2025-12-31-accounts - Louth Churches For Refugees

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of Louth Churches for Refugees (Registered Charity No. 1177536) will take place in St James’s Church House, Louth, at 2pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

Agenda :

Trustees’ Annual Report
Annual Statement of Accounts
Appointment of Trustees

Refreshments will be served after the meeting.

Please note the following information:

The Trustees’ Annual Report and the Annual Statement of Accounts are available on the Louth Churches for Refugees website: https://louthchurchesforrefugees.org/about-us/latest-news and some printed copies will be available at the meeting.
We invite anyone wishing to become a member of the charity to complete a membership application form on arrival. There is no charge for membership, and members sign to confirm that they support the aims and objectives of the charity.
Anyone wishing to be elected trustee should complete a nomination form on arrival which must include the names of a proposer and seconder who are members of the charity. If there are more nominations than places available then each candidate will be given two minutes to explain to those present why they wish to be elected as a trustee.

Overleaf for information: Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 29 April 2025

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Louth Churches for Refugees

held in St James’s Church House, Louth at 2pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025

The meeting was chaired by Jenny Ballantyne. 15 members and supporters of the charity were present, including one person joining the meeting by telephone. Apologies had been received from two members. The meeting was opened in prayer.

The meeting received the Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended December 2024 (Proposed: B Utteridge; Seconded: R Malyon).
The meeting received the Annual Statement of Accounts for the year ended December 2024 (Proposed: J Fletcher; Seconded: J Ballantyne).
Jane Fletcher was stepping down as a trustee and a presentation was made to Jane, with many thanks for her significant contribution to the work of the charity over the years. Max Wilson was duly nominated for election as a trustee. There being no further nominations, Max was declared elected.

The formal business of the meeting was concluded.

An update was provided on the charity’s current position, including plans to submit a third Community Sponsorship application, subject to recruitment of additional volunteers. It was noted that the charity was in a sound financial position. Among matters raised in discussion were the following:

The range of tasks involved in welcoming a family, to include practical help and administrative matters.
The need for the charity to identify a ‘lead sponsor’ for a further sponsorship application.
That considerable preparatory work had been completed on the community sponsorship application form.
An important outstanding requirement to secure appropriate housing for another family.
The need to find someone to coordinate English Language support activities.
That the existing sponsored families were keen to help support welcoming another family to the area.
Considerable support and training is available from RESET.
That, in volunteer recruitment, it is helpful to be able to lay out a particular/specific need/s (eg someone to help with preparation for a driving test).
Local work with asylum seekers and opportunities for joint working with Louth Area of Sanctuary.
If it is not possible to draw additional volunteers into our work, we are unlikely to be able to proceed with the plan to welcome a third resettled refugee family to Louth. We will also need to face challenging questions about the future viability of the charity.

The meeting was followed by further conversation over refreshments.

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 1 January 2025- 31 December 2025 Charity name: Louth Churches for Refugees Charity registration number: 1177536

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	The objects of the charity are to relieve financial hardship for: a) those seeking refuge from conflict in the Middle East, North Africa region; b) those granted refugee status and their dependents living in Lincolnshire and Louth in particular; and c) refugee children by the provision of holidays.
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.	The charity’s main activities during the year have included: • Preparing for and submitting an application to support a third resettled refugee family in Louth, within the Community Sponsorship programme. • Continued support for two previously resettled families albeit our formal responsibilities are at an end. • Regular communications to raise awareness of the activities of the charity and the global situation facing refugees; and encouraging prayer and practical support.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.	In all of the charity’s work, the trustees have been mindful of the need to fulfil the charity’s charitable purposes and to work for the public benefit. They believe that this has been the case, and that the activities represented by the summary above and in the report that follows demonstrate both the ways in which Louth Churches for Refugees has fulfilled its purposes of relieving financial hardship of those groups specified in its governing document and that this has been undertaken in a way that is demonstrably for the public benefit.

Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document

The objects of the charity are to relieve financial hardship for:
a) those seeking refuge from conflict in the Middle East, North
Africa region;
b) those granted refugee status and their dependents living in
Lincolnshire and Louth in particular; and
c) refugee children by the provision of holidays.

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.

The charity’s main activities during the year have included:
•
Preparing for and submitting an application to support a third
resettled refugee family in Louth, within the Community
Sponsorship programme.
•
Continued support for two previously resettled families albeit
our formal responsibilities are at an end.
•
Regular communications to raise awareness of the activities
of the charity and the global situation facing refugees; and
encouraging prayer and practical support.

Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit.

In all of the charity’s work, the trustees have been mindful of the
need to fulfil the charity’s charitable purposes and to work for the
public benefit. They believe that this has been the case, and that
the activities represented by the summary above and in the report
that follows demonstrate both the ways in which Louth Churches
for Refugees has fulfilled its purposes of relieving financial
hardship of those groups specified in its governing document and
that this has been undertaken in a way that is demonstrably for
the public benefit.

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.

Towards the end of 2024, the trustees of Louth Churches for
Refugees decided to move forward to make an application to
welcome a third resettled refugee family as part of the Community
Sponsorship programme. Reflecting our previous experience, the
application process took a period of months during 2025,
including various stages – such as local authority approval –
which involve timescales out of the charity’s control. We were
finally in a position to submit our application to the Home Office in
October 2025 and are awaiting feedback.
Approaching the end of 2025, our focus is on securing appropriate
housing for another resettled family, in the context of a rather
challenging local housing market in Louth. At the same time we
are continuing with other planning and preparation, ahead of a
family’s arrival – and we appreciate all offers of support - in prayer
and practical assistance.
The Annual General Meeting of the charity took place at the end
of April 2025, and it was good to welcome members, supporters
and friends to reflect on our activities over the last year, and to
review our future plans. Jane Fletcher stood down as a trustee at
the AGM and a presentation was made to Jane in appreciation of
her huge contribution over many years – in practical support and
fundraising, alongside her valuable expertise and insights as a
trustee. We thank Jane sincerely for her many contributions and
pray for God’s continued blessing in her life.
The AGM appointed Max Wilson as a trustee of the charity and
we are pleased to welcome Max, a longstanding supporter of
Louth Churches for Refugees, in this new capacity.
During the year we have been delighted to receive several new
offers of volunteer support for our work into the
future. We have also welcomed a number of new regular
donors/gift aiders supporting the charity with monthly payments.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees was marked by the
Roman Catholic Church in October 2025, with the theme
“Migrants - Missionaries of Hope”. Through the work of Louth
Churches for Refugees – alongside many other groups and
charities locally and globally – we have the opportunity to help
build a more hopeful future for those who have had to leave their
homes, families and belongings because of war, violence or other
disasters.
We appreciate all offers of help; contact can be made via our
website athttps://louthchurchesforrefugees.org/about-
us/contact-us. You may also like to follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/louthchurchesforrefugees

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	During 2025 the charity continued to raise funds towards its stated objectives. Income exceeded expenditure during the year, as we focussed on securing the funds required to support a third family.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	The charity does not hold significant reserves, with all monies held being required for its immediate charitable work. This is reviewed periodically by the trustees.
Details of fund materially in deficit	None
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	None

Structure, Governance and Management

Structure, Governance	and Management
Type of governing document	Constitution
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	Election by members (up to 6 trustees) Nomination by Churches Together in Louth & District (up to 2 trustees)

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Louth Churches for Refugees
Other name the charity uses	None
Registered charity number	1177536
Charity’s principal address	Deanery Office The Rectory Peppin Lane Fotherby Louth LN11 0UW

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Jane Fletcher	Until 29.4.25	Elected by members
Ros Malyon		Elected by members
Julie Markham		Elected by members
Bryan Utteridge		Elected by members
Max Wilson	From 29.4.25	Elected by members
Andrew West		Elected by members

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	Andrew West

	Trustee
	20 January 2026
	20 January 2026

The Treasurer Louth Churches for Refugees The Rectory Peppin Lane Fotherby Louth Lincolnshire LN11 0UW

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Louth Churches for Refugees

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Louth Churches for Refugees (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matter 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.

Keith May ACMA CGMA Qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Keith May Accounting Services Ltd Aura Business Centre Heath Road Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 3SJ

23 March 2026

	Louth Churches for Refugees	Louth Churches for Refugees	Louth Churches for Refugees	Louth Churches for Refugees	CC16a
	For the period	01/01/2025	To

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £	Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Endowment funds to the nearest £	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
	5,215 214 905 - - - 6,334		-	- 5,215 214 905 - - - - 6,334	-
Donations			-		-
Other Income			-		-
Gift Aid			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
Sub total(Gross income for AR)			-		-

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see	- - -
			-	- - -
			-		-
Sub total			-		-
Total receipts A3 Payments
	6,334		-	6,334	-

Familysupport	616 912 - - 1,528		-	616 912 - - - - - - - 1,528	-
Other Charitable Expenditure			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
Sub total			-		-

A4 Asset and investment purchases,	- - -
			-	- - -
			-
Sub total			-		-
Total payments t of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between fu A6 Cash funds last yeare Cash funds this year end				1,528
	1,528		-		-

	4,806		-	4,806	-
	n - 16,724		-	- 16,724	-
			-		-
	21,530		-	21,530	-

18/03/2026

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)