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← Centred Horseplay

2024-05-31-accounts

CENTRED HORSEPLAY

ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024 for the Period 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024

March 2025

Reference & Administration Details

Charity name: Centred Horseplay Charity number: 1167226

Charity’s operating Shadywell Farm, Middle Dunntisbourne, Near address: Cirencester, GL7 7AR

Bank: Lloyds Bank 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN Independent Examiner: The Entrepreneurs Accountant ( Ripple) Limited Kimberley Northwick, Mark, Highbridge, TA9 4PQ

Name Marie Whitaker (nee Longstaff)

Role: Fundraising and Administration

Structure, Governance & Mangement

Governing Document:

How Charity is Constituted:

Statutory Declaration

Trustee Selection Methods:

Constitution

Charitable Incorporated Organisation

The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.

Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of 3 years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.

In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regards to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO

Induction & Training of new Trustees:

Safeguarding Training Levels

CHP provides appropriate induction for all staff and volunteers, including trustees. The induction provides training and information about CHP’s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. CHP provides support to individuals in a way that’s appropriate for the role, confirms the conduct expected of staff and provides opportunities for a new member of staff or volunteer to discuss any issues or concerns about their role or responsibilities.

Staff, trustees and volunteers with minimal participant contact – CC Approved or in-house Level 1 training.

Staff, trustees and volunteers with occasional unsupervised participant contact – Level 2 training

Staff, trustees and volunteers with a high level of participant contact (e.g. Facilitators/SGO) – Level 3

Name of Charity Trustees who managed the charity during this report

Trustee Name Office Appointed Retired
Selena George Chairman 19.05.2016 N/A
Jessica Day Trustee 17.01.2023 N/A
Ian Leech Trustee 19.05.2016 N/A
Amelia Robbins Safeguarding 17.01.2023 N/A
Officer
Helen French Trustee 17.01.2023 N/A

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Objectives and Activities

To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

To relieve the needs of adults and children/young people aged 8 and over living in the Gloucestershire area with (either diagnosed or undiagnosed) mental, emotional, or sensory

disabilities/disorders/illnesses and/or problematic behaviours, who are not making progress with mainstream talking therapies, through:

a) the provision of equine assisted therapy programmes designed to promote their health and wellbeing and rehabilitation and to support them to engage fully in education, training or work through the development of core skills;

(b) advancing the education of those supporting such people.

Participants are referred from Children’s Services, Edge of Care, NHS, Mental Health Services, Families First Teams, Youth Justice, Offender Services and other specialist agencies such as charities working with Domestic Violence or Drug and Alcohol Services those helping children and young people with specialist educational needs.

The young people referred have typically 2–4 issues from the list below and they are referred because they are ‘stuck’ or disengaged from talkbased support. Some young people who are referred from Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services may have a formal diagnosis of a mental health problem (35% of referrals), however the majority are referred by social workers or teachers who report primarily the reason for referral in behavioural or social terms.

Depression Substance misuse Disengaged Autism Spectrum Mood swings/Impulsivity Low self-esteem PTSD Agressive Violent Self-harm ADHD Bullying/bullied Gender identity challenges OCD Attachment disorder Suicidal Anxiety diagnosis Lacks empathy Eating disorder Oppositional defiant disorder Impulsive behaviour Mute/non-responsive Young carer Risk taking behaviour Repeat victim of crime School exclusion Offending behaviour Agoraphobia Not able to go to school, college or Bereavement Anger management issues work Young carer Offending behaviour Repeat victim of crime

The ReStart

All new referrals begin with our ReStart program, an action-based, hands-on intervention with horses, tailored to each individual’s pace and needs.

NON-VERBAL TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO CALM AND ENGAGE CHALLENGING PARTICIPANTS

SPECIALLY DESIGNED HORSEMANSHIP TASKS TEACH 8 CORE SKILLS ON THE STAR

SPECIALLY TRAINED HORSES GIVE FEEDBACK & REWARD IN THE MOMENT

REFLECTIVE SESSION

FAMILY/PEER INVOLVEMENT

The Change Journey

This immersive five-day course is designed to gently disrupt participants' habitual patterns of thinking and emotional responses, enabling them to experience the profound impact of a calm mind. Within a safe and supportive environment, we help individuals—particularly those who are hardest to reach—become open and ready to learn.

Focused on horsemanship challenges rather than past issues and offending behaviour. This is intended to diminish previous problem labels whilst people are on the course and favours a 'here and now' approach.In addition, focussing on horses’ emotional wellbeing aims to avoid well-practised ‘blocks’ to self-scrutiny that might be evoked by a more direct ‘correctional’ or therapeutic approach, whilst at the same time building skills in observation and empathy.

Throughout the course simple language such as ‘calm/bothered’ and ‘focused/distracted’ is used to observe, at first, the horses’ emotions and thoughts and then the participants’ and facilitators’. It is assumed that having comfortable language to describe emotions and thoughts is a first step towards managing them.

Participants are constantly observed in regard to their ‘readiness to learn’ and horsemanship-inspired strategies are responsively employed to bring them into a learning state.

HANDBACK TO PROFESSIONAL

TOP UPS - WITH & WITHOUT HORSES

NON VERBAL STRATEGIES WITH FAMILY

By the end of the course participants have learnt individually tailored selfmanagement strategies and practised them repeatedly under increasing pressure (tougher challenges, less support) on the course. Novel, behavioural approaches are employed to ensure calmness and ‘readiness to learn’ (e.g. approach & retreat, mirroring, over-activity, extreme play, patterns).

In the final session, facilitators and participants reflect together on the progress made, identifying effective strategies that can be carried forward and applied in everyday life.

The Skills Star

Participants learn and rehearse eight core skills, outlined in our Skills Star Success in these tasks is only possible when they apply calm, focused energy—skills reinforced through clear, immediate feedback from the horses, who are sensitive and expressive yet entirely unbiased.

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The most important use of the star is as a way of discussing and reflecting on the course on the last day. We Aenean commodo ligula eget talk through each point, thinking about where the participant was at the beginning of the course and how far dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis they got by the end. All the 'before' marks join up to make a shape as do the 'after' marks. The 'after' shape is always bigger, but each participant makes progress at a different rate. The one shown here is fairly typical.Thenatoque penatibus. participant keeps a copy of their star and takes responsibility for managing their own progress towards the edges. They learn that these skills are like muscles, if you don't work at them they disappear. We discuss how each skill has an impact on the way life works.

Generally participants are very proud and surprised by how much they have learnt, about themselves and about the skills of self management.

Comfort Zone & Slider

The Comfort Zone Chart encourages participants to visually map and reflect on their experiences throughout the course. They identify periods of comfort (white), feeling confused (grey – the "fog of learning"), and key moments of growth and achievement (golden). We also check for any moments of overwhelm or distress (red). This reflective process helps participants understand the learning journey—particularly the value and reward of stepping slightly outside their comfort zones to reach those “golden” learning moments.

A core strategy we use to support this is Approach and Retreat, which teaches participants to recognise when their numbers are too high and to return to a state of calm and confidence before moving forward again. This helps us gradually expand their comfort zones in a safe and structured way.

The slider bars are used to help participants compare their mental and emotional state during a task—first when the task was not successful, and then when it was. They usually realise, when they see it in this visual format, that being calm and focused makes all the difference!

Reporting and evaluation

We have a rigorous evaluation process to ensure our programs are effective, impactful, and continually improving.

As providers of TheHorseCourse ReStart Programme, a highly structured and evidence-based intervention. We evaluate our courses inline with their detailed Theory of Change framework which was published as an exemplar by New Philanthropy Capital and includes measurable outcomes in eight psychosocial skills:

Measurement Tools

We use the Skills Star, a validated tool to measure progress across the eight skills on a scale of

World-leading Evidence Base Specific to TheHorseCourse ReStart Programme – Proven Impacts

Multiple independent studies published in peerreviewed scientific journals demonstrate the effectiveness of the ReStart programme. A recent study by Bournemouth University highlights significant reductions in anxiety and improvements in calmness and social skills among young participants.

Intermediate Outcomes

Two months post course we monitor broader outcomes including:

Service user Feedback

Participants, families & referrers provide qualitative and quantitative feedback on these outcomes.

This young man has been with us for 18 months, navigating a range of complex challenges, including diagnoses of ASC, ADHD, Severe Anxiety Disorder, self-harming behaviours, suicidal ideation, OCD, and PTSD. After completing his initial ReStart programme, we’ve continued to support him in building and applying strategies to help him stay calm and manage pressure more effectively.

Experiencing what calm truly feels like—and recognising the positive impact it has when learning something new or facing difficult moments— has been transformative for him

As his confidence and self-worth have developed, he has also gained the ability to learn new skills and engage more fully with the horses— including being able to work playfully with them, which he never imagined he could do.

This is him with Merlin, one of our much-loved horses, who was shortlisted for a BBC Make a Difference Award—an honour that reflects the powerful connection they’ve built together.

Other Services

In addition to our flagship ReStart programme, we also offer a range of complementary services designed to provide continued support and meet a variety of individual and family needs.

Family Programme

This specialised programme offers either dual sessions involving both the parent and young person or individual ReStart sessions, with families brought together at a carefully chosen point in the process to support progress. We actively encourage family involvement towards the end of the week, providing the opportunity to introduce our non-verbal strategies and share the new tools the young person has been developing. This collaborative approach ensures consistency, strengthens relationships, and supports long-term positive change within the home environment.

Top ups

Building skills on a longer term basis. This can be with or without horses and can include reintegration with school/college. Weekly or fortnightly sessions following a ReStart provide participants with the opportunity to apply newly learned coping strategies in their everyday environments, and then return to reflect, refine, and build on those experiences with guided support.

Non Verbal Workshops

A specialist course designed for frontline professionals working in healthcare, education, and social care settings. This workshop equips practitioners with practical, non-verbal tools to improve engagement and build rapport with individuals who are difficult to reach or resistant to verbal communication. Delivered in small groups of up to 10, the course provides hands-on strategies to support young people more effectively in everyday professional interactions.

Year in Review

Working with families

This year marked the second consecutive winter we’ve been able to open year-round—allowing us to continue supporting individuals and families who needed our help during the darkest and loneliest time of the year when our services are always most in demand.

This year, we extended our support to a greater number of families, achieving some of our most impactful outcomes to date—both immediately following the intervention and at the two-month follow-up. Building on this success, we are committed to prioritising future funding efforts to expand our work with families.

Sustained Impact Through Continued Engagement

In 2024, we expanded our support to include longer-term engagement with several young people following their initial ReStart. While the immersive five-day ReStart course remains a powerful intervention—consistently producing transformational outcomes—regular follow-up sessions (weekly or fortnightly) have demonstrated significant added value for individuals requiring extended support.

A key example from this period involves a young person who had been entirely disengaged from education. Following her ReStart, she was able to re-enter school on a reduced timetable. With six months of consistent top-up sessions, she successfully transitioned back to full-time education.

The referring school, having seen the lasting benefits, has since committed to funding continued fortnightly sessions to help sustain her progress.

This case highlights the importance of ongoing support post-ReStart for those with more complex needs and reinforces our aim to offer flexible, longer-term programming where appropriate.

Impact in Numbers

This year, we continued to grow our reach, delivering our evidence-based ReStart programme to 44 new individuals with multiple and complex needs. We are proud to report a 100% completion rate for all participants in the programme. In total, we delivered over 748 hours of equine-assisted intervention, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, impactful support to those who need it most.

We recorded an average overall improvement of 38% across all eight core areas of our Skills Star and an average participant score of 9.75 out of 10. In addition, feedback collected from referring professionals two months postcourse highlighted the following improvements in key intermediate outcomes:

Education & Learning: 89%

Of participants demonstrated improvement, with a noticeable increase in young people returning to school or alternative provision.

Improved Relationships: 92%

Of participants demonstrated improvement, with a noticeable increase in young people returning to school or alternative provision.

Reduction in Problem Behaviours: 90%

Our activities help individuals develop the ability to remain calm and focused, even in high-pressure or challenging situations.

Personal Identity: 91%

Our largest year-on-year gain. Participants gain a stronger sense of self-worth and identity, grounded in the values of respect, fairness, and responsibility learned through their work with the horses.

Furthermore, 96% of professionals reported that the changes observed in their clients could be attributed to attendance on our programme, with 64% strongly attributing those improvements directly to participation in the ReStart course.

Financial Review

Financial Overview

During the financial year, Centred Horseplay received a total of £41,505.88 in donations and contributions towards course delivery. This comprised unrestricted donations, fundraising and grants of £16,459, participant course contributions of £22,146.50, and restricted donations totalling £2,900.

Annual Expenditure

Course facilitation & essential programme delivery costs: £16,953.56

This includes specially trained freelance facilitators and all refreshments for participants and families.

Administration and office running costs: £1,001.98

Insurance and Legal fees: £1,225.29

Horse care and welfare expenses: £8,918.95.

This figure includes the daily care, upkeep, and training of horses, including the introduction and preparation of a new horse for programme delivery. All horses are loaned to the charity for the duration of their suitability to support the ReStart courses.

Facility rent and maintenance: £6,239.22

We benefit from a below-market rental rate, allowing us to allocate resources efficiently. Ongoing investment is being made to gradually upgrade the facility, with the aim of expanding capacity and enabling year-round delivery of ReStart programmes

Trustee and facilitator training: £1,171.02

Payroll expenses: £15,083.53

Year End: At year-end, the charity held restricted reserves of £8,719.33 and unrestricted reserves of £129.26. These reserves will be used to support future programme delivery and core administrative operations. xxxxx xxxx

Reserves Policy

The charity’s reserves policy aims to maintain a minimum of £5,000—the equivalent of ten ReStart c ourses at the beginning of each programme year. It is the charity’s policy not to commence courses unless Total £ Grants and donations adequate funding is in place to ensure delivery. xxxx

Future plans

Extension of arena to enable us to offer more Family ReStarts all year round Grow ReStart Champion panel More Non Verbal sessions for Education clients Funding for more Family ReStarts building on success in 23/24

Funding for more top ups building on success in 23/24 Grow reach & engagement on social channels

Contact Us

07799067235

TheHorseCourse@Centredhorseplay.org.uk

www.Centredhorseplay.org.uk

Shadywell Farm, Middle Dunntisbourne, near Cirencester

Thank You

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR INGLANDAND w￿E$ Centred Horseploy Reg No. 1167226 1167226 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from 0110612023 3110512024 To Section A Receipts and payments Unrèstricted fvnds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the rbparest to the wrest£ to ￿ ￿Test£ to nearest£ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Big Lottery funding Bamwood Trust Ma50nic furm ClolhwC￿e[s fund Fu￿raIsIng l D(KHtions Part contribution to C￿r5eS Ivari(KJs1 10.000 20.000 2,000 5,000 1,459 22.147 22.147 5,325 5,000 15,000 2,000 HSBC The Mills Equus Trust High Sheriff fLfKI Tewkesbtry BC Transfer between furMIs 1&01 15,000 n8 Sub total (Gross income for ARJ A2 Asset and investment sales. see tablel- iin 41.506 Sub total Total r￿8{pt$ 1172 41,506 fj4,359 A3 Paym•nts CO￿Se delrrfery Facility Maintena[￿e Charty Insurar Facility hire Travel Expenses Refreshments Legal and professiorHI fees H￿se GOSts C(￿￿pUter expen5e5 Salary costs Office Eynses ar￿ rnaintenar￿e Training & staff costs 12,649 3,239 4300 6.131 16,B49 9,370 590 3,000 1,027 105 635 12,877 8,162 998 3,000 2,175 825 13B 105 635 8.919 405 15.084 639 51 1,714 1,634 420 19,514 777 1.854 405 20.221 639 240 S138 240 Sub total 16.9B1 52.111 A4 Asset and investment purchas•s, (sèè tablèl Arena Toilet 51￿k Sub total 45.569 1&981 52.111 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 14809 21,043 12,248 6,364 23.528 29,B92 17,644 129 &719 29,892

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds Rèstricted funds Endowment funds Categories Details to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 Cash fvnds Bank 129 8.719 Total cash fiinds 129 8,719 s}} Unrestricted funds io £ Restrictsd funds to nèartsi £ Endowment funds D•tails Fund to whl¢h asset Details Cost loptionall ¢￿￿eTht value FurKI to whith Cost loptlonall Currerbt value Details B4 Assets retained for the charty's own use Fund to whl¢h rdates Amount duo tional Wh8n du8 Details B5 Liabilities lan Leech (Chairperson) 21.03.25 Amelia Allen 22.03.25

The Trustees of Centered Horseplay C/o Marie Longstaff Stown Cottage Crackstone Near Minchinhampton GL6 9BD

25[th] March 2025

Dear Trustees

Independent examiner’s report to the charity trustees of Centered Horseplay

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31 May 2024, which are set out on pages 1 and 2.

Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

I have examined your charity accounts in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission.

My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination and have no concerns. No matter has come to my attention which:

A.Dewbery-Case

Ashleigh Dewbery-Casr FCCA Director

On behalf of The Entrepreneurs Accountant (Ripple) Limited

Date: 25/03/2025