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REAL LIFE OPTIONS

Registered charity 1156258 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also registered in Scotland as SC045939 (OSCR)

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Latest income
£55.6m
Latest spending
£53.3m
Registered
2014
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the Group delivered a strong financial performance with a turnover of £55.6 million and a net surplus of £2.3 million. The Trustees confirm that unrestricted reserves of £13.1 million exceed the stated policy minimum of £5.6 million, ensuring adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

What the accounts disclose

Highest-paid employee band: £190,001 - £200,000 — in the top quarter for charities its size (median £125k)
“Emoluments of the highest paid director were £195k (2024 - £187k).” — page 46
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: 10% of Group turnover or £5 million, whichever is higher (held: £13.1m)
“The agreed policy is that unrestricted reserves should be maintained at a minimum of 10% of Group turnover or £5 million, whichever is higher.” — page 24
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Purchase of services/assets from Enable Unity CIC, a company in which trustee D I Sargent is a Trustee.
“During the year, Real Life Options purchased services and assets amounting to £10,000 from Enable Unity CIC, a company in which D I Sargent is a Trustee (2024 - £6,991).” — page 18
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by Crowe U.K. LLP. Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Public fundraising profile: JustGiving — Real Life Options (matched by registered charity number).

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)

Total income
£55.6m
Total spending
£53.3m
Reserves (reported)
£13.0m
Employees
1,949

Reported reserves equal ~2.9 months of spending — below the median for charities its size (median 4.6 months; benchmarks).

Care Quality Commission ratings

CQC inspection ratings for services run by a provider matching this charity’s name (matched by name; verify provider identity on CQC’s site).

Trustees

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

Operates in: Scotland · Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/03/2025£55.6m£53.3m
31/03/2024£52.7m£50.6m
31/03/2023£48.6m£47.7m
31/03/2022£45.1m£44.7m
31/03/2021£44.6m£44.6m

Common questions

Is REAL LIFE OPTIONS financially healthy?

The accounts state that the Group delivered a strong financial performance with a turnover of £55.6 million and a net surplus of £2.3 million. The Trustees confirm that unrestricted reserves of £13.1 million exceed the stated policy minimum of £5.6 million, ensuring adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.

What does the highest-paid employee of REAL LIFE OPTIONS earn?

Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £190,001 - £200,000 band.