2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 April 2024 To 31 March 2025

Charity name: Friends of Refugees London

Charity registration number: 1200601

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To promote social inclusion for the public benefit among people who are seeking asylum, those granted refugee status and their dependents and vulnerable migrants in London who are socially excluded on the grounds of their social and economic position.
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	A befriending network that encourages and enables the above individuals to participate more effectively with the wider community. Advocacy and general support including through accompanying individuals to appointments such as medical, with the local or immigration authority. Signposting to other charities and agencies for services beyond the charity’s remit.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. In our decision-making processes, we have carefully considered the principle set out in that guidance to ensure our activities deliver clear and meaningful public benefit.

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

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Our volunteers are the backbone of our work and provide direct support to people seeking asylum and refugees in our current area of operation, the London Borough of Lewisham.
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	Friends of Refugees London has made a significant impact by providing one-to-one, face-to-face befriending services to refugees in the London Borough of Lewisham. This in turn has helped reduce social isolation and supported the wellbeing of often marginalised individuals by fostering a sense of community and belonging. Beyond individual benefits, the charity’s efforts have contributed to a more inclusive and compassionate society. This work enriches society, encouraging diversity and empathy within the community. Recruited and trained 15 volunteers, 6 befriending matches Continued relationship with 2 organisational partners in the local area.

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

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	A major objective was to expand our service provision outside of the Lewisham area. By year end, we had started discussions in two other London boroughs.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	N/A
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	N/A
Other		N/A

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	No income or funds raised. Minor expenditure funded by the Trustees.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	N/A
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Nil
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	No significant expenditure
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

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 (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
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	In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the Charity. The charity trustees endeavour to seek applications from individuals who have experience of forced displacement. CVs and covering letters by prospective trustees are reviewed by the current trustees, and two interviews are held with different sets of current trustees. New trustees are recruited by majority vote, and are offered a trial period of around three months, before they are registered as full trustees.

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

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name

Other name the charity uses	Friends of Refugees London
Registered charity number	1200601
Charity’s principal address	Friends of Refugees London 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NE

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)
	Karen Anthea Canty
	Shaharazad Salas Abuel-Ealeh
	Frances Catherine Ray
	Josephine Wagner Poedenphant
	Essette Gebra Emmanuel		September 2024	Existing trustees (listed at 1- 4)

– 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	N/A
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects	N/A
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets	N/A

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
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

gne on ea o Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	carys rusees	carys rusees
	Shaharazad Salas Abuel-Ealeh	Frances Catherine Ray
	Trustee	Trustee
	31 January 2026
	31 January 2026