**Charity registration number 1161554**
**Company registration number 08443724 (England and Wales)**
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
# **ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
**Trustees** Mrs C Maclellan Mrs H Campbell Mr M Field Mr M Bestwick Mr C R Maclellan **Charity number** 1161554 **Company number** 08443724 **Registered office** 2 Northleigh House Thorverton Road Exeter Devon EX2 8HF **Independent examiner** Mr J L Coombs MA (Cantab) FCA Simpkins Edwards LLP The Summit Woodwater Park Pynes Hill Exeter EX2 5WS **Bankers** HSBC Bank Plc 4 Old Town St Plymouth Devon PL1 1DD
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 9|
|Independent examiner's report|10|
|Statement of financial activities|11|
|Balance sheet|12|
|Notes to the financial statements|13 - 24|
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
## **Objectives and activities**
- The training of assistance dogs for current and former service personnel of the British Armed Forces with mental health disabilities.
- Providing training, education and support services for the relief of mental health disabilities with the partnership of dogs.
- Improving quality of life and achieving greater independence by increasing confidence and self-esteem, bringing companionship, a sense of security and increased opportunities for social interaction.
- Develop links and foster partnerships with other organisations who share our aims of supporting Veterans and those promoting responsible dog ownership.
- Implement fundraising and educational initiatives in support of VWD objectives and operations.
- Undertake any such work that the trustees may agree, from time to time, consistent with the overall objectives of the charity.
## **Our vision**
To improve the quality of life for veterans who are living with mental health disorders with the support and companionship of one of our specially trained assistance dogs via our unique and pioneering programme.
(A Veteran is defined by the Government as any person of any age who has served in the British Armed Forces).
## **Our mission statement & philosophy**
“To support former members of the British Armed Forces, whose psychological or physical wellbeing may have suffered due to difficult past experiences and challenging life circumstances, via engagement with dogs.”
Veterans with Dogs works to support Veterans who are aspiring to increase their general level of functioning and independence by helping them to regain their sense of purpose, (self) worth and engagement with their communities and sense of value to society, helping them develop new skills, revive old ones and realise their potential.
Veterans with Dogs aims to provide a supportive, comfortable environment where people may find an opportunity to socialise with others, capitalise on shared learning experiences, develop their coping strategies, and build new friendships and lasting support networks.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **Achievements and performance**
## **Introduction**
Throughout the past year we have continued to provide our interdisciplinary services and support on a group and individual basis. Prudent fiscal management continued with significant support from The Veterans’ Foundation along with another year of successful fundraising meant that our income was in line with expected expenditure. This has allowed us to continue our strategic initiatives to enhance our support for Veterans with complex mental health needs.
Following a reduction in donations from previous years following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have focused on rebuilding donor engagement with the launch of a brand-new fundraising platform, offering more choice and tools for donors to use and explore. A key consideration for the charity has been the increased cost of living crisis and the Board has worked diligently to address current uncertain financial climate and implications of rising costs. The Board of Trustees are focused on managing risk and safeguarding the provision of our specialist and lifechanging services for Veterans. We have further developed our support model and accreditation pathway, with the updating of our intensive training programme.
We have also considered our footprint across the UK to ensure we are located to give better access to the Veterans who seek our help. This footprint covers the whole of the UK within a 1-hour window of travel and extends to approximately 40 locations of localised support for Veterans.
We have continued supporting Veterans by referral from the NHS, as well as other Veterans’ organisation such as
Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, SSAFA and the RBL.
## **Delivering sustainable, accessible services to meet the needs of Veterans with complex mental health problems.**
During the year we have continued to evolve and develop our services to meet the needs of Veterans and their families today, providing accessible, modern, and evidence-based programmes. In 2021 we announced our plans to be able to deliver our services and support in multiple ways – online and in-person, across the UK, in the community and from our base in Devon.
We have continued to develop our online resources have continued to support Veterans in understanding the appropriate intervention of an assistance dog as an adjunct to mental health, providing a valuable step in the initial engagement with our services prior to assessment and training, as well as throughout. In addition, these free resources are accessible to anyone, providing advice and support to the wider community.
This year, development work has been completed in the background to enable us to fully understand who and how our audiences are using our published resources.
## **Assessment and treatment**
Our interdisciplinary team reviews each referral or application, where our service potentially meets the Veteran’s needs, we ask the Veteran to attend an initial Meet and Greet with the team to discuss their issues. An individual assessment is then done at a later stage after giving the Veteran time to reflect on the initial information we provide about our services and support. We obtain as much information as we can during an assessment so that we can match a Veteran’s needs with the most suitable canine partner. We endeavour to provide as much helpful information as possible for the Veteran and their family to make an informed decision about the implications of training with an assistance dog.
We endeavour to provide as much helpful information as possible to Veterans who are more suited to other service providers.
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **Our updated intensive training programme**
Our updated intensive training programme is at the forefront of innovation. Delivered flexibly to suit the needs of Veterans, it draws on the latest research to provide the best possible outcomes for long-term recovery. This highly specialised programme is for all Veterans with a mental health diagnosis to help enable meaningful recovery for Veterans and their families.
We deliver services and support according to a Veteran’s needs. Our programme has support from clinical staff, animal behaviourists and trainers. Additionally, we have developed a new Veteran-specific online portal. The digital content supports each stage of the training and accreditation process including course material, worksheets, and supporting resources. We have also invested in data protection and cyber security to ensure the safety of Veterans accessing our services online.
## **Group activities**
Group activities are an integral part of our new service model and is offered during all phases of training and after qualification as part of our Aftercare programme. It is also available for guest-inclusion for those Veterans who are not yet part of any formalised programme or training. The man focus being wellbeing and behavioural reactivation through access to the outdoors, in a safe environment, and with per support. This group programme Paws4Life has been further developed with input from Veterans through peer support activities. There is also the additional benefit of the ‘cohort effect’ – Veterans have contact with others going through similar experiences. The service provides a non-clinical, recovery focused familiar environment for Veterans to meet others in a similar position. It is an informal but invaluable part of our specialist support.
## **Impact and outcome measures**
Working to bring greater efficiencies within the charity and better outcomes for Veterans, we have improved the way the organisation collects data for impact and outcome measures. The RCOMs (Routine Clinical Outcome Measures) for all the programmes have been reviewed for suitability and easy to use digital forms are now used throughout the Veteran experience to gather data, allowing the organisation to gain greater insight in the training programme outcomes. The RCOMs include measurement of programme effectiveness and Veteran experience, which so far score very highly. Routine outcome monitoring is an essential element of client centred care and, when used fully and consistently, enables effective service delivery and high-quality services development.
## **Our peer support service**
Our unique Peer Support activities continue to go from strength to strength and is now a leading example in terms of the way it’s delivered and the quality of its provision. Focused on Veterans with lived experience of mental health issues, it brings former servicemen and women together to share their experiences of mental health issues and receive support and understanding from others who’ve walked a similar path. The service provides a non-clinical, recovery focused familiar environment for Veterans to meet others in a similar position. It’s an informal but invaluable part of our specialist support.
Through the peer support service, regular group meetings for Veterans take place alongside one-to-one meetings with mentors as required to provide a support network to Veterans.
## **International collaboration**
Due to our recognised level of in-house expertise, we have provided systems expertise to organisations working in the Assistance Dog industry within Europe, South America, and Australasia. We were also delighted to present our technical training manuals and Standards of Practise - requested as an example of best practise - by Assistance Dogs Europe. In addition, we created a new Framework of Standards for Volunteers which has also been shared with organisations within Assistance Dogs International.
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **Continued presence**
During the year we increased our presence and voice, taking a more active role in national conversations about important topics relating to assistance dogs for mental health. We have worked on a vast array of projects during the year to support online and offline activity including a new website and technical integrations allowing us a much greater in-depth view of programme progress and effectiveness, impact, and outcomes, for both the Veterans and the dogs.
Key policy advice and involvement has been provided for several organisations including UK Universities, the Civil Aviation Authority, the DWP, British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as well as leading blue chip companies seeking guidance around the appropriate use of assistance dogs.
Audiences on our social media channels continue to grow. Staying ahead of changes to how social media platforms expose content has required a more flexible approach to our content strategy to ensure visibility and engagement with the important messages we share about Veterans’ mental health matters and fundraising.
## **Significant donations**
Whilst we continue to operate in a challenging and unpredictable environment, we are particularly mindful of the importance of significant and sustained support to allow us to plan with confidence and develop services for Veterans and their families. At a time when there are so many worthy causes competing for attention, we are appreciative of all our supporters who share our vision and values and continue to invest in improving the mental wellbeing of Veterans.
We are particularly grateful to our multi-year funders, in particular the Veterans’ Foundation, who enable us to plan and evolve our services with greater certainty.
## **Corporate partnerships**
During the year our corporate partners continued to provide extremely valuable support. Of note are ICAP, MilDef, Babcock, Multiplex Global, Forthglade, Focus Hospitality, the Scott Eridine Trust, and the Albert Hunt Trust.
Our work would not be possible without the amazing help of individuals, companies, and trusts. We are immensely grateful for their continued help and support.
## **Our people**
We continue to be flexible for staff working practises such is the importance of flexibility for the charity, and must, equally be reflected to staff in making allowances for their needs too. With the increase of hybrid working, we recognised the need to do more to support staff engagement and wellbeing. We increased awareness of wellbeing, improved existing internal communication channels, and added a variety of touchpoints staff have with the leadership team and each other.
We are mindful of the exceptional value of Volunteers; the skills they bring to our organisation and the roles they fulfil on our behalf. We have invested significantly in our training programme for new volunteers, combined with a new Framework for Volunteers, and this has now been extended to include CPD for all volunteers as well as staff. This has been received well and plans exist to develop this further.
## **Public benefit**
Veterans With Dogs’ is the UK's leading organisation that trains and provides mental health assistance dogs for current and former members of the British Armed Forces.
The Board of Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and have taken it into account when reviewing the Charity’s strategic aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The Board of Trustees are satisfied that the aims of the Charity are carried out wholly in pursuit of its charitable aims for the public benefit.
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
The public benefit of the Charity is in mitigating the effect of mental health issues of Veterans across the UK. Our strategic aims and activities are designed to achieve this benefit. Veterans With Dogs is widely acknowledged as the specialist in the provision of assistance dogs for Veterans suffering from service-related mental illness. Our services are accessible to all Veterans who need our help. We help UK Veterans on their recovery journey, so they can integrate more fully back into their communities.
## **A special thank you**
Veterans With Dogs is sincerely grateful for all donations, every single one of which makes a real difference to the Veterans we help. Our supporters are fundamental to our success, and we would like to acknowledge their generosity and encouragement. We also want to thank all those who chose to remain anonymous and all our supporters who make our work possible.
## **Our Supporter Promise**
VWD’s commitment to treating our supporters fairly, protecting our young supporters, and safeguarding.
Fundraising is really important to us, and we are proud of what it helps us achieve. We will constantly review our fundraising practices to make sure they are fair, sensitive, and appropriate.
Veterans With Dogs is committed to ensuring the highest quality of experience for our supporters. In the interest of empowering and protecting our supporters, Veterans With Dogs trains and supports its staff, volunteers and thirdparty organisations that work on behalf of Veterans With Dogs to recognise, and appropriately respond to vulnerability without discrimination or judgement.
Veterans With Dogs works to ensure supporters are treated fairly and treated as individuals at all times, and not exploited or treated in any way which might bring them harm as a result of their interaction with Veterans With Dogs.
Veterans With Dogs’ approach to supporters in vulnerable circumstances is informed by the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s guidance.
We make sure all staff are trained in and follow our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
## **About your donation or the money, you have raised**
Your donation will be used responsibly to help people with mental health problems get support and respect.
We will keep administration costs to a minimum without jeopardising the quality of Veterans With Dogs’ work. As much of your donation as possible will be spent directly on our life-changing work.
We will answer any question you have about how your donation is spent, and clear financial information will be available.
We might turn down a donation if we feel that accepting it would damage our independence or reputation. If we do, we will explain why.
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **Our use of your personal details**
We sometimes use carefully selected suppliers to help us deliver our communications and services. We will keep any personal information safe, only using your details to contact you in the ways you have agreed to.
We will always respect your right to privacy and adhere to laws around the use of data.
When necessary, we may share data with our own carefully regulated and monitored external suppliers, for processing purposes. We will ensure their use of the data is in line with our own data protection policies and not kept or used by them for any other purposes.
## **Suppliers we work with**
Sometimes we collaborate with external suppliers to contact you, simply because our team is not big enough. This might be an agency that helps us send and receive our mailings, or an organisation who stores and delivers our fundraising materials.
We will only work with professional organisations that meet our high standards.
We will train, monitor, and regulate our external suppliers to meet our standards and will act quickly if they do not meet the high standards we set.
Everyone we work with that has contact with our supporters takes part in mental health awareness training.
## **Our accountability to you**
You can contact us with feedback or to make a complaint if you are unhappy with anything we have done while communicating with you.
We will respond honestly and promptly to your questions and complaints. It is our responsibility to ensure we are using our resources as effectively as possible. That is why we make this promise to you.
We are passionate about our work, the people we help and the way we train our dogs. We tell their stories in a positive and respectful way to help share how we make a difference. We are proud of the relationship we have with our supporters. We have always been and will always be clear and honest with you. Our relationship with you, our supporters, is critical to the work we do, and we are truly grateful for your support.
Our values are at the heart of how we operate.
## **With grateful thanks …**
We receive funding from individuals, corporate partners, trusts and community groups.
We are so grateful for the continued support from many trusts and corporate partners which have helped us continue our vital work during 2023.
Our sincere thanks go to:
- Armed Forces Covenant
- Veterans Foundation
- Morrison Foerster
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **Financial review**
## **Income**
During the year ended 31 March 2023, we received income of £156,218 (2022: £145,564), an increase of £10,654.
## **Expenditure**
Charitable activities expenditure amounted to £171,133 (2022: £165,575), an increase of £5,558.
Costs of raising fund amounted to £2,341 (2022: £969), an increase of £1,372.
Other costs amounted to £12,392 (2022: £9,231), an increase of £3,161.
## **Fund balances**
Unrestricted funds amount to £72,144 (2022: £77,943), a decrease of £5,799.
Restricted funds amount to £13,879 (2022: £37,728), an decrease of £23,849.
## **Overall position**
The combined effect of the above has seen a net deficit of £29,648 (2022: £30,211 deficit).
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **Reserves policy**
## **Our Beneficiaries**
The beneficiaries of Veterans With Dogs are current and former service personnel of the British Armed Forces with mental health disabilities. Providing training, education and support services for the relief of mental health disabilities with the partnership of dogs.
Our Charity needs to have sufficient reserves to cover the diverse expenditure commitments to our beneficiaries and have ascertained that a minimum of £38,395 reserves needs to be held to ensure the charities future expenditure objectives can be met.
## **Rationale of the Reserves Policy**
Veterans With Dogs provides lifetime partnerships between Veterans and Assistance Dogs, helping our beneficiaries to lead more independent lives by mitigating the symptoms their disability presents. Our services cover the whole of the UK.
Our Reserves Policy is to maintain sufficient level of reserves to enable and protect normal operating activities to continue over a period of up to 4 months should a shortfall in income occur and to take account of potential risks and contingencies that may arise from time to time. Our current beneficiaries continued support and services are vital to their well being.
Excluded from the Reserves Policy is income associated with: •Endowment Funds
•Restricted Funds (Earmarked Income)
In order to demonstrate transparency, accountability and sound financial management the Veterans With Dogs Reserves Policy clearly justifies the amount of reserves kept back each year.
## **Establishing our level of reserve**
The Trustees have reviewed our charities risks and commitments in respect of expenditure, unrestricted income and where appropriate restricted income.
The Trustees have taken into consideration are any external identified potential major risks to income and expenditure during the year under consideration.
A risk assessment has been undertaken for the period 1st April 2020 and the following has been determined using the Risk Identification approach:
- •Unrestricted Income: Medium Risk
- •Restricted Income: Low Risk
- •Expenditure: Low Risk
- •External Potential Major Risks:
- Current lack of diversity and long term income streams
- Dogs purchased fall ill or fail
- Fluctuating Charity rent costs
- Covid Pandemic restrictions on fundraising
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **Level of reserve required by Veterans With Dogs**
Veterans With Dogs should hold in reserve approximately 4 months operating capital which within the current budget period equates to £38,395.
We continue to have a sound strategy diversifying our income streams over the next financial year as well as potential forthcoming corporate partnerships which will secure longer term financial stability.
It is the Trustees responsibility to continue to diversify Veterans With Dogs income streams over the coming year, Our reserves target will be met.
It is essential that all current partnerships can be supported should income fall or subsequently that funds be available should additional activity become necessary due to the impact of unforeseen external events on our beneficiaries.
## **Reviewing and monitoring the Reserves Policy**
This policy will be reviewed at each Trustee meeting and reserve levels adjusted as risk or other factors change. The CEO will present the Trustees with a draft document and supporting details that enables them to make an informed decision about levels of Reserves aligning with the approval and subsequent reviews of our Strategic plan and Operating Budgets.
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The charity is a company limited by guarantee, registered under the Companies Act. The charity is controlled by its governing document and Articles of Association.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Mrs C Maclellan Mrs S J Pierechod (Resigned 22 October 2022) Mrs H Campbell Mr M Field Mr M Bestwick Mr C R Maclellan Mrs K Dalton-Fyfe (Resigned 11 February 2023) Mr A Fletcher (Resigned 22 October 2022)
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Mrs C Maclellan **Trustee**
11 December 2023
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF VETERANS WITH DOGS**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Veterans With Dogs (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the Trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity 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 the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
The Okehampton office of Simpkins Edwards LLP has been instructed by the Trustees to provide bookkeeping services for the Charity. I have followed the Charity Commission’s guidance under direction two to ensure that I provide an objective independent opinion and maintain the appropriate segregation of duties.
## **Independent examiner's 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:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
- 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
- 4 the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
## **Mr J L Coombs MA (Cantab) FCA**
for and on behalf of Simpkins Edwards LLP
The Summit Woodwater Park Pynes Hill Exeter EX2 5WS
Dated: 19 December 2023
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2023**
**2023**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
95,046
58,000
Charitable activities
**4**
-
-
Other trading activities
**5**
3,172
-
**Total income**
98,218
58,000
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
**6**
2,341
-
Charitable activities
**7**
92,278
78,855
Other
**8**
12,392
-
**Total expenditure**
107,011
78,855
**Net outgoing resources**
**before transfers**
(8,793)
(20,855)
Gross transfers between
funds
2,994
(2,994)
**Net expenditure for the year/**
**Net movement in funds**
(5,799)
(23,849)
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
77,943
37,728
**Fund balances at 31 March**
**2023**
72,144
13,879|**Total Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
153,046
73,648
64,550
-
5,651
-
3,172
1,715
-
156,218
81,014
64,550
2,341
969
-
171,133
87,774
77,801
12,392
9,231
-
185,866
97,974
77,801
(29,648)
(16,960)
(13,251)
-
-
-
(29,648)
(16,960)
(13,251)
115,671
94,903
50,979
86,023
77,943
37,728|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
138,198
5,651
1,715
145,564
969
165,575
9,231
175,775
(30,211)
-
(30,211)
145,882
115,671|
|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## _**AS AT 31 MARCH 2023**_
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**12**
**Current assets**
Stocks
**13**
Debtors
**14**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within**
**one year**
**15**
Net current assets
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Income funds**
Restricted funds
**16**
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
**17**
General unrestricted funds|**2023**
**£**
4,883
20,443
55,564
80,890
(13,591)
-
72,144|**£**
18,724
67,299
86,023
13,879
72,144
86,023|**2022**
**£**
4,019
18,915
87,213
110,147
(14,817)
600
77,343|**£**
20,341
95,330|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||115,671|
|||||37,728
77,943|
|||||115,671|
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 11 December 2023
Mrs C Maclellan
**Trustee**
**Company registration number 08443724**
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## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
Veterans With Dogs is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 2 Northleigh House, Thorverton Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 8HF.
## **1.1 Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **1.2 Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **1.3 Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the Trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **1.4 Incoming resources**
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Grants: See separate policy note 1.9.
## **1.5 Resources expended**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
- 13 -
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
**(Continued)**
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Leasehold improvements Straight line over the life of the lease Plant and equipment 33% to 50% straight line per annum Fixtures and fittings 20% straight line per annum Computers 33% straight line per annum Motor vehicles 10% to 20% straight line per annum
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
## **1.7 Stocks**
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
## **1.8 Retirement benefits**
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
## **1.9 Grants**
Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.
Other grants that specify performance conditions are recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.
## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
- 14 -
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **3 Donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
Donations and gifts
88,993
-
Grants received
2,000
58,000
Giftaid income
4,053
-
95,046
58,000
**Charitable activities**
Other income|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
Donations and gifts
88,993
-
Grants received
2,000
58,000
Giftaid income
4,053
-
95,046
58,000
**Charitable activities**
Other income|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
Donations and gifts
88,993
-
Grants received
2,000
58,000
Giftaid income
4,053
-
95,046
58,000
**Charitable activities**
Other income|**Total**
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
**2023**
2022
2022
**£**
£
£
88,993
66,981
-
60,000
2,140
64,550
4,053
4,527
-
153,046
73,648
64,550
**Other**
**revenue**
**Giftaid**
**income**
**Government**
**grants**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
114
