Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 9 March 2023 To 31st August 2024
Charity name: Penrith and Eden Refugee Network
Charity registration number: 1202270
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | (a) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people, and their dependants, from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society. For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of discrimination or social and economic disadvantage on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, including those with refugee or immigrant status. (b) The prevention or relief of poverty among individuals who are excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of discrimination or social and economic disadvantage on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, including those with refugee or immigrant status, through the provision of emergency grants of financial assistance. (c) The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit by promoting activities to foster understanding and good relations between the general public and people of different races and ethnicities, including those with refugee or immigrant status. |
| 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 |
Penrith and Eden Refugee Network’s main activities were as follows: Penrith Welcomes Diversity For all people of minoritized ethnic and migrant background in Penrith and surrounding area: weekly English Club; Women’s group meetings; Art and Wellbeing |
workshops with partner organisation BlueJam; multiple community outreach events; 1-2-1 case work. PERN English Classes: For asylum seekers in Carlisle; We run two centres, with classes on two days a week. On average, 16 volunteers a week run the service, which is open almost every single week of the year. We deliver 4 levels of English classes, alongside personal support for students including registering with GPs and accessing Carlisle College courses. Since April 2024 we have provided classes to an average of 50 students a week, including 5-10 complete beginners. Over the reporting period of this TAR we have had around 3600 student attendances each for a two hour English class. PERN Legal and Information: For asylum seekers in West Cumbria and Carlisle; weekly drop-in for asylum application and asylum rights alongside wide ranging triage of other queries. In July 2023 this service gained OISC Level 2 registration in asylum and protection (OISC number N202331531). This service was initially volunteer-led; we now have two part-time paid workers in addition to the volunteers, and an office base in Carlisle. For the four month period from May 2024 to August 2024, we have dealt with 14 asylum claims; 3 family reunions; advised on more than 22 non-legal/ information/ rights issues; and made 21 successful lawyer referrals. PERN Rent a Room scheme: For new refugees at risk of homelessness service development July/ August 2023. Under this scheme new refugees lodge in local homes (paying a basic rent). We moved quickly on this project when people in the Carlisle hotels started to be granted refugee status, and some, having had good experience of living in Carlisle, wanted to remain local. We have also supported people into medium and long-term housing, mostly using PERN’s local contacts. From May 2024 to July 2024 , we supported 20 people into private housing. 2 people into social housing, 5 people who were sofa surfing/ street homeless and 1 person into a council hostel. New Refugee Support: For new refugees in Carlisle: this service
1
| began in December 2023 and works hand-in-hand with our homelessness prevention work. It provides long-term, person-centred support and guidance for new refugees to navigate life and thrive in the UK, including support on finding a job and housing and claiming benefits. We supported 29 people over the period. Multiple community events: Including an all-day stall in the town centre during Refugee Week with a new ‘myth-buster’ publication we co-wrote with a refugee organisation based in Carlisle to raise awareness of the truth about migration; a members’ Anti-Racist learning event led by Anti-Racist Cumbria; fundraisers for Ukrainian refugees; contact with our local MP about the UK Government’s Illegal Migration Bill and raising concern about national and local intimidation and racism directed towards asylum seekers. Escape to Safety:we partnered with Carlisle College and Carlisle Refugee Action Group to host Escape to Safety, an interactive, multimedia walk-through exhibition (designed by Global Link). We held it at Carlisle College, where students, lecturers and the general public put themselves in asylum-seekers’ shoes and listened to and experienced refugees’ stories as they navigated through the exhibit and completed activities.Over the 10 days over 900 students completed the Exhibition experience and were supported by 27 volunteers and a freelance Project Manager. |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. This has been taken into account while planning and delivering all charity activities as well as while determining how best to utilise grants and funds. |
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 |
2
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteer roles at Penrith and Eden Refugee Network include befriending, English teaching and session support, as well as information and advice giving. We had approximately 55 active volunteers at any one time and are so grateful for their support. Our volunteers have helped us immeasurably in delivering our activities for the public benefit. We could not function to the level we do without their time and dedication. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | N/A |
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 | This year our priority was social and economic needs of housing and work, leading to better mental health / wellbeing and social inclusion for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. We have provided essential practical support to refugees and asylum seekers, who are a highly disadvantaged, vulnerable group, making a positive difference to their lives. Refugees on resettlement schemes have lived in Cumbria for many years, and many more arrived under the UK government Homes for Ukraine Scheme in 2022. Asylum seekers began to arrive in Carlisle in April 2022, and were mostly housed in two hotels. By June 2023 there were 390 asylum places between the two Carlisle hotels. In December 2023 the two hotels were closed but meantime the Home Office have procured 296 places in community houses in Carlisle and West Cumbria. Asylum seekers are not eligible for universal credit and do not have the right to work. They are not permitted to attend Government-funded English classes for the first six months after arrival. They have many needs, including trauma/ mental health issues, isolation and poverty. One of our key aims is to reduce the despair, isolation and near destitution of asylum seekers by empowering them to make the best lives possible through practical support, friendship and upstream |
3
interventions to foster self-reliance and independence. We were able to make a difference by providing regular, quality English classes and legal support in a safe environment where people feel they belong. Both the language classes and Legal and Information workshops built trust between asylum seekers and volunteers, and are places where people are able to express concerns and get help. We have seen that coming to English classes and getting support in the arduous process of applying for asylum helps the students prepare for a new life in the UK, reduces their isolation and helps prevent a decline in mental health. Everyone seeking asylum must make a claim to the Home Office. This process requires legal support. There is a national crisis in the availability of even basic legal information, and there are no immigration lawyers at all in Cumbria. Our Legal and Information service provided beneficiaries access to relevant legal information in a safe environment of mutual support and solidarity. This is the only service of its kind in the area, and our provision of this made a positive difference to beneficiaries’ lives, while helping them to navigate a complex system. Our beneficiaries are very marginalised and by helping them build trust and make connections with the local community through our activities, we are also contributing to social cohesion. The majority of asylum seekers (well over 80%) will be granted refugee status to stay in the UK. As asylum seekers they are preparing to make a new life here. Once granted refugee status they will be eligible to work so learning English is an important part of helping them to be economically active in the future. Cumbria, in particular, needs adults of working age to join the local workforce. Refugees who are in Penrith and Eden on resettlement projects were supported through our Penrith Welcomes Diversity activities. This strand of our work supports people of all minoritised ethnic background, some of whom experience social exclusion, microaggressions and hostility (sometimes amounting to hate crime) on account of their race or ethnicity. Our activities included a weekly conversation group and Women’s group. We ran weekly art and wellbeing workshops jointly with BlueJam Arts CIC, an arts organisation in Penrith. We held two exhibitions in a local gallery to celebrate work by
4
members of our diverse community. Several outings were organised, especially for families, such as a visit to the Greggs local factory, a picnic in the park and a tea at a local church. This gave our beneficiaries somewhere to belong and a supportive community to feel part of, as well as practical skills helping them to navigate life in the UK (e.g. English comprehension) and fun experiences to help make positive memories together. Here are examples of some of the events we held for members and for the wider public, all of which helped to foster understanding and good relations: Stall in town centre in June 2023, as part of the UK’s 245[th] Refugee Week, to raise awareness of the facts about refugees and asylum seekers via our myth-busters publication and through talking to passers-by. Asylum seekers from Eritrea, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria spoke about why they sought sanctuary in the UK. We also collected signatures for letters to our local MP Neil Hudson, objecting to the UK Government’s approach to migration policy, in particular the plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. We wrote press releases for most of these events, which were published in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald. Where possible we encourage refugees and asylum seekers to speak for themselves, so they have agency in their own stories. We work closely with other voluntary organisations in Cumbria, such as the Carlisle Refugee Action Group, Westmorland and Furness Refugee group. We are grateful for support from churches such as St John’s and St Augustine’s in Carlisle and Carlisle College, which provide venues for our English classes and legal workshops. We have also become closer to the group, Anti Racist Cumbria (ARC), through the need that we recognise to challenge our own unconscious biases and for solidarity against the racially-motivated microaggressions and hate that some refugees and asylum seekers experience. We held an Anti-Racist Learning Event for PERN members in March 2023, at which ARC spoke powerfully, and we also joined them in standing against a far-right hate march that was planned against asylum seekers in Carlisle, also in March 2023. In the summer of 2024, we responded to the racist anti-immigrant Islamophobic rioting. We contacted
