Finance Score: 3

Governance Score: 5

Support Score: 5

Fundraising costs low: +3
No PartB

Good trustee age range: +3
Dynamic board: +3
Mainly female board: -1

Grant maker support: +5

Overall GiG Score: 13

BEFRIENDING NETWORKS LTD

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

The charity has received backing from several prominent grant makers recently
There have been no income shortfalls in recent years
Fundraising costs are low relative to funds raised
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age and dynamic in terms of composition

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

The Board is predominantly female

Financial Data

Income & Spending ?

Period ending	31/03/18	31/03/19	31/03/20	31/03/21	31/03/22	31/03/23
Charitable activities				£68,028		£97,104
Donations & Legacies				£298,600
Other Income						£113
Investment Income				£75		£1,129
Total income	£188,915	£183,562	£199,974	£366,703	£439,178	£339,708
Charitable activities spending				£286,219		£307,637
Fundraising costs				6%	6%	8%
Other spending
Total spending	£168,550	£173,973	£190,956	£307,139	£402,341	£334,311
Surplus/deficit	£20,365	£9,589	£9,018	£59,564	£36,837	£5,397

Download accounts

Established: 29 years

www.befriending.co.uk

Listed activities

It carries out activities or services itself

GiG Classification

Services for people with disabilities

Purposes

Any other purpose that may reasonably be regarded as analogous to any of the preceding purposes

Where it operates

Scotland and other parts of the UK, main operating location: City of Edinburgh

Who it helps

Other charities or voluntary bodies

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.

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
National Lottery Community Fund - Networking supports Befriending
£200,000	07/05/2021	The funding will enable the group to maintain and expand the capacity of its support to the befriending sector in England by increasing staff hours to meet the growing needs of English based ....more The funding will enable the group to maintain and expand the capacity of its support to the befriending sector in England by increasing staff hours to meet the growing needs of English based befriending societies. The funding will allow the group to continue to provide support to befriending organisations across the UK to provide befriending services to its members across the UK.
Corra Foundation - HDG-19/252
£6,497	01/06/2019	For the salary of the Membership Officer for an additional 12 months.
National Lottery Community Fund - Befriending Beats Loneliness
£43,582	26/11/2018 36	Befriending Beats Loneliness
Co-Operative Group - Grant to Befriending Networks
£3,254	19/11/2018	We want to expand and develop our free online training course for volunteer befrienders to make this available to more organisations.
Corra Foundation - HDA-18/436
£6,497	04/10/2018	For the salary of the 21hr/wk Membership Officer and to close the appeal.
Corra Foundation - HDA-17/367
£6,000	05/10/2017	Towards the salary of the Membership Officer.
Corra Foundation - HDA-16/415
£6,000	02/06/2016	towards the salary of the part-time Membership Officer (Scotland)

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Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Directors (10)

Current Directors appointed

Gender Split

Age Range of Directors: 29-57

BOWHAY, Bonnie
Appointed: 2023
Occupation: Charity Service Manager

BURNETT, Jayne Kathleen Edwina
Appointed: 2022
Occupation: Charity Manager

CHADHA, Rita
Appointed: 2024
Occupation: Charity Ceo

GRAY, Stuart
Appointed: 2023
Occupation: Public Sector Manager

KENWARD, Emily
Appointed: 2021
Occupation: Chief Executive

NILES, Michael
Appointed: 2023
Occupation: Charity Founder

PATTINSON, Nicola (Nikki)
Appointed: 2023
Occupation: Charity Manager

WATSON, Clare
Appointed: 2021
Occupation: Charity Manager

WEIR, Julia
Appointed: 2024
Occupation: Befriending Coordinator

WINFORD, Peggy
Appointed: 2022
Occupation: Team Leader Scottish Government

Legal constitution

Charity registered in Scotland on 09/12/1994, number: SC023610
Registered at Companies House on 03/05/1999, number: SC195896

Filing Record

5 returns made; all on time

Main office

5-7 Montgomery Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH7 5JT

Objectives

To relieve the suffering and distress. promote the welfare of and advance the education of people by the provision of an organisation to develop befriending services

Data Sources