# **Southwark Travellers’ Action Group (STAG) Annual Report 2020 – 21** ## **November 2021** **Registered charity number: 1184614 Company number: 09996890** **Sojourner Truth Community Centre** **161 Sumner Road London SE15 6JL www.southwarktravellersaction,org.uk** 1 ## **STAG** Southwark Travellers’ Action Group (STAG) is a community organisation for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers (GRT) connected to Southwark. STAG has existed since the early 1990s, developing into an independent organisation in early 2016. ## **Our Vision** True equality for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities both in terms of tackling discrimination and prejudice, and in Gypsies, Roma and Travellers being able to lead a traditional way of life if they choose to, whilst having equal access to opportunities and services to maximise their well-being. ## **Our Mission** To provide support to the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities to maximise their wellbeing by focusing on addressing inequalities in the key areas of education, employment, accommodation and health, with the means of doing so being decided by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers themselves. To address the marginalisation of the community by celebrating the unique culture and history of Gypsies and Travellers. ## **Chair’s Report** After a difficult time without a permanent manager, the Trustees were delighted to welcome Alison Blackwood as the manager of STAG in December 2019. Despite having to deal with the issues caused by the pandemic, Alison has led STAG from strength to strength, providing additional services for the community and helping to stabilise our financial position. I join Alison in thanking Kathleen for all the support she has continued to provide. Her dedication held the organisation together during the difficult times. I would also like to thank my fellow Trustees, for helping to develop the vision for STAG and also to express my sadness on the death of one of our number, Garvey Harris who was so committed to the organisation, and social justice. The community we serve remains one of the most disadvantaged in our society and subject to serious discrimination, including systemic racism. In particular the criminalisation of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people via provisions in the current **Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill** on ‘unauthorised encampments’ 2 STAG stands with the community in opposition to these provisions, and will join with others to fight discrimination and hate crime. We will continue in the coming year to empower the community around access to decent homes, education and improved financial situations. ## **Sally Causer, Chair** ## **Manager’s Report** 2020-21 has been a strange year for STAG. I started work in December 2019 and we went into lockdown in March 2020, when I hadn’t had a chance to visit some of our Southwark Traveller sites and get to know many of our clients. With many being digitally excluded, the lockdowns presented a real difficulty for us to try and change to provide the same support that we had in the past. However, with the support of all our staff, Trustees, volunteers, funders and partners we managed to adapt, provide some new services and it was a real pleasure for me to meet more and more of Southwark’s Gypsies and Travellers over the year: first through phone calls and gradually face-to-face. I was particularly glad we received funding from City Bridge Trust and the National Lottery Community Fund so that more of our clients could get online, whether that was to help with school or college work, to do shopping, to look for jobs, claim the benefits they were entitled to or simply to keep them in touch with friends and family. But I should also thank our usual funders: the Government of Ireland, Southwark Council and Trust for London for their continued support throughout this time and, in particular, our Development Worker, Kathleen Ryan, who despite personal and organisational difficulties kept working and supporting people through all three lockdowns, She continued to provide help and work to reduce inequalities for Gypsies and Travellers throughout this most difficult of years . It was also a huge bonus to us to be able to employ Becky Buchanan as our parttime Youth Engagement Worker in February 2021 and a huge thank you to her for all her work from both me and the young Travellers she got involved in different activities. And things couldn’t have continued without all the work of our Trustees. We were all shocked and saddened when Garvey Harris died from COVID-19 in January 2021 and will so miss his hard work and enthusiasm. We continue to miss him and to celebrate his work for us. **Alison Blackwood, Manager** 3 ## **STAG priorities for 2020 – 21** - **Core work:** Continue to deliver the successful STAG casework support and Women’s and Youth Group activities. Build on this work through a review and action plan. - **Youth activities:** Engage a sessional Youth Worker to further support the Youth Group - **Planning and redevelopment in Southwark:** Support the community to have a voice in the major redevelopments that will impact on their environment. This will include work on the New Southwark Plan. - **Representation:** Work with Southwark Council to ensure that the 2019 assessment of the accommodation needs of the GRT community in the borough is referenced in their planning policies and decisions, and to represent the needs of the GT community in the borough’s Allocations policy, pitch agreements, licenses and resident engagement work. - **Raising awareness of GRT culture:** Continue to raise awareness of the issues facing the GRT community and promote an understanding of the different GRT cultures with statutory bodies and local community organisations, through hosting more events that celebrate and raise awareness of GRT culture and by attending more local events and meetings. - **Partnership working:** Build stronger partnerships with statutory agencies and local community organisations in order to increase access to services for, and tackle disadvantage within, the GRT community. - **Community involvement:** Involve the GRT community in the governance of STAG and ensure that we can gain feedback and assess the needs of as many of the GT community in Southwark, as possible. - **Organisational infrastructure:** Improve STAG’s organisational capacity through better use of technology (financial management software, a content management system and use of the website and social media). - **Campaigning and advocacy:** Increase STAG’s engagement in local and national consultations and campaigns. - **Financial stability:** Gain funding from a wider range of funders, and explore fundraising through sponsorship and donations 4 ## **STAG Social Benefit 2020 – 21** Overall STAG supported 276 Gypsies and Travellers in 2020-21, almost double the 127 supported in 2019-20. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns there was a big change in the services STAG provided and how these were accessed over the year. ## **Casework 2020-21** In 2020-21 STAG supported 75 Gypsies and Travellers with 209 different casework issues. 30 of these were new clients. The most common issue remained accommodation (20%), but there was a big increase in casework to help people who were digitally excluded (13%). The majority of this work was done through telephone support, with an increase in support by text, e-mail and WhatsApp also, and, as a result of COVID-19 a dramatic reduction in face-toface support. ## **Women’s and Youth Group 2020-21** Because of COVID-19 lockdowns, the STAG Women’s and Youth Groups could not meet faceto-face but over the course of the year 11 regular Women’s Group members and 15 regular Youth Group members remained in touch through WhatsApp and Facebook groups. ## **Communications** Because of COVID-19, STAG started a bimonthly newsletter mailout, which developed into a monthly mailout to 92 Gypsy and Traveller households. We also started a Facebook page which is predominantly followed by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. By the end of the 2020 – 21 year, it had 188 followers. 5 ## **Digital support project** Early in the pandemic STAG received funding from Newcomen Collett Foundation to support three households without laptops and through the Community Calling project to provide 10 households with a smartphone. Based on these initial pilots, STAG applied for COVID-19 funding to support our clients who were digitally excluded. We were successful in gaining funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and City Bridge Trust to develop a programme of equipment provision and technical support by telephone and remote access, which lasted from September 2020 to March 2021. At the end of the project an additional 30 people in 28 households (28 Irish Traveller and 2 English Gypsy) had been provided with equipment (smartphones, laptops, routers and /or booster aerials), set up, and telephone & remote access to support them to use them. **“I received a laptop from STAG during lockdown to help with my children's schooling. I had one phone and a tablet between three children, 2 of them had morning zoom calls with their teachers and classes that sometimes ran into each others time slots and my eldest had 2 zoom calls a day with her teacher and class. All their work was sent via email and a lot of it was online so when [STAG] got in touch about the laptop I went for it and when it arrived it helped big time, my eldest is in year 5 so her work was a bit more demanding could attend her zoom calls without a problem and do all her work online and use the tools to do written work. The little ones could use it for purple mash and reading eggs etc.”** ## **Research, policy and campaigning** ## **New Southwark Plan** STAG submitted a response to the New Southwark Plan consultation on 26[th] October. We raised particular concerns about the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment and the way it had been used to develop Planning Policy 11: Homes for Gypsies and Travellers. To support Gypsies and Travellers to engage with, and inform, our response, we developed a short ten question survey: 17 surveys were competed through commissioning a qualified Irish Traveller researcher who lived in Southwark to conduct face-to-face (socially distanced) interviews with Irish Travellers on the Brideale Close site, or who were visiting the site, and six through Irish Travellers from Burnhill and Ilderton Road sites and those not living on Southwark sites completing online or telephone surveys. The survey results formed the basis of STAG’s response, ensuring 23 Irish Travellers had their voices heard. We also prepared a short template response that was posted out with the newsletter in October and sent by e-mail to our partner organisations and supporters. As a result, 14 consultation responses to the New Southwark Plan mentioned objections to the homes for Gypsies and Travellers Planning Policy and eight of these used the STAG template response (including five 6 from Irish Travellers with a long-term connection to Southwark) – showing our work had supported 27 Irish Travellers in total to engage in the consultation in some way. As a result of this work we identified that there are Irish Travellers who had moved out of sites in the borough because of overcrowding issues, and Irish Travellers who lived in “bricks and mortar” accommodation in the borough, who wanted to have a pitch on a Southwark site. STAG submitted a Written Submission to, and provided oral evidence at, the New Southwark Plan Examination in Public on 1[st] March 2021. We also supported an Irish Traveller from Brideale Close to provide oral evidence at the session. As a result, the Inspectors recommended all four Southwark sites should be safeguarded and the council look at how it will meet the five year need of 27 additional pitches in Southwark. ## **Survey** We launched at the end of October 2020 and was completed by 40 Gypsies, Roma and Travellers with a connection to Southwark. This demonstrated the impact COVID-19 had had on health and mental wellbeing, income and employment. 7 **“We don’t get a lot of opportunity to go travelling as we’re sent away by every town, village and place we go....there’s good and bad in our community like any other community....we all shouldn't be painted with the one brush.”** **“I dont feel involved at all by the council, they give no communication at all, they ignore us completely and give no information or feedback on anything at all, I think we’re the only race at the moment thats treated unfairly by the council”** **“I appreciate all your [STAG’s] hard work that you are doing for the community and thank you for keeping in touch in these very difficult times.”** **“STAG is very good support for Travellers and Gypsies they never fail to help when requested.”** 8 ## **Finances 2020-21** ## **Income 2020 - 21** Total income was £150, 305 an increase of 88% on 2019-20 ## **Expenditure 2020-21** Total expenditure was £103,524 an increase of 40% on 2019-20 9 ## **Fund balance carried forward** At the end of the financial year 2020-21, STAG carried £67,359 forward. **----- Start of picture text -----**
(£) Unrestricted Restricted 2021 Total 2020 Total
General Funds Funds Funds
Fund
Incoming Resources
Voluntary Income 15,556 134,749 150,305 79,548
Total Incoming Resources 15,556 134,749 150,305 79,548
Resources Expended
Charitable Activities 347 102,977 103,324 73,816
Total Resources Expended 347 102,977 103,324 73,816
Net Incoming Resources 15,209 31,572 46,781 5,900
Fund Balance Brought Forward 15,042 5,536 20,578 14,678
Fund Balance Carried Forward 30,251 37,108 67,359 20,578
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Reserves policy** As part of our Financial Management processes, the Board of Trustees has set a target of working towards accumulating and maintaining a reserve fund which represents three months annual operating costs. In the financial year 2020-21 this would amount to £25,881. These reserves would enable STAG to deal with the following contingencies: - - Reductions in or withdrawal of funding - In the event of closure, three months running costs to wind up the organisation and pay redundancies, leasehold and other liabilities. In addition, we wish to set aside the following amounts: - £5,000 in the event of an increase in premises costs - £10,000 for unforeseen staffing issues such as the need to provide cover due to sickness, maternity or paternity leave. - £5,000 fund for replacing essential equipment such as telephones or IT The total amount of unrestricted reserves to aim for is £45,881 and we are on course to achieve this with an increase from £20,578 to £30,251 over 2020-21. ## **STAG: Organisational summary** 10 ## **Purpose** The objects of Southwark Travellers’ Action Group (STAG) are specifically restricted to provide for, among members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities: - The prevention or relief of poverty - The advancement of education - The advancement of health - The advancement of community development - The advancement of culture - The promotion of racial harmony and of equality and diversity - The relief of those in need by reason of financial hardship or other disadvantage. The activities provided in relation to those purposes for the public benefit are: - One-to-one casework support for Gypsies and Travellers - Development of and support for a Women’s Group - Development and support for a Youth Group - Projects that reduce poverty, advance education, improve health and well-being and promote community development amongst Gypsies and Travellers connected to Southwark - Activities and events that promote the culture and heritage of Gypsies and Travellers to ensure it is more widely understood. - Activities and events that bring Gypsies and Travellers together that contribute to a community development approach. ## **Contribution made by volunteers** STAG recognises the significant contributions made by volunteers. This year we would like to thank, in particular Geraldine O’Brien who has provided transport and support throughout the year and, particularly at the beginning of lockdown. ## **Other support** We would also like to thank Josie O’Driscoll, Ilinca Diaconescu, Lauren Tapp, Jenni Berlin, Chelsea McDonagh and Yvonne MacNamara for their support for STAG’s work throughout the year. ## **Type of governing document** Memorandum & Articles of Association ## **Constituted** Private company limited by guarantee without share capital ## **Names of Trustees** Sally Causer – Chair 11 Catherine Green – Treasurer Ian Redding Megan Preston Jennie Corbett (until May 2021) Garvey Harris (until January 2021) ## **Names of staf** Alison Blackwood – Manager Kathleen Ryan – Development Worker Becky Buchanan – Youth Engagement Worker (from February 2021) ## **Trustee selection** The charity may by ordinary resolution: - (1) Appoint a person who is willing to act to be a director; and - (2) Determine the rotation in which any additional directors are to retire. No person other than a director retiring by rotation may be appointed a director at any general meeting unless: - (1) He or she is recommended for re-election by the directors; or - (2) Not less than fourteen not more than thirty-five clear days before the date of the meeting, the charity is given a notice that: - (a) Is signed by a member entitled to vote at the meeting; - (b) States the member’s intention to propose the appointment of a person as a director; - (c) Contains the details that, if the person were to be appointed, the charity would have to file at Companies House; and - (d) Is signed by the person who is to be proposed to show his or her willingness to be appointed. All members who are entitled to receive notice of a general meeting must be given not less than seven nor more than twenty-eight clear days’ notice of any resolution to be put to the meeting to appoint a director other than a director who is to retire by rotation. The directors may appoint a person who is willing to act to be a director. A director appointed by a resolution of the other directors must retire at the next annual general meeting and must not be taken into account in determining the directors who are to retire by rotation. 12 ## **Funders** **STAG wants to thank the following funders who supported our work in 2020 -21:** **as well as Newcomen Collett Foundation** 13 ## **Declarations** The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the Trustees by: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature
Name Sally Causer Catherine Green
Position Chair Treasurer
Date 3.11.21 3.11.21
**----- End of picture text -----**
14 SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS. ACTION GROUP LTD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 09996890 CHARITY NUMBER 1184614 LONDON ACCOUNTANCY PRACTICE SOJOURNER TRUTH CENTRE 161 SUMNER ROAD LONDON SE15 6JL SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP LTD (A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 Page CONTENTS Company Information Report of Directorsrrrustecs Independent Examiners Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 9-1Q Notss to the Accounts 11-12 Detailed Income and Expenditure 13-14 SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP LTD (A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 ADMINISTRATIVE I LEGAL INFORMATION REGISTRATION DETAILS. SOUTHWARK TFIAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP LTD is an incorporated organisation registered as a Private Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales Company Number.. 09996890. Charity Number.. 1184614 GOVERNING DOCUMENT SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP is an incorporated organisation governed by the Companies Act 2006 and Memorandum and Articles of Association respectively. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Sally Causer...............Director lan Redding................Director Garvey G Harris.............Director Megan Preston...... . Director Catherine Green............Treasurer REGISTERED OFFICE SOUTHWARK TFIAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP Sojourner Truth Centre 161 Sumner Road London SE15 6JL BANKERS Unity Trust Bank Nine Brindleyplace Birmingham Bl 2HB INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS London AceoLintancy Pr2Ctice Sojourner Truth Centre 161 Sumner Road London SE15 6JL SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP IA PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE} REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 The directorsltrustees present their report and financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2021. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES The objects of the .qOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP are specifically restricted to the following.. To provide for, among members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. The prevention or relief of povety, The advaiicement of education, The advancement of health, The advan￿ment of community development, The advancement of culture, The promotion of racial harmony and of equality and diverslty, The relief of those in need by reason of financial hardship or other disadvantage. STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES The Directors, who are also the trustees of the Coinpany, are rcquired to prepare financiAI statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of the year and of its finanGl¢l1 adivities during the year then ended. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to.. 5eleGt 6Ultable accounting policies and 2pply them consistently., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable staridards and statement of recommended practi have been followed, subject to any mgterial departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and prepare the tinancial Statements on the going concarn bagis iinless rt is inappropii¢ile to presume that the project will continue in operation. The directorsltrustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose at any lime the financial position of the Company. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of thp Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Treasurer Sign. Catherine Green SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP REPORT OF THE DIRECTORsrrRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 FINANCIAL REVIEW The results of the year's operation are set out in the attached financial statements. The net movement in funds for the year amounted to £46,781. The retained reseNes at 31 March 2021 amounted to £67,359. The trustees have been aware of the need to comply with good practice guidelines on free reserves and SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP policy is included In the notes io the accounts. RISK MANAGEMENT The trustees have examined the major risk which SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP fa￿S and believe that maintaining our free reserves at a reasonable level, combined with our annual review of the controls over key financial systems will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which we fa￿ and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks. RESERVE POLICY As part of our financial management process, the Board of trustees has set a targg.t of wnrking tOW8rd8 Af.r.LJmiJlating 2nd maint2ining a reSe￿e fund which represents three months annual operating costs. In the financial year 2020121 this would amount to £25,881. Tha88 ra8ervas would anable STAG to deal with the following contingencies'.- Reduction in or withdrawal of funding. In the event of closure, three months running costs to wind up the organisation and pay redundancies, leasehold and other liabilities. In addition, we wish to set aside the following amounts.. £5,000.00 In the event of an Increase In promises costs. £10,000.00 for unforeseen staffing issues Such as the need to provide cover due to sickness, maternity or paternity leave. 5,000.00 fund for essential equipment such as telephone or IT. The tot21 of unrestricted reseNes we therefore feel would bè prudent to aim for is £45881.00. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS The Company keeps a register of flxed assets SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS. ACTION GROUP REPORT OF THE DIRECTORsrrRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 FUNDS AVAILABLE The present level of funding ig adequate to support the continuation of thp. Company operations for the medium term. and the trustees consider the financial position of the Company to be salisfactory. VOLUNTEERS SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP recognises the significant contributions mad8 by volunteers. SOUTHWARK TRAVELLERS. AGTION GROUP (A Private Company Limited By Guarantee) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accoLints of the abovp. charity {"the Trust") for the year ended 31103 12021. Responsibilities and basis of rèport As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requiremenls of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination ot the I rust's accounts carried out under section 145of the2011Actand in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination whiGh gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section130 of the Act., or the aGcount5 did Iivt aGLoid wilh Ilie accouiiliiig records", or the accounts did not comply with the applicablc requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirements that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attenlion should be drawri iri tkiib rgport iii older to eiiable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Ade Adeb ,AC , CGMA, ACMA London Accountancy Practice 161 Sumner Road London SE15 6JL sourhly1RKTrA￿LlERs'Acm1GRUjPL1D STAIEIENTOIFINANCLIIACTMnES F(hlThEYEARENtÉD31 MIRCH2121 Urftthitsd Rethitsl R￿l￿d Riiknctsd Reshctsd RestrKtrd Reitrth Re5thikd Re5trckd )J21 CdidFurl Furl ￿ Find Fwd Fund Fur Fund Tt41 10 h¥oth C￿8nty Niloiil NKLMMen Tnmt FMd Fund Ftyjndiion Truii LotteryCF cl1￿ CONI C￿n￿1c￿l9 kn)rttyr•JTh foiL i41111il.301 79. TthllrKthmwResNrus 15,556 11 5.070 11219 900 21,001 21791 19,ODD 15D,115 19,711 RESOURCESEXFfNDED'. CknthAO 7 333 5.070 51,815 ToklRiiouKei M7 lll 5,070 51115 210DD 19,511 1516 101.521 11111 NdliioNigRe4ourcei 19211 17,154 11:Th 19)) FIndkn￿l&olY1FMid FUndB1￿mICirnIdFI￿￿l 19237 17,451 I1,￿9 20,578 SOUYHWARK TRAVELLERS, ACTION GROUP L TD BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 FIXED ASSETS Omre E9ulpmvnl 2021 2020 tURRENT ASSÈT5 Debtors Cash al bank 2400 2.281 82,281 8?,281 33,26S J3.255 CURRENTLIABILITIE5 Dpl?rred I￿onY PAYE I Sahry i Pen510n5 CrE