## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period**
**From 1/04/2021 To 31/03/2022**
## **Charity name: SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
## **Charity registration number: 1187766**
## **Objectives and Activities**
|||
|---|---|
|Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Saxon Group RDA provides therapeutic horse riding and non-riding
activities for Adults and Children with physical or learning
disabilities, including all autistic spectrum disorders.
Horse riding provides opportunities for improved physical and
mental wellbeing through therapy, enjoyment, skill development
and achievement.
Saxon Group RDA specialises in riding, dressage, show jumping
and endurance activities and is completely volunteer run.|
|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.|Saxon Group RDA are based at Widbrook Equestrian Centre in
Bradford on Avon and operate on one day a week. We currently
own 5 equines who are trained in our activities as listed below:
•Horse riding, including both coached individual, shared and
group lessons and therapy riding to provide physical exercise to
improve physical and mental well-being and build confidence.
•Stable management sessions to encourage participation and
knowledge of horse care.
•Horse Grooming to encourage further interaction with equines,
and build a greater rapport, understanding and confidence with
them.
•Proficiency Sessions to encourage additional learning and skill
development to support the other “hands-on” activities.
•Session are subject to a small fee in order to support the cost of
horse upkeep, including, but not limited to, livery costs, venue
hire, feed, tack, veterinary dentist, physiotherapy and farrier
care and insurances.|
|Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|The Trustees have, at all times, taken due regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit requirement.|
## **Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
|Policy on grant making|Not applicable|
|---|---|
|Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Not applicable|
|Contribution made by
volunteers|Saxon Group RDA is run entirely by volunteers, without whom it
would not be able to function.
Volunteers undertake a minimum of two dedicated Training Days a
year, plus continuous review, to ensure they continue to follow best
practice. Activities they are trained in include:
•Handling equines, including catching, grooming, tacking up, and
leading.
•Side-walking alongside vulnerable riders to ensure their safety.
•Assisting riders to mount and dismount.
•Assisting horse grooming and stable management sessions.
•First Aid
•Safeguarding
In addition to assisting with the weekly sessions, our volunteers
also help raise awareness of the Group’s activities and are
enthusiastic in their fundraising activities.|
|Other||
## **Achievements and Performance**
|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.||**Activities & Achievements: 2021-2022**
Since lockdown restrictions were lifted, the Group was able to fully
open up again to existing and new participants and resume riding
and therapy sessions.
There has been a significant increase in interest for non-riding
activities (eg stable management, grooming, proficiency and
knowledge), and these have now become an integral part of the
activities offered by the Group. By the end of the year, we were
able to offer riding and therapy riding to a total of 27 participants,
and grooming, horsecare and stable management to an additional
6 participants. It is hoped that these numbers will continue to
increase through 2022-2023.
The Group has also benefitted from a number of new volunteers,
which has allowed us to re-structure the sessions to give either 1 to
1 or shared coaching for all ridden and therapy sessions. This has
had the additional benefit of allowing horses and volunteers to
have a brief rest between sessions.
We were also able to loan 2 additional ponies for grooming and
horsecare sessions, which have enabled us to offer more of these
sessions to both children and adults. These sessions have proved
very beneficial for participants, who have enjoyed the close
interaction with the ponies. For participants either unable to ride or
waiting for a suitable space to become available, we are able to|
|---|---|---|
offer sessions on a small “mechanical horse” where they can carry out exercises to help maintain their fitness. In the summer, and with very little practice, the Group entered 6 riders in the “RDA Virtual Regional Championships”. Filming was carried out with very little preparation, but the results were very impressive. 4 of our entrants won their classes and went on to be filmed for the “RDA Virtual National Championships”. **Fundraising** : **Grants:** Having ascertained the minimum number of equines required to remain in a sustainable position, the Group concentrated on raising funds to purchase another horse. The Group was fortunate to obtain a National Lottery Grant towards the purchase of a horse, and with other fundraising, we were able to purchase 2 horses by the end of 2021. We also received a grant from the RDA UK from the Wooden Spoon Charity. **Donations** We were also very fortunate to receive significant donations from several sources, and we would particularly like to thank Cereal Partners UK, the 4D Golf Club, Frome Round Table, Nationwide Building Society and several anonymous donors for their generous support. **Other Fundraising** A tack sale was held in June, which raised £530, and a junior volunteer also raised £550 online. Fortunately, albeit sadly, we had an insurance payout for the loss of one of our horses during Covid, which was also put towards our funds for horse purchase. **Going Forward** • The Group will continue to offer riding and therapy to our riders, as well as non-riding horsecare proficiency and knowledge, both practical and theory. • We will continue to fundraise to sustain the group and support our horses, to raise awareness and generate support. • We will continue to embrace technology to keep riders and volunteers engaged and up to date with our activities and keep everyone connected and, • most importantly, we will continue to keep everyone safe. • We are working on creating a new website and logo, to increase our public awareness and help attract new volunteers participants and supporters.
|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|
|---|---|
|Achievements against
objectives set|Refer to previous commentary|
|Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Targeted fundraising and grant applications were focussed on
securing funds to purchase 2 horses to replace those lost during
Covid Lockdowns.
At the end of this reporting period, we had received a National
Lottery Grant, and several substantial donations. The Group had
been able to source 2 suitable horses to bring the number up to 5,
which had been assessed as the minimum number of equines
necessary for the Group to remain in a sustainable situation.|
|Investment performance
against objectives|Not applicable|
|Other|None|
## **Financial Review**
|**Financial Review**|||
|---|---|---|
|Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period||At the end of the accounting period, the Group was considered to
be in a stable position due to the fundraising efforts, sponsorships,
and donations of time or money.
The Group had been able to open up fully for lessons again, and
as a result, fees from participants (riding, therapy riding & horse
care & proficiency) were payable again.
In addition, the receipt of grants and several generous donations,
had enabled purchase of 2 new horses to replace those lost during
the Covid pandemic, along with tack etc, which has gone a long
way to ensure the Group is in a sustainable position going forward.|
|Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held||The Group holds reserve funds in a Deposit Account, separate but
linked to the everyday Treasurers Account. Funds are set aside to
cover unforeseen or unavoidable events such as:
•
Emergency treatment to a sick or injured horse.
•
The equivalent of 6 months running costs, ie livery, feed, farrier,
insurance, etc in case of a sudden and steep drop in income,
as experienced at the beginning of Lockdown in March 2020.
•
Unexpected replacement of broken equipment, tack, rugs etc
that are necessary for the carrying out of our activities, or for
horse welfare.
•
Unexpected repairs to essential equipment, such as hoist or
trailer.|
|Amount of reserves held||The Group aims to maintain a minimum reserve of £5,000 in the
Deposit Account, and a similar amount in the Treasurers Account,
with 6 months normal running costs as a minimum.
Balances at the end of the current reporting period are:
Deposit Account: £5,438.02
Treasurers Account: £7,293.96|
|Reasons for holding zero
reserves||Not applicable.
Refer to previous commentary.|
|Details of fund materially in
deficit||Not applicable|
|Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern||•
The main source of concern for the future of the Group, is
keeping horses healthy, injury free and sound. This is essential
in order to be able to conduct riding sessions.
•
Purchase costs of new horses is increasing all the time, and
with each new purchase, the fundraising has to aim higher.
•
Running costs associated with keeping horses are also
increasing. The small fee payable for riders will be reviewed
annually to offset this.
•
All horses have regular physiotherapy, dentist and farrier visits
to maintain their health and soundness, and these costs are
also increasing.
•
Insurance costs increase at every renewal.
•
Lack of volunteers is always a concern as a proportionally large
number of volunteers are required to assist each individual
rider. Following the pandemic, there was a slight drop in the
number of volunteers participating, however, following a
recruitment drive, more interest has been generated and
numbers are once again stabilising.
.|
|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|
|---|---|
|The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|•
Riders fees for riding sessions, therapy riding, stable
management and proficiency sessions.
