The Paraorchestra and Friends

Analysis

The Paraorchestra and Friends is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bristol. It was registered in September 2015, 11 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and human rights/religious or racial harmony/equality or diversity, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 07874922). It says it provides services.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Paraorchestra and Friends reported income of £2.0m and spending of £1.9m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £588k to £2.0m (+241%), an average of +36% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 66%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.

Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Paraorchestra and Friends sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Ymddiriedolaeth Nant Gwrtheyrn (£2.0m), West Wickham Common and Spring Park Wood (£2.0m) and Barnet Education Arts Trust (£2.0m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 69% and charitable activities 31%. Charitable activities took 45% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £482k would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 18 people.