Carers First
Analysis
Carers First is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Kent. It was registered in March 2001, 25 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and disability, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04144820). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2026, Carers First reported income of £5.2m and spending of £5.1m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £4.6m to £5.2m (+15%), an average of +3.5% a year. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Carers First sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Mind in Bradford (£5.2m), The Peek Vision Foundation (£5.2m) and Early Break (£5.2m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 90% and donations and legacies 9.5%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £8,239. Charitable activities took 86% of spending and raising funds 0.8%. Reserves of £1.3m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 132 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 9.4%
- Legacies 0.2%
- Charitable activities 90%
- Investments 0.4%
In the charity's own words
Carers FIRST is a charity supporting people who look after a relative or friend who due to ill health, physical or mental illness, disability, frailty, or addiction cannot manage without their support. We provide information, advice, guidance, emotional support, training and activities, giving carers an opportunity to have a break from their caring role and help them to get the support they need.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Mind in Bradford | West Yorkshire | £5.2m |
| The Peek Vision Foundation | London | £5.2m |
| Early Break | Bury | £5.2m |
| Hoylake Cottage | Wirral | £5.2m |