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|
Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6
## **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:
- Preserving and protecting their physical and mental health.
- Advancing their education and training and to advance the education of the public in general about the issues relating to refugees and those seeking asylum.
- Relieving them from financial hardship and unemployment; and
- Assisting in the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of those persons who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances.
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:
- Initiatives to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers as well as their inspirational stories — via cultural events (such as exhibitions and film events) as well as school visits, and social media.
- Responding to misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers through meetings, social media and its newsletter. CWR also advocates for their rights and their right to be treated with equality and respect.
- Working in partnership with other agencies to respond to emerging needs, such as housing and employment.
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## **Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees**
## **Trustees' Report**
- Hosting the Welcome Café, a monthly gathering for refugee and asylum-seeking families so that they can socialise and improve their mental health and wellbeing through shared food, creative activities and games.
- Running The Hub, a weekly drop-in for asylum-seeking adults providing conversation and refreshments, English conversation, a bicycle repair workshop, drama/games, and other practical support. The Hub is also a key point of contact for referrals to food pantries and to other agencies.
- Coordinating English classes in partnership with Cheltenham Volunteer Teachers (CVT) for refugees and asylum seekers.
- Offering regular Driving Theory Test English classes.
- Employability support for people granted refugee status and help to asylum seekers to access suitable volunteering opportunities.
- Organising seasonal social events to build community and reduce isolation.
- Building a volunteer programme, enabling residents to contribute time, skills, and friendship.
## **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:
- Undertook a governance ‘health check’ in January 2025 with input from an independent charity contractor, who reviewed us against the core indicators from 'The Trusted Charity Standard'. This highlighted key areas for continuous improvement in terms of reviewing priorities and planning, improving volunteer support, safeguarding and ways to embed community voices and lived experience in the charity’s work.
- Reviewed our charity’s strategic priorities in July 2025. These are to:
- 1) Offer a continuing warm welcome to refugees and asylum seekers, embodying their lived experience in everything we do.
- 2) Raise awareness and build bridges with the wider community.
- 3) Build CWR's internal sustainability and resilience.
- Received financial support from several funders including the Barnwood Trust, One Integrated Care System (ICS), Cheltenham Borough Council and ECCTIS Ltd. Funding from the National Benevolent Charity was also confirmed, for activities from 1 October 2025.
- As one of the Mayor of Cheltenham’s supported charities for 2024–25, CWR took part in a year-long fundraising programme alongside three other local organisations, benefiting both from a share of the pooled proceeds in summer 2025 (£17,775) and from valuable profile-raising opportunities in the community. Our charity is hugely grateful to the 2024-2025 Cheltenham Mayor and trustee (until 17 June 2025), Paul Baker, for his support.
- Recruited 23 new volunteers to bring CWR’s volunteer base to approximately 145 (between 70 and 100 are regularly active). Staff from ECCTIS Ltd. also contributed volunteer hours. Seven individuals we first met as asylum seekers, and one from a resettled family became active volunteers, contributing directly to our work and strengthening the relevance and authenticity of our work. Others provided ad hoc advice to the charity.
- Launched a new Volunteer Handbook and induction process, including safeguarding training to volunteers.
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## **Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees**
## **Trustees' Report**
- Successfully fundraised to pay for freelance services for an Administrator/Activity Coordinator in November 2024. These services provided rigour and focus on governance, volunteer-management and organisational tasks that would otherwise fall to Workstream Leads and Trustees, improving our organisation and putting better processes and procedures in place.
## _**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:
- Maintained regular involvement with the Migrant Health and Welfare, Migrant Oversight and Migrant Strategic Partnership working groups alongside local authorities, police, NHS, DWP and the voluntary sector. We held regular meetings with Cheltenham Borough Council.
- Continued partnerships with GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers), Gloucestershire County Council’s Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support (RASS), Cheltenham Volunteer Teachers (CVT), the Everyman Theatre, Caring for Communities and People (CCP) and the University of Gloucestershire.
- Developed with the Wilson Gallery free artist-led sessions to explore art, identity and community in a relaxed setting.
- Maintained collaboration with local food projects, food banks and pantries.
- Worked with Anglican, C3, Catholic, Methodist and Quaker churches and other faith groups who often provided venues for education and social activities.
- Renewed and maintained its association with the City of Sanctuary and Lift the Ban movements.
- Contributed to Cheltenham’s cultural life through opportunities such as the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
- These partners were either an essential point of referral for refugees and asylum seekers, or they were involved directly in the delivery of CWR involvement in the broader community.
## _**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:
- **Challenging misinformation.** Our media team responded to misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers and informed local residents about our work and resettlement helping people understand what the issues are and how to get involved via our monthly newsletter, events and public profile.
- **Communications.** Our charity published a monthly newsletter which reached over 1,000 subscribers and sustained active social media outreach using Facebook (2,000 ca. followers), Instagram (1,100+ followers) and other channels.
- **Reassurance.** We continued to offer reassurance and support to refugees and asylum seekers at a time of heightened national pressure and verbal hostility. Although Cheltenham saw no major tensions during the year, a serious incident in nearby Gloucester highlighted why our work to challenge misinformation, build understanding and support community safety remains essential.
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## **Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees**
## **Trustees' Report**
- **Supporting storytelling.** As part of our public engagement work, our charity supported Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) in marking their 25th anniversary and the launch of _Stories From Our Homes_ , a collection of traditional stories shared by GARAS clients and supporters.
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.
- **Outreach.** Being one of the Mayor of Cheltenham’s supported charities for 2024-25 provided our charity with a platform/profile to reach new audiences across the town: including fielding volunteers for a collection at Cheltenham Racecourse (November 2024); a Santa event at the Racecourse (December 2024); and a summer stall at the Sandford Park summer fiesta 2025.
- **Community learning.** Our charity organised six Book Club meetings over the year for average attendance of 7-9 people. The books focus on themes related to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigration.
- **Community engagement.** We organised two quiz nights in support of CWR (typical attendance 50-70 people) at a local café and gave presentations at two schools and at an interfaith event. Presentations and talks were provided upon request.
- **Awareness-raising through local events.** Our charity fielded 16 volunteers and a runner for Run Cheltenham on 21 September 2025 to raise awareness of CWR and to provide information on refugees and asylum seeker experiences.
## _**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:
- **The Welcome Café,** a monthly gathering for refugee families and some asylum seeker families - so that they can socialise and improve their wellbeing and English through creative activities and games. An average of 60 attended at any one time supported by a team of 15 to 20 volunteers. The Everyman Theatre supported these events by running activities for children. The Welcome Café has been running since 2016 and recently underwent a review to ensure its activities remain relevant.
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**
- **The Hub** continued as a weekly, judgement-free drop-in for asylum-seeking adults, offering a warm community where people could join activities or simply enjoy some refreshments. Alongside friendship and conversation, the Hub provided drama and games with the Everyman Theatre, a bicycle repair workshop, English conversation, and free barbering from an asylum seeker volunteer. Other practical support included phone top-ups, occasional donated laptops and mobile phones. Attendance ranged from 12 to 50 depending on accommodation changes.
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.
- **Support packages** through a project with Caring for Communities and People (CCP) to provide approximately 20 refugee and asylum-seeker families in Cheltenham and Bishop's Cleeve with summer holiday activity packs and Christmas hampers.
- **Weekly English classes** were delivered throughout the year in partnership with Cheltenham Volunteer Teachers (CVT). Sessions took place at St Thomas More, St Gregory’s and the Friends Meeting House, supporting refugees and asylum seekers at a range of English levels. Between 73 and 83 learners engaged each week, including asylum seekers, people granted leave to remain and individuals arriving through the resettlement programme. Attendance varied as temporary accommodation sites opened and closed, but classes remained consistently well used with new learners joining regularly
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:
- _“When I first came [to CWR], I wanted to learn English. But I found more than a language. I found kindness, friendship, support, and a warm community. You did not only teach us English —you also gave us confidence and hope. […] Because of you, this place feels like a second home for many of us. We came from different countries and different backgrounds, but here with you, we learned, we grew, and we became closer.”_
- **Driving Theory Test classes** were delivered weekly during school term time to support refugees and people granted leave to remain in preparing for the DVSA test, while also helping to strengthen English skills and reduce isolation. Provision includes people not just from Cheltenham but from Gloucestershire. Each learner received an in-person initial assessment lasting at least an hour, followed by an induction with a tutor explaining how the course works and completing a baseline mock test. Subsequently, learners received regular pre-exam preparation and access to online mock tests. Student numbers averaged 10 learners although numbers were lower in the summer due to a high success rate. Tuition was delivered in two groups, with individual support provided for learners ready to prepare for the test, supported by seven volunteer tutors by the end of the period.
- **A Christmas fundraiser** to provide clothing vouchers for items that cannot easily be donated, such as shoes, socks and underwear. The appeal raised £1,669. The vouchers were very well received and enabled asylum seekers to choose the items they needed most, supporting dignity and personal choice.
- **Employability support** through the formation of a support group to address employment challenges in response to more asylum seekers receiving positive decisions and choosing to remain in Cheltenham. During the year the Group engaged with local support providers to sharing learning and strengthen liaison between existing providers and agencies.
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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:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
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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Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6
## **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
Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6
## **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
Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6
## **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**
Page 13
Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6
## **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**|
Page 14
Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6
## **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.
Page 15
Docusign Envelope ID: CD6489A6-B52A-8BC6-82FF-6D9F9B180BA6
## **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|
Page 16