REGISTERED CHAIUTY NUMBEIL. 1168538 ort of th Trugt yond Flnan¢lAI StatemeDt8 for the Ye*r Ended 31 March 2023 or Refu ce Info Bug Roy Pinnock & Co LLP Chartered Certified Accountants Wren House 68 London Road St Alban8 Hertford3hire ALI ING
efu ee nfo Bu$ ontents of the Flnanelal Stat ment or the Year Ended 31 March 2023 Pige Report of the Trujte I to 5 Independent Ex•mlner'i Report S¢tment of FlnxDdal A¢tlvltlei Bal*n¢e Sheet Notes to tbe FIDan¢lo1 Statements 9 to 15 Detslled Statement of Flnanclal A¢tlvlde$ 16 to 17
Refu ee Info Bus ort of the Trustee$ for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 The tnte¢S present their report with the financial slotem¢nts of the charity for the year lo 31st MaTch 2023. The financial statements have b¢cn pr¢par¢d in a¢¢ordance with the accountin¥ policies set out ther¢in and comply with the charity's governing document. applicable law8 and Accounting and Reporting by Chanties.. StAtement of Recommended Practice(SORTr), applicablc to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard of the UK and Ir¢land(FRS102). The charity is con8titutcd as Charitable Incorporat Organaisation. OWECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and alms The mission of Refiigee Info Biis is as follows.. l) To promot¢ human riBhts (as set out in the Universal D¢claration of Human Rights and subsequeni Urtited Nations convention5 and dcclar8tions) by all or any of th¢ following means.. ' Raising awareness of human rights i88ue8 Promoting public support for human rights ' Promoting respect for human rights amon8 individua15 and corporations. In furtheran¢e of that obj¢ci but not otherwise. the tte¢S shall have power to engage in political activity provid¢d that th¢ trustees are satisfied that the proposed a¢tivili¢s will further the purposes of the charity to an exlent justified by the resources committed and the activity is not the dominant means by which ¢he charity caleS out its objects. 2) To relieve the needs of people WIM) are displaced as a result of war, nara1 disaster. trouble or ¢&tagtrophe. by the provision of facilities and equipment for communication and access to inforniation. We have carried out our mission through the following activities: We Are dedicated to supporting refijgees on the move, or who have just arrived in northern France. with up- dat¢ and accessible inforniation, free Wifi. phone char8ing and basic phones. On the ground. we operdle out of a minibus visiting Several sltes around northern France. W¢ provid¢ battery charging boxes and wifi for seryice er8 to charge devices and ilse the inlernel (or commiini¢ation And tn access information SiEnltl¢ant actlvltlei MlJ$lon Our mission is for refu8ee8 to have aw¢$$ to the rights and privileges that many take for granted. ActIlIeS On the ground, we operate out of a mobil¢ bus. with foldable trestle tables and gazebos. Online, we have a strong following of service users who request inforniation from us in Farsi and Arabic, 8tJJ growing number of p¢opl¢ messaging in AMhIc, Tigrinya. Oromo and Urdu, siretching from Gernw]y to Iraq. Turkey. AfEhanistan ond L¢banon (Note.. social media platfoms do not provide statistics from inside Iran Syria)- Through our online videos and services, we are able to reach thousands of displaced [ople. Page I
Refu ee Info Bu ort of the Truslee$ for tbe Year Ended 31 March 2023 Publ1¢ benefit R¢fug¢¢ Info Bus is A public ttnefit ¢ntity. Th¢ board of trustees have complied wilh Swtion 17 of the Charities Act 2011 lo have given due regard to th¢ Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and believes thai Refug¢e Info Bus fulfils the principles laid OUL Contrlbu¢lon made by volunteers Volunteers ¢orry out the majority of Refu8tt Info Bus, octivitics on the ground and online. They are provided with training and are 5UPPOrted by the board of ttustees. No value of their service has been included in th¢ accounts as no reliable valuation could be obtained. ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Wlfl And Ch*r8ln8 During the year we ¢onlinued lo operate our mobile wifi bus five days a weck acr055 a range of sites. providing inlernet access gnd phone ch&r¥ing facilities. Our technologry can comfortably deal with around 100 connections at any one time. This create5 a space where refugees can sit and relax for a few hour8 each day> chattin¥ with friends, sharing music. playin8 ¥ames. or 8oinin8 access to our other servic. W¢ also provide phone plu8s, cables and sim cards. New Arrlval Guld This year we have c1)ntinu to produce o New Arrivul Guide (NAG) for Service users. These guides include inforniation on the right to family reunion. the asylum system. financial