Charity registration number: 1169400
## CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset)
Unaudited Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Contents**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2 to 6|
|Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities|7|
|Independent Examiner's Report|8|
|Statement of Financial Activities|9|
|Balance Sheet|10|
|Cash Flow Statement|11|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|12 to 28|
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Reference and Administrative Details**
|**Trustees**|Richard Austin|
|---|---|
||Ralph Bullock|
||Gordon East|
||Phil Hindle|
||Annie Maws|
||Tobie Osmond (resigned 24/09/2025)|
|**Charity Registration Number**|1169400|
|**Principal Office**|16/17 Hammett Street|
||Taunton|
||Somerset|
||TA1 1RZ|
|**Independent Examiner**|A C Mole LLP|
||Stafford House|
||Blackbrook Park Avenue|
||Taunton|
||Somerset|
||TA1 2PX|
|**Bankers**|CAF Bank Limited|
||25 Kings Hill Avenue|
||West Malling|
||Kent|
||ME19 4JQ|
Page 1
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Trustees' Report**
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charities Act 2011 and ''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)'' (as amended for accounting period commencing from 1 January 2016).
## **Organisation and Legal Status**
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which was registered with the Charity Commission on 28 September 2016.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Recruitment and appointment of trustees**
CHARIS has an ongoing open trustee recruitment policy with up to two additional positions available for the right candidates. Alignment with culture, values and mission are critically important for potential new trustees.
Trustees are appointed to the board by resolution of the trustees of the board. There must be not less than three trustees. The trustees who served during the year, together with any changes up to the date of approving this report are listed above. Trustees are appointed at the AGM, in rotation, for a 3 year term. Trustees are eligible for re-appointment.
The board of trustees administer the charity and meets as necessary but not less than four times a year. The day-to-day operations of the charity are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, to whom the board of trustees have delegated authority for operational matters including finance, employment and development, within the overall strategy agreed by the board.
## **Induction and training of trustees**
We run a very thorough induction for any new trustees, which includes participating in all our mandatory training, visiting staff and volunteers, a full review of Board procedures and governance, a review of CHARIS values, mission and history, meeting refugees and asylum seekers and taking part in activities.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **Objects and aims**
CHARIS supports and resettles those displaced by war and persecution providing them with the skills they need to integrate into the community and become independent. The purpose and objectives of CHARIS are, for the public benefit and in accordance with Christian principles, to provide relief to those who are displaced, including refugees and asylum seekers, and their dependents in Taunton, Somerset and the surrounding area, or elsewhere in the UK, by providing support and resettlement services, so as to advance them in life and assist them to integrate and adapt within the local community, specifically:
- Preserving and protecting the physical and mental health.
- Advancing their education and training and
- Relieving them from financial hardship and unemployment.
Page 2
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Trustees' Report (continued)**
To deliver these purposes CHARIS has five primary areas of activity:
- (1) Our main refugee Welcome Centre in Taunton, Somerset provides English classes, employment support, drop-in, benefits and budgeting support, social activities, signposting and referral, mental health support, accommodation
- (2) We partner with other organisations and charities to run a programme of 5 additional Welcome Centres located in key towns across Somerset
- (3) We provide asylum seekers with practical support, activities with meaningful purpose to improve well-being, English tuition, volunteering opportunities, and emotional and mental health support
- (4) We sponsor and support the resettlement of vulnerable refugee families through the UK Government's Community Sponsorship Scheme, working with local community groups across the South-West
- (5) We use our voice regionally and nationally to advocate on behalf of the refugees and asylum community and share our stories
CHARIS seeks to support each refugee family, individual or asylum seeker, and in particular their integration into local communities and gaining independence. Through this CHARIS works with local community groups and organisations to enable a grater understanding, education and acceptance, ultimately aiming to create better social cohesion and transforming communities for the better. CHARIS has seen multiple positive examples of this already from working with refugee families and asylum seekers in Somerset and across the South-West over the past five years.
## **Public benefit**
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Use of volunteers**
CHARIS has a very active and growing volunteer cohort. Volunteers are critical to CHARIS achieving its aims and objectives and many of the volunteers work directly with refugees and asylum seekers. In 2025 we had an average of 57 active volunteers and have had over 150 individual volunteers historically. A high number of volunteers remain with us for several years.
Volunteers work in areas such as supporting English classes, asylum support, community sponsorship, UASCs, resettlement services, in the Welcome Centre, and in running sports and creative arts. We have a mix of genders and ages, and all volunteers are fully trained, vetted and DBS checked.
Page 3
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Trustees' Report (continued)**
## **Achievements and performance**
In 2025, CHARIS has continued to develop and enhance our service offerings for displaced people in response to their needs. This has included:
• Welcoming over 3,800 visitors to our Taunton Welcome Centre, 84% of whom are refugees and asylum seekers
- Running 12 ESOL classes weekly for displaced people
• Providing wellbeing and meaningful activities for asylum seekers in local accommodation, including sports, arts, craft and outdoor activities
• Resettling Afghan families under the Government’s official Communities for Afghans program
• Creating and initiating a dedicated program, called Roots, for unaccompanied asylum seeking children, which has been done in collaboration with Somerset Council’s Childrens Services
• Running a partnership with Barnardos for the unaccompanied asylum seeking children that has included the provision of a Trauma Recovery Specialist from Barnardos seconded in our team two days per week
• Achieving accreditation for immigration advice as an organization and setting up an immigration advice service for vulnerable clients
• Completing the fit out and opening our Social Enterprise (called Without Borders) in Taunton, providing employment, work experience, volunteering and training for refugees and asylum seekers. Based on a café and art gallery space, Without Borders also provides a place where the public can engage and explore what it means to be displaced
• We have significantly increased the numbers of those with lived experience who work and volunteer with us
• Using our voice nationally and regionally to advocate for those that are displaced, including being an active member of the Community Sponsorship Alliance
Longer term CHARIS remains focussed on:
• Continued development of the Social Enterprise space at Without Borders to support employment and training, and engagement with the wider public
- Increasing specialist mental health provision
- Provision of housing and short term accommodation for those that need it most
- Increasing and diversifying our income streams
- Sustaining our volunteer cohort
- Maintaining flexibility and the ability to respond to new cohorts and streams of refugees and asylum
- seekers arriving in Somerset and the South West
- Increasing the involvement and contribution of those with lived experience across all areas of the charity
Page 4
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Trustees' Report (continued)**
## **Financial review**
The accounts show a deficit for the year of £58,294 (2024: surplus £162,544). This is due primarily to unwinding of cash flows at the end of the contract from Somerset Council in June 2025 for the Welcome Hubs, which was replaced by the start of the new contract with Thrive in July 2025 for the Taunton Welcome Hub. In addition, CHARIS was able to secure increased grant funding in 2025 and to maintain donations, which enabled us to continue to provide and expand our services and activities for displaced people. Reported income decreased from £991,530 to £710,699 and expenditure decreased by £59,993 to £768,993.
A rolling budget model has been developed to demonstrate the financial viability of running as a going concern for the lifetime of known and expected future finances. We seek to maintain liquid reserves to cover approximately three months of expenditure. Any significant cash holdings are held in savings accounts to maximise the return on them whilst ensuring sufficient cash funds are available to cover commitments to staff salaries as well as any contingencies.
## **Policy on reserves**
The reserves reported in the balance sheet are £386,669 (2024: £444,963). This includes a property reserve of £245,314 which is invested in the Riverside property being used as a Social Enterprise. After allowing for other fixed assets of £6,750 and a balance of £69,990 in the restricted funds, the balance of funds of £64,615 are unrestricted of which £14,114 are designated leaving £50,501 of free reserves.
Our official reserves requirement is a minimum of 3 months core operational costs. After taking into consideration existing operational costs, which are assigned to restricted funds, our core operational costs are calculated to be £20,100 per month or £60,300 over 3 months, and covers core salaries, leases and other fixed costs. Given we also have £14,114 in designated and unrestricted funds, the Trustees feel that the current reserve level is sufficient
## **Risk management**
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
CHARIS Board of Trustees holds a live risk assessment matrix that addresses all the major risks to the charity. This is formally reviewed, monitored at Trustees meetings and approved annually.
The assessment covers all the key risk areas, these include: Governance, Operational related to Staff and Volunteers, Operational related to Health and Safety, Financial, External, and Legal/Compliance risks. Each risk is weighted and assessed for impact and likelihood to occur. Mitigation measures are noted and assessed, resulting in a residual risk impact.
Page 5
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Trustees' Report (continued)**
In 2025 there was one high rated residual risk:
• Increased negative change in Government policy towards refugees and asylum seekers - outside of CHARIS control and has ability to impact numbers of refugees and asylum seekers in our areas and additionally can impact our ability to provide them with services.
Four medium rated residual risks were identified:
• Inability to fill Trustee roles going forwards - mitigated currently as Board adequately filled and new Trustee coming on Board in 2026
• Loss of key staff - increasingly mitigated through broader and more experienced senior staff team • A regional, national or global event that impacts CHARIS ability to operate - unlikely but considered outside our control
• Poor public perception in relation to refugees and asylum seekers - medium risk but risk probably continuing to increase n current political climate
Factors within and outside the charity’s control that have the ability to affect the charity include:
• National Government policy changes
• Dispersal of asylum seekers and transfer of UASCs to our operating areas
• Narrative and mindset changes within the communities and media in our areas influencing attitudes towards those who are displaced
• Funding levels and availability from National Government and Local Authority
Significant events affecting the financial position and performance of the charity in 2025 include:
• Smaller contract size from Thrive to now just fund the Taunton Welcome Hub, and which replaces the previous contract from Somerset Council, under which CHARIS used to be funded for all 5 Somerset Welcome Hubs
• Increased grant funding secured
• Opening of the Social enterprise project at Without Borders
Page 6
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial 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 judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material 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 business.
The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 17/07/2026
Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
.........................................
**----- End of picture text -----**
**.........................................** Ralph Bullock Trustee
Page 7
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset)**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 9 to 28.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset)'s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
Since CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset)'s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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 in respect of CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
...................................... Sarah Twist FCA DChA A C Mole LLP Stafford House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton Somerset TA1 2PX
Date:.............................
Page 8
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|**Note**
**Income**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
4
Total income
**Expenditure**
Charitable activities
5
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Gross transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
16
**Note**
**Income**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
4
Other income
Total income
**Expenditure**
Charitable activities
5
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income
Gross transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
16|**Designated**
**funds**
**£**
-
250,250
-
250,250
(431,597)
(431,597)
(181,347)
108,241
(73,106)
87,220
14,114
**Designated**
**funds**
**£**
-
556,966
-
-
556,966
(636,570)
(636,570)
(79,604)
(17,951)
(97,555)
184,775
87,220|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
20,241
294,691
5,160
320,092
(245,782)
(245,782)
74,310
(117,218)
(42,908)
345,473
302,565
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
25,976
324,063
8,320
1,000
359,359
(127,466)
(127,466)
231,893
15,936
247,829
97,644
345,473|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
140,357
-
140,357
(91,614)
(91,614)
48,743
8,977
57,720
12,270
69,990
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
75,205
-
-
75,205
(64,950)
(64,950)
10,255
2,015
12,270
-
12,270|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
20,241
685,298
5,160|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||710,699|
|||||(768,993)|
|||||(768,993)|
|||||(58,294)
-|
|||||(58,294)
444,963|
|||||386,669|
|||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
25,976
956,234
8,320
1,000|
|||||991,530|
|||||(828,986)|
|||||(828,986)|
|||||162,544
-|
|||||162,544
282,419|
|||||444,963|
The notes on pages 12 to 28 form part of these financial statements. Page 9
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) (Registration number: 1169400) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
10
Investments
11
**Current assets**
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
13
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds
**Total funds**
16|**2025**
**£**
251,964
100
252,064
26,670
142,557
169,227
(34,622)
134,605
386,669
302,565
14,114
69,990
386,669|**2024**
**£**
256,467
-|
|---|---|---|
|||256,467|
|||47,058
281,014|
|||328,072
(139,576)|
|||188,496|
|||444,963|
|||345,473
87,220
12,270|
|||444,963|
The financial statements on pages 9 to 28 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 17/07/2026 .................... and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Ralph Bullock Trustee
The notes on pages 12 to 28 form part of these financial statements. Page 10
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|**Note**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Net (expenditure)/income
**Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items**
Depreciation
10
Investment income
4
**Working capital adjustments**
Decrease in debtors
12
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
13
(Decrease)/increase in deferred income
13
Net cash flows from operating activities
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Interest receivable and similar income
4
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
10
Acquisition of investments in subsidiary undertakings
11
Net cash flows from investing activities
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December|**2025**
**£**
(58,294)
6,976
(5,160)
(56,478)
20,388
(99,294)
(5,660)
(141,044)
5,160
(2,473)
(100)
2,587
(138,457)
281,014
142,557|**2024**
**£**
162,544
7,125
(8,320)|
|---|---|---|
|||161,349
17,997
41,744
5,660|
|||226,750|
|||8,320
(263,592)
-|
|||(255,272)|
|||(28,522)
309,536|
|||281,014|
The notes on pages 12 to 28 form part of these financial statements. Page 11
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Statement of compliance and basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless stated otherwise within these notes. 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) (issued October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), and the Charities Act 2011.
CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
## **Going concern**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Income**
All income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
If there is a Service Level Agreement or Contract in place income from administration charges is taken into account in the period to which it relates.
## **Deferred income**
Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:
- The donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or - The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
## **Other trading activities**
Other income including subscriptions and income from other trading activities is recognised in the period to which it relates.
Page 12
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **Investment income**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measure reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
All resources expended are inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **Charitable activities**
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.
## **Support costs**
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
## **Irrecoverable VAT**
The charity is registered for VAT. All expenditure is stated inclusive of VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.
## **Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is, therefore, exempt from liability to taxation on its income and capital gains, to the extent that they are applied for charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Only asset over £500 are capitalised.
## **Depreciation and amortisation**
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
|**Asset class**|**Depreciation method and rate**|
|---|---|
|Freehold property|50 years straight line|
|Office equipment|25% reducing balance|
|Computer equipment|25% straight line|
|Plant and machinery|25% reducing balance|
|Fixtures and fittings|25% reducing balance|
Page 13
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **Business combinations**
The financial statements present information about the charity as an individual undertaking and not about its group. The charity and its subsidiary undertaking CHARIS Without Borders Ltd, comprise a small-sized group. The charity has therefore taken advantage of the exemptions provided by the Charities SORP (FRS102) for small groups and consolidated accounts are not prepared.
## **Fixed asset investments**
Social investments are included within fixed asset investments. The Trustees have classed the charity's investment in CHARIS Without Borders Ltd as a mixed motive investment. Mixed motive investments are recorded at original cost less impairment.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
## **Financial instruments**
The charity only enters into basic financial instruments that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities such as trade and other debtors and creditors together with loans to related parties.
Debt instruments, such as trade debtors and creditors, are initially measured at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Financial assets are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the income statement.
Page 14
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements**
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with FRS 102 requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income, and expenses.
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The Trustees consider that there are no critical accounting estimates and judgements have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
Page 15
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **2 Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations and legacies;
Donations from Churches
Personal gifts
Corporate donations
Coffee Scheme
Donations and legacies;
Donations from Churches
Personal gifts
Corporate donations
Coffee Scheme|**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
-
4,400
-
11,526
-
3,583
-
732
-
20,241
**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
-
5,450
-
6,502
-
13,286
-
738
-
25,976|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
4,400
11,526
3,583
732|
|---|---|---|---|
||||20,241|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
5,450
6,502
13,286
738|
||||25,976|
Page 16
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **3 Income from charitable activities**
|**Income from charitable activities**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Somerset County Council
Contract
Other grants (see below)
Rents received
Somerset Community Foundation
- Wessex Water
Somerset County Council
Contract
Youth Music
National Lottery grant
Other grants (see below)
Rents received
Management fees
Norman Family Trust
Taunton Town Council Youth
Grant
Somerset Community Fund|**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
245,250
242,192
5,000
36,425
-
15,074
-
1,000
250,250
294,691
**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
550,476
190,025
1,490
-
-
-
-
111,003
-
21,901
-
1,134
-
-
5,000
-
-
-
556,966
324,063|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
140,357
-
-
140,357
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
40,435
-
-
-
2,500
-
32,270
75,205|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
487,442
181,782
15,074
1,000|
||||685,298|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
740,501
1,490
40,435
111,003
21,901
1,134
2,500
5,000
32,270|
||||956,234|
Page 17
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
|**Other grants**
Garfield Weston Trust
Somerset Community Foundation
Somerset County Council
Home Office Education
Taunton Town Council
Charities Trust
West of England Sport
Foxglove Trust
Spark Somerset
SCC Education grants
SFX Foundation
National Grid
Arts Council
Fairfield Trust
Pickwell Foundation
South West Council
Community Matters
**4**
**Investment income**
Bank interest
Bank interest|**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
-
5,160
-
5,160
**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
-
8,320
-
8,320|**2025**
**£**
-
40,500
23,740
-
28,750
1,515
-
-
-
-
4,750
4,770
25,402
26,235
16,580
4,880
4,660
181,782
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-|**2024**
**£**
60,000
-
8,600
4,688
2,659
1,198
4,800
2,500
500
26,058
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||111,003|
||||**Total**
**2025**
**£**
5,160|
||||5,160|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
8,320|
||||8,320|
Page 18
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **5 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|Staff costs
Premises costs
Office costs
Contract expenses
Housing project
Promotional costs
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Independent examiner's fees
Accountancy and other services
Professional fees
Riverside refurbishment costs
Bridge refurbishment costs
Bank charges
Staff costs
Premises costs
Office costs
Contract expenses
Housing project
Promotional costs
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Independent examiner's fees
Accountancy and other services
Professional fees
Riverside refurbishment costs|**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
82,467
125,205
10,753
-
24,444
50,351
295,824
7,192
16,987
30,612
86
925
-
6,976
-
1,345
-
5,640
1,036
6,504
-
8,671
-
2,281
-
80
431,597
245,782
**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
135,215
65,284
18,118
-
36,443
21,180
428,315
18,600
16,936
3,507
1,053
1,130
-
7,125
-
1,250
-
3,795
490
743
-
4,852
636,570
127,466|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
58,647
-
22,383
3,397
-
-
-
-
-
7,187
-
-
-
91,614
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
18,965
-
62
20,000
23,423
-
-
-
-
-
2,500
64,950|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
266,319
10,753
97,178
306,413
47,599
1,011
6,976
1,345
5,640
14,727
8,671
2,281
80|
|---|---|---|---|
||||768,993|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
219,464
18,118
57,685
466,915
43,866
2,183
7,125
1,250
3,795
1,233
7,352|
||||828,986|
## **6 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
During the year one (2024: two) Trustee received reimbursement for expenses totalling £2,771 (2024: £163). An ex-gratia payment of £1,000 (2024: £nil) was made to the CEO during the year in recognition of his commitment to CHARIS.
Page 19
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **7 Staff costs**
|**7**
**Staff costs**|||
|---|---|---|
|Gross wages
Social security costs
Pensions
The average number of employees during the year was:|**2025**
**£**
243,107
15,443
7,769
266,319
**2025**
**£**
13|**2024**
**£**
202,748
10,414
6,302|
|||219,464|
|||**2024**
**£**
11|
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year. (2024: None). The Trustees are the key management personnel.
## **8 Independent examiner's remuneration**
|**8**
**Independent examiner's remuneration**|||
|---|---|---|
|Examination of the financial statements
**Other fees to examiners**
Accountancy fees
Other services and Xero|**2025**
**£**
1,345
2,900
2,740
5,640|**2024**
**£**
1,250|
|||2,900
895|
|||3,795|
## **9 Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation, to the extent such income and gains are applied to charitable purposes.
Page 20
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **10 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 January
2025
Additions
At 31
December 2025
**Depreciation**
At 1 January
2025
Charge for the
year
At 31
December 2025
**Net book value**
At 31
December 2025
At 31
December 2024|**Land and**
**buildings**
**£**
255,536
-
255,536
5,111
5,111
10,222
245,314
250,425|**Office**
**equipment**
**£**
801
-
801
200
150
350
451
601|**Computer**
**equipment**
**£**
1,512
2,473
3,985
378
638
1,016
2,969
1,134|**Fixtures**
**and fittings**
**£**
3,530
-
3,530
883
662
1,545
1,985
2,647|**Plant and**
**machinery**
**£**
2,213
-
2,213
553
415
968
1,245
1,660|**Total**
**£**
263,592
2,473|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||266,065|
|||||||7,125
6,976|
|||||||14,101|
|||||||251,964|
|||||||256,467|
Page 21
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **11 Fixed asset investments**
|Shares in group undertakings and participating interests|**2025**
**£**
100|**2024**
**£**
-|
|---|---|---|
## **Shares in group undertakings and participating interests**
|**Cost**
Additions
At 31 December 2025
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2025|**Subsidiary**
**undertakings**
**£**
100|**Total**
**£**
100|
|---|---|---|
||100|100|
||100|100|
## **Details of undertakings**
Details of the investments in which the charity holds 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital are as follows:
||**Country of**||**Proportion of voting**|**Principal**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Undertaking**|**incorporation**|**Holding**|**rights and shares held**|**activity**|
||||**2025**
**2024**||
|**Subsidiary undertakings**|||||
|CHARIS Without Borders
Ltd|England & Wales|Ordinary|100%
0%|Cafe|
The loss for the financial period of CHARIS Without Borders Ltd was £13,456 (2024 - £Nil) and the aggregate amount of capital and reserves at the end of the period was £(13,356) (2024 - £Nil).
