Charity annual report prepared by Claire McCorquodale 5[th] March 2025
Including Treasurers Report and Independent Examiner’s Report
objec�ves and ac�vi�es : To support refugees and asylum seekers in West Berkshire. This has involved providing English classes and support sessions for asylum seekers and for refugees in the community.
achievements and performance : From September to December 2023 WBAR organised support for asylum seekers at a hotel in Thatcham. The hotel housing asylum seekers closed in December 2023, WBAR con�nued to work in West Berkshire with refugees (both individuals and families) who received leave to remain, asylum seeker families who are housed in dispersal accommoda�on locally, and other refugees who have arrived independently in West Berkshire.
volunteers to support the dbs process and the produc�on of id cards were in place to ensure that these processes ran smoothly.
encouraged to enrol for classes at Newbury College once they are eligible. A class for women only is run to encourage those who are unable to a�end college classes to improve their English.
WBAR volunteers have encouraged and facilitated refugees and asylum seekers in gaining useful skills to support their search for employment when they receive leave to remain. As Asylum seekers gained Leave to remain volunteers supported finding employment, accommoda�on and all the other necessary paperwork in se�ling into the UK.
The charity has established a role as an informed partner working with other local agencies to support refugees and asylum seekers locally.
financial review ; The bank account remains healthy; the bank balance on 22[nd] September 2024 was £38,250.33. The charity had secured funding of £22,209.72 to employ a part-�me case worker and as at September 2024 the Trustees are ac�vely recrui�ng. This funding will be carried forward to the new financial year when it is an�cipated that recruitment will take place.
Smaller grants totalling £7,215.50 and dona�ons of £1,620.65 were secured to support the refugees and asylum seekers. Much of this was spent on prac�cal items such as winter coats, underwear, socks and sports shoes, and notebooks, pens, backpacks and water bo�les for college. In addi�on, the Global kitchen project involved purchasing food and equipment food for cooking sessions, and the low cost transport project involved bicycle locks for the many donated bikes. At September 2024 the charity allocated reserves (excluding the £22,209.72 funds for the caseworker) are £8,730.79 and the charity unallocated reserves at September 2024 are £7,309.82. The Trustees are confident that there are funds to con�nue to support our work in the coming year. Although fundraising for the caseworker for a further 12 months will be a priority.
structure, governance and management ; West Berkshire Ac�on for refugees was registered as a charity in 2016. The commi�ee remains small but there are plans to ac�vely seek more Trustees in the coming year. Decision making is by consensus using electronic means with �mely mee�ngs for major decisions requiring more detailed input.
The volunteers are led by an experienced team leader who ensures that informa�on provided is accurate and support is offered fairly to all who require our services.
reference and administra�ve details:
The charity’s registered name in West Berkshire Ac�on for Refugees. Charity number 1169329. The registered address is The Firs, Post Office Rd, Inkpen, Hungerford, RG17 9PU.
The Charity Trustees are: Moyra Blake, Fiona Coulam and Claire McCorquodale. Waheeda Soomro was named as a Trustee on the charity website, she resigned in Spring 2025. Her name will be removed from the charity informa�on at the Charity Commission.
exemp�ons from disclosure ; There are no known exemp�ons from disclosure
funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others : There are no funds held as a custodiam trustee or on behalf of others.
West Berkshire Ac�on for Refugees Treasurer’s Report
Income and Expense Report for September 2023-2024
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Income Expense
Income
Dona�ons 1,620.65
Grants 30,025.22
Total 31,645.87
Expense
Celebra�ons and Ou�ngs 734.99
Direct Support 1173.21
Skills and Learning for 3,337.74
refugees
Charity Running Coss 1046.99
Volunteer Expenses 487.04
6775.97
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Assets and Liabili�es report for September 2023-2024
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Assets at Bank at 23 Sept 2024 38,250.33
Comprising
Restricted Reserves 30,941.01
including Grant Funds
Unrestricted Funds 7,309.82
including dona�ons
Liabili�es There are no outstanding liabili�es
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Grants of £21,209.72 for the case worker were received in 2023-24 and a case worker was successfully recruited in November 2024.
We would like to record our thanks to the following organisa�ons who supported us with grants, dona�ons and fundraising opportuni�es.
Greenham Parish Council Albert Hunt Trust Newbury Town Council Thatcham Town Council Peter Baker Trust Greenham Trust Community Grants
Incantata Choir
St Nics Church, Newbury
Thatcham Rotary Club
Plus several individual donors
C McCorquodale
5[th] March 2025
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