Listening Books
Also known as: The Listening Library, The National Listening Library Limited
To provide a postal and internet based audiobook service to: Any child or adult who suffers from an illness or disability which makes it hard to hold a book, turn its pages or read in the usual way; including people with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and people with visual impairments.
Activities & Mission
To provide a postal and internet based audiobook service to: Any child or adult who suffers from an illness or disability which makes it hard to hold a book, turn its pages or read in the usual way; including people with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and people with visual impairments.
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.
Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 83% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 1170). How is this calculated?
Higher than 43% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 37% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £1,113,056 | £1,224,689 | £1,192,258 | £405,284 | £264,680 | 10 / 8 |
| 2024 | £1,068,544 | £1,146,237 | £1,105,408 | £518,791 | £304,962 | 13 / 9 |
| 2023 | £877,320 | £1,037,440 | £995,611 | £596,486 | £439,796 | 13 / 20 |
| 2022 | £895,706 | £1,002,405 | £960,250 | £770,597 | £663,932 | 13 / 14 |
| 2021 | £867,313 | £887,484 | £855,216 | £837,125 | £661,741 | 12 / 5 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Listening Books
What does Listening Books do?
To provide a postal and internet based audiobook service to: Any child or adult who suffers from an illness or disability which makes it hard to hold a book, turn its pages or read in the usual way; including people with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and people with visual impairments.
How much income did Listening Books report in 2025?
Listening Books reported total income of £1.11m and reported expenditure of £1.22m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Listening Books?
Listening Books has a program ratio of 107.1%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 83% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 1170 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Listening Books registered as a charity?
Listening Books was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 6 July 1972 as charity number 264221. It has been registered for 54 years.
Who runs Listening Books?
Listening Books is governed by a board of 7 trustees. The chair of trustees is Gillian Martha Howarth. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Listening Books operate?
Listening Books operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.
Is Listening Books a registered charity?
Yes — Listening Books is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 264221.
Details
82 Tanner Street
London
SE1 3GN
Registry Information
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Trustees
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- The Listening Library
- The National Listening Library Limited
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 30 July 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated