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2024-06-30-accounts

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN

(Registered Charity - Registration Number:- 1191436)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024

Reference and Administrative Information

Trustees

Z.Alsafi R. Correa P.J. Hartley B. Malaihollo G. Miric

Y. Mohammad

Charity Correspondent and Principal Address

Rossana Leal The Refugee Buddy Project Hastings Rother and Wealden Creative Media Centre 45 Robertson Street HASTINGS East Sussex TN34 1HL

Bankers

NatWest Bank plc

Independent Examiner

T. E. Reynolds FCA 23 Gillham Wood Road BEXHILL-ON-SEA East Sussex TN39 3BN

Index

Page

2 Report of Trustees 9 Independent Examiner’s Report

10 Statement of Financial Activities 11 Balance Sheet 12 Notes to the accounts

1

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024

The Trustees decided to change the charity’s year end so that it aligned more precisely with the grant cycle. Accordingly the Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the fifteen months ended 30[th] June 2024.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Refugee Buddy Project Hastings Rother and Wealden is constituted as a charitable incorporated organization whose only voting members are its Charity Trustees registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales in September 2020 under charity number 1191436. It is governed by a constitution last updated in September 2020.

Organisational structure

The Charity Trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity.

The Trustees meet together as a body on a regular basis. Additionally, the Trustees, in their various roles, are involved in the day to day activities of the Charity.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The existing Trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new trustees. Potential trustees are identified from the volunteers and other individuals involved with the Charity. They are invited to attend Trustees’ meetings as observers and are given more details of the charity’s aims and activities and, if all agree, they are then proposed as new trustees at a subsequent Trustees’ meeting. This process allows due consideration of the person's eligibility, personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills.

Induction and training of trustees

Following appointment, new trustees are introduced to their new role and given copies of the trust deed and a guide to the policies and procedures adopted by our charity. A number of publications from the Charity Commission are also provided including the guidance on charities and public benefit and on the relief of hardship, promotion of social inclusion, preservation and protection of mental health and promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit. This ensures that new trustees are aware of the scope of their responsibilities under the Charities Act. Initially, new trustees work with an existing Trustee assisting on particular activities and projects run by the charity.

Risk management

The Trustees have assessed the risks the Charity faces and have drawn up a risk matrix which identifies the major risks by area of activity, the nature of those risks, the likelihood of the risks happening and the measures taken to manage them. The Trustees review this risk matrix regularly at their meetings. The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place, or arrangements are in hand, to manage the risks that have been identified. In particular, insurance cover is in place and the finances of the Charity are kept under review. Appropriate Disclosure and Barring (DBS) checks, supported by regularly reviewed policies, are made for all staff and volunteers within the Charity.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Aims and objectives

2

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024 (continued)

Strategy and mission

The Refugee Buddy Project started in 2017, with the aim of creating a culture of welcome in Hastings and St Leonard’s. In the last five years. We started as a community group welcoming people seeking refuge who had recently arrived in Hastings. Now, we are a refugee & migrant-led charity supporting families and individuals from refugee backgrounds with our buddy programme, advocacy, and financial & emotional support

REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE YEAR

This period saw the project move through the tail end of 3 years of core funding from Reaching Communities Lottery funding (July 2024) to securing a further 3 years of continuation funding September 2024- September 2026. The uncertainty of this period had an effect on project staffing and morale. In spite of this uncertainty we were able to continue to operate also securing continuation funding to expand our work from East Sussex County Council (ESCC) Homes for Ukraine (HfU) and this included a training budget for the development and delivery of training for ESCC staff on how to work better with refugees and Migrants. We were also funded for 2 years in a row by Arts Council England to develop and deliver our cultural and creative strategy of working with local creative communities and artists and engage the local refugee and migrant communities in the arts.

We continued to work with local communities to create a culture of welcome through the recruitment, training and ongoing support of local volunteers who are matched with migrants and people seeking refuge in the areas of Hastings, Rother & Wealden.

As part of the national Justice Together initiative through our partnerships with Migrants Organise and POMOC we continue to provide support, advice and referrals to local specialist organisations for people who continue to come to us as a first point of call when they need support but don’t know how to access this.

With the support of Lottery funds we have been able to develop a program of support including learning and gaining front of house and working in a commercial kitchen skills at the Dove Café to the communities we serve.

Having secured continuation funding for another 3 years the project has now recruited a new team, continues to work with local communities to create and culture of welcome creating safe spaces for migrants and people seeking refuge to rebuild their lives.

Cultural Curiosity Training to staff at East Sussex County Council

At the end of June 2024, the main bulk of twenty sessions had been delivered to 200 plus delegates. This included three bespoke sessions for school staff, social work students and library staff. The workshops we designed by The Refugee Buddy Project in consultation with ESCC. The success of the first batch of training secured a 2[nd] year of funding to deliver more sessions in 25/25.

Evaluation feedback from 48 participants at eight sessions evidences that the training has been well received so far:

Case work – The Dove Café – The Annual Christmas Market

We continue to work towards relieving financial hardship by providing advice, information and advocacy for people to become economically self supporting. Our work at The Dove Café is crucial to this as is case work and support provided by our support workers.

We are part of the Justice Together partnership, in a collaboration with Migrants Organise and Pomoc and we advocate for migrants and people seeking refuge who are being discriminated against in access to housing, health services, education and the home office.

3

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024 (continued)

We carry out case work and referrals and subsequently have strong partnerships with local organisations and institutions. Our case worker is undergoing training to become an Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) Level 1 Immigration Adviser.

Our case worker and support workers provide ongoing information, advocacy and referrals to specialist agencies.

In January 2024 the local hotel housing many of the people we were supporting closed down. For those who had been granted leave to remain we were able to support with buying them suitcases and train tickets so they could travel to other towns where they had friends and family.

Many were stranded with nowhere to go and not eligible for housing support locally. Some presented locally for housing support and were turned away. We provided advocacy support in order to ensure that a housing needs assessment was carried out. On 2 occasions we challenged successfully a decision not to provide emergency housing where it was deemed they were eligible.

By putting out a call to our buddys we were able to find home, a shared house 10 people and we continue to provide ad hoc support to some of these people.

Case work support included support with finding immigration solicitors, sim cards, reuniting with siblings, provision of clothing/suitcases, accessing dental services, train tickets, access to housing, support with setting up bank and universal credit accounts.

At the Dove Café we recruit and support project participants into organizing social gatherings, pop up dinners, workshops to share understanding and knowledge of different cultures through food, music and the arts. We now work with a large group of refugee and migrant women, although not exclusively, offering a safe space at the Dove café to volunteer and learn front of house skills, practicing English, cashing up. Also the basics of working in a professional kitchen. The Dove Cafe is a safe space to build the personal confidence, language, barista and customer care skills needed to enable people who have never worked in the UK

Our popular annual Christmas Market at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery supported by over 800 people from the local community in 2023, who show up to support our work. Project participants take up free stalls to sell carefully crafted handmade cultural artefacts or cakes which are bought by the public in support of the project and the project participants. Our Christmas market has become an annual Christmas fixture.

The Buddy Scheme

The Refugee Buddy Project (TRBP) takes a rigorous approach to supporting people seeking sanctuary and refuge in the UK, which utilises the engagement of local people through our buddy volunteers programme with, more recently, participants through the Homes for Ukraine scheme..

This concept recognizes the value of developing networks of support, where friendship with a buddy is a gateway to integrating a participant in the wider community and in cultural life whilst encouraging empathy, friendship and support from local people.

Our activities facilitate the sharing of skills and experience which is motivational for exploring employment opportunities not previously considered.

Our evaluations have revealed that many older participants experience higher degrees of isolation as a result of language and mobility obstacles, as well as the reality that many are unable to find work owing to ability and age. Some may live in more remote and isolated areas, and while a buddy can be the first point of contact for a participant, the connection is also critical for expanding networks of support and activities in order to be more independent and have access to additional options.

Activities of TRBP include one to one informal English language practice with a buddy out in the community, for example, in a local cafe. These Informal sessions can cover topics such as how to pay utility bills, the UK Council Tax system or booking appointments but in essence they are one to one English language support in a less formal setting allowing for the guest to feel motivated and encouraged to practise their language skills.

4

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024 (continued)

A peer support community network has been established through our buddy support network. Buddies support each other sharing good practice, concerns and tips for informal English conversation, places to go, activities and ideas of things to do. The Buddy Peer support network has become a unique form of support that can significantly contribute to buddy’s well-being and resilience. Buddy’s often question if what they are doing has any impact on the person they are matched with and in this set up they are given the support needed to understand that their volunteering is having a huge impact on how their buddy is experiencing rebuilding their new life in the UK.

Where the buddy is engaged in other community organizations, this network acts an events information sharing pool. For example a local organization invited people to take part in a for workshops for refugees. The take up had been very low and it was shared in our peer support network which resulted in buddies taking their refugee buddies to the workshops the week after.

The power of buddying may be transformative for both the guest and the Buddy; it is the establishment of genuine friendship and relationship, in which each person feels and responds to the other's humanity, with TRBP providing support through whatever methods are available.

Outcomes may be far-reaching and unexpected.. One our Buddys comments: "Imagine finding yourself friendless, just you and your child in a strange city in a strange country where you don't speak the language and where you have no idea how to communicate with your child's teacher or your landlord or even where to buy the basics you need to survive. Now imagine what it would be like to have someone local who is a friendly face in a sea of strangers and who is prepared to give up a small amount of time to help you practise basic conversation and to navigate

those challenges that seem simple when you know how the systems work. Being that Buddy is an absolute honour, knowing that you can help those who have experienced unimaginable trauma and gradually watch them, and their child develop in confidence and independence is an experience that cannot be underestimated; it is as enriching for you as it is for those you are in the position to support. Being a Buddy has definitely changed my life for the better."

Refugee Week – Creative collaborations

Another key and vibrant aspect of TRBP's work includes events for participants and Buddies, which are an important and colourful feature. We believe that the arts play an important role in bringing people together, building community, and allowing for expression that transcends language and cultural barriers. The charity now pioneers peer-led collaborative programmes which foster a culture of welcome, uniting people through food, culture and storytelling. Believing in the transformative power of art, the charity now delivers major arts and cultural programmes during Refugee Week.

Our strategy is one of facilitating the coming together of diverse communities in Hastings to support each other, particularly in this current climate of hostility. We have reached out to Hastings rich artistic/creative heritage, and work to enable friendships and build solidarity through creativity.

Our annual programme Stitch for Change and the Creative Call to Action during Refugee Week’s national celebrations, invites guests and Buddies to come together in order, literally, to weave, embroider and narrate their stories. This year's collaboration with the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-On- Sea sees participants creating garments that will be modelled on the catwalk at an event in Refugee Week.

In fortnightly sessions, older Ukrainian guests, whose English language skills are generally limited, can communicate through their sewing as well as sharing with others their skills and technique.

Our Stitch for Change project, now in its 4[th] year is a facilitated patchwork, sewing and embroidery story telling workshops hosted by cultural institutions working collaboratively with the Buddy Project. Project participant's and volunteer buddies are invited to immerse themselves in sewing, embroidery and textiles and are supported into the art of storytelling by creating their own patchwork story. This project is about providing a safe space for people to tell their own stories, using their own narratives and having control of how these stories are told and presented.

5

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024 (continued)

The workshops are coordinated and facilitated by experienced freelance facilitators, managed by the Refugee Buddy Project and are open to buddies and project participants. Patchwork stories created during the workshops are exhibited and or performed during Refugee Week.

In 2024 our collaboration with Hastings Museum & Art Gallery was nominated and won a National Museums Association award for our project Flavors Without Borders, Illuminating Invisible Histories.

At the heart of this project was the sharing of food and facilitated conversation about personal objects, an intergenerational and multinational community share untold stories of seeking refuge and making new lives in Hasting. Some of these stories were captured on a short film for viewing during Refugee Week, which took place from 17 – 23 June 2024. In parallel to the film screening, the guests’ were photographed with their objects which in turn were displayed at the museum. This project, a series of suppers, worked towards improving the legacy and visibility of refugee and migrant communities in the museum. 20 people took part in this project and iti highlighted that this was clearly only the beginning of a much larger project.

Refugee Week UK

Taking part in the national Refugee Week UK allows us to build on creative relationships in the local community and promote a culture of welcome. Our program of activities involves commissioning local artists and allow us to offer some paid CPD in the form of an Assistant Project Management role from a migrant or refugee background.

Refugee Week takes place at the end of June and the theme is different every year. Our program in Hastings is part of a national series of events in which we invite local artists and partners to celebrate with us by organizing a local creative action, here in Hastings which draw attention to the lives of people seeking refuge.

Refugee Week Hastings, Rother and Wealden provide more opportunities for migrant and refugee artists, local businesses and local individuals to get involved in our work.

Local engagement

At the end of August 2024, the project had registered and supported 353 participants. 157 of these referred to specialist services as described below. Project participants are also matched with a buddy and or referred to a specialist service or provided with Case work Support by The Refugee Buddy Project. This enables us to follow up on the outcome of referrals and offer additional support if needed.

In addition to the above, at the end of August 2024, a total of 214 local volunteers had been recruited, cleared and inducted by the project. 196 of these were matched with a migrant or person seeking refuge.

Current referral/signposting routes:-

Eggtooth Mental - Health support - Health in Mind – mental health support - HARC - benefits advice - Brighton Housing Trust – Specialist immigration - Food bank services - Trussel Trust - Seaview – Destitution support - Rother Voluntary Action – Wealden Voluntary Action - Specialist refugee support volunteer led organizations in Eastbourne and Lewis.

Refugee Week 2023/2024 – Social Gatherings – Pop Up suppers

Our Refugee Week programmes of Creative Actions have been designed for the widest possible intergenerational audience, to build solidarity and shared understanding. We have prioritised creative involvement by people with lived

experience of migration and those seeking refuge. We offered paid opportunities for many emerging local artists who express a desire to work with our stakeholders or support The Refugee Buddy Project (TRBP), that otherwise we don’t have capacity or budget to facilitate.

6

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024 (continued)

The last two Refugee Week Celebrations have brought together 110 local and international artists, 49 of these were from migrant and refugee backgrounds. A total of 63 events including Community Picnics, The Pub Quiz, World Refugee Day Showcase and several exhibitions in collaborations with the De La Warr Pavillion, Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, Electro studios reaching over 6000 visitors. The programme has included emerging and established artists, including well-known local names such as Quentin Blake, Sue Tilley and Euan Roberts, up and coming artists Jamie Sinclair, Sophie Malpas and Abraham Osorio and a host of young artists show-casing their work for the first time.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Review of period

The accounts reflect a period with a high level of activity using both grant funding and its own resources to support its beneficiaries. During the period several grant funded programs came to an end and this is reflected in the reduction in the charity’s funds at the end of the period.

The Charity has been successful in a number of grant applications prior to the end of the period including some which are to fund ongoing work over a number of years.

In addition the Charity has been successful in increasing its level of donations from the public to support its activities outside of those that are grant funded.

At the end of the year the Charity had sufficient funds and resources to enable it to complete both the various activities it has received grants for and to enable it to set up the staffing and other resources for the grant funding it had been awarded at the end of the period.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have reviewed the reserves of the charity. Their policy is to hold enough funds to meet three months’ operating costs .

Principal funding sources/plans for the future

The Charity has received new funding from Reaching Communities National Lottery until July 2027, which has been expanded to now fund four part-time roles – 2 support workers posts, 1 Head of Programs 1 head of Operations and HR, 1 freelance Finance Manager and CEO as well as covering 3 year’s rent for a social space.

We have successfully applied to the Justice Together Fund in partnership with Migrants Organise and POMOC for continuation funding for our part-time Caseworker who will train to become OISC qualified in immigration casework. This funding now runs April 2022 – April 2026.

We received further funding to deliver support for people arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme from ESCC delivering from July 2023 – July 2024 with continuation funding till 2026.

The core buddying and volunteering work is funded through two small charitable trusts.

The Charity continues to receive donations from the general public which are used to fund the work we do with people on No Recourse to Public Funds.

Investment policy and objectives

The charity has no long-term investments. Our cash reserves are held current bank accounts.

Conflicts of interest

Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the other trustees and, in accordance with the Trust's policy, withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises

7

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024 (continued)

Trustees remuneration.

The Trustees bring a wealth of experience of refugee and migrant rights, charitable and community projects, financial and project oversight and strategy and more. They generously volunteer their time to oversee the Charity and no Trustee receives remuneration for their role as Trustee. Details of transactions in the year between the Trustees and the Charity are set out in Note 4 to these accounts

Reference and administrative information

The names of the Trustees throughout the period and at the date of this report were as follows:-

Zainab Alsafi (appointed 9[th] December 2024) Rodrigo Correa Jane Hartley (appointed 10[th] April 2024) Martin Kempton (resigned 22[nd] August 2024 Barbara Malaihollo Geraldine Miric Yeser Mohammed Irene Zarza Rubio (resigned 28[th] January 2024

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing an annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above

