Promoting, preserving and providing the power of animal companionship **Annual Report 2022 - 2023** THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS We would not exist without your generous support Front Cover: Shelia enjoying a special moment with Izzy 2 Above: Beryl appreciating Molly’s visit ## CONTENTS |NTENTS|| |---|---| |Thank you to our Fundrasiers|4| |Chairman’s Foreword|5| |Our Vision, Mission, and Goals|6| |Case Study: Gwyneth, Jenny and Bonnie|7| |CEO’s Report|8| |Case Data|9| |Case Study: Joyce’s Journey with Our Special Friends|12| |Volunteer Manager Report|14| |Volunteer Story - Tracey and Adi Nunn|16| |Impact Feedback|18| |Case Study: Tony and Digger|23| |The Year Ahead|25| |Financial Review|26| |Governance and Special Advisors|36| 3 Thank you very much to all our volunteers, supporters and fundraisers, without your kind help we would not be able to provide our support. These are just a few examples of fundraisers this year: 4 ## CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD 2023 I’m really pleased to be able to let you know that Our Special Friends has had another very good year providing the support that an increasing number of people within the region are needing. The charity is not only providing direct support for clients who are experiencing particularly tough times in this cost-of-living crisis time, but also advocating for them with the statutory services and other agencies to unlock problems and challenges in helping those clients secure a better quality of life. The charity has received funding to recruit a dedicated member of the team to focus on cases and volunteers in Mid Suffolk thanks to much appreciated funding from Mid Suffolk District Council. This means that there will be a full-time colleague, largely based in the community, enabling volunteers to help those that need help and matching them to clients. The office location at the British Racing School continues to be an excellent base for the organisation. The charity continues to leverage the importance of the Human-Animal Bond and the benefits to Society, whether that be savings to the National Health Service, support to those fleeing domestic abuse or experiencing mental ill-health, as well as those experiencing significant loneliness, with many of these people being invisible through no fault of their own to usual statutory services (Councils, GP surgeries, etc). The cost-of-living crisis has really identified that there is a lot of invisible vulnerability in the community, and the magic of animals enables clients or all their friends and family on their behalf (if they have any) to reach out and benefit from the support that Our Special Friends provides, which unfortunately otherwise do not get provided because the resources of the statutory services are so stretched and underfunded. Our Special Friends really does mean that more people get the help that they need sooner than would otherwise be the case; are monitored more regularly so that the cost of supporting them is significantly reduced and yet lives are improved. We continue to be very grateful for the support that we receive from many trusts and organisations listed at the end of this report, to enable us to carry on providing these important services. The expansion of our region into Mid Suffolk supported by Mid Suffolk District Council is a strong testament for the way local organisations really value what is being achieved by Our Special Friends. I really hope that you will continue to be interested in what is being done by Our Special Friends whose holistic approach to supporting its clients is truly innovative, not just in the UK, but also internationally! We look forward to bringing you details about our 10th birthday celebrations. If you would like to become more involved in what Our Special Friends is doing as a volunteer in the locality; as a financial supporter, or even as a Trustee, please do not hesitate to contact us. Mark Johnston - Chair of the Trustees 5 ## OUR VISION A world in which the power of animal companionship is recognised and integrated into effective care and support plans for people and animals. ## OUR MISSION To identify, develop, promote and deliver animal companionship support services which secure the benefits of animal companionship for people experiencing times of vulnerability, improving welfare for both. ## OUR GOALS 1. To develop and demonstrate the role of an Animal Companionship Practitioner (ACP) and the effective application of Animal Companionship Support Services (ACSS) to vulnerable people in society as a functioning unit in its current location. 2. To deliver and evidence outstanding ACSS in our current location 3. To expand the adoption and provision of ACSS locally, through outreach, education, training and partnerships with like-minded organisations and agencies and secure budgetary support from them. 4. To ensure financial stability. a. To ensure our sustainability as a provider of ACSS in the current locality. b. To enable the expansion of properly resourced animal companionship support services in other locations. Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. 6 ## **Case Study** Gwyneth, Jenny and Bonnie Gwyneth and Bonnie enjoying each other’s company Gwyneth was 90 years old and living alone in her own home when first referred to Our Special Friends in late 2015. Having recently spent time in hospital, her family said Gwyneth was feeling down, and although mentally alert, was physically frail and unable to get out and about much. Gwyneth loved dogs, but her mobility issues meant it was not possible for her to have one of her own. OSF’s AnimalAssisted Activity (AAA) programme, providing weekly visits from a volunteer with their friendly pet, was the perfect solution. Following two years of successful visiting, unfortunately other commitments meant the volunteer we had initially matched to Gwyneth had to step back from making regular visits – but Gwyneth was keen to keep receiving weekly AAA. OSF therefore looked for a new volunteer, and in April 2018 we matched Gwyneth with a new volunteer, Jenny, and her young cocker spaniel, Bonnie. The visits were a wonderful success, with Gwyneth benefiting from the unconditional love that Bonnie offered as well as social interaction with Jenny. They usually spent the afternoon chatting and playing Scrabble, which Jenny reports Gwyneth was very good at, and provided her with additional mental stimulation. Jenny said “I am loving my volunteering experience. Bonnie has gained confidence in new situations and with new people. I am so proud of how well she has adapted to her befriending role and it gives me enormous pleasure to see the bond developing between her and the lady we visit. She knows the route we take to get to the house and drags me up the drive to the front door! My reason for joining Our Special Friends was to support vulnerable people, which I am very pleased to be doing, but I have also made a new friend in the process.” Meanwhile, Gwyneth’s family explained the importance of AAA visits: “This is to say a big thank you to your organisation for the marvellous care and support you provide to my step mother. Gwyneth looks forward to the weekly visits she has from your volunteer Jenny and her dog, and her mood has improved very much since she has had the visits from your ladies. When she first had visits from your volunteer she had been in hospital and was feeling very down. Your constant support and dedicated service in keeping those visits going, with only one change of volunteer, has been an important part of Gwyneth getting her confidence and spirit back and we are very grateful to Our Special Friends for this. As a family we very much appreciate the level of professionalism your organisation displays towards Gwyneth and also towards us. We know that you will let us know if there are any areas of concern about Gwyneth and we find that your extra pair of very thoughtful eyes keeping a look out for her, when we are not living nearby, is very reassuring. We do rely on Our Special Friends to be part of a schedule of activities for Gwyneth in her home, which keep her busy and in touch with the outside world. Gwyneth herself loves the chats that she has with Jenny and she loves seeing the dog and being able to stroke it. She tells us about the way the dog behaves and how it looks out of the window and she looks forward to seeing her every week. Being able to speak to someone regularly with whom she has a shared interest in dogs is very good for my stepmum’s mental and physical health and we hope that you can continue to provide this important service for the foreseeable future.” After more than four years of visits from Jenny and Bonnie, sadly Gwyneth died in the summer of 2022. Having played such an important role in Gwyneth’s life, Jenny and Bonnie both attended her funeral. 7 ## CEO’S REPORT Some of the team at Suffolk Dog Day During 2022/23, OSF worked with a total of 619 cases, including opening 469 new cases, representing an increase of over 30% on the previous year. Many cases are highly complex, involving issues such as mental health, disability, homelessness, and domestic abuse, requiring intensive work from our staff and team of 113 volunteers. Most of the beneficiaries of OSF’s direct interventions live in the western side of Suffolk, a predominantly rural area, interspersed with small market towns, villages and hamlets. While often perceived as affluent, Suffolk experiences significant rural deprivation and healthcare needs which has only been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis and the post-Covid 19 landscape. Our Animal Companionship Practitioners also provide advice, information and guidance free of geographical boundaries. for eligibility and referrals via the veterinary practices, working closely to ensure our limited funds reach the most critical need. We have distributed supermarket vouchers to clients following our relationship with the Rural Coffee Caravan; and pet food and other supplies via our Animal Welfare Support Fund. Seamus joined us in a new role of Charity Manager to review organisational procedures and compliance and implement new systems to improve administration and efficiency. This has enabled me to continue to lead and focus on the Animal Companionship Practitioner (ACP) role. Alongside the service delivery and volunteer management, Seamus and our Office Coordinator colleague are helping to streamline the processes so we can work even more efficiently and effectively. In our ninth year as a registered charity we enjoy our dog friendly office at the British Racing School. It is a beautiful site with lots of green space and equine therapy on our doorstep. Undeniably a good base for the office team to develop and coordinate our community outreach support. Cases are increasingly complex due to limited community care, especially mental health support and lack of accommodation allowing pets. We provide a reassuring point of contact as our team answer the telephone and our volunteers regularly visit people, establishing ongoing supportive relationships. We are indebted to our volunteers and supporters who make animal companionship support services possible. The team is dedicated to supporting people experiencing a range of difficult circumstances, helping them to find appropriate solutions. Our compassionate community of people who have a love of animals continues to grow, enabling local support often at very short notice. Helping people to live well, to feel less lonely, to flee domestic abuse, receive inpatient hospital care and cope in housing crises are the main aims of our organisation, which we continue to strive to achieve to our best ability. The cost of living crisis has resulted in increased requests for financial assistance. This has led to the necessity for us to modify our criteria We have noticed that the critical points are people moving in or out of hospital, in or out of care and into temporary/emergency housing. There needs to be more care planning and recognition that sentient animal friends are vital family members and often ‘carers’ providing emotional support. They have needs which can only be met if they are documented . We are encouraging everyone to have CVs for their pets as well as care plans. With crisis in all sectors, it is important to help people to keep pets with them wherever possible especially as rehoming centres are overrun, with no capacity in the system. It has never been more important to help to keep people and their beloved pets together and it is why we ‘do what we do’, and want to do more. 8 ## Age Range of Referred Clients for New Cases **----- Start of picture text -----**
No of Clients
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We support people of any age and a large proportion are over 65; with an increase in all demographics each year. It is not possible to collate age-related data on all clients due to the variety of circumstances and urgency of many cases. ## Sources of Referrals Self-Referral Family and Friends Health Care Professional Veterinary Professional Human Related Charity Social Prescribing Link Worker OSF Community Unknown Animal Related Charity/Services Social Services Housing Association/Services Social Care Social Enterprise **----- Start of picture text -----**
No of Cases
