BATTLE SCARS
We support anybody affected by self-harm: people of any age and gender who self-harm (from hair pulling to cutting and from overdosing to eating disorders), as well as those who support them (family, friends and professionals). We provide peer support, workshops, training, resources, advice. We are survivor led and run, are based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but operate across the UK
Objects
TO RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF PERSONS AFFECTED BY SELF-HARM IN PARTICULARLY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY BY:(1) HOLDING SURVIVOR LED SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PERSONS AFFECTED BY SELF-HARM AND ANYBODY INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING SELF-HARM;(2) ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN ALL AREAS RELATING TO SELF-HARM;(3) PROVIDE TRAINING AND PRACTICAL ADVICE TO:(A) PROFESSIONALS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS (PUBLIC, VOLUNTARY AND PRIVATE SECTOR) WHO DEAL WITH PERSONS WHO SELF-HARM;(B) PARENTS OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS WHO SELF-HARM;(C) ANYONE WISHING TO ATTEND THE TRAINING OR TRYING TO UNDERSTAND SELF-HARM; AND(4) IN ANY SUCH WAYS AS THE TRUSTEES SEE FIT IN FURTHERANCE OF SAID OBJECTS.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ended the year in a stable financial position with unrestricted reserves of £87,285. This figure is below the trustees' stated policy target of approximately £97,500, which represents three to six months of operational expenditure. The charity reported net receipts of £19,020 for the year, funded by a mix of grants, donations, and rental income.
What the accounts disclose
“The trustees propose to maintain the organisation’s unrestricted reserves at a level which is to three to six months’ operational expenditure according to the Battle Scars’ budget. This would equate to approximately £97,500 based on planned spending of £195,000.” — page 10
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2026
- Volunteers: 57
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2025
- Volunteers: 55
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/03/2024
- Volunteers: 60
- Government income: £70,000 — grants £70,000 (2); 38% of the £186,129 total gross income on the same return
In the news
Funders the charity credits
- Onward Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub
Trustees
- Jean Elizabeth Birchchair
- Aisling Eloise O'Brien
- GLENN WILLIAM GROVES
- Karen Lesley Johnson
- Kate Davis
- Nicholas Pomeroy
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £167k | £148k |
| 31/03/2025 | £157k | £162k |
| 31/03/2024 | £186k | £126k |
| 31/03/2023 | £111k | £86k |
| 31/03/2022 | £79k | £39k |
Common questions
Is BATTLE SCARS financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the year in a stable financial position with unrestricted reserves of £87,285. This figure is below the trustees' stated policy target of approximately £97,500, which represents three to six months of operational expenditure. The charity reported net receipts of £19,020 for the year, funded by a mix of grants, donations, and rental income. Its FY2026 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds BATTLE SCARS?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BATTLE SCARS as a grant recipient include THE ALLEN LANE FOUNDATION, THE RANDAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST, THE DWF FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE ALLEN LANE FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £5k | |
| THE RANDAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £4k | |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £3k | |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £3k | |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £2k | |
| THE DWF FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £2k | |
| THE RANDAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2023 | amount not stated |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 26/07/2024 | £20k | Volunteer development programme & volunteer management |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 28/04/2023 | £10k | Volunteer Development Programme |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 12/01/2021 | £10k | Virtual self-harm peer support |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| PROJECT GIVING BACK | 1 | £418k |
| THE ROAN CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £180k |
| THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH MUSIC | 1 | £180k |
| THE CONSTANCE TRAVIS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £160k |
| THE ALBERT GUBAY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £150k |
| PETER SOWERBY FOUNDATION | 1 | £149k |
| CO-OPERATIVE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FOUNDATION | 1 | £140k |
| THE ALBORADA TRUST | 1 | £115k |
Charities like this
- THE BLOCK, ARMED FORCES FOUNDATION
- REESTABLISH
- CARE AFTER COMBAT
- TRAUMA TREATMENT INTERNATIONAL
- BEAT SCAD
- SUPPORTING HOMELESS, ASSISTING REFUGEES EVERYWHERE
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BATTLE SCARS | £167k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE BLOCK, ARMED FORCES FOUNDATION | £146k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| REESTABLISH | £331k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CARE AFTER COMBAT | £973k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| TRAUMA TREATMENT INTERNATIONAL | £353k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| BEAT SCAD | £49k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |