OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-04-19-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 20 April 2024 Period start date To 19 April 2025 Period end date

Charity name: Bridgeway Mission

Charity registration number: 1195873

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the
charity as set out in its governing
document		 Para 1.17 The Object of the CIO is the advancement of the
Christian faith, in particular (but without
limitation) by providing worship, prayer and
Christian teaching.
Summary of the main activities
in relation to those purposes for
the public benefit, in particular,
the activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 •
Prayer and bible study sessions are offered
for those who wish to attend.
•
We had a Carol Service at Marks Tey
Church on December 2024.
•
Small numbers of refugees and asylum
seekers join Sunday services at the local
Methodist church from time to time.
•
Our monthly social events, attended by
approximately 75 individuals, provide a vital
space for cultural exchange and friendship
between local Christian and refugee
communities. The success of these events is
evident in feedback from participants and
increasing attendance.
•
The food pantry continues to be a lifeline to
refugees and asylum seekers living in
Colchester while the cost-of-living has
increased. Low-cost food is available to
other local communities as well (75 families).
•
The charity shop continues to bring in
modest funds and donations of clothes and
furniture. It also provides opportunity for
refugees and asylum seekers to work as
volunteers and interact with the public under
supervision of the shop manager.
•
Stitch and Natter sessions continue to be
very popular with the Afghani refugee
women and multi-cultural Middle Eastern
women with around 30 women attending
weekly. These sessions improve social
cohesion and reduce isolation.
•
Second-hand bicycles obtained last year are
still actively used by male asylum seekers
for commuting and attending support
services.
Statement confirming whether
the trustees have had regard to
the guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 Bridgeway works to support refugees and
asylum seekers from Eastern and Middle
Eastern countries as they seek to integrate well
into local communities. The area covered by the
charity is England; work generally takes place in
Essex, Colchester, Wethersfield and Tendring.
The induction of new trustees includes the
requirement to read the guidance “The Essential
Trustee”, which includes Public Benefit. New
trustees receive an induction pack including our
constitution, safeguarding policy, and the
Charity Commission’s guidance on public
benefit. They are also invited to shadow a board
meeting and meet with senior staff.
Bridgeway is recognising the needs of those
refugee families who have, by now, been here
long enough to want to move their lives on - into
employment or education, or other routes. More
families have arrived at our area and need our
support.
The trustees discuss new activities and funding
applications, covering the benefits that will come
to our communities (refugees and asylum
seekers, men, women and children, staff, and
potentially to supporters and other local
organisations). Difficulties are also assessed of
course.
Bridgeway gathers data on all activities.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38

Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 During the period 2024 to 2025, Bridgeway
had assistance from 65 volunteers working
within the activities described in the
sections, objectives and activities and
achievements and performance.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.		 Para 1.20 In June 2024, Bridgeway was offered a
three-year lease on a second property
close to the first, but much larger, and
belonging to the same landlord and we
were offered a three-year lease for the first
property.
The Lottery agreed we could employ a part
time admin assistant using some of that
funding. Keeping in regular contact with the
refugees and asylum seekers ensures they
know of events and activities, builds their
sense of community and provides
reassurance.
These developments meant that more
activities could be offered, and for greater
numbers of people:
oUsed bicycles donated by the council
and University of Essex continue to be
loaned to the asylum seekers, so they
do not have to spend their small income
on public transport costs.
oOne of the asylum seekers ran bike
workshops to teach the others how to
care for and maintain the bikes they
used.
2024 to 2025, the refugee children have
struggled in school and we set up
homework club for them to support them
with their homework and improve their
English and Maths.

o The new premises bring opportunities for asylum seekers to volunteer. For example: 1. up-keep and decoration of the new premises. 2. reception and security. 3. cycle maintenance. During this year refugee families have obtained housing in Colchester under the government’s Afghan Relocation and Resettlement schemes. Bridgeway offers continuous help to settle and integrate; also, encouragement to refugees support each other in keeping the culture of the home country whilst adapting to necessary changes. In 2024, the asylum seekers from Wethersfield have been engaged with Bridgeway. The camp provides buses to transport residents to local towns including Colchester. Bridgeway provides a safe place 4 days a week for around 50 asylum seekers each day, where they can keep warm and dry, relax with games or a film, socialising, and a monthly lunch of Middle Eastern food. English volunteers also attend to offer informal English conversation, coffee morning and snacks available every time they come. In partnership with the University of Essex’s V-Team and Make Happen, we provided English and homework support to over 50 refugee children and young people. As a result, several participants improved their English proficiency and reported increased confidence in school. Bridgeway is a core group member in the City Council’s City of Sanctuary group. We also engage with Colchester Against Modern Slavery (CAMS). The landlord has offered a further period of occupation. We contribute to a busy street of great variety and very few empty properties long term.

