Finance Score: -4

Governance Score: 5

Support Score: 7

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

12+ Trustees: -1
Good trustee age range: +3
Dynamic board: +3

Grant maker support: +7

Overall GiG Score: 8

BLIND VETERANS UK

We help blind or vision impaired men and women who have served in the UK Armed Forces, and who meet our criteria, by giving the emotional and practical support they require to overcome the challenges they face to discover a life beyond blindness. All blind veterans should have access to the finest quality of services to help them discover life beyond sight loss.

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

The charity has received backing from multiple prominent grant makers recently
This charity has a robust balance sheet
This charity has received considerable income from legacies in recent years
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age and dynamic in terms of composition

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

There are 14 trustees whereas the Charities Commission recommends a maximum of 12

Financial issues to consider:

This charity has substantial assets and unrestricted reserves of £113,920,000 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
Fundraising costs are extremely high relative to funds raised

Established: 61 years
(101 years as a company)

www.blindveterans.org.uk

enquiries@blindveterans.org.uk

02076167919

Charity Commission for England and Wales

Tweets

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
31/03/23		£37,952	£34,978	£2,974	£4,863	£140,588	£113,920	39.1	481	1,006
31/03/22		£28,827	£32,021	£-3,194	£4,168	£134,163	£105,741	39.6	475	2,128
31/03/21		£27,525	£33,062	£-5,537	£5,801	£125,217	£96,332	35	564	1,081
31/03/20		£28,129	£42,210	£-14,081	£6,893	£118,616	£91,493	26	539	1,217
31/03/19		£25,337	£38,261	£-12,924	£5,906	£132,697	£101,835	31.9	512	997
31/03/18		£29,763	£36,139	£-6,376	£5,184	£146,814	£84,307	28	469	0
31/03/17		£28,613	£36,219	£-7,606	£5,145	£152,322	£88,251	29.2	446	0
31/03/16		£27,820	£34,331	£-6,511	£5,777	£150,213	£91,619	32	408	0
31/03/15		£27,167	£30,150	£-2,983	£5,389	£153,560	£87,438	34.8	375	0
31/03/14		£26,753	£28,959	£-2,206	£5,329	£149,637	£87,223	36.1	358	0
31/03/13		£24,202	£28,544	£-4,342	£5,532	£145,278	£84,684	35.6	338	0
31/03/12		£25,431	£26,391	£-960	£5,916	£142,341	£84,242	38.3	310	0
31/03/11		£23,873	£24,130	£-257	£5,388	£142,607	£82,213	40.9	277	0
31/03/10		£22,023	£25,162	£-3,139	£4,488	£135,736	£76,833	36.6	325	0
31/03/09		£19,887	£26,999	£-7,112	£4,466	£127,785	£19,212	8.5	332	0
31/03/08		£18,737	£23,572	£-4,835	£2,492	£158,487	£25,157	12.8	305	0
31/03/07	*	£18,044	£21,256	£-3,212	£1,699	£167,806	£31,431	17.7	293	0
31/03/06		£17,051	£19,658	£-2,607	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/05		£17,093	£16,562	£531	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/04	*	£14,158	£15,425	£-1,267	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0

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Financial Ratios

Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 30.5%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 16.3%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 5%
Highest pay band: £110,000-£120,000
Liabilities/Assets: 5%
Liabilities/Income: 21%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 81%
Reserves/Spending: 39.1 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 4 months
Quick Ratio: 4.1

Asset Split ?

Listed activities

Accommodation/Housing
Amateur Sport
Disability
Education/Training
The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives

How it operates

Makes Grants to Individuals
Makes Grants to Organisations
Provides advocacy/advice/information
Provides buildings/facilities/open space
Provides human resources
Provides services

Where it operates

Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales,

Who it helps

Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
Other Defined Groups
People With Disabilities

Who works here?

481 employees
1,006 volunteers

Who's supporting them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following significant donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Major supporters in last 5 years

Department of Health	£300,000
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust	£125,000
Vision Foundation	£50,000
National Lottery Community Fund	£10,000

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
Vision Foundation - Remote support services for older VI people, including rehabilitation interventions, activities of daily living and creative activities.
£50,000	10/03/2021	Remote support services for elderly blind and partially sighted people living throughout Greater London, including provision of remote rehabilitation interventions, creative activity support, and 1:1 ....more Remote support services for elderly blind and partially sighted people living throughout Greater London, including provision of remote rehabilitation interventions, creative activity support, and 1:1 and group emotional and rehabilitative support.
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Blind Veterans UK - Llandudno Centre
£2,535	24/10/2020	We would like to provide rehabilitation and training to blind veterans so they have the skills they need to be part of the community.
Department of Health - Blind Veterans UK Health, Wellbeing & Rehabilitation Project
£300,000	13/10/2020	Grant for staffing and equipment to supply services during Covid
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - COVID IMPACT FUND
£125,000	25/06/2020	Funding allowed the group to deliver support and welfare, including Covid-19 relief support, to over 4,700 beneficiaries throughout the UK
Barnwood Trust - Small grants to community groups
£4,746	16/04/2020	deliver care packages, shopping, telephone helpline and befriending
National Lottery Community Fund - Lunch clubs for blind veterans
£10,000	07/08/2019 12	Lunch clubs for blind veterans
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Blind Veterans UK
£7,900	15/03/2019	Bringing Stories to Life
Ministry of Defence - Supporting delivery of a public service
£100,000	01/04/2017	The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who ....more The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.The type of projects may include:a) practical support and companionship to improve older veterans wellbeing.b) the provision of services to assist individuals in the completion of personal paperwork.c) projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet and avoid isolation.d) the promotion of education of aged veterans needs.
Ministry of Defence - Supporting delivery of a public service
£100,000	01/04/2017	The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who ....more The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.The type of projects may include:a) practical support and companionship to improve older veterans wellbeing.b) the provision of services to assist individuals in the completion of personal paperwork.c) projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet and avoid isolation.d) the promotion of education of aged veterans needs.
Ministry of Defence - Supporting delivery of a public service
£105,776	01/04/2017	The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who ....more The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.The type of projects may include:a) practical support and companionship to improve older veterans wellbeing.b) the provision of services to assist individuals in the completion of personal paperwork.c) projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet and avoid isolation.d) the promotion of education of aged veterans needs.
National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Blind Veterans via Healthcare Professionals and Carers
£10,000	09/07/2014 12	Not Available

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Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (14)

Current Trustees appointed

Gender Split

Based on 12/14 persons

Age Range of Trustees: 49-87

ALAN HOLDERNESS Appointed: 2018, Occupation: Director, Other trusteeship: BLACKBURN AND DISTRICT BLIND SOCIETY,

BARRY COUPE Appointed: 2016, Occupation: Company Director

BEN CASWELL Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Trustee

BRIGADIER TIM SEAL TD DL VR Appointed: 2018, Occupation: Coo At Barchester Heathcare, Other trusteeship: THE ULYSSES TRUST,

CLAIRE ROWCLIFFE Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Executive Director

CLARE HAYES Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Director

COLIN WILLIAMSON Appointed: 2017, Occupation: Communications Officer

DAVID TURNER Appointed: 2016, Occupation: Company Director

GUY DAVIES Appointed: 2018, Occupation: Investment Manager

GEORGINA JARRATT Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Managing Director

IAN SHERRIFF Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Company Director

JAMIE CUTHBERTSON Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Director

KARL HAVARD Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Managing Director

NEELESH HEREDIA Appointed: 2017, Occupation: Director

Legal constitution

Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 19/11/1962, number: 216227
Registered at Companies House on 30/04/1923, number: 00189648

Gift Aid

Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid

Event History

Linked charity: BLIND SOLDIERS AND SAILORS AFTERCARE COMMITTEE (ALSO KNOWN AS BLINDED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS AFTER-CAR
Linked charity: ARTHUR PEARSON MEMORIAL FUND
Linked charity: THE HAROLD ADLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Linked charity: DIANA GUBBAY TRUST
Linked charity: DAVID PATON MCALPINE (NORTHERN IRELAND) TRUST
Linked charity: GEORGE ALBERT DRAKE'S ST DUNSTAN'S CHARITY
Linked charity: BLIND SOLDIERS AND SAILORS CARE COMMITTEE (ALSO KNOWN AS BLINDED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS CARE COMMITTEE
Linked charity: DARTMOUTH SOLDIERS CLUB CHARITY
Linked charity: TRUST PROPERTY IN CONNECTION WITH PEARSON HOUSE
25/05/2016 - Asset transfer in from THE MONDAY CLUB FOR THE BLIND
21/03/2017 - Asset transfer in from NORMANDY VETERANS ASSOCIATION BENEVOLENT FUND - NORTH WALES COAST BRANCH (NO.94)
20/06/2022 - Asset transfer in from OPEN DOORS
05/05/2023 - Asset transfer in from THE QUEEN'S LANCASHIRE REGIMENT VETERANS CHARITY.
03/08/2023 - Asset transfer in from GOSPORT STROKE CLUB
Linked charity: BED ENDOWMENT FUND
Linked charity: GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND
Linked charity: DORIS SCUPHAM BEQUEST

Other Regulators

Care Quality Commission
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)

Policies in force

Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
Complaints handling
Complaints policy and procedures
Conflicting interests
Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Investment
Paying staff
Risk management
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Social media policy and procedures
Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Volunteer management

Filing Record

20 returns made; AR07: 28 days late, AR04: 5 days late,

Recent reorganisation events:

Asset transfer in from OPEN DOORS on 20/06/2022
Asset transfer in from THE QUEEN'S LANCASHIRE REGIMENT VETERANS CHARITY. on 05/05/2023
Asset transfer in from GOSPORT STROKE CLUB on 03/08/2023

Main office

Blind Veterans UK
3 Queen Square
LONDON
WC1N 3AR

Objectives

4.1 To provide for the medical or surgical treatment, re-education, training in one or more trade or trades, settlement and permanent welfare of:-4.1.1 Members or former members of the armed forces both men and women blinded from whatever cause whether or not connected in any way with service in the armed forces; 4.1.2 Other persons both men and women not being members or former members of the armed forces who are blinded in or as a consequence of any war or warlike operations in which the forces of the Crown may be at any time engaged or any service connected with or subsidiary to such war or warlike operations or by or as a consequence of enemy action in the course of any such war or warlike operations; and4.1.3 Other persons both men and women not being members or former members of the UK armed forces who are blinded in or as a consequence of any war or warlike operations or terrorist activity(all such persons being hereinafter referred to as ‘Beneficiaries’)and so that for the purposes of these Articles the word ‘blinded’ shall extend to all cases in which the sight has been so impaired that special care and training are required and all cases in which the sight is endangered so long as the cause of the danger continues. 4.2 To provide allowances or other assistance for any wife, widow, husband, widower, child or dependent of a Beneficiary who may be in need of assistance or any person who shall have kept house for or nursed or otherwise rendered exceptional service to or have been dependent upon a Beneficiary any may after the death of such Beneficiary be in need of assistance.

Defined Area of Benefit:

NOT DEFINED

Data Sources