SELF HELP SERVICES
Self Help Services principal activity is to promote the relief and rehabilitation of persons affected by mental ill health. It is a user-led organisation that is run by and for individuals with experience of mental health issues.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ceased active trading and is applying for voluntary strike off, with services transferring to Big Life Centres Limited. Consequently, the financial statements were prepared on a basis other than going concern. The auditor issued an unmodified opinion but included an emphasis of matter regarding this non-going concern basis.
What the accounts disclose
“The current target level of reserves based on 2024/25 costs is £1.2m” — page 6
“Self Help Services Limited confirmed that it would not be renewing the contracts and would instead transfer the services into Big Life Centres Limited at the end of the current contract. Self Help Services Limited is currently in the process of applying for voluntary strike off. For this reason, the directors have determined that the going concern basis of accounting is not appropriate and have therefore prepared the financial statements on a basis other than going concern.”
“During the year remuneration of £8,000 (2024: £8,000) was paid to E. Robinson, a trustee, by The Big Life Company Limited for her role as chair of The Big Life Company Limited.” — page 21
“During the year remuneration of £8,000 (2024: £8,000) was paid to E. Robinson, a trustee, by The Big Life Company Limited for her role as chair of The Big Life Company Limited.” — page 21
Year-over-year changes
- Reserves position vs the charity's own policy moved from "within" (FY2024) to "above" (FY2025).
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2024) → not a going concern (FY2025).
In the news
- USAG Wiesbaden Bravo Box set to enhance self-help services
- Nevada County Superior Court Announces In-Person Self-Help Services in Truckee
- As more people go without a lawyer, courts offer self-help services. Advice from the judge? No way
- Use of Self-Help Services and Consumer Satisfaction With Professional Mental Health Services
- John A. Herrera, Senior Vice President for Latino Hispanic Affairs, Self-Help Services Corporation, Holly Springs, NC
- Court offers self-help services - SanBenito.com | Hollister, San Juan Bautista, CA
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Fay Selvan — CEO
- Edna Robinson — Chair
- Liam Symonds — Director
- Caroline Price — Director
- Louise Grant — Director
- Ed Gale — Director
- Andrew Rafferty — Director
- Keith Smith — CEO
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- MARK JAMES FITZGIBBONchair
- EDNA ROBINSON
- FAY SELVAN
- Michael Naraynsingh
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £14.2m | £14.2m |
| 31/03/2024 | £15.6m | £15.6m |
| 31/03/2023 | £13.8m | £13.4m |
| 31/03/2022 | £11.1m | £11.0m |
| 31/03/2021 | £9.9m | £9.8m |
Common questions
Is SELF HELP SERVICES financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ceased active trading and is applying for voluntary strike off, with services transferring to Big Life Centres Limited. Consequently, the financial statements were prepared on a basis other than going concern. The auditor issued an unmodified opinion but included an emphasis of matter regarding this non-going concern basis. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Menzies LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| The Ashley Family Foundation | 1 | £382k |
| THE FRANCIS WINHAM FOUNDATION | 1 | £46k |
| THE EDWARD GOSTLING FOUNDATION | 1 | £35k |
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WILTSHIRE & SWINDON | 1 | £33k |
| THE THOMAS J HORNE MEMORIAL TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED | 1 | £10k |
| THE THOMAS FARR CHARITY | 1 | £10k |
| BOOTS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
Charities like this
- THE SANDVILLE SELF HELP FOUNDATION
- HELP COUNSELLING SERVICES CIO
- SELF HELP AFRICA (UK)
- THE HELPFUL BUREAU
- ESSEX HOME HELP SERVICE
- SERVE
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SELF HELP SERVICES | £14.2m | — | — | above | — | not going concern |
| THE SANDVILLE SELF HELP FOUNDATION | £419k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HELP COUNSELLING SERVICES CIO | £134k | unclear | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| SELF HELP AFRICA (UK) | £3.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE HELPFUL BUREAU | £302k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ESSEX HOME HELP SERVICE | £662k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |