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Swings & Smiles

Most families take recreational play for granted. For families of children with special needs, this is impossible for some and extremely difficult for most. Swings & Smiles provides a fun and safe facility where children (SEND and their siblings) can enjoy play in a family setting appropriate to their needs and abilities. Outreach, online and sibling support services are also provided.

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Activities & Mission

Most families take recreational play for granted. For families of children with special needs, this is impossible for some and extremely difficult for most. Swings & Smiles provides a fun and safe facility where children (SEND and their siblings) can enjoy play in a family setting appropriate to their needs and abilities. Outreach, online and sibling support services are also provided.

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.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£555,729
Latest Expenditure
£607,068

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 101.2%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 75% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 3459). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 92.6%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 29% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 10.5%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 20% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £14,176
Charitable Activities £526,142
Other Trading £3,600
Investments £11,811
Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £562,160
Raising Funds £44,908
Governance £18,879
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.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£555,729
£607,068£562,160£627,729£152,72925 / 25
2024
£482,732
£531,4530 / 35
2023
£437,385
£456,3260 / 66
2022
£379,599
£375,2380 / 77
2021
£381,216
£321,5380 / 22

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Swings & Smiles

What does Swings & Smiles do?

Most families take recreational play for granted. For families of children with special needs, this is impossible for some and extremely difficult for most. Swings & Smiles provides a fun and safe facility where children (SEND and their siblings) can enjoy play in a family setting appropriate to their needs and abilities. Outreach, online and sibling support services are also provided.

How much income did Swings & Smiles report in 2025?

Swings & Smiles reported total income of £556k and reported expenditure of £607k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Swings & Smiles?

Swings & Smiles has a program ratio of 101.2%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 75% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 3459 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Swings & Smiles registered as a charity?

Swings & Smiles was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 17 August 2007 as charity number 1120598. It has been registered for 19 years.

Who runs Swings & Smiles?

Swings & Smiles is governed by a board of 9 trustees. The chair of trustees is Jeffrey Kenneth Ives. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Swings & Smiles operate?

Swings & Smiles operates across 5 areas, including Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Reading and 2 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is Swings & Smiles a registered charity?

Yes — Swings & Smiles is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1120598.

Details

Address
A Place to Play
Lower Way
Thatcham
RG19 3RR
Registration Date
17 August 2007
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
4032392
Charity Number
1120598

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Trustees

Jeffrey Kenneth Ives Chair
Alan Michael Oliver
Also governs 1 other charity
Derek John Hardman
Lisa Joanne Danskin
Michael Megan
Pamela Cottrell
Suzanne Adamantos
Victor Hormuz Mistry
Victoria Sandars

Sectors & Classifications

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
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