Asylum an d R efugee Community Blackbu r n Annual R epo r t 2020-2021
Cha r ity Pu r poses
The purpose of the A RC P roject is to a ddress the needs of newly a rrived asylum seekers and refugees (AS&R) in Blackburn, who a re one of the most disadvantaged rg oups in this a rea of high deprivation. Blackburn with Darwen (BwD) became a Home Ofce dispersal a rea in 2004. The A RC P roject, run by the Methodist Church responded to this need rf om 2004 until April 2020 when the newly formed independent charity, A RC Blackburn, was formed and now continues this work.
Joint Needs Assessment i dentifes that the Borough has high levels of deprivation, low skills, poor health and signifcant economic inactivity afecting the life of its communities; this is challenged by austerity, government welfare policy changes, increasing unemployment and an increasingly Home Ofce 'hostile environment'. Asylum Seekers and Refugees(AS&R) fall into the above categories of deprivation when they a rrive with nothing, mostly no o r little English language skills, poor physical and mental health due to t rauma of feeing their country and many have no recognised qualifcations o r skills. Even highly qualifed AS&R such as civil engineers, doctors and teachers a re highly disadvantaged and sufer rg eat stress f rom being uprooted. They face long periods of unemployment due to discrimination in the labour market and /or the need to improve English language and the p rocess of re-training and qualifcations not being recognised, often having to resort to low skilled work.
ARC Blackburn is well placed to deliver this p roject as it is located in Wesley Hall Methodist Church which is in the centre of Blackburn and which has excellent space and facilities for running the A RC Blackburn charity. Through local community and church links A RC Blackburn is able to recruit the considerable volunteer resources needed to support the p roject. Many staf and volunteers bring skills and experience f rom a p rofessional/voluntary background of work in pastoral/counselling, e ducation, health, social services and charities. RA C Blackburn, being in the town centre, is well placed to network and build meaningful links with other key faith and community o rganisations as well as with nearby Blackburn College, legal bodies and health and local council services. This is vital as A RC service users come f rom a wide range of backgrounds and faiths with multi-layered social needs.
ARC Blackburn is highly regarded nationally, both by the Government and by the Methodist Church headquarters and regionally by several foundations and rt usts as a fagship p roject serving the needs of asylum seekers and refugees which is demonstrated by the ongoing funding support by these bodies.
What the cha r ity has d one to ca rr y out those pu r poses
ARC casework ofce is open 3 days a week and meets the needs of AS&R by
providing help and support at a c ritical moment, especially when they a rrive, through both emergency and planned appointments. Their basic food and temporary housing needs a re met through the Home Ofce National Asylum Support Service (NASS). However there a re continually vital issues which need to be u rgently resolved; accommodation is often p roblematic with issues such as damp, boiler rb eakdown, inadequate furnishing, kitchen equipment etc. RA C casework involves assisting AS&R to register with GPs and make appointments, fnd solicitors to help with their asylum appeals, facilitate school placement for children as well as p roviding links and signposting to the many community organisations and services vital to meeting their individual needs. RA C also provides interpreting support and rf ee language learning support through the English Club two days a week. ddA itionally, learners a re taken on e ducational trips to Blackburn’s library, museum and cathedral. The weekly social Drop-in session a ddresses the issue of loneliness and social isolation as well as helping to build a strong community p roviding a social space, refreshments and sports activities and recreational t rips, including regular rt ips as guests to Blackburn Rovers matches. Other local o rganisations and services access the Drop-in to initiate the various support they can p rovide to AS&R. The t ransition f rom Asylum Seeker to Refugee status with 'leave to remain' is a very vulnerable period. NASS payments cease and mainstream benefts such as Universal C redit and Child Beneft do not kick in for several weeks, leaving people destitute. RA C assists refugees to apply for housing after notice to quit NASS accommodation. Single young men a re often in the poorest accommodation such as hostels. They become particularly vulnerable to loneliness, being the victim o r perpetrator of crime and/or succumbing to negative societal infuences which can lead to addiction, fnancial t roubles and/or destitution. RA C Drop-in and Youth Club have been vital in a ddressing this situation. Many speak of A RC as their FAMILY-a place where they feel safe, included, befriended, supported and valued and where they can support each other through also volunteering their time.
We have many case stories of AS&R which highlight how A RC has supported clients; during this reporting period, a Sudanese woman 8 months p regnant with a disturbed r 2 y old gir rrl a ived in Blackburn as an asylum seeker with no family connections, t raumatised rf om leaving family to fee f rom danger, with little English and no i dea about how to get any help. RA C immediately helped her to register with a GP and ante-natal care, photocopied documents for her asylum application, a rranged for interpreters for all appointments, signposted for housing, baby equipment, gave emergency food when needed, enrolled her in English class and introduced her to others at the social Drop-in which meets on Tuesdays. RA C helped her, (and many others like her), to overcome the destitution 'gap' whilst t ransitioning to refugee status by acting in a timely manner to help her quickly access income support and child benefts.
Given the current situation of increased numbers of people feeing war torn countries, we expect to support a round 900 cases per year. AS&R average monthly actions for casework were maintained at a round 80. We work with an individual o r family repeatedly over a period which usually stretches over several years. Case work sessions average 1 hour but complex issues often related to Universal C redit and housing can require over 2 hours especially with increasingly long waits by telephone.. By continuing English classes/club, in both individual and rg oup sessions, we anticipate, that though few a re likely to secure
permanent employment due to language and competition in the job market, more clients will obtain temporary work (currently 90 English Club participants)
Covi d
Throughout this reporting period RA C Blackburn has been g reatly challenged by keeping services running in a way that kept service users, staf and volunteers safe whilst maintaining vital support.
During the lockdown periods we ofered virtual casework support and social interaction through phone and Whatsapp. We met service users face to face only in emergency situations and with scaled back staf cover. Post lockdown periods when more people were entering the building, we implemented extensive Covid safe measures based on careful risk assessment. During lockdowns the English Club continued on-line using zoom in three diferent level g roups.
Unfortunately the highly attended weekly social drop-in was regarded as too high risk for infection so was cancelled. This was a period of g reat stress and loneliness for our benefciaries. RA C staf and volunteers rallied ra ound to make regular ‘well-being calls’ to keep in touch and be able to assess any u rgent needs. Regular ‘Covid safe’ health messages and vaccination information was sent out by Whatsapp.
During the lockdown periods A RC ran a weekly food parcel distribution both outside the charity building and also home delivery for families and individuals in desperate need.
Cha r ity R egulation an d Gui d ance
ARC Blackburn T rustees have been meeting at least monthly to ensure smooth management and oversight of the charity. Decisions a re made taking full account of and with regard to charities regulation (2008) and Charity Commission Public Beneft Guidance. All t rustees a re aware of the guidance p rovided by the charities regulation statement 2008 and carry out their duties in accordance with this. All actions a re approved and carefully minuted.
ASYLUM AND REFUGEE COMMUNITY, BLACKBURN
Accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
Income
| Donations Grants Dept Communities & Local Government Controlling Immigration Fund National Methodist Connection Lancashire Methodist District West Pennine Moors Methodist Circuit Clitheroe Parish Church Duchy of Lancaster Lancashire Community Foundation Tinta Appeal Expenses* Telephone Petty Cash Rent Stationary Sundries Insurance Salaries Bank balance B/fwd Bank Balance 31 August 2020 |
5009 21161 20000 11000 10229 2150 2000 5000 760 77309 1870 900 6648 751 2575 595 69376 82715 -5406 20110 14704 |
|---|---|
**Tinta Appeal ***
This is a public appeal to cover legal expenses in challenging a decision by the Home Office to refuse asylum for Tinta who has been a much valued member of our ARCB family for several years - total raised as at 31 October 2020 - £8950
Auditors certificate for these accounts is held
Asylum and Refugee Communlty, Blackburn Registered Charity No: 1188910 ACCOUNTS & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 August 2021
Astyum and Refugee Community, Blaekburn Registered Charity No: 1188910 Index to the Financial Statements Year eDded 31 August 2021. Page Income & Expenditure Account Balance Sheet Noies to the Financial Ststements Independent Examiner's ReN)rt
A•ylurn Relugee Communlty 81aekburn R•gl•t•r•d CharSty No '. 118B910 Incom• & Exp•ndttur• Account Y•ar End•d 31 Augu•t 2021 In¢¢m• Grnnt• Oon•tlon• 72,C65.00 S,075.95 MI•c•llan•o I0• 77.140.95 L•M Exp•rTr••• •nd Ov•rh•ad• Stsfflng Co•ts Stsff Wages & Salarie8 Stsff NIC 46,Ix8 45 Pension8 Staff Training Costs Stalf Exp8n8e$ 787.48 125 52 48,969 45 Tlnts Appo•1 E¥p•nM• Admlnl•tr•tlon a rk•fIng Stal'on8ry & Inks Chonty Expenses (Food P8¢kwil Mernb8rships Postage A¢count8ncy. Payroll & Ex8minatson ol Accourts Fundirrtj AFplicatson Professional Fe8$ 84nk & Card F883 Travel Expeng•S Wthite Fees 7.10 647.60 1.325. 15OCQ 78. 8359 3.472.88 E•tabll•hm•nt Exp•n• Rant, Eb¢triryty & water Insuronc Tebpho Comp¢Jt•r Exp8•6 Alami & Stturity R¢p$irs & Sundry EqUIpftfit Equipment Hire Sundry Expgnses aning Expenseg Sundry Donatson Oepre¢Aalion ol AJs•ts 1,022.65 2.331.59 179.15 219.87 81.10 712.07 4.548.23 Total Exponv• 54.988 54 ILo8•1 Surplu• G•n•rat•d fr<Mn Op•ratlon• 22,152.41 Proflts ILoB8e81 tran•l•r•d tt+ R?v•nu• RM•r 22,152.41
Asylum Rofugee Comrnunlty Blackburn Rgglstergd Charlty No . 1188910 Balance Sh••t 31 August 2021 Fixed Assets LaptOP5 & Printers Less .' Depreualion 2.367.07 712 07 1,655.00 Curr•nt A•$•ts Cash al bank-3840 West Pennine Melhodisl Circuit (Debtor) Petty Cash in Hand 37.280.07 2,18641 0.00 39,466.48 Current Llabllltl rued Charges Wages Pensions PAYE & NI 350.00 215.72 0.00 565.72 N•t Currnnt A•¥ets 38,900.76 40,555.78 Less . RtrIcted Fundlng re Tlnta All (3,71)0.001 38,855.76 Repr•stnted by Capltsl Inlrodue£d HSBC Ishafe ol 8818nce) Melhodisl Circull Currenl Account 4.280 95 10,422.40 14,703.35 Add.. Surplu$ (Deficrt) for the year 22,152.41 36.855.76
Aslylum and Refugee Community, Blackburn Registered Cbarity No: 1188910 For the year ended 31 August 2021 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accountlng Principles The financial slalements have been prepared in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and with applicable Accounting Slandards. Depreciation Depreciation has bttn calculated to write off the net book values of fixed assets over their expected ¢conomic lives at the following annual rates. Computer Equipment 30 0/0 on reducing balance TURNOVER Turnover for the y¢ar was £77,141 and repr¢sents various charitable grants and donations received in the year CORPORATION TAX Corporation tsx is charged in the accounts in the period to which it relates. The amount of Corwration tax due on Non-charitable trading activities for the year was £ Nil. CONTINUING OPERATIONS None of the charity's activities were acquired or dis¢onlinued durin8 the year. TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES The charity h&s no recognised gains or losses other than the loss for the financial period detailed herewith
Independent Examiner's Report To the Trustees and Members of Asylum and Refug¢¢ Community, Blaekburn I report on the Accounts and Financial Statemenls on pages I to 2 which have been prepared under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out on page 3. Responsibilities of the Trustees and Committee. It is the charity's committee's rtsponsibility to prepare accounts and financial siatements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the stste of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period. In Preparing those financial ststemen15 the commiltee are required to . Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. Mak¢ judgements and ¢stimales that are reasonable and prudent. Prepare the accounts and financial slalements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to operate. The Committee is also reswnsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose wilh reasonable accuracy. al any time, th¢ fuw]cial position of the charity and to enable to them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for tsking responsible steps for the prevention and det¢clion of fraud and other irregulariti¢s. Respective responsibility of Trusttts and Exgminer. As described above the charity's InLStees and committee are responsible for the preparation of accounts and financial slal¢menls. The charity's trustees consider thai an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 of the Chariiies Act 2011 (the 2011 Aci) and thal an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine ihe accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Acl: b) to follow the predureS laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(b) of the 2011 Act ' and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's report. My ¢xaminalion was conducted in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. The examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts and financial statements presented with those records and making such limited enquiries of the officers of the charity as we considered necessary for the purposes of this report. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. These procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independenl Examiner's StAtem¢nt of Opinion In connection with my examination it is my opinion that. a) The financial statements are in awment 7th the books and records kept by the charity and that the accounting records have been nintaIned in acrdanCe with section 145 of the 2011 Act
b) Having ad only to, and on the basis of. the inforntion contained in those accounting records the accounts and financial statements have Ixen drawn up in a mamler consistent with the accounting requirements specified in the 2011 Act" No matter has come to my attention which gives me re&wnabl¢ cause to believe that in any rnaterial respect of the requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met. No matter has come to my attention, to which. in my opinioo attention should be drdwll in order io enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Graham Bennett FFA. FAIA. Bennett & Co. A¢¢ountants Spring House 194-196 Union Road Oswaldtwistle Aecrington BB5 3EG 7 April 2022.