Free to Be Kids
Analysis
Free to Be Kids is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 2016, 10 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives, recreation and other charitable purposes, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides services.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Free to Be Kids reported income of £776k and spending of £737k, spending 95% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £457k to £776k (+70%), an average of +14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 61%. Over the whole period it spent 89% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Free to Be Kids sits at the 87th percentile: it is larger than about 87% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 92nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Fred Hollows Foundation (UK) (£776k), The Oddballs Foundation (£776k) and The Unheard Voices Trust (£776k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 97%, charitable activities 2.0% and investments 1.0%. Charitable activities took 88% of spending and raising funds 12%. Reserves of £410k would cover about 7 months of spending at that rate. It employed 10 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 97%
- Charitable activities 2.0%
- Investments 1.0%
In the charity's own words
Free to Be Kids provides respite holidays, therapeutic adventures, after-school support and a range of year round residentials for children who are struggling with social or emotional difficulties, significant social/financial disadvantage or who are growing up in marginalised communities. Without our work, many would not have support or a break from often extremely difficult home circumstances.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Fred Hollows Foundation (UK) | London | £776k |
| The Oddballs Foundation | Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate | £776k |
| The Unheard Voices Trust | London | £776k |
| Gwasanaeth Cynnal Gofalwyr (Carers Outreach Service) | Bangor | £777k |