Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees (TWWR)
Charity Number: 1175601
{For Charitable Incorporated Organisation}
Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Period 6 April 2022 to 5 April 2023
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees
Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
Reference & Administration Details
Charity name: Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees
Other names charity is known TWWR
by:
Charity number: 175601
Charity's operating address: 1 Bishops Down Cottages, Bishops Down Park Rd, Tunbridge Wells
Postcode:
TN4 8XY
Names of the Charity Trustees who Manage the Charity
| Trustee Name | Office | Appointed | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence Moon | 13.02.2019 | ||
| Ellie Batten | 30.10.2020 | ||
| Hazel Beevers | 30.10.2020 | ||
| Maureen Utting | 12.09.2022 | ||
| Kate Hashemi-Ayling | Secretary | 12.09.2022 | |
| Martin Brice | Chair | 03.08.2018 | |
| Vivienne Hughes | Treasurer | 25.05.2017 | |
| Naeema Anjarwalla | 11.09.2019 |
Names & Addresses of Advisors
Name Address & Postcode Bank: CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4JQ Bank: Metro Bank 1 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5HA Independent Anneliese Garrett Flat 3, 44 Mount Sion, Tunbridge Examiner Wells, Kent TN1 1TJ
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
Structure, Governance & Management
Description of the Charity's Trusts
Type of Governing Document: CIO - FOUNDATION REGISTERED 07 NOV 2017
How the Charity is Constituted: Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee Selection Methods: Trustees are appointed or reappointed at the meetings of the Trustees as necessary.
Additional Governance Issues
There is a Safeguarding Policy in place and Disclosure and Barring Service checks are carried out at an enhanced level for both vulnerable adults and children for all volunteers and Trustees.
Objectives & Activities
Summary of the Objects of the Charity as set out in its Governing Document
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For the relief of those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status and their dependents in Tunbridge Wells:
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a. the relief of poverty or financial hardship;
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b. the preservation and protection of good mental and physical health;
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c. the advancement of their education and training so as to advance them in life and assist them to adapt within a new community.
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To advance the education of the public in general about the rights, needs and issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers.
Summary of the Main Activities Undertaken for the Public Benefit in Relation to the Charity's Objects
One of the main things TWWR does is to provide a small group of volunteers for each family or individual and these volunteers are able to offer support and respond to the needs of the refugees. Volunteers undertake such things as spending time having conversations with the refugees, helping them understand cultural expectations, helping with understanding UK systems, developing English skills, taking them out, helping them apply for jobs and anything else the refugees might require. These groups of volunteers are greatly appreciated by the refugees who report feeling less isolated and lonely and that they are made to feel welcome.
Volunteers and refugees are able to request funding from TWWR for such things as clothes, equipment, furniture and activities. The Trustees make the decisions on the allocation of funding according to the need and circumstances of the refugees. We are aware that various changes of circumstances can cause times of hardship and we have been able to support some of the refugees with much needed funds during these times. We have also been able to support some young people at college and university.
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
The weekly Conversation Classes run by TWWR continued to thrive during this year and from September 2022 had a new, warm venue at The Mosaic Centre for which we are very grateful. Looking at priorities for funding, the Trustees took the difficult decision to stop funding the weekly football sessions from the autumn 2022. At this time, we also stopped the funded tuition for primary school children though volunteers continue to support several of them with their literacy and mathematical skills. Tuition in English, Maths and Science for the young people taking GCSEs and A Levels continued. This was partly provided by volunteers and partly through paid tutors.
We were lucky enough to obtain a grant through the National Lottery in August 2021 which was given to organisations to help them rebuild and develop communities after Covid. A working party made up of refugees and volunteers developed a programme of events and during this financial year there were cultural exchange trips to Dymchurch, a seaside town and the Mosque in London. The swimming lessons for women were continued until the end of November 2022. Arabic lessons for the children were also continued until the summer of 2022.
All the activities described above helped TWWR to meet its objectives to relieve poverty, to preserve and protect good mental and physical health and to advance the education and training of the refugees.
Additional Details of Objectives & Activities
All the activities we provide are completely dependent on volunteers and we have no paid workers. We are very grateful to the volunteers for all the work they put into supporting the refugees.
Achievements & Performance
Statutory Declaration
The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.
Summary of the Main Achievements of the Charity for the Year
TWWR continues to support any refugees and asylum seekers we are aware of in the borough of Tunbridge Wells who want our input.
In April and May 2022, many households in Tunbridge Wells opened their homes to a large number of people escaping the war in Ukraine. A motivated group of volunteers set up a group to specifically support the Ukrainians. They worked closely with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and other support services to ensure the support required was provided and there was no duplication. Money was raised specifically for the people from Ukraine and such things as IT equipment, mobiles and stationery for school were provided. Trips and activities during the school holidays were also organised. The main area the group had responsibility for was teaching English and several groups run by volunteers were set up quickly and were well attended. From the autumn 2022, funds were obtained in order to pay tutors to teach English to groups of around 10 people. These groups were very successful and those taking part made good progress with their English skills and for example reported being able to communicate more effectively with their hosts and others. They said they felt much more confident to be part of the local community and a large number managed to obtain part
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
time employment. Through the groups, they were also able to form friendships and support each other in many ways.
In the autumn of 2022, two new families from Afghanistan were settled into Tunbridge Wells. They were made to feel welcome by the volunteers and greatly appreciated all the practical and emotional help given. English lessons were not immediately available for the adults in the families but volunteers were able to step in quickly and provide some individual lessons which helped a great deal. All the refugees new to the Tunbridge Wells area commented how much the input of the TWWR volunteers helped them.
Where needed, we continued to provide tuition in English, Maths and Science to those pupils taking GCSEs or A Levels and all the parents and pupils reported that they appreciated the tutoring and it helped with the progress made by the pupils. All the pupils who wanted this were able to continue into Y12 at their schools and others started relevant courses at local colleges. We helped some pupils with the transport costs to the college.
The two young people at university successfully completed their first years and started the next year in September 2022 when another young person also started a university course. Due to the generosity of various donors, TWWR was able to support these young people financially to a certain extent which helped to reduce anxieties about money and enabled better concentration on studies.
In the area of employment, 22 of the refugees continued to work either full time or part-time. We were pleased that 4 more of the refugees started new employment during the year.
We continued to support people with the cost of driving lessons as we feel being able to drive will enhance opportunities for work. Seven people passed their practical driving tests during the year and two of these obtained a job more easily because of this. For the others, being able to drive improved their family life such as being able to go shopping, go to appointments and take the children on trips without having to rely on limited public transport. One person is hopeful that because he now has a car, he will be able to find work which uses his expert practical skills and should also lead to a better income.
It is sometimes challenging for the mothers of small children to attend English lessons because the timing clashes with child care responsibilities and the fathers are at work. TWWR continued to pay for extra time at a nursery for one child to enable the mother to attend classes. The mother made good progress with the English course and passed all the assessments.
Several of the refugees are keen to become British Citizens. In order to apply for this, they have to show competence in the English language and pass the Life in the UK test. Some volunteers supported the refugees with this and many of them have now obtained the necessary qualifications and will be applying for citizenship.
Finding an NHS dentist in the area of Tunbridge Wells has proved extremely difficult even going through the recommended routes. TWWR agreed to fund some dental treatments in order to alleviate the pain being suffered.
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
Two households moved during this financial year. One household was given notice by the owner of the house who wanted to sell and the other household wanted to have a more central location. TWWR volunteers were able to support the households find new property and also supported with the costs of moving including the hire of a van. Both households were extremely grateful for this support and said how much it helped them through difficult times.
Throughout the year, TWWR continued to respond to requests for such things as furniture, white goods, clothes and educational equipment from the refugees. TWWR continues to try and find these through requests to the volunteers or through charity shops. If this is not possible and Trustees agree, TWWR has bought the goods.
We feel these examples show the positive difference TWWR has made to the lives of the refugees who report feeling well supported by TWWR in their ambitions to become useful members of their local community.
Financial Review
Brief Statement of the Charity's Policy on Reserves
On 5[th] April 2023 TWWR had £29,295 in the bank. Over half of these funds are restricted at the request of the donors such as for supporting students at university and supporting a family find new accommodation. The main financial risk to the charity is not receiving grants. We keep enough funds to cover around 3 months costs and to meet any unforeseen expenditure. We also apply for grants on a regular basis.
Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
Not applicable.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Further Financial Review Details
Funding for our work has come mainly from grants through applications to the Kent Community Foundation. We also received grants from other providers including a local solicitors firm who supported the education of 2 young people and The Round Table who helped fund the swimming lessons for the women. There were also a number of donations specifically for the people from Ukraine. We were very lucky to receive funding from the National Lottery for rebuilding communities after Covid restrictions. We have some supporters who donate on a monthly basis for which we are very grateful and we also receive some funding from the Tunbridge Wells Lotto. We have been grateful to receive some generous one off donations from supporters including support from a group of barristers for an individual going to university. In July 2022, during Refugee Week, some volunteers
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
raised money through running a cake stall in the shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells and at the same time, Lush sold charity pots to raise money for TWWR.
Statutory Notes to the Accounts
Particulars of Any Outstanding Guarantee Given by the CIO
N/A
Other Optional Information
In the coming year, TWWR will continue to support any refugees and asylum seekers in the borough of Tunbridge Wells who want our help. We will provide a warm welcome to any refugees and asylum seekers new to Tunbridge Wells. For the refugees already here, we will continue with the type of support we already give and adapt this in response to requests and feedback from the refugees. TWWR will continue to prioritise the areas of education and employment for all the people we support. We will also endeavour to respond when people are experiencing financial hardship, either through providing funds or finding other support.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
Signature(s): Full Name(s): Florence Moon Vivienne Hughes Position(s): Trustee Treasurer Date: 3/1/2024 3/1/2024
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Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the period ended 5 April 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and 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 .
Signature:
Date:
Independent examiner
Full Name: Anneliese Garrett Relevant Chartered Accountant (ACA) Professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Flat 3, 44 Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1TJ
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CHARITY COMMISSION IOR ENGLAND AND WALIS Recelpts and payments accounts CC16a Forth• p•rfod from 06m4r2022 osm412023 Sectlon A Recelpts and payments Unr•strlct¥d funds R•strld•d funds Endowmont fuThd$ Total funds L4•ty•Jr 14243 x.JoJ 1311 •¥èfè9t Sth tot•l(Gross Incomg tbrARI 87.ts) .4•3 A2 Awt •nd In¥trn•t Mb Sdi tot•1 1.019 49.B11 00.493 A3P (036 180 n6 11J.052 13.054 11.2U• 4.$2S iJ.977 5.639 11471 1.012 11042 •.34¥ 3.132 1.3•3 &Q45 4•4 J7• A4 ABg•t •nd In¥utrn•nl purch•M& IM• t•bk•l Sith tot81 45.494 37¢ 41.165 N•tolr•¢•iptsl(p•ym•nts) A5 Trnf•rn b•tw••n fund• A6 C•Bh fund¥ last yw•fid C•*h IthKls thls y••r• 4,327 5.474 10.12• 22,837 23,821 5,193 ZJ.121 2.331 10.904 1•,295 Puge 9 of 10
Sectlon B Statoment of assets and IlabS1Stbo5 at the and of the perlod Unr•strict•d fund# R•$trid•d funds Endowm•Tht fund D•tail$ B1 Chlunth haib 1331 Totol¢•¥h fvn¢ts 2,331 26,984 Unrtttrkt•d fund• R•Jtrfct•d funds Endowm•nt fund¥ D•t•l Dotaily B4 A89•ts rotskd1QrtrW charlty'* UR• Ilat411ty rd4th• B5 U#blltltr• S¥n•d byon• of tswst••s Florence Moon 03101r2024 VIVnne Hughe8 03101f2024 Puge Ioof 10