Y. MOHAMMAD Trustee and Chair

P. J. HARTLEY Trustee

29th April 2025

8

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2024

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Project”) for the fifteen months ended 30[th] June 2024, which are set out on pages 10 to 16

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 Project’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 2011 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 gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

T. E. REYNOLDS FCA

23 Gillham Wood Road BEXHILL-ON-SEA East Sussex TN39 3BN

29th April 2025

9

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
2(a)
Activities for generating funds
2(b)
Grants received
2(c)
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Costs of generating funds
3(a)
Charitable activities
3(b)
Governance costs
3(c)
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING)
RESOURCES
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS
10
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD
10
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
10		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
63,006
(100)
62,905
47,324
1,761
49,085
37,985
302,098
340,083
148,315
303,759
452,074
0.00
0.00
13,665
9,737
23,402
160,144
373,981
534,125
(1,775)
-
(1,775)
172,034
383,717
555,752
(23,719)
(79,959)
(103,678)
35,308
(35,308)
11,589
(115,266)
(103,678)
25,279
149,219
174,498
£36,868
£33,953
£70,821		 Total funds
2023
£
37,975
12,614
361,354
411,943
26,383
305,581
1,275
333,239
78,704
-
78,704
95,794
£174,498

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 14 to 16 form part of these accounts

10

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st MARCH 2023

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible
7
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors and prepayments
8
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS - amounts falling due within one year
9
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
ACCUMULATED FUNDS
Unrestricted
10
Restricted
10		 2024
£
7,481
7,481
29,245
41,780
71,026
(7,686)
63,339
£70,820
36,867
33,953
£70,820		 2023
£
7,348
7,348
2,017
-
182,665
-
184,682
(17,532)
167,150
£174,498
25,279
149,219
£174,498

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:-

Y. MOHAMMAD P. J. HARTLEY Trustee and Chair Trustee

29th April 2025

The notes on pages 12 to 16 form part of these accounts

11

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

1 Accounting policies

1 (a) Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern

These financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with FRS102(2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2019 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP(FRS102)).

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

1 (b) Funds structure

Unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the trustees, at their discretion, have set aside resources for a specific purpose

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with the specific restrictions and terms imposed by the grant awarding organisation or by donors. Details of the funds are provided in Note 10 to the accounts.

1 (c) Incoming resources

Recognition

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when:-

Grants

Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant

Grants where there are performance or service deliverables required by the terms of the grant, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to payment through its performance.

Events and trading activities

Funds raised from events and trading activities are reported gross - i.e. before any related costs have been deducted from the proceeds.

Gift Aid Tax claims

These and other tax claims are included in the accounts at the same time as the cash donations to which they relate.

Volunteer help

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services donated by volunteers has not been included in these accounts, except where the services provided are in the nature of professional services where a fee would otherwise be charged, in which case the donated service is valued at their chargeable rate

Investment income

Investment income is included when receivable.

Charitable trading activity

Incoming resources from charitable trading activity is accounted for when earned.

12

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

1 (d) Resources expended

Liability recognition.

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classifed under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category

Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred

Costs of generating funds

Costs of gnerating funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, or incurred in trading activities undertaken to raise funds.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both direct pay and non-pay costs and support costs relating to those activities.

Governance costs

These include the costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to the trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

1 (e) Tangible fixed assets for use by the Charity

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or else, for gifts-in-kind, at a reasonable estimate of their open market value on receipt.

Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows:-

1 (f) Pensions

Employees of the Charity are entitled to join a defined contribution "money purchase" scheme. The Charity's contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in Note 6.

2 INCOMING RESOURCES

Unrestricted Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
2
(a) Voluntary income
- donations
63,006
£
100
-£
62,906
£
2
(b) Activities for generating funds
- events
-
-
-
- The Dove Café income
47,324
1,761
49,085
47,324
1,761
49,085
2
(c) Incoming resources from charitable activities
- grants receivable
37,985
£
302,098
£
340,083
£		 Total funds
2023
£
37,975
£
-
12,614
12,614
£
361,354
£

Grant income is treated as "Restricted" as it has been given to fund specific items of expenditure. If there is an underspend on a grant then any surplus will be, with the agreement of the granting body, transferred to Unrestricted Funds.

13

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

3 EXPENDITURE

3
(a) Costs of generating funds
The Dove Café - costs
Other fund raising costs
Total costs of generating funds
3
(b) Charitable activities
General administration
- Insurances
- Office rent
- Professional fees
- Phone and internet costs
- Equipment costs
- Stationery and office costs
- Depreciation
Project and activity costs
- activities
- advertising and promotion
- event costs
- family expenses
- licences
Staff and volunteer costs
- staff salaries including pension and NIC
- staff expenses
- sub-contractors
- staff training
- volunteer costs and expenses
Total cost of charitable activities
3
(c) Governance costs
- Independent examiners fees		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
13,230
9,662
22,892
435
75
510
13,665
£
9,737
£
23,402
£
264
1,201
1,465
-
36,604
36,604
2,016
2,474
4,490
710
1,727
2,437
2,858
1,271
4,128
241
1,623
1,865
1,232
-
1,232
7,321
44,900
52,221
15,783
47,089
62,871
612
14,077
14,689
547
26,251
26,798
33,526
27,546
61,072
155
3,679
3,834
50,623
118,641
169,264
61,080
162,709
223,789
(80)
5,650
5,570
581
28
609
38,993
39,420
78,412
1,626
2,633
4,259
102,200
210,439
312,640
160,144
£
373,981
£
534,125
£
£(1,775)
-
£
£(1,775)		 Total funds
2023
£
24,865
1,518
26,383
£
642
25,984
3,173
1,016
4,226
2,766
776
38,583
33,776
4,127
9,311
26,978
3,789
77,982
160,644
7,419
14,680
2,808
3,465
189,016
305,581
£
1,275
£

4 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION

No payments have been made to the Trustees for their roles as Trustees of the Charity during the period.

5 CORPORATION TAX

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

14

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

6 STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2024
£
202,432
16,715
4,643
£223,789
0.00		 2023
£
149,470
7,931
3,243
£160,644
0.00

The average number of full-time eqivalent employees during the year was 5 (2023 - 5)

7 FIXED ASSETS

Cost
As at 1 April 2023
Additions in year
As at 30 June 2024
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
As at 30 June 2024
Net book value at 31 March 2022
Net book value at 31 March 2023
DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS
Grants receivable
Sundry debtors		 Furniture
Office
& Fittings
Equipment
£
£
6,656
1,467
0
1,365
6,656
2,832
(482)
(293)
(666)
(566)
(1,148)
(860)
6,174
£
1,174
£
5,509
£
1,972
£
0.00
0.00
2024
£
25,015
4,230
£29,245		 Total
£
8,123
1,365
9,488
(775)
(1,232)
(2,007)
7,348
£
7,481
£
2023
£
1,761
256
£2,017

8 DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS

Unrestricted Funds
Sundry creditors
Restricted Funds
Sundry creditors		 2024
£
1,547
1,547
6,139
£7,686		 2023
£
4,609
4,609
12,923
£17,532

15

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE FIFTEEN MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

10 SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS

Restricted funds
East Sussex County Council
Sussex Community Council
National Lottery
Justince Together Partnership
Sundry grant funded projects
Unrestricted funds
Vulnerable Persons
Resettlement Program
Arts Council - Refugee Week
2023		 Balance at
Transfers
01-Apr-22
Income
(Expenditure
In/(out)
£
£
£
£
22,853
29,660
(76,436)
23,923
50,404
124,970
(158,987)
(16,387)
8,817
-
(5,922)
(2,896)
42,771
90,379
(120,789)
(5,408)
0
58,750
(21,584)
(10,166)
2,398
-
-
(2,398)
21,976
0
(0)
(21,976)
149,219
303,760
(383,718)
(35,308)
25,279
148,315
(172,034)
35,308
£174,498
£452,075
£(555,752)
-
0.00
(0.40)		 Balance at
31-Mar-23
£
-
-
-
6,953
27,000
-
-
33,953
(0.20)
36,867
0.00
£70,820
(0.20)

11 OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

Total future minimum payments under non-cancellable operating leases

Leasehold property - leases expring within 2 - 5 years 2024
£
£17,500		 2023
£
£18,921

0.00

12 SUMMARY OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Liabilities
Amounts falling due in one year
Amounts falling due after one year		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
7,481
-
7,481
30,933
40,092
71,026
(1,547)
(6,139)
(7,686)
-
29,386
33,953
63,339
£36,867
£33,953
£70,820
0.00
0.00
(0.00)		 Total
2023
£
7,348
184,682
(17,532)
167,150
£174,498
0.00

13 MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CHARITY AS A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION

The Trustees confirm that:-

16