## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
for the year ending 31 March 2023
Charity Registration number 1178719
## **Registered Address**
Early World House, 7 Darwin Court, Clayton Way, Oxon Business Park Bicton Heath Shrewsbury SY3 5AL
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank Ltd Lloyds Bank plc 25 Kings Hill Avenue 25 Gresham Street West Malling London Kent EC2V 7HN ME19 4JQ
## **Independent Examiner**
TCA (Shrewsbury) LLP Third Floor 21 St Mary’s Street Shrewsbury SY1 1ED
## **Patrons**
Roger Jefcoate CBE DL Steve Leonard BVSc, PGCertSAM, MRCVS Sandra Fraser
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
**Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts** For the year ending 31 March 2023
|**Contents:**|**Page No**|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ Report|3 - 8|
|Report of the Independent Examiner|9|
|Receipts and Payments Accounts|10|
|Notes to the Accounts|11 - 13|
Page 2 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
## **Trustees’ Report**
The Trustees of Dog Assistance In Disability (Dog A.I.D.) are pleased to present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Vision and mission**
Our vision is that physically disabled people throughout the UK will be supported to train their own pet dog as an Assistance Dog, helping them to become more independent. Dog A.I.D.'s mission is to enable life-changing independence, confidence and resilience for physically disabled people through the effective training of Assistance Dogs in partnership with our skilled volunteer trainers.
Dog A.I.D. is a member of Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), a coalition of charities that work to the highest international standards of assistance dog and guide dog training and welfare. Dog A.I.D is also accredited by Assistance Dogs International.
## **Achievements in 2022/23**
We recruit and train professional dog trainers as volunteers, match them with local disabled people as clients and they provide training centred on positive reward-based Assistance Dog training techniques. Our volunteer trainers work with clients in their own homes, all of which needs monitoring to maintain our quality standards.
In April 2022, we held our first in person client workshop, since the pandemic, in Telford. The workshop was a one night residential for twelve clients, giving them the chance to meet and chat with other clients and share stories, advice and gain valuable peer support. We were also very lucky to have six of our amazing trainers volunteer to join us, giving up their Easter weekend to be there with us, helping our clients progress and gain valuable skills.
In September 2022, we held a ‘Dog A.I.D. Showcase’ day. This was an event to highlight Dog A.I.D., we invited people to come and meet our clients and trainers and see some of our dogs working, demonstrating their skills. The event was held at Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury.
In January 2023, we held another client workshop for clients in training, focussing on specific tasks. We looked at tasks such as the emergency stop, pushing buttons and a long stay amongst others.
We have launched with the assistance of ADUK, a Charity Learning Consortium to enhance staff and trainer CPD opportunities. This platform has a huge number of training pathways which are available to our staff and volunteers.
Page 3 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
We have also launched, in conjunction with ADI, the issue of digital ID cards to staff, volunteers and clients. These will, in time, become as widely recognized as the yellow ID booklet currently is.
Dog A.I.D. have recruited four new members of staff, during 2022/23, to focus on the recruitment and development of volunteer trainers and to enable the administration team to meet the growing needs of the Charity.
At 31 March 2023, the Dog A.I.D. team was supporting 83 Assistance Dog partnerships in training, in addition to the 108 qualified partnerships and a further 24 potential partnerships in the application stage, currently being assessed. During the financial year, 27 new partnerships started training and 18 partnerships became fully qualified as registered Assistance Dogs with Dog A.I.D. 17 partnerships passed Level 1 and 30 partnerships passed Level 2.
At 31 March 2023, there were 81 Dog A.I.D. volunteer trainers.
## **Future Plans**
Dog A.I.D. has seen a surge in the demand for our services, with over 700 people across the UK registering their interest in training their own Assistance Dog, supported by a professional dog trainer as a volunteer. We are building our capacity to recruit and support more volunteers and match them with local clients for tailored training partnerships.
We will continue to recruit volunteer trainers by raising our profile and attending appropriate events; amongst others, the Dog Fest festivals. We are launching a regular online ’drop-in’ session for potential trainers to be able to chat to us and be guided through the application process.
We will also be holding events for professional dog trainers interested in volunteering with Dog A.I.D. across the UK, both online and in person.
The charity is continuing this year with face-to-face workshops and activities for both in training and qualified clients in addition to ongoing training in clients own homes.
The trustees are also updating our strategic plan to direct the focus of the charity in the longer term.
Page 4 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
## **Statement of Public Benefit**
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in setting objectives and planning activities.
Dog A.I.D. supports physically disabled people throughout the UK to train their pets to qualify as Assistance Dogs, enabling them to live more independent lives by helping with many practical tasks, supporting them emotionally and physically, reducing isolation and care needs. By focusing on the existing pet/owner bond, long-term outcomes include:
- increased independence
- increased social interaction and self-confidence
- improved psycho-social wellbeing
- reduction in social isolation or reliance on family members or health services
- increased opportunities, with many of our clients being able to return to work, supported by their qualified Assistance Dog
We also see reduced reliance on emergency medical interventions, carers, friends, and family over many years. Many clients, and often their carers, can also return to work.
