Real Life Options
Analysis
Real Life Options is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Knottingley. It was registered in March 2014, 12 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives, disability and accommodation/housing, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02699638). It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Real Life Options reported income of £55.6m and spending of £53.3m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £44.6m to £55.6m (+25%), an average of +5.6% a year. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Real Life Options sits at the 100th 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Nesta (£55.3m), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International (£55.6m) and The Royal College of General Practitioners (£53.7m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 100%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £13.0m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 1,949 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.0%
- Charitable activities 100%
- Other 0.0%
In the charity's own words
Real Life Options provides support and care to people in the United Kingdom who have disabilities. In particular, the organisation provides and manages services on a peripatetic and domiciliary basis, and provides care and support through the provision of residential housing, both directly and in conjunction with other voluntary agencies, charities and housing associations.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Nesta | London | £55.3m |
| Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International | London | £55.6m |
| The Royal College of General Practitioners | London | £53.7m |
| Catholic Agency for Overseas Development | London | £56.2m |