2023-06-30-accounts

STEYNING UKRAINIAN REFUGE

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Year ending 30[th] June 2023

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

TRUSTEES

John Stevenson (Chair) Nicholas Bennett David Jaggar

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Colin Lammie

HEADQUARTERS

Brotherhood Hall 9 Church Street Steyning West Sussex BN44 3YB

TREASURER & BANKERS

David Jaggar

Lloyds Bank 30-98-97 78976762

Registered Charity Number 1199053

TRUSTEES REPORT

The trustees present their report & financial statement for the year ended 30[th] June 2023

BUSINESS GOALS & OBJECTIVES

1. For the public benefit, to relieve the needs of Ukrainian displaced persons and asylum seekers (Our Guests), residing in Steyning and the surrounding areas of West Sussex, and in particular by the provision of a day centre established to support beneficiaries through services relating to education, language, housing, benefits and health and wellbeing.

2. To promote social inclusion, for the public benefit, by working with Ukrainian displaced persons and asylum seekers (Our Guests), who are socially excluded on the grounds of their social and economic position and to assist them to integrate into society, in particular through education and training in the English language and vocational skills by providing local network and support groups that encourage and enable beneficiaries to participate more effectively with the wider community.

3. To work with, support, and advise Home Hosts who are caring for our guests and asylum seekers residing in Steyning and surrounding areas.

4. To network and liaise with Government, County and District Councils and other likeminded organisations for the benefit of supporting our guests residing in Steyning and surrounding areas.

BUSINESS STRUCTURE

Steyning Ukrainian Refuge was founded in March 2022 and registered as a Charity in May 2022 for the purpose of providing a Day Centre for our guests who are living with ‘Home Hosts’ under the Government scheme 'Homes for Ukrainian' along with other Ukrainian guests who have moved into the local area. The buildings being used are owned by Steyning Grammar School Foundation Trust (Founded in 1614) and a former State Boarding School, and are leased by the Steyning Ukrainian Refuge.

Over 120 local volunteers were recruited from all disciplines, including 23 Health & Wellbeing; 38 Teaching & Learning; 2 Legal; 28 building Services; 25 Business & Finance. Any volunteer who is physically involved is fully CRB Enhanced checked and trained.

Our business assets were in the main, donated, mainly from Business to Schools; the BBC; Asos; Brewers and a host of other well-known Companies, along with many local businesses and very generous people who were anxious to help with the crisis in Ukraine.

We have, during the year, retained and paid for the services of a few of our guests, on a self-employed basis, who have translated and taught English to their fellow countryfolk and have been key in the administration of the Charity. Our guests form a vital part of our decision-making progress and are fully involved with the running of the Charity.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR

During the year 60 guests have passed through our Refuge, including 17 students who attend the Steyning Grammar School, with whom we liaise closely.

One of our biggest accolades has been in furnishing our guests homes, once they have left their Home Hosts and have rented their own accommodation. Through the generosity of our local residents, we have acquired the whole contents of 3 homes along with many lorry loads of home goods. This has enabled us to completely furnish, with absolutely everything, 15 homes, from our stocks of high-quality goods. We transport, we plumb in washing machines and dishwashers, instal beds, we do everything to help mend their shattered lives.

Teaching English to 60 guests has been a major priority, as well as making them ‘job ready’, schooling them in CV writing, sharing with them skills in job search, interview techniques, UK tax system and company structures.

We have looked after their health and wellbeing, often hand holding them when they have required assistance at doctors or dentists, or even job interviews.

Throughout the year we have partnered with other organisations, i.e. Mindy Foundation in Kyiv on mental health issues, fully utilising their 30 psychiatrists, in their mother tongue. We have been instrumental in facilitating a joint venture in the Carpathian Mountains in Western Ukraine for the rehabilitation of wounded service personnel.

On the cultural side we have held many visits to places of interest in the London and the Home Counties, sharing UK culture with our guests, even having had a weekend camp for 25, helping to ‘live together and enjoy’.

During our meetings with neighbouring towns we frequently deliver talks and lectures not only to our own guests but those from Brighton, Worthing, Horsham, Adur. We have become the ‘go to’ for information. If we do not know we will find out!

We hold regular social gatherings where our guests meet together and share experiences and knowledge. This is vital for their wellbeing, as if we are not careful, they can feel very lonely.

The Steyning Ukrainian Refuge has received awards from The High Sheriff of West Sussex in recognition of the work we have done to support the Ukrainian Refugees.

The Steyning Society awarded us its new Highly Commended Certificate in recognition of the significant contribution which we have made to Steyning; this was awarded by the Lord Lieutenant for West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard.

FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF STEYNING UKRAINIAN REFUGE

SPECIFIC GRANTS - Major grants have been received from:-

Sussex Community £10,000 spread over 2 years for specific items

The Refugee Council £10,000 income received for year commencing 01/07/2023

Horsham District Council £5000 for a feasibility study on providing accommodation

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