THE BACK-UP TRUST
Back Up is a national charity that has helped thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds rebuild their confidence and independence following a devastating spinal cord injury (SCI). Our rehabilitative services are run by people with SCI. We believe SCI should not prevent anyone from fulfilling their potential. Our services inspire people to look forward to a more positive future.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total funds increased to £1,926,317, with unrestricted funds at £982,649, which is slightly below the trustees' agreed reserves target of £1,100,000. However, the trustees confirm that unrestricted funds have subsequently increased above the agreed level and are confident the charity can continue to operate for the next 12 months.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees have agreed a level of unrestricted reserves of £1,100,000 (2023/24: £1,005,000) or, expressed as a ratio as holding reserves equivalent to 4 months expenditure.” — page 16
“During the year the charity charged expenses of £31,007 (2024: £32,842) to Back-Up Promotions Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company also received income of £122,395 (2024: £97,183) on behalf of Back-Up Promotions Limited.” — page 43
“The charity owns the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of Back-Up Trust Promotions Limited, a company registered in England.” — page 44
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Abigail Lock — Chief Executive
Funders the charity credits
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Alan John Cook
- Annelore Annemie Hill-Verhaegen
- Damian James Riley
- Gordon James Craig
- Grace Jessie Spence Green
- Harmesh Chauhan
- LOUISE CLAIRE JOLLIFFE
- Meryl Anne Bushell
- Paul John Fairhurst
- Richard John Rawstron
- Thomas Roberts
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £3.6m | £3.1m |
| 31/03/2024 | £2.6m | £2.4m |
| 31/03/2023 | £2.1m | £2.1m |
| 31/03/2022 | £1.7m | £1.7m |
| 31/03/2021 | £1.9m | £1.3m |
Common questions
Is THE BACK-UP TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total funds increased to £1,926,317, with unrestricted funds at £982,649, which is slightly below the trustees' agreed reserves target of £1,100,000. However, the trustees confirm that unrestricted funds have subsequently increased above the agreed level and are confident the charity can continue to operate for the next 12 months. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Sayer Vincent LLP.
Who funds THE BACK-UP TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE BACK-UP TRUST as a grant recipient include BRUCE WAKE CHARITY, THE STEVEN BLOCH IMAGE OF DISABILITY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE CAROLE AND GEOFFREY LAWSON FOUNDATION, THE BIG YELLOW FOUNDATION, THE STEWARTS LAW FOUNDATION.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 21/01/2026 | £20k | Belfast City Skills Course for People with Spinal Cord Injury |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 07/11/2025 | £220k | Expanding Support Across Scotland for People with Spinal Cord Injury & Families |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/02/2022 | £146k | Strengthening services to Scots with spinal cord injury (SCI) |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 24/01/2022 | £10k | SCI Outreach in Wales |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 21/01/2022 | £10k | Salisbury Outreach |
| City Bridge Foundation | 15/04/2021 | £240k | Grant to Back Up Trust |
| UK government | 29/09/2020 | £100k | Coronavirus Community Support Fund |
| UK government | 11/09/2020 | £8k | VSCE CMC Fund |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 11/10/2019 | £9k | Early support to return to work |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 27/04/2018 | £8k | Next Steps Course - Spring 2018 |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 22/03/2017 | £210k | Spring & summer personal transformation courses |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 22/02/2017 | £2k | Volunteer visitors to spinal units |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 03/02/2016 | £8k | Developing support networks for young people with Spinal Cord Injury |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/07/2015 | £405k | Outreach and Support - Join the Dots |
| City Bridge Foundation | 25/09/2014 | £166k | Grant to Back Up Trust |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 09/12/2009 | £353k | Outreach and Support |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE FRANK LITCHFIELD GENERAL CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £6k |
| THE SIR JAMES ROLL CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £5k |
| SHAREDIMPACT | 1 | — |
| THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £400k |
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 1 | £100k |
| THE ALBERT GUBAY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £67k |
| THE EMMANUEL KAYE FOUNDATION | 1 | £65k |
| THE FIELDROSE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £50k |
Charities like this
- NATIONAL BACK PAIN ASSOCIATION
- Backup Tech
- THE NICHOLLS SPINAL INJURY FOUNDATION
- INTERNATIONAL SPINAL RESEARCH TRUST
- BOUNCE BACK FOUNDATION
- BUPA FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BACK-UP TRUST | £3.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NATIONAL BACK PAIN ASSOCIATION | £255k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| Backup Tech | £352k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE NICHOLLS SPINAL INJURY FOUNDATION | £262k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| INTERNATIONAL SPINAL RESEARCH TRUST | £3.4m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| BOUNCE BACK FOUNDATION | £2.8m | £60,000 - £69,999 | 1 | unclear | — | noted |