BETTER THINGS
Provision of the following for people with learning disabilities:Sport, Recreation, Social, Leisure and Learning projects, Health Awareness,Social Inclusion,Campaigning and Awareness,Disability Hate Crime
Objects
A) THE RELIEF OF PEOPLE WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY IN PARTICULAR BY THE PROVISION OF HELP AND SUPPORT FOR THEM AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES, DEPENDANTS AND CARERS, AND TO PREVENT LEARNING DISABILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT AND TO ADVANCE RELIGION AMONGST PERSONS WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY; ANDB) TO PROVIDE OR ASSIST IN THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR THE RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEED THEREOF BY REASON OF LEARNING DISABILITY WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves increased from £49,525 to £59,885 during the year, resulting in a net income surplus of £10,360. The trustees confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Reserves are maintained in line with the stated policy of holding three to six months' expenditure.
What the accounts disclose
“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
“Kate’s partner John Gurd provides a significant number of hours per year to support Kate and the charity. John is a Trustee of the charity. Kate’s fees are included within the Income and Expenditure account under subcontractor costs. The level of fees has been approved by the Board of Trustees.”
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investment
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- 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 31/01/2026
- Volunteers: 8
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/01/2025
- Volunteers: 8
- Government income: £8,643 — grants £8,643 (2); 18% of the £47,288 total gross income on the same return
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/01/2024
- Volunteers: 10
In the news
Trustees
- KENNETH JOHN GURDchair
- Christopher Noble
- Katrina Farry
- MARLENE MIDDLETON
- Melissa Young
- PETER OWEN
- Stuart Cunningham
- ZAHIR -UD- DEEN TEEMIL
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2026 | £20k | £45k |
| 31/01/2025 | £47k | £37k |
| 31/01/2024 | £26k | £37k |
| 31/01/2023 | £57k | £57k |
| 31/01/2022 | £50k | £31k |
Common questions
Is BETTER THINGS financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves increased from £49,525 to £59,885 during the year, resulting in a net income surplus of £10,360. The trustees confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Reserves are maintained in line with the stated policy of holding three to six months' expenditure. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds BETTER THINGS?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BETTER THINGS as a grant recipient include BOOST CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOOST CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £4k | |
| BOOST CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £4k | |
| BOOST CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £2k | Promotion of sporting activities amongst the disabled and disadvantaged |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport England | 23/03/2026 | £14k | Better Things Taking Part Project |
| Sport England | 14/07/2021 | £4k | Taking Part Project |
| UK government | 20/08/2020 | £10k | Coronavirus Community Support Fund |
| Sport England | 28/05/2020 | £500 | COVID-19 CEF |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 03/01/2019 | £10k | Better Lives |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 07/09/2005 | £106k | The Health In Transition (HIT) Project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/01/2005 | £5k | Drama Specailist for people with Learning Difficulties |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BLYTH CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £75k |
| DAVID LISTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £56k |
| LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND) | 1 | £41k |
| THE WILL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £40k |
| THE JONES 1986 CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £15k |
| THE THOMAS FARR CHARITY | 1 | £14k |
| THE TRUEMARK TRUST | 1 | £13k |
| MISS W E LAWRENCE 1973 CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT | 1 | £13k |
Charities like this
- REACH LEARNING DISABILITY
- HELPING DISABILITIES TRUST
- PERSONAL BEST FOUNDATION
- BETTER WAY RECOVERY
- DISABILITY STOCKPORT CIO
- KINGSTON SOCIETY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BETTER THINGS | £20k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| REACH LEARNING DISABILITY | £3.9m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| HELPING DISABILITIES TRUST | £131k | — | 0 | above | 9.4% | no doubt |
| PERSONAL BEST FOUNDATION | £135k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| BETTER WAY RECOVERY | £566k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| DISABILITY STOCKPORT CIO | £1.5m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |