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2025-03-31-accounts

ASSIST SHEFFIELD

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1154862

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

TINGLE ASHMORE LTD CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS SHEFFIELD

ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

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 - 20

ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

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 Martyn Culy Harvey
Peter Wood
Godfrey Chikaviro
Joy Uwamurera
Wendy Yap
Anokhee Parikh
May Lubienski
Pious Nyandoro
Clive Last
Patrick Duce - appointed 22.5.25
Lucy Mayblin - appointed 22.5.25
Scot Bower - appointed 22.5.25
Kevin Quinton - resigned 24.10.24
Leadership team Anna Rudd - Director
Jochen Kortlander - Accommodation Manager, to Apr-25
Kyle France - Housing Manager, from Mar-25
Phil Moore - Operations Manager
Gemma Pillay - Client Support Manager, to Jul-24
Sarah Orola - Client Support Manager, from Sept-24
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

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

The trustees of the charity submit their annual report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025.

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, Housing Manager, Client Support Manager and Operations Manager. The Leadership Team is assisted in the delivery of ASSIST’s services by 131 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:

3. Vision and Mission Statement

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 2025

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

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.

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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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

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.

ASSIST seeks to increase awareness of the issues facing people seeking asylum through publicity (e.g. local media, social media, newsletters) and by speaking at and attending events. ASSIST will also participate in campaigns with other similar local and national 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

In 2024–2025, ASSIST Sheffield strengthened its foundations, expanded its support, and stood in solidarity with people seeking sanctuary through a year of significant challenge.

The board expanded its capacity by recruiting eight new trustees on a probationary basis, including those with lived experience of the asylum system and of global majority communities. This is in line with our aim to become more representative of the community we serve.

In August, we undertook our biannual Client Voices Survey , engaging 34 clients through focus groups. Clients expressed deep appreciation for ASSIST’s services but also identified areas for growth, including better communication about casework, clearer information about asylum rights and procedures, and deeper engagement beyond service feedback. Comments from clients taken from this survey include;

These insights have been fully embedded into our emerging five-year strategic plan, reaffirming our commitment to building client power, knowledge, and leadership.

This strategy is the result of a collective, reflective, and grounded process — shaped by the voices of people with lived experience of being refused asylum, alongside those working and volunteering within ASSIST, and our wider community of supporters and partners. Over 50 people participated in a series of 9 workshops as well as online feedback forms. As a result of these conversations, we have collectively developed a new Theory of Change, a brand new Vision, Mission, and set of Core Principles that articulate and guide how we work.

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

Client Support Services

In 2024/25, ASSIST continued to operate its services in a person-centred, trauma-informed way and further embedded its three-stage support model which has been developed in consultation with our clients.

ASSIST seeks to work closely with partners in the legal advice sector to ensure that all of our clients are able to access the advice they require to address the underlying cause of their destitution and where necessary, to clarify; their uncertain legal status. In 2024/25, ASSIST helped 72 individuals access legal advice.

This year the Client Support Service has developed its casework provision and has rolled out individual support plans for each client, allocated caseworkers allowing us to centre relationship, client dignity, case continuity and shared objectives in our work, and a Client Charter which communicates what clients can expect from us, including providing clearer support timelines.

In 2024/25, ASSIST provided financial and material support to 112 individuals from 33 countries who were experiencing destitution as a result of the refusal of their asylum claims. ASSIST provided 750 cash payments and 425 casework appointments. Of the 61 clients leaving ASSIST, 37 (65%) moved on to statutory support or 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 bus pass support.

A weekly Help Desk at the Wednesday multi-agency drop-in at Victoria Hall for supporting and assessing new individuals referred to our service.

Two casework sessions on a Tuesday and Wednesday, offering 12 weekly appointments, where clients can receive referrals to legal advisors, GP services, English classes, help with asylum support applications, and signposting to volunteering and social opportunities.

Providing donated mobile phones and SIM cards containing free calls and data obtained through the National Databank to allow clients to communicate with essential service providers and remain in contact with their family, friends and community. This year, ASSIST provided 17 mobile phones and 27 SIM cards.

An accompanying team of 13 volunteers, supporting clients in accessing local services, such as doctors, dentists, health centres and solicitors, as well as supporting clients’ reporting requirements at Vulcan House. We have also 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.

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

Our Client Consultation Group of between 8-10 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’s members take an active role in the organisation, representing ASSIST’s clients at events, participating in staff recruitment panels and three members have even gone on to join the trustee board since the group began.

Accommodation

ASSIST is 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. This year, we have continued work to expand and develop our provision.

After completing extensive renovations and improvement works, ASSIST opened its new property, secured through funding under the Night Shelter Transformation Fund from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This three-year funding has allowed ASSIST to increase its provision of initial short–term housing to people who would otherwise be street destitute following eviction from their Home Office accommodation. These “Welcome Houses ” are safe, secure and dignified single-bed rooms in houses of multiple occupation which offer a soft landing; a place where we can get to know new clients, understand their needs, and prepare people for moving into longer-term accommodation.

ASSIST now provides 46 bed spaces across thirteen houses to people who have been refused asylum. 86 people were accommodated by ASSIST this year.

This year, ASSIST partnered with local social enterprise, SYEcoFIt, to deliver substantial retrofit and improvement works on several of the properties owned by ASSIST. This work, part-funded from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund , allowed us to improve the energy efficiency of these properties. These improvements have increased the asset value of four houses, the affordability of utilities, and the living conditions for the residents.

ASSIST also received a £101,000 donation this year from a supporter for the purpose of purchasing a new property. This money will be combined with a further donation pledged for 2025/26 with the aim of securing a property in the coming months.

Our service provision includes six further properties that house refugee families referred to us through Sheffield City Council’s resettlement scheme. As well as allowing us to help contribute to meeting the shortage of available affordable housing for refugees as an ethical and supportive landlord, we are also able to utilise the resulting rental income to cross-subsidise our accommodation for ASSIST clients.

Although ASSIST’s hosting network is much-reduced compared to past levels - particularly prior to the covid pandemic - it remains a vital option for ASSIST to provide, particularly for emergency accommodation for individuals who would otherwise be street homeless. In 2024/25, ASSIST hosted 6 individuals.

Of the 19 properties involved in delivering our services, five of these are now owned by ASSIST. Three are operated by our partner organisation Open Hands with financial support from ASSIST. The remaining 11 properties are owned by supporters who allow ASSIST the use of their houses on a pepper-corn lease.

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

Wider context and increasing demand

ASSIST’s work took place against a shifting national landscape, with increasingly hostile asylum policies and a rise in racism and community tensions. Our ability to remain resilient, agile, rights-focused, and community-led proved critical.

A series of national and local crises required rapid and coordinated responses to protect our clients. The progression of the Rwanda Bill heightened fears of detention and deportation. We provided urgent briefings, individual reassurance, and strengthened accompaniment support to immigration reporting appointments.

In August, Islamophobic and racist riots erupted across the UK, with Rotherham, near Sheffield, experiencing particularly serious violence. The impact on our community was profound. Many clients lived in fear for their safety. In response, we took swift action; locking down our offices and adapting services to remote support, and liaising with our clients and local partners to ensure appropriate protections were in place. Our actions prioritised the dignity, agency, and safety of our clients at a time of real threat. We were grateful to several funders for providing practical financial support and solidarity in this moment of crisis.

ASSIST saw a substantial increase in demand for our services in 2024/25. Sheffield is the largest asylum dispersal area in South Yorkshire, with around 1,246 residents receiving asylum support. In the last year, the refusal rate for initial asylum decisions has risen from 24% to 53%. Reflecting this, we have recently seen an increase in people seeking ASSIST support, with 69 clients joining our services last year, a 116% increase on the year prior , and surpassing the number of clients who have safely moved on. Overall, ASSIST supported 30% more people than the previous year.

Demand for housing peaked during the recent winter months particularly, exceeding our capacity, despite our best efforts. Extreme cold placed homeless and destitute clients at additional risk. When interpretations of government guidance complicated access to emergency accommodation, ASSIST successfully lobbied Sheffield City Council to ensure people could access shelter without needing to produce formal identification. Our intervention was instrumental in ensuring the safety of some of the city's most marginalised residents.

8. Financial Review

In the 2024/25 financial year, ASSIST secured its highest ever income total of £787,407. This was an increase of £109,752 (16%) on the previous year. This income included;

ASSIST’s expenditure for the year was also its highest ever at £604,288, an increase of £70,893 (13%) on the year before. This included:

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

The capital works improving the energy efficiency of ASSIST’s properties went over budget by £58,671, meaning ASSIST needed to re-designate £58,671 in designated funds to cover the shortfall.

The value of ASSIST’s tangible assets on its balance sheet increased substantially in 2024/25 by £244,919 (86%) to £530,838 as a result of a property purchase funded by the NSTF, a property left to ASSIST in a Will, and improvement works on our existing owned assets.

While the Statement of Financial Activities shows a net income for the year of £183,119, the analysis of net movement in funds shows that this total includes a property donation and grants that have been capitalised as fixed assets, as well as a donation intended for the purchase of a property which ASSIST will treat as designated funds. As ASSIST will also carry over £45,253 of grant funding to the 2025/26 year, this leaves our unrestricted funds with a deficit for the year of £20,275.

As our expenditure shows, ASSIST is distinctive as a charity in that we give away a substantial amount of funds in the form of cash payments to people who would otherwise not be able to afford to eat or meet their essential living needs. Of the 19 properties we use, 15 of them have been either donated or made available to us by our supporters. We are only able to achieve this thanks to the extraordinary generosity of those in the wider Sheffield community, and in the recent political and media climate we are more aware of this solidarity and support than ever before. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the trusts, foundations, individuals and faith and community groups that support our work.

9. Future plans

ASSIST Sheffield’s core focus in 2025/26 is the launch of ASSIST’s 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 also seeking to improve and develop our service offer.

We will also complete pieces of work which have been delayed as a result of the unprecedented increase in demand on our services in 2024/25.

To this end, in 2025/26 ASSIST will:

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

10. 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 £235,060 (see note 13).

The free reserves as at 31st March 2025 were £6,799 (see note 13).

In addition to the free reserves there was £126,625 held in restricted funds (see note 13).

11. 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:

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 10th July 2025 and signed on their behalf by

…………………………. …………………………. Godfrey Chikaviro Paul Martyn Culy Harvey Treasurer Co-Chair

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

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 2025 which are set out on pages 11 to 22.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. 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: 30th July 2025

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
Notes 2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 2 298,730 - 298,730 167,514
Charitable activities
Grants 3 55,500 387,732 443,232 456,508
Other trading activities:
Rental income 36,449 - 36,449 31,691
Fundraising activities 85 - 85 3,360
Investment income
Bank interest receivable 8,911 - 8,911 4,960
Other income
Profit on disposal of property - - - 11,622
Other income - - - 2,000
_ _ _ _
Total income 399,675 387,732 787,407 677,655
_ _ _ _
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 3,025 - 3,025 4,100
Charitable activities 4 290,925 310,338 601,263 529,295
_ _ _ _
Total expenditure 293,950 310,338 604,288 533,395
_ _ _ _
Net income for the year 105,725 77,394 183,119 144,260
Transfers between funds 7 79,876 (79,876) - -
_ _ _ _
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 185,601 (2,482) 183,119 144,260
Total funds brought forward 648,527 129,107 777,634 633,374
_ _ _ _
Total funds carried forward £834,128 £126,625 £960,753 £777,634
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
ANALYSIS OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Net movement in funds 105,725 77,394 183,119 144,260
Property donation (25,000) - (25,000) -
Grants received for capital expenditure - (35,114) (35,114) (127,544)
Donations received for future capital expenditure (101,000) - (101,000) -
_ _ _ _
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR
FUTURE ACTIVITIES £(20,275) £42,280 £22,005 £16,716
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

BALANCE SHEET

Notes 2025 2024
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 10 530,838 285,919
_ _
Current assets
Debtors 11 51,943 168,357
Cash at bank and on hand 435,030 355,837
_ _
486,973 524,194
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year 12 57,058 32,479
_ _
Net current assets 429,915 491,715
_ _
Net assets £960,753 £777,634
_ _
_ _
Charity funds
General funds 13 6,799 38,456
Designated funds 13 827,329 610,071
_ _
Unrestricted funds 834,128 648,527
Restricted funds 13 126,625 129,107
_ _
Total funds 14 £960,753 £777,634
_
_
_
_

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 10th July 2025 and signed on their behalf by

…………………………. …………………………. Godfrey Chikaviro Paul Martyn Culy Harvey Treasurer Co-Chair

Paul Martyn Culy Harvey Co-Chair

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

2025 2024
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 315,201 (3,840)
_ _____
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest received 8,911 4,960
Purchase of property and property improvements (244,919) -
Sale of property - 86,622
_ ______
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (236,008) 91,582
_ ______
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year 79,193 87,742
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 355,837 268,095
_ _
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year £435,030 £355,837
_ _
_ _
Cash and cash equivalents consists of:
Cash at bank and on hand £435,030 £355,837
_ _
_ _
Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities:
Net income for the year 183,119 144,260
Adjustments for:
Interest receivable (8,911) (4,960)
Profit on disposal of property - (11,622)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 116,414 (136,351)
Increase in creditors 24,579 4,833
_ _
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities £315,201 £(3,840)
_
_
_
_

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

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.

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:

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 2025

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.

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.

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.

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 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
2 Donations and legacies
Donations from individuals and groups
(including gift aid) 273,730 - 273,730 156,314
Property donation 25,000 - 25,000 -
Legacies - - - 11,200
_ ___ _ _
£298,730 £- £298,730 £167,514
_ ___ _ _
_ ___ _ _
3 Charitable activities - Grants
AB Charitable Trust 20,000 4,000 24,000 20,000
Albert Hunt Trust 7,000 - 7,000 7,000
B&Q Foundation - 9,312 9,312 10,000
Balcombe Charitable Trust - 20,000 20,000 15,000
Charities Aid Foundation - Keystone Fund - 40,000 40,000 -
Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust - 2,000 2,000 3,000
Department for Levelling Up Housing &
Communities - Night Shelter Transformation
Fund:
Capital funding
- - - 100,000
Revenue funding - 100,000 100,000 90,000
Emily Weircroft Charitable Trust 1,000 - 1,000 500
Evan Cornish - 10,000 10,000 -
Freshgate Trust - 2,000 2,000 2,000
Islamic Relief UK - 24,000 24,000 -
James Neill Trust Fund - 2,000 2,000 1,000
JG Graves Charitable Trust - 3,000 3,000 3,000
Leigh Trust - 2,000 2,000 -
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales - 5,000 5,000 -
NACCOM (No Accommodation Network) - 15,000 15,000 -
Newby Trust - 10,000 10,000 -
Quaker Housing Trust - 10,000 10,000 -
Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust - 3,000 3,000 6,000
Sheffield Town Trust 2,500 3,000 5,500 3,000
Souter Charitable Trust - 4,000 4,000 4,000
South Yorkshire Community Foundation - - - 7,500
The National Lottery Community Fund:
Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund - - - 75,000
The National Lottery Community Fund:
RC Yorkshire and Humber Region - 85,442 85,442 81,374
TVCA - Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund - 21,700 21,700 20,300
Voluntary Action Sheffield - 4,000 4,000 -
Other 25,000 8,278 33,278 7,834
______ _ _ _
£55,500 £387,732 £443,232 £456,508
__
____
_
_
_
_
_
_

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2025 2024
£ £
4 Expenditure on charitable activities
Staff costs 314,510 254,501
Staff recruitment 2,228 1,174
Accommodation 95,360 113,141
Welfare payments 116,109 90,113
Housing consultancy and professional fees 27,164 19,949
Volunteering 1,744 2,910
Rent 8,542 11,371
Training 2,486 2,626
Office 5,191 4,736
Insurance 1,585 1,651
Information Technology 9,666 7,250
Payroll 1,318 1,277
Other expenses 2,889 3,232
Consultancy 2,918 5,730
Accountancy and independent examination 2,030 2,000
Interpreting and translation 6,333 3,706
Governance 1,190 3,928
_ _
£601,263 £529,295
_ _
_ _
5 Welfare payments
The charity makes weekly payments to asylum seekers and hosts:
Weekly payments (includes security expenses) 89,941 76,060
Hosts payments 426 315
Emergency payments 2,742 2,729
Bus passes 21,429 10,460
Other travel costs 1,571 549
_ ______
£116,109 £90,113
_ ______
_ ______
6 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost
of key management personnel
Salaries 278,960 228,932
Employer's national insurance 19,172 12,784
Employer's pension contributions 16,378 12,785
_ _
£314,510 £254,501
_
_
_
_

No employees received total employee benefits in excess of £60,000 in either year. The average number of staff employed was 12 (2024 - 11).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and the Leadership Team. The total employee benefits of the key management were £139,194 (2024 - £131,648).

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.

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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7 Transfer between funds

The transfer from restricted to unrestricted funds relates to funds received for the property refurbishment project. The restriction placed on the use of these funds was met on completion of the project. The net book value of the improvements is included in the designated property fund.

8 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions requiring disclosure in either year.

2025 2024
£ £
9 Independent examiner's fee and other payments
Independent examiner's fee £2,030 £2,000
_____ _____
_____ _____
10 Tangible assets - Freehold properties
£
Cost
As at 1st April 2024 285,919
Additions 244,919
_
As at 31st March 2025 530,838
_
Depreciation
As at 1st April 2024 and at 31st March 2025 -
___
Net book value
As at 31st March 2025 £530,838
_
_
2025 2024
£ £
11 Debtors
Trade debtors 678 5,198
Grants receivable 9,228 20,300
Prepayments 42,037 142,859
______ _
£51,943 £168,357
______ _
______ _
12 Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors 14,136 17,691
Taxation and social security 8,111 6,017
Accruals 34,811 8,771
______ ______
£57,058 £32,479
__
____
__
____

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13 Analysis of charity funds
Balance at Movement in resources Transfers Balance at
1st April Incoming Outgoing 31st March
2024 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds:
General funds 38,456 273,675 (293,950) (11,382) 6,799
Designated funds:
Redundancy and closure costs 236,120 - - (1,060) 235,060
Properties fund 287,329 126,000 - 137,137 550,466
Proceeds from House Sale 86,622 - - (44,819) 41,803
_ _ _ _ _
648,527 399,675 (293,950) 79,876 834,128
_ _ _ _ _
Restricted funds:
AB Charitable Trust - 4,000 (910) - 3,090
B&Q Foundation - 9,312 (666) (3,414) 5,232
Balcombe Charitable Trust - 20,000 (20,000) - -
Charities Aid Foundation -
Keystone Fund - 40,000 (24,451) - 15,549
Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust - 2,000 (2,000) - -
Department for Levelling Up
Housing & Communities - Night
Shelter Transformation Fund:
Revenue funding - 100,000 (100,000) - -
Evan Cornish - 10,000 (10,000) - -
Freshgate Trust - 2,000 (2,000) - -
Islamic Relief UK - 24,000 (6,625) - 17,375
James Neill Trust Fund - 2,000 (2,000) - -
JG Graves Charitable Trust - 3,000 (3,000) - -
Leigh Trust - 2,000 (2,000) - -
Lloyds Bank Foundation for
England and Wales - 5,000 (5,000) - -
NACCOM (No Accommodation
Network - 15,000 (15,000) - -
Newby Trust - 10,000 (10,000) - -
Quaker Housing Trust - 10,000 - (10,000) -
Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust 2,973 3,000 (2,973) - 3,000
Sheffield Town Trust - 3,000 (3,000) - -
Souter Charitable Trust - 4,000 (4,000) - -
The National Lottery Community
Fund:
RC Yorkshire and Humber
Region - 85,442 (85,442) - -
TVCA - Social Housing
Decarbonisation Fund - 21,700 - (21,700) -
Voluntary Action Sheffield - 4,000 (2,993) - 1,007
Other smaller funders - 8,278 (8,278) - -
Properties Fund 126,134 - - (44,762) 81,372
_ _ _ ______ _
129,107 387,732 (310,338) (79,876) 126,625
_ _ _ ______ _
Total funds £777,634 £787,407 £(604,288) £- £960,753
_
_
_
_
_
_

_
_

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ASSIST SHEFFIELD

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13 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
2023 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds:
General funds 74,687 294,737 (289,838) (41,130) 38,456
Designated funds:
Redundancy and closure costs 196,400 - - 39,720 236,120
Properties fund 360,919 - - (73,590) 287,329
Proceeds from House Sale - 11,622 - 75,000 86,622
_ _ _ _ _
632,006 306,359 (289,838) - 648,527
_ _ _ _ _
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 (78,666) (11,334) -
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 (5,500) (14,800) -
Properties Fund - - - 126,134 126,134
_____ _ _ _ _
1,368 371,296 (243,557) - 129,107
_____ _ _ _ _
Total funds £633,374 £677,655 £(533,395) £- £777,634
_
_
_
_
_
_

_
_

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Total funds are invested as follows
General Designated Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets - 449,466 81,372 530,838
Net current assets 6,799 377,863 45,253 429,915
______ _ _ _
Net assets £6,799 £827,329 £126,625 £960,753
______ _ _ _
______ _ _ _
Prior year comparison:
Tangible fixed assets - 285,919 - 285,919
Net current assets 38,456 324,152 129,107 491,715
______ _ _ _
Net assets £38,456 £610,071 £129,107 £777,634
__
____
_
_
_
_
_
_

15 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
2024 2024 2024
£ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 167,514 - 167,514
Charitable activities:
Grants 85,212 371,296 456,508
Other trading activities:
Rental income 31,691 - 31,691
Fundraising activities 3,360 - 3,360
Investment income:
Bank interest receivable 4,960 - 4,960
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
_ _ _
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 2,300 1,800 4,100
Charitable activities 287,538 241,757 529,295
_ _ _
Total expenditure 289,838 243,557 533,395
_ _ _
Net movement in funds £16,521 £127,739 £144,260
__
____
_
_
_
_

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 22