The Trustees (who are also directors for the purpose of the Companies Act) present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of Chai-Lifeline Cancer Care (the company) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the company comply with the current statutory requirements, have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
Since the company qualifies as small under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director’s Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.
Reference and Administrative Details
Reference and administrative details are shown in the schedule of members of the board and professional advisors on the legal and administrative information page of the financial statements.
Structure, Governance and Management
Chai-Lifeline Cancer Care is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 24th September 1998 as amended by written resolution on 7th August 2012. It has no share capital. It is a registered charity, Charity number 1078956. The charity is governed by the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.
Appointment of Trustees, Induction and Training
Trustees may be recruited from the Jewish Community. They will be able to demonstrate an ability to support, promote and lead development of the charity. They will have an area of expertise that will enhance the work of the Trustees and contribute to the achievement of the charity’s objectives.
New Trustees undergo induction training to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the objectives and financial performance of the charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
Organisation
The Board of Trustees administers and determines the general policy of the charity.
In January 2025, CEO Lisa Steele retired after 23 years at Chai, and Victoria Portnoi was appointed by the Trustees in February 2025 as CEO to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity with delegated responsibility.
The vast majority of Chai’s staff provides face to face services for clients.
Related Parties
In the year ended 31st March 2025, the charity did not undertake any transactions with related parties other than those disclosed in the financial statements.
Risk Management
The Trustees assess the major risks to which the charity is exposed and implement systems to mitigate both financial and non-financial risks.
Chai has a risk register which is reviewed regularly. The Trustees also ensure that clinical governance is in place, throughout all service areas of therapy, complementary therapy and counselling, and physical and psychological groups.
Chai operates a high level of confidentiality with respect to all client information.
Achievable fundraising targets are set to cover realistic budgets, which are monitored on a monthly basis together with cash forecasts.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the charity are:
To promote the relief of persons suffering from cancer and their families within the Jewish Community and to prevent sickness by promoting good health care and the provision of education and screening programmes for persons within the Jewish community, whether suffering from cancer or not.
The charity has the general aim of providing an extensive range of services including counselling, therapies, complementary therapies, advocacy, legal, financial and spiritual advice, group activities and support groups for the Jewish community.
Chairman’s statement
Chai continues to respond to unprecedented demand across the community.
Chai’s active role in raising awareness of the ground-breaking NHS England Jewish BRCA genetic population testing programme, to identify any person over 18, with at least one Jewish grandparent, for the mutated BRCA1/ BRCA 2 gene, has resulted in 27,918 expressions of interest to be tested.
Chai’s reputation as a leader and innovator in the field of supportive cancer care goes beyond the Jewish Community. We welcomed Labour MP for Hendon, David Pinto-Duschinsky, to our flagship Hendon centre, who then highlighted Chai’s services in a private members’ bill in Parliament. Chai’s contribution to the field of supportive cancer care was further recognised when I was honoured to receive an MBE for services to people with cancer from HRH the Prince of Wales.
The combination of earlier diagnoses and advances in surgery and treatment mean that thankfully more people are living for longer, albeit with physical and emotional changes which affect both the cancer patients and their family members. Our clients often refer to us as the constant factor during a time of great uncertainty in their lives.
To meet the relentless demand, we continue to invest in the infrastructure of the entire organisation, as well as recruiting additional counsellors and therapists. In addition, we have developed more group support, both face to face and online, ensuring greater accessibility to clients who are not close to a Chai centre.
Chai does not receive any statutory funding but was able to continue to provide specialised services mainly through a matched funding campaign which also afforded the opportunity to inform the community of the comprehensive range of support services which Chai provides.
What Chai provides
Chai provides services to the Jewish community, and these can be accessed either by self-referral or referral from a professional.
Chai’s reputation for providing a highly professional service combined with sensitivity and care has encouraged those needing our service to contact us. Services are provided from our flagship centre in Hendon and from our 10 satellite centres across the UK. For those unable to access a Chai site, support is provided through telephone and online counselling, nationally and internationally. Chai serves as a model and blueprint within the supported cancer care world.
Chai services provided to clients are:
Advisory services – advocacy, information, image resource service, medical connections, nutritional and dietary advice, access to benefits, statutory services advice.
Counselling – for cancer patients, their families and carers, telephone, online counselling, counselling for genetic, psychosexual and relationship issues.
Complementary therapies – acupuncture, aromatherapy, Indian head massage, reflexology, hot stones, hypnotherapy, reiki, shiatsu, therapeutic massage, foot care, healing.
Therapies – manual lymphatic drainage, physiotherapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy, rehabilitation gym sessions, individual fitness sessions.
Children, Teenage and Family Service – child therapy including art and music therapy, teenage counselling service.
Chai in Schools Service – providing support to both pupils who have cancer themselves and to their classmates, and to those who are affected by a cancer diagnosis in their families. The service also exists to give teachers and head teachers practical advice and strategies for themselves and their pupils.
Chai Medical Clinic – staffed by a consultant in Palliative Medicine.
Group activities – art workshop, jewellery workshop, knitting, meditation, music workshop, open/supervised gym sessions, lymphedema exercise, Pilates, table tennis, walking group, Wednesday afternoons socials, yoga, styling workshop, creative writing workshop.
Support groups – Women’s and Men’s support groups, BRCA support group (no cancer), BRCA support group with cancer, Carers support group, 2 bereavement support groups, loss of a parent support group, breast buddies, meditation.
Home support service – counselling, individual therapies and complementary therapies and advisory services in clients’ homes, hospitals and hospices.
Volunteer services – befriending, shopping, lifts to and from Chai and hospitals.
Many of the support groups are online to allow our clients to join nationally. This has proved particularly beneficial for clients not within geographical reach of a Chai centre.
Objectives for 2024/2025
To continue raising awareness of the ground - breaking NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme
To recruit more specialised counsellors and therapists nationally, to meet the increased need for support
To share best practice of Chai's specialised services in the wider community
To continue to raise awareness through all social media outlets
To plan and implement a matched funding campaign
To review the existing space at the Flagship centre in London, with a view to providing more space to meet the further need
To provide more support groups for under - 50–year-olds
All objectives were achieved.
Major areas of Fundraising activity
Benefactors, Patronage and Friends campaign to engage with major donors and encourage sustainable support
Matched Fundraising campaign
Community fundraising events and sponsored activities
Two major postal appeals during the year
Performance and achievements in 2024/2025
To meet our clients’ many and diverse needs, Chai now provides 70 specialised support services across the nationwide network of 11 satellite centres. For those who cannot come to us, services can be provided in clients’ own homes, hospitals and hospices through our Home Support Services. In addition, clients can still access our expertise and care, including some groups, online.
The feedback from our clients, both the cancer patients and their family members, is that our services make a tangible difference and that this ongoing support brings considerable relief and comfort. Without it, their lives would be of poorer quality as there is nowhere else for them to receive this level of specialised support.
The success of the NHS England Jewish BRCA Testing Programme has continued with 27,918 expressions of interest to receive a testing pack by the end of March 2025. To meet the demand for specialised support for those testing positive for a BRCA mutation, we have increased our BRCA support services for individuals, couples and families.
Developing Services
Chai’s Medical Advisory Panel ensures that Chai is kept updated on all developments of cancer treatment and care. This knowledge, together with our clients’ feedback, enables us to refine and plan the range of services that are needed to meet the complex and evolving needs of our clients.
Chai continues to raise awareness of the lifesaving potential of the NHS England Jewish BRCA Testing Programme. With people in the Jewish population six times more likely to carry a mutated gene, Chai’s specialised counsellors receive training from the Royal Marsden and Northwick Park genetics team to enable them to support all those who wish to discuss the implications of being tested as well as those who test positive for a mutated gene.
We have developed an online support group for parents with cancer to provide a reassuring space for them and their partners to voice their feelings and concerns about the impact of cancer on the family unit.
Managing the long-term physical and emotional impact of living with a cancer diagnosis is an on-going challenge for our clients. However, with counsellors providing expert support and with the breadth of our complementary and therapeutic treatments, Chai makes a significant difference to people’s lives.
Fundraising
A matched funding campaign in December was successful in both raising funds and awareness.
Chai’s two annual appeals, Pesach and Rosh Hashana were both successful.
We were able to hold the annual Club 18 Golf Day, Whisky Events in London and Manchester, and the Rosh Hashana Gift Sale.
Quality assurance
A specialist independent consultant reviews all Chai’s policies, and all members of staff receive ongoing cybersecurity awareness training sessions across the UK Chai centres.
The Counsellors’ Handbook and Complementary Therapists’ handbook have both been reviewed and are used across all our sites to clarify processes and to ensure consistency throughout the organisation.
Chai’s Staff Handbook has been updated in line with current legislation.
The Volunteers’ Handbook has been reviewed and is regularly updated.
All further policies are reviewed and constantly updated.
We regularly monitor client feedback and satisfaction levels.
Training for therapists and counsellors, including continued professional development, is provided.
Three external Counselling Supervisors support the Psychological Teams nationally.
The annual Natalie Shipman Memorial Lecture took place in November 2024. Dr Jonathan Sive, a Consultant Haematologist and Clinical Service Lead for myeloma, UCLH and Judy de Winter, Chair of Trustee for the Royal Free charity and president of Myeloma UK, gave a lecture on Influencing Change: One Patient’s Journey to Improve Outcomes.
Objectives for 2025/2026
To continue raising awareness of the ground - breaking NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme.
To recruit more specialised counsellors and therapists nationally, to meet the increased need for support.
To share best practice of Chai's specialised services in the wider community.
To continue to raise awareness through all social media outlets.
To plan and implement a matched funding campaign.
To review the existing space at the Flagship centre in London, with a view to providing more space to meet the further need.
To scope further support for patients who are under 50 years old.
To develop a Signposting Chai initiative to further raise awareness of Chai services within the medical world.
Financial review
Donations received from all sources amounted to £4,010,066 (2023/24: £3,819,861) representing a 4.97% increase from last year.
Funds were raised from specific major fundraising and community events, appeals, private donations, legacies, patronage campaigns and commemorative giving.
Chai also received unsolicited donations.
During the year Chai expended:
Cost of providing services - £3,552,349 (2023/24: £3,218,831)
Fundraising and publicity costs - £681,377 (2023/24: £641,054)
Governance costs - £19,619 (2023/24: £18,101)
Annual accounts are delivered to the Charity Commission within 10 months of the financial year-end.
Financial Health
At 31st March 2025 there was a net surplus of income for the year of £137,457 (2023/24: £531,775).
Disclosure of Trustee remuneration
See note 10 to the accounts.
Investments
See note 14 to the accounts.
The charity’s wholly owned subsidiary Chai-Lifeline Services Ltd remains dormant. At 31st March 2025, this company’s reserves totalled £2.
The Trustees have adopted a low-risk strategy to the investment of the charity’s funds. The aim of the investment activity is to obtain a reasonable balance between capital growth and income so the charity can meet future demands as well as current needs.
The charity’s investment holdings are currently managed by two independent investment managers, with whom cautious investment mandates have been agreed. The investment managers report on performance and compliance with their mandates on a regular basis to a dedicated Investment Committee. An independent financial adviser assists with the evaluation of the performance of the investment managers and with the asset allocation of the charity’s investments. The Trustees regularly monitor the levels of investments and the returns received to generate sufficient financial return to enable the charity to achieve its objectives effectively and without interruption.
The charity’s investment holdings are diversified by additional holdings in current and short-term cash deposits.
Volunteers
Chai currently has 120 volunteers who work on behalf of the charity in a variety of roles including befriending, transport, reception duties and administration. The average volunteer spends 2-3 hours a week assisting Chai. All volunteers receive initial training and ongoing supervision.
Reserves Policy
The trustees are committed to meeting the expectations of all clients turning to Chai for support and continue to explore unmet need. No client is turned away and no statutory funding is received.
Our charity supports very sick people and those who are close to them. Our activities include offering educational resources for patients, carers and professionals and our future plans are to proactively explore innovative methods of health promotion with our clientele. In view of the nature of the illness we frequently have a long term commitment with our patients and their families. The Trustees therefore think the charity's reserves policy should reflect this long term engagement and Chai is aiming to build sufficient unrestricted free funds to cover at least one year's future operational costs, for the sake of prudence.
The Trustees have allocated £1m towards an upcoming building project at the Flagship Centre in NW London.
At 31 March 2025 free reserves are £4,191,727 (2024: £2,006,858). The management team continue to put a strong emphasis on building these reserves and have a programme of financial planning to accumulate and sustain these reserves, which will need to increase in line with the finances required to fund the growing number of clients using the services for increasing periods of time.
Trustees
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Louise Hager received an MBE in the New Year Honours list for services to People with Cancer
The Trustees, who are also the directors of Chai-Lifeline Cancer Care for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company 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 SORP;
- make judgements 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 adequate accounting records that 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 Companies Act 2006. 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 have considered the charity’s budgets, cash flow forecasts and reserves and consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements; no material uncertainties have been identified.
This report was approved by the Trustees on
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Chai-Lifeline Cancer Care (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out in note to the financial statements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the Trustees' report; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees' responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our sector experience through discussion with management (as required by auditing standards).
We had regard to laws and regulations in areas that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting and taxation legislation. We considered that extent of compliance with those laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
Except for any known or possible non-compliance, and as required by auditing standards, our work in respect of these included enquiry of management about company's policies, procedures, and related controls regarding compliance with laws and regulations and if there are any known instances of noncompliance.
We tested the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluated the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships.
We examined supporting documents for all material balances, transactions and disclosures.
We evaluated the selection and application of accounting policies related to subjective measurements and complex transactions.
We reviewed the Board of trustees’ minutes.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements of the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK).
The potential effects of inherent limitations are particularly significant in the case of misstatement resulting from fraud because fraud may involve sophisticated and carefully organized schemes designed to conceal it, including deliberate failure to record transactions, collusion or intentional misrepresentations being made to us.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Landau Morley LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Chai-Lifeline Cancer Care is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 325-327 Oldfield Lane North, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 0FX.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to support the current level of expenditure and to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the company and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the company and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the company's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the company apportioned to charitable activities.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Freehold land and assets in the course of construction are not depreciated.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Raising funds
Freelance therapists' and consultants' costs
Publications costs
Advertising services
Training supervisor costs
Room hire costs
Patients' aids/Consumables
Laundry services
Other costs
Premises costs
Rates, water and electricity
Newspapers and journals
Computer and internet expenses
Telephone
Other costs
Postage and printing
Legal & Professional fees
Governance costs include payments to the auditors of £13,340 (2024: £12,200) for audit fees and 6,279 (2024: £5,901) for non audit fees.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The key management personnel of the charity comprise one of the Trustees and the Chief Executive. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the Charity were £273,602 (2024: £251,993).
Of the employees whose emoluments exceed £60,000, 4 (2024: 2) have retirement benefits accruing under defined contribution pension schemes.
The Charity Commission approved payments of remuneration, benefits in kind and pension contributions to Louise Hager, a trustee of the Charity, in her role as Chairman. Louise Hager promotes the charity nationally and internationally and leads the fundraising department. Payments are made pursuant to the authority set out in Article 5 of the Charity's Articles of Association.
Remuneration paid to the trustee (including benefits in kind and pension contributions) during the year ended 31 March 2025 totalled £148,956 (2024: £145,944).
During the year retirement benefits were accruing to 1 Trustee (2024: 1) in respect of defined contribution pension schemes.
No other Trustee received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses in the year.
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
Included in freehold property is land with a historic cost of £1,080,000 (2024: £1,080,000) that is not depreciated.
Current asset investment represents the UK and overseas bonds of £nil (2024: £1,250,000) in Israel. The bond will be matured on 01 February 2027, therefore, the current assets investments are classified to fixed assets investments.
Accruals and deferred income include deferred income totaling £89,854 (2024: £66,573) in respect of amounts received in advance.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The restricted BRCA funds were received in order to provide counselling for individuals, couples and families as well as running BRCA Support groups.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Designated funds represent amounts sent aside by the trustees in order to accumulate funds towards a future capital project at the Flagship Centre in NW London.
At the reporting year end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases which fall due as follows:
Donations of £32,472 (2024: £30,873) were received during the year from the Trustees and from entities connected with the Trustees.
The company is limited by guarantee and under the control of the Trustees.
Details of the charity's subsidiary at 31 March 2025 are as follows:
The charity had no material debt during the year.