Birth Companions
Analysis
Birth Companions is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 2007, 19 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes and other charitable purposes, which this site groups under other charitable purposes. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 06269047). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending March 2026, Birth Companions reported income of £1.2m and spending of £943k, leaving 23% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £592k to £1.2m (+107%), an average of +20% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2026, when income rose by 48%. Over the whole period it spent 89% of the income it received.
Among 1,463 England and Wales charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Birth Companions sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% 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 Bar Pro Bono Unit (£1.2m), London Higher (£1.2m) and Ashley House Hostel (£1.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 76%, charitable activities 22% and investments 1.3%. Charitable activities took 94% of spending and raising funds 1.9%. Reserves of £978k would cover about 12 months of spending at that rate. It employed 18 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 76%
- Charitable activities 22%
- Investments 1.3%
In the charity's own words
We support women experiencing severe disadvantages in the period before, during and after the birth of their babies. We run groups and give one to one support to women in four prisons and in the community in London. We have a national remit to improve the experiences and care of women facing health and social inequalities in the perinatal period through training, research and influencing change.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Bar Pro Bono Unit | London | £1.2m |
| London Higher | London | £1.2m |
| Ashley House Hostel | Bristol | £1.1m |
| British American Security Information Council | London | £1.3m |