Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date
| From 01 |
April | April | 2024 | 2024 | To | 31 | March | March | March | 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A Reference and administration details | Section A Reference and administration details | Section A Reference and administration details | |||||||||||
| Charity name | British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council | ||||||||||||
| Other names charity is known by | BWRC | ||||||||||||
| Registered charity number (if any)1157841 Charity's principal address BWRC The Gateway, 85-101 Sankey St, Warrington Cheshire Postcode WA1 1SR ~~ee~~ |
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| Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | |||||||||||||
| Trustee name Office (if any) |
Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
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| 1 | 1Dan Forman Chair |
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| 2 | Simon Allen Acting treasurer |
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| 3 | Paul Reynolds Deputy Chair |
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| 4 | Janet Peto | Res 28thSeptember 2024 | |||||||||||
| 5 | Mary Jane Varga | Res 14thFebruary 2025 | |||||||||||
| 6 | Lucy Bearman-Brown | ||||||||||||
| 7 | Susan Louisa Schwar | ||||||||||||
| 8 | Richard Edwards | ||||||||||||
| 9 | Jason Palmer | ||||||||||||
| 10 | Morgane Ristic | Res 17thMarch 2025 | March 2025 | ||||||||||
| 11 | Emma Onyejekwe | ||||||||||||
| 12 | |||||||||||||
| 13 | 13 | ||||||||||||
| 14 | 14 | ||||||||||||
| 15 | 15 | ||||||||||||
| 16 | 16 | ||||||||||||
| 17 | 17 | ||||||||||||
| 18 | 18 | ||||||||||||
| 19 | 19 | ||||||||||||
| 20 | 20 ~~===~~ |
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| Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) | Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) | ||||||||||||
| Name | Dates acted if not for whole year | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Section A Reference and administration details
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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
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| Accounts Auditor | ||
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
[Constitution – Foundation Model ]
How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
[Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) ]
Trustee selection methods
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(eg. appointed by, elected by)
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Except for the initial charity trustees, each trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
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When selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the trustees must consider the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary for the effective administration of the CIO.
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Induction and Training of Trustees
The charity continues to ensure that all trustees are provided with appropriate induction materials upon appointment, including the governing document, key policies, and guidance on their legal responsibilities. Opportunities for ongoing training and development are being explored to strengthen governance and compliance. Organisational Structure and Networks
The organisational structure remains as a board of trustees with no paid executive staff. To support delivery of the charity’s objectives, working groups and management committees have been established and are actively progressing key areas of work. The charity also maintains collaborative relationships with partner organisations and networks to share best practice and enhance impact. Policies and Procedures
Current policies are under review to ensure they remain fit for purpose and aligned with regulatory requirements. New terms and conditions for membership have been developed and implemented, reflecting the charity’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Risk Management
Trustees regularly consider major risks facing the charity, including financial sustainability, compliance, and reputational risks. Activities and Development
Online educational talks are being developed with the aim of delivering sessions on a monthly basis to engage members and promote knowledge sharing. Phase 2 of the BWRC website is ongoing, focusing on improving functionality and user experience to better serve stakeholders.
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Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the For the benefit of the public: - charity set out in its To advance public education regarding the care and welfare of sick, governing document injured, and abandoned wild animals. Regular activities: No symposium was held during 2024/25. Trustees reviewed plans for future events and concluded that a continued pause is necessary for two key reasons: 1. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which has affected both organisational budgets and member affordability. 2. Difficulties in securing suitable venues that meet the charity’s requirements. As a result, symposia will be postponed until conditions improve. In the Summary of the main meantime, the charity will focus on delivering monthly online educational activities undertaken for the talks to maintain engagement and support knowledge sharing. public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory Engagement with external organisations: declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance DEFRA Avian Influenza Stakeholder Group issued by the Charity DEFRA Wildlife Disease Core Group Commission on public Wild Animal Welfare Committee benefit) Scottish Cross-Party Group for Animal Welfare Welsh Cross-Party Group for Animal Welfare UK Seal Alliance Peoples Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) British Trust for Ornithology
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
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March 2012
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You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grant making;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
The BWRC has continued to uphold its core values by promoting best practice and the highest standards of wildlife welfare in rehabilitation and rescue centres across the UK.
Membership and Engagement
Membership has grown significantly, reflecting the sector’s recognition of BWRC’s role in supporting wildlife rehabilitation. Trustees have held effective listening sessions with members to better understand emerging and re-emerging challenges, ensuring that the charity’s support and advice remain relevant and impactful.
Communication and Knowledge Sharing
Regular newsletters have been produced to keep members informed of developments, opportunities, and best practice guidance. Online talks delivered by sector experts have continued, providing accessible learning and professional development for members.
Governance and Planning
Trustees have met regularly to review progress and plan future activities and initiatives, ensuring that the charity remains responsive to sector needs and aligned with its strategic objectives.
External Engagement
BWRC has actively engaged with key stakeholders in government, academic institutions, and other charities to strengthen partnerships and influence policy. This collaborative approach helps to advance animal welfare standards and promote evidence-based practices across the UK.
Development and Launch of BWRC Ten Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation
BWRC undertook the development of the Ten Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation, a framework designed to promote best practice and ensure high standards of care across the sector. This initiative involved extensive consultation with members and stakeholders to create a set of guiding principles that reflect evidence-based approaches and ethical considerations in wildlife rehabilitation. The principles will be launched later in 2025, marking a key step in BWRC’s commitment to supporting practitioners and advancing animal welfare standards nationwide. They will serve as a cornerstone for future training, guidance, and policy engagement.
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March 2012
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Section D Achievements and erformance p
Section E Financial review
Brief statement of the Reserves, generated through donations and memberships (associate charity’s policy on reserves and organisational), are used to support the charity’s core operations. This includes trustee training, travel, and BWRC-related activities, as well as producing newsletters and promotional materials. Funds also help offset any shortfalls from training events and meetings. All spending is carefully managed, with significant purchases requiring full trustee approval.
Details of any funds materially in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section F Other optional information
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March 2012
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Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) | Signature(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name(s) | Full name(s)Paul Reynolds | Simon Allen | |
| Position (e.g. Secretary, **Chair, etc) ** |
Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair |
Trustee (acting treasurer) | |
| Date17 | 17thDecember 2025 |
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March 2012
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British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Balance Sheet As at 31-03-2025
CAF Current Account £11,357.66 Less Uncleared Item £0.00 CAF Gold Savings Account £4,329.21 PayPal £0.00 £15,686.87 £15,686.87 Opening Reserves £8,478.99 Profit/(Loss) 2024-25 £5,988.18 Closing Reserves £14,467.17
Signed: Date: 17/12/2025 Acting Treasurer
British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Income and Expenditure 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025
Income
| Donations Membership PayPal Fees on Membership Sale of Workshop & Symposium Tickets Symposium Sponsorship Bank Interest (Gross) Less: Expenditure Travel Postage Non Newsletter Hire of Meeting Rooms Cost of Newsletter Cost of Setting Up & Maintaining Website Bank Charges Administration & Legal Fees Membership Fee to other Organisations Eventbrite Fees Symposium Hire Costs Symposium Event Insurance Symposium Event Partners Profit Share Speakers Expenses Symposium Administration Profit/(Loss) |
£20.00 £6,099.03 £(86.04) £0.00 £0.00 £15.19 |
£6,048.18 £60.00 |
|---|---|---|
£0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £60.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 |
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| £5,988.18 |