Freely Given Retreats
Analysis
Freely Given Retreats is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Newton Abbot. It was registered in May 2016, 10 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, which this site groups under education and training. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it provides services.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Freely Given Retreats reported income of £18k and spending of £18k, spending 103% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £7,684 to £18k (+132%), an average of +23% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 70%. Over the whole period it spent 105% of the income it received.
Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, Freely Given Retreats sits at the 50th percentile: it is larger than about 50% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 42nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Friends of Norton Campus Association (£18k), Stretham Primary School Parent Staff Association (£18k) and The Steve and Gayle Morrison Foundation (£18k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
We aim to make Insight Meditation retreats available to everyone. Our retreats are open to all without any charges. Insight Meditation is the practice of developing mindful investigation, leading to wisdom, compassion and the ending of suffering. It is Buddhist in origin but our retreats are open to all regardless of religious affiliation. Our retreats are generally in silence.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of Norton Campus Association | Doncaster | £18k |
| Stretham Primary School Parent Staff Association | Ely | £18k |
| The Steve and Gayle Morrison Foundation | Leeds | £18k |
| The Free School | Stroud | £18k |