CharftyNumbBr'. k181331 COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST UNAUDrrED TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31MARCH 2024 COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OFTHE CHARrrY, ITS TRUSTEESAND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Trustees: Washin¥torh All Chalr Tsebo Letsie Secretsry Jennlfer Gora TTUStee Charles Dhllwayo Trusteè
CEO: Stsnford Biti CEO Charity registered number: 1181331 Principal offi Address: 59. Queens Road Southend on Sea SSIINL COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Trustees present their annual report together wSth the Annual Financial statements of Community and Sanctuary Seekers Togelher for the year 1stApril 2023 to 31 March 2024. The Trustees confim that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current stalutory requirements of the charities governing document and the provision of the Statement of Recommended Practice(SORP),applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland { FRS102) l effecb've 1 January 2015)
Structure governance and management The charity is unincorporated, governed by its constitution dated 2610412016 and amended resoluth'on on 1811212018 The charity and ils property is managed and administered by a committee of elected trustees. There is a management team, including a CEO, who monitor th8 day activities, administration and finances of the charity. The trustees are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and those who served during the financial period ended 31 March 2024 are listed on the attached schedule of Legal and Administrative information. Each trustee's role on the Board would be reviewed at least every 3 years. The constitution provides that there must be a minimum of 3 Trustees appoint&d, including a Chair, Vice-chair and Secretary. Objectlves and activities Objectiv6s CAST is a grassrools community activist group based in Southend-on-sea which aims to support the self-determined needs of asylum seekers and refugees. CAST aims to bring communities together to addrèss isolation and loneliness through hosting and friendship projects which build relationships of trust, inter-dependency, r8spe¢t, and solidarity within Southend. We assist asylum-seekers and refugees, offering advice and support and signposting them to appropriate setvices, and liaise with local Community and statutory organisations and are active in night shelters and Southend Homeless Action Nelwork. At the same lime. CAST is an activist organisation that advocates for fairer representations of non-status peoples, and aims to challenge the structures which stand in the way of this. CAST is organised by a diverse, non-hierarchical group of volunteers, many of whom were On asylum-seekers, and all of whom share a vision of creating strong. welcoming communities.
Activities CAST undertakes its work through the following six main areas of activities which are also the main classification used in our financial accounts. Destitution Services- by supporting those who are pushed to the brink of our society and those living in NASS aG¢ommodation. Intggration Services, helping newly rewgnised refugees to make challenging first steps towards integrating in the UK Advocacy and Awareness Raising by drawing from experience and evidence from our direct services, working to ensure that refugees have an influential voice in policy discussions that impact their lives and raising our supporters and the public awareness of the issues refugees and asylum seekers face., Therapeutic Services, through our friendship projects helping those who have suffered torture, trauma, violence or sexual exploitation, victims of modern slavery. Hosting and Housing by offering accommodation to asylum seekers who have reached the end of their asylum claim, victims of domestic violence , modern slavery especially those with No Recourse To public funds. Friendship projects , bringing people together to address loneliness and Isolation through arts. music, Refugee Rhythms , and celebrating refugee contribution to the society. Our Vision To end destitution in the asylum-seeking process. Refugees and Sanctuary seek8rs will be able to access all appropriate support to enable them to integrate and thrive in our communities, withoul the experience or prosseS causing any harm. They will have the opportunity to get involved, know where support is available and be valued members of ttle local community.
