Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 September 2024 Period start date To 31 August 2025 Period end date
Charity name: Wilby Riding for the Disabled incorporating Carriage Driving working name Venture RDA
Charity registration number: 1173610
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Venture RDA is set up to work across the spectrum of disabilities, age range, social status and rural and urban environments. The focus of the work is to ensure that each individual has the chance to derive therapeutic benefit and opportunity to achieve personal goal. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Venture RDA offers regular riding sessions for children with a variety of needs. The sessions in corporate activities that encompass the following skill sets; pony care, riding skills, physical development, cognitive support, speech and language skills, self esteem and confidence and relationship building. These skills show the children empathy and care through looking after the ponies. They allow children to try new things whilst building physical and inner strength. The focus on the child as an individual gives them a voice, a voice that can be heard. The families meet like minded others, who face the same day to day difficulties which gives them a network and subsequent strength as well. Venture RDA offers skills to the children and families that can open new doors when at times the families and children may feel many are closing. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have ensured that guidance is read an understood. |
Charity Commission on public benefit
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | A Year of Growth and Achievement September 2024 to August 2025 has been an exciting and transformative year for Venture RDA, marked by signifcant milestones, increased engagement, and a renewed commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our community. Ofcial Launch of the Mechanical Horse In March, we celebrated the ofcial opening of our new mechanical horse, a milestone event that highlights our ongoing dedication to innovation in therapeutic riding. The occasion was made even more special by the presence of our new patron, Piggy March, who graciously led the ceremony. The launch drew together the entire Venture RDA community, including our team, trustees, volunteers, participants, and supporters, underscoring the collective efort that drives our success. Riding Sessions and Participation: By the Numbers This year, Venture RDA delivered a total of 934 riding sessions, beneftting 136 children. This represents a notable increase from the previous year—an additional 184 sessions and 30 more participants. This growth refects not only theincreasing demandforourservices |
but also our capacity to meet the needs of more children, expanding the reach and impact of our programmes. Progress Towards Our Core Outcomes At the heart of Venture RDA’s mission are our three most important outcomes, which continue to guide our activities and strategic direction: 1. Enhancing Physical Wellbeing : Our riding sessions and therapeutic activities are designed to support the physical development of our participants, improving balance, coordination, and strength. 2. Promoting Emotional and Social Development : Through riding and the supportive environment we foster, children develop confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections with peers, volunteers, and horses. 3. Fostering Inclusion and Opportunity : We are committed to ensuring that children of all abilities have access to high-quality equestrian experiences, breaking down barriers and enabling everyone to thrive. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together over the past year and remain dedicated to building on this momentum in the months ahead. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time, energy, and support to Venture RDA’s ongoing journey.
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Income from riding has almost doubled from circa £4.5k pa in 23/24 to £8.4k in 24/25, reflecting the continued growth in service provision, as discussed above. The Charity also continued to fund- raise in order to complete the Mechanical Horse project this year, raising additional funds of almost £40k. This meant that we were able to expand service delivery even further from March 2025, when the mechanical horse was officially launched. As a result of the expansion, our cost base has also increased. This will further increase next year too, as livery costs are expected to rise significantly in 25/26. |
|---|---|---|
| We estimate that ongoing costs are likely to amount to approx. £42k pa going forwards. Excluding the “non cash” depreciation cost on the mechanical horse – this still amounts to £32k pa in cash terms - and puts additional pressure on our free reserves. As indicated below, whilst total reserves amounted to just over £129k by the end of August 2025, the majority of this is “tied up” in fixed assets (the mechanical horse) and our free reserves are currently only just sufficient to ensure continuity of ongoing “cash” running costs for around 11 months, should further funding not be forthcoming. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Charity has a target to hold Free Reserves to ensure that it ideally has the capacity to run for a minimum of 12 months, should funding be reduced / ceased. As noted above, the current level of reserves would ensure continuity of “cash” running costs for approx. 11 months, based on budgeted ongoing costs for 2025-26. The Trustees are actively fundraising to help ensure that the level of reserves is maintained. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £129,347 in total Free Reserves - £30,049which covers approx 11 months of future ongoing cash running costs Designated funds - £96,298 held as fixed assets (mechanical horse and building) Designated funds - £3,000 ring- fenced for the potential replacement of ponies |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of charity’s trusts:
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The RDA family is a federation of member groups which are governed by a Membership Agreement with RDA UK and a standard group constitution. |
|---|---|---|
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Prospective trustees apply and are notified of a decision within 21 days. All applicants are given fair consideration. Posts are decided collectively with nominations from trustee group members, first and seconded. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Wilby Riding for the Disabled Incorporating Carriage Driving |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses |
Venture RDA |
| Registered charity number | 1173610 |
| Charity’s principal address |
77 The Ashway Brixworth NN6 9UZ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Mackaness | President | |||
| Kevin Hives | Vice Chair | |||
| WendySpillane | Ponywelfare | |||
| Karen Vessey | Compliance | |||
| Sarah Hedgecock | Treasurer | |||
| JD Hives | Secretary, Safeguarding and Risk Assessments |
|||
| Claire Stuart | Chair | |||
| KrassyBell | Fund Raising | |||
16 17 18 19 20
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|
|---|---|---|
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Exemptions from disclosure
- Reason for non disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Claire Stuart ~~ee~~ Position (eg Chair Secretary, Chair, etc) ~~ee~~ Date 2[nd] March 2026 ~~pO~~
Wilby Riding for the Disabled Association Charity Number 1173610
Income & Expenditure for the 12 months to 31 Aug 25
| Income Income from riding Grant income Fundraising Sale of Horses Interest Received Other income less Cost of Charitable Activities Livery fees Pony lease Grant refund Vet and Farrier fees Repairs, maintenance and renovations Riding equipment Horses Insurance Training Legal & Professional Depreciation Other costs Net surplus / (deficit) Reserves bfwds Reserves cfwds |
2025 2024 8,412 4,492 34,500 68,000 6,337 11,078 3,000 1,274 2,556 - |
|---|---|
| 53,523 86,126 |
|
| 26,702 19,959 - - 2,336 1,339 290 617 1,668 492 3,000 - 1,911 1,394 - 907 244 - 944 260 |
|
| 36,851 25,212 |
|
| 16,672 60,915 |
|
| 1 - - 112,675 51,760 |
|
| 129,347 112,675 |
| Charity Number 1173610 Balance Sheet as at 31 Aug 2025 Fixed Assets Assets under Construction to 31 Aug 24 Assets in Use Current Assets Trade Debtors Prepayments Bank Account: Business Current Account Bank Account: CCLA COIF Charities Deposit Fund Current Liabilities Trade Creditors Net Assets Reserves Free Unrestricted funds Designated funds - assets in use Designated funds - assets under construction to date Designated funds - mechanical horse to completion Designated funds - replacing ponies Restricted funds - equipment for riding Total Funds |
£ £ 31-Aug 31-Aug 2025 2024 60,628 96,298 200 21,163 43,815 11,686 51,412 - - (43,180) |
|---|---|
| 129,347 112,675 |
|
| 30,049 14,047 96,298 - 60,628 35,000 3,000 3,000 |
|
| 129,347 112,675 |
Signed on behalf of the Trustees by:
Date:
Independent examlner s report to the trustees of Wilby Riding for the Dlsabled Incorporatlng Carriage Drlvlng, working name Venture RDA, charlty numbar 1173610 I report to the trustees on my examin8tion of the accounts of.. Wilby Riding for the Disabl8d incorporating Carriag8 Driving, working name Venture RDA, charity number 7 t 73610, (the Charity) for the year endad 31 August 2025. Responslbllhies and ba$ls of report As the trust88s of the Charity, you ar8 responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirgments of the Charities Act 2011 (th8 Act). I report in respect of my examination of th8 Charity s accounts carried out und8r section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by th8 Charity Commission und8r section 745{5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner s st8temant I have completed by examination. I confi'rm that no matgrial matters hav& come to my attention In conn8Ction with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect." accounting records were not kept in respect ol the Gharlty as required by section 130 of the Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord with thos8 records,. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fonn and content of accounts set out in th8 Charities (Accounts and R8POrts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a tnie and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of 8n independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no othgr matters in connection with the 8xamination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enabl8 a proper understanding of the accounts to be reach8d. igned.. Nam8.' Address.. Hv*DX"A 7xlrylL. -76IL Dat8.' 301h November 2025