|
& RDAi
WYFOLD GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
Annual Report and Accounts
31 March 2025
|
_ Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
Registered Charity Number 1119428
Incorporated Company Number 06121720
Directors: Diane Lee Chairman Caroline McKean Company Secretary Elizabeth Jones Treasurer Adrienne Heriot (resigned 16 July 2025) Kim Fry David Walters Joy Skipper Loraine Maidment Pauline Philippe (resigned 16 July 2025) Angela Fairweather
Co-opted Trustees: Nicholas King Gemma Watson
'
Minutes Secretary: Joy Skipper
Bankers: NatWest Bank plc 250 Bishopsgate London EC2M 4AA
Independent Examiner: Jenny’s Accounting Services Ltd 56 Berkshire Road Henley on Thames Oxon, RG9 1NA
Correspondent: Mrs D Lee Wyfold Group RDA Wyfold Court Kingwood HENLEY ON THAMES RGI 5WG
Governing Document: Constitution Memorandum and Articles of Association Incorporated on 21 February 2007
Objects: Providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride and/or carriage drive to benefit their health and wellbeing in the South Oxfordshire and Reading area.
]
|
_ Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
TRUSTEES’ REPORT:
Summary of the main activities in relation to the objects
Our workforce of 9 horses and ponies continue to give therapeutic riding and driving sessions to 57 individuals. The activities take place in our purpose-built riding arena or on the all-weather track and with rides out through beautiful woods and parkland.
The lessons are conducted by 24 trained riding coaches and 6 driving coaches, and a team of 88 dedicated volunteers. We also currently have 2 coaches in training. The volunteers also look after the horses and ponies under the guidance of a part time yard manager who is our only paid employee.
Activities for this year
Welcome to our 53 Annual General Meeting.
The main objective of this meeting is to sign off the 2024/2025 accounts. Thank you again Liz Jones, for pulling all this together and for finding us a new independent examiner for this year. | think we can all agree that Liz brings slick professionalism, efficiency, organisation, and rigour to all that we do. We thank Liz enormously for all her continued support and hard work. Thanks also to Jenny’s Accounting Services Ltd for stepping in.
'
We now have 57 riders including pony therapy and we are almost at capacity, although struggling to deliver all our sessions due to pony health and well-being. More on this later. We need to review this constantly as we have a waiting list of 48 and the waiting list is currently closed. This is down from 63 last year and is being expertly and rigorously managed by Jane Havelock and Gill Sanderson so a huge thank you to both of them for that.
Driving is very close on the horizon now. Archie has passed his assessment, and all 6 driving coaches should have passed theirs by the time we meet. This is hugely exciting as we have had a 3 year hiatus with Archie being our 4" attempt at a driving pony. Massive thanks go to Gemma and Pippa for finding him and the driving team for their tenacity and dedication in getting us up and running. This should give access to up to 12 more participants, for whom riding may be a step too far. It is wonderful that we can reach even more of those in need in the community.
A special mention to Pippa Hughes as she has not just been searching for and visiting ponies, but also supporting us financially in the purchasing, training and developing of the pony and the coaches. Her dedication is palpable — there was no way she was giving up on this cause and we are grateful to her for her passion, enthusiasm and practical support.
Our only significant expenditure this year has been Zara’s memorial shelter, £5,007, which | am sure we can all agree is providing a marvellous viewing platform and social meeting point for parents and carers. Thanks to Kim for facilitating that project so expertly.
We continue to make our priority the purchase of suitable equines as our herd continues to age. Sessions have had to be cancelled due to lameness, but we have now engaged an agent to assist us on our search. Bob, Pluto, Joe and Wynne are ail at varying stages of lameness but we are on the case!
:
We have a new track grazing and feeding system for the ponies, which is still in its test phase, but appears to be working well.
2
;
Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
The reasoning behind the change, is to mimic the grazing habits, movements and behaviours of horses in the wild. It provides a more natural, stimulating and health promoting environment while also improving the land and pasture management. It’s well known to be especially helpful for horses prone to metabolic issues, which ours are.
Still to come is the planting of some herbs and bushes to add variety, roughage and fibre to our ponies’ diets.
As trustees, we are however conscious of the additional workload that has been placed on many of our volunteers, especially the weekend teams and we are trying to find ways to make the process more efficient. There are increased haylage and mash costs while the ponies regulate their feeding and we will do a full review after a 6 month trial period.
Fundraising
2024-2025 was another incredible fund-raising year, led by the wonderful Gill Rushworth. A total of £10,568 was raised, slightly ahead of last year. The largest contributors continue to be our fayres. Both the Summer Fun Day, led by Jill Knight and the Monday team, and the Christmas Fayre, led by Loraine delivered a combined £4,200, so 40% of our fundraising income. That shows the dedication and passion of all our volunteers who give up their time and donate their belongings, to ensure these events are such a success. We are clearly also hugely grateful to all our other fund raisers and donors, who go above and beyond in their sporting and other endeavours to ensure our financial security. Thank you!
After 10 years in the role, Gill has decided to step down and there are no words that can express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude. She is taking a well-deserved break, but has been relentless in her passion, promotion and enthusiasm for our wonderful charity. Gill will be greatly missed and leaves enormous shoesto fill.
Attempt to fill them we must, as this is such a critical role to our future viability and we are extremely fortunate to have found Tom and Gabrielle O’Meara, Jill Knight, Lynda Hallam and Melody Herman, who will work together as the Fundraising committee each with specific areas of responsibility.
Reserves Policy
It is our policy to maintain a cash reserve in the General Fund to cover approximately 6 months running costs and as can be seen from our accounts we are able to do this thanks to the wonderful fundraising efforts and generous donations each year.
Coach Reviews
We currently have 24 riding coaches, plus 2 in training and 6 Driving Coaches. All our instructors are reviewed every 3 years to validate our insurance and ensure continued professional development. All our riding coaches are currently up to date with their reviews. Hopefully, by the time you read this, all 6 driving coaches will also be up to date. Thank you to Kim for taking on the management of this list and reminding the team of upcoming assessment requirements.
Safeguarding, First Aid and DBS checks
Most of our coaches are up to date with First Aid as are many of our volunteers. We have a handful who are required to delegate First Aid to other volunteers during their coaching sessions. These coaches are aware and always ensure a valid First Aider is present.
3
_ Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
All our coaches have also had their Safeguarding training as have many of our volunteers.
All our volunteers have their DBS checks in place or are in the process of being renewed.
Jane Havelock, Kim Fry and David Walters continue to work tirelessly on these very important elements to secure our conformance and we are hugely grateful to all three of you for doing this. These are not easy tasks, but their patience and determination ensure we are compliant, and that our insurance is kept valid. Thank you so much.
Regional Qualifiers
We had7 participants take part this year on 3 of our ponies. It was touch and go whether the ponies would be fit and we appreciate your patience in helping us get our riders there. | know many sessions were cancelled to protect ponies for competition. It was worth it as 4 qualified and by the time you read this, we should know how they performed. We will be borrowing ponies from Lowlands RDA for the Nationals to ensure our regular riders’ sessions are not impacted.
It is really exciting to see participants from 3 different days this year and a massive thanks to Angie, Jane and Laurie for all your hard work with your riders. Also thanks go to Katie and Millie Newman, Jane Havelock and Sophie Bowman for supporting the event on the day, and of course to Elizabeth for all the bathing, prepping and preening to ensure the ponies looked so smart.
A huge thank you to our Board of Directors who have once again worked very hard to keep things running smoothly.
And finally... a massive thank you to all of you. | know it is said many times, but honestly — without you, this amazing facility would not exist.
----- Start of picture text -----
Diane Lee A
Chair of Trustees) |, tA eo te fF Jats
at June 2025 AK KX
----- End of picture text -----
4
Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled on the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
We report to the trustees of Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled (charity number: 1119428) on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
e examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
e to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
e to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
-
e® to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and e® to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
----- Start of picture text -----
Jenny Day ACA Vb° —
\~
Jenny’s Accounting Services Ltd SS DWN
56 Berkshire Road C
Henley on Thames -
Oxon, RG9 1NA
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
Le, 2025
----- End of picture text -----
5
'
)
_ Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Designated|
|General|Purchase|of|
|Fund|Ponies|Fund|Total|2025|Total|2024|
|£|£|£|£|
|Incoming|resources|to general|fund:|
|Voluntary|income|60,733|0|60,733|49,822|
|Activities|for generating|funds|10,568|0|10,568|10,115|
|Other|income|2,427|0|2,427|1,651|
|Bank|interest|1,639|0|1,639|1,249|
|Total|incoming|resources|to general|fund|(page|7)|75,367|0|75,367|62,837|
|Income|resources|to|designated|funds|
|Donations|received|for|purchase|of|ponies|0|11,585|11,585|11,000|
|Total|income|resources|75,367|11,585|86,952|73,837|
|Resources|expended|on|charitable|activities:|
|Cost|of generating funds|(page|7)|77,533|0|77,533|56,544|
|Designated|fund|expenditure|-|ponies|
|Purchase|of|ponies|-|Cherry|0|7,000|7,000|0|
|Purchase|of ponies|-|Ebony|0|5,250|5,250|0|
|Purchase|of|ponies|-|Archie|0|1,500|1,500|0|
|Purchase|of ponies|2023/24|0|)|0|5,751|
|Total|resources|expended|77,533|13,750|91,283|62,295|
|Net movement|in funds|-2,166|-2,165|-4,331|11,542|
|Total funds brought forward|148,259|6,548|154,807|143,265|
|Total|funds|carried forward|146,093|4,383|150,476|154,807|
|BALANCE|SHEET|-|31|March|2025|
|31|March|2025|31|March|2024|
|Assets:|
|Fixed|assets|10,029|17,695|
|Debtors|/ accounts|receivable|260|2,039|
|Cash|at|bank|and|in|hand|143,224|135,803|
|Less:|liabilities|-3,037|-730|
|Total|net assets|150,476|154,807|
|Represented|by:|
|General|fund|146,093|148,259|
|Purchase|of ponies|fund|4,383|6,548|
|Total|funds|150,476|154,807|
|TreasurerLiz Jones|Ceootena|too be-|aii|16|July 2025|
----- End of picture text -----
6
|
,
Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Generalfund | General fund | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| ANALYSIS OF INCOMING RESOURCES | £ | £ |
| Voluntary income: | ||
| Riders’contributions | 40,840 | 29,825 |
| Donations - non-designated | 17,617 | 18,296 |
| Income tax recovered (GiftAid) | 2,276 | 1,701 |
| 60,733 | 49,822 | |
| Activities forgenerating funds: | ||
| Fund raising events | 10,292 | 9,931 |
| Other fundraising (sales through online sites) | 276 | 184 |
| 10,568 | 10,115 | |
| Other income: | ||
| Grants | 475 | 325 |
| Uniform sales (costs below) | 1,103 | 799 |
| Gains on sales ofassets | 200 | 436 |
| Miscellaneous income | 649 | 91 |
| 2,427 | 1,651 | |
| Bank interest | 1,639 | 1,249 |
| Total income | 75,367 | 62,837 |
| ANALYSISOF RESOURCES EXPENDEDON CHARITABLEACTIVITIES | ||
| Costs ofgeneratingfunds: | ||
| Staff costs | 16,292 | 14,977 |
| Legalfees and governance | 1,685 | 1,174 |
| Equipment, tack and hats | 438 | 405 |
| Vetand farrier | 15,939 | 7,707 |
| Feeds and supplements | 9,806 | 6,972 |
| Othergeneral ponyexpenses | 3,886 | 2,694 |
| Fencing and paddock maintenance | 2,863 | 1,311 |
| General maintenance, including drive resurfacing | 5,401 | 1,411 |
| Vehicle maintenance | 527 | 1,281 |
| Depreciation | 4,865 | 11,180 |
| Insurance | 4,000 | 3,713 |
| General administration | 1,033 | 841 |
| Electricity | 1,698 | 186 |
| Water | 353 | 236 |
| Telephone | 470 | 442 |
| Transport of horses | 235 | 824 |
| Purchase cost of uniforms | 878 | 784 |
| Costs oftraining volunteers, including carriage drivers | 1,745 | 180 |
| Website costs | 231 | 115 |
| One-off project costs - Zara's Memorial seating area | 5,007 | 0 |
| Miscellaneous costs | 181 | 111 |
| Totalexpenditure | 77,533 | 56,544 |
7