Annual Report and Accounts of Women with Hope for the Year 2024 ## Introduction Throughout 2024, there has been a notable increase in unrest among the general public as political pressures have mounted, particularly regarding government policies toward refugees. In July, riots began in Southport and quickly spread to many major cities across the UK. These riots included racist attacks targeting both communities and hotels that house refugees and asylum seekers. We are seeing the media reports of increasing hostility towards asylum seekers and refugees. ## Refugee Situation in the UK According to the UNHCR, the UK is home to approximately 515,700 refugees. As of June 2024, government data indicates there are 224,742 pending asylum cases, including appeals and postdecision cases, with 87,000 awaiting an initial decision. Many of our clients have waited over a year to receive refugee status, and some have waited for more than a decade. Most asylum seekers are not permitted to work, have no choice over their place of residence, and must rely on a government cash grant of just £7 per day for food, sanitation, and clothing. These prolonged waits deeply affect individuals' mental well-being, often resulting in depression and anxiety. ## Our Work and Impact Women with Hope provides vital support to women in Birmingham who are seeking refuge while navigating the asylum process. Our charity offers a safe space where women can meet and relax. Membership continues to rise, and we now average 25 women attending our weekly sessions. The Rwanda Plan remained a dominant media topic throughout 2023 and 2024, causing anxiety for many seeking safety in the UK. Our charity’s mission remains critical in the current political climate, where members remain at risk of detention and removal by the Home Office. Despite these challenges, our members demonstrate resilience, learn new languages and cultures, and work towards becoming settled residents. We are deeply concerned for the millions who are violently displaced or who take great risks to seek safety. Their plight highlights the generosity of individuals in the UK and beyond. It is essential to remember that many seeking asylum live among us, and we can all offer practical friendship and welcome. Eunice Barnes, Chair & Dorrell Townsend Secretary Women with Hope 1 ## Charity Activities and Community Support Women with Hope entered 2024 in a strong financial position. Trustees continue to support women in a safe environment at Selly Oak Quaker Meeting House, hosting weekly gatherings. Women attending these sessions gain skills such as practising English, arts and crafts, and relaxation activities to support mental health. The meetings offer opportunities for sharing and moral support, which is vital amid negative media coverage affecting members’ mental well-being. Since 2023, group numbers have grown, with an average of 25 women attending each week for friendship, support, and signposting. Unfortunately, due to riots in July, our annual seaside trip in August was postponed for the safety and well-being of our group. 2 Our meetings include workshops on physical and mental health, storytelling, celebrating successes, and sharing cultural experiences. We have also hosted sessions on housing policy changes, immigration updates, and assistance during the asylum process. Women have visited St Joseph Catholic School where over the years, teachers and children have supported our group by donating Christmas presents and toiletries’ . 3 ## Thanks and Acknowledgements The trustees and members would like to thank our volunteers for their dedication in coordinating weekly activities. Special appreciation goes to Bridget, Dee, Beauty, Margaret, Veronica, and Monisola. Our thanks also go to: - Brian Homer for ongoing website support - Claire Peat, Selly Oak Quakers & Friends for their donations - Lichfield Hope Support Group for ongoing support - Women for Refugee Women for their practical and financial help - Right to Remain for continued support and training - The children of St. Joseph Catholic School for Christmas bags and gifts - Sarah Taal, Baobab Women Project, for ongoing support - Barbara Forbes for continued support - The Roughley Trust and AW60 for generous funding - Rhoda Wharton for serving as independent examiner of our accounts - Dee who has volunteered with the charity from the beginning in 2019 and has now retired ## Charity Information Our trustees include women with direct experience of the UK asylum system: - Eunice Barnes (Chair) - Senait Jones (Treasurer) - Bridget Obi - Clare Peat - Salem Hagos - Dorrell Townsend (Secretary) - Anthony Wilson (Advisor) 4 Registered Office: C/o 4 Autumn Drive, Lichfield, Staffordshire Charity Number: 1186078 Website: https://womenwithhope.org.uk ## Financial Account 1 January – 31 December 2024 |
Income and
expenditure
statement 2024|2024|2023|2022|2021| |---|---|---|---|---| |CurrentAssets|£|£|£|£| |Cash|0|0|0|0| |Bank|15,959|16,317|16,799.15|13,704.93| |Total Assets|15,959|16,317|16,799.15|13,704.93| |Creditors|0|0|0|0| |NetAssets|15,959|16,317|16,799.15|13,704.93| |Fund 1.1.24 brt
fwd|16,317|16,799|13,704.93|14,219.69| |||||| |Cashbook totals||||| |Total Income|10,563|9,523|7,267.60|11,560.33| |Total
Expenditure|10,921|10,005|4,173.38|12,075.09| |Total income
over expenditure|-358|-482|3,094.22|-514.76| |Fund c/fwd
31/12/24|15,959|16,317|16,799.15|13,704.93| |||||| |Held in current
account|9,643|10,244|13,779.05|10,696.28| |Held in deposit
account|6,317|6,074|3,020.10|3,008.65| |Cash|0|0|0|0| |||||| |Details of
Income||||| |Grants|7,500|8,000|6,000|9,800.00| |Donations|2,664|1,470|1,027.88|1,481.81| |Interest|135|54|11.45|8.52| |Other|264||228.27|270.00| |Total|10,563|9,523|7,267.60|11,560.33| |||||| |Details of
Expenditure||||| |Travel/Top up|||1,512.75|7,286.10| |Refreshments|7,954|7,089|497.95|403.56| |Volunteers|885|1,215|470|1,015.00| 5 |expenditure|||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Rent & Admin|1,418|1,277||919.70|2,002.55| |Entertainment||||0|365.00| |Insurance|186||||| |Bank charges|125|94||87.55|58.48| |Miscellaneous*||||233.54|944.40| |Web & Zoom|353|331|||| |Total|10,921|10,005||4,173.38|12,075.09| |Breakdown of Miscellaneous Expenditure for WwH – 2022|||||| |Additional support cost|||£5.27||| |Christmas expenses|||£228.27||| |Total|||£233.54||| 6