Finance Score: -4

Governance Score: 6

Support Score: 10

Multiple Deficits: -2
Fundraising costs high: -2

Good trustee age range: +3
Dynamic board: +3

Award winner
Grant maker support: +10

Overall GiG Score: 12

ASPIRE ( ASSOCIATION FOR SPINAL INJURY RESEARCH REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION )

Aspire works with people with a spinal cord injury to create opportunity, choice and independence. We aim to support people to lead a fulfilled and independent life from the moment of their injury throughout their life. We are also committed to research in the field of technology to find cost effective solutions to improve the quality of disabled people's lives.

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

The charity has received backing from multiple prominent grant makers recently
This charity is a recent Award Winner
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age and dynamic in terms of composition

Financial issues to consider:

On several occasions in recent years income has been less than spending
Fundraising costs are high relative to funds raised

Established: 25 years

www.aspire.org.uk

info@aspire.org.uk

07787510911

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		£3,585	£3,671	£-86	£546	£2,002	£1,378	4.5	107	25
31/03/22		£3,428	£3,472	£-44	£479	£1,112	£456	1.6	92	40
31/03/21		£3,402	£2,857	£545	£277	£1,581	£765	3.2	89	40
31/03/20		£3,618	£3,785	£-167	£681	£1,486	£552	1.8	109	28
31/03/19		£3,257	£4,116	£-859	£796	£1,751	£497	1.4	118	30
31/03/18		£4,127	£3,985	£142	£857	£2,549	£714	2.2	105	0
31/03/17		£3,945	£3,886	£59	£876	£2,436	£961	3	100	0
31/03/16	*	£3,593	£4,230	£-636	£1,042	£2,245	£654	1.9	97	0
31/03/15		£3,292	£3,547	£-255	£726	£2,791	£570	1.9	99	0
31/03/14		£2,797	£3,277	£-480	£591	£2,938	£475	1.7	92	0
31/03/13	*	£4,552	£3,241	£1,311	£613	£3,340	£607	2.2	92	0
31/03/12		£2,641	£2,659	£-18	£574	£1,788	£518	2.3	76	0
31/03/11		£2,435	£2,547	£-112	£555	£1,937	£627	3	77	0
31/03/10		£2,294	£2,200	£94	£522	£1,933	£780	4.3	78	0
31/03/09		£2,139	£2,241	£-102	£533	£1,812	£721	3.9	80	0
31/03/08		£1,984	£2,020	£-36	£530	£1,935	£764	4.5	78	0
31/03/07		£1,792	£1,995	£-203	£495	£1,982	£783	4.7	77	0
31/03/06	*	£2,550	£1,855	£695	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/05	*	£1,738	£1,751	£-13	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/04		£1,508	£1,685	£-177	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0

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Financial Ratios

Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 20.8%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 14.9%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 3%
Highest pay band: £90,000-£100,000
Liabilities/Assets: 27%
Liabilities/Income: 20%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 69%
Reserves/Spending: 4.5 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 2 months
Quick Ratio: 0.6

Asset Split ?

Listed activities

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

How it operates

Makes Grants to Individuals
Provides advocacy/advice/information
Provides buildings/facilities/open space
Provides human resources
Sponsors or undertakes research

Where it operates

Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales,

Who it helps

Children/Young People
Elderly/Old People
Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
People With Disabilities
The General Public/Mankind

Who works here?

107 employees
25 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

Sport England	£478,405
National Lottery Community Fund	£296,563
City Bridge Trust	£128,000
DCMS	£50,000

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
London Marathon Charitable Trust - Refurbishment of the Changing Rooms at Aspire Leisure Centre
£32,150	30/08/2023	towards refurbishment of the male and female gym changing rooms at Aspire Leisure Centre
National Lottery Community Fund - The Aspire Independent Living Service
£7,120	10/02/2023	Aspire is using a £7120 grant to support people who have experienced a Spinal Cord Injury from across Northern Ireland. The project will help people to adjust to daily life with their injury by ....more Aspire is using a £7120 grant to support people who have experienced a Spinal Cord Injury from across Northern Ireland. The project will help people to adjust to daily life with their injury by providing information advice and signposting to community services.
City Bridge Trust - Grant to Aspire
£128,000	21/07/2022	£128,000 over 5 years (£25,360, £24,390, £25,960, £25,350, £26,940) to cover the London costs, including staffing, training, and telephone, of Aspire’s Welfare and Benefits Advice Service. ....more £128,000 over 5 years (£25,360, £24,390, £25,960, £25,350, £26,940) to cover the London costs, including staffing, training, and telephone, of Aspire’s Welfare and Benefits Advice Service. The recommendation includes a contribution of £3,635, which is 50% of the total costs of gaining a recognised Quality Advice Standard.
Sir George Martin Trust - Grant to Aspire
£2,500	07/07/2022	Core costs for Disability Support & Activities
Sir George Martin Trust - Grant to Aspire
£2,500	07/07/2022	Core costs for Disability Support & Activities
National Lottery Community Fund - The Aspire Patient Education Programme for people with spinal cord injuries
£9,840	14/06/2022	This project will continue to provide information and support to people living across Scotland who attend the spinal injuries unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
National Lottery Community Fund - Injury to Independence - support for spinal cord injured people
£239,653	25/02/2022	The project is using funding to provide early and increased support for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI’s). The project will support people to become as independent as possible through ....more The project is using funding to provide early and increased support for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI’s). The project will support people to become as independent as possible through employing a dedicated specialist Independent Living Advisor adding a dedicated specialist to the Housing Advice Team who will help newly injured people who can no longer access their own home to find out about suitable accessible accommodation or adaptations for their own home and employ an Independent Living Adviser who will visit newly paralysed patients in the London district hospitals supporting them directly. The project will help traumatised people realise they are not alone by offering mental physical and practical support to help them move from injury to independence.
Sport England - Sector Renewal Fund: Employability
£269,800	05/01/2022	This project will improve the accessibility and inclusivity of the fitness industry, specifically to enable more disabled people to use facilities and also enable more disabled people to work in the ....more This project will improve the accessibility and inclusivity of the fitness industry, specifically to enable more disabled people to use facilities and also enable more disabled people to work in the fitness industry.
Garfield Weston Foundation - Multi-Year Grant (2 Years) award
£10,000	24/12/2021	Aspire Welfare Benefits Advice
The Grocers' Charity - 2022-Aspire
£250	16/12/2021	Towards core costs supporting people with neurological impairments.
National Lottery Community Fund - Aspire's Independent Living Service (Northern Ireland)
£10,000	16/11/2021	Aspire is using a £10000 grant to support people affected by spinal cord injuries from across Northern Ireland. The project will support people to adjust to their injury and help them with ....more Aspire is using a £10000 grant to support people affected by spinal cord injuries from across Northern Ireland. The project will support people to adjust to their injury and help them with accessible housing personal care employment opportunities welfare benefits and specialist equipment.
Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Aspire - 20/10/21
£1,500	10/11/2021	Core Funding
National Lottery Community Fund - Assistive Technology at Aspire
£10,000	15/10/2021	The funding will be used to fund the part-time post of Assistive Technologist to provide advice and support to people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The project aims to provide dedicated support ....more The funding will be used to fund the part-time post of Assistive Technologist to provide advice and support to people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The project aims to provide dedicated support to people with SCI to help them use technology to live more independent lives.
Sport England - COVID-19 CLRF
£53,600	29/06/2021 5	Funding under Sport England's COVID-19 Community Leisure Recovery Fund funding programme for a Revenue project titled COVID-19 CLRF. This project lists its main activity as Sport and Physical Activity
The Grocers' Charity - 2021 - Aspire
£5,000	02/06/2021	Towards project costs to provide specialist technology and rehabilitation for a young man with an acquired spinal injury so he can live as independently as possible.
Sport England - COVID19 Return to Play
£9,825	05/05/2021 5	Funding under Sport England's Return to Play - Small Grants funding programme for a Revenue project titled COVID19 Return to Play. This project is a Multi Sports project, with a focus on ....more Funding under Sport England's Return to Play - Small Grants funding programme for a Revenue project titled COVID19 Return to Play. This project is a Multi Sports project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Sport England - InstructAbility Phase 2
£25,330	30/03/2021	Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries ....more Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Sport England - InstructAbility Phase 2
£25,330	14/12/2020	Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries ....more Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
DCMS - Coronavirus Community Support Fund
£50,000	05/10/2020	"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to ....more "The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to operate, thereby reducing the burden on public services.2) To ensure essential services are provided to vulnerable people, both in the short and long term through increased community support through the work of charitable organisations."
Garfield Weston Foundation - Main Grants award
£20,000	10/07/2020	Aspire Welfare Benefits Programme
National Lottery Community Fund - Aspire Patient Education and Skills Resources project
£9,950	18/06/2020 10	This group will use the funding to provide information and support to people currently in the spinal injuries unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Sport England - InstructAbility Phase 2
£50,660	02/06/2020 56	Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries ....more Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Sport England - COVID-19 CEF
£10,000	02/06/2020 4	Funding under Sport England's COVID-19 Community Emergency Fund funding programme for a Revenue project titled COVID-19 CEF. This project lists its main activity as Sport participation and capacity ....more Funding under Sport England's COVID-19 Community Emergency Fund funding programme for a Revenue project titled COVID-19 CEF. This project lists its main activity as Sport participation and capacity building
National Lottery Community Fund - Aspire Independent Living Northern Ireland
£10,000	29/05/2020 11	Aspire is using a £10000 grant to remotely deliver their Independent Living Service (ILS) for patients at the Spinal Cord Injuries Unit in Musgrave Park Hospital Belfast. The ILS advisor supports ....more Aspire is using a £10000 grant to remotely deliver their Independent Living Service (ILS) for patients at the Spinal Cord Injuries Unit in Musgrave Park Hospital Belfast. The ILS advisor supports people across Northern Ireland who have a spinal injury by providing information about the injury benefit advice as well as health and well-being support during the COVID-19 lockdown
Sport England - InstructAbility Phase 2
£25,330	07/01/2020 56	Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries ....more Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Sport England - Healthy lifestyles for Orthodox Jewish teenagers
£8,530	08/05/2019 17	Funding under Sport England's Small Grants funding programme for a Revenue project titled Healthy lifestyles for Orthodox Jewish teenagers. This project is a Swimming & Diving project, with a ....more Funding under Sport England's Small Grants funding programme for a Revenue project titled Healthy lifestyles for Orthodox Jewish teenagers. This project is a Swimming & Diving project, with a focus on younger beneficiaries.
Sport England - Instructability Best Practice Guidelines
£17,600	15/04/2019 3	Funding under Sport England's National Programme funding programme for a Revenue project titled Instructability Best Practice Guidelines. This project is a Multi Sports project, with a focus on ....more Funding under Sport England's National Programme funding programme for a Revenue project titled Instructability Best Practice Guidelines. This project is a Multi Sports project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Garfield Weston Foundation - Multi-Year Grant (2 Years) award
£40,000	12/12/2017	Aspire Welfare Benefit Advice Service
Sport England - InstructAbility Phase 2
£379,744	14/10/2016 24	Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled 'InstructAbility Phase 2'. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries ....more Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled 'InstructAbility Phase 2'. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Sport England - InstructAbility Phase 2
£379,744	14/10/2016 56	Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries ....more Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled InstructAbility Phase 2. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Aspire
£90,000	11/06/2015 36	towards three years' running costs of the 'Aspire Independent Living Programme' which provides help and support to people with spinal cord injuries throughout the UK
Sport England - InstructAbility
£854,530	01/02/2013	Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled 'InstructAbility'. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a ....more Funding under Sport England's Inclusive Sport funding programme for a Revenue project titled 'InstructAbility'. This project is a Exercise & Fitness project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.
Lloyds Bank Foundation - Grant to ASPIRE
£50,000	28/09/2012	the salary costs of the Housing Manager
National Lottery Community Fund - The Aspire Independent Living Programme
£120,000	12/04/2011 36	This project is to support people with spinal injuries who are recovering in one of the seven specialist spinal injury centres around England. During their time on the ward, the patient will have the ....more This project is to support people with spinal injuries who are recovering in one of the seven specialist spinal injury centres around England. During their time on the ward, the patient will have the opportunity to meet with an Aspire Independent Living Advisor who will offer guidance and advice on living with a spinal injury. The project will help prepare people for independent living and put them in touch with other support organisations and services once they leave hospital.
Woodward Charitable Trust - Donation
£2,000	16/06/2006	Donation.

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Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (10)

Current Trustees appointed

Age Range of Trustees: 38-73

ANDREW RICHARD CHAPLIN Appointed: 2016, Occupation: Charity Executive, Other trusteeship: THE ELECTRICAL SAFETY COUNCIL,

CLIFFORD JOHN LEACH Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Retired

DR HAYDER AGHA Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Rehabilitation Consultant

DR PRADEEP THUMBIKAT Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Medical Consultant, Other trusteeship: British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine,

HAMISHA MEHTA Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Chartered Accountant

JEAN-BAPTISTE WAUTIER (Chair) Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Private Equity

JENNIFER LAURA SACKS Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Senior Creative Account Manager

NICHOLAS FLANAGAN Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Retired

REBECCA WILMOT Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Retired

STEPHEN GARDINER Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Retired

Legal constitution

Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 30/04/1999, number: 1075317
Registered at Companies House on 29/03/1999, number: 03744357

Gift Aid

Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid

Other Regulators

Ofsted (Office For Standards In Education)

Policies in force

Bullying and harassment 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; AR16: 1 days late, AR13: 2 days late, AR06: 4 days late, AR05: 1 days late,

Main office

Aspire
Aspire National Training Centre
Wood Lane
STANMORE
HA7 4AP

Objectives

[1] TO RELIEF OF SICKNESS AND INJURY BY SUPPORTING THE CHARITABLE WORKS OF THE SPINAL CORD INJURIES UNIT AT THE ROYAL NATIONAL ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL AND OF SIMILAR UNDERTAKINGS AT OTHER MEDICAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.[2] THE PROMOTIONAL AND FACILITATION OF RESEARCH AND THE FUNDING OF RESEARCH PROJECTS INTO THE CAUSES TREATMENT PREVENTION AND ALLEVIATION OF SPINAL CORD DAMAGE IMPAIRMENT OR DISEASE AND THE PUBLICATION OF THE USEFUL RESULTS OF SUCH RESEARCH.[3] THE REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY OF PERSONS WITH SPINAL CORD DAMAGE IMPAIRMENT FOR DISEASE.

Defined Area of Benefit:

WORLDWIDE

Data Sources