BLANDFORD OPPORTUNITY GROUP
Blandford Opportunity Group is a pre-school playgroup for babies and children with special needs and disabilities. Regulated by Ofsted, we provide support for children from birth to 5 years, and for parents and carers. Sessions are held during term time in facilities which include a sensory room, playroom, family room and a wheelchair access disabled toilet.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a net surplus of £25,095 for the year ended 31 August 2025, with total incoming resources of £238,772. Free/unrestricted reserves stood at £233,723, which the trustees consider sufficient given the reserves policy target of 6 to 8 months of projected costs. The charity reports no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“Grants from Dorset County Council 174,334” — page 11
“Funds are held to meet the projected costs of the charity for a period of 6 to 8 months, together with the costs of winding up the charity.” — page 4
“During the year Mrs S E Cripps acted as trustee for the Charity on a voluntary basis, however she also acted as a manager for which she received a gross salary of £23,235 for the duties undertaken.” — page 14
“During the year Mrs S E Cripps acted as trustee for the Charity on a voluntary basis, however she also acted as a manager for which she received a gross salary of £23,235 for the duties undertaken.” — page 14
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (24/02/2022)
Trustees
- COLIN ROBERT STEVENSchair
- SHARON ELAINE CRIPPS
- STEPHEN HITCHINGS
- Sammii Ford
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £239k | £214k |
| 31/08/2024 | £228k | £257k |
| 31/08/2023 | £140k | £165k |
| 31/08/2022 | £222k | £132k |
| 31/08/2021 | £143k | £126k |
Common questions
Is BLANDFORD OPPORTUNITY GROUP financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a net surplus of £25,095 for the year ended 31 August 2025, with total incoming resources of £238,772. Free/unrestricted reserves stood at £233,723, which the trustees consider sufficient given the reserves policy target of 6 to 8 months of projected costs. The charity reports no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds BLANDFORD OPPORTUNITY GROUP?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BLANDFORD OPPORTUNITY GROUP as a grant recipient include THE FRIENDS OF BLANDFORD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, THE CHARITY OF WILLIAM WILLIAMS, THE VALENTINE CHARITABLE TRUST, THE ALICE ELLEN COOPER-DEAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, HAYS TRAVEL FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE FRIENDS OF BLANDFORD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | FY2026 | £21k | Day facilities for disabled children and equipment/running costs |
| THE FRIENDS OF BLANDFORD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | FY2025 | £21k | Support |
| THE CHARITY OF WILLIAM WILLIAMS | FY2021 | £15k | Relief of those in need |
| THE VALENTINE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £7k | |
| THE VALENTINE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £6k | |
| THE FRIENDS OF BLANDFORD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | FY2024 | £6k | Day facility for disabled children |
| THE FRIENDS OF BLANDFORD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | FY2023 | £6k | support for day facilities for disabled children and their parents, including specific equipment and running costs |
| THE VALENTINE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £5k | |
| THE ALICE ELLEN COOPER-DEAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £5k | |
| THE ALICE ELLEN COOPER-DEAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £3k | |
| THE CHARITY OF WILLIAM WILLIAMS | FY2023 | £3k | Relief of those in need |
| HAYS TRAVEL FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £590 |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset Community Foundation | 19/12/2017 | £2k | Garden expansion |
| Somerset Community Foundation | 15/07/2016 | £4k | expansion |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 27/04/2016 | £10k | The Group Enlargement (in Children Numbers) |