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2023-02-28-accounts

CRIBS International Ltd

A Charity for helping Refugee Mothers with young babies

Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 28[th] February 2023

Charity Number 1173021 Company number 10644387

ANNUAL REPORT: CRIBS INTERNATIONAL

Welcome to our 2022-2023 Annual Report

Hello and welcome to CRIBS International ’ s Annual Report for 2023. Since our inception in 2016, our mission has been clear — to provide crucial support and shelter to refugee mothers and babies facing homelessness in Athens, Greece.

Having provided refuge to a total of 82 families, including 18 in the past year, CRIBS International stands as a vital alternative to closed camps. With the guidance of our dedicated caseworker, Daphne Sinani and the core team in Athens, we not only offer shelter but also facilitate access to education, healthcare, and essential needs, laying the groundwork for a more secure future.

Operating on a modest budget, we diligently maximise the impact of every donation received. As we look ahead, our aspirations include providing funds for childcare, enabling mothers to work or pursue education. Simultaneously, we aim to ensure our financial stability to cover utilities, rent, salaries, and necessary repairs.

In reflecting on our achievements, it ’ s crucial to recognise that individual donors and thoughtful trusts are the backbone of our work. It is their generosity that sustains our mission and makes a tangible difference in the lives of those currently in need.

Despite the economic and political challenges in Athens, CRIBS International remains resilient, thanks to the collaborative efforts of our teams in the UK and Greece. A heartfelt thank you to our donors for making our work possible. Your support empowers us to envision a future where we can further uplift those currently in need.

In solidarity,

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Sally Hyman
Founder
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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

CONTENTS

1. ABOUT CRIBS INTERNATIONAL 4
1.1 Remit 4
1.2 How we work and deliver public benefit 4
1.3 How our families find us 4
1.4 How we support families 4
1.5 How we ensure our work delivers our aims 5
2. OUR BENEFICIARIES 6
2.1 How we help our families directly 6
2.2 How we help our families through referrals 7
2.3 How we help the wider refugee community 8
2.4 Progression and monitoring 8
2.5 Family journeys 9
3. FINANCIAL REVIEW 10
3.1 Growth 10
3.2 Income and expenditure 10
3.3 Income 11
3.4 Expenditure 11
3.5 Restricted versus unrestricted funds 12
3.6 Reserves 12
4. OUR PEOPLE 13
4.1 Directors/Trustees 13
4.2 UK-based team 14
4.3 Athens-based team 14
4.4 Fundraisers 14
4.5 Communications team 14
5. GOVERNANCE 15
5.1 Governing document 15
5.2 Director/Trustee meetings and decisions 15
5.3 Director/Trustee induction and training 15
5.4 Recruitment and appointment of new directors/trustees 15
5.5 Athens-based team 15
5.6 Monitoring 16
5.7 Serious incident reporting 16
6. FINANCIAL REPORT 17

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

CRIBS INTERNATIONAL LTD REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28[th] FEBRUARY 2023

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 28 February 2023.

1. ABOUT CRIBS INTERNATIONAL

1.1 Remit

We are a growing charity (UK registered charity number 1173021) based in the UK, providing simple but safe homes in Greece for refugee women and their families who are pregnant or have a baby under one year old. In 2022-23 we housed and supported families from Central Africa, Syria, and Afghanistan. When we meet them, they are all either in poor accommodation or homeless. Every penny raised or donated, and every action of support means that we help people urgently needing a place to call home.

1.2 How we work and deliver public benefit

Those who benefit from CRIBS International ’ s work are refugee women who are either pregnant in the third trimester, pregnant with complications or who have a baby under 12 months old, or families in similar circumstances with extreme need due to health or welfare challenges.

We are registered to work in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Turkey, though for now our benefit is only to refugees in Greece.

In reviewing our strategic objectives and planning our activities for the year, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission ’ s guidance on public benefit. The trustees are satisfied that the strategic objectives are in line with the charity ’ s objects as set out in the governing document.

1.3 How our families find us

We focus on receiving referrals from Diotima, a specialist organisation for women survivors of male violence: from Love without Borders with whom we have cooperated for a long time; and from Amurtel whose work with pregnant women and children under two is a great match for us both. Other groups also refer potential beneficiaries to us and we find this process makes the work of meeting people more manageable for our workers in Athens. It is very easy for workers to become burnt out and we strive to avoid this. We only open referrals when we have places as we believe that running a waiting list gives false hope to people in need.

1.4 How we support families

New families receive moving-in costs, basic food supplies, and a stipend to cover basics. The generalised state cashcard system ended in 2022 and now only those in semi-closed camps receive any money at all. So none of the families housed with us receives any state income. We give families clothing (including maternity and baby clothing), as well as assistance with any legal or medical referrals. We get children into school or nursery and work to access Greek language and other classes for adults. We provide ongoing support to our families, paying utility bills and

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

making regular visits with extra supplies. We also support them with access to postnatal healthcare and birth control, as well as education on breastfeeding.

Every family is assigned a caseworker and during this reporting period we have had a strong team who have helped move our families towards independence. Caseworkers provide:

Since 2018 we have made a ‘ Moving On ’ grant as we recognise that in a baby ’ s first year, families have very little opportunity to save additional money. Consequently, when in a position to leave CRIBS ’ s care and find their own accommodation they require additional support with such associated costs.

We also support families from the wider refugee community through our Free Shop. Appointments can be booked (not more than one per month per family) and families can browse our well stocked shop, taking what they need in a dignified manner. The shop is managed by long term workers assisted by a team of dedicated volunteers who help keep the shop stocked with donated goods, make emergency parcels if required, and help families find what they need. The team of volunteers also includes refugees who are looking to support their community and gain work experience.

Donated goods are shipped from the UK, are provided by Athens based NGOs such as Christian Refugee Relief (CRR) and Means to Dream led by Mary Dallas, and also by members of the public in Athens. The shop stocks nappies, sanitary products, condoms, clothing for children and adults, bedding and towels, baby essentials such as buggies and slings and also some household items. On occasion we receive offers of mattresses and furniture which we are able to deliver to flats.

1.5 How we ensure our work delivers our aims

We normally review what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work annually in March. In this review we consider the success of our key activities and the benefits brought to those people we aim to help, ensuring that our aims, objectives and activities remain focussed on our stated purposes. Due to the pandemic, we have not been able to hold an in-person full team convention since early March 2020. However, we continue to communicate and plan using Slack and Zoom on a regular basis including at our monthly trustees ’ meetings. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission ’ s general guidance on public benefit, recognising that our client group falls within an exempted category.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

2. OUR BENEFICIARIES

2.1 How we help our families directly

Accommodation

With the support of generous donations, securing grants and the dedication of our team, CRIBS currently offers a safe and comfortable home to fifteen women and their families. In addition to providing shelter, we offer these families valuable case management support outside of the accommodation.

We provide these families a private space, complete with a bathroom, kitchen, and their own front door. CRIBS consistently ensures that the basic household needs of the refugees in our care are met, and we diligently carry out maintenance work in the accommodations to ensure their well-being. Sometimes, this comes at an unexpected financial cost: this year, we faced some unexpected costs related to addressing infestations, plumbing fixtures, and electrical issues. Nevertheless, we managed to oversee these expenses effectively, ensuring the flats ’ safety and cleanliness.

This safe and clean environment allows these women to bring their babies into the world and to begin the process of recovery after childbirth and the often traumatic experiences that they have endured.

Financial support

In addition to covering the rent and utilities for every family, we provide a monthly allowance to the women housed by CRIBS, enabling them to meet their needs with dignity and fostering selfsufficiency. This allowance guarantees a safe and nurturing beginning for the infants, while also instilling a sense of community and belonging for their mothers and family members.

This financial support is critical in the wake of the new developments in the cash assistance programme for the refugees and asylum seekers. Since October 2021, UNHCR has handed over its cash assistance programme for refugees to the Greek government ’ s Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Under this new governance, the refugees residing outside of the government facilities have been excluded from reaping the benefits of the scheme.

The consequences of this have been devastating to refugees and asylum seekers across Greece. The Greek government appears to be deliberately making life as difficult as possible for those seeking asylum including push-backs, reduced access to health care, poor food, closed camps and other inhumane actions. Both officially recognised refugees and those not granted asylum in Greece are ultimately being deprived of all government assistance.

As a consequence of the discontinuation of cash card support, refugees are confronting severe food shortages, extreme poverty, and susceptibility to exploitation. To mitigate the impact of this policy reform on our families, CRIBS has stepped up; however, this has significantly increased our expenses over the past two years.

In addition to the financial support, during 2022-23 we provided our families with a monthly ‘ bulk buy ’ containing baby food/formula, pantry essentials, fresh fruits and vegetables, and household essentials, to ease their financial burden. During the year we helped an average of 15 families each month with this support. This programme was supported by a grant from Sternstunden, a

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

German charity facilitated through our partners Just Human, as well as by generous one-off donations.

We continue to support our families as they begin to rebuild their lives, and are proud to offer them a moving-on grant when they move on from CRIBS. Overall, we place emphasis on achieving financial independence. Our goal is to empower our families with the essential skills required to budget effectively and prepare for a financially sustainable future.

Social support

As well as housing, our case managers support our mothers to navigate the healthcare system and provide advocacy around birth to ensure women have choice and dignity. They provide perinatal support, and give advice, support, and information on breastfeeding. We also assist with the complex asylum system, and with accessing education opportunities and employment.

We work tirelessly to ensure that all of the children that we house are able to access the essential right to education. All our families ’ nursery-age children attend nursery, and all children that we house attend local schools to integrate into the community.

We also strongly encourage our parents to attend language and vocational training to prepare them for their future lives.

2.2 How we help our families through referrals

We partner several with other organisations across Athens to ensure that our families have access to the fullest range of services and opportunities that allow them to thrive.

We are particularly proud that our main caseworker, Daphne Sinani, has established an excellent working relationship with both social workers and the medical team at Alexandra Maternity Hospital in Athens. This has required much hard work,

We have the deepest gratitude to all organisations that we were able to connect with this year and look forward to developing these partnerships further in 2023-24.

Medical

Our case managers help families access medical support through Greek hospitals, Médecins Sans Frontières, AMURTEL, Medical Volunteers International, and local social pharmacies. We assist with problems of nutrition, pregnancy, postnatal needs, breastfeeding, weaning, birth control and reproductive issues.

CRIBS also provides over-the-counter medication and pays for hospital prescriptions, which are not free to refugees in Greece.

Most of the people we house are survivors of rape or have witnessed terrible things. Their journeys often entail one or all of the following: sexual trafficking, hunger, imprisonment, deprivation, loss, and injury. We do our best to support them as they begin their recovery and strive to support our families with psychological support.

Legal

CRIBS International makes referrals to pro-bono lawyers to help prepare our families for asylum interviews and assistance in dealing with asylum services. We also fund legal fees for families when pro-bono lawyers are unavailable. This is now much more frequent as many legal NGOs have been forced to pull out of Athens.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

2.3 How we help the wider refugee community

The CRIBS Free Shop

As well as supporting our families with access to our Free Shop, we are proud to serve the wider refugee community in Athens, providing the essentials for mothers and newborn babies.

Our Free Shop remains dedicated to serving the refugee community and asylum seekers in Athens, with a particular focus on women and children. We provide essential items for mothers and newborns, such as baby grows, blankets, maternity clothes and coats.

The demand for our Free Shop services has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and in the 2022-2023 period, 199 new families scheduled appointments, while 598 returning families continued to book appointments, reaching a remarkable total of 735 appointments. In a typical month the Free Shop supports around 75 families, with around 15 of them using it for the first time.

In the face of a worsening civil conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), many families have sought refuge in Athens to escape from the sexual and gender-based violence that is often aimed at women and children. This is reflected in the demand for our Free Shop services, with 42% of Free Shop users originating from the DRC.

During the Summer of 2023, a platform pairing us with volunteers paused its operations, resulting in the implementation of a priority criteria to equitably address the needs of families. We are always looking for short-term volunteers to support our Free Shop Manager, contact us at cribsvolunteers@gmail.com if you are interested.

The CRIBS Community Space

Our Community Space provides for a range of activities run by both CRIBS and other organisations. These include our weekly Women ’ s Group, breastfeeding support sessions, language classes run by our volunteers, and Grow Clinics to monitor baby ’ s development. We provide access to a PC in the Space, allowing our families to build their CVs, apply for jobs and plan for their futures.

Our weekly women ’ s group, set up at the request of the women we house, gives them a time to get together, socialise and learn from one another. It takes place in our Community Space, or the group goes out and about to explore their neighbourhood.

2.4 Progression and monitoring

We are delighted to provide women and their families with the ability to take control of their lives. We still regularly hear from the first family that we housed, who are now settled in Scandinavia. Others are settled in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and France. We take pride in the quality of support that we offer that allows us to build such strong relationships.

Normally families stay with us until their youngest child is twelve months old. Where circumstances justify it we assist some women and their children for longer. This is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be due to significant medical problems, mental ill-health, or other complex issues.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

2.5 Family journeys

Josephine

Josephine fled conflict and exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She arrived in Athens eight months pregnant and, with no support from the authorities, was homeless and struggling to find enough food to sustain herself and her unborn child.

We were able to provide housing and our Case Manager supported her to access essential healthcare. She accompanied her to the hospital to birth her baby, ensuring she understood everything, and provided advice and support with breastfeeding.

Our Case Manager is now assisting Josephine to claim asylum, and to access language classes and psychological support. Josephine visits our Free Shop once a month where she can choose clothing for herself and her baby, and get nappies and hygiene products.

We hope that, with this support, she will be able to gain decent employment and support herself in the future.

Testimonials

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

3. FINANCIAL REVIEW

3.1 Growth

In 2022-23, CRIBS continued the growth that it has consistently achieved every successive year since its foundation five years ago, with a further increase of 11% in income. Overall, CRIBS has recorded an average annual growth of 31% since its incorporation in 2017.

This strong result reflects the continuing talent and dedication of our fundraising team, to whom we are very grateful indeed. We fully recognise the challenges in raising money for overseas charitable work, particularly in the context of the current economic downturn.

3.2 Income and expenditure

The following charts show where CRIBS ’ s funds came from in 2022-23, and where they went.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

3.3 Income

Donations

Donations from individuals totalled £88,071, a significant increase of 30% over the previous year. This was helped by several high-value gifts, with other donations maintaining a similar level to those of the previous year.

As a registered charity, CRIBS International is eligible for Gift Aid and so received £6,315 through tax payers ’ donations. This funding constitutes an important part of our income and we urge all donors to give us permission to claim Gift Aid on their donations.

Grants

We received gross grant funding of £45,114, a reduction of 12% from the previous year, which reflected the harsher economic environment. Our biggest benefactors included The Charity Service, The Network for Social Change, The Chalk Cliff Trust, The Funding Network, The Souter Trust, and Just Trust. But we thank all organisations that helped us in 2022-23.

Auctions, sales, and events

Receipts from auctions at £6,942 were similar to last year but nevertheless still represent a significant income stream. Our team work hard to set up and run these, and it is always great to see their effort rewarded.

Events continued to provide both income and raise awareness of CRIBS and the needs we fulfil.

3.4 Expenditure

In 2022-23 our expenditure exceeded income by £1,693, a substantial improvement over the deficit of £14,748 in the previous financial year. This represented progress towards our objective of returning a small surplus each year that can contribute to restoring and then building up our reserves.

Our expenditure in Athens was similar to that of the previous year. The cost of our operation in Athens is primarily driven by two factors: first, the size of our team there; and second the number of flats we rent and related to that, the number of families we house and the composition of those families given that we now have to support all of them financially as well as housing them.

Size of our Athens team: our Athens team of four consists of two case workers, one property manager, and one free shop manager. This is now well-established and provides an effective division of responsibilities. We believe that it is now at an optimum size and anticipate that it will not need to grow any further in the next two years or so even if we take on several more families and the flats to house them.

Number of Athens Flats: Over the year 2022-23 we reduced the number of flats we rent from seven to six, and this is reflected in lower electricity and incidental costs. Even with this reduction, total flat rental costs were similar because some rental costs were increased. The increased costs of now having to support all of our families financially offset the electricity and incidental cost savings.

UK Expenditure: Our UK costs increased from £8,190 to £12,158. This resulted from an increase in – – stipended volunteer time to support fundraising particularly formulating grant applications which has become essential in the current harsher economic environment.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

The proportion of CRIBS funds spent on running the charity and fundraising is still less than 8%. We are still able to deliver on our promise that all donations will be spent in Athens rather than on this, and we expect to be able to continue to honour this commitment for the foreseeable future.

However, as a small charity it is important that we survive, and that we grow to become sustainable in the long term. We therefore expect to increase our expenditure on fundraising over the coming two years (2023-24 and 2024-25).

3.5 Restricted versus unrestricted funds

Unless specified otherwise, all donor income is restricted to being spent directly on assisting our families. In practice this ringfences it to most types of expenditure in Athens and none in the UK.

Over time our unrestricted fund has grown and we believe that it will continue to grow in future years. To facilitate accounting and also to recognise that this unrestricted surplus should be spent on our core purpose if it is not needed elsewhere, we have made a one-time movement of £37,954 from unrestricted funds to restricted funds. This is reflected in the accounts at the end of this document.

3.6 Reserves

The purpose of holding reserves is to ensure that CRIBS International is able to continue to meet its charitable objectives regardless of reasonable risks. Risks can arise in areas such as fundraising, currency exchange, beneficiary support, and trustee availability.

As a small charity, CRIBS International has defined its reserves as consisting of its bank balance, less accounts payable, and less any funds that are restricted or committed to purposes other than family support.

CRIBS International ’ s Trustees have examined the requirements for reserves in the context of the main risks to the organisation. They have established a policy whereby the reserves held by CRIBS International should be between 3 and 6 months of the charity ’ s monthly direct expenditure on families. This policy is reviewed by the Trustees on an annual basis as part of the charity ’ s budgeting processes.

In the year 2022-23, direct expenditure on families was £143,002, which represents £11,917 per month, giving a reserves target of between £35,750 and £71,501.

As of 28 February 2023, our reserves stood at £8,311 which is around a quarter of the target minimum level. This is clearly far lower than it should be. The Trustees regard it as a priority to restore reserves and were already taking action at year end to address this.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

4. OUR PEOPLE

4.1 Directors/Trustees

Amongst our skills are governance, fundraising, financial planning, media, housing, breastfeeding and childcare. All our Directors/Trustees are deeply committed to justice for refugees.

As of 28 February 2023, there were seven directors of the CRIBS International Company (governed by our Memorandum and Articles) who were also trustees of the CRIBS International charity for the purposes of charity law. Some of us have full time jobs; others are retired from paid work.

The following trustees joined us during the course of 2022-23:

The following trustee joined and left us during the course of 2022-23:

The following trustees left us during the course of 2022-23:

Katie Awdas has been our trained and dedicated safeguarding lead volunteer since June 2021 and we thank her for her careful and wide ranging support and advice. She ensures that our workers and our families are safe.

Christine Lee (finance and treasurer) retired on 16 March 2023 shortly after year-end. We thank her for the three years of excellent and diligent service she contributed. As well as successfully running all financial aspects of CRIBS she automated our finances on QuickBooks for which we are immensely grateful. We wish her a very well-earned retirement. We welcome our new finance and treasurer trustee, Elliot Brady , who joined us on the same day, 16 March 2023.

Our Directors/Trustees are all volunteers who have been co-opted into the organisation. No members receive any benefits from the charity. Any expenses claimed are set out within Income and Expenditure in the Financial Report.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

4.2 UK-based team

Our trustee board of around seven dedicated and passionate people keep CRIBS on an even keel, as well as developing policies and structure, fundraising and dealing with tricky decisions which a charity like ours throws up. As well as the board, we have remarkable fundraising and media work by Sophie Heywood , who has kept funds flowing in throughout the year for which we thank her immensely. Our wider team of fundraisers, social media workers and medical advisors complete the set up in the UK.

4.3 Athens-based team

In addition to our dedicated UK Team, we also have an Athens-based Team, which in 2022 comprised four stipended volunteers.

Daphne Sinani continued as lead caseworker, along with Salom é Friedli . They provide the primary point of contact and support for our families and often go well beyond their duties in ensuring their welfare and health.

Danielle Scales took over running the CRIBS Free Shop from Anaïs Forget . We thank Anaïs for everything that she did, which included reorganising the Free Shop ’ s systems to make them more efficient and more effective, and wish her well for her onward journey.

We ended our agreement with CHEERing to manage our administration and flat management in Athens. As a result, Isabel Alcántara moved from CHEERing to CRIBS to continue managing our flats with us. We were already very pleased with Isabel ’ s work for us via CHEERing and so were delighted to welcome her into the CRIBS family.

Throughout the year, our Athens Team has performed exceptionally, particularly given the challenges that have arisen as a result of the continuingly difficult political situation in which they work. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful people working for CRIBS and supporting our families.

4.4 Fundraisers

Sophie Heywood managed fundraising for CRIBS in 2022-23, coordinating applications for grants to keep our families housed and supported. We thank her for her excellent contribution.

We also have a fantastic team of supporters who organise talks, stalls, quiz nights, sponsored events, games sessions and sponsored runs. They source medical items and clothes, and we have some wonderful knitters. Their ages range from eleven to eighty-one and they are all fabulous!

4.5 Communications team

Communications is unrelenting and time consuming work. Thank you to Sophie Heywood for all the CRIBS ’ s communications team ’ s success in keeping our profile visible via the website cribsinternational.org, Twitter @cribs_int and on Facebook, and by regular emails to our supporters.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

5. GOVERNANCE

5.1 Governing document

CRIBS International Ltd is an England and Wales company limited by guarantee (No 10644387) governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended on 4th June 2019. CRIBS international Ltd is also an England and Wales charity (No 1173021) governed by its Governing Document as approved on 31 December 2016 and amended in 29 April 2019.

5.2 Director/Trustee meetings and decisions

The CRIBS Board and Management meet online every month, catching up on what has been happening since we last were together. We discuss family needs, expenditure, fundraising, and review reports from Greece. Decisions are made after considerable discussion and all views are heard and considered.

For a period of six months in 2022-23 we experimented with holding the trustees ’ meeting every other month, with a finance meeting in the intervening month. The purpose of this was to focus trustee effort on more strategic issues and separate it from more operational matters. We found this ineffective, probably because CRIBS is not yet of a size where this separation can be achieved effectively, and so we reverted to monthly trustees’ meetings from November 2022 onwards.

5.3 Director/Trustee induction and training

More than one third of directors/trustees have been part of the organisation during its development and have been closely involved in the evolution of structure, policies and management. Our new directors/trustees receive all policies and guidance. They are introduced to the work of the organisation at a practical level through online training and personal interviews with existing directors/trustees.

5.4 Recruitment and appointment of new directors/trustees

As stated in the Articles, the number of directors of the CRIBS International Ltd company shall be not less than three but is not subject to any maximum unless the directors pass a resolution to change these numbers.

Any person who is willing to act as a director and is permitted by law to do so, may be appointed to be a director by a decision of the directors. All directors of the company CRIBS International Ltd are also trustees of the charity CRIBS International Ltd.

Directors/Trustees are recruited through an open call out process for trustees, advertising the skills required through a range of accessible channels and networks. Trustees are appointed to the board based on discussions and recommendations offered by existing trustees and by external advisors to the organisation.

5.5 Athens-based team

Working overseas can be challenging. However, CRIBS International has the benefit of wonderful, hard-working local representatives, including independent volunteers. They are responsible for regularly visiting families, delivering aid and distributing stipends, managing the Free Shop and monitoring the use of the flats and electricity. All the expenditure is receipted, or where receipts are not available (as is the case in some local markets), it is photographed.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

5.6 Monitoring

Families have case meetings with their workers at least twice a month and more if the situation requires it. Regular contact is maintained with families using the Internet. On-site visits to families ’ flats take place monthly. Additionally, the Athens team and the UK operations team meet weekly online and liaise closely via the Internet.

Families have a strong bond with CRIBS workers and we remain in contact with previous beneficiaries who are now relocated.

5.7 Serious incident reporting

In the year 2022-2023 there were no serious incidents to report.

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CRIBS International Annual Report 2022-23 – Registered Charity 1173021 Registered Company 10644387

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 10644387 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1173021

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2023 for Cribs International Ltd

Clarity Accountants 1st Floor 107 Lees Road Oldham Lancashire OL4 1JW

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1
19
Independent Examiner's Report 2
20
Statement of Financial Activities 3
21
Balance Sheet 4
22
Notes to the Financial Statements 5 to
23 to
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 10
28

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 28 February 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2019).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 10644387 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number 1173021

Registered office

55 Den Lane Springhead Oldham OL4 4NN

Trustees

I F Cairns T C Claridge (resigned 17.2.23) S E Hyman C Lee (resigned 16.3.23) N J Luzmore N W Maybin E H Shember (resigned 25.4.22) L J Taylor (appointed 11.7.22) Z R Ahmed (appointed 1.5.23) E Brady (appointed 16.3.23) G L H Lonergan (appointed 30.11.22) C Spear (appointed 15.11.22) (resigned 10.2.23)

Company Secretary I F Cairns

Independent Examiner

Clarity Accountants 1st Floor 107 Lees Road Oldham Lancashire OL4 1JW

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

.......................................................................... Trustee

Page 1

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Cribs International Ltd

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Cribs International Ltd ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 28 February 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  3. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

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.

Joanne M. Elliott FCA BFP FMAAT

Clarity Accountants 1st Floor 107 Lees Road Oldham Lancashire OL4 1JW 22/12/23 Date: .............................................

Page 2

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
56,211
Other trading activities
2
3
Total
56,214
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
UK Activities
12,261
Activities in Greece
-
Total
12,261
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
43,953
Transfers between funds
8
(37,954)
Net movement in funds
5,999
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
142
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
6,141		 Restricted
fund
£
83,289
13,964
97,253
-
142,899
142,899
(45,646)
37,954
(7,692)
9,862
2,170		 2023
Total
funds
£
139,500
13,967
153,467
12,261
142,899
155,160
(1,693)
-
(1,693)
10,004
8,311		 2022
Total
funds
£
124,860
13,140
138,000
8,189
144,559
152,748
(14,748)
-
(14,748)
24,752
10,004

