WOMEN
FOR
REFUGEE
WOMEN
Annual Report
and Financial Statements
2024- 2025
Women for Refugee Women is a charitable incorporated organi5ation. registered charity
number 1165320, with its registered off ice at 52-54 Featherstone Street, London. EC1Y 8RT

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## **Contents** 

**Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025 ................................................. .10 Reference and administrative details ................................................................................ 37 Statement of Trustees' responsibilities ........................................................................... 38 Independent Examiner's report ...............................................................................................39 Financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025 .................................... ..40** 



A message from our
Chair of Trustees
This past year has been both
inspiring and challenging for
Women for Refugee Women
IWRW). At a time when the external
environment has become
increasingly hostile, our network of
refugee and asylum-seeking
women, staff, volunteers, and
partners has shown extraordinary
courage, creativity, and resilience.
Alphonsine brought compassion.
vision, and unwavering commitment
to the charity, and her impact will be
felt for years to come. We were
delighted to welcome new co-
Directors, Andrea Vukovic and Isabel
Young, who have been leading our
campaigns and grassroots
programmes respectively. Both bring
deep expertise, passion, and a strong
track record of working alongside
refugee women, and we are excited
to see the organisation thrive under
their leadership.
As Trustees, we have been humbled
to witness how women in our
community continue to reclaim
their power, through learning,
creative expression, and leadership,
and how their voices are reaching
ever wider audiences to influence
real change. The expansion of our
grassroots programmes, the
success of our campaigning and
research, and the visibility of
women's stories in the media and
public debate are powerful
reminders of what is possible when
women are supported to speak and
act for thernselves.
We know, however, that the
challenges remain immense. The
impact of harmful asylum policies
and the rise of hostility towards
refugees weigh heavily on the
women in our network. As a Board,
our role is to ensure that WRW has
the stability, governance, and
resources to continue offering safe,
supportive spaces while also
challenging injustice at every level.
We remain committed to
strengthening the organisation for
the long term, embedding lived
experience into leadership and
decision-making, and ensuring that
women's voices remain at the heart
of everything we do.
This year also marked a significant
transition in leadership. We bid
farewell to Director, Alphonsine
Kabagabo, after four successf ul
years.

On behalf of the Trustees, I want to 

thank our dedicated staff, 

volunteers, and supporters. Most of all, I want to thank the women in our network, whose courage and determination inspire us daily and drive our mission forward. Together, we will continue to work towards a society where women seeking safety are treated with fairness, compassion, and dignity. 

**Rachel Krys** Chair of Trustees 



A message from our Co-Directors:
Andrea Vukovic & Isabel Young
Over the past year, we have had the
privilege of supporting a growing
community of refugee and asylum-
seeking women. Every day. we see
the strength, creativity and
solidarity that women bring to our
programmes - whether learning
English, performing poetry, leading
campaigns, or simply coming
together to support one another in
difficult times. These moments of
connection are the foundation of
Women for Refugee Women, and
the reason we keep going.
challenges remain stark. The
ongoing uncertainty of the asylum
process, coupled with policies that
isolate and re-traumatise women,
create barriers every day. Yet it is
precisely in this context that our
mission is most urgent. Together
with our network, staff, volunteers.
partners and supporters, we are
building spaces of welcome,
resilience and hope - and working
towards systemic change that
cannot be ignored.
Looking ahead, our new
organisational strategy for 2025-
2028 provides a roadmap for
deepening this work. We will grow
our network, strengthen leadership
opportunities for women with lived
experience, and amplify women's
voices in the national conversation
on asylum and migration. We are
committed to ensuring that WRW
remains a place of safety and
possibility, where women can
reclaim their power and rebuild their
lives on their own terms.
We are proud of what has been
achieved this year. From the impact
of our grassroots programmes, to
the success of our Spokesperson
Network, the publication of ground-
breaking research and the launch of
our Introduction to Campaigning
course - each strand of our work
has been shaped by women's lived
experiences and leadership. The
outcomes are clear: women are
gaining confidence. influencing
public debate, and challenging
harmful policies that affect their
lives.
Thank you to everyone who has
stood with us this year. It is only
through your solidarity - whether
At the same time, we know the

by volunteering, donating,
partnering, or campaigning - that
we can continue this vital work.
Most of all. we thank the women in
our network, whose hope and belief
in a fairer future guide and inspire
everything we do.
Andrea Vukovic and Isabel Young
Co-Directors

Our Vision. Mission. and Values
Vision
Women who come to the UK in search of safety experience a fair
and compassionate asylum system and are supported to feel free,
welcome and able to rebuild their lives.
Mission
To support women who have sought asylum to reclaim their
power through opportunities to develop new and existing skills,
access information and advice, and build confidence and
connections.
To amplify the voices of women who have sought asylum to
wide audiences through research, events, creative projects, the
arts, social media, print and digital media and other means of
communication.
To support women who have sought asylum to influence public
perceptions of refugees, and to challenge and change the UK'S
asylum system so that it is fair and supportive.

Values
Our values guide our decisions and everything that we do; they def ine
our culture, our behaviours and the organisation we aspire to be.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are inclusive of and stand with all women regardless of race, class,
sexuality, gender identity and expression, faith, national origin, language,
education, age and disability. We are always mindf ul of privilege and
imbalances of power, and seek to treat everyone fairly and equally.
Collaboration
We are stronger when we work together: we listen, we learn, we share and
we support one another.
Transparency
We are open and accountable in our decision-making.
Courage and authenticity
We are brave and bold in how we challenge injustice. We will keep the
women with whom we work, and these values, at the heart of all we do.
Kindness and compassion
We treat everyone with dignity, kindness and compassion. We value and
nurture the contributions of all those we work alongside. We are respectful,
supportive and caring.
Creativity. learning and ref lection
We are open to different ideas and skills and celebrate that there may be
many ways to achieve change. We have a culture of continuous learning
and embrace ref lection.

Trustees. Report for the
year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees of Women for Refugee
Women (WRW) present their annual
report and independently examined
accounts for the year ending 31
March 2025 and confirm they
comply with the requirements of
the Charities Act 2011, the charit5ls
constitution and the Charities SORP
IFRS102).
ii) To advance the education of the
public in general about the issues
relating to refugees and those
seeking asylum.
Women for Refugee Women
educates the public by bringing the
stories of women who seek asylum
to wide audiences through public
events, the arts, and working with
the media.
Charitable purposes and
Iiow we fulfil them
ii) To promote equality and diversity
for the public benef it, particularly
by the elimination of discrimination
on the grounds of race. gender,
disability, sexual orientation or
religion, in London and elsewhere.
The objectives of Women for
Refugee Women as set out in the
constitution are.
i) To advance education and relieve
financial hardship among women
seeking asylum and women
granted refugee status. including
by the provision of advice.
Women for Refugee Women
promotes equality and diversity by
roising awareness of the particular
experiences of women seeking
asylum, aiming to eliminate
discrimination on the grounds of
gender, sex, race and sexual
orientation in the asylum process
and in the services which women
receive. by publishing research and
advocating for fair treatment for
women seeking asylum in the UK.
Women for Refugee Women
provides direct support to refugee
women and women seeking
asylum, and enables them to learn
English and other skills, become
more digitally included and access
advice about their rights.
10

Power
"The community brings us together; we care and
love one another. WRW is small but mighty."

