2024-04-05-accounts

This annual report has been prepared using Trustees' annual report template (SORP FRS 102) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upl oads/attachment_data/file/562574/TAR_new.pdf

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023-2024

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024

Charity name: Wenlo Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving

Charity registration number:

1191961

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To promote the objects of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving A UK Company Limited by Guarantee No 5010395 A Charity Registered in England & Wales (No 244108) and Scotland (No SC039473) by providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride and/or carriage drive to benefit their health and wellbeing in the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire area
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	Our main activities are to offer adults and children with disabilities an opportunity to ride, carriage drive and look after horses to aid their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. We aim to teach new skills and promote independence by encouraging participants to take charge of their horses in a secure environment. As well as riding and carriage driving lessons and equine assisted therapy, we give our participants the opportunity to ride in the countryside, to take part in competitions including those organised by RDA UK, and to enjoy the sensory experience of being around horses at their own pace, and we work to develop supportive relationships with carers and families.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	In planning our activities we keep in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit at our trustee meetings.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	We are an entirely voluntary-run organisation - our coaches and even the horses are volunteers, and some of our participants also volunteer with us. We are grateful for the many hours of dedicated work from all our volunteers who do everything from caring for our horses to assisting in riding/driving/therapy sessions and fundraising.

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference Summary of the main Para 1.20 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. Chair’s Report to AGM 27 November 2023 As another year draws to a close for Wenlo RDA, it is the perfect opportunity to look back at so many events, sessions, activities and occasions that have happened and help to make Wenlo RDA the group and charity it is today. This has been the year of the King's Coronation and Wenlo acknowledged this by holding an open day in May which was very well attended and enjoyed by all. In April 11 Wenlo RDA volunteers took part in a one day First Aid course and each volunteer successfully passed so we now have an excellent cover of first aiders over 7 days a week. Wenlo RDA as a charity remains healthy in its finances and we remain exceptionally grateful to our sponsors, to those who donate, fundraise, award grants or chose us as their Charity of The Year. In September Dawn and I attended a dinner at Trent Bridge Cricket ground hosted by Debbie Mason Mayor of Rushcliffe. An inspirational evening as every guest was there to represent a voluntary organisation within the borough of Rushcliffe. Debbie made a speech about the importance of volunteering before announcing that all RDA groups within the borough had been chosen as her Charity of the year. 5 RDA groups in total. Lindsay Redfern and I attended a charity fashion show in October hosted by The Mayor. Dawn and I along with several other Wenlo volunteers will be attending the mayors Christmas carol Concert in December. I am due to give talks at several local organisations in the New Year who are considering choosing Wenlo RDA as their Charity of the year.

Several grants are pending consideration in January and a new round of grants are now available from different organisations and businesses which I will look at in more detail imminently.

I find it harder than ever to apply for grants alongside so many other worthy charities when we still see recovery from the pandemic and the availability of grants to be in great demand. For this reason, we really must look at re starting our fundraising group in 2024. Not only to boost our finances but to ensure that we remain present in our communities at fundraising events.

I hope that 2024 will see the completion of several outstanding projects at Wenlo RDA as well as investment in much needed new equipment and sundries that will benefit all participants in whatever session or activity they do.

Competition, well, were do I start! The list is endless, but it is Dawn and Sophie who make it possible.

Weeks and even months of planning, logistics, finances, admin and practical duties such as Coaching our participants, as well as Chris and Penny Coaching our Carriage driving participants, organising participants' kit, training of and bathing of our equines and preparing tack. Then of course travelling to and conducting competition at the event itself. An unenviable list of tasks but so well executed to enable participants to enter, compete and experience competition. As Dawn always says “Teamwork makes the dream work” which could not be more true as an army of volunteers are on hand to help with the preparation and execution of competitions throughout the year.

Our amazing participants have excelled this year in virtuals, qualifiers, RDA Nationals, Paras and Special Olympics. Their hard work during their sessions resulted in another year of rosettes, medals and trophies for Wenlo RDA and we couldn’t be prouder of them. Each entering the spirit of competition, enjoying the experience and supporting their fellow participants. This is why we now find ourselves naturally referring to the group when away at competition as ‘Team Wenlo.’ This makes everyone, whether Coach, volunteer, participant, or supporter feel included, lifts morale and makes for a better experience.

All participants at Wenlo must be congratulated for what they achieve in their chosen session and activity whether at competition level or in the individual sessions where a small improvement to any participant, including those who will never reach competition level, is a huge achievement and must always be acknowledged. Our range of disabilities, both physical and learning, as well as mental health challenges is vast and here at Wenlo we continue to tailor each individual session or activity to the individual participant to ensure that we meet the needs of their disability, set realistic goals, provide a sensory experience and celebrate their individual achievements. This can range from actually getting on the horse, or in the carriage, to holding the reins for the whole lesson, following instructions right through to qualifying for competition. All important. All recognised.

Thank you, Dawn, Sophie, Chris and Penny, for your dedication to coaching any session or activity that helps each and every participant to be the best they can be physically, mentally and sensory. For identifying their needs and coaching accordingly.

Our volunteer numbers have grown again this year and I have to give my upmost thanks to all of our volunteers who, with time, patience, hard work, commitment and dedication, help in so many areas such as our Coaches and Trustees, Volunteers who carry out Horse care, stable work, lesson and activity prep/help, grounds maintenance and general maintenance/improvements. Volunteers who give their valuable time to be part of our competition team by prepping equines, tack, equipment, kit and other necessary competition duties. Also, those who travel to competition to help in so many ways and the volunteers who stay behind on the yard working hard to ensure all is well with everything ‘back at base.’ Volunteering is giving your time to help to make a difference to the lives of others and our volunteers certainly make a difference to many disabled adults and children as well as their support network. They are all amazing and Wenlo RDA could not operate without them. Thank you.

We are also lucky at Wenlo RDA to have a great ‘support network’ of families, friends, support workers, carers, and schools. They are the ones who support both their participant but us as a group and charity too. Thank you all.

There is a dedicated team of Trustees who meet regularly throughout the year and work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the group and charity is ran according to all constitution, governance and safeguarding requirements as well as ensuring that the valuable finances that the group has are used wisely. Being a trustee is a difficult position as very hard decisions must be made and executed for the benefit of the group and charity whether in times of good news or times of uncertainty. Decisions that always have the group and charity interests at heart.

Thank you, Claire, for the most unenviable Trustee task, that of Treasurer. A job you do brilliantly, and we are lucky to have you. Maria, Sophie and David for your commitment and input as Trustees. Thank you for the time you have given throughout 2023 to ensure the efficient running of the group and charity and for the support you give me as Wenlo RDA Chair. Jane, my predecessor as Chair, thank you for still taking the time

and interest in Wenlo by joining us at Trustees meetings to take the minutes and offer valuable advice from your years as a volunteer and chair of Wenlo RDA.

Dawn remains the ‘Captain of the Ship’ at Wenlo as she approaches 43 years with RDA and 33 years as founder and still Head Coach of Wenlo as well as Head Coach and acting regional chair for the North Midlands RDA. We were thrilled to congratulate Dawn on a very special ‘Milestone Birthday’ this month and the contribution to her gift collection, the many dozens of birthday cards she received and the many birthday wishes on social media just go to show how much Dawn means to people not only at Wenlo but throughout the RDA Organisation and people who have been coached by Dawn over her 43 years with Wenlo RDA and MSR. Dawn continues to work tirelessly for not only Wenlo RDA but RDA as an organisation and charity. Thank you, Dawn.

Dawn’s Horses and Ponies remain the heartbeat of our group. They are the ones who change lives, make dreams come true and good things happen. They give their everything to change lives for the better and in return Dawn and her volunteers give their everything to make sure that the Horses and Ponies are cared for to the highest standards. Thank you also to Chris (Strathwillan), Maria (Clancy), Claire (Honey) and Jane (Bob) for allowing your wonderful Horses and Ponies to be part of the Wenlo Family.

Dawn, Chris and I attended the RDA AGM at Haydock Park Racecourse on the 17th of November. An interesting day with a look at the changing structure of RDA as an organisation. RDA National, based in Warwickshire has seen a year of many changes both in staff and in services as well as new initiatives. I wait with interest to see how RDA National office evolves through 2024 and will filter anything through the trustees and into the group. An afternoon of guest speakers followed. Each spoke about diversity and acceptance as a person in RDA and in life in general. Also, an opportunity to catch up with people from our fellow RDA groups around the UK.

We end the year with two very special occasions.

Firstly, our young volunteers (those aged between 12 and 18) are finalists at the Charnwood Sports Awards in the category of ‘Let’s get moving Junior Ambassador ‘. As this is a Charnwood based award young volunteers who reside in the borough of Charnwood will be attending but will of course be representing all their fellow young volunteers at Wenlo RDA. Our young volunteers are the future of the Group, and we are blessed to have them. Good luck to them and what a great recognition of their volunteering at Wenlo.

