Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees (TWWR)
Charity Number: 1175601
{For Charitable Incorporated Organisation}
Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Period 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024
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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: 1175601
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 | 05.04.2024 | |
| 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 | 05.04.2024 |
| 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.
The people from Ukraine have been supported in a different way. This is because they have been placed mainly with UK residents who often support the Ukrainians with day to day life. Also, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) organised support from various agencies including TWWR for the Ukrainians. The aim was to ensure support over a wide number of areas and to reduce duplication of support. TWWR was asked to concentrate on providing English lessons for the Ukrainians, supporting some young people in school and providing some entertainment and trips for the families in the school holidays. A working group of volunteers within TWWR organised the
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
support for the people from Ukraine and raised funds to cover the costs. This included some classes teaching English run by volunteers and also some classes run by self-employed tutors who were paid. Some pupils from Ukraine were also supported in secondary schools by TWWR volunteers and a number of activities were organised for the families.
Volunteers and refugees from all countries 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. This included a family with primary age children who were seeking asylum who had no access to funds and TWWR was able to give them emergency financial support for a few weeks. We have also been able to support some young people financially at college and university.
The weekly Conversation Classes run by TWWR continued to thrive during this year and we continue to be grateful to The Mosaic Centre for the use of their facilities. 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.
TWWR has continued to support the refugees to find work when they are able to do this.
There have been some social activities organised including trips out and social gatherings.
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.
TWWR continued to be responsible for providing supplementary English classes for the people from Ukraine. Paid tutors continued to run English classes which were well attended and the participants reported that they continued to make progress with their English skills. More of the participants obtained jobs and several of them moved into their own accommodation. This has been a very successful intervention for the Ukrainians.
In July 2023, a new family 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.
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
Volunteers were able to step in quickly and provide some individual English lessons which helped a great deal. The family commented how much the input of the TWWR volunteers helped them. Another family arrived in November 2023 and only wanted English tuition for one member of the family which TWWR provided. The family is very independent and continues to thrive.
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. Several of the pupils continued into Year 12 and some started college courses in September 2023. We helped some pupils with the transport costs to the colleges which meant they were able to continue with their studies.
The three young people at university successfully completed their first and second years. Another young person also started a university course in September 2023. 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, twenty six of the refugees continued to work either full time or part-time. We were pleased that six more of the refugees started new employment during the year. TWWR has also given some funds to enable two of the refugees to follow courses which will help them qualify in their previous fields of expertise. This will take time for them to achieve and TWWR will continue to support them. (NB This does not include statistics from the Ukrainians as other organisations were involved with supporting the people from Ukraine find employment)
We continued to support people with the cost of driving lessons as we feel being able to drive will enhance opportunities for work. Three more people passed their practical driving tests during the year and two of these obtained a job more easily because of this. For the other, 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. Generous TWWR volunteers helped another person buy a car and because of this, he has now found work using his expert practical skills. This has led to an increase in his feelings of self-worth.
Several of the refugees applied to become British Citizens and during this year, six adults and seven children were given citizenship. Many of them reported that the input from the volunteers supporting them with the Life in the UK test was a great help. Some volunteers also helped with completing the forms or supported them contact Citizen Advice Bureau. Receiving British Citizenship has made the refugees feel much more settled in the UK.
Three households moved during this financial year. One household moved away from Tunbridge Wells and although we were sad to see them go, volunteers helped with the transition and we have been pleased to hear that they settled happily into their new home. The other two households moved within Tunbridge Wells and TWWR was able to help with the cost of the hire of a van and provided some people to help with the removal.
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
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
agree, TWWR has bought the goods. We also provided all the families who wanted them with hot water bottles to help in cold weather with energy costs. Some families with young children also asked for heated clothes dryers which TWWR was able to provide. One family who were seeking asylum were supported financially for several weeks and TWWR was their only source of income. All the families have been grateful for the financial help we have been able to give them and it has helped them through these difficult times with the high cost of living.
TWWR organised three social gatherings for the families during the year and also a trip to the seaside in the summer. The families reported how much they appreciated these. An outing to 10 pin bowling was also organised for the adolescents who had a great time and formed new friendships. Some funds were also provided for school clubs, football clubs and school trips which all help the participants become part of the community and helps with emotional wellbeing.
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 2024 TWWR had £46,136 in the bank. This included a recently received grant of £15,000 from Colyer Fergusson. Well 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 month’s 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
We have been successful with our grant applications this year and we are very grateful to Kent Community Foundation who have continued to support us. South East Water, The Round Table and Capital have also generously given us funds. We were grateful to receive two generous donations from The Hollick Family Fund and were pleased when Collyer Fergusson gave us a significant amount of money to help us support educational opportunities and finding work. In March 2024 we were very proud to be chosen as one of the charities to be recognised by the High Sheriff of Kent.
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
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Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2023
generous donations from supporters which included money towards the cost of cars and there were also a number of donations specifically for the people from Ukraine. We received some funds from TWBC which was used to pay for the self-employed tutors running the English classes for the people from Ukraine. During Refugee Week, some volunteers raised money through putting on a film at a local community cinema and running a cake stall in the shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells.
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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): Martin Brice Maureen Utting Position(s): Chair Trustee Date: 13/12/2024 13/12/2024
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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 2024.
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: 10/01/2025
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 FOR ENGLAND AND WALES ridqe WEll% VQe EDMEF Re1uqee4 ITWNRI Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe pthod from To 0610412023 0510412024 Se¢tion A Rec¢ipts and pa monts Unrestricted funds Reslrfcted funds Endowrnent funds totr nMr•st£ Total fund% Last y•ar t• th nw•st£ nHrMt E tothp nHr••t£ A1 R•cl JnBlion3 87,690 Evenls Grjnis Gfft Bar& Ihtèrè&t 417 417 57 SubtotallGross iA>GtrAné forARI 11,2t4 $7,ts50 A2 AsE•t Invo•tmont ••lEs. Sub tstal 11.224 87.690 X814 57.850 A3Pi ents 251 Bank rh & ThInlr1&)fft 148 563 n1 776 EdwaIn &d GrÉn15 to lari15 Olhw &xpoTh&ÉS Sott attNItI• VDlunlws Sub total 1173Q .J4J D7J J71 A4A¥¥•t ld inv•stmqnt purchams, Is4•tsblo1 Sub total Tot8lpaymort8 12.750 69.343 52.376 Netof recelpts/fpaymentsJ . 1,SD41 18,347 96 26,964 10,841 S,474 A6 Cauh lundu lllEt y•arend C*sh futsys thls y•ar8MI 2,331 29,295 23,821 45.215 4$.136 29.295 Puge 9 of 10
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unmstrict8d fund5 Restricted funds Endowment fvnds Cat890rf to r•JarHt E to Mar•Bt£ to n•arHt£ B1 Cash funds at bank 921 45,215 Total cash fund5 921 45,215 Unr08trfcted funds to MarHt E Ro8trfct8d funds Endowment funds to n•arHt Detai15 to Mar•Bt£ Fwjto k**•t Details t IcOLThII &wrert vali1• B3 Inv85tsnent assets rr•rt v•1 Detalls B4 Assets r•tained for t charrty'5 ovm u50 Details B5 Uablltths Sned by one ortwo twstees o behaK of all the INstee& Synotyre Print Narr Date ofaFproval Martin Brice 1311212024 Maureen Utting 1311212024 Puge Ioof 10