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← The Halpern Charitable Foundation

2025-04-05-accounts

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Table of Contents

STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIR.................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024/25 ............................................................................... 4

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||| |---|---| |OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................... 26| |ABOUT THE HALPERN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION .......................................................................... 26| |VISION .................................................................................................................................................. 26| |OUR VALUES ......................................................................................................................................... 27| |STRATEGY ............................................................................................................................................ 27| |ARTIST COMMUNITY:|.......................................................................................................................... 28| |SUPPORTING THE CHATHAM MEMORIAL SYNAGOGUE|................................................................... 30| |VOLUNTEERS ....................................................................................................................................... 30| |FINANCES AND GOVERNANCE ................................................................................................... 30| |STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT ............................................................................... 32| |TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT ....................................................................................... 34| |REFERENCE AND ADMINSTARTIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES| |AND ADVISORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025 ......................................................... 35| |INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT……………...…..…………………………….……….. 36| |STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES …………………….……………..…………….. 39| |BALANCE SHEET …………………………..……….………………………….…………….….. 40| |STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS ………………………………………………………………41| |NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ………………….…………………………….. 42|

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Statement from the chair

The period of 2024/25 was one of extraordinary achievement for the Halpern Charitable Foundation, but also one marked by challenge and personal loss. We faced the sudden and deeply felt passing of our friend and long-time partner at Café Nucleus, Sergejs SergejenkovsTelford. His contribution to our community was immeasurable, and his absence has left a lasting impact on us all. Later in the year, a serious fire at our Chatham Nucleus Art Centre caused extensive damage and forced the temporary closure of several studios for nearly five months. These moments tested us, both emotionally and operationally.

Yet, I could not be prouder of how our staff, artists, and wider community responded. In the face of adversity, they demonstrated resilience, compassion, and determination, ensuring that our programmes continued and our standards never faltered. Their efforts reaffirmed what makes HCF so special—our ability to pull together, adapt, and keep delivering meaningful impact, no matter the circumstances.

This year also brought outstanding recognition of our work. Winning Community Charity of the Year at the Kent Charity Awards, the KMTV Charity of the Year Award 2025, and being selected as the Mayor of Medway’s Charity of the Year for 2024/25 are honours that speak volumes about our reputation as a trusted and valued partner. Further commendations, including at the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards and Pride in Medway, acknowledged our innovative and sustainable approaches. On a personal note, I was humbled to receive the Barry Clout Award for Volunteering, and was equally proud to see our CEO honoured with the People’s Choice Award at the Medway VCSEF Leadership Awards. These accolades reflect the strength, creativity, and commitment of our entire organisation.

Alongside delivery, we took a national and even international leadership role in creative health research and evaluation. Through pioneering tools such as the Nucleus Matrix and MIAHAI, and by working with the NHS, Medway Public Health, and the University of Greenwich, we have shaped practice that extends far beyond our own programmes. The success of initiatives such as Mini Nucleus and Craft & Chat demonstrate the tangible benefits of creative activity for wellbeing, and I am excited by the momentum this work continues to build.

We have also grown our support for children, young people, and adults. From Mini-Nucleus sessions for the very youngest, to TeenArt and Arts Award for teenagers, to Social Art, Young at Art, and Craft & Chat for adults, our creative family has flourished. Each initiative has strengthened connections, built confidence, and improved wellbeing—proof that creativity is not just enriching but life-changing.

As Chair, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the power of this work. I am proud beyond words of our team, our volunteers, our partners, and the thousands of participants who have made HCF what it is today. While we cannot know what challenges the year ahead will bring, we can be certain of one thing: the Halpern Charitable Foundation will meet them with creativity, resilience, and hope.

Peter Martin Chair of Trustees – Halpern Charitable Foundation

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The Halpern Charitable Foundation

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Summary of Achievements in 2024/25

The period of 2024/25 has been one of considerable success, but also tinged with challenge and some personal tragedy. During this period, we lost our friend and long-time partner via Café Nucleus, Sergejs Sergejenkovs-Telford, who passed away suddenly, deeply affecting all of our staff and creative community. On top of this, we also suffered a major fire on our Nucleus Art Centre site in Chatham, causing considerable damage and necessitating the closure of a number of our studios for 4-5 months. However, despite this difficulty, the team and community pulled together to continue to deliver high quality work.

We won a number of major awards in the year, notably the prestigious Community Charity of the Year at the Kent Charity Awards, the KMTV Charity of the Year Award 2025, and selection as the Mayor of Medway’s Charity of the Year for 2024/25. Other awards include a Highly Commended Award at the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards 2024, and a Pride in Medway commendation for our work to reduce our environmental impact. Finally, our CEO was awarded the People’s Choice Award at the Medway VCSEF Leadership awards and our Chair of trustees was awarded the Barry Clout Award for Volunteering.

Nucleus Art Centre

Our primary base continues to be our original site in Chatham, which remains the heart of our activity and community impact. This location is home to the Halpern Gallery, the larger of our three exhibition spaces, where we regularly showcase an exciting programme of local, national, and international artists. Alongside the gallery, the site includes a welcoming community room, a

fully equipped arts workshop, a kiln for ceramics, and the majority of our artist studios—spaces that provide affordable, professional facilities for creatives at all stages of their careers.

From this location, we are able to support a wide range of charities, schools, and community groups, offering space, resources, and collaborative opportunities. The site also offers a focus for the wider community-building work, a central point for community festivals and parades, and a safe location for vulnerable communities. It is both a registered safe space and hate crime reporting centre, and home to a defibrillator and emergency first aid equipment for emergency services. By combining cultural programming, creative facilities, and a vibrant café atmosphere, our Chatham site serves as a true cornerstone for artistic innovation, partnership working, and community engagement across Medway.

HeArt of the Community

Due to ongoing developments at the Pentagon Centre, our primary site in Chatham has seen reduced use this year and will closed permanently in November 2024. This site served as a temporary home for the Chatham Youth Centre (the WREC Room) during the summer of 2024 when it faced closure due to the same development activities.

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Nucleus Hub

The Nucleus Hub on Chatham’s Military Road plays a key role in our creative career development pipeline. It offers a suite of subsidised offices supporting small creative businesses and charities. Due to a restructure in Café Nucleus, the café element of this closed in December 2024. We are currently trialling a series of pop-up initiatives to explore uses for the site.

Maidstone Road

Our discreet site on Chatham’s Maidstone Road offers ten supported flats for individuals impacted by mental health challenges. For many residents, this provides their first stable home, giving them a vital opportunity to rebuild their lives. Resident support and building management are provided by our mental health partner, Choice Support.

Halpern Conservancy Building

The Halpern Conservancy Building, situated on Rochester’s historic high street is a vibrant hub for our charity’s partnership and engagement work in the town. Our gallery, the Halpern Pop, provides commercial opportunities for local artists while also hosting exhibitions, performances, and charity fundraisers in collaboration with partners. The building also houses our makerspace and digital classroom, the LightBox—a creative hub equipped with 3D printers and pens, a green screen, digital art tools, and a wide range of equipment to support innovation and hands-on creativity.

The Conservancy is also home to our permanent engagement installation. The repurposed

red BT Telephone Box, now known as the Medway Art Box, has become a vibrant street-level gallery for both artists and the local community. Acquired through BT’s Adopt-a-Box scheme and officially taken on by Nucleus Arts in January 2022, the kiosk has been transformed into a dynamic and accessible aN 4 space that champions creativity and | Bal community engagement.

Since its launch, the Medway Art Box has showcased an exciting variety of artistic installations, collaborative projects, and community exchanges, each one bringing art directly into the public realm. Looking ahead, it will continue its mission as an inclusive cultural hub, with new projects already planned to further involve local residents and artists. This small but mighty landmark is now a much-loved feature of Medway’s cultural landscape, offering endless opportunities for imaginative expression right in the heart of the community.

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Rainham

Our most recent site is the Langton studios in Rainham, Medway. Another partnership with Café Nucleus opens up fresh opportunities, with six artist studio spaces, boosting our creative workspace capacity.

Setting up a base in Rainham will allow us to strengthen our connection with local communities in both Rainham and Gillingham, making our services more accessible and ensuring we can offer even greater support to the people we serve.

Creative Associates

In 2024/25 we also introduced the Creative Associate scheme as a new way for artists to be part of the Nucleus Arts community, even if they were on the studio waiting list or could not yet afford a dedicated workspace.

For a small monthly or annual contribution, Creative Associates were able to access a wide range of benefits without needing a studio. These included early booking access to our gallery spaces, invitations to Nucleus Arts and Halpern Gallery events, and opportunities for networking and professional development. The scheme provides artists with a valuable means to stay connected, promote their work, and remain engaged with the local arts scene while awaiting a studio space or developing their practice more affordably.

Through the Creative Associate programme, we successfully extended our support to an even wider creative family, ensuring that

financial or practical barriers did not prevent artists from feeling included and supported within our community.

I feel like I’m in another world when I come here (HCF). I can switch off and relax. I’m so glad I found you.

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Engagement

The past year has been an extraordinary one, showcasing the powerful contribution HCF makes to both the creative sector and to health and wellbeing across Medway. Through our wideranging programmes of outreach and engagement, we have brought creativity, connection, and care to people of all ages and backgrounds; from new parents to residents of care and nursing homes.

We are proud that this impact has been recognised through a series of prestigious awards for our engagement work: Mayor of Medway’s Charity of the Year 2024/25, Community Charity of the Year at the Kent Charity Awards 2024, KMTV Charity of the Year Award 2025, and a Highly Commended Award at the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards 2024. These accolades are a testament not only to the breadth of our work but also to the trust and respect we have built across sectors and with the communities we serve.

Our dedicated and talented team continues to innovate, collaborate, and lead, ensuring that every project is delivered in the best possible way for our beneficiaries. Alongside our delivery, we have also taken a leading role in creative health research in Medway, and in shaping new tools for the wider engagement sector, helping to influence and inspire practice far beyond our own programmes.

Evaluation and Development

We are continuing to take a leadership role in evaluation and development of creative health practice. The approaches are:

To achieve this, we have joined the Kent and Medway Creative Health Network, and joined the Board of the prestigious Centre for Inclusive Communities and Environments at the University of Greenwich.

As a leading member of the Medway Creative Health Partnership, in association with Medway Public Health and the NHS, we have been undertaking an evaluation programme on the impacts of creative health across two discreet areas. This has involved setting up two new groups in each of the areas, Mini Nucleus Luton/Brompton, for infants and their parents, and Craft and Chat Luton/Brompton, for over 18s. Current results of this work are very positive, and we have learned a great deal regarding best practice in setting up new groups in 'cold areas.' We have also been working on toolkits for ethical data collection for non-academic institutions, and ethical consents.

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Following our trials of the Matrix and MIAHAI with North Kent Mind, MVA, NHS and the Medway Transformation Academy, we have worked with partners Future Coders, to develop a publicly accessible version of MIAHAI, and are currently trialling this (User video, https://youtu.be/UU2vLy3M8UA. ~~lI~~ Tool portal

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe39fTKIH0eSACVZ2acdNOxT1xLiBZ0whsyv fLtn95a3KK9Qw/formResponse).

Under 18s support

Incorporating our new learning and successes, we continue to expand and strengthen our programme for younger people.

Our well-established weekly Babies and Parents art group, MiniNucleus (https://www.nucleusarts.com/mininucleus), is designed for children aged 0–4 and their parents. It encourages messy play and creative activities that nurture children’s social and artistic development, while also giving new parents a vital opportunity to connect, share experiences, and build supportive friendships. This year, we proudly launched two new Mini-Nucleus groups in Brompton and Luton as part of our creative health research project, helping us better understand the positive impact of creative activity on health and wellbeing.

Young people can then progress to our monthly Lego and Art Club (https://www.nucleusarts.com/lego-art-club), a lively Saturday morning session where children and their parents come together to build Lego creations and enjoy artbased activities. Particularly popular with dads, the club provides a relaxed and hands-on environment that encourages playful interaction, supports fine motor skill development, and strengthens family bonds through shared creativity. Its popularity often means the group is

oversubscribed, highlighting the strong demand for engaging, family-friendly activities that combine play with art.

Our Arts Award programme

(https://www.nucleusarts.com/artsaward) runs throughout the year, offering young people with limited educational opportunities the chance to gain valuable qualifications and hands-on career experience by working alongside our resident artists. Thanks to generous support from the Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust, we are able to deliver these courses at a highly subsidised rate, with small class sizes that ensure tailored guidance and support for every participant.

The programme spans five levels—from beginner-friendly Explore and Discover through to Bronze, Silver, and Gold. We are especially proud to have supported our first Gold-level

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participants this year, an achievement accredited by Trinity College London and equivalent to high-level GCSE qualifications. By partnering with local schools and charities, we have been able to bring this opportunity to some of the most vulnerable young people in our community. In 2023–24, we also began an exciting collaboration with a foetal alcohol charity, developing Arts Award classes specifically tailored to meet the needs of their young people.

Our free Saturday art class for 7–11-year-olds, Junior aR ro Doodle and Draw fox 5 ( ~~a~~ https://www.nucleusarts.com/doodlendraw), continued this year thanks to generous funding from Child Friendly Medway. Led by Nucleus artist and comic book illustrator (/, Nick Ashton, this lively programme nurtures young creativity through hands-on art techniques. Nick inspires children to transform their ideas into pictures, reminding them that every child is an artist—and that the secret to staying one is to keep creating, even when things don’t turn out as expected.

By embracing mistakes as a natural and valuable part of the creative journey, we encourage young people to explore, experiment, and grow through their artistic “missteps.” The class provides a supportive space where children gain confidence in self-expression, develop technical skills, and connect with others who share their passion for art. Junior Doodle and Draw is designed to spark a lifelong love of creativity, helping each participant carry the spirit of an artist with them into the future.

Our support for young people aged 13–17 continues to expand through TeenArt DON'T JUST MAKE ART, BE ART! (https://www.nucleusarts.com/teenart) and Digital TeenArt (https://www.nucleusarts.com/digital-teen-art1). Both groups help young people build skills, ~~ey~~ confidence, and community, with TeenArt focusing on physical art forms such as drawing, painting, and costume making, while Digital TeenArt develops digital skills and creative practice in new media.

These groups have thrived not only through their own activities but also by contributing to our wider programme. Participants have created artworks for Carnival, FunPalace, and Chinese New Year, volunteered at community events, and collaborated with younger groups such as Mini-Nucleus and the Lego and Art Club. The sense of belonging fostered in TeenArt and Digital TeenArt has given these young people renewed confidence, greater self-worth, and transferable skills that extend into their wider lives.

The companion to Junior Doodle and Draw is our fantasy-themed club, Doodle and Draw (https://www.nucleusarts.com/doodlendraw), designed for 11–18-year-olds and delivered on Saturday afternoons at Chatham Library. Run in partnership with Child Friendly Medway

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and Medway Libraries, this programme has extended our reach to new audiences and provided valuable weekend opportunities for those unable to attend weekday activities. The fantasy theme has proved especially effective in engaging boys, who are often underrepresented in creative programmes.

Guided by local artists, participants are encouraged to explore imaginative themes, experiment with new techniques, and create their own fantasy-inspired artwork in a welcoming and supportive environment. The club continues to grow in popularity, offering young people a fun and meaningful way to express themselves and build creative confidence.

We also proudly supported a series of Women’s and Girls’ Workshops , where women and their relatives were invited to take part in creative activities together. Funded by Child Friendly Medway, these workshops provided a safe and inspiring space to connect across generations, build relationships, and celebrate creativity in all its forms.

Over 18s support

Our creative health programme for adults continues to play a vital role in addressing the rising challenges of loneliness, poor wellbeing, and mental health across Medway. Recent surveys highlight how many local people struggle with feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and isolation—issues shown to have a serious impact on health, comparable to smoking or excessive drinking. Too often, these difficulties go unaddressed, placing further strain on already stretched public services.

Through our programme, we offer an accessible and inclusive space where individuals can express themselves creatively, build meaningful connections, and improve their mental health. Activities such as art and crafts provide a powerful outlet for emotions, help participants rediscover a sense of purpose, and create opportunities to form friendships with others who share similar experiences. By embedding creativity into wellbeing, we support people to tackle isolation, grow in confidence, and strengthen their resilience. Working closely with local health services, we ensure that the support we provide is tailored to the needs of each individual. This collaborative approach reinforces community connections and offers an effective, creative alternative to more traditional therapies. As demand continues to rise, our creative health programme remains a lifeline for many in Medway—addressing complex issues of mental health and social isolation while offering hope and connection to those who need it most.

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To complement this work, we deliver Digital Draw (https://www.nucleusarts.com/digital-draw). Designed to support participants moving into our adult programme, this group offers relaxed, pressure-free digital drawing workshops for adults aged 18 and over. Held at The Lightbox in our Conservancy building in Rochester, the sessions provide participants with iPads, Apple Pencils, and access to the Procreate app, opening up opportunities to explore a wide range of digital drawing techniques.

Whether absolute beginners or those looking to refine existing skills, participants can learn at their own pace in a welcoming and supportive environment. Beyond developing technical ability, the group fosters creativity, confidence, and connection; helping adults to discover new ways of expressing themselves through digital art.

Our weekly Social Art club

(https://www.nucleusarts.com/social-art) continues to be a flagship initiative, setting the gold standard for our community groups and serving as the model for much of our wider programme. Open to a diverse range of participants, it has been especially transformative for individuals with physical and learning disabilities, as well as those experiencing social isolation due to health challenges.

The club’s strength lies in the welcoming community it fosters. Activities are carefully designed to be accessible and inclusive, with a very low barrier to participation, ensuring that everyone can join in regardless of background or ability. Participants gain a strong sense of achievement as they explore new skills, express themselves creatively, and experience real improvements in their wellbeing.

The popularity of Social Art speaks for itself—new spaces are often booked out within hours, with a waiting list for cancellations. This ongoing demand is a testament to the club’s impact and the supportive environment it creates for those who benefit from it most.

Delivered along the same model as Social Art, our two new Chat and Create groups, one each in Brompton (https://www.nucleusarts.com/brompton-craftand-chat) and Luton (https://www.nucleusarts.com/luton-craft-andchat), provide free drop in creative sessions for adults in those two communities. These new

sessions form part of our Creative Health research programme, and are funded until September 2025.

Our fortnightly Young at Art group (https://www.nucleusarts.com/youngatart) is tailored for people aged 55 and over who want to learn new skills while enjoying social connection.

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These free sessions, led by a professional artist, offer a deeper focus on artistic techniques compared to many of our other groups, giving participants the chance to expand their abilities while working in a relaxed and encouraging setting.

Like Social Art, Young at Art has proved hugely popular, with every round of spaces filling quickly. For older adults, the group provides a meaningful opportunity to stay

mentally active, gain confidence, and form new friendships through shared creative learning. In response to this demand, we are actively seeking funding to expand Young at Art into new venues across Medway, making it accessible to even more older adults in the community.

