Chess Homeless

Also known as: Chelmsford Chess, Chess

Initially to provide emergency accommodation and support for the homeless in Essex. Then to assess each individuals needs and work towards finding long term solutions as appropriate.

Email Charity

Activities & Mission

Initially to provide emergency accommodation and support for the homeless in Essex. Then to assess each individuals needs and work towards finding long term solutions as appropriate.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Local Authority

Essex

Financial Information

Latest Income

£4,637,778

Latest Expenditure

£1,676,419

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 35.4%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 4% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 1072). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 97.8%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 44% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 3.0%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 44% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £3,440,938

Charitable Activities £1,190,382

Other Trading £0

Investments £6,458

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £1,640,114

Raising Funds £36,305

Governance £13,998

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.

The Commission record shows this related event on the register:

Asset transfer in in 2025 — Helping Hands Essex (organisation 5005801)

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£4,637,778	£1,676,419	£1,640,114	£4,648,108	£348,144	47 / 25
2024	£1,568,463	£1,618,675	£1,558,623	£1,686,749	£54,726	47 / 26
2023	£1,508,610	£1,499,777	£1,449,376	£1,736,961	£87,128	42 / 48
2022	£956,757	£937,665	£889,065	£1,728,128	£102,529	35 / 48
2021	£578,813	£513,812	£459,987	£1,196,732	£122,550	26 / 85

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Chess Homeless

What does Chess Homeless do?

Initially to provide emergency accommodation and support for the homeless in Essex. Then to assess each individuals needs and work towards finding long term solutions as appropriate.

How much income did Chess Homeless report in 2025?

Chess Homeless reported total income of £4.64m and reported expenditure of £1.68m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Chess Homeless?

Chess Homeless has a program ratio of 35.4%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 4% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 1072 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Chess Homeless registered as a charity?

Chess Homeless was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 23 September 2002 as charity number 1093901. It has been registered for 24 years.

Who runs Chess Homeless?

Chess Homeless is governed by a board of 5 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Chess Homeless operate?

Chess Homeless operates in Essex, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is Chess Homeless a registered charity?

Yes — Chess Homeless is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1093901.