Promoting, preserving and providing the power of animal companionship FAO; - = ; : 7 4 - wt , “ cae Ag eas LAses DD eee ae)Bi ES RSI 1 aiNG, pha 7 & Sy, w: gs = f Ea | ae et Annual Report - “y * & saemyYay , . aeaX“ae * } ‘es“ eeoy aierf Se’¥7t] aig ees a yale ‘ % ee: .aythebyy ; Weypesae ai,eas ee es i i) e) ? Oia aes Ow 2023 - 2024* Dhinee antl 2 Py a ne \ | i 1 ' ;[by][ Se:] ay id alt 5[ae] ai Dee ia]
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS We would not exist without your generous support Front Cover: ‘Sally’ out walking with Bobby our visiting dog 2 Above: Renee and Pebbles
CONTENTS
| CONTENTS | |
|---|---|
| Thank You To Our Supporters | 4 |
| Chairman’s Foreword | 5 |
| Our Vision, Mission, and Goals | 6 |
| CEO’s Report | 7 |
| Case Data | 9 |
| Case Study: ‘Martha’ & Her Cats | 12 |
| Impact Feedback | 13 |
| Case Study: ‘Enid’, ‘Honey’, & ‘Rebecca’ | 16 |
| Animal Companionship Coordinator’s Story | 17 |
| Animal Companionship Coordinator Cases | 18 |
| Volunteer Manager’s Report | 20 |
| Volunteer Story: Juliet & Mabel | 22 |
| Case Study: Ted, Aida & Blue | 23 |
| The Year Ahead | 25 |
| Financial Statement | 26 |
3
Thank you very much to all our volunteers, supporters, donors 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 2024
This has been a VERY special year for Our Special Friends as it is the 10th anniversary from when the charity was first registered.
It was also special as Our Special Friends was chosen by the Chairman of West Suffolk Council to be his charity of the year. He featured Our Special Friends repeatedly throughout the year at his civic events, both highlighting the charity and raising its profile significantly across the county, as well as helping to raise funds. The charity’s contribution to society was also highlighted by Global’s Make Some Noise campaign which raised significant funds and widened awareness of the charity beyond the county’s borders.
As you’ll see in the data around our growth over the past ten years, when we added a second Animal Companionship Practitioner to our staff team, it enabled service delivery to increase by 33%. The majority of cases still come from self-referral but it is heartening to see 43% increase in referrals from Social Prescribing Linkworkers who play such a pivotal role in the provision of care for some of the most disadvantaged in society.
The range of circumstances of clients is still wide but the most frequent are physical and mental ill health as well as mobility and financial distress.
The importance of the human-animal bond in society has been well documented with studies showing significant cost savings to society and improved quality of life for many who have animals in their lives. Our Special Friends is determined to show the benefits of Suffolk being recognised as a pet-inclusive county.
Our Special Friends is asked to provide a wide variety of support activities (as you will see in the pie chart on page 11 and in the other infographics) and helped 615 cases in the year. This is an average of more than two cases per working day and equates to more than 1,100 people being supported. The cases are often complex in their circumstances and require significant expertise in the support that the team of staff and volunteers provide, alongside many of the statutory services such as mental health trusts, the probation service, and domestic abuse organisations; and often at very short notice. I invite you to read some of the cases and testimonials that are showcased in this annual review. There can be no doubt that many people have had their lives improved by the important, but often “below the radar” work that Our Special Friends carries out.
Looking ahead, Our Special Friends is building a strategy to influence politicians and others to appreciate the role that charities such as Our Special Friends can make to wider society if its principles and service delivery could be made more widely available.
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
-
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.
-
To deliver and evidence outstanding ACSS in our current location
-
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.
-
To ensure financial stability.
a. To ensure our sustainability as a provider of ACSS in the current locality. b. To influence the provision of ACSS in other locations.
Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
6
Bury St Edmunds Market with our donated Scrumbles Advent Calendars
CEO’S REPORT
This year we celebrated our 10th anniversary as a registered charity and it was the year that we recruited our first Animal Companionship Coordinator (ACC), thanks to funding from Mid Suffolk District Council and the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All programme.
Our full-time ACC liaises between the OSF office in Newmarket and our referred cases, visiting people in their homes, recruiting local volunteers and matching them to the identified need. This role formalises and professionalises some of the work undertaken by our Lead Volunteers and the very first ‘animal companionship support worker’ at the start of our charity. We are indebted to all our volunteers, and especially our local Lead Volunteers and Assessors, whose work has been crucial for OSF to operate. However, with volunteering decreasing nationally, bringing in a paid-for role increases consistency and sustainability. We have continued to support owners going through critical times and people with a love of animals who appreciate the joy that their presence can bring. With over 600 cases in the year, and over 100 volunteers helping in varied roles, we have found a real need for this holistic support in the community where people and animals are suffering, and where access to pre-existing services is challenging. However, with other sectors in crisis, referrals to OSF are becoming increasingly complex. We are focusing on the quality of our intervention and creating transformational change.
This year has been a balance between us receiving more cases than our resources. It is important for people to find us easy to contact and to get a timely reply from our team. Many situations are urgent or they have reached out to others without any responses and are desperate.
We are helping to fill a void into which people and animals are falling, where they are suffering and not accessing the support that they need. We want more people and initiatives to help fill this gap and enable our communities to be pet-inclusive.
We were thrilled to be chosen as one of the small charities supported by Global’s Make Some Noise. We met their colleagues and benefited from their support which raised awareness of our community work, and vital funds for our Animal Companionship Practitioner role. We were also the Charity of the Year for the Chair of West Suffolk Council and my thanks go to Roger Dicker and Ruth Pusterla for all that it involved.
None of this would be possible without the support of so many, and I thank everyone who is helping or has helped to develop this community outreach approach.
Dr Bin Johnston
CEO, Founder & Lead Animal Companionship Practitioner
7
• Our Special Friends 472 new cases The difference we made 145 other cases in the period 615 cases in e year 202312024 1106 people supported Beneficiaries 365 Direct: 721 Indirect: 385 dogs supported 152 cats and small animals supported 9 % of our clients have requested support more than once in this reporting period.
==> picture [489 x 687] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
CASE DATA
Client Age Range
18 - 40 (18%) 41 - 64 (33%) Over 65 (49%)
és
We support people of all ages, and for clients for whom we have age data, the largest proportion is over 65.
Source of Referrals
Self
Family and Friends
Social Prescribing Link Worker
Health Care Professional
Social Services
OSF Community
Veterinary Professional
Human Related Charity
Animal Related Charity
Housing Association/Services
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
No of Cases
----- End of picture text -----
The leading source of cases continues to be self-referral with a broad range of others. Social Prescribing Linkworker referrals have increased by 43%.
9
10 Years of Growth in Number of New Cases
==> picture [426 x 240] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Reporting Year
No of Cases
----- End of picture text -----
Over the years we have seen a steady growth in new cases which is especially apparent in the year 2023 which shows the impact of having a second Animal Companionship Practitioner in post. This enabled us to increase our service delivery capacity by 33% on the previous year .
Location of New Cases in East Anglia
This illustrates that our primary focus is Suffolk while we aim for a pet-inclusive county and to develop and demonstrate the impact of our approach.
Where the postcode is available, 4% of new cases are outside East Anglia
10
Help Requested 2023-2024
==> picture [334 x 308] intentionally omitted <==
==> picture [176 x 111] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Foster to Reunite(24%)
Financial Support (18%)
Animal-Assisted Activity (13%)
Dog Walking (13%)
Rehoming of Animal (10%)
Animal Adoption (9%)
Animal-Assisted Activity/Assisted Dog Walking (6%)
Advice Information & Guidance (3%)
Animal Care (2%)
Transport (2%)
----- End of picture text -----
The top request is Fostering to Reunite, which is nearly 24% of all the services requested. This is largely due to lack of pet-inclusive accommodation. Financial Support is the second highest which is not surprising in the current climate. More than one service can be needed and we are recording the primary one.
Why Our Services Are Needed
==> picture [525 x 249] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Physical Ill Health
Mobility
Financial Stress
Mental Ill health
Hospitalisation Involvement
Loneliness
Bereavement Related
Social Isolation
Housing Related
Caregiver Burden
Dementia
No Transport
Sensory
Domestic Abuse
Homeless
Digital Exclusion
Learning Disability
Frailty
Neurodiverse
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
No of Clients
----- End of picture text -----
CASE STUDY ‘Martha’ and her cats
NB – names have been changed to protect our client’s identity
In October 2023, Our Special Friends (OSF) received a call from ‘Martha’ who had been admitted to a mental health unit and was worried that there was no-one to care for her two cats. She had had the cats, a two-year-old brother and sister pair, since they were six months old. Having already had her two young children taken away from her, the cats were very important to Martha and she was concerned as they had already been without care for 24 hours.
Martha had only moved to the area two months previously and had no local family or friends who could help. She did not know how long she would be staying in hospital, and as the cats had not been vaccinated, they could not go into a cattery. Martha had been in hospital previously when she had been able to leave the ward to care for the cats herself. However, due to her deteriorating mental health, the hospital staff could no longer allow this.
Our Special Friends quickly stepped in and sent a call out to our volunteers for help. We arranged a rota of two volunteers to visit, with occasional visits from OSF staff to fill any gaps. Martha had provided the keysafe code to us, illustrating a high level of trust and allowing us to easily provide in-situ pet care. We set up a WhatsApp group so Martha could be kept updated with news and photographs of the cats, which she found very reassuring. She was also able to order food and cat litter online when OSF notified her that supplies were getting low, giving her an important connection to her pets’ care.
A month later, Martha was well enough to be escorted home to care for the cats herself. Unfortunately, a few weeks later there was a crisis and Martha had to be readmitted to hospital, so OSF stepped in again to provide in-situ care for the cats. During this time, Martha sent a WhatsApp message saying she had made the difficult decision to rehome the cats as she wasn’t going to be returning home. Given Martha’s evident love for her cats, this caused immediate concern to OSF. We contacted the hospital, who said she was in the process of being discharged and was expected back later to collect her belongings. Further contact with Martha indicated she was at risk of suicide but her whereabouts were unknown. We continued to liaise with Martha and the hospital and thankfully she was located and returned to hospital. Her fear of discharge and being without her children had precipitated Martha’s suicide plan, but after four days more in hospital she had improved sufficiently to be discharged home. While we hope Martha will continue to recover, she knows Our Special Friends will always support her and her cats if she needs it.
Martha told us “[Our Special Friends] stepped up to help immediately as soon as the help was required, even last minute/on the day, they communicated extremely well with me via calls and messages, but also respected my privacy and the sensitive nature of my illness … The volunteers have been extremely kind and compassionate with regards to my situation and health and have even raised the alarm on occasion when I needed more professional support.
[Our Special Friends] were so very proactive with their support. Because my health was changeable and unpredictable, I was concerned that I may have had to find a new home for my two cats. However, due to the support from OSF, I felt reassured that the cats were being very well cared for over the periods that I was away.
My relationship with my cats is stronger than ever now and I am so very grateful that OSF were there to help look after them when I was unable to … I have remained out of hospital for a month and a half now, so I am excited at the prospect of being able to return to work very soon; fingers crossed … [the cats] are both very well and happy and still loving me being home and I’m loving spending time with them too.”
Stock image for illustrative purposes
12
OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS IMPACT
Feedback Form Statistics and Comments 2023/24
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 2023/24:
Our Special Friends Client Reported Impact 2023/24
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 ‘Hardly ever’ or only ‘Occasionally’ felt lonely after receiving help from Our Special Friends.
How lonely did you feel BEFORE receiving help from Our Special Friends
==> picture [59 x 63] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Never
Hardly ever
Occasionally
Some of the time
Always/Often
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [181 x 127] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
How lonely did you feel AFTER receiving
help from Our Special Friends
3%
Never
Hardly ever
|
26% | / =| Occasionally
Some of the time
Always/Often
----- End of picture text -----
13
Responses received throughout 2023/24 to open questions in our Client Feedback Form include:
The emotional support was excellent. I felt that I wasn’t alone with the problems I had. The follow up care was fantastic to ensure everything was still ok. I am very grateful to this organisation.
They found a new cat for me to adopt after my 2 girls passed away. I’m not as lonely now.
Jane and Margot were lovely visitors. I really enjoyed chatting to Jane and stroking Margot. The visits helped with my sadness and loneliness after my husband’s death.
Saved me from being incredibly depressed and stressed which also helped my whole family and changed a dog’s life which will forever fill me with happiness and relief.
They were very understanding and supportive with my hard decision. Made me feel confident my decision was the right one.
14
Third Party Feedback
Third Party’s Relationship with Client %
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 pie chart on the right breaks down the type of relationship respondents to the Third Party Feedback Form had with the client for forms received in 2023/24:
==> picture [123 x 85] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
I referred the client to Our Special Friends
I am a professional who Our Special Friends
referred the client to
I am a family member or friend of the client
I am a volunteer helping the client for Our
Special Friends
Other
----- End of picture text -----
The Third Party Feedback Form also gave a list of statements, asking 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:
Our Special Friends Third Party Reported Impact 2023/2024
Narrative feedback from third parties included the following:
My parents have been able to keep their dog with the support of Our Special Friends. Without them Sandy may have had to be rehomed.
The dog walking facility Our Special Friends offered has been invaluable … [it] has been so useful for those of us looking after him as ‘another pair of eyes’ and lovely for the client especially when housebound.
15
CASE STUDY ‘Enid’, ‘Honey’ and ‘Rebecca’
In August 2023, OSF received an urgent referral from Adult Social Services for a lady, ‘Enid’, aged 73, who was in hospital and needed to stay in overnight but was close to self-discharging as she had no one to feed and look after her beloved 12-year-old dog, ‘Honey’. Social Services were requesting help for someone to go and check on the dog and feed her.
Unfortunately, when Our Special Friends called back, the Social Worker who had referred Enid wasn’t working and the person on duty wasn’t aware of the situation. Luckily, Enid’s son had managed to arrange for the neighbour to check on the dog that night.
Enid doesn’t have a strong support network around her that can help as her son lives 50 miles away and there have been a lot of fallings out within the family so no other help was available. Due to this, the son was feeling exhausted and experiencing care giver burden, meaning foster care for Honey was urgently needed.
Honey experiences separation anxiety if left alone as she is used to the company of Enid 24/7. However, within three days of OSF receiving the referral, OSF had found a perfect match of fosterer as the volunteer, ‘Rebecca’, works from home. A WhatsApp group was created with Enid’s son and granddaughter as well as Rebecca. This allowed regular updates to be sent and the granddaughter shared the photos with Enid when she visited her in hospital. This provided great comfort to Enid knowing Honey was being well cared for. Rebecca looked after Honey for three days before she was returned home.
In less than a week, Enid was back in hospital and Honey needed fostering again. Thankfully, Rebecca was available to look after the dog again. This time it was nine days before Enid and Honey could be reunited. During this time, Honey ventured into town and experienced her first ‘puppuccino’. She also provided much comfort to Rebecca’s teenage daughter.
Rebecca said:
“Honey is a really chilled vibe and her being here is helping my daughter massively as well. She has had a tough time at school over the past year and the girl friendship dynamic drama gets a bit much for her at times, so Honey seems to have done her the world of good as well… She’s been the best house guest. Such a lovely, lovely girl…We love her so much!!”
Enid’s granddaughter said:
“Thank you so much for how much love and reassurance you are giving Honey to make her feel settled. I’ve been showing my Nan the pictures daily and letting her know what Honey has been up to which makes her smile.”
Enid’s son said:
“You are all heroes, mother will forever [be] in your debt, it is the knowing for her, she is so attached to Honey. Everything you are doing is much appreciated - thank you - and it is taking so much worry and pressure off…We’ve been loving the photos and updates.”
Images above: Enid reunited with her beloved dog Honey Honey enjoying a ‘puppuccino’ while in foster care
16
ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP COORDINATOR’S STORY
Trina’s Story: From a classroom full of children to an office full of dogs
After 12 years of teaching in primary schools, I was ready for a change in career. As much as I loved teaching and inspiring the next generation, I was fed up and exhausted with the ever-increasing paperwork and politics involved in education. I knew I needed to make a change to improve my own wellbeing and when I saw the job as an Animal Companionship Coordinator at Our Special Friends (OSF) it felt like the job description was written for me; it was literally my dream job! Helping people and helping animals.
So, I took the leap of faith and decided to apply. I was very excited when I was offered an interview but also super nervous. I hadn’t had an interview outside of teaching for over 12 years. However, once I arrived at the office in Newmarket, and was greeted by the waggy tails and wet noses of the office dogs, I felt more at ease. The human and animal health and welfare sector were completely new to me, but I did have
many transferable skills and knowledge from my time teaching. I was offered the job and felt very excited to start this new chapter of my career but also felt sad to be leaving teaching behind.
After my first week at OSF, I knew I had made the right decision. I was welcomed into the team, and I certainly enjoyed the novelties of not being a teacher.
My job as an Animal Companionship Coordinator is a very varied role, where no two days are the same. It involves meeting and assessing clients in the community for our Animal-Assisted Activity programme or for dog walking support. I still sometimes pinch myself that I get paid for having a chat with a client or for taking their dog for a walk to assess its suitability. Don’t get me wrong, at times it can be difficult and upsetting to meet vulnerable people who are lacking the care and support they need but I also get chance to meet people who have amazing stories to share about their lives from fighting in WW2, to travelling the world and even meeting the Pope! I assist with fostering to reunite and provide adoption support, as well as networking, attending events and working closely . with the Volunteer Support Manager to recruit more volunteers.
I thoroughly enjoy my job and it is rewarding knowing that we are helping support people and animals in need. If there is ever a chance for you to join the Our Special Friends team, then I would highly recommend it!
Trina being welcomed to the office by Willow
17
ANIMAL COMPANIONSHIP COORDINATOR CASES
Dog Walking
A 76-year-old was referred to us by Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System because she needed help walking her dog due to having heart failure. OSF provides weekly dog walking, which also gives peace of mind for the client in case she is admitted to hospital. The client used to stay awake at night worrying about what would happen to their dog.
Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA) A 79-year-old was referred to us for AAA by a social prescribing link work. The client is receiving palliative care for Parkinson’s and his wife is the main carer. As a couple they were struggling with feeling isolated and the client was feeling depressed. He had emigrated here from New Zealand and has no family locally. The AAA visits allow the wife respite in addition to providing animal companionship which they both enjoy. The volunteer even took the client to meet their pony.
Foster to Reunite
A 38-year-old single mum with a toddler contacted us requesting fostering for her two dogs as she moved into emergency accommodation with a no pet policy following a no-fault eviction. The client’s sister was only able to provide a month of respite care for the dogs. OSF put a plea on Facebook and their old school friend saw and fostered dogs two days before deadline.
18
Foster to Reunite
Fostering needed for two cats as a family had moved into emergency accommodation with a no “© pet policy. They were evicted after eight years as <4 landlord sold the house. OSF organised a cattery, a vet appointment for vaccinations and advocated x 3. for the family to stay with their pets.
Foster to Reunite
Fostering for a dog due to the owner requiring hospital admission. The client was referred to us by their vets as they were refusing the operation if there was no-one to look after their dog. OSF was contacted with just three days notice, but stepped in and found two volunteers who fostered the dog, allowing the client extra time to recover postoperation.
Rehoming Support
OSF were contacted by an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner for help to support a 75-year-old client who bought a German Shepherd puppy. The client had health issues and needed an oxygen machine. Initially, OSF provided advice and financial support, as the client had a support network to help with the puppy. Unfortunately, the support network didn’t help, and the client made the difficult decision to rehome the dog. OSF provided emotional support during this.
19
VOLUNTEER MANAGER’S REPORT
Frances Day, Volunteer Manager
Recruitment and activity/successes
This year our recruitment rate has increased, and we have successfully recruited 43 new volunteers. We are proud to report that our retention rate continues to be high, with 25% of our active volunteers having been with us for over 5 years. This demonstrates the incredible commitment that our volunteers show us, as well as the community that we have built over the years.
Our Special Friends has supported five Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) students to complete their awards which encourages young people to enhance their skills, grow in confidence and help their community. OSF works hard to match DofE students to cases that will raise awareness of the unmet need in their community as well as help develop skills to use
throughout their lives.
“I think this whole experience is giving Freya good life skills and a sense of duty and has been rewarding.” – AJP, mother of DofE student
OSF provided ten in-house training opportunities for our volunteers. These included repeats of our core training such as Case Discussions, Bereavement and Grief and Animal First Aid, as well as new sessions from external providers e.g. Sight Training (delivered by Suffolk Sight) and Having Difficult Conversations (delivered by St Nicholas Hospice Neighbours). On the 26th June, we also hosted another successful Volunteer Celebration Event to thank our volunteers for their continued support.
This year, we have developed a working partnership with our new Animal Companionship Coordinator (ACC). This role has helped identify opportunities to recruit new volunteers, as well as match them to cases with ongoing support. Before the appointment of the ACC role, the tasks were predominantly carried out by volunteers. With the limited availability and capacity of volunteers, it is evident that this needs to be a paid-for role.
Survey
We received 48 responses to the annual Volunteer Survey, similar to previous years. In summary, volunteers feel very well supported. With regards to how rewarding volunteering with OSF is, no volunteers scored 3 or less and 90% said they would strongly recommend their friends and family to volunteer with us. Whilst we provided training sadly over 40% said they were ‘offered but didn’t attend’. While 42% of respondents say they do more than one role for the charity, 17% said they would like to do more, so we will look to addressing this response.
Challenges
This year, our referrals have become incredibly complex. Our team of assessors, along with the service delivery team, have needed to determine whether some cases are appropriate to be matched to a volunteer.
Call for help and the year ahead
In the year ahead we will look to enhance our volunteer community. We have identified a need for a volunteer fundraising group. We hope that this team will be able to coordinate fundraising opportunities and events. We are also planning to improve our fosterer recruitment experience by developing a bespoke induction for them. The need for fosterers is increasing and our capacity is limited.
To volunteer with us, complete our online form at www.ourspecialfriends.org/download-volunteer/
16 20
Our Special Volunteers 2,496 AAA Visits 43,392 foster hours •• 39 new volunteers "Good communication. Outstanding support for clients and volunteers" •• "Every time I visit a client it means the world for them and for me and my dog. You can clearly see how their mood Changes and rt's really satisfying" Dog Walks in house training opportunities "Makes volunteers feel valuable" reported they have been offered relevant and useful training would recommend volunteering with Our Special Friends to friends and family 99% 980 Promoting, preserving and providing the power of animal companionship 21
VOLUNTEER STORY Juliet and Mabel
“I’m glad the rescue centres turned me down”
Juliet Thomason explains how rejection turned to joy.
I’ve been a volunteer with other charities in the past, in particular with the Meals on Wheels service, but working for Our Special Friends is quite different. That’s because the aim of our CEO and founder of the charity, Belinda Johnston, was to create a community of animal lovers who help each other as well as the clients. And from personal experience, I know how this does work both ways.
Firstly, I would not have my lovely Border Terrier, Mabel, if it were not for help from OSF, and second, because one of our volunteers and now a good friend, Carole Langton, kindly looked after her for six weeks after I had a shoulder replacement operation. My right shoulder had smashed when I fell while walking Mabel and since I’m right-handed, and live alone, life would otherwise have been difficult. I really appreciated the help.
Mabel and I have now been visiting a bed-bound elderly lady in Bury St Edmunds for two years. She so enjoys our visits as otherwise all she can do is watch TV all day. She has dementia, but so did my late husband, so together with my years of delivering meals to lonely elderly people, I understand and empathise with her.
In the five years I’ve been a volunteer with OSF, I have regularly visited other people with Mabel, walked the dogs of clients who are not mobile, and have occasionally helped with pet care and providing transport. Relationships do not necessarily end when the initial need has been met. I used to visit a lovely, very bright lady and take her old Spaniel for a walk, but now that the dog is reluctant to walk I still call in to see the owner. I enjoy whatever I do for OSF, everyone is so friendly.
As for the rescue centres that turned me down in 2019, I wish they could see me now on my hour-long walks with Mabel.
I used to live on a farm just outside Newmarket and when I lost my Border Collie I thought I would ‘downsize’ for my next dog as I intended to move to Bury St Edmunds within the next few years. I contacted several rescue centres and was turned down as being over 70 and too old, even though I was fit. I didn’t want a puppy, neither did I want an old dog as I’d been through the distress of losing one to cancer. A lifelong dog owner, I was desperate for canine company again.
Thankfully, friends introduced me to Belinda, who found Mabel for me. Then three years old, Mabel had been returned to her breeder due to a marriage break-up, and the breeder interviewed me to ensure the dog was this time going to a good forever home. The right age, and easier for me to manage than a large Collie, she’s proved perfect. And it seems that she’s thanked OSF in her own way, by becoming a visiting AAA dog, while I’ve been rewarded by making several new friends.
==> picture [92 x 9] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Image : Mabel and Juliette
----- End of picture text -----
“And it seems that she’s thanked OSF in her own way, by becoming a visiting AAA dog, while I’ve been rewarded by making several new friends.”
2222
CASE STUDY Ted, Aida and Blue
In May 2022, Ted was referred to Our Special Friends (OSF) by the NHS Integrated Neighbourhood Team. Recently widowed, Ted, 87, struggled with low mood and isolation. Having been diagnosed with arthritis and COPD, Ted was housebound, and although his family were supportive, they did not all live locally, leaving Ted feeling very alone.
When an OSF Volunteer Assessor met Ted, he shared fond memories of his late Jack Russell Terrier and other dogs he had owned previously. Missing the canine companionship, Ted was eager for OSF to arrange weekly visits from a volunteer and their dog. Although Ted smoked, he agreed to refrain from smoking two hours before visits and to air out his flat to ensure a comfortable environment for the dog and the volunteer.
We identified a potential volunteer, Aida, who had previously visited another client whose health had deteriorated and meant visits were no longer possible. Aida has a lovely 7½ year old friendly Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Blue, who she had brought over from Spain, and they
started visiting Ted in July 2022. Ted delighted in Aida’s visits and interacting with Blue, getting her to sit, and practising Blue’s skills such as balancing treats on her nose before flicking her head up to catch them! He even bought Blue a special water bowl for the warm weather. Blue, loving the attention and treats, quickly adapted to her role in providing companionship.
Aida’s weekly visits continued until Ted sadly passed away at the end of February 2024. Ted’s granddaughter notified Aida, who was deeply saddened as she was just about to arrange their next visit. Aida attended Ted’s funeral, where a photo of Ted and Blue was lovingly included in the order of service.”
Aida told us how right from the start, the match: “was a complete success as Blue and Ted felt an instant connection on the very first visit (I guess the treats and cuddles helped!).
For a little bit more than a year, Blue and I visited Ted once a week, and during this time became genuine good friends. We would have our ‘moan-ments’, but mostly there was a lot of laughter. I really miss the stories he used to tell me about the air force, and all the travelling he did around the world. You could perfectly imagine the places by the descriptions he gave. Also, he would tell me about his family, how happy he was with them, and how he met his lovely wife.
I think Animal Companionship is just amazing. How much positive impact a single hour can have in a person’s life, and to see the improvement in their mental health and wellbeing. For example, we would start the visits with “my back aches today” or “I have been a little bit down this week” and finish with laughter, teaching new tricks to Blue, and spoiling her with treats and cuddles.
Not only would the visits positively affect Ted’s day, but also mine, and that feeling lasted long after the visit had ended. I got to know Ted really well and we become good friends. It made me feel great, that I was being helpful when I took Blue to visit him, socialising and bringing a smile to his face. Visiting Ted made me really happy, and it felt very gratifying to see that he enjoyed the time with us too”
Ted’s son said to Aida: “I just wanted to let you know that he loved your visit every time you went with Blue. He told me all about them every night when I called him, he loved talking to you about places in Spain ... Thank you for doing what you do visiting people that need some company and entertainment from your sweet dog.”
Image above: Ted enjoying Blue’s visit
23
ri
THE YEAR AHEAD
Looking to the future, we need to continue to strive for multi-year core funding, demonstrate our impact and share our knowledge to encourage others to be pet-inclusive. Our cases are often very complex and involve many variables, which makes quantifying impact challenging. We intend to review our data capture and analysis to improve evidence of outputs, outcomes and impact.
Financially, we know we are too reliant on grants and trusts and need to diversify our income. Therefore, we are aiming to recruit a new fundraising colleague to nurture the local community support and increase individual and corporate giving.
Our growing compassionate community really appreciates how important it is to keep people and beloved pets together, and to help them live well together. However, there are many barriers and challenges. The biggest is housing, specifically temporary and emergency housing which do not allow pets, resulting in additional significant distress, and sometimes homelessness or forced relinquishment.
We are undertaking a strategic review to make the most of our resources and to ensure that our evidence is fully evaluated and our knowledge is used to influence change.
We want to continue to answer telephone calls and reply to enquiries as soon as possible. We must maintain this quality of support if we are to influence others.
We are having to be reactive because others are saying “no”. Animal companionship is not all positive and we are evidencing a lot of challenges especially when there is significant mental health or critical changes in circumstances. We want to encourage more care planning where there are pets, so when owners need support it is clear and easy for others to step in. Research is needed for the most effective solutions to safeguard the health and welfare of people and animals; and we will explore working with academics to be part of this. We have useful data that needs to be analysed.
Lack of pet-inclusive housing and the crises in so many sectors means that community outreach is vital in this everchanging and challenging world. The dearth of community care is making it increasingly difficult for everyone experiencing vulnerability. We need joined up integrated services and proactive care planning to help prevent crises.
Our society needs widespread pet-inclusive accommodation, including sheltered housing, care facilities, mental wards and homeless hostels, and strong networks of multi-disciplinary support for these important life-enhancing and life-saving human-animal bonds.
Our collaborative approach is only possible with sustainable funding, vital volunteers and policy changes. We are proud of our role in identifying and supporting unmet need and look forward to doing more. There is a busy time ahead.
Image opposite: Irene and Blue
25
FINANCIAL STATEMENT Our Special Friends Company Lirnitod by Guarants• Financial statemonts Year endod 30 April 2024 Page Twstees. annual report (Incorporallng ts dlre¢tors' repcfft) 27 Indeent examin*s report to ts trustees 33 Statement of flnanclal aCtIeS oncdIng Income and exPre accourt) Balance sheet 35 Notes to the finarKial statwnert8 36 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 26
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Tru8t068' annual rnport (incorporating th• dir•ctorn' rnport) Yaar ended 30 April 2024 The trustees, vhK) are also the direth for the purp)ses of company law, present their rewt and the UnalIted financial 8tatempAts of the tharity for th8 year ended 30 April 2024. The flnandal statemerts have been prepwed In xcordance the accourrtlng Fjjlldes set out In notes to the accounts and compty Imth the charitys gDveming doojment, the Chariti'es Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006 and AccountirwJ and RewrtiThJ by Chaiibes: Statement of Recommended Practice apTIcable to charltle$ preparlng thelr a¢Unts In a(danCe 1h ts Flnanclal ReportlNJ Stsndard appll¢atle In the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019. Chairs rnport If you wish read Chai¢s Report for Our Special Friends please see the annual report preceding these Rofernnce and administrative dotailB Registered charity name r Special Frier Charlty reglstrallon number 1156778 Company reglgtratlon number 08769892 Principal offic8 and ragistorBd West End House offlce Upper Green Higham Bury St EdmuThJs Suffo IP28 6PA Th• truste The trustee8 wt 8erved duriNJ Ihe year arnl at the of apwoval were a8 follcr•M: Dr M Johnston MA VetMB PhD MRCVS (Chair) R Ferguson ffreasurer) C Bradbume Dr E Omerod BVMS CF R Stephens {ApwJinted 07102r2024) R Sullfvan (Appolnted 16108r2024) Dr J Gumey MB ChB. MA (Resigned 24107r2024) Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Tru8t068' annual rnport (incorporating th• dir•ctorn' rnport) Yaar ended 30 April 2024 The trustees, vhK) are also the direth tr the purp)ses of company law, present their rewt and the UnalIted financial 8tatempAts of the tharity for th8 year ended 30 April 2024. The flnandal statemerts have been prepwed In xcordance the accourrtlng Fjjlldes set out In notes to the accounts and compty Imth the charitys gDveming doojment, the Chariti'es Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006 and AccountirwJ and RewrtiThJ by Chaiibes: Statement of Recommended Practice apicable to charltle$ preparlng thelr accounts In ac¢(%dance 1h ts Flnanclal ReportlrKJ Stsndard appllcalle In the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019. Chairs rnport If you wish read Chai¢s Report for Our Special Friends please see the annual report preceding these Rofernnce and administrative dotailB Registered charity name r Special Frier Charlty reglstrallon number 1156778 Company reglgtratlon number 08769892 Principal offic8 and ragistorBd West End Hwse offlce Upper Green Higham Bury St EdmuThJs Suffolk IP28 6PA Th• truste The trustee8 wt 8erved duriNJ Ihe year arnl at the of apwoval were a8 follcr•M: Dr M Johnston MA VetMB PhD MRCVS (Chair) R Ferguson ffreasurer) C Bradbume Dr E Omerod BVMS CF R Stephens {ApwJinted 07102r2024) R Sullfvan (Appolnted 16108r2024) Dr J Gumey MB ChB. MA (Resigned 24107r2024) Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 28
Our Special Friends Company Limitod by Guarantee Truste, annual rnport (incorpornting tho dir•ctor8' rnport) (conffnuodj Yaar anded 30 April 2024 Palron Lord Fairhaven DL KStJ Team Dr B Johnston MRCVS. CEO, Fwntsrand Lead Practstr G Reld. Anlm81 Companh)n8hip 1¥8Lttttioner F Day. Volunleer Support Manager J Connolty, Chaty Manager Supported 'ln the ¢)fflce' by volunt••rn: R Clarke, Mathetlng 8nd PR K Mallet, SeNice Delwery C Singleton. SeThKe Delivery J Webb. Admin Support C Guy, Admin Support S Day. Adfftin Support C Gord¢)n, Admln Support Ass*ted by: S Bra01, Fln8n Tdlw, Finance Pald Advlsers J Bradbume LLB {Ldan) LLM Cantab Voluntary Advl8•rn Dr D Carson BVSc(Syd) MRCVS Dr D Rook LL.B(Hons) LLM, Dknv FHEA Dr H Crawford BVSC PGCertSAECC MRCVS L Dickson CGMA Caseron J Grossart MA MRICS Dr J Little%X)d MA PhD BVSc(Hon8) DVR DVD MRCVS Veterinary Demiatology Referrals Dr C Mayer MBBCh FRCPsych. Consullant Psythiatrist P M¥heW FCIPD A Reynold8 Bankern BaayS Bank 20r21 Comhlll Bury Sl Edmund8 IP33 1DY Independent oxamlner L Thurston FCCA Lov1 Blake LLP Flrst Floor Sulie 2 Hi118ide Busine88 Park Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EA Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 29
Our Special Friends Company Limited by Guarantee Tru8t0•8' annual report (incorpornting tho dirKtor8' rnport) (conffnuodj Year ended 30 April 2024 ObjKIiv•8 and aciivits88 If you wish to read about the obiecbves and activi of Ow sla1 Friends please see the annual report preceding th888 aCUnts. Public bonofft In shaping our obiecbves for the and planning our ales. the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on Public Benefft including. The Public Benefft Requirem1 (PB1). Running a Charity (P82) Reporting (PB3). Achlw•ments and porfomianc• If you wish to read about the achievrnts and perfomHnce of Our Speoal Friend8 please see the annual report preceding these account& Flnanclal revl Total incom8 for lh8 ended 30 April 2024 vrd8 £227.277 whith was 81ighUy up on th8 IX8ViOU8 year (2023: £222,569). We contlnue to rdy prlmarfty on grants, and the average amount of each each grant Is sb'll relatively k. We Iherefore rely on a constart of Succes8 appli(ztion8 to fund our services and maintain r8s8rv8S. While a broad spread of funders redS the risk inherent ith just one or two major providers, the lime and effort required to ap. secure and report on IF58 grants is significant for a small charity. Our ftrture grÉMth will therefore depend on securing income from a wder range of sources. In particular, we are seeking a communty fundraiser and ideally we would also like to find organisation or individual prepared to support our core operations with multi yw fvn(IrvJ. In addltlon trj fvndralslrMJ to support our charltable actlvltles, we belleve there Is an Increaslngty strong case for local aulhoriti'es and welfare agencies to contract with u8 to provide ow 8ervice8. Expenditure for the Jtar increa8ed to £278,261 (2023: £239,448). The increase 18 primarily due lo higher staff costs. The main impxt was a full ys cost of our animal Compannship C¢inator. vtho joined part way through the prior year. RMerv88 Pollcy Unrestrlcled reserves at 30 Awll 2tr24 were £75,863 (2023: £142,259). If the level of unrestricted reserves falls below 6 months of unrestricted expenditure the Trustee5 will detemiine whal action is required to be taken in order to irrtxeage reserves in line with our ley. As at the year end unrestn'cted reserves amunted lo 5 (2023: 7) months of unrestricted costs. Th8 Chaiitys reserv88 policy is to a180 maintain totsl r888rves al a18vel adequatè to protect 118 ongoing work from significant flucluations In fundlr4J. As at the year end total reserves re £136,885 (2023: £185,869). The tru8tee8 are 8atisfied wilh the level of reserves. Plans for fvture perfods Ir you wsh to read aboul the plans for fure of Our Spe(xal Friends please S the annu81 rep(xt preceding these accounts. Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 30
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Tru8t068' annual rnport (incorporating th• dir•ctorn' rnport) {conUnu Yaar ended 30 April 2024 8tructure• governance and management The chaiity 18 a ragi8t8r8d charity and a company limited by swararrtae. The chwita1I8 company wa8 Incorporated on 11 November 2013 (numbw 08769892) and became a reglstered charlty (number 1156778) on 23 April 2014. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association. which 8ets out its object8 and powers and is governed under ils Arlides of Assoaation. In the event of the cixnpany belng VUnd up members are requlred to contrlbute an amount not ex¢eedlng £10. Gurrent board of lJusle88 and the tharvJes lch have occurred since the pwous annual rep(xt are as stated in the reference and adminislrative delails of these accounls. None of the Trustees have any beneficial interest in Ihe Charitable Company. Appolnlm•n( Inductlon and tralnlng of trust•8s New trustees are recruited through a combination of adverfising, recommendation, and per80nal contact Appointments are rev1wd and approved by the Board and all trustees are provided with a detailed induction. Rl8k management Management has revIe• the major rfsks to whlch the Charlty Is exposed. Where approprfate systems or procedures have been e8tabli8hed lo mitigale the risks the Charity faces. As is the case for many Charities, extemal furKling represents a risk to the stabilty of the Charity. Our Special Friends enjoys the support from number of loyal donors, costs are closdy monit(Ked lo wwre the Charity opwates wlhin Its means and the Charity maintains some reserve8, all of which mnimise exposwe to this risk. TNsta• rnsponsibilili The trustees, whD are al80 direclors for the purFSe8 of company law, are responsible for preparing the trust885' rnport and the financial statements in accordance with apICable law arKI United Kingdom Ac¢ountlng Standards (Unlted KINJdom General Accepted Accounllng Practlce). Company law requires the tharity trustees to prepare financial Statsments tr each year 1¢h give a true and fair view of state of affairs of the charilable company and the incoming resr and application of resources, indudirwJ the income and exwditure. for that peric*J. In preparing th888 financxal 8tat8ments. th8 ITU8t888 required to: S818Ct suitable accounting policies and then ap them consistenty. observe the melp$ and prlneiples In the appllcable Charllles SORP; make judgments and accounting th'mates that are re&8onable and prudenl; prepare the firk3nrial statements on going concem basbs unless it is inapprowiate to wesume that th8 charity 11 continue in business. Tre trustees are responslble for keeplng adequate accounllrwJ records that are suffldent to shtyw and explain the charitys transactions and disdose with reasonable accurxy at any b'me the financial position of the charty and enable them to ensurn thal the financial stalemenls with the Companies Act 2006. TPEY are also responslble for safeguardlng the assets of the ¢harlty and hence for taklng reasonable steps for the prevenlion and detedion of fraud and other irregulariti'es. Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 31
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Tru8t068' annual rnport (incorporating th• dir•ctorn' rnport) {conUnu Yaar ended 30 April 2024 Golng concern Through con8id8ration of report8 on incom•, expenditure and of fOra8 for the next tW81ve month8, Trustees have analysed any rfsks to the charity, and have Identrfled no material uncertalntles that cast doubl abrt Ihe abilty of the company to continue as a goiThJ COrKn. Indopndent examln•r reappolnlm•nt A resolution to appoint L Thurston FCCA of Lovthvel Blake LLP as indep&Klent examiner will be proposed at the nexi Annual General Meeting. Small company provlsk•ns Thi8 report has been prepared takirrfj advantage of Ihe small companies, exempb.on of section 415A of the Companies Act 20(k%. 9 October The tru8tee8' annual report wa8 approved cm .............................. and signed on behalf of the t#)ard of trus Fe uson Trustee and treasurer Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 32
Our Special Friends Company Limited by Guarantee Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of Our Special Friends Year ended 30 April 2024 I report to the charty trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the company for the year ended 30 April 2024 which comprise the ststement of financial activitses {including income and expenditure account), balance sheet and the related notes. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the pparation of the financial statements in accordance Vth the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (Ihe 201% Act,). Having satisfied myself that the financial ststements of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your companws financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act,). In carying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examlnefs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act,. or the financial ststements do not accord those records: or the financial statements do not compty with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and faiff view which is not matter considered as part of an independent examination; or the financial ststements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended practi for accounts.ng and reporting by charities applicable to charrties preparing their accounts in accordance wsth the Finanal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). I have no concems and have come across no other rnattet5 in connection wth the exarnination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. L Thurston FCCA Independent Examiner Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EA 11 October 2024 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 33
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Statsmont of financial activitie8 (including income and expenditure account) Year gnd8d 30 April 2024 2024 2023 fund8 funds Total funds Total fund8 Income and •nd¢Y•vmonts Donation8 and18gacie8 Charltable actmtles Other trading ath'vitie8 Investment i1me 31,852 58,950 20,500 114,283 52,352 173,233 33.547 188,397 309 316 1,692 92,494 1,692 227,277 Total incom 134,783 222,569 Expenditurn Rai8ing funds Expenditure on raising funds Charitable activitses 10,934 147,956 158,890 20,C 97,371 117,371 30,934 245,327 276,261 38,911 200,535 239,446 10 Total expendlture Net exp¢ndlture and net movenxnt In funds (66.396) 17,412 (48,984) (1e,877) Roconciliatlon of fundg Total fvnds Ixought forward Total funds carrled forward 142,259 75,863 43,610 61,022 185,869 136,885 202,746 185,869 Th8 8tatefflent of finanrAal activiti88 includ88 all gains and108888 rn11 in the r. All Income and expIjre derfve from contlnulng activtiies. Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Balanc• 8h••t 30 April 2024 2024 2023 Curnnt ass•ts Debtors Cash at bank and In hand 16 139,010 198,574 196,135 199,783 Credltors: Amounts falllng due vrtthln one year 16 (61,889) (13,914) Not curront assets 136,885 136,885 185,869 185,869 Total a880ts1088 current Ilablllllos Not as8•ts 136,885 185,869 Funds of the charlty Restricted funds Unrestricted furKIs 61,022 75,863 136,885 43,610 142.259 185.869 Total charity funds For the year ending 30 Aprrl 2024 the charity was entiued to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Compani88 Act 2006 relating to Small companies. Directors, responsibilities: The membern have not r4uired the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the y in qStion in accordance wlh secaion 476: The director8 ackn¢y4Aedge their re4)onsibilits for comFtyiNJ ¥th the requirements of the Aci with respect to a¢untIng records aNJ the preparakn of fina181 statements. financial statemerts have been prepar1 in acc(Ydance with the provi8ions applicable lo c(xnpanies subject to the small companies, reoime. TPse financial Statements were approved by the board of trustee8 and auihorised for issue on , and ar8 signed on behalf of the board by: R Ferguson Tn&8tee and treasurer Company registration number. 0876982 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 35
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Not•8 to tho financial 8tatsm•nts Yaar ended 30 April 2024 General Infommllon Th8 charity 18 a public benefit tity and a privat8 oxnpany limited by guaran188. r8gi8tered in ErwJlaThl and Wales and a reglstered charlty In England and Wales. The address of the registered office and operating addr&83 18 West End Housq Upper Green. Higham. Bury St Edmunds, SuffolK IP28 6PA. 8taiemont of compliance The charity conslitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial sL7tements have been prepared in acCdanCe with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of RecommerKled Practice appli¢atAe ts tharities prepanng their accounts in acrdanCe with the Financial Reportrng StarKlard applicalA8 in the UK and Republic of Ireland i3su8d in October 2019. the Flnanclal Reportlng Slandard appllcable In the Unlted Klngdom and Republlc of Ireland (FRS 102), the Chantie8 Act 2011, the Companies Act 20 ar#J UK Generally Accepted Accounling Practice. Accounllng poll¢les Bas18 of prnparallon The flnandal statements have been prepared M the hlstorlcal cost basls, as modttled by the revaluation of rtain financial a88el8 ar#J I1.'tieS and investment woperties measured at fair value through income or expenditure. The financial statements are prepared in sterfing, which is the fvnctional of the entity. GDlng concern Th8 account8 hav8 b88n prepared th8 wing con(xm ba8is the trusl88s b81i8ve thal no materfal uncertalntles e51. Tr trust have consldered the level of fijnds held and the expected income and expendiiure for the next 12 months from authorising tte financial statement8. The budgeted income and expendilure is suffi¢xrt yth the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going corKern. Fund acGountlng UnreslTlcted are avallable for use at the dscretlon of the trustees to further any of the drft$ Designated funds are unre8tricted fund8 eami¥ked by the trustee8 for partIlar future pr(¥ect or commilment. R88triclad fund8 are subjected to restrictions on their expenditurn dedarnd by the donor or through the lemis of an appe81. and f811 Into one of SUta&Ses. restrcled Income funds or endowment funds. Incom• All income is included in the 8latement of fin81 activibes when enttllement has passed to the charity, rt is probable that the economic benefits a$sated vAth the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The followirvJ 8P8cific policaes are applied lo particular categories of income: Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 36
Our Special Friends Company Limitod by Guarantee Noto8 to th• financial statsm•nt8 fccnllnuo Yaar anded 30 April 2024 xcountlng pollcles (rtInu•d) Income (c41nOnu•d) - income from donations or grants is recognised when there 18 evid8n(x of errtitlem8nt to the gi recelpt Is probable and Its amount can be measured rellably. - legaGy in(x)me is rwni8ed when relpt is prob)18 a1 entiuemerrt is 83tak1i8hJ. - income from donated gocxls is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this 18 impractical to measure reliaw, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the don¢X or the estimated resale value. Donated facAlitie8 and 8ervi(xs are r8cogni88d in th8 accA)urts when r1ved if the value can be rellably measured. No amounts are Induded for the contrltxrtlon of general vdunteers. - Income from contracts for tho supply of seNlces Is renISed vAth the dellvery of the contracted service. This 18 da8srfied as unrestricted funds unle&8 there 18 a contractual requirement for it lo be spenl on a particular purpose and retumed rf unspert in vthich case rt may be regarded as restricted. Expendlture Expenditurn is rn(wni88d on an a(XnS basi8 as a liabilty 18 incu1. Expenditure indude8 any VAT vthlth cannot be fulty r0¥, arKI Is dasslfied under heodlngs of the statement of flnandal acb'vitie8 to which it relat88: - expendIlu on rai8iNJ funds indudes Ihe costs of all fundraising activibes, evenls, nOnharitab1e trading act'vities, and the sale of dIX gots. - 8XP8nditure on charitable xtivtt]es inrJud88 all costs incurred by a (tsrity in undertaking activtties that further Its charflat4e alms for the benefft of Its benelldarfes, Includlng those support costs and costs relatiTrJ to the pvemance Df the charity apporti¢xted to charitable activitses. - olher expenditure indudes all expenditure that is neilher related lo raising funds for the charity nor part of its experKliture on charitable aclr¥itse& JI Costs are allocated lo expenditure categNies refiecaing the use of the resource. Direct costs attribulable to 8 8irMJle actimty are all¢xated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apwboned between the actiwtie8 they contribute to on a reasonable. justifiable and consistent basis. Tanglble assets TaNJible a88ets are initialty reCded at cost, and subsequ 81ated ai cost le88 any accumulated depreciation and impaimient lo&w. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value al the date of revaluation less any subsequ1 accumulated depreciation and subsequenl accumulated impaimnt losses. These are capiiali8ed if they can be used for m¢xe than one >tar, cost at least £1,000. Depreclatlon Depreciation is calculated 80 a8 to write off Ihe c08t or valuation of an asset, le88 118 residual value, over the useful economic lrfe of that asset as fdluws: Compuier Equipment 33% strdight line Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 37
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Not•8 to tho financial 8tatsm•nts (c Yaar ended 30 April 2024 counllng pollcles fe<%thiu•dJ Flnanclal Instruments A financial as88t or a financial liabilty is rn11 only wh8n the entity be(x>m8s a party to the contractual pr0vlsll ¢y tr* Instrumwrt. BasiG finanryal instrumerts are inilially reGogni8ed at the arnount rale or payable induding any related transaction costs, unless the arraNJement Consti a finanang transaction, %there it is recognised at the Fyesent value of ts fuiure payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument Current assels and current Ilabllllles are Subsequ measured at the cash or other conslderatlon expected to be paid or received and nol discounted. Debt in8trument8 are Subsequ measured at anKXti8ed c08L Limit•d by guarnnt•• The comF)any has no Share capital but is limited by guarantee. Every member Of the company is the guarantor and und8rtak8 to (x>ntiibut8 to the assets of the Ix)mpany in the event of tt b8ing wound up. such amounts as may be requlred. Each guarantors Ilablllty Is Ilmw to £10. Donallons and kgacles Unr8stri¢Aed Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 Donatlon8 Donations and gi Gift aid 30,(X15 1,847 31,852 20,500 50,505 1.847 52.352 20.500 Unrestrithd Restricted Total Funds Fund8 Fund8 2023 Donatlons Donations and gifts Glft ald 31,448 2,099 31.448 2,099 33,547 33,547 Charltablo athltl•s Unrestrided Restricted Total Fund8 Funds Funds 2024 Grants 58,950 114,283 173,233 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 38
Our Special Friends Company Limitod by Guarantee Noto8 to th• financial statsm•nt8 fccnllnuo Yaar anded 30 April 2024 Charltable actlvltles (¢onth14Md) Unre8triL*ed R88tiicted Total Fund8 Funds Funds 2023 Grnnts 79.812 108.585 188.397 Oth•r trading activits88 Unrestricted Total Funds Unre8trided Total Funds Fund8 Funds 2023 Fundrai8irKJ eVts 309 Investsrnnt Inco Unrestrlcted Total Funds Unl¢led Totsl Funds Fund8 Fund8 2023 Irrtere8t receivable 1.692 1.62 316 318 ExpenditurB on raising fund• Unrestricted Restricted Totsl Fund5 Funds Funds 2024 6.819 4.115 20.000 26.819 4,115 Advertlslng and markellrvJ 10,934 20,000 30.934 Unrestricled Funds Restricted Totsl Funds Funds 2023 Outsourced servlces Advertising and markelirvJ Staff costs 14.947 2,024 14.543 31.514 7,397 2,024 14.543 38.911 7.397 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 39
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Not•8 to tho financial 8tatsm•nts (c Yaar ended 30 April 2024 10. Expendltsjre on charltable aclMtI8s Unre8trided Re8tsicted Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 Volunteer costs Anlmal care Msts 4,116 2,199 33,970 15,615 92,056 147,956 4.118 15,697 39,852 15.615 170.047 245.327 13,498 Staff costs 7T.991 97.371 Unrestri(aed Restric Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 Volunteer Costs Animal care costs 3,897 4,052 19,473 24,869 50,092 102,383 3,897 17.441 33,223 24,869 121.105 200.535 13.389 13,750 OLrtsourced s8Nce8 Staff costs 71.013 98.152 11. Independent examlnatlon fees 2024 2023 Fees payable to the ind8pendent examiner for. Ind8wKlerrt examination of the financial 5tatemerrts 1.637 1.800 11 Staff costs The total staff costs and employee benefits fcr the reportirvJ period are analy8ed as follows: 2024 2023 Wage8 and 8alarie8 ScKial security costs Pension costs Staff training and expense8 155,954 10.480 3.614 2,685 124,013 5,289 2.318 4.028 172,733 135,648 The averag& hgad court of employees during the ywr was 5 P023: 5). No employee receAved empbyee benefts of more than £60.000 during the year (2023: N(Th). Key management personnel The key managemenl persmnel of the Chartty comse ts CEO for the charlty. Tr totsl amount of employee bfitS (induding employ pension conlribub'on8) receNed in re8pect of key management personnel amounted £34.827 (2023: £26.674). Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 40
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Not•8 to tho financial 8tatsm•nts (c Yaar ended 30 April 2024 13. Trustee remunerallon and expenses Tru8t888 were reimbur88d exp8 amounling to £Nil (2023: £252) during the year. 1& Tangible f0d assets Equipmont At 1 May 2023 and 30 Aprll 2024 Depreclatlon At 1 May 2023 and 30 Aprll 2024 Carrylng amount At 30 April 2024 At 30 ri12023 3,852 3.852 1& Debtorn 2024 2023 PTrpaym8nts and accTh incam8 Otrr debtors 59.OTT 3.648 59,564 3.648 16. Credltors: Amounts lalllng due wlthln one y#r 2024 2023 Trade creditors Accruals ar deferred Inco Social security arrfl other taxes 3,402 58.287 11,652 2.262 13.914 61.689 17. Deferr incom• 2024 2023 Amount deferred in year 56,650 Defvrred income rdates to condltlonal grart Inm0 ed to wlthln the year on behall of kyojects being completed in folltr1ng years. 18. D•fin•d contribution plan8 The company provides pension benefrts under the NEsf 8cheme. The amount recognised in income or expw#liiure a8 an expen8e in relati( to the defined contribution plans was £3,614 (2023: £2.318). Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 41
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Not•8 to tho financial 8tatsm•nts (c Yaar ended 30 April 2024 19. Anatyslg of charttable fund Year ended 30 Aprfl 2024 At1May 223 Income Expenditure Transfers At 30 Apr 2024 Kennel Club Fund Hollythock Trust Fund Wesl Suffolk Council - Crisis Supp1 Fund Mld Suffolk Dlstrlct Coundl Fund Mars Pet FOCKJ Fund Helen Roll Charity Nati¢)Tr Lottery crynrnuty Fund Suffolk Community Cnl Grart Suffolk Community Foundation - Shadwell Fund Animal Friends Ingurance Wesl Suffolk Council - Public Montal Heallh Fund Ctrop Local Communty Fund Th8 Hobson Charity Suffolk Communlty Foundatlon - Pargtt Trust Fund Florence Cohen Charitatle Trust Sufft)Ik Community Foundation - Mill Trust Fund Suffolk County Council - Localty SupF#xI Fund Pets at Home- Community Parlnerships Baberyh District Council Suffolk Communlty Foundatlon - Blrketts FurKI Global's Make Some Noise West Suffolk Counol - Communlty Che8t AntnY Martin Charitable FurKI AnYnKluS IliVIdual Fund 500 Suffolk Reasons 838 15,7T4 (838) (15,774) 5,000 20,000 1,998 (5,000) (20,000) (1,998) (10,000) (9,580) (907) 10,000 907 1,250 5,000 (1,250) (5,000) 5,000 2,016 5,000 (5,000) (2,016) (5,000) 5,000 2,000 (5,000) (2,000) 2,000 (2,000) 1.000 15,000 20.000 (1,000) 15,000 20.000 1,000 15.550 (1,000) (3,528) 12.022 9,000 5,000 20,000 500 9.000 5,000 po,000) (500) 43,610 134,783 (117,371) 61.022 Unr¢strlcted funds General fvnds 142.259 92.494 (158,890) 75.883 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 42
Our Special Friends Company Limitod by Guarantee Noto8 to th• financial statsm•nt8 fccnllnuo Yaar anded 30 April 2024 Year ended 30 Aprll 2023 Restrlcted funds At1May 21Y22 Income Expendlture Transfers At 30 Apr 2023 West Suffolk Council - Vclunleer Supwt Manager Fund West Sullolk Council - Animal Companionship Pracb'tioner Fund West Suffolk Council - Cri3is Supwl Fu West Suffolk Council UK Shared Prosperfty FurKI Mid SLrffolk District Council Fd K8nn81 Club Fund Hollytr Trust Fund Coco Joelle Foundation Fund Suffolk Community Foundation - Harris Family Fund Suffolk Community Foundalion - David & Jill Simpson Fund Suffolk Community Foundallon - Parglter Trust Fund Suffolk Community Foundalion - Miller Trust Fund Suffolk Community Foundalion - Pargiter Trust Fund Suffolk Community Foundation - Shadwell Fund Helen Roll Charity Cfrop Loc81 Communty Fund Green Hall Foundation Fund Anonymous Indrvidual Fund Charles Hayward FouThlatlon Fund Mars Pet F¢xKI Fund P8t8 at Home Foundation Fund Kennel Club Charftsble Trust Fund 10.000 {10.000) 7,290 (7,290) 5,000 5,000 2,250 20.000 10.000 39.190 5,OlJO (2,250) 20,000 838 15,774 (9.1V2) 123.41e) (5,000) 2.000 p.000) 1,000 (1,000) 2,500 (2,500) 500 (500) 5.000 (5,000) 500 5,0(10 (500) (5,000) (2.145) (5,000) (7.397) (4,000) (1,002) {10.000) (2,387) 40,574 108,585 (105,549) 2.145 5,000 7.397 4,000 3,000 10.000 1,998 2,387 43,610 Unrestrlct•d fundg General FurKIs 162.172 113.984 (133.897) 142,259 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Not•8 to tho financial 8tatsm•nts (c Yaar ended 30 April 2024 Restrlcted fund purpose5: Pets at Home - C¢xnmunity Partner8hip8: Tho income ralved Fmthin thi8 fund 18 rn8trid8d to SUPFth the anlmal welfare support fund. Babergh Dlstrlct Councll: The Ino)me re¢elved wlthln 1$ restrlcted to support anlmal companionship coordinator costs. Global's Make Some Noise: The income 1ved wilhin this fund 18 restricted to 8UPPOrt animal companionship practitioner ccts. West Sufftlk Council - Community Ch88t: Th8 in(X8 thin thi8 fund 18 Trstiicted to support anlmal conwanlonshlp ccxxdlnator costs. Anthony Martln Charflable Fund: The Income recelved 1h1n thls fund Is restrfcted to support the animal welfare SUPPt fund. Th• following rn8trici•d prnj•cts ha bwn compl•t•d: Kenrd Club Fund: Represents income from the Kemel Club Charitable Truc & Mr French re8tn.cted to support anim81 companion8hip practitioner (x>Bts. Hollyhock Trust FurNJ: The incowo received vthhin Ills fund is restricted to sUppt charity manager salary cr>sts. West SLffolk Council - Crisis &pw>rt Fund: The incorn rVed within this fund is restrcted to crisis support and pwenti¢)n. Mid Suffolk Di8trict Council Fund: The income received vthin IIMS fund is re8triC Io 8UPPOrt animal (xxnpanionship coordinator costs. Mars Pet Food Fund: The irKome reCd within Itrms fund is restricted to support the animal welfare 8UPPOrt fund. Helen Roll Charity: The income receiv&J within this fvnd is restricted to supwt animal companionship practitioner costs. National Lottery Community Fund: The income received *ithin this fund is restricted to Support animal companionship coordinator costs in Mid Suffolk. Suffclk Communty Ccmjncil GranL' The income recewj Within this fund 18 restri¢Xed to support VIrttl meetirwJ costs and 4uipmerL Suffdk Communlty Four#Jation- Shadwell Fund: The IrKoffe recelved within this fund18 restricted to support animal companionslmp 8UPPOrt ser¥ice8 cost& Animal Friends In8urance: The income received vAthin thi8 fund 18 restricted to 8UPPOrt Vel c08ts VthIn the animal welfare P•UPPOrt fund. West Suffolk Council - Public Mental H1th Fund: The income received %Mthin this fvrml is restrcted to support anim81 companionship pr8clitioner costs in the Newmarkel area. Cw Local Communty FuThl: The Income recelved thIn thls fvnd Is restrlcted to support voluntser manager costs. Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Not•8 to tho financial 8tatsm•nts (c Yaar ended 30 April 2024 The Hobson Charity: The inccThe receiv&J within this fvnd is restri¢Xed to supwrt vet costs rythIn the animal welfare 8UPPOrt fvnd. Suffdk Communlty Foundatlon - Parglter Trust Fwid: The Income recelved *fjthln thls fund Is restn'cted to support animal companionship support 8ervices costs for the eldth. FlorerKe Cohen Charilable Tn&st: The irKome receNed within this fund is restricted to 8UPPOrt animal companionship support services costs for the elderly. Suffolk Community Foundation - Miller Trust Fund: The incoFrft received Mthin this fund is restricted to support animal compani¢ship P•UPPOrt services costs. Suffdk County CoLmcll - Locallty &pport Fund: The Income recefved thIn thls fijnd Is restrlcted to support boardirvj costs. Suffolk Community Foundation . Birketts Fund: The incoff£ recetved wilhin thi8 fund is restri to support animal Compan1¢x1p 8UPPOrt seNces costs. Anonymous IrKltvidual Fund: The IrMe received Mthin this fund is restricted to support fundraising activitses. 500 Suffolk Reasons The Income re¢elved 1n thls fvnd Is restrlthd to support fvndralslng ath'viti'es. 20. Anatysis of not a88•ts b•lYn funds 30 Aprfl 2024 Ger81 Resblcted Fund8 Fund8 Fund8 Currwrt assets Credttors less than 1 year 137,552 {61,689) 61.022 198.574 (61,889) Not A8tr 75,863 81,022 138.885 30Apiil 2023 Generdl Restn'caed Funds Funds Funds Currnnt a888ts Credltors less than 1 year 156,173 (13,914) 43.810 199.783 (13,914) 142,259 43,610 185.869 Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 45
Our Special Friends Company Lirnitsd by Guarnntso Not•8 to tho financial 8tatsm•nts (c Yaar ended 30 April 2024 21. Related partle B John8ton. CEO of the charity. 18 a f8mity member to Ihe Trustee M Johnst. During the year th8 charlty paid B Johnston amounts tolalllng £38.264 (2023: £27.810). L Ferguson, Is a famlty member to the Trustee R Fgu$(m. Durfng the year the ¢harfty pald L Fwguson amounts for ouisourced Services totall1d £Nil (2023: £5,788). J Bradbume, is a family member to the Trustee C Bradbume. During Ihe year the charity pai(J J Bradbume amounts for outsourced Servi tolalling £4,500 (2Q23: £1,000). There were no 0th8r related party tian8Xti(Th in this or the Fxior yw. Company no 08769892 Charity no 01156778 Image opposile. Janet and Higgins
IiJylJ 47 ou•
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:
Adoption Mission (Mars Petcare) Bury St Edmunds Cathedral Caseron Cloud Accounting Danetre Health Products Denzel’s Everyman Cinema Glasswells
Greene King LickiMat L’Occitane Pet-ID Microchips Ltd Pet Remedy Ltd Scrumbles Vetstream Ltd
And to Trusts and Foundations which, amongst others include:
Annie Tranmer Charitable Trust Anthony V Martin Charitable Foundation Babergh District Council Belstead Ganzoni Charitable Settlement Co-op Local Community Fund D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Florence Cohen Charitable Trust G C Gibson Charitable Trust Global’s Make Some Noise Helen Roll Charity Hobson Charity Leslie Mary Carter Charitable Trust Morley Family Charitable Trust Mrs FB Laurence’s Charitable Trust Mrs L D Rope Third Charitable Settlement
National Lottery Community Fund - Awards for All Newmarket Public Mental Health Programme Pets (at Home) Foundation Postcode Places Trust R&J Gardner Trust Scott (Eredine) Charitable Trust Simon Gibson Charitable Trust Sir Frederick Hiam Charitable Trust Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Ann Rylands Small Grants Suffolk Community Foundation - Birketts Fund Suffolk Community Foundation - Miller Trust Fund Suffolk Community Foundation - Pargiter Trust Fund Suffolk Community Foundation - Shadwell Fund West Suffolk Council Community Chest
Our Special Friends,
c/o British Racing School, Snailwell Road, Newmarket, CB8 7NU 01284 247077 www.ourspecialfriends.org office@ourspecialfriends.org
© Copyright 2024 Our Special Friends
48
36
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