Barnardo's

Analysis

Barnardo's is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Essex. It was registered in January 1963, 63 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, disability and the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00061625). It says it provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Barnardo's reported income of £340.3m and spending of £326.6m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £280.5m to £340.3m (+21%), an average of +4.9% a year. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, Barnardo's 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 The Eric Wright Charitable Trust (£314.8m), The Shaw Trust Limited (£291.1m) and Royal Mencap Society (£247.3m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 54%, trading 26% and donations and legacies 18%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £15.7m. Charitable activities took 67% of spending and raising funds 32%. Reserves of £40.1m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 7,404 people.