Freedom From Torture
Analysis
Freedom From Torture is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 1990, 36 years ago. Its declared purposes cover the advancement of health or saving of lives, human rights/religious or racial harmony/equality or diversity and other charitable purposes, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02398586). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Freedom From Torture reported income of £15.1m and spending of £14.4m, spending 95% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2020 to March 2025, income grew from £12.8m to £15.1m (+18%), an average of +4.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 53%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Freedom From Torture sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Norfolk and Waveney Mind (£15.0m), North London Hospice (£15.1m) and The Cure Parkinson's Trust (£15.0m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 94%, charitable activities 3.6% and trading 1.9%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £5.4m. Charitable activities took 76% of spending and raising funds 23%. Reserves of £9.1m would cover about 8 months of spending at that rate. It employed 148 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 58%
- Legacies 36%
- Charitable activities 3.6%
- Trading 1.9%
- Investments 0.9%
In the charity's own words
Freedom from Torture is a human rights organisation which exists to enable survivors of torture to engage in a healing process. We provide direct care, treatment and protection services in five UK centres. We engage in activism in order to bring the plight of torture survivors to light and carry out research that underpins our policy and advocacy work.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk and Waveney Mind | Norwich | £15.0m |
| North London Hospice | London | £15.1m |
| The Cure Parkinson's Trust | London | £15.0m |
| The Royal College of Radiologists | London | £15.2m |