Absolutely Leisure
Analysis
Absolutely Leisure is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Maidenhead. It was registered in August 2009, 17 years ago. Its declared purposes cover amateur sport, which this site groups under amateur sport and recreation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 06822082). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Absolutely Leisure reported income of £4.5m and spending of £4.6m, spending 102% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.9m to £4.5m (+142%), an average of +25% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 112%. Over the whole period it spent 106% of the income it received.
Among 12,174 England and Wales charities whose main cause is amateur sport and recreation and that reported income, Absolutely Leisure sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. 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 Coventry University Students' Union Limited (£4.4m), Liverpool Guild of Students (£4.7m) and Wicksteed Charitable Trust (£4.4m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 84% and donations and legacies 12%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. It employed 87 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 12%
- Charitable activities 84%
- Other 4.6%
In the charity's own words
TO PROVIDE FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR RECREATIONAL OR OTHER LEISURE IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE, SUCH FACILITIES BEING PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE SAVE THAT SPECIAL FACILITIES MAY BE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS WHO BY REASON OF THEIR YOUTH, AGE, INFIRMITY OR DISABILITY, POVERTY OR SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES MAY HAVE NEED OF SPECIAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES; AND/OR
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry University Students' Union Limited | Coventry | £4.4m |
| Liverpool Guild of Students | Liverpool | £4.7m |
| Wicksteed Charitable Trust | Northants | £4.4m |
| Cambridge in America (UK) Limited | Cambridge | £4.7m |