On Tuesday 5th December Dawn will be at the Queens Hotel Leeds where she is a finalist at the UK Coaching Awards in the ‘Changing Lives’ Category. Dawn will be amongst many other inspirational people, representing many different sports throughout the world of Coaching in the UK. Dawn’s story of her Coaching over 43 years and the difference she has made to hundreds of lives will be told at the Awards ceremony. What an amazing achievement whatever the outcome on the night. Good luck Dawn.

So, another great year for Wenlo RDA and I look forward to 2024 with hope of another successful, inspiring and enjoyable year for all.

Sharon Garner

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Cash funds held at end of period totalled £30,956 Of which £9,370 unrestricted funds £21,586 restricted funds
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Aim to hold 3-6 months' operating costs in reserve in line with Charity Commission general guidance for groups1
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Unrestricted: £9,370 Restricted: £21,586 Restricted reserves at end of accounting period are held for: completion of specified projects or are funds restricted by the donor for use to support certain activities e.g. Equine Assisted Therapy or Tea with a Pony.
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

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Direct donations, fundraising events organised by our charity volunteers, donations from other fundraising groups, grants.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	Some restricted and designated funds including money set aside for emergency expenditure for Wenlo RDA's horse is kept in an HSBC Business Saver account.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Wenlo RDA maintains a regularly updated Risk Register and this can be provided on request.

1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charities-and-reserves-cc19/charities-andreserves#explaining-reserves-in-the-annual-report

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document	Para 1.25	Constitution (RDA UK Standard Constitution for Unincorporated Group for charity number 1073408; RDA UK Standard Constitution for CIO Group for charity number 1191961)
How is the charity constituted?	Para 1.25	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	Para 1.25	Trustees are elected at the AGM which is usually held in December. One third of the Trustees are required to retire at each AGM but may be re-elected. Trustees are required to declare any conflict of interest/personal interest.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	New trustees are given RDA_UK's Trustee_ Welcome Pack Trustees participate in relevant training and courses organised by RDA UK including Safeguarding and Governance training.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	Wenlo RDA is a member group of RDA UK (charity number 244108), in the North Midlands region
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	N/A

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Wenlo Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving
Other name the charityuses	Wenlo RDA
Registered charitynumber	1191961
Charity’s principal address	Bowleys Barn Farm Stanford Lane Normanton on Soar LOUGHBOROUGH LE12 5ER

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	SHARON GARNER	CHAIR	N/A	N/A
	CLAIRE MADEN	TREASURER	N/A	N/A
	MARIA HOLDAWAY	SECRETARY	N/A	N/A
	DAVID JOHNSTONE		N/A	N/A
	SOPHIE BELL		From 26 June 2023	N/A

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved: N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity: N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

Declarations

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustee's Report above.

The Report was approved at the AGM on 9 December 2024 and a copy signed on behalf of the charity's Trustees.

Signature(s) Full name(s) SOPHIE BELL Position (e.g. Chair, CHAIR Secretary etc) Date 9 December 2024

Accounts

INCOME

To the nearest £

	Unrestricted	Restricted	TOTAL
DONATIONS	4,503	3,520	8,023
FUNDRAISING	2,012		2,012
GRANTS	1,130		1,130
RDA COMPETITION ACTIVITIES		2,393	2,393
INTEREST	345		345
TOTAL RECEIPTS	7,991	5,913	13,903

EXPENDITURE
To the nearest £
	Unrestricted	Restricted	TOTAL
BANK CHARGES	70		70
EQUINE	19		19
PROJECTS	167		167
MEMBERSHIP/INSURANCE/SUBSCRIPTIONS	2,584		2,584
RDA COMPETITION & RELATED ACTIVITIES	5,511		5,511
TRAVEL & TRAINING	50		50
EQUIPMENT/MAINTENANCE	1,232	94	1,326
STATIONERY/ADMIN/CONSUMABLES	2,536		2,536
TOTAL EXPENDITURE	12,169	94	12,263
RESERVES AT FINANCIAL YEAR END
To the nearest £1
RESTRICTED	21,586
UNRESTRICTED	9,370
TOTAL	30,956

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS:

Income: Grants received this financial year include £10,000 to establish a suitable space to enable Tea with a Pony and other sessions; £2000 for a new reception area; £5000 to establish provision of Equine Assisted Therapy including accredited training. Income from RDA Competition Activities represents charges made to cover entry fees and horse transport.

Expenditure: Equine includes the purchase of one horse (George), and related costs such as vetting and transport. Expenditure on RDA Competition & Related Activities includes entry fees, horse transport, transport and subsistence for volunteers, and equipment needed solely for competition use. Travel & Training includes accredited training for volunteers to provide Equine Assisted Therapy and accredited First Aid training.

Restricted funds: Funds from grants/donations which must only be spent on the purposes specified by the grant-making body or donor.