CROESO MENAI 1186363 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 01.05.2022 – 30.04.2023
Objectives and activities
The object of the CIO is
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to relieve financial hardship, advance education and promote social inclusion amongst those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status particularly by assisting with the resettlement and integration of families and by any other means as the trustees in their discretion shall determine;
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to preserve and protect the physical and mental health of those granted refugee status and their dependants
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to assist those granted refugee status in their search for employment
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to promote community co-operation between individuals and organisations such as faith-based and voluntary bodies, university, schools and colleges, local authorities and businesses in pursuit of the above objects
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to promote social cohesion through the education of the public about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum, and about the benefits of refugee community sponsorship for wider community.
Achievements
Trustees’ Report
In July 2022, the trustees, members and supporters lost one of the founders of Croeso Menai (CM).Tony McNicholl, trustee and Honorary Treasurer of our organisation died on July 22nd. I think that it's fair to say that he's hugely missed by all who knew him. Apart from his involvement with Croeso Menai he was also active in his church in Holyhead, CAFOD, the promotion of Fair Trade on Anglesey, and the North Wales Justice and Peace Campaign – and those were just his voluntary activities. A number of us were able to attend his funeral in August and pass on our condolences to his wife and family.
As his health declined at the beginning of 2022 Tony informed his fellow Trustees that he would have to give up the Treasurership of Croeso Menai. He helped us contact Peter Smith, who already acts as Treasurer to other voluntary organisations. Pete agreed to take on the role as our Honorary Treasurer, but without any other involvement in the activities of Croeso Menai. The trustees thank Pete for his work.
After Tony's death, the remaining Trustees of Croeso Menai are Gareth Hughes, Elsa Barratt and Sonya Woodward. During the year the Trustees co-opted Sara Roberts, who was formally approved at the 21/22 AGM held in February 2023. At the 21/22 AGM , Sadie Frost expressed an interest in becoming a Trustee. Her election can take place at the 22/23 AGM.
The Trustees are satisfied that Croeso Menai under the leadership of Catherine Griffiths continues to do its work in line with our charitable objectives in a correct and proper fashion. We would like to thank Catherine and all our volunteers, as well as our Members and our supporters, for everything they have contributed to the success of the organisation.
Family 1: The first family to be sponsored by Croeso Menai celebrated their first two years in the UK at the end of February 2023. The feedback from both the family and the Home Office appraisal was very positive. The children are well settled in school. The parents have been attending college. It was decided to continue to support the family but in a less formal way for at least another 12 months. The family is now more autonomous and is prepared to ask for advice and assistance only as and when required.
Family 2: Approval from the Home Office for a second family was granted to Croeso Menai in December 2022, and the new family was welcomed by a new CM team on January 25th, 2023. The family is housed in Bangor, and the first months of resettlement have gone well.
Dyma Ni: In response to the arrival of refugees to the UK from Ukraine in the spring of 2022, Croeso Menai entered into a partnership with the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Bangor, working with local and central government as well as Pobl i Bobl (the local refugee support NGO), to set up a social hub in Bangor, Dyma Ni, serving refugees and host families. The hub provided training for volunteers, and the centre opened in May 2022. Dyma Ni has worked with the health authorities, Citizens Advice, the Food Bank, etc. It has provided a place of contact and support, with ESOL, winter clothing donations, job fairs, etc. One year later, in March 2023, the need for Dyma Ni was reducing with user numbers dropping from a monthly peak of 136 to little more than 50. The local government-run residential Welcome Centre closed in March 2023. The future for Dyma Ni was under review. The trustees thank Kay Laurie for her work in coordinating the Dyma Ni team.
Gareth Hughes Trustee
Financial Report
May 1[st] 2022 – April 30[th] 2023
Opening Balance £18,579.86
Income Donations £9.962.92 Refunds £3,986.01 Fund Raising £1,422.94 Grants £ 603.36 Loan Repayment £0 Total £15,975.23 Expenditure General £10,878.20 Utilities £ 787.68 Interpreting £ 3,150.04 Child Care £ 4,236.80 DBS Checks £ 491.00 Total £19,543.72
Closing Balance £15,011.37
Peter Smith Treasurer, Croeso Menai.