LEARNING LIBRARY
The Learning Library's main function is to loan out specialist resources and equipment to people of all ages who have additional needs.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity generated £145,052 in income against £122,749 in expenditure, resulting in a net surplus for the year. Unrestricted reserves held in a separate high-interest account totalled £33,582.94, which the trustees note would fund approximately three months of running costs in the event of ceasing trading activities.
What the accounts disclose
“We received £109,741.70 in restricted grants and £10,536.70 in unrestricted grants totalling £120,277.85” — page 4
“the balance would fund approximately 3 months running costs”
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- VICTORIA ROSSchair
- Denise Hickson
- ELAINE WILLIAMS
- PATRICIA LAWTON
- RAY HESLOP
- Stephen Heslop
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £145k | £123k |
| 31/03/2024 | £124k | £113k |
| 31/03/2023 | £79k | £103k |
| 31/03/2022 | £91k | £96k |
| 31/03/2021 | £145k | £102k |
Common questions
Is LEARNING LIBRARY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity generated £145,052 in income against £122,749 in expenditure, resulting in a net surplus for the year. Unrestricted reserves held in a separate high-interest account totalled £33,582.94, which the trustees note would fund approximately three months of running costs in the event of ceasing trading activities. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds LEARNING LIBRARY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name LEARNING LIBRARY as a grant recipient include THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION, THE TRUE COLOURS TRUST, THE ELSIE DAVIS TRUST, SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE TRUST, SKIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £10k | |
| THE TRUE COLOURS TRUST | FY2024 | £8k | Specialised equipment, including sensory and play equipment and accessible toilets. |
| THE ELSIE DAVIS TRUST | FY2022 | £5k | |
| SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £2k | Ann Rylands Small Donations |
| SKIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £2k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 26/01/2024 | £20k | Wheeling to success |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 28/10/2022 | £10k | Everyone deserves a little help |
| UK government | 11/08/2020 | £48k | Coronavirus Community Support Fund |
| Community Foundation North East | 01/04/2016 | £17k | Towards Running costs of the Learning Library Year 3 |
| Community Foundation North East | 01/04/2015 | £17k | Towards Running costs of the Learning Library Year 2 |
| Northern Rock Foundation | 20/01/2012 | £15k | Grant awarded to Learning Library (Durham) |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 08/09/2010 | £130k | Learning Library North Durham |
| Northern Rock Foundation | 21/11/2008 | £18k | Grant awarded to Learning Library (Durham) |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 17/04/2008 | £5k | satellite library in Wheatley Hill Community Centre |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 19/06/2006 | £5k | Sensory Toys |
| Northern Rock Foundation | 02/06/1998 | £3k | Grant awarded to Learning Library (Durham) |