## **Supporters**
We are very grateful to everyone who kindly supports life-changing Assistance Dog partnerships through Dog A.I.D. Thank you to the following organisations for their support during the 2022/23 financial year and to all those who would like to remain anonymous or give as individuals, through fundraising and/or volunteering.
29th May 1961 Charitable Trust Joseph Hopkins & Henry James Sayer Charity Albert Hunt Trust Kendrick and Sylvia Edwards Charitable Trust Bruce Wake Charity King/Cullimore Charitable Trust CB&HH Taylor 1984 Trust Lady Forester Trust Charles Brotherton Trust Magic Little Grants Childwick Trust Pamela Barlow Charitable Trust David Brooke Charity RHS Spurgin Charitable Trust D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Sir James Reckitt Charity Dumbreck Charity Spurrell Charitable Trust Edgar E Lawley Foundation Tesco Bags of Help Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust The Blakemore Foundation Eyre Family Foundation Thomas J Horne Memorial Trust The Forrester Family Trust Travers Smith Foundation Friends of Wessex Assisting Dogs Woodroffe Benton Foundation Hawthorne Charitable Trust Wynn Foundation
Page 5 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
## **Financial Review**
In the year Dog A.I.D. generated an overall deficit of £35,458 (2021/22 surplus £3,154) and this comprises:
- a surplus on unrestricted funds of £2,227 (2021/22 a surplus of £6,210), and
- a deficit on restricted funds of £37,685 (2021/22 a deficit of £3,056).
Total income was £107,502 (2021/22 £134,636) and this includes £51,548 (2021/22 £88,400) of grants.
Total expenditure was £142,960 (2021/22 £131,482) and this includes £84,387 (2021/22 £81,696) of employment costs.
At the year-end, free reserves, which includes the market value of investments held, was £97,297 (2021/22 £93,289) a further £40,991 held as restricted funds and £4,841 as designated funds (2021/22 £78,676 and £7,054 respectively),
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The trustees meet regularly and are responsible for:
- setting the strategic direction of Dog A.I.D. and its strategic plan;
- agreeing a set of policies for Dog A.I.D. to operate within;
- recruitment of trustees and senior staff
- approval of the annual budget and monitoring progress against that budget;
- • approval of the Annual Report and Accounts; and
- managing risk.
A number of trustees are involved in the day to day operation of the charity. All staff have written job descriptions and their performance is monitored against these and their targets.
Dog A.I.D. is established under a constitution dated 7th June 2018 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The constitution requires that there are not less than three and not more than ten trustees. Previously Dog Assistance In Disability was a registered charity (registration number 1098619).
Client and Trainer representative trustees are elected at the AGM. Other trustees are appointed through open recruitment for identified skills and experience needed by the Board of Trustees.
Page 6 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
## The trustees serving during the year and to date are:
|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**|**Representative**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Belinda Johnson|Secretary|||
|Teresa Court||Resigned 23 July 2022|Client
Representative|
|Isobel Michael|DeputyChair|||
|Robert Moore||Reappointed 23 July
2022|Client
Representative|
|Debbie Broomfield|Co-Chair|Resigned 7 January
2023||
|Lynn Stacey|Co-Chair|Stood down as Co-
Chair 7 January2023|Trainer
Representative|
|Jonathan Attenborough||||
|Andrew Binks|Treasurer|||
|Mitch Payne||Resigned 23 July2022||
|Jill Doran||Appointed 23 July 2022
Resigned 7 September
2022|Client
Representative|
|Gillian Helen Kirkman||Appointed 3 February
2023|Client
Representative|
|Paul Miles||Appointed 1 June 2023||
Dog A.I.D is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs UK (charity number 1119538) and accredited by Assistance Dogs International (a not for profit organisation registered in the United States).
From 1 April 2021 the trustees committed the charity to being a Real Living Wage employer.
## **Risk management**
The trustees maintain a Risk Register as part of their Business Continuity and Risk Plan. This register includes:
- Reputational risk;
- Legislation and Compliance risk;
- External risks;
- Operational risks;
- Employment risks;
- Finance risks;
- Business / Supplier risks; and
- Governance risk
Page 7 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
**Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts** For the year ending 31 March 2023
## **The Trustees declare that they have approved the annual report and accounts.**
**Signed on behalf of the trustees**
**Signature Name** Andrew Binks Isobel Michael **Position** Treasurer Trustee **Date** 12 July 2023 12 July 2023
Isobel Michael
Page 8 of 13
Dog Assistance In Disability
Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts
For the year ending 31 March 2023
Independent Examiners Report for the year ended 31 March 2023
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year
ended 31 March 2023.
This feport is made solely lo the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with seclion
145 of the charities Act 2011 and régulations made under section 145 of that Act. My work
has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters l am
required to state to them in an Independent Examiners Report and for no other purpose. To
the fullest extent pemiitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other
than the charily and the charity's trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Responslbllltles and basls of roport
As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act.).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carrled out under se¢tion 145 of
the 2011 Acl and in Carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable
Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(51{b) of the A¢t.
