2023-12-31-accounts

Charity Number 1185728

The Together Free Foundation

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Together Free Foundation

For the year ending 31 December 2023

Charitable Status

The Together Free Foundation is a registered charity in England. Charity Number 1185728

Registered Address 6 Clarence Road Southend-on-Sea Essex SS11AN

Trustees Serving During 2023

Peter Dominey

Jackie Raja

Jodi Thompson

Diane Watts Retired May 2023

The charity is established by means of a constitution with trustees appointed by the trustee body.

Summary of Objectives and Activities

The Together Free Foundation (TFF) helps local communities, faith groups and charities end modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT). This is done through catalysing and supporting local communities, including charities, grassroots community groups, the local authority and law enforcement to find local solutions for local problems of exploitation through: 1) developing localised antislavery partnerships to partner towards slavery-free communities; 2) raising awareness within the community and among at-risk groups; 3) developing and delivering training to community groups and front-line responders, 4) developing referral pathways to ensure the effective safeguarding of victims and; 5) supporting victims and survivors of modern slavery through community-based survivor care. During 2023 the charity employed three parttime staff and relied on volunteer and community engagement, thereby offering excellent value for money for its output.

Public Benefit Statement

The charity’s trustees continue to have regard for both the charitable objects set out in the governing document and to ensuring that the activities of the charity, as described, meet the public benefit test. In so doing, they take account of the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning the charity’s programme of activities. The trustees of the Together Free Foundation are confident that the activities of the charity demonstrate strong evidence of public benefit.

www.togetherfree.org.uk

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Charity Number 1185728

The Together Free Foundation

Antislavery Day 18th October

Southend awareness campaign included:

-10 participating organisations

• Stall engaging the public for the week -Resources and awareness presentation produced for local organisations

-Social media campaign in partnership with Southend City Council

• Press releases from Southend Council and Police

• Homelessness and Modern Slavery Online Conference with 5 presenting organisation and 76 participants.

During 2023 twenty-eight partner organisations collaborated within SAMS towards a slavery-free community. These, included charities, faith groups and the Council and Police. Partnership work included:

o Facilitating quarterly partnership meetings with stakeholders, sharing best practice and offering training. o Delivering specialist training for front-line professionals . 337 people were trained, including local charities, faith groups and the council.

o Eight community leaders are on the SAMS steering group, giving accountability and guidance.

o The SAMS Survivor Care Project continued to develop, offering community-based support to survivors of modern slavery.

o Empirical academic research conducted within SAMS was published: The Contribution and Motivation of Faith-based Volunteers within a UK Antislavery Partnership: A Case Study.

SAMS Survivor Care Project

The Survivor Care Project provides community-based support to survivors of modern slavery and trafficking in the City of Southend. The project provides regular long-term and bespoke wrap-around support in the form of befriending, mentoring, and practical help. Trained volunteers are coordinated to help provide person-centred support to encourage community integration and well-being.

In 2023 the Project supported 7 survivors of modern slavery, originating from 6 different countries. The project aims to increase well-being, encourage community integration, improve well-being and provide practical help for survivors.

Survivor feedback from 'C' to her volunteer befriender (shared with permission)

I appreciate your help which brings me a bit calm in my chest... I feel more open with you [which] starts to make me feel confident. I deserve to be loved not hated and I am proud today. I found many good people coming to help me to come out of my past darkness. I am glad I met SAMS partnership.

Amanda, Deputy Manager, St. Vincent's Centre (a partner organisation within SAMS) In the past 3 months we have made great progress with one of our clients. Only for SAMS involvement this gentleman would still be struggling in a environment where he was taken advantage of and was subject to modern day slavery. He is now in a safe house, really making progress. It shows working together really does make a huge difference. What great partnership work we have with SAMS!

www.togetherfree.org.uk

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Charity Number 1185728

The Together Free Foundation

Since August 2022, The Together Free

Foundation has been collaborating with Chelmsford Council in establishing the Chelmsford Against Slavery Partnership. Quarterly CASP meetings are co-delivered and facilitated by Together Free in order to develop: awareness raising; training and resources; developing referral pathways and victim support, intelligence sharing and disruption. 33 participants on average attend these meetings, from 45 participating organisations. Work streams and priorities are divided between four task and finish groups. A steering group provides oversight to CASP, developing vision, values and promoting sustainability. The impact of CASP within 2023 is highlighted below.

CASP in 12 Months

-45 participating organisations - 4 task and finish groups -14 potential victims of modern slavery supported - 300% increase of individuals referred into the National Referral Mechanism from

previous year

-15 training workings with 300 participants - awareness literature produced -logos and website developed www.chelmsfordasp.org.uk - 2 community engagement days with 10 volunteers

• Antislavery Day awareness campaign: three partner videos (3,283 views) and press releases - 5 partner intelligence reports received

• 5 site visits to high risk addresses including car washes, nail bars and private addresses

www.togetherfree.org.uk

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Charity Number 1185728

The Together Free Foundation

Following the impact of the Antislavery Partnerships in Southend and Chelmsford, The Together Free Foundation was invited to work with Colchester Council to establish the Colchester Against Slavery Partnership. The Together Free Foundation is providing a part-time antislavery coordinator to establish the antislavery partnership and facilitate collaborative work streams.

CAMS in Numbers 2023

• 35 participating organisations including charities, faith groups, the police, law enforcement, and the University.

- 1 steering group formed with participants from 8 organisations to provide strategic oversight - 5 task and finish groups developed including: awareness raising, training, survivor care, and safeguarding, intelligence and disruption. Work streams in process for each. 20 individuals participate, representing 14 organisations.

- 3 quarterly partnership meetings with best practice and progress shared

- 2 x 3 hour conferences with 127 attendees

- awareness literature, branding, and web presence developed

- 1 awareness campaign including awareness stall, artwork in shopping stall, social media and modern slavery and homeless conference

• 9 training workshops for 205 participants

Public Benefit Statement

Accounting Basis

The charity’s trustees continue to have regard for both the charitable objects set out in the governing document and to ensuring that the activities of the charity, as described, meet the public benefit test. In so doing, they take account of the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning the charity’s programme of activities. The trustees of the Together Free Foundation are confident that the activities of the charity demonstrate strong evidence of public benefit.

The accounts were prepared on a receipts and payments basis.

Report prepared by. D Pratt

Signed on behalf of the Trustees by P. Dominey

Together Free Appreciates 2023 Funding From

• Essex Community Foundation - MB Reckitt Trust

• Leeze Charitable Fund

• Colchester City Council - Chelmsford City Council - Fowler, Smith and Jones

• Eastern Baptist Association

• The National Lottery

• The Swire Charitable Trust

• British Airways - The Rosca Trust

• The Manek Foundation

• The Hilden Charitable Fund - High Sherriffs Fund

• The Allen Lane Foundation

www.togetherfree.org.uk

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Charity Number 1185728 TheTogether Frèè Foundation CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Se¢tlon A Independent Examiner's Report R•port to tho trustmsl m•fflbors of THE ToG￿HER FREE FOUNDATION On a¢counts forlh• y•ar ¢nd•d 3111ZP2023 Charlty no (11 any) 1185728 S•t out on p• &9 I rewrt to the twste88 ￿ my eXamina￿n of thg a￿￿JnIS oftho ab charity rtho T￿￿{.) lor the year end&1 3111¥2023. R¢sponslbllllles Jnd As the charfty I￿￿t085 of the Tr￿( Jry)u arg rgswrtsfola for thg woparallon ba¥ls of rnport of th9 accounts in with th8 roquirements of Ihe Charities Act 2011 fth8 W). l TeFKvI in rospgd of my eXamk￿lIan of tho T￿￿r$ ac(yJunl$ (aThigd ¢J under Sec1￿ 145 ofthe 2011 Act aTrJ In caryiry out my examhallon, I ha￿ folltrhBd the a￿l￿tle DrKt)ns 9f48n by ts Charity CommissvJn ur#der seclkn 145(5Xb) of￿ A I have c£ryleled my eyAmwlX￿. I confim that m material mattern havo c￿e to my attentiC￿ (0th8r that di5dosed beb)w') in cmnection with th8 axamh31kn whk gives mg cause to beliBve that kn. any material Independenl examinoffs 8tatem•nt the Act or I havo no and ha￿ u)mo acmss no Otr￿ matters Sn o)nnodion examinatwi to att•nlw $h¢yJld h drawn in oft18r to anablo a oper undwstanding of ts a(ZO￿ts lo b8 reath& ' Pleas& dd6te tt ￿Y)rdS in th8 brnckets rfttMydo not apply. Slgn•d: CHRISTINE FRANCES WARNER R•l•vant profosslonal qu•llficatlon(sl or body (If any): MAAT Ad(hs$: 386 SOUTHBOURNE GROVE WESTCLIFF ON SEA ESSEX SS(rf)AQ etherfree.o

Charity Number 1185728 TheTogether Frèè Foundation THE TOGETHER FREE FOUNDATION STATEMENT OF FINANaAL Acrivrry FOR YEAR ENDED 3 2023 Unrestricted Fund Restricted Fund Total 2023 Total 2022 Incomi Resources Voluntary Donations 2￿ 123 323 1.829 42.215 286 Grants Other Totsl Val￿rtary Income 4.2(Kl 86 71.506 1.013 72,641 75.706 1,099 77,127 4.486 44.330 Investment IK¢Jme Interest 616 616 81 Totsl Incixniry ReS0￿ceS 5,102 72,641 77,743 44.411 Resources Ex Charitiable activities Operational Costs Staff ing Awareness resources 1.837 6.966 4,985 47.871 1,513 2.112 6,822 54,837 1,513 2,112 74 5.055 42.502 437 SuNour Care Supwrt Other Total Resowces Used 1.825 74 8.878 56.480 65.358 49.908 Net (outgoingllincoming resources 13.775) 16,161 12,385 15,497) Transfer between funds 6,374 16,374) Net m¢)vement in funds for year 2,599 9,787 12,385 15,4971 Fund Balan￿ at 31 December 2022 2,443 19.046 21,490 26,986 Fund Balance at 31 December 2023 5,042 28,833 33,875 21,490 etherfree.o

Charity Number 1185728 TheTogether Frèè Foundation THE TOGETHER FREE FOUNDATION STATEMENT OF ASSET AND UABILMES FOR IEAR ENDED 31 12 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Fund Fund Total 2023 Total 2022 CASH FUNDS CAF Bank Cash in hand 14.828 33.875 21.490 14.828 19,046 33,875 21,490 REPRESENTED BY 2022 Uryestrirted General Fund 5.042 2.443 5.042 2.443 Rèstiirt MS& &JNvorCare& National Lottuy (thelmsfofd ICASPI Colchester IC4MSI 11,410 14,638 2.786 11,593 7,453 28,833 19,046 Total reserves 33,875 21,490 Trustee (Peter Lkjmlnevl 26 June 2024 etherfree.o

Charity Number 1185728 TheTogether Frèè Foundation ol R¢elp1$4ndP•ywrt Ystrirtod Total 1012 Fw SAMS & Nath> Drwhgti Grarrt5 7DS 216 Ct￿r 913 ICL) 26.912 25.571 20.152 Trt•l rat1 1022 SAMS & SW¥r￿ • Natth PJ (Eratior41 C4X5 Staffin8 IA37 13211 310 43? Car SUPWÉ 74 &878 26.772 IS.393 14.316 65JS8 lknrid•d GenEfal Fw R•#rki•d S.102 SAM5 & Survmx LL*t S93 24m 15J93 14J16 GS358 Il410 14.638 2.7J6 a3 ChelthtdlCASP) Cd(Fe5ter (CAM51 7.453 25.S77 Y).15 n,743 .rfJD etherfree.o

Charity Number 1185728 TheTogether Frèè Foundation ImTOIHEFIFIANCIAL5fAIEMEMIS FC¥IYEAREIIDED31 1013 51 Trustee Remunemlon benefits NoT{u5t￿r￿W￿ a51wyorincofflefromTheTogetherFreEFoundation in 2023. 61 StaTrC 2023 2022 W4e5andsalarie5 53.259 36.501 Durln8thÈyÈ¥theCharftyemplowl betwetn2-3 mtmbusofst*. areon parttlmeba4sand varioushours dependin8on 8rantfvndin& etherfree.o