Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books
Also known as: The Centre for Children's Books, The Centre for the Children's Book, Seven Stories
Seven Stories' mission is to champion children's books as an intergral part of childhood and Britian's heritage and culture, with the aim of: Preserving and celebrating Britain's rich heritage of children's literature from 1930's to the present day. Encouraging a lively dialogue that brings books and their creators to life and inspires a love of reading across generations.
Activities & Mission
Seven Stories' mission is to champion children's books as an intergral part of childhood and Britian's heritage and culture, with the aim of: Preserving and celebrating Britain's rich heritage of children's literature from 1930's to the present day. Encouraging a lively dialogue that brings books and their creators to life and inspires a love of reading across generations.
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 34% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 780). How is this calculated?
Higher than 20% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 16% of UK Arts 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 | £1,595,872 | £1,611,940 | £1,333,265 | £6,828,205 | £63,276 | 52 / 6 |
| 2024 | £1,346,685 | £1,561,005 | £1,294,424 | £6,844,273 | £60,084 | 45 / 22 |
| 2023 | £2,219,433 | £1,617,471 | £1,373,886 | £7,058,222 | £53,138 | 54 / 10 |
| 2022 | £2,397,420 | £1,805,781 | £1,601,437 | £6,457,411 | £211,560 | 58 / 10 |
| 2021 | £1,850,540 | £1,490,560 | £1,387,465 | £5,863,928 | £403,272 | 60 / 14 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books
What does Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books do?
Seven Stories' mission is to champion children's books as an intergral part of childhood and Britian's heritage and culture, with the aim of: Preserving and celebrating Britain's rich heritage of children's literature from 1930's to the present day. Encouraging a lively dialogue that brings books and their creators to life and inspires a love of reading across generations.
How much income did Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books report in 2025?
Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books reported total income of £1.60m and reported expenditure of £1.61m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books?
Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books has a program ratio of 83.5%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 34% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 780 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books registered as a charity?
Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 15 July 1996 as charity number 1056812. It has been registered for 30 years.
Who runs Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books?
Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books is governed by a board of 8 trustees. The chair of trustees is Claire Riley. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books operate?
Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.
Is Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books a registered charity?
Yes — Seven Stories, The National Centre For Children's Books is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1056812.
Details
THE CENTRE FOR CHILDRENS BOOKS
30 LIME STREET
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE1 2PQ
Registry Information
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Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 2 other charities
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- The Centre for Children's Books
- The Centre for the Children's Book
- Seven Stories
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated