OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-06-30-accounts

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN

(Registered Charity - Registration Number:- 1191436)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025

Reference and Administrative Information

Trustees

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

Y. Mohammad

Charity Correspondent and Principal Address

R. Leal The Refugee Buddy Project Hastings Rother and Wealden 3[rd] Floor, Rock House 49-51 Cambridge Road HASTINGS East Sussex TN34 1DT

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 YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025

The Trustees present their report for the ended 30[th] June 2025

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 YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025

(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. 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

Overview of Activities

Between April 2024 and June 2025, the charity continued its core work supporting refugee and migrant communities through buddying, casework, volunteering pathways, cultural programming, and community engagement. Continuation core funding from the National Lottery (Reaching Communities) commenced in September 2024.

Staffing and Governance

A new Head of HR & Operations and a Head of Programmes & Administration were recruited in late 2024. They took up relevant training to support their skills reviewed organisational policies, and began working on strategic planning for sustainability beyond Year 3. One staff member did not pass probation. A new Finance Manager was recruited following the departure of the previous post-holder.

Programme Delivery

The Buddy Scheme supported 45 volunteers and 188 participants. Across the period, 41 participant matches were completed, surpassing volunteer-matching targets for our funders. The Dove Café provided training and supported progression into employment for several sessional workers.

Through the Migrants Organise, Justice Together Partnership, the charity delivered casework in immigration, welfare benefits, health, housing, and destitution support. The organisation also responded to concerns regarding Home Office accommodation practices by coordinating an urgent multi-agency stakeholder response.

Cultural and Community Work

The charity coordinated Refugee Week 2024 and 2025, delivering over 90 events in partnership with more than 100 local organisations and raising £4,000 (2025). Key programmes included Stitch for Change, Plants Make Places, the Young Creatives Collective, and Flavours Without Borders, strengthening public engagement and representation.

Partnerships

The organisation remained active in regional networks, including the East Sussex Migration Partnership, Homes for Ukraine partnerships, and Hastings Community of Sanctuary. Cultural partnerships with Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, the De La Warr Pavilion, and Flatland Projects supported exhibitions, residencies, and public programmes.

Organisational Development

A new programme monitoring system was embedded; 16 organisational policies were reviewed; and impact evaluation work progressed with external evaluators. A new shared drive was introduced, with file migration ongoing. Staff completed safeguarding (Level 3) and management training.

Challenges and Rising Community Safety Concerns

The charity operated in a context of increased racist narratives and tolerance of discriminatory behaviour, which adversely affected community confidence and participation. Following race-related unrest in summer 2024, participants reported heightened fear and anxiety. The organisation prioritised maintaining a safe, welcoming space and undertook advocacy with local politicians and the police service to address community safety concerns. Multi-agency meetings were convened to improve responses and protections for vulnerable families.

3

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025

(continued)

Public Benefit

All activities advanced the charity’s aims: supporting people seeking refuge, improving integration, reducing hardship, and promoting a culture of welcome. The work delivered direct social, emotional, practical, and cultural support to hundreds of individuals and contributed to community cohesion.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Review of period

The accounts reflect a year with a lower level activity due to reduced availability of both grants and other sources of income. In order to accommodate this lower level of activity the Charity has reduced its level of expenditure and the accounts for the year show a surplus for the year compared to the deficit for the previous year.

The Dove Café continues to show a small surplus whilst providing a well used meeting point and a training opportunity for refugees who are interested in the hospitality industry.

The Charity has continued to increase 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 maintain sufficient funds to meet three months’ operating costs.

Principal funding sources/plans for the future

In September 2024 the Charity received new funding from Reaching Communities National Lottery until August 2027. This has enabled the Charity to 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 through to April 2026.

We received further funding to deliver support for people arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme from ESCC delivering from June 2024 – July 2025.

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

4

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025 (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:-

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

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

23[rd] April 2026

5

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 YEAR ENDED 30[th] JUNE 2025

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Project”) for the year ended 30[th] June 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 13

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

23[rd] April 2026

6

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2025

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
11
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD
11
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
11		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
£
£
£
20,018
-
20,017
62,388
-
62,388
40,676
199,750
240,426
123,082
199,750
322,832
0.00
0.00
12,071
8,678
20,749
75,229
192,125
267,354
3,500
-
3,500
90,800
200,803
291,604
0.00
0.00
32,282
(1,053)
31,228
166
(166)
32,448
(1,219)
31,228
36,867
33,953
70,820
£69,315
£32,734
£102,048		 Total funds
15 months to
30 Jun 2024
£
62,906
49,085
340,083
452,074
23,402
534,125
(1,775)
555,752
(103,678)
-
(103,678)
174,498
£70,820

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 9 to 13 form part of these accounts

7

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30th JUNE 2025

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
DEFERRED INCOME
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
ACCUMULATED FUNDS
Unrestricted
11
Restricted
11		 2025
£
12,538
12,538
6,236
128,240
134,476
(4,075)
(40,890)
89,511
£102,049
69,315
32,734
£102,049		 2024
£
7,481
7,481
29,245
-
41,780
-
71,025
(7,686)
-
63,339
£70,820
36,867
33,953
£70,820

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

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

23rd April 2026

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these accounts

8

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2025

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 11 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. Where those service performance or service deliverables have not been met by the year end then the appropriate element of the grant received is accounted for as Deferred Income and recognised when the deliverables are met.

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.

9

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2025

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
2025
£
£
£
2
(a) Voluntary income
- donations
20,018
£
-
£
20,018
£
2
(b) Activities for generating funds
- events
35,196
-
35,196
- The Dove Café income
27,193
-
27,193
62,388
-
62,388
2
(c) Incoming resources from charitable activities
- grants receivable
40,676
£
199,750
£
240,426
£		 Total funds
15 months to
30 Jun 2024
£
62,906
£
14,500
34,585
49,085
£
340,083
£

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 may be, with the agreement of the granting body, transferred to Unrestricted Funds.

10

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

FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2025

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 and council tax
- Utilities
- 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
2025
£
£
£
12,071
8,678
20,749
-
-
-
12,071
£
8,678
£
20,749
£
1,312
-
1,312
334
-
334
1,312
63
1,375
833
9,456
10,289
2,003
370
2,372
1,409
-
1,409
1,001
295
1,297
2,892
-
2,892
11,095
10,185
21,280
-
-
-
13,759
23,988
37,747
10,347
7,268
17,615
-
7,223
7,222
1,026
3,782
4,807
25,131
42,260
67,391
21,690
105,906
127,596
429
1,988
2,417
-
12,007
12,007
16,533
17,387
33,920
350
2,393
2,743
39,003
139,680
178,683
75,229
£
192,125
£
267,354
£
£3,500
-
£
£3,500		 Total funds
30 Jun 2024
£
22,892
510
23,402
£
1,465
36,604
-
4,490
2,437
4,128
1,865
1,232
52,221
62,871
14,689
26,798
61,072
3,834
169,264
223,790
5,570
609
78,412
4,259
312,640
534,125
£
£(1,775)

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.

11

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2025

6
STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2025
£
119,107
5,687
2,803
£127,597
0.50		 30 Jun 2024
£
202,432
16,715
4,643
£223,790
(0.07)

The average number of full-time eqivalent employees during the year was 4.5 (2024 - 5)

7 FIXED ASSETS

Cost
As at 1 June 2024
Additions in year
As at 30 June 2025
Depreciation
As at 1 June 2024
Charge for the year
As at 30 June 2025
Net book value at 30 June 2025
Net book value at 30 June 2024
8
DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS
Grants receivable
Sundry debtors
9
CREDITORS - amounts falling due within one
Restricted Funds
Sundry creditors
Unrestricted Funds
Sundry creditors		 Furniture
Office
Catering
& Fittings
Equipment
Equipment
£
£
£
6,656
2,832
-
1,219
2,894
3,835
7,876
5,726
3,835
(1,148)
(860)
-
(788)
(1,145)
(959)
(1,935)
(2,005)
(959)
5,940
£
3,721
£
2,876
£
0.00
0.00
5,509
£
1,972
£
-
£
2025
£
-
6,236
£6,236
year
2025
£
-
-
4,075
£4,075		 Total
£
9,488
7,948
17,437
(2,007)
(2,892)
(4,899)
12,538
£
7,481
£
2024
£
25,015
4,230
£29,245
2024
£
6,139
6,139
1,547
£7,686

10 DEFERRED INCOME

Deferred Income represents grant income received in advance of the charity meeting the performance and deliverable targets that form part of the grant.

Restricted
Unrestricted		 £
32,890
8,000
£40,890		 £
-
-
£0

12

THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT HASTINGS ROTHER AND WEALDEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2025

11 SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS

Restricted funds
ESCC - Homes for Ukrainians
Justince Together Partnership
National Lottery
Stitch for Change
Unrestricted funds		 Balance at
Transfers
01-Jul-24
Income
(Expenditure
In/(out)
£
£
£
£
-
75,000
(65,158)
-
27,000
3,750
(16,143)
-
6,953
108,200
(106,868)
-
12,800
(12,634)
(166)
33,953
199,750
(200,803)
(166)
36,867
123,082
(90,801)
166
£70,820
£322,832
£(291,604)
-
0.00
0.00		 Balance at
30-Jun-25
£
9,842
14,607
8,285
0
32,734
69,314
£102,048
(0.30)

12 OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

Total future minimum payments under non-cancellable operating leases

Leasehold property - leases expring within 2 - 5 years
0.00		 2025
£
£11,500		 2024
£
£17,500

13 SUMMARY OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Liabilities
Amounts falling due in one year
Amounts falling due after one year
Deferred Income		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2025
£
£
£
12,538
-
12,538
68,852
65,624
134,476
(4,075)
-
(4,075)
-
(8,000)
(32,890)
(40,890)
56,777
32,734
89,511
£69,315
£32,734
£102,049
0.00
0.00
(0.00)		 Total
2024
£
7,481
71,025
(7,686)
63,339
£70,820
0.00

14 MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CHARITY AS A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION

The Trustees confirm that:-

13