REAL LIVES REAL CHOICES
Real Lives: Real Choices supports adults with learning disabilities throughout County Durham and the north east of England in achieving their aspirations and goals through the provision of support, advice, information, training and learning opportunities
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total funds increased to £67,510 from £42,749 in the prior year, driven by a significant rise in grant income. The charity maintains unrestricted reserves of £18,282, which exceeds its designated working capital fund of £10,000, indicating stable liquidity. The independent examiner confirmed that no material matters were identified during the examination of the financial statements.
What the accounts disclose
“At 31st July 2025 reserves totalled £8,282. A separate fund of £10,000 has been designated to cover working capital requirements.”
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (25/06/2015)
Trustees
- Brian Robin Smith
- MARION FRANKLIN
- MRS ANNE RATCLIFFE
- Paul McMahon
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £134k | £109k |
| 31/07/2024 | £41k | £63k |
| 31/07/2023 | £61k | £61k |
| 31/07/2022 | £48k | £61k |
| 31/07/2021 | £70k | £55k |
Common questions
Is REAL LIVES REAL CHOICES financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total funds increased to £67,510 from £42,749 in the prior year, driven by a significant rise in grant income. The charity maintains unrestricted reserves of £18,282, which exceeds its designated working capital fund of £10,000, indicating stable liquidity. The independent examiner confirmed that no material matters were identified during the examination of the financial statements. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds REAL LIVES REAL CHOICES?
Funders whose own accounts filings name REAL LIVES REAL CHOICES as a grant recipient include Point North Community Foundation, THE BERNICIA FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point North Community Foundation | FY2022 | £30k | NHS Charities Together / Health Improvement |
| THE BERNICIA FOUNDATION | FY2026 | £10k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postcode Lottery | 05/11/2025 | £30k | Unrestricted Funding |
| Community Foundation North East | 16/01/2025 | £10k | Grant to Real Lives Real Choices |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 03/12/2021 | £10k | Articipants |
| Community Foundation North East | 03/11/2016 | £10k | Towards RecycLD - learning opportunities and skills development via furniture up cycling |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 21/01/2015 | £10k | recycLD Training Project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 29/03/2012 | £9k | K2U & 2U - Real Relationship Support |
| Northern Rock Foundation | 11/10/2011 | £78k | Grant awarded to Real Lives: Real Choices (Durham) |
| Northern Rock Foundation | 16/02/2006 | £13k | Grant awarded to Real Lives: Real Choices (Durham) |