Power: Main Activities and
Achievements
Our grassroots programmes continue to be a cornerstone of our mission to
support women to reclaim their power as they rebuild their lives in the UK.
These programmes offer holistic, trauma-informed spaces where women can
access practical support, build confidence, and develop new and existing skills.
Through creative expression, peer support, and access to information and
advice, women strengthen community connections and shape change - both
within their own lives and wider society.
Over the past year, we delivered a diverse weekly and monthly timetable of
over 20 in-person and online activities, designed to meet the needs and
interests of women in our network. These included:
Creativity and
wellbeing
Learning
and skills
development
Arts and Crafts, Dance and
Movement. Drama, Radical
Knitting, and Yoga.
English classes (Pre-Entry,
Beginners, Intermediate, and
Advanced), Literacy, Digital Skills,
and short courses on emerging
needs such as financial literacy
and fuel poverty.
Peer support
and community
building
Alumnae Group Ifor
longstanding members), New
Members Group, Conversation
Club, and Rainbow Sisters (our
dedicated LGBTQ+ support
group).
Advice and
referrals
Asylum Advice drop-in, Referrals
drop-in, and our Health and
Empowerment discussion group.
12

This diverse programme of
activities is informed by the needs
of network members and our
commitment to holistic support.
skill-building, and fostering a strong
sense of community.
leadership roles within WRW and
their communities.
Expanding our outreach efforts
by launching a targeted outreach
plan through partnerships and
local spaces. and by adding clear
registration and referral
pathways to our website. These
steps have made it easier for
women to access our support
and for partners to connect
women to our services.
Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March
2025, 552 sessions were facilitated
by staff, volunteers, and a freelance
practitioner, and reached 388
individual women. We welcomed
100 new members to the network
and have expanded our outreach
initiatives to connect with more
women seeking asylum. Our
network now includes over 700
members from 44 countries.
Strengthening referral pathways
to ensure women could meet
their basic needs and access
opportunities beyond WRW'S
direct support. This included
signposting to food banks,
mental health services, and
specialist organisations,
ultimately supporting 43 women.
Our strategic objectives for
grassroots programmes this year
focused on strengthening transition
pathways, deepening outreach, and
embedding care and co-production
across our work. We met these
objectives by:
Delivering over 500 asylum
advice appointments through our
partnership with Notre Dame
Refugee Centre (NDRC),
ensuring women received expert
guidance at critical points in their
asylum journey.
Refining our participation
criteria to reach more women
seeking safety in the UK -
specifically those with an
ongoing asylum claim or who
have received status within the
last two years - while
supporting long-standing
members with status to
transition from regular
timetable activities into
"Coming here every week
relieves my stress, helps my
wellbeing I know how to
stand up for my rights now."

Facilitating a welcoming and
inclusive space through our
grassroots programmes, which
bring together women at
different stages of their asylum
journey to connect, learn,
create. and thrive.
Developing our Digital Inclusion
programme, distributing phones
and data-loaded SIM cards
through our partnership with the
Good Things Foundation to
reduce digital barriers to
participation.
Providing tailored support and
opportunities for women to
rebuild a sense of community,
belonging, and possibility, and
to engage with WRW'S wider
work in campaigning, advocacy,
research, and fundraising.
Strengthening our volunteer
programme and Monitoring,
Evaluation, Learning and
Planning (MELP) systems to
ensure our work remains
responsive, impactful, and
aligned with the needs and
aspirations of our network
members.
Ensuring women choose how
they participate - whether
through creative expression,
peer support, joining WRW'S
Network Steering Committee,
or accessing external
opportunities such as
mentoring, employability
workshops, and legal advice
through our partners.
"The creativity gives me back
my power_.l own it, I have a
sense of purpose... l am
making good use of my time
and being part of the world,:
14

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025:
700
network members
from
100
new members were
welcomed to our
network
44
countries
388
552
individual women
attended our sessions
sessions were facilitated by stsff,
volunteers, and a f reelance
practitioner
43
women were
500
supported through
our referral pathway
asylum advice appointments were
delivered to our network
members through our partnership
with Notre Dame Refugee Centre
(NDRC).


## **Key achievements and highlights from this year include:** 

- Expanding our partnership base to include **70 local and national organisations,** increasing opportunities for creativity, wellbeing, advice, and professional development for women in our network. 

- Delivering a rich and varied timetable of **over 20 weekly and monthly activities,** as detailed above, which provided consistent spaces for learning, connection, expression, and support. 

- Supporting **over 420 women** in our community and in detention with hardship grants and providing emergency hotel accommodation for women in crisis - ensuring safety, dignity, and stability in moments of acute need. 

- Listening and responding to emerging needs across our network, including growing interest in informative courses and move-on support. In response, we began developing **a new grassroots strategy (2025-2026)** to reflect these evolving priorities and ensure our work remains relevant and responsive. 

- Ensuring visibility and solidarity by participating in London Pride, Trans Pride, and Black Pride 2024 - **amplifying the identities and experiences of LGBTQ+ refugee women** within wider movements for justice and inclusion. 

- Bringing our community together through vibrant network events, including International Women's Day and our winter party, each attended by **over 100 women** - creating joyful, inclusive spaces for connection, celebration, and solidarity. 



This year, we continued to navigate
complex and intersecting challenges
across our work - including trauma,
digital exclusion. and an increasingly
hostile asylum environment. In
response, we strengthened our
safeguarding protocols and
deepened our trauma-informed
approaches through ongoing
training for staff and volunteers. We
also adapted our activities timetable
to reflect the evolving needs and
priorities of our network.
our community. Many have taken on
peer support roles, facilitated
sessions, and co-designed activities
demonstrating leadership rooted in
lived experience.
Our end-of-year evaluation showed
that over 80% of participants
reported improvements in
confidence. wellbeing. and access
to opportunities - key indicators of
personal growth and community
connection.
We responded proactively to
heightened external threats,
including the government's Rwanda
deportation plan and a rise in far-
right protests targeting refugee
spaces. These developments have
had a direct impact on the wellbeing
and sense of safety among women
in our network. In response, we
introduced additional support
mechanisms for network members,
staff, and volunteers; expanded our
outreach and referrals work., and
collaborated closely with partners
to ensure women had access to
accurate information, solidarity. and
advocacy.
Through our grassroots programmes,
WRW continues to foster healing,
solidarity, and mutual support -
creating spaces where women can
rebuild their lives, strengthen their
networks, and imagine new
possibilities together.
"I have found friends and
confidence in the classes."
The long-term impact of our
grassroots programmes is evident in
the growing number of women who
move from accessing support to
actively shaping and contributing to
1.7*

Influence
"We are not free, until ALL women are free."
I Photo credit.. @rose_embrown

Influence: Main Activities and
Achievements
When women tell their own stories, they can challenge misconceptions,
change minds and build greater understanding of what it means to seek safety
in the UK.
By amplifying refugee and asylum-seeking women's voices, we ensure that
those most directly affected by harmful policies and practices are at the
centre of efforts to influence change. Our communications work under the
Welcome Every Woman banner is a vital part of our theory of change, using
evidence-based narratives to engage persuadable audiences, reduce hostility,
and connect with people on a personal level. By supporting women to share
their lived experiences - whether through the media, in parliament, at events,
or through creative channels such as the arts - we not only foster empathy but
also strengthen inclusive representation, ensuring that intersecting identities
are visible and valued.
"The community is a welcoming environment where women
feel comfortable, share their stories, connect, stand in
resistance, support each other, and make change togetherl"
19

Over the past year, we carried out a
wide range of activities to amplify
women's voices.
Our social media following has
continued to grow, with an 18%
increase across platforms, and
regular media coverage across
trusted outlets, supported by
strong relationships with key
journalists.
We highlighted stories of
women with intersecting
identities from our network,
such as a disabled network
member for Disability
Awareness Week, a trans
member for Trans Pride, and a
member of our Rainbow Sisters
who interviewed an LGBTQ+ MP
for a media piece to mark Pride
month, ensuring inclusive
representation.
We launched new creative
storytelling partnerships, such as
New Home: Our Resilience, a
powerful photography exhibition
by six Rainbow Sisters, which
explored themes of identity,
violence, family and resilience.
The collection, in collaboration
with Autograph and Fast
Forward: Women in
Photography, was displayed on
billboards at the Old Street
roundabout and in a local gallery,
with plans to publish as a
photography book.
We used creative tactics such
as an open letter signed by 52
prominent women including
Cherie Blair CBE KC, Juliet
Stevenson, Caroline Lucas,
Laura Whitmore. and Elif Shafak,
which have helped push our
message to include asylum-
seeking women in the
Government's VAWG strategy,
into the mainstream and
demonstrate broad-based
support for change.
We collaborated with Coventry-
based photographer Oscar
Mucyo on Voices Unveiled, a
portrait exhibition showcasing
refugee and asylum-seeking
women from our network, using
Photos credit: Oscar Mucyo *1

photography to foster empathy,
understanding, and solidarity
while empowering participants
to reclaim their narratives.
celebrating her sexual identity for
the first time to mark Lesbian
Visibility Day.
A major strand of our work has
been the Spokesperson Network,
which has trained two cohorts of
up of seven women in public
speaking, media engagement,
safeguarding and storytelling.
Graduates have gone on to take
part in high-profile media
interviews, events, and digital
campaigns. The second group
which graduated in April 2024
has already taken part in speaking
out opportunities, including at
the Women's March, participated
in International Women's Day and
Pride activities, and engaged
directly with MPS and the public
through campaigning stunts and
partnerships.
Our Director. Alphonsine
Kabagabo. and a network
member, Thilini, were part of a
beautiful exhibition;
CONGREGATION, Face to
Face: 50 Encounters with
Strangers, by Es Devlin. The
exhibition launched at St Mary
le Strand Church before being
moved to Somerset House,
London.
Alongside these initiatives, we
continued publishing women's
blogs, including Adetutu's
journey from WRW member to
volunteer, and Rose's story of
joining Rainbow Sisters and
CONGREGATION, by Es Devlin

We are all connected. by Elise
Part of the exhibition, New Home.. Our Resilience
Our influence work has delivered strong
and measurable outcomes.
The open letter to government leaders on including asylum-seeking women
in the VAWG strategy generated mainstream media attention and
demonstrated cross-sectoral support for bringing asylum-seeking women
into the Government's plans to address VAWG.
Our consistent media presence, with coverage secured for every press
release issued, has ensured that women's perspectives are visible in national
debates. Social media growth and expansion into new platforms like Bluesky
have further extended our reach.
Creative projects such as New Home: Our Resilience not only amplified the
voices of LGBTQ+ women in our network but also engaged new audiences
through art, demonstrating the power of alternative storytelling methods.
The Spokesperson Network has already produced powerful results: women
trained through the programme are now leading public conversations,
gaining coverage in outlets with a combined readership of over 35 million,
and even applying their new skills to personal successes, such as securing
employment.
Together, these achievements demonstrate the importance of placing refugee
and asylum-seeking women at the heart of advocacy. By enabling women to
speak for themselves, we continue to influence public opinion, create political
space for reform, and shift narratives towards greater inclusion, safety and
justice.
22

Change
"Being disbelieved makes you feel less
than human."
Memory meeting Nadia Whittome MP

Change: Main Activities and
Achievements
As part of our work to bring about positive change, we work alongside refugee
and asylum-seeking women to challenge hostile policies and campaign for a
fairer and more humane asylum system.
Central to this work is combining robust participatory research. creative
campaigning, and direct engagement with policymakers to ensure women's
voices and experiences are at the heart of reform. Over the past year, WRW
has launched innovative initiatives to build the leadership and advocacy skills
of refugee women, published ground-breaking research exposing the harms of
current asylum policies, and secured tangible impact through parliamentary,
governmental, and media engagement.
"I have experienced racism myself. As a woman, as a Black
woman, as a Black refugee woman. I wonder, am I safe?"
Parliamentary event. Women Against the Far Right

Over the past year, our main
activities have included:
Our research team, made up of
seven women with lived
experience of the asylum
system. continued to meet on
bi-weekly basis to develop and
produce three major reports
including: Coercion and Control
on women's treatment in hotel
accommodation, A Decade of
Harm on the detention of
survivors of gender-based
violence, and Safety and
Survival on how the work ban
fuels violence and exploitation of
women. Advocacy around the
reports including launch
webinars, parliamentary events,
meetings with civil servants and
media interviews ensured that
women's experiences in the
asylum system were heard in the
public and policy debate.
In September 2024. we
launched our Introduction to
Campaigning course. an
intensive 10-week programme
equipping 12 women with
foundational campaigning skills,
from developing a theory of
change and deciding on
strategic tactics and activities,
to evaluating and assessing the
success of a campaign.
Following graduation, we
established the Campaigns
Champions group, which meets
bi-weekly to continue
campaigning actions and shape
the strategic direction of our
work.
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A DECADE OF HARM:
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25

After the 2024 General Election,
we quickly engaged the new
Government through our
flagship Welcome Every Woman
campaign, producing a brief ing
with key recommendations for
reforming the asylum system in
the Government's f irst 100
days. We identified the
Government's welcome
commitment to halve the rate of
Violence Against Women and
Girls (VAWG) in the next
decade as an ambition closely
aligned with our own and in the
last year have consistently been
making the case that in order to
achieve this, the asylum system
for women must be reformed.
We have successfully engaged
with MPS, Peers and Ministers
directly to discuss the link
between the asylum system and
VAWG.
external oversight bodies to
secure additional scrutiny of
women in detention.
Through our End Detention
Group we supported over 24
women with lived experience of
detention to develop an
influencing strategy, campaign
for alternatives to detention, and
show solidarity with women
currently detained - including
writing hundreds of supportive
letters over the festive period to
women in detention.
woprf
Supportlng refugee
women to
rel)Liild
tholr
Ilve4 on thelr own
terni&
We renewed our detention
campaigning strategy and
focused our efforts on building
up strong parliamentary allies
around our call for alternatives
to detention. We launched our
report, A Decade of Harm, in
Parliament, secured
commitments from
parliamentarians to take action,
including meeting with
Ministers to raise our concerns,
and successfully worked with
En
wom•n'
One of our researchers with Olivia Blake MP
at the launch of our report, A Decade of Harm
26

Catty speaking to the then Immigration
Minister. Angela Eagle MP. in Parliament
SIWlln$r*fv8
Key achievements in this period include:
Our Introduction to Campaigning course significantly increased participants,
confidence and skills. At the start, 25/0 of women described themselves as
"not at all confident" in campaigning; by the end, 91 /0 reported being
"extremely" or "very" confident. Since graduating, our Campaigns Champions
have led public actions, met Ministers, and developed their own campaigning
tactics calling for the right to work.
Our three ground-breaking reports attracted national media coverage in
outlets including The Guardian, The Independent and The Observer.
They also generated strong interest in Parliament, leading to oral and written
questions, applications for debates, and meetings between our researchers
and Home Office civil servants responsible for overseeing asylum
accommodation. Our findings influenced Home Office policy around the
needs of women in asylum accommodation and expectations of service
providers and started a vital dialogue with Ministers exploring the harms
experienced by women in accommodation.
We secured meetings with key Ministers, and built constructive relationships
with senior Home Off ice officials. Through this work, we established
ourselves as a credible stakeholder in shaping asylum policy and made
meaningful progress toward ensuring that women are accommodated in
more appropriate and dignified settings.
Through the End Detention Group, we contributed to renewed political
attention on the detention of women. We hosted parliamentary events
attended by MPS and Peers, gained commitments from oversight bodies such
as HMIP to conduct new inspections, and supported women to share their
stories and campaign with strength and solidarity.
27

This past year has marked a period of powerful collective action and growing
influence, as refugee and asylum-seeking women have led the charge in
challenging harmful policies and advocating for a fairer asylum system. We laid
vital groundwork for change and while there is still much to be done, our
progress demonstrates the strength of lived experience-led advocacy and the
importance of building towards lasting, systemic reform.
"It was a life changing thing for me as I got a job off the
back of this course."
Some of our graduates from the Introduction to Campaigns course
.kl
fiirii

Change and Future Plans
At the start of 2025, we
completed a new organisational
strategy covering the period
2025 - 2028, which will unfold
under a new Government,
elected in July 2024. The new
three-year strategy is a pivotal
response to an increasingly
hostile external environment for
women seeking asylum in the
UK. marked by dehumanising
policy reforms and a divisive
public narrative on asylum and
migration. In this context, WRW
has aligned our work to reform
the asylum system for women
with one of the new
government's priorities: halving
violence against women and
girls (VAWGI within the next
decade.
Looking ahead. we will deliver
our strategy through three
interlocking pillars: Power.
Influence, and Change.
Under the Power pillar, we aim to
grow our network by around 15/.
each year, reaching more diverse
groups of women seeking safety.
Programmes will increasingly be co-
designed with women in the network
to ensure they reflect evolving
needs, while deeper partnerships
with both local and national
organisations will provide broader
access to specialist support.
Importantly, we will strengthen our
volunteering pathways, aiming for at
least 25°A of volunteers to come
from within our own network. We
will also create roles that provide
women with lived experience the
opportunity to gain valuable
experience and begin their journey
within the organisation, helping
them build skills and confidence
required for leadership positions.
29

Under our Influence pillar, we will
refresh our communications
strategy through the Welcome
Every Woman campaign. drawing
on audience and message-testing
research to ensure resonance with
wider publics. Training and tailored
support for women who wish to
share their stories will be enhanced,
alongside greater efforts to create
new platforms and opportunities
for visibility. Leadership
development will also be prioritised,
with continued support for the
Spokesperson Network and the
Campaigns Champions group,
alongside new opportunities to help
women build confidence and
progress in education and
professional life.
The new strategy is firmly shaped by
lessons learned from past work,
particularly the importance of
centring women's lived experiences
in driving change. Experience of a
hostile asylum environment has
shown the power of creative
expression, solidarity, and
storytelling to resist dehumanising
narratives, which has influenced the
decision to deepen investment in
our lived experience campaigning
groups. As the organisation matures,
we have recognised the need to
consolidate and prioritise
sustainability, directing resources
toward building fundraising
capacity, embedding lived
experience in leadership and
governance, and strengthening
peer-led research and learning
systems. These choices ensure that
resources are used to maximum
effect, reinforcing both the impact
and long-term resilience of Women
for Refugee Women.
The Change pillar will focus on
systemic reform through research,
policy and advocacy. We will
conduct and publish new peer-led
research to build the evidence base
for reform and to underpin
campaigns such as ensuring the
inclusion of asylum-seeking women
in the government's strategy on
violence against women and girls.
Collaborations will be widened, not
only within the refugee and
women's sectors but also beyond,
to amplify impact. Finally, we will
continue to embed a gendered lens
in asylum debates, ensuring that
the specific experiences of women
seeking safety are not overlooked.

Volunteers and Supporters
Women for Refugee Women could
not deliver its work without the
invaluable support of our
volunteers. These women play
crucial role acr05S the organisation -
facilitating a programme of 20
weekly and monthly activities, and
contributing to our campaigns.
advocacy efforts, and wider
initiatives.
Attending quarterly volunteer
meetings and social gatherings
Sharing feedback to continue to
shape and improve our services
Assisting with network-wide
events when available
Taking a trauma-informed
approach to delivery, adhering to
WRW'S practices, and liaising
with the grassroots team on
safeguarding and wellbeing
matters related to the network
Their contributions significantly
enhance our ability to provide
holistic support to refugee and
asylum-seeking women, in line with
our three strategic pillars of Power,
Influence and Change. Volunteers
are instrumental in contributing to
WRW'S warm and welcoming
spaces and extend the reach of our
programmes far beyond what could
be achieved by staff alone.
On average, volunteers contribute
around 3 hours per week during
academic term times. In this
reporting year, WRW benefited from
an estimated 4,440 volunteer hours.
Our dedicated team of 37 volunteers
play a crucial role in supporting the
work of frontline staff across our
grassroots programmes and
campaigning work. While we do not
assign financial value to this
contribution, its impact is deeply felt
across our organisation and centra
to our mission.
Volunteer roles at WRW typically
include:
Completing onboarding and
safeguarding training and ad
hoc training as required
Preparing for and delivering
sessions as part of our activities
timetable
A huge thank you to everyone who
has volunteered with us over the last
year.
31

Financial Review
Women for Refugee Women carefully manages its finances. The budget is
approved before the start of the year, and all expenditure is checked against the
budget and authorised by members of the senior management team, who are
responsible for ensuring that expenditure remains within agreed limits. The
Board of Trustees has a delegated Finance and HR committee which meets
quarterly and presents financial and management reports to the Board at every
meeting.
Investment policy, endowment and reserves
Women for Refugee Women has an investment strategy aimed at maximising
returns on its endowment fund while minimising risk and keeping in accordance
with Women for Refugee Women's ethical principles. The Trustees have made
plans to gradually spend the endowment fund, using it primarily to invest in
increasing capacity and sustainability for the future.
Women for Refugee Women maintains liquid reserves in line with its reserves
policy which states that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for
a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to three to six months
expenditure, and these resenies are held in accessible accounts. As of 31 March
2025, unrestricted reserves amounted to £481,999, which is equivalent to just
over 5 months of total budgeted expenditure for 2025-2026.
32

How we are funcled
Gr￿ts:10f￿5trtcted purposes É424.984155.1%
•Gr￿ts: unresinded £158.360(20.5%)
• Legacies £0 IO%1
LIOnat￿n5 for charttdile puTp05es E124,671116.2161
• Oonatlons for speclfied purposes £18.70112A%I
In kind (lonatKJns É18.61512.4961
Income from ch¥ltable &tivitse5 £2.817 IOA961
• Investment income and bank interest £22.64812.9%}
• other Income £17210.Ih}
Our work depends on the financial and in-kind support we receive from trusts,
foundations, and individuals. Our total income in 2024-2025 amounted to
£770,968, including pro bono training and consultancy support worth £10,075
and in-kind donations of SIM cards worth £8,450 for redistribution to the women
in our network.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of B & Q, 8arrow Cadbury Trust. Ben &
Jerry, Big Give Trust, Bromley Trust, the Charity Service, Choose Love, Comic
Relief, Goldman Sachs Gives, Good Things Foundation, lan Mactaggart Trust,
Impact 100, Juniper Networks Giving Fund (Tides Foundation), Justice Together
Initiative, Lloyds Bank Foundation, Oak Foundation, Old Street & District
Partnership, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Portrack Charitable Trust, Ptarmigan Trust,
Rosa, Smallwood Trust, Trauma Treatment International, and the funders of the
Sisters Not Strangers coalition.
We greatly appreciate the many people who supported our work during the year.
Our thanks go to them all, particularly those who chose to fundraise for us in a
range of creative and thoughtful ways. A special thanks to:
All those who undertook personal challenges, such as marathons or cycles,
and to their kind friends and family who donated to support them.
All our regular donors for their ongoing support and solidarity, as well as our
many supporters who donate whenever they can.
33

- All those who kindly donated in response to our fundraising appeals, including our Big Give match-fund campaign and our Christmas appeal. All those who donated to us, or chose to collect donations for us, to mark special occasions and milestones, including birthdays, weddings, Christmas and many more. Thanks also to those who donated to celebrate International Women’s Day and Refugee Week. 

## **Where our money goes** 

We spent a total of £1,069,152 in 2024-2025, of which £969,428 (91%) funded our charitable activities. 


## **Our grant-making** 

While Women for Refugee Women is not, and does not aim to be, a grantmaking charity, we do give out some grants for specific and limited purposes. We give out small grants to help women in our grassroots network experiencing particular hardship situations, and to women in immigration detention and to those newly released from detention, and we awarded an education grant to each member of our lived experience peer research volunteer team to support their involvement in our peer research project. 

34 



Structure, Governance and
Management
Women for Refugee Women is governed by a Board of Trustees. which holds
the power to appoint and reappoint trustees in line with our governing
document. This ensures the Board maintains a diverse range of skills and
experience to guide the charity effectively.
In this reporting year, we welcomed new treasurer Emma Lind and new
trustee Mirella Uwas, and said farewell to two trustees- Francesca Klug and
Rachael Takens-Milne- after many years of dedicated service. We extend our
sincere thanks to them both for their hard work, expertise and guidance and
wish them well for their future endeavours.
The Board meets at least quarterly to oversee strategic direction, financial
oversight, and policy decisions, working closely with the Co-Directors. The
Finance and HR Committee, a sub-committee of the Board, also meets
quarterly to support governance and decision-making.
Trustees receive a structured induction and ongoing support to understand
WRW'S work, governance responsibilities, and safeguarding practices. Trustee
training includes charity governance and safeguarding, with additional
briefings provided as needed.
WRW employed 16 staff members during the financial year, totalling 13.8 full-
time equivalents. The team was supported by two part-time advice workers
from Notre Dame Refugee Centre, one regular freelance facilitator, and a
committed group of 37 volunteers. From November 2024 onwards WRW also
contracted regular part-time bookkeeping support from SCCS Ltd.
All major decisions regarding strategy, policies and finance are taken by the
Board of Trustees together with the Co-Directors, with the support and input
of other members of the Senior Management team.
Pay and remuneration for key management personnel are set by the Board.
using sector benchmarks and guidance from the Finance and HR Committee
to ensure fairness and transparency.
35

WRW is an independent charity and not part of a wider network. However, we
work in close collaboration with other organisations to pursue our charitable
objectives. This includes partnerships with Notre Dame Refugee Centre and
over 70 local and national organisations, which help strengthen our impact.
Risk Management
WRW continues to monitor potential risks for its long-term financial
sustainability. While the endowment has provided valuable stability, ongoing
reliance on it to support funding shortfalls highlights the importance of
strengthening and diversifying fundraising efforts over time. This is particularly
relevant in the context of rising operational costs and uncertainty around
meeting unrestricted income targets.
There is also some exposure to fluctuations in investment markets, which could
affect the value of reserves and future funding capacity. Additionally, delays or
gaps in financial reporting and controls may reduce the timeliness of decision-
making and oversight.
To address these risks. WRW has robust mitigations in place - including a clear
reserves policy, regular financial monitoring, strengthened internal processes.
and an updated fundraising strategy. The organisation continues to see
positive trends in grant income and has already secured several new funding
streams this year. WRW also works with professional investment managers at
CCLA to maintain a diversif led and ethically aligned portfolio.
36

Reference and administrative details
Status
Women for Refugee Women is a charitable incorporated organisation
constituted on 26 January 2016 and merged with its predecessor
charitable trust on 4 May 2018, following a transfer of assets on 31 March
2016.
Charity number
1165320 (registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales)
Registered off ice
Women for Refugee Women, Tindlemanor, 52- 54 Featherstone Street,
London, EC1Y 8RT
Trustees
Jade Amoli-Jackson
Catherine Briddick
Naomi Danguah
Francesca Klug (resigned 16 December 2024)
Rachel Krys Iregistered as Rachel Sternl (Chair)
Rachel Larkin
Emma Lind (Treasurer. appointed 12 April 2024)
Julia Lowis
Loraine Mponela
Olivia Namutebi
Rachel Robinson
Muma Sinkala
Rachael Takens-milne (resigned 16 December 2024)
Christine Taylor
Mirella Uwas lappointed 12 June 2024)
Senior management
personnel
Alphonsine Kabagabo- Director
Andrea Vukovic - Deputy Director/Co-Director from January 2025
Isabel Young - Head of Grassroots and Programmes/Co-Director from
January 2025
Carenza Arnold - Head of Compaigns from February 2025
Dina Aragaw - Head of Grossroots Programmes from February 2025
Ninie Unachukwu - Head of Operations and Finance until November
2024
Bankers
The Co-operative Bank
Cambridge and Counties Bank
Redwood Bank
Virgin Money
Investment
Managers
CCLA
37

Statement of Trustees. responsibilities
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare f inancial statements for each
financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the
charity and its f inancial activities for that period. In preparing those f inancial
statements, the trustees are required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently,
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,
State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of
recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operational
existence.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the
charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with
the Charities Act 2011. 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.
Date: 15 December 2025
Rachel Krys (Stern)
Chair of Trustees
38

## **Independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31 March 2025:** 

## **Report to the Trustees of Women for Refugee Women** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025. 

## Responsibilities and basis of report 

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). 

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of The Association of Accounting Technicians. 

## Independent examiner's statement 

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 as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2.the accounts do not accord with those records. 

I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Joanne Bell Bells Accountants 10a High Street Chislehurst BR7 5AN 

Date: 

39 



## WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 

## for the year ended 31 March 2025 

|2025<br>Endowment Restricted Unrestricted<br>Total<br>Notes<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>Income from:<br>Grants and<br>donations<br>2<br>-<br>443,685<br>283,031<br>726,716<br>Donations in kind<br>2<br>-<br>18,615<br>-<br>18,615<br>Legacies<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>-<br>2,667<br>150<br>2,817<br>Other trading<br>activities<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Investments<br>13,266<br>-<br>9,382<br>22,648<br>Other sources<br>-<br>-<br>172<br>172<br>Total income<br>13,266<br>464,967<br>292,735<br>770,968<br>Expenditure on:<br>Raising funds<br>-<br>317<br>99,407<br>99,724<br>Charitable activities<br>3,4<br>-<br>446,352<br>523,076<br>969,428<br>Other costs<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Total expenditure<br>-<br>446,669<br>622,483<br>1,069,152<br>Net gains/(losses)<br>on investments<br>10<br>(24,560)<br>-<br>-<br>(24,560)<br>Net income/(expen-<br>diture) for the year<br>6<br>(11,294)<br>18,298 (329,748)<br>(322,744)<br>Transfer between<br>funds<br>(330,000)<br>-<br>330,000<br>-<br>Net movement in<br>funds<br>(341,294)<br>18,298<br>252<br>(322,744)<br>Reconciliation of funds:<br>Total funds<br>brought forward<br>2,008,371<br>138,901<br>506,890<br>2,654,162<br>Total funds<br>carried forward<br>16<br>1,667,077<br>157,199<br>507,142<br>2,331,418|2024|
|---|---|
||Endowment Restricted Unrestricted<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>341,217<br>353,433<br>694,650<br>-<br>63,672<br>-<br>63,672<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,203<br>2,550<br>3,753<br>-<br>-<br>1,433<br>1,433<br>23,403<br>-<br>7,824<br>31,227<br>-<br>285<br>125<br>410|
||23,403<br>406,377<br>365,365<br>795,145|
||-<br>272<br>98,960<br>99,232<br>-<br>342,328<br>689,115 1,031,443<br>-<br>-<br>127<br>127|
||-<br>342,600<br>788,202 1,130,802|
||210,121<br>-<br>-<br>210,121|
||233,524<br>63,777 (422,837)<br>(125,536)<br>(440,000)<br>-<br>440,000<br>-|
||(206,476)<br>63,777<br>17,163<br>(125,536)<br>2,214,847<br>75,124<br>489,727 2,779,698|
||2,008,371<br>138,901<br>506,890 2,654,162|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains or losses for the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

40 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN BALANCE SHEET 

|WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN||||
|---|---|---|---|
|BALANCE SHEET||as at 31 March 2025<br>2025<br>£<br>2024<br>£<br>2,015,077<br>2,226,371<br><br>18,900<br><br>25,033<br><br>123,280<br><br>289,655<br><br>456,868<br><br>29,077<br>316,341<br>427,791<br>2,331,418<br>2,654,162<br>1,667,077<br>2,008,371<br>157,199<br>138,901<br>507,142<br>506,890<br>2,331,418<br>2,654,162||
|Notes<br>Fixed assets<br>Investments<br>10<br>Current assets<br>Stock<br>11<br>Debtors<br>12<br>Investments<br>13<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>Creditors: amounts falling due<br>within one year<br>14<br>Net current assets<br>Total assets less current<br>liabilities<br>15<br>The funds of the charity:<br>16<br>Endowment funds - expendable<br>Restricted funds<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Total charity funds|8,940<br>17,420<br>128,828<br>201,317|2025<br>£<br>2,015,077<br><br>18,900<br><br>25,033<br><br>123,280<br><br>289,655<br><br>456,868<br><br>29,077<br>316,341<br>2,331,418<br>1,667,077<br>157,199<br>507,142<br>2,331,418||
||356,505|||
||40,164|||
|||||
||||2,008,371<br>138,901<br>506,890|
||||2,654,162|



The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 15 December 2025 and signed on their behalf by: 

Rachel Krys (Stern) Chair of Trustees 

41 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

||2025|2024|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Cash flows from operating activities:|||
|Net cash flow generated by operating activities|(297,720)|(381,236)|
|Cash flows from investing activities:|||
|Interest from short-term investments|9,382|7,824|
|Acquisition of fixed asset investments|(90,000)|-|
|Withdrawal from fixed asset investments|290,000|240,000|
|Net cash generated from investing activities|209,382|247,824|
|Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents|||
|in the reporting period|(88,988)|(133,412)|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning|||
|of the reporting period|289,655|423,067|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the end|||
|of the reporting period|201,317|289,655|
|Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating||activities|
|Net movement in funds for the reporting period|||
|(as per the statement of financial activities)|(322,744)|(125,536)|
|Adjustments for:|||
|Interest received|(22,648)|(31,227)|
|Losses/(Gains) on investments|24,560|(210,121)|
|(Increase) in stock|9,960|(18,900)|
|Decrease/(Increase) in debtors|7,613|38,990|
|(Increase)/Decrease in current asset investments|(5,548)|(4,988)|
|(Decrease)/Increase in creditors|11,087|(29,454)|
|Net cash provided by (used in) operating|||
|activities|(297,720)|(381,236)|
|Analysis of cash and cash equivalents|||
|Cash at bank and in hand|201,317|289,655|
|Total cash and cash equivalents|201,317|289,655|



42 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 1. Accounting Policies 

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year. 

## Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern 

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and the Charities Act 2011. 

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. 

## Funds structure and accounting 

Restricted grants and donations are available for the charity's use only in accordance with the terms under which, and for the purposes which, the funds were donated to the charity. 

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. 

Endowment funds are resources received by the charity that represent capital. A feature of endowment funds is that charity law requires the trustees to invest it or to retain and use it for the charity’s purposes. These funds are sub-analysed between permanent endowment, where the trustees have no power to convert it into income and apply it, and to expendable endowment where the trustees do have this power. 

## Income recognition 

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: 

Grants and donations are included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. 

Grants income received before the end for the financial year but not to be spent until the following financial year is included as deferred income in the balance sheet. 

Investment income is included when receivable. 

43 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 1. Accounting policies (continued) 

## Income recognition (continued) 

Legacies are accounted for as incoming resources either upon receipt or where the receipt of the legacy is probable. Receipt is probable when: 

- confirmation has been received from the representatives of the estate(s) that probate has been granted 

- the executors have established that there are sufficient assets in the estate to pay the legacy and 

- all conditions attached to the legacy have been fulfilled or are within the charity’s control. 

Where there is uncertainty as to the amount of the legacy and it cannot be reliably estimated then the legacy is shown as a contingent asset until all of the conditions for income recognition are met. 

## Donated services and facilities 

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the charity is not recognised. The trustees’ annual report provides more information about the contribution of volunteers. 

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income, at the value to Women for Refugee Women (which would be no more than market rate); and a corresponding amount is then recognised as expenditure in the period of receipt. 

## Expenditure recognition 

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Where expenditure includes VAT which can only be partially recovered, the irrecoverable VAT is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. 

Grants payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objects of the charity. 

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and fundraising trading costs. 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. 

Governance costs comprise those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit or independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. 

44 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 1. Accounting policies (continued) 

## Expenditure recognition (continued) 

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the statement of financial activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g. estimated usage, as set out in Notes 3 and 4. 

## Fixed asset investments 

Unit trust funds are stated at market value as at the balance sheet date. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation throughout the year. Deposit cash held as part of the fixed asset investment portfolio are included in fixed asset investments. 

Artworks are revalued at least every five years and resulting gains or losses recognised as investment returns. 

## Tangible fixed assets and deprecation 

Assets with a cost of less than £1,000 are expensed. Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated so as to write down to estimated residual value the cost of all other tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives as follows: 

Office and IT equipment 

25% per annum on cost 

## Stock 

Stock of donated goods comprises mobile SIM cards for future distribution to beneficiaries. These are included at the face value of the SIM card. 

## Current asset investments 

Current asset investments are deposit accounts with a withdrawal notice period exceeding three months. 

## Leasing 

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to income on a straight line basis over the lease term. 

## Pensions 

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the schemes. 

45 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 2. Grants and donations 

|Grants and donations||
|---|---|
|2025<br>Restricted Unrestricted<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>Anonymous donor<br>-<br>30,000<br>30,000<br>B & Q<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Barrow Cadbury Trust<br>23,000<br>-<br>23,000<br>Ben & Jerry (Tides)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Bromley Trust<br>15,000<br>-<br>15,000<br>The Charity Service<br>-<br>50,000<br>50,000<br>Choose Love<br>10,000<br>-<br>10,000<br>City Bridge Trust<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Comic Relief<br>137,090<br>-<br>137,090<br>Goldman Sachs Gives<br>10,177<br>-<br>10,177<br>Good Things Foundation - cash<br>2,400<br>-<br>2,400<br>Good Things Foundation – in kind<br>8,540<br>-<br>8,540<br>Ian Mactaggart Trust<br>-<br>7,000<br>7,000<br>Impact 100<br>-<br>33,000<br>33,000<br>Juniper Networks Giving Fund (Tides)<br>3,817<br>-<br>3,817<br>Justice Together Initiative<br>55,000<br>-<br>55,000<br>Lloyds Bank Foundation<br>50,000<br>-<br>50,000<br>Oak Foundation<br>-<br>10,000<br>10,000<br>Old Street & District Partnership<br>2,500<br>-<br>2,500<br>Paul Hamlyn Foundation<br>66,000<br>-<br>66,000<br>Portrack Charitable Trust<br>-<br>5,000<br>5,000<br>Ptarmigan Trust<br>-<br>2,000<br>2,000<br>Rosa<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Smallwood Trust<br>20,000<br>-<br>20,000<br>Christmas appeal<br>-<br>4,347<br>4,347<br>Big Give Women & Girls Match appeal<br>26,291<br>-<br>26,291<br>Other grants and donations<br>2,410<br>126,914<br>129,324<br>Designer clothing donation<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>Pro bono consultancy support<br>9,675<br>-<br>9,675<br>Pro bono training<br>400<br>-<br>400<br>Anonymous donor for Sisters Not Strangers<br>-<br>14,770<br>14,770<br>Ben & Jerry (Tides) for Sisters Not Strangers<br>10,000<br>-<br>10,000<br>Roddick Foundation for Sisters Not Strangers<br>10,000<br>-<br>10,000<br>462,300<br>283,031<br>745,331|2024|
||Total<br>£<br>50,000<br>4,110<br>20,000<br>15,000<br>15,000<br>55,000<br>20,000<br>7,500<br>-<br>10,673<br>3,600<br>53,920<br>-<br>33,000<br>-<br>82,500<br>45,500<br>10,000<br>5,000<br>66,000<br>-<br>2,000<br>7,000<br>-<br>1,950<br>22,705<br>171,307<br>9,752<br>-<br>-<br>36,805<br>10,000<br>-|
||758,322|



46 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 3. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities 

|||Advocacy,||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Campaign-|Sisters|Grassroots||||
|||ing and|Not|<br>Empower-|Grant-|Total|Total 2024|
|||Research|Strangers|ment|Making|2025|(restated)|
||Notes|£||£|£|£|£|
|Salary costs|5|227,932|16,420|178,520|5,710|428,582|399,370|
|Staff and volunteer||||||||
|expenses, recruitment,||||||||
|training and welfare||5,482|208|6,071|-|11,761|14,723|
|London grassroots||||||||
|group activities||-|-|75,785|-|75,785|97,718|
|Individual beneficiary||||||||
|support|5|-|-|89,568|12,935|102,503|135,822|
|Advocacy and||||||||
|campaigning||21,011|-|-|-|21,011|23,837|
|Regional partnerships||-|8,544|-|-|8,544|18,894|
|Research|5|6,908|-|-|9,503|16,411|54,765|
|Monitoring and||||||||
|evaluation||212|-|-|-|212|125|
|IT and telecoms||1,116|-|780|-|1,896|10,910|
|Postage, stationery||||||||
|and printing/copying||74|-|47|-|121|17|
|Subscriptions||972|-|59|-|1,031|512|
|Bank charges/Wise fees||160|9|6|-|175|103|
|Support costs|4,5|111,668|-|146,131|281|258,080|233,779|
|Governance costs|4|18,742|-|24,574|-|43,316|40,868|
|||394,277|25,181|521,541|28,429|969,428|1,031,443|



Expenditure on charitable activities was £969,428 (2024: £1,031,443), of which £446,352 (2024: £342,328) was met from restricted funds and £523,076 (2024: £689,115) was met from unrestricted funds. 

47 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 4. Analysis of governance and support costs 

The charity initially identifies the costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function. Having identified its governance costs, the remaining support costs together with the governance costs are apportioned between the key charitable activities undertaken (Note 3) in the year. 

The table below shows the basis for apportionment and the analysis of support and governance costs. 

|governance costs.|||
|---|---|---|
|Allocation<br>Salaries and related costs<br>Time basis<br>Premises expenses<br>Support<br>Website, IT and telecoms<br>Support<br>Office costs<br>Support<br>Insurance<br>Support<br>Bank charges<br>Support<br>External accountancy<br>Support/<br>Governance<br>Legal and professional<br>fees<br>Activity<br>Trustee meetings and<br>training<br>Governance|General<br>support<br>Governance<br>function<br>Total<br>2025<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>204,115<br>36,812<br>240,927<br>18,852<br>-<br>18,852<br>19,826<br>-<br>19,826<br>3,909<br>199<br>4,108<br>2,070<br>-<br>2,070<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>4,856<br>1,800<br>6,656<br>4,452<br>3,150<br>7,602<br>-<br>1,355<br>1,355<br>258,080<br>43,316<br>301,396|Total<br>2024<br>£<br>211,933<br>23,008<br>24,071<br>3,719<br>1,203<br>1,488<br>1,800<br>5,989<br>1,539|
|||274,750|



## 5. Analysis of grant-making activity 

|Grant to Birmingham Asylum & Refugee Association<br>Total grants to other groups<br>Education Grants<br>Hardship grants for women in the London Grassroots<br>network<br>Hardship grants for women in immigration detention or<br>newly released<br>Total grants to individual beneficiaries|2025<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>9,503<br>3,010<br>9,925<br>22,438|2024<br>£<br>2,500|
|---|---|---|
|||2,500|
|||5,065<br>4,424<br>11,930<br>21,419|



48 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

## for the year ended 31 March 2025 

|5.<br>Analysis of grant-making activity (continued)<br>Support costs relating to grant-making activity<br>Total<br>6.<br>Net income/(expenditure) for the year<br>This is stated after charging:<br>Independent examiner's fees<br>7.<br>Staff costs and numbers<br>Staff costs were as follows:<br>Wages and salaries<br>(net of Statutory Maternity Pay recovery)<br>Social security costs<br>(net of Employment Allowance)<br>Pension costs|||2025<br>£<br>5,991<br>28,429<br>2025<br>£<br>1,800<br>2025<br>£<br>632,849<br>63,231<br>30,295<br>726,375|2024<br>£<br>6,435<br>30,354<br>2024<br>£<br>1,800<br>2024<br>£<br>601,665<br>55,504<br>25,814<br>682,983|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||



The charity considers its key management personnel to comprise the trustees and Senior Management Team (Directors including Deputy Director and Co-Directors, Head of Campaigns, Head of Grassroots and Head of Operations and Finance). 

The total employment benefits of the key management personnel were £276,581 (2024: £250,430). Three employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 (2024: one), one in the band £70,000 to £80,000 (2024: £70,000 to £80,000) and two in the band £60,000 to £70,000 (2024: not applicable). 

49 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 7. Staff costs and numbers (continued) 

The average weekly number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full-time equivalents, was as follows: 

|Director<br>Senior Management Team members<br>Programme and support staff|2025<br>No.<br>1.0<br>3.0<br>9.8<br>13.8|2024<br>No.<br>1.0<br>3.0<br>9.5<br>13.5|
|---|---|---|



## 8. Related party transactions and trustees’ expenses and remuneration 

The trustees normally give their time and expertise freely without any form of remuneration or other benefit in cash or kind. Expenses totalling £452 (2024: £441) were reimbursed to three trustees (2024: 3 trustees) during the year. 

One trustee was sent bereavement flowers, one trustee was sent a gift of flowers and chocolates while ill, and two long-serving trustees received leaving gifts; the total value of these small gifts was £216 (2024: £51 for one trustee's leaving gift). 

The charity paid £120 for training for four trustees (2024: £175 for 7 trustees). 

Four trustees made donations to the charity during the year totalling £1,895 (2024: four trustees, £2,210). 

Trustees with lived experience of seeking asylum who participate in the activities of the charity receive the same expenses and benefits as other beneficiaries in line with the charity's relevant policies and procedures. 

## 9. Taxation 

As a registered charity, Women for Refugee Women is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity. 

The charity is registered for Gift Aid with HM Revenue & Customs under reference number EW63719. 

50 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

|10. <br>11. <br>12. <br>13. <br>14.|Fixed asset investments<br>Unit<br>At 1 April 2024<br>Invested<br>Withdrawn<br>Interest income<br>Unrealised revaluation<br>gains/(losses)<br>Valuation at 31 March 2025<br> Stock<br>Stock of donated goods<br> Debtors<br>Grants and donations receivable<br>Gift Aid recoveries due<br>Prepayments<br>Other debtors|Trust funds<br>Deposit funds<br>Artwork<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>1,811,149<br>397,222<br>18,000<br>-<br>90,000<br>-<br>(90,000)<br>(200,000)<br>-<br>-<br>13,266<br>-<br>(24,560)<br>-<br>-|Trust funds<br>Deposit funds<br>Artwork<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>1,811,149<br>397,222<br>18,000<br>-<br>90,000<br>-<br>(90,000)<br>(200,000)<br>-<br>-<br>13,266<br>-<br>(24,560)<br>-<br>-|Total<br>£<br>2,226,371<br>90,000<br>(290,000)<br>13,266<br>(24,560)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||1,696,589<br>300,488<br>18,000||2,015,077|
||||2025<br>£<br>8,940<br>2025<br>£<br>3,659<br>12,592<br>1,169<br>-<br>17,420|2024<br>£<br>18,900<br>2024<br>£<br>3,248<br>20,964<br>708<br>113|
|||||25,033|
||Current assetinvestments<br>Notice bank deposit account<br> Creditors: amounts falling due within one year<br>Grants payable<br>Social security and other taxation<br>Accrued expenses<br>Deferred income||2025<br>£<br>128,828<br>2025<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>18,664<br>21,500<br>40,164|2024<br>£<br>123,280<br>2024<br>£<br>75<br>-<br>26,502<br>2,500<br>29,077|



51 



## WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

## for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 15. Analysis of net assets between funds 

|15.|Analysis of net assets|between funds|between funds|between funds|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Endowment<br>Restricted|||Unrestricted||||
|||funds||funds|funds||Total funds||
|||||£||£||£|
||Current year||||||||
||Fixed asset||||||||
||investments|1,667,077||-|348,000|||2,015,077|
||Net current assets||-|157,199|159,142|||316,341|
|||1,667,077||157,199|507,142|||2,331,418|
||Prior year||||||||
||Fixed asset||||||||
||investments|2,008,371||-|218,000|||2,226,371|
||Net current assets||-|138,901|288,890|||427,791|
|||2,008,371||138,901|506,890|||2,654,162|
|16.|Movement in funds||||||||
||Current year|At<br>1 April<br>2024|Incoming<br>resources|Outgoing<br>resources|<br> <br>Unrealised<br>losses|Transfer<br>between<br>funds||At<br>31 March<br>2025|
|||£|£|£|£||£|£|
||Endowment funds -||||||||
||expendable|2,208,371|13,266|-|(24,560)|(330,000)||1,667,077|
||Restricted funds:||||||||
||Ben & Jerry (Tides) for||||||||
||Sisters Not Strangers|6,432|10,000|(8,201)|-||-|8,231|
||Roddick Foundation for||||||||
||Sisters Not Strangers|-|10,000|-|-||-|10,000|
||B & Q|1,998|-|(1,998)|-||-|-|
||Barrow Cadbury Trust|-|23,000|(23,000)|-||-|-|
||Ben & Jerry (Tides)|1,750|-|(1,750)|-||-|-|
||Bromley Trust|3,045|15,000|(16,802)|-||-|1,243|
||Choose Love|1,970|10,000|(11,970)|-||-|-|
||Comic Relief|-|137,090|(111,150)|-||-|25,935|
||Goldman Sachs Gives|5,619|10,177|(11,833)|-||-|3,963|
||Good Things Foundation<br>- cash|142|2,400|(2,542)|-||-|-|
||Good Things Foundation<br>- in kind|18,900|8,540|(18,500)|-||-|8,940|
|||||||||52|





WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 16. Movement in funds (continued) 

## Restricted funds (continued) 

||At||||Transfer|At|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||1 April|Incoming|Outgoing|Unrealised|between|31 March|
|Current year|2024|resources|resources|losses|funds|2025|
|Justice Together|||||||
|Initiative|12,458|55,097|(52,556)|-|-|14,999|
|Lloyds Bank Foundation|26,004|56,300|(56,888)|-|-|25,416|
|Old Street & District|||||||
|Partnership|-|2,500|(2,500)|-|-|-|
|Paul Hamlyn Foundation|44,000|66,000|(70,000)|-|-|40,000|
|Rosa|5,700|-|(5,700)|-|-|-|
|Smallwood Trust|-|20,000|(17,695)|-|-|2,305|
|Juniper Networks Giving|||||||
|Fund (Tides Foundation)|-|3,817|(1,944)|-|-|1,873|
|Big Give Women & Girls|||||||
|Match Fund|10,427|26,291|(22,424)|-|-|14,294|
|Drama group|-|200|(200)|-|-|-|
|Rainbow Sisters|456|3,225|(3,681)|-|-|-|
|Other grassroots|||||||
|activities and support|-|437|(437)|-|-|-|
|Advocacy &|||||||
|campaigning activities|-|1,118|(1,118)|-|-|-|
|Other restricted funds|-|3,775|(3,775)|-|-|-|
|Total restricted funds|138,901|464,967|(446,669)|-|-|157,199|
|Unrestricted funds:|||||||
|Designated funds|27,203|14,920|(16,980)|-|-|25,143|
|General funds|479,687|277,815|(605,503)|-|330,000|481,999|
|Total unrestricted|||||||
|funds|506,890|292,735|(622,483)|-|330,000|507,142|
|Total funds|2,654,162|770,968|(1,069,152)|(24,560)|-|2,331,418|



53 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

## for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 16. Movement in funds (continued) 

|Prior Year|At|||||At|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||1 April<br>2023|Incoming<br>resources|Outgoing<br>resources|<br> <br>Unrealised<br>gains|Transfer<br>between<br>funds|31 March<br>2024|
||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Endowment funds -|||||||
|expendable|2,214,847|23,403|-|210,121|(440,000)|2,008,371|
|Restricted funds:|||||||
|B & Q|-|4,110|(2,112)|-|-|1,998|
|Barrow Cadbury Trust|-|20,000|(20,000)|-|-|-|
|Ben & Jerry (Tides)|7,049|15,000|(20,299)|-|-|1,750|
|Ben & Jerry for SNS|-|10,000|(3,568)|-|-|6,432|
|Big Give Trust|250|-|(250)|-|-|-|
|Bromley Trust|-|15,000|(11,955)|-|-|3,045|
|Choose Love|-|20,000|(18,030)|-|-|1,970|
|City Bridge Trust|750|7,500|(8,250)|-|-|-|
|Goldman Sachs Gives|-|10,673|(5,054)|-|-|5,619|
|Good Things Foundation<br>- cash|-|3,600|(3,458)|-|-|142|
|Good Things Foundation|||||||
|- in kind|-|53,920|(35,020)|-|-|18,900|
|Justice Together<br>Initiative|19,591|82,500|(89,633)|-|-|12,458|
|Lloyds Bank Foundation|-|45,500|(19,496)|-|-|26,004|
|Old Street & District|||||||
|Partnership|-|5,000|(5,000)|-|-|-|
|Paul Hamlyn Foundation|44,000|66,000|(66,000)|-|-|44,000|
|Rosa|-|7,000|(1,300)|-|-|5,700|
|Big Give Women & Girls<br>Match Fund|-|22,705|(12,278)|-|-|10,427|
|Drama group|-|428|(428)|-|-|-|
|Rainbow Sisters|462|281|(287)|-|-|456|
|Other grassroots<br>activities and support|3,022|13,572|(16,594)|-|-|-|
|Other restricted funds|-|3,588|(3,588)|-|-|-|
|Total restricted funds|75,124|406,377|(342,600)|-|-|138,901|



54 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

## for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 16. Movement in funds (continued) 

|Unrestricted funds:<br>Designated funds<br>General funds<br>Total unrestricted funds<br>Total funds|At<br>1 April<br>2023<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>Outgoing<br>resources<br>Unrealised<br>gains<br>Transfer<br>between<br>funds<br>At<br>31 March<br>2024<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>18,000<br>36,805<br>(27,602)<br>-<br>-<br>27,203<br>471,727<br>328,560<br>(760,600)<br>-<br>440,000<br>479,687|
|---|---|
||489,727<br>365,365<br>(788,202)<br>-<br>440,000<br>506,890|
||2,779,698<br>795,145 (1,130,802)<br>210,121<br>-<br>2,654,162|



## Restricted funds: 

## B & Q 

This grant supported Rainbow Sisters. 

## Barrow Cadbury Trust 

This grant goes towards Women for Refugee Women’s core costs to enable the charity to continue its empowering and influencing work. 

## Ben & Jerry (Tides) 

This grant supported lived experience leadership and campaigning, particularly through the Spokesperson Network and Campaigns Forum. 

Women for Refugee Women received a second Ben & Jerry grant on behalf of the Sisters Not Strangers coalition. 

Big Give Women & Girls Match Fund 

This was a match funded appeal for donations to support women and girls run by the Big Give Trust. It is used for grassroots empowerment activities and hardship support. 

## Bromley Trust 

This grant supports the Set Her Free campaign to end the detention of women seeking asylum. 

## Comic Relief 

This grant funds core salary and running costs to support the charity's work. It includes money raised by the Evening Standard Winter Appeal in 2024. 

## Choose Love 

This grant supported our grassroots work in London, specifically English lessons and lived-experience volunteering. 

## Goldman Sachs Gives 

This grant funds our digital inclusion project. It is administered by CAF America 

. 

55 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 16. Movement in funds (continued) 

## Restricted funds (continued): 

Good Things Foundation 

This Capability Grant supported our digital inclusion project. 

Good Things Foundation also provides access to free SIM cards and phone credit via the National Databank, and to digital devices. 

## Justice Together Initiative 

This grant supports the development of strong messages and strategic communication in support of women seeking asylum in the UK 

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

This three-year grant funds Women for Refugee Women’s research, advocacy and campaigning, particularly against the use of inappropriate, unsafe, detention-like accommodation for asylum-seeking women. 

Old Street & District Partnership 

This grant funds tailored support for refugee and asylum-seeking women to develop and improve digital and employability skills. 

Paul Hamlyn Foundation 

This four-year grant funds Women for Refugee Women’s advocacy and campaigning activities, particularly leadership development of women with lived experience. 

## Roddick Foundation 

This grant is for Sisters Not Strangers activities. 

## Rosa 

This grant supported women with lived experience to campaign for a fairer and more humane asylum system. 

## Smallwood Trust 

This grant funds the Grassroots Referrals project, which helps women in our network to access individual support and opportunities. 

Juniper Networks Giving Fund (Tides) 

This small grant funds yoga classes. 

Grassroots activities and support 

This income from donations and charitable activities was restricted to be used for specific WRW activities and projects, including Rainbow Sisters and Drama group and detention hardship support. 

## Advocacy & campaigning activities 

This comprises costs related to speaking at a Rape Crisis conference and expenses for a Lift the Ban (on asylum seekers working) event in Parliament Square. 

## Other restricted funds 

This reflects counselling and trauma support provided pro bono by Trauma Treatment International, funded by City Bridge Foundation. 

56 



WOMEN FOR REFUGEE WOMEN Notes to the Accounts 

for the year ended 31 March 2025 

## 16. Movement in funds (continued) 

## Unrestricted funds: 

General funds include income from grants, donations and other sources. 

Movement in unrestricted grants of £10,000 or more was as follows: 

|Current year|At|||At|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||1 April|Incoming|Outgoing|31 March|
||2024|resources|resources|2025|
||£|£|£|£|
|Anonymous donor|18,500|30,000|(33,500)|15,000|
|Anonymous donor - designated grant|||||
|for Sisters Not Strangers|9,203|14,770|(16,970)|7,003|
|The Charity Service|35,307|50,000|(70,307)|15,000|
|Impact 100|8,250|33,000|(33,775)|7,475|
|Prior year|At|||At|
||1 April|Incoming|Outgoing|31 March|
||2023|resources|resources|2024|
||£|£|£|£|
|Anonymous donor|-|50,000|(31,500)|18,500|
|Anonymous donor - designated grant|||||
|for Sisters Not Strangers|-|36,805|(27,602)|9,203|
|Blue Moon Trust|6,037|-|(6,037)|-|
|The Charity Service|42,500|55,000|(62,193)|35,307|
|Impact 100|8,500|33,000|(33,250)|8,250|



57