BEFRIENDERS WORLDWIDE
To improve the emotional and mental health of people who are experiencing feelings of distress and to reduce the incidence of suicide.
Objects
3.THE CHARITY'S OBJECT FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IS TO IMPROVE THE EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING FEELINGS OF DISTRESS AND DESPAIR AND TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF SUICIDE BY,BUT NOT LIMITED TO:-3.1 ENCOURAGING WORLDWIDE THE ESTABLISHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRES SPECIALISING IN THIS WORK; AND3.2 IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES AND SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING THE APPLICATION OF THESE PRACTICES BY THE CENTRES.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit of £15,209 for the year ended 31 December 2024, resulting in total funds decreasing to £90,642. The trustees maintain that unrestricted reserves of £86,413 are sufficient to cover annual operating costs as a minimum. The filing confirms the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
“The charity received income of £25,796 (2023: £25,464) for project management activities which covered project management costs of £10,301 (2023: £9,564)” — page 4
“It is Befrienders Worldwide's objective to maintain the accumulated reserves to cover its annual operating cost as a minimum.” — page 4
“During the year, the charity received a donation of £10,000 from a trustee who has requested that their name not be disclosed in these accounts. The reason for withholding the trustee’s name is to respect the individual’s request for anonymity on personal safety and confidentiality grounds. There were no other related party transactions during this year or the previous year.” — page 19
“During the year, expenses totalling £9,880 (2023: £nil) were reimbursed to or paid on behalf of trustees in respect of travel, hotel accommodation, conference registration fees, and hospitality, relating to attendance as volunteers at a worldwide conference in Sri Lanka.” — page 19
“During the year, the charity received a donation of £10,000 from a trustee who has requested that their name not be disclosed in these accounts. The reason for withholding the trustee’s name is to respect the individual’s request for anonymity on personal safety and confidentiality grounds. There were no other related party transactions during this year or the previous year.” — page 19
“During the year, expenses totalling £9,880 (2023: £nil) were reimbursed to or paid on behalf of trustees in respect of travel, hotel accommodation, conference registration fees, and hospitality, relating to attendance as volunteers at a worldwide conference in Sri Lanka.” — page 19
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Trustees
- Neil Grant Hawkinschair
- Harinda Fonseca
- Heather Margaret Barker
- Jessie Shiok Chu Ting
- MARGARET LOUISE GALLIANO
- Martin Taylor
- Nagesh Sood
- Oscar Monteiro
- Paulius Skruibis
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £51k | £66k |
| 31/12/2023 | £40k | £58k |
| 31/12/2022 | £67k | £51k |
| 28/02/2022 | £64k | £45k |
| 28/02/2021 | £51k | £42k |
Common questions
Is BEFRIENDERS WORLDWIDE financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit of £15,209 for the year ended 31 December 2024, resulting in total funds decreasing to £90,642. The trustees maintain that unrestricted reserves of £86,413 are sufficient to cover annual operating costs as a minimum. The filing confirms the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds BEFRIENDERS WORLDWIDE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BEFRIENDERS WORLDWIDE as a grant recipient include THE ALLEN OVERY SHEARMAN STERLING FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE ALLEN OVERY SHEARMAN STERLING FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £1k | |
| THE ALLEN OVERY SHEARMAN STERLING FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £1k |