Michael Roberts Charitable Trust
Analysis
Michael Roberts Charitable Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Harlow. It was registered in October 1997, 29 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, disability, the prevention or relief of poverty and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03439299). It says it provides human resources, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Michael Roberts Charitable Trust reported income of £754k and spending of £742k, spending 99% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £277k to £754k (+172%), an average of +28% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 58%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.
Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, Michael Roberts Charitable Trust sits at the 90th percentile: it is larger than about 90% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 92nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Breakthrough (Deaf-Hearing Integration) (£753k), The Performing Arts Children's Charity (£754k) and Where Next Association (£753k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 56% and charitable activities 44%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.6%. Grants to other organisations totalled £6,052. Reserves of £134k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 19 people.
Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 56%
- Charitable activities 44%
- Investments 0.6%
In the charity's own words
To provide voluntary work and social opportunities for people with a disability and people who are socially disadvantaged. To provide emergency food for people in crisis and to reduce companies food wastage and redistribute it back into the community in Harlow and the surrounding area.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough (Deaf-Hearing Integration) | London | £753k |
| The Performing Arts Children's Charity | London | £754k |
| Where Next Association | Redditch | £753k |
| The Magdalen Environmental Trust | Chard | £754k |