Centred Horseplay Annual Report For the period 1June 2024 - 31st May 2025
Table of Contents
STRATEGIC REPORT
01[Forwards]
02[Introduction ]
Our Purpose and Approach Who we support What is the ReStart? Skills Star Comfort Zones Reporting and Evaluation Non-Verbal Toolbox
03[A Year in Review ]
04[Progress Report ]
07[Structure, Goverence & Management ]
08[Charity administration details ]
ACCOUNTS
05[Financial Review]
09[Independent Auditors Report ]
06[Priorities 2025-2026]
10[ Financial Statement ]
LETTER FROM THE CEO
This year has marked a real turning point for the charity, as we have begun to walk alongside more young people for longer. Our week-long ReStart programme continues to have a powerful impact, creating immediate change and laying strong foundations for the future (with evidence available on our website). However, what has been most significant this year is the opportunity to continue that journey with some of the young people we support. By working with them over time, we have been able to help embed those early breakthroughs into lasting change — not just within the safety of our sessions, but as they navigate the realities and challenges of everyday life which always include, when appropriate and beneficial, their immediate family, carers and educational setting.
Being present as they take those next steps — applying new skills, facing setbacks, and finding their way forward — has allowed us to support them in a more meaningful and responsive way. This deeper, ongoing connection has enabled us to create more lasting change for those who need it most, and has been one of the most rewarding developments in our work this year.
We have been based at Shadywell Farm now for three years, and this year we were delighted to complete the extension of our arena. This investment marks an important step forward, enabling us to have greater flexibility around our opening times through the year, which will help us reach even more people in need of support.
The additional space has already made a meaningful difference for our participants, offering them room to breathe, reflect, and grow within an environment where they feel safe and secure. Just as importantly, the space allows us to extend our work beyond the individual, creating opportunities to support the wider family network — something we at Centred Horseplay feel deeply passionate about. We know that when families are supported together, the impact is not only greater, but lasting
This year, we delivered a total of 301 ReStart sessions, alongside sharing our Non-Verbal Toolbox with 56 individuals. None of this would have been possible without the dedication, skill, and compassion of our facilitators and volunteers, whose commitment underpins everything we do.
We are especially grateful to those funders who have supported the core running of the charity. Their trust and investment have enabled us to build stability, grow our reach, and continue delivering meaningful, long-term support to the children and families who rely on us.
We are equally thankful to our Board of Trustees, whose guidance, passion, and lived understanding of the challenges faced by our participants continue to shape and strengthen our work.
As we look ahead, we are committed to build on this momentum — reaching more children and families, and continuing to provide safe, consistent, and meaningful support to those who need it most.
Marie Whitake r
A Year In Numbers
CENTRED HORSEPLAY’S ACHIEVEMENTS AT A GLANCE
EAS Sessions Delivered
Post Course Feedback
301 Number of new participants 34
Showed a reduction in 84% problem behaviour
CPD-Certified Non-Verbal Training Participants Referring Professionals 26
New family members or carers supporting our participants
30
80%
82%
Make improvements in 4 overarching areas: Education & Training, Problem Behaviours, Relationships & Identity
Showed improved attendance with school - of which 90% had not attended a day in over a year
% Participants who improved in all 8 skills on the THC Skills Star
Demonstrated an increase 82% in self-belief
84%
Showed improvements in 81% relationships at home and in school
With 100% improving in at least half
Community Engagement
Completion rate in 2025. A huge achievement 99% considering 75% of these YP were struggling to leave the house alone.
11
Volunteers
Of our young people want 100% to come back again
Total Volunteer hours 341 contributed
This young person was referred to us in 2023 and has experienced significant and complex challenges, including diagnoses of ASCD, ADHD, severe anxiety disorder, OCD, and PTSD, alongside experiences linked to self-harm and suicidal thoughts
Through consistent, long-term support, we have helped him develop a sense of calm and emotional safety. Having the time to work with him over an extended period has allowed us not only to support regulation, but to gradually build confidence, curiosity, and enjoyment. More recently, this has included developing the ability to be playful with the horses — something he had never believed possible.
A Year in the Lives we’ve helped
"I learned to stay calm and assertive around others—maintaining my space without pushing people away. I now feel more grounded and in control, even when I start out feeling anxious. Working one-on-one in this environment gave me the confidence to develop new skills that I can use every day. Learning to stay calm in difficult situations has truly changed my life."
Quote from a young person referred with anxiety & childhood trauma who after two years of not being unable to leave the house alone not only completed her GCSEs but is now thriving in college, embracing new opportunities with confidence.
This young person joined Centred Horseplay last summer after being out of school—and without any form of alternative provision—for over three years.
He had been permanently excluded due to extreme behaviour and was awaiting a formal ADHD diagnosis. Despite numerous attempts, he had been unable to engage with therapy or mentoring support. At the time of referral, he was just 11 years old.
Following his ReStart week, he returned for weekly sessions to build on the skills he had begun to develop. Over time, he learned to trust adults, communicate more effectively, and assert himself in a safe and appropriate way. These changes had a positive impact not only on him, but also on his wider family relationships.
In December 2024, Centred Horseplay supported his transition into an alternative learning provision alongside other young people. With continued support and growing confidence, he successfully took the next step to a specialist school in September.
A Year in the Lives we’ve helped
Our Purpose and Approach
Since 2016, Centred Horseplay has delivered well-evidenced, high-impact equine-assisted interventions developed by TheHorseCourse. Our work supports children, young people, and at-risk adults experiencing challenges related to mental health, emotional wellbeing, and social engagement. Our behaviour change programmes are designed to help participants build confidence, resilience, and essential life skills within a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment and particularly effective as an alternative to traditional talk-based approaches, particularly for those who feel overwhelmed, disengaged, or unable to access other forms of support.
Alongside our core programmes, we provide Alternative Provision for young people who are disengaged from formal education, as well as practical Non-Verbal Toolbox training for families and professionals working in supportive roles. Our approach is grounded in the principle of teaching the body first, allowing the mind to follow. Many of the individuals we support have not previously experienced a sustained state of calm or understood its importance.
Through carefully designed, experiential activities with horses, participants learn to regulate their energy levels— developing the ability to increase or decrease arousal in response to different situations.
By the midpoint of a typical programme week, participants will have practised achieving a state of calm at least 100 times. Initially, this regulation is motivated through their interaction with the horses, as participants quickly recognise that their emotional state directly influences outcomes. Over time, this embodied learning becomes internalised, supporting lasting behavioural change.
This ability to self-regulate is one of eight core skills embedded within our programmes. For many participants, it is the most transformative, forming the foundation for improved emotional control, increased confidence, and sustained progress across other areas of their lives.
The ReStart programme is designed to do exactly what its name suggests — offer a meaningful reset for those who have become stuck. Through a series of immersive, practical sessions delivered over four to five consecutive days, participants learn and practise new strategies in real-life contexts, helping to embed lasting approaches to managing the severe anxieties many face on a daily basis.
We have seen particularly strong outcomes when we are able to work with the whole family. By supporting families to better understand one another’s experiences and challenges, and equipping them with shared strategies, we help create more consistent, supportive environments that enable lasting change.
To ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and impact, Centred Horseplay is accredited by TheHorseCourse, a nationally recognised, evidence-based programme model. We are one of only 14 organisations globally, and the only charity in our region of the South West, licensed to deliver this work. Of these organisations, 12 are based in the UK, with others located in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
Who we support
Centred Horseplay works with individuals who aren’t engaging with traditional, talk-based therapies, or who have tried and made no meaningful progress. Our participants are typically living with complex emotional, mental health, or neurodiverse needs that have left them excluded, overwhelmed, or shut down in the face of conventional support.
Our action-based approach is designed specifically for people who can’t—or won’t—talk about their emotions. Every participant is referred because talking therapy hasn’t worked, or they’re no longer making progress. Grounded in traumainformed practice, we recognise that for many individuals, particularly those who have experienced trauma, engaging through doing rather than talking can feel safer and more accessible. By working alongside carefully selected horses, participants are supported to regulate their emotions, build calmness, confidence, and resilience through non-verbal, experiential learning that meets them where they are.
Participants are referred to us by a range of professionals, including Children’s Services, Edge of Care teams, schools, NHS and mental health services, Families First teams, Youth Justice and Offender Services, as well as specialist agencies and charities supporting those affected by domestic violence, substance misuse, or additional educational needs. Some of the young people referred to us by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) may have a formal diagnosis of a mental health condition—currently around 81% of our referrals. However, many others are referred by social workers, education professionals, or family support services who primarily describe their needs in terms of emotional regulation, behaviour, or difficulties with social engagement.
Regardless of referral route, the majority of individuals we support experience severe anxiety alongside a range of mental health challenges that significantly affect their ability to engage with education, relationships, and everyday life. Participants typically present with complex emotional, mental health, or neurodiverse needs, often resulting in them feeling excluded, overwhelmed, or unable to engage with conventional support. Most individuals present with multiple overlapping challenges, commonly experiencing two to four of the issues outlined below.
Depression School exclusion Substance misuse Disengaged Autism Spectrum Not able to go to school, college or work Mood swings/Impulsivity Low self-esteem PTSD Risk taking behaviour Agressive Violent Self-harm Offending behaviour ADHD Bereavement Bullying/bullied Gender identity challenges OCD Young carer Attachment disorder Suicidal Anxiety diagnosis Repeat victim of crime Lacks empathy Eating disorder Oppositional defiant disorder Agoraphobia Impulsive behaviour Mute/non-responsive Anger management issues Young carer Risk taking behaviour Repeat victim of crime +123 456 789 hello@greatsite.com
What is a ReStart?
Most individuals we support begin their journey through ReStart, a fully bespoke, one-to-one programme designed to meet the specific needs of each participant.
The programme delivers an immersive and structured series of equineassisted sessions that use experiential learning to support the development of essential life skills through direct, lived experience.
The programme is delivered within a calm and purpose-designed setting and is particularly effective for individuals who are traditionally hard to reach or disengaged from mainstream services. ReStart supports participants to develop emotional awareness, resilience, and readiness to re-engage with learning, education, or wider life opportunities.
There is no classroom content or counselling. Instead, participants are guided through practical horsemanship tasks that provide immediate, honest, non-verbal feedback. Through doing—not talking—they practise skills such as calmness, assertiveness, focus, perseverance, and empathy in real time. The approach is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-friendly, and adaptable to individual pace and readiness.
Each ReStart includes:
Four or five 1:1 equine-assisted sessions (between 2 & 2.5 hours each day totalling 10 hours)
A filmed horsemanship video for the participant to keep
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A structured progress review using the HorseCourse Skills Star A certificate of completion
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A written handback report for referrers or support professionals
All provision is delivered on an individual basis, ensuring that sessions are tailored to each participant’s pace, needs, and capacity for engagement. This includes Family ReStart programmes, in which individual family members are initially supported separately before being brought together at an appropriate stage. This staged and personalised approach supports trust-building, effective communication, and sustainable change.
Participants’ readiness to learn is continually assessed throughout the programme. Horsemanship-informed strategies are applied responsively to support individuals in achieving and maintaining an optimal emotional and physiological state for learning. Over the course of the programme, participants develop personalised selfmanagement strategies and practise these repeatedly through progressively more complex tasks and with gradually reduced levels of support.Participants succeed only by adapting how they present themselves learning through coaching, feedback from expressive horses, and immediate natural consequences.
Structured reflection is embedded throughout delivery, enabling participants to identify and consolidate the strategies most effective for them. Reported outcomes include sustained improvements in emotional regulation, confidence, and behaviour, with many participants going on to successfully re-engage with education, training, employment, or appropriate therapeutic provision.
The ReStart Skills Star
Participants learn and practice 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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Engagement ( Confidence as a Learner) - enthusiastically taking on new challenges, pushing limits whilst also taking care of own con dence.
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Responsibility - taking responsibility for our own thoughts, emotions and actions. (For some stopping taking the blame & responsibility)
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Calmness - having the habit of calmness and knowing how to create it in difficult situations Assertiveness - able to be calmly assertive, without getting aggressive or upset. Understanding that its ok to make health boundaries.
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Realistic Analysis & Planning - Stopping to think before acting, making a realistic assessment of situations and planning accordingly
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Focus & Perseverance - working towards goals despite setbacks Relating to Others/Empathy - seeing the needs of others, being able to offer care and support, feeling closely connected Communication & Language - two way, respectful, assertive communications, having language to talk about thinking and emotions
One of the most important uses of the star is as a way of discussing and reflecting on their ReStart on the last day. We talk through each point, thinking about where the participant was at the beginning of the course and how far 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.The 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.
