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← Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle

2025-06-30-accounts

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Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle Trustees’ Annual Report 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025

REFUGEE SPONSORSHIPCIRCLE ©)

Charity Information

Charity name
Edinburgh
Email address
Website
Charity Trustees
Nicole Nadler
Moen		 Appointed 30 October
phreteseneaor)
2023
2023
2024
AnnetteGilchrist

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Introduction

Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle (“ERSC”)’s Board of Trustees is excited to report on our fifth year as a charity. Building on the strength of our first four years as a charity, the financial year 2024-25 has been another busy period as detailed further in our “Achievements and performance” section below. ERSC has a number of ambitious and wide reaching objectives, and we continue to be focused on resettling refugee families to Edinburgh, supporting those we have welcomed in the past, and raising awareness of the UK Community Sponsorship Scheme.

The Board of Trustees would like to thank all of our Members, volunteers and donors for helping us achieve so much in the charity’s reporting period.

Strategic Report

Objectives and activities

We started ERSC to help families fleeing conflict zones resettle in Edinburgh through the Community Sponsorship Scheme. Our organisational objectives go beyond this aim and are set out in our Constitution. In summary, our objectives are to:

  1. ensure that families arriving through the Community Sponsorship Scheme and other refugees and asylum seekers are provided with the appropriate services;

  2. promote the advancement of citizenship by bringing diverse communities together, establishing friendships and strengthening support networks for refugees, asylum seekers and those who support them;

  3. promote the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution and reconciliation by working with local councils, other community

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This year we have continued to address these ambitious objectives by continuing to support those we have resettled. To become a Community Sponsor, the Home Office require groups to:

In September 2021, the first family arrived in Edinburgh following months of preparation. There was a strong support network waiting for the family in Edinburgh to assist with: setting up their home, registration with local schools, doctors, dentists and JobCentre, English classes, and general support.

In February 2023, the second family arrived in Edinburgh, leading on from the success of the first resettlement and implementing improvements from reflection on this process.

In March 2025, another individual arrived in Edinburgh and was supported by a new motivated volunteer network. Another successful resettlement and valuable addition to our growing community.

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We continued to run fundraising events which also provide the opportunity for us to raise awareness of current refugee crises and promote the Community Sponsorship Scheme. We have built strong relationships with groups like STAR Edinburgh and Vegware, who are supporting us with regular funds.

Our objectives state that we will raise awareness of the scheme within Scotland and more broadly the UK. In the reporting period, ERSC has played an important role in bringing the Community Sponsorship Scheme to the attention of many Scottish communities. In particular, we have become the Lead Sponsor for a newly established Community Sponsorship group in Glasgow.

ERSC is also a member of the Community Sponsorship Alliance UK (CSA UK), which is independent, grass-rooted, hands-on, strategists, researchers, experts by experience, community mobilisers, educationalists, entrepreneurs; and experienced in the Community Sponsorship way of welcome that many of us have been involved with since the birth of the scheme in 2016. Our director, Fae, is also co-chair of the Edinburgh New Scots Integration Network on behalf of ERSC.

We have played a key role in supporting and advising the International Rescue Committee (IRC) who have now taken the lead to support Community Sponsorship groups throughout the country.

Achievements and performance

Family 1

Family 1 has been well and continued to be actively involved in our fundraising initiatives and community events. We have continued to support their children through providing tutors where needed and supporting with Duke of Edinburgh Awards as well as with info about college courses.

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Family2

Family 2 have settled in well and have celebrated their 2 year anniversary in Edinburgh. ERSC volunteers are actively engaged in language, health and social support and we have built a trusted relationship with both family members. A focus of this year has been supporting the family through the strenuous process of accessing the right benefits and with supporting the younger family member into education and employment in a trauma informed and sustainable way.

Family 3

We were delighted to be successful with our third resettlement. We welcomed a woman from Burundi in March 2025 and, shortly after, included her friend who had arrived previously through the Council, into our support.

Volunteers

We are now a group of 37 volunteers. Every single volunteer has brought incredible skills, enthusiasm and commitment to supporting the families we welcomed and the wider organisation. We are particularly grateful for the many volunteers with lived expertise giving us their time and invaluable insight and experience.

We are in awe of the diversity in backgrounds and skills that volunteers bring to our organisation and are particularly happy about the positive feedback and the continuous engagement of volunteers who have moved away via for example our grant-making sub group.

Fundraising and grants

Our previously mentioned grant team has been working tirelessly to secure us additional financial support via grants. The monthly grant from Vegware is particularly useful as it is unrestricted funding allowing us to fill any support gaps, focus on organisational development and organise celebratory events.

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We were delighted to hear that this grant was extended for another year. Our dedicated fundraising team has organised a number of fundraising events including at the Colony of Artists weekend. This year we have been privileged to partner more closely with Student Action for Refugees, who have been running a number of fundraising activities for us.

We are unable to properly express how incredible our Members, volunteers and community have been in supporting us throughout the last four years. As a community and volunteer driven organisation, we rely on people’s generosity of time, money and expertise; something that we never lacked.

What's next?

We remain committed to supporting all families in a person-centred, trauma-informed and community-powered way. As a Community Sponsorship group our main objective and commitment remains to the continuous resettlement and support of refugee families and individuals in Edinburgh.

We look forward to another arrival of an individual - our fourth resettlement - in August 2025.

We furthermore look forward to establishing the ERSC family committee, a co-production group of representatives of ERSC-sponsored families initially beginning in Edinburgh, aimed at sharing best practice and informing our strategic planning.

As a member of CSA UK we are continuously involved in informing wider Community Sponsorship related policy-making and will continue to advocate for human rights, trust in Community, appropriate support and the Scottish perspective.

We have recently become the Lead Sponsor for a Community Sponsorship group in Glasgow. We are looking forward to supporting them in their journey.

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Principal risks & uncertainties

The Board is aware of a number of key risks and uncertainties which guide our decision-making and planning for the future.

The Board is monitoring the costs of living in the UK and the impact this will have on a refugee family relying entirely on benefits.

The Board is conscious of a number of other risks that could affect our activities and the level of support we can provide. These risks include:

The Board is aware that there are a range of uncertainties that exist with each new family being resettled. Various levels and types of support are needed for different families which makes it difficult to plan and resource for each family at the outset. However we are confident that, as we continue to build a strong network of volunteers and Members, we will be able to devise contingencies and address future challenges.

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Financial Review

During the reporting period our activities generated receipts of £30,828. The

sources of these funds are summarised below:

Statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

It is our policy to maintain funds at a level sufficient to cover administration of the charity.

Our intended use of reserves include:

Details of any surplus

The significant surplus of funds reported in the period is a result of two major donations received from Failte (due to a realignment of their delivery in Scotland) and Foundation Scotland (advance provision to support a further resettlement in 2026). This will allow us to move forward with further resettlements in the future once we have sufficient referrals in place and volunteer teams ready to support this.

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Donated facilities and services

As part of our Chuffed fundraiser, there were a number of services that our Members and volunteers provided as “Perks” to donors.

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Structure, Governance and Management

Organisational structure

ERSC is a two-tier SCIO (table 2). ERSC is governed by its constitution which was submitted to OSCR along with the application for registration as a charity in June 2020.

A description of the roles and responsibilities of Members and Trustees is summarised below:

Members

Trustees

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Members and Trustees commit to give their time and expertise freely and no remuneration was paid during this reporting period. There were no conflicts of interest raised during this reporting period.

We are also fortunate to have the help of volunteers that help us with our fundraising activities. Throughout the year they have supplied our stalls with baking, crafts and much more, as well as helped to coordinate our fundraising efforts. They are non-voting supporters of the charity who have not undergone the on-boarding process and therefore don’t have access to privileged information.

Trustee recruitment and appointment

At any one time there can be a maximum of eleven Trustees.

In line with the Constitution, the Members may elect any Member to serve on the Board of Trustees at each AGM. At any time, the Board may also appoint a Member or non-member to be a Trustee, if they have specialist experience and/or skills which could assist the charity in meeting its aims. A person is not eligible to serve on the Board if they have been disqualified from being a charity trustee under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 or they are employed by the charity.

Document

Trustees’ Annual Report

0.1

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Auditors Report Reference and Administrative Details

Declaration

Signed on behalf of the charity trustees:

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, JAMIE GRACIE
Print name
Designation; , CHARITY TRUSTEE / TREASURER
28/03/2026
Date
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Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle
CT Independent Examiner’s Reporton theAccounts
Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle
trustees/members of
On the accounts ofthe 30th
charity for the year ended		 30th June 2025
Respective The
responsibilities of		 the
trustees and examiner
amended) (‘the 2006 regulations’
) The charity trustees
consider thatthe audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of
the Accounts Regulations does not apply.
It is my
responsibility to examine the accounts as required under
section 44(1) (c) ofthe 2005 Act and to state whether
particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis ofindependent My
examiner’sstatement
review ofthe accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It
also includes consideration ofany unusual items or
disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the
trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures
undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be
required in an audit and, consequently,
 do not express an
. audit opinion on the accounts.
Independentexaminer’s
statement
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any
material respect the requirements:
*
to keep accounting records in accordance with section
44(1) (a) ofthe 2005 Act and Regulation 4 ofthe 2006
Accounts Regulations, and
e
to prepare accounts with accord with the accounting
records and comply with Regulation 9 ofthe 2006
Accounts Regulations have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order
to enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be
reacnga.
Associate member of :
qualification Association ofCharity Independent Examiners (ACIE
The Dell East End Gordon
BerwickshireTD36JS

APPENDIX 2

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Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle $C050349
@h ( R Receipts and payments accounts
Scottish Charity Regulator om 2024 30 June
Section A Statement of receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Expendable Permanent Total funds Total funds last
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Al Receipts
egacesTE | ns |ed
aaoo]{ 2,400|
GrossReceipts from fundraising activities || | eae |
[incometrading receiptsfrom investments other tan [)re [| eSa|
Rents from land
ross receipts from& buildingsother charitable re |
activities 3,103 3,103 2,523
A1 Sub total L__ 2,500 | 30,828
A2 Receipts from asset &
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets PY
[Proceeds from sale of investments |
A2 Sub total] =|
A3 Payments
favesinentmaragerenteossPayments relating directly to charitable| za
activities 8,671 8,671
[Serisand donations | er]
Goverancecosis oS
eats a ae| [a
ee So
A3 Sub total 9,732
A4 Payments relating to asset and
Purchases of fixed assets TY
Aa Sub total[
18,596 21,096 4,793
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APPENDIX 2

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Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle $C050349
Section B Statement of balances
ae Expendable Permanent
Categories Details uns Restricted funds endowmentfunds endowmentfunds ustapean Total last period
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest£ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Cash and bank balances at start of year 44,254 | | 11,254 6,461
Surplus / (deficit) shown on receipts and
payments account 18,596 2,500 21,096 4,793
Cash and bank balances at end of year 29,850 | 2,500 | 32,350 11,254
(Agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details Fund to which asset belongs Market valuation Last year
to nearest £ to nearest £
- — ——
Total
i
Details Fund to which asset belongs Cost {if= available}‘ Currentavailable) value (if Last year
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
- =
Total
Datails Fund to which liability relates Amount due Last year
to nearest £ to nearest £
- — —
Total
Details Fund to which liability relates Amount due Last year
to nearest £ to nearest £
— — —
Total
Signed by one or two trustees Date of
on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name approval
Fa teh [cest]
Fae Mira Gerlach 24 March 2026
7 re , ayNUE> GRACE. 5 26/05fasL / f
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ERSC Accounts FY25 - 28-03-26 V2 (Final) / Statement of balances

1

March 2026

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APPENDIX 2

Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle

$C050349

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I

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Section C Notes to the Accounts
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C1 Nature and purpose of funds (may be siated on analysis of funds worksheets) |Funds held by Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle (ERSC) are donations and grants received through fundraising activities in order to sponsor and resettle refugee famililies into Edinburgh through the UK Government's Community Sponsorship Scheme. The UK Government requires that sponsorship groups, such as ERSC, fundraise at least £9,000 prior to being given permission to apply as a sponsor. ERSC raises funds above £9,000 to assist in covering fundraising activity overheads, cover governance costs (such as Public Liability Insurance and Independent Examination fees), and cover any unforeseen emergencies that arise in connection with charitable activities. Type of activity or project supported Hain Number of grants é - S—= Total C3a Trustee remuneration lf no remuneration was paid during the period to any charity trustee or person connected to a trustee cross this box (otherwise complete section 3b) x Authority under which paid £ C3b Trustee remuneration - details C4a Trustee expenses If no expenses were paid to any charity trustee during the period then cross this box (otherwise complete section 4b) . X Number of £ trustees C4b Trustee expenses - details Nature of relationship Nature of transaction Transaction Balance C5 Transactions with trustees and connected persons

C6 Other information

ERSC Accounts FY25 - 28-03-26 (Final) / Notes

4

March 2026 j

APPENDIX 2

$C050349

Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle

Additional analysis (1)

Analysis of receipts and payments

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1 Donations
sa . a Restricted funds Expendableendowmentfunds endowmPermanfunds ent sedp mrP Ee
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Failte Edinburgh 11,796 | 11,796 -
Foundation Scotland go00;/{ sd 9,000 | |
Co-op Small Charities |[__ 4.000] [| 1000) |
The Small Fund | 2,500 |
Reggae Got Soullath Depot Cd [370 | :
Supper Club | _-
Chutffed L659 | 658 | 01,862
Edinburgh L—-] | - 404
Bookshop ey | {|} 669
Direct a | | | 781
Donations es | LF 15
ee eel | ar
2 Grants
Unrestrictedfunds Restricted funds Totalperiodcurrent Totalperiodlast
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Vegware Community Fund 4,200 | - 4,200 | | 1,200
Edinburgh University 1,200 | -| 1,200 | | 500
| | :
3 Gross receipts from other charitable activities
. Expendable Permanent
btgees Restricted funds endowmentfunds endowmentfunds Tota)es Aaa ioepenea
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest & to nearest £
Home Office payments 2,897 | 2,897 1,673
250
Gift |
Life Aid payments ae | |
crawing fundraising event [| |
Total 3,103 3,103 2,523
4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities
. Expendable Permanent
Unrestricted Restricted funds endowment endawntent Total current Total last
funds funds funds period period
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Family 1 [| | |
Family 2 1,252
[FamilyFamily 34 ae4,658 a4658} ||i:|
C126 |
General overheads 2560 | 7 7
Supper Club = 163
Charity and volunteer events Fl
ee) : a
Total 8,671 8,671 2,506'
reference error . ° ° reference error .
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ERSC Accounts FY25 - 28-03-26 V2 (Final)Additional notes (1)

March 2026

APPENDIX 2

$C050349

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Additional analysis (2)
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||||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |5|Breakdown|of|unrestricted|funds| |Total|Total| |unrestricted|unrestricted| |funds|funds|last| |period| |Receipts|[22.825|[23.836|az| |Ti2.400|200jf|__| |Receipts|from|fundraising|activities|fs (|| |Rents from|land &|buildings||||re-|||| |Gross|receipts|from|other|charitable|activities|||3,103|3,103|2,523| |ub|tota|cee|Yt| |ReceiptsProceeds|fromfrom|saleassetof&fixedinvestmentassets|sales||| |Proceeds|from|sale|of|investments|-| |oud|total|[|=||| |total|receipts.|(8) >|9|ee ee]| |Payments| |Expenses|for|fundraising|activities|429|193| |Gross|trading|payments|||a |ee| |Investment management costs|a|re || |Payments|relating|directly|to charitable|activities|||||8,671|||8,671|||_2,505 || |Grants|and|donations|||3|fe ant || |Governance|costs||]| |Audit|/|independent|examination||||150|||130| |Preparation|of annual|accounts)|||||I||| |Legal|cost]|||a2||||||| |SSSSSS SSS|ie|SS|SS| |Sub|total|9,732|faealors24|3,704| |Payments|relating|to|asset|and|investment| |movements| |Purchases|of fixed|assets||| |Purchase|of|investments|1]|1]|B| |Sub|total| |Total payments|ES ae) aaa)|3,701| |Net receipts| |/ (payments)|CS|ee |ae|NN|18,596|4793| |Surplus| |/|(deficit for year|CE ||TE |NS ||ETF| |Nature|and|purpose|of funds|||

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ERSC Accounts FY25 - 28-03-26 V2 (Final)Additional notes (2)

March 2026

APPENDIX 2

$C050349

Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Additional|analysis|(3)| |6|Breakdown|of|restricted|funds| |The|Small|Fund|Total|restricted|Total|restricted| |funds|funds|last| |period| |Receipts|[2.500 ||-___|2,500||| |id|es || |Receipts|fram|fundraising|activities|||-||| |Gross|trading|receipts|||;||||| |Income|from|investments|other|than|land|and| |buildings||| |Rents|from|land & buildings|;||||| |Gross|receipts from|other charitable|activities|2]||—|vf| |Sub|total|2,500|||[2.500}]|250|| |Receipts|from|asset|&|investment|sales| ||Proceeds|from|sale|of fixed|assets| ||Proceeds|from|sale|of investments| |Sub|total| |Total receipts|ES eae]|ES|2,500| |Payments| |Expenses|for fundraising|activities|||rs|[| |[Gross trading paymenis|||es||| |[Investment|management|costs|||||£7| |Payments|relating|directly|to|charitable|activities|||a| ||Grants|and|donations|.|j|a|a0| |Governance|costs|||||:||| |Audit|/|independent|examination|.| |Preparation|of|annual|accounts|||||-||| |(|| |Sub|es||| |total|es;||ee)| |Payments|relating|to|asset|and|investment| ||Purchases|of fixed|assets||| ||Purchase|of|investments| |Sub|total| |Nature|and|purpose|of funds|

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ERSC Accounts FY25 - 28-03-26 V2 (FinaljAdditional notes (3)

March 2026