•
Fundraising activities
•
Grant applications
•
Gift Aid donations
•
Other donations|
|Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Not applicable|
|A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Refer to previous commentary|
|Other||
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
|**Structure, Governance**|**and Management**|
|---|---|
|Description of charity’s
trusts:|Not applicable|
|Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|**Constitution of the Saxon Riding for the Disabled Association**
**Incorporating Carriage Driving**|
|How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|**Saxon Group RDA is now a Charitable Incorporated**
**Organisation (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|**Trustees are self-nominated volunteers and voted onto**
**the committee yearly by the members at the AGM.**|
## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
|||
|---|---|
|Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees|**There is a trustee induction pack provided to all new**
**trustees issued by RDA UK.**|
|The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Saxon Group RDA is a member group of RDA UK, which is a
network of staff and volunteers that exist to provide direction and
support to it’s 489 member groups. Saxon Group RDA is part of the
‘Mid-West’ Region of RDA UK, who provide further guidance on
development and direction at a local level, and sits within the
‘Wiltshire County’ area.|
|Relationship with any related
parties|We have a close working relationship with Widbrook Equestrian
Centre (WEC) that has been our base for operation for over 40
years. There are signed contracts between Saxon RDA and WEC
that govern the loan arrangements for the horses and the contract
of use for the hire of facilities.|
|Other||
## **Reference and Administrative details**
|Charity name|Saxon Group Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating
Carriage Driving|
|---|---|
|Other name the charity uses|Saxon Group RDA|
|Registered charity number|1187766|
|Charity’s principal address|Saxon Group Riding for the Disabled Association
C/O Widbrook Equestrian Centre
Trowbridge Road
Bradford on Avon
Wiltshire
BA15 1UD|
**Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
|1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if**
**not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body)**
**entitled to appoint trustee**
**(ifany)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Kady Chatman|Chair|||
||Ean Garner-Richardson|Group Organiser|6/05/2021 –
31/03/2022||
||Patricia Jane Kimber|Treasurer|||
||Joanna Rutherford|Rider Coordinator|||
||Avril Richards|Volunteer Coordinator|||
||Judy Buxton|Horse Welfare Officer|||
||Donna Turnbull|Safeguarding Officer|||
||Sharon Turnbull|Media Officer|27/01/2022 –
31/03/2022||
||Tessa Stanton||||
||||||
## – 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 Not applicable Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the Not applicable assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and Not applicable segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
## **Additional information (optional)**
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
**Type of Name Address adviser**
**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**
## **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)** Kady Chatman Patricia Jane Kimber **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair of Trustees Treasurer **Chair, etc) Date** 27/03/2022
|**SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**
**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**BRADFORD-ON-AVON. CHARITY NO. 1187766**|**SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**
**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**BRADFORD-ON-AVON. CHARITY NO. 1187766**|**SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**
**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**BRADFORD-ON-AVON. CHARITY NO. 1187766**|**SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**
**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**BRADFORD-ON-AVON. CHARITY NO. 1187766**|**SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**
**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**BRADFORD-ON-AVON. CHARITY NO. 1187766**|**SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**
**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**BRADFORD-ON-AVON. CHARITY NO. 1187766**|**SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**
**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**BRADFORD-ON-AVON. CHARITY NO. 1187766**|**SAXON GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**
**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**BRADFORD-ON-AVON. CHARITY NO. 1187766**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR**
**1ST APRIL 2021 TO 31st March 2022**||||||||
|||||||||
|**TREASURERS ACCOUNT**||||||||
|**INCOME: 1/04/21- 31/03/22**|||||**Total **|||
|||**Rider Fees**|RidingFees|||£11,295.00||
||||Competition Entries|||£210.00||
|||**Fundraising**|Donations|||£3,096.36||
||||Grants|||£9,000.00||
||||Donations(eligiblegift aid)|||£4,086.01||
|||**Insurance**|NFU refunds/payouts|||£2,453.63||
|||**Other**|Incl horse refund|||£8,077.00||
||||**TOTALS INCOME**|||**£38,218.00**||
|**EXPENDITURE: 1/04/21- 31/03/22**||||||||
|||**Operating Costs**|NFU Insurance|||£3,122.48||
||||RDA Affiliation/insurance|||£537.50||
||||CleaningProducts|||£57.33||
||||Venue Hire|||£2,244.72||
|||**Horses**|Livery|||£2,029.17||
||||Farrier|||£920.00||
||||Feed|||£280.04||
||||Vets fees|||£3,972.41||
|||**Horse Welfare**|Saddler|||£634.00||
||||Physio|||£485.00||
|||**Website**|Hosting|||£644.00||
|||**Competitions**|EntryFees|||£146.00||
||||Towing|||£64.80||
|||**Miscellaneous Purc**|**h**Tack|||£1,173.56||
||||Equipment|||£203.40||
||||TowingCosts|||£205.80||
||||Other(incl horsepurchase)|||£21,360.66||
||||**TOTALS EXPENDITURE**|||**£38,080.87**||
|**EXCESS/DEFICIT OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE**|||||||**£137.13**|
|**DEPOSIT ACCOUNT**|||||||**Total**|
|Interest|||||||£0.54|
|HMRC|||||||£0.00|
||||**TOTALS INCOME**||||**£0.54**|
|**Income 1/04/2021- 31/03/2022**||||||||
|**Overall Final Income(Treasurers & Deposit Accounts)**||||||**£38,218.54**||
|**Overall Final Expenditure(Treasurers & Deposit Accounts)**||||||**£38,080.87**||
|**Opening Balances: 31/04/2021**||||||||
|Treasurers Account||||||£7,156.83||
|Deposit Account||||||£5,437.48||
|**Balances brought forward**||||||||
|Treasurers Account||||||£137.13||
|Deposit Account||||||£0.54||
|**Final Balances at year end 31/03/2022**||||||||
|Treasurers Account||||||£7,293.96||
|Deposit Account||||||£5,438.02||
|**Overall Final Balances (Treasurers & Deposit Accounts)**||||||**£12,731.98**||
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
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