----- Start of picture text -----
Links with local churches bring prayer
support and donations of money and
practical items.
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against
objectives set
Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set
Para 1.41
Investment performance
against objectives
Para 1.41
Other
----- End of picture text -----

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 At 19 April 2024 Bridgeway was in a
healthy financial position, being close to the
end of the first year of a three-year Lottery
grant which covers the basic running costs
of the charity. From that firm base we have
been able to apply for and obtain further
grants for food, equipment and short-term
activities.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 Our policy is to be able to fund three
months’ expenditure to pay running costs
on our premises, and to pay salaries, while
Bridgeway seeks funding to return to full
working capacity.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Our reserves policy ensures that we can
continue operations for at least three
months in case of funding delays. As of 19
April 2025, unrestricted reserves amounted
to £18500.
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 Not applicable
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 None
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 No major concerns for the coming year but
The dynamic nature of the work with
migrants means adjustment to many
government changes.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46

A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document Para 1.25 Constitution dated 4 August 2021
How is the charity
constituted		 Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation, (CIO
- FOUNDATION Registered 21 Sep 2021)
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 Trustees are selected and elected in line
with the terms of the constitution which
includes a Statement of Faith

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Para 1.51 The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Para 1.51 Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Bridgeway Mission

Other name the charity uses None
Registered charity number 1195873
Charity’s principal address 96 ROBERTS ROAD
COLCHESTER
CO2 7FW

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Raied Joseph Ajaj
Judith Evans
Woroud Melhem
Susan Jean Wood

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address
**adviser **

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair, etc)
Date
Judith Evans


Trustee
21/11/2025
21/11/2025
BRIDGEWAY MISSION 1195873
Receipts andpayments accounts CC16a
Period start date
For the period
from
20/04/2024		 To Period end date
19/04/2025
Section A Receipts and payments Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest
£
5,422
1,652
4,156
-
-
-
-
11,230
-
-
-
11,230
288
8,102
8,154
11,055
3,351
43,517
216
4,254
16,742
9,124
800
4,422
110,027
-
-
110,027
- 98,797
-
-
- 98,797		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £
147,595
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
147,595
-
-
-
147,595
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
147,595
-
-
147,595		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £		 Total funds
to the nearest £
147,595
5,422
1,652
4,156
-
-
-
-
158,825
-
-
-
158,825
288
8,102
8,154
11,055
3,351
43,517
216
4,254
16,742
9,124
800
4,422
110,027
-
-
-
110,027

48,798		 Last year
to the nearest £
Lotteryand Govt Funds -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 147,595 112,546
General Funds 5,422 5,422 32,322
Savinginterest 1,652 1,652 -
ShopProfit 4,156 4,156 3,795
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 11,230 158,825 148,663
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- -
-
-		 -
- - -
Sub total - - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
- 158,825 148,663
Insurance 288 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 288 278
Stationery 8,102 8,102 978
General expenses 8,154 8,154 19,280
Food for clients 11,055 11,055 15,029
Utilities 3,351 3,351 3,451
Wages 43,517 43,517 36,784
Social Expenses 216 216 2,237
Travel 4,254 4,254 732
Equipment 16,742 16,742 23,468
Training 9,124 9,124 149
Profetional fee 800 800 558
Premises 4,422 4,422 614
**Sub total ** 110,027 110,027 103,558
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- -
-
-		 -
Equipment and Fixture - 7,823
**Sub total ** - - 7,823
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
- 110,027 111,380
- 98,797 147,595 -
48,798		 37,283
- - -
-		 - -
- - - -
- 98,797 147,595 - 48,798 37,283

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

23/11/2025

1

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B1 Cash funds		 Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Current account
Saving Account
Shop Account
Details
Details
Furniture
Equipments
Equipments
Details
Signature		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
27,183
-
115,408
-
7,951
-
150,542
-
Agreement Error
Agreement Error
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
A4
7,000
A4
7,108
A4
7,823
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Print Name
Judith Evans		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval
Judith Evans 21/11/2025

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

23/11/2025

2

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees

Charity Name Judith Evans

On accounts for the year 21/11/2025 Charity no 1195873 ended (if any) Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 19/04/2025.

Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s 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 [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

Signed: Date: 21/11/2025 Name: Muhammad Naveed Zahid Relevant professional ACCA qualification(s) or body

1

Oct 2018

IER

(if any):

Address: Ferguson House 113 Cranbrook Road 3rd Floor, Ilford IG1 4PU

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

2

Oct 2018

IER