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UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION

Registered charity 1191885 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

The objects of UCSU are the advancement of education of students at the University of Cumbria for the public benefit by promoting the interests, welfare of said students; representing, supporting and advising said students; providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for said students.

Causes: General Charitable Purposes · Education/training · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£527k
Latest spending
£524k
Registered
2020
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity maintained a surplus of £3,007 for the year, with free reserves of £158,946, which is above the stated policy target of £130,000. However, the trustees note that the union is dependent on the University's support and block grant funding, which was frozen for one year, creating a dependency risk.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: three and six month’s expenditure (held: £159k)
“It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure.” — page 6
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor
“Although the University of Cumbria Students' Union continues to generate supplementary funding from various primary purpose trading activities, it will always be dependent on the University's support.” — page 17
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Sabbatical officers received remuneration: Mr A Dawson £7,492, Mr M Sagheer £7,492, Ms A Hutchinson £10,581, Ms S Fatemipour £15,045, Ms T Hewson £10,973, Ms K Ashurst £3,950.
“The sabbatical officers of the Union Council receive remuneration for their services as provided for within the Constitution. Six Trustees were employed under such contracts during the period and received remuneration as follows:” — page 24
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: CEO training costs
“During the year the board approved paying for the CEO to attend a course at Kendal College - Diploma in Counselling Skills, costing £1,500.” — page 30
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by Saint & Co.. Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/10/2025)

Total income
£527k
Total spending
£524k
Cost of raising funds
£21k
Reserves (reported)
£130k
Employees
11

Reported reserves equal ~3.0 months of spending — below the median for charities its size (median 5.2 months; benchmarks).

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Trustees · trustee networks

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

Operates in: Throughout England

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/10/2025£527k£524k
31/10/2024£521k£517k
31/10/2023£512k£496k
31/10/2022£482k£458k
31/10/2021£425k£404k

Common questions

Is UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA STUDENTS' UNION financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity maintained a surplus of £3,007 for the year, with free reserves of £158,946, which is above the stated policy target of £130,000. However, the trustees note that the union is dependent on the University's support and block grant funding, which was frozen for one year, creating a dependency risk. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Saint & Co..