2023-06-30-accounts - Refugee Roots

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Refugee Roots (Registered charity, number 1184098) Financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023

Page	Contents
2 - 10	Trustees’ annual report
11	Independent examiner’s report
12	Receipts & payments account
13	Statement of assets & liabilities
14-16	Notes to the accounts

Refugee Roots Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 30 June 2023

Full name Refugee Roots

Organisation type Charitable incorporated organisation

Registered charity number 1184098

Principal address

Suite 53. Unit 6 Sneinton Market, Gedling Street, Nottingham NG1 1DS

Trustees

R Rattigan Rev P Thipa R Madzvia H Whitton C Parker T Pickup

Independent examiner

John O’Brien, employee of Community Accounting Plus, Units 1 & 2, North West, 41 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GL

Governance and management

The CIO association is operated under the rules of its constitution adopted 25 June 2019.

Recruitment of trustees is from those with an existing interest and involvement in working with refugees and asylum seekers and in sympathy with the aims of Refugee Roots, with an intention to maintain a balanced group of trustees, in terms of skills and experience, ethnicity, gender and age.

Appointment is by the existing membership and trustees following an interview, references and safer recruitment measures such as DBS Checks being met and are arranged by the trustees.

Objectives and activities

The objects of the CIO, which are to be carried out in accordance with Christian principles within the wider communities of Nottingham and the County of Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas, are:

The promotion of social inclusion for the public benefit among people who are asylum seekers and refugees who are socially excluded on the grounds of their social and economic position, in particular but not exclusively by:
a) Providing volunteer befrienders/mentors who will assist asylum seekers and refugees with their integration into the community by providing activities, information, advocacy services, advice and support;

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b) Relieving or preventing poverty among asylum seekers and refugees by providing grants of financial assistance, essential equipment, furniture and other items as may be necessary;
c) Providing asylum seekers and refugees with education and training in the English language;
d) The provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for asylum seekers and refugees.
The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit by:
a) The elimination of discrimination on the grounds of race or religion;
b) Advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity;
c) Promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds;
d) Cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity.

Public benefit statement

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit

Promoting social inclusion of newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers and understanding in society as a public benefit.

Providing volunteer befrienders/mentors who will assist participants with their integration into the community by providing activities, information, advocacy, advice and support;
Relieving or preventing poverty among participants by helping them access or providing grants of financial assistance, essential equipment, clothing, furniture and other necessary items;
Providing participants with education and training in the English language; 4. Providing facilities for recreation or other leisure activities to promote the social well-being of participants;
Advancing awareness of the issues facing refugees and asylum seekers among the wider public with a particular emphasis in churches, fostering understanding between people from diverse backgrounds and cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality with diversity.

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Summary of the main achievements during the period

Refugee Roots welcomes all, helping those in need find friendship and a place to call home

Refugee Roots is a Christian charity that helps asylum seekers and refugees build relationships and navigate the complexities of building a new life in the UK. Our range of empowerment initiatives includes befriending, and accompanying asylum seekers to appointments, information, advice and guidance; as well as support groups and activities, such as free English conversation classes.

Chair’s Report

This year has been a remarkable journey for Refugee Roots as we continue to fulfil our mission to befriend and support asylum seekers and refugees. We spent most of this past year operating from Tiger Community Hub near the Broadmarsh on Lister Gate. Tiger Community Hub was a significant place for Refugee Roots, establishing its work in the city centre. The hub played an important role in the development of the work and projects we provide. With increasing demand and the rapid growth of the charity, it was clear that our requirements for a larger office space and additional facilities was necessary and so we moved to Clarendon Chambers mid-May 2023.

Our commitment to welcome all, helping those in need find friendship and a place to call home, can clearly be seen in the way the staff, volunteers and everyone involved has responded to the challenges and opportunities of an ever- changing refugee and asylum seeker context in Nottingham and the surrounding areas. In particular, our response to the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in the city, and the wider county, exemplifies such dedication and resilience. We successfully extended our reach to the individuals and families who needed support the most. They were welcomed with open arms. None of our achievements would have been possible without the remarkable determination, skill, and expertise of our staff, volunteers, and trustees or without the crucial support of funders, local churches and partner organisations.

The diligence of our Board of Trustees cannot be understated. Their strategic guidance, prudent decision-making, and unyielding commitment have provided the foundation for our successes. Their continuous efforts to ensure accountability, transparency, and sustainability have shaped Refugee Roots, leading us to an even deeper community led and informed approach.

As we reflect on the achievements of the past year, we also set our sights on the future. Our commitment to providing refugees with a place to belong remains steadfast. We will continue to develop our projects, collaborate with partners, and

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harness the power of collective action to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we work with.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our supporters, partners, and all those who have contributed to the work of the charity. Gill Parker, Chair of Trustees

Director’s Report

I am humbled by the overwhelming support and tireless efforts of each and every individual, organisation and partner who has contributed the work of Refugee Roots. Without your unwavering commitment and selfless dedication, Refugee Roots would not have been able to continue its vital work and achieve the significant developments that have shaped our journey this past year. Your time, skills, and passion have been the driving force behind our endeavours, and it is your tireless efforts that bring life to our mission every day.

I am proud of our exceptional staff team, providing the expertise, resilience, and the spirit needed to navigate through challenges and triumphs alike. Our trustees have given invaluable guidance and stewardship, ensuring that our actions remain in line with our core values and that our resources are utilized effectively.

We are very grateful for our partners and funders who have contributed generously through funding our work, giving us support with their time, sharing resources and working collaboratively. They have been significant in our work and in the participants’ lives.

As I reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, I am filled with hope and optimism for the future of Refugee Roots. We have made great strides in our efforts to help those seeking refuge and protection find a place to call home but there is still much work to be done. With your continued support and commitment, I am confident that we will overcome any challenges that come our way and continue to positively impact the lives of those we work with and wider. Adam Baker, Charity Director

Refugee Roots has seen a tremendous increase in its capacity and provision of services with all those involved making it possible for the charity to respond to the increased demand and need for support. 749 participants have been supported across all our projects and activities. The charity has seen increased demand for support as needs have grown and the refugee population locally in the city and surrounding areas has also increased. Opportunities to support Ukrainian refugees living with UK hosts or family have helped widen our network of support and partnership.

A city centre location for the charity has been significant too for the changing landscape of refugee populations in Nottingham and the surrounding areas. The use

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of temporary emergency accommodation for asylum seekers by the Home Office and various government schemes such as the Homes for Ukraine scheme have meant that the charity's reach has become less geographically focused and far more spread out. It has been important for the charity in this period to develop new, innovative and creative solutions, partnerships and collaborations. Increased partnership and collaboration to deliver projects like Access have been invaluable, as they have enabled more provision and even greater benefit to participants. Local churches and organisations have played an important role in our service delivery model for projects like Access.

Alongside the increased capacity to deliver these, important and meaningful support initiatives, we have seen an increase to our income, which has enabled our work to keep up with the rapid growth and greater need. We continue to seek funds from trusts, foundations, local churches, corporate partners and fundraising activities. Despite increased costs of living, we saw growth in our regular donors and online fundraising.

Summary of projects and activities and achievements One-to-one befriending.

Volunteer befrienders met participants weekly for support with language learning, accompanying them to appointments, exploring travel links, communities within the city and much more.

80 Befriending matches were made in the year, and befrienders have supported 65 individuals. 419 sessions of befriending have been provided by 58 volunteer befrienders.

"Befriending saved multiple hosting relationships that would have ended without it." Lina Maksymuk (Nottinghamshire County Council, Ukrainian Cultural Centre)

Navigators (accompanying).

Volunteers have supported participants by accompanying them to appointments such as reporting, medical and housing appointments. 22 participants were supported over 24 sessions. This support helps to increase confidence and access to crucial services. The support of volunteers has been reported by participants as “reassuring” and helpful.

Access

Our Access project offers social and educational experiences for our participants. Participants can join in a range of activities in a friendly and safe space. Our English conversation groups help to improve English language skills. Participants get to make new connections and make friends in a diverse community. 481 participants were supported across 334 sessions of Access.

