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2025-03-31-accounts

CHARITY NUMBER 1181331

COMMUNITY AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER

CAST

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH2025

1

CONTENTS

PAGE
Reference and administrative details of the charity,its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees Report 3 to 9
Independent examiner's report 10
Statement of Financial activities 11
Balance Sheet 12
Notes to the financial statements 14 to 20

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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY,ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Trustees: Washington Ali Chair Tsebo Letsie Secretary Jennifer Gora Trustee Charles Dhliwayo Trustee CEO: Stanfod Biti CEO Charity registered number: 1181331

Principal Office Address: 59. Queens Road Southend on Sea SS 1 1NL

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the Annual Financial Statements of Community and Sanctuary Seekers Together for the year 1st April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) Structure governance and management

The charity is unincorporated, governed by its constitution dated 26/04/2016 and amended resolution on 18/12/2018

The charity and its property is managed and administered by a committee of elected trustees. There is a management team, including a CEO} who monitor the 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 2025 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 appointed, including a Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary.

Objectives and Activities

Objectives

CAST is a grassroots 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 address isolation and loneliness through hosting and friendship projects which build relationships of trust, inter-dependency, respect, and solidarity within Southend.

We assist asylum-seekers and refugees, offering advice and support and signposting them to appropriate services, and liaise with local community and statutory organisations and are active in night shelters and Southend Homeless Action Network (SHAN). CAST is an activist organisation that has continued to grow and advocates for fairer representations of non-status peoples and aims to challenge the structures which stand in the way and the increasing rhetoric on anti-immigration in the United Kingdom.

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CAST is organised and run by a non-hierarchical diverse team with lived experiences of the UK draconian immigration system and all of whom share a strong 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.

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Our Vision

To end destitution within the draconian UK immigration system. process. Refugees and Sanctuary seekers will be able to access all appropriate support to enable them to integrate and thrive in our communities, without the experience or processes causing any harm. They will have the opportunity to get involved, know where support is available and be valued members of the local community.

Our Mission

To be a welfare organisation and voice of Refugees and Sanctury seekers in Southend and surrounding areas through advocacy, promoting community cohesion, delivering housing, education and community services 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 resources.

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Our Strategic Goals for 2025- 2028

Goal 1 . We remain a Registered Charity.

Gain funding for and run integrated mental health support groups for Goal 2. Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Newer migrants and those with No Recourse To Public Funds (NRPF) .

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Achievements and Performance

Goal 1 We have maintained or Charitable Status.

Goal 2 We continue to provide services to our target communities. We continue to grow in strength, and our services are fast covering the whole of Essex.

Goal 3. This year has been phenomenal. We saw through the year mostly with earned income. We reached a milestone that the organisation was sustained mostly by earned income. Grant funding has remained a huge challenge.

Goal 4 Our services have continued to be in demand. We remain a force to reckon with and assisted in the refugee crisis. We adapted well and responded to demands of new arrivals coming through the English Channel. Southend also received new Refugees from the Afghan and the Ukrainian schemes which we are now supporting.

Goal 5. We now have two OISC trained immigration advisers and are now at an advanced stage to register with OISC. We have submitted our application to OISC and are awaiting for a response.

Goal 6 - We surpassed our expectations. We continue to be the leading accommodation provider for newly granted refugees in Essex. We now have properties in Basildon, Harlow, Bishop Stortford, Colchester and Maldon. We are well positioned for the reorganisation of Local Authorities through devolution

Goal 7 . We have seen through the year with our income generating projects. We continue to develop earned income streams to sustain or work and provision of accommodation.

Goal 8. Our lease for the accommodation remains in place and will come to an end in the next financial year. We have options either to buy the property or renew the lease. We have the ambition to purchase the property.

Goal 9. 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 10. We continue to successfully arrange pro bono solicitors to work with our clients providing comprehensive immigration advice.

a) Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

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b) Review of activities

The charity CAST undertook the following activities in the year

2024 was a challenging year for CAST. It has been 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 only Asylum and Refugee organisation in Southend which kept its doors open during lockdowns, we saw a huge increase in demand of our services. We are humbled by the out pouring support from the community 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 to let a number 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. I am very proud of our staff and volunteers who are navigating this terrain with resilience and passion that is truly humbling. For it is our staff, volunteers, supporters and partners who make us who we are, and deserve huge credit in the achievements of the last 12 months.

We Look forward 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.

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Financial review

The Trustees are satisfied that the charity has sufficient funds available to continue operations.

Structure, governance and management

The charity has Trustees and an administration committee

Risk management

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finance of the charity and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Plans for the Future

The charity intends to expand community support and services which are currently being offered.

Cashflow Statement exemption.

As permitted under the charities SORP 2015, the Trustees have not prepared a Cashflow Statement as the charity is not a large charity.

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

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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.

*Observe the methods and principles of the charities SORP(FRS102);

Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. State

whether UK Accounting Standards (FRS102) 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 to presume the charity will continue in business.

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 financial

statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the 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.

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Washington Ali - Nasolo

Trustee

Date: 31 October 2025

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Independent Examiner’s Report to The Trustees Of COMMUNITIES AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1181331

Independent examiners report to the trustees of CAST

I report to the charity trustees on my own examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 MARCH 2025

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).

Independent examiner’s statement

Since your charity’s gross income is £401 000 I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of CIMA which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination, I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe

1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act;

2. or the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the statement of recommended practice for accounting and report by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and republic of Ireland (FRS 102)

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts reached

Silvercent Consulting and Accountancy Services Limited 122-124 HIGH STREET SOUTHEND ESSEX SS1 1JT Date. 30/11/2025

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COMMUNITIES AND SANCTUARY SEEKERS TOGETHER

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted
Total
Notes
funds
Funds
2025
2025
GBP
GBP
Income from:
National Lottery Grant
0
0
Other grants
36,394.00
36,394.00
Loans
5,305.25
5,305.25
Donations
Other
3 1,198,509.42
1,198,509.42
Total Income
1,240,208.67
1,240,208.67
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
4
Charitable Activities
5 1,138,245.84
1,138,245.84
Total Expenditure
1,138,245.84
1,138,245.84
Net Movement in Funds
101,962.83
101,962.83
Reconciliation of Funds
Total funds brought forward
23,422.00
23,422.00
Total funds carried forward
78,540.83
78,540.83		 Unrestricted
Total
funds
Funds
2024
2024
GBP
GBP
0
0
36,394.00
36,394.00
29,120.00
29,120.00
335,863.36
335,863.36
401,377.36
401,377.36
403,454.98
403,454.98
403,454.98
403,454.98
2,077.62
-
2,077.62
-
23,422.00
23,422.00
25,499.62
-
25,499.62
-

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Notes
2025
GBP
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
Leasehold Improvements
9
18,188.79
Computer Equipment
9
8,422.08
Furniture and Fittings
9
19,497.07
Current Assets
Cash at bank and on hand
55,230.00
Other Debtors Loans
10
2,829.97
Deposits
10
30,050.53
Creditors amounts falling due within one year
11
23,827.84
-
Creditors amounts falling due in more one year
12
26,050.00
-
Net Current Assets
38,232.66
Total Net Assets/(Liabilities)
84,340.60
Charity Funds
Restricted Funds
12
Unrestricted Funds
12 84,340.60
84,340.60		 2024
GBP
12,166.79
4,454.08
15,294.07
466.00
29,120.00
33,912.00
58,157.00
-
5,341.00
37,255.94
-
37,255.94
37,255.94

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Washington Ali Date: 30 /10/2025

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. General Information

Community and Sanctuary Seekers Together charity is constituted under a declaration of trust dated:____26/04/2016 and is a registered charity whose charity number is: 1181331

2.Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charities 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 2015).the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the 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 Charities(Accounts and Reports)Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS102) published on 16July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 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 to transfer economic 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 made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs,including support costs involved in undertakinf each activity. Direct costs attributable 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 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 raising 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.

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

2.Accounting policies continued

2.3 Expenditure continued

All expenditure is inclusive 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 3 33.30% Computer Equipment 33.30% Furniture and Fittings 33.30%

2.5 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are 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 provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at balance sheet date as a result of a past event.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advance payment for goods and services 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 subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

2.Accounting policies continued

2.9 Fund accounting

General funds 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 designated for other purposes.

3 Other income

Interest receivable 0 Rents Receivable 1,177,514.00

4.Expenditure on fund raising

Cost of raising voluntary income

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

5.Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type Unrestricted Unrestricted funds Total funds funds Total funds 2025 2025 2024 2024 GBP GBP GBP GBP Direct costs 925,894.20 925,894.20 439,424.00 439,424.00

6.Analysis of expenditure by activities

Activities Activities undertaken Support Total undertaken Support Total directly costs funds directly costs funds 2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP 925,894.20 206,024.39 1,131,918.59 278,573.30 132,881.68 403,545.98

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

6.Analysis of expenditure by activities continued

Analysis of support costs

Employment
7. Independent examiner's remuneration		 Direct
Total
costs
funds
2025
2025
GBP
GBP
164,120.20
164,120.20
2025
GBP
1,200.00

8.Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year ,no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits.

9.Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost or Valuation
At 1 April 2024
Additions
As at 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
charge for the year
As at 31 March 2025
Net Book Value 31 March 2025
10.Debtors		 Leasehold
Computer
Furniture
Total
Improvements
Equipment
&Fittings
32,406.79
4,266.08
12,541.07
49,213.94
32,406.79
4,266.08
12,541.07
49,213.94
6,022.00
2,433.00
4,367.00
12822
3,240.68
426.61
1,254.11
4921.394
9262.679
2859.608
5621.107
17743.394
23144.111
1406.472
6919.963
31470.546
2025
GBP

Due within one year

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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

2025 11.Creditors amounts falling due within one year GBP Sundry Creditors Loans - 26,050.00 Accrued expenses - 23,829.84 12.Statement of Funds Balance Income Expenditure Balance GBP GBP Statement of Funds -current year 01-Apr-23 31-Mar-24 Unrestricted funds 23,422.00 348,220.00 439,424.00 - 67,782.00

13. Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted Total Analysis of net assets between funds- current year Funds Funds GBP GBP Tangible fixed assets 44,090.53 44,090.53 Current assets - Creditors due within one year 44,090.53 44,090.53

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