Blackburn Youth Zone
Analysis
Blackburn Youth Zone is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Blackburn. It was registered in May 2010, 16 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, disability, arts/culture/heritage/science and amateur sport, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 06944317). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Blackburn Youth Zone reported income of £5.3m and spending of £2.8m, leaving 46% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.7m to £5.3m (+203%), an average of +32% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 96%. Over the whole period it spent 77% of the income it received.
Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, Blackburn Youth Zone sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% 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 Acorn Villages Limited (£5.3m), The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (£5.3m) and Martha Trust Hereford Limited (£5.2m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 96% and trading 2.8%. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 9.4%. Reserves of £712k would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 84 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 96%
- Charitable activities 0.4%
- Trading 2.8%
- Investments 0.5%
In the charity's own words
The Youth Zone's principle activity is the provision of a purpose built, world class 21st century facility for sport and recreation in Blackburn for young people aged 8-18 years old. The Youth Zone delivers a range of high quality universal youth work services, seven days a week, which will be accessed voluntarily by young people on a membership basis.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Acorn Villages Limited | Manningtree | £5.3m |
| The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys | London | £5.3m |
| Martha Trust Hereford Limited | Hereford | £5.2m |
| Toirem | London | £5.3m |