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2020-12-31-accounts

Annual Report

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 Charity Nos. 269971 England and Wales;SC040512 Scotland

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK) (Charity Nos. 269971 England and Wales; SC040512 Scotland)

Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2020

Contents Page
Trustees Report …………………………………………………………………. 1-22
Auditors Report …………………………………………………………………. 23-26
Statement of Financial Activities ……………………………………………….. 27
Balance Sheet ……………………………………………………………………. 28
Statement of Cash Flows…………………………………………………………. 29
Notes to the Financial Statements ……………………………………………….. 30-37

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2020

The trustees present their report along with the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020. The financial statements have been prepared based on the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).

Legal and Administrative Information

Charity Name: Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK) Charity Numbers: 269971 – England and Wales SC040512 – Scotland Trustees: Mahesh Patel Ratan Thadani Sanjay Tulsidas Govind Vaswani Girish Wadhwani Secretary: Kim Lewis Registered and Administrative Office: Global Co-operation House 65-69 Pound Lane London NW10 2HH Banker: HSBC Bank Plc 584 High Road, Wembley Middlesex HA0 2DB Legal Advisers: Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP 134 Edmund Street Birmingham B3 2ES VWV Solicitors Second Floor, 3 Brindley Place Birmingham B1 2JB Auditor: Statutory Auditors LLP Avar Suites, Building 3, North London Business Park Oakleigh Road South London N11 1GN

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TRUSTEES REPORT (Continued)

Structure, Governance and Management

Trustees and organisational structure

The trustees who held office during the financial year and at the date of this report are set out on page 1.

The trust deed allows for up to 11 trustees to be appointed. Trustees serve until they resign. New trustees are nominated and if suitable appointed by members of the board of trustees, taking into account the necessary skills they contribute to the charity’s management and development. When new trustees are appointed they are given an introduction to the work of the trust and provided with the information they need to fulfil their roles. This includes information about the role of trustees, charity law, and a number of publications from the Charity Commission including guidance on the advancement of religion for public benefit.

The trustees take responsibility for monitoring the trust’s activities, consisting of 12 operational units that meet regularly. Each operational unit takes responsibility to adhere to the policies and budgets, as set out by the Trustees’ Board, and report back all relevant decisions and variances. Each operational unit consists of at least two trustees, and includes key management members in order to ensure sound governance, allowing due consideration of the volunteer’s ability, personal competence, specialised knowledge and desire to serve.

The trust has its headquarters in North West London and representatives in many cities and towns throughout the UK.

Risk Management

All significant activities undertaken are subject to a risk review as part of the initial project assessment and implementation. Major risks are identified and ranked in terms of their potential impact and likelihood.

Major risks for this purpose are those that may have a significant effect on:

The trustees review these risks on an ongoing basis and satisfy themselves that adequate systems and procedures are in place to manage the risks identified. Where appropriate, risks are covered by insurance. The following framework is central to ensuring adequate risk assurance:

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In assessing risk, the trustees recognise that some areas of the charity’s work require the acceptance and management of risk if key objectives are to be achieved.

Objects and Activities

Brahma Kumaris (UK) is a non-governmental, non-political, religious organisation that was established in 1975. The charity was constituted under a trust deed, dated 18 July 1975, with various amendments.

It is registered as a charity with:

The charity’s objects are:

  1. To promote the advancement of the Hindu Religion and other religions of the world.

  2. To promote the advancement of education by educational courses, programmes and projects and studies of and research in the field of Hindu Religious Philosophy and Yoga (various techniques of concentration as defined and discussed in the Hindu Scriptures) and to make known the results of such studies and research.

  3. To relieve poverty, mental and physical sickness and distress.

  4. To promote the mental, spiritual or moral improvement of the community.

The charity delivers these objectives through the following core activities:

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Public Benefit

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102. The board of trustees has given regard to the legislative and regulatory requirement for disclosing how the Charity’s objectives have provided benefit to the public. This report outlines how the various activities in the year have benefitted the public, either directly or indirectly.

Serving the Community - Activities, Achievements and Performance

The charity delivers its charitable objectives through volunteers all around the UK. It invites members of the public to participate in its activities via printed materials, the internet, social networking, local networking, radio, film, television and advertising, as well as offering regular communications to people on our mailing lists. All our activities are free of charge and open to all members of the community.

Serving through the Pandemic

“As a nurse, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for having very well organised online meditations and other sessions since the lock down. It has really helped me when I have been overwhelmed with what I see and hear around me, at these critical moments of life… your support online has really helped me.”

When lockdown was declared, we immediately shifted all our religious discourses, courses, talks, meditation sessions, groups, discussions, meetings, student sustenance, etc. online. Rather than offering fewer activities, we offered more. Some interesting points to note:

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through the Internet could easily be accessible to communities and individuals to help them develop their own inner peace and inner strength.

Key annual figures for our UK main online platforms in 2020

1. Total viewers/participants on Webcast & Zoom: 273,858

● Webcast activities - total connections: 128,112

● Zoom activities - total connections: 145,746

30 Zoom accounts managed by Global Co-operation House used for webinars, courses, sessions, meetings and religious discourses; 10 for activities from Global Co-operation House, 20 other for various UK locations. Some other UK locations had their own accounts for which we do not have figures.

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2. Website new users: 148,016

3. Social media followers across all our UK platforms and channels

(YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Meetup, SoundCloud and Pinterest, as at Dec 2021)

Note: Events were also live-streamed on Facebook, Skype, Instagram Live and perhaps other platforms too.

Religious Discourses

Morning religious discourses take place in locations around the UK every day of the year. These daily discourses aid deeper understanding and assimilation of the principles and practice of Raja Yoga for both regular and new students. This year, as well as additional sessions for newcomers and those unable to attend the early morning discourses, interactive classes on the daily religious discourses on Zoom were organised twice weekly by Global Co-operation House in English and Hindi. All sessions moved online in late March (on various platforms: webcast, Zoom and Skype). From mid-June three socially distanced spaces were made available for individual meditation at Global Co-operation House, so that students unable to attend gatherings could still visit the building for periods of silent reflection. From July limited gatherings took place according to government guidelines at Global Co-operation House, Harmony House Leicester and Manchester Inner Space. Gatherings stopped during certain months during further lockdowns. Daily average connections: (843- E&W; 16- S.)

Religious celebrations

We organise special events and activities to mark a variety of religious festivals throughout the year. These include some of the major Hindu festivals, Christmas, etc., on the understanding that, irrespective of faith and culture, we are one human family, all children of one God.

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Raksha Bandhan at Global Co-operation House in August, attended with careful social distancing by 1,718 people over five days.

“Just a brief note of thanks for your message on Raksha Bandhan, a festival which I hadn't heard of before. I read the message of Love, and it had an immediate effect on me, a positive one which helped me reconnect with my authentic self. I remembered this message when I awoke mid last night, in an anxious state, and immediately felt a healing connection with my true self, and was able to sleep peacefully until this a.m.”

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Our Courses

We offered a variety of courses based on Raja Yoga, which explore how to tap into our inner goodness, develop a loving relationship with God and so respond better to life’s challenges and opportunities. Courses in Raja Yoga meditation and ancillary courses were offered in several languages, including English, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Portuguese, Spanish and Tamil. The table below gives the figures for people attending our courses organised and delivered by our volunteers across the UK in 2020.

Course Title England & Wales Scotland
Raja Yoga 6,940 147
Positive Thinking 1,179 65
Self Esteem 781 0
Stress-Free Living 995 3
Overcoming Anger 724 0
Total 10,619 215

Some feedback from students of the Raja Yoga course in 2020:

Meditation sessions – encouraging and enabling silent reflection

Over 120,000 people took part in our regular meditation sessions in addition to the daily morning gatherings mentioned above - for newcomers, more experienced meditators and our

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regular students. The number and variety of these increased considerably from April to meet the need of the time. (119,652- E&W; 1,702- S)

Webcast:

I have been practising along every day… It is changing my life and I am so thankful to all of you!

Facebook:

“Thank you so much for your morning meditations, they have been a source of stability and peace for me during this period, and I am eternally grateful.”

YouTube:

"Great guided meditation video - it’s truly amazing. My day was not going as expected but as I watched this video my day brightened; I started to feel more relaxed.”

Instagram

“My mum passed away recently and I'm struggling with my emotions, but these meditations have really uplifted me, thank you!!”

The Youth Group of Brahma Kumaris in London were nominated for an award by the London Faith & Belief Community Awards 2020 for their Live Morning Meditations on Global Co-operation House Facebook and Instagram pages.

