The Cowshed
The aim of the charity is to provide good quality cleaned and ironed clothes and other essential items such as bedding free of charge to anyone who is in need. The clothes are donated from the general public and retailers and then sorted, washed and ironed at our warehouse ready to be delivered /collected by social services, other health professionals or our clients.
Activities & Mission
The aim of the charity is to provide good quality cleaned and ironed clothes and other essential items such as bedding free of charge to anyone who is in need. The clothes are donated from the general public and retailers and then sorted, washed and ironed at our warehouse ready to be delivered /collected by social services, other health professionals or our clients.
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 6 areas of operation Hide areas of operation
Local Authority
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 70% of UK Social welfare charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 1815). How is this calculated?
Higher than 35% of UK Social welfare charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 35% of UK Social welfare charities with income £100K to £1M. (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 | £656,380 | £679,485 | £648,532 | £69,025 | £69,025 | 11 / 430 |
| 2024 | £692,420 | £648,982 | £617,476 | £92,123 | £60,138 | 9 / 300 |
| 2023 | £525,426 | £521,021 | £493,485 | £59,145 | £59,145 | 12 / 220 |
| 2022 | £368,951 | £358,668 | 0 / 165 | |||
| 2021 | £283,831 | £270,155 | 0 / 130 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about The Cowshed
What does The Cowshed do?
The aim of the charity is to provide good quality cleaned and ironed clothes and other essential items such as bedding free of charge to anyone who is in need. The clothes are donated from the general public and retailers and then sorted, washed and ironed at our warehouse ready to be delivered /collected by social services, other health professionals or our clients.
How much income did The Cowshed report in 2025?
The Cowshed reported total income of £656k and reported expenditure of £679k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is The Cowshed?
The Cowshed has a program ratio of 98.8%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 70% of UK Social welfare charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 1815 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was The Cowshed registered as a charity?
The Cowshed was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 14 January 2019 as charity number 1181550. It has been registered for 7 years.
Who runs The Cowshed?
The Cowshed is governed by a board of 9 trustees. The chair of trustees is KESTER RUSSELL. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does The Cowshed operate?
The Cowshed operates across 6 areas, including Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough and 3 others. The full list is shown on its profile.
Is The Cowshed a registered charity?
Yes — The Cowshed is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1181550.
Details
Mulberry Business Park
Fishponds Lane
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG41 2GY
Registry Information
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Trustees
Sectors & Classifications
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated