## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
Charity number 1187477
## Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2023
_Group's logo_
## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
## Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2023
|**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 Accountancy Service CIO**
1
## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
## Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2023
## **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 Position Dates**
**Name Position Dates** Richard Davies Chair Claire Way Treasurer Siegfried Breuning Bryan Mucheriwa Susan Sanderson Zeraslasie Shiker Resigned 19 June 2023 **Charity number** 1187477 Registered in England and Wales **Registered and principal address Bankers** 71 Howden Way Co-operative Bank Lloyds Bank Eastmoor P O Box 250 17 Westgate Wakefield Skelmersdale Wakefield WF1 4PL WN8 6WT WF1 1JZ
## **Independent examiner**
Alan Dodd FCCA **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO** 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 as amended on 17 August 2021.
## **Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees**
The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM or by the trustees throughout the year.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **The charity's objects**
(a) The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit by educating and informing about the issues relating to asylum-seekers and refugees.
(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, and people suffering poverty and hardship in the wider community, 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.
2
## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023
## **Objectives and activities (continued)**
## **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. Some areas of support, which had to be revised or curtailed during periods of Covid restrictions, are now being resumed.
## **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
(a) the prevention or relief of poverty
(b) the advancement of education
(d) the advancement of health or the saving of lives
(e) the advancement of citizenship or community development
(f) the advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
(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**
Year ended 31 March 2023 was our third year as a CIO and another busy year.
WDCoS continued to run a computerised request and delivery system for the Clothing Store. We have improved the layout and service provided by the Clothing Store throughout the year. We continue to seek and establish links with other charities and donors to help replenish low clothing stocks on an ongoing basis. Assisted by funding from The Church of Latter-Day Saints, we provide new underwear through our request system and a set of clothes for asylum seekers when they first arrive at the Initial Accommodation Centres (IACs). A large proportion of available funding has been spent on provision of new shoes. Additionally, this year backpacks containing educational materials and a water bottle were provided to the IACs.
During the year, WDCoS reverted to a Food Store for refugees and asylum seekers only. Post pandemic, Wakefield Council has decided not to finance food banks or food stores in the area on an ongoing basis. WDCoS is unable to provide food support for those outside the target groups, especially given the rising cost of food. WDCoS has been granted £1500 from Wakefield District Housing Food Bank Fund to spend on milk for the next year. The Church of Latter-Day Saints has also made another substantial food donation.
3
## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
The Resource Centre is equipped with computers and is used to signpost asylum seekers and refugees to specialist areas of help via the internet. Sadly, the Resource Centre opening times have been limited during the year due to the lack of availability of specialist advice from outside agencies. We still plan to get specialist advisors onsite at St Michael’s as soon as we are able.
Using Digital Inclusion funds WDCoS currently has provided 127 managed tablet computers at the initial accommodation centres 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 including the provision of planned internet café type facilities in IACs.
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, has worked on several media products. The group has built a “Welcome to Wakefield” website to act as a central point of information for asylum seekers arriving in Wakefield. New arrivals receive a Welcome to Wakefield postcard and loyalty card to direct them to the website and help them access local facilities. The group has also produced some art postcards expressing the welcome that they have found and are learning how to make websites for their own use.
English teaching classes and conversation groups have continued to run online throughout the year. They are run by two joint lead volunteers plus 10 further volunteer teachers. Teaching is every morning and afternoon, Monday to Friday. We are continuing this online work, after the pandemic, as we have observed friendships forming online, better language learning progress due to more frequent and more regular attendance, and also because online contact provides an opportunity for emotional and practical support, in particular at times when our learners go through a crisis such as being moved from IACs to dispersed accommodation with very little notice. The fact that some learners have also become trusted teachers and colleagues even after they have left Wakefield underlines the strong bonds that have grown between us and the contribution to integration.
Face-to-face teaching continues at Urban House and management at the IAC has requested WDCoS sets up a second session each week. The seven teachers are in the process of establishing this additional session.
A group of volunteers have provided activities and creative craft packs for Creative Craft Sessions. In addition, some local asylum seekers have met for informal sewing and handicraft sessions. One of the long term benefits of our craft activities is that volunteers and participants benefit emotionally, physically and socially through being involved. Our ‘Walk and Talk’ group, which has met several times, is similarly beneficial, promoting wellbeing, integration and new learners for our English classes.
A new venture this year was a partnership with The Art House, Wakefield and local musicians to run a Garden Jubilee Jam, funded by The Leeds Community Foundation. This innovative project aimed at bringing music to refugees and asylum seekers who do not have access to participation in musical activity, promoted learning musical skills and provided performance and sharing opportunities. The Garden Jubilee Jam ran in the period up to and over the weekend of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2022. It was culturally inspiring, allowing participants to learn about the Queen, her service, local and national history, and traditional English customs in the form of afternoon tea!
WDCoS has good working relationships both with other third sector agencies supporting asylum seekers and refugees, as well as with Wakefield Council, and other government agencies. Agencies and organisations with whom we have mutually supportive links include: RETAS, The Art House, Asylum Action, WEA, WLC, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Ackworth Howard School, Turning Point, Solace, Prince of Wales Hospice, British Red Cross, LASSN, My Eco Baby, Community Give Box and many more. A number of regular volunteers at St Michael’s took up the NHS Peer Leadership scheme online course, following a visit from the Personalised Care Project Manager.
4
## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023
## **Objectives and activities**
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
We continue to work well alongside the government contractors who provide IACs 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, and local faith groups. We are actively supported by Wakefield Council’s Communities and Public Health teams 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 and worked with us on projects. 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.
WDCoS would not be able to operate without the continued support of its volunteers. WDCoS volunteers and community has continued to offer support to asylum seekers, refugees and to each other. We thank everyone for their resourcefulness, generosity and their commitment to friendship and welcome. During the year we bade farewell to a few retiring volunteers and welcomed new ones.
At the end of June 2022, Linda Fielding, a founding member of WDCoS, retired from the organisation. Linda was known for her drive, enthusiasm and sheer hard work. She was, and still is, respected throughout the Wakefield district. Linda’s inherent knowledge and her time commitment to WDCoS are sorely missed. Typically, Linda was adamant that she wanted no fuss or personal gifts so, by way of thanking Linda for her wonderful contribution, a set of dual language books were donated to Wakefield library in Linda’s name. A small and very low-key presentation marked the event.
All the help received from our volunteers and supporters, whether in person, over the internet or of a financial nature, has been wonderful.
## **Financial review**
The net receipts for the year were £5,566, including net receipts of £9,508 on unrestricted funds and net expenditure of £3,942 on restricted funds after transfers.
During the year ended 31 March 2023 WDCoS has continued to help asylum and seekers through a variety of existing and new activities and projects.
At the time of signing these accounts 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, at the year end were £16,915.
The trustees do not currently have a formal reserves policy, as resources are only expended out of known income and core operating costs are relatively low, but will be giving this further consideration shortly.
6th October 2023 Approved by 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
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2023, 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 charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 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: Alan Dodd FCCA
17/10/2023
## **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
6
## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
## Receipts and payments account for the year ended 31 March 2023
|Notes
2023
Unrestricted
funds
£
**Receipts**
Grants and donations
(2)
15,773
Room hire and refreshment income
-
Other income
49
WMDC emergency assistance food aid
-
**Total receipts**
15,822
**Payments**
Cash to asylum seekers
-
Website costs
-
Food
22
Clothes and shoes
37
Fixtures and fittings
-
Freelance workers
1,095
Rent
1,000
Volunteer expenses
5
Utilities
680
Telephone and broadband
664
Printing, postage and stationery
76
Repairs and maintenance
197
Cleaning materials
41
Insurance
490
Administration costs
-
Activity equipment
-
Arts and crafts
255
IT equipment
151
Refreshments for events and projects
-
Training
825
Independent examination
660
Beneficiary legal assistance
-
Miscellaneous
116
Emergency accommodation for asylum seekers
-
Promotional items
-
Musical sessions and equipment
-
Photography and videoing of events
-
Nursery care
-
**Total payments**
6,314
**Net receipts / (payments)**
9,508
**Fund balances brought forward**
7,407
**Fund balances carried forward**
(3)
16,915|2023
Restricted
funds
£
52,244
-
202
2,358
54,804
18,560
1,793
6,699
3,816
-
5,685
380
200
833
933
50
63
-
33
-
184
56
4,211
871
-
60
75
26
737
1,696
6,340
1,005
4,440
58,746
(3,942)
60,029
56,087|2023
Total
funds
£
68,017
-
251
2,358
70,626
18,560
1,793
6,721
3,853
-
6,780
1,380
205
1,513
1,597
126
260
41
523
-
184
311
4,362
871
825
720
75
142
737
1,696
6,340
1,005
4,440
65,060
5,566
67,436
73,002|2022
Total
funds
£
94,999
1,000
66
1,500
97,565
19,846
3,844
5,358
7,585
321
10,560
12,344
33
-
1,107
15
5,861
82
504
123
313
276
16,371
-
-
720
-
317
-
-
-
-
-
85,580
11,985
55,451
67,436|
|---|---|---|---|
7
## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
## Statement of assets and liabilities
|as at 31 March 2023
2023
Unrestricted
£
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank
16,861
Cash in hand
54
**Total cash funds**
16,915
**Amounts due to the charity**
Gift aid claimed to 31 March 2021
Gift aid claimed to 31 March 2022
Gift aid to be claimed to 31 March 2023|2023
Restricted
£
56,087
-
56,087|2023
Total
£
72,948
54
73,002
2023
£
1,392
1,745
1,883
5,020|2022
Total
£
67,258
178
67,436|
|---|---|---|---|
## **Assets retained for the charity's own use**
|127 x Yestel 10" tablets for use by asylum seekers in initial accommodation
Media equipment
Clothing store PCs
Resource centre PCs
**Liabilities**
Independent examination|Initial cost
£
18,678
7,059
546
2,179
28,462
2023
£
1,386
1,386|
|---|---|
6th October 2023
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 year ended 31 March 2023
## **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 year ended 31 March 2023
|**2 Grants and donations**
Latter-day Saints
Leeds Community Foundation
NOVA
Urban Housing
Wakefield District Housing
Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
Awards for All
The Mears Foundation
Welcome to the World
Anonymous York donor
Other donations
**3 Restricted funds**
Balance b/f
£
Anonymous York Donor
4,430
Asylum Seekers' Support Fund
20,233
Awards 4 All
332
Awards 4 All Top Up grant
5,760
Beneficiary legal assistance
410
Latter-day Saints and
2,689
general clothing store
Leeds Community Foundation
-
Nova - Live Well Wakefield
4,271
Nova Clothing Store and
2,291
Resource Centre
Nova- Digital Inclusion
2,098
The Mears Foundation
637
Urban Housing LLP
-
Wakefield and District Health
1,925
Wakefield District Housing food
-
WMDC - Digital Inclusion
-
WMDC - food grant
2,771
WMDC - media project
11,835
WMDC - post-covid recovery
-
WMDC - Urban House
347
60,029|2023
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
12,000
-
-
-
-
3,773
15,773
Incoming
£
-
24,715
-
-
-
1,866
9,794
3,929
-
-
-
1,000
-
1,500
5,000
2,358
202
4,440
-
54,804|2023
Restricted
funds
£
1,539
9,794
3,840
1,000
1,500
9,440
-
-
-
-
25,131
52,244
Outgoing
£
3,769
19,297
-
5,685
75
1,591
9,794
-
-
1,727
311
-
1,191
148
2,693
5,007
3,018
4,440
-
58,746|2023
Total
funds
£
1,539
9,794
3,840
1,000
1,500
21,440
-
-
-
-
28,904
68,017
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2022
Total
funds
£
5,890
-
10,438
1,000
-
19,120
9,360
900
420
5,000
42,871
94,999
Balance c/f
£
661
25,651
332
75
335
2,964
-
8,200
2,291
371
326
1,000
734
1,352
2,307
122
9,019
-
347
56,087|
|---|---|---|---|---|
10
## Wakefield District City of Sanctuary
## Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 31 March 2023
## **3 Restricted funds (continued)**
## **Fund name**
Anonymous York Donor Asylum Seekers' Support Fund Awards 4 All Awards 4 All Top Up grant Beneficiary legal assistance Latter-day Saints and general clothing store Leeds Community Foundation Nova - Live Well Wakefield Nova Clothing Store/Resource Centre Nova- Digital Inclusion The Mears Foundation Urban Housing LLP Wakefield and District Health Wakefield District Housing food WMDC - Digital Inclusion WMDC - food grant WMDC - media project WMDC - post-covid recovery WMDC - Urban House
## **Purpose of restriction**
To provide clothes and shoes and food. The Asylum Seekers Support Fund. For the Clothing Store. To 'top up' weekly shopping for food store recipients. Donations towards legal assistance. To provide clothes and shoes.
Garden Jubilee Jam preparation and event. The Welcome Hub To run the Clothing Store, and Resource Centre. For a Digital Inclusion Project. For a Digital Inclusion Project. For a Digital Inclusion Project. To provide English classes. Provision of milk. For a Digital Inclusion Project. For the Food Store. For the Media Project. An art and childcare project. For outdoor equipment at Urban House.
## **4 Related party transactions**
## **Trustee expenses**
No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.
## **Trustee remuneration and benefits**
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
11