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The single leading source of cases continues to be self-referral with a broad range of others. We continue to see a rise in secondary referrals, with a fourfold increase by Social Prescribing Link Workers compared to last year. 9 ## Growth in Number of New Cases Out of a total of 619 cases in the year, 469 were new cases, an increase of 33% compared to last year ## Location of New Cases in East Anglia Alongside an increased total of new cases in 2022/2023, more cases were supported in the adjacent counties of Cambridgeshire and Essex. Image opposite: Anne enjoying being out in the fresh air in the Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds accompanied by our volunteers Jonathan and Celia, with their lovely visiting dog Bilbo. 10 iriwjrd ## **Case Study Joyce’s Journey with Our Special Friends** In 2018, OSF attended an event at a GP surgery, where Joyce approached us. It had been a terrible time for Joyce, aged 89, who had lost her husband and then three months later, her son, who was her only child. Having kept dogs for much of her life, Joyce was very keen to have a small dog to keep her company. OSF soon became aware of a little elderly dog, Taz, who needed to be rehomed from another OSF client. Recognising Joyce’s urgent need for companionship, the adoption process was fast-tracked and Taz arrived at Joyce’s within three days of the assessment, just a month after the initial meeting at the GP surgery. OSF also paid for some essential dental work for Taz through our Animal Welfare Support Fund. Taz was well behaved, and Joyce was delighted with what turned out to be an excellent match. As Joyce needed a mobility scooter to get out, her neighbour’s son helped by walking Taz. Joyce absolutely adored Taz: she had a friend always by her side, who also guarded her and the house. and Celia took turns to visit Joyce every week, initially with just Bilbo, then alternating with their younger dog Digby once he had passed his AAA assessment. They also supported Joyce with her adoption search whilst continuing regular visits. Six months later, by which time Joyce was 94 years old, an eleven year old Jack Russell cross, Archie, became available for adoption. Archie was not coping with the other dogs and cats in the home, so OSF spoke to Joyce who was keen to take him on. Archie’s previous owner was delighted to find him a quiet calm home where he would be able to enjoy one-to-one company: “I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done to help me with Archie. It’s been such a hard decision, and I literally couldn’t be happier with the thought of him going to live with Joyce.” Archie settled in very well with Joyce, who was delighted to have a small, friendly, well behaved dog with her day and night. His playful character kept her amused much of the time! Joyce told us at the time “Our Special Friends have been most helpful in finding my little dog and were very careful to ensure he was going to a good home. He is an absolute treasure and has given me a new lease of life after losing both my husband and only son in the last six months. I think this is a splendid charity and are providing an excellent service to elderly and such people.” OSF kept in regular touch with Joyce and contributed financially when Taz needed further dental treatment eighteen months later. After three and a half happy years together, sadly Taz fell ill and was euthanised to prevent ongoing suffering. While Joyce decided whether she wanted another permanent canine companion, OSF arranged for her to receive weekly visits from a volunteer and their dog through our Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA) programme. Christina had previously adopted Griffle, a gorgeous, friendly dog through OSF and was matched with Joyce. The visits were very successful, with Christina’s daughter also coming along which was an added bonus for Joyce. However, after eight months Christina and her family moved away so could no longer visit. At this point, Joyce told us she wanted to adopt another dog of her own, but none of the dogs we knew of were suitable. In the interim, Joyce was keen to keep having AAA visits, so we matched her with a couple, Celia and Jonathan, and their characterful dog Bilbo. Jonathan Joyce enjoys great support from her neighbours who like to take Archie for a walk, sometimes with Joyce in her wheelchair. Archie is very popular when he accompanies Joyce to her weekly lunch club, and when Joyce visits to a friend who lives at a care home, Archie loves to go along and meet the other residents. Our Volunteer Celia commented: “A more perfect outcome for this incredibly resilient lady could not have been achieved.” Joyce with Archie 12 Top left: Joyce with Griffle Top right: Joyce with Taz Bottom: Joyce with Bilbo 13 ## **VOLUNTEER MANAGER REPORT** ## Frances Day, Volunteer Manager ## Recruitment and Challenges Volunteer participation rates are at an all-time low across the nation (Gov, Community Life Survey) and Our Special Friends have certainly felt the strain over the last year. In 2022/23 Our Special Friends have recruited 21 new volunteers (a 46% decrease on last year). However, our retention rates are at an all-time high with only 10 leaving. Our current volunteer community is now 113. With recruitment rates suffering, it is vital that we invest time, and support, in retaining our current volunteers. Here at Our Special Friends we do this by keeping regular contact and offering opportunities to touch base/review how our volunteers feel. We continue to send The Monthly Paws volunteer bulletin and have held 11 in-house volunteer training opportunities. We identified the need for case discussions as an opportunity for volunteers to give feedback and openly discuss any concerns they might have regarding their clients and activities. The first session was well attended and confirmed the need for these to take place. In March, we also hosted a lead volunteer and assessor meet-up to bring together the thoughts of these volunteers, who play a pivotal role in the charity. We also offer numerous training opportunities, held by external organisations, to support volunteer learning and increase confidence in carrying out their volunteer role. ## Survey The above can be seen in our 2022/23 volunteer survey results, of which we had a similar number of responses to last year. Across the volunteer sector we have seen a change in volunteering from regular to a more ad-hoc/as required basis and volunteer responses have backed this trend, however there was an increase in volunteers saying they are happy to do more. With new cases increasing 33% this year we have tried hard to maximise our volunteers offers. 90% of volunteers said they feel well supported in their role – including Sarah, who commented, “You are readily available to answer questions and offer support. You listen to volunteers concerns and you act appropriately”, and Tony, who said, “Every member of the staff supports us and care that we are happy with what we are doing.” When asked what we could do to improve, we received very few answers! Two responses requested that training session are made more accessible by hosting online or being held in a central location. This is a consideration for the year ahead. ## The year ahead In 2023/24 we plan to tighten our volunteer review process. These will by whatever method is preferable to the volunteer giving a chance to check in, refresh their safeguarding knowledge, keep their DBS current and identify any need for further training. We are also designing our bespoke OSF safeguarding training to be delivered from January 2024. We have seen a considerable increase in referrals, particularly for Animal-Assisted Activity in the Bury St Edmunds area. We must now focus on targeted recruitment in this area to try and meet this need. To volunteer with us, complete our online form at www. ourspecialfriends.org/download-volunteer/ 14 Our Volunteers This year Our Special Friends has helped more people and their pets than ever before. 12,480 hours volunteered 1,872 AAA Visits 21 ••• new volunteers 'Our clients feel "Always supportive with good communication" someone cares about them" 2, 288 Dog Walks 11 "We love being part of OSF" in house training opportunities of volunteers find volunteering with Our Special Friends rewarding 980/0 of volunteers feel well supported in their volunteer role 96% Promoting. preserving and providing the power of animal companionship ## **VOLUNTEER STORY –** Tracey and Adi Nunn **“This has proved to be an extremely rewarding time. We have cared for many cats, and we have seen most of them returned successfully to their owners when they have settled whatever crisis is happening.”** purchased a Catio, and with a little renovation from my son and his partner, it is now attached to our summer house and provides more space and access to open air for any of our feline residents. We have met some lovely people during this time and have seen some very tough situations turn around and resolve which is heartwarming and rewarding. Tracey tells us about her experience volunteering for OSF. My husband Adrian and I began volunteering for Our Special Friends in January 2020. I had been volunteering with the RSPCA for many years before then. I enjoyed helping people find new pets and bringing them together, but the other side was I sometimes had to take people’s pets away when they were at their lowest, and that I never got used to. I ceased volunteering for the RSPCA and was looking for something to do to help local animals and people. I cannot really remember how we heard of OSF, but we signed up to be dog walkers and helped a few people during this time. I have lovely memories of some of the dogs and people we have met. We love being part of Our Special Friends because of the ethos of the charity, keeping animals and their owners together is such a vital thing if it is possible. When you have trauma, and all you have left is your pet they become the focus of your support. Then to lose that is the most harrowing thing ever. You are in a situation beyond your control and that pet may be the only stability you have. Having had lots of people (men, women, and children) in my kitchen in the past, sobbing as they have to say goodbye to their pet is awful and I can tell you that from experience. But, knowing that now we can say that when your life is settled you can be reunited with your beloved pet back is the best part. All the team at the charity are so supportive to us. We can call them anytime and they will help and support. Even on Easter Sunday!!! Evolution happens, and we became one of the volunteers who fosters animals. We have a summer house and we have used this in the past to take in cats where the owners are having difficulties and need some space to sort out things but not lose their animals because of this. Our Special Friends are unique in the charity sector locally and we personally are very proud to say we support them and hope to do so for a long time yet. This has proved to be an extremely rewarding time. We have cared for many cats, and we have seen most of them returned successfully to their owners when they have settled whatever crisis is happening. Adi is a diamond as he pitches in and is really hands on with the cats too. Our Special Friends Image opposite: Tracey and Adi 16 “We love being part of Our Special Friends because of the ethos of the charity, keeping animals and their owners together is such a vital thing if it is possible.” **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS IMPACT** ## Client Feedback Our Special Friends measures our impact on clients’ health and wellbeing through our Client Feedback Form, which is sent to all clients. This includes a list of statements about the difference OSF has made, with clients requested to select how much they agree or disagree with statements on a five-point scale between ‘Strongly Agree’ and ‘Strongly Disagree’. The following chart shows the breakdown of responses received in 2022/23: Reducing loneliness and isolation is a key outcome for Our Special Friends. The following pie charts show the responses to questions asking clients to self-assess their feelings of loneliness both before and after receiving help from Our Special Friends. This demonstrates a significant reduction in clients who ‘Always/Often’ or ‘Some of the time’ felt lonely, and an increase in those who ‘Never’ or ‘Hardly ever’ felt lonely after receiving help from Our Special Friends. 18 Responses received throughout 2022/23 to open questions in our Client Feedback Form include: _I was given permission to keep my cat with us which in turn helped my mental health and got my autistic son talking again._ **----- Start of picture text -----**
Empathic response to request
for Dog Walker who would
understand the needs of my
dogs and consequently mine.
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_I honestly don’t know what we would have done without OSF!_ _OSF gave me a reason to get up in the morning and look forward to their visits._ **----- Start of picture text -----**
happier life.
Great kind, non-judgemental
support, which was discrete
and I appreciated enormously.
I have been able to keep my
beloved boys when at one time
was heartbroken to think that I
would need to rehome them.
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_Clear communication of the different possibilities, fast response time, friendly understanding and supportive staff._ 19 Reasons why our animal companionship support services are needed 20 ## Third Party Feedback We also measure impact through a Third Party Feedback form, which asks people involved with the client for their opinion on how both they and the client have benefited from OSF’s services. The following pie chart breaks down the type of relationship respondents to the Third Party Feedback Form had with the client. ## Third Party’s Relationship with Client % The Third Party Feedback Form also gave a list of statements, asking how much the respondent to rate how much they agreed with each one on a five point scale between ‘Strongly Agree’ and ‘Strongly Disagree’. Responses are summarised in the following graphic. 21 **10 reasons why** people needed help from OSF, paired with examples of OSF intervention that were received through feedback from client/third party user questionnaires. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Hospitalisation _“Was hugely assisted at a very difficult time when my father was admitted to hospital in an emergency situation, enabling me to care for him, and to have the worry about his dogs welfare taken from my shoulders .”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Housing _“Gave advice to me and spoke to my Housing association on my behalf regarding the no pet rule... I was given permission to keep my cat with us which in turn helped my mental health and got my autistic son talking again!”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Poor Physical Health _“Our mum was able to keep her beloved dog and best friend with her in her darkest moments before she sadly passed away. Having the volunteer walker was such a god send to our mum.”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Poor Mental Health _” You have helped with my mental health in coping with the situation for a second time.”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Loneliness _“Not feeling totally alone with an insurmountable problem.” “A world of difference I feel I have a family again”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Change in Circumstances _“I have been able to keep my beloved boys when at one time was heartbroken to think that I would need to rehome them.”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Bereavement _“Helped me to understand the practicalities of losing our family dog and how to support our children and look after myself around the loss.”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Mobility _Client unable to walk her dog: “Empathic response to request for dog walker who would understand the needs of my dogs and consequently mine.”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Financial _“Helping to fund the surgery made a massive difference to our cat who had been left in a lot of pain.”_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Animal Health/Welfare _”Immediately found a foster home for my cat.” “Helped my dog get the help he needed which I couldn’t afford”_ 22 ## **Case Study** Tony and Digger Our Special Friends was contacted on a Friday in August 2022 by a friend and neighbour of a gentleman, Tony, who had been hospitalised because help was needed to look after Tony’s elderly spaniel, Digger. After an initial foster home had fallen through, the neighbour had been popping in to check on Digger, and a professional paid dog walker was taking Digger out daily - but Tony’s stay in hospital was now going to be longer than first expected so more support was needed. Tony’s next of kin, his nephew, did not live locally so couldn’t help with looking after Digger in situ, and worked full time so was not in a position to have him at their house. The very same day, OSF identified a potential foster home with a couple who loved spaniels and regularly took on older dogs with health problems through Spaniel Aid. Tony’s nephew was visiting at the weekend, so was able to transport Digger to the foster home, where he settled in quickly. During his stay, Digger began scratching compulsively around his head and neck, and his fosterers took him to his vets where they found evidence of fleas. Digger was also licking at his paws, so OSF requested his previous vet history which showed that he was thought to Tony and Digger were delighted to be reunited have arthritis, but that his medication had lapsed. As per our Fostering Agreement, OSF agreed to cover the vet bills for Digger through our Animal Welfare Support Fund, including the arthritis medication, flea and worm tablets, a follow-up consultation, and a flea spray for the foster home. Tony and Digger were delighted to be reunited After briefly being discharged in August and then re-admitted to hospital after a fall, Tony was able to come home in the middle of September, with carers visiting four times a day to support his recovery. Meanwhile, due to personal issues the foster family had said they would need Digger to go home in early October. Fortunately Tony was well enough for his nephew to collect Digger from the fosterers and return him home on 1st October, with his neighbours and the paid dog walker providing continued support. Towards the end of October, Tony called to say how pleased he was with the service he had received, and he made a very generous donation of £200. Sadly, in mid-December Tony became unwell again, but unfortunately the family who had fostered Digger previously had just taken on another dog through Spaniel Aid so couldn’t have Digger as well. OSF worked quickly to identify another volunteer who was happy to take Digger on - however, before that could happen, one of Tony’s neighbours stepped forward to foster Digger. A key goal for OSF is to increase support within a client’s existing network or community, so this was an ideal solution. 23 Ji *1 Ik ## **THE YEAR AHEAD** Funding is crucial to enable us to continue to provide our Animal Companionship Support Services (ACSS) and to develop and grow to help more people and animals in need of care and support. We want to create a sustainable organisation to share our knowledge and encourage others to ‘do what we do’. We believe passionately that our support is making a big difference by, aiding people’s recovery and at the same time we are helping to reduce the pressure off a wide range of people, family, friends, statutory services and other professionals. We have a lean team in our office made up of: a Charity Manager to cover the operational aspects of the charity, an Office Coordinator who supports the team and is the gateway to our office, a Volunteer Support Manager and two Animal Companionship Practitioners (ACPs) for our cases; and our financial colleagues. We are totally reliant on the passion, dedication and skills of our volunteer community. Many are going above and beyond, but having a paid, full time role, based largely in the community and liaising with the office, would be ideal to help with in-home assessments and matching cases to local support. This is where our new Animal Companion Coordinator (ACC) role will make such a difference. Evaluating our complex interventions is a priority to show our impact but is challenging due to our collaborative approach and the variability of client difficulties. Keeping pets and people together is needed for both their wellbeing and welfare and because relinquishing them is increasingly not an option. The rehoming sector is in crisis and is having to adapt in order to provide more community support. None of us want owners to be separated from their pets unless it is absolutely necessary. Any age of person can have a pet as long as there is a good local network of support and an effective care plan, but we need a ‘joined up’ approach and effective communication. Dogs Trust and Cats Protection are now in our area providing ‘foster to reunite’ for domestic abuse cases which was a result of us asking them to come here to help. We would like more organisations to provide Animal-Assisted Activity in the home, more people to provide accompanied dog walking if owners have sufficient mobility and care plans to enable care in crises. We want to establish a community and corporate fundraising team, preferably led by a new colleague so our funding can be diversified. Whilst we currently rely heavily on grants and trusts, it is evident that it is important to become less reliant on this stream of financial resource, especially when applications are oversubscribed. It is important that we clarify our message and impact in order that more people are aware of the breadth and depth of our support. ‘Our Special Friends’ as a charity name works for people who are fearful that they are going to lose their beloved pet, but does not explain the range of our support; which aims to help in difficult times and enable happy, healthy people and pets to live, and age, well together. Finally, we will be celebrating our 10th birthday in 2024 and all that we have achieved to date; looking to the future and striving for sustainability. Image opposite: Willow and Otto enjoying our time at Suffolk Dog Day 25 ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## Structure, governance and management The charity is a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 11 November 2013 and governed by its Articles of Association. It was registered as a charity under the Charities Act 2011 on 23 April 2014. None of the Trustees have any beneficial interest in the charitable company. All of the Trustees are volunteers. Trustees are assisted to fulfil their duties by the chief executives and by other advisors, who offer information and assistance in undertaking all their governance tasks. It is the responsibility of the Trustees to meet to make balanced, proportionate and clear decisions about the future of the charitable company, and make all disclosures about the organisation. New trustees are recruited through a combination of advertising, recommendation, and personal contact. Appointments are reviewed and approved by the Board. All new trustees are provided with a detailed induction. Through consideration of reports on income, expenditure and of forecasts for the next twelve months, Trustees have analysed any risks to the charity, and have identified no material uncertainties that cast doubt about the ability of the company to continue as a going concern. ## Financial review Total income for the year ended 30 April 2023 was £222,569 which was slightly down on the previous year (2022: £237,478). We continue to rely primarily on grants, and the average amount of each each grant is still relatively low. We therefore rely on a constant flow of successful applications to fund our services and maintain reserves. While a broad spread of funders reduces the risk inherent with just one or two major providers, the time and effort required to apply, secure and report on these grants is significant for a small charity. Our future growth will therefore depend on securing income from a wider range of sources. In particular, we are seeking a community fundraiser and ideally we would also like to find an organisation or individual prepared to support our core operations with multi year funding. In addition to fundraising to support our charitable activities, we believe there is an increasingly strong case for local authorities and welfare agencies to contract with us to provide our services. Expenditure for the year increased by 17% to £239,446 (2022: £204,922). This was in line with our budget and primarily reflected the recruitment of a charity manager during the year. Unrestricted reserves at 30 April 2023 were £142,259 (2022: £162,172). The Trustees are satisfied with the level of reserves, which is in line with our reserves policy of 4-6 months operating expenditure. If the level of reserves (excluding restricted reserves) falls below 6 months of operating expenditure the Trustees will determine what action is required to be taken in order to increase reserves in line with our policy. ## Statement of Trustees responsibilities The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charitable company for the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: - Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102); - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the fi-nancial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 26 ststement of Trustees resporisibilities Icontinuedl This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accou nting a nd Reporting by Charities 2019 IFRS 1021 and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 ofthe Companies Act 2006 relating to small com pa nies. Approved by the TrusteeslDirectors on and signed its behalf by: obert Tgt 04 Robert Ferguson (Jan 2 , 202409.46 GMT+ll Robert Ferguson Director Our Speclal Frlends Financial statements for the year eNled 30 April 2023 Contents Pag8 Independent Examiners Rewrt 28 Stslemenl of Finanaal Activities lincorporaling sumrnary income and expenditure accounti 29 Balance Sheet 30 Notes 31-35 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 27 Our spetlal Frlends Indep•nd•Tht Examln•rs R•port for ih• yex andod 30 Aprll 2023 We rèport io th@ liuslees on ￿r exarnlnaiion ol the accounts ofthe company lor thè year ended 30 Apnl 2023 whlch are set out on page5 28 to 35. Rewnslblmtles and bas15 of r As the charity trustees of the Company land also Its dirLYlors for the purposes ol company lawl you are responsible fty the prèparation ol the account5 in accordance with the réquirèmènis of ihè CompanlÉ*S Art 2006 ("thÈ 2(￿￿ Act"). Havin8 satished owselvès that the accounts of the company are not required to be au(h'ted undef Parl 16 of the 2006 Act and arè eli8lt4e for IndÈpendÈnt Èxamination, we roport in respecl ol our examination of y￿1 company's accounts as carnÉd out undLY SectiC￿ 145 of the Charities Att 20111.the 2011 Act"). In carrying our Èxzmination, Yle have followed the Dlrectiillls 8lvÈn by thè Charliy Commlsslon undef section 14515llbl of the 2011 ACL Indg)endent Examknerfs Stat•nent We have c)TJ ststement of financial activities (including summary income and expenditure account Restr+cted Incotntr fund5 Note5 nds Total fund5 Income Donations and legacies Charrtable ad1v￿r&S Fundraising events Interest Tolal income 33,547 79,812 309 316 113,984 33,547 188,397 309 316 2,569 74,011 163.429 24 14 237,4T8 108,585 Expendilur• Rai8ing funds Charitable activrties Total expendrture 31.514 102383 133897 7,397 38.911 200 535 239 446 37. 