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2021-08-31-accounts

Notre Dame Refugee Centre

Annual Report and Accounts

31 August 2021

Charity Registration Number 1177990

Content

Reports

Reference and administrative details of the Reference and administrative details of the
charity, its trustees and advisers 1
Trustees’ report 2
Independent auditor’s report 15
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 19
Balance sheet 20
Principal accounting policies 21
Notes to the accounts 24

Notre Dame Refugee Centre

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Trustees Father Hubert Bonnet-Eymard
Rev. John Hannan
Rev. Desmond Hanrahan
Barbara Kentish
Elizabeth Millar
Etienne Rougier
John Walsh
Bishop Alan Stephen Williams
Director Shakuntala Williams
Trust Secretary Philippine de Beauregard
Principal office 5 Leicester Place
Leicester Square
London
WC2H 7BX
Telephone 020 7440 2668
Facsimile 020 7437 3848
Website www.notredamerc.org.uk
Charity registration number 1177990
Auditor Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Bankers HSBC Bank plc
28 Borough High Street
Southwark
London
SE1 1YB
Solicitors Stone King LLP
13 Queen Square
Bath
BA1 2HJ

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 1

Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

The trustees present their statutory report together with the accounts of the Notre Dame Refugee Centre (‘NDRC’ or ‘the Charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2021.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 21 to 23 and comply with the Charity’s trust deed, applicable laws and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The trustees applied the income of the Charity in furthering the following objects:

After the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 these activities became telephone and online services, and have continued primarily in that format, with a limited number of face-to face appointments since May 2021.

Relieving financial hardship amongst those granted refugee status and their dependants living (temporarily or permanently) in the United Kingdom by:

Since the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 assistance with grant applications has been by telephone or online. It has not yet been possible to restart the twice-weekly Drop-In cafés which offered a hot meal, hot and cold drinks and sandwiches. It is hoped that some DropIn services will be able to resume in February 2022.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

Since the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 the counsellor continued to provide support by working remotely and from May 2021 recommenced a limited number of face-to-face appointments.

Following the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 and the closure of Drop-In services, volunteers have continued to support service users by telephone or online where it is practicable to do so.

Following the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 and ongoing restrictions it has been difficult at times to pursue some of these activities.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

Since the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 it has not been possible to run regular health clinics as the Drop-In centre has remained closed.

As it has not yet been possible to re-open the Drop-In centre, following its closure in the March 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, all services have continued to be delivered remotely, by telephone or online.

The ESOL classes have continued over Zoom during the year, following the closure of the Drop-In centre in the March 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. The team are hopeful that face-toface classes can resume when some Drop-In services recommence in February 2022. The ESOL classes will be ‘blended’ - remotely and face-to-face to ensure access for those who are not able to attend face-to-face.

Other activities

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

It has still not been possible to restart many of the activities previously run at the Drop-In centre, following its closure due to the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 and ongoing restrictions throughout the year. The team are planning on reopening some Drop-In services in February 2022.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The aims of the Charity and the activities that it provides are demonstrably of public benefit, as Notre Dame Refugee Centre helps and supports one of the most vulnerable groups of people in our society, namely asylum seekers and refugees. Alleviating the poverty, distress and vulnerability of the poorest members of our society is undoubtedly of benefit to society as a whole, reducing risks to public health, of criminal behaviour and other social ills. The dissemination of basic information about the conditions of life our visitors experience assists society to respond more appropriately to the needs of this group of people. To this end, we collaborate with other organisations and agencies with similar aims and make ourselves available to brief interested parties.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Overview

This has been another extraordinary year as we continued to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. A second year of working mostly virtually, under difficult circumstances. As in the first lockdown in March 2020, subsequent COVID-19 lockdowns two and three have been especially difficult for our most vulnerable clients, regardless of whether they are asylum seekers, refugees or over-stayers. The difficulties in obtaining settled status and the struggle to get housing and benefits before and after applying for asylum or leave to remain contributed significantly to their poor mental and physical health. The process of applying for the right to remain in the UK remains complicated, fraught with delays and uncertainty. Many of our clients have trouble finding a good legally aided immigration solicitor at the best of times and they felt neglected as many solicitors closed their offices and have been working remotely. NDRC, with its highest level 3 OISC (Office of Immigration Services Commissioner) advisors and AQS (Advice Quality Standards) certificate, has continued to provide free immigration advice, counselling and other support as clients struggled with the aftermath and backlog of delays and disruptions in their lives. The trustees would like to thank the centre’s Director, Shakuntala Williams, for leading the team of staff and volunteers through this challenging period.

