The Outhouse

Also known as: Colchester Gay Switchboard, Outhouse East, Polarity

Outhouse East supports the delivery of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of Essex and East Anglia. Offering services around information and support for LGBT people. Operating a counselling service and social groups. We also operate an LGBT community hub in Colchester, which has a cafe, meeting room and large library.

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Activities & Mission

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.

Local Authority

Essex

Financial Information

Latest Income

£145,288

Latest Expenditure

£322,585

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 26.2%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 12% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 293). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 100.0%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

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

Administrative Ratio 10.3%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 34% of UK Arts 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 £38,839

Charitable Activities £621,338

Other Trading £473

Investments £24

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £172,964

Raising Funds £65

Governance £17,672

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.

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 Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£145,288	£322,585				0 / 8
2024	£280,509	£274,922				0 / 11
2023	£257,943	£275,389				0 / 14
2022	£660,674	£173,029	£172,964	£911,511	£74,085	10 / 10
2021	£264,804	£138,429				0 / 5

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Outhouse

What does The Outhouse do?

How much income did The Outhouse report in 2025?

The Outhouse reported total income of £145k and reported expenditure of £323k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Outhouse?

The Outhouse has a program ratio of 26.2%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 12% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 293 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Outhouse registered as a charity?

The Outhouse was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 22 November 1991 as charity number 1006244. It has been registered for 35 years.

Who runs The Outhouse?

The Outhouse is governed by a board of 6 trustees. The chair of trustees is Steve Mannix. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Outhouse operate?

The Outhouse operates in Essex, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is The Outhouse a registered charity?

Yes — The Outhouse is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1006244.