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Room To Read UK Limited

Room to Read's goal is to create a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. We help children in low-income communities develop literacy skills and a habit of reading, and support girls to build skills to succeed in school and negotiate key life decisions. We have benefitted more than 50 million children across 28 countries.

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Activities & Mission

Room to Read's goal is to create a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. We help children in low-income communities develop literacy skills and a habit of reading, and support girls to build skills to succeed in school and negotiate key life decisions. We have benefitted more than 50 million children across 28 countries.

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.

Show all 24 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£1,183,202
Latest Expenditure
£1,899,144

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 147.1%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 97% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 3130). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 91.6%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 29% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 8.9%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 27% 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

Donations & Legacies £1,182,895
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £0
Investments £162
Other Income £145

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £1,740,428
Raising Funds £158,716
Governance £10,134
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 2024.

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.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£1,183,202
£1,899,144£1,740,428£2,099,074£556,5342 / 15
2023
£2,132,122
£1,695,444£1,349,140£2,878,720£1,035,4613 / 0
2022
£3,838,215
£1,501,302£1,001,659£2,495,546£878,6853 / 20
2021
£929,081
£1,206,929£934,117£158,632£49,5853 / 10
2020
£1,923,370
£2,169,581£1,787,971£436,479£134,4204 / 20

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Room To Read UK Limited

What does Room To Read UK Limited do?

Room to Read's goal is to create a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. We help children in low-income communities develop literacy skills and a habit of reading, and support girls to build skills to succeed in school and negotiate key life decisions. We have benefitted more than 50 million children across 28 countries.

How much income did Room To Read UK Limited report in 2024?

Room To Read UK Limited reported total income of £1.18m and reported expenditure of £1.90m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Room To Read UK Limited?

Room To Read UK Limited has a program ratio of 147.1%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 97% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 3130 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Room To Read UK Limited registered as a charity?

Room To Read UK Limited was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 10 September 2008 as charity number 1125803. It has been registered for 18 years.

Who runs Room To Read UK Limited?

Room To Read UK Limited is governed by a board of 5 trustees. The chair of trustees is DEAN HOWARD CHAN. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Room To Read UK Limited operate?

Room To Read UK Limited operates across 24 areas, including Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia and 21 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is Room To Read UK Limited a registered charity?

Yes — Room To Read UK Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1125803.

Details

Address
Room to Read UK Limited
Bracken House
1 Friday Street
LONDON
EC4M 9BT
Registration Date
10 September 2008
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
4041521
Charity Number
1125803

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Trustees

DEAN HOWARD CHAN Chair
DOUGLAS HILL
Heather Simpson
MR MARTYN CHRISTOPHER GOWAR
Also governs 1 other charity
Shari Lynn Freedman

Sectors & Classifications

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
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