VISIONARY - LINKING LOCAL SIGHT LOSS CHARITIES
Visionary is a federation of one hundred local societies for blind and partially sighted people in the UK. It aspires to provide support for and raise awareness of the services provided by its members. It has a development fund for small societies and advises national research and campaign groups. A conference for members is held annually and members receive a bi-monthly newsletter.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity generated a deficit of £38,010 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total income of £399,026 and expenditure of £437,036. The trustees report that unrestricted funds held were £86,940, which is equivalent to just over three months of running costs, meeting the lower end of their stated reserves policy. The filing notes that the charity is heavily reliant on the continued support of the Thomas Pocklington Trust.
What the accounts disclose
“Our policy is to hold reserves at a level between three to six months committed running costs. For 2024/25, this equates to £75,929.” — page 16
“The charity is heavily reliant on the continued support of Thomas Pocklington Trust. A funding agreement is in place for two years from April 2025.”
“Sense Ability Matters received reimbursement of £200 for travel expenses incurred by a Visionary trustee (Sarah French) in relation to attendance at a Creating Cohesion meeting.” — page 37
Funders the charity credits
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (22/07/2011)
Trustees
- Mark Peter Uptonchair
- Craig Spalding
- Lowri Bartrum
- Michael Keith Eales
- PHILIP DAVID MILLS
- Professor Shahina Pardhan
- Sarah French
- Tom Harte
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £399k | £437k |
| 31/03/2024 | £487k | £438k |
| 31/03/2023 | £473k | £423k |
| 31/03/2022 | £359k | £382k |
| 31/03/2021 | £341k | £378k |
Common questions
Is VISIONARY - LINKING LOCAL SIGHT LOSS CHARITIES financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity generated a deficit of £38,010 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total income of £399,026 and expenditure of £437,036. The trustees report that unrestricted funds held were £86,940, which is equivalent to just over three months of running costs, meeting the lower end of their stated reserves policy. The filing notes that the charity is heavily reliant on the continued support of the Thomas Pocklington Trust. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THOMAS POCKLINGTON TRUST | 3 | £539k |
| H C D MEMORIAL FUND | 1 | £75k |
| THE EARL OF NORTHAMPTON'S CHARITY | 1 | £40k |
| THE STERLING CHARITY | 1 | £34k |
| THE BRITFORD BRIDGE TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| THE WILL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| SCOULOUDI FOUNDATION | 1 | £7k |
| The William Brake Foundation | 1 | £7k |
Charities like this
- INFOCUS CHARITY
- VISION NORFOLK
- THE PARTIALLY SIGHTED SOCIETY
- VISION ENHANCEMENT SERVICES
- Sight Support West of England
- VISION ACTION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIONARY - LINKING LOCAL SIGHT LOSS CHARITIES | £399k | — | — | unclear | — | noted |
| INFOCUS CHARITY | £10.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| VISION NORFOLK | £1.1m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PARTIALLY SIGHTED SOCIETY | £410k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| VISION ENHANCEMENT SERVICES | £5.8m | — | — | within | — | noted |
| Sight Support West of England | £978k | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |