Scope
Analysis
Scope is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in 14 East Bay Lane. It was registered in September 1962, 64 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, disability and accommodation/housing, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00520866). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Scope reported income of £44.0m and spending of £52.9m, spending 120% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £34.1m to £44.0m (+29%), an average of +6.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 29%. Over the whole period it spent 110% of the income it received.
Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, Scope 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 Rethink Mental Illness (£43.9m), Family Fund Trust (£44.9m) and Cartrefi Cymru Co-Operative Limited (£42.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 50%, donations and legacies 29%, charitable activities 9.6% and investments 1.8%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £4.1m. Charitable activities took 34% of spending and raising funds 66%. Reserves of £16.3m would cover about 4 months of spending at that rate. It employed 817 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.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 20%
- Legacies 9.3%
- Charitable activities 9.6%
- Trading 50%
- Investments 1.8%
- Other 9.5%
In the charity's own words
Scope works to create an equal future with disabled people. We are a collective movement of disabled people, campaigners, donors, volunteers, communities and businesses. We work every day to challenge attitudes and end disability inequality. Through our services, advice and community support we reach millions of disabled people and we continue to campaign for a fairer society.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Rethink Mental Illness | London | £43.9m |
| Family Fund Trust | York | £44.9m |
| Cartrefi Cymru Co-Operative Limited | Cardiff | £42.9m |
| Milestones Trust | Staple Hill | £46.7m |