## Manchester City of Sanctuary
Annual Report and Accounts 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
|**CONTENTS**|PAGE|
|---|---|
|Trustees Report|5 - 8|
|Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating|the|
|9||
|income and expenditure account)||
|Balance sheet|10|
|Notes to the fnancial statements|11|
|Independent Examination||
|12 - 13||
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Registered name**
Manchester City of Sanctuary
## **Trustees**
Abby Ledger-Lomas (Appointed 27/7/20)
Anthony Openshaw (Appointed 30/5/19) Jonathan Gilmore (Appointed 6/4/21) Katya Pursall (Appointed 31/3/21) Mark Andrew Kingston (Appointed 15/2/21)
Paul Thomas Hamnett (Appointed 22/9/20)
## **Resignations**
Aleksandra Bardon (Resigned 1/10/21) Ajmal Gharib (Resigned 22/6/2020) Anna Catalina (Resigned 19/11/20) Dermot Garvey (Resigned 11/1/21) Eve Holt (Resigned 15/3/21) Jennifer Christine Pocsai (Resigned 26/10/21) Jessica Ruth Hambley (Resigned 15/2/21)
Lucinda Bolton (Resigned 10/5/21))
## **Staf** Liz Hibberd Rahul Chahal
**Principal Office**
Registered Address: ℅ Levenshulme Inspire, 747 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
M19 3AR
**Independent Examiner** Mark Greeve Chartered Accountant
10 Keswick Drive Frodsham Cheshire WA6 7LU
## **Bankers**
The Co-Operative Bank PLC P O Box 250 Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
## **Annual Report: Manchester City of Sanctuary Charity 1168839**
Covid-19 and the lockdowns that were a large part of the year April 2020 - March 2021 were extremely challenging for many of us. Manchester and much of Greater Manchester was in the highest level of restrictions for a large part of that time, meaning that for most of us living here, we were only able to leave the house once a day for government mandated exercise or to perform essential tasks. For Sanctuary Seekers, being confined to their Home Office accommodation was akin, for some, to being detained.
Against these uncertain, unstable and difficult circumstances, MCoS was able to pivot its offer, respond to the very real need for connection, and engage its volunteers and supporters to step up, support and provide a vital service for the vulnerable people we work with.
## **Our activities**
The silver lining of the pandemic meant that through zoom, we were able to significantly increase the provision we offered. Our online timetable of activities grew, and at its biggest, was offering seven sessions a week! Our staple offer was a weekly Ladies Coffee Morning and Social Session – often engaging with 15 people at a time, with over 20 being the highest figure. But we also delivered a cooking course, a creative writing course, self-defence, music, yoga and much more!
_‘Wow - it was amazing. Thank you for these classes. You really save me from depression and loneliness. God bless you, I'm really thankful. You are wonderful people.’_ Participant
Through our funding we were able to provide smart phones to over 40 people and laptops to approx. 20 people so that they could access our sessions. We provided data top-ups and payment towards Wi-Fi costs. This removed as many barriers as possible so that people could log in, see a friendly face or meet new people and feel the connection that a chat for an hour or so brings. For the most part the discussions were around two key themes – food and football! But of course, people discussed their feelings, sharing positive stories but also the challenging times too. The sessions were hosted by our volunteers as well as facilitators who were able to teach new skills and deliver fun activities. While the facilitators did change at times, our wonderful volunteers were the lynch pins that kept everyone together and ensured a cohesive and consistent delivery – for the first year, we didn’t miss any coffee mornings or socials – the
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
volunteers hosting on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve plus many Bank Holidays too.
We were able to offer a face-to-face wellbeing course at two different points throughout the year. Working with an experienced facilitator, she provided opportunities for people to share their feelings and to develop a toolkit to help them manage their mental health and find ways of navigating their experiences. The participants of this course found it incredibly helpful and we’re very grateful to the Greater Manchester Mental Health Fund for enabling us to develop and deliver this course, online as well as face to face.
_‘I felt like a plant that had been watered!_ Participant
## **Signposting and referring**
A less tangible but vitally important service we offered was signposting and referring. A core group of volunteers worked together to collate need and refer to local food banks and mutual aid groups to ensure that no one was hungry or struggling to access food for themselves and their family. From April to June, we made 42 referrals to a range of foodbanks across the different boroughs, many being repeat referrals, highlighting the severe circumstances people were in. We provided kettles and hotplates to those trying to self-isolate in initial accommodation and connected countless people to local support groups.
## **Christmas**
Our Christmas appeal was a great success, and this enabled us to provide financial gifts and presents to the people we work with. We asked our advisory group as to what the most useful and wanted gift would be and they told us money would be best. We took their advice and were able to deliver this, as well as a knitted hats and scarves to 60 people across the city and beyond. We were blown away by the generosity of our supporters and we received so much heart-felt thanks and gratitude from the Sanctuary Seekers.
## **Our Beneficiaries**
We engaged with so many refugees and asylum seekers over this period. Many were people we had known for a long time; many were new to us and found their way to us through professional referrals but also through word of mouth. Everyone was welcomed and we tried to connect on an individual level. This was made difficult due to lack of capacity but this is again where our volunteers stepped in to befriend and welcome those new to us.
We also know that we did lose a few people during this time. People who couldn’t or chose not to connect with us via online methods. We reached
## **Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
out multiple times but recognised our limitations. We hoped that with a loosening of restrictions and a relaunching of face-to-face activities they will find their way back to us again.
## **Our Volunteers**
Although this has already been mentioned, it needs mentioning again; we could not do what we do without our volunteers. Our group of volunteers is intergenerational – something we’re really proud of, it’s international and it’s powerful! This group of people has ensured that Sanctuary Seekers have received food, clothing, cooking utensils and more. They have facilitated a range of activities, including a cooking course; they’ve knitted countless hats, they’ve helped with people’s maths and biology exam prep, but most of all, they’ve been there. They’ve listened even when it was hard to do so, they’ve stepped in and danced the macarena and time and time again they’ve given so much of themselves! It’s so, so, so appreciated and it makes the biggest impact on people.
## **Partnerships**
We have been very lucky to partner with such a range of incredible organisations who have added such depth and meaning to our work. Thank you for your collaboration and for the positive way you have engaged in really challenging circumstances.
Manchester Libraries Olympias Music Foundation Journeys Festival International Laurence Payot Infinity Initiatives OddArts Fiona Ledgard Laura Pickerill Stand and be Counted The Gaskell Project Amy Merone Heart and Parcel Rainbow Haven Afrocats Tayyaba - Oxford Kickboxing Step Change Consortium Club
## **Funding**
Thanks to these donors we have been able to continue to do our work
The National Lottery Community Support Fund Migration Exchange Forever Manchester Pennington Charitable Fund
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
Magic Little Grants Groundworks - Comic Relief Greater Manchester Mental Health Fund Spark and Co. Albert Trust Ardonagh
# **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)**
**YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
|**Incoming Resources**
Charitable Sources
Grants
Other
**Total Incoming Resources**
**Resources Expended**
Charitable Activities
Venue and Event organising
Legal and Professional Fess
Fund Raising
Wages
Traveling & Subsistence
Other Admin Costs
**Total Resources Expended**
**Net (Outgoing)/Incoming**
**Resources**
**Total Funds Brought Forward**
**Total Funds Carried Forward**|**Restricte**
**d**
**Fund**
**s**
**202**
**1**
**£**
**Unrestrict**
**ed**
**Fund**
**s**
**202**
**1**
**£**
**Tota**
**l**
**Fund**
**s**
**202**
**1**
**£**
**Tota**
**l**
**Fund**
**s**
**202**
**0**
**£**
20,034
**20,034**
**29,240**
44,100
**44,100**
**13,150**
0
**0**
**2,621**|
|---|---|
||**44,100**
**20,034**
**64,134**
**45,011**|
||35,142
7,977
**39,510**
**8,152**
**0**
**615**
240
**240**
**1,598**
**0**
**0**
12,944
10,287
**23,231**
**21,535**
**0**
**2,364**
2,743
676
**3,419**
**5,711**|
||**50,829**
**15,570**
**66,399**
**39,974**|
||**(6,730)**
**4,464**
**(2,265**
**)**
**5,036**|
||**12,976**
**9,289**
**22,265**
**17,229**|
||**6,246**
**13,754**
**20,000**
**22,265**|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared. All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities.
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021**
|**Assets**
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
**Total Assets**
**Liabilities**
Creditors due within
oneyear
**Total Liabilities**
**Net Assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
**Total Funds**|**Restricte**
**d**
**Funds**
**Unrestrict**
**ed**
**Funds**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Tota**
**l**
**Fund**
**s**
**2021**
**£**
**2021**
**£**
**2021**
**£**
**2020**
**£**
**0**
**0**
6,246
15,104
**21,350**
**27,51**
**3**|
|---|---|
||**6,246**
**15,104**
**21,350**
**27,51**
**3**
0
(1,350)
**(1,350)**
**(5,248**
**)**|
||**0**
**(1,350)**
**(1,350)**
**(5,248**
**)**|
|||
||**6,246**
**13,754**
**20,000**
**22,26**
**5**|
||13,754
**13,754**
**9,289**
6,246
**6,246**
**12,97**
**6**|
||**6,246**
**13,754**
**20,000**
**22,26**
**5**|
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **1. ACCOUNTING**
## **POLICIES Basis of**
## **accounting**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting
by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
## **Cash flow statement**
The trustees have taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No 1 (revised) from including a cash flow statement in the financial statements on the grounds that the company is small.
## **Fixed assets**
There are no fixed assets currently. Any future fixed assets will initially be recorded at cost.
## **Depreciation**
Depreciation will be calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Equipment 25% WDV Building work 25% WDV Motor Vehicles 30% WDV
## **2. INCOME**
## **Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
||**2021**|**2020**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Donations**|||
|Donations & Gift Aid Repayment|20,034|31,861|
|Grants|44,100|13,150|
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
# **Manchester City of Sanctuary**
# **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of**
## **Manchester City of Sanctuary Year ended 31 March 2021**
I report on the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021, which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and the related notes.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed as the charities turnover exceeded £25,000.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
- Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**
## **Manchester City of Sanctuary**
# **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of**
# **Manchester City of Sanctuary**
# **Year ended 31 March 2021**
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:-
- (1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- To keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006, and
- To prepare accounts that accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
Have not been met, or
- (2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
MARK GREEVE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 10 Keswick Drive Frodsham Cheshire WA6 7LU
8[th] January 2021
**Charity Reference Number: 1168839**