162 767.760 204,922 Net incomellexpenditurel Transfers between fund5 Net I￿veMent in fijnds 119.9131 3.036 116.8771 32.556 119.9131 3,036 116.8771 92,556 Re¢onciliatlon of fu￿1$. Total funds brought forwBrd Tolal funds carried forward 162172 142,269 202 748 170.190 186.869 202.746 43.810 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 29 Our Special Friends FlnancL81 statements for the year ended 30 Aprll 2023 Balance sheet Restrkted UThr4strlct4d Incom• fU￿d fund5 Tolallhls Toiélwl ar Flxed assets c￿￿ent assets Debtor8 Gash at bank and In hand Total current assets 3,648 152,5 156,173 3,648 540 43.610 196.135 210.579 43,610 199,7￿ 211.119 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 13,914 13.914 8.373 Net current assets 142,259 43,610 185.869 202.746 Total assets less current liabili1195 142,259 43.610 185.869 202,746 Total net assets 142,259 43.610 186.869 202 746 Funds of the Charity Restricted income funds 10 43.610 43.610 40,5T4 142.259 162.772 UnrestriLled funds 142,259 Total lunds 142,259 43,610 1B6,869 202 74fj For the year ended 30 April 2023, the o)mp3ny wa5 entitled to exemption from audit under sectkin 477 ofthe Compan￿5 Act 2(K)6 relating lo small companies. The rneTnber5 have not required rornpany to obtain an audit of ts aGGDunls forthe year in question in accordance wlh section 476 ofthe Companies Act 2(K6. The diredor8 a¢kno￿edge their respon&bilities for comptylng with the requirements of the Companies Act VAth r8spect lo accounting records and the preyaralion of account5. These ac¢ounts have ￿en prepared In 8¢¢ordan¢e with the prowi$bn$ applicable to small fX)mp8nie$ subje¢t to small companies, regime and in accordance %*ith FRS102 SORP. Approved by the Board and sgned on its iehalfby Date 04 RoWfwufwguson (Jan 2 , 2024 09.'49 GMT+ii DirecTor Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 30 Our Special Friends Financial staleTnent5 for the year ended 30 Awl 20rJ Our s￿¢181 Friends is a charitable company limited by guarantee. incorpor8ted In Engla￿ and Wales. The registered office is West End House, Upper Green. Higham. Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6PA Note$ to the ac¢ount$ Bas1$ of preparatlon These accounts have been prepared uThYer the hlstorical cost cOnven￿On wth Items reeognlsed at Cost or transaction value. The a(tounts have been prepartd in accordan￿ with the Statement of Re¢ommended Pract￿". A￿￿U￿ti￿ and Reporting ty Charrties preparing Iheiraccounts In accordance wth the Financigl Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and RepublSc of Ireland IFRS 1021 lswed on 16 2014, and whh the Chadlle$ Act 2011 Act¢)untlng polIt￿$ Recognition of incom? Income is [￿luded In the Ststemenl of FSnan¢lal Advitie$ when". the charrty bÈeome8 entstled to the revA)urces'. It is more likely than ￿t that the trusteeswill receive the rewurces.. and the monetary value can be measured ￿tr) sufficlent reliability. Grants and donations Grants and donations are onky induded in the Statement ef Finanoal Acti¥it*s when the general Ints)me reo)gnilion crrtena are mel. Legacies Legac￿5 are induded in the Ststement of Financial ActNrf(E5 when receipt is probable, that is, when there has been grant of probate. the executors have e8tabli8hed that there are ￿ffIc￿nt as8et8 in the eslale ar￿ any condrtions attached to the legacy are eitherlwthin the control ofthe charty or have been met. Volunteer help The value ofany voluntary help recewed is rYJt included In the accounts bjl is de%ribed in the tru5tee5' a￿ll￿1 report. Liability recognition Liobilitie5 are recDgnised vthere it 15 rnore likely than not that there ￿ a leg41 or constructive obligation committing Ihe charity to pay out resources and the arnount af the obllgallon can be measured Mth rea￿nable certainly. Govemanre and support costs Support costs have teen alkcated be￿en governance costs and other support. Governance costs compn8e all uJ8ts involving public acceunlabilty of the charity it5 COtnFAk4nce vilh regulèlion ond good praGIiLz. Tangible fixed assets for use by charity These are capitalised rfthey ean b¢ used for more tlwn onè yèar, and Cost at lèast £250 T￿Y are valued at cost and depreuated over 3 years. Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 OUT Special Friends Financial statements for the ye8r ended 30 Awl 20r8 Notes to the accounts Analysls of Income iknrestrr¢ied Re$trl¢ted hjnds incomefunds Total lunds Privrythy Donations and legacles: Donations and gifts 31,448 2,099 31,448 2,099 68.966 5.045 GIftA Total donation5 aThJ legaoes 33,547 33,547 74.011 Charitable actiwtie5'. General grants provided by go¥VothercharitEs 79,812 108.585 188,397 163,429 other In¢om'. Interest Fundraisiry events 316 309 316 309 14 24 Total Income 113.984 108,6B6 222.669 237,478 Included in general grants of£188,397 are £27,￿0 of govemment grants12022". £nill. All inGoTne in the pr￿r year was unre5triGted eX￿pt for £51,￿9 of general grarrts. Further details are shown in Tr)te 9. 4 Analysis of expendtture Lknrestricted Restricted Jnd$ in¢omefund$ Total fund$ Prforythv Expendtture on raising funds Outsourced services Adverti%ing, marketing, direct mail and publicity staff costs Total expenditure on raising funds 14,947 7,397 22,344 21.773 2,024 14,543 2.024 14,543 2,887 12,502 31,514 38911 37. 162 Expendrture on charitable acti￿tIeS V¢lunteer ¢osts Animal care costs Office expenses Outsourced servi¢e$ Staff cosls Total expenditure on charitable activitie5 3,897 4,052 19,473 24,869 50 092 3.897 17,441 33,223 24,869 121.105 2,856 19. 725 27.862 29,946 81,371 13.389 13,750 102383 98152 200 535 167, 760 Total expendrture 133,897 105 549 239,446 A fee of £1,800 has teen provided in respect ofthe Independent Examination of the finanual statements for this year12022- Nill. Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 32 Our Special Friends Financial statements for the year ended 30 Awl Notes to the accounts 5 Staff costs This year Prlorye•r Salanes and wages So¢ial se¢unty Costs Pen%on costs (defined contribution xhemel Staff training and expenses 124.013 5.289 2.318 4.028 136,648 91.840 3.801 1.726 2,506 99,873 No em Joyees recewed empbyee ￿nefts lexcluding empkyer penson costs) for the reporting Feriod of ￿re than £60,C()O. The ¢ompany provides pension benefft$ under the NEST *heme The full h'me equivalent number of staff working fer the charity during the year was 5 12021.. 41 6 Transactions with trustees and related partie5 Travel expenses amounting to £252 ￿re re-imbursed to on? TrLLStee12022- Nill. During the year. ck)8e famity member8 of Mark Johnston. Robert Ferguson and C8rotyn Bradburne provided SerV￿eSt0 the Gompany. Bin Johnston ICEOI received £27,810 in salary and expense5. Laura Ferguson reGeived £5,798 for adTninislratiYe support services and Jeremy Bradbume received £1.WO for bu5ines5 planning con5ullancy. The aTnount5 in respect of Laura Ferguson and Jeremy Bradtr¥Jrne include £1.560 and £5W respectively in accrLpL8 at 30 Awil 2023. During the prior year Bin Johnston recewed £26,674 in 5akry and expe￿& Flxed assets At the year end and wor year end the company held ful￿ deprecvated compLf(er equipment %*ith a totsl cost of£3,852. There wtre no oddition5 or disposols during the yeèr or prior year. Debtors and prepayments Th1$ year Prlory•ar Prepayrnenls aTrJ accrued ino)me 3,648 3.648 540 540 9 CTEditors and ar¢ru41$ Amounts fdlling due within one year This year Prloryear Accruals and deferred income Taxation 6c¢S81 se¢urrty 11,652 2.262 13 J14 6.062 2.371 8,373 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 33 OUT Special Friends Financ181 statements for the year ended 30 Awl 2023 Notes to the accounts 9 Reslri¢ted funds Fumd typlance3 brought forward Fund balances carr*d loThYard Curr•nt Y•ar In¢om& EX￿ndI￿rA Gov•rnmontGrants West suffolk COUnG￿ CommuntyChE¥t Wesl SLffolk Council Communtychesl Wesl Suffolk Council Communitychesl Wesl SLffjolk Council UK Stsred Pr06PPrty Fund hfjid Suffolk DistricLcow￿I VolurtEerSupwrt Nark3ger salary ADifflal ComREnionship Pradit￿ner 6alary Cnsis SupFOrt and Pr￿ent￿n IT UFgrade Animal Comwnionship CoordirAIcrf 68lary 10,0 72 (lo.￿) .2WI S.￿0 12.2501 20. 0th4r Grants Kewel ClubCharitableTiusl- Chetsea & Mr Frer￿h Fur￿ ADifflal ComREnionship Pracb1￿ner 6alary Ant￿￿UsTr￿￿t Chaiity Klanagèi saL4ry Ccco Joe11e Foundal AniTnal-A6616ted aclivty Suffolk Communty Four¢¥tho Harris Farrily Fu D¥vid & Jill Simwn Fu par9￿erT￿$I Fu MillerTtu*Fun PargIterT￿St FutKI Sh¥(hYell Twsl Core costs ￿￿•n Roil Charity Anlmai Comwnionahip Prathtsttnèrsalary Ctrop Local Communty Furnl Animal-Assisted Actlvity Green H811 Frmjndalio AnifflaPA66isled AnryrMuS InaiwdLÉI FU￿raIsing¢0stS Ha￿ard Foundaiion Anifflal-A6616ted kliwty Associalion of t￿g& andcals Hornes- MaT6 Food Furwj Pel Food pèts al Home FoUr￿￿tIlln Animal Supwrt FLW ADirnal we￿re Support FU￿ It￿95 only) 10,f 39,1 IYJ.4161 15.774 Cole costs Goip 1.0 25 Core ¢o8ts CotP CD5ts (s.￿) 5,0 15.(￿) 2,1 7,397 4,0 17,3971 14.(mi 11.0)21 10,CIyJ Kernel Clubcharitable Tiusl 2387 12.3871 Totsl Fu 40,574 10B,5BS 105,549 44a10 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 34 OUT Special Friends Financ181 statements for the year ended 30 Awl 2023 Notes to the accounts 9 Re$tri¢ted funds l¢ontlnuedl weslsuffolkc￿nO AnNnalcornwnwSthpPr￿1x 25(W {IT,TIO) nthvKlual Fundrasef salary 10.000 {2.$03) {6.070J T.J97 &anl &070 Anfvn31- AS&￿%￿￿11v1ty 4.￿0 Sfflith & Mornl G<**hin 01r￿e rert 454T {4 547) (4.548) {2.529) o11￿ rert Sl Ethur¥Js Trust Irwkstaths 2.529 s￿y￿k Cc¥nmunrtyFLX4h*ts Fwr¥xopuRcedAeatth Fcurthl An￿al- AssLstedPLliwly Corg Go515 Core GC6ts Cor8 Gosts 1.573 (1.573) {3,LKVJ David6 Jill&rnp& r9rter TrLtstFu Athlbr TnJStFun 4OJO ioooo 2.rto ).￿0 SwI*ryeEar[eBe￿0￿IF￿X1 ShaA4WI Tnjstt Fur*1 {J.cw) Cor8 Costs Gysnl R&1 Cbarrty HElen Rcll Ch¥Ay Anrmai Wèmafa SupwFuAY PfjtpI￿ Charrtatyb T￿￿t2020 Th￿R￿n CJHrytabl8 fiusl Petpth CharrtabÈ Tntst 2021 FuThYras8rs&lary 10.000 5.000 fQ.IW 2.695 f2,5￿) A￿￿￿{ ¥Veltsrg Support Ammal Wdffar8 Swt4)rt {3￿} (to.(￿) r2,sY3J Q(u 2.387 6460tt 51,029 I77,￿) 4Q574 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 35 ## GOVERNANCE AND SPECIAL ADVISORS Patron Lord Fairhaven DL KStJ Board of Trustees Robert Ferguson, Treasurer Dr Mark Johnston MA VetMB PhD MRCVS, Chair Dr Elizabeth Ormerod BVMS CF Carolyn Bradburne Dr Jill Gurney MB ChB, MA, appointed June 2022 Team Dr Bin (Belinda) Johnston MRCVS, _CEO, Founder and Lead Practitioner_ Sally Bycroft, _Marketing and PR_ Gemma Reid, _Animal Companionship Practitioner_ Frances Day, _Volunteer Support Manager_ Bil Thorn, _Office Administrator_ Trudi McManus, _Office Coordinator_ Seamus Connolly, _Charity Manager_ Laura Ferguson, _Office Administrator_ Supported ‘in the office’ by volunteers: Rebecca Clarke, _Marketing and PR_ Karen Mallett, Christine Singleton, _Service Delivery_ Jan Webb, Catherine Guy, Sophy Day, Celia Gordon, _Admin Support_ _Assisted by:_ Susan Bradwell, _Finance_ Mark Toller, _Finance_ Anna Hunt, _Fundraising_ ## Voluntary Advisers Jeremy Bradburne LLB (London) LLM Cantab Dr Deidre Carson BVSc(Syd) MRCVS Dr Debbie Rook LL.B(Hons) LLM, DLaw FHEA Dr Helen Crawford BVSc PGCertSAECC MRCVS Lisa Dickson CGMA MBA, _Caseron_ John Grossart MA MRICS Dr Janet Littlewood MA PhD BVSc(Hons) DVR DVD MRCVS Veterinary Dermatology Referrals Dr Christopher Mayer MBBCh FRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist Philippa Morphew FCIPD Alan Reynolds 36 Independent Examiners Bankers Registered Office Beeston-Clarke Accountants Ltd Barclays Bank plc West End House 242 Leicester Road 20/21 Cornhill Upper Green Markfield Bury St Edmunds Higham Leicester Suffolk Bury St Edmunds LE67 9RG IP33 1DY IP28 6PA ## THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS We would not exist without your generous support. We are very grateful to our corporate sponsors who have donated their time or products which, amongst others include: |Barking Bags Ltd|Kong Company Ltd| |---|---| |Benebone Ltd|Pets at Home Ltd| |Caseron Cloud Accounting|Pet Remedy Ltd| |Co-op Local Ltd|Pitpat Ltd| |Everything Answered Ltd|Royal Canin Ltd| |Fish4Dogs Ltd|Vetstream Ltd| |IntraOrbis Ltd|| And to Trusts and Foundations which, amongst others include: |Coco Joelle Foundation|Postcode Places Trust| |---|---| |Florence Cohen Charitable Trust|Roger Jefcoate| |Godolphin|Suffolk Community Foundation| |Hedley Foundation|| Our Special Friends, c/o British Racing School, Snailwell Road, Newmarket, CB8 7NU 01284 247077 www.ourspecialfriends.org office@ourspecialfriends.org © Copyright 2023 Our Special Friends 37 ## THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS Our thanks go to all our volunteers for their continued support and commitment over the years. It goes without saying that Our Special Friends would not exist without them