The ReStart Comfort Zone & Slider Chart
No one would imagine that any of our participants would want to do even more paperwork but these two charts provide visual representation of not only have far they have stepped out of their comfort zone in a week but also a reminder of something really tough that have achieved by applying the right mind and body set.
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).
To support this, participants are encouraged to continually gauge both the horses’ and their own confidence on a i scale of 1 to 10—where 1 represents their ultimate : comfort zone, 10 signals fear or overwhelm, and the numbers in between reflect either positive stretch or being pushed slightly too far. When the numbers climb too high, we use the Approach and Retreat strategy, helping both i horse and participant return to a state of calm before moving forward again. This gradual process safely expands comfort zones, while reinforcing that progress comes from calm, confident steps.
"a
This reflective practice helps participants truly understand their learning journey—especially the value and reward of stepping just beyond their comfort zone to reach those “golden” moments of growth.
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!
Paperwork and reflection time usually looks a bit like this!
Reporting & Evaluation
We follow a robust evaluation process to ensure our programmes are effective, impactful, and continuously evolving. As an official hub of TheHorseCourse ReStart Programme—a highly structured, evidence-based intervention—we assess all courses in alignment with their detailed Theory of Change, which has been recognised by New Philanthropy Capital as an exemplar in the sector. This framework allows us to measure progress across eight core psycho-social skills.
Our outcomes not only guide service improvement but also contribute to TheHorseCourse’s broader body of research, supporting the continued development and validation of this proven approach.
Measurement Tools
We use the Skills Star, a validated tool to measure progress across the eight skills on a scale of 0-4
Intermediate Outcomes
Two months post course we monitor broader outcomes from referring professionals including:
Service User Feedback
Participants, families & referrers provide qualitative and quantitative feedback on these outcomes.
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e Initial Assessment: Referrers rate e Reduced problem behaviours Each participant provides a rating on participants' skills before starting e Improved relationships how helpful they found the course the course
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eb Better engagement with school, e Open-ended feedback is collected to work, or training identify strengths and areas for
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e Enhanced self-belief and identity improvement
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End-of-Course Assessment: Facilitators and participants assess progress during the final session, comparing "before" and "after" scores Follow-Up Assessment: Two months post-course, referrers and participants evaluate sustained progress
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Improved mental health
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ReStart Champions take participant feedback back to a quarterly panel fed back to the Trustee’s to ensure we are continually listening to our users & considering relevant updates to our services
This dual perspective—professional and participant—helps us build a richer picture of impact and ensures that each individual’s voice is at the centre of how we understand success.
Beyond this we also hear wonderful stories of transformation like young people returning to school or being able to re-engage with family. Our aim is not just short-term improvement, but long term change and the feedback we have from parents, referrers and participants continues to reflect on this.
World-leading Evidence Base Specific to TheHorseCourse ReStart Programme – Proven Impacts
Multiple independent studies published in peer-reviewed 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. Participant feedback is collected and shared with TheHorseCourse and evaluated annually to ensure ongoing quality and impact.
Non Verbal Workshops
This two part course equips both professionals and family members with evidence-based, non-verbal strategies derived from the ReStart model. Through practical, skills-focused learning, you will gain tools to support individuals experiencing severe anxiety and related challenges. The approach promotes emotional regulation, resilience, and engagement, enabling more effective support and preventative care. At the core of the training is a simple but powerful truth: the body cannot lie.
Centred Horseplay support individuals experiencing extreme anxiety by helping them to feel what true calmness is like. Importantly, they don’t learn this for themselves, their parents, or professionals —but for the horses. By teaching participants to observe and interpret both the horses’ body language and their own, they begin to understand how closely the two are connected and how quickly one influences the other.
Through advanced natural horsemanship techniques, participants gain insight into how horses communicate and learn to “speak” in their language. This process relies on subtle, non-verbal strategies and the effective use of body language to build trust and connection. We aim to share the non-verbal strategies we use so that parents, carers, and healthcare professionals can apply them as both preventative tools and practical support for those experiencing similar anxieties.
Non Verbal Strategies
When people struggle to explain what they’re feeling—or don’t even realise they’re dysregulated—their body still shows it. This course teaches participants to spot those signs early and respond in ways that bring calm, connection and cooperation.
This non-verbal toolkit is delivered in two sequential parts to maximise learning and impact. Part one through a face to face workshop at our centre with the opportunity to practice strategies in real time and then followed up with a 2hr online CPD-Certfifed course which includes interactive videos, printable resources, a personal action plan and CPD certification on completition.
These sessions will help you take individuals from red disruptive or shut down behaviour through to ready to engage and learn..
Observe
01
All of us can move across all quadrants and the key is to be able to observe and understand in the moment so we can then begin to shape behaviour using specific strategies.
Are they moving or still? Is that movement smooth or jerky? OR is it so still its awkward? Question is - can they physically not keep still or just won’t ? Try really hard to blank out often learned behaviour language.
Name Quadrant
02
- Our dominating extrovert - the Forcer - Our ‘you and who’s army’ Resister - Our run first think later Runaway - Our very shut down Hider
Apply Strategy
03
- Speed up and focus & prepare to really speed up - Retreat and wait - Shape behaviour - accept them
- Do less, pique interest
Ready to Engage!
04
- Calm - Connected - Responsive - Not just ready to learn but wanting to learn
Year in Review
Supporting Families to Prevent Escalation
During the reporting period, we worked with 62% more family units than in the previous year. Of these, 70% were identified as Edge of Care, indicating a high level of complexity and risk. This demonstrates both the growing demand for this work and its critical importance in supporting families at points of significant vulnerability. Our continued delivery of family-centred support therefore represents a significant contribution to early intervention and safeguarding outcomes.
While social care and educational funding can sometimes be accessed for the referred individual, securing funding to support the wider family system remains extremely challenging. As a result, this area of work is rarely externally funded despite its clear preventative value.
Building Skills on a Longer-Term Basis
Our Top-Up and Alternative Provision sessions are designed to support participants over a longer period, enabling sustained skill development and meaningful change. These sessions may be delivered with or without horses, take place on the farm, or include supported reintegration with school or college, depending on individual need.
Regular weekly or fortnightly sessions following completion of a ReStart programme provide participants with structured opportunities to apply newly learned coping and self-regulation strategies within their everyday environments. Participants then return to reflect on their experiences, refine their approaches, and build confidence through guided support. In addition, we have been able to offer ad-hoc sessions in advance of particularly stressful events, ensuring timely and responsive support at critical moments.
During the reporting period, we supported 46% more young people through longer-term provision and achieved a number of significant outcomes. Notably, three young people who had been excluded from school for over two years are now successfully re-engaging with peers of their own age and attending schools within Gloucestershire.
A substantial proportion of this essential work has been commissioned by social services and educational settings within the local area. Income generated through these commissions has been reinvested directly into unfunded provision, enabling us to continue delivering family support and individual interventions for those who do not have access to statutory funding.
Impact in Numbers
This year, we continued to grow our reach, delivering our evidence-based ReStart programme to 34 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 978 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 57% across all eight core areas of our Skills Star and an average participant score of 9.95 out of 10. In addition, feedback collected from referring professionals two months post-course highlighted the following improvements in key intermediate outcomes:
Education & Learning: 91%
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.
Improved Relationships: 92%
Of participants demonstrated improvement, with a noticeable increase in young people returning to school or alternative provision.
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, 98% of professionals reported that the changes observed in their clients could be attributed to attendance on our programme, with 79 % 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 £56,624 in donations and contributions towards course delivery. This comprised unrestricted donations, fundraising, grants and participant course contributions of £27,673, and restricted donations totalling £28,951
Annual Expenditure
Course facilitation & essential programme delivery costs: £10,831
This includes specially trained freelance facilitators and all refreshments for participants and families.
Administration and office running costs: £1,855
Insurance and Legal fees: £2,299
Horse care and welfare expenses: £9,792
This figure includes the daily care, upkeep and training of horses. All horses are loaned to the charity for the duration of their suitability to support the ReStart courses.
Facility rent and maintenance: £4,101
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
Payroll expenses: £18,192
Year End: At year-end, the charity held restricted reserves of £9,477 and unrestricted reserves of £8,925. These reserves will be used to support future programme delivery and core administrative operations.
The charity’s reserves policy aims to maintain a minimum of £5,000—the equivalent of ten ReStart courses at the beginning of each programme year. It is the charity’s policy not to commence courses unless adequate funding is in place to ensure delivery.
Progress Against 2024–2025 Future Plans
Delivering on Our Commitments
2024 - 2025 Priority
Planned Outcome
Progress Achieved (2024–2025)
Extension of all -weather Enable us to offer more arena we teach ReStart in Family ReStarts all year round
Part funded by a Spacehive campaign, fundraising and course contributions we were able to extend our arena and already have family ReStarts booked in for the winter months
Grow ReStart Champion Create opportunity for those panel who have benefited from the ReStart to help improve our services
Recruitment of two post ReStart participants who have actively played a part in helping us to improve our service in 2025
More Non Verbal sessions Preventative & educational for Healthcare and tool also ensuring the right Educational Professionals people are referred for our services
We delivered 24% more of those this year and included an additional 2hr online CPD-certified course.
Funding for more Family Increase reach and early ReStarts building on success intervention with families in 23/24 Funding for more top ups Offer long term help to building on success in 23/24 participants
We not only increased our family centric sessions but were able to engage more parents long term through our Non Verbal toolbox training
This year we were able to fund follow up sessions to 18 young people who did not have access to statutory funding
Looking Ahead: Priorities for 2025–2026
1. Maintain High-Quality, Wellbeing-Focused Delivery
We will continue to deliver low-volume, high-quality one-toone and family-centred provision, ensuring that the wellbeing of both participants and horses remains central to all activity. Caseloads will be managed carefully to maintain safety, effectiveness, and ethical practice.
2. Strengthen Family-Centred Early Intervention
We plan to further develop our family-centred work, particularly with families identified as Edge of Care, recognising the preventative value of supporting the wider family system alongside the referred individual.
3. Expand Access to Longer-Term and Alternative Provision
Building on successful outcomes achieved this year, we aim to continue delivering longer-term Top-Up and Alternative Provision support for young people who are disengaged from education, including supported reintegration where appropriate.
4. Improve Access for Individuals Without Statutory Funding
We will seek to increase our capacity to support individuals and families who do not meet funding thresholds, through careful reinvestment of commissioned income and small-scale fundraising activity.
5. Increase Reach and Engagement Through Social Media
We plan to further develop our social media presence as a low-cost outreach tool to increase awareness of our services, share good practice, and improve access to information for families and professionals. Alongside this, we will use our platforms to support fundraising activity, helping us to reach new supporters, build relationships, and secure the resources needed to sustain and grow our work.
6. Strengthen Governance, Policies, and Sustainability
We will continue to review policies, risk management, and safeguarding arrangements, and explore opportunities to improve financial resilience while remaining aligned with our charitable objects.
Why These Priorities
These priorities reflect learning from the past year, emerging need among the individuals and families we support, and our commitment to delivering effective, ethical, and sustainable services within our available resources.
Structure, Governance & Mangement
Governing Document: How Charity is Constituted:
Constitution
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Statutory Declaration
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.
Trustee’s on May 31st 2025
Selena George Jessica Day Ian Leech Amelia Robbins Helen French
Trustee Selection Methods:
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of 3 years by a resolution passed at a convened meeting of the charity trustees.
In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
Induction & Training of new Trustees:
Centred Horseplay ( 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.
Safeguarding Training Levels
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
Charity Administration Details
Charity name:
Centred Horseplay
Charity number:
1167226
Charity’s operating address:
Shadywell Farm, Middle Dunntisbourne, Near Cirencester, GL7 7AR
Charity’s registered address:
Stown Cottage, Crackstone, Near Minchinhampton, GL6 9BD
Bank:
Lloyds Bank 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN
Independent Examiner:
The Entrepreneurs Accountant ( Ripple) Limited Kimberley Northwick, Mark, Highbridge, TA9 4PQ
Contact Details:
Website: Centredhorseplay.org.uk Phone: 07799067235 Email: TheHorseCourse@CentredHorseplay.org.uk
The Trustees of Centered Horseplay C/o Marie Longstaff Stown Cottage Crackstone Near Minchinhampton GL6 9BD 19th March 2026
Dear Trustees
Independent examiner’s report to the charity trustees of Centered Horseplay Ireport on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31 May 2025, 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:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
follow the procedures laid downin the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145 (5) (b) of theCharities Act), and
state whether particular mattershave come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
Ihave examined your charity accountsinaccordance 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 examinationandhave no concerns. No matter has come to my attention which:
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gives me reasonable causetobelieve that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accountingrecords in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act;
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o to prepare accountswhich accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A.Dewbery-Case
Ashleigh Dewbery-Case FCCA Director
On behalf of The Entrepreneurs Accountant (Ripple) Limited
- 19th March 2026
| For the period from To Centred Horseplay Reg No. 1167226 1167226 Receipts and payments accounts 01/06/2024 31/05/2025 ee ee |
For the period from To Centred Horseplay Reg No. 1167226 1167226 Receipts and payments accounts 01/06/2024 31/05/2025 ee ee |
For the period from To Centred Horseplay Reg No. 1167226 1167226 Receipts and payments accounts 01/06/2024 31/05/2025 ee ee |
For the period from To Centred Horseplay Reg No. 1167226 1167226 Receipts and payments accounts 01/06/2024 31/05/2025 ee ee |
For the period from To Centred Horseplay Reg No. 1167226 1167226 Receipts and payments accounts 01/06/2024 31/05/2025 ee ee |
CC16a - |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||||
| Unres tri cted funds tothe nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||
| StJames Place |
5,000 | 5,000 | - | |||
| Barnwood Trust |
23,000 | 23,000 | - | |||
| Masonic fund |
2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | |||
| Fundraising - Spacehive | 951 | 951 | - | |||
| Fundraising / Donations | 674 | 674 | 1,459 | |||
| Invoiced courses The | 24,999 | 24,999 | 22,147 | |||
| Mills Equus Trust |
- | 15,000 | ||||
| Tewkesbury BC | - | 900 | ||||
| Sub total (Gross income for AR) |
27,673 | 28,951 | - | 56,624 | 41,506 | |
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27,673 28,951 56,624 41,506 Sub total Total receipts ————— |
||||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||
| Course delivery | 2,363 | 8,450 | 10,813 | 16,849 | ||
| Facility Maintenance | 150 | 951 | 1,101 | 9,370 | ||
| Charity insurance | 453 | 453 | 590 | |||
| Facility hire | 2,700 | 300 | 3,000 | 3,000 | ||
| Travel Expenses | - | 1,027 | ||||
| Refreshments | 18 | 18 | 105 | |||
| Legal and professional fees | 1,846 | 1,846 | 635 | |||
| Horse costs | 9,492 | 300 | 9,792 | 9,469 | ||
| Computer expenses | 1,177 | 1,177 | 405 | |||
| Salary costs Office Expenses and maintenance Training & staff costs |
678 | 18,192 | 18,192 678 |
20,221 639 240 |
||
| - | ||||||
| Sub total | 18,877 | 28,193 | - | 47,070 | 62,549 |
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) Arena Toilet Block - - - - - - - - 18,877 28,193 47,070 62,549 Sub total Total payments —————— |
|---|
| A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end 8,796 - 129 8,925 758 - 8,719 9,477 - 9,554 - - - 8,848 18,402 - - 21,043 - 29,892 8,848 Cashfundsthisyear end Net of receipts/(payments) ===> |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unres tri cted Restricted Endowment Categories Details funds funds funds Lloyds Bank to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 Cash funds 8,925 9,477 - - - - - - - Total cash funds 8,925 9,477 - ~~——~~ (agree balanceswithreceiptsandpayments account(s)) OK OK OK Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B2 Other monetary assets - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - =—=== Fund to which Current value Cost (optional) Details asset belongs (optional) B3 Investment assets - - - - - - - - - - —__— Fund to which Current value Cost (optional) Details asset belongs (optional) B4 Assets retained for the - - charity’s own use - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ==== Fund to which Amount due When due Details liability relates (optional) (optional) B5 Liabilities - - - - Ian Leech (Chairperson) 29/03/2026 Amelia Robbins 29/03/2026
Thank you
CENTRED HORSEPLAY
E: TheHorseCourse@Centredhorseplay.org.uk T: 07799067235
www.Centredhorseplay.org.uk