Portsmouth City of Sanctuary Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees present their annual report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022 and confirm they comply with the Charities Act 1993, as amended by the Charities Act 2006, the trust deed and the Charities SORP 2005.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name: Portsmouth City of Sanctuary Charity Registration Number: 1192913 Principal Office: St. Lukes Church, Greetham Street, SOUTHSEA Hampshire, PO5 4LH
Board of Trustees: Malcolm Little, Golam Chowdhury David Handley, Denise Callender, Patience Mutunami
Independent Examiner: Angela Weston
Structure, Governance and Management
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary (PCoS) is a stand-alone organisation working with others who share our aims and values, to offer safety and support to anyone fleeing violence and persecution, or who is seeking sanctuary. A growing list of over 250 supporting organisations share a vision to raise awareness and address local issues of vulnerability and indignity, with inclusiveness, kindness, and compassion.
An ambitious humanitarian charity, PCoS delivers a practical welcome and ongoing support to Portsmouth’s forced migrants. We do what we do as motivated project leaders and volunteers to help some of our most at risk and disorientated community members.
In 2022/3, these included asylum seekers dispersed to Portsmouth and Gosport, as well as those within a local hotel. The need for this support has been particularly acute following the pandemic, and PCoS's impact in our second year as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) has been profound. PCoS has demonstrably ramped up new initiatives, some for the first time in the city, and all in partnership. We are justifiably excited for the future and the many clients we serve.
Participating statutory and non-statutory organisations include Portsmouth’s major faith, community, veteran, education, health, and arts groups. We launched in 2019 to help join the dots and promote existing best practice in Portsmouth.
Whilst aligned with the national City of Sanctuary movement (leveraging its best practice and reach), we are entirely independent and non-political/religious, believing everyone deserves dignified and compassionate treatment.
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary is constituted as a CIO with the Charity Commission in 2019 under charity number 1192913.
Organisational structure
The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits. The trustees meet as a body monthly and are responsible for all decisions taken in relation to running the charity. To assist in the smooth running of the charity the trustees have support from around 30 volunteers (many with lived experience) that carry out the charity’s objectives.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The existing trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new trustees. Potential trustees would be invited to attend trustees’ meetings as observers and would be given more details of the charity’s aims and activities and, if all agree, they would then be proposed as new trustees at the 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 a guide to the policies and procedures adopted by our charity. Several publications from the Charity Commission are also provided including the guidance on charities and public benefit. This ensures that new trustees are aware of the scope of their responsibilities under the Charities Act.
Risk management
The trustees are satisfied that systems are in place, or arrangements are in hand, to manage risks. Insurance cover is in place and the finances are kept under review. Appropriate DBS checks, supported by regularly reviewed policies, are made for all those who work with children or other vulnerable groups.
Charitable Objectives and aims
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To advance the education of Portsmouth citizens in general about the issues relating to migrants and their dependents seeking sanctuary in the city.
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To advance the education and training of those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status and their dependents in need thereof, so as to assist them in life and to adapt and integrate within a new community.
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To relieve poverty amongst those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status, particularly by the provision of donated nappies, toiletries, food, and other similar items.
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The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit by the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of age, status, race, sex, and sexual orientation.
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The promotion of social inclusion for the public benefit among those seeking sanctuary who are socially excluded on the grounds of their social and economic position, by providing and/or co-ordinating services and facilities to advance them in life and assist them to adapt and integrate within a new community.
2022/23 Key Activities and Achievements
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With partners, run Portsmouth’s first referral drop-in for trafficked and abused migrant women. 20 victims of modern slavery, FGM, HBV and the city’s sex trade have been assisted weekly from May 2021 within a safe, trusted ‘Haven’
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Volunteer-led new asylum seeker ‘Welcome Box’ project (includes visiting Portsmouth and Gosport asylum properties, and contracted Hotel/residential block)
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Consolidated new city-centre multi-agency Refugee Hubs at St Luke’s, offering vital casework, English classes, food/clothing, barber, and Baby Basics
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‘Energise Me’ dance and football activities project
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Local resident and refugee shore clean-up, gardening and tree-planting ‘Action Asylum’ project, helping to improve integration and English in the community
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Trained and developed many volunteers, placement students and interns
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Two PCoS trustees continue to help frame PCC’s agreed 2040 City Vision, as well as promoting Third Party ‘hate-crime’ Reporting Centres
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Hugely increased social media reach and advocacy presence.
How our activities deliver public benefit
The charity carries out a wide range of activities in pursuance of its charitable aims. The trustees consider that these activities as described above, provide benefit both to those seeking sanctuary and the wider community of Portsmouth.
Our projects promote integration, reduce social isolation for migrants in the city, builds skills, and empowers and promotes friendship, volunteering, and wellbeing among the community
Balance Sheet
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary As at 31 March 2023
Balance Sheet
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary As at 31 March 2022
Fixed Assets
| Fixed Assets | |
|---|---|
| Tangible Assets Current Assets |
1,948.42 |
| Cash at bank and in hand Debtors/Prepayments Creditors |
51,163.11 0.00 |
| 51,163.11 | |
| Amounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets Total Net Asssets |
0.00 |
| 51,163.11 | |
| 53,111.53 |
| REPRESENTED BY: | |
|---|---|
| Accumulated funds | |
| Restricted | 36,365.37 |
| Unrestricted | 16,746.16 |
| Accumulated funds at 31 March 2023 | 53,111.53 |
| As at 31 March 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Fixed Assets | |
| Tangible Assets Current Assets |
550.00 |
| Cash at bank and in hand Debtors/Prepayments Creditors |
20,445.98 0.00 |
| 20,445.98 | |
| Amounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets Total Net Asssets REPRESENTED BY: |
0.00 |
| 20,445.98 | |
| 20,995.98 | |
| Restricted Unrestricted Accumulated funds at 31 March 2022 Accumulated funds |
20,445.98 550.00 20,995.98 |
I have examined the accounting records of Portsmouth City of Sanctuary for the period ended 31[st] March 2023
together with the supporting vouchers and receipts provided.
Angela Weston
I can confirm to the best of my knowledge that the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance sheet are in accordance with the accounting records and that the balance at bank has been verified to the bank statements
Income & Expenditure
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary For the year ended 31 March 2023
| Grants Local Council Grants Donations Fundraising Charitable Activities Total Income Bikes Coaching Training/Teambuilding/Support English & Dance classes Welcome Boxes Advertising & Marketing Consulting/Freelance work Volunteer Welfare & Hospitality General Expenses Direct costs of goods Insurance Legal Expenses Hub Provisions Jubilee Printing & Stationery Rent Repairs & Renewals Travel Project Equipment Subscriptions Depreciation Expense Total Expenditure Income Cost of Charitable Activities |
75,206.00 749.80 9,351.55 152.00 3,317.00 |
|---|---|
| 88,776.35 150.87 1,198.00 126.56 1,396.01 1,777.98 0.00 29,845.10 348.06 0.00 890.86 718.83 0.00 1,297.38 8,368.49 771.25 6,573.00 60.00 2,373.88 159.98 368.00 236.55 56,660.80 |
|
| Net Surplus | 32,115.55 |
Trustees’ Remuneration and expenses
No trustees or any persons connected with them have received remuneration from the Charity. No trustees have claimed any expenses.
Income & Expenditure Portsmouth City of Sanctuary For the period ended 31 March 2022
| Grants Local Council Grants Donations Fundraising Charitable Activities Total Income Bikes Coaching Training English & Dance classes Welcome Boxes Advertising & Marketing Consulting Volunteer Welfare & Hospitiality General Expenses Direct costs of goods Insurance Legal Expenses Hub Provisions Jubilee Printing & Stationery Rent Repairs & Renewals Travel Project Equipment Subscriptions Depreciation Expense Total Expenditure Cost of Charitable Activities Income |
29,851.00 17,223.66 1,963.94 0.00 1,613.46 |
|---|---|
| 50,652.06 413.15 3,523.00 750.00 2,739.24 611.95 221.60 15,909.36 1,298.73 243.79 0.00 545.89 50.00 0.00 0.00 1,237.33 1,472.50 120.43 519.11 0.00 368.00 0.00 30,024.08 |
|
| Net Surplus | 20,627.98 |
Trustees’ Remuneration and expenses No trustees or any persons connected with them have received remuneration from the Charity. One Trustee claimed £73.40 reimbursement for travel expenses.