OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-04-01-accounts

Equilore Trustees Annual Report

April 2022

First reporting period of 24th August 2020- 1st April 2021

Charity Number 1190998

CIO registered

CONTENTS

Report of Trustees

Independent examiner’s report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements Detailed statement of financial activities)

Charity Registration

Charity registered number: 1190998

The business address of Equilore is 15 The Glades Launton OX26 5ED

Bankers

Auditors

Charities Aid Foundation Bank Limited Whitley Stimpson Ltd 25 King’s Hill Avenue Penrose House King’s Hill 67 Hightown Road West Malling Banbury Kent ME19 4JQ OX16 9BE

Contact Information

Telephone: 07787 402236 E-mail: info@equilore.co.uk Website: https://equilore.co.uk/

Trustees:

Felicity Mallam (appointed 24/08/2020 Chair) Judith van De Kemp (appointed 24/08/2020 retired 03/05/2022) Nichola Garratt (appointed 24/08/2020) Neil Tindall (appointed 03/05/2022) Emma Wilberforce (appointed 03/05/2022)

Director:

Dr. Loes Koorenhof (Founder and appointed Director 05/04/2020)

Statement from Chair

Nearly all charities in England and Wales have experienced some negative impact from Covid-19. The consequences have been wide ranging and often severe for some. For Equilore, the challenges we faced were those of a new charity emerging during the first few months of a pandemic. On a practical level we worked through some challenges such as creating a safe work environment for clients and staff, working within the ever changing government guidelines and there was some impact in dealing with other businesses who were impacted by COVID restriction. However, on another level, we found an overwhelming need for emotional and therapeutic support in the communities that surround us.

This is our first financial and trustees report, and as such spans the first 20 months of our existence. In this time, we have seen the demand for our services grow continually, to the extent we have recruited an additional therapist and support staff by the way of a groom and an administrative assistant. Local GP surgeries have asked to start referring clients to our service, local Children’s services refer to us and we have partnerships with three local charities who regularly work with us in meeting their clients’ emotional, mental and therapeutic needs.

Our trustee Board is growing with more skilled professionals to support the development of the charity. Our Director Loes Koorenhof has been accepted by Charity Mentors for mentoring support to address the continuing strategic growth for the charity. We have been successful in receiving grant support from two family Foundations and a donation from a third. We have been joint recipients in successful grant applications with the Hummingbird Centre from Bicester Village Shopping Centre, as well as other local funding opportunities. We look forward to developing these partnerships further as they contribute to our success, growth and ability to offer subsidised therapy sessions to clients.

Equilore benefits from regular volunteers for the care and support of our horses. Without the horses, we would not be able to provide the effective and unique equine assisted therapy. We count the horses and our volunteers as key members of our team.

Despite restrictions facing many charities in the way they delivered their services, Equilore was able to continue with its offer of 1:1 therapy held outdoors with the horses. This ensured that for many, we were able to offer face to face treatment, at the height of anxieties during the pandemic, when many were restricted to online support.

The Board is excited to look towards 2022, as we continue to work together to support such a new charity as it works to respond to growing demand. We are committed to advocating and explaining how unique and effective equine assisted therapy is, especially with those for whom traditional therapies are not appropriate.

Introduction

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 1st April 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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)

Objectives and aims:

(1) To provide animal-assisted interventions (predominantly, but not limited to, equine) to children, young people and adults in need of support.

(2) Promote social and educational inclusion by relieving the needs of people who experience/d lack of opportunity and assisting them to integrate with society through interaction with horses

(3) Fill a gap in service provision for those who are finding it hard to engage with traditional room-based therapies or are on long waiting lists at oversubscribed existing services.

(4) To support parents and professionals (including but not limited to social workers, teachers, psychologists) working with children and young people who need support.

(5) To promote the benefits of animal-assisted and nature-based therapies as an alternative therapy form within the standard healthcare setting (NHS)

(6) To advance our understanding of the power of animal-assisted and nature-based interventions through research collaborations with universities.

(7) To test and evidence the equine-assisted interventions in order to evaluate outcomes and improve service delivery.

How we met our objectives

Since registering as a CIO, Equilore has seen 79 clients, of which 38 were aged under 18. Our clients range between 7-70 years old. 46 participants referred to themselves as female, 30 as male and 3 clients identified as non-binary.

We worked with 5 referrals undergoing long term support for complex mental health challenges such as bipolar disorder, child sexual abuse, and longstanding physcial and emotional abuse and moderate learning difficulties.

25 participants were private referrals. Reasons for these referrals in young people were parents/ caregivers looking for private support for their children because they would not engage with traditional therapies and/or CAMHS waiting lists were too long. Difficulties that presented were the struggle to cope with the effects of lockdowns, change in routine, school closures often leading to anxiety and school refusal.

We supported 28 clients referred from other charities such as the Hummingbird Centre and Autism Champions (CIC). We offered 6 weeks of support to young people and adults who were affected by cancer. Where there was an identified need, we would provide an extension up to 18 sessions. Clients seen included young people whose main caregiver/ parent was undergoing treatment, or who have lost someone to cancer, but also adults undergoing treatment themselves, or are caring for someone undergoing treatment or adults that have lost someone through cancer.

Clients referred by Autism Champions underwent our high intensity skills based course specifically designed to support people on the Autism Spectrum. This is a skills based programme teaching emotion regulation.

5 clients were referred to us by Children's Services (including school, care home, social services). These young people were disengaged with school, presenting with ADHD, ASD and high anxiety, often as a consequence of attachment disorder, trauma or abuse.

8 referrals came from other local Equine Therapy providers who had recommended us to their clients. Mental health challenges presented by these clients often had a basis in past trauma, bipolar, anxiety and depression.

We provided 7 clients with subsidised 1:1 sessions and 3 clients with subsidised group sessions, once COVID restrictions allowed us to hold group sessions safely.

What our feedback tells us

Clients who completed their sessions at Equilore have provided valuable feedback on how the sessions have helped them deal with the challenges they faced. Feedback from the Hummingbird Centre clients demonstrated 100% satisfaction with the sessions attended. Benefits of the sessions included:

One client noted that following a block of 8 sessions her daughter's self esteem was much improved. She reported: ‘I have to say a huge thank you to you because she has come so far since seeing you, her belief in herself has rocketed her relationship with her sister on an even keel as she now recognises personality traits that trigger her and she manages them.

She is steadily finding herself again and I will be eternally grateful to you for helping her, if there is a time she needs intervention again she would like to come back to you but for now she has learnt so much from you that she feels she can manage her thoughts and feelings with the tools you have given her.’

Public benefit

The general charitable purposes, aims and policies of Equilore, reserves, staff remuneration and risk management are reviewed regularly by the Trustees.

When reviewing Equilore’s aims and objectives, devising the new programmes and setting the budget for the year, the Trustees confirm that they have referred to the latest information contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and complied with their duty under Section 4 of the Charities Acts 2006 and 2011.

The Charity’s main aim, as stated in the constitution, states "To relieve the needs of people who are socially or economically disadvantaged and as a result disengaged from society.”.

Financial Review

Income and Expenditure

Equilore’s income comes, in the main, from the fees charged for therapy sessions. We have three types of main expenditure: Salaries, rent and care of the therapy horses. In the period 24/08/2020 - 01/04/2021 Equilore’s income was £38,787 and expenditure £24,883. As this annual report covers the first 7 months of the charity’s life, these are the only income and expenditure figures to report.

79% of Equilore’s income is made up from fees for therapy services. In 2021, Equilore received two grants from the Samworth Foundation (£5,000 per annum for three years 2021-24) and the Wates

Foundation (£6,000). These grants were significant in enabling subsidised sessions to be offered to vulnerable clients and cover some core costs.

As demand for our services grew, income grew. This enabled, and required, an increase in staff costs by employing a part time groom and a second therapeutic practitioner. The Board has agreed that Equilore can further recruit an administrative assistant and additional groom support in 2022, as reflection of the growing demands on the Director and current staff.

Reserves Policy

Equilore employs a reserves policy to cover three months of operational costs. This policy is reviewed as the charity grows to ensure the set limit remains adequate. The trustees confirm that the charity holds adequate funds to meet its reserves policy.

Structure, Governance and Management

Equilore is a CIO registered with the charity commission on 24/08/2020 date under registration number 1190998

Trustees

Equilore is overseen by a Board of three trustees. In the first year of Equilore’s existence, the trustees met monthly and as the organisation has grown Board meetings are now at least once a quarter. With one international Board member, the trustees have a clear agreement and mandate to meet remotely with the intention of having at least one in person meeting a year. Felicity Mallam is the Chair of the Board of trustees.

The trustees all provide their time and services for free. No trustee received remuneration or expenses in the period covered by this report.

The Board has undertaken a skills audit of the trustees with a view to recruit additional, skilled trustees. In the Autumn of 2021, Equilore advertised an open recruitment process for applications to join the Board. Key skills sought were financial, business and marketing/media. Several applications have meant the Board intends to officially appoint at least two new trustees in the first quarter of 2022 bringing the Board total up to 5 trustees with a quorum of 3.

Apart from the first trustees, all Board members have a minimum term of 3 years of office. This ensures a retention of knowledge whilst also ensuring the opportunity for fresh perspectives and approaches with new trustees.

Organisation/structure

Equilore is a CIO, governed by a Board of trustees, recruited from the general public. The everyday management of the charity is delegated from the Board to the Director.

The charity operates with a small part time staff of 1 self-employed therapist, group facilitator, an admin assistant and groom. This is standard within this field of work.

The charity is incredibly lucky to have a wealth of support from volunteers on a regular basis. 5 people volunteer on a regular basis to support the care of horses, field and stable management. The charity does not rely on any donated facilities, donated services, or other donations in kind or other intangibles.

Risk Statement

The Trustees will undertake a risk audit every two years with an assurance audit in the intervening years.

The Trustees have considered the major risks and uncertainties to which the charity is presently exposed and the systems and procedures to manage those risks. The Trustees identify risk to reputation and uncertainty of income as the two key issues facing the charity in the short to middle term.

Risk: Severely reduced income

Key mitigating controls already in place:

Risk: Reputation :

Key mitigating controls already in place:

Statement of responsibility of Board of Trustees

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under charity law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity, including the incoming resources and the application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Felicity Mallam, Chair of Equilore Board of Trustees

Loes Koorenhof, CEO Equilore.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 94438E26-C31B-4128-AD30-3525C92371D5

Equilore

1190998 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 03/08/2020 01/04/2021 To from

Section A Receipts and payments Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest
£
24,878
1,100
1,421
15
5,864
5,509
-
38,787
-
-
-
38,787
15,762
4,500
90
322
930
640
530
777
77
134
103
2
16
400
314
137
150
-
-
-
-
24,883
2,918
-
2,918
27,801
10,986
-
-
10,986		 Restricted
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total funds
to the nearest £
24,878
1,100
1,421
15
5,864
5,509
-
38,787
-
-
-
38,787
15,762
4,500
90
322
930
640
530
777
77
134
103
2
16
400
314
137
150
-
-
-
-
24,883
2,918
-
2,918
27,801

10,986		 Last year
to the nearest £
Private clients 24,878 -
Referral income 1,100 -
Livery 1,421 -
Other Income 15 -
Donations received 5,864 -
Openingbank balance 5,509 -
- -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 38,787 -
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
-
- -
Sub total - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments
-
Wages and salaries 15,762 -
Rent and rates 4,500 -
Veterinarycosts 90 -
Repairs and maintenance 322 -
Insurance 930 -
Hayand straw 640 -
Tack,feed and beddingcosts 530 -
CPD 777 -
HR 77 -
Subscriptions 134 -
Licences 103 -
Refreshments 2 -
Bank Charges 16 -
Farrier 400 -
Equipment 314 -
IT 137 -
Equine Dentist 150 -
- -
- -
- -
- -
**Sub total ** 24,883 -
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
Private expenditure 2,918
-
**Sub total ** 2,918 -
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
-
10,986 - -
10,986		 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
10,986 - - 10,986 -

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

10/05/2022

1

DocuSign Envelope ID: 94438E26-C31B-4128-AD30-3525C92371D5

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B1 Cash funds		 Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Trustee's private expenditure
Cash at bank
Details
Details
Details
Signature		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
10,986
-
-
-
-
-
10,986.00
-
OK
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
2,918
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Print Name
Felicity Mallam		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
10,986
-
-
-
-
-
10,986.00
-
OK
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
2,918
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Print Name
Felicity Mallam
Date of
approval
Felicity Mallam 10/5/2022

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

10/05/2022

2

DocuSign Envelope ID: 94438E26-C31B-4128-AD30-3525C92371D5

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Equilore

On accounts for the year 1 April 2021 Charity no 1190998 ended (if any)

Set out on pages

(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 01/04/2021.

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

10/5/2022 | 12:05 BST Signed: Date: Hermione Hymers Whitley Stimpson Name: Relevant professional ACA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Whitley Stimpson Limited, Penrose House, ~~67 Hightown Road, Banbury OX16 9BE~~

October 2018

1

IER

DocuSign Envelope ID: 94438E26-C31B-4128-AD30-3525C92371D5

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

October 2018

2

IER