Independent Examlnees Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirni that no material matters have come to my
attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any
material respect..
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the A¢t,' or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting record$.
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 accounts to be reached.
Mrs C L Mo8lwyn-Wllllams Bsc FCA
TCA {Shrewsburyl LLP
Third Floor, 21 St Mary's Street
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY1 1ED
Date -
i3tAJLiI 2Q23
Page9of13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
## **Receipt and Payments Account to 31 March 2023**
|**Notes**
**Income**
Charitable Trust and
Foundation Grants
Community Fundraising
Donations
Corporate Support
Legacies
Charitable Activities
Trading Activities
Other
**Total Income**
**Expenditure**
Employment Costs
**2**
Office Support Costs
IT Costs
Premises Costs
Goods for Resale
Client Delivery Costs
Fundraising and Events
Trustee Expenses
**3**
**Total Expenditure**
**Net Income less**
**Expenditure**
Cash balance at 1 April
2022
**4**
Cash balance at 31
March 2023
Investments
**5**
**Reserves at 31 March**
**2023**
**6, 7**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
25,300
14,809
5,059
3,551
20,532
8,613
2,908
482
81,254
42,354
11,670
3,330
11,460
1,340
8,041
817
15
79,027
2,227
39,829
42,056
60,082
102,138|**Restricted**
**Funds**
26,248
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
26,248
42,033
6,331
1,588
-
-
13,736
245
-
63,933
-37,685
78,676
40,991
40,991
|**Total**
51,548
14,809
5,059
3,551
20,532
8,613
2,908
482
107,502
84,387
18,001
4,918
11,460
1,340
21,777
1,062
15
142,960
-35,458
118,505
83,047
60,082
143,129|**£**
**2021/22**
**Total**
88,400
16,168
3,495
575
9,422
11,033
4,854
689|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||134,636
81,696
16,011
5,513
11,234
-
16,809
219
-|
|||||131,482|
|||||3,154
115,351|
|||||118,505
60,513|
|||||179,018|
Page 10 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **1. Basis of Accounting**
These accounts have been prepared on a cash receipts and payments basis other than Investments which are shown at market value.
Restricted Funds arise where the donor stipulates what the funds are to be spent on. In the event that they are not spent as stipulated they may be returned to the donor.
Designated Funds arise where the Trustees decide to ring-fence funds for a specific purpose. In the event that they are not spent as specified they will be re-designated as unrestricted.
## **2. Employment Costs**
|**ent**|**Costs**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**31 March**|**31 March**|**Average**|
|||**2023**|**2022**|**2022/23**|
|No|of Employees|5|2|4.5|
|Full|Time Equivalents|3.9|1.6|3.6|
No employee was paid in excess of £60,000.
Fundraising costs are estimated at £9,541 (2021/22 £10,921) and are reported in Employment Costs.
## **3. Trustee expenses**
Trustees are not remunerated for their services and are reimbursed for expenses incurred as trustees.
A number of Trustees are also volunteer trainers or clients. The following expenses have been incurred:
|As Trustee only
As Trustee and trainer/client
As volunteer trainer only
Total costs included in Client Delivery Costs|**31 March**
**2023**
15
947
1,364
2,311|**31 March**
**2022**
-
-
573
573|
|---|---|---|
There were no transactions with related parties.
Page 11 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
## **4. Investments**
|**4. Investments**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**£**|
||**31 March**|**2023**|**31 March**|**2022**|
||**Market**
**Value**|**Cost**|**Market**
**Value**|**Cost**|
|M&G Equities|||||
|Investment Fund for|60,082|53,000|60,513|53,000|
|Charities|||||
## **5. Restricted Funds**
At the year-end Restricted Funds were held for the following purposes:
|Client partnerships in specified areas
Remote delivery
Specific staff roles
Trainer workshops
Client workshops
Other
Total|**31 March**
**2023**
11,529
1,045
6,834
11,313
9,270
1,000
40,991|**£**
**31 March**
**2022**
13,413
7,842
44,085
7,384
4,952
1,000
78,676|
|---|---|---|
Page 12 of 13
## **Dog Assistance In Disability**
## **Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts**
For the year ending 31 March 2023
## **6. Free Reserves**
The charity aims to hold as free reserves a minimum nine months of operating costs plus any contractual obligations longer than nine months and a provision for investment valuation fluctuations, to provide stability and as a precaution against an unexpected decline in income.
Restricted and designated funds and their expenditure are excluded from this definition of reserves because they are held separately. Given that the value of investments can fluctuate because of market volatility it is also appropriate to hold a provision against this risk.
The charity has classified £4,841 (2021/22 £7,054) as Designated Funds in respect of an undertaking arising on receipt of a legacy. As a consequence its Free Reserves are:
|Unrestricted Funds shown above
Less: Designated Funds
Free Reserves|**31 March**
**2023**
102,138
4,841
97,297|**£**
**31 March**
**2022**
100,343
7,054
93,289|
|---|---|---|
Under the reserves policy the charity aspires to hold a minimum Free Reserves at 31 March 2023 of £104,679 (2022 £100,438).
Page 13 of 13