**Fences & Frontiers** Registered charity number: 1194720 Annual Report 2024/25 February 2024 – January 2025 ## CEO’s Introduction It is my privilege to share the 2024/25 Annual Report for Fences & Frontiers. This year has been one of transformation and growth for our organisation. We have strengthened our ties with key partners, starting delivering on our largest grant to date, and laid the groundwork for the future by developing a 10-year plan for sustainable growth. We have also experienced real internal transition, with some long-standing team members stepping back, and new voices and ideas coming in. Our community has blossomed this year, expanding in size and diversity. In 2024 we directly supported over 100 refugees and asylum seekers through our core activities, with participants joining us from countries such as El Salvador, Iran, Afghanistan, Colombia, South Sudan, and more. More than ever, we’ve seen the immense value of partnerships. As a grassroots charity, we rely heavily on these relationships to amplify our impact. Collaborating with organisations EFHT, SLBI, London Zoo, Kew Gardens, The Urban Tree Festival, and a range of artists and mindfulness practitioners has enabled us to deliver creative and therapeutic activities that would otherwise be out of reach for a charity of our size. One partnership of particular note is with HF Holidays, which has provided participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the British countryside. These experiences offer profound connections with nature and moments of respite and reflection. In 2024, we ran three holidays together and are now planning next year’s trips. We would also like to highlight our work with Stanley Arts who we worked with on a series of creative sessions over the colder months - enabling us to provide a range of new experiences from photography workshops to gingerbread making. We’ve also worked closely with artists, writers, and practitioners to deliver creative and therapeutic activities. These programs provide participants with new ways to connect with their surroundings and each other while offering tools for artistic self-expression, whether through poetry or painting. We are especially grateful to renowned children’s authors Laura Henry-Allain MBE and Nathan Bryon for donating signed books to our families—a gesture that has brought huge joy. On top of this, we have continued to build and nurture relationships with museums and other cultural institutions, as well as refugee and community sector and therapeutic practitioners. This has enabled us to deliver a fascinating range of activities from film screenings to seed planting, guided walks to exhibitions. In May 2024 we adopted a 10-year vision.We have committed to becoming a user-led organisation, with a goal of having 50% of our board composed of individuals with refugee backgrounds within five years. We’ve made significant progress, reaching 37.5% representation this year, and we’re proud to have Arta Shiroka, a former participant, serving as our Chair. We have also shifted to becoming an employer. Recognising the increasing demands on our volunteers, we **1** began funding a part-time CEO role in September 2024. Securing funding for this position, alongside other core costs, is critical to our long-term sustainability. However, change has not come without challenges. The departure of founding volunteers has placed strain on our capacity. While their contributions are missed, this has created opportunities for fresh perspectives and new approaches that we believe will strengthen us for the future. We recognise the value of media and our media presence has grown in 2024, helping amplify the voices and stories of our participants. In 2024, our work was covered by outlets such as the London Review of Books, Alliance Magazine, the Evening Standard, and Third Sector, enhancing our profile and reach. Of course, our work is shaped by the wider political and social context. The racist riots of summer 2024 affected many of our participants directly. We were proud to provide solidarity and support during this difficult time, while also working with trusted journalists to ensure their voices were heard. Yet, the mental health impacts of such events remain, once again underscoring the need for organisations such as Fences & Fronitiers. As we look ahead, we are cautiously optimistic. Signs of progress, such as the closure of the Bibby Stockholm barge, the end of the Rwanda plan, and fairer timelines for transitioning out of asylum accommodation, offer hope. However, the persistence of mianti-migrant rhetoric, both in Westminster and on our streets, reminds us of the ongoing challenges we face. Despite these uncertainties, we’re excited about the year ahead. Activities already on the horizon include a photography workshop with Stanley Arts, trips to the Science Museum and Kew Gardens, and two holidays to the South Downs and the Lake District. Our achievements this year would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our funders. I want to express my deepest gratitude to WCGL/TFL, Localgiving, the Mayor of London, Patagonia, individual philanthropists, and everyone who has donated and supported us. Together, we are building a more welcoming, supportive, and inspiring future for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Thank you for being part of our journey. ## **Lewis Garland, CEO** **2** ## Mission statement Fences & Frontiers exists to make the UK a more welcoming, supportive and inspiring place for refugees and asylum seekers. We do this by running cultural, and nature-based activities that bring people together in the spirit of friendship and solidarity. Our activities offer people the chance to explore beautiful parts of the countryside and cultural spaces. However, more than that, we provide opportunities for people to build friendships and gain a sense of community, practise their language skills, and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. _We hereby confirm that the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit._ **3** ## Achievements and Performance ## Operational activities We run cultural, physical, recreational and educational activities for refugees, asylum seekers and the wider community - bringing people together in the spirit of friendship and solidarity. Our current projects include: - Never Walk Alone / Stepping Forward - London, Museums, and Me - HF Holidays - Countryside holidays Partnership These benefit the physical and mental health of those who attended, and helped to integrate refugees and asylum seekers into society more widely. Across our projects we had an increase of 7.6% in attendance in 2024/5. Our estimated cost-per-beneficiary (the cost of enabling one person to go on a trip) across both projects was £36.86 in 2024/25. **4** ## **Never Walk Alone** Never Walk Alone is our walking project. We’ve been running these walks since March 2018 in London and the surrounding countryside. Our walks include urban and rural trails, giving walkers the opportunity to take in spectacular views and explore places of historical and cultural interest they may never have realised were on their doorstep. These walks provide an opportunity to get to know people from different areas of London and backgrounds and help to foster lasting friendships that outlive the project. All walkers (from refugee and new community backgrounds) have their transport costs covered. Refreshments are also provided. **5** Never Walk Alone - Walk destinations, February 2024 - January 2025 London, Museums and Me - Trip destinations, February 2024 - January 2025 (some destinations visited more than once) **6** ## **London, Museums & Me** Our trips give children from refugee backgrounds, and their families, the chance to explore London's museums and cultural attractions. We run them on a monthly basis, and cover all transport costs for participants, as well as providing refreshments. ## **HF Holidays** Thanks to our partnership with sustainable holiday specialists, HF Holidays, we have been able to provide annual holidays in beautiful UK countryside locations, offering participants meaningful opportunities for immersion in nature—far beyond what day trips can offer. In 2024, we organised three holidays: two in the Peak District and one in the South Downs, benefiting 30 refugees and asylum seekers. These holidays have been a huge success, and we are already planning two more for April 2025. _“Such a wonderful holiday. The week has been spectacular from the start, we have met some very nice and kind people._ _We have visited beautiful places such as the River Dove, the village of Thorpe, the village of Ilam, the Carsington nature reserve._ _The kids had a great time, made friends and played a lot, as well as seeing nature and animals”_ ## **L, El Salvador** **7** ## Participant feedback Participant input is key to our success. This year we have gathered input through various methods including surveys, in-person and digital polls, open discussion and informal interviews. The data below has been categorised to align with the key barriers we help our participants overcome. ## **1. Isolation and Mental Health -** We address isolation and promote mental wellbeing by creating meaningful connections within a supportive community. Our programs provide the therapeutic benefits of nature, physical activity, and mental stimulation, instilling hope and reducing feelings of loneliness. 92% of respondents in our May 2024 Survey said our activities helped them ‘make friends and feel part of a community" One participant from El Salvador shared: “ _The walks have saved my life, and that of my husband - they helped us get out of depression”._ Another told us: “ _At first the outings were an escape from hotel life as an asylum seeker... Now it is a reunion with friends, filled with the positive energy of nature and coexistence.”_ In our general survey (Jan 2025) one participant said: _“Being closer to nature is a therapy that reduces stress and helps our mental and physical health.”_ ## **2. Lack of Financial Resources -** Our activities are entirely free and accessible by covering costs for travel, food, and admission. This financial support removes barriers for participants living on as little as £8.86 per week, enabling them to engage in activities they otherwise couldn’t afford. As one participant from Iran highlighted: _“Most importantly, it is affordable for us refugees. The walks help us become more familiar with the culture of the English people.”_ **3. Sense of Belonging -** From cultural trips to museum workshops and our end-of-year “Festive Fiesta” participants bond over shared experiences and build lasting relationships. **8** In our general survey (May 2024) 83% of participants said our activities made them "more optimistic about their future." Participant feedback consistently emphasises the importance of being part of a welcoming community: _“The walkers are of all ages and nationalities. It is a very safe and happy environment.” – Participant from Iran._ **4. Cultural Knowledge and Integration -** We help provide our participants with the cultural knowledge and skills they need to live in the UK. In a participant survey (Jan 2025) 82% of respondents said our walks helped them “improve their knowledge about life in the UK” and 74% reported improving their English language skills. One participant told us: “We have learned about the environment and nature and the walks help us become more familiar with the culture of the English people.” Another said: “(We) get to know new places, learn about their history, and visit places of cultural and scientific interest. It’s great to share with different cultures”. **5. Physical health -** Many of our participants have limited opportunities for physical exercise, particularly in a supportive group setting. In a post-walk survey (Sept 2024) 100% of participants said they “walked more regularly” as a result of our Never Walk Alone project and in our general survey (Jan 2025) 83% of respondents told us they feel more “physically healthy” as a result of our activities. One participant (Jan 2025) told us: “I enjoy nature, I feel happy walking and exercising. It helps me feel better both physically and mentally”. **Recommendations -** We ask participants ways we can improve our offer. The main points brought up in our Jan 2025 survey are listed below. Where possible, we will look to embed these ideas into our work: - A strong demand for more, and more frequent activities. - Interest in more trips outside London, particularly to forests, coastal locations and historical sites (such as castles). - Some suggest finding ways to break down language barriers and encourage people to connect across language groups (through non verbal games etc). - Ensure we maintain a transparent and fair sign-up process at all times. - Some walkers would like shorter walks to accommodate people with different needs. - Enthusiasm for exploring overnight experiences/ multi-day experiences such as camping. **9** ## Partnerships and engagement Partnerships are central to Fences & Frontiers, allowing us to better serve our community and host diverse activities, from guided walking holidays to photography workshops. We collaborate closely with trusted refugee sector partners, including Babylon Migrants Project, The Refugee Council, Hope for the young, Women for Refugee Women, and Hestia, fostering mutually beneficial relationships that enhance participant support and signposting. Our delivery partners are equally important. A standout partnership with HF Holidays, sustainable holiday specialists, has evolved into one of our three core projects. Our relationships with Stanley Arts enabled us to deliver a series of creative sessions over the winter months - ranging from photography workshops to theatre. Other collaborators include creative hubs like Discover Children’s Story Centre, museums like the Science Museum, and conservation-focused organisations such as Epping Forest Heritage Trust, Kew Gardens, London Zoo, South London Botanical Institute, CPRE, and London Wildlife Trust. We also engage artists, writers and therapeutic practitioners to equip participants with tools to express themselves and connect with nature and each other. Support from Patagonia has provided B-stock for walkers and contributed to travel costs. Additionally, we are active in national campaigns and coalitions advocating for refugee rights, including Citizens UK’s free bus travel campaign for asylum seekers in London and the Together with Refugees alliance. Through the All the Elements network, we strengthen ties with groups championing equity and access to the outdoors. **10** ## **Taran Khan, author and workshop** **practitioner:** “I was struck by the diversity and enthusiasm of the participants, who took pains to make me feel welcome. I was also really touched by the energy and dedication of the volunteers. I've worked with refugees and asylum seekers in a range of settings, and was impressed by Fences & Frontiers’ commitment to the wellbeing of the people it works with, and the clarity with which they demonstrate what a society that welcomes refugees would look like.” ## **Anneka Gonzalez, Learning & Engagement Heritage Officer, Stanley Arts:** “In our recent photography workshops, Fences & Frontiers group brought a wonderful atmosphere of curiosity and playfulness. I felt extremely privileged to be involved in this project and learn from the participants, it was magical to see them share their dancing, culture, jokes and stories over food”. **11** ## Press and Media We had a strong year for media engagement in 2024. This enabled us to increase our profile as an organisation and ensure the voices and experiences of our participants were heard by a wider audience. Articles included: - Taran N Khan, ‘After the Riots’, London Review of Books, 11 September 2024 - Analysis: ‘We need a stronger message’ – how can charities respond to weeks of racist violence?, ThirdSector - Lewis Garland, Why small charities need philanthropists to realise their big ambitions, Alliance Magazine, 3 June 2024 - Fences and Frontiers - 2024, A Year of Events, Community and Change - Community Spotlight!, All the Elements, 19 December 2024 We have 922 followers on Instagram which is now our most active channel. Our quarterly newsletter remains powerful for fundraising and communicating with our more engaged supporters. ## **Social Media and Communication** Our social accounts continue to get a strong engagement. Social media remains an effective tool for fundraising and relationship building. With much of the UK charity sector we are in the process of transitioning to Bluesky from X as it is a more supportive environment for refugee organisations. We have 1,900 followers on X. **12** ## Financial Review ## Income and expenditure During the period in question (1 February 2023 to 31 January 2024), the charity raised £24,871 (of which £13,785 was in-kind contributions) and spent £29,153 (of which 13,785 was in-kind contributions). The charity ended with a final cash balance of £25,455. As expected we had a large increase in expenditure in 2024, as we sought to increase the number of trips we ran, and introduced one part-time paid staff role. ## Principal sources of funding The charity’s principal sources of funding in 2024/25 continued to be a mixture of grants, partnerships and small donors, and we have continued to increase and diversify our funding over the last year. In particular, this year we received funds from: - Transport for London, via its Walking and Cycling Grants London (WCGL) scheme - Patagonia ## Reserves With the employment of our part-time staff member, and by agreement of the board of trustees, we have increased our reserves policy from three months ordinary expenditure to six. Six months cash expenditure is anticipated to amount to £10,100 in 2024/25, so our current reserve is set to this amount. The end of year unrestricted reserves were £22,425. However, we expect to continue steadily decreasing our reserves to the target amount over 2025/26 and 2026/27. - The Campaign for Rural England, London - National Lottery Heritage fund via our work with Stanley Arts - The South London Botanical Institute - Donations from individual philanthropists - Small monthly and one-time donations We have improved our accounting systems to ensure in-kind contributions are more accurately reflected in our annual accounts. We received significant in-kind contributions of holiday places from HF Holidays, estimated to be worth £11,818, along with smaller contributions, in the form of free tickets, from London Zoo, the Discovery Children’s Story Centre, the Science Museum and the Balloon Museum. **13** Main costs in 2024125 Tran5POrt £7.168 Staff Costs £3.583 Food £1,709 Sotrare and digital £1.164 Equipmert far trip5 £547 Actmties and tieke15 £496 Volur*eer training £300 Irwrance £154 DBS checks £97 Heakh and safety Costs £64 Volunte•r •xp•n$•$ £58 Promotlonal ¢ost$ £28 £0 £2,OCrfJ £4.¢YJO £6,000 £8,000 Principle sources of funding in 2024125 £2,851 £6,211 £24,871 13,785 Donations • In-kind contributions Grants • Partnership income • Earned income 14 ## Structure, Governance and Management Fences & Frontiers is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), and governed by a constitution. This year, Fences & Frontiers has has a series of significant governance and structural changes: ## **Adoption of a 10-Year Plan** Following the delivery of our visioning document in Summer 2024, we have adopted a comprehensive 10-year strategy to enable sustainable growth and provide more tailored support to our participants. ## **Enhancing Organisational Capacity** To address our capacity gap and strengthen long-term sustainability, we have appointed a part-time CEO (0.2 FTE). This role is key to driving our strategic objectives and building organisational resilience. ## **Strengthening Board Representation and Expertise** We have expanded lived experience representation on our board, with the appointment of Ruki Hashi, who also brings invaluable HR expertise from the charity sector. ## **Never Walk Alone leadership transition** Our founding Never Walk Alone project manager has stepped back into a board role. A successor has been recruited and will officially begin in January 2025. This process led to significant capacity restraints throughout Autumn 2024 but has also brought in fresh ideas and energy. We have also continued to refine our internal systems and processes. Notably, we launched a pilot feedback form to ensure our work is increasingly shaped by user experiences and needs. ## Membership of the board of trustees Our approach to selecting and appointing members to our board of trustees is as follows: (1) Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. (2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. 3) We prioritise trustees who have lived experience of the UK asylum system. **15** ## Reference and Administrative details Charity name Fences & Frontiers Registered charity number 1194720 Charity’s principal address 62B Hackford Road London SW9 0RG Email Address fencesandfrontiers@gmail.com Website www.fencesandfrontiers.org ## Charity Trustees Arta Shiroka Chair Cristel Sainz Ben Taylor Treasurer Louise Coady Neil McGarrigle Bethan Illman Kobra Haghdoost Ruki Hashi The above report has been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). Signed on behalf of the trustees: Arta Shiroka, Chair Ben Taylor, Treasurer **16** ## Accounts (Receipts and Payments Format) ## Fences & Frontiers For the year ended 31 January 2025 Cash Basis ## **Receipts and Payments account** **Account Unrestricted Restricted Total Last year Notes** |**Receipts**|||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Donations|4,211|
2,000|
6,211|
10,515|| |Grants|0|
2,851|
2,851|
6,580|| |Miscellaneous Income|250|
0|
250|
0|| |In-kind donations|0|
13,785|
13,785|
0|Note: 1| |Partnershipincome|1,040|
735|
1,775|
0|Note: 2| |**Total Receipts**|**5,501**|**19,371**|**24,871**|**17,095**|| |**Payments**|||||| |Activities and Ticket Costs|496|
13,785|
14,281|
343|| |BeneficiaryEquipment and Supplies|106|
441|
547|
429|| |Transport|1,702|
5,465|
7,168|
5,868|| |Food and Other Consumables|553|
1,156|
1,709|
1,169|| |Health and SafetyCosts|64|
0|
64|
0|| |Insurance|74|
80|
154|
148|| |Merchandise and Promotional Materials|28|
0|
28|
0|| |DBS Checks|61|
36|
97|
0|| |Software and Digital Platform Subscriptions|1,027|
137|
1,164|
1,098|| |Volunteer Training (Programme Specific)|0|
300|
300|
0|| |Volunteer expenses|0|
58|
58|
0|| |Gross Wages|0|
3,583|
3,583|
0|Note: 3| |**Total Payments**|**4,112**|**25,041**|**29,153**|**9,055**|| |**Net of receipts/(payments)**|**1,389**|**(5,671)**|**(4,282)**|**8,040**|| |**End ofyear**|||||| |Retained Earnings|21,036|
8,558|
29,594|
21,554|| |Current Year Earnings|1,389|
(5,671)|(4,282)|8,040|| |**Cash funds this year end**|**22,425**|**2,887**|**25,312**|**29,594**|| **17** ## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities** **Unrestricted Restricted Total Last year Notes Account** |**Assets and liabilities**||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Monetary Assets**||||| |**Cash at Bank and in Hand**||||| |Current Account - Lloyds Business Bank|20,042|
3,030|
23,072|
28,743| |PettyCash - Soldo|2,383|
0|
2,383|
851| |**Total Cash at Bank and in Hand**|**22,425**|**3,030**|**25,455**|**29,594**| |**Total Monetary Assets**|**22,425**|**3,030**|**25,455**|**29,594**| |**Liabilities**||||| |PAYE Payable|0|
(143)|(143)|0| |**Total Liabilities**|**0**|**(143)**|**(143)**|**0**| |**Total Assets and liabilities**|**22,425**|**2,887**|**25,312**|**29,594**| ## **Footnotes** **1. In-kind donations:** The significant increase in in-kind donations this year reflects two factors: 1) a change in our accounting practices, as in previous years in-kind donations were received but not formally recorded in our financial statements, and 2) a genuine increase in the volume of donated services compared to prior periods, though not to the extent suggested by the year-on-year comparison. We have implemented a more comprehensive accounting approach this year to better reflect the true value of all contributions to the charity. This change provides greater transparency and a more accurate representation of the total resources supporting our charitable activities. **2. Partnership income:** Partnership income represents income from strategic partnerships with corporate and organisational supporters. In previous years, similar partnership income was received but was classified under 'grants' and/or 'donations' categories. This year, we have created a separate classification to better reflect the growing significance of this source of funding to the charity and to provide greater transparency in our funding sources. **3. Gross wages:** This financial year marks the introduction of salary costs following the appointment of our first employee on a part-time basis. This new expenditure category represents gross salary, employer's National Insurance and pension contributions. ## **General notes to the accounts** 1. These accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis, with all revenue and expenses shown on a cash basis. 2. The CIO has several funds: an unrestricted General fund and a projects-specific restricted funds, here collated for simplicity under 'restricted'. The latter goes towards covering the costs of the charity's specific activities, namely a walking group, a museum visits group, and, in previous years, care packages for refugees and asylum seekers. 3. The CIO had no outstanding guarantees to third parties nor any debts secured on the assets of the CIO. 4. No remuneration was paid to any trustee, nor were any personal expenses (e.g. train tickets for trustees) covered for their services as trustees during this period. **18**