## **12 Debtors**
|Due from group undertakings
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors|**2025**
**£**
1,284
5,386
-
20,000
26,670|**2024**
**£**
-
17,058
30,000
-|
|---|---|---|
|||47,058|
Page 22
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income
VAT
Deferred income at 1 January
Resources deferred in the period
Amounts released from previous periods
Deferred income at year end|**2025**
**£**
20,300
-
8,377
-
5,945
34,622
**2025**
**£**
5,660
-
(5,660)
-|**2024**
**£**
86,078
131
4,815
5,660
42,892|
|---|---|---|
|||139,576|
|||**2024**
**£**
-
5,660
-|
|||5,660|
## **14 Retirement benefit schemes**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an Independently administered fund. The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £7,769 (2024: £6,302).
## **15 Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts**
## **Operating lease commitments**
Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
|**Land and buildings**
Within one year
Between one and five years
**Other**
Within one year
Between one and five years|**2025**
**£**
44,727
49,600
94,327
456
266
722|**2024**
**£**
44,310
94,327|
|---|---|---|
|||138,637|
|||456
722|
|||1,178|
Page 23
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **16 Funds**
|**_Unrestricted funds_**
General Funds
**_Designated Funds_**
SCC Educational Grants
SCC Welcome Hubs
Taunton Town Council Youth
Grant
Designated funds
**Total unrestricted funds**
**Restricted funds**
Somerset Community
Foundation
National Lottery Fund
Pickwell
SCF - UASC Landing Pad
SFX Foundation - Riverside
refurb
Arts Council
Somerset Council - Riverside
SCF - Riverside kitchen
Fairfield Trust
Taunton Town Council -
UASC support
SCF - Winter allowance
**Restricted funds**
**Total funds**|**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2025**
**£**
345,473
13,911
68,647
4,662
87,220
432,693
12,270
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,270
444,963|**Income**
**£**
320,092
-
245,250
5,000
250,250
570,342
-
-
16,580
17,500
4,750
25,402
3,140
4,000
26,235
23,750
19,000
140,357
710,699|**Expenditure**
**£**
(245,782)
(824)
(422,138)
(8,635)
(431,597)
(677,379)
(12,270)
(8,977)
(8,225)
(1,607)
(4,750)
(17,035)
(1,656)
(4,000)
(7,061)
(16,840)
(9,193)
(91,614)
(768,993)|**Transfers**
**£**
(117,218)
-
108,241
-
108,241
(8,977)
-
8,977
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,977
-|**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2025**
**£**
302,565
13,087
-
1,027|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||14,114|
||||||316,679|
||||||-
-
8,355
15,893
-
8,367
1,484
-
19,174
6,910
9,807|
||||||69,990|
||||||386,669|
Page 24
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
|**_Unrestricted funds_**
General funds
**_Designated funds_**
SCC Educational Grants
SCC Welcome Hubs
SCC Microgrants
HPC Safe Days
Youth Music
Taunton Town Council Youth
Grant
Designated funds
**Total unrestricted funds**
**Restricted funds**
Norman Family Trust
Somerset Community
Foundation
National Lottery Fund
**Restricted funds**
**Total funds**|**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2024**
**£**
97,644
14,705
130,344
2,000
9,408
28,318
-
184,775
282,419
-
-
-
-
282,419|**Income**
**£**
359,359
-
550,476
-
-
1,490
5,000
556,966
916,325
2,500
32,270
40,435
75,205
991,530|**Expenditure**
**£**
(127,466)
(794)
(612,173)
-
-
(23,265)
(338)
(636,570)
(764,036)
(2,500)
(20,000)
(42,450)
(64,950)
(828,986)|**Transfers**
**£**
15,936
-
-
(2,000)
(9,408)
(6,543)
-
(17,951)
(2,015)
-
-
2,015
2,015
-|**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
345,473
13,911
68,647
-
-
-
4,662|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||87,220|
||||||432,693|
||||||-
12,270
-|
||||||12,270|
||||||444,963|
Page 25
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
The designated funds are the monies given to the charity which have been designated to specific purposes, as follows:
SCC Educational Grants - a fund to provide for refugee and asylum seekers education requirements, with discretion to spend as we choose.
SCC Welcome Hubs - SC Welcome Centre contract to support Ukrainian and other refugees in Somerset, including the provision of multiple hubs at designated sites at Somerset.
SCC Microgrants - to enable small grants to be given to unincorporated entities offering unique services and supporting Ukrainian refugees in Somerset.
HPC Safe Days - Hinkley Point award towards the set up of the Welcome Centre in Taunton for refugees and asylum seekers.
Youth Music - to enable asylum seekers in Somerset to receive musical training and support.
Taunton Town Council Youth Grant - this grant has been provided to offer support to young people within the area.
The restricted funds are the monies given to the charity for a specific purpose, and can only be used for that sole purpose, as follows:
Norman Family Trust - this grant was given to assist with the cost of the refurbishment project during the year. These funds were fully utilised during the year.
Somerset Community Foundation - during the year the Somerset Community Fund gave £20,000 for the Help through Winter project. They also gave other amounts to support the ongoing work of the Charity.
National Lottery Fund - this grant was given to assist with the costs of the resettlement of 100 Afghan and Middle Eastern refugees over a 3 year period ending in 2025.
Pickwell - This grant is given under the UK Government’s Communities for Afghans programme. CHARIS is part of a consortium led by the Pickwell Foundation called the Afghan Welcome Project to resettle Afghan refugee families through community sponsorship over the next five years. The programme started in October 2025. The first families are due to arrive in 2026.
Somerset community Foundation UASC Landing Pad (SCF UASC Landing Pad)- This is the Roots programme for providing dedicated support directly for unaccompanied asylum seeking children
ScrewFix Foundation - Riverside Refurbishment - (SFX Foundation - Riverside refurb) fit out of the new kitchen at Without Borders
Arts Council - Asylum Art - programme of exhibitions, art classes and workshops, developing community between refugees, asylum seekers and the local community through art based projects
Somerset Council - Riverside - set up of art gallery and art classes space at Without Borders
Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) - Riverside Kitchen - kitchen equipment for Without Borders
Page 26
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
Fairfield Trust - Funding the partnership with Barnardos and the provision of enhanced mental health service for unaccompanied asylum seeking children
Taunton Town Council - UASC - provision of activities and a summer programme for unaccompanied asylum seeking children
SCF Winter Allowance - SCF Help Through Winter Fund - provision for additional resettlement support, services and events for displaced people through the Winter period.
## **17 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
**As restated**
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets|**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
-
251,964
-
100
34,414
64,823
(20,300)
(14,322)
14,114
302,565
**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated**
**£**
**General**
**£**
-
256,467
176,336
133,806
(89,116)
(44,800)
87,220
345,473|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
69,990
-
69,990
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
17,930
(5,660)
12,270|**Total funds**
**at 31**
**December**
**2025**
**£**
251,964
100
169,227
(34,622)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||386,669|
||||**Total funds**
**at 31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
256,467
328,072
(139,576)|
||||444,963|
## **18 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions in the year (2024: Nil).
Page 27
## **CHARIS (Christian Help & Action for Refugees in Somerset) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **19 Non-adjusting events after the financial period**
Subsequent to the year end, the charity has received an employee compensation claim amounting to £5,000 in respect of matters arising prior to the reporting date.
At the balance sheet date, the existence of this obligation was not known and, accordingly, no provision has been recognised in these financial statements.
The trustees have considered the nature of the claim and concluded that this represents a non-adjusting post balance sheet event under FRS 102 Section 32. The potential financial effect has therefore been disclosed but not reflected in the reported financial position as at 31 December 2025.
The claim remains under review at the date of approval of these financial statements, and no further liabilities are considered to arise.
Page 28