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IMPACT REPORT2025-2026
1ContentsWelcome Our Values A Year in Review Our Impact Calibre Learning Our Staff and Volunteers Our Collection Calibre Communities Our Financials Our Future Plans2 3 4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11 12 13 14
Howard Nead Chair of Trustees Anthony Kemp Chief ExecutiveFor over 50 years, Calibre Audio has been a charity with reading at its heart – enabling people to discover, enjoy and love reading in a way that works for them. This has been a year of strong progress as we advanced our five-year strategy, expanding access to diverse audiobooks and deepening our impact across education, mental health and wellbeing. My Calibre has enhanced the member experience through improved systems and broader access to our vast collection. Calibre Learning has grown significantly, reaching more schools and highlighting strong demand for accessible reading support, while beginning to extend provision to disadvantaged young people. Calibre Communities has continued to develop, with initiatives like local book groups helping reduce isolation and build connection. Despite a challenging environment, we have remained resilient, and being recognised again as a Great Place to Work reflects the strength of our culture and ongoing commitment to meaningful impact.2 Welcome
We show empathy So that we can effectively meet the needs of our community We display creativity Embracing innovation to help us reach our goals We value community Our members, colleagues and partners are at the heart of our service We have integrity acting with honesty and transparency in all we do We take accountability Showing ownership of our actions and their results3 Our Values
This year has marked a significant step forward in our development, with a continued focus on improving access, strengthening partnerships, and supporting educators in meaningful ways. Alongside our investment in systems such as Catmin, our membership services portal, we have prioritised ensuring that our work translates into practical benefits for the communities we serve. A key milestone was the SEN Teachers’ Conference in January 2026, which provided an important opportunity to engage directly with practitioners, share learning, and gather insight to inform our next steps. We have also welcomed the first cohort of schools taking part in our Assisted Reading with Audiobooks project, with early progress demonstrating the value of this approach in supporting inclusive reading. In March 2026, our attendance at the London Book Fair opened up new conversations with publishers, creating opportunities for further collaboration and development. Together, these developments highlight our growing impact and continued commitment to building more effective, inclusive services, alongside a levelling up in our membership numbers, with almost half of our members now under the age of 25.4 A Year in Review
5Our Impact 6,152new members in 2025-2625,909total registered members 40%of our members are Visually Impaired 28%of our members are registered as Dyslexic The period 2025-2026 saw a significant increase in the number of people we support. The average membership age is dropping, due to the increase in the number of children being assisted in schools. However, despite this increase, there is a huge problem across the UK which we are only just starting to address. 1 in 10 people in the UK are registered as being dyslexic and more than 2 million people have some sort of visual impairment. Our service isn’t just about reading, for many of our members, it is a lifeline.
6Our Impact 9.06 out of 10member satisfaction score. Up from 8.74 last year. 72%of members surveyed said they felt less lonely as a result of using the service over halfof members surveyed said they have discovered new interests from using the service “One word only describes Calibre: Lifesaver” Andy - Calibre Member 2026 My 102 year old, nearly blind, mother would be lost without this marvellous service. Thank you. Kate, a Calibre Member’s Daughter 2026 This is a first class service, we are delighted with it. Joanne - Calibre Member 2026
7Calibre Learning Calibre Learning is a free audiobook platform for schools, created to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who find reading printed text challenging. Launched in September 2025 as part of the Calibre Audio family, the platform is currently in beta phase. It provides access to thousands of audiobooks, available via streaming, download or USB postal loan, and can be used on phones, tablets and computers, ensuring pupils can listen in ways that suit them. 177schools using the platform in the UK 4,275individual learners aged 4-19 using the platform “Your charity has transformed so many young people! In our school, it has had a dramatic impact which is leading to great things as we embed a reading culture across the school." Karen - School SENDCO
8Calibre Learning Thanks to funding from the Julia Rausing Trust and Dulverton Trust, the Assisted Reading with Audiobooks project has delivered weekly, audiobook- supported reading groups in UK primary schools. Originally piloted with Bucks iSEND, the programme supports small groups of pupils, mainly in upper Key Stage 2, who need extra literacy help. Sessions build reading skills, confidence and wellbeing through guided listening and discussion. The project has exceeded expectations, expanding from a planned 24 schools (288 pupils) to 42 schools supporting over 540 pupils with SEND. Now reaching areas including Buckinghamshire, London, Greater Manchester and the North East, the programme demonstrates strong demand and potential for wider national impact. "For us, the main impact we have seen is the increase in the enjoyment of reading...The project has also provided the children with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to comprehend a text verbally. It is really interesting to see how well the children can answer both literal and inferential questions from listening to a text and orally explaining their answer as opposed to having to read a text and provide a written answer to questions in a reading assessment paper." Aimee - School SENDCO
2025-20269Our Staff and Volunteers Certified Great Place to Work 2025-26 Once again, we partnered with Great Place to Work to run our staff survey in 2025-26. Our staff gave their feedback, which resulted in a 79% score and meant we gained Great Place to Work status. This certification solidifies our commitment to the wellbeing of our team and gives us a platform to receive actionable feedback so we can continue to improve. Apprenticeships We used the UK Government levy scheme to fund apprenticeships, which help us to diversify our workforce and have greater social impact. During 2025–26, three members of staff participated in apprenticeship programmes. One colleague successfully completed a Level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeship, while another continued a Level 6 Cyber Security Technical Professional apprenticeship. A further colleague undertook a Level 3 apprenticeship in library and information services. 25 staff15 full time, 10 part timeof office working 52,781 hours
Over 7,500volunteer hours Over 150volunteers including trustees, narrators, checkers, library and editors £120,000*of value delivered by volunteers *Based on National Living Wage Length of Service Number of Volunteers Over 5 years 3 Over 10 years 14 Over 15 years 11 Over 20 years 1 Over 25 years 210 Our Staff and Volunteers Let’s Celebrate!Our volunteers are a vital part of who we are and what we do. Their dedication, selflessness and generosity make a lasting difference to the people we serve. Many have given their time week after week, year after year and their commitment has helped shape our organisation in ways we could never achieve alone. We celebrate those reaching significant milestones this year with deep gratitude.
11Our Collection 4,716new titles added to the collection in 2025/26707new children’s titles327titles narrated, checked and edited by Calibre Audio volunteers7new publisher partners82%of members surveyed said they could find the audiobooks they wanted to listen to16new categories2,189,559hours of listening by our members 212,011books borrowed87%of members surveyed said they found the service easy to use
In building community engagement and tackling social isolation, Calibre Audio’s audiobook book groups play a vital role in bringing people together through shared reading experiences. The launch of the Bucks Audiobook Groups marked a significant step forward in expanding this offer, creating new spaces for connection, conversation and belonging. Through audiobooks and facilitated discussion, these groups do more than encourage reading. They build confidence, reduce loneliness and create meaningful social connections. By working collaboratively with partner organisations and directly with members, Calibre Audio continues to widen access to books while strengthening inclusive communities.12 Calibre Communities 8audiobook book groups run by Calibre Audio 37audiobook book groups nationally, supported by Calibre Audio Over 340people attended audiobook book groups nationally
20% Donations 46% Legacies 24% Trusts & Foundations 1% Merchandising 9% Other 9% Fundraising Costs 43% Service Delivery Costs 48% Operational Costs 91pof every £1 spent is on delivery and operation of our services13 Our Financials Income (total of £1,140,000) Expenditure (total of £1,370,761)
14Over the next three years, we will focus on expanding our reach, strengthening resilience and deepening impact, ensuring that more people who cannot access standard print are able to experience the joy and benefits of reading. By building on our existing strengths and embracing innovation, we will continue to evolve our services to meet changing needs and reach new audiences. Our five strategic objectives for the next three years are: Increasing subscribed, diverse member base to 50,000 Increasing national brand awareness and reach Achieving long-term financial sustainability Improving the lives of older people Improving the lives of younger people Across all of these areas, we will also be committed as an organisation to measure and report on the social impact of all areas of our work. Together, these priorities will enable Calibre Audio to reach more people and transform more lives through accessible reading, while also strengthening our long-term sustainability and ensuring we remain a trusted, relevant and impactful charity for years to come. Our Future Plans
calibreaudio.org.uk01296 432339enquiries@calibre.org.ukCalibre Audio is a charity registered in England, Wales (286614) and Scotland (SC051461)“A wonderful service - wouldn't want to live without it - thank you.”