Advice service

During the various lockdowns the advice service team continued to work with our clients remotely, gradually easing back to normality, seeing some clients face-to-face, by appointment only, since May 2021. We piloted an appointment-based service as planned, and this has been a success and has reduced the stress and strain that clients experienced on Drop-In days. The appointment only advice service is for immigration matters run by the OISC advisers and a team of staff and volunteer advisers carry out advocacy on housing and welfare benefit related issues.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Advice service (continued)

However, to compensate for the loss of the Drop-In service, we extended the telephone advice service from one day to three days per week. During the telephone advice sessions all new and existing clients are assessed over the telephone, either for opening their case for representation or renewal of leave to remain, or for providing support and guidance. The advice line is also open for agencies to refer cases. The success of this support is due to our expert advice team headed by senior immigration advisor, Brian Mitchell.

Despite the challenges facing the advice team this year, they have continued to achieve good results.

Case outcomes 2019-20 2020-21
Leave to Remain (further/indefinite) requested 294 125
Leave to Remain (further/indefinite) obtained 216 120
Convention Travel documents requested 78 22
Convention Travel documents obtained 65 17
Naturalisation initiated 63 18
Naturalisation obtained 38 14
Family Reunion requested 37 10
Family Reunion obtained 21 10

Counselling & Health

Throughout the period September 2020 to August 2021, COVID-19 restrictions have continued to cause great hardship and anxiety to our clients many of whom already suffered from poor mental health. They suffer depression, anxiety and often Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Quite a few also have physical health problems, caused by trauma and aggravated by deprivation, depression and anxiety.

107 clients aged between 17-75 received counselling this year at NDRC, of which 83 were female and 24 were male and they originated from 27 different countries. We are pleased to say that 53 out of 107 have gained leave to remain, refugee status or naturalised as British citizens this year. Referrals have been made to the Helen Bamber foundation through NDRC advice workers performing outreach for Women for Refugee Women. Before lockdown, as part of the Drop-In services, a health clinic was held every Monday, where nurses provided medical advice or assistance with finding a GP. This had to stop in the March 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, and we transferred this service to a team of advice worker and volunteer advisor, who could assist clients in getting their HC1 certificate for free medication. This support and counselling have been lifelines for the destitute clients. We are very grateful to our dedicated sessional counsellor, Barbara Gehrels.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Drop-In Café & Support Services

The café and the welfare support associated with it was especially important for our many destitute visitors (about 40% of the overall number) who are often homeless. It is unfortunate that we had to close this service and activities in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it has needed to remain closed as restrictions continued throughout this year. NDRC continued providing small hardship grants to established visitors who needed immediate help to buy food and meet other basic needs.

We continued adapting our service delivery as we discovered what worked the best. A number of the practical changes we have had to implement have been accepted and welcomed by our clients, staff and volunteers.

Closure of the Drop-In services and activities gave oportunities to successfully provide some classes for ESOL and art therapy remotely.

English language classes

ESOL weekly (two beginners and one intermediate) Zoom classes are run efficiently and we thank and commend all the ESOL volunteer tutors: Ruth, Richard, Sarah, Jane, Fiona, Maggie and Adam who have made it possible for NDRC to continue this very needed service to our destitute and isolated clients.

The Befriending Pilot project

This project developed as a result of the of COVID-19 closure and was initiated and implemented swiftly and efficiently by our volunteer co-ordinator. It is doing well and keeping very vulnerable clients not only supported but also connected with NDRC, providing some form of normality during these challenging times. This would have not been possible without the participation of our band of dedicated volunteers: Kevin, Justine, Sarah, Gabrielle, Anna, Amy, Elizabeth, Tilly, Thierry, Frances and Marie-Christine.

Creative and social activities

The art group was relaunched in October 2020, when we welcomed a new art therapy student from Goldsmiths University, who was on placement whilst completing a master’s degree in art therapy. She facilitated the art group using Zoom from October 2020 to May 2021 and in addition facilitated online individual art therapy sessions for a few clients who were interested in one-toone sessions. Our counsellor provided supervision to ensure that the art therapist felt supported and was working safely. At the end of her academic year in late May 2021, she organised a one-off, face-to-face art session for participants who were able to come to NDRC. In July 2021 we were able to find a new volunteer to continue the art group virtually during the rest of the summer months, until the end of September when a new Goldsmiths University student has taken over. She will continue to facilitate the art group via Zoom, until we are able to invite the participants to come back to NDRC, hopefully from February 2022.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

PARTNERSHIPS, CONNECTED CHARITIES AND RELATED PARTIES

Strong partnerships and efficient memberships have been continued which can support and multiply our activities and outcomes:

We are seeing many new clients from other centres and organisations (e.g. the Red Cross, Haringey and Hackney Centres) are increasingly signposting clients here.

VOLUNTEERS

We are fortunate to have a diverse body of around 45 excellent volunteers who continue to remain with us. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, despite the closure of some services, most remained engaged with us remotely and helped with the ongoing online or telephone activities. The trustees would like to thank all the volunteers for their commitment and generosity which is vital to the work of the centre.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

OFFICE REFURBISHMENT

The importance and need for the refurbishment of the offices had already been identified. This project was completed during the year and has enabled NDRC to meet the OISC recommendation and also to satisfy the COVID-19 safety and risk management requirements stated by the government advice. The final benefit is the improved and safe working environment for staff, volunteers and clients, providing better lighting and temperature control throughout the year.

FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATIONS

The London Legal Walk in October 2020 was a key event again in the NDRC calendar, bringing together a wide community of NDRC supporters to perform a variety of fundraising ideas in place of the usual 10km walk, in solidarity with free legal services for refugees, asylum seekers and other Human Rights applicants, and raise valuable funds for NDRC.

Gift-Aided donations dropped somewhat compared to previous years.

Funds were raised from The London Community Foundation Wave 5, resulting in a Trust for London grant for a year until March 2022 to create a cleaner’s part-time role, extend the volunteer co-ordinator’s role by two days including extra responsibility for communications and events, and extend the advice worker’s role by two days.

NDRC continued to raise funds from small Trusts to enable small hardship grants to be given to destitute clients to aid their access to technology, ensuring that they could continue to attend ESOL, counselling and art therapy group sessions.

Institutional funding was renewed, and we currently have multi-annual agreements with Lloyds Bank Foundation, The Henry Smith Charity, AB Charitable Trust, Porticus Benevolent Fund Trust and Notre Dame de France-Society of Mary including in-kind support for accommodation and administration.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

As we write this report, the political scene all over the globe has become more complex and toxic for governments and those fleeing from persecution. Throughout the period there was no implementation of any new immigration legislation, nor were there any amendments made to the immigration rules. Nevertheless, the ‘hostile environment’ continued in spite of the Home Secretary’s pledge to the Home Affairs Committee on 21 July 2020 to have a more ‘compassionate...people first’, approach. The settlement of the Windrush scandal was thought to have ended the hostile environment, however the current immigration policies, such as offshore “asylum processing centres” mirroring Australia’s notorious detention centres and the use of nets to deter refugee boats crossing the Channel, have continued.

Fortunately, the majority of immigration casework carried out at NDRC is either refugee or Human Rights related so, for the most part, our clients will be exempt from this new policy.

In October 2020, the government increased the Immigration Health Surcharge from £1,000 to £1,560 per applicant (on top of the £1,052 application fee). We now know this has affected many of our clients who are on a low income. We try to mitigate this by approaching the Home Office for fee waivers for those who fall into the low-income category and have families to support.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

THE POLITICAL SITUATION (continued)

At NDRC our advisors and counsellor find that clients still have trouble finding a good legally aided immigration solicitor at the best of times. This has become even more difficult after lockdown, as solicitors’ offices closed or they worked virtually. Clients say they often feel neglected by their solicitors and overwhelmed and confused by the asylum process. During counselling sessions clients are able to express their hopes and fears and frustrations, whilst getting practical advice and emotional support from NDRC.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Results for the year

The results for the year are shown on page 19. Total income for the year was £430,515 (2020 - £308,652). The principal funding sources continue to be grants from trusts and foundations £223,228 (2020 - £211,728), donations in kind of accommodation and administrative support £69,400 (2020 - £71,491 including computer equipment) and monetary donations £31,064 (2020 - £25,249). Included in monetary donations were donations of £16,077 (2020 £nil) towards the cost of the office refurbishment along with £106,810 (2020 £nil) received in grants. Donations for charitable activities have further reduced over the period as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

It has to be noted that, despite the difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, grant income increased to £223,228 (2020 - £211,728) in the financial year from trusts and foundations, to cover increased salary costs, including £11,393 from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. At 31 August 2021, grant funding for salaries of £86,120 has been secured for the next 3 years (£83,081 in 2021/22 and £3,039 in 2022/23).

Total expenditure amounted to £313,015 (2020 - £308,035). The main expenditure lines in the year were the salaries of the two full-time and six part-time staff to enable clients to access our services, and charges associated with practical assistance to destitute service users, such as counselling throughout the year, as well as the cost of Zoom subscriptions to enable online classes. Mobile phone top-ups have continued to be provided to enable clients to access online services during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Net income was therefore £117,500 (2020 – £617). £145,603 (2020 £nil) was spent on the refurbishment of the offices, which has been capitalised within fixed assets on the balance sheet, this was paid for using £122,887 grants and donations received specifically for the works and £22,716 was released from general funds.

Reserves policy and financial position

The trustees have examined the requirement for free reserves i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in fixed assets, designated for, or restricted to, specific purposes or otherwise committed. The trustees consider that ideally, given the nature of the Charity’s work, the level of free reserves should be a minimum of three month’s average unrestricted expenditure at any one time. The trustees are of the opinion that this provides sufficient flexibility to cover temporary shortfalls in income due to timing differences in income flows, adequate working capital to cover core costs, and will allow the Charity to cope and respond to unforeseen emergencies whilst specific action plans are implemented.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)

Reserves policy and financial position (continued)

As at 31 August 2021, the Charity held total funds of £196,431 (2020 - £78,931). Monies restricted for specific purposes stood at £5,741 at 31 August 2021 (2020 - £7,015). The trustees have set up a designated fund within unrestricted funds equal to the book value of the capitalised office refurbishment costs, in recognition of the fact that this is not a liquid asset. The free reserves at 31 August 2021 representing the remainder of the charitable funds stood at £46,300 (2020 - £71,916). The trustees were satisfied that the reserves at year end were in line with reserves policy.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenging time; however, it has also provided an opportunity to re-think how we operate and plan ahead for when we can resume new normal services. It was planned to reopen the Centre on 17 January 2022, however this had to be delayed due to the reintroduction of restrictions following the rise of the Omicron variant and the revised reopening date is Monday 21 February 2022.

To mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our clients, the Friday advice line has been extended to Mondays and Wednesdays to ensure we are available to new clients and to provide online advice. We have also adopted an appointment system with a plan to open the centre for a few hours Drop-In per week, for face-to-face advice, where we will triage and make appointments for those who have no internet access.

Our IT advice volunteer Ross is now offering support with IT or computer issues and can help with how to use emails, the internet, and social media. An employment advice volunteer is going through the recruitment process and should be able to start soon. He will help refugees who are ready to enter the workforce with interview practice & preparation, writing CVs and cover letters, and searching and applying for jobs. For both services, clients will need to email to register and book an hour slot.

The need to modify the delivery of some of our services has shown that a number of practical changes were necessary, such as implementing an appointment system. The adaptations we have had to introduce have been accepted and welcomed by our clients, volunteers and staff members and we hope to continue these when we reopen in February 2022.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the specific operational areas of the Charity, its investments and its finances. The trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems, and by examining the operational and business risks faced by the charity, they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks. The following are the main risks to which the Charity is exposed:

Financial: insufficient funding obtained to continue the Charity’s operations. Mitigation: annual budget presented to Trustees in advance of new financial year indicating secured and unsecured income; fundraising monitored through fundraising workbook; financial controls in place.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

Professional Compliance: OISC registration discontinued. Mitigation: advice workers monitored for CPD compliance; annual OISC re-registration forms processed.

Infrastructure: Notre Dame de France unable to house the charity. Mitigation: good relations maintained between both charities.

Impact of Covid-19: inability to continue the Charity’s operations in a Covid-19 secure way. Mitigation: reviewing the ongoing situation and working in line with government guidelines to ensure we continue to provide services safely and adapting our procedures appropriately.

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT

Background

NDRC welcomes all asylum seekers and refugees, regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, faith or sexual orientation. Its aim is to ensure that they have suitable accommodation, sufficient food and resources to live with dignity and build new lives in the UK.

NDRC is the only bi-lingual (French/English) refugee service in central London. Visitors come from all over London, many without a fixed address.

Organisation and management

The trustees are ultimately responsible for the operation of the charity. The trustees are appointed in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed. Strategic decisions, along with policy, are made by trustees with input from the Director and the Trust Secretary. The charity is run on a limited budget, with two full-time paid staff (senior and junior advice workers), seven part-time paid staff (Director, administrator, volunteer co-ordinator and three advice workers), one paid sessional worker (counsellor) and around forty-five volunteers.

Operational matters are covered at routine meetings and discussed by those attending, who include staff and volunteers. These discussions help to inform decisions that might have to be taken by trustees. Trustees in office at any time between 1 September 2020 and the date this report was signed are listed below.

Remuneration of key management personnel

The trustees consider that they alone comprise the key management of the Charity in charge of directing and controlling the Charity and making all key decisions. None of the trustees are remunerated for their services to the Charity.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

Trustees

The following trustees were in office and served between 1 September 2020 and up to the date of approval of this report, except where shown.

Trustee Appointed/resigned

Father Hubert Bonnet-Eymard Rev. John Hannan Rev. Desmond Hanrahan Barbara Kentish Elizabeth Millar Etienne Rougier John Walsh Bishop Alan Stephen Williams

Recruitment and induction

Under the Trust Deed, recruitment is a matter for the trustee body as a whole. Trustees are recruited through an open process which includes a skills need analysis; shortlisting against identified criteria; and an interview.

All trustees are offered an induction, which includes the opportunity to meet key staff and advisers.

The Chair of Trustees and all other trustees are issued with role descriptions and a declaration of interests policy is in place.

Trustees are required to review their own performance annually in consultation with the Chair, and have examined major areas of responsibility, including investments and reserves, and risk. Appropriate professional advisors have been appointed.

Trustees bring their own particular skill sets to the Charity, but there are also generic skills which they need to perform their duties. Trustees need to be aware of such diverse issues as employment law, investment and risk management, property law and management. Trustees are recruited against a template of the existing skills and experience in the trustee body so that particular skill areas can be filled or strengthened. However, skills can also be developed through both information and training.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the income and expenditure of the Charity for that period.

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Trustees’ report 31 August 2021

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES (continued)

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Charity’s trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Charity and financial information included on the Charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of accounts may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Signed on behalf of the trustees:

Trustee

Approved by the trustees on:

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Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2021

Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of Notre Dame Refugee Centre

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of Notre Dame Refugee Centre (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2021 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the principal accounting policies and notes to the accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the accounts :

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the accounts are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

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Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2021

Other information (continued)

In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the accounts or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

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Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2021

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

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Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2021

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

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Statement of financial activities Year to 31 August 2021

Notes Unrestricted
funds
£


Restricted
funds
£


31
August
2021
£



Unrestricted
funds
£


Restricted
funds
£		 31
August
2020
£
Income from:
Donations, grants and
legacies
1
Charitable activities
2
Interest receivable
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
3
Total expenditure
Net income
(expenditure)
5
Transfer between funds
13
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Fund balances brought
forward
at 1 September 2020
Fund balances carried
forward
at 31 August 2021		 83,671
26,393
13
123,603

196,835

—		 207,274
223,228
13
93,646

46,404

184
3,094

165,324

—		 96,740
211,728
184
110,077
320,438		 430,515
140,234
168,418		 308,652
114,190
198,825		 313,015
129,495
178,540		 308,035
114,190
198,825		 313,015
129,495
178,540		 308,035
(4,113)
122,887
121,613

(122,887)		 117,500
—
10,739
—
(10,122)

—		 617
—
118,774
71,916
(1,274)

7,015		 117,500

78,931
10,739

61,177
(10,122)

17,137		 617
78,314
190,690
5,741		 196,431
71,916
7,015		 78,931

All recognised gains and losses are included in the above statement of financial activities.

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 19

Balance sheet 31 August 2021

Notes 2021
£
2021
£		 2020
£		 2020
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
11
Net current assets
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
Funds and reserves
Restricted funds
13
Unrestricted funds
. Designated funds
14
. General funds		 **144,390 **
144,390



52,041
 —
—





78,931
7,455
94,324		 3,301
92,981
101,779
(49,738)		 96,282
(17,351)
196,431 78,931
5,741
144,390
46,300		 7,015
—
71,916
196,431 78,931

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Trustee

Approved on:

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 20

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2021

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 August 2021 with comparative information provided for the year to 31 August 2020.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

The trustees have decided to capitalise the costs of refurbishing the offices even though the charity has a tenancy at will agreement rather than a formal lease. The building is owned by Notre Dame de France – Society of Mary and due to the strong links between the two charities and support provided (explained further in note 15) there is no intention for NDRC to leave these premises in the foreseeable future.

No other significant accounting estimates or judgements were required to prepare the accounts.

Assessment of going concern

The trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due. In making this assessment the trustees have considered the impact of COVID-19, monitoring expenditure and directing it towards the changing needs of the charity’s clients and seeking to have secured grant funding to cover a significant proportion of the salary costs for the next financial year, as well as regularly seeking new grant funding opportunities.

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 21

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2021

Income recognition (continued)

Grants and donations are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of grants or donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. Amounts received for application in future periods are held on the balance sheet as deferred income and released to the statement of financial activities in the relevant period. In the event that a grant or donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Interest on funds is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Donations in kind

The charity currently does not have to pay any accommodation costs for its premises and receives administrative support for which it is not charged. It has been decided that the accounts should reflect a reasonable calculation of these charges and corresponding income in the form of donations in kind should be included to reflect the costs the charity would have to bear if it no longer had this support.

When the charity receives donated equipment that is also reflected in the accounts as a cost and corresponding income.

Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Expenditure on charitable activities comprise expenditure on the charity’s primary charitable purposes. It includes costs directly attributable to the activity as well as the central overheads including governance costs. Governance costs comprise the costs incurred with meeting constitutional and statutory requirements and the costs associated with the strategic management of the charity.

Fund structure

Restricted funds comprise monies raised for a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor-imposed conditions.

Designated funds comprise monies set aside out of unrestricted general funds equal in value to the net book value of the tangible fixed assets, to recognise that these funds are not available to use on the charity’s activities.

Unrestricted funds represent those monies which are freely available for application towards achieving any charitable purpose that falls within the charity’s charitable objects.

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 22

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2021

Tangible fixed assets

The offices of NDRC were redesigned and refurbished during the year to make a working space that is both suitable for staff to meet and discuss confidential issues with clients and also a safe environment with enhanced ventilation, lighting and temperature control. The costs of these works have been capitalised and are being depreciated over a period of 20 years.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Statement of cash flows

The financial statements do not include a statement of cash flows because the charity is considered a small charity and is therefore exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under the Charities SORP FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1.

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 23

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2021

1 Income from donations, grants and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2021
£		 Total
2020
£
Donations
. Donations without Gift Aid
. Donations with Gift Aid
. Refurbishment grants and donations
. Donations in kind
2021 Total funds		 8,378
5,893
—
69,400		 716
—
122,887
—		 9,094
5,893
122,887
69,400		 17,503
7,746
—
71,491
83,671 123,603 207,274 96,740
Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2020
£
Donations
. Donations without Gift Aid
. Donations with Gift Aid
. Refurbishment grants and donations
. Donations in kind
2020 Total funds		 14,634
7,521
—
71,491		 2,869
225
—
—		 17,503
7,746
—
71,491
93,646 3,094 96,740

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 24

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2021

2 Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2021
£		 Total
2020
£
Grants
. Henry Smith Charity
. Lloyds Bank Foundation
. Porticus Benevolent Fund Trust
. Notre Dame de France - Society of
Mary
. Women for Refugee Women
. The London Community Foundation
. 29thMay 1961 Charity
. London Churches Refugee Fund
. Catholic Women’s League
. AB Charitable Trust
. The Leslie Aldridge Trust
. French Huguenot Church of London
. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
. Trust for London
Deferred income brought forward
Deferred income carried forward
2021 Total funds		 —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
30,000
—
—
11,393
—		 44,300
39,500
34,773
18,334
38,064
—
4,000
1,750
—
—
—
—
—
25,000		 44,300
39,500
34,773
18,334
38,064
—
4,000
1,750
—
30,000
—
—
11,393
25,000		 43,500
32,500
33,761
7,500
25,826
14,000
4,000
1,500
750
15,000
20,000
7,000
4,404
—
41,393 205,721 247,114 209,741
—
(15,000)		 13,688
(22,574)		 13,688
(37,574)		 15,675
(13,688)
26,393 196,835 223,228 211,728
Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2020
£
Grants
. Henry Smith Charity
. Lloyds Bank Foundation
. Porticus Benevolent Fund Trust
. Notre Dame de France – Society of Mary
. Women for Refugee Women
. The London Community Foundation
. 29th May 1961 Charity
. London Churches Refugee Fund
. Catholic Women’s League
. AB Charitable Trust
. The Leslie Aldridge Trust
. French Huguenot Church of London
. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
. Trust for London
Deferred income brought forward
Deferred income carried forward
2020 Total funds		 —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
15,000
20,000
7,000
4,404
—		 43,500
32,500
33,761
7,500
25,826
14,000
4,000
1,500
750
—
—
—
—
—		 43,500
32,500
33,761
7,500
25,826
14,000
4,000
1,500
750
15,000
20,000
7,000
4,404
—
46,404 163,337 209,741
—
—		 15,675
(13,688)		 15,675
(13,688)
46,404 165,324 211,728

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 25

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2021

3 Expenditure on charitable activities

Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds
£


Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2021
£		 Total
2020
£
Staff costs
Administrative costs
Client counselling and advice services
Client services
Relief grants
Accommodation
Premises and maintenance
Telephone
Other costs
Governance costs (note 4)
2021 Total funds		 20,282
14,400

1,305
519
—
55,000
4,228
2,429
13,747
2,280
175,655

—

16,075

—
4,528

—

—

46

2,521

—		 195,937
14,400
17,380
519
4,528
55,000
4,228
2,475
16,268
2,280		 166,361
14,000
17,550
22,634
3,380
55,000
372
2,326
24,132
2,280
114,190
198,825		 313,015 308,035
Staff costs
Administrative costs
Client counselling and advice services
Client services
Relief grants
Accommodation
Premises and maintenance
Telephone
Other costs
Governance costs (note 4)
2020 Total funds		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2020
£
28,670
14,000
1,698
3,606
—
55,000
372
2,197
21,672
2,280		 137,691
—
15,852
19,028
3,380
—
—
129
2,460
—		 166,361
14,000
17,550
22,634
3,380
55,000
372
2,326
24,132
2,280
129,495 178,540 308,035

4 Governance costs

Governance costs
Unrestricted
funds
£


Restricted
funds
£

—

—		 Total
2021
£		 Total
2020
£
Legal and audit costs
2021 Total funds		 2,280 2,280 2,280
2,280 2,280 2,280
Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2020
£
Legal and audit costs
2020 Total funds		 2,280 — 2,280
2,280 — 2,280

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 26

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2021

5 Net movement in funds for the year is stated after charging:

6 2021
£
195,937
2,280
749		 2020
£
166,361
2,280
749
Staff costs (note 6)
Auditor’s remuneration including VAT
. Audit services
Operatinglease rentals
Staff costs 2021
£		 2020
£
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 171,873
14,753
9,311		 147,859
10,877
7,625
195,937 166,361

No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum in the year under review (2020 - none).

The number of employees on an average and a full-time equivalent basis was:

Number
2021		 FTE
2021		 Number
2020		 FTE
2020
Refugee Centre 8 5 8 4

7 Remuneration of key management personnel

The trustees of the charity, who are the charity’s key management personnel, received no remuneration in connection with their duties during the year (2020 - £nil).

No out of pocket expenses were reimbursed to trustees during the year (2020 - £nil).

8 Taxation

Notre Dame Refugee Centre is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 27

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2021

9 Tangible assets

Cost
At 1 September 2020
Additions
At 31 August 2021
Depreciation
At 1 September 2020
Charge for the year
At 31 August 2021
Net book values
At 31 August 2021
At 31 August 2020		 Office
refurbish
-ment
£		 Total
£
—
145,603		 —
145,603
145,603 145,603
—
1,213		 —
1,213
1,213 1,213
144,390 144,390
— —

10 Debtors

11 2021
£
6,665
790
7,455
2021
£
11,274
890
37,574
49,738		 2020
£
2,292
1,009
3,301
2020
£
3,603
60
13,688
17,351
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
Other creditors
Deferred income

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 28

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2021

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestrictedfunds Unrestrictedfunds Unrestrictedfunds Unrestrictedfunds


Restricted
funds
£

—

5,741

—

5,741


Restricted
funds
£

—

5,741

—

5,741

31 August
2021
£

31 August
2021
£		 31 August
2020
£
—
96,282
(17,351)
78,931
31 August
2020
£
—
96,282
(17,351)
78,931
At
31 August
2021
£
Designated
funds
£
General
funds
£
Fund balances at
31 August 2021
are represented by:
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 144,390
—
—
—

96,038

(49,738)		 144,390

101,779
(49,738)
**144,390 **
46,300
196,431
Unrestricted funds Restricted
funds
£
Designated
funds
£
General
funds
£
Fund balances at
31 August 2020
are represented by:
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 —
—
—

—
89,267
(17,351)		 —
7,015
—

— 71,916 7,015
Restricted funds
At 1
September
2020
£		 Income
£
Staff costs
Client counselling and advice services
Client services
Relief grants
Other project expenditure and
overheads
Office redesign and refurbishment		 2,013

—
2,237
2,765
—
—		 176,442
16,075
—
2,467
2,567
122,887		 2,800
—
2,237
704
—
—
7,015 320,438 5,741

13 Restricted funds

The restricted funds represent grants and donations received for specific purposes within the Notre Dame Refugee Centre. The purposes for which the funds have been received are described in the above table.

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 29

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2021

14 Designated funds

The following designated fund has been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

At 1
September
2020
£		 Increased/
released
£		 At 31
August
2021
£
Tangible fixed assets fund — 144,390 144,390
— 144,390 144,390

This is a new fund which has been created this year to equal the carrying value of the capitalised office refurbishment costs, in recognition of the fact that this tangible fixed asset does not represent free funds available to be used to carry out the charitable activities of the charity.

15 Related party transactions

Notre Dame Refugee Centre is connected to Notre Dame de France – Society of Mary (Charity Registration Number: 1177995) by virtue of the fact that they have a number of trustees in common. Notre Dame de France – Society of Mary provides an element of administrative support to the Refugee Centre and bears its accommodation expenses. As described in the accounting policies, the accounts reflect a reasonable calculation of these charges and corresponding income. During the year a gift-in-kind has been recognised within income and expenditure for £69,400 (2020 - £69,000) in respect of this support. In addition, Notre Dame de France – Society of Mary made a grant of £18,334 (2020 - £7,500) to the Refugee Centre for salaries and grants of £5,810 (2020 - £nil) towards the costs of the office refurbishment during the year.

The total value of donations made by trustees of the charity during the year was £500 (2020 - £nil).

16 Lease commitments

At 31 August 2021 the charity had total future commitments under non-cancellable operating leases due as follows:

Office equipment 2021
£		 2020
£
Within one year
Within two to five years		 749
—		 749
749
749 1,498

Notre Dame Refugee Centre 30