Our jumpstART programme provides further creative opportunities for people over 55, with a varied programme of artist-led workshops in areas such as ceramics, resin jewellery, and digital illustration. While not free, fees are kept deliberately low, covering only the cost of artists and materials, and remain significantly more affordable than comparable local

options. The group allows participants to explore new skills in a supportive and social setting, and we are now reviewing its success with the aim of expanding to offer even more diverse opportunities for older adults.

Social Saturday builds on the success of our former Chatham Connect Create group, which concluded in 2023. Designed for particularly vulnerable adults, it provides a safe and supportive space for over-18s to learn new skills, develop confidence, and form meaningful connections. The smaller group size allows for more tailored support and fosters strong relationships among participants. Social Saturday continues the mission of its predecessor, offering creative opportunities for those facing isolation or other barriers, and empowering them to connect, create, and grow.

In addition, we deliver weekly craft sessions in care homes across Medway, providing residents with the chance to take part in creative activities that support wellbeing. These sessions are tailored to be engaging and accessible, offering crafts such as painting, mosaic, and needle felting. Residents gain confidence and a sense of achievement as they learn new techniques, while the social element helps reduce isolation and promote interaction. Demand for this programme continues to grow, reflecting its positive impact on the health and happiness of care home residents across the area.

This year has also seen the official launch of Craft at Home

(https://www.nucleusarts.com/craftathome), a compilation of free-to-access activities that people can do at home between their sessions. Built up over a number of years, these activities include a wide range of instruction sheets, colouring, and even videos in our virtual FunPalace.

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Finally, we at the end of the 24/25 financial year, we are launching BCre8ive (https://www.bcre8ive.org/), an innovative, online arts engagement and befriending project designed to ~~oe~~ =) CREBIVE support and inspire adults aged 18–35 who are looking to explore and develop their creative potential in a flexible, accessible, and inclusive environment. Running over summer 2025, BCre8ive offers a dynamic virtual platform where participants can connect, create, and grow; all from the comfort of their own space.

At its heart, BCre8ive is about more than just making art, it’s about building connection through creativity. By bringing together individuals who may face barriers to accessing inperson creative groups, whether due to health, location, caring responsibilities, or social anxiety; the programme provides a supportive, low-pressure environment that nurtures confidence, community, and collaboration.

Participants are invited to engage in a range of art forms including writing, drawing, musicmaking, visual arts, and digital media, guided by experienced mentors and guest artists from across the creative industries. The format is flexible, offering a combination of live online meet-ups, one-to-one mentoring sessions, and ongoing peer support, ensuring everyone can take part at their own pace and comfort level.

Throughout the programme, participants are encouraged to experiment, share their work, and receive feedback from both their peers and professionals. The emphasis is on selfexpression and exploration, not perfection — whether someone is picking up a pen for the first time or developing an existing practice, BCre8ive offers a space to play, grow, and be seen.

The project culminates in an exciting digital showcase event, where participants are invited to present their work to a wider audience. This celebration not only highlights the creative journey of each individual but also promotes wider awareness of the role that accessible, virtual creative spaces can play in supporting wellbeing and reducing isolation.

BCre8ive is fundamentally a befriending initiative — the creative element is the vehicle through which meaningful social connection is made. Regular group interactions, creative prompts, and one-on-one mentoring foster a sense of belonging and trust among participants, many of whom may struggle with loneliness or lack opportunities to meet like-minded individuals.

Other engagement

As always, our engagement activities are in no way limited only to those that we deliver ourselves. Given the scale of demand and need for our work in Medway, HCF works in partnership with dozens of other groups and organisations to support their work, and in some cases, directly delivering activities on behalf of others.

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Events

Our engagement continued with our strong programme of events that continued to develop throughout the year. This year we were involved in supporting the Medway 2024 Fest, a year-long festival of culture delivered in partnership across Medway, with many of our events appearing under its banner.

Forget-Me-Not Medway ( ~~Be~~ https://www.nucleusarts.com/forgetmenotmedway), was a creative community project dedicated to raising awareness of dementia and celebrating the importance of memory, connection, and care. The project invited people of all ages and backgrounds to take part by making their own forget-me-nots in any form they chose; primarily knitted and crocheted, but also painted, drawn, folded from paper, or crafted in other imaginative ways.

Each flower represented a personal contribution, whether in memory of a loved one, in support of someone living with dementia, or simply as a symbol of solidarity. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with thousands of contributions arriving from across Medway’s diverse communities.

The final creations were gathered together for a powerful display at The Halpern Gallery. The exhibition offered a moving and colourful tribute to those affected by dementia, sparking conversations, raising awareness, and reminding us all of the importance of creativity in connecting communities

The Medway Print Festival returned for its ninth year in June 2024, bringing two vibrant weeks of creativity and celebration dedicated to the art of printmaking. The festival once again highlighted the incredible talent of local and regional printmakers, providing opportunities for artists to showcase their skills and for audiences to explore the diverse and dynamic world of print.

We were proud to support this annual event, which brought together makers, galleries, and community spaces across Medway. The programme featured a wide variety of exhibitions, workshops, and demonstrations, offering something for everyone—from seasoned print enthusiasts to those discovering the medium for the first time.

Among the highlights of MPF24 were Whittle & Daub , a printmaking exhibition by Paul Jerome hosted at The Halpern Pop; The Printers’ Process , an engaging exhibition held in the Halpern Gallery; and All Boxed Up , a pocket-sized print adventure in the Medway Lightbox where ancient printmaking techniques met modern innovation.

The festival continued to demonstrate the importance of printmaking within Medway’s creative landscape, celebrating both tradition and experimentation while inspiring new audiences to engage with this timeless art form.

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As always, July was an exceptionally busy period for the team as we delivered not one but four major events in quick succession.

The Chatham Carnival returned for its third year, building on the success of its first two years and taking firm steps toward becoming a fixture in Medway’s cultural calendar. Designed to celebrate Medway’s rich culture and diversity, the festival successfully attracted significant footfall to Chatham Town Centre, raised the town’s profile across the region, and showcased Medway as a welcoming home for its many communities. The event also strengthened community ties, aligned with Medway’s 2024 festival goals, and contributed to the case for future City of Culture bids, while enhancing the argument for Chatham to become a BID town.

The day delivered an outstanding programme of activity. Highlights included a bustling marketplace with 19 community stalls, and a lively Caribbean Zone organised by Medway Culture Club, complete with music, games, and limbo. The colourful K opetlece ® parade, led by the Mayor and local TV favourite Mr. Maker, brought together over 450 participants and apie Ca featured the spectacular Disco Turtle—a five-metrelong mechanical turtle fresh from Glastonbury. Two stages hosted 20 performances alongside a food ! > ae market, digital zone, and entertainment from over 70 partners. With support from key stakeholders and vibrant street theatre from the University of Kent’s bOing, the event embodied community spirit, cultural pride, and Medway’s ambition for the future.

Launched on Carnival day, One Song - (https://www.nucleusarts.com/halpern onesong) was an inspiring Arts Councilfunded collaboration between artist Kadir Karababa , the internationally recognised Counterpoint Arts , and Nucleus Arts. The project centred on amplifying the voices of first-generation immigrant women, inviting them to share and record songs that held deep personal meaning.

These moving recordings were presented within a transformed gallery space, where walls and ceilings had been painted a striking terracotta to create an immersive environment. Alongside the songs, displays of treasured artefacts provided powerful context, offering audiences an intimate insight into the lives, heritage, and cultural identities of the women involved.

By weaving together music, memory, and storytelling, One Song celebrated diversity while highlighting the unifying power of creativity. The project created a space for dialogue, connection, and cultural appreciation—ensuring the voices of participants resonated at the heart of Carnival and beyond.

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Also launching on Carnival day, we were proud to support Medway Open Studios 2024 , a vibrant celebration of local creativity that showcased the diverse talents of artists from across the region. The event invited the public into artist studios, including our own Chatham spaces, offering a rare behind-the-scenes experience and the chance to engage directly with creators.

Spanning an impressive range of mediums; painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, and more—the festival highlighted the depth and breadth of Medway’s artistic community. Visitors not only had the opportunity to discover new work and gain insight into the creative process but could also purchase original pieces directly from the artists, supporting local talent in a meaningful way.

Following quickly on this was the three-day Kent International Arts Conference (https://www.kartscon.com/), held in July 2024 under the theme “Art as a Legacy”. The event took place at the University of Kent facilities within the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, and was hosted by the

Music & Audio Technology department at the University of Kent in partnership with JCF, Wernborough College, the University of Kent, and Medway Council.

KArtsCon brought together artists, creatives, and cultural professionals from across the globe, providing a unique platform to share knowledge, co-create ideas, and celebrate innovation in the arts. Attendees had the opportunity to network, collaborate, and build connections that often extend well beyond the conference itself, fostering lifelong friendships and professional partnerships.

By combining international expertise with local engagement, KArtsCon strengthened Medway’s reputation as a vibrant centre for creative exchange, innovation, and learning, showcasing the region as a hub for both emerging and established talent in the arts.

Following a quieter events period in August and September, albeit the time of the Summer Exhibition, October brought another busy month of creativity and community engagement, beginning with Medway Fun Palace . This vibrant event welcomed people from all walks of life to share skills, creativity, and community spirit. Inspired by the visionary ideas of Joan Littlewood and Cedric Price, the Fun Palace concept began in the 1960s as a utopian space for learning, creativity, and enjoyment. In 2024, the event was also part of the Medway 2024 festival and celebrations marking Chatham Dockyard’s 40th anniversary .

First established locally by HCF in 2014, the 2024 event marked the 11th Fun Palace organised by HCF, continuing its tradition of inclusivity and community engagement.

Although the event was delayed by one week due to a venue scheduling conflict and faced reduced space following the loss of the HaArt annex, it remained a resounding success. The

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Pentagon was transformed into a lively hub of activity, with programming taking place both in the community space and Pentagon Court.

Working with partners including the Dockyard, local universities, Electric Medway, and health charities, the event offered a diverse programme of arts and crafts workshops, interactive science experiments, dance performances, and storytelling sessions. Attendees were encouraged to participate hands-on, exploring creative activities, science experiments, and collaborative art projects such as Arts and Homelessness , Design a City , and the Nucleus Arts Messy Tent .

October was also a month of vibrant celebration for Black

History Month , showcasing a wide range of artistic and cultural activity across Medway. Highlights included the launch of the Black Arts Hub (https://www.theblackarthub.co.uk/) and the Benjamin Zephaniah Library , both supported by HCF, providing lasting resources and inspiration for the community.

Our galleries hosted extensive exhibitions, including the Resilience Educational Exhibition at the Medway Art Box and The Halpern Pop, alongside the Intersectionality Gallery Exhibition at the Halpern Gallery . These exhibitions explored themes of identity, heritage, and social justice, offering thought-provoking experiences for visitors of all ages.

Through these initiatives, we celebrated the creativity,

contributions, and voices of Black artists while fostering learning, dialogue, and community connection. The events highlighted the importance of representation and inclusivity in the arts, ensuring that Black History Month was not only a celebration but also an opportunity for engagement, inspiration, and cultural enrichment across Medway.

October also saw our return to the Rochester Art Fair , where we played an active role by hosting a combined stall celebrating the work of many of our talented artists. The stall offered a platform for artists to showcase and sell their original artworks to art lovers, collectors, and members of the local community.

By participating in the Rochester Art Fair, we not only supported our artists in reaching a wider audience but also contributed to the overall success of the event, promoting the arts and encouraging the public to explore, engage with, and purchase artworks from across the UK and Europe. The fair highlighted the importance of community, creativity, and connection, reinforcing Medway’s growing reputation as a hub for artistic talent.

November brought further celebrations and community engagement, including our support for the Mayor of Medway’s Jollof Rice Cook Off . This pioneering event marked the first Jollof rice competition in the UK, celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of Medway’s

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communities. Contestants showcased their culinary skills, with a traditional Nigerian recipe ultimately being crowned the winner.

The event was filled with music, delicious food, and opportunities to support local charities, creating a lively and memorable celebration of West African culture and community spirit. Attendees were able to share in the joy of cultural exchange, connect with neighbours, and experience the warmth and creativity of Medway’s diverse population.

The event was documented by KMTV, capturing the energy, excitement, and celebration of diversity that made the Jollof Rice Cook Off such a standout occasion. It successfully highlighted Medway as a place where culture, community, and creativity come together to inspire, engage, and unite people from all backgrounds.

November saw us take temporary control over Chatham’s Arrival of Santa Parade. This was delivered through micro-commissions to community groups, with over 300 people signed up to take part in the parade. Alongside the parade, the event featured a Christmas Market and an ‘Elf Yourself’ activity organised by the Pentagon Shopping Centre, as well as a free Santa’s Workshop, organised by HCF , and running throughout the day.

Unfortunately, severe weather conditions forced the cancellation of the parade, and also affecting all events in Medway that weekend. Despite this, Santa still made a spectacular entrance, arriving at his grotto in the Ghostbusters Ecto-1, sirens blaring, accompanied by Ghostbusters and a 1980s New York police car—much to the delight and surprise of shoppers.

The creative adaptations ensured that the festive spirit was

maintained, and visitors were able to enjoy a memorable and joyful experience despite the unexpected challenges posed by the weather.

The calendar year began with “What Does Pride in Medway Mean to You” , a collaboration with Medway Pride CIC that celebrated and supported the LGBTQ+ community across Medway. In February, we hosted the LGBT History Month exhibition , which provided a platform for local creatives to showcase their talent and celebrate their identities.

Our ongoing engagement with the community has NO Nucleus ARTS High established us as a trusted and safe space for LGBTQ+ partners. Through these initiatives, we strengthened relationships within the LGBTQ+ community, celebrated diversity, and reinforced our commitment to inclusion, creativity, and wellbeing across Medway.

Events for the 2024/25 period concluded with the Chatham Chinese New Year Festival 2025 , developed as a flagship event within a wider programme of vibrant town centre

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celebrations. Led by HCF in partnership with the Kut-O Association and the Chatham Town Centre Forum , the festival delivered a joyful, inclusive, and high-impact cultural experience during a typically quieter time of year.

The festival celebrated the culture and contribution of Medway’s Chinese community, with over 400 parade participants, traditional performances across two stage areas, and a wide range of cultural activities in the lead-up. Feedback from attendees, partners, and the Chinese community was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the festival’s success in fostering pride, representation, and connection.

A key objective was to invest in the long-term sustainability of cultural programming. This was achieved through the acquisition of new equipment now available to local partners, reducing future costs and enabling more ambitious programming throughout the year.

Footfall was a major indicator of success. Using Pentagon Centre data as a proxy, attendance increased by 11%, equivalent to an additional 4,000 people, with high street engagement likely even higher. The festival boosted visibility for local businesses and community groups while positioning Chatham as a vibrant, diverse, and forward-thinking centre. Extensive media coverage; including over 50 radio adverts, local press features, and over 5,000 online social media reach; further enhanced the town’s profile.

The festival also fostered strong community connections, featuring 12 community stalls, collaborative craft activities where 213 children made snakes, and engagement from over 80 young people in preparatory workshops. International ties were strengthened through collaboration with Chinese cultural partners, including the gifting of a replica gate by the Chinese regional government of Foshan, celebrating Medway’s global connections.

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Gallery

Our main galleries (https://www.nucleusarts.com/exhibitions) continued to be incredibly busy over the period, again providing over 40 free-to-public exhibitions over the 24/25 period, and 50 weeks of free-to-access cultural space for the people of Medway. With the Medway Artbox (https://www.nucleusarts.com/medwayartbox) providing a dozen more, accessible 24hours per day, every day of the year.

Most of our exhibitions have been artist-led, and include some of the major event’s described above, such as One Song, Black History Month and Forget Me Not Medway. All of these exhibitions gave the public wonderful opportunities to engage with contemporary arts from across Medway and North Kent, but a few standout activities deserve a special mention.

Transform – Chatham Historic Dockyard/Medway School of Arts

Medway School of Arts presented a striking exhibition of photographic portraits celebrating the people and businesses that have shaped the Historic Dockyard Chatham since its closure as a functioning Naval base in 1984.

The exhibition featured a diverse range of employees, volunteers, and tenants, highlighting the vibrant and varied community that brings the Dockyard to life today while honouring its rich history.

Each portrait was thoughtfully captured in a location chosen by the subject—whether a workspace, a business, or a place with personal significance—adding a deeply personal and engaging dimension to the exhibition. Through these portraits, visitors were invited to explore both the human stories and the cultural heritage that make the Dockyard such a dynamic and cherished part of Medway.

The Bradfields Art Exhibition

Bradfields Academy is a forward-thinking specialist SEND provision, dedicated to supporting students whose learning is shaped by their unique educational needs. Their exhibition, The Bradfields Art Exhibition, celebrated the creativity and talent of their students, many of whom were showcasing their work publicly for the very first time.

The exhibition provided a platform for students to express themselves, share their achievements, and gain confidence in their artistic abilities. It highlighted the academy’s commitment to nurturing creativity, fostering inclusion, and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to shine and be recognised for their skills.

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Summer Exhibition

Our flagship annual Summer Exhibition was an open-call event celebrating a diverse range of artistic talent. Artists were invited to submit up to three pieces, with at least one guaranteed a place in the show, which spanned both galleries and provided an inclusive platform for emerging and established creatives alike.

Around 100 artists participated, showcasing a rich variety of disciplines, from painting and sculpture to digital art and mixed-media installations. The exhibition highlighted the individuality and creativity of each artist, offering visitors a vibrant and engaging experience.

Drawing in large crowds, the Summer Exhibition provided the local community with a unique opportunity to discover exciting new work, engage directly with artists, and celebrate the artistic talent thriving across Medway and beyond..

Child-Friendly Medway

The Child-Friendly Medway art exhibition showcased the creativity of Medway’s children and young people in Chatham.

The works on display highlighted a range of projects developed through Child-Friendly Medway’s Seeing is Believing programme and its partnerships. The exhibition also featured designs inspired by young people, including the creation of the Child-Friendly Medway mascot, Mojo, celebrating the imagination, talent, and contribution of Medway’s younger residents.

Halpern Galleries Winter Art Bazaar

Shaking up our traditional Winter Exhibition, this year we trialled the Halpern Galleries Winter Art Bazaar

(https://www.nucleusarts.com/winterartbazaar). Another open call, this exhibition

aimed at a more commercial focus, and featured 90 artists from across Medway, and was launched as

HUMBUG - 'Halpern Unique Makers' Bazaar of Uncommon Gifts' a one-day craft market. Unfortunately, this show was marred a little by the December fire. Whilst the gallery was unaffected, the resulting disruption slightly overshadowed this excellent event.

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144 Pots for 144 Women

January featured 144 Pots for 144 Women, an exhibition by Nicola Vincent-Abnett inspired by the Femicide Census, which records the number of women killed by men in the UK each year. The exhibition focused on the 2012 count and honoured each of the 144 women with a handcrafted pot, each inscribed with her name.

Nicola thoughtfully divided the country into ten districts, clustering the vessels within each area to illustrate the national scale of the issue. The exhibition was both visually striking and deeply moving, offering visitors an opportunity to reflect, remember, and engage with an important social issue through the power of art.

By combining careful craft with meaningful storytelling, 144 Pots for 144 Women highlighted creativity as a tool for awareness and commemoration, encouraging dialogue and understanding while paying tribute to those who lost their lives.

Spring Exhibition - Rochester and West Kent Art Society

The Spring Exhibition featured the Rochester and West Kent Art Society, a highly respected local community group that welcomes people with an interest in all areas of art. Their members work across a wide range of disciplines, including drawing and painting, mixed media, collage, calligraphy, printmaking, pottery, photography, textile art, and fashion.

We were honoured to host the Spring Exhibition in celebration of the society’s centenary year, showcasing the creativity, skill, and dedication of its members while offering visitors an inspiring insight into a century of artistic achievement within the local community.

Finally, we continue to support the creative community through the monthly Medway Artist Meet-Ups . Held on the first Tuesday of each month in partnership with Creative Medway, continued to prove very popular with artists from across Kent. These informal gatherings provided a welcoming space for creatives to connect, share ideas, and support one another, encouraging open conversation and collaboration, fostering new relationships and strengthening the creative community. With no need to book and free to attend, the meet-ups remained accessible to all, offering a valuable opportunity for both emerging and established artists to learn, network, and feel part of Medway’s vibrant arts scene.

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Wider Community Engagement

Our work doesn’t stop at our own programmes—we love using our experience and resources to benefit the wider communities we serve. By representing Medway’s creative community across a wide range of local and regional committees and networks, we’ve become a strong and trusted voice for creativity.

We remain committed to supporting Chatham Memorial Synagogue , recognising its cultural, historical, and spiritual importance to Medway. Should the need arise, we will continue to offer fundraising support, helping to preserve this treasured community landmark and ensuring it thrives for future generations as a place of heritage and belonging.

We’re proud to be active members of Creative Medway , the cultural compact for the area. In 2023, our CEO was re-elected as one of the Vice-Chairs, and we continue to host the everpopular Creative Medway Monthly Meet-Ups —free networking events where artists connect, collaborate, and spark exciting new opportunities.

As a founding member of the Medway Arts Forum , we’ve championed grassroots artists and supported joint initiatives that help talent thrive. We also hold the Vice-Chair position at Chatham’s Town Forum , where the Love Chatham initiative is working to improve the town through events, promotion, and practical changes.

Beyond the arts, we are leading members of the MVA Leaders Network and the Transformation Alliance , providing a strong voice for charities and community organisations. We also represent the voluntary sector in health at the Medway and Swale Social Prescribing Board , the Health and Care Partnership , and the HaCP Digital and BI Board , as well as the Healthwatch Medway Advisory Board making sure the NHS and charities work more closely for better outcomes.

Our commitment to wellbeing is reflected in our work with the Social Isolation Forum , the Medway Innovation Board , and the Mental Health Practitioners Group , where we champion creativity as a tool for tackling loneliness, mental health challenges, and isolation.

We’re equally passionate about supporting the next generation. Through the University of Kent Employability Rewards Scheme , we provide internships, work-shadowing, and experience days to inspire future creative professionals. We’re also proud to sit on the board of Child-Friendly Medway , a programme making Medway more welcoming and supportive for children, young people, and families.

On a wider stage, we’re on the advisory board of the Institute for Inclusive Communities and Environments (ICE) at the University of Greenwich, which works nationally and internationally to reduce inequalities through research and collaboration.

And in 2024, we were thrilled to join the Medway Marmot Place Board , working alongside world-renowned health expert Professor Sir Michael Marmot . Becoming a Marmot Place is a bold commitment to improving health equity and social justice by addressing the conditions in which people live, grow, and work. Medway has embraced the Marmot principles, from

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giving every child the best start in life to tackling discrimination and creating healthier, more sustainable communities.

Together, these roles ensure we’re not only delivering for Medway today, but also shaping a brighter, fairer, and more creative future for all.

Summary

As I reflect on the past year, I am immensely proud of how the Halpern Charitable Foundation rose to every challenge. We remained adaptable, proactive, and determined to make the most of every opportunity, stretching our resources to deliver lasting impact.

At the heart of Medway’s community, HCF has built strong connections and created meaningful activities that put arts and creativity at the centre of positive change. From supporting regeneration and economic growth to improving health and wellbeing, we have shown the vital role culture plays in everyday life. Recognised as one of Medway’s most trusted partners, we worked side by side with the NHS, local government, educational institutions, community groups, and businesses. Our proactive approach consistently delivered results, earning respect and strengthening partnerships.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our people. Our trustees have guided with integrity, our staff have gone above and beyond, and our artists and community members have embraced HCF as family. Together, they make our achievements possible, and I am deeply grateful for their commitment.

Looking ahead, new challenges undoubtedly lie before us. Yet the breadth of our impact this year, and the strength of our partnerships, give me confidence that HCF will continue to inspire, connect, and make a difference. It is an honour to lead this organisation, and I look forward to sharing the next chapter of our journey with you.

Dr David Stokes

Chief Executive Officer, The Halpern Charitable Foundation

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Objectives and Activities

About the Halpern Charitable Foundation

The Halpern Charitable Foundation was established in 2002 with three primary aims; to provide affordable space for artists to work and exhibit in Medway; to help people with mental and/or physical illness/disability; and as a backstop for the Chatham Memorial Synagogue, should it ever be in real financial difficulty with no other avenue left. Since that time the HCF’s remit has evolved and grown to:

  1. To increase access to the arts across the region through: the provision of affordable work and exhibition space; supporting arts education through outreach and events; advocacy of the arts at partnership groups; and supporting the cultural regeneration of the Medway towns.

  2. Helping people affected by mental health and social isolation through: the provision of affordable, stable, housing; the provision of arts and therapy activities; supporting other third sector organisations; and advocacy at partnership groups.

  3. Supporting the Chatham Memorial Synagogue with fundraising advice and as a backstop.

The Foundation's Objects are:

  1. The relief of sick persons with mental illness and/or those suffering from a mental or physical disability to include supporting vulnerable people

  2. To assist in maintaining, repair, mature, preserve, improve and reconstruct for the benefit of the public the fabric of the Chatham Memorial Synagogue, its monuments, fixtures, fittings, furniture and other chattels

  3. To advance and promote the education of the public in the understanding and appreciation of the Arts; in particular by the provision of an Arts Community Centre in Chatham (Nucleus Arts) and by providing support to artists who are unable to pursue their talent because of lack of financial means or financial support or because they may be vulnerable.

Vision

We believe in a world where everyone can express their creativity, no matter their age, background, status or health. By making the arts open and accessible to all we aim to promote creative thinking, support the creative economy, and use the healing power of the arts to improve mental and physical health

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Our values

Strategy

Evidence-Based Growth and Evaluation

In 2025/26, HCF will strengthen its evidence base by conducting a comprehensive needs assessment across our artist community. Using public health data, community surveys, and insights from our events, this work will ensure our programmes align with local needs and underpin future grant applications. Alongside this, we will deliver an innovative evaluation pilot in partnership with Medway Voluntary Action’s Transformation Academy, trialling the Nucleus Matrix and MIAHAI protocols. This will support the development of a standardised evaluation method for social prescribing and reinforce our commitment to research-led practice.

Strategic Partnerships

We will deepen collaboration with the University of Kent’s ICCI, the University of Greenwich’s ICE, Medway Public Health, the NHS, and other key stakeholders. These partnerships will position HCF as a central voice in Medway’s creative and health ecosystem, driving forward innovation and collaboration.

Artist Development and Support

Expanding zero and low-cost opportunities will remain a priority, alongside seeking funding for a comprehensive creative development programme to retain and nurture Medway’s talent. Our new Creative Associate scheme will offer artists on our waiting list, or those unable to afford a studio, meaningful ways to be part of our creative family.

Community Engagement and Education

The launch of Mojo, a Medway Tale , funded by Child Friendly Medway, will bring local storytelling into schools and libraries, inspiring the next generation of readers and creators. We will continue delivering outreach programmes while also preparing a pipeline of future initiatives, ready to activate when funding becomes available.

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Events and Festivals

HCF will deliver a packed annual programme including Chatham Carnival, Open Studios, Fun Palaces, the Summer and Winter Opens, the Kent International Arts Conference, and the Chatham Chinese Festival. Major highlights will include Threads of Remembrance , a participatory project with the Chatham Historic Dockyard, and exploring a proms-style event with Chatham Football Club. We will also support partner festivals such as Super Saturday, Medway Christmas celebrations, and Rapture.

Digital Engagement

We will launch a targeted social media strategy with distinct channels for our galleries, Medway Art Box, community programmes, and CEO-led communications. Tailored content will ensure we connect meaningfully with our varied audiences.

Volunteering and Workforce Development

Working with Medway Voluntary Action, we will enhance our volunteer offer with improved recruitment, training, and resources, including the Medway Volunteer Passport and Volunteer Charters. We will also continue supporting opportunities through the University of Kent Employability Programme, Medway Pride Awards, and Medway Youth Awards.

Sustainability and Governance

HCF will prioritise sustainability by implementing energy-saving measures and eco-friendly operational practices. We will also review key governance documents, including our Staff Handbook and HR policies, as we progress toward CIO status.

Financial Sustainability

In 2025/26, HCF will begin to realise the financial benefits of the new Rainham site, alongside Café Nucleus donations, improved energy contracts, and technology investments. These changes will enable us to achieve a balanced budget, with expansion funded solely by external grants and partnerships. Initiatives such as the Big Give Arts Award and a major social prescribing partnership with Medway Council, the University of Kent, and Live Music Now will provide new resources for community engagement.

