Charity Details

Befriending Networks Ltd

SC023610Registered charity from 09 December 1994

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Charity Information:

Address 5-7 Montgomery Street Lane
Edinburgh

Postcode EH7 5JT

Website www.befriending.co.uk

Regulatory Type Standard

Link to Companies House https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/

Object:

Objects and Purposes 1. The company’s purpose is to advance community development through the promotion of befriending, and the provision of support to befriending organisations and their befrienders. In pursuance of this purpose, but not otherwise, the Company shall have the following objects: (a) To provide an arena for the discussion of all matters related to befriending; (b) To further the development of a strong and supportive network of befriending services; (c) To promote and support quality in befriending for new and existing befriending services; (d) To provide innovative resources, training, learning and development relevant to befriending and volunteering; (e) To raise awareness of befriending as a unique resource within the community, from which a diversity of client groups may benefit; (f) To campaign on behalf of befriending services to increase the awareness of their need to be properly funded and supported and to promote the benefits of befriending and the need for befriending infrastructures; (g) To advise in relation to, prepare, organise and/or conduct seminars, conferences, exhibitions and training courses, and educational and training events and programmes of all kinds; (h) To design, prepare, publish and/or distribute information packs, leaflets, books, newsletters, magazines, posters and other publications, audio and video recordings and display materials; (i) To set up and maintain a digital presence with facilities for news updates, directory of services, discussion groups, resources, downloadable materials and other information regarding befriending issues; (j) To advise in relation to, commission and/or conduct research projects and programmes and to publish and promote the findings of such research; (k) To promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above purposes and, to that end, bring together representatives of voluntary organisations, statutory authorities and business sector bodies engaged in the furtherance of the above purposes; (l) To provide other information, advisory and support services which further the aims of the Company

Operations:

What the charity is set up to do and how it does this:

We are the network for befriending organisations. Established as a charity in 1994, we have thirty years of experience in supporting and connecting befriending services. Our members form the largest network of befriending services in the world. We provide access to sector-specific training, events, resources, and awards which support quality in befriending. Each year we coordinate Befriending Week from the 1st – 7th November. Our vision is of a society where quality befriending support is available to everyone who needs it, and the importance of meaningful connection is recognised. As the network for befriending organisations, we’re the intermediary between our members, supporters and stakeholders. We work collaboratively and inclusively to connect and strengthen the befriending sector. We support organisations to deliver quality befriending services that promote wellbeing and meaningful connections, ensuring that everyone feels valued.

Charity Status: Active

Constitutional Form: Company (the charity is registered with Companies House)

Constitutional Form Date: 09 Dec 1994

Main Operating Location: City of Edinburgh

Number of Staff: 9

Number of Volunteers: 1-50

Purposes: "the advancement of citizenship or community development", "the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage"

Beneficiaries: "Other charities or voluntary bodies"

Types Of Activity Undertaken: "It carries out activities or services itself"

Annual Submissions:

Year End	Income	Expenditure	Annual Return Received	Accounts Received	Latest Annual Reports and Accounts
31 Mar 2021	£366,703	£307,139	20 Sept 2021	Yes
31 Mar 2022	£439,178	£402,341	03 Oct 2022	Yes
31 Mar 2023	£339,708	£334,311	02 Nov 2023	Yes
31 Mar 2024	£323,210	£313,111	26 Sept 2024	Yes
31 Mar 2025	£272,482	£323,325	20 Nov 2025	Yes	Published accounts can be found on the Companies House website
If an annual return has been received on time (within nine months of the Year End Date), the 'Annual Return Received' box is green . If an annual return is late, the box is red .

Income and Expenditure:

Charity Trustees:

First Name	Last Name
Bonnie	Bowhay
Julia	Weir
Michael	Niles
Nicola	Pattinson
Andreea	Tudor
Emily	Kenward
Stuart	Gray
Jayne	Burnett
Charlotte	Prothero
From 09 March 2026, OSCR is required by law to publish the names of a charity’s trustees as part of its Scottish Charity Register entry. We are also required to publish each charity’s annual report and accounts as received from this date, which may include the names of certain individuals. The only exceptions to publication are where a charity or one of its charity trustees applies for this information to be excluded, and OSCR is satisfied that publishing it would jeopardise the safety or security of a person or premises. If the charity trustee information on a Register entry appears blank, this may mean that an exemption applies or that the charity has not yet provided the required details to OSCR. Supplying this information will become mandatory as part of future annual submissions.

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