
## **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<br>charity as set out in its governing<br>document|Para 1.17|The Object of the CIO is the advancement of the<br>Christian faith, in particular (but without<br>limitation) by providing worship, prayer and<br>Christian teaching.|
|Summary of the main activities<br>in relation to those purposes for<br>the public benefit, in particular,<br>the activities, projects or<br>services identified in the<br>accounts.|Para 1.17 and<br>1.19|•<br>Prayer and bible study sessions are offered<br>for those who wish to attend.<br>•<br>We had a Carol Service at Marks Tey<br>Church on December 2024.<br>•<br>Small numbers of refugees and asylum<br>seekers join Sunday services at the local<br>Methodist church from time to time.<br>•<br>Our monthly social events, attended by<br>approximately 75 individuals, provide a vital<br>space for cultural exchange and friendship<br>between local Christian and refugee<br>communities. The success of these events is<br>evident in feedback from participants and<br>increasing attendance.<br>•<br>The food pantry continues to be a lifeline to<br>refugees and asylum seekers living in<br>Colchester while the cost-of-living has<br>increased. Low-cost food is available to<br>other local communities as well (75 families).<br>•<br>The charity shop continues to bring in<br>modest funds and donations of clothes and<br>furniture. It also provides opportunity for<br>refugees and asylum seekers to work as<br>volunteers and interact with the public under<br>supervision of the shop manager.<br>•<br>Stitch and Natter sessions continue to be<br>very popular with the Afghani refugee<br>women and multi-cultural Middle Eastern<br>women with around 30 women attending<br>weekly. These sessions improve social<br>cohesion and reduce isolation.|





|||•<br>Second-hand bicycles obtained last year are<br>still actively used by male asylum seekers<br>for commuting and attending support<br>services.|
|---|---|---|
|Statement confirming whether<br>the trustees have had regard to<br>the guidance issued by the<br>Charity Commission on public<br>benefit|Para 1.18|Bridgeway works to support refugees and<br>asylum seekers from Eastern and Middle<br>Eastern countries as they seek to integrate well<br>into local communities. The area covered by the<br>charity is England; work generally takes place in<br>Essex, Colchester, Wethersfield and Tendring.<br>The induction of new trustees includes the<br>requirement to read the guidance “The Essential<br>Trustee”, which includes Public Benefit. New<br>trustees receive an induction pack including our<br>constitution, safeguarding policy, and the<br>Charity Commission’s guidance on public<br>benefit. They are also invited to shadow a board<br>meeting and meet with senior staff.<br>Bridgeway is recognising the needs of those<br>refugee families who have, by now, been here<br>long enough to want to move their lives on - into<br>employment or education, or other routes. More<br>families have arrived at our area and need our<br>support.<br>The trustees discuss new activities and funding<br>applications, covering the benefits that will come<br>to our communities (refugees and asylum<br>seekers, men, women and children, staff, and<br>potentially to supporters and other local<br>organisations). Difficulties are also assessed of<br>course.<br>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<br>volunteers|Para 1.38|During the period 2024 to 2025, Bridgeway<br>had assistance from 65 volunteers working<br>within the activities described in the<br>sections, objectives and activities and<br>achievements and performance.|
|---|---|---|
|Other|||



## **Achievements and Performance** 

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



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




## **Financial Review** 

|**Financial Review**|||
|---|---|---|
|Review of the charity’s<br>financial position at the end<br>of the period|Para 1.21|At 19 April 2024 Bridgeway was in a<br>healthy financial position, being close to the<br>end of the first year of a three-year Lottery<br>grant which covers the basic running costs<br>of the charity. From that firm base we have<br>been able to apply for and obtain further<br>grants for food, equipment and short-term<br>activities.|
|Statement explaining the<br>policy for holding reserves<br>stating why they are held|Para 1.22|Our policy is to be able to fund three<br>months’ expenditure to pay running costs<br>on our premises, and to pay salaries, while<br>Bridgeway seeks funding to return to full<br>working capacity.|
|Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|Our reserves policy ensures that we can<br>continue operations for at least three<br>months in case of funding delays. As of 19<br>April 2025, unrestricted reserves amounted<br>to £18500.|
|Reasons for holding zero<br>reserves|Para 1.22|Not applicable|
|Details of fund materially in<br>deficit|Para 1.24|None|
|Explanation of any<br>uncertainties about the<br>charity continuing as a going<br>concern|Para 1.23|No major concerns for the coming year but<br>_The dynamic nature of the work with_<br>_migrants means adjustment to many_<br>_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<br>trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing document|Para 1.25|Constitution dated 4 August 2021|
|How is the charity<br>constituted|Para 1.25|Charitable Incorporated Organisation, (CIO<br>- FOUNDATION Registered 21 Sep 2021)|
|Trustee selection methods<br>including details of any<br>constitutional provisions e.g.<br>election to post or name of<br>any person or body entitled<br>to appoint one or more<br>trustees|Para 1.25|Trustees are selected and elected in line<br>with the terms of the constitution which<br>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<br>COLCHESTER<br>CO2 7FW|
|||



## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

|1<br>2<br>3<br>4<br>5<br>6<br>7<br>8<br>9<br>10<br>11<br>12<br>13<br>14<br>15<br>16<br>17<br>18<br>19<br>20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**<br>**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**<br>**to appoint trustee (ifany)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Raied Joseph Ajaj||||
||Judith Evans||||
||Woroud Melhem||||
||Susan Jean Wood||||
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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)**<br>**Full name(s)**<br>**Position (eg Secretary,**<br>**Chair, etc)**<br>**Date**|||
|---|---|---|
||Judith Evans||
||<br> <br>Trustee||
||21/11/2025||
||21/11/2025||






|**BRIDGEWAY MISSION**||**1195873**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Receipts andpayments accounts**||||**CC16a**|
|Period start date<br>**For the period**<br>**from**<br>20/04/2024|**To**|Period end date<br>19/04/2025|||



|**Section A Receipts and payments**|**Section A Receipts and payments**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to the nearest**<br>**£**<br>**5,422**<br>**1,652**<br>**4,156**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**11,230**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**11,230**<br>**288**<br>**8,102**<br>**8,154**<br>**11,055**<br>**3,351**<br>**43,517**<br>**216**<br>**4,254**<br>**16,742**<br>**9,124**<br>**800**<br>**4,422**<br> **110,027**<br>**-**<br> **-**<br>**110,027**<br>**-               98,797**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-               98,797**|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to the nearest £**<br>**147,595**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**147,595**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**147,595**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**147,595**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**147,595**|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**to the nearest £**|**Total funds**<br>**to the nearest £**<br>**147,595**<br>**5,422**<br>**1,652**<br>**4,156**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**158,825**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**158,825**<br>**288**<br>**8,102**<br>**8,154**<br>**11,055**<br>**3,351**<br>**43,517**<br>**216**<br>**4,254**<br>**16,742**<br>**9,124**<br>**800**<br>**4,422**<br>**110,027**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**110,027**<br> <br>**48,798**||**Last year**<br>**to the nearest £**|
|Lotteryand Govt Funds|||**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**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_<br>_AR)_|**11,230**|||**158,825**||**148,663**|
||||||||
|**A2 Asset and investment sales,**<br>**(see table).**|||||||
||**-**||**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**-**|||
||**-**|||**-**||**-**|
|**_Sub total_**|**-**|||**-**||**-**|
|**_Total receipts_**<br>**A3 Payments**|||||||
||||**-**|**158,825**||**148,663**|
||||||||
|Insurance|**288**||**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**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**<br>**purchases, (see table)**|||||||
||**-**||**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**-**|||
|**Equipment and Fixture**||||**-**||**7,823**|
|**_Sub total_ **|**-**|||**-**||**7,823**|
|**_Total payments_**<br>**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**<br>**A5 Transfers between funds**<br>**A6 Cash funds last year end**<br>**_Cash funds this year end_**|||||||
||||**-**|**110,027**||**111,380**|
||||||||
||**-               98,797**|**147,595**|**-**|<br>**48,798**||**37,283**|
||**-**|**-**|**-**<br>**-**|**-**||**-**|
||**-**|**-**||**-**||**-**|
||**-               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**<br>Signed by one or two trustees on<br>behalf of all the trustees<br>**B5 Liabilities**<br>**B3 Investment assets**<br>**B2 Other monetary assets**<br>**B4 Assets retained for the**<br>**charity’s own use**<br>**B1 Cash funds**|**Details**<br>**Details**<br>**_Total cash funds_**<br>(agree balances with receipts and payments<br>account(s))<br>Current account<br>Saving Account<br>Shop Account<br>**Details**<br>**Details**<br>Furniture<br>Equipments<br>Equipments<br>**Details**<br>Signature|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**27,183**<br>**-**<br>**115,408**<br>**-**<br>**7,951**<br>**-**<br>**150,542**<br>**-**<br>Agreement Error<br>Agreement Error<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which**<br>**asset belongs**<br>**Cost (optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which**<br>**asset belongs**<br>**Cost (optional)**<br>A4<br>**7,000**<br>A4<br>**7,108**<br>A4<br>**7,823**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which**<br>**liability relates**<br>**Amount due**<br>**(optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>Print Name<br>Judith Evans|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||OK|
||||**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**Current value**<br>**(optional)**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**Current value**<br>**(optional)**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**When due**<br>**(optional)**|
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
||||Date of<br>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: 

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

- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or 

- 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. 

* _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._ 

**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** 

