Finance Score: 2

Governance Score: 6

Support Score: 6

Liabilities <10%: +3
Excess reserves: -3
Large legacies income: +1
Multiple Deficits: -2
Fundraising costs low: +3

Dynamic board: +3
Gender balanced board: +3

Large volunteers +3
Gov Income
Grant maker support: +3

Overall GiG Score: 14

THE TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND

The Torch Trust for the Blind is an established Christian mission that aims to overcome sight loss as a barrier to finding a personal faith in Christ and living a fulfilled Christian life. It provides Christian literature (in braille, giant print and audio media), fellowship and personal support to visually impaired people in the UK and around the world.

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

This charity has been successful in attracting volunteers relative to its size
The charity has received Government grants
This charity has a robust balance sheet
This charity has received considerable income from legacies in recent years
Fundraising costs are unusually low relative to funds raised
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of gender and dynamic in terms of composition

Financial issues to consider:

This charity has substantial assets and unrestricted reserves of £2,257,489 available, equivalent to 39 months of spending and so may not be able to utilise additional funding
On several occasions in recent years income has been less than spending

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?

Sources of Income ?

Y/E		Income £k	Spending £k	Surplus/ Deficit	Fundraising Cost £k	Total Funds £k	Unrestricted Funds £k	Mths Rsrvs	Staff	Volun- teers
30/09/22		£699	£692	£7	£16	£2,259	£2,257	39.1	20	260
30/09/21		£644	£671	£-27	£21	£2,324	£2,322	41.5	19	50
30/09/20		£667	£895	£-228	£15	£2,337	£2,334	31.3	27	100
30/09/19		£846	£989	£-143	£20	£2,658	£2,646	32.1	31	500
30/09/18	*	£926	£907	£19	£12	£2,800	£2,750	36.4	32	100
30/09/17		£848	£886	£-38	£13	£2,781	£2,765	37.5	34	0
30/09/16		£892	£953	£-61	£22	£2,819	£2,811	35.4	37	0
30/09/15		£1,027	£988	£39	£28	£2,880	£2,834	34.4	28	0
30/09/14		£1,156	£932	£223	£30	£2,841	£2,790	35.9	28	0
30/09/13		£1,038	£1,040	£-2	£27	£2,618	£103	1.2	27	0
30/09/12		£1,002	£998	£4	£25	£2,620	£2,514	30.2	27	0
30/09/11		£851	£948	£-97	£32	£2,616	£2,546	32.2	29	0
30/09/10		£954	£914	£40	£28	£2,712	£2,692	35.3	29	0
30/09/09		£884	£1,045	£-161	£36	£2,672	£2,655	30.5	33	0
30/09/08		£961	£1,019	£-59	£58	£2,833	£2,817	33.2	35	0
30/09/07		£906	£1,003	£-97	£61	£2,892	£2,874	34.4	37	0
30/09/06		£1,095	£832	£264	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
30/09/05		£602	£822	£-220	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
30/09/04	*	£534	£755	£-221	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0

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Financial Ratios

Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 2.5%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 2.3%
Highest pay band: Less than £60,000
Liabilities/Assets: 2%
Liabilities/Income: 6%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 100%
Reserves/Spending: 39.1 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 3 months
Quick Ratio: 4.2

Asset Split ?

Established: 21 years

www.torchtrust.org

info@torchtrust.org

01858438260

Charity Commission for England and Wales

Tweets

Listed activities

Disability
Education/Training
Overseas Aid/Famine Relief
Religious Activities

GiG Classification

Services for people with disabilities

How it operates

Provides advocacy/advice/information
Provides buildings/facilities/open space
Provides services

Where it operates

Northern Ireland, Scotland,

Who it helps

Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
People With Disabilities

Who works here?

20 employees
260 volunteers

Who's supporting them? ?

We have no records of donations from grant makers.

How is it governed?

Trustees (6)

Current Trustees appointed

Gender Split

Based on 5/6 persons

Age Range of Trustees: 52-75

BRIAN WILLIAM ANDERSON Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Volunteer; Retired Educator

IFEOLU OMONIYI AKINTUNDE Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Self Employed, Other trusteeships: THE TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND, ANNIE MAWSON'S SUNBEAMS MUSIC TRUST,

ANTHONY BROWN (Chair) Appointed: 2014, Occupation: Retired, Other trusteeships: THE TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND, SOUTHAM COMMUNITY CHURCH, ARETE CHARITABLE TRUST,

MARILYN BAKER Appointed: 2002, Occupation: Musician, Other trusteeship: THE TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND,

SHEILA ARMSTRONG Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Retired, Other trusteeship: THE TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND,

JULIA CHAPMAN Appointed: 2018, Occupation: None, Other trusteeships: THE TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND, OPEN EARS,

Legal constitution

Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 10/02/2003, number: 1095904
Registered at Companies House on 13/12/2002, number: 04616526

Gift Aid

Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid

Policies in force

Complaints handling
Conflicting interests
Investment
Paying staff
Risk management
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Volunteer management

Filing Record

19 returns made; AR18: 49 days late, AR04: 65 days late,

Main office

TORCH HOUSE
TORCH WAY
NORTHAMPTON ROAD
MARKET HARBOROUGH
LEICS
LE16 9HL

Objectives

THE RELIEF AND SUPPORT OF BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PEOPLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING BASIS OF FAITH (SEE GD FOR MORE DETAIL)

Defined Area of Benefit:

NATIONAL AND OVERSEAS

Data Sources