2025-01-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/02/2024 To 31/01/2025

Charity name: West Devon Safe Haven

Charity registration number: 1174272

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	The relief of financial hardship amongst those granted refugee status and their dependents living (temporarily or permanently) in the borough of West Devon and the surrounding area; To preserve and protect the physical and mental health of those granted refugee status and their dependents; To advance the education and training of those granted refugee status and their dependents in need thereof so as to advance them in life and assist them to adapt within a new community; To advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	WDSH has continued to support three families with housing matters. WDSH has organised internet provision for the homes of refugees in West Devon. WDSH volunteers have accompanied refugees to medical appointments when required. WDSH has liaised with schools when requested to do so by the families. WDSH has organised additional educational support for some of the refugee children. WDSH has helped with driving lessons.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	The trustees confirm that we have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit, at all times considering whether our activities further the objective of supporting and integrating refugees within the West Devon community.

Additional information

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Policy on grant making	When considering whether to provide finance for any specific purpose WDSH considers whether the need results from the recipient’s refugee status, rather than from their financial situation alone.
Contribution made by volunteers	WDSH has no paid employees, so all contributions of time come from volunteers. In addition to the voluntary financial donations contributed by members of the public WDSH also receives contributions of items such as household equipment, bicycles, garden furniture and clothing.

Achievements and Performance

	Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Five families of Syrian refugees settled in West Devon, though one later moved to Lancashire to be closer to other family members. The first two families arrived in June 2017. WDSH have helped these families to settle and feel secure, not least by being a first point of reference when potential problems arise. We have in the past helped some individuals to find part- time paid employment, which is important for their self-esteem as well as for their income. WDSH helped four of the families to move from their initial accommodation to new premises, thus helping the family to feel more ‘at home’ in the UK. The additional support sessions for children not only help to develop the families’ education but also provide the reassurance that comes from regular contact with friendly faces. As families have become more established WDSH has focused less upon supporting the adults’ language and more upon working with schools to support the children’s learning. All of the four families have now been in the UK for more than five years, and WDSH supported them with the ‘Right to Remain’ process. While still offering help and support when needed, WDSH is increasingly focused on fostering greater independence amongst the families, encouraging them to make their own medical appointments and rely less upon volunteers for transport. As several of the adults still have limited English language skills this is not a straightforward process.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Current assets: £33, 376 Fixed assets (land and building): £201, 094 Total assets: £234, 470
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	The reserves are held to cover the costs of maintaining the charity’s property and for covering other property expenses.
Amount of reserves held	£234, 470 of which £33, 376 are current assets.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	In 2017 WDSH received a donation of £250,000 for the purpose of purchasing a house to provide accommodation for a family of Syrian refugees. The house purchase was completed in December 2017, leaving more than £50,000 in reserve for housing repairs and for funding future housing provision. In addition to this reserve WDSH has been receiving £665 per month in rent: this has recently increased to £710. These housing- related funds are primarily used for housing matters, including to facilitate families to move into new accommodation. Now that the families are largely independent, financial support of the families Is limited, and would usually be funded from charitable donations from individuals, from charitable trusts and from institutions such as churches.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	WDSH does not appear to face significant risks, but we remain vigilant with regard to changing social and political situations.

Structure, Governance and Management

Structure, Governance	and Management
Type of governing document	CIO – Foundation Registered 16 Aug 2017
How is the charity constituted?	Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Trustee selection is through co-option following a vote of current trustees.

Additional information

The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works		The trustees meet approximately once every six weeks to organise activities, agree small payments and to draft policies. If large payments are proposed then any trustees absent from the meeting are given an opportunity to put forward their views before a final decision is taken. WDSH works with government bodies, notably Devon County Council (DCC) and West Devon Borough Council. We also work with refugee support charities appointed by DCC, namely Refugee Support Devon and Students and Refugees Together (START).

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	West Devon Safe Haven
Registered charity number	1174272
Charity’s principal address	104 Old Exeter Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0JD

Names of the charity trustees who currently manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
	Chris Dew
	Gillian Mill
	WendyMills-Hicks	Treasurer
	Alison Stewart
	David Thomson	Chair

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	David Thomson	Wendy Mills-Hicks
	Chair	Treasurer
	23/10/2025
	23/10/2025

Registered Charity Number 1174272

WEST DEVON SAFE HAVEN

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR

THE YEAR

TO 31 JANUARY 2025

Established as a

Charitable Incorporated Organisation

16 August 2017

Registered Office

104 Old Exeter Road Tavistock PL19 0JD

Business Address

104 Old Exeter Road Tavistock PL19 0JD

WEST DEVON SAFE HAVEN

COMPANY INFORMATION

Appointed Resigned Directors/Trustees Christine Dew 12 May 2017 Gillian Mill 12 May 2017 Wendy Mills-Hicks 12 May 2017 Peter Squire 22 June 2018 Died19th April 2025 Alison Stewart 12 May 2017 David Thomson 12 May 2017

Independent Examiner Michael Jefferies F C A Church Avenue House Church Avenue Lamerton Devon PL19 8RN

WEST DEVON SAFE HAVEN

Contents

1. Independent Examiner's

Report

1. Profit and Loss Account

2. Balance sheet

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees West Devon Safe Haven

On accounts for the year 31[st] January 2025 Charity no (if 1174272 ended any)

Set out on pages following

Respective responsibilities of The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees trustees and examiner consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

1. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,

2. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and

3. to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity statement Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives statement me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or 8. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Date: Name: Michael Stuart Jefferies

Relevant professional Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales qualification(s) or body (if

any): FCA

Address: Church Avenue House, Church Avenue, Lamerton, Devon PL19 8RN

WEST DEVON SAFE HAVEN

PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 JANUARY 2025

INCOME	2025	2024
	£	£
Donations	340	400
Misc, etc	0	0
Rent Receivable	7,620	7,160
	7,960	7,560
EXPENDITURE
Household Expenditure,
Clothing, etc	1,444	3,297
Travel	0	68
Rent top-ups	3,503	4,202
Misc	898	1,732
Repairs and Renewals	4,447	6,789
	10,292	16,088
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)	(2,332)	(8,528)

WEST DEVON SAFE HAVEN

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT

31 JANUARY 2025

FIXED ASSETS 2025 Land and Building CURRENT ASSETS Cash Bank Account Net Current Assets TOTAL ASSETS RESERVES Balance at 1 February 2024 Surplus/(Deficit) for year		2024 £ £ 201,094 201,094 0 0 33,376 35,708 33,376 35,708 234,470 236,802 236,802 245,330 (2,332) (8,528)

Balance at 31 January 2025 234,470

236,802

Based on the valuations of similar properties in Aspen Close, the Market Valuation of the

freehold

property is approximately £285,000.

The Financial Statements for the year ended 31 January 2025 were approved by the Trustees on 8 May 2025

Signed: David Thomson (Chair)