2023-08-31-accounts - Street Paws

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Street Paws Registered Charity No. 1178826

Trustees' Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 August 2023

Street Paws

Name: Street Paws Charity no: 1178826 Structure: Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by a constitution. Trustees: Rachel Bean Leah Victoria Southern Susan McCabe James Patrick Collins Katja Londa Danyal Khan Catriona Granger Trustees are elected by the membership at each Annual General Address: 101 Middleton Street Blyth NE24 2LU Bankers: Lloyds Bank Independent Mark Thompson MAAT Examiner: VODA Spirit of North Tyneside Wing 2nd Floor, Wallsend Customer First Centre 16 The Forum Wallsend NE28 8JR

The Trustee's present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023.

The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Constitution and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2015)

Structure, governance and management

Street Paws operates as an independent UK charity. Street Paws (“The charity”) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, charity registration number 1178826 (England and Wales). The charity registered with the Charity Commission on 18 June 2016 and is governed by a constitution embodying its rules and principles

Street Paws has a board of 7 unpaid trustees, referred to as our Trustee Board. The Board meets a minimum of four times a year and acts as the charity’s governing body with powers to delegate day today management to the Street Paws leadership team, as defined below. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in the accounts. Trustees are selected and appointed based on suitability, experience and commitment to the cause based on their skills and experience, both clinical and non-clinical, so that there is a good professional and cultural fit.

The leadership team, led by the Director, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the charity under authority delegated by the Trustee Board. The leadership team proposes to the Trustee Board where the charity should invest its time, money and expertise. The Trustee Board proposes an annual budget for approval and monitors financial performance accordingly. Regular trustee meetings took place during this period to ensure clear understanding and oversight of the business for all. The trustees have assessed the risks to which the charity is exposed, those relating to the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied that there are systems in place to mitigate exposure.

The Trustees review the aims and objectives of the charity each year. This report looks at the achievements and outcomes during the reporting period. The Trustees report on the success of each activity, noting how operations have benefitted local populations. The review helps Trustees to ensure that the charity’s aims and objectives remain focussed on its stated purpose. The Trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and when planning future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the objectives that have been set.

Processes for risk management are clearly stated in our Health and Safety Policies and associated Risk register. Street Paws Director is Health and Safety Officer and responsible for the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy, and compliance with relevant legislation. Street Paws operates an independent UK charity and there have been no transactions with related parties.

Objectives and Activities

Street Paws purpose is to support the wellbeing of pets and their owners whilst experiencing homelessness. Our Mission is to provide free veterinary care for people experiencing homelessness, and to protect the human and animal bond by keeping owners and their pets together wherever possible.

In addition, Street Paws raises awareness of its activities and raises funds to cover the costs of veterinary services, supplies, pet equipment, volunteer recruitment and training in line with its charitable aims.

Street Paws support is accessible in two ways:

Referral by Local Authority housing support or organisations working with people experiencing
homelessness.

• Street Paws Dog Champion Scheme which works with hostels and temporary accommodation providers helping owners and their pets to stay together alongside support for hostel staff and help implementing pet policies.

The Street Paws Dog Champion Scheme offers free, accessible veterinary care for pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness, as well as support for hostel managers and staff to adopt and implement positive pet policies.

Growth and expansion of the Scheme has brought change in working practices. A steady decline in veterinary volunteers since the pandemic has meant that we were no longer able to conduct regular outreach sessions. A decision was made by the Trustees to cease veterinary outreach clinics at the end of this financial year and instead provide more targeted support through our Hostel support programme. During the financial year 2022-2023 Street Paws supported 82 animals referred to local veterinary practices for treatment

There is still a lack of pet friendly accommodation nationally and in the period of September 2022 – August 2023 we received 145 requests 72 (21/22) for support where no pet friendly accommodation was available Nationally and therefore the homeless pet owner was not able to accept temporary accommodation with their pet.

Achievements and Performance

Street Paws charitable activities focus on homelessness and animal welfare and are undertaken to further Street Paws charitable purpose for the public benefit. The charity has successfully expanded our services, notably the Dog Champion Scheme. The Scheme supports hostels and temporary accommodation to welcome pets with their owners by providing Staff training and support, pet policies, owner agreements, canine first aid training, pet essentials and veterinary care both with a video vet service and referral to practice

This year we added a dedicated Learning Platform and moved all our training online and added training for pet owners. The pet owner training has video guides and online learning to care for your pet including food and exercise and a guide to the law around pet ownership. We have also introduced a Pet CV which owners can complete to allow perspective landlords to get to know their pet. We believe that this owner training will support homeless pet owners to move from temporary accommodation into something more permanent. Online access to training and support has encouraged a larger cohort and in the year 20222023 we have enrolled 52 Dog champions (19 Dog Champions in year 21-22)

Street Paws began a partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority particularly with A Bed Every Night Scheme to accept pets into their temporary accommodation via the Dog Champion Scheme and in 2022-2023 we supported 5 hostels across Manchester. Our aim is to further expand this to 10 hostels in the coming year so that there is a provision in every borough. We will continue to expand the scheme to new partners nationally during the coming year and see this as a main focus of our activities during 2023 – 2024.

Public Benefit

Street Paws exists to ensure that all pets belonging to people who are experiencing homelessness get the veterinary treatment and support they deserve and ultimately live happy, healthy lives, free from the threat of unnecessary pain and lack of veterinary care.

Pets can play a vital role in keeping humans physically and mentally happy and healthy. We at Street Paws work hard to help maintain the human-animal bond that is so important. Street Paws charitable activities focus firmly on animal welfare, but we also believe our contributions towards public benefit (as defined by the Charity Commission) extend into the following areas: Helping owners experiencing homelessness, or those experiencing a housing crisis, to have peace of mind that they can get veterinary help for their pet should they need.

Fundraising

As a charity that receives no government funding (with the unusual exception of The National Lottery coronavirus emergency government grant in 2020), we are reliant on outstanding generosity of the general public, our supporters, and our partners. Street Paws subscribes to the policies of the Fundraising Regulator, which oversees fundraising activity. The Fundraising Regulator investigates and, where necessary, takes appropriate action in cases of public concern. Their advice helps us ensure our activity meets the expectations of our supporters and the wider public. Street Paws does not have a dedicated fundraising resource in place. We raise vital funds by sharing our story through our social media channels and raising funds via charitable trusts, foundations or companies. We’re always looking for ways to improve our activities and will be employing a full time fundraiser in late 2022/23 to help grow Street Paws sustainable revenue stream.

Financial Review

Street Paws have seen a drop in income this financial year to £91k from £100k (2021-2022). The principal sources of funds continue to be raised from public fundraising and sponsorship, sales of Street Paws merchandise on our online store, fundraising events including social media/online funding campaigns and charitable donations from the public and veterinary partners. In 2023-2024 we plan to add a Fundraising Coordinator to the team to develop our fundraising strategy.

In 2022 - 2023 Street Paws were awarded £44,246 in Grants including £20,246 from Pets at Home Foundation, £5,000 Irwin Mitchell, £4,000 Leeds Charitable Trust and £10,000 PDSA.

Despite operating in an extremely challenging financial period, alongside many charities, the trustees and Director are continuing to develop a fundraising strategy and will appoint the charities first Fundraising Coordinator in the coming year.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Trustee Board is responsible for ensuring there are appropriate risk management and internal control systems in place to manage the major risks to which the charity is exposed. The risk register is in place to plan for resolutions, as opposed to the elimination, of risks.

Key risks are regularly reviewed and updated, including operational risks that could arise on outreaches and risks associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Below is the list of principal risks for Street Paws as well as mitigating actions:

Risk: Injury or serious incident involving volunteers or members of staff whilst performing charity duties. Action: safeguarding training, implementation of a standard operating procedure, implementation of incident procedures, insurance cover and risk assessment reviews.

Risk: Volunteer or staff burn out.

Action: mental health training, continuation of risk assessment reviews.

Risk: Loss of key funding.

Action: develop and deliver a fundraising plan across a broad range of donors and manage cost base to stay within available means. Hire 1 x FTE Fundraising Coordinator.

Reserves Policy

The aim of Street Paws reserves policy is to ensure that the charity’s ongoing activities are protected from unexpected fluctuations in its income and expenditure and ensure that the charity is not impacted by shortterm financial shortfall. The charity is heavily reliant on voluntary donations to fund its charitable undertakings, which being uncertain sources of revenue may not always provide the funds to cover our essential costs.

Street Paws board policy for holding reserves is to target a level of cash that represents a minimum of 6 months core expenditure and fixed costs. Cash reserves are monitored monthly by the treasurer and reported to the board at monthly trustee meetings. Current Charity reserves total £185k

Plans for future periods

Street Paws plans to continue its growth in 2023-2024 in line with the board-led strategic plan, monitored and implemented by the Director. Key areas of development are:

Further raising the profile of Street Paws within the UK
Further expansion of the Street Paws Dog Champions Scheme including incorporation of a paid membership for partners to maximise income and enable growth.
Appointment 1 FTE Fundraising Coordinator to further develop and maintain a fundraising strategy and
to make consistent applications for funding to strengthen the charity’s financial position.
Appoint 2 x Trustees to expand the current Board with skills in HR, Marketing and Fundraising.

As a charity that receives no government funding, we remain reliant on the outstanding generosity of the public, our partners and supporters to continue to fund our vital services. We value every single donation and are very grateful to all our donors, volunteers, and corporate partners for their wonderful contributions throughout the year.

Signed on behalf of Trustees Sue McCabe Chair of the Trustees

Independent Examiners Report

Report to the Street Paws trustees of

On accounts for 31 August 2023 Charity no 1178826 the year ended

Respective The trustees of the organisation are responsible for the preparation of responsibilities of accounts; they consider that an audit is not required for this year under trustees and section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent examiner Examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to

examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act),
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the
Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act), and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions independent given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review examiner’s of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the statement accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: examiner's 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material statement respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:

proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of
the Act); and
accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and
comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: 12 December 2023 Name: Mark Thompson MAAT Address: VODA Spirit of North Tyneside Wing 2nd Floor, Wallsend Customer First Centre 16 The Forum Wallsend NE28 8JR

Street Paws

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 August 2023

Receipts Grants 2 Corporate Partnerships Donations Other Online Donations Sales Fundraising Total Receipts Payments Vet Procedures and Supplies Restricted Funds Expenditure Cost of Sales Salary Insurance Website/Computer Systems OOP Expenses (Travel & Etc) Promotional Material Show/Event Attendance costs Other Animal Welfare Equipment/Supplies Shelter Services Membership fees etc. Motor Vehicle Costs Miscellaneous Total Payments Surplus / deficit for the year Funds at 1 September 2022 Funds at 31 August 2023	Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 2023 2023 2022 11,851 24,246 36,097 21,000 10,000 10,000 5,000 13,720 13,720 29,497 29,425 29,425 40,028 1,659 1,659 4,714 - -
	66,655 24,246 90,901 100,239
	2,171 2,171 1,688 39,938 39,938 51,794 1,047 1,047 2,553 34,336 34,336 22,437 811 811 518 1,146 1,146 1,596 1,546 1,546 4,305 - - 1,915 653 653 158 31 31 1,852 - - 278 943 943 875 931 931 1,466 6,829 6,829 7,219
	50,444 39,938 90,382 98,654
	16,211 15,692 - 519 1,585 148,426 36,348 184,774 183,189
	164,637 20,656 185,293 184,774

Street Paws Balance Sheet 2023 £ Fixed assets 0 Current assets Debtor Cash at bank and in hand 185,293 185,293 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after one year Net Assets at 31 August 2023 Represented By: Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds 31 August 2023	2023 £ 0 185,293	2023 2022 £ £ 0 184,774 184,774 185,293 185,293 185,293 20,656 164,637 185,293	2022 £ 184,774 184,774
			184,774
			36,348 148,426
			184,774

The financial statements were approved by the following members of the Management Committee:

Chair of Trustees Signed…………………………………. Position……………………………..

James Collins Treasurer Signed…………………………………. Position……………………………..

Date

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Street Paws

Notes to the accounts, 2023

1. Accounting Policies

a The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006

Street Paw meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

b Grants received are accounted for on a received basis and credited to income.
c Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Receipts and Payments Account when received.

2. Grants Receivable

Unrestricted Funds
Big Give Trust	1,851
PDSA	10,000
Total Unrestricted Funding	11,851
Restricted Funds
Leeds Christian Community Trust	4,000
Pets at Home	20,246
Total Restricted Funding	24,246

3. Trustees, staff and related party transactions

No Trustees were remunerated or received expenses payments.
Total Salary Costs	£	34,336
No of staff was		3

4. Costs of financial services

The fee for the independent examination of the 2023 accounts will be £400. No other amounts were paid for financial services.

5. Restricted Funds

Analysis of Restricted Funds: Charities Aid Foundation Lush Aviva Lloyd Animal Friends Gerrick Rose Jean Sainsbury Grocers Gallimore Trust Audrey Lamb Willan CT Leeds Christian Community Trust Pets at Home Total Revenue Restricted Funds	Open Bal Income Expend End Bal 4,214 67 4,147 8,000 8,000 625 625 3,252 566 2,686 1,309 1,290 19 4,948 4,948 - 5,000 5,000 - 5,000 2,285 2,715 1,000 1,000 - 2,000 2,000 - 1,000 167 833 - 4,000 2,369 1,631 - 20,246 20,246 -
	36,348 24,246 39,938 20,656