FRIENDS FIRST
Our goal is to provide resources designed to help men and women who have experienced a range of life problems - including homelessness, family breakdown, addiction and emotional issues - to be equipped to achieve sustained independence through employment training and supported housing.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a small deficit of £427 for the year ended 31 August 2025, resulting in unrestricted reserves of £50,506. The trustees confirmed that these reserves cover more than three months of current expenditure and expressed confidence that the charity will remain a going concern for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
“At year end unrestricted reserves of £50,506 cover more than three months of current expenditure.”
“During the Year £75,000 was donated by Clarendon Trust.” — page 14
Trustees
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £132k | £132k |
| 31/08/2024 | £129k | £134k |
| 31/08/2023 | £139k | £122k |
| 31/08/2022 | £124k | £123k |
| 31/08/2021 | £91k | £83k |
Common questions
Is FRIENDS FIRST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a small deficit of £427 for the year ended 31 August 2025, resulting in unrestricted reserves of £50,506. The trustees confirmed that these reserves cover more than three months of current expenditure and expressed confidence that the charity will remain a going concern for the foreseeable future. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds FRIENDS FIRST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name FRIENDS FIRST as a grant recipient include THE DODGSON FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE DODGSON FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £5k | |
| THE DODGSON FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £5k | |
| THE DODGSON FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £4k | |
| THE DODGSON FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £3k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 2 | £270k |
| THE GROCERS' CHARITY | 2 | £8k |
| ROSCA TRUST | 1 | £136k |
| HEART RESEARCH UK | 1 | £68k |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £57k |
| THE ALAN EDWARD HIGGS CHARITY | 1 | £24k |
| THE KING HENRY VIII ENDOWED TRUST, WARWICK | 1 | £23k |
| NORFOLK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £20k |
Charities like this
- CARERS FIRST
- ABOUT WITH FRIENDS
- FRIENDS OF CHARITY INTERNATIONAL
- BEfriend
- 3.13
- THE FRIENDSHIP PROJECT
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS FIRST | £132k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| CARERS FIRST | £5.3m | more than £60,000 | 3 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ABOUT WITH FRIENDS | £2.7m | Under £60,000 | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| FRIENDS OF CHARITY INTERNATIONAL | £121k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BEfriend | £419k | — | 0 | unclear | — | not going concern |
| 3.13 | £1.4m | £80,001 - £90,000 | — | below | — | no doubt |