and by speaking at events. ASSIST will also participate in campaigns with other similar organisations in this sector.
The Charity produces an Annual Report each year, detailing the activities undertaken in the current year to show the public benefit and the achievement of their aims and objectives.
A copy of this report is available from the Charity at the address shown above.
7. Summary of the main achievements during the year
The summarised achievements of the year include the following:
The recommendations of an external HR review of ASSIST’s staffing structure and conditions were implemented by the organisation. Anna Rudd was appointed as Director on a permanent basis, the membership and function of the Leadership Team was revised, ASSIST increased the capacity of the staff team through adding additional roles and hours, and staff salaries were revised following a sectorwide comparison against similar roles.
The board also expanded its capacity by welcoming four new trustees, including those with lived experience of the asylum system and of global majority communities.
Client Support Services
In 2023/24, ASSIST continued to operate its services in a person-centred, trauma-informed way and further embed its three-stage support model which has been developed in consultation with our clients. 1) Stabilising - by providing short-term initial accommodation and financial payments, people experience safety and reduced risks around homelessness and poverty;
2) Planning for the future - through legal referrals, advice, signposting and long-term accommodation, people build resilience and confidence and see improvements in health and wellbeing;
3) Moving On - through providing support to re-engage with the asylum system and build social networks, people develop their knowledge, understanding and skills and thrive in the local community.
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
ASSIST seeks to work with partners in the legal advice sector to ensure that all of our clients are able to access the support they require to address the underlying cause of their destitution; their uncertain legal status.
This year the Client Support Service has developed its casework provision and is now able to offer individual support plans for each client, as well as allocated caseworkers allowing us to centre relationship, client dignity, case continuity and shared objectives in our work. It has also partnered with the accommodation team to ensure closer working and support for ASSIST’s Higher Tier client group; those with multiple and complex needs who require additional support measures and closer monitoring.
In 2023/24, the Client Support Service supported 87 clients from 30 countries, providing 725 cash payments and 352 casework appointments. Of the 34 clients leaving ASSIST, 19 moved on to Home Office or Local Authority support, and 4 received Leave to Remain.
Our Client Support Services include:
Welfare Sessions, running 2 days a month, with a one-stop-shop remit, providing face-to-face urgent casework, toiletries, essential provisions and financial and transport support.
A weekly Help Desk at the Wednesday multi-agency drop-in at Victoria Hall for supporting and assessing new people referred to our service.
An accompanying team, supporting clients in accessing local services. Our team of 17 volunteers provide accompaniment to doctors, dentists, health centres and solicitors, as well as supporting clients’ reporting requirements at Vulcan House. We have continued, where necessary, to support clients who have been detained under the hostile environment which involves ensuring people have access to legal support, phone credit, wellbeing check-up phone calls, as well as information about their rights and the support which is available to them.
An accompanying team, supporting clients in accessing local services. Our team of 17 volunteers
Our Client Consultation Group of between 4-6 people has met monthly to provide us with insights and feedback on all parts of ASSIST’s services and organisational development which are fed into all levels of governance within the organisation; from the trustee board to the leadership and staff team meetings. The group take an active role in the organisation and have presented at our 2023 AGM, sat on staff recruitment panels and two members have so far gone on to join the trustee board.
Accommodation
ASSIST remains the largest provider of accommodation for people who have been refused asylum in South Yorkshire. Our accommodation offer provides the stability that is required in order to allow people to begin to address the underlying causes of their destitution.
We have continued work to expand and develop our provision. This year we extended the maximum period that our clients can access accommodation from 12 months to 24 months. This is to ensure that all of the people that we work with continue to have access to housing for the time that it takes to find a route out of destitution.
In 2023/24, ASSIST secured funding under the Night Shelter Transformation Fund from the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities to expand our Welcome Housing by obtaining a new property to be operated as a House of Multiple Occupancy providing initial accommodation to those who have been newly made destitute.
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
We also sold one of our existing properties to a supportive landlord on the agreement that it will be leased back to us for the same purpose on a long-term basis, with the intention of reinvesting the funds to expand our accommodation portfolio further.
ASSIST can now offer 46 bedspaces in ten ASSIST houses and three properties run by our partner organisation Open Hands with financial support from ASSIST. 67 people were accommodated by ASSIST during 2023/24.
We have secured funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund in order to improve the energy efficiency of the properties owned by ASSIST over a two-year period.
Our property portfolio includes five further properties that house refugee families referred to us through Sheffield City Council’s resettlement scheme. The resulting rental income is used to cross-subsidise our accommodation for ASSIST clients.
We have collaborated with other organisations as part of the local response to the increase in people with refugee status being made destitute by the Home Office. ASSIST has allowed one of its properties to be used to house single individuals with status on a short-term basis.
8. Future plans
ASSIST Sheffield’s core focus in the 2024/25 year is to engage its community members in co-creating a bold and innovative new strategy for the next five years.
We will continue providing our current core services, ensuring that they are sustainable and delivered to the highest standard, whilst simultaneously reviewing our work, the broader context in which we operate, and assess and agree together how we can best contribute to the local and national movement for migrant justice and create a culture of welcome and equality for all.
To this end, in 2024/25 ASSIST will:
-
Increase the amount it pays to clients by £5 a week in direct response to requests from clients and the Client Consultation Group and the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis on the people we support;
-
Conduct our bi-annual Client Voice survey of our service users in partnership with community researchers;
-
Conduct a full review of our policies and procedures, to ensure the promotion of the wellbeing of staff, volunteers and clients, as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our organisational culture;
-
Develop our board and governance structure (including carrying out a trustee skills audit and creating new sub-committees for HR and Accommodation, and continuing to promote client voice at all levels of decision making);
-
Conduct a comprehensive, organisation-wide review of our Monitoring and Evaluation processes to improve the quality of our data and our collection methods;
-
Create our new 5-year strategy for 2025-2030 in consultation with staff, volunteers and clients to agree and set our vision and direction for the future of ASSIST.
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
9. Reserves Policy
ASSIST has a reserves policy of retaining sufficient unrestricted funds to ensure the charity has adequate financial resources to meet its unfunded financial obligations for at least 5 months (plus potential redundancy costs) if no further income is received. The trustees have reviewed the policy and reflected that 5 months would be adequate time for the charity to adjust its charitable activity and expenditure, should this be necessary due to a decrease in income (e.g. series of negative grant decisions). The current designated reserves figure is £236,120 (see note 12).
The free reserves as at 31st March 2024 were £38,456 (see note 12).
In addition to the free reserves there was £104,217 held in restricted funds (see note 12).
10. Trustees' responsibilities statement
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
●select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
●observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102);
-
●make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
●state whether applicable 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 charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
The Annual Report was approved by the trustees on 25th July 2024 and signed on their behalf by
…………………………. Kevin Quinton
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2024 which are set out on pages 9 to 19.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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 accounts to be reached.
…………………………………………… Brendan Ashmore ACA Tingle Ashmore Ltd Chartered Accountants Enterprise House Broadfield Court Sheffield S8 0XF
Dated: 9th September 2024
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||
| Notes | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income from: | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 167,514 | - | 167,514 | 325,504 |
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Grants | 3 | 85,212 | 371,296 | 456,508 | 241,237 |
| Other trading activities: | |||||
| Rental income | 31,691 | - | 31,691 | 12,817 | |
| Fundraising activities | 3,360 | - | 3,360 | 256 | |
| Investment income | |||||
| Bank interest receivable | 4,960 | - | 4,960 | 1,696 | |
| Other income | |||||
| Profit on disposal of property | 11,622 | - | 11,622 | - | |
| Other income | 2,000 | - | 2,000 | - | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Total income | 306,359 | 371,296 | 677,655 | 581,510 | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | 2,300 | 1,800 | 4,100 | 3,785 | |
| Charitable activities | 4 | 288,948 | 266,647 | 555,595 | 505,948 |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Total expenditure | 291,248 | 268,447 | 559,695 | 509,733 | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR | 15,111 | 102,849 | 117,960 | 71,777 | |
| Total funds brought forward | 632,006 | 1,368 | 633,374 | 561,597 | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Total funds carried forward | £647,117 | £104,217 | £751,334 | £633,374 | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| ANALYSIS OF NET | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Net income for the year | 15,111 | 102,849 | 117,960 | 71,777 | |
| Grants received for capital expenditure | - | (101,244) | (101,244) | - | |
| Property donation | - | - | - | (132,000) | |
| ______ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR | |||||
| FUTURE ACTIVITIES | £15,111 | £1,605 | £16,716 | £(60,223) | |
| __ ____ |
_ _ |
_ _ |
_ _ |
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
BALANCE SHEET
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 9 | 285,919 | 360,919 |
| _ | _ | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 10 | 142,057 | 32,006 |
| Cash at bank and on hand | 355,837 | 268,095 | |
| _ | _ | ||
| 497,894 | 300,101 | ||
| Creditors - amounts falling due within one year | 11 | 32,479 | 27,646 |
| _ | _ | ||
| Net current assets | 465,415 | 272,455 | |
| _ | _ | ||
| Net assets | £751,334 | £633,374 | |
| _ | _ | ||
| _ | _ | ||
| Charity funds | |||
| General funds | 12 | 38,456 | 74,687 |
| Designated funds | 12 | 608,661 | 557,319 |
| _ | _ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 647,117 | 632,006 | |
| Restricted funds | 12 | 104,217 | 1,368 |
| _ | _ | ||
| Total funds | 13 | £751,334 | £633,374 |
| _ _ |
_ _ |
These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 25th July 2024 and signed on their behalf by
………………………….
Kevin Quinton
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (3,840) | (62,978) |
| _____ | ______ | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
| Interest received | 4,960 | 1,696 |
| Purchase of property | - | (916) |
| Sale of property | 86,622 | - |
| ______ | _____ | |
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 91,582 | 780 |
| ______ | _____ | |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year | 87,742 | (62,198) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 268,095 | 330,293 |
| _ | _ | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | £355,837 | £268,095 |
| _ | _ | |
| _ | _ | |
| Cash and cash equivalents consists of: | ||
| Cash at bank and on hand | £355,837 | £268,095 |
| _ | _ | |
| _ | _ | |
| Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities: | ||
| Net income for the year | 117,960 | 71,777 |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| Interest receivable | (4,960) | (1,696) |
| Profit on disposal of property | (11,622) | - |
| Increase in debtors | (110,051) | (15,579) |
| Increase in creditors | 4,833 | 14,520 |
| Property donation | - | (132,000) |
| _ | _ | |
| Net cash used in operating activities | £(3,840) | £(62,978) |
| _ _ |
_ _ |
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 Accounting policies
(a) General information and basis of preparation
ASSIST Sheffield is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard application in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and are rounded to the nearest £.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
(b) Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis as the trustees believe that there are no material uncertainties. They believe that the charity will continue to operate for 12 months from authorisation of these financial statements. Although not all funding streams are secure this far in advance, the trustees will develop a plan of action to be taken to reduce costs, should the required income not be secured.
- (c) Income
All income is accounted for as soon as the charity has entitlement to the income, there is certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured.
Income is only deferred when:
-
●The donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or
-
●The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
Grants receivable
Grants received for specific purposes are accounted for as restricted funds. Grants are not recognised as receivable until all conditions for receipt have been complied with. Where donor imposed restrictions apply to the timing of the related expenditure, as a pre-condition for its use, the grant is treated as deferred income until those restrictions are met.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measured with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.
Donations
Donations are treated as income when received.
Donated assets are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control of the asset.
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 Accounting policies (continued)
(d) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
- (e) Fixed assets and depreciation
Individual items costing less than £1,000 are not treated as fixed assets.
Freehold properties are held at cost, and depreciated over the expected useful life of the asset. However, changes in market prices may indicate that the residual value of the properties have stayed the same, or increased. In this case, no depreciation charge would be made for the year.
- (f) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
(g) Debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for impairment of debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables.
- (h) Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the year, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
(i) Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
(j) Leases
Rentals payable and receivable under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
(k) Taxation
As a charity, the organisation is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within the available tax exemptions to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.
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ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| 2 | Donations and legacies | ||||
| Donations from individuals and groups | |||||
| (including gift aid) | 156,314 | - | 156,314 | 190,944 | |
| Property donation | - | - | - | 132,000 | |
| Legacies | 11,200 | - | 11,200 | 2,560 | |
| _ | ___ | _ | _ | ||
| £167,514 | £- | £167,514 | £325,504 | ||
| _ | ___ | _ | _ | ||
| _ | ___ | _ | _ | ||
| 3 | Charitable activities - Grants | ||||
| AB Charitable Trust | 20,000 | - | 20,000 | 15,000 | |
| Albert Hunt Trust | 7,000 | - | 7,000 | - | |
| B&Q Foundation | - | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | |
| Balcombe Charitable Trust | 15,000 | - | 15,000 | 15,000 | |
| Big Lottery Fund - Reaching Communities | - | - | - | 32,233 | |
| Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust | - | 3,000 | 3,000 | 4,000 | |
| Department for Levelling Up Housing & | |||||
| Communities - Night Shelter Transformation | |||||
| Fund: | |||||
| Capital funding | - | 100,000 | 100,000 | - | |
| Revenue funding | - | 90,000 | 90,000 | 29,832 | |
| Emily Weircroft Charitable Trust | 500 | - | 500 | 500 | |
| Freshgate Trust | - | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | |
| Forrester Family Trust | - | - | - | 40,000 | |
| Henry Smith Trust | - | - | - | 60,000 | |
| James Neill Trust Fund | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | |
| JG Graves Charitable Trust | - | 3,000 | 3,000 | - | |
| NHS S Yorkshire | - | - | - | 5,000 | |
| Persula Foundation | 2,000 | - | 2,000 | - | |
| Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust | - | 6,000 | 6,000 | - | |
| Sheffield Renewables | - | 2,834 | 2,834 | - | |
| Sheffield Town Trust | 3,000 | - | 3,000 | 3,000 | |
| Souter Charitable Trust | - | 4,000 | 4,000 | - | |
| South Yorkshire Community Foundation | - | 7,500 | 7,500 | - | |
| Swan Mountain Trust | - | - | - | 4,000 | |
| Talbot Trust | - | 3,000 | 3,000 | 2,500 | |
| The National Lottery Community Fund: | |||||
| Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund | 37,712 | 37,288 | 75,000 | - | |
| The National Lottery Community Fund: | |||||
| RC Yorkshire and Humber Region | - | 81,374 | 81,374 | - | |
| TVCA - Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund | - | 20,300 | 20,300 | - | |
| Other | - | - | - | 30,172 | |
| ______ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| £85,212 | £371,296 | £456,508 | £241,237 | ||
| __ ____ |
_ _ |
_ _ |
_ _ |
Page 14
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| 4 | Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| Staff costs | 254,501 | 241,722 | |
| Staff recruitment | 1,174 | - | |
| Accommodation | 113,141 | 75,008 | |
| Welfare payments | 90,113 | 125,282 | |
| Housing consultancy and professional fees | 46,249 | - | |
| Volunteering | 2,910 | 1,186 | |
| Rent | 11,371 | 10,066 | |
| Training | 2,626 | 2,040 | |
| Office | 4,736 | 6,604 | |
| Insurance | 1,651 | 1,723 | |
| Information Technology | 7,250 | 10,804 | |
| Payroll | 1,277 | 1,390 | |
| Other expenses | 3,232 | 3,280 | |
| Consultancy | 5,730 | 17,773 | |
| Accountancy and independent examination | 2,000 | 1,920 | |
| Interpreting and translation | 3,706 | 2,404 | |
| Governance | 3,928 | 4,746 | |
| _ | _ | ||
| £555,595 | £505,948 | ||
| _ | _ | ||
| _ | _ | ||
| 5 | Welfare payments | ||
| The charity makes weekly payments to asylum seekers and hosts: | |||
| Weekly payments (includes security expenses) | 76,060 | 101,409 | |
| Hosts payments | 315 | 150 | |
| Emergency payments | 2,729 | 7,459 | |
| Bus passes | 10,460 | 15,562 | |
| Other travel costs | 549 | 702 | |
| ______ | _ | ||
| £90,113 | £125,282 | ||
| ______ | _ | ||
| ______ | _ | ||
| 6 | Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost | ||
| of key management personnel | |||
| Salaries | 228,932 | 220,111 | |
| Employer's national insurance | 12,784 | 10,744 | |
| Employer's pension contributions | 12,785 | 10,867 | |
| _ | _ | ||
| £254,501 | £241,722 | ||
| _ _ |
_ _ |
No employees received total employee benefits in excess of £60,000 in either year. The average number of staff employed was 11 (2023 - 13).
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and the Leadership Team. The total employee benefits of the key management were £131,648 (2023 - £141,917).
The trustees were not paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in either year. No expenses were reimbursed to trustees in either year.
Page 15
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions requiring disclosure in either year.
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| 8 | Independent examiner's fee and other payments | ||
| Independent examiner's fee | £2,000 | £1,920 | |
| _ ___ |
_ ___ |
- 9 Tangible assets - Freehold properties
| £ | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | |||
| As at 1st April 2023 | 360,919 | ||
| Disposal | (75,000) | ||
| _ | |||
| As at 31st March 2024 | 285,919 | ||
| _ | |||
| Depreciation | |||
| As at 1st April 2023 and at 31st March 2024 | - | ||
| ___ | |||
| Net book value | |||
| As at 31st March 2024 | £285,919 | ||
| _ | |||
| _ | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| 10 | Debtors | ||
| Trade debtors | 5,198 | 2,918 | |
| Grants receivable | 20,300 | 25,500 | |
| Prepayments | 116,559 | 3,588 | |
| _ | ______ | ||
| £142,057 | £32,006 | ||
| _ | ______ | ||
| _ | ______ | ||
| 11 | Creditors - amounts falling due within one year | ||
| Trade creditors | 17,691 | 15,535 | |
| Taxation and social security | 6,017 | 3,204 | |
| Accruals | 8,771 | 8,907 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| £32,479 | £27,646 | ||
| __ ____ |
__ ____ |
Page 16
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 12 | Analysis of charity funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Movement in resources | Transfers | Balance at | |||
| 1st April | Incoming | Outgoing | 31st March | |||
| 2023 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds: | ||||||
| General funds | 74,687 | 294,737 | (291,248) | (39,720) | 38,456 | |
| Designated funds: | ||||||
| Redundancy and closure costs | 196,400 | - | - | 39,720 | 236,120 | |
| Properties fund | 360,919 | - | - | (75,000) | 285,919 | |
| Proceeds from House Sale | - | 11,622 | - | 75,000 | 86,622 | |
| _ | _ | _ | ______ | _ | ||
| 632,006 | 306,359 | (291,248) | - | 647,117 | ||
| _ | _ | _ | ______ | _ | ||
| Restricted funds: | ||||||
| B&Q Foundation | - | 10,000 | (10,000) | - | - | |
| Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust | - | 3,000 | (3,000) | - | - | |
| Department for Levelling Up | ||||||
| Housing & Communities - Night | ||||||
| Shelter Transformation Fund: | ||||||
| Capital funding | - | 100,000 | - | (100,000) | - | |
| Revenue funding | - | 90,000 | (88,756) | (1,244) | - | |
| Freshgate Trust | - | 2,000 | (2,000) | - | - | |
| James Neill Trust Fund | - | 1,000 | (1,000) | - | - | |
| JG Graves Charitable Trust | - | 3,000 | (3,000) | - | - | |
| Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust | - | 6,000 | (3,027) | - | 2,973 | |
| Sheffield Renewables | - | 2,834 | (2,834) | - | - | |
| Souter Charitable Trust | - | 4,000 | (4,000) | - | - | |
| Swan Mountain Trust | 1,368 | - | (1,368) | - | - | |
| South Yorkshire Community | ||||||
| Foundation | - | 7,500 | (7,500) | - | - | |
| Talbot Trust | - | 3,000 | (3,000) | - | - | |
| The National Lottery Community | ||||||
| Fund: | ||||||
| Community Organisations Cost | ||||||
| of Living Fund | - | 37,288 | (37,288) | - | - | |
| The National Lottery Community | ||||||
| Fund: | ||||||
| RC Yorkshire and Humber | ||||||
| Region | - | 81,374 | (81,374) | - | - | |
| TVCA - Social Housing | ||||||
| Decarbonisation Fund | - | 20,300 | (20,300) | - | - | |
| Properties Fund | - | - | - | 101,244 | 101,244 | |
| _____ | _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| 1,368 | 371,296 | (268,447) | - | 104,217 | ||
| _____ | _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Total funds | £633,374 | £677,655 | £(559,695) | £- | £751,334 | |
| _ _ |
_ _ |
_ _ |
_ _ |
Page 17
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12 Analysis of charity funds (continued) Prior year comparison:
| Prior year comparison: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Movement in resources | Transfers | Balance at | ||
| 1st April | Incoming | Outgoing | 31st March | ||
| 2022 | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds: | |||||
| General funds | 78,832 | 440,273 | (302,602) | (141,816) | 74,687 |
| Designated funds: | |||||
| Redundancy and closure costs | 187,500 | - | - | 8,900 | 196,400 |
| Properties fund | 228,003 | - | - | 132,916 | 360,919 |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | |
| 494,335 | 440,273 | (302,602) | - | 632,006 | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | |
| Restricted funds: | |||||
| Big Lottery Fund - Reaching | - | 32,233 | (32,233) | - | - |
| Communities | |||||
| Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust | - | 4,000 | (4,000) | - | - |
| Crisis UK | 17,014 | - | (17,014) | - | - |
| Evan Cornish | 10,000 | - | (10,000) | - | - |
| Henry Smith Trust | 4,000 | 60,000 | (64,000) | - | - |
| Mass Action | - | 2,000 | (2,000) | - | - |
| NHS S Yorkshire | - | 5,000 | (5,000) | - | - |
| Night Shelter Transformation | |||||
| Fund | - | 29,832 | (29,832) | - | - |
| Quaker Housing Trust | - | 1,172 | (1,172) | - | - |
| SCC - COVID | 16,920 | - | (16,920) | - | - |
| SCC - Tackling Inequalities | 12,336 | - | (12,336) | - | - |
| Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust | 3,000 | - | (3,000) | - | - |
| Souter Charitable Trust | 3,000 | - | (3,000) | - | - |
| Swan Mountain Trust | - | 4,000 | (2,632) | - | 1,368 |
| Talbot Trust | - | 2,500 | (2,500) | - | - |
| Tramlines | - | 500 | (500) | - | - |
| Others | 992 | - | (992) | - | - |
| ______ | _ | _ | ___ | _____ | |
| 67,262 | 141,237 | (207,131) | - | 1,368 | |
| ______ | _ | _ | ___ | _____ | |
| Total funds | £561,597 | £581,510 | £(509,733) | £- | £633,374 |
| _ _ |
_ _ |
_ _ |
_ _ |
Page 18
ASSIST SHEFFIELD
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- 13 Analysis of net assets between funds Total funds are invested as follows
| Total funds are invested as follows | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Restricted | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | - | 285,919 | - | 285,919 |
| Net current assets | 38,456 | 322,742 | 104,217 | 465,415 |
| ______ | _ | _ | _ | |
| Net assets | £38,456 | £608,661 | £104,217 | £751,334 |
| ______ | _ | _ | _ | |
| ______ | _ | _ | _ | |
| Prior year comparison: | ||||
| Tangible fixed assets | - | 360,919 | - | 360,919 |
| Net current assets | 74,687 | 196,400 | 1,368 | 272,455 |
| ______ | _ | _____ | _ | |
| Net assets | £74,687 | £557,319 | £1,368 | £633,374 |
| __ ____ |
_ _ |
_ ___ |
_ _ |
14 A detailed breakdown of the prior year statement of financial activities between unrestricted and restricted funds is as follows:
| restricted funds is as follows: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | |
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 325,504 | - | 325,504 |
| Charitable activities: | |||
| Grants | 100,000 | 141,237 | 241,237 |
| Other trading activities: | |||
| Rental income | 12,817 | - | 12,817 |
| Fundraising activities | 256 | - | 256 |
| Investment income: | |||
| Bank interest receivable | 1,696 | - | 1,696 |
| _ | _ | _ | |
| Total income | 440,273 | 141,237 | 581,510 |
| _ | _ | _ | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Raising funds | 3,785 | - | 3,785 |
| Charitable activities | 298,817 | 207,131 | 505,948 |
| _ | _ | _ | |
| Total expenditure | 302,602 | 207,131 | 509,733 |
| _ | _ | _ | |
| Net movement in funds | £137,671 | £(65,894) | £71,777 |
| _ _ |
__ ____ |
__ ____ |
Page 19