boaz annual report 2012-13

Registered Charity No. 1110344

3

Aims and Purpose :: 4

A Message from the Chair of Trustees :: 5

Objectives and Activities :: 6

Achievements and Performance :: 8

Accommodation :: 9

Boaz Life and Support :: 11

Moving on from Boaz :: 13

The Boaz Team :: 14

Raising Awareness and Campaigning :: 16

Funding :: 19

A Message from our Director :: 21

Objectives for 2013-14 :: 22

Structure, Governance and Management :: 23

Policies and Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities :: 24

Independent Examiner’s Report and Accounts :: 25

4

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

unjust treatment of asylum seekers in the UK, and will work tirelessly until that is achieved.

The Boaz Trust is a support service for destitute asylum seekers and refugees in Manchester. It

provides accommodation to those in greatest need through supported housing, a hosting

scheme where local residents offer a spare room, and a winter night shelter for men. Boaz clients

are offered holistic care to meet their physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs.

We aim to provide a quality service that helps asylum seeker clients progress towards status as

refugees in the UK. Whilst in our accommodation we offer clients a programme of educational,

recreational and practical activities that promote wellbeing and encourage integration and

participation in the community. It also assists readiness for the transition to permanent residence

in the UK and eventual British citizenship. Case workers ensure that each client has an individual

action plan, with on-going care, support and regular reviews. Our legal support service provides

clients with essential legal advice and representation.

We feel obligated to speak out on behalf of asylum seekers and advocate for their rights as long

as injustice remains. We aim to do all in our power, working alongside all of like mind, and

particularly the Christian Church, to bring about a just and compassionate asylum system. Until

this is achieved we will continue to offer our services to destitute asylum seekers and refugees.

An asylum seeker’s government support ends 21 days after their claim for sanctuary in the UK is

refused. Asylum seekers are given the option of appeal but most have neither the financial,

emotional or legal capacity to represent their case to the UK Border Agency, let alone an

immigration judge. Refused asylum seekers are too frightened to return home for fear of death

or persecution and following the withdrawal of housing and benefits, asylum seekers find

themselves destitute and homeless or sofa surfing. The quality of initial decision making in asylum

cases is poor with over a quarter of all refusals being overturned on appeal.

Refugees often struggle to find affordable accommodation when they first receive Leave to

Remain. They have few documents, no permanent residence, no guarantor or job. Social

housing is oversubscribed and private rent charges continue to rise. During Winter 2012-13 Boaz

saw a sharp increase in the number of homeless refugees accessing the Boaz Night Shelter.

Boaz takes regular referrals of vulnerable destitute asylum seekers and refugees from partner

organisations. We manage a continual waiting list as demand for our support service remains

high.

5

This is my first year as chair, following on from six years of dedicated

service from Jo Garbutt. I would like to pay tribute to Jo for her

commitment, staying-power and willingness to confront difficult

issues. Her faithfulness and spiritual oversight were instrumental in

guiding Boaz through a cultural transition from what might be seen as

an adolescent start-up to a larger and more mature family unit.

As I take up the reins, I am reminded of the title one of our Director

Dave’s favourite books: “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to

get out of the boat.”

We are not in control. While I would very much wish to reassure supporters and funders that

trustees work hard to ensure robust management and monitoring systems for the workings of the

charity (and have made considerable progress this year), the fact remains that, once again, we

look back at the end of the year with gratitude for what Dave describes as ‘God’s favour’. We

seek to stay close to God’s heart for the marginalised people we serve. We then attempt to

‘work as if work is the only thing that works and pray as if prayer is the only thing that works’. And

somehow God joins the dots.

This year, we are intending to get out of the boat in two key areas: extending the service we

offer to asylum-seeking men and setting up a social enterprise project providing supported

refugee housing. We are currently firming up our proposals and seeking funding for both

initiatives, which will have a significant impact on the Boaz ‘offer’, our organisation and staffing.

As we look ahead to these challenges and reflect on what has been in many respects a difficult

year, with the political attitude towards our clients noticeably hardening, we continue to seek

God’s favour on behalf of the community we serve. Staying with the picture of the sailing boat,

our aspiration is well summed up by a quote from EF Schumacher’s book, Good Work:

“I certainly never feel discouraged. I can’t myself raise the winds that might blow us

or this ship into a better world. But I can at least put up the sail so that, when the wind

comes, I can catch it.”

Dr Mike Arundale

Chair of Trustees

6

Objectives of the Boaz Trust as detailed in our Constitution:

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 activities fit into an operational model we call Catch – Hold – Release.

Catch provides clients with much needed security and stability. Boaz prevents clients falling any

further into poverty and destitution by providing safe accommodation in 12 houses, a winter

night shelter and through a network of volunteer hosts. We provide clients with essentials such as

food and toiletries.

Hold focuses on recovery and motivation. We provide a one-year programme of practical and

pastoral support to clients in our accommodation, to help them recover from trauma, regain

their physical and mental health and start rebuilding their lives. Case workers provide a vital

point of continuity and reassurance to clients, as well as practical support with access to health

care and trauma counselling. The Legal Services Manager helps clients progress with their

asylum case and find a resolution to the situation that made them destitute. Boaz organises

weekly activities for clients including ESOL, sewing and local walks. These activities provide

opportunities for peer support, friendship and learning new skills.

Release sees clients moving on from Boaz into alternative accommodation. With the help of

Boaz and partner agencies the majority of clients move into Section 4 statutory housing whilst

fresh asylum claims are considered. Others make their own arrangements and move in with

friends. Boaz has been a place for these clients to recover and plan for the future. Occasionally

a client decides to return to their home country, for a range of reasons, and Boaz is able to

support clients through this process. We are increasingly seeing a housing need for refugees

who have recently been granted leave to remain, but struggle to find affordable housing and

access care entitlements. In the future we aim to see more of our refugee clients gaining

employment and qualifications, being able to integrate into communities, and in time find their

own accommodation.

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At the start of the year we set ourselves a number of objectives for 2012—13. These are recorded

below, together with the progress we have made towards meeting them.

1. Focus on the

sustainability and

diversifying funding sources

Improved internal reporting of funding and financial position

Small budget surplus achieved (deficit in two previous years)

Increased number of regular givers

Successful stage one application to major grant making

organisation

Continued focus needed to reduce dependency on grant

income through building supporter base and generating

earned income

2. Develop our Refugee

Housing Project

Increased from one to three houses for refugee clients,

providing accommodation for 12 refugees

Design of support package for refugees to be delivered by

social work students on placement

Research into obtaining an exemption from the local

authority housing allowance to increase rental income

Project launch scheduled for 2013-14 (see objective 5)

3. Enhance client

empowerment through the

development of male and

female client programmes

Carried out evaluation surveys to inform Boaz Life planning and

implementation

Increased opportunities for Boaz clients to volunteer inside and

outside of Boaz

Piloted Manchester Orientation programme with male night

shelter clients

4. Empower churches across

the UK to engage with asy-

lum issues, and strengthen

existing networks with a view

to bring about lasting change

in the asylum system

Increased number of churches who have made Boaz their

mission partner and now give regularly to our work

Commenced work on the new three year Refugee and

Asylum Seeker Church Empowerment Programme, designed to

help churches better support asylum seekers and refugees

5. Develop a project

business plan with a view to

finding more sustainable

sources of income

Social enterprise workshop held with staff and trustees

Refugee housing identified as main initiative to be take

forward in 2013-14

Brief being compiled for external consultancy support to

develop full business plan

8

From 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Boaz housed or hosted a total of 91 clients including 12

refugees. We supported 38 new clients in housed and hosted accommodation, 30 asylum

seekers and eight refugees.

Of the 41 clients that moved on from Boaz, 19 moved into section 4 statutory accommodation

whilst they wait for their fresh asylum claim to be considered. Nine asylum seekers have moved

on to stay with friends or other contacts. Sadly one client was detained and forcibly removed to

the Ivory Coast.

Despite the sadness of this one case, we are thrilled that 13 clients received some form of Leave

to Remain in the UK. This is a major turning point in the lives of these clients, many of whom

have waited in limbo for years, not able to work or get on with their lives. It is the start of a new

journey, with new challenges, but we hope their time at Boaz will have helped them put down

roots in local communities, and equipped them for the future. In the last year one of our

refugee clients was able to move out of Boaz accommodation and rent privately after gaining

employment.

Boaz accommodated

destitute asylum seekers

and refugees from 24

countries. The countries

of our housed and

hosted clients are

shown in the graph.

Many of the countries

listed have recently

experienced war and/

or serious human rights

violations.

Boaz has housed and hosted 56 women including 49 asylum seekers and seven refugees, and

36 men, 30 asylum seekers and six refugees. From 1 November to 31 March 2013, 63 men

accessed the night shelter and of these men, 38 stayed for seven nights or longer. The night

shelter continued to run to the end of April 2013.

9

The 2012 – 13 Boaz night shelter was hosted in

Manchester and Salford by:

Church of the Nazarene, Longsight

Heaton Park Methodist Church

Mount Chapel, Salford

Quaker Friends Meeting House,

Manchester City Centre

South Manchester Family Church

St Clements, Openshaw

St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury

The shelter rotated around the above venues and accommodated up to 12 men every night.

We are incredibly grateful to the many volunteers who co-ordinated venues, cooked meals,

washed bedding and provided transport. In total, 63 men accessed the night shelter which is

20 more than last year. The majority of men stayed over two weeks with the longest stay being

for 148 nights!

This winter we noted a sharp increase in the number of homeless refugee men being referred to

the night shelter. These men had Leave to Remain but most had no statutory support in place.

The night shelter was frequently oversubscribed and we recognise a need for a permanent

night shelter for asylum seekers. Those who stayed regularly at the night shelter were offered

legal advice by the Boaz Legal Services Manager.

Two additional houses have been leased to Boaz in

the last year. We now manage 12 houses, nine for asylum

seekers and three for refugees. We are very thankful to

the generous individuals, Green Pastures Housing and

Manchester Anglican Diocese, who have leased Boaz

property to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees.

The provision of safe accommodation relieves clients of

the stress of finding a place to sleep each night. It

enables them to focus on recovery, their asylum case

and preparing for their future. To help maintain the

properties, Boaz employed a part time Housing Maintenance Manager, Stephen Daniels, from

November 2012.

www.lifewithoutpapers.co.uk


10

Approximately a third of Boaz clients stay with local families and individuals. Hosts give spare

rooms in their homes to host asylum seeker guests for periods ranging from a week to a year.

Over the last year four households hosted for the first time. We are extremely thankful for the

flexibility, care and support provided by our hosts. Historically more women than men have

been hosted, but at the end of March 2013 we had equal numbers of male and female hosted

clients.

Sabine fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to persecution for her political beliefs.

We have known Sabine for three years. She first started coming to our free English classes whilst

waiting for a decision on her asylum application. Unfortunately her application was refused and

she became street homeless.

Boaz provided Sabine with accommodation in one of our shared houses and helped her register

with a local GP. During her time with Boaz, Sabine was actively involved in the women’s

wellbeing programme, particularly in projects involving drama and music. She wanted to give

something back to the community so she volunteered each week with a local homeless charity.

Sabine had struggled to find a solicitor in Manchester who could help her with her asylum case,

so we arranged for her to see the Boaz Legal Services Manager, who worked with her to submit

a fresh claim to the Home Office.

In 2012 Sabine was granted discretionary leave to remain in the UK for three years. At this point,

Sabine moved into a Boaz house for refugee women. Boaz worked with partner organisations to

help Sabine access benefits and training opportunities. Sabine would love to find a job where

she is able to care for people, and we hope that she will have the chance to do this soon.

11

Boaz provides a weekly food allowance of £8 to 45% of housed and hosted asylum seeker

clients. Asylum seeker clients who do not receive a Boaz food allowance are able to claim a

British Red Cross food parcel every week for one year.

We recognise £8 is not sufficient to live on and are thankful to supporters for donations of food

and toiletries that are distributed each month at our client ‘free shop’. Due to storage limitations

we no longer request regular donations of clothing. Our partnership with the Mustard Tree

homelessness charity means clients have access to low cost clothing. In addition to providing a

valued source of essential food and toiletries, the free shop has become an enjoyable social

event bringing clients and volunteers together.

All Boaz clients receive individually tailored support

from Case Workers. This support provides a vital point

of continuity and reassurance for clients. Support

accessing healthcare and specialist services e.g.

Freedom from Torture counselling, is provided.

Clients and Case Workers agree goals at review

meetings with the aim of increasing client motivation

and providing clients with a greater sense of control.

All clients have an initial meeting with a Case Worker

followed by quarterly reviews.

The Boaz legal service is essential if clients are to work

towards a resolution to the situation that made them

destitute. There is often a long wait for clients after they

submit new evidence in support of their asylum claim.

Over the past year 27 clients who submitted fresh claims

waited for a decision for longer than six months. Of these

27, 16 successfully accessed section 4 statutory accommo-

dation and 11 remain in Boaz accommodation working

towards a section 4 application.

Boaz Legal Services Manager Raj Brightman

12

Boaz life is the new name for ‘meaningful lives’, a

programme of weekly activities for clients. Our English classes

(beginner / intermediate / advanced) run by dedicated

volunteers continue to be well attended. The work produced

by clients at the regular sewing group has become

increasingly impressive.

The Wednesday walk group have visited numerous

local places of interest including the John Rylands

library, Salford Quays and the Peoples History Museum.

These visits provide a temporary relief and distraction for

individuals battling anxiety and depression.

We are thankful to partner organisation Community Arts

North West for leading creative drama workshops attended

by Boaz clients. We are also grateful to ZEST who provided

clients with treats such as hand massage and nail art.

The women’s wellbeing group has been well attended. Discussions and workshops have

covered a range of topics e.g. nutrition, drugs, CV writing. As part of a ‘preparing for

employment’ activity female clients and the Senior Case Worker visited a John Lewis store and

spoke to staff about the attributes and skills they look for in new staff.

The new Boaz men’s group have benefitted from

monthly meetings and topical discussions on

health, fitness and volunteering. A visit to Rivington

Pike with men from the night shelter was a

highlight. One man said

We are grateful to the volunteers and community groups who have delivered one off workshops

or activities for Boaz clients. These have covered a range of topics including healthy eating,

volunteering, anger management, art, photography and local history.

13

During April - June 2012, we were privileged to partner with Community Arts North West (CAN)

on an arts project involving 19 Boaz women. The project culminated with Boaz women

performing as part of the Manchester Day Parade.

Every Wednesday morning workshops were held to make colourful costumes from recycled

materials and in the afternoon there were energetic samba-reggae dance classes. With the

support of CAN, and our own volunteers (in particular Katie Lamb and Kathryn Mason), the

workshops provided an opportunity to build relationships and learn new skills. We saw several

clients grow in confidence. One participant told us that it was a chance to forget about the

stress and anxiety in her life.

On the day of the Manchester Parade, we were thrilled to see that women from Boaz dressed

as “Exodus Butterflies” had been chosen to lead the parade. Around 80,000 people cheered

them on as they danced through the city. One client told us that she relished the opportunity

to perform and had fun taking part -

Of the 41 clients that moved on from Boaz in the last year, 19 moved into section 4

statutory accommodation. This can be a difficult time for clients as the accommodation

provided is frequently in locations outside of Greater Manchester. For clients that have

developed support networks and friendships in Manchester, the move away can be stressful

and isolating.

