trustees annual report 2013 2014

Trustees’ Annual Report

for the year ending 31 March 2014

Contents

Message from the Chair of Trustees 2

Message from the Chief Executive 3

Reference and Administrative details 4

Trustees’ Report 5

Structure, Governance and Management 5

Our Aims and Activities 6

Achievements and Performance 7

Volunteers 12

Financial summary 14

Independent Examiner’s Report 16

Statement of financial activities 18

Balance sheet 19

Notes to the financial statements 20

Boaz Trust Annual Report 2013- 2014 of 31

A message from the Chair of Trustees

We continue to be grateful to God for the support and faith

shown in our work by trusts and foundations, individual

supporters, volunteers, partner organisations and churches.

The Trust continues to grow and we have been able to raise

funding to cover a 20 per cent increase in expenditure for the

year - just! The service we offer our clients has grown both in

quality and quantity: two significant developments have been

the appointment of a Male Case Worker and a Supported Housing Manager. The

Male Case Worker, funded by the Big Lottery, is deepening the support we give our

clients to address their situations and engage with the community, in parallel with our

ongoing and impactful programme of female case work funded by Comic Relief. We

are also grateful to the Aidan Trust who have funded the Supported Housing

Manager post to help us manage our growing housing stock (now up to 15 houses),

and develop a sustainable income stream from our refugee housing.

Following three years excellent service establishing operational structures and

processes, Chief Executive Mark Cloherty moved on to pastures new this year. We

have taken the opportunity with the appointment of our new Chief Executive, Ros

Holland, to ensure that our client work and relationships sit at the heart of Boaz, even

as we grow and diversify. I have great confidence in Ros’s ability to help us navigate

a path that marries the professional and the personal - and keeps us faithful to our

vision and reliant on God - as we set out into our tenth year.

Mike Arundale

Chair of Trustees


A message from the Chief Executive

The last 12 months have once again seen significant growth

and change within the Boaz Trust. Between our night shelter,

15 shared houses and our hosting scheme, we currently

accommodate over 75 individuals who have found

themselves homeless and destitute at some point in the

asylum system.

We’ve said a sad goodbye to Mark Cloherty (former Chief

Executive) and Vicky Ledwidge (Projects Manager) and have welcomed four new

staff members.

We have seen a further increase in the number of individuals who have been granted

refugee status yet who have still been made homeless. We are grateful for the

development of our Refugee Supported Housing Project that is now providing 23

refugees with accommodation and advocacy support to help them access

employment, training and benefit entitlements.

One highlight of the year was in November when the staff team spent a day together

to reflect on our vision and values as an organisation. It was a great opportunity to

get to know each other better, to reflect on the past ten years of Boaz’ history and to

plan together for the future. One phrase from the day stood out that summarised our

thoughts and discussions – ‘Life in all its fullness for those seeking sanctuary in the UK’ –

this goal spurs us on through challenging times.

I would like to thank all our volunteers, staff and supporters who have made Boaz’s

work possible. Your prayers, time and generous giving is appreciated, and I look

forward to serving alongside you in the coming year.

Ros Holland

Chief Executive


Reference and administrative details

Registered Charity in England and Wales No.1110344

Address

The Boaz Trust, First Floor, 110 Oldham Road, Manchester M4 6AG

Trustees

Dr Michael Arundale (Chair)

Dr David Bell

Mrs Stephanie Gilson (Secretary)

Ms Martha Mebrahtu

Mr Martin Palmer (Treasurer)

Revd Canon Philip Rawlings

Mrs Suzannah Sammons

Mr David Tomlinson

Patrons

Mr John Leech MP

Baroness Maeve Sherlock OBE

Chief Executive

Mrs Ros Holland (appointed 01/09/2013)

Mr Mark Cloherty (until 31/08/2013)

Independent Examiners

Chronicle Accountants

1 Market Street

Whaley Bridge, High Peak

Derbyshire SK23 7AA

Bankers

The Co-operative

PO Box 250, Delf House

Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

Solicitors

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP

3 St Mary’s Parsonage

Manchester M3 2RD


Structure, Governance and Management

The Boaz Trust was formed on 1 June 2004 and registered as a charity on 6 July 2005.

The Boaz Trust was established under a model trust deed which established the

objects and powers of the charitable trust. Under this deed the Trust is governed by a

Board of Trustees, elected at the Annual General Meeting, to serve a period of two

years, subject to ratification at each Annual General Meeting.

The Boaz Trust’s trustees are responsible for the overall management of the charity.

Trustees are chosen for their commitment to asylum seekers and for expertise. The

trustees set and oversee The Boaz Trust’s policies and plans, oversee its financial

affairs, and supervise the work of the Chief Executive in carrying out these policies

and plans. All trustees are unpaid. The Chief Executive is appointed by the trustees

and is accountable to them for managing the charity as a whole.

The Chief Executive manages and is supported by the Boaz staff team comprising of

Supported Housing Manager

Housing Maintenance Manager (0.4 FTE)

Female Case Worker

Male Case Worker

Night Shelter Co-ordinator (0.6 FTE during October – May)

Director and Founder (Networking and Campaigns)

Fundraising and Communications Manager

Office and Volunteer Manager

Bookkeeper (0.4 FTE)

The Boaz Trust also employs a consultant lawyer as Legal Services Manager (0.4 FTE).

Charity Objects

The objects of the Boaz Trust are:

To relieve financial hardship amongst those seeking asylum, those granted

asylum and their dependents who are destitute and living temporarily or

permanently in Greater Manchester and the surrounding area. This will be

done particularly but not exclusively by the provision of temporary

accommodation, advice, information, support and advocacy.

Such other charitable purposes for the benefit of those seeking asylum, those

granted refugee status and their dependents who are destitute in such ways

as the trustees shall determine.


Our Aim

No more asylum destitution – that is the aim of the Boaz Trust. We want to end

destitution amongst people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

What We Do

The Boaz Trust is a support service for destitute asylum seekers and refugees in Greater

Manchester. Boaz provides accommodation to those in greatest need through

supported housing, a hosting scheme, and a night shelter. Beneficiaries living in Boaz

accommodation can access a ‘Boaz Life’ programme of educational, recreational

and practical activities that promote wellbeing and encourage integration and

participation in the community. Case Workers and the Legal Services Manager offer

advice and support to enable beneficiaries to move on and find a resolution to the

situation that made them homeless.

Boaz speaks up for asylum seekers and advocates for their rights. We work alongside

all of like mind, and particularly the Christian Church, to bring about a just and

compassionate asylum system.

The Boaz Trust is the only provider of accommodation and holistic support for destitute

asylum seekers in Greater Manchester.

Public Benefit

Each year the trustees review our objectives and activities to ensure they continue to

reflect our aims. In carrying out this review trustees have considered the Charity

Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

Boaz provides accommodation and support for homeless and destitute asylum

seekers and refugees. Many refused asylum seekers have no recourse to public funds

and are not allowed to work. They receive no benefit payments or housing and have

no means to support themselves. By accommodating and supporting homeless

asylum seekers and refugees our work benefits those individuals, and reduces strain

on emergency and community organisations.

Through Boaz’s support and activity programme beneficiaries reconnect with society

and contribute to community life, which in turn improves integration and cohesion.

Boaz runs awareness raising and training events across the UK, which improves public

understanding of asylum seekers and refugees.


Achievements and Performance

At the start of the year we set ourselves a number of objectives for 2013-2014. These

are below, together with a brief summary on progress made towards these

objectives. Additional commentary is included in the Housing, Boaz Life and Raising

awareness sections of this report.

Establish an income-

generating refugee housing

project

The Refugee Supported Housing Social Enterprise was

launched in October 2013 providing homeless refugees

with affordable accommodation and with support

accessing education and employment. Refugee rent

payments contribute towards Boaz housing costs.

Establish a male asylum

seeker support project

A support programme for male asylum seekers began

in October 2013, and includes individual Case Worker

support, legal advice and representation, and a

programme of educational and recreational activities.

Reorganise, strengthen and

consolidate the staff team

Ros Holland was appointed at Chief Executive in

September 2013. A team away day took place in

November to discuss the charity’s vision and values.

Increase beneficiary

involvement in all aspects

of charity life

A former beneficiary is on the Board of Trustees, and

one staff member has experience of life as an asylum

seeker. Increased numbers of beneficiaries are

participating in Boaz community events, and

volunteering with local organisations.

Strengthen church networks

to better support asylum

seekers

‘Help! There’s an Asylum Seeker in my Church’

conferences took place in Manchester and Southend-

on-Sea.

Develop campaign

networks

Partnerships were strengthened with the British Red

Cross, NACCOM organisations and Still Human Still Here

networks.

Increase financial stability

Boaz’s regular income from rent payments has

increased in line with increased provision of refugee

housing. However we recognise an urgent need to

grow more sustainable income streams and reduce

dependence on funding from Trusts and Foundations.


Beneficiaries

From 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014, a total of 158 refused asylum seekers, and

refugees were accommodated by the Boaz Trust, with 102 individuals staying in

hosted or housed accommodation. A total of 67 asylum seeker and refugee men

stayed in the night shelter, eleven of which were able to move into Boaz hosted or

housed accommodation when space became available.

We received a total of 178 referrals and managed a continual waiting list for our

services. Fifty six per cent of beneficiaries in housed and hosted accommodation

were female, 44 per cent were male. The majority of housed and hosted beneficiaries

came from Iran (27), Eritrea (26), Democratic Republic of Congo (10) and Zimbabwe

(8). Others had fled from Afghanistan (1), China (1), Congo Brazzaville (1), Cote

d’Ivoire (2), Ethiopia (4), Gambia (3), Guinea (1), Iraq (1), Kenya (1), Kuwait (1), Libya

(1), Malawi (1), Nigeria (1), Palestine (1), Pakistan (1), Somalia (1), South Africa (1), Sri

Lanka (2), Sudan (3), Tibet (1), Turkey (1) and Yemen (1).

A total of 44 beneficiaries moved on from Boaz over the year. This included 30 asylum

seekers who moved into Section 4 accommodation following the submission of a

fresh asylum claim; two asylum seekers moved into other statutory accommodation,

six asylum seekers left to live with friends or family, and six refugees moved into

privately rented accommodation or to stay with friends. One client returned to their

home country through the Assisted Voluntary Return service. Eight beneficiaries

received Leave to Remain in the UK.

Zena’s story

Zena (name changed) is from Ethiopia. When Zena was 16, she was arrested due to

her family connection with a banned political movement. She was imprisoned and

raped, before being released with the proviso that she became a false witness

against others. Once out of prison, friends warned her against returning home. They

hid her in a safe house and raised funds, enabling her to flee the country. When Zena

arrived in the UK her claim for asylum was dismissed due to a lack of evidence that

could prove her story. Shortly afterwards Zena attempted suicide and was admitted

to hospital. She had no recourse to public funds, no access to housing, and became

street homeless before coming to the Boaz Trust. Zena moved into a Boaz shared

house and received support from Boaz Case Workers and our Legal Support

Manager. With support, she was able to obtain evidence to support her asylum

claim. In 2013 she was finally granted leave to remain as a refugee. Zena is now

attending college and volunteering with a local women’s charity. She hopes to find

a part time job and is positive about the future.


Housing

The number of houses leased to Boaz has grown from 12 to 15 over the year. One

house was returned to its owner as planned, and four additional houses were leased,

free of charge or at low cost, from individual supporters. The additional properties

have made it possible to accommodate increased numbers of asylum seeking men,

and refugee men and women. Ten shared houses accommodate asylum seekers,

and five are allocated for refugees.

Boaz appointed a Supported Housing Manager in October 2013

to manage Boaz housing and implement our business plan for

a new Refugee Supported Housing Social Enterprise. This

includes providing affordable housing to meet the needs of

homeless refugees, to offer refugees support accessing

education, employment and services, and to manage income

from refugee rent payments that will contribute to Boaz’s

financial sustainability.

Night shelter

Our winter night shelter 2012-2013 closed on 30 April 2013 and reopened on 1

November 2013. Over 50 homeless refugee and asylum seeking men accessed the

emergency shelter between 1 November 2013 and 31 March 2014. Eleven men who

were regularly staying at the shelter were moved into Boaz hosted or housed

accommodation as space became available. The shelter rotates around seven

churches (St James and Emmanuel, Heaton Park Methodist, St Clements Openshaw,

Mount Chapel Salford, Church of the Nazarene Longsight, Church of the Nazarene

Ashton, and South Manchester Family Church) and benefits from an early evening

reception service at the Friends Meeting House in Manchester. During April 2013 the

Friends Meeting house provided overnight accommodation. Volunteers, including

former night shelter beneficiaries, have provided transport, bedding, hot meals, and

friendship.

Hosting scheme

Over the year 24 asylum seekers stayed with local families for periods ranging from

three nights to 12 months. The accommodation and hospitality provided by our

network of 20 hosts has been crucial for new beneficiaries who required

accommodation urgently. The hosting scheme acts as a pathway to a Boaz shared

house for beneficiaries, providing flexibility when spaces in shared houses are not

immediately available.


Basic needs provision

Refused asylum seeker beneficiaries who are not eligible for a British Red Cross food

parcel, received a £10 food allowance from Boaz. On average 50 per cent of asylum

seeker beneficiaries in housed and hosted accommodation received the Boaz food

allowance. An allowance gives beneficiaries who do not have many freedoms, some

choice and dignity. Each month we hold a Drop In (formerly the Free Shop) for

beneficiaries to choose toiletries and foodstuffs donated by supporters. This has

increasingly become a social event, involving volunteers and partner organisations,

and creating space for peer support and friendships to flourish.

Case Worker support

The Case Worker team of staff and social work students on placement provide

practical and pastoral care for all beneficiaries.

Over the last year Case Workers have improved processes and beneficiary care

around the release stage of the Boaz beneficiary journey. This includes preparing

beneficiaries for life beyond Boaz by encouraging resilience, explaining aspects of

the asylum process and what choices they could face in the future, and where

further support might be found.

Time limited support discourages dependency and helps motivate beneficiaries to

work towards a resolution of their situation. Case Workers provide a listening ear,

agree goals, monitor progress at regular review meetings, and refer beneficiaries to

specialist services when appropriate. Feedback and monitoring data has shown

significant improvements in the physical and mental wellbeing of beneficiaries.

Legal support

Boaz provides free legal advice and representation to asylum seeker beneficiaries,

and assists beneficiaries accessing external legal support. This enables asylum seekers

to make informed choices about their future, and work towards a resolution of their

situation.

Over the year 28 beneficiaries submitted fresh asylum claims or made further

submissions in support of their asylum claim. Two beneficiaries were detained in

immigration centres, and then released following intervention from the Boaz Legal

Services Manager. One beneficiary applied for Assisted Voluntary Return and left the

UK.


Boaz life

Boaz life is a programme of activities for asylum seekers developed in consultation

with beneficiaries. During 2013-2014 activities have included:

Heart’s Core dance and drama

Knit and natter

Sewing class

ESOL

Manchester orientation course

Wellbeing workshops covering topics such as anger management, HIV, volunteering,

resilience, self-care, and mental health.

Gardening

DIY and decorating

Nutrition and healthy eating

Exploring British culture

Conversation club

Swimming and fitness

Fitness class

Boaz family nights

These activities provide opportunities for beneficiaries to try new skills, be creative,

pursue interests and enjoy a sense of achievement. Activities act as a form of

therapy, bringing relief from stress and despair. We see beneficiaries growing in

confidence and self-esteem, building new friendships and participating in community

projects beyond Boaz. We are grateful to the volunteers and partner organisations

including Zest, STAR, George House Trust, Mustard Tree, Refugee Action, Community

Arts North West and Trinity Community Church, for their expertise and input into these

activities.


Raising awareness

Boaz is the lead organisation in NACCOM - the No Accommodation Network. This

informal network links charities and projects across the UK providing accommodation

to asylum seekers and migrants. A conference was held in April in Manchester to

share ideas and best practise. In July, NACCOM published a report ‘Tackling

Homelessness and Destitution amongst Migrants with No Recourse to Public Funds’ on

the extent and nature of accommodation provided by member organisations.

Also in July 2013, Boaz ran the first of several conferences titled ‘Help! There’s an

Asylum Seeker in my Church’. The aim is to share resources and equip churches to

better support asylum seekers in their congregations and communities. Following the

Manchester Help! Conference, partner organisations in Southend on Sea held a Help!

conference, and further conferences are planned in Nottingham, Bradford and

Middlesbrough during 2014.

Boaz attracted media coverage when Director Dave Smith returned his British Empire

Medal in protest about government plans to reduce support for asylum seekers.

Throughout the year we continued to share our work with community groups and

churches and attended the New Wine North Christian festival. We have also run a

series of Open Visits where students and researchers have learnt about Boaz and the

need for our work.

Volunteers

In 2013-14 227 volunteers have given their time and skills to support the work of Boaz.

We appreciate and rely on their contribution. The number of volunteers is

approximately 23 times the number of salaried staff. We have once again benefited

from a full time volunteer on placement from the Jesuit Volunteer Community.

Volunteers have hosted beneficiaries, delivered workshops, provided transport,

washed bedding and dishes, supported events, taught English, designed promotional

materials, given office support, supervised the Drop In, painted and decorated

houses, helped garden, provided expert professional advice, mentored staff and

beneficiaries, delivered groceries and cleaning supplies, checked meter readings,

given talks on Boaz, raised funds and much more.


Thank you

Thank you to everyone who has given to make the work of the Boaz Trust possible. We

are grateful to the following Trusts and Foundations for their support during 2013-2014.

A B Charitable Trust

Aidan Charitable Trust

All Churches Trust

AW.60 Charitable Trust

The Big Lottery

British Red Cross

Comic Relief

The Henry Smith Charity

Jesuit Fund for Social Justice

Jill Franklin Trust

The John Grant Davies Trust

The Homeless Transition Fund

Manchester City Council

The Marsh Christian Trust

The Maurice & Hilda Laing Foundation

Metropolitan Migration Foundation

The Odin Charitable Trust

The Scurrah Wainwright Charity

Souter Charitable Trust

Tabeel Trust

Tearfund

The Treeside Trust

Trusthouse Charitable Foundation

The Tudor Trust


Financial Summary

The Total Incoming Resources of £362,913 is an increase of 18% on the previous year and

has enabled Boaz to increase expenditure on Charitable Activities. The 2014 Total for Net

Incoming Resources was £6,874 meaning that Boaz funds showed a slight improvement

over the previous year.

Income from refugee housing has increased from 3% to 10% and is an indicator of how

Boaz is diversifying funding. Grants make up 57% of incoming resources demonstrating

success in sourcing funds for specific purposes. The faithful generosity of individuals (16%),

and churches and organisations (6%), has been integral to Boaz realising objectives.

Expenditure on salaries, office costs and client accommodation has remained constant in

percentage terms against the previous year.

The annual accounts of Boaz demonstrate that faith has not been misplaced and that the

funds which were required were received. The trustees join with conscientious staff, big-

hearted volunteers and generous supporters in thankfulness for abundant provision which

has enabled so much to be achieved for those whom Boaz supports.

Reserves policy

These are unrestricted funds available for the general purpose of the organisation but are

funds that have been earmarked by the trustees as a reserve in the event that the charity

ceased activity. An amount of £15,000 is included for works that may be needed on

houses prior to returning them to owners. An additional amount of reserves required to

cover day to day running costs is calculated based on the projected gap between the

budgeted expenditure and predicted income from identified sources for the year ahead.

The trustees have a policy to keep reserves that will cover 50% of this gap. For the

forthcoming year 2014-15, this corresponded to £22,000. The total reserves required as at 31

March 2014 was therefore set at £37,000. The trustees will review the reserves every six

months with the next review due on 30 September 2014.


Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial

statement in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial

statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity, of the

incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing

these financial statements the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies

and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities

Statement of Recommended Practice; make judgement and estimates that are

reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been

followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial

statements; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is

inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with

reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to

ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity

(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the

assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and

detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 29 June 2014 and is signed

on their behalf by:

Mike Arundale

Chair of Trustees

Stay in touch

The Boaz Trust

First Floor, 110 Oldham Road

Manchester M4 6AG

www.boaztrust.org.uk

T: 0161 202 1056

[email protected]

theboaztrust

@boaztrust

Donate

Text BOAZ44 £5 to 70070

Visit www.my.give.net/boaztrust

trustees annual report 2013 2014

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