Our Mission To be a welfare organisation and voice of Refugees and Sanctury seekers in Southend and surrounding areas through advoca¢y, promoting community cohesion, delivering housing, education and community serviS and influencing practice in other community and public services. Our Values We place our values at the heart of everything we do- Kindness, integrity, Accountability, Diligence, Perseverance and Discipline. CAST having reimaged how services are delivered our team is continuing to pull together to provide the vital services with very limited reSoUrs. Our Strategic goals for 2023- 2027 Goal 1. Achieve Charitable Status Goal 2. Gain funding for and run integrat&d mental health support groups for R&AS Goal 3. Lead the introduction of Syrian Refugees into Southend on Sea Goal 4. Train al least members of staff to level 2 of OISC to enable advocacy and advice work stream to develop Goal 5. CAST becoming the Local Authorities recognised solution to the diffiGulties experienced by R&AS in Soulhend Goal 6. Gain such funding thatwould enable CAST to plan for 315 years projects Goal 6. Identify accommodation for CAST offices that are exlemally funded Goal 7. Managed 5 houses for temporary accommodation, some ofwhich is suitable for people with no recourse to public funding. Goal 8. Run ESOL classes for all Southend refugees and asylum seekers Provide comprehensive Immigration Services Goal 9. Achlevements and Perforniance
Goal 1 achievèd our charitable status. We continue to provid8 services to our target communities. Goal 2- We continue to strive on long t8rm fvnding. This year alone funding has been a great challenge, We continue to provide services through pro bono service providers. Goal 3 We lead th8 Syrian vulnerable Persons Project. This has been successful and Soulhend has received new r8fugees from the Afghan, Ukrainian schemes which we are now supporting. We are currently supporting 60 families frorn these schemes Goal 4 We now have two OISC trained immigration advisers and are now at advance to register with OISC Goal 5-We surpassed our expectations. We are now the leading accommodation provider for newly granted refugees, not only in Southend but covering the whole of Essex. We have further developed partnerships with Colchester City Council which will have influence on our work and how engage with local authorities. Goal 6 We continue to pursue funding that will allow us lo be sustainable for the long term. We are also developing eamed income streams to sustain our work. Goal 7 We now have office Spa which we are currently using as our headquarters. We also have Ihe housing team which are operating from a different office. Goal 8 We continue to run ESOL classes. We have also embarked on English for beginners classes after realising that not all people can be rushed to take ESOL classes. Goal 9 We have managed to arrange pro bono solicitors to work with our clients providing comprehensive immigration advice. We have achieved so mush without external funding. We have reduced our number of staff to rnatch the resources available without affècting provision of servIs. a) Going concern After making appropriate ènquiries. the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resourGes lo continue in operational 8XlStence for the foreseeable future .For this reason they continue to adopt the going concem basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of going concem basis can be found in th8 accounting policies. b) Review of adivities
The charity CAST undertook the following activities in the year 2023 was a challenging year for CAST. It has b8en a watershed with the continued and deepening hostile environment. The chaotic roll out of the changes to asylum immigration system and the changes to home office eviction practice coming through the new Illegal Migration Act. We entered 2023 with hope and ambitious plan to deliver even more to our community than we had managed to do during the COVID. As the onlyAsylum and Refugee organisation in Southend which kept its doors open during lockdowns, we saw a huge increase in demand of our services. We humbled by the out pourirlg support from the communily which allowed us to keep our services available with limited staff and resources. In July 2023, the broader impact of the Cost of living crisis became more apparent. By December the external environment had become worse, not better this led to restructuring of CAST. We had to adjust and in basic economics reality was that we only eat what we kill. We had lo let a nurnber of senior and dedicated staff leave. We engaged external experts to guide us as we redesigned the organisation. They supported our leadership team and brought best practice knowledge of organisational restructuring and change management. We continue to make great progress in delivering our strategy to 2025. We operate in a world of both Chaos and Complexity with our cause, one of the most political of our time. l am very proud of our staff and volunteers who are navigating this terrain with resilience and passion th8t Is truly humbling. For it is our st8ff, volunteers, supporters and partners who make us who we are, and deserve huge credil in the achi8vém8nts of the last 12 months. We Look fonNard to the new financial year with renewed optimism, determination, a refreshed organisation and a stronger financial platform. This report shares our long term plans and priorities with our donors, inviting them to partner with over a new horizon to provide unprecedented security and stability for our organisation and most importantly the courageous and resilient people are privileged to serve.
Financial review The Trustees are satisfied that the charity has sufficient funds available to continue operations. structure, governance and management Constitution The charity is constituted under the trust deed dated 2610412016 and is a registered number.. 1181331 b) Methods of appointrnent or election of Trustees Organisational structure and decision making policies The charity has Trustees and an administration Committee d) policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees. The trust takes legal guidance including providing trustees with information from the Charities Commission. The Trustees attend external trustees training days. Risk management The trustees have assessed the major risks lo which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finance of the charity, and are satisfied that systerns and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. Plans for the Future The charity intends to èxpand community support and services which are currently being offered. Cashflow Statement exemption. As permitted under the charitiès SORP 2015,Ihe Trustees have not prepared a Cashflow statement as the charity is not a large charily.
statement of Trustees, responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, report and financial statements. in accordance with the law applicable and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK GAAP) The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources. including its income and expenditure for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees, are required to.. 'Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. 'ObseNe the methods and principles of the charities SORP(FRS102)- °Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. "stale whether UK Accounting Standards (FRS1021 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. °Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate lo presurne the charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records Ihat 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 th& financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Report81 Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hen for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and delection of fraud and other irregularities. Trustees, report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2024
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and sign&d on their behalf by: Washington Ali - Nasolo Trustee Date". Independent Examiner's Report to The Trustees Of COMMUNITIIIS AND SANCTUAEiY SEEKERS TOGETHER CHAIUTY REGISTRATION NUMBLR 1181331 Independent exatninety report to the tmstees of CAST SANcfuARY I repott to tELe chaiity trustees on my own examination ol the accounts of the charity lot the year ended 31 NL4RCH 2024 Responsibilities and basis of teport As the charity's trustets of the company (and also its directors for the purposes ofcompany law) you are responsible for the prtP2ration ol the accounts in £iCCOtdance with the iequirements of the Compaiiies Act 2006 ("dke 2(K)6 Act,). HavirLg salisfied myself thAt the accounts of the company are not requitrd to be audited under Part 16 OE the 2006 Act and 2re el]gible Eor independent ex2miny4tion, E tepott in respect of my examination of yout chgrity's accounts 25 cattied out LIAdet section 145 of the ch2lltie5 Act 2011 'the 2011 Act"). In Ci& out my examination I followed the Ditections givell by the Charity Commission undet section 145 {5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Independent exa]ne£S statetnent io
Since youi charity's gLCTr5S income is more th&t)£41X) 000 I can confiL'm that I am qualifLed to undettake the examination becau.qe I am a regiscered member OE CIMA which is otLe of tht listed bodies. I hd2ve completed my ex?£ miiEation, I conFtrm that no matters hfive come tc) my aL¢entio%) in connecuon with the examination giving me cause to beheve l. Accounting records were not kept ffin respect ol the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Ilct,. or the accounts do not accord with those record5. OL 3. the accounts do not comply Evith the accounting requirements of section 396 01 the 2006 Act othei than any Lequiretnet]t th&t the accoiints give a true Trd fair view which is 0t ttei constdered as part of indtpendent examination,. or 4. the iccoiiThts havc not beetE PEcpared accoidaAce with tlie methods and principles of the stateinent of recomtnended practice Eot accounting and teport by charities (applicable ¢0 charities ptepating their accounts in accordance wtth the I41ncl] Repotting Standard applicable in the UK and rcpub]ic ol ItelaAd (FRS 102) I have t]0 concerns and have coftie %ctoss tio otlier mAtteib in ¢oAneLtion ivith the exotnination to which attention Should be drawii in this teport IA older to enable a propet understAt]ding of the accounrs Leached S21venent CDAJwItsRg artdA6'6oAntUK6y SemiYJ' L#inited 122.124 14IGH STR5ET SOUTHEND ESSF SSI IJT Duts. 27/08/2024 li
COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST STATEWtENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Unrestrlcted Totsl Unrestrlcted Total Notes funds 2024 Funds 2024 funds 2023 Funds 2023 GBP GBP GBP GBP Income from.. National Lottery Gnt OlherErants Loans 36.394.00 29.120.00 36,394.00 29,120.00 58,$00.00 58,500.00 tnaon$ 999.00 999.00 Other Tolal Income 3 335 863.36 335 863.36 401377.36 401377.36 288 721.00 288 721.00 348 220.00 348 220.00 Expenditure on.. Raistng Funds 3,000.00 3.000.00 Charltable Actlvttles 5 403,454.98 403,454.98 436,424.00 436.424.00 13
Total Expenditure 4Q3,454.98 439 424AIO 439 424.00 Net Movement in Funds- Total lund5 brtsught forward 2.077.62- 2,077.62 Reconciliation of Funds 23,422.00 23A22.00 91 204.00 Total fund5 carrled forward 25.4g9.62- 25.499.62 67 782.00 23,422.00 23,422.00 67 782.0 14
COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 15
GBP GBP Fixed Assets Tanglble Assets Leasehold Improvements 9 12,166.79 6,022.00 Computer Equipment 9 4,454.08 3,968.00 Furniture and Fittin85 9 15,294.07 4,203.00 Current Assets Cash at bank and on hand Other Debtors Loans Deposlts 466.00 29,120.00 33,912.00 io cdItorS amounts falling due within one year li 58,IS7.08 Net Current Assets 5,340.92 Total Net Assets/{Liabilities) 19 533.92 charity Funds Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds 12 12 COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST Notes to the financlal statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 General Information Community and Sanctuary Seekers Together charity is constituted under a declaration of trust dated:2610412016 and amended resolution on 1811212018 ar)d is a registered charity whose charity number 1q81331 2.Accounting policies 16
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared in accoidanGe with the tharities SORP(FRS102)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 UK and Republic of Ireland(FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015j.the Financial Reporting Standard applicabl& in th8 UK and Republic of Ireland(FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared to give a true and fair view and have departed from the CharitieslAccounts and Reports)Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departLtre has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS1021 published on 16July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practi effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. 2.2 Income All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, It is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income can be measured reliably. 2.3 Expenditure Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation lo transfer econornic benefit to a third party ,it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably . Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are Tnade up of the tolal of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking èach activity. Direct COSts attributsble to a single entity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single entity are apportioned between 17
those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use. Expenditure on faising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading. Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs. COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST Notes to the financial statement5 for the year ended 31 March 2024 2.Accounting policies continued 2.9 Fund accounting Gèneral fLFnds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designatecj for other purposes. 3 Other income Interest receivable Rents Receivable 335,863.36 4.Expenditure on fund raising Cost of raising voluntary income 18
COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 2.Accounting policies continued 2.3 Expenditure continued All expenditure is indusive of irrecoverable VAT 2.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Tangible fixed assets are recognised at cost plus all costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition. All tangible fixed assets are depreciated using the straight line method Depreciation is provided on the following basis.. Leasehold improvements 333.30% Computer Equipment Furniture and Fittings 33.30/ts 2.5 Debtors Trade and other debtors ar8 recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discount due. 2.6 Cash at bank and on hand Cash represents cash which is held in the bank. 2.7 Liabilities and provlslons Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at balan sheet date as a result of a past event. Liabilities are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates wlll pay to settlè the debt or the amount it has reiVed as advance payment for goods and seNices it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of amounts required to settle the obligation. 2.8 Financial Instruments The charity has only financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that only qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subseqLFently measured at their seltlement value with the exception of bank 19
loans which are subsequently measLrred at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST Notes to the flnanclal ststement5 for the year ended 31 March 2024 5.Analysis of expenditure cn charitable acllvides Summary byfund type Unrestri¢ted funds Unrestrirted funds Total funds Total funds 2024 2024 2023 2023 GBP GBP GBP GBP Dlrecl costs 403 454.98 439424 403 454.98 6.Analysls of expendiiure by acilvltles Actlvltles undertaken Support Total dire¢tly ¢ost5 funds 2024 GBP Actlvltles unilertakèsupport direcily costs 2023 2023 GBP GBP Total funds 2023 GBP 2024 GBP fjBP 286276 153148 270 573.30 132 881.68 403 439424 COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERSTOGETHER CAST Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 6.Analy515 Qf e¥penditure by activitie5 coDNnued 20
Analysls of dlrect cast5 Direct Total Dlrect Total costs funds funds 2024 2024 2023 2023 GBP GBP GBP Salaries Publlc Llablllty Insurance UtilstieslG35, electrkity & waterl Offyce ReDt 116,950.93 116,950.93 2,657.51 2,657.51 8,187.08 8,187.08 5,480.00 5.480.00 195011 195011 29525 29525 13000 13(M)o 144 144 Internet TV Litrnces Property Rents Council Tax LeEal fees 213.024.63 213.024.63 9,424.55 9,424.55 152352 152352 5392 5392 Postage and Telephones Comp%Jttng Refreshments 425.50 425.50 1875 494 118 1875 494 118 486.08 486.08 Office expenses Commlnication Mobile5 pFwnes Printing &Stationery Travel 1.016.60 1,837.67 1,277.49 1,49J.33 1,6QO.00 5,00.5.r)n 1,016.60 L,837.67 1.277.49 1,495.33 1.600.00 5,005.00 6805 6805 14S5 1455 654 554 661 661 1050 1050 7300 7300 10444 10444 Volunteer expenses Accountancy & audltfees Depreclatfon Bank (hèrges Mlsc 3CN).00 300.00 Subscriptions 25 2S Membershlp Fee5 Prem15e5 soo. 500.00 6.144.79 6,144.79 12521 12521 Donations Homewares cleaning Workshop5 7,833.01 7,833.01 598 598 Tralnlng Consultsncy 4.500.00 11430.75 4.500.00 11,430.75 Total Expendi 399 57&92 399,576.92 439424 439424 21
OMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST Notes to the financlal statements foi the year ended 31 March 2024 6.Analysk5 01 e]eI#re by èth¥EScoThdnUed alyskof5UPPDrtcuJts DJRECT DlreGt Total COSTS ¢g$t$ funds 20 2023 2024 GDP GBP GBP Employment 19 Ii.OD 101878.16 Ig5,011.110 7. IndepBndoThtex•mlneI5 remuneradrll 2024 2023 GBP GBP 26.Z61.00 3 780.00 6,144.79 486.08 1¥091.07 17,721.94 406.7 12 541.07 9 213.94 6,022.00 ZJ33.00- 4.367.0D- y¥8.00 046.zz 161&6 3,691.33 5.901JII 8,068.22 2,271.14- 673.67 5.123AI &TYustees' remuthÈration and¢xpEll5QS Durlngtkyear.M TN5teè5 recelVedanyremuneifon oroiher bÈnÈfits. 9.T48114 Flxed A55ets LoasEtho trnPT¢Jvements Computer Equlpnnt Fwnitur &FItLlny Totsl C05t or Valukiion AtIApril 202a Adthns Al 8t 81 Maich 1024 Depreclthon At IAprll 2D23 charge fortheyear 22
Asat ai March 2024 Net BookValue31 Marth 2024 24 338.57 lQ.De&tDYs 2024 GBP COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CAST Notes to the financlal statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 11.Credltors amounts falling due within oneyear 2024 GBP Sundry Creditors Loans Accrued 28,000.00 29,120.00 30,157.08 expenses 12.Statement of Funds Balance GBP Statement of Funds-¢urrent year 01-Apr-24 Income Expend iture Balanc eGBP 31-Mar-24 Unrèstiitted funds 23,422.00 13. Analysls of nei assets between funds 348,220.00 439,424.00- 67.782.00 Analysls of net assets between fund5- current year Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due wlthin one year Unrestricted Total Funds Funds GBP GBP 51.321.94 51,321.94 63,498.00 63,498.00 58,157,08- 58.157.08 56 662.86 56 662.86 23