ABILITY BOW
By providing specialist disability exercise support in a community gym and neighbouring locations Ability Bow works with people of all abilities to bring about positive change and maximise health and well-being to improve quality of daily life in the communities of East London.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a small surplus of £67 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total income of £263,938 and total expenditure of £263,871. However, the trustees' report notes that free reserves of £12,144 fall below the charity's stated short-term minimum reserves policy target of three months' operating funds. The charity is not audited but subject to independent examination.
What the accounts disclose
“Compared to the average expenditure of the Charity during year, the free reserves held at the balance sheet date fall below the amount stated in our short-term minimum reserves policy.” — page 15
Trustees
- SHARRON ELIZABETH NIVEN CURRIEchair
- John Patrick Shelly
- Laura Nicole Sheehan
- Nicola Claire Helfet
- SIOBHAN LANIGAN
- Stuart Davies
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £264k | £264k |
| 31/03/2024 | £236k | £241k |
| 31/03/2023 | £248k | £247k |
| 31/03/2022 | £246k | £272k |
| 31/03/2021 | £352k | £251k |
Common questions
Is ABILITY BOW financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a small surplus of £67 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total income of £263,938 and total expenditure of £263,871. However, the trustees' report notes that free reserves of £12,144 fall below the charity's stated short-term minimum reserves policy target of three months' operating funds. The charity is not audited but subject to independent examination. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds ABILITY BOW?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ABILITY BOW as a grant recipient include WAKEFIELD AND TETLEY TRUST, LONDON CATALYST, SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE TRUST, THE PETER STEBBINGS MEMORIAL CHARITY.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAKEFIELD AND TETLEY TRUST | FY2021 | £5k | Contribution to the cost of annual rent for premises |
| WAKEFIELD AND TETLEY TRUST | FY2024 | £4k | Active Ability project |
| LONDON CATALYST | FY2023 | £4k | Connections, a volunteer befriending project for people isolated due to age and poor health. |
| SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £3k | Ann Rylands Small Donations Programme |
| THE PETER STEBBINGS MEMORIAL CHARITY | FY2024 | £0 | |
| THE PETER STEBBINGS MEMORIAL CHARITY | FY2025 | £0 |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 19/09/2025 | £19k | Autism Friendly Exercise |
| Sport England | 02/08/2024 | £15k | Active Ability |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/09/2023 | £10k | Keep Active & Connected |
| Greater London Authority | 17/03/2021 | £8k | Keep Moving |
| City Bridge Foundation | 13/11/2020 | £89k | Grant to Ability Bow |
| Greater London Authority | 01/08/2019 | £4k | Cancer Rehab and Exercise pilot project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 03/08/2018 | £10k | Disabled People Get Active and Volunteer |
| City Bridge Foundation | 20/03/2017 | £99k | Grant to Ability Bow |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/01/2017 | £10k | Deafability - deaf and hard of hearing people get active and join in! |
| Sport England | 29/03/2016 | £7k | People with learning disabilities keep fit and active |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 27/08/2014 | £10k | Enhancing our services - improving systems, security and capacity |
| Sport England | 08/05/2013 | £9k | Heart Ability - group exercise for people with heart disease |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 20/09/2012 | £10k | Keep moving with Diabetes |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 20/04/2011 | £10k | Keep Moving |
| City Bridge Foundation | 17/02/2011 | £87k | Grant to Ability Bow |
| Sport England | 24/02/2010 | £9k | Extending exercise and fitness sessions |