Vso

Analysis

Vso is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 1962, 64 years ago. Its declared purposes cover the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00703509). It says it provides human resources and other charitable activities.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Vso reported income of £24.7m and spending of £30.6m, spending 124% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £49.4m to £24.7m (-50%), an average of -16% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income dropped by 33%. Over the whole period it spent 106% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Vso 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 One Ummah (£24.4m), Depaul UK (£25.4m) and The Helping Foundation (£23.9m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 62%, charitable activities 36% and investments 1.4%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £1.3m. Charitable activities took 86% of spending and raising funds 11%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.6m. Reserves of £7.0m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 407 people.

Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.