HITCHIN UNITED CHARITIES
HUC principally operates almshouses in Hitchin though it also has more general eleemosynary purposes.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £32,408 for the year ended 31 March 2026, driven by increased professional fees and maintenance costs against declining income. The trustees anticipate a significant deficit in the following year due to the unoccupied Biggin property and ongoing renovation works, though they expect a return to sustained surplus once the works are completed.
What the accounts disclose
“The trustees consider the new level of maintenance contribution, car park rental and investment income together with reserves is sufficient to ensure the present ordinary charitable activities can be maintained for a twelve-month period. The present level of necessary resources is in the region of £150,000 but this is kept under review.” — page 7
“The trustees expect a significant deficit in 2026-27 but, assuming the works are completed by the end of that year, receipts from the newly occupied property should take the charity into sustained surplus in subsequent years.” — page 6
“The charity paid £6,287 (2025: £9,412) to John Shilcock Ltd a company in which Mr. M.W. Seaman-Hill is a director, in respect of costs of collecting maintenance contributions and managing agents fees. The charity paid £nil (2025: £9,163) to John Shilcock Ltd a company in which Mr. M.W. Seaman-Hill is a director, in respect of clerk's fees and expenses. The charity paid £263 (2025: £nil) to John Shilcock Ltd a company in which Mr M. W. Seaman-Hill is a director, in respect of professional fees.” — page 15
Trustees
- CLAIRE STRONG
- DERRICK ASHLEY
- DERRICK ASHLEY
- David Winstanley
- Ian Albert
- Ian Albert
- Joan Joe
- Joan Joe
- Keith Hoskins
- Mark Whitby
- Stephen Wilson
- Valerie Bryant
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £117k | £162k |
| 31/03/2025 | £124k | £124k |
| 31/03/2024 | £128k | £155k |
| 31/03/2023 | £122k | £154k |
| 31/03/2022 | £127k | £85k |
Common questions
Is HITCHIN UNITED CHARITIES financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £32,408 for the year ended 31 March 2026, driven by increased professional fees and maintenance costs against declining income. The trustees anticipate a significant deficit in the following year due to the unoccupied Biggin property and ongoing renovation works, though they expect a return to sustained surplus once the works are completed. Its FY2026 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| MOONDANCE FOUNDATION | 1 | £50k |
| IRWIN MITCHELL CHARITIES FOUNDATION | 1 | £14 |
Charities like this
- HAMMERSMITH UNITED CHARITIES
- HITCHIN TOWN HALL GYMNASIUM AND WORKMAN'S HALL TRUST
- THE ALMSHOUSE OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. PETER HUDDERSFIELD
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HUCCLECOTE, ST PHILIP AND ST JAMES
- HUGGARD
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HITCHIN UNITED CHARITIES | £117k | — | 0 | above | — | noted |
| HAMMERSMITH UNITED CHARITIES | £2.0m | £80,000 - £90,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HITCHIN TOWN HALL GYMNASIUM AND WORKMAN'S HALL TRUST | £106k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ALMSHOUSE OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST | £136k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. PETER HUDDERSFIELD | £136k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HUCCLECOTE, ST PHILIP AND ST JAMES | £127k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |