REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1174613
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
FOR
THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
Xeinadin Swiss Cottage Limited Harben House Harben Parade Finchley Road LONDON NW3 6LH
THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
| Page | |||
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| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 5 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 | to | 10 |
THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The object of the CIO shall be the advancement of the orthodox Jewish faith in accordance with the principles and teachings of Chabad in particular for people living in Borehamwood and Elstree by providing them with educational programs and social activities that will build and develop a meaningful relationship to their Jewish Heritage.
The Chai Center is focused on creating opportunities for local Jewish people to engage in the various experiences Jewish life has to offer through various events and programmes. Based centrally in Borehamwood, there is a strong focus on also creating informal opportunities for people outside the Jewish community to engage and obtain an understanding and appreciation of Jewish life and culture.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
During the year 2025-26 the charity continued to run and expand all its programmes and activities to include youth activities, festival and Sabbath activities, adult education programmes, social services, Judaica services and publications. Chanukah, Purim and Passover activities have grown with programmes for children in the Jewish schools of Hertsmere. There has been significant growth of Friendship Circle, which has been extremely successful in engaging teens in volunteering with children who have special needs.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the entity will continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The trustees have considered the entity's current financial position, cash flows and liquidity position, as well as its future plans and projections, and have concluded that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
FUTURE PLANS
The trustees plan to continue and increase the charity's activities and programs, with a particular focus on youth and children's engagement.
A major focus for the coming period is the relocation of The Chai Center to new premises at 80 Shenley Road, Borehamwood. The charity has secured a 10 year lease from Hertsmere Borough Council on the former bank premises, which will be converted into a purpose designed three storey community centre of approximately 6,000 square feet internal space with an additional 2,000 square feet of outdoor space. The new premises will allow the charity to significantly expand the scale and range of its activities, including dedicated spaces for youth and children's programming, adult education, a nursery and sensory room, a communal lounge and kitchen, and improved accessibility throughout the building.
The total capital cost of the project is approximately £1.5 million, to be raised through a dedicated fundraising campaign. The construction programme is expected to run for approximately 9 to 10 months, with the building anticipated to become operational during the 2026-27 financial year. The trustees consider this move to be a transformational step in the development of the charity and its ability to serve the Jewish community of Borehamwood and Elstree.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The Chai Center is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) constituted under a Constitution incorporated 30th June 2017 and has registered charity number 1174613.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The appointment of new trustees is at the discretion of the serving trustees. All decisions made on behalf of the charity are made by the trustees.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1174613
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THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
Principal address Unit 12E Keystone Passage Borehamwood Shopping Park Hertfordshire WD6 4PR
Trustees Ms M Redbart A Brandman A Braun
Independent Examiner Xeinadin Swiss Cottage Limited Harben House Harben Parade Finchley Road LONDON NW3 6LH 29/05/2026 Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
................................................................. A Braun - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE CHAI CENTER
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Chai Center
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Chai Center (the Trust) for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Anthony Cowan The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Xeinadin Swiss Cottage Limited Harben House Harben Parade Finchley Road LONDON NW3 6LH 29/05/2026
Date: .............................................
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THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
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2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund funds funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 385,127 26,805 411,932 297,845
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds 71,566 13,705 85,271 86,297
Other 188,576 - 188,576 204,810
Total 260,142 13,705 273,847 291,107
NET INCOME 124,985 13,100 138,085 6,738
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
-
Total funds brought forward 65,188 65,188 58,450
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 190,173 13,100 203,273 65,188
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The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
BALANCE SHEET 31 JULY 2025
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2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund funds funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets 4 110,607 - 110,607 67,205
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 5 13,283 - 13,283 9,182
Cash at bank and in hand 89,036 13,100 102,136 14,820
102,319 13,100 115,419 24,002
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 6 (14,079) - (14,079) (14,206)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 88,240 13,100 101,340 9,796
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 198,847 13,100 211,947 77,001
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year 7 (8,674) - (8,674) (11,813)
NET ASSETS 190,173 13,100 203,273 65,188
FUNDS 9
Unrestricted funds 190,173 65,188
Restricted funds 13,100 -
TOTAL FUNDS 203,273 65,188
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by: 29/05/2026
............................................. A Braun - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.The only exception to this is where donations are received with the intent that it will pay for expenditure which will arise in a future period, in which case the income is deferred to be matched against that future expenditure.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures and fittings - 20% on reducing balance Heritage asset - not provided Computer equipment - 20% on reducing balance
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
continued...
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THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
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3. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund funds funds
£ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 291,845 6,000 297,845
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds 80,297 6,000 86,297
Other 204,810 - 204,810
Total 285,107 6,000 291,107
NET INCOME 6,738 - 6,738
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
-
Total funds brought forward 58,450 58,450
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 65,188 - 65,188
4. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
Short and Heritage Computer
leasehold fittings asset equipment Totals
£ £ £ £ £
COST
-
At 1 August 2024 125,567 25,500 2,284 153,351
Additions 47,997 4,459 - - 52,456
At 31 July 2025 47,997 130,026 25,500 2,284 205,807
DEPRECIATION
At 1 August 2024 - 85,159 - 987 86,146
Charge for year - 8,794 - 260 9,054
- -
At 31 July 2025 93,953 1,247 95,200
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 July 2025 47,997 36,073 25,500 1,037 110,607
-
At 31 July 2024 40,408 25,500 1,297 67,205
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THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
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5. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 8,200 4,226
Other debtors 4,183 4,056
Prepayments and accrued income 900 900
13,283 9,182
6. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025 2024
£ £
Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 8) 6,600 6,600
Trade creditors 1,679 2,006
Other creditors 5,800 5,600
14,079 14,206
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
2025 2024
£ £
Bank loans (see note 8) 8,674 11,813
8. LOANS
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
2025 2024
£ £
Amounts falling due within one year on demand:
Bank loans 6,600 6,600
Amounts falling between one and two years:
Bank loans - 1-2 years 8,674 9,900
Amounts falling due between two and five years:
-
Bank loans - 2-5 years 1,913
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1.8.24 in funds 31.7.25
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 65,188 124,985 190,173
Restricted funds
Lotto - 13,100 13,100
TOTAL FUNDS 65,188 138,085 203,273
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THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 385,127 Restricted funds Lotto 19,305 EBOR Council 5,500 United Synagogue 2,000 26,805 TOTAL FUNDS 411,932 Comparatives for movement in funds At 1.8.23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 58,450 TOTAL FUNDS 58,450 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 291,845 Restricted funds EBOR Council 500 Hertfordshire Council 5,500 6,000 TOTAL FUNDS 297,845 |
Resources expended £ (260,142) (6,205) (5,500) (2,000) (13,705) (273,847) Net movement in funds £ 6,738 6,738 Resources expended £ (285,107) (500) (5,500) (6,000) (291,107) |
Movement in funds £ 124,985 13,100 - - 13,100 138,085 At 31.7.24 £ 65,188 65,188 Movement in funds £ 6,738 - - - 6,738 |
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THE CHAI CENTER TRADING AS THE JEWISH LIFE CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Lotto TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.8.23 £ 58,450 - 58,450 |
Net movement in funds £ 131,723 13,100 144,823 |
At 31.7.25 £ 190,173 13,100 203,273 |
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A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Lotto EBOR Council Hertfordshire Council United Synagogue TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 676,972 19,305 6,000 5,500 2,000 32,805 709,777 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (545,249) 131,723 (6,205) 13,100 (6,000) - (5,500) - (2,000) - (19,705) 13,100 (564,954) 144,823 |
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10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 July 2025.
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