We Change Lives (WCL)

Analysis

We Change Lives (WCL) is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Gloucestershire. It was registered in May 1991, 35 years ago. Its declared purposes cover disability and accommodation/housing, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02595601). It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.

In the financial year ending March 2025, We Change Lives (WCL) reported income of £12.0m and spending of £11.8m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £6.0m to £12.0m (+99%), an average of +19% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 60%. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.

Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, We Change Lives (WCL) sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. 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 Pure Innovations Limited (£12.0m), The Azure Charitable Foundation (£12.1m) and Enham Trust (£11.9m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 97% and donations and legacies 1.1%. Charitable activities took 94% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £2.0m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 272 people.