Charity number: 1156954
FRENCH'S CARE HAVEN
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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FRENCH'S CARE HAVEN
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the | |
| charity, its trustees and advisers | 3 |
| Trustees' report | 3-6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Receipts and payments statement | 8 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 8 |
| Notes to the fnancial statements | 9 |
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FRENCH'S CARE HAVEN
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
Trustees
Mrs Jann Turner, Trustee Sharon Bell, Trustee (Appointed February 2025) Simon Haines, Trustee Lee Turner, Trustee Jane Nuttney (Resigned February 2025)
Charity registered number: 1156954
Principal office: Riches Cottage, Stoke Tye, Stoke by Nayland CO6 4RP
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the period of 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
1) Governing Document
The organisation is a charitable incorporated organisation governed by its constitution which was registered with the Charity Commission on 7 May 2014.
2)Method of appointment or election of trustees
The management of the charitable incorporated organisation is the responsibility of the Trustees. Further trustees are appointed by the existing trustee body; there must be at least three trustees.
3) Financial review
The following financial statements are French's Care Haven's charitable activities, and cover the period of activity from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. French's Care Haven's receipts and payments statement shows income of £52,903 expenditure of £53,842 for the period, resulting in a deficit of £939. This includes money held in a 100 Club account.
4) Financial management
The finances have been managed by an external consultant, as the organisation seeks a permanent Treasurer. The organisation banks at Barclays.
5) Reserves
The trustees have not set a formal target for reserves. This will be reviewed each year.
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6) Risk Analysis
The main risk is ensuring that sufficient funds are raised to keep the Care Haven going. The organisation has a lease with Mannings Farm Barn at Castlings Heath in Suffolk.
7) Funding
At the moment, the Care Haven relies solely on donations from members of the public and sponsorship and money raised through giving, holding open days and attending events. During the year donations and sponsorship remained steady. The introduction of the 100 Club has in the past helped to generate more income. It should be noted that several of the prize winners donated their winnings back to the organisation. In 2024/5 income for the 100 Club dropped significantly in the year and the 100 Club was suspended. However, those people who had donated were happy for their donations to be carried forward in case the system was re-activated.
8) Objectives and Activities
a. OBJECTS
The objectives of the charitable incorporated organisation are:
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a) to relieve the suffering of animals, in particular but not exclusively horses, in need of care and attention by providing and maintaining a rescue home and giving appropriate care, protection, rehabilitation, sanctuary, treatment and security for animals that have suffered from maltreatment, neglect, abandonment, rescue or poor circumstances.
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b) To advance the education of people who own and care for animals and provide advice and information to the general public.
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c) to provide educational training for apprentices and those other people looking for employment. This may include people who suffer from a learning disability or people with mental health issues.
b. ACTIVITIES FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES
The trustees arrange and attend events and hold open days to raise awareness of animal care and the changes needed to help stop the growing downward spiral of animal cruelty. The trustees provide information to the general public at events, open days and educational days, as well as working with local colleges, so that young people can come to French's Care Haven for training to gain knowledge, qualifications and work skills for future full-time employment.
9) Meeting the Principles of Public Benefit
The organisation meets the principles of public benefit by rescuing animals (primarily horses) who would otherwise die or live in terrible conditions. It also provides training and volunteer opportunities for people who have difficulties in finding employment, either because of a learning disability, mental health issues or a lack of practical skills.
10) Achievements and Performance
French’s Care Farm has continued its primary objective of caring for animals, primarily horses and donkeys, who are either too old or sick to be cared for elsewhere. The level of care and attention needed by the animals increases
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each year and the cost of living crisis has seen an increase in costs of animal feed and farrier costs, as well as the cost of reimbursing volunteer expenses, including travel costs and refreshments.
The Care Farm now has five large animal shelters, seven smaller shelters, 2 hay sheds, a large tool shed, one large metal container, one large feed, vet and rug wooden outbuilding and one first aid and meeting wooden outbuilding. These all require continued maintenance.
A number of university students from Essex University gained valuable work experience, as did a number of high school work experience pupils and Duke of Edinburgh young people. Many of them discovered the value of hard work and the importance of bonding with animals. The Farm also welcomed a number of home-schooled children.
The Care Farm also worked, free of charge, with individuals who suffered with complex needs and mental health problems, anxiety, depression and loneliness. For them the experience of working with animals helped to relieve many of their symptoms as caring for animals gave them a sense of fulfilment and helped build confidence and peace. A recent case study emphasises the importance of this work as in the letter, the young lady wrote;
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible experience I’ve had working at French’s Care Haven. When I joined French’s, I was in a very dark and difficult place in my life. Being part of this community has helped me so much with my confidence, my physical and my mental health. I feel so fortunate to have spent time caring for such amazing animals, alongside such kind-hearted people. Every day that I spent at French’s has taught me so much, not only about animal care, but also about patience, empathy and resilience. Being part of these animals’ lives and watching them regain their trust, health and spirit has been both humbling and inspiring. I’m especially grateful for the support and warmth of the team. You welcomed me with open arms and made me feel part of the French’s family. Thank you.”
During the year the Farm undertook a number of fundraising activities including an Open Day, a Quiz night, an Easter Egg Hunt, several meal nights, dog walks and a Christmas raffle.
The organisation is very grateful to the regular donors who continue to support the Farm and help with fundraising events, the 17 volunteers who give their time and energy to turn up and work so hard in looking after the animals, mucking out the shelters and undertaking routine maintenance tasks to ensure that the animals stay safe and healthy. In particular this year, the volunteer manager had had bouts of ill health involving some hospitalisation and this has put an extra strain on the volunteer support who come out in all weathers 365 days a year.
11) Future Plans.
The trustees' aims in the 2025/26 financial year are:
- 1) To continue to provide care and attention to relieve the suffering of animals.
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2) To continue to raise awareness, in particular to people who own and care for animals.
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3) To continue to provide educational support for volunteers with anxiety and social confidence problems and those looking for employment.
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4) Our prime goal is to own our own land, so we are not reliant on the good will of landowners. However, the search for a new space is challenging at the moment, as very few opportunities arise in the current difficult financial climate.
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5) We have all the shelters we need and a tool room now. Our animals feed bills and vet bills along with the farrier, come to thousands of pounds a year, which can leave us struggling.
I would like to thank our regular donors and sponsors, without whom we would not survive, those who have provided one-off donations through Paypal and JustGiving and all our volunteers for their hard work and dedication.
TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales 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 incorporated organisation and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. ln preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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~ select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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~ observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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~ make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; ~ prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable incorporated organisation will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable incorporated organisation's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable incorporated organisation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
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Mrs Jann Turner, Trustee
Date:
Independent Examiner’s Report
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
FRENCH’S CARE HAVEN RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Total | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds funds | ||
| 2024/25 | 2024/25 2023/24 | ||
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Individual Donations |
12666 | 12666 15103 | |
| Charity/group Donations | 695 |
695 | |
| 1326 | |||
| Corporate Donations |
27410 | 27410 | |
| 16032 Donations through |
PayPal etc | 2218 | 2218 |
| 1369 | |||
| Fundraising events | 4840 | 4840 | |
| 3042 | |||
| Others (Refunds etc) | 54 | 54 | |
| 792 | |||
| 100 Club Transfer | 540 | 540 | |
| 530 | |||
| Income to 100 Club |
270 |
270 | |
| 1230 | |||
| Gift Aid | 4210 | 4210 6691 | |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS |
52903 52797 | ||
| 46115 | |||
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Charitable Activities |
52966 | 52966 48401 | |
| Shelter and fencing equipment | ---- | ---- | |
| 579 | |||
| Expenditure on 100 Club | 876 | 876 | |
| 1130 |
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| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 53842 | 53842 | 53842 | 53842 | 53842 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50110 | ||||||
| NET RECEIPTS (PAYMENTS) |
(939) | (939) | ||||
| (3995) | ||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 7228 | 7228 | 10553 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 6289 | 6289 | ||||
| 6458 | ||||||
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 MARCH | ||||||
| 2025 | ||||||
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | |||||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | (main account) |
6125 | ||||
| 6458 | ||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand (100 Club) | 164 | |||||
| 770 | ||||||
| TOTAL | 6289 | |||||
| 7228 | ||||||
| NET ASSETS FUNDS | 6289 | |||||
| 7228 | Unrestricted funds | 6289 | ||||
| 7228 | ||||||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 6289 | 7228 |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by
Mrs Jann Turner, Trustee Date:
The notes on the following page form part of these financial statements.
FRENCH’S CARE HAVEN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
2024/25 2023/24 Rent 600 600 Volunteer Travel Refunds & Food (1) 33725 23449 Hay/Straw 3732 4814 Feed 6670 4677 Farrier 3467 2360 Vets / Abbatoir 1069 4161
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| Horse / Equipment | 92 - |
|---|---|
| Maintenance/Tools (3) |
82 1602 |
| Petrol / Oil /Car (2) | 1784 3397 |
| Ofce /Stationery / Snacks | 286 1170 |
| Insurance | 1214 1952 |
| Miscellaneous | 30 219 |
| Fundraising costs (e.g. food at events) | 215 - |
| Sub Total | 52966 48401 |
| Shelters, doors, fencing etc | --- 579 |
| TOTAL | 52966 48980 |
| Expenditure on 100 Club (incl | Transfer) 876 1130 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 53842 50110 |
2) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration (2023/24 - £ NIL). During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind (2023/24 - £ NIL). During the year, no Trustees received any reimbursement of expenses (2023/24 £ NIL).
3) NOTES ON EXPENDITURE
(1) The rise in volunteer expenses was caused by a number of factors – an increase in the number of volunteers who could claim mileage, journeying to the farm at 45p a mile and an increase in the number of miles driven by four of the regular volunteers who lived in the Ipswich area. The move to a farm further away from Ipswich a few years ago resulted in longer journeys and more miles – the regular volunteers also put in several days to undertake further work in the absence of the Volunteer Manager. As most of the volunteers would put in shifts of six hours or over, the Volunteer Manager would also provide them with lunch. This year the Volunteer Manager had bouts of ill health, which meant that volunteers took on extra “shifts” to ensure that the animals were fed and looked after.
(2) The Petrol and car expenses relate to the mileage undertaken by the Volunteer Manager. The car is owned by the charity and the Volunteer Manager undertakes a large number of journeys from home where the car is kept overnight for security reasons as well as collecting supplies, feed, medicine, visits to schools etc.
(3) Maintenance costs of the site were minimal this year, compared to last year when a lot of fencing needed constant repair.
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CHARITY ACCOUNTS 2024/25 INCOME
12 MONTHS: APRIL 2024 – MARCH 2025
| INCOME | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONTH | DONATION REGULAR |
CHARITY DONATION |
CORPORATE DONATIONS |
FUNDRAISING EVENTS |
DONATION THROUGH PAY PAL/JUST GIVING |
GIFT AID | OTHERS (REFUNDS ETC) |
TOTAL |
| April | 1055.00 | 2260.00 | 485.00 | 2297.20 | 66.96 | 6164.16 | ||
| May | 975.00 | 3.93 | 2150.00 | 323.73 | 53.58 | 52.01 | 3558.25 | |
| June | 845.00 | 2150.00 | 588.85 | 302.26 | 3886.11 | |||
| July | 1607.73 | 2150.00 | 1513.78 | 30.61 | 5302.12 | |||
| August | 876.00 | 2150.00 | 61.62 | 3087.62 | ||||
| September | 895.00 | 2150.00 | 11.00 | 3056.00 | ||||
| October | 1830.00 | 2150.00 | 559.20 | 4539.20 | ||||
| November | 962.00 | 41.29 | 2150.00 | 1442.70 | 45.73 | 50.00 | 4691.72 | |
| December | 1375.00 | 650.00 | 2150.00 | 567.12 | 100.00 | 4842.12 | ||
| January | 680.00 | 2150.00 | 1627.64 | 1912.37 | 6370.01 | |||
| February | 885.00 | 3650.00 | 302.93 | 4837.93 | ||||
| March | 680.00 | 2150.00 | 100.00 | 85.00 | 80.00 | 3095.00 | ||
| TOTAL | 12665.73 | 695.22 | 27410.00 | 5580.38 | 2218.11 | 4209.57 | 651.23 | 53430.24 |
EXPENDITURE
| Date | Rent | Feed | Vet | Farrier | Hay | Car | Vol Expense s |
Mainte n |
Equip ment |
Misc/ Insura nce |
Ofce admin |
Misc | Major purcha se |
TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 100.00 | 563.43 | 384.50 | 297.00 | 110.01 | 2622.00 | 65.00 | 4141.94 | ||||||
| May | 659.41 | 40.00 | 202.00 | 384.00 | 212.95 | 2946.00 | 34.47 | 59.99 | 4538.82 | |||||
| June | 50.00 | 1004.1 3 |
40.00 | 270.00 | 245.00 | 110.01 | 2028.00 | 48.00 | 130.29 | 302.26 | 4227.69 | |||
| July | 50.00 | 504.30 | 405.00 | 300.00 | 75.01 | 2806.00 | 9.94 | 445.29 | 200.00 | 4795.54 | ||||
| August | 50.00 | 458.35 | 82.92 | 162.00 | 415.00 | 110.02 | 2633.36 | 46.00 | 51.63 | 4009.28 | ||||
| Septem | 50.00 | 335.60 | 459.00 | 370.00 | 308.36 | 2890.00 | 4412.96 | |||||||
| October |
| 50.00 | 583.35 | 583.35 | 160.00 | 630.00 | 179.04 | 3343.00 | 3343.00 | 36.00 | 43.99 | 5025.38 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novem | 50.00 | 304.88 | 405.00 | 120.01 | 2483.00 | 150.00 | 3512.89 | ||||||||||
| Decem | 50.00 | 345.89 | 297.00 | 652.50 | 40.00 | 3110.00 | 243.86 | 4739.25 | |||||||||
| January | 50.00 | 674.16 | 431.45 | 405.00 | 130.08 | 2851.00 | 4541.69 | ||||||||||
| Febr | 50.00 | 496.85 | 108.00 | 390.00 | 348.64 | 3241.00 | 769.11 | 5403.60 | |||||||||
| March | 50.00 | 740.13 | 90.12 | 297.00 | 345.00 | 40.01 | 2772.00 | 80.00 | 4414.26 | ||||||||
| TOTAL | 600.00 | 6670.4 8 |
1068.9 9 |
3467.0 0 |
3731.5 0 |
1784.1 4 |
33725.3 6 |
82.00 | 92.41 | 1214.4 0 |
285.90 | 1041.1 2 |
53763.3 0 |
||||
| MONTH | INCOME | EXPENDITURE | BALANCE on month |
BANK BALANCE (End of month) |
|||||||||||||
| Bank Balance April 1 |
6457.92 | ||||||||||||||||
| April | 6164.16 | 4141.94 | + 2022.22 | 8480.14 | |||||||||||||
| May | 3558.25 | 4538.82 | -980.57 | 7499.57 | |||||||||||||
| June | 3886.11 | 4227.69 | -341.58 | 7157.99 | |||||||||||||
| July | 5302.12 | 4795.54 | +506.58 | 7664.57 | |||||||||||||
| August | 3087.62 | 4009.28 | -921.66 | 6742.91 | |||||||||||||
| September | 3056.00 | 4412.96 | - 1356.96 | 5385.95 | |||||||||||||
| October | 4539.20 | 5025.38 | - 486.18 | 4899.77 | |||||||||||||
| November | 4691.72 | 3512.89 | + 1178.83 | 6078.60 | |||||||||||||
| December | 4842.12 | 4739.25 | + 102.87 | 6181.47 | |||||||||||||
| January | 6370.01 | 4541.69 | + 1828.32 | 8009.79 | |||||||||||||
| February | 4837.93 | 5403.60 | -565.67 | 7444.12 | |||||||||||||
| March | 3095.00 | 4414.26 | - 1319.26 | 6124.86 | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL | 53430.24 | 53763.30 | - 333.06 |
- 333.06 |
|||||||||||||
| Bank Account April 1st 2024 6457.92 Income 53430.24 March 31st 2025 6124.86 Expenditure 53763.30 |
BALANCE - 333.06
Balance - 333.06
| 100 Club Account April 1 24 | 770.00 | Income on 100 Club | 270.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer to main account June | 2024 540.00 | Expenditure 335.78 + £540 transfer | 875.78 |
| Balance | 230.00 | ||
| Income 2024/5 | 270.00 | Loss on 100 Club | - |
| 605.78 | |||
| Expenditure | 335.78 | ||
| March 31st 2025 |
164.22 |
Total loss on the year: 333.06 (Main account) + 605.78 (100 club) = 938.84
| INCOME | EXPENDITURE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular donations | 12665.73 | Rent | 600.00 | |
| Charity Donations | 695.22 | Feed | 6670.48 | |
| Corporate Donations | 27410.00 | Vet & Abbatoir |
1068.99 | |
| Fundraising Events | 4840.38 | Farrier | 3467.00 | |
| Paypal/Just Giving etc | 2218.11 | Hay etc |
3731.50 | |
| 100 Club Transfer | 540.00 - |
Car |
1784.14 | |
| Others | 53.97 | Volunteer Expenses | 33725.36 | |
| Gift Aid | 4209.57 | Maintenance | 82.00 | |
| 100 Club Income in | 270.00 | Equipment | 92.41 | |
| Ofce / Stationary / Snacks etc | 285.90 |
Fundraising costs 213.89Insurance 1214.40 Misc/Others 29.97
100 Club Expenditure (incl Transf) 875.78
TOTAL 52902.98
53841.82
Total loss on the year on the main account £333.06 Loss on the 100 Club Account £605.78 TOTAL LOSS ON THE YEAR 938.84
Figures differ from previous pages because a number of figures included on the bank statements (eg refunds, floats for the events etc) have been excluded from the OTHERS column as they balance each other out in the income and expenditure columns). The £540 100 Club Transfer appears separately in the income column and this figure has been deducted from the Fundraising income column, as was £200 float which was not banked separately and identified as float. Thus, the fundraising income figure has been reduced by £740.
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