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2025-09-30-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6

Charity registration number: 1195256

Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 30 September 2025

Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6

Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 7
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 8
Independent Examiner's Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Notes to the Financial Statements 12 to 18

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees

Sophie Bourne (nee Wardell) (Chair of Trustees, resigned 23 June 2026) Oliver Gadsby (appointed 17 June 2025; appointed Chair 24 June 2026) Margaret Powell Simon Witcombe (resigned 1 October 2025) Emily Webb Nathalie Genes (resigned 18 March 2025) Paul Baker (resigned 17 June 2025) Patrick Davie (appointed 17 June 2025) Mohammed Nasir Shansab (appointed 18 March 2026) Deborah Kahn (appointed 18 March 2026) Guy Routh (appointed 18 March 2026)

Charity Registration Number

1195256

Principal Office

Frogmore House Ormond Place Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL50 1JD

Independent Examiner

Hazlewoods LLP Staverton Court Staverton Cheltenham GL51 0UX

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Trustees' Report

The Trustees present their report and financial statement for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees (“CWR”) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by constitution, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The charity number is 1195256.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

Trustees are appointed in accordance with the constitution. In selecting individuals for appointment as further charity trustees, the trustees have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Our charity continues its plans to bring people with lived experience onto the board of trustees and into the planning and delivery of its work. Trustees have reaffirmed how essential their insight is in shaping CWR’s priorities and ensuring lived experience guides everything that it undertakes. This will build on our current practice of bringing those who come to us for support and advice into our active volunteering family and strengthen this pathway.

Contribution made by volunteers

Our charity is led and run by volunteers. We have over 100 regularly active volunteers from across Cheltenham, supported by six trustees who serve entirely on a voluntary basis. Our charity actively encourages people with lived experience to contribute to the charity’s work.

Objectives and strategies

Objects and aims

CWR aims to foster compassion and cooperation between different communities in Cheltenham, helping local people understand the circumstances for refugees globally and what people experience on their resettlement journey. It strives to work with GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers), Cheltenham Volunteer Teachers, local authorities, and other partners including organisations and businesses, to help refugee communities truly grow and flourish.

Its charitable objects are:

To provide relief to refugees and their dependants and asylum seekers and their dependants, in particular but not exclusively those coming to the Cheltenham area by the provision of support services so as to advance them in life and assist them as they settle into a new community, with the objects of:

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Activities

CWR’s core activities include:

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Trustees' Report

Achievements and performance

The period from October 2024 to September 2025 took place against a backdrop of increased public and political attention on the UK’s asylum system. Government announcements during the year indicated plans for more stringent assessment processes and tighter long-term conditions for people seeking protection. Media coverage was often polarised, and public protests and counter-protests became more frequent than in 2023–24.

This created a more challenging and uncertain environment for refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom experienced heightened anxiety about their future. Within this context, the charity focused on delivering practical support, strengthening community connections and ensuring that people seeking sanctuary continued to have access to safe, welcoming and reliable assistance.

Organisational Development

As part of its development and sustainability CWR:

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Trustees' Report

Recognition

In recognition of the dedication and hard work of its volunteers, CWR was honoured to receive the King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) on 12 April 2025 from Edward Gillespie, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire at a celebration held at the University of Gloucestershire Francis Close Hall chapel.

Over 60 volunteers and helpers came together to hear testimonies from refugee and asylum seeker speakers and to participate in a joyous and affirming occasion. Artwork by six different refugee and asylum seeker artists was also displayed at the chapel for the event.

Partnerships

Collaboration with other agencies is at the heart of CWR’s approach. Our charity:

Public Engagement and Awareness

A vital part and of CWR’s work and one of its strategic priorities is to raise awareness of its work and of resettlement and to build bridges with the wider community:

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Trustees' Report

The launch received significant visibility at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, where CWR partnered with GARAS to host a free public event on the Festival’s Huddle Stage.

Activities in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers

During the year our charity supported more than 100 asylum seekers (almost all were single adult men) placed in hotel accommodation in Cheltenham, alongside a further 30–40 men, women and families in dispersed housing. We were also in contact with around 50 refugee and asylum-seeker families who accessed our support during the year. Collectively, we refer to these individuals as “our community”.

Many people we supported were experiencing significant mental-health challenges, reflecting the well-documented impact of trauma, prolonged uncertainty, poverty and isolation on refugees and asylum seekers. Low levels of financial support for asylum seekers (£49.18 per week, or £8.86 in catered accommodation) and the increased risk of homelessness after receiving refugee status added to this pressure.

Despite fluctuating numbers and unpredictable demand, our charity maintained consistent support throughout the year. Volunteers provided practical help, social connection and emotional reassurance to both new arrivals and longer-standing members of our community, and we remained in touch with some former beneficiaries who returned to visit after securing leave to remain. In this context, our model of care — combining practical assistance with wellbeing and social activities — helped reduce pressure on local services and supported people to rebuild their lives with dignity.

CWR delivered the following:

Part of the Welcome Café was also a summer picnic for refugee families which took place on 21 June 2025 at a University of Gloucestershire campus. 70+ people participated in fun, games, food and music – as well as a celebration of CWR’s tenth anniversary.

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Trustees' Report

Around 150 asylum seekers engaged with the Hub over the year, each receiving a different mix of tailored support. The Hub also acted as a key point of contact for other agencies: GARAS offered advice; RASS held a fortnightly drop-in for those interested in volunteering; and volunteers signposted people to services such as food pantries and the Salvation Army for clothing vouchers.

Despite fluctuating numbers and needs, volunteers ensured the Hub remained a steady, welcoming place. Many asylum seekers told us how important the Hub and its football activities were, describing the relief of physical activity and the emotional expression enabled through creative and sports sessions.

Football training linked to the Hub took place most weeks in Cheltenham’s parks and remained popular. In summer 2025, a friendly match with refugees and asylum seekers from Swindon was held at Cheltenham Town Football Club, with plans for a wider community competition in 2026. Cheltenham Town FC continued to provide spare match tickets.

Although some provision is available at Gloucestershire College, outcomes were strengthened when learners were able to supplement their studies with CWR-coordinated classes. Learners reported clear improvements in their communication skills and confidence, with several highlighting the positive impact on their wellbeing. A testimonial from a refugee which came to CWR in late 2025 illustrates the effect of the classes and CWR more broadly:

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Trustees' Report

Financial review

In this reporting period the Charity has continued to grow from strength to strength, attracting donations and goodwill from local people and businesses as public opinion and attention on global events has grown, alongside more temporary holding centres for asylum seekers locally. We have therefore had more donations than anticipated in our forecast budget. As we grow as a small charity this increased income allows us to increase our activities and financial outlay on support infrastructure (e.g. bikes, digital relief, freelance support, admin software) in the future. As a volunteer-run charity we face some capacity issues scaling up our activities, but have a development plan to address this, including an increase in volunteer commitments and raised awareness in the town, to enable more support to deliver our charitable objects in partnership.

CWR’s reserves policy, is to hold sufficient funds to enable CWR to continue to undertake its core charitable objects should the fundraising climate change. The Trustees estimate that to enable this £6,000 should be held in cash at any time.

At the year end the charity is in a stable financial position with cash on hand of £46,807 (2024: £52,635) which exceeds its reserves policy; this was due to two unrestricted grants received (one was unexpected and the other was larger than expected), combined with areas of under-spend (for example our employee joined part way through December but was budgeted from the start of October). The trustees consider that there are no uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue.

29/7/2026 The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

………………………. Oliver Gadsby Chair

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

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

The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period 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 these 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 enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

29/7/2026

Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

……………………….. Oliver Gadsby Chairman

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees for the year ended 30 September 2025.

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 Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees’ 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 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

The charity’s gross income exceeded £25,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of ICAEW.

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:

  1. The accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

  2. the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

  3. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

...................................... Felicity Sang, FCA

Staverton Court Staverton Cheltenham GL51 0UX

29/7/2026 Date:.............................

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 September 2025

Note
Unrestricted
funds
£		 Note
Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total funds
2025
£
Total funds
2024
£
Income and Endowments from:
Donations 31,975 - 31,975
9,855
Grants - 18,250 18,250
39,230
Fundraisingactivities 1,439 1,511 2,950
6,962
Total income
2		 33,414 19,761 53,175
56,047
Fundraising activities 6,996 795 7,791
3,822
Charitable activities
3		 17,575 16,029 33,604
25,582
Support costs
4		 5,124 12,484 17,608
1,788
Total expenditure 29,695 29,308 59,003
31,192
Net movement in funds 3,719 (9,547) (5,828)
24,855
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
8		 22,492 30,143 52,635
27,780
Total funds carried forward
8		 26,211 20,596 46,807
52,635

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 10.

The notes on pages 12 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 10

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

(Registration number: 1195256)

Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2025

Note 2025
£		 2024
£
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
7		 46,807 52,635
Total assets 46,807 52,635
Funds of the charity:
Unrestricted funds
8		 26,211 22,492
Restricted funds
8		 20,596 30,143
Total charity funds 46,807 52,635

29/7/2026

The financial statements on pages 12 to 16 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Oliver Gadsby Chair

The notes on pages 12 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 11

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2025

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The accounts are prepared on a receipt and payments basis to give a ‘true and fair’ view, in accordance section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Charities Act’) and where appropriate, observing the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice) has been applied.

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

Basis of preparation

The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements and consider available funds and committed / fixed expenditure.

Income and endowments

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits.

Fund structure

Unrestricted funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are funds which have been raised by the charity for a particular purpose and are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

2 Incoming resources

Donations
Grants
Fundraising activities
Other donations
2024		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
31,975
-
1,439
-
33,414
15,817		 Restricted
funds
General
£
-
18,250
1,511
-
19,761
40,230		 Total
funds
2025
£
31,975
18,250
2,950
-
53,175
56,047		 Total
funds
2024
£
8,902
39,230
6,962
953
56,047

3 Charitable activities

Charitable activities
Support (including
hub & community
café)
Digital
Classes
Donation
Support costs
Independent examination
Website costs
Consultancy costs
Other administrative costs		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
17,575
-
-
-
17,575
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
1,170
264
-
3,690
5,124		 Restricted
funds
General
£
11,685
4,344
-
-
16,029
Restricted
funds
General
£
-
-
12,484
-
12,484		 Total funds
2025
£
29,260
4,344
-
-
33,604
Total funds
2025
£
1,170
264
12,484
3,690
17,608		 Total funds
2024
£
19,478
4,812
292
1,000
25,582
Total funds
2024
£
1,020
528
-
240
1,788

4 Support costs

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

5 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

6 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

7
Cash and cash equivalents		 2024
£
52,635
As at 30
September 2025
£
26,211
125
10,000
10,166
-
305
2025
£
Cash at bank 46,807
8
Funds
2025
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Barnwood Trust
One Gloucestershire Integrated
Care System
Ecctis
CBC
Christmas fundraiser		 As at 1
October 2024
£
22,492
2,989
10,000
16,154
1,000
-
30,143
52,635		 Incoming
resources
£
33,414
10,000
-
6,000
2,250
1,511
19,761
53,175		 Resources
expended
£
(29,695)
(12,864)
-
(11,988)
(3,250)
(1,206)
(29,308)
(59,003)
20,596
46,807

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

8 Funds (continued)

2024
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Barnwood Trust
One Gloucestershire Integrated
Care System
Ecctis
CBC		 As at 1
October 2023
£
24,791
2,989
-
-
-
2,989
27,780		 Incoming
resources
£
15,817
-
10,000
29,230
1,000
40,230
56,047		 Resources
expended
£
(18,116)
-
-
(13,076)
-
(13,076)
(31,192)		 As at 30
September 2024
£
22,492
2,989
10,000
16,154
1,000
30,143
52,635

Restricted funds

Barnwood Trust: Funding to support a part-time administrator and coordinator freelance position, with this role having commenced in November 2024 and continued throughout 2025.

One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System: Funding from the NHS on behalf of the ‘One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System’, administered by Barnwood Trust, to support a part-time administrator and coordinator freelance position with this role commencing in November 2024.

Ecctis: Donation received to support skills activities, such as driving, English classes and employability, and also equipment such as sporting equipment and computer equipment.

Cheltenham Borough Council: Funding received to buy a stock of vouchers for food and clothing.

Christmas Fundraiser: Now an annual event, the online Christmas fundraiser was organised to buy clothing vouchers to help asylum seekers meet basic needs like socks and underwear.

9 Related party transactions

During the year, there were no transactions with related parties.

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Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2025 (continued)

10 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total funds
2024
£
Total funds
2023
£
Income and Endowments from:
Donations 8,855 1,000 9,855
10,428
Grants 39,230 39,230
16,128
Fundraisingactivities 6,962 - 6,962
792
Total income 15,817 40,230 56,047
27,348
Fundraising activities 3,822 - 3,822
663
Charitable activities 12,506 13,076 25,582
17,542
Support costs 1,788 - 1,788
688
Total expenditure 18,116 13,076 31,192
18,893
Net movement in funds (2,299) 27,154 24,855
8,455
Total funds brought forward 24,791 2,989 27,780
19,325
Total funds carried forward 22,492 30,143 52,635
27,780

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