Charity Number 1183558 Southampton and Winchester wtOrS Group Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31st August 2025
Address Sixrthampton and Wmcheskr Visitots Group PO Box 1615. uthampt0n S017 3WF Web: www.swy - Patrons Mtrtam Margolyes. OBE John Pilkingt Dr. Shirley Firtb Truslees Ch81[s. Catherine Hartley (appointed 2 December 2024) Hazel Illskip (appointed 2 December 2024) Chair. Mark Courtice (resigned 16 (ktober 2024) Vice Chair: Chris Stephens (appointed 2 December 2024) Treasurer. David Robertson CIH)rdinator. Susan Je&wp (ra8igned 4 Augiist 2025) Judith EvdDS (Tesigned 6 May 20251 Katie Gearing Khalid Omer Andrew Taylor Jeyatharskn Vettivcl Seeretary I£a Hayes Admillistrator DavÈd Rrt Banktrs HSBC Bank Plc, 19 Minsrer StreeL Salisbury SPI ITE Independent Euminer Chay Champne5s FCM•K CGMA
Southampton and Winchester WltorS Group The Te5 present their rel and the finRa1 ststements for the year ended 31 August 2025. Forniation The clwity was formed as a CIMritable Incorporated Organisation to take over the activities and a&sets and liabilities ofthe unlncoTrdted ¢barity of the same name. It was registered with the cEity Conm]iSSiOD on 29 May 2019. Governance and management The Tntst¢c Board comprises a rnin1mn of 3 and a nMxlmu of 12 membets elttted at Anaual Generdl Meeting. Tnlee$ who hcld office duTing the year are listed on page 2. The Board meets every six weeks and is supported by a number of sulpcommittees that report to the TTUStees. Aims and obje¢tives The main objects of the Group &8 set out in its constitution are". For the relief of nee& hardship and distress tn the United Kingdom amongst refugees, Ople seeking &sylum and other immigrdllts by providing such charitable assislance as the Trust think fiL including pmviding such perso with advice. Lssistance. r¢presentatioa. counselling. in matters sucb as money. debts. w¢lfar¢. benefits. housin& heal asylunL Immigratio eAlucatioffj tsaining 8nd ellwloymenL Focu8 of our work The Group is a volunteer-led charity whose members work with people seeking asylum and refugees mainly living iti Southatnpton and Winchester. Our WOTk Includes providing English and other teachtng, and one-to-one support for individual people. who are assigned a trained visitor who meets with them regularly to offer friendship and practical help. We support approximately 21K) people in government accommodation. who are resident either in a local hotel or in shared houses. W¢ provide welIbeing sutt tlwough social and cultural artivities. We have also fund¢d gym access. phones. and bikes. SWVG runs the Avenue Multiculwral Centre (AMQ in Southampton United Reforni Church (URC). It hosts some of the work of partsier cFthritics that also support those seeking asyluu4 Dotably CLEAR and Southampton Action. AMC is a very popular drop-in centre. which runs every Friday morning. We also work in partnership with SCRATCH, wbeTe a number of people voluDteer. with New Forest National Park, where we run visits in ¢onjunctioo with the rangers, and with John Hansard Gallery. MAST Studio4 Sea City Museum and Southampton City Librdfics for our culbjrc projecL We also have links to Refugee Action and Tog¢ther with RegeeS aNi 3re members of NACCOM and Hampshire and 151¢ of Wight Strat¢gic Migrdtion Group. Review of the year Our core worL namely the provision of support to people seeking asylum and newly given Leave To Remain has continued. We have suptK)rted many young men placed ID a hotel in southampto as well as p&)ple in other accommodation locally. Th¢ drop-in ¢¢ntrc (AMC) ai Avenue St Andrrn URC has CODtinu¢d in operation and welcomes More than 150 people each week. Around 40 people per week acce&s our help desks slaffed by experienced volunteers. receiving a variety of suppor¢ including finding 501icitors. A new datsbase system allows us to monitOT our activities, and, in the six months from FebrLWy 2025, 582 differeDt people visited our help desk4 with more than l.IM)O interactions, some people bcillg sccn Ellorc than ollcc. Wc also organise a food bank as well as activities including English language le&sons. CLEAR also runs a help desk * AMC atKI SouthaMpD Action Tuns a clothes bank. AMC hosts guest organisatioL8 including the City Library service" Medaille TrusL supporting pwle who have been traffi¢k¢d. Yellow Door. working with survivors of trdum< violence and abuse" and a Smoking Cessation team. Volunteers run a musi¢ group and a yoga sth8ion. As well as an exty specific help desk for commOdation
matters and school placemenL% a fiuther desk is dedicateAI to manyg gym memberships and the bike stheme and issuing mobile phones. and another to finding vohmteer oprtUnItI for people seeking alm. We contillue to beneftt from the strong sense of commuDity generaled at AMC. The management team and the AMC volunteers include a high ProttIon of pu>ple with lived experierfft¢e of asylum. The number of people seeking asylum in SouthamptOD and Wincbester who r¢c¢ive regular and individual suptmlrt from a Visitor w&5 29 &lults at the end of August 2025. They have 32 ¢hilthrn between them. The Visitor relationship is now reserved mainly for people with cowlex needs. However. a considerable number of people who received IAve To Remain still need SUp}rt to tTansition into independence. Fillding accommodation is the most pressing problem. We canllot give precise figurE5 for those who Tcceived a positivc decision over the year because we do not see all the residents in hotels and house4 but up to 30Yo of our support is ta• at post Leave to Remain. It is increasingly difficult for people accolllltx)&ted in hotels where shaTing rLK)llLS is the nomi nowadays. leading inevitably to a rise in tnental health issues and. occasionally. aggSive behaviour, because there are not enough support facilities. We have been involved in arrdnging and regularly attending a group including Migrant Help. the local authority. the Police and the Home OtTice to support the managemcnt of the hotel and the residents to monitor thc problems. Since the sun)mer, aggressive anti-migrdllt protests have becn held outside the hotel each Friday evenin& with a large demonstration in mid-August on a sujay. This is frightening and distrc&sing for the residents and SWVG offers suptK)rt engaging with the local police and councillors. Iwhilst we have seen some fast decisions. too many people still have to wait Yea to have their asylum claim5 assessed. A lack of legal supwyrt is a key issue nowadays. particularly at appeal. There are not enough immigtation solicilors wolg for Legal Aid and Ellany people now have to attend their substantive interview or even an appeal heaTing without prior discussion witb a solicitor. Englisb teaching Around 60 students are cutrently receiving English lessons either one-to-one or tn a small group, though more have been taught across the year due to frequent movement in and out of the hotel. Around 100 more have attended lessons during the past year. About 38 tcachers are currently teaching at least one student. We have had donations of text books and exercise book5. and have purC15¢d ffjore when necessary. We run a conversation group in partnership with Southampton Central Library. which can involve up to 20 people each week Volunteers and contracted stsff We currently have around l(K) active volunteers and continue to receive applicalions from w>tential volunteers. Our trainiThg activity has now been Tefresbed aud the first ntact new voluDteers have is one-tfrone with a member of the trdining l&am either Online or in pe. This is followed up with a full day, trainin& The Trustecs have been grateful to notr that the volunteer group now increasingly includes people with lived experience of the asylum system. Our two part.time ¢ontrdCteAJ staff continue to provide essential support services. CampaAglling The Campaigning Group suptM)rts tmtional caTt¥>aigns that call for a humane &8ylum system and we oppose policies that persecute people who claim asylum. We ellcourdge rnem1 to rnise the issues with their MPS and local councils, and we at local groups and forutns. We think it inJw)rtant for politicians to talk to people who have lived expertence of &syh]m. We have been ple&sed to orgallise visits to AMC from local MPS this year. and have shown Caroline Nokes, MP for Ri)msey and Southampton North. and currentty a deputy speaker, and Liz Jarvis. MP for Eastleigty arouDd the CentsE. Other MPS have iell visited in their surgeries. Refugee Week in June is a special tim¢ to celebrate the culthres and capabilities that refugees and other people who have sought sanctuary bring to our I(8} communities. Togethcr with many local opganisations and community group4 we organiscd a ri¢s of events including dram4 films. music. dance. a stalL artwork and a parad¢ in the centre of Southampton. This improves the links between llwiy locaI ¢ul¢ural groups who came to showcase their positive contributio8 to the city. We are also MO grdteflll to people with lived experience who gave radio and TV interyiews.
In PTepaTation. we visited 13 Iwal h0O1$ involving w)wards of 1,61XI local schoolchildren in discwsion sessions. meeting people who are refugees. The children decordted tote bags with g¢n¢rosity and inugitwt10 &$ gifts for people s¢¢king asylum. in rcstK)nse to this yearfs theme, Community. Wellbeing and Artivities We arrange activities to SUPlM)rt wellb¢tn& including 110 pw)le joining tTiPS to the New Forest and Bournemouth beach, and tree planling trips for the National TrusL Additionally we offer opportuntties for people to WO on our allolment and lo cook meals. we source and repair bike4 enable volunteertng opportunities. Mnd organise cultural activities. Sotn¢ 215 pwple have been on theatre trips (115 indivi1h1a some attending more than once). Cooking for Friends Saturday evening events and the &8sociated fidraisIng dinners started two years ago. The issue of fo(xl is an imw)rtant One for residents of the hotel as they do N)t have the opportunity to cook. nor to eat fiyod from home. We developed a scheme that involve5 two of the hotel residents acttng &s chefs OD a Saturday evening. They each invitr up to six friend5 to cat with thellL This has led to a regular sharing of fo1 and good fun. and the scheme ruDS every Saturday evening (subject to venue availability). All the chefs are required to undertake basic f(KKI hygiene to Level I, providing a SefUl qualification for their Cvs and later employment. Several of thc chefs have attained L¢v¢l 2. The success of this scheme has led to a spin-off seri of fimdTaising dinners which raise about £l,OIKI a time. These are important not just because of money but also as an advertisement and celebration of community and shared value& with singing alld dancing well a very varied zn¢D Reportfing Support We continue to c(Fordinate and join a gn)up of I(al p)ple gathering at the police station where people on itnmigratiou bail have to report to Border Force offjcials on Monday mornings. We publicise the SUPFK)rt available in Southamptoll, including from SWVGY give out illforuLation car&8 and offer to infotm a solicitor or fricn should anyone be detaille(L We aim to build on positive relationships in Southamptho Wmchester and neighlM)Uting town4 to improve the lives of refugees alld people seeking asylum.
Finance Receipts for the year were £89255 al paym¢nts wfflr £92,693 producing a deficit of £3.438. This was part of the TTUStees' plan io achieve a deficit io the year in order to bring the level of reserves in line with our reserves policy. The Tntstee5' plan for 2026 continues this approach expecting to deliver a small deficit in the year. Reeelpts-Grants GrdDts from charitable trusts amouni¢d to £49,750. We are most grateful for a further grnnt from the Tolkien Trnst of £22.0(Kl which Cove a significant part of our support costs. We are also grdtethl for an anonymous inStitIonal grant of £IO.IKM). the grant from French Huguenot Church of £5.000 and a grant of £1,500 from St Claire and St Francis Pamchial Parish CouDeil. Wc have also received a gtaDt of £5.0(M) from the Hilden Trust and £2,IXK> from the Misselbrook Trnst. We also grntefiJlly acknowledge contilluillg support from the One Per Cent scheme which amounted to £3.150. Details of grants received are set out oll page 10 of this rqx)rL Receipts4)ther income We acknowledge the financial donation from the Girdlers Tn. £2,6(M) towards the Cooking for Friends initiative. Wc are also grate1 for the donations we have received from churches, other otganisations and any individuals who have continued to 5UPWt us in difficult circumslances. Payments. We have coutinued to shift our spending towards practical help and s(121 activities. The AMC has continued to increase in size and costs have increased wmmensur3tely (2025 £1757512024 £12,766). The Cooking for Friends initiative, gym memlThhips and the bike project colltinue to grow (2025 £18.38712024 £16,028). In thc 2024125 annual report and aoUnts the proportioll of contracted staffs costs that ate incutred at AMC have been shown against that cost line (2025 £7.61112024 £6.504). In 2023124 this w8s included tmder salaries in Sup[ activities. the comparative figures have been adjusted to reflect this chauge. We continue to supply mobile phones to tbose who require thougb the cost has dropped froEn the previous year (2025 £7,43612024 £9,634). As no1 above. incr&]nglY people are being &5k¢d to attend interviews wiihoui legal representation. As a consequence they need fimds for the translation of key documents. which ordinarily Legal Aid would fund if they had legal representhtion. Wc b&ve suptK)rted people where this is the case (2025 £860} aud we can see that this could be an increasing pressure going forward. The tnL8tees bad recognised that there was a requirement to modernise our record keeping to make it secure. simple and more efficient. tlg the year we invested in a new datab&se system (£6285) to do this. We continue to manage our SUprt activtty costs tightly. although these have been impacted by int]ation in the year. For 2024125 the support Costs account for 24/0 of our eXtndIture in the year. Emergency Response Fund This fund was created in 2021 and now stands at £15.0(K). AMC Designated Fund This fid holds thc monies received relating to the nwDing ofAMC. Reserves The Truste have agreed that the value of unrestricted reserves should be in the ttgion of £55,000 representing approximately 6 months nonnal expenditure plus a provision for three months for salaries. Unrestricted reserves at 31 All8 excluding the Emergency RespoLse Fund and AMC fund. were £82,799. Tlth report was apprnved by the Trustees OD 8th December 2025 and slgned on thetr behalf by Catherine Hartley (Cfrchair).
Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group Independent Examiner's report to the Tntste I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Si)uthampton and Winchester isitots Group (the Group) for the year ended 31 August 2025. Responsibilitiu and basis of report As the Trustees of the Group you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordanc¢ with the requirements of the chltieS Act 2011 ('th¢ Act,). I report in respect of my examinalion of the Group's accounts GafTied out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the AGL Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in comiection with the examination givincr me cause to believe that in any material respect: l. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Group as required by seclion 130 of theAcL or 2. The accounts do Dot accord with those COrdS. 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 to be reached. Chay Champness FCW CGMA 3 Old House Close Epsom Surrey KT17 ILE itsliill
Southampton and Winchester WltorS Group Accounts for the yr ended 31 August 2025 Receipts payments 2025 Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Total Total RECEIPTS Donations from organisatioDS Donations from individuals inc. gift aid Grants from charitable tntsts Proceeds of fund-raising events AMC receipt Interest Total receipts 4,168 17,604 44.750 7,908 6,870 240 11.038 17,844 49.750 7,908 19,095 21,459 54.614 9,368 11.238 2,863 118,637 2.715 77.145 2,715 89255 12,110 PAYME Direct activiti&% Campaigning Visitors, trdvel and other expenses Accommodation and subsistence Travel English teaching Mobile phones AMC and social activities Other Totsl direct activities 1.913 1,913 2,550 1.711 6.090 2,261 7,436 34,385 13,759 70.105 1.152 3.281 4,484 6,262 7,409 9.634 28,794 3.211 64,227 2,550 1,711 2261 7.436 22.275 12.999 55J22 12,110 760 14,783 Support activities Communicatiolls Salaries Fund-rdising costs Training Insurance W¢bsit¢ Other office and admin costs Total support activities 98 14.797 306 1,739 787 1.108 3,753 22588 98 14,797 306 1,739 787 1,108 3.753 22,588 142 13,820 318 558 848 3,493 2,532 21,711 Total payments 77910 14,783 92,693 85,938 Net excess of receipts over payments for the year -765 -2,673 -3,438 32,699 Balance brought forward Balance carried fonvard 111.702 110,937 2.925 252 114,627 111,189 81,928 114.627
Southampton and Wmchester VLSitors Group St Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 ststement of a&8ets and Ji2bilities at 31 August 2025 01.0924 Reeeived Paid 31.0825 CASH FufiDS Ullrestricted fvnds General Unrestiicted Funds Emergency Response Fund Mark Courti¢¢ Education Fund AMC Designated Fund Total Unrestricted Funds 85.464 15.tK)O 75245 77.910 82,799 15,000 1,900 11238 110,937 1.900 11238 111.702 77,145 77,910 Restricted Funds Legal Justice Fund Cooking for frien(ts Campaigning AMC R¢stricted Fund Social activities Total Restricted Funds 760 760 1600 1,913 4.510 5.000 14,783 1165 252 4510 5.(K)O 12,110 2925 252 Total Funds 114,627 89255 92,693 111,189 Represented by: 31.08.25 31.08.24 HSBC current account Nationwide Building Society Redwood Bank Float for expenses Totsl funds 40.669 15,827 28,1)00 70,000 800 114.627 70,000 520 111.189 Creditors For ¢xpenses 2.289 1.199 Slgned for and on behalf of the TrllSt on 8th De¢eJher 2025 by Catherine Hartley (Co Chair)
Southampton and Wlnchester Visitors Group Arn for tlje year ended 31 August 2025 Notss . Grnnts 2025 2024 Total 22.000 10,000 7.500 5,297 5.000 1,500 Tot*1 22.000 iO,(XK) The Tolkien Trnst Anonymous Garfield Weston Foundation One Per Cent Scheme Hilden Trust St Clare and St Francis Tnt Misselbrook Trust NACOM The French Huguenot Church Southampton City Council - Rege¢ W¢ek 22,(MX) 10.(MK) 3,150 3.150 1,5(M) 1,500 i.Icrf) i.i(Ml 1,317 54.614 44,750 5.000 49,750 TRUSTEE EXPENSES Expenses reimbursed to tntstees durlng the period amounted to £1,611 (2024 £824). 10