YMCA Essex

Analysis

YMCA Essex is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Chelmsford. It was registered in March 1996, 30 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training and accommodation/housing, which this site groups under housing and shelter. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03171206). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, YMCA Essex reported income of £2.1m and spending of £1.9m, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.2m to £2.1m (+72%), an average of +14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 30%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.

Among 2,324 England and Wales charities whose main cause is housing and shelter and that reported income, YMCA Essex sits at the 94th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Fitzwilliam Wentworth Amenity Trust (£2.1m), Blackburn YMCA (£2.1m) and Hillbrook Grange Residential Care Home (£2.1m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 49%, trading 42% and donations and legacies 2.4%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £1.3m would cover about 8 months of spending at that rate. It employed 81 people.