5
our members, some of whom felt under direct threat and many of whom felt highly unsettled by the violence. Despite this, many people told us that they know the violence is committed by a tiny minority and they recognise the overwhelming kindness and decency in their communities. The riots were and are a stark reminder of the importance of PERN’s values and of our work in protecting and enabling the most vulnerable and in promoting understanding, justice and compassion.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
N/A Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set N/A Performance of fundraising activities against objectives Para 1.41 set N/A Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives N/A Other
6
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | We are in a stable financial position. As indicated in the end of year accounts the charity is able to meet the expenditure of current and future planned activities. On 31st August 2024 we had £139,897 in the bank. £121,251 of this is grant income, which is restricted and carried over to the next financial year. This is enabling all of our services to continue. £3339 is donations that have been reserved for items for asylum seekers, which is not covered by other funding. This includes things like school shoes, bus fares to meetings, and emergency food costs. Of the remaining £15,307: - £10,000 is held reserves - £5307 is unrestricted income Over the almost 18 months that this report covers, we spent £111,855. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We hold reserves to ensure contractual financial commitments can be made in the event of activity or charity closure and to ensure stability and sustainability of activities in the event of unforeseen financial requirements. The Trustees regard the reserves held to be adequate to meet the above. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £10,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| 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 | There are no uncertainties; we intend to continue as we have been into 2024-25. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Our principal source of funding was trusts and grants, as well as donations from organisations. From March 2023 to August 2024 we were grateful to receive grants from: |
|---|---|---|---|
7
| - Cumberland Council - Westmorland and Furness Council - The National Lottery (Reaching Communities) - Cumbria CVS - LandAid - The Ben and Jerries Foundation - NACCOM - Cumbria Community Foundation, including support from Fibrus - Frieda Scott Charitable Trust - Hadfield Trust We would also like to thank the generous companies and individuals who donated to our cause over this time. We would particularly like to thank SPB Computers. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The principal risk facing the charity is not being able to meet increased demand for the services of the charity with regard to supporting asylum seekers, new refugees and undocumented people. The charity has plans in place for growth including organisation readiness and application preparation for further grants in order to remedy this. |
| Other |
8
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 | The first Trustees were active members of the association which the charity emerged from. The constitution states all stand down at the first AGM. Four of the initial Trustees were re-elected by PERN members at the first AGM, which was held on 17 May 2024. |
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 | N/A |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | N/A |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | N/A |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Penrith and Eden Refugee Network |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | PERN |
Registered charity number |
1202270 |
| Charity’s principal address | Penrith and Eden Refugee Network C/O Mostyn Hall, Friargate, Penrith, CA11 7XR |
9
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Gray | Whole Year N/A |
|||
| Alison Ross | Whole Year N/A |
|||
| Robert Postlethwaite | Whole Year N/A |
|||
| Sait Kuzu | Whole Year N/A |
|||
| Sue Castle-Clark | Until 31st March 2023 N/A |
Corporate Trustees - Not applicable
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others - Not applicable
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Other optional information
10
Declarations
| Declarations | Declarations | Declarations | Declarations | Declarations | Declarations | Declarations | Declarations | 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) | Robert Postlethwaite | Emma Gray | ||||||
| Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) |
Chair of Trustees | Trustee | ||||||
| Date | 2024-10-27 | 2024-10-28 |
11
Signature Certificate
Reference number: IVMQS-ELJAK-RF9MZ-XUGUS
Signer
Timestamp
Signature
Robert Postlethwaite
Email: robertpostlethwaite@googlemail.com Shared via link
Sent: Viewed: Signed:
25 Oct 2024 09:42:57 UTC 27 Oct 2024 13:36:54 UTC 27 Oct 2024 13:37:29 UTC
IP address: 86.150.248.207 Location: Harringay, United Kingdom
Emma Gray
Email: emma_gray25@hotmail.com Shared via link
Sent: Viewed: Signed:
25 Oct 2024 09:42:57 UTC 28 Oct 2024 14:15:56 UTC 28 Oct 2024 14:16:28 UTC
IP address: 109.154.68.131 Location: Keswick, United Kingdom
Document completed by all parties on: 28 Oct 2024 14:16:28 UTC
Page 1 of 1
Signed with PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a document workflow and certified eSignature solution trusted by 50,000+ companies worldwide.
