THE SOUTH OXFORD ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND CIO
Close to Oxford City centre, the South Oxford Adventure Playground (SOAP) provides a well equipped, free, open access play area for all children. Supervised by playworkers, it's open at Easter, summer holidays & half-terms, & after school in the summer. Children aged 7 upwards can register to visit without a parent/carer. Approx 400 children register per year, and about 7,000 child visits occur.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ended the year with a surplus of £3,502.21, bringing total net assets to £37,742.11. The trustees have designated £3,000 for reserves to cover emergency repairs and three months of running costs, which aligns with their stated reserves policy. The independent examiner reported no material issues or failures to comply with accounting requirements.
What the accounts disclose
“Reserves policy: £3,000 shall be kept in reserve, for emergency repairs/renovations and to cover 3 month’s running costs for utilities and services.” — page 5
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (21/11/2025)
Trustees
- Megan Douthwaite
- Naomi Waite
- Phil Doubtfire
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £48k | £45k |
| 31/12/2023 | £56k | £59k |
| 31/12/2022 | £48k | £49k |
| 31/12/2021 | £48k | £35k |
| 31/12/2020 | £48k | £32k |
Common questions
Is THE SOUTH OXFORD ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND CIO financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the year with a surplus of £3,502.21, bringing total net assets to £37,742.11. The trustees have designated £3,000 for reserves to cover emergency repairs and three months of running costs, which aligns with their stated reserves policy. The independent examiner reported no material issues or failures to comply with accounting requirements. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds THE SOUTH OXFORD ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND CIO?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE SOUTH OXFORD ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND CIO as a grant recipient include ST ALDATES PAROCHIAL CHARITY, DORIS FIELD CHARITABLE TRUST, THE WOODWARD CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST ALDATES PAROCHIAL CHARITY | FY2022 | £5k | |
| DORIS FIELD CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k | Single payment |
| THE WOODWARD CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £1k | |
| THE WOODWARD CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £750 |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 08/07/2022 | £10k | Summer of Outdoor Play at SOAP |
| Oxford City Council | 01/04/2019 | £5k | Grant to South Oxford Adventure Play scheme |
| Oxford City Council | 11/02/2016 | £8k | Grant to South Oxford Adventure Playground |
| Oxford City Council | 12/02/2015 | £8k | Grant to South Oxford Adventure Playground |
| Oxford City Council | 12/02/2014 | £10k | Grant to South Oxford Adventure Playground |