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DURHAM STUDENTS' UNION

Registered charity 1145400 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as DSU

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Latest income
£2.6m
Latest spending
£2.7m
Registered
2012
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £190,877, which is below the trustees' stated policy target of three months of operating costs. The charity reported a net deficit of £46,593 for the year, driven by a reduction in fixed staffing costs and a withdrawal from retail trading, though the trustees anticipate a surplus in the following budget to rebuild reserves.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy
“At £190878, unrestricted reserves are currently just short of two months operating costs” — page 12
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Sabbatical officers (trustees) received remuneration of £76,594. External trustees received no remuneration.
“sabbatical trustees were paid £76,594 (2024 - £121,127) as permitted by the Students' Union's Ordinance and Regulations. No trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity” — page 38
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Durham University lease and balance
“Durham University owns the building occupied by Durham Students' Union; a peppercorn rent is charged on this lease. £0 (2024 - £0). At the year end, the Union owed the University a balance of £2,269 (2024 - £0).” — page 45
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by Armstrong Watson Audit Limited. Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Public fundraising profile: JustGiving — Durham Students' Union (matched by registered charity number).

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)

Total income
£2.6m
Total spending
£2.7m
Cost of raising funds
£29k
Reserves (reported)
£836k
Employees
29

Reported reserves equal ~3.8 months of spending — below the median for charities its size (median 4.8 months; benchmarks).

Trustees

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Durham · Stockton-on-tees

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/07/2025£2.6m£2.7m
31/07/2024£2.6m£2.7m
31/07/2023£2.6m£2.5m
31/07/2022£2.4m£2.4m
31/07/2021£1.7m£1.5m

Common questions

Is DURHAM STUDENTS' UNION financially healthy?

The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £190,877, which is below the trustees' stated policy target of three months of operating costs. The charity reported a net deficit of £46,593 for the year, driven by a reduction in fixed staffing costs and a withdrawal from retail trading, though the trustees anticipate a surplus in the following budget to rebuild reserves. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Armstrong Watson Audit Limited.