THE COMMUNITY OF ST EDMUND OF THE ENGLISH CONGREGATION OF THE ORDER OF ST BENEDICT ESTABLISHED AT DOUAI ABBEY, WOOLHAMPTON, BERKSHIRE
Douai Abbey is a community of Benedictine monks who are involved in educational, pastoral and other work. The main pastoral activity consists of welcoming guests who come for retreats and conferences, in groups or as individuals. The Abbey Church and the other facilities are also used by other organisations, both religious and secular, for their own meetings and activities.
Latest income
£872k
Latest spending
£1.2m
Registered
1965
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net decrease in funds of £250,419 for the year, driven by expenditure exceeding income before investment gains. The trustees note that unrestricted free reserves of £3,359,863 are below the stated policy target of 36 months of expenditure, citing inflationary pressures and rising care costs as reasons for the shortfall.
What the accounts disclose
Largest income source: Donations and legacies (55% of income)
“Donations and legacies amounted to £477,768 compared to £250,475 in 2024.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: 36 months of expenditure (held: £3.4m)
“The trustees consider that, given the nature of the charity’s work, the level of free reserves should be equivalent to a minimum of 36 months expenditure.” — page 9
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Rent received from Douai Abbey Parishes Trust
“During the year, rent of £12,000 (2024—£12,000) for the use of St Mary’s Church and office space in the monastery was received by Douai Abbey Trust from Douai Abbey Parishes Trust.” — page 33
“On 13 February 2020 the trustees signed a loan agreement Douai Abbey Parishes Trust to loan funds to the parish of Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Alcester. The amount agreed to be loaned by Douai Abbey Trust was a maximum of £20,000.” — page 33
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Loan to Douai Abbey Parishes Trust
“During the year, rent of £12,000 (2024—£12,000) for the use of St Mary’s Church and office space in the monastery was received by Douai Abbey Trust from Douai Abbey Parishes Trust.” — page 33
“On 13 February 2020 the trustees signed a loan agreement Douai Abbey Parishes Trust to loan funds to the parish of Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Alcester. The amount agreed to be loaned by Douai Abbey Trust was a maximum of £20,000.” — page 33
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Common purse payments from Douai Abbey Parishes Trust
“During the year, rent of £12,000 (2024—£12,000) for the use of St Mary’s Church and office space in the monastery was received by Douai Abbey Trust from Douai Abbey Parishes Trust.” — page 33
“On 13 February 2020 the trustees signed a loan agreement Douai Abbey Parishes Trust to loan funds to the parish of Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Alcester. The amount agreed to be loaned by Douai Abbey Trust was a maximum of £20,000.” — page 33
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Payroll recharge for Douai Parish Administrator
“During the year, rent of £12,000 (2024—£12,000) for the use of St Mary’s Church and office space in the monastery was received by Douai Abbey Trust from Douai Abbey Parishes Trust.” — page 33
“On 13 February 2020 the trustees signed a loan agreement Douai Abbey Parishes Trust to loan funds to the parish of Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Alcester. The amount agreed to be loaned by Douai Abbey Trust was a maximum of £20,000.” — page 33
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Printing costs paid to Douai Abbey Parishes Trust
“During the year, rent of £12,000 (2024—£12,000) for the use of St Mary’s Church and office space in the monastery was received by Douai Abbey Trust from Douai Abbey Parishes Trust.” — page 33
“On 13 February 2020 the trustees signed a loan agreement Douai Abbey Parishes Trust to loan funds to the parish of Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Alcester. The amount agreed to be loaned by Douai Abbey Trust was a maximum of £20,000.” — page 33
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Total income
£872k
Total spending
£1.2m
Cost of raising funds
£35k
Reserves (reported)
£3.4m
Employees
15
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (31/01/2023)
Trustees
- REV PAUL GUNTER OSBchair
- REV THOMAS HOLT OSB
- Rev Andrew Scott Hugh Somerville Knapman OSB
- Rev Mark Benedict Thompson OSB
- Rev Stephen Gabriel Wilson OSB
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £872k | £1.2m |
| 31/08/2024 | £569k | £1.2m |
| 31/08/2023 | £598k | £1.1m |
| 31/08/2022 | £634k | £933k |
| 31/08/2021 | £483k | £796k |
Common questions
Is THE COMMUNITY OF ST EDMUND OF THE ENGLISH CONGREGATION OF THE ORDER OF ST BENEDICT ESTABLISHED AT DOUAI ABBEY, WOOLHAMPTON, BERKSHIRE financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net decrease in funds of £250,419 for the year, driven by expenditure exceeding income before investment gains. The trustees note that unrestricted free reserves of £3,359,863 are below the stated policy target of 36 months of expenditure, citing inflationary pressures and rising care costs as reasons for the shortfall. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Caldwell Penn Limited.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 02/06/1998 | £434k | "St Gregory the Great, Cheltenham - Jericho Appeal" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ST CECILIA'S ABBEY RYDE ISLE OF WIGHT | 1 | £215k |
| PRISM THE GIFT FUND | 1 | £50k |
| THE FOUNDATION OF ST. BENEDICT OF NURSIA | 1 | £43k |
| GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1k |
| THE ASTOR FOUNDATION | 1 | £500 |
Charities like this
- Douai Abbey Parishes Trust
- AMPLEFORTH ABBEY
- ST MARY'S ABBEY, QUARR
- THE ABBEY SUTTON COURTENAY LIMITED
- THE TRUST OF ST BENEDICT'S ABBEY EALING
- WORTH ABBEY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE COMMUNITY OF ST EDMUND OF THE ENGLISH CONGREGATION OF THE ORDER OF ST BENEDICT ESTABLISHED AT DOUAI ABBEY, WOOLHAMPTON, BERKSHIRE | £872k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Douai Abbey Parishes Trust | £900k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| AMPLEFORTH ABBEY | £22.2m | £200,000 - £220,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ST MARY'S ABBEY, QUARR | £1.6m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ABBEY SUTTON COURTENAY LIMITED | £120k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE TRUST OF ST BENEDICT'S ABBEY EALING | £1.7m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |