All Saints Asylum Seeker Project Charity Number 1197642
Chairs Report on 2024
2024 was a quieter year for the charity.
The Asylum seeker hotels near to us having closed, most of those housed in Luton are now a further distance away in the town centre. The overall numbers in Luton had gone down due to many having been dispersed to other areas of the country or leaving following gaining their right to remain. As our numbers were significantly reduced we made the decision to stop our weekly drop in’s that included clothing distribution and social support. We first went down to one day a week then ceased the sessions from October. Weekly or twice weekly sessions had bene running with minimal breaks since May 2020. The distributions that we did make during the first part of the year were more closely monitored with the use of google sheets where the taking of identity numbers prevented the exploitation of the system. We continue to offer some support to a number of those seeking Asylum and those with permission to stay. This has usually involved some level of advocacy or accompanying on visits to health services or Home Office appointments.
As concern remained about the colder weather at the end of the year we hosted a collection of winter coats during the 2024/5 winter. Large numbers of these came from a collection arranged by Luton Someries Round Table. We also made an arrangement to give “Shoezone” vouchers to those who needed new footwear. A timed distribution was organised to get these and the coats to those who needed them. We worked in partnership with staff from Luton Borough Council and other agencies to make sure everyone had the basics they needed to stay warm and dry. In the end the demand proved to be much less than we had forecast leaving us with stock for the winter of 2025.
Clothing donations from other individuals and groups continued through the year but we found ourselves having to dispose of a large amounts of unwanted stock. Several bulk buys of underwear, joggers and T shirts took place in the first part of the year and we ended 2024 with a good supply of items that other agencies in the town can access if needed.
We are grateful to all the volunteers who in different ways have supported this work since 2020. A final gathering and lunch was held for them in October. The Latter-Day Saints Church continued their support in the first part of the year - a “trolley dash” resulted in a large donation of toiletries. We also continued to benefit Harpenden Hygiene donations.
During 2024 presentations on our work were made at Luton Someries and the Diocese of St Albans conference. We were formally recognised as members of Luton City of
Sanctuary which is now taking more active role in the town. We took part in a refugee week event organised in June by our partners from across the town
We have supported Asylum seekers of all faiths and none. As we scaled back our drop in, Hope Church based in the centre of Luton began a weekly global café which has taken on the role of providing social and emotional support. We have continued to work closely with our colleagues there.
The words of the 2023 report bear repeating
Bonds have been quickly formed, and the repeated “goodbyes and good luck” have at times felt like tiny multiple bereavements. If we are remembered as being the side of Britain that showed kindness – then I think that is no small contribution to what I hope will be a new and productive life in this country that benefits all of us.
Revd Canon David Kesterton
Chair of Trustees
19.8.2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Annual Report to the Charity Commission | 1-2 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 3 |
| Balance sheet | 4 |
| Notes to the accounts | 5-6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total for | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | funds | funds | 2024 | |
| Donations | 1,636 | 1,636 | ||
| Grants received | 5,000 | 5,000 | ||
| Total Donations and Legacies | 1,636 | 5,000 | 6,636 | |
| Total incoming resources | 1,636 | 5,000 | 6,636 | |
| Project costs | 2,997 | 2,997 | ||
| Hall Hire | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||
| Gross Wages | 4 | |||
| VolunteerTraining | ||||
| Total Project Costs | 4,997 | 4,997 | ||
| Other governance costs | 500 | 500 | ||
| TotalGovernance Costs | 500 | 500 | ||
| Total Resources Used | 500 | 4,997 | 5,497 | |
| Net Movement in funds | 1,136 | 3 | 1,139 | |
| Total funds brought forward | 6,899 | 6,899 | ||
| Transfers between funds | ||||
| Total funds carried forward | 8,035 | 3 | 8,038 |
| Notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total as at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 31/12/2024 | ||
| E | ||||
| Current assets | ||||
| Cash at bank & in hand | 8,535 | 3 | 8,538 | |
| Total assets | 8,535 | 3 | 8,538 | |
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Creditors & Accruals | 6 | 500 | 500 | |
| Net current assets | 8,035 | 3 | 8,038 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 8,035 | 3 | 8,038 | |
| Net assets | 8,035 | 3 | 8,038 | |
| Funds of the charity | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 8 | 8,035 | 8,035 | |
| Restricted funds | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Total funds | 8,035 | 3 | 8,038 |
| Number ofemployees | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Charitable activities | 1.0 | |
| Total | 1.0 | |
| Staff Costs | 2024 | 2023 |
| Gross Salaries | 2,828 | |
| Employer's Nl Contribution | ||
| Employer's Pension Contribution (defined contribution scheme) | ||
| Total | 2,828 |
| Name of Charity | Relationship | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Saints with St Peter, PCC | Mutual trustees | 2,000 | 6,000 |
| Total | 2,000 | 6,000 |
| Accruals | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accruals | and | deferred | income | 500 | 500 | |
| Accruals | and | deferred | income | 500 | 500 |
| Movem | ent on R | estricted Funds | in the year: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer | ||||||||
| Opening | Income in | Expenditure in |
between funds | Closing | ||||
| Balance | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | Balance | ||||
| Asylum | Seekers | Support | 5,000 | (4,997) | 3 | |||
| Total | 5,000 | (4,997) | 3 |
| Movem | enton Unrestricted Fu | nds in the year: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer | ||||||
| Opening | Income in | Expenditure in | between funds | Closing | ||
| Balance | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | Balance | ||
| General | Unrestricted | 6,899 | 1,636 | (500) | 8,035 | |
| Total | 6,899 | 1,636 | (500) | 8,035 |