2024-03-31-accounts

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign

Registered Charity No 1192063

Trustees’ Annual Report

for the year ended

31 March 2024

Contents

		Page
1.	Charity details	1
2.	Structure	1
3.	Trustees	1
4.	Charitable objects	1
5.	Origin and early development of the Charity	2
6.	Main activities and achievements in the year	2
7.	Public benefit	3
8.	Governance and management	4
9.	Volunteers	5
10.	Fundraising	5
11.	Financial review	5
12.	Declaration	7

1. Charity details

Name: Bridport Refugee Support Campaign Charity Number: 1192063 Registered Address: 6 New Zealand Farm Close Bridport Dorset DT6 3FR

2. Structure

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign (BRSC) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are the Charity trustees. Our governing document is the BRSC constitution adopted on 29 October 2020.

3. Trustees

The trustees listed below served during the year. All were initially appointed on 29 October 2020 for terms ranging from 2 to 4 years (and for a further 3-year term from the date of reappointment):

Julie Frew (re-appointed 29 October 2022) Mark Gage Richard Jenner (re-appointed 29 October 2022) Vice-Chair Ann Langridge Treasurer Barry Lovejoy (re-appointed 29 October 2023) Chair Catherine Scott (re-appointed 29 October 2022) Alan Weston Alistair Woodcock (re-appointed 29 October 2023)

4. Charitable objects

Our objects, as set out in BRSC’s constitution, are:

To relieve financial or other hardship amongst those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status and their dependants, in particular those living (temporarily or permanently) in Bridport and the surrounding area within West Dorset, by providing housing, advice and practical support (including grants or loans) to meet identified needs. And, in relation to those people as are mentioned in this clause:

• (a) To advance the education and training of those in need thereof so as to advance them in life and assist them to adapt within a new community.

• (b) To relieve unemployment by the provision of vocational and skills training, advice and support.

• (c) To preserve and protect physical and mental health.

1

• (d) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit amongst those who are socially excluded on the grounds of their social and economic position, by providing education and training in the English language and by assisting them to integrate into society.

• (e) To provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation with the aim of improving the conditions of life of those who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances.

• (f) To advance the education (including through cultural activities) of the public in general, and for the public benefit, about issues relating to those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status and their dependants.

5. Origin and early development of the Charity

• 5.1 The organisation was set up in February 2020 by a group of local residents. Our initial aim was to settle a refugee family in the Bridport area under the Home Office’s Community Sponsorship scheme.

• 5.2 Over the next two years, we successfully focused on:

• (a) establishing the organisation;

• (b) developing contacts with relevant bodies and establishing a supporters database;

• (c) fundraising;

• (d) meeting Home Office requirements;

• (e) securing private rented housing for the family and ensuring that they would have access to key services;

• (f) recruiting and training volunteers to provide support to the family;

• (g) undertaking public education/awareness work on issues facing asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.

• 5.3 Our application to the Home Office was approved in November 2021 and the family arrived in the UK in February 2022. They are from Sudan and comprise two adults and two children aged 10 and 6 on the date of arrival.

6.

Main activities and achievements in the year

• 6.1 During the year, we continued to support the resettled Sudanese family, including:

• language support;

• liaising on their behalf with health, school and other services;

• some ongoing financial support.

2

• 6.2 The family’s language skills have continued to improve. They are very happy living in Bridport and have a growing network of friends. They now play an active role in the life of the community. Both parents, as well as being involved in their local church, regularly volunteer in local charity initiatives. The children are doing well in school and participate in local sports and arts clubs.

• 6.3 One parent has two part-time jobs, and the other is involved in work experience.

• 6.4 Unfortunately, in late 2023 the family’s landlords announced that they would not be renewing the tenancy as they had decided to sell the property. We negotiated a short-term extension of the tenancy and subsequently secured suitable alternative private rented accommodation in Bridport. The family moved into their new home in April 2024.

• 6.5 We provided financial support to a second refugee family from Central America who relocated to Bridport during the year (we had provided such support to another Central American refugee family in 2022/23). This included making a direct grant from BRSC’s funds and raising donations and help in kind (furniture) from our supporters.

• 6.6 We provided practical assistance to both Central American families, including language support and help in settling into their new homes. We also provided language support to a Kurdish woman refugee living in Bridport.

• 6.7 We developed close contacts with two community groups providing support to asylum seekers accommodated on the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland. We publicised the work of the two groups (Portland Global Friendship Group and Jurassic Multi-Cultural Group) and looked after their funds pending them acquiring their own bank accounts.

• 6.8 We raised donations and help in kind from our supporters to help Bibby Stockholm residents. We also raised funds for such help through a fundraising event (see section 10 below)

• 6.9 Our activities focusing on wider public benefit are considered in section 7 below.

7. Public benefit

• 7.1 During the year, we organised two events designed to increase public awareness of issues facing asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.

• 7.2 As part of Refugee Week in June 2023, we jointly sponsored (along with the organisation Freedom from Torture) the screening of two films:

• Adnan is the story of an imaginative 10-year-old Syrian refugee boy who has had to flee his home country with his mother after the rest of their family was killed and their neighbourhood destroyed. Now settled in the UK, he must use all his creativity to break through his Mother’s PTSD or risk losing her forever.

3

• On Our Doorstep delves deeply into an aspect of the ongoing refugee crisis that rarely reaches the press. With NGOs being blocked by red tape and with the absence of any positive action by French or British authorities, this film is a behind-the-scenes look at the extraordinary grassroots movement that rose to aid the Calais “Jungle” and the community that sprang up there before it was forcefully demolished.

• 7.3 The event was held at the Bridport Arts Centre and was very well attended. It included a Q&A session led by Martin Dawes, former BBC foreign correspondent and UNICEF senior communications officer. The Q&A panel included the Director of On Our Doorstep and a local refugee.

• 7.4 In July 2023, we sponsored a performance by Celeste theatre group of Hope Fool , which examines what it is like to be a refugee and why people find themselves in terrible situations in the quest to have a “normal life”. Celeste is an integrated and inter-generational drama group made up of mentors from Vita Nova and people with English as a second language, including refugees and asylum seekers. The performance took place at Bridport Town Hall and was followed by a discussion with the cast.

• 7.5 The trustees of BRSC confirm that we have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

8. Governance and management

• 8.1 BRSC’s current trustees are drawn from the steering group that originally set up the Campaign. We come from a range of backgrounds including the private, public, charity and trades union sectors. Several trustees have experience of working with refugees while others have relevant experience such as teaching ESOL, providing advice on social welfare matters, working with young people, fundraising, management at a senior level and charity governance.

• 8.2 We have various policies in place, including:

• (a) a financial procedures summary;

• (b) a complaints policy for use by a BRSC resettled family if it has concerns about the services or support that we provide;

• (c) a safeguarding policy, implementation procedure and code of conduct;

• (d) a data privacy policy;

• (e) an applications for assistance policy and procedure, applying to requests for help from local asylum seekers or refugees not resettled by BRSC under the Community Sponsorship scheme.

• 8.3 During the year, we agreed a process and timetable for reviewing policies and procedures, which we have started to implement.

4

• 8.4 We are satisfied that our current governance and management arrangements are working well. However, there is a need to recruit new trustees, including those with specific skills sets. To this end, we have developed a trustee specification and recruitment procedure.

9. Volunteers

• 9.1 During the year, we engaged the services of 9 volunteers.

• 9.2 We require all trustees and volunteers to undergo Disclosure And Barring Service checks at the appropriate level.

• 9.3 One of our trustees is designated as Volunteer Manager And Co-ordinator.

10. Fundraising

• 10.1 We organised one fundraising event, Rock Steady For Refugees , which took place in November 2023 at the Masonic Hall in Bridport. The event comprised an evening of music, dancing, singing and spoken word, with performances from four local artists (a ska band, choir, poet and DJ).

• 10.2 The event raised nearly £1,200, the majority of which was allocated to supporting Bibby Stockholm residents.

11. Financial Review

• 11.1 Full details of BRSC’s financial position as at 31 March 2024 are set out in our annual accounts. A statement of financial activity is set out below:

Year Ending	31 March 2024	31 March 2023
	£	£
Income
Donations	3,987	6,413
Grants	0	1,700
Investments	284	0
Other	0	50
Total Income	4,271	8,163
Operating Expenses	4,597	7.504
NET INCOME	-326	659

• 11.2 As at 31 March 2024, BRSC’s net assets totalled £16,764, including:

• £3,312 cash held in a current account with the Co-operative Bank

• £12,909 cash held in an instant access savings account with the Bath Building Society.

• 11.3 Net assets comprised £16,832 unrestricted funds and £83 restricted funds.

• 11.4 Our reserves of £16,832 are held solely for the furtherance of BRSC’s charitable objects. The trustees have not designated any reserves for specific purposes.

5

• 11.5 BRSC has no paid employees.

• 11.6 No remuneration or expenses were paid to trustees other than expenses incurred directly supporting BRSC’s activities.

• 11.7 There are no funds in deficit.

• 11.8 An issue has recently emerged that could potentially give rise to uncertainty about BRSC’s ability to continue as a going concern. This relates to rent for a local property that we secured in order to house a refugee family from Afghanistan (arriving in the UK under a Government sponsored resettlement scheme). In December 2024, an entirely unexpected development occurred that casts doubt on our ability to proceed with the proposed resettlement, while leaving us liable for rent for the property. The trustees are currently working to resolve the issue so that the resettlement can go ahead. We have also identified alternative options to reduce any rent liability and to protect BRSC’s financial position.

6

12. Declaration

The trustees of Bridport Refugee Support Campaign declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature	………………………………………………………………..
Full name	Barry James Lovejoy
Position	Chair of Trustees
Date	20thJanuary 2025

7

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign

Registered Charity No 1192063

Accounts

For the year ended

31 March 2024

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign

Accounts

Contents

	Page
Charity Information	1
Treasurer’s Report	2
Statement of Financial Activity	3
Balance Sheet	4
Notes to the Accounts	5

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign

Charity Information

Trustees

Mr Barry Lovejoy Chair of Trustees Mr Richard Jenner Vice-Chair Ms Ann Langridge Treasurer Ms Julie Frew Language Lead Mr Mark Gage Data Controller Mr Alistair Woodcock Safeguarding Officer Ms Catherine Scott Family Liaison Mr Alan Weston Projects

Date of Appointment

29 October 2020 29 October 2020 29 October 2020 29 October 2020 29 October 2020 29 October 2020 29 October 2020 29 October 2020

Registered Office

6 New Zealand Farm Close Bridport DT6 3FR

Registered Charity Number

1192063

1

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer presents her report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.

This is the fourth year the charity has been operating. The year has been spent continuing to support a family from Sudan who arrived in the UK through the government’s Community Sponsorship Scheme and also a family from El Salvador who have been relocated to Bridport by Luton Council. The charity has also looked after funds for two community groups (Portland Global Friendship Group and Jurassic Multi-Cultural Group) until these groups acquire their own bank account.

The charity has made a net loss for the year of £326. Total funds available to the charity stand at £16,915 and includes a small amount of pre-paid insurance costs. This money is held mainly as unrestricted funds (£16,831). There is also £176 remaining from the Home Office grant which was provided to assist with ESOL costs. This will continue to be used to develop the English language skills of the Sudanese family.

Income was mostly in the form of donations. In total £3,987 was raised through donations and supporters’ fund-raising activities.

Expenses for the year totalled £4,597. The charity continued to pay for broadband and the TV licence and also interpreting and dental costs for the Sudanese family. Expenditure was also incurred on furnishing a property for the El Salvador family.

The charity has no paid employees and there have been no remuneration or expenses paid to the trustees other than those incurred directly supporting the charity’s activities.

The statement of financial activity is shown on page 3.

2

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign

Statement of Financial Activity

for the year ended 31 March 2024

	Notes	2023-4	2022-3
Income		£	£
Donations	3	3,987	6,413
Grants	4		1,700
Investments	5	284
Other	6		50
Total Income		4,271	8,163
Operating Expenses	7	4,597	7,504
NET INCOME		-326	659

3

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2024

	Notes	2023-4	2022-3
		£	£
Fixed Assets		0	0
Current Assets
Prepaid expenses	8	59	59
Stock		484	484
Cash at bank	9	16,221	16,697
Creditors		0	0
Net assets		16,764	17,240
Funds of the Charity:
Restricted funds	10	83	643
Unrestricted funds	11	16,832	16,597
Total Funds		16,915	17,240

Restricted income funds represent money which can only be used for specified purposes.

Unrestricted income funds are funds available to be spent within the objects of the charity which can legally be spent wholly at the discretion of the trustees.

The financial statements on pages 3 to 7 were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on:

18th June 2024

and signed on their behalf by:

4

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound.

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

2. Independent Examination

As the charity has a gross income under £25,000 in this financial year, there is no requirement for these accounts to be independently examined. .

3. Donations

Donations are recognised on a receivable basis when the funds have been received.

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total 2023-4	Total 2022-3
	£	£	£	£
Donations from individuals	825	1,125	1,950	3,369
Donations from community groups	654	-	654	-
Donations at events	416	-	416	-
Gift aid	-	-	-	3,044
Amazon Europe Core	18	-	18	-
TOTAL	1,913	1,125	3,038	6,413

Donations from community groups comprised £154 from Bridport Quakers and £500 from the Bridport branch of the Labour Party. The Rock Steady fundraising event saw £416 in donations.

No gift aid was claimed or received from HMRC during the financial year due to the small amount of large donations eligible for gift aid.

4. Grants

No grants were received during the year.

5. Investments

During the year a savings account was opened with the Bath Building Society. £284 interest was earned.

5

6. Income from Fundraising

6.1 Events

One fund raising event was organised by the charity during the financial year (Rock Steady).

Event	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total 2023-4	Total 2022-3
	£	£	£	£
Fundraiser November 2023	949	-	949	-
TOTAL	949	-	949	-

6.2 Merchandise

No merchandise was put on sale during the financial year.

Item	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total 2022-3	Total 2022-3
	£	£	£	£
Tote bagsales	-	-	-	-
Christmas card sales	-	-	-	50
TOTAL	-	-	-	50

7. Expenditure

7.1 Fundraising

£183 was spent on fundraising.

7.2 Charitable Activities

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total 2023-4	Total 2022-3
	£	£	£	£
Educationalpublicity	81		81	439
Lettingagent fees	500		500	-
Propertyrefurbishment	-	-	-	228
Interpretingcosts	42		42	680
ESOL costs		467	467	1,057
Digital inclusion costs (laptop, mobiles,broadband)	255		255	492
Arrival costs and interim support payments	-	-	-	100
Ongoingsupport for family	771	-	771	2,835
Grants awarded	841	-	841	344
Support for Central American family	-	1,078	1,078	787
Support for Portland asylum seekers		140	140
Volunteer expenses	20	-	20	221
TOTAL	2,510	1,685	4,195	7,183

Ongoing support costs, particularly dental, formed a significant part of the expenditure on charitable activities. In addition, the Sudanese family were served a Section 21 notice by their landlord which necessitated a search for another property, incurring letting agent fees.

6

The charity also provided financial support to buy furniture for a family from Central America recently granted leave to stay in the UK and who had moved to Bridport during the year.

A grant was made to the Portland Global Friendship group and also to an individual from Central America to assist with the purchase of a laptop.

7.3 Other

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total 2023-4	Total 2022-3
	£	£	£	£
Insurance	178	-	178	178
Administration	-	-	-	82
Merchandise sold costs	-	-	-	62
TOTAL	178	-	178	322

8. Prepaid Expenses

Insurance has been prepaid up to end August 2024.

9. Cash at Bank

Cash is held in a current account with the Co-operative Bank and also in an instant access savings account with the Bath Building Society.

with the Bath Building Society.
	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total 2023-4	Total 2022-3
	£	£	£	£
Cash,current account	1,664	1,648	3,312	4,072
Cash,instant access savings account	12,909	-	12,909	12,625
TOTAL	14,573	1,648	16,221	16,697

10.Restricted Funds

£176 is available for further ESOL support.

11. Unrestricted Funds

As at 31 March 2024 no amounts have been set aside from the available unrestricted funds for specific purposes.

12. Funds Held for Other Groups

	Amount Received	Amount Paid Out	Total 2023-4	Total 2022-3
	£	£	£	£
Portland Global FriendshipGroup	7,330	6,499	831	-
Jurassic Multi-Cultural Group	500	-	500	-
TOTAL	7,830	6,499	1,331	-

7