Sexual abuse survivors’ charity to close due to funding problems

A charity set up 12 years ago to support survivors of sexual abuse and violence is to close due to financial problems.

In a statement the trustees of Trust House Lancashire said that “with heavy hearts” the charity will close on 1 May this year.

“Despite our best efforts we have been unable to secure the necessary funding to keep the service going,” they said.

“We’re immensely proud of the work we have done over the last 12 years, supporting survivors from across Lancashire.

“We are also incredibly proud of our clients who have been brave enough to reach out for support.”

The trustees added: “Our priority remains our clients’ wellbeing. We will continue to provide support until we close, and anyone we are unable to see will be contacted and guided towards appropriate support service.”

According to the charities register the charity’s spending has outstripped its income in three of the last four years. During the financial year ending March 2025, it spent £509,840 however its income over this period was £391,780.

Small charity closures

Trust House Lancashire is the latest of several small charities to announce their closure this year due to financial challenges.

Last month The Oasis Partnership, which runs The Oasis Café in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, said it had “taken the difficult decision to close the charity”. Its spent more than it earnt in three of the last four financial years.

Also last month arts therapy charity The Teapot Trust announced it is to close “due to an extremely challenging funding climate”.

A “significant fundraising deficit” was cited as a factor in the announcement of the closure of Autism Family Support Oxfordshire, which has been operating for almost 50 years.

In a parliamentary debate this month MPs called on the government to improve support for small charities, amid closures in the sector due to financial challenges.

“If we continue on this course, we risk losing an essential pillar of the social fabric that holds our communities together,” said Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh Liz Jarvis.