2021-02-28-accounts - Migrant Workers Sefton Community

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Migrant Workers Sefton Community Registered Charity 1155318

Office 5 Shakespeare House 37/39 Shakespeare Street Southport PR8 5AB Telephone 01704 514 159 07970084298 Email mwsc@hotmail.co.uk

Annual General Meeting 3pm (by email + phone) Sunday 27-06-2021 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

This annual report spans the period Of Incorporated Charitable Organization (Mwsc) February 2020 -2021

Trustees are appointed or reappointed Bi-annually at the Annual General Meeting

Trustee list

Tony Dawson (Councilor) 103 Forest Road Southport PR8 6HY Eileen Saunders 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF Krzysztof Szczecina 65 Princess Street Southport PR8 1HA Aleksandrs Subotjalo C/O 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

Public Benefit

The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to Charity Commission public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant

Objectives Summary
To advise migrant workers of their rights
To relieve financial hardship among migrant workers and their families in Sefton and surrounding area
To preserve and protect the health of migrant workers and their dependents
To advance the education and training of migrant workers

Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

Partnership and Joint Working

The Charity has formal partnership agreements with One Vision Housing Association, Sefton Council, Government departments such as Pension Credit and Child Benefit Agency, Hate Crime reporting Centre & Hmrc, Immigration certificate home office

The charity also has good working relations with Local Authority and local Health services.
The Charity also has productive links with the Police and Fire and Rescue Service
The Charity also has productive links with a reputable Recruitment Agency
The Charity also has productive links with Sefton council Education Early years
The Charity also has productive links with Liverpool Law University and Edge Hill University
The Charity also has productive links with various solicitors for legal signposting

Summary of Activities

Introduction

MWSC was registered in 2009 and converted into a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO) 2014. The charities’ main objective is to support international workers and their dependents in Sefton & the surrounding areas. Clients may have been experiencing discrimination, unfair treatment, financial hardship (particularly in the fields of access to employment), housing issues, healthcare issues, welfare entitlements and financial services problems.

Services provided include translators / interpreters in 8 languages, helpline, one to one appointment, drop – In – sessions, legal referrals, letters of merit family Law. All off this takes place at an office which is open 6/7 days a week.

Our approach is to understand the client’s problems, agree to a personalized action plan and support them to achieve their goal.

Key outcomes achieved include enabling clients to claim £2.101,000 extra income, which includes £1.605,000 benefits to which they were entitled and £363,000 through employment. 5 clients have successfully made home purchases.

Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

Increased client income Benefits £1.6m Employment £363.000 Total £2.101m Volunteer Value £43,076 (min wage)

Outcomes frequently achieved

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A reduction in physical Improved communication Economically better off
health problems skills
Improved job search skills Increased ability to Knowledge of benefits and
budget & pay bills entitlements
A greater feeling of self- An ability to give Increased self confidence
esteem, self-worth, and something back to the
value community
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Positive Outcomes (Theory of change)

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Health behavior; Reduced physical debt, employment stress or sub-standard housing
Attitude and Self Reduced debt or domestic violence or inadequate housing, or being taken
-perception: advantage of or knowing rules-regulation
Knowledge and Skills: Increased self-confidence, Increased knowledge of benefits, local services
Circumstance: Increased job-search skills, service users achieve more opportunities,
more service users access suitable accommodation, decent employment,
in-work benefits, NHS appointments secured
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Services Facilities Referrals

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Office opening 6 /7days a week 4 Desks Sefton Council departments
Translators/Interpreters in 8 4 PC’s CAB
languages Private interview rooms Job center
Helpline Telephone and internet Food banks
Appointments access Various Sefton charities
Drop – In – Sessions Printing facilities Local schools
Letters of merit family Law Helpline Light for Life
Assessments for accredited ESOL Sefton advocacy
Work certificate Sefton care
1 Full time, 7 part time staff Adult social care social
4 Volunteer staff workers
Referral system Local schools & family
services
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2020 REPORT Covid-19 Impact

80% of migrant workers are on 0% work contracts with 40% of workers laid of work in the first week of lockdown, immediately impacting on finances, clients are unable to meet daily needs, basic foodstuffs, medications, and utilities card/key payments for daily use.

Government indicates that at least 30% of businesses will have to close altogether predicting more unemployment.

Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

Clients reacted to Covid-19 in a state of panic impacted by poor English skills, poor IT skills, inability to access service providers, lack of knowledge. Clients who are Ill or vulnerable are isolated and have no ability to provide basic needs for themselves or family members day to day.

Covid-19 information calls are dealt with immediately with practical advice and information, or sign-posting clients to ‘NHS Guidance’, ‘Doctors of the world information in Languages.’

Benefits & Settled Status clients proved to be more difficult to deal with by telephone as clients needed to log into Government online services completing facial ID and uploading documentation. 80% of clients struggled to complete applications due to poor English and IT skills.

Employment advice includes HMRC Furlough, Self-Employment applications and Self-Assessment, Employment & CVs.

Debt issues are resolved by negotiations with creditors process includes authorities from client combined with income and expenditure sheet for creditor agreeing affordable payment plans, creating workable budgets.

Food vouchers and referrals to local food banks provided to clients who are struggling along with food deliveries.

Legal & police issues are dealt with on the day by referral or reporting.

Our Approach in resolving the issues included returning to the office on 13[th] April following government guidelines on Covid-19 following safety process for staff and clients. Inviting clients with priority critical issues to enter the MWSC office with all documentation needed in completing applications online including the facial ID process for Gov.uk.

Our Approach to Covid-19

Closed the office March 23 redirected the telephone to staff members to continue to advise clients received an average of 15 calls a day. The calls varied from Covid-19 information – benefits – employment and debt. Reopened the office Reopened the office 6 April as clients unable to access services, unable to claim benefits.

The following is a brief snapshot of the work completed 2020

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Benefits advice & 680 including 179 universal credit applications
applications
Legal & Police issues 124 including 23 police/hate crime, 25 family law/domestic violence cases
Housing issues 108 including 3 homeless & 14 social housing applications
Debt 72 including 19 Hmrc, 19 benefits negotiated into manageable payment plans
Surplus food 3.732 tonnes collected/sorted/delivered from local supermarkets over 250
collections-deliveries pickups since March
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Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

Employment issues 155 including finding employment for 20 unemployed citizens Immigration & Brexit 419 including 237 settled status applications Covid-19 advice 93 including 23 referrals 30 Employment & £24,000 being the largest pay-out Road accidents 6 Benefit appeals Benefit – ESA – reinstated secured for 3 years with 10-month backpay Total £31,200 also entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction

Data 2020

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Clients 995
Children 156
New cases 1899
Extra actions 2059
Calls in 2405
Calls out 2326
Volunteer hours 4,940
Referrals from agencies 23
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Benefits Examples
Healthier Behavior  Reduced physical Debt Employment Stress or sub-standard
housing
 A reduction in physical health problems
Attitude and Self  Reduced Debt or Domestic Violence or inadequate housing, or
-perception being taken advantage of or knowing rules-regulation
 A greater feeling of self-esteem, self-worth, and value
Enhanced Knowledge  Increased Self-Confidence
and Skills  Increased knowledge of benefits, local services
 Increased communication skills
 Increased ability to budget and pay bills
Improved  Economically better off
Circumstances  Increased job-search skills, Service users achieve more
opportunities,
 More service users access suitable accommodation, decent
employment, in-work benefits, NHS appointments
 An ability to give something back to the community
 Increased ability to report crime & hate crime access police
services
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Case Studies

Benefits & Debt Mrs. K K Poor English-IT-Skills

Client unable to work due to accident, 2 operations were unsuccessful waiting for 3[rd] operation. 12 months unable to secure benefits struggling with debt and teenager son. 2019 Supported client to secure benefits through 5 negative decisions. Late 2019 declared fit to work benefits stopped, represented client at tribunal February 2020 benefits reinstated decision awarded for 3 years. Mwsc negotiated debts with

Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

creditors, supplied client with food-vouchers- essentials. Enrolled client online ESOL class.

“Without my case-workers I have no idea what we would do or if we would be on the streets by now” (Ms. K, 2021).

Employment Mrs. M Qualified midwife with a Polish Master’s degree in nursing unable to continue practicing in UK due to a time gap

Client tried to secure employment in midwifery for 5 years unsuccessfully. Mwsc accompanied client to Preston University midwifery department eventually securing client on ‘ACAS’ ‘Return to Practice’ course completed September 2020. Supported client to write to hospitals for ‘Clinical Placement’. Wigan hospital offered place and further offered full time job upon completion of placement. Mwsc supported client to write out assessments and reports on completion of placement.

“I would never have been able to access this opportunity without the help and support of Mwsc case-workers” (Mrs., 2021).

Domestic Violence Mrs. N L poor English-IT skills

A Russian client married to a British man who were both physically and financially abusive, believed that if she complained she would be deported with her child. The husband received all the benefits into his bank account. He was partially disabled, and he would spend the money on alcohol. The client had no bank account. The husband ended up in hospital due to alcohol poisoning. He refused support offered to tackle his addiction, stating that he had to look after ‘his young daughter.’ Social services were informed and became involved. The client broke down and told them the whole story. Social services contacted Mwsc making an appointment with the translator case worker agreeing a plan of action. This included applying for the correct ‘Indefinite leave’ certificate through special circumstances i.e. ‘Domestic Violence’, securing a 2-bedroom apartment, securing benefits paid into the clients’ new bank account and securing a part time job.

“I believed that I had to stay in this abusive marriage and put up with the violence. I am grateful every day that I was wrong and that I have escaped that life with my child. Mwsc is now supporting me to complete my ‘Citizenship’ application.” (Mrs. NL, 2021)

Racism, employment & homeless, benefits issues

In April 2020, Mwsc received a referral from an organisation in Liverpool about a man who was living in a hostel for 12 months. He was unable to find work and was not entitled to benefits. We organised a telephone interview with him to understand his issues, paid for a return train ticket enabling us to interview him and agree a plan. He eventually relocated to the Bold Hotel, Southport. During his stay, he was diagnosed with Covid-19, became ill and self-isolated for two weeks.

We managed to secure him a full-time job prior to his Covid-19 diagnosis. We liaised with his employer to keep his job open until he completed isolation. We supplied him with work clothes, shoes, a coat, and food vouchers as all his personal items had been stolen. Mwsc supported the client to achieve his health & safety certificates and secured and paid his first month’s deposit on a studio flat (MWSC paid out of emergency fund on the proviso that the client would pay monies back

Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

£20 month). The client signed his new lease address, Knowsley Road, Southport, and he moved in on the 18th of May. We organised bedding, utensils, food parcels, vouchers, zand essential necessities as he would not be paid for four weeks. The client has gone onto a permanent contract and loves his new flat. He is now working 40 + hours a week and is still employed by the nursing home as of today 28-012021. He is also interested in volunteering in Mwsc.

“My life has been restored to me through this charity” (Mr. Chandry, 2021)

Pensioners; Pension Credit Housing Benefit Council Tax & Debt Poor English and IT skills

Mwsc dealt with two separate cases of pensioners who did not work and have been without income since the first lockdown in March 2020. They needed pension credit plus housing benefit. They applied for benefits in April and received them in August 2020 having had no income for 5 months. Their debts included: rent, council tax and utilities. Mwsc supplied the clients with food vouchers, surplus foods, food pantry access and volunteers’ good will e.g., supplies essentials. Both clients received pension credit, housing benefit and a council tax reduction in August 2020. Case workers negotiated with creditors, benefits departments and the private landlords inviting the landlords to our office to discuss and update.

“I was facing homelessness and starvation; I did not know who to turn to I was desperate.” “I go to the charity with all of my problems, and they help me to sort them out.” (Mr Duleba, 2020)

Conclusion

It is difficult for people who have no English or IT skills to be able to access service providers for basic help that is needed day to day, especially in times of Covid-19. However, with the help and support that we can offer to our clients through translation, interpretation, completing applications or applying to service providers on their behalf. They know that they have a safe place to turn to for all the help that they need.

Mwsc signpost, make appointments and accompany clients to other professional bodies when needed, including, family law solicitors Moorcroft’s’, Accidents in work solicitors DDE Law’ and employment law solicitors ACSL.

Mwsc is a 3[rd] party hate crime reporting centre for Merseyside Police.
In 2017, the charity, Mwsc, achieved ‘The Star Standard’ local quality mark. This is recognised by statutory partners in Sefton which indicates that a VCF organisation is commission ready.
In 2017, the charity was awarded a ‘Highly commended Award for Loan shark Project’ from the ‘Illegal Money Lending Team’ Loan shark video https://vimeo.com/161895506

2020 Statistics Graph

Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

Mwsc Challenges included

completing registration forms for telephone clients
Counting indirect clients and children
When clients have received ‘Settled Status’ certificates they falsely believe that they do not have to take any further actions, which is incorrect. The ‘Settled Status’ certificates must be updated each time the client renews passports or ID. This process involves relogging into Gov.Uk, facial scanning and inserting new information. Failure to do this, will result in clients not being able to renter the UK in the future. Clients need to be informed of this additional process that has been added to the UK systems.
33 Assessed Esol students were to begin Esol accredited courses in March, however this had to be postponed indefinitely with the assessments to be arranged and organized through Mwsc office.

Ratio

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Male 36%
Female 64%
Southport PR8 34%
Southport PR9 38%
Kirkham PR4-PR1 3%
Chorley PR7 1%
Liverpool L4-L20-L37 17%
Wigan WN5 2%
Wigan WN8 2%
Manchester 1%
Leeds 2%
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Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

Achievements: The main achievement was the engagement of such a large sector of the varied migrant community in Southport, with distinct nationalities from EU A8 full list.

Czech Republic.
Estonia.
Hungary.
Latvia.
Lithuania.
Poland.
Slovakia.
Slovenia.

Attending as clients or volunteers working together.

Community cohesion therefore was positively impacted upon, as the various citizens mixed with others from a range of backgrounds, which does not always happen easily in the migrant community, where groups tend to stay within their own communities.

Social support was very evident as clients and volunteers work together in positive ways.

The charity does not advertise its service, mostly people hear of the service through word-of-mouth recommendation and referrals from statutory and voluntary agencies.

Where appropriate the charity signposts or refers clients to other agencies, both in the statutory, legal & voluntary sectors.

The charity is extremely grateful to its volunteers without whom it could not carry out its activities. The volunteers give freely of their time and expertise at the outreach sessions and engage in specialist training. Volunteers are given bite size training sessions before each outreach surgery and are supported by two trustees during the surgeries and follow up work.

Significant Outcomes

World cake integration day event took place on the 29th of April 2017 at the Salvation Army Centre this was attended by 350 attendees (volunteers, migrants, the MP, the Mayor, councilors, and representatives of various organizations). The event was in

Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

collaboration with Edgehill Media University department and Sefton Council.

Completion of key words into 5 languages, supporting children Early Years Project Sefton education department
January 2017 The charity achieved the Star Standard, a quality assurance scheme for the voluntary sector on Merseyside.
March 2017 awarded a ‘Highly Commended status’ Illegal money lending team
Mwsc is a 3rd party reporting center for Merseyside police
Members of Sefton operation’s town hall committee
Loan shark video in partnership with Sefton Council https://vimeo.com/161895506
June 2017 Included in the publication ‘Guidance booklet offering support to practitioners about ways to promote their practice’ developed by School Readiness Service in collaboration with other professionals and Ofsted registered Early Years providers Sefton Council>The charity translated ‘Key Words’ needed for this project in 4 languages, the project target was Sefton and will be rolled throughout Merseyside if proved successful

Patron Dr J Pugh Registered as a Charity England & Wales Registered Charity 1155318 Registered office 7 Hawkshead Street Southport PR9 9HF

Chwlty Ilumber 1155318 Migrant Workers Sefton Community Unaudited Accounts For The Period Ended 28th February 2021

INDEPENDENTEXAMINERS REPORT To Migrant Workers Sefton Community I rÈport to the tru5tee5 on my examination of the account5 of Migrant Workers Sefton Communityfortheyearended 28th February 2021. Responsibilitie5 and Basis of Report As the charities trustees of Migrant Workers Sefton Community accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions 8iven by the Charity Commission Lrer section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent Examinerfs Statement l am a member of the AAT and l am bound by the code of ethics issued by fRC's Revised Ethical Stsndard 2016. Accounts preparation services were provided by Sefton CVS, my employer, and l as examiner have applied the ethical standard to my work. I have completed my examination. S confirrn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with examination giving me cause to believe that in arky material respect.. l. Accounling records were not kept in respect of Migranl Worker Sefton Community as required bv sertion 130of the Act., or 2. The account5 do not accord with those records 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 understandin8 of the accounts reached. Anthony Deegan MAAT, MICB, Pm.Dip Finante Manage¥ Sefton Council for Voluntsry SeNice 3rd Floor, Suite 3b, Burlington House, Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 OLG Signed-

Unrestrlrted Restrlcted Funds Total 2021 Total 2020 Recdpt5 John Moores Foundation May¢rof Sefton Charity Fund Hesketh Round Table Wirral Citizens Advice Barrow Cadbury Grant Sefton MBC Workers Education Assoclation Community Foundation ILCR l and LCR3) 3ig Lottery Fund Sefton Carer5 Centre Donations receivab Groundwork Nei8hbourhood Community Fund PH Holt Foundation Refunds LCR2 4,000 702 250 12.800 12.8 17.289 9,187 9.436 17.289 15.791 9,187 9.436 5.000 12.168 12,168 11.232 444 400 13.000 390 390 8223 9,152 8,923 9,152 Total Receipts 31.247 53N98 84.745 50.919 P•yments Rent payable Social care agreement5 Sessional fee5 D8S check5 Salaries Pension contributions Covid food vouchers Training Travel Computer expenses Repairs and maintenance Furniture IT software Atcountsncy Payroll processing Insurance CleaninE Postage Stationery Telephone and intemet Refreshments Volunteer gifts 4,8LK) 12,168 76 3.000 12,158 13.245 23 9.457 336 12,168 39,103 39,179 23.833 1,715 23,833 1,715 856 856 20 435 421 41 450 462 19 469 115 49 37 loo 250 li 195 20 19 97 371 38 96 125 125 202 202 22 23 140 398 20 22 140 398 20 120

Total Payments 18.527 66.011 84.538 40.058 Net Recelpts For Perlod 12.7ZO 12,513 207 10.861 Net Cash Funds BIF 414 30,950 39A64 28,503 Net Cash Funds CIF 21,134 18,437 39.571 39,364

2021 2020 Monetary Assets Cash at Bank Cash In hand 39,569 39,364 39.571 39.364 These finar)cial ststements have been approved by the Trustees and Signed on their behalf by.. Cash in bank is represented bv: Unrestrirted funds John Moores Fouridation Barrow Cadbury Grant Sefton MBC Workers Education Association Community Foundation ILCR l and LCR31 LCR2 21.131 1.018 2,819 5,335 347 2,032 3,307 39571

Chwlty Ilumber 1155318 Migrant Workers Sefton Community Unaudited Accounts For The Period Ended 28th February 2021

Total Payments 18.527 66.011 84.538 40.058 Net Recelpts For Perlod 12.7ZO 12,513 207 10.861 Net Cash Funds BIF 414 30,950 39A64 28,503 Net Cash Funds CIF 21,134 18,437 39.571 39,364