-
5,537|**Total**
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
**2023**
2022
2022
**£**
£
£
88,993
66,981
-
60,000
2,140
64,550
4,053
4,527
-
153,046
73,648
64,550
**Other**
**revenue**
**Giftaid**
**income**
**Government**
**grants**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
114
-
5,537|**Total**
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
**2023**
2022
2022
**£**
£
£
88,993
66,981
-
60,000
2,140
64,550
4,053
4,527
-
153,046
73,648
64,550
**Other**
**revenue**
**Giftaid**
**income**
**Government**
**grants**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
114
-
5,537|Total
2022
£
66,981
66,690
4,527|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||138,198|
|||||||**Total**
**2022**
**£**
5,651|
||||**Other**
**revenue**||||
||||**2022**
**£**
114|**2022**
**£**
-|||
||||||||
|No income to report for 2023.|||||||
## **4 Charitable activities**
## **5 Other trading activities**
||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|funds|
||**2023**|2022|
||**£**|£|
|Shop income|3,172|1,715|
|**Raising funds**|||
||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted|
||**funds**|funds|
||**2023**|2022|
||**£**|£|
|Fundraising and publicity|||
|Other fundraising costs|2,341|969|
||2,341|969|
## **6 Raising funds**
- 15 -
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **7 Charitable activities**
|**Charitable**
**Expenditure**
**Charitable**
**Expenditure**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
Staff costs
65,657
67,921
Puppy purchases
16,607
25,455
Admin services
-
440
Trainers' fees and residential costs
16,371
18,963
Travel and subsistence
12,984
10,779
Consultancy and training
698
6,131
Registration fees
91
68
Software and IT consumables
6,033
5,226
Volunteers expenses
2,118
1,888
Shop purchases
4,066
1,729
Insurance
4,669
3,060
Telephone
1,075
141
Postage and stationery
3,239
2,066
Advertising
808
229
Sundries
6,807
3,019
Repairs and maintenance
3,688
921
Subscriptions
789
1,246
Rent and rates
25,433
16,293
171,133
165,575
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds
92,278
87,774
Restricted funds
78,855
77,801
171,133
165,575|**Charitable**
**Expenditure**
**Charitable**
**Expenditure**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
Staff costs
65,657
67,921
Puppy purchases
16,607
25,455
Admin services
-
440
Trainers' fees and residential costs
16,371
18,963
Travel and subsistence
12,984
10,779
Consultancy and training
698
6,131
Registration fees
91
68
Software and IT consumables
6,033
5,226
Volunteers expenses
2,118
1,888
Shop purchases
4,066
1,729
Insurance
4,669
3,060
Telephone
1,075
141
Postage and stationery
3,239
2,066
Advertising
808
229
Sundries
6,807
3,019
Repairs and maintenance
3,688
921
Subscriptions
789
1,246
Rent and rates
25,433
16,293
171,133
165,575
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds
92,278
87,774
Restricted funds
78,855
77,801
171,133
165,575|**Charitable**
**Expenditure**
**Charitable**
**Expenditure**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
Staff costs
65,657
67,921
Puppy purchases
16,607
25,455
Admin services
-
440
Trainers' fees and residential costs
16,371
18,963
Travel and subsistence
12,984
10,779
Consultancy and training
698
6,131
Registration fees
91
68
Software and IT consumables
6,033
5,226
Volunteers expenses
2,118
1,888
Shop purchases
4,066
1,729
Insurance
4,669
3,060
Telephone
1,075
141
Postage and stationery
3,239
2,066
Advertising
808
229
Sundries
6,807
3,019
Repairs and maintenance
3,688
921
Subscriptions
789
1,246
Rent and rates
25,433
16,293
171,133
165,575
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds
92,278
87,774
Restricted funds
78,855
77,801
171,133
165,575|
|---|---|---|
||**2023**
**£**
65,657
16,607
-
16,371
12,984
698
91
6,033
2,118
4,066
4,669
1,075
3,239
808
6,807
3,688
789
25,433
171,133
92,278
78,855
171,133|**2022**
**£**
67,921
25,455
440
18,963
10,779
6,131
68
5,226
1,888
1,729
3,060
141
2,066
229
3,019
921
1,246
16,293|
|||165,575|
|||87,774
77,801|
|||165,575|
- 16 -
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **8 Other**
||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|funds|
||**£**|£|
||**2023**|2022|
|Net loss on disposal of tamgible fixed assets|868|-|
|Depreciation|3,744|3,283|
|Accountancy and legal fees|6,597|5,082|
|Other expenditure|1,183|866|
||12,392|9,231|
## **9 Trustees**
During the year, two trustees received reimbursements of expenses totalling £3,689 (2022: £3,393).
## **10 Employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
||**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
||3|4|
|**Employment costs**|**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages and salaries|63,962|66,051|
|Social security costs|337|650|
|Other pension costs|1,358|1,220|
||65,657|67,921|
There were no employees who received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000 (2022 - none).
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
- 17 -
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
|**11**
**Independent examiner's remuneration**
Independent examination of the annual accounts
**Other services**
All other non-assurance services|**2023**
**£**
2,870
2,297|**2022**
**£**
2,400|
|---|---|---|
|||2,232|
- 18 -
##
##
##
||**Total**||**£**||31,059|2,995|(1,776)|32,278||10,718|3,744|(908)|13,554||18,724||20,341|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Computers Motor vehicles**||**£**
**£**||3,880
20,919|1,562
-|-
(1,000)|5,442
19,919||2,857
3,926|1,000
1,992|-
(440)|3,857
5,478||1,585
14,441||1,023
16,993|
||**Fixtures and**|**fittings**|**£**||3,770|1,433|(776)|4,427||3,461|169|(468)|3,162||1,265||309|
||**Plant and**|**equipment**|**£**||1,072|-|-|1,072||474|299|-|773||299||598|
||**Leasehold**|**improvements**|**£**||1,418|-|-|1,418||-|284|-|284||1,134||1,418|
|**Tangible fixed assets**||||**Cost**|At 1 April 2022|Additions|Disposals|At 31 March 2023|**Depreciation and impairment**|At 1 April 2022|Depreciation charged in the year|Eliminated in respect of disposals|At 31 March 2023|**Carrying amount**|At 31 March 2023||At 31 March 2022|
|**12**||||||||||||||||||
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
|**13**
**Stocks**
Finished goods for resale
**14**
**Debtors**
**Amounts falling due within one year:**
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**15**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2023**
**£**
4,883
**2023**
**£**
6,834
13,609
20,443
**2023**
**£**
3,194
6,259
4,138
13,591|**2022**
**£**
4,019|
|---|---|---|
|||**2022**
**£**
8,938
9,977|
|||18,915|
|||**2022**
**£**
3,529
6,656
4,632|
|||14,817|
- 20 -
##
|**Restricted funds**|The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:|**Movement in funds**
**Movement in funds**|**Balance at**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**Balance at**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**Transfers**
**Balance at**|**1 April 2021**
**resources**
**expended**
**1 April 2022**
**resources**
**expended**
**31 March 2023**|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|ICAP- Corporate Support donation
26,790
-
-
26,790
-
(17,160)
-
9,630|Veterans Foundation UK
15,000
-
(15,000)
-
30,000
(27,006)
(2,994)
-|Awards for All, Lottery
809
-
-
809
-
(809)
-
-|Forthglade UK
64
-
-
64
-
(64)
-
-|Armed Forces Covenant
8,316
58,750
(57,001)
10,065
28,000
(33,816)
-
4,249|BFBS
-
5,800
(5,800)
-
-
-
-
-|50,979
64,550
(77,801)
37,728
58,000
(78,855)
(2,994)
13,879|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**16**|||||||||||||
##
##
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **17 Designated funds**
The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:
||||**Movement**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**in funds**|||||
|||**Balance at**|**Incoming**|**Balance at**|**Resources**||**Balance at**|
||**1**|**April 2021**|**resources**|**1 April 2022**|**expended**|**31**|**March 2023**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**|
|Laura Mazzara- Standard Life||600|-|600|(600)||-|
|||600|-|600|(600)||-|
## **Standard Life**
The Standard Life donation was to fund 2 dogs which have been purchased and socialised. The remaining funds will be for the partnerships to be placed.
## **18 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
Fund balances at 31
March 2023 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
18,724
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
53,420
13,879
72,144
13,879|**Total**
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
**2023**
2022
2022
**£**
£
£
18,724
20,341
-
67,299
57,602
37,728
86,023
77,943
37,728|Total
2022
£
20,341
95,330|
|---|---|---|
|||115,671|
- 23 -
## **VETERANS WITH DOGS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_
## **19 Operating lease commitments**
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
|Within one year
In over five years|**2023**
**£**
-
81,200
81,200|**2022**
**£**
15,612
-|
|---|---|---|
|||15,612|
## **20 Related party transactions**
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).
- 24 -