“This is what is so important – connecting with other people and people from different organisations too, which helps confidence so much and builds opportunities. I can only count on organisations like Refugee Roots, to learn,

integrate and try to find a place in society. Even now you have helped and supported me a lot” Mohammed, participant.

Conversational English Classes at Access have benefited 410 participants, across 193 sessions, additionally online classes were provided to 43 participants across 67 sessions.

“I feel less lonely when I am here” Olha, Participant

Access: Women’s Group

Our weekly Women's Group which is part of the Access project has benefited 62 participants. 45 sessions brought diverse women together for language support, craft and social activities.

“I feel good and I am happy coming here and meeting friends” Charanjit, Participant

Access: Cooking and Eating Together

Our monthly Cooking and Eating Together group brought participants and volunteers together to share food and friendship with 104 participants attending across 10 sessions.

Access: Training and Workshops

Training and Workshops offered through the Access project have benefited 55 participants. Among the 19 sessions delivered this has included horticultural and wellbeing sessions, employability and digital skills training and other relevant subjects. Participants have reported being able to use what they have learned and put into practice the skills gained from sessions such as Interview Skills. Others have told us they have become more interested in nature and outdoor spaces through the wellbeing sessions at Windmill Community Gardens.

Advice and Guidance

Advice and Guidance is provided by our Refugee Support Worker. 437 participants have been supported through our Advice and Guidance project with more than 1,136 sessions held.

Support work has included:

Finding legal support for asylum seekers
Applying for housing
Applying for Universal Credit and support with benefits and welfare
Registering asylum seekers with a GP, dental surgery etc.
Signposting and making referrals to essential services (housing, health, wellbeing, education, immigration and more)
Meeting basic needs for food, clothing, shelter and furniture

"Thank you so much, I am getting a house thanks to your help"

Oksana Vashchenko, participant

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Universal Credit Advice in partnership with Always Community

We have also recently launched a project in partnership with Always Community to ffer Universal Credit Advice. The collaboration aims to empower participants with the knowledge and skills required to access essential financial aid and support with the guidance of trained advisors. Find out more here. The weekly sessions are by appointment only and are managed by an online booking system.

Access Arts.

147 participants have been engaged in weekly art sessions, with 85 sessions delivered. Benefits have included reduced isolation, increased connectedness to the community and greater sense of belonging. Our Access Art sessions are an opportunity for participants to explore art and creative activities in a relaxing and social setting. Our twice a week art sessions facilitated by artists have allowed our participants to explore mediums and techniques such as watercolour and acrylic painting, charcoal, clay, collage, textiles, marbling, felting, screen printing, mod rock, stained glass, poetry and drama. Exhibitions of refugee art made through Access Arts included a display during Refugee Week at The Old Bus Depot and a digital exhibition at Nottingham Playhouse. Art was also exhibited during Sherwood Art Week in two local venues.

“Now I am a peaceful, friendly, and smiling person. My creativity and art has improved, thank you very much for the artists who teach us.” Sonya, Participant

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Overall outcomes reported by participants

Participants have reported the following:

81% felt less isolated
80% felt more connected to their communities
80% felt more confident
93% reported they had been helped
88% reported the help they received made a difference in their lives
82% developed skills to reach their potential
77% felt their English had improved

Volunteering

160 Volunteers have been involved in the work of the charity. Volunteers from the local community, churches, colleges and universities have supported various projects and activities such as language support, befriending, activity support and much more.

“I loved my time at Refugee Roots, it was incredibly rewarding and gave me the opportunity to meet some amazing people as well as develop new skills and confidence in myself and my abilities. As a volunteer I was fully immersed in the work of the charity and felt like one of the team.” Lily, Placement Student Volunteer.

Looking ahead

Refugee Roots is committed to continuing appropriate and meaningful support for asylum seekers and refugees. We expect to see increased demand as pressures on local housing providers, other support agencies and the local authorities rise. As a result we will be working closely with key partners and together we will aim to find appropriate responses to the challenges that we will come up against.

Simultaneously we will continue to seek the resources of funds, volunteers and other in-kind support. We are prepared to respond to needs that arise creatively and with agility. Our professional partnerships and collaborative work will be important in maintaining and developing our work. We will be exploring new opportunities for partnership work and developing current projects to be even more impactful. The charity (a CIO with voting members) strives to continually be informed and shaped by its members.

The charity’s policy on reserves

Our principal liability is potential cost of staff redundancy in the event of loss of income.

Trustees aim to keep three months unrestricted funds in reserve. We review our reserves policy annually unless a review is required earlier.

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Financial review

We are satisfied with our financial position for our current situation. We continue to seek funds from trusts and foundations, and we are working on diversifying our income sources to ensure we can continue our much-needed work, and develop the work appropriately to have the maximum benefit possible. We are also seeking corporate partnerships and sponsorship from interested potential partners. We are also developing other fundraising initiatives and financial giving sources for a more sustainable future.

The charity’s risks

Failure of grant applications, donations or fund-raising activities. Clearly, we share with all charities major uncertainties about such funding in the present financial climate.

We have appropriate insurance for a charity.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees: Signed ______ Date _

C Parker, Trustee

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Refugee Roots for the year ended 30 June 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Refugee Roots (the charity) for the year ended 30 June 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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 that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

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.

Signed ____ Date _______ John O’Brien MSc, FCCA, FCIE Employee of Community Accounting Plus

Refugee Roots Receipts & payments account for the year ended 30 June 2023

2022 Total Unrestricted Funds Funds £ £ Receipts 132955 Grants & donations 43453 2801 Fundraising 540 p 508 Sales 1736 136264 Total receipts 45729 Payments 62655 Wages, NI & pension 4856 5718 Professional fees 122 6186 Activities & events 925 1174 Equipment, repairs & renewals 1740 98 Fee charges 139 2369 Volunteer expenses 168 4756 Rent & room hire 13 1735 Hardship payments - 3977 Hospitality 93 1793 IT 66 2273 Marketing 15 2047 Printing & stationery - - Insurances 75 822 Telephone 13 979 Training 284 149 Travel & accomodation 280 1202 Resourses & materials 136 132 Membership & subscriptions - 98065 Total payments 8925 38199 Net receipts/(payments) 36804 55851 Cash funds at start of this period 16605 94050 Cash funds at end of this period 53409	Restricted Funds £ 176179 325 - 176504 101446 8422 15298 7799 39 6989 21218 5615 8859 1847 3934 4189 442 2649 1010 2162 1155 887 193960 (17456) 77445 59989	*2023* Total Funds £ 219632 865 1736
		222233
		106302 8544 16223 9539 178 7157 21231 5615 8952 1913 3949 4189 517 2662 1294 2442 1291 887
		202885
		19348 94050
		113398

Refugee Roots Statement of assets and liabilities at 30 June 2023

2022 £ Cash assets 93910 Bank accounts 140 Cash in hand 94050 Assets retained for the charity’s own use General equipment. Laptops purchased June 2020 at a cost of £1850 Tablet purchased May 2021 at a cost of £729 Laptops purchased June 2021 at a cost of £2700 Laptop purchased Jan 2022 at a cost of £876 Cabinet purchased June 2023 at a cost of £516 Printer purchased June 2023 at a cost of £1554 Liabilities:creditors - HMRC (322) Pensions (582) Independent examination (904)	*2023* £ 113398 -
	113398
	(2482) (161) (612)
	(3255)

These financial statements are accepted on behalf of the charity by:

Signed _____ Dated _____ T Pickup, Trustee

Refugee Roots Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023

1. Receipts & payments accounts

Receipts and payments accounts contain a summary of money received and money spent during the period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period. Usually, cash received and cash spent will include transactions through bank accounts and cash in hand.

Grants & donations

National Lottery Community Fund Nottingham City Council Nottinghamshire County Council Ashworth Charitable Trust Albert Hunt Trust Boots Charitable Trust Communities of Identity Dioscese of Southwell J N Derbyshire Trust Leathersellers Postcode Places Trust People's Health Lottery Archer Trust Wheatcroft Fund National Grid Electricity Distribution The Hilden Charitable Fund Sundry grants & donations	Unrestricted £ - - - - - - - - - 5000 25000 - - - - 13453 43453	Restricted Total £ £ 79479 79479 10000 10000 5000 5000 5000 5000 2000 2000 10000 10000 5290 5290 20000 20000 3000 3000 - 5000 - 25000 8811 8811 1500 1500 5000 5000 10000 10000 7000 7000 4099 17552 176179 219632

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2. Funds analysis

Restricted funds Access Befriending Community Matters Houeshold Support Fund Hardship RC Midlands Region (NLCF) Access Arts Ukraine support A Place to Belong Afghan Fund Admin Core Advice and guidance Unrestricted funds General	Opening balance £ 19765 7653 - - 172 - 24249 522 15000 2987 - 7097 77445 16605 16605	Receipts £ 34833 18761 10000 10000 800 79479 2179 5102 - - 7000 8350 176504 45729 45729	(Payments) £ (26136) (16899) (10000) (10000) (918) (79479) (14243) (2193) (15000) (2987) (4262) (11843) (193960) (8925) (8925)	Closing balance £ 28462 9515 - - 54 - 12185 3431 - - 2738 3604
				59989
				53409
				53409

“A place to belong” is a core restricted fund. The partner was “Garfield Weston Foundation” (ended May 2023).

“Access” is a restricted fund for the Access project offering free conversational English classes, workshops and social activities such as Cooking & Eating Together, It also includes our Women’s Group. Funders of the Access project include The Peoples Health Trust (ends July 2023), Thomas Farr (ended Mar 2023), Albert Hunt Trust (ends Jan 2024). Magic Little Grants (ended May 2023), Boots Charitable Trust (ends Mar 2024) and others.

“Advice and Guidance” is our Advice and Guidance provision. Funders included The Foyle Foundation (ended May 2023),

“Afghan Fund” was an emergency support fund for Afghan refugees. Funders included All Churches and others, funding has ended.

“Admin Core” is a core restricted fund for the Admin Assistants’ salary, and the funder is “The Hilden Charitable Fund”. The award was for £7000, for two years (£14,000 in total) ending September 2024.

“Access Arts” is our Art project which is part of the programme “National Lottery Project Grants”, the funder is Arts Council England National Lottery (ends Mar 2024).

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“Befriending” is for the befriending project. Volunteers provide weekly support one to one with refugees and asylum seekers. Funders have included The Wheatcroft Fund (ended June 2023), Ashworth Charitable Trust (ended June 2023), Albert Hunt Trust (ends Jan 2024), Swan Mountain Trust (ended June 2023) and others.

“Community Matters Fund” refers to a grant which was awarded by National Grid Electricity Distribution via Local Giving for providing “Warm Banks” and “Warm Packs” (ended Mar 2023).

“Hardship” refers to hardship grants and provisions. We are grateful to our partner Acts 435 and others who have helped us meet hardship requests for those most in need.

“RC Midlands Region” is the programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. (3 year, ends July 2025)

“The Household Support Fund” was awarded by Nottingham City Council to provide support to vulnerable households in most need of support to help with significantly rising living costs (ended Sep 2022).

“Ukraine” is for projects, activities and support with Ukrainian refugees. Funders include Nottingham County Council (ends Oct 2023) and other donations.

We would also like to thank those who support our unrestricted/core funds

Refugee Roots thanks the Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for a grant of £25,000 towards core costs (ends June 2024).

The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham provide a core grant towards the Charity Director’s Salary (ends Jan 2024).

The Leathersellers Foundation (ended Mar 2023).

3. Trustees’ remuneration

Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in this period.

4. Glossary of terms

Creditors: These are amounts owed by the charity, but not paid during the accounting period.

Restricted funds: These are funds given to the charity, subject to specific restrictions set by the donor, but still within the general objects of the charity.

Debtors: These are amounts owed to the charity, but not received in the accounting period.