THE HABBIT FACTORY
The Habbit Factory is an inclusive arts organisation in The London Borough of Havering. Welcoming all, and working with some of the most excluded and disadvantaged children, young people and adults in the area. Through a targeted network of partners, our work helps people who do not see themselves as artists or have access to any creative engagement or provision.
Objects
TO ADVANCE PARTICIPATION AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE PERFORMING ARTS THROUGH THE PROVISION OF WORKSHOPS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS/COLLEGES, SIMILAR CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS, AND OTHER FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES AS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DECIDE.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of just over £5,000, increasing its total reserves to almost £36,000, though only £12,500 of this is unrestricted. Per the Treasurer’s report, monthly expenditure averages more than £15,000, meaning current reserves cover approximately 2.3 months of operational costs. The trustees acknowledge a dependency on non-guaranteed grant income and have approved initiatives to improve financial resilience and build unrestricted reserves.
What the accounts disclose
“This has been mainly driven by a substantial increase in grant funding, with an additional £23,500 already received for projects planned for later in 2025.”
“A key aim is to build our reserves to a minimum of three months’ operational costs. (currently at 2.5)”
“As with most charities, each year we are dependent on grants and fundraising. Most grant income is not guaranteed and/or is subject to change, whereas many of our costs are difficult to flex in the short term and will tend to increase.” — page 20
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2025
- Volunteers: 55
- Government income: £38,796 — contracts £25,214 (5), grants £13,582 (2); 20% of the £190,677 total gross income on the same return
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2024
- Volunteers: 41
- Government income: £5,764 — grants £5,764 (1); 4% of the £151,211 total gross income on the same return
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2023
- Volunteers: 50
- Government income: £32,900 — grants £32,900 (2); 32% of the £101,243 total gross income on the same return
Trustees
- Robert Lithgowchair
- Andrew Bennett
- Dimple Pau
- Georgina Hart
- Guleraana Mir
- KIERAN O'CALLAGHAN
- Makola Mayambika
- Neera Dhir
- Timothy Steel
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £191k | £186k |
| 31/03/2024 | £151k | £150k |
| 31/03/2023 | £101k | £98k |
| 31/03/2022 | £72k | £58k |
| 31/03/2021 | £10k | £17k |
Common questions
Is THE HABBIT FACTORY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of just over £5,000, increasing its total reserves to almost £36,000, though only £12,500 of this is unrestricted. Per the Treasurer’s report, monthly expenditure averages more than £15,000, meaning current reserves cover approximately 2.3 months of operational costs. The trustees acknowledge a dependency on non-guaranteed grant income and have approved initiatives to improve financial resilience and build unrestricted reserves. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds THE HABBIT FACTORY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE HABBIT FACTORY as a grant recipient include CHARLES S FRENCH CHARITABLE TRUST, GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES S FRENCH CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £5k | |
| GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £1k | |
| GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £500 |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 05/06/2026 | £19k | Habbit Heroes: volunteer pathways |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 21/12/2023 | £251k | For / By / with - empowering underserved communities |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 12/11/2021 | £9k | Sparking change |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE EDWARD GOSTLING FOUNDATION | 1 | £150k |
| THE VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST | 1 | £56k |
| THE REED FOUNDATION | 1 | £8k |
| THE CHALK CLIFF TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| DUCHY OF LANCASTER BENEVOLENT FUND | 1 | £2k |
| THE AUSTIN AND HOPE PILKINGTON TRUST | 1 | £1k |
| SKIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £600 |
Charities like this
- THE FACTORY OF CREATIVITY
- ARTS FACTORY LTD
- THE BOMB FACTORY ART FOUNDATION
- HENDERSON HUB COMPANY LIMITED
- HUBBUB THEATRE COMPANY
- FABRICA
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE HABBIT FACTORY | £191k | — | 0 | below | — | noted |
| THE FACTORY OF CREATIVITY | £2.0m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 2 | unclear | — | material uncertainty |
| ARTS FACTORY LTD | £738k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE BOMB FACTORY ART FOUNDATION | £658k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HENDERSON HUB COMPANY LIMITED | £112k | — | 0 | above | 101302.0% | noted |
| HUBBUB THEATRE COMPANY | £360k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |