Norwich Freemen's Charity
The provision of relief in need and pensioner grants, and the promotion of education to Freemen of Norwich or their widows and daughters. Insofar as income is not needed for the above, relief in need grants, the promotion of education of those in need of financial assistance, the provision and support of recreation facilities for social welfare of those in the area of benefit.
Objects
THE COMPANY'S OBJECTS ARE SPECIFICALLY RESTRICTED TO THE FOLLOWING:-(A) HALF OF THE COMPANY'S INCOME AND PROPERTY FOR THE RELIEF OF FREEMEN OR THEIR DEPENDANT RELATIVES WHO ARE IN CONDITIONS OF NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS BY MAKING GRANTS OF MONEY OR PROVIDING OR PAYING FOR ITEMS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES WHICH ARE CALCULATED TO REDUCE THE NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS OF SUCH PERSONS AND THE PAYMENT OF PENSIONS TO THE ABOVE; AND (B) HALF OF THE COMPANY'S YEARLY INCOME AND PROPERTY FOR THE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND WHO ARE FREEMEN OR THE DEPENDENT RELATIVES OF FREEMEN BY AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCES OR GRANTS, IN PROVIDING FACILITIES NOT NORMALLY PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY FOR RECREATION AND SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL TRAINING FOR SUCH PERSONS RECEIVING PRIMARY, SECONDARY OR FURTHER EDUCATION AND IN ASSISTING SUCH PERSONS WHO ARE PREPARING FOR, ENTERING UPON OR ENGAGED IN ANY PROFESSION, TRADE, OCCUPATION OR SERVICE, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH OUTFITS, OR BY PAYING FEES, TRAVELLING OR MAINTENANCE EXPENSES OR BY SUCH OTHER MEANS FOR THEIR ADVANCEMENT IN LIFE OR TO ENABLE THEM TO EARN THEIR LIVING AS THE DIRECTORS THINK FIT; AND (C) IF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PROPERTY AND INCOME OF THE COMPANY ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSES SET OUT IN PARAGRAPHS 3(A) AND 3(B) ABOVE:- I. THE RELIEF OF INHABITANTS OF THE AREA OF BENEFIT WHO ARE IN CONDITIONS OF NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS BY MAKING GRANTS OF MONEY OR PROVIDING OR PAYING FOR ITEMS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES WHICH ARE CALCULATED TO REDUCE THE NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS OF SUCH PERSONS; II. THE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND WHO ARE INHABITANTS OF THE AREA OF BENEFIT BY AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCES OR GRANTS, IN PROVIDING FACILITIES NOT NORMALLY PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY FOR RECREATION AND SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL TRAINING FOR SUCH PERSONS RECEIVING PRIMARY, SECONDARY OR FURTHER EDUCATION AND IN ASSISTING SUCH PERSONS WHO ARE PREPARING FOR, ENTERING UPON OR ENGAGED IN ANY PROFESSION, TRADE, OCCUPATION OR SERVICE, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH OUTFITS, OR BY PAYING FEES, TRAVELLING OR MAINTENANCE EXPENSES OR BY SUCH OTHER MEANS FOR THEIR ADVANCEMENT IN LIFE OR TO ENABLE THEM TO EARN THEIR LIVING AS THE DIRECTORS THINK FIT; III. THE PROVISION AND SUPPORT IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION AND OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THE AREA OF BENEFIT; OR IV. ANY OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR THE GENERAL BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE AREA OF BENEFIT.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds significant unrestricted reserves, with a general surplus of £1,233,336 and net current unrestricted assets of £1,586,932, which the trustees consider appropriate. The endowment fund value decreased by 8.04% to £26,937,123, falling short of the inflationary increase needed to maintain its real terms value. Despite this, the trustees report that the portfolio and asset base remain strong and well diversified.
What the accounts disclose
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- 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
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Investment
- Risk management
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2026)
Trustees
- Boyd Glyn Taylor
- Brian Michael Bolt
- Cynthia Beris Cooke
- David Fullman
- Emmanuel Sheehan-Flick
- JOHN STUART RUSHMER
- Jennifer Coe
- John Patrick Burton
- John Paul Garside
- Kevin Maguire
- MICHAEL JAMES ANTHONY QUINTON
- Matthew Robert Packer
- Melanie Eileen Kent
- PHILIP MARK REDVERS DAVIES
- Philip Armes
- STUART CHARLES LAMB
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £975k | £1.7m |
| 31/03/2025 | £1.2m | £1.4m |
| 31/03/2024 | £0 | £0 |
| 31/03/2023 | £0 | £0 |
| 31/03/2022 | £0 | £0 |
Common questions
Is Norwich Freemen's Charity financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds significant unrestricted reserves, with a general surplus of £1,233,336 and net current unrestricted assets of £1,586,932, which the trustees consider appropriate. The endowment fund value decreased by 8.04% to £26,937,123, falling short of the inflationary increase needed to maintain its real terms value. Despite this, the trustees report that the portfolio and asset base remain strong and well diversified. Its FY2026 accounts were audited by Lovewell Blake LLP.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 01/04/2024 | £8k | GCA AME RPA DELINKED PAYMENTS |