Awarded to the Brahma Kumaris Youth Group for their Online Live Meditations.

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Talks, seminars, workshops and special events – Raja Yoga as a life skill

A wide range of talks, seminars and workshops were offered, with speakers from around the UK as well as abroad sharing their personal experiences, insights and tips, based on their own experience of studying and practising Raja Yoga. These were offered by Brahma Kumaris in many different locations on a variety of platforms throughout the year. (90,612- E&W; 1,749- S).

Interfaith

We continue our work in bringing people of different faiths and cultures closer together and to nurture a deeper understanding between different faiths, based on acceptance and respect. Our volunteers around the UK contributed to interfaith meetings - mainly online this year - around the UK. Every third Tuesday of the month, an Interfaith Vigil for World Peace was held offline - people contributed their silence wherever they were. (319- E&W; 584- S)

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joined by the local MSP, Lord Provost Barney Crockett and Lady Provost, Shona Crockett and representation from the Local Community Council. Raksha Bandhan packets were also delivered to our friends and contacts.

Brahma Kumaris’ contribution to a COP Interfaith Evening in December

Funeral service

Brahma Kumaris were invited to conduct and contribute to funeral services in different locations around the UK both in person and online. We also contributed to prayer meetings and special meditation gatherings for bereaved families, offered support for families and friends and dedicated time each day individually and collectively for special meditation for those who had passed away, the sick and the bereaved. (4,080- E&W; 6- S)

Inner Spaces – ‘oases of calm’ on the high street

Our Inner Spaces are accessible for people living and working in urban areas. Many also do a lot of outreach work in nearby neighbourhoods. Many thousands benefit from the meditation and self-development courses, meditation sessions and talks offered regularly and these continued online. Inner Spaces were closed to the public for many months, at different periods, although at certain times restricted in-person activities, carefully managed, were allowed.

There are ten Inner Spaces around the UK - in Birmingham, Bradford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London’s Covent Garden, Manchester, Newcastle, Romford and Wembley.

(Attendance/connection figures for Inner Space activities - talks, courses, daily discourses, etc. - are included under those headings.)

Outreach activities

We ran a wide range of outreach activities, at first in person and then online, for people in outlying communities around the UK. We have been serving some of these areas for many years, whilst others were for the first time. (11,880- E&W; 124- S)

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Diverse communities: We offered special community activities for people speaking many languages including: Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Spanish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Sindhi and Tamil.

Tamil class Amrit Vela early morning meditation online 4am to 4.45am every day

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Fairs and Exhibitions

Fairs and exhibitions were largely abandoned in 2020 due to the pandemic. However, a small few events did take place in the early months, where we were able to offer a free and accessible ‘drop-in’ programme of meditations and talks or some values-based activities based on the teachings of Raja Yoga. (170- E&W; 206- S)

Spiritual retreats

We offered residential and day retreats and special group gatherings for members of the public, invited guests and BK students in several locations prior to lockdown and thereafter online. These events offered participants the chance to reflect on their own spirituality and refresh their inner core values, through the understanding and experience of Raja Yoga. (2,303- E&W; 7- S).

Spiritual sustenance groups

A number of groups – both for the public, new and regular students – met regularly throughout the year, shifting online during lockdown. These included: Children’s Class, Women & Spirituality, Serene for Women, Spirituality & Men, Environment, Health and Wellbeing. Several other discussion and mutual support groups continued and emerged during the year in different parts of the UK. (12,969- E&W; 18- S)

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Spiritual sustenance events for Brahma Kumaris students and teachers

Events and activities for the spiritual sustenance of our students and teachers were organised all over the UK. These took the form of special gatherings, personal development and skills training, workshops, facilitated dialogue, spiritual exploration and discussion and expression through performing arts and audio/visual materials. Global Co-operation House webcast a special programme for every evening, and for many months of the year at midday also, along with other regular and occasional sustenance activities. (67,186- E&W; 108- S)

Special Events

Some highlights from 2020:

Brahma Kumaris UK organised a number of events celebrating International Women’s Day in several places around the UK in March (376- E&W; 20- S)

We marked the UN International Day of Yoga (IDY) with special events shedding light on ‘yoga’ (which literally means connection) as meditation. These included:

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Sir Peter Fahy and Sister Jayanti discuss Inner Stability, Safety and Support in Difficult Times in September, organised by Manchester Inner Space.

“The talk with Sister Jayanti and Peter Fahy was very, very good. So inspiring and to the point.”

Brahma Kumaris’ contribution to events run by other organisations

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Engaging the public through the Media and Social Media

In 2020 we engaged with the public and our students more than ever before online, through the media, social media and various Internet sites. As well as providing online content, news, announcing activities, offering daily inspirations, etc., we also streamed events and uploaded uplifting content to a number of websites, social media platforms and apps.

Media

In November the same publication covered an event organised by Wembley Inner Space. Brent students lead free online event looking at how the pandemic has affected young people

“Thank you for your tremendous contribution to Brent during this difficult year. You were nominated for the Pride of Brent 2020 and are mentioned on the Council’s website.” Brent Council

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Social media

Social media followers across all our UK platforms and channels (as at Dec 2020):

YouTube

2020 saw a complete review and revamp of the Brahma Kumaris UK YouTube channel, with more focus on short, high quality meditation commentaries, short talks and interviews that would meet the current needs of our regular users and the general public. Total followers Dec 2020: 20,000.

“Thank you sincerely for this wonderful series of Masterclasses. I have found peace and understanding that I could not imagine. The truth in the teaching and the practical nature is important to me and I hope will allow me to live my life in a more meaningful way. Soul consciousness at a time of crisis is a way forward.”

“These Masterclasses really made lockdown so much more bearable for me and picked me up from quite a low mood at times.”

Facebook

“Wonderful talk, and a great reminder of our true self”

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Other social media platforms we used in different ways to communicate and connect with our audiences include:

Apps (all free to download)

Websites

Lighthouse Retreat Centre launched its own website in July. Between September and December the site received 3,000 visitors and 35,500 page views.

Lighthouse Retreat Centre’s website launched in 2020

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  1. Brahma Kumaris UK

Page views: 469,217 New users: 125,076

  1. Global Co-operation House Page views: 7,234 New Users: 1,424

  2. ‘Just-A-Minute’: one minute meditations for busy people

  3. Page views: 59,455 New Users: 21,516

Other websites included:

Activities in Scotland

Brahma Kumaris (UK) activities in Scotland continue to develop and expand. Details of public benefit are shown alongside England and Wales.

Our Volunteers

The trustees would like to pay special tribute to the efforts of all our volunteers in enabling the charity to meet its objectives, especially during this challenging and demanding year. Individuals who benefit from the charity frequently choose to give their time and support to show their appreciation. Our volunteers, with all their skills, enthusiasm and dedication to service, are without doubt the charity’s most valuable ‘assets’.

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Financial Review and Results for the year

The total income generated for the year amounted to £3,593,814 (2019: £4,097,966) and total resources expended amounts to £1,677,432 (2019: £2,267,029).

The income was predominantly raised through voluntary donations of £2,929,623 (2019: £3,422,642).

Most of the charitable expenditure relates to provision of regular discourses, lectures & seminars as further explained in Note 1 to the accounts.

Future Plans

The trustees have considered the potential impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been spreading since early 2020, on the Charity’s activities. Like many other charities, the outbreak has caused and is going to cause some disruption to the Charity, including the adaptation to virtual events, cancelling certain events and volunteers being unavailable or working from home where feasible. The trustees understand that these issues are having and will have a detrimental effect on the Charity’s finances and have taken appropriate action on expenditure to mitigate the effects. The trustees are confident that the Charity has adequate reserves to continue its operations around the UK for the foreseeable future.

The charity’s short-term plans are to increase the number of individuals served through its activities and continue sustaining the existing students. The medium-term plans are to cultivate existing relationships and association with similar organisations. The longer-term plans are to serve in strategic areas and cities throughout the UK, enabling benefit to the wider community.

The trustees continue with the plumbing and refurbishment project at their flagship retreat centre in Oxford. The total anticipated costs for the project are now estimated to be in the region of £11m. The capital commitment remaining at the year-end now stands at £5.1m. The Charity has successfully collected £5.9m since the inception of the project and collections continue post year end. The trustees continue to monitor the incoming funds regularly and are of the opinion that the full amount will be collected for the refurbishment project.

Investment Policy

The trustees’ board takes a very prudent view to the investment of surplus funds. These are retained for furthering the objects of the charity, in particular with a view to expanding the charity’s presence in cities throughout the UK. Accordingly, funds not required for expenditure in the short term are placed on deposit.

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Reserves Policy

A substantial proportion of the reserves shown in the balance sheet are represented by assets other than cash. Of the total unrestricted reserves as at 31 December 2020 as disclosed in the Statement of Financial Activities, the trustees consider it reasonable given its policy to retain at least £2m to fund ongoing costs of the Charity for at least one year provided that the incoming voluntary donations remain at the minimum level of £2m. The trustees will endeavour to maintain them at this level by continuing its charitable activities as in previous years whilst also continuing to manage the Charity’s outgoings.

The unrestricted reserves are considered for adequacy in relation to:

The level of unrestricted reserves are monitored and reviewed on a monthly basis by the trustees.

Going Concern

In view of the recent pandemic the trustees’ board has reviewed the financial position of the charity and believes that there are sufficient reserves to manage any foreseeable operational or financial risks. The board therefore considers that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for foreseeable future. For this reason, the trustees’ board continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

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BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVEtsrrY (UK) YE 3111212020 TRUSTEES REPORT (Continued) Statement of Trustees Responslbilities The Charities Act 2011 requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of its financial activities and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing the financial statements the trustees are required to: a) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently, b) observe the methods and principles in the CharÈties SORP FRS 102, c) tnake judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent, d) follow applicable UK accounting standards and the Charities SOR￿ FRS 102, disclosing and explaining any departures Èn the accounts, e) prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is appropriate to assume that the charity will be unable to continue to meet its objectives. The Board of Trustees is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any tirne the financial position of the Charity. and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Association and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of error, fraud and other irregularities besides the above responsibilities. Statement of disclosure to auditor: a) so far as the trustees are aware. there is no relevant audit information of which the company's auditor is unaware, and b) they have taken all the steps that they oU￿1t to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit inforniation and to establish that the company's auditor is aware of that information. For and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Tr>1 Sanjay Tulsidas Trustee Date 22

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK)

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK) for the year ended 31 December 2020 on pages 27 to 37. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and the Charities SORP FRS 102.

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for Opinion

We have been appointed as auditors under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with regulations made under those Acts. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and 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.

Who we are reporting to

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under Section 154 of that Act and in accordance with section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).

Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) (continued)

Conclusions relating to going concern

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

Other Information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Auditor’s Report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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 Act 2011 and Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) (continued)

Responsibilities of trustees for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Trustees Responsibilities Statement set out on page 22, 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.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

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BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SpIRrruAL UNtVERsrrY (UK) YE 3111212020 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIIUTUAL UNIVERSITY (UK} (continued) Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because of the inherent limilations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misststement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and iransactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-cotnpliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment. forgery, collusion, ornission or misrepresentation. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financKal statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: ww.frc.or .uklauditors Tes onsibilities. This description fomis part of our auditor's report. Use of our report This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charity's Trustees those tnatters we aTe required to state to them in an AuditOTS' Report and for no other purpose. To the ￿lIest extent pennitted by law. we do not accept or assume responsibility lo anyone other than the Charity and its TrL]Stees. as a body, for our audit work, for this report. or for the opinions we have fornied Statutory Auditors LLP Avar Suites, Building 3 North London Business Park Oakleigh Road South London Nll IGN Date Statutory Auditors LLP is eligible to aet as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Aet 2006 and consequently to act as the auditor of a registered Charity. 26

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Note Restricted
Funds
2020		 Unrestricted
Funds
2020		 Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2020
2019
INCOMING RESOURCES £ £ £
£
Voluntary Income
Donations
Legacies
Tax refunds on Gift Aid Donations
Activities to Generate funds
Investment Income
2
Other Incoming resources
Net Incoming resources available for charitable
Application
Charitable Activities by objective :
Regular Discourses
3
Lectures & Seminars
3
Religious Festival & Special Events
3
Retreats
3
Donations to further specific projects
3
Governance costs
3
Total resources expended
Transfers		 1,272,327
-
247,749
-
-
1,520,076
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(2,490,140)		 1,657,296
132,774
196,167
62,959
24,542
2,073,738
(800,821)
(569,473)
(195,756)
(25,366)
-
(1,591,416)
(86,016)
(1,677,432)
2,490,140		 2,929,623
3,422,642
132,774
91,013
443,916
477,235
62,959
81,513
24,542
25,563
3,593,814
4,097,966
(800,821)
(959,700)
(569,473)
(682,454)
(195,756)
(234,593)
(25,366)
(86,577)
-
-
(1,591,416)
(1,963,324)
(86,016)
(303,705)
(1,677,432)
(2,267,029)
-
-
(Deficit) / Surplus in the year
6		 (970,064) 2,886,446 1,916,382
1,830,937
Income and expenditure brought forward
Funds carried forward
Revaluation reserve
Accumulated fund carried forward		 1,380,303 15,895,418 17,275,721
15,444,784
410,239 18,781,864 19,192,103
17,275,721
1,161,382
1,161,382
- 1,161,382
410,239 19,943,246 20,353,485
18,437,103

Note : All amounts relate to continuing activities The attached notes form part of these financial statements

27

BRAHMA KUmAR￿ WORLD SptRITUAL UNIVERsrrY (UK) YE 31112/2020 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020 Note 20ZO 2019 Fixed A55ets Tangiblc a55ets 16.202.780 13.057.967 CurrentAsstts Debtors C&%h ￿ b2Lk and in hand 109.870 4.040.8J5 4.150.705 5,267.155 5.i79.lJ6 Net Current Assets 4.150.705 5.)79.136 Tolal Assets Les5 Currènt Liabilities 20.353.485 18.4i7.103 Represented by: A¢¢umulAttd Fullds 20.35i,485 18.437.103 Approved on behalf of the Board of Trustees on ¥-I Mahesh Patel Trustee Ratan Thadani Trustee The attached notes I to 13 form part of these financial statements. 28

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Notes 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cashprovided byoperatingactivities 10 2,306,784 2,354,609
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment income 62,959 81,513
Purchase of fixed assets (3,786,736) (2,547,651)
Sale of fixed assets 190,673 -
Other increase - 1,878
Net cash used in investing activities (3,533,104) (2,464,260)
Changes in cash and cash equivalents in theyear (1,226,320) (109,651)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of theyear 5,267,155 5,376,806
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of theyear 11 4,040,835 5,267,155
The attached notes 1 to 13 formpart of these financial statements.

29

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation of Accounts

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and going concern basis and are in accordance with applicable accounting standards. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as set out in Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. There are no significant areas of judgement or key sources of estimation uncertainty arising from the preparation of the financial statements

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

Cash Flow Statement

A cash flow statement has not been prepared as the Charity is entitled to the exemptions available for small entities under the provisions of the Charities SORP FRS 102.

Incoming Resources

All income is accounted for when the Charity has entitlement to the funds, the amount can be quantified and receipt of the funds is probable.

Donated assets, goods and services are included at the value to the Charity where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. No amounts are included in the financial statements for goods and services donated by volunteers if these cannot be quantified.

Resources Expended

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis when a liability is incurred. The Charity is not registered for VAT and its expenses are therefore inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered.

The charity’s expenditure has been apportioned between the major activities carried out by the charity to further its objectives. This expenditure has been apportioned on the basis of time spent in furtherance of each of the activities below, except for Retreats which is a direct attributable expense.

Regular Religious Discourses – 45%
Lectures, Seminars & Courses – 32%
Religious Festivals & Special Events – 11%
Governance – 12%

30

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Tangible Assets and Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. As permitted by the transitional provisions, under previous UK GAAP, pre FRS 102 adoption, the Charity had elected not to adopt a policy of revaluations of tangible fixed assets. The charity has retained the book values of freehold properties, previously revalued, as deemed cost on transition to FRS 102.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:

Freehold properties - 2.5% on cost
Leasehold properties - over period of lease
Furniture fittings and equipment - 10% on cost
Computers - 33.33% on cost
Motor vehicles - 20% on cost

The charity’s policy is to write off the book value of each tangible asset over its estimated remaining life. Reviews are made annually of the estimated remaining useful lives of individual productive assets, taking into account commercial and technological obsolescence as well as normal wear and tear.

Provision is made for all permanent diminution in the value of building improvements.

An annual impairment review is made, in accordance with the requirements of the Charities SORP FRS 102, to ensure that the recoverable amounts of the assets are not lower than their current values. The charity currently has no tangible fixed assets to which impairment provisions apply.

Foreign Currency Translation

Transactions in foreign currencies are recognised at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities are translated into sterling at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. All exchange differences are recognised through the statement of financial activities.

Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Leasing

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease term.

31

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are those that are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

2. Investment Income

Bank Interest
Other		 Total
2020
£
31,959
31,000
62,959		 Total
2019
£
49,863
31,650
81,513

3. Analysis of Total Unrestricted Resources Expended

Charitable Activity
Rent Rates & Water
Electricity,fuel and gas
Insurance
Telephone & Fax
Printing & Stationery
Miscellaneous
Motor & Travel
Training
Repairs & Maintenance
Hire of Equipment
Kitchen & Catering
Garden expenses
IT Costs
Advertising / Promotion
Projects
Legal & Professional
Audit
Bank Charges
(Profit)/Loss on disposal
Depreciation		 Regular
Discourses
Lectures &
Seminars
Religious
Festival &
Special Events
Retreats
Governance
Total
Total
2020
2019
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
168,864
120,081
41,278
-
45,030
375,253
634,915
77,110
54,834
18,849
-
20,563
171,356
161,369
42,631
30,315
10,421
-
11,368
94,735
76,529
15,014
10,676
3,670
-
4,004
33,364
34,457
7,321
5,206
1,790
-
1,952
16,269
28,303
(7)
(5)
(2)
-
(2)
(16)
1,064
34,594
24,600
8,456
-
9,225
76,875
115,456
-
-
-
-
179
179
1,561
94,518
67,213
23,104
-
25,205
210,040
205,326
8,432
5,996
2,061
-
2,249
18,738
20,200
24,631
17,516
6,021
-
6,568
54,736
84,838
1,812
1,289
443
-
483
4,027
8,125
44,413
31,583
10,857
-
11,844
98,697
93,759
4,037
2,871
987
-
1,077
8,972
9,048
-
-
-
-
-
-
142,047
-
-
-
-
54,599
54,599
37,632
-
-
-
-
6,000
6,000
6,000
-
-
-
-
2,358
2,358
2,285
-
-
-
-
(190,673)
(190,673)
382
277,451
197,298
67,821
25,366
73,987
641,923
603,733
800,821
569,473
195,756
25,366
86,016
1,677,432
2,267,029

32

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost:
At 1 January 2020
Additions during the year
Disposals in the year
At 31 December 2020
Depreciation:
At 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Disposals in the year
At 31 December 2020
Net book value:
At 31 December 2020
At 31 December 2019		 Freehold
Properties
£
14,861,542
-
-
14,861,542
7,661,080
370,507
-
8,031,587
6,829,955
7,200,462		 Leasehold
Property
£
7,390,146

3,765,819

-
11,155,965
1,771,802
218,274
-
1,990,076
9,165,889
5,618,344		 Furniture
Fittings &
Equipment
£
1,637,517
7,849

-
1,645,366
1,422,783
38,966
-
1,461,749
183,617
214,734		 Computer
£
375,545
6,818
-
382,363
369,093
5,498
-
374,591
7,772
6,452		 Motor
vehicle
£
151,814
6,250
-
158,064
133,839
8,678
-
142,517
15,547
17,975		 Total
£
24,416,564
3,786,736

-
28,203,300
11,358,597
641,923

-
12,000,520
16,202,780
13,057,967

All fixed assets are used for direct charitable purposes.

5. Debtors

Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2020
£
0
109,870
109,870		 2019
£
5,647
106,334
111,981

33

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

6. General Fund

Balances brought forward at start of the year
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources for the year
Balances carried forward at end of the year
Transfers
Revaluation reserves
Accumulated funds carried forward		 Restricted
Funds
2020
£
1,380,303
1,520,076
2,900,379
(2,490,140)
-		 Unrestricted
Funds
2020
£
15,895,418
396,306
16,291,724
2,490,140
1,161,382
19,943,246		 Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2020
2019
£
£
17,275,721
15,444,784
1,916,382
1,830,937
19,192,103
17,275,721
-
-
1,161,382
1,161,382
20,353,485
18,437,103
410,239

Restricted funds of £410,239 (2019: £1,380,303) are carried forward for the Global Retreat Centre plumbing and refurbishment project.

7. Funds

7. Funds
(a)Analysis of restricted funds
Balance at
1.1.20		 Movements in 2020 Balance at
31.12.20
Incoming Outgoing Transfers
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted funds
Global Retreat Centre plumbing
and refurbishment project		 1,380,303 1,520,076 - (2,490,140) 410,239
Total Funds 1,380,303 1,520,076 - (2,490,140) 410,239
The transfer of funds relates to the transfer of value of fixed assets from restricted funds to
unrestricted funds as shown on the Statement of Financial Activities. This represents the
refurbishment to the Global Retreat Centre,an asset held forgeneral and not a restrictedpurpose.

The transfer of funds relates to the transfer of value of fixed assets from restricted funds to unrestricted funds as shown on the Statement of Financial Activities. This represents the refurbishment to the Global Retreat Centre, an asset held for general and not a restricted purpose.

34

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(b)Analysis of net assets between funds (b)Analysis of net assets between funds (b)Analysis of net assets between funds (b)Analysis of net assets between funds
2020 2019
Restricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets - 16,202,780 16,202,780 - 13,057,967 13,057,967
Net current assets 410,239 3,740,466 4,150,705 1,380,303 3,998,833 5,379,136
Net assets 410,239 19,943,246 20,353,485 1,380,303 17,056,800 18,437,103

(c) Detailed comparatives for the statement of financial activities

(c) Detailed comparatives for the statement of financial activities
Note Restricted
Funds
2019
INCOMING RESOURCES £
Voluntary Income
Donations
Legacies
Tax refunds on Gift Aid Donations
Activities to Generate funds
Investment Income
2
Other Incoming resources
Net Incoming resources available for charitable
Application
Charitable Activities by objective :
Regular Discourses
3
Lectures & Seminars
3
Religious Festival & Special Events
3
Retreats
3
Donations to further specific projects
3
Governance costs
3
Total resources expended
Transfers
(Deficit) / Surplus in the year
Income and expenditure brought forward
Funds carried forward
Revaluation reserve
Accumulated fund carried forward		 2,057,151
-
291,745
-
-
2,348,896
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(2,570,317)
(221,421)
2,176,424
1,955,003
-
1,955,003

35

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

8. Staff and Executive Committee’s Remuneration

No salaries, fees or expenses are paid to the volunteers and Management Committee for their services to the charity.

The average number of volunteers during the year was 275 (2019: 255).

9 . Financial & Capital Commitments

At 31 December 2020 the charity had total commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Land & Buildings Land & Buildings
2020 2019
£ £
Expiry date:
Within one year 259,498 429,624
Between two and five years 675,176 727,124
In over five years 937,360 1,041,256

At 31 December 2020, the Charity had a non-cancellable financial commitment amounting to £5.1m in respect of the restoration and refurbishments of its retreat centre in Oxford.

36

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY (UK) YE 31/12/2020

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

10. Reconciliation of Net Income/(Expenditure) to Net Cash Flow From Operating Activities to Net Cash Flow From Operating Activities

£ £
Net income/(expenditure)for the reporting period 1,916,382 1,830,937
Depreciation charges 641,923 603,733
Investment income (62,959) (81,513)
Profit from sale of assets (190,673)
Decrease/(increase)in debtors 2,111 1,452
Net cashprovided byoperatingactivities 2,306,784 2,354,609

11. Analysis of Cash and Cash Equivalents

As at 01.01.20 Cash flows As at 31.12.20
Cash at bank and in hand 5,267,155 (1,226,320) 4,040,835
Total cash an cash equivalents 5,267,155 (1,226,320) 4,040,835
The charityhas no borrowings,therefore,a reconciliation of net debt is not required.

The charity has no borrowings, therefore, a reconciliation of net debt is not required.

12. Related Party Transactions

None of the trustees and/or close members of their family received any benefits or remuneration during the year that need to be disclosed in the financial statements.

13. Events after the reporting date

The trustees consider the emergence and spread of Covid-19 to be a non-adjusting post balance sheet event. Given the inherent uncertainties, it is not practical at this time to determine the impact of Covid-19 on the Charity or provide a quantitative estimate of the impact. The trustees are closely monitoring the situation and have put on hold all non-essential expenditure.

37