Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From April 1[ st ] 2020 To March 31[ st ] 2021
Charity name: Herts for Refugees
Charity registration number: 1167716
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | We collect vital aid to support asylum seekers and refugees wherever there is need. We undertake fundraising activities to support these vulnerable people and to provide donations to grass roots organisations working on the ground with asylum seekers, primarily in France, Greece, Lebanon and Syria or wherever there is need. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Activities during 2020-2021 were adversely affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Collections and all in-person activities were suspended for a period of time and only re-started in line with government guidelines and rules. Collection of items donated for asylum seekers and refugees (clothing, shoes, hygiene products, sleeping bags, tents and other items as required. Shipment of donated items to grass roots organisations. Production of hand-made face coverings to send to volunteers in refugee camps in Greece (due to global shortage of PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic). Distribution of clothing, shoes, hygiene products and other items as required to residents of initial accommodation in Hertfordshire (asylum seekers). Collaborative work with other refugee supporting charities on a local and national basis. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have been reminded of and read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. |
|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | n/a |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | n/a |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All trustees and supporters of Herts for Refugees are volunteers. Our volunteers contribute in the following ways: - Sharing and building awareness through social media - Helping at online and in person events - Collecting donations - Delivering aid to initial accommodation - Organising shipments to other countries - Attending meetings - Developing and running fundraising events - Sorting donations into boxes prior to shipment - Accounts - Attending Refugee Charity Network meetings - Attending multi-disciplinary meetings regarding support of asylum seekers in initial accommodation |
| Other | ||
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The year 2020-2021 started with the UK in the middle of a national lockdown, in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Therefore, many activities were curtailed or cancelled. Innovations included a project to make hand-made face coverings to send to those supporting in refugee camps in Greece (Masks for Refugees). It was very difficult at this time to procure PPE and that which was available was prioritised for healthcare staff and other essential workers. Over 1200 face coverings were made and delivered. This allowed volunteers on the ground to continue to support refugees and ensure they were following Greek Covid-19 regulations. Fundraising events had to be moved online e.g. online quiz nights. Fortunately, the year-long transition following the UK’s departure from the EU meant that shipments could be sent using existing systems. Shipments included 72 pallets of water, 12 pallets of baby food, clothing, and shoes. In the summer and autumn, we were able to undertake more activities such as a market stall to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and also to raise funds. Our usual festival salvage season which provides us with many tents and sleeping bags for refugees in Northern France, did not go ahead. A national ‘No events = no tents’ campaign requested donations of tents or money instead. In October and November, Herts for Refugees was one of the main collection points and logistics lead, for north east & southern England, for a hugely successful national campaign to collect hygiene products to be sent to grass roots organisations in Europe. We organised haulage, loading and delivery of 2 x 40ft trailers & 1 x 40ft shipping containers. |
In October 2020 we began support work in a local hotel which was housing asylum seekers from a range of locations. Many had only the clothes they arrived in and we were able to provide clothing, shoes, hygiene products, as well as a friendly face and support with accessing online English lessons provided by another organisation. January 2021 brought in another national lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. We continued to take part in collaborative collections of aid with a focus on winter clothing and were able to continue our work in the initial accommodation hotel, following strict social distancing rules, as prescribed by the company, which runs the contract to house new arrivals. Despite a difficult year for the entire world, we are proud of the amount of aid we managed to deliver and that we were able to respond to the needs of newly arrived people to our area. We continued to fundraise and raise awareness of the difficulties that refugees face throughout the world.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other | ||
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of theperiod |
Para 1.21 | Funds raised during the year: £17,804. Spending during the year: £12,188. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statingwhytheyare held |
Para 1.22 | We retain funds in order to be able to respond to emergency requirements. We aim to keep£1,000 in reserve. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £8,478 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Donations through JustGiving, Facebook, Paypal and our bank account (as advertised on our website). Fundraising activities – Online quiz, Pop up for Refugee Week,market stall. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Difficulties created by the departure from the European Union with regard to the shipment of aid to Europe. Dependency on CEO (trustee) for logistics and day-to-dayrunningof charity. |
| Other | ||
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed,royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | CIO foundation as registered on 20thJune 2016. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association,CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Discussion amongst trustees and noted in the trustee minutes that agreement had been reached. |
| Additional information (optional) You maychoose to include further statements where relevant about: |
||
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity has a horizontal hierarchy. All strategic decisions are discussed and agreed by trustees. The charity collaborates with and is part of the Refugee Charity Network, which is a national network of similar charities. The aim is to pool resources and expertise and to increase awareness of the plight and needs of refugees and maximise effectiveness of fundraisingand aid. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Herts for Refugees |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | |
| Registered charitynumber | 1167716 |
| Charity’s principal address | 178 Bishops Rise | ||
| Hatfield | |||
| Herts | |||
| AL10 9QY | |||
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Nam e of pers on (or bod y) entit led to app oint trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Hussey | Chair of Trustees | ||
Angus Clark |
CEO (day to day operation of the charity) |
||
| Sue Billington | Safeguardinglead | ||
| Helen Furse | Treasurer | ||
| Mark Lampert | Merchandising and Salvage lead |
||
| Linda Hinds | |||
| Salma Khanum | 15thMarch 2021 | ||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
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| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | |||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) L Hussey Full name(s) Laura Hussey Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc)
Date 10.1.22