2024 IMPACT REPORT
Bristol City of Sanctuary has really lived through interesting times! The past months have allowed us to rebuild and strengthen the organisation whilst continuing with our work towards building a city that welcomes and includes everybody, especially those that come in search of sanctuary. I have met so many amazing, generous people both from the sector and from other organisations around the city. They showed their generosity when they came out in thousands to defend the rights of sanctuary seekers to protect them during the summer riots. It has been a real privilege to lead Bristol City of Sanctuary at a time when our work seems more necessary than ever - Susana Askew, Bristol City of Sanctuary Trustee and former Manager.
Highlights from Our Programmes:
Schools of Sanctuary
19 schools across Bristol have been awarded Sanctuary Status and 18 have signed the pledge, starting their sanctuary journey. 25,593 pupils are now studying in a School of Sanctuary in Bristol. We have hired a new Schools of Sanctuary Co-ordinator who is taking the programme to new strengths.
Universities of Sanctuary
University of Bristol was awarded Sanctuary Status in 2019 and continues to award 10-15 scholarships covering the full tuition fee and full living costs every year. That’s almost 100 scholarships worth at least £7,897,500 since 2016. Each year since 2020, UWE has awarded a full waiver of tuition fees and a maintenance grant for its sanctuary scholars.
Staff and students at UWE are taking innovative steps to advance the university’s sanctuary ethos, such as hosting the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Wellbeing Conference and leading on the design of the Memorial Garden. UWE is likely to receive the Sanctuary Award early next year.
Re-accreditation of Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council (BCC) was re-accredited this year as a Local Authority of Sanctuary and is planning a celebratory event for the New Year. BCC Sanctuary Services’ caseload has doubled since 2014. It now supports 430 people with NRPF, 581 resettled refugees and 630 Ukrainians (Oct 2024). BCC has agreed to resettle 30 families every year (well above national average).
BCC has a new strategic plan for sanctuary seekers and BCoS and BRASP are part of the new City of Sanctuary Strategic Partnership Forum.
Launching our Arts and Business Networks
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In October this year, we launched new areas of work with local businesses and arts organisations in Bristol.
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8 local businesses and 8 arts organisations have expressed interest in taking action to support refugees and asylum seekers.
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The group has begun sharing resources and ideas to strengthen inclusion, improve employment practices, and provide training programmes.
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3 arts organisations and 1 Bristol business have signed the CoS pledge.
Engaging Faith Organisations
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There are now 4 Churches of Sanctuary across Bristol and 1 more is waiting assessment.
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Muslim faith leaders from Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group joined the faith network this year.
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The Cathedral has expressed interest in applying and the Bishop of Bristol spoke out in support of people seeking sanctuary in response to the summer riots.
Bristol Sanctuary Transport Fund
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We have partnered with First Bus to provide free bus tickets for people seeking sanctuary in our city, who would otherwise not be able to access vital services and appointments.
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In 2024 we raised £7307 and we provided 8640 free tickets for destitute asylum seekers.
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We are in constant need of additional funding to keep this community initiative alive and really welcome your generous donations.
Bristol City of Sanctuary Memorial Garden
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Through our engagement Bristol City Councillors and the Planning department, we have saved the Quaker Burial Ground in Redcliffe from being used as a builder’s ground.
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In partnership with UWE architecture students, we have developed a plan to turn this area into a new safe space for people seeking sanctuary. Our next step is to reflect on the huge progress made in recent months and to engage sanctuary seekers in the use of the space.
Plans for the year ahead!
I'm really excited to be part of this important movement that keeps Bristol striving to welcome and support every person seeking sanctuary in our city. We have ambitious plans for 2025, including growing our small team, expanding our work with faith groups, arts organisations and local businesses, and campaigning locally for free bus travel for asylum seekers. Please stay in touch to find out more! - Yasmin Millican, New Bristol City of Sanctuary Manager
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Docusign Envelope ID: 34865527-2BE9-4D55-9255-48CB268B1E3E
Bristol City of Sanctuary 2023 - 2024 R&P Accounts
| Bristol City of Sanctuary | 1177122 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | CC16a | |||
| Period start date 1 Apr 23 For the period from |
To | Period end date 31 Mar 24 |
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts | 475 12,206 12,681 1,600 1,600 14,281 9,335 3,172 12,507 12,507 1,774 17,997 19,771 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ Restricted funds |
to the nearest £ Endowment funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| Earned | 15,000 7,607 22,607 |
475 15,000 12,206 7,607 35,288 |
|||
| MembershipFees | 440 | ||||
| Grants | 500 | ||||
| Unrestricted Gifts | 23,557 | ||||
| Transport Fund | 2,040 | ||||
| Other Restricted | 1,480 | ||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 28,017 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||
| Loan Repayment | 1,600 1,600 |
2,500 | |||
| Sub total | 2,500 | ||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||
| 22,607 | 36,888 | 30,517 | |||
Transport Fund |
5,163 800 665 6,628 |
5,163 800 10,000 3,172 19,135 |
7,828 | ||
| Other events | 324 | ||||
| Workers | 21,474 | ||||
| Governance | |||||
| Administration | 4,387 | ||||
| Mural | 206 | ||||
| Show Your Heart | 660 | ||||
| Sub total | 34,879 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||
| Sub total | |||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||
| 6,628 | 19,135 | 34,879 | |||
| 15,979 5,411 21,390 |
17,753 23,408 41,161 |
- 4,362 | |||
| 27,770 | |||||
| 23,408 |
25/01/2025
Page 1
11:54:23
Docusign Envelope ID: 34865527-2BE9-4D55-9255-48CB268B1E3E
Bristol City of Sanctuary 2023 - 2024 R&P Accounts
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Unity Trust Details Loans Details Details Details Independent Examination Wages Signature Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ Unrestricted funds |
|---|---|---|
| 19,771 19,771 |
There was no remuneration or expenses paid to any trustee or related party
25/01/2025
Page 2
11:54:23
Docusign Envelope ID: 34865527-2BE9-4D55-9255-48CB268B1E3E
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Bristol City of Sanctuary members of On accounts for the year 31[st] March 2024 Charity no 1177122 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 & 2
-
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] March 2023.
-
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
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.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
25/1/2025 Signed: Date: Name: Geoff Archer Relevant professional AAT, ATT qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Bristol Community Accountants CIC Daventry Road Bristol, BS4 1DQ
3
October 2018
IER
Docusign Envelope ID: 34865527-2BE9-4D55-9255-48CB268B1E3E
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
4
October 2018
IER
Docusign Envelope ID: 34865527-2BE9-4D55-9255-48CB268B1E3E
Bristol City of Sanctuary 2023 - 2024 R&P Accounts
| Bristol City of Sanctuary | 1177122 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | CC16a | |||
| Period start date 1 Apr 23 For the period from |
To | Period end date 31 Mar 24 |
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts | 475 12,206 12,681 1,600 1,600 14,281 9,335 3,172 12,507 12,507 1,774 17,997 19,771 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ Restricted funds |
to the nearest £ Endowment funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| Earned | 15,000 7,607 22,607 |
475 15,000 12,206 7,607 35,288 |
|||
| MembershipFees | 440 | ||||
| Grants | 500 | ||||
| Unrestricted Gifts | 23,557 | ||||
| Transport Fund | 2,040 | ||||
| Other Restricted | 1,480 | ||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 28,017 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||
| Loan Repayment | 1,600 1,600 |
2,500 | |||
| Sub total | 2,500 | ||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||
| 22,607 | 36,888 | 30,517 | |||
Transport Fund |
5,163 800 665 6,628 |
5,163 800 10,000 3,172 19,135 |
7,828 | ||
| Other events | 324 | ||||
| Workers | 21,474 | ||||
| Governance | |||||
| Administration | 4,387 | ||||
| Mural | 206 | ||||
| Show Your Heart | 660 | ||||
| Sub total | 34,879 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||
| Sub total | |||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||
| 6,628 | 19,135 | 34,879 | |||
| 15,979 5,411 21,390 |
17,753 23,408 41,161 |
- 4,362 | |||
| 27,770 | |||||
| 23,408 |
25/01/2025
Page 1
11:54:23
Docusign Envelope ID: 34865527-2BE9-4D55-9255-48CB268B1E3E
Bristol City of Sanctuary 2023 - 2024 R&P Accounts
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Unity Trust Details Loans Details Details Details Independent Examination Wages Signature Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ Unrestricted funds |
|---|---|---|
| 19,771 19,771 |
There was no remuneration or expenses paid to any trustee or related party
25/01/2025
Page 2
11:54:23
Docusign Envelope ID: 34865527-2BE9-4D55-9255-48CB268B1E3E
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Bristol City of Sanctuary members of On accounts for the year 31[st] March 2024 Charity no 1177122 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 & 2
-
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] March 2023.
-
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
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.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
25/1/2025 Signed: Date: Name: Geoff Archer Relevant professional AAT, ATT qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Bristol Community Accountants CIC Daventry Road Bristol, BS4 1DQ
3
October 2018
IER
Docusign Envelope ID: 34865527-2BE9-4D55-9255-48CB268B1E3E
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
4
October 2018
IER