CIRCLES SOUTH WEST

CIRCLES SOUTH WEST is a UK nonprofit organization and independent regional charity, established in 2010. The charity operates with the vision of "No More Victims" of sexual abuse, focusing on providing Circles of Support and Accountability to help individuals convicted of sexual offences live offence-free lives[2][5].

Activities

CIRCLES SOUTH WEST works across seven counties in the South West of England: Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Avon (which includes Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire), Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall[3]. The organization partners closely with health, police, probation, and youth offending services to achieve its goals[3].

Programs

The charity offers several types of Circles, including:

• Circles for Adults: These provide support and accountability for individuals convicted of sexual offenses, helping them to lead offence-free lives[5].
• Intellectual Disabilities Circles: These are specifically designed for individuals with mild learning disabilities[1].
• Young People’s Circles: Focused on addressing harmful sexual behaviour among young people[1].
• Prison/Through the Gate Circles: Providing support as individuals transition from custody back into the community[2].

Volunteers and Operations

CIRCLES SOUTH WEST relies on a pool of skilled volunteers, who are essential to the operation of the Circles. These volunteers, numbering around 200, come from diverse backgrounds and are trained to provide ongoing support. They commit to approximately 2-4 hours per week for 12-18 months. The organization requires volunteers to be approachable, emotionally stable, and able to maintain firm boundaries. Volunteers undergo full training and receive ongoing professional support and expense reimbursement[2].

Governance and Financials

As of the latest available financial data, CIRCLES SOUTH WEST reported a total income of £408,780 and a total expenditure of £529,842 for the year ending March 2024. The charity's income includes government contracts and grants[5]. It has a board of 10 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration from the charity[5]. Additionally, there are 191 volunteers actively involved in the organization[5].

Charity Registration

CIRCLES SOUTH WEST is officially registered with the Charity Commission under the number 1138726[5]. The charity ensures its reporting is up to date and compliant with regulatory requirements[5].

[1] https://circles-southwest.org.uk [2] https://circles-uk.org.uk/circle-providers/circles-south-west/ [3] https://circles-southwest.org.uk/who-we-are-what-we-do/ [4] https://circles-uk.org.uk [5] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1138726&subId=0