Nine asylum seekers have moved on from Boaz to stay with friends or other contacts. For these

clients Boaz has been a place of respite and recovery. One client was detained and forcibly

removed to the Ivory Coast.

During the last year we have seen nine Boaz clients granted five years or indefinite

Leave to Remain. A further four clients were granted 2.5 years Leave to Remain and

will need to apply for an extension in two years’ time.

In the forthcoming year Boaz will commission a business plan for a Refugee Housing Project

which may lead to an expansion of Boaz refugee housing. Refugees would be able to pay rent

to Boaz once they have housing benefit entitlements in place. These payments would make

the Refugee Housing Project sustainable and potentially contribute towards the costs of

housing asylum seekers.

14

As Boaz’s beneficiary numbers increase and Boaz

support services extend, staff roles were updated in

September 2012 and the new posts of Chief Executive and

Senior Case Worker were established. At this point we said

goodbye to Support Worker Nigel Biggs (pictured) after six

years’ service.

Five Salford University students undertook academic placements at Boaz as part of their MA

Social Work or Occupational Therapy course. We have benefitted from their insights and

projects ranging from leading a Manchester orientation course to the creation of ‘Boaz house

manuals’. We have also welcomed visits from students on placements with partner

organisations including Refugee Action, Rainbow Haven, Revive, George House Trust and

Freedom from Torture.

Over the last year Boaz has supported 14 research projects including undergraduate

dissertations and PhDs. A small asylum library has been created to help students with research.

The Boaz Student Volunteer Programme was launched in autumn 2012. The eight week

programme was designed and run by

students for student peers who wished to

learn about the asylum process and the

Boaz Trust. The aim was to provide students

with an overview of asylum issues and

encourage longer term engagement with

asylum organisations. All places on the

programme were taken, including eight

on the autumn programme and 12 on the

spring programme. Three student volunteers

went on to write dissertations on asylum issues

and five have become regular volunteers for

Boaz. We would like to acknowledge and

thank three volunteers – Bénédicte Bosmans,

Sarah Dickson and Katie Lifford – for the time

and work they put into the Student Volunteer

Programme to make it a success.

15

Boaz is grateful to the many volunteers who give their time and expertise to support our work.

This includes those who teach English, provide transport, run the night shelters, organise the

monthly client Free Shop, help set up events, act as Boaz ambassadors, give talks, facilitate

workshops, help with office administration, and much more.

Eve Mwadiwa writes

We are grateful to Bénédicte Bosmans and Priscille Berthet who

volunteered with Boaz for a year as part of the Jesuit Volunteer

Programme. Bénédicte and Priscille provided reception cover and

supported many aspects of Boaz’s work. Bénédicte writes,

A team from St Mary’s and Sale West churches spent a

week decorating rooms in a Boaz house, and also ran

the monthly client free shop. It was great to meet the

team and their hard work was evident. The team

wrote:

16

Boaz continues to campaign for an end to the destitution of asylum seekers and refugees. We

do this in a variety of ways, for example:

Taking part in events (e.g. exhibitions, talks, conferences) that challenge negative

portrayals of asylum seekers.

Engaging with decision makers at a local and national level to raise issues affecting our

beneficiaries.

Joining together with other refugee and asylum seeker support groups to form strong

coalitions and alliances around specific issues.

In June we were delighted to welcome Baroness Maeve Sherlock OBE as our

new patron, alongside John Leech MP. Baroness Sherlock has been Chief

Executive of the Refugee Council so has a wealth of experience in the asylum

field. She is currently working on a doctorate in Theology at Durham University.

In June, Dave Smith, Founder and Director of the Boaz Trust, was awarded the British Empire

Medal as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Dave said,

“the award recognises the role of The Boaz Trust, making

a significant impact on the asylum community within

Manchester. It is a reflection not only of my own efforts

but of the wider team of trustees, staff, volunteers and

supporters. Standing with the most broken and vulnerable

people in our society is not an easy task, and we are

encouraged that this vital work has been recognised.

At the same time, it seems to me that there is a

disconnect somewhere. The BEM honours the work of The

Boaz Trust with asylum seekers who have been refused

asylum by the Home Office but not deported. These

individuals are left with nothing- no housing, no support,

and no clear end in sight to their plight. It seems strange

for me to be acknowledged whilst the UK Government continues to ignore those I represent. I

am hopeful that as a result of this award we can raise even more awareness about the needs

of destitute asylum seekers, and continue to see breakthrough and transformation across the

city and beyond!”

Writer Len Grant shared the story of Boaz client Sinan with

readers of the award winning blog lifewithoutpapers.co.uk.

Sinan is in limbo with no papers to prove his nationality.


17

Awareness about the work of the Boaz Trust

continues to grow. Boaz was shortlisted for a

Civil Society Award in June 2012 and came

away with a ‘highly commended’ certificate

presented by Baroness Sherlock.

In December the Boaz Trust made the national press as a winner of a

Guardian Charity Award. This was a welcome platform to share our work and issues affecting

asylum seekers with new audiences. Caroline Diehl, a judge of the Guardian awards and Chief

Executive of The Media Trust, said:

In July Boaz staff and clients helped run the week-long Escape to Safety exhibition in

Manchester as part of an initiative of the growing Manchester City of Sanctuary group. The

exhibition was housed in a large trailer, and took the visitor through a powerful multi-media

presentation of what it is like to flee and seek sanctuary in another country.

Boaz was privileged to have Artist in Residence, Elizabeth Kwant, paint large scale portraits of

ten asylum seeking women. The exhibition opening night in January was a celebration of her

work and the women who featured in the paintings. It was moving to see asylum seeker clients,

who have been hidden from society, as celebrities for a night. The paintings showed the

paradox of life as an asylum seeker in the UK. To be, but to have no voice, having life but

waiting to live it. We are hopeful there will be further opportunities to exhibit the Tracing

Presence collection.

18

The Boaz team of staff, volunteers and clients ran

marketplace stands at New Wine North and Greenbelt

festivals. It was great to see new and familiar faces, and share

the work of Boaz. We were grateful to New Wine for the

opportunity to run a seminar on asylum and grow our

relationship with New Wine churches.

Director Dave also ran a workshop at Greenbelt on

Immigration and Detention. We were again indebted to the

fantastic Festival Harvest team who efficiently organised the

collection of food for Boaz, from stall holders and campers.

Boaz representatives delivered over 30 talks to church

congregations, groups and conferences. In January

2013 we received funding from Tearfund to further the

replication of Boaz’s work in churches and charities

across the UK. Over the next two years Boaz will

facilitate several regional conferences designed to

empower churches to engage effectively with asylum

seekers and refugees in their congregations and

communities.

NACCOM is a network of organisations

accommodating destitute migrants, mainly asylum seekers, across the UK. It provides

networking opportunities for member groups through quarterly regional and focus meetings, and

a national conference. These meetings offer, along with the website and regular mailings, a

chance to share knowledge and best practice; work together to highlight the plight of those

who are refused asylum; and gather support for destitute asylum seekers and migrants. Over the

past year one local group closed and two new organisations, in Edinburgh and Southend, joined

the network, taking the total to 31. The network is co-ordinated by Boaz Director Dave Smith. A

new NACCOM steering group met for the first time in January, despite heavy snow on the day.

The nine members of the steering group are committed to delivering innovative accommoda-

tion schemes in their regions.

During 2012 a new network was formed, with the express intention of engaging with UKBA on a

local level. Boaz, represented by Dave Smith, is a key agency on the steering group. The group

met with UKBA team leaders in Liverpool, spoke to 30 asylum case-owners and has been invited

to deliver further training on asylum issues. The group also met several times with Serco, the new

asylum accommodation provider for the North West, and has been able to raise a number of

key issues.

19

Our regular giving scheme ‘Friends of Boaz’ has

grown to include 126 supporters. We are grateful

to those who support our work on a regular basis

as it helps us plan knowing the level of funding we

are likely to receive.

The response to the Boaz shortfall appeals in July 2012 and February 2013 was remarkable. Thank

you to everyone who gave generously. The funding we received in response to these appeals

enabled Boaz to avoid a reduction in client services.

Thank you to those individuals, families, organisations and churches who gave a one – off

donation during the year to support Boaz. We have been greatly appreciative of these

donations and they have enabled our work to continue.

Thank you to all the churches that have prayed for us and supported the work of Boaz in

practical ways. This has included selling Christmas cards, organising fundraising events, taking

one off collections and inviting Boaz speakers to raise awareness about asylum seeker

destitution. Several Manchester churches have made Boaz their mission partner. It’s great to see

churches recognising mission needs in our city. Boaz remains eager to partner Christians and

churches in serving the asylum seeker community.

There have been some great sponsored

challenges over the year including:

Lent Endurance Challenge (living off a

British Red Cross food parcel for a week)

Manchester 10k Run

Tough Mudder Challenge

STAR sleep out

Pedalling to Paris

These events have raised a total of £5,874.

Thank you to all involved for your efforts and

sponsorship. Thanks to those who have

organised events to raise funds and the profile

of the Boaz Trust. There have been bake sales,

dinner parties, board game evenings, and

music nights.

20

We are grateful to the Charities, Trusts and Foundations who have supported Boaz’s work. These

include:

The majority of Boaz’s funding for 2012 -13 has been received from Trusts, Foundations and Grant

Making organisations. Boaz continues to pursue avenues which will help diversify and grow

income including growing the regular supporter base, partnership with local organisations and

the Refugee Supported Housing Project. The examined accounts for 2011-12 show that Boaz had

made losses for the second consecutive year. At this point the Boaz Trust did not have sufficient

funds to meet the established reserves level. In the 2012-13 examined accounts expenditure

levels have continued to increase but the Trust has also taken positive action to increase

fundraising activity, including applications to trusts, foundations and grant making foundations,

appeals, regular giving and gift aid reclaim. Consequently, despite the increased operational

levels the Trust has achieved a small surplus and this has ensured that we have been able to

meet our reserves policy in 2012-13.

A B Charitable Trust

Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation

British Red Cross

Comic Relief

Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund

Henry Smith Charity

Jesuit Fund for Social Justice

Marsh Christian Trust

Persula Foundation

Tearfund

Zochonis Trust

21

What will we remember, as we look back at the

financial year 2012-13? In many ways it has been the

toughest year since Boaz began in 2004. There was

increasing need amongst our clients, as seen in the

constantly full Winter Night Shelter. Even refugees with

status were being made homeless. Then there was the

closure of the only dedicated GP clinic for asylum

seekers and refugees, adding to the health burdens

our clients bear. There was a worsening economic

crisis, with rising utility bills and a black hole that kept

appearing in the Boaz finances. There were changes

in staff that required recruitment and a reshuffling of

roles. It was a very tough year.

But I won’t remember the year for any of those things. I will remember it for the faithfulness of

God, and the faithfulness of our fantastic supporters and volunteers. I don’t like to make financial

appeals, preferring to trust that the work we do will speak for itself, but last year we felt it

important on two occasions to let our supporters know there was a looming funding crisis. And,

as always, they responded in a way that was very humbling. The appeals were successful – the

crisis never materialised.

At the same time we were being offered more houses to use – always unexpectedly, and always

when we were struggling to cope with what we had! It was as if God was saying “You can

handle more!” And so, when most charities were cutting back and having to make people

redundant, Boaz was expanding.

Everyone at Boaz works hard. Staff regularly work overtime for no extra pay. Trustees don’t just

turn up for an odd meeting – they carry the charity on their shoulders and in their hearts.

Volunteers selflessly give hours of their time and energy. Supporters give, give, and give again.

Clients and former clients increasingly want to give back, as we see when they willingly bring

delicious food for the Family Night celebrations. We are all in it together. We are Team Boaz!

But hard work alone does not explain how Boaz is bucking the trend. I think the only explanation

is the favour of God on our work. Many times in the Bible God is referred to as a ‘rock’. Jesus said

that a wise man builds his house on a rock, and if he does, it won’t fall down, no matter what the

weather does. It’s this firm foundation that gives me confidence that Boaz will continue to grow,

not just in terms of houses, but in influence too – until the injustice of asylum destitution in our land

is nothing but a memory.

Dave Smith

Director and Founder of the Boaz Trust

22

1. Establish an income-generating refugee housing project

Recruit consultants to deliver a business plan and establish the financial viability of the

Boaz Trust refugee housing project

Seek funding for a project manager to resource and establish the project

Implement as resources and viability allow

2. Establish male asylum seeker support project

Establish a project to a) improve the mental and physical health of asylum seeking

men b) help them move on from Boaz and reconnect with society, and c) help men

have increased positive engagement with local organisations and communities to

further integration. A funding application to the Big Lottery Reaching Communities

Fund has been submitted

3. Reorganise, strengthen and consolidate the Boaz staff team

In light of the first two objectives, conduct a Boaz-wide review of staffing roles

Reorganise and recruit to fill identified gaps, as required

Review and update internal policies and processes, particularly in relation to human

resources

4. Increase beneficiary involvement

Empower clients to have greater involvement in planning, delivery and

evaluating Boaz Life activities

Identify and celebrate new opportunities for clients to be able to contribute to society

through “giving something back” to Boaz and the community

5. Strengthen local and national church networks

Implement the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Church Empowerment

Programme, delivering a series of ‘Help! There’s an Asylum Seeker in my Church’

conferences in conjunction with the Tearfund replicate scheme

6. Develop campaign networks

Strengthen existing local and national networks working on issues relating to asylum

seekers and refugees (including NACCOM, Still Human Still Here, and the local

Engaging UKBA group and others)

Convene an Asylum and Christianity steering group to engage with UKBA on issues of

conversion and persecution.

7. Increase financial stability

Develop a five year fundraising and communications strategy

Continue to grow our support from individual donors and churches

Explore social enterprise opportunities building on the refugee housing project

23

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.

Trustees:

Dr Mike Arundale (Chair of Trustees from June 2012)

Dr David Bell

Mrs Stephanie Gilson

Ms Martha Mebrahtu (Appointed December 2012)

Mr Martin Palmer (Appointed August 2012)

The Revd Canon Philip Rawlings

Mrs Suzannah Sammons (Appointed June 2012)

Mr David Tomlinson

Mrs Jo Garbutt (Resigned June 2012. Chair of Trustees until resignation)

Director: Mr Dave Smith

Chief Executive Officer: Mr Mark Cloherty

Registered office and operational address:

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

Registered Charity Number: 1110344

Independent Examiners:

Chronicle Accountants , 1 Market Street, Whaley Bridge, High Peak, Derbyshire SK23 7AA

Bankers:

The Co-operative, PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

Solicitors:

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP, 3 St Mary’s Parsonage, Manchester M3 2RD

24

A reserves fund of £15,000 is included for work that may be required on houses prior to returning

them to owners. The 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. It is policy to keep reserves that will cover 50% of this gap.

The total reserves level for 2013-14 is £52,052.

The trustees may invest funds in any manner in accordance with the prevailing law in

connection with the investment of trust funds. The trustees have chosen low risk investments with

£60,000 invested in loan stock with a return of 5%, and the remaining funds in interest bearing

bank accounts.

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

statements 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 on pages 1 to 33 was approved by the Board of Trustees on 14 September

2013 and is signed on their behalf by:

Mike Arundale, Chair of Trustees

40

Call 0161 202 1056

Email [email protected]

Visit our website www.boaztrust.org.uk

First Floor, 110 Oldham Road

Manchester M4 6AG

United Kingdom

@boaztrust

facebook.com/theboaztrust

boaz annual report 2012-13

Documents