THE BEDFORD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Registered charity 218689 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as BEDFORD MENCAP, SPARKLE CLUB, THE BEDFORD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND ADULTS

We support people with learning disabilities in the Bedford area.Also incorporated within Bedford Mencap is Sparkle Club, a weekly social club for adults with learning disabilities in Bedford.

Causes: Disability · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£64k

Latest spending

£63k

Registered

1983

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that unrestricted funds are held at the upper end of the charity's policy range, equivalent to approximately nine months of annual expenditure. However, the Chair's report notes that funding remains a serious ongoing concern and highlights challenges in securing suitable venues for activities.

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

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: between 6 to 9 months of annual expenditure (held: £47k)

“The Executive Committee has established a policy whereby the Unrestricted Funds not committed or held in a Designated Fund should be maintained at a level of between 6 to 9 months of annual expenditure” — page 7

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor

“Funding will also continue to be a serious ongoing concern.” — page 1

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Register events

Received assets from another charity (10/01/2025) — per the register’s event history; asset transfers typically record mergers or reorganisations.
Received assets from another charity (21/04/2023) — per the register’s event history; asset transfers typically record mergers or reorganisations.

Trustees · trustee networks

Deepesh Lad
Laura Sherwood-King
Lauren Steels
MIKE BONNEY · trustee of 3 other charities

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

Operates in: Bedford · Central Bedfordshire

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
30/09/2025	£64k	£63k
30/09/2024	£80k	£68k
30/09/2023	£83k	£71k
30/09/2022	£53k	£59k
30/09/2021	£52k	£48k

Common questions

Is THE BEDFORD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted funds are held at the upper end of the charity's policy range, equivalent to approximately nine months of annual expenditure. However, the Chair's report notes that funding remains a serious ongoing concern and highlights challenges in securing suitable venues for activities. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.