SPECIAL FRIENDS CLUB
ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED IN 2001, PREVIOUS CHARITY NUMBER 1090546. THE CHARITY PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SCHOOL HOLIDAY AND WEEKEND ACTIVITIES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE SERVICE PROVIDED REDUCES ISOLATION FOR MANY FAMILIES, ENABLING THEM TO ENJOY SOCIAL EXPERIENCES IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
Objects
THE CHARITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES ONLY, BRINGING TOGETHER FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND WORKERS FROM VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND STATUTORY AGENCIES TO IMPROVE THE CARE, WELFARE, TREATMENT, EDUCATION, ADVANCEMENT AND OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE TO THOSE FAMILIES, SIBLINGS AND THEIR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE PURPOSE OF OUR CHARITY IS TO PROVIDE ACTIVITIES FOR THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHICH ARE USUALLY INACCESSIBLE DUE TO THEIR DISABILITY. WE HIRE VENUES FOR SOLE USE WITHOUT THE GENERAL PUBLIC PRESENT THIS IS ESSENTIAL AS MANY OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE SENSORY, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOUR DIFFICULTIES
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a net income surplus of £8,068 for the year ended 31 March 2025, increasing its unrestricted funds to £49,949. The trustees consider the financial performance satisfactory and have adopted the going concern basis, though they note dependency on uncertain funding streams. Reserves are held to cover planned future events and approximately £1,000 of administration expenses.
What the accounts disclose
“Revenue grants from government and public bodies South Gloucestershire Council 18,800”
“The trustees retain enough reserves to enable them to fund planned future events and to allow for approximately £1,000 of administration expenses connected with organising the next terms events.” — page 4
“The charitable activities are entirely dependent on member contributions, continuing grant aid and voluntary donations. As a consequence, the going concern basis is dependent on the future flow of these uncertain funding streams.” — page 10
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints handling
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2026
- Government income: £19,326 — grants £19,326 (1); 27% of the £72,204 total gross income on the same return
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; payments to trustees for services to the charity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2025
- Government income: £18,800 — grants £18,800 (1); 34% of the £55,633 total gross income on the same return
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2024
- Government income: £21,581 — grants £21,581 (2); 24% of the £90,692 total gross income on the same return
Annual return filing dates (Charity Commission record)
Of its last 5 annual returns with a recorded received date, 1 was received after the due date: year ending 31/03/2023 (received 21/02/2024, 21 days after the 31/01/2024 due date).
Trustees
- Elizabeth Frances Strattonchair
- CHANTAL MARIE-CLAUDE BYRNE
- Dr Jahantab Hashmi
- Leanne Jayne Parkes
- Maya Vaitilingam
- Susan Edgerley
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £72k | £62k |
| 31/03/2025 | £56k | £48k |
| 31/03/2024 | £91k | £110k |
| 31/03/2023 | £75k | £87k |
| 31/03/2022 | £60k | £50k |
Common questions
Is SPECIAL FRIENDS CLUB financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a net income surplus of £8,068 for the year ended 31 March 2025, increasing its unrestricted funds to £49,949. The trustees consider the financial performance satisfactory and have adopted the going concern basis, though they note dependency on uncertain funding streams. Reserves are held to cover planned future events and approximately £1,000 of administration expenses. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 05/06/2009 | £6k | Special Friends Club - Summer Of Fun 2009 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| PLYMOUTH VCSE | 1 | £10k |
| THE CLARE MILNE TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| BOLTON TOGETHER | 1 | £1k |
Charities like this
- FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OF SPECIAL CHILDREN LTD
- SUPPORTED COMMUNITY BUSINESS (SPECIAL NEEDS)
- HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB
- FRIENDS OF GREEN FOLD
- FRIENDS OF RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
- RECYCLED TEENAGER'S CLUB
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPECIAL FRIENDS CLUB | £72k | — | 0 | above | — | noted |
| FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OF SPECIAL CHILDREN LTD | £211k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SUPPORTED COMMUNITY BUSINESS (SPECIAL NEEDS) | £325k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB | £265k | Under £60,000 | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FRIENDS OF GREEN FOLD | £29k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FRIENDS OF RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL | £77k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |