Childlife

Analysis

Childlife is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Farnborough. It was registered in May 2000, 26 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, which this site groups under children and youth development. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03696656). It says it makes grants to organisations and acts as an umbrella or resource body.

In the financial year ending March 2026, Childlife reported income of £1.6m and spending of £1.6m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £1.2m to £1.6m (+37%), an average of +8.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2026, when income rose by 19%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 5,641 England and Wales charities whose main cause is children and youth development and that reported income, Childlife 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 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Saba Relief & Development Foundation Limited (£1.6m), Carers Federation Ltd (£1.6m) and Safe! Support for Young People Affected by Crime (£1.6m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 99%. Charitable activities took 40% of spending and raising funds 59%. Grants to other organisations totalled £640k. Reserves of £776k would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 3 people.