2024-12-31-accounts - Falmouth And Penryn Welcome Refugee Families

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Trustees’ Annual Report Jan-Dec 2024

Charity Name Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families

Charity registration number 1181196

Registered office

PO Box 25, Jubilee Wharf, Commercial Road, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 8FG

Trustees

Caroline Cox Elaine Johnson Glyn Winchester Jude Munden Laura Lay Linda Coles Steve Bond Sue Topf

Officers

Chair Jude Munden Vice-chair Caroline Cox Treasurer Steve Bond Secretary Laura Lay

Purpose

The objects of the charity as set out in its constitution are:

The relief or prevention of poverty and the preservation and protection of health amongst those granted refugee status or who have been granted asylum by the Home Office and who reside or wish to reside in Falmouth and Penryn;
To advance the education and training of those granted refugee status or who have been granted asylum by the Home Office and their dependents who reside or wish to reside in Falmouth and Penryn and are in need thereof so as to assist them to adapt within a new community.

The purpose of the charity is to sponsor and welcome one or more refugee families into the local area and support them as they rebuild their lives.

Chair's Report

Summary

Much of 2024 was involved with settling our third family to come to Falmouth and the many arrangements needed which involved:

Accessing education, ESOL, health services, benefits and orientation to the local area
Establishing relationships between volunteers and the family to support them with child care, access to local facilities, shopping
Provision of ESOL services to the family by volunteers
Liaising between and providing support to the school and family to ensure the best experience for the children
Liaison with health services and support to the family to access specialist services as required

In carrying out its activities, the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Achievements

Key achievement welcoming a third refugee family to resettle in a new country - a huge thanks to Matha Dixon for being the landlord of the house. We also prepared them for an eventual move to Bradford at the end of 2024 with Jude and Caroline making the mammoth Cornwall to Bradford journey in a van. We continued to support the first two families and also welcomed a baby girl in one of our families.

Schools Welcome has continued to support students from our families in Falmouth, particularly in communication between school and the children’s parents. We work with three schools – two primary and one secondary school.

Welcome met with the new Head Teacher of Falmouth School to discuss ways of supporting parents and their children in navigating the school system. The meeting was an important step towards the charity working closer with the school, as there are several areas in which refugee children and their families require extra support to make sure they are receiving a good education.

For some newly arrived children without good English, we have been working with the school to help them to provide appropriate English lessons, using the central government funds which these children have upon arrival.

For all refugee families, the school system in the UK is very different, and much of our work is to help the families understand how schools work as well as liaising with the

schools to ensure they pay special attention to their communication with these families. Whilst we make sure that all adults are learning English, there are obviously language barriers as well as cultural differences

We have more plans to work with the schools on online safety for refugee children and those who don’t have English as their first language in the family home.

ESOL It was a busy year for the ESOL team and there were a few new challenges too. Huge thanks to volunteers Sue, Carenza, Sally-Ann, Fiona, Hannnah, Zoe and Debbie.

By the beginning of 2024, the basic ESOL routine had settled down with family #3. AA and NA were attending Adult Education classes regularly for 2.5 hours pw. TA and SA’s English needs were more complex, as they had some experience of speaking, writing and reading English. In addition to their English sessions, SA and TA enrolled on Adult Education Maths and IT courses. We spent a lot of time discussing possible future qualifications for T and A. It was difficult to get proof of their previous studies in Iraq but we did manage to have their school leaving certificates assessed for their equivalence to UK qualifications.

During early spring, TA and SA visited open days at Cornwall College and Truro College and we geared their English qualifications towards GCSE level English preparation to help both of them prepare for college/university courses in the future.

During the summer term, we provided A with some English support but he didn’t want to study outside school. We continue to try to keep a dialogue open with schools to encourage then to develop strategies to more effectively support young people arriving with ESOL needs.

AA had to withdraw from the Adult Ed lessons, due to health but, as soon as she was feeling a little better, she was keen to continue with her ESOL studies at home. Meanwhile, we got permission from the Job Centre to credit NA’s work with online English/Arabic study for a provisional driving licence as part of his 8 hours of ESOL per week, and Welcome bought the app for him to use for this.

SA and TA joined a full-time, 4-week training programme with M&S, which took them up to the end of the term and SA was working 2 days a week at M&S in Truro.

By the beginning of the Autumn school term, TA was working two days a week at a clothes shop in Falmouth, studying GCSE English Language at Truro College and working as a volunteer TA at a local primary school one day per week; this was all great ESOL practice. She continued to meet one of our ESOL teachers most weeks in Falmouth Library for GCSE support. TA also enrolled at Truro College, doing a full-time Access to Science course and a GCSE in English Language concurrently.

When the Almadi family planned their move to the north east of the country, we helped them with contacts to continue their education there.

It is with great regret that I have to report that Sally-Ann Parker died on 15/05/24. She was a warm, creative and supportive teacher, who was generous with her time and a huge asset to our Welcome team of volunteers. We miss her greatly.

Childrens and family activities Children have taken part in activities at BF Adventure as well as enjoying holiday football sessions. We were also offered free entry into the (last ever!) Charlestown Tunnel of Lights as well as panto tickets in Truro. Free activities were extended to any refugee family in the area and many Ukrainian families took up the offer.

Health Once again the families have had wonderful support with doctors, hospital and dentist appointments - including maternity. Huge thanks Elaine and the health group for their hard work in supporting all families in accessing health services.

Volunteers At the end of 2024 we had approximately 40 active volunteers offering a wide range of skills and expertise, some working directly with the families to support them, some providing ESOL sessions. We continue to seek new volunteers and were delighted to welcome a new Board Member, John Holmes.

Fundraising We were successful in securing Lottery Funding to secure our Development officer role and continued to raise funds to support the three families resettled under our community sponsorship programme - as well as providing further opportunities for the wider group of refugee families. Huge thanks to Phil Lyons, Chintz, Flowerhouse, Kitty Gubbins for wonderful fundraisers plus local venues the Cornish Bank, the Fish Factory and Falmouth Poly for continued support. We were part of the fundraising bid by Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support and Cornwall Refugee Resource Network to support legal advice for unaccompanied minors in Cornwall.

Event We held our second event for Refugee Week at the Princess Pavilion in June which was featured on Radio Cornwall, raising awareness about our activities to new audiences. This included Ukrainian choir, Drum workshop, Multi Story exhibition and a delicious meal from Feast for Freedom. We were delighted to receive support from Cornwall Council and Exeter University in Falmouth for this event.We took musicians into three local schools which was a wonderful opportunity for children to experience music from a different culture.

Support We have increased our reach to provide opportunities for Ukrainian refugee families who have settled in Cornwall by providing coach trips and outdoor adventure activities. We also started planning for Conversation Club to be launched in 2025.

External relations We developed our relationship with Cornwall Councils Resettlement Service and now meet regularly and also met with the Truro and Falmouth MP Jayne Kirkham. We continue to receive wide community support including:

Abacus Taxis, BF Adventure, British Red Cross, Chintz Symposium, Cornish Bank, Cornwall Community Foundation, Cornwall Council, Desine, Falmouth Art Gallery, Falmouth Food Co-op, Falmouth Funds Relief, Falmouth Library, Feast for Freedom Falmouth, Flowerhouse, Fluid Branding, Hall for Cornwall, Jubilee Wharf & Jubilee

Warehouse, Kitty Gubbins High Street Bazaar, Lewis Nurton & Learn Interventions, Maya Ullman Jewellery, Mor Media, M.Y. Motors, National Lottery Community Fund, Phil Lyons Art, Poly Falmouth, Princess Pavilion, Rubicund Books, Shallal, Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Trescobeas Surgery, University of Exeter Cornwall, Ukrainian Sunflowers

Financial review for year ending Dec 31 2024 from the Treasurer

Please see the Financial Statements for details of income and expenditure during the Period.

In the year 2024 the charity raised, after expenses, £46,441, up from £24,066 in 2023. This increase was largely the result of several successful applications for grant funding in the year – most notably a grant of £18,750 awarded from the National Lottery to fund the charity’s administration and running expenses. Fundraising costs were lower in 2024 than in 2023, with the costs associated with our main event of the year – the celebration of World Refugee Day – totalling £2,700 (2023: £4,800). Elsewhere, income from donations and fundraising activities remained relatively stable, up 9% to £20,162 from £18,424 in 2023.

The charity’s operating costs in the year were lower than in 2023 (£36,609 vs 44,658). Included within these figures are charity’s administration and running costs, which increased slightly in 2024, from £14,391 to £15,780, largely due to the cost of creating our new website. However, the overall reduction in operating costs reflects the changing nature of the charity’s operations: as the families we have welcomed become more independent, the cost of supporting the families naturally reduce. Expenses such as English language support become less significant as the family members become more proficient. The support with living expenses covered by the charity tapers as the commitments the charity gives the Home Office are satisfied and discharged; the amount spent on activities has also reduced in 2024.

One significant expense incurred in 2024, reflected in family relocation expenses, related to a recently settled family subsequently deciding to move out of Falmouth. While 2023’s costs of a little under £4,100 related to welcoming the new family, the bulk of 2024’s expense (£5,795) related to helping them relocate out of Falmouth. The charity regard this as a huge success, helping the family start their new life in a place of their choosing. Given the one-off nature of these costs, and for the reasons outlined above, the charity expect that 2025’s costs will be significantly lower again compared with 2024.

The profit (or net income) shown in the accounts reflect the increase in income combined with reduced costs discussed above. As a result, the charity’s cash position at the year-end is considerably healthier than it was in 2023 (£31,556 vs £17,774) and the charity therefore consider ourselves very well funded for the foreseeable future.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and was constituted on 13 December 2018. It is governed by a constitution with a memorandum and articles of association.

Trustees are elected from the membership and are appointed on a three year basis. Each year one third of trustees are required to stand down (normally the longest-serving trustees, otherwise drawn by lot). Trustees can stand for re-election. There is a minimum of five and a maximum of twelve trustees. We were able to continue to provide online training and development for Trustees and new volunteers, including safeguarding training.

The charity participates in local and national refugee networks, taking advantage of events, resources and training provided as required.

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees: Jude Munden

Name and position in organisation:

Jude Munden, Chair , 19th May 2025

Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Relugee Famllles Pmllt and Loss account For the year ended 31 December 2024 2024 2023 Income Donabons 10.780 6,346 70% Fundrnlslng (anl Incom & ReKIDd incoff 9.382 12.079 .22% 29.150 11250 15VA Funds rnised knrotrhorthanli85 1.333 3.313 Totsl Ineam• 132M7 84% F•mll & Communl Household & bills support costs 10.379 10207 2% Support with liYln9 •xpen8•8 3,595 5.794 .38% L8nguag• support Fomily rel00n •xp•nM• 5.011 7% 5.794 41% Activits8s 399 5.164 .92% 20129 130372 41% Fundrnlsln costs Evenlco6t& 2.898 4.921 45% lir r•t•il wl•s f••• Co•tof Cxxd• Sold 174 .76% Ch4ril¥blo Jnd Polthl Don8ti(x)• 3222 TrAal FtwKtr•l•4 co•1• 4205 Charft runnin Adbwt'sing & Mathljng o$t$ 8•nk Fe•$ 47 .56% Gen8ral Expen•## S17% kn•ur•nc• 282 IT Costs 1237 245 400% T•l•phono & kn1ont 10 120 .9V Offico - Ront 413 Operafjry 1.997 1263 $8% 13.783 13.117 5% Tatal Athnln eolts 15.780 14392

Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2024 31 D•G 2024 31 D•G 2023 CuThent Assets Cash at bank and in hand 31.556 17.774 Accounts Receivable 1,951 Loans to RefiJgeeslCommunity T(•l Curr•nt As¥•ts 1,805 21,529 31,556 Crndlt(n: amounts fallln9 wlthln on• y•ar PAYENI due to HMRC 828 642 Penslons Payable T4•l Cr•dtor•: amots falllNJ wlthkn on• y•ar 48 38 876 N•1 Current A¥set• l (U•blllUes) Tolal Assots 8• Cwr•nt Uab116tl•s 30,680 20,849 30,680 20,849 N•t Assots 30.680 20,849 Capltal and Res•rY•s Currenl Year Eamin9S 9.832 120.5971 Retained Eamings 20,849 30,680 41,445 20,849

Independent Examiner's Report

To the Trustees of Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families

Charity Number: 1181196

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024

Responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act 2011. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under the Charities Act 2011 and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:

which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Act; and
to prepare accounts which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met.

This examination was conducted in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission, and it does not provide the same level of assurance as an audit. Consequently, I accept no responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on this report, except to the extent that such loss arises from my own negligence or willful misconduct.

Conclusion

I believe that the accounts of Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families give a true and fair view of the charity's state of affairs as at 2024 year end and of its incoming and outgoing resources for the year then ended.

Signed:

B C Shrewsbury

Bea Shrewsbury Independent Examiner 22-September-2025