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 3

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd

Balance Sheet

28 February 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
fund
fund
Notes
£
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
6
3,416
-
Cash at bank
3,625
2,170
7,041
2,170
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
7
(900)
-
NET CURRENT ASSETS
6,141
2,170
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
6,141
2,170
NET ASSETS
6,141
2,170
FUNDS
8
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 2023
Total
funds
£
3,416
5,795
9,211
(900)
8,311
8,311
8,311
6,141
2,170
8,311		 2022
Total
funds
£
4,319
27,152
31,471
(21,467)
10,004
10,004
10,004
142
9,862
10,004

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 28 February 2023.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 4

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
2023 2022
£ £
Fundraising auctions, events & sales 13,967 13,140

3. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2023 2022
£ £
Other operating leases 26,157 26,091
Page 5 continued...
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any 10644387

CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 28 February 2023 nor for the year ended 28 February 2022.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 28 February 2023 nor for the year ended 28 February 2022.

5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund fund funds
£ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 12,706 112,154 124,860
Other trading activities - 13,140 13,140
Total 12,706 125,294 138,000
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
UK Activities 8,189 - 8,189
Activities in Greece - 144,559 144,559
Total 8,189 144,559 152,748
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 4,517 (19,265) (14,748)
Transfers between funds (25,000) 25,000 -
Net movement in funds (20,483) 5,735 (14,748)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 20,625 4,127 24,752
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 142 9,862 10,004
6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Other debtors 3,313 4,113
Prepayments and accrued income 103 206
3,416 4,319

Page 6

continued...

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2023 2022
£ £
Other creditors - 2,819
Deferred income - 12,555
Accrued expenses 900 6,093
900 21,467
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1.3.22 in funds funds 28.2.23
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 142 43,953 (37,954) 6,141
Restricted funds
Restricted funds 9,862 (45,646) 37,954 2,170
TOTAL FUNDS 10,004 (1,693) - 8,311
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 56,214 (12,261) 43,953
Restricted funds
Restricted funds 97,253 (142,899) (45,646)
TOTAL FUNDS 153,467 (155,160) (1,693)
Comparatives for movement in funds
Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1.3.21 in funds funds 28.2.22
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 20,625 4,517 (25,000) 142
Restricted funds
Restricted funds 4,127 (19,265) 25,000 9,862
TOTAL FUNDS 24,752 (14,748) - 10,004

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Page 7

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Page 25 of 28

Cribs International Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
12,706
125,294
138,000		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(8,189)
4,517
(144,559)
(19,265)
(152,748)
(14,748)		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(8,189)
4,517
(144,559)
(19,265)
(152,748)
(14,748)
(14,748)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1.3.21 in funds funds 28.2.23
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 20,625 48,470 (62,954) 6,141
Restricted funds
Restricted funds 4,127 (64,911) 62,954 2,170
TOTAL FUNDS 24,752 (16,441) - 8,311

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
68,920
222,547
291,467		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(20,450)
48,470
(287,458)
(64,911)
(307,908)
(16,441)		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(20,450)
48,470
(287,458)
(64,911)
(307,908)
(16,441)
(16,441)

Page 8

continued...

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 28 February 2023.

Page 9

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CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

Cribs International Ltd

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 28 February 2023

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations and grants
Gift aid
Other trading activities
Fundraising auctions, events & sales
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Property leases
Rates and water
Light and heat
Sundries
Maintenance & purchases
Family living expenses
Athens operational costs
Contract services
Travel and volunteer expenses
Support costs
Management
UK operational costs
Finance
Bank charges
Governance costs
Accountancy and legal fees
Total resources expended
Net expenditure		 2023
£
133,185
6,315
139,500
13,967
153,467
26,157
2,654
18,098
3,619
3,221
56,481
1,021
1,557
30,194
143,002
9,311
1,310
1,537
155,160
(1,693)		 2022
£
118,924
5,936
124,860
13,140
138,000
26,091
2,608
22,361
987
8,324
46,527
1,479
31,444
4,737
144,558
6,779
317
1,094
152,748
(14,748)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 10

CRIBS Interna2onal Annual Report 2022-23 Registered Charity 1173021 – Registered Company 10644387

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