Registered number.. 1202270 PENRrrH AMD EDEN REFUGEE NETWORK UNAUDThED ACCOUNTS FOR The PEAXOD 9 MARCH 2023 TO 31 AUGUST 2024
P•nrlth and Eden R•fvye Iletworf( Contsnts Paq• Charity Detalls Approval Accountants. Report Recelpts and Paynpnts Accounts Balan Sheet Notes to the Accounts
P•nrith and Eden Refugee Motwork Charfty Details For th• p•r1 9 M•*¢h 2023 to 31 Augurt 2024 Crity M<L8tyn Hall Friargate Penrith CAII 7XR Ac<ountsntg Charfton Baker 7-7e Snuff Street Devlze5 Wiltshlre SNIO IDU Page I
PenrSth and Eden Refugee Netwovk Accounts Approval Stat*m•nt For the Perood 9 Marth 2023 to 31 Augurt 2024 r approve thege unaudlted account5 which comprfse a Recelpts and Payments accounrs. Balan Sheet and lated notes. l acknowledge my responsibilty for the accounts Includlng the prov5slon of all the information and eXplanaon$ necessary for the completion. SSgned d&ioR Rot Date 2024-10-25 Pa2
P•nrrth •nd tden Relugee N•lwork ACCounnts. R¢port For the Perlod 9 March 2023 to 31 August 2024 Chartered Accountants. Rwort to P•nrlth and Edgn R¢fuge¢ Netwo on tho Un•udltsd Flnandal InfOrntIOTr ol PeThrlth and Eden Refugee N¢tk In accordan the engagement letter dated we have prepared for your approval the financial information of Penth and Eden Refuoee Network for the year ended 31 August 2024 whlch cornprlses the Receipts and Payments accounts, the Bala[e Sheet and the related notes from the entity's accounting record5 and from informatlon and explanations you have glven us. A5 8 practising member flmi of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wa$ (ICAEWI, we are subject to its ethkal and other profes51onal requirements whlch are detailed at http.'l/ww%Y.icaew.comlen/membership/regulatlons-stsndards-and- guiltsn. Thls report 15 moije solely to you In accordance with the terms of our ervjagement tter dated . Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial infomiatlon of Penrith and Eden Refugee Netr40rk and state those matters that we have agreed to state to you in thls report in accordan with the gUIdan of ICAEW a5 detailed at ICAEW Technlcal Release 08116 AAF. To the fullest extent pemiitted by law, v4e do not accept or assurne responsibility to anyone other than Penrith and Ed•n Refugee Network for our work or far this report. You have approved the financlal Infomiation of penth and eden Refu9ee Neiwork for the year ended 31 August 2024 and have acknowledged your sPonSIbl11tY for it, for the appropriateness of the flnancial reporting framework adopted and for providing all information and explanations necessary for its compllation. We have Th)t verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have glven to us and we do not, there, expre55 any opinion on the Ilnanclal Infomiation. Slgned Charfton 7-7c Snuff Street Devlzes Wiltshlre SNIO IDU
Penrlth and Eden Rgee Network Recelpts and Payments Accounts For the Perlod 9 March 2023 to 31 August 2024 31 Aygyst 2024 Unrestrlcted Ina)me Donaty"ons (unrestricted Income) Grants and subsldles reIved luntricted income) 14,178 15,000 79,170 ost Ot Sal Purchases Freenr costs 27,516 55,796 83,312 GROSS PROFIT (54,134) Restrirt¢d In¢ome DOTratn5 {restricted Income) Grants and sutsldles reIVed IStrIcted iOe} 500 194.956 195,456 141.322 Expendltur• Wages and salaries Employers penslons - deflned Contributsons schery Staff training Travel and subsl$teno expenses Offlce rental and room hire Computer soknare, consumables and maintenance Insurance 7.192 132 2.242 3,946 7,737 370 1,384 1.164 1,521 656 I,soo 256 95 348 Prlnting. postsge and ststionery Advertlsing and marketlng ci)5ts Teletomrnunications and data costs Accountsncy fees Subscriptions Bank charges Sundry expen5e5 28,543 112,779 Depredat5on Depreclatlon 573 573 BALANCE 111206 P4E¢ 4
PrIth and Ed•Th Refu9•• N¢tworft Balance Sh•*t As At 31 August 2024 31 AugU•t 1014 FIXED ASSErs Tangible Assets 2,152 IRRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand Net wages 139,897 139,898 CURREMT LXABILrnES Accruals and deferred income 1,500 NET CURRENT ETs 138,398 TOTAL ASSEfs LESS CURRENT LIABILrriES 140,550 Nrr ASSETS 140,550 CAprfAL ACCOUNT Balance at 9 March 2023 Balance for the perlodlyear 28,344 112,206 Bal•n¢e Carr1 Forward 140.550
Penrlth Jnd Eden Refvgee Network Notes to the Accounts For the Perlod 9 March 2023 to 31 August 2024 l. Accountlng Pollcy Penrith and Eden Refugee Network ha5 one bank account on the balance sheet. The closlng balance on thls account at 31st August 2024 Is £139,896.90. However, £124,589.16 of this balance ts restrirted Income. The remalnlng balance of £15,307.74 Is unrestricted funds £IO,IX)D of thls Is offlclal resetves that Is In Ilne wlth their serVeS pollcy and Is set aslde for enrgencY situatio. 2. Tanglble Assets Flxturu & Flttlngs Cost As at 9 March 2023 Additions 195 2,530 As at 31 August 2024 2.725 Depr¢da¥on As at 9 March 2023 Provkled durlng the perlgd 39 534 A5 at 31 August 2024 573 N•t Book Valu• A5 at 31 August 2024 2,152 A5 Ot 9 March 2023 156
Signature Certificate
Reference number: UTZYQ-UPALE-NDFTF-8CTAU
Signer Timestamp
Signature
Alison Ross
Email: ali@parhelia.org.uk Shared via link
Sent: Viewed: Signed:
25 Oct 2024 09:52:11 UTC 25 Oct 2024 10:15:43 UTC 25 Oct 2024 10:24:20 UTC
IP address: 51.241.85.95 Location: Egremont, United Kingdom
Document completed by all parties on: 25 Oct 2024 10:24:20 UTC
Page 1 of 1
Signed with PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a document workflow and certified eSignature solution trusted by 50,000+ companies worldwide.
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages Responsibilities and basis of report |
Charity Name PENRITH AND EDEN REFUGEE NETWORK |
Charity Name PENRITH AND EDEN REFUGEE NETWORK |
Charity Name PENRITH AND EDEN REFUGEE NETWORK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9thMARCH 2023 – 31stAUGUST 2024 | Charity no (if any) |
1202270 | |
| 1 (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 period ended31 / 08 / 2024. As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the 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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement 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.
Date: 14/10/2024 Signed: Name: ELLIE KILLINGTON Relevant professional ICAEW qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 7-7c SNUFF STREET, DEVIZES, WILTSHIRE, SN10 1DU
Oct 2018
1
IER
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 .
Oct 2018
2
IER