support and inforniation on wh¢r¢ peopl¢ ¢an get help and supporf, including food and 8howers. Th¢se are translad into nine language8 that the service users in northern France use and arc regularly updgted to in¢lude ¢h4nges lo serYi¢es. We haye received feedbBek from organisations operating in these areas and from displaced people rega1ng thc u¢ility of these guides and how important th¢y ar¢ in orienting new, often vulnerable people to ac¢e98 essential services. FINANCIAL REVIEW Flnanclal Revlew Our principal funding sources continu¢ to b¢ small and medium sized trusts al foundatio8, 08 well as individuul giving. Our income for th¢ year to 31 March 2023 was £52.036 (2022: £92,721). ReBerYes pollcy At the Ye end we have totsl fijnds of £29.343 (2022: £33.287). Our unre8tri¢t¢d fr¢¢ reserves are £18.907 (2022: £22.85]). Our reserves poli¢y is to hold three months of operational ¢ost$ which for the year ahead amounts to £ 3000. W¢ have th¢r¢forc met our reserves policy. We do not have an investment policy. All funds are received and kept in the bank account until they are spent. Page 2
Ref ee Info Bu$ Re ort of the'frustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 FINANCIAL REVIEW Golng concern Aft¢r making appropriote enquiries. Ihe tThstees have a reasonable exctatIon that the CIO has adequate resources to continue in operational exi5tcnc¢ for the for¢s¢¢able fjjture. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basi5 in prwinB the finallcial statements. FUTURE PLANS Re5trncture Future Plannlng Th¢ last few months of 2022 brought many challenges for Refugee Info Bus and we undertook a strategi¢ review io consider how to sustain high4]uality services for Ihe vuln¢rabl¢ individuals who were displaced in and around Calais and how to addrcss sorn¢ of the problems we were facing. With many fantaslic organisaiions workin¥ to¥ether with common goals. the spirit of co.operation and collaboration has long b¢en a wonderful feature of working in Nonh¢rn FrCe. We recogni5ed thai we had become in¢reA$inBly dependent on support from Fren¢h-based organisations and, after a suggesiion by our ground team, we undertook a trial period in early 2023 under which som¢ of our usual services w¢r¢ delivered by our previous ground team under Ihe management of L'Auberge Deb Miwn114. We thrilled ilwi iliis was exUYii)ely 8ukncessful alid il)al some of the services which R¢fug¢¢ Info Bus otTered will be delivered undrr th¢ naTn¢ of Channel Inforn)ation Project (CHIP), a proj¢ct which come& under the m8na@enienl of L'Auber8e Des Migrants. CHIP and L'Auber8e Des Migr&nts are completely independent of Refugee info Bus. W¢ look forward to supportin¥ both CHIP and L'Auber8e De8 Migrants as they continue their important work. Future Pl4nJ Refugee Info Bus continues to be committed to working wherever there are rethgees who nccd our services. The board is exciied by the opportunity to continue serving this community in a new way and is undergoin8 a review of how Refugee Info Bus can be b¢sl plhced to do thi8 and wh#t regniir¢e.i it requirex tt) deliver ihiA. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governln8 doeument The charity is conirolled by its goyerning document a Constitution of a c.haritable In¢orporRl¢d Organis81ion (CIO) dated 1st Auwl 2016. Recrultment and appolntment of new trustees New twstees are appointed for tenns of th¢ years at any fomial meeting of tru8tee8. There is a limit of three con5eculive ternis to ensure div¢r5ity, rhall¢n8¢ and new thinking. New trustees are providcd with the late81 annuai report. organi88tional annual plans, recent accounts and current budget. Th¢ Chair provides a substantive induction r¢¥arding 8overnan¢¢, ¢ompliance and operations of th¢ organisalion. Page 3
Refu ee Info Bus ort of the Trustees ror the Year Ended 31 MArch 2023 STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Organlsailonil 8trn¢tsre Governance The governan¢c of the charity is provided by theboard of tnteeS who meet ev¢ry two wecks. We are fortunate to have k board of trustees with skills and experience from a range ofbackgrounds in the humanitarian and private sectors. Recrultment And qppolntment of new truJtee8 New Irustee$ are appointed for temis of thre¢ YlS at any fomwl meeting of Irusiees. There is a limit of three conse¢u¢ive ternis to ensure diversity. challenge and new thinking. New trustees are provided with th¢ latcsl annual report, organishiional annual plans. recent accounts and current budgel. The Chair, well LS the team on the ground provide a 8ubstantive induclion regarding governance, complianee and operntion8 of the organisation. Operatlons The d&ily operations of Refugee Info Bus are guided by the Project Managerwho oversees a team of volunl¢¢rs in Trrance. The team is mad¢ up of a core ¥roup of roles which includes a Field Coordinator, Comrnuni¢ation$ & Fundraising Coordinat()r, Lnfomlalion Coordinator and Technolo Coordinator, as well as g¢n¢ral volunteers. RemunerA¢lon of StatT Refuge¢ Info Bus has no paid employees. Donors We would like to express our gratitude to our generous donor9 during the year. including: Evan Cornish, The Persula Foundation and The Farthing Trust, as well as several private donors. We could not do our work without you and our achi¢v¢m¢nts ur¢ your 8chievements. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company TrMber CE007196 (England and Wal¢s) Registered Ch*rlty number 1168538 Reglstered offl¢e PO Box 28652 Edinburgh EH4 9EX Page 4
Refu ee Info Bus rl of the Trustee$ for the Year Ended 31 M4T¢h 2023 Trustee$ Ms L Dark (resigned 30.11.22) M Skipsey Co- Chair C Price J William8 M Mahmoudi L Butler Co- Chair (resigned 30.11.22) K Smart (resigned 30.11.22) Independent Examlner Roy Pinnock & Co LLP Chartered Certified Accountants Wren House 68 London Road St Albans Hertfordshire ALI ING GOING CONCERN After making appropriate enquirie8, the tru8tees have a reasonable expectation that the CIO hp¥ ud¢qu¥t¢ resources io continue in operational existence for the foreseeAble future. Forthis r¢4son. th¢y ¢ontinu¢ to adopt the 80in8 concern bASiS in PparIn8 the financial statements. Approv¢d by ¢yder of th¢ board of tru5tee8 on JJ.1-21 And signed on lis behatf by.. C Price- Trustee Page 5
Ind endent Examlner's Rc ort to the Trustees or Refll oe Info Bus Independent exlmlner'i report to the trustees of Refugee Info Bus ('¢he Company,) report to the charity trustees on my exAmitYdtioll of th¢ aroounls of the Company for thc year ¢nd¢d 31 M4r¢h 2023. Responilbllltles and bigli of report As the charity'5 truslees. you are responsiblc f the preparation of the 4¢count8 in accord with the r¢quir¢ments of thc Charities Act 2011 ('the Acl,). I report in respect of my examination of the Tru5tee'5 accuunls carried uut under section 145 ofthe 2011 Acl and in carying out my examination I have followed 811 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commi88ion under 8¢Ction 145{5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examlner'i •tAtemen¢ I have completed my ¢xominotion. I confirm that no mAtt¢ts have Come to my attention in eonne¢tion with the examination giving me cae to believe: accounting records wcre not kept in re8kXCt of the Compony 8$ requircd by Section 386 of the 2006 the accounts do not accord with ihose record5; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fom and ¢ont¢nl of 8c¢oiints yct out in the Charilie8 (Accounts and Repons) Re¥ulaiions 2008 other than any r¢quircm¢nl Ihai ihc occounL8 give a 'tyue And fair, view which is noi & matt¢r ¢OnSidw as part of an independ¢nt examination. I haye no concerns and have come acruss no oihcr mullcrs in ¢onneLlion with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this reporl in order to enable a proper understandin8 of the accounts lo be reache(L N4tali¢ Coleman FCCA Roy Pinnock & Co LLP Ch4rler¢d Certified A¢¢ountants Wren House 68 London Road St Albans Hcrtford5hiT¢ ALI ING D4*.. 23rd J.anuary. 2024 Page 6
Refu ee Info Bus St#tetDent of Financlal Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 31.3.23 Total fvnds 31.3.22 Total funds Unrestsicted Restricted funds nds Not tNCOME AND ENI)OWMENTS FROM Donations ond legaci¢s EXPENDITURE ON Chgrlt•ble #ctlvlties to provide wifi and teehnology to refugees 50.878 55.878 78.795 Other 102 102 804 Totil NET INCOMEI{EXPENDITURE) (3.944) (3,944) 13,122 RECONCII,IATION OF FUNDS Totsl funds brought forward 22.851 10,436 33,287 20,165 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD The notes form part of th¢se fmanciAI 8tstements Pag¢ 7
Refu ee Info Bus B*lance Sheet 31 March 2023 31.3.23 Total funds 31.3.22 Total funds Unrcslrictd Restricted fimds Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible gssets 533 533 711 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash At bank 402 34.031 10.436 29.784 19.348 10.436 29,784 34.433 CREDITORS Amounts falling du¢ within one year (974) (974) (1.857) NET CURRENf ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 18,907 10,436 29.343 33.287 NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted fund$ Reslricted funds 18,907 22,851 TOTAL FUNDS The financial statem¢nly were approved by the BoardofTru8tees and authoris¢d for i$$u¢ on ga-l .24 and were signed on its behalf by: C Pri¢¢ - Tnte¢ Pag¢ 8
Refll ee Info Bus Notes to the Finnci&l Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Bnsls of preparlng the finAnell 8tatemen¢s The financi¥41 statements of the Charitable CIO. which is & public benefit entity under FRS 102. have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accouniing and Reporting by Ch8riti¢s'. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to chariti¢s pr¢paring their accounts in accordance wilh ihe Financial Reportin¥ Stsndard applL¢Able in th¢ UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effectiv¢ l JAnuary 20191,. Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicabl¢ in the UK and Republic of Ireland,. The financial staternents hav¢ been prepar¢d under the hhstorical cost convention. Colng coneern Afi¢r makin8 appropriate enquiries, the iTUStees have a reasonable expectation (hal the CIO has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for ih¢ for¢s¢eable fvtyre. For this reason, they continu¢ to adopt the going concern basis in prepArin8 the financial statements. Income All income is recognised in the Statemeni of Fitw)¢ial A¢livitie8 once the charity has entitlem¢ni ¢0 th¢ funds, it is probable that ihc income will be received and the amount can be mea&ured reliably. Expendlture Liabiliti¢s are recognised as expenditure As soon as there is & legal orcon5tructive obli8ation ¢ommitting the charity to that expenditure, il is probable that a transf¢r of ¢¢onomic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Exp¢ndilure is accounted for on an accnwls basis and has been classified under headings thAt aggregate all c051 related to the category. Where ¢osts cannot be directly attributed to particular headirt8S they have been allocated to tIvItieS on a basis ¢onsistent with the usc of rcsources. T#nglble flxed JJets Depr¢ciY4tion is provi(kd 4t the followinB annual rates in order to write off each a58el over its eslirnatcd U8efvl life. Motor vehicles 250/0 on reducing balance Tx*tion The charity is exempl from ¢orpor8tion tax on its charitable 8Ctivities, Fund Accountlng Unreslricted ndS can be used in accordance with the charitable d)jective8 al th¢ di8cr¢tion of the trustees. Restricted fund5 can only be usd for rtICUlar re$trict¢d purposes within the objects of the chaTity. Restrictions arise when splfied by the donor or when fijnds are raised foT particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the natur¢ and purpose of each fund is included in the notes lo the financial statements. Page 9
Refu ee Info Bus Notei to the Finanelal Statements- cotttinued for the Year Ended 31 MArch 2023 NET INCOMEI(EXPEIYDITURE) Net incom&l(expendiÉure) is stated after chargingl(crediting): 31.3.23 31.3.22 Indqjendent Examination Depreciation . owned assets 983 178 909 237 TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There werc no trustees, remunerntion or other benefits for the year ended 31 Mar¢h 2023 nor for th¢ year ended 31 Mur¢h 2022. Tru5teeJ' expen8 Th¢re were no tNstees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the y¢ar ended 31 Merch 2022. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES untrICted Restricted funds funds Total fimds INCOME AND ENDOITrTrIENTS FROM Donations and le8aci¢3 EXPENDITURE ON Ch4rlt•ble act115*8 to provide wifi and technology lo refu¥¢cs 78.795 78.795 Other 804 Total NET INCOME 13,122 13,122 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Totsl fun(L4 brought forward 9,729 10,436 20,165 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 22,851 Page 10 continued...
Ref ee Info Blls Note$ th the Flnanclal Statements - continued for tbe Year Ended 31 M*reh 2023 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Motor v¢hi¢les COST Al l April 2022 and 31 March 2023 DEPRECIATION At l April 2022 Charge for year 3,284 178 At 31 MArch 2023 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2023 533 At 31 March 2022 711 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE THIN ONE YEAR 31.3.23 31.3.22 Other debtor8 402 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 31.3.23 31.3.22 Social stturity and other taxes Oth¢r ereditors Accrued expenses 722 226 909 974 974 Pag¢ 11 continued..
Ref ee Info Bus Notes to the Fingncial Stalement8- eontlnued for the Ye#r Ended 31 Marcb 2023 MOVEMENf IN FUNDS Net movement in funds At 31.3.23 At 1.4.22 Unrestricted funds Genernl fid 22,851 (3,944) 18,907 Re8trlc¢ed fundg Gr¢¢¢¢ Proj¢ UK Leg81 inforniation and Facebook Messaging Service 9.640 9.640 796 796 10,436 10.436 TOTAL FUNDS 33.287 Net movemenl in fund8. included in the above are as follows: In¢oming resources R¢souw¢3 expended Mov¢m¢nt in funds Unreitrlcted fuodi G¢n¢ral fund 47.036 (50,980) (3.944) Re8trl¢ted Mobile Charging Service 5.000 (5.(th) TOTAL FiiNDS Page 12 continue(L..
Refu ee Info Bus Noteg to the Flnanefi Statements- continued for the Yr Ended 31 M*r¢h 2023 MOVEMENf IN FUNDS- Contlnued Comparntlvefj for movement In funds Net movement in fill8 Al 31.3.22 At 1.4.21 Unrestrlcted fund6 G¢n¢rni fid 9,729 13.122 22.851 Rostrleted fundi Greece Project UK Legal tnfomiation and F8c¢book M¢3sagin8 Swvic¢ 9,640 790 796 10,436 10.436 TOTAL FUNDS Comparative nel mov¢m¢nl in fids, Includ in the above as follows.. Incoming resources Re3ourc¢s expended Mov¢m¢nt in funds Unreitrlcted fvndi General fimd 92.721 (79.599) 13,122 TOTAL FUNDS 79 599) P4ge 13 continue(L..
Refll ee Info Bus Notes to the Financial St¥Jtements- continued for the Year Ended 31 Marth 2023 MOVEMENf IN FUNDS - CDntlnued A curttnt year 12 monihs and prior year 12 Tnonlh5 combined positlon is as follows: Net movement in funds At 1.4.21 31.3.23 Unrestrlcted funds General fund 9,729 9.178 18,907 Restrlcted fundg Gr¢¢¢e Project UK Legal Inforniation and F8cebook Messaging Service 9,640 9,640 796 796 TOTAL FUNDS A ¢urr¢nt year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds. included in the above are as follows.. Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrvtrlcted fund$ General fund 139.757 {130,579) 9,178 Restrl¢¢ed funds Mobile Ctwging Service 5,000 (5,000) TOTAL FUNDS 144757 (135 579) Northern FrAnce Project Co8t$: To facilitate ongoing costs of our project in Northern France, which Includ volunteer8tipends printing costs, petrol, wifi, and van maintenance. Greece Project Costs". To fa¢ilitst¢ Costs of our project in Oreece, whicb includes volunteer expensesj printing costs p¢troL equipm¢nt and volunteer accommodation. UK Leg*] Information and FAcebook Mes$&glng Serv1¢¢: Translation costs, volunteer stipends, equipment. travel and facebook ads. Pag¢ 14 continued...
Refu ee Info Bus Notu to the Fln•n¢lal Statements- continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related pgrty trawgaction8 for the year ended 31 March 2023. Page 15
Refu ee Info Bus Detalled St¥tement of Finarjcial Aetivitiey ror the Year Ellded 31 March 2023 31.3.23 31.3.22 INCOME AIYD ENDOWMENTS Don8t10 4nd le8ade8 Donations Grnnts 22.336 29,7(KJ 26,569 52.036 92,721 Total Incomlng roUrceS 52,036 92,721 EXPENDITURE Ch*rltible attlvlde Accommodation Voluntecr Expenses Motor Expenses Travel ¢xpen5es Wifi and International Phone Callins Setvi¢¢ Electric SyslemB Equipment office ¢onsumobl¢.8 Translation & legal info video Reimbursement of Cultural Mediators and Translators Courier Infom110rt Justice Project Solar Powered Mobile Battery PAck$ 6,612 22,343 3.399 122 8,607 38,001 4,332 1,105 5.073 517 2,435 .695 1.571 6,355 2.106 7,173 241 104 43.405 70,308 Other Bank charges & int¢r¢5t 102 567 Support ¢oJts Management Wage5 Insurance Li¥hl and heat Advertising Motor expenses Office Costs Carried forward (722) 2,441 586 457 339 43 5,253 6,193 8,917 11,222 This page does noi forn] part of the statutory financlal ststements Page 16
Refu ee Info Buy Det#iled Statement of Fln*ncl81 Actlvl for the Year Ended 3 March 2023 31.3.23 31.3.22 M•nagement Brought fonvanl Subscriptions Recruitmenl ¢t Int¢rnei bAotor vehicles 11222 90 6.193 272 168 237 178 11,4 7.815 GoverD•nce eoits Auditors, r¢mun¢ration 983 909 Total r¢8ouTC¢B exnded Net {expendlturn)Ilneome This page does not forni part of the statutory financial stat¢m¢nts Page 17