THE DESTITUTION PROJECT
The Destitution Project (DP) aims to provide a safe environment where asylum seekers and refugees who live in Bolton can find friendship, food, and practical help. We deliver our support through two primary arms of activity:1) A weekly Drop-in Centre on a Wednesday, in the Wesley Suite at Victoria Hall. 2) Casework services for asylum seekers, including those who become destitute.
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE:THE RELIEF OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND THE RELIEF OF NEED AMONGST PERSONS WHO ARE SEEKING ASYLUM OR WHO ARE REFUGEES LIVING IN BOLTON, BY PROVIDING:1. INFORMATION AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT IN PARTICULAR, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY, TO THOSE WITH NO RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS;2. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION TO ADVANCE THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND HELP THEM TO INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity reported a deficit of £45,498 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total reserves from £140,163 to £94,665. The trustees state that the funding landscape is challenging and they are actively seeking new sources of support to sustain key roles and services. Despite the deficit, the accounts confirm no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“Grants from other charities 17,000 9,833 26,833 83,907” — page 23
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2025
- Volunteers: 27
- Government income: £1,350 — grants £1,350 (1); 3% of the £41,334 total gross income on the same return
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2024
- Volunteers: 20
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2023
- Volunteers: 19
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (07/02/2022)
Trustees
- Ahmed Mohamed
- Bernard Pele
- DAVID TOMLINSON
- David Batchelor
- Margaret Simpson
- Minesh Dhokia
- Sarah Niamh George
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £41k | £87k |
| 31/03/2024 | £98k | £71k |
| 31/03/2023 | £52k | £83k |
| 31/03/2022 | £43k | £65k |
Common questions
Is THE DESTITUTION PROJECT financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity reported a deficit of £45,498 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total reserves from £140,163 to £94,665. The trustees state that the funding landscape is challenging and they are actively seeking new sources of support to sustain key roles and services. Despite the deficit, the accounts confirm no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds THE DESTITUTION PROJECT?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE DESTITUTION PROJECT as a grant recipient include CHARLES PLATER TRUST, THE MARY KINROSS CHARITABLE TRUST, DUCHY OF LANCASTER BENEVOLENT FUND, THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN SOCIETY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE GREATER MANCHESTER HIGH SHERIFF'S POLICE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES PLATER TRUST | FY2024 | £19k | |
| THE MARY KINROSS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £5k | Small grant |
| DUCHY OF LANCASTER BENEVOLENT FUND | FY2024 | £5k | Community help |
| THE MARY KINROSS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2021 | £5k | Community Development |
| CHARLES PLATER TRUST | FY2025 | £5k | |
| THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN SOCIETY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £4k | |
| CHARLES PLATER TRUST | FY2022 | £3k | |
| THE GREATER MANCHESTER HIGH SHERIFF'S POLICE TRUST | FY2022 | £2k | COVID-19 Grants |
| DUCHY OF LANCASTER BENEVOLENT FUND | FY2025 | £2k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 19/10/2016 | £8k | Helping those on the Margins |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| TRUST FOR LONDON | 2 | £166k |
| THE TOLKIEN TRUST | 1 | £290k |
| THE LEGAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | 1 | £170k |
| THE BARROW CADBURY TRUST | 1 | £100k |
| THE EXILARCH'S FOUNDATION | 1 | £100k |
| THE BROMLEY TRUST | 1 | £90k |
| THE TUIXEN FOUNDATION | 1 | £80k |
| THE A B CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £72k |
Charities like this
- DASH (DESTITUTE ASYLUM SEEKERS HUDDERSFIELD)
- BRISTOL HOSPITALITY NETWORK
- NNLS DESTITUTE ASYLUM SEEKERS DROP IN
- PADDINGTON DEVELOPMENT TRUST
- DISPLACED PEOPLE IN ACTION LTD
- HUMANITY CONCERN PROJECTS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE DESTITUTION PROJECT | £41k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| DASH (DESTITUTE ASYLUM SEEKERS HUDDERSFIELD) | £295k | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| BRISTOL HOSPITALITY NETWORK | £356k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| NNLS DESTITUTE ASYLUM SEEKERS DROP IN | £145k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| PADDINGTON DEVELOPMENT TRUST | £3.2m | — | 3 | above | — | no doubt |
| DISPLACED PEOPLE IN ACTION LTD | £345k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |