Finance Score: 3

Governance Score: 0

Support Score: 12

Fundraising costs low: +3

Good trustee age range: +3
All female board: -3

Grant maker support: +12

Overall GiG Score: 15

BIRTH COMPANIONS

Overview

Birth Companions provide support services to pregnant women and new mothers in prison, and those facing multiple disadvantages in communities while fighting for the rights of these women in campaigning and policy work.

Their engagement with government was critical in securing the priority release of pregnant women and those in Mother and Baby Units from prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were commissioned by NHS England to provide support services to these women after release that included offering of practical items such as maternity/breast feeding bras, taxi services to hospitals and phone top-ups.

A majority of their funding is based on restricted grants but programmes have continued to expand and introduction of remote access to their services via phone, e-mail and letter has helped reduce impacts of increased prison restrictions.

Source: Giving is Great

Mission:

Providing practical support to isolated mothers before, during and after birth

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

Spending has increased over the last 3 years relative to the previous period
There have been no material income shortfalls in recent years
Fundraising costs are unusually low relative to funds raised
A significant proportion of recent income was derived from major grant makers including the Government
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

One or more trustees receive benefits from the charity
The Board is completely female

Established: 17 years

www.birthcompanions.org.uk

info@birthcompanions.org.uk

020 7117 2824

Charity Commission for England and Wales

How you can help

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	£549	£589	£-40	£15	£632	£623	12.7	11	32
31/03/22	£592	£470	£121	£12	£672	£541	13.8	10	77
31/03/21	£611	£421	£190	£1	£550	£357	10.2	8	85
31/03/20	£490	£446	£44	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	50
31/03/19	£534	£436	£98	£0	£316	£162	4.5	7	50
31/03/18	£403	£356	£47	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/17	£347	£246	£100	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/16	£200	£186	£13	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/15	£165	£166	£-1	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/14	£80	£135	£-55	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/13	£153	£119	£34	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/12	£131	£115	£16	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/11	£126	£100	£26	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/10	£60	£50	£11	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/09	£38	£52	£-15	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/08	£68	£61	£7	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0

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Financial Ratios

Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 2.7%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 2.5%
Highest pay band: Less than £60,000
Liabilities/Assets: 14%
Liabilities/Income: 19%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 99%
Reserves/Spending: 12.7 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 13 months
Quick Ratio: 6.4

Asset Split ?

Comment: Birth Companions growth has been significantly aided by support from the Big Lottery Fund amongst other major grant givers. Service level agreements with the NHS have also helped their expansion remotely.

Source: Giving is Great

What it does

We support women experiencing severe disadvantages in the period before, during and after the birth of their babies. We run groups and give one to one support to women in four prisons and in the community in London. We have a national remit to improve the experiences and care of women facing health and social inequalities in the perinatal period through training, research and influencing change.

Listed activities

General Charitable Purposes
Other Charitable Purposes

How it operates

Other charitable activities
Provides advocacy/advice/information
Provides services

Where it operates

Throughout England,

Who it helps

Other Defined Groups

Who works here?

11 employees
32 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

Esmee Fairbairn	£130,000
Henry Smith Charity	£105,000
The Bromley Trust	£95,000
The Segelman Trust	£90,000
Ministry of Justice	£89,863
The Rayne Foundation	£60,000
AB Charitable Trust	£35,000
DCMS	£30,500

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Birth Companions
£10,000	30/01/2023	Towards unrestricted core costs as a Cost of Living Uplift
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Birth Companions
£100,000	20/07/2022	Towards unrestricted core costs to support pregnant women, new mothers and babies with multiple disadvantage
Ministry of Justice - Women's Community Sector - Core Costs Funding
£9,863	01/04/2022	To further increase the sustainability of the sector, and to provide funding for services and interventions.
The EQ Foundation - Grant to Birth Companions
£6,250	15/02/2022	Big Give Champion Pledge
The Bromley Trust - Unrestricted grant
£75,000	17/01/2022	Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This a three ....more Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This a three year unrestricted grant towards grant towards their work.
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Birth Companions
£15,000	07/10/2021	An unrestricted grant of £15,000. Birth Companions offers practical and emotional support to pregnant women and new mothers affected by the criminal justice system in prisons and the community.
London Catalyst - Birth Companions - 8
£1,750	11/05/2021	Hardship Fund
The Segelman Trust - Grant to Birth Companions
£90,000	04/05/2021 36	To support core costs
Ministry of Justice - Women's Community Sector Core Costs Funding
£45,000	01/04/2021	To support organisations which are developing a whole systems approach to female offenders across the country.
The EQ Foundation - Grant to BIRTH COMPANIONS
£5,000	11/02/2021	Big Give Christmas Challenge 2020
The Bromley Trust - Restricted additional support grant towards policy and communications work
£10,000	18/01/2021 12	Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This a ....more Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This a restricted one year additional support grant towards grant towards policy and communications work (fast-track one year grant renewal in response to Covid-19 pandemic).
Ministry of Justice - Women's Community Sector Funding
£35,000	18/01/2021	The womens community sector grants scheme offers £2.5 million in funding for core costs to promote greater financial stability throughout the sector.
The Rayne Foundation - Grant to Birth Companions Ltd
£60,000	15/12/2020 36	Towards developing its community based antenatal education programme in Hackney and Islington; and evaluating its impact to support sustainability and future growth.
DCMS - Coronavirus Community Support Fund
£30,500	29/09/2020	"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."
City Bridge Trust - Grant to Birth Companions
£25,242	13/08/2020	towards the costs outlined in your application for the Birth Companion’s Community Link service including the cost of the Community Link Co-ordinator role
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Birth Companions
£10,000	02/07/2020	An unrestricted grant of £10,000. Birth Companions offers practical and emotional support to pregnant women and new mothers affected by the criminal justice system in prisons and the community
The Pilgrim Trust - Grant to Birth Companions
£20,000	03/06/2020 12	Covid-19 emergency support for pregnant women and new mothers in prison and upon release
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Birth Companions
£20,000	05/05/2020 6	towards unrestricted costs as a COVID-19 Fast Response grant
CAF - Grant to Birth Companions
£4,000	24/04/2020 3	Grant to Birth Companions to support the organisation through COVID19
City Bridge Trust - Grant to Birth Companions
£5,000	13/04/2020	A grant of £5,000 to fund the essential and urgent costs outlined in the application, so that the organisation can carry on providing support to Londoners.
Charles Hayward Foundation - Grant to Birth Companions
£7,000	18/03/2020	Consolidating and developing services for pregnant women and new mothers at HMP Foston Hall
London Catalyst - Birth Companions - 6
£5,000	06/02/2020	Providing care and improving services for pregnant women and new mothers experiencing multiple disadvantage in Islington
The Bromley Trust - Restricted additional support grant towards policy and communications work
£10,000	06/01/2020 12	Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This a ....more Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This a restricted one year additional support grant towards grant towards policy and communications work.
The EQ Foundation - Grant to BIRTH COMPANIONS
£5,000	15/12/2019	Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Birth Companions
£105,000	11/09/2019 36	towards three years' continuation funding of a project providing support for pregnant women in Bronzefield, Peterborough, Foston Hall and Low Newton prisons, and pre and post natal support for ....more towards three years' continuation funding of a project providing support for pregnant women in Bronzefield, Peterborough, Foston Hall and Low Newton prisons, and pre and post natal support for vulnerable women in the community in Hackney & Islington
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Birth Companions
£10,000	25/04/2019	An unrestricted grant of £10,000. Birth Companions offers specialist practical and emotional support to women before, during and after birth in prison. They provide woman-to-woman support and engage ....more An unrestricted grant of £10,000. Birth Companions offers specialist practical and emotional support to women before, during and after birth in prison. They provide woman-to-woman support and engage in policy and research.
Ministry of Justice - HMPPS Innovation Grant Programme 19-20
£95,573	01/04/2019	To improve the Health and Well-being of Offenders within the Criminal Justice System.
People's Health Trust - Pregnancy & Early Parenting Support in Prison
£31,895	12/09/2018	This two-year project built on existing work by Birth Companions to support pregnant women and new mothers (including separated mothers) in HMP Peterborough Prison. Weekly group sessions, co-designed ....more This two-year project built on existing work by Birth Companions to support pregnant women and new mothers (including separated mothers) in HMP Peterborough Prison. Weekly group sessions, co-designed with the women provided antenatal support and information on birth and parenting, building emotional and peer support and well-being and helping mothers to give their children the best start in life. Additionally, trained Prison Visitors and Peer Supporters within the prison offered additional emotional and practical support to pregnant women. The project aimed to tackle isolation and anxiety experienced by the women, who are particularly vulnerable during pregnancies due to high levels of mental ill health, the stressful prison environment and being separated from the support of friends and families. On release participants can continue to access support from Birth Companions and each other through a number of routes, including as part of the 'Lived Experience' team.
Ministry of Justice - Improving the Health and Well-being of Offenders within the Criminal Justice System - Birth Companions
£75,351	06/07/2018	To improve the Health and Well-being of Offenders within the Criminal Justice System.
London Catalyst - Birth Companions - 4
£5,000	21/06/2018	Targeted antenatal classes for women with complex social factors
Lloyds Bank Foundation - Grant to Birth Companions
£15,000	18/04/2018 12	Birth Companions is seeking funding for the development of a new website, design work, marketing materials and service user consultations
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Birth Companions
£160,000	10/04/2018 48	Towards core funding to enable Birth Companions to improve the lives of pregnant women and new mothers facing severe disadvantage.
DCMS - Tampon Tax Fund
£30,000	01/04/2018	to provide support to women in prison and the community through pregnancy, birth and early parenting, in London and Peterborough
The Bromley Trust - Unrestricted grant
£45,000	25/10/2017 36	Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This a three ....more Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This a three year unrestricted grant towards grant towards their work.
The Bromley Trust - Unrestricted grant
£15,000	25/10/2017	Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This is a ....more Birth Companions support women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. They support pregnant women and new mothers both in prison and the community. This is a one year unrestricted grant towards their work (fast-track one year grant renewal in response to Covid-19 pandemic)
DCMS - Tampon Tax Fund
£30,000	01/04/2017	to provide support to women in prison and the community through pregnancy, birth and early parenting, in London and Peterborough
National Lottery Community Fund - WGI Stage 2
£648,133	22/03/2016 36	This project aims to extend the support to vulnerable mothers in prison and in the community providing support for a greater number of women for a longer period of time; and to create new ....more This project aims to extend the support to vulnerable mothers in prison and in the community providing support for a greater number of women for a longer period of time; and to create new opportunities for their beneficiaries to gain skills and confidence, thereby reducing isolation and improving well being for vulnerable mothers.
The Rayne Foundation - Grant to Birth Companions Ltd
£45,000	14/03/2016 36	Towards core costs to support pregnant women and their babies and the dissemination of the organisation's expertise by training other professionals.
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Birth Companions
£75,000	10/03/2016 36	towards three years' continuation funding of the running costs of an organisation supporting pregnant women in HMP Holloway
Lankelly Chase Foundation - Grant to Birth Companions
£33,000	02/03/2016 6	An extension of Lankelly Chase’s existing grant to enable Birth Companions to complete a review of their strategic and operational plans to ensure the provision of effective support for new mothers ....more An extension of Lankelly Chase’s existing grant to enable Birth Companions to complete a review of their strategic and operational plans to ensure the provision of effective support for new mothers and babies facing severe hardship.
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Birth Companions
£90,000	19/11/2014 36	Towards core support to ensure vulnerable women are supported through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
Lankelly Chase Foundation - Grant to Birth Companions
£9,517	15/10/2014	For the completion of a strategic review of services for pregnant women and new mothers facing severe disadvantage
National Lottery Community Fund - Birth Companions - Services for pregnant women and new mothers in HMP
£114,000	16/06/2014 36	Not Available
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Birth Companions
£75,000	14/03/2013 36	towards three years' running costs of an organisation that provides support to pregnant women in HMP Holloway
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Birth Companions
£60,000	16/02/2011	Towards core support to maintain and expand Birth Companion's services, supporting pregnant women and new mothers in prison through each stage of their pregnancy and into early parenthood.

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Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (11)

Current Trustees appointed

Gender Split

Based on 10/11 persons

Age Range of Trustees: 33-73

Commentary:Their Board is 100% female and over the years, there has been a lack of interest from qualified men to take up a Trustee role. They have only received two male applications in the past and on these occasions, one chose not to pursue the position and the other did not have suitable experience. Their long standing Chair, Diana Parkinson has been with the charity since 2001 and was a founding member.

ANNE STEPHENS Appointed: 2014 Occupation: Magistrate

Anne Stephens was a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Holloway for 19 years until December 2013. She worked as a volunteer for Citizens’ Advice Bureau for 10 years. She has been a Magistrate in the Adult and Family courts since 2004. She is a member of the Steering Group of PECAN Moving On project which mentors young women....more

DIANA JANE PARKINSON Appointed: 2007 Occupation: Director

ELIZABETH HOGARTH Appointed: 2012 Occupation: Retired Civil Servant

Elizabeth worked in the voluntary sector and probation service before heading up the probation team in HMP Holloway for eight years. At the Home Office and MoJ Liz worked closely with Baroness Corston on developing the Corston Report and implementing its recommendations. She was awarded the OBE in 2008 for services to women offenders. Liz now....more

JENNIFER KERR-DAVIS Appointed: 2019 Occupation: Researcher

Jenny is a former criminal and family law barrister who joined the voluntary sector to focus on improving services and support for mothers and babies experiencing disadvantage. She is also a health services researcher at Oxford University and has a particular research focus on volunteer, peer and doula support for families....more

JULIE JULIFF Appointed: 2020 Occupation: Retired

Julie retired from the NHS in 2018 after 38 years’ service as a nurse and manager. Her last role was maternity commissioner for the North Central London Local Maternity system (LMS), which involved working with providers, women, voluntary organisations and other commissioners to ensure families received the best possible maternity care and....more

KLARE EMMA MEYER Appointed: 2022 Occupation: Charity Worker

LUCY BALL Appointed: 2013 Occupation: Charity Consultant

Lucy is a policy adviser and consultant with particular expertise in setting up and running grant making trusts and foundations and corporate giving to charity

LYDIA FOWLES Appointed: 2024

SALLY ANNE MATTHEWS (Chair) Appointed: 2018 Occupation: Charity Worker

Sally Anne (Sam) is Director of Deliver at Leap Confronting Conflict, prior to that she was CEO at Charities Evaluation Services. Leap supports young people to gain a greater understanding of themselves and their relationship to conflict – the organisation works in prisons and in local communities. Sam’s career spans over 20 years in the civil....more

TUESDAE MONCRIEFFE Appointed: 2021 Occupation: Sales Assistant

VIVIENNE SARAH GRAY Appointed: 2010 Occupation: Midwife

Viv is also a founding member with a background in birth education and support. She is a midwife in an independent practice, acupuncturist and a trainee clinical hypnotherapist.

Legal constitution

Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 21/09/2007, number: 1120934
Registered at Companies House on 05/06/2007, number: 06269047

Gift Aid

Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid

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

16 returns made; all on time

Recent reorganisation events:

Asset transfer in from MIDWIVES FOR WOMEN on 18/10/2019

Main office

BIRTH COMPANIONS
Dalton House
60 Windsor Avenue
London
SW19 2RR

Objectives

(1) 'TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELFARE OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND NEW MOTHERS WHO EXPERIENCE SEVERE AND MULTIPLE HEALTH AND SOCIAL INEQUALITIES BY THE PROVISION OF PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT DURING PREGNANCY, LABOUR, CHILDBIRTH AND THE POST-NATAL PERIOD.'In these objects “pregnant women and new mothers who experience severe and multiple health and social inequalities” shall be defined as pregnant women and new mothers in need by reason of their health, disability, financial hardship or social or economic circumstances.(2) ADVANCE AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN PARTICULAR THE BENEFICIAL CLASS IN MATERNITY CHILDBIRTH AND PARENTING.

Defined Area of Benefit:

NOT DEFINED. IN PRACTICE NATONALLY IN ENGLAND AND WALES.

Data Sources