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2021-03-31-accounts

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Charity number 1187477

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period 21 January 2020 to 31 March 2021

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Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 March 2021

Contents Page
Trustees' report 2 to 5
Examiner's report 6
Receipts and payments account 7
Statement of assets and liabilities 8
Notes to the accounts 9 to 11

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service

1

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Trustees' report for the period ended 31 March 2021

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Dates

Richard Davies Claire Way Peter Fielding Siegfried Breuning Bryan Mucheriwa Catherine Emery Brian Hamill Resigned 2nd June 2020 Laura King Resigned 6th October 2020

Charity number

The charity was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, number 1187477, on 21 January 2020.

Principal address Bankers c/o Quaker Meeting House Co-operative Bank Lloyds Bank Thornhill Street P O Box 250 17 Westgate Wakefield Skelmersdale Wakefield WF1 1NQ WN8 6WT WF1 1JZ

Independent examiner E J Beverley FCCA West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) formed on 21 January 2020, governed by an association model constitution.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM.

2

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Trustees' report (continued) for the period ended 31 March 2021

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

(b) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit, by encouraging and supporting voluntary, community and faith organisations to welcome asylum-seekers and refugees enabling them to access community facilities, enabling them to participate more effectively within the wider community, and so aid their integration within the community.

(c) To relieve poverty and hardship among those who are seeking or have sought asylum, refugees, and their dependants, by providing financial and other material support, interpreting / translating / advocacy / health / housing advice and education.

(d) To help asylum-seekers and refugees adapt to life in the UK by: advancing their education and training, and helping them to access facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupations.

The charity's main activities

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary (WDCoS) offers welcome, inclusion and friendship to asylum seekers passing through Wakefield and to asylum seekers and refugees living in Wakefield. In line with the national vision, we endeavour to offer a place of welcome and safety to people fleeing violence and persecution. We keenly encourage organisations, networks and all faith groups to be inclusive; we also promote and value the varied contributions asylum seekers and refugees make to society. WDCoS aims to enable people from all backgrounds to confidently take part in community activities and celebrate the richness of diversity. We positively promote good neighbourliness and actively challenge hostility and discrimination.

Before Covid-19 pandemic, the support we offered included many social activities, drop-ins, English classes, crafts, general advice and signposting. At a very practical level we ran a clothing store, food store and an Asylum Seekers Support Fund (ASSF) which provided food and financial support for asylum seekers and refugees suffering poverty and hardship, particularly those with no recourse to public funds.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular

(h) the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity

(j) the relief of those in need, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

Achievements and performance

When the pandemic resulted in lockdown in March 2020, WDCoS was a newly established CIO. All social activities had to cease but we continued to provide the essential services of the Food Store and Clothing Store on a ‘request and delivery’ basis. It has been wonderful to continue to offer such practical help at this difficult time.

During the pandemic demand for the Food Store increased and Wakefield Council provided emergency funding. Given the demonstrated need for the Food Store the trustee group has requested and obtained permission from the Charity Commission to amend our charitable objectives to enable the Food Store to serve the wider community. This permission was received in June 2021, the next step is passing a resolution to make the change. Several funders provided money to supply new clothes and shoes.

3

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Trustees' report (continued) for the period ended 31 March 2021

Achievements and performance continued

WDCoS also obtained funding from Nova to establish a Resource Centre and establish a computerised request and deliver system for the Clothing Store. The Resource Centre is equipped with computers and is used to signpost asylum seekers and refugees to specialist areas of help via the internet. The Resource Centre opening times have been limited but, as pandemic restrictions are lifted, the capacity will be increased to four workstations available three times per week.

Other major projects which have received funding are a Digital Inclusion Project and a Media Project.

Using Digital Inclusion funds WDCoS currently has provided 62 managed tablet computers to the initial accommodation centre for loan to asylum seekers during their stay there. This has given them access to digital information, education and entertainment. We will continue to develop this provision to other groups of sanctuary seekers in our area.

We have received £20,000 funding from Wakefield Council over 2 years to work on a project called “Welcome to Wakefield.” A small group, mostly comprising sanctuary seekers, is working on several media products. This group will learn by building their own websites and go on to produce a “Welcome to Wakefield” website aimed at asylum seekers arriving in Wakefield which will be a central point for information for them. The group will also produce some art postcards expressing the welcome that they have found. A number of video pieces will also be produced by the group.

Through the Creative Craft Group, volunteers and supporters made face coverings, play mats and offered a wide variety of activity, writing and creative crafts for people in initial and dispersed accommodation.

The English teaching classes and conversation groups had to stop when the first lockdown began. The English tutors turned this into an opportunity and have successfully developed a range of online classes from very basic listening to spoken English and to the study of English grammar. Currently there are 10 teachers, teaching 11 full hour classes with an average class attendance of 60 pupils/week (6-12/day) and a further 9 classes for a shorter duration, aimed at beginners. As there were issues for some students accessing online classes the English teaching group successfully won funding to continue teaching regular attendees who are having problems with the internet or have moved area. Thus, the emotional shock asylum seekers experience of losing everything again when they are moved on to dispersed accommodation, after they have made friends locally, can be bridged. It also means we can offer help to connect them to their new location through our links to other supporting organisations

WDCoS has a broad base of support and good relationships with those third sector agencies which also offer support to asylum seekers and refugees, Wakefield Council, and other agencies. We have also for many years worked alongside the government contractors who provide initial accommodation and dispersed accommodation for asylum seekers in the district. The contractor’s welfare officers currently ensure that WDCoS information is in their welcome packs and actively encourage their clients to contact WDCoS.

WDCoS is able to call on a broad cross-section of community backing. We have cooperative and supportive relationships with local community groups, local businesses, faith groups, churches and mosques. We are actively supported by the Council’s Communities and Public Health Service and by individual elected members. For several years The Art House has held a national Studio of Sanctuary Award and has supported WDCoS by providing Studio 3 as a work base. They have also provided innovative and inspirational leadership. We have a strong volunteer and community base and an enthusiastic network of supporters who respond to a wide variety of needs. We have strong links with refugees within Wakefield, particularly those who have been and are active in our community.

4

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Trustees' report (continued) for the period ended 31 March 2021

Achievements and performance continued

The pandemic highlighted the benefit of having all practical elements of WDCoS in one place. In April 2021 the Resource Centre, the Clothing Store and the Food Store moved to St Michael’s Church, Westgate Common. With a more secure base WDCoS is looking forward to working in partnership with St Michael’s to develop the ‘Welcome Centre’ into a community resource. This move will present many exciting opportunities and enable WDCoS to work in partnership with other agencies and facilitate a range of activities for all the community.

WDCoS would not be able to operate without the continued support of its volunteers. The past year has been a terribly difficult year for volunteering, with many people having to shield and everyone having to social distance. WDCoS’s Lead Coordinators have set up private social media groups to maintain contact and support with fellow volunteers. Some volunteers have been able to continue to offer hands-on support. All the help received from our volunteers and supporters, whether in person, over the internet or of a financial nature, has been wonderful. Though the pandemic has been a very difficult time, WDCoS volunteers and community has continued to offer support to asylum seekers, refugees and each other. We thank each and every one for their resourcefulness, generosity and their commitment to friendship and welcome.

Financial review

The net receipts for the year were £55,451, including net receipts of £15,172 on unrestricted funds and net receipts of £40,279 on restricted funds.

WDCoS was a very new CIO when the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020. WDCoS has responded to the plight of asylum and seekers during the pandemic by applying for, and receiving grants for clothing, food, to run a Resource Centre and commence Digital Inclusion and Media projects. This has substantially increased the size of WDCoS operations.

At the time of signing these accounts the charity has been impacted by the global Covid-19 virus. The trustees have reassessed the charity’s ability to continue for at least 12 months from the date that the accounts are approved and conclude that no material uncertainties exist that cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

Reserves policy

The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £15,172.

There is no reserves policy. At present the trustees feel there is not a need for a reserves policy.

07-07-2021

Signed on behalf of the board of trustees on …………..……...…….

Signed: ………………..…………. (Trustee)

Richard Willis Davies

Name: ……………..…..………….

5

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Wakefield District City of Sanctuary Charitable Incorporated Organisation ('the CIO')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2021, which are set out on pages 7 to 11.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO 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 CIO's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. 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 material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2 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: Name: E J Beverley FCCA

09/07/2021

West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

6

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Receipts and payments account

for the period 21 January 2021 to 31 March 2021

Notes
2021
Unrestricted
funds
£
Receipts
Grants and donations
(2)
19,626
Room hire and refreshment income
740
Other income
264
WMDC emergency assistance food aid
-
Total receipts
20,630
Payments
Cash to asylum seekers
-
Website costs
-
Food
3
Clothes and shoes
-
Fixtures and fittings
1,297
Freelance workers
1,166
Rent
799
Volunteers expenses
-
Utilities
15
Telephone and broadband
369
Printing, postage and stationery
92
Repairs and maintenance
47
Cleaning materials
527
Insurance
490
Administration costs
48
Activity equipment
-
Arts and crafts
147
IT equipment
234
Van hire and costs
-
Licences and subscriptions
174
Accounts
50
Total payments
5,458
15,172
Fund balances brought forward
-
Fund balances carried forward
(3)
15,172
Net receipts / (payments)		 2021
Restricted
funds
£
126,371
-
-
500
126,871
23,400
4,318
1,663
25,729
1,571
11,244
-
1,708
-
73
316
400
106
91
18
2,777
324
12,795
59
-
-
86,592
40,279
-
40,279		 2021
Total
funds
£
145,997
740
264
500
147,501
23,400
4,318
1,666
25,729
2,868
12,410
799
1,708
15
442
408
447
633
581
66
2,777
471
13,029
59
174
50
92,050
55,451
-
55,451

7

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Statement of assets and liabilities

as at 31 March 2021
2021
2021
Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Cash funds
Cash at bank
15,127
40,279
Cash in hand
45
-
Total cash funds
15,172
40,279
Assets retained for the charity's own use
62 x Yestel 10" tablets for use by asylum seekers in initial accommodation
Media equipment
Clothing store PC
Resource centre PC's
Liabilities
Independent examination		 2021
Total
£
55,406
45
55,451
£
8,619
6,425
439
2,069
17,552
£
720
720

Approval of the accounts

07-07-2021 The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on …………..……...…….

Signed: ……………...………….…. (Trustee)

Richard Willis Davies

Name: ……………..…..………….

8

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Notes to the accounts

for the period ended 31 March 2021

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.

There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.

No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

9

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Notes to the accounts continued

for the period ended 31 March 2021

2 Grants and donations
2021
Unrestricted
funds
£
Wakefield and District Health and Comm.Support
-
Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (WMDC)
-
Leeds Community Foundation
-
Anonymous York donor
-
ARM
-
NOVA
-
The Mears Foundation
-
Groundwork/Comic Relief
-
Latter-day Saints
-
Barrow Cadbury
-
Morgan GL&HM BPO
-
Donations
11,884
Donations from unincorporated association
7,742
19,626
3 Restricted funds
Balance b/f
Incoming
£
£
Wakefield and District Health
-
3,060
WMDC - tablets for Urban House
-
10,000
Leeds Community Foundation
-
9,451
Anonymous York donor
-
4,500
ARM
-
1,200
WMDC - Urban House
-
3,500
Nova Clothing Store
-
8,270
Nova Resource Centre
-
7,352
WMDC - food grant
-
6,000
The Mears Foundation
-
10,000
Groundwork/Comic Relief
-
4,000
Asylum Seekers Support Fund
-
27,491
Latter-day Saints
-
5,127
Barrow Cadbury
-
4,700
Anonymous York donor
-
494
Morgan GL&HM BPO
-
1,082
WMDC - media project
-
9,997
General clothing store
-
741
Awards 4 All
-
9,906
-
126,871		 2021
Restricted
funds
£
3,060
28,997
9,451
4,500
1,200
15,622
10,000
4,000
5,127
4,700
1,082
26,941
11,691
126,371
Outgoing
£
-
9,743
9,451
4,500
1,200
3,079
6,985
3,159
463
-
3,652
23,400
3,928
4,700
-
-
4,318
-
8,014
86,592		 2021
Total
funds
£
3,060
28,997
9,451
4,500
1,200
15,622
10,000
4,000
5,127
4,700
1,082
38,825
19,433
145,997
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance c/f
£
3,060
257
-
-
-
421
1,285
4,193
5,537
10,000
348
4,091
1,199
-
494
1,082
5,679
741
1,892
40,279

10

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary

Notes to the accounts continued for the period ended 31 March 2021

3 Restricted funds (continued)

Fund name

Purpose of restriction

Wakefield and District Health To provide English classes. WMDC - tablets for Urban House To provide tablets for use by the asylum seekers while in initial accommodation. Leeds Community Foundation To provide clothes and shoes. Anonymous York donor To provide clothes and shoes. ARM For the Food Store. WMDC - Urban House For outdoor equipment at Urban House. Nova Clothing Store To computerise and run the Clothing Store. Nova Resource Centre To set up and run the Resource Centre. WMDC - food grant For the Food Store. The Mears Foundation For a Digital Inclusion Project. Groundwork/Comic Relief To provide clothes and shoes. Asylum Seekers Support Fund The Asylum Seekers Support Fund. Latter-day Saints To provide clothes and shoes. Barrow Cadbury To provide clothes and shoes. Anonymous York donor To provide shoes. Morgan GL&HM BPO For the Food Store. WMDC - media project For the Media Project. General clothing store To provide clothes and shoes. Awards 4 All For the Clothing Store.

4 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.

Related party transactions

During the year a relative of a trustee received freelance worker payments amounting to £6,090. Retrospective permission for the payments is being sought from the Charity Commission.

11