The Society of the Work
Analysis
The Society of the Work is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Oxford. It was registered in November 1989, 37 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, religious activities and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Society of the Work reported income of £72k and spending of £237k, spending 329% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £38k to £72k (+91%), an average of +18% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 485%. Over the whole period it spent 142% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, The Society of the Work sits at the 55th percentile: it is larger than about 55% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 66th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Silverdale Gospel Hall Trust (£72k), The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Emmanuel, Wylde Green (£72k) and Cardiff Russian Orthodox Church (£72k).
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
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The Society of the Work aims at the advancement of religion in accordance with the Roman Catholic faith, the advancement of education and the relief of poor, aged or infirm persons. It concentrates on promoting the work of Saint John Henry Newman and is the custodian of The College where Newman lived from 1842 to 1846, keeping it open almost daily, free of charge, to members of the public.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Silverdale Gospel Hall Trust | Lancaster | £72k |
| The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Emmanuel, Wylde Green | Sutton Coldfield | £72k |
| Cardiff Russian Orthodox Church | Llanelli | £72k |
| The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Margaret, Great Barr | Birmingham | £72k |