Future Ambitions

We will continue to develop our case for Arts Council England’s next National Portfolio Organisation round, while exploring expansion opportunities such as the Gravesend/Nucleus Village project, depending on the outcome of the EDC review.

We will support our beneficiaries in the following ways:

Artist Community:

Nucleus Members

We will offer a wide and comprehensive package of support for our artists including:

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Wider Artist/Creative Community

We will support the wider arts/creative/maker community through the following activities:

General Public/Wider community

We will utilise the following activities to engage the General Public with the arts/creative world:

Support the socially isolated, vulnerable and marginalised including people affected by mental health issues

We will support socially isolated, vulnerable and marginalised through the following activities:

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Supporting the Chatham Memorial Synagogue

We will honour the legacy of our founders Hilary and Marie Halpern by continuing support the Chatham Memorial Synagogue through the following ways:

Volunteers

Working with the MVA Transformation Academy we are developing new rules and approaches to engage new people into volunteering roles across Medway. We have been central to developing a volunteers’ training programme and charter, which puts us at the forefront of volunteer support locally.

Finances and Governance

The Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) shows total income for the year were £515,670. A slight decrease in income compared to the prior year (£531,519). The charity received just over £138,157 in restricted grants as detailed in the statement of funds note. The value of charitable investments has reduced this year primarily due to market volatility, but we hope that this will improve in 25/26.

Total expenditure amounted to £660,343, a slight decrease on £617,056 in the prior year. This has been driven by inflationary pressures, such as energy and staff costs.

The SoFA shows an overall decrease in funds. Total reserves at the end of the year were £4,476,036, of which £96,317 are restricted, £3,978,739 are designated for fixed assets and investments, leaving £401,250 as free and unrestricted reserves, as detailed in the statement of funds note.

Financial risk management objectives and policies

The Foundation is aware that despite its fundamental strength a shortfall in income could make it less effective. Causes could be poor returns from investments, poor investment strategy, prolonged recession, prolonged downturn of property market reduces lease values, nonpayment of rent. Outcome could be intervention by Charity Commission.

To minimise these risks, HCF practices excellent business management, good procurement and income control. The Trustees oversee statutory financial reporting, investment strategy, audit functions, budgeting and financial risk management. In 17/18 HCF adopted a new procurement policy and other working policies, and these are being monitored for effectiveness. It continues to review its investment strategy and appraises performance regularly against peer group and market indices. We appraise new business opportunities and have proposals to extend our service areas. Shared cost allocation has been reviewed. A long-term maintenance programme (Planned Preventative Maintenance) is being put in place and will be reviewed annually. HCF is fundamentally strong and continues to work on its long-term sustainability.

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Principal risks and uncertainties

HCF has reviewed all principal risks as part of our Board Risks Register and has undertaken appropriate measures to minimise these risks. This includes:

Safety risks Regular reviews of our activities and
relevant legislation.
Policies in place to ensure appropriate
practices, for example, safeguarding of
vulnerable people, and DBS checks.
Regular inspections of the site to ensure a
safe working environment.
Trained first aiders.
Good external security and CCTV on site.
Up to date risk registers.
Close monitoring of the Pandemic situation,
and the use of infection mitigation controls.
Reputational risks Clear expectations of conduct with staff and
volunteers.
Wide involvement in local committees,
boards, and events.
Clear thinking around ethics, diversity, and
environment.
Operational risks Clear staff and volunteers policies.
Strong financial procedures.
Clear lines of accountability.
Strategic risks Established strategy.
Review by Board of Trustees.

Reserves policy

HCF has a policy to maintain free unrestricted reserves of 6-12 months:

The board of trustees will review the above criteria with reference to HCF’s strategy and Annual Plan and determine the target level of free reserves to meet these. In particular, we will retain sufficient reserves:

The Board of Trustees will at times designate funds from free reserves for significant project costs or replacement of major assets.

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Structure, governance and management

Constitution

Halpern Charitable Foundation began operating in June 2002, and is governed by a Trust Deed dated March 2003, amended on 20th April 2010.

The charity is unincorporated but incorporated its Trustees on 21st October 2013. The principal objects of the charity are:

There have been no changes in the objectives since the last annual report.

Method of appointment or election of Trustees

The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and coopted under the terms of the Trust deed.

There should at all times be at least three trustees.

New trustee appointments are made by a resolution passed at a special meeting.

In selecting persons to be appointed, existing trustees take account of any areas of special knowledge relating to the Foundation’s activities which could be improved at trustee level as detailed in the Foundation Governance Handbook.

Specific searches are then carried out for persons with the required area of expertise. All prospective trustees are interviewed by one or two existing trustees to ascertain their suitability for the position. Trustees may serve a three-year term and may be reappointed.

Trustees receive no remuneration, but may receive out of pocket expenses.

Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

New trustees are given an induction into the charity, its governance, and specifics of its activities. Training is regularly sought for all trustees, new and old, as appropriate, and updates from the Charity Commission are always passed on electronically.

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Pay policy for staff

As a small employer with limited resources, it is very important that we effectively use the money we have available for remuneration. This policy describes the broad principles that we will follow as an employer when setting and reviewing pay.

This policy applies to all staff working for us either on a casual, fixed term or permanent basis. The organisation does not usually employ agency workers. In the event that we do, we will ensure that pay for longer term agency workers (who are with us for a continuous period of over 12 weeks) is comparable to the pay offered for directly employed staff who carry out comparable work.

Pay policy principles:

The organisation strives to be an equal opportunity employer. This means our intention is to treat all staff equitably with regards to the terms and conditions of employment offered, including pay. The board will review pay levels from time to time to identify and address any anomaly.

The organisation fully supports the living wage and will aim to pay at this level, subject to affordability. Living wage figures are usually announced annually in November and we will take the figure into account when reviewing pay.

Organisational structure and decision making

The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for the Charity. As a Board, led by the Chair, they ensure that all Strategic decisions are taken appropriately. They then delegate Operational decisions to the Director in line with the HCF Governance Handbook.

Related party relationships

Halpern Charitable Foundation was set up by Hilary Halpern who also had started Halpern Properties Ltd some years earlier. There had, historically, been some overlap of HCF trustees and HPL directors, and HCF undertook some of its activities from within HPL premises. There are no longer any overlapping trustees/ directors.

Risk management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.

Trustees' indemnities

The charity has purchased insurance to protect the trustees from claims arising from negligent acts, errors or omissions whilst on charity business. The insurance provides cover up to £1,000,000 on any one claim.

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Trustees' responsibilities statement

The Trustees 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).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 of the charity for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and 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, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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 are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

This report was approved by the Trustees, in November 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

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Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers

Trustees

Peter Martin (Chair) Jacqueline Shicluna (Resigned) Geoff Harvey Paula Gregory Vince Maple Anil Aggarwal David Quirke-Thornton (Resigned)

Chief Executive Officer & Company Secretary

David Stokes

Charity registered number

1096478

Principal office

272 High Street Chatham Kent ME4 4BP

Independent Auditors

UHY Hacker Young Thames House Roman Square Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4BJ

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Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Halpern Charitable Foundation (the 'charity') for the year ended 5 April 2025 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of 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).

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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 Auditors' 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 United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, 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.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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 Auditors' 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, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, 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.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of The Halpern Charitable Foundation (continued)

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which 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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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 Auditors' 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:

How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's accounts to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Page 37

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of The Halpern Charitable Foundation (continued)

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' 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 Auditors' 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 its trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

UHY Hacker Young

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors Thames House Roman Square Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4BJ

Date:

UHY Hacker Young are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 38

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Statement of financial activities For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
4
Charitable activities
5
Investments
6
Other income
7
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
9
Total expenditure
Net expenditure before net (losses)/gains on
investments
Net (losses)/gains on investments
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
19
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward
19		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
5,366
289,920
18,599
63,628
377,513
5,188
494,180
499,368
(121,855)
(11,882)
(133,737)
4,513,726
(133,737)
4,379,989		 Restricted funds
2025
£
138,157
-
-
-
138,157
-
160,975
160,975
(22,818)
-
(22,818)
119,135
(22,818)
96,317		 Total
funds
2025
£
143,523
289,920
18,599
63,628
515,670
5,188
655,155
660,343
(144,673)
(11,882)
(156,555)
4,632,861
(156,555)
4,476,306		 Total
funds
2024
£
236,413
255,601
30,741
8,764
531,519
8,262
608,794
617,056
(85,537)
28,480
(57,057)
4,689,918
(57,057)
4,632,861

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 42 to 60 form part of these financial statements.

Page 39

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Balance Sheet As at 5 April 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
13
Investments
14
Current assets
Debtors
15
Investments
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
17
Net current assets
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
19
Unrestricted funds
19
Total funds		 563,978
1,264
54,364
619,606
(122,039)		 2025
£
3,407,787
570,952
3,978,739
497,567
4,476,306
96,317
4,379,989
4,476,306		 500,124
17,659
84,584
602,367
(80,428)		 2024
£
3,411,319
699,603
4,110,922
521,939
4,632,861
119,135
4,513,726
4,632,861

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Peter Martin

(Chair of Trustees)

Date:

The notes on pages 42 to 60 form part of these financial statements.

Page 40

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities
21
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
13
Proceeds from sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
22		 2025
£
(142,571)
18,599
(39,412)
129,678
(12,909)
95,956
(46,615)
102,243
55,628		 2024
£
(303,517)
30,741
(1,026,171)
505,171
(98,651)
(588,910)
(892,427)
994,670
102,243

The notes on pages 42 to 60 form part of these financial statements

Page 41

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

1. General information

The Halpern Charitable Foundation is a charity registered in England and Wales, charity number 1096478. The principal place of activity is 272 High St, Chatham ME4 4BP. The objects and aims of the Charity are set out in the Trustees' Report. The financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling, being the functional currency of the Charity.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102)(second edition) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (January 2022) and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) (second edition) rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005) which has since been withdrawn.

The Halpern Charitable Foundation meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

2.2 Going concern

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis. The Trustees assess the reasonableness of the assumption of the charity to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the date the financial statements are signed.

The Trustees recognise that the charity has incurred operational deficits since the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, in early 2025 the trustees implemented a new financial structure designed to provide improved oversight and enhanced financial forecasting. The aim of this approach is to ensure that each individual site within the charity operates on a break-even basis.

The considerations made in the trustees assertion of going concern include the review of the current and future operations of the charity, together with a review of its cash and reserves position up to the end of March 2027. The free reserves of the charity are considered appropriate to continue to support the charity to undertake its charitable activities.

No material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern have been identified by the trustees.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. This is normally upon notification by our investment advisor of the dividend yield of the investment portfolio.

Page 42

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Expenditure

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.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.5 Taxation

The Halpern Charitable Foundation is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore meets the definition of a charitable trust for UK income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Halpern Charitable Foundation is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Part 10 of the Income Tax Act 2007 or Section 256 of the Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. No tax charge has arisen in the year.

2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £2,500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

Freehold land - Nil
Freehold property - 125 years straight line
Property improvements - 20 years straight line
Plant and machinery - 5 years straight line
Office equipment - 5 years straight line
Other fixed assets - 50 years straight line

2.7 Investments

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.

Current asset investments are short term, highly liquid investments recognised at their transaction cost. They are not part of the charity's long term investment strategy and are those which are held for resale or pending their sale and cash on deposit with a maturity date of less than one year.

Page 43

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.8 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

2.9 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

2.10 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

2.11 Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.

2.12 Pensions

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.

2.13 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Page 44

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

Useful economic life of assets

The charge in respect of periodic depreciation is derived after determining an estimate of an asset’s expected useful life. The useful economic life of an asset is determined at the time the asset is acquired or brought into use and reviewed annually for appropriateness. The lives are based on historical experience together with anticipation of future events. Depreciation policy is detailed in the accounting policy for depreciation.

Allocation of support costs

Support costs not attributable to a single charitable activity are allocated or apportioned on a basis consistent with identified cost drivers for that cost category. Cost drivers utilised include head count, staff time allocation, and effort and judgement is exercised in applying cost drivers to cost categories.

4. Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Grants
Total 2024		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
5,366
-
5,366
40,094		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
-
138,157
138,157
196,319		 Total
funds
2025
£
5,366
138,157
143,523
236,413		 Total
funds
2024
£
190
236,223
236,413

Page 45

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

5. Income from charitable activities

Nucleus Arts Main Centre
Chatham HeArt
Creative Riverside Hub
Maidstone Road
Halpern Conservancy
The Langton Studios
Total 2024
6.
Investment income
Dividend income
Bank interest
Total 2024
7.
Other income
Insurance claims
Total 2024		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
138,940
3,389
40,666
42,000
42,925
22,000
289,920
255,601
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
18,424
175
18,599
30,741
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
63,628
8,764		 Total
funds
2025
£
138,940
3,389
40,666
42,000
42,925
22,000
289,920
255,601
Total
funds
2025
£
18,424
175
18,599
30,741
Total
funds
2025
£
63,628
8,764		 Total
funds
2024
£
150,116
28
25,894
44,546
13,017
22,000
255,601
Total
funds
2024
£
29,391
1,350
30,741
Total
funds
2024
£
8,764

Page 46

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

8. Investment management costs

Investment management fees
Total 2024		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
5,188
8,262		 Total
funds
2025
£
5,188
8,262		 Total
funds
2024
£
8,262

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Nucleus Arts Main Centre
Chatham HeArt
Creative Riverside Hub
Halpern Conservancy
Synagogue
The Langton Studios
Total 2024		 Activities
undertaken
directly
2025
£
125,326
2,996
37,458
39,417
2,074
5,187
212,458
213,485		 Support costs
2025
£
256,764
6,640
79,686
84,114
4,427
11,066
442,697
395,309		 Total
funds
2025
£
382,090
9,636
117,144
123,531
6,501
16,253
655,155
608,794		 Total
funds
2024
£
366,982
8,638
103,634
109,389
5,757
14,394
608,794

Analysis of direct costs

Nucleus Arts Chatham Creative Halpern
Main Centre HeArt Riverside Conservancy Synagogue
2025 2025 2025 2025 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Staff costs 69,837 1,677 20,122 21,240 1,118
Staff and agency related costs 4,191 108 1,300 1,372 72
Other direct costs 16,257 420 5,045 5,325 280
Advertising and marketing 2,232 58 693 732 39
Technology costs 218 6 68 72 4
Maintenance of premises and
equipment 11,032 285 3,424 3,614 190
Rent and rates 7,457 193 2,314 2,443 129
Energy 6,347 164 1,970 2,079 109

Page 47

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

9.
Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of direct costs (continued)
Insurance
4,436
Other premises expenditure
2,605
Bad debts and write offs
-
Bank charges and interest
714
125,326
Total 2024
136,552
Staff costs
Staff and agency related costs
Other direct costs
Advertising and marketing
Technology costs
Maintenance of premises and equipment
Rent and rates
Energy
Insurance
Other premises expenditure
Bad debts and write offs
Bank charges and interest
Total 2024		 -
67
-
18
2,996
2,748		 1,492
808
-
222
37,458
32,970
The Langton
Studios
2025
£
2,795
181
701
96
9
476
321
274
191
112
-
31
5,187
4,579		 1,453
853
-
234
39,417
34,802
Total
funds
2025
£
116,789
7,224
28,028
3,850
377
19,021
12,857
10,943
7,648
4,490
-
1,231
212,458
213,485		 76
45
-
12
2,074
1,834
Total
funds
2024
£
100,154
6,808
26,761
8,447
1,058
4,790
11,943
10,069
6,968
5,630
30,000
857
213,485

Page 48

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs

Staff costs
Depreciation
Staff and agency related costs
Advertising and marketing
Technology costs
Maintenance of premises and
equipment
Rent and rates
Energy
Insurance
Other premises expenditure
Statutory audit
Accountancy and bookkeeping
Legal fees
Bank charges and interest
Other support costs
Governance costs
Total 2024		 Nucleus Arts
Main Centre
2025
£
120,411
24,908
7,780
4,147
405
20,487
13,848
11,787
8,238
4,838
3,769
594
4,035
1,326
30,191
-
256,764
230,430		 Chatham
HeArt
2025
£
3,114
644
201
107
11
530
358
305
213
125
98
15
104
34
781
-
6,640
5,890		 Creative
Riverside
2025
£
37,369
7,730
2,414
1,287
126
6,358
4,298
3,658
2,557
1,501
1,170
185
1,252
411
9,370
-
79,686
70,664		 Halpern
Conservancy
2025
£
39,445
8,159
2,549
1,359
133
6,712
4,537
3,861
2,699
1,584
1,235
195
1,322
434
9,890
-
84,114
74,587		 Synagogue
2025
£
2,076
-
134
72
7
782
239
203
142
83
65
10
70
23
521
-
4,427
3,923

Page 49

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs (continued)

Staff costs
Depreciation
Staff and agency related costs
Advertising and marketing
Technology costs
Maintenance of premises and equipment
Rent and rates
Energy
Insurance
Other premises expenditure
Statutory audit
Accountancy and bookkeeping
Legal fees
Bank charges and interest
Other support costs
Governance costs
Total 2024
10.
Auditors' remuneration		 The Langton
Studios
2025
£
5,190
1,074
335
179
18
883
597
508
355
208
163
26
174
57
1,299
-
11,066
9,815		 Total
funds
2025
£
207,605
42,515
13,413
7,151
700
35,752
23,877
20,322
14,204
8,339
6,500
1,025
6,957
2,285
52,052
-
442,697
395,309		 Total
funds
2024
£
185,997
38,848
12,643
15,688
1,964
2,452
23,299
18,701
12,365
10,089
7,320
9,589
5,043
1,591
49,113
607
395,309
2025 2024
£ £
Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual accounts 6,350 7,260
Fees payable to the Charity's auditor in respect of:
Taxation compliance services 210 210
All non-audit services not included above 2,215 2,140

Auditor's remuneration is presented on a gross basis which includes irrecoverable VAT. As the entity is not VAT registered for VAT, any VAT incurred on audit and assurance services cannot be reclaimed and is therefore treated as part of the overall cost of the audit.

Page 50

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

11. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes		 2025
£
293,614
25,021
5,759
324,394		 2024
£
264,189
16,837
5,125
286,151

During the year, the charity terminated the contract of the finance manager which resulted in a restructuring and made this certain role redundant. The total redundancy and termination payments recognised in the statement of financial activities for the year £1,156 (£nil 2024).

All redundancy decisions were approved by the Board of Trustees.

The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:

2025
No.
Employees
13
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
2025
No.
In the band £60,001 - £70,000
1		 2024
No.
14
2024
No.
1

Key management personnel comprise the Trustees and Chief Executive. The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel, including employer pension and social security contributions total £77,254 (2024: £74,285).

12. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 5 April 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL) .

Page 51

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

13. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 6 April 2024
Additions
At 5 April 2025
Depreciation
At 6 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 5 April 2025
Net book value
At 5 April 2025
At 5 April 2024		 Freehold
property
£
3,640,366
38,614
3,678,980
241,215
40,810
282,025
3,396,955
3,399,151		 Plant and
machinery
£
4,047
-
4,047
4,047
-
4,047
-
-		 Office
equipment
£
20,240
798
21,038
16,432
1,881
18,313
2,725
3,808		 Other fixed
assets
£
12,666
-
12,666
4,306
253
4,559
8,107
8,360		 Total
£
3,677,319
39,412
3,716,731
266,000
42,944
308,944
3,407,787
3,411,319

Page 52

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

14. Fixed asset investments

Valuation
At 6 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
At 5 April 2025
Investments at fair value comprise:
Equities
Bonds
Alternatives & Multi-Assets
15.
Debtors
Due after more than one year
Other debtors
Due within one year
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
16.
Current asset investments
Cash held by portfolio manager		 2025
£
342,377
129,770
98,805
570,952
2025
£
381,372
44,083
80,172
58,351
563,978
2025
£
1,264		 Listed
investments
£
699,603
12,909
(129,678)
(11,882)
570,952
2024
£
445,186
149,089
105,328
699,603
2024
£
421,516
46,074
21,826
10,708
500,124
2024
£
17,659

Page 53

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

17. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred income at 6 April 2024
Resources deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods		 2025
£
36,754
6,035
4,611
74,639
122,039
2025
£
19,404
13,685
(19,404)
13,685		 2024
£
21,240
6,232
6,151
46,805
80,428
2024
£
-
24,597
(5,193)
19,404

Deferred income relates to rental income and gallery exhibitions for events taken place post year end.

18. Financial instruments

2025 2024
£ £
Financial assets
Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure 570,952 699,603

Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure comprise listed investments.

The main form of financial risk faced by the Charity is that of the volatility in equity and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk and changes in sentiment concerning equities, particularly currency risk, and within particular sectors or sub-sectors. The Charity's investment portfolio generates a significant proportion of the Charity's total income which funds its charitable activities. Should this be impacted due to volatility, the Charity is fortunate to have other sufficient liquid assets to fund its operations.

Page 54

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

19. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year
Balance at 6
April 2024
£
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Tangible fixed asset
3,411,319
Listed investments
699,603
4,110,922
General funds
General Funds
402,804
Total Unrestricted
funds
4,513,726
Restricted funds
Synagogue
57,193
Mental Health &
Socially Isolated
32,770
Creative Cabin
1,197
Energy Efficiency
27,874
Arts Award
101
Chinese New Year
-
Arts Council
England
-
Creative Health
-
Joy Send Fund
-
Child Friendly
Medway
-
Test Bed Fund
-
Other grants
-
Chatham Carnival
-
Chatham Christmas
-
Chatham Summer
-
119,135
Total of funds
4,632,861		 Income
£
-
-
-
377,513
377,513
-
-
-
-
20,775
13,161
16,581
27,500
5,000
12,660
11,250
8,230
16,000
1,000
6,000
138,157
515,670		 Expenditure
£
(42,515)
-
(42,515)
(456,853)
(499,368)
-
(32,770)
(1,197)
-
(20,876)
(13,161)
(16,581)
(27,500)
(5,000)
(12,660)
-
(8,230)
(16,000)
(1,000)
(6,000)
(160,975)
(660,343)		 Transfers
in/out
£
38,983
(116,769)
(77,786)
77,786
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
(11,882)
(11,882)
-
(11,882)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(11,882)		 Balance at 5
April 2025
£
3,407,787
570,952
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Tangible fixed asset
Listed investments
General funds
General Funds
Total Unrestricted
funds
Restricted funds
Synagogue
Mental Health &
Socially Isolated
Creative Cabin
Energy Efficiency
Arts Award
Chinese New Year
Arts Council
England
Creative Health
Joy Send Fund
Child Friendly
Medway
Test Bed Fund
Other grants
Chatham Carnival
Chatham Christmas
Chatham Summer
Total of funds
3,978,739
401,250
4,379,989
57,193
-
-
27,874
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,250
-
-
-
-
96,317
4,476,306

Page 55

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

19. Statement of funds (continued)

Designated funds

These funds represent the fixed assets of the charity split between its tangible fixed assets and investments.

Unrestricted funds

Funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. The total fund balance represents the charity's free reserves.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds are those held by the charity for a specific purpose. Details of specific restricted funds are:

Synagogue - Mr Halpern left £100,000 in his will to the charity, restricted to the maintenance and upkeep of the Chatham Memorial Synagogue. £57,193 remains available for future maintenance and upkeep expenditure on request from the Synagogue.

Mental Health & Socially Isolated through Art - Mrs Halpern donated £100,000 to the charity, restricted to the provision of mental health support, and support to the socially isolated, through the Arts. This has been fully spent in the year.

Creative Cabin - Grant for the purchase and upkeep of a Creative Cabin. This has been fully spent in the year.

Energy Efficiency - Grant to cover the cost of changing the current lighting in Building A and B to LED, to reduce energy costs. It is planned for this to be spent in future years,

Arts Award - This was towards the Arts Award for a total of £20,775, and this along with funds brought forward were fully spent during the ear.

Medway: Chinese New Year, Chatham Carnival, Chatham Christmas, and Chatham Summer - Grants to held support the delivery of creative events during the year in Chatham. These funds have all been fully spent in the year.

Arts Council England - Capital funding for installation of solar panels, new roof for A-block, and a series of smaller improvements to the fabric building.

Creative Health - Funds to support a national and international leadership role in Creative Health research and evaluation. These funds have all been fully spent in the year.

Joy Send Fund - This project was funded by the Joy Programme, with the money being part of a pilot scheme to support social prescribing as a tool to tackle health issues. The funding was used to increase our Social Art Group

Child Friendly Medway - Funding was provided by the Medway Council to deliver a wide range of projects for under 18 year olds.

Test Bed - This funding was received with the aim to offer support to tackle loneliness in young, and working age people who where interested in creative activity. This is to be spent next year when the project is being delivered.

Transfers between funds

A transfer is made from unrestricted funds to cover restricted project overspends. Transfers are also made between unrestricted funds and designated funds for movements in tangible and investment fixed assets.

Page 56

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

19.
Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
Balance at
1 April 2023
£
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Tangible fixed asset
2,423,998
Listed investments
1,077,642
3,501,640
General funds
General Funds
1,060,514
Total Unrestricted
funds
4,562,154
Restricted funds
Synagogue
57,193
Mental Health &
Socially Isolated
32,770
Creative Cabin
1,197
Energy Efficiency
27,874
Arts Award
8,730
Chinese New Year
-
Arts Council
England
-
Chatham Town
Centre Forum
-
Chatham Carnival
-
127,764
Total of funds
4,689,918		 Income
£
-
-
-
335,200
335,200
-
-
-
-
24,375
15,000
144,444
2,500
10,000
196,319
531,519		 Expenditure
£
(38,848)
-
(38,848)
(373,260)
(412,108)
-
-
-
-
(33,004)
(15,000)
(144,444)
(2,500)
(10,000)
(204,948)
(617,056)		 Transfers in/out
£
1,026,169
(406,519)
619,650
(619,650)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
28,480
28,480
-
28,480
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
28,480		 Balance at
5 April 2024
£
3,411,319
699,603
4,110,922
402,804
4,513,726
57,193
32,770
1,197
27,874
101
-
-
-
-
119,135
4,632,861

Page 57

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

20. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Debtors due after more than one year
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
3,407,787
570,952
421,516
101,773
(122,039)
4,379,989		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
-
-
-
96,317
-
96,317		 Total
funds
2025
£
3,407,787
570,952
421,516
198,090
(122,039)
4,476,306

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Debtors due after more than one year
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
3,411,319
699,603
421,516
61,716
(80,428)
4,513,726		 Restricted funds
2024
£
-
-
-
119,135
-
119,135		 Total
funds
2024
£
3,411,319
699,603
421,516
180,851
(80,428)
4,632,861

21. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net expenditure for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
(Losses)/gains on investments
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
Increase in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities		 2025
£
(156,555)
42,944
11,882
(18,599)
(53,354)
(2,265)
(175,947)		 2024
£
(57,057)
38,850
(28,480)
(30,741)
(255,996)
29,907
(303,517)

Page 58

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

22. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash in hand
Cash held by portfolio manager
Total cash and cash equivalents		 2025
£
54,364
1,264
55,628		 2024
£
84,584
17,659
102,243

23. Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand
Liquid investments
Capital commitments
Capital project works		 At 6 April
2024
£
84,584
17,659
102,243		 Cash flows
£
(30,220)
(16,395)
(46,615)
2025
£
2,912		 At 5 April
2025
£
54,364
1,264
55,628
2024
£
-

24. Capital commitments

25. Pension commitments

The Charity operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. Contributions totalling £1,230 (2024: £1,005) were owed to the fund at the balance sheet date.

Page 59

The Halpern Charitable Foundation

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 5 April 2025

26. Operating lease commitments

At 5 April 2025 the Charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years		 2025
£
30,720
30,720
61,440		 2024
£
30,720
61,440
92,160

The following lease payments have been recognised as an expense in the Statement of financial activities:

2025 2024
£ £
Operating lease rentals 30,525 30,993

27. Related party transactions

One of the charity’s trustees is also a director of a firm of chartered accountants which provided bookkeeping services to the charity during the year.

The total fees paid to the firm during the year amounted to £1,440 (2024: £nil). These services were provided on an arm’s length basis, and the trustee did not take part in any decision-making related to the engagement or payment of the firm.

There was no balance outstanding with the firm at the year end (2024: £nil).

Page 60