Mermaids

Analysis

Mermaids is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 2015, 11 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and the advancement of health or saving of lives, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Mermaids reported income of £1.3m and spending of £1.6m, spending 121% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £1.8m to £1.3m (-28%), an average of -7.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income dropped by 49%. Over the whole period it spent 104% of the income it received.

Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Mermaids sits at the 91st percentile: it is larger than about 91% 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 Bolton Together (£1.3m), Supporting Wounded Veterans Ltd. (£1.3m) and The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre (£1.3m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 96% and charitable activities 3.1%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £83. Charitable activities took 84% of spending and raising funds 11%. It employed 33 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.