Leeds Destitute Asylum-Seekers Support Charity Number 1190001 **Annual Report and financial statements for the period 18[th] June 2020 to 30[th] June 2021** ## **LEDAS (Charity Number: 1190001)** ## **Charity Information** DIRECTORS: G Tober (Chair) S Brown J Willison (Secretary) T Pickles M Thornfield (Treasurer) REGISTERED OFFICE: 20 Moss Gardens Leeds LS17 7BH REGISTERED NUMBER: 1190001 (England and Wales) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: T P Lawler Page 2 ## **Trustees’ report for the year ended 30 June 2021** ## **Review of the year** This was our first year of operation as a charity, and we have achieved a considerable amount during the year. We formed the charity to provide housing and support to destitute asylum-seekers with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) with the knowledge that as a result of the global pandemic, some of the previously available provision (night shelters and in-home hosting) would not be able to resume as the restrictions were lifted. Soon after founding, we became aware of 8 destitute asylum seekers who had been provided with temporary accommodation as part of Leeds City Council’s all-in programme, would need to find alternative accommodation provision before the end of November 2020. These individuals were all NRPF asylum seekers – as a result they are not permitted to work, and have no entitlement to claim benefits. They are therefore at risk of becoming destitute / street-homeless. Leeds City Council provided us with a one off grant payment through Public Health monies to support the prevention and spread of COVID-19 in the city during the height of the pandemic. This funding, of £16,000, came at a time when night shelter facilities were unable to operate due to the Public Health risks. Together with considerable practical support and assistance from Leeds City Council, we were able to locate, rent, furnish and prepare our two current houses. The grant covered the cost of rent and utility bills for the first few months, and this, together with the practical assistance, was instrumental in the charity being able to initiate its service provision. One of our residents left the property during the year, and we were able to offer use of the vacant room to another destitute asylum seeker. The new resident was able to take up their place within just a few days of the previous resident leaving, and as a result during this year we have provided the equivalent of over 1,600 nights of accommodation. Part of our aim is for the residents to be able to live with a sense of dignity. Towards this we are very grateful for the Orlander Trust who have paid for weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables for our residents, and to the Leeds Conversation Club, who have been able to arrange funding to cover the cost of a monthly telephone top-up for our residents. These two items have had a big impact on the quality of life of our residents. We have also explored other opportunities for our residents to engage in the local community and develop self-supporting interests. For example, with the assistance of local project Growing Friendship, residents in one of the houses are now growing a selection of vegetables in the house’s yard. The charity has received further funding from other organisations (detailed below) and donations from a number of individuals over the year. We therefore leave the year with an active service and in a financially sound position. The trustees wish to express their thanks to all those who have supported the charity over the year, whether financially, with donations of food, clothing or other items, or with offers of practical help and support. ## **Summary of current operations and activities** We commenced renting two 4-bedroom properties in Leeds at the end of November 2020. Since this date, we have been providing accommodation and services to 8 individual asylum seekers who would otherwise be street homeless. Page 3 Each of our residents has their own bedroom, and access to the other shared facilities in their house (kitchen, bathroom and living room). We provide basic food items, household consumables and a small weekly financial allowance. As a result we are now providing a living environment which offers physical safety, the ability to observe appropriate levels of hygiene during the Covid pandemic, and the chance for our residents to live in dignity. We have held weekly meetings with the residents and offered practical assistance and support. This has included assisting residents to attend medical appointments and encouraging the residents to avail themselves of the Covid-19 vaccines. The other main activity undertaken by the trustees over the year were: - fundraising, to cover the costs of running the charity - looking for other potential accommodation providers – ideally benevolent landlords who would be willing to rent properties to us at below-market rates. ## **Reserves Policy** The trustees have decided that the charity should hold reserves equivalent to 3 months’ forecast operating costs (£12,000). ## **Trustee appointments** The charity is run by the trustees with a small team of volunteers. It does not employ any staff. The current trustees founded the charity. Trustees are normally to be appointed for a 2 year term. To provide for continuity, an initial term of office of between 1 and 3 years was agreed for each trustee, as stated in the charity’s constitution. At the end of a trustee’s term of office, they may stand for re-appointment for a standard 2 year term. ## **Risk Management** To manage the risks faced by the charity, the trustees have put in place a number of policies covering topics including safeguarding, health and safety and data privacy. Procedures have been established to cover how asylum seekers may be referred to the charity and subsequently assessed for the suitability of living in the charity’s accommodation. All residents agree to abide by the charity’s rules and procedures for living in our accommodation. These include rules relating to living in a Covid-safe environment. ## **Summary of grants received** Leeds City Council (Public Health) - £16,000 for initial costs of property, utilities and council tax Scurrah Wainwright Charity - £5,382 for property costs West Riding Masonic Charity - £819 for equipment and appliances Orlander Trust - £1,000 for fresh fruit and vegetables Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux - £2,800 for living costs Sisters of the Cross and Passion CIO - £7,072 for bus passes and travel Funding via Leeds Conversation Club - £1,280 for mobile phone top-ups Church Homeless Trust - £716 towards residents allowances Hillards Charitable Trust - £1000 unrestricted Leeds City Council (Mice money from counsellors) - £200 unrestricted. The charity received donations from private donors and groups totalling £17,547. 6[th] July 2021 _____________________________ __________ Dr Gillian Tober Date Chair of trustees Page 4 ## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of LEDAS** I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 June 2021, which are set out on pages 6 to 7. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity's trustees, 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and 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 which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 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. Page 5 ## **LEDAS (Charity Number: 1190001)** ## **Statement of Financial Activities (prepared on a cash basis) for the Year Period 18 June 2020 - 30 June 2021** |**INCOME**
Grants and donations from charitable trusts
Leeds City Council (All in programme)
Scurrah Wainwright Charity
West Riding Masonic Charity
Leeds Conversation Club
Church Homeless Trust
Orlander Trust
Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux
Sisters of the Cross and Passion CIO
Hillards Charitable Trust
Leeds City Council
(Councilor’s MICE money)
Donations and fundraising
Donations eligible for gift aid
Other donations
Other income
Gift aid reclaim
**EXPENDITURE**
Property and residents’ expenditure
Rent and contribution to Landlords’ costs
Residents’ weekly allowances and
expenses
Utilities (Gas, Electric, Water)
Council tax
TV Licences
Household consumables
General repairs and upkeep
General expenses and one-off purchases
Equipment and appliances
Set up expenses
Insurance
Organisation membership fees
Net surplus|**30/06/2021**
**Restricted**
**30/06/2021**
**Unrestricted**
**30/06/2021**
**Total**
16,000
5,382
819
1,280
716
1,000
2,800
7,072
1,000
200
16,000
5,382
819
1,280
716
1,000
2,800
7,072
1,000
200
14,508
3,039
14,508
3,039
2,731
2,731| |---|---| ||35,069
21,478
56,547
**30/06/2021**
**Restricted**
**30/06/2021**
**Unrestricted**
**30/06/2021**
**Total**
14,356
3,200
3,485
1,507
3,700
367
267
230
14,356
6,900
3,485
1,507
367
267
230
816
269
282
694
60
1085
282
694
60| ||23,364
5,869
29,233| ||11,705
15,610
27,314| Page 6 |**Balance Sheet**
**at 30 June 2021**
**Fixed Assets**
**Current Assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
27,314
Debtors
0
**Net Current Assets**
**Creditors**
0
Total assets less current liabilities
**Net Assets**|**30.4.2021**
**£**
0
27,314
27,314
27,314
27,314| |---|---| Page 7