Action for Refugees in Lewisham
Analysis
Action for Refugees in Lewisham is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in October 2006, 20 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and human rights/religious or racial harmony/equality or diversity, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05819537). It says it makes grants to individuals, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending May 2025, Action for Refugees in Lewisham reported income of £573k and spending of £522k, spending 91% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from May 2021 to May 2025, income grew from £197k to £573k (+191%), an average of +31% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to May 2024, when income rose by 58%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Action for Refugees in Lewisham sits at the 88th percentile: it is larger than about 88% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 91st percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Hudswell Community Charity (£573k), Circle Community Ltd (£573k) and Redeemer Trust Ltd (£573k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 76% and donations and legacies 22%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £117k would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 16 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 22%
- Charitable activities 76%
- Investments 0.2%
- Other 2.1%
In the charity's own words
AFRIL aims to relieve the poverty of refugees, asylum-seekers and vulnerable migrants, advance their education and advocate for their rights. We work with our service users by providing them with the tools they need to improve their own lives and fulfil their potential as members of the community and society.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Hudswell Community Charity | Richmond | £573k |
| Circle Community Ltd | London | £573k |
| Redeemer Trust Ltd | Plymouth | £573k |
| The Schroder 1905 Trust | London | £573k |